Chapter 44 - Opening Remarks and Closing Zippers

At the heart of the sprawling Orbital Tech Applied Kinetics University stands a monumental coliseum, a testament to advanced architecture and innovation. Towering like a futuristic gladiatorial arena, it is primarily used for exhibition training sessions featuring WAIFUs. Most days, the arena buzzes with the energy of third- and fourth-year students perfecting their combat techniques, particularly during the packed Saturday practical classes.

But today is far from ordinary. The coliseum is electrified with an even greater crowd, with spectators pouring in not just from Xyraxis but also from Earth. All eyes are drawn to the centerpiece of this week’s excitement—the Licensure Examination Tournament. Broadcast globally via pay-per-view or prepaid livestreams, the event has become a sensation.

“Helloooooo, ladies and gentlemen!”

A deep, charismatic voice boomed through the coliseum’s advanced sound system, reverberating against the walls like a call to arms. The audience erupted into cheers, their anticipation reaching a fever pitch. At the heart of the arena stood the event’s vibrant hosts, their energy palpable.

The man, an embodiment of flamboyance, had a striking brown complexion and an impossible-to-ignore rainbow-colored pompadour that seemed to defy gravity. Dressed in an unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt that flaunted his chiseled abs, he sported a pair of mirrored shades that caught the arena’s bright lights. With a grin as wide as the coliseum itself, he exuded confidence as he worked the crowd into a frenzy.

Beside him was none other than Dianca Fritz, radiating charm and elegance. Her pristine white and teal dress shimmered with subtle luminescence, and a delicate winged headband perched on her head gave her an almost ethereal quality. Her vibrant blue hair swayed with her movements as she skipped playfully to the center of the stage, her joy infectious.

“This is your host, Miles Oberyn!” announced the colorful man with a flourish.

“And I’m Dianca Fritz! We’ll be your hosts for the entirety of Part Two of the Licensure Examination Tournament!” she chimed in, her voice ringing out like a melody as the crowd erupted into another round of applause.

“Are you excited for this tournament, Miss Dianca?” Miles asked, his voice dripping with playful enthusiasm as he leaned toward his co-host, the glint from his shades catching the stadium lights.

“Of course I am, Miles!” Dianca replied, her teal dress fluttering slightly as she bounced on her heels. She paused, tilting her head with exaggerated curiosity, her winged headband glimmering. “But, but… what is the Licensure Examination Tournament anyway?”

“Ohohoho!” Miles chuckled, his laughter booming through the speakers. “I almost forgot—you’re a first-year student too! This must be your first time witnessing the annual Licensure Examination Tournament!” He struck a flamboyant pose, arms wide, as though presenting the entire event to her. “This examination has two intense parts—the written component and the grand tournament proper. Only the top 100 WAIFUs and their support units from the written exams are invited to enter Part Two: the thrilling tournament, baby!”

“Oooh!” Dianca clapped her hands together, her excitement contagious. “That sounds amazing! So, what can I expect in this tournament?”

Miles grinned, adjusting his shades as he leaned closer to the microphone. “Here’s the scoop: WAIFUs battle it out in this very coliseum, putting their skills to the ultimate test. Meanwhile, their support units stay on the sidelines, providing advice, orders, and strategic assistance using the WEEB system, baby!” His voice rose as he spoke, hyping up the crowd once more.

Dianca’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “That sounds so exciting! But… what are the rules for this tournament?”

Miles didn’t miss a beat, pointing a finger skyward as if delivering a lecture to the universe itself. “All WAIFUs and support units compete in a semi-round robin format, with matchups decided randomly by the AI. To pass the examinations, participants need to secure five straight wins. And to win a match, they’ve got two options: either force the opponent WAIFU into submission or destroy the head camera component of their Frame Unit. Simple, right?”

“Wait, isn’t fighting a little bit… hurtful?” Dianca asked, her voice tinged with concern as she pressed a finger to her lips. Her wide eyes and slightly tilted head added an innocent charm to her question. “I know that we WAIFUs are built to fight against Cosmic Beasts, but what happens if the participants get injured in this tournament?”

Miles waved a hand dismissively, his rainbow pompadour swaying slightly with the motion. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head, Dianca! Safety is priority number one, baby!” He struck a reassuring pose, resting a hand on his hip as he gestured toward the arena. “WAIFUs will be suited up in cutting-edge safety bodysuits that nullify impacts. Plus, the WEEB systems are set to non-lethal parameters. The only thing taking a beating today is the Frame Units, so grab your umbrellas because it’s going to be raining metal parts, baby!”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The crowd erupted in laughter and cheers, clearly energized by Miles’s over-the-top delivery.

Dianca clapped her hands together with delight, her blue hair shimmering as she twirled on the spot. “Oh! I feel so much better knowing that! I can’t wait to watch this amazing event!”

“You and me both!” Miles shot her a grin before turning his attention to the camera, his voice taking on a booming, theatrical tone. “So, folks at home, grab your popcorn, crack open a beer, or whatever you’ve got handy, because it’s time for the main event! Let’s get ready to rumble, baby!”

As his words echoed through the coliseum, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause and cheers. The noise rose like a tidal wave, reverberating off the towering walls of the arena and shaking the very ground. Excitement buzzed through the air, setting the stage for the thrilling battles to come.

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I stood with my friends backstage, watching the emcees perform through the large monitor. Their energy and charisma lit up the screen, drawing cheers even from us behind the scenes. As the opening remarks wrapped up, I turned to take in the sight of everyone around me.

The support units, myself included, were clad in our standard military-style uniforms, designed for practicality and ease of movement. The WAIFUs, however, wore sleek, skin-tight white bodysuits—a variation of their usual attire for practical exams. The suits hugged every contour, emphasizing their athletic builds while highlighting the futuristic design that symbolized their role as humanity’s defenders.

“Dianca really is beautiful,” Remuel murmured reverently, his hands clasped together as though praying to his personal goddess.

“I wish I could be as beautiful and confident as her,” Fei added softly, her voice tinged with admiration as her fingers intertwined in a similar gesture.

My gaze shifted to my partner, Myrrh Alicent, standing off to the side. She seemed to be wrestling with her bodysuit’s zipper, which had stubbornly stuck at the chest. The material was strained, revealing an ample amount of cleavage that made it look as though the suit might burst if she pushed it any further.

“Hnngggh…” Myrrh grunted in irritation as she tugged at the zipper with mounting frustration.

Cindy, ever helpful, stepped forward, her reddish-orange afro bobbing with her movements. “Oh, you want a hand?” she offered, but paused mid-reach, her brows furrowing. “Wait, no. If I force it, I might ruin it. You’ll need a gentler touch.”

“I’ll help!” Fei volunteered eagerly, stepping up with her usual timid energy. She took hold of the zipper, her black afro framing her concentrated expression. But despite her best effort, it wouldn’t budge. “I-I’m sorry,” Fei stammered, her cheeks reddening. “I’m a little clumsy… and weak.”

“That’s okay,” Myrrh reassured her, though a tinge of exasperation lingered in her voice. She turned, her greenish-blonde hair swaying slightly, and her eyes landed on me. The moment our gazes met, her expression shifted instantly. Her face flushed, and she quickly covered her chest with her arms.

“What is it, Zaft? You like what you’re seeing, you damn pervert?” she snapped, her voice sharp but tinged with embarrassment.

I let out a long, exaggerated sigh. “No. You're just getting more weight. Have you considered exercising more and eating less?”

Myrrh’s blush deepened to a furious red as she reached for her morpher with an indignant growl. “I’ll shove this thing in your mouth!”

“Oh, shit!” I yelped, throwing my arms up to shield myself as she brandished the device like a weapon.

The scene dissolved into chaos, the tension broken by our usual bickering. Somewhere in the background, I could hear Cindy laughing, and Fei mumbling something about wanting to help more. It was just another day with Myrrh, unpredictable as ever.

Myrrh stomped forward, each step echoing loudly against the backstage floor. Her sapphire blue eyes blazed with determination as she grabbed my wrist and dragged me unceremoniously to a secluded corner of the backstage area, well out of anyone’s sight.

“Instead of throwing insults at your partner, you should help, you nincompoop,” she huffed, puffing her cheeks in an adorable yet commanding pout.

“Ah, sorry,” I muttered, scratching the back of my head awkwardly. My gaze flickered downward to her puffed-up chest, the strained zipper, and the too-generous hint of cleavage beneath it. “So, you want me to, uh… zip it all the way up?”

“Yeah,” she said sharply, her cheeks tinged with pink. “But don’t get any ideas. If your fingers so much as brush my skin, I’ll kick your ass.”

“Fine, fine,” I said, sighing dramatically to mask my flustered state. “Just tilt your chin up so I can do this carefully.”

Myrrh tilted her head back, exposing the smooth curve of her neck. I stepped closer, the scent of her—a soft, floral fragrance mixed with a hint of citrus—washing over me. Carefully, I positioned my right hand to grip the zipper, aligning the teeth with precision. Slowly but surely, I guided it upward, past her chest and collarbone, until it reached the base of her neck.

Her neck... I couldn’t help but linger for a split second. If I were a vampire, I’d have bitten it right then and there—it looked that tempting. But I snapped myself out of it, shaking the thought away.

“There,” I said, stepping back to admire my work. “Goodness, you girls really need to learn the technique for something as simple as closing a zipper.”

“Thank you, Zaft,” Myrrh replied softly. Her face was noticeably pink now, her expression shy as she swayed slightly, hands clasped behind her back. She looked up at me, her green-blonde long hair swishing as she asked, “So, does this bodysuit look good on me?”

I blinked, heat rushing to my cheeks as I stammered, “Y-yeah. It… shapes your Coca-Cola body perfectly.”

Myrrh giggled, a sound that was equal parts teasing and charming. “Don’t get too horny, okay? We’ve still got a tournament to win.”

Her playful grin and bright demeanor left me utterly flustered, but all I could do was nod, knowing full well this was just another moment in the chaotic whirlwind that was Myrrh Alicent.