Once the participant list for the mecha competition was revealed, Spears officially called an end to the grueling special training.
With the date and place set for their next meet-up, he gave all the students a much-deserved week off.
"Uncle Marlone, we're heading out," Arix and Drexel said as they exited the training base. They offered to drop Deanna and her brother off at Marlone's place on their way home.
"Why the rush? Stay and have lunch with us," Marlone replied, smiling warmly.
Arix and Drexel shared a quick, silent glance, both recalling the "lunch" Marlone had once packed for them.
That meal was etched in Arix's memories—so unforgettable it could only be compared to the horror of Sister Gwen's cooking.
It didn't take long for the siblings to politely refuse. "No thanks, Uncle. We've got other plans, so we'll just head home."