Tori slammed his lunch tray onto the table, the sound sharp and final. He didn't care who heard it. His mood was foul, and the encounter with Ryan had left a bitter taste in his mouth.
He dropped into the seat beside Sunless and Mica, his golden eyes still burning.
"What got you in such a mad mood?" Mica asked, spoon halfway to her mouth.
Tori didn't answer right away. He stabbed at his food, then growled, "Who knew the prince of Aspin was such a stuck-up bastard?"
He devoured his meal like it had personally offended him.
Sunless raised an eyebrow. "Well, nothing usually goes your way."
Tori shot him a glare. "Like you're one to talk."
A bee buzzed past, landing directly in the spoonful of food Sunless was about to eat.
"Sunless, wait—" Mica tried to warn him.
Too late.
Sunless shoved the spoon into his mouth, paused, then gagged. The crunch of wings and chitin hit him like a curse. He spat it out, coughing violently.
Tori burst into laughter, nearly choking on his own food.
Sunless wiped his mouth, grabbed a bottle of water, and chugged it. "I've lost my appetite," he muttered, standing up and walking off.
Issac arrived just as Sunless left, sliding into the empty seat with the casual confidence of someone who thought he was in charge.
"Hey, Tori," he said. "I've been assigned to pick the five members for our War Game team—and their roles."
He crossed his arms, leaning back like he was in a boardroom.
Tori's eyes lit up. "So you came to make me the leader?"
"No," Issac replied flatly. "Right now, it's just me and you."
"Oh! Then you can put me in!" Mica said, practically bouncing in her seat. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Issac blinked. "Uh… and you are?"
"Mica Vicono. Nice to meet you!" she said, shaking his hand.
Issac stared at her. Odd. Enthusiastic. But… he liked her hair.
"She's stronger than she looks," Tori said, resting his head on the table. "Her Authority gives her mastery over any combat style. Weapons, martial arts—you name it."
Issac nodded slowly. "Okay, fine. I'll consider it."
He began mentally mapping out the team formation and where Mica might fit.
"Here's how it works," Issac said, lifting a finger like a professor. "On the defender's side, there's King or Queen, General, Knight, Scout, and Sniper. The offender's side is the same, except instead of King or Queen, it's just Leader."
He pointed at Tori. "I'll be the Leader. You don't exactly scream 'leadership material.'"
"Aw, no fair," Tori groaned.
"But if we're defenders," Issac continued, "Mica will be the Queen."
"What does the Queen do?" Mica asked.
"She defends the flag. If the Queen has to lift a finger in combat, we've failed," Issac said, standing up. "Now, with all that said—help me find more members."
"Sunless will join us," Tori said confidently. "So we just need one more."
A group of students nearby, who had clearly been eavesdropping, suddenly swarmed the table.
"Pick me!"
"Choose me!"
"I'm your best pick!"
Tori was overwhelmed by the crowd. Issac, seeing an opening, slipped away.
"Just come find me when you've got the fifth," he said before disappearing.
After fifteen minutes of running from the crowd, Tori and Mica collapsed onto a bench in the courtyard, panting.
Tori glanced to the side—and froze.
A girl with long, silky silver hair and piercing white eyes sat nearby, reading. Her gaze met his, sharp and judgmental.
"Who are you?" Tori asked aloud.
The girl blushed slightly. "I'm Sylph Asura," she said, turning back to her book.
Mica's eyes widened. "Asura? As in the Asura family?"
"You mean the nobles who've produced over five SSS-ranked adventurers?" Tori asked.
"They're known for their wealth and influence in the First Layer," Mica explained. "They fund most of the adventurer exams. Everyone knows the Asura family."
Sylph looked flustered. She had come to this academy to avoid recognition—but now her name was out in the open.
"Well, nice to meet you," Tori said. "I could care less about your family. Would you be interested in joining a War Game?"
"No," Sylph replied, standing up. Her silver hair flipped in the wind as she walked away.
"So much for that," Mica muttered.
"What made you ask her?" she asked.
"Because," Tori said, eyes glowing faintly. "Her Authority is divine rank."
Using his Eye of Constellation, a passive trait from his racial lineage, Tori could see a person's profile—attributes, Authorities, Stigmas, and special traits.
"She's a powerhouse," he said. "Her Authority is Sub-Atomic Speed—she can move at near-light velocity. And her Stigma, First Landing, guarantees she always lands the first hit."
"Wow," Mica breathed. "She's strong."
"Let's go recruit her. No matter what," Tori said.
They found Sylph again near the academy gates.
"Hey!" Tori called out, jogging toward her. "Any reason you don't want to join the War Game?"
Sylph twirled her hair. "I'd rather not. But… if you insist, I wouldn't mind."
"So you will?" Tori asked, grabbing her hands.
"Um… yeah," she said, cheeks turning peach.
Mica crossed her arms, watching Sylph carefully. She knew the truth—Sylph hadn't changed her mind because of the War Game.
It was Tori.
His looks were above average, his golden eyes and wheat-blonde hair too alluring for a commoner. Mica sighed.
They retrieved Sunless from class and headed to Issac's house.
"Whoa," Sunless said, staring up at the mansion. It looked more like a palace.
Sylph walked ahead and rang the gate's bell.
"Who graces our humble Reevrie home?" a voice asked through the intercom.
"Sylph Asura," she replied.
The gate opened immediately.
Tori blinked. She has a connection to the Reevrie family? Why hadn't Issac recruited her already?
The four of them entered the estate, ready to discuss strategy.
The War Game was only six days away.