The spiritual trees slowly began to disappear.
Mei Lan’s golden roots dissolved into luminous particles that scattered through the air like mana dust, while Hua Li’s higanbanas withered until they turned to ashes, carried away by the night wind.
Zi Yue’s suspended wisterias crumbled above the arena.
Xiao Yun’s crimson petals lost their radiance.
And the gigantic Sacred Tree of Xianhua disappeared completely.
Little by little…
The battlefield returned to normal.
Or at least as close to normal as possible after that battle.
The arena was in ruins.
Cracks stretched across much of the white stone floor.
Parts of the stands had been damaged by the pressure of the black matter, while traces of mana still floated through the air like tiny luminous sparks.
At the center of the battlefield…
Hitori remained unconscious.
His body was cold.
Yashina immediately knelt beside him.
Yashina:
“Hitori!”
She hugged him tightly.
Her voice trembled.
The calm expression she normally wore had completely vanished.
Hitori slowly opened his eyes.
Hitori:
“Yashi…”
Kamero:
“Do we have any potions left?”
Aysa quickly checked the small pouch attached to her waist.
Then looked away.
Aysa:
“No… I’m out of mana.”
Kamero partially closed his eyes.
Kamero:
“Damn it…”
Sarina silently watched Hitori.
It was still difficult to believe what they had witnessed.
That shadow…
That monstrous presence…
The fact that Mei Lan had needed to help them contain it.
Sarina:
“We need to get him to the healers.”
A new presence appeared at the center of the arena.
The judge slowly walked through the battlefield’s wreckage while observing the destruction scattered across the circular arena and four of the five members of Guild Lotus lying on the ground without strength.
Even he looked more serious than usual.
Ezergrev:
“The battle has ended. Victory goes to Guild EXO.”
Guild Lotus was completely exhausted.
Some of its members had fainted from the strain caused by the massive mana drain at the end of the battle.
The audience was still trying to process what had happened.
A few minutes later, the healers finally rushed onto the battlefield.
Luminous runes quickly spread throughout the arena as the healers began administering first aid.
Some treated Guild Lotus’s serious injuries, while others surrounded Hitori and the members of EXO.
Qing Ran watched the healers from a distance.
The bluish leaves of the Great Willow of Heaven still revolved slowly around her, though far weaker than before.
Xiao Yun remained silent.
Her hands rested on her floral sword.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Hitori.
Hua Li avoided approaching him.
Whenever she looked at him, she remembered that face emerging from the darkness that had tried to swallow everything.
Some time later…
Hitori slowly opened his eyes.
The room’s gentle light nearly blinded him for a moment.
A white ceiling.
The strong smell of medicine.
Curtains swaying in the night breeze.
Hitori:
“…Where am I?”
Sarina immediately approached the bed.
Sarina:
“You idiot… you really worried me.”
Without mercy, she smacked him on the head.
Hitori:
“OW! SARINA!”
Yashina practically ignored his complaint.
She immediately hugged him.
Yashina:
“Hitori!”
The young man blinked several times.
Confused.
Tired.
Sarina slightly turned her face away.
Sarina:
“…”
Kamero let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Kamero:
“About time.”
Aysa leaned against the wall beside the window.
Aysa:
“Hitori… is that really you?”
Hitori tilted his head.
Hitori:
“Huh? Of course it is.”
The question had been sincere.
And that left the entire room silent for a few seconds.
Later that night, they were finally cleared to leave the arena’s medical hall.
Colorful lanterns reflected on the river that flowed through the city, while music and celebrations echoed from the distant streets.
But the members of Guild EXO walked slowly.
Exhausted.
Bandages covered parts of Hitori’s body.
Kamero still showed clear signs of magical exhaustion.
Yashina remained uneasy.
Kamero slipped his hands into his pockets as they walked toward the arena’s main exit.
Kamero:
“In the end… I guess everything turned out alright.”
Yashina forced a faint smile.
Yashina:
“Yeah…”
But the concern on her face remained.
Aysa immediately raised her arm.
Aysa:
“Now let’s go have a drink to celebrate!”
Hitori turned toward her in disbelief.
Hitori:
“Is that the only thing you ever think about?!”
Nicelle appeared, leaning against one of the columns near the exit.
Nicelle:
“I’m in.”
Aysa grinned instantly.
Aysa:
“Only if you’re paying.”
Mimi walked up behind her.
Mimi:
“Hi, everyone…”
Guma arrived with the rest of his guild.
His arms were crossed.
His eyes fixed on Hitori.
Guma:
“You’ve got a lot of mysteries, Hitori.”
Hitori frowned.
Hitori:
“What are you talking about?”
It was obvious Guma’s guild had been waiting for them.
Sarina immediately rolled her eyes.
Sarina:
“This worm again.”
Guma flashed a teasing smile.
Guma:
“Just admit you love me, girl.”
Sarina:
“Not even in your dreams.”
Mimi let out a quiet laugh.
Mimi:
“Hehe…”
Nicelle briefly examined Hitori’s injuries.
Nicelle:
“Hey, kid… are you really okay?”
Kamero interrupted before the conversation could go any further.
Kamero:
“We’ve made it through another stage.”
Kamero:
“Now the individual phase of the tournament begins.”
Aysa let out an exaggerated sigh.
Aysa:
“More fighting… wonderful…”
Yashina discreetly watched Hitori.
Mei Lan’s words still echoed in her mind.
“That wasn’t ordinary magic.”
Yashina:
“I hope everything goes well…”
Kamero:
“Let’s leave that for later.”
He glanced briefly at Yashina.
Kamero:
“We need to rest.”
Yashina met his eyes for a moment.
And understood.
Kamero was worried too.
Far more than he showed.
The group slowly walked toward the main bridge near the arena.
The river reflected the lights of the festival, now entering its third day of celebration.
Colorful lanterns danced upon the current.
Laughter echoed from the city.
Music drifted through the night air.
Yet despite the peaceful scenery…
There was a strange weight in the atmosphere.
Hitori leaned against the bridge railing, watching the lights reflected on the river.
Then something caught his attention.
For a brief instant…
His reflection smiled.
But he didn’t.
Hitori blinked.
His reflection returned to normal.
Aysa:
“Hitori?”
He immediately turned around.
Hitori:
“Huh? Oh… it’s nothing.”
The next morning…
Dawn slowly spread over RiverHold.
The first rays of sunlight passed between the city’s towering buildings as the third day of the festival finally began.
Unlike the previous days, however, the atmosphere that morning felt heavier.
More serious.
The streets were still crowded with tourists, merchants, and adventurers.
But now tension mixed with the excitement.
The tournament was no longer just entertainment.
Only eight guilds remained.
Forty warriors.
And only a handful would make it to the end.
At the festival’s grand administrative center, important figures from across the kingdom gathered to observe the drawing for the individual matches.
The vast circular hall was silent as magical holograms revolved above a crystal table at its center.
Nobles, chancellors, commanders of knightly orders, and political representatives watched the projected names attentively.
Henry stood near the main table.
Although many still saw him as nothing more than a butler, his refined demeanor and calm presence earned him the respect of even veteran nobles.
Henry:
“Gentlemen, I regret to inform you that Governor Barsel Aimada had to attend to personal matters.”
Henry:
“He asked me to represent him and convey his apologies for his absence.”
A gray-haired man nodded calmly.
???:
“I understand.”
???:
“Please, have a seat, my dear Henry.”
Another man continued watching the holograms.
???:
“We have many promising young people this year.”
???:
“Indeed.”
???:
“Especially after what happened in Guild EXO’s match yesterday.”
The remark caused several discreet glances to shift.
Henry remained expressionless.
???:
“I hope to recruit some of them after the tournament.”
???:
“Take your time.”
???:
“They’re still too inexperienced to face that sect.”
???:
“That’s precisely why we recruit the young.”
???:
“We shape them before the world destroys them.”
???:
“And some of those youngsters have far too much potential to remain mere adventurers.”
The holograms above the table began spinning faster.
Everyone’s attention immediately returned to the center.
???:
“Let us begin the drawing, honored chancellors.”
Meanwhile—
In RiverHold’s noble district…
Inside a vast red mansion adorned with golden details, Sarina was arguing with her father once again.
Sarina:
“But why do I have to go to that stupid ceremony tomorrow?!”
Barsel Aimada slowly adjusted his overcoat while trying to remain patient.
Barsel Aimada:
“Because every political leader will be there.”
Barsel Aimada:
“I’m the governor, Sarina.”
Sarina crossed her arms.
Sarina:
“And I still hate those boring parties.”
Barsel let out a deep sigh.
Barsel Aimada:
“It’s our duty as nobles to attend such events.”
Her expression immediately darkened.
Sarina:
“There you go again with that noble nonsense…”
She looked away.
Sarina:
“If Mom were here…”
The governor remained silent for a few moments.
It still hurt.
Very much.
Barsel Aimada:
“But she isn’t.”
The answer came out harsher than he intended.
Barsel Aimada:
“You will attend.”
Barsel Aimada:
“And that’s final.”
He turned toward the door.
Sarina frowned in frustration.
Sarina:
“How unfair…”
Barsel paused for a moment before leaving.
Barsel Aimada:
“I’ll be waiting so we can have breakfast together.”
The door slowly closed.
The room fell silent.
Sarina looked at the portrait beside her bed.
A smiling woman.
Her mother.
The girl’s eyes trembled.
Sarina:
“Mom…”
A single tear silently rolled down her cheek.
Outside the room, Barsel rested one hand on the mansion’s staircase railing.
His gaze drifted into the distance.
Barsel Aimada:
“It’s getting harder and harder without you…”
Meanwhile—
At the Cat Lady’s Inn…
The atmosphere during Guild EXO’s breakfast felt strange.
Very strange.
The battle against Guild Lotus still lingered in everyone’s minds.
Especially its final moments.
The shadow.
That presence.
Even Hitori seemed uncomfortable whenever he tried to remember what had happened.
Aysa was the first to break the silence.
Aysa:
“Wow… why is everyone so quiet?”
Kamero took a sip of coffee before answering.
Kamero:
“Because not everyone here is as carefree as you.”
Aysa placed a hand dramatically over her chest.
Aysa:
“Wow, that’s harsh.”
Hitori chuckled quietly.
Hitori:
“You deserved that.”
Aysa immediately pointed at him.
Aysa:
“And then you say it’s only me.”
Kamero rested his face on one hand.
Kamero:
“Hitori’s clueless.”
Kamero:
“That’s different.”
Hitori sighed.
Hitori:
“You always come back to that…”
Yashina remained completely distracted.
Her gaze was distant.
Lost in thought.
Aysa slowly leaned toward Kamero.
Aysa:
“She’s been like that since yesterday…”
She whispered:
Aysa:
“Know why?”
Kamero glanced at Yashina.
Kamero:
“No idea…”
Hitori waved a hand in front of her face.
Hitori:
“Yashina?”
No response.
Hitori:
“Hey, Yashina.”
She finally snapped out of it.
Yashina:
“Ah! Sorry… did someone say something?”
Kamero raised an eyebrow.
Kamero:
“Daydreaming?”
Aysa flashed a mischievous smile.
Aysa:
“I bet she was thinking about someone.”
Yashina immediately blushed.
Yashina:
“N-not exactly…”
Hitori tilted his head, completely confused.
Hitori:
“Huh…?”
Before the conversation could continue—
The inn’s window burst open.
Sarina jumped into the dining hall.
Sarina:
“Hey, worms!”
Everyone jumped.
Hitori nearly dropped his cup.
Hitori:
“One day you’re going to give someone a heart attack!”
Sarina burst into laughter.
Sarina:
“You should’ve seen your faces!”
Yashina immediately stood up.
Yashina:
“You… HAAAAR…”
Sarina shamelessly sat down in her chair.
Sarina:
“Wow, what an annoying girl.”
Hitori wiped milk from his face.
Hitori:
“Yashina…”
Kamero let out a deep sigh.
Kamero:
“The chaos started early today.”
Aysa watched the scene, amused.
Aysa:
“Come on… admit it.”
Aysa:
“These arguments make everything more fun.”
Kamero:
“If you say so.”
She then stretched dramatically.
Aysa:
“So… what time is the drawing?”
Sarina took a bite of bread before answering.
Sarina:
“It should be happening right now.”
Hitori almost choked.
Hitori:
“Right now?!”
Sarina nodded.
Sarina:
“This stage is very important.”
Sarina:
“They tighten security to prevent corruption or match-fixing.”
Kamero rested his arm on the table.
Kamero:
“Makes sense.”
Sarina:
“Henry will bring us the results once it’s over.”
Kamero let out a quiet nasal chuckle.
Kamero:
“You really depend on that butler.”
Sarina’s expression changed immediately.
She lowered her head slightly.
Sarina:
“I’m very grateful for everything he’s done for me.”
Aysa noticed the change at once.
Kamero did as well.
He thought:
Kamero:
“She changes completely in just a few seconds…”
Yashina sat back down.
This time, closer to Kamero.
Sarina immediately teased her.
Sarina:
“Glad you decided to join us again.”
Yashina:
“Don’t start.”
Kamero sighed inwardly once more.
Kamero (thinking):
“Another one whose personality changes in an instant…”
Aysa clapped her hands.
Aysa:
“Let’s play something while we wait!”
Kamero:
“I’ll pass.”
Yashina:
“No.”
Hitori:
“I’m out.”
Sarina:
“Wow, rejected immediately.”
Aysa dramatically crossed her arms.
Aysa:
“Boring!”
At that moment…
Henry entered the inn. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
Sarina immediately stood up.
Sarina:
“Henry! It’s about time!”
Kamero watched with amusement.
Kamero:
“Such affection.”
Hitori chuckled.
Hitori:
“That’s just how she is.”
Henry calmly approached the table.
Henry:
“I’ve brought the letter addressed to Guild EXO.”
Henry:
“But I should warn you… there will be something new this year.”
Sarina narrowed her eyes.
Sarina:
“Something new?”
Henry nodded.
Yashina and Kamero exchanged a quick glance.
Sarina opened the letter.
As always, a hologram appeared above the table.
But this time, it wasn’t text.
It was a recording.
A man with dark hair and an elegant posture appeared in the projection.
???:
“Greetings, everyone.”
???:
“I am Cenero Sakes, Master of Arms of the Kingdom.”
Aysa immediately commented:
Aysa:
“He’s pretty cute.”
Hitori turned to her at once.
Hitori:
“Would you settle down, woman?!”
Aysa:
“I can’t even make a comment?”
Kamero rubbed his forehead.
Kamero:
“Can we continue?”
Aysa:
“Fine…”
The hologram continued.
Cenero Sakes:
“The third stage will consist of individual battles.”
Cenero Sakes:
“We have forty warriors divided into twenty matches.”
The hologram displayed the complex where the battles would take place.
Several fortified buildings in the southeastern district.
Kamero watched attentively.
Kamero:
“So that’s where…”
Cenero Sakes:
“Ten matches will be held in the morning.”
Cenero Sakes:
“Ten in the afternoon.”
Cenero Sakes:
“All participants must remain inside the complex until the entire stage has concluded.”
Sarina frowned.
Sarina:
“Huh?”
Sarina:
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Henry answered calmly.
Henry:
“That’s the change I mentioned, milady.”
Sarina snorted.
Sarina:
“Those old men have gone senile.”
Aysa rested her chin on one hand.
Aysa:
“So everything will be completely blind…”
Kamero looked genuinely interested.
Kamero:
“That makes this stage more strategic.”
Yashina slowly nodded.
Yashina:
“It also reduces outside interference.”
Hitori remained silent.
Watching.
Thinking.
Cenero continued:
Cenero Sakes:
“Participants will only learn their match times and opponents once the stage officially begins.”
The hologram then ended.
Henry explained:
Henry:
“The King will personally attend the final stages.”
Henry:
“That’s why part of the tournament schedule has been moved forward.”
Hitori:
“The King?”
Sarina:
“So the old man is coming…”
Henry:
“Yes, milady.”
Aysa:
“Tell me, have you ever thought about working for another lady?”
Henry:
“My heart belongs to House Barsel, ma’am.”
Aysa:
“Ma’am?”
Hitori:
“Ouch, he just called you old.”
Kamero slowly stood up.
Kamero:
“Then we have the rest of the day free.”
Yashina answered immediately.
Yashina:
“I’m going to train.”
Aysa smiled.
Aysa:
“After all that, I’m going shopping.”
Hitori laughed quietly.
Hitori:
“Of course you are.”
Yashina then looked directly at him.
Yashina:
“Hitori… will you come with me?”
The young man blinked several times.
Hitori:
“Me…?”
Hitori:
“Sure.”
Sarina silently watched the exchange.
Something inside her chest tightened.
But before she could say anything—
Henry stepped closer.
Henry:
“Lady Sarina, I’d like you to come with me.”
Henry:
“I need to speak with you.”
She looked away.
Sarina:
“But I…”
Then she sighed.
Sarina:
“Alright.”
The day passed quickly.
Training.
Shopping.
Preparations.
And when the sun began to set…
Hitori and Yashina were still training in a rural area near the city.
Ancient ruins surrounded the place.
Remnants from the time when RiverHold had been nothing more than a small village.
The river shimmered in the distance.
The night breeze carried the scent of damp grass.
Hitori fell onto his back in the tall grass.
Hitori:
“The spheres really disappeared.”
Yashina brushed the dust from her clothes.
Yashina:
“Maybe they’ll come back once you’re in battle…”
Hitori:
“I hope so… I still don’t really understand how they work.”
She watched him for a few seconds.
Hitori started walking ahead.
Then—
Yashina:
“Hitori… wait.”
He turned around.
Hitori:
“Huh? What is it?”
She slowly walked toward him.
There was genuine concern in her eyes.
Yashina:
“I have something to ask you.”
Hitori felt his heart begin to race.
Hitori:
“Y-you can tell me…”
Yashina gently took his hand.
Her skin was warm.
Yashina:
“Promise me…”
Yashina:
“…that you won’t push yourself too hard in the next battles.”
For a moment, the smile faded from Hitori’s face.
The memories of the battle against Guild Lotus were still blurred in his mind.
The shadow.
The voice.
He lowered his eyes slightly.
Then smiled.
Hitori:
“I promise.”
Yashina finally smiled as well.
And that smile…
Remained one of the most beautiful things Hitori had ever seen.
Yashina quickly let go of his hand.
Then she gave him a light kiss on the cheek.
Yashina:
“Last one back is the priest’s wife!”
She took off running.
Hitori stood completely frozen for a few seconds.
His face bright red.
Hitori:
“HEY! THAT’S NOT FAIR!”
He ran after her.
And for the first time since the battle…
The two of them truly smiled again.
The following morning…
Guild EXO finally arrived at the complex for the third stage.
The enormous fortified buildings rose before them like the walls of a fortress.
Civil guards patrolled every entrance.
Magical barriers covered the entire compound.
Kamero carefully observed everything.
Aysa:
“This place is under heavy security.”
Kamero:
“Not without reason…”
Hitori stretched his arms.
Hitori:
“This feels way more serious.”
Yashina:
“Whatever awaits us…”
Yashina:
“…we’ll win.”
The group finally passed through the complex gates.
And at that moment…
The third stage of the tournament was about to begin