True God In Another World (Tensura x Tbate)

Chapter 68 - The Festival Pt.2

Lina (Flandier) POV

I couldn't help but replay the earlier matches in my mind as I sat quietly in the arena. The late afternoon sun was warm, but I barely noticed it, lost in my thoughts about my friends' amazing performances.

Loid had been incredible to watch. Each movement flowed into the next, his lightning magic painting bright lines across the arena. I'd spent so many evenings watching him practice, and seeing all that hard work pay off made my heart warm with happiness for him.

And Anna... she'd been pure Anna out there. Her water magic had been beautiful, really. I'd found myself hiding a small smile behind my hand every time she made one of her clever moves. That's just who she was - brilliant and confident in a way I never could be.

The crowd suddenly went quiet, making me sink a little lower in my seat. The announcer's voice boomed through the arena:

"Ladies and gentlemen, our next match... Loid Flandier versus Anna Flandier!"

Oh no...

My heart did a tiny flip as the words sank in. My two best friends would have to fight each other. I twisted my fingers together in my lap, worry bubbling up inside me. They were both so competitive, and I just wanted them both to be safe and-

"Mind if I join you?"

Looking up, I saw Rimuru standing there with his gentle smile. The tension in my shoulders eased a little just seeing him. He always had that effect, ever since we were kids.

"Please," I whispered, nodding at the empty seat beside me. As soon as he sat down, I instinctively shifted closer, taking comfort in his familiar presence.

"Worried about them?" he asked softly.

I nodded, unconsciously reaching for his arm - an old habit I'd never grown out of. "A little," I admitted quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "They both want to win so badly..."

Rimuru didn't seem to mind as I held onto his arm, he never did. That's what I loved about him - he was like the big brother I could always rely on, no matter how shy I was around everyone else.

When Loid and Anna entered the arena, I gripped Rimuru's arm tighter. They both looked so serious - Loid with his calm focus, Anna with her determined expression. I knew those looks. They were going to give it their all.

The magic in the air made my skin tingle as they took their positions. I found myself half-hiding behind Rimuru's shoulder, but still unable to look away. Please be careful, I silently wished for both of them.

The match exploded into action. Loid's lightning flashed, making me flinch slightly. Anna's water magic rose to meet it, creating a beautiful but frightening collision. Steam and sparks flew everywhere, and I pressed closer to Rimuru's side, peeking out from behind his shoulder.

"They'll be fine," Rimuru assured me softly, letting me use him as a shield like he had since we were children. "They know what they're doing."

I nodded against his shoulder, but didn't loosen my grip on his arm. The familiar comfort of having my brother-figure beside me helped, but I couldn't help worrying about my two best friends facing each other in the arena below.

The announcer's voice echoed through the arena, and my heart fluttered as I watched my two best friends take their positions. I instinctively gripped Rimuru's arm tighter, pressing closer to his side as the tension in the air became almost unbearable.

Loid stood perfectly still, his sword held low, tiny sparks already dancing along the blade. The way his lightning magic flickered reminded me of stars on a clear night. Anna, across the arena, had that familiar determined look in her eyes, water already swirling around her feet in delicate patterns.