Kyren’s eyes widened, the pieces starting to fall into place. His thoughts raced as he realized the gravity of what was happening. "This isn’t just a test to become part of the academy," he murmured, more to himself than to Hiro. "It’s a test for survival… a second chance for those who have nothing left."

Hiro, still gripping his Claymore, stepped forward, his skepticism evident. "Kyren, you can’t believe this. They’re just trying to mess with us. They’d say anything to get out of this."

Kyren turned to Hiro, his voice firm. "Think about it, Hiro. It all makes sense. This forest, the way it traps us, the buttons… it’s designed to force us to make a choice. Give up or keep fighting. For us, it’s an entrance exam. For them, it’s life or death."

Hiro shook his head, frustration flickering in his eyes. "No way. This is insane. We can’t just trust their story!"

Before Kyren could respond, the captor, his voice barely a whisper now, added, "We had no choice. If we don’t steal the buttons, we’re stuck here forever. The academy doesn’t care about us. To them, we’re already dead."

The revelation hung in the air, heavy and chilling. Kyren’s mind raced, trying to process everything. If what the captor said was true, then the academy’s exam was far darker than they’d imagined. And worse, they weren’t just competing against students—they were trapped in a game with people who had nothing left to lose.

"The AL Guild gave us a final chance to be spared for our crimes," one of the prisoners explained, his voice low and shaky. "They said if we survive in this forest and manage to get a button, we’ll be teleported to the city. That’s how we complete our task."

Kyren’s eyes narrowed as he began to piece it together. "So, you got your hands on three buttons, and you’re using this student as bait to get more… so all five of you can teleport out, right?"

The prisoner nodded slowly. "Yes. That’s right."

"But you do realize," Kyren said, his tone sharpening, "that when you steal a button, the person you take it from gets trapped here?"

The prisoner looked away, shame flickering across his face. "We don’t have a choice. It’s either that, or we’re stuck here ourselves."

Kyren understood the dilemma these prisoners faced, but it didn’t change the reality of their situation. "We’re leaving you here," Kyren said, his voice firm. "Wait for your teammates to come back for you. But we’re not giving you our buttons. Find another way out if you can."

One of the prisoners let out a bitter laugh. "There is no other way out… The only way is by pushing that button."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Hiro turned sharply, his eyes narrowing. "What did you just say?"

Kyren frowned, his mind racing. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because the vice leader of the AL Guild told us," the prisoner replied, his voice grim. "If there was any other way, don’t you think we’d have taken it by now? But no. We were given one night’s worth of food, and after that… it’s survive or die. There’s no time to mess around."

Hiro glared at the prisoners, his disbelief clear. "Kyren, don’t believe these guys. They’re just trying to trick us into pushing the buttons for them."

Kyren remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the ground as he processed the information. Then he spoke, his voice calm but resolute. "We’re not giving them our buttons, Hiro."

Hiro crossed his arms, defiance in his posture. "Do you really think we should trust anything they say?"

Kyren turned to him. "No. But we can’t ignore what they’ve told us either."

He then crouched down and began rummaging through the prisoners’ pockets, pulling out bread and supplies. "As punishment for trying to take our buttons, we’re taking your food," he said bluntly.

"What? Kyren, isn’t that just as bad as what they’re doing?" Hiro asked, incredulous.

"Trust me, Hiro," Kyren said quietly, stuffing the food into his bag. "I’ve got a plan."

Turning to the three students they had rescued, Kyren softened his tone. "What’s your plan now? Do you want to join us?"

Hiro smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "You’re welcome to stick with us if you want."

One of the girls, her voice still shaky, spoke up. "We just… we don’t want to continue. After what we’ve heard, we’re done."

Kyren’s eyes darkened slightly, his mind working. "Fine. Press your buttons, and we’ll watch to make sure you’re teleported back safely."

The students nodded and, one by one, pressed their buttons. As each of them vanished into the swirling portal, Hiro watched, still unsure. "What are you thinking, Kyren?" he asked as they prepared to leave.

"I’ll tell you when we’re safe," Kyren muttered, his eyes scanning the forest for any sign of the escaped captors.

After fleeing from the tied-up criminals, Hiro couldn’t hold back his questions any longer.

"So what’s the deal, Kyren?" Hiro asked, his voice still tinged with frustration. "We could’ve convinced those students to team up with us. They might’ve helped."

Kyren stopped walking, his face serious. "Hiro, don’t take this the wrong way… but I believe what the prisoners said."

Hiro’s eyes widened. "What? You can’t be serious. They’re just trying to buy time. They want their backup to come back and trap us."

"I’m not sure about that," Kyren replied, his voice calm but thoughtful. "Think about it. This forest—it feels endless. We’ve been walking for hours, and nothing has changed. This could be some faraway, isolated area. I don’t think we can just walk out of here."

Hiro shook his head, still not convinced. "So, what? You’re saying there’s no way to pass this exam except by giving up?"

Kyren glanced around at the towering trees, the dense undergrowth. "No, I’m saying there’s more to this than just getting out. There’s something we’re not seeing. A hidden part of the exam. It’s not just about survival—it’s a test of something deeper."

"Like what?" Hiro asked, frowning.

"I’m not sure yet," Kyren said, handing Hiro a piece of bread. "But I remember what Patricia and Alaine told us. Out of the thousands who take this test, only a few hundred pass. There has to be something more to it."

"So, you think we have to wait for the others to give up?" Hiro asked, his skepticism still evident.

Kyren’s eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Or we force them to."