Back home from the academy, Hifung entered the house.
Hifung: Dad, I've finally managed to use magic in my sword! (Happy)
Mr. Hifung: What?! (Panicked)
Mrs. Hifung: Wow, that's amazing, dear!
Hifung: Hehe.
Mrs. Hifung smiled at Mr. Hifung.
At dinner, Mr. Hifung's rice bowl was only half full.
Hifung: Dad, are you not feeling well?
Mr. Hifung: Y-yes, hehe. (Uncomfortable)
---
The next morning...
Hifung: I'm off.
Arriving at the academy, he saw Ray, Micyl, Ziden, and Vlyn gathered.
Hifung: What's going on?
Vlyn: The tournament is tomorrow, so we'll depart for the Hakao Kingdom this afternoon.
Vlyn: Don't train too hard today—you don't want to be exhausted for the trip.
Hifung: O-okay.
Hifung approached Ray, who was practicing.
Hifung: May I join?
Ray: Oh, yes. I've been waiting for you.
They trained together.
Elsewhere, Micyl was reading a magic book, and Ziden just waited without doing anything.
As afternoon approached, they stopped training, and suddenly Elric appeared.
Vlyn: What are you doing here?
Elric: The academy headmaster asked me to accompany you all to Hakao Kingdom.
Vlyn: Oh.
Vlyn: Is everyone ready?
Everyone: Yes.
Vlyn: Don't get separated.
They began the journey, led by Vlyn and the newly-arrived Elric.
---
At Milty's border, they were met by an officer.
Feds: I am General Feds of this kingdom. The King assigned me to lead this journey, accompanied by two commanders: Ben and Zerko.
Hifung (thinking): "Wow, a real general—he must be very powerful."
Vlyn: I'm Vlyn, a teacher from Refolt Academy.
Elric: I'm Elric, another teacher from Refolt.
They shook hands and started walking.
Along the way they hunted a deer, rested to eat, then continued traveling.
---
By midnight, they were walking through the forest when they found a flat clearing to camp.
Feds: Night is upon us—we'll camp here.
Vlyn and Elric began setting up tents, but Feds used earth magic to create a small hut instantly.
Everyone was amazed.
Feds: Women, sleep here.
He made another hut.
Feds: Men, sleep here.
They each entered their huts, laid out bedding, ate, then slept.
Ray: I'll go to sleep first.
Hifung: Okay.
---
Late at night, only Feds, Hifung, and Elric were still awake in the men's camp. Feds sat outside to stand watch.
Hifung approached him.
Hifung: Excuse me...
Feds: It's late—aren't you sleeping?
Hifung: I have some questions, sir.
Feds: What do you want to know?
Hifung: What's your strongest magic? What rank is it?
Feds: My strongest magic... I'd say it's the lowest D rank.
Hifung: Oh.
Hifung: Could you teach me some techniques or tricks to become stronger?
Feds paused for a moment.
Feds: The best way is to keep fighting stronger opponents. Constantly pushing your chi in battles will increase your chi capacity.
Hifung: I see.
Feds: Now go to sleep. You're representing Milty Kingdom—you don't want to be tired tomorrow.
Hifung: Understood.
Hifung returned to the camp and fell asleep.
---
In the morning, they all woke and ate the deer stew before resuming the journey.
---
When they arrived in Hakao Kingdom, they were greeted by General Ruze.
Ruze: Welcome to Hakao Kingdom. I've been expecting you. I am General Ruze, and I'll take you to the tournament grounds.
Feds: Thank you for your help.
They entered the kingdom and were taken to an inn.
Ruze: We've prepared this inn for your rest.
Ruze: Please settle in first.
All the students moved into their rooms and arranged their belongings.
Ruze: Let me take you to the restaurant next to the inn to eat before the match.
Feds: No, thank you. We're fine—we have our own provisions. (Feeling uneasy)
Ruze: Very well. Please enjoy your rest—I'll return later to take you to the venue.
Ruze left.
---
Vlyn: Why didn't we accept the restaurant invite?
Feds: I sensed something odd. Tensions between kingdoms are high right now.
Feds: Even this cooperation between Milty and Hakao was hard to secure—our king had to attend many council sessions to persuade Hakao's king.
Feds: I suspect they might have tampered with our food if we accepted.
The students looked uneasy.
Feds: Ben.
Ben: Yes, sir?
Feds: Follow Ruze. Watch his every move.
Ben: Understood.
Ben left.
Feds: We must stay alert.
Feds: But first, let's eat from last night's hunt.
Vlyn: Yes.
They cooked and ate their deer stew.
---
After the meal:
Feds: It's not yet noon. The matches start in the evening. We still have some time—remain vigilant.
The students sat tense.
Hifung (thinking): "This is getting complicated—being in a foreign kingdom, far from home."
Moments later, Ben returned with news.
Ben: Report!
Feds: What is it?
Ben: General Ruze entered the big arena building—filled with spectators. He stayed inside for a long time, left, and is now heading this way.
Feds: He's coming here?
Ben: Yes.
Feds: Everyone, be discreet and blend in—don't act suspicious. Whether you win or lose, today isn't decisive.
Moments later, someone knocked on the door.
Feds opened it.
R
uze: Ready? We're leaving now.
Feds: Yes, sir—we are ready.
They stepped out.
Feds (whispering): Ben, is this the path to the arena?
Ben (whispering): Yes, sir—this path leads to the arena.
They continued onward.