"Master Hide… Master Hide, are you awake?"
Knocking echoed through the door. It sounded like Priscilla on the other side.
A moment later, the door creaked open. Priscilla peeked inside and saw Hide still sleeping.
He's quite cute when he's sleeping… she thought to herself.
Hide opened one eye and caught her staring.
Priscilla jolted and scooted back, nervous.
"S-Sorry… did I wake you?"
Hide pushed himself up and rubbed his eyes.
"Is it already morning?"
"Yes. Breakfast is ready." Priscilla set a folded set of clothes on the table. "Uncle told me to wake you up for breakfast."
"I see. I'll be down in a minute."
"Umm… right." Priscilla quickly left and closed the door behind her.
Hide exhaled and glanced at the clothes.
"I don't think I can get used to this life after all I went through. It sounds nice… but I don't think I can just go back to it. Might take time."
He got out of bed, stripped off his old clothes, and changed into what Priscilla had brought.
In the mirror, he examined himself.
"Not quite adventurer-like… more noble-like." He adjusted the collar. "I might wear these on my travels… if they don't tear."
A dress shirt, a coat, and shorts — perfectly fitted, even though no one had asked his size.
He stepped out and headed to the dining hall.
"Morning, Master Hide. I hope you had good rest." Jisan entered carrying an entrée.
"It was quite nice… although my body's gotten used to sleeping in the wilds." Hide yawned.
Jisan chuckled softly.
"Well, I dare say my lord will enjoy the change of a comforting bed. Though I will admit, it may take time to adjust."
"Indeed."
Jisan opened the dish. Eggs and bacon.
Hide took a bite.
For a moment… it almost felt normal.
After breakfast, Hide wandered into the yard while Priscilla gave him a tour.
"If you look to your right, that's the garden. Not much has grown yet, but the gardener's been trying their best until your arrival." She laughed lightly. "And well… you got here quicker than we imagined."
Hide crouched beside a patch of wilting flowers. He stared intensely.
Then—
The flowers slowly bloomed back to life.
Priscilla's eyes widened as the dead petals regained color.
"H-How…? How did you make them come back?"
Hide stood and scratched the back of his neck with a small laugh.
"A simple trick. More to say… restoration magic."
"Magic…" Priscilla whispered, amazed.
"Yes, my child." Jisan approached them. "Magic exists in this world, just as those born with abilities do. But magic is more common than abilities."
"But how can both coexist?" Priscilla asked, confused.
"That is because the EverGleam is infinite," Jisan explained. "Its source gives us life. The EverGleam is not something you can see… but it has always been with us."
"And although the source is the EverGleam, the world calls it Evers. Evers is the energy that flows around us as we breathe and live."
"So the EverGleam creates these Evers?" Priscilla asked.
"Indeed," Jisan said. "Is that not right, Master Hide?"
Hide sighed.
"Correct. Though there is more to it than that. Evers is unique — it allows us to manipulate it. It's also inside of us, and it can become abilities… magic… and much more. The EverGleam is quite something once you understand it."
"I see…"
Hide turned slightly toward the city skyline.
"Well… I shall be heading back into town. I have to go to the Colosseum."
"What?" Jisan and Priscilla both froze.
Hide chuckled.
"I signed up earlier — when I was still trying to find a place to sleep. I can't back out now."
"But sir…" Jisan's brows tightened. "How are you going to get out?"
"Easy." Hide grinned faintly. "Just win the tournament."
"But won't you get hurt?" Priscilla blurted.
"Don't worry about it. Besides… the reward is enticing."
"Reward?"
"Five hundred thousand Kez… and an item that could be useful."
Jisan still looked uneasy.
"Very well. If the Master has decided, then I will not argue further." He hesitated. "Priscilla. Go with Master Hide. I'll tend to the housework and business papers."
Priscilla's face stiffened.
"M-Me? But I hardly leave the manor… besides groceries…"
Jisan gave her a stern look.
Priscilla instantly felt the pressure and nodded fast.
"Okay!"
Minutes later…
"Well… here we are at the Colosseum."
Priscilla stared up at the massive arena walls. Her throat tightened.
"Why don't you join the audience," Hide said. "I'll go check in."
"Right…"
Hide approached the receptionist.
"Hi there! How may I help you?"
"I'm here to check in."
The receptionist frowned.
"Sorry, we don't take kids as contenders for this tournament—"
Hide calmly produced a badge number.
Her expression changed immediately.
"Oh—! Sorry about that. You are…?"
"Cyrus Saki."
She flipped through a list and found his name.
"Number 715." She eyed him carefully. "Hopefully this tournament doesn't kill you. You do know this is an all-out tournament, right?"
"Yes."
"I'll go over the rules anyway." She leaned forward. "All-out means all contenders fight until only one remains. Killing is allowed. Weapons are allowed. Magic is allowed. Anything goes."
She paused.
"Are you certain you want to enter?"
"Of course."
"Very well. Join the others in the waiting room. Try not to die out there." She smiled.
Hide entered the waiting room and sat on a bench.
Fighters of all sizes and ages filled the room. Some prayed. Some stretched. Some sharpened weapons. Some stared at the floor like beasts waiting to be unleashed.
Hide watched quietly.
A booming voice echoed through the stadium.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Are you ready for the astonishing, breathtaking fight today in the Arena of Valor!"
The crowd roared.
"Today, you will witness brawns and brains collide— and we also have a special contender added into the arena!"
More cheering.
"Look around! What do you see?" the announcer cried. "That's right— water surrounds the arena! Once all fighters enter, the arena will seal!"
The audience screamed with excitement.
"But beware… beneath that water lies the one and only— Drasnir!"
The crowd erupted.
"That's right! A beast captured by none other than your fortunate host— Mr. Stein!"
In the VIP section, a man in white formal clothing waved calmly to the crowd.
"Countless have died to Drasnir's hand… so tell me, ladies and gentlemen— are you ready for the best fight of your life?!"
The stadium practically shook.
Priscilla sat near the front, gripping the edge of her seat.
"Can't believe Master is doing this…" she murmured. "What if he dies in there…? I guess I'll step in if I have to."
She sighed.
A bell rang.
Hide stood and moved with the others toward the gate.
"Let the game begin…" he muttered.
The gates opened.
Hundreds of contenders surged forward.
The arena was massive — with holes in the floor where the beast could rise.
Hide stepped out, scanning the crowd.
In the distance, he spotted Priscilla jumping and waving.
"Go, Master!"
Hide scratched his head and walked toward a quieter part of the arena.
Soon, the bell rang again.
The tournament began.
Fighters screamed and collided instantly.
Steel clashed. Magic burst. Bodies fell.
The crowd went wild.
Hide avoided major fights, only knocking out anyone who rushed him.
"Go, Master! Woohoo!" Priscilla cheered.
A contender caught Hide's attention.
A huge man with an axe — number 431.
The man roared, shaking the air.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Number 431 has unleashed his special war cry!" the announcer yelled. "Baron, one of our well-known champions, is heating up!"
A man near Priscilla jumped up.
"That's right, Baron! Show them what you got!"
The arena slowly began to close as the water crept inward.
Hide moved toward a section not yet swallowed.
He felt movement behind him.
An arrow hissed past his head.
Hide glanced back.
A cloaked archer with a bow.
Number 237.
The archer fired again— then again— a barrage raining from above.
Hide snatched up a shield from the ground and blocked the arrows.
He's targeting me… He wants me dead.
Another arrow came.
Hide tossed the shield and rolled.
The arrow sliced his shirt and cut the edge of his pants.
Hide ran straight at the archer, weaving through chaos.
Face to face, he finally saw the archer's grin.
It was a trap.
Hide turned—
Too late.
An arrow flew straight for his head.
Priscilla stood up instantly, heart dropping.
But—
The arrow stopped inches from Hide's face.
Frozen.
Caught in strings.
Hide sighed.
"What… how?"
"Guess I was just lucky." Thin strings spread from Hide's fingers.
The archer tried to fire again—
Hide wrapped him in strings.
"See ya." Hide turned and ran.
"Wait!" the archer screamed.
Hide didn't stop.
Behind him, the water closed in.
A massive tail burst up and dragged the archer under.
A scream. Then silence.
Hide pushed toward the center.
Bodies floated. Fighters dropped. The numbers thinned fast.
By the time Hide realized how long he'd been moving—
Only one hundred contenders remained.
Including him.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Only 100 left!" the announcer cried. "And many have fallen not only to champions… but to Drasnir as well!"
Hide wiped dust from his clothes.
He was roughed up, but still moving.
A huge explosion erupted in the distance.
A mage.
High magic.
Several contenders were blasted into the water.
Hide turned toward it—
"Master, look out!" Priscilla screamed.
Hide ducked as something massive rushed him.
Baron.
Number 431.
The axe was gone. His skin looked gray — like he'd transformed.
He was pure grappler now.
Baron swung.
Hide dodged.
Hide struck back.
Nothing.
Baron wasn't fazed.
Baron threw a brutal punch.
Hide blocked—
Bones crackled.
Hide stumbled back several feet, gripping his arm.
"That was quite a hit…" Hide flexed his hand, his arm slowly regenerating.
Baron didn't pause.
Hide's eyes narrowed.
The chest plate— cracked.
Explosions continued nearby.
The air shook.
In the next blast of smoke and noise, both of them charged.
Baron swung a heavy left—
Hide slipped under and drove a right straight into the crack.
The chest plate shattered.
Baron dropped instantly.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Number 715 has taken down Baron!" the announcer screamed. "Not just by luck— but by sheer power!"
The stadium erupted.
The explosions stopped.
Smoke covered the battlefield.
The water stopped closing.
The arena shrank until only space for a few remained.
As the smoke faded—
Hide saw one figure standing across from him.
"Ladies and gentlemen… our final fighters!"
The crowd fell silent.
"Number 120… and number 715!"
The announcer's voice trembled with excitement.
"Aren — the renowned mage adventurer… versus Cyrus — the youngest fighter today!"
Aren stood calm, uninjured, holding a book.
Hide swallowed.
"This is going to be a rough one…"
Aren raised his hand.
A fireball tore toward Hide.
Hide hurled a weapon into it— it exploded.
Another fireball.
Hide vanished behind smoke.
A lightning bolt came down from above.
"Twinkles."
A smoke cloud formed.
The lightning vanished into it— silent.
The smoke cleared.
A huge teddy bear stood beside Hide.
Stitched arms. A happy smile. Sewn marks like scars.
"What the hell just happened?!" the announcer shouted. "And what is that?!"
"Twinkles," Hide muttered. "Similar to Rose… but a plushie. Not a creature."
Aren launched more lightning.
Twinkles ate it.
And grew bigger.
The crowd erupted again.
Aren's eyes narrowed. He changed strategy.
He fired a fireball and rushed forward—
Twinkles ate the fireball—
And then vanished, as if overloaded.
Ice spread under Hide's feet, trapping him.
Aren closed in for the finishing strike—
But Twinkles reappeared and grabbed Aren tightly.
Aren struggled.
"It won't kill you," Hide said calmly. "But it will knock you out. The magic it ate will return to you."
Twinkles began to shine.
Then—
Boom.
Twinkles exploded in a flash.
Aren dropped unconscious.
Hide stood there, exhausted and battered.
"There you have it, ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer screamed. "Our winner — number 715… CYRUS!"
Priscilla screamed in the stands, relieved.
But then—
The arena trembled.
Water churned.
A massive serpent rose from below.
Drasnir.
The announcer screamed.
"Oh no! Drasnir itself has risen— and it's ready for carnage!"
The crowd— instead of fleeing— roared even louder.
Hide sighed.
"Can't it just be over already…?"
Drasnir fired a beam of ice.
Hide dodged. Ice erupted where he had stood.
The serpent lunged out of the water, circling him—
And its tail wrapped around Hide.
Face to face.
"Will this be it for our winner?!" the announcer cried.
Drasnir roared into Hide's face.
Hide's eyes hardened.
"Enough."
A terror presence burst from Hide.
The serpent froze.
Its grip loosened.
Priscilla's leg shook uncontrollably as she felt the pressure of it.
Hide's voice dropped like a command carved into the air.
"Leave."
Drasnir released him instantly and slithered away, vanishing into the depths in seconds.
The announcer stared, stunned.
"No way…!"
The crowd exploded into cheering again.
Later, the arena was cleaned.
Wounded fighters were treated.
The announcer walked to Hide and handed him his prize:
Five hundred thousand Kez… and a piece of material.
"That was an amazing battle!" the announcer said excitedly. "Will we see you again?"
Hide didn't answer.
"Well… if you ever return, the Arena of Valor will be waiting for you!" the announcer laughed.
Hours later, Hide and Priscilla returned to the manor.
"Master, I can't believe you're that strong!" Priscilla said, practically glowing.
"I was just lucky," Hide replied, uninterested.
"That wasn't luck. You showed them what you're capable of."
Hide didn't respond.
"Master…?"
"Let's just get back home. I'm worn out."
They arrived at the gates.
Jisan was waiting.
He opened the carriage door.
"Master, how was the tournament?"
"Good. But exhausting."
"That's good to hear. I hope nothing happened to you." Jisan glanced at Priscilla.
"Not much," Hide said with a yawn. "I won."
"You what—?!"
Priscilla couldn't hold it in and laughed.
Jisan blinked like he couldn't process what he'd heard.
"Well… if the Master won, then perhaps a feast is in order," Jisan said, still stunned.
"Guess I'll take a bath first."
"As you wish."
Hide entered the manor.
Jisan turned to Priscilla.
"So… how was it?"
Priscilla exploded with excitement, telling him everything at once.
Hide sank into a bathtub, staring up at the ceiling.
"That was a long day… It went further than I thought it would. But I met strong people."
His expression softened.
"Hopefully… Sona and the others are doing fine."
He sighed and sank deeper into the water, closing his eyes.
Later, dressed in casual clothes, Hide sat in the dining hall with Jisan, Priscilla, and two servants.
Jisan lifted a glass.
"Congrats to the Master for winning the tournament… and for returning safely."
They applauded.
They ate.
Hide watched them smiling and laughing around the table.
And for a moment—
He smiled too.
A memory surfaced:
Hide eating by the beach with his friends.
Endless sea.
Blue sky.
Everyone happy.
And Hide… almost believing that peace could last.