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Chapter 43 – Rising Heat
The heat of the tournament didn't die after the stunning fight with Unit 02—it only intensified. The entire dome seemed to carry a hum of anticipation after that clash, and Unit 06 had become the name on everyone's lips.
But there were still seven battles ahead.
Rather than give in to the pressure, Unit 06 turned every match into a learning curve. The team evolved—not through rest, but through combat. Kayden's strikes became sharper and more reactive. Zane began unleashing explosive bursts of Soul Flame with masterful control. Kira adapted her Ice Ability into a more tactical form, while Devin crafted smart, metallic constructs on the fly. Henry, once treated like a clown, began to weaponize the wind with both power and precision.
And Elliot... Even though he didn't speak much, every step he took on the battlefield showed growth. His control of the shadow had stabilized—not perfect, but deepening, maturing with every clash.
Through the weeks, Unit 06 claimed victory after victory. They crushed Units 10, 08, and 04 with strategic brilliance. The once-dismissed underdogs were now legitimate contenders, rising steadily up the leaderboard.
But their pace wasn't perfect.
Unit 03 caught them just after their hard-fought match with Unit 02. The exhaustion was real. Bodies sore, minds frayed, their cohesion fell apart just slightly—and it was enough. Unit 03 exploited the crack mercilessly. The match ended fast, almost ruthlessly.
In the Instructor Lounge, whispers floated between senior Inspectors about the loss.
> "They weren't outclassed," Leo noted, crossing his arms.
"No," Travis replied. "They were drained. Poor timing. But they're coming."
The leaderboard glowed in the tournament dome:
Unit 01 – 40 points (Undefeated)
Unit 06 – 35 points (One loss)
Unit 02 – 30 points (Two losses)
Unit 03 --- 25 points ( Three losses)
Now, there was only one match left.
The most anticipated match of the entire Freshers' Tournament.
Unit 06 vs. Unit 01.
The dome was already buzzing with excitement. Seats were getting booked early. Analysts were placing bets. People remembered how Unit 01 used to mock Unit 06. How Unit 06 rose through grit. Now, both squads stood at the very top.
One last fight.
In their dorm room, the six members of Unit 06 sat together, the air still and heavy. No jokes. No teasing. Just preparation. Elliot stood silently by the window. The moon was high again—dark, soft, distant.
His thoughts drifted not to his past or his power, but to the next battle.
He whispered to himself:
"We're not the same team anymore."
The night was quiet.
But the storm was coming.
Unit 01 Dorm
The flicker of blue light danced across Michael's eyes as he stood in front of the projection. Unit 06's past three battles—against Units 08, 07, and 04—played in sequence. Each fight, each move, each decision, he watched without blinking.
Behind him, Gabriel leaned on the doorway, arms crossed.
"You've been watching them for a while now," Gabriel said. "They're good, but you're acting like they're… different."
Michael didn't look back. "They are."
Gabriel scoffed lightly. "Different how?"
Michael paused, letting the clip finish with Zane landing a sharp counter-strike. Then, softly, he replied, "They don't fight like first-years."
Gabriel raised a brow. "So what are you seeing?"
Michael turned away from the hologram, walking past him. "Potential."
Gabriel called out, "You really think they're worth all this attention?"
Michael didn't stop. "We'll see… in the arena tomorrow."
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