As the days went by, Ayato and Julis found themselves working harder than ever to improve their skills and prepare for the upcoming Festa. They trained together every day, pushing each other to the limit and refining their techniques.

One afternoon, as they were finishing up their training session, they were approached by a familiar face. It was none other than Dirk Eberwein, Ayato's former rival and the leader of the Gryps Festa-winning team.

"Long time no see, Ayato," Dirk said, a smirk on his face. "I see you're still training hard, but can you really compete with the top fighters in the Festa?"

Ayato bristled at the challenge, his competitive spirit kicking into overdrive. "Of course I can," he shot back. "I've grown stronger since we last fought."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Dirk raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well, I look forward to seeing your progress in the Festa. Just remember, I'll be gunning for you."

With that, Dirk turned and walked away, leaving Ayato and Julis to stew in their frustration. They knew that Dirk was a formidable opponent, and they would have to work even harder if they wanted to come out on top in the upcoming Festa.

As they headed back to their dorm, Ayato and Julis discussed their training regimen and how they could improve their techniques. They knew that they would have to be at their very best if they wanted to stand a chance against the likes of Dirk and the other top fighters in the Festa.

But despite the daunting task ahead of them, Ayato and Julis were determined to come out on top. They had worked too hard to let anyone stand in their way, and they were ready to face any challenge that came their way.