After the tournament ends, the General of the Central Empire arrives and offers the top 8 participants a position as Vice-Captains in the Royal Army—a dream come true for Magna. As Imperial steps out of the arena, Magna approaches him and says, "It was you, right?
Imperial smirked. "Me? No way. I only came third, remember?"
Magna hugged him tightly, tears rolling down his cheeks. "You can lie all you want to keep up your cold act… but I know it was you. Thank you, Imperial."
Magna's friends approached and apologized for doubting Imperial, thanking him as they bowed slightly before leaving.
Ari, walking alongside, asked, "Why did you lie to him?"
A flashback began.
Flashback:
Kai: "You want me to ask the higher-ups to make all top 8 fighters members of the Royal Army?"
Imperial: "Yes. You won the tournament, and you come from a royal family. If you and Zeran both support the idea, they won't refuse."
Kai: "Alright… I'll do it."
Back in the present, Imperial replied to Ari, "I think Magna knows it was me, but I didn't want to make him feel like this was charity. If he thought it wasn't earned, he might reject it. I wanted him to feel like it was his victory."
Ari nodded. "You did the right thing."
________________________________________
They arrived at Master Kaien's home—but something was off. The house looked… brand new. Workers were fixing the roof, painting walls, and rebuilding the interior.
Imperial frowned. "Did we come to the wrong place?"
"No," Ari said, narrowing her eyes. "We're in the right place."
They wandered around until they saw Master Kaien relaxing in a flower garden, sipping… was that wine?
"Master?" Imperial asked. "Did you win the lottery or something?"
Kaien grinned. "Yes. And it's all thanks to you."
Flashback Begins:
Before the tournament, at Arena 5:
Someone: "Who are you betting on, Kaien?"
Kaien: points at Imperial "That one."
Others laugh: "He's known for weak magic control!"
Everyone bets against Imperial… but he wins.
Kaien collects winnings. For the next match, everyone bets on Imperial… and Kaien bets on Zeran instead.
Zeran wins. Kaien collects again.
He uses the money to renovate his old house.
Back in the present, Kaien laughed heartily, showing off his shiny new surroundings.
Imperial exploded. "You old bastard! So this is why you told me to lose in the semifinals!"
Ari gasped. "Wait, what?!"
Kaien defended himself, dodging Imperial's playful punches. "Listen, listen! That was only part of the plan. The real reason—you know it."
Imperial stopped. "Yeah… I know."
He calmed down and turned serious. "Master, I've decided something."
Kaien's eyes narrowed. "What is it?"
"I'm going on a journey."
Kaien fell silent. Then smiled. "Good. I pray you find what you're looking for."
________________________________________
Later, on the way back, Ari asked, "So… what's the story with the semifinals?"
Imperial sighed. "Master asked me to lose on purpose. If I had used my full power, the higher-ups might have realized I was the one behind the lightning attack at the arena. So I sealed 60% of my strength in my sword."
Ari was stunned. He fought at 40%… and still reached the semi-finals? What would he be like at full strength?
But she didn't say it out loud.
________________________________________
They reached the Alden residence. Imperial knocked on the door. Kai answered.
"You're late," he scowled. "I'm the one who got home first."
"Sorry," Imperial said, grinning. "We went to see Master Kaien."
"That's fine then," Kai replied, stepping aside.
Their mother, Lyra, rushed forward and hugged them both tightly.
"I'm proud of you," she whispered.
They gathered at the dinner table. As they ate, Imperial suddenly asked, "Mom… what happened to Dad?"
Silence fell. Kai, Lyra, and Ari all froze.
Lyra placed her fork down. "So you've finally asked."
"I always thought you never told me because it hurt too much," Imperial said softly. "But I want to know now."
Lyra nodded, then recounted the events of 15 years ago—how Imperial's father had discovered something… something about the world. Then he left to pursue it and never returned.
Imperial listened intently. When she finished, he looked up.
"Then I've decided," he said. "I'm going to find him."
Kai stood up. "Are you insane, Imperial?! You'll leave Mom alone—and we don't even know where he went! Or if he's alive!"
Imperial replied, calm but firm, "That's exactly why I have to go. He found something about this world… and I saw something too, written on that ancient pillar. I don't think it's a coincidence."
Lyra gently held Kai's hand. "Let him go."
Kai's eyes filled with tears. "But Mom…"
"He's not a child anymore. And he's serious. We can't stop him."
Kai sat down in silence.
Then Ari turned to Imperial. "Then I'm coming too."
He frowned. "It'll be dangerous. You saw what happened to my father."
Ari hesitated. Then she lifted her hair, revealing a scar over her right eye.
"I need to tell you imperial and aunt lyra something…"