The university's courtyard was trembling. Dust swirled through the air, trees shaking by the force of the wind, and students shielded their faces from the violent gusts tearing through the field.
At the center of the arena stood Damian and Sol, fighting each other with their powers.
Axel kept his eyes fixed on those two in the arena. This was the first time he had ever seen them unleash their SIN powers. His heart raced, not from fear but from fascination. Another air shockwave burst outward, forcing everyone to step back — everyone except Damian.
Axel narrowed his eyes. That wind… it's not from the clash. But the realization then hit him.
It's coming from Damian himself.
Damian was a light-skinned boy with spiky grey hair and a lean, muscular build. The boy stood calm amid the storm while wind spiralled around his body. Every movement he made sent a ripple through the air.
It seems he can generate wind from his own body... but what about Sol?
But Sol was not being blown away by the wind and still stood firm in his place, facing Damian.
He took a deep breath and raised both arms. White-silver threads shot toward Damian, cutting through the air like blades. But the closer they got, the weaker they became, being torn apart by the wind before they could reach their target.
He's cutting through the strings with air pressure alone, Axel thought to himself.
Sol gritted his teeth, stepping forward through the storm. Every movement looked heavy, like he was walking underwater. Axel's eyes then widened, because he finally understood it — Sol wasn't just standing firm through sheer willpower. Thin, silver strings were wrapped around his legs, anchored him deep into the ground.
So that's how he's resisting… he's literally tied himself to the ground with his string powers.
Damian smirked, sensing Sol's struggle. He raised his hand towards Sol, and the wind started howling even louder — powerful enough now to make trees bend and tiles crack.
The professor, who had been acting as the referee, was now thrown back and landed beside Axel. He helped the professor up, but his expression was pure fury.
"This fight ends now!" the professor shouted, preparing to use his power — but Axel grabbed his wrist.
"Don't interfere sir," Axel said with his voice cutting through the noise.
The professor glared at him. "Release me this instant, boy!"
But Axel didn't let go. He wanted to see how the fight would unfold, to understand their power. He turned back just in time to see Sol drop to one knee. The wind pressure became unbearable. Cracks spidered across the ground as it slammed everything down onto Sol.
Damian stepped closer, with a blank expression. "Accept your loss."
Sol's arms shook. His silver threads vibrated violently, trying to hold him upright.
"I'm… not done yet—"
The wind flared again as Damian attacked Sol, a blinding wall of dust and noise crashing through the courtyard. When it settled, Sol was flat against the ground, pinned by invisible weight.
"I told you already," Damian said coldly, "accept your loss."
Sol clenched his jaw, then exhaled. "…Fine. You win this time."
The moment those words left his mouth, the wind vanished and silence descended over the courtyard.
The professor ripped his arm free from Axel's grip and stormed toward them.
"You reckless fools!" he barked, smacking both Damian and Sol across the back of their heads. "Look around you! You've endangered your classmates for the sake of your egos!"
Then he turned toward Axel.
"As for you — consider this a serious warning. Never block a teacher again!"
Before Axel could respond, the professor commanded, "All three of you — to the Director's office. Now!"
They sat in front of the director's office in silence. Sol was called in first. The door shut behind him, leaving Axel and Damian waiting.
Damian leaned against the wall, arms folded, eyes closed like he didn't have a care in the world. After a few minutes, Axel broke the silence. "So… Damian, right? Just curious… why didn't you want to become a captain's disciple?"
Damian opened one eye and responded, "Mind your own business."
Axel smirked. Trying to be nonchalant, aye, he thought.
Then moments later, the door swung open. Sol stormed out with his face full of frustration.
Damian stood up and with a smirk on his face he stepped inside for his turn.
Axel looked at Sol and asked him, "What happened in there?"
Sol sighed. "The director said I'm no longer Captain Camellia's disciple and will receive a punishment."
Axel frowned. "Ouch… that's harsh."
"He said It's because I endangered my classmates." Sol crossed his arms, frustration simmering beneath his calm tone.
"Well," Axel said, glancing at the door, "looks like we're both masterless now."
"If Damian hadn't provoked me, none of this would have happened. But now he'll pay for ruining my chances."
Axel grinned. "You've got ambition and I like that. Let's work together and you'll get your top spot. But I want something else in return."
Sol raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
"A brother," Axel said simply. "Someone I can trust."
Sol looked at him for a moment, unsure whether to laugh or give in — when the office door opened again. Damian stepped out, smiling like a man who'd just hit the jackpot. He looked at both of them, smirking, and walked away.
Sol and Axel looked at each other and muttered at the same time, "Douchebag."
"Axel," the director's assistant called from the doorway. "You're next."
The Director's office was smaller than he expected. Warm light filtered through the blinds, glinting off rows of old books. Behind the desk sat a short, round man with sharp eyes. But there was something in his presence, something that made Axel's chest tighten.
"So," the man said, folding his hands. "You're Axel... I've been keeping an eye on you since last time."
Axel frowned. "Last time? What do you mean?"
The man leaned back. "I was a judge during Professor Stoker's trial. I remember seeing you among the accused. Normally, you'd be detained for causing big trouble a second time, but since I'm in a good mood…"
He gave a faint smile and continued, "…I'll let you off with a small task."
Axel then asked, "And what's this task?"
"You're going on a mission outside the city. With a few other students."
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
"What? I'll miss classes!" Axel said worriedly.
The old man chuckled darkly. "Better to miss a few lessons than to never attend another one."
Axel clenched his jaw but said nothing. With no other choice, he accepted and left the office making his way back toward the main gate of the university campus.
As he stepped outside the university building, he spotted Gini waiting by the gates.
Axel smiled faintly. "Thanks for waiting."
Gini nodded and together they walked toward Elaine's house.
When they arrived, the butler opened the door and said, "Mr. Hector and Lady Elaine are expecting you in the living room."
When they entered the living room, they saw Elaine and Hector waiting for them. Elaine smiled as they approached. "Welcome back, you two. How was your day?"
Gini raised both thumbs, signaling that it had gone well.
Axel mirrored the gesture, but his smile faded quickly. "Well... something happened."
Elaine began to worry. "What do you mean?"
Axel told them everything: the duel, stopping the professor, and the director's task. By the time he finished, Hector and Elaine were both silent. Their expressions had changed — not angry, but worried.
Hector finally said, "Gini, go to your room for a bit."
Gini obeyed without question and left the three of them alone.
Axel frowned. "Why do you look so worried?"
Hector exchanged a glance with Elaine before answering.
"Because those tasks are dangerous. They're meant for students that cause trouble… but most don't come back."
Axel frowned in confusion. "How do you know?"
Elaine's hands trembled slightly as Hector spoke.
"Because we were sent on the same kind of task before. Not once… but several times."
Axel started laughing. "So you guys were troublemakers too."
But both kept a straight, serious face and didn't find it funny. Elaine's eyes even darkened as she remembered. Hector placed a hand on her shoulder.
"We survived because our group worked together — we trusted each other completely. But during our last task…" He paused, his eyes distant.
"…something happened. Something that still haunts us to this day."
Axel swallowed hard and asked. "What happened?"
Hector looked at him with a grim expression.
"We were just teenagers, sent beyond the empire walls. What we saw out there… changed our lives forever."
He paused, and the room fell silent. The crackle of the fireplace was the only sound that remained.
"And now, Axel… you're being sent to the same place."