Dakota: Fuck, we really got ourselves into some trouble.
Henry: No, we didn't, Dakota. Your feelings may be wrong this time around.
The group walked together as they left the academy.
Dakota: You sure about that? My feelings are never wrong.
Dakota was confident that his feelings had never led him astray before.
Ava: What could they possibly do to us anyway? We're too strong for them.
Dakota: I don't know, but they wouldn't have challenged us if they weren't confident in winning.
Ava: You sure it isn't just their pride? You know, the former strongest group.
Dakota: ...I don't know, but I'm going to trust my feelings. Like I always do.
They continued to talk, but after a few more minutes, Dakota arrived at his house.
Dakota: Alright, I'm home. Bye, everyone. See you tomorrow.
The group bid him farewell, and Dakota entered his house. Inside, he found his little sister sitting on the couch.
Emma: Oh, you're here, brother.
Emma, who had turned 14 a month ago, looked up at her older brother. Dakota had just turned 16 in July.
Dakota: Yeah, I'm here. How's everything going?
Emma: I'm doing fine. How was your second day?
Dakota: It was going well... until some stupid third years decided to challenge us.
Emma: Someone challenged you?
Emma's confusion was evident. She had always bragged about her brother being the strongest in the new generation, so it baffled her that anyone would dare to challenge him.
Dakota: Yep, they did. They challenged my group, not just me.
Emma: What?! Your group too? Are they complete idiots?
Emma was just as confused as Dakota had been when he first heard the challenge. Why would anyone challenge the strongest group in the academy?
Dakota: Yeah, but I don't think we're going to lose. They were also the former strongest group... before we came along.
Emma: ...Were they mad that they're not the strongest anymore?
Dakota: Probably. They think that if they beat us, they'll be the strongest again. Even if they have to cheat to do it.
Emma: Cheat? How do you know they're going to cheat?
Dakota: Because if they don't, there's no way they're going to win. Not against us.
Emma: Oh... You're that confident, huh?
Dakota: Of course I am. There's no way that group can beat us without cheating.
Emma: Haha, well, you're right, brother. Make sure you teach them a lesson.
Dakota: Don't worry, I definitely will.
At that moment, their mother and father came downstairs. It seemed like they had overheard Dakota and Emma's conversation.
Mother: ...I heard what you two were talking about. Some group decided to challenge yours, in hopes of becoming the strongest again.
Dakota: ...Yeah, you heard right. Are you going to stop me, Mother?
Mother: ...No, I won't. But I hope you teach that group a lesson they'll never forget.
Father: Did they insult your group?
Dakota was caught off guard by his father's question. He hadn't expected something like that.
Dakota: Huh? Why do you ask that, Father?
Father: Because if they didn't insult you, you wouldn't have accepted their challenge, right?
Dakota was actually a little angry about the way the third years had spoken to him and his group. But he didn't show it.
Dakota: Yeah, they did. They also called me a coward.
Emma: What?! They called you a coward?! Those guys need to be beaten up, for sure.
Emma was absolutely livid. How dare anyone call her brother a coward? The same guy who had killed the strongest mid-ranked Djinn and was the youngest to take down a high-ranked Djinn.
Mother: How dare they call my son a coward! We should go teach them a lesson.
Mother was clearly angry, but Dakota's father stepped in before she could do anything rash.
Father: No, honey. We shouldn't do that.
Mother: Huh? Why not?
Father: Because if we complain to the academy and get the students suspended, it will just make Dakota look like an actual coward.
Mother: ...Fine, I won't complain to the academy. After all, my son's group is much stronger than theirs.
Father: That's true. So, you don't need to worry about Dakota. He'll win.
Dakota: Yeah, don't worry. They can't defeat us, even if they cheat.
Emma: You're really confident, huh, brother?
Dakota: Of course I am. Now, I need to wash up, so if you don't mind, I'm heading to the bathroom.
With that, Dakota excused himself and went to wash up. A new day had arrived—the day of the challenge.
Dakota: Oh God... Let's just get this over with.
Dakota walked out of his house, and his friends were waiting for him outside.
Henry: Good morning, Dakota. Are you ready for the challenge?
Dakota: Morning, everyone. And I guess I'm ready.
Ava: Well, that's good. Let's go, then.
Dakota joined the group as they walked toward the academy, and he asked them all a question.
Dakota: Do you guys think they'll cheat?
Henry: Cheat? I don't know.
Ava: Cheat, huh... I think they will.
Lucas: I think so, too.
Jack: And why do you all think that?
Dakota: Because if they don't cheat, they have no chance of defeating us.
Jack: ...Huh, I guess that's true.
The entire group thought about what Dakota had said, and they came to the same conclusion: If the third years didn't cheat, they had no chance of defeating them.
Dakota: I wonder how they're going to cheat, though.
Henry: Maybe they'll get all the third years to help them?
Ava: Yeah, they could do that.
Lucas: Or they could do something else entirely.
Dakota: ...Or they could get help from outside the academy.
Henry: Help from outside the academy? Who would help them?
Dakota: Their leader's family is pretty strong. They're probably going to help him cheat, so he can win against us.
Lucas: ...Yeah, that makes sense. And beating us would mean they've defeated our families, too.
Everyone in the group thought the same thing. They definitely couldn't afford to lose this challenge, no matter what. They entered the academy together, and upon arriving, they found the third-year group waiting for them.
Andri: Oh, you've finally come. I've been waiting for you. Now, let's begin the challenge.