Sala watched Avo's match on the TV-like machine in the waiting room. As usual ever since she came to get him after his training with his people, battle-maniac Avo was enjoying himself... Sometimes, she was really curious about what he went through for him to change so much. Nowadays, he was filled with a kind of assurance (not overconfidence exactly, nor cockiness... it was hard to explain. Like the serious and professional air surrounding a veteran) that made him look down on many fighters. Well, not exactly... He was more dismissive of them, really.

On the other hand, seeing him like this, facing against such an obviously dangerous foe and yet, enjoying the battle very much, she knew he must have went through hell and back with his people... Although, that was weird since Avo said his people were peaceful and welcoming. Considering his own personality before all this, she tended to agree, too...

Anyway, she watched the fight with a bit of anxiousness. Some no-name dude beside her (not that he had no name, she just didn't bother remembering it...) mocked him in order to destabilize her.

“That's your friend, right ? He's gonna lose so bad ! It's obvious ! He can't even touch this Kuro kid !”

It was true though... He couldn't touch him ! But that didn't mean that he was powerless against him. As long as his enemy had a mind, Avo would have a way to deal with him... Indeed, a few minutes later, as Avo was hovering over the arena and dodging black spears left and right, suddenly... The black fog dissipated.

On the ground, tightly bound by numerous vines, Kuro was looking right ahead with vacant eyes. A few moments later, he lost consciousness... The guy who tried to taunt her yelled :

“W-what ? H-how ?”

With a smirk she explained :

“Avo isn't a weakling with only one mean of defense. He mastered every aspect of his people's magic potential ! The reason he came here was only to deepen his knowledge and power... It's a shame for Kuro, though... He really didn't have much chance ending up against him...”

From behind, the cold voice of a young woman made Sala turn around :

“Yeah ? Well, in a few rounds, you won't have either... Contrary to this freak, you're not so tough... And I'll enjoy breaking you as revenge against him !” The chalk-white girl with jet-black eyes assured her with venom in her tone.

“Geez, Louise ! Intense, much ? It's like Avo killed your brother or something... Don't you know ? Even if we can't place well on the podium, we'll have our whole years of studies to prove we're worth investing in ! Kuro can still have access to the library and stuff...”

“Doesn't matter ! Your friend acts like he's the strongest mage there is... To prove him wrong, I'll crush you, then him ! But, I'm gonna take my time with you...”

Then, she turned around and walked away. Sala shook her head, bewildered about the girl's animosity. Avo wasn't really like that... Sure, he was aloof and disregarded most of the participants, here. However, it probably was only because of his own intense training... He was used to a higher standard. It didn't mean he looked down on them all...

Actually, from their conversation earlier, Avo told her he thought the siblings were interesting... After watching the fight, the young woman agreed. But, it seemed Shiro was also kind of a jerk and maybe a bit of a psycho. As things stood and if they both advanced in the tournament, they would encounter each other in the semi-finals...

“I have to watch her fight !” Sala whispered to herself.

When Avo and Kuro came back, they separated. The black skinned kid went to talk with his sister, a sad atmosphere surrounding him. Meanwhile, the namekian came to her side. She told him of her conversation with his sister's opponent and replied :

“They sure are intense... I've brushed Kuro's thoughts : it seemed this tournament was very important to them. From what I could understand, it seems they have a similar goal to ours : getting stronger. Why, though ? His thoughts were pretty jumbled... So, I couldn't really tell.” After a moment of silence where he looked at the siblings talking, he added : “But, you're right. Losing here isn't the end. He can still get noticed by a professor or show his worth later in the year.”

“Yeah, well... I've decided to watch her match. I'm not like you... My body is squishy and frail so if I get skewered by shadow spears, or whatever... I'll die ! I need to know what kind of magic she uses in order to fight her !”

The namekian nodded :

“Every magician has their own path to walk. Yours is one of study and preparedness. I understand that. Although it might be prejudiced, considering Kuro's appearance and the element he used, I'm guessing Shiro uses light or life elemental magic.”

“We'll know soon enough...” Sala answered determinedly.

* * * * *

“It's your turn, sister !” Kuro said with vigor. Despite his loss, he was soon cheered up by Shiro's fighting spirit. She'd promised him to give Avo a good whack on the head, as payback ! Not that he was a sore loser but... telepathy was such a cheat ! He worked hard for years in order to become nigh invincible and it had all come to naught in front of this particular magic ! Although some might say his own control over darkness and shadow was just as much of a cheat, the twins thought they were entitled to it. Being untouchable and powerful, it wasn't just their objective... It was their birthright ! Who cared what those peasants who thought they did magic were saying !

“Yes.” Shiro said, her grim face set on her features. Without anymore words, she headed for the door and arrived almost at the same time as a native of this moon did. He briefly looked at her, the unease apparent in his expression. Actually, he almost looked like he was about to vomit... The poor young man was just not used to performing his magic in public. Or just being in public, really. The mooner nodded woodenly before they both passed the threshold.

The man had a kind of steampunk vibe to him with his leather jacket and helmet, denim pants, the goggles on his head and the copper-like gun thingie on his waist.

“After Kuro's fantastic match and unfortunate defeat, it's his sister's turn to step forward : Shiro. Just like her brother, she received high praises from her examiners. Facing her, a man who comes directly from the city and who is apparently very nervous...” The commentator told that last bit with a playful tone. Right after that, though she announced :

“Shiro VS Alastor ! Fight !”

Shiro's body shone like a beacon, blinding everyone around. Thankfully, Alastor was wearing tainted goggles over his eyes. However, he still couldn't tell where she had disappeared when the light subsided. He quickly grabbed an item from his bag : a wooden tablet with something resembling a computer screen on it. After barely a moment, he dove to the left. A beam of light shone like a laser where he was, a second ago. As the beam ended, Shiro stood now at the end of it.

Her cool voice spoke over the sudden silence :

“Nice job dodging that ! Unfortunately for you...” She raised her left hand, palm up toward the sky and chanted something... A ball of light came out of it and exploded in numerous rays, blinding the crowd once more and shooting every which way. They landed on the ground, pillars and even the protective barrier to the arena with a sizzling sound. Meanwhile, Alastor was now hiding behind a tower shield that came out of another tiny object he fished out of his bag.

While he hid and protected himself, Shiro flashed once more, appearing behind the technomancer. She threw another one of those balls of light, this time right above him and charged toward him like a laser. Unexpectedly, her opponent had time to grab a third item from his bag while he turned to defend against her. His shield stopped her charge and the explosion of light was intercepted by the grenade-like thing that blew up right over his head. Tiny shiny particles reflected the light all around him but left him whole and mostly uninjured.

“Is that all you got ?” Alastor, his nervousness forgotten and now a little cocky, said.

Without a word, she turned to face him and, with a bloodthirsty smile, pointed at her chest. Puzzled over her gesture, he didn't understand what she was saying until the last moment... When one of her spells exploded point-blank from his chest. Nobody saw how it happened (not even Avo) so the ending of this match left them a bit perplexed... Between the flashes and blinding rays, the commentator didn't even have time to do her job. All she did was announce the ending...

“Winner : Shiro !” She said, with obvious grief in her voice.

The white woman nonchalantly walked back to the waiting room, completely uncaring over the losers well-being. On the other hand, the medical personnel had already come out from one of a side door with a stretcher in tow. They charged the unconscious and partially charred Alastor on it before running back the way they came from.

As Shiro entered, Sala was waiting for her, a confident smile on her face. She told her :

“I can deal with you.” Then she turned her back on her and exited the room...