At night, in the Sylvan Kingdom, Ace was simply staring out of his window from inside his room. Suddenly, Alexander barged in. He glared at Ace as he slowly stepped into the room. As Alexander approached Ace, he slapped him. "How dare you embarrass me?" Alexander said, glaring at Ace. The force of the slap caused Ace to fall from his chair. Ace locked eyes with his father as he attempted to stand up. However, before Ace could fully regain his footing, Alexander slapped him again. "You're an embarrassment," Alexander declared, his voice filled with disappointment and anger. Ace, still lying on the floor, wiped the blood from his face, his body still and tense. He made an effort to avoid his father's gaze, not wanting to provoke him further. "You burned down the cafeteria... you're such a pain in the ass! Even the president saved you from the chaos you caused!" Alexander's voice resonated with anger and frustration as he forcefully grabbed Ace's hair, forcing Ace to face him. "Did I teach you to be a troublemaker, huh?!!!" Alexander shouted in frustration. Ace, his voice barely audible, whispered, "I'm sorry," as he struggled to hold back his tears. "Sorry?!!! Do you think an apology can rebuild the cafeteria?!!! Are you that foolish?!!!" Alexander's voice boomed with anger as he continued to berate Ace.
"It's not my fault," Ace said, looking directly at his father. "Not your fault, huh?!!! The students are saying that you're the one who started it!!!" Alexander shouted, his voice filled with accusation. "No, Father, please, let me explain—" Ace began, but before he could finish, Alexander forcefully pushed him aside. "I don't want to listen to your lies, Ace!" Alexander declared, cutting off any chance for Ace to defend himself. As Ace lay on the floor, Alexander grabbed him and repeatedly punched him, causing Ace's face to be covered in his own blood. Once Alexander was finally satisfied, he nonchalantly left the room as if nothing had occurred. When the room finally regained its tranquility, Marshell cautiously entered and approached Ace, who remained sprawled on the floor, lost in his thoughts. Marshell extended a helping hand to Ace, assisting him in standing up, and then tenderly guided him to his bed. Marshell guided Ace to lie on the bed, gently wiping away the blood from his face. As he cleaned the blood, Marshell noticed a tear slowly streaming down Ace's cheek. With a soft sigh, Marshell comforted him, saying, "It's alright to cry, Ace." Contrary to expectations, Ace remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ceiling, seemingly disconnected from his surroundings. Unaware of his own tears, Ace appeared lost in his thoughts. Marshell proceeded to apply first aid to Ace's bruises before quietly leaving the room.
The following morning, after Ace had taken a bath, Marshell skillfully concealed his bruises and black eyes using white powder. This careful camouflage ensured that no one would notice his injuries, especially since Ace was scheduled to participate in a sword fight. Upon Ace's arrival at school, he spotted Marianne patiently waiting for him. Marianne approached him with a cheerful demeanor, offering a warm smile. Ace simply gazed at Marianne before tenderly patting her head. Suddenly, Derek appeared and greeted Ace with a casual "Hey Ace." Ace turned his gaze towards Derek, staring at him without saying a word. "I finally found out who attacked Marianne yesterday!" Derek exclaimed. However, Ace responded coldly, saying, "I don't care," before walking away. Derek watched in shock and confusion as Ace walked away, leaving him behind. "What's wrong with him?" Derek inquired, turning to Marianne for answers. "I have no idea," Marianne replied with a shrug. "I can't help but wonder why he's so distant," Derek mused. "Yeah, I've never seen him smile, not even once," Marianne sighed softly, expressing her concern. "Have you talked to him yet?" Derek inquired. "No, I haven't. I'm afraid to approach him," Marianne admitted. "Don't worry, it takes time. We just need to find the right moment and be patient," Derek reassured her.
As the sword fight commenced, Ace showcased remarkable skill and emerged victorious in several rounds, defeating numerous opponents. On the other side, Nathan also displayed exceptional prowess, securing his own victories. The tension heightened as the final round approached, where Ace and Nathan would soon face off against each other. Before the final round commenced, Nathan approached Ace, who was sitting silently on a bench in the hall. "What's going through your mind, loser?" Nathan taunted. Ace maintained his gaze on Nathan, offering no response. Nathan chuckled and wished Ace good luck, adding, "Though luck is only for losers," before walking away slowly. As Nathan departed, Ace clenched his fist, determination filling his eyes. He silently vowed to himself that he would emerge victorious in the upcoming fight, fueled by the desire to avenge Marianne. "I will make him pay for what he did to Marianne," Ace whispered to himself, his determination resolute in his mind.
As the final round commenced, Nathan wasted no time in launching a swift attack towards Ace. However, Ace skillfully evaded each strike, showcasing his agility and reflexes. Nathan laughed mockingly as he continued to assault Ace relentlessly, but Ace effortlessly dodged every attack with precision. Seizing an opportunity, Ace swiftly retaliated, targeting an exposed area in Nathan's defense and launching a counterattack. Ace's superior dodging and attacking skills allowed him to gain the upper hand over Nathan. Consequently, Nathan found himself on the receiving end of Ace's attacks.
**It's worth noting that the swords used in the tournament were harmless and incapable of causing any bruises or injuries to the participants. They were designed solely for tournament purposes, ensuring the safety of the competitors. In the tournament, participants must maintain a firm grip on their swords at all times. If they happen to drop their swords during the fight, it signifies their defeat. Therefore, the primary objective for the competitors is to both attack their opponents and ensure they hold onto their swords securely throughout the battle.**