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

Orin struggled to his feet, blinking through the blur in his vision. His eyes still stung, but it was the sharp pain in his left arm that really made him grit his teeth. He staggered slightly, trying to find his balance.

Through the haze, he saw him, Perseus, collapsed on the ground, paralyzed but conscious.

They'd done it. They'd actually won.

It hadn't been Orin's victory alone. No... it had been teamwork. Perfect timing, synchronized effort, trust. That's what brought them this far. But just as a flicker of triumph ignited within him, the acrid scent of smoke and scorched bark pulled him back to reality.

The forest was still on fire.

Bushes rustled violently nearby, followed by a series of clumsy footsteps. Orin didn't even need to look, he knew who it was.

“Ah! Sorry!” Gina stumbled toward him. “Orin, is that you? I still can't see a thing!”

“It's me,” he answered, steadying her before she could crash into him again. “You did great, Gina. Without your support, we never would've taken Perseus down.”

“We... really won?” she asked, almost in disbelief. “We won! The plan actually worked!”

“Yeah,” Orin said, but the joy in his voice faltered. “But we've got to regroup and get out of here before the fire—"

Suddenly, a thunderous downpour erupted from the skies. Orin flinched instinctively, but the moment the cool rain hit his skin, something shifted.

His vision cleared. The pain vanished. Even the fatigue that gripped his limbs melted away like snow under sunlight.

“What...?” he whispered, bewildered.

Gina gasped. “Orin, look!”

Around them, the forest was rapidly healing. Trees that had been blackened and cracked moments ago now shimmered with lush green leaves. The fire, completely snuffed out, left not even a trace of ash behind. It was as if the battle had never happened.

And there, sitting upright and silent, was Perseus. His eyes stared blankly ahead, as if lost in thought. The paralyzing spell had worn off, but he didn't move.

Orin took a cautious step forward, but Gina held his sleeve nervously.

“Are you sure?” She asked.

Orin nodded and gently stepped away from her, walking toward Perseus.

“...Are you alright?” He asked, extending a hand.

Perseus looked up, startled from his trance. His face was a twisted mix of pride, frustration, and disbelief.

“I can stand... on my own.” He ignored the offered hand and pushed himself up with a grimace. His usual bravado was gone, replaced with something heavier, disappointment.

“I don't understand your way of fighting...” Perseus muttered. “I don't even know why someone like you is in the Knight class. But if this were a real battle... my team and I would be dead.”

Orin was taken aback by the bluntness. But before he could respond, Perseus continued, voice low and bitter.

“You probably don't get it, but knights are trained to protect, to survive alongside our comrades. That's the heart of our discipline...”

He paused, then glanced at Orin, his gaze filled with something unspoken.

“That's why I can't stand knights like you. You don't fight to protect. You fight to win. That kind of recklessness might get someone killed. Maybe not today. But someday... it will.”

Just then, a calm but firm voice cut through the tension.

“...And that was exactly your flaw, Perseus.”

Both boys turned to see Hector approaching, his steps steady, his gaze sharp.

“You lost focus,” Hector continued. “Your obsession with besting Orin blinded your judgment. I understand your frustration, his unorthodox style is maddening, but losing control in the middle of a battle is just as dangerous as any reckless tactic.”

Perseus said nothing, simply lowering his head.

Orin looked at Hector. His voice was steady, but there was a storm behind his words. A quiet fury.

“And you, Orin...”

Hector stepped closer, his gaze firm.

“I told you once that I was proud you chose to follow your father's path. But if you keep relying only on your speed to dodge instead of your shield... you'll win battles at the cost of your comrades' lives. That's unacceptable for a Knight of Solaris.”

The words hit Orin harder than any blow from Perseus.

Orin felt the weight of those words press down on his chest. The brief euphoria he'd felt after the win now dissolved into the bitter sting of self-doubt.

A moment later, the sound of hurried footsteps broke the silence.

“Orin! Gina! You guys alright?!” Sirius's voice rang out as he sprinted toward them, with the rest of the group following at a slower pace.

Orin nodded slightly, still too weighed down to speak.

“I'm glad you're safe!” Sirius grinned, then threw an arm around Orin's shoulder. “You were amazing out there, leader! The plan worked just like you said!”

Gina gave him a sideways glance. “Wait, where were you at the end? I thought you were near us.”

“Oh, that?” Sirius rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “Well... when I saw Orin was gonna try the blinding trick again, I snuck through the bushes to find Cor and Eridus. Just in case.”

Orin's eyes widened. “Wait... speaking of Eridus, where is he?”

Sirius looked away awkwardly. Before he could answer, a calm voice chimed in.

“He's fine,” the professor said with a calm tone. “Both Eridus and Draco exhausted their mana reserves. I had them taken to the infirmary. My Healing Rain spell can restore stamina and heal wounds, but not replenish magical energy.”

Orin's worry eased slightly, but Cor's voice reassured him even more.

“Don't worry,” she said with a smile. “Eridus was with me. He was okay, just tired from trying to put out the fire near where I was hiding.”

“See? All sorted!” Sirius said, patting Orin on the back. “Now can we celebrate?!”

“Read the mood!” Cor scolded, gesturing toward Orin and Hector, who still stood in grim silence.

Professor Velorum stepped in, clapping twice to gather attention.

“Now, now,” he said gently. “It seems Hector has already provided some valuable feedback, but allow me to add something. This exercise was never about winning or losing. It's about how we respond to adversity, how we adapt and lead under pressure. That's what makes a Knight. You all did well, but there is still much to learn.”

The group nodded solemnly.

Then, Perseus turned away from them, head low.

“I need time. I'm going to the infirmary... to check on Draco.”

Without waiting for a reply, he walked off alone.

Hector lingered for a moment, then turned to the professor. “With your permission, I'll return to the stands, Professor.”

Orin clenched his fists. So much had gone right... and still, it wasn't enough. Hector's words rang in his head, but so did something else, something deeper.

Don't let anyone die on the battlefield... protect your comrades... Noble ideals, no doubt. But if those were truly Hector's guiding principles, then why hadn't he protected the princess? 

That memory alone reignited the fire in his chest.

“Hector!” Orin suddenly called out.

The boy paused, but didn't turn around.

“I'm going to become the greatest knight Solaris has ever known. And I will defeat you one day!”

Hector said nothing, and continued walking.

Velorum clapped once again, this time softer.

“Well then, shall we return and watch the next match?” he asked.

The group slowly nodded and began walking. As Orin passed, the professor gently stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

“Oh, Orin,” he said in a tone just a little too casual to be normal, “I'd like to discuss some thoughts I had about your duel, if you don't mind. We can talk while we watch the next round.”

Orin nodded slowly. There was something in the professor's tone... something deeper. Something he wasn't ready to say in front of the others.

And so, side by side, Orin and Professor Velorum left the battlefield behind... the same battlefield that had burned just minutes ago now lay perfectly restored, as if nothing had happened.