With a bittersweet farewell, Machi and Jenny bid Lily goodbye, their minds brimming with unanswered questions about her true intentions. They retreated to their cell, seeking solace in the familiar confines of their shared space. Jenny, exhausted from the day's events, quickly succumbed to sleep, her rhythmic breaths filling the silence of the room.
Machi, however, found himself restless, his thoughts swirling like a tempest within his mind. He paced the narrow confines of their cell, his steps echoing with nervous energy. The weight of their impending destiny bore down on him, pushing him to seek any possible advantage within their grasp.
As he walked, a revelation blossomed within his mind, like a glimmer of hope piercing the darkest night. They had two months to prepare for the Dragon's Trials, and though the details of the tournament eluded them, Machi realized that the only aspect they could control was themselves. He stopped, his heart pounding with newfound determination.
A flicker of moonlight danced across Machi's face as he gazed at Jenny, peaceful in her slumber. He felt a swell of gratitude that she was by his side, their fates intertwined in this treacherous journey. With a renewed resolve, he turned away from her sleeping form, his eyes scanning the room.
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In that moment, as if guided by fate's invisible hand, Machi's attention was drawn to a bookshelf. He watched, a sense of helplessness creeping in, as a book teetered precariously close to the edge. Time seemed to stretch, the seconds slipping away like grains of sand.
But then, in a twist of inexplicable fortune, the book froze in mid-air, suspended by an unseen force. Machi's eyes widened in astonishment, his hand darting forward to catch it with effortless precision. He held the book in his grasp, its cover bearing a single word: "Tempo."
A surge of curiosity coursed through him, stirring an unexplainable connection to the enigmatic book. Placing it back on the shelf, Machi couldn't help but wonder about the significance of this strange encounter.
With a newfound calm settling over him, Machi laid down on a bed next to Jenny’s, their destinies intertwined in this moment of anticipation. Two months lay ahead, a stretch of time to hone their skills, gather information, and prepare for the trials that would shape their future.