"Ladies and gentlemen. Now, the three candidates, Garrett, Leon, and Asami, will have to duel in Authority. As a 2nd roud of exam."
The commentator said.
Hearing this, people around the booth turned their gaze to the battlefield.
The spectators watching the scene murmured.
Cheerleaders chanted their support.
"Go for it, Garret!" a long-haired cheerleader called out.
Meanwhile, Garret fixed his gaze on Leon and Asami.
A smile blooming his lips.
In his hand, he held a Try-angle.
"Alright, let the fight begin!"
The bell ranging, the three of them charged each other.
Cubby-chan, watching from the side, offered Garret a small, encouraging smile.
Then, Garret turned his gaze to Leon and Asami in front of him. He subtly extended his hand, and used the check features:
[
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Moments later, Asami walked towards Leon. Her icy gaze locked onto him.
Flinched visibly.
Then a soft voice, Asami cast her Authority -
"BLOSSOM DANCE I"
Countless slender.
Ribbon blades lunged at Leon from all directions.
Left.
Right.
UP.
DOWN.
Flower petals rained down in each stab.
A beautiful yet deadly spectacle.
"Give up, leon." Her voice was soft, yet chilling.
On the ground, Leon clenched his spear, letting out a strained grunt.
"Give up? It's only just begun!"
He gritted his teeth, gathering his remaining strength and casting his Authority.
"Lightning Ball."
Zap!!!
A bright yellow ball of lightning shot towards Asami.
Forcing her to backpedal.
A sharp stinging on her skin.
Seeing this, Garret offered a gentle smile, before casting his own Authority.
His gaze fixed on both of them.
"Power boost."
Garret's words faded, both Leon and Asami felt a surge of energy. Coursing through their bodies, like a powerful electric current.
"And now, folks, they're really going at it!" the commentator exclaimed.
Leon and Asami clashed, dust swirling.
The crowd roared with excitement.
Leon charged his power, a vibrant light enveloping him. "LIGHTNING BALL!" This time, the lightning sphere was larger, hurtling towards Asami.
A buzzing sound.
"Gotcha!"
Leon clenched his fist, watching as the ball exploded against Asami's figure.
"Hah, now it's just you and me, Garret," Leon said, turning to Garret and flicking his golden hair back.
The game wasn't over yet.
The thing Leon had struck was merely an shadow figure of her. Behind him—
"SHADOW BALL."
A dark sphere materialized silently, about to slam into Leon.
"I have to block!" Leon whirled around, using his lance to defend.
Too late, the Shadow Ball detonated against him.
The resulting gust of wind was extremely stong.
Seeing this, Asami turned her sharp, cold gaze towards Garret.
He were the next target.
Asami, you shouldn't make Leon serious.
The thought flashed through Garret's mind.
Asami turned, flicking her long hair towards Leon. "How weak," she sneered.
Don't feel good, wind whipped around Leon.
Swirling chaotically.
Dust clouds towards the spectators.
Leon said nothing, his gaze fixed intently on her.
"The Winds! Destroy everything in your path!"
THE STORM I
He swung his lance.
A devastating tornado, tore through the field.
Asami's body collapsed onto the ground. Before she could recover, Leon lunged towards Garret.
The wind forced Garret to retreat, before he used his Try-angle.
Conjuring holographic centipedes.
Crawling all over Leon.
"Whoa! Centipedes, you crazy things! Get off meeee!" Leon yelled.
The spectators, who had been awestruck moments before, now erupted in laughter.
"Aaaah! The lonely gloomy witch! Help meeee!" Leon screamed, running around and turning towards Asami for aid.
But Asami seemed to be completely out cold.
Lying motionless on the arena floor, unable to help.
Garret, seeing Leon's distress, subtly moved his hand.
Each time his fingers twitched, the holographic centipedes followed his command.
Soon enough, the creepy crawlies were swarming all over Leon's face.
Leon's eyes widened in terror, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Before he collapsed unconscious onto the grass in the arena dome.
Next to Asami.
"Hahaha! What a cute couple they make, ladies and gentlemen!" the commentator chuckled, prompting giggles from the audience.
Meanwhile, Cubby-chan used her internal program.
Snapping several photos of the scene.
A mischievous glint in her digital eyes.
"What will Garret think of this? Tee-hee!"
A few minutes later, Garret, seeing both of them still unconscious, brought out smelling salts.
"Here, Leon, Asami."
The sharp scent of ammonia jolted them awake.
"Um... how long was I out?" Asami mumbled, her eyes fluttering open.
"Long enough, eternal queen," Leon retorted, earning him a subtle clench of Asami's fist.
"Here, both of you, give me your hands." Garret said, offering them a smile.
After Garret pulled them to their feet, an announcement echoed through the arena.
"This examination is now concluded. There will be a Star Conferment Ceremony. And spacecraft handover tonight. All three candidates are requested to attend."
As the announcement finished, everyone began to disperse, preparing for the evening ceremony.
――✧ Chamber of the farewell ✧――
The sun waved goodbye, and the night offered a smiling greeting. People sat comfortably in the assembly hall.
Backstage, the three friends, along with Cubie-chan, waited for their names to be called.
"Hey, Garret, is it true that the system doesn't show your own HP at school?" Asami asked, her voice cool and soft.
"Yeah, I think so. That's what I read on my phone," Garret replied, gently adjusting Cubie-chan's bow.
"Hey, Asami, could you follow my Interstellar Box account back?" Leon nudged Asami.
As usual, Asami pretended to ignore him.
Acting as if Leon's words were just a wind.
Yet, her fingers had already tapped the follow button on her Interstellar Box.
"Mr. Garret, Ms. Asami, and Mr. Leon, I would like to invite you to receive your stars from the Principal." the announcer's voice called out.
As the announcement finished. The three of them walked to the front of the stage.
For the Star Conferment Ceremony.
The Principal cleared his throat, waiting for the applause to end. "Ahem. Today, I want to thank all the viewers for joining us in this Star Conferment and spacecraft handover ceremony!"
He took a small breath before continuing.
"First of all, I must express my regret that they will never become a cadet,"
A brief silence fell over the hall.
"But I am delighted to announce that they have already become lieutenants!"
As the Principal finished speaking, the audience erupted in a loud cheer.
"Wow, lieutenant already, Garret-kun?" Cubie-chan leaned her central axis towards Garret, her voice filled with excitement.
"That's right, Cubie," Garret replied with a smile.
The cheering showed no signs of stopping, the Principal raise his hand slightly.
"Alright, alright, please be quiet. Next, you will see your friends receive their stars!"
After the renewed applause, Asami adjusted her long knee-high socks.
Soon, the Principal approached the three of them.
He pinned a yellow star onto the chest of Garret and then Leon.
"Asami, can you pin yours on yourself?" the Principal said, holding out a star to her.
She nodded, and took the star to pin it onto her own chest.
"Furthermore, I have one more thing I'd like to give them," the Principal announced, reaching into his suit pocket.
Pulling out tiny microphones.
He handed one to Garret, one to Leon, and one to Asami.
"These are translation microphones. Just attach them to your ear, and you'll be able to communicate with anyone."
They accepted the devices, offering a small bow of thanks. The Principal then spoke, his voice trembling with emotion.
A warm smile appeared his face, "The new rising star... Now begin to shine!!"
---