The day of the Grand Tournament started off with a mix of sunshine and dark clouds, as if even the sky couldn't figure out how to feel.
The Royal Arena looked ancient, built from stone that had seen more years than the kingdom itself. The stands were packed—nobles, knights, thinkers, and even royals filled the seats. Above them, glowing symbols spun in the air, showing the names and stats of the fighters, almost like a video game display.
It felt surreal.
I couldn't shake the nagging thought:
Am I still in the game? Is any of this real?
"Elira," I muttered as she adjusted my cloak before I headed into the waiting area, "do you think someone can die twice in a lifetime?"
She stopped and looked me in the eye.
"Only if they give up on themselves," she replied, her voice soft. "Don't let go, young master. No matter what the truth turns out to be."
First Match: Leonhart vs. Reim of House Yurgan
Reim was like a giant in his armor, specializing in earth magic. His strength shook the arena with each step.
I should have found it tough.
But I didn't.
I used Phantom Step—a skill from my past gaming days now mixed with wind magic—and dodged his strikes like wisps of smoke.
For the final attack, I cast a combined fire and wind spell into a Flame Lance that sent him crashing into the arena wall.
The crowd went quiet for a moment, then burst into cheers.
But I barely noticed.
Because Lucien Draeven was watching. His eyes narrowed, a sly smile on his face.
Lucien's Match: Lucien vs. Aris
I was unprepared for what I was about to witness.
Lucien didn't just fight; he dominated.
Aris fought fiercely—quick and dangerous. But Lucien… was on another level.
He used Void Ice—dark magic that turned regular ice into something corrupted.
When he attacked, it felt like reality twisted. I couldn't even follow his moves. It was like the arena lagged for a moment, just like a game does when it glitches.
Aris was hanging in there, but just barely.
In the final moment, Lucien leaned in and whispered something to her. She froze.
Then she dropped.
The match was over, and medics rushed in.
But my mind kept circling back to one thing:
What did he say to her?
That night, I sought him out.
He was waiting in the academy garden by a frozen fountain.
"You saw it, right?" he asked calmly.
"Yeah, the glitch. You're not being very secretive," I replied.
Lucien turned to me, his eyes faintly glowing violet.
"I want you to see it, Edward."
That name hit me hard.
"You're one of us?"
"I was," he said, "until I broke free."
"What do you mean?"
He stepped closer. "This world isn't real. It's a simulation for testing higher beings. We're former players turned into data."
"Who's behind all this?"
"I don't know," he admitted. "But that entity you encountered in the Shadow Forest? It's not the creator. It's the warden. Its job is to keep you trapped here—dying, coming back, forgetting. Over and over."
I struggled to catch my breath.
"How do we get out?"
Lucien's smile widened, though his eyes didn't match it.
"By destroying the code at its core… and ending our last lives."
"You mean... we only get one more shot?"
He nodded. "For some of us, this is our last chance."
He turned away. "You've got strength, Leonhart. But you play like a hero. This world doesn't need more heroes."
And just like that, he disappeared into the fog.
For the first time since I came back… I started to question everything.
The Shadow Code
That night, I found myself back in the Shadow Forest in a dream.
But this time, I called out, "Show yourself, Warden."
It appeared—no longer just a shadow, but humanoid. It wore a crown of black data shards.
"You've changed, Edward. Or Leonhart. Or whatever name you go by now."
"Is it true? Is this all a simulation?"
"Sort of," it replied. "But you're missing something."
"What's that?"
"You were never meant to break free."
The trees cracked loudly around it. Shattered mirrors rained down from above.
"You were meant to grow."
Without warning, it lunged.
I woke up gasping—only to see the symbol on my chest glowing brightly.
And in the mirror?
My reflection was gone.
Next Round: Leonhart vs. Lucien
The next day, the brackets were out.
A showdown between fate and rebellion.
I stepped into the arena with a crowd of thousands watching. Aris caught my eye from the healer's balcony.
She nodded once.
Whatever Lucien told her, she wanted me to stop him.
And I would.
Not just to win.
But to figure out who I really am in this world.
To be continued…