"So, early bird, what's your take on this?" Gerald asked, his voice tinged with curiosity as he sat down beside Vas, a knowing smile on his lips.

"I think Jacob's going to pull through," Vas replied confidently, eyes fixed on the distant figure of his brother.

"Why are you so sure?" Gerald pressed, leaning forward slightly, his tone less casual and more probing.

Vas turned to meet his grandfather's gaze, a calm conviction in his eyes. "Because I have faith in him. He's got the determination and grit to make it through."

Gerald's smile widened, but there was a glint of something more in his eyes. "Faith is good, but I'm looking for a bit more of a professional assessment here," he said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

Vas took a moment, considering his words carefully. "Honestly? I don't think he's going to beat the Kadmon agent outright, not as he is now. But I do believe he can earn his qualifications. The fact that his opponent isn't underestimating him says a lot. There's something in Jacob that even the agent respects, whether it's his potential or something else."

Gerald nodded slowly, absorbing Vas's words. "I agree," he said, his tone thoughtful. "Anything else you've noticed?"

Vas smirked, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Are you satisfied with how your plan is unfolding?" he asked, his voice laced with a subtle challenge.

Gerald raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. "What plan might that be?"

"The one where you've cleverly orchestrated a situation that forces a bunch of kids from influential backgrounds to spend more time together, thereby strengthening the Hek family's ties with them," Vas replied, his tone sharp with irony.

Gerald chuckled, the sound deep and genuine. "You've always been quick, Vas. When did you figure that one out?"

Vas shrugged, leaning back on the bench. "When they started forming private chats and making plans together, it seemed less like a punishment and more like a setup to ensure they'd bond. If they were going to be under surveillance, they might as well stick together."

Gerald regarded his grandson with a mixture of pride and wistfulness. "You're right," he admitted, his voice softening. "But despite all that, it didn't do much to bridge the gap between you and your siblings."

A heavy sigh escaped him, the weight of unspoken hopes and familial tension hanging in the air. "Anyway," he continued, pushing himself to his feet, "I'd better go. Your grandmother shouldn't be left alone right now."

Vas watched as Gerald walked away, a pensive look in his eyes. As the old man disappeared into the distance, Jacob stepped into the circle, facing the Kadmon agent. Vas remained on the bench, his focus shifting to the imminent clash, a quiet confidence in his heart that his brother would find his way.

As Jacob stepped into the glowing circle of runes, the atmosphere around the Hek mansion seemed to shift, the once lively chatter among the gathered guests fading into a tense silence. The Kadmon agent standing opposite Jacob was an imposing figure, his uniform tailored to perfection, exuding an air of quiet authority. The agent's eyes were sharp, analyzing Jacob with the precision of a predator assessing its prey. The runes beneath their feet shimmered with ethereal energy, casting an otherworldly glow over the battlefield.

Vas watched intently, his body tensing as he focused on his brother's every move. The circle of runes was Gerald's creation, and knowing his grandfather's skill, Vas understood that the battlefield was designed to test not only Jacob's physical abilities but also his strategic thinking. This wasn't just about brute strength; it was about cunning, endurance, and the ability to adapt under pressure.

The Kadmon agent moved first, his stance relaxed yet ready, as if daring Jacob to make the first strike. Jacob didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, he summoned the power of his bonded god, Terra, and the ground beneath the agent's feet rumbled ominously. Roots burst forth from the earth, coiling like serpents around the agent's legs, trying to drag him down.

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But the agent was prepared. With a fluid movement, he unleashed a wave of energy that shattered the roots before they could fully take hold. The broken fragments of earth hovered in the air momentarily before falling back to the ground, and the agent lunged forward, aiming a precise strike at Jacob.

Jacob dodged, barely avoiding the blow, and countered with a swift kick aimed at the agent's side. The two exchanged a flurry of blows, each testing the other's defenses, their movements quick and calculated. The energy in the air crackled with tension, the clash of their powers creating ripples in the runic circle.

As the fight intensified, Vas found himself drawn further into the spectacle, his mind racing with thoughts of strategy and outcomes. It was then that he felt a presence beside him, a soft voice breaking through his concentration.

The fight in the circle of runes grew more intense, each clash of power reverberating through the air as Jacob and the Kadmon agent pushed each other to their limits. The crowd around the garden watched in silence, the tension palpable. The Kadmon agent, though seasoned and skilled, was clearly impressed by Jacob's tenacity and ingenuity. The battlefield had become a dynamic arena, with the earth constantly shifting and roots weaving in and out like living barriers.

As Vas observed the fight, Zola's voice broke through his focus.

"Hello, Mystery Man, how have you been?" she asked, a soft smile playing on her lips as she leaned slightly closer to him.

Vas turned to her, momentarily distracted from the fight by her presence. "I've been good, Miss Zola. How have you been?"

Zola's eye twitched slightly at the word "Miss." Her smile remained, but her tone took on a teasing, almost scolding edge. "What do you mean, 'Miss'? Don't call me that. I thought we were friends."

Vas chuckled, finding her reaction amusing. There was something about Zola's mix of playfulness and intensity that he found oddly charming. "Then, what am I supposed to call you?"

"Call me Z, like all my close friends and family do," she replied, her smile brightening as she gave him a look that suggested she expected him to comply.

"Alright, Z," Vas said, nodding in agreement. He glanced back at the fight, noting how Jacob was skillfully maneuvering around the Kadmon agent's attacks. "So, what do you think about the fight?"

Zola followed his gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly as she analyzed the scene before them. "It's intense. Jacob's holding his own better than I expected. You can tell he's really putting everything he has into this."

"Yeah, he's always been the quiet one, but when it counts, he doesn't hold back," Vas remarked, his voice tinged with pride. "It's like he's finding his rhythm now."

Zola nodded, but her focus shifted from the fight to Vas. There was a curiosity in her eyes, an unspoken question lingering just beneath the surface. "You're really close to him, aren't you?"

Vas glanced at her, a bit caught off guard by the personal nature of the question. "Yeah, I guess you could say that. We've always looked out for each other."

She tilted her head slightly, her expression softening as she studied him. "I can see that. You're both strong in your own ways. But you… you've got this way of carrying yourself, like there's more to you than meets the eye."

Vas smiled slightly, unsure of how to respond. Zola's words were both flattering and unsettling, as if she was peeling back layers he wasn't sure he was ready to reveal. "I think everyone's got more to them than what's on the surface."

Zola's gaze lingered on him, her smile turning a bit more playful. "True, but with you, it feels like there's a whole world hidden underneath."

Before Vas could reply, the fight took a sudden turn. The Kadmon agent, sensing Jacob's growing confidence, unleashed a powerful attack, sending a shockwave through the ground. Jacob barely had time to react, using Terra's power to summon a barrier of roots that absorbed the impact. The force of the blow caused the barrier to crack, but it held firm, protecting Jacob from the full brunt of the attack.

"That was close," Vas muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he watched his brother regain his footing.

Zola leaned closer, her shoulder brushing against his as she watched the fight with renewed interest. "He's got this. You can see it in the way he moves. He's not just fighting; he's adapting."

Vas nodded, appreciating her insight. "Yeah, that's Jacob. He's always been good at thinking on his feet."

Zola glanced at Vas again, her voice softer this time, almost as if she was speaking more to herself than to him. "You're pretty good at that too, aren't you?"

Vas looked at her, catching the way her eyes seemed to search his, as if she was trying to read the thoughts he kept hidden. There was a warmth in her gaze, something that hinted at an attraction she hadn't yet voiced. It made Vas feel both intrigued and cautious. He wasn't used to this kind of attention, especially not from someone as direct as Zola.

"Maybe," he replied, his tone light but his eyes serious. "But right now, it's Jacob who needs to be at his best."

Zola smiled, sensing his attempt to deflect. She didn't press further, but the spark in her eyes told him that this conversation was far from over. "Well, I'll be rooting for him too. But don't think you're off the hook, Mystery Man. I'm still curious about what makes you tick."

Vas chuckled, appreciating her persistence. "I'll keep that in mind."