Amara grabbed Victor's hands.
"Victor, this is… this is huge. I can't believe you are dealing with this alone."
Victor gave a half-hearted chuckle. "Yeah, well… it's not like I had a choice."
Danny sat up with a serious look. "Damn, man. We were already worried about you, but now we're REALLY worried about you."
Max nodded. "Yeah, and you're still planning to leave for the Awakened Academy in three weeks?"
Victor sighed while rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't really have a choice there either."
Jake leaned forward. "Then we gotta make sure everything's set up before you go."
Now more than ever, they wanted to do everything in their power to help Victor out.
The moment Victor's mother stepped out of the kitchen, Amara sprang up like a soldier and practically rushed to her side.
"Mrs. Revenant, let me help!" Amara said cheerfully while reaching for the tray of cups Victor's mom was carrying.
Mrs. Revenant looked at her, then at Victor with an expression of realization.
She shook her head with a small smile. "So… you told them."
Victor rubbed his head sheepishly. "They kinda forced it out of me."
Amara began chatting away with Victor's mom, taking over most of the kitchen work and offering to help with whatever she could.
Danny smirked. "Wow. Amara is like, REALLY going all in."
Max nodded sagely. "She's the mom friend, confirmed."
Victor watched silently as Amara and his mom voices echoed softly through the small apartment.
For a moment, he just… took it in.
He had been so absorbed in grief, so focused on keeping everything together, that he forgot what a normal day could feel like.
Meanwhile, the boys huddled together, discussing their plan.
Max leaned back. "Alright, so we gotta figure out the best way to go about this popularity thing so you can get some money before you leave."
Jake tapped his chin. "Streaming is out of the question. The academy doesn't allow personal devices so you won't be able to keep it up."
Danny snapped his fingers. "Yeah, so it has to be something short-term. Something that'll give Victor exposure fast."
Max grinned. "Then it's obvious. We gotta get a camera."
Victor raised a brow. "What for?"
Danny smirked. "To shoot some badass Awakener stunts, obviously. If you can pull off something insane and get it trending, sponsors will start noticing you. You don't even need to become a full-time influencer. Just make ONE viral clip and get the bag."
Victor sighed. "Easier said than done."
Max slapped his back. "Don't worry, bro. We got this."
And with that, they left the apartment together and headed towards the nearest tech store to pick up a camera.
---
The group spent hours shooting clips of Victor performing stunts, jumping over rooftops using Wind Dash, slicing through wooden targets with wind blade and even pulling off a risky leap from a street lamp to a moving bus before landing safely.
Jake laughed and held the camera steadily while Danny yelled in excitement behind him.
Max shook his head. "Dude… this guy is actually cracked."
Victor grinned for the first time in a long time.
He had been grieving his father for two months straight.
And yet, for the first time since then, he felt like he was actually having fun again.
By the time the sun began to set, the boys wrapped up and decided to head home.
Victor took the camera with him, planning to edit the footage later.
---
When Victor returned home, he heard laughter coming from the living room.
His mom and Amara were still talking.
Victor leaned against the doorframe, watching as Amara giggled at something his mother had said.
For the first time in a long time, he let himself admire her beauty.
Her long chestnut-colored hair, the way it cascaded over her shoulders effortlessly.
What was better than a girl who was beautiful on the outside?
One who was beautiful on the inside too.
Victor's mother noticed his gaze and smirked. "Amara, dear, you should visit more often. It's rare to see Victor standing there all dumbstruck."
Victor snapped out of it immediately. "MOM."
Amara blushed slightly, but laughed. "I'll definitely visit again!"
Realizing how late it was, Amara finally stood up. "I should get going."
Victor nodded and grabbed his jacket. "I'll walk you to the train station."
---
The sky had dimmed greatly but the streets were still faintly illuminated by strings of lamppost buzzing softly overhead.
As Victor and Amara walked, they talked about random things—the screening, the upcoming academy, and even silly childhood memories.
But then— the sound of whistles drew them out of their conversation.
"Yo, sweetheart, where ya headed?"
Victor and Amara stopped walking.
Up ahead, a group of rugged-looking guys leaned against a wall, smirking. Their eyes locked onto Amara with unpleasant interest.
"Damn, girl, you're looking fine tonight." One of them chuckled. "How 'bout you come over here and talk to us, huh?"
Amara's expression darkened immediately.
Victor stepped slightly in front of her with a frown.
However, Amara wasn't the type to shrink away.
She crossed her arms and gave them a cold glare as she moved to Victor's front. "Not interested."
One of the guys clicked his tongue. "Aww, come on now, don't be like that—"
Victor tilted his head before cutting in smoothly. "Hey, guys, do me a favor and shut the hell up."
Silence~
The men froze, as if actually stunned that someone had spoken back to them so casually.
All of a sudden, they began laughing.
One of them grinned while stepping forward. "Oh? And who the hell are you supposed to be?"
Victor's eyes narrowed as he stepped in front of Amara once again.
Amara placed a hand on his arm. "Victor, let's just go—"
"Too late, sweetheart!" one of the thugs sneered while cracking his knuckles. "He ain't leaving until we make him eat dust!"
Victor felt his temper rise as the guy charged straight at him with his fist raised.
He was about to counter––—when Amara yanked him back and moved first.
CRACK!
Her fist connected with the thug's jaw so hard that a loud thudding sound echoed through the street.
############
New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on ƒгeewebnovёl.com.
Author's Note:
Monthly/Weekly Goals =>
300 Power stones weekly = Mass Release
200 Golden Tickets = Mass Release
Top 10 in the 31-90 days bestseller ranking = Mass Release
5000 privilege unlocks = Mass Release
Gifting (Dragon/Castle/Gatchapon) = Mass Release