As the fight continued to escalate, Zola remained by Vas's side, her presence, subtle but comforting.

The fight reached a fever pitch as Jacob and the Kadmon agent exchanged powerful blows, the ground beneath them trembling with the force of their clash. Jacob was giving it his all, drawing upon every ounce of strength and skill he had honed over the years. The air around them crackled with energy as Jacob summoned roots from the earth, trying to ensnare his opponent and gain the upper hand.

But the Kadmon agent was relentless, countering each of Jacob's attacks with precision and power. The agent's movements were fluid, almost effortless, as if he had anticipated every move Jacob would make. Despite Jacob's best efforts, it became clear that the Kadmon agent had the upper hand in experience and control.

Vas watched intently, his eyes narrowing as he observed the fight with a calm intensity. He could see the fatigue starting to weigh on Jacob, his movements becoming slower, less sharp. The Kadmon agent capitalized on this, launching a final, decisive strike that sent Jacob crashing to the ground.

Jacob struggled to get back up, his breath ragged and his body trembling from exhaustion. The Kadmon agent stood over him, his expression impassive as he waited to see if Jacob would yield. For a moment, it seemed like Jacob might try to push himself further, to stand up and continue the fight, but his body wouldn't allow it. With a pained expression, Jacob remained on the ground, his defeat clear to everyone watching.

The crowd in the garden was silent, the tension hanging heavy in the air. Then, in a move that surprised everyone, the Kadmon agent extended a hand to Jacob, helping him to his feet. The agent's expression softened slightly, and he spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

"You fought well, Jacob Hek. You may not have won the fight, but you've proven your worth. You're in."

There was a collective sigh of relief from the crowd, followed by a smattering of applause. Jacob, though visibly exhausted and disappointed, managed a grateful nod as he accepted the agent's words. He had lost the fight, but he had gained something far more valuable—a recognition of his strength and potential.

Vas, who had been watching the fight with Zola, remained calm, his expression composed as he processed the outcome. There was no sign of disappointment or frustration in his demeanor. Instead, he seemed almost serene, as if he had expected this result and was at peace with it.

Zola glanced at him, curious about his reaction. "You're taking this pretty well," she remarked, her tone light but probing.

Vas turned to her, a small smile playing on his lips. "I knew Jacob had it in him to prove himself. Winning or losing doesn't matter as much as the fact that he didn't give up. That's what makes him strong."

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Zola nodded, impressed by Vas's perspective. "You really believe in him, don't you?"

"I do," Vas replied, his gaze drifting back to where Jacob was being congratulated by the other members of Kadmon. "He's always been strong, even if he doesn't always see it. Today just showed everyone else what I already knew."

Zola's smile softened as she looked at Vas, her admiration for him growing. "You're pretty incredible, you know that?"

Vas shrugged slightly, his demeanor humble. "I just see things as they are. Jacob did well today, and that's what matters."

Zola didn't press further, but there was a lingering warmth in her gaze as she watched Vas. There was something about his calm confidence, his unwavering support for his brother, that drew her in. She found herself more intrigued by him than ever, wondering what it was that made him so composed in the face of challenges.

As the crowd began to disperse, Vas stood up, ready to go and congratulate Jacob. Zola followed his lead, but before they left, she gently touched his arm, catching his attention.

"Hey, Vas," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of something unspoken. "I'm glad I got to talk to you today. You're… different from what I expected."

Vas looked at her, sensing the sincerity in her words. "I could say the same about you, Z. I'm glad we talked too."

Zola's smile widened, a glimmer of something more than just friendship in her eyes. "Maybe we should do it more often."

"Maybe we should," Vas agreed, his tone light but his eyes holding a depth that matched hers.

With that, they both turned their attention back to Jacob, who was now standing tall despite his defeat, surrounded by the support of his family and friends. The fight was over, but the bonds between them had only grown stronger, and for Vas, that was worth more than any victory.

As soon as Jacob was left alone, Vas approached him with a concerned expression. "So, how are you feeling, big bro?"

Zola trailed behind Vas, her gaze sharp and attentive, taking in every detail of the interaction between the two brothers.

Jacob let out a tired but satisfied grin. "Like I just got run over by a truck," he admitted, "but I'm satisfied."

Vas's smile softened with relief. "Glad to hear that. I told you everything would be fine," he said, his tone laced with pride.

Jacob chuckled, extending his fist for a bump, which Vas met with a light tap. "Thanks, lil bro."

As the two shared that brief, comforting moment, Jacob's gaze drifted to Zola, who was standing just behind Vas. "By the way, who's this behind you?"

Vas turned slightly, catching Zola's expectant look. "This is Zola, a new friend," he introduced, but a soft, deliberate "Humph" from behind made him quickly correct himself. "Sorry, she's Z, a friend."

Zola stepped forward, her confidence evident in her stride as she extended her hand to Jacob. "Nice to meet you, Zola," Jacob said warmly, shaking her hand. "Any friend of my lil bro is a friend of mine."

Before the conversation could go any further, Tessa and Lynn arrived, both eager to congratulate Jacob on his performance.

"Congratulations!" Tessa exclaimed, her excitement radiating through her smile. "Now only our part is left, and we'll all be good to go!"

Lynn nodded in agreement. "That was impressive, Jacob. I'm going to need to train a lot more to reach that level."

Jacob let out a soft laugh. "Yeah, it's not easy. But I wouldn't follow my advice too closely—most of the things I do in a fight come from this guy," he said, nodding toward Vas. "He may not be bonded with a god, but when it comes to tactics, he's the most creative mind I know."

Tessa tilted her head, intrigued. "And who is he?"

Vas offered a polite nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Vastian Hek, Jacob's little brother."