Grand Sasebella is a sprawling city situated southeast of Mas Kuli and east of Chatna. It boasts a population of approximately twenty thousand residents, it is of significant importance in the region. Among its populace, a tenth are directly employed by Sun, serving as its workforce and backbone, while the remaining residents find employment elsewhere. Despite their varied professions, every citizen of Grand Sasebella pledges unwavering loyalty to Sun—a bond deeply embedded in the city's culture and governance. Here, no one goes without the means to live, though the degree of comfort one enjoys is a reflection of their social standing.

The city is designed with precision, structured in concentric circles, each serving a distinct purpose.

The Outer Circle.

This layer is dominated by vast stretches of farmland, the lifeblood of Grand Sasebella’s economy. Citizens here toil to cultivate crops and rear livestock, ensuring a steady supply of food and trade goods for the city and the surrounding country. The outer ring serves as a bustling hub for commerce, with caravans frequently arriving and departing, laden with goods.

The Fourth Circle.

Moving inward, this layer houses one-story buildings that include shops, modest apartments, inns, and hotels. It is the domain of the middle class, where hardworking citizens live modest but comfortable lives. The streets here are lively, lined with market stalls, local eateries, and small workshops.

The Third Circle.

This area is marked by two-story buildings, including dojos where martial artists train, offices for various trades, and government buildings that oversee the city's administration. The third circle reflects a mix of practicality and purpose as citizens focus on honing their craft or advancing their careers.

The Second Circle.

Reserved for the affluent, this district features elegant residences ranging from one to three stories, often adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant gardens. Shops catering to luxury goods are scattered throughout, their wares accessible to anyone who can afford them. Despite its exclusivity, the second circle maintains a subtle charm, blending opulence with accessibility.

The First Circle.

At the heart of Grand Sasebella lies the grand Sun Headquarters, a pavilion of monumental scale and significance. This structure radiates authority and strength. The pavilion houses numerous specialized facilities.

A state-of-the-art gym, equipped with weights ranging up to five tons, where members push their physical limits.

A training center, where officers rigorously drill soldiers in advanced techniques.

An entertainment complex, offering card games, live performances, exquisite food, and fine drinks—a sanctuary for relaxation and camaraderie.

A management building, the nerve center for Sun’s administrative operations, where paperwork and finances are meticulously handled.

Soldiers’ Barracks. Compact shared rooms, fostering camaraderie and discipline among the rank and file.

Officers’ Quarters. Slightly larger private rooms, offering solitude for those who prefer it.

Flames’ Residences. Lavish two-story homes, equipped with every conceivable luxury, reflecting their elite status within Sun’s hierarchy.

At full capacity, the headquarters can accommodate up to one thousand soldiers, two hundred officers, and five Flames. However, it rarely reaches this limit, as many members reside within the city or operate in distant territories, pursuing endeavors that align with Sun’s profit-driven model or personal ambitions—always with the clan’s blessing.

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That’s all I could gather about the city, with Leo shadowing us the entire time like a shadow. As we made our way through Grand Sasebella, the stares directed at Leo, me, Emma, Jane, and Caleb were intense—burning with curiosity, adoration, and positivity. Caleb seemed unfazed. He spent most of our journey talking, his voice a steady stream of explanations as he delved into the finer details of the city’s layout and history. He gestured animatedly, pointing out significant businesses or commenting on the traditions behind the concentric design.

Try as I might, I couldn’t focus on his words. My thoughts were elsewhere, scattered like leaves in the wind. The enormity of Grand Sasebella, its people, and the looming presence of Sun's Headquarters dominated my mind. Leo’s presence only added to the tension. His silent demeanor and sharp gaze seemed to amplify the attention we were receiving, as if the people recognized him or perhaps feared him.

Jane, Caleb, and I stood before a forty-by-forty-foot concrete platform, its surface cold and unyielding under the dimming light of the evening. Leo sat back in a simple chair nearby, his posture deceptively relaxed. His sword rested at his waist, the sheath blending seamlessly into his dark attire. Despite its stillness, the weapon seemed to pulse with an unseen presence. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from it. Why did it fill me with such unease?

“You’re a good tour guide, Caleb,” Leo remarked, his voice breaking the silence.

Caleb smiled at the praise, his tone eager but measured. “Thank you, sir.”

Leo’s katana glinted faintly in the waning sunlight as he adjusted its position. Its presence was oppressive, as if it carried the weight of countless battles. My stomach churned, and I forced my gaze away.

Caleb, oblivious to my discomfort, shifted the topic. “Leo, when are we going to ordain Vellin? Is it going to be after he studies the laws, like tradition says, or...”

Leo leaned back slightly and looked toward the darkening sky, his expression thoughtful, even contemplative. The moment stretched long before he spoke again.

“You sent Lilith to our prison, right?” he asked abruptly.

Caleb responded quickly, as if afraid of hesitation. “Yes, sir. She’s rotting away.”

Leo frowned, a subtle shadow of disapproval crossing his face. “We don’t want that. She can still be useful. Feed her enough to live.”

Lilith. Her name alone sent a chill down my spine. She was a Flame once, their friend. I knew what she’d done, but Leo brushed aside their memories so fast.

“Yes, sir,” Caleb said, though his words lacked conviction. He pressed on with his earlier question. “are you going to answer my question?”

Leo’s gaze shifted, locking onto mine. His stare felt like a physical force, weighing me down, testing me before I even stepped onto the platform.

“We can ordain Vellin after he spars with me.” he finally said. “With Obsidian on the attack, we can’t wait for someone of his caliber to study laws for two months. I’m going to send him on a mission immediately. Kaiguro, Finn, and Alexander have been sent pigeons with new orders.”

He stood in one smooth, fluid motion. “On the platform.” he ordered.

Leo’s hand moved to the hilt of his katana, and he strode toward the right side of the platform. My heart pounded in my chest as Jane touched my hand for a brief moment.

“You got this.” she whispered.

I managed a faint smile. “Thank you.”

She could sense my nerves; they were impossible to hide. Taking a deep breath, I made my way to the left side of the platform. My steps felt heavier with every movement, each one carrying me closer to the inevitable clash.

As I positioned myself, a short woman approached Caleb’s side, her presence sudden yet somehow natural. She wrapped an arm around his, her voice soft and familiar. “Welcome home, Caleb.”

Caleb blushed furiously, his confident demeanor crumbling in an instant. “Yumi...” he stammered, caught off guard.

I’d never seen him so flustered.

Leo smiled faintly at the sight, a rare display of amusement. “It’s a good thing, to have a woman by your side.” But then he ruined it with his next statement. “Why not have dozens?”

Even when Leo was speaking nonsense, his words made me recoil internally.

Leo’s tone shifted, growing sharp and direct. “I want you to overwhelm me when I’m at fifty percent. If you cannot, you will be demoted to an officer. You would be the highest rank, but still an officer. For reference of my power, Caleb only got to seventy-five percent before he dropped.”

A shiver crawled down my spine at the comparison.

“This may be a spar,” Leo said, his voice laced with finality, “but in Sun, even that could cause death.”

He unsheathed his sword in one swift motion, revealing a pristine white katana. Its blade shimmered like polished bone, deadly and beautiful.

“Are you frightened?” Leo asked, his voice as sharp as the weapon he wielded.

I raised my hands, forming two spear hands. “Yes.” I admitted. My voice trembled but didn’t waver. “You’re an obstacle in my way to what I want to achieve. But I’ll overcome it! Because that’s who I, Vellin Cardaire, am!”

Leo shifted his stance, holding the katana with one hand. His body angled slightly, his gaze calculating. “Then overcome me, right here, right now.”