"Disappear!"
"You don't exist!"
"Go away, Ryo!"
"Give up!"
The voices echoed.
Darkness.
Weight.
Gravity crushing his chest.
"You shouldn't exist."
Ryo woke up suddenly.
Sweating.
Breathing uneven.
"Ryo! Ryooo!" his mother's voice called from outside.
He looked around.
A simple room.
Morning light slipping through the window.
Just a nightmare.
"Ryooo! Naraaa and Biiill are already awake!" Lúcia's cheerful voice filled the house.
Ryo took a deep breath.
Sat up.
Then shouted:
"Mooom! Daaad! Today our lives begin to change!"
Ryo rushed toward the kitchen.
Dona Lúcia smiled warmly.
"Son, sit with your father and your siblings. Today will be a big day."
"Yes, Mom!" Ryo replied.
The table was set.
The smell of fresh bread filled the air.
The three siblings sat side by side.
Nara broke the silence.
"Are you really okay with letting us go? You've always been so protective…"
Lúcia smiled.
But her eyes were already watery.
"My daughter… we're getting old. We don't want to hold you back. You need to see the world. You can't stay trapped in this village forever."
"That's right!" Ryo said excitedly. "This place is way too small!"
"Way too small!" Bill repeated.
Their parents laughed softly.
"But no one changes destiny on an empty stomach!" their father, Alte, said.
"This is our chance, and we won't disappoint you!" Nara declared.
Ryo looked at his father.
"Dad… I know it's been a while, but me and my siblings have a gift for you."
"What is it, son?"
"Well… it's a radio. We want you to listen to the tournament on channel 131."
Alte blinked in surprise.
"Alright… but where did you get the money?"
"We saved up," Lúcia asked softly.
"We worked for it," Bill said proudly. "Hunting, fishing… selling to local merchants. This idea was all mine!"
Silence.
A small smile appeared on their parents' faces.
Pride.
Then… tears.
Lúcia stood up.
She kissed each of their foreheads.
"We love you."
Alte held Ryo's hand firmly.
"I love you."
The three siblings couldn't hold back anymore.
They cried together.
Alte took a deep breath.
"Take the book. Discover the world… and come back to me."
"Listen to us on the radio!" Ryo said. "We'll make sure the announcer says our names many times!"
A pause.
"…Alright. But this time, I don't want legends."
His tone changed.
"I want real stories. Proven ones."
Nara wiped her tears.
"Okay."
Bill raised his fist.
"We'll come back!"
Ryo held the book tightly against his chest.
"We promise."
The farewell.
Lúcia spoke softly:
"My children… you've grown so much. Fight for us. Discover the world for your father. I believe you can find a cure too. If the world tries to crush you… remember, you have us.
Bring the cure to your father.
Take pictures of everything mentioned in the book.
Discover your origins.
You three are special to us.
We are getting old… I don't know how long we have. Send letters. If we can, we'll reply.
I love you all.
Your backpacks are ready with the essentials. Good luck… I believe in each of you."
Their father said only one word:
"Live."
The final embrace.
The goodbye hurt.
A difficult path awaited them.
Mountains.
Steep climbs.
Simple backpacks.
Water. Food. Clothes.
And the book.
The world began to open before them.
And for the first time…
The village stayed behind.
As they approached the royal capital…
Music.
An orchestra again.
A golden carriage.
"Look! The King!"
The crowd erupted.
The official squad followed:
Davi.
Susumo.
Aiko.
Isaac.
Ashley.
Kahl.
Kazume — leading.
"No region is stronger than ours!" someone shouted.
Among the crowd…
Erik watched.
Eyes shining.
Pure determination.
The carriage stopped.
King Oliver stepped down.
He climbed the stage.
Silence took over.
"It is my honor to declare the beginning of the greatest tournament of all!"
The crowd exploded.
"YEAHHHH!"
Music returned.
Kazume stepped forward.
His presence alone silenced the crowd.
"In one week… the official exam will begin."
Absolute silence.
"Hundreds of candidates will participate."
Murmurs spread.
"There will be four initial phases."
His tone turned cold.
"To eliminate those who are worthless."
A woman whispered:
"How can he be so harsh?"
Kazume continued:
"Your children may die during this exam. If there are cowards trying to apply… withdraw now. Do not waste our resources."
Tension filled the air.
"Do not mourn their deaths. If they are not prepared… they should not participate."
A man shouted:
"That's right!"
Part of the crowd cheered.
Others fell silent.
Kazume finished:
"Points will be counted in every phase."
"A ranking will be formed."
"Only the top sixteen will enter the official tournament."
The mood shifted.
From celebration… to war.
"Two brackets of eight fighters. One-on-one battles."
"Completion time, elemental mastery, strategy, and technique will all be evaluated."
A pause.
"And even after winning… there will be a final test to become an official member of the squad."
He stepped back.
"Good luck."
Applause.
Food was served.
Music returned.
A celebration.
But the weight in the air remained.
"We're signing up tomorrow, Ryo!" Bill said excitedly.
"Yeah!" Ryo replied with a smile.
Nara turned serious.
"What if one of us dies?"
Silence returned.
"Our parents wouldn't survive that…"
Ryo took a deep breath.
Looked at both of them.
"Then we protect each other. I believe in us."
A voice interrupted.
"Hey."
Ryo turned.
It was Erik.
"I know you're from Blue Garden Village."
Ryo answered cautiously:
"We are. And you?"
Erik held his gaze.
"I'm the strongest here."
Some candidates nearby reacted.
Some laughed.
Others grew serious.
No one replied.
In the depths of an alley…
A figure watched.
Tero King.
Silent.
He didn't look at the crowd.
He felt.
Two presences.
One… pure will.
The other… something else.
Fear?
No…
Weight.
Tero closed his eyes.
A faint smile appeared.
"Interesting…"
Cut.
End of Chapter 4
Bill (narration):
The bloody tournament is about to begin.
Who will be the strongest?
Some seek the wealth of the elite.
Others seek the respect.
And some… only want the spotlight.
Power alone… is not everything.