The night fell over the academy. Terrmomix and Floch were sitting on the floor of the dining hall, their katanas resting beside them. A table in front of them held several plates of food.
Floch began to eat with great excitement and joy.
—Mmm... Delicious!—He said with his mouth full of meat.
Terrmomix started eating without showing any emotion, as if he was only eating to fill himself up and not to enjoy the flavor.
—We have to eat as much as we can! And rest for tomorrow!
Terrmomix nodded his head, his gaze fixed on his plate of food. Floch looked at the other tables around them while stuffing more meat into his mouth.
—Everyone looks dangerous. Whoever our next opponent is could give us trouble.—He turned his head toward Terrmomix.—By the way, Terrmomix, how did you become so strong?
He lifted his gaze to look at Floch.
—I don't know, I just had normal training like everyone else.
—Well, I don't think normal training could get you to the level you've reached so quickly. What was your training like?
—I trained my body and my techniques on an island, 24 hours a day, without rest. Every single day.
Floch stayed still, the chopsticks he held in his hand with meat on them fell onto his plate. Terrmomix continued to look at him with cold eyes.
—You consider that kind of thing "normal" training?
—It's no big deal.
—You're crazy, Terrmomix.
The Promises were also in a corner of the dining hall, the four of them enjoying the food as well.
Arien raised his glass of orange juice high.
—Tonight we won't sleep! Until dawn!—He exclaimed.
Haruki laughed and started clapping. Rika rolled her eyes with a smile. Kaien finished his orange juice.
—Ahhh! So good!—He looked at Rika.—Ready for tomorrow?
She nodded her head while looking at him.
—Yes, I've already memorized the techniques of all the other participants. And are you ready?
—Of course, even though I'll rest as much as I can today. I'll sleep like a baby.—He turned his gaze toward the Markings' table.—We're getting closer and closer to facing a Marking. Doesn't that excite you?
—To be honest, yes. I'm curious to see how their power grows with the Markings.
Arien had his arms resting on the table and his head lying on top of them. He was fast asleep, breathing in soft, quiet snores.
Haruki kept eating while making sure Arien was sleeping well.
At the Markings' table, they were eating while playing a board game called Jenga.
Matteo was trying to pull out a block from the tower that was about to collapse, they were completely focused. Liang watched him closely while eating from his plate.
—Hurry up—Said Zeik, his hands resting on the floor on either side of him.
—It's not that easy!—Matteo kept trying to pull out a block but the tower was shaking.
He pulled out a block quickly, but in the end the tower fell.
Kael turned his head to look at Matteo.
—Wow... You lost.
—That's not fair...—He started eating the food on his plate, but his expression was sad because he had lost.
At a different table, Varek was eating alone. This calm and peace was all he needed.
He paid no attention to any voices, it was just him and his food, until a shadow appeared behind him and pink eyes glowed.
Varek felt the presence behind him, he turned slowly and a girl tilted her head forward to bring her face very close to his.
—Hello!—It was Naeris.
Varek pulled his face away and let out a small scream from surprise. Naeris started laughing.
—Did you really get scared?
—Don't appear out of nowhere like that!—He adjusted himself back in his seat.—Who are you?! No, wait, don't tell me, I don't care. Leave me alone.
—Oh, how rude—She looked at Varek's plates of food.—Are you going to eat this? It's delicious.—With her chopsticks she picked up a piece of meat and ate it.—Yep, delicious.
Varek just watched her as she ate his food.
—Why did you come over to me?
—Can't I talk to people and make friends?—She said with her mouth full.
—But don't just appear suddenly like that.—He also went back to eating.
—Well, actually I came over because I recognized you. You're the boy with blood, right?—She placed one hand on her chest.—I am the beautiful Naeris.
Varek looked up at the ceiling, thinking.
—Naeris... Naeris...—He looked down again to look at her.—Ah, right, you're the crazy one.
—Hey, that's mean!—She took another piece to her mouth, but now with an angry and offended look.
—Okay, I'm sorry. The girl with illusions.
—That's better.
—So you came to me just because you recognized me?
—Yes, and also because I was curious.
—Curious about what?
—About your past and about what you think—She put her index finger to her temple and tapped it repeatedly.—With my technique I can see the memories of people I control, or people who let me look inside their minds.
She raised both hands to the level of her chest and moved her fingers while moving closer to him.—So pleaseee, let me see how you learned to improve your technique.
Varek placed the palm of his hand on Naeris' forehead to stop her.
—No.
—What?! Ah! How mean!
Naeris stepped back a little.
—Well, one day I will manage to do it.—She looked forward and noticed another boy.—Ah! There's the boy with earth!—She pointed at Kenzo with one finger.
Kenzo was walking while holding his food tray, when he heard Naeris he turned toward her and looked at her confused. She moved her hand to tell him to come over.
Kenzo hesitated, but after a few seconds he walked over to them. Naeris clapped her hands gently on the spot next to her to invite him to sit.
Kenzo sat down, feeling a little uncomfortable and nervous. Naeris smiled widely.
—Boy with earth!
Kenzo looked even more confused. Varek put his hand on his forehead and shook his head while sighing.
Naeris put one arm around each of their necks to pull them closer.
—I don't want to be alone, so from now on we will be best friends!
Kenzo was still very confused. Varek stayed still, knowing he wouldn't be able to escape.
After a few hours, all the students went to sleep in their rooms.
At 12:00 AM, the lights in the hallways were completely turned off. In the Promises' room, Arien woke up, rubbed his eyes with his hands and stood up to go to the bathroom.
He walked through the dark hallways, when he reached the bathroom he opened the door and went inside. After a few minutes he came out of one of the stalls, and walked to the sink to wash his hands.
He opened the door again and left the bathroom, but at that moment he ran into Kael, who had also come to the bathroom.
Arien opened his eyes wide.
—Kael!—He said surprised to see him there.
Kael looked at him without showing any emotion, but he had not expected to meet him there.
—Oh, Arien...
—Well, well, you also wake up very late.
—Yes.
—You know, I think the final match, the one that will decide who is number one, will be between you and me.
—Yes, everyone thinks the same.
—Although I have to admit, there is also one boy who could give us a hard time and cause us trouble.
—I think I know who you are talking about.
At that moment, the bathroom door opened, a dark shadow appeared and a voice was heard.
—Excuse me.
Arien screamed loudly from surprise. Kael turned his head to look.
—Ah... it's you.
Arien looked at him too.
—Ah, the cold boy.—He turned to Kael.—That's who I was talking about. He is not someone you can take lightly.
Terrmomix just stood there listening to their conversation, waiting for them to let him pass.
—I will keep that in mind.
Well, it seems like right now we are the three strongest ones here...
After a few seconds, Arien started walking toward his room.
—Well, goodbye. I'm going to sleep.
Kael rolled his eyes, Terrmomix started walking in the opposite direction from Arien to go to his room. Kael entered the bathroom.