With the New Year behind them, January breathed life back into Willowgate as students returned. The air remained crisp and biting, forcing everyone to wrap thick mufflers over their school uniforms.
Jack thanked Simon for the Christmas gift and returned the favor with a book, while Toad gave him a Lego set and Finn presented a teddy bear. Having never received so many gifts in his life, Simon was overwhelmed with happiness.
Dean continued Simon's combat training as usual. Though his schedule was tight with the upcoming matches this month, he dedicated every spare moment to tutoring Simon.
"Dodge to the side! Spin and swing!"
Simon executed the move perfectly, bringing his sword down on Dean. Although Dean parried the strike, the sheer force of Simon's blow pushed him back a step. Dean looked at him with a surprised grin.
"I'm impressed. You've really improved!"
"Really? I spent the entire December break practicing exactly the way you taught me," Simon replied enthusiastically.
"Then your hard work is clearly paying off. Come on, let's take a short break."
Simon nodded, feeling a surge of pride as he sat down to rest. Even though Simon was drenched in sweat from the workout, the biting January air dried it within moments, leaving a lingering chill. While catching his breath, Dean pulled out a small, exquisite dagger from his coat and handed it to Simon.
"Here's your Christmas gift. It's a bit late, but better late than never, right?" Dean said with a smirk.
Simon stared at the dagger in disbelief before looking up at Dean. "Wait... I can't take this, it's too much! I only gave you a—"
"Don't sweat it. That pen you gave me is fantastic, by the way. Go on, take it. I personally asked the Armory to forge this just for you. I hope it's to your liking."
Simon took the dagger with trembling hands. As he unsheathed it, the polished blade gleamed like a mirror. The edge was so incredibly sharp that it looked as if it could sever a strand of silk just by letting it fall onto the tip.
"Thank you so much, Dean!"
"Forget about it, kid," Dean replied with a warm, brotherly smile. Simon looked the dragger and smiled. This was his very first real combat weapon. He would treasure it.
In the middle of January, the highly anticipated match between Tavian and Malthen began. It was then that Simon finally laid eyes on Edward Evering—Henry's older brother and the fierce rival of the Fyrnic Captain. While he shared Henry's rich chocolate-brown hair, Edward wore his cut short. Unlike Henry's emerald green eyes, Edward's were a striking, brilliant blue. Tall and perpetually wearing a charming smile, it was easy to see why he was so popular among both girls and boys alike.
As rumors suggested, Edward was a force to be reckoned with in Exigros. Within minutes of the starting whistle, he had already managed to strip the opposing team of their points. Since neither side could locate the "Cheat Code" Quest, the match concluded with a decisive victory for Malthen, thanks to their overwhelming lead in points.
Simon couldn't help but admire Edward Evering. He was truly a remarkable individual, moving through the field with such skill and effortless grace. From the start of the match until the very end, Simon scanned the crowd for Henry, but as usual, he was nowhere to be found.
It struck Simon as odd—Henry hadn't even shown up to watch his own brother compete. He wondered if Henry was simply too busy with his own affairs, or if there was a deeper reason for his absence. The contrast between the two brothers continued to intrigue him.
The following week, the long-awaited match between Fyrnic and Daven finally arrived. Dean and the entire Fyrnic team were nowhere to be seen all morning, likely deep in their final tactical briefings. Kai, ever the enthusiast, was fully geared up with a team headband and a large flag. Beside him, Simon stood ready, holding a massive banner that Kai had painstakingly crafted.
The banner read:
"Go! Go! Fyrnic! Crush the Davens to dust!"
Though Simon felt a bit bashful holding such a bold and aggressive sign, he knew how much effort Kai had put into making it. For the sake of his friend's dedication, he was determined to hold it high and proud.
Following the opening performance by the cheerleaders, the announcer finally called both teams to the field. As the Fyrnic players marched out, the stands erupted into a deafening roar.
"FYRNIC!!!" Kai bellowed at the top of his lungs, waving the team flag frantically in the air. Beside him, Simon kept his head ducked low in embarrassment but made sure to hold the "Crush the Davens" sign as high as possible.
Seeing their enthusiastic (and slightly aggressive) display, Dean and several other players couldn't help but crack a small, private smile. However, Captain Vukasin remained as stoic as ever, his face a mask of cold determination as he led his team onto the turf.
Simon's gaze drifted toward the Daven benches, and he spotted Henry almost instantly. Henry was sitting there with his legs crossed, listening in silence as Logan chattered away beside him. It was a stark contrast to the previous week; he hadn't shown even a glimpse of himself during his brother Edward's match, yet here he was, present for his own Chamber's game.
When Simon caught Henry's eye and tried to lower the sign in embarrassment, Kai wouldn't have it.
"Why are you putting it down, Simon? Hold it higher!" Kai urged, pulling the sign back up.
"But Kai... it's so awkward. There are so many Daven students right there..." Simon protested softly.
"Simon, this is a game! There's no room for being polite. Don't be afraid of the Davens! Fine, if you don't want to hold it, take my flag. I'll show this sign myself!"
Kai shoved the red flag into Simon's hands and took the "Crush the Davens" sign, waving it vigorously in the air while chanting "Fyrnic!!! Fyrnic!!!" at the top of his lungs.
Jack, watching Kai's unbridled enthusiasm, could only roll his eyes and let out a long, weary sigh as if to say, 'This idiot is hopeless.'
Henry watched the commotion from a distance. His expression remained unreadable, but his gaze lingered on Simon for just a few seconds longer than usual.
A heavy silence fell over the crowd as Miss Lora flipped the coin into the air. When it landed, luck favored Daven, allowing them to enter the dark woods first to set their positions. Shortly after, the Fyrnic team charged in after them. In the stadium, massive holograms flickered to life, fueled by the live feeds from robotic dragonflies. Every clash and tactical maneuver within the forest was displayed in vivid detail for the spectators to see.
Dean appeared on the screen, moving like a blur as he secured flag after flag. He had now encountered one of Daven's core members, and the two were locked in a fierce duel.
"Dean! Get 'em! Show them what Fyrnic is made of!" Kai bellowed, his voice echoing across the stands. Simon didn't shout as loudly, but his eyes were glued to the screen, his heart racing as he watched his mentor navigate the dangerous confrontation.
Captain Vukasin is proving to be a truly formidable and elite player. Not only did he manage to fend off two opponents simultaneously as they tried to snatch his chest emblem, but he also succeeded in seizing their points.
While both sides are locked in a fierce struggle, Fyrnic has established a significant lead in the point standings. However, they cannot afford to be complacent. They must find the Quest—the "Cheat Code"—before the opposing team does as time runs out. As they hunt for the Quest, they continue to gather every flag they encounter to bolster their score.
The clock was ticking down to the final seconds. Fyrnic was on the verge of victory, but a Daven player had just spotted the Quest flower. Just before he could touch it and shout "Exigros," Captain Vukasin intercepted him with lightning speed. He tackled the player, pinning him firmly to the ground as the final countdown began: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...
The tension was palpable. The Daven supporters were on the edge of their seats, desperate for a last-minute miracle, while the Fyrnic crowd held their breath in agonizing anticipation.
"Fyrnic wins!" the announcer's voice boomed through the stadium.
The Fyrnic benches erupted in a frenzy of cheers and celebration. Kai was waving the flag like a madman, screaming at the top of his lungs. Simon felt a massive wave of relief wash over him, his heart swelling with pride for Dean and the rest of the team.
When Simon looked toward the defeated Daven benches, Henry was already staring back at him with his usual composed gaze. There was no sign of disappointment or sorrow over his team's loss—just that same, unchanging, stoic expression. Shortly after, Henry rose from his seat and vanished into the surging crowd, with Logan following close behind like a shadow.
Simon was still staring at the spot where Henry had disappeared when Kai suddenly threw an arm around his shoulders, jumping up and down in pure excitement. The infectious joy of his friend brought a smile to Simon's face, and he found himself joining in the cheers, shouting "Fyrnic! Fyrnic!" alongside Kai. Down on the field, the Fyrnic players were celebrating their hard-earned victory amidst a thunderous standing ovation from their supporters.
After the match, Simon rushed over to Dean to offer his heartfelt congratulations. Nearby, Toad and Kai were animatedly discussing how "cool" the team looked, using grand words to describe every move. Captain Vukasin, however, seemed preoccupied, scanning the crowd as if searching for someone—the Fyrnic Chamber Leader.
Soon enough, Lucas arrived and walked straight toward Vukasin. The Captain's hard, intimidating expression softened instantly at the sight of him. As Vukasin spoke, Lucas listened intently, reaching out to gently brush away the dirt and grime from the Captain's cheek. It was a surprisingly tender moment amidst the rowdy celebration of their victory.
Vukasin's sudden shift in focus from Lucas back to his team brought an immediate chill to the celebratory air. Dean and the others had been excitedly discussing the victory feast, but the Captain had other plans.
"There will be no feast until we defeat Malthen," Vukasin declared firmly. "We need to train harder if we're going to crush them in the final."
The team's morale visibly slumped. Lucas tried to intervene, his voice soft and persuasive. "Vukasin, let them rest for now. There's still plenty of time before the final."
The players silently cheered for Lucas's suggestion, but Vukasin remained unyielding.
"No. They can rest fully after the Malthen match. For now, we work. Go back to the chambers and freshen up. I expect everyone at the training grounds by 4 PM sharp!"
With that final order, he strode away, leaving a trail of exhausted and disappointed players behind him.
Once Vukasin was out of earshot, the players let out a collective groan. "The Captain is always like this... we're going to collapse from exhaustion," one of them muttered, and everyone nodded in agreement.
Lucas looked at the weary team and sighed.
"I'll try to persuade him one more time."
"Please help us, Leader!" they pleaded. They all knew that while no one dared to cross Vukasin, Lucas was the only person who could truly influence the Captain's stubborn decisions. Whenever they needed a break or a favor, Lucas was their go-to mediator.
As they headed back to the chambers, Kai was busy venting his frustration. He had nicknamed Vukasin "Angry Bird" because of the Captain's thick, perpetually furrowed eyebrows. Jack would often scold him, saying, "Kai, stop making fun of people's appearances!" But in reality, Kai wasn't truly mocking him. He wouldn't dream of disrespecting Vukasin Sokolov to his face—he was far too intimidated for that, so he resorted to venting through silly nicknames behind his back.
In the days that followed, the Fyrnic team was subjected to non-stop, grueling training sessions. Although everyone had placed their hopes on Lucas, even he couldn't break Vukasin's iron resolve. The Captain's obsession with defeating Malthen and specifically crushing Edward Evering, who had mocked him the previous year was far too intense. With even Lucas failing to sway him, the team's hope vanished. Dean no longer had a spare moment to train Simon; the second his classes ended, he had to rush straight to the training grounds.
While the Fyrnic students pushed themselves to their absolute limits, the atmosphere at Malthen was remarkably relaxed. They followed a balanced schedule, training only during their allotted times and enjoying plenty of leisure. Seeing the stark contrast between Fyrnic's desperation and Malthen's cool confidence only added to the growing tension within the school.
On a quiet Saturday morning, Kai and Simon took the lift down from their chamber to grab some breakfast. Kai was in the middle of a passionate rant about a newly released movie, lamenting the tragedy of not being able to see it in theaters or even on a phone. Simon listened with his usual calm demeanor.
As they stepped out of the elevator area, Kai accidentally collided with a group of older students. While Kai stumbled back from the impact, the person he hit didn't budge an inch. Simon looked up and recognized him as a core member of the Malthen Exigros team. Known for his massive build and for wielding a heavy hammer among a sea of swordsmen, Vancy was a terrifying figure. He looked down at the two small freshmen and raised a fist, his voice raspy and threatening.
"Watch where you're going, pipsqueaks. Or I'll snap your necks like dry twigs."
Both Kai and Simon froze in fear. But then, a calm, breezy voice cut through the tension.
"Vancy... stop bullying the kids."
They turned to see Edward Evering walking toward them, wearing his trademark charming smile. Upon Edward's command, Vancy huffed in annoyance but stepped back, yielding the path. Edward stepped forward with a practiced smile, his eyes scanning Simon and Kai. Up close, Simon realized that despite being brothers, Edward and Henry were as different as oil and water.
Aside from their shared chocolate-brown hair and similar facial features, their temperaments were total opposites. While Henry was as cold and reserved as an iceberg, Edward radiated a warmth that seemed to brighten the room—a smile so brilliant it looked like it could bring good fortune. Yet, Simon couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath that polished exterior.
"Oh... so you're from Fyrnic, aren't you?"
Both nodded. "I'm Kai... and he is—"
"Blackburn." Edward ignored Kai's introduction entirely, his eyes fixed intently on Simon. His smile didn't waver for a single second.
"Blackburn, of course I know you. You're quite famous. Not only are you Cain Blackburn's son, but you also nearly got burned alive saving two girls from our Chamber during Halloween... Truly remarkable."
He spoke with an easy charm, but the way he listed Simon's background was chilling. "Thank you," Simon replied softly. Both he and Kai felt increasingly suffocated by Vancy's menacing presence and Edward's overwhelming aura.
"Please, excuse us," Simon said, desperate to leave.
"Oh, by all means," Edward replied, stepping aside with a polite flourish.
As they were about to leave, Edward stopped them one last time.
"Oh, just a moment. Since you're from Fyrnic, please pass a message to your Exigros Captain. Tell him that if he keeps pushing this hard, he'll collapse before the match even begins. As you know, he's... New-Blood, so he's struggling quite a bit to surpass Old-Blood like us. Remind him that trying to overcome the impossible only ends in self-destruction."
His words were a condescending taunt. Kai, unable to stomach the insult to his Captain despite his fear of Vancy, turned around to snap back. But before he could speak, Simon's voice rang out first.
"Are you saying all this because you're actually afraid of him?"
Simon asked the question with calm politeness, yet it was enough to make Edward pause and slowly turn back. Vancy's expression grew even more menacing, but Simon kept his unwavering focus solely on Edward, waiting for a reaction.
Upon hearing Simon's question, Edward burst into a fit of hearty laughter. He seemed to find the situation genuinely amusing, as if captivated by Simon's audacity.
"Oh, boy. Afraid? You underestimate me, Blackburn. I'm the one who utterly defeated your Captain before. Well, if there's anything to fear, it would be his temper when he loses. His rage is quite... unpleasant."
"Might be," Simon countered with unwavering calm. "But our Captain doesn't speak of you this way. He constantly talks about winning, yet he never stoops to mocking the opposing Captain. To me, that clearly shows who truly holds the upper hand in this match."
Simon's sharp rebuttal left even Kai gaping in shock before a triumphant grin crept onto his face. For a fleeting second, the polished mask on Edward's face slipped, but he quickly recovered his composure. He leaned in close to Simon, whispering,
"You're far more interesting than you look, Blackburn. It's a shame we won't get to meet on the field."
With a final glance, he straightened up and signaled the restless Vancy to follow him as they departed.
After Edward and his group left, Kai finally let out a long breath. He looked at Simon in pure awe.
"You were so brave, Simon! You've been seriously slaying lately. Did you take some kind of 'slay' potion or something?"
Simon couldn't help but smile, shaking his head gently. "No, Kai. I just really didn't like what he was saying, so I spoke up."
"But it was so cool!" Kai exclaimed, still buzzing from the excitement.
"Watching Evering's perfect mask slip like that was priceless!"
As Simon smiled, he began to reflect. In the past, he would have remained silent, choosing to avoid conflict at all costs. But now, he felt a shift within himself—a newfound strength to stand his ground. He felt that this was a positive change, and for the first time in a long while, he felt truly proud of himself.