Aira and Himitsu stepped forward at the same time.
They stood face to face, only a few steps apart, their gazes locked onto each other. Neither spoke. The air between them felt tight, as if even breathing had become difficult.
Then—
Suddenly, the entire hall shook.
It felt like an earthquake.
The ground trembled violently, and the walls began to rumble. Himitsu lost his balance for a moment as the stone beneath his feet started to rise upward.
"What–?!" 'Himitsu', he thought, his heart skipping a beat. "What is happening?!"
The floor beneath both Himitsu and Aira lifted higher and higher into the air. At the same time, Lord Akitora's throne also rose smoothly, carried upward as if by invisible hands.
Himitsu felt a wave of unease wash over him.
For a brief moment, fear crept into his chest.
But when he glanced at Aira – and then – he froze.
They were completely calm.
Aira stood quietly, her expression unchanged, as if she had seen this countless times before. Akitora sat comfortably on his throne, watching everything with clear amusement in his eyes.
Then, just as suddenly as it had begun—
Everything stopped.
The shaking ceased.
The rising ground settled into a new shape.
The floor beneath Himitsu and Aira had transformed into a perfect circular platform. Beyond the circle's edge lay a deep, dark abyss, stretching downward endlessly.
One wrong step–
And death awaited.
Akitora now sat high above them on his throne, observing the scene like a spectator watching entertainment.
Himitsu looked around, shock evident in his eyes.
"What is this place?" He asked.
Aira's lips curved slightly as she stepped forward.
"Let's play a game," she said, lifting her sword.
"A game of Death."
She raised her sword slightly and pointed toward the edge of the circle.
"If you step outside this ring," she continued, "you fall."
Her violet eyes gleamed coldly.
"And this is no ordinary pit. Anyone who falls in will not leave behind even their bones."
Himitsu's breath caught.
Inside, his mind raced.
"This is insane…" he thought.
Above them, Akitora was smiling widely.
He was clearly enjoying every second.
"In my daughter's hands," he thought smugly, "this boy won't last even a moment."
Aira continued speaking, her tone almost casual.
"This is how I fight," she said. "I enjoy battles like this."
Her grip tightened around her sword.
"And now," she added, "prepare yourself to lose."
Then—
She suddenly threw a sword toward Himitsu.
"Catch."
Himitsu reacted instantly, grabbing the weapon mid-air. The moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, he felt it – this was no ordinary sword.
Aira met his eyes.
"We will fight with swords," she said. "You will pour your magic into the blade."
Himitsu frowned slightly, listening carefully.
"In this world," Aira continued, "most people fight using only magic. Bare hands, spells, and techniques—because this is a magical world."
She lifted her sword, the blade faintly humming.
"But I use my power through the sword."
She paused briefly.
Her eyes sharpened.
"I don't like fighting unarmed," she continued. "And this is not just preference–it's my way.
She took one step forward, stopping just at the edge of the circle.
"If we fight," she said, "it should be fair."
The pressure around them intensified.
"So," Aira finished, raising her sword into a ready stance, "get ready."
Himitsu tightened his grip on the sword, feeling its weight settle into his hand.
He exhaled slowly.
A deadly game had begun.