The week of the competition arrived quickly.
By noon, the entire school had gathered around the baseball field. The bleachers were filled, the air loud with chatter and anticipation.
This was no longer a simple school dispute.
It was pride.
Power.
And public humiliation on the line.
"The first competition," the coordinator announced into the microphone, "is a baseball match. Contestants, please proceed to the field."
Cheers erupted.
Isolde and May stepped forward from opposite ends of the crowd.
Both wore fitted red tops tucked into short white flare sports skirts, their hair tied back neatly. They looked composed — but their eyes burned with determination.
Outside the field boundaries stood the two uncles.
On one side — Dylan.
On the other — Kael.
Jace stood close to the field with Dave and Andrew, his gaze fixed only on Isolde.
"Three different games," the coordinator continued. "The overall loser will publicly apologize — or withdraw from the school."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
The whistle blew.
The game began.
It was intense from the first pitch.
May moved like a professional in the game — sharp footwork, powerful swings, flawless coordination.
Isolde was equally skilled, though her style was different. She observed more. Calculated more. Reacted precisely.
"Do you think May will win?" Amanda whispered.
"Of course," Berry replied confidently. "May has won multiple national baseball awards. She's even received invitations to train with British development teams."
Amanda nodded proudly.
"Isolde isn't bad," Dave admitted.
"Yeah," Andrew agreed. "But May is ferocious."
"Isolde has to win," Jace said firmly, his jaw tight.
The score tightened.
The crowd grew louder.
Sweat glistened lightly on May's forehead, but her confidence never wavered.
Final round.
The field fell silent.
May stepped forward for the decisive swing.
The pitcher threw.
May struck.
The crack of the bat echoed sharply.
The ball flew fast and low — impossible angle.
Isolde ran.
She stretched.
But she missed it by inches.
The ball hit the ground.
Point.
Whistle.
Game over.
May won the first round.
The crowd exploded in cheers.
"I knew May would win this round," Andrew commented casually.
Jace shot him a sharp glare.
Across the field, Dylan smiled slowly.
A wide, satisfied smile.
His eyes drifted toward Kael — almost amused.
Kael's expression hardened slightly.
He did not react.
But the air around him felt colder.
"Contestants, prepare for the second game," the coordinator announced.
Amanda and Berry rushed toward May, handing her a bottle of water.
"You did amazing!" Amanda squealed.
May took the bottle, barely breathing hard.
"Well done," Dylan said as she approached him.
His voice carried pride — but his eyes were elsewhere.
Watching.
Analyzing.
Isolde walked slowly off the field.
For a brief moment, she paused.
Her gaze lifted—
And locked with Dylan's.
His eyes were sharp.
Predatory.
Not cheering.
Not impressed.
Studying her.
As if measuring something beyond baseball skill.
A slow smile tugged at his lips.
He was hunting.
Kael appeared beside her instantly, pulling her gently closer to his side.
"You did well," he said quietly.
His tone was steady, reassuring.
But his eyes shifted from her—
To Dylan.
The two men locked gazes again.
Unspoken tension crackled between them.
Dylan's expression didn't change.
He did not look away.
Neither did Kael.
Two forces.
Waiting.
Testing.
Measuring limits.
This man is dangerous, Kael thought.
And he is not playing for a school trophy.
The crowd shifted toward the school's main field.
Excitement buzzed louder than before.
"The second competition," the coordinator announced, "is a 400-meter race."
Gasps.
Whispers.
This was different.
Baseball required skill.
Racing required raw ability.
"Who do you think will win this one?" students murmured among themselves.
Isolde and May walked to the starting line.
May rolled her shoulders confidently. She had trained for years — private coaches, professional conditioning, elite stamina programs. Dylan had spared no expense shaping her into the perfect heiress.
Across from her, Isolde stood quietly.
To human eyes, she looked almost fragile.
Too delicate for something this physical.
Dylan smiled faintly from the stands.
He already knew something.
"If May wins this round, it's over," Jace muttered, tension heavy in his voice.
"That other girl looks too fragile," someone from the crowd said. "May is taking this for sure."
Kael stood with his arms folded.
But for the first time—
He looked slightly uneasy.
This was dangerous territory.
Speed was their kind's natural advantage.
Too much—
And it would raise suspicion.
At the starting line.
"On your marks."
Both girls bent slightly.
"Ready."
Silence fell across the field.
"Go!"
The gun fired.
They launched forward.
May started strong — explosive acceleration, powerful strides, textbook form.
The crowd roared.
For the first few seconds, she was ahead.
Then—
Isolde's eyes darkened slightly.
She let go.
Not fully.
Just enough.
The world slowed around her.
Wind brushed against her face.
Her body felt weightless.
In a blur too quick for normal perception, she overtook May.
Gasps erupted.
Students blinked in disbelief.
By the time they processed what happened—
Isolde had crossed the finish line.
First.
Silence.
Then scattered cheers.
Some excitement.
Some confusion.
Some disappointment.
"She— how did she—?"
Jace didn't wait.
He rushed forward and wrapped Isolde in a tight hug.
"You did it!" he exclaimed, breathless with joy.
For a split second, Isolde stiffened.
The scent of his blood.
Warm.
Alive.
Kael noticed.
His jaw tightened slightly.
He was satisfied that she won.
But he knew.
She had crossed the line.
She used her special ability meaning that they had cheated.
That man was already too observant.
Too calm.
Too knowing.
Across the field, Dylan slowly stood up.
His expression did not show surprise.
Only confirmation.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"You did well," he told May as she approached him, breathing heavily.
"But I lost," May snapped, frustration flashing across her face.
Dylan placed a hand lightly on her shoulder.
"Do not worry," he said smoothly. "You will win the next round."
His tone wasn't comforting.
It was assured.
As if he already had something prepared.
His eyes drifted briefly toward Isolde—
Then to Kael.
"Everyone, proceed to the swimming complex. The third and final round will take place there."
Excited murmurs spread instantly.
Students poured out of the field and toward the pool area in waves of anticipation.
This was the deciding round.
One win each.
Everything rested on this.
Dylan rose from his seat with effortless elegance. His steps were calm. Unhurried.
He looked like a man who already understood the rules behind the rules.
Across the distance, Kael's instincts sharpened.
After the second round, he had warned Isolde quietly:
Do not activate your vampire core again.
Something feels wrong.
And now—
The final game was in water.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Inside the locker area, May and Isolde changed into sleek competitive swimwear.
May adjusted her goggles confidently.
Isolde stood still for a moment, staring at her reflection.
Her pupils were slightly darker than usual.
"Participants, please get ready. The race will begin shortly."
Amanda leaned toward Berry, whispering as she eyed Isolde.
"That girl looks off… don't you think?"
Berry narrowed her eyes.
"She looks pale."
Before the announcement could repeat, Kael appeared beside Isolde.
"Come."
His tone was low but urgent.
He pulled her gently into an empty storage room nearby and shut the door.
From inside his coat, he retrieved a sealed pack of blood and handed it to her.
"Your hair," he said quietly.
Isolde froze.
A strand had begun to lose its dark shade—
Turning faintly golden.
A sign.
She had activated her core in the race.
Without a word, she tore open the pack and drank it in one swift motion.
The color slowly returned to her face.
But she extended her hand.
"Another."
Kael hesitated only a second before handing it over.
After the second pack, the whiteness faded completely.
Her hair returned to its normal dark sheen.
She turned toward the door.
Kael caught her wrist.
"You cannot call on your core again," he warned firmly. "Water amplifies instability. If you lose control, everyone will see."
His voice softened slightly.
"We do not belong here. There is no shame in walking away."
Isolde's hand clenched into a fist.
She remembered.
After the second round—
When May had leaned close and whispered into her ear.
"In this world, I reign."
The words burned.
And how she was almost harassed.
Isolde lifted her gaze slowly.
Her eyes were calm now.
Too calm.
"I will not lose."
Kael studied her carefully.
This was no longer about apology.
Or pride.
It was becoming personal.
Outside, the crowd roared as May stepped toward the pool edge confidently.
Dylan stood near the railing, hands in his pockets.
Waiting.
Watching.
Smiling faintly.
As if he knew—
Water reveals what land can hide.