Peyton: Oh, I remember you!? Zo, he'd teamed up with Maina in Budapest that one time. While we did recon. Benson: Maina talks a lot about you two. Zoey Sanderson and Peyton Davis. Sophia and Sora: How much did you see, master? Benson: Repugnant! Y'all still do that?! Sophia and Sora: It just happens at random. We weren't speaking at the same time before you showed up. Benson: To answer your question, I saw the ass-kicking you gave to Deshon Flowers. Sophia and Sora: You read his file or something?

Benson: No, but I actually know his family. And I also came in the middle of you guys speaking to that other girl. Sophia and Sora: You caught us at a terrible time. Benson: Even in Spanish!? Are you trying to annoy the hell out of me!? Sora, stop copying what she says! You usually respond in English while someone speaks in Spanish. Sora: I couldn't help it! Sofi tried to break it, but I didn't want her to. Sophia: See, what did I keep saying? It's mostly him, copying me!

Valdis: Sir, is your name Andre Benson? Benson: Yeah. You must know about me when I was a part of the low council of the mage order? Valdis: Actually, I know about you because you were supposed to die by my older brother, but my older brother had a more significant assignment, so my brother handed me the task to assassinate you on January 1st, 2016. And tracking you was super tricky, but I found you on the Accordia estate. And I felt a particular presence; I've never felt something so sinister then.

By the way, my name is Valdis Maxwell Lucien. Benson: Nice to meet you, I guess. And thank you for not killing me! The pair shook hands. The two facial expressions were night and day from one to another. Valdis's expression is like a child in a toy store, while Benson's face was like seeing a celebrity getting canceled on social media for a bogus rumor. Benson: Today is a big day, Sora. Sora: I know, don't worry, I won't disappoint you. Benson: The queen will be watching today's match in person. You know what that means; you have to be perfect.

Sora: Don't worry, master! I plan to exceed everyone's expectations. Benson: If that's the case, don't fight the same way you've been doing when you got here. Valdis: What's the problem with his fighting!? He's pretty great if you ask me. Benson: His problem isn't in terms of fighting ability. It's how he approaches a fight. His mindset is the issue here. Sora has a bad habit of not using his brilliant mind in a battle that much. He's arrogant; he will play around with his opponent too much if they're weaker. If they're a strong opponent, he goes brain dead and fights like a simple-minded beast relying on his power.

Sora: Why do I need to come up with a brilliant strategy for every fight?! Benson: Sora, you have literally gotten a perfect score on your entrance exams! I see so much potential in you. I don't want you to waste it. I had seen you take on royals in their primes when you were eleven! Before and after the fights, you tell me some brilliant ideas on winning a fight or regaining momentum in a losing fight. It is literally frustrating to see a student of mine not living up to their full potential. I want you to go all out in today's game. Show the world how mighty you are! Sora: Yes, sir! Benson: By the way, you have a press conference to attend to. Sora: When and where? Benson: It should be starting any minute now, so get going! Sora: I was never told anything about this!? Zoey: My bad. I was supposed to tell you this morning, but I told Valencia to remind you before we left because I had to do something. Valencia: My bad, I will take you there. And I will retrieve the benchwarmers back here. Valdis: Thank you so much! Don't make an ass out of yourself!

Before I was about to go with Vivi, Sophia pulled me to the side and started to whisper to me.

Sora: Sofi, what is it? You want to come along, don't you? You have to stay here, try to make peace with everyone, and keep Bensons' attention. And plus, I want you to break down the game plan for my tiny little mind, so I can understand it. Sophia: Fine, but that's not the reason why. I don't want you to be alone with Valencia. Why not? You think she can steal me away from you? How many times do I have to prove my loyalty to you? Sophia: I already hate her so much. Just thinking about her making a move on you makes my blood boil. Sora: If the situation was reversed, do you know what would I do? I will kill any guy that tries to flirt with you, and I don't care how you feel about it.

Sophia: Kill, Valencia. Sora: I won't because she is a great resource. Sophia: Fine, I will do it myself. Sophia got out of my ear and started walking towards Valencia, but I reeled her back in a hurry. Sophia: What? Sora: Sofi, she will kill you. It's better to have her as an ally than an enemy. Valencia makes my job protecting you a lot easier. The assassins, after your life, don't even try to kill while you're in your sleep because Valencia is another factor that's preventing them from killing you. So try to make peace with her.

Sophia started pouting like a three-year-old while turning her back towards me. I put my hand on her shoulder, she turned around instantly with a small ball of light magic on her index finger pointed at my jaw. Sophia: If anything happens between you two, I swear I will say a particular protocol that you dread the most, got it! I covered my hand in dark magic and grabbed Sophia's finger to snuff out that tiny ball of light. Sora: Sofi, nothing will happen. If you don't trust me, you can use Chaos magic: Bond to tell my current emotional state. Sophia: I trust you.

Valencia and I left the locker room and proceeded to walk to the press conference room. As we were strolling to our destination, I could tell Vivi had trouble written all over her. Sora: I know you got something on your mind, so go ahead and spill the beans. You know my secrets, and I know some of yours, so we shouldn't keep secrets from one another. Valencia: So I can ask you anything, right? Sora: Correct, as long you don't keep secrets from me. So what's on your mind, V? Valencia: I wouldn't call it a secret because anyone with common sense knows I hate Sophia. Sora: I'm sorry for that. Valencia: She literally goes out her way to make an enemy out of me. And some of the stuff she says about Naomi...is downright unforgivable! Sora: It won't happen again. I will talk to her about her inexcusable behavior. She will turn a leaf one of these days, so please be patient.

Valencia: But if she doesn't turn a new leaf, I will end her life without hesitation. Sora: Well, let's hope it doesn't end up like that. So are we going to talk about the elephant in the room or what? I know you want us to be together, but I highly doubt that we could ever be more than friends if Sophia really does change her attitude. I know why she treats you like this. It's because she never thought all of the stuff that transpired would ever happen; Sophia and I talked about coming to Rowan Academy, and we used to try to predict all the stuff that would happen. The Naomi and Zea situation; it really pushed her to her limit. Then me leaving was the final nail in the coffin to drive her mad.