Sero tried his best to engage in the conversation when Nala and Amaya came back into the room, but found himself still reeling from learning of the rate of success. He tried to force his Rationality to activate, but to no avail.

It was also unsettling to see his father act as if nothing was wrong, talking up a storm with the two women. Sero figured either they were unaware of the ridiculously low success rate or they were simply in denial. He could hardly blame them for that, though. It was easier to hope for the best, to pretend that everything would turn out all right, than to face the harsh reality that might be waiting around the corner.

"Champion," Aphiel's voice spoke softly in his thoughts, her voice gentle and reassuring. "Everything will be ok."

"Thanks, Aphiel," Sero sighed to himself. "I guess I need some time to process all of this."

"Of course. I am always here if you need me."

"Hey, I’m going to grab something from the vending machines," Sero stood up and stretched, figuring some time alone to himself would ease his mind. "You guys want anything?"

Both Amaya and Tiero shook their heads, but Nala’s attention eagerly snapped to Sero.

"Two packs of sour strips, please," Nala requested, her violet eyes sparkling with excitement. "And can you get some of those chocolate bars with the caramel filling? The big ones. Oh, and a fizzy soda."

"Um. Yeah, ok..." Sero said with a weird look as he stepped out.

In the hallway, Sero paused for a moment to take a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. The low success rate of his father's surgery weighed heavily on him, but he couldn't afford to lose hope. He forced his Rationality to activate, this time with success as it worked to calm his nerves and clear his head.

Sero walked down to the end of the hallway, where the vending machines were. His eyes twitched at the prices of Nala's snacks, but he bought them regardless.

"Hey, mister. Are you the Scholar fraud?"

Sero whirled around then tilted his head down at the small boy standing there. He looked about ten, with messy brown hair and large, pale orange curious eyes. He was dressed in khaki shorts and a t-shirt, with a visitor's tag that read 'Casey' stuck to his chest. The boy had his arms folded as he glanced up at Sero with a determined look.

"Uh, I'm a Scholar, yes." Sero shifted the snacks in his arms to hold them better. Whose kid was this?

The boy named Casey nodded in confirmation. "So, you're the dirty fraud."

Sero fought the urge to punt the brat down the hallway. He gazed at Casey for a moment, feeling his Rationality activating.

"What do you want, kid?" Sero managed to keep his temper in check.

"I watched you on TV," The boy began. "There's no way you're that strong."

Sero raised an eyebrow. "You've got me there. I suppose it must be some sort of conspiracy, then. Or maybe... I don't know. Maybe I actually am?"

Casey frowned. "I'm not that stupid. If you're really that strong, then prove it."

For a moment, Sero stared at him. He glanced around the peaceful atmosphere of the hallway.

"And how do you think I should do that? We're in a hospital, you know."

Casey unfurled his arms and gazed directly into Sero's eyes. There was a fire in his eyes, a hunger that desired strength. Sero found it hard to believe that such a young child could have that sort of look.

"Teach me how to become strong, then."

Sero blinked in surprise, caught off guard by Casey's request. He slipped the snacks into his Shadow Shift space.

"And what makes you think I'd want to teach you?" He knelt down to Casey's level.

"To prove to me that you're strong." The boy replied evenly.

Sero felt his irritation rising again and had to remind himself that Casey was just a kid. Still, his bold attitude was something even Sero had to admire about the boy.

"Sorry kid," Sero shook his head. "First off, you're way too young to be thinking about getting strong. Second, are you even an Ascendant?"

"Yeah, I am. My Sponsor is Hanuman, god of strength and courage. I am a Warrior class." Casey glared defiantly at Sero.

A quick analysis told him that Casey did have a mana aura, but it was far greater than what a Warrior class should have. Sero narrowed his eyes.

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"Champion, he seems to be telling the truth, though I cannot verify who his god is." Aphiel confirmed in his thoughts. "I also doubt he is a Warrior."

"All right, I believe you're an Ascendant. But you're definitely not a Warrior." Sero met the boy's gaze.

"I am!" Casey hesitated for a moment. "Ok, fine, I'm not. I'm a Mage class, but that doesn't matter. Will you teach me or not?"

Sero took a slow, deep breath, searching through Casey's eyes. He didn't see any malice, just determination and a spark of something else... Sero couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Why?" He finally spoke, curious as to why this boy wanted to learn from him. "For what reason would you need to grow stronger at your age?"

"Because..." Casey looked away. "Because my grandma's sick with the Outbreak Plague. She's raised me ever since my parents left me on her doorstep, and I want to be able to take care of her."

Sero considered this for a moment. He didn't have any personal experience with family, considering his mother wasn't around anymore and he recently found his father again, but he could understand the desire to protect those you cared for. And even though this kid was brash and had the audacity to call him a fraud, there was something genuine about him. In fact, Sero admitted to seeing a part of himself within the boy.

"Fine," Sero sighed as he stood up. "I'll see what I can do."

Casey looked taken aback. Sero figured he expected the Scholar to continue resisting.

"Oh," The boy stammered. "I mean, right! Thank you." Casey bowed his head.

"Yeah, whatever," Sero waved a hand dismissively, slightly embarrassed by the act. "I'm not the best at teaching, but I'll do my best after the tournament."

"Why not now?" Casey looked back up at him, his eyes shining with determination and excitement. Sero couldn't help but think of Enzo. Did he feel the same way when he trained him?

"I, uh... my father. I have to make sure he's fine first." Sero slipped past Casey towards Tiero's room. "I'll see you around soon, though."

----------------------------------------

Even though Sero said his goodbyes, he didn't expect Casey to follow him back to his father's room. Sitting off to the corner, Sero watched as Casey quickly befriended not only Tiero, but Amaya and Nala as well.

"My grandma has the sickness too," Casey finished explaining, sitting at the edge of Tiero's bed. "And since she's the only one taking care of me, I have to stay here with her. I take classes online."

"How long have you guys been here?" Nala asked, nibbling on her sour strips.

"Um, about a month or two? I don't know, I lost track of time." Casey replied, chewing on the chocolate Nala shared with him.

"It's just been you and your grandma here all this time?" Amaya asked, looking concerned for the boy. "No other friends or family?"

"Yup. My parents abandoned us a few years back, and we never saw them again. I don't really have friends, either."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Casey." Tiero smiled reassuringly. "But, I think that your grandma really appreciates you being here."

"Thanks, Mr. Tiero," Casey said softly. He paused for a moment, then continued, "I just want to be strong enough to take care of her, you know? That's why I asked Mr. Fraud to teach me. I mean, Mr. Sero."

Sero's eyes twitched.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but why did you want Sero to teach you? Wouldn't another Mage be better?" Amaya asked, making it a point not to glance at Sero, who felt his irritation rising again.

"Because I saw what he can do on TV," Casey replied, his mouth covered in chocolate. "If he can keep getting back up after taking all those hits, then so can I. And plus, his skills are cool."

"Well, most of his skills are ripped off of other Ascendants." Nala bluntly interjected.

"That's true..." Casey pondered for a moment. "But, he's still good at taking hits."

"Maybe he's just really good at acting like he's taking hits," Nala retorted, earning a snicker from Amaya.

"Ok, I'm sitting right here," Sero spoke up, annoyed at how casually they were talking about him. "And no, every hit was real, and they hurt like a b-" He caught himself. "And they hurt real bad."

"I believe you, son," Tiero smiled, looking back at the kid. "I'm sure Sero will help you grow stronger, Casey. He's gotten this strong in so little time, after all."

"If he's no good, then I can also teach you magic," Amaya leaned in closer to Casey. "I'm a Spellblade, so I advanced from the Mage class!"

"Me too," Nala chipped in as she sipped her soda. "Advanced as a Shadereaper."

Casey's eyes shone with wonder at the two women, apparently forgetting about Sero already.

Sero sighed, watching as the matches on TV concluded. The sun was beginning to set outside, painting the sky in a gradient of red and orange. Just a little while ago, Sero had been spiraling with the knowledge of the surgery's low success rate, but meeting Casey and the laughter of the group now had helped him cast aside his worries.

"Aww, my little bookworm looks so content."

Sero didn't have to turn his head to know that Kit had popped into the room. The other four quickly noticed her presence, surprised at the newcomer.

"Hi there! I'm Kit, nice to meet you." The Paradox smiled at Tiero and Casey. Instead of the tournament uniform Sero had gotten used to, she defaulted back to her dark-blue jeans and a brown short-sleeved shirt, complete with black boots.

"Oh, I'm Tiero. Sero's father." He said, completely mesmerized by her. Casey wasn't as enthralled, but he did look at her in awe.

"I'm Casey, Mr. Sero's student."

"What?" Kit glanced back at Sero with a mischievous gleam in her mismatched eyes. "Enzo's student has a student of his own?"

"No, it's not like- never mind." Sero gave up trying to explain.

"Are you my son's girlfriend?" Tiero suddenly asked, shocking everyone in the room. Amaya's jaw dropped, Nala raised an eyebrow, and Casey simply glanced at everyone. Only Kit seemed unperturbed.

"Hmm... am I?" Kit smirked as she slinked over to Sero. "I'm sure he'd love that, but sadly, no."

"What are you doing here, Kit?" Sero tried to change the topic, feeling his face heat up.

"Oops, that's right," Kit tilted her head. "Your teacher wants to meet up with you. Treat you out to dinner or something along those lines." The Paradox glanced at the others. "You guys wouldn't mind if I steal him for a moment, do you? I promise to bring him back."

"Of course, go ahead," Tiero agreed before Sero could say anything. "I've got good company here."

"Wait, hold on–"

"Yeah, Nala and I will keep your father company until visiting hours are over, right?" Amaya asked the Shadereaper, who nodded nonchalantly.

"Mr. Sero, I'll make sure your dad is safe!" Casey pounded a fist over his chest.

"Well, that settles it," Kit smiled down at Sero. "Come on."