The Vice President left the Event Hall.

The announcer continued, "Okay, congratulations to everyone who passed the exam. Tomorrow, there will be an announcement in the indoor Event Hall. For now, take a rest. I can see it's been a tiring day for everyone, even for those who were watching the event. Have a great dinner and prepare for tomorrow's announcement."

"Come on, Kyren, Hiro, let's go to the cafeteria," Zeeha invited the two again, her voice light but her gaze still carrying traces of battle intensity.

Kyren, Hiro, Zeeha, Vilon, and Beatrix gathered in the cafeteria and started to have their dinner and a conversation. Around them, the cafeteria buzzed with murmured conversations and laughter, but their own table was subdued, lost in the events of the day.

"That 2nd GA is a master of conjuring equipment with different kinds of roots. I can't understand how he mastered and used so many root-slotted equipment like that," Vilon said, breaking his usual silence, his voice edged with disbelief.

Zeeha nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. "And the way he released them was spectacular. It looked like the roots were part of him, emerging from his body without flaw. He controls them as if they’re extensions of his own limbs." She shook her head, as though replaying the battle in her mind.

"That Saber Sword he was using—Zornhaw's Blade—it’s no ordinary weapon,” Beatrix cut in, her tone both awed and serious. "There are only three of those swords in existence, each worth at least 10 Black Platinum Coins. It’s not something just anyone can wield."

Hiro whistled, his face a mix of amazement and curiosity. "Ten Black Platinum Coins? That's… insane. He must be royalty or something, right?"

"Probably," Beatrix said thoughtfully. "I don’t know his exact background, but with equipment of that caliber, he could easily be from a higher royal family. They’re the only ones with access to resources like that."

Kyren, however, was barely listening. He stared at his meal, pushing it around his plate, clearly lost in his own thoughts. He finally looked up, his expression a mixture of frustration and doubt.

"Hiro, Zeeha, Beatrix… Vilon,” he began hesitantly, voice quieter than usual, “what if… what if we end up facing Aolomon in the elimination round? How would any of us even stand a chance against him?” He glanced around at each of them, his face betraying his inner turmoil. “I mean, Vilon—maybe he could hold his ground. But… for the rest of us?” His voice wavered, laced with doubt. “We’re just human. Even with root-slotted equipment, we only get an hour at best. And he… he doesn’t even seem to need that. How could we…?"

The table fell silent, each person visibly shaken by Kyren’s words, though they tried to mask it. Kyren’s question had tapped into the very fear that lingered in all their minds.

Zeeha broke the silence, her tone serious yet somehow comforting. "If we do face him, I think we’d have to rely on strategy—on teamwork. There’s no way we could overpower him alone, but maybe together… maybe we’d stand a chance." Her eyes flickered with determination as she looked at Hiro and Kyren.

Hiro grinned, nodding with a confidence that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Teamwork makes the dream work, right?" His voice was cheerful, but there was a faint edge of unease. Yet he glanced at Kyren, his expression resolute. "If you believe we can figure it out, Kyren, then I’m with you. I trust what you’re saying."

But Kyren’s face remained clouded. He sighed heavily, his gaze dropping back to his barely-touched meal. “Even if we had the perfect synergy… I just don’t see how we’d even touch Aolomon.” His voice dropped to a whisper. "He's on another level…."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Everyone fall in their own thoughts

Beatrix looked down, her fingers drumming on the table. "The 2nd Ga…… The way he used Zornhaw’s Blade… it wasn’t just about strength. That blade has roots woven into it, allowing him to conjure and shift its power. It’s almost like an extension of his essence. And then there’s his armor—root-imbued for stamina. It practically makes him untouchable, especially for us with limited use items. I don’t even think he’s showing his full capability."

The conversation trailed off as each person fell into their own thoughts, the weight of Kyren’s words pressing down on them.

After dinner, Kyren, Hiro, and Zeeha parted ways with Vilon and Beatrix, heading back to their hut in silence. The night air was cool, crisp against their faces as they walked through the academy grounds. Magical lamps illuminated their path, casting soft, hazy shadows on the cobblestone, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere. But as they ventured further, the surroundings grew darker, quieter, and more foreboding.

Once they arrived, Kyren wasted no time gathering dead logs to start a small fire outside. Hiro and Zeeha collected dry leaves and twigs for kindling, working together in silence. Kyren struck flint and steel, and with practiced ease, a small flame flickered to life. Hiro gently coaxed the flames, blowing softly, and soon the fire crackled and blazed, casting warmth into the night’s chill.

They settled around the fire, its glow casting shifting shadows on their faces, making them look more solemn, even older. The warmth was a welcome relief, but Kyren’s mind was anything but at ease. He stared into the fire, watching the flames dance, yet feeling an emptiness settle inside him.

"Zeeha…" he murmured, his voice barely louder than the crackling fire.

"Yes?" Zeeha looked at him, her expression curious.

"How did you meet Vilon and Beatrix?" Kyren finally asked, his gaze still fixed on the fire.

"Oh, getting personal now, Kyren?” Zeeha teased lightly. “Maybe you’re starting to trust me." She offered a small smile, though her tone remained gentle.

"Not really. I just want to confirm something in my head," Kyren replied, still not meeting her eyes.

Zeeha tilted her head, reading his tone. "Are you wondering what I could give them in return for what they’ve given me?" she guessed. "You mentioned that we’re friends, but… you’re right. We gain something from each other."

Kyren nodded, feeling a bit exposed. "Yes, that’s exactly what I thought, but… I was afraid it might offend you."

Zeeha’s eyes softened. "Beatrix and I have been friends since childhood. Vilon… he’s actually one of the butler’s children in Beatrix’s family. We all grew up together. Played together." She paused, watching Kyren’s reaction.

Kyren nodded slowly, taking in her words. "Everything in this world really does revolve around childhood friends, doesn’t it?" he mused. “Like Hiro and Alaine, or Rezhura and his Royal Squad.”

Zeeha chuckled softly. "How about you? How did you meet Hiro?"

Kyren hesitated, glancing at Hiro, who was slowly dozing off beside the fire, his breathing soft and steady. "I… I don’t have memories of my past. I woke up in the middle of a forest river. I’m lucky the first person I met had a genuinely good and pure heart.” He looked at Hiro with a faint smile.

Zeeha’s brow furrowed. "That’s rare. I’ve heard of people losing their memories in the Mythical Forest, but they usually regain them after a while."

Kyren’s eyes widened, his mind racing. "Really? That… that’s strange."

Zeeha continued, her tone growing sleepier. "The curse from the forest usually only lasts for about a month… based on studies…." Her voice trailed off, her eyelids drooping.

Kyren stared at the stars above, his mind buzzing with questions. What’s going on? Am I one of those victims of the forest… or is there something deeper? He felt a chill that had nothing to do with the night air.

Hours later, Kyren still lay awake, haunted by thoughts of his identity and their looming challenges. Just as he finally began to drift off, a faint crackling sound jolted him awake.

He scrambled outside, his heart pounding, and froze at the sight: six students standing near the hut, flames licking at the walls, spreading quickly.

“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?” Kyren’s voice rang out, raw with anger and fear.

One of the students smirked. "Didn’t we say we wouldn’t let Zeeha have a moment’s peace after the Elimination Exam?"

Kyren’s eyes narrowed as he recognized them—section mates who had passed the exam. Behind him, Hiro and Zeeha stumbled out, coughing, their faces pale as they took in the blazing fire consuming their hut.

The night air was filled with the acrid smell of smoke and the mocking laughter of their tormentors. As they watched the flames rise, the weight of their struggle settled on them. This was only the beginning.