Just one hour before the tournament was set to begin,

  the morning sun bathed the kingdom’s streets in an unusual calm.

  Enzo walked alone through the royal market.

  The sounds around him blended together—

  vendors calling out, children running past, and the smell of food mixing with the scent of polished iron.

  He stopped in front of an elderly vegetable vendor and smiled politely.

  “Excuse me, sir… could you tell me where the weapon shop is? I’m new to this district.”

  The man lifted his head, stared at Enzo for a second—

  then his eyes widened.

  “Ahhhh! You’re one of the tournament participants!”

  “Your pictures were in the magazines yesterday!”

  Enzo grew slightly embarrassed and smiled shyly.

  “Yes… I’m one of the competitors.”

  The old man laughed loudly.

  “Good luck to you, son!”

  “The weapon shop? Go straight ahead, then right, then left—you’ll find it right in front of you.”

  Enzo thanked him, waved goodbye, and continued on his way.

  As he walked…

  His thoughts drifted back to his old village.

  A small village.

  Quiet.

  No market at all—

  because everyone there had been farmers.

  And he remembered Marai.

  A faint smile crossed his face.

  Suddenly—

  He bumped into someone.

  He stepped back and heard a soft voice.

  “Ah! I’m sorry!”

  It was a short girl, with wide eyes, looking younger than her age.

  Enzo spoke immediately.

  “It’s alright. Nothing happened.”

  She bowed quickly and hurried away.

  A few minutes later, Enzo reached the weapon shop.

  He stopped at the entrance.

  It was huge—

  far larger than he had imagined.

  Swords lined the walls.

  Some gleamed brightly.

  Some emitted a faint glow.

  Others bore ancient engravings.

  He entered slowly and began examining them with admiration.

  He picked up a handcrafted sword and studied its blade—

  Suddenly…

  He heard a commotion from the other side of the shop.

  He moved quickly.

  There—

  He saw a man gripping the arm of the same girl he had bumped into earlier.

  She was trembling.

  The man raised his hand as if about to strike her.

  But—

  Enzo grabbed his wrist firmly.

  “Let her go,” he said calmly.

  The man turned, furious.

  “And who are you supposed to be?!”

  He tried to punch Enzo—

  But Enzo dodged effortlessly, knocked him to the ground, and twisted his shoulder.

  “Leave,” Enzo said coldly.

  “And don’t come back.”

  The man fled in terror.

  Enzo exhaled deeply, then turned to the girl.

  “Are you alright?”

  “Yes… thank you,” she replied, her voice shaking.

  Enzo extended his hand with a gentle smile.

  “It’s okay. He’s gone now.”

  She lifted her head and looked into his eyes…

  then smiled with relief.

  “Thank you so much… sir.”

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  “I’m Enzo,” he said.

  “Just Enzo.”

  She blushed slightly.

  “Oh… I’m sorry. My name is Sima.”

  He smiled.

  “That’s a beautiful name, Miss Sima.”

  Her face turned red.

  Trying to change the subject, she said quickly,

  “You’re participating in the tournament, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Which round?”

  “The second… today.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “Don’t you think you’re running late?!”

  Enzo glanced at the shop’s clock—

  “What?! Yes!!!”

  He ran out at full speed.

  Sima followed him without thinking.

  By the time they reached the arena, both were out of breath.

  Enzo asked,

  “Why are you running with me?”

  She answered awkwardly,

  “I don’t know…”

  He smiled.

  “Then come and watch me fight.”

  Her face lit up with joy.

  Enzo stepped into the arena.

  The crowd erupted.

  “We want a great match!”

  “A thrilling fight!”

  Enzo thought to himself,

  Do they think this is a game…?

  His thoughts were cut short—

  By the entrance of his opponent.

  Shinshan.

  Known simply as Shin.

  A member of the Yamikaji Clan.

  The referee raised his hand.

  “Begin!”

  Enzo charged first, sword in hand.

  But Shin dodged every strike with ease—

  then delivered a powerful kick to Enzo’s stomach.

  Enzo dropped to his knees.

  Shin scoffed.

  “Withdraw.”

  “We don’t need weaklings.”

  The crowd joined in.

  “Get out!”

  “Weak!”

  The scene shifted to Sima.

  She clasped her hands tightly and whispered,

  “Come on, Enzo… please.”

  Enzo lowered his head.

  He felt powerless.

  Then—

  The sword began to glow.

  A dark crimson light—

  red lightning crackled around the blade.

  Enzo’s eyes widened.

  “What… is this?”

  He swung the sword from a distance.

  A compressed, cutting wave of energy shot forward—

  fast…

  sharp…

  It struck Shin directly in the chest.

  “Damn it! What is this power?!”

  Shin staggered to his feet—

  Then transformed.

  Wings.

  Claws.

  Savage eyes.

  “I’ll show you!”

  He lunged forward.

  A violent clash.

  Both screamed,

  “AAAAAA!”

  They collided.

  Separated.

  Then again…

  And a third time.

  Shin roared,

  “Die!”

  He took to the air and unleashed massive green wind claws.

  Everyone thought Enzo was finished.

  Even Enzo himself.

  But—

  The sword shone brighter.

  Enzo hesitated, then whispered,

  “I’ll rely on you.”

  He screamed.

  A colossal impact.

  An explosion.

  Enzo stood inside a barrier—

  his sword driven into the ground.

  Shin fell from the sky…

  and lost consciousness.

  The transformation vanished.

  Enzo collapsed from exhaustion.

  Winner: Enzo.

  The arena erupted in applause.

  Among the crowd—

  A man wearing a black coat.

  He smiled and said quietly,

  “So… the sword chose you.”

  “Hehehe…”

  And thus,

  Chapter Four came to an end.