For two days—
Aren lived in the library 📚.
From the outside?
Nothing changed.
Same calm face.
Same quiet steps.
Same milk breaks 🥛.
But inside—
Plans stacked on plans.
Layers within layers.
This wasn't a tournament.
It was a survival exam—
Wearing a decorative mask.
🧠 Strategy Room
When the day arrived—
Aren, Ben, and King gathered in a private room.
A thick wooden table filled the center.
Maps layered over maps.
Scrolls pinned down.
Rules scattered everywhere.
Above it—
A glowing crystal displayed ancient data ✨
Ben sat sideways, eating meat skewers 🍖 like a man who trusted violence more than thinking.
King leaned back, boots on the table, coat hanging like he owned the building.
Aren sat straight.
Tapped a book.
"Blue Phoenix Tournament: 1,000 Years of Blood & Glory."
He closed it.
Looked at them.
🧠 Strategy Briefing
"The competition takes place across multiple levels," Aren said calmly.
"Physical. Mental. Magical. Survival."
King smirked.
"So… traps everywhere."
Aren shook his head.
"No."
Pause.
"Traps are predictable."
Ben grinned.
"That's my brother."
Aren continued:
"The Ancient Pillar evaluates performance."
Ben blinked.
"Even mindset?"
"Yes."
"How?"
Aren shrugged.
"It's old."
King snorted.
🏆 The Reward
"One item per team member," Aren said.
"Chosen directly by the Pillar."
Silence.
"Artifacts."
"Relics."
"Items worth kingdoms."
Ben whistled 😮
King's smile sharpened.
Aren raised one finger.
"One rule."
They focused.
"Do what we always do."
"No acting righteous."
"No pretending."
"No speeches."
He tapped the table.
"Think."
"Then act."
Pause.
"If we do that…"
"We win."
King cracked his knuckles.
"Confident."
Aren nodded.
"Yes."
King leaned forward.
"How confident?"
Aren answered calmly:
"If we lose…"
Pause.
"…I'll cut my egg and feed it to a snake."
Silence.
Ben choked 🤢
King's boot dropped off the table
"AREN—WHAT KIND OF PROMISE IS THAT?!"
Aren ignored them.
⚠️ Stakes
"Score below 30," Aren said.
"You're expelled."
Ben swallowed.
"…no pressure."
"Only two teams this year."
King nodded.
"Team Rose."
Aren flipped a file open.
"Nobles. Famous names."
"Talent mixed with arrogance."
Ben snorted.
"And us?"
Aren dropped another file.
TEAM FATHER
Ben grinned.
"Rockhold sounds better."
King stared.
"…That name is terrible."
Aren replied calmly:
"You're captain. I named it for you."
Pause.
King leaned back.
"…I accept."
Ben clapped like a happy titan 👏
🧨 Preparation
Aren slid a list across the table.
King read:
"Container cube…"
"Portable cannon…"
"Gravity hooks…"
"Reinforced ropes…"
"Smoke mines…"
"…eighty units of TNT."
He looked up slowly.
"…What exactly is this plan?"
Aren replied:
"A week of victory."
King smiled.
"Done."
Aren turned to Ben.
"Armor."
"Full coverage," Ben said instantly.
"Nothing exposed."
Aren nodded.
🔥 Tournament Begins
The Academy gathered.
Team Rose stood in golden armor ✨
Prince Rose smiled.
"We will make the world better."
Cheers erupted 💖
Then—
King stepped forward.
Cracked his neck.
"If we lose…"
Pause.
"…we'll cut our egg and feed it to Team Rose."
The Academy screamed 😱
Aren said nothing.
Ben covered his face.
🌍 First Stage
Light swallowed both teams.
FLASH ⚡
Team Father appeared on a floating island.
Waterfalls roared 🌊
Plants glowed ✨
Air felt peaceful
Ben stretched.
"We rushing?"
Aren shook his head.
"No."
"We finish correctly."
They moved forward.
Then—
Ben stopped.
"…Guys."
A small creature stood ahead.
A tiny blue horse.
Glowing mane ✨
Transparent hooves
Eyes like stars
King whispered:
"…What is that?"
Aren pulled out a cube.
Pressed a button.
WHIP. CLACK. WHOOSH.
A net deployed.
The cube snapped shut.
The horse was caught.
The Academy exploded.
Teachers stood.
Students screamed.
Cafeteria staff dropped utensils 🍽️
Aren held the rope.
Calm.
"This…"
Pause.
"…is our guide."
The horse neighed softly.
Then walked.
They followed.
Across glowing grass.
Over crystal bridges.
Under floating plants.
Then—
It stopped.
Before a massive ice cave ❄️💀
Cold mist spilled out.
The horse pointed inside.
Aren nodded.
"This way."
King swallowed.
Ben tightened his fists.
Across the Academy—
Silence returned.
Team Father stepped forward.
Aren first.
Like always 🌑