Chronia let out a tired yawn as she, Lola and the others lazed about on Zalroth's tails. Zallino and Vivo descended from the roof of the wagon and landed on Zalroth’s chest. Zallino raised one of his wings and morphed one of his feathers into a speaker. The speaker vibrated without making a sound and after a split second Zallino was bopped in the face by Lola's tails as she flailed around in discomfort.

“It appears the speaker won’t work this time,” Vivo commented as Zallino’s feather reverted to its original form.

“Perhaps, we should acquire the assistance of Lady Akari,” Zallino stated, and at the mention of Akari’s name Zalroth and Scarlett instantly opened their eyes and sat up, forcing Vivo and Zallino to take flight.

"I-I'm not oversleepin’-" Scarlett blurted out as she disorientatedly darted her head around in an attempt to locate the none existent Akari; Zalroth also glanced and groaned when he didn't see any threats. Zalroth laid back down and, as Chronia scooched over to him in her sleep, let out a sigh.

"What is it?" Zalroth asked begrudgingly as Vivo and Zallino landed on his shoulders.

"We thought it was highly important we inform you that the tournament will be starting in two hours," Vivo stated as he pulled a handheld gaming device from Lola's tails and showed him the time displayed on the screen. Zalroth lazily glanced at the screen and yawned as he read seven fifty.

"More like one and a bit," Zalroth quipped before he stood, with the sleeping Chronia wrapping her arms around Zalroth's face as he did.

"Note from Master Zalkutaro: While I was dealing with some trouble Kunai unintentionally caused, I ran into those two kids you saved in Kalthorm and one thing led to another and I sort of promised their older sister you'd look after them while she participates in the tournament, end of message," Zallino stated as Vivo mentioned he remembers running into them before he fought Zuno.

Zalroth let out a yawn and clicked his shoulder as Kai(in her humanoid form) stood on his right shoulder, while her orange static-textured mana encased her feet. Kai had a determined look on her face as she strongly gazed at the top of the colosseum as it crept over the roof of the buildings.

"There's no need to be so serious, Zalka, it's just a ceremonial tournament," Zalina remarked as she and all the other kid-sized people watched Lola play on her handheld gaming device, whilst they all lounged on Zalroth's tails.

"I must, an azure gem is on the line," Kai said emotionlessly as she did a fist pump.

"I still can't believe she got the winning marble," Xelphia sulked as she remembered the smug look on Kai's face when she plucked the golden marble from Zalroth's tail; the other Zals sighed at Xelphia's comment as Sophia noticed Ruby was deep in thought.

"Something troubling you?" Sophia inquired, causing Ruby to flinch when she snapped out of her daydream.

"Well, sorta, it's just that comment the Innovation Phantom said about my eyes seeming familiar and it's being really bugging me, ya know," Ruby remarked.

"I’m sure one of the Mr/Miss Zalroth's might know, sis," Star said as climbed down from Zalroth's tails and onto Ruby's back.

"I know but I've already asked them a ton of questions and I'll feel like a whiny kid if I ask any more complicated questions in such short succession," Ruby defeatedly remarked as she rubbed her face.

"Are you sure you don't want to still participate in the tournament, Mr Zalroth?" the voice of Kiki asked Zalkutaro, who had a sleeping Kunai wrapped around his neck like a neck scarf, as the group arrived at front of the colosseum. Kiki turned around and greeted the group before making eye contact with the actual Zalroth and before becoming so confused a question-mark-shaped mana bubble appeared above her head.

"Huh, but you're?" Kiki stuttered as she looked between Zalroth and Zalkutaro before she grasped her head tightly.

"My head hurts," Kiki commented as Vivo landed on her shoulder. Vivo quickly explained the basic gist of the whole kitsune egos and visages to Kiki, and she intentively nodded her head whilst Vivo explained.

“Oh…” Kiki muttered as Kikou walked out from the entrance arch of the colosseum with a concerned expression. Kiki hurried over to Kikou and signalled to him.

“Not now Kiki, I’m busy at the moment,” Kikou stated as he was typing on his phone.

“What’s the problem now?” Kiki asked in disbelief as she stood on her tiptoes and peered at Kikou’s phone. Kiki couldn’t help but form a smug grin on her face before Kikou place his hand over Kiki’s face and pushed her away.

“Don’t go getting any ideas,” Kikou said as Kiki pulled his hand off her slightly less smug face.

“Come on… I’d make a great wingman,” Kiki proudly proclaimed. Kikou rolled his eyes and sighed as he put his phone away.

"Fine... you can be the co-presenter," Kikou said reluctantly before Kiki happily jumped on the spot and repeatedly raised her arms into the air. Kiki happily giggled and mentioned Zalroth was here before she skipped off into the colosseum. Kikou placed his hand on his forehead and defeatedly exhaled.

"First a bunch of the contestants had to withdraw from receiving injuries from soul weepers and now Nilthian had to cancel being the co-presenter," Kikou complained before turning to face Zalroth and co.

"Please tell me you're still taking part in the tournament, Zalroth," Kikou asked with a pleading tone. Zalroth chuckled to himself which caused Kikou to sigh in disbelief.

"I mean he technically is," Minia remarked as she pointed at Kai. Kai stood proudly with her arms crossed while Kikou scratched the back of his head with a perplexed expression.

"I don't quite follow but if she's participating in your place and you think she'll be fine then I guess it really doesn't matter to me at this point..." Kikou halfheartedly remarked.

"So, it's still alright if some of the adventurers are allowed to be on stand-by during the tournament?" Chronia asked as dropped her chin on Zalroth's free shoulder. Kikou defeatedly nodded his head and said it was.

Half an hour later, the roars of the cheering colosseum spectators erupted through the air as Zalroth and co sat in the private booth relegated for the announcers(Kikou and Kiki) and special guests.

"I don't mean to sound ungrateful but is it really ok for us to be in the announcer booth?" Nola asked as she floated over to and landed next to Chronia, as she was laid sprawled out on the sleeping Zalroth's tails.

"Of course it is; The adventurer's guild is one of the tournament's sponsors and we are special guests after all," Chronia tiredly remarked in her sleep. Lola, while tightly grasping her Dream Weaver staff, and all the other kids(including Fei-Ku and Mei-La) sat on Kusana's hair as if it was a bench.

"Pama, why won't papa let me participate in the tournament?" Lola asked she looked up at Zalina, as she slept on Lola's head in her fox cub form. Zalina yawned and slightly opened her eyes.

"Remember when I took part in that food-eating competition?" Zalina asked. Lola affirmatively nodded her head and looked back at the arena.

"I see so papa thinks I won't be able to hold back and completely wash the opposition, like when you managed to eat all the pies before anyone else could get to them," Lola stated as she changed her staff back into a ring.

"I don't think that last part was necessary," Zalina pouted as she meekly sighed.

Kikou tapped on the microphone and as he began to talk the crowd went silent.

"Greetings and salutations, my fellow Maxicannion fans, we are once again gathered here today to enjoy the heart-pounding battles... oh and I have my sister here as my co-presenter," Kikou said calmly into the mic. Kiki looked over at Kikou and sighed at him.

"Can't you put a little enthusiasm into your announcement?" Kiki rhetorically asked, knowing full well Kikou didn't have a single cell in his body that could yell over four decibels.

"... putting that aside, I must inform you, the audience, that due to a majority of the competitors having to resign due to getting injured from the recent uprising in soul weeper appearances; however, since the amount-" Kikou stated before Kiki interrupted him when she slammed her hands on the table.

"Which means, we can skip the elimination challenges and get straight to the kickass fights!" Kiki exclaimed before the crowds erupted into cheers. Kiki smugly glanced over at Kikou, who sighed.

"Match one: Zalka vs Helios," Kikou stated with Kiki groaning at his lack of enthusiasm. Kikou sighed and muttered maybe Kiki should do the contestant announcements.

"Fine I will, the first encounter will be between the adventurer-level warrior Zalka vs the A-ranked adventurer Helios!" Kiki exclaimed as the audience's cheers became even louder.