The teams stood facing each other. The silence was heavy—only the sound of heartbeats could be heard.
The first to move was Raito. He took a firm step forward, his eyes locked on Yui. It was clear who he intended to fight. Then Akato turned his gaze toward Raiga, while Arato smirked mockingly at Akira.
All three moved at once.
— It's starting!
Yui raised his hands, and the roots of the surrounding trees burst from the ground. Massive logs lifted into the air and, through telekinesis, were hurled toward Raito. The roots rained down like spears.
— What the hell?!
Raito barely dodged, dirt flying across his face. He slid back a few steps, gathering ice energy to form a massive crystal in front of him.
— Freeze!
He hurled the ice crystal toward Yui. The air cracked with a deafening chill.
At the same time, Raiga and Akato were clashing. Akato interlocked his fingers, his water energy surging—chains of liquid shot toward Raiga, trying to bind his arms.
— You can't escape my chains!
Raiga growled.
— Damn it!
Flames burst from his palms as he tried to burn the chains, but the water multiplied rapidly. His strength was waning. He paused for a second, then roared with fury:
— Fine, then!
He engulfed his whole body in fire. Every time the chains wrapped around him, they vaporized, the sound of steam hissing violently into the air.
But the cost was heavy. Raiga's leg was seared red with burns. He dropped to one knee, gritting his teeth.
— I can still fight… but damn it… my leg!
Meanwhile, Akira gathered his courage and charged at Arato, throwing a punch.
Arato met him with a smirk full of disdain. Negative energy coiled around his body, flickering like black smoke. His counterpunch slammed into Akira's face.
— Arghhh!
Akira was thrown back, blood spurting from his nose and mouth.
Arato drew symbols in the air, casting dark energy that wrapped around Akira's body. But a second later—it vanished.
Arato's eyes widened.
— What… impossible. My curse… lasted only a second?
Akira staggered up, trying to attack again, but his weak punches couldn't even leave a mark. Arato struck him repeatedly, each blow shaking his bones.
— Weak child… my curse might fail, but your weakness is enough!
Akira spat blood and collapsed. Some of his teeth had shattered.
— Damn it… I think I broke a tooth… How am I supposed to win this fight?!
Arato kicked him hard.
— I'm done with you. Now watch your teammates die!
Akira's body trembled. He couldn't stand. But the more he was beaten down, the more his will hardened. He crawled forward, refusing to stop.
Arato shook his head mockingly.
— You haven't even touched me. What's the point of all this beating? Fool.
Then Yui's voice rang out:
— Akira! You can win, I believe in you!
Akira spoke through clenched teeth.
— Don't… worry… I'll win.
The battlefield roared with chaos—screams, explosions, and the sound of earth splitting apart.
Yui deflected Raito's ice shards with walls of soil, but when the ice melted into water, it slithered through the cracks like living chains. One shard pierced Yui's arm. He fell, blood seeping into the dirt.
Raiga turned toward him, shouting:
— Hey, tree-brain! You still alive?!
Yui winced but pushed himself up.
— Yeah… I'm still standing… This fight's far from over!
Raiga gritted his teeth, pulled him up by the arm. Both of them were battered, but the fire in their eyes still burned.
Akira watched them, feeling a sting in his chest.
— Wow… they're amazing… I can't even keep up. They're really strong. And me… I'm just weak.
Arato's curses filled the air again, but they dispersed before reaching Yui.
— İmpossible… why isn't it working?! The tree freak is strong, sure—but that weakling? Why does my curse fade?!
When Raiga and Yui attacked together, the ground trembled. Their coordination was so powerful Akira froze—he even forgot to throw a punch. He could only watch.
But their luck didn't last. Arato struck Raiga with a curse mark. Black chains wrapped around his body, slowing his movements.
— Damn it… my body… it won't move!
Yui dashed forward, shouting:
— Raiga! I'm right behind you!
He shielded him with his body. Now, the three cousins faced Yui alone.
The ground erupted, stone walls rising—but one person against three was impossible.
Akira's vision blurred.
— I have to do something… Yui will lose too… If I stop Arato, Raiga will be free. Yeah, then…
He took a deep breath.
— The spirit… the power it mentioned… maybe that can save us…
He closed his eyes. In his mind, darkness spread—a void. Two crimson eyes appeared, staring back at him.
He shouted:
— Spirit! Give me your power!
The voice that echoed from the void was clear and cold.
— No.
Akira flinched, frowning.
— Why not?
The voice replied, sharp and scornful:
— Who do you think I am, boy?
Akira froze. Then cautiously asked:
— Aren't you… the Spirit?
The darkness trembled with a menacing vibration. The voice thundered, proud and wrathful:
— I am… Valtherion!
Akira smiled faintly, bowing his head.
— I'm Akira.
Valtherion's tone cracked with anger.
— You really have no idea who I am! I'm the father of the Volgrath brothers!
Akira's eyes widened. Memories flashed in his mind. His voice shook.
— What! Did you say Volgrath? You mean… you're the one who started the Great War a hundred years ago!
Valtherion's voice grew heavy—filled with sorrow and a cursed truth.
— No. I and the other Volgraths… we were only victims.
Akira's breath caught. Curiosity and anger twisted inside him.
— Then… what happened in that war?
Valtherion's voice erupted from the darkness, echoing like thunder that could split the heavens:
— He killed us all!
Akira's heart raced. His voice trembled.
—"He… who?
Then Valtherion roared—his voice filled with rage, hatred, and vengeance:
— I will not give you my power! Begone!
The darkness swirled around Akira like a vortex. A cold wind scraped against his body—it was as if Valtherion's fury burned into his very soul.
Akira screamed:
— Just for a short time! I'll do whatever you want!
Valtherion paused.
— Whatever I want?
Akira nodded.
— Yes, anything.
— "That would make for an interesting deal."
Akira asked,
— Then… will you lend me your power?
Valtherion replied,
— I can grant you a fraction of it.
Akira exhaled.
— Fine, what do you want?
— For now, nothing. But one day, I'll claim my due… And since it's your first time using such power, your will may falter. If that happens, I will stop you.
— Deal!
Akira opened his eyes. Crimson energy erupted from his body.
Everyone froze, shocked. The same question filled every mind:
How can Akira use energy?
Akira clenched his fists.
— This power… feels incredible.
Arato stepped back, forming new curse symbols—but they vanished the moment they touched Akira.
For a moment, Akira did nothing—he was still adjusting to the power. It all happened too fast.
He stomped his foot, and in an instant, appeared before Arato. Arato gasped.
— That speed! Impossible!
He was about to strike when Raito pulled Arato back with his ice. The trio regrouped. Akira rushed to Raiga and dispelled his curse.
Once again, it was three versus three.
Yui and Raiga turned to Akira, stunned.
— Akira, what's going on?
— That power…
Akira stared at his enemies.
— Let's focus on the fight for now. I'll explain later.
Yui looked ahead.
— Do you even know what that power does?
Akira rubbed his chin.
— Honestly, no idea. It all happened too fast!
Raiga lit his fist with fire.
— You were fast just now—maybe it boosts your physical abilities.
Yui nodded.
— Makes sense.
Akira stomped the ground again.
— Then I'll make the best of it.
Yui raised a tree with telekinesis.
— Let's attack together.
Raiga charged forward.
Meanwhile, Arato, Akato, and Raito quickly discussed their next move. Seeing Raiga rushing at them, they acted simultaneously—Raito launched ice, Akato bound Raiga with water chains, and Arato cast his technique.
But they didn't expect Akira to appear in the middle of them, energy swirling around him.
He unleashed a wave of crimson energy. Raito countered with ice, Akato with his chains—but Arato wasn't fast enough; a cut slashed across his leg.
He could barely stand.
Yui hurled trees from afar, limiting their movement. After freeing Raiga, Akira charged again. Raito and Akato kept fighting, but Arato—unable to move his right leg—hung back, watching, calculating. Then he found an opening.
He limped to Raito's side, whispering a plan. The battle paused for just a second. Raito then turned and told Akato.
Raiga and Akira rushed again. Raito and Akato met them head-on, slower but trusting Arato's plan. While Akato fought Raiga, Arato appeared behind him and touched his back. Raiga froze instantly.
Akira turned to save him—but spotted Akato behind Yui. He changed course, leapt forward, and sliced through Akato's water chain just in time.
But then—Raito appeared behind Akira, holding a massive spear of ice, whispering coldly:
— Checkmate.
Akira turned—too late. He couldn't move or block, only stare as the ice blade came down.
Is this it? Is this where I die?
Just as the ice was about to pierce him, Raiga jumped in front. Blood sprayed across the ground.
Akira froze.
— Raiga… why did you—?!
Raiga's body fell, his voice faint.
— Run…
His eyes closed.
Akira stared at his bloodied body, frozen in disbelief. Someone he'd only just met… took a fatal blow to protect him.
Tears streamed down Akira's face.
Yui grabbed his shoulder.
— Akira, get up. The fight isn't over!
Akira kept staring at Raiga.
— Because of me…
Yui screamed.
— If we don't end this battle, our fate won't be good either!
Akira stood up, then muttered in a low, cold voice:
— I need more power… more… for victory… but I'm being restrained.
Akira began to roar. Blood was pouring from his body. His voice echoed through the entire forest, and no one could understand what was happening.
Suddenly, Akira's expression changed.
The ground split open. Purple shadows wrapped around Akira's body. Screaming faces appeared, cursed hands grasping around him. They weren't holding his body—they were squeezing his soul.
Yui stepped back in fear.
— A… Akira?… What… what are you doing?!
Akira's body trembled. He clenched his teeth so hard that blood flowed from his jaw.
Suddenly, he lifted his head. His right eye was blood-red, like fresh crimson. His left eye was pitch-black.
— I will kill all of you.
The darkness in his voice froze the battlefield. The ice in Raito's hands shattered. Akato's chains cracked. Even Arato stepped back.
— Wha-… what is this aura?!
Akira's steps were slow, crawling forward. But with each step, the ground sank, and darkness spread around him. His expression was a nightmare made flesh.
Yui trembled in fear.
— No… Akira! Wake up!
Akira raised his hand. Red sparks erupted from his palms. Wherever the sparks touched the ground, the soil rotted. Dead, gray ashes replaced the grass.
Even the three brothers' eyes showed concern. This power was dark, terrifying.
Yui shouted:
— Akira! Stop! If this continues…
But Akira merely gave her a brief glance.
And that glance… was no longer the glance of a friend.
It was as if there was no human left behind his eyes.
The massive purple eyes emerging from the darkness pierced through Akira's mind. His lips curled into a twisted grin.
Suddenly, red vapors burst from Akira's chest, as if the blood in his veins had turned to coal and was spilling outward.
— Hhhhhh… haaahhh… ahhhhh!
Akira's scream filled the battlefield. His body convulsed, bones cracking as they reshaped. Red veins glowed beneath his skin, wrapping his body like a poisonous web.
The ground cracked. The air was filled with the scent of death.
Raiga's lifeless body lay nearby as Yui struggled to rise, her eyes widening in terror at what she saw.
— A… Akira… what… what are you turning into?!
When he stood, the air around him began to warp. With each step, the earth split, stones shattered in the air. The red energy leaking from his hands seemed to boil the ground.
Even Arato stepped back. His mocking expression frozen for the first time.
— This… what kind of power is this… This isn't my curse!
Akira lifted his head. That horrifying grin was still on his face. Then he spread his arms wide. A massive explosion occurred; the surrounding trees instantly rotted and fell, their leaves turned to ash. A circle of death formed around Akira.
Yui fell to the ground in fear and helplessness.
Akira walked heavily toward Arato. With every step, the ground cracked, and the oxygen in the air seemed to be sucked away. Cold sweat ran down Arato's forehead.
Akira whispered in a low voice:
— I… will tear you apart…
And then, in an instant, he vanished. In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Arato. As he raised his fist, a vortex of red energy swirled around him.
Arato raised his hands in fear, throwing multiple cursed symbols. But the moment they touched Akira's body, they turned to ash and vanished.
— Impossible! My curse… it's useless!
Akira tilted his head, the red light in his eyes shining. Then he brought his fist down onto Arato's chest.
A hum… a crack… and a terrifying explosion.
Arato was thrown dozens of meters away. His chest shattered, blood pouring. He screamed in pain for the first time.
Akira continued walking silently. It was as if a demon had awakened.
The purple light in his left eye grew, consuming all his will. He no longer looked human. His pupils belonged to a monster staring out from within the darkness.
As Arato crawled on the ground, Akira slowly turned his head toward Yui.
— …Your turn…
Yui's heart raced.
— N-no… I'm not your enemy, Akira! Snap out of it!
But Akira heard nothing. The voices inside him were tearing his mind apart. In his head, Valtherion's voice echoed:
— Akira! Your desire for too much power is making you lose your will! Come back!
Akira roared. A wave of red energy from his chest threw Yui backward.
Yui struggled to her feet, spreading her sand to form a barrier.
— No… this power…
Akira lunged at her at immense speed. When his fist hit Yui's barrier, the sand wall shattered instantly. Yui was thrown back a few meters; her shoulders were covered in blood.
— Akira! This is you, right? We… we're friends!
For a moment, Akira's eyes flickered. But immediately after, a twisted laugh erupted:
— Friends, huh?
Yui's face froze. She thought: Akira is losing his will. But still… I can't let him disappear!
She gathered her sand and wrapped it into chains around Akira's arms.
— Snap out of it! Or I'll have to stop you!
Akira tore through the chains and screamed. His thunderous voice filled the entire arena. Even the other candidates and council members stood up.
Noa murmured in a cold voice:
— This is no longer a test.
Sweat ran down Daigo's forehead.
— Such an ominous power…
Arisawa squinted.
— I think the test should continue. He's not breaking any rules.
Some council members opposed, but by a 7-to-5 vote, it was decided to continue.
Below, Yui was still resisting helplessly. She tried to cover Akira's eyes with her sand, but it broke each time.
— A-Akira! If you truly see me as a friend… snap out of it!
For a moment, Akira's steps stopped. He raised his hands to his head and screamed. Two different voices echoed: one was Akira's own, the other ominous and deep.
— …S-save me…!
— …Don't… stop… Destroy them all! Kill everyone! You're strong enough!
Yui lifted all her sand into the air, forming a massive prison. She used her last strength to trap Akira inside.
The purple light in Akira's eyes intensified. His body trembled, red energy spreading through his veins. At that moment, Akato, trying to suppress his fear with anger, gritted his teeth.
— You… you fool! I'll end you here!
Akato gathered all his energy and charged. The water spear concentrated in his palm aimed for Akira's chest.
But Akira didn't even move. When the spear hit his chest, something terrifying happened. The spear shattered the moment it touched Akira. Red chains wrapped around Akato's arm. His eyes widened in horror.
— W-what's happening…?!
Akira tilted his head, a terrifying grin appearing on his face.
— …Die.
In an instant, Akira's hand grasped Akato's head. Then he squeezed with all his strength. Akato's scream filled the arena but lasted only a moment. A crack was heard, and his lifeless body fell to the ground.
For a moment, all spectators were silent.
Yui's eyes widened in horror.
— A-Akira! What did you do?!
But Akira had already turned toward the other contestants. Everyone around him was now a target. He lunged forward, punching one person meters away. He pounced on another, breaking their shoulder in a single strike.
Screams overlapped. The battlefield was no longer a test—it had become a scene of massacre.
Above, the council members watched carefully.
Daigo jumped up in excitement.
— Wow! The kid completely lost it! I never expected this!
Noa replied in a cold voice:
— He's eliminating his opponents. This spares us from watching dozens of matches. And there was no rule against this. It's still part of the test.
— What?! Don't we need to stop him?!
— No. If the others are too weak to withstand this power, they're already eliminated.
Below, Akira attacked in all directions like a mad beast, bodies collapsing around him. Some fainted, some writhed in screams. Yui threw herself in front of him without a second thought.
— Stop it, Akira! This isn't you! Snap out of it!
But the only answer was Akira's guttural laugh.
— …Akira? Who's that?
And at that moment, Akira slammed his fist into the ground with an energy blast that shook the entire forest. Red spikes rose from the earth, piercing everyone in front of him, living or dead.
The ground still trembled. Red spikes erupted from all sides, attacking everyone alive. The candidates tried desperately to defend themselves.
At that moment, Yui gritted her teeth and leaped forward. Her sand rose around her body like a shield, blocking Akira's attack.
— Enough! Akira! Stop!
Akira's eyes were hollow. Dark red light spilled from his pupils, and his voice no longer sounded human.
— Go away… or I'll tear you apart too!
Yui shouted, her voice cutting through the forest's roar:
— You can't tear me apart!
The sandstorm surrounded Akira, the spikes began to break apart. Yui reached out to him with her bloodied arm.
— Snap out of it! You're not alone here!
Akira's body trembled. The light in his eyes dimmed for a moment. He slowly lifted his head, a twisted smile appearing on his face.
— A…ki…ra… who is that?
His voice shook. Yui's eyes widened in terror.
Akira's voice suddenly changed, echoing with an ominous, deep tone:
— Who… am I?!
At that moment, a horrific scream erupted from Akira's throat.
— Aghhhhhhh!
The energy suddenly withdrew, the dark eyes extinguished. Akira collapsed onto his knees, losing consciousness.
Yui caught him just in time in her arms, breathing heavily, sitting down drenched in blood and sweat.
The council members quietly observed the scene from above.
Akira slowly opened his eyes. His head buzzed, breathing irregular. The first thing he saw was Yui kneeling in blood.
— Yu…i… Are… you okay? What happened to the battle?
Yui nodded slightly. Her expression was tired but calm.
— I'm fine. You won the fight.
Then his eyes involuntarily scanned the surroundings. He frozen as he saw the blood-soaked ground, the dismembered bodies, and the silent examination ground.
Akira followed Yui's gaze. He slowly turned around… and saw: Corpses… broken bones, torn bodies… faces staring blankly, their eyes wide.
His face froze. His breath was taken away.
— W-what happened here?
There was silence for a moment. Only the howling of the wind… Then Yui's voice echoed with heavy disappointment:
— You… did these things.
Akira's eyes widened.
— Did I? Are you kidding me?
At that moment, Raito, lying on the ground, tried to sit up, trembling. His eyes widened in horror when he saw Akira get up.
— D-don't… Stay away from me! Monster!!
Akira pulled back, gasping for air.
— T-this… th-this can't be… r-really me…
He suddenly fell to his knees. His hands trembling, he clutched his head. Tears began to flow from his eyes.
— Valtherion!!! Why… why did you do this!!!
Then his eyes went black. When he opened them again, the nightmare had begun. The corpses were moving. Broken necks slowly turned, empty eyes stared at him.
— T-you killed us…
Akira backed away, trembling.
— No! No, I didn't!
The corpses spoke in a more terrifying voice.
— No… you killed us!
Blood covered the ground. The corpses rushed towards Akira, their cold hands gripping his legs.
— D-stop! Let me go!! I didn't do it!!
The blood was pulling him down, rising up to his throat. He gasped, struggling in panic. He let out one last scream—
And suddenly, Yui's voice burst in his ears.
— Snap out of it! You're pitiful!
His eyes widened. It was a nightmare… but tears still flowed.
— W-what are you saying?
Yui's face was filled with anger.
— You killed them! All of them! They all died because of your desire for power. Now are you going to cry like a coward and blame someone else?!
— No!! No… I didn't! The spirits… did it!
— Valtherion didn't do this! — Yui shouted. — Your body faced something like this for the first time, and you lost your will!
Akira's voice trembled.
— That's a lie… I didn't do it…
— Shut up! — Yui's voice sharpened. — You did all of this! Accept it!
Akira's tears stopped. He froze in silence.
— You will carry the weight of all the bodies you've killed for the rest of your life!
Yui said, her voice as cold as ice.
— I don't want… no!
— I told you to stop acting like a child! Weren't you going to be king? Weren't you going to make a world without war? How will you be king if you can't even bear the weight of a few people?!
Akira's lips trembled.
— I-I…
— Stop whining! The people you killed will curse you with hatred every day! And you will sit and cry in your shell. What a disgrace!
Akira shouted:
— Then… what do you want me to do?!
Yui narrowed her eyes.
— I want you to be strong! And I want you to accept this truth!
Akira was silent. He clenched his fists.
Yui continued:
— Look at Raiga! Without even knowing you for a day, he risked dying to protect you! But you…
Akira sobbed and shouted:
— Why did you do this?! I never asked for this!
Yui's voice softened for the first time.
— Because you're our friend.
Akira's eyes widened. He took a deep breath, his hands trembling.
— …I'm sorry, Yui. I… I'm a complete disappointment.
Yui approached, her eyes stern.
— But you can change this. Do you want to live like this forever?
— No… I…
— Then promise me. You will never whine again. You won't give up. And finally… you will become king!
Akira clenched his fist and stood up. This time his eyes didn't tremble. He looked at Yui. A moment of silence passed. Then he spoke with a determined voice:
— Yui… thank you. Thanks to you, I can now see the truth and the path I must follow.
Yui extended her hand. Her gaze was still stern.
— Promise me.
Akira extended his hand too. Their palms met tightly.
— I promise… I will no longer be a disappointment. I will protect you… and I won't run from the truth.