The next morning, at the crack of dawn, Charles rushed out of the dorm building—his preparations were complete. He had ordered everything he needed to enter the Battle Royal. It was all possible thanks to the star coins he'd won betting on Skyler and Isaac in the Annual Gala. Yes, Isaac had won the potion-making battle he had participated in, even securing first place.
But because it was a smaller event, Isaac's victory didn't receive the same recognition as Skyler's, who had won the Annual Gala's main battle and claimed the golden stage.
Charles was supposed to meet Isaac in front of the Talisman Department and bid him farewell before Isaac entered the first level of the Battle Royal with the Lights he had convinced his father to hire. After that, Charles was supposed to enter the Battle Royal alongside Skyler. But as he reached the spot, he froze—Isaac wasn't alone.
A pair of familiar silver eyes met his—Zack Everlette. The 20-year-old youth, with short dark hair and striking silver eyes, glanced around, clearly searching for someone.
Then, Zack finally spoke.
"Where's Skyler?"
Charles turned to Isaac.
"This was supposed to be a secret."
Isaac slapped Zack's arm off his shoulder and let out a tired sigh, rubbing his temple.
"Believe me, this isn't my fault. The video of Skyler declaring our planet is in danger and urging us to enter the Battle Royal with him is already everywhere—it's trending. He saw it and showed up at my door in the middle of the night, insisting he's coming with us."
Isaac took a step forward and, wearing a deadpan look, turned Charles's head to the left. There, leaning against the department building, stood another familiar face—sharp brown eyes, dark tousled hair, and a javelin twirling effortlessly between his fingers.
"And Zack isn't the only one."
Isaac muttered with a blank look.
"Austin Reed showed up at my door last night too—said he's joining our team and will work as a free healer. His reason? Max vanished, and he was left without a team. So now, our plan looks interesting to him."
Charles's expression went blank as well.
"Did you inform Skyler?"
Isaac shook his head.
"He's going to lose it when he sees them."
He glanced toward Zack and Austin.
"I was exhausted—after arguing with my dad, who was in tears over me entering the Battle Royal… and just when I finally got to bed, these two showed up out of nowhere. So I forgot to explain everything to Skyler."
Charles patted his shoulder.
"You deal with it. I ain't getting involved."
Isaac's eyes widened in shock.
"You're abandoning me? Seriously? Aren't friends supposed to suffer together? Did you forget our brotherly motto?"
Charles's eyebrow twitched.
"When did you get tainted by Skyler?"
Isaac flashed a sly smile.
"So it's final—we're sharing the blame." The most up‑to‑date version is on M4VLEMP4YR.
Charles wanted to shout loudly, Why the hell does he have to?!—but he held back.
It was better to wait for Skyler to arrive.
But where was he?
He should have been the first one there.
After all, this was his plan.
Zack glanced around as they waited for Skyler, but even after an hour, he was still nowhere to be found. Sighing, he fiddled with his phone, disappointed that Oreon and Mila—the two side characters he had scouted—had declined to join him.
"Did Skyler get kidnapped or what?"
Austin hummed from behind.
"With his face plastered across every continent right now, it's possible."
But Isaac and Charles disagreed.
"Kidnapping Skyler isn't possible."
Austin chuckled at their words.
"Who said kidnapping is only done by the Dark Lights? For all we know, Skyler's own family could have dragged him away after seeing that viral video of his."
Everyone exchanged glances.
That actually seemed possible.
Suddenly, another figure arrived, and Zack instantly waved at the emerald-eyed man.
"You are so late—I thought you weren't coming. Good thing Skyler isn't here yet."
Yuris Yu flashed a sheepish smile. Luckily, he'd gotten Zack's number yesterday while they were both searching for Skyler.
"Sorry, I hate to admit it, but I had to tell my brother I'd be disappearing for a while—and steal his storage ring. It took so much time. You know I absolutely couldn't miss this."
He winked at Charles and Isaac.
"Nice to meet you. I'll be joining too."
Charles and Isaac exchanged glances.
They were doomed. Really. Skyler might actually wipe the floor with them.
***
Meanwhile, in a familiar room filled with floating crystal, Principal Wen stared at the ash-brown-haired youth sitting across from him—who was currently sweating buckets.
The middle-aged man's eyes narrowed as he pointed to the video playing behind him on the projector, displaying the youth's face.
"So, when are you going to start talking?"
Skyler chuckled awkwardly, wiping his face. Yesterday, when he had talked to Isaac and Charles about entering the Battle Royal, he had made sure everyone nearby could hear him. He hadn't even batted an eye when he noticed the students around him recording videos. All because he wanted the news to spread—that something far more perilous than a calamity was approaching Eldoria.
Who would've thought it would come back to bite him—and so soon at that? Early this morning, VP Doris had simply kicked down his door and mercilessly dragged him here.
"You see… Sir—"
Principal Wen's eyes narrowed.
"What do I see? I see your face all over a video that's currently trending everywhere! Do you think the Battle Royal is just child's play? That you can march in like it's some vacation—without informing a single adult—and even drag others along with you? And who exactly gave you the information that something even greater than a calamity is coming? Because I certainly don't know anything about that!"
He slammed his hand on the table, making Skyler flinch and tighten his hold on Riruru, who was still peacefully sleeping in his lap.
The snake hissed, clearly displeased.
'Why are you squeezing me? Your body's stronger than mine, you know.'
Skyler looked down with an apologetic smile at the snake pouting in his lap.
"Sorry. My mistake."
Principal Wen's eyebrow twitched. He was discussing such an important matter, and this boy had the audacity to get distracted?
"Skyler Thorne!"