Cleo stood up and looked at the window.

Ace: So this is a member of one of the best guilds.

Cleo: Do you want to eat outside?

Ace: I guess so...

Cleo: Great, let's head outside.

Ace: Aren't you going to unpack some of your stuff?

Cleo: That can wait, eating always comes first.

Ace: Another one of those weird people.

Cleo pulls Ace's hand.

Ace: Okay okay, no need to rush.

Cleo and Ace ran out of their room and head downstairs.

***

When they reached the food court, Cleo ordered a bunch of food.

Ace: Her physical appearance is very far from her personality.

Cleo: So, Ace, why do you want to participate in the games.

The situation got pretty tense in a flash.

Ace: It's not because I want to win, it's because I want to do so.

Both of them exchanged serious looks.

Cleo called the waitress.

Cleo: Seconds please.

The tension went down in a flash too.

Cleo: I like your determination, but if you want to win, you gotta have to go through me.

Ace stood up.

Ace: Well, time for me to train. Enjoy your meal.

Ace left the food court and went to the park area to train.

Cleo: What's up with him? Being serious all of the sudden.

Cleo called the waiter once again.

Cleo: Another bowl please!

***

Ace started to train on his own.

Ace: 100% strength on.

Ace did push-ups, using only his finger.

Ace: I need to go beyond my limits. I need to get stronger. The moment the situation got tense, I felt her aura, and it is strong as hell. She ain't one of the best for nothing. If we're going to win this games, I need to get even stronger!

***
It is almost night time, and still, Ace is doing push-ups at the park.

Ace: 5894, 5895, 5896....

And on the distance, Cleo was watching him.

???: It's pretty rare to see you outside on yourself, Cleo.

Cleo looked behind her.

Cleo: Oh, it's you, Vine.

Vine: That's right. A proud member of the Heaven's Pawn guild is here. So, what are you doing?

Cleo pointed at the park. And there, Ace doing push-ups.

Vine: It's pretty rare for you to stalk someone.

Cleo: It's not that I'm stalking him, I'm just curious.

Vine: Well, well, that's Ace.

Cleo: You know him?

Vine: No. But my roommate told stories about him. Ace, the person who took down Gorgons' Eye.

Cleo: That famous evil guild?

Vine: Bingo. They say he is also the one who saved the people in Tresta town where a Class Z monster is lurking around.

Cleo: That's weird... but he doesn't have any magic at all within him.

Vine: Hmm... maybe it's just rumors. I mean, rumors are rumors.

Cleo: He's hiding something...

Vine: It's rare to see you getting worked up on a person like that.

Cleo: Both of his arms are covered by bandages...

Vine: I think so too..

***

Ace: I feel like I'm being watched by two people.

To be continued...