She met me in one of the quieter chambers near the Breaker Clan's central courtyard after the dust had settled. No guards. No crowd. Just mother and son.
She didn't start with a smile, but she didn't look disappointed either.
"You did well today," she said plainly. "But you looked like hell."
"I fought like hell," I replied.
She stepped closer, then tapped the edge of my watch. A small icon blinked across the top corner of the screen.
"What's this?"
"An archive," she said. "Fortune Clan's first tier luck manipulation manual. The real one. Not the version they teach the outer bloodlines."
I blinked. "You're just… giving me this?"
"I'm not just giving you anything," she said, tone sharp. "You've earned it. Barely. Plus That destructive style will onky get you so far ."
A pause. Then, softer—
"I'm proud of you. Even when you're being reckless."
I didn't say anything. Just nodded.
She brushed my shoulder once and left.
Later That Night – Breaker Compound Dining Hall
The team sat in quiet, calm exhaustion. Plates half-finished. Cups sweating on the table. The post-fight silence was comfortable now—earned.
Nel leaned back and glanced over. "After Day Three, we're getting a new assignment. Just came in from the Organization."
Everyone groaned.
I tapped my watch.
"Training gear. We're meeting at the Breaker arena in twenty."
Amir slumped over his plate. "You're kidding. We cant skip one night. "
"Nope."
Nel blinked, then gave a faint smile. "Wait—we're finally invited to one of the legendary training sessions?"
Deya stretched, tossing her hair back. "Wow… are we breaking tradition?"
"We'll see if you survive it," I muttered, already walking away.
Nel called after me, laughing, "Don't start without your anchor!"
Breaker Arena – Night
We all arrived at the same time.
No crowd. No judges. Just us.
I stood at the center of the sand ring, my three swords laid out before me—one resting upright in the dirt, one balanced across the other, the last at my feet. A coin flipped casually between my fingers, catching the dim arena light.
The others circled in.
Amir adjusted his sniper strap. Deya rolled her shoulders. Nel twisted her whip tight, calm and ready. Zach cracked his knuckles once, then crossed his arms.
No one spoke.
I caught the coin mid-spin, stared down the line of my team, and said:
"Alright. Our methods are horrid against a true team we nothing."
I looked around to down faces
"But we're powerful in our own rights with unity we will be unstoppable."
"It's time we truly become a team."