Morning arrived quietly, yet it carried an unusual sense of energy.
The sun had only just begun to rise above the distant mountains, painting the sky with pale gold and soft shades of orange. Normally, at this hour, the organization's training grounds would still be half asleep.
But not today.
Today was different.
Rows of defenders had already gathered in the wide stone courtyard long before the sun fully appeared. The cold morning air brushed against their armor and clothes, yet no one complained. Their eyes were fixed forward with anticipation.
Because today… was the day of the tournament.
At the very front of the courtyard stood a single man.
Tall. Silent. Unmoving.
Thalin.
A long cloak rested over his shoulders, moving slightly with the morning wind. His face was calm, but one detail about him always drew attention.
His eyes were completely hidden.
A dark band of cloth wrapped across them, covering both eyes beneath his hood, as if sealing away whatever power they might hold.
Yet even without seeing his eyes, everyone present could feel the pressure of his presence.
He slowly looked over the defenders standing before him.
There were dozens of them.
Young warriors from different divisions of the organization.
Some looked confident.
Some looked nervous.
Others were trying desperately to hide their fear.
Thalin's head moved slowly as if he were observing every single one of them despite the cloth covering his eyes.
Then he spoke.
His voice was calm, yet it carried through the entire courtyard with natural authority.
"Is everyone ready?"
A brief silence followed.
Then he added,
"Today is the day of the tournament."
The defenders immediately shouted together.
"Yes, Master!"
Their voices echoed against the stone walls of the courtyard.
Among the crowd stood Jinsu beside Yuna, lazily stretching his arms as if he had just woken up.
He leaned slightly toward her and whispered,
"Why is the master the one giving the speech?"
Yuna glanced at him.
"What do you mean?"
Jinsu shrugged.
"Shouldn't Commander Tsukiro be the one talking?"
Yuna sighed as if she had just heard the most obvious question in the world.
"It's simple, you idiot."
She crossed her arms.
"Master Thalin is the strongest person here. When you're that strong, you can basically do whatever you want."
Then she tilted her head slightly.
"And besides… who exactly would stop him?"
Jinsu scratched the back of his head.
"Fair point."
Suddenly a loud voice echoed through the crowd.
"Silence, you weaklings!"
It was Levi.
He stood a few rows ahead, glaring at everyone with irritation.
"Commander Tsukiro has arrived!"
The murmuring immediately disappeared.
All eyes turned toward the stone platform at the front of the courtyard.
A tall figure slowly walked toward it.
Tsukiro.
The commander of the defenders.
His long coat moved behind him as he climbed the platform with calm, confident steps.
The air around him carried a quiet but heavy pressure.
When he reached the top, he stopped beside Thalin.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then suddenly—
Tsukiro reached behind his back and pulled out a massive sword.
The blade was enormous, nearly as tall as some of the defenders.
It reflected the morning sunlight as he lifted it.
Before anyone could react—
Tsukiro swung it.
Straight toward Thalin's back.
Gasps erupted across the courtyard.
"What?!"
"Did he just attack him?!"
The sword cut through the air with terrifying speed.
But just before the blade could reach Thalin—
It stopped.
Not because Tsukiro hesitated.
But because it could not move any further.
Something invisible blocked it.
The sword trembled violently in Tsukiro's hands.
Then—
CRACK!
The metal shattered.
Half of the blade broke apart and flew across the courtyard before crashing onto the stone ground.
Silence fell.
Complete silence.
Every defender stared in disbelief.
Jinsu blinked several times.
(Did… did he really just attack him?)
Even Levi looked stunned.
Thalin slowly turned around.
Despite the cloth covering his eyes, a small smile appeared on his face.
"Oh."
He spoke casually.
"Tsukiro."
He folded his arms.
"How are you? Did you sleep well?"
Tsukiro stared at him for a moment.
Then suddenly—
He burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
He placed the broken sword on his shoulder.
"I still can't hit you, Thalin."
He shook his head with amusement.
"I guess I'm getting old."
Thalin chuckled.
"Hahaha."
"Even if you returned to your youth…"
He lightly tapped the broken blade with his finger.
"…your sword still wouldn't break through my defense."
Tsukiro smirked.
"You're probably right."
Behind them, the defenders watched the scene with completely confused expressions.
Yorlis leaned toward the person beside him.
"Are they serious?"
He whispered,
"Did the commander just try to kill him as a greeting?"
The other defender slowly shook his head.
"I have no idea."
Tsukiro then stepped forward toward the edge of the platform.
His expression became serious.
"As Thalin already said…"
His voice echoed clearly across the courtyard.
"Today is the day of the tournament."
The defenders immediately straightened their posture.
"The tournament will take place in Yami Forest."
Murmurs spread among the crowd.
Tsukiro continued.
"The forest belongs to the Seven Organizations. Over the past weeks, their leaders captured numerous Yami creatures alive and sealed them inside the forest."
He looked across the defenders.
"Your task is simple."
A brief pause followed.
"Kill them."
A cold silence fell over the courtyard.
"For every Yami you defeat, you will obtain a Valiana Eye."
He raised one finger.
"These eyes were placed on the creatures by Lady Valiana and her disciples."
"Each eye counts as one point."
"Collect as many as you can."
Then he declared,
"The defender with the highest number of eyes will be the winner."
Excitement began spreading through the crowd.
But Tsukiro wasn't finished.
"The organization that the winner belongs to…"
He paused.
"…will win the entire tournament."
Then he added with emphasis,
"As for the winner themselves…"
Everyone held their breath.
"They will receive the legendary Blood Sword."
Levi's eyes widened.
"B-Blood Sword?!"
He nearly jumped forward in excitement.
Jinsu laughed quietly.
"Look at his face."
He nudged Yuna.
"All that excitement over a sword."
But when he turned—
Yuna looked just as shocked.
"The Elite…"
She whispered.
Jinsu blinked.
(Wait… that's the part she cares about?)
Tsukiro finished the announcement.
"The winner will also be promoted directly to the Elite Division of their organization."
The courtyard exploded with noise.
Excitement.
Shock.
Ambition.
Everyone began talking at once.
Suddenly—
"Silence."
Thalin's voice echoed across the courtyard.
A powerful wave of energy burst outward from his body.
The ground trembled slightly.
Every defender froze.
"The commander has not finished speaking."
Thalin said calmly.
Tsukiro glanced at him and smiled.
"Thank you, Thalin."
Then he addressed the defenders again.
"There is one more rule."
The crowd grew quiet.
"If you defeat another competitor…"
He pointed toward them.
"…you may take all the Valiana Eyes they have collected."
The reaction was immediate.
"What?!"
"Seriously?!"
"That's insane!"
One defender shouted,
"Is that really allowed?!"
Tsukiro simply nodded.
Levi grinned widely.
"Hehehe…"
He clenched his fists.
"That means the Blood Sword is basically mine."
A voice behind him laughed.
"Dream on."
It was Ferin.
He stepped forward with a confident smile.
"You're not winning anything while I'm here, Levi."
Levi turned toward him.
"Oh?"
He laughed.
"So confident, huh?"
He cracked his neck.
"We'll see who ends up being the easy target."
Then Levi slowly turned his head.
His gaze locked onto someone in the crowd.
Jinsu.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Levi slowly raised his sword.
The blade pointed directly at Jinsu.
A silent challenge.
(Show me, Jinsu… the power that sealed the king.)
Jinsu looked back at him.
Then slowly—
He smiled.
(Come, Levi.)
(You're going to regret this.)