Orin Alpheratz (15 years old) Location: Solaris  Date: Year 873 / Pegasus Cycle (1) / Craftsman's Day (5)

When the five returned to Professor Velorum, he directed all the students not participating in the upcoming exercise to take their seats in the stands that circled the massive combat dome. From that height, the view of the battlefield was near perfect: trees, streams, and bushes forming a small forest-like arena where each team would soon clash.

Through the branches and undergrowth, Orin could already spot movement. Both teams were huddled in separate corners, giving last-minute instructions and preparing for the signal that would set everything in motion.

The tension was palpable... and yet, there was something exhilarating in the air.

Even Gina, who usually looked like she wanted to shrink into the background, or someone as no-nonsense as Cor seemed to be caught up in the thrill of it all. The moment before battle had a strange power: it sharpened minds and stirred something primal in the heart.

Eridus stepped closer, arms crossed, his expression as thoughtful as ever.

“Do you think Kuma's team has any chance against Hector's?” He asked, eyes narrowing as he watched the opposite side of the dome.

Orin didn't answer immediately.

"...I dunno," he said at last, gaze distant.

Even though Hector had been one of his childhood friends, and was considered a prodigy back then, Orin had never actually seen him fight seriously. That thought lingered in his mind like a whisper.

“I've always had this feeling, ever since we were kids,” Orin murmured. “That Hector was... holding back. Like, when we trained together, he could do every drill flawlessly, but something in the way he moved. It was too controlled. Like he never pushed himself. Or never needed to.”

Eridus didn't respond, but the silence between them was contemplative. He continued staring in Hector's direction, as if trying to peel away the mystery behind that calm exterior.

Cor, who had been standing a little behind them, chimed in. “And what about Kuma?”

Good question.

Orin didn't know much about him. After all, he had only enrolled the day before, and hadn't had the chance to observe most of the other students in depth. He vaguely remembered seeing Kuma in class, but nothing stood out. He turned to Sirius, arching a brow.

If anyone in this group had intel on other students of the knight's track, it would be Sirius.

As if sensing Orin's unspoken question, Sirius flashed a wide, lopsided grin.

“I dunno much either,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “The guy's pretty quiet. Doesn't stand out. But I think he's part of the ‘Hector admiration squad’—you know, that group of students who treat him like the second coming of the gods or something.”

Orin blinked. “People already look up to Hector like that?”

“Yup,” Sirius said with a sigh, as if that level of admiration exhausted him personally. “Second year or not, some people just shine too bright for the rest of us.”

Before anyone could reply, Professor Velorum's voice echoed throughout the dome.

“Begin!”

A wave of noise surged through the stands as the match officially started.

As soon as the signal was given, both teams sprang into motion.

Just as Orin had predicted, both groups charged directly toward one another. It made sense, Solaris Knights were known for their high-level defensive strength in close-range combat. Naturally, the teams built around them would lean into that advantage.

“Just like you said, Orin,” Eridus said, arms folded as he observed the movements below. “Both sides are going for a head-on clash.”

“I figured as much,” Orin replied with a half-shrug. 

“But I didn't think the knighthood students would be so... predictable.” Cor added bluntly. “It's like they've carved their strategies in stone and refuse to bend.”

Sirius snorted, unimpressed by the orthodox formations unraveling below. “Too stiff. No flair.”

Orin didn't comment. His eyes stayed fixed on the battlefield, analyzing the teams’ formations and movements.

Kuma's team moved in classic knight formation: two shield bearers in front, guarding the three offensive members behind. It was clean, disciplined... and painfully easy to read.

But something strange was happening with Hector's team.

Halfway to the center, their movement shifted. The three non-knight members slowed down and fell behind, deliberately spacing themselves apart. A girl with a thick braid of chestnut hair moved forward alone, shield raised, coming to a full stop.

Orin recognized her, she was the only female student in the knight course. Her name escaped him, but her posture was textbook perfect.

And ahead of all of them... was Hector.

He was already meters ahead of the rest of his team, standing still, completely alone.

“What the hell is Hector doing?” Cor asked, blinking in confusion.

Orin narrowed his eyes.

It looked like... he was planning to face them solo.

But that couldn't be right. This was supposed to be a team strategy exercise.

Kuma's squad, seeing Hector standing alone, visibly wavered. Their pace faltered. Confusion spread like ripples in water. Even Kuma looked unsure, his expression stiff with doubt.

And then—

Fwshh!

A fire spell burst from the rear of Kuma's group, shot by a panicked sorcerer who hadn't waited for an order. The bolt sizzled toward Hector, only to be effortlessly deflected by a simple tilt of his shield.

That was all it took to crack their coordination.

Kuma's team fell apart mid-charge. Sorcerers veered to one side, knights to another, and a boy wielding a large sword was left frozen between the two groups, his stance unsure.

Kuma yelled for his team to regroup, but the damage had been done.

Hector raised a hand, and...

A gust of wind magic roared through the dome as his team launched into action like a released bowstring.

The two sorcerers from his side moved to his rear flanks. The braided knight charged toward the lone swordsman. Another student, carrying a spear, dashed toward the now-isolated sorcerers on Kuma's side.

And then, an earth wall erupted from the ground, cutting the battlefield into fragmented sections, completely isolating each fight.

Kuma and another knight were left alone... directly in front of Hector.

Orin leaned forward.

It was over.

“Kuma expected a straight five-on-five,” Eridus said, his voice low. “But when Hector stood there alone... it threw off everything. He didn't know how to respond.”

“And Hector knew that would happen,” Cor added, arms crossed. “He used Kuma's respect against him. Genius.”

“Hah! That means our plan is on point!” Sirius grinned ear to ear. “That's my Captain!”

Gina nodded with newfound determination, her nervousness replaced by quiet resolve.

Cor, however, looked less enthused. “Perseus isn't a fool. After watching this, he'll adapt. Count on it.”

Orin recalled how Perseus had adjusted his tactics mid-battle during their match the day before.

“He will,” Orin agreed. “But it won't matter. Perseus is still a close-combat purist. He won't change his fundamental style. Hector's strategy is similar to ours, but with one major difference.”

He looked at each of his teammates.

“We're going to use the terrain.”

On the battlefield, things had turned grim for Kuma's team.

The female knight in Hector's group had dented the opposing swordsman's blade with her Solar Shield, forcing him to the brink of defeat. The spear-wielder, assisted by supportive wind and earth spells, had nearly incapacitated Kuma's sorcerers.

And in the center of it all, Kuma and his knight companion clashed desperately with Hector.

It was hopeless.

Hector stood motionless, his expression unreadable. Every strike aimed at him was deflected with mechanical precision. He gave no ground. He showed no emotion.

Then, with a single glance to confirm the status of the other fights, Hector moved. He went on the offensive.

The shift startled Kuma and his partner. They hastily activated Total Defense, summoning several ethereal shields to orbit around them.

But Hector didn't hesitate. He slammed his own shield into one of the phantom shields. The impact created a gap, small, but enough.

A flash of silver. A sharp strike to the ribs. Kuma went down.

The other knight looked ready to fight, only to suddenly lower his sword and surrender.

The match was over.

“Did you catch that?” Cor asked, a bit breathless.

“Yeah,” Eridus replied. “Hector didn't use a single skill the entire fight.”

Orin swallowed hard. Hector didn't just win, he dismantled them. It hadn't even been a challenge.

His childhood friend wasn't just skilled. He was something else entirely. A monster.

“How did he break through Kuma's defense?” Gina asked quietly.

Sirius looked baffled. “Good question... I've copied a lot of fighting styles before, but pulling something like that off? Not in a thousand tries.”

“Kuma's probably not strong enough to properly realize the skill,” Eridus theorized.

“Correct,” came a calm voice behind them.

They turned to find Professor Velorum standing there, hands behind his back.

“Total Defense is a basic skill,” he explained. “Designed for survival. Good at repelling random attacks, but in a one-on-one duel, it's flawed. Each phantom shield has a weak point, strike it, and they separate. An experienced combatant like Hector knows exactly where and when to hit. Now...”

He gave them all a meaningful glance.

“You're up.”

The weight of those words settled over them. Orin looked at his team: Eridus, Cor, Sirius, Gina. His first team.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

They all nodded.

“No matter what happens... if we stick to the plan, we can beat Perseus. This is our first time fighting together, but I believe in all of you.”

He smiled, fire kindling in his chest.

“Let's show them what we've got!”

Their voices rang out in unison, full of energy and conviction. They stepped forward as one, taking their place on the battlefield. Orin hadn't expected a rematch with Perseus so soon. But maybe fate had other plans.

Professor Velorum raised his hand.

And just like that—

The next battle began.