Family

Ray hadn't realized how much of an impact his fight with Eric had caused. Eric had originally been ranked 9th among the first years, while Ray had been far behind at rank 280.

Usually, after basic training, students were forced to duel the person ranked directly above them. A win or loss would simply result in a swap in ranking positions. When Ray had beaten Eric, he had taken the number nine spot, pushing Eric down to rank ten. This meant everyone below rank nine had also been pushed one position lower.

Normally, within the top ten, ranks shifted slowly, with students challenging those above them or gradually working their way up, like Monk had done. But for someone to suddenly appear in the top ten—with no known duel? It was a shock to everyone.

Thankfully, the ranking positions weren't publicly displayed—only recorded in each student's communicator. That meant no one knew Ray was the one who had taken rank nine. Still, it didn't stop rumors from spreading. Many students had asked Eric who had beaten him, but for some reason, he refused to answer. Maybe he was too embarrassed to admit it.

Ray was still on his hiatus from training, so he spent most of his time in the library, trying to research anything he could about Dragon Knights and the Divine Being. But the results were disappointing—no real answers.

On his way back to the dormitory, he was shocked to see Gary and Kyle struggling to carry someone between them. The person's arms were draped over their shoulders, their body covered in bandages, making it difficult to recognize them.

When they entered the room, they carefully laid the injured student onto the bed. Only then did Ray realize who it was.

Monk.

He looked terrible—his face bruised and swollen, his limbs stiff and wrapped in thick bandages. He had been beaten badly. Some of his bones looked broken.

Ray rushed over, his voice sharp. "What happened?"

Monk didn't respond. He was unconscious.

Kyle clenched his fists. "It was Sebastian. He did this!" His voice was shaking with anger. "After training, he challenged Monk to a duel. He completely destroyed him."

"Why would he do this?" Ray asked, his eyes narrowing.

It was nearly impossible for someone to get this badly injured in a ranking match. The system was designed to prevent excessive damage—declaring a winner before anyone got seriously hurt. The only way something like this could happen was if the opponent kept attacking after the fight had already ended.

Gary was sitting beside Monk, his expression darker than Ray had ever seen.

"It's my fault," he muttered, his hands clenching into fists. "Sebastian is ranked second. He's been trying to beat me during sparring but never could. After watching my fight with Monk, he challenged him next. Monk agreed, but… Sebastian didn't fight fairly. He let Monk wear himself out, then when he had already won, he wouldn't stop attacking. I tried to stop him. Kyle tried to stop him. But his gang of followers kept us back. By the time we got to Monk, he was already like this."

A pained groan came from the bed as Monk's eyes fluttered open. He barely had enough strength to move, his eyes so swollen that he could only see through thin slits.

"Ray…? Is that you?" Monk's voice was weak, but he still tried to smile. "How are you doing? Sorry, but I don't think I can… make your bed today."

Ray stiffened.

That was him?

For the past few days, his bed had been neatly made every time he returned to the room, but he had never known who was doing it.

Even now—beaten half to death—Monk was still thinking about him.

"Why?" Ray asked, his voice quieter now.

Monk chuckled weakly. "What do you mean? Black Sashes have to look out for each other. After all… we're family, aren't we?"

Family.

That word…

He had barely used it as a dragon.

As a human, he had lost most of the family he had known.

Monk turned his head toward Gary. "I'm sorry, Gary… about our fight. I know you weren't taking me seriously. I just… wanted to prove that I could do something. I didn't mean to take it that far."

Gary held his hand tightly. "It's okay, Monk. I know." His voice was strained, but gentle. "Just rest. Wilfred is getting a mage to heal you."

Monk gave a small nod, then drifted back into unconsciousness.

Kyle slammed his fist into the nearest wall. "We have to do something! Teach that bastard a lesson! Kick his ass, Gary!"

Gary let out a slow breath. "I wish I could… but I can't."

Kyle turned to him in frustration. "Why the hell not?!"

A voice from the corner of the room spoke up.

"Because Sebastian is part of the Delbert family."

Ray and the others turned.

Sylvia stepped forward, her expression serious.

Kyle's eyes widened. "You mean… THE Delbert family?"

Ray's fists clenched. "Who cares about that? Look at what he did to Monk!" His voice rose, his anger boiling over.

Sylvia sighed and crossed her arms. "You don't understand, Ray. There's a reason he gets away with things like this. His father is Master Knight Delbert."

The name sent a rush of fury through Ray's chest.

Delbert.

That man already hated him. Now, his son was doing this?

If Ray had been looking for a reason to fight Sebastian, this was it.

"Ray," Gary warned. "I know what you're thinking, but don't do it. If you start a fight outside the rankings, you'll be kicked out of the academy."

Ray smirked. "I don't have to fight him outside the rankings." He glanced at his communicator. "As long as I challenge him to an official match, I can't get in trouble… right?"

As he turned to leave the room, Sylvia grabbed his sleeve, stopping him.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

Ray didn't even hesitate.

"I'm going to do the same to Sebastian as he did to Monk." His voice was calm—but the anger behind it was undeniable. "No one messes with my family."

Sylvia's grip loosened, her fingers slipping from his sleeve. For a brief second, she looked almost… frightened. Ray didn't care.

His focus was locked on one thing.

Sebastian Delbert.