CTS TIME: RE250.08.24 – 3:15 PM
Location: Diamond Spacehub – Shopping Section (3rd Floor)
The third floor of the Diamond Spacehub was a massive shopping district, designed specifically for elite bladers and warriors. The futuristic mall was lined with holographic displays, advertising exclusive battle gear, signature outfits, and high-tech gadgets meant for both combat and daily use.
Neon-blue walkways guided customers through various sections, where robotic store assistants hovered around, scanning products and responding to inquiries in a polite but mechanical tone.
Among the endless displays of legendary outfits, specialized armor, and tactical equipment, there was also a section dedicated entirely to professional bladers' signature attires.
And that's where Blaze and Jasper found themselves.
They passed by racks filled with custom jackets, reinforced combat boots, and lightweight armor plating. Each outfit belonged to a famous blader, carefully replicated for fans or competitors wanting to channel their favorite warriors.
Jasper casually skimmed through some battle cloaks, raising an eyebrow at a dark green trench coat with silver accents. "Tch, not bad. Maybe I should get an upgrade."
Blaze, however, wasn't paying attention. His gaze had locked onto something else entirely—
Serena's outfit collection.
The section displayed her various battle attires, from her black-and-crimson combat uniform to her casual red jacket and training gear. The mannequins wore perfect replicas, and a holographic version of Serena stood in the center, showcasing a promotional battle pose.
Blaze's expression shifted slightly. His mind flashed back to their moments together—her sharp red eyes, that confident smirk, the way she always seemed one step ahead of him.
Jasper noticed immediately and smirked. "You're seriously staring at her outfit, huh?"
Blaze snapped out of it. "Tch—shut up." He quickly turned away, acting like it never happened.
But before Jasper could tease him further—
Blaze's attention was drawn to another section nearby.
Just a few meters away, an advanced tech display showcased a variety of futuristic gadgets. Unlike the blader outfits, these were meant for everyday use—communication devices, tactical assistants, even AI-driven speech enhancers.
Blaze's eyes lit up the moment he saw them.
Jasper watched as he immediately abandoned the clothing section and rushed toward the gadgets.
Jasper sighed. "Here we go…"
Blaze skimmed through the options, reading their descriptions on the floating holo-screens.
Hologram Messenger – Projects a miniature 3D version of yourself to deliver pre-recorded messages.
Emotion Analyzer – Detects the other person's emotional state and suggests appropriate responses.
Tactical Speech Enhancer – Helps formulate responses by analyzing tone and context.
Smart Transmitter – Allows real-time communication through an earpiece, transmitting direct voice guidance.
Blaze grinned. "Forget your stupid training plan. These gadgets can help me talk to her!"
Jasper raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You think technology is gonna solve your problem?"
Blaze nodded, picking up a small transmitter device that caught his interest. "Look at this—real-time voice assistance. If I use this, you can just tell me what to say, and I'll repeat it exactly."
Jasper snorted. "Oh, so now you need me?"
Blaze ignored the comment and continued. "See? It's a small transmitter that goes behind the neck. You'll be somewhere nearby, feeding me the right words, and I'll say them perfectly."
Jasper folded his arms, amused. "So, you're cheating at talking to her. Wow. Peak Blaze behavior."
Blaze grinned. "Hey, if it works, it works."
Jasper sighed, then grabbed another gadget from the shelf. "Fine, let's see… Oh, this one's interesting—a voice modulator. You can even tweak your tone to sound more confident."
Blaze grabbed it instantly. "PERFECT. I NEED THAT."
Jasper laughed, shaking his head. "Man, you are so desperate."
Once they finished browsing, the two approached the checkout counter.
The automated receptionist, a humanoid AI with silver plating and glowing cyan eyes, greeted them. "Welcome to ExoGear Technologies. Please place your selected items for scanning."
Jasper casually set the two devices on the counter. The AI's mechanical fingers moved with precision, scanning each gadget with a soft beep.
Total Cost: 9,500 Star Credits.
Blaze's eyes widened. "Wait… that much?!"
Jasper rolled his eyes. "Dude, it's cutting-edge technology. Of course, it's expensive."
Blaze hesitated. "…Maybe we should just try your dumb plan."
Jasper ignored him and tapped his Star Credit Card against the scanner.
Transaction Complete.
Blaze blinked. "You just… paid for it?"
Jasper smirked. "What kind of best friend would I be if I didn't help you embarrass yourself in the most advanced way possible?"
Blaze groaned. "I hate you."
Jasper chuckled. "And yet, you still need me."
With their new high-tech gear, the two walked out of the shopping section—Blaze feeling more confident than ever, and Jasper simply waiting for this disaster to unfold.
CTS TIME: RE250.08.24 – 4:00 PM
Location: Room No. 626, Diamond Spacehub
The door to Room 626 slid open with a quiet hiss, revealing a high-tech suite designed for elite bladers. The room was dimly lit, with neon-blue holographic interfaces glowing along the walls, displaying various tournament statistics and live arena replays.
In the center, a sleek glass table held an array of gadgets and battle equipment. On one side, Blaze sat with his arms crossed, looking at the devices they had just purchased.
Across from him, Jasper was leaning back in his chair, arms folded, his posture casual despite the brutal fight he had endured just hours ago. His right wrist was still bandaged, but it didn't seem to bother him.
Blaze exhaled. "You know, I should be the one worrying about you, considering you just had a match that almost destroyed the entire arena."
Jasper shrugged. "Yeah, but we have more important things to handle—like you finally talking like a normal person to Serena."
Blaze groaned, running a hand through his hair. "I still think your 'practice plan' was dumb, but I appreciate the effort."
Jasper smirked. "You should appreciate it. Do you know how much entertainment I'm getting out of this?"
Blaze shot him a glare.
Jasper laughed. "Relax. Anyway, we're testing these gadgets today because Serena's coming by in the evening. You get one chance—if you screw it up, there's no backup plan."
Blaze stiffened. "Wait, what?! I thought we were just testing today!"
Jasper raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. And then you use it for real when she arrives. What, you thought we'd wait until the finals?"
Blaze swallowed hard. "Oh, hell no… I need more time to prepare."
Jasper smirked. "Too bad. You're on the clock, buddy."
Jasper picked up the Smart Transmitter and gestured for Blaze to turn around. "Alright, hold still."
Blaze hesitated. "If this thing shocks me, I swear—"
Click.
Jasper pressed the device against the back of Blaze's neck, where it locked in place seamlessly. A soft beep confirmed activation.
Blaze blinked. "…Huh. No pain."
Jasper rolled his eyes. "It's not a weapon, dumbass. It just syncs with your neural signals so you can repeat what I say perfectly."
He then placed the Voice Modulator in front of Blaze. "Now, this—this is where things get fun."
Blaze picked up the small, silver disc-shaped gadget, reading the display.
"Voice Enhancement Options: Confident | Charismatic | Romantic | Smooth | Mysterious | Casual | Auto-Adjust"
Blaze's face turned red. "Romantic?! What the hell is that setting for?!"
Jasper grinned. "I don't know. Wanna try it?"
Blaze glared. "Absolutely not." He immediately tapped "Casual."
The device hummed softly before a voice test popped up.
AI: "Testing. Say something."
Blaze cleared his throat. "Uh… Hey, Serena."
The AI adjusted the pitch slightly, making Blaze's voice sound smoother, more confident—but still natural.
Jasper grinned. "Okay, now this is something we should've bought years ago."
Blaze nodded. "Yeah… maybe now I won't completely embarrass myself."
Jasper smirked. "Oh, don't worry, you still will. But at least now it'll sound cooler."
Jasper tapped a few buttons on his wrist interface, and suddenly—
A holographic projection of Serena appeared in front of them.
She stood there, arms crossed, her usual confident smirk on her face. Her red ponytail swayed slightly, and her piercing crimson eyes locked onto Blaze.
Blaze froze.
Jasper burst out laughing. "Holy hell, you're already nervous! It's not even real!"
Blaze shook his head. "I-I wasn't expecting a hologram!"
Jasper crossed his arms. "Okay, genius, now's your chance. Talk to her."
Blaze took a deep breath. "Alright. I got this."
He tapped the Smart Transmitter, signaling Jasper to start feeding him lines.
Jasper grinned, then spoke into the device.
Jasper (through the transmitter): "Serena, you look incredible today."
Blaze, following the transmission, repeated flawlessly: "Serena, you look incredible today."
Jasper blinked. "Holy crap, it actually worked."
Blaze smirked slightly. "Of course, it did. This thing's amazing."
Jasper leaned forward. "Alright, let's try something more casual."
Jasper: "Serena, how was your day?"
Blaze, repeating: "Serena, how was your day?"
The words flowed effortlessly. The Smart Transmitter worked perfectly, allowing Blaze to repeat Jasper's sentences with absolute confidence.
Jasper grinned. "Dude, this is insane! You sound smooth as hell!"
Blaze exhaled, relieved. "Okay… this might actually work.
Jasper leaned back, thinking for a moment. "Alright. Now let's ditch the script and see if you can keep a conversation going naturally."
Blaze tensed slightly. "Without the transmitter?"
Jasper smirked. "Nope. I'll still help, but you have to start the conversation yourself."
Blaze took a deep breath. "Okay…"
He turned to the holographic Serena.
Blaze: "Hey, Serena. Uh… I wanted to say, you did great in your last match. You were really impressive out there."
Jasper quickly adjusted the transmitter.
Jasper: "And I liked the way you handled that final counterattack. It was clean, precise."
Blaze smoothly repeated: "And I liked the way you handled that final counterattack. It was clean, precise."
The holographic Serena responded naturally, her expression softening slightly. "You actually noticed that? Huh. Guess you do pay attention."
Blaze blinked. He hadn't expected the AI to respond so accurately.
Jasper smirked. "See? You're getting it."
Blaze exhaled, feeling his nerves fade.
For the first time, he felt like he could actually do this.
Jasper turned off the holographic Serena, the image flickering out.
He looked at Blaze. "Alright. We've tested everything. Now, when she comes later today, you just follow my lead."
Blaze clenched his fists, determination flashing in his eyes. "Yeah. No hesitation this time."
Jasper grinned. "Damn right. Now, let's get you ready.
CTS TIME: EXOHORIZON 5:15 PM
Location: Entrance of Diamond Spacehub → Garden
The entrance of the Diamond Spacehub was bustling with activity. People moved in and out of the futuristic megastructure, while hover cars glided above, following the designated sky routes. The artificial sky dome overhead had begun its evening cycle, transitioning into a breathtaking blend of purple, orange, and yellow hues.
As Jasper and Blaze walked toward the spacehub's grand garden, their boots made soft taps against the sleek, illuminated pavement. The holographic billboards displayed tournament highlights, with one massive 3D projection showcasing Blaze and Tenebris standing face-to-face, promoting the final showdown in three days.
Jasper stretched his arms lazily, glancing at Blaze with a smirk.
"Alright, Serena should be here any moment. She usually comes to the garden around this time."
Blaze's heartbeat accelerated. He exhaled sharply, adjusting his trench coat.
"Okay… stay calm, stay cool."
Jasper nudged him. "Don't freak out. I'm here. No running today. We're patching this up once and for all."
Blaze clenched his fists, nodding. "Okay, I'm ready. But you better do your job perfectly."
Jasper smirked. "Relax, I'll handle everything." He tapped his holo-interface. "I'll stick with casual mode, but I also brought another gadget—one that controls your body movements."
Blaze's eyes widened. "Wait—what?! No way. The voice transmitter is fine! You're not controlling my body."
Jasper shrugged. "Trust me, it's necessary. You freeze up at the worst times. If she asks you to do something, you'll turn into a damn statue. This way, I keep you moving."
Blaze sighed. "Damn it… you have a point. Alright, fine. Just don't mess with it."
Jasper grinned. "Good. Now, I'll sit on that bench under the tree over there. Leave it all to me."
The garden was peaceful, a contrast to the loud and energetic spacehub interior. Holographic fireflies flickered between trees, casting soft glows against the bioluminescent blue flowers. People strolled leisurely along the winding pathways, some watching match replays on floating holograms, while others admired the starry projections in the artificial sky.
At the center of the plaza, a massive holo-display was mounted on a futuristic tower, showing the Grand Finals date: AUGUST 28 with rotating images of Blaze Deathbringer and Tenebris Thron.
Blaze stood near the edge of the walkway, hands in his pockets, watching as the simulated sunset's glow reflected off the glass skyscrapers of Exohorizon.
Then—
Serena stepped out of the Spacehub.
She was wearing a sleek, black and crimson jacket over her usual battle attire, her long red ponytail swaying slightly as she walked. Her gaze flickered toward Blaze, but she didn't approach immediately.
Jasper's voice echoed softly in Blaze's earpiece.
"She's here. Be ready."
Blaze inhaled deeply. "Okay… I got this."
Just then, a small boy ran up to Blaze, holding out a holo-pad.
"Mister Blaze! Can I get an autograph?!"
Blaze smirked, taking the pad and signing his name effortlessly.
"Here you go, kid."
The boy's eyes lit up before running back to his friends.
Serena raised an eyebrow as she finally approached.
"Showoff. As usual."
Jasper quickly synced with Blaze's voice and movements, ensuring a flawless response.
Jasper (through the transmitter): "You know, I can't help it. I'm popular and a champion, after all."
Blaze repeated it perfectly, his tone confident. "You know, I can't help it. I'm popular and a champion, after all."
Serena's expression shifted slightly, her lips curling into a small smirk.
"Tch. That attitude of yours needs to be knocked down a level. Maybe it'd be better if you lost the finals. Then this ego would disappear."
Jasper smirked, already prepared.
Jasper (through the transmitter): "Sounds like someone's jealous. I can feel it."
Blaze repeated smoothly: "Sounds like someone's jealous. I can feel it."
Serena clicked her tongue. "You idiot…" But there was no real anger in her tone—just mild annoyance.
She then tilted her head slightly, studying him.
"Though, it's kinda weird. You're never here at this time."
Jasper quickly fed the next line.
Jasper (through the transmitter): "I was feeling a little tired, so I figured I'd get some fresh air. A champion needs to recharge."
Blaze nodded, repeating flawlessly. "I was feeling a little tired, so I figured I'd get some fresh air. A champion needs to recharge."
Serena sighed, shaking her head. "Alright, champion," she said sarcastically. Then she gestured toward a tree covered in bioluminescent blue flowers.
"I was actually planning to sit over there for a bit. Since you're here, wanna join me?"
Blaze's heart skipped a beat.
Jasper smirked. "Here we go… don't screw this up."
Blaze started to freeze, but the movement controller activated. His body smoothly turned toward Serena and nodded confidently.
Jasper (through the transmitter): "Sure. It's a good spot. You might even get some champion tips."
Blaze smoothly repeated. "Sure. It's a good spot. You might even get some champion tips."
Serena rolled her eyes but smirked slightly. "Tch. We'll see."
She walked ahead, heading toward the bench beneath the glowing blue tree.
Blaze followed beside her, his body moving perfectly in sync—thanks to Jasper's gadget.
Jasper leaned back on his own bench, grinning.
"Oh, this is too good…"
The bench beneath the blue-flowered tree had a perfect view of the Exohorizon skyline. The city's floating structures glowed softly in the distance, and the artificial twilight cast a warm, calming ambiance.
Serena sat down first, stretching her arms slightly before leaning back.
Blaze sat beside her, keeping his posture relaxed—but internally, his mind was racing.
Jasper's voice chimed in.
"Alright. The setup is perfect. Just keep things casual for now."
Serena glanced sideways at him. "So, nervous about the finals?"
Jasper, controlling Blaze, made him shrug.
Jasper (through the transmitter): "Not really. Just excited to fight Tenebris. He's strong, but I'm not worried."
Blaze repeated perfectly. "Not really. Just excited to fight Tenebris. He's strong, but I'm not worried."
Serena sat comfortably, arms crossed, eyeballing Blaze. Something about this whole conversation felt… off.
She tilted her head slightly. "This is weird. Normally, you don't talk to me like this."
Jasper, relaxing on his bench behind them, smirked and quickly dictated through the voice transmitter.
Jasper (through transmitter): "Oh, on those times, I was just acting. You think I started liking you and feeling nervous in front of you?"
Blaze repeated it flawlessly, his voice carrying a fake confidence. "Oh, on those times, I was just acting. You think I started liking you and feeling nervous in front of you?"
Serena's cheeks turned slightly pink.
She cleared her throat, looking away. "I did think that… I mean, normally guys like you behave that way when—"
Jasper, still smirking, decided to push further.
Jasper (through transmitter): "Oh, I think you like me. I think…"
Blaze repeated it word-for-word. "Oh, I think you like me. I think…"
Serena opened her mouth to respond—but froze.
Her face grew redder. She wanted to reply, but… she couldn't.
A silence hung between them.
Jasper, sensing dangerous levels of awkwardness, changed the topic immediately.
Jasper (through transmitter): "Nah, never mind. I don't think you like me. Let's change the topic. Normally, girls aren't great at sword fighting, but you're different."
Blaze repeated perfectly. "Nah, never mind. I don't think you like me. Let's change the topic. Normally, girls aren't great at sword fighting, but you're different."
Serena exhaled slightly, her tension disappearing.
She leaned back, smirking. "Well, of course. I've loved blading since I was young. I was fascinated by it—and I promise you, one day, I'll defeat you."
Jasper (grinning through transmitter): "Okay, I'll be waiting."
Blaze repeated. "Okay, I'll be waiting."
Serena smirked. "Good. You better be ready."
For a moment, everything was perfect. Blaze had successfully held a normal conversation with Serena. He was in control. Jasper's gadget strategy was actually working.
To be continue...