Aurox answered the phone with a slight tremble in his fingers, but a smile on his face.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, son! How are you? I’m calling before that tournament swallows you whole.”

  The voice belonged to Elias Ledin, Aurox’s father. A firm voice, always filled with warmth, as if he were constantly hugging whoever was on the other end of the line.

  “Dad? Wow, what a surprise. I... I’m okay. A little nervous. But okay.”

  “I can imagine, I can imagine. I heard it’s going to be quite a tournament. And guess what? We got authorization and everything. Your mom and I are coming to watch. In person.”

  Aurox paused for a second. His heart skipped.

  “Really? You’re actually coming?”

  “Of course! You didn’t think I’d miss a chance to see my son shine, did you?”

  Aurox smiled — truly smiled. “I missed you.”

  “We missed you too, son. The house got so much quieter without your weird creatures walking around... And your sister keeps saying you got too important to reply to messages.”

  “She’s exaggerating…”

  “Of course she is. Got that from your mom,” Elias ughed. “But seriously, how are you feeling? The campus, the csses… the food. Are you sleeping well?”

  “I’m trying. Sometimes it’s too much training, too much noise... but I like it here. And my friends are... they’re amazing.”

  “I’m gd to hear that. But hey, be careful with those cafeteria beans. I don’t want you exploding in the arena for the wrong reasons.”

  Aurox ughed, slowly rexing.

  “So, tell me: have you found a girlfriend yet, or am I going to have to kidnap someone for you?”

  “Dad!” Aurox almost choked, his face flushing red in seconds.

  “Hahaha! I’m just kidding! But don’t hide too much, alright? I don’t want imaginary grandkids created by the Book of Legends.”

  “Daaaaaad…”

  Elias’s ughter filled the phone once more. “Ah, I needed that! But seriously, son. We love you. And we’re so proud of you. Just being there and giving it your best is already a victory. We’ll be cheering for you.”

  “Thanks. Really.”

  “Good night, son. Sleep well, okay? No summoning walking nightmares as arm clocks.”

  “Good night, Dad.”

  The call ended, and the room fell silent. But it was a good silence — warm. Aurox looked at the small furry dragonfly still floating in the corner of the room and smiled at it too.

  Then he y down, pulled the covers up, and closed his eyes with a light heart.

  He slept peacefully.

  At Babel University, the morning bustle only intensified. Students came and went, groups murmured strategies, and even the staff seemed more rushed than usual. Amid all the movement, one determined figure made her way through the halls with a spark in her eyes and a magical clipboard in her hands.

  Elira Norn, a student in the communications program, was known for her restless energy and for always being where the spotlight hadn’t reached yet. Floating beside her was a small magical camera with gss wings shaped like an owl. Enchanted to follow its owner, record, edit, and even emit a soft fill light, it was Elira’s loyal companion for every coverage on the university’s official channel.

  “Come on, Little Eye, we need real material today. Tomorrow’s the big day,” she whispered with a smile.

  She had already tried interviewing some invited Hunters, but the answers were too short. Some were too busy, others uninterested, and some simply brushed her off with a curt nod. But Elira didn’t give up. She wanted something that would make the channel explode — something with soul, tension, that spark every good tournament ignites even before it begins.

  That’s when, rounding the corner of the indoor gym, the rhythmic sound of footsteps echoing on the enchanted floor caught her attention. A single student was running there, body glistening with sweat, breathing steady and focused.

  Nataniel. Impossible to mistake. The famous challenger — 58 recorded victories and a legend in the making.

  Elira approached, keeping pace. Little Eye spun in the air, adjusting focus.

  “Nataniel? I’m Elira, from the university channel. Do you have a moment to answer a few questions?”

  He smiled, slowing down, and gave a gentle nod.

  “Sure. Should we record right here?”

  “Perfect!” She almost bounced. “Three questions, I promise.”

  Little Eye hovered into position, wings glowing softly.

  “Are you nervous about the tournament?”

  “Unexpectedly calm,” he said, adjusting the wraps on his wrists. “But I know it’ll be hard to sleep tonight. The body’s ready. The mind... almost.”

  “Is there someone you really want to face?”

  “All the strongest ones. Always. But… Vivian. Her giants fascinate me. I want to see how far she can go... and I want to be her obstacle.”

  Elira smiled, thrilled with the answer.

  “And how far do you think you’ll get?”

  Nataniel looked into the lens as if he could see beyond it.

  “I want to win. Training with the director isn’t just an honor. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And I don’t waste opportunities.”

  Elira thanked him, enchanted. He waved casually and returned to his run as if nothing had happened.

  She kept working, but the next targets weren’t as cooperative. Some Hunters gave vague answers, others treated her with a touch of disdain. Many students ignored her or only wanted to be on camera for vanity’s sake.

  After two csses and many “maybe ter” replies, she finally got lucky again.

  Matusalen was leaving the advanced magical theory room, wearing a perfectly tailored suit, his dark hair combed as if he were about to receive a medal. Elira approached him with her best “friendly journalist” smile.

  “Mr. Matusalen, may I do a quick interview?”

  “Oh, of course, my dear. Let’s capture my glory before it happens.”

  “Are you nervous about the tournament?”

  He ughed, as if that were a joke.

  “Nervous? This is just another audience. I’m used to attention. Combat is my stage.”

  “Who are you most eager to face?”

  “Vivian. I like opponents with ambition. And I like beating them even more.”

  “And where do you expect to end up?”

  “At the top. Where I’ve always been — just with witnesses now.”

  Elira thanked him and mentally noted how much he liked the sound of his own voice. Still, she remained polite and said goodbye with a “good luck.”

  The day went on. Little Eye was running low on magic, and Elira had more content than expected. But she couldn’t stop. She wanted to find someone unexpected. That’s when she sat on a bench in the east wing, sighing, watching the lighting spells come on as the sky darkened.

  Nearby, she heard familiar voices. A group of four freshmen chatted excitedly. They weren’t famous. They weren’t in any bets. But they spoke like champions.

  “Imagine if we win! It’d be a total riot! I mean, no one thinks we’ll make it past the first round against the uppercssmen, then BAM, we wipe the floor with them and take the prize!” said a lic-haired girl, gesturing as if she were on a concert stage.

  Elira ughed quietly to herself.

  “Freshmen... always dreaming big.”

  But there was something captivating there. Something real.

  Before she could record, a sleek bck car parked near the administrators’ building. Vivian stepped out, fnked by two security guards, eyes fixed straight ahead. No words. No pause.

  “Maybe tomorrow...” Elira murmured, watching the chance slip away.

  With one st look at the campus, which felt like a sleeping giant preparing to wake, Elira turned off the camera.Tomorrow, everything would change.