—Master… do you know this man? —Sarah asked in a trembling voice.

  —He’s one of the children who once lived at my foundation —Yu-Han replied seriously—. Simon Esquival… better known now as The Psychic from a private investigator agency.

  —Heh, old man, it’s nice to finally see you in person, but I didn’t expect that kind of greeting. So these “talented kids” you mentioned last time are this little group? Even the youngest ones from the foundation were more skilled! Well… maybe that one over there has real potential —he said, pointing at Yulian.

  —What? This bastard is your disciple? —Damien growled, slowly getting up, still without using his Koa.

  —Bah, and this one’s the worst. A dragon who burns with his own flame… His best technique is Koa of Nature. He’s nothing compared to that other one —Simon looked at him with disdain.

  —Enough, Simon. These kids aren’t from the foundation; they’ve only been training with us for a couple of months. They’re beginners, yes, but they have talent —Yu-Han replied in a stern tone—. Besides, I saw they put you in a few tight spots. They managed to land some hits, didn’t they?

  —Bah, I didn’t go all out from the start, that’s why they could bother me a bit. Anyway, they’re not what I expected. I’ll be leaving now. I’ve got work to do. Goodbye, old man… and send my regards to Lady Yianiss. —He waved calmly.

  —Simon, next time you attack one of my students like that, my strike won’t be so gentle —Yu-Han warned coldly.

  —Ha, don’t worry. My only goal was to get rid of that little dragon, but now that I’ve seen him properly… he’s trash. Still, if he ever loses control, I’ll come for him. You know as well as I do—those of his kind only bring trouble —Simon replied with a smirk.

  —Psychic! Next time, I’ll beat the hell out of you —Damien growled, furious at the constant contempt.

  —I'll be waiting for our next fight —Simon answered arrogantly.

  —Why does that guy hate Dragon Koa users so much? —Layla asked.

  —Not long ago, I trained another dragon —Yu-Han explained—. He was Simon’s rival in love, and well… his companion at the foundation. They constantly fought to see who’d come out on top. But in both cases… the Dragon boy won.

  —That doesn’t sound like a good enough reason to hate someone —Sarah muttered, confused.

  —There was an incident that endangered many people. The Dragon boy was blamed for everything—called a traitor. Since then, Simon’s carried that resentment toward those he deems “traitors.” That’s all you need to know for now —Yu-Han ended the topic.

  —Damn it… what a beating we took —Albert groaned, just waking up.

  —That guy was really strong… I wonder if he’s on the same level as the teacher —Edward said.

  —Crap! The teacher! We still have training with her today! —Mason shouted, panicking.

  At that moment, Yianiss appeared, walking toward the scene of the fight.

  —Relax, kids. After what you went through today, that’s enough training. But I have to tell you something: I’ll take what happened today as proof that you’ve passed my test —she said with a slight smile.

  —Passed? But teacher, a single guy wiped the floor with us! —Yulian exclaimed, incredulous.

  —Your test was to land a hit on me. The moment one of you did, even once, you’d pass. Simon used more Koa than I normally do during our sessions, and yet Edward, Damien, and a bit of Layla managed to touch him. I think you’re ready for small missions —Yianiss said—. But for that, we’ll have to divide the group. What do you think, Gonzo?

  Gonzo stepped out from behind a tree; apparently, he’d been watching the whole time.

  —Masters, if that’s your decision, I’m fine with it —he replied humbly.

  —Missions? Divide the group? What are you talking about? —Damien asked, confused.

  —I spoke secretly with your parents a month ago, in case we ever needed to travel somewhere —Yu-Han smiled.

  —That’s kind of awkward… —Layla muttered, blushing.

  —How are we going to split up? —Yulian asked, clenching his fists, still frustrated by the defeat.

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  —Layla and Sarah will come with me to the Magdolonia region —Yianiss said calmly—. For now, they’ll be the only ones staying in the country. And don’t worry about your daughter, Sarah: we’ll leave foundation staff in charge of taking care of your little girl and your mother, if necessary.

  —I actually wanted to leave the country —Layla muttered under her breath.

  —Mason and Albert will come with me to Ponaj. I want to show you the beautiful Baih Highlands —Gonzo said cheerfully.

  —Ah, they paired me up with the dumbest one —Albert joked.

  —Oh, shut up, freckle boy —Mason replied, playing along.

  —Edward, since we’re both Serpent Koa users, I’ll train you personally. Yulian and Damien, you’re coming with me too. We’re going to the Apalacide Mountains, in the Unified Northern Country —Yu-Han said.

  —Are you sure, Master? That place is said to be one of the most dangerous in the world, full of high-level paranormal activity and powerful creatures —Gonzo warned.

  —Relax, Gonzo. I trust you all—trust me back. Every place has strong creatures; Apalacide just has a few more —Yu-Han smiled.

  —We leave in two days. Pack your bags and rest —Yianiss concluded before leaving with the other masters.

  A short distance away, Yianiss frowned.

  —Was it right to let Simon hit them like that? —she asked.

  —No —Yu-Han replied solemnly—, but it helped me see if they’re ready to take the next step. And I believe they are.

  —It’s good you intervened, masters —Gonzo said, still visibly angry—. I couldn’t stand watching the kids get beaten anymore; I was about to jump in myself.

  While the adults talked, the apprentices spent their remaining time before the trip. They walked Sarah home and met her little daughter, Sarita. Then they split up: Mason helped Layla with her luggage, Damien hung out with Yulian playing video games, and the brothers Albert and Edward took a walk around the neighborhood.

  —It’s kind of awkward that the master spoke with our parents —Layla said, a bit nervous, while packing her suitcase.

  —Don’t worry, love. The master told them we’re just learning martial arts, that’s why we come home tired and bruised. Better they believe that than suspect something worse —Mason replied, smiling as he helped her.

  Meanwhile, Damien and Yulian vented between game rounds.

  —Damn it… I promised to protect them, and I failed. I’m furious —Damien growled.

  —Normally, I’d tell you to calm down, but I’m angry too. That guy was strong, but I doubt he’s on the masters’ level. The worst part is we played right into his hands; none of us used Legend or Nature—we all went straight Beast —Yulian said thoughtfully.

  —Yeah, the power gap is massive. Argh… that bastard was clever. But if these missions help us close the distance, it’ll be worth it —Damien replied, letting out some frustration.

  —For now, let’s just chill. How are your shoulders? —Yulian asked.

  —The master healed the left one pretty well. The right didn’t take much damage. Let’s keep playing —Damien smiled.

  Meanwhile, Albert and Edward were having a much heavier conversation.

  —Hey, brother… don’t you think it’s weird? —Albert asked.

  —What do you mean? —Edward replied.

  —Sarah’s daughter… she kind of looks like D in the eyes —Albert joked.

  —Hey, don’t ever make a joke like that in front of them —Edward interrupted, visibly irritated.

  —What? It was just a joke! —Albert muttered.

  —I’ll tell you something Damien once confessed to Mason, Yulian, and me one night. He asked us not to tell anyone, but I’ll make an exception with you —Edward said gravely.

  Edward recounted how, years ago, Damien and Sarah had been a couple. One night, while walking her home, everything went dark. Damien woke up hours later, beaten and lying in the street. The police found him unconscious and took him home. When he recovered, he searched everywhere for Sarah, but she was gone. For months, he heard nothing from her… until one day, she reappeared, carrying a baby in her arms.

  —Damien fell into a deep depression after that. He neglected himself physically and mentally, taking refuge in food, which led him to gain a lot of weight —Edward continued—. They made him believe Sarah had cheated on him; some even falsely accused him of being responsible for what happened… but the truth is different, Albert. That night, someone attacked them. Damien was knocked out, and Sarah… was abused.

  Albert fell silent. His face darkened.

  —So… it was that bad? —he asked softly.

  —Yes. Damien carries the guilt of not having been able to protect her that night —Edward said firmly.

  —I see, brother… —Albert murmured, eyes glistening.

  —Relax. At least he started smiling again after meeting us. Come on, we’ve got to pack. We leave in two days —Edward concluded.

  This chapter had a more emotional and intimate tone, but it was important to reveal past wounds and set the stage for what's coming.

  Fun Facts of the Chapter:

  ? Simon’s “Psychic” concept is inspired by the show Psych, where the main character pretends to be psychic using observation and deduction —similar to how Simon uses his Taumaturgy skills as an “investigator.”

  ? “Apalacide” mixes Appalachian with suicide/homicide, hinting at a mountainous region with a heavy paranormal and dark history.

  ? This chapter works as a bridge: from here on, the mission arc begins —with higher difficulty, real threats, and heavier choices.

  When the time comes… will the Dragon overcome Sigfrido, or fall before the power of his sword?

  I’d love to read your theories ??