Chapter 41: BITTERSWEET VICTORY

Endrick stared at the television screen, a soft sigh escaping his lips. His body slackened, the weight of realization crashing down upon him like a landslide. It was over. Aaron had won. The talentless trash he once mocked... had actually won. The bet was settled. And so, Endrick’s life—was forfeit. Slumping deeper into the couch, Endrick lifted a half-empty glass of alcohol to his lips, drinking lazily. What was the point of trying anymore? Resistance would be futile. He was in the Sanctuary—under the control of the demigods. Escape? Impossible. Even for someone like him. "You’ve really given up on life, huh? What a shame," came a voice from the shadows. Endrick jerked upright, startled. A masked man leaned against the wall, body pressed so flat he might as well have been part of it—like a camouflaged gecko. "The Lightning God still had use for you," the stranger added. Endrick rose cautiously to his feet, instinctively shifting into a defensive stance. He hadn’t even sensed the man’s presence until he spoke. "Who I am doesn’t matter," the masked man said, voice calm but firm. "If you want to live, follow me. Do exactly what I say." The man turned and began walking toward a seemingly normal wall, one hand already reaching forward. Endrick hesitated, distrust flickering in his eyes. Without another word, the masked man stepped forward—and passed through the wall like it didn’t even exist. Endrick stood still, mind racing. Either way... he was probably going to die. But if this man was right, there was a sliver of hope in following. After a few tense seconds, he made his decision. Death was death—whether you faced it standing still or walking forward. At least this way, he might change his odds. And so, he followed. --- "I was beginning to think you two were up to something indecent," a light, mocking voice greeted them. A petite girl with a pink ponytail and an annoyingly wide smile was waiting. Endrick’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t seem like much at first glance, but there was something... dangerous about her aura. "Where... is this?" Endrick asked, taking in the unfamiliar space around him. Passing through the wall had been strange enough, but this place—this completely different location—made no sense. Was it teleportation? Illusion? Space-bending talent? He couldn’t comprehend it. "Let’s keep going," the masked man said sharply. "We don’t have all day." He walked side by side with the ponytailed girl, who was humming softly as if this were all routine. Endrick glanced around, doubt rising in his chest. "Who exactly are you people?" "You ask too many questions," the ponytailed girl replied, suddenly behind him before he could blink. A shove to the back forced him to stumble forward. "Just follow," she said, voice still playful, but laced with coldness. Ting! Alice’s watch vibrated gently, signaling her disqualification. "Tsk," Aaron clicked his tongue, visibly annoyed. His crimson-gold eyes still lingered on Alice. "I didn’t even land a single real hit," he muttered, frustration burning in his chest. "Not once did I get past her domain." All that damage he’d inflicted? It wasn’t on Alice. It was on the shield cast by the Dreamer, lying outside her domain. He had merely attacked the shield—not Alice herself. If that shield had been within her domain... Aaron clenched his jaw. He would have lost. That thought alone left a bitter taste in his mouth. --- The illusion faded. Aaron and Alice stood once again within the Examination Grounds, surrounded by officials and students alike. "Congratulations. You won... and get to keep your parents’ wealth," Levi said, stepping forward as the first to greet him. "That wasn’t a win," Aaron replied curtly. "She didn’t even go all out." He couldn’t shake the sense of failure clawing at his pride. As far as he was concerned... he’d lost miserably. "No one’s ever bypassed her domain," Levi replied, folding his arms. "Not even the demigods." Aaron’s brows twitched. "Heh. You really underestimate someone blessed by the universe," Levi continued. "She’s a monster. A true monster—none compare. After receiving her blessing at the age of five, no one has touched her since." "People like you are the only ones insane enough to keep hurting yourselves like that. Makes me wonder... what kind of broken talent do you have?" Levi added, eyeing Aaron with amusement and curiosity. --- "Now’s not the time for reunions, Levi," a new voice cut in. The Lightning God approached with his usual calm confidence, stealing the attention of everyone nearby. "The students need rest... and resolution," he said smoothly. He turned to Aaron with a small smile. "Congratulations. That battle was quite the spectacle. Kept me on the edge of my seat." "Thanks," Aaron replied, the smile not reaching his eyes. "So... where’s my prize?" He paused. "Where’s Endrick?" His tone sharpened. "Don’t tell me you helped him escape. That would be disappointing." Aaron’s gaze lingered on the Lightning God’s face, searching for cracks. He already knew. Endrick was gone. He couldn’t smell his presence anywhere within the sanctuary. The scent trail had gone cold. Without a doubt, the Lightning God had a hand in it. But that didn’t mean Aaron couldn’t use this moment. He wasn’t just a fighter. He was a businessman. And if there was one rule businessmen lived by—it was kill two birds with one stone. "What makes you think Endrick is missing?" the Lightning God asked innocently. "He should be in his reserved room. Under the surveillance of the Vine Master. I assure you—I keep my word." Aaron narrowed his eyes. Lies. Sly, slippery, politician lies. "Tsk. I hate politicians," Aaron muttered under his breath. "Sly foxes, all of them." The Lightning God had played him. Planned for every possible scenario. He was a step ahead. As always. --- But Aaron wasn’t about to start a battle of wits with a man like that. He wasn’t suicidal. "It doesn’t matter," he said finally, dismissing the issue with a shrug. "I proved my point." "Indeed," the Lightning God nodded. "I hope to see more of you in the coming years. Humanity needs more courageous men like you—men unafraid to lose an arm over and over again, despite achieving nothing." He smiled. "You remind me of your parents." And with that, he turned, leaving Aaron standing in the silence of his bittersweet victory.