Announcer:
"Ladies and gentlemen! Only ten contestants remain for the final challenge of the Water Stone! We want your predictions—who will emerge victorious?"
The youngest brother clenches his teeth:
"If we win the Water Stone… we'll give it to our eldest brother."
Announcer:
"You have five minutes to vote!"
(Phone voting)
1. Valen — one single vote (unknown)
2. One of the nine brothers — 3,000 votes
The announcer gasps:
"What?! Only one person voted for Valen? Find his name immediately!"
Enemy agent:
"His name… is Finaro."
Valen glares at the audience:
"You parasites… I'll show you who deserves this stone!"
The crowd boos ferociously:
"BOOOOOOOOOO!"
Announcer:
"And now… the final challenge!
How long can each contestant hold their breath underwater?"
Valen inhales deeply:
"I don't have a strong breath… but I won't give up."
Crowd:
"BOOOOOOH!"
Spectator:
"These challenges are easier than water itself!"
Stranger:
"Easy… but the heroine's will lies there."
Announcer:
"We have special guests who insisted on witnessing the remaining challenges! They wanted it to be a surprise!"
Before he continues, Barinta grabs the microphone.
Barinta:
"Welcome, everyone, to this wonderful competition!"
Crowd roars:
"Rensa of Light! Rensa of Light!"
---
Hero Ranking System
Narrator:
"In the Heroes Organization, power ranks are determined by neural control:"
1. Shiden — preliminary stage
2. Senki — beginner level
3. Kiryu — basic neural energy release
4. Mio Reki — rhythm readers
5. Shoki — signal-flow experts
6. Rensa — masters of neural lines
7. Niryo — dangerous commanders
8. Komiyako — legendary neural controllers
9. Shingai — the highest rank… held by someone unknown
Barinta:
"Let's welcome the fools!"
The four powerful Niryo enter:
1. Niryo of Herbs — Nakimi
2. Niryo of Hardening — Rashiro
3. Niryo of Thorns — Zankiro
4. Niryo of Explosions — Yakoro
Nakimi laughs:
"Ohh! I love events like this! Why didn't you tell me, Barinta?"
Barinta bows:
"I'm sorry…"
Rashiro scoffs:
"Why am I here? To watch a pile of beginners?"
Zankiro smirks:
"Relax… enjoy the show."
Yakoro grins madly:
"What if I blew up the island? Would they wet their pants?"
---
The Final Trial Begins
Announcer:
"Each contestant has been placed in a separate sector of the water!
And the countdown… will be done by the beloved Barinta!"
Barinta raises her hand:
"Do your best, men! One… two… three… GO!"
---
Underwater — The Battle for Breath
Valen (thinking):
A normal person using aura can last two minutes underwater…
But I must survive three.
Announcer:
"Two minutes and thirty seconds have passed…
and no one has resurfaced yet!"
Two minutes and forty-five seconds…
The nine brothers all shout underwater:
"We can't hold on any longer!"
They burst upward together.
Announcer:
"The brothers are out!
The winner of the Water Stone is… VAAAAALEN!"
Crowd erupts:
"VALEN! VALEN! VALEN!"
Barinta whispers:
"Why hasn't Valen resurfaced?! I'll check—"
Announcer stops her sharply:
"No! Rule number three: No external assistance!
I'm sorry, Rensa of Light… we cannot interfere!"
---
The Cursed Vision
Valen (thinking):
The nausea… it's overwhelming.
Suddenly, a woman appears beneath the water—blurred, ghostlike.
Valen:
"Wh… who are you?"
She points toward a lonely wooden cabin.
Valen:
"What do you want? Are you telling me… to aim at the announcer?"
She vanishes instantly.
---
The Blue Ascension
Announcer:
"Look! He's rising from the water!"
Crowd chants wildly:
"VALEN! VALEN! VALEN! VALEN!"
Barinta flashes to the Niryo with light-speed movement.
Barinta, trembling:
"Did… you see his eyes?"
All four:
"Yes. They were glowing… blue."
A stranger whispers in terror:
"Impossible… absolutely impossible…"
Announcer:
"The winner of the Water Stone is… VALEN!!!"