''Here.'' The woman who showed Ichiro his room came back with an old-looking phone.
''Thanks.'' Ichiro took the phone and closed the door before the woman again suggested something.
The woman left with a fuming face. No one has ever rejected her advances!
Ichiro sat down on the bed and dialed Azura's number.
Soon, the phone started ringing. Ichiro put the phone on his ear, waiting for the call to be connected.
Ten seconds later, the phone call connected.
''Hello, who is this?'' Ichiro heard a pleasant voice from the other side of the phone call.
''It's me,'' Ichiro replied and lied down on the bed.
''Hubby!'' Azura's excited voice was heard, ''From whose phone are you calling from? I couldn't recognize the phone number.''
''For some reason, my phone didn't work, so I borrowed a phone from the Fortress,'' Ichiro answered with a half-truth.
''I see! Are you fine?''
Ichiro chuckled, ''I haven't even entered the island yet.''
He could almost instantly tell that his girlfriend was currently pouting.
''I was worried that something must have happened because it took so long for you to call! Jeez.''
Ichiro smiled and asked, ''How are the things going on there?''
''Usual, I received confession yesterday.''
''Ah, is that so?'' The phone on his hand cracked.
Azura's giggling was heard from the phone, ''Joking! Dummy, everyone is too afraid to confess after you broke that one guy's leg.''
Ichiro rolled his eyes, ''It was an accident.''
''As if! 5 minutes after you heard that someone confessed to me, the one who confessed was seen in his classroom with a broken leg!''
''There are no proofs that I did that.''
Azura bursted into laughter, ''20 students saw you entering the classroom and saw you breaking his leg!''
''I have been framed.''
''Hahahaha!'' Azura was laughing so hard that tears left her eyes.
She was lying on the couch in the living room while Abyss and Alena was chatting not far from her. They rolled their eyes— they thought that maybe they will get a vacation from having to deal with those two lovebirds, but apparently not!
Ichiro closed his eyes and listened to the heavenly laughter of her girlfriend.
It had some kind of calming effect which made Ichiro relaxed.
Tomorrow starts the month of pain and suffering. One mistake during that one month will cause his death.
Azura's had to take deep breaths to stop her laughing.
Soon, she asked a question, ''How long are you going to stay there? You talked about testing your weapons, right?''
Ichiro opened his eyes and sighed, ''It might take some time... I will try to call daily, though.''
''Alright!'' Azura's excited voice was heard, but then she was interrupted by Alena, who was pointing at the clock.
They will go to a family restaurant today with Abyss and Aether.
''Alright, hubby. I have to go.'' Azura said with a longing tone.
''I will call you tomorrow— I love you.''
''E-Eh, lo—'' Ichiro disconnected the phone call before Azura can reply back. First time in his life, he said those words, but it came as instinct.
He has a feeling that this tournament might make him regret never saying those words. He has no more regrets.
There is only one thing left to do...
Win!
...
Azura looked dumbly at the phone, her heart almost exploded after she heard those words, but she had a feeling that something was wrong, very wrong.
But she couldn't pinpoint what was wrong. Maybe it was Ichiro's tone, it felt nervous and anxious, but he had a tone that they might never be able to meet again.
She bit her nails, 'If I was stronger... I might be able to follow him...''
''Azura, is everything alright?'' Abyss appeared next to Azura and asked.
Azura looked at him and opened her mouth, ''Dad, can you teach me Martial Arts?'' It was like a lump was removed from her throat.
Abyss and Alena looked shocked.
But, a small smile appeared on Abyss' face, ''I think I can teach you a few things.''
''Abyss!'' Alena shouted anxiously.
''Mom, I will be fine.'' Azura's firm look was printed on their minds.
This is the start of the Second Grandmaster of Iron Style, Azura Nightside!
...
Arkenthym entered a large five-floor building— there was already a woman waiting for him. He followed behind her all the way to the five-floor where a single door was located.
The woman opened a door and spacious room became visible.
Arkenthym entered the room and saw a large screen in the room's walls with dozens of figures sitting on couches with half-naked women dancing in front of them with the same rhythm as the music.
A man with a vicious-looking face turned his head towards the door and saw a tall man with a red suit entering, ''Ark, you have come.''
Arkenthym sat down on the coach, and a pair of women sat on his lap.
''Have you guys made the bets yet?'' Arkenthym asked while fondling the breasts of the women.
''Mm...'' The women moaned while feeling the strong and firm hands of Arkenthym groping them.
The vicious-looking man smirked. He has short black black hair with ugly face, but that made him look even more vicious with his scars around his neck. His name is Leppercon and he is Rankless Emperor!
''We have... You are only one left.'' Leppercon said with a small smile.
The screen showed over a hundred participants, and all of them were around 16-18 years old. Most of the bets was put on the young men with age of 18, while fighters with age of 16 was completely ignored.
It is an apparent reason. Only a handful of people in this tournament has entered the Age of Growth, and they have the highest chances of winning.
Arkenthym looked at the names. There were three indiviudals on top of the screen with golden colors. They are the winning candidates, but he would never gamble to only get small pocket change, he has a mindset, go big or go home.
He grinned and looked at the name in the bottom of the screen.
''I will choose my fighter. Kurogami Ichiro, I bet 125,000,000$ that he will be the winner!''
