**Back in Astera:**
Ghain was facing his childhood bully in the ring. His facial expression didn't carry an iota of confidence. The bully, Ethan, stared at him as if he were a joke.
"Ha! Look at you—just as useless as your mother," Ethan sneered, his friends laughing in unison behind him.
"Ethan, we're about to battle. You don't have to insult me. I'm no longer under you," Ghain said, his voice barely a whisper.
"Not under me? Both you and your mother will forever be under my family," Ethan scoffed.
"I'm not," Ghain said, folding his arms in annoyance. Speaking ill of his mother was something he despised the most.
"Oh my! He's folding his arms—so serious!" Ethan mocked openly. "Haha!" He exposed the fact that Ghain's mother worked for his family, causing the others to laugh. Their jeers were music to Ethan's ears.
"I'm not under you!" Ghain shouted, running toward Ethan.
