Baam and Khun stepped outside into the afternoon sun.
"Endorsi and Anaak?" Baam asked.
Khun shook his head. "Yeah. They got into a fight during training—both ended up seriously injured."
"Fought?" Baam frowned. "But they're both Princesses of Jahad."
Khun snorted. "Precisely why they fought. They're each backed by powerful families, and their rivalry runs deep. Honestly, it's just stupid."
Baam settled at a nearby table. "I wouldn't call it stupid."
Khun raised an eyebrow. "To climb the Tower, you have to take others down. Wasting your power on self-destruction doesn't make sense."
Before Baam could reply, Shibisu approached, paper in hand. "It's sad to see comrades falter, isn't it?"
"Shibisu," Baam greeted.
Khun peered at the sheet. "Almost done with your friend-making test?"
Shibisu ran a hand through his hair. "Deadline's tonight. We're short two friends."
Hatz shuffled his feet. "Sorry… my fault."
"Can we help?" Baam asked.
Khun folded his arms. "Did you forget how competitive this place is?"
"I get that," Baam said gently. "But friends help you when you're in trouble."
Khun gave a half-smile. "Did Rachel teach you that too?"
Baam nodded. "Yeah."
Khun sighed and stood. "All right, let's do this."
---
Endorsi's Room
Endorsi lay on her bed, worried her medical bills had drained all her points—and starving. A knock sounded.
"Endorsi?" Baam's voice called. "We brought you food. May we come in?"
"P-please!" she replied, swinging the door open. Baam held out a plate.
"We heard you needed help," he said.
Endorsi beckoned. "Just give it to me!"
"But you said men and women can't be friends," Baam reminded gently.
She frowned.
"So…" Baam turned to Hatz, who produced two forms.
"We thought… if you sign these, we'll bring you a meal every day until the test ends."
Endorsi glared at the papers. "A Princess of Jahad wouldn't accept such a bribe."
Baam shrugged. "We'd also be happy if you just ate with us."
Hatz grinned. "Sharing a meal with the most beauteous princess? What an honor!"
Endorsi's resolve cracked. She snatched the pen. "But just so you know—I only eat special lunches!"
---
Anaak's Room
Anaak slammed the door. "I won't accept your pity!"
Hatz shrugged. "Then starve."
"Idiot!" Shibisu barked.
Baam gently held up the chicken pie. "Let's wait to fight until you're better. Today's special is—you guessed it—chicken pie."
Anaak eyed the pie. With a sigh, she signed the form.
---
Back in Khun's Room
Baam and his friends returned triumphant.
"We did it," Baam announced.
"I told you so," Khun said, smirking.
Shibisu beamed. "Thank you. You saved us."
Hatz bowed. "I won't forget this."
Khun waved him off. "Hey, I wrote the script you two just followed."
Hatz shot back, "Clearly you have no talent for writing lines like 'most beauteous princess.'"
Khun laughed. "And you have no talent for acting."
Shibisu held up a hand. "Shouldn't we be thanking him more?"
Khun crossed his arms, pleased. "No problem."
Shibisu clapped Baam on the shoulder. "Drinks tonight?"
Later, they gathered in the cafeteria again, sharing a meal and laughter. From the corner, a hooded figure paused—Rachel's freckled profile for a heartbeat—then slipped away before they could see her face.
---
After the meal, Baam received a lesson from Shibisu on martial arts. Later, he returned to his room and checked his system.
> System Notification:
> Skill Acquired: Shibisu-Style Martial Arts (Basic)
> Skill Level: Entry
> Efficiency: 16%
> Update:
> Basic Combat Efficiency increased: 18%
> Hoh-Style: 20%
> Khun-Style: 18%
> Shibisu-Style: 16%
> Basic Shinsu Control Efficiency increased: 10%
Not bad for a day's worth of training, Baam thought.
---
The Next Day
The Wave Controller team began their morning training early. Baam had spent the previous day practicing Shinsu manipulation, and his efficiency had increased to 15%.
Instructor Yuga began the session with a short lecture.
"As I explained last time, the basic unit of Shinsu control is called a Baang. The physical size of the Baang is known as Myun, while the density of Shinsu within it is called Soo.
"These are all important, but for a Wave Controller, the number of Baang you can control is critical. More Baang means more simultaneous attacks, giving you an edge.
"For example, if I fight Mr. Baam—who can only control one Baang—and I control three, he'll have to find a way to block or evade the other two.
"But controlling multiple Baang is difficult. Focus too much on one, and the others fall apart.
"It took me two years to form my first Baang after learning to control Shinsu. Even then, people called me a genius."
Training resumed. Baam practiced under Yuga's guidance. Eventually, one of his Shinsu shots burst a balloon.
From a distance, Hoh watched with narrowed eyes.
"He barely knew how to use Shinsu before," Hoh muttered. "Don't you think it's strange, Lauroe? Is he hiding something?"
Though Hoh could hit targets, he struggled. Baam, a newcomer, was already surpassing him.
At first, Hoh had been indifferent, even offering help. But now, he found himself falling behind—and he couldn't accept that someone like Baam might be more talented.
Hoh whispered bitterly, "At this rate, I'll fail the test…"
"Next, Hoh," the instructor called.
"O-Okay!"
Hoh tried to form a Baang, but the Shinsu swirled and dispersed before taking shape. Another failure.
Yuga observed him calmly. "You're rushing again, Mr. Hoh. Your control is too unstable. You should stop here for today."
"N-No! I can do it!"
Yuga frowned. "Your final test is tomorrow. You don't want to blow it now, do you? Get some rest. Take a nap, clear your head."
Later, Hoh lay in bed, drained. His mind wandered back to the time before he entered the Tower—to the invaders who hunted his people, to the helpless cries of his tribe.
The doorbell rang.
He stepped out and found no one—only a note.
Do you want to climb the Tower?
---
Meanwhile
After finishing Shinsu training early, Baam received a sword lesson from Hatz, then another brief session from Hoh. He returned to his room and checked his system again.
> System Notification:
> Skill Acquired: Hatz-Style Sword Basics
> Skill Level: Entry
> Efficiency: 18%
Hmm... Since I'm a Wave Controller, I shouldn't focus too much on swordsmanship, Baam thought. Shinsu manipulation should be my priority.
After continuing training for the rest of the day, he reviewed his progress:
> Update:
> Basic Blade Wielding Efficiency increased: 18%
> Basic Combat Efficiency increased: 33%
> Basic Shinsu Control Efficiency increased: 25%
Baam kept up a steady training pace during the designated practice period for Regulars.