A few days later.

Theo woke up from his sleep and stretched his body a bit before rising from his bed.

"Today is going to be a hard battle…

" He muttered while going to the bathroom to wash his face.

After changing his clothes, he brought his spears and left the room, only to find a person standing in front of his room as if she had been waiting for him this whole time.

"Hmm?

" Theo was confused and furrowed his eyebrows, asking,

"What are you doing, Alea?

"

"Do you have some time? I want to talk.

" Alea made a weird smile while looking away.

Theo checked the clock and nodded.

"Five minutes should be fine.

"

Alea nodded and raised three fingers.

"I have three questions I want to ask.

"

"Ask away.

"

"Many people are convinced that you and Nella are blood-related. However, I want to confirm it again… Are you really her cousin?

"

"I have no idea. On one hand, I believe I am because of our similarity and the way she does things. On the other hand, I have no definitive proof other than my pocket watch.

" Theo answered honestly.

"Will you pull your punch when you fight her?

" Alea asked another question with a serious expression, observing Theo's every gesture to ensure Theo didn't lie.

However, Theo had no intention to lie. He smiled,

"I don't have any problem beating you. Do you think I will have one with this so-called relative with no proof?

"

"Ehm…

" Alea gently stroked her cheek while saying,

"Can you not say the first line? It seems that the grudge in your heart is too deep… What did I do to offend you? I want to apologize for it.

"

Theo shook his head.

"It's better for you not to know, especially when the battle is approaching. Emotion and mood are the worst things to influence your performance.

"

"Well, how about a bet? If I win, you tell me the reason. If you lose, I will do anything.

"

"Anything, eh?

" Theo suddenly smiled.

"Ehm, anything in my means and it must be related to me, not my family.

" Alea quickly corrected her words.

"What's the bet?

"

"I don't know. How about if we lose this battle, I win the bet?

"

"Never mind then. The risk is too big.

" Theo shook his head and closed his door, planning to leave.

"I only want something I can win. Tch, I thought about turning you into my slave.

"

"Well, I don't have the confidence in making you accept the bet. And… Slave…

" Alea made a weird expression as she shook her thoughts off and uttered her last question.

"This is the third one. Do you hate me?

"

Theo glanced at her expression and thought for a moment.

"Even a person has something they love and hate from their best friend. So, I think it's neutral for me. I won't say much, but I guess I can give you a clue.

"

"What is it?

"

"Every action gives birth to another cause, whether you are aware of it or not. Even talking to you right now may cause another problem for me in the future, but I will always do my best to know what will happen. That's all.

" Theo sped up and gathered together with his teammates in the lobby, heading straight to the stadium.

As soon as they arrived and were about to reach the waiting room, they saw Nella standing not far from them, staring with a serious expression as if telling them she had something to say.

And whatever came out of her mouth was probably meant for Theo, so Phyrill said,

"I think it's better to give them some time.

"

The others decided to enter the room because no matter what, they were relatives. Alea didn't find anything suspicious from Theo, so she thought she could believe in him.

With no one getting in their way, Nella approached him before stopping a few feet away to show him she had no bad intention like a curse or something.

"Cousin…

" Nella looked Theo in the eyes.

"Do you need anything from me?

"

"I actually want to ask you for a bet. If I win this battle, please allow me to call you by your name. If I lose, I will teach you all tricks of my

"Control

". How does this sound?

"

"Huh?

" Theo tilted his head in confusion.

"Why do you even need my permission to call my name?

"

Theo remembered Nella never called Theo by his name.

"I… I don't understand. Why?

"

Nella shook her head.

"I can only tell you the reason after the competition.

"

"It's related to the Griffith Family?

" Theo narrowed his eyes.

The latter nodded her head and continued,

"It's going to be a long talk after the banquet.

"

Theo thought for a moment. The bet itself was actually too ridiculous for him, but calling his name shouldn't carry any other meaning. It was probably related to his status in the Griffith Family, but he would soon decide what his stand to the Griffith Family was, so it was probably not that big of a deal.

"I don't see any problem with the bet.

" Theo agreed to the bet because he had nothing to lose and he would gain a huge benefit if Nella taught him the tricks of her Control. It would make him grow even stronger after returning to Thersland.

"That's great.

" Nella showed a big smile as if she just won something big.

"You sound like you just won a lottery… I suppose I should retract the bet.

"

"Wait, you can't just retract something you have promised.

"

"I am shameless enough to do it, especially with no one witnessing us.

" Theo shrugged.

"I truly don't have any ulterior motives. I just want us to get closer and hope you will let me in your room to talk about this. After all, no place is safe to discuss this information. I thought with me becoming closer to you, I could do this…

" Nella panicked and explained everything.

"Either way, I only want the information about the Griffith Family. I, by no means, have the intention to get involved. If you are planning to eliminate me or something, you don't need to.

" Theo shrugged.

"There's no way I will do that. No matter what happens, I will love you, Cousin.

" Nella smiled and turned around, leaving while waving her hand.

"Anyway, that's all. See you in the competition. We won't be pulling our punch, okay?

"