After Toma’s victory, the championship had reached its final stage—the finals.

  Before that, however, the academy granted the fighters a full day of rest.

  Arvian was finally discharged from the infirmary, so Toma went to meet him and walk him back. Along the way, the two friends stopped at a quiet little bridge, leaning against the railing as they watched the stream flow beneath them.

  Toma glanced sideways, clearly amused.

  “So you really fell asleep during my match.”

  Arvian didn’t even deny it.

  “I did. But I rewatched it afterward.”

  That earned him a laugh.

  “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m just messing with you. Still… when you think about it, it’s kind of insane. We actually made it to the finals of the academy tournament.”

  Arvian nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on the water.

  “Yeah… it feels like the desert survival challenge only started yesterday—and all those one-on-one matches…”

  Toma leaned forward against the railing.

  “True. But I’m glad we kept the promise we made to each other. Tomorrow, we finally fight each other in the finals.”

  A small smile appeared on Arvian’s face.

  “It’ll be a good benchmark. We’ll see which one of us is further ahead.”

  “Do you remember how many times we practiced fighting against each other on Gorimbol? We trained over and over again…”

  Arvian chuckled softly.

  “Yeah. That really was a long time ago. I still remember when your Blue Nova first appeared and you couldn’t control it at all. Arlen and I trained you for months.”

  “Those really were the good old days,” Toma said fondly. “But things aren’t bad now either.”

  Right on cue, his phone rang.

  He glanced at the screen.

  “Hello? Mom?”

  The response blasted straight through the speaker.

  “WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU RIGHT NOW?!”

  Toma winced and instinctively pulled the phone away.

  “Relax, relax! I’m just walking Arvian home. They just discharged him from the infirmary.”

  “You’ll try to kill each other tomorrow anyway,” his mother snapped. “So get over here now. Nira’s already waiting for you!”

  “Okay, okay! I’m coming! I’m on my way!”

  He quickly ended the call and let out a sigh.

  “Sorry, Arvian. I’ve gotta go. I promised my mom I’d have lunch with them today too.”

  Arvian smirked.

  “Your mom’s still the shouting type, huh?”

  “Don’t even get me started,” Toma groaned, then straightened up. “Anyway, I’m heading out. Tomorrow, I’ll beat you.”

  “Keep dreaming,” Arvian shot back. “Tomorrow’s the day I prove I’ll become the captain of the Elite Division.”

  That made Toma smile.

  “You still remember that? I thought you’d forgotten.”

  “Never,” Arvian replied without hesitation. “And I mean it seriously. I will be the next captain of the Elite Division.”

  Toma’s expression turned just as sincere.

  “And I never said my intentions weren’t serious either. I will be the captain of the Elite Division. Tomorrow’s the perfect test—to see which of us is closer to our shared goal.”

  “I agree, but you’d better go now, or your mom’s going to blame me for making you late.”

  They slapped hands firmly.

  Toma turned and started jogging away.

  “See you in the finals!”

  Arvian watched him go, smiling.

  “In the finals.”

  ***

  The atmosphere in the infirmary was anything but pleasant.

  Velk’s wounds were being treated by Kaine, yet the damage went far beyond cuts and bruises. A severe concussion, persistent dizziness, and blurred vision meant he would be confined to the infirmary for several more days. Aron was still there as well—he had spent the night in the same room, but now stood ready to leave.

  Velk’s frustration finally boiled over.

  “This is unbelievable! My own sister—the captain of the Water Division—looked me in the eye and said nothing except that she’s ashamed of me! How did everything spiral this far out of control? And it’s all because of that little brat of a niece of mine!”

  Aron snapped back immediately, his voice sharp and raised.

  “Will you finally stop whining? You’re the one acting like a spoiled child here! Is there nothing manly or decent about you at all? Seriously, Mr. President, what did you expect? I warned you this would happen. Toma Sorien and Arvian Lysell are simply better than us. And now you’re claiming the problem is your niece’s very existence—just because people like her more than you? No. It’s your arrogant, inhumane behavior that brought you here.”

  Velk’s face twisted in rage.

  “No! No! No! Stop right there! Of all people, I don’t need a lecture from you!”

  Aron exhaled slowly, his tone turning cold.

  “I’m no longer your secretary. We’ve already graduated from the academy. This championship was the last thing tying us here—and it’s over. We lost. We failed.”

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  He straightened, his words steady and final.

  “I hoped that as a member of the student council I could leave something meaningful behind. But neither of us managed that. I hope the next student council does better. As for me—I’m no longer a student of this academy, and no longer part of the student council. Thank you for everything. I’m leaving now.”

  Then, without hesitation, he added:

  “And I’m sorry that your final day ended like this—that you’ll be remembered as a student president whom no one liked.”

  Velk exploded.

  “Then go! I don’t ever want to see you again! I don’t need you! And don’t think this is the end for me! I’m a Vandemire—a true noble! I’ll rebuild my warrior career! I will become the next captain of the Water Division!”

  Aron didn’t turn back.

  “I highly doubt that. I’ll watch the finals tomorrow, then I’ll travel home. I hope one of the Division will invite me to join them.”

  With that, he walked out, gently closing the door behind him.

  The silence that followed only fueled Velk’s rage.

  He growled, forced himself out of bed, and ripped the IV from his arm.

  “Go on! Don’t come back! I don’t need you! I don’t need anyone!”

  But before he could continue, the room spun violently. His legs gave way, and he had to brace himself against the bed to avoid collapsing.

  The anger remained—but his body no longer obeyed it.

  ***

  Toma’s family celebrated his victory from the previous day with a festive afternoon lunch.

  His little sister practically bounced in her seat, eyes sparkling with excitement.

  “Big brother Toma, I want to be cool like you too! I want to make huge explosions just like you!”

  Toma couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm.

  “Then your hair will have to turn blue first.”

  Emion gave an approving nod, leaning back slightly.

  “But jokes aside, Toma—hats off to you. That match was incredible. We could barely endure the tension, and we were only watching. You’ve really grown.”

  Toma scratched the back of his head.

  “Thanks, Emion. But I think tomorrow’s final will be even tougher. Arvian and I have been close friends since we were kids, and he’s helped me more times than I can count. This’ll be our first official match against each other…”

  Across the table, his mother sat with her arms crossed, clearly unimpressed.

  “Oh please. Don’t tell me you’re still chasing that childish dream of yours—about becoming the captain of the Elite Division.”

  Toma immediately protested.

  “Hey, Mom! That’s not childish! Arvian and I are seriously aiming for it—we’re both working toward becoming captain of the Elite Division!”

  She only smiled knowingly.

  “Sure, sure. All because of that little fairy tale I told you when you were kids—the one I made up on the spot. And now you think you’ll both become captains of the Elite Division? Come back down to earth, my son.”

  Toma shot her a sharp look.

  “It’s not because of the story. That’s just how we first heard about the Elite Division. We want it because the captain is the strongest—and Arvian and I both want to become the strongest warriors.”

  His mother sighed softly.

  “Well then, my son, you still have plenty of demon heads left to cut off before that happens. And for the record, the Elite Division already has a captain.”

  Toma didn’t look worried in the slightest.

  “That’s fine. I’ll just challenge him and beat him in a duel.”

  Demia pressed a hand to her forehead.

  “Good grief… please come back down to earth.”

  Nearby, Nira looked utterly lost and tugged at Emion’s sleeve.

  “Dad, what’s the captain of the Elite Division?”

  Emion hesitated, scratching his head.

  “Well… that’s a bit complicated. I’ll explain it when you’re older.”

  Nira pouted immediately.

  “But I want to know now!”

  After a moment, Emion gave in.

  “Alright. Basically, the captain of the Elite Division commands the strongest combat unit—and they’re considered the strongest warrior.”

  Nira fell silent, sinking into deep thought.

  Demia broke the pause with a clap of her hands.

  “So, how about we play a board game now?”

  Nira instantly clapped along, practically vibrating with excitement.

  Toma, on the other hand, grimaced.

  “Seriously, Mom? I’m not really in the mood…”

  Demia’s gaze turned sharp.

  “We played with you when you were little, so now it’s your turn—and hurry up.”

  Toma sighed in defeat.

  “Alright, alright. But then let’s play poker.”

  Her answer was immediate.

  “No. Poker is not a board game, and it’s too complicated for a little girl like Nira.”

  And so, Toma spent the rest of the afternoon with his family.

  Before he realized it, evening had arrived.

  “Whoa… it’s already seven. I should probably head back.”

  Nira clung to his sleeve.

  “Big brother Toma, let’s play some more!”

  Emion gently intervened.

  “Now, Nira. Your brother has an important day tomorrow—he needs his rest. And Toma, don’t forget: tomorrow’s the last day we’ll be here. The morning after that, we pack up and head home.”

  Toma nodded.

  “Got it. I’ll remember.”

  “That’s the spirit,” Emion said with a smile. “Good luck tomorrow—we’ll be cheering you on from the stands.”

  Demia added softly,

  “Win or lose, my son, we’ll love you just the same.”

  Toma smiled faintly.

  “I know, Mom… but it’d still be nice if I won.”

  With that, he said his goodbyes and headed back toward his dorm room.

  However, on his way back, Toma ran into someone he hadn’t expected.

  Lyrien stood there, just as surprised.

  Surprise flickered across Toma’s face. “What are you doing here?”

  “Heading back to the girls’ dormitory,” she replied casually. “What about you?”

  “The boys’ dorm. I spent the whole day with my family at a nearby hotel.”

  She nodded.

  “I was with my cousin all day too. I can tell you about it—unless you’re in a hurry.”

  Toma shook his head.

  “Not at all. I’m actually curious. I don’t personally know any captains, so I’d like to hear what a day with the captain of the Water Division was like.”

  A faint smile crossed Lyrien’s face.

  “She may be the captain of the Water Division, but in everyday life she’s incredibly kind. She even told me to call her my sister. We talked a lot. But the most important part is that she said, if I wanted, she would forbid Velk from ever joining the Water Division.”

  That made Toma pause.

  “And what did you tell her?”

  Lyrien’s expression grew more serious.

  “I said Velk has already received the punishment he deserves. I don’t have the right to decide who can or can’t join the Water Division. And now that emotions have settled, I don’t want to create more tension.”

  Toma nodded in approval.

  “Yeah. I think you made the right call.”

  After a short silence, Lyrien looked at him more intently.

  “You know… for the first time, I feel like I truly belong in the Vandemire family—not just as a little girl. In the future, I want to join the Water Division too. I want to grow stronger and learn from my sister. But more than that… I finally found my place in my family. And I owe that to you.”

  She took a breath, then added quietly,

  “I know I keep thanking you again and again, but that’s only because you help me so much.”

  Toma waved it off with an awkward grin.

  “It’s really nothing. Slamming that piece of trash Velk into the ground was the natural thing to do. Honestly, I’m way more worried about my match against Arvian tomorrow.”

  Lyrien smiled knowingly.

  “Do you remember what you always told me about fear during battle?”

  “I know, I know,” Toma sighed. “But this is different. Arvian is much stronger than Velk. He’s been my rival my whole life. Arvian, Arlen, and I grew up together in Gorimbol—and Arvian was always the strongest of the three. I’ve never beaten him. Not even Arlen has, and he has fire abilities.”

  She let out a soft laugh.

  “Gorimbol… that’s such a strange name.”

  “Hey! That’s just what the village is called!” Toma protested, then squinted at her. “Wait—were you even listening to what I said?”

  “Of course I was,” she replied without hesitation. “And honestly, all I can say is exactly what you used to tell me. Give it everything you have, without fear. Even if you don’t win, if you can say you did your best, then you’ve already gained something.”

  Toma blinked, taken aback.

  “It’s weird hearing my own words coming back at me… but you’re right. I’ll give it everything I’ve got. I won’t give up.”

  “My sister said she’ll be cheering for you too.”

  “That’s kind of her,” Toma admitted, then frowned slightly. “Still, I don’t quite get why she only started paying attention to you now.”

  Lyrien gave him a sharp look.

  “She explained that as well. When I was very little, she took care of me a lot and played with me—but I barely remember it. Then she was chosen as captain of the Water Division and had to leave home. After that, she only returned for important events. When I got older, she didn’t know how to reconnect with me anymore. We’d grown too distant. And she barely kept in touch with me and Velk.

  “I see,” Toma said quietly. “How many years are there between you two?”

  “Eleven. I’m fifteen, she’s twenty-six. Velk is eighteen, by the way.”

  “Huh… that explains a lot.” The sky had already begun to darken. Toma stretched slightly, a casual smile on his face. “Well, I won’t keep you any longer.”

  “Not at all,” Lyrien replied warmly. “I’m glad we talked. But you’re right—I should rest too. Tomorrow’s the final.”

  She stepped closer and hugged him gently.

  “Good night, Toma.”

  “Good night.”

  Lyrien headed toward the girls’ dormitory, disappearing down the path.

  Toma turned toward the boys’ dorm, still feeling a little strange.

  I understand that in a boy–girl friendship, hugging is a natural way to greet each other, but it’s still hard for me to get used to it.

  A soft summer breeze passed by. Toma stopped for a moment, letting it brush against his face.

  “Just wait, Arvian. Tomorrow won’t be as easy as it was when we were kids. I’ve grown a lot since then. I can’t wait to find o

  ut which of us is closer to becoming the captain of the Elite Division”

  With that thought, he finally headed home.