Ace entered his father's office in the palace, finding him engrossed in some work at his desk. His father, Alexander, looked up and asked, "Why are you here?" Ace responded respectfully, "Father, I apologize for the sudden visit." Alexander nodded, indicating for Ace to continue, "Speak your concern." Taking a deep breath, Ace voiced his request, "Father, my concern is about the royal sports. Would it be possible to reschedule it to next week?" "Why? Give me a reason," Alexander demanded, his tone firm. "It's because I still need more practice," Ace admitted. Alexander raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "But didn't I train you in horse riding and sword fighting when you were young? It should be a piece of cake for you," he responded, his disbelief evident in his voice. "Even though you trained me thoroughly when I was young, I'm still young and can forget small details. I really need a week to learn new tactics and tricks to win, dear father," Ace explained earnestly. Alexander sighed, seemingly not entirely convinced, but he nodded in agreement. "I find it hard to believe you'd forget small details, but if you insist you need a week, then so be it," he conceded. The next day, the news of the rescheduling of the royal sports to the following week came as a shock to everyone. It was the first time in the history of the event that such a change had been made. The students and teachers were taken aback, as they had been preparing for the original date. The sudden shift in plans caused a stir, but everyone quickly adjusted their preparations to accommodate the new schedule. "Well, that's great news for me. I can use this extra time to train even harder," Derek exclaimed, flexing his small biceps. Marianne chimed in, expressing her excitement, "Wow, I can't believe it! This extra week will be invaluable for my training."
Just then, Nathan approached Ace, his frustration evident. "Hey, you! I know you're the one who pleaded with your father to change the schedule! I've been preparing for this event since yesterday, and now it's suddenly changed!" Nathan pointed accusingly at Ace's shoulder. "Hey! You should be grateful that Ace made the change. It shows that he values everyone's opportunity to train and improve!" Marianne defended Ace passionately. Derek chimed in, adding his support, "Yeah, if I were you, I would be grateful for the extra time to prepare!" Nathan scoffed at their remarks, his voice filled with arrogance. "Well, why should I be grateful? Even if you brats train hard, I know I'm still the one who will come out on top!" he declared confidently. "You're incredibly confident! A campus president shouldn't have that kind of attitude!" Marianne shouted at Nathan, her voice filled with indignation. "Ace is the most deserving candidate for that position! It's clear that you cheated in the election!" she accused. Suddenly, Ace's voice cut through the tension, his tone cold and commanding. "That's enough," he stated firmly. Marianne and Derek exchanged surprised glances, unsure of how to react. "H-huh?" Marianne whispered, taken aback by Ace's sudden change in demeanor. "I told you, that's enough," Ace repeated, his gaze and aura becoming intense, sending a shiver down their spines. As Marianne looked around, she noticed that the people nearby had started whispering and gossiping amongst themselves. The tension in the air was palpable. Meanwhile, Nathan couldn't resist taking a final jab at Ace, laughing mockingly before making his exit. Ace's fist clenched in frustration as he watched Nathan walk away. Derek, concerned for his friend, approached Ace and asked, "Are you alright?" Ace glanced at Derek, his expression filled with disappointment, before silently making his way out. It was clear that something had deeply affected him, but neither Derek nor Marianne knew the reason behind his reaction.
Once the commotion had settled, Marianne and Derek found a bench nearby and took a seat. Derek turned to Marianne with a curious expression and asked, "Has Ace been like this before?" Marianne looked at Derek, considering his question. "Well, you two are always together, so I thought you might know," Derek added, offering a slightly awkward smile. Marianne let out a gentle sigh and nodded in response. "I don't know... ever since the first time we met, he's always been like that. Cold, distant. Even when we're together, his expression never seems to change. I haven't seen him smile since the day I first visited him, and he's still the same now," Marianne explained, her gaze fixed on the floor. Derek raised a valid point, suggesting that Marianne could try directly asking Ace about his reasons. Marianne shook her head gently in response. "I haven't tried asking him yet," she admitted. Derek then offered some encouragement, saying, "Since you two are always together, maybe he'll feel more comfortable opening up to you, Marianne." Marianne blinked twice, her gaze fixed on Derek as she processed his words. "Is it really possible?" she asked, a hint of hope in her voice. Derek smiled warmly at her and nodded. "Yeah, maybe. Sometimes people find it easier to open up to someone they trust and feel close to," he reassured her. On Wednesday morning, it was Ace's turn to visit Marianne. As Marianne approached Ace, she greeted him with a warm smile. However, Ace simply shrugged in response and focused on preparing the training equipment. Marshell, who was also present to assist with Marianne's training, stood by Ace's side. During the training session, Marianne found herself unable to seize the opportunity to ask Ace about his feelings. Nervousness held her back, and the intensity of the training kept her occupied, making it difficult for her to approach Ace easily. The focus remained on their training, leaving little room for personal conversations.