Transmigrate inside a Web Novel as a Side Character.

The martial arts competition itself is a festival the academy holds annually, so these things were nothing new to them. Also, according to some rumors, the third-year students who went to the deepest part of the dungeon will return on day six and could participate in the last days of the competition.

As another contestant appeared in the arena, the atmosphere was filled with tension and excitement, which made the stadium drown with cheers and shouts that awoke the dormant battle spirit in the contestant\'s hearts to give their all in the battle.

In the battle that placed their pride and strength as an awakener, the candidates fully immersed themselves in the fight, and sometimes, the ones who hung their heads low in defeat slightly held some lingering hatred not toward their enemies but toward themselves, cursing themselves for not doing their best from the start.

This competition will also serve as a reminder that the academy they stayed and learned is not some playground where they can enjoy its facilities and take pride in its name. The competition is also to rouse the dormant competitive spirit within fellow students so that they can thrive later in the outside world.

In one of the spectators\' seats where Soma and his group were watching the ongoing fight, a cute, rumbling voice that caught everyone\'s attention echoed in the room came from none other than Hina and Xiao Lian.

"Are you guys hungry?".

Soma turned his glance to each side and saw their cheeks blushing pink. He summoned some chocolate bars and some drinks for them to enjoy; of course, he brought not just for the two but also offered some to the other members in the room, but most of them declined.

"Thank you, Soma".

Hina received it with a smile on her face, reminiscing about their past when she was trapped inside some subspace.

"Thanks!".

Serafina gleefully accepted it and wholeheartedly devoured the content.

"...".

However, Xiao Lian kept her head down and shook her head to the side. Soma wondered what had happened before he remembered that it was almost time for Xiao Lian to enter the arena.

"At least drink some water for now!".

Soma thought it was pretty weird. From what he knows, people in this world who gain some power or system will have an extraordinary metabolism system in their guts. So, having a snack or even eating before some intense physical activity will not cause stomach problems later.

He wondered if something was bothering her or if maybe Xiao Lian was just too nervous even to take a snack. It would be better if the problem she had in mind is the latter, but if it\'s the previous one, then it needs some immediate attention.

"Mm, thank you, Soma".

When she received the plastic bottle from Soma, she began to sip a good amount of water to satiate her hunger.

After two other matches had finished and would start another one before Xiao Lian turned in fourth, Xiao Lian stood up from her seat and bid her farewell to the others.

"Everyone, I will be going!".

"Good luck, Silver hair!".

"Xiao Lian, I will be rooting for you".

"Mm, thanks!".

Before Xiao Lian could take a step forward, Soma stood up from his seat and turned to his sides. Hina and Serafina seemed to understand what was in his mind, so they nodded their heads in silent understanding.

"Soma, what are you?".

"Let\'s go!".

Without waiting for her reply, Soma grabbed Xiao Lian\'s left hand and dragged her from the place. Under the gaze of many onlookers, Xiao Lian\'s face was a bit dazed, with a slight pink on her cheeks.

Once outside, Soma began to recall the way toward the place where the contestants were waiting for their upcoming match. Both of them kept their mouths shut and silently walked into the desolate corridor, which was a bit wide and hollow.

Xiao Lian\'s eyes kept following Soma\'s back figure, and sometimes, she would glance toward their connected hands. Her heart started to beat rapidly, and she could feel that her face was heating up because of the blood that gathered.

However, this feeling of warmth and closeness with the person important to her brings forth the calm and ethereal feeling of happiness that dismissed the negative thoughts she had before.

Unconsciously, she clenched her connected hands. Soma also responded by tightly gripping them with power, telling her that he was there beside her and would accompany her at any time.

They took a couple of turns and descended the stairs; they finally arrived at the familiar place where they were waiting and took a piece of colored paper for the first match.

As the two went inside, many students waiting for their turn glanced at the incoming person, Soma, their greatest rival. The room itself was filled with contestants from the first year, and once they saw what Soma was doing, their eyes knitted, cursing in their hearts.

Soma ignored the gaze and turned toward the teacher to get the brooch.

"Teacher, Xiao Lian will fight next so".

"Okay, come here, girl!"

Xiao Lian began following the female teacher who acted as an official in today\'s competition. She began asking Xiao Lian a few questions to check her health and mental condition.

Then she began to give Xiao Lian some pointers on what the brooch was for and how to activate it if Xiao Lian herself thought that she couldn\'t continue the fight.

"Mm, thank you, teacher!".

Soma, who saw the brooch had been planted in Xiao Lian\'s chest pocket, began to drag her outside once more, which invited the murderous intent from the other contestant.

Once they were in the corridor, Soma walked toward the door leading them to the arena. Xiao Lian felt a bit hesitant about following him, but with the firm grip in her hand, she surrendered herself to Soma\'s mercy.

"That\'s it; the battle is over."

[The winner in this match is…]

The announcement from teacher Lee and the female emcee, which resonated in the corridor where they were staying, made their bodies flinch briefly before they saw a female student, probably from the second year. With swollen red eyes, she walked past them, ignoring both presences.

"The timing is perfect".

{...The next battle will commence}

Xiao Lian\'s face stiffened, and Soma could feel the cold touch on her fingertips, trembling.

"Xiao Lian".

"Mm?!".

Her body jolted in shock as Soma wrapped his hands around her back and took her body closer to his chest. Her heart began to beat wildly, and it sent a rush of blood toward her face, making her mind fall in distress. Her mouth flapped, trying to say something, but Soma beat her to it.

"Xiao Lian!".

With his calm and the tight hug he gave, her body somehow relaxed, and the sound of his beating heart slightly gave her mind a calm state.

"Go and win this!".

There are no exaggerated words, only a small support word that reached her ear. It blew away her stiffness and distressed mind that gnawed at her heart.

As their bodies separated, Soma could see that Xiao Lian\'s closed eyes fluttered, gradually filled with a light of determination.

"I will be back".

"Hm, I believe in you!".