I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

"It seems Phoebe isn't that much ahead of me."

"There probably wasn't much in-depth contact between them, right?"

"Hmph, if that's the case, then I'd better seize this opportunity."

"Although it seems today that my plan could not proceed smoothly."

"But it doesn't matter. As long as I win that gladiatorial match, I will have a full ten days, enough time to implement the plan step by step."

"One day, you will confess your feelings to me in person!"

As for Duanmu Yan, he looked at Koleta with a strange expression, who suddenly seemed to be immersed in her own little world for some reason.

In short, his intuition told him it was better not to ask any further questions.

"By the way, Miss," he asked, turning his attention to the topic, "why did you suddenly decide to participate in the gladiatorial tournament?"

This question startled Koleta slightly, and her expression froze on her face. But soon, the girl coughed lightly and said seriously, "Of course, it's to personally experience the local customs and culture of Seven Hills. As the heir of the family, in-depth research into local culture is crucial for future business planning."

—It's definitely not because I'm lusting after your body.

“…I see.” Duanmu Yan said thoughtfully. “Although I don’t understand the connection between the two, since it was Second Miss’s idea, I will put in my best effort!”

……

……

This is the perfect evening for sipping tea.

It was a bit chilly, but refreshingly clear, like the biting wind of Dolores...

The girl in the shadows pursed her lips, her deep eyes filled with chaos and sorrow, as if she were bearing the world's grief alone.

Even though a myriad of emotions flowed in her eyes, her face remained unchanged, revealing no vulnerability or sorrow.

Perhaps it was because her heart had already completely fallen silent at some point.

"I really don't know why the president would send you to keep an eye on him. To watch him form bonds with one new face after another... I'm almost starting to suspect that this is some kind of perverse pleasure of the president."

A voice came from behind the girl.

Upon hearing that voice, Floro frowned slightly, a flash of disdain and disgust crossing his eyes.

She turned around and looked at the visitor behind her—

Christopher.

Another supervisor of the Remnant Star Society.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

Christopher held the script in his hands, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Looking for inspiration for my new work. Coincidentally, there's a character in Seven Hills waiting for me to portray."

“It’s just another cliché play.” Floro turned back, his gaze returning to the two people in the room. “Chasing after those out-of-control processes and flawed endings in the cracks of the script…aren’t you tired of it yet?”

Christopher gently closed the script, unfazed by her sarcasm, his demeanor remaining composed: "On this point, you probably have no right to judge me. How are you now, Floro? Watching someone you once cherished gradually become entangled with others... I'm curious about your feelings right now."

The girl remained silent for a while, gazing at the starry sky without a word, until the stars shattered before her eyes, at which point she whispered in an almost inaudible voice.

"It's alright. I'm used to it, and they'll get used to it sooner or later."

"Wait until he chooses to forget all of this again and start a new tomorrow."

"They'll get used to it, just like I am now."

"They'll get used to it."

Volume 1: Chapter 81 The Great Failure of Koletta

early morning.

Duanmu Yan slowly opened his eyes, still drowsy from waking up, the dream from last night lingering in his mind.

It was a very strange nightmare—strange because there were no bizarre or fantastical scenes in the dream, only the most ordinary everyday moments.

But it was precisely this overly warm and peaceful scene that sent a chill down his spine.

—Because in his dreams, there always seemed to be a gaze, silently hidden in some corner, quietly watching his every move.

"Strange, am I just imagining things?"

"Even after waking up, I still feel like I'm being watched."

"Click."

The door was gently pushed open, and Coleta came out.

She had already changed into her outdoor clothes, and her expression was clear, indicating that she had been awake for some time.

"Awake?" She nodded to Duanmu Yan. "If you're awake, go wash up. The gladiatorial match is about to begin. Lupa is already waiting for us in the restaurant."

After being reminded by her, Duanmu Yan remembered that there was a gladiator match today.

But why is the second young lady so interested in this gladiator match?

Although the second young lady, as the family's sharpest weapon, often deals with shady matters in the shadows, this never means that she admires violence—more often than not, she is the epitome of elegance.

This is evident in both her conduct and her identity as an art investor.

So why is the Second Miss so interested in the gladiator tournament today?

Is it just for amusement?

Duanmu Yan couldn't come up with an answer.

Well, if the second young lady wants to play, then let's indulge her a little.

……

……

After washing up, they arrived at the hotel restaurant as agreed.

Breakfast was a buffet, and Abu was probably the happiest person about this arrangement.

"A gladiatorial contest? Do you need me to participate?"

"Leave it to me! Benbu is the most unique voice in all of Solaris; a mere gladiator match is no problem for him!"

When Duanmu Yan told Abu the whole story, the little guy agreed without hesitation.

Initially, Duanmu Yan was worried that Abu would be resistant to this.

Surprisingly, this little guy proved to be quite reliable in a crucial moment.

It really does go for good.

"Sigh, is this your voice?" Lupa looked at Abu, who was feasting in front of a small mountain of food, and tilted her head curiously. "So small... can it really fight?"

Lupa looked at the mountain of food piled up in front of Abu and observed the little guy with great curiosity.

No matter how she looked at it, she couldn't associate this little guy with the word "powerful".

"What?! Don't look down on me—no, don't look down on Mukuro!" Abu immediately put down his food, put his little paws on his hips, and protested angrily, "You know, I don't even consider Kuroshio a threat!"

"Kuroshio?" The word made Lupa's pupils shrink abruptly. She turned sharply to Duanmu Yan and Koleta. "What...does this mean?"

“It means exactly what it says,” Duanmu Yan explained calmly. “Abu is indeed very special. I once faced the Black Tide by accident, and if it weren’t for it, I probably wouldn’t be in this world anymore.”

As he spoke, he thoughtfully stroked his chin, his gaze falling on Abu: "But speaking of which... Abu, do you really have any fighting ability?"

"Wow! It's one thing for others to look down on me, but even my partner doubts me?" Abu exaggeratedly covered his chest with his paw, looking utterly devastated. "This is too hurtful, no—too heartbreaking!"

Seeing this, Duanmu Yan couldn't help but chuckle and reached out to rub its head: "Alright, I was just teasing you. Our Abu is of course the strongest and bravest creature in Solaris."

"That's more like it." The little guy was immediately appeased, nodded in satisfaction, and buried himself back in the pile of food.

Watching their seamless interaction, Lupa couldn't help but chuckle: "Although I don't quite understand what kind of crisis you two encountered... your relationship is really good. Such a partnership is truly enviable."

As she said this, the girl couldn't help but sigh softly, cupping her cheek in her hand, and the light in her eyes dimmed slightly.

Seeing her suddenly look downcast, Duanmu Yan was puzzled: "With your strength, Lupa, you should never lack people who want to be your partner, right?"

Lupa shook her head, a bitter smile curving her lips: "Duanmu, you probably don't understand... when the spotlight on the field is always focused on the same person, how do those others who are also in the light but are always dim feel?"

Her voice trailed off: "I've lost count of how many teammates I've had... and this one is just the umpteenth."

She was used to victory, and that's why she understood better than anyone else that constant victory brought not only glory, but also a price.

If what follows endless victories is not a brief setback but a complete defeat, it is enough to destroy a person's faith.

But what's even more suffocating than defeat is the desolation of winning a victory when no one cheers for you.

The kind of victory that is forgotten by the whole world is the deepest defeat.

That's why she always had different teammates around her.

Over time, Lupa learned to be silent, to be alone, and to entertain herself.

As a star gladiator of the Seven Hills, she doesn't even have any real friends of her own.

“Is that so…” Duanmu Yan murmured, “It is indeed unpleasant to be constantly overshadowed by the brilliance of others. But if you can find a partner of similar strength, this pressure may gradually dissipate.”

Lupa sighed softly, "I hope so too. But... I can't find it."

Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly seemed to remember something, her eyes lit up, and she sat up abruptly. She leaned forward slightly, closer to Duanmu Yan, and gently sniffed.

“I sense the aura of a powerful being on you. You said you once faced the Black Tide head-on—anyone who can survive such a desperate situation must be a force to be reckoned with.”

She looked up at him intently: "By the way! If there's a chance in the future, would you be willing to team up with me and be my partner in the gladiatorial games?"

“Uh, as for formal gladiatorial matches…” Duanmu Yan hesitated for a moment, “If there’s an opportunity in the future… perhaps I could give it a try.”

"Great! It's a deal then!" Lupa beamed, extending her little finger. "You have to team up with me in the future and become my partner!"

Seeing the girl's expectant expression, Duanmu Yan couldn't help but smile, and gently hooked his little finger with hers: "Okay, it's a deal."

Koleta remained seated to the side, her lips maintaining an impeccably elegant curve, silently observing the scene before her.

Maintaining the elegance befitting a noblewoman, she did not choose to interrupt their conversation.

But this does not mean that the girl's inner world is as peaceful as her outward appearance.

"So, how did they suddenly become so familiar with each other?"

"Why is it that this guy is never short of girls who take the initiative to get close to him?"

"This Lupa...is she really not taking me, her nominal girlfriend, seriously?"

"How dare they poach my man right in front of me? (IV) Five Lands"

"Wait, I'm still sitting here—!"

"Am I not human? Am I even human?!"

A sense of crisis arose in Koleta's heart.

She silently glanced at Lupa, who was chatting and laughing with Duanmu.

—Yes, that's right, she is a "potential enemy".

Volume 1: Chapter 82 Who are you calling short?

For the people of Qiqiu, gladiatorial combat has become an integral part of their lives.

Therefore, whether it is a formal gladiatorial match or a gladiatorial match for entertainment purposes, it attracts a lot of attention anywhere in Seven Hills.

Even this relatively amateur gladiatorial match in Yai Port.

Although professional gladiators were unable to participate, many local residents of Seven Hills still signed up to compete.

"There are...so many spectators?"

Standing outside the arena, Duanmu Yan looked at the surging crowd around him and couldn't help but sigh softly in amazement.

"In Qiqiu, a martial spirit prevails. Therefore, regardless of the size, any gladiatorial combat always attracts a lot of attention. However, there are indeed more people here today than expected."

Koleta smiled slightly, but her gaze swept thoughtfully across the crowd before finally settling on the girl who was surrounded by people.

She turned her head to the side, a knowing smile playing on her lips, her voice soft.

"It seems that most of them are here for Lupa."

Lupa – a rising star in the Seven Hills Arena, and the undisputed favorite to win this year's Grand Gladiator Tournament.

Despite criticisms from outsiders regarding her frequent changes of teammates, no one can deny that she is the undisputed core of the entire team.

Rather than looking for teammates, she's more like selecting supporting characters who can fight alongside her.