I woke up the next day with a mission.
First thing—long sleeves.
I pulled on a shirt that covered my wrist completely. The Blade of Fury's seal was hidden.
"Now I just need to find my pants."
They weren't in my room.
I walked out, rubbing my eyes, heading toward the kitchen.
"Mom, where are my—"
I stopped.
Froze.
Karr and Aubrey were sitting at the table.
Karr, I didn't mind. He was my best friend. We soaked in the geyser together after physical training all the time.
But Aubrey?
The girl I liked?
And I was standing there in my undergarments.
I turned and ran.
Slammed my door. Sat against it. Buried my head between my knees.
Why did they have to come NOW?
Aubrey is going to think I'm an idiot.
A knock.
"They're waiting outside," my mother said. "You can come out now."
I cracked the door open—just enough to poke my head through.
"Where are my pants?"
"I was washing them yesterday. Forgot to bring them to you. Sorry."
She slipped them through the crack.
I sighed, grabbed them, and shut the door.
The Arena
Once I was dressed, I grabbed my bag and walked outside.
Karr and Aubrey were waiting.
Karr spoke first. "Sorry about that. But hey—we can still make it to the sword battles."
"Y-Yeah," I muttered. "But... I've got a bad feeling."
Aubrey tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing. Just... I feel something."
The truth was—I regretted taking my father's sword.
I decided I wouldn't use it. I'd stick with my training blade.
We arrived at school, and Aubrey led the way.
We crossed through mud, bugs, and rats to reach the hidden arena. It wasn't as glamorous as I'd imagined—but the energy was real.
Two kids were already fighting in the center.
One of them was Ace.
The other was some student I didn't recognize—but he looked capable.
I watched closely. My father had given me extra training on the side. I knew how to spot technique.
Ace glanced in my direction.
Smiled.
That same menacing smile.
Then he charged his opponent head-on.
Their swords clashed—and Ace vanished.
Basic trick. We all learned that in fundamentals.
But then he did something I hadn't seen before.
He threw his sword at the other kid's feet.
Pressed his palms together.
And switched places with the blade.
He appeared directly in front of his opponent—and kicked him into the wall.
Match over.
Ace rolled his shoulders like it was nothing.
Confrontation
Karr and Aubrey went to find us spots in the queue.
I stood alone.
And Ace came for me.
He walked up close—too close—and said:
"Didn't think you'd show up after yesterday, Noah. Guess you're braver than I thought."
I started shaking.
"Shut up, Ace."
His eyes narrowed. "What was that?"
He stepped forward like he was going to hit me.
I flinched.
Then—
Aubrey grabbed his wrist.
Karr shoved him back.
"What's going on here?" Aubrey demanded.
Ace sneered. "What—do you like him or something?"
Her face twisted with anger.
"I challenge you to a duel."
Ace grinned. "Accepted."
My heart pounded.
Before I could stop myself, the words came out.
"I challenge you too."
Ace looked thrilled.
"Even better. I'll take you both." He pointed at Aubrey. "Her first."
Aubrey vs. Ace
They stood nine feet apart in the center of the arena.
Words were exchanged—taunts, insults.
Then the fight began.
Aubrey moved first.
She charged.
Ace threw his sword—
She dodged—and jabbed the blunt end of her blade into his forehead.
He stumbled back. Wiped his head.
"My turn."
He ran at her—without a weapon.
I thought he was insane.
But then I saw how smoothly he dodged her swing.
He kneed her in the stomach.
Shoved her into the wall.
She fell.
Match over.
Ace stood over her.
"Don't pick a fight you can't win."
She stood slowly, glaring. "You got lucky."
Then she walked away.
Noah vs. Ace
I stepped into the arena.
One of the kids announced:
"Ace versus Earthquake!"
The name hit me like a fist.
Everything from yesterday came flooding back.
The shoving. The laughter. The humiliation.
Something inside me snapped.
Anger filled my body.
A darkness crept up from my feet.
Pitch-black mist.
It spread across the ground—swallowing the arena floor, creeping toward the crowd.
I couldn't stop it.
Everyone backed away.
I looked around.
Every single person was shaking.
Not from cold.
From fear.
The fight was broken up immediately.
Teachers. Superiors. Adults are flooding in from all directions.
And just like that—it was over.
The Headmaster's Office
My father sat beside me.
Neither of us spoke.
The headmaster delivered the verdict:
Temporary expulsion.
Effective immediately.
After the meeting, my father found out about the Blade of Fury.
He didn't yell at first.
He just held out his hand.
I gave it back.
Then he let me have it.
"What were you thinking, Noah?!"
I stared at the floor.
"You're lucky school's almost out for Graduate Break," he said. "Your mother will handle your punishment."
I knew right then—my break was going to be hell.
Graduate Break
When my mother found out, she scolded me even harder than my father.
Then came the punishment.
My parents had recently bought a farm outside the walls of Second Forsaken, in the outer farmlands.
My sentence?
Clean the entire farm.
Feed the animals.
Tend the crops.
All break long.
This was not how I imagined spending my time off.