I finally finished my ice cream and waited for Grandma to come back. I walked to the railing and leaned over to admire the forest below. I lay back and looked down, a little frightened by the height; to avoid vertigo I turned my gaze to the library in the distance, but seeing it shrouded in a cloud made me feel worse. Slowly I walked back to the bench and sat, spending the rest of the time enjoying my ice cream and wondering how Valeria was doing. I lay back and stared at the sky, letting my mind drift and shaping clouds with my imagination until a huge explosion sounded from afar. I jumped up, looked toward the mountain, and saw a great crimson flare behind its peak. Curiosity filled me, so I moved away from the bench — and then felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning, I found my grandmother's cheerful face. "Calm down," she said. "It's the tournament — they've reached the combat stage." I was surprised; I'd thought the whole thing was just fighting. Embarrassed, I asked, "What are the parts of the promotion tournament?"
Alicia: "First there's a survival phase where we release all the candidates into a zone full of dangers and beasts. That removes many students with little real experience. That phase ends after a few hours or when the number of remaining candidates reaches the required limit. Then it becomes a tournament-style combat between the remaining aspirants."
I nodded. It sounded truly exciting. Grandma and I sat watching the sky, but I kept thinking of so many questions I could finally ask now that we were alone; I didn't know where to start. Then I remembered the Barriers should be present at promotions, so I asked Grandma, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be observing all the participants?"
She smiled, sighed, and answered, "It's not necessary to be physically present. For example, I made a wind clone and came here. The other two Barriers sent clones too — we're allowed to because the judgment is the same." That made me ask, "Then why did you come first?" Her face darkened. After a few seconds of silence she spoke: "…the survival phase is the most complicated because lives can be lost. It's unlikely, but it can happen. That's why I wanted to see how Valeria did. After this phase, the risk of death still exists, but Masters and Grand Masters may intervene if necessary. Still, no student would risk doing something with murderous intent — that's automatic disqualification."
I was astonished. At that moment a strong wind blew, whipping our hair; the trees shuddered as if they might be uprooted. Behind the mountain peak the clouds spun into a massive hurricane. I saw a smile cross Grandma's face as she recognized Valeria's fight. I wondered in my head what had forced my sister to use a technique like that. Then a bright golden flash appeared; the hurricane stopped moving. Grandma looked surprised. My curiosity grew when the huge air mass slowly diminished.
Alexa, surprised: "What could have happened?"
Alicia, serious and surprised: "Maybe… she was disqualified for doing something like that."
Alexa, mouth open: "Valeria won't be a Master!"
Alicia, grave: "It's possible — but that golden flash is something I've never seen before. I don't think it was a Master or Grand Master intervening."
My surprise deepened. It wasn't that my sister could perform such power — it was that someone existed who could stop it. Minutes passed. From the corridor where the man in orange had appeared, students and their teachers began to emerge, murmuring: "What kind of technique was that?" Grandma looked annoyed. Time continued, and at a distance I finally saw my sister approaching with her short-haired friend. Kira's master walked with his eyes closed. Behind them came the blond with a relaxed grin, and the girl with the helmet-cut hair now had a braid; with them was a pale-skinned boy with black hair and round glasses. What surprised me most was his height—thin, well-marked muscles and nunchakus at his belt. He wore Japanese-style orange clothing. The boy with glasses and the helmet-haired girl were angrily scolding the blond, but he only smiled warmly and nodded at their scolding. I looked at Grandma; she still seemed a bit angry but breathed in deeply and calmed.
Valeria smiled at me: "Well, sister, now you have another Master to obey." I smiled, relieved she hadn't been disqualified. Kira's friend looked at me, exchanged glances with other students, then whispered something to my sister. Valeria turned to Grandma: "Grandma, Kira and I are going to buy something — we'll be right back." They ran to the stalls near the plaza. Then the burgundy-clad man said, "Your granddaughter is strong — she beat Kira and her Devil Shot. I almost thought they'd destroy the mountain. Pity she only finished fifth." Grandma accepted the compliment with a smile. I noticed Dwayne and the others standing before us.
Dwayne, smiling with eyes closed and scratching his neck: "I told Flora and Key: my technique needs time. That's why I didn't use it sooner. Valeria held long enough for me to apply it."
Flora and Key, angry and veins bulging, advanced toward Dwayne: "Are you calling us weak?!"
Dwayne, sweating and putting up his hands: "No—what I meant was—"
Flora, furious, grabbed Dwayne by his gi collar: "So you're saying we're weaker than Valeria just because you and she were finalists!"
Key, swinging a nunchaku angrily: "You're saying that I, one of the smartest here, don't have the brains to beat you in combat!"
Dwayne, smiling and sweating: "No, I swear I misspoke…"
Seeing those two teenagers close in aggressively on Dwayne, I knew I had to intervene. I went over, grabbed his arm, and with a strong tug freed him from Flora's grip. "Hey — leave him alone!" I said. The two glared at me. Looking up I met the angelic smile of the blond with profound sky-blue eyes. He shook my hair, knelt to my level and said, "So it's you again. Thanks for helping me. Don't worry — these delinquents…" At that moment the helmet-haired girl and the boy with glasses cracked their necks and knuckles. "…I mean friends, are usually kind when they're not angry. Oh—sorry, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Dwayne. What's your name?" I blushed at his kindness. Before I could answer I glanced at the others, irritated at their rude treatment of him. Flora crouched and stroked my cheek: "Despite how stupid he looks, he knows how to defend himself. Don't worry about him." She had a very beautiful face and an attractive figure — but she immediately erased that gentle image by hitting the boy hard in the stomach and pinching him while shouting, "How dare you make those gestures toward minors, pervert!"
?: (smiling) "Calm down, Flora — that won't win him over."
A peaceful aura washed over me. Turning, I saw a practically model-like woman with fair skin and very light brown hair braided forward with bangs, her blue eyes shining. She wore a Greek-style blue tunic and carried a spear on her back. My grandmother and the gun-user greeted her with bows, and she returned the gesture. We all bowed to the Barrier of Skill. She embraced the spear girl; Grandma said, "Agatha, Athan and I were just talking about how Flora fought a great match against Key — third and fourth places are excellent." I felt a presence behind me and looked to see the man in the orange kimono.
Michael, smiling: "Thank you for allowing me to watch the match of one of my students." He bowed to Key. "It's time to go, Master Key."
Key, adjusting his glasses: "Yes, Grand Master Michael," and he sheathed his nunchakus.
They left, and after saying goodbye to Grandma, Agatha and Flora departed as well. We waited for Valeria and Kira's return. I saw Dwayne sitting on the railing, legs dangling; I was worried, but he noticed me and smiled, motioning for me to come. As I took a step, Grandma grabbed my wrist and glared at the adolescent. "You are very strong, young man. I cannot accept what you did — despite having such a mediocre master." I wondered whom she meant, when a cold, confident voice sounded nearby: "I think the same." We turned and saw a man about 1.80 m tall, dark skin, black hair, dark brown eyes, wearing a red Chinese tunic with white trim. He carried a katana with a blue handle decorated with golden diamonds; its red scabbard bore golden letters reading Ejekiutor. A vein stood out on Alicia's forehead as she looked at the man: "Do you dare attack my teaching method?" Dwayne performed a flip and landed between the two. He looked at Grandma calmly: "Pardon me, Great Barrier, but you must understand he defended himself because you attacked him."
Alicia, angry: "Yes! Someone who takes lessons like that does not deserve to be called a Master."
Dwayne, smiling: "So you think a Master's lessons define a student?"
Alicia, angry: "Of course not. But blood will keep running if the same teachings keep spreading."
Dwayne, smiling: "I haven't killed anyone, and unless attitudes change you shouldn't speak about someone you don't know."
Alicia, angrier: "I can respect you, but never him!" — she pointed at the man.
?: (laughing) "Come on, Dwayne. Let's celebrate your victory," said the man, ruffling his student's curly hair.
I looked at Grandma, startled; I'd rarely seen her so angry. I watched the man and the blond leave together, upbeat. I thought, he gives off an aura of death, but his student radiates vitality and kindness. Soon my sister and her friend returned and we said our goodbyes, heading back to Grandma's house.
—END OF FLASHBACK—
A sharp scream rang in the ears of the four youths. They looked toward the warrior: for some reason he had woken Nya. They couldn't hear what he said, but he threw the phone. He cast a murderous look at the four adolescents; they quickly turned their eyes to Alexa and froze for a moment, swallowing and sighing in relief when their master stopped staring. Jayden's clone withdrew its hand from the dark-haired girl, walked off the porch and dissolved. Emily and Tyron were glad Alexa had recovered, but Francesca still looked resentful and snapped, "Are you going to continue?"
Alexa, wiping a tear from her left eye: "Y-yes… the next day…"
—FLASHBACK: THE DEATH OF ALICIA—
The next morning I woke very early to play with Mino. Grandma and Valeria stayed at home preparing lunch. An odd, small sorrow nagged me; the sky was grey. It didn't bother me much that Grandma and my sister hadn't said "good morning" when they woke, though I thought they might exchange greetings later. After lunch I thanked Grandma for the meal and went back to play with Mino until training time. Valeria stood up ready to go, but Grandma said kindly, "Alex, why don't you take a nap until training? Valeria, dear, could you stay? I want to ask you something." We both nodded. I went to my room, closed the door, flopped onto the bed, and drifted off to sleep. The last thing I heard was Grandma asking, "Valeria, can you tell me what Confederation is?"
I opened my eyes slowly to loud whistles in the wind. I turned to my window and saw every pane shattered. I wasn't overly surprised — it had happened before. I opened the bedroom door to the dining room and was stunned: the house had been split in two. Tables, walls—everything was destroyed. I looked at the rubble and, through the huge breach, saw collisions and small flashes in the air. I immediately realized a real battle was happening. I grabbed my scimitar and ran into the yard. I watched two tornadoes fighting each other, and I realized the battle was there, so I headed toward it. Something heavy fell to the ground with tremendous force, creating a crater and a cloud of dust. When the dust cleared I saw Grandma with tears in her eyes. She noticed me and pointed at me with an open hand; a strong gust of wind threw me far away. All I could see was Valeria exchanging slashes with Alicia. Through her breaking voice my grandmother cried, "I cannot allow you to create a group against the User Society's administration!"
Valeria, enraged: "Then I will not hold back, and I will kill you and claim the title of Barrier of Experience myself!"
Alicia, crying: "Then you leave me no choice!"
In that moment Grandma spun her sword and drove the tip into her own body, stabbing her abdomen. My sister ran as if possessed; I collapsed to the ground but not too hard, as if something had softened the fall. I was unconscious for a long time. When I awoke, my mother and father were beside my hospital bed. I had bandages on my head. Before I could question them, they embraced me. I had a thousand questions but Valeria was nowhere. "Where is Valeria?!" I demanded. My mother looked at me with eyes lit with joy and answered, "She's fine — thank God she was saved from that tornado! Your sister is currently finishing Grandma's funeral." Tears poured from my eyes like a spring; my beloved grandmother had died. I remained in shock for hours. My parents left the room. Nurses checked on me and brought lunch I couldn't eat. Time passed, and finally my sister entered the room and sat beside me, avoiding my gaze. Millions of questions raced through my head. I wanted to believe she had a good reason for killing her. She said quietly, "How are you?" and that made me furious — she seemed oblivious to my presence.
Alexa: "How am I?! Why did you kill our Master?!"
Valeria, looking at the floor: "So you saw." She stood.
Alexa, angry: "Why were you fighting?"
Valeria, serious: "Because she refused to recognize the need for change and refused to support it."
Alexa, angry and crying: "What kind of change?!"
Valeria glanced at me sideways. A cold shiver ran down my spine as if death itself had passed through me. In a frosty voice she said, "The change necessary to improve life for those who are better than normal — a new system that will prevent arts from dying out or even going extinct. Listen to me, Alex: stand in the way of this, and you will end up like Grandma!" She closed the door. I could only stare out the hospital window at the sky and vow to myself that someday I would take revenge with everything I had against my sister.
—END OF FLASHBACK—
Alexa sobbed at Alicia's suffering and at the fact she had to fight her own granddaughter. Emily hugged her. Tyron turned his face so the girls wouldn't see him shed a few tears. Francesca stood and glared at the dark-haired girl, furious: "That doesn't justify anything you did! If you hadn't restrained yourself for your stupid promise, we might have been able to stop Maximus's plan. Because of your limits and lies to us — your stupid promise to yourself — thousands suffered like you did!" Alexa leaned on Emily to get up and, looking at Francesca with rage, said, "It's not my fault — what do you know about losing someone and being unable to help them?" Before the two could come to blows, groans sounded behind them. Everyone turned to see Jayden holding the pink-haired girl's phone in one hand while dragging her awake by the wrist with the other. He threw her at his students; the brown-haired boy caught her. Nya, furious, shouted, "I'll sue you for child abuse!" Jayden shot them a murderous glance, then raised the phone. He held it up and showed a photo of the four vigilantes with a man, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Can someone explain this to me?"
Emily stepped forward: "We do that so the city has something to trust — something to keep hope."
Jayden, stern: "You've created a public image!" He slapped Emily across the face with the back of his hand.
Everyone was stunned except the leather-clad girl, who looked at Emily oddly. Tyron put a hand on the battered girl's shoulder and said, "There's nothing wrong with that idea!" The warrior removed their weapons in an almost invisible motion. "You're right — there's nothing inherently wrong. But you broke one of the rules I told you about. Number five: the shadows are where the warrior lives. Any petty gratitude must be rejected! I agreed you could help the city as vigilantes so people would only have rumors about you!" He vanished with Nya and reappeared before the four katanas hit the ground.
Francesca, serious: "But we never stopped following your lessons!"
Jayden, serious, tossing their backpacks at them: "No — but you crossed a line I told you not to cross. Helping society within the law is one thing; being thanked as heroes by the people is another. I'm not saying being a hero is bad, but I train you to be warriors, and the difference is the ego that comes from undeserved gratitude!" He took their karategi.
All four teenagers covered themselves with backpacks, left in their underwear. Emily — crying and full of regret — approached the man: "Please, let it be me. I was the one who had the idea." Jayden gathered all of them and their things and left them on the forest path near the bus stop. "Maybe it was your idea," he said, "but the others approved it. In my eyes you're all equally guilty. From now on don't come back until you really want to follow THE RULES!" He disappeared, leaving them full of remorse. They put their sports clothes over their karategi and walked in silence. Tyron, a little sad, said, "Well, at least the four of us will keep training together." Francesca didn't look back and replied, "Don't count on me. Because of this idiot we failed the city!" The two boys tried to stop the blonde, but she kept distance. They looked at Alexa, who said with pain, "I can't do it, friends. Fran's right — because of me other people suffered like I suffered. Until I forgive myself I won't be a vigilante." The bus arrived and everyone boarded. Now Francesca sat as close to the door as she could and Alexa at the opposite end; the two boys sat together, full of regret, thinking, How do we fix this?