After a failed fight against the powerful Kai, the protagonist faces criticism for his weakness but is quickly approached by General Finn Thompson of Ducrua's White Tiger Battalion. Finn informs him that the Hawthorne family, known troublemakers, are involved and urges him to excel in the upcoming National Fate Battle. He also reveals that the President is aware of the protagonist’s injured sister, Elise, and that the military's top medical team is en route to protect her. Motivated by the desire to save Elise, the protagonist accepts a daunting Mortal Heart task to collect rare cores in the arena to forge a Life Crystal that can bring the dead back—setting his urgent quest in motion.