Late at night, Willowgate fell into a heavy, silent slumber, broken only by the rhythmic calls of nocturnal creatures. In the Fyrnic first-year boys' dormitory, Kai and Toad were snoring in unison. Jack had clearly drifted off mid-read, his glasses still on and a book resting facedown on his chest. Finn and Oliver slept soundly in the quiet room.
But Simon was tossing and turning on his bed. Even in sleep, his body writhed in discomfort—not from a nightmare, but from a throbbing, physical pain in his chest. When the agony became unbearable, he gasped awake, clutching his chest as he sat up. His breath came in shallow gasps, and a sharp, piercing pain shot through his heart, as if every nerve were being pulled taut. Drenched in a cold sweat, his shirt clung to his back.
He had no idea what was happening to him. This had been going on for over a week now—not every night, but in sudden, excruciating bursts that left him breathless and shaken.
Simon hadn't told a soul about this. He dreaded the thought of causing worry to his friends, so he endured the agony in silence. He convinced himself that it was merely physical exhaustion—a side effect of the grueling combat training with Dean.
He hardly dared to breathe deeply. Each full intake of air felt like "feeding" the pain, making it grow sharper and more intense. Instead, he forced himself to take thin, shallow breaths, waiting for the wave of suffering to pass. Only after a long while, when the piercing sensation finally began to ebb away, could he finally draw a deep, shaky breath of relief.
Once the pain had completely vanished, Simon finally collapsed back onto his bed. Being young and exhausted, it didn't take long for him to drift into a heavy, dreamless sleep.
The next morning brought the usual routine of classes. It was Astronomy, a combined session for the Malthen and Tavian chambers. Simon felt a wave of relief realizing he wouldn't have to face the Kaelen students, and specifically Logan—this morning. Every time their paths crossed, Logan would glare at him with murderous intent, which was honestly terrifying.
To make matters worse, news of their duel had reached the Masters. Both boys had received a severe scolding from Master Marrick, along with a stern warning of expulsion if it ever happened again. Even though Logan was the one who instigated the fight, being publicly humiliated and reprimanded only fueled his burning hatred for Simon. He blamed Simon for the entire mess, his pride wounded and his temper flaring.
As they walked out of their Astronomy class, Kai was already dreaming of lunch. "I'm starving! I wish lunch would come faster," he groaned, looking genuinely pained by hunger. Jack, ever the voice of reason, adjusted his glasses and retorted, "We literally just finished breakfast, Kai. It hasn't even been that long."
Kai didn't skip a beat. "Maybe for you, Jackie! But my stomach is like a Black Hole—it just sucks everything in and asks for more!"
Jack could only roll his eyes and shake his head at Kai's antics. In their next class, however, they were joined by the Kaelen students, and Simon inevitably found himself caught in the crosshairs of Logan's stare. It was deeply uncomfortable, but Simon didn't look away. The group chose a table far from Logan's crew. Because of Master Marrick's stern warning, Logan likely wouldn't dare strike out—for now. But what the future held, Simon didn't know.
Kai, noticing that Logan's eyes hadn't moved from Simon, commented, "That blondie is staring so hard I'm surprised your face hasn't exploded yet, Simon. He's obsessed. Even lovers don't stare at each other like that."
Jack shot Kai a sharp, warning glare. "Shut it, you idiot. Stop trying to stir up trouble."
Kai just shrugged. "It's the truth. If he's mad because Simon knocked him down, he should just practice more. Staring like that is just creepy."
Giving up on trying to silence Kai, Jack turned his attention back to his book, then glanced at Simon.
"You've got dark circles under your eyes lately. Have you been sleeping properly?"
Simon instinctively touched the skin beneath his eyes.
"I sleep... Is it that bad?"
"Not terrible, but your face looks a bit wan. Take care of yourself. Exams are coming up. If your health fails during finals, everything we've learned this year will go to waste,"
Jack warned with sincere concern. Simon nodded in agreement, though the memory of his nighttime agony weighed heavily on his mind.
After class— as they exited the classroom, Logan purposefully collided with Simon's shoulder amidst the bustling crowd. He stopped, scoffed at Simon, and shot him a look of pure disdain.
"Watch where you're going, Blackburn," Logan sneered before turning to walk away.
Kai's temper flared instantly. "What the hell is his problem? You're the one who ran into him!" He clenched his fists, ready to charge after Logan, but Simon quickly reached out and held him back.
"Leave it, Kai," Simon said softly.
Kai let out a frustrated sigh, though his glare remained fixed on Logan's retreating back, his resentment clearly simmering just below the surface.
The moment they stepped into the Dining Hall, Kai's anger evaporated as if it had never existed. The aroma of the food completely captivated him, and he grabbed a tray, piling it high with everything in sight.
"Food... glorious food!" he sang, almost dancing as he served himself. Jack watched him with a look of pure exhaustion, leaning toward Simon and Toad.
"Sometimes I truly wonder if Kai's brain is even fully functional," Jack muttered.
"I highly doubt it," Toad replied bluntly. Simon, however, just offered a small, quiet smile. Trays in hand, the group found a table and settled in to eat.
The group enjoyed a lively and boisterous lunch. Kai was being his usual stubborn self, insistently arguing a point even though he was clearly in the wrong. Jack, ever the logical one, was busy debunking Kai's claims with patient yet firm explanations. Meanwhile, the other three—Simon, Toad, and Finn sat back like spectators at a show, quietly enjoying their meals while watching the entertaining debate unfold before them. As Vukasin approached, the heated debate at the table died down instantly. Every eye was on him, but Vukasin stood with his arms folded, his unreadable, stern face fixed solely on Simon. Nearby, Dean and Lucas watched tensely, fearing he might snap at the first-years.
Instead, Vukasin pointed a finger directly at Simon. "Report to the training grounds after class this evening. You're now a trainee for Fyrnic's core squad."
The entire table gasped, and heads turned from neighboring tables in shock. Simon sat there, stunned and speechless.
"But... but... I'm only a first-year. To enter Exigros—"
"Don't talk back. When I tell you to come, you come," Vukasin cut him off sharply before turning on his heel and walking away.
The moment Vukasin left, the table erupted into a frenzy of excitement. Kai was practically beaming, his eyes wide with admiration.
"Whoa... Simon! You're seriously amazing, mate! A first-year getting picked as an Exigros trainee? I've never even heard of that happening before!" Kai shouted, his voice full of genuine pride. Toad nodded in fervent agreement, "He's right. This is a massive opportunity."
Simon, however, remained frozen in his seat, still trying to process the sudden turn of events. Seeking some sort of confirmation, he looked over at Dean. His senior was already watching him with a supportive smile, giving him a firm thumbs-up to show his confidence. Even Lucas offered a subtle nod of approval, signaling that this was indeed a momentous step for Simon's future.
After their evening classes, the boys headed back to the dorms. Simon went for a quick shower and changed out of his uniform into casual wear. When he stepped back into the room, he was greeted by a bizarre sight: Kai, Toad, and Finn were standing in a perfectly straight line, waiting for him.
Finn was holding a water bottle with both hands as if it were a holy relic, and Toad clutched a quill pen with extreme reverence. They looked like they were guarding the world's most precious treasures. Confused, Simon looked at Kai in the center. Kai stepped forward with a dead-serious expression.
"Since you're about to face the Angry Bird, I shall now sprinkle you with 'The Liquid of Luck' for your protection..."
"Huh?" Simon gasped, completely baffled.
At his desk, Jack rolled his eyes so hard it looked painful, while Oliver stared at them with pure disdain. Honestly, Kai's antics were reaching peak levels of absurdity.
Simon couldn't help but offer a soft, genuine smile. His friends' antics were undeniably absurd, yet they were endearing in their own silly way.
"Alright then... bless me," Simon said, humoring them.
Toad dipped the quill into Finn's water bottle, soaking it thoroughly before handing it over to Kai. With a mock-solemn expression, Kai tapped each of Simon's shoulders with the wet quill, then lightly tapped the top of Simon's curly black hair.
"There... there. You are now under the collective blessings of Kai, Toad, Finn, and Jackie. Good luck out there!" Kai declared with a flourish.
Jack raised an eyebrow at hearing his name dragged into Kai's ritual, but he remained silent, choosing to let the moment slide. Simon, heart lightened by their support, nodded gratefully.
"Thanks, guys. I'll do my absolute best."
"You've got this, Simon!" Finn cheered. With a final wave to his roommates, Simon turned and stepped out of the dorm, heading toward his destiny at the training grounds.
As Simon stepped out of the elevator, he came face-to-face with Henry, who was just exiting the Daven lift. Henry was clutching a book, clearly on his way to the library. Their eyes met for a brief, silent moment. Simon, being himself, offered a warm smile and a friendly wave of greeting. In response, Henry merely gave a slight, curt nod of his head—his expression as stoic and unreadable as ever, without even a hint of a smile.
Just as Simon prepared to brush past him and continue on his way, a voice caught him off guard.
"Blackburn"
Simon froze, genuinely stunned. Never once had Henry been the one to initiate a conversation or call out to him first. Simon turned back to look at Henry, who maintained his typical, unreadable expression while staring him down.
"I'm glad to hear you've been accepted as a trainee for Exigros," Henry said calmly.
"Thank you," Simon replied, offering a bashful smile while instinctively scratching his head.
"I honestly didn't expect it... getting in like this."
Henry's gaze didn't waver, remaining fixed on Simon.
"Also... I watched your duel with Logan the other day."
"I saw you there," Simon answered simply. He had definitely noticed Henry's presence in the crowd during that intense moment. Henry's expression remained frozen, his gaze as unyielding as time itself.
"Your courage in challenging Logan was impressive, but from my perspective, it was a thoughtless move," he stated flatly.
The words stung. While everyone else was busy praising Simon for his victory, Henry was the only one pointing out the recklessness of it. Before Simon could retort, Henry continued, "Logan has been trained in combat since he could walk. For someone he considers a 'pest' to defeat him... it doesn't just wound his pride; it insults his family. You've placed a target on your back. If I were you, I would have stayed quiet. You're simply too foolish."
"I get what you're saying. But I have no regrets, Evering," Simon replied, his voice firm and unwavering. He looked Henry straight in the eye.
"I did what was right. Whatever comes next, I'll face it."
Henry held Simon's gaze for a long moment, and Simon met it with equal intensity. Without another word, Henry finally turned to walk away, but stopped to cast one last look back.
"Don't underestimate Logan. You won this time, but in the future, he will make sure you lose. Be careful."
"I don't underestimate him, but I don't overestimate him either," Simon replied steadily. "Thanks for looking out for me."
Henry gave Simon one final glance before facing forward again, his voice as cold as ice.
"Good luck for training," he said, before disappearing into the distance.
Simon stood there for a moment, staring blankly at Henry's retreating figure. It wasn't until the sudden chime of the clock tower echoed through the air that his eyes snapped wide open.
"Oh no! I'm late!" he gasped, immediately bolting toward the training grounds at full speed. By the time Simon arrived, the Fyrnic Exigros team including Dean was already deep into their drills.
Vukasin stood with his arms crossed, his eyes narrowing as he watched Simon stumble in, panting for breath. As Vukasin stepped closer, Simon blurted out an apology before the senior could even utter a word.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry for being late!"
Vukasin towered over Simon, his presence making the air feel even colder and more stifling. The other seniors on the field paused to watch the scene unfold, while Dean looked on with a clear expression of worry for his junior.
"I'll let it slide this time, Blackburn. But if you're late again, you'll be running fifty laps around this field immediately. Do you understand?" Vukasin demanded, his voice sharp and cold. Simon, who had fully expected a harsh punishment, felt a wave of immense relief. He nodded so vigorously it looked as though his head might actually pop off.
"Follow me," Vukasin commanded, heading off toward the outskirts of the training grounds. Simon glanced back at Dean, who gave him an encouraging nod to follow. They reached the edge of a dense, shadowy forest where Vukasin came to a sudden halt.
"Your task is to find the Totitan egg hidden somewhere inside this forest," Vukasin stated.
"A Totitan egg?" Simon repeated, confused.
"Yes. It looks like a turtle egg but is about the size of a person's chest. It's purple and incredibly fragile. If you can bring it back here perfectly intact, I'll grant you the Scarp position in the Fyrnic Exigros team. However... if the egg is damaged in any way, you're out of the team. And worse, you'll have to answer to Miss Lora. She does not take kindly to those who harm her creatures' offspring."
Simon felt the weight of the challenge as he peered into the dark woods. Taking a deep breath, he nodded. "I understand."
Vukasin pulled a pocket watch from his coat and handed it to Simon.
"You have exactly one hour. If the chime goes off and you aren't back here, you fail. If you arrive early but the egg is cracked, you fail. Clear?"
Simon nodded again, his grip tightening on the watch. His first real test as a trainee had begun.
"Go. Get your weapon and come back. Dean will assist you," Vukasin commanded. Simon hurried over to Dean, who handed him a sword with a scabbard designed to be worn across the back. It wasn't too heavy, nor too light—it felt just right in Simon's grip.
"Dean... I... I won't have to face those giant stone golems like you guys did, will I?"
Simon asked, his voice laced with anxiety.
Dean chuckled warmly at Simon's concern.
"Well, no... but you will encounter stone constructs about the size of a grown man. It's the magic of one of the girls in our squad. While she isn't as powerful as Miss Lora, her stone men are not to be underestimated."
Simon felt a flicker of relief, but the prospect of facing stone constructs still weighed heavily on his mind. As he adjusted the sword hilt over his shoulder, he couldn't help but ask, "I don't get it. Why did Vukasin pick a first-year like me? You told me before that first-years aren't allowed to be trainees. That's the rule, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. The rules haven't changed," Dean replied. "But the Captain was there when you fought Vermillion the other day. It was like he saw something in you. He immediately sent a letter to the Headmistress, insisting you be given a chance. She wasn't keen on it, but Vukasin was so adamant that she finally agreed—on the condition that your skills be tested first."
Simon nodded slowly, the fear of failure still nipping at his heels. Sensing his unease, Dean gave Simon's shoulder a reassuring pat.
"Don't stress too much. Even if you don't succeed, you're still just a first-year, so it's not a disaster. Just give the task your all. Think of it as gaining practical experience that I can't give you in training."
Simon looked up at Dean, feeling comforted by his words. Just then, Vukasin's booming voice called out, making Simon spin around quickly.
"The more stone men you see, the closer you are to the target. Good luck!"
Dean offered a final blessing. Simon gave a quick nod, turned, and walked toward Vukasin. The Captain looked at him with his usual cold, hardened expression.
"The clock starts the moment you step into the woods. Go."
Simon took a deep breath, looked into the dark foliage, and stepped onto the forest floor. As his foot touched the soil, the pocket watch let out a sharp chime.
His very first quest had officially begun.