The system would be as follows:
Each person would face another. The winners would then fight each other, and the victor would wait for the losers to face off before battling the winner of that match.
Axel calmly explained the rules, making sure everyone understood. There would be no outside interference or help from teammates; each fight would be individual and decided solely by skill.
The goal wasn't to humiliate or eliminate anyone, but to test strength, evaluate decisions, and discover who could adapt best under pressure. When he finished speaking, the atmosphere became tense. No one protested, but everyone knew that this system left no room for error.
Each member of the group dispersed throughout the house.
Nero was leaning against a wall, staring blankly, lost in thought.
"Hey, which path are you on?"
Sunday's voice sounded surprisingly calm.
Remembering Axel's advice, Nero replied, "The path of cunning. And yours?"
"The path of spontaneity. Did you know…?"
Sunday continued talking about irrelevant matters, but Nero barely paid attention. His mind was elsewhere.
How many Sinner paths existed? He knew of several, but… they couldn't be infinite.
Sunday kept talking, stringing one idea to another without much order. He jumped from one topic to another naturally, as if nothing worried him.
"In the end, everyone believes their path is special," he said with a slight smile. "But when you're facing someone stronger, those beliefs are put to the test."
Nero watched him out of the corner of his eye. Sunday didn't seem nervous. There was no tension in his posture or his voice. Either he was very good at hiding it… or he truly wasn't afraid.
"And what if you lose?" Nero asked, more out of curiosity than provocation.
Sunday shrugged. "So I lose. I learn something and move on. It's not that bad."
Several hours passed. Six, maybe seven.
The initial tension gradually dissipated, replaced by a heavy waiting. The tournament wasn't today, but tomorrow, and that certainty made everything feel even longer. Some killed time by training in silence; others checked their equipment over and over, as if that could calm their nerves. Nero, on the other hand, paced back and forth, unable to stay still. Sunday continued to act as if the next day didn't concern him at all.
When the front door opened, the sound broke the calm.
Rose entered the house and placed her backpack against the wall. She glanced around listlessly… until her eyes landed on Sunday. Her expression changed instantly.
"Wow," she said sarcastically. "I didn't know our house was now operating as a homeless shelter."
Sunday blinked, surprised, but he didn't seem annoyed. More like curious.
"And who is she?" she asked, turning to Nero.
Nero exhaled slowly before answering.
"Rose. She's my annoying little sister."
"Nero! Don't go around telling strangers my name."
But it didn't bother you before...
"Then why did you call me annoying!"
"...Be grateful I didn't call you rabid."
Rose glared at him.
"You're an idiot," she said, pointing her finger at him. Then she looked at Sunday one last time, with obvious distrust, and added, "And don't get used to it. This house is already too crowded."
Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed her backpack and went to her room with heavy steps. Her bedroom door slammed shut, the sound echoing throughout the house.
The silence that followed was awkward.
Sunday scratched the back of his neck, somewhat embarrassed. "Is he always like this?"
"When he's in a bad mood... yes," Nero replied. "And when he's not, too."
Sunday let out a short laugh, but didn't press the issue. The atmosphere was already tense enough.
More time passed.
The afternoon slowly faded, and boredom began to gnaw at the group. There were no battles, no missions, only the constant anticipation of what the next day would bring. Some sat on the floor, others leaned against the walls. Lux sharpened his weapon out of sheer habit; Axel remained silent, observing everything from a distance.
Nero slumped into a chair, drumming his fingers on the table. He hated waiting. He much preferred the pressure of combat to this forced calm.
Sunday, on the other hand, seemed comfortable. He sat on his back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling as if counting invisible cracks.
"Tomorrow's going to be interesting," he said suddenly.
Nero looked at him. "That's for sure."
The night passed slowly, almost heavily. No one slept well.
When the new day arrived, the house was filled with a different, denser silence. It was no longer boredom: it was anticipation. The tournament started today.
The group gathered early. Without a word, Axel led them to the backyard. The space was ample, with a firm dirt floor and some old training marks. It wasn't an official arena, but it would do.
Axel stood before them, serious, arms crossed.
"It's time," he said bluntly.
"The first match will be"—Axel paused dramatically.
"Lux versus Nero."
Lux stepped forward calmly, his weapon already in hand. His expression was serene, but his eyes were focused. Nero also advanced…
Before he could do anything else, Axel stopped him.
He rummaged through his clothes and took his revolver.
"Not that," he said dryly. "Only Sinner weapons."
Nero frowned. "It's part of my style."
Axel shook his head slowly. "Not today. I want to see your path, not an outside advantage."
For a moment, Nero felt irritation. The revolver had always been his backup, his last resort. But arguing wouldn't change anything. He dropped the weapon and took a step back.
"Understood," he finally replied.
Axel holstered the revolver and stepped back, raising his hand.
"Whenever you're ready."
Nero had an ace up his sleeve; he had crafted five cards during the afternoon and evening.
The little birds perched on the tree branches stopped singing and simply watched the fight.
Lux wasted no time and ran toward Nero. Nero drew his knife and activated his aura.
His aura swept across the entire blade of the small obsidian knife, making it gigantic.
Wham!
Lux's axe sliced through the air, dangerously grazing Nero's head.
The impact kicked up a cloud of dust.
Nero took a half-step back, feeling the sharp air brush against his hair.
There was no time to think: Lux was already upon him again, linking the movement with a precise rotation of his body.
The axe traced a heavy, controlled arc, seeking to force him backward. Nero gritted his teeth and spun around.
The obsidian blade, magnified by his aura, struck the axe handle with a sharp clang.
The vibration coursed through his arm, making him immediately understand the difference in strength between them.
"You're too heavy," he muttered, more to himself than to Lux.
Nero threw himself to the ground, dodging another blow from Lux.
In Nero's mind, the plan was already set. He would lose to Lux, then in the final, he would unleash his full power.
Lux prepared another blow, and Nero awaited it with a half-smile on his face.
Their weapons clashed, and Nero subtly dropped his knife.
Lux placed his axe dangerously close to Nero's neck.
"I surrender."
Lux seemed pleased and went to where the group was gathered. Before joining the others, Nero picked up his knife.
"Second match. Sunday versus Kōri."