"Guys, wake up, the sun's up," Zeeha called out, her voice cutting through the quiet dawn. Light streamed through the gaps in the hut's makeshift walls, casting a warm glow across the room.
Hiro groaned, stretching his arms wide. "Yawn… oh, it’s already morning? I’m still tired,” he muttered, glancing over to see Kyren stirring as well. “Looks like Kyren finally got some sleep too,” he added, smirking slightly.
Zeeha, already dressed in her uniform, adjusted her sleeves. "I’m off to attend the GA’s meeting. We’re discussing the upcoming elimination match," she said with a hint of excitement in her voice.
“The early bird, huh, Zeeha?” Hiro remarked, rubbing his eyes. He nudged Kyren, who was still waking up, blinking against the morning light.
"Kyren, come on! Let’s go hunt some fish—we’ve got plenty of time," Hiro said, already planning the day as he looked out at the sunlit waters beyond the hut.
Kyren, still half asleep, gave a distant nod, squinting into the sunlight. Zeeha glanced at both of them, a gentle smile on her face.
"I’m heading out now. Be careful, you two," she said, her voice softening before she left.
“See ya later, Zeeha!” Hiro called after her, already rummaging through the hut to make some fishing equipment. Kyren gave a sleepy wave as Zeeha disappeared into the morning light.
The day unfolded much like any other for Kyren and Hiro, surviving together on the isolated island with no hope of outside help. They hunted for fish, roasted their catch over a small fire, and spent the morning working on their hut, reinforcing the walls and weaving leaves to shield it from rain. By mid-morning, they had moved to the riverbank, sparring and challenging each other with push-ups and sprints across the rocky shore.
“You’re getting better with your attacks, Hiro,” Kyren said, catching his breath as he leaned against a massive stone at the river's edge.
“You think so?” Hiro grinned, still rinsing himself in the cool water. “And you’re serious about switching to a dagger? Giving up the sword?”
Kyren shrugged. “Yeah, I feel like there’s more I can do with a dagger. After that prisoner destroyed my gladius, I realized it might not be the right weapon for me.”
Hiro chuckled. “Well, I guess we can’t be on the same job path after all. So, you think executioner suits you better than a fighter?”
“I don’t know yet. Let me figure it out,” Kyren replied thoughtfully, standing up and brushing the dirt from his hands. They both headed back to the hut, preparing for the afternoon studies and training they’d set out for themselves.
As noon passed, Kyren delved into his research, his mind focused on Rezhura and his mysterious past. He thumbed through the mission data book, studying profiles of top guild members and renowned warriors. Hiro went off to practice with his sword nearby, occasionally glancing over at Kyren, who was engrossed in his reading.
“Rezhura D'August… ‘The Perfect Knight’…” Kyren murmured to himself, reading aloud as he organized his notes:
* Human Race
* 5-Star Fighter
* Leader of the Sacred Selection Guild since age 14
* Formed the Royal Squad with his friends from the orphanage
Kyren continued with the profiles of the Royal Squad members, each one more impressive than the last:
* Raijum Flow, “The Red Thunder”
* Imp Race
* 5-Star Fighter
* 4-Star Executioner
* Maya Blade, “The Queen of Blades”
* Pix Race
* 5-Star Executioner
* 4-Star Shooter
* Mei Fylyn, “The Celestial Sorcerer”
* Babe Race
* 5-Star Sorcerer
* 3-Star Shooter
* 2-Star Healer
* Axel Spark, “The Royal Shield”
* Demon Race
* 5-Star Defender
* 3-Star Fighter
* 2-Star Healer
* Jelly Spark, “The Bloody Priest”
* Demon Race
* 5-Star Healer
* 3-Star Sorcerer
* 3-Star Defender
* Hinata Yuuki, “The Plat Coin Maker”
* Newly added Royal Squad member with royal lineage and great potential, serving as Rezhura's personal assistant
* Human Race
* 4-Star Fighter
* 4-Star Shooter
* 4-Star Defender
Kyren’s eyes lingered on the description of their last mission—a mission marked with an “S-Class” designation, a warning of extreme danger and significance. The mission log recounted their entry into one of the Darklord Districts, notorious territories controlled by ancient, malevolent powers. There, the team had uncovered a threat of terrifying magnitude: the Darklord King, Mauro, was expecting a child, prophesied to disrupt the balance of the realm. This unborn child had the potential to obliterate both the Human and Elf races, presenting an existential threat that could reshape the world itself.
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The directive had been clear: eliminate this threat, even if it meant taking the life of the unborn child. The high stakes of the mission and the grim objective weighed heavily on Kyren’s mind.
But as he searched for the mission's outcome, his heart sank. The details ended abruptly after listing the mission objective, leaving no indication of whether the threat had been neutralized. It was a glaring gap in the record, an unsettling silence in an otherwise detailed archive.
"Did they succeed in secret?" he thought, his mind racing. "Or was the outcome too dire to be recorded? Or… did something go horribly wrong?"
The more he pondered, the more questions surfaced. He felt an overwhelming sense of urgency, the weight of an unsolved mystery hanging over him.
“Another unanswered mystery, huh?” he whispered, closing the book.
He gathered up the scattered papers, returning them to the shelf when he heard footsteps. A low, gravelly voice broke the silence.
“It’s rare for someone to visit this library in the middle of class,” a low, gravelly voice echoed behind Kyren, breaking the silence.
Startled, Kyren turned to see a tall, imposing figure looming nearby. Roger Blake, the 3rd GA, stood there, his presence intense and commanding. Known as the warrior who defeated a disrespectful demon after the entrance exam, Roger had earned a reputation for his strength and unyielding discipline. His sharp, piercing gaze and muscular build gave him a formidable air, one that Kyren couldn't help but feel in the depths of his chest.
“Oh, Mr. 3rd…” Kyren stammered, straightening. “We… well, our section doesn’t have a proctor today. They’re all busy with the elimination match preparations.”
Roger’s intense gaze held Kyren’s, as though assessing him on a level beyond appearances. “What’s your name, kid?”
“My name is Kyren,” he replied, hesitating slightly, uncertain if he should be speaking with a GA who was technically his section’s adversary. He glanced down, avoiding Roger’s piercing gaze.
Roger extended his hand, surprising Kyren. “I’m Roger Blake. You can call me that. It’s refreshing to see a human so devoted to knowledge. And I think you know why that means something to me,” he said, his handshake firm and confident.
Kyren took the offered hand, feeling the strength in Roger’s grip. “Nice to meet you sir, Roger Blake,” he replied, releasing the handshake with a bit of awe.
Roger’s gaze drifted to a shelf nearby, settling on a specific title. “I came here for this.” He pulled down an old, dusty tome labeled True Strength of the Human Race. As he dusted off the cover, he gave a reflective smile. “I was hoping to learn something new, but I guess I already know what it has to say.”
Kyren nodded, sensing an unspoken weight in Roger’s words.
Roger gave Kyren a thoughtful look. “Keep at it, kid. This place”—he gestured around the library—“is a sanctuary for our race. If you’re ever discouraged by the harshness of the world, remember that the strongest warrior in our realm, Rezhura, is one of us. That strength is in you, too. Don’t forget that.”
With a parting pat on Kyren’s shoulder, Roger turned and walked toward the exit. But before he left, he glanced back one last time. “Good luck on your journey. I hope we all pass.”
As the door closed behind him, Kyren felt a renewed resolve. He took a deep breath, determined to uncover the truth, not just about Rezhura, but about his own potential.