A week had passed since the attack on the Colosseum. Much had changed since then, and as expected, all training in the Colosseum was suspended indefinitely until it could be rebuilt. Therefore, some Bound decided to return to their family homes to continue their training there, while others preferred to stay. In any case, this wouldn't change anything.
The test originally scheduled for two weeks later to evaluate the strength and effectiveness of the new Bound was postponed for an additional month.
For Sami, the delay didn't affect him much. After his mother left, it seemed she had somehow sent him one of the Clan's strongest healers. After receiving treatment, and thanks to his Bound body, one week was enough for him to return to his normal state completely.
Not much happened the previous week, especially in Sami's life. After recovering, he returned to his room in the Colosseum to pack some belongings, and there he ran into Niko, who had just returned from the investigation by the Central Clan. He looked exhausted, as if everything he had built had been shattered. When Sami asked him why, Niko preferred to remain silent and only said he would spend his break with his sister… then disappeared.
As for Aasia, she told Sami she had received a message from her master asking her to visit him, so she also disappeared. And Little Eagle? It seemed a family member came and took him away. And so, Sami was left alone.
He also decided to return to his home… and did so.
His days at home weren't what he truly needed, but they passed anyway. He spent most of his time hiding in the library as usual, delving into books about world history and ancient theories, and immersing himself in psychology. In the evening, he would train with the sword until he collapsed from exhaustion. And all that time, his mother would visit and look after him, although he wished she wouldn't… because she unintentionally hurt him. But, nevertheless, those feelings turned into motivation pushing him to work even harder.
It was a productive week in its own way. He learned more about the Sword Demon clan, especially their leader, and improved his swordsmanship skills. After seeing Aasia's fight against that Demon, he realized how weak he was at using the sword… and that merely learning "one thrust" wouldn't be of any use.
Now, he was sitting at the dining table with his family in a large, ornately decorated room overflowing with elegance. His mother was sitting beside him, and whenever she got the chance, she would fill his plate with more food. He didn't mind; the food was delicious, and he enjoyed filling his stomach.
At the table, there were three others besides him: his mother; his little sister, who was struggling in vain to use the fork with her small hands; and his younger brother, the quiet boy with shiny golden hair and cool eyes. He acted with nobility and calmness, eating his food in silence while casting occasional glances at Sami.
Sami didn't like this family atmosphere. He felt more at ease in the library, surrounded by books. Only there did he find peace.
Suddenly, his communication device vibrated. He received a new message. It wasn't strange; his friends had started messaging him recently after he gave them his contact information.
He checked his device. The message was from an unregistered number, and its content was:
"Hello Sami, if you're free tomorrow, please come to the Colosseum. Some Bound are having a meeting to review what will happen in the upcoming test, if you don't mind."
Sami sighed. Of course, he minded. He intensely hated group activities. But the end of the message changed his mind:
"This is an order from your Team Leader."
Ah, well. It seems he'll be going to the Colosseum tomorrow.
---
Sami arrived at the meeting place. They were sitting in a large amphitheater, with the four team leaders speaking below. Sami didn't pay them much attention. Their talks were clichéd: the test would be group-based, but results would be individual. The location would be chosen by the Colosseum leaders and would be dangerous—but not lethal. The main objective was to measure individual and group skills.
Then they started talking about the details of the written exam.
At that moment, Sami rested his head on the table and sank into a deep sleep.
He woke up to something hitting his head. He raised his head lazily, then suddenly remembered where he was. He looked around and found the hall almost empty. And when he lifted his eyes, he saw her standing in front of him.
She had long black hair, bright black eyes… and a questioning look tinged with a shadow of anger.
Sami rubbed his face, blinked several times, then said:
"Is everything over?"
She replied with coolness mixed with impatience:
"Yes, it's over. If that's all you care about… why do you sleep in an important meeting like this? Are you so confident of passing the test?"
He replied calmly, in his usual cold voice after waking up:
"I don't care in the first place… It's just a test in the end."
She looked at him in bewilderment, then said as she descended the steps:
"Well… don't let your pride kill you. Now come on, we're closing the place."
Sami stood up and followed her without even realizing what was happening.
And as she walked away, he suddenly remembered he had come specifically to meet her… and that he had a thousand scenarios in his head for it. But he failed… completely. And now she was gone.
But Sami wasn't the type to blame himself too much. He muttered:
"Another failure…"
Then he put his hands behind his head and began walking nonchalantly, immersed in thoughts about the upcoming test.
He returned home and spent the next two weeks in the same routine: library and study in the morning, sword training in the evening, dinner with the family, then sleep. Sometimes he was lazy, spending his day between sleeping and reading novels. And it seemed he was getting better.
He completely refused to use his Aspect abilities as he had before.
He got some news about his friends: Aasia had returned and was currently training in the Colosseum. Niko hadn't returned yet, but Sami met him once or twice… he seemed gloomy and exhausted. As for Little Eagle, he had completely disappeared into his family's house.
And so, the days passed… and tomorrow, the Colosseum's special test would be held.
Sami was preparing, packing his belongings and gathering unnecessary things as he had promised himself.
He went out to his home's garden and sat under the tree. The breeze was rustling its leaves, and moonlight filtered through them. It was a poetic scene. Sami sat there, enjoying himself, reminiscing.
But suddenly, without warning…
A massive explosion thundered in the center of the city. A horrifying blast that made the darkness of the night retreat under its harsh, glaring light.
Sami jumped to his feet, looked towards the source of the explosion, and felt a supernatural terror.
Then…
A series of explosions began everywhere.
Sami cursed the world as he screamed:
"Damn it… I really hate my life!"
---