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"You call the man that just saved your life a 'bastard'?" Blank asked with sharp eyes. "You're a foolish kid… let me guess — from some coastal village? Sheltered? Living the good life? In peace, I bet. Away from war… from danger… from death."
"…!" Kaidel was shocked that Blank had read him so easily. He opened his mouth to argue, but the words stuck in his throat. Everything Blank said hit too close to home. The quiet docks, the fishing nets, the days spent running around without a single care… it all felt far away now.
"The tournament is not a place for kids like you," Blank continued, his tone flat and unforgiving. "I would recommend you resign before you get yourself killed. If you keep acting like that, I will not even cover your back next time!"
"Tsk…!" Kaidel forced himself to stand up. His legs still shook from the earlier fight, but he pushed the pain aside and ran toward his friends, ignoring the warning completely. "Guys! Ah…!"
