(30 Days Remaining to the Tournament)

Ren and Kazuma’s conversation continued.

Ren kept glancing toward a specific direction, his gaze lingering there.

“Hey, what happened?” Kazuma raised an eyebrow, confused. “Are you daydreaming again?”

Ren shook his head. “No... I’ve just been feeling something strange lately. I’m not sure what it is.”

Kazuma tilted his head. “Huh?”

Ren waved it off casually. “It’s probably nothing serious.”

****

(27 Days Remaining to the Tournament)

Ren, Kazuma, Sakura, and Hisagi prepared to leave the village. The villagers stood by the entrance, calling out their well-wishes and waving.

“Best of luck!”

Sakuragi stepped forward and handed Sakura a neatly folded dress.

Sakura looked at her with surprise. “Why, Aunty? Is there a special occasion?”

She smiled softly. “No… I kept this dress for my daughter. But…”

Ren stepped forward, his voice firm. “Don’t think about that.”

Sakuragi gently raised her hand to stop him. “Don’t interrupt. It was my mistake not registering her Kairo Energy. Just consider this a gift from me, Sakura.”

Ren called Sakuragi aside for a private word.

She approached, asking with a curious voice, “What is it?”

Ren’s tone was calm. “I set up a barrier. It may not be needed, but it’s just a precaution. Don’t think negatively of Sujin. Nothing happened before or after he became king. Of course some rules he put in place helped the people. I’ll take care of the guards and have business with them.”

Sakuragi nodded slowly. “I know. I don’t have a bad opinion. I’m saying this because, thanks to you in this village, lands were equally distributed. I said, right? That day, I felt both fear and affection.”

“But after you told the villagers your real age, I was shocked, and everyone believed your words because of what you did. Nobody said a word outside because they trusted you and in my view your role changed to oniisan.”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “Since our village is on the edge of the kingdom, they dared to kill? Well, there’s less patrol around our village… Still, did no one know?”

Sakuragi let out a slow sigh, voice tinged with anger. “They may have thought it was a natural death or maybe didn’t even know. Because mostly who expects crime?”

Ren bowed his head slightly. “Again I’m sorry for not saving him. I will definitely make them feel fear.”

Her voice softened with the weight of years. “Well… for now, I’ll live for my daughter, hoping I’ll meet her one day.”

“I know… but still, are there any details to find her?”

“That’s the problem,” she said while looking down.

Her voice dropped into sadness. “I don’t know how she’s living her life…”

Ren placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I think… she’s living fine somewhere.”

She sadly nodded her head.

He gently patted her head. “Well, I should get going.”

“Don’t pat me.” She swatted his hand away, rolling her eyes. “Even though you’re older than me, right now you look younger. And by the way, the villagers all know you’re still hiding something. And Sakura believes you’re just some timid guy.”

Ren smirked. “It’s fine, right? Fortunately, the villagers don’t know everything. And you don’t either.”

She leaned in with a teasing tone. “Can you tell me? I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

His expression stayed unreadable. “It’s forbidden art.”

She stepped back, shocked. “Hey! You actually told me!?”

He said with a shrug, “I trust you. Besides, I didn’t say what it is, so it’s not a problem.”

She yanked his cheek with a pout. “So you just told me useless information!” She stepped away, her tone softening. “Well, I won’t ask. You must have your reasons… but so many years have passed, right?”

Ren sighed lightly. “You’ve guessed something but don’t want to ask directly, right? Well, it’s nothing serious. Don’t worry.”

****

(26 Days Remaining to the Tournament)

Yui stretched as she sat near the window. – “Hey, what about your dreams? You’re sleeping always.”

– ‘Yeah yeah, I don’t know why that dream came… but recently, there’s been no dreams about that guy.’ Her tone was relaxed.

She exhaled slowly. – “Well… after the tournament, you have to go to your world.”

Yuki’s voice turned sharp with anger. – ‘Hey! Why are you bringing that up? We don’t even know the way. And I want to stay in this world! Why are you—’ Her tone shifted to a low sadness. ‘Wait… do you not like me? Is it because I nag?’

– “Why do you think like that? Ush… okay, can we go to the shop?”

– ‘Ah but I think they started yesterday in their village. How many days will it take them to come?’

Yui answered, thinking aloud. – “Normally, it takes one day from town to kingdom. The time from a village to town depends on the village, but this town is located centrally among the villages. If we consider a faraway village as an example, it takes about one and a half days.”

– ‘Normally?’

– “Ah, I mean just by walking, without using anything. That too they may rest, we went yesterday, but they didn’t visit any clothes shop. Well, if they don’t come today either, they might have gone to another town. I believe that story only because of you.”

– ‘Well, I think we’ll see them today!’ She smiled brightly.

After going outside—

Yuta shouted loudly. “Neesan! See this fish!”

Yui called out sharply, “Hey! Why are you shouting? Put the fish in the kitchen, I’ll prepare it.”

She immediately entered the kitchen. Their mother called from inside. “Yui, come and sit. I’ll cook for you. He’s already eaten breakfast.”

Yui blinked. “Huh? But he just came back with fish?”

He grinned, voice teasing. “Hehe, I ate your share too, Neesan.” Then he rubbed his head. “Mom whacked me on the head and told me to bring another one…”

Miko turned her head. “Yui, is Yuki also listening?”

“Haa, Mom… she’s listening.”

“Yuki, can you call me Mom?” She leaned in curiously. “Are you able to talk freely now?”

– ‘…’

Yui frowned. – “Hey, you already talked to my mom. Why are you scared now?”

– ‘Give control to me.’

Yuki gave a small smile. “Can I call you… Maa?”

Miko smiled with confusion and affection. “Huh!? Yuki?... Call me as you like.”

“Maa, can I ask you something?”

“Now you want to talk to me?” Miko sighed, folding her arms gently. “Well, ask anything. If I know, I’ll tell you.”

– “If you want to ask about that guy, don’t ask,” Yui spoke quickly, her tone sharp with finality. “We don’t even know if it’s correct.”

– ‘Then… after meeting that guy, can we ask?’

– “Ok,” Yui sighed again, her shoulders loosening a little.

– ‘But what if he’s from another town?’ Yuki hesitated, a flicker of doubt in her voice.

– “Hey!” She snapped, her expression turning incredulous. “You’re the one who said before, ‘I think we will see.’ Now you’re saying this?”

“Ask,” Miko’s calm voice cut in as she stepped closer, her presence steadying. “Is there anything wrong?”

“Ah… nothing, Maa,” Yuki fumbled, her tone uneasy as her fingers curled slightly. “I’ll ask another time.”

“Huh? Ok, it’s your wish,” Miko replied, her voice light, but her eyes watching closely.

***

Same Day – Afternoon in the Town

Hisagi stretched her arms with a tired groan. “Ush… hmm, we finally reached, Uncle.”

Kazuma shot Hisagi a glare. “Hey! My name is Azuma and I’m not your uncle!”

Hisagi giggled with a teasing look. “Well no one listened right? I’ll call you that in the Capital City.”

He turned to Ren's side. “Master, you can use dime… well, can you teach me arts or anything? I’ll learn quickly!”

“Why do you keep calling me Master? I’m telling you, I don’t know anything.”

– Hey, you already heard it, right? Why are you lying to him?

– He doesn’t know that, okay?! Damn it, why did he have to see me? I was just practicing when Sakura wasn’t home…

– Teach him! Why are you hesitating?

Ren said calmly, – Shut up. Don’t talk rubbish. What good will come of that? He’s living peacefully without it, right?

– He’s so innocent. At least teach him some basics. He doesn’t even have the minimum Kairo Energy.

Ren responded sarcastically, – You’re one to talk. Why do you keep telling him unnecessary lies? If you want to teach him, do it yourself.

– …

Sakura pointed ahead excitedly. “Dad, that’s the shop!”

Many shops lined the street, selling goods for daily needs. Several clothes shops stood on both sides, and right in the center was a vibrant one filled with variety.

Sakura went inside to change the dress gifted by Sakuragi. When she returned, she was wearing: (a simple yet elegant deep blue dress with a high tunic collar and long sleeves, A thin blue sash tied around her waist, cinching the dress without interrupting its flow. From the waist down, the dress transitions into a circle-cut skirt that drapes gracefully around her thighs. The skirt has no slits, maintaining a modest and smooth silhouette. Beneath the skirt, she wears fitted black pants.)

Hisagi wore: (A blonde and sky blue color T-shirt, paired with fitted pants that had side pockets.)

Kazuma browsed through the dress racks, and Yui entered the shop.

– “This is the last shop.”

– ‘Go inside. Then we can know.’

As they stepped inside and leaned near one of the clothing stands, they spotted Kazuma.

Ren, standing a few steps behind, also noticed them.

– ‘Hey! That red-haired guy, he’s his friend!’ Yuki’s voice rushed out in a breathy whisper, eyes wide.

– “Huh!? Are you sure? And anyway, that was a dream, right?” She whispered back, clearly stunned.

– ‘Hey, I’m certain! I think that white-haired guy is Ren!’

Just then, Ren began walking toward them.

– “Hey, he’s coming this way!” Yui gasped, body freezing in place.

– ‘Huh! Keep quiet!’ She said with a panicked tone.

Ren moved closer, his steps slow and casual. Yui’s body tensed, and sweat started forming on her skin.

– “Hey, why is he coming here? Did he know?”

– ‘How should I know?!’ Yuki shot back nervously, peeking from inside Yui.

He stopped in front of them and reached out his hand.

“Hey! What are you doing?” Yui blurted out quickly, unable to hide her nerves.

He paused for a second, then simply pulled a dark blue shirt off the nearby rack. He held it against himself, glancing toward Kazuma without a word.

Both Yui and Yuki stood completely frozen, expressions blank from sheer disbelief.

“This fits me, right?” Ren asked, casually holding up the shirt.

Then his eyes shifted, noticing Yui just beside him. He tilted his head slightly. “Huh? You…”

– ‘Hey, you got unnecessarily anxious,’ Yuki’s voice echoed in Yui’s mind, dry and teasing.

– “Really? You didn’t feel that?” Yui narrowed her eyes, clearly not amused.

She stepped back slightly, flustered. “I thought you were reaching for me.”

Ren tilted his head with confusion. “Why would I?...”

“Th-that… never mind. Sorry.”

She quickly turned and exited the shop, using a temporary flex to vanish down the street.

– “Uff… even though he doesn’t seem strong… because of you, I felt nervous when he reached us.”

– ‘He doesn’t look strong?’

– “He just looks normal… and that red-haired guy? I’ve only rarely seen him around town.”

(Ren : Wearing a dark blue shirt and pants with pockets)

Inside, Kazuma was still picking through coats and turned toward Hisagi with a teasing grin. “Hey, don’t I look handsome in this coat?”

Hisagi recoiled in exaggerated disgust.

“Hey! Why are you looking like that? Ugh… I’ll ask him. Where is he?”

(Kazuma : Wearing a green coat over a black shirt, and black pants)

Kazuma headed toward the entrance and stepped outside.

Ren stood just behind the side wall of the shop, speaking in a low voice. “Hey… I felt something strange. It was because of you.”

Kazuma called out loudly. “Hey, Ken! Where are you?”

Ren turned his head. “Haa, coming.”

He walked out and met Kazuma halfway. “Hey, why are you yelling?”

Kazuma smirked. “See me, does it fit me?”

Ren gave him a slow once-over, sighing. “Haa… fits you well.”

“Hey! Why are you saying it in that boring tone?” He frowned. “Even Hisagi looked at me weird. Does it really not fit me?”

He forced a dry bright smile. “It fits you well, okay?”

“Shit… why are you saying it like you’re being forced?” He groaned, then added, “Fine, I’ll change it.”

He ducked back into the shop and changed into a (dark olive green coat.)

Once everyone had paid, they exited the shop and stood outside.

Kazuma turned to Sakura. “Now, Sakura, go to the capital city by yourself.”

“Huh?! Master?”

“We have another task. And Hisagi also has something else to do.”

– ‘Hey… what now?’

Kazuma responded in thought, – ‘Why do you think we started early?’

– ‘Huh?…’

Hisagi looked up with wide, curious eyes. “Uncle, what? Would you teach me something?”

“Don’t excite yourself.” Kazuma answered calmly, then turned towards her. “Sakura, go to the Capital City. Well, since you’re going early, take these coins.”

Sakura took the coins, still confused. “Master… I don’t understand. Why am I going by myself? Is there something troubling you because of me?”

“Don’t think like that.” He rested a hand gently on Sakura’s shoulder. “We’ll meet in the Capital City. Do you trust me or not?”

Sakura smiled faintly. “Well… I will go.”

***

Kazuma stepped beside Ren. “Wait a minute.”

Then he turned to Hisagi and led a few steps away and leaned in, lowering his voice.

“You won’t qualify to participate.”

Hisagi’s eyes widened, voice shaking. “U-Uncle… you’re teasing me, right? Why can’t I qualify?!”

Kazuma spoke calmly, his tone composed. “I said before there’s still a long way to go before the tournament, right? Don’t panic. Here, take this information.”

He handed over a small book.

Hisagi took it hesitantly. “What is this?”

“It’s information about herbs that can increase your Kairo Energy.” He explained, keeping his voice steady. “Don’t think of it as permanent. It’s just a temporary way to pass the test. Eat the herbs and do meditation. It will help you increase your energy.”

“Huh… Why didn’t you tell me all these years?”

“Because… what would come? I’m telling you now because if I don’t, you won’t qualify. You don’t have enough Kairo Energy. We have to go somewhere, and we’ll meet you and Sakura at the capital city.”

Hisagi’s voice softened. “Where are you going? You’re not staying with me?”

Kazuma gave him a sharp look. “Don’t ask ‘where are you going’ like that when we’re just heading somewhere, you idiot.”

“But…” Hisagi’s voice trailed off.

Kazuma patted his shoulder with a faint smile. “We’ll come. Don’t worry… Okay, I’ll go now.”

He returned to where Ren was waiting.

Ren raised an eyebrow. “Hey, where are we going? You didn’t say anything to me.”

“I’m still confused. But we have to meet. If anything happens, we’ll ask for help.”

Ren blinked. “Who? And what do we ask? What are you saying? …Wait, you mean—”

“Yes.”

Ren frowned. “But I don’t even know… I already said everything about that, right?”

“We’ll ask for help. That’s why we started early, so just open the dimension portal to that place.”

“Huh? Then why did we start early if we can just go anytime?” Ren raised a finger slightly, still puzzled.

Kazuma gently thumped his own forehead. “You’re the one saying ‘I can’t even know,’ and then you’re also asking ‘why we started early.’”

He let out a slow breath. “Maybe nothing will happen during the tournament. But if it does, we need to be prepared. And as for starting early… just for convincing.”