She follows Shou when their names are called. Everyone also starts to move for their matches.

Shou and Yuki's area is located on the first row. They enter the 5th platform whereas a creature is sitting formally on the chair near the barricade. Its head are round and small. Its eyes and mouth are just like humans however, it doesn't have ears nor nose. Its skin is yellowish. Also, it is very tall and wearing a plain black regalia. It has smooth tentacles as its two arms and it stands by more than 10 tentacles.

"Attention everyone."

The voice comes from above. There is a floating podium and on top of it is a lady wearing a blouse and pencil skirt.

"I'm the secretary, Isabelle Clinton. And also your observer for this event."

"I'll officially announce the rules. In each area, there is an assigned referee. You have to follow them. They will dictate the beginning and the end of the match. If one of you go outside without the permission of the referee, you and your partner are automatically disqualified. They will also serve as your doctor. I can assure you, they can heal anyone in any worst condition as long as you're not dead yet. Be careful-- they will not stop you in the middle of the matches even if anyone of you nearly are dying. So have self control."

"There is only one way to determine the winner, make both of your opponents on the ground within 10 seconds and your team wins. It depends on your strategy how--- either immobilize them or knock them out. But killing is strictly probihited." At the end of her words sounds like a warning.

"Sorry, we're late!"

Two girls enter the platform.

The person who shouted is small and very petite. While the girl next to her is tall like a model.

Then, the referee stands up and positions in between the two parties.

"My name is Bert and I'm your referee." The referee bows down.

"Slyvia Ethren" Bert looks at the girl that apologized.

Then the referee looks at the girl next to Slyvia. "And Lynne Smith, correct?"

"Yes."            "Yes."

"Shou Suzuki"

The referee looks at Shou before Yuki.

"Yuki Domingo, Correct?"

Yuki nods and seems like Shou did too since he didn't speak.

"Go to this side and your match will officially start once I said Go." The referee instructs Shou's party to stay near the opposite side of the door. While Slyvia's party on the other side. Yuki then, goes behind him.

"Prepare yourself." The other party prepares their stance and based on it, they are not going to use long ranged weapons.

"We will still do our best regardless of the enemy." Slyvia said. Despite his back only can be seen from Yuki's position, she is sure Shou has already became serious.

"GO!"

All parties showed their weapon. Slyvia has a weapon of two sickles. While Lynne has a weapon of three-bladed gloves. They were about to charge at us when series of gunshots can be heard. They fell off the ground due to bullets piercing on each of their ankles and wrists. They cannot even hold their weapons anymore and cringe in pain.

Shou and Yuki only watch them while waiting for 10 seconds limit. They are trying to hold their weapon or to stand up but failed. His shots are too accurate for them to move.

"The match is over-- The winners are Shou Suzuki and Yuki Domingo."

After announcing the winner, the referee's tentacles stretch out towards the other party and gently put them in front of him. Then, it simultaneously do its work. So that must be the reason why it has a lot of tentacles.

Shou starts to walk ahead, maybe to exit the place. That's why, Yuki just follows him.

As Shou passes them by, Slyvia speaks out. "I-Its my dream to-- fight you...." This makes him to stop walking.

"Stop talking-- Slyvia--" Lynne barely said. But Slyvia ignored that and thanked him. Then, Shou smiles at her as his response and walks away. While Yuki glances at them, and also smiles.

She is about to follow him when she remembers what he said before the fight.

"Stay behind me."

Maybe at the first place, he knows he can handle both of them.

It is day time and Shou is currently taking a bath. So while waiting, Yuki decides to stay at the corridors, just outside their room.

Their room is located at the first floor. On the first floor, the entrance leads to the hall. Beside it, are two opposing corridors. Beyond the hall is the canteen and a set of grand stairs for the second floor.

Outside the room is an open corridor so the sunshine and wind can pass inside. The chirping of birds and rustling of leaves can also be heard. This place is peaceful.

She rests her elbows on the partition of the corridor and closes her eyes to feel the silence of the place.

Then, there is a sound of a door opening.

"Oh-- the unlucky one is here."

The voice is familiar and when she glanced behind her, her guess is right. It's Matthew. But she's not sure if she is talking to her. She observes the surrounding to look for other people but there is no one.

"Going to ignore me?" After confirming that he is talking to her, she turned around to face him. His hands are resting on the partition while gazing outside.

"At the end-- you're getting protected huh?"
He glances at her. Maybe he is talking about the fight yesterday? But something is weird.

"And at the end---" Matthew is not giving any sarcastic smile right now. Is it because Shou is not with her?

"You two can't create the bond." Matthew faces her. Does he mean the bond that HCD talked about?

"Be glad to your highness that you can fight with your weapon." Shou is not saying anything to her about this. But that's not the point. Her weapon and the bond is connected?

"But its also your highness's fault the bond cannot be created. That being so,  you're pitiful." He looked serious this time. But something feels wrong.

"You mean the bond what HCD is talking about?"

"Oh-- you finally speak! Curiosity is kicking inside of you isn't it? Since you never heard such things from highness. Am I right?" Matthew starts to let out his sneers. However, if Matthew and Shou are not planning to tell her, it is fine with her.

"Seems like I'm correct huh? Heh. Your weapon is just forcefully taken out by highness since he's oh-so skilled." He acted like he is disgust of such praise. "Releasing your weapon on your own will actually depends on the bond between your partner. But this is the highness cannot do." So that is why, only Shou can control the appearance of our weapons. But why is he blaming all of it on Shou? Why not her? And Matthew makes it sound like she is one of Shou's victims.

"Even if you got into the seven ranks-- I'm telling you..." He points his finger on her forehead with a very serious facial expression.

"You. Will. Die."

Then, put his hand down. "But even if you die, highness will not cry for you." He sneers. But he is mistaken. She's not really expecting Shou to be affected on her death.

"The truth is--- He's a ruthless murderer." Is he angry right now? His tone is giving her a different vibe.

"I've said enough--" She just then, realized he will walk away. She panics because she forgot to explain her side which she must have to say.

"You're wrong." Matthew froze shortly and then, he laughed. However, it obviously has a hint of frustration.

"You're defending the highness? It's only been one month--" He smilingly mocked and turns immediately serious.

"You are far from knowing him." She quietly sighs. She doesn't care if he noticed it. However, Shou is being fully blamed on something she also has a part of.

He is about to say something when she cuts him off. "Maybe--" She has to quickly explain her side.

"The bond is not created due to Shou. But even if he did..."

She starts to feel uncomfortable. Because she is about say something personal. However, she still has to say it to avoid misunderstandings.

"It will still not be created, without me right?" Then, she slightly smiles at him. He is taken aback. His eyebrows crease.

"What? Both of you are--"

"Idiots!" After shouting at her, he marches to his room. She just then realized that, Matthew's room is beside hers. She sighs at what happened.

A door opens. And it reveals Shou who just took a bath.

"What are you doing there?" His eyebrow crease as he observes the surrounding.

"Just chilling." She enters their room.

Yuki and Shou are in training grounds. Just like before, he commands Eva and readies the place.

The location transforms into an abandoned room. There is a single light bulb however, the light is too dim.

"Listen Yuki." He checks on her face if her attention is on him.

"In this competition, there are 4 main rounds and sub-rounds. The matches yesterday was one of the main rounds. And those who lost will officially be D-Level. While those who fail in tonight's matches, will be C-Level. Basically, to be A-Level, it is required to pass the last main round." 3 rounds pa.

"This is held everyday until the 4th main round ends.  Now, there is what we called sub rounds. It is held every two days and this will determine what your rank is within a certain level. So the opponents will be under the same level. Participants who keeps winning will fight participants who also keeps winning. Those who failed will have to fight other people who also failed. Since there are 10 pairs in A-level, we just need to win one sub round to be included in first five ranks."

"But Yuki, that doesn't mean, you will intentionally lose. There are merciless opponents out there. Even if they aren't planning to kill you, they will keep you in pain until they are satisfied." Out of the blue, she remembers what Matthew said.

"He's a ruthless murderer."

"In order to prevent that, we will have a new set of training."

It's already been 3 days since then. Shou and Yuki won all the main rounds.

At the second round, two guys were their opponents. Their weapons were spear and two knives. They were planning to throw the spear to Yuki however, Yuki barely managed to dodge it. With such distraction, the guy holding two knives planned to attack Shou directly. But before he could do that, Shou already shot their ankles and then their wrist.

On the other hand, there was a pair who sacrificed his other partner. While Shou was going to shoot them, the first guy hid behind his partner and locked his wrists. It seems like, his partner was caught by surprise since he looked very confused and kept struggling. However, Shou didn't wait for them to move and so, he shot the guy at the front-- only his ankles since his wrist was locked from behind. At that moment, the guy serving as a shield was forcefully carried to Shou's direction and kept cussing. Before the opponent can process what's happening, Shou already went behind them and shot the other guy's ankles. Thus, Shou and Yuki won again.

The most recent match happened yesterday. The pair has determined face and both has long swords. They were planning to attack Shou directly but just like the previous matches, he can clearly see their movements. Same strategy.  When they were defeated-- they didn't utter a word but their face obviously showed frustration.

"I am reeeeeally excited to fight you." He grins and glances at Yuki.  "Especially your lil' missy right there!" He returns his eyes at Shou while letting his tongue out.

They are targetting Yuki.

~'Surviving without bond' ends~

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