"Of course Alaine, we are gladly to accept that, it's a win-win for us, right Kyren?" Hiro looked at Kyren.

"Yeah." Kyren smiled.

"Alright." Alaine continued to finish her meal.

"So, Alaine, what does it feel like to be in Sky Academy? Can you give us some advice?" Hiro inquired eagerly.

Alaine's expression shifted, her features adopting a more serious demeanor as she considered Hiro's question. "I can't go into detail, as we're not allowed to talk about it," she began, her tone measured and cautious. "But as your friend, I'll advise you to always be careful and not get too comfortable with anyone..."

Before she could continue, Roland interjected, his voice tinged with concern. "Alaine, I know you're their friend, but I don't think you're giving them enough information."

Alaine nodded, acknowledging Roland's point, but her gaze remained fixed on Hiro, her eyes conveying a sense of urgency. "Yeah, I know," she replied solemnly.

Kyren and Hiro exchanged uneasy glances, a bead of sweat forming on their brows as they absorbed Alaine's cryptic words.

"I just want to tell you that Sky Academy is not what you might expect," Alaine continued, her voice steady but tinged with an underlying sense of gravity. "And the last thing I'll say is this... There are people who don't make it out of there alive." Her words hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the conversation as the reality of the academy's dangers settled upon them.

Kyren and Hiro were visibly shaken by Alaine's revelation, their expressions reflecting a mix of disbelief and apprehension.

Alaine turned to Hiro, her gaze searching his eyes for any hint of doubt or hesitation. "So, Hiro, you really want to do this?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Hiro met her gaze with unwavering determination, his resolve shining through despite the weight of the situation. He looked down at his hand, his fingers trembling slightly with a mix of nerves and determination. "You know, Alaine," he began, his voice steady but tinged with emotion, "I don't want to become emotional tonight, but if I don't take this now, when will I?" He looked up, locking eyes with Alaine once more. "You're an example of what motivates me. I want to keep up with you."

Kyren, Alaine, and Roland listened intently as Hiro spoke, their attention fully captured by his words.

Hiro's voice held a quiet resolve as he continued, his words carrying a weight that resonated deeply with each of them. "I mean, if the war breaks out again, I'll fight to the death to protect our town too," he declared, his voice steady despite the underlying determination. "So, if I die trying to improve before the war happens, at least I tried. And if I manage to become a great warrior, at least I can make a difference."

"You're right, Hiro," she affirmed, her voice filled with unwavering conviction. "And I need you to join my guild so we can both achieve our dreams." Alaine's smile widened at Hiro's words, a glimmer of pride and determination shining in her eyes. "So, tomorrow, let's enroll both of you in Sky Academy," She declared.

As they settled into the rooms rented by Alaine.

Kyren found himself unable to sleep, the weight of Alaine's words echoing in his mind as he slipped out of the room and made his way to the small terrace adjoining the lobby. Stepping out into the cool night air, he leaned against the railing and gazed out at the city below, its twinkling lights casting a soft glow over the bustling streets.

"The academy... why do they allow people to die there? "

Kyren pondered aloud, his thoughts swirling with a mix of apprehension and curiosity.

The night was quiet, save for the distant hum of activity from the city below, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within him.

...

"Can't Sleep?" Alaine's voice cut through Kyren's thoughts, drawing his attention away from the cityscape as he turned to face her. He offered her a small nod in acknowledgment of her presence.

"Yeah," Kyren admitted quietly, his gaze dropping momentarily before meeting Alaine's eyes once more.

"Are you worried about your journey to Sky Academy?" Alaine inquired, her tone gentle but tinged with understanding.

Kyren hesitated for a moment before responding, his voice carrying a note of uncertainty. "Yeah, but I'm thinking of something deeper than that. I'm thinking of why they allow that to happen in the first place."

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Alaine's expression softened, a sympathetic understanding shining in her eyes as she reached out to lay a comforting hand on Kyren's shoulder. "They don't," she explained gently. "But there are so many students that they can't monitor everything they're doing. Sometimes, things slip through the cracks."

The silence between them stretched on for a moment longer before Alaine broke it with a gentle question, her voice carrying a note of concern.

"Anyway, I heard you lost your memory?" she asked softly.

Kyren nodded, a faint sadness flickering across his features as he acknowledged her words. "Yeah," he replied simply, his voice tinged with resignation.

"I think I can help you," Alaine offered, her tone filled with determination.

Kyren's eyes widened with a glimmer of hope. "Really? How?" he asked eagerly.

Alaine hesitated for a moment before responding, her voice tinged with caution. "I have a guild member with a 2 Starred Healer Badge. Maybe she can help restore your memories," she explained. "But I'll be honest with you, it's not guaranteed. She's not fully mastered in deep mind reading, so there's a chance you may not regain your memory. But at least we can try."

Kyren nodded, gratitude washing over him at Alaine's willingness to help. "Yeah, anyway, why are you helping us so much? I know Hiro is your childhood friend, but why are you so invested in us?" he asked, curiosity coloring his words.

Alaine's gaze softened as she met Kyren's eyes. "Well, Kyren, in the past, I was so impressed with Hiro. He's one of the reasons why I'm in this position today," she explained. "I want to motivate him, like he did for me."

"I see," Kyren replied

"Anyway, I'm going to bed now. Let's talk about it tomorrow, and you too, you should rest," Alaine suggested.

"Yeah, I will," Kyren agreed, offering Alaine a small nod before she turned to leave.

As Alaine made her way towards her room, she paused, turning back to Kyren with a final request. "Last thing, can you always look out for Hiro when you're in Sky Academy?" she asked earnestly.

Kyren's respond, while he's walking to his room. "Of course, I'll do it,"

Alaine smiled. "Thank You."

After that night, they approached the imposing gates of Sky Academy, Kyren and Hiro couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the grandeur of their surroundings, towering spires reached towards the sky, their elegant architecture speaking of centuries of tradition and excellence, campus sprawled out before them.

Entering the main building, they found themselves in a vast, opulent lobby adorned with intricate marble columns and glittering chandeliers, the air was filled with a palpable sense of anticipation as students and faculty bustled about, their voices echoing off the polished marble floors.

At the reception desk, a distinguished-looking individual greeted them with a polite nod. "Hello, Alaine. What's your agenda here?" the person in charge inquired, her tone professional yet welcoming.

Alaine a proud smile graced her lips. "I'd like to enroll them in the Academy," she stated firmly, her gaze unwavering as she addressed the person behind the desk.

Hiro smiled at the receptionist, his excitement eagerly awaited her response.

"Oh, they are aspiring protectors of our land, great," the person behind the desk remarked, her voice carrying a note of approval. "Alaine, you're really good at inspiring people, I guess," She added with a friendly smile.

They exchanged smile.

"Okay, aspiring warriors, fill this form up," the person instructed, sliding a stack of paperwork across the desk. "And Alaine, come with me for the registration fee," she added, gesturing for her to follow.

Alaine and the academy staff member departed to handle the necessary paperwork. Kyren and Hiro set to work filling out the forms. They carefully entered their details, providing their names, ages, races, and the roles they aspired to fulfill within the academy. Suddenly, their attention was drawn to a group of students twice their age gathered in a corner of the lobby.

"Some kids think they're here just to study," one of them jeered, earning a chorus of laughter from the others.

"Maybe we can use them to fill this out for us," another suggested, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

The group erupted into raucous laughter, their mocking tones echoing off the walls of the lobby as they continued to poke fun at Kyren and Hiro.

Hiro's fists clenched at his sides, his anger bubbling to the surface as he moved to confront the group. But before he could take a step, Kyren reached out and placed a restraining hand on his arm, shaking his head subtly.

Feeling Kyren's calming touch and recalling their shared aspirations, Hiro took a deep breath, his initial anger dissipating as he refocused his attention on their ultimate objective.

Before Hiro could respond, Alaine approached them, her presence a welcome distraction from the tension in the air.

"Are you done?" she inquired, her gaze shifting between Kyren and Hiro.

"Yeah," Kyren confirmed, passing the completed forms to the person in charge.

The academy staff member reviewed the papers with a nod of approval. "Okay, Kyren, Hiro, we're all set. You have one week before Sky Academy begins its training sessions. You guys will be in Batch 4," she informed them.

...

As Kyren, Hiro, and Alaine stepped out of the gates of Sky Academy, they were met by Roland waiting for them outside.

"So, you guys have one week to prepare. What's your plan?" Alaine asked.

Kyren and Hiro exchanged uncertain glances, a sense of unease creeping in as they realized they didn't have enough money to sustain themselves in the city for the week ahead.

Alaine noticed their hesitation and stepped in to offer a solution. "I see. Maybe you guys want to come to our Guild office? It's in a nearby town here in Arramaya City."

"I don't think we can accept any more help from you, Alaine. This is already too much," Hiro protested, his voice tinged with gratitude but also a hint of reluctance.

"No, it's nothing," Alaine reassured him, her expression earnest. "In fact, maybe we can all get along there and we can teach you some important information or help you prepare to properly wield a weapon."

Hiro's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect. "Really?" he exclaimed eagerly.

"Yes, also I'll introduce you to our members there, and hopefully your future guildmates," Alaine added with a warm smile, her genuine desire to help evident in her words.

Hiro's gratitude overflowed as he reached out to grasp Alaine's hand. "Alaine, you're really cool! We will pay back all of our debts to you for sure," he vowed earnestly, his voice filled with determination and appreciation for the support she had shown them.