The night had been peaceful, but morning came swiftly.
Maxi woke up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he slowly got out of bed. He made his way to the bathroom, the cold stone floor sending a slight shiver up his legs. After a quick bath, he dressed in a brown waistcoat over a light blue shirt, paired with black pants. He adjusted his glasses, ensuring they sat properly on his nose, before grabbing a book from his bedside.
The title read: How the Chosen Ones Meet.
He had barely read for a few hours when a knock sounded on his door.
"Young master," came Angelina's voice.
Maxi sighed, already knowing what this meant. "Coming," he called out, setting the book down on his bed.
As he opened the door, he met Angelina's gaze. "I'm guessing my tutor is back?"
She nodded.
Maxi sighed again, already bracing himself for what was to come. As they walked down the corridors, he glanced at her and muttered, "Hopefully, nothing like last time happens again."
Angelina hummed in agreement, but they both knew how unlikely that was.
Upon reaching the study, Angelina opened the door for him.
Maxi stepped inside, immediately noticing the only thing different about the room—Tangen himself.
The tutor looked exhausted, like he had worked a full day and night without rest. Yet, as soon as he saw Maxi, a strange burst of relief and energy seemed to reinvigorate him.
"Maxi! Good to see you're okay," Tangen said, standing straighter. "But we don't have time to waste, so sit down. I need to teach you about the three main continents."
Maxi sat in his usual chair, adjusting his glasses as he eyed the man skeptically. "What happened to you?"
Tangen waved a hand dismissively. "Nothing to worry about, my dear student. Let's just begin the lesson. We, or rather I, am running on a timer, so let's make this snappy."
He then launched into an explanation about the history of the three main continents.
"You see, originally Pelody used to be one massive continent, but a war tore it apart.
The main people who caused it were the founder of the Bloodheart family, the founder of the Blossoming family, the dragons, and finally the two individuals that were blessed by all the earthly gods at once."
Tangen quickly brushed over the details.
"The Bloodheart founder was mad. He threw a tantrum. He wanted to kill the two blessed people, so he recruited the pink-haired demon to help him.
So, after causing the two blessed people enough of a headache, they convinced him, calmed him down enough to talk.
Then they stabbed him in the back, and he turned into stone.
And then he gave birth to humans along with the race, Newanians.
The pink-haired demon made a cult.
He betrayed his cult.
Then, a couple of years later, a Newanian freed the Bloodheart.
The Bloodheart became a god, and then the pink-haired demon teamed up with the Bloodheart to finally put an end to the two blessed.
So they did.
The pink-haired demon called for backup, and the backup was a dragon.
So they fought, and they fought so hard that one of the oldest gods appeared.
But he didn't really do much. He just appeared and took all the gods away except the two blessed and the Bloodheart. They didn't count.
So they continued fighting, and then the main continents separated into three.
Confusing, I know. Just don't think about it for now. We are just discussing the continents, not the history. I just did that to give you a reason why the three continents exist. So just try to stay with me."
Maxi nodded slowly as his mind went crazy with confusion. He even started to feel light-headed with how many questions he wanted to ask.
But still, the lesson continued.
"Okay. The northern continent is named Yasvil. It means 'Northern Cape' in ancient Giant. It's mostly ruled by the New Rainbow Kingdom and inhabits the most dangerous ancient masters and beasts out of all the continents.
Also, there's vampires there, but I think they have been conquered by now.
I completely forgot the vampire kingdom's name, so let's just move on."
"Now our continent's name is Zafia. It translates to 'Final Stand.'
Our continent is known for its devouring plants, different environments, and habitats.
But the main thing we are known for throughout every universe is the fact we house the—"
"Nine main kingdoms."
"The most powerful kingdoms within and throughout the entire realm of the Earthly Gods' dimension.
There is no other kingdom in history that has, to this day, come close to their power.
These kingdoms stand at the pinnacle of power.
And dictate the rise and fall of whole planets, whole galaxies, and whole universes.
Okay, here are all nine kingdoms listed down."
Tengen opened a drawer on his table and pulled out a book, then cleared his throat.
1. Bloodheart Kingdom — the most powerful, family-members-wise.
2. Shining Star Kingdom — the most mysterious.
3. Shadow Sword Kingdom — the most secretive.
4. Rainbow Kingdom — the weakest.
5. Frozen Rose Kingdom — the cruelest.
6. Blossoming Kingdom — the most beautiful.
7. Fire Sword Kingdom — the strongest army-wise.
8. Shining Match Kingdom — the most magical.
9. Burning Peace Kingdom — the wealthiest.
"Okay, final one.
The southern continent is named Mixviya, which means 'Together as One.'
The name comes from a forgotten Fox Oni dialect.
It is the largest continent and is home to nearly every race that you would find in the two other continents and more.
It also has one kingdom, and its name is the Mixviya Kingdom.
Unsurprisingly, the name for its continent is the name of its kingdom.
It makes sense because the kingdom does rule over the entire continent as one giant unit."
Maxi barely had time to process all the info on top of the initial confusion, so his brain just short-circuited when Tangen abruptly stood and grabbed his arm.
Maxi was then yanked up.
"Okay, that's enough learning. Follow me," Tangen said as he dragged Maxi towards the door.
Angelina barely had time to react as she followed after them.
"Why are we in such a rush?" Maxi asked, stumbling slightly.
Tangen groaned. "Because, you remember how I accidentally pissed off your gods?
Well, as a result, I was forced by your father to sign a two-year contract to tutor you until I paid off the effort it took and whatever damage I supposedly caused you.
And in that contract, there was a clause about me having to fight one of your brothers."
Maxi blinked. "Which brother?"
"Techxin," Tangen grumbled.
Maxi had to bite back a laugh as he thought, "Techxin really commits to promises. I should thank him when I see him next time."
Tangen continued, "Luckily, your family isn't stupid.
They know I'm not a god.
They know I can't actually beat your brother, even with my experience. So instead, the fight's been turned into a battle of resilience.
If I can stay conscious for ten minutes, my conditions will be met. If I fall before then, I'll be forced to meet his conditions, which—by the way—I don't even know yet.
And if I'm late?
I automatically forfeit and agree to whatever conditions he sets."
Tangen suddenly reached into his pocket and pulled out a red dandelion-like flower. He crushed it in his hand, inhaled its scent deeply, then ate it whole.
Maxi watched as Tangen's body shuddered, his nerves seemingly activating all at once.
"Did you just take drugs?" Maxi asked bluntly.
Tangen let out a sharp laugh. "No, kid. That was a Flerxia flower. It makes your body feel like it's on fire, which, for me, is the best wake-up call."
Maxi leaned toward Angelina and whispered, "Definitely drugs."
She giggled but nodded in agreement.
By the time they reached the massive doors of the main castle, Maxi hesitated. "Wait. I'm not allowed in here."
Tangen smirked. "Your father permitted it. He wants you to see this battle."
Maxi then pulled his arm back, making Tangen halt. "Hold on. Why am I even getting involved? Where do I come in with this fight between you and Techxin? It's not like I am going to get any input between your guys' conditions. And plus, I don't want to enter this house. My siblings are here."
Tangen looked back at Maxi's stern and slightly annoyed expression that had hints of fear in its depths.
"Are you that scared?" Tangen asked, shaking his head.
Maxi sighed. "Yes, but that's not the point. You're not answering my question. You're pushing it to the side like you always do."
"Listen, your father allowed you to go inside. That's basically an order," Tangen said.
Maxi stared daggers at Tangen. "Even if that were logically true, I am still not going. My father isn't the type of person to play word games, especially with a bastard like me. He would just command it straight up. So stop making excuses and just tell me."
Tangen sighed in exasperation for the first time. It was like waking up a lazy person and then forcing him to finally do something that actually required effort.
And in Tangen's case, that something was answering a question long after he lost the energy to explain.
"Okay, you want to know why?" Tangen asked.
Maxi obviously nodded.
Tangen held his head. "Okay, the only way for me to even get this chance to fight for conditions is if, and only if, you are there to witness it."
Maxi's eyebrow raised in genuine shock at the odd detail.
Tangen waved his hand, annoyed. "Don't look at me like that. I was only told after I agreed. Techxin was the demon in the details. He's the one who brought up this suggestion of a battle of resilience in the first place."
"Techxin," Maxi thought in admiration and respect as Tangen rambled on in the fading background. "I guess he did this all for me. I just told him to punch Tangen for me, not fight him for me. He could have punched him and told me he did it. That would have been fine. I would have seen the mark. But looking back, I guess Techxin is the type of person to walk a mile if you tell him to just take one step. I will have to pay him back in the future."
Maxi sighed as he caught Tangen's final words:
"—so would you please just go inside and watch."
Maxi nodded. "Fine, but I am only doing this for Techxin."
"That's fine by me. I don't need a reason. I just need a yes."
He then turned to Angelina.
"You, maid, take him to that viewing place where he can find his seat. Make sure he gets a good view and seat."
Tangen dashed off with haste.
Angelina sighed. "Come, young master. I'll guide you."
Maxi nodded and stepped forward.
But right as his foot was about to enter—
DOOM.
DANGER.
Every instinct in his body told him to dash back and keep away from it.
So his foot stopped midair.
"Angelina, is it safe to enter here? I know it's a dumb question, but I feel like if I step inside here, I might just die," Maxi said.
Angelina tilted her head. "What? Nonsense. This place is totally fine. I went into it plenty of times."
"Well, I haven't. I left this place as soon as I could walk, and that was three years ago. I don't know what will happen now," Maxi stressed.
"Young master, I didn't enter this place my entire life until I was employed, so I am pretty sure you will be alright," Angelina said.
"We aren't the same. You have a garden angel, while I have gods that do nothing," Maxi said.
Maxi then felt a shift in his shadow, or somewhere else he couldn't quite pinpoint. They were his gods, and Maxi could tell they weren't that happy at being called useless.
Maxi side-eyed his shadow as he thought in his mind, hoping and praying they could hear him:
"Please don't kill me. What I mean is that I can't really use what you gave me to its fullest potential because of my father... and mom, who both refuse to awaken my blessing. So that makes me useless, which, as a result, makes you guys look useless because I have nothing, and it makes it seem like you guys gave me nothing, which isn't the case. I can't use what you guys gave me. Again, please don't kill me. I mean you no disrespect."
Maxi then felt the presences dim and fade like flames.
But one—
It felt like the feeling of someone watching you, growing stronger and closer, but slowly.
Maxi didn't know what it was doing, whether it was angry, annoyed, or whatnot.
The fact it was moving, or presenting itself, slowly didn't give off the feeling of anger or annoyance, but rather a—
Rebuttal?
It felt odd, and it was odd. It was the first time Maxi felt the aura of a rebuttal.
The best way he could describe it was the instinct to correct someone, but in the form of intent.
Then—
It stopped.
One of the presences that had disappeared suddenly reappeared as the rebutting presence stopped and began to dim, and the presence that had returned dimmed along with it, but significantly slower, as if checking if the rebutting presence would actually leave this time.
Maxi blinked at the myriad of odd feelings he had just felt.
Snap.
Maxi blinked again.
Angelina was in front of him in the castle.
"Young master, are you even listening?" Angelina asked, annoyed.
"Sorry, I got lost in thought. What were you saying?" Maxi said.
"I was saying it's safe. See? I am inside," Angelina said, spreading her arms.
"Okay, and you are sure I will be fine?" Maxi asked.
Angelina nodded.
"I am confident(ly unsure)," Angelina thought as she looked to the side.
"Okay," Maxi said.
Maxi took a hesitant step forward.
The moment he entered the castle, he felt it.
The very air was different—dense, heavy, like stepping onto an entirely new continent.
His breath caught in his throat.
Each breath of air he took felt like a thousand pounds being added onto his body.
It felt like sand was constantly being poured onto him, restricting his movements and weighing him down.
His body weak.
His bones fragile.
Maxi could hear his bones as they shook under the pressure, threatening to break under one wrong move.
Instinctively, he reached out, grabbing onto Angelina's arm.
Not out of affection, but out of sheer necessity. If he didn't, he'd collapse.
"Young master?!" Angelina's voice was laced with worry. "Are you alright?"
Maxi forced himself to speak through the overwhelming pressure.
"N... nope... you were... definitely wrong—"
Angelina shouted, "This is not the time to be bragging! Are you okay?"
Maxi forced a smile. "Just t-teasing... but on a s-serious note, can y-you help me... w-walk? I feel like m-my bones are going to break i-if I walk wrong."
Angelina sighed as she nodded. "Okay, that's easy enough."
She took his hand, carefully guiding him to the side of the stairs in front of them as she opened a hidden door.
They went through, and they walked through a movie-room-like hallway until they entered a circular seating area.
It overlooked a massive battleground, with the viewing point protected by glass walls proudly enchanted with some kind of magical effect.
"Where do you want to sit?" Angelina asked.
"Third row... please..." Maxi said through gritted teeth.
She led him to his seat, and Maxi slumped into it.
Maxi breathed out what seemed like a sigh of relief—
but in reality was the sigh of a man who escaped one pain right into another—
as he constantly shifted in his seat to stop the overbearing pressure from crushing him into it.
Minutes passed, and slowly, figures began filling the seats.
Maxi was slightly surprised, but at the same time wasn't.
He expected there to be people other than him here, of course, but he had silently hoped that it wouldn't be the people that he expected to be there.
He wanted there to be nobles who assessed and watched like referees, pointing out any mishaps that happened, and maybe some betting here and there.
But no.
The people he expected to be there—and who were there—were his siblings.
Twenty of them, one by one, took their seats.
Luckily, none sat beside him, or even near him, as if he had the Bubonic Plague, if that even existed in this world.
But in all seriousness, Maxi did wonder, "Why didn't they sit next to me? Could they just not see me?"
That was probably the case. It was pretty dark in there.
Later—
Nine more figures appeared across from them, presumably his stepmothers.
Finally—
A commanding presence entered.
The main man himself.
The head of the house.
Maxi's father.
Even in the dim lighting, the king's figure was unmistakable. He wore a long, regal robe, his crown sitting upon his head in a way that demanded respect.
His blood-red eyes shone brighter than everyone else's
and radiated in the dark.
Then—
his voice boomed,
enhanced by some unseen force:
"SILENCE. WE GATHER HERE TODAY TO SET THE TERMS OF A CONTRACT, AND AS A RESULT, WE HAVE THE HONOR OF WITNESSING A BATTLE OF TRUE RESILIENCE THAT WILL DECIDE THESE TERMS!"
Everyone fell still.
The king continued, "SO LET US NOT WASTE TIME. ON THE RIGHT, THE CHALLENGER—THE ONE WHO DEMANDED THIS BATTLE—TECHXIN BLOODHEART!"
Black gates at the edge of the area disappeared as Techxin entered the battleground, waving casually. He wore a white button-up shirt, black pants, and a fur-lined cloak. A crown hung loosely on his head, tilted slightly. He smirked.
Maxi clapped.
So did his siblings and his stepmothers.
One of the women even shouted, "LET'S GO, MY BLOODY PRINCE!"
Techxin's face flushed as he pulled his crown down until it covered his eyes.
"AND ON THE OTHER SIDE, AN UNKNOWN MAN NAMED TANGEN!"
Tangen entered, his black cloak still draped around his lower half, his smile unwavering.
Maxi clapped lightly.
But—
none of his siblings or stepmothers followed suit.
Maxi even noticed one of his siblings slowly turn their head in his direction—
which Maxi immediately stopped as he thought, "Clapping is tiring anyway. Let's just focus on living and not suffocating in my chair, alright? Alright."
Tangen adjusted his cap as if hot.
"Tough crowd."
But he still smirked cockily.
"THIS BATTLE OF RESILIENCE WILL— THE MATCH HAS A STRICT TIME LIMIT OF 10 MINUTES. EACH FIGHTER MUST SET 10 CONDITIONS. EVERY MINUTE THAT PASSES, ONE OF THE CHALLENGERS' CONDITIONS IS ENFORCED. IF A FIGHTER FALLS UNCONSCIOUS OR IS UNABLE TO CONTINUE BEFORE THE 10 MINUTES ARE UP, THEY MUST FOLLOW ALL REMAINING CONDITIONS SET BY THEIR OPPONENT!"
Tangen tilted his head. "That was confusing as hell, my king."
One of Maxi's siblings chuckled. "It'll make sense when you lose, old man."
Tangen shrugged with a cocky smirk. "That's fair."
"FIGHTERS, ARE YOU READY?" the king bellowed.
Techxin pushed up his crown as his eyes glimmered. He scanned the crowd, and then they landed on Maxi. He gave Maxi a thumbs-up.
Maxi gave Techxin a shaky thumbs-up in return.
Techxin grinned as he stretched, his crown dropping over his eyes, which he quickly pushed back into place, giving an awkward sheepish smile.
"Ready," Techxin said.
The king gave him a nod.
Tangen chuckled as he stretched as well. He then opened his right hand, and a giant red star flared to life as he gave a confident smirk.
"Ready," Tangen said.
The king nodded.
He extended his arms outward as blood seemed to exit his hands. It then disappeared and appeared in the battleground.
The blood slowly shaped itself into a spear with a blood-red flag.
As soon as it was completed, the king snapped his fingers, and the blood spear gleamed.
What was a blood spear with a blood flag turned into a shining metal spear with a dark brown wooden base and a blood-red flag bearing the crest of the Bloodheart family.
The king raised his hand—
and—
swung it down.
The spear followed suit as it swung at the ground.
The air rippled where it swung and condensed into a thin line of air that was as sharp as a scalpel.
As soon as the air cut the ground, it made a line that marked the center of the battleground.
As it also marked the beginning of the match.
As the king then declared—
"LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!"