Morning.
Ray slowly opened his eyes, the haze of sleep still clinging to him, remnants of last night's dream lingering.
It had been a strange nightmare, strange because there were no bizarre or fantastical images, only the most ordinary, mundane fragments of daily life.
Yet it was precisely this overly warm, peaceful imagery that sent a chill creeping from the depths of his heart.
Because in the dream, it seemed there was always a gaze, silently hidden in some corner, quietly watching his every move.
'Strange. Is it just my imagination?
Why do I still feel like I'm being watched even after waking up.'
Click.
The door opened softly as Carlotta walked out.
She was already dressed in outdoor attire, looking clear-eyed and alert, as if she'd been awake for a while.
"Awake?" She nodded at Ray. "Go freshen up if you are. The exhibition match is about to start. Lupa is already waiting for us in the dining room."
Her reminder jogged his memory there was indeed a gladiator match today.
But why was the Second Young Miss so invested in this match?
Though as the family's blade, she often dealt with shadowy matters in the dark, that never meant she glorified violence, more often than not she herself was the very embodiment of elegance.
Both her conduct and her identity as an art investor highlighted this.
So, why was the Second Young Miss so enthusiastic about the gladiator match today?
Could it be just for amusement?
Ray couldn't figure out the answer.
Ah, well. If the Second Young Miss wanted to have some fun, he'd just indulge her a little.
...
...
After washing up, they went to the hotel's dining room as arranged.
Breakfast was a buffet, and the happiest about this arrangement was undoubtedly Anby.
"A gladiator match? Do I need to make an appearance?"
"Leave it to me! I, Anby, am the most unique Echo in all of Solaris-3. A mere exhibition match is nothing!"
When Ray explained the situation to Anby, the little creature agreed immediately without a second thought.
Initially, Ray had worried Anby might be reluctant.
He hadn't expected the little thing to be so reliable when it mattered.
It truly steps up when needed.
"Huh, is this your Echo?" Lupa watched Anby happily devouring a small mountain of food, tilting her head curiously. "So tiny... can it really fight?"
Observing the literal mountain of food piled before Anby, Lupa studied the little creature with great curiosity.
No matter how she looked at it, she couldn't associate this little thing with the word "powerful."
"What's that?! Don't look down on me, no, don't look down on us!" Anby immediately put down its food, planting its tiny paws on its hips in an indignant protest. "You know, I don't even take the Dark Tide seriously!"
"The Dark Tide?" The words made Lupa's pupils contract sharply. She swiftly turned to Ray and Carlotta. "What... does that mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like." Ray explained calmly. "Anby truly is special. I once faced the Dark Tide by accident. If it weren't for Anby, I probably wouldn't be in this world anymore."
As he spoke, he thoughtfully rubbed his chin, his gaze settling on Anby. "But speaking of which... Anby, do you actually have any combat ability?"
"Wow! It's one thing if others look down on me, but even my own partner doubts me?" Anby dramatically clutched its chest with its paws, looking utterly devastated. "This hurts my heart no, it hurts my Echo-heart!"
Seeing this, Ray couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to ruffle its head. "Alright, just teasing. Our Anby is definitely the strongest, bravest Echo in all of Solaris-3."
"That's more like it." The little creature was instantly appeased, nodding in satisfaction before diving back into the mountain of food.
Watching their harmonious interaction, Lupa couldn't suppress a soft laugh. "Though I don't quite understand what kind of crisis you faced... the bond between you is really strong. Partners like that... it's truly enviable."
As she said this, the young woman let out a light sigh, propping her cheek on her hand, the light in her eyes dimming slightly.
Seeing her sudden low spirits, Ray was a bit puzzled. "With your strength, Lupa, you shouldn't lack people wanting to be your partner, right?"
Lupa shook her head, a hint of bitterness curling at her lips. "Ray, you probably don't understand yet... When the spotlight on the arena always falls on just one person, how do the others who stand in that light, yet remain dim, feel?"
Her voice grew softer. "I've lost count of how many teammates I've had... and this current one, I don't even know which number they are."
She was long accustomed to victory, which was precisely why she understood better than anyone constant victory brought not only glory, but also a price.
What followed endless victories, if not a brief setback, was utter defeat the kind that could shatter a person's belief.
But more suffocating than defeat was the desolation of winning a victory, yet having no one cheer for you.
That kind of victory, forgotten by the world, was the most profound failure.
And because of this, the people by her side changed again and again.
Over time, Lupa learned silence, learned solitude, learned to amuse herself.
As a star gladiator of Septimont, she didn't even have a real friend of her own.
"I see..." Ray murmured thoughtfully. "Being constantly overshadowed by someone else's light... that feeling can't be pleasant. But if you could find a partner whose strength matches your own, that pressure might slowly ease."
Before his words even finished, she suddenly seemed to remember something. Her eyes lit up, and she sat up straight abruptly. She leaned in slightly closer to Ray and gave a light sniff.
"I sense a strong aura on you. You said you faced the Dark Tide head-on, someone who survived that kind of dire situation is definitely no ordinary fighter."
She lifted her head, her gaze bright and intense as she looked at him. "Hey! If there's a chance in the future, would you be willing to team up with me, become my partner, and enter gladiator tournaments together?"
"Well, official tournaments..." Ray hesitated slightly. "If there's a chance in the future... maybe we could give it a try."
"Great! Then it's settled!" Lupa's face instantly broke into a radiant smile. She extended her pinky finger. "You have to team up with me in the future and become my partner, okay!"
Seeing the young woman's expectant expression, Ray couldn't help but smile too. He extended his own pinky and lightly hooked it with hers. "Mm, agreed then."
Carlotta remained seated quietly to the side, her lips maintaining an impeccable, elegant curve as she silently watched the scene before her.
Upholding the grace of a noble, she chose not to interrupt their conversation.
But that didn't mean the young lady's heart was as calm as her surface.
'So, how did they suddenly become so familiar?
Why is it that girls always seem to flock to this guy on their own?
This Lupa... isn't she a bit too disrespectful to me, his nominal girlfriend?
Trying to poach right in front of me?
Wait, I'm sitting right here—!
Am I invisible? Am I even a person?!'
A sense of crisis spontaneously emerged in Carlotta's heart.
She silently observed Lupa, who was chatting and laughing with Ray.
Yes, indeed, she is a "potential rival."