Note: "zyther is the energy generated from essence of a begin just like chakra and qi".
Chapter 15.
"Don't you get bored, Hans?"
The voice echoed through the hallway.
To everyone's surprise, it wasn't Malen, Vex, or Oscar.
It was Marik.
Hans slowly turned.
The smile on his face disappeared, replaced by a twisted grin filled with anger… and excitement.
"Haa… Marik."
"I thought you wouldn't interfere."
Another voice answered.
"Hans isn't the only one here."
Everyone turned.
Standing beside Hans was Hins.
Until now, he had remained silent, almost invisible, as though he wasn't involved. But now, he stepped forward with a smile.
Marik chuckled.
"Don't be silly."
"I'm not about to let you start the killing with my teammates."
"And don't try anything funny."
A wave of essence spread from his body.
The temperature around them seemed to drop.
Hins frowned.
His smile faded.
Hans, however, laughed.
Orange flames flickered across his palm.
Just as the atmosphere reached its breaking point—
Hins placed a hand on Hans's shoulder.
"Forget it."
"We gain nothing by killing anyone now."
Hans stared at Zerathos one last time before turning away.
"…You're lucky."
The twins disappeared down the corridor.
Silence followed.
Vex adjusted his glasses.
"Together, they are force and foresight."
"Strength… given purpose."
Everyone released the breath they had been holding.
Especially Zerathos.
Chris scratched his head.
"If they aren't planning to kill anyone…"
"…then why beat that student half to death?"
Marik answered calmly.
"Dominance."
"If people fear you…"
"They'll think twice before standing against you."
Chris slowly nodded.
"So Zerathos was their first target."
"Exactly."
Marik crossed his arms.
"Inside these academy walls…"
"Being the heir of a great House won't always protect you."
"But it will always make someone want to kill you."
Vex looked toward Marik.
"You know them?"
Marik nodded.
"We've crossed paths before."
"On the battlefield."
No one asked another question.
Some answers were better left untouched.
Boys' Dormitory
Everyone gathered around the meeting table.
Due to then staying at the heightest floor they privileged to have an automatic open roof over there room training space. Which gave vex an idea for training.
Even Jane had joined them.
Vex took the seat at the head of the table.
Removing his glasses, he rubbed the bridge of his nose before speaking.
"I called everyone here because things are about to change."
"The academy has been quiet…"
"…too quiet."
"Hans and Hins aren't the only dangerous students."
"There are groups forming everywhere."
"Some have twelve members."
"Some nine."
"Some seven."
"Others only three or four."
He looked around the room.
"The smaller the team…"
"…the stronger they usually are."
"The Academy also hosts monthly and seasonal competitions."
"Individual."
"Team."
"And survival events."
"If we want to stay alive…"
"…we need to understand how each other fights."
The room became silent.
"I don't expect anyone to reveal their trump cards."
"Keep your secrets."
"Keep your final techniques."
"But at least let us understand your fighting style."
He pointed toward Chris and Oscar.
"For example…"
"Those two naturally synchronize well."
"I want to discover combinations like that."
Malen nodded.
"So what's the plan?"
Vex smiled.
"There are seven of us."
"Seven days."
"Three days of team training."
"Three days of individual training."
"One day of rest."
Malen frowned.
"The numbers don't work."
"If we split into pairs…"
"Someone gets left out."
"If we split into groups…"
"Someone still gets left out."
"I'm aware."
Vex smiled.
"I won't need a partner."
Chris blinked.
"Huh?"
"Why?"
Jane sighed.
"Seriously…"
"You're dense."
Chris stared blankly for several seconds.
Then his eyes widened.
"Oh."
"You're the strategist."
"You'll mostly observe."
Vex nodded.
"My role isn't to win fights."
"It's to make sure all of you survive them."
Everyone slowly agreed.
Except one person.
Zerathos.
He quietly picked up a simple dagger before sitting against the wall.
His eyes rested on Vex.
He's clever…
He says this is about teamwork.
But what he's really doing…
…is studying every one of us.
Watching our habits.
Our reactions.
Our strengths.
Our weaknesses and even our zyther level
A faint smile appeared on Zerathos's face.
Interesting.
Vex clapped his hands.
"First match."
"Oscar."
"Zerathos."
Oscar stood.
"Huh?"
"I thought we were starting with team battles."
Malen laughed.
"You fight individually first."
"So you understand your teammates."
"Dummy."
Oscar scratched his head.
"…Fair enough."
As both walked toward the training arena, Vex called out once more.
"Oh."
"Your academy watches contain defensive barriers."
"Tap the side button."
"It'll generate a zyther Shield."
"It automatically ends the match if the shield breaks."
Oscar nodded.
"Convenient."
Without another word—
Both stepped into the arena.
A transparent barrier rose around them.
Hummmmmm…
The Veil Sigils engraved beneath the floor began glowing.
Rings of pale silver light spread outward.
Chris immediately climbed onto the railing.
"This is going to be good."
Marik folded his arms.
Jane watched quietly.
Malen smiled.
Vex adjusted his glasses.
"Begin."
A sharp electronic tone echoed throughout the room.
BEEEEEP.
Oscar cracked his neck.
Blue lightning danced across his fingertips.
Across from him—
Zerathos slowly lowered his center of gravity.
One hand rested lightly on the dagger at his waist.
His expression remained unreadable.
Neither of them moved.
The room became perfectly silent.
Both waited…
…for the other to make the first mistake.
End of Chapter 15.