With the match between Jake and Olivier officially over, the commentators began wrapping up the day's events at Maxwell Colosseum. However, Jake didn't stay for the official closing ceremony—instead, he rushed out of the Colosseum, heading straight to the hospital where Carter remained unconscious.

  Now that Jake understood the real reason behind Carter's refusal to lose to Olivier, he wanted to make sure everyone knew—Carter's actions weren't foolishness or recklessness, as some might have thought. He wasn't being stubborn—he was just protective.

  Upon arriving at the hospital, the group immediately noticed Jake, and their first reaction was to congratulate him on making it through to the Loser's Final.

  "Congrats, Jake! You made it to the Loser's Final!" Luna was the first to speak, her voice filled with excitement. Maddie and Akane followed, also congratulating him, though Akane only clapped her hands, her shy nature keeping her quiet.

  Jake's expression was thankful, but there was also a seriousness in his eyes. He turned to Maddie, his voice steady.

  "Maddie, I need to tell you what really happened during the match between Carter and Olivier. But you need to stay calm."

  Maddie, confused but sensing the weight of his words, nodded in acknowledgment, unaware that what he was about to say directly involved her.

  Taking a deep breath, Jake finally revealed the truth.

  The culprit behind Maddie getting trapped in the restroom before her match against Olivier was none other than Olivier himself. Using his épée, he had tampered with the doorknob, locking Maddie inside and forcing her to forfeit before even getting the chance to compete.

  Jake then explained how Olivier later revealed his actions to Carter, provoking him into an uncontrollable outburst. Despite being heavily injured, Carter refused to back down, pushing himself past his limit, and causing severe blood loss that ultimately left him unconscious.

  The room fell silent. The atmosphere, which had been filled with relief and celebration just moments ago, turned gloomy as the weight of the truth sank in.

  Maddie's eyes welled with tears. "Why does he always do this?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "He cares about others more than his own well-being..."

  Knowing that she was the reason Carter had pushed himself so far only made the guilt in Maddie's heart heavier as she lowered her head in silence.

  Noticing her distress, the group immediately surrounded her, offering their support.

  Luna gently placed a hand on Maddie's shoulder, giving it a reassuring pat. "There's nothing to blame yourself for," Luna said softly. "Carter is just the kind of person who holds a strong sense of camaraderie. That's who he is."

  She then turned to Jake. "And I'm grateful that you taught that despicable guy a valuable lesson—playing dirty won't get you far in life."

  Jake stepped forward, his expression firm yet comforting. "I believe Carter will wake up soon! He's a strong guy—he wouldn't want to see you cry either."

  Maddie wiped the tears from her face, aligning herself with the group's warmth and encouragement. "Thanks, guys! I believe Carter will wake up soon!" she said, her voice filled with renewed hope.

  The group nodded in agreement, coming together in silent prayer for Carter's recovery, hoping that he would wake up soon.

  As the day of the Loser's Final arrived, the Maxwell Colosseum was packed with 50,000 strong spectators, all eager to witness the last battle before the Grand Finals. The air buzzed with excitement, as the crowd murmured and debated over who had the higher odds in this highly anticipated showdown between Arjun Patel and Jake Harada. With both competitors proving their grit and skill to reach this stage—and the fact that they were friends—it made predicting the winner even more difficult.

  In the private audience seats, Naomi West watched attentively, knowing that whoever won this match would be her opponent in the Grand Finals. Meanwhile, in the VIP lounge, Mr. Laurent had arrived to watch the match in person, sitting with his stoic bodyguard standing at his side as they observed the growing tension in the arena.

  At the commentary table, Pat Samson and Samantha White prepared with their usual professionalism, reviewing their scripts for the next round.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for—it's the day of the Loser's Final! Make some noise!" Pat shouted with enthusiasm, hyping up the crowd, who erupted in cheers in response.

  "This is it," Samantha continued. "The Loser's Final. We are so close to the Grand Final, and this match will decide who earns that final spot! Jake and Arjun—friends outside the arena, but rivals inside it—will be giving it their all. It's a battle between two bats: the baseball bat versus the cricket bat! Who will prevail?"

  Pat grinned. "Let's not keep the audience waiting! Samantha, please do the honors and introduce our competitors!"

  The billboard screen lit up, displaying Jake Harada's name and picture. The crowd roared in excitement as Jake marched into the arena, his baseball bat resting on his shoulder, confidence radiating from his stance. His victory over Olivier had made him a fan favorite, and the cheers echoed throughout the colosseum.

  "Jake Harada's combat style is as much about strategy and agility as it is about strength," Samantha explained. "With his baseball background, he has seamlessly combined projectiles, powerful swings, and precise counters—making him a force to be reckoned with!"

  The billboard flashed again, now displaying Arjun Patel's name and image. The crowd erupted once more, showing their admiration and respect as Arjun walked out confidently, gripping his cricket bat with determination in his eyes. His resilience, adaptability, and continuous growth had won the audience's hearts, making him one of the most inspiring competitors in the tournament.

  "Arjun Patel's ambition, continuous learning, and positive outlook have made him a role model for the audience," Samantha continued. "He never stops improving, always adapting, and never gives up. His combat style blends agility, creativity, and relentless effort—and once he figures out his opponent's strategy, he becomes incredibly difficult to defeat!"

  As the billboard displayed the final matchup—Jake Harada vs. Arjun Patel—the tension in the arena reached its peak. On one side, Jake gripped his baseball bat, while on the other, Arjun held his cricket bat. Though they were friends, there would be no holding back—both were determined to give their very best, as a form of respect for each other.

  "Beeeeep!" The referee's whistle echoed through the colosseum, and the crowd erupted, expecting an immediate exchange of attacks.

  But to everyone’s surprise, both competitors lowered their weapons, stepping forward instead of immediately charging into battle.

  In a gesture of respect, Jake and Arjun gave each other a fist bump, acknowledging each other not just as opponents, but as fellow athletes.

  A wave of applause and cheers rippled through the audience, appreciating this rare moment of sportsmanship before the intensity of the match began.

  "I love the fist bump!" Pat exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement. "It establishes a brief moment of neutrality and professionalism before the fight even starts! This is the first time I’ve ever seen a fist bump before a battle!"

  Samantha nodded, analyzing the moment. "Yes, Pat. Since both of them are friends, this fist bump is a symbolic moment—a sign of peace and mutual respect, acknowledging the human element before the competitive spirit takes over."

  The crowd cheered even louder, knowing this was about to be an exciting showdown.

  Arjun grinned. "No hard feelings, Jake! You know I'm going to learn from you and beat you!"

  Jake smirked, gripping his bat. "We'll see about that, Arjun. Just so you know—I'm not going easy on you!"

  The friendly moment passed, and both competitors stepped back, returning to their battle stances.

  

  Jake wasted no time. Spotting a random tennis ball on the ground, he picked it up and threw it, executing Curveball Confound—a pitch with an unpredictable curve, designed to keep Arjun guessing. This time, Jake was aiming for the head. But Arjun was more than ready. Having already seen Jake use this move against other opponents, he channeled his strength and ambition into a powerful overhead swing, executing Boundary Blast. His cricket bat struck the ball cleanly, sending it soaring away before it could make contact.

  Jake didn't wait. Immediately, he launched his next projectile attack, hoping to catch Arjun off guard. This time, he used Fastball Flick, sending a barrage of small balls flying at high speed toward Arjun, relying on the sheer volume of projectiles to overwhelm him. Even if Arjun could react, at least one of the balls had to hit him.

  But Arjun had an answer. Without hesitation, he performed Crease Counter, using his cricket bat to create a defensive zone, strategically positioning himself to block and deflect each incoming ball with precision. The crowd erupted in cheers, impressed by Arjun's ability to counter Jake's projectiles so effectively.

  Even though none of Jake's projectiles had landed, he wasn't frustrated—in fact, he was enjoying the challenge. He lowered his bat slightly, smirking. "Not bad, Arjun."

  Arjun grinned back. "It's only going to get tougher for you now!"

  Jake chuckled. "We'll see about that!"

  With the friendly exchange over, the tempo of the match shifted.

  Arjun stepped forward, closing the distance into melee range. With precise control, he swung his cricket bat in a swift horizontal motion, executing Slice Cut Shot, a sharp and clean strike aimed directly at Jake. Jake had to make a decision. Using Fielder's Choice, he had to make a split-second call—defend or attack? Rather than blocking, he chose to attack head-on. With exceptional power, he swung his baseball bat, executing Home Run Swing.

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  "Thwack!" The sound of wood colliding with wood echoed through the arena as Arjun's cricket bat clashed against Jake's baseball bat. Neither competitor had the upper hand yet, but the sheer intensity of the exchange had the crowd on their feet, roaring in excitement, eager to see who would land the first hit—a crucial advantage in this match.

  The moment their weapons made contact, Arjun didn’t hesitate. He immediately followed up with Spinner’s Strike—a move inspired by spin bowling, where he added a deceptive twist with his wrist at the last moment before impact, giving his bat a spinning motion, making its trajectory unpredictable. But despite its difficulty to read, Jake’s Batter’s Intuition kicked in. Sensing the movement, he swiftly reacted with Bunt Block, deflecting the incoming attack with a quick, precise bunt, negating the strike before it could land.

  "My turn now!" Jake immediately went on the offensive, executing another Home Run Swing, and swinging his bat heavily at Arjun.

  Arjun, however, was ready. He countered with Bouncer Block, using his bat to absorb the impact and deflect the strike, mimicking the unpredictable trajectory of a cricket bouncer ball. This not only protected him from direct damage but also threw Jake off for a split second, disorienting him with the bat's unexpected angles.

  Seizing the moment, Arjun transitioned smoothly into Sweep Shot Surge, a low sweeping motion, reminiscent of the cricket sweep shot, targeting Jake's legs in an attempt to topple him over. But Jake was still alert. In an instant, he executed Slide Dodge, swiftly sliding backwards, dodging the arc of Arjun's bat and repositioning himself strategically.

  "Not so easy, Arjun!" Jake grinned, feeling they were still evenly matched. But then, Jake realized his mistake.

  By repositioning, Jake had unknowingly given Arjun the space he needed to activate his strongest move—Innings Inspiration. Jake's eyes widened as he realized Arjun was channeling, harnessing his inner strength and positive mindset to boost his stamina and resilience, allowing him to outlast opponents in prolonged engagements—a move that had kept him from losing in past matches.

  Jake immediately tried to stop it. Using Stealing Bases, he rushed forward with incredible agility, closing the distance in a flash and swinging his bat for another Home Run Swing—but he was too late. The moment Jake launched his attack, Arjun had already finished channeling. Effortlessly blocking Jake's bat with Bouncer Block, Arjun countered with Wicket Whirlwind, a rapid spinning maneuver, extending his bat outward and striking in every direction with immense force.

  Jake had no time to react. "Wham!" The impact sent him flying backward, crashing hard onto the ground as the crowd gasped in shock—Arjun had landed the first hit.

  "Arjun! Arjun! He's the first to land a hit! The advantage is his now—what a turn of events! Could we be witnessing a runback between him and Naomi?" Pat exclaimed, his dramatic commentary hyping up the crowd.

  "It was an intense exchange," Samantha analyzed. "Neither competitor had a clear upper hand, but the moment Jake repositioned himself with Slide Dodge, it turned into a costly mistake. By creating space, he unknowingly allowed Arjun to activate his Innings Inspiration—a move he has used to win numerous competitions. This ability boosts his stamina and resilience, allowing him to outlast opponents in prolonged engagements. Jake tried to stop it, but he was too late. Arjun capitalized with Wicket Whirlwind, a rapid outward strike that landed cleanly on Jake. Now, Jake has a mountain to climb if he wants to stand a chance against Arjun!"

  As the crowd roared, the match reached its peak, but Jake was struggling. Breathing heavily, he picked himself up, fully aware that Arjun now held the upper hand. He needed to break through Arjun's increased stamina and resilience if he wanted to turn things around. He stood still for a moment, strategizing, searching for a move that could shift the momentum back in his favor.

  "Watch out!" Arjun shouted, causing Jake's eyes to widen in confusion. Before he could react, Arjun shoved him aside, sending him crashing to the ground. Jake winced, momentarily disoriented, his mind racing. Why had Arjun pushed him? What was going on?

  When he turned around and looked back up at Arjun from the ground, he saw Arjun's chest pierced through—by an épée. Jake was stunned. Just moments ago, they had been competing, and now, all of a sudden, Arjun was hurt by outside interference. Arjun had pushed him out of harm's way, taking a sneak attack for Jake himself.

  A familiar figure stood there, gripping the épée embedded in Arjun's chest. Olivier stood motionless, still holding the weapon, his face unreadable as the blade remained lodged in Arjun's body.

  Somehow, Olivier had managed to bypass security and enter the arena. During battle, Jake had been so focused on his fight with Arjun that he was completely unaware of his surroundings—and in a tournament of this caliber, there should have been no outside interference at all.

  Olivier noticed Jake's distraction and wasted no time. Seizing the perfect opportunity, he struck from behind, using Opportunist's Onslaught, aiming to incapacitate Jake with a sudden, decisive blow.

  But Arjun, who had been facing Jake, saw Olivier's incoming attack from behind. At the last possible second, he threw himself in the way, saving Jake—but at a terrible cost.

  The entire Colosseum fell silent.

  The audience, commentators, referees, and officials all sat in shock, unable to process what had just unfolded. No one had expected that a prestigious tournament like this would have such a critical security lapse, allowing an intruder to interfere in a match.

  

  Olivier slowly pulled the épée out of Arjun's chest, letting him collapse onto the ground, clutching his wound in agony. Olivier's expression was haggard, his bloodshot eyes revealing sleepless nights since his loss to Jake in Loser's Round 5. Yet, beneath the visible exhaustion, there was a dangerous fire in his gaze—the look of a man who refused to accept defeat.

  "I told you, Jake… you haven't seen the last of me!" Olivier sneered, taking a step closer, his voice dripping with venom.

  "See, Jake? Everyone around you gets hurt. It's all your fault they end up like this."

  Olivier, as always, was playing his mind games, attempting to undermine Jake, to force guilt onto him.

  Jake tightened his grip on his bat, fully aware that a fight with Olivier was inevitable. But before he could react, tournament officials had already sent out two security guards to apprehend Olivier.

  They rushed in with batons drawn, attempting to subdue him—but they were no match for Olivier's superior skill. With flawless precision, he executed Riposte Roulette, expertly parrying their attacks in quick succession before unleashing a flurry of rapid ripostes in unpredictable directions, sending both guards collapsing to the ground. They stood no chance against him.

  Olivier turned his attention back to Jake, a smug smirk curling on his lips.

  "With the cricket boy down, I suppose that makes me your opponent before the Grand Finals. I've earned my place!"

  Jake's teeth clenched as he tightened his grip on his baseball bat, stepping into a battle stance.

  "That's not how this works! Stop with your nonsense!" Even if Olivier somehow won this fight, it wouldn't matter—he was already eliminated, and nothing would change that. But Jake knew that reasoning wouldn't get through to him.

  Jake's real concern was Arjun, who lay bleeding behind Olivier, in urgent need of medical attention. But Olivier wasn't letting anyone through—not unless Jake fought him first.

  "Silence!" Olivier snapped, refusing to listen to reason, raising his épée with unwavering confidence.

  "This time, I won't get disarmed. I won't lose. Fight me, Jake! And when I win, I'll take my rightful spot in the Grand Finals! I am the true champion of the Athenaeum Games!" Olivier took his battle stance, his eyes burning with obsession.

  Jake exhaled sharply. He had no choice—he needed to end this fight quickly, or Arjun wouldn't get the medical attention he desperately needed. But Olivier was no easy opponent, and if this dragged on too long, Arjun's life could be at serious risk.

  Then, suddenly—someone rushed past him. A towering 2-meter-tall figure with a mesomorphic build, dressed in a black suit, tie, and pants. Jake instantly recognized him—Mr. Laurent's bodyguard.

  Without hesitation, the bodyguard charged straight at Olivier, executing Bastion Bash, utilizing his knuckle dusters for both offense and defense, he combined his body's momentum with the hardened force of his weapon, aiming to smash straight into Olivier.

  Olivier's eyes widened in shock as the unexpected intervention caught him completely off guard, but at the very last moment, he activated Strategic Withdraw, narrowly dodging the full impact of the bodyguard's charge. However, even though he avoided the initial blow, he had now placed himself within the bodyguard's reach, leaving him vulnerable to the next attack.

  Without missing a beat, the bodyguard transitioned into Guardian's Grasp, using his knuckle dusters to enhance his grip strength, catching Olivier's épée mid-motion, locking him in place and preventing him from escaping.

  "Let go!" Olivier snarled, struggling to break free. "This is between me and the slugger! It's got nothing to do with you!" But the bodyguard remained silent, ignoring Olivier's demands. Without hesitation, he transitioned into Granite Punch, a devastating, well-timed strike, leveraging his massive build to deliver maximum impact. The knuckle dusters amplified the force, ensuring the blow was bone-crushing.

  "BISH!" The punch connected with brutal force, launching Olivier backwards,and sending him crashing into a nearby wall. The wall cracked on impact, and the arena shook from the sheer force of the collision.

  Olivier's eyes widened in shock, his dreams of winning the Athenaeum Games and all the effort he had put in now flashing before him, wasted. His body slumped against the wall, his mind racing, refusing to accept reality. His hand still clutched his épée, unwilling to let go—somewhere in his delusional mind, he still believed that as long as he wasn't disarmed, he was still in the tournament. "I am the rightful winner…." he muttered weakly. But before he could process what had just happened, his body finally gave out, and he collapsed to the ground—knocked out cold.

  With Olivier out of the equation, the paramedics immediately rushed toward Arjun, providing medical assistance as they carefully placed him on a stretcher and secured an oxygen mask over his face. They quickly checked his vitals, ensuring he was stable. Meanwhile, the security team swiftly apprehended the unconscious Olivier, safely removing his épée from his grip to render him harmless before escorting him out of the arena and handing him over to the authorities.

  Jake, still shaken, ran toward Arjun, his concern evident. Arjun had saved him—if not for his intervention, Olivier's attack would have been meant for him instead.

  "Arjun! Are you okay?" Jake asked, his voice filled with worry.

  Arjun, though weakened, remained conscious, coughing slightly before offering Jake a faint smile.

  "Jake… I'm glad… you're fine." His voice was weak, but his determination remained. "Jake… you're not fighting alone. Win this… not just for me… but for everyone who believes in you." Knowing he wouldn’t make it to the Grand Finals, Arjun placed his hopes and dreams in Jake as his final words before his body went limp, and he fainted.

  "Arjun!" Jake shouted, but the paramedics swiftly stretched him away toward the nearest medical facility for urgent treatment. As Jake watched his friend being carried away, a figure approached from the side—Mr. Laurent, now standing beside his bodyguard in the arena, stepped forward.

  "Jake, are you and your friend alright?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern, shaking his head in clear displeasure. "It is unfortunate that such an exciting competition had to come to an abrupt end due to interference from an intruder…" His disappointment was evident, but his focus remained on Jake's well-being.

  Jake turned to Mr. Laurent and his bodyguard, his expression filled with gratitude. "Mr. Laurent, thank you… and your bodyguard as well. If not for your intervention, Arjun might not have been saved."

  Mr. Laurent smiled reassuringly. "I'm just glad you and your friend are safe now." He gestured toward the massive man standing beside him. "You can thank my bodyguard personally—Alejandro Mendoza, or as many call him, Roca."

  Jake turned to the towering bodyguard, meeting his stoic gaze. "Thanks, Mr. Roca." Roca simply gave a silent nod of acknowledgment, his presence alone commanding respect.

  "Mr. Laurent and Mr. Roca, I need to go to the hospital now. Thank you both again for your intervention—I have to check on my friends." Jake grabbed his bat and gave them a quick wave goodbye. Mr. Laurent smiled and waved back, while Roca remained still, his stoic presence unchanged. Without wasting another second, Jake ran out of the arena, his mind consumed with worry, his focus solely on his friends' well-being.

  "On behalf of the organizers, we deeply apologize for this unacceptable lapse in security," Pat said solemnly. "Measures will immediately be taken to ensure competitors' safety moving forward."

  "We have an update from the paramedics—Arjun is stable. The épée missed his heart by inches, and he is expected to recover. We wish him a speedy recovery," Samantha reported, her voice filled with concern.

  "With Arjun unable to continue, Jake automatically advances to the Grand Final, though I believe this is not how he would have wanted to win," Pat added, reminding everyone that despite the unfortunate circumstances, the competition must go on.

  "Again, we extend our deepest apologies for this security failure. The Grand Final will take place in two days between Jake Harada and Naomi West. Please continue to support the Athenaeum Games," he concluded, as both commentators lowered their heads in apology, officially closing the day's tournament solemnly.

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