After their meeting with the king, the group was granted temporary residence within the capital's walls. Kazuki, Serena, and Leo found themselves lodging in a modest inn near the outskirts of the city. Though their quarters weren't as grand as the royal palace, Kazuki appreciated the quieter atmosphere. He wasn't one for the hustle and bustle of high society, after all.
As they settled into their room, Serena stood by the window, watching the busy streets below. "So, what's our next move? I can't help but feel like we're just waiting for something to happen."
Kazuki, lying back on one of the beds, stared up at the ceiling. "That's pretty much all we can do for now, right? The king didn't exactly give us any urgent orders. I'd rather just... relax."
Leo, who had been poring over a small map of the kingdom, glanced up. "Relaxing's fine and all, but you did notice the mage back there, didn't you? He seemed way too interested in you, Kazuki."
Kazuki groaned. "Yeah, I noticed. But it's not like I can do anything about it. If he's suspicious of me, so be it. I'll just keep doing what I do best—avoid getting involved."
Serena turned from the window, a small smile on her face. "You're really something, Kazuki. Most heroes would be chomping at the bit to prove themselves. You're content just... existing."
Kazuki shrugged. "Can you blame me? This is the first time in my life I've had any semblance of freedom. No one breathing down my neck, no endless work hours. I just want to live without all the pressure."
Leo laughed. "I hate to break it to you, but I don't think 'freedom' is something you're gonna get in this world. We've already got demon generals, kings, and who knows what else after us."
Kazuki sat up, sighing. "Yeah, I know. It's not like I can escape my 'hero' role forever. But for now, I'm going to enjoy the quiet."
Serena crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "Well, enjoy it while it lasts. Something tells me we're not going to have this peace for much longer."
---
The next day, Kazuki woke up to the sound of distant bells ringing through the capital. The city seemed more active than usual, with the sounds of merchants setting up their stalls and people hurrying through the streets. He stepped out into the fresh morning air, stretching lazily.
As the group made their way toward the market to gather supplies, they noticed a crowd gathered around the town square. At first, Kazuki didn't pay it much mind—after all, crowds were common in a place like this. But something about the atmosphere felt different today.
"What's going on over there?" Leo asked, craning his neck to see.
Serena's eyes narrowed. "Looks like some kind of announcement. Let's check it out."
Pushing their way through the throng of people, they found themselves at the front of the gathering. Standing on a raised platform was a royal herald, his voice booming over the noise of the crowd.
"Hear ye, hear ye! By order of the king, a royal tournament will be held in two days' time! All adventurers, warriors, and mages are invited to participate! The victor shall receive a grand reward and an audience with His Majesty!"
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "A tournament, huh? What's the reward?"
Leo looked excited. "A tournament! Sounds like a perfect opportunity to show off your strength, Kazuki."
Kazuki sighed. "Not interested."
Serena nudged him playfully. "Come on, think of it as a chance to get stronger—or at least gain some allies. If we're really going to face the demon king and his generals one day, we could use all the help we can get."
Kazuki frowned, crossing his arms. "I'm already strong enough. What's the point?"
Leo, however, seemed to be weighing the pros and cons. "It's not just about the reward. If there's a chance other heroes might show up, this could be our opportunity to learn more about them. We've heard rumors, but we haven't met any of the others yet."
Serena nodded in agreement. "And if we want to stay on the king's good side, participating in the tournament could show we're taking this seriously."
Kazuki rubbed the back of his neck, clearly torn. "You two are really trying hard to make me care, aren't you?"
Leo grinned. "It's for your own good, Kazuki."
With a deep sigh, Kazuki finally relented. "Fine, I'll participate. But don't expect me to go all out."
Serena smirked. "That's the spirit."
---
The following day, preparations for the tournament were in full swing. Stalls and tents popped up around the capital, and the streets were filled with adventurers from all walks of life. There were warriors clad in heavy armor, mages with glowing staffs, and even archers boasting of their precision.
As the group made their way through the bustling streets, they overheard snippets of conversations.
"I heard some of the kingdom's strongest knights are competing."
"They say one of the royal mages is judging the tournament."
"And did you hear about the mysterious competitors who just arrived? No one knows where they're from, but they look powerful."
Kazuki stayed quiet, trying to avoid getting too wrapped up in the excitement. His focus, as usual, was on keeping a low profile. But he couldn't help but notice the tension in the air. This tournament was more than just a game—it felt like the start of something bigger.
---
That night, back at the inn, Kazuki found himself staring out the window at the darkened city. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming. The window screen hadn't appeared again since the court, but he couldn't ignore the weight of the unknown hanging over him.
As he leaned on the windowsill, Serena approached quietly. "You okay?"
Kazuki shrugged. "Just thinking. This whole tournament thing... it feels off."
Serena leaned beside him, her eyes on the distant castle. "You're not wrong. I've heard whispers around the city. People think something big is going to happen during the tournament. It's more than just a competition."
Kazuki sighed. "Of course it is. Nothing can ever be simple, can it?"
Serena chuckled softly. "Not in this world, no. But that's why we're here, right? To figure out what's really going on."
Kazuki glanced at her, a small smile playing on his lips. "I guess. Still... I'd kill for a quiet life."
She smiled back, patting him on the shoulder. "Maybe one day. But until then, we've got each other."
Kazuki nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Yeah, you're right."
As the two stood there, watching the moonlight bathe the city, they couldn't help but wonder what the tournament would bring—and who they might meet along the way.
---
**The Tournament Arc Begins**
The day of the tournament arrived, and the arena was packed with spectators. Kazuki, dressed in light armor, stood beside Serena and Leo as they surveyed the competition. There were warriors and mages from all over the kingdom—and beyond. Kazuki's eyes scanned the crowd, noting the various weapons and magical artifacts on display.
As the first round began, a familiar voice echoed through his mind. The window screen appeared once again.
**Warning: Opponent possesses unknown magical abilities. Proceed with caution.**
Kazuki blinked in surprise but quickly brushed it off. "Great. Just what I needed—more surprises."
Serena glanced at him. "You okay?"
"Yeah, just got another one of those warnings. Looks like the tournament's going to be more interesting than I thought."
She smirked. "That's the spirit."
With a sigh, Kazuki readied himself for the first match, wondering just how much of his strength he'd have to show—and whether this tournament would truly lead him closer to the truth about the other heroes.