After the semifinals, the organizers announced a short break before the grand final. The arena remained full. In fact, it seemed even more crowded than before. Many people who had come only to watch the decisive matches now occupied every available space.
While we waited, I remained seated with the girls, watching the activity around us.
It was curious.
I had already taken part in battles far greater than this. I had already faced monsters capable of destroying cities. I had already fought Demon Generals. Even so, this simple tournament managed to be enjoyable in a different way.
There was no pressure.
There was no burden of deciding the fate of thousands of people.
It was simply a competition.
Something I hadn't experienced in a very long time.
"You seem relaxed."
Liriel said.
"Maybe because I am."
I replied.
She smiled.
"That's rare."
"I know."
Scarlett was sitting nearby.
"You won't stay relaxed once you step into the arena."
"Are you rooting against me?"
I asked.
"No."
She replied.
"But I hope the old man is strong."
Rai'kanna agreed.
"So do I."
I sighed.
It was impressive how those two thought alike whenever the subject was fighting.
Liriel's assistant watched the arena.
"Has the champion really remained undefeated for twenty years?"
"That's what they said."
I replied.
"Then he must be strong."
"Probably."
Even without knowing him very well, I agreed with that assessment.
Twenty years was a long time.
Especially in a tournament held every year.
That meant dozens of adventurers, mercenaries, and warriors had already tried to defeat him.
And every one of them had failed.
A short while later, one of the organizers approached me.
"Sir Takumi."
I looked up.
"Yes?"
"The champion would like to speak with you before the match."
That surprised me a little.
But I saw no reason to refuse.
"Of course."
I stood up.
The girls followed me with their eyes as I accompanied the organizer.
We crossed a restricted area of the arena until we reached a simple room located near the competitors' main entrance.
That was where I found the champion.
He was sitting calmly on a wooden bench.
He was a tall man.
He had broad shoulders and a body that had clearly been trained for decades.
His gray hair revealed his age, but his eyes remained steady.
As soon as he saw me, he stood up.
"So you're Takumi."
I nodded.
"And you're the champion."
He smiled.
"For now."
That made me laugh.
The man seemed remarkably calm.
Unlike many fighters I had met before.
He projected neither arrogance.
Nor hostility.
Only confidence.
"Thank you for agreeing to talk."
He said.
"It wasn't a problem."
He crossed his arms.
"I wanted to meet you before the match."
"Because I'm the Hero?"
I asked.
"Because you defeated one of the Demon Generals."
The answer came immediately.
There was no exaggeration in his voice.
Only sincerity.
"I've heard many stories about you."
I continued listening in silence.
"The boy who appeared out of nowhere."
"Who saved cities."
"Who defeated monsters."
"Who faced one of the greatest enemies in the world."
He let out a small laugh.
"I admit I became curious."
I shook my head.
"Stories usually exaggerate."
"Maybe."
He replied.
"But something tells me not all of them do."
We talked for several minutes.
The conversation covered many different topics.
We talked about battles.
About training.
About adventurers.
About the city.
The more we talked, the more I understood why that man was so respected.
He had experience.
A great deal of experience.
Perhaps he wasn't as powerful as the enemies I had faced recently.
But there was something admirable about him.
He was someone who had dedicated entire decades to perfecting his own body.
Someone who had continued training even after earning recognition.
At one point, he looked at me.
"May I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Do you intend to keep getting stronger?"
The question surprised me.
But the answer came naturally.
"Yes."
"Even after everything you've already achieved?"
"Especially because of it."
He remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he nodded.
"I thought you'd answer something like that."
"Why?"
"Because I recognize that look."
I pointed at myself.
"Look?"
"The look of someone who hasn't reached his destination yet."
That made sense.
Because it was true.
I still hadn't reached my goal.
The Demon King was still alive.
The war wasn't over yet.
The peace we were enjoying could disappear at any moment.
I couldn't stop.
Not yet.
The champion realized that.
Perhaps without me having to say a single word.
"Then keep moving forward."
He said.
"But don't forget to enjoy moments like this."
I looked at him.
"Moments like a tournament?"
He smiled.
"Moments where you can simply live."
For a few seconds, I fell into thought.
Perhaps he was right.
Over the past few months, my life had revolved around battles.
Training.
Wars.
Strategies.
Very few times had I stopped to simply enjoy the present.
The conversation ended shortly afterward.
Before leaving the room, he extended his hand.
I shook it.
"Thank you for the conversation."
He said.
"No, thank you."
Then we headed toward the arena.
As soon as we appeared near the competitors' entrance, the audience noticed our presence.
The applause began almost immediately.
The anticipation was enormous.
The final had finally arrived.
I returned to the girls while we waited for the official start.
Scarlett smiled when she saw me.
"So?"
"So what?"
"Is he strong?"
"He is."
She seemed satisfied.
So did Rai'kanna.
Liriel simply observed my expression.
"You like him."
"Yes."
"I thought so."
Liriel's assistant tilted her head.
"He seems like a good person."
"That's what it seems."
A short while later, the organizers began the final preparations.
The staff inspected the arena.
The healers took their positions.
The referees gathered near the center.
The sun was slowly approaching the horizon.
Its golden light illuminated the entire city.
Creating an almost perfect atmosphere for the tournament's conclusion.
Finally, the announcer appeared.
His voice echoed throughout the entire arena.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
The crowd responded immediately.
Applause.
Whistles.
Cheers.
The energy was incredible.
"The time has come for the grand final!"
The reaction was even greater.
People rose from their seats.
Many began shouting the names of the finalists.
The announcer continued fueling the crowd's excitement.
He once again presented the champion's record.
Twenty years undefeated.
Twenty years defending his title.
Twenty years without knowing defeat.
Then he introduced my name.
The Hero who had defeated the First Demon General.
The adventurer now seeking to claim the tournament title.
When my name was announced, another wave of applause swept across the arena.
It was still strange to hear that.
But I was beginning to get used to it.
Then the moment arrived.
The champion walked to the center of the arena.
The crowd welcomed him with enormous respect.
It wasn't just admiration.
It was something greater.
It was recognition for two decades of dedication.
Shortly afterward, I was called.
I entered the arena under equally thunderous applause.
The ground itself seemed to vibrate from the spectators' enthusiasm.
I walked to the center.
The champion was already waiting for me.
When I stopped in front of him, he smiled.
"Ready?"
He asked.
"Ready."
I replied.
"Good."
He nodded.
"Because I intend to enjoy this fight."
I smiled.
"So do I."
The referee stepped forward.
He explained the rules one last time.
No weapons.
No magic.
Only physical strength.
We both agreed.
Then we stepped back.
A few steps backward.
The entire arena fell into silence.
Thousands of eyes watched that moment.
The anticipation was enormous.
The champion assumed his stance.
I did the same.
The wind swept across the arena.
The flags around us swayed gently.
The referee raised his hand.
The crowd waited.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Then the signal was given.
And the fight began.