After the trial ended, everyone who had taken part in professor Stoker's research was released.
They all went home to pack their things and prepare to move to another city.
As Axel left the courtbuilding, he saw Hector already waiting for him. "What happened?" Hector asked.
"I'll tell you on the way back," Axel replied, and Hector agreed.
"Good to have you back. Let's go to Elaine's house before she thinks I went out drinking again," Hector said laughing.
While they walked, Axel told Hector everything that had happened at the trial: what the professor's group was researching and what the judges had ordered them to do.
Hector was shocked when he heard about the project's purpose and warned Axel to tell no one about it — not even Elaine.
A few minutes later they arrived at Elaine's house.
"Her house should be somewhere around here," Hector said, while looking at the buildings around them.
He stopped abruptly and Axel, who was walking behind him, bumped into him.
"Why did you stop?" Axel asked.
"Ehhh—??" Hector answered, then put his hands on his head and shouted,
"This house is huge! It's a full-fledged mansion.How could she afford something like this?"
They walked up the path through the large garden to the door.
Just as they were about to knock, the door opened and a slender, elderly man appeared.
"Welcome, Sir Hector and Axel. Madam is expecting you," the man said.
Both of them exchanged looks. Hector whispered, "She even has a butler." They followed the butler inside.
Everything was nicely furnished and well lit by expensive looking chandeliers.
They entered a room that should have been a normal living room — but it was enormous.
Elaine sat on a couch that looked more like a throne.
Hector sprinted toward her and blurted, "How did you get the money to buy a mansion like this, Elaine?!"
Elaine was startled by his sudden approach. "Hello to you too," she said.
"You saw all the many rooms while walking through the hallway.
You know I'm homeless right now, surviving by sleeping in different inns with what little money I have."
"If you'd saved your money from all your missions, you could've done the same. But Mister here had to spend almost all of it on booze," Elaine teased.
Hector smiled broadly and looked away. "Well… booze is important in my life! Just the smell — aaahh!"
He shook his head, then turned serious. "But you even have money for a butler!"
Axel and the old butler both started laughing, which made Elaine and Hector ask, "What are you laughing at?"
"You two fit so well together that it would seem like you're a couple," Axel said.
"I'd rather die," Hector replied, turning his head away.
"Never!" Elaine answered at the same time.
The butler laughed harder. "Well, Madam Elaine... never say never, hahaha."
"Not you too…" she said, blushing.
Hector looked around and asked where Gini was.
"Young Sir Gini is resting in his new room at the moment," the butler said.
"The tournament starts soon, so he has a long day tomorrow," Elaine added.
"Since you'll also participate, go get some rest Axel."
"The tournament starts tomorrow already? What about university classes?" Axel asked, confused.
Hector explained, "The tournament happens before classes begin. The scores you get in the tournament decide which class you'll join as a first year."
"I didn't know — otherwise I would've bought some daggers," Axel said.
"Well, it wouldn't make that much difference," Hector replied. "Neither you nor Gini has a SINISA."
"Just focus on not losing," Elaine added. "As for daggers, I have one lying around but as Hector said, a dagger won't help much when almost all the students have a SINISA."
Axel tilted his head in confusion. "Both of you keep saying SINISA — what's that?"
"The powers we have," Hector said. "I asked you before and you said you didn't have any powers."
Axel nodded. "Alright then. I'll go rest as well."
He wished everyone good night. Elaine asked the butler to show Axel to one of the guest bedrooms.
Then he followed the butler to the room, thanked him and walked to the bed.
Climbed into the big bed and falling asleep almost immediately.
The night passed and morning came. Sunlight woke Axel.
He thought to himself, "Today is the start of my plan. I will win — not just survive. Just watch me!"