TORI REGLARD
Tori stirred awake, pain flaring across his chest. A familiar weight pressed down on him—a fox, small and smug, perched right atop his bandaged ribs.
Beatrice.
Her eyes gleamed with mischief, her grin unmistakably mocking. Tori groaned, reaching up to pet her gently. She leaned into his touch, as if commending him for his performance. Not that she could speak—but her presence said enough.
The room was quiet. No sign of Sunless. No sign of Mica. A folded note on the nightstand explained they'd stepped out for a bit.
A knock broke the silence.
"Uh… come in," Tori called, sitting up slowly.
The door creaked open. Issac stepped inside, still in his school uniform. Bandages wrapped around his head and cheek, evidence of their brutal match. He avoided eye contact at first, then muttered, "Uh, hey."
"Hey," Tori replied.
Issac took the chair across from the bed. They sat in silence, the soft chirping of birds outside filling the space. Sunlight filtered through the open window, casting golden streaks across the floor. A breeze brushed Tori's hair, cool and gentle.
"So… about our match," Tori said finally. "Congrats on your 235th win. I guess I'm just a loser."
He smiled, rubbing the back of his head.
Issac shook his head. "No. That was the best fight you've ever put up. How did you get so strong in just four months?"
Tori smirked. "Well, when you're as great as me, growth comes naturally."
Issac raised an eyebrow. "Yet you've always lost to me."
They both chuckled.
"Fair point," Tori admitted.
Issac stood abruptly and bowed. "I'm sorry. For being such a jerk these past two years. Though, to be fair, you were pretty stuck up."
Tori blinked.
"I acted the opposite of how I really felt," Issac continued. "Truth is, I thought we could be friends. But you kept challenging me, nonstop. I started to envy you. You had something I didn't. I admired you… even though I hated your guts."
Tori laughed softly. "Funny. I only challenged you so much because I admired you too. You weren't just some arrogant noble—you were cool. Even if I hated your guts."
They stood face to face now, the tension between them finally cracking.
"You know," Issac said, "maybe you could've actually beaten me if you hadn't used such an advanced skill with your Authority."
"Caught up in the moment," Tori shrugged. "But you were holding out too—Eye of Foresight? Why didn't you ever use that on me?"
Issac grinned. "Didn't think I needed to, loser. But hey, what's this Eye of Constellation you pulled out?"
Tori's expression shifted. "I don't know. It's powerful, though."
He paused, fingers brushing the seal on his stomach. He'd never thought much about his origins. His parents had found him abandoned in an alleyway. That was all he knew. But once, when he'd pushed too deep into his mana, the seal had burned—searing pain unlike anything he'd ever felt.
A slam jolted him from the memory.
"TORI AND ISSAC!"
Grandmaster Bishop stormed into the room, his voice thunderous. The principal's sharp blue eyes locked onto them.
"You damn boys have no more chances," he barked. "This was your worst duel yet! You destroyed my arena. Injured bystanders. If I didn't like you two, I'd expel you."
Tori and Issac lowered their heads in shame.
"I assure you it won't happen again," Tori said, the words automatic.
"You say that every time!" Bishop snapped.
"I'm sure he won't challenge me again," Issac added with a grin.
Bishop sighed. "Well, your duel did boost our academy's ranking. We're now No. 2 in Aspin's power system. So… thanks for that."
He rubbed his hands together, then his expression darkened.
"But you've attracted unwanted attention."
Tori's stomach dropped.
"The Royal Aspin Academy has challenged us to a War Game."
Silence.
A War Game. A mock war between schools. Five of the strongest students from each academy. One side defends a flag atop a building. The other side attacks. No weapons. Just raw power.
It was a test of supremacy.
A perfect challenge for Tori right before graduation.