"The first half of the tournament concludes tomorrow," Mistress Veronika said. "Things will pick up from here on out, and you kids will be entering the last phase. You'll be down to the last eight contestants. Three will go, and five will remain."

I anticipated the second half of the tournament, but I wasn't particularly concerned with the fights taking tomorrow. The participants were not people I cared about. Were it not for my somewhat zealous need to monitor each competitor's progress, I would be skipping out on the battles. However, we were due another one-week break after this, so I would have to endure for the meantime.

"I hope you're not too comfortable. Only Maun here can somewhat be at ease, but you'll be up against the Mushroom kid, and from observations, he has some ability."

"I'm not very comfortable," I said. "It's my turn to go up against that Arondite Gayden person."

I threw a casual gaze at Mistress Veronika's face and found her making a complicated expression—it was her stiff, stone-hard face, but the eyes were clearly troubled, and the brows furrowed.

"Mistress, do you know of this Arondite Gayden...or maybe the Gayden clan in general?" I asked softly. I had an inkling it had something to do with that.

Mistress Veronika was silent for a bit. "I'm not familiar with the Gayden clan that well...but they are influential here in Lovarda."

"Lovarda," I repeated. "As in the whole country? Not just this city in particular?"

"They're known as the Wolves of the Empire. Their style in martial arts is prominent for the legwork," she said. "I will tell you now, Evy. The chances of you winning against that child is very low. Not to mention you've caused him to be guarded against you with Eren's incident last time. He will be ruthless and cut you down immediately. You will not have it easy."

Thinking about being massacred on the stage...I was nervous, but I could not help the excitement as well. There was an almost addictive rush with having to come and compete with someone skilled. And I was not very worried about losing to the guy at all. I still have one loss I could use for this round. I was not in dire straits, unlike Erenol.

"I think that's fine," I said. "Will they conclude the tournament once they have the last five people?"

"They will rank you," Mistress Veronika said. "This will help them to further evaluate you. I am certain the second half will be quicker than the first though, so you have no need to worry."

Even if she said that, I was certain the one worrying the most was certainly her.

#

Meeting up with Elion every night to spar had become routine. I 'practiced' my new language with him too and he seemed impressed with how fast I was 'learning' it. Brushing aside my guilt had become commonplace, but I could not help the nagging conscience that persistently questioned my decisions.

In the end, I had at least lied to everybody so there was no getting past that—I mean, who hadn't?

"You're getting very good, but still far from standard," Elion told me in Sarenilian.

"What matters is progress," I replied in the same tongue, withdrawing to drink some water.

"Do you remember? I wanted to ask you for help before," he said, relaxing as he lowered his gaze.

I downed my water. Drops spilled past my lip, trailing down my neck. I hastened to wipe it away. "Say it."

"Help my people...our people," he said. "I know you aren't too comfortable yet, so I'm not rushing you...but if you can help them, I'll be glad."

"What can I help you with?" I asked, switching back to Lovardi.

"Language," he replied in the same tongue. "It is hard to rely on the Temple for food and shelter. It is not stable, and it does not do well for our dignity. It is hard to learn Lovardi as well. The others were able to learn more because of you and your family. They are not too comfortable with anybody else."

I set my bottle of water down to the bench where I picked it up. "That's not much," I said. "Wait for me to finish the tournament. I'll look for things we can do to help your...our people."

Elion smiled. "Thank you."

"I owe them a lot," I found myself saying. "There's no need for thanks."

"It will not be easy," he said.

"Nothing ever is."

After the sparring, I set out to the camp with Elion to sleep. On the way back, I caught someone sneak behind the bushes along the path I walked on and stilled. I looked over to the side and found the end of a robe peeking behind a stretch of leaves.

I sighed. "Come out," I said.

Nothing.

"I know you're there."

Silver violet hair came to view with a matching pair of docile eyes.

"What's up, Maun?" I asked. "Why are you out so late?"

"Why are you out so late?" he asked me back.

"I sparred with Elion," I replied.

"Why didn't you ask me?" he signed. I admired the agility of his hands and the emotion behind the signs. He was very fluent now. However, it was clear to me he was upset. "I'm a great fighter, aren't I? Why can't it be me?"

I quirked a brow at the sulking boy. "I also talk with him about things."

"Why can't you talk to me about things?"

Speechless, I kept my silence. For a few beats, I didn't know how to answer. "Why are you so concerned?" I asked with a light smile. "It's not like I can keep bothering you. And there are things that only he can answer. I'm trying to learn Sarenilian from him," I said. "I think it'll come in handy later on."

He pouted.

"Why are you even so upset?" I walked over to him and ruffled his hair.

"I just don't like." He puffed out his cheeks.

"Don't worry. If you don't like it, then you can come next time."

Elion tilted his head to the side questioningly. Maun spitefully glared at him. Taking my sleeve, the blueberry muffin tugged me back to the campsite and shoved me into the tent where Eren and Mistress Veronika were resting. Afterwards, he retreated and went to his and Mistress Kora's tent. Elion gave me a wry smile, nodding his head before heading off where he lived as well.

Maun was being adorable, like usual. I suppose he didn't really like Elion that much either.

"You're soaked through, Evy. You won't change?" Mistress Veronika asked, looking up at me.

I glanced at Erenol, who was already snoring. "I'll be short." I grabbed some change of clothes and trudged my way into the communal bathrooms. I would take a shower in the morning instead—I was way too tired. The people were considerate and kept the place clean for everyone who used it, so I was not disgusted with the place at all.

After changing clothes, I threw some water on my face. I then went back to the tent and crawled into my bedspace to sleep. I had already gotten used to the living arrangements and lack of privacy, so it would not be hard for me to slip off into dreamland. The weariness of training helped put me to sleep much faster, too.

The next morning, I had some trouble getting out of bed, but it did not stop me from going to the last two fights of the first half. Maun and Eren, as usual, went with me.

Eren was absentminded half of the time and focused on the other. Maun was busy chipping away on a new block of wood, this time of a rectangular shape. I could not help but feel demotivated with this kind of atmosphere, so I did not observe as fervently as I did the past couple of days.

I only needed to make updates and revisions to past observations, anyway. I did not need to study them so hard.

I yawned.

In the end, the fights were concluded with Defiant Soul and White Face's victories. The outcomes did not surprise me in the least, so we retreated back to the camp for some much needed respite.

Maun really had it easy this time around. He's the genius one—he should be training hard!

But if he did, he might turn into a monster. This much was good. Otherwise, I'd feel green with envy and blue from insecurity.

Tonight, the dinner would be some steamed fish with a complementing vegetable dish. Mistress Kora took out the fresh catch he'd gotten from the market, and said, "Maun, son, come and help me with the fish. I'll teach you how to properly gut it!" he said.

"Gutting a fish?" Erenol asked. "Is that how they did back on the boat with Papi? Can I come see, too?"

The three went away to wash and prepare the fish while I stayed with Mistress Kora to handle the vegetables.

"Mistress," I said. "Do you think we can go out today? After lunch?"

Mistress Veronika raised her head. "And where will you be going?"

"To...look for snacks," I said. "And I'm thinking...if we don't have money, maybe I can get some oils and whip up a batch of perfume to sell...especially since the last ones earned money well."

She watched me.

I added more explanation, "I haven't mixed oils in a long time. My fingers are itching, and I don't really want to train all the time. I'm a little concerned about where to put them, though..."

At my urgings, she sighed. "You finally asked."

I stared at her quizzically.

"You've been very silent since we arrived and you more downtrodden than usual. I was waiting for you to ask," she said.

I gave a smile, knowing she must've been worried. "You know I can stay in for days on end. I'm not all that fond of going out either," I said. "There was no reason for you to be worried."

"No...I know that," she told me. "You were very focused and passionate about perfume-making before...along with the other arts, but you've had none of that since we arrived. I wish you complained more, Evyionne."

"Nah, mistress. You know I'm really lazy," I said. "I like being idle more. That's why I don't complain."

Her eyes thinned at the rise of a smile. "That's not wrong either." She lowered her gaze with a sigh, seeming to have accepted my assurances. "You don't have to worry about the money. Do you still have the bracelet your Mistress Lamia gave you for your birthday?"

I looked down at my wrist. Following Mistress Lamia's advice, I had never taken it off—not even to take a bath. Thankfully, the bracelet was not the type to tarnish or rust, so there was no problem.

"It should have everything you need. There's a unique stone in there that bears a signature bound to you that can be recognized by the bank," she said. "Your mother and all your other mistresses left you sizable properties and inheritances. They have an excess of wealth, so anything they do not value or otherwise value but would like you to have has been pooled into it."

I was dumbfounded. I set down my knife—more like dropped it really, afraid to cut myself. "What?"

"You were not supposed to know until you turned eighteen. However, considering your maturity, I know you will not mishandle it. And we're putting you through so much suffering. Don't fret about money...just focus and be happy..." she trailed off. "Although I think it's a little too late considering what I'm making you go through."

"Mistress..."

"Your Mistress Kora and I talked about it," she began. "You want to avenge your mother, and we do too...However, we never really gave you a choice for the matter. Us pushing you here...was a hot-blooded decision. Our intentions did not take you into account enough. It is unfair to simply put you through this when you can have a more peaceful life."

I was silent. I looked at the cutting board full of vegetables and focused on Mistress Veronika's face.

"You still have to enter the Temple, nonetheless. You need it to control your power. I will not be able to help you. I am an incredibly awful teacher," she said with a smile. "But after this, you can choose whether to go down that path or not. At the very least, you can learn how to defend yourself."

I shook my head. "I want to fight," I said. "I've lived well long enough, and you've given me a good life since I was young. I have to grow up sometime."

I lived through two lifetimes already. Though I was tempted to live well, I knew that choice would only leave me half-empty and unfulfilled. I'd spent many days aimless and idle. Since I now had a purpose, I would see to it that I did not waste this life.

I would not be like my previous self.

I was no longer River. I was Evyionne.