When I reached the mansion, I parked my bicycle outside, the guards at the gate recognizing me immediately. They swung the gates open, letting me pass through without a word. I stepped inside the courtyard, and that's when I noticed Cedric standing there, directly in my path. His presence felt deliberate, like he was waiting for someone.

′He can't be waiting for me, right?′

"Hey there, Cedric," I called out, approaching. "Waiting for someone?"

His gaze locked onto mine, cold and focused. "Yeah, actually. I was waiting for you, Tyson."

My brow furrowed. "For me? Why?"

Cedric shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing. "I've received reports that you've officially completed your training, but I want to see for myself if you're really done or not." His stance shifted, fluid and dangerous, as he lowered into a fighting position. "Show me."

Oh, we're doing this?. Quite aggressive we are getting today, aren't we?. But his eyes are sharp and serious—left no room for jokes. I could feel the adrenaline kicking in.

"Come at me," Cedric commanded, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Well we were training for three years and I had my fair shares of experience we were sparing and I know his fighting style, kind of feels like cheating but if he wants to see how far I have come

I exhaled, taking my hands out of my pockets, the familiar weight of my bag slipping off my shoulder. I lowered it to the ground, slow and deliberate. We stared at each other, the tension building with each passing second. Neither of us moved, just waiting, assessing.

Then I guess I just have to show him..

As soon as my bag hit the ground with a soft thud, it was like a signal had been fired. We launched ourselves at each other, moving with explosive speed. In an instant, Cedric's figure blurred, closing the distance faster than I'd expected.

Fast. But I was ready.

Our forearms collided with a sharp crack, muscles tensed and locked as we pushed against each other. The force rippled through my body, but I held my ground. His eyes were sharp, studying me—every move, every muscle twitch, every breath. It felt like he was testing me, pushing just enough to see how much I'd resist.

I'm not backing down.

We stood deadlocked for a split second, but I knew this was only the beginning. The fight had just started, and Cedric wasn't going easy. Neither was I.

Cedric's speed was intense, and the force behind his strikes was nothing short of overwhelming. He swung his forearm, aiming for my chest, and I reacted instinctively, meeting his blow with my own forearm. The clash sent a jolt up my arm, the impact harsh and unforgiving.

The impact of his punch sent a shockwave through my arm. My muscles screamed in protest, but I couldn't let him see the pain. I clenched my teeth, forcing my stance to hold firm.

′Damn, he's as stronger as ever, no this more than I expected dont tell me he was holding back in our training sections.′

He didn't let up. Cedric came at me with a barrage of quick, precise strikes—each one faster, each one harder to block. I parried another blow, but his next strike came in too quickly, a sharp kick that sent me stumbling back a few steps.

He's not holding back at all.

His punch came in fast, aimed straight at my face. I ducked, feeling the air stir just above my head. Too close. If I hadn't moved a split second earlier...

I countered with a sharp jab to his midsection, but he blocked effortlessly, twisting his body and sending a powerful kick toward my ribs. I managed to parry the kick with my arm, but the impact pushed me back several steps, my feet skidding across the dirt.

I spun swiftly, aiming a sharp roundhouse kick from his back, confident in my speed. But Cedric didn't even bother turning. With a swift, almost dismissive motion, he caught my leg mid-air.

"Was that supposed to be a kick?" he muttered, glancing slightly over his shoulder

Uh. Not good.

Before I could react, he tightened his grip, and with a sudden burst of force, flung me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.

Woah! I am in airborne, the asphalt rushing up to meet me fast. My mind raced.No way am I landing face-first.

Instinct kicked in. I thrust both arms out and pushed off the pavement just before impact, using the momentum to flip midair. I landed on my feet, skidding backward and kneeling to steady myself. My heart pounded, but I was back on my feet.. with a hard skid, one knee down, hand bracing against the road.

Close call, steadying my breath. I glanced up at Cedric. He hadn't even broken a sweat.

But neither had I.

Cedric was stronger, no doubt. But strength wasn't everything. He fought with brute force—I could use that against him. I just had to outlast him, make him overcommit.

I surged forward again, aiming a series of quick strikes at his torso. Cedric deflected each one with ease, his movements smooth and precise. He was barely breaking a sweat, while I could already feel the weight of each breath. He's got the upper hand,I realized, I dodged another punch aimed at my head.

But I wasn't done yet.

Cedric's movements were fast—almost too fast—but predictable. Every punch had a rhythm, and I knew if I could break it, I'd create an opening. I just had to wait for the right moment. With every exchange, I studied him. His rhythm, his timing. As I was dodging all his strikes.

His knee came toward my ribs, but this time I was ready. I twisted my body at the last second, letting his momentum carry him forward. In that brief window, I slammed my elbow into his side. He stumbled. Finally—an opening.

There.

I saw an opening. As Cedric swung wide, I ducked under his arm, twisting my body to bring my fist up into his chest. The impact was solid, a dull thud echoing between us as Cedric staggered back, eyes wide with surprise

For a brief moment, neither of us moved, both catching our breath.

Cedric looked down at where I'd hit him, then back up at me, a small grin breaking his stoic expression. "Not bad, Tyson," he said, still holding his chest. "Looks like you've learned a thing or two."

I stood tall, my knuckles still tingling from the impact. "You didn't make it easy.."

"So, satisfied with that?" I asked, catching my breath.

Cedric brushed off his chest where I landed my hit, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Yeah, for now," he said, tossing my bag back at me. I caught it effortlessly.

"Go inside. Alex is waiting for you," he added, his tone shifting back to its usual calm demeanor.

I nodded and slung the bag over my shoulder. As I walked toward the mansion, my mind lingered on the brief fight.For now?I smirked slightly. Cedric always had a way of keeping me on edge, making me wonder when the next challenge would come.

Inside the mansion, I climbed the familiar stairs, each step echoing in the quiet halls. Just as I reached the top, I spotted Serena coming out of her room. Great... here we go again.

"Hello there, Serena," I greeted, trying to keep things casual.

Her gaze met mine briefly, cold and distant. She merely nodded before turning away, her footsteps fading down the corridor.

Still giving me the cold shoulder, huh? I sighed internally. Ever since that day, she had been like this—distant, cold. I couldn't blame her, not entirely. But it didn't make things any easier.Whatever. Focus on why you're here.

I continued to Alex's room and knocked on the door. "Alex, you there?"

No response. I knocked again, but still nothing. I tried the handle, and it swung open effortlessly, revealing an empty room. He's not here? Typical.

But then, something clicked. I think I know where he is.I turned back, heading down the hallway.

Stopping in front of a large door, I took a deep breath. The room of Sun Familia's previous boss. The weight of history seemed to press down on me as I stood there. This room... Alex always comes here when he's deep in thought.

I grabbed the door handle, hesitating for a moment.Well, here goes nothing. I pushed the door open.

The room was just as I remembered—classic furniture, a bookshelf lined with neatly arranged books, and the faint scent of wood polish. Everything was in its place, orderly and untouched, as if frozen in time.

"You're late."

The voice pulled me from my thoughts. I looked forward toward the desk at the far end of the room. A large chair, facing away from me, slowly turned. Alex sat there, a smirk dancing on his lips, one leg casually crossed over the other as if he was the boss himself.

Of course.

"Glad you could finally join me," Alex said, his voice filled with that familiar mix of mockery and charm. He leaned back in the chair, eyeing me like I was the one being summoned to a royal audience.

I raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a grin. "Playing the boss now, are we?"

Alex leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly brushing the armrest. "Of course," he replied with a confident smirk. "How many years do you think I've spent dreaming of this day?" His voice was calm but carried a weight, one that only years of anticipation could give.

I watched as he paused, his hand now patting the chair—the chair, the one that symbolized power and authority in the Sun Familia. He continued, almost as if he were speaking more to himself than me. "Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to sit on this chair. And now..." He trailed off, lost in thought for a moment, before looking at me. "Now that I'm sitting on it."

"How does it feel?" I asked, half curious, half teasing. I knew this was a big deal for him. He'd talked about it before, but seeing him in this position now—it felt real.

Alex's smirk grew wider, his eyes lighting up with satisfaction. "Freaking amazing."

I couldn't help but nod. That was his dream. And now, he had finally achieved it. It must be a good feeling, Achieving your goal. I found myself wondering when I'd feel the same. I didn't have a specific goal in mind yet, but maybe one day, I'd find something worth striving for like Alex had.

"Congratulations," I said, genuinely happy for him. "You finally became the Sun Familia's boss."

"Thanks," Alex replied, but there was something in his tone—something unfinished. "But I haven't achieved my goal yet. I've only cleared the first stage."

That caught me off guard. "First stage? What do you mean?"

Alex stood up, moving from behind the desk, his chair spinning slightly from the force of his sudden movement. He walked over to the task board on the wall and pulled down a large map, revealing the five nations that made up our world: Astral, Solterra, Azuren, Veloria, and Lunaris. The map stretched out, detailing each nation with marks and notes, most of which I had never seen before.

"In this world," he began, "there are five mighty nations, and Familia organizations are spread across all of them, providing services to those in need."

I frowned slightly, something not adding up. "Sorry to interrupt, but... isn't that the government's job?"

Alex sighed, as if he had anticipated the question. "Government, huh?" He chuckled softly, his voice turning a bit colder. "Yeah, they're there. But even the government has restrictions—lines they can't cross. Boundaries set by laws and politics. But us?" His smirk returned, sharper this time. "Familia has no such restrictions. We can do whatever we want."

There was something almost dangerous about the way he said that. It wasn't arrogance, but the confidence of someone who knew the rules didn't apply to him. The thought lingered in my mind. *No restrictions?* That kind of freedom could be both powerful and terrifying.

"Yeah, Familia gives you access to do operations freely, without limitations. But only if you're an official member," Alex explained, "and becoming a member isn't easy."

I took a moment to process it. "Is that really true? No limitations?"

"Of course." He looked me straight in the eye. "As long as what you're doing is for the good of the people, for development, and doesn't disturb innocent lives, you have complete freedom." His words hung in the air, heavy with implication.

"But," I interjected, "there's got to be a limited number of people who actually need that kind of help, right?"

Alex crossed his arms, shaking his head slightly. "You'd be surprised. Familias help each other, but ordinary people also come to us for assistance. There are many organizations in this world, but Familia is the most well-known. It's become a way of life for many."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

I leaned against the wall, trying to grasp the full scale of it. "So, there are two kinds of people. Those in Familia, and everyone else?"

"Exactly." He nodded, pleased that I was following along. "Familia members, and the rest. Right now, about 40% of the world's population is part of a Familia, while the remaining 60% are outsiders. Don't go thinking Familia is small in numbers."

"Yeah, I get that," I replied, feeling the weight of his words. 40% of the world's population... that's no small group. Alex wasn't just running an organization—he was part of a global network of power. One that could shift the balance in ways I couldn't yet imagine.

There's been one question that's been gnawing at the back of my mind for a while now. Combat training, gun handling, learning the intricacies of Familia affairs—it's a lot. A lot for someone my age. Shouldn't such responsibilities fall on adults?, why start now, when we're still teenagers?..I couldn't help but voice my concerns.

"Hey, Alex," I began, my voice tentative, "I've been wondering... you said that we will do this, but why us? Do you really think it's a good idea for kids like us to handle all of that?

Before I could finish, Alex cut me off. "Tyson," he said, his voice suddenly low and serious. There was an edge in it that can make anyone snap to attention. When I looked at him, his usual laid-back expression had hardened. He wasn't joking anymore.

"You think we're some kids playing mafia for fun? Seriously?" His eyes narrowed, and his voice held a weight. Here it is again, that side of him. It wasn't the first time I'd seen it. This was the Alex that had clawed his way to the top.

"Why do you think we went through all that training?" he continued, his gaze not wavering from mine. "Listen. In the Familia, only the talented, skilled, and powerful ones survive. If you're not sharp enough to know what's going on, you'll be left in the dust. This world doesn't wait for anyone."

Okay. That's all I needed to confirm, 'It's not like I don't understand that. But hearing it out loud, hearing it spelled out like that- it was necessary to see his determination and seriousness.'

″Okay, I understood alright″ I replied nonchalantly. But he gave me a look—almost one of pity, if I didn't know any better.

"You shouldn't underestimate yourself, you know." His voice had softened slightly, but it felt like he was almost pitying me.Seriously? Did he think I wasn't confident enough?

Before I could explain myself, the door swung open and Cedric strolled in. "He's right," Cedric said, walking over with his usual nonchalance. "Don't underestimate yourself, Tyson. We all know what you're capable of." His tone was matter-of-fact, but the confidence he had in me was almost unnerving.

I sighed. Fine. I guess I have to clear things up.

"Just so you know," I started, standing up straighter, "I asked that question out of curiosity. That's all. It's not like I'm doubting anything."

Alex let out a laugh, and Cedric chuckled along with him. "Yeah, yeah," Alex said, the smirk back on his face. "We know."

It was strange seeing the shift from his serious side to his usual laid-back one. One moment, he's talking about survival in the harshest terms, and the next, he's laughing as if we're just having a normal conversation. But that's Alex. Always one step ahead, always in control.

"Now, back to the main topic," Alex continued, "As I was saying, there are five nations where Familias operate. Our astral region is one of them. So, we're not only competing with other Familias in our region, but also with those from the other regions as well."

He activated the board with a flick of his hand, and a ranking chart appeared on the screen. "This is where we are," he said, motioning to the board. My eyes scanned the names, looking for our Familia.

And then I found it.

Our Familia name... was at the very bottom. Dead last.

Well, I was expecting this, but seeing our name at the bottom was still unsettling. "We really are at the bottom," I said, unable to hide my disappointment.

"What do you expect? We didn't even started yet," Alex replied, his tone flat, as if this was merely a stepping stone.

"So, you want to take the Sun Familia to the top position?" I asked, my voice steadying. The thought sent a jolt of determination through me.

"Yes," he said, a fierce light igniting in his eyes. "And when we reach top in positions, we will start to search for the Tempest."

"Tempest?" The name echoed in my mind, a flicker of recognition igniting. I remembered him mentioning it before, but I had yet to grasp its significance. "What do you mean by searching for Tempest?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Alex's brow arched slightly, surprise flickering across his face. "Oh, I forgot to explain." He leaned back in his chair, his hand resting on his chin as though weighing his words. His fingers drummed lightly against the armrest. "Do you know what 'Tempest' means?"

I blinked, slightly taken aback by the sudden shift in the conversation. "Yeah, it means a violent storm, right? I've read about it before."

Alex nodded slowly, but his gaze drifted, his expression distant. "Yeah... a storm," he mumbled, his voice barely audible. His eyes unfocused, locked in some distant memory. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, as if recalling something deep and personal. The silence between us stretched, and I could feel the weight of something unsaid hanging in the air.

"Alex?" I called out, snapping him back to the present.

He blinked a few times, coming back to himself. "Right, sorry about that." He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly uneasy. "This might sound unbelievable, but... after my father retired, he learned palm reading."

I stared at him, trying to process what he just said. Palm reading? That didn't sound like something Alex's father, a man I'd always thought of as pragmatic and no-nonsense, would get into. Palm reading? Seriously?

"Wait, palm reading?" I asked, my skepticism slipping into my voice. "I thought your father was... you know, smarter than that. No offense, but palm reading? I still can't believe he actually went for that."

Alex chuckled, a small grin breaking through his serious demeanor. "Yeah, I get it. I thought the same thing. I didn't believe it at first either."

I leaned forward, intrigued despite myself. "So... what does this have to do with palm reading?"

Alex's expression grew somber again, his grin fading. "One day, I got curious. I asked him to read my palm. I thought it was just for fun, you know? But... when he did, he looked completely shocked. I'd never seen him like that before. I asked him what he saw, but he refused to tell me. After that, he didn't talk to me for days."

What could make a man like his father react like that?, What could possibly have been so terrifying?

"He wouldn't even look at me in eyes," Alex continued, his voice lower now, as if recalling a distant, painful memory. "Then, one day, I caught him writing something. He was sitting at his desk, hunched over, scribbling in a old notebook. I walked up and asked him what he was writing, but he didn't answer at first."

He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he could see the scene clearly playing out in his mind. "I looked over his shoulder and saw the cover of the notebook. It had one word written on it: 'Tempest.'"

The word hung between us, heavy with significance I couldn't quite grasp yet. "Tempest?" I echoed, the name starting to take on a deeper meaning.

"I asked him if he was writing a sequel to that story," Alex said, his tone soft as if he were reliving the moment. "He smiled at me, but there was something off about it. Like he knew something I didn't. Then he said, 'No, it's something more interesting than that.'"

Alex's eyes darkened, his voice barely above a whisper as he continued. "He told me, 'You said you wanted to be the Sun Familia's boss one day, right?' I nodded, of course. Then he said, 'When you finally become the boss and reach the top position, that's when you'll know. That's when it'll be time.'"

Time? I furrowed my brow, trying to understand. "Time for what?"

"He didn't tell me directly," Alex replied, a note of frustration in his voice. "Instead, he showed me that book. And said, 'You wanted to know what I saw in your palm, right? Everything I saw is in this book, along with what you must do when the time comes.'"

A heavy silence fell between us, the gravity of his father's cryptic words sinking in.

"So... what is this 'Tempest'?" I asked, my voice softer now, my curiosity mixing with unease. "It's not just a storm, is it?"

Alex met my gaze, his expression intense. "No," he said firmly. "It's probably much more than that."

His words echoed in my mind as I tried to piece it all together. *A mysterious book, a prophecy hidden in a palm reading, and a future that somehow ties back to the Sun Familia.* It all felt surreal, yet... there was something undeniably real about the way Alex spoke. Whatever this "Tempest" was, it was something far beyond a simple storm. Something that could change everything.

Alex's eyes drifted again, as if recalling his father's final words on the matter. "Wait for the time," he muttered under his breath, repeating his father's cryptic advice.

The flashback faded, leaving the room heavy with tension, and I couldn't help but wonder—what was waiting for us in the eye of the Tempest?

"So, you want to find that Tempest?" I asked breaking the silence.

Alex nodded, the conviction in his gaze palpable. "That's the plan. But we have to build our reputation first. We need to prove ourselves. Once we're at the top, we'll have the resources and connections to search for Tempest without interference."

But there was still a lingering doubt. "What if we fail?" I couldn't help but voice my concern, the words slipping out before I could stop myself.

"Failure is part of the process," Alex replied, his tone steady. "We won't succeed every time, but every setback is a lesson. If we fall, we get back up stronger."

His determination was infectious, wrapping around me like a warm cloak. I realized then that I didn't just want to be a passive observer in this journey. I want to fight alongside with him.

′If we're aiming for greatness, then I'm in.′

Cedric broke the momentary silence. "So, did you give him the card?" he asked, sounding almost bored with the situation.

Alex blinked in confusion, tilting his head slightly. "Card?" he repeated, his tone almost innocent.

Cedric let out a heavy sigh, dragging his hand down his face. "Don't tell me you were explaining all that without mentioning why you called him here in the first place." He looked over at me, exasperation clear in his voice.

Wait, that's right... I was so caught up in the conversation about the Tempest, I completely forgot why I was summoned here in the first place. Realization hit me like a wave, but it seemed to hit Alex even harder. His face shifted as he connected the dots, eyes widening in what could only be described as mild panic.

"Oh... right." Alex laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck, trying to shrug it off as if it wasn't a big deal. "I totally forgot about that. Sorry, hahaha..." His forced laughter was almost painful to hear.

Cedric and I stared at him with deadpan expressions, not buying his attempt to brush it aside. The room grew quiet again, only filled with the sound of Alex's nervous chuckle dying out.

"S-sorry," he stammered, now fully realizing his mistake. His gaze shifted away from our stern looks, clearly embarrassed.

I sighed, deciding to move things along. "So, what's the main reason you called me here?" I asked, hoping to get back on track.

Alex, regaining some composure, leaned back in his chair. "Well, we went to the Supreme Guardian Familia to submit our entry applications, and we submitted yours too—your Executor application, that is."

My mind froze for a second. Wait... does that mean...? I blinked, processing what he'd just said. "So, I'm officially an Executor now?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though a rush of excitement threatened to slip through.

Cedric, still with his eyes closed, answered in his usual calm tone, "That's what we thought."

Alex then reached into his coat and pulled out a small box, sliding it across the table towards me. "But there's one more step," he said. "You've got to pass the Execution Exam first."

Execution Exam? What? Why hadn't I heard about this before? My eyes flicked back up to Alex, my mind scrambling for answers. "Execution Exam? I never knew about that," I said, bewildered.

Alex just shrugged. "Neither did we," he admitted before gesturing to the box. "Open it."

Curiosity piqued, I opened the small box. Inside were two cards—a sleek blue one with "E. X-PASS" printed on it, along with our Sun Familia's symbol emblazoned in gold. Next to it was a white card, probably a hall ticket for the exam. Beneath the cards, I noticed a thin instruction manual. Well, guess I'll be reading that later... or so I thought.

"By the way, the exam is tomorrow." Alex's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Wait, tomorrow?" I nearly dropped the box as my eyes shot up to meet his.

He smirked, as if amused by my reaction. "Yep. Study well, buddy," he said, not even missing a beat as he reached below the table and pulled out three of the bulkiest books I had ever seen in my life. He placed them in front of me, casually giving me a thumbs up like he hadn't just delivered the most soul-crushing news with a smile.

I stared at the monstrous stack of textbooks, feeling the weight of my future crushing down on me. Tomorrow? How was I supposed to get through this?

"Wait, wait, wait—tomorrow is the exam?!" I shouted, nearly jumping out of my seat in sheer panic. My voice echoed off the walls, making it clear that I was not prepared for this sudden bombshell.

Cedric, unfazed by my outburst, turned his gaze to Alex with an eyebrow raised. "You didn't inform him about that either?"

Alex immediately jumped up from his seat, hands raised in mock surrender, his nervous smile betraying his attempt at playing it cool. "C-calm down, Cedric! That was part of the plan, okay?"

I glared at him, still feeling the heat rising in my chest. "Why?! You could've told me earlier!" My voice edged on shouting again, disbelief and frustration mixing together. How could he just drop this on me now?

Alex, now back in his usual smug form, shrugged nonchalantly. "That's what you get for ignoring your boss, dumbass!" he shot back. "I did tell you, remember? You were the one acting all busy, saying 'can it wait?'"

I paused for a moment, racking my brain for any memory of that exchange. Then it hit me—**that text message**. Damn it, that explains why he gave me that weird pause back then. He was planning this all along. I clenched my fists, the realization only fueling my irritation.

Cedric crossed his arms and sighed deeply. "Alex, this is not funny at all," he said, his voice low and scolding.

I couldn't help but mentally cheer Cedric on. Yes! That's right! Keep going, give him hell! I thought, hoping Cedric would knock some sense into Alex.

But of course, Alex being Alex, brushed it off with his usual careless attitude. "Don't worry, this is normal for Tyson." He smirked and clapped his hands on the top of one of the bulky books he had just handed me.

To my horror, Cedric nodded in agreement, his stern expression softening. "Hm, I guess you're right," he said.

My jaw dropped. "Don't change sides like that!" I protested, staring at Cedric in disbelief. How could he be so quick to forgive Alex?

Alex, of course, grinned like he'd won some kind of victory. "Relax, you'll be fine. And besides, don't get too nervous. Everyone your age will be there too, so you're not alone," he added, giving me a thumbs-up as if that was supposed to make me feel better.

Wait... everyone around my age? I blinked. What does that mean?I thought, trying to make sense of what he'd just said. "Hold on, so everyone taking the exam is around 16 years old?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Yeah," Alex replied calmly. "The joining age for a Familia is 16 or 17 years old. It's a rule."

I frowned. "Why teenagers?" The question came out before I could stop myself. It didn't make sense—why start so young in such a dangerous role?

Alex shrugged again. "I don't know. That was something the previous Executor came up with," he said, his tone a little more serious now.

Theprevious Executor... The first-generation Sun Familia's Executor—Victor Vincent.

I had read so much about him—an absolute legend. During his time, the Sun Familia was at its peak, and everyone knew that Vincent was the driving force behind it. His strategies, his strength, his leadership—he was the embodiment of what a perfect Executor should be. He wasn't just a man; he was an ideal. The articles I'd read painted him as the smartest and strongest person of his era, a true inspiration. He even held the title of "The Greatest Executor" of the first generation.

Victor Vincent...whenever I think about him a wave of admiration wash over me. He is someone I can blindly respect.

I still don't know what kind of executor I will become, but I want to be like him someday...

"Well, if he came up with that rule, there must be a reason behind it." My voice was calm, but internally, I was already running through a dozen possibilities. Yeah, if a person like Victor Vincent—the greatest Executor of the Sun Familia—set a rule like that, there's got to be a strong reason. Maybe it has to do with adaptability, or forming bonds early on... I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I trusted his judgment. A man like him wouldn't make such an important rule without a solid purpose.

"Yeah, yeah," Alex said, waving his hand as if brushing off the deeper meaning. "More importantly, guess we'll be having our own teams! Isn't that exciting?" His eyes lit up, clearly more interested in the prospect of leading his own group.

Wait, did he just sayourteams? "Hey, wait a second. You've already selected your team?" I asked, a hint of urgency in my voice.

Alex nodded casually. "Yeah, I went to the recruitment section and picked mine out. You did too, right?"

"No," I replied flatly, the uncomfortable silence that followed settling like a heavy weight between us.

Alex blinked in surprise, then turned to Cedric. "Hey, Cedric, I thought you told him about that, right?"

Cedric looked unfazed as he shrugged. "I thought you told him. That's why I didn't."

Before I knew it, the two of them were bickering back and forth like two kids blaming each other for a lost toy. Seriously? I thought, watching their argument unfold with growing annoyance. They can't even get the simplest things straight. How am I supposed to lead a team when I don't even have one?

"Okay, that's enough," I cut in, my patience running thin. Both Alex and Cedric immediately stopped, looking at me. "No point in arguing. What I need to know is, will there be another recruitment session?"

Cedric rubbed his chin thoughtfully before shaking his head. "No, all the candidates have been taken. I don't think there will be another session."

Great. Just great. So now I'm going to be executer with no team? perfect. But before I could let the panic set in, Cedric spoke again, trying to sound reassuring.

"Don't worry, Tyson," he said with a small smile. "The previous Executor didn't attend the recruitment session either. He made his own team by finding people on his own. Why don't you try the same?"

The previous Executor... I remembered how he had built his team from scratch, handpicking each member based on their unique abilities.If he could do it, maybe I can too... The thought gave me a glimmer of hope, but it still didn't ease the anxiety bubbling inside me. Still, this is going to be much harder without any preparation.

To be continued...