It was an empty nothingness, and Xavier floated within it for quite some time. Before the emptiness abruptly began to shatter, Xavier found himself in an unfamiliar room.

Xavier, who appeared to be in a kind of ghost state, questioned where he was. Before looking down, I spotted a young mom cradling and singing to her newborn infant.

When Xavier remembered what was happening, he murmured to himself, "Oh, it's this dream again."

"It's already been 7 years since I've kept having this same dream randomly," he commented.

Xavier continued to watch the mother as she enthusiastically sang to her newborn baby in her hospital bed.

But then the woman's husband entered the hospital room and jokingly said, "You seem to be in a very good mood, Julia.".

"And what's that supposed to mean, Andrew?" Julia asked with a cute, grumpy face.

Andrew giggled uneasily and replied, "You don't have to take it so seriously; I was just joking."

"That's what I thought," Julia responded.

"Anyway, come say hello to your newborn son," Julia added.

As Andrew approached his wife, Julia inquired, "Have you thought of a name for our son?"

Andrew said, "Well, not really.".

"But I was thinking about giving him a unique and distinctive name," Andrew explained.

Julia then said, "Unique name, huh?"

After some thought, Julia found the ideal name and suggested it to Andrew: "Oh, how about the name Xavi?" But before she could continue explaining what the child's name would be, Xavier was abruptly dragged from the room and immediately woke up sweaty.

"Why is it that I never get to hear what the boy's name is?" Xavier asked himself, sitting up on his bed.

But then Jonathan yelled out Xavier's name, telling him that he would be late for school.

When Xavier remembered that today was the Forest Crown Hunt, he jumped out of bed to get ready.

As Xavier finished preparing himself, he dashed downstairs as he wore on the Visors of Time.

When Jonathan noticed his son was late for school again, he asked, "When will you stop going to school late?"

And Xavier responded, "I am not late.".

"I'm just ahead of time."

But then Aleksander returned inside the house, having checked on the farm animals.

When he saw Xavier, he tossed him a sword, saying, "Grandfather got that sword specially made for your use during the Forest Crown Hunt event.".

Xavier examined the sword and then asked, "Why is it so heavy?"

And Aleksander responded, "Well, it was made from a very strong and durable metal."

"So that it doesn't break like the other swords usually do when you use that special move of yours.".

Xavier was overjoyed with the gift and remarked, "Thank you, big brother.".

Aleksander smiled and responded, "You don't have to thank me.".

"Thank Grandfather for getting that sword specially made for you.".

Xavier excitedly nodded his head, and Aleksander remarked, "I think you should get going before you're late.".

"Oh, you're right," Xavier replied, realizing he was almost late.

But before Xavier could leave, Violet dashed down the stairs, shouting, "Wait!" And she tumbled, landing face-first on the floor.

Violet quickly stood back up and came over to Xavier, hugging him tightly and saying, "Before you, I want you to promise me that you'll prioritize your safety first, okay?"

"I promise," said Xavier, smiling.

Violet then kissed Xavier on the forehead, and Xavier cheerfully exited his home, bidding farewell to everyone.

As Xavier arrived at school, he spotted a large number of vehicles in front of the school.

But before Xavier could think about where to go, Miss Seo-Yeon Park suddenly appeared behind him and grabbed him by the collar, saying, "It took you long enough to arrive," as she took Xavier into one of the school's vehicles that had his class in it.

After that, all the students were taken to a massive forest—almost the size of a city—for the Forest Crown Hunt event.

The event's announcer then began explaining the regulations and what they would need to do to win the game.

"To begin, you all were placed in a team of 6, and you will all have to collaboratively decide who will be the king of the team, the warriors, the healer, the scout, and the strategies," the announcer explained.

"And we made sure to mix gifted and ungifted students to make the battles interesting.".

"Anyways, once you're all done with that, your main goal in this event is to defeat your opponents or, by any means necessary, seal the crown of the king of your opposing team to win.".

"The more crowns you steal, the more points your team will gain.".

"And this event could last days to almost a week, depending on the situations and actions chosen.".

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The announcer then added, in a more serious tone, "For the rules, you are allowed to go all out to win this event.".

"As this is a simulation of what is to come in your future battles in wars as an upcoming knight of your country,".

"But the only rule that you are all forbidden to break is to attempt to kill your fellow students.".

"And breaking this rule will not be tolerated by the school and the high councils of the nation.".

"If you break the rules, you will not only be expelled from the Pennsylvania Royal Academy, but you will also be under heavy punishment by the country's judiciary," the announcer declared gravely.

All of the participants appeared frightened at what the announcer mentioned, asking themselves, "Who on earth would want to kill another student?"

As the announcer completed outlining the regulations and the main purpose, the teachers randomly assigned each student to a group of six players.

As Xavier came to his allocated team, which was team 12, he observed that Jack, Jason's best friend, had the same participation bracelet number as him, which meant that he and Jack were on the same team.

Xavier was astonished to discover that he and Jack were on the same squad.

"Oh, Jack! "I can't believe we're on the same team!" Xavier exclaimed eagerly, placing his arm over Jack's shoulder.

To which Jack jokingly responded, "Wait, we're on the same team?"

"Oh, we are for sure going to win this event," he added.

When Xavier heard Jack's remarks, he laughed and responded, "I wouldn't say so myself."

However, Jack and Xavier were shocked to see that the Princess of the Emperor of Japan, Princess Misaki Yamato, had the same numbered bracelet as them, indicating that they were on the same tea.

As the remainder of the team's 12 members came, Princess Misaki Yamato began introducing herself to them, stating, "It is a pleasure to meet you.".

"My name is Misaki Yamato, the 3rd Emperor of Japan.".

"And I'm looking forward to working with you all," she added.

Then one of the team members responded, bowing their head, "It's a pleasure to meet you, too, Princess Misaki Yamato."

"My name is Aria Steelblade, and I belong to the Steelblade family. And I'm honored to be on the same squad as you," she added.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Princess Misaki Yamato," another member added, also bowing their heads.

"My name is Elowen Mistglen from the Mistglen family." And it is an honor to be in your presence, your highness," she said.

Jack bowed, confident after seeing how attractive the female members of his squad were, and said, "Greetings, your Highness. It is an honor to meet you.".

"My name is Jack Ironvale, from the Ironvale family. And it's a privilege to be considered your teammate," Jack continued with a confident grin.

Xavier bowed his head as well and introduced himself to Princess Misaki Yamato, saying, "My Xavier Ashford, from the Ashford family.".

"And it is an honor to meet you, Princess Misaki Yamato," Xavier added.

All the team members were taken aback when they heard his surname, and Elowen inquired nervously, "Did you just say that you were from the Ashford family?"

And Xavier replied, confused, "Yeah?"

Then Elowen shrieked with joy and grabbed Xavier's hand, asking, "Then that must mean you're related to Violet Ashford?"

Xavier responded, "Yes, I am; she is my older sister."

Elowen then exclaimed in pure excitement, "I am such a big fan of your elder sister, Violet the Mirrorbound.".

Then Arie jokingly commented, "Oh, I didn't expect to be in the same team as the younger brother of Aleksander, the Child of the Heavens.". To which Xavier awkwardly laughed in response.

Now that Team 12 got to know each other more because they were going to have to work together throughout the Forest Crown Hunt event, Elowen then asked, "Wait, aren't there supposed to be six members on each team?"

And Jack responded, "Yeah, you're correct."

"Then why are only five of us present?" Elowen inquired.

But, unexpectedly, Prince Magnus of the Imperial House of the Flashstride casually walks through the crowd of students and towards Team 12, making the other students fearful to be around him.

"Oh, I'm surprised to see you here, Prince Magnus," Princess Misaki Yamato remarked calmly.

"I'm assuming you're our sixth member, correct?" she continued.

Prince Magnus then responded in an arrogant tone, "Well, I didn't expect to be in a group full of weak individuals."

"Especially with that guy," Prince Magnus muttered as he and Xavier locked eyes and exchanged hostile looks.

Then Xavier asked, "What's wrong?"Scared of being carried by such people you deem weak?".

Magnus smiled and remarked, "You're quite a funny guy, Xavier.".

"But if you get on my nerves, I will kill you.".

"And Senior Jasmine will not be here to save you.".

"You got it, little Princess Xavier?" Prince Magnus said it tauntingly with an arrogant smile.

Then Xavier smirked and said, "What? Are you going to turn into a baby if I continue?" referring to the moment Princess Jasmine turned Prince Magnus into an infant.

Prince Magnus' eyes then turned a blazing red as electricity engulfed his body.

"In a fraction of a second, I could completely stop your heart by vibrating it until it implodes," Prince Magnus replied, tapping his finger exactly where Xavier's heart was.

As he carefully unachieved his sword from his back, Xavier replied, "I'd like to see if you could even lay a finger on me without regretting it."

But before things could get any worse, Jason, who was approaching team 12 after seeing the commotion they were doing, remarked, "Wow, are you going to kill each other before the game event starts?"

And Princess Misaki responded, "They won't be doing anything stupid like that under my watch."

"Under your watch? "Are you the King of your team?" Jason inquired.

Prince Magnus intervened and noted, "For one to be the strongest among their team to be given the title of leader...".

"And I don't think you meet those criteria, Princess Misaki," Prince Magnus added in a mocking tone.

Princess Misaki responded with a surprised giggle, "You're funny, Prince Magnus.".

"But to assume that you were more powerful than me is quite delusional.".

"Plus, being a great leader means you have the intelligence to equally fit your strength," Princess Misaki added.

To which Prince Magnus answered, "Only weaklings say such stupidity.".

And Jason, seizing the opportunity to incite conflict in team 12, deliberately stated, "Me personally, I wouldn't let anyone call me delusional.".

"I'm just saying," Jason continued, shrugging his shoulders.

Then Prince Magnus told Princess Misaki, "If you want to be the leader so badly, then go ahead."

"But just remember that you'll never be as good as the head of your family, Misaki.".

Princess Misaki sighed and walked away, saying to Prince Magnus, "Just remember that you will always be the leftover crumbs of your older brother's success when we win this event".

Jason then provokingly stated, "Oooh, I would be swinging if I were in your place," adding to the thrill of watching this conflict play out.

After hearing those statements, Prince Magnus then began to laugh uncontrollably and replied, "Well then, we'll see about that, Misaki.".

After a minute of discussion, everyone in team 12 except Prince Magnus agreed to make Princess Misaki the squad's king.

Xavier and Aria were the two warriors who would be protecting the squad and Princess Misaki, the king. Elowen was the healer due to her being a better healer than everyone there, and Jack was the strategist, with Prince Magnus being the scout.

When Jupiter eventually located Xavier, just before the event was about to start, he stated, "There you've been".

And Xavier replied, "What's up? "You seem very excited."

Jupiter responded, "Well, that's because I'm very excited to fight you in a real match for the first time".

Xavier then stated, "Oh yeah, we ain't on the same team.".

"Yeah! Which is unfortunate, but at least I get to compete against you," Jupiter responded.

Xavier laughed and asked, "By the way, whose team are you on?"

"I'm on Jason's team, team 7," Jupiter responded.

"You're with Jason?" Xavier asked, was astonished, and bumped out.

"Yeah, and he's the king of our team.".

"While I and my teammate Albert Greywolf are the two warriors,".

"With Sophie being the scout, Emily being the healer, and another teammate of ours, Darius Ironclad, being the strategist.".

Xavier smirked and remarked, "Well, I guess this won't be an easy battle, huh?"

Jupiter answered, "Well, I wasn't going to be making it easy for you to begin with."

And Xavier smiled and said, "We'll see who wins in the end.".

As Xavier and Jupiter finished chatting, each squad was handed a backpack with supplies that would last up to a week, and every student playing the King was given a golden crown that they had to keep from being stolen.

As each team was transferred to a different location in the forest, the announcer then stated to every single person that the Forest Crown Hunt had begun.