CHAPTER 55: HIGHWAY ROBBERY

He jumped right in with his question:

"Iris, can I swap the champion’s reward for Blue Quality spirit gear instead?"

Iris looked like she hadn’t seen that one coming, her face scrunched up in confusion.

"Well, technically yeah, but you’d only get fifteen Blue Quality pieces for one Purple Quality gear.

Nobody in their right mind would make such a lousy trade, right?"

Iris had a sneaking suspicion her brother was about to do exactly that foolish thing.

In the garrison troops’ merit system, the points needed for one Purple Quality spirit gear could buy you fifty Blue Quality pieces.

Trading for just fifteen would be highway robbery—against him.

Fifteen pieces!

Carlos’s heart started racing. This meant if he could snag just one champion reward, he’d have enough to complete at least one full clan sword set.

"Sis, is the tournament split into team and individual events?

Two separate champions?

And they both get Purple Quality spirit gear?"

"Bingo, that’s exactly the setup."

"Perfect!"

Carlos’s mind went into overdrive.

If he could sweep both championships, he’d walk away with both complete clan sword sets!

In the short run, he wouldn’t have to scramble around hunting for other rare clan swords from the Age of Swords, which would definitely put his prep work on the fast track.

By now, Iris could read Carlos like an open book—he was dead set on entering this competition.

She cleared her throat and gave him a heads-up:

"If you’re serious about competing, don’t forget to register at Ember Square on time. The tournament kicks off in five days."

"Got it!"

Carlos brushed off her comment with a wave. He figured his sister was stating the obvious—of course he’d register.

"Oh, one more thing..."

Iris acted like she’d just remembered something important,

"...registration closed yesterday."

She delivered the news with the sweetest smile.

"???"

Carlos’s face went from excited to stone-cold in a heartbeat, and his whole mood crashed and burned.

Here he was, all pumped up and ready to dominate, and now she drops this bombshell! You’ve got to be kidding me!

His brain kicked into high gear, desperately searching for a way to fix this mess.

After wracking his brains, he could only lock eyes with his sister and give her his best pleading look.

"Sis, I’ve got to compete!"

Right now, Iris was his only shot.

If she couldn’t pull some strings, he’d have to grovel to Sabina for help, even if it cost him—he had to get into this tournament.

"I hear you."

Iris calmly slurped another bowl of vegetable soup, acting like she couldn’t care less about bailing out her brother.

"..."

Carlos felt like his sister had turned into a completely different person...

Just as he was about to wallow in despair, Iris’s playful voice cut through the gloom:

"Oh, did I forget to mention? Your sister happens to be one of the tournament organizers, and I’ve got the authority to decide who gets in!"

"!!!"

Talk about a roller coaster—Carlos’s heart shot from rock bottom straight to cloud nine.

He practically tripped over himself serving Iris more soup and piling food on her plate...

Iris’s lips curved into a satisfied grin as she soaked up this rare VIP treatment from her brother.

Usually, she was the one spoiling him rotten, but having the tables turned? This was a nice change of pace...

...

"Alright, I’ve got your competition application all squared away.

Go home and get yourself ready. Make sure you put on a show when the big day comes!

Don’t you dare embarrass the Valois family name!"

Every last crumb on the dining table had vanished, and Iris looked like the cat that ate the canary—clearly stuffed and happy.

"Iris, I’m going to crush this championship!"

Carlos didn’t waste any time declaring his intentions.

"That’s the spirit! Your sister will be right there to personally hang that champion ’Ember’ medal around your neck!"

Iris’s eyes sparkled with affection. Sure, she didn’t think Carlos—who’d only awakened six months ago—had a snowball’s chance in hell of winning, but she still wanted to cheer him on.

First off, the competition had referees keeping watch the whole time.

The toughest monsters they’d captured were only low-tier level, and the referees could handle any beast before things went sideways.

Getting banged up was part of the game, but nobody was going to die on their watch.

Second, Iris hoped that after Carlos got his butt kicked in this tournament, he’d finally get it through his thick skull that going solo put him at a serious disadvantage compared to working with a team.

...

The next day, thanks to Iris pulling some strings, Carlos got signed up for the individual competition of the ’Ember Tournament.’

"Sis, I want in on the team competition too!"

"Carlos, team events need at least six people, nine max.

How many teammates have you rounded up?"

Iris was thrilled that her brother was finally thinking about finding some partners, even if it was just for the competition.

"Kathy, Heidi, and Grace would all be solid picks.

Plus there’s the Riley and Anna sisters who are itching to compete. You could join forces with them."

Iris got all excited mapping out potential teammates for Carlos—all familiar faces around his age, with great personalities and good looks.

Of course, this lineup was clearly aimed at making friends and having a good time, not actually winning the whole thing.

After hearing her out, Carlos waved his hands like he was swatting flies. He didn’t want to babysit a bunch of dead weight.

"Nah, not them. They’re way too green!

It’s these guys!"

Carlos focused his thoughts, and eight Purple Thornblade Skeleton Guards materialized, gripping massive swords.

Purple thornblade patterns blazed as their bone bodies radiated thick, menacing auras!

"These..."

Staring at these intimidating, clearly souped-up skeleton warriors, Iris’s eye started twitching.

So her ’dear’ brother still had zero interest in teaming up with actual people?

"Their power level’s a bit lacking.

How about I handpick you a crew with way better skills—at least low-tier level?"

Iris completely ignored the eight bony bodyguards behind Carlos and thoughtfully offered an alternative.

She was convinced that once Carlos got a taste of real teamwork, he’d ditch this ’lone wolf’ nonsense for good.

Carlos shook his head firmly.

"No dice. My teammates can only be ’them’!

They’re the only ones who’ll follow my orders without question, even if it kills them!"

"Clatter! Clatter!"

The eight Purple Thornblade Skeleton Guards hoisted their swords in perfect unison, answering Carlos’s call.

"Thud! Thud!"

Iris smacked Carlos’s shoulder in frustration.

"With or without teammates, you can summon these guys whenever you want. Insisting they take up teammate spots—you just want to hog all the team rewards for yourself, don’t you?"

"...Well... I mean..."

Busted! He never thought Iris would see right through his little scheme!

Carlos decided to play his trump card—acting like a spoiled brat.

"Sis, no matter what you say, these are my teammates!"

Yep, he was shamelessly digging in his heels, banking on Iris’s soft spot for him.

Seeing Carlos like this, Iris threw up her hands in defeat and let out a long sigh. After a moment of silence, she flicked his forehead.

"Fine, fine, have it your way!

Go team up with six walking skeletons!"

"I knew you were the best sister ever!"

Mission accomplished, Carlos didn’t forget to ham it up and butter her up some more.

"Here’s the competition schedule. Take it and study up. Your sister will be watching for you and your bony buddies to steal the show!"

With a knowing look, Iris pulled out a small booklet and handed it over to Carlos.