Amber of its cruelity

Hiroshi sits next to Tai under an old shrine roof — two days since the fight. The rain drips quietly.

Hiroshi says:

"So… two days gone, and you still haven't gone home, Tai?"

Tai sighs, half-smiling:

"Just trying to get a little more money. Once I have enough, I'll go. My sister's not in good condition — she needs it."

Hiroshi nods, watching the rain:

"Sad thing. I've seen your sword style — you're worth more than chasing scraps. So, how about this… would you join the Kisdain group? Train with us."

Tai looks up, surprised:

"Me? Really? But what about my sister?"

Hiroshi chuckles, closes his eyes with that calm smile:

"She'll be under our care. We have healers — good ones. You can trust us with her."

Tai hesitates, voice low:

"Can I really trust you? Really?"

Hiroshi opens his eyes — gentle, but tired:

"Of course. Don't lump me in with him."

Tai frowns:

"Him?"

Hiroshi's smile fades just a little:

"Kon. People call him the Evil Magician for a reason. He's not like me. He's… too far gone."

Tai asks, curious but afraid:

"Is he really that powerful?"

Hiroshi looks away, sighs:

"You saw it yourself. He beat me easily. But I still hold a few things back — and so does he. That's why he hasn't crushed the Kisdain completely."

Tai leans closer:

"Why hasn't he done it yet? If he's that strong?"

Hiroshi says softly:

"Because of him. Riego. The Sword Saint of the Master Magicians. Even Kon won't cross him — not yet."

Tai's eyes widen:

"Never heard of this Riego. He that strong?"

Hiroshi nods, half-laughs:

"Older than any of us. 350 years, maybe more. Even Tamoja — that old man here — is just one of Riego's students."

Tai laughs under his breath:

"So one old man teaching another old man? How old's Tamoja again?"

Hiroshi grins:

"Hundred plus. Looks it too, right? But that's the thing, Tai… you join us, you learn from the best. Maybe one day… you stand a chance against monsters like Kon."

Tai smiled and said, "So, can we go? I'm excited!"

Hiroshi chuckled, "Welcome."

The scene shifted to the Kisdain Group's base — massive halls, shining floors, dragon statues. Tai's eyes went wide.

"Wow, this place is huge! What's it called again?"

Hiroshi sighed, "I told you — Kisdain."

Tai scratched his head, "My bad," he said with a goofy grin.

Then he pointed, shocked. "Wait — is that a dragon?!"

Hiroshi nodded. "That's the Protector. It gives its power to warriors who've lost something precious."

They stepped inside. A guy with messy hair and too much energy — Ipuzu — jumped out of nowhere.

"Welcome, guys!" he yelled.

Tai flinched. "Woah! You scared me!"

Tai turned to his sister. "Sis, you can rest in your room, okay?"

Hiroshi called out, "Kanade! Juli! Come here — they're our best healers and swordsmen."

Tai's sister shyly stepped forward. Kanade smiled, "Don't worry, you're safe with us." She blushed when Hiroshi smiled at her.

Tai whispered, "Thanks, Hiroshi."

Hiroshi just nodded, "It's nothing."

Tai looked up, curious. "Hey, Hiroshi — how old are you?"

Hiroshi smirked, "Nineteen. Almost twenty. Why?"

Tai laughed, "Wow — you're way older than me! I'm only fourteen!"

Suddenly, a huge guy tackled Tai to the ground. "Gah! Who's sitting on me?!"

The big guy rolled off, "My bad, bro! I'm Jack — strongest warrior here!"

A thin guy with sharp eyes — Kimli — crossed his arms. "Strongest? More like weakest."

"WHAT'D YOU SAY?!" Jack barked.

Kimli rolled his eyes, "Ignore him — he likes bragging."

Tai laughed. "You remind me of my old friends... but they're gone now."

Kimli's face softened. "That's rough."

Hiroshi stepped forward, waving to an old man with sharp eyes — Master Reigo.

"Master, this is Tai — he wants to train with us."

Reigo stepped close, staring right into Tai's soul. He spoke softly, "You've got something dark inside you, boy — a demon. Dangerous. But if you master it... you might rise higher than any of us. Even me."

Tai's eyes widened. "What?!"

Reigo turned, smirking. "From now on, you'll train with our elites — Ren and Matsui. Welcome to Kisdain."

The scene shifted — Kon sat in the dark, watching.

A bat-like creature clung upside down above him, its eyes flickering — sharing its vision with Kon. Through the creature's senses, he saw Tai standing proud among the Kisdain warriors, chosen and welcomed.

Kon's lips curled into a faint smile. "I see… good for him."

Behind him, Hazo knelt. "My lord — so, what's the plan?"

Kon didn't look away from the vision. "The plan stays with Hazo's roots. You know how powerful he is — even though I've never faced him myself, I know him. He's… something else."

He laughed quietly — almost fondly. "There'll be fun in this game. Tai should train well… I want him to. That's the beauty."

Hazo tilted his head. "I see… you're enjoying this, Master — the cruelty itself?"

Kon's smile grew colder. "Listen well, Hazo. No one is born good — or evil. They choose what they really are."

He glanced at Hazo, his eyes dark and sharp as a blade. "I've never believed in good or evil. People reveal their cruelty when they must — they'll kill, betray, lie, all for themselves."

He leaned back in his chair, voice almost gentle. "That's why I never bother with judging them. Everyone is cruel, once they face themselves. And when they do — they find the real monster waiting inside."