Moments later, the group arrived on the upper deck of the Skysplitter and took their seats in the spectator stands.
"Wow!"
"So this is what it feels like to look down from the spectator stands?"
"It's so vast and expansive..."
"Soon, I'll be battling swordmasters from other worlds right here in this arena."
March 7th gazed down at the Wardance Ceremony Arena and let out a sigh of awe. At the same time, that familiar feeling of nervousness resurfaced.
"What's wrong, little March? Still nervous?" Lumina teased, ever observant of the beautiful girl's reactions.
"Don't worry, little March," Lumina reassured her with a smile. "While you were observing the contestants in the Contestant Hall earlier, I was observing them too. The others might not realize it, but at least everyone here except Yunli is no match for you."
"Mm... Lumina's right," Yunli chimed in, her face glowing with a "proud kitten" expression.
To maintain her dignity as a master, Yunli forcibly suppressed her expression and nodded in agreement.
"Uh... am I really that strong?"
"Yes, I'm just saying, yes." Yunli, wanting to avoid March 7th dwelling on her strength, bluntly stated her current capabilities. "With your current power, none of the contestants in the Contestant Hall just now could match you."
"Hmm, of course, we can't rule out that some might be holding back."
"But overall, you can rest assured."
"I see... Then I'll stop worrying." Hearing both Sister Lumina and Master Yunli say so, March 7th naturally felt completely at ease.
"Alright, now that you're settled, let's start preparing for your first match." Yunli glanced at the gradually bustling arena in the distance and gestured toward it.
"Ah? It's starting already?"
"What else? I told you it was about to begin back in the Contestant Hall."
"This this this... I'm not ready yet!"
"Ready? You'll never be fully prepared."
"Ah~"
-
Skysplitter, Contestant Lounge
After bringing March 7th to the Contestant Lounge, Yunli left to attend to other matters.
"Ugh... Sister Lumina, my heart keeps racing up and down! I'm so nervous..."
"It's not about being nervous about my own skills... but... but..."
"But it's my first time being the main act on such a grand stage, and I just can't control myself!"
In the Contestant Lounge, March 7th incessantly wailed to her "Sister Lumina."
"If your heart wasn't racing, I'd start a full-body examination on you," Lumina replied to March 7th's first silly question before offering reassurance:
"Just relax. Go out there, strike a cool pose, take down your opponent in a few swift moves, and leave with flair."
She then gave a suggestion:
"Um... but... wouldn't that be a little too awkward?" Hearing this, March 7th couldn't help but imagine the scene Lumina had described. A wave of goosebumps instantly spread across her skin.
Stelle did this kind of thing all the time, so March 7th could easily imagine it.
All she had to do was find a scene where Stelle was showing off and insert herself into the picture...
No, no, no! Just thinking about it makes me so embarrassed I want to dig my toes into the ground...
How can that girl have such thick skin?!
March 7th conjured up Stelle's figure and face in her mind, utterly perplexed.
Why does a beautiful girl like her always act so completely unlike her appearance?
Hmm... actually, maybe it suits her after all.
"You always have to lose something, right?"
"Huh?"
Seeing her beloved Sister Lumina start rambling nonsense again, March 7th's gaze drooped.
In her mind, she gave the mental image of Stelle a thorough beatdown.
"Alright, has your nervousness eased up a bit now?" Lumina asked with a smile, seeing March 7th's thoughts clearly written on her face.
"Hmm... you're right, I'm not as nervous as before," March 7th realized, feeling her anxiety gradually fade. She finally understood the meaning behind Sister Lumina's nonsensical words and shot her a grateful look.
"Then let's just wait quietly for the first match to begin."
"The first time is always the most nerve-wracking. That's perfectly normal."
"Just relax, enjoy yourself, wield your sword, and defeat your opponent. Once you get through that, you won't be so nervous in the later matches."
Lumina gently placed her hand on March 7th's head, her voice softening to a low, soothing tone that radiated warmth and reassurance.
"Mhm, I understand," March 7th murmured, her eyes closing in contentment as she basked in the warmth radiating from Lumina's touch.
"Hmm..." Little Swarm, sitting primly to the side like a noble princess, watched the pair with undisguised envy.