“Hiro, you don’t have to leave… Kai’s not thinking straight right now,” Luna says.

“Nah, I really don’t wanna be the thin’ holdin’ ya guys back. Drugo, don’t think ‘bout followin’ me. Teacher, ya said last year we could change groups, right?"

“Yes…but it is not as simple as that. There must be another group that wishes the same, and both parties must agree to accept the other member. Is there anyone who wishes to exchange a team member with Hiro?” Moria asks.

Of course, no one answers. No one would willingly take this garbage.

“I am sorry. It appears that no one wants to complete the transfer.”

“Sorry, Kai. I tried,” Hiro says.

I can’t blame him because he did. I guess I’m stuck with him.

Moria sighs and then says, “I have an alternative. I do not like the result of the test any more than you do. Someone of Kai’s caliber deserves far better. So, I will extend him an opportunity. Kai, if you would like, you can skip a year or two.”

“Really?!” I exclaim. I could finally learn something new!

“Yes, and I can place you with some of the brightest students too.”

“How does that work?” I ask. It sounds like switching members out of a group is complicated. And each apartment only has six bedrooms. “There can’t be more than six members to a team, right?”

“Do not worry about it. Exceptions can be made, and there are ways to work around this. Give me your answer by tomorrow, and I will begin to make arrangements.”

I look at my current team. I’ll miss them except for Hiro. Who wouldn’t take this chance? I can always make new friends, but I can’t learn more about magic if Hiro fails his tests, halting our progress forward.

“I’m ready now. I wanna do it.”

“Okay, I will contact some groups and let you meet them before deciding on a final team. I will come to your apartment sometime in the afternoon. Go ahead and take the day off.”

I put my hands in my pockets and walk up the steps.

“Kai, wait!” Luna exclaims and chases after me.

I ignore her, continuing forward without looking back.

“Luna, you cannot leave,” Moria says. “Your group must stay for remedial lessons. Kai is an exception.”

I leave the room and make my way back to the living quarters.

I still can’t believe everything was ruined because Hiro didn’t pass the theory exam. Like, how does that happen? He spends all that time working on his presentation, and it wasn’t that good. If he knew that he wouldn’t do well on the exam, he should’ve spent more time studying. We would’ve still won if he didn’t do the extra credit.

I need a nap. I’m not tired, but I’m going to take one anyway. I lock myself in my room and sleep.

…

“Kai?” Luna asks and knocks on the door. “Are you awake? Can we talk?”

I get up from the bed and then open the door. She’s the only person around. “What’s there to talk about?”

“I don’t wanna see you go… Is there anything I can do to convince you to stay with us?” Luna asks with tears welling up in her eyes.

“I’ve made up my mind. I’m going.”

“I see… We’ll still be friends, right?”

“Yeah,” I respond. I don’t mind that at all. Luna was the only one who believed in my abilities before I made it obvious. Sure, she thought I was weak before, and I would’ve thought the same in that situation. The important thing is that my hidden talent didn’t come across to her as an impossibility.

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She smiles and says, “I’ll miss you, but I’ll support your decision.”

I smile. It doesn’t feel like her attitude toward me changed at all since the test. I thought if I proved that I wasn’t weak, she would elevate my status and treat me differently.

“Here’s your test,” Luna says and hands it to me.

“Thanks.” Let’s see what I got. Perfect score as expected. How bad do your answers have to be to score a 36? Moria’s response to my question at the end piques my interest. He says that another grade of Mana exists, but Humans can’t use it. What does that mean? Everyone has it, but can’t control it, and somehow I can?

“You’re welcome to come back and visit anytime,” Luna says. “Breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Don’t be shy, okay?”

“Sure. Did remedial lessons finish?”

“Yeah. Moria gave six yellow tickets already. He said not to worry about the daily tasks today.”

If classes are done, he should be swinging by soon.

“I’m gonna bring supplies back for the day to make your favorite foods before you leave,” Luna says before heading out.

Hmm… Should I practice Mana Manipulation or nap? I store my test with the rest of my school papers on the shelf. I turn around and go back to the living room after the front door opens. “Moria?”

No, it’s only Sitos.

“Sorry,” he says and sits down at the table. “You will have to bear with me a little longer.”

I hope he didn’t take offense. I join him at the table and clarify, “It’s not you, just so you know.”

“I know. Do not worry about it. You are making the right decision. I would do the same in your shoes. Hiro the Great is a disappointment.”

I laugh. “Still calling him by that name after he failed the theoretical exam and even when he’s not here?”

“A loss is a loss. I better get used to it,” Sitos says with a slight smile. “Have you thought of a punishment for me yet? This may be your last chance to ask for something.”

“Hmm…” I don’t have something in mind yet, but he’s right. I mind as well say something since I won. Though, it’s not like I’m saying goodbye forever. I’m still going to be friends with Sitos, Luna, Drugo, Marin… What about Hiro? Do I no longer consider him a friend after what he did? I’m not really sure.

“Do you want me to call you Kai the Great from now on?”

I chuckle and then say, “Nah…that would get real old fast. Even though I’m leaving, I’ll still be visiting from time to time. I’ll think of something for you later. You’re still down to spar with me, right?”

“Of course. You are not a bad opponent to fight. You are also leaving me alone with Hiro the Great…”

He’s definitely getting the short end of the stick here. He has to teach Hiro because of the bet with Luna while calling him Hiro the Great. It’ll be like he’s getting bullied if I add something on top of that. I widen my eyes. I just thought of something I’ve wanted to do since my first day but never could.

Before I realize it, I’m practically grinning. Sitos looks at me with widened eyes as if he knows what’s coming.

He frowns and says, “What are you thinking…?”

“So…you remember how you said I never landed a hit on you in our duels?” I ask and stand up. He says nothing. “Well. Here’s what I want from you. Let’s do an official spar right now without any weapons with a one-hit rule. But, you’re only allowed to stand still and let me punch you in the face for free. No dodging, blocking, or holding any grudges afterward.”

“You cheater. Is this how you want to win?” Sitos asks with a sneer.

I smirk. “A loss is a loss, right?”

He scoffs and stands up. He puffs his chest out with both of his arms behind his back similar to the guy from earlier, except Sitos leaves no room between his legs. “You still have some trouble keeping your eyes open during a battle, right? Let this be a lesson to you. Always keep your eyes open regardless if you know you will receive a blow.”

He finds a way to make everything some aspect of training. Well, the moment has finally come. I told myself I would find a way to sock him, and here it is. I stretch my arms to make sure I’m warmed up. I’m not going to hold anything back.

When I’m ready, I clench my right fist and launch it toward the side of Sitos’s face with a right hook. His eyes don’t flinch at all up until the moment of impact. However, the force of my blow thrusts him off his balance and sends him to the ground.

Ouch. I hold onto my knuckles. Punching someone with full force hurts me more than I thought. It’s bruised and bleeding a little.

“Nice punch,” Sitos says while standing up. I left a red mark on his cheek. He holds out his hand. “Good duel.”

I shake it and smile. I finally got payback, but it doesn’t feel as satisfying as I thought it would. Instead, it feels like Sitos came out on top because my fist looks worse than his face. At least I can hold it over his head that I beat him with everyone else. Except, I won’t be around them much anymore, and my new group won’t really care. It’s all pointless.

I open the front door after hearing another knock. It’s Moria this time.

“Kai, I apologize for the wait. Are you ready to meet some of your prospective team members?”

“Yeah, let’s go,” I say and follow him.

“You will meet with three different groups today, a fourth-year team and two teams in their third year. You will spend about two hours with each of them. Do not worry about making your final decision today. I will have more interested parties ready tomorrow. Feel free to interview as many as you wish.”

“Okay, so who’s first?”

“We will be headed to the third floor where the fourth years are located. The upcoming team won the Mana Manipulation competition in their second year, so they obtained the first large room.”

I smile. So I get to reap the benefits of the rewards, even though Hiro failed us? We go up several flights of stairs to reach the third floor. We pass by a group of upperclassman that whispers to each other.

“That must be the genius Moria mentioned,” one of them says.

Recognition feels good. We soon arrive in front of the 3A door. Moria knocks on the door.