The arena lights dimmed slowly.
The hum of energy faded into a low, steady pulse.
No explosions.
No cheers.
No winner.
Only silence.
Riku stood at the edge of the platform, breathing steadily.
Sweat rolled down his temple, lightning sparks around his arm slowly dying out.
"Bolt…" he said softly.
The blue lightning wolf looked back once—then dissolved into light.
The Spirit Core pulled itself back mid-air, spinning gently before locking into Riku's gauntlet.
CLICK.
Toma blinked.
"…Huh? That's it?"
Across the arena, Mira raised her arm.
Her spirit form paused, eyes unreadable—then shattered into silver particles, flowing back into her Core.
CLICK.
Both cores rested quietly now.
No glow.
No pressure.
Just weight.
---
🌫️ Aftermath
For a few seconds, nobody spoke.
The arena walls stopped glowing.
The ancient symbols went dark again, like they were never alive.
Toma scratched his head.
"So… uh… who—"
Riku cut him off.
"Doesn't matter."
Mira looked at him.
"…You think so?"
Riku nodded.
"That wasn't about winning."
He flexed his fingers, feeling the lingering thrum inside his gauntlet.
"It was about understanding."
Mira's lips curved slightly—not a smile, not a frown.
"…Good answer."
She turned away, walking toward the stairs.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Toma tilted his head.
"Tomorrow? For what?"
Mira paused at the top step.
"For the team."
Then she left.
---
⚡ Quiet Resolve
Riku looked down at his Spirit Core.
Still warm.
Bolt's voice echoed faintly from inside.
> "She's different."
Riku exhaled slowly.
"Yeah… I know."
Toma crossed his arms.
"…Man, things were simpler when all we worried about was speed posts and launches."
Riku smiled faintly.
"Those days aren't gone."
He looked toward the closed arena gate.
"They're just evolving."
The underground room fell silent once more.
But something had already changed.
---
⚡ End of Chapter 18
Next (whenever you're ready):
Chapter 19 – "Teams Are Not Chosen by Strength"
> Selection begins.
Strategies clash.
And the real test starts.