Saint walks back to his dorm. The corridors are alive with students and teachers weaving through the crowd. After twenty minutes, he finally reaches his room. He drops onto the bed and stares at the ceiling.
"Why am I even here? This is stupid…" he murmurs, voice barely audible.
He shakes off the thought, swings his legs off the bed, and moves to the closet. He pulls out the school's training jumpsuit and changes quickly.
…
Beyce walks toward his dorm as well, glancing down at his hand, tension coiling through him.
'I have to change… I have to become stronger…'
He clenches his fist, trying to calm himself.
'Would I even win if I faced that guy? His cube turned red…'
…
Meanwhile, Ari and Plaster walk through the crowded hallways, chatting casually.
"Why are you even here at this school, Plaster? What are your motives?" Ari asks, oblivious to the swarm of students around them.
Plaster's frown doesn't ease. Hands shoved in his pockets, he keeps moving.
"Not telling," he says coldly, looking away.
'That guy… even Taiho looked shocked for a moment…'
Ari waves with a teasing grin.
"Well, just so you know, if we're opponents in a month, I bet you won't land a single hit on me."
Plaster chuckles quietly to himself.
"We'll see about that," he mutters.
…
Back in Oshoku's office, Taiho reports the red cube incident.
"I see," Oshoku says, his tone distant and cold. He rises from his seat.
"I trust there will be no casualties in the tournament. I leave it to you, Taiho."
Taiho bows his head slightly, irritation flickering beneath his calm.
"Yes, sir. You have my word."
"Good. Prepare the matches randomly. This year will be… interesting." Oshoku scans the spreadsheet of first-year students.
"Call Beretta. I have a meeting with Vino." Oshoku demands,
Taiho pulls out his phone and dials.
…
Oshoku arrives in a large, dark, luxurious living room. A woman in a professional suit with an eye patch escorts him to Vino's room.
"Oshoku…" Vino murmurs softly, tangled in bed with multiple women.
"Any news?"
Unfazed, Oshoku replies,
"Everything goes according to plan. Though the red cube incident happened today, confirmed by Taiho."
Vino sits up, robe falling over his shoulders, smirking.
"Carmelo's boy?"
"Yes, sir. But it seems like he isn't here out of revenge. I would have felt it,"
Oshoku responds respectfully.
Vino pours a glass of alcohol, eyes glinting.
"It'd be a problem if he was… Maybe I'll watch his match. The tournament is soon, right?"
"I don't think that's necessary. He's powerless right now-"
Vino slams down his glass aggressively, cutting him off.
"It's your fault Carmelo went rogue, you know that, right? I know better than to listen to your judgement." Vino snaps, voice sharp.
"If you hadn't messed up, we'd have succeeded already. And if it happens again…"
He chuckles, eyes cold.
"Even death wouldn't be enough for you."
Oshoku swallows nervously.
"Carmelo nor Saint will interfere with our plans. I assure you, Vino."
"Very well. Soon, everyone will see the world created for them."
Vino smirks slowly, the kind that chills the room.
…
Saint punches the training bag in his dorm, sweat dripping, mind scattered.
'Those who figured out their ability already have an advantage… If I can awaken mine before the tournament, it helps…' What did Taiho mean? I need to find out. Dad would be disappointed if I fail… but why am I pushing this far? If I lose, it's all over anyway… I could just sit back…'
A hard punch sends the bag crashing across the room, leaving a hole.
"Crap… hope I don't get charged for this,"
he mutters, cleaning up, then drinks water to cool down.
'I have to speak with Dad… Maybe he knows my ability… Couldn't Beretta teleport me back for a day? I need him…'
He changes back into his normal clothes and runs out, racing through the hallways searching for Beretta.
…
Saint knocks on Taiho's office door.
"Mr. Taiho? Could I come in?" he asks hesitantly.
"Yeeeeees?" Taiho drags the word out, bored. Inside, he's watching a romance movie on a small TV, munching an apple.
"Uh… do you know where Mr. Beretta is?" Saint asks, confused by Taiho's casual behavior.
"Beretta? Why do you want to know that?" Taiho raises an eyebrow, standing abruptly.
"I… I have to go back home for something," Saint says, eyes darting nervously.
"Hmm… very well." Taiho thinks for a moment, then pulls out his phone.
"Beretta, accompany this student back to his country in Huairuro. Yeah, yeah. Student #4222. Thaaaank you!"
He turns to Saint with a mischievous grin.
"Run along, kitty."
'I wonder what his ability is…' Taiho thinks quietly, still smiling.
…
Beretta finds Saint in his dorm shortly after. He eyes the broken punching bag and jots something in his notebook.
"Really?" Saint groans, annoyed.
Beretta closes the notebook. "Apologies. Shall we go?"
"Yeah, yeah…" Saint replies hollowly.
In an instant, Beretta teleports them to Huairuro. They land in front of Saint's home, still covered in trash and rotting food.
'His ability gives me the creeps…' Saint thinks,
"Contact me or Brugger when you're ready," Beretta says professionally, handing Saint a small flipphone
Saint steps inside, greeting his father.
"Saint! Back so soon? What's wrong?" Carmelo asks, worry etching his face as he hugs his son.
"Dad… I… do you know my ability?" Saint asks hesitantly.
Carmelo blinks, confused, then grips his shoulder.
"Did your cube turn red?"
"Yeah… but I still don't understand what it means," Saint admits.
Carmelo smiles warmly.
"I'll teach you. Come on! I'll get the backyard ready." He walks off, and Saint follows, just then his ID buzzes with a notification.
Reading:
SAINT #4222 vs. AYCE #1001
Saint's eyes widen.
'Rank 1001!? That's… ridiculous.'
…