Chapter 79 – The School Board
Titus and Damian walked through the main hallway of the academy, the usual noise of students moving between classes echoing around them. Posters and announcements covered the cork board wall beside the cafeteria, but one caught Titus's eye—a large printed sheet taped in the center, bold letters calling for new candidates for the school's rugby team. He stopped walking and leaned closer to read it.
The rugby program was one of the academy's strongest points. For years they had dominated national leagues, and now the school was preparing to enter an international championship. But with Ken Cambia.9 still not returning to school, the team had lost its captain and one of its strongest players. They needed new people. They needed replacements. They needed someone to step in.
Titus stared at the poster a long moment, thinking. He had never played a sport like that. Never done something extreme. The idea felt impossible and strange, and yet… something inside him tugged at the thought.
Damian stopped beside him. "You like rugby?" he asked.
Titus shrugged a little. "I don't know. I've never really tried anything like that."
Damian nodded. "Well, I know everything about it. Back in Scotland—in all the United Kingdom, really—we have a lot of rugby teams. Big ones. Strong ones. Some of the best in Europe." He glanced at the poster again. "You want me to teach you a bit?"
Titus hesitated. "I don't know… I'm not sure I could do it."
"You can," Damian said without hesitation. "But you can't use the strength of your eye. If you lose control, you'll end up hurting someone. Rugby is physical, but it's also about control. Discipline. Balance. I think it would be good for you. As training."
Titus didn't respond right away. He kept staring at the poster, the words "TRYOUT NEXT WEEK" standing bold across the page. Something about the idea scared him—but something else pushed him toward it. Maybe it was the thought of learning to control his strength. Maybe it was the chance to challenge himself in a new way. Maybe it was just the need to move forward.
Damian clapped him on the back lightly. "Think about it. You want to control your anger, your strength, your instincts? Then rugby is perfect. It'll force you to stay focused. It'll teach you how to use your body without losing control."
Titus let out a slow breath. "Maybe…"
"No maybe," Damian said with a grin. "Meet me later at the rugby field. Bring clothes you can move in. I'll teach you the basic rules, the basic movements, and then we'll do the tryout. Easy."
"Easy for you," Titus muttered.
Damian laughed. "Trust me. You'll be fine. And who knows? Maybe you'll end up liking it. Maybe you'll even make the team."
Titus looked at the poster one more time, feeling something shift inside him—uncertainty mixed with a strange excitement.
"Okay," he said quietly. "I'll see you later."
"Good," Damian replied. "And remember—no powers, no extra strength, no losing your temper. Just you. Just your body. Learn to control that, and the rest will follow."
Titus nodded slowly. Damian gave him one more encouraging look before stepping away and heading toward his next class. Titus stayed standing in front of the board for another few seconds, thinking about Ken Cambiazo, the empty spot in the rugby team, the competition coming soon, and the possibility that he might actually have a place in all of it.
He finally turned and walked toward the hallway, his steps steady, his mind caught between fear and determination. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was choosing something—not because he was forced, not because he was cornered, but because maybe, just maybe, he wanted to.
---
Titus and Damián walked together through the hallway after reading the rugby announcement on the school board. Their conversation still hung in Titus's mind—the idea of trying something completely new, something physically demanding, something that might actually help him learn control. As they stepped into the classroom, the bell rang right behind them.
Sarah, Cristal, and Sofía were already at their seats. The moment Titus and Damián sat down, the girls leaned toward them almost in perfect synchronization, curiosity written all over their faces.
Cristal was the first to speak, lowering her voice. "So? What were you two doing by the board? You looked serious."
Titus exhaled slowly. "There's a tryout for the rugby team. They're looking for new players."
All three girls froze for a second.
Sarah's eyes widened. "Wait—what? Rugby? Like… real rugby? The full‑contact kind?"
Sofía leaned in even closer. "Are you sure that's safe? Rugby is not a light sport."
Cristal raised an eyebrow. "And you? You actually want to try that? It's dangerous, Titus."
Titus felt his chest tighten under all the attention. He lifted a hand slightly, trying to calm them. "I'll be fine. Really. It's just a tryout. Damián knows the rules—he's going to teach me the basics after school. I'll control myself."
Sofía exchanged a quick glance with Cristal, clearly unconvinced.
Sarah whispered, "But if you fall, or someone hits you too hard—"
He shook his head softly. "I'll be okay. I have to learn control anyway. This could help."
Before the girls could answer, the classroom door opened and Professor Diana walked in with her usual calm, authoritative expression. Immediately, everyone returned to their seats. The room fell quiet as she placed her folder on the desk and looked at the class.
"Good morning," she began. "I have two announcements before we start."
Every student straightened a little. Diana rarely gave announcements unless they were important.
"First," she continued, "the school rugby team is now recruiting new candidates. As many of you know, our team has won several national tournaments, and we are preparing for an international championship this year. Any student interested in trying out may sign up at the main board by the cafeteria."
Titus felt several eyes shift toward him. The girls didn't say anything, but he felt their worry like heat against his shoulders.
Diana went on. "The second announcement concerns one of our students. Ken Cambiazzo, the captain of the rugby team, has not returned to school yet. At this time, we do not know when he will resume his studies."
A murmur passed through the room. Even the students who didn't play sports knew who Ken was—his absence was unusual.
Diana raised her hand slightly, silencing the whispers. "Additionally, we will have new transfer students arriving tomorrow. They will be introduced to the class once they are assigned seats. Please make sure to show proper respect and welcome them."
Cristal leaned toward Titus again, speaking quietly enough not to be noticed. "New students… right after all the chaos happening outside of school. This feels too convenient."
Sofía nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing in thought.
Sarah whispered, "Do you think they're normal students?"
Titus didn't answer. He wasn't sure himself.
Professor Diana clapped her hands once. "All right, class. Let's begin. Open your books to chapter twelve."
Everyone scrambled for their textbooks. Titus opened his as well, though his thoughts weren't on the words printed inside. The tryout, Ken's absence, the new students, the girls' reactions—they all swirled around in his mind like pieces of a puzzle he hadn't been given the box for.
Still, one thing felt strangely certain:
This day was only the beginning.
---
Hook: And that silence hid a danger that would soon come to light…
Sofia exchanged a quick glance with Cristal, clearly unconvinced.
Sarah whispered, "But if you fall, or someone hits you too hard—"
He shook his head softly. "I'll be okay. I have to learn control anyway. This could help."
Before the girls could answer, the classroom door opened and Professor Diana walked in with her usual calm, authoritative expression. Immediately, everyone returned to their seats. The room fell quiet as she placed her folder on the desk and looked at the class.
"Good morning," she began. "I have two announcements before we start."
Every student straightened a little. Diana rarely gave announcements unless they were important.
"First," she continued, "the school rugby team is now recruiting new candidates. As many of you know, our team has won several national tournaments, and we are preparing for an international championship this year. Any student interested in trying out may sign up at the main board by the cafeteria."
Titus felt several eyes shift toward him. The girls didn't say anything, but he felt their worry like heat against his shoulders.
Diana went on. "The second announcement concerns one of our students. Ken Cambiazo, the captain of the rugby team, has not returned to school yet. At this time, we do not know when he will resume his studies."
A murmur passed through the room. Even the students who didn't play sports knew who Ken was—his absence was unusual.
Diana raised her hand slightly, silencing the whispers. "Additionally, we will have new transfer students arriving tomorrow. They will be introduced to the class once they are assigned seats. Please make sure to show proper respect and welcome them."
Cristal leaned toward Titus again, speaking quietly enough not to be noticed. "New students… right after all the chaos happening outside of school. This feels too convenient."
Sofía nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing in thought.
Sarah whispered, "Do you think they're normal students?"
Titus didn't answer. He wasn't sure himself.
Professor Diana clapped her hands once. "All right, class. Let's begin. Open your books to chapter twelve."
Everyone scrambled for their textbooks. Titus opened his as well, though his thoughts weren't on the words printed inside. The tryout, Ken's absence, the new students, the girls' reactions—they all swirled around in his mind like pieces of a puzzle he hadn't been given the box for.
Still, one thing felt strangely certain:
This day was only the beginning.
---
Hook: And that silence hid a danger that would soon come to light…