A week passed in a flash, and before Nox knew it, the Academy's internal tournament was already upon them.

The academy was filled with activity, as students who had the intention to get signed up readied themselves for it.

Some had been stuck in the combat simulation room for a few days now while others hired private combat instructors.

The intensity at which they trained somehow mad Nox feel lacking.

He felt as if he was the only one relaxing while others worked their asses off. But you couldn't fault him either.

Astra had been busy the entire week and he wasn't rich enough to hire a combat instructor.

The combat simulation room was also an option, but for the entire week, all those rooms had been occupied.

The most training he had gotten this week, was as the Grey Warden, but that only included him dealing with tier 3 Eclipsed.

So in summary, Nox was more than a little nervous about the tournament, fearing that he might be unprepared when compared to the rest.

Nox tried not to think about it as he walked through the academy grounds, hands stuffed into his pockets, eyes drifting toward the training fields where flashes of powered fireworks lit up the air.

Everyone looked… ready.

"Man, it really pays to be strong," Devon's voice cut in from the side, "instead of training, man's just strolling around like this"

Nox glanced over to see him leaning against a railing, arms crossed, a grin plastered on his face. Sweat clung to his shirt, clear proof he'd just come from training.

"Strolling is generous," Nox replied. "I'm pacing internally."

Devon laughed. "Yeah, figured."

He then moved away from the railings and stepped beside Nox, the two walking through the academy.

"You ain't looking too good," Devon said to him after a while, "something wrong?"

"Not really," Nox shook his head, "I just feel like everyone's taking this a lot more seriously than I am, it almost feels like I'm unprepared."

"You put someone to sleep with a single move and you're telling me you're unprepared," Devon said, "man, stop lying."

Nox just looked at him with a deadpan expression, saying nothing.

"Aight, aight, I get what you mean," Devon let out a chuckle, "but a week of training ain't gonna do shit if you're weak."

"He's right," a voice interrupted, causing the two to turn, "half the people training like maniacs are overcompensating."

Behind them was a man with features similar to Cass's.

He had blonde hair and blue eyes, looking exactly like an older version of Cassian.

The two immediately recognized him, as this wasn't the first time they had seen him around the academy.

"You're Cass's brother," Devon said first as the man approached them.

The man nodded, taking something out of his black and gold jacket's pocket, taking out a black card and handing it to Nox, "Nathaniel Burns."

Nox took the card, but had no idea what it was for, well until he turned it around and noticed a name and a QR code on it.

It was a business card.

"I guess you've got a lot of time on your hands," Devon commented, "to be loitering 'round the academy."

Nathaniel glanced at Devon, unimpressed. "I wouldn't call it loitering."

"You've been spotted around the academy three times just this week alone," Devon said, "and it's only the second day of the week."

"...."

Nathaniel looked at him for a while, for some reason, this kid was getting on his nerves, but he couldn't let it show, after all, he was here to recruit a promising piece.

Ignoring Devon, he turned to Nox and started.

"To why I'm here," Nathaniel said, "I've been watching you for quite a while now, Nox."

"Stalker," Devon commented, causing a crease to appear between Nathaniel's brow, but it quickly disappeared.

"By the way, you ain't an instructor or student," Devon added, "so why does the academy let you loiter around?"

Ath this point, Nathaniel's brows were twitching as he looked at Devon, but in the end, he just let out a sigh.

"Because the Burns family is one of the Academy's important investors," Nathaniel replied, just to get him to shut up.

Devon's eyes widened slightly. "Ah, privileges of the rich."

Nathaniel ignored that too and turned fully to Nox. "As I was saying, I've been observing you for a while now. Your evaluation results and your recent spar with the second year student."

"Spying," Devon couldn't help himself.

"No," Nathaniel said, "I'm just keeping track on those worth keeping track of."

Devon let out a low whistle. "That sounded illegal."

Nathaniel finally looked at him again, expression flat. "You talk a lot."

"Gotta balance out all that brooding," Devon shot back.

Nox placed a hand on his shoulder before muttering, "Devon."

"Aight, aight," he relented, holding up his hands. "I'll chill."

They both didn't like the dude, but Nox wanted to at least know what noble families offered.

"As I was saying," Nathaniel continued, this time without interruption, "for someone from the slums, your growth is the fastest I've ever seen."

"No," Nathaniel shook his head, "even among kids from noble families, your growth is unheard of."

"So this is some sort of recruitment?" Nox asked, going straight to the point.

"Yes," Nathaniel didn't deny, "I believe you're a gem that needs polish, and I believe we, the Burns family, can provide that."

Nox was silent for a short while before asking, "and this polish includes?"

Nathaniel was silent for a short while, observing Nox, he was sure the next part was all it would take to convince the kid, so he placed his best hand forward.

"Resources," he said at last. "Proper training. Access to combat simulations that aren't booked solid. Instructors with a lot more rift experience and Gear that won't fail you when things get ugly."

Devon snorted. "Translation, money."

Nathaniel didn't disagree. "Among other things."

"And the price?" Nox asked.

His question mad Nathaniel freeze in surprise, he was sure that most from lower backgrounds would immediately jump at the offer

The moment they heard the benefits, they wouldn't think twice.

At least, that was what had been happening the past few days during his talent recruitment, but this kid was different.

But he still needed to get the kid into his family, after all, Nathaniel was sure that Nox would be the next Astra Dawn, at his current rate of growth.

Maybe even more.

"All the Burns ask for in return is loyalty," Nathaniel said, staying as vague as he could be.

After all, loyalty in exchange for being part of a noble family wasn't much to ask, so the kid was bound to jump at this opportunity right?

"Man, that's vague as hell."

Yeah, Nathaniel had momentarily forgotten how annoying the other kid from Zone 3 was.

Someone from zone 3 weren't as naive as someone from the slums, so they'd immediately spit the obvious trap in this.

Nathaniel just glared at Devon but sighed in the end. He couldn't let himself get agitated by kids.

But before anything more could be said, a distant chime echoed across the grounds, signaling the start of tournament registrations.

"That's my cue to leave," Nathaniel said, turning away. He paused after a step. "One more thing, Nox."

Nox looked at him.

"Being part of a noble family offers a lot more than the academy can," Nathaniel explained, "so I hope you consider my offer and scan that code if you're interested."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Nox and Devon.

Nox looked at the black card in his hand before sighing and putting it in his pocket.

Devon watched him from the corner of his eye. "You tempted?"

Nox didn't reply immediately, instead, he thought on it for a while before shaking his head, "nah, the chains are too much."

"True," Devon muttered before they both got an alert on their watches, reminding that they need to register if they wish to participate in the tournament.

"Damn," Devon muttered, "I really gotta go stand there looking all sweaty."

"You could go and take a shower first," Nox suggested.

"Nah, by then a crowd would've formed," he shook his head before turning to Nox, "ah right, you could get us there faster, right?"

Nox was silent for a while before asking, "don't you hate being teleported?"

"I do," Devon answered, "but only when it's unexpected."

"Alright then," Nox said, grabbing his shoulder, "brace yourself."

Without actually giving him time to prepare, a golden glow enveloped the two and before Devon could say anything,

They disappeared.

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