I walked back to the entrance of the locker room. But my master Benson was at the door waiting for me. He looked ticked off when you have to wait on somebody, but they're taking forever to get there. Benson advanced towards me with this murderous look.

Benson: What took you so long, kid?! I've been waiting for you! Sora: Well, the questions they've been asking me were profuse. Benson: I'm not talking about that; you were taking your time to get here! Sora: Oh, I was talking to some of my fans on the way here, and they were asking when I was dropping some new music and when is the next live stream concert. How did I perform at the press conference? Benson: You did fine, overall. But your arrogance is quite exhausting, and you spaced out for a brief moment. But nothing shameful. Sora: But what are you doing out here by yourself?

You could've just waited inside of the locker room. Benson: I wanted to speak to you, alone. So, how is your illness? Sora: To be honest, I had no flare-ups during my entire stay at Rowan Academy. Benson: You've been taking the meds? Sora: No, I feel perfectly fine; there haven't been any overloads so far. My magic hasn't been poisoning me as well. I think I can finally stay off most of the meds. Benson: I was afraid you were going to say that. Take your meds! How can you do your job if your condition gets worse!? You know what Royland said if you don't take your meds!

Sora: Oh, yes, I remember. If I have an overload, then I will go back to intensive treatment. Or worse, I won't be able to use any combat magic for a while. Benson: You're putting Sophia at risk! I gave y'all the green light to come to Rowan Academy because you can protect and bring glory to the Accordia family. Perhaps, I should've delayed your enrollment until you two turned sixteen. Sora: I'm sorry, I will be better; I will take care of my health seriously. Benson: Your partner in crime needs to be scolded along with you.

Sora: Oh, yes indeed! Benson: Oh, yeah, one more thing, I don't want to see away from Sophia; she drives me insane with her generic fancy talk! Sora: She only does that to create conversation. Benson: Well, I guess this is a better time than any; The kidnapping, you got anything you want to share? Sora: Sadly, I was asleep most of the time. So, I have no information to give you really. Benson: Was she responsible for destroying India?

Sora: I don't think so, but it could be her. Benson: That's not good enough. All of the councils are teaming up and launching a colossal size investigation on the attack. Since the type of magic was dark magic, you know there's a concise list of that. Sora: What are you trying to say? Benson: You're one of the suspects of the attack since you can use dark magic.

As you know, anyone with dark magic will be killed immediately when discovered. But if you're a part of the pardon or exceptions list, then you won't get killed. Sora: I know already. But I'm on the exception list! But since dark magic users can be counted with one hand because of the thirteenth civil war, dark magic users are no longer allowed to live. Since I can use dark magic, I'm an automatic suspect. But it really narrows it down to Zea or me or somebody in a criminal organization. Benson: Exactly, so I want you to not use dark magic if you can help yourself. Her majesty talks a lot about you, showing everyone why you're her most powerful royal guard.

Sora: It's unnecessary pressure you're putting on me! You only needed to say you must have an outstanding performance or something like that the first time! I get the picture; I already have tons of pressure on me, so just shut up, watch me work! Benson: All right then, you got the picture. Before I forget, your fellow club members that ran off came back. Valencia brought them back. And they're talking about strategy when I left the room.

Both of us went inside the locker room, and there's more drama about to brew. Brianna and Peyton, standing face to face, look like they are about to go at it.

Peyton: Zoe, I got this one. If teamwork was enough, why does this club have so many losses this early in the season?! You do need teamwork, but you need that x-factor; you need that superstar that can win you games at any given moment. Sora will be given a chance to show his skills. Look at his brother and sister, mother and father. He was perfect at the entrance exams. From what I saw from him in the entrance exams, his pedigree, and what Maina told Zoey and me. He can carry this team by himself. If it were one versus five, I'm taking Sora.

Brianna: I don't care; he's a Hestia. He's still a first year student! He has not proven himself. Giving him this kind of role is dumb as hell! You really think a first-year could do this all by himself!? Peyton: I can tell; you didn't play at all last season or barely play in any matches. Honestly, it seems like you don't know power when you see it.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

Valdis: Enough, Sora is back from his press conference! You did a stellar job at that press conference, and I just found out, you make music with Sophia. Y'all two really are amazing. Sora: Thanks! Valdis: On a more serious note, Blue, all of us have tried to carry this team except for Zoey and Peyton. I really tried, but I can't do it every single match; it's just too much for me. I'm glad that I tried to carry this team; it made me stronger. And as a bonus, I got an ocular power from it! Sophia couldn't end her fights quickly, so all of us began to struggle without her help.

And plus, she wasn't in the right state of mind, to put it lightly. Valencia gets too tired, and she holds back and creates more work for herself because she doesn't want to use her actual power for reasons! Valencia: Just drop it! Valdis: That's all I'm going to say about it. It's up to you to be the best. Sora: I will accept the role you guys have given me. Brianna: Do you really expect this fucking first year to carry our upperclassmen like us!? Sora: Do you think you can take on my siblings?! If so, go ahead and prove me wrong by challenging them and put me in place.

Peyton: Alright, enough of this stupid argument! Let's talk about each set. Sora, as you know, you are taking on Ji Nagasaki. Ji is a very prideful royal mage; he will try to end the match quickly to embarrass his opponents. But the worst thing you could do is make the fight long. Ryder even struggles with him from time to time if the fight goes longer than it needs to be. The more time that passes, he will react to everything a lot more quickly. Zoey: If you allow five minutes to pass, he has this spell that will activate and overpower anything, and you will lose if you allow that to happen. Sora: So I have to end the match very quickly and can't play around that much. Alright, I got it.

Valdis: For the two v two, I know for a fact that Ji and August will team up. So I need Sora and Sophia to fight because you guys have the best chemistry, and y'all practice with each other countless times. And I know you guys will put on a spectacular performance. Sophia: We will!

Peyton: Remember, we have to conserve energy so we can prepare for the last set. Sophia, that doesn't mean you can go berserk with your magic. We might still need you for the last set; we could use a sub if necessary. We have to win this game at any cost. Even though subbing out a player is looked down upon. Sora: Why is that? Peyton: Well, it's really meant for the high-ranking teams but to answer your question is because you look desperate to subbing out a player even though it's tactically smart.

Sora: So it's an honor thing, and also other clubs would call you some sweats or something like that. So, I'm guessing in the playoffs, it's acceptable because everyone is fighting for a chance to go to the finals.

Zoey: Correct, you got it right on the money. Dr.K told me to tell you about WMSN with your mom, Sapphire, Ruby, and Ryder. You will be there for a few minutes before the match starts. You guys will be on the stone fighting platform. Sora: How long until the match?

Justin: It's ten-fifty a.m. The match starts at twelve, so there's one hour and ten minutes left before we get started. Peyton: That's plenty of time to lay out a more proper plan.

Sophia: Where are you going to be sitting to teach? Benson: I'm going to be sitting with you guys, of course. Sophia: Astonishing news to hear! Valdis: Umm, guys, I just got a text message from Dr.Konda; he said, have we met our new coach yet? Justin: Since when?! De'Niro: Nani!? Sora: I guess our coach is late then. Since we haven't seen him yet. Zoey: Are you guys morons or what!? Deshon: What do you mean? Zoey: It's fucking Benson! Peyton: Maina mentioned a coach, but I thought it would be someone else in mind, no offense.

Benson: None was taken. I would like a proper introduction as your new coach. Benson got up from his noir folding chair and motioned for everyone to have a seat. He took the center of the room.

Benson: Some of y'all know of me. And a bunch of ya'll don't know me. I'm Andre Benson; I am currently the sentinel of the low council. I also used to be the head of the Maina Squad seventeen years ago. Until I took a seat on the low council fourteen years ago.

He's about to start monologuing; he will never get tired of talking about himself!!!

Stop him, or I will make a scene, Sora! Being away from him was a blessing in disguise when you got to Rowan Academy! I can't wait until you turn eighteen, so I can take your body and make it my own.

You don't have to remind me, but I'm not going down without a fight; you got that, Rin!?

Beating me!? You're outta your damn mind!

See, Rin, he stopped talking about himself, you can relax in peace!

I'm going to watch him bleed out when I rip out his aorta!!!

I don't need your murderous thoughts in my head again! Who knows, maybe he will get killed before you get to him. If you want him dead so much, be patient.

Benson: As your new coach, I will be looking for your development in mind this season. Everyone will contribute to the team in their own way. So, whoever is on the bench, don't worry; you get your shot. Just keep studying and training hard. I reward hard workers; if Sora or Sophia are taking it easy, I will give you their spot. It's only fair, right?!

Like we don't train and study every day?! Why is he acting like we're some hardcore slackers?! Honestly, it's so evident that he's trying to give them false hope of ambition. It's pretty sad, but everyone on the planet knows that he won't bench me; the roster is too small for that. And you really can't replace me.

It would be the biggest joke of the century if he follows up his baseless threat; in this instance, you have the right to be rightful. But don't go overboard; I see too many promising mages and fall prey to their massive ego.

I won't go overboard; you don't have to worry about it.

Benson: I agree with the lineup so far. But I agree with it for a different reason. I already know what Sophia can do, and it's better to have her as an emergency substitute. Zoey, you could probably hold the starting job for quite a while.