Tournament - I

But one evening, Ark returned home and found something unusual. His father sat on the couch, arms folded, a heavy silence pressing down around him.

"Father?" Ark asked, confused. Karl's face was serious.

"Ark," Karl began, his voice low, "did you forget something important?”

Ark froze. His mind was thinking about it, but nothing came. "I... don't remember."

Karl's eyes narrowed. "The archery Tournament. It starts tomorrow. Yet, in the past few days, you've done nothing but run outside. You haven't trained at all."

Ark's heart pounded. Ahh... I completely forgot...!

"I practiced in the forest," Ark tried to lie. 

Karl's tone sharpened. "Don't lie to me. I know you've been distracted.”

Then Ark replied in confidence, Then I'll prove it tomorrow. I'll show you in the competition. Father, I'll definitely win."

Karl blinked, caught off guard by his son's boldness. "You sound confident," he muttered, but the concern in his eyes didn't fade.

Without waiting for more scolding, Ark slipped away. He needed air-and someone to share this with.

When he reached the oak tree, Delta peeked out from the hollow with curiosity. Then she saw the Ark coming out of the hollow part of the tree  and said.

"Ark? You look upset."

Ark sighed and sat down, telling her everything-the contest, his father's doubts, his lack of practice.

Delta blinked in surprise. "So tomorrow, you'll compete without training?”

"Yeah..." Ark scratched his head, then smiled. "But don't worry. I can still win. I believe in myself."

Delta giggled softly, her tail swishing behind her. "You're reckless... but that's what makes you different. Then I'll wish you good luck. All the best, Ark."

Her words warmed his chest more than he expected. Ark smiled. "Thanks, Delta, I'll surprise everyone."

They laughed together, the sound echoing inside the oak tree, until the night grew quiet.

—

Finally, the day of the contest arrived.

Excitement was in the air as Ark and Karl entered the busy tournament grounds. Ready to show off their abilities, dozens of villagers, both young and old, lined up with bows. Children cheered as food was sold from nearby stalls. Ark's eyes shined at what he saw. Karl, meanwhile, calmly moved forward and led his son to the registration desk so that Ark's name could be entered in the tournament.

Then the contest  was about to begin.

There was a lot of noise in the tournament ground. Younger men moved their bows with nervous hands, children ran about with little flags, and elders talked on benches. At the far end were targets, painted with shining rings that shone in the late morning light.

Ark and his father walked side by side into the contest area. Karl carried himself with the calm dignity of a seasoned warrior, but his eyes never left his son.

Ark's own eyes wandered across the field.

"There are more participants than I thought," he muttered. Dozens of villagers stood in line, each gripping a bow with determined expressions. Some were older, some younger, but all carried the same fire in their eyes.

Karl said. "This is no game, Ark. Every child here has trained for years. Don't take it lightly.”

"I know, Father." Ark straightened his back, his eyes glowing with confidence. "But still... I'll win."

With that, Karl walked to the registration booth and signed Ark's name. The boy officially became one of the contestants.

Minutes later, the loud voice of the announcer echoed through the square. "The first matches begin now!"

Ark's name was called. He stepped forward, bow in hand, facing his first opponent.

Karl's voice cut through the noise, calm yet firm. "Show me, Ark. Show me what you can do."

The referee gave the signal. Both competitors drew their bows. The arrows sang through the air-thunk!-striking the targets.

Ark's first arrow hit dead center. His second and third followed, each striking cleanly within the inner rings. Three for three.

His opponent, sweating and nervous, managed only one hit out of three.

The crowd erupted in cheer.

Ark lowered his bow with an easy smile. "Too simple."

One match after another, Ark advanced. The second round ended with the same result: three arrows, three hits, his opponent unable to keep up. The third match was no different. He remained calm, unflinching, each shot like a professional.

As the rounds passed, Ark watched other competitors carefully. Some were good-steady hands, practiced aim-but none gave him real pressure. He thought to himself, They're strong, but not strong enough. This tournament isn't going to test me...

Then his eyes fell on a boy with sharp features and calm posture, who drew his bow with an elegance Ark had never seen. Every arrow the boy fired struck the bullseye. Not once, but over and over.

Ark's silently said. “ Finally... Someone interesting.” Excitement appeared in his chest. All of a sudden, the competition had purpose.

—

Meanwhile, in the quiet of the oak tree, Delta sat hugging her knees. She had spent the morning imagining Ark's face, his focus when he spoke about victory. Her tail moved restlessly.

"I can't just sit here," she whispered. Her golden eyes narrowed with resolve. "I want to see Ark... I want to see how amazing he really is."

With that, she stood, brushed the dirt from her dress, and began walking toward the tournament ground.

—

Back in the arena, the crowd roared as the first stage continued. One by one, the weaker contestants were eliminated. The first stage was simply to prove accuracy-only those who consistently struck the targets would move on.

Ark moved with comfort, his arrows never failing. However, his eyes continued to stray to that one gifted rival. With his precise form and hawk-like eyes, the boy never missed.

That's the one. Really tuffed opponent.

"The first stage has ended!" the announcer said. "Those who passed will now enter the second stage- the qualifier rounds!”

Ark's heart pounded, his eyes burning with excitement. Now it begins. The real contest.

Delta finally arrived. She hid beneath her hood, her ears and tail concealed, and she finded Ark . 

As the announcer announced the start of the second stage, the environment on the tournament grounds became even more exciting. The crowd was buzzing with excitement as the villagers loudly cheered their favorites. Many candidates celebrated in their past victories and were confident that they would win the next challenge. Ark maintained his composure and concentration in the face of the commotion, his heart steady and his mind clear. He was prepared to take on the upcoming challenge directly.