The big day had finally come: Monday morning the academy’s courtyard had turned into a real stage, and a huge crowd gathered to hear the principal’s speech.

  Toma stood among the students who had advanced, listening to the event alongside his friends.

  “Congratulations to all the students from every year who managed to pass the desert survival course,” the principal announced. “You are the finest students of the academy — but now you must face each other! After the unique and special first stage, we now move on to the second, and final, stage of the championship.”

  He paused briefly before continuing, his voice echoing across the courtyard.

  “This time, it will be a traditional one-on-one battle. However, you will not be fighting with weapons, but rather inside a massive arena, using your elemental powers or your Nova abilities against one another. The rules are simple: if you knock out your opponent or render them unable to move, you win. You may also surrender at any time, which will remove you from the competition. Those are the rules! Keep in mind that you may face opponents from any grade level! And now, it’s time for the match draw, which will also determine who will face whom on their way to the finals.”

  With that, the drawing began.

  The process was displayed on a huge screen so everyone could see, and the machine automatically generated the matchups.

  Toma watched the results with great interest. “My first opponent is someone named Peter. No idea who that is,” he muttered.

  “Toma, Lyrien — look! The three of us are on the same bracket!” Arlen pointed out excitedly.

  “Really?” Lyrien replied, glancing at the screen.

  “So that means I’m on a different bracket from you guys,” Arvian noted calmly. “Which means I can only fight one of you in the final.”

  Then the principal concluded his speech with a closing statement.

  “All contestants are expected to gather at 4 p.m. this afternoon in the academy arena. Until then, I wish everyone good preparation!”

  In the arena, in front of tens of thousands of people! This is what Carter was talking about! Toma’s excitement grew with each passing second. This is my chance to show the world who I am — to prove that I can become a real warrior in a true squad!

  “Alright, I still have some things to take care of before the afternoon, so I’ll get going,” said Arvian to the others.

  “So, what should we do until then? Four in the afternoon is still far away!” Toma asked, glancing around the group.

  “Sorry, but I think I’ll rest and prepare for today’s match until then,” replied Lyrien, her tone calm but focused.

  “Yeah, I still need to get ready too,” added Arlen with a small nod.

  And so, the group dispersed, each going their own way — leaving Toma to head back to his room alone.

  What’s with everyone having things to do today? What am I supposed to do all day? he muttered to himself as he walked down the quiet corridor.

  But then Toma suddenly caught sight of a familiar face coming toward him.

  “Emion, what are you doing here?”

  “Hello, Toma! I had some business around this area today, and I thought I’d stop by to see you, but you weren’t anywhere. Don’t tell me you’ve been wandering around again?”

  “No! It’s just, you know, it’s Monday morning, and I’m a student who studies at an academy!”

  “Then how come you’re here right now?”

  “Ah, you know, there’s that academy tournament going on right now, and I’m coming from one of the meetings about it!”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  “Yeah, your mom, your little sister, and I were watching the broadcast when we could! I have to say, you made some clever moves!”

  “I have a match this afternoon in the arena. Will you come and watch?”

  “Sorry, I’m only free this morning, but I have to head back home in the afternoon. It’s a long trip, and I need to be home by evening.”

  “Oh? Why’s that?”

  “Well, I’m here because I need to transport a special and very expensive piece of glass back home — I’ll be working with it. I also asked a friend of mine to come over this afternoon to help me unload it.”

  “Ah, I see. What’s the glass for?”

  “I’ve just been given an absolutely incredible job! Imagine this — I have to make a glass staircase that’s also an aquarium, for a very wealthy family. And I have to do the entire thing at their place, all by myself. Can you believe it? They live in a real mansion, but they’re nice people. They even have a child about the same age as your little sister.”

  “Wow, an aquarium that’s also a staircase? That’s pretty awesome!”

  “Yes, and get this — I also have to make them a dining table that doubles as an aquarium! I really love working on exciting projects like this!”

  “So you really love your job, don’t you, Emion?”

  “Yes, although every job has its downsides. For example, this project will take several months, and I won’t really have time to take on other work. But they’re paying a lot for it, so I’m not complaining, because I love creating things! And I think it’s important for a person to love what they do. I suppose you like slicing up demons, but as for me, I prefer creating!”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right!”

  “By the way, do you have anything to do right now, Toma?”

  “No, I’m free this morning. Why?”

  “Would you like to come play some tennis with me for a bit?”

  “What? Tennis? That’s not a sport! You just take two steps to the right, then two steps to the left... Sports are like soccer!”

  “Ha, that’s what you think! Try it — I’ll rent the court, get the rackets, everything. Just come!”

  “Alright, let’s give it a try!”

  ***

  Later that morning, on the tennis court, Toma bounced the ball a few times, then caught it in his hand before serving like a pro. The hit was clean, fast — so sharp that Emion didn’t even have time to reach it.

  “Nice one, Toma! You’re starting to get into it — but that might not be enough to win this set!”

  Toma adjusted his grip on the racket, eyes narrowing in determination. Across the court, Emion spun the ball in his palm, that calm, teasing smile on his face — the one that always made Toma want to win even more.

  “Ready?”

  “Always,” Toma shot back, his tone playful but focused.

  Emion served. The ball exploded off his racket, slicing through the air and dropping sharply into the corner. Toma dashed after it, barely managing to reach it in time, returning it with a long defensive swing. The ball arched high, bounced in the center of the court, then skidded toward Emion’s backhand. Emion returned it instantly — harder, faster.

  The rhythm built between them. Each step was tighter, each hit more precise. The world around them faded — there was only the net, the ball, the dust rising from the clay, and Emion’s eyes following his every move.

  After a long rally, Toma finally broke through. With a deep cross shot, he opened the court, forcing Emion wide — then finished it with a clean strike into the opposite corner. Emion sprinted, but it was too late. The ball landed right on the line.

  Point to Toma.

  “One–nil to me,” Toma said, grabbing his towel with a smirk.

  “Don’t celebrate too soon,” Emion replied, still smiling.

  The next rally was even more intense. Both players moved in perfect rhythm — rackets slicing through the air, the ball cracking sharply on the clay, shoes squeaking with each pivot.

  This time, Emion seized control. He drove Toma backward with heavy, powerful shots, then finished with a soft, well-placed backhand drop. Toma lunged, but the ball died just over the net.

  He only nodded — acknowledging the point. This isn’t a real competition, he thought, but the challenge… that’s what keeps me going.

  When the third serve came, Toma smiled. He tossed the ball high, poured all his strength into the swing, and sent it flying like a bullet over the net. Emion reached for it — just barely grazed it — and the ball landed deep inside the court.

  “Two–one. I won!” Toma shouted, triumphant.

  “Yes, but I only won one set — the match itself was yours!”

  “That’s alright! You should still be happy about the small victories! But I’m completely exhausted! Ugh, what a tiring sport!”

  “And you were the one saying it wasn’t a sport!”

  “Alright, alright! You were right, Emion! Now let’s get something to eat, I’m starving!”

  “How about a burger, Toma?”

  “Sure! I’m in!”

  After lunch, Emion drove his car and stopped in front of the dormitory.

  “Thanks, Emion. It was a good day!”

  “Good luck for today, Toma! We’ll be watching you on TV!”

  Toma waved, then headed back to his room to rest.

  Emion’s a good guy, but I wouldn’t call him my dad, Toma thought as he closed the door behind him. I’ve only known him for a few years — not since I was a kid. Our relationship’s more like that of good friends. But his job’s pretty cool… kind of like a modern carpenter, except he doesn’t just work with wood. Now he’s using glass, but usually, he works with all sorts of materials.

  He lay down on his bed, staring up at the ceiling.

  An aquarium, huh? Interesting… But how are they going to clean such a huge aquarium, and where will they put the fish in the meantime?

  He yawned, stretching lazily.

  “What time is it? Not even one o'clock yet.”

  Another yawn escaped him. “I think I’ll take another nap. That tennis really wore me out! I need to rest — this afternoon’s match is really important. I have to win, no matter what.”

  With that final thought, his eyes slowly closed, and the room fell silent.