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I woke up on a couch, feeling the soft tatami mats beneath me and catching the scent of fresh wood in the air. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I realized I was in an Asian-style living room, likely a recovery room provided by the dojo. The space was simple yet elegant, with sliding shoji doors and minimalist decor that created a serene atmosphere. Despite the calm setting, the unease in my chest was palpable.
The last thing I remembered was hiding near the boundary of the simple realm, waiting for survivors to emerge so I could take them down. The plan had seemed solid—until it went catastrophically wrong. There was a sudden, powerful blast from within, shattering the realm and hurling me across the battlefield. The explosion's force was immense; whoever caused it had to be at least an A-rank. The memory sent a shiver down my spine.
"Sh*t, I shouldn't be in this tournament," I muttered as the reality of my situation settled in. Regret washed over me. "If I knew there was a risk of dying…"
Before I could finish my thought, a faint noise caught my attention. My body tensed, instincts kicking in as I scanned the room for the source. The sliding door creaked open, revealing a young woman standing in the doorway.
She was dressed in traditional martial arts attire, likely an employee of the dojo. Her expression was a mix of concern and curiosity as she looked over my bandaged body before speaking.
"You're awake," she said, her voice soft but steady. "I found you unconscious after the blast. You were lucky to have survived."
"Thanks," I replied, still groggy. "Where am I exactly?"
"This is a recovery room within the dojo," she explained. "You've been out for a while. The tournament's first round has ended. The next stage is about to begin. You're lucky to be alive. Perhaps you should give up and go home."
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "Luck, huh? Doesn't feel like it. And no, I don't do the give-up thing."
I tried to stand, but a sharp pain shot through my body, forcing me back down onto the couch. The realization hit me hard—my body wasn't in any condition to fight. Even if I could rejoin the tournament, I'd be an easy target.
"What about the others?" I asked, changing the subject. "Anyone else make it out of the blast?"
She hesitated before answering, her expression darkening. "No. The blast was… devastating. It wiped out everyone who was nearby. The few that survived were further away, like you. And… there's a rumor spreading that the explosion was caused by a blonde man. But no one knows for sure. Some say he was carried away by a green-haired girl, but that's just speculation."
"What's the next stage?" I asked, trying to shift the focus away from the grim news.
"The next stage," she began, "is something different. All of you have been assessed based on your performance in the first round, and you'll be placed into groups of three—trios—according to your power level. These trios will face challenges that require not just individual strength but teamwork and strategy. It's a test of unity, not just raw power."
My mind raced as she explained. Being grouped into a trio added a new layer of complexity. I'd have to rely on others, something I wasn't used to. And in my current state, I wasn't exactly an asset.
"Do you know who I'm paired with?" I asked, trying to hide my unease.
She shook her head. "No, they'll announce the groups shortly. But you should prepare yourself. The competition is only going to get tougher from here."
The idea of being in a trio was daunting, but it also sparked a flicker of hope. Maybe, with the right partners, I could find a way to survive. But the question lingered: who would I be paired with, and could I trust them when the stakes were life or death?
I forced myself to stand again, this time managing to stay upright despite the pain. The woman handed me a small bottle filled with a glowing blue liquid. "Drink this," she said. "It's a high-grade healing potion. It should help with your recovery."
I nodded gratefully and downed the potion in one gulp. Instantly, I felt a surge of energy course through me, easing the pain and clearing my mind. My body was still battered, but I felt a bit more capable of handling what was to come.
"Thanks," I said, handing the empty bottle back to her.
"Good luck," she replied, her expression softening into a faint smile before she turned to leave.
***
After gathering my things, I headed toward the main arena, where the participants were gathering for the announcement of the trios. The arena was a large, open space with tiered seating for spectators and a massive platform in the center where the upcoming challenges would likely take place. The air was thick with tension, the kind that only came before a high-stakes battle.
As I approached, the buzz of conversation filled my ears. I caught snippets of talk about the blast, who might have caused it, and the next stage of the tournament. But I kept to myself, focusing on what lay ahead.
The officials began calling out names, grouping participants into trios. I waited anxiously, my heart pounding in my chest as the list dwindled.
"And finally," the announcer called out, "Magnus Lynton, Violet Moses, and Tim Valen."
My stomach dropped as my name was called last. I looked around the arena, trying to spot my partners. It wasn't hard to find them: Magnus and Violet stood out from the crowd. Magnus with his unmistakable blonde hair and confident posture, and Violet with her green hair and calm demeanor.
As I approached them, Magnus's gaze met mine. There was a brief flicker of recognition in his eyes, and I could tell he was sizing me up. Violet, on the other hand, greeted me with a nod and a small smile, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"So, we're a team now," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
"Looks like it," Magnus replied, his tone neutral but guarded. "We're going to have to work together if we want to get through this."
"Agreed," Violet added. "The next stage isn't going to be easy, but if we combine our strengths, we should be able to handle it."
I nodded, trying to push aside the lingering doubts. "Let's give it our best shot, then."
As we stood there, the officials began explaining the rules of the next stage. The trio teams would face off against each other in a series of challenges, each designed to test not only combat skills but also strategy, adaptability, and teamwork. The last trio standing would move on to the final round.
The officials then directed us to different sections of the arena, where our first challenge would take place. As we walked, Magnus and Violet exchanged strategies, discussing their abilities and how they could complement each other. I listened intently, trying to figure out where I fit into this team.
"I can create and manipulate portals," Magnus explained, his eyes focused ahead. "It's good for mobility and controlling the battlefield, but I prefer to keep things close-range."
"And I can manipulate plants, creating barriers and controlling the terrain," Violet said, glancing at me. "Tim, what about you?"
"I use elemental magic," I replied, trying to sound casual. "Primarily lightning and earth. I'll focus on ranged attacks and disruption."
Magnus nodded. "Good. Let's see how we work together."
We reached our designated area, a wide, open space with various obstacles and terrain features. The officials gave the signal, and the first challenge began.
Our trio moved quickly, each of us falling into our roles. Magnus used his portals to create quick escapes and repositioning opportunities, while Violet summoned vines and plants to block attacks and shield us from incoming projectiles. I focused on launching lightning bolts and manipulating the terrain with earth magic to destabilize our opponents.
But things didn't go as smoothly as we'd hoped. Our opponents were skilled, quickly adapting to our tactics. They pushed us back, overwhelming our defenses and forcing us into a corner. I struggled to keep up, my lightning strikes missing their mark more often than not. Violet's plants were being cut down faster than she could summon them, and Magnus was visibly straining to keep us from being cornered.
At one point, a powerful blast knocked me and Violet off our feet. I saw two of our opponents charging up what looked like a finishing blow. Time seemed to slow as I watched, helpless, knowing I couldn't stop it.
But just as the attack was about to land, Magnus's eyes flashed with a golden light, and the two enemies were decapitated. Violet and I stared at their corpses in shock, then watched as Magnus finished off the remaining opponent by stabbing him from behind using a portal.
That's when I realized something. The blonde man who caused the blast was Magnus Lynton, and he wasn't just a portal user—he was a force to be reckoned with.
As we were announced as the winners for this round, we were escorted to the changing room with Magnus leading the way. Once inside, we all sat down on a bench.
"You guys alright?" Magnus was the first to break the silence.
"Y-yeah, just a bit shocked from that fight," I answered.
"I'm fine, but I think we need to improve our teamwork," Violet said, looking at me with a critical eye. "Some of my attacks were blocked by my own teammate."
"I'm sorry about that—communication is key," I apologized, feeling a bit intimidated. Violet's vines collapsing with my earth magic had demonstrated her strength and the importance of coordination.
"Okay, next round, more communication?" Magnus suggested.
"Yep."
"Agreed."