The Kingdom of Ryūgū was as lively as ever.
Towering white walls surrounded the capital, while banners bearing the crest of the Azure Dragon fluttered proudly in the afternoon breeze. Merchants called out from their stalls, children ran through the streets laughing, and Elementalists from every corner of the kingdom could be seen making their way toward a single destination.
The Grand Shōtotsu.
The announcement of the tournament had spread across the entire kingdom like wildfire. It was all anyone could talk about.
For many, it was a chance to earn glory.
For others, it was an opportunity to prove themselves.
And for a select few...
It was a chance to change their lives forever.
Among the crowd entering the capital stood a familiar white-haired boy.
Ryūsei Ryūgū slowly walked through the city gates while carrying a small travel bag over his shoulder.
A smile appeared on his face.
"I'm finally home..."
The words escaped his lips quietly.
The capital felt familiar.
Comforting.
Yet strangely enough...
His chest felt heavier than expected.
His journey to the Village of Sapeda had only lasted a few weeks, but during that short time he had become surprisingly attached to the people there.
The image of Nendo's warm smile surfaced in his mind.
Then came Mizūmi's energetic voice.
And suddenly...
The capital felt a little emptier than before.
Ryūsei scratched the back of his head.
"I already miss them..."
Before he could sink further into his thoughts—
"RYŪSEI!!"
A familiar voice echoed across the street.
His eyes widened.
He immediately turned around.
Two figures were running toward him.
One possessed long blue hair and icy blue eyes.
The other had beautiful light-blue hair that danced in the wind.
Yuki and Kayosha.
The moment they reached him—
Kayosha grabbed him by the collar.
"WHERE WERE YOU?!"
Ryūsei froze.
"Eh?"
"You've been missing for WEEKS!!"
"I wasn't missing!"
"You disappeared without telling anyone!"
"I left a note!"
"A note doesn't count!"
"It does!"
"It doesn't!"
Ryūsei immediately looked toward Yuki for help.
Unfortunately—
Yuki simply crossed her arms and nodded.
"She's right."
Ryūsei felt betrayed.
"Yuki?!"
"I was worried too."
His shoulders slumped.
Defeated.
Meanwhile Kayosha continued glaring at him.
"I just took a quest..."
His voice became smaller.
A lot smaller.
Kayosha narrowed her eyes.
"What rank was it?"
Ryūsei immediately felt danger.
Severe danger.
The kind of danger that no Dragon Sage Secret Art could save him from.
So he did the only thing he could think of.
He changed the subject.
"Yuki, are you participating in the Grand Shōtotsu?"
Kayosha's eye twitched.
"STOP CHANGING THE SUBJECT!"
Yuki burst out laughing.
Despite herself, Kayosha eventually sighed.
"Honestly..."
She rubbed her forehead.
"There's no point scolding you. You never listen."
Ryūsei smiled sheepishly.
Mission accomplished.
For now.
Yuki stepped forward.
"Yeah. Me and Kayosha have been training nonstop for the Grand Shōtotsu."
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"We're definitely entering."
Kayosha nodded confidently.
"We've got a good chance too."
Ryūsei smiled.
Both of them had always been strong.
If anyone could make a name for themselves during the tournament, it was them.
Then Yuki noticed something.
His smile.
It wasn't quite genuine.
There was hesitation hidden beneath it.
A sadness he was trying to conceal.
Her expression softened.
"Ryūsei."
"Hm?"
"Is everything alright?"
The white-haired boy hesitated.
For a brief moment...
He considered lying.
But these were his friends.
People who genuinely cared about him.
"It's just..."
He looked away.
"I'm a special case, remember?"
The smile vanished.
Yuki instantly understood.
The Grand Shōtotsu was not a tournament for individuals.
It was a competition between Chīmas.
Teams.
Families.
Partners.
Groups that fought together.
Ryūsei had none of those.
No Chīma.
No permanent teammates.
No partner.
Just himself.
Kayosha's expression softened as well.
For once...
She didn't tease him.
"You'll find one someday."
Yuki smiled warmly.
"Yeah."
Kayosha nodded.
"Besides, while the rest of us need teammates..."
A grin appeared on her face.
"You've been making enemies all by yourself."
Ryūsei laughed.
That actually helped.
A lot.
Yuki suddenly clapped her hands.
"I know!"
Both of them looked toward her.
"After registration, let's go to that ice cream shop Kasai keeps talking about."
Kayosha's eyes lit up.
"Oh!"
"And my treat."
The two immediately cheered.
Ryūsei couldn't help smiling.
Maybe things weren't so bad after all.
The Chīma Center stood proudly near the center of the capital.
It was a massive building decorated with banners representing hundreds of registered teams.
The place was packed.
Elementalists entered and exited constantly.
Excitement filled the air.
The Grand Shōtotsu was drawing near.
As soon as Ryūsei, Yuki, and Kayosha entered—
A cheerful voice greeted them.
"Welcome to the Chīma Center!"
Behind the counter stood a beautiful young woman with silver hair tied into a ponytail.
Yukino.
The receptionist.
And one of Yuki's oldest friends.
"YUKINO!!"
Yuki immediately rushed forward and hugged her.
The receptionist laughed.
"Yuki!"
The two embraced happily.
"It's been forever!"
"It really has!"
Kayosha stepped forward next.
"Hi Yukino!"
Yukino smiled.
"And you're as cute as ever."
Kayosha instantly turned red.
"T-Thank you..."
Ryūsei chuckled.
Nothing changed.
Then Yukino's gaze shifted toward him.
Her eyes widened.
"...Ryūsei?"
He waved.
"Hey."
For a second—
She simply stared.
Then her expression brightened.
"RYŪSEI!"
She nearly ran around the desk.
"I was so worried!"
Ryūsei blinked.
"Huh?"
"You disappeared for weeks!"
"Not you too..."
Yukino laughed.
"I'm serious."
Her smile softened.
"I'm glad you're okay."
For a brief moment...
Ryūsei felt genuinely touched.
"Thanks."
After calming down, Yukino tilted her head.
"So what brings you guys here?"
Yuki answered immediately.
"We're registering for the Grand Shōtotsu."
Yukino nodded.
"I'll grab the forms."
She disappeared into a nearby office.
Silence followed.
Until—
"Did somebody say Grand Shōtotsu?"
A familiar voice suddenly appeared behind Ryūsei.
A hand landed on his shoulder.
Ryūsei turned around.
And immediately smiled.
"Kasai."
The red-haired boy grinned.
"There you are."
Before Ryūsei could respond—
Another voice followed.
"You ran so fast I dropped my milkshake."
Sora appeared behind him.
Pouting.
Very visibly pouting.
Kasai laughed nervously.
"Sorry?"
"You owe me a new one."
"Fair."
The group laughed.
Moments later—
The front doors opened again.
Shadow and Shizen entered.
The moment Kasai saw them—
His grin widened.
"Looks like everyone's here."
And he was right.
For the first time in weeks...
The entire group was together again.
The atmosphere immediately became lively.
Friendly teasing.
Arguments.
Jokes.
Laughter.
It felt like home.
Then, after Yukino returned and everyone completed their registration forms, the group left together and headed toward a nearby restaurant.
The restaurant was crowded.
The smell of grilled meat filled the air.
Plates arrived one after another.
And before long—
Everyone was eating.
Conversation flowed naturally.
Stories were exchanged.
Training experiences discussed.
Tournament predictions debated.
Eventually—
Kasai leaned forward.
"Hey Ryūsei."
The table quieted.
Ryūsei looked up.
"What?"
Kasai rested his chin on his hand.
"It's been a while since I saw you fight."
Ryūsei immediately felt suspicious.
Very suspicious.
Kasai continued.
"Have you found a Chīma yet?"
The white-haired boy shook his head.
"No."
Shadow smirked.
"Concerned about your future opponent?"
Kasai rolled his eyes.
"He's my best friend."
Then his expression became serious.
"I know he's strong."
His gaze met Ryūsei's.
"But he's entering the Grand Shōtotsu alone."
Nobody laughed.
Because it was true.
Ryūsei smiled.
"I'll be fine."
Shizen took a bite from his burger.
"You've definitely gotten stronger."
Shadow nodded.
"Way stronger."
Then a mischievous grin appeared.
"Speaking of strong..."
Everyone looked toward him.
"Have you heard about the White Swordsman rumor?"
The table instantly fell silent.
Even Ryūsei froze.
A cold sweat formed on the back of his neck.
Oh no.
Not this.
Yuki tilted her head.
"The rumor?"
Shadow nodded.
"The one about the white-haired Elementalist."
He began counting on his fingers.
"White hair."
"White swords."
"Immune to spells."
"Defeated a former Gādian."
"Rankless."
"A complete monster."
Kayosha laughed.
"It's obviously just a rumor."
"Yeah."
Yuki nodded.
"Nobody can become immune to spells."
Shadow shrugged.
"Unless they're a Crowned Dragon."
The atmosphere suddenly became thoughtful.
Then—
Shizen calmly pointed at Ryūsei.
"It's him."
The entire table turned toward him.
Ryūsei nearly choked.
"W-Wait, why me?!"
Kasai crossed his arms.
"You disappeared exactly when the rumor started."
"Coincidence!"
"You use white swords."
"Lots of people use swords!"
"You have white hair."
"..."
Everyone stared.
Ryūsei looked away.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Yuki narrowed her eyes.
"...Ryūsei."
"Oh no."
"Ryūsei."
"Oh no."
"RYŪSEI."
"Maybe."
The table erupted into laughter.
Even Shadow couldn't stop laughing.
Kasai leaned back.
"Well."
A grin spread across his face.
"There's only one way to find out."
Ryūsei immediately knew where this was going.
And he hated it.
Very much.
Kasai pointed directly at him.
"After lunch."
Ryūsei sighed.
"Kasai."
The fire-attributed Elementalist stood up dramatically.
"Let's have a spar."
The entire table cheered.
Ryūsei buried his face in his hands.
Somehow...
After surviving Moyasu.
After fighting an entire criminal organization.
After defeating a former Gādian.
The thing that worried him most...
Was explaining himself to his friends.
And judging by the excited looks on their faces—
There was absolutely no escaping what would happen next.