January 23
...
Pfffff… As I hit my head against the blanket, I let out a long yawn.
For the past two days, I'd been running around like crazy: going to the hospital for my brother, thinking about my execution case, and blaming myself for everything I had done… I was exhausted. But I had to pull myself together. If my brother and Shroud saw me, they would probably insult me and scold me badly. Of course, thanks to me, that's impossible. Heh.
I grinned. Honestly, I think I had gone a bit insane. My mental state wasn't great these last few days; after all, too much had happened. But what mattered was the present. I looked at the watch on my wrist.
It was time.
15:20.
Only 10 minutes left. I should get ready. The interview was going to be tough; it was my first time doing something like this and I couldn't even practice because I had no time. I had also visited the gym today, but sadly…
The place that used to be a part of my life was gone. It wasn't there anymore. I wanted to call my friends, but I couldn't. No matter how much I tried to forgive myself, it was hard… I simply couldn't.
Anyway, time was running out. I shook my head, breaking free from my thoughts. I slapped my cheeks a little and started getting dressed. With only 3 seconds left, I rushed out of the house. I checked the time and waited for the car to arrive.
I waited… 3, 7, 8… and then 15 minutes had passed. I was bored. Just when I turned around to go back home, I heard a voice in my mind.
"Participant Mr. Yhazem, congratulations. You have passed the first test. You have earned the right to join the interview. Your patience for 15 minutes shows your seriousness in this matter," said the childish voice in my head.
I laughed and thought to myself:
Of course I'll wait. If I don't, they'll take blood from my ass.
My face fell at the thought. But there was a problem… My vision started to blur. I felt a warmth in my pocket. I took out the card that was the source of the heat. It suddenly shined extremely bright. My eyes hurt for a moment.
And that became the beginning of a brand new adventure for me.
When I opened my eyes, I was in a different place. A whole different area. A different city.
"Oh shit…" I said out loud. But when I saw the big palace in the middle of the city, I felt happy. After all, that place was going to be mine… right? Right??
Of course, that thought vanished as the childish voice spoke again:
"Participant Yhazem, please go to the castle on the top of the mountain. That is your target. You have 30 minutes. Good luck."
I checked the time: 15:50.
I cursed again internally: "Shit… What the hell is this???"
Inside the Castle on the Mountain:
In a room lit by sunlight reflecting off golden chandeliers and luxurious furniture—so fancy that anyone would think it belonged to a noble family—a girl stood by the window.
With black hair, blue eyes, and skin as white as porcelain, she looked like a doll.
This girl was Julia V. Swordborne, the second princess of the Swordborne Dynasty.
Known as the youngest and most beautiful of the royal children, Julia was often called an angel by those her age. Inside the room stood an old, large-built man with orange-tinted hair, but he remained silent. The room was silent too… until someone knocked.
Knock knock knock.
After three knocks, the door opened.
"Forgive me, my lady, for disturbing you, but all candidates have gathered. They will come in one by one within 10 minutes. Do you have any other requests?"
Julia showed no sign of life. Only her hair moved, fluttering from the wind. Finally, she turned to the old servant.
"That is enough. Thank you," she said and turned back around.
The large man narrowed his eyes and nodded at the servant. The servant bowed and hurried out. He was panting—barely made it on time. If he had been two minutes later, that might have been the end of him.
When Yhazem reached the door, it opened automatically. The knights bowed and signaled him to follow. Yhazem understood, nodded, and entered the castle.
After walking through the hall for a while, the noise grew louder. Eventually, he saw a huge table surrounded by dozens of candidates. The knights wished him luck and left. Yhazem sat on an empty chair. Some candidates glanced at him, but only briefly. They probably thought he was easy prey.
But Yhazem only grinned.
They would eventually learn the truth—but by then, it would be too late for them.
"Hmm?"
Yhazem focused on the two men on the podium. There was something strange about them. One was huge, and his strength could be felt from 100 meters away. But the other… a young man with messy white hair and a band over one eye. Something was wrong about him. Yhazem's hair stood on end.
Ahem. The man tapped the glass three times. Everyone instantly paid attention.
"Ahem… Honestly, you weaklings are unworthy of Lady Julia. However, one among you will earn the right to become her guardian. I'll keep it short:
The tournament has already begun.
The only rule is: Be the last one standing!"