"Wait, so...after the initial payment and signing of the contract, if the payment was high enough that you don't really need money, couldn't you, like, not go on any raids at all?" I pointed out.

"Oh, no, you can't do that. It's in the contract, you're assigned a minimum number of raids that you need to take on every month.

Exceptions are made if you have a valid excuse, or if there aren't enough raids available in a given month, stuff like that.

But otherwise, they're pretty strict in enforcing that, if you don't meet your quota in a month and don't have a justifiable reason for it, you'll have to pay a pretty hefty fine," She replied with a sigh.

"I see, makes sense. Is it alright if I ask about the details of your contract so that I have a point of reference?"

"Sure, I don't mind. So, they offered me five billion Credits to sign on with them, and I have to go on at least one raid per week, so around four every month. Oh, and the quota is taken on average.

In other words, I need to average one raid per week, I don't necessarily have to go on a raid every single week. So, if I go on two raids in a week, I can take the next week off, for example.

And I was sent on a ton of raids when I first joined the Guild, so I'm currently well above my required average quota.

I think I can take about two months off before my average goes down to par, so I've got a fair bit of breathing space right now. I know you were going at a much slower rate, so it might be a bit of an adjustment," She remarked thoughtfully.

"Yeah, I suppose so. I think I've been on around fifteen raids total, that's including the ones I went on at the Academy," I replied with a wry smile.

"Wow, just eleven since graduation, then? I went on fifteen raids across just Jan and Feb. It's May now, so eleven means around two or so per month, that's not too bad, actually."

"It's not great either, though," I responded sheepishly.

"Honestly, it makes your progress that much more impressive. The gap between us was pretty wide when we graduated, and you've completely caught up to me-...actually, since you defeated me, I guess that means you've actually surpassed me, huh?" She remarked with a sigh.

"No, not quite. We were more or less evenly matched, but that was only because of the boost I get from my blade. Without it, I'm still slightly weaker than you," I informed her with a smile.

"That just feels like consolation. Doesn't change the fact that I lost. We were pretty evenly matched physically, I think the deciding factor was your reaction time," She surmised objectively.

"Hey, good catch, I picked up on that too. You packed more of a punch, especially with the explosive effect of your Blaze Ignition.

But I had a slight edge with my reaction and reflexes, I wouldn't have been able to block your last attack and avoid a fatal blow otherwise.

I won by the barest of margins, it was just about as close as it gets. But don't worry...next time, I'll win more comprehensively," I taunted her with a playful grin.

"Wha-...?! Hey, don't go getting a big head just because you beat me once, I'll beat you next time!" She huffed indignantly, before smiling as she added, "It's so nice to get to talk to you like this again, in person. I know we've texted and called each other a whole bunch, but it's just not the same."

"Yeah, definitely agree with that, this is really nice. Hanging out with you was easily the best part of my time at the Academy, I always had a lot of fun being around you," I smiled in response.

"Mhm, same here! I was really happy to see you again, and even though I'm bummed about losing, I feel so at ease right now," She replied as she nodded with a cheery gleam in her eyes, before she let out a wide yawn, looking pretty drowsy.

"You should probably get some rest, Ariella. You look really worn out, and I need to start getting ready for the final soon too," I pointed out as I checked the time.

"Yeah, I guess you're right...feeling sleepy...," She muttered, starting to nod off as she yawned again, before adding, "Hey, um, I know this is a bit out of nowhere, but...could you maybe start calling me Aria?

It's the nickname my parents used for me, and my grandma uses it too...and I'd like it if you started calling me that too."

"Huh? I mean, sure, I have no reason to refuse. Actually, that sounds nice, so I'd be happy to...what brought this on, though?" I responded in bemusement.

"It's like...not fair. I call you...by a nickname...Kai...so you should...use a nickname...for me too," She yawned sleepily.

I mean, everyone calls me that since I don't like being called by my full first name...

"Alright, then, I'll call you Aria from now on," I replied with a smile.

"Mm...," She mumbled, barely audible.

She's barely conscious, she did look exhausted after she woke up, and she was pretty excitable while we were talking, that must have worn her out even more without her realizing it. Her fatigue's piled up.

"Go on, lay down and doze off. I'll talk to you later, okay?" I smiled, as she nodded and flopped back onto the bed, her eyelids starting to flutter shut.

"M'kay...g'night, Kai...," She mumbled quietly, as her eyes shut and her body relaxed.

"Yeah, good night, Aria-...oh, you're already asleep," I remarked with a slight chuckle, as she began snoring lightly.

Looks like she conked out the instant her head hit the pillow. I should let her rest, time to start preparing for the final.

Less than ten minutes before the break ends, I need to change into a new set of gear, my outfit got pretty wrecked in my fight against her.

The copy of my right gauntlet I used in the fight is completely unusable, the armored compression undershirt, hoodie and trousers are all damaged all over, even the boots got pretty banged up.

I'll have to swap it all out for fresh copies of one of the sets I've got in Treasury, I can't fight in these in the final-...oh, shit, I totally forgot to watch my opponent's previous matches!

Crap, I gotta hurry and get changed, watch the highlights of at least one or two of my next opponent's previous matches, and then get to the arena...all within less than ten minutes, I have to hurry!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.