Masaru caught the sword approaching him by weaving it through the strings he had created between his fingers. "Haven't you realized you still can't stop me?" "I have, but what harm is there in trying, right?" The shouting crowd suddenly fell silent. No one could comment on why Kano wanted to kill Masaru. Masaru had supported many people, though not as much as Kano, and was working to ensure justice.
"Come on, Makoto, let's go grab a meal." "I can't refuse the winner's request." The two headed towards the warriors' dining hall. Kano also picked up the sword Masaru had thrown to the ground and followed them.
"I don't know what you're planning, but I can see what it will lead to," Kano interrogated Masaru, sitting across from him. "And you, Makoto, what will you do in all this?" Makoto spread both his hands to the side. "Nothing. He won. I couldn't stop him in time." "Yes, there's a connection between you two, I can see. A different kind of connection, as if you've been together for a long time, but at the same time, it seems like you've just come together." Masaru pointed his spoon at him. "You're truly commendable. I saw you when you were investigating that woman. Even though I couldn't fully understand the story, I saw the eyes of that woman looking at you. Then, you caught my interest, you became my target. And you met my expectations; you provided people with a weapon to control soul power, and they put people like us in here. You, as the only soul user they didn't imprison, enjoyed a comfortable life, beloved by the people."
"Yes, I know. I noticed something before you entered the presidential election, but I didn't understand what or who it was. Then you did the show that made you famous, and I realized that thing was you while watching you. Ah, can I join the conversation? Because I've been bored here for a while without it, and my only entertainment has been battles." "Of course, Makoto, after all, the end is very close; you better spend some time celebrating before that. Makoto made a puzzled face. "Then why didn't you fight to take your freedom, Makoto? You could have defeated everyone and easily demanded your freedom in front of the great leader." "Instead of standing idly by, I'd rather fight here forever. It's better." "YES, WARRIORS, THE MEAL BREAK IS OVER!" Guards with spears glowing at the tip entered the dining hall. The spears had three prongs, and a glowing sphere stood in the middle of the prongs. It was used to instantly stop all soul flow. "I've really done a great job," Kano began to boast about the tool he had created. "Absolutely," Masaru agreed. The three of them started walking back to their cells together.
The beginning of the arena system started with people's fears of the power of the soul. People no longer wanted to use the power of the soul. In their newly organized lives, they feared experiencing a bad ending in the same way, associating the power of the soul with this unfortunate outcome. Therefore, they consulted the founder of this city, the great leader. The great leader promised to find a solution for them. The community was almost divided into two: soul users and regular people. People feared soul users because they possessed extra powers. If they attempted to gain superiority over regular people, who could stop them? Fortunately, soul users were a minority, so people's fear did not grow significantly. One day, Kano appeared before the great leader and presented his invention to him. Upon hearing this news, the great leader immediately summoned his people in front of his massive house. There was a large space in front of the house, designed for people to gather and hear important announcements. President Kano presented his invention to the people. People shouted in joy. However, soul users present there were filled with fear. The president immediately wanted to fix the situation. He offered them a lifestyle. In the arena, soul users would fight to entertain the people. Those with Chiyu would heal these warriors. The arena would be the home of soul users. This was not an acceptable offer. No soul user accepted it. The great leader warned them that he did not want to use force. They were all filled with fear, but they still could not accept it. The great leader had to resort to force. He introduced the guardian system. Volunteers were equipped with these weapons, and all soul users were forcefully confined to the arena. Some managed to escape to their old homes, but many became warriors in the arena. People saw the great leader's choice as a ruthless method. The great leader was aware of the people's perspective, so he offered a good standard of living to soul users living in the arena. Soul users had everything they needed here; there was only one cost: to fight in the arena and then be healed. Soul users looked favorably upon this offer. The great leader also offered them another proposal; the one who could defeat all other warriors could come before him and request a normal life. However, this was not something soul users particularly wanted; their lives were comfortable, and their only job was to occasionally provide a show for others by fighting and then enjoy themselves. Thus, other people also became accustomed to this system, enjoying these battles with ease. People and soul users thus led separate and fearless lives.
"AND THE WINNER IS MASARU." Masaru continued to secure victories rapidly; he was very close to his goal, the grand finale.
The victories kept coming. Makoto and Kano had started to fear him more and more; his sole focus was victory, and his passion for the grand finale had consumed him. "A HISTORICAL FIRST, THE FIRST TIME A SOUL USER WILL STEP INTO FREEDOM." The time had come; Masaru, placing his foot on the fallen opponent, raised his fist into the air. "YOU DID IT, MASARU, YOU DID IT!" Anton shouted with joy and tears. Masaru smiled at him. "NOW, MY PEOPLE, FOLLOW ME." Masaru walked towards the exit with the guards; the spectators jumped from their seats and rushed to wait for Masaru at the exit.
"Hey, are you coming?" "No, I couldn't stop him; I don't intend to bother trying anymore. He's beyond my level." Makoto nodded and walked away from Kano.
Everyone followed Masaru towards the house of the great leader. "Let's see if you can succeed." A smile formed on Masaru's face.