The sun had barely touched the rooftops when Aurox crossed the main courtyard of Babel University. Csses began at 8:30 a.m., and like every Thursday, his day started with physical conditioning.

  The university’s light uniform was practical but still uncomfortable for someone like him, who preferred loose, discreet clothing. In the locker room, only Nina shared the same css schedule at that hour. The other two, Kael and Mika, were in different parts of campus, doing other activities.

  The training field was wide, with various stations for running, strength, agility, and endurance. The instructors demanded results mercilessly, even knowing that many students, like Aurox, carried the fatigue of extra shifts outside campus. It was the price of studying without relying on anyone.

  Aurox hated running. But he ran.

  Nina, with her habit of lightly floating her body using minimal magic, drew stares and quiet compints. The instructor knew, but pretended not to. Everyone did what they could to survive until the next css.

  After ninety minutes of sweat, both walked in silence to the next css: theory and practice of magical manipution. Aurox did well in that one. Understanding flows, managing MP efficiently — those things came naturally to him. The book helped, but the control was his.

  In css, students practiced simple spells. Lighting mps, shaping water, moving small objects. It was a foundational css, not one meant to impress. The instructor walked among the rows, observing and correcting postures.

  When the bell rang for the thirty-minute break, Aurox and Nina sat near the central garden. She pulled a crumpled grano bar from her pocket.

  “You think they’re beating each other up in combat right now?” Nina asked, referring to Kael and Mika.

  “More likely Mika’s compining about the uniform,” Aurox replied, biting into a pin piece of bread he’d brought from home.

  Nina ughed and leaned back on the grass. “Friday’s almost here. Can’t wait to get out for a bit.”

  Aurox just nodded. Nobody spoke openly, but everyone there had small jobs around the city. It was the way to maintain independence without relying on family. Some, like Mika, didn’t even like mentioning their family.

  The third css of the day was monster studies. Cssification, identifying weaknesses, behavior patterns. Aurox paid close attention to those csses, taking notes with almost obsessive detail. His power depended on understanding and creativity, and he knew he couldn’t create something he didn’t understand.

  The next css was Hunter safety, where the professor recited rules and protocols like reading from scripture. Aurox almost fell asleep twice, and Nina seemed indifferent until the very end.

  Finally, the day ended with physical combat — theory and practice. The css was taken to the covered training yard, where they simuted confrontation scenarios. Aurox avoided using the Book of Legends during those moments, preferring to focus on dodging, blocking, and reading movements.

  When the final bell rang, he felt drained. Not just from the effort, but from the constant routine. Still, a part of him was starting to get used to it.

  Kael and Mika were waiting in the hallway. She was tossing a water bottle in the air and catching it with a mischievous grin.

  “Let’s eat? I’m starving,” Mika said. “And the central cafeteria is giving discounts for exhausted students. Which means us.”

  Aurox smiled, even without energy. Nina let out a soft sigh.

  But the path to the cafeteria was interrupted by a familiar voice.

  “KAEL!”

  It was Dolei, surrounded by his usual five buddies. His smile was the same as always: provocative, arrogant, and ready to stir trouble.

  “Let’s settle this now. I challenge you to a fight. Just you and me. No excuses.”

  Kael raised an eyebrow. “Sure… after I eat.”

  With that, both groups headed to the cafeteria. They sat at different tables, without exchanging a word, but the air was charged with tension. For Aurox’s group, the scene was nothing new.

  “He always thinks this time he’s going to win,” Mika commented between bites. “And always ends up carried out.”

  Nina smiled. “Maybe he likes getting beat up.”

  After the meal, they all went to one of the university’s combat arenas, which Dolei had reserved. The pce was empty, with a twelve-meter concrete circle in the center and quiet bleachers around it. Mika volunteered to be the referee, and the others went up to watch.

  Kael and Dolei put on the protective bracelets — standard university-issued equipment. The bracelet activated when it detected imminent risk of serious injury, creating a containment barrier and paralyzing the user.

  Mika stepped into the arena with the two.

  “Simple rules! No eye gouging, no insults! One-on-one fight. Whoever gets knocked out or has their bracelet triggered loses!”

  Both nodded, eyes locked on each other.

  Mika raised her arm.

  “Fight!”

  She ran out of the arena in the next instant. Two holograms appeared above the circle, revealing the fighters’ stats:

  Kael Dajin, 19 years old1st year at Babel University (Second semester)Power: Weapon MasterStrength: 15Dexterity: 12Constitution: 14Intelligence: 8Charisma: 10

  Dolei Boris, 20 years old2nd year at Babel University (Second semester)Power: Crushing FistStrength: 18Dexterity: 11Constitution: 13Intelligence: 8Charisma: 11

  They both advanced with impressive speed. Kael knew he couldn’t let Dolei nd too many hits. His power increased his strength with each successful strike. It was a race against time.

  Kael used his own body as a weapon. His movements were precise, fluid, controlled. When Dolei unched the first punch, Kael deflected it lightly and, in a calcuted motion, locked their bodies together with his legs — a body bind.

  Trapped together, Dolei couldn’t use his fists as intended. His strength was useless without room to strike.

  But Dolei wasn’t weak. He used brute force to slowly break the lock. When he found the slightest opening, he grabbed Kael and started smming him to the ground. Once, twice, three times. Each impact made blood spill from Kael’s mouth. The stands fell silent.

  On the fourth sm, Kael let go.

  Dolei charged like a bull. His punches now had double the strength, and each hit made the next even more destructive. Kael held on, dodging as much as he could. Waiting.

  Then the opening came.

  A careless punch — too wide. Kael ducked with a smooth spin, dodging by centimeters. In one continuous motion, he grabbed Dolei’s arm and used the opponent’s own momentum to position himself behind him. Then, he slipped his arms around the rger man’s torso and, with refined agility, unched himself upward, locking his legs around Dolei’s neck. The chokehold began immediately — firm and controlled.

  Dolei tried to break free, but his arms were trapped at the joints. No leverage, no power. Just growing pressure, breath fading.

  Little by little, Dolei went limp. Unconscious.

  The hologram disappeared.

  Aurox and the others ran down to the arena. Mika checked the bracelet.

  “Still inactive. He passed out first.”

  Seconds ter, Dolei came to. He blinked, panted, looked around. Faced Kael and muttered:

  “Next time… I’ll win.”

  Kael simply shrugged. “Sure you will.”

  The two groups parted ways. Dolei and his cronies left the arena in silence, a few throwing frustrated gnces back, while Kael discreetly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. Mika gave him a light punch on the shoulder, smiling with pride. Nina, as always, limited herself to a nod and a brief comment on the efficiency of the final move. The three ughed together, as if the tension of the fight was already fading. Then each headed off toward their city jobs, chatting about the approaching weekend and making casual pns that might never happen. The day wasn’t over yet, but for a moment, it felt like they had achieved something more than just a victory.

  Aurox gged slightly behind. He looked at the concrete circle.

  Thoughtful.

  And wondering if he too would be ready... when his turn came.

  Alrus