Chapter 54: "Can you be my Partner?"
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The arena moved again— not with violence this time, but with urgency. Camila’s command still echoed over the field like a lingering storm.
"Take your stance students... choose your partner."
And just like that, the chaos restarted.
Students scattered in every direction, not with panic, No— but with tension. Some rushed to people they trusted. Others scrambled like desperate shoppers trying to grab the last item on a shelf. Whispers collided in the air, the dusty wind of Euphoria carrying every nervous heartbeat.
Soda cracked her knuckles, scanning the crowd. With no hesitation— she marched straight toward Bryan.
Bryan was half-reclined against the trunk of a wide, flowering euphoria tree, one boot hooked over the other, watching the sun stitch gold through the leaves. He idly rolled a smooth seedpod between his fingers, sending it spinning across his palm like something to fill the silence— calm, easy and dangerous in its stillness. When Soda’s shadow fell over him the seedpod stilled.
He looked up, that practiced smirk easing onto his face. "Hey," he said, voice low.
"Hey," Soda answered— smaller than she usually sounded, a quick breath that surprised even her. We all know Soda is this strict, no nonsense girl, but admist all these characters? She was still a lover girl...
"You sure you want me?" Bryan asked, his tone softer than she expected, like he was offering a lifeline rather than a challenge.
Soda crossed her arms, trying to hide the way her stomach tightened. "I mean...you’re a guardian, right? So technically you’re good at combat."
He shrugged, a rueful smile. "I’m not perfect. But I know how to fight. And I know how to train." He stepped closer, earnest. "We can do it together though...As partners...?"
Soda blinked, heat rising to her cheeks. She swallowed and let a small, stubborn grin slip through. "Yeah," she said, voice steadying. "Partners."
Soda cracked her knuckles, the motion loud in the hush of the clearing. There was a warmth in her tone she never let anyone else hear— soft enough to surprise herself and sharp enough to stay guarded. "So who taught you how to fight, Bryan?" Soda asked, her eyes sharp, studying him like she was reading past his skin and straight into his history. "Mr. Oscar? Or someone else?"
Bryan’s expression shifted— something quiet passing through his eyes. "Actually... my dad did," he said slowly. "He was a guardian once. Before he died at the hands of Venom....So I heard"
Soda’s posture softened. "oh my gad...I’m so sorry, Bryan..." Her hand almost reached for him— but awareness stopped her halfway. She tucked it back awkwardly.
He gave a faint, tired smile. "It’s fine. It was a long time ago anyways..."
She was stunned of words to say, cause seeing Bryan in that state wasn’t part of the plan. "Wherever he is right now... he’d be proud to have you as his son."
Bryan swallowed, caught off guard by how warm her voice sounded. "You really think that?"
She held his gaze. "Yes. You’re kind, Bryan. And strong. You fight for purpose...you put your life on the line to protect others. And on top of that..." she smirked, "you can sing. What else would a father want from a son?"
He let out a soft laugh, a little embarrassed. "You always do this?" he muttered.
"Do what?"
"Nothing..." he brushed it off with a smile, admiring her beauty.
She rolled her eyes dramatically as they stared at each other’s faces.
He smiled eventually, letting the words flow "Thanks, Soda. That... actually meant a lot."
For a moment, neither of them moved. Their eyes stayed locked, the world strangely quiet around them— as if even Euphoria had paused to watch. Soda’s heart thumped once. She didn’t know what this feeling was supposed to be.
’’if this is what it felt like to fall for someone...then damn. I’m in trouble." Soda thought to herself...
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On the opposite side of the arena, May tried to look busy— pretending to adjust her gear, brushing dust off her uniform, anything to avoid eye contact. Too late. Iyo crawled into her space like a smooth criminal with no rhythm.
He slid beside her slowly. She could feel him there before she even turned.
She ignored him dramatically. He then cleared his throat exaggeratedly.
She ignored him harder, looking for something that wasn’t looking for her in the sky. He coughed louder— like someone dying in a Shrek swamp.
May sighed and looked at him. "Do you need medical attention?"
Iyo clasped his hands together dramatically. "May... beautiful, pure-hearted May...mother of kindness, slayer of vegetables..."
"What?"
"...would you do me the honor of being my partner before someone else steals you and shatters my dreams into dust?"
May blinked. "What the fuck iyo?"
"I SAID...I WANT TO PARTNER WITH YOU!"
She stared a second longer... then cracked a tiny smile. "Fine. But if you slow me down, I’m trading you for a rock."
Iyo gasped. "That’s fair..."
He dipped his head slightly and extended his hand with theatrical charm.
"After you, my lady," he said.
May sighed, pretending to be annoyed— but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her.
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Across the arena, Suki didn’t hesitate. She didn’t giggle. She didn’t blush. She walked and walked straight to Klein. Who she’s been secretly crushing on for while now. I guess it’s time for her to shoot her shot
He stood tall, arms folded, eyes sharp like a blade that had tasted war. She stopped in front of him, lifted her chin, and locked eyes with him.
"Klein," she said boldly, "be my partner."
A few students nearby paused, watching. Klein’s gaze lifted to meet hers. His expression was unreadable— calm, cold and even. His presence carried weight. And his aura? His aura was heavy enough to make people hesitate.
Then he spoke, quiet and steady.
"Uh... yeah."
Suki smirked like she had just won a lottery. "I’m Suki, by the way."
"Klein...I’m...kle"
"Klein Davis," she cut in smoothly. "I know who you are."
He blinked, then let out a low amused breath. "Damn, that’s the full government name. What are you...a stalker?"
"W–what? Hell no!" Suki protested, suddenly flustered. "I’m just... let’s say... a fan?"
"A fan?" Klein raised a brow. "Since when do I have fans?" he laughed slightly.
"Uhm..." she thought "...Since you started playing for the Bull Team," Suki muttered.
Klein turned slightly. "Oh... okay. Now I get it. Suki. right?"
She nodded.
He looked between some students eavesdropping all along, then back to Suki. "Alright then... partners."
Suki tried to hide her satisfied smile but she couldn’t. She had gotten exactly what she wanted.
Not far from them, Lily spun around excitedly. "Okay who am I partnering with?oh wait...Tyson!" She whispered to herself.
She skipped over to him and asked for a partnership, eventually they lock in.
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Now Tekna.
She stood alone, watching everyone split off into pairs. She pretended not to care— but she did. Tekna didn’t open herself to people easily. Trust wasn’t something she gave out— it was something people earned by surviving her distance.
Everyone else had already found someone. Her eyes narrowed slightly. She folded her arms.
"Gaddamit, I can’t even walk up to someone...If I don’t find a partner I’ll just train alone," she muttered.
"Or," a voice said behind her, "you could train with me..."
She turned slowly.
Randy stood there. Hands in pockets. Calm. Sure of himself. Like he had already prepared this moment.
Tekna blinked. "You want me to be your partner?"
He nodded. "You don’t have a partner. I don’t have a partner. And I think we’d work well together."
She raised a brow. "Why?"
Randy didn’t hesitate. "Because I’ve seen your work."
Tekna blinked. "My... work?"
He met her eyes. "Your mech-wing upgrade last time? That hover-core that runs without energy loss? And that AI drone you built that interprets language patterns in real time? Yeah... I pay attention." He paused, lips curving just a little. "You’re fire and I respect that."
For a second, Tekna didn’t know what to say. Compliments weren’t exactly her daily breakfast.
She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. "Thanks" she smirked.
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And then there was Valkyrie.
She stood in the center of the training grounds, watching everyone pair up. Students moved fast, claiming each other before they got stuck with someone weak.
One by one... everyone found someone.
Except her.
She looked around, a little lost— but trying not to show it. She didn’t want to look desperate. Didn’t want to look like she needed help.
But before she could make a move— two voices spoke at the same time.
"Can you be my partner?"
She turned.
On her left was Sky.
On her right was...Bulb.
Both stood the same distance from her. Both looking straight at her.
The arena froze instantly. What the actual fuck? Even Stone muttered, "Oh, this is about to be a problem."