It had been weeks since Damon's thrilling win over Cellan Gustalam. The fight, which was now the high point of his young career, had earned him widespread recognition.
But since he didn't have any matches coming up soon, life had slowed down, giving him a chance to rest and reset.
Damon was glad for the break. He did some light training, spent time with his mother, and thought about his planned trip to Thailand during the day.
The thought of leaving home again weighed on him, but he knew it was a necessary step if he wanted to rise in the UFA ranks.
Standing in his room, Damon glanced at the neatly packed bag sitting in the corner. It contained everything he thought he'd need, clothes, training gear, and the essentials for life in a foreign country.
His passport rested on the desk, alongside a folder with his travel itinerary and information about the camp in Thailand.
Aoife had been supportive, though Damon could see the faint worry in her eyes whenever they talked about the trip.
She hid it well, always smiling and encouraging him to make the most of the opportunity. Damon appreciated her strength and promised himself he'd make it all worth it.
The days leading up to the trip were uneventful but productive.
Damon spent time with his friends, ensuring he'd see everyone before he left.
They joked, sparred lightly at Victor's gym, and reassured him that he'd come back stronger than ever.
Victor made sure everything was okay by being there the whole time. He talked to Damon often and gave him advice. He also reminded him to stay focused and enjoy the experience.
The day had finally come. Damon was ready to leave as he stood in his room with his bag packed. Strangely, it was both exciting and sad at the same time.
Throughout the week, Damon hadn't allowed himself to grow stagnant.
Though his training wasn't as intense as before, he had stayed consistent, balancing recovery with progress.
All stats now at B rank.
It was a significant milestone.
The next goal was clear, reach A rank in all stats while in Thailand, unlock the system upgrade, and see what lay beyond.
Damon zipped up his bag and slung it over his shoulder, after checking everything, dragging a suitcase.
He looked around his room one last time, noticing the little things like the nicely tucked-away training gear and the bed where he had spent many nights planning and simulating.
When he walked into the living room, his mother was already there. That morning, she was busy making sure he had everything he needed. But now, she just stood there with her hands together.
"You're all set?" she asked, her voice steady but tinged with emotion.
Damon nodded. "Yeah, all set."
Aoife stepped closer and adjusted the strap on his bag, even though it didn't need it. "You'll do great out there. Just remember to take care of yourself, okay? And call me when you can."
Damon smiled, his heart swelling with gratitude. "I will, Mom. Don't worry."
She pulled him into a hug, holding on tightly. For a moment, neither of them said anything. It was a silent exchange of love and reassurance, one that didn't need words.
When they pulled apart, Aoife patted his cheek lightly. "Go make us proud, champ."
Damon chuckled, picking up his bag again. "Always."
Victor arrived shortly after to take him to the airport. Damon loaded his bag into the car and gave the house one last glance before climbing in.
The drive to the airport was calm, filled with casual conversation and the occasional silence as Damon's mind drifted away.
"Thailand's going to be tough," Victor said, breaking the quiet. "But I know you. You've got what it takes to thrive out there."
Damon nodded, his jaw set with determination. "I'll make the most of it. No shortcuts."
Victor smiled, his confidence in Damon unwavering. "That's the spirit."
As they pulled into the airport drop-off zone, Victor glanced over at Damon. "Oh, I forgot to mention," he said casually, though a smile tugged at his lips. "The others are here too. They said they wanted to see you off."
Damon raised an eyebrow in surprise before breaking into a grin. "Really? They didn't have to do that."
Victor shrugged as he parked the car. "Well, they wanted to. Guess they like you or something."
Damon chuckled, shaking his head. As they stepped out of the car, Damon grabbed his bag from the trunk and looked up at the towering airport building.
It was bustling with activity, travelers moving in every direction, the sound of rolling luggage and announcements over the intercom echoing around.
Victor led the way inside, weaving through the crowd with Damon following close behind.
The moment they entered, Damon spotted them Edward, Ash, Tye, Joey, Ashley, and Svetlana standing together near a seating area.
"Look who finally showed up!" Joey called out with a wide grin, waving Damon over.
Damon couldn't help but laugh as he approached the group. "You guys didn't have to come all the way out here," he said, though the smile on his face made it clear he appreciated the gesture.
Ash crossed his arms, smirking. "Yeah, well, it's not every day one of us heads off to train halfway across the world. Besides, someone had to make sure you don't chicken out."
"Like that's ever gonna happen," Damon shot back with a playful roll of his eyes.
Ashley stepped forward, giving him a quick hug. "You're gonna kill it out there, Damon. Just don't forget about us little people when you're at the top."
"Never," Damon replied, his tone sincere.
Svetlana stood a bit to the side, her arms crossed as she watched the exchange. When Damon turned to her, she gave him a small smile. "Don't slack off while you're gone, okay? I expect you to come back even better."
Damon grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Tye clapped him on the back. "You've got this, man. Just make sure you don't turn into some Muay Thai monster and forget how to wrestle."
Damon laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."
Victor checked his watch. "Alright, time's ticking. Damon's got a flight to catch."
The group exchanged final words, jokes, and well wishes, their laughter cutting through the chaotic background of the airport.
As Damon turned to head toward security, he glanced back at his friends one last time.
He raised a hand in farewell. "I'll see you all soon."
"Be careful of the women there, bro!" Joey shouted, earning a round of laughter from the group, Svetlana had a slight frown but she hid it well.