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No other Sidus has been able to be chosen for the guard’s competition since then.
After Ryuu managed to beat every Caligo and win it, the guards made sure no other Sidus would ever want to attempt it again and made it known to those who were brave enough that they would be immediately overlooked and denied.
I take my parchment and stand to the left of Ryuu as the next few names of the competitors are called out. Time blurs as I focus on the guards to my right, their shocked stares now outright hostile glares.
I knew choosing this path would not be easy. I will have to tread carefully moving forward, watch my back and, from the looks of it, my sides and front too.
The announcement passes quickly, and I step off the stage and move toward Jarek and the wide smile he wears like a beacon of relief.
“So, your plan is to become rich and share your winnings with your best friend?” he says the minute I step up beside him.
“Or maybe it is so I can destroy them from within.” With a wicked smirk, I narrow my eyes on the nearest Caligo guard.
“Don’t joke,” Jarek says, his smile quickly dropping.
I chuckle, feeling light for once. “I have no interest in joining the guards, nor usurping them from their thrones. But I may have alittleplan to try to help us with our mess.”
Jarek straightens up as he fully turns to look at me, his face now shadowed with fear. “Now you have me worried.”
“Don’t be,” I tell him.
“Seren—”
“You’re using my full name? This must be serious.” I turn to look back at him as he searches my face for something.
“I take it back. I don’t want to be rich. I want you safe by my side instead.” He takes my arm and quickly looks around. “Let’s find one of the guards and tell them it was a mistake. A joke that someone played on you.”
I pull my arm from his, forcing him to stop and look at me. “What has changed your mind? You were practically begging me to join the competition the other day.”
Jarek fists his wavy brown hair. “In jest,mostly, because I knew you would never truly do it.” He releases his now disheveled hair to look at me. “But I can see it in your eyes. You’re serious about this. And whatever you are going to do will more than likely get you killed.”
“You know I can take care of myself.” I reach out and take his hand, hoping to ease some of his growing apprehension.
His fingers tighten around mine. “Ialsoknow that you are not invincible, and mistakes happen. Look at yesterday.” He gives me a pointed look.
One that I glare back at him.
“Yesterday was my own fault. A foolish mistake that won’t happen again.”
He shakes his head at me, the worry clinging to every shadow on his face.
“Ren—”
“Iwillbe careful. Trust me on this, please. You have my word,” I promise.
Jarek sighs but soon relents. He knows I wouldn’t do anything too impulsively. My plans are usually well thought out and conscientious.
“Seren.” Ryuu’s harsh voice rings out around us, making me stiffen and wince.
Jarek smiles at my discomfort. “Ah, maybe the captain can talk some sense into you.”
“You are supposed to bemyfriend,” I hiss, giving him a glare my mother would be proud of.
Jarek’s eyes soften. “Always, Seren.” His tone leaves no question about how much he means it. But then a glint of devilment enters his eyes as he opens his mouth to speak. “Even when the captain and Aloisia decide to lock you up and I have to visit you in your cell just to pass you some edible food.”
“That’s a tad bit dramatic, don’t you think?” I frown at him.
Jarek leans forward, tilting his head at Ryuu. “Is it? Is it really?”
