They called me Donovan Hart.

The bugs sounded their courting rituals on a hot summer’s day. I took off the rim of my top and wiped off my brow from the accumulation of sweat. The sun was oppressive, and I had no water to cool me down. I was full of exhaustion, yet I refused to leave from my spot.

I adjusted my glasses to get a better view of the streets. horse-drawn carriages parked to let passengers off. Other areas were bustling with activity. I looked at the posters strewn outside the stadium.

(Newcity Grand Tournament.)

I rechecked my watch. I was waiting in the afternoon. Fights were happening inside. I haven’t fought yet. My schedule was later.

I have to focus. I’m stressing myself out before I can enter the ring. What was it? Still as water? No, that doesn't seem right. Do my best for the people I can depend on? That's it.

A Motorized Carriage rolled out from Banana Road. People, young and old gawked at the driver. A motorized carriage was a luxury that only the richest could afford. The rider parked before a valet and gave him a shilling before getting off. I was familiar with the rider who got off.

My arms spreaded out to greet him, “Ah, Noel! The myth, the legend , my self-proclaimed arch enemy; my friend. How are you doing on this fine day?”

“Been doing better,” Noel said. “How are you and your girlfriend doing?”

“Can’t we talk about more pleasant conversations? We have some time for tea. Why not chat with a long-time buddy?” I pushed up my glasses.

“You know that I don’t approve of that girl of yours. She is only using you for your status.”

“And I said that was none of your business. Are we going to talk about philosophy? you know, I wasn’t joking about the tea.”

“I don’t have the time for that,” he said. “My bracket is coming close, and the punishment is an automatic disqualification if I don’t show. Don’t you have some preparations to do yourself?”

“No, I want to meet with some people before I go to my bracket.”

“Sloppy as ever, Donovan. I shouldn’t keep them waiting,” he waved before leaving.”

“Hey, Noel!” I yelled back.

“Yes?”

I have to appear confident, “This is not over, I will meet you at the tournament soon.”

“Yeah, aim high Donovan, but for now, this is goodbye.”

I waited, and stayed in the heat. Me drinking or resting in the shade was out of the question. I long loosened my tie and took off my top hat. I stood by for my father. He wasn’t here.

This was intentional. The tournament was my last chance to redeem myself. Guess I was at fault for expecting the bare minimum.

Perhaps staying here was the wrong idea, I thought.

A carriage with my own family insignia on it strode by; The Hart family. I watched as the servant got off. My father wasn’t there.

“Donovan, a pleasure,” the servant bowed. “Unfortunately, Sir Roland couldn’t make it“

“Right, he did promise me that he’ll support me with such grandeur,” I said through a fake smile. “Say, how is my father doing these days? Did he send me a note perhaps? I’m guessing not. He is out there doing important matters,” I quipped fervently as I suppressed my irritation.

“He’s preoccupied with matters with the estate. You know how Sir Roland is with house matters,” the servant’s smile stiffened.

It was the same tired excuse that I heard a thousand times. My heart sank. I knew the simple answer was that my dad refused to be seen with me. Him and his status, that estate should burn down with the rest of him.

“Is there anything else that he wanted to say,” I narrowed my eyes.

“He grants you his best wishes, sir. He hopes that you will do well in the tournament.”

“Oh? How about the envelope in your coat pocket? Was he going to show me it before or after the tournament,” my smile dissipated.

“I… I don’t know what you're talking about, sir.”

“The declaration for my disownment and a patience of compensation. I’m talking about that, I want to see it.”

Stolen novel; please report.

“I don’t want to judge, but aren’t you sounding a bit paranoid right now.”

“Paranoid?” I scoffed. “My father hasn’t shown me support in years, and you think that I wouldn’t be skeptical when he shows a little enthusiasm? How naive do you think I am?

“I’m not saying nothing about you, sir,” he said a double negative.

I put a hand on his shoulder, the servant winced, “Okay, I apologized, I was being too paranoid. How about I give you some compensation?” I grinned, “You empty out your pockets, and let’s say — I’ll give you 2 emperor's notes for your trouble.”

“That’s not appropriate for you bribing me in public,” he took a step back.

“That is a rather peculiar answer. A man in your position would’ve been ecstatic to be getting notes, unless they really are hiding something,” I stepped closer.

“I would never hide anything from you.”

“Mind telling me your name?”

“It’s Sebastian, sir.”

“Well, Sebastian, ever wondered what your head would look like pressed against cement?”

“Pardon me?” The servant shifted between the bustling crowd.

“You heard me well, Sebastian. Give me the envelope,” I walked up, and tightened my arm around his shoulder.

“But… No, you can’t, there’s so many people around.”

“You’re underestimating a man with nothing to lose, My body can always be experimented on with anima, remember? Who knows? I might just slip up. They are always willing to find new participants after all.”

“Anima experiments? Have you gone mad? You don’t know the far reaching effects!” Sebastian exclaimed while I held onto him.

Anima experiments, or as the emperor recently called it: anima treatment. I was one of the potential participants that could receive such a treatment. not had the genes for anima treatment. I knew that any action that made me a convicted felon would get me involuntarily sent off for experimentation. I was aware of the risk.

But the betrayal I felt, the disappointment, and years of neglect weighed heavily on me. I felt Sabastan’s pulse quicken, despite my hand being nowhere near his heart. What I did was dangerous, reckless even, but I was at the point of no return.

I took a deep breath, “I am prepared for the consequences, can you say the same? My father wouldn’t hesitate to throw you under the carriage. When word gets around that you got into an altercation with the Hart's heir, not even a ruined house would glance at you. You’d be lucky to live the rest of your life in Snakewater. How does that sound?”

“Fine, fine! Here, just take it,” he pulled out the envelope.

“It’s been a displeasure,” I bowed to him. “There’s nothing I hate more than liars, get out of my sight,” I waved him off, and Sabastian ran.

I deliberated my next action.

In my hand was the declaration of disownment. Sealed and stamped with my own family’s ring. Although the envelope was unopened, it was all the evidence I needed.

I didn't need to read the contents, it probably contains uninspiring words some lawyer wrote. There’s no doubt that my father hadn’t bothered to take the time of day to sign the document. Only an impersonalized stamp at the bottom.

I clenched on the letter. In all likelihood, this was meant to be given to me after I did terribly at the tournament. The only difference was that I intercepted the letter.

The writing was on the wall. The Hart family had more than enough evidence of my debauchery. The constant drinking, and partying; a disgrace to the Hart’s name.

That would have all been forgiven except the degeneracy I showed when fighting with the sword.

This was my one and only chance for redemption, but that was alright, all I needed was one chance.

One chance to set things right.

— — —

I checked my watch near the locker room. The time was in the afternoon and my bracket was about to begin. I watched around, as others had the same hopes and desires as myself. There were so many that I barely distinguished them apart, yet I noticed one face.

A saw woman with chestnut hair with a. Who smells of service berries. I pushed the people away.

“Lorry!” I exclaimed. “I didn’t expect that you were here.”

“I wouldn't have missed you for anything in the world,” she responded.

“As corny as ever. Still, I’m glad you came, Lorry.”

She was in the middle of smoking a cigarette. She gave me the other half, and I obliged. A puff of black air entered my lungs.

“Have you heard of the new proposed law that the empire is enacting?” Lorry interrupted my smoking.

“The Degenerative Behavior Act?” I asked.

“Frankly, I don’t get why the beacrates are so obsessive about what happens to beastkin ears. They definitely have better things to do than to take care of a bunch of mutts and cats. For such an inferior race, the guys on top sure do love expanding their resources on them.”

What Lorry said was the rhetoric going around the houses. There was nothing personal against beastkin. I felt like it wasn’t my business speaking about the matter. I nodded my head as I followed along.

“Donovan, you’re spacing out again,” she snapped. “I could tell that you’re not doing well.”

“Tell me what else is new, it never was a recent development.”

“My love, I'm serious. You've been outside in the sun all day, haven’t you? You are exhausted, you look like shit. Not a day goes by where you haven't been neglecting eating. I can tell that you haven’t gotten any sleep for days.” She tightened her, fist. “You’re scaring me, Donovan… When will you let go?”

“I can’t let go now. If I take a rest now, I’m afraid that I'll never recover. The tournament is important to me,” I thought about telling Lorry about my estrangement, yet the words never came. “The bracket is more important than the matter of pride. For once, you have to trust me okay. See me in the ring, support me, whatever you think is best.”

“Donovan, swear to me that you are going to relax after this is over. For your sake, not mine,” She rested her hand on my hair.

“I can promise you that, Lorry. There will be a moment where I can finally sleep. How about we go to Mamba Market after this? I heard they were building a new roller coaster there. We can be the first ones on,” I stared into her eyes.

“Sure, that would be lovely.”

Dolores leaned over and I closed my eyes, we kissed. When I opened my eyes, I found the determination to go on.

“I have to go to my bracket soon,” I said. “Don’t wait up for me.”

“See you there, Donovan.”