The night had been peaceful, but morning came swiftly.
Maxi woke up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he slowly got out of bed. He made his way to the bathroom, the cold stone floor sending a slight shiver up his legs. After a quick bath, he dressed in a brown waistcoat over a light blue shirt, paired with black pants. He adjusted his glasses, ensuring they sat properly on his nose, before grabbing a book from his bedside.
The title read: How the Chosen Ones Meet.
He had barely read for a few hours when a knock sounded on his door.
"Young master," came Angelina's voice.
Maxi sighed, already knowing what this meant. "Coming," he called out, setting the book down on his bed.
As he opened the door, he met Angelina's gaze. "I'm guessing my tutor is back?"
She nodded.
Maxi sighed again, already bracing himself for what was to come. As they walked down the corridors, he glanced at her and muttered, "Hopefully, nothing like last time happens again."
Angelina hummed in agreement, but they both knew how unlikely that was.
Upon reaching the study, Angelina opened the door for him. Maxi stepped inside, immediately noticing the only thing different about the room—Tangen himself. The tutor looked exhausted, like he had worked a full day and night without rest. Yet, as soon as he saw Maxi, a strange burst of relief and energy seemed to reinvigorate him.
"Maxi! Good to see you're okay," Tangen said, standing straighter. "But we don't have time to waste, so sit down. I need to teach you about the three main continents."
Maxi sat in his usual chair, adjusting his glasses as he eyed the man skeptically. "What happened to you?"
Tangen waved a hand dismissively. "Nothing to worry about, my dear student. Let's just begin the lesson."
He then launched into an explanation about the history of the three main continents. Originally, there had been just one massive landmass, but a war had torn it apart. The conflict had been waged between the founder of the Bloodheart family and two individuals blessed by all the earthly gods at once.
Tangen quickly brushed over the details, promising to explain later, but Maxi latched onto one phrase: the Bloodheart founder was betrayed.
That… was something he hadn't heard before.
Still, the lesson continued.
The northern continent, Yasvil—meaning "Northern Cape" in the ancient Giant tongue—was ruled mostly by the New Rainbow Kingdom and inhabited by dangerous ancient masters and beasts.
Their own continent, Zafia, translated to "Final Stand of the Dragon." It was home to many mythical creatures and various races, boasting nine powerful kingdoms:
1. Bloodheart Kingdom
2. Shining Star Kingdom
3. Shadow Sword Kingdom
4. Rainbow Kingdom
5. Frozen Rose Kingdom
6. Blossoming Kingdom
7. Fire Sword Kingdom
8. Shining Mach Kingdom
9. Burning Peace Kingdom—the wealthiest of them all.
And then there was the southern continent, Mixviya, meaning "Together as One" in an old, forgotten Fox Oni dialect. It was the largest landmass and housed nearly all races. Yet, despite its vast size, it had only one kingdom—the Mixviya Kingdom, where unity reigned above all else.
Maxi barely had time to process all this information when Tangen abruptly stood and grabbed his arm, yanking him up.
"Okay, that's enough learning. Follow me," Tangen said, already dragging Maxi towards the door.
Angelina barely had time to react as she followed after them.
"Why are we in such a rush?" Maxi asked, stumbling slightly.
Tangen groaned. "Because you remember how I accidentally pissed off your god. well as a result, I was forced by your father to sign a two-year contract to be your tutor, fixing whatever damage I supposedly did to you. And in that contract, there was a clause about me having to fight one of your brothers."
Maxi blinked. "Which brother?"
"You already know," Tangen grumbled.
Maxi had to bite back a laugh.
Tangen continued, "Luckily, your family isn't stupid. They know I'm not a god. They know I can't actually beat your brother, even with my experience. So, instead, the fight's been turned into a battle of resilience. If I can stay conscious for ten minutes, my conditions will be met. If I fall before then, I'll be forced to meet his conditions, which—by the way—I don't even know yet. And if I'm late? I automatically forfeit and agree to whatever conditions he set."
Tangen suddenly reached into his pocket and pulled out a red dandelion-like flower. He crushed it in his hand, inhaling deeply before eating it whole.
Maxi watched as the man's body shuddered, his nerves seemingly activating all at once.
"Did you just take drugs?" Maxi asked bluntly.
Tangen let out a sharp laugh. "No, kid. That was a Dragon's Fire Breath flower—also called a Flerxia flower. It makes your body feel like it's on fire, which, for me, is the best wake-up call."
Maxi leaned toward Angelina and whispered, "Definitely drugs."
She giggled but nodded in agreement.
By the time they reached the massive doors of the main castle, Maxi hesitated. "I'm not allowed in here."
Tangen smirked. "Your father permitted it. He wants you to see this battle." He then turned to Angelina. "You, maid, show him his seat. Make sure he gets a good one."
Before Maxi could question further, Tangen dashed off.
Angelina sighed. "Come, young master. I'll guide you."
Maxi nodded, stepping forward.
The moment he entered the castle, he felt it.
The very air was different—dense, heavy, like stepping onto an entirely new continent. His breath caught in his throat. His body felt weak. Instinctively, he reached out, grabbing onto Angelina's arm. Not out of affection, but out of sheer necessity. If he didn't, he'd collapse.
"Young master?!" Angelina's voice was laced with worry. "Please don't tell me something's happening again."
Maxi forced himself to speak through the overwhelming pressure. "N… no… nothing's wrong. But… can I… please… hold your hand?" His voice was weak, unsteady.
Angelina sighed but took his hand, carefully guiding him up the stairs, through a long hallway, and into a circular seating area that overlooked a massive battleground enclosed by glass walls.
"Where do you want to sit?" she asked.
"Third row… please…"
She led him to his seat, and Maxi slumped into it, trying to regain his composure.
Minutes passed, and slowly, figures began filling the seats.
His siblings—twenty of them—took their places, though none sat beside him. Nine more figures appeared across from them, presumably his stepmothers. And finally, a commanding presence entered.
His father.
Even in the dim lighting, the king's figure was unmistakable. He wore a long, regal robe, his crown sitting upon his head in a way that demanded respect.
Then, his voice boomed, enhanced by some unseen force:
"SILENCE. WE GATHER HERE TODAY TO SET THE TERMS OF A CONTRACT AND WITNESS A BATTLE OF TRUE RESILIENCE!"
The crowd fell still.
The king continued, "ON THE RIGHT, THE CHALLENGER—THE ONE WHO DEMANDED THIS BATTLE—TECHXIN BLOODHEART!"
Through an invisible doorway, Techxin entered, waving casually. He wore a white button-up shirt, black pants, and a fur-lined cloak, his crown loosely tilted on his head. He smirked.
"AND ON THE OTHER SIDE, A MYSTERIOUS MAN NAMED TANGEN!"
Tangen entered, his black cloak still draped around his lower half, his smile unwavering.
"THIS BATTLE OF RESILIENCE WILL The MATCH HAS A STRICT TIME LIMIT OF 10 MINUTES. EACH FIGHTER MUST SET 10 CONDITIONS. EVERY MINUTE THAT PASSES, ONE OF THE CHALLENGERS CONDITIONS IS ENFORCED. IF A FIGHTER FALLS UNCONSCIOUS OR IS UNABLE TO CONTINUE BEFORE THE 10 MINUTES ARE UP, THEY MUST FOLLOW ALL REMAINING CONDITIONS SET BY THEIR OPPONENT.!"
Tangen tilted his head. "That was confusing as hell, my king."
One of Maxi's siblings chuckled. "It'll make sense when you lose."
Tangen shrugged. "That's fair."
"FIGHTERS, ARE YOU READY?" the king bellowed.
Techxin grinned, raising his fists.
Tangen opened his right hand, and a giant red star flared to life.
"LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!"