Ren entered the assigned room for Class F, observing the group as they relaxed after indulging in the castle's luxuries. The remnants of their recent feast were scattered around—empty plates, satisfied smiles, and a serene atmosphere. Ren felt a slight pang of guilt for what he was about to propose, but he knew they needed to grow stronger to face the challenges ahead. The only way to do that was through rigorous training, hard work, and experience.
“Ugh, I can’t eat anymore,” Rolan groaned, holding his stomach and trying not to barf.
Shiro wasn’t faring much better, clutching his own overstuffed belly. “It’s not our fault. The food was just too good.”
Lucius, on the other hand, looked almost embarrassed by their behavior. “You both ate like savages. At least show some restraint and eat with manners, especially you, Shiro. You’re a noble, for crying out loud.”
“Well, yeah, but we don’t have food like this back home,” Shiro replied. “My family might be nobles, but we eat simple meals, like most people in our region.”
“And when you trained with your master?” Lucius asked, his curiosity piqued.
Shiro chuckled at the memory. “Especially with my master. He’s the simplest man you’ll ever meet.”
While the boys were caught up in their conversation, the girls had their own discussion going.
“Should we get more dessert tomorrow?” Liana asked Celes. “I think we’ll have some time to explore the capital.”
Celes lit up like an excited cat. “Yes! There’s an amazing bakery near the courtyard area. They’ve got incredible cakes and milkshakes.”
“Really? Then we must go!” Liana replied, her excitement matching Celes’s.
Ren watched the scene unfold with mixed emotions. On one hand, he was genuinely happy to see the characters he adored having fun together. But on the other hand, a sense of loneliness crept in. Due to his skill, he could never truly get close to them—or anyone else, for that matter. He was like a distant observer, so close yet so far from everyone in this world.
“Why was this skill given to me?” Ren mused, not in frustration, but with deep curiosity.
These questions had been on his mind since the day he arrived.
What was this skill?
Where did it come from?
Who bestowed it upon him?
And why?
Was there some purpose behind it?
Countless questions, yet not a single answer. But one thing was certain, he couldn’t wait for the answers to fall into his lap. He had to find them himself. And if he wanted any chance of returning to Earth, he needed to ensure this world’s survival. That meant Shiro, Celes, and the others had to survive, no matter what.
“Well then, before they save the world, they need to get stronger first. Time for their training,” Ren declared with newfound resolve.
Stepping forward, he pressed the timer, revealing himself to the group. Shiro and his friends, still seated around the table, jumped at his sudden appearance. He remained calm, his mysterious aura intact. Rolan, Lucius, and Liana immediately tensed, their wariness evident. Shiro and Celes, however, remained composed, though equally surprised.
Shiro was the first to speak. "Why are you here?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Ren’s voice was calm as he responded, “You know why I’m here. It’s time for me to show you the path. A challenge of sort.
Rolan narrowed his eyes, suspicion clear in his voice. "What challenge? And why should we follow you?"
Ren countered with a simple question: "Do you want to become stronger?"
Celes, who had moved closer to him, answered without hesitation. "Yes. I do."
Ren regarded her silently for a moment, as if weighing her sincerity. He understood that Celes's desire to get stronger stemmed not just from her duty as an agent, but from her newfound bonds with these people. Then he turned to Shiro, who seemed to be deliberating.
"You're all still weak," Ren stated bluntly, his gaze sweeping over the group. "If you want to protect those you care about and carve your own path in this world, you need strength. Strength you don’t yet have."
Lucius bristled at the comment, feeling the sting of truth in the stranger’s words. "Is this challenge dangerous?" he asked. "And will it really help us?"
Ren nodded. "It is dangerous, but it will be invaluable for your growth."
Shiro looked around at his friends. Doubt gnawed at him. He wanted to grow stronger, but he still didn’t fully trust Ren, and he didn’t want to put his friends in unnecessary danger. But as he met their eyes, he saw that they had already made up their minds. They were waiting for him to decide.
Finally, Shiro sighed and looked back at Ren. "We’ll follow you. We need to get stronger, now more than ever."
Ren allowed a small, genuine smile to cross his face. Celes noticed it, having seen it before, but for the others, it was a surprise. Even Shiro was taken aback by the expression.
"Meet me at the fountain in the central garden in one hour," Ren instructed. "It’s late, so no one else should be there, but be stealthy. This challenge is for the five of you alone; no one else can join or see you."
The group nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. Ren then added, "I’ll be waiting. Don’t be late."
As he prepared to vanish again, Liana, uncharacteristically firm, asked in a strong voice, "Why are you helping us? And why us specifically?"
Ren paused, slightly surprised by her tone, though he didn’t show it. With a simple and honest reply, he said, "Because you’re needed."
Before they could respond, Ren disappeared once more, fading out of reality before their eyes. The group collectively sighed in relief as the tension dissipated. Ren’s presence had a way of exhausting them with its intensity.
Rolan, ever the joker, quipped, "Well, at least now we know he can smile like a regular person."
Lucius, still uneasy, turned to Shiro. "Do you think we made the right choice?"
Shiro looked down, then back at his friend. "I don’t know. But I do know we need to get stronger, so I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt."
Liana hesitated before asking, "Should we tell principal Valis about this?"
Celes shook her head. "No. Let’s just follow his instructions for now."
With that, they all nodded in agreement and began preparing for the challenge that awaited them.
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After an hour of preparation, Shiro and his friends made their way to the central garden as instructed. Ren had been right—no one else was around at this late hour. They moved stealthily, avoiding any potential onlookers. Upon arriving, they were met with a breathtaking sight: a flowing fountain illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight, surrounded by a lush garden brimming with life.
Liana’s eyes sparkled with awe. "It’s so beautiful," she whispered, enchanted by the scene before her.
Celes, too, was captivated, her love for flowers drawing her to the vibrant blooms near the fountain. She knelt down, gently brushing her fingers over the petals, her expression soft and content.
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Rolan, noticing Celes’s rare display of affection, was about to make a playful comment, but Lucius quickly elbowed him, silencing the thought. "Just enjoy the view, Rolan," Lucius muttered, his eyes taking in the peaceful scene.
Meanwhile, Shiro remained focused, his curiosity piqued. He scanned the fountain, looking for anything out of the ordinary. When he found nothing unusual, he decided to relax, appreciating the tranquility of the garden until it was time for their meeting.
A few minutes passed when, finally, Ren appeared right before them once more. The group, though still startled by his sudden presence, had grown somewhat accustomed to his abrupt entrances and chose to push aside their unease.
"Welcome," Ren greeted them, his tone calm and composed. "Are you ready?"
Shiro looked at his friends, seeing their determination mirrored in their eyes. He nodded firmly. "We’re ready."
Ren gaze swept over them, and though his expression remained unreadable, there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Good," he said. "This challenge will be different from what you’ve faced in the academy dungeon. This time, you’ll need to rely on each other completely."
The group listened intently, understanding the seriousness of the situation.
Ren continued, "Below this fountain lies an arena dungeon. Unlike the academy, this one consists of a single massive room. Within it, you’ll face twenty trials of enemies. Each trial will present different challenges. Some creatures will fly, others will wield weapons, and a few might even use strategy against you. You’ll need to adapt quickly if you want to survive."
Rolan, unable to hold back his concern, asked, "Do we have to clear all twenty trials?"
Ren nodded. "The challenge won’t end until you’ve completed all twenty trials."
Celes stepped forward, her voice tinged with worry. "What happens if we get injured?"
Ren’s response was brief. "You’ll have to figure that out on your own. I’ll only intervene if things get truly dire."
Despite their shock, the group steeled themselves, ready for the trial ahead. Ren then moved toward the base of the fountain and knelt down, examining a series of runes carved into the stone. Though the characters were indecipherable to the group, Ren, with his game knowledge, knew exactly what to do. He pressed the runes in a specific order, and with a soft click, the mechanism activated.
Suddenly, the ground near the fountain shifted, and a hidden staircase revealed itself, spiraling downward into darkness. The group instinctively stepped back, startled by the unexpected reveal.
Ren rose to his feet and turned to face them one last time. "Good luck," he said, a subtle note of ominousness in his voice. "And have fun." With that, he disappeared once more.
Shiro couldn’t help but feel uneasy at those final words, but he pushed the thought aside. Taking the lead, he descended the staircase, his friends close behind. The narrow spiral seemed to stretch on forever, but after a few minutes, they finally reached the bottom.
Before them stood a massive metal door. Shiro placed his hand against it, and a deep, echoing voice rang out from within. "Are you willing to partake in the challenge inside?"
Shiro turned to his friends, meeting their determined gazes. With a resolute nod, he answered, "Yes."
The door groaned as it slowly opened, revealing a colossal chamber beyond. The group cautiously stepped inside, finding themselves in what appeared to be a vast underground colosseum. As they moved forward, torches flared to life along the walls, illuminating the arena with flickering light.
Celes eyes widened in disbelief. "How could a place like this exist beneath the empire’s castle?"
Lucius shook his head, equally puzzled. "How does he keep knowing about places like this?"
Before they could discuss it further, a deep, resonant drumroll echoed through the chamber, signaling the start of the challenge. Shiro immediately warned his friends. "Get ready!"
Weapons drawn, the group prepared for whatever was to come. Meanwhile, Ren watched from the shadows, his gaze fixed on the group. Though a hint of nervousness lingered within him, he believed in their potential. They could overcome this if they trusted in themselves and each other.
Suddenly, the ground a few meters ahead of them began to shift. A large hatch opened, and from below, they could hear the sound of heavy breathing and snarling. The group tightened their grips on their weapons, bracing themselves for the first wave.
A platform slowly rose from the hatch, and as it reached the surface, the source of the sounds became clear. Dozens of wolf-like monsters with dark brown fur and black, soulless eyes stood before them, growling hungrily.
The challenge had begun.
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The air in the colosseum grew tense, both sides locked in a standoff. The wolves, eyes gleaming with malice, awaited their leader’s signal, while Shiro and his friends stood ready, bracing for the onslaught. Finally, the largest of the wolves, a hulking beast with a darker coat and fiery eyes, let out a bone-chilling roar. The pack’s leader had given the command.
The wolves charged as one, fangs bared, moving with terrifying speed. Shiro and his friends quickly fell into formation, executing the plan they had devised during their hour of preparation. Shiro and Rolan took the vanguard, their swordsmanship formidable enough to hold the line. Behind them, Liana and Lucius readied their magic, providing support from the rear. Celes held the center, her speed and battlefield awareness making her the group’s defender.
As the two sides closed in, Liana raised her staff, chanting softly. “Enhance!” A warm glow enveloped the group as she cast body enhancement spells. “Haste!” she added, quickening their movements.
“Let’s finish this quickly!” Lucius called out, focusing his mana. A barrage of wind slashes shot forward, slicing through the air. “Wind Cutter!” The magical blades struck several wolves, cutting down a few. But the rest pushed on, undeterred.
The first wolf reached Shiro, lunging at him with fangs aimed at his throat. “Not today!” Shiro shouted, meeting the beast head-on, blocking its bite with his tachi. Before the wolf could retreat, Rolan was there, slashing at its exposed side with his twin blades. The wolf yelped in pain before collapsing.
Another wolf pounced at Rolan from behind. “Rolan, behind you!” Shiro warned, dashing forward and cutting it down just in time.
“Thanks, Shiro. Let’s keep this up!” Rolan replied, grinning as he readied himself for the next attack.
Eight wolves remained, including their leader, who observed the battle with keen eyes. Realizing a direct assault was futile, the leader roared, issuing new orders. Six wolves broke off from the main group, two flanking left and two flanking right, and the last two from the front, attempting to encircle the party.
“They’re splitting up!” Lucius noticed, quickly beginning to prepare another spell. But the wolves were too fast. “I won’t make it in time!”
As one wolf lunged at Lucius, two knives embedded themselves in its side. “Not on my watch!” Celes shouted, her speed allowing her to intercept the attack. She finished the beast off with a quick slash. Lucius completed his spell and summoned a rock spear that shot forward, impaling the second wolf.
“Nice save, Celes!” Lucius said, relieved.
“Just doing my part,” Celes replied with a nod. But with her now protecting Lucius, Liana was left vulnerable. Two wolves charged at her, and though she raised a magical barrier, it began to crack under their relentless assault.
“Liana!” Shiro yelled, seeing the danger. He sprinted toward her, leaving Rolan to fend off two wolves alone. The barrier shattered just as Shiro arrived. He thrust his tachi through both wolves with a powerful thrust. “You okay?”
“Thanks, Shiro. That was too close,” Liana said, catching her breath.
Rolan, meanwhile, deftly evaded the attacks of the wolves he faced. “You two take it easy back there!” he called out, his tone light despite the danger. His enhanced agility allowed him to outmaneuver one wolf and block its fangs with his blades. As the other wolf leapt at him, he swiftly ducked and thrust his blade upward, skewering the beast.
“Don’t get cocky!” Celes teased as she dashed forward, delivering a powerful kick to the final wolf. With one swift motion, she drove her knives into its throat. The wolf let out a final, pitiful whine before collapsing.
The group regrouped, their breaths heavy but victorious. Only the leader and one wolf remained. The leader’s eyes burned with rage as it watched its pack fall. Letting out a deafening roar, it charged, moving faster than any of the others had. It leapt at Celes, who barely had time to react.
“Celes, watch out!” Liana cried, but the leader’s attack hit Celes hard, sending her flying back several meters. She crashed to the ground, stunned.
“Celes!” Shiro and Rolan yelled in unison, rushing to her aid. But the leader was already bearing down on her, prepared to strike a killing blow.
Before it could move, vines erupted from the ground, entangling its legs. “You’re not getting away that easily!” Lucius shouted, casting a binding spell to hold the leader in place.
“Thanks, Lucius!” Shiro seized the opportunity, dashing forward with his tachi raised. But just as he was about to strike, the last remaining wolf lunged at him from his blind spot. “Damn it—!”
“Shiro, duck!” Rolan shouted, saving Shiro by taking down the wolf with a well-timed strike. The wolf let out a final pained cry before collapsing.
“Nice one, Rolan!” Shiro said, relieved. But the battle wasn’t over. Enraged, the leader broke free from the vines and swiped at Shiro with its massive claws. Shiro managed to block the attack, but the force behind it nearly overpowered him.
“Get out of there, Shiro!” Liana screamed, preparing another spell. Shiro instinctively rolled back, narrowly avoiding the leader’s fangs. In the next instant, a pillar of rock shot up from the ground beneath the leader, launching it into the air.
“Rolan, boost me!” Celes called out, having recovered.
“On it!” Rolan replied, crouching down. Celes leapt into the air, and with Rolan’s boost, she soared upward, meeting the leader midair. With a fierce cry, she slashed both knives across its head, delivering a critical blow. As the leader’s momentum carried it back to the ground, Celes delivered a final, powerful kick, slamming it into the earth.
The leader roared in agony, struggling to rise, but Shiro was there, tachi in hand. “This ends now!” he shouted, severing the beast’s head with one clean strike.
The battle was over.
The group gathered, catching their breath and tending to their wounds. “That was tougher than I thought,” Rolan commented with a relieved chuckle, wiping sweat from his brow.
Lucius, however, wasn’t as lighthearted. “It’s because we’re weak,” he said, frustration clear in his voice.
The group fell silent, his words sinking in. They knew he was right. Despite their victory, they had struggled, and the challenge had only just begun.
Shiro, sensing the weight of the moment, spoke up. “That’s why we agreed to do this, to become stronger. We won this battle, which means the challenge isn’t impossible. We can win.”
His words reignited the group’s determination. They nodded, resolved to push forward and see the challenge through to the end. Liana, like a caring older sister, fussed over Celes, healing her wounds. “You should be more careful,” Liana said gently, but Celes, though grateful, felt a bit embarrassed by the attention.
“Thanks, Liana,” Celes replied, a slight blush on her cheeks.
After a few minutes, the group was ready to continue.
A second drum roll echoed through the colosseum. The challenge was far from over.