Enzo slowly opened his eyes, feeling as if the world around him was still spinning.

  He blinked twice and stared at the white ceiling above him.

  “Where am I…?”

  A familiar voice came from beside him.

  “You finally woke up.”

  He turned his head and saw Sima sitting next to the bed, relief clearly written on her face.

  “You were unconscious,” she said calmly.

  “But don’t worry. They said you’re in very good condition now.”

  Enzo moved his hand, then his leg, and slowly sat up.

  He felt no pain at all.

  “That’s strange… I really do feel fine.”

  Sima smiled.

  “That’s why I thought… how about we go out for a bit? The garden outside is beautiful today.”

  He thought for a moment, then nodded.

  “Yeah… sounds good.”

  They went outside together, the cool breeze brushing gently against their faces.

  The place was peaceful, people walking calmly, enjoying their time.

  As they strolled—

  Enzo suddenly felt a red wave surge through his body.

  He stopped.

  “Sima… wait.”

  He reached behind him and drew his sword.

  He looked at it.

  And suddenly—

  The sword began to glow.

  A red aura rose around the blade, and then—

  The sword pulled Enzo forward with sudden force.

  “Enzo!”

  Instinctively gripping the sword, Enzo began running,

  as if an unseen power was guiding him.

  Sima ran after him, calling his name.

  The sword led him through narrow paths,

  then into a secluded alley,

  and finally into a dead end.

  Everything stopped.

  Silence filled the air.

  Then—

  A voice echoed from nowhere.

  “Enzo… Enzo…”

  Enzo froze in place.

  “Who are you?”

  The voice spoke calmly, mysteriously:

  “The sword you carry… is one of the legendary weapons.”

  “Its name is… Dragon Fang.”

  Enzo tightened his grip.

  “Who are you? And what do you have to do with this sword?”

  “I am nothing,” the voice replied.

  “Do not worry.”

  Then, in a more serious tone:

  “Just make sure… you control the sword.”

  “Before it controls you.”

  “What do you mean?!”

  But the voice answered only:

  “I’ve said what I needed to say.”

  “Farewell.”

  The voice vanished.

  The sword fell to the ground.

  “Wait!”

  “I don’t understand anything!”

  Enzo quickly bent down and picked up the sword.

  The moment his hand touched it—

  Everything changed.

  His consciousness was pulled into a strange place.

  A red sky.

  Barren, brown land stretching endlessly.

  His eyes widened.

  But before he could process it—

  He was back.

  Only thirty seconds had passed.

  “What was that…?”

  His thoughts were interrupted by heavy breathing.

  “I finally found you!”

  Sima stood before him, panting.

  “What are you doing?! Are you okay?!”

  He turned to her and took a breath.

  “Yeah… I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

  Then he suddenly said:

  “I need to train in the forest.”

  “Whyyy?” she complained.

  He raised the sword slightly.

  “To uncover the secret of this fang.”

  She stared at him in disbelief.

  “Seriously?!”

  Then she sighed.

  “Fine… I’ll go with you.”

  Enzo stopped.

  “What?”

  He stepped closer.

  Her face reddened slightly.

  “Yes… I’m sure.”

  He looked at her for a moment, then turned away.

  “Then… let’s go.”

  She laughed and followed him.

  Inside the Royal Palace

  The throne hall was unusually quiet.

  King Frandeg sat back against his stone throne as heavy curtains behind him swayed gently with the morning breeze.

  The doors opened.

  A knight in formal attire entered, wearing a long coat bearing the kingdom’s crest.

  He knelt on one knee and spoke firmly:

  “Your Majesty, we’ve received a distress call.”

  The king raised his gaze.

  “From where?”

  “One of the peaceful clans on the eastern border,” the knight replied.

  “They report that a strange monster has appeared and begun attacking villages.”

  “They request the kingdom’s assistance.”

  The king paused briefly, then spoke with calm authority:

  “Send forty knights immediately.”

  “We bear the title of the Nation of Peace… we cannot ignore this.”

  The knight bowed.

  “At once, Your Majesty.”

  He left the hall.

  The king sighed, rubbing his forehead.

  “So many matters… and so many names.”

  He looked at the table before him.

  It was covered with thick leather-bound records.

  With a faintly annoyed tone, he muttered:

  “Very well… let us begin.”

  He reached for the first file.

  Ray – Tatsuma Clan

  Element: Water

  The king read carefully, his eyes moving slowly across the lines.

  “Calm control… gradual understanding…”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  He paused, then smiled.

  “This young man doesn’t merely use his element…”

  “He listens to it.”

  He tapped the page.

  “Rare.”

  He partially closed the file.

  “But he lacks guidance.”

  Then said firmly:

  “He will be removed from the tournament…”

  He paused.

  “But not from the battlefield.”

  He stamped the record.

  “Special training.”

  “Direct supervision.”

  He reached for another file.

  Shikakarn – Tatsuma Clan

  Element: Earth

  The king raised an eyebrow.

  “High physical strength… endurance… determination.”

  He stopped at the section describing defeat, then smiled faintly.

  “Defeat does not mean collapse.”

  “Sometimes… it reveals what is sealed.”

  He closed the file firmly.

  “I will return him to the tournament.”

  “There is power yet unopened.”

  He stamped it.

  “And I want to see it.”

  Turning the pages, the king muttered:

  “Next…”

  Shin Shan – Yamikaji Clan

  He read quietly.

  “Fusion of human cells with other organisms…”

  He nodded slowly.

  “A known Yamikaji technique.”

  He sighed.

  “But…”

  He closed the file.

  “The loss in the previous round is clear.”

  He set it aside.

  “Disqualified.”

  He pulled another file.

  Rose – Tatsuma Clan

  Aura: Pure

  The king froze.

  He reread the entry, then lifted his head.

  “Pure aura…”

  He turned the page slowly.

  “Outcast due to rarity.”

  “Capable of forming weapons and abilities in pale golden-white light.”

  “Even… manifesting mythical beasts from aura itself.”

  A clear look of admiration crossed his face.

  “This is not weakness.”

  “This is fear… of what they don’t understand.”

  He closed the file carefully.

  “I want to see her.”

  “No decision yet… but my interest is great.”

  He reached for another.

  San – Izoga Clan

  Eyes known as: Eclipse

  The king fell silent longer this time.

  He read the entire file.

  Then said slowly:

  “Never defeated…”

  “In any competition, inside or outside his clan.”

  A sharp smile formed.

  “This… is impressive.”

  He marked the file.

  “Observe him closely.”

  “I want to see what those eyes conceal.”

  Finally—

  He picked up a simpler-looking file.

  Enzo – Unknown Origin

  Weapon: Unclassified

  The king frowned.

  “Unknown…”

  He was about to close it—

  When his eyes stopped on the final line.

  Winner of the previous round – Unknown sword – Unrecorded glow

  He paused.

  Read it again.

  “A weapon that chooses its wielder…”

  “And a wielder who doesn’t yet understand it.”

  He smiled faintly.

  “Dangerous…”

  Then added:

  “Or the beginning of something greater.”

  He closed the file gently.

  “We’ll observe him closely.”

  “No decision for now.”

  The king rearranged the files and leaned back on his throne.

  “This tournament…”

  He said confidently.

  “Will not be ordinary.”

  Then raised his voice slightly:

  “Bring me tea.”

  Silence filled the hall.

  The Forest

  Enzo and Sima were setting up their tent.

  They lit a fire and prepared dinner.

  They ate quietly.

  Then Sima asked softly:

  “Enzo… why do you want to participate in the tournament?”

  He raised his head.

  “I want to change the world.”

  She paused.

  “And why do you want that?”

  He lowered his gaze.

  Marai’s face crossed his mind.

  A heavy feeling settled in his chest.

  He didn’t answer.

  Suddenly—

  The sword beside him began to glow.

  Enzo looked at it.

  “Alright… let’s see what you’ve got.”

  He stood up.

  Sima asked anxiously:

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Just… watch.”

  He drew the sword.

  Closed his eyes.

  And was pulled into the same void—

  But this time—

  A massive dragon stood before him.

  A deep, terrifying voice echoed:

  “Welcome… human, Enzo.”

  He trembled.

  “Where am I?”

  “You are inside the sword.”

  “Inside… me.”

  Enzo’s eyes widened.

  In an instant—

  He returned to reality.

  But the glow had changed.

  No longer an aura.

  Red lightning crackled around the blade.

  Enzo said excitedly:

  “I’ll try.”

  He slammed the sword into the ground.

  A medium-sized red lightning dragon burst forward,

  racing ahead,

  crashing into a tree—

  Destroying it.

  Burning it.

  “That’s amazing!”

  He turned to Sima.

  “Did you see that?”

  She stared in awe.

  “Yes… it was incredible.”

  Enzo smiled.

  “We’ll wake up early tomorrow.”

  “To train with it.”

  She jumped with excitement.

  “Yes!! I’m in!”

  He laughed lightly.

  “And after that…”

  “We’ll watch the next round of the tournament.”

  End of Chapter Five