Caeden and his team moved through the winding, often counterintuitive, hallways of the Mess. They were headed to the Headmaster’s office to hear whatever else he had to say after his earlier announcement. Caeden assumed it would be an extension of the information they had just heard about the Tournament of Powers. Now that he had more to go off of, Caeden’s mind was busily spinning up plans. He had no doubt Lily was doing the same.

It was hard to form a strategy or simulate combat without knowing what rules they had to work with. Now that they knew more about the Tournament of Powers, they’d actually be able to get to work beyond generic training that they’d been doing for the last week.

Not that that time hadn’t been well spent. Frankly, everyone had needed time to fully acquaint themselves with new abilities, and Caeden was desperate to get his integration up. If he could just lock down one of his shrouds, the concerns about soul damage should decrease significantly. It had been slow going, but the rewards were showing. He’d managed to grow Sharp’s integration from 50% to 57%. For a week of doing little else, Caeden considered that a massive victory. Though he had noticed that the progress from one percent to the next was growing more difficult.

He was hoping that whatever the Headmaster had to tell them wasn’t too impactful or time consuming. Between integration training, restoring his etherforging, spending time with his healed uncle, and working with the Forged, Caeden was feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Once they reached the office and knocked, the Headmaster called them in immediately. Caeden once more looked over the series of family portraits and photos that chronicled Damon Vestigious’s long life. His joys and sorrows, from the birth of his child to the death of his wife, laid out for anyone to see.

“Ah, I’m glad you’re here.” The Headmaster was at his desk, dark eyes fixed on some paperwork before he looked up to smile at them. For a moment, Caeden considered it odd that he wasn’t using a CV monitor for his work. Then he remembered that Damon predated ethertech by tens of thousands of years and likely was much more comfortable writing on paper than learning an entirely new input system. It was honestly surprising that some of his teachers used them, now that he thought about it. Many of them were thousands of years old as well.

“This won’t take long, as I’m sure all of you are eager to start training and studying now that you have the information to do so. I just wanted to give you some advice for the Tournament and manage some expectations.” He looked between the five of them, making sure everyone was paying attention. Except for Asherta, who was gnawing on the bone left behind by her snack, everyone was.

“First of all, if you weren’t planning on it already, I highly suggest looking into the Academy’s records on previous Tournaments. It’s something we have extensive information on, as it often results in information on up-and-coming soldiers from neighboring countries. As you all likely plan on making it to the official combat tournaments, it’ll be doubly useful. Those in the official tournaments will be in those records, almost certainly. Study them well.”

“As for the youth division, that’s always a knowledge gap, which is the point. As you heard, those that participate should be kept in the dark about the Tournament. I’ll be honest; most cheat, but in ways that grant a level of plausible deniability. After all, if the teachers just so happen to give lessons on topics like group combat and skill challenges before the tournament, who could nay-say them?”

“Oh!” Lily jumped a little. “We were doing that too.”

“Indeed.” Damon nodded. “Next year, you all would have participated in group combat training anyway. This would have prepared you for the upcoming Tournament, which normally would have happened the year after. Though the timing is never truly predictable, this one is definitely early. That means you will be less trained, but the same applies to those you will face somewhat as well.”

“As for blatant cheating, don’t worry about that too much. Countries that have tried receive harsh backlash. Mostly, it shows weakness more than strength, as only those who think they will lose normally cheat. And with so many powerful eyes at play, trying at all is a gamble. The worst you might see is them trying to pass off older shrouded for younger ones to sneak them into the youth division.”

“Several countries have secretly cultivated shrouded specifically to dominate the youth division. But considering how dominant and frankly absurd your group is, I wouldn’t worry about it. Never before has the Tournament of Powers seen a youth team composed of two evolved shrouds, one of which is a magic shroud, a Nascent dual-shrouded, and a True dual-shrouded. All in one group. And that doesn’t even include whatever Asherta is. You should win the youth division handily.”

Caeden nodded, as did Lily. They expected as much as soon as they heard about the separation of the youth and official matches. Both knew that their team was wildly irregular when it came to normal shrouded their age. Honestly, each of them qualified as a once-in-a-hundred-years genius at this point. Caeden for being a True Shroud, Erik for being a full-blown Grandmaster healer and a Ki user at the Ki Manipulation stage, Cat for her magic shroud, Lily for having a full three splinters and an evolved shroud, and Ahserta for being a likely unique half-breed human-dragon shrouded. That didn’t even mention Snowball, Sky, Dave, or Noodle.

Yeah, they were much, much more powerful than basically anyone their age.

“Unfortunately, now I need to give you all some bad news.” Damon leaned back in his chair and sighed. “Due to the Revolution attacks and the neighboring countries' responses, there will be overwhelming scrutiny on the youth division. Especially you five. The rulers and administrators will immediately pick your team out as the best among your peers. All attention will be on you.”

Caeden found that alarming but not unanticipated. It was unfortunate, as he didn’t want any more scrutiny than he already had with his Throne. But he would have been foolish not to expect the extra attention, considering their lineup. Though Cat’s magic shroud might draw some of that focus from him. Magic shrouds were infinitely rarer than dual shrouds, after all.

“I’m afraid I’ve only made it worse.” Damon looked away from them, his expression holding something Caeden never would have expected to see from this behemoth, one of the founding pillars of the Central Authority. Shame.

“I’m not a political man. I’ve known this from a young age. My wife always tells me to stay out of politics, as every time I step onto the field, I sabotage myself.” Damon said. Caeden couldn’t help but contrast his current figure with the brusque, strong presence he held on stage minutes ago. “Caeden, when I forced the Council to leave you alone, I did so by informing them that you would be the key piece to a strong showing at the Tournament.”

Caeden nodded. “That’s perfectly reasonable. I wouldn’t regret it for a minute now that Unc is healed.”

“Yes, I’m glad.” Damon showed a small smile. “But the Council, those bastards, they took the chance to do what they always do, and sit on their asses. Normally, there are many resources afforded to promising youth Tournament participants who the CA believes will have a good showing. Rare ethers and magical materials that will be forged by Grandmasters into the most appropriate, beneficial armor and weapons. The Council has forgone such support this time, citing my earlier statements as an excuse to do nothing.”

Caeden wanted to laugh. “Oh, I wouldn't worry about that.”

Damon immediately looked confused. No doubt he could see the amusement on everyone’s faces. “I don’t understand. This is a major blow. Powerful equipment is a given at the Tournament. If you’re under-equipped, it will be infinitely harder to perform well. And the Council isn’t expecting a normal showing. They’re expecting you five to stomp the competition into the dirt.” Some heat entered the Headmaster’s voice by the end of his warning. Caeden wondered if he thought they weren’t taking this seriously.

“Headmaster, are you aware that I’m a Master ranked ethersmith?” Caeden asked, smirking. He couldn’t help it.

“Of course. But a Master and Grandmaster are leagues apart. And you lack the pinnacle materials and ethers needed to create quality gear. If you think you’ll be able to forge equipment comparable to what will be on display at the Tournament, you’ll be severely disappointed.”

Caeden shook his head. “No, I’m aware my skills fall short of the peak of etherforging. But that’s not what I meant. See, I learned all my forging from my uncle. Who happens to be much more skilled than me.”

“...Are you saying-”

“He’s not accredited, as he’s unshrouded, but my uncle’s skills are easily comparable to a Grandmaster,” Caeden stated with absolute confidence. “Especially if I assist him.”

“But you still lack the materials to-”

“Headmaster,” Caeden interrupted again. At this point, both Cat and Erik were having a hard time suppressing giggles. “Are you aware that we spent several months on a restricted dragon continent?”

“Yes, but I don’t see what that-”

“During our time there, I made contact with dozens of dragon nests. They had monster problems, you see.” Caeden saw Damon flinch. So he was aware of what had been done to the dragons. Unsurprising, considering his status. “In exchange for me culling the threat, I was given many things. Rare ether and even dragon bones and scales.”

Caeden didn’t bother mentioning the vast stores of all kinds of ether and magical materials they found in the CMS facility. Caeden had brought back the more potent and interesting examples specifically for forging equipment for him and his friends. But he wasn’t exactly ready to reveal his access to the absolute treasure trove that was that facility just yet.

Damon’s eyes widened. “Dragon bones and scales! Those are some of the most potent base materials for strong armor in the Starry Sea! How much do you have?”

Caeden shrugged. “I don’t know. Cat, you’re the one carrying it all around. How much do we have?”

Cat had stored both the dragon materials along with the ether in her Shadow Storage spell.

“Oh, I have a couple tons, at least. They kinda gave us a lot.” She was smiling widely. Apparently, Cat was enjoying the fun Caeden was having at her grandfather’s expense.

“A few tons!” Damon leaned back in his chair, a stunned look overtaking his pale features. “And you have your own Grandmaster to forge them.”

The Headmaster started laughing. “It seems I’ve underestimated you and your friends, kitten.” He smiled fondly at Cat. “I’m glad. Truly glad. It’s wonderful that my mistakes won’t leave you at a disadvantage. It seems I had nothing to worry about.”

“Honestly, we already planned on having my uncle make our equipment. So even if the Council hadn’t backed out, things still would have ended up this way.” Caeden said.

“With several tons of dragon materials, I’d think so!” Damon chuckled. “Materials like that are hard for even the Council to procure. Most sapient magical species are either extinct or in protected areas, and that’s true across the Starry Sea. There are a few countries that have formed trade agreements with phoenixes and dragons to get feathers, bones, scales, and other such materials. But those sources are heavily limited and overwhelmingly expensive. I’m sure that each of the Councilmembers has a dozen sets of dragon-based equipment made back in the warring period when the CA was founded, but that wouldn’t be custom-made. It would be essentially worthless to you.”

Caeden agreed. Shrouded had diverse power sets by nature, and equipment had to be specifically tailored for maximum effect. The mass-produced weapons Caeden made for the Forged were obviously better than no weapon at all, but they paled in comparison to a custom piece. The Chillvein and Frostbreak gloves Caeden had made for Lily were a prime example. Such specifically made items could turn a threatening shroud into something that dominated all opposition, and Lily derived much of her previous offensive power from them. Though that had changed now that she had the Galaxy splinter.

“Well, I won’t hold you any longer. Please, return to your training. I wish you well and pray for your continued growth. May the One Shroud watch over you.” Damon smiled, waving them off.

Caeden once again was surprised when he shouldn't have been. The Church of the One Shroud was a cross-country religion, but those of Caeden's age tended to ignore it. They were an old power that moved very little and held no meaning for him or his friends. He wondered how they felt about the Revolution. The Church preached that unshrouded were inferior, subhuman creatures. That shrouds were people’s souls, so only shrouded were truly alive.

Of course, Cat’s Soul Shroud immediately disproved that doctrine, as she had confirmed unshrouded had souls, just like everyone else. Shrouded’s souls were just different. That thought made Caeden wonder how the Church would react to Cat, as she could unequivocally deny their entire theology.

But that wasn’t a problem for now.

Now, they went back to training.