RAIDEN'S POV
Let's go back a bit in time, when Will had just finished his 45th round.
It was already night when I got back to the academy. I used the secret passage that allowed me to enter without going through the gate, knowing the guards would question me about my lateness.
Upon entering the academy, I headed straight to the cafeteria.
As I walked in, I spotted him – Byen, the Jack swordsman of our academy.
I approached his table and took a seat.
"Did you finish reading the book I lent you?" he asked, the secret code for "Did you complete the task?"
"Yeah, and it was interesting," I replied with a smile.
This was my way of saying, "Yes, the task was a success."
"Is that so? Then here's the money. Buy me the sequel," he said, placing a small bag of gold coins on the table.
"Okay!" I said, taking it. These gold coins were my payment for the successful task.
As I was about to leave, he added, "Oh, and before you go, I saw your friend on the first floor of the fifth-year dormitory. He's having fun with Alad."
This was the code indicating he saw my friend being bullied by Alad in the fighting ground.
Hearing that, I sprinted to our dorm.
Upon entering the room, I found Tyiyn lying on his bed, Tork reading a book, but no sign of Will.
"What happened? You look like you're searching for something," Tork said, closing his book and looking at me.
Tyiyn also stood up, curious to know what was happening.
"Where is Will?" I asked.
"Don't know. I thought you were with him," Tork answered.
"I don't know either. Maybe he's with Chris?" Tyiyn suggested.
That confirmed it – Will was at the fighting ground, and he was being bullied by Alad.
"Wait, did Will disappear?" Tork asked, noticing my expression.
"Eh? Did Will?" Tyiyn added.
I didn't want to involve them, but I couldn't go alone – that was Alad's turf.
"I think I know where Will is..." I said.
"Where?" Tork and Tyiyn asked simultaneously.
"If what I'm thinking is right, then Will is in big trouble," I stated.
"Huh? Why didn't you say so earlier? Where is he?" Tork said, standing from his bed.
Tyiyn also wore a serious expression, urging me to bring them to where Will was.
"Yeah, you two are true friends, no, my best friends. Let's go; we don't know what's happening, and any minute now," I said.
"Bring me too," said a girl who suddenly appeared in the doorway.
"Chris? What are you doing here?" I asked.
I couldn't bring Chris to such a dangerous place.
"I heard everything. Will is in big trouble, right? I'll join you to rescue him," she said.
"Sorry, but I can't bring you to such a dangerous place, and you're a girl," I said.
"Water Arrow!" Chris suddenly shouted, and three water-shaped arrows passed me, each a hair's breadth away.
"What are you doing?" I asked, surprised.
Why did she attack me? Was she hostile because I didn't let her join us?
"Don't underestimate me because I'm a girl. Will and I have faced much stronger opponents than you can imagine. So please bring me; it's now my turn to save Will," Chris pleaded.
What else could I do after hearing that?
"Just don't whine after learning what mess you're getting into," I said before starting to walk towards the door.
"Let's go save that best friend of ours who's always at the center of any trouble."
"Yeah!" The three replied, and we immediately headed to the fighting ground.
****
**WILL'S POV**
I tried to speak, but my mouth was still full of blood, and no words came out.
When they saw it, all three of them made painful expressions, as if regretting not coming earlier.
"Will! Sorry we're late," said the girl who had cast a fireball earlier, stopping Alad from thrusting my other leg.
That girl was none other than my precious childhood friend, Chris.
"Now that we're here, you can leave everything to us. We won't let him lay a hand on you," Chris said.
That line was the one I had said to Chris right after I saved her from Ruel. I didn't expect that there would be a time when she would use it for me.
"Okay, okay, quit the drama nonsense. Who the heck are you brats? You dare to interrupt my playtime when it was at the climax. Who do you think you are?" Alad said, interrupting Chris.
"You still have a lot to say even after having two swords at your neck?" Raiden said.
"This? Why would I feel threatened with this?" Alad said, moving his sword and attacking Tyiyn.
The two of them were surprised by Alad's sudden move, but thanks to Tyiyn's high athletic abilities, he dodged Alad's attack.
After that, Alad jumped backward, creating distance between them.
"Is that it?" Alad said, smiling.
"Tsk!" Raiden said after not being able to do anything.
"That's right! I just thought of a great idea," Alad said, making a face as if he had come up with the best solution.
"I'm sorry that the event got interrupted. That's why here's a mini-event for you all," Alad announced to the audience.
What's he planning now?
"Werk, Cirris, come here," Alad called them.
Werk and Cirris immediately came after hearing their names.
"This mini-event will be a battle between Will's friends and Werk and Cirris!" Alad announced.
"Isn't that exciting? What's more, the one who can guess who will win will get one gold coin each," Alad added, making the crowd noisy.
"All you have to do is stand in the corner of the team you think will win and support them with all you've got. The one who guesses correctly will get one gold coin! You can now guess!" Alad announced.
The crowd moved to Alad's corner, not a single person in our corner.
"It seems like the audience can think properly. Well, I guess that's that. Now, begin the mini-event!" Alad announced.
"Do you think we're playing your game?" Raiden said, glaring at Alad.
"Who said I need your permission? You will have to fight even if you want to or not," Alad said.
"Now! Werk! Cirris! Attack them!" Alad commanded, and Werk and Cirris began their attack.