Catherine sat in her room while a maid stood behind her, gently brushing her hair as she spoke.
"Princess, the Emperor wishes to speak with you about your preparations."
Catherine replied calmly, "Tell him not to worry. I know what I'm doing."
She paused for a moment, then added, "And tell him to finish what I asked. I'll handle the rest."
The maid hid her reaction, but inside, she was shaken. She still couldn't understand how much the princess had changed over the past month. Catherine had always been a genius, but she was still like any other young girl—thinking about her future, who she might marry, and the things she wanted to learn.
Then, suddenly, everything changed.
A month ago, Catherine had requested a private meeting with the Emperor. No one knew what was said behind those closed doors, but after that day, nothing was the same. The Emperor began summoning her to confidential discussions—meetings reserved for the highest ranks. He entrusted her with authority that even her older brothers did not possess.
It was as if he had already chosen her as his successor.
The thought alone terrified the maid. It was not something one could say out loud—such words could cost a life.
Sensing the shift in her maid's thoughts, Catherine rose and walked toward the bed. "Don't worry," she said quietly. "Just do as I told you."
The maid quickly lowered her head. "I wouldn't dare question you, Princess. I'll do exactly as you said."
As she spoke, the maid couldn't help but think how different Catherine had become. The girl she once served—curious, bright, and full of youthful dreams—was gone. In her place stood someone composed and commanding, a person entrusted with real authority by the Emperor himself. Someone who might one day become queen.
With that thought buried deep in her mind, the maid excused herself and left the room.
Catherine remained alone.
Her gaze drifted slightly as her thoughts turned inward. The speed at which she had gained influence was no accident—it was because of her father. After her regression, when she first met him again, she told him everything about the future she had lived through. At first, he didn't believe her.
So she proved it.
She revealed events that had yet to happen—details no one else could have known. And one by one, those events unfolded exactly as she said they would. Slowly, doubt turned into trust. Trust turned into reliance.
Now, the Emperor sought her judgment on matters of real importance. And why wouldn't he? If someone could see the future, it would be foolish not to rely on them when making critical decisions.
The next morning at school, Catherine heard talk of a martial arts tournament—one that would be broadcast across the entire country.
It seemed her father had taken her advice seriously. Just as she had suggested, he had begun drawing martial artists from all over the world, using the tournament as a stage to gather talent and strength under his rule.
As for why, the answer is simple: it was for the apocalypse. One of the main reasons the apocalypse was so devastating was the gradual failure of technology. At first, phones and computers stopped working. Then guns and advanced weapons became unreliable. In the end, nearly all technology was lost. Without it, humanity was left defenseless against monsters, demons, and even gods, and destruction came swiftly.
Only the emergence of the first generation of Awakeners prevented complete extinction. Humanity survived those darkest days because of them, though at a terrible cost. Countless sacrifices were made by that first generation—so many that a saying spread among the survivors, that awakening was considered fortunate, unless it happened in the first generation, who bore the greatest burden.
And, unsurprisingly, the first generation of Awakeners was filled with martial artists. That was exactly why Catherine had advised her father to attract as many martial artists as possible to the country and the capital, offering them generous benefits to cultivate strength and talent.
Later, while walking home from school with Alex, she brought up the topic.
"Did you hear about the tournament? They're already preparing the city," she asked.
"Yes, I heard. Are you planning to sign our club up?" Alex replied.
Catherine nodded. "Yes. I think it's time for our club to compete in a real tournament."
He raised an eyebrow. "If you mean the other club members… I don't think any of them are ready, except maybe Ethan?"
She shrugged lightly. "They don't need to be fully ready. They just need to face others and take a few hits. That will give them the motivation to train harder."
Alex looked at her, captivated by her white hair, her deep black eyes that seemed to hold the night itself, and skin so flawless it could rival the sky. He couldn't believe that someone so beautiful could have such a calculating, almost ruthless mindset.
Catching him staring, Catherine blushed faintly. "Why are you looking at me?"
"Just… appreciating how beautiful you are," Alex admitted.
Her cheeks deepened in color. "T… T-Thank you… You're… you're too."
Alex smirked teasingly. "What? I didn't hear that."
Summoning all her courage, Catherine finally said it aloud, her entire face burning. "You're also very handsome."
Alex laughed softly at her confession.
Catherine's face turned completely red, and she couldn't stop the thoughts racing in her head. Why am I always like this around him? she wondered. She was usually so composed, so calm—but whenever she stood in front of Alex, all of that seemed to vanish.
She could only blame herself. She had always had a crush on him in the future, and now, after regressing, she found herself feeling the same way toward his younger self. She couldn't believe it.
Yet, to her surprise, she didn't hate it. The feeling of being teased by your crush wasn't unpleasant at all. In fact, she wouldn't have minded spending the entire day like this with Alex. But, unfortunately, they both had things to do.
With her face still flushed, she called out to him before running toward her limousine. "Since we're going to participate in the tournament, please make sure the others are prepared. Normally, it starts in about two months."
Alex laughed as he watched her leave. She climbed into the limousine that would take her away, while he mounted his motorcycle. Yes—he had used his first salary to buy it.
Alex was ready to leave when suddenly his friend Michael came running up to him.
"You cheater!" Michael shouted.
Alex blinked in confusion. "Why?"
"We were supposed to stay together, losers for life! Now I'm the only loser left at school!"
Alex froze. "When did I… make a contract with you?"
Michael waved his hand dismissively. "When we first met! You don't need to say it out loud for it to count!"
Alex shook his head, dumbfounded by Michael's logic. Finally, he sighed and said, "Well… I can help you stop being a loser. Maybe start with some better clothes, and then find you a date."
Michael's eyes widened, shimmering with excitement. "Really?"
Alex smiled. "Of course. You've helped me so much before—why wouldn't I help you now?"
"Thanks, Alex! You're the best friend ever! How can I ever repay you?"
Michael lunged for a hug, but Alex pushed him away gently. "Don't touch me with your body full of sweat. Be ready tomorrow—I'll meet you behind the school and drive you to the mall to pick out some proper clothes."
With that, Alex turned and left Michael standing there "Ok, I will wait for you tomorrow here".
Alex returned to the mansion.
when he found one of the maid preparing his rooms, he instructed her "Go bring the other members of the club and told them i want to meet them in the training room"
After a short while, four maids returned, each leading one of the club members.
Alex looked at them and said, "Today, I have an announcement."
"There's a martial arts tournament happening in the city in two months. It's going to be one of the biggest in the world, attracting martial artists from across the globe. Anyone can participate, but of course, not everyone will win. Our club will be participating—which means all of you."
Ethan's eyes lit up with excitement. Finally, a chance to prove his worth!
But the reactions of the others were very different. Noah, Emma, and Lucas exchanged nervous glances, each anticipating the different types of beating, embarrassment, and challenges they might face in the tournament. Fear and anxiety hung over them, even as Ethan practically bounced with enthusiasm.