Duels and Dramas

What the— why is everyone arriving early today?

It's already the winter festival season. The commissioners are having more reasons to hire us.

Already? No, wait... I thought winter is at least a month away...

Eh, the winter has been arriving earlier and earlier each year, ever since the latest breakthrough in—

Yeah, yeah. It's almost ridiculous that they're already setting up the yearly tournament at this time. Look.

Mhm. We're likely to hear a thing or two about the announcement this week... I wonder if the captain has any plans for this year's tournament.

I sure hope there are slots for six of us. Maybe five, in case Taden's too busy doing management stuff. Four if they're kind enough. Three would still be fine, almost pushing it.

If it's anything like the last year, the reservation race would've been worse this time. Not to mention the other new teams this year.

Haha...

Rai!!! Sol!!! How long have you guys been here?

Oh, look who it is! Hello!!!

We've been here for a few minutes. You?

Just got off from the station, with Cobalt!

(He nods.)

Uh, what's going on over there?

Right, it's your first year being a duelist! You've heard of the yearly duelist tournament?

...Sort of. I'm assuming the registration is opening soon?

Looks like it.

Any news about the tournament? Any rumors about who's joining?

They haven't announced anything yet. But from the looks of the duelists this year... it's going to be a busy one.

You think Team Nimbus is joining too?

Likely. Aes never turns down opportunities like this.

You're buddies with that team?

Yeah! I just went out for a cafe with Aes last week!

Huh?

Really?

Wait. Was it the time you came home late last Friday?

Mhm. Didn't I tell you about it?

Uh... Wait, hold on. I think the Aes part is news to me. You've only said you're going out with a friend.

Mhm.

Aw, you guys still keep in touch after the shuffle fest?

I mean, we could help each other out in the future, who knows? Better make good connections with other teams.

I see...

She's right, you know.

Is it still... like that, between you and Luna?

Anyways! We better prepare ourselves and schedules for the tournament. Gotta climb up the ranks to the top.

(Seeing how Sol acts, he awkwardly glances at Rai.)

(He nods at Cobalt.)

Yeah! Let's do our best this week, and hope Taden would be—

Oh, good morning, guys.

(He simply waves at the teammates.)

Ah, speaking of the devil— no, captain. Heya.

What are you guys up to?

About the incoming tournament. It looks like they're opening up the registration early this year.

Oh, right. The team tickets... Anything else?

No, not yet. They haven't announced anything.

I see... I guess I'll be needing some help getting the tickets, considering the look of this year.

What can we help with?

Hmm... Something you guys can help with...

Actually, don't sweat about it just yet. I'll message you guys if we're making a move. Keep doing your best like the usual, and I'll manage the rest. Don't worry about it.

(He nods.)

Say, if we only manage to secure a very few seats, who would you pick to join the tournament?

Hmm...

(She turns to Vadios.)

I'll join if you want me to.

Oh, alright.

Sol and Rai would be my second and third choice for the tournament, and if there are still spaces, I'm letting Cobalt and Arine join in too—so they can get the actual tournament experience.

I'm the second choice?

Apart from Vadios himself, you have the best skills to climb up the tournament rankings.

Aye!

And for Rai—if we only have two slots left just for Vadios and Sol, you can be a great support member for those two, too. I hope that doesn't sound too harsh.

It's alright. I'm actually pretty glad you're making me the support.

Aw. Anyways, onto Cobalt and Arine... It'd be your first year joining the tournament, if we manage to get the slots for you two. But if there aren't any slots left, I'll be having you guys join me behind the scenes too.

Yessir!

Got it.

Anyways, it's already seven in the morning... Rai's and Sol's first match starts at seven thirty, right? I'm going to stop talking and let you guys prepare for the match—and for the rest...

Cobalt, Arine, are you joining us at the working space?

Oh, sure!

(He nods.)

Alright... See you guys later during lunch break! Good luck!

Looks like they're setting the tournament up.

Doesn't it seem unusually early this year? I guess we'll have to plan for weapon polishment early on too...

Mhm. How many weeks will you need for that?

Uh, let's see...

Your set will take four days max, Luna's two days, Rayne's... likely a week. From the looks of her weapons.

So that makes roughly two weeks. I'm going to clean up the schedule so you have at least three weeks to work.

Oh, you don't have to, I can manage this—

I'm not leaving any places for last-minute emergencies, especially for such event. A month would be much more preferrable. Luna and Rayne would need all the time too.

Mm, yeah. Wonder what they're up to now...

They're coming.

(She approaches the table with two cups of coffee, and places it down on the table in front of Aes and Jack.)

This one's for Jack, and this one's yours.

You really bought me a coffee...? Wait, let me just send the payment—

No need to. Just take it.

Oh, okay...

Thanks again, Luna.

Have you seen Rayne around?

That guy...

(She turns around.)

Hey.

...!

(She blocks Luna's fist and looks at the other two.)

What were you all talking about?

Oh, well, about the upcoming yearly tournament... They're already setting things up over there.

Huh, I guess they're having something big planned for this year.

Seems like it. Some kind of a team event, perhaps?

Wait, wait. Get back to the tournament.

Oh, thanks for the reminder.

Depending on how much time we have until the tournament, you'll have to get your weapons and skills at their best state. So apart from taking on duels, you'll have to practice and hone your skills for the tournament, too.

Mhm.

That means I wouldn't want any of you to burn yourselves out, before the tournament even starts.

Luna, if the tournament were to start next month, will you be busy with your other work?

Hmm. It's going to be the winter festival soon, too... But I think I can manage.

If we managed to get only one slot for our team, feel free to just sign me up, or whatever.

Dude.

I'll make sure we get at least two slots. Having someone go completely solo in this tournament would be too risky.

(She nervously nods, as she looks at Rayne and Luna.)

It would've been interesting, though.

It wouldn't. It absolutely wouldn't. This isn't like the other seasonal rankings where you can just breeze to the top.

Yeah, sure. But if we have no other choice, just send me in, and I'll deliver.

Do you remember Team Tempest, the team we paired up with during the shuffle festival?

I've just talked to Arine—my partner during the fest—earlier, and she said they're trying to get their entire team there.

All six of them? What do they think they're getting into? A field trip?

I know how that sounds. But they're very hopeful about it.

I mean, I can see it happen. Everyone there actually duels.

(She looks down.)

You're an irreplaceable member, Jack.

If anything, you can prep for the support too.

(She just looks at Jack, saying nothing.)

Yeah, thanks guys. I'll make sure our weapons manage to get past Vadios—he'd be our biggest threat from Team Tempest.

Oh, right. It's his first year in that team too. You've seen his skills up close during the shuffle festival, right?

Mhm. He's... something.

I've tried Taden's weapons during that fest, and honestly? This year's tournament might've been a little more exciting. Just imagine that guy and Taden's weapons for these events.

We should focus on keeping their weaker team members under control, too. One of them could've pulled a surprise on us.

Right, like that one time in the fest Sol—

(She glares at Rayne.)

I know. I've known her longer than anyone here.

Yeah, yeah. I have zero clue on what happened between you two before the fest.

Just go beat her up in the tournament and get the steam out, or something.

I'm going to beat you next.

Uh...

Of course, we'll run into their team members too. Say, Jack, if we secured four slots, are you going to join the tournament?

Me? Why?

Taden mentioned she's sending her rookies to the tournament, just to get the experience. You'll need the experience, too.

...You too?

I... I'll think about it.

Victory is important, of course. But I'd love to make every members grow as duelists, too.

Even me?

Of course. Even if you've managed to reach the top, you can still grow.

Heh. I'd love to see you try.

Are you all being serious?

Do I not look serious enough?

I am...

Of course.

Alright, fine. The captain's words are final.

Once we get any information about the tournament, I'll be finding a way to get four slots. You know the rest.

Right.

That's all for the discussion. Good work today, everyone.

Yay.

(She looks at Rayne.)

Yay...?

Oh, Luna's leaving already.

She has the evening shift for her other work today.

Damn. How is she going to fit the practice in her schedule like that?

She's managed before.

Though, I'll need to start scheduling her breaks next month, just so she's at her peak performance by the time the tournament starts.

I see. Well, I'll go too. See ya.

(She waves at Rayne.)

We'll be going too. Do you need to do anything else here?

Hmm. I wonder if the leaks about the tournament are already out...

Oh, that.

I'll try to find something, once we get home.

Mhm. What do you want for dinner?

I'll think about it later.