At the announcement to gather, Ikku and his new companions left their cabin, heading toward the front of the ship. They walked side by side, speculating about the trials that awaited them.

“What do you think it’ll be?” Ikku asked, his curiosity laced with nervousness.

Kenny, as laid-back as ever, shrugged as he walked.

“As long as it’s not written tests, I’m good,” he replied with a grin.

Yumé laughed heartily, clearly entertained.

“I’m with you on that. Anything that doesn’t require twisting my brain works for me.”

Their lighthearted exchange eased the tension slightly, but as they approached the assembly point, a palpable heaviness filled the air. When they arrived, they saw that most of the participants were already there, and the atmosphere had shifted dramatically.

A chill ran down Ikku’s spine as he scanned the crowd. He and his companions seemed far less imposing than the others. Some of the candidates exuded an intimidating aura, as if they were already seasoned fighters or possessed extraordinary strength.

Ikku’s attention was drawn to a figure standing above the scene. At the far end of the ship, the examiner stood perched on the railing, slightly elevated to address everyone. His attire was strikingly out of place: a perfectly tailored black suit, an unusual choice for this maritime setting. Ikku thought he looked like the least impressive person there, but he quickly reminded himself never to judge by appearances.

Dôma’s voice broke through the murmur of the crowd, commanding attention with its assured tone.

“Thank you all for your patience, and congratulations on making it this far. My name is Dôma, a member of Nexus, and I’ll be overseeing the first trial. The rest of the trials will take place on an island nearby. The ship won’t go any further.”

The ship had come to a halt, but all around them, there was nothing but an endless expanse of water. Ikku squinted at the horizon, searching for any sign of an island or a destination, but he saw nothing.

The crowd began to murmur, and one perplexed participant spoke up.

“Excuse me, but… the island isn’t even visible. How are we supposed to get there?”

Dôma, with a mischievous smile, surveyed the group for a moment, relishing their confusion.

“Well… I’d suggest you keep your eyes on me,” he said cryptically.

Before anyone could react, Dôma leapt gracefully off the ship in a perfect dive, hitting the water effortlessly. He began swimming with ease toward the horizon.

A stunned silence fell over the participants. Several rushed to the railing to confirm what they had just witnessed. Sure enough, Dôma was already some distance away, swimming toward an unseen destination.

“He jumped from that height!” one participant exclaimed in shock.

“What are we supposed to do now?” another stammered, clutching his head in despair.

Doubt and panic began to spread through the group, but Kenny remained unfazed. He walked casually to the railing, glancing nonchalantly at the water below. Without a hint of hesitation, he placed one foot on the railing and turned briefly to Ikku and Yumé with a confident smile.

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“The answer is simple.”

And with that, he dove into the water, followed closely by Ikku and Yumé.

Within moments, dozens of other participants leapt into the water after them, determined to follow Dôma. However, about thirty others froze, unable to summon the courage to take the plunge.

Suddenly, a commanding voice echoed through the ship’s speakers.

“All candidates who do not jump within the next few minutes will be disqualified.”

Hearing this, those who hesitated hung their heads in defeat, succumbing to their fears. Resigned, they stepped away from the railing, choosing to abandon the challenge rather than leap into the unknown.

Meanwhile, in the cool waters of the ocean, Ikku kicked and paddled with determination, his body already strained by the intense effort. After a few minutes, he and the others managed to catch up to Dôma, maintaining a reasonable distance behind him without falling too far back. The examiner’s pace was steady but manageable for now.

“He’s keeping a good rhythm, but I doubt he’ll maintain it for long,” Kenny remarked, his usual nonchalant tone intact despite the situation.

“We still can’t see the island,” Yumé noted, scanning the horizon. “It’s impossible to tell how far it is.”

Kenny furrowed his brow, nodding.

“Exactly. That’s why we need to slow down. If the island isn’t even in sight, we’ve got a long way to go. No point in burning out this early.”

Ikku, focused on his breathing and movements, nodded silently.

“You’re right. At this pace, we’re looking at at least three hours of swimming… minimum.”

Their gazes met briefly, a hint of nervousness lingering between them. The sea stretched endlessly around them, and while Dôma showed no signs of tiring, the participants knew this trial wasn’t just physical. It tested their ability to manage energy, mental endurance, and, above all, determination.

They adjusted their pace, heeding Kenny’s advice, and slowed slightly to conserve their energy for the hours ahead. Around them, other participants seemed to adopt a similar strategy, though some pushed themselves recklessly, perhaps believing the trial would only last a short while.

Ikku glanced at the other swimmers. Some already appeared out of breath, while others, more experienced, moved with remarkable efficiency. But a single mistake a cramp, a poor choice of pace could spell disaster for anyone.

As Ikku swam, his thoughts drifted back to his grueling training with Jack. Every trial, every exercise had taught him not to rush, to understand his limits, and to endure the unbearable. He wondered how many of these participants had faced similar challenges… and how many would give up before even catching sight of the island.

The group pressed on, maintaining a steady rhythm. Their heavy breathing blended with the sound of the waves. The hours ahead promised to be grueling.

Back on the ship, a small group of Nexus members sat comfortably in a private lounge. A woman with a piercing gaze observed the horizon through the large bay window.

“Letting Dôma start this time might not have been the best idea,” she said in a calm voice, crossing her arms.

“You think so?” replied a man seated beside her, a faint smirk on his lips. He had a detached, almost amused demeanor. “In any case, you’re handling the second trial. We’ve got our own worries to deal with.”

The woman laughed lightly.

“That’s a bit mean, don’t you think?”

The man shrugged.

“The island you chose for the second trial… it’s the one I think it is, isn’t it?”

An enigmatic smile spread across her face.

“Yes. That’s right. Devil’s Island.”

She rose gracefully, her long coat brushing the floor. “It’s time to retrieve them. They should be arriving soon.”

She called over a crew member who had been waiting by the door.

“Start the ship and prepare lifeboats to pick up the survivors.”

The crew member gave a quick nod and left to carry out her orders. The woman then turned back to the man beside her.

“Let’s see how many of them make it to the destination.”