“Baba!” Nil caught his father while he was walking to the bus stop outside his work. It was the day after the battle royale, and he hadn't returned to the ludus yet. Meeting his father took priority, so he took the train to South Harrow, where Andrew picked him up. Then, they drove straight to the Harrow Council offices. “Would you like a ride? Andy is parked right around the corner.”

“That would be great,” Udit said, looking shocked. “I missed the six-fifteen. The next bus isn't for another half an hour.”

“Emmy says you almost never get the six-fifteen.”

Udit shrugged. He hugged his son. The older man squeezed but then paused, hesitantly glancing at Nil’s midriff. “I watched the battle royale. How are you feeling?”

“The Skin is a bit tight, and the muscles are a bit uncomfortable. The burns are all more or less healed, though. I hope to go on a quest in the next few days. If I'm lucky, the scars Fatima left me and everything else will be gone once I reach the Nexus.”

Udit nodded. He and his son walked silently along the pavement, both sets of eyes looking forward.

“I'm sorry about your teammates. It couldn't have been easy having to turn against one of your own. The way you moved and handled things was amazing.” Udit’s voice carried a hint of sorrow. “It couldn't have been easy. Any of it. But you made me proud. Good job, Sunil.”

“Thanks, Baba,” Nil said, placing a hand on his father’s shoulder and stopping him. “I know this is a lot to get used to, and you're most probably terrified. But all Apocalypse Arena participants get one of those temporary rune tattoos. They can surrender and get out if their lives are in danger. I can do the same if it comes to it. Staying alive is more important to me than winning. There is too much for me to leave behind.”

“I know. It's still terrifying, but I've accepted that this is something you have to do.” Udit looked around. “Where is Andy? Did he park far?”

“Over here, Mr Roy!” Andrew poked his head out of the electric-blue SUV parked next to Nil and his father. He hopped into the backseat. “Let's go. Sunny-boi picked up Crispy Hoisin Duck and Dim Sum from Royal China. It won't stay crispy or warm for long.”

“New car?” Udit raised an eyebrow, taking a step back and studying the vehicle. “It's pretty. I love the color.”

“Secondhand,” Andrew replies. “I had it refurbished, though. New paint job and interiors. I got the tires and brake pads replaced, too. Do you like it, Mr Roy?”

“It's gorgeous. I was looking at one of these before Nil's mum got sick, but the cost was ridiculous.”

“We got this baby off the auction and called in a bunch of favors. It was mostly my regular clients who worked on this. The total spend was just under thirteen thousand.”

“Thirteen?! That’s amazing. Even auction prices can't be that low.”

“You’d be surprised,” Andrew replied. “Between Artisans and Mages making electric vehicles cheap and sustainable and the new Arthurtech machines, fossil-fuel-run vehicle prices have been plummeting. I've been considering upgrading my work truck for quite some time.”

“Are you going to build one yourself?” Nil asked.

Andrew shook his head. “I'll never get away with it. The new speed cams can check for illegal mods and tell if a vehicle is road-legal. Let's not forget Susan and Katherine. They'd kick my ass.”

“Well, congratulations on the new car. It’s nice to see you in something besides—” Udit stopped mid-sentence, frowning at Andrew. “Why are you in the back seat?” He looked at his son. “Did you get your driving license and not tell me?”

“I'm still not authorized to operate anything more than a motorbike, Baba,” Nil said, breaking into a smile. He had contained it for far too long. “I looked into getting your car fixed, and five thousand is far too much for an old piece of junk. Two-plus hours on or waiting for buses when you have a pair of minors at home isn’t ideal either.” He tossed the keys at his father. Udit snatched it out of the air, eyes wide. “This is your car, and you're driving.”

“Better hurry, though,” Andrew added. “Cold, dim sum tastes like ass.”

Udit’s eyes filled with tears as he looked between the two younger men. Then, he threw his arms around his son. “You didn't have to do this, Sunil. It's too much. I know twelve thousand is one quest for you.”

“Just over half a quest, actually.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“Whatever it is. You should've used that for yourself or Emmy and Sam. But, thank you.”

“This is for me, Emmy, and Sam, Baba,” Nil replied. “Knowing you're driving to sites instead of hitching rides or bussing will give us peace of mind. You're not the only person in this family who worries, you know.”

“I—”

Andrew made a loud fart noise. ‘Do neither of you understand the gravity of crispy duck and dim sum?” He asked. “Save the sappy stuff for later. There will be plenty when Emmy sees Nil, then the car, then Nil, then the car, then—”

“Fine. Fine.” Udit laughed. He looked like a giddy schoolboy as he got in the driver's seat. He took a moment to check everything, adjust the seat and mirrors, and start the car. “That's a good-sounding engine,” he said, smiling as he squeezed the steering wheel. “Let's go home, boys.”

As Andrew had predicted, dinner was emotional. First, Emmy and Sam gushed over the match, switching between how amazing Nil was and how scared or concerned they were for him. Then, Emmy held Nil and cried when she found out about the new car and saw it. The visit wasn’t a planned one, and Nil needed to return to the ludus. So, he didn’t stick around for long. Nil wished and hugged everyone goodbye before taking a taxi to Golden Aegis.

The receptionist stopped Nil as soon as he entered the building.

“You’re moving up a floor,” she said, handing him a new keycard.

“What?” Nil raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t apply for a move, and the cost—”

“The accommodation costs are the same, and Symbiotech insisted. Failed participants often hold resentment for their successful peers. So, we try to keep our Mortal Realm and Iron Realm members separated.”

“I might’ve qualified for the Iron Gauntlet but I’m still Mortal Realm, though. This—”

“Bigger room. En-suite bathroom. More privacy. Fewer people sharing the kitchen. This is a good thing. Just take it.” The receptionist frowned. “Why are you arguing a free upgrade?”

Nil shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. The healers must’ve missed a head injury.”

The joke didn’t seem to amuse the woman. “You have two days to clear out your old room.”

“Do you know if Xiang or Fatima are in?” Nil asked.

The woman poked her aetherscreen a handful of times. “Neither have scanned in since they left for the qualifiers.”

“Thank you.” Nil sighed.

“I watched your match. You did well.” She paused, cold expression softening for a moment. “I’m sorry about what happened. Everyone suspected Fatima would turn into a mad killer someday. We didn’t think things would be that bad, but—”

The receptionist fell silent when the ludus manager exited his office. The man congratulated Nil, shook his hand, and informed him that the medical staff wanted to see him. A cold reception awaited Nil in the infirmary. Unlike the previous two staff members, the doctors, nurses, and assistants appeared resentful and full of contempt. They were exceptionally rough when collecting fluids. It took them a few jabs to extract blood, and they weren’t gentle when extracting spinal fluid. Nil begrudgingly complied. He needed to play along with Symbiotech for a bit longer and guessed their people were mad about losing their big project and prototype. He wondered if they cared about Fatima or if she was just another test subject and tool to them. The information he gained after conversing with Selia only made him feel more sympathy for the captured rogue.

It took Nil an hour to stuff his old belongings into suitcases. Except for a succulent and bunny-ear cactus that Katherine gifted him, his room was decorated with nothing. After moving everything to the floor above, he cleaned his old space. The ludus would send a cleaner, but Nil’s parents taught him to always clean up after himself. Working in high-end restaurants had only reinforced the habit.

As he walked the halls, he eyed Xiang’s doors. Being away for the qualifiers counted as staying in a ludus. So, the woman could enjoy a night away without facing any penalties. He guessed she wanted some time away and not face anyone after what happened.

Finding out I made it to the top three probably didn’t help either.

Nil passed Mobi and Viktor. The first glared, and he was surprised to receive a warm congratulations from the latter.

“You and Lily to win,” Viktor said. “I was pissed off at first and thought I had done enough, but then I saw the vids. You played it brilliantly and fought even better.”

“Thanks, Viktor,” Nil replied, failing to conceal his surprise.”It’s a shame you got so close and didn’t make it through. I watched you during recovery. Your strategy was pretty amazing, too.”

“Apparently, not amazing enough.” Viktor sighed. “It's a bitch coming in sixth, and people with double digits positions making it through in my stead. But what are you going to do? There is another event in three months. No big events. Just duo and solo matches. I’ll try to sharpen my style in the meantime, and hopefully, it will be the one.”

“Well, good luck mate. If not for my armor, your lightning would’ve knocked me out. It's powerful, and your mobility is amazing. I’m sure you’ll get through.”

“It might be my last try,” Viktor said. “I don’t think I can keep my body at Mortal Realm much longer. Power is almost at Iron-Nine, and I can’t stagnate much longer.” He shook Nil’s hand. “You were a great opponent, though. You being the one that knocked me out almost makes the loss sting less. It would’ve helped a lot more if you made it to the top two, though.”

“I might’ve had a shot at number two. Shawn and I left the match within seconds of each other. I doubt I had much of a chance against Selia, though. That power of hers is a pretty strong counter to mine.”

The two men respectfully parted ways, and Nil moved to the floor for Iron and Bronze Realm Summoned. The people he passed him in the halls offered respectful nods, and some even invited him to join them for dinner. Nil respectfully declined and retired to his room.

A surprising notification awaited him when he checked the quest list.

Your caseworker has summoned you for a meeting. Please accept to be transported at your earliest convenience.

Even though Nil was desperate to share everything he had learned with Layla, he went to bed. He was exhausted, and the conversation could only last in the morning.