The arena quieted as Marco continued to build suspense.

  Marco announced the first fighter. "From the South Quarter...SHARLINE!"

  The girls were excited upon hearing Sharline being named the first fighter.

  Blair pumped a fist into the air, thrilled. "Yes! Sharline's up first!”

  Nika cheered as well, clapping her hands together. "Let's go Sharline!”

  Sharline smirked, feeling pumped up. "Alright, it's showtime.”

  As the girls prepared to watch the first fight, Marco’s voice boomed through the arena once more. "And her opponent will be…”

  The girls leaned into the window, practically on the edge of their seats at this point.

  Blair couldn't help but let out a little squeal of excitement. "Come on, who's her opponent?”

  Nika bit her lower lip, anticipating who the opponent would be. "I can't wait to know who she’s going against.”

  Marco continued the announcement, “From the North Quarter...YUKI XEROSI!”

  Alice froze. 'Xerosi' sounded familiar.

  The girls were stunned to hear the name of Yuki Xerosi, recognizing it as the name of the notorious assassin family.

  Blair's eyes widened, shocked. "Xerosi...? As in the assassins?”

  Nika gulped, realizing the gravity of the situation. " Oh jeez…the Xerosi family?”

  Sharline's brows furrowed, taking the news in as she recalled the Xerosi twins from Celeste's classes. "The Xerosi family, huh? Okay, this could go badly... Akari and Akumu were monsters and they're just kids. I can only imagine what an adult member of the Xerosi Clan is like…”

  Blair furrowed her brows as well, realizing the potential threat. "Yeah, Akari and Akumu were super advanced, and they were only kids... If there's an adult member of the Xerosi Clan competing, then Sharline's definitely up against a tough challenge.”

  Nika shook her head, worried. "Yeah, you're right... Sharline's gonna have a hard time against an elite assassin.”

  Sharline remained composed, although inwardly she wasn't at all confident. "Yeah, no kidding. Fighting an elite assassin is not gonna be easy.”

  Blair glanced at Sharline, concerned. "You ain't nervous? 'Cause seriously, you should be.”

  Sharline shrugged it off confidently. "Nervous, not really. 'Cause I'm gonna win.”

  Nika, trying to lighten the mood a bit, smirked. "Oh yeah? You're that confident, huh?"

  Blair couldn't help but chuckle. "You're putting up a brave face, Sharline. But let's face it, the odds are stacked against you.”

  Sharline smirked, still determined. "Oh, stop. You're gonna make me blush.”

  Nika shook her head, still concerned. "But seriously, Sharline. This is the Xerosi Clan we're talking about. They're world-class assassins.”

  Sharline nodded, acknowledging the challenge. "Yeah, I know. But I'm not going down without a fight."

  Blair couldn't help but snicker. "You've got guts, Sharline. I'll give you that.”

  Nika smirked a little, a tad amused. "You really think you can beat an elite assassin?”

  Sharline smirked back, exuding confidence. "You doubt me or something?"

  Nika smirked, not backing down. "Maybe a little. Let's get to the lobby, maybe we can find and have a chat with Yuki before the fight begins!”

  Blair chimed in, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Oh, I like that idea!”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Sharline shrugged, still confident. "Why not? Let's do it.”

  Nika lead the way, guiding them towards the lobby of the coliseum. "Alright, let's move. We need to catch Yuki before the fight starts.”

  They exited the suite and started making their way through the coliseum, keeping an eye out for Yuki.

  As the girls moved through the lobby, they kept their eyes peeled for any sign of Yuki Xerosi. The coliseum was abuzz with excitement, as the first fight was about to start. People were filing in, chatting and eagerly awaiting the spectacle.

  Sharline followed Nika's gaze, eyes locking on a kimono-donning girl with pale skin and light blue hair. "There she is!”

  Nika confirmed the sighting, excitement building. "Yeah, that's her for sure. Let's go!”

  They made their way through the crowd, making sure not to lose sight of Yuki. Sharline's eyes kept locked on her target.

  Blair grinned as they closed the distance. "We've got her in our sights...let's go introduce ourselves.”

  Nika nodded, a determined grin on her face. "Yeah, let's do it.”

  They finally reached Yuki, who seemed aloof, lost in her own thoughts. Yuki turned as they approached, the busty assassin surprised to see someone approach her.

  Yuki raised a brow, studying the girls with a sly smirk. "Well, hello there. Can I help you?”

  Nika composed herself, keeping a level head. "Hey... We wanted to talk to you for a moment.”

  Yuki raised a brow curiously, intrigued by their request. "Oh? And what do you want to talk about?”

  Her bright pink eyes landed on Sharline, her smirk widening. "Aha! You're my opponent, hm~?”

  Sharline gave a neutral response. "Yeah, that'd be me.”

  Yuki chuckled, a mix of amusement and condescension in her voice. "I must say... I'm looking forward to this. Fighting a newcomer should be quite...interesting.”

  Sharline smirked in return, unaffected by Yuki's aloof demeanor. "Interesting, huh? Let's see if you can back up that chatter.”

  Yuki smirked, entertained by Sharline's retort. "Oh, so bold and confident, aren't you? You do know who I am, right?”

  Sharline folded her arms, her smirk not wavering. "Yeah, I do. You're Yuki Xerosi. I went to Void Magic class with your little sisters, so I know how strong you guys are. But I'm not scared to take you on!”

  Yuki chuckled, taking Sharline's words in stride. "Not scared, huh? Well, that's quite the confidence you have there."

  Nika couldn't help but chime in, keeping things lighthearted. "You're not a conventional assassin by any means, I see. Fearless, and kinda cocky.”

  Yuki turned her attention to Nika, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, am I? And what makes you say that?”

  Nika gestured with her hands, noting Yuki's demeanor. "You're cocky, nonchalant to the point of aloof, and you've got that smirk going on that screams 'I'm better than you'.”

  Yuki raised an eyebrow, entertained by Nika's observation. "I see you've got me all figured out, huh?"

  Seeing an opportunity to mess with Alice again, Rachel tapped Yuki on the shoulder with a mischievous grin and told her, "Hey, you see my friend?" she asked, gesturing to Alice, "She's a huge weeb and a language simp, and she can speak ōkuninushinese too!”

  Yuki glanced at Alice, raising an amused brow. "Oh? She speaks ōkuninushinese, does she?”

  She smirked, turning her attention to Alice. "大国主語を話せますか?”

  Alice, sweating bullets now but eager to prove herself, replied, "はい、私は大国主語が話せます。”

  Yuki raised an impressed brow, surprised by Alice's response. "Impressive. Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm flattered to meet a Black girl who can speak ōkuninushinese.”

  Alice laughed a little awkwardly, finding Yuki's comment slightly uncomfortable even though it seemed well intentioned. "Uh, thanks? I mean, many people speak languages other than Elbrastrian or Albionish...”

  Celeste cut in, trying to keep the conversation friendly. "Yes, language skills are pretty cool. But Yuki, do remember that race isn't a factor in linguistic abilities.”

  Yuki shrugged, realizing her faux pas. "Fair point. My apologies, wasn't trying to be offensive. It's just refreshing, y'know…”

  Rachel chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "No worries, Yuki. We all make silly comments every now and then.”

  Yuki smirked, appreciating Rachel's attempt at lightness. "Yeah, guess we all do... Anyway, back on topic. So you wanted to talk to me, girls?”

  Nika nodded, still focused. "Right. We just wanted to introduce ourselves and maybe chat a bit before the fight.”

  Yuki grinned, curious. "Ah, so you wanted to get all chummy before facing me in the fight? That's kinda cute.”

  Sharline, not backing down, replied confidently. "Cut the crap, we just figured it was a good time to get to know each other a bit better.”

  Yuki chuckled, amused by Sharline's bluntness. "Ah, feisty. I like that.”

  Sharline smirked, not intimidated. "Good. I can kick your ass while being feisty.”

  Yuki raised a brow, amused. "Big words. Let's see if you can back it up, newbie.”

  Sharline smirked back, ready. "Oh, believe me, I will.”

  With impeccable timing, Marco's voice rung through the Coliseum from the arena.

  “Attention, all contestants!"

  Marco's voice echoed through the coliseum, grabbing everyone's attention.

  Marco continued shouting, "It's time for the first match to begin!”

  Yuki smirked, stepping back as the announcement continued. "Looks like it's time. This should be fun.”

  Sharline smirked back, ready for the match. "Oh, it'll be fun alright. But I'll be the one having more fun though.”

  Yuki chuckled, intrigued by Sharline's confidence. "Cocky, aren't you? Don't count on it. I've got some tricks up my sleeve. I hope you like ice.”

  Sharline smirked, not showing any signs of fear. "Ice, huh? Bring it.”

  Yuki smirked back, appreciating Sharline's confidence. "Oh, I will. Just be ready.”

  As Marco continued the announcement, Yuki glanced back at the girls. "Well, girls, it's been nice chatting. But I better get going, don't want to keep the audience waiting. Sharline, I'll be meeting you in the arena.”

  Sharline smirked confidently, her focus on the fight ahead. "Yeah you better get going. And don't worry, I'll be more than ready for you.”

  Yuki smirked one last time, amused by Sharline's confidence before turning and walking off with a light wave goodbye. "I bet you will be. Let's have a good fight, shall we.”