The days before the tournament began passed in a strange rhythm.
Jade remained in his room, emerging only for meals when absolutely necessary and even then preferring to have Lio or Niamh bring food back. His entertainment terminal became his companion—films Selene had mentioned, shows from planets he'd never visit, documentaries about awakener techniques from various traditions.
It was, he had to admit, surprisingly pleasant.
Lio and Niamh ventured out daily, exploring different districts, familiarizing themselves with the planet's layout. They returned each evening with stories—some amusing, some concerning, all painting a picture of the tournament world's social landscape.
"Saw someone get into a fight over training room access," Lio reported on the third day, unpacking the meal containers he'd brought back. "Both A-rank. Security shut it down before anyone got seriously hurt, but the whole district was talking about it for hours."
"People are tense," Niamh added, settling onto Jade's bed since the room had only one chair. "The tournament starts in less than a week. Everyone's on edge, trying to get last-minute training in, making deals, forming alliances."
"Any more incidents?" Jade asked, accepting his food container.
Lio and Niamh exchanged glances. Since that first confrontation, they'd been more careful—taking less crowded routes, avoiding areas where wealthy delegations congregated, keeping their heads down.
"Nothing major," Lio said. "Some looks. A few comments. But nothing like before."
They ate together in Jade's small room, the conversation drifting to lighter topics. Training strategies. Bracket predictions based on rumors they'd overheard. The absurd prices in some of the commercial districts.
After they left, Jade returned to his films. Currently working through some action series that Selene had described as "peak cinema" with the kind of enthusiasm that made him suspicious. Three episodes in, he had to admit she wasn't entirely wrong.
-------------------------------------------------------
On the fifth day, Lio came back looking thoughtful.
"Ran into Revik and the others at one of the public training grounds," he said, settling into Jade's chair. "They were working through combat drills. Invited me to join."
"Did you?" Jade asked.
"Yeah. For about an hour." Lio's expression was complicated. "They're... not bad. I mean, they're still kind of assholes about the whole automatic slot thing. But they're decent fighters. Good coordination when they work together."
"That's useful information," Jade observed.
"Kessa mentioned something interesting," Lio continued. "Apparently there are preliminary announcements happening tomorrow. Bracket structures, tournament rules, opening ceremony details. Everyone's supposed to gather at the central arena district."
Jade paused his show. "Everyone?"
"All participants. Mandatory attendance, apparently. They'll be doing power level and talent rank assessments, final registration confirmations, that kind of thing."
Which meant Jade would have to leave his room. Be visible. Draw attention he'd been successfully avoiding for days.
"Can't be helped," Jade said with resignation. "When tomorrow?"
"Morning. Oh-nine-hundred local time." Lio grinned slightly. "Think you can handle being around people for a few hours?"
"I'll manage," Jade said dryly.
After Lio left, Jade lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. Five days of peace were about to end. Tomorrow he'd be back in the public eye, and the tournament would truly begin.
The thought should have made him anxious. Instead, he felt only calm anticipation.
He'd come here to win and anything else was just noise.
...
...
The sixth day arrived with artificial dawn filtering through his window. Jade dressed carefully combat clothes that allowed full movement, his cloak for whatever minimal protection it offered. He checked his appearance in the small mirror and grimaced slightly.
Even trying to look unremarkable, his reflection insisted on being striking. Silver-white hair, silver eyes, features that drew attention despite every effort otherwise.
Nothing to be done about it now.
He met Lio and Niamh in the corridor. The other Nexarion participants were also emerging from their rooms, all wearing similar expressions of determination mixed with nerves.
"Ready?" Revik asked, directing the question at the group as a whole.
Nods all around.
They made their way to the transit station, joining the flood of other participants all heading toward the central arena district. The trains were packed—bodies pressed close, conversation creating a constant roar.
Jade kept his hood up and his eyes down, trying to minimize exposure. It mostly worked. A few people glanced his direction, but in the crush of thousands, he was just another face in the crowd.
The central arena district was massive—a complex of interconnected stadiums, training facilities, and administrative buildings that could have housed a small city. Holographic displays floated everywhere, showing directions and instructions in multiple languages.
They followed the flow toward the main registration area, a vast open space where thousands of participants were already gathering. Officials in uniform moved through the crowd with scanners, checking identification badges and directing people to designated sections.
"Nexarion delegation, this way," one official called, gesturing them toward a section marked for their galaxy tier.
They moved as a group, finding spots in the designated area. Around them, other lower-tier delegations gathered—all wearing similar expressions of grim determination, all knowing they were considered long shots at best.
The arena itself loomed above them—a structure so large it seemed to touch the artificial sky. Holographic displays showed rotating tournament information, sponsorship advertisements, dramatic footage of past competitions.
"This is insane," Lio muttered, staring up at the displays. "How many people are here?"
"Tens of thousands just in this section," Niamh said. "And there are multiple registration areas across the district."
A commotion drew Jade's attention. Several sections over, a group of participants from what looked like a core world delegation were making an entrance—surrounded by attendants, their clothing and equipment clearly expensive, their bearing radiating confidence.
People moved aside for them automatically. Officials seemed more attentive, more deferential. The social hierarchy made visible.
"Nepo kids," Lio said quietly, following Jade's gaze.
"Mm," Jade agreed.
More delegations arrived. The crowd continued to swell. Jade found himself cataloging faces, power signatures, the way different groups interacted. Information that might be useful later.
Through it all, he remained mostly unnoticed. Just another participant in a sea of thousands. The anonymity was comfortable.
It wouldn't last, he knew that. Once the fighting began, once he started winning, attention would come whether he wanted it or not.
But for now, in this moment, he could simply observe and prepare.
And the tournament was finally beginning.
....