I walked to my mirror and looked at myself, the reflection revealing a physique overflowing with strength and speed, sculpted into a marvel of lean muscle. The transformation astounded me. I earned this through my completion of the quests. Despite the remarkable progress, my mission was far from complete; the hunger for greater strength drove me forward. To ensure optimum recovery, I pulled out my phone from my pocket and deftly set a timer for eighteen hours – the precise duration required for a full regeneration of my health.

Navigating to the home page, I composed a message to Aroha, my fingers tapping the screen. I informed her of my early awakening the next day, expressing regret that I would miss dinner with her. A kiss emoji adorned the message, a small gesture meant to soothe any disappointment she might be feeling. Eating together was a luxury I couldn't afford right now, and only right now. The emoji was my way of conveying warmth and connection despite the physical distance.

Turning my attention to the closet, I retrieved a set of blue and white pajamas adorned with a playful shark symbol in a scattered pattern – a touch of whimsy is needed sometimes. The pajamas, despite their lighthearted design, were a comforting choice for the night. With the soft fabric against my skin, I settled onto the bed and pulled the covers over my tired body. The day's exertions weighed on me, and as my eyes closed, I succumbed to sleep, the embrace of rest claiming me immediately and with swiftness.

I was abruptly awoken by the insistent sound of the timer, my eyes struggling to shake off the haze of sleep. Fumbling slightly, I reached for my phone and silenced the timer before delving into my texts. Aroha's response, received an hour later, provided a snapshot, "ok ly, Ethan came back and helped pack most of our stuff." With effort that I shouldn't have needed, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and compelled myself to stand. Switching on the room light, I directed my attention to the closet, relieved to find that the police had successfully transferred my belongings. The bare walls of the room hinted at the need for decoration, a task I filed away for future consideration. For now, however, the freedom to choose my attire took precedence.

Rifling through the clothes, my eyes fell on the jacket I had worn the previous day. Surprisingly intact, considering the scuffle that had taken place. I marveled at the resourcefulness of those who mended it; the once-damaged garment had been seamlessly sewn back together within a day. No, seriously, that's tough. Slipping into the rejuvenated jacket, I headed towards the door

Aroha stood by the stove, skillfully flipping pancakes on the sizzling pan to my left. The kitchen was infused with the delightful aroma of the breakfast she was preparing. Initially, it seemed like a routine morning scene – four pancakes almost done, a fair amount for a satisfying breakfast. Yet, as I looked more closely, her body posture betrayed an underlying discomfort, her shoulders slouched with a weight not carried by the pancakes alone. She was still wrestling with what happened yesterday, evident in her demeanor.

In an effort to make my presence known, I started walking towards her. She greeted me with a soft "Good morning, Oren." I reciprocated with a yawn, acknowledging her with a sleepy, "Good morning." My destination was the kitchen counter, where I retrieved a glass from the cabinet, filling it with water. Meanwhile, Aroha carefully plated one of the pancakes and generously drizzled it with syrup. Taking my usual spot on the barstool from the day before, I watched as she handed me the plate. A quiet moment passed as I absorbed the warmth radiating from the fresh breakfast. Expressing my gratitude, I said, "Thank you." appreciating not just the food but the unspoken effort she put into life even while she is suffering.

She gracefully settled onto the stool on the opposite side of the counter, her eyes curious and probing as she posed the question, "What is your new mission?" My hand lingered in the lower drawer, wrapping around the cool metal of the fork I sought. "Not a new mission, the same one," I clarified as I retrieved the utensil. "I'm going to end the tournament today. This has gone on far enough."

Aroha's gaze shifted downward to her right, contemplation evident in her expression. "How? You still have a couple of rounds to go." she inquired, seeking insight into the intricacies of my plan. Placing the fork on the table, I assured her, "I have a plan, don't worry." Her nod conveyed trust, and we proceeded to say our prayers before delving into the delectable meal before us. The food was a symphony of flavors. She's always had good cooking skills. We both indulged in our share. Two pancakes for me, two for her. Amid the bites, we engaged in conversation about various mundane topics, the easy flow of dialogue creating a comforting ambiance. Unbeknownst to me, a subconscious smile played on my lips.

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Despite the levity of our conversation, Tony's lingering memory occupied both our minds. Yet, amidst the unspoken grief, there was a shared understanding that Tony would want us to find happiness amid the challenges we faced. I took my leave shortly thereafter, ensuring I bid my goodbyes and offered a helping hand with the cleanup. As I made my way towards the exit, the once serene atmosphere had transformed into a lively scene, with numerous cars parked around the vicinity. A quick glance revealed that all the rooms were booked, each vehicle proudly displaying the unmistakable mark of FEDs. The sight provided a comforting reassurance – they were on my side, a realization that brought a sense of relief. When I was back back inside my room, I carefully stowed the book inside my drawer, a deliberate move to keep it secure and away from prying eyes. Its contents held significance, and I wasn't willing to risk its safety by putting it in those lockers again.. With my preparations complete, I embarked on the journey to the colosseum, the weight of the impending final battle settling on my shoulders. As I walked, I took a moment to steady myself.

I stepped into the colosseum, making my way up to the second floor. The atmosphere was energetic, and the number of spectators had steadily increased throughout the event. As I scanned the surroundings, my attention was drawn to Limitless, standing beneath a towering pillar. He appeared agitated, repeatedly glancing left and right as if searching for someone. Our eyes met, and he approached me.

Close up, I noticed that Limitless was slightly shorter than Time, a detail that became apparent as he looked directly into my eyes. He began, "Hey, I know you're stronger than me. It's not like me to give up, but I want you to get revenge for me. Heart, or his real name Adalard, is in the damn hospital! He's in a coma!" Adalard in a coma? It's very expensive to the doctors who are willing to take on gifted patients. "Woah, a coma?" I responded, expressing genuine surprise. He continued, his arms gesturing wildly, "Yeah! I need you to beat Time and embarrass him! Why would he do that to Adalard?!" The fervor in his plea resonated, and I pondered the validity of his demand. It was a fair point – the unjustified act against Adalard left an unsettling feeling. Moreover, the fact that Time had assisted me before created a conflict of allegiance. Could the Allia-

The resonant voice of the announcer echoed through the colosseum, signaling the commencement of the semi-finals. "Alright, we're going to start the semi-finals! The Red Samurai versus Time! Can swords even be viable nowadays?! Whoever wins this will fight in the finals! We have a loser's bracket to decide who fights System as well." Feeling the anticipation in the air, I began my journey into the spectator stands, navigating through the crowd toward the arena. Turning my attention forward, I met Limitless, and with a knowing expression, I remarked, "You're in luck."

Descending further into the stands, I could see Time and the Red Samurai positioning themselves on their respective sides of the arena. The tension mounted as the duel was about to commence, prompting me to put the plan into action at this crucial moment.

I propelled myself from the lowest stand on the second floor, executing a flawless leap that culminated in a controlled landing at the center of the arena. My right leg bent, and my entire stance was not formed, in a good way. The seemingly unbreakable material beneath me cracked under the force. Only Time has done that so far. With a swift movement, I unfurled my hands, shaping my fingers into claws that mirrored the predatory instinct within me. The transformation was akin to a beast poised for confrontation. The announcer yelled, "System? This isn't time for you-" The announcer's attempt to intervene was swiftly halted as I directed a screeching yell at her, "Shut up! We don't need a loser's bracket; this ends now! You two versus me!"

The unexpected declaration left Kayuga bewildered. He retorted, "Really, System? You couldn't even handle seventy percent of my strength." In response, I swiped my hand to the left, conjuring a wide air current that surged toward Kayuga with ferocious speed. Reacting quickly, he drew his sword, executing a swift upward slice to the right. The clash of air currents ensued, with mine persisting and advancing toward Kayuga despite his efforts. In a display of fair agility, he leaped into the air to evade the oncoming force, landing back on the ground with a perplexed expression. "I didn't use my skill, but I still should have— What are you, System?" he questioned, the uncertainty evident in his voice as the mystery of my growth unfolded before him.

Surveying the opposite side arena, my gaze shifted towards Time. Time stood there, exuding the confidence of a seasoned pro wrestler and the composure of ice, unfazed by the unfolding scenario. The announcer, sensing the severity of the situation, desperately yelled, "Do not do this System! We will get you disqualified!" However, Time, with a mere lift of his hand, silenced the announcer, asserting an unexpected authority. The number one student has this much authority?

Fake concern etched across his features, Time addressed me, "You're making a mistake. Even if you can win against him," His head lifted, revealing dark red eyes that betrayed a deeper contemplation, "who says you can win against me?" A subtle sweat mark traced down my temple as the weight of his words sank in. Kayuga, seemingly finding common ground with Time, sheathed his sword, acknowledging, "This is a bit unfair, don't you think?" I gritted my teeth, frustration mounting. With a defiant yell, I shut them up. I then warned them, "Unfair for me? You must misunderstand. It's unfair for you."