Chalcon stood at the center of the arena. Everything around him faded into the background, and his concentration honed in on a single point. In this state of intense concentration, he released his sword with a commanding shout, "Open your heart, Sanda Colossus!"

  A surge of potent magical energy erupted from Chalcon, shaking the entire arena.

  The Announcer boomed, “Whoa Nelly! Chalcon has released his sword magic!"

  Chalcon's weapon and body crackled with intense electricity. Thunder surged around all around him, creating a fearsome aura.

  Chalcon closed in on Roselle with intensity. When he swung his sword, and a bolt of electrifying power accompanied the blade. A vivid mark of Thunder was left on Roselle. Roselle gritted her teeth against the damage.

  Before Roselle could even begin to raise her cannon, Chalcon’s blade struck with another hit. The sheer power of the attack sent her staggering backward.

  Roselle struggled to keep her balance as Chalcon's relentless assault continued. She raised her cannon, trying to block the incoming strikes, but Chalcon’s enhanced swings were too swift and powerful. Each clash between Chalcon’s sword and Roselle’s cannon was met with a thunderous burst of energy, throwing Roselle off balance and tossing her around the arena.

  Roselle found herself being pushed back further and further, her attempts to block and retaliate proving increasingly difficult. She tried to summon her lightning energy to create barriers and deflect some of the force, but Chalcon's speed and power were overwhelming to a great degree.

  With each powerful swing he landed, Chalcon’s confidence grew. “How’s that for a real fight?” he shouted. “You’ve got to be quick if you want to keep up!”

  Chalcon's furious assault continued .He weaved around Roselle, and then landed a slash squarely on Roselle's shoulder, causing her to wince in pain. Chalcon then flipped forward and unleashed a powerful downward slash, pushing her down to one knee.

  The third attack came as a lightning-fast horizontal swipe, catching Roselle off guard and sending her stumbling back. The next slash was delivered with a swift upward motion, lifting her off her feet. Then, he thrusted his blade forward with a devastating strike that knocked her back into the barrier.

  Roselle bounced off the magical barrier. Her body tumbled to the ground below. She lay there, unmoving.

  In the stands, Risebelle's teeth were gritted in frustration and concern. The Announcer started the countdown, announcing to the audience, “Well, folks, it seems like Roselle’s taken quite a tumble after that brutal assault from Chalcon. We’ll give Roselle 60 seconds to shake off the cobwebs and get back on her feet. If she doesn’t make it in time, Chalcon’s gonna be declared the winner of this here match!”

  Risebelle watched with growing concern. "This…doesen’t look good….”

  Runebelle. with a deeper sadness in her eyes, got up and began to leave her seat. Risebelle quickly called out, "Hey, where do you think you're going?" She decided to follow Runebelle.

  Kintovar observed the situation. Her arms were folded, and a slight sweatdrop formed on her brow. Juliana seized the opportunity to surprise Kintovar with a comment. "You know, Roselle still has her trump card, but she has to get up to be able to use it. If she's truly out cold, then it's over for them, and the technology run ends here."

  Before Kintovar could respond, Haras, her lab partner exclaimed from the seat nearby, "Oh no, Kintovar! This is really, really bad! I can't believe Roselle got knocked down like that! We can't let it end here!"

  Kintovar, usually composed and analytical, found herself sharing in the worry. She nodded and said, “Roselle has to get back on her feet, but...I’m not even sure if that’s possible…"

  Runebelle continued to move closer to the Grand Arena, undeterred by the potential dangers. Risebelle hurriedly followed her.

  Risebelle whispered to Runebelle, "You're going to get us in trouble if you keep going like this. We don’t want to get Roselle disqualified here."

  Runebelle, however, didn't respond and simply maintained her stride toward the arena. They soon found themselves standing near the sidelines, where Chala was intently watching the unfolding battle.

  Risebelle continued to worry about Runebelle's behavior. She leaned closer to her sister and whispered urgently, "Runebelle, this isn't like you at all. You should be careful."

  Runebelle finally glanced at Risebelle. She didn't respond verbally, but her hesitancy to move any further suggested that she might heed her sister's advice.

  Chala, the powerhouse from the Western Kingdom, acknowledged their presence with a warm smile. She spoke up with smile. "Looks like you two can't sit still either, huh? Don't worry; I understand the feeling. That's why I'm always close by my brother's matches. We're all eager to see what happens next, aren't we?"

  Risebelle nodded slowly “Yeah…something like that." Risebelle’s curiousity flared and she spoke to Chala with one eyebrow raised. "By the way, I noticed Chalcon calling out to you during the battle. What was that about?"

  Chala smiled and explained, “Oh, that? Our sword magic, the Lightning Dragon Sanda Colossus, is a shared power between us. When Chalcon wants to tap into its full potential, he needs my permission. It's an agreement between us that ensures we use this power responsibly. He can initiate it on his own, but to fully harness its strength, he has to request permission."

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  Risebelle nodded, “I see," she responded, her respect for Chala growing. "It's impressive how you two work together so seamlessly."

  Chala nodded her head and her gaze slowly descended to the ground. "Chalcon's aggressive behavior can be a double-edged sword, but I know he has a good heart. We've been through a lot together."

  Risebelle nodded thoughtfully. Her mind drifted to her own past and the strong emotions she once harbored. She recalled how she had held a deep hatred for humans, a hatred that extended to her sisters when they were first activated. She had been particularly harsh on Roselle, even calling her a disappointment at times. Yet, Roselle still found admiration for Risebelle, always seeking to be taught by her, and still referring to her as "big sister."

  With an understanding smile, Risebelle responded to Chala, "I can empathize with what you're saying. I was once full of nothing but anger myself, and it took time for me to let go of some of that anger, but being around my sisters and meeting others are what changed me.”

  Chala nodded in agreement. "Siblings have a unique bond. It’s a journey with its ups and downs, but in the end, that bond can be unbreakable."

  Risebelle and Runebelle, standing on the sidelines, turned their attention to Roselle and checked on her status:

  [[System Message]]

  System: Roselle

  Lifeforce: 0%

  Magic: 126%

  Risebelle’s eyes widened. She turned to Runebelle with concern. “Her lifeforce is at 0%. That means… there’s no getting up unless she’s repaired. We faced something like this before when you were damaged in the battle with Abner, Runebelle. We had to use tha tank to fix you...can't do that here...

  Runebelle’s frown deepened. “Don’t say that... Roselle can’t be out like this. She’s strong; she’ll find a way to come back.”

  Risebelle shook her head, her own frustration evident. “I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that. With her lifeforce at zero, she won’t be getting up anytime soon. We need to face reality. The science team lost this one.”

  Runebelle's face hardened, despite being gloomy. “She’s not done yet. There’s always a chance. You know how she is....”

  Risebelle sighed heavily. “Runebelle, I get that you’re holding on to hope, but with Roselle’s lifeforce at zero, it’s practically impossible for her to get up without immediate repair.”

  Runebelle gave a rare look of getting pumped. “You can’t just give up on her like that. She’s… she’s not done yet.”

  Risebelle shook her head with a smile. “I'd expect this level of stubborness from Roselle rather than you....”

  The announcer counted down with the timer.

  "Ten... Nine... Eight..."

  [[System Message]]

  System: Roselle

  Lifeforce: 0%

  Magic: 126%

  A notification chimed, alerting those who could read Roselle’s statistics:

  [[System notice]]

  Dr. Haras' Medical Pack Activated

  Roselle will gradually regain 1% of her lifeforce every 3 seconds her lifeforce is below 1%.

  Risebelle’s eyes widened at the sight of the updated system message. Her initial shock quickly turned into incredulous disbelief. “You’ve gotta be kiddin me….”

  Risebelle shook her head. "This means that Kintovar and Haras actually completed their medical pack research for artificial life, but when did they…?”

  In the stands, Kintovar let out a deep breath of relief, Haras leaned forward with eyes glued to the unfolding scene. “We did it, Kintovar! It’s really working! Roselle’s life force is returning!”

  In the heat of the moment, Roselle cracked open one eye, and her gaze met Runebelle's. Runebelle mimicked the motion of attaching herself to something. It triggered a powerful flashback for Roselle.

  In those memories, Roselle could vividly recall all the times when Runebelle had been confined to her tank. She had always waited anxiously, hugging the glass of the tank, eager to be the first person Runebelle would see upon her release. Those were moments of pure joy and connection between the sisters.

  This time, as Roselle looked at Runebelle, the message was clear. Runebelle's sad face still made her appear melancholic, but there was an unmistakable spark of encouragement.

  The Announcer's countdown continued, but now, Roselle was filled with newfound energy She took a deep breath and whispered, "I won't let you down, Runebelle."

  "Three... Two... One...”

  Roselle flipped back onto her feet. Her eyes blazed with fiery and she clenched her fists, ready to face her opponent once more.

  “This fight isn’t gonna end like this, Chalcon!”

  The crowd erupted into applause, energized by Roselle's unwavering spirit.

  Roselle's mind briefly traveled back to that fateful encounter with Dark Whirlwind, a day that had brought her immense sadness and despair. The memory of losing her sister, even if only temporarily, was etched in her heart. The pain and the emptiness she had felt on that day were unforgettable.

  Roselle drew strength from that past experience. She declared, “As long as people need me to fight, I'll keep fighting. I won't let anyone down, and I won't lose to her again!”

  Roselle focused on all the knowledge and data she had acquired throughout her journey. She channeled her willpower, frustration, and a burning desire to protect into a powerful shout.

  "Project Mage!"

  In that instant, the transformation began. A surge of energy enveloped her, and her appearance started to change. Her petite frame grew taller, maturing into a teenage form. Her hair turned a a shade of purple. Her eyes, once innocent blue, now turned purple.

  A small, semi-open purple jacket covered her chest, revealing just a hint of her outfit underneath. A matching purple skirt flowed around he. She wore poison-purple bolt crystal earrings that dangled.

  Roselle's once massive cannon had transformed into a medium-sized gun, and it crackled with purple, poisonous energy. In her other hand, she held a purple acidic sword.

  Completing her transformation, Roselle donned a unique black and purple hat,

  With her transformation complete, Roselle initiated a full scan to assess her current status and the situation at hand:

  [System Message]

  System Status: Online

  LifeForce: 300%

  Magic: 400%

  Cannon Charge: 300%

  Timer: Transformation (10 Minutes)

  Location: West Jancito Practice Tournament

  Threat Assessment: Chalcon (Threat level: 65%)

  Roselle had a clear picture of her capabilities and the time remaining in her empowered form.

  Chalcon stepped forward with a grin and said, "That’s what I want to see! Come at me with your full power! Let's have a real fight now!"

  Roselle shifted into a combat stance with her poison blade at the ready. She responded with a neutral look, "Bring it on, Chalcon. I won't hold back."

  The announcer exclaimed. "Wowza! We’re about to witness one heck of a showdown right here in the arena! On one side, we’ve got Roselle, showin’ up in her astonishin’ Project Mage form, ready to dazzle us all. And on the other, it’s Chalcon with that awe-inspirin’ Sanda Colossus Thunder Dragon Sword Magic!

  These two fighters have already shown us their incredible powers, but the big question is: Who’s gonna claim victory in this epic clash of magic and swords? Will it be the fierce and determined Roselle, or will Chalcon’s mastery of the Thunder Dragon’s power prove too much for her to handle?

  Y’all hang tight and stay tuned, ‘cause we’re in for a showdown that’ll knock your socks off!”