Makoto still looking at Daichi smirking lets out a remark "You really think you can beat me?"
Daichi then nods and smiles bigger at Makoto "Dead serious"
Makoto lets out a laugh and looks at Daichi "You're funny, I will give you that, but truthfully there is no way you can beat me."
Daichi was about to say something but was cut off by the girl with green hair on the microphone.
"Alright challengers! Welcome to Neseri Tower! I am Shirona! Head over to the front desk please! And in a few minutes I will explain the fighting rules and give you your point card!"
Makoto then lets out a remark "Lucky you, you're saved by the bell." Daichi then smiles at Makoto saying "I'm pretty sure it's the other way around, I'll let you on a warning, our first match together I will give you a good kick!"
A low hum filled the air as fighters filtered into a vast, circular hall. Screens lined the walls, flashing names, rankings, and match pairings in sharp neon letters. Daichi stepped in alongside the others, eyes scanning the arena. The floor was made of shifting tiles, elevation pads, and blinking sensors.
At the center stood Shirona, now wearing a sleek headset and sporting a confident smirk. Her voice echoed through the room.
"Welcome to Neseri Tower, rookies. This is where your climb truly begins."
She gestured to the towering screen behind her. A diagram of the tower appeared—110 floors tall, with markers flashing on key checkpoints.
"Let me make the rules clear," she said, raising her hand as a glowing list appeared behind her, "because one mistake could end your climb before it even begins."
Tower Combat Rules
Everyone starts with 100 points.
Tournaments are your path to rise.
Win = gain 10–30 points, depending on your floor.
Lose = lose 10–30 points, also floor-dependent.
Reach 0 points, and you're expelled.
You may spectate on higher floors, but you'll never fight again.
Your Point Card is your life:
Acts as your ID, access key, and ranking badge.
Higher points = more floor access.
Floor 98, the last combat floor, requires 1,000 points.
The screen shifted again.
Combat Rules
No attacking an opponent once they're down.
No standing up or assisting your opponent mid-match.
No weapons.
Magic is legal, but killing intent will get you disqualified.
No killing.
No low blows—period.
Shirona pointed to the center ring. "And there are only four ways to win!"
Your opponent gives up.
Your opponent is knocked down and doesn't get up before the 10-count.
Your opponent steps on or over the boundary line.
Your opponent breaks the rules and is disqualified.
The murmurs in the room swelled. Some fighters shifted nervously. Others like Makoto stood motionless, arms crossed, silently calculating.
Shirona offered a smirk to ease the growing tension.
"Now that you know what's at stake... let's have some fun. First matchups start now!"
The screen flashed brightly:
Ring 4, Match 1: Daichi Girubō vs. Makoto Shushin!
A stunned hush fell over the rookies before it was broken by a wave of murmurs.
Makoto walked up to Daichi, arms still crossed. His expression unreadable.
"Well then," he said, his tone calm but pointed, "let's see if you're all talk, Daichi."
Daichi returned the stare, a confident smirk spreading across his face. "Prepare for your first loss, Makoto."