The figure of a tall boy with black hair and light blue eyes appeared before us.
"Hello, I'm Sunday," he said in a friendly, though slightly hurried, voice.
He entered the house and, in a slow gesture, bumped his fist against the palm of his other hand and gave a slight bow. In the Holy Church of the Wind, this gesture symbolizes respect and kindness.
A katana hung at Sunday's waist, perfectly sheathed.
Was that his weapon?
His gaze met Nero's, and they shook hands with the firmness and respect of true gentlemen.
"And… what are your names?"
Nero was the first to speak.
"I'm Nero," he said with a slight smile, trying to project confidence.
Lux spoke next, in a more casual tone:
"Lux. Nice to meet you."
Axel, looking a bit more serious, bowed slightly before extending his hand.
"Axel. I hope we can work well together."
"Kōri… I hope I can be good company," Kōri added quietly.
Sunday watched them attentively, nodding slightly at each introduction. His gaze was calm, but a restrained curiosity was palpable, as if he were evaluating every detail.
"Nice to meet you, guys," he finally replied. "I hope we can support each other."
There was a brief, comfortable silence in which they all studied one another. The feeling of mutual respect was palpable, and although there was still an air of mystery surrounding Sunday, it seemed that the alliance was beginning to form naturally.
Time passed, and Sunday began to get used to the Alexue house. He observed the objects, the photos on the walls, and the layout of each room with a mixture of curiosity and attentiveness. Little by little, it became clear that he was growing more comfortable among them.
Seeing an opportunity to speak privately, Nero discreetly approached Axel.
"Axel… I want to talk to you for a moment, alone," he whispered, making sure the others didn't hear.
Axel nodded, his brow slightly furrowed but his expression confident.
"Alright. Let's go," he replied, and they both moved to a more secluded corner of the room, leaving Sunday, Kōri, and Lux talking while they waited.
The atmosphere grew a little more serious, and the sounds of the house seemed to fade as Nero prepared to say what was on his mind.
"How can I advance in rank faster?"
Axel smiled, speaking with a hint of excitement.
"You could join a church, although I wouldn't recommend it…"
"You could use the 'emotional control' technique, which is a state of being that allows you to control both the spiritual and physical worlds."
"The two best ways are…"
"Setting yourself incredibly difficult goals. These goals relate to fears, bad habits, routines, and emotions."
"And the one that yields the best results… taking Centrum. The higher the Centrum's rank, the better."
Axel leaned back slightly, crossing his arms, his tone serious but calm.
"Look, Nero… advancing alone isn't just about fighting or training with others. It's about pushing your own limits to the absolute maximum—mentally, emotionally, and physically. Everything you do, every choice, shapes your strength and your rank."
Nero listened attentively, understanding that Axel's words held more than just technique.
"Setting these goals isn't easy," Axel continued. "And it's not about small victories. You have to confront things you normally avoid: your fears, your weaknesses, emotions that cloud your judgment. It's exhausting, frustrating, and sometimes terrifying. But that's what separates those who stagnate from those who rise quickly."
Nero frowned. "And… Centrum? Is that… safe?"
Axel's smile was slight, almost condescending. "Safe? Not entirely. But it works. The Centrum rank isn't just a number; it represents your ability to focus and improve. The higher your Centrum, the more your body and mind can endure. But it's not magic. You'll still have to push yourself, persevere, and challenge yourself every step of the way. Shortcuts… they always come back to haunt you."
Nero nodded slowly, feeling a mixture of anticipation and unease. He knew moving forward wouldn't be easy, but Axel's words made it feel as if he had to climb a mountain completely alone.
Meanwhile, Sunday, Kōri, and Lux remained in the living room. Sunday had moved to the window, watching the street outside, while Lux recounted a short story from their last mission. Kōri listened, nodding occasionally, but her eyes kept drifting toward the hallway where Axel and Nero had gone.
After a moment, Axel returned, his expression calm but serious. Nero followed him, a mix of determination and reflection on his face.
"Good," Axel said. "We can't keep the others waiting. Sunday, Kōri, Lux… we were just talking about putting together a plan for the next few days. I think it's time we all figured out what we're capable of… and what we need to improve."
Axel leaned back in a chair, crossing his arms as he looked at everyone seriously.
"Before we do anything," he said, addressing them, "I want you to understand something important. What I told Nero about advancing quickly in rank isn't a secret only he can use. The same applies to all of you."
Everyone looked at him attentively, and Axel continued:
"A sinner has several ways to rise in rank quickly, but the main ones are: joining the Church, maintaining strong emotional control, setting serious limits for yourself, and consuming Centrum."
Nero nodded slowly, feeling the weight of those words. Lux crossed his arms, intrigued, while Kōri appeared thoughtful. Even Sunday remained calm, listening carefully to every word.
"Now," Axel said, letting his voice grow firmer, "I have an idea. To measure our true power level and see where we stand, I propose… a tournament."
Everyone exchanged surprised looks.
"A tournament," Axel repeated, "where each of you will face the others. Not to hurt each other, but to learn our capabilities and limits. It will be a true test of strength, technique, and strategy. That way, we can see who needs to improve and in what areas specifically."
"A tournament?" Lux asked enthusiastically. "Sounds… exciting."
"Exactly," Axel said with a slight smile. "And not only that: it will also be a practical way to apply what I explained about rapid rank advancement! Each match will allow you to identify your weaknesses, confront emotions you normally suppress, and push yourselves to the limit."
"But it's not about winning or losing… at least not in the way you usually think. Each encounter will be an opportunity to learn, grow, and truly measure ourselves. If we do this right, we'll all advance faster than ever before."
Sunday, for his part, smiled slightly and placed his hand on the hilt of his katana.
"Sounds fair to me. It will be the most direct way to know our true level."
Axel nodded, satisfied. "Good. Then we start tomorrow. Prepare yourselves, study your limits, and think about what you want to improve. Because when the tournament begins, there will be no excuses."
A respectful silence filled the room. Everyone understood that what was about to happen wouldn't be a simple game… but a challenge that would test everything they were.
"Tomorrow, it begins," Axel said decisively.
The atmosphere in the Alexue house had changed. It wasn't just a home; it was a training ground, a place where strength and determination would be tested without distractions or excuses. Each of them knew that what was coming would define who they were and how far they could go.
Outside, the sun slowly set, casting long shadows over the city. Inside, the four young men prepared themselves wordlessly, aware that the calm of this night was only the prelude to a challenge that would mark them forever.
And so, with tension hanging in the air and the promise of imminent confrontations, the chapter came to an end, making it clear that nothing would ever be the same for them.