As the tournament continued, Kazuki found himself immersed in the bustling activity around him. The atmosphere was electric, filled with cheers, laughter, and the sounds of steel clashing against steel. With each match, he and his new allies grew closer, sharing strategies and discussing their next steps in the face of the impending threat from the demon king.
However, with the excitement of the tournament came an undercurrent of tension. Rumors began circulating among the competitors—whispers of strange occurrences at the edges of the kingdom and sightings of dark creatures roaming the outskirts. It was a stark reminder that the demon king's influence was still looming.
One evening, after a series of matches, Kazuki gathered with Alaric, Lyra, and Serena at a table in the inn. They were reviewing their recent encounters and the strength of their competition when a hooded figure approached them, her silhouette casting a long shadow across the table.
"I couldn't help but overhear your conversations," she said, her voice soft yet firm. "I am Mira, a healer from the northern territories. I've come to warn you."
Kazuki looked up, intrigued but cautious. "Warn us? About what?"
Mira lowered her hood, revealing striking blue hair and piercing gray eyes. "The demon king's forces are gathering. I've seen their scouts on the outskirts of the tournament grounds. They are searching for something—or someone."
"What do you mean?" Lyra asked, leaning forward. "Are they after us?"
"I cannot say for certain," Mira replied, her expression serious. "But it is clear they are preparing for an attack. I sensed dark magic in the air. You need to be vigilant."
Kazuki felt a chill run down his spine. "So, we're not just here to compete. We might be facing a real battle soon."
Alaric nodded, his jaw set. "Then we need to step up our preparations. If the tournament is a cover for their plans, we must be ready."
Mira continued, "There are other competitors who might be sympathetic to our cause. We need to find them and unite before it's too late."
Kazuki exchanged glances with his friends, determination filling the air. "Let's do it. We can't just sit back and wait for them to make their move."
With renewed purpose, they set out to locate potential allies among the remaining competitors. Kazuki's victories had gained him some notoriety, and he leveraged that reputation to gather like-minded individuals willing to stand against the rising darkness.