Jake stepped into the hospital, his chest tight. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. Now that Carter and Arjun were hospitalized, qualifying for the Grand Final felt meaningless. The match against Arjun was meant to be a fair and honorable battle between friends—one where, regardless of the outcome, they would celebrate each other's efforts. But Olivier's selfish and immature actions—driven by his deluded agenda, believing he could still force his way into the competition—resulted in Arjun's injury. As a result, Jake was automatically qualified to face Naomi West in the Grand Final—but there was no honor or pride in winning this way.

  Olivier had now put two of Jake's friends in the hospital. Carter remained unconscious, still suffering from severe blood loss, while Arjun was in surgery. Though the épée had missed his heart, it had punctured one of his lungs, leaving him in critical condition. Fortunately, swift medical intervention saved him, thanks to Mr. Laurent’s bodyguard, Roca, who neutralized Olivier just in time to get Arjun the help he needed.

  As Jake waited outside the ICU, it felt like déjà vu—just like when Carter was in there. Now, Arjun had been wheeled inside, and all Jake could do was wait patiently for the doctor's update. He could only pray that nothing bad happened—if Arjun's condition worsened, the guilt would weigh heavily on him. After all, Arjun was the one who had pushed him out of harm's way, taking the attack meant for him.

  Just thirty minutes later, the doctor emerged from the ICU. Jake immediately rushed forward, his heart pounding.

  "Doctor, how is my friend? Is he going to be okay?" Jake asked anxiously, bracing for the worst.

  The doctor smiled reassuringly.

  "Your friend is not in any critical danger," he assured Jake. "For some reason, his blood flow remained at a steady rate, which prevented excessive blood loss from the punctured lung. All we had to do was stitch up the wound. He should wake up very soon, and you can visit him tomorrow."

  Jake let out a deep breath, relief washing over him. He had been bracing for the worst, but now, he finally allowed himself to relax—if only for a moment. But relief didn't erase the weight on his chest. Arjun had nearly died, and Carter was still fighting his own battle. He needed to check on him.

  Arjun... you are something else. Even after taking that hit, you still refused to go down. It wasn't just luck—it was your will, your fighting spirit. Innings Inspiration… it didn't just fuel you in battle—it saved your life.

  Jake clenched his fists, his emotions caught between gratitude and frustration. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. Arjun could have been celebrating his victory, not lying in a hospital bed because of Olivier's madness. But no matter how much Jake wished to change the past, all he could do now was move forward.

  Shaking off his thoughts, he turned toward Carter's ward—there was still one more friend he needed to check on.

  Upon arriving at Carter's ward, the three girls—Akane, Maddie, and Luna—ran toward him the moment he stepped inside.

  "Are you alright?" Luna asked, her voice filled with concern, while Akane carefully examined Jake, her eyes scanning for any sign of injuries.

  "Hey! I'm alright. What's wrong?" Jake asked, confused by their reaction.

  "We saw what Olivier did!" Maddie blurted, anxiety lacing her voice. "He stabbed Arjun, and then—just like that—the broadcast cut to the commentators. They didn't even show what happened next!"

  Maddie continued, "They only announced that Olivier was restrained after, but we didn't know what was going on."

  Upon hearing Maddie's explanation, Jake understood their worry. He explained everything—how Olivier had demanded a rematch, how Mr. Laurent's bodyguard, Roca, had intervened, and how Olivier had been subdued, allowing Arjun to receive immediate medical care.

  Luna's expression darkened, her anger flaring. "That Olivier is crazy and immature! I would've taught him a lesson with my Light Saber!" she huffed.

  Akane, usually reserved, silently took out her pair of sais, her eyes flashing with displeasure, as if she were ready to fight Olivier herself.

  "Cool down!" Jake urged, gesturing for Akane to put her weapons away. "I don't think he'll be causing any more trouble—he's been handed over to the authorities."

  Maddie, trying to lighten the mood, suddenly smiled. "And Jake, congrats on making it to the Grand Final of the Athenaeum Games!"

  Jake shook his head, his focus elsewhere. "To me, the most important thing is that all my friends are safe. I just hope Carter wakes up soon."

  With that, they walked toward Carter's bed, his unconscious figure lying still, as they all hoped for him to wake up soon.

  That night, Jake barely slept, his mind still racing. By morning, he was heading to Arjun's ward, hoping for better news. To his surprise, Arjun was already sitting upright on his bed, looking bright and energetic, as if he hadn't been injured. He smiled the moment Jake entered the room.

  "Hey, Jake!" Arjun called out cheerfully. Jake walked in slowly, his head heavy with guilt. Arjun had taken the hit meant for him. And if Olivier hadn't interfered… maybe he would have been the one in the Grand Finals instead.

  "Arjun, I need to apologize," Jake said, his voice weighted with guilt. "If you hadn't pushed me away, you wouldn't be in the hospital right now. And… you could have been the one competing in the Grand Finals."

  Arjun smiled and shook his head. "Jake, you're wrong."

  Jake looked up, confused by Arjun's words. "I'm happier that I was the one who got injured."

  Jake's eyes widened in shock. "What? Why would you say that?!"

  "Arjun's smile never faded. 'Jake, you should know me by now. Friends come first. Winning is just... secondary.'" He paused before continuing, "Every setback is just another learning opportunity. No one wanted this to happen, but we just have to adapt and grow. Besides, there's always the next Athenaeum Games."

  Jake lowered his gaze again. "But… you could've lost your life saving me."

  Arjun let out a lighthearted chuckle. "Jake, I believed in you. And I believed in everyone else. I knew you all would come to my aid." His positivity and resilience lifted the room, making it clear why Arjun had always been a source of motivation for others.

  "Besides," he added, "I'm pretty sure I managed to activate Innings Inspiration before I got hit." Arjun grinned and raised his fist.

  "So don't be sorry, Jake. Win the tournament for me—and for all your friends." Jake felt the weight of his guilt lighten as a smile returned to his face. He bumped his fist against Arjun's, a silent promise exchanged between them.

  After that, the two continued talking, discussing strategies for the Grand Finals. Arjun shared his thoughts on Naomi West, hoping to help Jake find a way to overcome her in their upcoming match.

  As the day of the Grand Final arrived, Jake's proud parents, Elizabeth and Fumio Harada, were busy helping him prepare for his big day.

  "Be careful, Jake! I don't want you pushing yourself too hard. Winning isn't worth getting hurt!" Elizabeth fussed, adjusting his collar like he was still a child.

  "Mum!" Jake groaned.

  Fumio chuckled, giving his wife a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Relax, dear! Our boys got this. He's got talent—just like his old man! He swings that bat like a pro, same as I did back in the day."

  Elizabeth huffed, still unconvinced. "Whatever! Just be careful out there, will you?" she insisted.

  Jake smiled softly, appreciating their concern. "I will. Are you both coming to the stadium to watch it live?" he asked, hoping to see them in the crowd.

  Elizabeth shook her head. "It might be too intense for me. I can't bear to watch my son risking his life out there! I'll watch it on the live broadcast instead."

  Fumio sighed. "I'll have to stay with your mother to ensure she doesn't get too worked up. But Jake, you know our hearts are with you. Go out there and win this!" His father gave him a wink, confident his son would take home the Athenaeum Games championship.

  Jake swallowed the last bite of his breakfast, flashing them a grin. "Alright! I'll do my best!" He slung his bat over his shoulder before heading for Maxwell Colosseum.

  Before leaving, Jake stopped by Luna's room, knocking on her door. "Hey, Luna, I'm heading to Maxwell Colosseum. Are you coming with me?"

  Luna hesitated before opening the door, gripping the edge of the frame. "I… I'll be late, but I'll go later," she muttered.

  Jake raised a brow but shrugged it off. "Alright! See you later, then!" he smiled, turning to leave.

  But just before he could step away, Luna called out to him. "Jake…!"

  He paused, looking back at her.

  Luna took a slow breath. "I just… wanted to say thank you. For everything. No matter what happens today, I wish you the best in the tournament and life."

  Jake blinked, something about her tone nagging at him. "Jeez… why do you sound so serious right now?" He chuckled lightly, though a nagging unease lingered. "See you later, Luna." And with that, Jake made his way to the Grand Finals.

  "And we are finally here—the Grand Finals of the Athenaeum Games! The final stage is set!" Pat Samson hyped up the 50,000-strong crowd in Maxwell Colosseum as they roared with excitement, anticipating an electrifying match ahead.

  "Yes, Pat," Samantha added, her voice carrying the weight of the tournament's journey. "We've come full circle."

  She continued with her breakdown. "Our opening match featured Jake Harada and Naomi West. And after battling through multiple rounds, Jake fought his way through the Loser's Bracket, while Naomi remained undefeated in the Winner's Bracket. Now, after everything, they meet again—this time, in the Grand Finals!"

  Pat nodded, feeding off the energy of the crowd. "And let's not forget—the Grand Finals is a single round. One match. One chance. There won't be a second opportunity for either competitor, no matter how they got here!"

  He then posed a question, addressing a possible concern. "But wait—wouldn't that be unfair to Naomi? She hasn't lost a single round in the Winner's Bracket, and now, just one loss could cost her the advantage she earned by staying undefeated?"

  Samantha shook her head, ready with an answer.

  "Not at all! The Loser's Bracket is much tougher—competitors fight through more matches and face elimination at every turn. Meanwhile, those in the Winner's Bracket have fewer matches to reach the finals, but they must stay undefeated. Naomi's advantage was having a smoother path with fewer matches and avoiding the constant pressure of elimination battles."

  She continued, elaborating on the fairness of the system.

  "The rule is designed this way to balance the competition. It prevents excessive match fatigue while ensuring that the ultimate champion has proven their skill in the showdown. In the end, it all comes down to one decisive battle to determine who truly deserves the title!"

  "Thanks for the explanation, Samantha. I also want to assure the crowd today that security is on high alert—we won't allow a repeat of the incident that occurred during the Loser's Final. We sincerely apologize once more, and I guarantee that such a disruption will not happen again," Pat stated firmly, reassuring the audience that Olivier's interference would not be repeated.

  He then shifted the energy back to the competition.

  "Now, let's not keep the crowd waiting any longer! Samantha, please do the honors—get this Grand Final started and introduce our competitors!"

  Samantha nodded enthusiastically, ready to build the hype.

  "As you command, Pat!" She took a deep breath and began.

  "Introducing our Losers' Bracket Winner! A competitor who has demonstrated exceptional skill and strategic brilliance throughout the tournament. Despite losing in his very first match against Naomi, he fought his way through the toughest challenges, overcoming every hurdle to stand here in the Grand Finals. Tonight, he gets his long-awaited rematch! Will he finally claim victory over his first opponent, or will history repeat itself? Please welcome—Jake Harada and his trusty baseball bat!"

  As Samantha's introduction echoed through the colosseum, Jake marched out confidently, greeted by thunderous cheers. Pyrotechnics flared up alongside the entrance tunnel as the LED billboard lit up with his name and image, displaying him as one of the final two competitors.

  Jake acknowledged the roaring crowd, raising a hand and waving back in appreciation.

  Meanwhile, in the VIP lounge, Mr. Laurent observed closely, his keen eyes fixed on Jake—his pick to win the tournament.

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  Elsewhere, in the spectator stands, only Akane was physically present, watching live from the Maxwell Colosseum, showing her quiet but unwavering support.

  Back at the hospital, Maddie remained by Carter's bedside, her eyes fixed on the live telecast, silently hoping that Carter would wake up in time to witness the Grand Finals.

  Meanwhile, Arjun, still recovering in his ward, watched the broadcast as well, his expression filled with anticipation. Despite his injuries, he couldn't miss this moment—his friend, Jake Harada, was now one match away from becoming the Athenaeum Games champion.

  At home, the Harada family—Fumio and Elizabeth—sat together in their living room, watching the broadcast, their hearts filled with pride and nervous anticipation as their son took center stage in the biggest match of his life.

  "And now, introducing the reigning, defending champion of the Athenaeum Games! She has delivered an overwhelming performance throughout this tournament—her ferocious tennis playstyle, a devastating combination of speed and power, has easily dismantled her opponents. But it's not just raw talent—her strategic mindset allows her to analyze and exploit her opponent's weaknesses, making her one of the most dangerous competitors in the arena. Put your hands together for last year's defending champion—Naomi West!"

  The moment Samantha's announcement echoed through the colosseum, the crowd erupted, chanting in perfect synchronization— "Naomi! Naomi! Naomi!"

  The stadium went dark for a moment before suddenly lighting up, revealing Naomi's image on the LED billboard alongside dazzling pyrotechnics.

  She marched out confidently, gripping her sleek black tennis racket, her signature smile radiating confidence as she waved back at the roaring audience.

  Jake watched her approach and smiled, acknowledging his opponent. Naomi met his gaze, reciprocating the energy. In this tournament, there were no villains—only competitors striving to prove who was truly the best.

  Before stepping onto the battlefield, they shared a brief exchange.

  "Nice to face you in the tournament again. I've been watching your progress this whole time," Naomi admitted, a hint of respect in her voice.

  Jake grinned, nodding. "Me too. I'll try my best not to make the same mistakes as before."

  Naomi simply smirked, offering no response.

  As they took their positions on the grand stage, the referee stepped forward, conducting final checks on both competitors before reiterating the rules.

  "The match will conclude when one competitor is knocked out or disarmed. The last one standing will be crowned this year's Athenaeum Games Grand Champion," the referee reminded both competitors once more, despite each having fought numerous matches, ensuring the rules remained fresh in their minds. Both competitors listened attentively, nodding in understanding, their expressions shifting from mutual respect to fierce determination as the battle drew near.

  

  "Beeeeep!" The whistle blew, and Naomi wasted no time, immediately shifting into high gear as she activated Cross-Court Dash. With her athletic speed, she dashed across the battlefield, effortlessly covering the arena, zigzagging and feinting approaches to keep Jake guessing—would she close in for a melee strike, or pick up a ball to launch a projectile attack? Yet Jake was unfazed; his Batter's Intuition kicked in, keen eyes locked onto Naomi's movements, tracking her every step with unwavering focus, determined not to be overwhelmed by her speed alone.

  Naomi noticed Jake tracking her movements closely and realized he was keeping up, prompting her to make a decisive move. Suddenly, she rushed forward, closing the distance, stopping just short of melee range before abruptly leaping into the air. Executing her Overhead Smash, Naomi brought her racket down in a devastating arc, aiming to shatter Jake's defenses with a crushing strike; the aerial attack left Jake uncertain whether she intended a direct melee blow or was setting up for a projectile attack.

  But Jake was ready. He swiftly raised his bat, executing Bunt Block to deflect Naomi’s powerful strike with pinpoint precision. The heavy impact sent tremors through his arms and pressed his shoes slightly into the grassy soil, but he stood firm. Without hesitation, Jake launched his counterattack the instant Naomi touched the ground—using his momentum, he swung into a fierce Home Run Swing, his bat slicing forcefully through the air toward Naomi's midsection.

  But Naomi's exceptional footwork allowed her to react instantly, swiftly activating another Cross-Court Dash to reposition herself safely away from Jake's devastating swing. However—"Bish!"—a sudden impact struck her knee, causing her leg to buckle slightly from the unexpected blow. Naomi's eyes widened in shock as she realized Jake had anticipated her move and set this trap perfectly.

  Using Fielder's Choice, Jake had already anticipated Naomi's dodge and made a split-second decision to alter his combat strategy. The moment Naomi moved away, he swiftly grabbed a tennis ball off the ground and executed Curveball Confound, launching it with an unpredictable trajectory aimed precisely at Naomi's knee, hidden from her view as she focused on avoiding the bat. Caught completely off-guard by the projectile, Naomi failed to see it coming, allowing Jake to land the first hit and claim the opening advantage in the match.

  "Jake lands the first hit with his projectile move! This is remarkably similar to their first encounter," Pat exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement as the crowd roared in appreciation of the intense start. Samantha quickly jumped in with her analysis. "You're right, Pat. Jake secured the first strike with his Curveball Confound, but Naomi had faced this exact scenario before and successfully staged a comeback. Let's see if the Grand Final follows the same pattern."

  Naomi rubbed her slightly bruised knee, recognizing that Jake's initial hit had dampened her athletic speed. She quickly recalculated her strategy, determined to regain the upper hand. Jake, sensing his projectile tactics working well, swiftly picked up more balls from the floor and executed Fastball Flick, sending a barrage of projectiles flying rapidly toward Naomi, aiming to overwhelm her defenses. However, Naomi anticipated the incoming attack, expertly evading it with another Cross-Court Dash, repositioning herself strategically while swiftly closing the distance into Jake's melee range.

  The moment Naomi entered striking distance, she launched her Smash Strike, delivering a powerful overhead swing with her racket aimed directly at Jake. Having felt the strength of this attack before, Jake knew that attempting a direct block would stun him momentarily. Instead, he executed Slide Dodge, swiftly evading Naomi's strike while repositioning himself strategically. But just as he thought he'd escaped, a sudden, sharp impact—"Bish!"—struck his shoulder forcefully, nearly causing him to lose his grip on the baseball bat. Naomi had instantly followed up with her projectile move, Power Serve Shot, sending a high-velocity tennis ball toward Jake, seizing the opportunity without hesitation. The match was now tied, Jake’s strike had slowed Naomi’s movements, but her counter had weakened his offense.

  Naomi quickly followed up, hoping to decisively end Jake's tournament run by performing Overhead Smash. She leapt into the air and brought her racket down with devastating force. Yet, as her strike descended, the next hit wasn't on Jake—it was Naomi herself. Jake countered perfectly with his Home Run Swing, catching Naomi mid-air and striking her abdomen, sending her tumbling onto the floor.

  Naomi immediately pushed herself back up, still clutching her racket tightly. She rubbed her midsection, fully aware that she had narrowly escaped defeat. Had she not previously landed that Power Serve Shot on Jake's shoulder, weakening his swing, the impact would have knocked her out completely.

  Jake, noticing Naomi was still standing, realized he needed another direct hit from his bat to win, as his projectile attacks wouldn't be enough to wear her down. Without hesitation, he quickly closed the distance using Stealing Bases, preparing to deliver another powerful Home Run Swing.

  However, before his swing could fully connect—"Swish!"—Jake's bat was abruptly halted. Naomi's reaction had been quicker; she executed Topspin Slice, a precise slicing motion with her racket, creating a superficial cut into Jake's arm and interrupting his attack midway.

  "Samantha, you were right—this match has no clear advantage yet! Just continuous back-and-forth action!" Pat exclaimed enthusiastically.

  Samantha nodded, adding her analysis, "Naomi's counterattack with Power Serve Shot balanced the scales, but her airborne Overhead Smash was effectively countered by Jake's well-timed Home Run Swing. Fortunately for Naomi, her earlier strike weakened Jake's arm, reducing the impact of his attack. When Jake attempted to close in again with Stealing Bases, Naomi reacted faster, landing a critical Topspin Slice on his arm and creating a superficial cut. It's still anyone's game at this moment!"

  Jake knew time wasn't on his side. Naomi had strategically targeted his arm, weakening his swings with a heavy hit to his shoulder and a superficial cut that continued to bleed. On the other hand, Jake's earlier strikes on Naomi's knee and abdomen had significantly reduced her mobility, limiting her ability to evade further attacks.

  "Here goes nothing!" Jake muttered to himself, knowing this would have to be his decisive move. If the match continued, his weakening arm might not have enough strength left to knock Naomi out or disarm her completely. Naomi, similarly aware that Jake's attacks had slowed her down considerably, realized her best chance now was to overpower him in a final, decisive strike.

  With a determined leap into the air, Jake unleashed Grand Slam, his ultimate technique—a powerful, leaping swing that brought his bat crashing down in a devastating arc aimed directly at Naomi. His friends, family, and supporters watched breathlessly, their eyes wide with anticipation.

  But Naomi wasn't going down without a fight. As Jake soared toward her, she summoned every ounce of her remaining strength and determination. Channeling all her energy and focus, she executed Ace Finisher, her ultimate move—a single, incredibly powerful swing of her racket, capable of incapacitating an opponent instantly.

  It was ultimate against ultimate. A clash with a perfect 50-50 chance. Both competitors refused to yield, giving their all in this last, decisive exchange. Whoever landed the final blow would become this year's Athenaeum Games Grand Champion.

  The scene transitioned smoothly to the aftermath, the crowning ceremony of the champion. The Maxwell Colosseum echoed with cheers, applause, and admiration for both competitors. Regardless of the result, everyone was proud of their incredible effort and determination throughout the tournament. However, as with all competitions, only one champion could be crowned.

  Mr. Laurent stepped onto the arena floor, proudly carrying the gleaming Atheneum Games Platinum Cup. He approached the champion with a warm smile and sincere admiration. "Congratulations! You were magnificent. The charity you've chosen will greatly benefit from the one million dollars, and this scholarship will undoubtedly support your academic and sporting future."

  "Thank you! I'm truly honored to win the Atheneum Games again," replied a feminine voice filled with pride and gratitude, revealing Naomi West as this year's champion.

  In the tournament’s climactic moment, Jake soared high, swinging down with Grand Slam, while Naomi poured everything into her Ace Finisher. When their weapons collided, it became an intense contest of sheer power and determination. Unfortunately for Jake, his injury significantly hampered his strength. Naomi's powerful strike overpowered him, knocking the baseball bat from his grasp.

  The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers as Naomi was crowned once more. Jake, however, felt no dishonor. Instead, he felt grateful and enriched by the experience. Throughout the Atheneum Games, he had made many new friends and learned valuable life lessons. Though the tournament had its ups and downs, the journey gave him a profound new perspective.

  As Jake prepared to exit the Maxwell Colosseum alongside Akane to visit Arjun and Carter, Naomi, who had been celebrating her victory with her team, fans, and coach, left the group and hurried toward him. She stopped in front of them, cutting off their path.

  "Jake, I've been looking for you," Naomi said warmly, smiling. "That was an incredible competition. You challenged me—I genuinely enjoyed every moment."

  Jake smiled sincerely, "You're incredibly tough. I'm grateful to have participated—it was an amazing experience getting to know you."

  Naomi nodded with a friendly smile, "See you around at school. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to reach out!"

  With mutual respect and friendship, Jake and Akane waved goodbye to Naomi, leaving the arena on a positive and hopeful note.

  https://linktr.ee/Cjbaron. Your encouragement keeps me motivated and inspired to keep creating.