When he looked around… he was in a hospital room.
White walls, dim light, the smell of antiseptic… Compared to the nightmare he had just experienced, this place felt incredibly peaceful.
Two people were sitting beside him.
Yui's eyes sparkled, a huge smile on her face.
— Akira… you finally woke up! I'm so happy!
"Stop babbling," grumbled Raiga, crossing his arms.
— You've been shouting for hours. Not a moment of silence, idiot.
Akira took a deep breath, his eyes still holding a terrified gaze. The things he had just gone through—the corpses that lunged and tore at him—he couldn't forget any of it.
"…The spirit," he said in a low voice.
— What happened to the spirit? Also… why are you here?
At that moment, the door creaked open. Arisawa entered, wearing a black suit. The cold, indifferent expression on his face hadn't changed.
— So… you woke up, he said as if it were a trivial matter.
— I've chosen you and your friends as my team.
Akira sat up in surprise.
— I… I was… chosen?
Arisawa nodded slightly.
— Yes. The council discussed your risks. But ultimately, you made a pact with the spirit yesterday.
Akira frowned.
— My pact with the spirit… what happened to it?
Arisawa walked over and grabbed Akira's right arm. A black tattoo had appeared on it, made of twisted, ominous lines.
Akira's eyes widened.
— W-what… is this?!
Yui and Raiga flinched as well.
Arisawa spoke expressionlessly:
— This is the mark of your pact with the spirit. Don't you remember?
There was silence for a moment. Akira put his head in his hands, straining his mind. Fragments of memories came back. The pact… the cost… His pupils trembled, and a terrifying expression settled on his face.
Raiga frowned.
— Hey, idiot… what's with that look?
Arisawa narrowed his eyes.
— Akira. What was the cost of the pact?
Akira lifted his head to look at him. His lips trembled, but he said nothing.
Arisawa sighed.
— If you won't tell me, I won't force it. Prepare yourselves. I'm waiting for you.
He closed the door and left.
Only the three of them remained in the room. Yui turned to Akira with worried eyes.
— Akira… what happened to you? Tell us!
Akira remained silent for a few seconds. Then, suddenly, he smiled—a mocking, forced smile.
— Nothing. I'm fine. Let's get dressed.
He stood up and grabbed his old, dirty coat hanging on the wall.
Raiga grabbed his arm.
— Hey! Idiot, what are you doing?
Akira grumbled.
— What? Is that a problem?
Yui intervened.
— This is the palace. You can't just walk around like that!
She also pointed to the corner.
— Your suits are over there.
Akira was surprised.
— Oh, I didn't realize you had changed too.
Although a little clumsy at first, he put on the suit, and together they followed Arisawa.
As they walked along the grand palace avenues, the splendor dazzled their eyes. Twelve great palaces were arranged in a circular formation. Each belonged to a council member. At the very center rose the Grand Dining Hall, surrounded by massive pillars.
When the doors opened, noise, laughter, and the clinking of cutlery hit their ears. Long tables, gold-embroidered chairs, crystal chandeliers… this was a feast hall.
At the tables were not only the 27 candidates who had just taken the exam but also nine specially selected students, including children of council members and other specially trained pupils.
Yui gazed around in awe.
— T-this place… is incredible!
Raiga wrinkled his nose.
— Just a show of wealth. Ridiculous.
Akira murmured in shock.
— I've never seen anything like this in my life…
But all eyes immediately turned to him. Whispers reached his ears from every direction:
— Valen… is that the kid?
— I heard he lost control during the exam…
— His eyes are terrifying.
Akira lowered his head. But Yui was beside him, gently nudging his elbow.
— Ignore them. You're our teammate.
The three sat at the table. But the other candidates kept their distance.
Then the food arrived: steaming soups, roasted meats, colorful fruits… The palace kitchen was truly legendary.
Yui, eating eagerly.
— I haven't had a meal like this in ages!
Raiga nodded.
— This is what will give us strength.
Akira's eyes went wide.
— I've never seen food like this in my life!
Yui laughed, nudging his shoulder.
— Considering where you've lived, that's normal.
Akira frowned.
— I can understand you, but how are you used to this kind of food, meathead?!
Raiga smirked.
— I come from a noble family, idiot.
Akira shouted.
— Impossible! You're basically a caveman!
As they bickered, Yui laughed, trying to separate them.
At that moment, someone at a nearby table stood up. A tall young man with white hair approached Akira with a cold smile.
— You… are Valen, right?
Akira straightened involuntarily.
— Y-yes, I am—
Raiga intervened.
— Is there a problem?
The young man grinned.
— I'm Kaien, Master Noa's student. I was curious… can't wait to see when the monster inside you comes out.
Laughter erupted from the other side of the hall. Kaien's friends supported him.
Akira clenched his fist, but Yui grabbed his arm.
— Ignore him.
Kaien leaned down and whispered:
— People like you don't live long. Remember that.
At that moment, Arisawa's voice filled the hall like ice:
— Enough.
Suddenly, the entire hall fell silent.
Arisawa fixed his gaze on Kaien.
— Don't focus on someone else's weakness without showing your own strength.
Kaien frowned but grumbled as he returned to his seat.
Akira tried to suppress the anger surging inside him. But alongside it, another feeling rose… determination.
After the meal, Arisawa led his students—Akira, Yui, and Raiga—to the palace garden. It was almost like a battlefield. Wide stone pavements, tall trees, and ancient statues surrounded the area.
Arisawa spoke in a firm voice.
— Remove your clothes. Wear your combat gear.
Yui asked in surprise.
— What about you, master? You're not going to take yours off?
Arisawa pursed his lips.
— I don't think you can touch me.
Raiga got angry.
— You underestimate us before the fight… now I'll show you!
Arisawa expressionlessly said.
— You can attack me as you wish.
He added:
— Other members trust their teams. I value individual strength. Because a team is composed of strong individuals. One who can't stand alone is a burden even in a team.
Yui objected.
— But isn't it more logical to fight together?
"Wrong," Arisawa said.
— First, learn to survive on your own. Then a team will add strength to you.
Raiga grinned.
— I like that.
"Good," said Arisawa.
— You first, Raiga.
Raiga drew his sword. His muscles tensed, his eyes blazing.
— Come at me, master!
Arisawa didn't even take his hands out of his pockets. Raiga lunged, swinging his sword repeatedly. But each time, Arisawa slipped away like a shadow.
In an instant, Raiga's sword flew into the air, and Arisawa's finger was at his throat.
— Dead.
Raiga gritted his teeth.
— Damn it!
Yui took a deep breath, sparks forming in her palms.
— I… won't give up!
She unleashed a wave of energy. But under Arisawa's gaze, the energy dissipated. It was as if the air itself obeyed him.
In a flash, Arisawa appeared behind her, pressing Yui to the ground.
— Don't fear your enemy's power. Stop fearing your own.
The wind intensified. Akira clenched his fists and lunged forward. Arisawa easily deflected him. He tried repeatedly, but the results were always the same.
Finally, Arisawa knocked him to the ground with a single strike.
— Weak. But you have a small merit… you didn't give up.
Akira closed his eyes, his inner power stirring. Red energy surged from his right arm.
Arisawa narrowed his eyes. Yui and Raiga froze.
"Th-this… just like back then…" Yui whispered.
Akira opened his eyes and dashed forward. But Arisawa passed behind him like a ghost, placing his hand on Akira's shoulder.
— Enough.
Akira fell to the ground.
The training lasted for hours. They fell, got up, and fell again.
Yui sat on the ground, out of breath.
— C-can't we take a break…
Raiga grumbled.
— I'm still standing… but this guy will kill us.
Akira pressed himself up on his knees.
— Let's continue… I won't give up.
Arisawa narrowed his eyes.
— That's it. But remember… your enemy will never give you a chance to rest.
They continued until midnight. Finally, all three were on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion. Arisawa silently carried them.
Before falling asleep, a whisper echoed in Akira's mind:
— Valen…
At the first light of the sun, there was a knock at the door. Arisawa entered.
— Wake up. It's time.
The weight of sleep still hung in the room. But as Arisawa's sharp gaze fell on Akira, sitting at the head of the bed in the corner, he raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise.
— Akira! he said, his voice tinged with astonishment.
— You haven't slept?
Akira was silent for a moment. His eyes were sleepless. He took a deep breath and replied with determination:
— No, master… I just got up now.
As soon as he finished speaking, he rose heavily. He helped Yui and Raiga up. Though still tired, they were forced to get up.
Arisawa stood upright, speaking in a cold voice:
— From today onwards, it's not just training. Your real missions begin. Your first mission… is to go to the Misty Forest and find the missing scouts.
Yui's eyes widened.
— R-real mission? But we haven't—
Arisawa interrupted her.
— Real battle doesn't wait for you to be ready. You either get stronger… or die.
Raiga grinned.
— Finally, a mission!