--- [Leon’s perspective]

  A few minutes have gone by since the end of Julian and Daisy’s match.

  The healers tried their best, but like I predicted, even they couldn’t fully heal her.

  Injuries caused by other specialties tend to be really tricky to heal, so the fact that they even managed to do as well as they did speaks volumes about how talented these healers are.

  Her stamina should be recovered, and the pain is probably minimal.

  It’s possible that if I target her scars, it’ll hurt more than other spots though.

  I should keep that in mind.

  “Daisy and Leon, huh… No matter who wins, I know this fight will be fun! Are you guys ready for your special rule?” – Host

  “Just get it over with.” – Daisy

  Just like before, he rummages through his pocket, making sure to stir well before drawing one.

  He opens the crumpled paper and reads it to himself…

  “Ahh, this one is always a hit!” – Host

  ‘Always’?

  I guess he has gotten that one multiple times before then.

  Some rules have never been chosen while others are chosen frequently.

  Is it really random…?

  “I call this rule ‘tick tock’. My specialty lets me create light. I can make this light originate from anywhere within my field of view, or any spot on my body. I can make this light however bright I want, whatever color I want, and whatever shape I want. In this case, I will use it to create a spotlight that illuminates the ring. The light will then slowly shrink until it’s so small you’ll basically have to hug to both fit there. If you ever step outside this light, you’re disqualified. Got it?” – Host

  Interesting…

  That means the further we get into the match, the closer we’ll have to get.

  I’m not sure who that benefits the most…

  I’m exceptionally strong, so if she can’t get away, I can very quickly end the match.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  But at the same time, her entire thing is grabbing people and not letting go.

  If I can’t get away from her when she does that, the match might be over on the spot…

  Well, regardless of who benefits the most, I will be the victor.

  We step into the ring, and a spotlight shines down on us.

  The radius is large enough to cover the entire ring, but I know that won’t be the case for long.

  “Alright! Let the final match begin!” – Host

  ---

  As the son of a middle ranked royal guard growing up in Adamas, I didn’t have what most people consider a normal childhood.

  I’ve heard about how kids in other places spend their childhood playing and socializing, without any worries or responsibilities.

  I’m glad mine wasn’t like that.

  What a waste of time…

  My parents made sure to teach me the harsh truths of this world and prepare me as well as they could from an early age.

  From the moment I could walk, they taught me how to fight.

  From the moment I could talk, they taught me how the world works.

  Their many lessons were repeated again and again until I not only understood them, but also memorized them.

  They made sure I got the perfect education.

  “The idea that all humans are worth the same is not only silly, but also an evil and rotten way of viewing humanity. The natural order dictates that those with power will sit at the top. They are literally given permission and authority to rule by the universe itself. Going against that is going against everything that is.” – Father

  The person I’m the most thankful for in my life is my father.

  Without him, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

  I don’t even want to imagine what life would be like without him.

  Luckily for me, it was my destiny to be where I am.

  The moment nature decided that I would be their child, my future was already set in stone.

  “Hierarchy is everything. When the strong are at the top and the weak are at the bottom, the world is at peace and balance is achieved. At the top of the hierarchy is the Emperor. As the ultimate power, he is also the ultimate authority. It is our duty as lesser creatures to serve him, just as it is the duty of commoners to serve us.” – Father

  My duty is to serve the Emperor.

  If I’m not doing that, then my life is pointless.

  The best way of serving him is by working under him as one of his royal guards.

  But the journey to get there is by no means easy.

  Only those who truly deserve it get there.

  First, you need to learn Divinity manipulation.

  To do so, you need to put yourself through hellish training over long periods of time.

  Second, you need to pass the F-rank hunter exam.

  Out of all the hundreds of people that take the exam, you need to be one of the few exceptional ones to pass.

  Third, you need to be invited by one specific guild; The Reapers Guild.

  The Reapers have a special connection to the royal guard, so the royal guard recruits are almost exclusively Reapers.

  They have their own requirements for inviting people though; you need to take 100 lives during the F-rank hunter exam.

  Fourth, you need to get strong enough to rival even C-rank hunters.

  Out of the few that complete the previous steps, only a handful manage to do this one.

  Everyone has a certain limit; a level where no matter how much more they train, they will never surpass it.

  For most people, that limit is significantly lower than C-rank.

  Fifth, you need to pass the royal guard recruitment exam.

  Just like now, it’s normally held at the same time as the C-rank hunter exam.

  Once all those steps have been completed, you can finally fulfill your life’s mission…

  Serving the Emperor.

  I’m so close…

  I only have one step left…

  I will not allow myself to fail.