Arena — Late Afternoon
The arena stood empty.
Workers cleaned blood and debris.
"What was that yesterday…?"
"I don't know… but it's better not to talk about it."
One of them lowered his voice.
"And the one who cleared it in eight minutes?"
"That one was natural."
"He's just strong."
Silence.
"…But the other one…"
The man stopped.
"…Forget it."
Stands
Some candidates watched as the arena was rebuilt.
"That was completely out of control…"
"He looked like a demon."
"The king should disqualify that monster."
Erik listened.
Cold.
Silent.
He walked away without saying a word.
Main Screen
Kazume appeared.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Today's test is officially concluded!"
"Return tomorrow at the same time!"
"Thank you for attending. Rest well."
Applause filled the arena.
Recovery Room
Ryo sat on a bed.
Head lowered.
"…How many people died?"
Silence.
"How many?!"
Bill answered quietly:
"…Some."
Ryo began to cry.
"Why does the king allow this?"
Bill:
"…It's the game."
Nara:
"Kazume warned us."
Alan crossed his arms.
"We all knew we could die."
Bill added:
"We signed contracts."
"Even those who didn't make it."
Ryo stayed silent.
Heavy atmosphere.
Nara spoke:
"It's unfair."
"But you have to go through hell to be recognized."
Alan:
"It's the squad's training."
"Only one rises."
"No wonder they're monsters."
He changed tone.
"But let's think about something else."
"The first place."
Bill lit up.
"That was insane!"
"10 kilometers in 8 minutes!"
"75 km/h!"
"Dodging obstacles!"
"The arena moving against him!"
He pointed at Ryo.
"I did the math."
"If you hadn't stopped…"
"You'd finish in 18 minutes."
"Third place."
PLOK
Bill lightly punched his head.
"BUT THIS IDIOT STAYED PASSED OUT FOR FIVE MINUTES!!"
"YOU ALMOST GOT ELIMINATED!!"
"Ow!" Ryo complained.
Alan laughed.
"We should rest."
Ryo nodded.
"…Yeah."
Bill:
"Tomorrow's my turn."
Nara:
"Then sleep well."
Alan:
"Let's go."
Hallway
The group walked together.
Talking casually.
But the camera stayed behind.
Nara stopped.
Looked around.
Silence.
She discreetly pulled something from her pocket.
A small metallic object.
Strange symbols engraved on it.
She observed it.
Then hid it again.
And walked on.
No one noticed.
Executive Room
Isaac sat, thinking.
"…Train him?"
Quick flash—
Ryo surrounded by darkness.
Elements being repelled.
Candidates collapsing.
Back to present.
Kazume:
"His power drained elemental energy."
"And repelled all elements."
"He absorbs what defines a warrior."
Isaac:
"…Why me?"
Kazume:
"You have no elemental energy."
"You are pure presence."
"When he loses control…"
"He could become a black hole."
"Destroying everything."
"Even allies."
Silence.
"You're the only one who can reach him…"
"…and put him to sleep."
Aiko stepped forward.
"Sorry to interrupt…"
"But I want to train him too."
Isaac:
"We don't even know if he'll pass."
Kazume stared ahead.
"…He won't."
Silence.
"He doesn't belong in this tournament."
"His real test is already over."
Heavy silence.
Aiko:
"Then I'll help the injured."
She left.
Kazume:
"Isaac…"
"Teach him control."
"This power is unprecedented."
"Better as an ally… than an enemy."
"We must guide him toward good."
"…I trust you."
Isaac:
"…Understood."
Isaac walked toward the exit.
Then stopped.
"…Someone else is watching him."
"The aura… is dark."
Kazume:
"…I know."
Recovery Room
Aiko approached the group.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you!"
Aiko:
"The next test will be harder."
"Do you need treatment?"
Ryo:
"No…"
Bill:
"He doesn't have a single injury."
Nara:
"We're already recovering."
Aiko paused.
"…I see."
"Good luck."
She left.
Thoughts:
How is he not injured?
He fell into fire…
Even if he had fire affinity…
There should be burns.
Scars.
Something.
Strange… my king.
Strange… Oliver…
Very strange.
Critical Ward
Aiko raised her hands.
Blue fire emerged.
She passed it over the wounded.
Burns disappeared.
Cuts closed.
Bones realigned.
She finished.
Walked away.
A doctor whispered:
"We have nothing left to do."
A nurse said, amazed:
"Miss Aiko is incredible…"
Another snapped:
"Don't even think about it!"
Nightfall — Capital
The sun set.
Lights filled the city.
Dormitory
Ryo and his siblings lay on their beds.
Staring at the ceiling.
Bill:
"…Do you think I'll pass tomorrow?"
"You guys were amazing."
Ryo:
"You can do anything."
"You'll figure it out."
"You're the smartest person I know."
Bill smiled.
"…We don't know many people."
Silence.
Then—
Laughter.
Recovery Room — Later
Patients woke up.
"…I'm healed?"
Nurse:
"Yes."
"Not a single scratch."
"Miss Aiko healed all of you."
Silence.
Then—
"We're alive!"
"I thought I was going to die!"
Cheers filled the room.
Arena — Night
A distant shot.
Dark side of the capital.
Two silhouettes.
A tall man.
And a teenager.
The boy lifts his head.
It's Tero.
Silence.
Dormitory — Midnight
Everyone sleeps.
Except Ryo.
He sits on his bed.
Tears fall silently.
Flashes—
The burning man.
The boy without a foot.
The carnivorous plant.
The pierced candidate.
Ryo whispers:
"…They had dreams…"
Silence.
Morning
A new day begins.
Bill wakes up, nervous.
Knock knock.
He opens the door.
Alan stands there.
"Good morning!"
"Big day, huh?"
Arena — Entrance
Murmurs still linger.
"Think we'll see another monster today?"
"I don't know… yesterday was insane…"
"Glass even flew toward the stands…"
Waiting Area
Bill.
Erik.
Standing.
Erik focused.
Thinking:
Who does he think he is…?
Tero…
He'll never surpass me…
All they talk about is him… and that monster…
I just need… five minutes.
His eyes revealed everything.
Determination.
Effort.
Relentless will.
Bill, on the other hand…
Was afraid.
Announcement
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"Another day begins!"
"Let us watch our candidates give everything for their dreams!"
Stands
Applause.
Cheers.
Music rises.
Bill (Narration)
Who was the mysterious man watching Ryo?
Who was talking to Tero?
Will I even pass the first stage…?
Maybe… I lack courage.
End of Chapter.