Two competitive guys standing in front of each other; Ready to fight for the win no matter what. This was more than just a game, it was a bet, it was a decision-changer. Donovan stretched his limbs with such calm that Aeris felt relieved, knowing how reliable he can be, while Liora stared patiently, expecting a long match. Luka in the other hand, showed such confidence he turned to his back, dunking in the hoop easily.

  Luka: (nodding head to his side.) “Hey you, come here and initiate the match.”

  The blue-haired girl went to the center of the basketball court grabbing the ball, making the two guys get ready to initiate the match.

  Aeris: “On the count of 3…2…1-”

  As soon as she threw the ball to the air high enough, both of them leaped tremendously with no effort but for Luka’s surprise, Donovan grabbed it first, quickly falling to the ground as he pivoted instantly to the hoop in just 3 seconds! Ready to shoot a clean shot, Luka bumps into him aggressively, diverting a clean shot. Luka stole the ball and sprinted to Donovan’s hoop, however, as soon as Donovan fell down from the bump, standing up with a flare.

  Liora: (Turning to Aeris.) “When the hell did Donovan ever learn this?!”

  Aeris: “He told me he used to dance as a kid.”

  Liora: “What kind of dance?”

  Aeris: “Breakdance.”

  From that flare, Donovan ran as fast as he could, reaching Luka. His glasses agitated at his coordinated dribble cross rhythm, waiting for Donovan to make a move. He did what Luka thought, so he feints for an available angle shot. However, Luka did not take into consideration how capable Donovan is. When Luka shoot his shot, the golden-eyed teenager instantly changed his position; Blocking it.

  Luka: “I completely underestimated this guy.”

  The ball bounced from floor to Donovan’s fingertips. He would stare at Luka calmly, sure the game is already over. He said nothing else than just a cold shiver running through.

  Luka: “The fuck are you staring at me at? I got something on my face?”

  After some brief seconds, Donovan spoke.

  Donovan: “Aren’t you coming after me?”

  Luka: “Mmmm… Nah.”

  Donovan rushed with such furiosity he could imitate an unstoppable american football player. Luka did not hold back either, pairing with Donovan’s skill.

  The two gasped after an enervating activity, unsure who won the match, but positive they did their best.

  Luka: (panting) “Tch… I did not expect you to be this good.”

  Donovan: (cracking a slight smile) “I told you, I’m not here to impress”

  Luka: (wiping sweat off his forehead) “Hey, what’s the final score?”

  Aeris: (holding the scoreboard from a distance) “32-30. Donovan wins.”

  Donovan lets out a huge exhalation as he walks to Liora and Aeris, who congrated him. Though, Luka grabbed his ball and started spinning it on his finger. Luka turned to his back, seemingly to think about something.

  Donovan: “Well Luka you los-”

  Luka: “You know, Donovan, basketball is fun but… that’s not enough.”

  Luka turns to them three as he spins the ball on his fingertip. Donovan does too, ready for another challenge.

  Donovan: (clenching his jaw) “What are you suggesting now?”

  Luka: “Basketball was just a warm-up for the real challenge. A proper fight. That’s how you can proof me your strength.”

  Liora: (throwing up her arms) “Oh come on. You just finished the game!”

  Luka: (tossing the ball aside)“You want me in your team, golden-eyes? Then fight me. Just fists, will and pure instinct.”

  Donovan: “If we’re going to fight, let’s move to the training field.”

  Luka: “Good idea. I don’t want to crack the floor already. Hah.”

  The Kairos Training Field was massive, easily the size of four basketball courts mixed, reinforced with Sorbinite, an special shock absorption alloy designed to withstand massive jégosgalia impacts. It is 60 meter wide and 100 meters long dimensions where boosters can test out their abilities freely. In addition, it has glass-paneled walls reaching up to a 15-meter high ceiling allowing natural light enter.

  Luka took off his gray hoodie, revealing an athletic build, rotating his shoulders in a circular motion.

  In response, Donovan sighs, sliding his arms out of his favorite blue jacket which he never took off, until now. This whole time, he hid his progress; his discipline, willpower and consistency. His shoulders were broad and cut, his biceps and triceps were huge and defined, making veins visible.

  Liora gasped and kept looking at Donovan’s arms but Aeris… Aeris looked astonished, covering her mouth of full emotion.

  Aeris: “Oh my, oh my, oh my, my my, that’s SO SEXY I WANT TO- No, no, i-it is not the moment for this. But, he’s, he’s…! ”

  Her internal comments were obviously saved, but her intentions showed off.

  As Donovan walked towards Luka, at his right side, he noticed that Aeris was looking at him, specifically his shoulder.

  Donovan: “Do I got something on my shoulder?”

  Aeris quickly responded with a stutter.

  Aeris: “Huh? No, no, y-you’re fine, go fight!”

  Donovan continued walking towards his objective, ready to finish it all for once.

  Liora: (chuckle) “Ooo careful there, he might be capable of doing more than just wrestling**~**.”

  Aeris: “W-What do you mean? I wasn’t even looking, I-I was just-”

  Liora: “Oh you were definitely looking.”

  Aeris: “Ughh shut UP! Just focus on the fight, that’s all!”

  Liora: (chuckle) “Focus? What are you going to be focusing at? Hmmm?”

  Aeris groans in annoyance and clicks her tongue with no comment. Liora playfully smiles at her. Now everyone was ready to witness battle.

  Luka: “Damn, you got a nice physique! That’d be greater for the basketball team!”

  Donovan didn’t let out a single sharp comment as he kept his cool. He just stared at Luka’s blue green eyes. Luka’s smile vanished, he felt Donovan’s seriousness with just exchanging glances.

  Luka: “Ah hell no I sense something bad just gonna happen.”

  Aeris: “Ready?”

  Donovan: “Of course.”

  Luka: “Yep!”

  Aeris: “Ready… set… fight!”

  Luka ran into Donovan’s range, who surprisingly did not move an inch. A left jab was thrown to Donovan, though this made Luka’s rib expose. The golden-eyed slips outside for a right hook, sure it would hit. This exalted Luka, who let out a roar, stomping the floor abruptly making Donovan lose balance. The stomp’s vibrations travelled through the whole surface making Aeris and Liora stagger.

  Luka: “I gotcha!”

  Luka’s left leg raised up with an incredible range, reaching 60 degree angle from his stance, eventually going for a lethal axe-kick. It was so quick Donovan’s flight or fight system reacted, creating pressured air to stop the strike.

  Luka: “W-what in the-”

  Donovan: (whisper) “God’s Rend.”

  Using his left leg’s momentum, Donovan managed to move, spinning twice and kick Luka’s nape from behind. As the two continued to fight, the girls chatted a bit.

  Liora: “Aeris how the hell did you meet him in the first place?! He’s so calm and cool with it!”

  Aeris: “Remember what happened yesterday in the cafeteria?”

  Liora: “Yeah, why?”

  Aeris: “The incident of kidnapping students was a mistake someone did when I was controlled…”

  Liora turned her full body to her in complete surprise.

  Liora: “What? Controlled? Why?”

  Aeris: “CX. An assistant of my boss, former best-friend of Donovan”

  Liora screamed in disbelief, distracting the boys. With that advantage, Donovan performed an uppercut while Luka was perplex. Now disturbed, Luka fully focused on the fight.

  Donovan: “Oh, look at that. You’re now focused.”

  An exchanged response from Luka, he did not say anything else than just…

  Luka: “Blast Off.”

  Weak vibrations were heard from the ground of those standing. Something was off.

  Donovan: “The floor trembled when he stomped, now I can feel vibrations on the ground after he said blast off… I’m sure it’s his jégosgalia.”

  The golden-eyed guy sprinted towards Luka with confidence but, as he got nearby, the vibrations felt stronger and stronger, unbalancing Donovan effortlessly as he tried to bear with it.

  Liora: “What’s going on? Why did Donovan stop?”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Aeris: “I don’t know. He’s possibly trying out something.”

  The Sorbinite floor hummed hardly. Wall panels flickered strongly and a screen loaded up a warning.

  “UNKNOWN JéGOSGALIA IS SURPASSING SAFE PARAMTERS. ENERGY DISTRIBUTION MAY BE REROUTED. PLEASE HALT THE CAUSE.”

  A monotone male voice announced the unexpected message as Luka walked slowly at Donovan.

  Donovan clenched his teeth and sucked them in complete frustration, pressured to quickly thing what to do.

  Donovan: “This Luka… if he’s walking towards me I can’t stick to a genius plan, he’s clearly waiting for me to do something.”

  8 meters away from the target. 7 meters away. Donovan’s time was running out, he could not opt for a well-executed plan. The golden-eyed clenched his fists to initiate real action. Luka perceived a killing intention coming from his rival. But, the hit already connected. Luka’s reaction time was far away from triggering his nerves into make a timed action. Luka flew at a high speed colliding with a sorbinite wall.

  Aeris: “W-what.”

  Liora: “I did not even see that coming.”

  Donovan’s hand trembled after punching Luka, feeling an odd sensation.

  Donovan: “Tch. This feeling is just weird as Danko’s room.”

  Beaumont stood up with a trembling sensation, hearing a crack when he slightly stomped the floor.

  Luka: “What is this chilling sensation? I’ve never encountered something like this and— why is there a crack on the floor? This guy called Donovan… who… who is he?”

  Luka: “Okay okay… Shoot! Didn’t know ya hit hard.”

  He took his glasses off, reaching a case from his pocket.

  Luka: (putting his glasses on the case) “Yup! there we go. I was waiting for a meaningful punch.”

  He slid his case some meters away from him, Liora and Aeris were confused because they did not understood what Luka said or what was he trying to do. They couldn’t hear him, just witness.

  Donovan: “Just talk with your body not your words.”

  Luka let out a chuckle and jumped in his place of joy. He rushed like a hungry cheetah, making the floor tremble as he got to Donovan, who was losing more and more balance when Luka got near.

  He punched Donovan’s nose hard enough to make it bleed. Donovan was unable to do something with the lack of balance coming from the ground, eating Luka’s punches entirely.

  Many people in school did not know about Luka. He was like any ordinary teenager who enjoyed sports. His embracing and joyful presence made anyone feel welcome to his sight, little did they know, he’s a Beaumont. The Beaumont is a recognizable family specialized in Booster Investigations & Jégosgalia anormalities, featuring their true nature; A bloodlusted and protective family of mountain wolves. Just like his family, Luka continues the legacy with his Alteration-type jégosgalia, Blast Off.

  Luka expressed a big smile with dilated pupils of all the adrenaline running through his entire body, charging up another punch which was covered in blood. As soon as he threw it, Donovan opened his eyes, colliding his head with Luka’s fists to push him away and start a relentless taekwondo combo. Beaumont dodged every puncture strike cautiously, approaching the perfect time for a counter attack.

  When he timed the strike, both performed a cross-counter that splat blood from their noses.

  Falling down in complete silence. No groan, no complain. Just a sole hit on the floor. Both fighters experienced blurry vision, high pitches and no memory from what happened minutes ago. Aeris and Liora were shouting at Donovan to stand up, but Luka was trying to. Trembling when crouched.

  A flickering golden particle appeared on Donovan’s forehead, the particle launched into Donovan's chest to pierce him. He spits blood when reacting to the attack, finally waking up.

  Liora: “W-what was that thing?”

  Aeris: “I’m not sure but that thing made him react…”

  The golden-eyed fighter swayed from side to side, bearing the knockdown.

  Aeris raises her hand and points it to Donovan, announcing the winner.

  Aeris: “Winner, Donovan Ivanel!”

  Aeris and Liora go to a wounded Donovan to congratulate him.

  Liora: (petting his back) “Well done, well done! Thanks to you the group now has a new member!”

  Aeris: “You feeling okay?”

  Donovan felt calmer when Aeris approached, it was unexplainable, that pain was inexistent.

  Donovan: “Y-yeah, just a little dizzy.”

  Luka, who was doing his best to stand up, achieved to do so.

  Luka: “All right, all right, I’m part of the group, but you should also consider joining the basketball time.”

  Donovan: (smile) “Hmph, sure, I’d help in the next tournaments but that’s up to what comes next.”

  As the four were exiting the training room, Aeris mentioned a crucial part.

  Aeris: “Guys, we need one more member to access to the Unity Tournament. How many days left we got?”

  Luka: “We got until Friday.”

  Donovan: “We’ll discuss that tomorrow, we have to go back to class.”

  Liora: (Directing to Aeris & Donovan) “Aren’t both of you from the same class?”

  Aeris: “That’s right, at least I got Donovan because those guys… ugh, they freak me out.”

  Donovan: “What? Aeris they are the best people to hang out with! You just have to give them a chance.”

  Aeris: “Shut up. I… I have Liora!”

  Aeris grabs Liora by her shoulders as they walk to Mr. Glen’s room to initiate their subject. As they arrived, bunch of students were minding their own business, some playing cards, others meditating and a few chatting.

  Donovan: “Hey, we’re back. Where’s Mr. Glen?”

  Ante: “He did not come to school today. They told us we could either focus our linked energy for a jégosgalia training or spend time in some good way.”

  Donovan: “Oh really? So we can play ping pong then?”

  Ante: “Wait I completely forgot we can do that! Let’s go ahead then, who’s ready for a ping pong tournament?!”

  Majority of students in the class got excited as soon as they saw the floating ping pong table, eventually playing in turns. Luka just stared at Donovan and slightly turned his head to is right as a way to call him.

  Donovan: “What’s up?”

  Luka: “I’m going for a walk, I’ll be back in 30 minutes.

  Donovan: “Sure, good luck.”

  Luka left with a concerned face, making Donovan think he was hiding something from them.

  After an hour, students were still enjoying their free time with complete flexibility, even Donovan who had been stressed since Hjalmer came back, took a nap. His nap got interrupted by a sudden shout he could only hear, instantly opening his eyes to go to the cafeteria.

  Donovan: “I’ll be back, I’m thirsty.”

  Aeris: “Okay, get me some apple juice!”

  Donovan: “All right.”

  Liora: “Aaaand checkmate! I won. Now give me those bucks!”

  Aeris: “Awww come on.”

  Their voices faded away, the only voices he could hear where Luka’s and another guy shouting slurs to Luka.

  ???: “For fuck’s sake Luka, you’re a complete douchebag, you know that? You were supposed to join with us. Not with that weird guy with the golden eyes and two random girls.”

  Luka: (wiping blood off his chin) “That faction you belong to is full of retards, including you, Keith. You guys forced me, even harassed me to join, but he… He asked me. I lost a fight against him, I accepted my loss and joined.”

  Donovan arrives, patting his back twice with confusion.

  Donovan: “You said 30 minutes but it has been like an hour. And who are these guys?”

  Luka: “These are 1/8 of Pulse. The faction everyone has been talking since last week.”

  Donovan: “Hm. I wasn’t here last week.”

  Luka: “Why?”

  Donovan: (sounding suspicious) “Uh… Familiar stuff. I’ll tell you after this.”

  Luka: “Okay… anyways, Pulse is a faction that idealizes that showing and wearing your jégosgalia is acceptance and pure freedom, while hiding it only intensifies fear and cowardice.”

  Keith: “We, we are Pulse, we believe in the freedom to be able to use the jégosgalia for good. Jégosgalia is the extension of one's identity, without it, it is like suppressing the voice that gives meaning to things-”

  Donovan: “Shut your mouth already, damn. What do you want from Luka?”

  Keith: (aggressive tone) “You. Shut. Your. Coward. Ass up. This is none of your business.”

  Donovan: “None of my business you say…?”

  Keith: “Exactly, you're just a nobody after your best friend is gon-”

  Golden crystals with the size of a full grown whale pointed at Keith’s head. The crystals were only 10 centimeters away from piercing his skin. Keith did not move a muscle, witnessing the dangerous presence Donovan could cause in a snap.

  Keith: (nervous) “O-okay, okay, calm d-down dude… Put th-those crystals down, I DON’T KNOW WHERE THE HELL YOU GOT THEM BUT… none of this happened, all right?”

  An annoyed Donovan stared at Keith with some fierceful eyes, mentioning anything related to Hjalmer equals to pure punishment. Donovan did not moved an inch, he just stared at him.

  Luka: “Donovan.”

  First calling, still staring.

  Luka: “Donovan!”

  Second calling, still staring.

  Luka: (touching his shoulder) “Hey, Donovan! let him be, let’s go.”

  No comments, no waving, nothing. Clearly, that gaze transmitted a message that changed Keith’s demeanor when Donovan is around. Keith gasps repeatedly, his friends get closer to him asking if he knows anything about Donovan.

  Keith: “He’s… strange. But not ‘weird’ of behavior, but weird out of… agh, I don’t know how to explain it, it’s a strange feeling you feel when you run into him. I only know that his parents and cousin are mysterious yet strong as an aggressive shadow.”

  Brandon: “What type of simile is that, what does than even mean?”

  Keith: “Forget it, you’ll find out. Let’s go back to the meeting point.”

  As the users of God’s Rend and Blast off walk back to the classroom, Luka is astonished by what he did there, realizing bit by bit the nature of an Ivanel.

  Luka: “Since I entered this school year, I’ve encountered Donovan a few times but never talked. After seeing this, I’m curious on who Donovan really is. Hmph… but still… he doesn’t have my full trust.”

  The refreshing aroma of black coffee gives the place it’s vibe, attracting customers with ease. Luka Beaumont after an exhausting day requests a frappe, thirsty for some sugary consumption before walking to home. Luka’s phone rang, it was his mom. He talked to his mom as he walked but, something caught his attention. Dark hair, blue jacket with black & white lines on the sleeves, clearly an recognizable sign.

  Luka: “I’ll call ya later mom, take care.”

  Luka: “Hey Donovan! to your right!”

  The golden-eyed booster walked with his hands in his pockets calmly. Though his expression seemed concerned, like he received some bad news.

  Donovan: “Hm? Oh, Luka what’s up. Damn you got a frappe. I see I see. Is it from Ziggy’s Coffee?”

  Luka: “Yep, but what are you doing at this hour?”

  Donovan: “Eh, you know just… having my own moment to think.”

  Luka: “Maybe a drink could clear out your mind, come on, let’s go to Ziggy’s Coffee.”

  Donovan: “I don’t have any money.”

  Luka: “Don’t worry, you’re my guest.”

  Donovan: (slight grateful smile) “Thanks dude.”

  After paying Donovan his smoothie, he could talk with all ease now. Luka was right; a drink could clear out his mind.

  Luka: “So, that thing you did in school, those giant-ass crystals. How did you do it?”

  Donovan: “Uhh… well I rather talk about the school first.”

  Luka: (chuckling) “All right bro, all right, what do you wanna talk about? There are plenty of things going in Kairos.”

  Donovan: “It’s about the tournament. I’m worried if we’re going to win.”

  Luka: (frowning) “You’re the worst.”

  Donovan: “What?! Why?”

  Luka: “How come you say ‘if’ instead you should say we will win.”

  Donovan: (sigh) “The hell do you want me to say? I’m being realistic here. There are stronger boosters in the school, stronger than me. I think.”

  Luka: “Pfft. What about those uh… TOPS?”

  Donovan froze mid-sip, slowly turning his head to his left, staring intensely at Luka.

  Luka: “What?”

  Donovan: (quickly responding) “Who told you?”

  Luka: “Aeris…”

  Donovan: “Why?”

  Luka shrugs with a smug and eyes rolled. He continues to walk like nothing happened

  Donovan: “Come on, tell me! I want to know.”

  Luka: “I will if you tell me what’s with your jégosgalia”

  User of God’s rend scratches his head while looking at the floor.

  Donovan: “About those crystals uhhh… Let’s just… say I’m still figuring it out myself. I didn’t know I was capable of doing that.

  Luka: (raising eyebrow) “You expect me to believe you just ACCIDENTALLY summoned big-ass crystals like… 6-7 meters long? In the middle of the hallway?”

  Donovan: (softly chuckling) “I’m serious, dude. I hit a mental wall or something. Everything just… collided? I guess it’s my jégosgalia reacting to certain responses. But the real reason is what I’m trying to figure out too.”

  Luka: “Like instinct?”

  Donovan: “Kinda? It’s like a passive shield. But I swear I’ll tell you more when I understand it better myself.

  Luka: “Gotcha bro, anytime!”

  Luka extends his arm for a fist-bump, accepted by a happy Donovan, who regained some of that lost best-friend sensation.

  Though, high up in Zagreb's buildings, a guy with a glimmering wavy hair spies on those two. His eyes switched to a chromatic, shining eyes that could analyze every detail; Body language, lips reading and presence. Yet, his slim face seemed emotionless.

  ???: “Donovan Ivanel and Luka Beaumont. A jerk who plays basketball thinking everyone is his friend and an anti-social serious guy. The worst color combination. But, their true colors would change if it comes to the right combination.”

  He says while eating a granola bar in the blueish night. Minutes later, the duo walked to Luka’s house as they chat.

  Luka: (laughing) “Haha! Well yeah Donovan, that’s basically how I cheat in exams. I also plan to cheat in the next math test.”

  Donovan: “What about physics, did you pass?”

  Luka: “73 points.”

  Golden-eyes laughed freely, patting Beaumont’s back in response. The two of them were having a great time, even sharing some fitness progress with photos. Possibly, Donovan found someone to compete once again like in the old days, but who knows if it’s really Luka that friend he lacked.

  Camera screens displayed classrooms full of silence and ordered seats. With the help of the computer’s light a particular silhouette is displayed, it seemed like the new professor’s shadow, a slim tall figure. However, this was not the professor Sawyer who expressed charisma. This Sawyer had sleepy eyes with a serious face. Likely he hides pain with charisma. Merrow checked all cameras located in all the school, replaying videos back and forth seeking something, someone. The training field and basketball area caught Sawyer’s attention, taking two steps forward to press and zoom in. He’s so interested he gets his head closer to the screen; He could see two boosters fight. He immediately grabs his phone and calls someone. A male raspy whispering voice responds his calling.

  ???: “Sawyer. You found anything valuable?”

  Sawyer: “Look at this.”

  He enables his camera, focusing it to the computer’s screen which displayed Donovan vs Luka.

  ???: “Well, well, would you look at that. Those are good candidates for the project Amanda suggested. Ah, what was the name…? Hm. Project Vanta, yeah that one.”

  Sawyer: (Cold approach) “I haven't checked the student records yet. I'll call you later, the teachers haven't suspected anything yet and remember to keep my portfolios like a normal teacher, don't be a bitch.”

  ???: "Hahaha, Ay sawyer, don't be rude, I always keep my promises. It's time to leave the conversation here, that young man from Italy has good negotiations, goodbye.”

  Then, the call cuts. Sawyer now has a new step to proceed the investigation. He leaves the room quietly, like the sneaky cat he is.

  Professor Sawyer: “Let’s get started.”

  Chapter 11 ends...