Vela's office felt different this time.
Less tense. Less threatening. The three cadets stood at attention. But the air had changed. Lighter somehow.
Vela looked at each of them. Her small eyes moved slowly. Deliberately. "You completed your labor duties. All seven days."
Kade stood straighter. Pride leaked through his posture.
Juli grinned. Relaxed as always.
"I commend you for your work." Vela's voice carried genuine approval. "You fulfilled your obligations. Maintained discipline. Despite your clear disdain for the tasks."
Pamela remained perfectly still. Professional.
"Now." Vela smiled. Small but real. "My end of the bargain."
The tension broke completely.
"Cadet Kade. Cadet Weiper." She gestured toward Pamela. "You are free from any repercussions regarding the mess hall incident. You may join Cadet von Eisenblick's team officially."
Kade's fist shot into the air. Victory. Pure and simple. His fangs showed in a wide grin.
Juli gave Vela a thumbs up. His red eyes sparkled with that familiar mischief. "Thanks, Chief Instructor."
Vela smiled back. Genuine warmth. Then her thoughts wandered. Something about the boy. His mannerisms. That casual confidence. The way he moved. It reminded her of someone. Someone from years ago. But who? The memory danced just out of reach. Frustrating. She'd figure it out eventually.
Kade turned to Juli. Extended his hand. Palm open. Waiting.
Juli grabbed it immediately.
Their grips locked. Firm. Powerful. Arms flexed. Muscles tensed. Pure masculine energy radiating from the handshake. Their forearms bulged. Neither backed down. Neither showed weakness. Just strength meeting strength. Respect meeting respect.
They held it. Stared at each other. Grinned like idiots.
"We're doing this." Kade's voice was deep. Serious.
"Hell yeah we are." Juli's grin widened.
They released. The moment passed. But the bond remained.
Pamela watched them. Shook her head slightly. Boys.
The hallway was chaos.
Cadets swarmed the notice board. Bodies pressed together. Voices overlapped. Excitement crackled through the air like electricity.
Posters flooded everywhere. Holographic displays projected from wall panels. Moving images. Flashing lights. Tournament news. Team rosters. Rules and regulations. Everything about the Constellation Cup.
The most anticipated tournament in the academy circuit. Cadets talked about nothing else. Argued about predictions. Made bets. Formed alliances. This was it. The big one.
"Wait here." Pamela moved quickly. Decisive. "I need to register our team name."
Juli grinned. "Cool, PamPam."
Kade's voice dripped with mock concern. "Don't mess up the paperwork, Princess."
Pamela ignored them. Disappeared into the admin office.
Three minutes later she was back.
"Done?" Kade raised an eyebrow.
"Done." Pamela confirmed.
Juli laughed. "That was fast."
Kade's curiosity peaked. "What's our team name?"
Juli leaned forward. Interested.
Pamela met their eyes. No hesitation. "Team PKJ. Pam, Kade, Juli."
Juli's thumbs shot up immediately. "Cool name, PamPam."
Kade groaned. "That's pretty cheesy." He paused. Grinned slightly. "But I'll accept it. For now."
Pamela's expression didn't change. "Your approval is noted."
She stepped closer. Right arm extended toward the center. Palm down. Her silver eyes moved between them. A smile broke through her usually composed face. Small but genuine.
"Let's win this damn thing."
The words hung in the air. Heavy with promise.
Kade's grin exploded across his face. His hand slammed on top of hers. "Now we're talking."
They both looked at Juli.
He wasn't looking back.
His eyes had drifted. Fixed on something past them. Through them. His face had gone soft. Distant. Like he was seeing something beyond this moment.
The light caught him perfectly. Orange from the setting sun through the windows. It made his blonde hair glow. His red eyes looked brighter. Warmer. His features relaxed completely. No mischief. No jokes. Just pure openness.
He looked beautiful.
Pamela's breath caught. Her cheeks flushed. Pink crept up her pale skin. She couldn't look away.
Even Kade stared. His amber eyes widened slightly. Transfixed.
Juli gazed at a poster. One of the holographic displays. It showed previous tournament winners. Images cycling through. Champions from years past. Their victories immortalized.
Then Juli smiled.
Not his usual grin. Not that cheeky, troublemaking expression. This was different. Warm. Genuine. The kind of smile that reached his eyes. That changed his whole face. Made him look younger somehow. More vulnerable. More real.
The smile radiated something pure. Something untainted by cynicism or jokes. Just honest joy.
Pamela's face turned redder. Her heart hammered. She looked away. Then back. Couldn't help it.
Kade smiled too. Softer than before. Understanding flickered in his eyes. Whatever Juli saw. Whatever made him smile like that. It mattered.
Juli blinked. Came back to the moment. His hand joined theirs. Completed the trifecta.
"Let's do this." His voice was steady. Sure.
The team was formed. Official. Real.
They broke apart. Started walking. Talking about training schedules. Strategy sessions. Who their competition might be.
But Juli lagged behind.
His steps slowed. Then stopped.
He stood alone in the hallway. Cadets rushed past him. The noise continued. But he heard none of it.
His eyes locked on that poster again.
The images cycled. Winner after winner. Team after team. Glory captured in frozen moments.
Then one image appeared.
A figure lifting the trophy. Arms raised high. The pose was casual. Almost silly. Like they weren't taking it seriously. Like winning was fun. Just another day. The details blurred. The hologram quality made specifics impossible to see. But the energy was clear. Joy. Pure joy.
Juli's chest tightened.
A single tear rolled down his cheek. Slow. Silent. He didn't wipe it away.
His thoughts whispered. Quiet in his mind. Insane pressure, hehe.But just you wait. His throat constricted. Just a little longer. The tear reached his jaw. Someday, I will reach you. His hands clenched into fists. And then. His vision blurred slightly. I will take all your burden. His smile trembled. Just wait for me. He took one more breath. Please.
The poster cycled to the next image.
The figure disappeared.
Juli stood there. Alone. The weight of his promise pressing down. The weight of his dream pushing up.
He wiped his face. Quick. Efficient. Composed himself.
Turned away from the poster.
Started walking toward his team.
Toward his future.