A few minutes passed after the final match. All the contestants stood near the arena wall, waiting as the last phase of the tournament approached its conclusion. The sun dipped toward the horizon, twilight settling over the grounds.
"OKAY! FOR THE FINAL MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!" Mitchell announced."THE FINAL VICTOR OF THE DIVISION KNIGHT ENTRANCE EXAM IS-ZACK!"
She gestured toward the stage.
The arena floor had been cleaned of the blood spilled earlier. The dragons positioned at the sides of the stage watched in silence as Zack stepped forward.
"Congratulations, Zack," Mitchell said in a normal tone, giving him a playful wink. "Welcome to the Division Knights."
She turned back to the audience.
"BUT AS I SAID BEFORE—THIS IS AN ENTRANCE EXAM.""THE WINNER IS NOT AUTOMATICALLY GUARANTEED A PLACE IN THE DIVISION KNIGHTS, AND THOSE WHO LOST ARE NOT TRUE LOSERS."
Confusion rippled through the remaining fighters.
"THIS TOURNAMENT WAS HELD TO MEASURE THE POTENTIAL AND CAPABILITES OF THE YOUTH OF THE OUTSKIRTS.""YOU MAY HAVE LOST TO STRONGER OPPONENTS, BUT THAT DOES NOT MAKE YOU UNGIFTED."
She paused, letting the words settle.
"HOWEVER—THE FUTURE DIVISION KNIGHTS FROM THE OUTSKIRTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CHOSEN, BUT THE KNIGHT ORDER WILL BE SELECTING THEIR FUTURE MEMBERS."
Hope flared in the eyes of the contestants.
At that moment, a man in gleaming armor stepped onto the stage. A real sword hung at his side. He was old, with a thick gray beard and a face carved by years of battle. His build was large, his eyes sharp and commanding.
He raised a small box. A floating device amplified his voice.
"GOOD EVENING.""I AM LUCIUS RITA, COMMANDER AND HEAD KNIGHT OF MYTHOS' KNIGHT ORDER.""I WILL PERSONALLY SELECT THE FOUR WHO WILL JOIN US."
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Ro stood among the contestants, fists clenched. His wound from Zack's strike had been partially healed, bandages still wrapped tightly around his waist. It ached—but that wasn't what burned.
It was the loss.
How the hell was I supposed to know Shadow Style existed!?Damn it, old man—you never said anything about that!
A names was called.
He smiled bitterly well guess i wasn't able to be a Division Knight.
A person stepped on stage.
That brat was strong, the fight was fun. He smiled at himself.
The next name called, the next figure went up on stage.
Kenji i let you down, but i never gave up.
Another name, another figure.
Looks like i will be stuck on this island for another 5 years, big bro Yama. I won't be there anytime soon.
As he said this, the last person was called, and it wasn't him.
Zack had already been chosen by the Division Knights—the Empire's elite force. The others were accepted into the Knight Order, defenders of the Empire.
Ro felt his chest tighten as the truth finally settled in.
I lost.
Still, he held his head high. He congratulated the chosen in his heart, even as the ache lingered.
They gathered on stage, bowing respectfully to Commander Lucius. Zack stood beside Mitchell. The crowd cheered loudly.
Then Mitchell raised her voice again.
"AND NOW—FOR A SHOCKING FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT!""MAD MOHAWK—STEP ONTO THE STAGE!"
Ro froze.
His heart skipped.
Slowly, disbelief written across his face, he stepped forward. Mitchell smiled warmly at him.
"Congratulations, Mohawk," she said. "The Captain personally chose you."
Ro stared at her. "…Oh."
"Come on," Mitchell laughed. "Smile. This is your moment. You're joining the Division Knights."
The words didn't register—until Ro looked out at the crowd.
Cheers thundered.
But Ro's eyes locked onto one person.
Kenji.
The darkness in his brother's eyes was lifted a little. Light had returned. He was smiling.
That was when the tears came.
"KENJI! I DID IT, BROOOO!"
The crowd turned. Kenji's face went red instantly as he looked away.
Dammit… you loud bastard…
Ro couldn't see his brother's expression clearly—but he hoped, more than anything, that this moment would ease the weight Kenji carried.
Ro turned toward Zack.
"Hey, brat," he said, grinning. "I lost this time—but I'll get stronger. Then I'll beat you."
Zack glanced at him, bored.
"I'm not interested in losers."
Ro's grin hardened into resolve.
"One day," he said quietly, "this loser will beat you."
Zack turned away as the cheers continued.