The plaza hadn’t moved.
No one stepped forward.
No one spoke.
All eyes were on him.
Liebe stood where he was, breathing hard.
His shoulder burned.
His hand still trembled slightly from the light that had burst out of him.
Across from him, the armored man had stopped smiling.
Good.
But something else had changed.
The crowd wasn’t mocking anymore.
They were watching.
Carefully.
Like something had shifted.
Like he wasn’t just another weak newcomer.
Liebe tightened his grip on the wooden sword.
His legs felt heavy.
If he attacks again…
He wasn’t sure he could move.
“…You’re done.”
The man’s voice was different now.
Lower.
More cautious.
But he didn’t step back.
If anything— he adjusted his stance.
Like he was preparing for something serious.
Liebe’s heart sank.
He’s still going to fight…
“Enough.”
The voice cut through everything.
Calm.
Sharp.
Not loud—but it carried.
The man froze.
So did the crowd.
Liebe turned.
Kai stood at the edge of the plaza.
But not the way he had before.
Not relaxed.
Not bored.
He stepped forward.
Slowly.
Each step steady.
And for the first time— people moved out of his way.
Not because they had to.
Because they wanted to.
No one argued.
They just… made space.
Liebe frowned.
What…?
Kai stopped between them.
He didn’t even look at Liebe.
His eyes were on the armored man.
“…That wasn’t part of it.”
The man clicked his tongue.
“…You set this up.”
It wasn’t a question.
Kai’s expression didn’t change.
“No,” he said simply.
“…But I didn’t stop it either.”
Silence.
Liebe felt something cold settle in his chest.
What… does that mean…?
The armored man exhaled slowly.
Then lowered his sword.
“…So?”
Kai’s gaze shifted.
Finally— to Liebe.
For a moment— they just looked at each other.
And this time— there was no casual smirk.
No boredom.
Just focus.
“…You’re done here,” Kai said.
To him.
Not asking.
Telling.
Liebe didn’t move.
“…You knew?”
The question slipped out before he could stop it.
Kai didn’t answer immediately.
Then—
“…I wanted to see.”
A pause.
“…what you’d do.”
Liebe’s grip tightened.
His shoulder throbbed.
His chest felt tight.
“That wasn’t a test,” he said quietly.
“That was—”
“Reality,” Kai cut in.
His voice didn’t rise.
But it hardened.
“You think the Order trains people for clean fights?”
Silence.
“You think anyone out there will follow rules?”
Because he couldn’t.
Because he knew— it was true.
Kai took one more step closer.
“…You didn’t run.”
A beat.
“…You didn’t break.”
Another.
“And you used it.”
His eyes dropped briefly to Liebe’s hand.
Where the light had been.
“…Even if you don’t understand it yet.”
The plaza was still silent.
Watching.
Listening.
Kai straightened slightly.
And for the first time— there was something different in his voice.
Not mockery.
Not boredom.
Decision.
“…Come with me.”
Liebe blinked.
“…Where?”
A faint pause.
Then—
Kai turned.
“…To the Order.”
He walked.
Didn’t look back.
Didn’t wait.
Liebe stood there.
For a second.
Two.
His thoughts clashed.
Anger.
Confusion.
Pain.
But under all of it— one thing was clear.
This wasn’t a coincidence.
Not the fight.
Not Kai.
Not any of it.
Liebe exhaled slowly.
Tightened his grip on the wooden sword.
And stepped forward.
Following him.
Because whatever this was—
It had already begun