Two figures stood on a high ledge overlooking Ei'en, faces hidden behind white masks etched with intricate red patterns. Only their eyes were visible, faintly glowing as they observed the pair running below. Mei and her new master, Umi Nagisa, weaved through the maze-like streets of Ei’en, their movements swift and purposeful amidst the labyrinth of the city.

From their vantage point on the upper tier of the city, where the academy nestled against the side of the mountain, the two figures could see the distant Kuro mountain range stretching toward the eastern coast. The mountains, jagged and imposing, rose like dark fingers through a veil of mist, their peaks hidden within thick jungle.

The taller figure adjusted his stance, casting a shadow over his smaller companion. “Is that the one?” His voice was soft but tinged with skepticism. “She doesn’t look like much.”

“Oh, she’s definitely the one,” replied the woman, her voice low and almost purring with excitement. She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she studied Mei with a mixture of fascination and intensity. “And I think she’s perfect. I can’t wait to get my hands on her.”

He eyed Mei, then looked back at her with a frown. “I still don’t see it. What’s so special about her?”

The woman straightened, her tone light and almost mischievous. “That’s the best part. The potential... it’s all unknown. She could be anything.”

He crossed his arms, unconvinced. “And you’re betting on that?”

A sly grin spread across her face. “Betting? I’d say it’s more like a sure thing.”

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He raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like a gamble to me.”

“Oh, definitely,” she replied with a knowing glint in her eye. “But that’s what makes it exciting, isn’t it?”

The tall figure groaned, clearly frustrated. “You always make it sound so simple. You know, you’re not making any sense at all.”

She grinned wider, stepping back from the edge. “Well, that’s the fun part. There’s no telling what she might become. Isn’t that terrifying?”

“I’m more terrified of you never getting to the point,” he muttered, rubbing his mask in frustration. “You’re not telling me anything about this wager, are you?”

She tilted her head, pretending to be innocent. “Wager? I didn’t say anything about a wager.”

“Of course, you didn’t,” he grumbled, his broad frame turning to leave. “You never do. You just want me to play along with your games.”

“You promised, remember?” she teased, her voice dripping with amusement as she moved to follow him. “You always say that, but you can never resist.”

“I promised nothing,” he grunted, clearly exasperated. “This isn’t how bets work. You can’t just leave things open-ended like this. I need to know what I’m agreeing to!”

“I never said you had to agree,” she shot back, stepping lightly through the underbrush, her laughter faint but bright. “You’re the one who wanted in.”

He growled, shaking his head as they moved deeper into the forest, their bickering fading into the distance. “You always find a way to make me regret it.”

The mountains, towering and silent, stood watch over them as their voices drifted away, leaving only the rustling of leaves and the distant sound of a waterfall.