Mabushi sat on one of the stone benches, his legs spread apart and his arms were hanging loosely. He raised a hand to wipe his face with a heavy sigh, as if he's trying to brush off the weight of the entire world. His hazel eyes, despite his usual insolence, seemed for a moment burdened by something he didn't wish to reveal.
Beside him sat the girl, her back is straight, her eyes watching the crowd with childlike curiosity. Her legs swung lightly, out of place amid the tense air. Mabushi glanced at her after a brief silence, he looks casual but carrying something deeper. He finally spoke in a low tone; half mocking, half serious:
"Ann…"
Ann smiled when she heard her name, then answered:
"Yes? What is it?"
Mabushi lowered his voice, leaning forward, his features regaining that mischievous confidence everyone knew so well:
"When our group gets chosen… we'll play our usual game. Let the others fight over leadership and honor while we pull the strings. Our goal isn't to show off here, but what comes after. Breaking into the army's facility and using our teammates to get what we want. Each of them will be a tool… until they prove themselves."
Ann's face lit up with a wide grin, her violet eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Heh! That sounds fun… I love it when your plans cause chaos."
Whispers began to rise from the bystanders. Some exchanged curious glances, while others muffled their laughter.
"Look at them… she must be his girlfriend."
"No way she'd stick with him like that otherwise."
"What kind of idiot girl would fall for that arrogant bastard?!"
Ann heard them. Her smile froze, her cheeks flushed with anger. She jumped up suddenly, fists clenched, shouting at the crowd like an arrow piercing through the noise:
"You idiots! There's no way I'd ever be that arrogant delinquent's girlfriend!"
The crowd stammered, a few chuckling awkwardly. Mabushi burst out laughing, leaning back in his seat and slapping his knee.
"Hahaha! Ann, denying it like that only makes it worse!"
But Ann, stubborn as always, crossed her arms and turned away sharply.
"They can think whatever they want. The truth is, I'm the last person who'd ever fall for you."
Mabushi kept laughing as the people around them grew even more curious, unaware that what bound the two wasn't love at all… but something more dangerous.
At the edge of the plaza, Akio stood watching the strange pair who had stolen everyone's attention. A faint smile crossed his face. Inside, his thoughts whispered:
'These people are strange… different from anyone I've known. But they're just like me.'
He clenched his fist slightly, his expression is brightening.
'That's what I need… people who don't fit in. People with whom I might find my path.'
Ken sat on another stone chair, with crossed legs, leaning slightly forward as he lit another cigarette. Smoke drifted slowly in front of his face. Inside, his voice was calm, focused:
'Everything happening here is just a step… a step toward becoming stronger. This trial isn't the goal, it's the means. I must leave this place when I get changed… changed enough.'
He inhaled deeply, exhaled, then continued to himself:
'One day… I'll take back everything that was stolen from me. But until then, I endure. Until it's time for reckoning.'
A loud voice burst from the speakers across the plaza. Even the birds circling the stone statue scattered in fright. All eyes turned to the stone tower in the corner, where a man in his forties stood with a stern-faced, broad-shouldered, wearing a black coat that fluttered in the wind.
His voice was heavy, every word was measured:
"Ahem… youths of Valoria, welcome to the first annual selection. You are all here because you seek something greater… but only those who prove worthy will survive."
He paused, scanning the gathered crowd before continuing.
"Twenty groups will be formed, each is with five members. That means many of you will leave disappointed, because space is limited, and merit isn't a slogan, it's an action."
He raised his right hand toward the sky, his tone growing harder:
"In this place, there's no room for the weak or the hesitant. If you can't endure from this moment on, leave now. The rest of you… prepare yourselves. You're about to face the trial that will decide your fate."
Silence fell over the plaza for several seconds, as if everyone held their breath.
Then he continued, clearer and firmer:
"We're not only testing your combat skills, but your ability to work as a team. T plan, to endure, and to think when all else fails. These groups aren't for show. They are the foundation of a new system for this continent's future, it's led by your generation. Crush injustice. Cast down the traitors from their thrones!"
The crowd screamed into unified chants:
"Crush injustice! Cast down the traitors!"
The chant echoed three times. Akio watched, puzzled; no one hesitated, but he didn't join in. He didn't understand the meaning of these words or this place. When the shouts finally faded and quiet returned, Akio suddenly raised his arm high and shouted enthusiastically:
"Crush injustice! Cast down the traitors!"
This time… he was alone. His voice echoed across the now-silent plaza, standing out like a single offbeat note. A few people turned to glare; others barely contained their laughter. Akio stood there, still waving with a wide grin, oblivious to how ridiculous he looked.
When Ken saw the scene, he lowered his head and quickly hid his smile behind his hand, trying to stifle the laugh that escaped. His shoulders trembled for a moment before he exhaled smoke calmly, as if nothing happened.
Up on the tower, a bead of sweat slid down the forty-year-old man's cheek as he eyed the scene tensely. He lifted the microphone again, forcing his tone steady:
"Anyway… let's move on to the next stage."
The crowd's attention shifted back to him as his voice boomed once more:
"The first trial will be simple, one-on-one battles. Winning isn't everything. Losing doesn't mean the end. If your body falls but your worth shines through… if you show us something that proves you deserve to continue… you'll advance."
His words sank slowly into their minds. Some clenched their fists. Others wiped the sweat from their foreheads with trembling hands. In the back rows, Akio raised his head with a gleaming eyes. He didn't hear the whispers, he only saw himself standing in the arena before the fight even began.
On the other side, Ken smoked silently. Mabushi leaned forward, running his thumb along the chain hanging from his sword, a quiet chuckle on his lips. He didn't care about the eyes on him. He enjoyed them.
Then the director's voice came again:
"And there will be no safety regulations. You may injure or kill your opponent. There are no limits to what you can do."
The entire plaza froze. Every smile vanished. Even the wind seemed to stop. Some Faces went pale. Some swallowed hard, their whispers broke the silence:
"K… Kill? Was that part of the deal?!"
"No way… they can't be serious!"
A few trembled where they stood, their eyes darting between the statues and the tower as if they're seeking escape. Akio's eyes widened, a clear spark flashing inside them. But Ken didn't move, as if those words meant nothing new to him.
Amid the charged silence, the director continued:
"Now… step forward to register your names for the draw."
Whispers spread again through the crowd. Everyone realized that the real game had finally begun.