Building the Arena
The arena's framework gleamed faintly in the morning light, a mix of stone, wood, and the pulsing energy that reinforced its structure. Dozens of workers swarmed the site, adjusting beams, setting stones, and channeling controlled flows of energy into the materials to strengthen them. Each ring was steadily taking shape, marked by smooth, cleared ground and outlined by faintly glowing bands meant to hold energy barriers.
Haruto stood at the edge of the largest ring, arms crossed and brow furrowed. His boots crunched against the dirt as he shifted his weight. "Four rings," he muttered, shaking his head. "And they expect this thing to hold up with four matches running at the same time? It's madness."
Akio, crouched nearby, was carefully stabilizing the edges of a newly placed stone slab with his glowing hands. "It's not madness," he said, glancing up. "It's ambition. And we're good enough to handle it." He gave the stone a final push before standing and wiping his hands.
Haruto let out a snort. "Good enough to handle it? Sure, but are the fighters good enough not to break this place apart? We're energy users, Akio. It's our job to make sure this arena holds. You really think these juniors could throw enough power to crack what we're reinforcing?"
Akio chuckled, brushing the dust from his pants. "You're forgetting who this is for. This division is fifteen to seventeen. These kids are skilled, sure, but none of them should outmatch the energy we've poured into these structures. The barrier shields, the reinforced stone—we've thought of everything."
Naoki joined them, his satchel swinging at his side. "You're right, Akio. These juniors won't cause too much trouble, but it's not the same for the other arena." He pointed past the scaffolding to the second site that loomed further away.
Unlike the current arena, which sparkled with new construction and enthusiastic builders, the second arena had an older, more ominous presence. It was reserved for the senior division—eighteen and older—where the real chaos unfolded.
Naoki adjusted his satchel. "That's the one I'm worried about. You know how reckless those fighters can be. They push themselves to the limit, and some of them don't care what they break as long as they win."
Haruto followed his gaze, his frown deepening. "It's not just recklessness. Some of those seniors… they're dangerous. And they're not afraid to show it." He turned back to the junior arena, scanning the progress. "At least these kids still have rules and discipline drilled into them. We'll manage here just fine."
Naoki nodded. "We've added extra energy flow to the barriers, just in case. Even if one of the juniors has a bit more power than expected, the shields will hold. And if they don't…"
"They will," Akio said quickly, cutting him off with a grin. "I helped test them myself."
Haruto shook his head, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Confidence is fine, but you'd better hope you're right. If these barriers fail, it's our necks on the line."
"Relax," Akio said. "The fighters might throw sparks and beams, but the structures won't budge. They'd need energy levels beyond what any junior can manage to cause a dent. And even then, it wouldn't outmatch what we've reinforced."
---
A shout interrupted their conversation. One of the workers rushed over, wiping sweat from his face. "The beam under the east ring is still unstable," he said quickly. "We've been trying to level the ground, but it's giving us trouble."
Haruto groaned. "Unstable beams. Of course. Lead the way."
He followed the worker toward the east ring, while Akio and Naoki stayed behind. Naoki adjusted his satchel again, pulling out a map of the arena's layout.
"It's strange, you know," Naoki said after a moment. "Seeing it all come together. These rings aren't just for competition—they're for the juniors to prove themselves. A way to show what they've learned. Yet look at the effort we put in. Feels like we're the ones on trial here."
Akio laughed. "Trial by fire. And I wouldn't have it any other way. You think those kids realize how much work we've put into this place?"
"They will," Naoki said with a faint smile. "When they step into the rings and feel the power beneath their feet, they'll know. Whether they understand what it took—that's another matter."
---
As the builders continued their work, the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows over the arena. The junior division's site was nearly complete, its four rings glowing softly as the last of the energy reinforcement settled into place. Workers began to pack their tools, their voices quieter now as the day drew to a close.
Akio stood near the edge of the largest ring, watching as the final checks were made. "Looks good," he said softly. "Better than good, actually."
Naoki appeared beside him, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "And the seniors' arena?"
"That one's on its own," Akio said, a trace of humor in his voice. "If anyone out there's crazy enough to fight in the senior division, they'll handle whatever happens."
Naoki laughed. "True. I don't envy the builders working over there."
As the workers filed out, the arena grew quiet, the faint hum of energy the only sound left in the air. Naoki, Haruto, and Akio lingered for a moment longer, taking in the sight of what they had built.
---
Far from the arena, in the quiet of Sensei's dojo, the evening had settled into calm. The disciples were gathered in the training hall, their chatter low and scattered after another long day of preparation.
Sensei entered the hall, his steps slow and deliberate. The room fell silent as the students turned to face him.
"I have something for you," Sensei said, his voice steady but carrying weight. In his hands was a bundle wrapped in dark cloth, tied neatly with a thin cord.
He placed the bundle on the low table at the center of the room, his gaze sweeping over the gathered students. "But first, tell me—are you ready for what's to come?"
The disciples exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued by the mysterious package. None of them spoke, but the anticipation in the room was palpable.
Mono leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on the bundle. 'What could it be?' he wondered, his mind racing with possibilities.
Sensei's lips curved into a faint smile. "We'll see," he said simply, leaving the disciples to wonder what lay beneath the cloth.