The Fresh Blood Tournament has begun once again this year.
It takes place in the Titanic Stadium, where over a hundred thousand spectators from across the Belmon Empire gathered to witness the rise of a new generation.

Every seat in the massive arena was filled.
Merchants, noble families, even high-ranking officials were present.
Flags and banners waved proudly as the energy in the air grew electric.

The commentator's voice rang out loud through the stadium.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today in the grandest stadium of our mighty Belmon Empire, the next generation gathers.
Those who will serve the empire, the emperor and its people in the future!"

The crowd roared in response. Families of the participants cheered the loudest.

"All participants will be divided into four groups," the commentator continued, "each placed in a unique environment inside the arena!
This year's tournament is a spin-off of the famous Battle Royale. Every contestant begins with one ticket they must protect.
But they can steal tickets from others. Because the amount they have at the end will determine their rank!"


Inside one of the large tubes leading to the arena, Axel was stretching his muscles, waiting to enter.
Around him were other participants. Some looked like ordinary kids, but others huge and some were wearing military-style uniforms.
Many, like Axel, carried weapons.

"Weapons are allowed," the commentator announced.
"But this year, there's a new rule: any contestant that ends without a ticket will be eliminated, and are banned from entering Belmon University or the Royal Military Academy."

A shock fell over the crowd and the contestants tensed.
The commentator quickly added, sensing their unease:

"But! Those who manage to collect more than five tickets will receive something special as a reward. So fight with everything you've got and show Belmon what you're made of!"



Sirens blared. Heavy metal gates groaned open, releasing the contestants into the arena.
Axel stepped forward with the others into Group C, a war-torn cityscape.

Buildings lay in ruin, streets littered with debris.
As soon as everyone stepped into the arena, they scattered instantly in different directions.

"Seems nobody wants a brawl right at the start," Axel thought.

He sprinted toward a cluster of broken houses where fewer people had gone.
Unbeknownst to him, someone was following him quietly from behind.


From the spectator stands, the giant screens displayed chaos in each group's arena.
Explosions and flashes that were caused by SINISA power, which were the result of fierce duels .
The crowd roared in excitement.

On the screen for Group A, three participants dashed out of a ruined building, pursued by someone.
Suddenly they froze and all three turned around at once.
From the same building stepped a boy outside with blazing orange hair, like flames frozen in motion.
Calmly, he walked toward them.

Simultaneously, the three stretched out their hands. Slowly, but unwillingly they handed over their tickets to that boy.

"Look at that! Group A is heating up! We have a prodigy among us this year!" the commentator shouted over the roar of the crowd.



Meanwhile, Axel was crouched behind a ruined wall trying not to stand out.
He peeked and scanning the area. Noticing a fight a bit further.

A massive figure stood before another student, muscles swollen unnaturally, veins glowing red.
He swung his arm at the other student, who tried to block the punch.
But he got sent flying into a nearby house.

The muscular man then looked around and locked eyes with Axel.

"Crap… he saw me," Axel thought.

He slipped into a half-destroyed house just as the man approached, smashing the wall where Axel had been hiding.
The muscular man looked around but nobody was there anymore

Inside, Axel just stepped into a room, only to hear a soft voice from the corner.

"Hi there."

Startled, he turned his head and seeing a girl sitting in the shadows.

"I'm not here to fight," she said with a kind smile. "How about peace?"

"Alright," he replied cautiously.


He sat down next to the girl while closed his eyes to rest for a moment.

"Those guys out there are monsters. How are you holding up against them?"

He got no answer. When Axel opened his eyes, she was gone.

"Wait... my ticket?!"

He searched his pockets where he put the ticket — empty.

"She stole my ticket!" he shouted, running outside, scanning the ruins. She was nowhere to be found.

"Zero tickets… you've got to be kidding me," he muttered in frustration.


From above, the commentator's voice rang out.

"We are halfway, ladies and gentlemen! What an incredible show so far! In Group D, another prodigy emerged. One contestant has defeated every candidate single-handedly!"

The crowd erupted in cheers. But Axel ground his teeth. "That person must be a real monster."

Within the crowd, Hector watched Axel's situation unfold.

"Looks like you don't have much time left… now show us what you're hiding."