The headmaster took us to the capital of this country we used to live in. We all headed toward one of the grand arenas where the annual tournaments for gifted students were held.
We remained standing at the entrance, forming a line of students eager to register. The girls had been invited to watch the tournament I was about to sign up for, while Lion and Maui secretly followed us.
They were hiding behind the girls. I mean, I could clearly notice them through the obvious gaps between them.
Doesn't matter. All I had to do was wait for my turn. It took forever until I finally reached the front.
I stood before the registration window, behind which sat an old man with golden teeth and a faint white fringe of hair. He spoke to me, his foul breath blocking my nose.
Damn it, first ashes, and now this.
"What can I help you with, boy?"
"I'll be signing up for this competition or whatever."
I pulled out my student card to hand it to him for registration.
Before even looking at the contents, he began talking as if giving me a lecture.
"Ah, you young people always aim higher than you can these days—"
Before he could finish, as he filled out the brown sheet before him, his eyes fell on my card.
He looked back at me, trembling to the point one of his golden teeth dropped from his fine collection.
"Klo Yuthnir…"
"Don't panic. Just finish filling out the sheet and die in peace, old man."
The old man nodded quickly and rushed to complete it, handing it back to me.
After that, I walked inside, finding many students registered this year—about a hundred.
I looked at Elithia as I asked,
"How many students register here annually?"
"Umm, around forty. But this year I heard the numbers flooded in."
Really?
I stared at my shoes, sighing as if a heavy weight wrapped around my chest. Then a shadow cut through the light, belonging to a fool I knew.
I lifted my head slightly to find him standing before me.
"What are you doing here, Lion?"
He threw his arm around me, bouncing up and down non-stop.
"Klo Yuthnir, my friend! I never expected you to register here!"
I pushed him away.
"Don't do that. I don't want anyone hugging me."
He laughed loudly, slapping my back so hard it felt like an earthquake from his thick hand.
He pulled me close again, whispering in my ear,
"What's with them?"
He gestured toward the girls. I tried to act dumb.
"I didn't invite them."
"But Luna told me you invited her."
I slapped my forehead, dragging my hand down my face.
I glanced at Luna, thinking of the depth of her kindness.
"What's your relationship with Luna and the others?"
"Friends."
Lion clasped his hands together, eyes closed as if stars were sparkling from them.
"If I were you, Klo, you don't know how to take advantage of such a chance."
I moved away from him, tightening my coat.
"Tsk. You don't know the despair I went through saving them. Don't think I'm living some romantic comedy harem story, drowning in paradise—reality's the opposite."
I stopped, tilting my head upward in thought.
Do we exaggerate our problems until they become burdens, or are those problems truly beyond our limits?
I'll note this down to find the answer in the coming days.
"Klo, I'm sorry if I upset you."
Lion approached, panting from running.
"I really am sorry. I know my mistake and my heavy jokes. I promise I'll stop that."
He grabbed my hand, begging for forgiveness.
I felt ashamed enough to avert my eyes. When I returned them, his face carried genuine regret, eyes wide open.
But maybe you're lying.
I slapped his hand away.
"Now get lost, Lion."
He smiled, thanking me.
"Thank you, Klo."
What's with him? Is he a masochist?
"You're Klo Yuthnir?"
I heard a girl's voice from behind me.
I turned slightly, freezing at the sight of the speaker.
"Yes, that's me—"
Pink hair, pink eyes, with a white heart etched into their pupils.
I swallowed hard, staring at her, forcing a tempting smile to mask my doubts.
"Nice to meet you, Klo. I'm Suzie."
She extended her hand for a handshake.
I hesitated at first, my trembling body holding me back, but I mustered enough courage to puff out my chest and shake her hand.
"Pleasure to meet you, Suzie. I'm Klo."
Suzie glanced at my legs, which were shaking like they were dancing, then looked back up, pretending she hadn't noticed.
She faked a neutral expression to hide her smile.
Damn you, Ethan. In the end, even the opposite sex will laugh at me.
She released my hand, waving as she left for somewhere else.
"Sorry, I was just excited to meet you. I hope I face you in this tournament, Klo."
I waved back with my twitching hand.
"And I hope I don't!"
Lion and I moved away, blending into the crowd of gifted students.
Some had come to spectate, others to compete. What mattered to me were the competitors.
As I scanned for the right one, I spotted a strong-built guy with short hair.
"That's the one, Lion."
I ran up to the giant, greeting him.
"How are you, Brock?"
He tilted his head, asking,
"Do I know you?"
"It's Klo Yuthnir—how could you not know him?" Lion waved at me, trying to introduce me to Brock.
Damn you, Lion.
"Ah, you're the son of the late Yuthnir. Sorry for not recognizing you, Klo. It's been a while since we last met."
"I agree."
Luckily, I wrote Brock into this and this very tournament.
It would be split into sections: one for mind games—thankfully chess; another for quick calculations—where Lumi would back me up. The rest were optional, like swimming, and finally fencing, which determined the nobility of the prodigies.
"So, Brock, are you joining this tournament?"
"Of course, brother Klo. I'll raise the flag of my academy. Did you come to do the same?"
"You could say that." I scratched my head.
"What about Marcilia and Lux? How are they?"
"They're fine."
"Is your sister still beating you up?"
What does that have to do with anything?
"No. Let's get back on track, Brock. Will you cooperate with me?"
In the first match, Brock would face Marcilia, who had earned the top rank in the academy. But this time, it was Klo. And since they shared the same blood, the odds were 90% in my favor.
"How exactly do you want me to help you? An energy drink?"
"Cheating."
He raised his hand, refusing my offer.
"Come on! As you know, I'm an orphan, trying to fulfill my parents' wish—to be a good kid after my past mistakes, and raise the banner of the Yuthnir family."
I even forced myself close to tears.
Brock stared into my sorrowful eyes.
He sighed, patting my head.
"If you face me or anyone else, I'll help you. I know almost everyone here."
Perfect.
We waited for the matchup list to be posted.
The crowd erupted as a loud bell rang, pulling us toward the center of the arena where the battles would be held.
I pushed through the crowd to get closer and read the posted board.
I searched for my name until I found it.
[Klo vs Brock]
Perfect.
I turned to Brock, who was smiling with an expression far different from before.
Is he planning something?