The murmurs of young competitors filled the air like a swarm of restless insects. Dozens of children, some no older than ten, others brushing the edge of adolescence, stood in rows beneath the towering stone arches of the Ironblood Coliseum's outer arena. Ashura stood quietly among them, his cloak drawn low over his shoulders and his wrapped scythe strapped to his back. Despite the numbers, he felt like a solitary flame in the wind calm, unwavering.
The arena was a vast, circular space with a high ceiling open to the sky. Marble statues of past champions lined the upper ledges, casting silent gazes upon the next generation of hopefuls. Ashura's sharp eyes scanned the area. Most of the participants wore light armor, some had swords strapped to their sides, others carried bows or daggers but none had a weapon as unusual or ominous as his. That alone was enough to make several of the nearby kids glance his way, whispering under their breath.
A loud metallic clang echoed through the chamber, silencing the crowd. Three figures emerged from a side gate, cloaked in dark uniforms marked with crimson crests the official insignia of the Ironblood Youth Tournament.
The one in front, a tall woman with silver hair braided tightly behind her head, stepped forward. Her voice carried over the crowd with practiced authority.
"I am Instructor Dreyla. You will listen carefully this is your only warning. The evaluation phase will determine whether you're worthy of entering the Ironblood Youth Tournament. Those who fail will be disqualified immediately. No second chances."
A few nervous glances were exchanged among the young warriors. Ashura remained still.
Dreyla continued, pacing before them. "There are three evaluation segments: Physical Capability, Combat Readiness, and Instinctual Awareness. Each one is designed to weed out the weak and unprepared. We're not looking for the strongest we're looking for those who can survive in the arena."
Another instructor, a bald, broad-shouldered man, stepped up beside her and unrolled a scroll. "Phase one will test your physical aptitude. You will run through an obstacle course behind these gates. You'll be timed, and your performance will determine whether you move on. The fastest fifty participants will pass."
A murmur rippled through the crowd again. Fifty. That meant nearly half would be eliminated immediately.
Ashura's gaze sharpened, his body already preparing itself. Valerie's words echoed in the back of his mind Don't waste movement. Flow like a shadow. Speed is not about rushing, it's about control.
"Phase two," Dreyla resumed, "is combat. You will be matched against a random opponent. This is not to the death but if you cannot defend yourself, you'll be removed. No crying, no pleading. Weakness has no place here."
Ashura shifted his weight slightly. He could already feel the tension building in some of the others. Some glanced at their weapons, others fidgeted nervously.
"Lastly," said the third instructor, a wiry old man with deep scars across his cheek, "Instinctual Awareness. You'll be dropped into a closed simulation where you'll have to survive and make decisions without guidance. We'll be watching how you think, how you move, and whether you have the instincts of a true contender."
Dreyla raised a hand, silencing the buzz of fear and excitement.
"Those who pass all three phases will earn the right to enter the tournament. Those who don't thank you for trying. Now… follow the instructors to the preparation grounds."
The crowd began to move, shuffled along by instructors. Ashura stayed at the back, his senses sharp and focused.
He felt someone fall in step beside him.
"Hey," a familiar voice whispered.
Ashura turned slightly to see Renji, the kid he'd defended days ago, grinning sheepishly at his side. His eyes lit up with recognition.
"You actually showed up," Renji said, his voice low. "I thought you were some kind of ghost."
Ashura tilted his head. "I could say the same."
Renji chuckled awkwardly. "Thanks again. For back then. I… didn't get the chance to say it properly. I'm gonna make it through this. Just watch."
Ashura nodded once, silently.
They continued toward the waiting chamber where the competitors were given water and basic instructions for the obstacle course ahead. Ashura kept to himself while others stretched, bragged, or panicked in hushed voices. He sat against the wall, eyes closed, his breath steady.
Obstacle course. Timing. Reaction. Flow. I didn't come here to be seen I came to move forward. Valerie wouldn't have brought me here otherwise.
He reached behind him, brushing his fingers along the wrappings of his scythe not to draw it, but to remind himself of what he carried. Of what he was becoming.
When an instructor stepped in and barked the next command, Ashura's eyes opened.
"It's time. First group on the line."
Ashura stood, his cloak brushing behind him as he stepped forward with quiet confidence.
The Ironblood Youth Tournament was no longer just a test.
It was the beginning.
To be Continued