As I walk through the crowd of tents and porters, I follow Mary. Boredom radiates from every tentacle.

The reporter's voice blares from the small device held by one of the porters: <>

One of the tentacles perks up in interest and leans toward the sound.

It looks like that time of year again. I still remember my first participation in it. Granted, not all of it was exactly...pleasant. I wasn't as prepared as I should have been

Mary pauses in her walking and approaches the porter's tent.

"Oh, that sounds interesting," she remarks, careful not to step on the scattered items around the tent. "What are you watching?"

"Some live broadcast about this event in Crystal Blossom City," the porter says, turning his tablet around to show us. "It's where the students undergo various tests to showcase their abilities before culminating in the Final's Arena." He taps on the screen. "That's what's happening right now."

On the screen, two boys are shown fighting in a large, open-space stadium. One manages to grab the other by the neck and repeatedly slams his opponent's head onto the ground.

<<'Crack!'>>

Blood slowly leaks from the boy's head, staining the sandy floor red. He thrashes futilely, attacking the other with arrow-shaped asura blasts in an attempt to dislodge the hands around his neck.

<<'Crack!'>>

Confusion and disgust immediately fill the bond. I gingerly prod at them questioningly.

What is up with their reaction? Shouldn't they be used to blood and violence?

"Ah, right, those," Mary winces as the boy's head slams into the ground. "Never been a big fan of them. I don't understand why Crystal Blossom City hosts such events for its students." She gestures towards the fighters on the screen. "Look at them. They barely look older than thirteen."

"Is there something wrong with it?" I ask, tilting my head in curiosity.

What does age have to do with it? They're just two students competing in the arena. I'm sure other academies test their students too.

"What—," Mary sighs, dragging a hand down her face. "Look at what's happening on the screen. Isn't one of them going to suffer a severe head injury?"

The porter shrugs as he turns his tablet around. "Ah, don't be a spoilsport. It's not even that bad. A bit violent? Sure, but it's just a game."

"A bunch of kids fighting to the death isn't what I consider entertainment."

"I don't think you should get so worked up over it," the porter says, typing something on his tablet. "Besides, most of them have asura ranks between B and up. Their bodies can handle a lot more than we can."

"Tapping Mary on the shoulder, I draw her attention toward me.

"Don't worry. The academy in Crystal Blossom City always ensures there are enough high-level healing potions," I reassure her. "Even if one of your limbs got cut, you could still reattach it."

Of course, there are still people who succumb to their injuries, but that's unavoidable.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Mary stares at me with something in her eyes before glancing down. "Why are you rubbing the lower part of your arm?"

I pause in my rubbing and swiftly yank my hand away. A bit of pity leaks through the neutrality the tentacles present.

How in the world did I not notice that I was rubbing it?

<<'KZzzss!'>>

"Ah, darn it!" The porter huffs, shaking and lightly hitting the tablet. "The flickering asura sure is getting on my nerves. How is anyone supposed to watch anything with the flickering connection?" He looks up and glances around him. "I hope the asura stabilizes soon. It's going to be real annoying if this dungeon becomes unstable."

Sighing through her teeth, Mary pinches the bridge of her nose.

"You know what, I don't have the mental energy to continue this conversation." She turns around and motions for me to follow her. "We will talk about this later."

The porter grunts in acknowledgment, his eyes still locked on the tablet's screen. I gaze at him for a moment before hurrying to catch up with Mary. Together, we silently walk away, leaving the porter's tent far behind us.

How strange, she's not usually this silent. Did I do something wrong? I wonder what's on her mind.

Mumbling something under her breath, Mary leads me to a tent adorned with white heart-shaped flower petals. Beside it stands a tree with a kettle hanging from its trunk by a metallic rope.

Aren't those Fyeade?

Narrowing my eyes, I stare at the Fyeades. The mass of red stamens sways wickedly from side to side in the breeze. A brief moment of wonder passes through the bond as tentacles reach toward it longingly.

I feel uneasy being near these flowers. Should I tell Mary? She might not know what they represent.

"Here, sit," Mary takes a random cut-up log and places it on the ground. "I wish I had something other than this, but the stool was too heavy to carry with me."

"Oh, no, it's alright," I say before sitting on the log. Some tentacles drape themselves on my lap while others lay on the ground.

Mary smiles as she unties the rope from the tree and slowly lowers the kettle. Along with two small cups, she takes the teapot over to me.

Ah, that reminds me. I still need to return Mary's thermal bottle. It's fine, I'll do it later.

"This is my personal blend," Mary says, handing me one of the cups as she begins pouring tea into it. "Careful. It's hot."

Bringing it near my nose, I sniff it before taking a small sip. The tea enters my mouth, and a light, fruity flavor flows across my tongue.

"This is really good," I compliment Mary, occasionally passing glances at the Fyeades.

"Oh, thank you," Mary chuckles, sitting cross-legged on the ground. "I wasn't sure how others would perceive it since it's pretty experimental. I'm thinking of adding my blend to the menu when I open my tea shop someday."

"A tea shop?"

"Yeah, one by the seaside. Maybe in my hometown."

"That sounds wonderful," I say before my gaze returns to the Fyeades. "Those flowers are quite beautiful."

Mary glances back at the flowers decorating the roof of her tent. "They really are, aren't they?" Smiling, she turns back to me. "I like having them around as they represent rebirth in my culture."

"Rebirth?"

A flower that's the symbol of bad luck from Crystal Blossom is seen as rebirth from somewhere else.

"Yeah, in some ways, I kind of see it in myself," Mary explains, briefly closing her eyes. "You see, I used to not be a very good person. I guess those flowers to me are like a second chance. A rebirth if you will." She rolls her shoulders and places the kettle beside her. "I don't think anything I do is ever going to make up for what happened, and that's justifiable."

Mary, a bad person? I can't imagine it. Would it be rude to ask about what happened?

"Oh, sorry, didn't mean to dump that on you," she chuckles sheepishly. "Anyway, this is not what I want to talk to you about." Straightening her back, Mary makes eye contact with me. "Is everything alright with your family life?"

Raising one of my eyebrows, I tilt my head to the side. "I'm sorry?"

"I know it's none of my business, but your reaction toward the broadcast is a bit concerning," Mary says gently, resting both hands on her lap. "I want to ask if there's anything you want to tell me."

Blinking, I gaze at the ground and then stare off to the side.

"Your friend has a very low chance of surviving his injuries," the doctor says solemnly. "I would suggest that you should prepare to say your goodbyes."

Standing up from her chair, Lana starts to walk out.

"Where are you going?" Jack asks.

"I need some air," Lana answers, not looking back.

"...Alright. You will return later, right?"

Letting out a long sigh, I look back at Mary.

There's no need for Mary to get involved with my baggage.

"...I'm sorry, Mary, but I don't think I'm ready to share that yet. I'll tell you about it when I'm ready."

Nodding, Mary smiles at me.

"Alright," she says, "But if you ever need a listening ear, just know that I'm always here."

"Thank you."