The hallway felt colder than usual as Finn and Fanny walked toward Magnus Sir's cabin. Their footsteps echoed against the stone walls, a reminder of how quiet and tense the air was. Leon and Isla followed behind, their faces serious.
Finn's face was pale. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and his hands trembled slightly at his sides. His heart pounded like a drum in his chest.
They stopped at the cabin door. Fanny knocked, firm but not loud.
"Sir, can we come in?" she asked.
From inside, a deep, cold voice responded, "Yes. Come in."
Finn hesitated for a second, then stepped inside, eyes wide with fear. Fanny followed, her jaw clenched. Leon and Isla waited outside.
The room was dimly lit, a thick layer of dust on the bookshelves that lined the walls. Behind the desk sat Magnus Sir, and beside him—two boys. Finn and Fanny immediately recognized them. Their twin rivals.
Fanny's brows furrowed, and she muttered under her breath, her voice laced with disgust, "What are those bastards doing here...?"
Magnus stood up slowly from his chair, brushing off his coat.
"You already know why I called you here," he said.
But before he could continue, Finn rushed forward and threw his arms around the teacher.
"Sir, please!" Finn cried, tears brimming in his eyes. "Don't expel me. I'll do anything. Please... not even for a moment!"
Fanny stood frozen, completely stunned.
What the hell is he doing?! she thought.
Has Finn lost his mind?! Hugging Magnus Sir of all people?!
Magnus's face twitched with a mix of shock and annoyance. And then—
Thud.
He slammed a punch into Finn's gut.
Finn collapsed to the ground, gasping.
"Sorry, Sir!" Fanny said quickly, kneeling beside Finn. "He's a little... stupid sometimes. Please don't mind."
Magnus narrowed his eyes. "Yeah... I'll ignore it this time. But next time, it won't be like this." His voice was cold enough to make even Fanny's spine tingle.
Taking a deep breath, Magnus composed himself and sat back down.
"I called you here to inform you, as I mentioned yesterday—Finn and Fanny, you two are on the same team. Code and Cale," he nodded toward the twins, "are your opponents."
Finn, still on the floor, whispered with disdain, "So those bastards are Code and Cale..."
Magnus continued, "This is a fighting duo match. The winning team will be selected for the tournament."
Code and Cale looked at Finn and Fanny with mocking smirks, their eyes filled with disgust—as if the very sight of them offended them.
"We're ready, Sir," Code said with a smirk.
Magnus nodded. "Good. The match will be held two days from now. Prepare yourselves."
Finn and Fanny both nodded silently.
"You can leave now."
The twins gave Isla and Leon dirty stares as they stepped out, causing Leon to mutter, "Bastards..." under his breath.
A moment later, Finn and Fanny exited the room as well. As soon as he saw Leon, Finn threw his arms around him.
"Bro! He's not expelling me!" Finn exclaimed, relief washing over his face.
Leon smirked. "Obviously. They just called you to announce your match against those twins."
Finn smiled brightly again. The two pairs started walking down the hallway.
But suddenly, Leon stopped.
An idea hit him.
He grabbed Isla's hand. She froze, cheeks instantly turning red from the sudden contact.
Leon turned and knocked on Magnus Sir's door again. "Sir, it's me—Leon, and Isla."
This time, Magnus's voice was calmer. "Oh, it's you. Come in."
They stepped in. Leon was still holding Isla's hand, and she was still blushing hard.
"What happened?" Magnus asked, his voice surprisingly gentle. "Why are you here?"
Leon was taken aback for a moment. He usually talks cold to everyone... why not to us? Is it because we're good students? he thought.
"Sir," Leon began, "you mentioned earlier that since we were selected for the tournament, you'd give us something special... something to help us understand our powers better?"
Magnus nodded. "Yes, I remember. But not now. After two days—once the remaining two participants are finalized—I'll tell you what it is. Don't worry. It will help a lot."
Leon smiled. "Okay, Sir. Thank you."
"Anything else?"
"No, Sir."
As they turned to leave, Isla gently tapped Leon on the shoulder. He looked back.
"What is it?" he asked.
She blushed deeper, pointing toward his hand—he was still holding hers.
Leon's eyes widened in panic. "Ah! S-sorry!" he said, quickly letting go, his face now matching hers in redness.
"It's okay..." Isla replied softly.
LATER – LIBRARY
The quiet of the library was broken only by the rustle of pages and soft murmurs. A thick textbook lay open in front of Finn, stained by droplets—not of water, but tears.
Finn wiped his eyes, frustrated. "Bro... I've been trying for the past hour, and I still don't get anything you're teaching me... not a word."
Leon stared at him, tired. He rubbed his forehead and muttered in his mind, How did this idiot become my best friend...?
Meanwhile, at another table, Fanny was also studying, though doing slightly better. Isla was patiently helping her, her voice calm and encouraging.
Back at Finn's table, Leon's expression darkened. His eyes narrowed, and a wicked grin spread across his face.
Finn flinched. "W-why are you looking at me like that?"
Leon picked up a stick from the floor—a thin wooden ruler.
"Earlier today, you told me it's my responsibility to help you pass the exam," Leon said, voice low and twisted with mock sweetness. "I see you can't pass the normal way... so let's try something different."
"W-wait!" Finn said, backing away. "Leon, we're best friends! You can't—!"
Whack!
"AAH! That hurts!" Finn yelped.
Leon didn't flinch. "Every time you mess up... another one."
Finn looked up, teary-eyed.
Why is this happening to me?!