《Skill Forge: Broken Extra Character》


 Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Beginning

    Ethan''s consciousness flickered into awareness, awakening to a reality that felt both strange and achingly familiar. As his senses slowly sharpened, he found himself standing in a dimly lit hall, the air heavy with a sense of d��j�� vu that sent shivers down his spine.


    In his past life, Ethan had been a gamer, one of the best, with skills honed through countless hours of digital battles and virtual conquests. Yet, amidst the des and victories, there was always one yer who eluded his grasp, one opponent who consistently outmatched him��his big sister.


    But gaming wasn''t the only passion that consumed Ethan''s thoughts. There was another, a secret longing that beckoned to him, whispering of worlds beyond the confines of pixels and screens. WAR BOUND: WRITE YOUR DESTINY a massive franchise that made it big in his world.


    Despite the ups and downs of his life, Ethan had found happiness in thepany of his beloved sister, their bond unbreakable even in the face of life''s darkest trials. But when tragedy struck and he lost her, Ethan spiraled into the depths of despair, consumed by grief and haunted by memories of what once was.


    Now, presumed dead and thrust into a hall that seemed to pulsate with a sense of familiarity, Ethan''s mind reeled with disbelief. The walls, the floors, even the faint scent lingering in the air��all whispered of a ce he knew all too well, a ce he thought he had left behind forever.


    But as he stood in the midst of this strange yet strangely familiar hall, Ethan couldn''t shake the feeling that fate had other ns for him.


    As the bewildered voices erupted around him, Ethan found himself at the center of a maelstrom of confusion and fear. Each question, each plea, pierced through the haze of uncertainty, resonating with a desperation that mirrored his own.


    "I''m in a dream, aren''t I?" one voice cried out, its tremulous timbre betraying a fragile grasp on reality.


    "Who are you, and what have you done to us?" another demanded, the usationced with a mixture of anger and fear.


    "Take us back!" a third voice pleaded, its words echoing with a sense of longing for the familiarforts of the world they had left behind.


    Amidst the chaos, Ethan remained rooted in ce, his mind racing to make sense of the confusion unfolding before him. Though disoriented, he felt a strange sense of rity amidst the turmoil, a gnawing suspicion that there was more to their predicament than met the eye.


    As the cacophony of voices continued to swell, Ethan''s gaze swept the strange faces around him.


    With a deep breath to steady his nerves, Ethan stepped forward, his voice cutting through the mor like a beacon of calm amidst the storm.


    "We may not understand what''s happening," he began, his tone measured yet resolute, "but we''ll find our way through this together. Whatever challenges lie ahead, we''ll have to face them as one."


    As Ethan''s words hung in the air, a stunned silence descended upon the hall for a brief moment, broken only by the sound of his own racing heartbeat. His mind reeled with disbelief at the uncanny resemnce between his thoughts and those spoken aloud by another.


    "No way, I said that word for word like I was him? Impossible," Ethan thought, his thoughts swirling with a mixture of awe and bewilderment.


    Just then, a figure emerged from the crowd, a younger man whose presence exuded a quiet resolve tempered by the weight of their shared predicament.


    "That''s right," the young man dered, his voice carrying a note of reluctant eptance. "Right now, we are the ones in the dark, and throwing a tantrum won''t help us. I really don''t want to die, but I also hate the situation we''re in."


    As his words echoed through the hall, a palpable sense of calm settled over the gathered souls, their fear and uncertainty momentarily quelled by the young man''s pragmatic wisdom.


    "My name is Ryota Mori," he continued, his tone respectful yet tinged with a subtle undercurrent of disapproval as he cast a wary nce towards the angel before them. "Please continue."


    As Ethan absorbed the realization of their circumstances, a sense of resignation washed over him like a wave crashing against the shore. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into ce with rming rity, confirming his worst fears and forcing him to confront the truth he had long tried to deny.


    ''Ryota? Mori? War Bound''s main character?'' Ethan muttered to himself, his voice barely a whisper amidst the tumult of thoughts racing through his mind. "Oh, this day keeps getting better and better."


    With a heavy sigh, he acknowledged the undeniable truth that he had been transported to this ce as a character from the franchise he had idolized in his past life. The weight of that realization bore down upon him, threatening to crush his spirit beneath its relentless pressure.


    ''But which character exactly?'' Ethan wondered aloud, his gaze flitting from one face to another in search of answers. The hall was filled with a motley assortment of individuals.


    ''I count 14 of us, including Ryota, which matches with what I know,'' Ethan observed, a grim eptance settling over him like a shroud. ''So I''m indeed in that ce.''


    With a resigned sigh, Ethan braced himself for the challenges thaty ahead, knowing that his journey was just beginning. As he stood amidst his fellow lost souls, he resolved to confront whatever trials awaited them with courage and determination, in this strange new world.


    As Aurelia''s words hung in the air, a hush fell over the assembled souls, their attention captured by the gravity of his revtion. Yet, amidst the palpable sense of awe and uncertainty, a few faces still bore the traces of lingering doubt and disbelief.


    "I''m d you''ve alle to terms with what happened," Aurelia continued, his voice resonating with a quiet authority that brooked no argument. His gaze swept over the gathered souls, his eyes lingering on those whose expressions betrayed their lingering skepticism.


    "This is the hall of reincarnation," Aurelia dered, his voice carrying the weight of ancient wisdom. "And the ce where you''ll be prepped for your journey."


    The mention of "reincarnation" elicited a chorus of incredulous murmurs from the assembled souls, their skepticism echoing through the cavernous hall. "What nonsense are you spouting?" one voice cried out, its toneced with scorn and disbelief.


    But as quickly as the murmurs had begun, they faded into silence, quelled by the majesty of their surroundings. For now, as the souls looked around, they began to notice the splendor of the hall in which they stood.


    The hall was a marvel to behold, its architecture a testament to the skill and artistry of its creators. Towering columns of polished marble rose towards a vaulted ceiling adorned with intricate carvings and golden filigree. Sunlight streamed through stained ss windows, casting kaleidoscopic patterns of color and light upon the polished marble floors below.


    At the center of the hall stood a grand dais, upon which rested a throne of gold and ivory, its regal splendor a testament to the power and majesty of its unseen upant. Soft music filled the air, a symphony of ethereal beauty that seemed to emanate from every corner of the hall.


    Aurelia''s tone changed, but he still sounded warm and calming, though a bit rushed. "I''ll just tell you what you need to know, the rest you''ll find out when the time is right." Everyone stayed quiet. Ethan found a seat in the back, feeling overwhelmed.


    "You will all be sent to a fantasy world of swords and magic," Aurelia said. "Most of you will find it familiar once you get there."


    As Aurelia spoke, people started murmuring, feeling both excited and scared. Ethan and the others knew they were in for an adventure, but they also knew it wouldn''t be easy.


    Another voice broke the silence, this time belonging to a woman from the group. "A world of swords and magic? You''re trying to butter us up before you tell us what''s actually going on, aren''t you?" she said, her annoyance evident in her tone.


    Aurelia''s smile widened at the woman''s perceptiveness. "You saw right through me." he acknowledged, his tone still warm and reassuring. He then turned to the woman and asked for her name.


    "Jean Harper" she replied, her voice firm and determined.


    Ethan couldn''t help but pout as he listened to the exchange between Jean and Aurelia. ''At this point, I can''t get surprised anymore.'' he muttered to himself, his frustration evident in his voice. ''Though the fact that my name wasn''t in the book feels unsettling. Maybe I''m not alone.''


    He let out a sigh, his thoughts drifting to Jean. ''A beauty among beauties.'' he thought, a hint of sadness creeping into his tone. ''Too bad she''s going to die early on in the story. The writer really covered up her potential.


    If not, she would''ve been one of the most important figures in the story.'' Another sigh escaped him as he contemted the twists and turns of their fate in this strange new world.


    ''But it''ll soon be time for the best part anyways.'' he reminded himself, forcing a small smile to his lips in an attempt to quell the rising tide of apprehension.


    *


    *


    *


    [A/N]


    Thanks foring this far. I really appreciate.


    Don''t forget to add my novel to your library if you like it. ??

 Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Anomaly

    "Gather around, lost souls. You are needed on a grand and dangerous mission to save Verena from the clutches of darkness." Aurelia announced, his voice ringing out with a sense of urgency.


    "I knew it," Jean interrupted, her tone tinged with frustration.


    "You should probably let him finish," Ryota interjected, his attempt to defuse the tension palpable in his voice.


    Aurelia nodded gratefully at Ryota before continuing, "The Verena continent faces a threat never seen before, and you all have been summoned to their aid."


    He scanned the room, taking in the varied reactions of his audience, before pressing on. "Half of the world has already been corrupted by the dark lord and his twelve generals of destruction. Your mission is to take up the mantle as summoned warriors and join the fight to stop the dark lord''s reign."


    As Aurelia paused, he could see unease spreading across the faces of those gathered, the weight of their newfound responsibility settling heavily upon their shoulders.


    "Don''t be scared, you won''t be going empty-handed. I suppose you''re all familiar with sses and skills," Aurelia reassured them with a faint smile.


    "I hope you''re not sending us to a world simr to a video game. I have no knowledge with things like that." a young girl dressed in the same uniform as Ryota spoke up, her voice tinged with uncertainty.


    With a deep sigh and a broad smile, Aurelia turned his attention to the girl. "And you are?" he asked gently.


    "Emi Suzuki. That''s my name. I''m Ryota''s ssmate," she replied, her tone soft yet resolute.


    "It is somewhat simr but not totally," Aurelia replied, his smilecking its previous warmth.


    "Somewhat? Care to borate?" Emi inquired, her curiosity piqued.


    Aurelia began to exin, but before he could continue, a gothic girl at the back cut in. "We get stronger and level by training and other activities. I presume by hunting the bad guys we''ll get points and get stronger. But if we die, we die for real. There''s no restart button like in a video game. That world is going to be our lives and there''s no turning back."


    Aurelia hid his annoyance as he concluded, "Th... That about sums it up... And who might you be?"


    "Charlotte. Charlotte nc." she replied with a sigh.


    "That is correct. But the skills and sses you''ll all choose will help you to survive this ordeal," Aurelia assures them, his tone more reassuring now.


    "So how do I pick out skills and ss? And who gets to choose first?" Emi asks, her curiosity evident.


    "I''m d you asked," Aurelia says with a broad smile, sensing the anticipation in the room.


    ''Here ites,'' Ethan sighs, adjusting himself in his seat.


    "You all get to draw straws," Aurelia continues yfully, as the materials appear floating next to him.


    *****


    As the proceedings unfolded, Ethan found himself caught off guard as a translucent screen materialized before him, disying a series of cryptic messages


    [Anomaly detected]


    [Condition has been met]


    [Adjustingpatibility]


    [Throne of Life 1/1 , Do you wish to continue? Y/N.]


    The sudden appearance of the screen sent a shiver down Ethan''s spine, his confusion mounting with each passing moment. ''I''m pretty sure this never happened in the book. What''s going on?'' he muttered, his mind reeling with uncertainty.


    ''Throne of Life? What''s that?'' Ethan wondered, his brow furrowed in confusion. ''How don''t I know about it? And what does it mean by Continue?''


    The mysterious messages left Ethan feeling more bewildered than ever, his sense of unease growing with each unanswered question. As he sought to make sense of the strange urrence, Ethan couldn''t shake the feeling that something big was about to happen.


    With a mixture of trepidation and resignation, Ethan reassured himself, ''Alright, what''s the worst that could happen? I''m already dead anyways.''


    Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, he reasoned, ''I guess this window works just like the normal ones in the book, though. Yes.''


    Ethan epted the mysterious invitation and clicked the confirmation button, bracing himself for whatever revtionsy beyond the ''Throne of Life.''


    As Ethan processed the rewards bestowed upon him, his disbelief gradually gave way to excitement and incredulity. ''I get rewards for epting? These are all broken skills, and I''m getting them for free?'' he marveled, his eyes widening in astonishment.


    [Gluttony EX]


    [Skill Forge EX]


    [Status Illusion A]


    [Checkpoint A]


    ''A skill that lets me scan and copy others'' skills? Too bad it won''t let me appraise them, another for making skills bybining already existing ones but there are restrictions, a skill to help hide my real stats, and a skill to create checkpoints for quick transport like in a video game. These are all crazy.'' Ethan eximed, internally.


    But it was the revtion of his maxed-out luck that truly caught his attention, eliciting a grin of satisfaction. ''Maxed out luck.'' he murmured, his grin widening. ''I''m basically untouchable.''


    As he scanned through the rest of the rewards, Ethan''s excitement was tempered by a sense of realization. ''20 stat points and I can distribute them as I please? That''s convenient, considering that the game distributed our points automatically depending on our ss.'' he noted, his mind already racing with possibilities.


    But then, a nagging thought crept into Ethan''s mind. ''ss... That''s right, my ss is Anomaly, but I''ve never seen that before. This might be troublesome.'' he sighed, a flicker of concern clouding his expression as he contemted the implications of his newfound abilities.


    Ethan began allocating his stat points, carefully considering the best distribution for his newfound abilities.


    ''Now for distribution. I''ll put 7 in both strength and MP, 4 for HP, and 1 for Perception and agility. Let''s skip intelligence for now.'' he decided, his choices reflecting a bnce of offensive power, magical prowess, and survivability.


    ''I guess I could always rewrite my stats when necessary.'' Ethan mused, acknowledging the flexibility afforded by his newfound control over his attributes.


    As he finalized his decisions, the window appeared once again, bearing a simple yet profound message:


    [Congrattions]


    Ethan rose from his seat, a devilish grin ying on his lips as he addressed the gathered souls.


    ''I think it''s time to y along with the story.'' he dered, his voice tinged with a hint of mischief.


    ''Let''s draw straws.'' he continued, his grin widening as he made his way towards the group, eager to participate in the age-old tradition of random selection.


    As he left the seat he had been upying, Ethan failed to notice the subtle cracks that appeared beneath him.

 Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Unlucky Throne

    Ethan sauntered back to the group, slipping seamlessly into the midst of hispanions. Despite his brief absence, it seemed that no one had noticed he had left them for a while.


    Meanwhile, Aurelia continued to exin the rules with his trademark calm demeanor, his voice carrying a yful yet sly undertone. "...Once it''s your turn, I''ll send you to a pocket dimension where you''ll be choosing your skills." he exined, his words sparking anticipation among the gathered souls.


    As the excitement in the room grew palpable, Aurelia''s gaze swept over the eager faces before him. "Any skill that gets picked by someone won''t be avable to others." he added, his tone tinged with a hint of mischief, knowing full well thepetitive nature that would soon unfold among the chosen warriors.


    "Excuse me." Ethan interjected, raising his hand to request permission to ask a question.


    "Yes, Ethan, is there a problem?" Aurelia responded, his smile masking a hint of annoyance at the interruption.


    "Well, I want to confirm something. You have no reason to lie, right?" Ethan queried, his smile carrying a hint of innocence, though there was a mischievous glint in his eyes. ''Sly Bastard'', he thought to himself with a smirk.


    "Why would I?" Aurelia replied uneasily, avoiding Ethan''s gaze. ''This kid, I have a bad feeling about him.'' he thought to himself, his smile faltering slightly.


    "Alright then, isn''t it possible to learn that said skill as we progress with our lives if we meet the appropriate conditions?" Ethan asked Aurelia casually, his demeanor nonchnt.


    "Umm, that''s true. But the chances of that happening depend solely on the skill''s rank." Aurelia replied, attempting to save face, though Ethan wasn''t about to let him off the hook.


    "But it''s possible, right?" Ethan persisted, folding his hands and fixing Aurelia with a challenging stare.


    "I didn''t think there was any need for that since the majority of the skills that would probably be chosen would be high-ranked." Aurelia countered, bouncing back as though he felt threatened or sensedpetition of some sort. The revtion caused a flicker of excitement to spread among the gathered souls.


    "Oh really?" Ethan''s response betrayed a hint of irritation, though he had been expecting Aurelia''s evasive tactics. ''Tch... As expected of this sly fox. Not taking full responsibility by giving us false hope.'' he mused silently, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. ''But atleast he''ll stop giving us the half truth.


    It would be more if a hassle if I started exining more than what the others probably know. Although no one has actively admitted to it yet.''


    Both Ethan and Aurelia had almost forgotten that they were not alone. Everyone watched with rapt attention as the two engaged in a subtle battle of wits.


    "W-What else aren''t you telling us though? Um - I''m pretty sure that information was worth telling us from the start too." a voice piped up, its owner clearly nervous as evidenced by the stammering.


    "And you are?" Aurelia inquired, turning his attention towards the neer.


    "D-Dmitry Sokolov, sir," the voice replied, still stammering with apprehension.


    "I knew we shouldn''t have trusted him," Jean added, her tone dripping with sarcasm as if she had been waiting for an opportunity like this to arise.


    "Why don''t we just listen? We can talk about thatter." Ryoto interjected, attempting to mediate the tension in the room, though his true motivation was to move things along and pick a skill.


    "Thank you, hmph..." Aurelia replied, his tone somewhat dismissive as he cleared his throat to regain everyone''s attention. "As I was saying, once a skill is chosen, it won''t appear on the list anymore." He shot a pointed nce at Ethan, his smile holding a hint of challenge.


    "You''ll all be given points which you can use to purchase your skills. The amount of skills you can pick depends on how many points you get. And the amount of points you have depends on your luck." Aurelia continued, his grin widening with each word.


    "Depends on luck? So we''ll be leaving this to fate? How exciting." Ryoto eximed, his excitement palpable.


    ''As always, the Main Character gets excited easily.'' Ethan mumbled with a smirk.


    "This won''t end well." Charlotte sighed, her expression reflecting a mixture of resignation and concern.


    ''It actually will, since all our luck stats are higher than average. I can only imagine what kind of skill I''ll get with my maxed out luck.'' Ethan mused, lost in daydreams with a gleam of anticipation in his eyes.


    "Now, now, settle down. Once you say ''Status Open,'' you''ll be able to see your information. It''ll be limited here but will keep updating itself as time goes on." Aurelia exined calmly, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the group.


    Following his instructions, everyone uttered the words, and immediately, translucent screens appeared before each of them.


    "I can only see mine. I can''t see someone else''s?" a voice sighed, its frustration evident.


    "Well, privacy is key. But you can always give someone permission to see your stats." Aurelia replied, a yful glint in his eyes.


    "What the heck? I have zero digits for everything. Even HP! How are we to survive?" another voice shouted, its owner clearly shocked by the revtion.


    "That''s true."


    "Me too."


    "What''s going on?" several others chimed in, their confusion echoing throughout the hall.


    Aurelia snapped his fingers and instructed everyone to check again.


    [Undistributed points: 20]


    [Would you like to distribute?: Y/N] appeared on their screens.


    "Hell yeah. Time to distribute." came a hoarse voice from the crowd.


    "Alright."


    "Nice."


    Simultaneously, everyone selected YES, and the points distributed themselves.


    "Hey, Micheal... Areline or whatever your name is, why can''t I distribute them myself?" a voice challenged Aurelia.


    "Micheal?"Aurelia''s patience reached its limit. With veins bulging on his face, he approached the person and demanded their name.


    "What''s it to you?" the person retorted, standing their ground defiantly.


    "Don''t ever mistake me for that pompous bastard." Aurelia snapped his fingers, and suddenly, lightning struck the room at random, sending everyone scrambling for shelter. The lightning also struck the ce where Ethan had been resting before, causing it to crumble.


    "Oh crap." Aurelia muttered, his anger quickly turning to fear. "I went too far again. I need to fix this before he gets here."


    He turned to the guy and repeated, "Your name."


    "A-Antoine Martin," the person stammered, visibly shaken by the sudden disy of power.


    A new translucent screen appeared before Ethan, bearing an ominous message.


    [Error]


    "Huh? Error." Ethan muttered, his confusion mounting.


    [Throne has been destroyed]


    [Penalty: Zero Luck Stats]


    [Duration: 24 hours]


    "Huh? What happened to my luck stat?" Ethan eximed, his confusion deepening into dismay. "I don''t have anything."


    Ethan started to whine, but then he turned back and realized that what he had been sitting on the whole time was a throne, and it got destroyed when Aurelia decided to flex his power.


    "You have got to be kidding me." He couldn''t believe his eyes. He had literally zero luck for 24 hours and he was yet to pick a skill.

 Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Skill Selection

    "What''s the matter?" Jean asked, her tone tinged with annoyance at the interruption.


    "Well... umm, my luck got restricted, so I basically have zero luck." Ethan exined, his voice heavy with defeat.


    "Yeah right, let me see." Jean requested, disbelief evident in her tone.


    ''I can''t show here my awkward stats and skills, but I can''t really say no after causing a scene.'' Ethan hesitated before recalling, ''Ah, right, the Stat Illusion skill.''


    [Status Illusion]: Rewrite your stats however you choose. Effective with anyone with a 40-level difference and below.


    Ethan activated the skill, swiftly altering his stats to appear simr to everyone else''s.


    Jean nced at his screen and confirmed, "Yep, that''s bad, probably karma for trying Aurelia," her mischievous smile evident.


    "Hey, no fair, you did too. Why am I getting punished?" Ethan retorted, already on the defensive.


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about." Jean smirked, avoiding Ethan''s gaze.


    Ethan wasn''t angry, but it did irk him that Jean was trying to make fun of him. ''Damn it.'' he thought to himself, frustrated by the situation.


    Aurelia had been watching for a while and couldn''t contain the amusement he derived from Ethan''s misfortune.


    "This is interesting, it''s the first time I''m seeing it happen, but s, we don''t have much time. Let''s start." Aurelia announced, eager to proceed.


    "Time my ass. You just want me to pick a skill before the duration is over," Ethan grumbled to himself in spite, his frustration simmering beneath the surface.


    Ryota won the first draw and was sent to the space where he''d pick his skills.


    While everyone waited, others who felt sorry for Ethan tried to encourage him.


    "It''ll be fine."


    "Don''t think about it too much."


    "You''ll never know, maybe there''s a reason your luck got restricted." Meanwhile, some taunted and made fun of him.


    "Serves him right."


    "Maybe next time you''ll keep your manners in check."


    "Leave him alone. None of us even know what''s real anymore," Dmitry defended him.


    "Cedric? Oh Dmitry" Ethan was a bit surprised. None of this happened in the book. ''Well, it''s good he''s trying to man up sooner thanter.'' Ethan thought to himself, giving off a faint smile.


    He looked at everyone and smiled. Although most of them were being mean, they had no bad intentions, and Ethan knew that. This realization made himugh, and soon, most of them joined in.


    "How can you beughing at a time like this?" Jean asked, as if she were the one in trouble.


    "I have no idea," Ethan replied with a shrug, hisughter still echoing in the hall.


    *****


    Ryota found himself in a bright, serene pond, devoid of anything except the shimmering water beneath his feet. Though walking on water would have surprised him in the past, he had seen enough by now that it felt like child''s y.


    Suddenly, thousands of glowing cards came flying from the skies, surrounding him and moving in a whirlwind formation. Aurelia appeared instantly as the cards stopped moving.


    "So, how many points do you have?" Aurelia inquired casually, sipping a cup of tea he conjured out of nowhere.


    "Status Open" Ryota checked, then replied, "900 points, sir."


    Aurelia instantly choked on his tea. "900?" he repeated in disbelief.


    "Yes, sir," Ryota confirmed, puzzled by Aurelia''s reaction.


    "Then your luck stat? What does it say?" Aurelia asked eagerly, his usual calm demeanor reced by excitement.


    "300. What''s the matter?" Ryota asked, growing confused. He hadn''t expected Aurelia to react so strongly.


    "300?" Aurelia shouted in astonishment. "An average person gets about 50 to 90 luck stats, and you''re telling me you got 300?"


    Ryota felt a sense of pride swell within him, but he couldn''t shake the thought of whether hispanions would have simr luck. ''Would be great if they all did.''


    "Alrighty, there are 7 ranks of skills avable to choose from. Each needs a different amount of points based on the rank," Aurelia exined.


    "S - 300


    A - 200


    B - 150


    C - 100


    D - 90


    E - 70


    F - 50"


    "Take your time. It moves much slower here," Aurelia added with a smile.


    "Whoa, amazing, just like in a video game," Ryota eximed, marveling at the array of skills before him.


    Ryota surfed through all the skills, taking his time to read each one''s pros and cons before making his pick.


    [Heaven''s Blessing: S] - 300


    [Divine Defence: A] - 200


    [Inferno: A] - 200


    [Regeneration: A] - 200


    "Are you satisfied with your choice? Y/N," the prompt appeared before him.


    "Yes," Ryota confirmed.


    [Status updated]


    [New Skills Acquired]


    [Excess points will vanish immediately]


    "Too bad I can''t add those to my luck," Ryota remarked with a faintugh as he looked at his stats:


    =====


    Current Name: Ryota Sato


    Level: Null


    HP: 5


    MP: 5


    Strength: 5


    Agility: 4


    Intelligence: 1


    Perception: 1


    Luck: 300


    Skills:


    - [Heaven''s Blessing: S]


    - [Divine Defence: A]


    - [Inferno: A]


    - [Regeneration: A]


    =====


    "That will be all, you can leave now," Aurelia snapped his fingers, and the door he used to enter appeared once more for Ryota to leave.


    Exiting the space, Ryota found almost everyoneughing upon his return.


    "Yo, hope I wasn''t gone for too long," Ryota greeted, unaware of the situation.


    "It''s only been 10 minutes, and I know that because I have a freaking time in front of me," one of the others replied.


    "Okay, sure," Ryota responded, not fully understanding until someone exined it to him. "Oh. Oh no, that''s bad."


    Ryota started to panic. "What do we do?" he asked, flustered and concerned.


    "You don''t need to worry about m..." Ethan began, but Aurelia interrupted him abruptly.


    "Move along now. We don''t have all day," Aurelia interjected with a devious smirk.


    "I see what you did there. ''We don''t have all day''? Really?" Ethan forced a smile, but underneath, he was seething with anger.


    "Did you say something?" Aurelia''s expression shifted as he snapped his fingers.


    "Nothing." Ethan muttered, looking away, knowing he had lost this round.


    "That''s what I thought. Let''s continue." Aurelia dered, bringing out the straws and the cup. He shook it, and everyone except Ryota picked.


    This time, it was Jean who won and stepped into the space.


    And the selection continued like this, with Dmitry being the sixth to go. As the others used the time to start conversations and get to know each other better, Ethan grew increasingly anxious. He had read every book from the WAR BOUND series, yed every offline RPG and MMORPG, and watched all the movies and anime adaptations until he knew them like the back of his hand.


    As the talks continued, Ethan realized that everyone was ounted for except one person.


    ''Well, here I was thinking it was going to be smooth sailing.'' Ethan sighed.


    A sense of defeat washed over him, and he let out a bitterugh. ''But if that''s the case, then there''s only one character remaining. A trash kid who doesn''t even survive till 16. Even Jean lives to see twenty. Tch...''


    Ethan felt defeated and out of breath, the weight of his realization pressing down on him heavily.


    "And here I was thinking it was going to be smooth sailing," Ethan sighed, his expression shifting from bright to fearful. "Everyone''s name is the same as those from the franchise, and therefore their lives are already set. I''m pretty sure I got this penalty from the system so I don''t change their destinies."


    Ethan''s smile turned mischievous. "But if that''s the case, then there''s only one character remaining. A trash kid who doesn''t even survive till 17. Even Jean lives to see 20. Tch..."


    He pondered for a moment, the implications sinking in.


    "I''ll worry about thatter. With my ability and knowledge, I''m sure I can divert that fate." Ethan assured himself quietly. "What''s more important now is..." His thoughts trailed off as he watched Dmitry emerge from the selection space.


    Activate [Gluttony]'' Ethan whispered to himself, triggering his unique skill.


    [Gluttony]: User can scan and copy any desired skill.


    Scan Duration: 10 seconds


    Coold down: 30 minutes


    Individual Cool down: 1 week


    "Let''s see what you''ve got for me, Dmitry," Ethan muttered with a barely concealed smile.


    *


    *


    *


    [A/N]


    He''s finally going to use it.


    That''s a relief.


    Don''t forget to add to your collection andment too.

 Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Its Finally Time

    ''It''s been 3 hours and I''ve used my skill 6 times. Although the skill didn''t work on Aurelia.'' Ethan mused yfully, a hint of disappointment in his voice. ''Now...'' His smile widened. ''Let''s see what you''ve got for me, Dmitry.'' he said, feeling excited.


    =====


    Current Name: Dmitry Sokolov


    Level: 1


    HP: 3


    MP: 3


    Strength: 3


    Agility: 1


    Intelligence: 9


    Perception: 1


    Luck: 185


    Skills:


    - [Blueprint A]


    - [Gifted Hands A]


    - [Simtion B]


    =====


    ''Blueprint and Simtion. I''ll be needing both. Too bad it has a one week cool down and I probably won''t be seeing him for like 6 years after now.'' Ethan mused, contemting his options.


    [Copying Skill: Simtion B]


    [Continue? Y/N]


    ''Hell yeah'' he thought to himself.


    This continued for 7 hours, with Ethan able to copy 13 skills. Since he was the only one left, there was no need to draw straws. Aurelia opened the space for him, and he walked in, feeling confident.


    Inside the space, Aurelia exined what Ethan needed to do. Ethan remained quiet as he sifted through the skills.


    "Hey! Are you ignoring me? Because that''s what it looks like right now." Aurelia snapped, his patience wearing thin.


    ''I can''t really stall for time, so I guess this will have to do.'' Ethan felt like sulking. "Hey, Michael, I need a loan." Ethan said casually, without looking at Aurelia.


    "What did you just call me, brat?" Aurelia''s irritation was evident.


    "I''ll really kill you if you keep disrespecting..." Aurelia couldn''t finish his threat.


    "Nope. You can''t kill me. Not that you can''t anyways, but you won''t, am I wrong?" Ethan folded his arms before turning with a smirk.


    ''What''s with this kid?'' Aurelia thought to himself. "Why do you think so?"


    "Simple, I''m still alive."


    "Huh?" Aurelia felt confused.


    "There''s no way someone like you won''t be able to kill someone who gets on your nerves, and throwing a fit instead of striking that Martin guy proves it." Ethan maintained his smirk before turning away. "The reason you can''t is simply because if you do, you''ll get in trouble with the big guy."


    Now Aurelia was flustered. "How do you know about my maker?"


    "None of your business. Are you giving me the loan or not, or... Since you like games, how about a gamble?" Ethan baited him, knowing Aurelia''s fondness for games and jesting. Since he was a bit upied by the thought of his maker, he wasn''t in a logical state on mind and this was what Ethan was aiming for. Changing the loan to a gamble was sure to pique his interest, and Ethan knew this.


    "So, what''s the bet?" Aurelia inquired, pretending not to care.


    "Easy actually. Give me 50 points, and I''ll guess the sses three people will get. If I''m correct, you forget you gave me those points." Ethan proposed.


    Aurelia looked skeptical. "Hmmm, what''s in it for me?"


    "If I get any wrong, then I''ll take the me for that throne you broke," Ethan countered.


    "Deal," Aurelia agreed, though he seemed amused by Ethan''s proposition. ''I thought you were a smart kid, but I must''ve been mistaken. Hehehe.''  Aurelia whispered to himself. "Here you go." With a snap of his fingers, points appeared on Ethan''s screen.


    "I''ll take [Search: F]" Ethan picked a dull-looking card.


    "Sure, whatever." Aurelia replied, not particrly interested.


    "Alright, it''s your turn." Aurelia rushed Ethan.


    "Ryota will get the Hero ss, Jean Priestess, and Dmitry will get three sses being Artisan, cksmith and Tinkerer. My guess is based on their current skills and stats." Ethan confidently announced with a devilish smile.


    "Guess they gave you that information willingly. But still, even I can''t predict what ss anyone will get. Just prepare to face God''s wrath for me. Hahaha." Aureliaughed heartily. "You really are dumb. Those sses have the lowest chance of appearing, plus you''re saying someone will get a Trio ss?"


    "We''ll just have to wait and see." Ethan kept smiling and didn''t say a word, which annoyed Aurelia even more. He prompted  Ethan to leave. As Ethan walked out, he saw everyone waiting for him.


    *****


    "I thought you''d try to stall for time or something as dumb as that." Jean remarked, trying to provoke him.


    Ethan chuckled and replied, "I see your attitude is as nonexistent as your chest."


    "Huh?" The insult really struck a nerve maybe because it was partly true, or maybe because that wasn''t the first time someone told her thst. "What did you just say to me? I''ll beat you myself." Jean fumed, slowly advancing towards Ethan with pure animosity in her eyes.


    "Ha, you better run for it, Ethan." Ryota joked, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere.


    "G-Good idea..." Ethan stammered nervously, though he couldn''t understand why he felt intimidated.


    "Now let''s see what ss you all got." Aurelia interrupted eagerly, wearing a perverted grin as he snapped his fingers, summoning Ryota, Dmitry, and Jean before him.


    "What did we do now? And what''s with that smirk of yours?" Jean inquired, suspicioncing her tone as she eyed Aurelia.


    "I''m saving you three forter." Aurelia responded cryptically, snapping his fingers before instructing everyone except Ryota, Dmitry, and Jean to check their status.


    Everyone eagerly checked their status to see what sses they had been assigned. Emi Suzuki discovered she had the Mage ss, Antoine Martin was designated as a Rogue, and a few, like Charlotte, possessed dual sses such as Healer/Alchemist.


    As Ethan checked his status, he received a pop-up message:


    [Updating ss]


    [New ss: Magic Swordsman]


    "I got a dual ss? Cool." Ethan eximed with a mix of surprise and excitement.


    With joy and curiosity, everyone freely and happily announced their sses, each embracing their newfound roles with enthusiasm.


    "That''s not right. What did you do? Your ss shouldn''t be that good. Have you forgotten your luck isn''t good right now?" Jean questioned, suspicion evident in her tone.


    "Sorry, man, but she''s got a point." Ryota chimed in, backing Jean''s concern.


    "No idea. Check yours, we don''t have all day." Ethan deflected, attempting to change the subject. Despite his attempt to divert attention, Jean remained unconvinced but chose to keep quiet.


    "Alright, check yours." Aurelia directed towards the remaining three individuals.


    Just as Ethan predicted, Ryota received the Hero ss, Jean got the Priestess ss, and Dmitry obtained a trio ss of Artisan/cksmith/Tinkerer.


    Aurelia was left speechless. He had just lost a bet in an unbelievable manner. ''I win.'' Ethan muttered to himself triumphantly.


    "How did you..." Aurelia began, but Ethan cut him short with a simple "Luck."


    Everyone watched the exchange, not fully understanding the context of the argument. However, Jean''s suspicion of Ethan only grew.


    "You''re telling me he''s got the guts to argue with someone who made lightning rain in this hall? I''m sure he did something," Jean insisted.


    "Oh,e on, maybe they bonded or something," Ryota offered optimistically.


    "Highly unlikely," Jean rebutted.


    "I''ve never met any human as troublesome as you. Apart from her anyways," Aurelia muttered to himself, lost in thought and unaware that everyone could hear him.


    "Huh? What are you whining about?" Ethan teased, noticing Aurelia''s distraction.


    "Oh, was I thinking out loud?" Aurelia snapped back to reality. "Nothing, you brat."


    "Oh?" Ethan prodded further.


    "You''ll all be sent to different great families of Verena based on your sses," Aurelia exined, sighing. "This is as far as our meeting goes. I bid you farewell." With a snap of his fingers, everyone vanished, leaving Aurelia alone in the empty hall.


    He looked at the broken throne and sighed. "I had fun, at least. Ethan, huh?"


    *****


    "Huh? Now where am I?" Ethan struggled to see, but he could hear voices around him. He felt confined and unable to move freely. Gradually, he regained consciousness, only to be confronted by the sight of an enormous person looming over him. ''What the...'' he thought, startled.


    "Honey, our little baby is awake," a female voice eximed, addressing someone else in the room.


    "Don''t you think he''s awfully quiet, dear?" the other person responded.


    "I think so too, but he seems to be in good health," she reassured.


    ''Baby? Me? Oh, that''s right, I''m a baby,'' Ethan realized slowly. ''Oh my god, I''m a baby. Ahhhhhh!'' he tried to scream, but it came out as crying.


    "That''s better," the woman, who appeared to be his mother, said as she lifted him up. "So, what do we name him? I already named ourst child, so this one is all yours," she smiled at him.


    "Well... I suck at naming, but if you insist," the man, clearly his father, replied. "Jett." With a smile. "Jett Grift."


    *


    *


    *


    The adventure finally begins


    From now on it Jett not Ethan.


    Hope you all can get use to it. ?_?

 Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Welcoming the Newborn

    In the small town of Lagia, nestled amidst rolling hills and lush greenery, the news of a newborn brought a wave of joy and excitement that swept through the cobblestone streets and timber-framed houses. The air was filled with the melodious tunes of minstrels ying lutes and harps, their music echoing through the narrow alleys and bustling market squares.


    Vibrant banners and colorful ribbons adorned every corner, fluttering in the gentle breeze as if dancing to the lively rhythm of the festivities. The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meats wafted from the open doors of taverns and bakeries, enticing passersby with their savory scent.


    In the town square, a grand celebration was underway. Tablesden with sumptuous feasts lined the perimeter, groaning under the weight of roasted game, tters of fruits and cheeses, and gons of frothy ale and spiced wine. Vigers gathered around, chatting merrily and raising their cups in toast to the newborn and his family.


    Children ran through the streets, theirughter echoing off the ancient stone walls as they yed games and chased each other in yful abandon. Jugglers and acrobats performed daring feats, their colorful costumes dazzling the crowds with their skill and artistry.


    Amidst the revelry, the Lord and Lady of Lagia stood proudly, cradling their newborn son in their arms. "Tonight we feast." The Lord dered. They beamed with pride as they introduced him to everyone, sharing in the joyous asion with all who had gathered to celebrate.


    "Lagia, huh? Of all the ces to be born," Jett mused to himself, his thoughts drifting as he gazed around at the vibrant celebration unfolding before him. "I guess I can me that 24-hour restriction for this. Whatever, I''ll make do with this."


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the town, the celebration reached its peak. Bonfires were lit, casting flickering shadows that danced upon the faces of the revelers. Musicians yed joyful melodies, and dancers twirled and spun in a whirl of color and light.


    It was a night ofughter, love, and new beginnings, a celebration to wee the newest member of the Lagiamunity into the world.


    As the festivities swirled around Jett, formerly known as Ethan, felt a mix of emotions wash over him. It was surreal to find himself in this new world, surrounded by the warmth and joy of his new family andmunity. Despite the unexpected turn of events, he knew that he had to embrace his new identity and make the most of his fresh start.


    With a determined resolve, Jett watched the revelry unfold before him, feeling a sense of belonging settle within his heart. This was his chance for a new beginning, a chance to forge his own path in this vibrant world. Though uncertain of what the future held, he was determined to face it head-on as Jett Grift.


    As the night wore on and the celebration reached its peak, Jett raised his gaze to the starlit sky, feeling a newfound sense of hope and determination coursing through his veins. Whatever challengesy ahead, he was ready to face them with courage and resilience. For now on, he was Jett Grift.


    After the festivities came to a close, Jett seized the opportunity to feign sleep, hoping to convince his mother, Eva, to take him home earlier. It wasn''t long before she obliged, carrying him to the room that had been specially prepared for him with top security measures in ce.


    As Jetty in his new room, his mind buzzed with thoughts. Despite the strangeness of his situation, he couldn''t help but feel a sense offort. Reflecting on his ability to speak the localnguage fluently even though he sounded like a baby, he realized that all fourteen of them should have possessed this skill from the start.


    However, his proficiency in writing the newnguage set him apart��a skill honed through his extensive reading of the WAR BOUND series and because of his photographic memory.


    While others may have gained their knowledge of this world through video games, movies, or anime adaptations, Jett''s familiarity stemmed from all that too and the original story contained within the books. As he contemted the differences in their experiences, he knew that this world still held many mysteries waiting to be uncovered.


    As Jett settled into his room, a sudden realization struck him. ''Oh right... I need to get that.''  he muttered to himself, feeling a surge of energy despite his immobile state. ''Although I can''t move my body, but I think I can do it regardless.''


    Closing his eyes, Jett attempted to focus his mind on the task at hand. Hours passed as he concentrated intently, but despite his efforts, nothing seemed to happen. All he managed to achieve was a sudden sneeze, prompting a concerned maid to rush to his side.


    Jett  hastily, feiged sleep once more as the maid


    bustled about, tending to his needs.


    After a whole week of focused effort, Jett finally sensed the presence of shiny dust particles scattered throughout his body. ''I can feel it, Lumix. It''s distorted right now, but sensing it is already an achievement on it''s own.'' he remarked to himself with a sense of aplishment.


    With determination fueling his actions, Jett prepared for the next phase of his n. ''Now for the really intense part. Merging all of them to my heart.'' he mused, outlining the three steps he needed to follow. First, he had to familiarize himself with the Lumix particles within him. Then, he would merge them into a single point within his body.


    Finally, he would create an auxiliary circtory system using the Lumix to facilitate movement throughout his body.


    Feeling exhausted from the intense effort, Jett couldn''t help but acknowledge the enormity of the task ahead. ''This is harder than I thought. I don''t think I have any energy left, and I have an enormous lot to cover.'' he admitted to himself, feeling the weight of fatigue settling in.


    However, a spark of realization lit up his mind as he remembered the skills he had copied. ''Oh right. Do I have any skill to raise my stamina?" he wondered. With determination, hemanded, "Open Status," summoning the translucent screen once more to review his capabilities.


    =====


    ss: Magic Swordsman


    Level: 1


    HP: 7


    MP: 7


    Strength: 7


    Agility: 5


    Intelligence:10


    Perception: 4


    Luck: MAX


    Undistributed Points: 5


    Skills:


    - [Gluttony EX]


    - [Skill Forge S]


    - [Rewrite Illusion A]


    - [Checkpoint A]


    -[Search F]


    Copied Skills:


    - [Heaven''s Blessing S]


    - [Market Value S]


    - [Arcane Barrage A]


    - [Beast Mastery A]


    - [Divine Insight A]


    - [Divine Judgment A]


    - [Elemental Concoctions A]


    - [Elemental Mastery A]


    - [Soul Drain A]


    - [Spellde Symphony A]


    - [de Storm B]


    - [Holographic Decoy B]


    - [Simtion B]


    =====


    Contemting the skill he acquired from Ryota, Jett couldn''t help but muse, "Heaven''s Blessing. The skill I got from Ryota." He paused, a wry smile touching his lips. "Ha, I guess Ryota isn''t his name anymore."


    As he delved deeper into his thoughts, Jett pondered their unique predicament. He realized that theirpanions probably couldn''t grasp the full extent of their situation because, apart from the book, no other form of media covered the skill selection part. They all began the story from when the heroes graduated. However, Jett was an exception, destined to meet his demise before then.


    "But I refuse to let that happen. I''ll survive," he resolved with determination, his gaze set on oveing the challenges ahead.


    "While I''m at it, I might as well test my Skill Forge EX rank skill," Jett mused. Recalling the skill''s description.


    [Skill Forge EX]: Allows the user tobine two or more skills to create new or unique skill.


    He activated it and a pop-up message appeared.


    [Pick Skills for Synthesis]


    "Let''s do [Spellde Symphony A] and [de Storm B]"


    [Do you wish to continue Y/N]


    "Yes"


    [Synthesising...]


    [Synthesis Complete]


    [New Skill: Spellde Storm A]


    [Spellde Symphony and de Storm have lost]


    [New Skill: Spellde Storm A]


    Jett''s eyes widened in amazement at the sessful synthesis. "Woah," he eximed, impressed by his newfound ability to create unique skills through synthesis.


    *


    *


    *


    Hehehe


    Did anyone notice the Undistributed points?


    He''s finally using that skill ( ??? )

 Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Lagia

    With a sense of aplishment, Jett proceeded to merge [Holographic Decoy] with [Simtion], resulting in the creation of [Tactical Mirage A]. Satisfied with his progress, he felt the fatigue setting in and decided it was time to rest. Drifting off to sleep.


    Focused solely on his training, Jett dedicated an entire month to refining his control over his Lumix, undistracted by anything else. By the fourth month, he had mastered the second step of his n. However, he knew that the final step was the most perilous, requiring precise knowledge of human anatomy to sessfully recreate his circtory system with Lumix.


    Understanding the importance of this knowledge, Jett resolved to acquire it before proceeding further.


    As two years passed, Jett found himself able to walk around and converse with others, a significant improvement from his earlier state. Though his stats remained unchanged, he appeared healthier and more robust than children his age.


    ustomed to his life as the Lord''s son, Jett embraced his honorable title, despite its lower statuspared to other nobles. His father, Jerry, was a cheerful and charismatic man who had earned the title of Lord through his valiant service to the King, defending the realm against dangerous monsters and bandits. Lagia was bestowed upon him as his territory to govern.


    Jett''s mother hailed from a noble family, renowned for her exceptional magical prowess and captivating beauty. She had crossed paths with Jerry when she fled her home to pursue a life of adventure. Joining the same adventuring party, they faced numerous trials together, forging a deep bond that blossomed into love.


    Recognizing the obstacles posed by her family''s disapproval, the King appointed Jerry as Lord, thereby addressing both their love and political concerns simultaneously.


    Lagia, once a destend, witnessed a transformation under Jerry''s leadership as its Lord. Initially abandoned, it attracted residents who either held deep respect for Jerry due to his valorous deeds or sought refuge when they had nowhere else to turn. Together, they worked tirelessly to cultivate thend, making it more hospitable for habitation.


    Farming and fishing emerged as the primary sources of revenue, allowing Lagia to sustain itself, albeit barely meeting the needs of its inhabitants after taxes.


    Observing the fertile but parched fields and overhearing the concerns of the local farmers, Jett resolved to take matters into his own hands. Drawing upon his knowledge and skills gained from his previous life, he formted a n to address Lagia''s irrigation problems using his [Elemental Mastery] skill.


    The problem was as simple as irrigation and basic farming concepts, which the residents of Lagia struggled to grasp.


    "If I had the blueprint skill... Tch," Jett thought to himself. "At least that''s not the only way to solve my problem. It''s still doable."


    Jett dashed off to the closest point of the river to the farm, panting heavily from the exertion. "Huff huff huff... I''m all out of stamina. I guess that''s my limit. But anyways..." He stood by the river and activated "[Checkpoint]" to save the location, ensuring he wouldn''t have to run back there. He had already marked his house with the same skill for convenience.


    However, he wouldn''t be able to use it for 24 hours.


    Though the distance from the river to where the crops were nted was considerable, Jett consoled himself. "If you don''t do this, Lagia won''t generate enough revenue. And if Lagia doesn''t get enough revenue, your allowance will reduce in the future.


    And you''re going to need it." Despite enjoying theforts of his noble status, he couldn''t ignore the pressing issues guing his father''s territory, particrly the struggles with irrigation that hindered Lagia''s agricultural productivity.


    Under the guise of exploring the outskirts of Lagia, Jett ventured to the closest point of the river, where he meticulously began to manipte water with his elemental mastery skill. With precise control and careful calction, he created an artificial path for water to flow into thend, guiding it towards the thirsty fields in need of irrigation.


    However, Jett''s efforts were met with challenges. His limited MP posed a significant obstacle, forcing him to pause and rest each time his energy was depleted. Despite the exhaustion and strain on his abilities, Jett persisted, driven by his determination to make a difference in Lagia and improve the lives of its residents.


    Meanwhile, Jerry, Jett''s father, grew increasingly curious about his son''s whereabouts and activities. Suspecting that Jett was spending a significant amount of time away from home, Jerry began to inquire and investigate, hoping to uncover the truth behind his son''s mysterious behavior.


    However, Jett remained vignt, careful to conceal his actions and keep his newfound abilities hidden from prying eyes. He took precautions to ensure that his use of the [Checkpoint] skill remained undetected, even from his own parents, as he continued his ndestine efforts to transform Lagia''sndscape and secure its future prosperity.


    Despite the challenges and risks involved, Jett was determined to persevere, knowing that his actions held the potential to bring about positive change and make asting impact on Lagia and its people.


    As the weeks passed, Jett''s tireless efforts to improve Lagia''s irrigation system bore fruit. The once parched fields now flourished with vibrant greenery, nourished by the steady flow of water that Jett had orchestrated through his elemental mastery.


    Eager to share the good news with Lord Jerry, the local farmers ventured to the lord''s estate to report the miraculous transformation of theirnds. Excited chatter filled the air as they recounted the remarkable changes they had witnessed, praising the mysterious benefactor who had seemingly worked wonders overnight.


    However, despite their best efforts to locate the individual responsible for this remarkable feat, the vigers could find no trace of the elusive figure. Their search yielded no clues or evidence, leaving them perplexed and bewildered by the enigma surrounding Lagia''s newfound prosperity.


    Back at the lord''s estate, Jerry listened intently to the vigers'' ounts, his curiosity piqued by their tales of inexplicable transformation. Although he shared in their joy and relief at the improved irrigation, he couldn''t shake off a lingering sense of suspicion and curiosity about the mysterious benefactor behind this remarkable change.


    Unbeknownst to him, his own son, Jett, stood among the crowd, quietly observing the scene unfold. Concealed by the veil of secrecy and anonymity, Jett watched with a mixture of satisfaction and trepidation, knowing that his actions had brought about positive change for Lagia but also wary of the consequences should his true identity be revealed.


    As the years passed, Jett continued his ndestine efforts to improve himself and contribute to the prosperity of Lagia, all while maintaining the facade of a dutiful son and heir to the Grift family. With each passing day, he delved deeper into the intricacies of his newfound abilities, honing his skills and expanding his knowledge of the world around him.


    His training regimen was rigorous and disciplined, epassing a wide range of practices and studies aimed at enhancing his physical, mental, and magical prowess. Through meditation, he learned to harness thetent power of his Lumix, channeling its energy with precision and control.


    He practiced the application of his skills, refining his techniques and mastering the intricacies of spellcasting and swordsmanship.


    In addition to his physical and magical training, Jett devoted himself to the study of noble etiquette and diplomacy, recognizing the importance of social graces and political acumen in navigating theplexities of aristocratic society.


    Under the tutge of his parents, he learned the art of diplomacy, cultivating rtionships with other noble families and gaining insight into the inner workings of courtly politics.


    Yet, amidst his rigorous training and studies, Jett also found time to expand his understanding of the world beyond Lagia. He delved into ancient texts and historical records, seeking knowledge about thends beyond his own domain and the mysteries thaty hidden in the annals of history.


    Through his studies, he gained a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of cultures and civilizations that inhabited the world, broadening his perspective and deepening his understanding of the forces that shaped their lives.


    But perhaps most importantly, Jett focused on mastering two critical aspects of his magical abilities: aura and mana maniption. These elemental energies formed the foundation of his magical prowess and swordsmanship, enabling him to unleash devastating spells and wield his enchanted de with unparalleled skill.


    Through tireless practice and dedication, he honed his control over these potent forces, unlocking new depths of power and unlocking the full potential of his abilities as a magic swordsman.


    Throughout it all, Jett remained vignt, mindful of the delicate bnce between his secret endeavors and his public persona as the heir to the Grift family.


    *****


    Jett was suddenly jolted awake from his deep slumber, his body protesting the early hour after a long night of training and study. As he struggled to shake off the remnants of sleep, Maria, his personal maid, entered the room with gentle insistence, her voice a soothing melody that cut through the fog of drowsiness.


    "Good morning, young master," Maria greeted him, her warm smile tempered by the urgency of the day''s events. "Today is a special day, or have you forgotten?"


    Jett groaned in response, burying his face in the soft folds of his nket in a feeble attempt to shield himself from the invading sunlight. "Just five more minutes," he mumbled, his voice muffled by the fabric.


    But his respite was short-lived as his mother, Eva, swept into the room with all the force of a raging tempest. Her fiery demeanor and steely gaze left no room for negotiation as she demanded his immediate attention.


    "Jett Grift, you better get yourzy ass off that bed before I make you wish you''ll never see another one again," she dered, her toneced with equal parts exasperation and affection, her right palm alight with flickering mes that danced in the morning light.


    Startled by his mother''s fierce admonition, Jett reluctantly dragged himself out of bed, still struggling to fullyprehend the gravity of the situation. "Alright, alright," he grumbled, his protestations falling on deaf ears as he trudged towards the door. "But what''s the big asion anyway?"


    Eva''s expression softened slightly as she regarded her son with a mixture of amusement and fondness. "It''s your birthday, dear, and also your awakening day," she exined, her voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "I can''t believe you forgot. And your sister ising to celebrate too."


    Jett''s confusion only deepened at the mention of a sister, his mind racing to reconcile this new information with his existing understanding of his family. "I have a sister?" he echoed, his voice tinged with incredulity. "How could you forget to tell me something like that?"


    *


    *


    *


    Not even the maids or guards told him? No one (��.��)


    Poor Jett

 Chapter 8: Chapter 8: It cant be helped

    "Don''t feel too bad, she only just found out too." Eva offered with a nervous smile, hoping to ease the tension that hung in the air.


    Jett''s unease only deepened at his mother''s admission. "That doesn''t make it any better. If anything, that''s even worse." he replied, his toneced with uncertainty. "When is sheing?" he asked, trying to push aside his apprehension.


    "She''s already here." Eva revealed, her smile widening with anticipation.


    Jett''s eyes widened in surprise at the news. "She''s already here?" he repeated, caught off guard by the sudden revtion. "I better go see her."


    But before he could make a move to leave, his mother intercepted him with a firm hand. "You''re not going out there dressed like that young man." she admonished, her gaze sweeping over Jett''s disheveled appearance.


    "I''ll clean up once I see her." Jett protested, still yawning and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.


    Eva''s expression softened, but her resolve remained unyielding. "And I''ll rain lightning on you before that ever happens." she retorted, her smile belying the seriousness of her threat.


    Jett chuckled nervously, realizing the futility of arguing with his mother. "C''mon Mom, I was joking. There''s no need to threaten your own son like that." he quipped, hisughter tinged with a hint of apprehension. ''She''s really scary.'' he thought to himself as he hastily made his way to the bath.


    Meanwhile, Eva couldn''t help but reminisce as she watched her son hurry off. "Six years already? They grow up so fast." she murmured, a trace of sadness coloring her words as she contemted the passage of time.


    Jett emerged from his room, now dressed in the new clothes specially tailored for the asion. The fabric was pristine, and the cut of the garments bespoke elegance and refinement. It was clear that no expense had been spared for this special day.


    The awakening day held great significance in this world. On one''s 6th birthday, children were considered to havee of age, and they would undergo an appraisal at the church to determine their ss, regardless of their social status. This appraisal would often shape their future and influence their path in life.


    For Jett, who had just turned six, this day marked a pivotal moment. As the potential heir of House Grift, his ss appraisal carried even greater weight and importance. It was time to discover what destiny had in store for him, a realization that dawned upon him as he reflected on the events of the morning.


    Jett finally made his way down to the dining room, where his father and mother awaited him. As he scanned the room, he couldn''t spot the guest he was expecting. "Mother? Where is sh..." Before he could finish his sentence, he felt someone pounce on him from behind.


    Instincts honed from secret training and perhaps a gamer''s intuition kicked in, allowing him to react swiftly and dodge just in time. As he turned around, he saw the surprised expressions on everyone''s faces and realized he may have revealed a bit much. ''Gosh.'' he thought to himself.


    "Oh? My little brother must really be swift." a female voice sounded from behind him. "Is that your doing, father?"


    "Little brother? Could she be...?" Jett, still on guard, was shocked to discover that the neer had managed to approach him unnoticed. Before he could react, she enveloped him in a monstrous hug, lifting him off his feet and leaving him gasping for air. "Ack..."


    "Ahhh... Mercy," Jett managed to blurt out, feeling like he was being squeezed to death. "Save me."


    "That''s enough, Neri. You can put your brother down now." Eva sighed. "I swear you act more and more like your father every day." She shot a disapproving look at Jerry.


    "Sorry about that, little bro. I just got super excited. Hope I didn''t hurt you." Neri apologized with a smile.


    Finally released from the bear hug, Jett got a good look at her face and was speechless. "Sis?"


    "Yep, that''s me." she confirmed.


    "Ember? Is it really you?" Jett felt a surge of emotion welling up inside him.


    "Who''s Ember?" Neri asked, curious.


    "Oh, nothing," Jett replied quickly, trying to regain hisposure.


    In his past life, Jett also had an older sister named Ember, someone he cherished more than anyone else. They did everything together and were as close as siblings could be. Both avid gamers, they bonded over their shared love for the MMORPG: WAR BOUND. Throughout the game, no one came close to their duo in ranking or stats. They were the best, even though Jett couldn''t surpass Ember.


    However, tragedy struck when they were invited to apetition on a cruise.


    Ethan got lost, and Ember went to find him. While searching, she found herself outside and identally fell into the water. Ethan, frantic to find her, asked security for help. One of the guards caught a glimpse of Ember falling into the water, but Ethan was stopped from rushing in because it was too dangerous.


    Despite extensive search efforts, it took two days to find Ember''s body on a nearby ind. Since then, Ethan became a hollow recluse, shunning interaction with others and avoiding going outside. The only sce he found was in memories of his sister and the stories they both loved.


    Now, as he looked at Nerissa, who had the exact face as histe sister, Ethan couldn''t help but wonder if this was fate. "Is this fate?" he thought to himself, gazing at her.


    "Alright, Jett, this is Nerissa Grift, your older sister," Eva introduced her.


    As Jett looked at Nerissa, memories of his beloved sister Ember flooded his mind. The pain of losing her was still fresh, even in this new life as Jett Grift. He couldn''t help but wonder if this meeting with Nerissa was some twist of fate.


    He forced a smile, trying to hide the turmoil inside him. "Nice to meet you, Nerissa," he greeted her politely, though his heart felt heavy with the weight of memories.


    Jett could feel himself on the verge of tears, but he managed to hold them back. "So, where have you been all this time?" he asked Nerissa.


    "In the capital. Apparently, I became a student there the year they gave birth to you," Nerissa replied, casting a disappointed nce at their parents.


    "Isn''t that supposed to onlyst three years? What about the remaining three years?" Jett inquired further.


    "I joined the Adventurer''s Guild and started taking up missions, and now I''m a C-rank adventurer. Isn''t that cool?" Nerissa attempted to change the subject.


    "Hmm," Jett gave her a skeptical look. "So, haven''t you tried to visit? You do have a family here, after all," he pressed.


    "Well, the thing is, the academy..." Nerissa began, but Jett cut her off.


    "Has breaks when students can do whatever they want," he finished for her. "You just didn''t want toe back to boring Lagia where people are scarce and nothing interesting ever happens."


    ''This kid is a handful. He''s figured that out already?'' Nerissa thought to herself.


    "If you give me an extra present for my birthday, I''ll forgive you," Jett teased.


    "Huh?" Nerissa was caught off guard.


    "C''mon, Jett, stop toying with your sister, or she''ll actually think you''re serious," Jerry intervened to save Nerissa.


    "No fair. She gets to attack me, but I''m not allowed to tease her?" Jett pouted.


    As they entered the carriage headed to the church, Jett couldn''t shake the feeling that he was forgetting something important. It nagged at him throughout the journey until he finally decided to voice his concern to his father.


    "Umm, father," Jett began tentatively. "What level will the priest be at?"


    "Somewhere around 103 to 105," Jerry replied casually. "Lagia may not be that big, but we''re still a town worth investing in, especially with our current unexpected growth and prosperity."


    Jett''s heart sank. "Crap," he thought. "If he appraises me, I won''t be able to hide my true state from him. The level difference is too high."


    Despite Jett''s unease, they arrived at the church, where a man dressed in white robes greeted them.


    "I wee you to the presence of God," the priest began.


    "Thank you. Where''s the head priest? We don''t have all day," Jerry interjected, his impatience evident.


    "I''m sorry, but the head priests from different territories are all gathered at the capital," the priest exined.


    "The capital? For what purpose?" Jerry inquired.


    "I presume you haven''t been informed," the priest continued. "But the crown prince and princess are having their awakening ceremony today."


    "Oh, right. I did get an invitation but decided not to attend. But is that enough to make a head priest leave his post?" Jerry pondered, noticing his wife''s disappointed expression and Jett''s cheerful reaction.


    "Of course not. But the Priestess of Light will also be having her awakening ceremony today at the capital. I''m sorry, but I will have to do the appraisal for young Master Jett."


    "Ahh, I see. Well, that makes sense," Jerry conceded, turning to see two disappointed faces and one cheerful one. "Nothing we can do about it, Jett. You just got unlucky."


    *


    *


    *


    Hehehe


    Someone else would disagree


    Who tf is the Priestess of light though?

 Chapter 9: Chapter 9: New Siblings

    As they proceeded into the church, Jett couldn''t help but feel a sense of gratitude for his exceptionally high luck stat. ''Yes,'' he thought to himself, ''thank you, maxed out luck.'' With his nerves slightly calmed, he addressed his father. "It''s alright, father. Let''s just get it over with."


    "Right this way, everyone," the priest beckoned, leading them through thevishly decorated main hall to where the high priest conducted sermons. There, they found a crystal orb awaiting them.


    "Do you ept God''s guidance?" the priest asked, directing his question to Jett.


    Jett turned back as if seeking approval from his parents, only to catch them shedding tears. ''What''s with those two?'' he wondered silently. However, he noticed Nerissa nodding excessively, as though trying to cheer him on.


    "ce your hand on the crystal," the priest instructed.


    Jettplied, cing his hand on the crystal surface. Instantly, his stats were disyed, but he had already manipted them to his liking beforehand. He anticipated some kind of response, but there was nothing. Perplexed, he turned back to see everyone looking at his stats intently. ''Huh? What''s going on?'' he wondered.


    ''I''m pretty sure I...'' He checked his stats and realized his mistake. ''Crap, I messed up.''


    In his haste, Jett had made three critical errors. First, he retained the rare [Magic Swordsman] ss, which was highly unusual for a child to have as this was an evolutionary ss that only appears for those who master magic and swordsmanship.


    Secondly, all his stats were set at 5, an average that wasn''t typical, as children usually started at 1 and couldn''t ess experience points until after the awakening ceremony. Lastly, he had no skills. Originally, he was supposed to retain any skills granted during the awakening, but he had be too carried away to notice.


    These discrepancies were events none of them had ever encountered or heard of before. ''What do I do now?'' Jett panicked, realizing the gravity of his mistake.


    =====


    Name:Jett Grift


    ss: Magic Swordsman


    Level: 1


    HP: 5


    MP: 5


    Strength: 4


    Agility: 5


    Intelligence: 6


    Perception: 5


    Skills: None


    =====


    This was what his stats looked like.


    "Haha, wonderful. The Gods gave you an amazing ss and some stats instead of skills. Do not worry, my boy. You have me and your mother, and you''re the son of a Lord. If it''s skills, then there''s no problem. My son will definitely rise to the top one day."


    Everyone looked at Jerry in disbelief, including the priest. They all wore the same expression of uncertainty: unsure if he was just crazy or too much of an optimist.


    Indeed, what Jerry said was a bit ignorant, he wasn''t wrong. Even if Jett didn''t get a single skill, the problem could be easily resolved, as there were still plenty of ways to acquire skills in this world.


    But a new worry came to Jett''s mind. "I hope this priest knows how to keep his mouth shut."


    Meanwhile, the priest maintained aposed demeanor despite the unexpected turn of events. "Indeed, young master Jett possesses great potential," he said diplomatically. "With the support of your esteemed parents and the blessings of the gods, there is no doubt that he will achieve great things."


    Jett''s mother, Eva, nodded in agreement, although her expression betrayed a hint of concern. "Yes, our son is destined for greatness," she said, forcing a smile.


    Nerissa, Jett''s newly discovered sister, remained silent, her thoughts veiled behind a facade of indifference. She observed the situation with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.


    On the ride back home, Jett couldn''t help but notice Nerissa staring intently at him.


    "What''s the matter, big sis? You''re not nning to assassinate me with another hug, right?" Jett joked, hiding behind Eva.


    Nerissa couldn''t hold it in any longer. "Magic Swordsman? My little brother is so amazing, it''s so cute. Come give big sis a hug," she said, moving closer to Jett, who tried to dodge her, causing a ruckus in the carriage.


    Jerry and Eva smiled as they watched their kids. "We truly are blessed with a wonderful family," Jerry said, breaking the silence.


    "I agree," Eva concurred, her smile reflecting the warmth of the moment.


    *****


    A feast was held in honor of Jett''s new step into the real world. "Cheers" and other festive sounds could be heard everywhere. Everyone had grown to like the young master. Most times he would go out of his way to help them without needing any form ofpensation. He wasn''t a troublemaker, and he was well-mannered.


    "The Gods blessed him with that ss because of his nature," someone yelled, attributing Jett''s character to divine favor. "You see, child, this is why you should strive to be a good boy every time," another cautioned her child. Jett had be a role model in the blink of an eye.


    Amidst the unwanted attention, Jett had his own mission: avoid his sister at all costs, enjoy the food, and finally get a taste of this world''s booze. All he was allowed to drink were juices. Of course, no one would willingly give a 6-year-old alcohol, meaning he had to snatch one while remaining undetected.


    Jett activated his skill,[ Tactical Mirage], to deceive the eyes of vignt adults. However, he found itcking in tracking his sister''s movements amidst the crowded feast. Remembering the skill he picked from the selection process with Aurelia, he thought to himself, "This is why I hate having too many skills. It gets harder to keep track." Then he got an idea: merge it with [Tactical Mirage].


    He found a table to hide under and decided to merge them.


    "Alright, I''ll merge [Tactical Mirage] with


    [Search]"


    ''[Skill Forge] Activate


    =====


    [Pick Skills for Synthesis]


    [Tactical Mirage A] and [Search F]"


    [Do you wish to continue Y/N]


    "Yes"


    [Synthesising...]


    [Synthesis Complete]


    [New Skill: Tactical Mirage A]


    [Search]


    [Tactical Mirage A Updated]


    =====


    [Tactical Mirage: A]


    [- Creates a 10m radius zone where user is aware all movement. Simte possible movements the user can take react ording.


    - Creates Holographic clones and illusions within this space


    - Search for small targets and track movement with this zone giving user a mental marker for each target.]


    "Hmm, I didn''t get a new skill? It just added another attribute to my Previous one, but I lost a skill," Jett muttered, disappointed with the oue.


    He realized that while he gained an additional attribute for Tactical Mirage, he lost the Search skill in the process.


    He felt frustrated by the uselessness of the Search attribute in his current situation.


    Just as he was contemting his next move, he felt a familiar vibe that scared him. Slowly turning, he saw Nerissa staring at him with a wicked smile. "There you are, little brother," she said as she grabbed hold of him, forcing him to partake in the event alongside her and ruining any chance of him getting any booze.


    *****


    At midnight, as the celebration was reaching it''s climax. Jett found himself at the tall Bell tower in the center of Lagia, seeking solitude. However, upon arriving, he was surprised to find Nerissa already there. ''Wow, so much for infinite luck,'' he sighed inwardly. He stood quietly, observing her, but Nerissa seemed lost in thought and hadn''t noticed his presence.


    As he moved closer to get a better look at her face, he was captivated by her beauty, amplified by the moonlight. This sight stirred up memories of Ember, causing him to feel even more lost in thought.


    "Isn''t it beautiful?" Nerissa asked, acknowledging Jett''s presence.


    "You knew I was here?" Jett inquired.


    "Well, you''re a long way from being able to sneak up on me," she teased, turning back to take in the view. "This ce has changed a lot from thest time I saw it," she continued. "You were right though."


    "Right about what?" Jett asked.


    "Me leaving because Lagia was too boring," Nerissa exined. "I left because I wanted the thrill, I love an adventure. There''s a whole different world out there just waiting to be explored, monsters to take down, even treasures to find. But to do that, I need to get stronger, better. That''s why I left. I wanted freedom, yeah it sounds selfish But...


    I''m sure mother and father understand."


    "I think I understand. You decided to walk your own path. Nothing wrong with that," Jett replied.


    "Oh? How old are you? You seem awfully calm about it. I thought you''d be furious or something," Nerissa joked.


    "I am a bit pissed off, but I do understand. Truly," Jett admitted.


    "What did they do to you? You seem too mature for your age," Nerissa said, inspecting his head yfully.


    "Cut it out," they both joked, bonding over the moment.


    Later, a thought crossed Jett''s mind. ''Hmm, she said she was a C-ranked adventurer? That''s impossible, she''s not even 20 yet.'' He pondered, ''What skills does she have anyway?''


    *


    *


    *


    [A/N]


    Oh? What''s he nning to do with that information I wonder.


    What do you think?


    �ѩn��

 Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Training Match

    =====


    Level: 40


    ss: Warrior


    Aura: Red (Peak)


    HP: 96


    MP: 12


    Strength: 72


    Agility: 36


    Intelligence: 12


    Perception: 12


    Skills:


    [Double Experience]


    [Crash A]


    [Quick Learner A]


    [Battle Rage B]


    [Iron Wall B]


    [Battle Cry C]


    [Speed Boost C]


    [Quick Heal C]


    =====


    Jett was genuinely impressed by Nerissa''s stats and skills. "Level 40 with Peak Red Aura? That''s incredible. I guess it''s all thanks to that [Quick Learner]," he mused. "Now I want it."


    He decided to acquire the [Quick Learner] skill first, considering its potential benefits. "I''d really love to learn a new attack skill, but I don''t even have a health recovery skill.


    [Quick Heal] should be good enough. I''ll copy thatter."


    Jett proceeded to copy Nerissa''s [Quick Learner] skill. "I kinda feel bad stealing her skill like this, but it can''t be helped," he thought to himself. After sessfully copying the skill, he wondered if he would get the chance to copy another.


    "When are you going back?" Jett inquired.


    "I''ll be here for a month, after that I''ll go back to the capital," Nerissa replied.


    "Heck yeah," Jett blurted out mistakenly.


    "What? You didn''t want me to leave?" Nerissa teased with a smug face.


    "No, shut up, whatever let''s just go back. It''s alreadyte," Jett replied, feeling a bit flustered. ''A month? That means I can copy 3 skills from her before she leaves. Good, I have time to get the [Double Experience] skill,'' he thought to himself while they walked back home.


    *****


    "Wake up, my boy, your training officially starts today," Jerry announced, pulling Jett out of his bed.


    Before Jett knew what was happening, he found himself at the training grounds where the soldiers trained. Jerry threw him a wooden sword.


    Everyone was at the sidelines, watching with anticipation, although they weren''t expecting anything special.


    "He may be the Lord''s son, but he still just got assessed. Plus, I hear he didn''t possess any initial skills," one of them remarked, not feeling impressed.


    "Firstly, let''s see how good yourbat skill really is," Jerry said. "Come at me, and don''t hold back," he instructed Jett, not even using a proper stance. "Don''t worry, I''ll be holding back a lot," he added, which annoyed Jett a bit, as the implication was clear: He wasn''t strong enough to make Jerry take a stance.


    Facing his father, Jett prepared himself for the challenge. He already had a guess of how strong Jerry was. He was way stronger than Nerissa. Despite knowing it was a losing fight on his side, it was still training.


    "Hey, old man. Here Ie."


    Jett went on the offensive, refusing to stand idly by while his father assessed him. He saw it as an opportunity to test his skills and see how much he had grown.


    With determination in his eyes, Jettunched a series of strikes at Jerry, aiming to overwhelm him with speed and precision. However, Jerry effortlessly blocked each blow, demonstrating his superior experience and skill.


    Undeterred, Jett adjusted his strategy, attempting to exploit any openings in Jerry''s defense.


    He aimed for Jerry''s legs, hoping to catch him off guard, but Jerry proved too agile and countered with a swift kick to Jett''s back, sending him staggering.


    Despite the setback, Jett pressed on, refusing to concede defeat. He continued to engage Jerry, but his movementscked fluidity, and his reactions were sluggish. Jerry shook his head in disappointment, calling an end to the spar.


    "That''s enough, you''re done," Jerry said firmly, his tone conveying both disappointment and concern. "Your form was good, but you''re too stiff, and your reactions are too dull. And why are you swinging your sword like a madman?"


    The spar ended abruptly, leaving everyone watching feeling underwhelmed.


    "Over already?" Jett couldn''t help but feel a twinge of frustration at his performance.


    ''That was worse than I expected,'' Jett thought to himself, feeling disappointed in his performance.


    He had trained hard, relying on his stats, luck, and knowledge of the world, but now he realized it wasn''t going to be easy.


    However, a realization struck him: he was different from everyone else because of who he was.


    Looking around at his surroundings, Jett thought of WAR BOUND, the game he had yed endlessly until he grew tired of it.


    ''I may not have the stats, but I have the experience,'' he said, facing his sister among the spectators. "Treat this as VR. I can''t give up now."


    "I have the power, and I''ll use it," he dered, taking a deep breath. "Onest time."


    With renewed determination, Jett squared his shoulders, ready to face the challenge ahead.


    He would approach his training as he would a game, using his gaming experience to guide him.


    This time, he wouldn''t let himself be discouraged by setbacks. It was time to show what he was truly capable of.


    Jett''s stance changed, exuding a newfound calmness that caught Jerry''s attention. Concern flickered in Jerry''s eyes as he inquired, "Are you sure?"


    Without a word, Jett offered a confident smile, signaling that something had shifted within him. Sensing this change, Jerry took a stance, ready for another round.


    The spectators, puzzled by Jerry''s readiness to face Jett again, watched intently. Only a few, like Nerissa, understood the significance of Jett''s transformation.


    '' [Tactical Mirage], I still have 29 points remaining after reaching Level 5 from his secret training in Lumix, Aura, and Mana, he was ready to make his move. I''ll put 10 in agility, 5 in strength and 5 in Perception.


    "Let''s go again," Jett dered, his determination clear as he prepared to face his father once more. This time, he was ready to utilize his newfound strategy and show his true potential.


    ''I have an advantage here. He doesn''t know how strong I really am or how my stats work, so he''ll work with ourst sh. I just need an opening,'' Jett thought to himself as he carefully analyzed the situation.


    "Ha... I really am a gamer. Toopetitive to back down," he mused, letting out a faintugh.


    "If you have time tough, thene at me," Jerry ordered, his tone firm.


    To add an element of challenge, he drew a circle and positioned himself at the center. "If you''re able to push me out of this line, then you win. I''ll get you whatever you want," he promised with a hint of arrogance.


    Jett immediatelyunched his attack, swinging his sword with the same momentum as before. "Tch... Have you learned nothing? You''re doing it again," Jerry remarked, his frustration evident.


    But this time, Jett saw his opening and swiftly maneuvered to his right, catching Jerry off guard.


    "Did he get faster?" Jerry wondered as he tried to react.


    Jett''s enhanced speed from using [Tactical Mirage] allowed him to dodge Jerry''s strikes andnd a blow that Jerry was forced to parry instead of block. ''And stronger too?''


    "I can''t give him time to think. I need to move faster," Jett realized, maintaining his momentum as he continued to engage Jerry inbat. Despite Jerry''s upper hand, Jett was holding his own, his determination driving him forward.


    Everyone watched in awe as Jett held his own against Jerry, even when he was seemingly on the losing side. "He''s amazing. Was he hiding his strength before?" wondered one spectator, echoing the sentiments of many.


    Even Nerissa found herself impressed, her disbelief turning into admiration as she watched her brother''s performance. Before they knew it, they were cheering him on, swept up in the excitement of the spar.


    "Hehe... Traitors," Jerry mused with a smirk, noticing the sudden change in the crowd''s support.


    "Don''t lose sight of your opponent, old man," Jett''s voice came from behind, causing Jerry to whirl around in surprise.


    "Ha, yelling before an attack only gives your position away and reduces the chance ofnding a sneak attack, little punk," Jerry retorted,unching a strike at Jett. But his blow met nothing but air. Confused, Jerry tried to anticipate Jett''s next move, only to find himself dodging another almost-sessful attack from behind.


    "He''s really giving the Lord a run for his money," remarked one of the spectators, marveling at Jett''s agility and strategy.


    As Jerry attempted to kick the already-unstable Jett, he found himself kicking thin air once more. Startled, he realized Jett had vanished from his sight. Suddenly, he felt a force pushing against the only leg still standing, and before he knew it, he was falling but quickly reacted using his hands to stop himself from falling.


    "I see you''ve surpassed my expectations," Jerry conceded, offering Jett a nod of respect. "Let''s continue." With that, he took his stance, ready for another round.


    Jett gave him a wicked smile, crossing his arms and pointing at the spectators with his thumb. Confusion etched across Jerry''s face as he followed Jett''s gaze to the celebrating crowd. Jett then pointed at the floor, and it suddenly dawned on Jerry �C he had crossed his own line. With a mixture of surprise and eptance, Jerry realized that the spar was over, and he had lost.


    "I lost? Impossible," Jerry muttered, feeling bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.


    "Ha! That''s my win. So I guess I get whatever I want now, don''t I?" Jett teased, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.


    The training ground erupted into uproar as everyone witnessed the incredible fight. Despite Jerry holding back, the fact that Jett was able to fend him off was nothing short of remarkable.


    "There! Cheers for Jett!" eximed one of the spectators, prompting a chorus of cheers and apuse in celebration of Jett''s victory.


    *


    *


    *


    Aww Jerry got yed by his baby boy


    ( ???)


    Oh and I''ll be adding some new stats Aura, Mana (Different from Exp) and Lumix)


    Stay tuned

 Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Mana

    Everyone sat for dinner that night. Jerry praised jet while exining what happened to Eva.


    Nerissa kept quiet at Jett the whole time while giving Jett a suspicious look. "Was there anything off about the fight?" Nerissa inquired, her eyes fixed on Jett.


    "Hmm, it felt like he got faster and stronger during the second trial," Jerry pondered thoughtfully. Then, he turned his gaze to Jett with a discerning look. "Ah, right. Is there something you''re not telling us?"


    Jett, who had been eating quietly, suddenly choked on a piece of meat upon hearing his father''s question.


    "Well... umm... You see..." Jett stuttered, trying to find an excuse. "I got a new skill after we got home from the appraisal ceremony," he finally admitted, attempting tough it off nervously.


    "I knew it," Nerissa finally said, breaking the tension.


    "It was going to be a surprise. Anyways..." Jett attempted to change the topic. "I get whatever I want, right?" he asked with a smile.


    "Yes, if it''s attainable. What is it?" Jerry inquired.


    "I want you to take me to the capital for the Adventurer''s Fair. I overheard some tourists talking about it, and I thought it''d be fun," Jett replied.


    "Hmmm," Jerry mused.


    "C''mon, father. That way I can go with you guys. Mom cane if she wants to," Nerissa chimed in.


    "Ah, that''s true. I also have some business at the capital," Eva added. "We''re going," she dered.


    "Hehe, is that really your request? A vacation?" Nerissa teased Jett.


    "Yeah, well... and ten gold coins too," Jett replied, smiling innocently.


    "Ten!?" Jerry eximed, almost immediately.


    Jerry''s reaction was understandable. 10 gold coins was an outrageous amount to give to a six-year-old. 1 gold coin was equivalent to a 100 silver coins, and one silver was equivalent to a 100 copper coins.


    "Alright, a promise is a promise," Jerry conceded. "The fair isn''t until a month from now anyways..." he added.


    "Yes, and tomorrow''s my turn," Eva interrupted.


    "Your turn for... Oh, right," Jerry realized. "Tomorrow, your mother will be teaching you magic," he said to Jett. "When you''re ready, I''ll be teaching you about aura."


    "I''m so jealous. It took me months to get him to teach me aura," Nerissa pouted at Jett.


    Jett smiled and watched everyone happily. "Good, now I can get some limited items at the fair to secure my fate."


    *****


    "The next day Jett and Eva went out for a walk.


    "Where are we going?" Jett asked, feeling genuinely curious.


    "Nowhere in particr. You don''t want to be seen with your mummy? Is that it?" Eva teased.


    "No, that''s not it. I thought you were going to teach me magic," Jett whined, feeling impatient.


    They reached a stream connected to the river he had originally tweaked for irrigation.


    "Alright, you want to learn magic?" she asked while facing him.


    "Yeah," he replied.


    "Well, then you need one thing. You need to learn how to use Mana," she announced. "Mana is fundamentally different from MP. We use MP for skills and Mana for spells. You can''t measure Mana with just numbers; unlike MP, we rank Mana by how much it has. Ranker, Grandmaster, Arch Mage, Advance, Intermediate, Novice, Beginner."


    She paused, happy to see Jett looking eagerly interested.


    Jett already knew all this, but it would be a bit suspicious if he told her that.


    "Mana isn''t visible to the human eye, but those from Arch Mage to Ranker can sense it to an extent depending on the rank," she exined, giving a sheepish smile. "You know your mother''s rank is Arch Mage. I can sense your Mana too. It''s a little much for someone your age." She kept smiling.


    ''Crap, I thought I was suppressing it well enough. I guess I can''t beat an Arch Mage with that,'' he thought to himself.


    "Mana can be controlled, either by condensing it to one point  preferably, your gut or by letting it flow internally around your body or," she continued. "Thetter is really harder to train but yields a much efficient result. It''s not amon method, but that''s the one I use. Isn''t Mummy amazing?" She praised herself, feeling some pride.


    "That''s impressive," Jett said genuinely impressed, considering you can only find one out of 10 people who practice that method.


    "They''re called the condensing core and circtory method respectively. You have to decide what method to take and nurture it from now on," she pointed at him. "There''s also Lumix which amplifies your mana output, but not much is known about it apart from it being supplementary to Mana and Aura. It''s extremely hard to even get and harder to control or understand, even for me," she mused aloud.


    "Can you teach me that too?" Jett asked.


    "Ahh, I don''t think you can grasp it right now," she replied nervously. "Just focus on mana for now. I''ll give you time to choose what method you prefer..."


    "Circtory. I wanna be as strong as Mom," he responded immediately. It was an act, though, since he had already started the circtory method using Lumix and was at the Beginner rank.


    "Aww...." Eva felt touched. "Alright, I''ll teach you," she said, proceeding to exin the process to him.


    *****


    The day turned out to be a waste for him but an achievement for Eva who thought the ss was a sess. They walked home quietly, with Eva humming a song.


    As they passed by the market, Jett felt like asking, "When do I get a sword?"


    Eva ignored him, walking faster as though she didn''t hear, obviously trying to cook up a good reason. "Umm, it''s too dangerous. End of discussion."


    "Well... Can we get something from the market?" Jett persisted.


    "What?" She inquired, surprised, as he hardly asked her for anything.


    "A bunch of burn flowers, frost flowers, and venom flowers," he replied.


    "Hmm, I don''t see a problem with the frost and burn flowers, but why poison flowers?" She asked, feeling worried.


    "Just an experiment," he replied with a smile.


    "Alchemy, perhaps?" Eva guessed.


    "Not really, I just need them for something important," Jett replied.


    "And you won''t tell me?" Eva mused.


    "An experime..." He began to reply, but she interrupted.


    "What kind?" she asked.


    "Alchemy," he admitted.


    "Aha. As long as you promise it''s not dangerous, I''ll get it for you," she replied with a smile.


    He wasn''t really going to use them for alchemy, but exining his original motive would prove more hectic. She bought and handed them to Jett, and they continued home.


    *****


    Back at home, Jett opened the bags and inspected the contents.


    "Betterte than never. I hope they don''t taste too bad as described," he thought to himself, taking a deep breath before eating a petal from each.


    *


    *


    *


    Hope we''ve cleared the air on Mana


    I wonder what he bought those flowers for. <(�����)>

 Chapter 12: Chapter 12: WAR BOUND

    The WAR BOUND seriesprised two games: a VR version and a console version. While the majority of yers indulged in the VR edition, gaming fanatics like Jett and his sister yed both. The console version drew heavily from the book''s concepts but also introduced unique elements not found in the original story.


    With only 14 characters to choose from and a linear storyline, it offered a different gaming experience.


    Moreover, it harbored secrets that yers were constantly trying to uncover, including hidden quests, items, dungeons, locations, and bosses��some borrowed from the book and others entirely new. Additionally, the game contained hidden bugs or procedures that could trigger unexpected events, adding to its allure.


    Jett and his sister were often the source of tips and strategies within the gamingmunity.


    In the WAR BOUND games, the narrative focused on the sses rather than individual heroes, often overlooking specific details about the characters. Certain events and achievements could only be unlocked with the right ss or character, limiting yers'' progress.


    However, Jett took it upon himself to master all the characters and sses, a feat that no one else attempted or achieved. By doing so, he gained insights and aplishments across all sses, uncovering secrets that even the developers were privy to. Now, armed with this extensive knowledge, he was ready to put it to the test in the game world.


    *****


    The burning and freezing sensations tormented Jett, his breathing slowing down as he struggled against the effects of the poison. Activating his [Heaven''s Blessing] skill offered temporary relief, but the torment persisted. With the poison still coursing through his veins, he activated [Quick Heal], a skill he was lucky enough to have obtained from a passing adventurer.


    However, its effects were short-lived, leaving him feeling desperate and uncertain.


    Doubts crept into his mind as he wondered if he had miscalcted, realizing the gravity of his situation. Sumbing to the overwhelming pain and exhaustion, he copsed, fearing he might meet his end in a futile attempt at experimentation.


    *****


    [Obtained Fire Resistance... 2.05%]


    [Obtained Cold Resistance 2.05%]


    [Obtained Poison Resistance 1.50%]


    [Obtained Pain Resistance 0.05%]


    As Jett slowly regained consciousness, he was greeted by a series of status notifications detailing his newfound resistances. Despite his weakened state, a smile tugged at his lips as he marveled at the unexpected oue.


    "I can''t believe that worked," he thought to himself, pondering the implications of his sess. The additional pain resistance was a wee surprise, prompting him to specte whether it was a result of his luck. In his original n, he had aimed for resistance in only three areas, making the pain resistance an unexpected bonus.


    Drawing from his knowledge of WAR BOUND, both in the game and from the books, he recognized the significance of his achievement.


    After what felt like an eternity, Jett finally regained enough strength to move, slowly rising to his feet. Unbeknownst to him, he had spent the entire night incapacitated by his experiment. As he prepared to retire to bed, a maid entered the room, reminding him of his impending training session with his father.


    *


    *


    *


    Honestly speaking, I do agree that my writing is nd and confusing. At some point it''ll look like I don''t know what I''m writing.


    Using the excuse that this is my first book is pathetic but I want to learn and get better at this and I hope you''ll all be there to see me progress.


    �ѩn��

 Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Forest Encounter

    As they embarked on their journey to hunt monsters, Jerry took the opportunity to enlighten Jett about the intricacies of Aura. With a mischievous smile, Jerry began to exin the concept, knowing that this practical experience would be invaluable for Jett''s development.


    "I''m guessing your mother exined what Mana is, right?" Jerry began, prompting Jett to confirm. "Well, Aura is simr to Mana in that it serves as a vital resource for enhancing one''s abilities. However, there''s a significant distinction between the two."


    Jett listened intently as his father borated. "Mana is confined within the body and primarily utilized for casting spells, whereas Aura serves to fortify the user and their weapon," Jerry exined. "Furthermore, Aura can be visually perceived in its purest form, unlike Mana."


    As they delved deeper into the forest, Jerry took the opportunity to impart more knowledge about Aura to Jett. "Aura is ranked based on its color," Jerry exined, detailing the significance of each hue. Jett listened attentively, eager to learn more.


    "The higher the rank, the more effective it is because it has fewer impurities," Jerry continued. "As for Lumix, I couldn''t even grasp it myself."


    "Hmm, is that all?" Jett inquired, hoping for further insights.


    "You''re not ready for more just yet," Jerry replied, emphasizing the importance of mastering the basics first.


    After a while, they came down from the carriage and proceeded deeper into the forest on foot. Jett couldn''t contain his excitement as he asked, "So what are we doing here?"


    "We''ll be hunting slimes," Jerry announced, trying to build up the anticipation.


    Jett''s response was immediate. "Hell no. No way you brought me out here to hunt slimes."


    But Jerry attempted to reassure him. "C''mon, it''s safe and fun, and you''ll gain experience and level up too."


    "It''s too easy," Jett argued dismissively.


    Jerry warned him, "Too easy? If your agility is anything below 20, then you''ll soon regret having that attitude."


    As they ventured on, Jerry''s keen senses detected movement in a nearby bush. Gesturing for Jett to stop, he investigated and discovered a slime hiding within. "Found one!" he called out to Jett, inviting him closer.


    "I was originally going to subdue one and let you get the kill, but since you''re so confident, why don''t you attack it yourself?" Jerry suggested.


    Unfazed, Jett prepared himself, took a deep breath, and lunged at the slime with determination. However, to his surprise, the slime effortlessly dodged his attacks, showcasing its agility.


    "Huff, Huff, how is it so fast, and was that a skill? It changed direction mid-air," Jett eximed, catching his breath.


    Jerry stood by, wearing a knowing smile as Jett assessed the situation. "Let''s see what you got." Jett then analyzed the slime''s attributes and skills.


    [Gluttony]


    =====


    [Wind-Acid Slime]


    Level: 2


    HP: 2


    MP: 5


    Strength: 3


    Agility: 30


    Intelligence:10


    Perception: 20


    Skills:


    [Air Hop B]


    [Acid Shot C]


    =====


    "30 in agility? That''s much faster than me. I guess the game actually reduced the difficulty," Jett pondered to himself, reflecting on the differences between the game and reality. "Now that I think about it, what else about the game was incorrect anyways?"


    "[Air Hop], that should be what it used to evade me. I''ll take it," Jett decided, copying the skill silently. "Too bad I can''t use it in front of Jerry."


    "Watch your opponent, predict its movement," Jerry yelled, offering guidance. Just then, the slime attacked with its acid.


    Jett, relying on [Tactical Mirage], managed to dodge despite not seeing the attack directly. "Close one. I guess the only reason I was able to push back Jerry was because he made it possible for me, but this rascal slime won''t give me a break," he thought to himself as he attempted to attack the elusive creature without sess. "I think I''ve had enough.


    I''ll use 10 points from my remaining 14 for agility."


    Utilizing his newfound speed, Jett chased the slime far enough for Jerry to lose sight of them. "He''ll be fine," Jerry reassured himself.


    They reached the corner of a cliff. "He can''t see us from here," Jett noted to the slime. "Now."


    [Spellde Storm] enveloped him in a faint glow, increasing his speed as he lunged forward towards the slime. However, the creature shot acid in front of him.


    [Air Hop]


    Jett immediately changed direction, leaping upwards to avoid the acid. With another hop, he gained altitude and descended upon the target, swiftly dispatching it with a single strike.


    Though he gained some experience, it wasn''t enough to level up. As he prepared to depart, he found himself surrounded by a multitude of slimes, each with different appearances. "Slimes of different elements. What skills do you have for me?" he inquired with a smile.


    With his sword in hand, Jett engaged in battle, attacking and dodging. "Let''s try this out. Stay still, my loyal guinea pigs," he addressed the slimes. "I''ll merge [Air Hop] with [Soul Drain]."


    A new skill emerged:


    [Ricochet Strike A]:


    [Create an invisible barrier which allows the user to hop frantically on impact.


    Each hop increases agility by 0.5%.


    Each sessful strike steals 2% of the target''s HP and MP for recovery.


    Bleeding reduces the target''s HP by 3 every 10 seconds.]


    "Another Cheat Skill? Let''s test it," Jett eximed excitedly.


    He activated the skill and quickly swung into action, bouncing in different directions. With each rebound, he got faster and faster, taking out the slimes before they could even react. However, he wasn''t able to fully control the direction of each rebound and ended up wrecking nearby trees.


    By the time he stopped, the whole area was decimated, leaving a few crystals and other items on the ground. "I was able to level up. Ah, right, I forgot about item drops and beast cores. But I did a really good job increasing my attack power," Jett praised himself while surveying the site of the just-concluded battle. "I''ll just take the crystals and ignore the items," he decided.


    "Jeeeeeeett, where did you run off to, you little rascal?" Jerry had been looking for him since he was taking too long. "You better not be cking a..." He stopped mid-sentence after facing the scene with Jett at the thick of it. He couldn''t believe his eyes.


    The trees from the surrounding area were all knocked down, the ground looked like it''d been carved up irregrly with a sword or something simr, and there were drop items and beast cores scattered around.


    "What''s going on? You did this?" Jerry questioned, incredulous.


    "Umm, I got lucky. I spotted a Wind Slice Wolf pass here. It attacked the slimes, leveled the area and left. I just took care of the rest," Jett fabricated an exnation.


    "That makes sense, but how do you know what a Wind Slice Wolf looks like?" Jerry asked, not fully convinced.


    "Books, father. Something you should try if you have enough time to bait me into fighting slimes," Jett retorted, faking annoyance.


    "Alright, alright, I''m sorry," Jerry conceded. "Let''s take all these first," he suggested, referring to the cores and dropped items.


    "What are you nning to do with them? How do you n on collecting them all? You brought a storage pouch?" Jett bombarded him with questions.


    "I''ll let you decide, and yes, I have a storage pouch," Jerry replied. After collecting and counting the drops, he remarked, "50 cores and 5 items. That''s probably over a hundred slimes."


    "And you know that because..." Jett prompted him to finish the sentence.


    "Stop looking down on your elders. I''m a veteran at this, don''t forget it," Jerry remarked while brushing Jett''s hair.


    "Alright, alright, cut it out," Jett shrugged him off as they walked back to the carriage. He then proceeded to give him a long stare, annoyed by something.


    "What is it? I can sense you staring; it''s creepy," Jerry said, taking a sip from a bottle he brought.


    "Are you really my father?" Jett asked, looking at him with contempt.


    On hearing this, Jerry choked on the water and started coughing. Heposed himself after a while. "Where did thate from?" Jerry inquired, looking confused.


    "Wind Slice Wolf," Jett replied.


    "What about it?" Jerry took a deep breath.


    "I said I saw a Wind Slice Wolf, and you''re not even curious how I''m okay. Honestly, what kind of parent are you?" Jett lectured.


    "Ah, I see," Jerryughed. "I believe it''s because you''re my son," he continuedughing.


    Jett blushed a little after hearing his reply. "So can I..." Before Jett could finish his request, Jerry interrupted.


    "No."


    "But I haven''t even asked yet," Jett whined.


    "Because whatever you wanted to ask would be something reckless," Jerry replied. "Alright, ask."


    "Can Ie on my own next time?"


    "Absolutely not," Jerry replied.


    "Why not?" Jett inquired, feeling disappointed.


    "Your mother would kill me," Jerry replied.


    "I guess I have no choice," Jett sighed.


    [Checkpoint]


    "Huh? What did you say?" Jerry asked.


    "Nothing, let''s just go," Jett said with a sudden change in attitude.


    *****


    Three men wearing dark, concealing clothes walked along inside the forest. They came across the area Jett had identally leveled.


    "What''s that? You said people hardlye to these parts because it only spawns slimes," one of them said to the other, feeling a bit tense.


    "It can''t be an adventurer. They don''t stray anywhere close, and civilians have no business here. It was probably a Wind Slice Wolf," the second person concluded.


    "Whatever, let''s hurry. I don''t want to bete," the third guy said, and they hurried past the scene.


    *


    *


    *


    Hmm


    I wonder who they are


    Hope they''re just passing by


    (??_?)

 Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Emberville

    In a dark and gloomy cave, a group of individuals covered in dark cloaks with masks gathered in a circr manner. Three more walked in.


    "You''rete, you numb skull," one of them yelled. "You do realize how important this is, don''t you?" He was furious.


    "Sorry we''rete, we just saw something interesting and had to check it out," one of the three replied with a confident smile.


    "Did you find the artifact?" the apparent leader inquired from the three.


    "We went to a lot of trouble to get this thing. We had to conduct the operation without killing anyone, just like you ordered, and no one suspects a thing," he replied, bringing out a stick tied to a crescent-shaped stone. "This thing will work, right?" He proceeded to throw it to the leader.


    "Careful with that," the leader cautioned as he caught it. "Of course it will. Why do you think they sealed it and locked it away in Lagia, where a former top General resides?" he replied. He ced it inside a box and continued, "It''s been six years, but we finally got it. We''re one step closer to the destruction of Verena," he announced.


    "Yaaaa," everyone chorused.


    *****


    Jett maintained a rigorous daily schedule for the remaining week, alternating between training sessions with his father and mother, secretly venturing into the forest to farm for Exp, and practicing Mana and Aura techniques. Each night, he consumed a petal from each of the flowers his mother had acquired for him.


    His diligence paid off, as he grew stronger with each passing day, gaining new skills from his training and sessfully merging some of them. In total, he acquired three new skills:


    [Elemental Blessings A]


    [Demon Eye B]


    [Full Resistance B]


    *****


    The day of the Adventure''s Fair had finally arrived, and everyone was packed and ready. The fair wouldst a whole week, so Jerry had already made reservations for their amodations during that time.


    The journey to the capital was lengthy, spanning the considerable distance between Lagia and the Empire. Normally, it would take three weeks, but they opted for a faster route. They took a carriage to arger city and then used a teleportation tform to reach their destination. However, this convenience came at a cost.


    Jett recognized the teleportation tform from the game, appreciating its efficiency for fast travel.


    Throughout the journey, Jett couldn''t help but notice how popr his parents were in every town they passed through. This piqued his curiosity since he had never encountered them in the game or any books.


    Late at night, they finally arrived at the bustling capital, and everyone was exhausted from the long trip.


    "It''s only the first day. Let''s get some rest," Jerry dered as they navigated the streets.


    "But where?" Jett inquired.


    "We''ll stay with an old friend of mine," Jerry replied with a grin. "He was my party member back in my adventuring days, and now he''s an aplished merchant. He might even be wealthier than the entire Kingdom," he added confidently.


    "Richer than... You mean the Emberville Patriarch?" Jett unexpectedly asked.


    "Yes, but how do you know that name?" Jerry inquired, looking surprised.


    "Tourists talk about him a lot, and his son is supposedly the same age as me," Jett exined. "This is great. I can try to acquire that super convenient skill while I''m here."


    In fact, one of the people who had been sent to this world became the second son of the Emberville house. He possessed a skill that Jett desired, and now, an opportunity to obtain it had finally presented itself.


    As they approached the merchant''s mansion, Jett couldn''t contain his excitement.


    As they arrived at the massive gate, adorned with beautiful stones and gold, a man stood to wee them. He appeared slightly younger than Jerry.


    "Jerry, Eva, it''s been a while," he greeted warmly as they descended from their carriage.


    "Do you really have to see us personally?" Jerry asked, his smile widening.


    "You''re practically royalty now. I do hope you''re treating L well," Eva chimed in. Their conversation continued for well over 10 minutes.


    "I see Nerissa grew up to look as beautiful as her mother, and I''m guessing this is your son?" Avon changed the topic.


    "Ah, that''s right. This is my boy, Jett," Jerry replied. "Jett, this is my friend Avon Emberville. He''s the Patriarch we were talking about."


    "Greetings," Jett offered a respectful bow. ''This guy''s the Patriarch? He looks younger than father, not to mention his build. That''s definitely someone who knows how to use a sword,'' he thought to himself.


    The introductions didn''tst long before they were invited inside to have dinner with Avon''s family. Everyone was seated, including a woman about Eva''s age and two boys, one Jett''s age and the other slightly older.


    "So, what brings you to the capital?" Avon inquired, pouring them each a ss of fine wine. "You''re usually cooped up in your sweet haven."


    "I originally have something to take care of, buting as a family was his idea. We''ll be leaving when the festivitiese to an end," Jerry replied with a confident smile, ncing at Jett.


    Avon''s eyes lit up with interest. "That''s wonderful. We hardly ever see you. I was beginning to think you were dead or something," he teased before turning his attention to Jett. "Oh, Jett, this is my lovely wife L, my boys Richard and Finn. I hope you all get along," he said, pointing as he introduced them.


    "Likewise. I look forward to getting to know you all," Jett replied politely.


    "He''s your son, Eva? He looks so handsome and well-mannered," L remarked before ncing at Nerissa, who was battling with her food. "He takes after you in manners, while your daughter stole her father''s personality."


    As Finn was the first to leave, Jett followed shortly after. Navigating the massive mansion took some time, but Jett utilized the search function from his skill to locate Finn. Eventually, he found him outside, gazing quietly at the stars.


    "Hey, you left early before I could actually say hello," Jett attempted to initiate a conversation.


    "What do you want, kid?" Finn replied with a sigh.


    "Kid? We''re literally the same age, dumbass," Jett retorted, annoyed but managing to keep his cool.


    "Yes, but our standings are different. I know you''re trying to get close to me to get some money, seeing as how you desperately came to find me," Finn replied with a smirk.


    "Is that so?" Jett tried to contain his annoyance.


    "Yes. Kneel before me," Finn added arrogantly.


    "Where do you get off being so high and mighty, huh?" Jett couldn''t help but feel his temper rising as he delivered a knock on Finn''s head.


    "Ouch!" Finn groaned in pain. "You dare hit me? One blessed by God himself, as stated by the great gurus'' prophecy?" he continued, trying to assert his superiority.


    "Huh? Now you''re talking out of context, bro. Did Aurelia tell you that?" Jett asked, clenching his fists. "I should probably educate you."


    "How do you know that name?" Finn asked, looking surprised.


    "Think harder. Hint: the unlucky one," Jett replied cryptically as he approached.


    "Wait, it''s you? How are you that strong? Have mercy," Finn pleaded.


    "Mercy? You arrogant bastard," Jett snapped, smacking him again. "We just met, and you''re already acting like an idiot. I''ll let it slide this once."


    "Thank you," Finn muttered, still rubbing his head.


    "Now..." Jett pulled Finn''s face closer. "Let''s see."


    =====


    Level: 7


    ss: Merchant/Warrior


    HP: 15


    MP: 12


    Strength: 15


    Agility: 10


    Intelligence: 5


    Perception: 10


    Luck: 194


    Skills:


    [Market Value S]


    [Storage Space A]


    [Appraisal B]


    [Boost B]


    [sh D]


    =====


    "Copy [Storage Space]," Jett murmured.


    "What are you doing?" Finn asked, feeling uneasy.


    "Nothing special. Thanks anyways," Jett replied casually, letting go of Finn and walking back inside.


    As Jett returned to the mansion, he wondered how the other were spending their time at that moment.


    "No point thinking about now. I''ve got work to do."


    *


    *


    *


    I guess he''ll be meeting the others too.


    Let''s hope he doesn''t cause much trouble.


    ?_?


    Sorry I haven''t been around for a while but I''m back now

 Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Hidden Shop

    As morning finally dawned, Finn found himself stopped at the gate by Avon, with Jett standing beside him.


    "Good morning, Finn. You remember Jett?" Avon greeted him, while Jett smiled innocently.


    "Good morning, Father. Of course I do; we just met yesterday," Finn replied rudely. "What do you want?" he asked Avon as he attempted to walk past them.


    "You''re going to the fairright? Take him with you, show him around," Avon replied, smiling as he blocked Finn''s path.


    "Huh?" Finn was caught off guard. "No way. No way I''ll be seen with trash like..." Before he could finish his sentence, he noticed Jett giving him an unusual smile. "Alright. Let''s go, dumbass," he grumbled.


    They left the estate and walked in silence for about ten minutes.


    "Alright," Jett finally broke the silence. "Brief me. How is everyone?" he asked.


    "What are you, my boss?" Finn retorted.


    "Maybe," Jett replied with a smile.


    "Alive. Apparently, we all got sent here as children of either nobles or important families," Finn exined, still looking at Jett.


    "Wonderful. I might actually get to meet them here," Jett remarked.


    "Might." Finn added.


    "Why?" Jett asked, "Too shy toe out?" he added jokingly.


    "Most of them are very important nobles, and you won''t be able to get close to them with your current status," Finn replied with a wicked smile.


    "I know that much. I''m not really here for them anyway," Jett sighed. "Let''s go to the fair. We have more important things to do," he dered, pping Finn''s head. "We''re going to get some good items."


    *****


    In the bustling fairgrounds,ughter and music filled the air as people of all ages were taking part in the festivities. Colorful tents lined the pathways, each offering a unique array of goods and entertainment. The aroma of freshly cooked treats wafted through the air, enticing passersby to indulge in the culinary delights on offer.


    Adventurers showcased their skills with ir, engaging in friendlypetitions and demonstrations to impress the crowds. Some boasted of their ranks and levels, while others proudly disyed their best items obtained from epic battles and quests.


    "What are we really getting?" Finn grew curious and asked as they strolled through the lively fairgrounds.


    "You''ll see. Just keep quiet and let''s have some fun," Jett replied with a mischievous grin. They continued walking until they reached a deserted alley, diverting from the bustling main thoroughfare.


    "We''re going the wrong way. The fair is that way," Finn pointed behind them, visibly annoyed. Walking into a deste alley with someone he barely knew wasn''t his idea of fun.


    "Yeah, yeah. I didn''te here for the fair. I came here to do business," Jett exined, scanning the alley as if searching for something. He activated his skill to survey the surroundings as they ventured deeper into the alley.


    "Do you know WAR BOUND from our world?" Jett asked suddenly, halting in front of a dead end adorned with ten peculiar markings.


    "Yeah, I yed the game, but I never really tried clearing it. This whole world seems very simr to the game. I only yed with the merchant ss, and surprisingly..." Finn began to exin.


    "Your character''s name was Finn Emberville?" Jett interrupted, inspecting the markings closely.


    "How do you know that?" Finn was taken aback.


    "Unlike you, I know a lot of things, now shut up and let me work," Jett replied tersely before he started to touching the markings one by one in a distinct order. They began to glow, and as he finished, they merged to form a clear message: "YOU MAY ENTER." With a rumble, the walls disappeared, revealing a shop devoid of customers.


    "What just happened?" Finn looked around, unable to believe what he had just witnessed. "A hidden shop? Just like in video games."


    "Hope you brought some money," Jett remarked as they approached the counter to speak with the shopkeeper.


    "So you''re actually nning on robbing me," Finn shrieked, stepping back to create some distance.


    "I guess you''re saying you don''t want anything?" Jett rxed on the counter, looking at him.


    "I do have some money, but what''s the rush? We can alwayse back some other time," Finn replied nonchntly.


    "Not really. This ce can only be essed once per person and never gets restocked. Plus, the items here are one of a kind. So, how much did you bring?" Jett stretched his arms.


    "Umm, 500 gold coins. You could have said something earlier," Finn replied as he brought out a small bag from nowhere, eyeing Jett''s outstretched arm.


    "500 hundred? That''s a lot of money for a kid like you to be walking casually with," Jett smirked. "Give it here. I''m officially robbing you." He gestured for Finn toe closer so he could collect the bag before turning to look at the shopkeeper, who had been quiet the whole time.


    The old man, holding a stick probably for walking, finally spoke up. "You seem to know a lot, boy. How can I help you?"


    "I''m here to save you, actually," Jett replied, causing the old man to break intoughter.


    "Hmm, and what do you mean by that, child?" he asked Jett while stroking his beard, then turned to Finn. "You have a peculiar friend."


    "We''re not friends," Finn shrugged.


    "Let''s go shopping. Check if you''ll see something you want. Most of these items are useless, but since the budget is 500 gold, I won''t hold back," Jett dered, heading to explore the scanty store. There were a few enticing items, weapons, wands, spell books, armor, ingredients, and other valuables.


    After inspecting for a while, Jett returned with a few items, among them two distinct-looking swords, some rings and earrings, every ingredient and gem he could find, and a few stones with weird carvings.


    Finally, Finn joined in, dropping everything he thought was valuable. "How much will all these cost?"


    "Add these,pared to what you got, mine are nothing," Jett suggested.


    "No way," Finn disagreed.


    Jett''s devilish smile widened at Finn''s powerless response. "No? I don''t recall asking for permission, now, did I?" he taunted, his toneced with mischief.


    "Tch," Finn muttered helplessly, realizing he had little ground to stand on against Jett''s antics. Arguing further would only lead to another confrontation, something he wished to avoid at all costs. "How much will everything cost?" he inquired, resigning himself to the inevitable.


    "2500 gold coins," the old man replied with a warm smile, oblivious to the brewing tension between the twopanions.


    Finn turned to Jett, finding him smiling as though he anticipated something. ''This rascal,'' Finn thought to himself, taking a deep breath before activating his skill.


    [Market Value S]: User can purchase any item with an 80% discount and sell anything for 30% more than its original market value.


    "Are you sure?" Finn asked again, his eyes locking with the old man''s. "Check again."


    "Oh, my mistake. 500 gold coins," the old man corrected himself, his confusion evident.


    "Alright, that''s a good deal. Here you go," Jett interrupted, handing over the bag he had swiped from Finn earlier.


    The old man collected the money with gratitude. "Thank you, child. Pleasure doing business with you," he said, counting the coins to ensure they were all there.


    "You gave him everything!" Finn eximed angrily. "Didn''t you bring any money?"


    "Oh, right. I did, but we''re not done yet," Jett replied calmly. With a swift motion, he retrieved a storage pouch he had with him and emptied its contents onto the floor, revealing an array of mana stones and other items drops.


    "Where did you get all of this?" Finn asked incredulously, eyeing the items scattered before them. "These are item drops from monsters, right? You''re still too young to be hunting monsters, let alone collecting this many."


    "I''ll exinter. Right now, I need you to help me free this old geezer," Jett said, his expression turning serious as he directed his attention back to the shopkeeper.


    *


    *


    *


    Finn is surprisinglypliant. I guess his first impression was just an act.

 Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Hidden Quest 1

    "Save him? What are you really talking about?" Finn questioned, examining the items before him onest time.


    "Don''t worry, just help me sell these," Jett replied, pointing to the beast cores and other items scattered on the floor.


    "Why me? He''s standing next to you, so why don''t you do it?" Finn felt annoyed as he gestured towards the shopkeeper.


    "Yeah, but it''s safer if you do it," Jett assured him, earnest.


    "What the heck? You know about my skill, don''t you?" Finn''s gaze bore into Jett with contempt. "I don''t know how, but you do," he used, now facing the shopkeeper while Jett offered a sheepish smile in return.


    "I want to sell everything. What''s it worth?" Finn inquired, his suspicions growing stronger by the moment.


    "500 gold coins," the shopkeeper replied calmly, prompting Finn to shoot a questioning nce at Jett.


    "You mind telling me how you got 500 gold worth of items and beast cores?" Finn demanded, suspicion etched in his tone. But Jett merely shrugged, avoiding eye contact.


    Sighing, Finn activated his skill. "How much?"


    "How about I take it off your hands for 650 gold coins?" the shopkeeper suggested again, his confusion evident.


    "You''ve got yourself a deal," Finn agreed, using the storage pouch provided by Jett to collect everything and hand it over to the shopkeeper. In return, he received a bag of gold coins. "Can''t believe I just made back my 500 gold coins," he muttered.


    "Who says it''s yours?" Jett interjected, his smirk widening.


    "You crook! You used me to buy your stuff, so I needpensation," Finn argued, frustration evident in his voice.


    "Majority of what you paid for was for the items you picked. As for mine, just think of it as payment for bringing you here," Jett exined with a smile. "I was originally going to use the money from selling my loot to cover my expenses, so I guess luck was on my side," he added, nodding to himself.


    "You''re totally ripping me off," Finn grumbled, feeling duped.


    "It''s just business, my good man, something your family should know better than anyone," Jett retorted, swiftly swiping the bag of gold from Finn''s grasp.


    "Did you steal them? I find it impossible to believe you got those items yourself," Finn pressed, unwilling to let the matter rest.


    "Too many questions. Can we please focus on our main objective here?" Jett attempted to divert the conversation.


    "Freeing the old man? What are you even going on about?" Finn''s skepticism grew, wary of falling for any further schemes.


    Jett turned to the silent shopkeeper and dropped ten coins on the counter. "I want your quest."


    The shopkeeper''s expression shifted, a crafty smile ying on his lips. "Are you sure, child? This is yourst chance to turn back," he warned, his tone tinged with foreboding.


    Jett remainedposed, his gaze steady as he epted the challenge. "Yes," he confirmed, ncing back at Finn. "You don''t have to do anything, though."


    Before them appeared three keys: gold, silver, and bronze, alongside two doors��one silver, one bronze. A system prompt materialized before Jett and Finn, heralding the beginning of their next adventure.


    [Hidden Quest Activated]


    [CURSED SHOP]


    [Brief: This old man was bound by a force contract to operate this shop for eternity, with no means of escape. You now hold the keys to unlock the doors that contain the spells necessary to break his curse and liberate him from this CURSED SHOP. Your reward awaits you.]


    [Time Limit: 4 Days]


    [Reward: 1 Rune Stone, 20 Gold, 2 Heart Rings, 1 Blessing of Light]


    [Failure: CURSED SHOP]


    [Completion Rate 0.0%]


    "Why did I get a quest? You''re the one who paid for it," Finn eximed, his astonishment evident in his tone. "I''m leaving," he dered, attempting to sprint towards the entrance they came from, only to find himself blocked by an invisible barrier. "We''re stuck! What did you do?" he yelled, frustration bubbling to the surface as he paced around the shop.


    "Calm down. I had no idea you would get the quest too," Jett sighed, trying to diffuse the situation. "Let''s just go. We only have 2 days toplete the quest."


    "Cursed shop? What''s that?" Finn asked, a sense of unease creeping over him as he nced at the notification once more.


    "It means we''ll be stuck here forever if we don''t beat the quest," Jett exined nonchntly, a goofy smile ying on his lips.


    "How are you so calm?" Finn''s irritation grew, his patience wearing thin. "You know something, don''t you?"


    "Are youing or not?" Jett interrupted, already using the bronze key to open the bronze door and stepping inside. "My first quest. Here we go," he dered, his excitement palpable as he disappeared into the darkness beyond.


    Finn sighed, muttering something under his breath before reluctantly following Jett through the doorway. "Darn it, Jett," he muttered to himself, bracing himself for whatever challengesy ahead.


    *****


    They stepped into a breathtaking scenery, greeted by endless grasnds swaying gently in the cool breeze. A myriad of vibrant flowers dotted thendscape, painting it with a kaleidoscope of colors that danced in the sunlight.


    "It''s even more beautiful than the book describes it," Jett marveled, his eyes wide with wonder. "Are you seeing this?" he asked, turning to Finn with excitement.


    "Let''s just get this over with," Finn replied, his restless demeanor betraying his calmness.


    [Quest Objective: Find the firefly elements.]


    [Reward: Sacred Ring Option]


    "Alright, now let''s rest a bit," Jett dered, flopping down onto the soft grass in an attempt to sleep.


    "What are you doing?" Finn asked, confusion evident in his tone. "We have a time limit, or have you forgotten?" he pointed to the translucent screen hovering around them.


    "You do realize you can make that go away, right?" Jett gestured, indicating that his screen wasn''t present. "It''ll only confuse you and mess with your sense of reasoning."


    "Oh my god, do you even have a n?" Finn''s frustration threatened to boil over.


    "Calm down, I do have a n," Jett assured him with a smile, pointing to the sky. "I n to finish this quest in less than a day. You just have to trust me."


    "You''re delusional. I''m going to look for those darn fireflies," Finn retorted, stomping away with heavy steps.


    "Fireflies, not butterflies, but good luck," Jett called out mockingly as Finn ventured off into the grasnds.


    Finn spent the entire day scouring thendscape for any sign of the elusive firefly elements. He searched tirelessly, traversing the vast expanse with determination. Finally, as dusk approached, he stumbled upon a massive pitch-ck cave.


    "Creepy, right?" Jett whispered into Finn''s ear, causing him


    to let out a startled scream.


    "Ahhhhh!" Finn yelled in shock, his heart racing as Jett burst intoughter. But Finn''s amusement quickly turned to annoyance. "You scared me nearly to death! Hold on..." He paused, looking around. "When did you start following me? How did I not notice you?" he demanded, seeking an exnation from Jett.


    "Oh? The whole time, your perception''s probably lower than mine since you were cking off instead of training dummy." Jett answers as he flicks his finger on Finn''s head.


    "I deserve than." Finn was half crying.


    Jett walks towards the cave "I''m going inside, youing?" looks at Finn while smiling.


    "It''s literally pitch ck in there, unless you have some kind of way to make it more visible." Finn exins.


    "Of course I do." Jett replies still walking towards the cave while Finn follows from behind. ''I was ablebine my a light skill I got from killing a rare slime with my Tactical Mirage, I think I''ve upgraded that skill a lot now it has too many attributes'' he thins to himself, ''All that grinding in the forest will finally pay off.''


    "Now would be a good time to do something." Finn points at the ckness they''re about to enter.


    "Right. You wanted to know how I got that many beast cores, pay attention from this point on."


    [Tactical Mirage] Jett activates his skill as they disappear into the darkness.


    *


    *


    *


    Anticipating chapter 17

 Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Hidden Quest 2

    [Tactical Mirage: A]


    [- Creates a 30m radius zone where user is aware all movement. Simte possible movements the user can take react ording.


    - Creates Holographic clones and illusions within this space. Dependant on current level.


    - Search for small targets and track movement with this zone giving user a mental marker for each target.


    - 5% all-round stat boost.


    - Weak force field.


    - Light attribute]


    "It was worth it to merge all those skills from the slimes," Jett thought, smiling as he checked his skill''s new attributes.


    They walked for about 5 minutes before reaching the cave''s depths. It was empty and enclosed, with moss-covered walls and overgrown bushes. As they went deeper, dim light revealed four firefly-like statues and a humanoid firefly monster statue with a spear.


    "Do you have a weapon?" Jett asked, looking at the statues.


    "Yeah, I got a spear," Finn said, showing a fancy-looking weapon from his storage space.


    "Use appraisal. It''smon skill for Merchant ss right?," Jett advised, unimpressed by the spear. "You''ll need one with a stat boost, preferably strength, and maybe a special attribute."


    Finn read the weapon''s description. "Just perception boost," he noted, looking for more options.


    "That won''t do. I can''t afford to get you killed here, so check among the weapons you bought," Jett urged, scanning the surroundings as Finn brings everything out of his storage space and sifts through weapons on the ground. "What about that one?" Jett pointed to an old, rusty spear with a gleaming de.


    Finn wondered if Jett was messing with him. "This? It looks useless, but alright," he said, deciding to appraise it. To his surprise, the results were impressive. "A special-grade weapon with a 20-point increase in strength, perception, and speed. It also has a triple damage attribute for 5 seconds, with a cooldown duration of 2 minutes."


    "What a score, and it fits your Merchant/Warrior ss too," Jett said, relieved with a smile. "Alright, now for the game n." His smile turned mischievous as he began to outline their strategy.


    "What''s with that look? You''re not going to make me do anything crazy, right?" Finn''s expression showed growing worry.


    "Yours is the easy part. You see that big guy over there?" Jett pointed at the humanoid firefly statue.


    "Yeah? What about it?" Finn asked, apprehension creeping into his voice.


    "You''ll fight him alone. Just watch out for the spear and sharp wings," Jett instructed calmly.


    "Are you crazy?" Finn eximed, disbelief evident in his tone.


    Jett smiled as he retrieved a decent-looking sword and two rings from the pile of items on the floor. "The moment I turn off the lights, those statues are going toe alive, and thousands of deadly fireflies will follow suit. But the good thing is, they won''t go near the big guy." He showed them to Finn to appraise.


    Finn read out the description. "Um, special grade, 20 stats in strength with 10 in perception and intelligence. It also has mana conductivity, which means 10% added damage for magical attacks. So, what will you be doing?" he asked, still trying to make sense of the situation.


    Jett inspected the sword again. "Lucky me, no cooldowns. I''ll bepleting the quest do don''t worry, how about the rings?," Jett exined, pointing at the rings he had given Finn.


    Finn took a closer look. "Hmm,mon grade. One has a 10 stat increase in HP with 0.5 auto-regen every 10 seconds, and the other, 5 in MP." He had nothing else to say; still unsure of what was happening.


    "Take the HP ring. I''ll use the one for MP," Jett suggested, gesturing for Finn to toss him the MP ring.


    "You know, your calmness in this situation scares me," Finn confessed with a defeated smile as he watched Jett don the ring.


    "I just happen to have a n, that''s all," Jett replied, his demeanor unwavering as he prepared for the challenge ahead.


    "A n, you seem to have a lot of those too," Finn continued, his tone a mixture of skepticism and admiration.


    "I just got lucky," Jett replied, trying to downy his strategic prowess.


    "Yeah, right," Finn muttered, taking a deep breath. "I''m really jealous of you. You always act like you''re a step ahead of everyone else and not fazed by anything." He stretched his arms, a hint of frustration in his movements. "I don''t want to believe that trusting you is the only way out of this, since you''re the reason I''m in this mess.


    But just this once," Finn extended his hand towards Jett for a handshake, "I''ll trust you."


    "That''s quite an assumption when we haven''t known each other for that long," Jett teased, epting the handshake. For a brief moment, it felt like the tension between them slowly dissipated.


    As Finn put on the ring and got into a battle stance with his spear, curiosity got the better of him. "You seemed really happy when you got items to increase magic and MP. What ss did you get?"


    "My ss? Oh, right, I''m an Anom###" Jett''s voice faltered, and a glitch interrupted his speech when he tried to say "ANOMALY."


    "What was that?" Finn asked, perplexed by the strange interruption.


    "An... #no##ly," Jett tried again, but the glitch persisted.


    "Huh?" Finn furrowed his brow, struggling to understand.


    Jett pondered for a moment, realizing that maybe the system wouldn''t let him reveal the truth to Finn. "My ss? Magic Swordsman," he said finally, shing a goofy smile.


    "That''s a super rare ss. It almost exins the whole beast core matter," Finn chuckled, not feeling too surprised by Jett''s answer.


    "You ready?" Jett asked Finn onest time, a hint of excitement in his voice.


    "All set. Let''s get this over with. I still have ns for today," Finn replied, determination evident in his tone.


    "Alright, I''m deactivating the light," Jett announced, switching off the Light attribute of their Tactical Mirage. Darkness enveloped the cave, but his [Tactical Mirage] still provided them with some rity.


    As they stood back to back, they began to hear cracking sounds emanating from the direction of the statues. Glowing figures emerged where the statues once stood, apanied by thousands of fireflies emerging from the bushes, their luminous bodies lighting up the cave.


    "That''s them. Get ready," Jett informed Finn, who was already poised for action.


    "I''m ready," Finn replied confidently, his senses heightened in the darkness.


    "Don''t rush in. Use your increased perception to your advantage," Jett advised, but Finn was eager to engage and interrupted him, "Enough talk. Let''s do this."


    With determination, they both took off in opposite directions. Finn headed straight for the humanoid monster, thergest source of light in the cave. As he approached, the number of fireflies decreased, allowing him to focus on his target. He lunged his spear towards the monster, but it skillfully parried his attack. Their battle ensued, with Finn narrowly dodging the creature''s strikes.


    Despite some grazing blows, Finn''s ring provided him with auto-regeneration, ensuring he remained in the fight. However, theck of visibility added to his challenges, forcing him to rely on his instincts and increased perception.


    Meanwhile, Jett was in his element, effortlessly slicing through swarms of fireflies to reach the fourrger ones they seemed to be protecting. He pressed forward, his movements fluid and precise, but the sheer number of enemies overwhelmed him. Taking a step back, he paused to gather his breath.


    "I haven''t had the chance to use some of my skills or spells. Let''s see how well I do," Jett thought to himself, determination gleaming in his eyes as he prepared to unleash his full potential.


    As Finn battled the humanoid monster with his spear, Jett remained focused, his mind delving deep into the depths of his magical abilities. Though he had learned magic diligently from his mother, he had rarely used it in this world. Now, faced with the swarm of fireflies, he had to rely on his mastery of the arcane arts.


    His breath steady, Jett closed his eyes, visualizing mana coalescing into mes. He pictured a roaring inferno, fierce and powerful, rising to form a towering pir of fire. With precision, he added just the right amount of mana, careful not to overwhelm the spell. Finn watched in amazement as Jett remained perfectly still, his concentration unbroken amidst the chaos.


    "What are you doing, moron? Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Finn''s voice cut through the tension, but Jett remained undeterred.


    Then, with a sudden surge of energy, Jettpleted his spell. Stretching out his hand towards the swarm of fireflies, he called out the incantation, "{Hell Fire}!" In an instant, a pir of me erupted from the ground, engulfing the swarm in a ze of heat and light. The fire roared ferociously, creating a path through the throng of insects and providing Jett with an opportunity to advance.


    *


    *


    *


    Didn''t take long for Finn to grasp the situation.


    What did he mean by ns though?


    I guess we''ll find out soon.


    And take no heed the weapon grading for now


    It''ll be exined in due time. ( ??? )?

 Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Hidden Quest 3

    "Did you find him?" a young girl standing close to a water fountain, with an arrow crossed around her, waved at a gloomy boy dressed in ck from top to bottom.


    "Nope, the servants said he went out early with a friend to the fair," he replied, walking next to a chubby-looking boy the same age as both of them.


    "Umm�� well�� maybe I guess we''ll run into him at the fair," the chubby kid suggested, shyly facing the ground.


    "Yeah, let''s hurry. The others might already be there," the girl with the arrowined, facing the gloomy kid.


    "Whatever. Why do I have to attend again?" he replied, not feeling up for the event.


    "Because we all promised to meet up using any big events like this one as an excuse to share information, dummy," a female voice sounded behind the girl with the arrow, who had on a cloak which covered her face very well.


    "Is that you, Freya�� mmm mmmm?" the chubby kid eximed in surprise but had his mouth covered by the gloomy kid so as not to draw any attention.


    "Keep it down, Cedric, you numb skull. We don''t want to draw attention to ourselves and the priestess." the gloomy kid caution.


    "Oh�� rr�� right," Cedric replied, facing down.


    "Well, if it isn''t the priestess herself. How long have you been hiding behind me? Even Asher seems to be in character too," the arrow girl said, almost mockingly. "Protecting the priestess is an honor," she tried imitating Asher''s gloomy voice while hardening her expression, but eventually broke intoughter.


    "Stop it, Evelina. You know how much I hate that title," she sighed.


    "I know, it''s just fun teasing you with it," Evelina giggled.


    "Who are we waiting for, Asher?" Freya inquired from the gloomy kid.


    "Finn, but it seems like he already left without us so we should hurry too," Asher sighed as he exined the situation.


    "That cheapskate good-for-nothing bastard made us wait here for nothing. Just wait till I get my hands on him," Evelina clenched her fists, remembering how waiting by the water fountain was his idea.


    "It''s alright, Lina. Let''s just go. I really don''t want another scolding for beingte," Asher slowly patted her head to calm her down.


    "Oh, her? That''s true. Let''s go. I''ll race you there," Evelina replied, running off.


    "Huh? You want to race an assassin? Let''s see about that," Asher smirked as he ran off in her direction, leaving Cedric with Freya.


    "Idiots," Freya sighed, walking in their direction. "Let''s go," she said to Cedric without turning to face him.


    *****


    At the cave, Jett dashed through the space he had cleared with {Hell Fire}, leaving the fourrger fireflies defenseless right in front of him. The fireflies quickly reformed their formation, trapping him inside.


    "Too bad I don''t have an AOE attack skill," Jett sighed. "Now let''s test the older one."


    [Spellde Storm A]


    [Directs user''s Mana to their weapon to increase damage andbat prowess by 10% for 10 seconds.


    Summon weapons imbued with any spell of choice. The number of weapons the user can control depends on their intelligence.]


    With this skill, he conjured 20 swords, each imbued with a distinct spell, to cover him from all angles as the fireflies began their assault. He attempted tounch one of the swords at therger fireflies, but they were fast enough to dodge.


    "Dammed pests, just die," Jett smirked as he leaped towards them, activating another skill.


    [Ricochet Strike]


    Bouncing from every direction with even greater speed than before, he cut them down before the first effect of [Spellde Storm] wore off, leaving only the conjured swords floating around him.


    Notifications appeared for both Jett and Finn, who was still locked in battle with the humanoid monster. Despite the low visibility, they could both clearly see the messages.


    [Obtained Fire Elemental Firefly]


    [Obtained Water Elemental Firefly]


    [Obtained Earth Elemental Firefly]


    [Obtained Wind Elemental Firefly]


    [Remaining 4/5]


    [Completion Rate 27.78%]


    "Umm, a little help?" Finn yelled, still barely holding on.


    "Be right there," Jett yelled back. "I don''t have any MP left, can''t even use Quick Heal," he muttered to himself while looking at his stats, wondering how he was going to get past the swarm of fireflies continuously attacking him.


    "If I was stronger, I would''ve driven my spear right through you," Finnined, speaking to the monster which took no heed.


    "Driven? Drive? Aha" An idea struck Jett. "Finn, you''re a genius," he eximed.


    "Huh?" Finn didn''t understand what he was talking about. To him, nothing mattered more than surviving.


    "Alright, I''ll release 10 swords so I can increase my concentration. Then, I''ll join the des so their tips touch while pointing forward like so," Jett strategized, executing his n while evading the attacking fireflies. "Now spin!" he yelled, forcing the swords to rotate in a drill-like manner.


    "Go!" hemanded, sending the makeshift drill right through the swarm, creating a brief chance to escape. "I''ming, Finn," Jett yelled as he made his way to where Finn and the monster were, with the swarm hot on his heels. But the closer he got, the less they tried to attack.


    "I wonder what would happen if I gave it too much Mana," Jett pondered as he rushed the monster, stabbing it with all the swords he had conjured, while diving to push himself and Finn away. Luckily, they fell into a hole.


    "What are you doing? Get off me," Finn tried to push Jett off his body.


    "3... 2... 1..." He ignored Finn and started counting down. Once he reached thest count, the monster began emitting loud noises as though it was in pain, then immediately exploded with a massive shockwave, covering the area.


    [Obtained Light Elemental Firefly]


    [Mission Complete]


    [Completion Rate 33.33%]


    [Contribution 80%]


    [Rewards]


    [Sacred Ring Option]


    [E-grade beast core]


    [10 all-round stat increase]


    [Skill: Night Vision D]


    [Skill: Light Blessing B]


    [Scroll, ink, and quill x1]


    [??? Spear: ???]


    [Final Strike Reward]


    [10 Stat points]


    [Skill: Killer Instinct C]


    The messages started popping up in front of Jett and Finn, who were both nearly passed out, though Finn''s was a bit different.


    [Obtained Light Elemental Firefly]


    [Mission Complete]


    [Completion Rate 33.33%]


    [Contribution 20%]


    [Rewards]


    [Sacred Ring Option]


    [Lyk poison x1]


    [3 all-round stat increase]


    [Skill: Night Vision]


    [Skill: Light Blessing]


    [Light Essence]


    "We... did... it. We actually... survived," Finn said, feeling tired and out of breath.


    [Returning to the CURSED SHOP]


    *****


    Within seconds, they found themselves back in the shop, and the shopkeeper was still there.


    "You survived? I might really be free of this curse," the old manughed, finding his situation amusing. He had been stuck there for hundreds of years, and the first people to try saving him were two kids.


    "Let''s rest a bit. I might not make it if we continue," Finn suggested as theyy down on the floor, utterly defeated.


    "Get up. I promised not to waste any time, remember?" Jett reminded him as he inserted the silver key into the silver door. "This mission works faster if we''re both tired. This time, I''ll be relying on luck."


    Jett took a deep breath as he hesitated, but eventually walked in.


    "Damn this maniac," Finn mumbled, but eventually gave in and followed.


    *****


    [Number of Participants: 2]


    [Switching Quest Objective��]


    "Why is this different from thest one?" Finn asked as they both looked at the translucent screen loading before them.


    "I honestly don''t know," Jett sighed. "I was originally going to do this solo because I already knew how to beat it, but it''s different now." Hebed his hair as he tried to think. "Maxed out luck, do your thing."


    He closed his eyes, not knowing what to expect, as the screen stopped loading.


    [Quest Objective: Kill your ally]


    [Reward: Force Contract Knowledge]


    *


    *


    *


    Somebody has to die


    I can''t wait (??_??)

 Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Hidden Quest 4

    "Kill your ally? What kind of mission is that?" Finn grumbled, his eyes fixed on the screen before turning to meet Jett''s expressionless face. A surge of apprehension coursed through Finn as he tried to gauge Jett''s thoughts. "He''s not seriously considering killing me, right?" Finn thought, taking a cautious step back.


    "This objective seems... too straightforward," Jett mused, his gaze still locked on the mission details. He noted the iplete sentence and frowned as the screen disyed, leaving the rest hanging.


    [Quest Objective: Kill your ally...]


    [Reward: Force Contract Knowledge]


    Jett spoke without turning to Finn, his attention fully on the mission at hand. "The objective isn''tplete," he pointed out, his voice devoid of emotion.


    "What does that mean? I''ve never encountered an iplete quest in WAR BOUND before," Finn admitted, a hint of unease creeping into his tone.


    "That''s because you''ve rarely ventured beyond trading and you also tend to avoid all events, am I wrong?" Jett replied, still fixated on the mission. Internally, he mulled over the implications. ''The usual objective involves finding a way tomit suicide and survive. But this... this demands one of us to die, with the survivor left toplete the mission.''


    Finn''s wariness of Jett deepened. "How do you know that? I didn''t provide you with such specific information," he remarked, suspicion coloring his words.


    Ignoring Finn''s question, Jett sighed, his mind already racing with contingency ns. "If that''s the case, my original n of relying on poison resistance to fake my death is now futile but..." He turned to Finn, his expression unreadable. "Do you have any poison with you?"


    "P-poison?" Finn stammered, his heart pounding with fear. "What do you need poison for?" he asked, unable to shake off the sense of impending danger.


    "Bring it out, if you have any," Jett urged, his tone tolerating no dy.


    "Huh��? Are you nning on poisoning me here?" Finn pointed at Jett concluding that he was going to kill him if gave him the poison.


    But Jett''s expression hadn''t changed the whole time as he watched Finn over react at the slight chance that he was going to get poisoned by him.


    "C''mon do you really think I need poison to kill you?" Jett asked as he moved closer to Finn. "Just give it here, none of us will be dying today."


    "I sure hope I don''t regret this." Finn sighs as he brings out a small transparent bottle with a ck substance inside and throws it at Jett who instinctively catches it with ease, "Its Lyk poison, I got it as a reward for the previous quest."


    "Hmm, who do you think should drink it?" Jett asked as he opened the bottle.


    "I don''t know�� Nobody? What do you think?" he redirects the question back to Jett.


    "Here''s what I think," he sits down on the ground. "The mission only states that one of us has to die but now we know that it''s not enough to clear the quest, and for us to know what to do next, one of us needs to be out cold." He strokes his chin as though he was thinking deeply.


    "I understood that much, so��?" Finn felt restless waiting to hear what Jett was nning.


    "The person left standing should be someone with a higher chance of survival, so I nominate myself." Jett continues with a goofy smile.


    "All that build up was just a reason to kill me? Dude!" Finn was scared and in shock.


    Jett couldn''t hold theughter anymore as Finn was lost on what to do next as he kept creating distance between them. "Hold on I wasn''t finished." He beckoned Finn toe closer but Finn wasn''t about to risk it.


    "Say it, I''m fine here," Finn replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty.


    "I know a way to ensure you don''t die for real but for it to work, you need to drink this poison. You just have to trust me on this one," Jett insisted, gesturing towards the vial of poison in his hand.


    "How?" Finn''s curiosity overpowered his apprehension as he pondered the possibility of cheating death.


    Jett proceeded to exin the n meticulously, ensuring Finn understood every detail. He described how he would utilize the Sacred Ring Option he had obtained as a reward from a previous mission.


    By imbuing the ring with the soul attribute and then drinking the poison, Finn would be able to automatically trigger a process that guaranteed his safety. "It''s a foolproof method, but it''ll take 30 minutes to bring you back to life. During that time, no matter what happens, I''ll protect you," Jett reassured Finn.


    *****


    Back when Jett was immersed in his previous life as a gamer, one integral aspect of all the games he had yed, including WAR BOUND, was the Forum. It served as a hub for sharing information, teaching others new secrets, and delving deeper into the intricacies of the game.


    Throughout his gaming journey, Jett and his sister had delved into numerous experiments within the game, exploring various scenarios to uncover secrets, hidden quests, or items. They sought out the fastest ways to clear dungeons or quests, as well as gathering misceneous activities and information.


    Their dedication led to a remarkable achievement: approximately 90% of the tips shared on the Forum hailed from either Jett or his sister. Their contributions not only helped themselves but also countless other yers seeking to enhance their gamey experience. Their extensive knowledge and insights were instrumental in Jett''s rapid progression and discovery of hidden quests within WAR BOUND.


    Now, armed with his vast knowledge umted from years of gaming, Jett stood on the brink of using his expertise in WAR BOUND to navigate real-life challenges.


    *****


    Finn followed Jett''s instructions diligently, but he still had a lingering uncertainty about drinking the poison. "I''m having second thoughts about this," he confessed, hesitating with the bottle poised near his lips.


    "Give it here," Jett demanded, snatching the bottle from Finn''s grasp. In one swift motion, he swept Finn off his feet with his sword, causing Finn tond forcefully on the ground. Before Finn could react, Jett overpowered him,pelling him to drink the entirety of the bottle''s contents.


    "Ack... Bitter... Bastard!" Finn eximed, clutching at Jett''s cor as if ready to throttle him. "Why would you do that?"


    Jett, undeterred by Finn''s protest, effortlessly shoved him aside. "Trust me, we''llugh about this someday," he reassured, his tone unwavering.


    But Finn wasn''t inclined to find humor in the situation. He had just been poisoned, and the perpetrator showed no remorse. With a surge of anger, Finn sprinted towards Jett, intent onnding a blow. However, as he closed the distance, he noticed his speed dwindling by the second. His limbs grew numb, and before long, his body ceased to obey him. "W...


    What''s going on?" he gasped, his voice barely a whisper.


    Jett watched as Finn copsed to the ground, lifeless. Approaching cautiously, he checked Finn''s pulse, only to find it nonexistent. "Just leave the rest to me," he muttered, his expression determined.


    Momentster, a translucent screen materialized once again.


    [Updating Quest Objective...]


    [Quest Objective: The undead havee for the corpse of yourrade. Protect him for 1 hour.]


    [Reward: Force Contract Knowledge, Resurrection Rune Stone]


    [Time Remaining: 00:59:50]


    The ground erupted with violent tremors, signaling the arrival of the undead. Skeleton warriors emerged from the earth, their bony forms advancing steadily toward Jett and Finn.


    Jett''s earlier assumption proved surprisingly urate, though the additional reward caught him off guard. "I suppose the Rune Stone was intended to resurrect Finn," he mused to himself, a smirk ying on his lips. "Whether it''s extreme luck or something else, I might just have found a way to cheat this mission and get an extra item."


    Their surroundings offered no refuge��just an endless expanse of barrennd devoid of trees or hiding spots. With the horde of undead closing in, Jett realized he couldn''t fight them off while also protecting Finn. He hoisted Finn''s lifeless body onto his shoulders and bolted, the weight of hisrade slowing him down with each step.


    As exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him, Jett paused to catch his breath. "I''m so tired, pretty sure I''ve been running for 15 minute... Huh?" he gasped, checking the timer on the screen. To his dismay, not even a fraction of the allotted time had psed. "Just five minutes gone..." he muttered, his heart sinking as the undead drew nearer.


    With renewed determination, Jett resumed his frantic pace, carrying Finn as he sprinted across the destendscape. Eventually, he reached a cliff edge, the precipice plunging into an unseen abyss below. Escape was impossible, and Jett found himself trapped with no way out.


    Unable to abandon Finn without failing the quest, Jett faced a grim reality: he had to confront the undead head-on.


    Though the odds were stacked against him, he squared his shoulders and addressed the approaching horde. "Come on, you rotting corpses! Is this the best the afterlife has to offer?" he taunted, steeling himself for the inevitable battle, uncertain if he would emerge victorious or meet his demise.


    *


    *


    *


    Hehe


    He''s finally going all out.

 Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Hidden Quest 5

    [Time Remaining: 00:54:38]


    "The undead army closed in, leaving Jett with little time to spare. Despite his confidence in his strength, facing hundreds of undying soldiers alone while protecting a lifeless body for 30 minutes was no small feat.


    As they drew nearer and charged towards him, creating more space between them and Finn. He was ready to utilize every skill in his arsenal to keep them upied, knowing he had to go all out.


    [Heavenly Blessing: S]:


    - 3x Exp bonus


    - Amplifies all skills ordingly Purifies all Dark attributes and monsters within its area of reach.


    - Grants Holy attribute and triples the effectiveness of all attributes apart from dark attributes to the user and his allies.


    - It envelopes the user in a radiant aura, boosting all stats and recovery by 500%, while also granting immunity to status ailments and providing healing over time.


    - Reduces enemy stats by 300%


    - Grows with the user.


    [Duration: 10 minutes]


    [Cooldown: 24 hours]


    "This skill always gives me goosebumps, no matter how many times I use it," he thought to himself as he activated Heavenly Blessing: S.


    "You''d even think the Hero ss was pure cheating," he muttered, amazed by how quickly his fatigue had been alleviated. "Then again, I guess I''m cheating too, having the ability to copy skills and merge them," he added, spacing out for a moment.


    "Good thing they all possess a dark attribute," he remarked, looking at the monsters as they kept getting closer. "It would''ve been a hassle to fight them all."


    All the monsters that approached Jett immediately disintegrated and turned to dust, the moment they got close to [Heavenly Blessing]''s as they all possessed dark attributes. This bought him more time to contemte how he would survive.


    "Taking these guys on by myself would be easy on its own," he mused, unable to suppress a smile as he nced at Finn. "Who would have thought I would be babysitting?" he added with a sigh of relief.


    The monsters continued rushing towards their impending doom, driven by their singr purpose. Theycked any sense of reasoning; all they knew was their targets, and they wouldn''t stop until they annihted them. However, they all turned to dust before they could get any closer.


    "I guess I''ll be using the Sacred Ring Option I got as a reward. Giving it a holy attribute should help stop most of them from reviving. It''s not as effective as the blessing, but half bread is better than none." Jett reasoned, retrieving the ring from his storage and selecting a holy attribute for it, just as he had asked Finn to do earlier.


    Satisfied that he had equipped himself sufficiently, he checked his stats.


    "Hmm, let''s see how much I''ve leveled up till now."


    =====


    ss: Magic Swordsman


    Level: 15


    HP: 20


    MP: 20


    Strength: 26


    Agility: 35


    Intelligence:20


    Perception: 19


    Luck: 1000


    Undistributed Points: 74


    Skills:


    [Gluttony EX]


    [Skill Forge S]


    [Rewrite Illusion A]


    [Checkpoint A]


    *****


    [Elemental Blessing A]


    [Quick Learner A]


    [Ricochet Strike A]


    [Spellde Storm A]


    [Tactical Mirage A]


    [Demon Eyes B]


    [Full Resistance B]


    *****


    [Heaven''s Blessing S]


    [Market Value S]


    [Arcane Barrage A]


    [Beast Mastery A]


    [Divine Insight A]


    [Divine Judgment A]


    [Storage Space A]


    [Light Blessing B]


    [Killer Instinct C]


    [Quick Heal C]


    [Speed Boost C]


    [Night Vision D]


    =====


    "I''ve leveled up four times? This triple Exp boost is greater than what people my age have, and more than double what people my level should have. The only person that coulde close would be him would be��," Jett murmured with a satisfied smile, his mind drifting to someone he hoped to meet soon.


    "I''ll distribute 10 points to each of my stats," he decided. Almost as soon as the thought crossed his mind, the points distributed themselves automatically.


    "I''ll merge [Speed Boost], [Killer Instinct], [Quick Heal], [Full Resistance] all with [Tactical Mirage]," he dered with a grin, examining the skill attributes once more. "I''m really getting attached to this skill. Now it''s be my favorite. I wonder if the name will change this time."


    With a deliberate motion, he merged them together to create a new skill.


    [Tactical Mirage: A]


    - 20% Bleed effect reduces target''s HP by 5 every 10 seconds.


    - 8% speed boost Creates a 50m radius zone where user is aware all movement.


    - Creates Holographic clones and illusions within this space.


    - Effect can be stacked 5% all-round stat boost.


    - Light attribute Search for small targets and track movement with this zone giving user a mental marker for each target.


    - Resistance to all elemental based attacks: 45%


    - Resistance to curses, pain and poison: 40%


    - Weak force field.


    - Simte possible movements the user can react ording.


    - All dependant on current level.


    "Whoa, it still didn''t change." Jett eximed, amazed by the new and upgraded skill description. "It has incredible potential! How is this not an S-ss skill yet?" he pondered aloud. "Now I''ve got backup for when [Heavenly Blessing] ends."


    He took one more look at his stats, just to satisfy his ego.


    =====


    ss: Magic Swordsman


    Level: 15


    HP: 30


    MP: 30


    Strength: 36


    Agility: 45


    Intelligence:30


    Perception: 29


    Luck: 1000


    Undistributed Points: 14


    Skills:


    [Gluttony EX]


    [Skill Forge S]


    [Rewrite Illusion A]


    [Checkpoint A]


    *****


    [Elemental Blessing A]


    [Quick Learner A]


    [Ricochet Strike A]


    [Spellde Storm A]


    [Tactical Mirage A]


    [Demon Eyes B]


    [Full Resistance B]


    *****


    [Heaven''s Blessing S]


    [Market Value S]


    [Arcane Barrage A]


    [Beast Mastery A]


    [Divine Insight A]


    [Divine Judgment A]


    [Storage Space A]


    [Light Blessing B]


    [Night Vision D]


    =====


    [Time Remaining: 00:44:23]


    [Heavenly Blessing] finally ended with 14 minutes remaining before Finn was scheduled to wake up. It was now time for Jett to engage them directly. He lunged forward, creating distance between himself and Finn to form a defensive wall all by himself. Utilizing Aura, he boosted his effectiveness, making himself stronger and faster while enhancing his weapon.


    He also cast a series of attack spells, strategically targeting clusters of undead monsters to save mana while dealing maximum damage.


    [Tactical Mirage]


    The upgraded skill proved its worth. Though not as potent as [Heavenly Blessing], it still significantly amplified his original stats. Since the undead monsters were low-tierpared to Jett, he effortlessly obliterated them.


    As the battle raged on, most of the defeated monsters began to rise again, but some remained down due to the holy attribute of his Sacred Ring.


    "So far, so good. Nothing too crazy has happened yet. Thanks to Tactical Mirage, the skeletons won''t be able to revive," Jett assessed the situation while still guarding Finn. However, a few monsters managed to slip through, heading in Finn''s direction, but Jett spotted them just in time.


    {Hellfire}


    A massive pir of fire erupted, reducing the monsters to ashes. This enabled other monsters to close in on him, but he was prepared.


    {Gale Slice}


    He utilized a wind spell to push them back while still causing them some damage. Although he aimed to create space between himself and Finn, he didn''t want to stray too far, ensuring that his skill would continue to cover Finn.


    [Spellde Storm]


    Using the defensive nature of the skill, Jett wielded 10 swords to defend himself and another 10 to protect Finn, swiftly cutting down any stray monsters that ventured too close.


    As time drew closer for Finn to awaken, the undead skeletons continued to draw nearer, their numbers increasing with each passing moment. Despite facing resistance and relentless resurrection, Jett held on, refusing to give the monsters a chance to overwhelm him.


    [Time Remaining: 00:31:23]


    "I think it''s finally time to use that skill, before he wakes up."


    [Divine Judgment: A]


    - Calls upon divine authority to strike down enemies with the righteous fury of lightning, dealing massive AoE damage to foes within a 10m radius.


    -Distance increases as the user levels up.


    - Holy Attribute


    - Lightning Attribute]


    [Cooldown: 1 hour]


    Immediately activating the skill, a thunderous sound reverberated through the air, followed by a series of lightning strikes that wiped out more than half of the monsters. The holy attribute, as an added bonus, prevented them from reviving, but more continued to crawl out of the ground. Exhausted and in need of rest, Jett was at his limit.


    [Time Remaining: 00:30:00]


    "Huuuuuuh..." Finn suddenly gasped for air, coughing excessively. "What happened? Am I dead? Is this heaven?" he questioned, confusion evident on his face as he surveyed the scene: countless bones scattered everywhere, and a tired Jett supporting himself with one knee and his sword, drenched in sweat, wearing a pathetic expression on his face.


    "You''re... finally awake..." Jett heaved a sigh of relief, still trying to catch his breath.


    "Pftt..." Finn attempted to stifle hisughter.


    "What?" Jett inquired, still breathless.


    "I never thought I''d see you this worn down and tired, probably karma catching up to you, hehe." Finn chuckled, unable to contain his amusement any longer.


    "You better pick up that spear and defend me like your life depends on it, unless you want this face to be thest one you ever see," Jett warned with a yful seriousness.


    "Alright, alright... Umm, Jett?" Finn''s expression turned perplexed as he looked at the notification that suddenly appeared before him.


    "What is it this time?" Jett responded, not wanting to divert his attention from drinking a healing potion he had previously bought at the store.


    "Well... I don''t think I''ll be of much help," Finn replied, his tone tinged with concern.


    "And why is that?" Jett asked, wondering if stupidity was a side effect of the resurrection.


    "All my stats got halved for 5 months as a penalty for cheating death," Finn exined, pointing at the status notification that had appeared before him, making it visible for Jett to see.


    [You have sessfully risen from the dead. This goes against every naturalw.]


    [Penalty: 50% stat reduction and restriction on all skills]


    *


    *


    *


    For those who might get confused,


    Anything inside this should be considered a spell {}


    While anything here is either a skill or the translucent screen[]

 Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Hidden Quest 6

    Jett''s eyes widened as he processed the gravity of his situation. "Oh right, I forgot about that penalty," he muttered, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips as he nced away.


    "You forgot something that important?" Finn''s voice sliced through the tense air, his anger palpable as he jabbed a finger usingly at Jett. "How am I supposed to support you or myself?" hemented, the weight of their situation evident in his defeated tone.


    Jett merely shrugged, a sarcastic smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Hey, it slipped my mind," he replied casually, though inwardly he acknowledged the gravity of his mistake. He nced at his status information, seeking sce in any advantage he could find.


    As he scanned the data, relief flooded him as he spotted a helpful skill. With a breath of relief, he turned his attention back to Finn. "So, how confident are you in yourbat power right now?" he inquired, his tone betraying a hint of amusement.


    Finn shook his head despondently. "Not good," he admitted ruefully. "I''m practically defenseless without my skills."


    Jett couldn''t help but smirk at Finn''s plight. "Looks like you''re evenzier than I thought," he teased. "But don''t worry, I''ve got your back. I can give you a stat boost for about ten minutes while I provide support from the rear."


    Finn regarded him skeptically, his gaze searching Jett''s face for reassurance. "And after that?" he pressed, his voice tinged with uncertainty.


    Jett''s expression hardened, determination shing in his eyes as he pointed toward the looming undead army. "After that, I''ll take care of the rest," he dered firmly. "Just focus on them."


    With the countdown timer ticking away ominously in the background, the twopanions steeled themselves for the battle ahead, their resolve unyielding despite the odds stacked against them.


    [Time Remaining: 00:26:58]


    [Divine Insight]


    - 100% debuff on all enemies


    - 30% critical hit chances.


    - 300% buff for all stats for all allies


    - Exposes enemies weak spots to the user and his allies.


    - Holy attribute.]


    [Duration: 10 minutes]


    [Cooldown: 24 hours]


    "You have an area buff skill? What else are you hiding?" Finn''s astonishment was evident as he felt the surge of increased stats coursing through him, surpassing even his previous levels.


    Jett shed a grin. "Area buff skill? Yeah, a few," he replied vaguely, masking the true extent of his abilities. ''Better to keep it simple,'' he mused internally, opting not to disclose the full extent of his powers, particrly his unique skill akin to that of a priestess.


    As Finnunched into the fray, he noticed a newfound rity in his vision, highlighted targets standing out amidst the chaos. "I can even see highlights on them, why is that?" he queried, seeking guidance from Jett.


    "They''ll go down easier if you target those spots!" Jett''s voice echoed from behind, his strategic insight proving invaluable in their fight against the undead horde.


    With Jett''s magical support bolstering his efforts, Finn became a force to be reckoned with, effortlessly dispatching their foes one by one. Unaware of the true origin of Jett''s abilities, he pressed on, his confidence unwavering amidst the chaos of battle.


    Unbeknownst to Finn, the [Divine Insight] was the skill he had copied from Jean during their first meeting, a rare and coveted ability reserved for a chosen few among the priesthood. Yet here he stood, a Magic Swordsman harnessing its power, although imperfect.


    The implications of such a revtion weighed heavily on Jett''s mind, knowing the potential consequences of being exposed as a heretic or worse.


    He couldn''t afford the scrutiny or the danger it posed to his family. With each swing of his de, he fought not only to survive but to safeguard his secrets from prying eyes.


    [Time Remaining: 00:16:58]


    "Now for my finishing move!" Finn''s battle cry rang out as he leaped towards the horde of undead, his spear poised to strike. But as the buff dissipated, his weapon felt as light as feathers to the monsters. "Uh-oh..." he muttered, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of his stomach.


    The undead closed in, overwhelming him with their relentless onught. With nowhere to turn, Finn resigned himself to his fate, until he caught sight of Jett sliding through the hoard stopping next to him, his palm stretched upwards.


    "Get down," Jett yell, his voice cutting through the tension. Acting on instinct, Finn crouched low to the ground as Jett unleashed his devastatingbination attack.


    [Tactical Mirage]


    {Hellfire}


    "Burn," Jett intoned, and in an instant, the entire area erupted in mes, reducing their enemies to ash. "Alright, dead weight, just make sure not to get killed," he quipped, his toneced with sarcasm.


    Finn narrowed his eyes, suspicion tingeing his words. "You don''t look so tired. What were you doing back there this whole time?" he questioned, sensing that Jett''s earlier fatigue may have been a ruse.


    "Taking it easy, watching you y the role of a self-entitled anime protagonist," Jett retorted, a smirk ying at his lips.


    "Don''t you ever tell anyone about that," Finn warned, but his face was red with embarrassment.


    "My lips are sealed," Jett assured him, before enveloping himself in his Aura and swiftly clearing the remaining undead with effortless precision.


    To Finn''s amazement, monsters that had once taken him multiple strikes to defeat fell before Jett''s de with ease, leaving him both envious and awestruck.


    [Time Remaining: 00:9:38]


    [Ricochet Strike]


    Before Finn could fullyprehend what was happening, Jett had already vanished from his sight. His movements were a blur, too swift for Finn to track. All he could discern were the gusts of wind left in Jett''s wake as he darted from angle to angle, his sword striking true and monsters shattering upon impact.


    Finn found himself relegated to the role of a mere spectator, watching in awe as someone his age aplished feats he had only ever dreamed of. The realization dawned upon him, widening the distance between their abilities.


    [Time Remaining: 00:02:43]


    Jett reveled in the thrill of battle, freed from the burden of protecting Finn as before. With each swing of his sword, he harvested free experience points, his enjoyment palpable as he effortlessly dispatched their enemies.


    The quest drew ever closer to its conclusion, time ticking away as they neared their goal.


    [Time Remaining: 00:00:00]


    [Quest Complete]


    [Both participants have earned the title Undead yer]


    [Contribution: 70%]


    [Rewards are being calcted]


    [You will be sent back to the CURSED SHOP]


    Notifications began to pop up, signaling their sessfulpletion of the quest. Both Jett and Finn received a title for surpassing expectations and annihting the undead menace.


    [Undead yer]


    [Obtained this title for ying and purifying more than a thousand undead]


    [10% bonus damage against all undead monsters]


    With a sh of light, they found themselves back in the familiar confines of the CURSED SHOP, their bodies weary but spirits soaring with victory.


    "We made it. I never thought I''d be so relieved to see this ce again," Finn eximed, his relief palpable as he embraced the nearest shelf for support.


    [Rewards have been calcted]


    [Force Contract Knowledge]


    [Additional Reward]


    [Skill: Clone D]


    [2000 Soul Gems]


    [Skill: Auto Spell A]


    As the rewards materialized before them, anticipation filled the air. Jett grinned at Finn''s reaction, amused by his sudden outburst. "What did you get?" he inquired, curiosity dancing in his eyes as he leaned against the wall.


    Finn shrugged nonchntly, still caught up in the euphoria of their victory. "Got a new title, 200 Soul Gems, some return scrolls, and a new skill," he replied, listing off his rewards. "But no Force Contract Knowledge like it mentioned before the quest."


    Jett''s smile faltered slightly at the mention of the missing reward. "We got totally different rewards," he muttered under his breath, making a mental note to keep Finn in the dark about the disparity in their gains. ''Best if he doesn''t know.''


    Silent for a moment, Jett observed Finn, his mind whirring with thoughts. Sensing Jett''s gaze, Finn grew defensive. "What?" he demanded, a hint of suspicion coloring his tone. "You''re not nning on starting the next quest right now, right?"


    "Hehe, you seem to be able to read my thoughts," Jett quipped, sidestepping Finn''s question with a yful retort.


    "There''s no door to open, dumbass," Finn remarked, gesturing around the shop. The only two doors that had been present before were now nowhere to be seen.


    Ignoring Finn''sment, Jett approached the counter, his demeanor focused as he produced the ink and quill from their earlier quest. With a whisper, he uttered, "Force Contract Knowledge."


    Instantly, the quill sprang to life, hovering in mid-air as though guided by an unseen hand. It began to write on the paper of its own ord, tracing out intricate symbols and lines.


    "A g�� g�� ghost!" Finn eximed in rm at the sight of the quill''s autonomous movement.


    "Just calm down," Jett reassured him, his voice steady as he maintained control over the quill. "Think of it as my new skill."


    Both Jett and the shopkeeper remained calm, their understanding of the situation evident as they watched the quill continue its mysterious task.


    The quill''s movements ceased as Jett carefully signed his name on the paper, followed by the old man. With a deliberate motion, Jett pierced his finger with the quill, allowing a drop of his blood to fall upon the spot where he had signed.


    As the blood made contact with the paper, the shopkeeper''s body began to glow, particles of dust swirling around his legs as if caught in a whirlwind.


    "Hu hu hu�� I''m free, I''m finally free," the old man eximed with joy, his form dissipating into the air. "You have my thanks, the final rewards are yours."


    With a sense of gratitude, he passed a golden key to Jett before vanishingpletely, leaving only Jett and Finn standing in the now empty shop.


    "What just happened?" Finn questioned, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern.


    "Questplete," Jett responded calmly, his gaze meeting Finn''s as he processed the events that had unfolded.


    "If that''s the case, why are we still here, and what does the key open?" Finn pressed for answers, his curiosity piqued.


    Jett tossed the key to Finn, a wry smile ying at his lips. "The Shop," he dered simply, his tone tinged with significance. "I was originally going to give it to you when I cleared the quest myself and got back, but here you go."


    Finn barely managed to catch the key, his mind racing with the implications of their newfound possession. As the key made contact with his hand, a new screen materialized before them, presenting a choice.


    [The shop no longer holds a curse and requires an owner.]


    [Who should im ownership? Jett/Finn]


    "The shop is yours. I was never the merchant type," Jett offered generously, relinquishing his im to the reward without hesitation.


    "Really? This is..." Finn''s initial tion faltered as he considered everything that had transpired. "You deserve this more than I do," he insisted, attempting to return the key to Jett.


    Jett observed Finn''s reluctance to ept the key, knowing that he wouldn''t simply take it without feeling a sense of guilt. "Who said I''m giving it to you for free?" he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Just know I''lle to collect my payment one day," he added, refusing to take back the key.


    "Alright then, thank you. I''ll ept," Finn replied, his gratitude evident in the subtle smile that graced his lips.


    [Finn has epted ownership of the Shop]


    [Reward]


    [Skill: Shop Domain]


    [Named Weapon: Midas Spear EX]


    [x1 Red Rune Stone]


    [x1 Yellow Rune Stone]


    "Wow, I got an EX ss weapon. Don''t go back on your word and start getting jealous now," Finn quipped, his excitement palpable as he examined his newfound treasures.


    [Jett has rejected ownership of the Shop]


    [Compensation]


    [Force Contract Knowledge will now be updated to suit the user]


    [Skill: Forced Contract S]


    [x3 Red Rune Stone]


    [x3 Green Rune Stone]


    [x3 Yellow Rune Stone]


    [x3 Dark Rune Stone]


    [x1 White Rune Stone]


    Jett couldn''t help but smile as he examined thepensation for forgoing the main reward. "I''ve got what I originally came here to do. You''re actually best suited for the reward for this quest," he exined, his tone genuine as he acknowledged Finn''s prowess. "Even if I had that weapon, it would never be as effective as when you use it."


    Finn''s face lit up with excitement, misinterpreting Jett''s intentions. "So you intentionally brought me here to im the reward?" he eximed, his enthusiasm evident.


    Jett chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "No, not really. I was nning on bagging all the rewards and selling you the ones I wasn''tpatible with," he confessed, waving his hands to dispel Finn''s misunderstanding.


    As a golden door materialized where they had originally entered the shop, Finn''s expression shifted to one of realization. "Sneaky bastard, I knew you were up to no good," he muttered, though there was a hint of admiration in his voice as he unlocked the door.


    As they stepped back into the deserted alley, their eyes met, a silent agreement passing between them.


    "We never speak of this to anyone," Finn dered firmly.


    "Agreed. Now let''s go have some fun," Jett agreed, a grin spreading across his face as they made their way back to where the fair had been held, ready to embrace whatever adventures awaited them next.


    *


    *


    *


    I think I went overboard and made the chapter too long


    My bad

 Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Reunion

    A group of children, all the same age, gathered at a quiet, secluded spot away from the bustling activities. "So, is everyone here?" a voice chimed in, as if conducting a roll call.


    Among them stood Asher, Cedric, Evelina, and Freya, who had just joined them. "Hey, guys, hope you didn''t start the party without us," Evelina broke the silence with her usual ir.


    "This isn''t a game. But I suppose manners were never taught in your household," a blonde girl retorted sharply.


    "What did you say? Come on, say it again, I dare you," Evelina bristled, clearly irked by the remark.


    "I''d rather not stoop to your level," the blonde girl replied coolly.


    "Elora, stop being mean," a boy who bore a striking resemnce to her interjected with a smile.


    "Let it go, Lina. Elora could wipe the floor with you if she felt like it," Asher attempted to diffuse the tension while subtly reminding her of who she was challenging.


    "Oh, right, ummm�� Finn isn''t here though. We couldn''t find him anywhere," Cedric reported, trying to shift the focus away from the confrontation with the blonde girl.


    "I guess we''ll have to start without him," one of the boys, who exuded an air of nobility, suggested. No one seemed to object to his proposal.


    *****


    The meeting was convened under the guise of the fair, providing a pretext for everyone to gather and exchange information about their discoveries in this new world.


    They were the ones who had been reincarnated into this world alongside Jett.


    Ray, formerly known as Ryota, was the most vocal among them.


    He possessed an in-depth understanding of the WAR BOUND game, although his knowledge couldn''t rival Jett''s.


    Nheless, his expertise in the game alone was a significant advantage.


    He was the one who proposed that the world they now lived in shared simrities with the WAR BOUND franchise.


    He exined everything he knew about the game and the simrities he found, outlining which character each of them embodied and their corresponding storyline within the game.


    He also shared some secrets he had gleaned from the forum that would aid them in leveling up.


    While most of his tips were top-notch, some proved to be somewhat inconsistent, as he primarily focused on warrior sses.


    Unfortunately, due to the nature of the original story, he couldn''t offer much assistance to Freya, who had the priestess ss.


    Others who were familiar with the game shared their knowledge, and those who focused on different mediums like movies, TV shows, cartoons, and even the board game contributed what they knew.


    They discussed various survival strategies based on theirbined knowledge.


    The overarching storyline they all understood was that fourteen heroes were summoned to a fantasy world of swords and magic, tasked with defeating an evil dark magician whoter transformed into a Lich.


    The heroes were to grow stronger, seek out ancient weapons to aid them in battle, unite the races, and ultimately end the Lich''s tyranny.


    However, they weren''t  aware that this narrative was iplete.


    ording to the book, two characters met their demise even before the battlemenced, with Jett and Freya destined to be among the fallen.


    Yet, none of them, apart from Jett, were privy to this information.


    *****


    "Hurry up before they all leave. You should at least meet the others," Finn urged Jett, motioning for him to pick up the pace.


    "Alright, alright, I''ming," Jett responded reluctantly, taking his time to soak in the vibrant atmosphere as he followed behind. ''I only agreed toe so I could get a skill from Ray,'' he thought to himself, feeling content with everything they had aplished for the day.


    "They should be somewhere around here," Finn remarked, scanning the area in search of their gathering spot. He soon spotted the group gathered in a quiet corner secluded from the fair.


    "Hey, everyone, I''m finally here," Finn announced, observing the mixed expressions on their faces. Freya, Ray, and Evelina struggled to contain theirughter, giving off faint giggles.


    "You''re extremelyte," Elora blocked his path and pointed usingly at Finn. "And who is this stranger you brought to this important gathering?" she questioned Finn.


    "Well, he''s..." Finn began to exin.


    "You now bring anyone to our secret meet-ups? You do realize that normal people are not allowed here, right? What if people find out about who we are through him, huh? Would you take responsibility for that?" Elora admonished Finn.


    "Sorry, ma''am," Finn muttered, caught off guard by the scolding.


    No one envied Finn''s position at that moment. They all watched in silence as Elora berated him.


    Even Jett felt a pang of sympathy, but he refrained from interfering, knowing she was already searching for an opportunity to involve him too.


    As Elora continued to reprimand Finn, somebody finally intervened. "Leave the poor guy alone."


    "Stay out of this, Matty. We can''t let him keep getting away with all his mishaps just because he''s loaded," Elora dismissed his input. "He''s just a spoiled, unapologetic, self-entitled greedy brat. Even Ray doesn''t act as pompous as you, and he''s the freaking prince."


    Ray couldn''t help but blush, unsure if being used as a role model at that moment was entirely ttering.


    Every insult Elora hurled at Finn felt like a dagger to his gut. Jett remained silent throughout the exchange until Finn had finally reached his breaking point and attempted to exin, "He''s an ally, his name is Jett Grift, he''s..."


    "Ethan?" Ray interjected, wearing a surprised yet pleased expression on his face.


    "Wow, I give up," Finn muttered, storming off to a corner in frustration.


    "Yo," Jett greeted no one in particr before approaching Ray. "I''m surprised you figured me out just by the name," he remarked, extending his hand towards Ray. ''There you are,'' he thought, smiling as he copied the skill from Ray.


    [Regeneration A]


    "Is that really him? The guy who got that luck restriction back when we met Aurelia, right?" Evelina whispered to Asher. "Where has he been all this time? He doesn''t seem like he''s from a noble or prestigious family like the rest of us."


    "Shut it," Asher chided her, silencing her with a yful chop to the head before turning his attention to Jett.


    "Ow, that hurt, you meanie," Evelinained, rubbing her head in pain.


    "Ignore her, she''s just a troublemaker," Asher apologized to Jett, though he couldn''t help but wonder where Jett had been all this time. "But honestly, though, where have you been?"


    "Lagia, a town really far from the capital," Jett replied.


    "I hope you weren''t cking off and ying house like this dimwit over here," Elora remarked, eyeing Jett with suspicion.


    "Come on, just cut him some ck. He''s much stronger than you think," Asher defended Jett, then turned to nce at Finn in the corner. "I bet he could disarm you easily in a duel," he added with a faint smirk.


    "Huh?" Finn struggled to process what he had just heard.


    "Haha, I see you enjoy joking about impossible situations," Elora chuckled lightly, though the tension in the air was palpable.


    Everyone watching could sense where this was headed.


    "How about a bet? You wouldn''t pass up the chance to prove yourself right, would you?" Jett suggested with a sinister smile. "The loser has to fulfill the winner''s request."


    "Don''t do it, Elora."


    "She''s not going to... right?''


    Elora grinned at Jett. "Is that so?"


    ''Crap, she''s going to.''


    ''How does she not see what''s happening?"


    "I guess we''ll just have to see what happens next."


    They all whispered among themselves as the tension continued to escte. No one dared to be the voice of reason and tell Elora to reconsider, not even Aiden, who appeared to be her brother.


    "I ept the terms. When do we start so I can pulverize him?" Elora proimed proudly, pointing at Finn, who was now hiding behind Ray, visibly trembling with fear.


    Freya watched with a mixture of disgust and concern as Jett baited Elora into a senseless duel with Finn as the unwitting victim. Something felt off to her. ''Jett Grift, you are a menace. What are you hiding?''


    *


    *


    *


    The group is finally back together.

 Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Unexpected Duel

    "Haha, looks like someone needs a lesson," Elora dered, eyeing Jett, who remained expressionless. "When do we start?" she asked, reaching for one of the swords strapped to her back.


    "Right now. But if you''re aiming to win, you better go all out," Jett replied, nodding towards the second sword she carried.


    Elora''s irritation red at his words, and she turned to Finn. "me your friend for what''s about to happen to you."


    Finn felt a chill run down his spine and quickly pulled Jett aside. "What are you doing? Why are you trying to provoke her? And dragging me into it?"


    "Rx and trust yourself. Trust that weapon you obtained earlier," Jett whispered back. "Believe me."


    "But can I even win? Her skills are unmatched, evenpared to yours," Finn pondered.


    "You dense fool... did you bother to read the weapon''s description?" Jett sighed, disappointed. "Just read it and stop fretting."


    [Midas Spear]


    [One of the fourteen great weapons forged by the Gods themselves, each imbued with their blessings and will. Crafted by the cksmith God and blessed by Midas to bestow infinite wealth and protection upon its wielder.]


    - +70 All round stat boost


    - 20% increase in Exp gained


    - 50% increased drop rate.


    - 20% Probability of getting a better item grade.


    - Gold skin with 50% additional defence.


    ???


    ???


    ???


    Special Trait


    - Return


    - Pocket Save


    ???


    ???


    ???]


    [You are have been BOUND to this weapon and therefore no one else can wield it.]


    [This weapon shall continue to grow as it apanies you.]


    [Special Quest: Find the Lost cksmith God]


    [Unique Quest: Find the ancient Midas Temple]


    Finn was utterly shocked, "What the he��" he began, but Jett swiftly silenced him with a re.


    "Keep your voice down, you fool," Jett hissed.


    "But that''s outright cheating," Finn protested in a hushed tone.


    "I never imed EX weapons were off-limits. Just try not to end her life," Jett exined, outlining Finn''s strategy for the uing fight.


    "You''re a real devil," Finn muttered.


    With a smirk, Jett walked away. "I''m just offering assistance," he called back, waving Finn off with a wish of good luck.


    *****


    "The Divine Lords." It was a title bestowed upon those born on the exact day and time as The Holy Priestess Freya. The emergence of 13 children from royal and noble families, all bearing special traits during their awakening, was a phenomenon unprecedented in history. Believing it to be a celestial message, they honored these children with the esteemed title of Divine Lords.


    Jett could have been among them, had Jerry chosen to take him to the capital for his awakening.


    *****


    The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as news of the impending duel between two Divine Lords spread like wildfire.


    Whispers echoed through the crowd, excitement palpable in the air. Everyone yearned to witness firsthand the prowess of these extraordinary individuals.


    Finally, the moment arrived. The two Divine Lords stood face to face in the expansive arena, once a ce for adventurers to spar and showcase their skills during the fair.


    Now, it served as the stage for a much-anticipated showdown.


    Beside the arena, Freya, her face veiled, stood next to Jett, who appeared unfazed. "You must truly loathe Finn if you''re putting him in this kind of situation," she remarked, her voice tinged with concern.


    Aiden, standing nearby, attempted to dissuade Jett. "Imend your resolve if this is revenge for something he did, but you''ve gone too far. Call it off," he urged.


    Lost in his thoughts, Jett muttered to himself, a faint smile gracing his lips. Unnoticed by hispanions, his attention remained fixed on the arena.


    Freya''s frustration simmered, while Aiden''s smiled as he walked away.


    Ray approached from behind, voicing his concerns. "You''re quite the enigma, Jett. I almost wonder if you have a n, but it''s Elora we''re talking about..," he admitted. "Let''s hope Finn makes it out alive."


    "Don''t worry, I know our prince won''t let that happen, Just make sure they don''t notice this eyesore next to me." Jett''s confident response reassured Ray, but it earned him a punch from Freya, her anger evident as she stormed away, leaving him momentarily stunned.


    As tension mounted, a voice rose above the murmurs, drawing attention. "Step right up and ce your bets! Elora, The Hot-Blooded Queen, versus Finn!" The words hung in the air, heightening the suspense as spectators eagerly wagered on the oue of the duel.


    "Seraphina? Are you seriously kidding me?" Finn''s voice cut through the tension, pleading for assistance. "Morrigan, Marce, help me out here."


    "Always seize an opportunity to make money. You taught me that didn''t you?" Seraphina retorted, undeterred as she continued her collection.


    "Whatever, just get this over with." Marce muttered, already disinterested and ready to leave.


    Morrigan chimed in yfully before following Marce. "She''s relentless, Finn. Can''t say I''m too sorry about it though."


    As the others dispersed around to watch, Jett remained, observing quietly. "You''ve certainly pissed off quite a lot of them, Finn. All the more reason."


    Ray''s voice cut through the chatter, signaling the start of the duel. "Set your weapons."


    Elora, wielding dual swords she always kept at her back, and Finn, reluctantly summoning his spear concealed within it''s pocket save trait, prepared for battle.


    The sight of Finn''s elegantly crafted spear mesmerized the onlookers, drawing admiration and whispers of awe.


    "That spear...," Ray muttered, a flicker of recognition crossing his features.


    "Don''t assume wealth alone can bridge the gap between us," Elora warned, her confidence unwavering.


    Finn couldn''t help but ponder the advantage his spear afforded him, caught between a mix of relief and uncertainty.


    Ray refocused the attention, outlining the rules. "The first to forfeit or leave the arena is deemed the loser. Disarming also counts as defeat. Magic and skills are prohibited. I''ll use a special artifact to simte damage. If your artifact breaks, you lose.


    Understood?"


    "Yes," they both chorused in unison.


    "Then you may begin," Ray dered, stepping out of their view as the duel officiallymenced.


    Elora stood her ground, beckoning Finn to make the first move. He wasted no time,unching into an offensive assault.


    Due to his weapon''s blessing, Elora would have found herself outmatched, with the duel nearly ending within moments. But Jett had different intentions.


    With his own motives in mind, Jett had urged Finn to prolong the battle, to showcase Elora''s capabilities to the onlookers.


    Finn, understanding the n, held back, dragging out the fight for a reason.


    Despite Finn''s advantage in weapon length, Elora skillfully parried his thrusts, closing in on him with determination.


    As their weapons shed with resounding force, it became evident to all that these children possessed remarkable skill for their age.


    "You''re better than I expected. I''ll give you that," Elora admitted, a smile ying on her lips. "But don''t think for a second I''ll let you win."


    "I never imed otherwise!" Finn retorted, difort evident in his tone. While Finn appreciated being in the spotlight, this level of scrutiny made him uneasy.


    Spectators watched in awe as the youngbatants engaged in a fierce exchange. "Are they truly only six years old? Remarkable."


    But what truly surprised the onlookers was Finn''s ability to hold his own against Elora, a fact that didn''t go unnoticed by their group.


    Spotting an opening, Finn seized the opportunity, ready to turn the tide of the battle in his favor.


    As Jett had orchestrated, he skillfully maneuvered himself to fall backward, narrowly evading a fatal strike.


    In the same motion, he positioned his leg against Elora''s, causing her to stumble and fall as he rose to his feet.


    Before she could regain her footing, Finn had his spear pointed at her, leaving her no choice but to concede defeat.


    "Huh? I know he used a trick, but still, Elora lost?" Ray and the spectators watched in astonishment.


    "I can''t believe this." Aiden was more surprised than anyone, "Sis lost?"


    "You little cheat. I put too much money on this so just lose." Evelina yelled at Finn.


    "Quite it, he didn''t cheat, plus they just started" Asher, not wanting to look away, kept a calmposure as he observed Finn, "Something feels different about him."


    "Don''t get too excited after resorting to a cheap trick like that. The next round won''t be the same," Elora remarked to Finn, her surprise evident despite her words of admonishment.


    *


    *


    *


    Who do you think will win though?


    Don''t forget to leave a review ?

 Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Decided Outcome

    "Round two," Ray dered, his voice carrying across the training ground.


    Elora surged forward with even greater velocity than before. "Luck won''t save you this time," she taunted, her strikes devoid of mercy.


    Finn refrained fromunching any offensive maneuvers, adhering to his instructions to hold back even further. He deftly evaded each iing blow and parried those he couldn''t dodge.


    "What''s he ying at? He''s not even trying to counterattack," Asher remarked, his focus fixated on Finn rather than Elora. "Was it all just luck?"


    "No, it wasn''t. You might not have noticed, but he''s deliberately restraining himself," Aiden elucidated.


    "Finn holding back against Elora? That''s unheard of," Evelina chimed in, joining the conversation.


    "Simply surviving against her for this long is an aplishment in itself. Now, I''m itching for a spar myself," Matty added, his fists clenching in anticipation.


    Meanwhile, Ray observed in silence, his gaze fixed on Finn''s weapon. An odd sensation washed over him as he studied the spear.


    "Have you figured it out yet?" Jett prodded.


    "Don''t do that, you might have given me a heart attack." Ray chided.


    "Sorry, but doesn''t the spear look familiar?" Jett persisted.


    "I had my suspicions, but if you''re bringing it up, then it must be one of those 14 weapons from WAR BOUND. I had one in-game too, but mine was a sword, and it was incredibly rare. How did youe across it?" Ray inquired.


    "We got lucky," Jett evaded the question.


    "Lucky, huh?" Ray echoed skeptically. "Luck alone doesn''t suffice, though."


    The battle raged on, with Elora pressing relentlessly, leaving Finn with no breaks. He stumbled, his footing faltering, and in that fleeting moment of vulnerability, Elora seized the opportunity, her sword poised at his neck.


    "I surrender," Finn conceded, copsing to the ground in feigned exhaustion. "Isn''t this a bit too intense for a group of six-year-olds?"


    "He''s lost. Was it merely luck?" someone pondered aloud, voicing the confusion shared by all present. They watched in astonishment, while only Jett sported a knowing smile.


    Elora extended her hand to Finn. "I im victory this time. Your technique may becking, but your sheer powerpensates for it. I don''t know how you''ve be so strong, but I refuse to be defeated by you."


    Finn grinned and sped her hand, pulling himself to his feet. "Is that a challenge?"


    "Final round," Ray announced, drawing everyone''s attention. Finn took a deep breath, brandishing his spear at Elora. "I''m sorry, but this time, I must emerge victorious," he dered, foregoing any particr stance and simply standing his ground, spear aimed at his opponent.


    Jett couldn''t help but marvel at the unfolding scene. "That''s it, Finn, write the story as I desire," he murmured quietly, observing intently.


    "The bet is still unsettled, soe at me," Finn challenged her, a newfound resolve coursing through him.


    Enraged, Eloraunched herself into the attack, but Finn, done with holding back, unleashed his full strength. With a single swing, he sent both of her weapons flying.


    "I win," he dered, pointing the spear at Elora once more.


    Typically, a victorious duel would be met with cheers, apuse, and jubtion. But this time, the atmosphere was one of stunned surprise rather than celebration.


    It wasn''t that they were displeased with Finn''s victory; quite the opposite, they were all astounded. The issuey in the fact that Elora hailed from a distinguished military lineage and had been regarded as the strongest among the group, rivaled only by Ray.


    So, the fact that Finn, who prioritized wealth overbat and habitually evaded training, managed to best her left everyone, including Elora, dumbfounded.


    Amidst the stunned silence, Finn retracted his weapon, causing it to vanish, and extended his arm to Elora, waiting for her to grasp it. After a few moments, to everyone''s surprise, she took his hand and pulled herself up.


    Jett began apuding, and gradually, others joined in, dispersing the tense atmosphere and restoring the jovial mood.


    "You''ve got to spill the secret."


    "Ah, darn it, I lost the bet."


    "Yeah, me in too."


    "Finn, spill it. How''d you manage to beat Elora?"


    "What level are you at now?"


    "Elora put up an impressive fight. I doubt I could match her skill."


    "You did great sis."


    "Do you think you could teach me that move?"


    They gathered around Finn and Elora, their conversation brimming with cheerfulness. One wouldn''t have guessed that they had just witnessed a spar moments ago.


    "Wow, that was incredible."


    "Are they all supposed to be that strong?"


    "The duel of members of the thirteen Divine Lords, what a spectacle it was," remarked one of the onlookers.


    "Yeah," agreed another.


    As the group conversed among themselves, it became evident to them that the titles held by thebatants and their peers were no joke. Even some seasoned adventurers felt a bit threatened.


    "I suppose this is what you had in mind?" Ray breathed a sigh of relief as he observed the spectators.


    "More or less," Jett replied nonchntly, still basking in the sess of Finn''s execution of the n.


    "But why go to such lengths?" Ray''s curiosity lingered, pondering if there was an ulterior motive behind Jett''s actions.


    "I have my reasons. Let''s just say I aim to rewrite the ending because the one I saw wasn''t satisfying," Jett evaded the question, though internally he mused, ''I simply wanted to shatter their sense of logic and ignite their drive to grow stronger.''


    "You don''t want to be on the spotlight as well? Revealing your identity as one of us would earn you a title like the rest of us, along with special privileges to aid in you in levelling up," Ray suggested.


    "Nah, not interested," Jett dismissed the offer without hesitation.


    Ray appeared slightly taken aback. "You''re not seeking recognition? That''s remarkably humble of you."


    "Who said I don''t wan''t the spotlight? It''s simply not the right time," Jett asserted confidently. "There''s one more thing though."


    "What''s that?" Ray inquired.


    Carefully surveying his surroundings, Jett leaned in close to Ray. "I need you to keep that weapon a secret. It would be troublesome if word got out. You don''t need to worry about him using it carelessly; I''ll handle that," he whispered.


    "Hmm, I think I understand. I won''t say a word about it," Ray affirmed, happy toply.


    Jett extended his hand toward Ray. "How about we seal the deal with a handshake?"


    "Sure," Ray agreed, sping Jett''s hand, unaware of the devilish grin hiding behind Jett''s facade.


    [Condition has been met]


    [Force Contract S]


    - Sign a contract with a target without their consent or knowledge.


    - There are no limits to the terms a contract can have or influence.


    - Contracts can be stacked with old ones.


    - Target must willingly touch the user''s hand to confirm.


    - Nullifies any other contract


    - Penalty for attempted resistance is decided by the user.]


    [Usage 3/3 per day]


    [Duration: 24 Hours]


    ''I can''t afford to fall behind before my time to shine, now can I?''


    [Contract Terms]


    - User will continuously receive a 30% bonus EXP for whatever EXP the target gains daily.


    - The target is prohibited from disclosing information about the Midas spear unless granted permission or until he acquires his own Unique weapon.]


    [Penalty: Severe pain]


    "Alright, I need to get going," Jett bid farewell to Ray before setting off to find Finn.


    *****


    After some searching, he finally located Finn and called out to him. "Hey Finn, give me your hand."


    Finn hesitated, sensing that something was off, but eventuallyplied with Jett''s request.


    [Condition has been met]


    [Force Contract S]


    [Usage 2/3 per day]


    [Cooldown: 24 Hours]


    [Contract Terms]


    - User will continuously receive a 30% bonus EXP for whatever EXP the target gains daily.


    - The target is not permitted to use the Midas Spear for any selfish or irrelevant reason.


    - Experience Contract


    - Proficiency Contract]


    [Penalty: Severe pain]


    "Now, I think I''ll establish the EXP contract with Elora too," Jett mused.


    *


    *


    *


    [User will continuously receive 30% bonus EXP for whatever EXP the target gains daily.]


    I''ll exin


    This contract essentially meant that if the target, for example, Ray, gained a total of 100,000 EXP in one day, then 30,000 would added as bonus and immediately be subtracted from Ray''s total and transferred to Jett.


    So basically Ray keeps 100% of his exp and and extra 30% gets gifted to Jett essential speeding up his progress without slowing down Ray.


    I hope it''s not too confusing

 Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Rest and Bonding

    After conversing with Ray, he convened with the others, exchanging brief words before approaching Elora with a casual demeanor, hinting at his forting im of the reward. With that, he took his leave.


    Within the confines of the Emberville estate, Jett roamed the gardens in a state of deep contemtion, his mind dwelling on the events of the recent battle. His thoughts lingered on the strength disyed by hisrades, a testament to their prowess. Yet, amidst their power, Jett recognized the pressing need for his own advancement.


    "Strength, undeniable strength," he mused inwardly as he treaded silently towards the mansion. His steps were deliberate, avoiding any unnecessary noise until he reached the sce of his chamber.


    "Now, let''s assess my skills and the spoils of battle," he murmured to himself, eager to delve into the rewards that awaited him.


    =====


    Title: Undead yer


    ss: Magic Swordsman


    Level: 16


    HP: 40


    MP: 40


    Strength: 46


    Agility: 55


    Intelligence:40


    Perception: 39


    Luck: MAX


    Undistributed Points: 30


    Skills:


    [Gluttony EX]


    [Skill Forge S]


    [Rewrite Illusion A]


    [Checkpoint A]


    *****


    [Elemental Blessing A]


    [Quick Learner A]


    [Ricochet Strike A]


    [Spellde Storm A]


    [Tactical Mirage A]


    [Demon Eyes B]


    [Full Resistance B]


    *****


    [Forced Contract S]


    [Heaven''s Blessing S]


    [Market Value S]


    [Arcane Barrage A]


    [Auto Spell A]


    [Beast Mastery A]


    [Divine Insight A]


    [Divine Judgment A]


    [Storage Space A]


    [Light Blessing B]


    [Clone D]


    [Night Vision D]


    =====


    =====


    [x3 Red Rune Stone]


    [x3 Green Rune Stone]


    [x3 Yellow Rune Stone]


    [x3 Dark Rune Stone]


    [x1 White Rune Stone]


    [x5000 skeleton bones]


    [x2 Great Firefly wings]


    =====


    "How should I manage this abundance of rune stones?" Jett pondered, scrutinizing one of the stones with a thoughtful gaze.


    *****


    Rune stones served as one of the medium through which individuals acquired skills,  through the act of crushing them, they had the potential of gaining a new skill. Each stone bore a distinct color, indicative of the type of skill it held within its core. Red stones promised potent attack abilities, while yellow stones offered buffs and crowd control.


    Green stones harbored skills associated with health, blue stones housed elemental skills, ck stones gave skills rted to the dark attribute, and white stones embodied the purity of holy attributes. Moreover, these stones were graded from A to F, their purity ascending with each grade.


    The higher the grade, the greater the purity of the stone, thus amplifying the chances of sess and the possibility of attaining a higher-tier skill. Even the lowest grade stone held considerable value, coveted by adventurers, warriors, and mages alike for their rarity and potential.


    *****


    "Using all these rune stones myself would be tempting, especially with my maxed out luck, but it wouldn''t align with the ending I want," Jett mused aloud, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as he contemted the best course of action. "I need them to grow stronger too, and I can always replicate whatever skills they acquire. Teaching them how properly use these stones seems like the logical step."


    After much deliberation, Jett resolved to allocate the stones based on theirpatibility with each individual''s affinity for a particr color, providing them with guidance to maximize their effectiveness. As he formted his n, a sly grin spread across his lips, enjoying the illusion of generosity he projected.


    While he freely distributed these valuable gifts without any hope of return, he was aware that they would view it as an act of great kindness.


    With his distributionplete and his items organized, Jett focused his attention on the task of merging several skills, eager to enhance his prowess through theirbination.


    *****


    The dinner table was a scene of quietude as everyone savored their meal. Avon and Jerry exchanged nces, silently questioning if the boys were bonding well. Jett, sensing the curiosity directed towards him, offered a nonchnt response before returning his focus to his te, his appetite evidently sharpened by the day''s events.


    Nerissa, eager to stir conversation, directed her inquiry towards Jett''s experience at the fair. Despite her casual tone, Jett detected a hint of suspicion in her persistence. Sensing her probing, he opted for caution in his response, downying the significance of his encounters.


    "It was enjoyable," Jett replied, his tone casual, though internally he braced himself for further interrogation.


    Nerissa pressed on, attempting to extract more details, but Jett remained guarded. As she mentioned his newfound friends, Jett''s instincts went on high alert. How did she know? Was she following him? The barrage of questions left him mentally fatigued.


    As everyone sat quietly for dinner, Avon and Jerry couldn''t help but wonder if the boys were getting along well. They asked a casual question, receiving a standard response before returning to their meals in silence.


    Nerissa, however, decided to break the quietude with a conversation starter. "Hey Jett, care to share your experience at the fair?" she inquired, attempting to spark some dialogue.


    "It was enjoyable. I had a good time and picked up some nice souvenirs," Jett replied, his focus still on his food, clearly working up an appetite after the day''s events.


    Nerissa pressed further, her persistence evident. "Anything interesting happen?" she prodded, trying to extract some details.


    Jett sensed her ulterior motive, wary of divulging too much. "Nothing particrly noteworthy," he deflected cautiously.


    Unsatisfied with his response, Nerissa decided to ignite the conversation herself. "You won''t tell us about your new friends?" she pushed, her tone tinged with impatience.


    Jett''s internal rms went off, realizing her intentions. Was she onto him? Did she somehow know? His mind raced with questions, his exhaustion mounting.


    Eva, however, chimed in with pride, oblivious to the tension. "Jett made some friends? That''s wonderful! I always worried because you didn''t spend much time with the other kids. You were usually by yourself or with us adults. I''m so happy for you!"


    "That''s not all" Nerissa continued.


    ''Please no, stop talking.'' He looked at her as though he knew exactly what she was about to say while trying to beg her with his facial expression. He takes a sip of water to reassure himself that she wouldn''t say anything bothersome.


    But Nerissa persisted, undeterred by Jett''s silent pleas. "And they were the divine lords, just casually hanging out with him," she revealed, her wordsnding like a bombshell.


    Jett''s reaction was visceral; he spat out his water in disbelief, spraying a mist across the table, but his shock went unnoticed amidst the unfolding revtion.


    Jerry''s shock was palpable as he processed the revtion. "Is that true? Unexpected indeed! You truly are something else," he remarked, adding to Jett''s difort with a friendly tap on the back.


    Jett, feeling the pressure mounting, attempted to divert the conversation. "You do realize Finn is one of them, right?" he interjected, hoping to shift the focus onto Finn, who seemed oblivious to the unfolding discussion.


    Jerry, caught off guard, responded with surprise. "Is that so? I never knew," he eximed, extending his congrattions to Finn.


    Eva joined in, offering her congrattions to L, Finn''s mother. "Wow, congrattions," she said warmly, her pride evident.


    L, touched by the sentiment, replied, "Why thank you, dear," feeling a swell of pride for her son.


    Avon, echoing the sentiment, expressed his pride in Finn. "Yes, he will do great things someday," he affirmed.


    However, Richard, who had been silent until now, couldn''t contain his disdain. "Tch... Just an borate story to feed the royal family''s ego. There''s nothing special about Finn, so don''t worry," he spat out before storming out.


    Avon sighed with a hint of embarrassment in his voice. "Leave him be, he''s always like that," he muttered, attempting to diffuse the tension that had arisen.


    *****


    Richard''s frustration with the constant focus on the Divine Lords was rooted in deeper insecurities. As the heir to the Emberville family business, he felt overshadowed by Finn, who seemed to effortlessly garner attention and favor from their father. The emergence of the Divine Lords only exacerbated this dynamic, amplifying Richard''s sense of threat to his position within the family hierarchy.


    Meanwhile, Finn, unaware of Richard''s inner turmoil, remained indifferent to the attention he received. Though he harbored no desire for the spotlight or the responsibilities of heirship, he had his own mission to fulfill, one that was thrust upon him regardless of his intentions.


    *****


    After dinner, Jerry and Avon departed to reminisce, while Eva and L retreated to the garden for a private conversation. Richard''s absence was noticeable, though understandable given the vastness of the estate. Meanwhile, Jett sought sce on the roof, his gaze fixed upon the stars, his expression devoid of joy or warmth.


    Nerissa emerged from behind, interrupting Jett''s silent contemtion with a tray ofte-night snacks. "What''s with that gloomy face?" she remarked, offering him some cookies she had received from the maids. Sensing his solitude, she sought to share the treats with him.


    Jett, surprised by her sudden appearance, attempted to speak, but Nerissa cut him off. "I told you before; you''re nowhere near the level of detecting me. Want some?" she teased, handing him a few cookies before settling down beside him.


    epting the cookies with a defeated sigh, Jett admitted, "I wasn''t even able to detect you."


    Nerissa couldn''t resist patting him gently. "Well, you just need to get stronger then."


    "Oh right�� What was that about?" bringing up what had transpired during dinner.


    Her eyes widened in feigned innocence "What? I have no idea what you''re talking about." she eximed, her lips pursed in a failed attempt to hide a mischievous grin. She turned away, hoping to divert attention from her obvious guilt."


    "What was that stunt you pulled during dinner? And how did you even know about it? Were you stalking me?" he asked, pointing back to the dining room in an attempt to jog her memory.


    Nerissa finally abandoned any pretense of innocence. "Calm down, twerp. I wasn''t stalking you; I just happened to catch a glimpse of you during that sparring match," she confessed, unable to deny the truth.


    Jett remained skeptical. "Right. Howe you didn''t talk about that, though?" he pressed, noting her selective silence.


    Nerissa offered a rational exnation. "Because Finn didn''t seem to want to bring it up himself, maybe because of Richard. And even if I didn''t bring it up, they''d find out sooner than you think because of how significant it was," she reasoned.


    Her words left Jett feeling uneasy. "So you do know how to read the room. But you disregard that when ites to me," he observed, disappointment evident in his gaze.


    Nerissa softened her expression, her yful demeanor returning. "Well, that''s because you''re my cute and precious brother, of course," she dered, affectionately pinching his cheeks. "Aww, so soft."


    "Quit it," Jett ordered, attempting to escape Nerissa''s yful grasp until she relented.


    A peaceful silence enveloped them as they gazed at the stars, broken only by Nerissa''s voice. "You know they care and equally worry about you," she said, her gaze drifting towards Jerry and Avon who were still engrossed in conversation. "I only did that to give them peace of mind, so they knew they don''t have to worry about you."


    Jett sighed, understanding her intentions. "I understand if that''s the case, but you still have to respect my privacy."


    With a smirk, Nerissa teased, "Oh? Is my little brother talking about privacy? What are you, 16?" as she attempted to cuddle him.


    "Let go of me," Jett protested, trying to free himself from her embrace.


    Nerissa relented, adopting a pleading expression. "Alright, alright, I understand. I may have gone overboard back there. Will you forgive your big sis?" she asked, her eyes shining with innocence.


    Unable to resist her charm, Jett relented. "It''s alright..."


    "Yay!" Nerissa cheered, pping her hands in delight.


    As he nced at her, a sudden thought crossed his mind, causing a blush to creep onto his cheeks. "Are you really my sister?" he questioned, trying to divert attention from his embarrassment.


    Confused by his inquiry, Nerissa replied, "Huh? Where did thate from?"


    Shrugging off the momentarypse, Jett looked away, masking his embarrassment. "Nothing," he muttered.


    But before he could dwell on it further, Nerissa thanked him unexpectedly. "Thank you for being there for mom and dad," she expressed, her gaze still fixed on the stars.


    "Huh?" Jett could only respond with a puzzled, as she smiled and left him alone to ponder their conversation.


    *


    *


    *


    I''m so jealous ? ?

 Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Hidden Memory

    The air crackled with uncertainty as Jett struggled to grasp his surroundings. A familiar voice, like an echo in the abyss, called out to him, drawing him back from the brink of confusion.


    "Ethan... Ethan... E..."


    His name, whispered on the edge of perception, stirred him from his daze. Through the haze of disorientation, he managed to muster a response. "Ember? Is that you?"


    But the voice faded, leaving him adrift in a sea of emptiness. Questions swirled in his mind, each one more urgent than thest.


    "Where am I? What is this ce?" Jett''s voice echoed into the void, unanswered.


    Then, like a thunderbolt, a harsh voice pierced the silence, cutting through the darkness with its intensity. "You''re not him, are you? My sessor, what did you do to my sessor!?"


    Jett''s confusion deepened. "Who are you? What sessor?" he demanded, his voice tinged with unease.


    Before he could make sense of the situation, a crimson red translucent notification materialized before him, its glitching appearance sending shivers down his spine.


    [[Throne of Destiny is reacting to a fragment]]


    [[A memory has been unlocked]]


    The message red, its ominous tone fueling Jett''s growing sense of dread.


    As if in response to the unsettling revtion, memories surged forth, flooding his consciousness with fragments of a past he couldn''tprehend.


    "Throne of Destiny? Memories?" Jett''s words hung in the air,den with uncertainty.


    Suddenly, the void around him erupted into motion, stars streaking past in a blur of motion. With each passing moment, they grewrger, morphing into an otherworldlyndscape that bore the scars of battle.


    *****


    Jett found himself floating above a grim battlefield, a sight that tugged at his heartstrings. Bodiesy scattered like discarded toys, their forms twisted and broken, drenched in the crimson hue of spilled blood. It was a scene of despair, where the echoes of agony seemed to linger in the air like a haunting melody.


    "Where is this ce?" Jett''s voice trembled with uncertainty as he surveyed the carnage below.


    In the midst of the chaos, a middle-aged man knelt, his face obscured by a glitch from the system. d in armor, he coughed violently, each spasm apanied by a spray of blood that painted the ground beneath him. Around him stood fourteen figures, their features shrouded in shadow. Though their faces were hidden, their distinct weapons blurred in the dim light.


    "Wait, I recognize that weapon," Jett muttered, his confusion mounting. "That''s the Midas spear. What is it doing here?"


    As he pondered this strange sight, he realized. These were not his memories; they belonged to someone else. But who?


    "Wh�� What have you�� done?" the man wheezed, his voice thick with pain.


    "We can''t let you proceed any further than this," one of the figures dered, a note of regret coloring his words.


    "What a pitiful sight," another sneered. "To think you were once named the strongest."


    "Why... Why have you all�� betrayed me?" the man''s voice cracked with emotion. "I am your leader, yourrade, your..."


    "Brother, you seek to break the bnce, we can''t let you do that" another interjected, his tone sad.


    Jett watched in silence, aghast at the unfolding tragedy. "Brother? They want to kill their own brother? What kind of maniacs are they?"


    "If you must me anyone, then me father, he��" another voice spoke, devoid of remorse.


    The man interrupted, his words strained. "He never... agreed to this... you''re all acting on your own ord, you conniving little bastards. You''ll pay for this," he spat, pointing an usatory finger.


    The figure who had sneered before chuckled. "Funny how you say that, but you''re the one down on his knees at our mercy," he remarked, his tone dripping with scorn.


    "You gave us no choice," the first figure spoke again, his voice heavy with regret.


    The manughed bitterly at his pitiful state. "You''re afraid of me, quit beating around the bush. I know just how threatening my status can be."


    "I''m sorry, brother, but you must die, for our sake," another voice chimed in, filled with sorrow.


    With a collective resolve, they raised their weapons, piercing through him from different angles. The man clenched his fists and bit his lip, a primal scream escaping his lips as blood gushed from his wounds.


    "Damn it all! Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?


    Why? Why?!" he cried out in agony, his voice echoing across the battlefield.


    "He''s still alive after that?" one of them remarked, surprise evident in his tone.


    "I won''t go down so easily," the man dered, his gaze fierce despite his weakened state. "One day, I''lle for you... I curse these weapons with my soul to live on until then."


    As the scene faded into darkness, Jett felt a chill run down his spine. What had he just witnessed? And what did it mean for him?


    "To my sessor." a voice echoed in his mind, followed by a series of notifications.


    [[Memory has ended]]


    [[Throne of Destiny is reacting to a fragment]]


    [[Find the fragment]]


    With a sense of determination, Jett prepared himself for the journey ahead, knowing that the answers he soughty hidden within the fragments of the past.


    *****


    Jett''s eyes fluttered open, greeted by the harsh reality of his pounding headache and drenched sheets. Gasping for breath, he struggled to sit up, his body slick with sweat.


    "Ahh, my head," he groaned, his voice muffled by the throbbing ache behind his temples. "It feels like someone took my brain for a ride on a roller-coaster."


    As he tried to piece together, his memory, he couldn''t shake the feeling of d��j�� vu. "Was all that a dream?" he mused aloud, his thoughts racing.


    But deep down, he knew it was more than just a figment of his imagination. The Midas spear, the glitching red screen �C they were all too real to dismiss as mere fantasy.


    He sank back onto his bed, his mind swirling with unanswered questions. "Too many questions but no one to answer," he sighed, resigning himself to the uncertainty thaty ahead. "I''ll keep it on hold for now." With that, he closed his eyes, hoping that sleep would offer him some respite from the chaos of his thoughts.


    *****


    During the remainder of the fair, Jett eased into thepany of others, spending his time copying skills and getting to know hispanions better. With each passing day, they grew closer, their understanding of their mission deepening.


    On the final day, Nerissa insisted on apanying Jett, despite his protests.


    "Do you really have to follow me?" he murmured, feeling self-conscious as they walked together, drawing stares from onlookers.


    "We''re going in the same direction anyways, might as well," she shrugged off his difort.


    Jett couldn''t help but chuckle. "That seems awfully convenient if you ask me. So, what are you going to do?"


    "I need to meet up with my party members," she replied, her tone unusually serious.


    Curiosity piqued, Jett pressed further. "Oh? Won''t you introduce me?"


    "Maybe next time," she deflected, maintaining her serious demeanor.


    Sensing a shift in her mood, Jett grew concerned. "Is everything alright?"


    "Yes, everything is fine," she assured him, though her tone betrayed her words. Suddenly, she smiled and produced a gem from her storage pouch, handing it to him.


    "What''s this?" Jett asked, examining the gem with curiosity. "I''ve never seen this before."


    "It''s a summon gem, and it was extremely hard to find," she exined, a hint of exhaustion in her voice.


    "A summon gem?" Jett''s surprise was evident. "Thank you. I''m grateful, even though I don''t know what it''s for. There really are things about this world that I don''t know."


    "It must have been expensive," he guessed.


    "Yeah, but that''s not the point," she replied, patting his head affectionately. "If you ever find yourself in a situation where you desperately need an ally, don''t hesitate to use this."


    "Ummm...?" Jett hesitated, unsure of how to respond to Nerissa''s request.


    Without missing a beat, Nerissa extended her pinkie finger for a pinkie swear. "Promise?" she asked earnestly.


    "I promise," Jett replied, intertwining his pinkie with hers, sealing their vow.


    As they reached a crossroad, their paths diverged. "Alright, I have to go now," Nerissa announced, breaking the connection and heading off in her own direction.


    Jett stood there, clutching the summon gem in his hand, watching as his sister disappeared into the crowd. A pang of sadness washed over him.


    "I didn''t even get her anything," he muttered to himself, regret gnawing at his heart.


    *****


    Jett finally gathered everyone together, distributing the various colored rune stones to each member of the group. Freya received the white rune stone, while Aiden, Evelina, and Seraphina were given red rune stones. Finn, Marce, and Rosa got green ones, Cedric, Matty, and Ray received yellow, and Asher, Elora, and Morrigan were given ck rune stones.


    Taking his time, Jett exined the different criteria for sessfully acquiring a skill with each color. When questioned about his knowledge, he evaded or simply stated his love for experimentation in the game.


    Freya couldn''t shake off her suspicions of him, but she kept silent, already epting the rune stone he offered her.


    Once he felt he had done all he needed to do, Jett motioned for Finn to apany him. They moved away from the group to a secluded area.


    Finn, feeling uneasy, nced around. "What''s the matter this time? You''re not nning on taking me on another suicide quest, are you?"


    "Rx, I just want to confirm something," Jett reassured him. "Just bring out the spear."


    Finn hesitated. "Hmm... I thought I''m not supposed to use it carelessly."


    "Just do it, we don''t have all day," Jett urged impatiently.


    "Alright, alright, here you go," Finn relented, showing him the spear.


    As Jett gazed at the gleaming weapon before him, a thought crossed his mind. ''This weapon can only be touched by one person, same as the others. But could it be that for some reason, I''ll be able to use it regardless? I have to find out.''


    Summoning his courage, he reached out and grasped the spear.


    [[Throne of Destiny is reacting to a fragment]]


    *


    *


    *


    [[]] Represents the red Screen


    What do you think?


    Will anything cool happen?


    Oh right


    Wanna see what they look like?

 Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Succession Unlocked

    He stretched his hands, and Finn lets go of the spear, but to their surprise, it slipped through his fingers as if it were intangible. An awkward silence hung for a few seconds.


    "Pftt��" Finn burst intoughter. "Sorry, my bad," he chuckled, unable to contain himself.


    Red with embarrassment and annoyance, he quickly urged Finn to try again, but Finn disagreed.


    "C''mon, let me try again," he pleaded, attempting to grasp the spear, but Finn evaded him, dodging every attempt.


    "Nothing''s going to change, just give up," Finn insisted.


    "I wish I could, but I need to try," he exined, as the notification kept popping up repeatedly.


    Finally, he managed to grab hold of Finn and mmed him to the ground. He reached for the spear, and to their surprise, he was able to touch it this time. Upon contact, the notification finally changed.


    [[Throne of Destiny is Reacting to a Fragment]]


    [[You have Acquired a Fragment]]


    [[Fragments 1/13]]


    It felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He could finally think straight, but a new question emerged: What caused it to work this time?


    *****


    "Hey, have you seen Jett?" Freya asked Ray, having already searched in vain for him, refusing to remove the cloak she''d been wearing since the beginning.


    "I think he and Finn went that way. Why?" Ray replied, as he pointed at an alley just close by while looking curious. "nning on apologizing for being suspicious of him?" he added, reading her like an open book.


    "You sure mind reading isn''t one of your skills?" she joked, turning away out of embarrassment. "Well... yes and no."


    "Huh? What''s that supposed to mean?" Ray inquired.


    "I''m not apologizing because I thought he was suspicious. I know he''s hiding something. I''m going to apologize for doubting him about the rune stone," she exined.


    "It worked? Lucky for you. I''ve been a bit hesitant to try mine," Ray confessed before continuing. "I don''t think you''ll be able to move freely after today, so it''s now or never."


    "Right," she said with a faint smile, oblivious to Ray''s concern, before heading in the direction he indicated. To her surprise, she found both Jett and Finn on the floor, with Jett on top.


    "Umm, I hope I''m not interrupting anything," she smirked, seeing them in an awkward position, regretting not being able to capture the moment in a photo.


    Finn pushed Jett off his body as he noticed Freya standing nearby. "Get off me!" he yelled.


    "Hey," she focused on Freya, ignoring Jett who still seemed dazed. "Of course not," Finn said.


    She giggled as she teased him, "Oh? I didn''t know you swing that way."


    Finn tried to exin, "No, no, no, forget you ever saw that. He just fell on me while trying to restrain me," inadvertently adding fuel to the fire.


    She faked shocking reaction, "Restrain? That''s the kind of thing you''re into? Wow..."


    "Please just forget what you saw. I''m begging you," Finn pleaded, to no avail.


    She shrugged at him, "I''m sorry, man, I can''t unsee something like that."


    "You''re not going to let this go, are you?" Finn sighed in defeat.


    "Nope," she quickly responded, shaking her head, causing Finn to silently walk away in defeat.


    Realizing that nothing else would affect her, he turned to Jett. "This is your fault, you know. Why aren''t you saying anything?"


    *****


    The translucent notification screen appeared once again.


    [[Original sessor could not be found.]]


    [[You have met the criteria]]


    [[Will you ept the session transfer? Y/N]]


    [[User has been inactive for 30 seconds, proceeding with a random choice]]


    [[Yes]]


    [[Sessful]]


    [[Memories can be experienced first hand from now on]]


    [[Gained New sses: Merchant, Warrior]]


    [[Title: Sessor of the ???]]


    [[Skill: Switch A]]


    [[Switch between your different ss options]]


    [[Skill: Revenge A]]


    [[Replicates an offensive skill the user is attacked with and uses it again original owner dealing 70% of the main damage. User won''t be able to move for 10 seconds.]]


    [[Cool down: 1 hour]]


    Multiple pieces of notifications shed before him, faster than he couldprehend. "Again with this session crap, what does it even mean? It was never in the game or books," he wondered. "I guess I really have to look into this, I have a bad feeling about this experiencing memories first hand though, am I over thinking this?."


    The ability to change sses at will, this wasn''t something that should''ve been possible. Once you got a ss, you can never stray away from it no matter how hard you try.


    He checked the notification again to confirm if he was hallucinating or not. But it was right there in front of him.


    Being able to replicate an attack to deal 70% without having the original skill was a goldmine on its own. The only downside was having to wait 10 seconds before he could move after using the skill. The problem could be overlooked if he had an ally close by but would be a double edged sword if he ever used it alone.


    For someone who prided himself with knowing everything about this world, the whole issue of session and even the dream from before were all alien to him. He found it fascinating and also weird that all this was kept hidden even from the book.


    Grateful for the newfound and useful power, yet wary of its mystery, he sat there, absorbed in the information, oblivious to his surroundings.


    "Hey Jett," he could vaguely hear a voice calling him. "Jett?" it got louder and more familiar. "Jett!" This time, the call was followed by a p on the head.


    "Urgh, what was that for?" Jett groaned in pain, holding the part of his head that had fallen prey to her attack.


    "I was bringing you back to reality," Freya replied, clenching her fists. "And maybe it just felt that good too."


    Genuinely annoyed by the response, Jett looked at her in annoyance, still groaning in pain. "Seriously? What do you even want from me?"


    "I wanted to thank you for the rune stone and also apologize for not trusting you," her tone softened enough for Jett to sense the sincerity, but he was still too peeved to acknowledge it.


    "And you start by assaulting me? Ouch." The pain intensified as he tried to touch his head, adding to the slight headache he already had.


    "How does it still hurt?" she asked innocently.


    "You tell me. Anyways, you''re wee," he sighed. "I hope you can at least trust my actions from now onwards." He stood up and stretched his hand for a handshake.


    Before she could thank him, multiple explosions urred in different locations of the fair, including where Freya and Jett were. He was able to push her away just in time to avoid any damage on her but wasn''t able to dodge debris from the explosion which eventually fell on him, causing Freya to panic.


    She instinctively used a blessing skill on him, not knowing if he was still alive, before running to seek help. "I need to hurry."


    She was met by the scene ofplete and utter chaos, with dark-cloaked figures causing mayhem as adventurers and her friends battled deadly fiends out for blood.


    She spotted Ray, Asher, Evelina, and Seraphina taking down the cloaked enemies. She called out to Ray as she ran towards them, "Ray! Jett needs help,e quickly."


    "Stay away. What about Finn?" Ray inquired, still dealing with one more enemy before pushing off to Seraphina, who finished him off with a monstrous kick to the head.


    "Finn can help you out, right? Weren''t they together?" Seraphina asked as she effortlesslynded on her feet.


    "We''re kind of busy here," Asher added, holding two purple daggers defensively.


    "I can''t find him anywhere, please hurry, or he''ll die, it''s my fault, he was only trying to save me." Freya pleaded with them.


    Ray surveyed the area to see what was going on. Everyone else was upied so they had no choice. "Tch�� Follow me, you guys, let''s go save Jett. The others can handle things here."


    She led them in the direction where she left him, but halfway there, as they got closer, they were blocked by more cloaked men and engaged them as they couldn''t go past them. One of them slipped right through and quickly snatched Freya with incredible speed, running in the opposite direction.


    With tears in her eyes, she yelled, but everyone was too upied to lend a hand, even Seraphina, who tried to give chase but was blocked again by more of them.


    "Freya!!!" Ray yelled out powerlessly. "Crap, we messed up big time."


    "What do we do Ray? He''s getting away" Evelina report as she takes aim and shoots an arrow whichnds perfectly at his back.


    He was torn between the desperate thought of what to do, whether to save Jett or abandon him and go after Freya.


    *


    *


    *


    What will he do?


    Hope he doesn''t break down out of stress.

 Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Fighting Back

    Jett finally and slowly crawled out of the rubble that was meant to be his grave. Every part of his body hurt like crazy. Hey on the ground, thoroughly checking his injuries. "Argh, that really hurt. My arm''s dislocated, and I''ve got a pretty deep wound in my abdomen."


    The sounds of battle echoed in the distance, but luckily for him, no one was nearby. "A terrorist attack at a time like this? Who could they be? I don''t remember reading anything about this in the book." He looked around and saw that everyone was holding their own. With their aid, the adventurers steadily subjugated the attackers one by one.


    "First thing''s first," he muttered, activating a skill.


    [Regeneration A]


    [Able to heal all physical injuries no matter how severe; cannot reattach severed limbs.]


    "That''s more like it." Jett watched as his wounds and dislocation slowly healed without any pain.


    Feeling well enough to join the battle, he stood up. "My number one priority should be finding Freya."


    [Tactical Mirage]


    "Three on my right and one behind me. A four-man squad? No one''s watching. I can go all out." He rushed towards them with the sword he had from thest quest, moving as though he had eyes everywhere.


    He quickly stopped and blocked the first attacker from behind. "Don''t get cocky just because I''m a kid."


    "Keh keh keh, cocky you say? Well, you should never leave your back exposed!" the leader, who seemed to be in charge, yelled as they all closed in from different directions.


    "Who said it''s exposed?" A smirk appeared on Jett''s face.


    "What''s so funny? Wait�� Hold on��" The leader of the squad sensed something was amiss. "Wait, fall back!" He tried to warn his men as he stopped mid-attack and guarded himself.


    "Toote," Jett stated with a deadly calm.


    {Hell Fire}


    Before they knew what was happening, they were engulfed in mes, their screams of pain the only thing left. The only person to survive was the squad leader, though barely; part of his right arm and face were rendered useless by the mes.


    "Argh�� I underestimated you, kid. But I''ll kill you this time for sure." He still managed to hold his dagger with one arm.


    Jett was amused that he missed one target. "Oh? Someone survived that? You must be skilled. Well then, why don''t you try to kill me." He taunted him.


    "I''m not that dumb. You just burned three men to a crisp without remorse. You don''t seem to be an ordinary kid."


    [Purple Mist C]


    [Creates a miasma to reduce area visibility while slowly poisoning the target.]


    The man hid well, unaffected by the mist, waiting patiently for an opportunity to strike. "You''re my prey now."


    "Pretty handy skill you''ve got there. It''s actually worth taking," Jett yelled, pretending not to know his enemy''s location. ''You''re like a sitting duck as long as you''re inside my mirage,'' he thought proudly.


    He finally saw an opening and went on the offensive. "Don''t let your guard down, brat."


    "How do you fall for the same trick twice?" Jett blocked his attack, his sword coated in aura.


    "Wait, is that��?" the man asked, shocked by what he was seeing.


    "Aura? Why, of course it is." Jett gave him a wicked smile. "It''s time to end this." With that, he cut off the man''s arms, rendering him useless in battle.


    "Ahhhhhhh!" The man screamed in agony, lying on the ground bleeding. "I can''t believe I lost to a snot-nosed kid. Go on, kill me."


    "C''mon, what do you take me for? I still need some info from you," Jett admitted, musing aloud.


    The squad leader broke intoughter. "Hahaha, you really are just a kid, thinking I''ll tell you anything."


    "We''ll see," Jett smirked at him.


    [Condition has been met]


    [Forced Contract S]


    [Usage 1/3 per day]


    [Contract Terms]


    -Target will answer all the user''s questions regardless of how confidential they are]


    "That''s more like it." Jett squatted to get a better look at the man''s face. "Who are you guys and what is your motive here?"


    "We are the Order of the Crimson Hound. We aim to resurrect our master, the Crimson Lord, Zet. This is only a distraction; our main objective is the Priestess of Light," the man replied as though possessed.


    ''I think I''ve heard that somewhere before,'' Jett pondered, trying to remember where but couldn''t. "What do you need her for?" he asked a follow-up question.


    "We need the blood of one who is loved by holiness to break the seal. But we also n on ending her life once we seed."


    "Where is she now?" Jett asked, biting his lip as he realized Freya''s vulnerability.


    "I don''t know. We were just ordered to cause chaos while she got abducted."


    "What else can you tell me?" Jett pressed on.


    "Once the preparations are made, Lagai will��" Before he could finish, an arrow pierced his neck, killing him instantly.


    "Hmph, that''s for betraying the Crimson Hounds, you useless fool. Couldn''t even finish off a child?" The culprit, a shady-looking man wielding a bow and arrow, spoke with disdain.


    Jett was in utter confusion. ''Lagai? I heard Lagai, right? But why? What''s so special about Lagai?'' Filled with rage for not being able to find out more because of the archer, he said, "You''re going to pay for that." His tone took a dreadful turn.


    "Really, kid? How?" the archer taunted from afar.


    Jett immediately lunged towards him, but the archer dodged. Jett got some injuries and


    wasn''t sure how he got them. Brushing it off as dumb luck, he tried again, but the oue was the same.


    [Wind Steps B]


    [Move with the wind while also masking you attacks in it with a 40% increase in agility]


    "It''s mine now," Jett yelled as he copied the skill, attacking again with hisbined speed and power, surpassing that of the archer.


    "How? How can you use that skill?" the archer yelled in shock.


    "That''s for me to know and you to never speak of again." Jett struck down the archer with all his might.


    "Damn it, I forgot to keep him alive to get more information. I really lost my cool back there," he reflected, frustration evident in his voice.


    *****


    Ray, Evelina, Asher, and Seraphina were able to take down the remaining enemies, but Freya and her abductor were long gone. Ray took a deep breath to calm down, then remembered something.


    "Evelina, the arrow you shot, was a tracking arrow, right?" he inquired, facing the direction they followed.


    "Yeah, I can find them as long as they''re within my range," she exined.


    "Then in that case, Seraphina will track her by scent. They couldn''t have gone far, and Asher will go with her. You guys chase them; we''re right behind you. We just need to make sure Jett is okay. Do not engage; I have a feeling they don''t n on harming her." Ray pulled himself together just in time to form a solution.


    "Sounds like a n," Asher agreed before turning to Evelina. "Try not to slow him down and please be careful."


    "What do you take me for? I''m always careful," Evelina pouted out of annoyance at Asher''s advice.


    "Yeah, sure, just don''t jinx it," Seraphina added. "Come on, Asher, let''s go first," she said, running in the abductor''s direction, followed closely by Asher.


    Ray and Evelina went on to search for Jett. "Jett! Where are you? Jett!!" they yelled, but got no response. They searched everywhere but couldn''t find him. "Where is he?


    I can''t find him anywhere."


    "Are you even sure he went this way?" Evelina asked as they searched aimlessly around the rubble.


    Ray pondered on what to do next. "Hold on, I''m still thinking."


    "Don''t tell me he really didn''t make it," Evelina shivered, fearing the worst.


    "Who didn''t make it?" Jett appeared behind her.


    Evelina screamed as she ran to take cover behind Ray. "Ahhhh Ray, Ray, I just saw a ghost."


    "Who, me?" Jett stood in front of them, confused and unscathed.


    "Jett? Is that you?" Ray asked, also not convinced.


    Jett looked around. "Umm, I think so. Is there supposed to be two of me?" He wondered why they were both spooked.


    "Freya said you were in trouble, that you took the full st of the explosion earlier and still got buried in the rubble." Ray looked at Jett from top to bottom, purely surprised. "How are you not hurt!?"


    "Oh, right," Jett replied, realizing he originally had a deep wound around his stomach area.


    Ray was all kinds of confused at this point, and Jett''s nonchnt attitude only made it worse. "Oh right? Don''t act like it''s not a big deal. How did you even survive the st?"


    "We''ll talk about thatter. What''s going on?" Jett looked away, trying to avoid the question.


    "I''m not sure, but I think this attack was orchestrated just to get Freya," Ray voiced his thoughts on the matter.


    "Freya? Where is she anyways?" Jett acted as though he was oblivious to the situation.


    "Since you''re alright, you can help us rescue her, no matter how small your battle prowess might be," Ray patted Jett on the shoulder as a form of assurance before calling on Evelina. "Evelina, you''re up."


    "Aye aye, captain," was her childish response with a salute before running ahead of them, followed by Ray.


    ''It really does hurt that he thinks I''m just that weak,'' Jett thought to himself, half weeping, before joining them.


    *****


    "We lost a lot of good men just for this one girl? I ought to crack her skull right now." A heavily built man d in the same dark cloak as the others ranted as he threw a wooden chair against the wall, shattering it instantly.


    "Calm yourself; we need her alive for our ns to be achieved," a voice spoke from within the shadows.


    "At least she''s beingpliant and not causing us any trouble," another added.


    Freya sat helpless in their midst, chained to an iron pir, not uttering a word, with only despair in her expression as her blood was slowly being sucked out by magic.


    "But will this be enough? She is the Priestess of Light, after all, and also one of the Divine Lords," another asked, pointing at the chain they used to restrain her.


    "It''s more than enough," the voice from the shadows replied with horrifyingughter. "The revival of the master is upon us."


    *


    *


    *


    Why didn''t she try to fight back or escape? ��(���أ�)��


    Well I hope you all like this chapter

 Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Rescue Freya

    Evelina, Jett, and Ray hurried through the forest that bordered the capital, their goal clear in mind: to meet up with Seraphina. The dense canopy above cast long shadows as the sun began to set.


    "The Illusive Forest, huh? A good ce to hide something big from others. Too bad it''s gettingte," Ray remarked as they entered the forest.


    ''He''s right. This ce might not have many monsters, but it''s still dangerous at night if you get caught in its illusions,'' Jett thought, keeping his guard up.


    They moved swiftly, with Jett effortlessly matching their pace. Unknown to the others, he was actually faster. ''For someone not born into a noble family, he keeps up remarkably well,'' Ray mused, casting curious nces at Jett.


    Noticing Ray''s persistent gaze, Jett turned to him. "What''s on your mind? You keep staring at me like some weirdo," he said bluntly.


    "Ah, you noticed? Your perception is really high," Ray admitted with a novice smile. "Were you trained by a master? You seem to be keeping up with us much better than I expected."


    Jett looked at Ray in mild disappointment as they moved through the trees, leaping from branch to branch for a better vantage. "You do realize I''m a noble too, right? The lowest rank, maybe that''s why you don''t know."


    Ray chuckled. "I had no idea. The name ''Grift'' sounded familiar, but I didn''t know much about it."


    Jett sighed. "Honestly, I don''t know how or why, but the king made my father a Lord."


    Ray''s eyes widened in surprise. "A Lord? That exins a lot, then."


    Jett''s expression turned serious. "I have a question for you," he said, voicing his curiosity. "You''re a prince, but no one seems to recognize you or your sister. Why is that?"


    "An item we stumbled upon by chance. It changes everything about us��our faces, voices, even during appraisal, it fools someone five levels above us," Ray exined.


    "Maybe if Freya had something like that, we wouldn''t be in this mess," Jett added.


    "Will you two concentrate? There''s something bothering me which I''m trying to understand," Evelina, who had been leading them, interrupted their conversation.


    "What''s that?" Ray inquired.


    "She didn''t fight back at all. She just let it happen like she was totally helpless," Evelina exined as she moved gracefully from branch to branch, as though it was second nature.


    "Yeah, I noticed it too," Ray pondered, as Evelina confirmed something he had been thinking about for a while.


    "Even the Freya from the movies and TV shows had some offensive skills. So why couldn''t she do anything?" A mansion in the forest slowly came into view, and Evelina ended the discussion there. "Let''s save that for after we rescue her. We''re here."


    They met Seraphina and Asher, who were spying on the building from afar. The structure was heavily guarded by cloaked men, with an enormous gate giving it the appearance of a fortress. It had a dark, foreboding feel to it.


    "Is that where they took her?" Jett asked as soon as they stopped.


    "What took you so long? I''ve been itching to go in there," Seraphina asked Ray and Evelina before looking at Jett. "You look too uninjured for Freya to have been worried."


    "Haha, well, I got lucky. So, what''s the situation?" Desperately trying to change the topic.


    "Their defense is solid. I can get in, but I can''t say the same for any of you," Asher stated confidently.


    "I still can''t believe Freya let herself get captured like that. I''ve never seen her inbat before, but this is too disappointing," Jett said, shaking his head.


    "It''s not like she just let herself get captured. It''s more like she couldn''t fight back," Asher exined.


    "What are you talking about?" Ray asked, puzzled.


    "Freya doesn''t have any offensive skills, nor is she good inbat," Evelina interjected. "The least she could have done was use debuffs, but in that situation, it would have been useless." Jett interrupts while also surveying the area.


    *****


    In the WAR BOUND books, Freya had the shortest lifespan after Jett''s character. The reason was herck ofbat and offensive skills. The author probably wasn''t sure what to do with her, so he just killed her off early.


    The game developers didn''t have much information about her, so they tried a few tricks to make her a reasonable character in the game. However, it still wasn''t enough. The author, who never revealed his identity to the world, only agreed to her inclusion under very specific conditions known to only a select few.


    This made her extremely hard to y, leading most yers to abandon the character. They even posted articles and videos on the forum about why no one should use her.


    Ethan and his sister were able to unlock special features after months of experimenting and research, but they never shared this on the forum.


    Jett had already nned on avoiding her death if it ever came to that, but the current situation was unprecedented, making him wonder if his presence had caused a butterfly effect of some sort.


    *****


    "So, how do you n on infiltrating?" Seraphina asked.


    "I''m not sure... Too bad none of us has a skill to teleport someone inside," Jett mused.


    "I can," Asher interjected.


    "In that case, I have a n," Jett said.


    "Go on, we don''t have all day," Ray urged.


    "There''s not much to it. The four of us will go in while Evelina stays outside as a distraction. We haven''t seen any creatures since we entered, so I''m guessing that was their doing. Seraphina won''t be able to tame any beasts to aid you, so you''ll just have to hang in there. Once we''re inside, we''ll split into two groups. I''ll go with Seraphina."


    "So you n on using me to get in, right?" Seraphina asked.


    "That''s right. If everyone is set, let''s move quickly. She may still be alive but probably not in good condition."


    "This should be close enough," Asher said, stretching his hands to reveal a dark portal. They all walked through, ending up inside thepound, leaving Evelina alone.


    [Shadow Portal C]


    User can open portals with a maximum distance of 10m that are visible to the eyes. 100% increase at night.]


    "Let''s go," Jett ordered. ''I''ve already copied it before now anyways.''


    Evelina immediately searched for a good sniping location with a clear view and finally found one.


    [Eagle Eye B]


    Increases user''s vision by 120% and other senses by 20%.]


    [Homing Shot B]


    Locks on a target, causing all long-range attacks to never miss their target for 10 minutes. Increases shot power and speed by 40%.]


    Evelina immediately shot two men guarding a window. They seemed too close and could have alerted the others. Once the coast was clear, Asher used his portal to send them all inside.


    "Alright, now Ray and Asher, go up while we search around here," Jett ordered.


    They searched for a while but found no one inside. Ray and Asher eventually returned without any good news.


    [Tactical Mirage]


    "Something isn''t right," Jett said, halting and surveying the room.


    "What''s that?" Asher asked.


    Jett could sense them thanks to his skill and pinpoint their exact location. "They''re here, right in front of us. We fell for an illusion."


    p p p


    They heard pping, and before long, the view changed. They were inside a cage, and outside were four men, their presence emanating a ferocious pressure. Freyay soulless on the floor, chained to a pir, while a red substance, which looked like blood, slowly levitated from a single spot on her body into a bottle.


    "You managed to make it this far. I''m even more impressed you saw through my illusion. Now, you get to die after witnessing the death of the Priestess of Light," a mage stood before them.


    "Let us go! What do you want with her?" Seraphina yelled from behind the bars.


    "That''s none of your concern, pipsqueak," a harsh voice sounded from behind them.


    "Really? Just wait till I get out of here," Seraphina replied defiantly.


    ''They actually think a cage like this can hold us?'' Ray thought to himself before realizing something. "This cage seems to have some dark properties attached to it. My skills all got downgraded."


    Jett examined his surroundings and came to a conclusion. "These guys are definitely stronger than us. Our only option is to get Freya and escape immediately."


    "And how do you n on achieving that?" Ray inquired.


    "Asher''s Shadow Portal is a dark attribute skill, so he can still use it in here," Jett exined.


    Their whispering started to irritate the ones behind them until they could no longer ignore it. "Be quiet. Once we''re done with her, we''lle finish you off," the harsh voice sounded again.


    Asher created a portal that connected above the mage, and they all rushed through.


    [Dark Seclusion]


    Creates a space which no one can enter for 3 minutes. Allies get a 5% boost on all stats.]


    "I just cut the others off, but we don''t have much time," Asher yelled before running to Freya while the others attacked the mage, not holding back and not giving him a chance to cast any spells.


    "You actually had an ace up your sleeve. How troublesome," the mage hissed.


    "You haven''t seen anything yet," Jett retorted. ''He blocked that? Isn''t he just a mage?''


    ''What''s this feeling? I can sense something closing in on us, and fast,'' Jett thought, feeling an ominous presence getting closer. At the same time, the other members had broken through and cornered them.


    [Hell Fire]


    A wall of mes quickly engulfed the mage, but it died down immediately as though something intentionally made it disappear.


    "Was that dispel magic or a skill? I think I want it," Jett muttered, checking the mage''s stats with greed in his eyes.


    "Now it''s my turn," the mage yelled in anger. "Die!!!"


    [Blood Lance]


    Spears made from blood appeared out of thin air, pointing at them.


    Jett quickly called out to Asher, who immediately knew what to do. Asher used his portals to intercept the spears before they could make contact with anyone, simultaneously transporting them closer to the mage.


    [Ricochet Strike A]


    [Beast Fury A]


    [Divine Fury A]


    [Poison Stroke B]


    They all went for the kill as they saw an opportunity.


    "You are indeed strong. I would have died if I were just an ordinary person," the mage admitted as he appeared in the furthest part of the room, evading the attack but still bleeding from the bacsh. "It seems you''re out of time."


    Asher''s skill finally went on cooldown, which meant the other allies could join the fight.


    "Don''t worry, Articus, we''ll end this quickly," the one with the harsh voice said.


    "Be careful, especially with that kid with two different hair colors, Gabo," Articus warned.


    "You managed to injure Articus so badly. Now I want to test your skills myself," Gabo grinned as he and the other two rushed in.


    ''This is bad. We don''t have much stamina left. How are we going to get out of this one?'' Ray thought to himself as he looked at his friends. ''Do I really have to use that here?''


    Jett smirked. "Hey Ray, ever heard of a term called plot armor?"


    "Plot armor?" Ray wondered why Jett would bring up such a thing at a moment like this.


    ''It''sing,'' Jett thought to himself. "3, 2, 1," he counted backwards.


    Boom!!!


    The roof exploded, sting away all their attackers. In the aftermath stood a man and a woman. One had snow-white hair, floating above them illuminated by the moonlight, and the other had scarlet-red ming hair, burning as she held her sword.


    "It seems we''re not toote, old man," the woman said.


    *


    *


    *


    Plot Armor fr


    Please notify me if there are errors this time. ?

 Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Terrorist Conclusion

    "Oh crap, I gotta hide somewhere." Ray looked left and right, desperately searching for a ce to cover his face.


    "Who are these guys? And why is he acting weird?" Jett wondered silently, though he was grateful they had been saved. All he knew was that someone among them was the reason those two figures had appeared.


    The man was clearly a mage, floating effortlessly without a weapon. The woman beside him wielded a great sword, engulfed in a yellow aura.


    "A mage and a swordswoman, both at the master level? Could it be...?" Jett turned to look at Freya.


    "Freya? What have they done to you?" The silver-haired man spotted Freya lying helplessly to the side before ring at the cloaked men. "You''re all going to pay for what you did to my niece!"


    {Light Magic: Light Javelin}


    An array of light shaped as javelins appeared, aimed directly at the men Jett and his group had been fighting, attacking them rapidly. The shots were so fast that not even Jett could see them.


    While the attack continued, the mage rushed to Freya''s side, using his healing and support skills to help her.


    [Rose Repair B]


    [Vitality Boost C]


    [Heal C]


    He enveloped her in a cocoon created with his [Rose Repair] skill.


    "It''s Sylvester the Swift Caster and Tanya the me Berserker! What do we do?" Gabo panicked as he recognized them.


    ''Sylvester and Tanya? I know those names,'' Jett thought to himself, noticing Ray still acting uneasy. ''Oh, that''s right, they can both see through his artifact.''


    "We need to retreat, Gabo. We have her blood, so our mission here isplete," Articus informed them, showing the bottle they had used to collect Freya''s blood.


    "And where do you think you''re going, huh? Taste the power of my de," the swordswoman said, her voice echoing as she swung her sword effortlessly.


    [ming Sword]


    Multiple enormous lines of fire from her strikes were sent directly at the men.


    "Thank you for your sacrifice," Articus said, pushing two of his allies forward, causing them to bear the full force of the attack and instantly burning them to ashes. "We shall meet again." He threw an orb on the floor, causing it to glow massively.


    "Think you can escape me?" Tanya rushed to attack, but as soon as she got within five feet of them, a magic circle activated beneath her, causing a massive explosion.


    {Compression Burst}


    "Hehe, good thing I set a magic circle beforehand. There''s no way she''ll get out of that without a few bruises," Articusughed as he and the others started to disappear.


    "And who do you think I am? You need to do a lot more than that to even think about injuring me." Her voice could still be hear from inside the rising smoke.


    [Boost]


    "Eat this!" Tanya took a firm stance and tossed her sword at Gabo and Articus. The sword pierced through one side of Gabo''s abdomen andpletely sliced off Articus'' left arm.


    "Aaaargh!" they both screamed in pain and agony. "We''ll get you for this!" Gabo yelled, trying to fight through the pain before they finally vanished.


    "I missed. Tch." Tanya clicked her tongue in frustration.


    ''That st, she''s really strong,'' Jett thought.


    "That was a Recall Orb. They even had something like that, plus a five-star intermediate-level magic circle? They definitely had help from someone more powerful," Sylvester remarked as he inspected the magic circle. "Good thing you kids were here; you managed to slow them down."


    "But you know this was really reckless and dangerous. What if something happened to any of you? That would be a disaster," he continued, looking pointedly at Ray. "Isn''t that right, Prince Raymond?"


    "Ha ha�� Ah right, yes, Master," Rayughed nervously. "Please don''t tell Father."


    "Look what I found hiding in the woods." Tanya showed up, holding Evelina over her shoulder.


    "This little weasel managed to snipe more than half of the security before we even got here. Pretty impressive, don''t you think?" Tanya remarked, smirking.


    Evelina shook her body furiously in a futile attempt to free herself. "Let go of me! Let go! Asher, Ray,e help me! This crazy old hag won''t let me go!"


    "What did you just call me, you little brat?" Tanya snapped, furious at being called an old hag.


    Sylvester sighed, not knowing what to do with Tanya. "Let her go, Tanya. I don''t even know why you came along."


    "Umm�� because you asked me to?" Tanya replied, sounding confused.


    "No, I didn''t," Sylvester pointed at her, feeling annoyed. "I specifically asked you not to follow me, but you did anyway."


    "I couldn''t stay still when our precious students were in potential danger, now could I? And as expected, he managed to hold his own with his friends."


    "Yes, speaking of which, who are you? You managed to keep up with the Divine Lords just to protect my niece," Sylvester asked, turning his attention to Jett.


    "Jett Grift, sir," Jett replied.


    "Grift? You''re his son?" they both chorused.


    "Yes, do you know him?" Jett asked, surprised by their reaction. He decided to use the opportunity to learn more about his parents.


    "You really don''t know anything about him?" Tanya asked.


    "No, not much," Jett admitted.


    "He was our captain! A very powerful��" Tanya began, but Sylvester quickly covered her mouth.


    "You know, if he hasn''t told you, then it probably means you''re not yet fit to know about it. It wouldn''t be right for us to say anything," Sylvester said, smiling at Jett. "But I must say, they really gave birth to another promising child, being able to keep up with the Divine Lords."


    "You''ve already said that before, old man," Tanya said, breaking free from Sylvester''s weak hold. "What if he''s even one of them? Hey kid, when did you observe your awakening ceremony?"


    ''She''s surprisingly smarter than I thought. Should I just say it?'' Jett wondered.


    "Leave the child alone, Tanya," Sylvester intervened.


    ''Saved.'' Jett celebrated inwardly.


    They were all given potions to help heal their injuries and time to rest before being taken back to the capital. During that time, Jett was able to copy a skill from each of them.


    [Triple Casting A]


    When activated, the user is able to cast three spells simultaneously. Greatly depends on intelligence stat.


    [Duration: 1 minute]


    [Cool Down: 5 minutes]


    [Bypass A]


    When activated, the cool down for each skill can be bypassed once, but the effectiveness of skills reduces by 30%.]


    [Duration: 5 minutes]


    [Cool Down: 1 hour]


    *****


    "Long live the king," Jerry could be seen bowing to a man seated on a magnificent throne. The king, Reynolds, was a prestigious figure, draped in regal robes of deep blue and gold. His throne, carved from the finest oak and iid with precious gems, exuded an aura of authority and grandeur.


    The room was adorned with banners bearing the royal crest, and guards stood at attention, their armor gleaming under the grand chandeliers.


    Reynolds gestured for Jerry to stand up. "Let''s drop the honorifics. The fact that you requested an urgent meeting must mean something is wrong."


    "You catch on quickly, Reynolds. We have a problem," Jerry began, getting straight to the point.


    Tapping on his throne, feeling restless, Reynolds asked, "And what would that be? I don''t think there would be anything much scarier than saying you lost that staff."


    Jerry sighed. "Well, that''s the problem."


    "What!" Reynolds eximed in anger.


    "It''s gone, or more urately, it was stolen," Jerry stated, keeping a straight face.


    "How could you let this happen?" Reynolds shook his head in disappointment.


    "I can''t be sure, but whoever managed to pull this off without any suspicion must truly be skilled or, at the very least, have backing from an even more powerful individual or organization," Jerry shared his thoughts on the matter.


    "What about the tform?" Reynolds asked, feeling even more anxious than before.


    "I''ve tripled the security. Not even an ant can get past those defenses," Jerry assured him.


    Reynolds breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, that''s a relief. Since the staff has already been stolen, we have to at least prevent the worst-case scenario from happening."


    "That''s right," Jerry agreed.


    Midway through their discussion, Reynolds paused for quite some time, his expression shifting dramatically. Jerry wondered if something was wrong.


    "Telepathy, was that Sven?" Jerry inquired, noticing the king''s sudden change.


    "Yes," Reynolds replied, his voice tense. "A terrorist attack just urred with the Divine Lords right in the heat of it, and the Priestess of Light was abducted."


    "Then we need to hurry..." Jerry began to prepare to leave.


    "It''s already been taken care of. Sylvester and Tanya are on their way. I swear, those children never listen," Reynolds said, shaking his head in exasperation.


    "It''s been a long time since I saw those two. I wonder how they are faring now," Jerry mused, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.


    *****


    Sylvester took Freya back to her residence to receive medical attention, leaving Jett to be apanied by Ray, Rosa, and Tanya.


    "You really don''t have to bring me all the way here," Jett said, trying to decline the offer as he saw the massive castle before him.


    "Of course we do. You also risked your life to fight alongside us," Ray exined. ''I''m just low-key putting you out there so the king notices you,'' he smiled inwardly.


    "What about the others?" Jett inquired, feeling ufortable about the idea.


    "Don''t worry about them," Tanya replied. "His Majesty is more likely to give them a scolding than actually reward them anyway," she exined with a grin.


    "Yeah, we only went back to get Rosa," Ray added.


    "Hmph, I told you this was a bad idea," Rosa rudely interrupted.


    "You did? I only remember you aiding our escape," Ray feigned ignorance.


    The interior of the castle was breathtaking. Grand chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceilings, casting a warm glow over the marble floors. Intricately woven tapestries depicting the kingdom''s history adorned the walls, and columns of white marble lined the halls, each carved with exquisite detail. The air was filled with the faint scent ofvender, adding to the regal atmosphere.


    They walked straight to the throne room where Jett was in for a surprise. Standing and facing the king was none other than his father, Jerry.


    "Father? What are you doing here?" Jett eximed in shock.


    *


    *


    *


    Hehe


    Didn''t know Daddy''s a big sho8 around here

 Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Schemes

    In a room lit by luminous crystals, a few masked men sat around arge table. Their identities were concealed, but their prestigious auras hinted they were nobles.


    "How was the operation?" asked the one who appeared grander than the rest.


    "We lost many men and couldn''t kill her, but we did obtain enough of her blood to proceed with the n," reported a masked man who seemed to be an attendant.


    "That''s better than nothing," the leader replied.


    "What about the tform? How do we bypass the increased security?" another man inquired.


    The leader spoke again, "With that bastard on our case, it''ll be even harder to do as we please after what we just pulled."


    "Not to mention the tight security," someone added, leaning on the table with his hand.


    "The security can be overlooked. Our main issue is that damn monster," the leader exined.


    "Jerry Grift?" someone asked, prompting a slight murmur in the room.


    "Of course I''m talking about Jerry Grift. With him guarding Lagia, we won''t be able to move as we wish," the leader said, smashing a ss and spilling its wine.


    "We need a way to distract him, to put him in a position where he decides not to interfere when we finally strike," another suggested, though the challenge was apparent.


    Jerry wasn''t just a military captain turned lord. His namemanded respect, even from the king, and instilled fear in many. His achievements earned him the title The ughter God, capable of facing enemies more powerful than himself.


    "And don''t even get me started on his wife," the leader added, stoking their frustration.


    "The Bloodlust Queen? She''s a real menace. We''ve lost countless opportunities since those two united," another stated.


    The leader then looked at the only person in the room who had remained silent and motionless. "I hear you once had something with her but lost her to him. I hear they have two children now. The first is quite impressive, but little is known about the second."


    "Drop it. Stop trying to provoke me; you might reveal my identity just for fun," the silent man waved off the leader, showing he was aware of the ploy.


    At that moment, the most mysterious among them spoke, "I have an idea. It''ll take a lot of time and resources, but I assure you it will work."


    "And what do you propose?" the leader asked, barely concealing hisck of interest.


    "I am not obliged to reveal this information, but I beg for your understanding for maybe two to three years," the mysterious man replied, shaking his head.


    "That''s too far. We can''t possibly agree to this without hearing the specifics," someone interrupted.


    "Why not? Do you have a better idea?" another countered.


    This caused a divide in the room, with everyone picking sides on whether or not to go with the mysterious man''s suggestion. Words were the only weapons exchanged, as fighting among them was strictly prohibited and punishable by death.


    After a while, the leader waved his hand, causing everyone to fall silent.


    "Alright, I have decided. We''ll give the benefit of the doubt," he sighed, adjusting himself in his seat. "You have two years to prepare. We''ll support you in whatever way we can, but once the two years pass, we''ll go with another n. Is that understood?"


    "Yes, and it is much appreciated," the mysterious man thanked him and sat down.


    There were still silent murmurs, but they soon died down.


    *****


    Jett was a bit perplexed after seeing his father with the king of Verena, though it was actually quite normal. "What''s going on? Why are you here?" he asked, shocked to see his father.


    "I should be the one asking you that," Jerry retorted, then addressed the room. "Can someone please exin to me why my son is here?"


    "Well, Jett here helped fight back the terrorists. He even chased the ones who tried to abduct Freya," Tanya exined.


    "They actually did, though..." Ray added, whistling nonchntly and rxing with his hands behind his head.


    "Shut it, you little brat. How many times do I have to tell you to stop sneaking out and dragging your sister with you?" Reynolds lectured Ray in front of everyone.


    "Hehe," Rosaughed from a corner.


    "Traitor, get back here!" Ray chased her around, momentarily forgetting the others.


    Rosa hid behind Tanya to avoid Ray. "Ahhh, Tanya, save me!"


    Jerry, feeling ignored, finally diverted attention back to himself. "Let''s not stray from the original subject. Why is Jett here?"


    "Isn''t it obvious? He needs to be rewarded for his selfless act. Even the Silvermoons are indebted to him," Ray boasted proudly.


    "What are you scheming?" Reynolds asked suspiciously from behind, not trusting his son.


    "Yes, he''s definitely scheming something," Rosa added.


    "Can my own family not trust me for once?" Raymented.


    The situation was ufortable for Jett. "Can I please go now?"


    A chorus of "yes" and "no" was his only reply. Ray mentioned how Jett had taught them to get better results from rune stones, prompting Reynolds to reward him with a lower-grade red rune stone, urging him to use it immediately so he could see the results firsthand.


    This caught Jett off guard, but for some reason, he felt more relieved. He held the stone while everyone watched in silence.


    ''Alright Jett, concentrate. Red rune stones are the easiest to manipte.'' He closed his eyes and meditated silently. ''It''s red, so the result will be an attack skill. I have both the properties of a mage and a swordsman, so I can choose whichever I want by using either Aura or Mana. Now concentrate.


    I still want more sword skills to enhance my physical output, so I''ll be using Aura, but I can''t let them find out I can use it at such a young age.''


    As everyone, including Jerry, waited impatiently, no one dared interrupt him.


    ''I''ve been training my Lumix for a situation like this. Although it''s not perfect, it''s sufficient enough. Treat the Aura as blood vessels getting pumped out of your heart. Pass the Aura through the system to your fingertips and inject the stone with your Aura. Not too little and not too much, just enough to get a reaction.''


    Jett waited diligently, knowing controlling such minute details was an incredible feat. He followed the instructions set in his mind.


    Once his preparations wereplete, he crushed the stone with ease.


    [Double Damage D]


    [For all fist attacks, the user can deal double the damage. 10% extra Exp when used to deal the final blow.]


    [Duration: 5 minute]


    [Cooldown: 10 minutes]


    ''It worked. Such a shame I couldn''t give this to Seraphina; this skill fits her fighting style the most,'' Jett thought with a sigh.


    He told them what skill he got and demonstrated it without going all out, not wanting to draw too much attention.


    "You got a D-ss skill from that junk? Pretty impressive," Reynolds praised him.


    "You actually admit to that? You''re starting to look less like a king and more like a con artist. Maybe Ray got his personality from you." Jett gave him a look of suspicion and disappointment.


    "Like father, like son. He is quite impressive. I expect great things from you, kid, but I must say," Reynolds'' expression suddenly turned serious, "diving into that situation without the aid of a skilled adult was very stupid, no matter how tough you think you are. Make sure there''s never a next time."


    "Right!" the kids chorused, understanding his indirect message to get stronger while also not being too reckless.


    "Now for your real reward." Reynolds took Jett alone into a secret room within the castle where numerous precious items were kept. Among them was an array of identical golden eggs arranged in two rows. There were fourteen in total. "These were originally meant for the Divine Lords, but luckily, there''s actually an extra, so I''ll let you pick one."


    Feeling impressed but conflicted, Jett thought, ''I remember this from WAR BOUND; it''s a gacha game for picking pets, and the eggs are the highest grade possible.'' He picked one at random, knowing that the oue was already set regardless of his choice.


    The golden egg felt warm in his hand, and as he held it, he could sense a faint pulsation, like a heartbeat.


    "Hey, hey, what did he give you?" Rosa inquired as they finally returned from the secret area.


    "Nothing important," Jett brushed it off.


    "Just spill it already; I bet it''s something good," Ray pestered, but Jett wouldn''t budge. Instead, he found a way to slip away, leaving everyone behind at the castle.


    "Where did he run off to? I haven''t even exined the process to him."


    *****


    In WAR BOUND, one could only try to get a pet once through a mini-game, which was essentially a gacha game. The rule was simple: buy an egg and hatch it. Whatever you saw was what you got. The cheaper the egg, the lower the probability of getting something good. Most yers opted for the cheaper eggs, while others went for the expensive ones.


    Jett, picking a random egg without knowing what to expect since he never saw what his character was supposed to get, had no idea that his choice would soon change the course of the story.


    *


    *


    *


    He''s getting a pet soon...


    Or is he?


    We''ll find out soon

 Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Dyno

    As Jett walked back, he thought to himself, ''This was an eventful day. Fought off some terrorists, had an audience with the king till midnight, found out more about my parents, copied two skills from the king himself, and even made a checkpoint right in the royal treasury.'' He started smiling with confidence.


    ''Although I wasn''t expecting most of what happened, my n to survive this world is going better than expected.''


    As he got closer to the Emberville mansion, he decided to inspect the egg. "It looks really cool. I wonder what kind of pet I''ll get if the egg has a skill of its own."


    From the moment he imed ownership of the egg, it became an item only he could see. He realized this when Ray and the others didn''t notice the golden egg hovering around him.


    [Gluttony]


    [Highest Grade Pet Egg]


    [Duration: 02:01:00 years]


    "Two years." Jett muttered. "That''s how long it''ll take to hatch. Well, I did expect that since the concept of pets only started after we got to the academy."


    Jett felt uneasy as he looked at the egg, but then he remembered he had a skill that worked better for inspection.


    [Evil Eyes A]


    - See hidden information overlooked during appraisal.


    - See through all A Rank illusions and below.


    - Detect Fire attributes.


    - Detect Dark attributes.]


    "Let''s try that again," he said, activating the skill.


    He looked at the egg and saw a new message appear below the previous one.


    [Gluttony]


    [Highest Grade Pet Egg]


    [Duration: 02:01:00 years]


    [Binding Sessful]


    [For a better result, subject needs a catalyst]


    [Find any species you would like to use as a catalyst.]


    Jett was caught off guard by the new information. ''Binding? Catalyst? If that''s the case, then it''s no longer a gacha. But I guess it''s much better; I just have to decide what kind of pet I want.'' His mind soon drifted off in thought. ''There are many mythical creatures to choose from.


    A dragon would be nice. I can even get what I need from the royal treasury.''


    As he pondered his options, he ran into Nerissa, who was just about to leave when she spotted him.


    "Ah, there you are. I heard there was a terrorist attack, so I went searching for you, but I couldn''t find you. Thank goodness you''re alright." She waved at him as they approached each other.


    "I''m fine, don''t worry. Just don''t mention it to Mother." He replied, asking her to keep her voice down. "Actually, I got something for you." He brought out a good-looking sword from his storage space.


    It was a dark long sword with an even darker de. Although it didn''t give off any obvious ominous vibe, she could tell it was no ordinary sword. She could sense that it was forged with dark attributes and probably had some special functions.


    "Oh my... Where the hell did you get this?" she asked, taking the sword and inspecting it. "It''s even better than the one I currently use."


    "That''s a secret. You can''t reject it; this is the first gift I''ve ever given you." He blushed as he turned away from her gaze while exining, "I don''t really know your preferences, but I figured this would be alright. If it isn''t, then feel free to sell it."


    "Aww, little brother is so cute," she cooed, hugging him so tight it felt more like a strangle than a hug.


    "Sheesh, get off me already," he yelled, trying to push her off.


    ''He''s gotten even stronger, almostparable to the rumored Divine Lords,'' she thought, feeling Jett''s strength. Little did she know, he wasn''t even pushing with all his might.


    "Sorry about that. Speaking of gifts, I also got you something." She handed him a ne decorated with a gem. "It''s a special item with a protective function that activates when you pour Aura or Mana into it. If you ever get into deep trouble and think you can''t escape, don''t hesitate to use it."


    "Thanks, I will." He looked at the ne in astonishment. ''I know what this is. It''s an ally summoning item.''


    An ally summoning item was a rare artifact in WAR BOUND, used by yers to teleport an ally to their designated position. It was invaluable in dire situations or when immediate backup was needed for a mission. Jett knew how hard these were to obtain in-game; sometimes yers had to pay exorbitant amounts for one, as it was even more precious than a teleportation item.


    "You''ll be leaving tomorrow. Take care of yourself and don''t cause Mother and Father any trouble. I''ll try to visit as much as possible." She waved goodbye as she walked away. "Oh, and I couldn''t find Father anywhere. Please tell him I''ve already gone back to my party."


    ''If "as much as possible" means "less than possible," then knock yourself out,'' he thought. "But why give me such a gift? It must have been really hard to get."


    Jett finally made it inside, where he found Finn pacing uneasily by the door.


    "What''s with you?" Jett asked, eyeing the pitiful-looking Finn.


    "You''re still alive? That''s wonderful," Finn replied, trying to hide his displeasure at seeing him.


    "Well, you don''t really sound thrilled by that," Jett said, noticing Finn''s expression. "Why are you here, though?"


    "We have a guest, a really important one. He came here to see your mother," Finn replied, resuming his pacing.


    Not bothered by this, Jett made for the door. "So? Who is this guest?"


    "Leon Dyno," Finn quickly replied.


    Jett stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Finn. "Dyno? As in the Dyno family?"


    "Yes, that Dyno. I suppose even a country boy like you knows the name." Finn sighed in relief, realizing that Jett seemed to understand the gravity of the situation.


    ''Did she do something wrong? Nothing good everes out of associating with them,'' Jett thought to himself.


    Now reluctant to go inside, Jett decided it would be better to wait outside with Finn. This was understandable, as the Dyno family was one he wasn''t too fond of in the novel. They were a ruthless and unforgiving noble family that did whatever they could to stay at the top. They were feared by all, even the royal household was wary of them.


    What would someone from such a prestigious family want with his mother? That was all that went through Jett''s mind. He wanted to walk in, but at the same time, he was hesitant and scared that he might identally put the Grifts on their bad side.


    After a while of pondering, Jett decided to go in and assess the situation. Upon entry, he was stopped by a knight who looked nothing like anyone he had seen at the Emberville household.


    "Leave him be," Avon gestured from where he sat.


    "But sir��" the knight tried to protest.


    A harsh voice quickly sounded, "You heard the man, now move."


    Jett was finally allowed to walk in. He scanned the room as he walked straight to his mother. Those present were Avon, Eva, a man who had a striking resemnce to Eva, and four knights��two behind the man and another two at the door.


    The atmosphere felt a bit tense the deeper he walked in. Their gazes were mostly on him, and for some unknown reason, he could sense a killing intent from someone in the room. It was suffocating, but he dared not act hastily.


    ''This must be the Dyno guy. He really looks like my mother, but why is that?'' Jett stole quick nces at him.


    "Jett,e over here," Eva called.


    "Yes, Mother," Jett replied, walking faster to meet her.


    "There''s someone I need to introduce to you," she held him close while pointing at the stranger, "This is Sir Leon Dyno. He''s my older brother, which makes him your uncle."


    ''You have got to be kidding me.'' Jett''s expectations dropped drastically, feeling betrayed somewhere along the line.


    "So this is your kid? He looks more like an embarrassment to the Dyno name. It''s a pity that you had to marry that buffoon excuse for a husband. Muscle with no brain��just pray he doesn''t end up like his old man." Leon boasted as he indirectly bad-mouthed Jerry.


    ''We only just met, and I already feel like sending him to hell.'' Jett was triggered. ''Who said anything about wanting to be part of the Dyno family, huh?''


    This continued as Leon spouted more hateful things about them, causing the knights tough heartily while Eva and Avon asked him to restrain himself to no avail.


    Before anyone noticed, a ss cup went flying towards Leon. He managed to stop it with wind magic, but the contents still spilled on his apparel.


    "Don''t you dare say something like that about my father," Jett yelled at him.


    This enraged Leon, who forgot about his surroundings and sent Jett flying straight towards the wall.


    ''Crap, did I mess up this time?'' Jett braced himself as he got closer to colliding face-first with the wall.


    But he stopped moving mid-air. Everywhere went silent, and he could feel an ominous aura in the room.


    ''What just happened? Wait, is that�� mother?'' He looked back to see a sight he wasn''t expecting.


    *


    *


    *


    Can you guess what happened next?


    Which character are you more eager to see btw?


    ^_^

 Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Grift History

    Leon and his men were surrounded by a dazzling array of elemental forces��fire, water, earth, and lightning��all created by Eva. The elements hovered menacingly, ready to strike at a moment''s notice. A gust of wind held Jett at bay, as Eva stood with a single finger raised, exuding an ominous aura so deadly that no one, including Jett, dared to move.


    ''Yep, that''s an elemental mage for you,'' Jett thought proudly.


    "Oh dear Leon," Eva began, shifting her focus from Jett to Leon. "I know you''re my brother and all, but if you so much as harm a single strand of his hair, you can forget about leaving with your limbs intact."


    "Tch, put us down," one of Leon''s men demanded.


    "Oh? An insignificant pebble dares to speak?" Eva sneered, her eyes zing with intent to incinerate him on the spot.


    "Umm, Eva? Could you maybe notmit murder in my household?" Avon nervously interjected. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and he knew that if a fight broke out, Eva would obliterate everything in her path without hesitation.


    "Master Leon, do something," the man who had previously blocked Jett begged Leon.


    "She wouldn''t dare," another man interrupted.


    "Oh, Eva? She doesn''t care if you''re friend or foe. If you push her to this point, you''re practically dancing with death," Avon warned, trying to make them understand the gravity of the situation.


    ''That''s my mother? So scary,'' Jett thought, watching the scene in silence. Leon and his men were at his mother''s mercy; one wrong move, and they would be finished.


    "Alright, I yield. Call off your attack," Leon conceded, realizing he was no match for her.


    Eva waved her hand, instantly dispelling the elemental forces.


    As Leon and his men retreated, he cast a spiteful look at Jett, who only mocked him from behind his mother. Then, Leon turned to Eva.


    "Remember what we discussed. I''ll be leaving now," he said with a frown and walked away.


    "Yeah, you better run," Jett yelled after them, still hiding behind his mother.


    "And you, what was that just now? You should know better than to interrupt your elders when they are talking," Eva scolded Jett with a menacing stare, making his heart sink with fear.


    Avon chuckled at the sight of Eva and Jett. ''I guess even Eva can change; she''s actually thinking about consequences now.''


    "Nice throw, by the way. Next time, aim for the face," she suddenly smiled and gave Jett a thumbs up.


    Avon covered his face in disappointment. ''I take it back. Nothing about her has changed at all.''


    He proceeded to give both of them an earful, cautioning Eva to act more like an adult and Jett to behave himself and avoid causing trouble.


    *****


    The next day, the Grift family set out back to Lagia without Nerissa. On the way, Jerry exined to Jett about once being one of the twenty pirs that supported the king, how they fought off the great demon army and banished them to the pits of hell. Jett tried to make sense of the story.


    "If that''s the case, then why were you sent to Lagia? And why just a Lord?"


    "Well, you see, I was sent to Lagia to rejuvenate the area as a reward and also to protect something really important. As for why I''m just a Lord, that''s just politics that you''re too young to understand, ha ha ha."


    "What''s that?"


    "When the timees, I''ll tell you."


    Jett looked at Eva, who was fast asleep on the opposite seat, still wanting to know a few more things.


    "So, like, what gives? I found out that Mom is from a noble family, so why does it feel like we''re not rted to them?"


    "And you''re asking because��?"


    "Oh, no reason in particr."


    "The answer is simple: your mother left the family for me."


    "Huh? She eloped with you?"


    "Who taught you that word?"


    "Ah, well, I, um, picked it up from tourists."


    "Those tourists really need to be more conservative around children."


    ''Huff, if only he knew how old I actually am.''


    Jerry exined to Jett the circumstances that led to the Dyno family cutting ties with Eva.


    Jerry and Eva met at the academy, where they were both students of remarkable talent. Jerry, with his unrivaled swordsmanship, and Eva, with her exceptional magical prowess, quickly became friends. Their bond grew as they trained together, their mutual respect blossoming into love.


    They became party members, fighting side by side in numerous battles. Their teamwork was unparalleled, and they were soon recognized as a formidable duo. When the call to battle the great demon army came, both joined the military, with Jerry leading a division of warriors and Evamanding a corps of mages.


    Their contributions were pivotal in driving the demons back to the pits of hell, earning them high ranks and respect.


    Despite their achievements, the Dyno family disapproved of their rtionship. They had ns for Eva to marry someone from a prestigious family, someone they deemed worthy of her noble lineage. When the war ended, and the pressure from her family increased, Eva made a bold decision. She fled with Jerry, choosing love over familial duty.


    Jerry knew that Jett was moved by the story as he had stopped asking questions.


    ''So the real reason why you didn''t get a better title than Lord was because the Dyno family opposed it. But since they couldn''t ignore his contributions, they gave him Lagia. Reynolds used watching over whatever it is he''s guarding now as a cover to let Jerry and Eva live a peaceful life away from the other nobles. Such a good friend, killing two birds with one stone.


    I think I get the gist of it now, how cruel.''


    Ethan continued his reflection on human greed. "Both in this world and my previous life, human greed knows no bounds. The nobles are no saints either, as the majority of them try to discriminate againstmon folks with their status. Even Jerry couldn''t totally escape their influence. The only thing keeping them at bay is obviously the royal family."


    ''Strength isn''t everything in this world; even power, if used right, can suppress those with strength. Even I know that much. I''ll get stronger, strong enough to gain that power to never be oppressed by anyone. The world that I envision, I will bring it to fruition. I swear it.''


    *****


    >>> 2 YEARS LATER <<<


    Deep in the forest near Lagia, a small hill of beasts'' corpses piled up, featuring slimes, small golems, goblins, dread vipers, wind wolves, and more. At the top of the heap, Jett, now older and stronger, sat with a hint of boredom on his face.


    "Two years already?" he muttered. "Maybe in four years, I''ll be heading to that ce. Leveling up here is nearly impossible, and I can''t stray too far from Lagia, or Mother will notice. Ever since she marked me with that annoying skill, I''ve had to be more careful. Somehow, I made it to level 25. But at this rate, it''ll take another four to five years to reach level 30."


    Over the past two years, Jett had trained relentlessly, honing his Aura, Mana, and Lumix. He ventured into the forest daily to hunt wild beasts and monsters, and he made a concerted effort to learn and copy useful skills.


    He also devoted time to understanding how his skills worked, especially [Gluttony] and [Skill Forge].


    Through experimentation, Jett discovered that [Skill Forge] had two distinct functions: Forge and Synthesis. Forge allowed him to create a new, authentic skill from two or more existing skills, though the properties of the new skill often varied.


    Synthesis, on the other hand, merged two skills,bining their properties into one. However, skills with dark and holy attributes had a low sess rate, and failure resulted in the permanent loss of those skills.


    With [Gluttony], Jett found that he couldn''t copy a skill twice, even if two people possessed it. Moreover, when he used [Evil Eye] to analyze it, the dark attribute of [Evil Eye] caused a downgrade during synthesis. This resulted in [Gluttony] being limited to five uses per day and the loss of [Evil Eye].


    Losing [Evil Eye] was a significant blow, but it taught Jett a valuable lesson about relying on luck. He realized that over-reliance on luck had be a weakness, and he needed to think carefully before acting.


    As he sat atop the heap of beasts, Jett''s resolve to grow stronger and more strategic solidified. He knew the path ahead was long, but he was determined to forge it with skill and wisdom.


    *****


    Deeper in the forest, a dark and gloomy cave was dimly lit by luminous crystals. Inside, a man in a dark cloak, Articus, paced to and fro, holding a bottle.


    Another figure, Gabo, entered, groaning in slight pain, still not fully healed from a previous battle.


    "Gabo, how are the preparationsing along?" Articus inquired.


    "Everything is ready. We will begin shortly," Gabo replied with a grin.


    "Hmm," Articus muttered, his attention suddenly diverted.


    "What now?" Gabo asked, sensing the shift.


    "We have an uninvited guest," Articus replied.


    "Huh? Me? I just got here," Gabo interrupted, thinking Articus was talking about him.


    "Not you, moron. An outsider just entered the formation I set," Articus retorted.


    "Oh? What should we do? What if this intruder interferes with our n?" Gabo wondered, feeling uneasy.


    "Don''t worry. It''s only one person. Whoever it is will probably die from the traps we set. If not, we''ll kill the person if he gets too close," Articus said with a wickedugh.


    The cave''s dim light flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls as Articus and Gabo exchanged sinister nces. The air was thick with tension and the impending threat of their dark machinations.


    *


    *


    *


    Nothing Bad''s gonna happen right?


    Hope so


    Looking forward to seeing what the look like for real

 Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Orc Rampage

    Deeper and deeper, Jet ventured into the forest in search of beasts to y for EXP points. "I haven''t gone this deep into the forest before. I wonder if I''ll find stronger monsters here."


    He checked the stats of the egg that kept hovering around him since the moment he got it from the king. ''Hmm, the egg should be hatching soon, right? I''ve already given it a dragon scale from the royal treasury as a catalyst, and it even asked for my blood to ascertain ownership.''


    The forest seemed unusually quiet as he continued moving. Just when he thought that there were no monsters in that area, three Grand Orcs around Level 30 emerged, instantly attacking Jet.


    These were High Orcs, low-level monsters devoid of intelligence, driven only by primal instincts. Their eyes were vacant, mouths hanging open in perpetual hunger, and they wielded crude, heavy weapons.


    d in simple leather armor enchanted with runes of protection, he gripped the sword he had wielded alongside Finn during their quest, its aura radiating power.


    The first orc, a towering brute with a rusted cleaver, let out a guttural roar and charged at Jett with mindless aggression. Jett''s expression remained calm, almost bored. With a subtle shift of his weight, he evaded the orc''s wild swing effortlessly, his de striking with the precision of a serpent.


    The enchanted steel sliced through the orc''s thick hide with ease, and the beast copsed with a heavy thud.


    The second orc, wielding a massive club studded with nails, lumbered forward, its steps reverberating through the ground. Jett moved like a whisper in the wind, darting to the side. The orc swung its club down in a heavy, clumsy arc, but Jett was already behind it. A swift, upward sh severed the tendons in the orc''s leg, bringing it crashing to its knees.


    Without hesitation, Jett delivered a final blow to the back of its neck, ending its pitiful existence.


    ''Compared to sparring with Jerry, this is a piece of cake. I don''t even need to use skills.'' But deep down, something nagged at him, though he brushed it away.


    The third orc, slightly smaller but no less ferocious, snarled and charged with a crude spear. Jett sidestepped the thrust with ease, his movements a dance of grace and lethal precision. In a single, fluid motion, he spun around the orc, his de cutting a perfect arc through the air. The orc''s head separated from its body, tumbling to the ground before its body followed in a lifeless heap.


    Jett stood amidst the fallen bodies, his de dripping with the blood of his enemies. He exhaled slowly, sheathing his sword. The forest, momentarily silent, seemed to breathe again, the whispers of the trees growing louder, as if acknowledging the boy''s effortless victory.


    He nced around the clearing, ensuring no other threats lingered. Satisfied, he turned and walked away, but he immediately paused.


    [Tactical Mirage]


    "Something''s wrong somewhere. I''m sure I took down the orcs, so what''s this thing I''m feeling?"


    Jett paused, scanning his surroundings. Grand Orcs, more formidable than the High Orcs he had just dispatched, emerged from the darkness. At first, he counted a dozen, then two dozen. As more figures stepped into the view, his estimate quickly rose.


    "A hundred? No, two hundred? Maybe even more." The forest seemed alive with their presence, a sea of green flesh and crude weapons.


    "I knew seeing those three High Orcs was weird, but why are this many Grand Orcs inhabiting a ce like this? Seeing one would''ve been understandable, but this is well over a hundred." He was lost in thought as the orcs marched towards him.


    "Should I run away and get some help? They are level 40 after all," he thought, "but then again, my stats now can rival those of a level 71 warrior. Maybe I can finally let loose."


    A smile tugged at the corner of Jett''s lips. "Now things are getting interesting," he murmured to himself, drawing his de once more.


    The air thrummed with tension as the High Orcs encircled him, their eyes glinting with primal fury.


    Jett took a deep breath, centering himself. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, the runes along the de glowing with a fierce light.


    With a fluid motion, heunched himself into the fray, his de a blur of deadly precision.


    The first wave of High Orcs rushed at him, their roars deafening. Jett met them head-on, his movements a symphony of lethal grace.


    He ducked under a heavy axe swing, his de slicing cleanly through an orc''s midsection. Spinning on his heel, he deflected a spear thrust, severing the weapon and the hand that held it in one swift motion, waiting for them to gather at one spot.


    "Now,"


    [Inferno S]


    Set everything within a designated area aze. Size can be reduced or increased based on the user with a limit of fifty seven thousand square meters. The smaller the AoE, the more powerful the effect.]


    [Cooldown: 1 hour]


    He quickly incinerated them all. For every orc that fell, two more took its ce. Jett moved like a dancer, every step calcted, every strike lethal. He felt the thrill of the fight surge through him, his senses heightened, his mind razor-sharp. The forest floor became a blur of motion, blood, and steel.


    Jett''s de cleaved through armor and flesh, each swing precise and devastating. He parried a flurry of blows from a particrly massive orc, slipping under its guard to deliver a fatal strike to its heart. Without missing a beat, he whirled to face the next opponent, his de shing in the dim light.


    [Limitless Casting S]


    Cast multiple spells without their incantations at incredible speed. The amount the user can cast solely depends on Intelligence.]


    {Light Javelin}


    {Mud Curse}


    {Lightning Rain}


    {Extensive Mine Trap}


    {Wind Slice}


    Despite their numbers, the High Orcs were no match for Jett''s skill and agility. He weaved through their ranks, his sword dancing, leaving a trail of fallen foes in his wake. The battle was a whirlwind of chaos and bloodshed, but Jett remained calm, his focus unbroken.


    As thest of the High Orcs fell, Jett stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving from exertion. His de dripped with dark blood, the runes along its length still glowing faintly. The forest, once again silent, seemed to acknowledge his victory.


    He sheathed his sword and looked around, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. The fight had been exhrating, a true test of his abilities.


    "Hehehe, think I went overboard," With a satisfied nod, Jett turned and continued onwards.


    Jett spotted a cave after walking for a few minutes. "Gosh, I''ve been walking for 10 minutes, any further and I''ll go outside her spell range. I''ll just rest here for now and turn back since [Checkpoint] is on cooldown right now."


    *****


    "What the...?" Articus jerked awake from his quiet rest in the cave, a faint signal reaching him.


    Gabo noticed the sudden movement. "What is it?"


    "Get ready. We havepany," Articus replied, his tone sharp.


    Astonished that such a ce existed in the forest, Jett ventured deeper into the cave, noticing signs of habitation. "Whoa, it seems like someone actually lives here," he called out while sifting through the scattered junk. "Hello? Is anyone here?"


    Gabo emerged, spotting Jett. "Who are you? Who sent you here?" He scrutinized the child standing before him. ''He''s just a kid. How did he get this far on his own? Someone must be with him.


    But why does he look so familiar? I can''t believe I''d feel this much resentment for a kid I just met.''


    ''This guy looks oddly familiar,'' Jett thought to himself.


    ''Who is it, Gabo?'' another voice echoed from deeper within the cave. It was Articus, slowly emerging from the shadows, holding the bottle they had used to extract Freya''s blood.


    ''Gabo? Gabo... Hold on, that bottle. Oh crap, it''s them. What should I do?''


    "Hold on, I know you; you''re one of those meddling kids from the capital," Articus yelled in annoyance and pure fury.


    ''I got found out so soon?'' Jett thought to himself before asking, "What gave me away?"


    Articus replied, "I never forget the face of someone I promised to kill."


    "Is that a fact?" Jett smirked as he thought about the gap in their strengths. ''They''re both Level 60 and 64, I can take them.''


    "I knew it, you''re dead meat, kid. I won''t let you leave this ce alive," Gabo eximed.


    "Let''s face it, my fate was sealed the moment I entered this cave. All I can hope to do is end this here."


    He immediately went on the offensive, avoiding Gabo and targeting Articus, who only had one hand. ''I need to take out the mage.''


    Hended an attack, but Articus turned to mist and quickly evaporated. More images of Articus started to appear around him.


    ''An illusion? I need to quickly break fr...'' Before he couldpose himself, he received a massive punch from Gabo, sending him flying into the wall and sustaining serious injuries.


    [Regeneration]


    They both watched as his injuries slowly disappeared. "That hurt, like a lot," he groaned in pain.


    "How is he still alive?" Gabo was astonished, as that was him going all out. He then turned to Articus, "Articus, this kid is dangerous."


    [Misty Buff C]


    [Cloud Restraint C]


    Articus and Gabo stole quick nces at each other before attacking simultaneously.


    Gabo charged forward with brute force, swinging his weapon with ferocity, while Articus supported from behind, casting spells one after another to try and slow down Jett''s movements, giving Gabo an opportunity to deal damage.


    Jett held on as best he could, his movements bing morebored with each passing moment. He parried Gabo''s strikes with precision, his de moving in a blur of motion.


    Despite the overwhelming onught, Jett refused to yield. He gritted his teeth, his determination shining through the fatigue that threatened to overwhelm him. With a burst of energy, he countered Gabo''s attacks, driving him back momentarily.


    As the fight intensified, Jett found himself dodging spells and deflecting blows from all directions. The forest echoed with the sh of weapons and the crackling of magic.


    "This is super annoying. Can this even get any worse?" Jettined.


    [Boost]


    Just then, three other men walked in. They were amazed at what they saw; Articus and Gabo, their leaders, struggling with just a kid. They quickly joined in to subjugate him.


    "I take it back, it got worse," Jett regretted ever making the statement in the first ce.


    The attacks became more concentrated and deadly as the mages dealt damage from afar while the melee fighters closed in.


    Spotting Articus in the heat of battle, an idea came to Jett. ''You''re not the only one who can use illusions. Even if mine isn''t as strong, it''s still good enough.'' He advanced toward Gabo at full speed.


    [Ground Breaker]


    Gabo pounded him to the ground, but immediately, more of Jett emerged��two clones, each advancing toward one of them, making a total of three clones.


    "Illusions are my domain, kid. This can only slow me for 5 seconds," Articus boasted.


    "That''s all I need." Jett appeared behind Articus, swinging his sword at him. Articus reacted swiftly, causing the sword to shatter the bottle he was holding, sshing its contents everywhere.


    "Nooooo, this can''t be happening," Articus yelled.


    The blood managed to touch Jett and the egg hovering around him, causing a notification to emerge.


    [A new catalyst has been forcefully added.]


    [The new Catalyst is shing with the old one, and ownership is shaking.]


    [Adjusting Data]


    [Duration: 4 years]


    That window of opportunity was enough for Gabo and three others tond a decisive hit on Jett, sending him flying again.


    [Quick Heal]


    After such a devastating attack, Jetty sprawled on the ground, his body battered and broken. His clothes were torn, blood seeping from numerous wounds. Bruises and cuts covered his skin, and he struggled to catch his breath.


    ''No, I can''t die here, not yet. I need to survive, but how? How?'' Then he remembered the ne Nerissa had given him. ''Right, I can summon somebody for help��father, that''s who I need right now.''


    With ast effort, as the men slowly walked towards him, as one of the mages stepped on his leg, as his healing had stopped due to him slowly losing consciousness, he used thest energy to infuse Mana into the gem on the ne before crushing it.


    BOOOOOMMMM


    A figure appeared before him. He was too out of it to make out who it was.


    "Are you��?" His consciousness slowly deteriorated, but the voice he heard, it was familiar, but it wasn''t his father''s.


    "You did well, kid. Just rest easy. I''ll take it from here."


    *


    *


    *


    Can you guess who got summoned?


    Tried experimenting with this chapter so please feel free to tell me what you think.

 Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Trouble in Lagia

    Jerry sat slumped at his desk, his eyes zed over as he sifted through the endless stack of documents that needed his signature. Requests from the townsfolk piled up like a mountain, each one more tedious than thest. He massaged his temples, feeling the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him.


    Suddenly, a knock echoed through the room. Jerry looked up to see a knight stepping inside, his armor distinctively different from that of the other knights in the castle. The knight bowed deeply, showing the utmost respect.


    "Master Jerry, we have an urgent situation," the knight said, his voice steady but urgent.


    Jerry sighed, leaning back in his chair. He had a feeling this wasing. "Cormac? This is a surprise," he said, his tone weary but curious.


    "We have a situation," Cormac repeated as he straightened from his bow, his face serious.


    Jerry''s faint smile didn''t reach his eyes as he spoke, "The only thing that could bring you here must be concerning that troublesome group, am I right?"


    Cormac nodded, his expression grim, confirming Jerry''s suspicions. The room seemed to grow heavier with the unspoken tension of the impending crisis.


    "As always, your intuition is on point," Cormac replied, ready to give a full report. "They''re on the move. We were able to subdue twenty of them, but��"


    Jerry interrupted, "That was a diversion. There''s no way they''d go down that easily. Hmm, Cormac?" He paused, an uneasy feeling crawling up his gut. He needed to confirm his suspicions.


    "Yes, my Liege?" Cormac responded.


    "Where did you send the prisoners?" Jerry asked, tapping his desk with his finger.


    "The underground prison under Lagia, sir," Cormac replied.


    Jerry''s eyes widened as he quickly sprang from his seat. "Oh no!" he eximed, his voice filled with urgency. "We have to evacuate the citizens now! Get to the underground prison as quickly as you can. I have a bad feeling about this. Hurry!"


    Cormac nodded and turned on his heel, rushing out of the room to execute Jerry''s orders. The gravity of the situation hung heavily in the air, and Jerry could only hope they weren''t already toote.


    *****


    Under Lagia, in what seemed to be a grim and foreboding underground prison, rows of cells lined the cold stone walls, each one a testament to the suffering endured within. This massive dungeon, notorious for housing the worst prisoners known to many, was built to contain over a hundred men, not counting the guards.


    The air was thick with the stench of blood and death. Every cell bore the stains of violent encounters, stters of blood smeared across the walls and floors. Bodies of both prisoners and guardsy scattered, their lifeless forms twisted in final moments of agony. The dim torchlight flickered, casting eerie shadows that danced across the carnage.


    In the center of this macabre scene, twenty prisoners stood, draped in dark cloaks that seemed to absorb the light. Their hoods concealed their faces, but their low, rhythmic chanting filled the air with an unsettling energy.


    "Oh great and mighty Zest, we beseech thee, lend us your strength to vanquish thy enemy," intoned one of the cloaked figures, his voice resonating with a dark power.


    The others continued their chant, their voices melding into a haunting chorus, "We summon the creatures from hell to aid in our quest for your freedom."


    A palpable sense of dread filled the room as the incantation grew louder, the very walls seeming to vibrate with the malevolent force being conjured.


    As the chanting continued, a crimson red light began to engulf the bodies of the cloaked figures, casting an eerie glow across the blood-stained walls. This luminescence filled them with excitement, a clear sign that Zest could hear their plea and was about to heed their request.


    "Yes, yes, he can hear us! This is a sign that Lord Zest is on our side," one of them cried out, his voice brimming with fervor.


    Encouraged by this sign, they intensified their chanting, their voices echoing through the cavernous prison. The crimson light grew brighter, its intensity almost blinding. But as the light intensified, it began to sear their flesh, the heat bing unbearable.


    Despite the agony, they persevered, driven by their devotion and desperation. The light burned hotter, and soon their chants were no longer voluntary. The incantation took control,pelling them to continue against their will. Their screams of pain mingled with the relentless chanting, creating a horrific symphony.


    Their skin blistered and charred, and their bodies began to disintegrate, turning to ash that scattered across the floor. They chanted to the bitter end, their voices fading into the echoes of the dungeon, leaving behind only the whisper of their final plea to Zest.


    *****


    Both Jerry and Cormac sprinted out of the residence, followed by all avable warriors and mages. Eva trailed behind, her face etched with confusion.


    "My liege, I can''t contact anyone at the prison," Cormac reported breathlessly as they ran.


    "Damn it, could this day get any worse?" Jerry muttered under his breath, frustration evident.


    "Jerry, dear? What''s the matter?" Eva asked, concern evident in her voice. She rarely saw her husband this serious.


    "We have a situation. Where is Jett? You did say you used a tracking skill on him, right?" Jerry bombarded her with questions, his anxiety palpable.


    "I don''t know," Eva replied, her brow furrowed in worry. "The skill only activates if he decides to walk outside the designated location, and since that hasn''t happened, I can say he''s probably fine. But why do you ask? And why the sudden evacuation?"


    "This ce will soon be a battlefield," Jerry announced grimly before wondering inwardly, ''Did he go to that forest again? I don''t think it''ll be a good idea to tell her, though.''


    Eva''s eyes widened with a mix of fear and determination. "What do you need me to do?" she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil.


    "Help with the evacuation and ensure everyone is safe. We need to be ready for anything," Jerry instructed, his tone leaving no room for doubt.


    Eva nodded, quickly joining the warriors and mages in organizing the townsfolk. As Jerry and Cormac continued towards the underground prison, a sense of urgency drove them forward, knowing that every second counted in the face of the impending crisis.


    Just then, a magic circle appeared beneath them, and two massive, two-headed dogs emerged from the ground. The creatures were menacing and terrifying, their blood-red eyes gleaming with malevolence. Saliva dripped from their snarling jaws, pooling on the ground as they growled, their muscr bodies poised to attack.


    "I remember those hideous dogs," Eva scoffed at the sight. "Aren''t they part of the demon army we managed to seal some years back? How disgusting."


    "These troublesome mutts," Jerry sighed, steeling himself for the imminent battle. "Good thing they''re only two. We can concentrate our forces and kill them quickly."


    But before they could engage, a soldier came running from the direction of the main entrance to Lagia, his face pale with urgency. "Trouble at the gate, my liege. It''s a monster outbreak. A group of summoners and beast tamers were spotted just outside the gate, but when we went to confront them, we were blocked by a massive wave of monsters and beasts."


    Jerry''s eyes narrowed as he processed the dire news. "Cormac, take half of our forces and handle the situation at the gate. Eva and I will deal with these dogs."


    Cormac nodded sharply, quickly organizing the troops. "Yes, my liege. We''ll take care of it."


    As Cormac led his contingent towards the gate, Jerry turned to Eva. "Stay close. We need to be quick and decisive."


    Eva nodded, her expression determined. "Let''s finish this."


    The two-headed dogs growled louder, their eyes glowing with an unnatural hunger. Oddly calm, Jerry and Eva prepared themselves for the battle, knowing that every second counted in this fight for their town''s survival.


    "You just had to jinx us," Eva stared contemptuously at Jerry, her frustration evident.


    "What? Cormac, take all the men to the gate. Eva and I are enough to take care of these mutts," Jerry ordered, his voice resolute in the heat of the confusion.


    "But, sir, will you be alright?" Cormac asked, his concern evident as he respectfully bowed his head.


    "Who do you think you''re talking to? Have you already forgotten who I am?" Jerry boasted confidently as he turned to face the enormous dogs that were wreaking havoc on the vige.


    ''Ah, that''s right. How shameful of me to have forgotten the strength of him whom I vowed to serve till the end,'' Cormac sighed inwardly, feeling disappointed in himself before rallying the troops. "Right, follow me, men. We shall stop the outbreak while the Lord takes care of the hounds."


    With a renewed sense of purpose, Cormac led the warriors towards the gate. Meanwhile, Jerry and Eva squared off against the two-headed dogs, ready to defend their home at any cost.


    *****


    Nerissa gently lifted Jett and ced him in a morefortable position before administering a healing potion to him. The others watched in silence, their confusion evident as they wondered how she had arrived there.


    "Are you lost, child? I don''t know how you got here, but this is no ce for ady like you. And now we have no choice but to end your life because we can''t leave witnesses," Articus remarked, his tone cold as they slowly closed in around her.


    "Six grown men decided to gang up on my brother?" Nerissa remained squatting as she tended to Jett.


    "Brother?" Gabo muttered to himself, a realization dawning on him.


    "Youid your filthy hands on a Grift, my brother. I hope you''re ready to face the consequences," Nerissa stood up, her gaze piercing as she stared them down.


    Chills ran down their spines, but they quickly regained theirposure, continuing to advance towards her.


    "I know you. You''re the child of that Jerry Grift who''s been interfering with our ns to free the master," Gabo said, finally recognizing her.


    "And that means the bratty kid''s his son," Articus added.


    One of them licked his dagger in a perverted manner, "So when we kill both of them��"


    "I don''t know what you''re all bbering about. All I know is that you''re all scum who hurt my little brother, and I''m going to make you pay," Nerissa interrupted him. This time, it wasn''t just her cold stare; her bloodlust seeped out, a menacing brown aura faintly radiating around her.


    [Fear B]


    Imbue fear on the enemy, reducing all stats by 10% and speed by 25% for 10 minutes with a 50% change tond a bleed or poison status.]


    They were stopped dead in their tracks, the aura too frightening to ignore.


    "She''s just one girl. Let''s end this quickly," one of them said, trying to muster their courage.


    With a fierce battle cry, Nerissa engaged her adversaries, wielding the demon de Aklite Van with deadly precision. The sword''s pitch-ck de shimmered with an ominous aura as she unleashed its power upon her foes.


    The four magesunched spells of fire, ice, lightning, and darkness at her, but Nerissa deftly dodged and countered with her own attacks. With a swift motion of her de, she conjured mes from thin air, engulfing two of the mages in a fiery inferno before they could react.


    Meanwhile, the two warriors, Gabo and the assassin, closed in on her, their weapons poised for the kill. Gabo swung his fists with brute force, while the assassin moved with silent grace, attempting to strike from the shadows. But Nerissa anticipated their moves, using her mastery over blood maniption to ensnare them in tendrils of dark energy.


    As the battle raged on, Nerissa''s movements were a blur of deadly precision, each strike calcted to incapacitate her opponents. With a swift flourish, she disarmed the assassin and impaled him with his own de before turning her attention to Gabo and Articus, thest remaining foes.


    Articus fell to his knees, begging for mercy, but Nerissa showed him none. With a cold determination, she silenced him with a swift sh of her de, leaving him to bleed out on the ground.


    Turning to Gabo, who was bewildered by her strength, Nerissa didn''t give him the chance to finish his sentence. Drawing upon the power of Aklite Van, she manipted his blood, causing it to boil and bubble beneath his skin. With a final, contemptuous hiss, she drove her de into his heart, ending his life with a swift and decisive blow.


    "How revolting," Nerissa spat in disgust as she surveyed the carnage around her. The battle was over, and she stood victorious, her enemies vanquished at her feet. With a weary sigh, she sheathed Aklite Van, the ck de gleaming in the dim light of the dungeon.


    *


    *


    *


    Like mother like daughter huh?

 Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Breaking the Seige

    The air was thick with tension and the stench of blood as the Warriors of Lagia fought desperately to defend their walls from the onught of monsters and wild beasts. Orcs, high orcs, and great orcs surged forward in a relentless tide, their roars echoing like thunder.


    Arrows flew from the battlements, piercing through the leathery hides of the attackers, while mages cast spells, sending bursts of fire and lightning into the throng below. Yet, despite their efforts, the horde seemed endless.


    "There''s just too many of them!" someone shouted, panic evident in their voice.


    "We can''t hold them all off!" another added, the hopelessness in their tone spreading like wildfire through the ranks.


    "We have to! The Lord and the Lady have their work cut out for them. We can''t let these small fries add to their troubles!" a third voice countered, trying to rekindle the fighting spirit of the defenders.


    "Tch�� You call them small fries like you don''t know how strong these things are," anothermented, bitterness tinged with exhaustion.


    Cormac finally arrived at the scene, his eyes scanning the chaotic battlefield. He saw warriors struggling to keep the monsters at bay, their faces grim and sweat-soaked.


    The walls of Lagia, normally a symbol of strength, now seemed on the verge of being overwhelmed.


    "Open the gate," Cormac ordered, his voice cutting through the din.


    "But sir," one of the soldiers questioned, uncertainty etched on his face.


    "Just open the gate," Cormac insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    "We''re not supposed to let them in! Why would you want us to open the gates we''ve worked so hard to protect?" another soldier demanded, confusion and fear in his eyes.


    Not everyone was aware of Cormac''s true strength. Most had never seen him in action, but among them were veterans who had fought alongside him in the fiercest battles and knew what kind of warrior he was.


    "Move aside, we''re opening the gates," a much older soldiermanded, stepping forward with a sense of resolve. He began to open the gates, the heavy wooden beams creaking under the strain.


    "Hey��" others protested, their voices a mix of disbelief and concern.


    But Cormac interrupted, "Of course I have no intention of letting them pass." He became engulfed in a yellow aura, and a faint presence of lightning began to crackle around him. "Spear Art, third form."


    A massive aura soon spread across the battlefield, putting everyone inplete shock. Cormac held his spear tightly, muscles tensing as he prepared to toss it. The gates creaked open slowly, revealing the horde outside.


    "Raging Thunder Spear!" he roared, throwing the spear with all his might.


    The spear shot out of the gate like a bolt of lightning, covering a hundred meters in the blink of an eye. As it flew, it left behind an illusion of a dragon cloaked in lightning, its roaring presence electrifying the air.


    The dragon-shaped lightning surged forward, crashing into the mass of orcs and wild beasts with a deafening explosion.


    The impact was cataclysmic. The spear struck the ground with such force that the earth itself seemed to tremble. Lightning spread out in a massive area-of-effect attack, incinerating dozens of monsters in an instant.


    The orcs, high orcs, and great orcs caught within the st were obliterated, their bodies reduced to charred remnants.


    The battlefield fell into a stunned silence as the defenders and the remaining monsters alike stared in awe at the devastation. Cormac stood tall, his aura slowly dissipating, the power of his attack still crackling in the air.


    The gate was now a point of triumph rather than vulnerability, and the warriors of Lagia found their fighting spirit rekindled by the disy of Cormac''s overwhelming strength.


    "Now, let''s drive them back!" Cormacmanded, his voice ringing with authority and determination.


    With renewed vigor, the warriors surged forward, their morale bolstered by the incredible power they had just witnessed. The tide of battle began to turn, and hope flickered once more in the hearts of the defenders.


    *****


    Jerry and Eva stood back to back, surrounded by chaos as they faced off against the two Orthrus. Jerry charged at one of the two-headed beasts, his sword slicing through the air.


    He delivered a series of powerful shes, his de cutting deep into the creature''s hide even without the use of any special skills or moves. Blood sprayed from the wounds as the Orthrus growled in pain.


    "Ha, weak demons like these don''t have any ce causing trouble here! Hahaha!" Jerry bragged as the Orthrus fell to the ground, seemingly defeated.


    "Please stop Dear. Every time you act like that in situations like this, we always seem to get into more trouble," Eva scolded, her tone exasperated. She raised her hands and hurled five massive, cone-shaped earth elements at the second Orthrus, each projectile mming into the creature with devastating force.


    "That''s not true...?" Before Jerry could finish his retort, the Orthrus he thought he had defeated suddenly lunged at him, one of its heads snapping its jaws around his arm and tossing him aside like a ragdoll.


    Jerry crashed through the front of a shop filled with fruits, sending produce flying in every direction.


    ''I''m sure it couldn''t move a while ago,'' Jerry thought, dazed, as he crawled out of the wreckage, hopelessly trying to clean the smashed fruits off his body.


    "They seem to have a regenerative skill. I told you to keep your mouth shut, and now look what you''ve done," Eva warned him, her eyes never leaving the two-headed monsters.


    "They can regenerate now? How troublesome," Jerry grinned, his eyes gleaming with newfound excitement as he prepared to re-engage in the fight.


    He could feel his blood pumping, the thrill of the battle intensifying. Eva sighed but readied herself as well, her focus sharpening.


    ''Why do I get the feeling that I should be somewhere else right now,'' Jerry thought, momentarily lost in his musings.


    "Are you even listening to me?" Eva yelled angrily as she hurled a rock at him, snapping him out of his daze.


    "Hey, hey, what was that for? Alright, I just spaced out for a moment there," Jerry said, dodging the projectile.


    Eva checked on the Orthrus she had previously downed. Its wounds were still there but were slowly regenerating. An idea struck her.


    "Jerry, their regeneration isn''t that fast if the damage is more severe," Eva yelled to him. "So we just have to��"


    "Cut them faster than they can regenerate, right? I''m getting really pumped," Jerry interrupted, a grin spreading across his face.


    ''Tch, battle-crazed brute he''s can''t even his his excitement to be fighting again. I was going to say let me obliterate them all in one move, but that works too. But I guess that''s where he gets his charm,'' Eva thought, smiling despite herself. Watching Jerry''s excitement during a time like this made her heart race, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.


    "Alright, my love, shall we?" Jerry picked up his sword and turned to Eva, still shing his goofy grin. ''Something really feels off here though.''


    Eva nodded, her eyes meeting his. "Let''s finish this."


    Together, they moved in sync. Jerry''s sword shed through the air, targeting the Orthrus with renewed vigor, his strikes precise and relentless. Eva followed up with powerful earth spells, each one aimed to deal maximum damage. The Orthrus, despite their regeneration, began to falter under thebined assault.


    Jerry''s mind briefly wandered again, a nagging feeling that he was missing something important, but the thrill of the battle kept pulling him back. He pushed the thought aside, focusing on the immediate threat.


    "Ready for the finale?" Jerry asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.


    "Always," Eva replied, a smile ying on her lips.


    Eva focused her energy, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as she chanted softly. The ground beneath the two Orthrus began to glow with the formation of magic circles.


    From these circles, chains of pure elemental energy shot upward, wrapping around the beasts with unyielding force. The chains glowed with a mix of earthen and fiery hues, binding the Orthrus in ce, rendering them immobile.


    "Alright, my turn," Jerry dered, stepping forward with a confident grin. His aura red with the power of his


    [Grave of Swords S]


    User gets a 60% Boost on all stats.


    All sword arts gain an extra fire attribute.


    Slows down all targets by 80% while causing a bleeding effect reducing HP by 0.5% every 5 seconds. All other stats by 30]


    With a single fluid motion, Jerry struck the first Orthrus, his de moving faster than the eye could follow.


    The fire-enhanced sword art sliced through the creature, leaving a trail of mes in its wake. Before the second Orthrus could react, Jerry unleashed another strike, equally devastating.


    The beasts were utterly destroyed, their bodies disintegrating into ash, leaving only their glowing cores suspended in the air.


    "Now for the finale," Jerry said, his eyes glinting with determination. He concentrated his fire element, channeling it into a focused burst.


    With a swift motion, he directed the energy at the cores, causing them to ignite and explode in a brilliant sh of fire and light.


    The battlefield fell silent once more, the remnants of the Orthrus dissipating into nothingness. Jerry turned to Eva, his grin widening. "Well, that takes care of that."


    Eva released a breath she didn''t realize she was holding, a smile of relief spreading across her face. "Impressive as always."


    "Well, that was fun," Jerry said, grinning from ear to ear as though nothing had happened.


    Eva shook her head, a fond smile on her face. "Let''s hope we don''t run into any more surprises."


    "Agreed. But if we do, we''ll face them together," Jerry said, offering his hand to Eva.


    *****


    The cave floor was littered with the bodies of fallen enemies, their blood pooling and seeping into the dirt. A heavy, metallic scent hung in the air, mingling with the faint glow emanating from Nerissa''s eyes as she silently surveyed the aftermath.


    Her expression was unreadable, a mix of sorrow and determination etched into her features.


    Stepping carefully through the carnage, Nerissa made her way to where Jetty unconscious.


    She knelt beside him, her fingers gently brushing a lock of hair before carefully lifting him into her arms.


    "How are you so heavy? I can''t believe they saw you as an easy target," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.


    As she carried him toward the cave''s entrance, her mind raced with conflicting thoughts. "Should have probably kept one alive for questioning, though. No, no, no, they deserve it. They hurt Jett. But how did he get this far into the forest? How did he even get to the forest?"


    Her words were a mix of anger, confusion, and concern, spoken more to herself than to anyone else. With each step, the weight of the situation pressed down on her, but she kept moving forward.


    As Nerissa stepped out of the cave, she suddenly halted, her eyes widening in shock. The scene before her was beyondprehension.


    An incredible, almost surrealndscape stretched out, filled with towering trees and shimmering lights that danced in the air. It was as if she had stepped into another world entirely.


    "What the hellllllllllllllll!!!!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the forest. The unexpected sight left her speechless, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing.


    Holding Jett tightly, Nerissa stood frozen at the cave''s mouth, caught between the chaos behind her and the enigmatic beauty before her.


    *


    *


    *


    Alright guys which character do you want to see next?


    I''ve already dropped 4

 Chapter 37: Chapter 37: New Mystery

    "Wake up, wake up," a faint voice echoed through the void. "Open your damn eyes, kid," the voice grew louder and clearer.


    "I''m up, I''m up," Jett''s eyes snapped open to a sight he wasn''t expecting, freezing him in ce. ''What''s going on? Why am I back here? Did I die? No that''s impossible.'' He checked himself to see if he was real or if it was a dream. He found himself in the grand hall where he and the others had gathered before they were reborn.


    The hall was magnificent, with towering marble pirs adorned with intricate carvings that reached towards a vaulted ceiling painted with pure white.


    Chandeliers of crystal and gold hung down, casting a warm, ethereal glow across the polished obsidian floor. But the throne he had allegedly broken was nowhere to be found. He it was the same ce even though most of it looked new to him.


    "It''s about time. I finally found an opportunity to bring you back." Aurelia appeared before him, scratching his head in frustration and giving a brief sigh.


    "What''s going on? I remember passing out after... Hold on, did you bring me here?" Jett demanded, stepping back as he began to grasp the situation.


    "Well, of course I did, and it took a lot to do so," Aurelia replied, his right hand on his forehead as though he were in despair.


    Jett, unmoved by Aurelia''s disy, only looked at him in disgust. "Cut the bullshit. I know you''re faking it. Just tell me why you brought me here."


    "Oh? Interesting. I can never figure you out," Aurelia sighed yfully, vanishing and reappearing behind Jett.


    "Yeah? You''ve been spying on me, haven''t you?" Jett folded his arms and sat on the floor, defiant.


    ''How does he know that? I mean, I was, but for some strange reason, I haven''t been able to do so directly for two years now. A ck fog keeps covering my eyes whenever I try. But I can''t tell him that. This kid is too crafty, but that piques my interest even more. I wonder what fun he''s been up to,'' Aurelia pondered silently.


    Jett pped loudly in front of Aurelia''s face to snap him back to reality. "Hey, stop daydreaming, damn it. You''re wasting my time."


    "Oh, we have all the time in the world, kid. I control this space, and in here, time moves as I want it to. Not just time��anything I can think of is what this space shall be. Wee to Etheria Reviva," Aurelia exined, his voice echoing with a mix of authority and amusement.


    As he spoke, Aurelia flew upwards, revealing his majestic form. Six wings spread apart, each with a span as wide as a full-grown man.


    The wings glowed even more intensely as they blocked the golden light from the roof, casting a shimmering aura around him. His presence was both awe-inspiring and intimidating, a testament to his celestial power.


    Jett watched in astonishment, his mouth slightly agape, though he quickly tried to mask his expression like the kid he still was at heart. ''Yeah, makes sense, but he won''t admit the fact that he was banished here by the big guys because of his behavior,'' he thought, nodding his head. "So you basically paused time?" he asked, a hint of relief in his tone.


    Aurelia vanished and reappeared beside Jett, now holding a bowl filled with grapes. He sat down, casually eating. "Not really. Just because I can doesn''t mean I want to," he replied, his nonchnce adding to Jett''s frustration.


    Jett jolted, startled by Aurelia''s sudden movement. "You are unbelievable. What did you gain from that?" he demanded, trying to regain hisposure. ''Don''t trust Aurelia. He''s a scumbag who will do anything for his entertainment. The fact that you''re here means he''s got something annoying already nned,'' he reminded himself.


    "The disappointment on your face, I suppose," Aurelia said, his tone turning serious. "But that''s beside the point. I brought you here for one thing and one thing alone."


    "Because of how abnormally fast I''m progressing?" Jett asked, smiling internally, taking pride in his rapid development.


    Aurelia appeared right in front of him, a wicked smile spreading across his face. "No, silly boy. You, my friend, are not supposed to be here."


    *****


    Nerissa ran through the forest with Jett slung over her back, her footsteps quick and light despite the burden. Her breaths came in steady rhythm, her determination pushing her forward.


    The dense canopy overhead filtered sunlight through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was filled with the earthy scent of moss and pine, the forest beginning to look more familiar and less ominous as she drew closer to Lagia.


    "He did all this? Nah, probably those men I just took care of. I need to hurry," she muttered to herself, her mind racing with concern for Jett.


    After what felt like an eternity of running, the towering walls of Lagia finally came into view. However, the sight that greeted her was far fromforting.


    Corpses of monsters and beasts were scattered around the walls, their forms twisted and grotesque.


    There were at least double, no, quadruple the number of bodies she had seen before she left.


    The soldiers were cheerfully clearing the battlefield, their spirits high as they collected drops from the fallen creatures. Despite the grim task, there was a sense of camaraderie and relief among them.


    Nerissa approached the gate, her eyes scanning the scene in shock. She met up with a group of soldiers to inquire about what had transpired.


    One of them, a tall man with a broad smile, turned to her. "There were thousands of them, you should have seen them," he said, spreading his arms wide to emphasize therge quantity.


    "Thousands? Don''t you think you''re exaggerating?" Nerissaughed nervously, adjusting Jett''s position on her back.


    "You''re only saying that because we''ve already cleared a lot of them. We thought we were going to die," he sighed, disappointment creeping into his voice as he noted her disbelief.


    Another soldier, who had been working nearby, joined in. "Ah yes, good thing Cormac arrived to assist us. Thanks to him, the casualties were kept at single digits."


    Nerissa''s face lit up like never before, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Cormac was here? Where is he now?"


    "He said he had an urgent issue to attend to and dashed out of town," the soldier continued.


    "Oh, is that so? I couldn''t see him this time either," she murmured, her face falling. She ran past them, her earlier excitement dimming as she headed into the town. The soldiers watched her retreating figure, a mixture of curiosity and concern in their eyes, as she slowly disappeared into the streets of Lagia.


    "Wasn''t that child behind her Master Jett?" the second soldier asked his colleague.


    "Be real, you must be imagining things. It was probably a child that got lost and was unlucky enough to get attacked, but still lucky to be saved by her," he replied dismissively.


    "If that''s the case, wasn''t she supposed to be at the capital right now?" the second soldier pressed, growing more curious.


    "Now that you mention it, I think you''re right," his friend agreed, the realization dawning on him.


    While they conversed, another soldier from afar yelled at them, "Hey, you two, quit cking off ande help us. Unless you''re willing to sleep outside!"


    "Yes, sir," they both replied in unison, quickly returning to the task of clearing the corpses.


    *****


    Nerissanded softly on the windowsill of Jett''s room, ncing around to ensure no one had seen her.


    With careful steps, she jumped into the room, her movements silent and graceful. She gentlyid Jett on the bed, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead.


    "I sure hope I don''t run into Mother. Sleep well, baby brother. I have to go back now," she whispered, pulling out a teleportation stone from her pocket.


    "Nerissa? What are you doing here? And whye from the window? What happened?" Eva''s calm but confused voice came from the doorway.


    Nerissa froze, her heart pounding. ''Oh no, what do I do? I can''t exactly tell her that he summoned me as ast resort while on the brink of death,'' she thought frantically.


    Before she could respond, Jett stirred and slowly sat up. "She didn''t do anything wrong. I snuck out of town and got into trouble, so I used the item big sis gave me and she suddenly appeared in front of me," he exined, his voice groggy but clear.


    ''He''s awake?'' Nerissa wondered, a mix of relief and surprise flooding her. She gave a small, grateful smile to Jett, appreciating his quick thinking.


    "If that''s the case, then you''re in deep trouble young man. I was worried sick. I''ll be keeping a closer eye on you from now on, and no more forest adventures for you." Eva scolded, her tone stern but relieved.


    All Jett could do was smile silently, winking at Nerissa who nervously smiled back.


    As Eva guided Nerissa out of the room, Jett was finally alone, lying on his bed and staring at the ceiling. His thoughts drifted back to his recent encounter with Aurelia.


    *****


    "You''re not the one I was supposed to bring here; I was sent the wrong person. The fact that you were able to slip right through me is impressive," Aurelia said, his menacing smile unwavering as he stood before Jett.


    "I don''t understand what you''re talking about," Jett replied, feeling flustered.


    "Oh,e on, kid. I know that you know. Remember what I said the first time we met about you all having some knowledge about this world?" Aurelia snapped his fingers, and one of the volumes of WAR BOUND appeared, floating in front of them. The pages flipped on their own before suddenly stopping at a specific section.


    "Yes, I remember." Jett watched as text slowly appeared on the pages.


    Appearing behind him and pointing at something in the book, Aurelia asked, "So tell me, what was his name? The one that was supposed to be Jett Grift?"


    "His name? It was Cain Chester. Why? Why show me this?" Jett questioned, feeling more confused.


    "Fate always wants to have thestugh. Be careful out there. I just don''t want my entertainment to be ruined because of a simple mistake," Aurelia replied.


    "Why are you telling me all this?" Jett pressed.


    "You''ll find out very soon. And take care of that ticking time bomb over there." he continues as he points the Egg which he could clearly see and with a snap of his fingers, Aurelia sent Jett back.


    *****


    Back in his room, Jett had a lot on his mind. Why had Aurelia summoned him and asked about the original character? What did he mean by "ticking time bomb"? He looked at the , brushing off the thought as he gently stroked its surface, his gaze unfocused.


    "Fate always wants to have thestugh?" He pondered those words.


    "He might just be messing with me, but there''s no harm in being extra careful. I may not know what he''s nning, but I''m not going to y by his rules, but he was able to see you so he can''t be totally ying me." he resolved.


    Attempting to get off the bed, Jett winced as pain shot through his body, so hey back down, exhaustion finally overtaking him as he drifted into sleep.


    *


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    I''m partially back but I''ll do my best

 Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Home Drama

    "Finally awake, and I feel so much better. That egg should be hatching soon, right? Let me see�� Huh?" Jett examined the egg''s status, his initial smile turning into a confused frown. "Huh!!!"


    Eva burst into the room, followed closely by a maid and a guard. Her eyes were wide with concern as she rushed to his side. The guard''s hand was on the hilt of his sword, ready for action.


    "Jett, what happened? Are you okay?" Eva asked urgently, scanning the room for any threats.


    The guard and maid exchanged worried nces, both on high alert. The guard''s posture was tense, prepared for an intruder that might still be lurking.


    "I swear I''m fine. I just woke up and thought I saw a spider over there," Jett lied, pointing to the far side of the room and waving them off with a forced smile.


    They all followed his gesture, thoroughly inspecting the area. The maid moved some furniture while the guard checked the corners.


    "There''s nothing here," the guard concluded, his shoulders rxing.


    "Maybe sleeping for a whole day really messed with your head," Nerissa said as she walked in, taking a bite from a cookie. She savored the taste, squinting with pleasure. "Yum."


    ''I slept through a whole day? That [Regeneration] skill must really take a lot out of the user,'' Jett thought, ncing at his stats. "I''m fine, really. You guys can leave now," he insisted, trying unsessfully to herd them toward the door.


    "Already eight years old and now you''re embarrassed to be with your mother? That''s so hurtful," Eva teased, pretending to be wounded.


    ''She''s ying the victim card. Think, Jett, think,'' he told himself, searching for an excuse. "A�� Apple pie!"


    "Apple pie?" Eva echoed, her curiosity piqued.


    "Yeah, I think I''ve worked up an appetite. I''m craving some apple pie and some curry," Jett responded quickly, hoping to divert their attention. ''Quick thinking, me,'' he thought, mentally patting himself on the back.


    "Curry?" Eva repeated.


    "What''s that?" Nerissa asked.


    Realization finally hit Jett. ''Curry doesn''t exist here? I never really thought about it, but this isn''t my old world. There are a lot of things that don''t exist here.''


    "It''s a new dish I created. Just forget it," he replied quickly, now feeling a bit nervous.


    "Oh? Can you show me how to make it?" Eva''s eyes glowed with excitement. ''Hehe, you''re not escaping that easily. I haven''t been able to spend quality time with you.''


    ''This woman really doesn''t want to back down,'' Jett thought, forcing a smile while trying to hide his displeasure. "I just remembered I have some training toplete, so there''s no need."


    "You don''t need to; you''re still recovering, aren''t you?" Eva responded, grabbing him by the arm.


    Nerissa watched them with a look of contempt, crossing her arms. The maid and the guard nced at each other nervously, feeling the tension in the room. The guard shifted uneasily, his fingers tapping on his sword hilt, while the maid fidgeted with the hem of her apron, both unsure of how to intervene.


    "Give it up, Jett. She''s obviously not going to stop until you agree. Sheesh, it''s like a battlefield in here," Nerissa finally interrupted.


    ''I thought it was just me,'' the guard and the maid both thought, sighing in unison.


    "Alright, I''ming. Just give me 10 minutes," Jett finally conceded, managing to get them all out of the room.


    "Yay, he finally gave in. Why can''t you be as thoughtful as your little brother, huh, Nerissa?" Eva teased, trying to hug her daughter.


    ''Yeah, let''s forget who actually convinced him,'' Nerissa thought, feeling annoyed as she tried to push her mother away. "Too tight, I can''t breathe, Mom."


    Jett, meanwhile, was deep in thought. ''Four more years till it hatches? There must have been a glitch in the system. Damn it, I was nning on training my pet before I got into the academy. Now I''m going to be the only one in the group with ate-blooming pet.'' He found himself sulking.


    ''I really hope this has nothing to do with what Aurelia said.'' His mind shed back to what Aurelia had told him.


    *****


    Jett stood in the kitchen, memories of his previous life flooding back as he prepared to teach his mother how to make curry. He missed the taste of the dish and felt a pang of nostalgia as he gathered the ingredients.


    "First, we need to saut�� the onions until they''re golden brown," he instructed, showing Eva the precise technique.


    Eva watched intently, mimicking his movements. "This smells amazing already," she said, excitement in her voice.


    Next, Jett added the spices, carefully measuring each one. "The secret is in the bnce of the spices," he exined, feeling a sense of satisfaction as the familiar aroma filled the kitchen.


    As the curry simmered, Eva marveled at the process. "You really are full of surprises, Jett. I had no idea you could cook like this."


    Jett smiled, but his mind was elsewhere, missing the taste of curry from his previous life. "It''s just something I picked up," he said modestly.


    Once the curry was ready, it was time to taste it. Jett turned to Nerissa, who eyed the dish suspiciously. "You''re the guinea pig, Nerissa," he said with a grin, holding out a spoonful.


    "I don''t know about this," Nerissa said, reluctant.


    "Come on, just try it," Jett urged, forcing the spoon into her mouth.


    Nerissa''s eyes widened as she tasted the curry. "Oh my, it''s super tasty. Give me that." She grabbed the te and proceeded to finish it all before asking for more.


    Jettughed, finding an excuse to run back to his room. "I''ll leave you to enjoy it. I need to check something," he said, making a quick exit.


    Back in his room, he checked his stats again:


    =====


    ss: Magic Swordsman


    Level: 35


    HP: 70


    MP: 70


    Strength: 70


    Agility: 83


    Intelligence:70


    Perception: 69


    Luck: 1000


    Undistributed Points: 400


    See more v


    =====


    "As of this moment, I''m way stronger than everyone around my age or even a bit older. Getting into the academy will be a breeze, and I''ll be sure to avoid my impending death." He jumped on his bed and stretched with satisfaction.


    "I''ve more or less gotten everything I could from this ce, even if it wasn''t part of the story I know. Now the only thing I''ll be focusing on would be my Aura, Mana, and Lumix." He then turned to the egg, feeling disappointed.


    "Damn it, why did your incubation period suddenly increase? And what''s with all these notifications?" he wondered.


    [A new catalyst has been forcefully added.]


    [The new Catalyst is shing with the old one, and ownership is shaking.]


    [Data has been Adjusted]


    [Duration: 4 years]


    "I thought my luck was unbreakable." He sighed, looking upwards. "I guess I shouldn''t be greedy. Too many good things happening at once is never a good sign in this world."


    *****


    Miles away from Lagia, Jerry and Cormac arrived at a well-maintained temple. The ancient structure stood tall, its stone walls covered in intricate carvings that depicted forgotten legends. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the quiet hum of nature seemed to honor the sanctity of the ce.


    As they walked inside, a grim sight met their eyes. The once sacred ground was now stained with blood. Soldiers and magesy dead, thirteen in total, their lifeless bodies scattered across the temple floor. The serene atmosphere was shattered by the brutality of the scene.


    "Who could''ve done this?" Cormac asked, gritting his teeth as he recognized the fallen. He clenched his spear tighter, the familiar faces fueling his anger.


    "I knew something was wrong. If only I had gotten here sooner," Jerry sobbed, punching the wall in frustration. "This is no time to let our emotions get the best of us. Let''s focus on the mission at hand."


    "Right," Cormac replied, his voice steady butced with sorrow.


    Jerry inspected the scene meticulously while Cormac examined the corpses for clues. The stench of death was overpowering, but they pressed on, determined to uncover the truth.


    "Thirteen? I sent seven mages and seven soldiers to guard this ce, but I only count thirteen," Jerry said in disbelief, recounting the bodies.


    "Sir, they all seem to have died in the same manner. They were stabbed in the neck from behind before getting stabbed in the heart," Cormac added, continuing his inspection.


    "Then it''s safe to assume we had a traitor in our ranks��a very strong one at that. The missing person is likely the traitor," Jerry paused, a cold realization dawning on him.


    "What''s wrong, my Lord?" Cormac asked, concern etched on his face.


    "Nothing seems to be out of ce. The tform still looks unused, not a trace of blood on it. I think I vaguely understand what''s going on now," Jerry said, letting out a faint sigh.


    "Huh?" Cormac was a bit confused.


    "It was those bastards that tried to kidnap Lady Freya at the capital," Jerry said, punching the wall again in frustration.


    "The Crimson Hounds? Then it makes sense now," Cormac replied, pondering the situation.


    "They used the monster attack as a distraction. Their main objective was the tform in this temple. The fact that they enacted this n sessfully means they got their hands on her blood and were nning to use it while we were distracted," Jerry exined.


    "But then why hasn''t anything happened yet?" Cormac asked, scanning the surroundings for any irregrities.


    "Something must have foiled their n. Perhaps an unknown warrior managed to steal or even waste the blood, foiling their ns. I can''t imagine them being careless enough to waste it themselves. This would have been the perfect time to use it," Jerry continued, his mind racing.


    "It''s too close to be seen as a coincidence," Cormac added, nodding in agreement.


    "Yeah, let''s take care of this before leaving," Jerry said.


    As they were all people of Lagia, Jerry and Cormac paid their respects by giving a salute and preparing to give the fallen a proper burial. They both stood solemnly at the front of the temple, their hearts heavy with the loss of theirrades.


    "This is the least we can do for them," Jerry said quietly, beginning the preparations for the burial.


    Cormac nodded, helping to gather the bodies with reverence. "They deserve to rest in peace."


    Together, they worked in silence, honoring the fallen soldiers and mages with a respectful burial. The temple, once a ce of tranquility, now held the weight of their sacrifice. As they finished, Jerry and Cormac stood before the newly made graves, offering a final salute.


    "May they find peace in the afterlife," Jerry said softly.


    "May their spirits guide us," Cormac added, his voice firm with resolve.


    "I guess we got lucky. I wonder who the mysterious warrior could be," Cormac said, his voice tinged with curiosity.


    "Same here. It''s time to head back," Jerry replied.


    They both set off back to Lagia, the weight of their discoveries and the fallenrades heavy on their minds.


    *****


    In a dimly lit room where mysterious men gathered, the atmosphere was thick with tension. A body hung in the center of the room, swaying slightly. The sight was gruesome, a stark reminder of the consequences of failure.


    "Let this be a lesson to you all. No more disappointments," the leader spoke coldly, his eyes sweeping over the assembled men. The silence was oppressive, no one daring to utter a word.


    The leader turned and left the room, leaving the others in a heavy silence. They had just executed the one who had proposed the n two years ago. Fear and uncertainty lingered in the air, each man wondering if he would be the next to face the leader''s wrath.


    *


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    What are your thoughts? I decided not to show the skill section till I sort them out here.


    My apologies in advance if you found some mistakes.

 Chapter 39: Chapter 39: To the Academy

    For four long and boring years, Jett lived under the constant watch of his parents, rarely stepping beyond the confines of their home.


    His every move was monitored, and his outings were limited, preventing him from engaging in many activities that other kids his age enjoyed. He felt stifled, trapped in a routine that offered little excitement or freedom.


    But Jett wasn''t one to let his circumstances hold him back. He devoted himself to training his Aura, Mana, and Lumix.


    Day in and day out, he pushed his limits, honing his abilities far beyond what his peers and even those older than him could achieve.


    As he stood shirtless in front of his mirror, flexing his newly toned muscles, Jett couldn''t help but admire his progress. "So this is how those MCs in light novels feel when they know they''re much stronger than others," he mused, a smirk ying on his lips.


    "Now the tricky part would be avoiding my fated death. I wonder how the journey will be since Jett''s fate doesn''t really make it to the academy. Technically, it''s my original decision from that point on."


    He ran a hand through his hair, contemting his appearance. "Damn, I look good," he said, admiring his reflection. "But should I dye my hair to make it one color? The academy would be troublesome for people like me and I really don''t want any unnecessary attention."


    Jett stretched in his room before going through his bag to ensure he had packed all the essential items.


    The bag seemed smaller than expected. ''I don''t need to carry much with me and I can always use the [Storage Space] to hide any item that I don''t want anyone seeing with me,'' he thought with satisfaction.


    Once he was certain he had everything, Jett slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out to where his family was waiting. He blushed slightly, trying to hide his excitement. "You guys really don''t have to gather here for me," he said, his voice betraying his feelings.


    "It''s time, kiddo," Jerry said, his voice tinged with pride and sadness. "Sadly, your talent would be wasted here, but you can grow even more when you get to the academy."


    "You don''t need to worry much," his father added. "Finn and Ray will be there."


    "You mean all the Divine Lords?" Jett replied, causing a brief silence to fall over the group.


    One of the soldiers jested, "The young Lord could even have been one of them, and they don''t know about it."


    Jett chuckled, appreciating the support and humor of those around him.


    "Right? His talent can''t be below theirs, he could actually be one of them," another added, causing everyone to wonder in that direction.


    Jett was getting ufortable. Yes, he liked the attention, but too much of it was also dangerous if you couldn''t protect yourself, and he knew this fact.


    "Too bad I''m really not one of them, but I''ll still do my best," he said, turning to enter the carriage. He couldn''t help but wonder, ''Mom didn''te to see me? That''s surprising.''


    Just then, Eva came rushing out with a storage bag. "Wait!!! Take this with you."


    ''Speak of the devil.'' He took the bag, "A storage bag? What''s in it?"


    "I know you''ll miss my cooking, so I made some snacks. Too bad they can onlyst for a week," she exined, looking sad.


    Jett smiled warmly at his mother. "Thank you, Mom. Your cooking is the best. I''ll savor every bite and think of you. Don''t worry, I''ll be back before you know it, and then you can cook me a feast or better still we''ll both cook together, I can''t wait to try any new dish you make. But more than anything, I''ll miss my incredibly beautiful mother more than anything."


    Eva''s face brightened at his words. "Oh, Jett, you always know how to make me feel better," she said, ruffling his hair. "Now, listen to me. No drinking until you''re 18, and stay away from trouble, okay?"


    "Got it, Mom," Jett agreed, still smiling. "I''ll be on my best behavior."


    ''He really has a way with words,'' Jerry thought nervously. ''Now I''m worried about other people''s daughters. He didn''t interact with a lot of girls here, but he''s still my son, and that''s what scares me.''


    Jett walked up to Jerry to say a final goodbye. "Take this," Jerry said, handing Jett a new shiny long sword. "It''s not much, but I''ll be sure to get you something better when you graduate. Now go to the academy and crush them all."


    "I will," Jett said, taking the sword and smiling.


    *****


    In a dimly lit room, the air was thick with tension as mysterious men sat around arge table. Flickering lights cast long shadows on the walls, their faces partially obscured by darkness. The leader, a man with a stern expression and cold eyes, broke the silence.


    "What does the situation look like on your side?" he asked, his voice low andmanding.


    One of the men sighed deeply. "It''s no good. The protection on her is too strong. This would have been the perfect chance to get her if she weren''t so heavily guarded."


    "It seems like they''re nning ahead of us now," another man added, frustration evident in his tone.


    The leader''s eyes narrowed. "Once she gets into the academy, all ns to attack her will automaticallye to a halt. It''s safe to say that''s also part of their strategy to buy time in protecting her."


    "Darn it, have all our attempts till this pointe to naught?" another manmented, mming his fist on the table.


    "We can''t even punish the ones that foiled our ns. If only those idiots had hidden more carefully," the previous man grumbled, his frustration palpable.


    "Calm down," the leader said, a sinister smile creeping onto his face. "I understand how you feel. I feel the same way, and I''ve decided to show Jerry the pain of losing something precious to him."


    "You''re going after his daughter?" one of the men asked, surprise evident in his voice.


    "Going after her won''t be easy, but that doesn''t seem to be the case if it''s his son," the leader exined, his voice dripping with malice. "The mercenaries I hired should be taking care of that soon. The incident will be made to look like a wild beast attacked and killed him."


    "Hahaha, and here I thought you had gone soft," one of the men said, excitement lighting up his eyes.


    "You''re going to kill her son? How petty can you get?" the man who the leader had tried to provoke during one of their meetings finally spoke.


    "Do you have a problem with that?" the leader asked, his gaze piercing.


    "Do as you wish, I''ll take my leave if that is all," the mysterious man said, standing up and leaving the meeting with no one stopping or calling him back.


    *****


    The mountainous terrain stretched out before them. Jagged peaks rose into the sky, their summits lost in the clouds. The path was narrow and winding, nked by sheer cliffs and dense forests.


    "This is sooooooo boring, we''ve been traveling for a week already. How much longer do we have to go?" Jettined while sitting upside-down on the carriage seat, his legs dangling in the air.


    "Two more weeks," Cormac replied, sitting opposite him with his spear resting closely next to him.


    "What? Can''t this thing go any faster? Can''t we use a teleportation tform?" Jett continuedining, though his thoughts were elsewhere. ''I''m more surprised that nothing''s happened yet,'' he mused silently.


    "My apologies, but we received information that the teleportation tforms might be rigged for the sole purpose of endangering this year''s new students," Cormac exined calmly.


    "So that means they''re still trying to get their hands on Freya. It sounds more like a trap they might be trying to abduct her when she''s far away from the capital. But that would mean that the Empire already has a mole in their midst." Jett smiled as he shared his thoughts on the matter.


    "What? That can''t be. And we have no way to inform them right now." Cormac was visibly taken aback, unable to hide his surprise at Jett''s astute observation.


    "Forgive me for asking, but how do you know all this?" Cormac asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.


    "Well, you see��" Jett began, trying to concoct an excuse, but something caught his attention.


    ''We''ve stopped moving?'' they both wondered in unison.


    "Master Jett,e here!!!" Cormac yelled, grabbing Jett from behind and jumping out of the carriage.


    BOOOMMM!


    The carriage exploded in a fiery st, debris flying everywhere. The rider didn''t stand a chance; not even he escaped the inferno.


    "He didn''t make it," Cormac sighed, his face darkening with anger. "Who dares! Show yourselves, bastards!"


    Jett''s senses sharpened, his excitement growing. ''One, two�� five. I count five people. Two should be as strong as Cormac. So this is where it happens,'' he thought, feeling a rush of adrenaline.


    After a few seconds of silence, Cormac decided to take the initiative. "I guess I''ll just have to make you," he said, gripping his spear and taking a stance. "Spear Art Second Form: Splitting Moon!"


    With swift, vertical shes, Cormac used his aura to create visible cuts that traveled at high speed, hitting the rocks around them. The attackers, realizing they couldn''t hide any longer, emerged from their hiding spots to avoid the deadly attack.


    Jett''s excitement grew with each passing second, a wild smile spreading across his face. "This really is where I die," he murmured to himself, unsheathing his sword. ''Alright, fate, show me what you''ve got.''


    The five attackers closed in, their expressions fierce and determined. Jett could feel the thrill of battle coursing through his veins. This was his moment, his chance to defy the destiny that had beenid out for him.


    Cormac stood ready, his spear poised to strike. "Stay close, Master Jett. I''ll protect you."


    *


    *


    *


    It''s finally that time

 Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Wilderness Ambush

    A mercenary team consisting of a mage, an archer, a warrior, a tanker, and a druid stood menacingly in front of them, their eyes locked onto their prey.


    Cormac stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Jett. His broad shoulders and his stance served as a living shield. He turned his head slightly, just enough to speak to Jett without breaking his gaze from the mercenaries.


    "Listen closely," Cormac instructed, his voice calm but urgent. "I''ll draw their attention, and when they''re all distracted, I want you to run. Do you understand?" As he spoke, a vibrant orange aura began to envelop his body, shimmering with power and intensity.


    Jett''s eyes widened in awe. "Seventh level orange aura? You''re pretty amazing," he said, his voice tinged with admiration. "Thank you for your service."


    Without waiting for Cormac''s response, Jett activated his skill.


    [Dash D]


    [+5% speed boost]


    [Duration: 2 minutes]


    [Cooldown: 10 minutes]


    He sprinted away, leaving Cormac behind. "I''ll leave them to you," Jett called over his shoulder, his voice already fading with distance.


    Cormac watched Jett''s hasty retreat, a sigh of utter disappointment escaping his lips. ''I know I offered to stay behind, but wasn''t he too hasty? He didn''t even have second thoughts,'' he thought, a mix of frustration and resignation in his heart.


    Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Cormac turned his focus back to the enemy. His aura red brighter as he prepared to engage. With a roar, heunched himself at the mercenaries, even though he knew he couldn''t take them all on at once.


    [Cage Trap C]


    [Create a 20m radius space within 3 seconds where targets may only leave or enter on the user''smand, but the user is also unable to leave until the skill is undone. +3% Strength and speed boost for the user. -3% strength and speed for all targets.]


    [Duration: 5 minutes]


    [Cooldown: 1 hour]


    A translucent barrier formed around them, sealing them in a 20-meter radius. The air inside the cage thickened, and Cormac could feel the slight boost in his strength and speed, even as he sensed the mercenaries weakening.


    "Alright," Cormac muttered to himself. "Let''s see what you''ve got."


    His n was clear: trap the mercenaries in this space, sacrificing himself to give Jett enough time to escape. Jett, understanding Cormac''s intent without a word, decided to y along.


    However, three of the five mercenaries managed to escape before the skill waspleted and gave chase after Jett, leaving behind the two strongest the mage and their leader, the tanker.


    Cormac''s heart sank. His chest tightened with disappointment. ''I failed to trap them all,'' he thought, his mind racing with self-recrimination. But he forced himself to breathe deeply, reassuring himself, ''At least Jett has a better chance with only those three chasing him.''


    The tanker, observing Cormac''s outward calm, grinned arrogantly. "You seem a bit too rxed, Cormac. Are you hiding an ace up your sleeve?"


    The mage chuckled, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Or perhaps he thinks we didn''t dodge his skill and that the others won''t catch the poor boy."


    Cormac''s expression remained stoic as he sighed. "My name," he advised, "refrain from using it again."


    The tanker looked puzzled. "What?"


    "I said don''t address me by my name," Cormac replied, his voice low and dangerous. "The only people allowed to speak it are those who''ve earned it or those I''ve allowed to live long enough."


    The mage interrupted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Are you threatening us? Boss, are you even listening to this guy?"


    The tanker couldn''t hold back hisughter any longer, breaking into a mocking guffaw. "Bwaaahaha, I don''t think I''ve ever been disrespected to this extent. We don''t get paid enough for this. What can you do? Aren''t we both seventh-level orange aura users? Mypanion here is a ninth-level intermediate user, and we''re both over level 70.


    If you beg now, I''ll make your death quicker."


    "I decline. Our levels don''t mean anything if you don''t know what you''re fighting for," Cormac replied, his face devoid of emotion, as if he saw them as mere obstacles.


    "That''s the famous Cormac Keys for you. The Grift Machine, or your other nickname, Thunder God Executioner, still acting tough even when cornered," the tanker remarked, trying to provoke him with his reputation.


    "Why would I surrender to the likes of you? And like I said, refrain from speaking my name." Cormac drew a long chain from his storage pouch, mping one end to his spear and tying the other end to his arm. "I''ll make this quick since I''m still concerned about the young master''s wellbeing."


    "I agree!" the mage yelled before casting her spell.


    {Mud Prison}


    An earth cage erupted where Cormac had stood, but he wasn''t inside. Confusion shed across their faces as they looked around. ''Huh? Where''d he go?'' they both wondered.


    In an instant, Cormac appeared behind the mage, moving with incredible speed. His spear aimed for her back, but the tanker barely managed to intercept the strike.


    "You''re really fast. Must be a perk of using the lightning attribute," the tanker remarked, blocking Cormac''s attack. "You went for the mage first. Wise choice, hehe."


    "Please, just give up. I don''t have time for this," Cormac replied, still mid-air as he kicked the tanker away.


    The tanker skidded back, quickly shielding himself and maneuvering to create more distance between Cormac and the mage. He nted his feet firmly, his eyes narrowing in determination.


    Cormac paused, assessing both of them. "I see you don''t want to make this easy."


    ''The hell? Shouldn''t I be on par with him?'' the tanker thought, his mind now a mix of anger and confusion.


    *****


    The druid, archer, and warrior chased Jett for what seemed like an eternity, but after two minutes, they still hadn''t caught sight of him.


    "Stop, something isn''t right. I''ve seen that crooked tree five times already," the archer pointed out, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the surroundings.


    "Yes, me too," the druid agreed, closely inspecting the tree with a frown.


    "Are you sure you''re not seeing things?" the warrior asked, oblivious to what the others were noticing. "But I can''t believe we still haven''t caught the brat yet."


    "Yeah, let''s get this over with already. The pay for this job was too generous; I thought we were going after a general or a rare beast," the archer muttered, sitting down and feeling a bit fatigued.


    "Is it just me, or is my Aura draining faster than normal? Like it''s leaking excessively just by standing?" the warrior asked, examining himself with growing concern.


    From a safe distance, Jett smiled, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. ''Seems like it''s already taken effect.''


    Since the chase started, Jett had erected a barrier using [Tactical Mirage], a skill that had undergone numerous upgrades. Within this space, he could freely manipte it to create illusions of his choice.


    The barrier was slowly sapping their HP and Aura, leaving them increasingly vulnerable.


    "My Aura, it''s really depleting," the archer screamed, realizing she could faintly feel the drain even though she hadn''t attempted to use it the whole time.


    "Same with mine," the druid agreed, her voice tinged with panic.


    "And mine too," seconded the warrior, now fully aware of the dire situation.


    As they finally noticed the relentless drain on their life force, it was already toote. The exhaustion and depletion were evident in their paling faces and weakening stances, the realization hitting them like a tidal wave of despair.


    The druid quickly sensed something was amiss. "We''ve had enough of your silly game, child."


    [Search]


    "Found you." She smiled triumphantly as she pinpointed Jett''s location andunched a ranged w attack.


    ''I made my presence known and the first thing thates to mind is trying to kill me? You''re lucky I''m in a good mood,'' Jett sulked inwardly.


    "There he is! Let''s end him and leave this ce; I''m starving," the warriorined.


    "Quitining and attack him already," the archer ordered.


    They all rushed at Jett, but he evaded their attacks wlessly, his movements fluid and precise.


    "Was that a trick? He just evaded us, right?" the druid muttered, eyes wide with disbelief.


    Jett watched them with a mix of amusement and confusion. "An archer, a druid, a warrior, a mage, and a tanker. A well-bnced team. Even the way you divided yourselves fits the situation. But there''s still a w in your nning. Want to know what it is?" he yfully taunted them.


    His smile, unsettling and confident, made the others wary. They shifted ufortably, as the noticed his fearlessness.


    "You don''t want to know? I was going to tell you anyway since none of you will still be breathing after now."


    "That''s it! Who raised such an arrogant kid? Let''s do this, guys. He''s just a kid," the druid yelled as she charged towards Jett, backed by her allies.


    [Beastman Transformation A]


    [Snipe B]


    [Boost C]


    [de Dance B]


    They attacked Jett with renewed vigor, but he dodged their every move with ease, taking them on both on the ground and in mid-air without even drawing his sword.


    "You''re too slow," Jett lectured, evading a swipe from the warrior. "Your stance is too wide; it leaves you off bnce."


    He ducked under a barrage of arrows from the archer. "You rely too much on your range. Close the gap when your opponent is faster."


    As the druid attempted to ensnare him with vines, Jett leaped gracefully over her attack. "Your spells take too long to cast. Speed is crucial in battle."


    The druid transformed, ws shing through the air, but Jett countered with a swift kick, sending her sprawling. "Transformation makes you powerful, but it also makes you predictable."


    He parried the archer''s strikes with his forearm, deflecting each blow with precise movements. "Your form is good, but you''re too focused on offense. Defense is just as important."


    When the warrior charged with brute force, Jett sidestepped and delivered a sharp elbow to his ribs. "Strength without control is meaningless."


    After several failed attempts, the trioy on the ground, injured and barely clinging to life.


    "I have a confession," Jett said, his tone casual. "I own a skill that creates a space where all my stats get boosted while those of my enemies get decreased, while also draining their vitality. It''s been active this whole time." He smiled as he exined. "I actually wanted to face you guys at full strength, so I just undid the skill. You should notice it by now."


    [Area Heal B]


    [Harmony Buff B]


    "My injuries are gone?" the archer said, checking herself in disbelief.


    The warrior looked confused. "Why do I feel so much stronger all of a sudden? Don''t tell me he��"


    "Now you can give it more than 100% of your effort. Isn''t that wonderful?" Jett''s yful tone shifted to serious. "You only have yourself to me for being so unlucky for epting to try and assassinate me. So don''t disappoint."


    "You really shouldn''t have done that, kid," the warrior pointed out, a dangerous glint in his eye.


    They all took their stances, feeling confident that they could finally take him on. Jett smiled as he watched them slowly advance towards him. When they were close enough, he engulfed himself in his own Aura. It was a bright yellow, indicating his aura was at the advanced level.


    "That error in your n I was talking about, is that I was your target. You all proudly chose suicide without realizing it." Jett exined as he walked closer to the.


    ''This kid,'' the trio thought in unison, their confidence evaporating in an instant. ''He''s a monster.''


    *


    *


    *


    Blowing up some steam after being locked up for four years I guess.

 Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Torra Break

    "I just used a skill called [Area Heal], which can instantly regenerate injuries based on their severity and time when it ured. It works on up to five people and can only be used once a day. The only downside is that I can''t use it on myself, but for a B-ss skill I created, it''s pretty impressive," Jett exined.


    "You can make skills? What are you?" the druid asked, disbelief etched on her face.


    "Me? I''m just a normal kid about to join a normal academy," Jett shrugged as he slowly walked closer to them.


    ''He''s a monster. We need to get out of here,'' the archer thought, scanning the surroundings for the best escape route.


    The archer felt a growing sense of helplessness. The weight of their own inadequacy pressed down on them, each breath bing a reminder of their impending doom. They had faced threats before, but nothing like this. The air seemed to thicken with their fear, their minds clouded by the realization that escape might be impossible.


    "Looking at you guys now, I realize how dumb this is. I need guinea pigs that can survive my attacks. So, I guess this is it for you. Your skills aren''t even worth copyingpared to my arsenal," Jettmented, gripping his sword tightly.


    "What''s he even talking about?" the archer yelled, frustration seeping into his voice.


    "I have no idea, but we''ll have to use our strongest skills if we want to kill this kid," the warrior, now standing in front of them, suggested.


    "Right. There''s no way he''s strong enough to take on our best attack," the druid assured herself.


    "Let''s goooo!" the archer yelled again.


    [Berserk]


    [War Blessing]


    [Boost]


    [Beastman Avatar]


    [Octave Shot]


    [Snipe]


    [Swift Shot]


    "Whoa, a lot of skills just to kill one kid. They definitely aren''t paying you enough," Jett said, almostmending their bravery. "Come at me onest time."


    The warriors lunged at Jett, theirbined skills creating a chaotic storm of attacks. [Berserk] amplified the warrior''s strength, [War Blessing] enhanced their defenses, and [Boost] increased their speed. The archer unleashed a flurry of arrows with [Octave Shot], [Snipe], and [Swift Shot], each projectile aimed with deadly precision.


    The druid transformed into a fearsome beast 3 times her size with [Beastman Avatar], ws and fangs bared.


    Jett stood his ground, unflinching. As the first arrow whizzed toward him, he deflected it with a swift flick of his sword. An instantter, he countered the warrior''s powerful strike, his de moving with blinding speed. One by one, he met each attack head-on, parrying and striking back in a seamless flow of motion.


    Despite the onught, Jett''s counters were precise and lethal. The druid''s beast form was no match for his skill; he sidestepped her lunge and delivered a decisive blow. The warrior fell next, his defenses crumbling under Jett''s relentless strikes.


    The archer, seeing hisrades fall, made a desperate final attack, but Jett was faster, closing the distance and ending the fight with a single, swift movement.


    Jett stood among the fallen take in the quiet aftermath of a battle won.


    "It''s their own fault for epting a job like this," he muttered, pausing to nce at the egg hovering around him. "I need to work on that. Didn''t really sound cool, did it?"


    He took his time walking down the rocky path, each step measured and unhurried, towards where he had left Cormac.


    *****


    "Why don''t you just give up? The kid''s probably dead by now. I''m sure my men are just taking it easy, waiting for us to finish here," the leader taunted Cormac.


    "Yeah, there''s no way the child is still alive and kicking. Why don''t you stop fighting a futile battle?" the mage added, her arrogance palpable.


    Cormac had remained silent, not wanting to engage in their conversation, but he finally sighed and gripped his spear tightly.


    "I think it''s time we end this. I must admit, your defense is beyond what I can handle, but it''s checkmate from here," he said to both of them.


    "Huh?" They were confused by his confidence.


    "Target locked."


    [Target Lock]


    [Tracing Tribtion]


    He raised his hand to the sky before pointing at them. Two massive bolts of lightning struck each of them with a deafening crack. The mage crumpled to the ground instantly, her body convulsing once before going still. The leader, however, managed to remain standing, his body smoking from the strike.


    "You''re still standing?" Cormac wondered, a bit surprised but unshaken.


    "That all you got? I''ll kill you for this," the leader shouted in anger, charging at Cormac after seeing his fallenrade.


    "You tell me," Cormac replied, pointing at him again. Another bolt of lightning struck the leader, but he gritted his teeth and continued his slow, determined march toward Cormac.


    "Earlier you said you were at Level 70, right?" Cormac asked, watching the leader''s struggle with mild curiosity.


    "What does that have to do with anything now? You''re clearly a few levels higher than me, maybe even Level 90," the leader groaned in pain as he replied.


    "Sorry to disappoint you, but my current level is still at 56," Cormac stated before resuming the lightning assault.


    "Level 56? I got schooled by a Level 56? Hoooooooow!!!?" The leader shouted helplessly in annoyance.


    It took two more strikes before he finally went down. The leader''s corpsey smoking on the ground, his armor charred and cracked from the relentless lightning. His skin was burned, his body twisted in agony, yet Cormac looked at it with indifference.


    "That should do it. You cane out now," Cormac said, turning to face a boulder a few meters away from him.


    "You could sense me from that far? How strong are you really?" Jett asked, feeling impressed.


    ''Not a scratch on him,'' Cormac silently noted as he inspected Jett. "What happened to the ones who went after you?"


    "For someone tasked with protecting me, you sure don''t look worried about me," Jett shrugged. "They weren''t really strong, so I took care of them. You should know by now that I''m something of a prodigy."


    ''I thought his survival during the Orc rampage was just an exaggeration, but it seems I was wrong,'' Cormac thought as he studied Jett.


    "We should really be on our way; we''ve already wasted enough time," Jett stated, pointing at the setting sun.


    "Yes, you''re right, but getting there will be difficult since our carriage got wrecked," Cormac reminded him.


    "No need to worry about that. I saw some horses whileing back that most likely belonged to the mercenaries," Jett replied, walking backward in the direction where the horses were tied.


    "Oh, if that''s the case, then we should hurry. I''ll catch up," Cormac said, staying behind to finish a few things.


    "Yeah, let''s do that." Jett grinned before running off to find the horses himself.


    *****


    After a week of nonstop riding, they arrived at a town named Torra to restock before continuing their journey.


    "We''ll rest here for a day. I need to run some errands," Cormac suggested.


    "Alright, then meet up at that pub over there?" Jett replied, pointing to arge pub a few streets away.


    "Sounds good. See youter," Cormac agreed.


    "As you wish, I''ll be on my way then."


    The town of Torra was even more lively and bustling than Lagia. The streets were filled with the vibrant chatter of warriors and mercenaries, the diligent work of farmers and artisans, and the exotic presence of beast folks and elves. The atmosphere was electric, brimming with the energy of a ce where countless stories intersected.


    "This ce is amazing; warriors, mercenaries, farmers, artisans, and even beast folks and elves? No fantasy world isplete without them," Jett marveled, his eyes wide with awe. "Shame I can only get 5 skills a day."


    He scanned through the abilities of the residents of Torra, noting their varied and impressive skills. Warriors disyed their prowess, mages demonstrated their mystical abilities, and artisans showed off their craftsmanship. It was a treasure trove of potential, each person a possible source of new skills.


    "I better think this through," Jett muttered to himself, considering his options carefully.


    *****


    At an old rundown building about five stories high, situated in the middle of a lonely street, an olddy sat at the door ying chess all by himself. The building had seen better days, its walls cracked and faded, yet it held a quiet charm.


    Cormac quietly approached and stood next to the olddy. "May I join you? I may becking, but I y once in a while."


    "Oh? Have a seat," the olddy gestured, inviting him to sit.


    They exchanged only two moves before it was Cormac''s turn again. After moving his piece, the olddy looked at him, then back at the board, as though searching for the right words. He sighed instead.


    "That''s an invalid move," the olddy stated.


    "My apologies, could you tell me why? I seem to have forgotten," Cormac calmly replied, his voice almost a whisper.


    The olddy looked left, right, and then left again before looking Cormac dead in the eyes, as though wary of something.


    "Third floor, second door, five knocks," she said, not uttering anything more.


    Cormac stood up without a word of thanks and walked into the building, making his way to the location thedy had stated. At the door, he knocked five times as instructed before it finally opened.


    The room was dark despite it still being midday, with only a luminous stone at the center of the table casting a dim, eerie glow. A figure sat opposite him, d in ck and covered in a dark veil. Two guards nked the host, their eyes fixed on Cormac.


    "Look what the cat dragged in. The Thunder God Executioner decides to pay the Owl Vine a visit," the host announced in a ttering manner, her voice feminine and tender.


    "I need some information, and I''m sure you have what I want," Cormac said, pushing a pouch of coins across the table before dropping another bag. "This man; what can you tell me about him?"


    The host carefully opened the bag to reveal the head of the tanker Cormac had previously defeated. She maintained herposure as though it were a normal urrence.


    "Of all the things you had to bring to our doorstep," she sighed, waving to one of the guards, who took the money and the head away.


    "Just tell me what I need to know," Cormac replied.


    "He was the vice leader of a mercenary group called Looters. A run-of-the-mill band of mercenaries ready to do whatever for money. Mind telling me why his head is facing me right now?" she asked, feeling impatient.


    "They attacked me and my young master on our way here. Tell me, do you know of any recent jobs they might have taken from a noble?" Cormac inquired.


    ''His deduction skills are incredible, shame he doesn''t work for us,'' she thought, secretly and unknowingly admiring him. "Yes, actually. A week ago, our people spotted two men going in and out of the Looters'' hideout by chance. They looked too suspicious to be ignored."


    "Tell me about them," Cormac said, now getting impatient.


    Here''s the revised version with enhanced descriptions, dialogue refinement, and added depth:


    ---


    "We only identified one Ivan Dyno. The other had a mask and hid his presence very well," she replied.


    ''Dyno? Then the young master was right,'' Cormac thought, slowly calming his nerves as he realized the significance. "So, the news about the teleportation tforms was fake?"


    ''That''s top-secret information even in our organization. Did he just guess that on a whim?'' she looked at him in awe. "Ehem, that''s as much as your money can get you. Please leave."


    *****


    After toiling for the whole day, Jett went to the pub to wait for Cormac. To kill time, he went through the skills he had acquired, wondering if his choices weren''t just in stupid.


    [Poker Face D]


    [Dispel A]


    [Shadow Blend C]


    [Feather Movement B]


    "I''m not proud of the first one, but it''s alright, I guess. Where the hell is Cormac, though? Whatever, I''ll just go get a drink. I still haven''t tried alcohol since I got sent to this world," he salivated, daydreaming about the taste of beer from his past life.


    He walked up to the bar, dodging anyone who trieding into contact with him. "A cup of your best beer, please," Jett ordered.


    "This is no ce for a child like you. Why don''t you run along now?" the bartender responded dismissively.


    "Excuse you?" Jett got a bit annoyed. "What does it ma��"


    He stopped halfway, unable to believe his eyes. Right in front of him was a legendary weapon, Hack Jaw.


    The sight of the weapon took his breath away. Its de gleamed with a deadly edge, and intricate runes adorned its hilt, pulsating with a faint, otherworldly light. Jett''s annoyance evaporated, reced by a mix of awe and curiosity.


    "That''s�� Hack Jaw," he whispered to himself, his eyes wide with wonder.


    *


    *


    *


    I deeply apologize for disappearing without a warning. Now let the journey continue.


    Big thanks to DaoistuTcOyd and every other review I''ve gotten so far, I''ll try to fix my shorings.

 Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Pub Meeting

    "Hack Jaw," Jett blurted out without realizing it.


    Before him stood an old man, no taller than himself, with hair turning grey. Despite his age, his impressive, muscr build spoke of a man who had reached his physical peak.


    "Impressive. You know this weapon?" The old man''s eyes twinkled with curiosity. "You must be one of those craftsmen born with a high-tier appraisal skill."


    ''Craftsmen? Dude, don''t you see the weapon I''m carrying with me?'' Jett thought, feeling a twinge of annoyance. "Can I touch it?"


    "Ha ha ha! Even if I were to agree, you don''t have what it takes to lift this weapon." The old manughed heartily, pointing to the axe-like weapon on his back.


    ''Damn, he''s right. I don''t have the perfect ss or strength stats to wield it. Back then, the only character who could use it to its full potential was Matthew.'' Jett scrutinized the man, ''He must be really strong and ancient too.''


    [Gluttony]


    "What''s the matter, child?"


    ====


    Level: 1500


    HP: 25,008


    MP: 10,560


    Strength: 20,000


    Agility: 9375


    Intelligence: 500


    Perception: 8,000


    Skills:


    [Longevity SS]


    [Raging Bull S]


    [Adamantium Body A]


    [Adamantium Cage A]


    [Spin Tornado A]


    [Light Weapon C]


    See more��


    =====


    ''I knew it. Good thing I still have one more slot. Just look at these skills and stats, strength over 20,000.? These stats aren''t from a normal NPC. This guy must be a legend himself. But what''s someone like him doing in a ce like this?'' Jett tried to hide his shocked expression, but failed.


    The old man left Jett and walked to his table to enjoy his drink. Something about him being there didn''t make sense to Jett, so he walked up to the man.


    "What do you want, kid? If it''s the beer, I have no intention of giving any to an underage human child," the old man stated, gesturing for Jett to leave.


    "You''re a dwarf, aren''t you?" Jett asked.


    "Really? I had no idea. What part gave it away, genius? Was it the height or the grey hair?" the old man replied with a sarcastic expression.


    ''I guess it was already obvious, but still��'' Jett felt embarrassed, realizing it wasmon knowledge. He only acted like that because he''d only seen dwarves in books and on screens in his past life.


    "Even so, you''re definitely over a thousand years old by now. What could you possibly be looking for in a ce like this? The only thing I can think of would be the Vermin Labyrinth." He was thinking out loud, but it didn''t matter when he saw the old man''s expression.


    "Alright, I get it. You''re a smart kid. Now run along, this beer won''t drink itself," the old man tried to dismiss him again.


    "The fact that you didn''t means I got it right. But the only thing valuable there would be a Serpentine Queen''s Tear, which cures all corroding curses. But that should be merely a myth, right?" Jett continued regardless.


    The dwarf dropped his mug and turned away without uttering a word.


    "But if someone like you is here, then you must be desperate. Somebody close to you really needs it, someone very special to you. But even with your overwhelming strength, you still haven''t gotten it, no matter how many times you''ve tried," Jett continued, even though the old man acted like he wasn''t listening.


    The old man drew Jett closer and said, "Knowing too much can be a crime too, kid. You better watch what you say."


    "I can help you get it," Jett boldly stated with a confident smile.


    "Hahaha! Hey everyone, this kid here says he can get the Serpentine Queen''s Tear!" The old man yelled for everyone at the pub to hear.


    The entire pub erupted inughter, with people shouting, "That''s impossible!" and "This kid sure can dream!"


    Jett felt a wave of embarrassment and annoyance wash over him, his cheeks flushing red as he clenched his fists.


    "I swear on the name Grift, it can be done," Jett dered firmly, his voice cutting through theughter.


    "Quiet, everyone!" The old man shouted, causing theughter to subside. "So, you''re that bastard Jerry''s kid? Now that I think about it, you do kind of look like him, minus the hair thing going on. Is that some kind of condition?" he asked Jett jokingly.


    "How can you pick on a child? You''re supposed to be the mature one. And how do you know my father?" Jett retorted, covering his hair with the hood of his cloak. ''I knew something like this would happen. How annoying,'' he thought.


    "That''s a long story, kiddo, but I''m willing to see if you can help me since you''ve brought your family name into this."


    Just then, a notification popped up in front of Jett.


    [New Quest]


    [Help Durin find the Serpentine Queen''s Tear]


    [Duration: 3 Days]


    [Reward: ???]


    [Failure: Lose Durin''s Trust]


    [Do you ept? Y/N]


    ''A random quest? I only have a week before the entrance ceremony, but luckily the destinations are in the same direction.'' Jett smiled, feeling good about himself. "I''ll do it."


    At that moment, Jett spotted Cormac just entering the pub. He ran off to meet him and exined what had transpired without revealing too many details about the mission.


    "No way, we''re not going," Cormac firmly stated, leaving no room for excuses from Jett.


    "Come on, he really needs my help," Jett begged, pointing at the old man while trying to make puppy eyes.


    "Any more dys could make us miss your entrance ceremony," Cormac exined.


    "I already thought about that, and we''re in the clear. It''s in the same direction as the academy, so it''s not like we''re taking any unnecessary detours," Jett countered with a convincing argument.


    "Ahh, alright, but you better not slow us down," Cormac finally agreed.


    "Score!" Jett celebrated.


    *****


    The next day, the two waited for the old man at the town exit.


    Cormac kept giving Jett that "I told you so" look, making him ufortable.


    After a long time of waiting, Durin finally appeared, carrying arge sack.


    "Sorry I''mte. I had to get something for Betsy," Durin apologized as he met up with them.


    "Who''s Betsy?" Cormac asked, feeling suspicious.


    Durin made a whistling sound and said, "Hey Betsy, you cane out now."


    Suddenly, a creature jumped out of his shadow andnded in front of them.


    The shadow wyvern had sleek, ck scales that shimmered in the sunlight, with piercing red eyes and powerful wings folded neatly against its body.


    "Incredible," Cormac blurted out without realizing it.


    "Damn! Is that a��" Jett was amazed.


    "Yes, Betsy''s a Shadow Wyvern. Got a problem with that?" Durin asked, faking annoyance.


    "No, not at all��" Cormac replied.


    "It''s amazing! Even getting dark attribute mounts in WAR BOUND was like looking for a needle in a haystack; next to impossible. But I''m looking at one right now," Jett couldn''t hold his excitement and proceeded to pet Betsy.


    "You be careful. She''s very picky about who pets her," Durin warned.


    ''A real wyvern mount. I''m actually getting jealous,'' Cormac thought to himself as he tried to get closer.


    The wyvern snarled at Cormac, showing her sharp teeth, until Durin calmed her down so they could start their journey.


    "Alright, we best be on our way. Let''s go, girl," Durin said to Betsy, making her p her wings. Before they knew it, they were in the air, heading to their destination.


    Somewhere far from Torra, two luxurious carriages made their way to the academy.


    "Two more days and we''ll be at the academy," Ray said as he stretched.


    "Y�� yeah. I wonder what we''re going to learn there," Cedric added enthusiastically.


    "How to get stronger, of course. What else would we be learning, huh?" Matthew replied, flexing his muscles.


    Feeling suffocated by Matthew, Aiden tried to push his arm away, "Take your crime of a muscle out of my face."


    "I''m more worried about my financial situation at this so-called academy. I heard money is obsolete once we enter the academy," Finn sighed, counting some gold coins to pass the time.


    "Quiet down, you guys. I''m trying to get some shut-eye. I can''t believe I''m stuck with you for two more days," Ashermented, craving peace and quiet.


    "Come on, we should be relishing this moment. How could you be asleep at a time like this?" Matthew asked, still showing off his muscles and causing the carriage to wobble.


    "Hey, quit it, meathead. That Jett kid definitely has it better. He doesn''t have to travel with you guys," Aiden said.


    "You know, I wonder what he''s up to right now," Ray mused, trying to rx.


    "Yeah, I''d like to see him again. Those tips he gave me on crafting really helped a lot. I even got a family heirloom as a gift because of that," Cedric smiled, showing off his hammer.


    "Whatever. I can''t wait to see the look on his face when my pet finally hatches. I''ll be sure to unt it in front of him," Finn grinned, thinking of all the creative ways to make Jett feel jealous.


    "Yeah, good luck with that," Ray chuckled.


    *****


    In the second carriage, where the girls were seated:


    "Two more days and we''ll finally be able to move around. I brought a lot of money so we can take our time shopping once we get there," Morrigan said.


    "Count me in! We''re going to have so much fun," Evelina added.


    "Don''t bother. I hear the academy has its own kind of currency, making gold, silver, and copper coins useless," Elora said.


    "This is injustice," Evelina sighed.


    "What? So how are we supposed to go shopping?" Morrigan wailed.


    "There, there, this would be a good time to learn one of life''s lessons," Marce said, trying to console them.


    "That life isn''t fair?" Morrigan asked mid-sob.


    "No, that impulse shopping isn''t a viable survival skill," Marce smirked.


    "You''re such a meanie, where did that evene from?" Morrigan replied.


    "Look on the bright side, we''ll get a lot stronger at the academy," Seraphina said, feeling optimistic and energetic.


    "Exactly. I''ll crush anyone who stands in my way," Elora said with a devilish smirk, letting her killing intent flow out of excitement.


    Everyone retreated to the opposite corner to seek refuge from her suffocating aura.


    Throughout the trip, Freya had been quiet, rarely saying a word.


    "What''s the matter, Fey Fey?" Rosa asked.


    "It''s my fault we''re traveling like this. I''m really sorry," Freya replied before realizing what Rosa said. "And stop calling me Fey Fey."


    "You seem to like it when he calls you that, though," Rosa smiled. "But honestly, you have nothing to apologize for. We''re with you no matter what, and we''ll make sure nothing happens to you."


    "We have your back; you don''t have to worry," Elora added.


    "Yeah, what prickly princess said," Evelina interrupted.


    "You can count on us," Seraphina added.


    "Thanks, guys. You''re the best," Freya felt more relieved.


    "Plus, I''m more worried about the boys. They might actually kill themselves if this goes on," Rosa said with a grin.


    *


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    Let''s see what they look like.

 Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Clarendon Academy

    Two days passed, and the entourage finally arrived at their destination, standing at the grand entrance.


    "So, where''s the academy?" Evelina asked, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.


    "You''re looking at it," their guide replied with a hint of pride.


    "Are you sure? Because on the way here, I saw a massive building in this vast town. This must be the empire where it''s located," Asher noted, his brow furrowed in confusion.


    "I hate to burst your bubble, young lord, but this entire ce is owned by the academy," the guide exined.


    "You don''t have to call us ''lord'' here. Things could get really hectic," Ray interjected, ncing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping.


    "As you wish, my prince," the guide said, bowing slightly.


    "Damn it, that''s even worse," Ray sighed, exasperated.


    "Shall I proceed with the tour? I''ve already picked a lodge to amodate all of you until the entrance ceremony," the guide continued.


    "Yes, but why don''t we wait��" Ray began, only to be cut off.


    "Nope, we''re not waiting for him," Elora interrupted.


    "Get out of my head, you witch! How do you even know what I''m thinking?" Ray eximed, both annoyed and surprised.


    "It''s not mind-reading; your simple-minded brain is just too easy to read," Elora replied with a smug smile.


    "That''s not true, right? Guys?" Ray turned to hispanions for support, but they were engrossed in discussing the lodging arrangements with the guide. "Traitors," he muttered under his breath.


    "If he''s not here already, he''s probably a no-show," Freya added. "He never said he was going to attend the academy in the first ce."


    As the guide finalized the lodging details with the group, he suddenly remembered something important. "Oh, right. We first need to confirm your arrival at the main campus. I hope you all brought your eptance letters."


    "Of course we did," Asher replied confidently. "Who''d be dumb enough to lose theirs?"


    "I can''t find mine!" Evelina screamed, frantically searching herself.


    "I stand corrected." Asher retraced his words while covering his face in disbelief.


    "Did you leave it in the carriage? Maybe you were reading it or something," Freya suggested.


    "Or maybe it''s in your storage pouch," Matthew added helpfully.


    "No, no, no! It''s not there. Oh my god, what am I supposed to do now?" Evelina panicked, her eyes wide with worry.


    "Check that stupid bunny purse you always carry around, you dummy," Asher said, looking indifferent as if he didn''t care much.


    "Oh, there it is! Hold on," Evelina eximed, relief washing over her. Then it hit her. "Who do you think you''re calling a dummy?"


    "More importantly, how did you even know it was there, huh?" Morrigan asked, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.


    "Yeah, the way you said it was like you already knew," Seraphina pointed out, her curiosity piqued.


    ''I used my skill [Thieving Sense], but exining how it works would only put me in a tight spot,'' Asher thought. Before he could say anything, Ray spoke up.


    "[Thieving Sense], it''s a skill exclusive to the rogue ss. I used it a lot in WAR BOUND when I yed with his specific character. That''s probably how he knew," Ray smirked at Asher.


    ''You moron, you didn''t even try to clear the air,'' Asher cursed Ray silently, frustration boiling within him.


    "So it''s a skill for perverts to see what''s in a girl''s bag?" Elora concluded, cracking her knuckles before throwing a punch at Asher.


    Asher dodged with ease, but the punch ended upnding on Ray''s face. "Ouch! What was that for?" Ray eximed, rubbing his cheek.


    "Well, that escted quickly," Matthew said, watching from a safe distance.


    "Hey, um, let''s all go rest. The trip was really exhausting, and you all need to cool off," Cedric interjected, stepping between Ray and Elora to prevent further conflict.


    "Yeah, we can do the tour thing tomorrow. I''m beat," Freya added, stifling a yawn.


    "Same here," Finn agreed, stretching his arms.


    "Yeah, I''m tired too," Ray muttered, still ring at Elora.


    "If that''s what you want, then let''s be on our way," the guide, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up.


    They made their way to a teleportation tform not too far from where they stood.


    "I guess we''ll be able to get home faster if we use this, right?" Finn asked, eyeing the tform curiously.


    "Not really. The teleportation tforms here are limited to only rendon. The only way to teleport back home would be to venture to one of the closest towns, which are all a day away from here," the guide exined.


    "Talk about istion. They really put in the effort when ites to independence. Then how do they even trade with other empires?" Asher wondered aloud.


    The guide led them onto the teleportation tform. As they all stepped on, they felt a slight hum of energy beneath their feet. The tform glowed with a vibrant blue light, and a tingling sensation enveloped them. In a sh, their surroundings changed.


    In an instant, they found themselves standing in the heart of the main campus. The surroundings were not what they had expected. Instead of a grand, imposing structure, they were greeted by a serene, almost mysticalndscape.


    The buildings were seamlessly integrated into the natural environment, with ivy-covered walls and crystal-clear streams flowing through the grounds. The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the soft chirping of birds.


    "Wow, this ce is...beautiful," Evelina said, her voice filled with awe.


    "Yeah, it''s like something out of a dream," Freya agreed, her eyes wide with wonder.


    "Wee to the main campus of rendon Academy," the guide announced with a smile. "I hope you find it to your liking."


    *****


    rendon Academy, nestled in the heart of rendon State, was a prestigious institution known far and wide for its excellence in education and magical prowess.


    Though the state wasn''trge enough to rival the territories of other empires, itmanded respect and admiration across thend. The academy''s grandeur and reputation made it a beacon of learning and innovation.


    rendon State prided itself on being an independentnd, free from the political entanglements of surrounding empires. Its sole dedication was to the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge.


    Schrs, mages, and adventurers from various empires and races flocked to rendon Academy, drawn by its inclusive policy. The academy weed anyone who met its stringent criteria, though it maintained a strict limit on the number of new admissions each year.


    Despite its difference from traditional empire settings, rendon Academy had its own hierarchy system to track student rankings, fostering apetitive yet nurturing environment. Additionally, the academy operated its own currency system, ensuring a self-sustained economy within its walls.


    *****


    As the group passed through the main gate, their eptance letters began to glow brightly. In an instant, the letters transformed into rings and forcefully attached themselves to each student''s finger.


    "What''s going on?" they wondered, staring at the glowing rings.


    "Don''t worry, that''s the confirmation I was talking about," the guide assured them.


    "So, we can''t take it off?" Finn asked, tugging at the ring only to find it wouldn''t budge.


    "When you finally leave, it''lle off by itself," the guide exined calmly.


    "How do you know so much about the academy?" Freya asked, noticing the guide''s extensive knowledge about the institution.


    "Because I was once a student here and, luckily, I was able to graduate. We should head back now," the guide replied, a nostalgic smile ying on his lips.


    "So what was it like here?" Evelina chipped in, her curiosity piqued.


    "I''m not allowed to say much, but I''ll tell you this: it''s survival of the fittest the moment you walk through those gates, so be careful." The guide sighed, his tone tinged with regret.


    As they passed by a few other students, they began to notice how most of them were staring. The looks they received were unnerving, like daggers poised to strike at any moment.


    "Hey, Mr. Guide, why does it feel like they could gobble us up at any moment?" Morrigan asked, feeling uneasy, as if they had just walked into a den of wolves.


    "Because of all the empires that send children here to study, Verena is considered the weakest. And I guess word still flies fast in this damn institution," the guide replied with a nervous smile, clearly ufortable. ''I sure hope you kids survive,'' he thought silently.


    "Weakest? You''re joking, right?" Elora said, not wanting to believe him.


    "That''s the truth. The only reason we can at least stand a chance against them is because of men like Jerry Grift and your father," the guide exined as they continued walking.


    "That brat''s father? Interesting." Elora blurted out, deep in thought. ''I think I''ll spar with him one day out of curiosity,'' she mused.


    As they walked, a group of students blocked their path.


    "Hey, umm, I don''t know if you noticed, but we really need you to get out of the way," Ray said, trying to sound polite.


    "And why should I listen to a brat from a trash empire?" the boy at the center sneered. He seemed to be the leader of the group.


    "Because if you don''t, I might have to write a song about how we beat you so badly that your own mother wouldn''t recognize you," Aiden said from behind, his tone annoyingly cheerful.


    The boy''s face twisted in anger. "You''ve got a big mouth for someone so weak," he growled.


    "Well, I''ve always believed in matching my mouth with my strength," Aiden retorted with a smirk.


    The tension in the air thickened as the two groups faced off, each waiting to see who would make the first move.


    "Who the hell are you? Do you know who this is? You just insulted the third prince of the Goudy Empire, Prince Edmond Von Goud!" one of Edmond''sckeys shouted.


    ''Oh? You''re just the third?'' Ray thought, looking at Edmond with a smug smile. "I apologize for any disrespect I may have shown you. I''ll do well not to repeat it in the future."


    Edmond couldn''t do much at this point since Ray''s words made it seem like he had fully surrendered. However, the smug look on Ray''s face during the apology infuriated him even more. The fact that he couldn''t retaliate made it even worse.


    "Tch, let''s go," Edmond ordered furiously, stomping away.


    Ray could sense the resentment in hispanions. He gestured for them to calm down to avoid causing a scene.


    "What was that about? And why did you apologize? You didn''t even do anything wrong," Evelina asked, clearly upset.


    "As much as I''d love to drag his face in the mud and utterly humiliate him, I''m still the prince of an empire. I have to think about the consequences of my actions in times like this," Ray replied.


    "So?" Evelina asked, still unconvinced.


    "It''s a ssic clich�� in most novels: if I take him down, someone stronger wille for me, regardless of whether my reasons were right or wrong. And if I defeat the next person, someone even stronger will take the lead. Plus, they could find a way to start an international incident using it as an excuse," Ray continued.


    "That wouldn''t be good if the thing about our empire being considered the weakest is true," Asher pointed out, before turning to tease Ray. "Plus, it would really suck to get expelled for something as dumb as children''s banter. I''m impressed you could think that far ahead; I guess your brain isn''tpletely empty after all."


    "You wanna die? Just say so," Ray replied, clenching his fists, rage shing in his eyes.


    "I get it, but do we really need to sit down and take it?" Seraphina said, hopping from side to side, fighting an imaginary foe. "I''m sure we could take down anyone here who tried to go against us at this point."


    "I already feel like sting him down to the deepest part of hell," Aiden said, his voice dripping with malice.


    "Yeah, they really tick me off," Cedric added, his fists tightening.


    "We''re not going to sit down and take it. We''re going to crush them physically and mentally," Freya said, feeling more motivated by her annoyance.


    "Huh?" Marce muttered, not particrly caring about the altercation.


    "Then I guess it''s settled. I, the princess of Verena Kingdom, order everyone present to crush theirpetition. No one is allowed to hold back. We''re going to show them true power," Rosa dered, her voice resolute.


    "And they''ll never have the confidence to provoke us again. They''ll know to fear us. Let''s pave the way for all our countrymen at this academy," Matthew added, his eyes burning with determination.


    A sudden gust of wind blew through the group, carrying a strange, almost tangible sense of resolve. Ray smirked, feeling the tension in the air shift. "Let''s make them regret ever looking down on Verena."


    With a nod, the group moved forward, their steps echoing determination. The academy grounds hummed with anticipation, promising future challenges.


    As they disappeared into the heart of the academy, the guide watched them go, a mixture of worry and hope in his eyes. ''These kids might just change the bnce of power around here,'' he thought. ''I sure hope they''re ready for what''sing.''


    *


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    Thanks for making it this far.


    Be sure to vote for your favorite characters.


    Wondering if anyone has a special request for the academy.

 Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Vermin Labyrinth

    Jett, Cormac, and Durin stood at the entrance of the Vermin Labyrinth. Massive stone doors, weathered by time, loomed before them, their surfaces marred with cracks and moss. The entrance itself was unremarkable, almost deliberately so, a stark contrast to the horrors it concealed within.


    [Vermin Labyrinth]


    [Prison to some fierce monster ns. Long ago, the world was continuously terrorized by these great monster ns. They were all locked up inside this Labyrinth to receive a never-ending punishment: to be hunted by others and to spawn again, never to leave their new territory, by a powerful existence. He scattered them across thend, with eachbyrinth holding monsters unique to it.]


    *****


    "It took us one day to cover a four-day trip? Incredible," Cormac marveled, eyes wide with disbelief.


    "You lot are lucky you ran into me then," Durin boasted, a smug grin on his face.


    "Shouldn''t it be the other way around? You''re the one who needs my help after all," Jett interjected, extending his hand expectantly.


    "What is it?" Durin asked, a hint of irritation in his voice.


    "The key. Only those with the keys to this type ofbyrinth can enter. You don''t look like you want to open it, so I''ll do the honors," Jett replied coolly.


    "Alright, kid, we don''t have all day," Durin said, tossing the key to Jett.


    ''You''re the one wasting time though,'' Jett thought, catching the key. ''So this is what a key to a Vermin Labyrinth looks like. To think it can only open one specificbyrinth.''


    The key was a peculiar artifact, resembling a card made from a strong rock material. Ancient markings adorned its surface, detailing the monsters it granted ess to.


    Jett examined the key, noting the intricate carvings before locating the slot meant for it. He inserted the key, but nothing happened. With a frustrated sigh, he pulled it out, flipped it, and tried again.


    This time, the massive stone doors groaned in protest as they began to part, revealing the dark and ominous interior of the Vermin Labyrinth.


    "Let''s go, we need to kill some serpentine subordinates first," Jett said, gesturing for them to follow.


    "Don''t rush in, young master!" Cormac yelled, reluctantly running towards the doors.


    Inside, thebyrinth''s interior was a vast, empty expanse, dimly lit by flickering torches mounted on the walls. Five distinct paths branched out from the entrance, each leading to a different monster''s domain.


    "Is that all? I just do what I''ve been doing all this time?" Durin asked, stepping forward with a rxed gait, his legendary double-edged axe resting on his shoulder.


    The axe was an imposing weapon, forged from mythril and adamantium, with a sturdy handle wrapped in dragonhide. Intricate runes glowed faintly along the des, hinting at its ancient and powerful origins.


    "That''s the first step, anyway. So, I''ll leave that to you. But hurry, the whole process could take up to two days. I presume you already know which path leads to the serpentine?" Jett asked, barely able to contain his excitement.


    "Of course I do. If that''s all, then I''ll be on my way," Durin replied, heading towards the path that led to the serpentine beasts.


    "One more thing��, I want to ask for a favor. Don''tnd the final blow," Jett requested. ''Carry me through this level.''


    "Why?" Durin asked, his curiosity piqued.


    "Let''s just say that''ll be my reward. You don''t really need the experience from this ce, right?" Jett exined with an innocent smile. ''Even if the system won''t give me a definite reward, this was my goal the moment I realized what he wanted.''


    ''This greedy little�� As long as I get what I want, then I won''t argue,'' Durin thought, though his displeasure at Jett''s audacity was clear. "Do as you please."


    "Huh? Hunting the Serpentine Queen is one thing, but doing that after taking down her subordinates is another story. Even I wouldn''t survive something like that," Cormac said, concern evident in his voice.


    "Just sit and rx. He''s the real deal so just let him do his thing; we''ll be the ones slowing him down after all," Jett replied yfully, adding in his thoughts, ''And I also want to confirm something before I get to the academy.''


    *****


    Durin began his rampage through the Labyrinth with a ferocity that left Jett and Cormac in awe. The first wave consisted of ordinary Serpentine mobs, their scales glistening in the dim light. With a swift swing of his legendary axe, Durin cleaved through them effortlessly.


    As he progressed, the foes became more formidable;intelligent serpentine warriors d in armor, wielding weapons for close and rangedbat, and even mage sses casting spells to halt his advance. Yet, none could stand against him.


    Over ten thousand enemies fell before him in a mere ten minutes, their cries echoing through thebyrinth.


    Durin''s axe, forged from mythril and adamantium, was a blur of motion. Its double-edged des sliced through armor and flesh with equal ease. The sturdy handle, wrapped in dragonhide, absorbed the shock of each impact, while the runes along the des pulsed with a faint, eerie light.


    Despite the carnage, Durin was precise, leaving each enemy with just enough HP to keep them barely breathing. This allowed Jett and Cormac, who followed from behind, to gather the fallen monsters in one ce.


    "All those monsters were at least level 300 to 700, and he wiped them out in only 10 minutes? I can''t believe it, even though I''m seeing it with my own eyes," Cormac muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.


    "I told you to let him do his thing. And I don''t even think he used a skill at all. That was purely brute force. Imagine what would''ve happened if he really used his full strength," Jett replied, a mix of admiration and envy in his voice.


    It took them five long hours to gather the defeated monsters into a single area. Durin, refusing to help, had found a spot to rx, much to Jett''s annoyance. "That''s your payment, so it''s your problem, not mine," Durin had said, reclining against a wall.


    Once all the monsters were piled together, Jett and Cormac copsed, catching their breaths for a few minutes before Jett got back up. ''It''s time to test my new finisher skill,'' Jett thought, facing the heap of serpentine monsters barely clinging to existence.


    "You guys should stay at least 30 meters away from me. This skill doesn''t differentiate between friend and foe," Jett warned.


    ''I wonder what he ns to do. How is he able to take them all out with a single attack? They may barely be alive, but there are still too many for a kid to handle, let alone ten thousand of them. Just to be on the safe side,'' Durin thought, picking up Cormac and leaping further away to create a much safer distance from Jett.


    "I''ll put you out of your misery," Jett said with a smile, activating his skill.


    [Corpse Grenade A]


    [Once a target''s HP drops below 10%, they can be turned into an explosive using their remaining HP within a range of 20 meters. The damage to surrounding enemies depends on the original target''s level. Any others within the detonation range instantly lose 40% HP, with a 2% chance of a secondary chain explosion urring 10 secondster, causing 25% of the original effect.]


    [Usage: 4/4]


    [Cooldown: 24 hours]


    As Jett activated [Hopeless Corpse A], a low hum filled the air. Suddenly, the gathered serpentine monsters began to glow faintly.


    In the blink of an eye, a massive explosion erupted from the center of the pile, sending shockwaves throughout thebyrinth. The ground trembled violently, and the force of the st illuminated the dark corridors with a fiery brilliance.


    Durin and Cormac stood frozen, their expressions a mix of shock and awe. The sheer scale of the destruction was overwhelming. Even Jett, who had orchestrated the entire n, couldn''t help but smile nervously; this was his first time using the skill, and its power far exceeded his expectations.


    ''Holy crap, a skill like this could make me a one-man army if used right. All that skill grinding actually paid off,'' Jett thought, a mix of fear and exhration coursing through him.


    ''Is this boy even human? I''d hate to be on the receiving end of that kind of attack. What kind of monster did you unleash on this world, Jerry?'' Durin thought, awestruck by Jett''s disy of power.


    Cormac was speechless. He had just witnessed something that defied all logic. His young master was a monster even at such a young age. He wondered what would happen if he were to report this to Jerry.


    Then, to Jett''s surprise, Cormac began tough lightly, a sound Jett had never expected from him. "First the monster rampage, then the mercenaries, and now this? I fear I still have a long way to go," Cormac said between chuckles.


    "Hey old man, throw Cormac further outside!" Jett yelled, interrupting Cormac.


    "Right," Durin replied, acting without hesitation. Before he realized what he was doing, he had already tossed Cormac a safe distance away. ''Why am I taking orders from this kid anyway?'' he wondered, baffled by his ownpliance.


    "Catch!" Jett called out, hurling one of the serpentine bodies at Durin with a wicked smile on his face.


    "What''s this for?" Durin asked, confused.


    "4�� 3�� 2�� 1��" Jett counted down, ignoring Durin''s question.


    Immediately, a second chain explosion started, with 190 corpses detonating almost simultaneously. Thebyrinth was once again rocked by the sheer force of the sts, mes and debris scattering in every direction.


    "Alright, I''m done," Jett said calmly as the dust settled, a satisfied grin on his face.


    Durin was taken aback by this but quickly found hisposure and marched over to Jett. "Why, you little demon incarnate, are you trying to send me to an early grave?"


    "Oh, calm down. The chances of that particr corpse exploding were very slim. Plus, even if it did explode, you''d only lose 40% of your HP. So even if you had 100 HP, it would only take 40 HP from you. But the damage to anyone around would be severe, which is why I asked you to ditch Cormac for me," Jett exined as he climbed the heap of corpses, searching for something.


    "You say that like it''s nothing," Durin retorted angrily.


    "Think of it as a child trying to get back at an adult for making him drag ten thousand monster corpses to one ce for five long hours while you tried to get tipsy. Don''t think I didn''t see the rum you were romancing a moment ago," Jett said, still scouring through the corpses.


    "What does that have to do with anything?" Durin growled, smashing his axe into the ground.


    "I''m just really petty, that''s all. You''re not going to hit a kid because of that, right?" Jett pulled out an innocent smile. ''Plus, I''m taking out my anger on you, since I forgot I could only copy one skill from a single person every week, and I wasted it on the first skill I saw.''


    "Alright, we need their fangs. A lot of them if we want to get what we came for," Jett said, climbing back down.


    ''Switched from devil to angel in an instant. Reminds me of a certain somebody,'' Durin thought as he saw Jett smile. "Whatever, how many do we need?"


    "About twenty thousand," Jett replied.


    "Then let''s start collecting," Durin said, stretching himself.


    "No need, I already did." Jett grinned. ''I''ve confirmed the second thing. I don''t need to gather drops manually once my level gets past 40. Any drops we get from killing monsters go straight to whatever storage item or, in my case, skill I possess. Exclusive to only fourteen of us. It was a bit weird that I had to pick items manually when the book always talked about it happening on its own.


    Let''s see.''


    =====


    Level: 41


    HP: 70


    MP: 70


    Strength: 70


    Agility: 83


    Intelligence:70


    Perception: 69


    Luck: Maxed


    Undistributed Points: 735


    =====


    "Snap out of it. What do you mean you already did?" Durin asked, bringing Jett back to reality.


    "I have a skill for that. Now go fight the boss, and leave her intact for me," Jett ordered yfully.


    "You know what��? Nah, I think I drank too much. Let''s just get this over with," Durin said, wondering if he was dreaming.


    *****


    They continued their trek deeper into thebyrinth, the air growing colder and more oppressive with each step. The walls, slick with condensation, seemed to close in around them, amplifying the sound of their footsteps.


    As they approached the boss''sir, a massive stone door adorned with intricate carvings of serpentine creatures loomed before them. Jett pushed it open, revealing a vast, dimly lit chamber.


    The Serpentine Queen awaited them, her eyes gleaming with malevolent intelligence. She was a towering figure, her scales shimmering with a dark, iridescent hue. Her coiled body filled the room, and her hiss reverberated off the stone walls.


    [Air Walk]


    Durin, eager to blow off steam, stepped forward, his legendary axe glinting in the faint light. Without a word, heunched himself at the Queen. His movements were a blur of precision and power, his axe cutting through the air with deadly uracy.


    The Queen retaliated, but her attacks were no match for Durin''s ferocity. In a matter of moments, he had her on the brink of defeat, her once fearsome presence now reduced to a struggling form.


    "Oh goody, hey Cormac, I need you to do something for me?" Jett called out, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.


    "And what could I possibly do to help?" Cormac replied, his voice tinged with skepticism. ''I''ve just been a spectator up until this point,'' he thought.


    "Nothing special, just kill it."


    "I beg your pardon?"


    "You heard me, take the final blow," Jett said, his tone casual.


    Cormac and Durin exchanged puzzled nces, unsure of what was going on in Jett''s head. Durin, still panting from his recent exertion, looked at Cormac and shrugged. "You heard the kid. Go on, give it a shot."


    *


    *


    *


    Don''t forget to vote for your favorite character. The top 14 are in ce.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Last Arrival

    Cormac and Durin exchanged puzzled nces, unsure of what was going on in Jett''s head. Durin, still not fully grasping the situation, said, "You heard the kid. Go on, give it a shot."


    With a deep breath, Cormac stepped forward, drawing his sword. The Serpentine Queen, weakened and unable to fight back, red at him with defiant eyes.


    Cormac hesitated for a moment, then plunged his de into her heart, ending her suffering with a final, swift stroke.


    "I�� I leveled up ten times with just that?"


    Jett watched with satisfaction, his mind already racing with thoughts of whaty ahead. ''That''s it, get stronger.''


    "Is that what you were nning all along? Surely I am not worthy of such a gift," Cormac asked, bowing deeply.


    "You don''t have to be modest about these things. Besides, it''s not a gift," Jett replied, feeling a bit flustered by the bow.


    "Huh?" Cormac was confused.


    "An inescapable future is upon us, and I''ll need strong allies by my side. This is just me making preparations for such a time." Jett smiled, "But until then, Cormac Keys, get stronger. Protect Lagia, protect my family."


    "Ha, ha, ha, how old are you really? The way you switch from an immature child to a wise adult is beyond me," Durinughed, patting Jett on the back with force.


    ''Who''s he calling immature? I''m mentally older than I look,'' Jett thought as he went straight to the queen''s corpse to collect the items that had dropped. ''Still need to manually pick the drops since I didn''tnd the finishing blow.''


    *****


    They had to close the Labyrinth and start over three more times, taking approximately two days.


    "Alright, we should have the two hundred thousand fangs you asked for. What''s next?" Durin asked.


    "The fangs were one part, but we also got the other ingredients for the tear," Jett replied as they made their way back to the entrance.


    [Serpentine Fang x20,000]


    [Serpentine Queen''s Scale x3]


    [Eye of the Serpentine Queen x4]


    [Serpentine Spell Book x5,000]


    [Serpentine Spear x7,000]


    [Serpentine Sword x6,000]


    [Serpentine Bow x9,000]


    A new notification popped up.


    [Conditions have been met. Items can be converted into The Serpentine Queen''s Tear]


    [Will you proceed? Y/N]


    ''Yeah, plus I can use the extra materials at that ce.'' Jett smiled as he epted the conversion.


    [Congrattions: Serpentine Queen''s Tears S has been obtained.]


    In WAR BOUND, crafting was exclusive to yers with specific sses that supported it. Making items, weapons, or potions without those sses was impossible. However, there were scenarios where yers could use quest rewards to ess a hidden crafting function.


    "Here you go. It''s yours now," Jett said, handing Durin the potion.


    "Is this the��? Hold on, you never told me you were an alchemist," Durin said, a bit surprised.


    "I''m not an alchemist. The Labyrinth has a special criterion that must be met to get this potion. We just met it, that''s all."


    "You have my thanks, child. I had my doubts about you, but you''ve proven me wrong. For that, you have my utmost apology."


    "It''s alright. We really should be on our way to that academy. Do you mind giving us a ride?"


    "Of course, but first let me give you a reward."


    "What''s this?" Jett''s eyes widened. ''No way, is this what I think it is?''


    "A blueprint scroll. An S-ranked item that lets you design and create a new item that has never existed in this world."


    "Isn''t this too much of a reward?" Jett said, though inwardly he marveled. ''I say that, but this is an impossible item that nations would kill just to obtain.''


    "This is barely enough to repay you for this potion. You have no idea what you''ve done for me."


    "Whoever needs this must be really important to you."


    "Yes, indeed. Let''s be on our way now. Betsy."


    They climbed onto Betsy, Durin''s majestic flying beast. Betsy spread her wings, and with a powerful thrust, they were airborne, soaring towards the academy.


    The wind rushed past them as thendscape below blurred, bringing them closer to their destination.


    [Mission Complete]


    [Reward: Blueprint Scroll S x2]


    ''Lucky me,'' Jett thought, ''I made a formidable ally, leveled up excessively, and even got an S-ranked item.''


    *****


    =====


    Level: 79


    HP: 100


    MP: 100


    Strength: 100


    Agility: 100


    Intelligence: 100


    Perception:100


    Luck: Maxed


    Undistributed Points: 1312


    =====


    *****


    At the boys'' lodge in rendon, after a tour of the city...


    "I know we''re supposed to stick together and all, but don''t you think these arrangements are getting a bit too annoying? How are we stuck in one room together?" Aidenined.


    "It''s big enough to amodate us, plus it''s cost-effective since we all got a hundred school points when we got here," Finn exined while polishing his spear. "We don''t know the principle behind how school points are obtained, so it''s wise to use them sparingly."


    "I kind of like it here, though. It''s not that bad," Cedric added.


    "See? Even Cedric likes it." Finn said.


    "That''s not the problem, Cedric. Nevermind," Matthew said, leaving Cedric to his positivity.


    "Asher isn''t back yet. He volunteered to wait for Jett, but I''m sure he was just dodging having to share a room with us. I''d do the same in his shoes," Ray sighed. "I wonder if he''s even going to make it. I hear today''s thest day."


    "He''s here," Asher announced, appearing in the room.


    "Speak of the devil... where''s he now?" Ray asked.


    "He just got out of the main campus," Asher replied.


    "This is such a handy skill. We''re on our way," Ray said.


    "What do you mean ''we''? I''m not leaving here for a bum like him," Finn said, stretching himself out on the bed.


    "I''m beat; he''sing here anyway, so why waste the energy?" Aiden added.


    "Suit yourself, I''m leaving," Ray said, stepping out.


    "I''ll go with you," Cedric added, following Ray.


    *****


    "So I''m thest person, huh?" Jett said as he saw the translucent screen from the ring showing his default ranking at the academy.


    "Yes, and that was cutting it too close," Cormac added. "Today was thest day for eptance. If we had arrived even a dayter, they wouldn''t have let you in. Although I am surprised we miscalcted when we agreed to help Durin."


    "Luck is always on my side, literally," Jett bragged. "Come on, don''t tell me leveling up thirty-seven times wasn''t worth it. Now you can focus on building your Aura. Also, when you get back, ask Father to teach you all he knows about Lumix by my request."


    "There you are! We''ve been waiting for like forever. You almost didn''t make it," Ray called out from afar.


    "We had something important to take care of." Jett turned to Cedric. "You got big."


    "I''m not sure how I''m supposed to respond to that," Cedric replied.


    "Greetings, my prince," Cormac said, bowing.


    "Just call me Ray. Inside the academy, I expect to be treated as a normal person," Ray said, gesturing for Cormac to rise. "And who might you be?"


    Just then, the boy from earlier appeared with a group of other kids.


    ''Ugh, this guy again,'' Ray thought.


    "I see the trash from earlier was actually a prince. Too bad it had to be from a trash empire like Verena," Goud said, trying to provoke Ray.


    "I think we should go," Cedric said from behind.


    Goud sneered, "What''s the matter? Afraid to face me, prince?"


    Jett stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "You think you''re tough, Goud? All I see is a loudmouth who''spensating for something."


    Goud''s face flushed with anger. "Watch your mouth, nobody insults me and gets away with it!"


    "Oh, I''m sorry. Did I hurt your feelings? Maybe you should run back to your ''trash empire'' and cry about it," Jett taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.


    "Jett, that''s enough," Ray said, trying to calm him down. "We don''t need any trouble."


    "Yeah, let''s just go," Cedric added, stepping in between them.


    Goud red at Jett, his fists clenched. "You''ll regret this. Watch your back, all of you." With that, he turned and stormed off, fuming.


    "Now you''ve done it," Ray shook his head.


    ''What kind of MC are you, dude? You have literal plot armor, so why waste it?'' Jett wondered.


    "Let''s just go," Cedric repeated.


    ''Oh, hell no. I''m not going to cramp myself with all six of you. Who asked you guys to leave Finn in charge of amodation?'' Jett thought as he walked in the opposite direction. "Umm, I have something to do first."


    They all apanied him to a building at the edge of the main campus. The ce was empty, with only ady at the counter looking bored out of her mind. The room was about the size of a ser pitch.


    "I think you''re lost. The main campus is that way," thedy pointed to where the campus was.


    "This is the conversion store, right? My bodyguard did some hunting before we got here, so we decided toe exchange them for points," Jett replied.


    ''Wise choice not saying they''re yours,'' Cormac smiled a bit.


    "Well, in that case, I''m Tessa, but everyone calls me Tess. I manage the conversion hall," she said, looking directly at Cormac. "Just ce the items here, pretty boy."


    "Not to be rude, but I''m the one with the items, and this ce wouldn''t be enough to hold everything," Jett warned.


    "C''mon, kid, I don''t have all day," Tess sighed as she brought out a small device.


    "Cormac?" Jett signaled.


    Cormac knew what he meant and proceeded to take Ray and Cedric out of the building. "Right, I think it''s time we left."


    Jett followed them to the door but stopped there.


    "Hey, what''s the big idea?" they bothined as they felt left out.


    "See you in a bit," Jett waved before turning to face Tess. "Now don''t me me for this."


    He instantly brought out all the items and materials he wanted to sell, including the serpentine corpses that were still intact and other items he got from thebyrinth. The ce filled up rapidly, and the walls started to crack under the pressure.


    "I still have more," Jett said as he stepped back a little.


    "Holy crap, stop!" Tess yelled, gasping for air. "Take them back, take them back!"


    *


    *


    *


    At this point he''s just showing off


    She asked for it though

 Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Academy Entrance

    Jett retracted everything into his storage space.


    "That''s a lot of monster corpses, and if I''m not wrong, those were Serpentine monsters." Tessa''s eyes lit up as she looked at Jett. ''Not only is his bodyguard handsome, but he''s also incredibly strong. Makes you wonder what kind of powerhouse is backing this kid.''


    Lost in thought, Tessa felt a twinge of conflict. She couldn''t help but admire Jett''s strength andposure, yet something about him unsettled her. It was as if he carried a weight that she couldn''t quite grasp.


    "Alright,e with me," Tessa said, ushering Jett to a door behind her.


    Jett walked through the door and found himself alone in a muchrger, empty room. The space was vast, its silence almost echoing the enormity.


    "Tessa?" Jett called out, though she was nowhere to be seen.


    "This is a Tier 1 conversion room," Tessa''s voice echoed, seemingly from everywhere and nowhere. "The previous room was a Tier 0 conversion room. When a student''s haul surpasses that of a Tier 0 room, they earn the privilege of using a higher tier. We have a total of four tiers, each with its own rewards."


    "Well then, I''ll just drop everything here." Jett brought out everything from his storage space.


    Once again, the room wasn''t enough to hold everything. This time, even Jett was surprised, though he didn''t show it.


    "Um, why don''t we go a tier higher?" Tessa suggested nervously, causing a new door to appear. "This is really troublesome. I was told only a handful of students could get this far."


    "If you insist," Jett said, walking through the door.


    Now in Tier 2, the room was vast, definitely bigger than the previous one. It felt like standing in an enormous arena, its sheer size almost overwhelming.


    "This should be enough, right?" Tessa hoped.


    Jett again brought everything out of his storage space, and this time, there was more than enough room.


    "Finally," Tessa celebrated inwardly. "The rooms are equipped with scaling magic to properly ascertain the worth of your loot."


    A magic circle soon appeared under everything, scanning their worth. At that moment, Jett immediately activated his skill.


    [Market Value]


    "The total sum of points gained is 37,700," a few seconds passed. "Due to the Tier 1 special bonus, you also get an enhancement stone. Everything has been sent to your linked ring."


    "Thanks, I''ll take my leave now." A door appeared, and Jett walked back into the main building.


    "I hope the service was to your satisfaction," Tessa said with a smile.


    Jett smiled as he walked past her. ''[Duplicate Thoughts B]: That''s actually a really nice skill. It''lle in handy if I ever have to multitask,'' he mused.


    As soon as he exited, he met up with the others. Ray invited Jett to share a room with them so they could stay together, but Jett declined, saying he''d pay for his own amodation.


    "But it''s not wise to spend money like that. Finn says it''s more efficient if we all contribute for a lodge," Cedric said.


    "True, but he''s not that nice. Finn might have tricked you guys so he''d be thest to spend," Jett replied. "Besides, I honestly have enough to spare. Give me your hand."


    "Why?" Cedric asked.


    "Just give me." Jett pulled Cedric''s hand that held his linked ring and shook it.


    [Transfer Complete: 1000p]


    "There you go," Jett smiled.


    "Isn''t this too much?" Cedric asked, panicking.


    "What are you talking about? I got a lot of points for selling some monster drops. Plus, this is just an investment," Jett replied.


    He also gave Ray 12,000 points and instructed him to share it with the others, including the girls, before sending them away. ''This way they can prepare better before this arc starts,'' Jett thought as he watched them walk away.


    *****


    For the remaining two days, everyone prepared thoroughly with the help of Jett''s points. They each utilized the newfound resources to refine and upgrade their equipment if needed. The atmosphere was charged with determination and anticipation.


    Jett, on the other hand, chose not to venture out. Instead, he focused on training his Lumix abilities. He asked Cormac to procure specific items while he stayed indoors, honing his skills.


    "You''re finally back," Jett said, snacking on some meat Cormac had brought.


    "It wasn''t easy to get these materials. If I may, what do you intend to do with them?" Cormac asked.


    "That''s a secret," Jett replied, carefully inspecting each item.


    Cormac watched him silently for a few minutes, feeling a swell of pride. Serving Jett had been an honor, and witnessing his growth filled him with a sense of fulfillment.


    "Tomorrow is the entrance ceremony. I''ll be leaving when everything is settled," Cormac said.


    "You really don''t have to, after all, you''ve seen what I can do," Jett replied.


    "Yes, but I still want to wait a bit longer," Cormac insisted.


    "Suit yourself," Jett said, still rummaging through the items Cormac had bought.


    *****


    The entrance ceremony finally arrived. On that day, exactly one million new students gathered at the main campus for the briefing. They all wore the academy''s ck-themed uniforms, their excitement palpable in the air.


    The students arranged themselves in a predetermined manner, the order based on their arrival time at the academy. This positioning ced Jett at the far end, observing the vast sea of his peers.


    They waited for a while, chattering among themselves, but soon quieted down as someone climbed the podium. The hush that fell over the crowd was almost tangible, signaling the start of their new journey.


    "Good day, everyone. I am Professor Drago, the vice principal of this esteemed academy," he announced with amanding presence.


    "It''s really time, huh," Jett murmured, a smile ying on his lips as he listened intently to the elderly man.


    "The principal won''t be making an appearance today," Drago continued, his gaze scanning the gathering. "Hell, you guys might never get the opportunity to ever see him, but that''s information forter."


    His eyes lingered on the Divine Lords, Jett conspicuously excluded. "I wonder, things might take an interesting turn with them around. Well then��"


    In that brief moment, Drago withdrew his gaze, only to catch sight of Jett. What he saw in that split second was an overwhelming aura that seemed to swallow up all the students gathered there.


    Shaking his head, Drago wondered if he was just seeing things. This time, when he looked back, that overwhelming aura was gone. He knew Jett would be trouble, but there wasn''t much he could do about it.


    "To be here today, you must have received an eptance letter either through rmendation from previous students or by personal endorsement from the teachers here who saw talent in you. So, don''t think your family''s influence yed any role in getting you here," Drago dered firmly.


    "There are exactly one million students here today. Not all of you will make it in. Out of the million, only 15% will actually graduate. Most of you might even get expelled or drop out, but that''s just how it is. If you can''t handle it, just leave. We only ept the best here," he paused, allowing murmurs to rise among the students.


    "What were they saying?" Drago queried, letting them voice their concerns for a moment beforemanding, "Silence."


    The murmurs quieted down immediately.


    "The weeding starts today. Only six hundred thousand of you will get in as first years. And of that number, only three hundred thousand will advance to second year, and a hundred and fifty thousand will make it to third year and graduate."


    "That''s for entry anyways. Most of you might still not understand what those rings you got are for. Basically, just think of them as a multipurpose tracking device. You can use them to store items if you don''t already have a storage pouch, but take note that they don''t have as much capacity as a basic storage pouch. And yes, you can only take them with you if you graduate, as proof," Drago exined.


    "You can also use the rings as amunication device," he added.


    "He means texting, right? Wonderful," Evalina chimed in cheerfully.


    "Just shut up and listen," Elora retorted, annoyed.


    "Hmph, you are such a buzzkill," Evalina huffed, turning away.


    "The rings also disy your current rank at the academy. There are three types of ranking: Academy ranking, ss ranking, and Hunt ranking," Drago continued.


    ''Yeah, yeah, it''s even more boring to experience this in real life. AR is yourbat ranking across the academy, CR is your academic rankingpared to peers in the same ss, and HR is ranked based on how much monster drops and corpses you''re able to convert into points.


    I''m currently leading there, but my information will stay undisclosed until I decide to make it public,'' Jett thought to himself, casually observing.


    "If you want to climb the academy ranking, there''s only one way: You have to fight. Challenge your peers and defeat them to steal their rank. Lower ranks have a fair advantage as they can issue an unavoidable challenge to anyone at a higher rank, but the higher ranks can''t do the same."


    ''Conclude already,'' was all anyone could think about at that moment. Drago''s intention was to intimidate them, but it seemed everyone was too hyped up to pay attention.


    "Hey old man, stop boring the children and get on with it," a woman''s voice interrupted from among the teachers behind him.


    "I think I''ve said enough. Let''s start the weeding. I wish you good luck," Drago said, stepping down from the podium.


    Walking away, he signaled for a teacher to approach.


    "Yes, Vice Principal, how may I help you?" the teacher asked, stepping forward.


    "I want you to investigate someone for me. Give me everything you can find on him," Drago replied, his expression serious.


    "And who might this be to have piqued your interest?" she wondered with a suspicious smile.


    "The kid with the red-ck hair," Drago stated firmly before walking away.


    *


    *


    *


    Will the academy be any fun?

 Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Clarendon Weeding

    As Drago stepped down, another figure gracefully ascended the stage to address the students. She was a real beauty, an elf whose delicate features and radiant presence captivated the audience.


    Her long, silken hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her eyes sparkled with wisdom and kindness. Though she appeared to be in her thirties, you could still guess that she had lived for a longer time.


    "Hello, everyone. My name is Valetta, head of the magic department," she announced, her voice calm and soothing. "I will be one of the teachers supervising you today. Over the next week, you''ll undergo a series of tests to determine if this academy is truly the ce for you." She smiled, noticing some students gazing at her in awe.


    She then continued, "The blue uniform you wear signifies your candidacy to be a full-fledged student here. Once you pass, your uniform will change color automatically."


    She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "You will face trials inbat, as well as tests of your Aura or Mana capacity and control, depending on your abilities. There will also be a written exam to assess your knowledge. Good luck to you all."


    "Once you receive your rankings, you will move into the dorms, and any attendants you brought with you will be sent back home," Valeta announced, her words echoing through the minds of the hopeful candidates.


    *****


    The evaluation began, starting with thebat trials, followed by tests of mana control and capacity, and then aura assessments. Finally, the written exam challenged their intellect and knowledge.


    For a week, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation and determination. Students pushed themselves to their limits, showcasing their skills in hopes of earning a ce in the academy.


    The air was thick with tension and excitement as they fought, cast spells, and answered questions, each one striving to outshine the others.


    *****


    "Eeeeeeck! Today''s the day we get to see our rankings!" Morrigan yelled, her voice piercing the early morning silence as she woke everyone up.


    "It''s still too early, you witch. Go back to sleep," Seraphina groaned, throwing her pillow at Morrigan.


    "Ouch�� But it''s morning already," Morrigan whined.


    "Go to sleep, Mori, or I''ll tie you up myself," Rosa threatened, her voice muffled by her nket.


    "Ugh, five more minutes," Freya mumbled, burying herself deeper under her sheets.


    "Come on, guys, let''s check our rankings," Morrigan persisted, her excitement undiminished.


    "Can''t you check yours on your own?" Elora grumbled, the noise having roused her from sleep.


    "We''ve been pushing ourselves to the limit for a whole week. Just let us rest, will you?" Evelina said, rolling over in an attempt to fall back asleep.


    Marce was the only one still sound asleep, oblivious to themotion around her.


    "For once, I''m jealous of her," Elora sighed, ncing at Marce. "She can sleep through all this nonsense."


    "Oh, I can hear you guys. I just don''t give a damn to actually respond. You keep escting the matter by replying to her," Marce said, still in her sleeping position with her eyes closed.


    After much disturbance from Morrigan, everyone finally woke up, their faces showing clear signs of exhaustion and annoyance. They knelt together in a circle, groggy and unappreciative of the early wake-up call. Marce, however, remained sound asleep, oblivious to the world.


    This annoyed Evelina, who promptly went over and started tickling Marce until she woke up.


    "Alright, alright, I''m up! What do you want from me?" Marce surrendered, joining them in the circle.


    "We''ll check our rankings at the same time," Morrigan said excitedly.


    "I suppose I was looking forward to this. Though, I already know I''ll get the top rank," Elora bragged.


    "Whatever..." Rosa hissed, still half-asleep.


    "I''m not even sure I''ll make the cut since all I did was defend during thebat exam," Freya sighed dramatically, leaning on Elora.


    "On three," Morrigan yelled, causing them all to count down together before checking their linked rings.


    "What the hell? I''m ranked 300,001st in the whole academy, so why am I ranked 3rd in our year?"


    "Oh, here''s why. Apparently, Ray and Asher beat you to 1st and 2nd ce, respectively. But I think there''s a mistake; I took 12th ce," Freya said.


    "Marce got 13th. As for 14th ce, I have no idea who that is. Then there''s Matty beating Seraphina to 4th, sending her straight to 5th. Aiden and Rosa got 6th and 7th, and I ended up with 8th. Sweet!" Evelina eximed, jumping on her bed.


    "Finn, Morrigan, and Cedric got 9th, 10th, and 11th," Rosa read.


    "I got 12th, and Marce got 13th," Freya concluded.


    "That sounds about right. I''m a bit surprised I got this far up," Marce said as she slowly walked back to her bed.


    "You guys realize what this means?" Morrigan said with excitement.


    "We''ll be getting annoying challenges for our rank?" Elora asked, already feeling bored.


    "Oh crap, I forgot about that," Evelina added.


    "I was going to say we all passed, but whatever. Thanks for ruining the mood," Morrigan said with a dull tone.


    "Yeah, thanks a lot," Evelina added.


    "What did I do?" Elora asked, feeling confused.


    "299,999 students will constantly try to challenge me so they can steal my rank. You just seeded in ruining my whole school experience," Freya said with a gloomy face.


    "You didn''t have to remind us," Evelina said.


    "What did I do? Didn''t they already tell us?" Elora said, frustrated by their unexpectedly disappointing mood.


    *****


    The academy was in an uproar as students checked their rankings. Cheers of celebration mingled with groans of disappointment filled the air.


    Those who ranked high rejoiced, now proper students of rendon Academy, while those who didn''t make the cut prepared to head home, their dreams temporarily dashed.


    "Ha, ha, ha! Bow down to the strongest of the first years," Ray celebrated, his voice echoing through the corridors. "I even ranked higher than most second years!"


    "Ray and my sister, I understand, but how did Mathew and Seraphina rank higher than me? And Asher got second? There has to be something wrong with this system," Aidenined, frustration evident in his tone.


    "So the next agenda would be getting dorms, right?" Matthew said. "I guess we''re inevitably going to get split up."


    "The academy decides that for us. Just check your ring," Cedric said, reading out part of the student guidelines. "It says here that we can choose a roommate ourselves, and as long as both parties consent, they can be roommates. This helps reduce the chances of getting challenged inside the dorms."


    "Well then, I''ll be staying with Cedric," Matthew dered, sending Cedric a dorm invitation through his linked ring.


    "No fair, I wanted to call dibs on him," Finn whined.


    "It''s better if he stays away from a bad influence like you. What about it, huh, Asher?" Ray asked, sending Asher a dorm invitation.


    "Sure, why not?" Asher epted, not thinking too much about it.


    "Hehehe, the weak shall serve the strong," Ray said after Asher epted.


    "You''re nning something. How do I..." Asher began, trying to cancel the agreement.


    "Toote, you can''t take it back once you''ve epted already," Ray interrupted, crawling from behind.


    Aiden reluctantly sent a request to Finn.


    "Hey, why am I stuck with this moron?" Finn asked.


    "You don''t want to? Now that I think about it, Jett is still avail..."


    "Done," Finn said, immediately epting Aiden''s invitation.


    "Are you going to tell us why you changed your mind?" Asher asked.


    "Mind your own business, you damn assassin. Our dorms seem to be in the same building��Dorm 15. Let''s just go," Finn replied.


    "Well, that was weird," Ray said, pausing for a second.


    "Don''t look at me. I have no idea what just happened," Aiden shrugged.


    The students soon donned their new uniforms, the color changing from blue to red. The red uniforms symbolized their status as first-year students.


    The academy used white uniforms to identify second years and ck for the graduating students, each color marking the ss differences.


    *****


    Just outside their designated dorm, the boys were blocked by a group of students. Judging by the color of their uniforms, they were second years.


    "Hey, which one of you is Ray?" an elf asked, sizing them up.


    "That would be me. But what would a second year want with me?" Ray replied, his curiosity piqued.


    "You see, I have a problem. The ranks probably got messed up, and now I''m below you. That doesn''t make sense, right? Why don''t you forfeit your rank to me?" the elf spoke in a sly, disrespectful tone.


    "Why don''t you make me?" Ray said with a serious face, feeling a surge of excitement.


    "If that''s how you want to y it, ept my challenge." The elf sent Ray a challenge invitation, which Ray couldn''t refuse.


    "Done." Ray epted without hesitation.


    The others watched silently as the scene unfolded, giving the duel enough space. The crowd cleared, anticipation thick in the air.


    "Silkan; that''s the name of the person who''s about to cut you down to size. Remember it," the elf said, drawing his sword. "I''ll let you have the first move."


    "Whatever," Ray muttered, his tone shifting. He rushed Silkan and swung his sword.


    The duel began fiercely, bothbatants appearing evenly matched. Their swords shed with a metallic ring, sparks flying with each strike. Ray''s aggressive style met Silkan''s calcted defense, each move countered with precision.


    {Gale}


    Suddenly, Silkan cast a Gale spell, catching Ray off guard. A powerful gust of wind swept Ray off his feet, restricting his movement as he struggled against the invisible force.


    *****


    Inside Block 15, Jett walked down the hallway towards his room.


    "What kind of pervert designs a dormitory like this?" Jett wondered.


    The dormitory was mixed, with male students staying on the left side and female students on the right. It was an unusual setup, and Jett found it odd.


    "Cormac finally left, and now it''s just me and the others. I wonder who my roommate will be," Jett thought as he approached his door.


    Finding the door locked, he assumed his roommate hadn''t arrived yet. He unlocked it using the key he received from the Dorm master.


    As he opened the door, the room was dim despite the daytime. A figure stood half-dressed in the room, visible only to Jett.


    The next moment, the person screamed in shock.


    "What the hell? What are you doing here, you pervert?"


    *


    *


    *


    A popr cliche?


    Don''t forget to vote for your favorites

 Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Living Arrangements

    "You''re actually really good," Ray said, pushing Silkan back with a grunt.


    "Tch, I''m just getting started," Silkan retorted, a fierce glint in his eyes.


    "Nope, you''re done. You''re not the only one who can use magic, y''know." Ray surged forward, his sword crackling with energy.


    {Shock}


    [Boost]


    As their swords shed once more, arcs of electricity danced from Ray''s de to Silkan''s, sending a jolt of energy through his body. Silkan''s muscles seized up, his grip faltering.


    Seizing the moment, Ray swept Silkan''s legs out from under him with a swift kick. Silkan crashed to the ground, gasping as Ray leveled his sword at his throat.


    "Do you yield?" Ray asked, his voice steady andmanding.


    Silkan, panting and humiliated in front of everyone, had no choice but to nod. "This isn''t over. You just got lucky."


    Ray smirked, sheathing his sword as he turned back to his friends. "Huhh? How was that?" he asked.


    "That was awesome," Cedric replied, his eyes wide with admiration.


    "Sloppy, if you ask me," Asher said with a shrug.


    "Show off," Finn and Aiden chorused, grinning.


    "So, we''ll be seeing more of this from now on, huh?" Matthew asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "I guess we''ll just have to make it so people don''t dare to challenge us," Ray said, his tone light as they made their way to Dorm 15, chatting andughing.


    As they approached the dorm, a loud scream pierced the air. The group rushed to see what had happened.


    They arrived just in time to see Jett dodging a barrage of objects being hurled out of a room, a girl''s voice ringing out in anger.


    "C''mon, Freya, I''m sorry! I had no idea someone was inside!" Jett yelled, ducking as a ss vase shattered against the wall. "Stop throwing random objects at me!"


    "Then leave!" Freya shouted, her face flushed with fury.


    "Freya? What''s going on? Why is Jett here?" Rosa asked as she and Elora appeared on the scene, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern.


    "Isn''t it obvious? He was trying to sneak into her room," Elora said, pointing her sword at Jett. "You poor girl, I''ll teach him a lesson for you."


    "If this is about walking in on you, then I can assure you, there was nothing to see," Jett said, raising his arms in mock surrender and giving a dishonest smile.


    "You��" Freyaunched herself at him, delivering a brutal roundhouse kick that sent him sprawling.


    "Ugh�� That''s gotta hurt," Matthew said as they watched from a distance.


    "I never knew you could go this low, man. Care to exin yourself?" Ray asked, looking at Jett with disappointment.


    By now, a few curious onlookers had gathered to see what was going on. Jett was in trouble, but he had to prove his innocence somehow.


    "I had no idea she was inside. This is just a big misunderstanding," Jett pleaded.


    "Doesn''t look that way to me," Evelina shouted from the back.


    "But that''s my room, see?" Jett tried to exin, showing the proof on his ring. "There, you see? I was telling the truth."


    Ray checked the information on the screen from Jett''s ring and matched it to the room number. They were the same. ''Jett, you lucky bastard,'' Ray thought with a sly smile. "He''s telling the truth; that''s his room."


    "That''s not possible," Freya said, checking her ring again to be sure she was in the right room. It was also her room, which meant that she and Jett were actually roommates.


    "This can''t be happening. How do we fix this?" Freya asked, looking worried.


    "We can always ask the Dorm Mistress for help," Jett replied. "I don''t really fancy sharing a room with you, either."


    They both went to appeal to the Dorm Mistress, asking if it was possible to change rooms.


    The Dorm Mistress, however, declined their request, stating firmly, "You are stuck as partners until you leave the school. There are no avable rooms for changes."


    "I can''t believe I have to share a room with you," Freya sighed.


    "Believe me, the feeling''s mutual," Jett replied.


    They walked back to their room, feeling defeated. Once inside, Freya brought out arge cloth and began forming a curtain to divide the room.


    "And what do you think you''re doing?" Jett asked, watching her work with a frown.


    "This is my space, and that''s yours. If we''re going to be living together, then we''ll have to set some ground rules," Freya said, stepping back from her newly imed side.


    "Huh? You''re leaving me with just the door?" Jett said, feeling dissatisfied.


    The room was spacious, with enough room for two people to use a long table set in the center.


    Both beds were on opposite sides of the room, making Freya''s idea work, though it was stillcking for Jett. He found himself confined to a smaller section near the entrance, while Freya''s side appeared morefortable and private.


    "Don''tin. You should be grateful that I haven''t kicked you out yet," Freya said, settling into a chair with a determined look.


    "The rules are simple: no interfering in each other''s lives, no trespassing on my side, knock every time before entering, and you''re not allowed to bring anyone inside," Freya listed, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.


    "Hmm, so you''re allowed to trespass in my space? I don''t like that," Jett said, lying on his bed with a defiant smirk.


    "And I don''t care. It''s either that, or you''re sleeping outside," Freya threatened, her eyes narrowing.


    Jett knew she wasn''t joking and had no choice but to agree. "Fine, have it your way."


    *****


    At the capital, where the adventurers'' guild stood, Nerissa was at the quest board, scanning through the avable quests in search of something exciting.


    "What''s taking you so long? Just pick one and let''s go, Nerissa," ady with a wand whined, jumping onto her shoulder.


    "Alright, alright, I''ll hurry up. I just need something exciting, that''s all," Nerissa replied, her eyes still darting over the quests.


    "Likest time when you got us lost in the Mist Labyrinth? Why don''t you let me pick?" a man added. He had a big build and carried a massive shield on his back.


    "And the other time we almost died because you thought it was a good idea to take a mission that involved swimming when you didn''t know how to," anotherdy chimed in. Her outfit made her look like an assassin, her voiceced with sarcasm.


    "Rena, Devin, Lay, just leave her alone. So, fearless leader, make up your mind already. I have bills to pay," another man said, leaning back in a chair close to the board.


    "Hey Leroy, how do you use up that much money in such a short amount of time?" Devin asked, looking concerned.


    "This look doesn''te cheap, you should know that," Leroy replied with a smirk.


    Nerissa finally spotted a quest that caught her eye. "Alright, I''ve found one! Let''s go, everyone."


    After waiting for a while, Nerissa finally spotted an interesting quest on the board. "How about this one? It doesn''t seem dangerous, but the pay is nice. 1000 gold coins."


    "1000? That''s 200 each?" Leroy eximed, falling to the ground in shock. "What''s the mission?"


    "It''s a simple D-rank investigation. There have been sightings of an unusual monster near Futura, and they''re looking for adventurers to help identify it. I''m surprised it''s still avable," Nerissa said.


    "Yeah, a quest like this would usually have adventurers rushing toplete it," Lay said, reading through the quest details. "It looks suspicious."


    "And that''s why we''re going," Nerissa dered energetically, her tone brimming with authority.


    "Are you not listening to me?" Lay asked, a bit annoyed by Nerissa''s free-spirited attitude.


    "We can y it safe and still make lots of money. Don''t you think so too?" Nerissa asked, turning to Leroy.


    "I think so too," Leroy agreed, nodding.


    "Sounds fun. I''ll go wherever you want, Neri," Rena added with a cheerful grin.


    "Hehe, three against two, Lay Lay. Looks like we''re going," Nerissa said with a smug face.


    "You guys are unbelievable," Lay said, covering her face with her hand. ''I feel like I''m taking care of someone else''s children,'' she thought.


    "Just deal with it and get prepared. We just need to go, stay for a few days, check the area, ande back with a valid report," Devin said, trying to calm Lay down.


    "And don''t forget about Futura''s famous apple pixie cross pie, which we absolutely have to taste," Rena added in a celebratory manner.


    *****


    The next day, they headed out and made their way to Futura through the Teleportation tform. The magical energies enveloped them, and in a sh, they found themselves in the quaint vige of Futura. Their first stop was the vige lord''s mansion to exin their presence.


    "Can you tell me more about this quest?" Nerissa asked, her tone businesslike.


    "Well, you see, an unusually strange monster was spotted a few months ago in the forest surrounding the vige. Since then, a few of our vigers have gone missing. We''ve tried to capture the monster twice, but the people we sent never came back," the Lord exined, his face etched with worry.


    "Isn''t the mission supposed to be an investigation?" Lay asked, her brow furrowing.


    "And it sounds more like a C or B rank mission," Devin added, crossing his arms.


    "Why would you withhold information as crucial as that?" Nerissa asked, her expression turning serious.


    "I''m sorry, we had to so someone would ept it," the Lord replied, his tone remorseful.


    "Let''s go," Nerissa said to her party as she stood up abruptly.


    The party left the Lord''s mansion immediately.


    "I told you it was suspicious, so we''re going back, right?" Lay asked, sighing in relief.


    "We''re staying. We''ll take care of the monster and then report to the guild," Nerissa said firmly.


    "Plus, it''s a C or maybe a B rank quest. Nothing a bunch of A rank adventurers can''t handle," Leroy added with a confident grin.


    "The vige is still in danger. It wouldn''t be right to leave them like this," Devin said, nodding in agreement.


    "We have to protect the pie�� I mean, the vige at all costs," Rena said, her eyes sparkling with determination.


    "Alright, you win. Let''s clear this mess and go back home. I''ll scout the area for now," Lay said, resigning herself to the n.


    The team prepared themselves for the task ahead, knowing that they were up against something more dangerous than they had anticipated.


    *


    *


    *


    It''s time for Nerissa.

 Chapter 49: Chapter 49: A Village Mystery

    "Alright, Lay, scout the area and gather any useful information about what we''re dealing with. The rest of you, do the same," Nerissa instructed her party, her voice steady and authoritative. "We''ll take it easy for now and reconvene at dawn to check out the forest. I want everyone back here in six hours."


    "Right," they chorused, their voices blending in unison before they split up to gather what information they could.


    The party moved through the vige, knocking on doors and speaking with the locals. Each door opened to a new story, each more outrageous than thest.


    Tales of monstrous beasts with glowing red eyes, creatures that could disappear in the blink of an eye, and even whispers of ghosts haunting the forest.


    As they went around, Rena found herself drawn to a cozy tavern. The scent of apple pixie cross pie wafted through the air, tugging at her senses.


    "A little lunch break wouldn''t hurt anyone, right?" she mused, taking a seat at a wooden table.


    She ordered a serving and eagerly dug in. The pie was a delightful blend of sweet and tart, the crust perfectly ky. It was so delicious that she couldn''t resist ordering another.


    As she enjoyed her meal, she couldn''t help but overhear a group of customers at a nearby table discussing the very monster they were investigating.


    "I haven''t been able to go hunting because of that damn beast. The others and I are too terrified to check our traps at night, but if we leave them out there, that thing will just devour them," one customer grumbled before taking a long swig of beer.


    "Yeah, old man Vinny said his cow ran awayst night, but when they went to look for it, they only found its bones near that deserted cave by the river," another customer added. "Inside the cave, they saw a lot of bones and broken ss. But what scared them off was the scream they heard."


    ''A cave? Why hasn''t anyone mentioned that before?'' Rena wondered, her curiosity piqued.


    "I''ve seen it before. It had long horns and ears. It looked weird, but upon closer inspection, I could sense human characteristics. It looked like an abomination, a fusion of different monsters and beasts," a drunken man slurred, trying to describe what he had seen.


    Rena''s mind raced with this new information. A cave by the river filled with bones and strange, human-like monsters. This was a lead worth investigating.


    ''Sounds familiar, but what do we usually call such a monster? I can''t remember,'' Rena struggled to refresh her memory, the delicious pie in front of her proving to be a big distraction.


    "Yeah right, we''re supposed to believe that from a vige drunkard," ady chimed in, causing everyone tough.


    "Yeah, you couldn''t even stay sober for half a day to save your life," the first man added, prompting even moreughter.


    Everyone began sharing exaggerated stories about the monster, mocking the drunken man. Yet, Rena quietly listened, finishing her pie while taking mental notes.


    After gathering all she could from the tavern residents, Rena paid for her pie and stepped outside. She pondered the situation deeply.


    ''What would Sister Lay do at a time like this?'' she wondered.


    "Always try to get to the source of the rumor. That''s what Lay would say, right?" Rena asked herself aloud.


    After considering for a while, she decided to meet up with the others and share what she had learned.


    *****


    As the group reconvened to share their findings, Nerissa spoke first. She had an air of unease about her, something that had been gnawing at her since they started this mission.


    "I hope you all weren''t goofing around. Something about this mission feels fishy," Nerissa said, still deep in thought. "The Lord, to be precise. What he said doesn''t add up."


    "How so? I spoke with all thedies and all they could talk about was how handsome I am. But s, the missiones first," Leroy said, taking a big gulp of the beer he was holding.


    "Leroy!" Devin yelled.


    "Alright, alright. All I got was that it only makes an appearance at night, but no one knows where it is," Leroy said, trying to ease the tension.


    "I do," Rena said, raising her hand. "Well, kinda."


    "Huh? Rena? You actually put in effort to work? Well, this I have to see," Leroy said mockingly.


    "Neri, Leroy''s bullying me again," Renained.


    "It is surprising," Lay added with a smirk.


    "Meanies, anyways, I got some info from some people," Rena continued.


    She proceeded to recount her experience, describing how she moved from door to door, gathering stories, and how she ended up at the tavern, savoring the apple pixie pie.


    "Hold up�� you went to eat while we were working?" Leroy interrupted, feeling cheated.


    "Ignore him," Nerissa said while going through some documents.


    Rena continued her narration. "So, there''s a cave nearby. And bones? That fits with the intel I got about a lot of adventurers already taking up the job," Devin said.


    "That''s true. I came across a cave a few miles after leaving the vige," Lay added.


    "Well, that confirms my suspicion. The quest is actually supposed to be a trap, and somehow the Lord is in on it. Think about it," Nerissa hypothesized. "A quest like this belongs at least on B rank, but it was set at D rank with a high pay so only lower ranks would find it enticing."


    "But we did," Leroy chipped in.


    "That''s because my party members are a bunch of idiots," Lay countered.


    "Ouch��" Leroy replied, feigning hurt.


    "The Lord says there wasn''t enough funds to raise the rank of the quest, but this vige doesn''t look like one in need of money. If anything, it''s still prosperous. This quest was purposely set to fail with low-rank adventurers as the target," Nerissa concluded.


    "I did hear some people talking about previous adventurers who came to help but were never seen again," Devin added.


    "That settles it, we''re going to check the cave out," Nerissa announced.


    *****


    As night fell, an eerie stillness nketed the area. The air was thick with tension, each breath misting in the cool, damp atmosphere. The moon cast long, ghostly shadows that danced as the party approached the cave.


    Despite its ordinary appearance, the cave exuded an unsettling aura that made Nerissa''s skin prickle with unease. She couldn''t pinpoint what was wrong, but her instincts screamed that something dangerous lurked within.


    "The stench of blood, you guys smell it too, right?" Nerissa said to no one in particr, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "Oh god," Lay sighed, her face tightening in disgust.


    "What? What is it?" Leroy asked, his voice rising in pitch as unease wed at him.


    "You guys better see for yourselves," Lay replied, her tone grim.


    {Floating Fire}


    Rena cast a fire spell, illuminating the cave''s interior with a flickering, eerie light. Lay, with her [Night Vision] skill, had no need for the extra light, but the rest of the party appreciated the visibility.


    The cave floor was littered with human bones, some scattered haphazardly, others piled ominously. The sight made Leroy''s stomach churn, though he tried to maintain his tough guy persona.


    "Scared?" Devin asked, standing behind Leroy, a smirk ying on his lips.


    "Who? Me? Of course not! What do you take me for anyway?" Leroy replied, his voice a half-scream betraying his fear.


    "Hey, don''t you think the captain''s acting a bit weird?" Devin whispered to Leroy, ncing at Nerissa.


    "I noticed it too. Something felt off after thest time she went to her hometown," Lay added, emerging from the shadows and nearly causing both men to jump.


    "Stop doing that! You''re going to give me a heart attack someday," Leroy tried to whisper, his annoyance barely contained.


    The tension in the cave was palpable, the air heavy with dread and the smell of decay.


    "I think it''s that scary sword she brought back with her," Rena whispered. "She said her brother gave it to her as a present."


    "You don''t think anything bad happened to her, right?" Devin asked, his concern evident.


    "No, it feels more like someone or something else keeps talking to her," Lay replied, her eyes narrowing as she observed Nerissa.


    "And you came to that conclusion because��?" Leroy asked, not entirely grasping the situation.


    "Observation is my strong suit," Lay replied confidently.


    "Of course, when you''re not trying to scare me to death," Leroy added, rolling his eyes.


    *****


    As they ventured deeper into the cave, the environment began to change. The rough, natural walls gave way to smoother, man-made surfaces. It no longer looked like air where a savage monster devoured its prey but rather a sinisterboratory filled with strange tools and equipment.


    "Are you sure it''s here?" Leroy asked again, his voice tinged with doubt.


    Theb was eerie, with various devices and instruments that looked like they belonged to a ce where illegal experiments were conducted. Broken beakers, syringes, and rusted chains littered the room, casting long, menacing shadows in the dim light.


    "What would something like that be doing here?" Devin added, his voice echoing his confusion.


    "It doesn''t seem right, but something still feels off. Why is there a ce like this in such a cave?" Nerissa wondered aloud, her instincts tingling with unease.


    [Hidden Search]


    "There''s a trap door over there, with a mana stone as some kind of locking mechanism. Rena," Nerissa directed.


    "Yes, ma''am," Rena replied, stepping forward.


    {Fire Ball}


    With a focused st, she shattered the mana stone. The trap door creaked open slowly, revealing an even more secretboratory below. The air grew colder as they descended, and a sense of dread filled the room. Tubes and tanks lined the walls, each containing humanoid creatures suspended in some kind of liquid.


    "No," Leroy blurted out, his voice betraying his shock.


    "Who would do such a thing?" Nerissa said angrily, her expression filled with disgust and horror.


    They were all in shock at what they discovered. The sight of the humanoid creatures, twisted and mutated, floating lifelessly in their tubes, filled them with a mixture of fear and revulsion. The room was a grotesque disy of scientific abomination, and the realization of the horrors conducted here weighed heavily on their minds.


    "What kind of monster would create such abominations?" Lay whispered, her voice trembling with rage.


    "This goes beyond just a simple monster hunt," Devin said, his eyes scanning the grotesque disy. "We need to find out who''s behind this and put a stop to it."


    Nerissa nodded, her resolve hardening. "We need to report this and gather more evidence. Let''s move carefully and see what else we can find."


    *


    *


    *


    Sorry I wasted time to drop this.


    I''ll be dropping more characters soon so don''t forget to vote.

 Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Cave Nightmare

    "Chimeras," Leroy gasped, his voice barely a whisper as the horrifying realization set in.


    Upon closer inspection, it became clear that these creatures were once humans, now grotesquely transformed through sinister experiments.


    Various monster parts were grotesquely fused onto their bodies, and a malevolent demonic energy emanated from them. The sight filled the group with a mix of horror and pity.


    Nerissa, however, remained resolute. She took a step forward, her expression hardening. "Let''s go. There''s nothing we can do for them now.


    We have to shut down this operation to end their suffering," shemanded, her voice steady.


    Rena''s face contorted with sadness, her eyes fixed on the ground, unable to look at the tragic figures. "Right," she whispered, her voice trembling.


    "This is unforgivable!" Devin roared, mming his fist into the wall with enough force to crack the stone.


    "We need to end this immediately and find out who''s responsible," Lay urged, cing a calming hand on Devin''s shoulder.


    Leroy stood frozen, speechless, as he watched Nerissa disappear into the deeper shadows of theb. "Let''s go. We''ll definitely get to the bottom of this," he finally managed to say.


    As they ventured further, the environment grew increasingly nightmarish. The boundaries between human and monster blurred beyond recognition, yet they pressed on, driven by determination.


    "How big is this ce? We''ve been walking for over thirty minutes now," Leroyined, frustration edging his voice.


    "You guys, over here!" Nerissa''s urgent call cut through the darkness, prompting them to rush to her side.


    Nerissa stood at the entrance of another cavern, her hand resting against the cold stone. Before themy a vast sinkhole, filled with even more tubes containing the nightmarish chimeras.


    "Down there. We need to go deeper," Nerissa ordered, her face a mask of determination.


    "Huh? Down that sinkhole? Over my already freaked-out body," Leroy protested, taking a few hesitant steps back.


    "She''s not wrong, though. There''s definitely something down there. A person, maybe. But whatever it is, it''s moving," Lay observed, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the eerie depths below.


    Without hesitation, Nerissa jumped down. Just before she hit the ground, she manipted her Aura, creating a cushion that softened her descent before she bounced lightly off it.


    The others watched hernd gracefully, then turned their eyes to Leroy.


    "No," Leroy said firmly, folding his arms. ''Show off''


    Lay went next, plummeting toward the ground at top speed. As she neared the bottom, she activated her skill.


    [Short Teleportation]


    In an instant, she vanished and reappeared safely on the ground, unharmed by the fall.


    {Wind Veil}


    Rena surrounded herself with a gentle whirlwind, her magic effortlessly carrying her down.


    "Hurry up, you guys, or we''ll go without you!" Rena''s voice echoed up to them.


    "You go, I''ll stay here and keep a lookout just in case," Leroy sighed, gesturing for Devin to leave him behind.


    "As much as I''d love to take your offer��," Devin said, grabbing Leroy tightly.


    "Hold on, what the hell are you doing?" Leroy started panicking, realizing what was about to happen.


    "This is still a team effort, so you''reing with me."


    Devin leaped into the sinkhole, clutching Leroy to his chest.


    "You bastarrrrrrrrd!!!" Leroy screamed in panic, "Let go of me, you muscle-headed moron, or I''ll put an arrow through your heart!"


    As they fell, Leroy''s screams echoed through the cavern, but Devin grinned all the way down. Theynded with a resounding BOOM, sending a cloud of dust into the air.


    "I knew you were trying to kill me, but this��? How dare you!" Leroy yelled, breaking free from Devin''s grip.


    Several dark entrances loomed before them, each leading deeper into the unknown. They hesitated, unsure which path to take.


    "Shhh�� Quiet," Nerissa signaled, her finger to her lips, urging the others to stop talking.


    They could hear faint footsteps echoing through the cavern, causing everyone to tense up and ready their weapons.


    From opposite caves, a tattered and miserable woman and a little boy emerged, their eyes filled with desperation.


    "Please help me�� He�� lp�� Help�� Please. Some�� bo�� dy," the boy struggled to speak, tears streaming down his cheeks.


    "Please�� save me," the woman pleaded as she staggered closer.


    "Are you guys okay?" Rena called out, rushing towards the little boy, her heart moved by their pitiful appearance. "They must be survivors, we have to save them."


    But before she could reach him, an arrow whizzed past her, piercing the boy.


    "Get away from him, Rena! That''s not a little kid anymore. He may look like a child, but he isn''t," Leroy shouted as the arrow embedded in the boy exploded.


    "What is wrong with you? How could you do such a thing?" Rena screamed, tears in her eyes, watching the boy burn.


    "Tch�� That wasn''t enough?" Leroy hissed as a scorpion tail emerged from the mes, aimed directly at Rena.


    Lay quickly teleported behind Rena, blocking the attack and pushing her out of harm''s way.


    Meanwhile, the woman had already transformed into a hideous amalgamation of monstrous parts. She charged at Nerissa, but Devin intercepted, mming her into the wall.


    "You alright, boss?" Devin asked with a smirk.


    "Show off��" Nerissa said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.


    "Devin, you''re with me. Leroy, Lay, stay with Rena," Nerissa instructed.


    "Right!" They all replied in unison.


    Nerissa''s eyes gleamed as she darted forward, aiming for the creature''s legs. Devin pinned it against the wall with his shield, creating an opening. Using Devin''s shield as a springboard, Nerissaunched herself at the chimera, but its iron tail whipped out, flinging her away.


    "Nerissa!" Devin roared, bashing the chimera with his shield, dealing significant damage before rushing to check on her.


    "Are you okay?" Devin asked, concern evident in his voice as he extended his hand to her.


    "Yep, definitely not a B-rank mission," Nerissa groaned, taking his hand and pulling herself up. "I think I can take it on my own, though. Go help the others."


    "I''m not leaving you. Let''s just wrap this up as quickly as possible," Devin insisted.


    *****


    Rena still hadn''t processed what was happening as the scorpion tailsshed out at her again.


    [Multi Shot]


    [Razor Snipe]


    Leroy shot three arrows with incredible speed, slicing the tail into three sections.


    "Rena! Get your head in the game! That BOY you''re crying for is a chimera," Leroy shouted, ncing back at her while she was still sobbing.


    "He''s right, Renny. Snap out of it," Lay urged as she deflected sharp feathers that flew out of the mes.


    "But why?" Rena cried, tears streaming down her face. "He''s just a kid. His parents might be looking for him right now. Who would do such a thing? I can''t�� I can''t forgive this. Whoever did this made an innocent child suffer in a horrible way."


    The boy emerged from the mes, slowly morphing into the monstrous form they had turned him into.


    He had razor-sharp hands like those of a mantis, the legs of a Kobold, feathers on his chest, insect wings, a chopped-off scorpion tail, and various other grotesque attachments. As he opened his mouth to speak, they could only hear a bird-like cry. His human voice had vanished, yet tears still filled his eyes. He had fully transformed into a chimera.


    "We''ll get to the bottom of this. Let''s just focus on ending their misery for now," Lay said, standing by Rena tofort her while Leroy kept the chimera busy.


    "I could really use some help here!" Leroy called out as he used his bow to block the chimera''s pincer attack.


    "Right, let''s do this," Rena said, wiping the tears from her eyes.


    [Vitality Field]


    {Aerial Prison}


    She activated a skill to boost her team''s HP and MP, then used wind magic to create a spherical prison around the chimera, restricting its movements. Attacks could go in, but it couldn''t escape.


    "Nice," Leroy said, nocking another arrow.


    [Shadow Poison]


    Lay teleported into the prison, her dagger shing as she rapidly made cuts wherever she could. ''I don''t need to worry too much about MP with Rena fully active,'' she thought.


    "My turn," Leroy said with a smirk, three arrows already nocked. ''Coat the arrows with Aura and��''


    [Multi Shot]


    [Rapid Explosion]


    [Infernal Shot]


    The three arrows split into nine, six of themnding precisely where Lay had already cut open the chimera. They exploded upon impact, while the remaining arrows ignited an intense me, the wind from the prison amplifying its effect.


    "And that''s how you do it!" Leroy celebrated as thebined attack finally brought the chimera down.


    "How about you guys? Need a hand��?" Leroy turned to Nerissa and Devin to boast but saw them inspecting the chimera corpse, so he just shut his mouth and kept quiet.


    *****


    "That was a bit dangerous," Devin said as they opened up the chimera for a closer inspection.


    "I find it hard to believe that a human was able to create such a thing. It''s awful to ept," Nerissa said, stabbing deeper into the corpse out of frustration.


    "Whoever did this must be punished," Rena added, sitting far away from the two chimeras, unwilling to soil her hands in the investigation.


    Within the chimeras, they found two purple stones that reeked of demonic energy. Lay''s keen observation identified them as Demonic Stones.


    "Demonic Stones are created by condensing highly concentrated demonic essence: be it Mana, Aura, or even blood: into a solid object," Lay exined.


    "How do you know all this?" Devin asked, curiosity evident in his tone.


    "I have my ways," Lay replied mysteriously.


    "Whatever. Let''s hurry up and leave. This ce still gives me the creeps," Leroy said, kicking one of the corpses.


    "Scared?" Devin teased.


    "Who? Me? I could take on a hundred of them and stille out on top," Leroy boasted.


    Just then, they heard more footsteps: louder and heavier than before. More chimeras emerged from each entrance except one.


    "Hey Leroy, looks like you''ll actually get your wish," Devin said with a nervous smile.


    "You just had to open your big mouth, huh, Leroy," Lay said as they all stepped back.


    "What are you guys waiting for? Let''s move!" Nerissa yelled, pointing to the only entrance that no chimeras came out of.


    *


    *


    *


    Hehe


    The universe might actually be against Leroy


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Caved Secret

    "Keep running!" Devin yelled.


    "We need to get out of here. Fighting in a space like this puts us at a disadvantage," Lay added.


    "Look on the bright side," Nerissa said with a grin. "They''re not that fast."


    "How many of these things are here? Can''t I just blow them up?" Leroy panted.


    "Just shut up and keep running. We can''t take them all here; we''ll risk this whole ce copsing on us," Lay replied sharply.


    [Wind Blessing]


    Rena used her skill to give everyone a speed boost.


    "Leroy, reduce their numbers and block the path!" Devinmanded.


    "Yes boss," Leroy smirked.


    [Bull Shot]


    Leroy halted and fired a powerful shot that went in a straight line, piercing through multiple chimeras in its path.


    [Multi Shot]


    [Gtinous Bomb]


    Leroy shot his arrows behind them, creating a durable gtinous substance that covered the whole entrance.


    "That should buy us some time," Devin said, still running.


    "You finally did something right," Lay added.


    "Just wait till I get my hands on you,dy," Leroy replied, agitated by Lay''sment.


    The group continued running through the narrow path, hearts pounding, until they finally reached the exit.


    As they emerged, the cave magically closed itself off behind them.


    They found themselves in a vast grasnd, far from the vige they had been at earlier. It was still dark and windy, the night air cool against their skin.


    "We survived? Oh sweet wind, I''ll never take you for granted again," Leroy said, breathing in the breeze deeply.


    They all copsed to the ground, exhausted, except for Nerissa, who kept her gaze fixed on something suspicious.


    "What''s the matter?" Devin asked, noticing Nerissa''s intense focus.


    "Found you," Nerissa said with a smirk.


    [sh]


    She fired a shing attack in front of her. At first, it seemed she was aiming at nothing, but she continued. Again and again, her attacks struck until a crack appeared in the air, revealing something hidden.


    "It''s an illusion: keep your guard up," Nerissa warned, snapping everyone back to reality.


    The others quickly understood the gravity of the situation. They weren''t safe yet and had to stay vignt. Nerissa focused intently and delivered the final strike needed to shatter the illusion.


    As the illusion broke, they saw that they were still inside the cave. The space was empty, and they were alone.


    "Huhuhu, I''m surprised you survived this long. Nobody''s ever made it this far," a familiar voice echoed through the cavern.


    "Hold up," Leroy said, his eyes widening in recognition.


    "Is that...?" Rena began, trailing off.


    "The vige chief. I knew something was off the moment we met you," Nerissa said, her voice cold as she pointed her sword at the hooded old man who appeared before them as the illusion dissipated.


    "Hehehe, just die already, you lowly adventurers," the chief sneered, summoning five chimeras to surround them.


    "These guys again," Rena said, conjuring a gust of wind to slow the chimeras down.


    "Alright, everyone, remember where we found those demonic stones on the others? Focus your attacks there," Nerissa instructed.


    "Yes, ma''am!" they all chorused.


    "As expected of our fearless leader. She figured out how to beat these monsters," Leroy said, charging towards his target.


    [Rain Shot]


    Leroyunched a volley of arrows into the air, creating a rain of projectiles to further impede the chimeras'' advance.


    "I''ll handle this one," Lay dered, dashing forward.


    With precision, Lay threw her dagger at one of the chimeras, ensuring it stuck firmly. She then moved behind the beast and used a tiny thread to pull the dagger through its body, drilling a hole while puncturing its demonic stone.


    Meanwhile, Leroy used [Gtinous Bomb] on another chimera''s face, obscuring its line of sight. He slid directly under the beast, positioning himself for a clear shot.


    "I''ve been saving this baby for a while now," Leroy said, coating his arrow in Aura.


    [Bull Shot]


    The arrow pierced through the chimera, creating a massive hole in the cave''s roof and revealing the stars above.


    "Never thought I''d miss looking at stars so much," Rena said, her voice tinged with nostalgia.


    {Earth Drill}


    [Wind Boost]


    Rena used her magic to shape the earth into a drill and propelled it with a gust of wind. "Earth


    Drill!" she yelled, her anger evident.


    Her target was the vige chief, but one of the chimeras stepped in to protect him.


    "Out of my way! He''s the reason you''re all like this," Rena growled. She conjured four more drills,unching them without warning.


    The chimera blocked the first few drills, but this time, they shattered the demonic stone within it. One of the drills continued its trajectory towards the vige chief, but a winged chimera swooped in, saving him just in time.


    "He still has more?" Devin hissed, decapitating his foe with his axe.


    Nerissa threw her sword at the chimera without using any special skill. To everyone''s surprise, the de pierced through with ease, destroying the demonic stone inside.


    "You meddling adventurers, you''re going to ruin everything we''ve worked for!" the vige chiefined.


    Nerissa caught her sword in midair and threw it again, this time aiming for the winged chimera.


    The sword struck true, injuring one of its wings and causing it to crashnd, injuring the vige chief''s left leg in the process.


    Nerissa walked slowly towards the fallen chimera, her eyes locked onto the vige chief.


    She retrieved her sword and, with deliberate precision, pierced it into the ground an inch away from the chief''s head, making her intentions clear.


    "I have some questions for you, and I hope you''ll answer truthfully," Nerissa said, her voice cold and menacing.


    "Do your worst," the vige chief replied, turning his face away in defiance.


    "Sheesh, he''s in trouble now," Renamented, shaking her head.


    "Yep, this is not going to end well. Call me when it''s all over," Leroy said, wandering off to inspect the cave.


    Nerissa pressed her boot onto the vige chief''s injured leg, but he didn''t flinch.


    "I see, you took some kind of narcotic drug. Were you hoping for a quick and painless death?"


    Nerissa chuckled darkly.


    "Lay," she called out, and Lay threw one of her daggers to her. With a swift motion, Nerissa made a small cut on the chief''s face, just enough for blood to show.


    Instantly, the vige chief''s eyes widened as the pain from his leg surged back with brutal intensity. He groaned in agony, the sensation overwhelming him.


    "You see that? You can still feel pain. Surprised?" Nerissa asked, her tone mocking. "The dagger I just grazed you with has a very special effect: it reverses the effects of buffs and pain relievers."


    Fear flooded the chief''s eyes. He opened his mouth to scream, but Nerissa swiftly covered it with her hand, silencing him.


    "You finally get it, huh?" Nerissa said with a yful smile. "You''re not getting a painless death, so unless you want me to drill this sword through you, slowly drain your blood until you''re right at death''s door, and then revive you to do it all over again, I suggest you start talking before I introduce you to a world of pain."


    "And she means it," Devin yelled from where he stood, watching the scene unfold.


    "Yeah! So you better start talking," Rena added.


    "Quiet, you guys. Let her work," Lay said, trying to hide her obvious smile.


    Nerissa pulled out a small transparent orb and showed it to the old man. "You know what this is, right? Depending on whether you lie or not, I''ll find out." She handed the orb to him.


    "Who are you, what are you doing here, and what do you n to achieve?" Nerissa asked, her voice unwavering.


    "I am part of the Order of the Crimson Hound. We were researching to create the perfect army to aid us when we finally freed our master," the vige chief confessed.


    "Crimson Hounds? Those lunatics that tried to kidnap the Priestess of Light?" Devin muttered to no one in particr.


    "Who''s running this operation?" Nerissa pressed.


    "There are different leaders in the group, some of whom I have never met but only heard of. We span not just among humans but other races too," the chief replied.


    "So who are you under?" Nerissa questioned, her eyes narrowing.


    "A dark elf by the name of..." the old man started convulsing before he could finish the name.


    Nerissa instinctively stepped back just as the man exploded, sending a shockwave through the cave.


    "What a shame. He exposed our operation to outsiders," a voice came from behind them, carrying an ominous pressure that sent everyone to their knees except Nerissa. The figure''s face was covered, hiding their identity.


    "You really don''t need to hide it. I know you''re a dark elf," Nerissa said, her voice steady.


    "Oh? You were able to withstand my pressure? Too bad I don''t have time to ask how you figured me out or test your strength, but that sword looks really good. Mind lending it to me?" the elf taunted.


    "In your dreams," Nerissa replied, her grip tightening on her sword.


    "Too bad. Well, this is goodbye," the elf said with a smirk. She snapped her fingers, and a series of explosions began from far behind them, gradually getting closer. The cave started to copse around them.


    The elf opened a portal and disappeared through it.


    "Lay! Take Rena and go," Nerissamanded, pointing to the part of the roof Leroy had originally pierced.


    Lay grabbed Rena''s hand and teleported to the exit.


    "Where''s Leroy?" Devin asked urgently.


    "Over here!" Leroy yelled, running to meet them.


    "You guys ready?" Devin said, looking at both Leroy and Nerissa.


    "Just do it, you muscle head," Leroy replied.


    [Adamantium Defense]


    Devin activated his skill, enveloping them in a protective barrier just as the cave began to crumble.


    The explosions grew louder and more intense, but Devin''s shield held firm, deflecting debris and protecting them from harm.


    "Let''s move!" Nerissa shouted, leading the way as they sprinted towards the exit created by Leroy.


    With the cave copsing behind them, they pushed forward with all their strength. Just as thest of the rocks fell, they burst through the opening, tumbling out into the night air.


    *


    *


    *


    Let''s goooo


    Please drop a review this time.

 Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Back at the Academy

    "Phew, that was a close one." Leroy sighed, copsing onto the ground, utterly exhausted.


    "Yeah, but at least wepleted our mission," Devin replied, also sighing with relief as he settled beside Leroy.


    "We need to get going. We''ll report this to the Guild when we get back," Nerissa said, sitting close to them, her voice steady and resolute.


    "Can we at least rest for a bit?" Leroy pleaded, still wanting more time to recover.


    "I wonder what''s going to happen to the vige now," Rena said sadly, her gaze fixed in the direction of the ravaged vige.


    "They''ll probably get a new Lord soon, and this whole matter will be under strict monitoring. It''s safe to say that we have traitors even in the higher-ups," Nerissa exined, her voiceced with concern.


    "Well, that''s frustrating. Things aren''t going to be the same after this," Lay said, patting Rena on the shoulder, trying to offer somefort.


    The atmosphere, despite the heavy conversation, felt warm to Nerissa. Surviving such an encounter with her party members brought a sense of camaraderie and relief. She looked at each of them, grateful for their presence and the bond they shared.


    The night sky above was a tapestry of dim stars, barely holding on to their shine, a mirror to her weary yet hopeful heart.


    ''I wonder how my baby brother is right now,'' Nerissa thought, watching the stars flicker like distant beacons.


    *****


    ''I know I was all hyped for this, but��'' Jett nced around the ssroom where he and the other students sat, listening to a lecture. He sighed, ''This is super boring. Maybe because Mom already taught me all this, but where''s the nostalgia I felt when I read about it?''


    The academy offered a variety of sses tailored to the students'' different paths: Warriors, Mages, Crafting, Alchemy, and General Studies.


    The schedule was meticulously designed to ensure that none of these sses interfered with one another, allowing students to pursue multiple disciplines based on their preferences and abilities.


    Every student was required to take at least two courses, with General Studies beingpulsory for all.


    Jett, a magic swordsman, naturally chose both the Warrior and Mage sses in addition to General Studies.


    He wasn''t alone in this choice; Rey, Aiden, and Elora followed the same path. Cedric, on the other hand, opted for Crafting along with the Warrior ss. Freya, Rosa, and Morrigan focused solely on the Mage ss, while Marce, aiming for a broader knowledge base, added Alchemy to her Mage curriculum.


    The rest of their peers primarily enrolled in the Warrior ss, with Cedric also including Crafting in his schedule.


    In the middle of a General Studies lecture, Jett found himself struggling to stay engaged. His eyes wandered around the room, seeking anything to distract him from the monotony of the lesson.


    The lecture droned on, and Jett couldn''t help but feel a wave of boredom wash over him.


    "Pss�� Hey, pay attention so you might learn a thing or two and get a higher rank in the future.


    Don''t forget you need this more than us, seeing as you almost got the lowest rank in our set and the entire school," Rey whispered to Jett, trying to snap him back to reality.


    "It''s just too boring," Jett replied, stretching himself where he sat, his eyes half-lidded with disinterest.


    As they whispered to each other, Rey''s curiosity got the better of him. "I''ve been meaning to ask for a while now, but the reward my father gave you��" Rey pointed subtly at Jett''s shoulder. "Is that it?"


    Jett nced at where Rey was pointing, the small object hidden beneath his clothing. He nodded slightly, a smirk ying on his lips. "Yeah, that''s it. Your old man sure knows how to pick ''em."


    Rey''s eyes widened a bit in surprise and admiration, his curiosity temporarily distracting him from the lecture as well.


    "You can see it?" Jett eximed in surprise, his voice louder than intended, alerting the attention of their teacher.


    "You two, can you please step out? It seems you''re knowledgeable enough to chit-chat in my ss, right?" Mr. Zee asked, looking thoroughly annoyed.


    "Ah�� Sorry, teach, it''s my fault," Rey replied, trying to deflect some of the me from Jett.


    "Please step out and don''t call me that," Mr. Zee said, frowning at Rey''s casual address. "It''s Mr. Zee. Get it right, you bratty kid."


    "Alright, teach," Rey responded with a mischievous grin as he tapped Jett. "We''re in trouble now."


    As they got up and walked towards the auditorium, all eyes were on them. Murmurs filled the room, and some students shot death stares at Rey, which he tantly ignored.


    Others seemed d at the prospect of him getting punished for disrupting the ss.


    "I''ve been talking about Aura for the past hour now. Can you two please demonstrate how to manifest Aura?" Mr. Zee ordered, his frustration evident. "And for thest time, it''s Zee, not teach!"


    "Z as in Zorro?" Rey quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm.


    "Of course not. What the hell is a Zorro anyway?" Mr. Zee asked, now infuriated.


    Elora, sitting in one part of the ss, covered her face in embarrassment, wishing she wasn''t acquainted with them at this moment.


    With a dramatic flourish, Rey unsheathed his sword in front of everyone. He held it aloft, and momentster, it became engulfed in a dark Aura, tinged with elements of red.


    The disy was both impressive and intimidating, silencing the murmurs and drawing gasps from the students.


    The dark energy swirled around the de, pulsating with a menacing rhythm. Rey''s eyes gleamed with pride and confidence as he showcased his control over the Aura, casting a knowing nce towards Jett.


    "Very good," Mr. Zee said with a hint of a smile, looking impressed before turning to the ss. ''I can tell he''s been training diligently. He''s already reached the bottleneck and will soon advance to novice rank. But for now��''


    "We all know that we rank Aura usage based on the color, and from what we can see, he''s at the beginner rank," Mr. Zee exined.


    "Hehehe," Rey grinned at Jett, his confidence radiating.


    ''What does he look so smug for? Just wait till I show you my�� Right�� I can''t use Aura right now because I intentionally made everyone think I was aroundst on the school''s ranking. If I use Aura now, most of the students who can''t but are ranked higher than me will direct their hatred at me,''


    Jett pondered for a moment. ''Nope, not happening,'' he concluded to himself.


    "Umm, sir? I can''t use Aura," Jett said, forcing the words out and squeezing his face in distaste.


    ''Ugh, even saying it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.''


    ''That can''t be true,'' Rey thought as he looked at Jett. ''He''s one of us. I wonder why he''s choosing the low-profile isekai character route.''


    "Ehem, well in that case, you both can go back to your seats. But remember, ss, manifesting Aura is one of the criteria for passing my warrior ss," Mr. Zee informed them before continuing his lecture.


    *****


    As the sses for the day ended, Jett found a quiet and secluded ce to question Rey.


    "How can you see it? Oh wait, is this because you''re of the Hero ss? How long did you know?"


    Jett bombarded Rey with questions as soon as they were alone.


    "Yes, and since we got here, you got yours earlier than we did. So howe it hasn''t hatched yet?" Rey asked, his curiosity unabated.


    Jett''s mind shed back to the fight with Gabo and Articus in the cave and how he had woken up to see the new hatching date. He was too embarrassed to talk about it. "That''s none of your business.


    Keep that annoying ss perk to yourself."


    "It''s not my fault WAR BOUND made the Hero ss the ultimate ss," Rey said with a smug smile.


    "And that''s why you''re my personal XP farm," Jett grinned.


    "What was that?" Rey asked, not clearly hearing what Jett said.


    "It''s nothing. So? What about you guys? Have they hatched already?" Jett deflected, changing the direction of the discussion.


    "Oh, they''re hatching tomorrow, so we''ll all find out what we got. I already know what mine will be, though," Rey boasted.


    "Is it because of your stupid ss perks?" Jett asked, walking away without much interest.


    "Stop being a baby. I know because I yed the game, stupid," Rey answered, clenching his fists in excitement. "And now��"


    As Jett reached the entrance of the alley where they had been talking, he found his path blocked by Matthew and the others. Cedric stood nervously at the back, looking apologetic.


    "It''s time to spill the details. How''s life with a hottie like Freya?" Rey asked with a mischievous look on his face.


    ''Oh crap, they''re ganging up on me,'' Jett realized.


    Thinking quickly, Jett attempted to run using [Ricochet Strike], aiming to bounce off the walls and make a quick escape. However, before he could get far, Cedric used his skill [Construct] to create a brick wall above him, causing Jett to crash into it headfirst.


    "Ow!" Jett yelped, rubbing his forehead as he stumbled back, dazed from the impact.


    Matthew and the others burst intoughter, while Cedric looked relieved that his skill had worked.


    "You''re not getting away that easily, Jett," Rey said, still grinning.


    "You''ve got to believe me, it''s no fun. If anything, I''m now a visitor in my room. Let go of me right now," Jett pleaded, but the boys wouldn''t listen, their mischievous grins widening.


    They held Jett firmly, pushing him against the wall. Just as Jett braced himself for more teasing, an unexpected and powerful force pulled them all towards the wall.


    "What the..." Rey started, but his words were cut off as they were sucked into the wall, disappearing in an instant.


    For a moment, the alley was silent, save for the faint shimmer left where they had vanished. Jett,


    Rey, Cedric, Matthew, and the others were gone, leaving behind only an eerie stillness.


    *


    *


    *


    Let''s keep going

 Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Otherworldly Trial

    Jett''s head spun as he was sucked into the wall, the world around him warping and twisting in a maelstrom of colors and lights.


    The disorienting sensation felt like being pulled through a whirlpool, every fiber of his being stretched to its limit.


    When he finally hit solid ground, he groaned, eyes fluttering open to an unfamiliar ce.


    The air was thick with magic, a tangible force that prickled his skin. Thendscape was unlike anything he''d ever seen: floating inds hovered in the sky, connected by shimmering bridges of light.


    Strange, luminous nts glowed with an ethereal radiance, and mystical creatures darted through the air, leaving trails of sparkling dust.


    Jett staggered to his feet, his head still spinning. Around him, Rey, Cedric, Aiden, and the others were slowly rising as well.


    "Get off me already!" Finned yelled, shoving Matthew aside.


    "Where are we?" Matthew asked, his voice a mix of awe and fear.


    "I have no idea," Jett replied, scanning the horizon with narrowed eyes. "But we need to stick together and figure out how to get back."


    [Hidden Search]


    Asher meticulously inspected the surroundings, searching for any hidden trap doors or concealed areas, but found nothing.


    [Discerning Eyes]


    Rey activated his Hero ss abilities, his senses attuned to the magical energies around them.


    "There''s a lot of magic in the air. This ce feels alive, like it''s watching us."


    "Wow, I wonder how that must feel," Jett remarked sarcastically, rolling his eyes.


    Cedric nodded, his expression serious. "We should be careful. Who knows what kind of creatures live here?"


    "This ce... it''s like it''s enhancing my Mana," Jett remarked, summoning a small me in his hand effortlessly. ''I''ve never read of such a ce before.''


    "It''s probably because of the high concentration of magic," Rey theorized. "We need to find out more about this ce."


    They walked cautiously, following a path that led them to an ancient ruin. The structure was covered in vines and glowing runes.


    Jett felt an inexplicable pull towards it, as if it held some kind of significance.


    "Look at these runes," Cedric said, examining the ancient symbols. "They''re telling a story. Something about a prophecy."


    Jett stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the runes. Thanks to the skills he acquired from Cedric, he was able to partially discern their meaning.


    "Kinda like a great war with higher beings or maybe angels. But there''s more," he muttered, unaware he was thinking out loud.


    "How can you tell?" Aiden asked, frowning at the iprehensible symbols.


    "It''s like a picture book. Just look at it." Jett pointed at the part of the runes that depicted drawings instead of the usual markings.


    Aiden wasn''t convinced. "Picture books don''t give such vivid exnations, especially when they look thousands of years old."


    "You''re hopeless," Jett scoffed, shaking his head.


    "My sses fit well with these kinds of things, especially my Artisan ss. With the skills [Reader] and [Archeology Sense], I can decipher the text on the ruins," Cedric exined, a blush creeping onto his cheeks.


    "Exin," Matthew interjected, curiosity piqued.


    Everyone slowly realized that of all of them, Cedric''s skills were the least known.


    Even Asher, an assassin, had demonstrated more abilities. All they knew was that Cedric was incredibly talented at making items and weapons.


    "Maybe because we never had a reason to ask," Rey mused. "It''s not like Cedric was a show-off after all."


    "True," Aiden added. "I can''t remember a time when he unted his skills."


    "My [Reader] skill lets me understand allnguages, though its effectiveness decreases the older thenguage is," Cedric continued, feeling a sense of pride. "But [Archeology Sense] allows me to bridge that gap by understanding inventions andnguages from decades ago. By using them together, I can slowly decipher these texts."


    He nced at the group, seeing their interest and surprise. "They''re both passive skills, so they don''t have a cooldown or use MP."


    Rey nodded appreciatively. "That''s impressive. We''ve never really seen your skills in action before."


    "Yeah," Asher agreed. "I always thought you were just the guy who made our gear."


    Cedric smiled, feeling validated. "I guess I''m more than just the cksmith. These ruins... they''re telling us something important. We just need to figure out what."


    ''Yeah, he''s very dependable. Maybe I don''t have to do much.'' Jett pped a hand on Cedric''s shoulder. "Looks like you''re our key to unlocking this mystery."


    Cedric''s blush deepened, but he felt a newfound sense of belonging and purpose. For once, he was the one they relied on to move forward.


    As Cedric deciphered the runes, Jett felt a chill run down his spine. The prophecy spoke of a group of outsiders who would be drawn into this realm to fulfill a destiny.


    It foretold trials, dangers, and a powerful artifact that could either save or doom both worlds.


    Just as they began to piece together the meaning, a shadowy figure appeared in the distance, watching them intently.


    "Someone''s there," Matthew whispered, gripping his axe tightly.


    The figure stepped closer, revealing a tall, bare-bodied individual with silver-like skin and eyes that glowed like embers.


    "Who are you?" Jett called out, his hand on his sword.


    "That''s not even important," Finn said in desperation as he turned away. "Put some clothes on!"


    The figure remained silent, its presence imposing and mysterious. As the tension in the air thickened, the shadowy figure raised its hand, and the ground beneath them began to shake.


    "It seems the master was right. I haven''t waited in vain, but is this all of them? I can''t be sure it''s them. I need some kind of proof," the figure muttered openly to himself.


    "He''s ignoring me? Hell no," Finn said as he brought out his Midas spear and charged at the silver figure.


    Jett quickly stepped in, blocking Finn''s path with his sword. "Stop," hemanded, his voice firm.


    Finn was furious. "What? He obviously brought us here against our will."


    "We don''t know that for sure," Jett replied, his eyes locked on the silver figure. "Rushing in could make things worse."


    "Calm down, Finn. You definitely don''t want to do that," Rey said from behind, his voice steady. "That guy is radiating with a weird kind of aura I''ve never seen before. He''s way stronger than anyone we''ve evere across." Rey didn''t even want to hold his sword, knowing it would be pointless against someone like that.


    "You used [Discerning Eyes]?" Finn asked, retracting his spear.


    ''It''s not aura; it''s Lumix. If he really wanted to, he could have killed us all within a second.'' Jett sighed in frustration. ''Tch, including me, and I''m Level 78 right now.''


    Finn red at Jett, but he reluctantly lowered his spear. "Fine, but if he tries anything, I won''t hold back."


    Everyone fell silent, the tension thick as they waited to see what the silver figure would do next.


    The silver figure''s eyes flickered with interest as he observed the group''s dynamics. "So, you''re the ones the prophecy speaks of," he said, his voice echoing with an otherworldly resonance. "You have much to learn, and the trials ahead will test your resolve."


    "Don''t be rmed. My name is Alok, and I won''t hurt you, but I must ask you to present one of the keys," the silver figure stated.


    "And what could that be?" Matthew asked, curiosity evident in his tone.


    "My master once prophesied of a group of heroes that woulde to his world to im their legacy. They would use one of their keys to start the Divine Trial."


    "Divine Trial? Key? Your master? Dude, stop screwing with us and just take us back home!" Finn retorted, pinning his spear to the ground in frustration.


    Dozens of golden lines radiated from the spear, spreading across the ground in intricate patterns.


    The air shimmered, and a translucent screen appeared before each of them, disying mysterious symbols.


    Jett nced at the screen, his mind racing. "What''s this?"


    [Divine Trial has been activated]


    [Complete all 14 trials to unlock a hint to your true authority.]


    [Duration: 3 years]


    [Failure: Stripped of title, 70% permanent stat reduction, 50% reduction of skills effectiveness.]


    "Finn?" Rey said as he read the new notifications. "What the hell did you just do?"


    "Oh wow, Finn. D��j�� vu all over again, right?" Jett said with a nervous smile.


    *****


    In Rosa and Elora''s room, the girls were deep in conversation about their Magic and Warrior sses. Freya, Rosa, Marce, Seraphina, Morrigan, Elora, and Evelina shared their experiences,ughter filling the room.


    As they broke intoughter, a translucent screen with notifications simr to the boys'' appeared before them.


    "I''m not the only one seeing this, right?" Rosa asked, her eyes wide.


    "Nope, we''re definitely seeing a new quest screen which activated on its own. These kinds of things don''t happen in video games unless someone triggers it," Seraphina exined, looking excited. ''Something fun''s about to happen,'' she thought.


    "Trigger? Like a hidden dungeon or something? But we were all sitting right here minding our business," Evelina said, racking her brain to think of what could be the cause.


    "You guys don''t think they have something to do with this, right?" Freya pondered.


    "I don''t even need a fortune teller to know who did this. It''s definitely one of the boys, if not all of them," Elora said, mming the table. "I''m going to find them."


    "Deep breaths, Elora. There has to be an exnation for all this. We don''t have to me every dumb thing that happens to us on the..." Rosa tried to calm her down when a magic circle appeared beneath them.


    She soon noticed that part of her hands were slowly turning to disappear.


    It wasn''t just her; everyone in the room began to vanish. Before they knew what was happening, they were teleported.


    *****


    The girls appeared right in front of the guys, dumbfounded and disoriented.


    "Why are they here?" Finn asked, already feeling exhausted just by their presence.


    "Maybe the fourteen trials are for fourteen of us?" Cedric replied, scratching his head in confusion.


    "Yep, I take it back. You can kill them," Rosa said to Elora, covering her face in disappointment.


    The situation was tense and bewildering for everyone. The air was thick with unspoken questions and mounting frustration.


    "Hey! You better start exining before I stamp my fist on your face," Elora said, marching toward Aiden with fiery determination.


    Aiden quickly took refuge behind Jett and Rey, who raised their hands in a cating gesture. "Calm down, Elora. We''re as confused as you are," Rey said, trying to diffuse the situation.


    Alok, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke. "Your role is simple. You have three years toplete the trials and discover what gifts my master has for you all. You already know what happens if you fail. The trial starts now."


    *


    *


    *


    Who deserves the spotlight more than Jett thought?

 Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Trial 1 I

    After a long, awkward silence, Freya stepped in, her voice breaking the tense air. "Hold up just a moment. Before we follow you to who-knows-where, you mind telling us how this whole thing happened?"


    Jett sighed, gathering his thoughts. He began exining how they got sucked into this world, touching on the prophecy, Alok, and how Finn mistakenly activated the trials. He carefully omitted what happened why they actually got there, leaving out some crucial details.


    "Alright, since you''ve all been brought up to speed, shall we proceed?" Matthew asked, stretching his muscles in preparation.


    "Hold your horses, big guy. We still have one big issue," Aiden said, stopping him in his tracks.


    Matthew, confused, asked, "And what would that be?"


    "Use your head, dummy. We have toplete fourteen trials within three years. If that''s the case, then everything we''ll be asked to do will probably take us the full three years toplete," Elora scoffed, crossing her arms as she exined.


    "Hold on, that means��" Finn''s eyes widened as he quickly understood what they were implying.


    "Exactly, we''re stuck here until it''s all over," Aiden said, his voice heavy with resignation.


    "Maybe time moves differently here, don''t you think?" Morrigan asked, her voice wavering with a mix of hope and anxiety.


    Rosa turned to Alok, pitching the question with a nce.


    Alok shook his head solemnly. "I''m afraid not. Both worlds are connected, and so time flows the same in both."


    "Well, can we leave ande backter? I''m getting kinda hungry," Evelina chipped in, rubbing her tummy, trying to lighten the mood despite the gravity of the situation.


    "My apologies, but you can''t leave until the trial is done," Alok replied, his face a mask of stoic indifference.


    "That can''t be true. There has to be a way, right?" Evelina''s voice trembled with desperation.


    "That''s total BS! First, you threaten us, and then you trap us? I ought to give that master of yours a piece of my mind," Elora fumed, her frustration boiling over.


    "That annoying angel said we''d know more about this world because we''ve encountered it before, but from what I see, the movies and TV shows are nothing like this," Morriganined, crossing her arms and tapping her foot impatiently.


    "Damn right you are, and the only useful people here are the ones that yed the game. I don''t even remember there being a light novel; maybe I would have read it," Rosa added, her toneced with sarcasm.


    ''Well, duh�� The producers thought that cutting down important details from the original source material would be cheaper and ended up filtering the real story. You basically got served diluted orange juice without realizing it,'' Jett thought as he listened to Morrigan and Rosain.


    ''They did publish the novel but stopped after a year, but the sales were so bad that you had to personally beg the publishingpany to provide you with copies after paying a hefty price because they stopped printing and threw away the source material.


    I almost drained my ount just to get it after stumbling on it by chance,'' Jett sighed internally, his thoughts tinged with a mix of frustration and resignation.


    Jett had always had a soft spot for WAR BOUND. He couldn''t stand when people talked about it like it was trash or tried to badmouth it. It was a world he cherished deeply, a realm where he''d spent countless hours, and hearing it dismissed so casually irked him to no end.


    Rey and Seraphina had been standing in a corner, sharing amused smiles while the others argued about the situation. They found a strangefort in their shared understanding of the game''s mechanics.


    "How are you guys smiling at a time like this?" Marce asked, finally noticing their calm demeanor amidst the chaos.


    "You seem to be enjoying this a bit too much, you two," Freya added, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.


    "Yeah, tell us. Is there something we don''t know?" Aiden pressed, his frustration evident.


    Rey burst intoughter, bold and proud. "You lot look so terrified right now, like we''re really going to spend three whole years here," he said, hisughter.


    "What''s so funny?" Morrigan snapped, irritation coloring her voice.


    Reyposed himself, still chuckling. "Let me exin. In WAR BOUND, there are these things called time-limited dungeons or timed dungeons. Whenever we got a new update with a dungeon like that, they usually onlysted for a week, sometimes a month. They were designed to be cleared faster than their allocated time.


    The allocated time was just a grace period for those who startedte or didn''t have time toplete the dungeons in one go. The only difference between a dungeon like that and where we are now is that we can''t leave until it''s all over."


    Understanding dawned on the group as Rey''s exnation sank in.


    "So, we might not be here for three years?" Evelina asked, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.


    "Exactly. We just need toplete the trials quickly," Jett added, his voice steady and reassuring.


    "Well damn, you could have said that earlier you know." Finn mussed ''I thought we we''re gooners.''


    The tension in the room eased slightly as the reality of their situation became clearer, and for the first time, the group felt a spark of hope amidst the uncertainty.


    "I know that already, but have you ever seen a dungeon like that where you had to clear it in a year? We''re talking about three," Asher exined to Rey, his tone edged with concern. "Even if we say we won''t be here for that long, it''ll still take a long time. Long enough for us to get into trouble back at the academy."


    "There''s a way to actually leave, though, but we''ll have to at leastplete one trial first to trigger it," Jett said, doing a few squats to warm up. ''A necessary lie. I want to see what kind of trials they kept for us.''


    "Hey Alok, we''re ready for the first trial," Jett called out, prompting a screen to appear for him to ept the invitation on their behalf.


    "Hold on�� We''re not ready, at least not mentally�� right?" Finn said, looking around as he realized no one else shared his hesitation. ''How did I even get roped into this? I swear, weird things always happen when he''s with us.''


    Finn watched as everyone got their weapons ready and warmed up. Even Marce and Cedric, notorious for always avoiding unnecessary action, were preparing themselves. Marce''s fingers danced over her daggers, checking their sharpness, while Cedric adjusted his gauntlets, his face set in grim determination.


    "Are you guys even listening? We don''t even know what we''re going up against," Finn yelled, frustration coloring his voice, but he was still ignored. ''How did I get reborn with a bunch of idiots?''


    Jett, ignoring Finn''s protests, epted the invitation, setting the stage for the first trial. The air around them shimmered with anticipation, and the ground beneath their feet seemed to pulse with energy.


    *****


    As Jett epted the invitation, the world around them began to shift. The ground trembled slightly, and the air hummed with an otherworldly energy.


    Suddenly, a brilliant light enveloped them, and when it faded, they found themselves standing on one of the floating inds they had seen from below, suspended high above the clouds. The ind was lush and green, with a forest of towering trees and a crystal-clearke at its center.


    "Wee to the first trial," Alok''s voice echoed from above. "Your task is simple: Get to the finish line before the timer runs out. There are no penalties for failing, and you will restart the trial if the timer hits zero."


    Apart from Asher, Elora, Freya, and Jett, the rest of the group paid little attention to what Alok had just said, instead taking in their surroundings and the breathtaking beauty of the floating ind.


    "Wow, I didn''t really notice it earlier, but this ce is amazing," Moriggan said with, her eyes wide with wonder.


    "Yep until it tries to kill us." Marce added.


    "Don''t let the scenery fool you. We need to stay focused," Jett reminded them.


    "Alright, let''s move out," Rey said, his voice steady despite the excitement he was feeling.


    "Why does it always have to be heights?" Finn muttered to himself, clutching his staff tighter.


    "When has it ever been heights?" Jett teased, trying to lighten the mood.


    As the timer started, everyone gathered around for a brief strategy meeting. The clock was ticking, and the stakes were high.


    "Okay, we need a n," Asher said, his voice calm and authoritative. "Jett, you Seraphina, Elora Ray and I take the lead. Rosa, Marce, Morigan and Evelina cover our nks. Aiden, Matthew, and Cedric, keep an eye on the rear. Freya, stick close to the center and be ready to support with magic and Finn, Stay close to her."


    Everyone nodded in agreement, their expressions serious. The urgency of their situation was beginning to sink in.


    But while the nning was going on, Aiden was having a meeting of his own in his head.


    ''No penalties for failing?'' Aiden pondered quietly before making a bold decision. He dashed forward, leaping to the first ind. "Last one there''s a rotten egg!"


    "Stop, Aiden!" the others called out, but Finn smirked, curious to see how this would turn out for Aiden.


    Aiden reached the first ind unscathed,nding smoothly. ''Nothing happened?''


    "This is too easy!" Aiden yelled in excitement, his voice echoing through the serenendscape.


    The others hesitated, contemting joining him, but Jett stepped in, blocking their path. "Wait for it..." he said, his eyes fixed on Aiden.


    "For what?" Elora asked, her worry for her brother evident.


    "Wait for it��" Jett repeated, his tone tense.


    Before they knew what was happening, Aiden was forcibly teleported back to the starting point. Hended with a thud, confusion and fear etched on his face.


    "I''m alive?" Aiden yelled, half-crying. "What the hell? What kind of game is this?"


    "Let me guess, you stepped on a mine?" Asher asked, trying to hide his amusement. "You''re lucky that didn''t kill you."


    ''Why do I have a bad feeling about this?'' Jett wondered, his unease growing.


    "Please be aware," Alok''s voice echoed from above, "that if even one of you loses a life during the trial or the timer runs out, the most used skills and five stat points from each of you will be sacrificed to bring back your deadrades and restart the trial, even if you didn''t participate."


    "The timer will reset automatically if there are no participants." Alok added.


    "You''re telling me that if we fail, we all get stat reductions and lose our favorite skills?" Evelina asked, her disbelief clear despite having already heard Alok''s words.


    "Only until the trial ends," Alok replied, his tone emotionless.


    "You tell us that now? Ugh I don''t know where you and your master came from but in my world. that''s a freaking penalty!!!" Freya said in annoyance.


    Jett quickly checked his status, confirming his fears. [Tactical Mirage] was gone. The others followed suit, discovering their most used skills had vanished, along with some points from each stat.


    "AIDEN!!!" they all yelled in unison, their frustration and anger directed at the cause of their plight.


    *


    *


    *


    Thanks for making it this far


    I really appreciate

 Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Trial 1 II (Gwen)

    Back at rendon, in a wellvished apartment adorned with luxurious furnishings, an elf sat close to a glowing crystal ball, her eyes fixed on the shimmering image within. The room was filled with elegant tapestries and intricate decorations, a stark contrast to the tense conversation she was engaged in.


    "I''ve sessfully infiltrated rendon as per your order, Master. I was able to get in under the guise of a substitute teacher," the elf reported, her voice steady.


    "Good work. That old man thought he could shield that ce from me, but the day of reckoning is near." The man on the other side of the crystal ball let out a freeugh, his amusement clear.


    The elf''s face remained expressionless, though a flicker of something unspoken passed through her eyes. "Master��" she began.


    "Speak, Gwendolyn. What troubles you?" the man responded, his impatience evident.


    "You only ordered me to infiltrate the academy, but you haven''t told me why," Gwen exined, her voice calm despite the underlying tension.


    "And why do I have to tell you, my dear puppet? Just be a good girl and get ustomed to the school. I''ll contact you when I''m ready," the voice said with annoyance.


    ''Tch, fucking pig,'' Gwen sighed silently, feeling a wave of annoyance, though she kept herposure. "Yes, Master. If that will be all, I��"


    "Hold on, I''m not done yet," he interrupted, his tone sharp. "Do tell me, how are they doing?"


    "The children you asked to be kept under special supervision?" Gwen rified, noting how he never seemed to pay obvious attention to them.


    "Yes, the ones I told you to monitor while you''re at rendon for personal reasons," he replied, the sound of sipping indicating he had some wine with him. ''I keep having the feeling that those children, including the priestess, will one day be a thorn in my side. It''s better to take them out before that happens. But that''s by the way.''


    "They''re already strong enough to take the top spot in their set, you could say they live up to their titles. All except the fourteenth one," Gwen reported.


    "That didn''t sound right to him. "Fourteen? Hold on, that bastard''s child is still alive!?" he eximed.


    "Jett Grift? Yes, although he doesn''t seem to be as strong as the others," Gwen confirmed.


    "Good. I guess Cormac was powerful enough to thwart my n. I honestly feel embarrassed that a lowly spear knight could difort me this much," the man sighed. "Gwen, I order you to kill that child, but do it quietly."


    ''He lost hisposure? This is a first,'' Gwen thought before replying, "Yes, Master. You can leave it to me."


    *****


    "AIDEN!!!" Panic surged through the group, threatening to overwhelm them.


    Jett took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. ''Calm down, Jett, you''re supposed to be lucky.'' He reminded himself, mentally reviewing their stats. ''Everyone here has at least 250 stat points, while Rey has up to 320. Mine is about 1,900. Yeah, we can win this.'' He did the quick math in his head. ''It''ll take 50 tries to render the otherspletely useless.


    So we need to end this within 25 attempts.''


    Rey stepped up, his presencemanding attention. "Hey, you guys, calm down. We''ll stick to Asher''s original strategy." His voice was steady and reassuring.


    He pointed at them with confidence, "Asher and I will use our detection skills to scout ahead as we move. Evelina, you''ll switch with Cedric so you can use your detection while he covers Freya." He turned to face the goal they had to reach, his gaze firm. "We still don''t know what to expect on this obstacle course, so let''s keep our guard up."


    Jett''s mind raced. ''Obstacle course? That''s right, it''s an obstacle course, and that means the setting will remain the same from start to finish no matter how many times we attempt it. If one can memorize the attack pattern, we can avoid the traps and beat the trial.'' Excitement bubbled up inside him. ''As long as one of us can make it to thest ind, we''ll have a better chance at winning.''


    *****


    Jett dragged Freya to a secluded corner, away from the others, for a brief chat. He didn''t want anyone else to hear what he was about to say.


    "I need you to do something. This might be the most important thing to note during this trial," Jett said quietly.


    "And��? What could that be?" Freya asked, still eager to start the trial.


    "You''re not allowed to use any skill that can temporarily boost our stats until I give the order," Jett said with utmost seriousness.


    "Huh? Why? And more importantly, how do you know I have a skill like that?" Freya''s curiosity was piqued.


    "Skills," Jett corrected before asking, "Do you trust me?"


    Without hesitation, Freya answered, "I sure as hell don''t."


    "Well, that was harsh," Jett muttered, clearly hurt by her blunt response.


    After some convincing from Jett, Frey reluctantly agreed and they rejoined the group.


    Thanks to Rey and Asher''s sharp detection skills, they managed to avoid all the mines hidden along their path. But then, out of nowhere, stray arrows came flying at them.


    Everyone reacted instantly, blocking the arrows with their weapons and shields. Cedric quickly cast [Iron Cage], covering both Freya and himself from the barrage.


    Freya sighed in frustration. ''I''m not some kind of damsel in distress, though. This is really frustrating. My skills are just too inconvenient to use since they all have longer cool down times.''


    They pressed on and reached the third floating ind. Suddenly, a hidden trap was triggered. Marce and Finn didn''t stand a chance: they were eliminated instantly, falling victim to the cunning snare.


    "Keep going!!!" Rey yelled, trying to keep everyone focused despite the loss of their teammates.


    There were ten inds in total. As they moved to the next one, the ground erupted beneath them before anyone could use a protective skill. The force sent them all flying back to the starting point.


    Everyone groaned in disappointment. They had lost another five stat points each and another skill.


    "Well, that was fun," Rey said in pain as they returned to the starting point.


    Rosa, clearly pissed off, threw a rock at him. "How the hell are you still cheerful?"


    "Calm down already, that was just the first trial. Remember, the timer''s already started, so we need to switch up our n and quickly," Rey said, dodging the rock.


    "Before that��" Marce quietly walked up to Aiden. Before anyone knew what was happening, she punched Aiden right in the gut, nearly incapacitating him. She smiled, "That''s for using me as a cushion after tripping."


    "That''s not the kind of raw power an alchemist should have," Seraphina said, utterly surprised. Everyone was equally astonished.


    "Strengthening potion," Marce exined. "So, what now?"


    "Let''s go again," Rey said, his determination undeterred.


    *****


    They attempted the course seven more times, but each effort ended in failure. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn''t advance past the fourth ind.


    Frustrated but not defeated, they gathered to discuss their next move. "We need to change our strategy based on what we know," Jett said, his eyes sharp with focus. "We know the patterns now. We can use that to our advantage."


    "Right," Rey agreed. "We need to stay ahead of the traps and be quicker with our reactions. Asher and I will focus on detection. Everyone else, be ready to defend and counterattack at a moment''s notice."


    They nodded in agreement, ready to give it another shot.


    *****


    As they moved through the course again, the tension was palpable. They avoided the mines thanks to Rey and Asher''s detection skills. Stray arrows flew at them, but they were prepared this time. Cedric cast [Iron Cage] to protect Freya and himself while the others blocked and deflected the arrows with swift precision.


    They reached the seventh ind, but the challenge intensified. The gravitational pull doubled, making every step feel like they were wading through thick mud. The familiar traps from previous inds activated in rapid session.


    "Keep moving!" Rey shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.


    Arrows whizzed past them, and they dodged and blocked with all their might. Jett led the charge, his movements a blur as he memorized the attack patterns.


    "We''ve got this!" Jett yelled, his excitement fueling his determination.


    But just as they neared the edge of the ind, the ground erupted again, sending shockwaves through their ranks. They struggled to stay on their feet, fighting against the intense gravity and the relentless traps.


    "We''re almost there!" Rey urged, pushing them forward.


    With one final push, they made it to the eighth ind, panting and exhausted but victorious.


    "Great job, everyone," Jett said, a triumphant smile on his face. "We''re getting closer."


    "We just need to keep this up," Rey added. "We can do this."


    They nodded, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them on the remaining inds.


    Due to the new variables, the team struggled to adapt immediately, causing them to fail the trial once again. They were sent back to the starting point, frustration mounting with each setback.


    "I''m definitely going to feel that one tomorrow," Matthew groaned as he tried to massage his calf.


    "For crying out loud!" Evelina sighed. "I''m exhausted."


    "They say what doesn''t kill you will only make you stronger," Seraphina remarked, half out of breath.


    "Well, they never got stuck in a reincarnation torture chamber like this, now did they?" Finn said sarcastically.


    *****


    After five more attempts, they finally made it to the eighth and ninth inds, each presenting its own unexpected surprises. They both had random low-level monsters spawned in addition to previous traps, forcing them to fight their way through.


    "No more�� please��" Morrigan gasped for air.


    "C''mon short cake, let''s keep moving," Aiden said, trying to encourage her.


    "Dude? Who the hell are you even calling short? We''re almost the same height," Morrigan murmured, puffing her cheeks in annoyance.


    Aiden jokingly patted Morrigan on the head. "And yet I''m still taller."


    "Why you��" Morrigan started, but was cut off.


    "Quit it, we need to go again," Asher said, dashing right through them, pushing them forward.


    *****


    When they finally reached thest ind, they were met with tworge Ogres guarding the goal. These creatures didn''t pose a threat to Jett, but for the rest of the team, their average stats made it a significant challenge. Jett had to match their pace for the time being.


    "[Area Heal]," Jett called out, using his skill to get everyone back to top condition, though the skill couldn''t affect him.


    "[Vitalize]," Freya added, using her skill topensate for the shorings of [Area Heal], bringing Jett back to tip-top shape.


    ''We''ve done this sixteen times already and I''ve finally figured out what thest ind is like,'' Jett thought. ''Everyone has lost roughly 25% to 31% of their stats, but now that I know we can win, it''s time to pull out all the stops. The preparations areplete; it''s time to end this.''


    Jett smirked as he looked at the goal from afar. "Alright, everyone, listen up��"


    *


    *


    *


    Seems like he''s really got a n this time.

 Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Trial 1 III

    "Alright, Finn, you''ll be taking my spot. I''ll keep Freya close to me. Asher, we''ll need your [Item Switch] in the final round," Jett said with a determined look.


    "But that skill uses an unreasonable amount of MP," Asher sighed, thinking about how disadvantageous it would be to him if he tried to use it.


    "Do you really have a choice? At least it has no cooldown," Jett replied, trying to convince him.


    "Yeah, but it takes 50% of whatever MP I have left," Asher exined, his curiosity piqued. "How do you know about the skill? You seemed so sure I had it."


    ''Because I copied it from you,'' Jett thought but instead said, "I yed the video game a lot, so just trust me. Besides, by the time we reach the tenth ind, your MP will already be at its limit. You won''t even notice the 50%."


    Jett had aimed for Asher to use the skill when his MP was at its lowest since [Item Switch] didn''t have a fixed MP cost but instead used 50% of whatever MP the user had left.


    Even if Asher had just 2 MP remaining, it would only use up 1 point.


    This loophole was something Jett discovered while using rted skills that drained MP by percentage back when he was still a gamer.


    "I guess not, but how am I going to use it in this situation?" Asher inquired.


    "Just wait for my signal, you''ll know exactly what to do," Jett replied confidently. Asher''s expression, however, showed that he wasn''t convinced. "You can leave the stats problem to Freya."


    "Me? How?" Freya asked, taken aback.


    "That restriction I gave youst time, you can stop now. When we start, you have to use it immediately," Jett reminded her with a yful smile.


    "I''m guessing you already have a n?" Freya asked, her curiosity piqued.


    "It''s no different from what we''ve been doing this whole time. The only difference is we''ll be moving in pairs, so don''t cluster around. One Mana user to one Aura user to avoid what happenedst time," Jett said as he nced at Aiden.


    Aiden got all defensive at this. "What? It was a simple mistake."


    Jett continued with his corrections. "Remember, stay alert for traps and keep your formation tight. If anyone gets separated, regroup immediately. Communication is key. Use hand signals if you have to, and always be aware of your partner''s position."


    The formation was set in a rush, but it was still a good one. The pairs were Jett-Freya, Asher-Elora, Matthew-Rey, Finn-Marce, Seraphina-Rosa, Cedric-Morrigan, and Aiden-Evelina.


    "Everyone move out!" Jettmanded.


    Freya used [Holy Blessing], enveloping the group in a radiant light.


    They all attempted the course again, but this time, thanks to Freya, most of their stats were temporarily restored just long enough for them to clear the stage.


    They were able to avoid all the mines and traps until the seventh ind. The gravitational pull doubled, but they moved better than before, their formation and strategy holding strong.


    At the eighth ind, low-level monsters started spawning to block them. Matthew took the lead with his shield and rushed forward, using [Colossal Bash] to clear a path. The others followed closely behind.


    Matthew''s shield smashed through the ranks of the monsters, sending them flying and creating a clear path.


    Those with Aura did most of the fighting, while the Mana users took up supporting roles, using buff spells to keep everyone going. Their stats were still not high enough to be careless, so they moved with precision and caution.


    At the ninth ind, the low-level monsters spawned again, this time with traps from previous inds. The team adapted quickly, their formation holding as they navigated the familiar terrain.


    So far, Jett did a pretty good job keeping Freya close while also advancing with the others. They had to be more cautious than before due to the traps.


    While Matthew and Cedric focused on defense, the rest concentrated on clearing a path to thest ind just next to the goal.


    ''Damn it, Freya already has that skill restricted and there''s no time to find another way to even the fight.''


    [Divine Insight]


    Jett used one of Freya''s skills, lowering all the monsters'' stats, but it wouldn''tst long.


    ''How are you using that skill? I thought Aurelia said I might be the only one with [Divine Insight]?'' Freya wanted to ask, but she knew this was not the time to be distracted.


    They reached the tenth ind with three minutes to spare. As everyone rushed the ogre, despite how weak they werepared to it, they heard Jett''s voice from behind.


    "Don''t try to kill it! Just make it fall from up here, it''ll count as a kill!" Jett yelled.


    With that in mind, both Rey and Elora went for the legs to try slowing it down.


    {Vine Dance}


    Rosa swiftly utilized some sturdy vines, expertly tying up the Ogre''s limbs. Cedric and Matthew seized the moment, charging with all their might and ramming into the beast.


    The force was enough to topple the Ogre, causing it to stumble perilously close to the edge of the ind. Victory seemed within grasp, just a few more steps and it would all be over.


    But then, something unexpected happened. The Ogre''s eyes red with a wild fury, muscles bulging as it entered a berserk state. With a deafening roar, it ripped apart the vines Rosa had used to bind it.


    "[Fear]!" the Ogre bellowed, attempting to cast a wave of terror over them. But thanks to [Divine Insight], they were immune to its fear-inducing powers. Despite its strength, the Ogre couldn''t unleash its full potential due to the limitations of their skill.


    Exhaustion was etched on everyone''s faces. They had depleted nearly all their resources��MP, Mana, and even Aura. Frustration mingled with fatigue as they faced the rampaging Ogre.


    "Asher! Do it now," Jettmanded, his voice cutting through the chaos.


    Without hesitation, Asher lunged forward, dagger in hand. His heart pounded as he aimed for the Ogre''s vulnerable spot.


    With a swift, precise movement, he stabbed the beast, the de sinking deep into its flesh. In that split second, Asher made a daring decision and leaped off the ind.


    "Asher!!!" Evelina''s scream echoed as she watched him plummet into the abyss.


    Jett grabbed her arm, halting her instinctive rush to the edge. "Hey, listen to me, he''s not dead, remember?" His voice was firm but gentle, trying to pierce through her panic.


    Evelina struggled against Jett''s grip, her eyes wide with fear and disbelief. "But Jett, he..."


    "He knew what he was doing," Jett interrupted, his gaze steady. "Plus, did you really just forget we can''t die here?."


    It took Evelina a moment to recall the instructions for the trial: they wouldn''t actually die but would instead be sent back to the starting point. Realization dawned on her, and she blushed in embarrassment.


    Jett noticed her reaction and gave a sheepish smile. As the Ogre came charging at them with a full swing of its club, Jett called out, "Hello," and quickly grabbed Freya and the still-confused Evelina by their arms, moving them away from the attack. "Everyone stay away and don''t attack," he instructed.


    Meanwhile, below, Asher found himself falling to what seemed like certain doom. Yet, a confident smile spread across his face as he recalled Jett''s words:


    ''Just wait for my signal, you''ll know exactly what to do.'' It was as if he instinctively knew what to do without being told. Despite this being his first time attempting something like this, he felt strangely excited.


    "[Item Switch]!" Asher activated the skill.


    In an instant, Asher and the Ogre swapped ces. Asher appeared back on the floating ind with the others, while the Ogre plummeted into the abyss below.


    "Seems like someone thought I was really going to die." Asher smiled as he faced the group, his eyes twinkling with mischief.


    *****


    A series of notifications appeared before them:


    [Trial 1 Complete]


    [Calcting Rewards for all Participants��]


    [...]


    [Reward]


    [All Participants shall each Receive��]


    [+2 Level]


    [Stat and Skill Restoration]


    [+50 Stat points]


    [Synchronization B]


    [Fire Resistance D]


    [Light Stone x1]


    [Demon Blood x1]


    [Shadow Cloak x1]


    [Lucky Roll x1]


    [Wood x2]


    [Completion: 1/14]


    [Would you like to proceed to the next Trial?]


    [Y/N]


    "Yeah right, like anyone would continue after the hell we just went through," Elora sighed, her shoulders slumping in exhaustion.


    "That was a tough challenge," Matthew added, rubbing his sore muscles.


    Seraphina, still catching her breath but fueled by adrenaline, grinned. "Hehe, too bad the circumstances don''t align. I''d have loved to keep going."


    Finn, his mind focused solely on one thing, muttered, "Where is it��?" He frantically searched for [Market Value], his favorite skill. "I thought I lost you."


    "So��?" Freya chimed in, "How do we leave this ce?"


    "Oh, right," Jett replied, "There are two ways to get out of here. Either use a reverse summoning glitch I picked up from ying WAR BOUND or a Forced Teleportation scroll."


    "You sure know a lot about this world," Rey mused, a hint of jealousy in his voice.


    Jett turned to Seraphina, gesturing for her to step forward. "We''ll need your [Familiar] skill. I need you to mark everyone so you can summon us back to our original reality."


    "I can only use that skill on eight people at a time," Seraphina exined, "And even if I manage to do what you''re asking and still recover my MP, I''ll still need two weeks to use it again."


    "You don''t need to worry," Jett replied with a reassuring smile, holding up five scrolls. "I have five scrolls already."


    "It''s not enough," Seraphina pointed out. "We need at least six. If we go with your n, someone will have to stay behind until we return, which means the n won''t work."


    *


    *


    *


    Wow!


    Did he not think this through?

 Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Cafeteria Clash

    Jett''s face reddened with embarrassment as he fumbled, "Oh right, silly me, I have six scrolls, not five."


    He quickly distributed the scrolls to Seraphina and the others, handing out five with an apologetic smile. Marce, Rey, Finn, and Asher received their scrolls, each one taking their ce with a mix of relief and anticipation.


    Seraphina looked at the scroll in her hand, her expression serious as she activated the skill.


    A prompt materialized before her:


    [Choose your targets.]


    [Familiar 0/8]


    She marked Marce and the boys, deliberately leaving out Jett, as he had only given her five scrolls, meaning thest one was his.


    [Familiar 8/8]


    "Alright, I''m ready. Let''s hope this n actually works," Seraphina said, her voice tinged with skepticism. It was hard for her to believe that such a simple n could seed, but with no other options avable, she had no choice but to trust Jett''s strategy.


    "Godspeed," Jett responded, his innocent smile beaming brightly.


    Seraphina couldn''t help but think, ''You can never trust a smile that innocent.''


    As she unrolled the scroll and focused on the academy, a whoosh echoed around her. In the blink of an eye, she vanished. The others followed suit, each disappearing as the scrolls activated.


    Rey turned to Jett, puzzled, "Aren''t you leaving?"


    Jett remained behind, a serene smile on his face. "I devised the n, so I need to see it through to the end," he said, trying to appear chivalrous.


    While none of them truly believed his lofty words, they were too exhausted to dwell on it further. It was a concern for another time.


    ''Who''s this guy trying to fool? Just admit you have some ulterior motive for staying behind,'' Rey thought, smirking at Jett.


    "Wow, you''re something, Jett. We could learn a thing or two from you," Cedric said, admiring Jett''s apparent selflessness.


    ''Selflessness? Jett? I must''ve heard that wrong,'' Finn mused, ncing at Cedric in disbelief. The others looked at Cedric with a touch of pity, feeling sorry for him for not seeing through Jett''s fa?ade.


    An uneasy feeling prompted Rey to ask again, "You do have a scroll with you, right? We wouldn''t want any unnecessary idents."


    "Of course, I can teleport back with mine," Jett replied, his voice a bit too casual. ''Technically, I can teleport back, but I don''t have any scrolls with me.''


    "If you do have one, then show us," Asher suggested, hoping to reassure Rey. Unfortunately, this put Jett in a tight spot.


    "Oh, umm��" Jett stammered, trying toe up with an excuse. Before he could say anything more, the group disappeared, leaving him alone with the scenic view, which meant the summoning had worked.


    "Phew�� I almost slipped up back there. Damn that Asher," Jett muttered with a grin. He turned to look at Alok, who had remained eerily silent and motionless for a long time.


    [Gluttony]


    *****


    [Checkpoint]


    "I never thought I''d miss this room this much," Jett said, a relieved smile spreading across his face as he found himself back in his dorm room. This was the location he had set for the teleportation skill.


    He stepped out of his room and made his way to meet the others. Rey and Freya were pacing around impatiently, their steps echoing in the alley.


    They cast anxious nces around their surroundings, clearly waiting for Jett. The rest of the group loitered nearby, chatting idly, still unaware that Jett was already back.


    Jett approached them, and the moment he appeared, Rey and Freya''s faces lit up with a mix of relief and frustration.


    "It actually worked. You must''ve been a top-tier gamer in our previous life toe up with an idea like that," Seraphina said, giving Jett a hearty pat on the back. Her voice was filled with genuine admiration.


    As the sun began to set, casting long shadows through the academy''s grand halls, it became clear that they had been away for almost three hours. They were all famished, and their stomachs were starting to grumble in protest.


    *****


    The academy''s dining hall was a majestic expanse befitting its prestigious reputation. High ceilings soared above, adorned with intricate, gold-leafed designs that sparkled in the soft lighting.


    The hall was vast, with rows of long, polished wooden tables that gleamed under the chandeliers'' glow. Each table was set with elegant silverware and fine china, hinting at the grand scale of the institution.


    The space wasrge enough to amodate the entire student body and staff, well over a million people.


    The sheer size of the dining hall emphasized the academy''s grandeur, with an impressive array of seating arranged to ensure that every student and staff member could dinefortably as it buzzed with activity.


    The academy''s dining hall was a grand structure, divided into five distinct floors, each serving a specific purpose.


    The lowest three floors were reserved for the students, with each floor designated for a particr year. The first floor was for first-year students, the second for second-year students, and the third for third-year students.


    The fourth floor was dedicated to the academy staff, epassing everyone from the most junior assistants to the senior administrative personnel. This floor was quieter, with a more subdued atmosphere reflecting the staff''s varied responsibilities.


    The fifth floor was reserved exclusively for the academy heads: the individuals who managed and ran the institution.


    A strict rule governed the ess to these floors: students from lower floors were not permitted on higher floors.


    The only exceptions were if a student''s rank was higher than the floor they were on: applicable to first and second-year students or if they had been invited by someone from a higher floor.


    The amount and quality of food one could ess depended on how many points they had to spend. Each first year student received a daily allocation of 50 points for their meals, which was sufficient to get a decent meal but limited in variety and quantity.


    "I worked up an appetite. Good thing I still have those points you gave us, Jett," Matthew said with a grin, eagerly heading towards the counter to order as much as he could.


    "Yeah, how did you rack up that many points on your first day here?" Finn asked, genuinely curious. His obsession with making money had him keenly interested in any method to earn more.


    "He sold a bunch of monster drops and corpses. I guess he''s bodyguard went overboard while hunting or something," Rey exined, gesturing towards Matthew with a casual smile.


    "Mmmm�� He must be a real monster if he''s helped you earn this much," Aiden praised, taking a big bite of the bread he had swiped from the counter.


    "Yeah," Jett replied with a nervous smile, his mind drifting back to the time when Durin was clearing the Vermin Dungeon while he and Cormac watched. ''Durin practically did all the heavy lifting while I handled the demolition work, but they don''t need to know that.''


    The group gathered around a table, their lively chatter and heartyughter creating a vibrant atmosphere in the dining hall.


    Their lively vibe drew curious nces from other students and staff, adding to the energy of the room.


    Despite the jovial scene, a few wary eyes observed from the periphery of the crowd.


    *****


    "That''s the kid who took your spot? You''ve got to be kidding me, Silkan. How did a first-year manage to take your rank?" asked a burly elf standing next to Silkan, his voice dripping with disappointment. "So you''re telling me I''m just a rank away from that puny human? How embarrassing."


    "Don''t underestimate that kid, Gillion. His skills are the real deal. I learned that the hard way," Silkan replied, his voice edged with lingering pain from a recent duel. The reminder of his shoulder''s soreness was a stark reminder of Jett''s prowess.


    "Hard way my foot. You just let your guard down, but it won''t be the same next time," Gillion boasted, his arrogance palpable.


    At that moment, a student leaned in and whispered, "I heard he and his friends were called The Divine Lords back in their kingdom. Can you believe that?"


    "Well, I believe it," Silkan said, shrieking as he bit his lips.


    "Get it together, Silkan. Those guys are nothing," Gillion assured, rising from his seat. "Matter of fact��"


    "Where are you going?" Silkan asked, curious.


    Gillion made his way casually towards Rey, his demeanor rxed but brimming with intent.


    He approached the table and, with a firm motion, mmed his hands down right where Rey had ced a ss of water.


    "Are you Rey Aurora, the one ranked number one among the first years?" Gillion demanded.


    "Yeah, what''s it to you?" Rey grumbled, his voicecking interest as he kept his back turned. ''I had a feeling this wasing, but I really don''t want to deal with this right now.''


    ''How disrespectful. He won''t even look at me,'' Gillion thought, frowning. "I''m Gillion Raingard, a second-year and ranked higher than you in the academy."


    "Cool, cool. And how can I help you?" Rey asked, his tone dismissive.


    "I want you to admit that you cheated your way to that rank," Gillion said confidently.


    "What?" Rey responded, taken aback and confused.


    The boys, except for Rey and Asher, tried to stifle theirughter, their shoulders shaking with suppressed mirth.


    ''This feels a bit familiar�� but from where?'' Jett wondered, his mind searching for a memory.


    "Who''s this guy?" Elora asked, scrutinizing Gillion with her spoon.


    "I have no idea, but he''s about to get on myst nerve," Rey said, slowly shifting his te aside. ''You should never mess with a hungry man.''


    "So? Scared, kid? You''re from Verena, right?" Gillion taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. "I''ve heard that warriors from that part never amount to much. You just had to be a prince in a trash kingdom."


    "Why you��" Seraphina''s eyes red with anger as she moved to confront Gillion. However, Elora quickly stepped in, blocking her path and signaling that it was a bad idea.


    ''Yep, I''ve definitely seen this before,'' Jett thought, recalling a simr scene from a book he had read.


    "Are elves usually this mean? They''repletely different from what I''ve seen in movies and stories," Morrigan said, struggling to battle a chunk of pudding.


    "I know, right? This is a lot different," Freya added, nodding in agreement.


    "This one''s got a big mouth too. I hate guys who talk trash all the time," Marcemented quietly, wiping her mouth with a napkin.


    "Hehe, did that hurt your ego? How''s the Frostbanes doing these days? Even their wimpy general couldn''t hold his ground against our people; he had to abandon his men and run away with his tail between his legs right?. Ha! He left his men to be our fodder: just as expected from a trashy kingdom."


    "What did you say? Why don''t you say that to my face?" Elora growled, her hands clenched into fists as she prepared to pounce. This time, Seraphina had to hold her back.


    Rey, who had been trying to restrain himself, finally reached his breaking point. His face reddened with anger as he moved to confront Gillion.


    Just as he was about to make a move, Aiden stepped in, ufortably calm smile.


    "Hey, you," Aiden said, a strange smile curling at the corners of his lips. "Let''s go. Right here, right now."


    *


    *


    *


    Aiden wants to fight?


    Wow, I guess the Frostbane insult must have triggered him.

 Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Dinner Showdown

    From the fifth floor down to the first, the hall erupted with excitement as students chanted in unison, "Fight! Fight! Fight!" The atmosphere was electric, with a palpable buzz of anticipation that seemed to vibrate through the walls.


    Suddenly, a voice roared through the chaos, cutting through the uproar withmanding authority. "WHAT''S GOING ON DOWN THERE!!!?" The hall fell eerily silent, every student freezing in ce as if frozen by the sheer force of the voice.


    "You may be allowed to duel whenever you want as long as both parties are in agreement, but don''t do it in this hall!!!" the voice continued, its tone brooking no argument.


    *****


    Drago, his mood lightened by a generous swig from a full bottle of rum, nced at the unusually pretty elf seated across from him. "I thought you wanted to stop them from fighting?" he asked, his voice thick with curiosity and the effects of alcohol.


    The elf replied with a serene smile, "I did, didn''t I?"


    "Of course not. You just told them to take it outside if they wanted to duel, which doesn''t mean you''ve ended it. You''ve merely changed the venue," Drago exined, a wry grin spreading across his face.


    "Hehehe��" The elf''sughter was soft, yetced with a hint of mischief.


    "What am I ever going to do with you?" Drago asked, shaking his head and covering his face in exasperation.


    *****


    The vice principal, visibly exhausted from a day of endless meetings with representatives from other kingdoms: an annual formality he loathed.


    His face was a picture of frustration as he muttered about the principal''s habit of dumping all the paperwork and meetings on him, leaving to do who knows what.


    "That is no way to speak to your boss," a teasing voice chimed in, breaking through his grumbling.


    "Because you don''t act like you want the respect, I always seem to end up cleaning up your mess," Drago sighed, exining to the very man he was grumbling about.


    "Ohe on, if it''s because I made you rece me at that political meeting, then sorry. You know how I get at those boring meetings, so you should be more understanding," the man replied, trying to lighten the mood.


    "You''re azy, no-good excuse for a principal. I sometimes regret helping you start this academy, but where would this ce be without me?" Drago said, switching to a tone of self-congrattion.


    "I''m literally sitting right next to you, but it seems like you have a death wish," the man said with a smirk, raising his finger to create a mini-portal that began to shimmer above it.


    "Bring it on, rence," Drago said with a defiant tap of his sword.


    "Now, now, boys, please calm yourselves, it''s not every day I get to see all of us eating together," Valetta interjected, attempting to defuse the tension.


    "He''s right, though. You really ought to take your job more seriously. You''re either locked away in your maze of an office, lost in research on Magic, Aura, and Lumix, or you''re out there goofing off," chimed in a catdy seated near Valetta, sipping from her cup of tea.


    "Ha! Leave him be, Teresa. His youthful face may be deceiving, but his free spirit will always be a spectacle to me," a dwarf chuckled as he made his way to the table, hisughter echoing warmly through the room.


    *****


    Outside, Gillion''s grin widened with anticipation. "Now that we''re outside, we can start."


    "Yeah, whatever. Fine by me," Aiden replied, nonchntly setting his sword aside.


    "Pick it up, or you''ll really regret that decision," Gillion warned, his tone turning serious.


    Aiden clenched his fists, his expression resolute. "Don''t worry, my fists are all I need to settle this matter."


    "I sure hate arrogant brats like you who think they''re above everyone else," Gillion hissed, clearly annoyed.


    "You talk too much," Aiden sighed. "Are we doing this or not? My food''s getting cold."


    "Why, you little��"


    Without warning, Gillionunched a flurry of punches, his movements a blur of aggression. Aiden, however, weaved and ducked with uncanny agility, evading each strike with ease.


    With a growl of frustration, Gillion mmed his iron gauntlets together, unleashing a powerful seismic attack.


    The ground trembled as shockwaves radiated outward, creating a wave of force that pushed Aiden back. Despite the impact, Aiden remained on his feet, barely fazed.


    [Ghastly Dash]


    As Gillion prepared for another attack, Aiden executed his skill. His form began to blur and waver, as though he was turning into smoke.


    Before Gillion could react, Aiden appeared behind him and delivered a devastating kick. The force of the blow sent Gillion sprawling, his surprised expression reflecting the unexpected speed and power of his opponent.


    As Aiden''s kick connected, Gillion tried to block with his gauntlet, but the force was overwhelming. The impact pushed him back several meters, his feet dragging against the ground before he finally came to a stop.


    "Is that really all you''ve got?" Aiden asked, a hint of disappointment in his voice. Gillion''s earlier bravado seemed to be melting away under the pressure.


    "What? How are you keeping up with me?" Gillion''s frustration was palpable. His mind raced, trying to reconcile how Aiden, who ranked much lower than Rey, could be so formidable.


    "I get it now," Aiden said, stretching his arms casually. "The ranking isn''t urate after all."


    Jett, observing from a strategic vantage point while munching on some food, nodded thoughtfully. ''Exactly. The ranking system might im to reflect the survival of the fittest, but it also factors in academy experience and the school''s inherent biases,'' he mused.


    The fight was bing more intriguing for him. ''The ranking system is designed so that even if you''re stronger, you can''t easily disrupt the ranking flow of the upper sses unless you prove yourself undeniable by surpassing even their umted experience.''


    Gillion''s frustration boiled over. "I''ll crush you. You''re just a lowly human!" he roared, swinging his gauntlet in a full, wide arc. Aiden nimbly dodged the attack, his movements precise and controlled.


    "You keep saying ''lowly human,''" Aiden remarked, finding his footing. "Oh right, elves are supposed to be superior in this world."


    "What are you going on about?" Gillion shot back, not expecting a reply as he readied himself for the next attack.


    [Boost]


    Aiden''s expression turned serious as he prepared for the next round, his energy visibly increasing.


    Aiden surged forward at full speed as Gillion threw a powerful punch aimed directly at him. In a fluid motion, Aiden sidestepped the attack, using Gillion''s force to propel himself upward and throw therger man down onto the ground.


    "You better go all out, big guy," Aiden said with a lighthearted tone, hopping from side to side as if he were merely warming up.


    Silkan stood at the edge of the crowd, his gaze fixed on the unfolding battle. He shook his head in disbelief, recognizing that Rey wasn''t the only powerhouse in their group. The question now lingered: were the others equally impressive?


    Gillion, his anger intensifying, quickly scrambled to his feet. Fueled by rage, heunched himself at Aiden with renewed fury.


    Aiden met the oing assault with a deft move, using his leg to deflect Gillion''s attack while his hands steadied him. In one fluid motion, Aiden delivered a spinning kick, sending Gillion hurtling through the air.


    "That''s trash talking my family," Aiden said coldly, his expression devoid of any amusement.


    Before Gillion could even begin to recover, Aiden was on him again. With a swift and precise move, he mmed Gillion''s head into the ground.


    "And that''s for trying to pick a fight with us," Aiden said, his tone as emotionless as before.


    Gillion, though battered and bruised, wasn''t ready to surrender. "You''re strong, I''ll give you that," he admitted, his Aura ring around his gauntlets as he prepared for his final stand. "I''ll be going all out."


    "Using Aura when facing a first-year? Do you have no pride?" Aiden replied with a grin, holding his sword but keeping it sheathed. "Then again, I did ask you to go all out."


    {Fire Blessing}


    Aiden cast a spell, enveloping himself in a fiery aura that dramatically enhanced his attack power, speed, and durability. The mes flickered around him, giving him an explosive boost.


    "You won''t try to defend with Aura? You might not have good control over it, but it''s better than nothing," Gillion taunted, his voiceced with mockery. "Unless you can''t even use Aura in the first ce. Ha!"


    Aiden ignored the taunt, his focus razor-sharp. "We''ll end this in one strike. I still need to finish my food."


    "Same here," Gillion said, taking his stance as both prepared for their final sh.


    With a burst of energy, they charged at each other, their movements a blur of speed and power. The sh was explosive, creating a whirlwind of dust and debris that obscured the view.


    They ended up on opposite sides, both figures momentarily hidden by the swirling cloud.


    As the dust began to settle, Aiden emerged first, his face a mask of cold expression. The silence that followed was heavy with anticipation, everyone waiting to see the oue of the fierce battle.


    Then, a tter of metal hitting the ground broke the silence. Gillion''s gauntletsy in pieces on the floor, while Aiden stood unharmed, not a scratch on him. It was clear: Aiden had won, and with it, he and Gillion now exchanged ranks.


    Aiden turned to Gillion, his voice calm and firm. "Manners maketh man."


    *****


    In the shadows, Gwendolyn watched with a mixture of intrigue and concern. "So that''s the potential of one given the title of Divine Lord? Elves are supposed to be a superior race, but he mopped the floor with his face. I wonder what master would do if I told him this," she pondered.


    *****


    On the fifth floor, everyone gathered around a shimmering portal created by rence, which offered a clear view of the intense duel unfolding outside. They watched in amusement as the events yed out.


    "Oh? You don''t see that every day. A first-year taking down a senior, and without much exhaustion, how interesting, right, Selena?" rence remarked, his toneced with genuine surprise.


    "Of course, this might turn out to be an interesting session to be a part of. I wouldn''t miss such fun," Selena, thedy with the cat ears, replied with a hint of excitement.


    "We certainly have some fine talents this year. I wonder how far that kid will go," Rodneymented, his gaze fixed on the portal.


    "Same here, Rodney," rence added, peering intently at the duel. "So, he''s thatd''s son. I guess the hot blood runs in the family."


    Drago, however, remained silent, his expression thoughtful. rence noticed his quiet demeanor and was about to make a quip when Drago abruptly stood up.


    "Sorry, but I have some work to do," Drago said, cutting off rence before he could speak.


    "Killjoy. You always have work to do. At this point, you might as well just take my position," rence whined, a yful note in his voice.


    "Leave him be. You''re the reason he has this much work to do, so you can quit your yapping," Valetta chimed in, directing a sharp look at rence.


    Drago walked away from the lively gathering, his steps resolute as he made his way back to his office. There, hidden in the shadows, a figure awaited him.


    "So, what were you able to gather?" Drago asked, his voice steady and demanding as he approached the shadowy figure.


    "There wasn''t much on him," the shadowy figure replied, their voice steady but shrouded in secrecy.


    "Just tell me," Drago insisted, his impatience evident.


    "His name is Jett Grift. He''s Jerry Grift''s son. His level is around 28. He''s ssified as a magic swordsman and seems to be good friends with the Divine Lords of Verena. Aside from that, he doesn''t stand out. The only remotely interesting detail is that he was born on the same day as the Divine Lords," the figure exined, still hidden in the shadows.


    "Those are details I could find in his school data. You''re telling me he''s clean?" Drago wondered aloud, his mind racing. ''Then that strange Aura I felt from him, could it be��?''


    "Sir?" the figure''s voice cut through his thoughts.


    Drago was too absorbed in his musings to respond immediately. "No way, I must have worked myself too hard to be seeing things," he muttered to himself.


    "Sir?" the figure called again, bringing Drago back to reality.


    "Oh, I guess I was lost in thought," Drago said, shaking himself out of his reverie. "You may go, but make sure to keep tabs on the kid and those Divine Lords from Verena." He added, "I''ll bet for now that they won''t turn out to be threats."


    *


    *


    *


    Someone else is keeping an eye on them?


    Don''t forget to drop a review.

 Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Vibrant Night

    As the duel came to a close, the atmosphere around Jett was electric with excitement and cheers.


    "Manners maketh man?" Jett repeated with a grin. "Was that Kingman?"


    "Hehe, you got me," Aiden replied, his smile broad and genuine.


    Find adventures at m v lem|p-yr


    Elora rushed over, her excitement barely contained. She patted Aiden on the back with enthusiasm, each pat a bit harder than thest. "That''s how you protect that family''s honor. Way to go, little bro!"


    "Ouch," Aiden groaned, wincing from the force of Elora''s congrattory pats.


    "Serves him right," Rosa snapped with a hint of satisfaction. "I was going to strangle him with my vines anyway."


    "Calm down, princess. We didn''te here to get blood on our hands," Rey said, trying to diffuse the situation.


    "For a priestess of light, you really say that casually, huh?" Morrigan remarked, raising an eyebrow.


    Meanwhile, Seraphina and Matthew stood on the sidelines, their enthusiasm noticable.


    They scanned the crowd, eager for a chance to duel, but no one was willing to take them on. Most students, already ranked higher, avoided challenging them.


    Back with Aiden, the crowd continued to congratte him.


    Cheers and apuse surrounded him as his friends and ssmates expressed their admiration and respect.


    Aiden, in particr, had an annoyingly goofy giggle as he basked in the moment.


    "What''s with you all of a sudden?" Rey asked, eyeing Aiden''s smug attitude with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.


    "I rank higher than you overall now Rey. How does it feel to be beneath me for once?" Aiden boasted, his grin widening.


    Rey smirked, unfazed. "For once? At least you know your ce."


    "Speak to me with respect, underling," Aiden ordered with a yful glint in his eye, adding a cheekyugh to hismand.


    Finn''s expression was one of deep disappointment as he watched themotion unfold. "Crap, now I gotta deal with this moron until someone steals the title from him," he muttered, his frustration evident. The sight of Aiden''s cocky demeanor only added to his discontent.


    "You know, that was fun to watch. I''m wondering how yours would go," Evelina said, turning to Asher with a curious glint in her eye.


    "You should worry about yourself, little Miss Archer," Asher replied with a smirk, clearly enjoying the banter.


    Marce stumbled out of the dining hall, her eyes half-closed in sleep. "So what''s going on here?" she asked, her voice thick with fatigue.


    "You were sleeping the whole time?" Evelina asked, astonished.


    "I wasn''t interested in wasting a good rest," Marce replied nonchntly. "Plus, why waste my time on a fight I already knew the oue of?"


    "Wow, there''s no saving you," Evelina sighed, defeated.


    "I don''t really see that as a bad thing, though," Cedric remarked, trying to lighten the mood.


    Throughout the chaos, Freya''s gaze was fixed on Jett.


    She had not forgotten the skill he used back in the dungeon, but she chose not to ask about it immediately, her curiosity simmering beneath the surface.


    Unknown to everyone, they were being watched from the shadows. The observer remained hidden, their presence a mere whisper in the darkness.


    *****


    The area bore the marks of the intense fight: deep gouges and cracks scarred the floor, and debris, including fragments of shattered stone and metal, was scattered around.


    Dust hung in the air, with scorch marks and traces of magical energy still visible.


    "Well then, it seems like I have work to do," Rodney said, rising from his seat. "I was nning on renovating that area anyway, so it''s a win for me, too."


    "Good luck," Valetta said, taking a delicate sip from her cup of tea.


    After taking onest drink, Rodney left, leaving only rence, Valetta, and Selena.


    rence, still bored, had left the portal open, idly watching the students interact. His attention was caught by Jett. "Who''s that kid?" he asked without realizing he had spoken aloud.


    "Which kid?" Selena asked, looking puzzled.


    "Oh, I guess my thoughts slipped out," rence said with a novice smile, slightly embarrassed.


    "Who?" Selena peered into the portal, trying to spot anyone who could have caused rence''s reaction.


    "The red-ck-haired one," rence pointed out, directing their attention to Jett.


    "I don''t know but he looks like someone I''ve seen before. Why do you ask?" Valetta said, unimpressed.


    "Something doesn''t seem right with him, and yes, he does look familiar," rence said, zooming in for a closer look.


    "There he goes again, always lost in his own thoughts," Valettained.


    "You can''t sense it?" rence insisted, his unease growing. ''Or is something wrong with me?''


    "He does seem close to those Divine Lords. What more could there be?" Selena said, distracted and disinterested.


    [Inner Search]


    rence activated a skill he had honed through rigorous studies of Aura, Mana, and Lumix.


    The skill allowed him to sense these energies with precision, a skill he acquired through extensive research and dedication to understanding the fundamental forces at y in their world.


    rence''s excitement grew as he continued to observe Jett. ''Lumix? I can naturally sense it now even through my portal? I must have progressed further than I thought,'' he pondered. ''But how could a child so young unlock Lumix? He must be a genius among geniuses.'' The realization sent a thrill through him.


    ''I need to find a way to talk to him,'' rence thought, his mind racing. ''I must understand how he unlocked it or if he was born with it. There are so many possibilities, and it''s making me excited all of a sudden.''


    "You better not be thinking of something stupid," Valetta warned, noticing the gleam in rence''s eyes.


    "Huh? Whatever could you mean?" rence turned away, trying to hide his enthusiasm.


    "Don''t y dumb with me. I know that look anywhere," Valetta said, pointing at him. "That''s the look you always give when you find a new toy and can''t wait to start ying with it."


    "And nine out of ten times, we end up dealing with the mess your new ''toys'' create," Selena added with a sigh.


    "How could you even think that?" rence protested, feigning innocence.


    "It''s written all over your face," Valetta said, clearly annoyed.


    "We''ve known you long enough to recognize when your hair starts levitating on its own. You''re up to no good," she continued, exasperated.


    rence, though mildly embarrassed, couldn''t suppress his excitement. The thought of discovering more about Jett''s abilities was toopelling to ignore.


    "I am well able to make responsible choices, thank you very much."


    "Like when you blew up Antilo for a�� if I may quote," Selena said, raising her fingers, "''Harmless Experiment''?"


    "You really can''t me me for that. It only got out of hand because that bastard Durin interrupted me," rence said defensively.


    "Then why were you asked to send an apology token?"


    "What apology token?" rence asked, pretending not to remember.


    "You forgot! rence!" Valetta shouted.


    "Oh right��" rence said, struggling to recall. "Oh crap�� I need to find Drago."


    rence hurriedly rushed out, his urgency evident as he dashed off to locate Drago. Selena and Valetta watched him go, Valetta shaking her head in exasperation.


    "Remind me again why we let him run this school?" Valetta sighed, not expecting a reply.


    "Because, unfortunately for us, he''s the strongest Mage we''ve got," Selena replied, equally resigned.


    *****


    That night, while Freya and the others retired to bed, Jett remained awake. Unable to sleep, he decided to check his stats.


    His skills had umted significantly, now piled up in an overwhelming list.


    =====


    ss: Magic Swordsman


    Level: 80


    HP: 70


    MP: 70


    Strength: 70


    Agility: 83


    Intelligence:70


    Perception: 70


    Undistributed Points: 1423


    =====


    He scrolled through them, merging some to create new skills. The list seemed endless, and he kept working through it until midnight.


    His thoughts drifted to the hidden dungeon they had discovered, a ce he knew nothing about before now.


    ''I guess there are more secrets to this world than I know of. Maybe I have my luck to thank for such an opportunity,'' he mused.


    Jett''s mind returned to the recent trial, wondering if there had been a better way to handle things.


    He remembered Alok and pondered whether he could have approached the trial differently.


    *****


    Jett''s mind shed back to when he was thest one remaining in the dungeon.


    He recalled inspecting Alok''s stats, which were all marked with question marks, indicating that he couldn''t copy any of Alok''s skills just like with Aurelia.


    The disappointment in his smile was evident as he muttered, "So that''s how it is."


    He had hoped to gather more skills, but the only thing of note was the abundance of Mana floating around the small inds. "I guess I''ll have to ask that crappy angel," Jett said, inspecting the area but finding nothing else of interest.


    With a resigned sigh, he marked the location and teleported back to his dorm.


    *****


    Back in his room, Jett refocused on his current needs. ''That''s enough of that. I still need some basic and intermediate skills for when I''m not alone,'' he thought.


    He needed skills that were either unique to him or his ss, skills that would keep his true abilities hidden from others.


    His ns for the future were still unfolding, and drawing unnecessary attention now would hinder his progress.


    After some deliberation, Jett decided to separate seven skills from the rest: three basic, three intermediate, three advanced, and one special.


    He chose skills that appeared normal to people while ensuring they included something that would make his peers remember his reincarnation too.


    His goal was to maintain a seemingly average reputation while showcasing enough skills to align with his peers.


    Jett selected the following skills:


    [Boost]


    [Search]


    [Chef]


    [Warrior Blessing]


    [Ricochet Strike]


    [Spellde Dance]


    [Area Heal]


    [Tactical Mirage]


    [Slow Curse]


    ''That should do it. With this, I won''t have to worry too much,'' Jett thought as he rolled over, trying to fall asleep.


    But the difort he felt made him uneasy, as if he were lying on an uneven surface.


    He opened his eyes, expecting to see the familiar surroundings of his dorm room. Instead, he was met with an unexpected sight.


    "Hey Jett, it''s been a while��" Aurelia''s voice echoed softly. He was sitting in the air right next to him.


    *


    *


    *


    He just won''t leave Jett alone.

 Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Trial Tactic

    "What''s the big idea, huh?" Jett yelled in annoyance, pulling at his nket as if to defend himself from an invisible threat. "At this point, it just feels like abduction."


    "C''mon, lighten up. You missed me, didn''t you?" Aurelia''s voice came from behind Jett, her presence sudden and disorienting.


    Jett looked around, half expecting to wake up from what he thought was a nightmare.


    The room remained unchanged, and Aurelia''s voice confirmed that this wasn''t a dream.


    Jett felt a pang of disappointment mixed with a reluctant sense of relief.


    "And why would I miss a conniving, selfish bastard like you?" Jett retorted, unamused.


    "Well, I couldn''t find any of you for a while, so I thought I''d check the moment I did," Aurelia said with a hint of nonchnce.


    "You''ve been spying on us?" Jett asked angrily, puzzled that Aurelia hadn''t sensed their presence. ''That''s odd. This world should be within his jurisdiction.''


    "Spying is a strong word. I''d prefer to call it keeping tabs," Aurelia replied, attempting to justify his actions.


    "Yeah, it''s pretty much the same thing," Jett said, sitting up properly.


    "No one everins when Father does it," Aurelia mused, a touch of annoyance in his tone.


    "Whatever. Is that all you wanted? As you can see, I''m fine," Jett said, spreading his hands as if to disy his well-being.


    Aurelia sighed and raised his finger, ready to leave. "I guess that''s all. You can go��"


    "Hold on, I need to ask you something," Jett said, stopping Aurelia as his curiosity got the better of him.


    "I''ll answer if I feel like it," Aurelia said, pretending not to care.


    Jett took a moment to gather his thoughts. ''Alternate realities exist, but the one we were sent to, was it really normal?'' He hesitated before asking, "Is it possible for anyone other than the big guy to create an alternate reality?"


    Aurelia''s expression shifted, and he fell silent for a brief moment, as if weighing whether or not to divulge information.


    "Hmm, why do you ask?" he responded, feigning indifference.


    "Well, I''m just curious about how the strongest entities operate," Jett replied, his tone earnest.


    Aurelia''s face turned smug as he said, "Of course, it''s possible, but not many can do it: and definitely not mortals. Angels can, but that''s about it�� except for a few people�� I''ve said too much already."


    "Alright, at least exin the concept behind our luck stats," Jett pressed on.


    "Luck?" Aurelia said, raising an eyebrow. "It''s the factor that determines how achievable your goals are. The higher your luck, the less control you have over the oues."


    "I don''t totally get it," Jett admitted, looking puzzled.


    "Ugh, think of it this way: the higher your luck, the easier it is for your goals to be achieved, but luck isn''t always on your side," Aurelia said, clearly frustrated that Jett didn''t grasp the concept immediately.


    "Let''s say your goal was to be king, but the situation required someone close to you to die to achieve it. With high luck, you don''t have control over the oue: whatever your luck deems most efficient will happen. So, in a way, too much luck can be a double-edged sword," Aurelia exined.


    Jett absorbed this, thinking about his own maxed-out luck. "That won''t happen to me, right?" he asked, his concern evident.


    "Don''t worry too much," Aurelia said. "As long as your luck isn''t maxed out, you''re safe. I remember father mentioning a curse for anyone who maxes out their luck." He then added, "Alright, I''m sending you back now since I''ve got work to do here."


    "Huh? Hold on..."


    Before Jett could finish, Aurelia snapped his fingers, sending Jett back to his room without warning.


    *****


    As Aurelia found himself alone in the hall, he materialized a few scrolls, a desk, and a chair, preparing to delve into his work.


    "Why didn''t you tell him?" a female voice interrupted from behind Aurelia.


    A door materialized out of thin air, and Elysia, a female angel with a serene aura, stepped through it.


    Aurelia, deeply engrossed in his scrolls and desk, barely acknowledged her arrival.


    "I didn''t say you shoulde in now, did I, Elysia?" Aurelia said, his eyes focused on his work.


    "Oh please, you say that but always keep the door open for me," Elysia replied, casually flipping through the items on Aurelia''s desk.


    "Really though? Are you here to nag me?" Aurelia asked, a slight smile appearing as he continued to ignore her.


    "I wouldn''t be here if you had just told him what you were supposed to," Elysia said, her frustration evident.


    "I''m not obligated to, plus I''d like to keep things entertaining," Aurelia responded, still not looking at her. "I know you feel guilty and really want to help, but we still have to remain neutral."


    Elysia''s irritation grew. "And yet you just casually summon him whenever you want?"


    Aurelia''s smile turned deceptive. "That''s the end of this conversation. I promise I''ll try to tell him next time."


    Before Elysia could protest further, Aurelia snapped his fingers. The door reappeared behind her and closed itself, trapping her inside.


    *****


    As Jett settled back into his room, he grumbled to himself, "That crazy angel... is this a game to him? Sheesh, I didn''t even get any useful information this time."


    "Keep it down!" Freya shouted, tossing her pill through the curtain and hitting Jett cleanly.


    Jett''s annoyance red. "This is my room too, you know."


    "One more word, Jett, and try me," Freya threatened.


    Jett fell silent andy quietly on his bed, thinking, ''Yep, I''ll go to bed now.''


    "Good choice��" Freya said after a moment. Then, "Still awake?"


    Jett tried to feign sleep, but Freya wasn''t buying it. "I know you are, so stop pretending," she said, her tone unwavering.


    ''What does she even want? Girls are so confusing,'' Jett thought. "What do you want?"


    After a pause, Freya asked, "That skill you usedst time�� it was [Divine Insight], right?"


    Jett hesitated, surprised that anyone noticed. "It was a one-time use item my father gave me. I don''t really know what it''s called," he lied.


    "Is that so?" Freya said, sounding skeptical. "I just thought you had some way of copying other people''s skills."


    Jett thought, ''What kind of crazy deduction is that?'' as he felt Freya closing in on him. "Don''t worry, I can assure you that''s impossible," he said, trying to sound convincing.


    *****


    The next day in magic ss, students learned the fundamentals of Mana and magic.


    They covered how Mana, the vital energy source for magic, flows through the body and the environment.


    They also discussed the basics of spellcasting, including Mana control, the importance of incantations, and how different types of magic are influenced by the caster''s Mana affinity.


    Jett, already familiar with these concepts, found himself zoning out from boredom as the instructor droned on. His mind wandered to their pending mission and how best to approach the trials.


    When the ss ended, Jett and the gang gathered for a brief discussion.


    "Alright, guys, listen up," Jett started. "We need to talk about what to do about those trials. We obviously can''t keep ignoring them forever."


    "Do we really have to go back there?" Morrigan sighed in disapproval.


    "Yeah, I''m a bit curious about who made such a ce," Rosa said, nodding in agreement along with Freya, Rey, and Cedric.


    "I hope the rewards are worth it though. I can''t risk my life for nothing," Finn remarked.


    "If it helps me level up, then I have no problem with it," Elora said cheerfully. "I got two levels from the previous rewards."


    Seraphina nodded in agreement. "I''m with you there. We all got stronger after beating the trial, so it can''t be all bad."


    "C''mon, where''s your sense of adventure?" Matthew said, carefree. "Money isn''t everything in this world; it sure can''t buy happiness."


    "What are you talking about?" Finn replied confidently. "Whoever said money can''t buy happiness just doesn''t know where to make the deposit."


    Jett then called everyone''s attention. "Alright, everyone, listen up. Here''s my proposal: Let''s aim toplete two trials every month so we can finish before the year ends."


    Read more content on m-vl-em-pyr


    The group listened as Jett exined his n.


    "That actually sounds like a good idea," Freya said at the end of the presentation. "We can use the remaining time to gather resources, and by that, I mean those teleportation scrolls you had with youst time."


    ''I was going to suggest that,'' Jett thought to himself, feeling slightly robbed.


    "So now we need to think of how we can afford those scrolls."


    "Each one costs 5,000 points," Jett exined. "And since we''re fourteen, we''ll need 70,000 points just for the scrolls."


    "So how are we going to pull that off?" Rosa asked.


    Seraphina''s eyes lit up with excitement as she sensed the conclusion approaching. "We��" she began eagerly, cutting off Jett, "We''re going to hunt some monsters!"


    "Yeah, we''ll hunt monsters for the drops while also leveling up," Jett added with a sigh.


    "So where are we going to find monsters to hunt?" Cedric asked.


    "Sorry Cedric," Jett said, "but both you and Marce need to sit this one out."


    *


    *


    *


    Why though?


    Hope this chapter doesn''t look messy


    Don''t forget to drop a review too

 Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Passive Grinding

    "Both you and Marce won''t be joining us. I have something else for you to do." Jett said, tossing a storage pouch to each of them.


    "Fine by me. What do you want us to do?" Marce epted quickly, not yet knowing the details.


    "Not so fast," Cedric interjected with a worried look. "What could be more important than helping right now? Is it because of my low level?"


    ''Well, yeah,'' Jett thought, trying to sugarcoat his response. "Actually, I''m trying to help you. I need you two to level up faster, and the best way to do that right now is to focus on what you do best."


    Cedric''s curiosity got the better of him. "You mean crafting?"


    "Precisely," Jett confirmed. "For you, that means cksmithing, crafting items, and enchanting. I know you''re good at cksmithing, but I want you to raise your proficiency in all these areas. The better you are at it, the faster your level will grow on its own. You won''t even want to join us once you see the results for yourself."


    Cedric and Marce began inspecting the contents of their pouches.


    Cedric found an array of high-quality crafting and cksmithing materials, including various metals and monster cores. There were also magic stones for enchanting items and imbuing them with special powers.


    Marce opened her pouch to find a trove of herbs, each one carefully selected for its potency in potion-making. She couldn''t help but smile as she realized how these ingredients would aid her in creating powerful potions.


    Jett, drawing from his extensive knowledge of the game WAR BOUND, knew that leveling up wasn''t solely aboutbat.


    His experience revealed special insights about each character''s growth potential and criteria for efficient leveling. Understanding the unique characteristics of each member, Jett knew that some could advance without relying on traditionalbat.


    Among the fourteen, four characters: Cedric, Marce, and two others could gain experience passively through tasks rted to their job sses. This meant they could level up by focusing on their specific skills and roles.


    Jett made sure to exin this to Cedric, Marce and the others emphasizing that there were more effective methods than just hunting beasts and monsters.


    Cedric needed to concentrate on crafting and enchanting items. The quality of the items he produced would directly influence his experience gain. Higher-grade weapons and enchanted items would result in more significant gains.


    Marce''s task was to brew potent potions with the herbs provided. The better the potion, the higher the experience she would earn.


    Jett intended to offer additional advice but found himself uncertain about where to start. He needed to tailor his guidance based on each character''s role and strengths.


    As he gathered his thoughts, he realized the importance of delivering clear and actionable advice to help them make the most of their tasks and maximize their leveling efficiency.


    Jett gathered his thoughts and prepared to address Cedric and Marce with a clear n for their tasks.


    He was determined to help them reach Level 50 before the next school year, knowing that the experience needed to level up increased exponentially. He felt confident in his ability to guide them effectively.


    "Hey Cedric," Jett called out, "For your first task, I need you to craft fourteen items that can aid in leveling up."


    Cedric looked uncertain. "Are you sure? You could just buy some from the shop."


    Finn with a sigh, a bit irritated, "It''s more cost-effective if you make them yourself. Plus, you''re a Divine Lord with expertise in three different crafting sses. Have some faith in yourself. Who knows, your lower-level items might end up being better than the higher-tier ones from the shop."


    Jett thought inwardly, ''He''s only saying this because he doesn''t want to spend his points at all, but he''s not wrong. There''s a reason I want him to be the one crafting our items and weapons and Marce to take charge of the potions.''


    Cedric''s hesitation melted away as he took Finn''s words to heart. "Alright, I''ll do my best."


    Jett smiled inwardly, satisfied with Cedric''s response.


    Jett was eager to see their progress and wasmitted to helping them achieve their goals efficiently.


    Asher''s voice wasced with frustration as he spoke. "Could you make me a new set of daggers? I think I overdid it with that ogre. I lost one of the daggers, and the other one''s on itsst legs."


    Freya chimed in, "If Asher''s getting a new weapon, I need one too. And I''m running low on arrows."


    Jett''s eyes narrowed in thought as he nced at the two of them. ''These two�� if I recall correctly, their requests should be logged at the academy. Right, I''ll need to handle that.''


    Jett turned to Cedric. "Hey, could you craft something special for me?" Jett whispered, his voice low.


    As Cedric nodded, a notification shed repeatedly on Jett''s interface, updating with new missions every time a request was made:


    [New Commission]


    [Amulet of Growth x7]


    [Grinding Ring x7]


    [Daggers for Asher x1]


    [Unidentified��]


    [Creating a new database��]


    Rey, watching from the corner, noted how Cedric''s screen lit up with the iingmissions.


    Thest entry was struggling for a title, catching Rey''s curiosity. ''What in the world is Jett asking him to make?'' Rey wondered, his brow furrowing in confusion.


    *****


    Next, Jett turned his attention to Finn. "You''ll be in charge of selling any excess items Cedric makes during your free time. But don''t forget to hunt some monsters as well."


    "Fine by me, I guess," Finn replied, his tone nonchnt.


    Jett nodded. "You''ll also handle selling any drops we don''t need after our daily hunts. We''ll divide the materials we collect each day: one portion goes to Cedric and Marce, and the rest is for you to sell off to earn some points."


    "I get it," Finn said with a smirk. "I''ll use my Midas Spear to rack up some serious experience." His inner thoughts were less enthusiastic. ''Anything to avoid sticking with you.''


    Jett shook Finn''s hand and thought, ''Maybe I should cancel the contract now that he''s matured.'' The contract notification appeared.


    [Notice!]


    [Force Contract has been Cancelled]


    "What''s with the sudden change?" Finn asked, pulling his hand back.


    "Oh, nothing," Jett replied casually, brushing off the moment.


    *****


    Marce was next. "So, all I need to do is stay indoors and brew potions?"


    Jett nodded, his smile innocent. "That''s right. And remember to convert all potions into pills before storing them. You''ll need to meet a daily quota of 500 pills."


    The amount felt overwhelming to Marce. "Make it 400, and you''ve got a deal."


    "Fine by me. Just remember to make a variety of pills for HP recovery and other buffs. Also, whip up some that are just extremely bitter for no reason," Jett added with a goofy grin.


    Pills were a higher grade than potions. To make a single pill, you needed ten potions, which were then condensed to create a more potent, concentrated effect.


    This made pills more effective and efficient for various needs.


    *****


    Freya''s task was different. "And Freya, yours is the simplest. You just need to pray for a specific amount of time," Jett exined.


    "Pray? You mean like meditating?" Freya asked, her expression serious and focused.


    Freya''s leveling speed had always been the slowestpared to the others.


    She had been searching for ways to elerate her progress, but with limited knowledge on light magic, her advancements came only through sheer perseverance.


    "You actually yed WAR BOUND using Freya?" Aiden asked, surprised.


    "Of course," Jett replied, his voice brimming with pride.


    Aiden gave Jett a puzzled look. "You must be the strongest-willed person I''ve ever met. Are you sure you''re not an imposter?"


    Jett blinked, realizing the oddity of his response. "What? I just really like Freya."


    Freya was taken aback. "Huh?"


    Elora, puzzled, echoed, "Freya?"


    "What?" Freya responded impulsively.


    Evelina''s face lit up with a smug grin. "Oh, so you like her, huh?"


    Freya, looking flustered, stammered, "No, he doesn''t. Right?"


    Jett, confused, mused aloud, "Why did you add ''right''? You don''t even believe me?"


    As the realization hit Jett, he understood that his words had been misinterpreted.


    "Well, that escted quickly," Marce said, casually munching on some leftovers.


    Rey, seizing the moment, added with a sly grin, "I get it now. You liked Freya so much that you spent all your time studying her and her abilities because you were weirdly obsessed with her."


    Jett, caught off guard, stumbled, "Yes... no, that''s not why." He cursed inwardly, ''Crap, I''m really going to get you for this.''


    "So how do you know so much?" Rey pressed, curiosity piqued.


    Jett shrugged it off. "I yed the game, just like you guys."


    The others were still skeptical.


    Seraphina frowned, "That doesn''t exin how you know details that probably never appeared on the forums."


    "Or how you know so much about Freya''s abilities," Marce added, her curiosity evident.


    Everyone leaned in, eager for Jett''s response.


    Jett''s face tightened as he replied, "That''s a secret."


    He carefully avoided revealing his past life, unwilling to share too much. His reluctance left the group visibly disappointed.


    "You''re no fun, Jett," Rey said, mocking him with a drawn-out "booo."


    "Whatever, we still have things to discuss," Jett said, brushing off theirments.


    Rey smirked, "More like you still have things to tell us, right?"


    Jett sighed. "Seriously? Fine. Yes, I still need to fill you in on where to hunt monsters, who goes with whom, and other details."


    "Awesome, let''s hear it," Matthew said, his enthusiasm renewed.


    *


    *


    *


    Hehe


    They got him good this time

 Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Matchmaking

    The progress of each team or individual heavily depends on their pairing and hunting choices.


    Depending on how they were ced together the results of hunting could surpass one''s imagination.


    Conversely, mismatched pairings might struggle, with one role overshadowing the other, leading to inefficiencies and setbacks.


    Solo hunters face their own set of challenges. Those with highbat skills and self-sufficiency can excel in varied environments, navigating and neutralizing threats with agility.


    However, thosecking versatility might find themselves overwhelmed, struggling to adapt to unforeseen dangers and making slow progress.


    The hunting grounds also influence their journey. Environments rich in resources or favorable conditions can elerate progress, providing ample opportunities for growth and rewards.


    On the other hand, treacherous or poorly suited areas can hinder advancement, exposing them to greater risks and obstacles that impede their efforts.


    Overall, the intery of strategic pairing, individual capabilities, and environment can either propel the characters forward or bring their progress to a standstill.


    *****


    Jett was determined to leverage his knowledge to optimize the team''s progress.


    "Alright, here''s the n," he began. "Asher and Evelina, you two will be hunting together."


    Evelina''s face lit up. "Really? That sounds great!" Her enthusiasm contrasted sharply with Asher''s more reserved reaction.


    Asher raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Evelina has a habit of getting sidetracked and not focusing on training."


    Evelina bristled. "I''m right here, you know."


    Jett nodded. "That''s exactly why. Your presence will enhance Evelina''s focus and perception by 20% duringbat. Plus, you''ll share resistance to poison and dark attributes. Teaming up will also give you both a 30% boost in experience and speed."


    Jett paused, "rendon has a variety of dungeons. I suggest you try one with dark attribute monsters. And remember, work on controlling your Aura as well. Exhaust it as much as possible, just like Mana users should."


    He looked at everyone, making sure they understood the importance of both teamwork and personal development.


    "I guess it''s doable," Asher conceded.


    Evelina''s annoyance was still evident, but she remained silent.


    "Rosa, you''ll be paired with Aiden," Jett announced.


    Rosa frowned. "But fire and nts don''t mix well."


    Jett smiled reassuringly. "I know, but trust me on this. You''ll gain fire resistance from him, and he''ll benefit from your poison and illusion resistance. Plus, you both get an increased critical chance and a 20% boost in Mana and Intelligence."


    He suggested, "Try dungeons focused on fire or nature attributes, or alternate between them."


    "I''m in if you are," Aiden said, showing his support.


    "There''s no harm in trying," Rosa agreed reluctantly. "Let''s do it."


    Jett then turned his attention to the remaining pairings. He considered the bestbinations to maximize their chances of sess.


    "Matthew and Seraphina, you two will go together. Any type of dungeon is fine, just avoid the dark attribute ones. Finn will join you whenever he needs to hunt."


    He thought, ''Pairing Matthew and Seraphina will give them a 40% HP boost, which Seraphina really needs, and a 30% speed boost for Matthew. Both will also gain 20 points to strength. Adding Finn will increase their chances of good item drops.''


    "Make sure to coordinate well," Jett advised. "This setup should give you the edge you need."


    "Morrigan will be paired with Elora. Focus on dungeons with elemental and dark attributes, and don''t repeat a dungeon until you''ve explored all other attributes. Finn will also join you from time to time," Jett instructed.


    Rey raised an eyebrow. "So, you''re basically telling me to go alone?"


    Jett fixed him with a steady gaze, clearly unimpressed. "Stop ying games."


    Rey smirked, clearly unfazed. "Alright, you got me. I know I can handle any situation." He stood up, ready to leave. "If that''s everything, I''m heading out."


    "Rey," Jett called after him.


    Rey turned back, curious. "What?"


    Jett pointed at him. "From now on, use a shield."


    Rey frowned. "Why? I don''t see how shields will fit my style."


    Jett chuckled inwardly, remembering a simr suggestion from before. ''That''s what you said before. I need you to beplete,'' he thought, finding the situation amusing. "Just try it for a week and see. I''ll let you choose the type of shield you want."


    In WAR BOUND, the specific set of gear a character used could dramatically affect their power in battle, influencing not just theirbat effectiveness but also their ability to adapt to various challenges.


    "I think that''ll be all for now," Jett concluded. "You can start whenever you''re ready, but Cedric and Marce will begin immediately."


    As everyone prepared to leave, Marce spoke up. "Hey, Jett, how are you nning to level up? You seem no better than Cedric."


    Jett turned, curious about her concern.


    Marce had recently learned a skill called [Inner Search], which was simr to rence''s skill but was only an F-rank and could only detect Aura.


    Marce had used it to scan Jett, expecting to find signs of his strength.


    The truth was that Jett had been diligently practicing Aura and Mana control to the point where he could suppress both, leaving no visible trace.


    This ability made it appear as though he was weaker than he actually was, which was what Marce had misinterpreted.


    ''Using a forced contract on all of you means you''re technically my EXP farm? Like I''d ever admit that,'' Jett thought, amused by the idea but unwilling to reveal the truth. "Mine''s simr to Rey''s. I''ll level up on my own," he said, evading the question.


    ''It''s not a lie; I really do level up faster when alone,'' Jett thought, trying to reassure himself. ''But what should I do about this? My MP won''tst forever.''


    In reality, Jett had activated [Tactical Mirage] at the beginning of the strategy meeting, which was subtly draining his MP. He had hoped no one would notice the slight drain.


    "Let''s call it a day," Jett announced as the meeting concluded. Everyone left the hall to attend to their tasks, leaving Jett to his thoughts and strategies.


    *****


    Gwendolyn used wind magic to manipte the air, hoping to eavesdrop on the discussion. However, she was frustrated as something seemed to interfere with her magic.


    ''What are they talking about? It looks really important, but something''s disrupting my spell,'' Gwen sighed, struggling with the unexpectedplication. ''What do I do now? At this rate, I won''t have anything to report to the master today.'' She observed from a distance, feeling increasingly anxious.


    Suddenly, she felt two intense gazes aimed at her. Instinctively, she concealed herself before they could spot her.


    ''Someone noticed me? No, it was two of them, but I was faster,'' she thought, letting out a sigh of relief. ''But who were they? How strong must they be to detect me? I''m Level 51, for crying out loud. What kind of monsters are these people?'' Her curiosity and concern grew as she continued to observe from her hiding spot.


    *****


    Two hourster, Cedric was busy at the smithy of the crafting department, working on smelting Asher''s new dagger.


    Before Cedric hade to the academy, his father had given him a special tool. It was a finely crafted, ancient hammer: an heirloom passed down through generations of cksmiths in their family.


    This hammer was not only a symbol of his lineage but also an invaluable tool for his craft, allowing him to forge and repair with unparalleled precision.


    Cedric had brought it with him, knowing it would be essential for his work at the academy.


    Cedric''s family heirloom was a versatile tool that doubled as both a weapon and a smithing hammer. Its handle could extend or retract ording to the user''s needs, making it adaptable for various tasks.


    This unique feature allowed it to serve as a powerful weapon inbat or as a precise instrument for forging, depending on the situation.


    His father had entrusted him with this heirloom, emphasizing its importance for both defense and craftsmanship.


    At the smithy, Cedric meticulously worked on the ck iron materials Jett had provided.


    ck iron was renowned in WAR BOUND for its superior qualities in crafting assassin-type gear due to its lightweight and durability, which made it ideal for stealth and agility.


    Despite his skill, Cedric had struggled to produce anything beyond Normal ss weapons since arriving at the academy.


    In WAR BOUND, weapons were categorized into six sses: Common, Normal, Rare, Legendary, Mythic, and finally, Cursed or Holy. The ssification system set clear standards for quality and rarity.


    As Cedric hammered down the ck iron, he considered using orc skin for the dagger handles to enhance their grip and durability. With each strike of his hammer, the daggers began to take shape.


    After several more minutes of intense work, Cedric finallypleted the daggers. He examined his creations and sighed. "A Normal ss dagger? It seems I''m still struggling to surpass that level," he mused. "I suppose I''ll improve as I gain more experience."


    He picked up the daggers for a final inspection. "Let''s see what you can do," Cedric said, preparing to appraise his work.


    [Appraisal]


    Cedric scrutinized the daggers, eager to see the results of hisbor and assess their quality.


    [Twin Snake Daggers: Normal]


    [Damage: 40 >>> 50]


    [Additional Effect]


    [5% >>> 9% Critical Chance]


    [Poison]


    "This should be good enough," Cedric said, feeling a modest sense of satisfaction with his work. "Now, onto the arrows."


    He began crafting arrows using the same ck iron, ensuring that each one was finely bnced and sharp. Cedric then decided to experiment further by mixing different Mana stones into the ck iron. This innovative approach aimed to imbue the arrows with various elemental properties, which would mark a new direction in projectile weapon production.


    After incorporating the Mana stones, Cedric crafted a batch of arrows with enhanced attributes. The results were promising, and he noted that this technique could revolutionize how projectile weapons were made.


    "That should do it," Cedric said as hepleted the arrows. He was tempted to test them immediately but hesitated, fearing he might identally damage the smithy.


    For the rest of the day, Cedric busied himself with crafting the items Jett had requested, refining his techniques and experimenting with new ideas.


    *****


    That night, Freya attempted to follow Jett''s instructions for prayer, but no progress was evident. She tried several times, but each attempt felt as ineffective as thest.


    Meanwhile, Jett was asleep, leaving Freya unsure whether to wake him. The lingering awkwardness from their previous interactions made her hesitant.


    She weighed her options, torn between seeking his guidance and respecting his rest.


    After what felt like an eternity, Freya finally threw her pillow through the curtain. Itnded squarely on Jett''s face.


    Reacting quickly, Jett, who had been awake the whole time, pulled the pillow off, visibly annoyed.


    "Is that really your solution to everything in the room?" Jett asked, irritation evident in his voice. "Why would you try to wake me up like that?"


    Freya shrugged, her tonecking remorse. "Well, it didn''t look like you were sleeping anyway. My apologies."


    Jett sighed deeply. "What do you want?"


    "I''ve been trying to pray for a while now, but nothing seems to be happening. Is that normal?" Freya inquired from her side of the room.


    "The effects are extremely slow at night," Jett exined. "Try praying during the day when the sun is out. Now, please just go to bed."


    As Freya left, Jett rolled over in his bed, a satisfied smile creeping onto his face. He was eager about the experience points he was about to umte without any effort on his part.


    ''I might even hit Level 100 before the year ends,'' he thought with anticipation before finally drifting off to sleep.


    *


    *


    Explore the story on m-vl-em,py-r


    *


    Feels like that''s what he was actually aiming for the whole time.


    Nice

 Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Target Marcella

    That night, Marce worked tirelessly in the Alchemy Department, her focus solely on creating the pills needed by her teammates.


    As one of the top 20 students among the first years, she had the privilege of unrestricted ess to the alchemy facilities, a luxury not afforded to all.


    Much like Cedric, who could use the smithyte into the night due to his rank, Marce''s status allowed her to work whenever she wished, taking advantage of the department''s resources.


    Marce''s efforts were further enhanced by her [Moon Alchemy] skill. This passive ability not only improved the potency of her potions and pills made at night but also sped up the crafting process.


    asionally, it even granted additional effects, making her work even more efficient.


    Before heading back to her dorm, Marce had purchased a new alchemy recipe book.


    It was a simple volume covering basic brewing and refinement techniques: essential knowledge for someone determined to improve.


    Despite her pills and potions currently being rated as Grade D, which wasmendable for a first-year student, she remained diligent and careful.


    In the world of WAR BOUND, alchemical creations were ssified into six grades, from Grade A to Grade F. The higher the grade, the more potent and effective the pill or potion became.


    Marce knew that producing 400 different pills in six hours was no small feat. Yet, her dedication and the advantages provided by her skill made such demanding tasks manageable.


    [Appraisal]


    [Grade D Healing Pill]


    [+40 HP, +2% Agility for 1 minute]


    [Grade D Agility Pill]


    [+40% Agility]


    [Grade D Resistance Pill]


    [60% Resistance to 1 Random Attribute]


    [Grade D Elemental Resistance Pill]


    [25% Resistance to Elemental Attributes]


    [Grade D Hallucination Pill]


    [Illusion effect on any person or beast that inhales its smoke or consumes it]


    Marce also crafted a variety of other pills designed for dealing with monsters. Among them were:


    [Grade D Paralyzing Pill]


    [Paralyzes a monster for 10 seconds]


    [Grade D Beast Tamer Pill]


    [Temporarily calms a wild beast, making it less aggressive for 5 minutes]


    Satisfied with her work, she smiled as she looked at her creations. "That should do it for now. I''ll experiment with more pillster," she thought, her enthusiasm evident. "Alchemy is so much fun. It''s definitely better than fighting."


    *****


    As Marce locked up and exited the Alchemy Department, she noticed something out of ce but chose not to react.


    The walk back to the dorm was a ten-minute trek, and she took great care to avoid areas with trees or any other structures that might obstruct her path.


    She stuck to the open spaces, mindful of potential hazards.


    Halfway back, an arrow suddenly pierced the ground right in front of her.


    Despite the close call, Marce didn''t flinch. "Oh, an arrow," she remarked calmly, "someone must have been practicing their archery skillste into the hour."


    "That was a close one. I didn''t even see iting due to my low perception," she sighed, shaking off the unease before resuming her walk.


    *****


    Outside the Alchemy Department, three cloaked figures waited in the shadows, their dark garments and masks obscuring their identities.


    They moved silently, blending seamlessly into the night, as if they were part of the darkness itself.


    "I don''t know about this," said one of them, a voice hinting at uncertainty. The voice was soft and unmistakably feminine. "What if we get caught?"


    "Don''t worry about it," replied another, his tone steady and reassuring. His voice was clearly male, and he spoke with confidence. "We won''t get caught with these items." He gestured to the dark cloaks and masks they wore. "They''re designed for stealth. Even an idiot can use them effectively."


    "Yeah, and it''s not like we''re going to kill her or anything," chimed in the third figure, whose voice was also male. He spoke with an attempt at reassurance. "We just need to rough her up enough for that guy to take her."


    The three had been waiting for hours, their patience tested as they remained hidden, ready for their target.


    "What do you think she''s doing in there?" the girl asked.


    Experience tales at m-vl-e-mpyr


    "Beats me," the third figure replied, casually flipping a dagger in his hand. "All I care about ispleting this mission and getting my pay. We really didn''t have a choice: either way, we''re screwed if we mess this up."


    "Shhh, keep it down. Someone''sing," the second figure hissed, signaling for the others to conceal themselves.


    Finally, someone emerged from the Alchemy Department, and the figures in the shadows tensed.


    "Take the shot," the second person instructed the girl, his voice urgent.


    "Hurry up," the third added, his tone sharp with impatience.


    "Right," the girl said, her hands trembling as she raised her crossbow, aiming at the target.


    The target was Marce, who walked out of the building, seemingly unaware of the danger.


    The girl hesitated, her aim wavering as Marce moved farther away. When she finally pulled the trigger, the bolt missed, embedding itself harmlessly in the ground.


    "You stupid fuck!" the third figure growled, stepping forward in frustration. "What was that about?"


    "I can''t do it, I really can''t," the girl sobbed, her voice breaking with distress.


    The third figure grabbed her by the cor, his grip harsh. "Now listen here, missy. It doesn''t matter what you think. Just take the shot, or it''ll be our headster." With a forceful shove, he sent her sprawling to the ground.


    "Let''s go. We can still get a better chance if she takes the route through the garden. We''ll be able to get closer," the second figure said, assumingmand. "Let''s move."


    The trio followed Marce as she headed towards the garden, but she took a different path, increasing the distance between them.


    "What if she already knows?" the girl asked voicing out her fears.


    "Just shut up and follow her," the third figure snapped, his temper fraying. "I don''t even know why you brought this one with us; she''s obviously slowing us down."


    "Let''s just get this over with," the leader sighed, getting frustrated.


    Marce, mindful of her surroundings, took routes with minimal hiding spots, which frustrated her pursuers. Her deliberate choices made it difficult for them to remain concealed.


    As they reached the halfway point to the dorm, the leader''s patience wore thin. "Take the shot," he ordered the girl, his voice leaving no room for argument.


    The girl hesitated, her hands shaking slightly. After a sharp smack on the head from the third figure, she finally raised her crossbow and fired. The bolt missed its mark, ttering harmlessly away.


    "This is your fault, not mine!" the girl snapped, anger ring.


    "Why, you little..." The third figure''s hand rose to strike her, but the leader stepped between them, his face stern.


    "Stop fighting. We''ve beenpromised, so let''s just take her head-on," the leader said with cold determination.


    "Yeah, she''s still only a first year like us," the third added, a hint of eagerness in his tone.


    The three figures emerged from their hiding spots, moving to block Marce''s path.


    *****


    "So you finally decided to show yourselves," Marce said with a yawn, genuine tiredness in her voice. The others mistook it for mockery.


    "We figured you might have known all this time. That''s why you kept taking those routes even though it took longer, right?" the leader asked, his eyes narrowing.


    "Yeah, I sensed something was off," Marce replied, studying them carefully. "I was trying to avoid any confrontation with you guys."


    ''One, two, three��? I haven''t done much inbat, but I''m being forced to now,'' Marce thought, her mind racing. ''I''m starting to wonder if Jett''s suggestion was actually a good one.''


    The three figures gradually surrounded her, their movements calcted and wary.


    "Turn back now, and I''ll forget this ever happened," Marce warned, though she felt her threatcked conviction.


    "There''s three of us and one of you. This''ll be a piece of cake, you can count on that," the leader taunted.


    Marce used her skill to assess their strength while trying to stall for time.


    [Appraisal]


    =====


    Level: 25


    ss: Warrior


    HP: 35


    MP: 20


    Strength:40


    Agility: 20


    Intelligence: 15


    Perception: 20


    =====


    =====


    Level: 25


    ss: Assassin


    HP: 30


    MP: 15


    Strength:40


    Agility: 40


    Intelligence: 5


    Perception: 20


    =====


    =====


    Level: 23


    ss: Archer


    HP: 50


    MP: 60


    Strength:20


    Agility: 20


    Intelligence: 55


    Perception: 15


    =====


    ''Hold up, they''re this weak?'' she wondered, surprised. ''Or am I just stronger? Reincarnated heroes are usually stronger than the original inhabitants of wherever they''re sent to. At least that''s how it is in some manga and anime, right?''


    She nced at her own status to be sure, seeing the clear disparity between their abilities.


    =====


    Level: 22


    ss: Alchemist/Healer


    HP: 50


    MP: 60


    Strength:20


    Agility: 20


    Intelligence: 55


    Perception: 15


    =====


    ''If this was a one on one I''d win without a doubt,'' small smile crossed her face at the noticeable difference in power.


    "She''s outnumbered; get her!" the leader shouted, his voice full ofmand.


    The third figure, wielding a dagger, and the leader, brandishing a sword, lunged at her in a coordinated attack.


    Marce attempted to evade them, her reflexes sharp as she tried to dodge their strikes.


    Despite her efforts, theirbined assault forced her to move swiftly. They were closing in on her with relentless pressure.


    ''It''s been a while since I had to use defensive skills,'' Marce thought as she saw the attackers closing in.


    She activated her [Blood Bubble] skill, summoning a reddish, transparent shield around her. The bubble would absorb 70% of iing damage and transfer 30% to her, at the cost of reducing her agility by 5%.


    As the leader and the third figure struck, their attacks collided with the bubble. Although they didn''t touch her directly, Marce felt the force of their blows.


    [Durability: 1975/2000]


    [HP: 26/50]


    "You guys really are trying to kill me," Marce said with a hint of spite. She grimaced as she realized that with only a few more hits, her situation could turn dire.


    Desperate to regain her strength, she stepped back to create some distance. She quickly consumed two health pills, fully restoring her HP. Then she took another pill to temporarily boost her HP, followed by pills to enhance her agility, strength, perception, and other attributes.


    Marce then took out several pills, infused them with mana, and scattered them around her to create a smoke screen.


    "Six pills?" The leader gasped in surprise. Taking more than three different pills at once was considered dangerous; even experienced alchemists could manage only four at most. Marce''s ability to handle so many at once was remarkable.


    "Seems like you want to do our job for us," the third figure said, charging forward with renewed determination while the girl covered him with arrows. "You can''t hide from me with such a petty trick!"


    For a moment, everything went silent as the smoke screen enveloped the area.


    Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the third figure being hurled through the air, crashing violently against the ground. Marce stepped out of the smoke, her face etched with anger.


    "You want to fight that badly?" she said, her voice seething with rage. "Then let''s go." She stood ready, waiting for them to make the first move.


    *


    *


    *


    She''s not supposed to get angry!

 Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Blood Marcella

    "Let''s go!" the leader shouted, his voice urgent as he pushed the third member to rise before turning to the girl behind him. "Cover us!"


    The two men charged at Marce with determined, synchronized movements. One took the lead, his sword raised high, while the other nked her, aiming to catch her off guard.


    Marce, breath steady, narrowed her eyes. "Don''t think I''ll let you do that to me twice." She took a deep breath, focusing her energy.


    [Blood Thorn].


    With a fierce gesture, she invoked a skill.


    Sharp, crimson thorns erupted violently from the ground, twisting and writhing like living vines. They burst forth with a sinister energy, impeding the men''s advance and forcing them to halt in their tracks.


    The girl, seizing the opportunity, nocked an arrow and fired it straight at Marce. But the projectile was intercepted mid-flight by Marce''s [Blood Bubble], a shimmering shield of blood that absorbed the impact effortlessly.


    ''I don''t have the energy or time to keep this up,'' Marce thought urgently. Reaching into her pouch, she pulled out a small pill, her fingers trembling slightly as she infused it with Mana.


    With a practiced flick, she tossed the pill towards the girl. The moment it hit the ground, it shattered, releasing a thick cloud of smoke that rapidly engulfed the area.


    The girl coughed uncontrobly as the smoke clung to her lungs, her vision blurring. She staggered, gasping for breath, before copsing to her knees,pletely incapacitated.


    ''This is my safest bet since I need to avoid killing,'' Marce thought, ncing at the incapacitated girl before turning her attention to the remaining two attackers. She quickly distanced herself from them, preparing for their imminent melee strike.


    The pills she had taken were already kicking in, enhancing her speed and agility. Her stats surged, allowing her to dodge their attacks with newfound precision.


    She twisted and ducked, her movements fluid and evasive, controlling the battlefield with deft maneuvers.


    The assassin, growing increasingly frustrated by his failed attempts to hit her, let out a growl of irritation.


    [Mini Teleportation]


    As the assassin activated his skill, he vanished from view and reappeared behind Marce in the blink of an eye.


    Before she could react, he shed at her with his dagger, the edge grazing her side.


    A searing pain shot through her as the poison took effect. Within seconds, Marce''s heart raced uncontrobly.


    Dizziness overwhelmed her, and she stumbled, crashing to the ground in a disoriented heap.


    "What did you do?" the leader demanded, concerncing his voice. "Have you forgotten we''re not here to kill her?"


    "I just leveled the ying field," the assassin replied with a cold smirk. "The poison isn''t lethal, but it will paralyze herpletely for an hour."


    He got closer to Marce, whoy writhing on the ground, her face twisted in distress. She stuck out her tongue in a futile attempt tomunicate, her eyes wide with helplessness.


    "I''ll take my time with you," the assassin sneered, raising his dagger to deliver a cruel finishing blow.


    As he closed in, a sinister smirk spread across Marce''s face. The assassin caught the smirk, but it only fueled his arrogance.


    Just as he was about to strike, a sharp whistle cut through the air: a well-aimed arrow pierced his hand, forcing him to drop the dagger with a howl of pain.


    The arrow hade from the girl Marce had initially incapacitated. She stood a short distance away, her expression eerily vacant, as if she were in a trance or being controlled.


    "Ahhh!" the assassin screamed, clutching his wounded hand tightly. "You crazy bitch! I''ll end you��"


    Marce seized the moment. With a swift, decisive movement, she swung her fist with all her might, connecting with a powerful punch to the assassin''s face.


    He crumpled to the ground, unconscious, his body sprawled out with a dull thud. Marce dusted herself off with a nonchnt flick, her expression calm as she watched him fall.


    "I may be small," she said with aposed smile, "but that doesn''t mean I''m weak."


    The leader stared at her in shock, disbelief etched across his face. "How? I thought you were paralyzed! Why can''t you just stay down? When did you even get the chance to turn her!?"


    Marce''s smile took on a sinister edge. "Oh, don''t you remember? I never actually knocked her out. I used an illusion pill to switch allies with foes in her head. Three against one didn''t seem fair. And I have immunity to weak poison like that one." Her grin widened as she took a menacing step closer to him.


    "I would''ve let you go, but you tried to kill me," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "So now, I''m going to break a bone or two."


    She raised her hand, and a magic circle red into existence in front of her.


    The circle glowed with an ominous red light as a massive, bloody hand materialized from it, its fingers stretching out menacingly.


    The leader''s eyes widened in terror as the hand lunged towards him, its sheer size and the malicious intent behind it enough to paralyze him with fear.


    His body trembled uncontrobly, and he copsed, losing consciousness from sheer fright.


    But just as the hand was about to make contact, it erupted in a violent explosion, showering the area with a rain of blood.


    The figure of a well-built man emerged from the remnants of the hand, stepping into view. Next to him was arge tiger, half his height but still imposing, its presence adding to the scene''s intensity.


    ''Scary,'' Marce thought, her mind racing as she finally recognized the figure before her. It was Drago.


    "You''re in my way, sir," Marce said, her irritation barely masked as she faced him.


    Drago, seemingly unfazed, responded calmly, "You''ve done enough already. I''ll take it from here." He walked past her, effortlessly carrying the girl and the leader. The assassin, still unconscious, was draped over the back of the tiger, which stood guard beside Drago.


    "You didn''t seem so eager to help when the attack first began," Marce remarked, her voice steady as she took deep breaths to calm herself.


    Drago''s eyes flickered with mild surprise. "You knew I was watching?"


    Marce met his gaze steadily. "I had no idea, but I do now."


    "I was prepared to intervene if things got out of hand," Drago exined. "But I also wanted to gauge how well a Divine Lord performs inbat."


    "Well, I hope I satisfied your curiosity," Marce said, offering a respectful bow before turning on her heel and walking away.


    Drago watched her retreat with a thoughtful expression. His gaze then shifted to the surrounding area: scattered debris and the aftermath of the skirmish. His attention finally settled on the children he now carried.


    "Impressive," he muttered with a smirk. The tiger let out a low growl as Drago and the beast took a massive leap into the air. "I guess Rodney has some cleaning up to do. I''ll leave it to Valetta and rence to decide what to do with you three."


    While soaring through the air, Drago mused, "A ss not even well-suited forbat, and yet they managed that much? I wonder what the others are capable of. And they haven''t even started getting stronger."


    A few meters away, Marce let out a deep sigh of relief.


    ''My God, I thought I was going to die there. His Aura was suffocating, even when he wasn''t trying to unt it.''


    *****


    In the shadows, a figure observed the events unfold with detached interest, idly ying with three dolls. From a distance, they had been watching the confrontation.


    "Seems like Drago wants to take them back for questioning. But no matter," the figure said with a dismissive tone, tossing the dolls into a fire. The mes consumed them, sending flickers of light dancing across the figure''s face. "I''ve already gotten what I came here for."


    As the figure vanished into the night, the burning dolls disintegrated into ash, leaving behind a tense silence.


    The air crackled with the residue of magic and anticipation, a foreboding sense of dread hanging heavily over the scene.


    "It won''t be long now��" the figure murmured, their voice fading into the darkness.


    *****


    The next day, Marce recounted the events to the others, who listened with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.


    "You? Fight?" Morrigan eximed, her tone disbelieving. "I must have missed quite a bit."


    "Sorry, Macy," Freya said, struggling to stifle herughter. "We just didn''t expect something like that from you."


    "Yeah," Finn chimed in with a grin, "if you can prove it, I''ll buy you lunch for a whole month." The group burst intoughter, the mood lightening as they teased Marce.


    Due to her nature, everyone except Jett remained skeptical of Marce''s story. However, she demonstrated the scene and showcased her [Blood Thorn] ability, leaving no room for doubt.


    "I''m looking forward to all the lovely food you''ll be paying for," Marce said with a grin, patting Finn on the shoulder.


    Finn grumbled. "Consider it a deal."


    "Why hasn''t any announcement been made yet?" Elora wondered aloud.


    "They probably want to handle it quietly, without making a fuss," Rey exined, his tone thoughtful. "We should probably let it go this time." Enjoy reading on m,v|le|mp|yr


    "Sure, whatever," Marce replied nonchntly. She reached into her storage pouch and emptied half of its contents onto the table. "These should sell at a high price. We''ll keep the rest."


    "Alright, that was the n," Finn said, cing the items into his [Storage Space].


    "So where is Cedric, anyways?" Evelina asked.


    As if on cue, Cedric appeared just as the question was asked, materializing in the doorway with a slight puff of dust.


    "Speak of the devil," Rey remarked, a note of mild admiration in his voice.


    "Sorry I''mte," Cedric said, panting as if he had sprinted to get there. "Ipleted everything: the amulets and rings for growth, daggers for Asher, and arrows for Evelina."


    He handed the daggers to Asher and the arrows to Evelina. Asher took the daggers and began inspecting them closely, turning them over in his hands.


    "Hmm��" Asher muttered, scrutinizing the craftsmanship.


    "What''s wrong?" Cedric asked, concern creeping into his voice.


    "It''s perfect. It''s light and has a firm grip too," Aiden said, flexing the daggers with satisfaction.


    "Ah, you got me scared for a second there," Cedric said with a sigh of relief, his shoulders rxing.


    "Be careful with those," Jett warned, his tone serious as he noted Aiden''s close handling of the des.


    "These arrows look a bit different," Evelina said, her brow furrowing as she examined them closely.


    "I made them especially for you," Cedric exined confidently. "Just inject some Aura before you shoot them next time."


    Evelina ced the arrows into her quiver and strapped it on. To her surprise, it felt weightless, as if the arrows were barely there.


    "Whoa, it''s like there''s nothing in there!" Evelina eximed, her eyes wide with excitement. "How awesome is that?" She turned to Asher, her enthusiasm contagious.


    Both Evelina and Aiden were pleased with Cedric''s work, their satisfaction evident in their expressions.


    Cedric then distributed the amulets and rings, making sure each person received one. He had already donned his own, the charm of the amulet subtly glowing against his chest.


    Next, Cedric brought out a collection of extra swords from his bag and handed them over to Finn.


    "You can use those for the scrolls," Cedric said, nodding towards the assortment.


    "Alright, we''re fully set now," Jett dered, addressing the group. "I hope you all remember everything I saidst time."


    "Yeah," they all chorused in agreement.


    After sses for the day, the group set off to hunt monsters and level up.


    Meanwhile, Jett chose to sit this one out. He made his way to the academy library, a determined look on his face.


    "Well then, I think it''s time I got stronger too," Jett said to himself with a confident smile. "I can''t stay at Level 80 with the few spells I have now, can I?" He nced at the egg floating beside him, its faint glow reflecting his resolve.


    *


    *


    *


    What are you nning Jett?

 Chapter 65 Dungeon Attention

    In a dungeon sparsely adorned with creeping vines and a few patches of moss, Rey wandered through the dimly lit corridors, feeling a sense of unease.


    The stagnant air carried a faint, earthy scent, and the faint rustling of leaves hinted at the dungeon''s sparse vegetation. It was the kind of ce that was neither too challenging nor too mundane.


    "This looks like a good ce to grind some levels," Rey muttered to himself, ncing around with a hint of optimism.


    With no one to talk to, he found himself addressing the Gatcha egg they had brought from home. "You�� probably can''t hear me, so I''m just talking to myself," he sighed. "This is so boring."


    As hemented, the minutes ticked by slowly until, finally, Rey''s luck changed. Up ahead, he spotted movement: a group of monsters shuffling through the undergrowth. He approached cautiously and soon saw three kobolds emerge from the shadows.


    The kobolds were squat, reptilian creatures standing about four feet tall. Their scales were a dull greenish-brown, blending in with the dungeon''s surroundings.


    They wore ragged tunics and carried crude weapons: jagged spears and rusty swords. Their beady eyes glinted with a mixture of cunning and malice as they chattered among themselves.


    "Kobolds. And they''re all around level 20? Piece of cake," Rey thought with a smirk, drawing his sword with newfound enthusiasm. He had been itching for some action, and this was just the opportunity he needed.


    Without hesitation, Rey sprang into action. With precise swings and swift footwork, he cut through the kobolds with practiced ease.


    Each swing of his sword was met with a satisfying ng as it met their weapons or struck their scales. The battle was over quickly, leaving the kobolds sprawled on the ground, their meager loot scattered about.


    "Level 20 monsters at the beginning?" Rey mused aloud as he surveyed the scene. "I can only imagine what kind of powerful boss awaits at the end of this dungeon."


    The thought of facing a formidable foe exhrated him. His heart raced with anticipation as he envisioned the grand challenge thaty ahead. The prospect of an epic showdown drove him forward with renewed vigor.


    Hours seemed to blur as Rey continued to hunt kobolds, each victory adding to his growing sense of achievement. He gathered their drops with a sense of purpose, pushing deeper into the dungeon''s depths.


    Just when it seemed like the kobold hunt would never end, Rey stumbled upon a new kind of monster. These creatures were noticeably different: they were armored in makeshift steel and wielded well-crafted weapons.


    Their demeanor was more disciplined, suggesting some form of basicbat training. Unlike the feral kobolds, these monsters moved with purpose and coordination, their eyes keen and their stance ready for battle.


    Rey''s excitement surged once more. The dungeon was proving to be full of surprises, and he was eager to see what other challenges awaited him.


    "Kobold Warrior at Level 25? Oh, I get it now," Rey thought as he assessed his new opponents. "This dungeon is home to a pack of kobolds, and the further I go, the more advanced they be. I''ll probably have to go all out."


    Without wasting another moment, Reyunched forward with a fierce determination. The Kobold Warriors met him head-on, their movements more coordinated and their attacks more deliberate than the previous group.


    They swung their weapons with practiced skill, their armor nking as they moved. Yet despite their improvedbat tactics, they still fell to Rey''s relentless assault. His sword cut through their defenses with precision, each strike decisive and controlled.


    "Ha��, all without a shield," Rey boasted, his voice echoing through the dungeon''s corridors. He nced at the fallen warriors, a sense of satisfaction in his voice.


    Before this moment, Rey had been adamant about not using a shield. Jett had insisted he take one, a sturdy piece crafted by Cedric. Rey had resisted, preferring to rely on his agility and swordsmanship. However, Jett''s insistence had eventually forced Rey to take it along.


    Up until now, he had chosen to proceed without it, feeling confident in his own skills. But now, the shieldy strapped to his back but he still wasn''t willing to use it.


    Pressing deeper into the dungeon, Rey encountered a new battalion of kobolds: both the normal variety and the Kobold Warriors. Leading them was a colossal figure: the Kobold Commander.


    At Level 30, he towered over the others, d in ornate armor and wielding a massive warhammer. His imposing presence suggested he was a formidable opponent.


    Rey wasn''t overly concerned. As long as he could deal with the smaller kobolds first and then face themander alone, he felt confident in his chances. At least, that was his hope.


    He set to work with his n.


    [Inferno]


    Rey used his skill, creating a ring of fire that forced the kobolds to group together. With them gathered, he aimed to take them out in one fell swoop. The mes danced around the enemies, drawing them in closer as Rey prepared for a decisive strike.


    However, the Kobold Commander was not so easily deceived. With a roar of defiance, he stepped out of the ring of fire, his sharp eyes locking onto Rey with unwavering focus.


    Themander''s experience and strategic mind made him immune to Rey''s trickery. Rey''s heart raced as he realized the challenge ahead: this would be a battle of wits and skill, and themander was ready to make it a test of endurance.


    Luckily for Rey, his assumption proved correct.


    The Kobold Commander, keenly aware of Rey''s intentions, wisely chose to bide his time, allowing Rey to dispatch the lesser kobolds first.


    The two would indeed face each other in a one-on-one duel.


    Rey activated [Boost] to increase his speed and agility, making him a blur of motion. He followed up with [Air Binding], which momentarily restricted themander''s movement and gave Rey a crucial edge.


    Despite themander''s strength and experience, Rey''sbination of skills and tactics allowed him to gain the upper hand.


    Each strike hended was precise, exploiting themander''s brief moments of vulnerability.


    When the battle concluded, Rey collected the drops and remnants of the fallen kobolds. He trudged further into the dungeon.


    The endless, monotonous walk through the dimly lit corridors, searching for new packs of monsters, was mentally exhausting and boring.


    The silence, punctuated only by the asional echo of his footsteps, made the hours seem endless.


    Finally, Rey stumbled upon another group. This time, the pack included amander at Level 32.


    He approached with cautious optimism, expecting a battle simr to the previous one.


    However, the kobolds surprised him. They formed a tight formation and refused to engage, waiting for him toe to them.


    "If you won''te to me, then I''ll just have toe to you!" Rey shouted, his excitement sharpening his focus as he charged forward.


    As he closed the distance, the kobolds revealed their trap.


    Arrows whizzed through the air from hidden archers, and additional kobolds emerged from behind, intent on nking him. Rey''s instincts kicked in.


    [Fire Wall]


    He quickly cast a spell that created a zing barrier behind him, intercepting the iing arrows and warding off the surprise attackers.


    In mid-air, Rey took a moment to cast another spell. His heart raced as he realized how close he hade to being overwhelmed.


    "I got careless and they almost had me," he thought, grimacing as he aimed his next spell. The firewall zed defiantly, protecting him as he prepared for the next phase of the battle.


    Rey cast [Fire Ball] with precision, aiming directly at the Kobold Commander.


    However, themander, disying remarkable agility and skill, deflected the fireball effortlessly.


    ''He''s stronger than the previous one. If not for my perception, I wouldn''t have noticed the danger,'' Rey thought, his defensive instincts kicking in as he adjusted his strategy.


    The Kobold Commander, recognizing Rey''s growing caution, signaled his troops to attack en masse. Rey fought with meticulous care, fending off the kobolds while keeping a vignt eye on themander.


    Despite his best efforts, themander managed to sneak in a fierce attack that Rey barely dodged. The close call reinforced Rey''s understanding of themander''s tactics.


    "I get it now," Rey said, hoping to provoke a reaction from themander. "You''re using your men as distractions to catch me when I''m vulnerable so you can deal the decisive blow."


    However, themander showed no sign ofprehension, leaving Rey feeling a bit embarrassed. "Yeah�� I set the bar too low there," he muttered to himself.


    As he continued to battle the kobold warriors, Rey remained ever watchful of themander.


    The general''s presence was a constant threat, limiting Rey''s opportunities to act. The skirmish wore on, each move bing increasingly difficult as fatigue set in.


    Eventually, Rey found himself alone against the Kobold Commander. He was low on MP and mana, with only a sliver of his aura remaining.


    Summoning hisst reserves of strength, Rey manifested his aura on his sword and charged at themander.


    The battle was grueling, more intense than his previous encounters due to his exhaustion. Despite the strain, Rey managed to sever one of themander''s arms with a powerful strike.


    The Kobold Commander let out a blood-curdling wail of pain. Seizing the opportunity, Rey dashed for themander''s spear.


    He imbued the remaining aura he had into the weapon and thrust it towards themander''s chest. He aimed for the heart, or at least where he imagined it might be.


    With the spear embedded in themander''s heart, the beast''s resistance faltered. Rey, drained and on the brink of copse, sank to one knee. He quickly fumbled for a healing pill, popping it into his mouth.


    As soon as he swallowed, a wave of heaviness overtook him. His vision blurred with a sh of light, and a cold, sinking sensation spread through his body. Before he could react further, Rey fell to the floor, unconscious.


    *****


    Deep in another dungeon, Rosa sat on a massive heap of vines, her posture rxed but her expression troubled. The vines were tangled and thick, forming a natural throne that contrasted sharply with the dungeon''s dark, eerie atmosphere.


    Aiden snapped his fingers in front of her face. "Earth to Rosa," he said with a touch of irritation. "You good? You left me hanging for a second there."


    Rosa blinked, breaking from her daze. "Huh? Did I really?" She touched her head in confusion. "Sorry about that. I suddenly had a bad feeling about something, but I don''t know exactly what."


    They had just defeated the dungeon''s boss before Rosa had spaced out, the intense battle leaving them both drained. Rosa looked unimpressed as she replied, "What kind of idiot came up with that?"


    "I did," Aiden said, a hint of hurt in his voice.


    "Yeah, I thought so," Rosa said with a wry smile, stretching her sore muscles. "We''re done here, so we can head back now."


    "It seems like Jett''s n worked. I leveled up twice," Aiden said, checking his stats with a pleased expression.


    "Same here," Rosa agreed. "Jett''s strategy helped a lot. I don''t think I would''ve made it this far on my own. I''m curious, though, how Jett knows all this. I''m grateful he does, but it''s intriguing."


    "It''s probably from the Forum," Aiden said as he sat down next to her.


    "What''s that?" Rosa asked, her interest piqued.


    "Well��" Aiden began, "WAR BOUND had an MMORPG where you could basically do whatever you wanted��solo y, team y, or even ignore the original storyline. The issue was its extreme difficulty."


    "Uh-huh?" Rosa leaned in, eager to hear more.


    "The game had hidden secrets and treasure locked behind nearly impossible or just unreasonable missions. No sane person could figure them out alone.


    The Forum was created for yers to share information and help each other clear the game, while also unlocking hidden rewards."


    Aiden continued, "But there were two insane yers who single-handedly carried the Forum. They fed us with valuable information like walkthroughs, secret missions, clear conditions, glitches, and more. They became known as the Torrent Siblings because they flooded the Forum with incredible, but legit, info."


    "So you think Jett might have been one of them?" Rosa asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes.


    "Ha, I highly doubt it," Aiden said, gazing at the dungeon roof. "But maybe he memorized a lot of what they put out."


    "What about you? Howe you don''t remember all that stuff?" Rosa fired back, a yful challenge in her tone.


    "I was a model and an actor," Aiden smirked. "I yed as a pastime. While he was memorizing game cheats, I was memorizing movie scripts and walking the red carpets."


    "And look where that got you," Rosa teased as she stood up, ready to leave. "Youing or what?"


    Aiden chuckled, rising to his feet. "Yeah, I''ming. Let''s head back." They made their way out of the dungeon, their conversation fading into the echoes of their footsteps.


    *****


    "Ugh, my head hurts," Rey grumbled, his voice a raspy whisper. He tried to move but found his legs unresponsive and a dull ache radiating from his wrist. "Why does my wrist feel sore? I can''t move my legs��"


    He continued toin weakly, struggling to piece together his surroundings. "Where am I anyway? Ugh, I feel so dizzy." His attempts to gain full consciousness felt like battling through a thick fog, as though he were waking from a deep, disorienting sleep.


    As Rey slowly opened his eyes, the world around him was a chaotic blur of lights and shifting shadows.


    His vision swam with indistinct shapes, like a distorted hallucination. The more he tried to focus, the more the scene seemed to elude him.


    The heat was unbearable, steadily increasing with each passing second. His body temperature was climbing rapidly, causing beads of sweat to form on his forehead.


    The growing warmth was like a searing nket, pressing in on him from all sides.


    Forced to confront the reality of his situation, Rey managed to pry his eyes open fully. "Nope, that''s me, that''s definitely me," he half-yelled in a panicked realization. The intense heat wasing from the fire that was cooking him.


    "How the hell did I end up like this!!!"


    *


    *


    *


    Don''t forget to give a vote

 Chapter 66 Dream Hound

    Rey dangled above the crackling campfire, the rope tied around his wrists and ankles biting into his skin.


    The heat from the mes licked at his feet, and the acrid scent of smoke filled the air.


    As he lost consciousness, the flickering light cast eerie shadows across his face.


    Unbeknownst to him, a group of about twenty-five Kobolds: humanoid scaly creatures with sharp ws and hungry eyes: had stumbled upon his unconscious form.


    With a mix of greed and hunger, they chattered excitedly, mistaking Rey for a potential feast.


    Their beady eyes glistened with anticipation as they prepared to cook him over the fire, their crude cooking implements and makeshift utensils ttering in a frenzy.


    When Rey finally came to, the oppressive heat of the fire was the first thing he felt. The once-flickering light had now intensified, casting a harsh glow over the camp.


    The Kobolds, engrossed in their preparations, were oblivious to his awakening.


    Rey nced around, taking in the scene of chaos and realizing he was hanging above the fire with the Kobolds bustling about.


    His weapons and storage pouchy carelessly abandoned in a corner of the campsite.


    Sighing, Rey muttered to himself, "I think I''ve rested well enough." With a swift tug, he snapped the weak rope binding his hands.


    He then broke the ropes around his legs, all while the Kobolds remained distracted by their culinary antics.


    The moment his feet touched the ground, a low growl from one of the Kobolds alerted the others. They turned in rm, but Rey was faster.


    His movements were fluid and decisive, and he dispatched the surprised creatures with ease, using his newfound strength making short work of them.


    "I leveled up after taking out the previous Koboldmanders. Now I feel lighter," Rey remarked, noticing the boost in his abilities.


    His confidence soared as he retrieved his weapons and storage pouch, preparing for the next challenge.


    As he pressed onward, Rey faced a series of coordinated Kobold attacks. This time, his heightened senses and agility allowed him to handle their assaults with greater ease.


    The Kobolds'' efforts were more organized, but Rey''s improved skills and strategic thinking turned the tide in his favor.


    He moved with precision, oveing each ambush with practiced efficiency.


    Finally, Rey arrived at the entrance to the boss room. The heavy wooden door creaked open to reveal the Kobold King for the first time.


    The imposing figure sat on a makeshift throne, surrounded by an air of authority and menace. Rey steeled himself, knowing that the real testy ahead.


    The Kobold King towered over Rey, a formidable figure with a rugged, imposing presence.


    Its scaled hide was adorned with makeshift armor, and it wielded a massive axe, its de gleaming ominously in the dim light of the room.


    The axe''s sheer size and weight hinted at the King''s immense strength.


    Rey''s eyes gleamed with excitement as he assessed the formidable boss monster.


    "Kobold King Level 50, the gap is a lot higher so when I take him out I''ll be sure to level up even more," he grinned, his gaze fixed on the imposing creature. His anticipation grew as he prepared for the battle.


    [Heavenly Blessing]


    - 3x Exp bonus


    - Amplifies all skills ordingly Purifies all Dark attributes and monsters within its area of reach.


    - Grants Holy attribute and 3x the effectiveness of all attributes apart from dark attributes to the user and his allies.


    - It envelopes the user in a radiant aura, boosting all stats and recovery speed by 70%, while also granting immunity to status ailments and providing healing over time.


    - Reduces enemy stats by 10%


    - Grows with the user.


    [Duration: 10 minutes]


    [Cooldown: 24 hours]


    He activated his best skill, the skill enveloping him in a radiant aura.


    "Saving this skill for you is totally going to be worth all the stress," Rey said, holding the shield he had initially dismissed, now realizing its potential. He readied himself for a decisive sh. "I''m going all out from the get-go!"


    The Kobold King''s massive frame dwarfed Rey, its bulk blocking most of the room''s space.


    Rey quickly deduced that targeting the King''s legs would be his best bet. However, as he advanced, the Kobold King''s eyes narrowed with malice.


    With a swift motion, it summoned the earth to create a wall, obstructing Rey''s path and pushing him back with a powerful force.


    [Earth Wall]


    Thendscape shifted dramatically as the earth rose to form an imposing barrier. Rey gritted his teeth, frustration boiling over.


    "Earth element? You''ll need more than that to beat me," he roared, his voice echoing through the room.


    Channeling his energy, he enveloped his sword with a shimmering aura and thrust it through the earthen wall, the de cutting through with determined precision.


    {Slow Curse}


    The Kobold King, undeterred, cast a spell in an attempt to hinder Rey''s movements. However, Rey''s [Heavenly Blessing] nullified the effect, the aura surrounding him preventing the curse from taking hold.


    [Boost]


    Realizing the direct approach wasn''t working, the Kobold King decided to buff itself, its form glowing with renewed strength and resilience.


    Rey seized the moment, charging forward with renewed vigor. But the Kobold King, now empowered and fortified, blocked Rey''s attack with a sweeping motion of its massive axe.


    The sh was intense, and the King''s enhanced defenses forced Rey to retreat momentarily, reassessing his strategy for the next assault.


    The sh between Rey and the Kobold King continued with fierce intensity. Weapons rang out in a rhythm of steel and strength, each strike sending sparks into the air.


    The Kobold King, despite its massive size and newly enhanced power, struggled to match Rey''s speed and agility.


    Rey, focusing on his opponent''s weaknesses, finally saw an opening. Channeling his Aura, he coated his sword in a brilliant, pulsating energy.


    With a precise and powerful thrust, he drove the de through the Kobold King''s face. The King let out a deafening cry, a final roar of defiance before it crumpled to the ground, defeated.


    *****


    Rey took a moment to revel in his victory. He checked his stats and rewards, noting the significant boost from his skill and Cedric''s item. His level had risen six.


    [ss: Hero


    Level: 38


    HP: 130


    MP: 120


    Strength: 100


    Agility: 90


    Intelligence: 77


    Perception: 77]


    "Sweet, I gained quite a lot from this," Rey said, satisfaction evident in his voice. As he sifted through the items dropped by the Kobold King, his eyes fell upon a familiar object.


    "Is that��? Wait�� it is." Rey''s expression brightened as he recognized the rookie amulet among the loot. "A rookie amulet here of all ces. This''lle in handyter on." He smiled, tucking the amulet away and taking a well-deserved rest before leaving the dungeon.


    *****


    Deep inside the Academy Library, Jett scanned the shelves with a mixture of frustration and determination. "This is a crude way of doing it but it''s not like I have a choice," he thought, his fingers trailing over dusty tomes and ancient scrolls.


    "Finally found it," he muttered triumphantly as he located a particr book. The shelves began to shift, revealing a hidden passage behind them. Jett, not missing a beat, casually stepped into the newly revealed corridor.


    The passage was shrouded in darkness, oppressive and almost tangible.


    [Night Vision]


    His surroundings were transforming as though it were day. He moved cautiously, the dim glow of his skill casting eerie shadows on the walls.


    [Trap Detection]


    As he advanced, he came upon a stairway leading downward. He activated his skill, alert for any dangers that might lie ahead as he prepared to descend into the unknown.


    The passage was a buffet of deadly traps, each one more cunningly designed than thest. Hidden pressure tes, concealed spike pits, and swinging de mechanismsy in wait, ready to spring at the slightest misstep. Jett''s keen eyes and [Trap Detection] skill made quick work of identifying and avoiding each perilous contraption.


    He observed the traps with a hint of amusement. "I should probably fix this when I''m done, but the missiones first," he mused, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The mundane task of bypassing the traps seemed almost trivial inparison to hisrger goals.


    As he navigated through the hazards, he engaged his floatingpanion in conversation to stave off the monotony. "You probably have no idea why we''re here," Jett started, ncing at the shimmering orb beside him.


    Hispanion, though silent, hovered with attentive focus. Jett continued, "Well, there''s this thing where the students who graduate in the top 100 among the first years get a special privilege. They can participate in a special gauntlet, where they face five dangerous monsters, all around levels 50 to 70. Beating each monster earns you a special reward."


    He paused, letting the information sink in. "Now you''re probably wondering why I couldn''t just make the top 100 and challenge it like everyone else, since I''m obviously strong enough. That''s because I don''t want to get to the top yet. More importantly, There''s something I need to do and I can only do it if I get one ranks. Everything''s going ording to n."


    Jett continued his steady pace until he reached a massive door made of an imposing, heavy metal. The door looked nearly imprable, its surface adorned with intricate runes and reinforced with thick, metallic bands.


    "Only someone with about 300 points in strength can open this," Jett assessed. "I was hoping to keep my stats as low as possible so I could control it easily, but I guess I''ll just get Cedric to make an item to suppress my stats."


    He swiftly adjusted his strength.


    [Adding 222 points to Strength].


    As the points were added, Jett immediately felt a surge of power coursing through him. His muscles tensed and his body felt both lighter and more solid. The overwhelming strength was invigorating.


    "Well, it''s now or never," he thought, bracing himself as he pushed against the door. With a powerful shove, the door creaked open, revealing a gust of wind as Mana stones embedded in the walls began to glow, casting an eerie light across the chamber.


    Standing before Jett was a Dream Hound, a menacing creature at level 50. Its eyes glowed with predatory hunger as it lunged toward him.


    "This is going to be a piece of cake," Jett smirked, readying himself. The increased strength proved advantageous; in a blink, Jett''s hand shot out with lightning speed.


    He drove it directly into the Dream Hound''s heart, instantly killing the beast. The creature''s body slumped lifelessly to the ground, its threat neutralized with effortless precision.


    The gauntlet continued with relentless efficiency. As each Dream Hound appeared, Jett greeted them with the same swift, decisive action causing them to slowly disintegrate each time.


    The second Dream Hound, at level 55, was dispatched just as effortlessly as the first, with Jett''s hand driving into its heart in a sh. The pattern repeated seamlessly, each sessive Dream Hound falling victim to Jett''s overwhelming strength and precision.


    With the fourth and fifth Dream Hounds defeated in quick session, the trial waspleted. The system announced:


    [Completion 5/5]


    [Gauntlet Complete]


    [Rewards]


    [ss Armor Set]


    [Burning Flower]


    [Flight Boots]


    [Frost Flower]


    [Combat Techniques Crafting Manual]


    "Being the first person toplete this trial was my third goal," Jett mused, surveying the rewardsid out before him.


    [Eden 1/10]


    [Primordial Elemental Fruit]


    Jett''s eyes narrowed in curiosity as he spotted the [Primordial Elemental Fruit] among the rewards. "Eden? I didn''t see thatst time," he remarked, puzzled by its unfamiliar presence.


    [Are you Satisfied? Yes/No]


    He recalled the pivotal moment when Rey had ignored a crucial question back in the storyline, a decision that nearly led to a major upheaval at the school.


    "Yes," Jett confirmed.


    As soon as he selected his answer, the room around him shifted, and he found himself transported to a different chamber. Here, a Dream Hound was chained to the ground, its powers subdued by heavy restraints.


    It appeared smaller and less menacing than the ones he had faced, but Jett recognized it for what it was: the original Dream Hound, captured and nurtured by rence for the sole purpose of the trial.


    Jett approached the restrained creature, his expression softening with sympathy. "You poor thing. You''ve probably been here your entire life," he said, his voice tinged with empathy.


    The Dream Hound, despite its subdued state, seemed to acknowledge Jett''s presence.


    The Dream Hound cowered in fear as Jett approached. Its eyes widened with terror, and it attempted to back away, but the heavy chains kept it firmly in ce.


    The creature''s fear was palpable, its body trembling as it struggled against its restraints.


    Jett moved slowly, extending a hand in an attempt to offerfort.


    He reached out tentatively, trying to pat the Dream Hound. The creature flinched and tried to avoid his touch, its instincts still screaming at it to flee.


    Seeing the Hound''s continued distress, Jett decided to try a different approach.


    He presented the [Burning Flower] and [Frost Flower] to the creature. The Dream Hound sniffed the flowers cautiously, its nose twitching as it took in their unfamiliar scents.


    After a moment of hesitation and consideration, it decided to eat the flowers.


    The soothing properties of the flowers seemed to have a calming mind of the creature, and it slowly began to rx.


    "Good girl��" Jett murmured, patting the Dream Hound gently. "You are a girl, right?" He chuckled softly, finding a touch of amusement in the situation.


    As the Dream Hound settled, a message appeared:


    [Dream Hound wants you to initiate a Soul Contract.]


    Jett looked at the message with surprise. "A soul contract? Not a taming contract?" he asked, puzzled.


    A soul contract was more profound and binding than a taming contract. It meant that both parties would be able to share each other''s emotions and pain.


    If either of them died, the other would feel the loss acutely and the other would now have a piece of the deceased soul in them. The connection formed by a soul contract was intimate and irreversible, binding their fates together.


    The Dream Hound nodded in affirmation, its eyes reflecting a mixture of vulnerability and trust.


    [Initiating Soul Contract��]


    [Will you continue? Yes/No]


    Jett selected "Yes" without hesitation. However, the system''s prompt for confirmation irritated him, reminiscent of the annoying ads that gued inte usage.


    [Are you sure?]


    "God damn it, Yessss," Jett growled in frustration as he pressed "Yes" again, his impatience evident.


    [Soul Taming Sessful]


    [Compatibility Rate 89%]


    "That looks about right," Jettmented, observing thepatibility rate. "If both parties are willing and their attributes match, the Compatibility Rate increases. The higher thepatibility the high the connection."


    [Please give her a name��]


    "So you''re a she, huh?" Jett thought with a smile. "How about Illusion Hound?"


    The Dream Hound shook her head in clear rejection of the name. "What''s wrong with the name? Argh��" Jett grumbled, his frustration mounting as he tried to think of an alternative name.


    Jett remembered a video game from his previous life, a nostalgic memory sparking an idea. "Mystra, how does that sound?" he proposed with a hopeful tone.


    As soon as he gave her the name, Mystra''s form emitted a faint, soothing glow, a sign of her eptance and new identity.


    "Alright, I have to go now. I''ll be back soon," Jett said as he turned his attention to the chains that bound her. "I still need to find a way to break that seal."


    Mystra looked up at him with a mix of hope and apprehension, clearly not wanting him to leave.


    Jett ced a reassuring hand on her head, his voice gentle but firm. "Don''t worry. I''lle back for you. You''re safe for now."


    He took onest look at her before heading toward the exit.


    "I just need to find a way to get to the Principal''s office or figure out another method to break the seal," Jett thought, his mind already working on his next steps.


    As he stepped out of the massive gate, an overwhelming force struck him with such intensity that he was thrown to his knees.


    The pressure was suffocating, an invisible weight pressing down on him, making it almost impossible to move.


    "And what might you be looking for down here?" a deep,manding voice inquired, its tone dripping with authority and curiosity.


    Jett''s heart raced as he realized the gravity of his situation. "Crap, I''m screwed," he thought,as he was literally feeling the full weight of his predicament.


    Jett remembered a video game from his previous life, a nostalgic memory sparking an idea.


    "Mystra, how does that sound?" he proposed with a hopeful tone. As soon as he gave her the name, Mystra''s form emitted a faint, soothing glow, a sign of her eptance and new identity.


    "Alright, I have to go now. I''ll be back soon," Jett said as he turned his attention to the chains that bound her. "I still need to find a way to break that seal."


    Mystra looked up at him with a mix of hope and apprehension, clearly not wanting him to leave.


    Jett ced a reassuring hand on her head, his voice gentle but firm. "Don''t worry. I''lle back for you. You''re safe for now."


    He took onest look at her before heading toward the exit. "


    "I just need to find a way to get to the Principal''s office or figure out another method to break the seal," Jett thought, his mind already working on his next steps.


    As he stepped out of the hidden passage back to the library, an overwhelming force struck him with such intensity that he was thrown to his knees.


    The pressure was suffocating, an invisible weight pressing down on him, making it almost impossible to move.


    "And what might you be looking for down here?" a deep,manding voice inquired, its tone dripping with authority and curiosity.


    Jett''s heart raced as he realized the gravity of his situation. "Crap, I''m screwed," he thought, feeling the full weight of his predicament.


    *


    *


    *


    Made this chapter too long


    My bad

 Chapter 67 Clarence Invitation

    "What are you doing here?" rence asked as he shut the door behind him.


    "Argh��" Jett groaned, the pressure bearing down on him like a vice, squeezing his very essence. It felt as if every breath was a battle, and he was on the brink of losing consciousness.


    The force was so overwhelming that his vision blurred, and he struggled to stay upright, each second feeling like an eternity.


    "You''re still conscious? Impressive." rence''s voice carried a note of admiration. "But I still need to know what you were doing in there."


    "I was in my office when I noticed that some very special traps I set in a very specific location had been triggered. I rushed over here as quickly as I could, only to find you emerging from my hidden passage. I suppose it wasn''t well concealed if a first-year could find it," rence said, his tone dripping with a mix of frustration and curiosity. "Gosh, I thought you were an intruder."


    As he spoke, the crushing pressure around Jett eased, allowing him to breathe more freely.


    "I stumbled on it by ident. I just happened to pick up the book that unlocks this chamber. The traps were so menacing that I couldn''t even get past them," Jett lied, hoping rence wouldn''t see through his excuse.


    "That makes sense. An ident, then. I suppose that hiding spot was a bit too obvious," rence mused, trying to piece together the situation.


    "Yes, sir, that''s exactly what happened," Jett replied, letting out a sigh of relief. He thought to himself, ''He''s probably congratting himself on theplexity of the traps he set down there.''


    As the pressure fully dissipated, the atmosphere in the room lightened. The oppressive weight that had suffocated Jett began to lift, reced by a more rxed, almost casual air.


    The tension eased, and Jett felt thest remnants of fear and difort slip away, leaving him with a sense of relief and cautious optimism.


    ''I did use some really dangerous traps. Lucky for him, he wasn''t foolish enough to try to pass through them, even with a bit of Lumix. I might never get another chance like this with Valetta keeping such a close watch on me,'' rence thought as he scrutinized the seemingly innocent Jett.


    "Come to my office tomorrow once you''re done with your sses. Let''s discuss what happened here," rence said, his tone authoritative yet casual.


    "I beg your pardon?" Jett replied, his confusion evident.


    ''Did he really just say that?'' Jett''s mind raced. ''Why would he want to see me in his office? I''ve been trying to stay under the radar. What''s he really up to?''


    "I said we''ll talk about this tomorrow in my office. I hope you''re not deaf," rence repeated, his voice tinged with a hint of irritation. "Entering a ce like that without informing a teacher was incredibly reckless, so you''ll need to face some form of punishment."


    Jett''s expression shifted from bewilderment to unease.


    His eyes darted around as he tried to process the sudden shift in circumstances. His heart pounded, and a knot of anxiety tightened in his stomach.


    The unexpected summons to rence''s office left him feeling both wary and perplexed.


    "Oh�� alright," Jett said nervously, his mind whirling. ''This is strange, too strange. Why is he taking such an interest in me? If I hadn''t read about him, I''d think he was just fulfilling his role as principal. I need to tread carefully, but it''s not like I had a choice: I had to meet him eventually.''


    "Is something the matter?" rence inquired, his gaze sharp as he observed Jett''s troubled expression.


    "Not at all, sir. It''s just that you seem different from how the seniors describe you," Jett replied, trying to mask his anxiety.


    "Oh really? And how do they describe me?" rence asked, his curiosity piqued. Despite his efforts to maintain aposed smile, his expression twitched with barely contained irritation.


    "An impulsive,zy shut-in who doesn''t seem to care about running his own school: or maybe doesn''t know how," Jett said, letting out a sigh inwardly. ''Sorry to all my upperssmen. Looks like you''re the scapegoat for this one.''


    "They said what?" rence''s face darkened, his eyes narrowing into slits. The fury in his gaze was palpable, and for a moment, it seemed as though he was on the brink of an outburst.


    To Jett, rence''s rage resembled a child throwing a tantrum: his anger was intense but oddly childish, as if he was struggling to maintain control over his emotions.


    "That''s uneptable," rence growled, his voice low and seething. "Those students clearly need to learn a lesson."


    *****


    The next day, right after ss, Jett began his search for rence''s office.


    ''I can''t believe he just left without teling me where to go. He really is a jerk.'' Jett thought as he kept searching.


    He asked around, his frustration mounting with each wrong turn. The halls of the academy seemed endless, and every inquiry led him to a new dead end.


    Finally, after two hours of navigating thebyrinthine corridors and receiving vague directions, he stumbled upon a well-hidden door marked with rence''s name.


    Jett let out a sigh of relief as he approached the office. The time spent searching had tested his patience, but he now stood before the door, ready to face whatever awaited him inside.


    "Well, what took you so long? I''ve been waiting for a while now," rence said as Jett walked in.


    The office was vast but in utter disarray.


    Books were stacked haphazardly on every avable surface, and research papers and arcane artifacts were scattered across the floor.


    The room looked like a tornado had hit a library and aboratory simultaneously.


    Amidst the clutter, Jett couldn''t help but think, ''I expected it, but it''s messier than I anticipated. You could hide a hundred bodies in here and never find them again.''


    Jett nced around, taking in the chaotic scene before turning his attention to rence, who sat behind a cluttered desk, his expression a mix of annoyance and impatience at Jett''s scrutiny.


    "Alright, let''s get straight to the point concerning your punishment," rence said, regaining hisposure.


    Jett braced himself, mentally preparing for a punishment that might be more severe than he anticipated.


    His mind raced through various possibilities, each more daunting than thest.


    "You''ll be helping me here as my research assistant," rence announced with a wry smile, clearly amused by Jett''s uneasy reaction.


    "Yes si�� huh? Research assistant?" Jett responded, his face a picture of confusion and surprise.


    "That''s right," rence affirmed with a nod. "Do you have a problem with that?"


    "Umm, well�� isn''t that more of a privilege than a punishment?" Jett asked, his nervousness evident as he couldn''t shake the feeling that something was amiss.


    "You think of it as a privilege?" renceughed, clearly entertained by Jett''s reaction. "Even Valetta considers working with me to be a nightmare."


    "I''m just a first year. How could I ever get guidance from the principal without earning it?" Jett said, trying to appear as modest as possible while internally bracing for the hidden catch.


    ''You Lumix is enough certificate,'' rence said with a knowing smile, his eyes lingering on Jett''s glowing Lumix. Jett tried to suppress it, but the subtle light still caught rence''s attention. ''You''re going to be my unofficialb rat,'' rence thought to himself.


    "You''ll being here three times a week. You can choose the days, but you must show up without fail on those days," rence warned, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.


    Jett nodded in affirmation, his expression a mix of resignation and unease. He understood the gravity of the situation and knew he had little choice but toply.


    "One more thing," rence added with a sigh. "No one should find out about this. I don''t want you bragging about it to your friends."


    ''Who would even do that?'' Jett thought, bewildered. ''I don''t even want to be here.'' He nodded in agreement, though his mind was far from reassured.


    "For your first task, organize the books here. I''ll be back in an hour," rence said, already heading for the door, leaving no room for protest.


    "Huh��but I just got here��" Jett tried to offer an excuse, but rence was already smiling and shutting the door behind him.


    "Bye," rence said with a final, dismissive wave.


    Left alone, Jett stared at the mess before him. The office was a chaoticbyrinth of books and scrolls.


    Stacks of books teetered precariously on every surface, and scrolls were scattered haphazardly across the floor.


    The room was a disordered jumble of academic clutter, with barely any space left visible amidst the confusion.


    Jett sighed heavily. The sight of the disarrayed office was both overwhelming and discouraging. He had no choice but to start working.


    ''Let''s just get this over with,'' he told himself, rolling up his sleeves and stretching to warm up.


    As he began to methodically sort through the mess, he couldn''t help but wonder what he had gotten himself into.


    *


    *


    *


    That''s doesn''t really seem right though.


    Don''t forget to drop a vote

 Chapter 68 Lumix Texts

    With his enhanced speed, Jett moved through the cluttered library like a blur. Books, scrolls, and misceneous items scattered across the floor were swiftly picked up and sorted.


    His movements were precise and deliberate, each item dropped back into its rightful ce with uncanny uracy.


    The once-chaotic room was transformed into a model of order and neatness in record time.


    As Jett neared the end of his task, he stumbled upon a book written in ancient script.


    Thanks to his skill [Grand Transcriber], a result of merging Cedric''s [Reader] and [Archeology Sense], he could decipher the text with ease. His curiosity piqued, he delved into the book, which detailed the enigmatic subject of Lumix.


    One particrly intriguing detail caught his eye: it suggested that, theoretically, magic swordsmen could train Lumix to the point where it would drain both their Aura and Mana.


    This, in turn, could elevate them to a near-divine state, though the text provided no specifics on how this transformation could be achieved.


    Jett continued reading, finding that much of the content aligned with what he already knew or was filled with inuracies.


    Some parts revealed new insights or challenged his previous assumptions.


    ''What are the odds of finding a book like this again?'' Jett mused, ncing at the clock. There were only ten minutes left before the return of hispany.


    He gave the book onest look before quickly searching for something to write with.


    The task was effortless; having just organized the room, he easily located a quill and parchment.


    Jett began to jot down the crucial details he had uncovered, eager to preserve this valuable information before time ran out. Find new worlds at m-vl-em-py-r


    ''I can''t believe he left me in a treasure trove like this. Is he really that careless?'' Jett thought, his gaze sweeping over the room once more.


    Driven by curiosity, Jett started opening other books, trying to dispel his doubts. Each tome he examined was encased in ancient script, anguage long lost to time.


    It quickly became apparent that these ancient texts were reserved for books and scrolls containing significant or dangerous information.


    Theirplexity and obscurity meant that finding someone capable of deciphering them would be an extraordinary challenge.


    Jett''s suspicions were confirmed when he noticed that many of the books were protected by intricate magic circles designed as defensive mechanisms.


    A few even had enchantments that only allowed rence to open them. Theyers of security were clearly meant to prevent unauthorized ess to sensitive content.


    ''I see, so he''s already taken these precautions,'' Jett mused, starting to gather the writing materials he had earlier organized. ''Why leave me with all these cursed items?''


    Jett swiftly began copying down the crucial details from the book he had found, meticulously transcribing the text exactly as it appeared. His fingers moved quickly, driven by the urgency of the task.


    ''This must be my luck at y, getting into trouble and then being brought here,'' Jett thought as he continued to copy the texts.


    As the clock ticked down, he paused his writing with only a minute remaining, pretending to still be engaged in cleaning the room.


    He wiped his brow and nced at the disarray he had so recently tidied up, putting on an air of exhaustion.


    When the hour had passed, rence walked back in, expecting to find the mess he had left behind.


    Instead, he was met with an astonishing sight: the room was impably arranged, and Jett stood there, panting with a look of genuine fatigue.


    "Too bad you couldn''t do such a simple��" rence began, but his words faltered as he took in the pristine condition of the room and Jett''s weary appearance.


    "How did you do it?" rence asked, his shock evident as he surveyed the perfectly organized room.


    "I love cleaning," Jett replied with a smile.


    "Don''t give me that crap. There has to be some trick to it," rence said, peering around the room as if expecting to find evidence of an aplice, but he found nothing.


    "Can I go now? I''m really tired," Jett asked, his grin barely concealing his relief.


    "You don''t look tired?" rence nced skeptically at Jett''s unruffled appearance. "Alright, you can leave. But remember, you still need to pick a regr time toe by."


    Jett took a deep breath, savoring the end of his ordeal. "Can I take that with me?" he asked, pointing to the ancient book he had been studying.


    "No, it''s not for kids," rence said, his expression turning serious. "Even if I let you have it, you wouldn''t be able to read it."


    With a final nod, Jett left the library, but he wasn''t empty-handed.


    He had managed to slip out with part of the book and had previously copied a skill from rence: [Cosmic Tear].


    This powerful ability tore open a gateway to the cosmos, unleashing a devastating barrage of cosmic energy and celestial forces over arge radius.


    ''It needs a ridiculous amount of MP though, but I''ll get the opportunity to copy more skills from him.'' Jett thought as he made his way back.


    *****


    Back at the dorm, the boys gathered in Cedric and Matthew''s room.


    The atmosphere was light and buzzing with energy as they began to chat about their day''s events.


    "It''s good that we''re meeting up to chat and all that, but do we have to do it in my room?" Cedric asked, clearly ufortable with the idea of having the room potentially messed up.


    "We obviously can''t meet at mine now, can we?" Jett shrugged nonchntly.


    "Apart from you," Cedric replied, pointing at the others, "What about them?"


    "C''mon, lighten up. Your room is surprisingly more visually appealing and rxing," Rey said with a grin.


    "Yeah, this guy went ahead and brought in some junk into our room and now it''s barely enough to fit both of us," Aiden added, ring at Finn.


    "What? Those are important assets to me. They''ll fetch a good price when the time is right," Finn tried to defend himself.


    "I don''t care; just clean up your junk," Aiden said, clearly fed up with Finn''s excuses.


    The argument continued, with the boys bickering back and forth.


    Jett watched with growing impatience until he finally interjected, "Alright, enough! We''re here to catch up, not to argue about rooms and junk."


    The room fell silent as they all looked at Jett. He cleared his throat and guided the conversation away from the bickering, shifting focus to their recent experiences.


    They shared stories of their grinding experience and how they had each improved significantly, thanks in no small part to Jett''s guidance.


    As the discussion flowed, Rey suddenly remembered something and decided to bring it up.


    "Hey, you guys," he said, leaning forward with a thoughtful expression, "Have any of you been in a situation where you kept seeing these golden light orb thingies floating around you?"


    He tried to describe what he had seen in the dungeon, hoping that someone else might have had a simr experience.


    The others looked at Rey with confusion, clearly unsure about what he was describing.


    "Are you sure you didn''t overwork yourself?" Cedric asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Sounds like a hallucination to me," Finn added dismissively.


    Jett, however, immediately understood what Rey was talking about.


    "Light balls flickering around everything, could be mistaken for floating clouds?" he asked to confirm.


    "Yeah, that''s what I saw. Lots of them everywhere. I knew I wasn''t going crazy," Rey said, his excitement evident that he wasn''t the only one who had seen them.


    "That was Lumix," Jett said with a serious tone. ''But how is that possible to be able to see it? The plot really wnts him to be the strongest.''


    "Lumix? What''s that?" Aiden asked, intrigued.


    "Is it some kind of sickness from this world?" Cedric asked, his concern apparent.


    "I''ve heard rumors about it on the Forum," Asher chimed in. "It''s supposed to be a hidden power you could unlock with the [Hero] ss, but I never tried it since I picked the [Rogue] ss."


    "I think I''ve seen something like that before," Rey said, his brow furrowing as he tried to recall.


    "The final boss?" Matthew suggested.


    "The special boss sequence you can only unlock if you max out your stats in the game before facing the boss.You only need 90% statpletion plus the hidden ss weapon if you want to use it in [Hero] ss" Jett borated with detailed knowledge.


    "How do you know that? I thought you only used Freya''s character," Rey asked, surprised.


    "I yed your character too," Jett said with a touch of pride, revealing a bit more of his gaming background.


    "How sad does your life have to be to probably almost master everything about the WAR BOUND characters?" Aiden asked, giving Jett a peculiar look.


    "Can we leave it at that? I''m going back to my room," Jett said, his voice tinged with frustration as he stomped out angrily.


    "What''s with him?" Matthew asked, puzzled.


    "Beats me," Rey shrugged.


    *****


    Close to the capital, Cormac sprinted through the dense forest, pursued by several cloaked figures.


    His face was covered, obscuring his identity as he darted between the trees.


    The pursuers struggled to keep up, their movements hindered by the underbrush and the darkness of the night.


    Tied securely behind Cormac was a bundle that seemed to be the object of their intense fixation. He nced back, noting their growing frustration as they fought to close the distance.


    After a considerable distance, Cormac leapt onto a tree branch and paused, his breath steady and measured.


    He quickly assessed the position of his pursuers, lining them up within his line of sight. With a focused expression, he prepared for his attack.


    "Spear Art Fourth Form: Chain Traversal!" Cormac dered.


    An invisible line of lightning shot out from his spear, linking all the pursuers together.


    With a swift motion, Cormac teleported along this line, his movements a blur as he struck each pursuer with deadly precision before they could even react.


    As thest of the pursuers fell, Cormac turned to him and said with cold finality, "No matter how many of youe for me, the result will be the same."


    He delivered a decisive slice to the man''s neck, ending the confrontation,leaving without wasting time as more gave chase.


    *


    *


    *


    Seems like he''s in trouble.

 Chapter 69 Cormac Ambushed

    "He''s getting away!" a voice shouted as a new group of cloaked men surged forward, their pursuit relentless. Read further adventures at m vl_em|p_yr


    "Move faster!" another yelled, their urgency evident.


    "You won''t get away from us!" the first person dered arrogantly, his tone full of confidence.


    The additional men closed in on Cormac, their numbers growing as they continued the chase.


    Despite their efforts, Cormac''s pace remained steady, and he slowly began to lose sight of them, the dense forest and darkness obscuring his trail.


    ''I don''t have time for this. I may not fully understand what they want with this artifact, but it definitely can''t be left with these savages,'' Cormac thought, pushing himself to run faster.


    The pursuers'' shouts faded as he continued, eventually disappearing from their view.


    ''I need to report this to the guild, but it''s a fair distance from here. To think they would openly confront me near the capital. Lord was right about there being a bad apple in the royal council,'' Cormac pondered as he moved through the forest.


    Suddenly, a tall, rough-looking man with fiery eyes stepped into his path, blocking his way. He wielded two sabers, his bare torso covered with numerous scars.


    The man''s rugged appearance and the way he carried himself made it clear that he was no ordinary opponent.


    "Oi, this is as far as you''ll go, mate. Hand it over, and I''ll grant you a painless death," the man growled, his voice gruff and threatening.


    Cormac made a quick attempt to run past him, but the man stood his ground, unwavering. The air around them seemed to thicken with tension as the man activated his skill, [Great Wall].


    A barely visible barrier materialized before Cormac, rising 100 meters high.


    Cormac''s senses tingled with a heightened awareness of the danger. The skill''s presence and the man''s imposing stance indicated that this was a formidable foe.


    "So they even sent someone as strong as you to intercept me," Cormac sighed, ncing at the man. "This artifact must be really important to your organization."


    "Beats me. I just do what I''m told," the fiery-looking man shrugged, trying tough off the situation.


    "Well then, just another crimson hound I need to dispose of," Cormac said, leveling his spear at the man.


    "Crimson Hound? What''s that?" the man asked, his confusion evident.


    Cormac, slightly surprised, lowered his spear. "You don''t even know who you''re working for?"


    "No clue," the man admitted, nging his sabers together with a confident grin. "But I was told I''d get to fight a strong opponents and have some fun while getting paid. Judging by your Aura, I can safely bet you''re the strong foe I''m supposed to face."


    "I see, you''re just an idiot. I went full defensive for nothing," Cormac said with a sigh, turning as if to walk away.


    Before he could take a step, the man''s Aura red, and a surge of energy sliced through the air, creating a massive hole right next to Cormac.


    The force of the attack left a deep scar in the forest floor, sending debris flying.


    "Where do you think you''re going, huh? You''re going to pay for that, boy!" the man bellowed.


    "Boy?" Cormac paused, his gaze narrowing.


    "I''ll call you whatever I want to. Now face me like a man!" the man continued to yell, his voice echoing with challenge and anger.


    Cormac turned back to face him, readying himself for the confrontation.


    "I can sense you''ll be a formidable enemy. Why would you align yourself with such a group when you could be a sessful adventurer?" Cormac asked, his gaze shifting as he took in his surroundings. ''I need to buy more time for the skill to cancel out,'' he thought.


    "The thrill, of course," Rashmire replied, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he charged forward with a powerful swing. Cormac blocked the attack, their weapons shing with a resounding sh.


    The battle unfolded with intense exchanges. Rashmire swung his sabers with wild abandon, his movements fueled by exhration. Heughed and taunted with each attack, reveling in the challenge.


    Cormac, on the other hand, remainedposed and silent, his focus unwavering as he expertly blocked, dodged, and countered.


    Their fight was a dance of power and precision. Rashmire''s strikes were swift and aggressive, while Cormac''s defense was methodical and calcted.


    The two warriors moved with remarkable agility, each attack and parry echoing through the forest.


    The fiery man''sughter punctuated the sh, while Cormac''s silence spoke volumes of his concentration and resolve.


    After a series of exchanges, they both stepped back, taking a moment to reassess.


    The air was thick with tension as they analyzed each other''s strengths and weaknesses.


    ''We''re evenly matched. There''s no doubt he''s skilled,'' Cormac thought, noting the man''s prowess. ''But it seems like he''s holding back: either stalling for reinforcements or simply enjoying this too much.''


    ''This kid must be a monster to keep up with me. This is exciting, but I need to end this soon,'' Rashmire thought, a smile ying on his lips as he looked at Cormac.


    "The name''s Rashmire," Rashmire dered boastfully, his grin widening. "I must say, I''m impressed that you''vested this long with me."


    "And I need this information because��?" Cormac''s tone was indifferent, clearly uninterested in Rashmire''s boasts.


    "You can call me Rash. Only those I deem worthy get to call me that," Rashmire said, his smile broadening with pride.


    "Because you look like you name and they''re not scared to say it?" Cormac retorted with a nk expression.


    "Never mind," Rashmire snapped, clearly irritated.


    "It seems you''ve never learned how to respect your elders. And what''s with that look on your face, huh?" His annoyance was palpable. "I think it''s time we ended this childish game."


    With a sudden shift in demeanor, Rashmire activated [Warrior Blessing]. His Aura red, its color intensifying and bing more menacing. Cormac could feel the pressure of Rashmire''s increased power.


    ''Intermediate Rank? How troublesome,'' Cormac thought, noting the bright yellow color of Rashmire''s Aura.


    Cormac didn''t hesitate. He faced Rashmire head-on, unleashing [Boost] to counter the surge in power. His own Aura red in response, matching Rashmire''s intensity.


    Despite the boost, the two continued to sh evenly. However, Rashmire''s serious demeanor and heightened skills began to turn the tide in his favor.


    As Rashmire stacked additional skills for even greater power, he gained a clear advantage. Cormac found himself on the defensive, struggling to keep up with the relentless onught.


    "Haha, is that all you''ve got?" Rashmire taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. "Where''s that nonchnt attitude you had just a moment ago, huh? Are you scared of me?" Hisughter echoed as the fight dragged on.


    "Tch, keep dreaming," Cormac muttered under his breath. ''His skills are no joke. I don''t even see an opening to counter: he''s just that fast.''


    Rashmireunched a new attack, his sabers shing as he executed [Sabre Art: Second Form - Twin Fang]. The cross strike, charged with his Aura, shed through the air toward Cormac.


    ''A weapon technique? I might lose if I''m careless,'' Cormac thought, barely dodging the attack. The force of the blow grazed him, damaging his disguise and causing blood to trickle down his cheek.


    "You don''t even look like you''re past forty. How old are you anyway?" Rashmire asked, his curiosity tinged with arrogance.


    "Forty? But you keep calling me kid," Cormac replied, trying to wipe the blood from his face.


    "Because I''m ny-three. Not bad for a level eighty-six warrior, right? Especially since we live for about two hundred years or so," Rashmire said with pride, his chest puffed out.


    ''Not even worth my Lord''s time,'' Cormac thought, pushing himself up despite the pain.


    "I see, so you still have some fire in you, huh? Well, it''s toote now." Rashmire pointed toward the direction Cormac had been running from.


    Seven cloaked men were already heading that way.


    "Sadly, this is the end for you," Rashmire sighed, his tone final.


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    Damn his trapped now...

 Chapter 70 Cormacs Resolve

    "Reinforcements have arrived, so just die peacefully," Rashmire dered with a cold smirk. Cormac, unfazed, retorted, "What reinforcements?"


    As the reinforcementsnded, a sudden jolt of electricity surged through the area.


    The neers were instantly electrocuted, their bodies convulsing and copsing to the ground, stunned and incapacitated. Rashmire''s watched the scene unfold in confusion.


    Before Rashmire could react, Cormac hurled a small object towards him with precise aim. The item exploded in a burst of dazzling light and smoke, momentarily disorienting Rashmire.


    Seizing the opportunity, Cormac charged forward, his spear aimed directly at Rashmire.


    In a swift motion, Cormac managed to graze Rashmire''s chest with a deep scratch, drawing a line of blood. Rashmire staggered back, stunned, as he thought, ''He nned this far ahead? Well, lucky me. I get to kill him myself.''


    With a furious shout, Rashmire drew his sabres and prepared for retaliation. Cormac, anticipating the attack, swung his spear in a wide arc. With a chain attached to the spear, creating a deadly whirl aimed at Rashmire.


    Rashmire reacted swiftly, raising his sabres to block the iing assault. The sh of metal against metal rang out as he managed to deflect the attack, though the force of the impact pushed him back.


    "Sabre Art Third Form: Rampaging Fang!" Rashmire roared, unleashing a relentless barrage of strikes towards Cormac. Each swing was precise and fierce, intended to overwhelm his opponent.


    "Spear Art Fifth Form: Whirlwind!" Cormac countered, spinning the tip of his spear rapidly. The spinning motion generated a powerful whirlwind that absorbed Rashmire''s strikes, the gust of wind deflecting most of the iing blows.


    Rashmire''s eyes narrowed as he closed in, delivering a powerful kick that sent Cormac skidding across the ground.


    Without giving his opponent a moment to recover, Rashmire pressed the attack, his sabres shing in a relentless assault.


    Cormac fought back valiantly, repelling many of Rashmire''s strikes with his spear, but the sheer ferocity of the attack found gaps in his defense,nding blows that deepened his wounds.


    "If you don''t fight back, you''ll die," Rashmire taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. He continued the assault with ruthless efficiency, tossing Cormac to the ground.


    He relentlessly stomped on Cormac''s hand, each step a painful reminder of his superiority. "Is that really all you can muster?"


    ''I guess I really am not strong enough,'' Cormac thought as his consciousness began to fade, the edges of his vision blurring.


    Meanwhile, Rashmire continued to relish his torment, stepping on Cormac with a sadistic glee. ''You know, this guy fits the description of someone I was once warned about,'' Rashmire mused, a cruel smile ying on his lips. ''Not that it matters anyway.''


    The duration of Rashmire''s skill finally came to an end, and the oppressive force he wielded dissipated.


    Cormac, growing weaker by the second, felt the icy grip of despair tightening around him. His blood continued to seep from his wounds, and doubts began to gue his fading consciousness.


    ''Is this really all I can do? So this is how I go out?'' Cormac''s thoughts raced as he struggled to maintain rity.


    ''So be it. I didn''t live a long life, but at least I lived a good one, right? Do I really have no regrets? Am I really okay with this?'' Each passing second seemed to stretch into eternity as he bled out. ''Regrets? Yeah, I did promised my Lord that I would surpass him someday.''


    *****


    ''''shback''''


    In a rundown street, the scene was grim. A young child clutched a loaf of bread tightly, his small frame darting through the dpidated alleyways. He was pursued by three men, their voices harsh and unforgiving.


    "Get that kid!" one of them barked, his voice gravelly and menacing.


    "Did you see him? He obviously stole that loaf of bread," another growled, his eyes glinting with greed.


    The child ran with a desperate determination, his breath ragged as he protected the bread. His clothes were tattered and worn, barely holding together as he stumbled and fell.


    The men, grim and ragged themselves, were no better: just hulking figures loitering about, looking for any opportunity to seize what little others had.


    The child''s frantic flight led him to a dead end, and his heart pounded as his pursuers closed in. The fear in his eyes was palpable, a stark contrast to the men''s mocking, indifferent expressions.


    "Don''te any closer or I''ll�� I''ll��" the child stammered, his voice trembling as he brandished a rusted knife with shaky hands.


    The men''sughter echoed through the alley, cruel and mocking. "Ha ha," they jeered, their voices filled with pure deceit.


    "He thinks he''s tough because he has a weapon with him," one of the men sneered through hisughter.


    "You''ll do what, kid? We know you stole that bread, but we''ll let you go if you hand it over," the first man warned, his voice dripping with disdain.


    "No! I paid for this bread with the money I earned from the fields. If you want one, then go work for it like every other person!" the child shouted with fear as he gripped the knife tightly.


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    The first man''s face twisted with anger. "You''ve got a lot of nerve telling me what to do, boy. That really ticks me off." With a sudden, brutal movement, he pped the child hard across the face and lunged to grab the bread.


    The child''s small frame struggled fiercely against the man''srger, stronger arms. They grappled over the bread, the child''s grip on the loaf unwavering despite the force of the man''s attempts to pry it away.


    In a desperate act, the child bit down hard on the man''s arm, his teeth breaking skin and drawing blood. The man howled in pain, pulling back with a growl of frustration.


    "Why, you little��" the first man snarled, clutching his bleeding arm. "Don''t just stand there, get him. Or don''t you want to eat?"


    "Alright, kid,e here!" the second man demanded, reaching out to grab the child.


    The child, with a burst of adrenaline, dodged the man''s grasp and thrust the knife into the second man''s leg, drawing a pained cry.


    As the second man staggered back, the child shoved the third man away, trying to make a run for it.


    However, a fourth man appeared suddenly, blocking the child''s escape. With a cruel grin, the fourth man seized the child and hurled him through the air.


    The childnded hard, but even as the others closed in to beat him, he clung desperately to the bread, protecting it with a fierce determination.


    The beating continued, but the child''s resolve never wavered. Just as the situation seemed dire, amanding voice rang out from behind the men.


    "Leave him alone."


    In an instant, a powerful force surged through the air, sending all four men flying backward. They crashed into the nearby debris, stunned and disoriented.


    The child, barely able to move,y on the ground with a mix of relief and exhaustion, his grip on the bread still strong.


    *****


    Back in the present, Cormacy motionless on the ground, his breathing shallow andbored. Rashmire, having taken the artifact, had abandoned him, leaving him for dead.


    He believed that Cormac would sumb to his injuries and the slow creep of death.


    ''That''s right. I can''t die here. I still haven''t repaid my debt...'' Cormac thought with a surge of determination. With immense effort, he managed to sit up and reached for a healing pill, swallowing it as he fought to regain his strength.


    Rashmire, still unaware of Cormac''s revival, continued on his path with a sense of satisfaction, convinced that the matter was resolved.


    He made his way through the winding streets of the capital, the artifact securely in his possession.


    Using his remaining MP, Cormac activated his skill, [Stun]. A powerful shockwave surged out, enveloping Rashmire and immobilizing him.


    Seizing the opportunity, Cormac darted toward Rashmire, snatching the artifact from the ground.


    He then sprinted into thebyrinthine alleys of the capital, his resolve hardening with each step.


    The effect of the [Stun] skillsted for only a minute, but that was more than enough time for Cormac to disappear into the depths of the city. By the time Rashmire recovered, Cormac was already long gone.


    Fury and frustration consumed Rashmire as he roared, "I''ll kill that brat with my bare hands!" Despite his superior strength, Cormac''s escape left him seething with anger and a burning desire for retribution.


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 Chapter 71 Cormac, this is Everyone

    "Where do I go from here?" Cormac wondered, his vision swimming in and out of focus. Struggling to remain conscious, he staggered down a narrow, empty alley.


    His strength was waning, but he managed to find a hidden corner where he could copse and stay out of sight.


    Once he was safely concealed, Cormac fumbled for his potions, carefully consuming them to restore his MP and HP.


    The pain and exhaustion overwhelmed him as hey back, eventually sumbing to unconsciousness.


    *****


    Cormac''s senses slowly began to awaken, though his hearing remained faint and distorted. The muffled sound of distant voices reached him, but he couldn''t make out any coherent words.


    ''Crap, I got caught. I need to escape,'' Cormac thought, struggling to assess his condition. His body felt unresponsive, so he activated his skill, [Jolt], sending a surge of electricity through his system.


    The burst of energy helped jump-start his bodily functions, and he managed to twitch his fingers slightly.


    Despite his efforts, his hearing remained impaired and everything looked blurry when he attempted to open his eyes.


    ''No, I shouldn''t try to open my eyes just yet. I don''t want them to see that I''m awake,'' he reasoned. Still, a troubling thought lingered: ''But if they really were the ones chasing me, I''d be dead by now.''


    The faint voices continued, their content unclear. Cormac could only make out sporadic sounds, offering no clues about his current situation.


    *****


    As the hours passed, Cormac''s senses gradually returned. His hearing sharpened, and the blurriness began to recede from his vision.


    Cautiously, he began to observe his surroundings without making any sudden movements.


    He noted the dimly lit room he was in, the rough texture of the walls, and the sparse furnishings.


    His initial panic subsided as he took in the details, trying to piece together how he ended up here and where his captors might be.


    Cormac''s focus was on gathering as much information as possible, nning his next move carefully while he regained his strength.


    Cormac''s eyes flickered open as he cautiously scanned the room.


    His primary concern was locating his weapon and the artifact. After a quick but thorough search, he spotted his spear lying across the room. However, there was no sign of the artifact.


    He caught snippets of a conversation from the nearby voices:


    "Why do you think he kept holding onto this?" a male voice asked.


    "Probably something special to him," another voice replied.


    "This piece of junk? No way," the first voice responded with clear skepticism.


    "Why my room, though?" Devin''s voice interjected, but there was no answer.


    ''They''re not part of the Crimson Hound? I still need to be careful; they might be hostile,'' Cormac thought, maintaining his pretense of unconsciousness.


    Suddenly, a female voice cut through the tension. "You can wake up now. Pretending to be unconscious only makes you more suspicious."


    At the sound of the voice, a chill of danger shot through Cormac. Reacting instantly, he sprang up from the bed, his body moving with practiced precision.


    He grabbed his spear and charged toward the source of the voices. In a swift motion, he had one of the men at spearpoint.


    The man, caught off guard, was actually to be Leroy. "Hey, c''mon, I just did my hair, you jerk!" Leroy whined, his hair now a mess from Cormac''s rough handling.


    Devin and Rena, seeing the sudden turn of events, sprang into action. Devin hefted his axe menacingly, aiming it at Cormac, while Rena brandished her wand with a determined re.


    "Hey! Don''t point that thing at my face," Leroy shouted angrily, directing his frustration toward Rena.


    "Drop your weapons and don''te any closer," Cormac warned, his spear pressed firmly against Leroy. "Unless you never want to see him again."


    "Sure, I dare you. I even need a better archer anyway; this one''s too annoying," Lay replied defiantly, her daggers still at the ready.


    "You know we saved you, right?" Devin asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.


    "For that, I give my thanks, but I''m in a situation where I need to limit who to trust," Cormac said with utmost sincerity, his gaze never wavering.


    "Oh? He''s a gentleman. On closer look, he''s kind of cute," Renamented with a hint of amusement.


    "You''ve really got trust issues, mister. Just let me go already," Leroyined, clearly ufortable.


    "Better do what he says, you guys. I can feel his spear poking my soul right now," Leroy begged the others, his voice tinged with desperation.


    Lay interjected, "We found you copsed on the path we had taken back from our mission. At first, we thought you was dead, but I could sense a faint pulse. That''s why I asked Rena to patch you up."


    Cormac''s suspicions remained. ''They could be con artists for all I know.'' He tightened his grip on the spear, his eyes narrowing as he interrogated them. "Who are you guys? How did I get here?"


    "Let him go so we can talk," Devin suggested, taking a cautious step back.


    "Hmph��" Rena also began to withdraw, sensing the tension.


    "Hmph��" Rena also took a step back, her eyes narrowing as she observed the situation.


    "Thank you..." Leroy said, directing his gratitude towards Lay and Rena.


    Lay remained steadfast, her posture rigid. "What are you guys doing? He''s clearly dangerous."


    "Well, I always knew you didn''t like me, but this one takes the cake, you��" Leroy began, searching for the right insult.


    "Just shut up, Leroy. You were the one who got careless," Lay shot back, clearly annoyed.


    As their argument continued, the door creaked open. Nerissa entered, carrying a bag full of ingredients. "I hope you guys are hungry, because breakfast is on me... guys?" She halted in surprise as she noticed Cormac. "Cormac?"


    *****


    Nerissa quickly took charge. "Alright, everyone, this is Cormac. Cormac, this is everyone."


    "You could at least say we''re party members!" Leroy interjected.


    ''Nerissa really hasn''t changed,'' Cormac thought with a faint smile.


    Nerissa began the introductions. "This is Lay," she gestured to the stern woman, "Devin," she pointed to the imposing figure with the axe, "Rena," she nodded toward the young mage, "and Leroy," she added with a slight smirk at the disheveled archer.


    "So how do you know this guy anyway?" Lay asked, her gaze never leaving Cormac.


    Nerissa responded, "He he''s my father''s retainer. If he''s here, it must be because he has an important mission to attend to."


    Lay filled in the gaps for Nerissa. "We found him copsed after an ambush. He was being chased by a group called the Crimson Hound and was attacked by Rashmire."


    "Rashmire?" Nerissa asked just be sure she heard her right.


    Cormac took over. "I was indeed ambushed by Rashmire. He stole an artifact from me, and I managed to escape. The Crimson Hound must have been involved."


    Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically. Devin''s anger was palpable as he punched the wall, causing a noticeable dent. "So those bastards really are in the capital."


    "You know them?" Cormac asked, surprised. Even Nerissa stopped talking? What happened to them?'' Stay connected with m|vl|e|mp|y|r


    "You could say we still have a bone to pick with that organization," Lay said, her fists clenched tightly.


    Nerissa finally spoke up. "I was on my way to the guild to hand over a strange artifact that was in their possession when I got ambushed. You better not send that thing to the guild, Cormac."


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    I want to do better

 Chapter 72 Crimson Troubles

    Nerissa prepared breakfast for everyone, and they gathered around the table, discussing the day''s events over their meal.


    "It''s not really something we like to talk about. There was this quest we took that led us to a cave where they were farming chimeras," Devin exined.


    Rena pushed her food around her te, her appetite vanishing as she thought about the horrifying scene. Her fork hovered above her te, then fell back down.


    She swallowed hard, forcing herself to eat a few bites, but her face paled with every mention of the grotesque creatures.


    "Chimeras? I thought experiments on chimeras were banned in all nations, not just Verena. How could this happen?" Cormac asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.


    The topic was unsettling. Experiments involving chimeras were considered some of the most abominable acts of cruelty.


    These experiments, which involved forcibly merging parts of different beings, were so inhumane that every nation: whether human, elf, or beastman, unanimously agreed to ouw them.


    Anyone caught conducting such experiments faced a grim fate: death. The sheer barbarity of these acts left no room for debate.


    "We don''t know, but there were enough chimeras to form arge army. An elf showed up and destroyed all the evidence without a second thought," Lay said, shaking her head.


    "Because they probably have more ces like that," Cormac guessed, his mind racing.


    "Bingo. The old elf geezer mentioned something simr too," Leroy said, munching on some pancakes with a casual air.


    "We tried reporting it to the guild, but the matter was overlooked," Nerissa added, her voice tinged with frustration.


    "And that''s why you don''t want me taking the artifact to them? Because the guild might already have traitors, right?" Cormac asked, piecing it all together.


    "Yes, that''s right," Nerissa confirmed, nodding.


    Cormac gently ruffled Nerissa''s hair with a warm smile. "It''s alright," he chuckled, finding amusement in her mature demeanor. ''It''s weird to see her acting all grown up,'' he thought.


    Nerissa shot him a curious nce. "What''s so funny?" she asked, a hint of irritation in her voice. Cormac merely shrugged, brushing it off as nothing significant.


    Rena, still concerned, asked, "So what do you n on doing now?"


    "I''m still going to the guild," Cormac replied, his nervous smile betraying his apprehension about their reactions.


    The room fell silent as everyone exchanged confused nces.


    "Didn''t hear a word of what she said?" Leroy snapped. "If you give that thing to the wrong person, who knows what''s going to happen?"


    "For once, I agree with him. That shouldn''t even be an option," Lay added, her annoyance evident.


    "I won''t give it to the wrong person. I have a contact in the guild that I can trust," Cormac assured them, trying to maintain his confidence.


    "Yeah�� didn''t look like you could when your spear was kissing my neck a moment ago," Leroy said, still skeptical about Cormac''s n.


    Cormac sighed, his expression turning apologetic. "I''m sorry for how I acted before," he said. Leroy merely nodded, not pressing the issue further.


    "If you''re really worried, you cane with me to see the person I''m talking about," Cormac suggested, hoping to ease their concerns.


    "Follow you?" Rena repeated, sounding uncertain.


    Devin nodded in agreement. "We really don''t have much to lose, and it would be a good idea to meet someone we can also try to trust."


    "When you say it like that, then��" Leroy hesitated, but was quickly interrupted.


    "Let''s go!" Rena eximed, her impatience evident.


    *****


    At the guild, the group was greeted by an imposing figure. The guild master was a well-built woman with braided green hair that cascaded down her back.


    She looked around thirty, but it was well known she was much older. Her presencemanded respect without the need for grandiose words.


    "Umm, Cormac?" Rena asked nervously. "When you said ''contact,'' you didn''t mean��"


    "The freaking guild master!?" Leroy finished, him eyes wide.


    The guild master''s gaze was sharp but fair. "Do well to behave yourselves in the guild master''s presence. Don''t think I won''t kick you out because you came here with Cormac," she warned, her tone firm.


    "Go easy on them, Alex. They''re still my guests," Cormac added, trying to ease the tension.


    The group stood there, speechless and nervous, unsure of how to respond to the guild master''s authoritative presence.


    *****


    As they entered the guild, they expected to hand over the artifact to a receptionist or a specific worker. Instead, Cormac handed a ck card to one of the receptionists.


    "A ck card? What kind of circumstance would make them give you a ck card?" one of them wondered aloud.


    A ck card was a rare and prestigious item, issued to a select group of adventurers who had earned the trust of the guild. It granted privileges that extended beyond even S rank, allowing ess to sensitive missions and high-level resources.


    For most adventurers, the ck card was a myth, and this was the first time Nerissa and her party had ever seen one in person. The sight of it left them in awe and filled with curiosity about its significance.


    After showing the receptionists the ck card, the group was quickly directed to the guild master''s office.


    *****


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    "It''s been a while, Cormac," Alex greeted them warmly. "What brings you to the guild?"


    "I see you brought somerades with you. Lay, Devin, Rena, Leroy, and Nerissa," the guild master continued, ncing at each of them. "How''s Jerry these days? He never even tries to stop by."


    The group was taken aback by her familiarity. They exchanged surprised nces, clearly impressed that she knew their names.


    "You know who we are?" Rena asked, her eyes wide with astonishment.


    "Of course I do. I''m the guild master after all," the guild master said with a cheerful smile.


    "You really won''t change, guild master," Cormac sighed, shaking his head. "Don''t be fooled by her; she just used appraisal on all five of you."


    "It never gets old," the guild master, Helen,ughed. "Alright, boy scout, what brings you here?"


    "You really won''t call me Helen? I did say there was no need to be formal with me," Helen pouted yfully.


    Cormac then proceeded to exin the situation, detailing their encounter with the chimeras and their concerns about the guild''s possible infiltration.


    "Hmm��" Helen said, her expression thoughtful. "I thought as much."


    "You''re not surprised?" Nerissa asked, her confusion evident.


    "No, I expected this much after that big incident. I just couldn''t be sure who I could or couldn''t trust," Helen replied. She turned back to Cormac. "I need you to send a message to Jerry. Something big ising, big enough to threaten the entire continent and not just Verena."


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    Huff


    This gets a bit hard sometimes


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 Chapter 73 Partnership

    "What do you mean by that?" Cormac asked, his concern growing.


    "With everything you''ve told me and what I''ve seen for myself," Helen exined, "I''d say they''ll only be bolder as time passes, and it''ll get harder to control. As the guild master, even I wasn''t informed about the chimeras. I discovered it on my own, which means the guild now has some bad apples. It''ll be challenging to separate the wolves from the sheep."


    "We need to do something about this before it really gets out of hand," Devin said, his frustration clear.


    "Yes, we will," Alex agreed, "but we can''t do it openly or make an announcement. We don''t want to alert the organization we''re closing in on, or cause panic among civilians and other adventurers."


    "And what did the king say about this?" Cormac asked.


    "He said Verena will work with the other nations and rendon to finally rid ourselves of this nightmare," Helen replied, her expression showing disappointment.


    "But you''re still having second thoughts, aren''t you?" Cormac said with a sigh.


    "Oh, you can see right through me," Helen smirked. "In times like these, it''s better to keep your circle of trust smaller."


    "That''s understandable. I''ll be sure to pass this message to my Lord. But in the meantime, what will you do about this artifact?" Cormac asked with a serious tone.


    "Psst�� Hey, is he always that uptight?" Leroy whispered, but he quickly received a jab to the gut. "My bad, sorry I asked."


    Helen, undeterred, continued, "Based on what you''ve told me, I can safely bet that they haven''t given up on summoning their master back into this world. Now that the seal is about to break, they won''t need to use the altar at Lagia anymore."


    The gravity of the situation was so intense that everyone momentarily forgot they weren''t alone. The room fell silent as the weight of Helen''s words sunk in.


    "What do you mean by that?" Lay asked, breaking the silence.


    "You lost me at smaller circle," Devin added, his confusion apparent.


    "What seal? Do you know what she''s talking about?" Nerissa asked Cormac, her curiosity piqued.


    "Can you please not interrupt?" Alex said, a bit annoyed by the abrupt questions.


    Carmac sighed, realizing he had forgotten hispanions were with him. "Right, I forgot I came with them," he said, looking at his friends. "I also don''t know what she''s talking about."


    Helen''s expression grew more serious. "Well, obviously you don''t, not even Alex does. It''s something that happened a very, very long time ago. Only a select few knew about it, but it seems the information still leaked out."


    "So what do we do now?" Nerissa asked.


    "You''re not going to do anything. We most certainly don''t need a bunch of kids goofing around with something this delicate," Helen said with a sweet, assuring smile.


    "The fact that you said that with a cute face only makes it more degrading," Leroy grumbled, folding his arms.


    "Shut up Leroy," Lay frown at Leroy


    "And the artifact?" Cormac asked, trying to stay focused.


    "I know just the person, so you need not worry," Helen replied. "You may go now; I have other matters to attend to."


    As soon as Helen finished speaking, the group left the office quickly, eager to be out of the tense atmosphere.


    "Nerissa�� Thest time I saw her, she was just a baby," Cormac said as they walked away, reflecting on the unexpected turn of events.


    *****


    In her office, Helen had Alex run a series of tests on the artifact, but to no avail. They couldn''t find anything special about it, leaving them puzzled.


    ''Guess it''s time then,'' Helen thought.


    She swiftly drafted a letter, stamping it with her seal before attaching it to the artifact.


    With a determined expression, she stretched her hand, causing a portal to materialize. She tossed the artifact into the swirling vortex, watching as it disappeared.


    ''Alright, old man, you better do your part,'' Helen thought with a smile, hopeful for the next steps.


    *****


    Jett walked into rence''s office and found him examining a peculiar-looking object on his desk.


    "What''s that?" Jett asked, curious about the strange item.


    "Oh, just something a friend mailed to me. It seems to be a peculiar artifact, but I still can''t figure out what it''s about other than the demonic energy exuding from it," rence exined, rubbing his head slightly.


    "Are you alright, though? You seem injured," Jett asked, noting rence''s pained expression.


    "It''s nothing, just a slight headache," rence lied, his mind shing back to the incident that had just urred.


    *****


    An hour earlier in rence''s office, a small portal had suddenly opened next to him as he sat down to write something.


    Without warning, an object shot out of the portal at great speed, heading straight for rence''s head.


    The impact sent him crashing backward, leaving him momentarily dazed and stunned as he struggled to regain hisposure.


    ''That damn witch, she did it on purpose,'' rence cursed silently to himself.


    Jett activated his [Diagnosis] skill, his doubts fading as he saw the true nature of rence''s condition. A grin spread across Jett''s face. ''Doesn''t look like a headache to me,'' he thought.


    "So what''s the item for?" Jett asked, trying to keep the conversation light.


    "Well, I can''t tell you, but it''s very sinister," rence replied, dropping the artifact on his desk with a sigh. ''Well, I''ll continueter,'' he thought, shifting his attention.


    Jett''s mind raced. ''On closer inspection, I think I''ve seen that somewhere in the game. What''s it doing here?''


    rence sat down, turning his attention to Jett. ''He''s already learned how to suppress it this much? I might be able to learn a lot from him,'' he thought, intrigued by Jett''s demeanor.


    "Jett��" rence began, "What do you know about Lumix?"


    Jett''s mind raced. ''Why is he asking me? I better act dumb,'' he thought, putting on an innocent expression. "Lumix? What''s that?"


    "You can''t fool me, child. There''s no way you can possess that much Lumix without knowing what it is," rence said, his tone serious and irritated by Jett''s attempt to deceive him.


    ''Crap, he knows?'' Jett thought, feeling a twinge of anxiety as he tried to maintain his fa?ade.


    *


    *


    *


    Hope everything works out


    You can finally check out Cormac from the character list

 Chapter 74 Gravity Trial

    ''I won''t be able to fool him, huh? Maybe I should juste clean,'' Jett thought. He hesitated before finally saying, "Well... umm, yeah, I can use Lumix."


    rence''s eyes widened with curiosity. "We''re youborn with it? How did you get it? You have to tell me. I saw a lot of it on you the other day. You have to reveal your secret.


    How do you have so much Lumix?"


    "Huh?" Jett blinked, slightly confused. "Wait, you can see it?"


    "Of course I can," rence replied confidently. "I developed a skill that lets me see Mana, Aura, and even Lumix."


    "That''s quite an annoying skill. I really wanted to keep it hidden," Jett said with a sigh. "So, what now?"


    rence stretched out his hand, and a golden, liquid-like substance materialized in the air. "Lumix is an energy born from one''s understanding of the world around them and the synergy of Mana and Aura.


    To those who hear about it for the first time, it''s just another source of power. But to those who truly grasp its essence, it represents the perfect union of Aura and Mana."


    He paused, letting the golden substance swirl before their eyes. "Mastering Lumix takes an incredibly long time, yet I''ve never heard of a child possessing it. Naturally, I''m eager to learn more."


    "And that''s why I kept it hidden," Jett admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "I don''t need the unnecessary attention."


    "Well, you really don''t have a choice now, do you? You''re my personal assistant," rence said, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    "You nned this from the start, didn''t you?" Jett said, annoyance clear in his voice. ''It''s irritating, but I can work with this.''


    "What do you say, kid? Help me with my research, and I promise to keep it a secret. You''ll also get special privileges," rence offered, a glint of enthusiasm in his eyes.


    ''It''s not like I have a better option,'' Jett thought, ncing at rence. ''Besides, I might benefit from this.''


    *****


    A weekter, the time for the next trial finally arrived. On their stats screen, a new message appeared:


    [Continue the Trial? Y/N]


    This time, they were fully prepared. Each of them had a teleportation scroll, and their levels had increased significantly. They were ready.


    With a sh of light, they were teleported back to the dungeon where Alok awaited them with a patient expression.


    "You''ve returned," Alok said, his voice echoing in the dark space. Instantly, a new notification appeared:


    [Trial Completion 1/14]


    [Would you like to continue? Y/N]


    Rey took a deep breath, his finger hovering over the screen. With a decisive tap on "Yes," the team was teleported once more.


    *****


    "Where am I now?" Jett wondered as he surveyed his new surroundings, a mix of curiosity and determination in his eyes.


    Jett found himself in a small room, barely wide enough for him to stretch his arms. Each member of the team had been sent to a simr room, but each room contained only one person.


    "We''ve been isted this time," Jett muttered to himself, surveying the cramped space.


    "What kind of trial is this? Thest one was about teamwork, so what could��" Rey began to specte, but his thoughts were cut off by a new notification.


    [Trial 2]


    [Objective: Reach x20 Gravity]


    [Side: Endure the longest]


    [Quit whenever you like.]


    [Duration: Last Man Standing]


    As Rey was still processing the objective, a message from his ring popped up.


    -Rosa- "This seems more like apetition than a trial to me."


    ''Right, they did mention the message function for our rings at the entrance ceremony. I don''t even think I''ve tried it yet,'' Rey thought, ncing at the message. ''I guess it works here too.''


    -Rey- "Yeah, I don''t n on losing to you though."


    -Rosa- "Get real."


    Rey pondered whether he should contact Jett but quickly decided there was no point. The message from Rosa was enough for now.


    Just then, the gravity in the room began to increase.


    [x2 Gravity]


    "Gravity? That''s the trial?" Rey questioned aloud, but then he remembered he was alone.


    The gravity in the room became denser, pressing down on him with increasing force. His body felt the weight of it, and the air seemed to grow thicker as the pressure mounted.


    As the gravity in each room increased, everyone immediately felt the oppressive force. Despite the difort, no oneined outwardly.


    Rey grinned, "This is nothing."


    Morrigan, struggling to adjust, said, "Easy for you to say. This isn''t fun at all."


    Marce added, "She''s right. I don''t know how much of this I can take."


    Evelina, trying to stay positive, encouraged them, "Just try a bit more."


    They all used their rings as a medium formunication.


    -Rey- "Hey Jett, you doing alright over there?"


    Jett, on the other hand, didn''t feel much of the gravity''s effect.


    Thanks to his series of skillbinations, he had acquired a passive skill, [Gravity Resistance], which reduced the impact of gravity-based attacks by 25%. Combined with his current stats, the challenge posed little to no him.


    -Jett- "Umm, yeah, I''m fine. It''s not that hard for me. At this rate, I mighte out victorious." *It''s been a while since I tried to bepetitive. Time to show them up a bit.*


    -Matthew- "Sorry, but victory will be mine, you guys."


    -Aiden- "I don''t n on losing to you either."


    -Finn- "Whatever, just make it till the end."


    Finn was the first to forfeit, having had no intention of enduring the trial from the start. He was promptly teleported back to where Alok was.


    "Good grief. Thank goodness leaving doesn''t have a penalty," Finn said with a relieved sigh.


    -Elora- "Just wait till I get my hands on you, Finn."


    [x4 Gravity]


    This time, everyone felt the increased gravity, except for Jett, who remained unaffected.


    "This is getting a bit boring. I wish it could go faster," Jett remarked, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice.


    -Matthew- "This doesn''t feel too bad."


    -Morrigan- "Maybe because you''re a freaking bodybuilder."


    -Cedric- "It''s really not that bad if you coat yourself in Aura."


    -Marce- "And how does that help someone who only uses Mana, huh? I give up."


    Marce was the next to quit, her frustration evident as she was instantly teleported back.


    "This trial definitely has it out for magic users," Marce said before disappearing.


    *


    *


    *


    This might get a bit confusing but basically


    having it in this format shows that theirmunicating with their academy rings


    eg. -Rey- "---------"


    Just think of it as their version of texting or group chats

 Chapter 75 Gravity Trial II

    -Aiden-: "Don''t worry too much, you did better than Finn."


    -Finn-: "If you really want to push my buttons, try it with money. Everything else just goes over my head."


    -Aiden-: "Were you some kind of corporate worker in your past life? You drain the fun out of everything."


    -Finn-: "Mind your own business, Sherlock. You can never be too financially secure."


    -Seraphina-: "Does everything have to revolve around money with you?"


    -Finn-: "Actually, yes, it does."


    -Rey-: "Good luck finding a partner with that attitude, man."


    *****


    As the gravity increased to x6, Morrigan finally threw in the towel, leaving the remaining members to continue.


    While the others struggled through the trial, Jett took the opportunity to reflect.


    ''Why would they give us such an easy trial? It feels like they''re letting us pass. But why?'' he wondered.


    Jett overheard the others grumbling about how tough the trial was.


    ''These guys... how can theyin? This is nothing.'' Jett mused. ''Maybe if I push them harder, they''ll all work better.''


    With the gravity ramping up to x8, -Evelina- dered, "Alright, I''m out. Asher, make sure to avenge me."


    -Aiden-: "I''m actually surprised that Freya hasn''tined at all."


    -Freya-: "I barely feel it. I was actually wondering if mine was dyed."


    -Rey-: "That''s cheating."


    -Freya- : "Considering I don''t have an attack skill, this is a decent trade-off. ''


    ''Right, since gravity-based attacks don''t affect me, if rence had done the same to me, I''d still be standing. Not fair. At this rate, she''ll be the one to win.'' Jett thought, with a hint of jealousy.


    As the gravity increased to x10, Aiden and Rosa both conceded. Aiden stumbled back, exhausted, while Rosa copsed to the ground. They were promptly sent back to meet with the others, their faces a mix of frustration and relief.


    With the gravity escting to x12, then x14, Asher sighed and said, "I guess this is where I draw the line."


    -Elora- added, "What a shame."


    -Seraphina- grimaced and muttered, "Damn it, I can''t take any more."


    ''This could have been avoided if everyone had put in more effort,'' Jett thought as he skimmed through their messages. ''Ugh, doesn''t this thing have a mute function?''


    *****


    As the gravity reached x16, Cedric groaned, "Yep, I''m done. I can''t go on."


    ''Freya will win in the end, even if I push myself to the limit. I can''t resist the gravity forever so there''s no point in dragging this out.''


    -Jett-: "I''m out. I won''t waste my energy on a battle I can''t win. You guys better be smart and let Freya take this one."


    -Rey-: "The goal is x20. We can handle it."


    -Matthew-: "That''s right."


    -Jett-: "Never trust a mission thates with a side quest without any trigger."


    -Matthew-: "What do you mean?"


    -Jett-: "Let''s hope you don''t find out."


    ''Hehe, who am I kidding? I''m curious to see what happens next'', Jett thought with a grin.


    As the gravity increased, Rey and Matthew struggled under its crushing weight. Their bodies were pushed down, sweat dripping from their brows.


    Every movement became a Herculean effort as the force of gravity pressed them harder.


    In stark contrast, Freya remained unaffected. The gravity changes around her were nullified, leaving her standing effortlessly amidst the chaos.


    With the gravity at x18, then escting to x20, Finn observed with surprise, "They actually made it to the end."


    Jett smirked, "I''m not so sure about that."


    A new notification appeared, shing across the screen:


    [Trial 2 Complete]


    [Side Challenge Iplete]


    They stared at the screen, uncertain about what woulde next.


    As gravity ramped up to x25, Eloramented, "x25? That wasn''t part of the trial."


    Jett shrugged, "Like I said, never trust a mission with a side quest that was triggered from the beginning."


    -Jett-: "Rey, Matthew, give up now."


    -Matthew-: "Not yet!"


    [Iron Will] activated, fortifying Matthew''s resolve.


    -Rey-: "Not yet."


    [Heavenly Blessing] enveloped Rey, amplifying his strength.


    They both fought to endure, their skills ring to buy them more time.


    -Rosa-: "Idiots, what are you even trying to prove?"


    -Marce-: "I guess they''re just toopetitive."


    -Seraphina-: "I''m so jealous. I wish I could havested longer."


    With gravity at x30, Rey stacked his skills, activating [Divine Defense] to hold his ground.


    As the gravity ramped up to x45, Matthew finally couldn''t hold on any longer. With a pained expression, he backed down and was sent back to the starting point.


    That left Rey and Freya. Despite Rey''s valiant effort, everyone knew that Freya was going to be thest one standing.


    Under the relentless pressure of x45 gravity, Rey''s strength waned. His movements slowed, and his resolve faltered.


    With one final, weary sigh, he finally gave up, copsing and being sent back. Freya remained, victorious.


    As the only one remaining, Freya had won not only the trial for everyone but also the side challenge for herself.


    Jett nced at the new notification with a hint of irritation.


    [Trial Completion 2/14]


    [Reward]


    [+2 Levels]


    A special notification popped up for Freya:


    [Side Challenge Reward]


    [Winner: Freya]


    [+2 Levels]


    [Trial Exemption x1]


    Along with the extra two levels, Freya was granted a special privilege: she could choose not to participate in the next trial.


    *****


    "This trial didn''tst as long as the previous one, but I''m beat," Rey said, trying to stretch out his sore muscles.


    Everyone was feeling the effects of fatigue, though Jett had to put on a show of exhaustion as well.


    [Purge]


    Immediately, a wave of revitalization washed over them. They felt refreshed, even more invigorated than when they had started.


    [Would you like to continue? Yes/No]


    "Next week," Rey said, activating his teleportation scroll to return to the academy.


    The others followed suit, each using their scrolls to teleport back. But Jett stayed behind, a thoughtful expression on his face.


    It''s just a thought, but�� Jett mused as he walked closer to Alok, "Who is your master? Why does this ce exist?"


    Alok responded calmly, "Your questions shall all be answered once the trial is over."


    "Trial? It feels more like we''re being toyed with," Jett said, but received no further reply.


    "Then what are you? You don''t seem human, but you''re definitely not an angel or higher entity," Jett pressed.


    As he asked the question, a red notification shed:


    [[Refrain from asking too many questions]]


    [[No good wille from this]]


    That red notification again. Is the system really threatening me? Or is it just usibility?


    Well, that only proves how important this information is, Jett thought, pulling out his own teleportation scroll. I should focus on getting stronger for now.


    *


    *


    *


    Hehe


    The double square bracket again


    Let''s see if you guys still remember

 Chapter 76 Gotcha Eggs

    Two days after the trial, the atmosphere among the students at the dorm was buzzing with excitement and envy.


    The reason? The eggs had finally hatched, revealing an array of rare and even unique monsters. Except for Jett, who remained in a state of quiet frustration as his egg stubbornly refused to hatch.


    Jett couldn''t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. He had been eagerly anticipating the moment when his egg would crack open, but for reasons unknown, its due date had been inexplicably extended.


    Watching his peers revel in the unveiling of their newpanions only deepened his frustration. It was almost as if fate itself had conspired against him.


    As his friends paraded their newfound pets in front of him, the scene felt like a cruel mockery.


    Aiden showed off his sleek, magical tiger with an air of smugness, while Freya''s radiant Phoenix fluttered about, leaving a trail of warm, healing light. Even Marce couldn''t resist unting her Elixir Slime.


    Each disy was a stab at Jett''s already wounded pride, further amplified by their yful taunts and exaggerated boasts.


    To Jett''s dismay, he wasn''t the only one left out. In fact, theck of pets was amon plight among first-year students, with only a few upperssmen managing to secure one.


    Pets were rare and coveted, their acquisition akin to winning a lottery.


    The eggs, much like a gacha system, were shrouded in unpredictability. They came with high costs and even higher expectations.


    The rarity and quality of the monsters inside were directly tied to the tier of the egg, with the more expensive ones potentially yielding extraordinary results.


    However, this also meant a reduced chance of receiving anything of value. The hunt for these eggs was a blend of fortune and fortune-seeking, requiring both exceptional luck and deep pockets to secure even a single egg.


    The mystique surrounding the eggs only added to their allure. No one truly knew how or where these eggs were made.


    They appeared randomly in various locations, and only a select few individuals possessed the skill and knowledge to locate them.


    As a result, the eggs remained a rare and elusivemodity, with their origins and distribution wrapped in a veil of mystery.


    The Royal treasury housed fourteen beasts ranging from rare to epic to even Legendary, a testament to the kingdom''s immense wealth and power.


    Remarkably, on this day, the Divine Lords obtained one of these extraordinary creatures, forming a unique bond with their newpanions. Given this special connection, the academy made an exception, allowing the students to keep their pets with them in the dorms.


    Asher received a Wraith Bat. At first nce, it appeared as a normal bat, but its eyes and wings emitted a faint, eerie purple glow. This spectral creature could fly silently, blend seamlessly into shadows, create illusions, and had a paralyzing touch and poisonous bite. It could also envelop Asher in shadow, enhancing his stealth and using sonar abilities for detection and movement.


    Matthew got an Ironback Bear. This massive bear was covered in nearly imprable skin, making it ideal for taking hits and shielding its master. It could also enhance Matthew''s healing speed, making it both a formidable protector and a loyalpanion.


    Morrigan received an Aether Spirit. This sprite of pure energy channeled various elemental powers, offering versatility in magic. It could manipte fire, water, cold, and frost, providing offensive support and adding significant versatility to Morrigan''s magical abilities.


    Aiden was gifted a Mystic Tiger. This powerful, magical tiger possessed enhanced agility and strength, capable of channeling magic through its strikes. Its presence added both might and mystical power to Aiden''s arsenal.


    Elora got a Death Wolf. This wolf had a menacing crimson glow and dark magic. Its magic-infused eyes could track enemies and cast supportive spells, enhancing Elora''sbat and tracking abilities.


    Rosa received a Verdant Nymph. This sprite of lush greenery looked strikingly simr to Rosa herself. The Verdant Nymph controlled flower and nt growth, created barriers of vines and thorns, and crafted illusions of blooming flora, providing both defensive and deceptive capabilities.


    Cedric obtained a Forge Turtle. This turtle''s shell resembled molten metal and had the ability to breathe fire. It could manipte materials, assist in refining and crafting equipment, and provide robust defense.


    Seraphina was given a Sylvan Faerie. This sprite embodied the essence of the forest, aiding in nature-based attacks and facilitatingmunication with animals, making it a versatile ally in natural environments.


    Freya got a Lumina Phoenix. This majestic phoenix had luminous wings and a radiant aura. It provided offense, sacred protection, and healing through its holy mes, making it a powerful and supportivepanion.


    Marce received an Elixir Slime. This tiny, glowing slime could create various potions and healing elixirs by ingesting ingredients. It could heal by swallowing its patient, making it a crucial asset for any situation requiring recovery.


    Evelina was bestowed with an Archer Faerie. This tiny sprite enchanted arrows, boosted reflexes and movement speed, aided in camouge and tracking, and enhanced vision and evasion, making it a valuable support for precision and agility.


    Finn got a Fortune Sprite. This sprite drew in wealth and luck, significantly enhancing Finn''s chances of finding valuable loot and treasures, making it a lucky charm for any fortune-seeker.


    Rey received a Master Dragon. This fierce dragon had a heroic aura, second only to primordial dragons. It could breathe two kinds of me: Pure and Holy mes, offering both might and protective abilities, making it a legendarypanion for any challenge.


    The newly hatched beasts were all small and endearing, their diminutive size making them irresistibly cute.


    Each pet, though still in its infancy, was a source of joy and fascination for their young masters. They flitted, waddled, or scurried close to their sides, forming a heartwarming scene of camaraderie.


    Despite their small size, the presence of these creatures had a profound effect on the other students. Many of the upperssmen, who had previously felt secure in their positions, now looked on with growing apprehension.


    The fear of being overshadowed or losing their ranks intensified as they witnessed the extraordinary abilities and potential of these newborn pets. The disy of power and uniqueness from such young creatures made their ownpanions seem almost inadequate byparison.


    Jett sighed deeply as he observed the scene. He knew there was nothing he could do but wait.


    He had two more weeks before his egg was expected to hatch.


    With the impressive array of creatures already revealed, he couldn''t help but wonder what kind of pet he would receive but since he used a dragon scale it was now a matter of what specie he would get, especially given that Rey had acquired such a top-tier species.


    However, Jett''s thoughts were quickly pulled back to more pressing matters. "Sadly, I''ve got something important to do. I need to find a way to free Mystra from her chains.


    Only on m v|le|mp|yr


    Not to mention finding out why I got that message on the system," he murmured, his gaze turning towards rence''s office.


    *


    *


    *


    I think I did something wrong in this chapter but I''m not too sure

 Chapter 77 : 77: Freeing Mystra

    rence sauntered into the office, a smirk ying on his lips. "I hear all your friends have sessfully hatched their pets. What about you? Just the unlucky one?"


    Jett forced a grin, trying to mask his irritation. "Mine''s on its way."


    rence''s eyes narrowed with curiosity. "I''ve been meaning to ask: what''s your connection with Verena''s Divine Lords? Besides the fact that you alle from the same kingdom, that is."


    Jett blinked, caught off guard by the question. "What do you mean?"


    rence leaned in, his tone growing more serious. "There''s something about you. You seem more than qualified to earn the title of Divine Lord, yet you''re clearly holding back."


    Jett frowned. "Holding back? What do you mean?"


    rence chuckled, "Well, considering you almost came in deadst in the school''s ranking, it''s kind of obvious. Don''t you think?"


    Jett''s confusion deepened. "I still don''t get it."


    rence''s eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief. "I noticed something odd during the entrance ceremony. With your refined mana and swordsmanship, how could you lose? We saw through it but chose not to interfere."


    Jett''s eyes widened. "You knew all this time?"


    rence''s smirk widened. "That''s my secret to keep."


    "Killjoy," Jett mused with a faint smirk. "I don''t really know, but yeah, I guess you could consider me one of them, given our simr circumstances."


    "Circumstances? What circumstances? I want to know," rence pressed.


    Jett sighed, a faint smile touching his lips. ''He feels surprisinglyfortable to be around for a Ranker. Just like in the book, he really is someone I can trust. But I still feel a pang of guilt.'' He shrugged and said, "That''s my secret to keep."


    rence chuckled. "Using my move against me, huh? That''s a dirty y."


    "Anything goes on the battlefield," Jett retorted with a smirk.


    rence''s eyes suddenly widened as he remembered something. "Oh, I almost forgot. I have something I need to take care of. I''ll leave you to it, Jett." He quickly exited the office, leaving Jett alone.


    Jett immediately set to work, his focus shifting to finding any clues about how to free Mystra. He began sifting through the library''s shelves, scanning through books and scrolls, hoping for any hint that might help. Despite his efforts, nothing stood out.


    ''I need to get Mystra out of there before those bastards show up,'' Jett thought anxiously, continuing his search.


    As he rummaged through the library, a thought struck him. ''I never checked what kind of chains they used to bind her. I got caught up in the moment, but if those chains were cursed or imbued with dark magic, would I still need to go through all this trouble?''


    At first, he dismissed the idea, but something deep within urged him to consider it. It might be a simpler solution than he had anticipated.


    Instead of finding a way to help Mystra, Jett decided to delve deeper into Lumix.


    He meticulously made copies of most of the relevant books and tranted them into a more essiblenguage. His goal was to teach the others about Lumix as quickly as possible.


    ''I need to get this information to the others, and quickly. It''ll be more challenging for them than it was for me since I was practically a baby when I learned,'' Jett thought as he finished his work.


    Realizing it was already time to leave, Jett hurried to Mystra''s location, eager to confirm his suspicions. This time, he expertly navigated past the traps without triggering any.


    Since his initial visit, Jett had been making secret trips to see Mystra, bringing her food each time. Her eyes lit up with excitement whenever he arrived, and though she wanted to leap for joy, the chains kept her firmly in ce.


    "It''s okay, girl. You don''t need to worry. I''ll get you out soon," Jett reassured his Dream Hound friend, his voice gentle and soothing.


    Determined to find out more about the chains binding Mystra, Jett descended closer for a detailed inspection.


    He activated his [All Seeing] skill, a powerful ability formed frombining all sight and visual-rted skills he had previously copied.


    With this skill, he could discern the material used in the chains and detect any special attributes, such as curses. True to his suspicions, he found that the chains were indeed cursed.


    Jett activated [Purge], a skill he had received from Freya. While it was generally known as a healing skill, it had an unspoken property: it was highly effective against anything that opposed the holy attribute. In this case, it would neutralize the curse on the chains.


    As Jett channeled the skill, a soft, radiant light enveloped the chains. To his amazement, they began to crack and break apart on their own, falling away from Mystra and freeing her.


    With a joyful yelp, Mystra leaped toward Jett, her excitement palpable. She licked his face with unrestrained happiness, her behavior akin to a normal dog''s exuberant greeting.


    Now that Mystra was free, Jett faced the problem of what to do with her. He couldn''t leave her behind, but he also needed a practical solution for her safety.


    ''A Dream Hound uses illusions, so it should be able to deceive others who see it,'' Jett pondered. ''But someone like rence or Drago would see right through it. Not to mention, I need to keep her hidden from Freya as well.''


    ''And I can''t put her in the Storage space; that could send her into a frenzy,'' he thought, weighing his options.


    At that moment, Mystra shimmered and transformed into a much smaller form, resembling a small dog that could easily fit into a bag.


    ''Perfect,'' Jett thought with a smile. ''We''re sharing her thoughts.'' An idea began to form in his mind.


    As Jett considered his n, Mystra''s demeanor shifted. She appeared to be against a certain idea, her small form visibly bristling as if she had her own opinion on the matter.


    Jett nced at Mystra with a sympathetic smile. "It seems like you really don''t like the idea, but it''s for the best right now. You just have to wait a bit longer." He stroked her head gently, trying to calm her down.


    Given that the area was not heavily monitored or patrolled, Jett felt confident that no one would discover Mystra''s presence down there anytime soon.


    ''Don''t worry,'' he thought, ''if things get too rough, I still have a backup n.'' He smiled reassuringly at Mystra before leaving, making sure to exit without encountering any problems.


    *****


    Rey and Matthew were venting their frustrations in the dinning hall.


    "Lately, it seems like we''re getting fewer and fewer duels," Reyined. "Ever since we started leveling up and climbing the ranks, it''s been hard to find good opponents."


    At the moment, Rey was ranked 400,000th out of 1,050,000 students at the academy, a position that ced himfortably above the halfway mark.


    Matthew nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it''s tough. You''re really a bully, you know? Why don''t you focus on the higher ranks? I''d love to, but it''s not like I''m overpowered. I faced off against someone from the first year, and he mopped the floor with me.


    The battle was over before it even started."


    Evelina, who had been listening intently, raised an eyebrow. "How''s that even possible?"


    Rey shrugged, looking equally puzzled. "I don''t know myself."


    Elora listened to Rey''sints with little sympathy. "What level are you right now?" she asked bluntly.


    "Umm, 40. Why?" Rey replied, puzzled.


    "And what level do you think someone from the third year would be?" Elora pressed.


    "45, maybe 50, give or take," Rey answered.


    Elora raised an eyebrow. "And you thought you could overpower them just because you took on a boss of over 50?"


    Rey''s confusion deepened. "Well, yeah, that''s why I challenged them."


    The group collectively shook their heads in disappointment.


    "What?" Rey asked, feeling targeted by their reactions.


    "You do realize that people who graduate from this school are among the best of the best, right?" Elora continued, her tone incredulous.


    "And you didn''t consider that maybe they had ways to beat you based on their extensivebat experience?" Rosa added.


    "I did think about that but��" Rey trailed off, running his fingers through his hair.


    Seraphina burst intoughter. "You were hoping some kind of plot armor would save you!"


    The others joined in, their giggles growing louder and more annoying to Rey.


    "Not funny, you guys," Rey said, trying to quell their amusement, but theirughter continued.


    "It is if you''re the one in this predicament," Finnughed heartily.


    "Wherever Aurelia is, I hope he''s listening to the idiot he sent to this world as the Hero," Morrigan said with a sigh as she finally stoppedughing.


    As the group continued to amuse themselves, Asher suddenly decided to check the rankings. He stared at the screen in disbelief, and before he could contain his shock, he spat out the water he had been drinking.


    The others immediately noticed his reaction and crowded around him, demanding to know what had happened.


    "Rey, there''s a problem," Asher said, still staring at the rankings in disbelief.


    "Yeah? What is it?" Rey pressed, his impatience evident.


    "You''re ranked 6th, and the rest of us also got deranked," Asher announced, prompting everyone to check their own rankings.


    *


    *


    *


    Don''t forget to vote your favorite characters

 Chapter 78 : 78: New Ranking

    "That can''t be right." Elora''s eyes widened as she rechecked the rankings, confirming that they had abruptly shifted.


    A collective gasp filled the room as everyone processed the sudden change. The group had been confident in their dominance over their peers, but now their standings were challenged by these new contenders.


    "Whoever these people are, they probably aren''t strong enough to beat me," Rey dered with a boastful grin.


    "But they still managed to defeat second-years ranked higher than us. That alone is impressive," Evelina said, a hint of unease in her voice. She studied the neers'' information closely. "They''ve jumped from the lower ranks to higher ones in no time. It''s definitely not a fluke."


    She scrutinized the details, but one thing was missing: images of the new contenders.


    "Because they skipped fighting us, it proves they''re scared," Rey insisted, trying to rally the group. "It''s settled then. I''ll challenge them to a duel. Who''s with me?"


    "I''ll pass," Asher replied, waving off the suggestion. "There''s no need for me to show off. Getting deranked only means less attention for me."


    "Now you sound like Jett," Rey sighed.


    Asher shook his head. "An assassin shouldn''t draw attention to himself."


    "And yet you''re ranked higher than everyone except me and these five neers," Rey teased. He turned to the others with a grin. "Can you believe this guy?"


    No one responded to Rey. The room fell into a brief, ufortable silence.


    Cedric, Marce, and Morrigan continued eating their dinner as though the sudden shift in rankings was of no concern. Their calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Rey''s growing frustration.


    "Sheesh, tough crowd," Rey mused, shaking his head in disbelief.


    Asher, nonchntly ying with his dagger, shrugged. "I only took on this role because my father instructed me to. He never mentioned staying in the spotlight for too long, and frankly, it''s not my style."


    "Whatever," Rey scoffed, clearly disappointed. He turned to the others, his expression resolute. "You''re with me on this one, right? Matthew, Aiden, Finn, Seraphina?"


    Rey pressed on, trying to rally them. "Think of it as a chance to prove ourselves and have some fun."


    Aiden took a slow bite from his te, his gaze indifferent. "I don''t care much about the rankings unless it involves beating you. I''ll be interested only if, by some miracle, they manage to beat you. So I''ll sit this one out."


    Matthew''s eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. "I''m ready if you are. This should be fun." He clenched his fists in anticipation.


    Seraphina grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Hehe, I want to have some fun too."


    Finn shrugged casually. "I''m not going to willingly participate in any activity that doesn''t generate me some profit."


    "Ugh, you too?" Rey sighed. "Aiden? Finn? C''mon, don''t tell me you''re actually scared. At least I''ve got two sensible people backing me."


    "You know, I think you should sit this one out, Rey," Freya cautioned, her toneced with concern.


    "Leave him alone. I want to see the look on his face when these mystery people kick his ass," Rosa said with a wicked smirk, clearly enjoying the thought.


    "Whatever, I''ll prove you wrong soon enough," Rey retorted, his own smirk almost breaking through.


    "I''d like to see you try," Rosa shot back, her smile widening.


    The others watched in silent confusion, unable to determine whether it was mere sibling rivalry or genuine disapproval. The tension in the air grew palpable as the two continued their verbal sparring.


    "Just watch me," Rey said firmly.


    At that moment, Jett approached and took a seat with them, letting out a sigh of resignation.


    "I wouldn''t do that if I were you," Jett warned, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of seriousness.


    The group suddenly realized that this was the first time they had seen Jett since sses had ended. His unexpected appearance added ayer of intrigue to the conversation.


    "Hey, where have you been, anyway?" Freya asked, her curiosity piqued.


    "Probably scheming something dangerously stupid," Finnmented, taking a sip of his water. ''He''s a trouble ma after all,'' he thought, shaking his head slightly.


    "More importantly, what do you mean you wouldn''t? Don''t tell me you''re scared too," Rey muttered, his tone skeptical.


    "I mean, if you really try to challenge her, you''ll lose, and it won''t even be close," Jett said matter-of-factly, his gaze still fixed on his te, unperturbed.


    The others gradually began to take an interest in the conversation, sensing the gravity of Jett''s warning.


    "Do you know her from somewhere? You seem very familiar with her," Freya asked, her curiosity piqued.


    "Not directly, but I can tell you one thing�� she''s strong," Jett replied, still focused on his meal. ''This already happened in the book anyways, I''m just trying to save you from embarrassing yourself,'' he thought.


    ''She?'' Freya pondered, intrigued by the high regard Jett had for this individual. ''And he''s speaking so highly of her.''


    The table fell into a contemtive silence.


    "I don''t want to hear that from you of all people," Rey said, annoyed as he stood to leave. But Jett''s voice stopped him.


    "What is it?" Rey asked, a touch annoyed.


    "If you really want to take her on, let me tell you exactly what''s going to happen," Jett said, gesturing for Rey to sit down. The others leaned in, their attention fully captured by Jett''s description.


    "The second the match starts, you''ll feel her palm on your face," Jett began with a smile, his tone deliberate. "As you try to figure out what''s obstructing your view, your head will already be nted firmly on the ground. But don''t worry; you won''t pass out from just that."


    The table fell into an intense silence as Jett spoke. Everyone was transfixed by his detailed ount, the gravity of his words sinking in.


    "The moment you get up, you''ll find yourself falling mid-air while feeling stumps that add to the momentum, sending you crashing back to the ground," Jett said, pointing his fork at Rey for emphasis. "You might see her face this time, but your body and mind won''t be able to react. Forget about activating any skills."


    He paused, letting the tension build. "If you don''t yield at that moment, my friend, get ready for a world of pain. She''ll target your pressure points as soon as you rise. At that point, it''s all over. After toying with you and inflicting painparable to childbirth, you''ll copse, unable to move, while she wears the most beautiful smile you''ll ever see."


    Jett smirked, his gaze still fixed on his food. "Oh, and remember, [Regeneration] only heals injuries�� it doesn''t numb the pain."


    The chilling detail of Jett''s description left the group shaken to the bone. The idea of facing such a formidable opponent was daunting.


    ''Huh? The most beautiful smile we''ll ever see?'' Freya wondered, but she quickly dismissed the thought, focusing on the immediate implications of Jett''s warning.


    "On second thought, I don''t think we need to fight them just yet," Matthew said, his earlier enthusiasm reced by a more cautious demeanor.


    "Yeah, can''t you just let it go already?" Seraphina added, echoing the sentiment with a touch of relief.


    "Yeah, I hate you and all that, but that''s a bit much," Rosa said, her voice tinged with a mix of annoyance and concern.


    "Don''t go looking for trouble, Rey," Cedric warned, his tone serious.


    Rey''s eyes red with defiance. "Are you trying to scare me? I can''t believe both of you would back down after such a tall tale. How do you know all this anyway?"


    "Because I was there," Jett said, a smug grin spreading across his face. "And I have to say, it was the most beautifully executed attack I''ve ever seen." He smirked internally, thinking, ''That should piss him off a bit.''


    "Yeah, whatever," Rey muttered, clearly frustrated, as he turned and walked away.


    The atmosphere was thick with unease, and the others, feeling indirectly threatened by Jett''s ominous description, began to leave one by one.


    ''Guess that got to them too,'' Jett thought, smirking to himself. ''Just get motivated to actually train. Leveling up is not everything in the real world.''


    Marce, however, remained seated, stubbornly finishing her dinner.


    "What''s with them anyway?" Marce asked, her words slightly muffled by the chunks of food in her mouth.


    "The fact that you retain your shape after eating this much is astonishing," Jett teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement.


    "Hey, don''t say that," Marce whined, a bit defensive. "Potion alchemy takes a lot out of me. You just don''t get it."


    "Right, sorry I said that then," Jett chuckled, clearly enjoying the interaction. "So, about that thing I asked forst time?"


    "Yeah, I do," Marce mumbled, "I think I made it more potent than it should be."


    "Isn''t that a good thing?" Jett asked, curious.


    "The side effects are horrible," Marce replied, her tone grim. "What do you n on doing with that? I hope you''re not nning on using it yourself without any special protection."


    Jett chuckled lightly, brushing off her concern. "I''ll be fine. I''ve handled worse."


    With that, Jett left the dining hall.


    ''Sure hope he doesn''t do anything stupid with that,'' Marce thought, her expression a mix of worry and resignation.


    *****


    "You''re back," Freya said from her side of the room as Jett walked in.


    "Yeah? Any�� problem��?" Jett replied, his voiceced with wariness, anticipatinga potential argument.


    "Nothing," Freya said curtly, falling silent.


    Jett, a bit confused by the sudden change in atmosphere, furrowed his brow. "If you have something to say, just say it. I''d rather not have the person I''m sharing a room with plotting to smother me with a pillow someday."


    "I would never do that! What do you even take me for?" Freya asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.


    "Well, you can never be too careful," Jett said with a sigh, settling onto his bed. "I just hope this conversation doesn''t lead to a question like, ''Who is she?''"


    Freya remained silent for a few seconds, her face betraying her thoughts.


    "I knew it," Jett eximed, sitting up and drawing the curtain open with sudden energy.


    "It''s not like that, really," Freya tried to exin. "It''s just that you''ve never cared to praise anyone the way you did back there, and��"


    "You got jealous?" Jett interrupted, raising an eyebrow.


    "Why would I get jealous?" Freya shot back, throwing a pillow at him. "I just got a bit frustrated since I still don''t have anybat abilities. The best I can do is protect you guys and myself with defensive skills."


    Jett paused, taking in her words. ''I guess it really has been bothering her all this time,'' he thought.


    "What level are you at right now?" Jett asked, shifting the focus.


    "I just crossed 36," Freya answered.


    "Good. Are you free tomorrow? I want to take you somewhere special."


    ''Somewhere special? What''s he nning?'' Freya wondered. "Yeah, I don''t have anything to do after ss."


    "Perfect. Meet me here when you''re done," Jett said with a serious tone, to which Freya nodded in affirmation.


    "So��" Freya began hesitantly.


    "So what?" Jett asked, puzzled.


    "Could you please leave?" Freya said, pointing at the curtain he had opened. "Get out, you''re breaking our rules."


    Freya threw another pillow at him.


    "You mean your rules. I never fully agreed to this," Jett whined as he closed the curtain, obviously annoyed.


    *


    *


    *


    Somewhere special?

 Chapter 79 Freyas First Dungeon

    "Have you found it yet?" the cloaked figure, previously seen during the incident with Marce, demanded. His voice echoed through the dimly lit, abandoned undergroundbyrinth they were navigating.


    The maze of crumbling stone walls and flickering torches gave the ce an eerie, deste feeling. Dust hung in the air, and the distant drip of water added to thebyrinth''s ominous atmosphere.


    The people around him, clearly his subordinates, appeared tired and frustrated. Their dark, worn clothing and downcast expressions spoke of the relentless search that had yielded no results.


    "Apologies, sir, but it''s just taking more time than it should," one of the subordinates responded, his voice tinged with exhaustion.


    "Well, hurry up," the figure snapped, his impatience evident. "I can''t imagine that old man doesn''t know about us yet, but he''s still keeping quiet. I want to end this before he changes his mind." As he spoke, he flipped a pendant in his hand, opening and closing it with an anxious rhythm.


    "Perhaps we could enlist some students to our cause, by force if we have to. That way, we can utilize them to search openly for us," a voice suggested from the shadows.


    The cloaked figure shook his head firmly. "We can''t do that. The main reason the old man still hasn''t paid attention to us is probably because we haven''t done anything to the students. If we involve them, we''re all goners."


    "I, Vin, forbid you from bringing the students into this," the figure dered with authority, addressing his subordinates. ''For now, anyways,'' he thought, knowing that doing otherwise could jeopardize their ns.


    "For now, we''ll just have to increase our efforts in finding the Dream Hound," Vin said with an urgent tone, his mind racing with anticipation. ''It won''t be long now.''


    *****


    "You ready?" Jett asked as he watched Freya step onto the teleportation tform. His gaze was fixed on the device, not giving away his own mixed feelings about bringing her along.


    In an instant, they were transported to a location just outside the academy. The teleportation tform''s bright sh gave way to a stark, quietndscape. The area was deserted, with overgrown grass and cracked pathways stretching out in every direction. There were no signs of life, no distant chatter: just an unsettling calm.


    As they began their trek, an awkward silence settled between them. The emptiness of the surroundings seemed to amplify the tension.


    Thendscape they traversed was bleak and abandoned, with dpidated structures and overgrown foliage hinting at a past that was long forgotten.


    Freya, feeling the weight of the silence, decided to break it. "You still haven''t told me where we''re going," she said, her voice carrying a note of frustration.


    Jett''s response was curt. "You''ll know when we get there." He kept his eyes fixed ahead, avoiding any direct gaze with her.


    Freya''s frustration grew. "That''s very reassuring," she said, sarcastically. She continued walking beside him, her mind racing with unanswered questions and growing unease.


    "You really don''t have to be like that," Jett sighed, clearly irritated by her attitude.


    "I''m just saying," Freya pressed, her tone firm. "You ask a girl to follow you to some special ce, and now she''s walking with you in the middle of nowhere with no idea about where we''re going��no name, no exnation. It''s a bit much."


    Jett shot her a look of annoyance, his patience wearing thin. "We can always turn back now. It''s not like I don''t have anything better to do."


    Freya''s irritation red. ''Rude�� after bringing me all the way here?'' she thought, feeling slighted. "Then why bother taking me in the first ce?" she asked, her voice sharp with a mix of confusion and hurt.


    Jett''s silence was all the answer she needed. The path ahead was still empty and silent.


    "You really want to know?" Jett asked, his tone a mix of challenge and amusement.


    "Obviously," Freya replied with a smirk. "Unless maybe you''re taking me out on a date, in which case I''d say you have a very weird taste."


    "Oh please," Jett retorted with a smirk of his own. "I wouldn''t go on a date with you even if it meant getting sent back to level one. I''d rather mop a beach."


    "What did you say?" Freya''s annoyance red, her cheeks reddening. "You better start thinking about which beach to mop very soon."


    "Yeah, sure," Jett said, rolling his eyes and changing the subject. "Can we go now? I think we''re almost there."


    "Whatever," Freya murmured, though her annoyance was quickly overshadowed by curiosity and concern about their destination. The conversation had done little to ease her apprehension about where Jett was leading her.


    After a while, they finally arrived at their destination. Freya''s eyes widened in disbelief. "A dungeon? That''s the special ce?" she asked, her voice tinged with utter disappointment. ''How is a dungeon special?''


    Jett nced at her with a hint of contempt. "You want to turn back?"


    Freya sighed, her frustration giving way to resignation. "No, let''s keep going." They''de all this way, and she was determined to see what Jett had in mind, even if it meant facing something she felt woefully unprepared for.


    She knew that if it came to fighting monsters, she would be more of a liability than an asset, but her curiosity got the best of her.


    At the entrance of the dungeon stood two guards, their presence adding ayer of formality to the otherwise foreboding atmosphere.


    They wore dark, reinforced armor that gleamed faintly under the dim light filtering through the dungeon''s entrance. Their stern expressions and watchful eyes conveyed the seriousness of their duty, making the entrance seem even more intimidating.


    The guards'' presence suggested that the dungeon was not just any ordinary ce, but something of significant importance: or danger.


    Freya took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves as she followed Jett past the guards and into the dungeon''s shadowy depths.


    "We don''t grant first years passage to this area. Please leave," one of the guards said, their red uniform marking them as upperssmen.


    Freya''s face flushed with frustration. "You guys should have kept someone on standby from the beginning. We had to walk all the way just to be turned back?"


    "Just show them your rank," Jett suggested, shaking his head. He pondered to himself, ''Now that I think about it, is there any real need to stay low on the rankings anymore? rence already found me out, and it''s not like I can stay at my current rank forever. But there are still eyes I don''t want noticing me just yet.''


    Jett had stubbornly remained at rank 599,993 for a while.


    His reasoning was strategic; while keeping a low profile had its advantages, it also helped him avoid unwanted attention from powerful figures andpetitors. But with his identity already exposed to rence, the need to remain under the radar had diminished quite a bit.


    Freya reluctantly revealed her rank, and the guards'' expressions shifted from stern to astonished. After paying the amount of points needed to enter, the guards quickly stepped aside to let them through, having recognized her surprising status.


    As they walked further into the dungeon, it became clear that Freya had unintentionally been climbing the ranks. Despite her initial reluctance to engage inbat, she had found herself in frequent duels with upperssmen who viewed her as easy prey.


    However, they all underestimated her, and Freya''s cheat skill: usable only once a day, had turned the tide in her favor each time. Her rank had been rising steadily, and her victories were bing a source of both admiration and envy among her peers.


    The dungeon loomed before them, dark and intimidating despite the mana stones embedded in the walls that provided some illumination.


    The light from these stones was dim and flickering, casting eerie shadows that danced across the dungeon''s rough-hewn walls. Freya''s [Light] skill added a bit more brightness, but the dungeon''s oppressive atmosphere remained.


    The air was cool and damp, filled with the scent of earth and the faint smell of dark magic. The stone floor was uneven, and the narrow corridors seemed to twist and turn unpredictably.


    Freya nced around, her nerves on edge. The dungeon felt alive with an ancient, mysterious energy that was both captivating and unsettling. Despite the light provided by her skill, the dark corners and deep recesses of the dungeon gave her an uneasy feeling, as if hidden dangers lurked just out of sight.


    Jett moved with a confident stride, seemingly unaffected by the oppressive gloom. He nced back at Freya. "Ready?" he asked.


    Freya took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Yeah, let''s go. I''m ready."


    With that, they ventured deeper into the dungeon, with the shadows closing in around them.


    "So now what?" Freya asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she followed Jett deeper into the dungeon.


    "What next? Right, you''ll be hunting some monsters today," Jett replied casually.


    Freya''s steps faltered, and she came to a halt, her expression one of disbelief. "That''s an awfully bad joke, Jett. Stop fooling around."


    "Think what you want, just don''t fall behind," Jett said with a shrug, continuing forward and leaving Freya momentarily behind.


    Feeling a surge of anxiety at the thought of being alone in the dark, intimidating dungeon, Freya quickly caught up with him. "So you want me to help you hunt monsters or what?" she asked, her voice quivering slightly.


    "You''ll be hunting today, not me," Jett smirked with a light and teasing tone.


    Freya''s mind raced, ''He''s bluffing. He has to be.'' Despite her doubts, she walked right next to him.


    "I can assure you this is not a bluff," Jett said, noticing her apprehension. "I won''t be doing anything in here, so don''t let your thoughts get the better of you."


    Freya leaned in closer, whispering, "Keep it down. So, you can even read minds?"


    "Of course not," Jett replied, not bothering to lower his voice. "Your thoughts were just that obvious to predict. I don''t have any offensive skills and can''t even use spells, so what good would I be in a fight? That''s what you''re thinking right now."


    As they ventured deeper, the oppressive atmosphere of the dungeon seemed to thicken. The air grew cooler and the silence more pronounced, save for the faint echoes of their footsteps.


    Both Jett and Freya could sense a growing presence around them: subtle rustlings and shifts in the darkness that hinted at the approach of lurking monsters.


    The faint hum of mana stones provided minimal illumination, their flickering light casting long, shifting shadows that seemed to close in on them with each step.


    Freya''s senses were on high alert her breathing grew shallow. The anticipation of an imminent encounter with the unknown made her pulse quicken.


    She could almost feel the eyes of unseen creatures watching them from the darkness, and every small sound seemed amplified in the tense silence.


    Jett, sensing her mounting unease, nced at her with a smirk that masked his own vignce. "Stay sharp," he advised, his tone more serious now. "We''re getting close."


    With the sound of their footsteps echoing through the dungeon''s cavernous passages, Freya steeled herself, preparing for whatever might emerge from the shadows.


    The monsters drew closer, the dungeon seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the confrontation to begin.


    *


    *


    *


    But she can''t use attack skill...?

 Chapter 80 Light Hunting

    "Alright Freya, I''ll be counting on you now. You can use any skill, but you''re not allowed to use [Divine Insight] and don''t try summoning Lumina," Jett said, with a yful tone as he prepared to face the approaching threat.


    As the creature lunged at them from the shadows, Jett swiftly intercepted it. The monster was a goblin, but not just any goblin. It was particrly feisty, its green skin mottled with dark patches, and its beady eyes glowed with an unsettling red light.


    Freya could tell immediately that this goblin was far from normal: it exuded an aura of malevolence that hinted at more than just a typical dungeon pest.


    Freya''s initial surprise at being tasked with hunting monsters had left her distracted, but as the goblin bared its sharp teeth and charged, she began to feel an unsettling change in the atmosphere.


    The dungeon seemed to hum with a dark energy that pressed against her senses, making her skin crawl.


    "Do you feel it now?" Jett smirked, observing the shift in her expression.


    Freya clenched her fists, her eyes scanning the shadows around them. "Tch�� This whole dungeon reeks of dark attribute," she said, a mix of fear and annoyance in her voice.


    "And��" Jett prodded, urging her to continue.


    "And my basic attribute is light," Freya finished, realization dawning.


    "Correct. Now you understand why I brought you here?" Jett said, his tone almost smug as he stepped back. With a quick motion, he activated the Flight Boots he had obtained from his previous encounter with Mystra. The boots emitted a soft glow, lifting him off the ground and allowing him to hover above the dungeon floor.


    Freya watched as Jett ascended, leaving her alone with the goblin.As she faced the goblin, she found herself struggling to keep her footing and dodge its relentless attacks.


    Desperate to strike back, Freya tried to punch the goblin, but to her dismay, her attacks seemed ineffective.


    Each time her fist connected, the impact was barely felt, and the goblin hardly flinched. Frustration mounted as a notification repeatedly shed in front of her:


    [Error: Cannot inflict physical damage on monsters]


    "This shitty message again," Freya grumbled, her frustration palpable as she continued to evade the goblin''s relentless attacks. "If that''s the case, then let me cast a spell, any spell!"


    From his elevated position, Jett followed her movements with a keen eye, safe from the dangers below. The dungeon''s darkness swirled around Freya as she sprinted, trying to stay ahead of the goblin''s swipes and bites. The oppressive atmosphere made every step feel like a struggle.


    "You''re enjoying this, aren''t you? Just wait till I get my hands on you!" Freya yelled, her voice tinged with desperation as she nced up at Jett.


    "Quite a lot, actually. This pays for the remaining time I have to share a room with you," Jett replied with a burst ofughter, clearly relishing the situation.


    "You''re a lunatic! Get me out of here!" Freya screamed, her annoyance mixed with genuine fear.


    "Not until you promise not to assault me with those pillows of yours, also say you won''t bother or pester me when we get back and you most definitely will listen to everything I say from now on," Jett demanded, his tone light-hearted despite the severity of the situation.


    Freya''s face turned red with indignation. "How petty can you get?"


    "You don''t seem to have much time," Jett pointed out, his gaze fixed on the goblins that were closing in on her position. "Tick tock, tick tock."


    Freya''s breathing grew more ragged as she felt the goblins getting closer. "Alright! Just help me out."


    Jett''s smirk widened. "Say please."


    Freya was momentarily stunned by his insistence. "What? Are you serious?"


    "Tick, tock, tick, tock," Jett repeated, his voice slow and taunting.


    "Alright, please!" Freya begged, the urgency in her voice unmistakable.


    "Good," Jett said, his smirk turning into a satisfied grin. "Use any skill you have that involves healing or buff."


    "What? You want me to give them a buff? Are you insane?" Freya asked, her confused as she tried to understand Jett''s request.


    "Just do it! Remember you agreed to listen to me," Jett pressed on, with a firm tone.


    Freya, still unsure but recognizing the urgency, murmured under her breath and activated the [Purge] skill. As she did, a new notification popped up:


    [Hostile Attribute Restriction.]


    [Skill will be reset to suit target.]


    In an instant, chains made of radiant light with arrowhead tips materialized behind her, piercing through the goblins she had initially targeted. The monsters were struck with a dazzling burst of light, and Freya gasped in astonishment.


    "I can harm them!" she eximed, her voice filled with exhration. "I can actually harm them!"


    Jett, watching from above, offered a faint smile as he observed Freya''s newfound power. "Yeah, you''ve still gotpany," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Remember, use your skills to your heart''s content but don''t use [Divine Insight]orsummon Lumina."


    The dungeon seemed to grow even darker as more monsters poured in, seemingly drawn to Freya. Their dark attributes made them instinctively hostile to the light, and Freya''s presence as the embodiment of light intensified their aggression.


    The creatures ignored Jett, who had descended back to the ground, and focused solely on her.


    Freya''s skills and attacks began to thin out the hordes of monsters, her light attribute wreaking havoc among them. For two minutes, she reveled in her newfound strength and the thrill of battle. But as her MP drained away she wasn''t able to use her skills.


    "Umm, Jett��" Freya called out, her voice tinged with fatigue as she struggled to keep up.


    "On it," Jett replied, his tone steady as he prepared to assist her.


    He sighed as he moved swiftly, ready to intervene as Freya''s energy reserves depleted, knowing that the intensity of the dungeon and the swarm of monsters would soon overwhelm her if he didn''t act quickly.


    "On it." Jett replied, activating his skill.


    [Tactical Mirage]


    A shimmering, invisible dome enveloped the area, its effects immediately apparent. The dome restrained the monsters'' movements, rendering them immobile and preventing them from attacking. It also allowed Freya to recover her MP at an elerated rate.


    Freya took the opportunity to rest as she copsed on the floor. Jett kept the skill active, maintaining the dome''s effects while he sat beside her.


    "Why didn''t you just tell me from the beginning?" Freya asked, her voice tinged with frustration as she caught her breath.


    "You said it yourself, I can be petty sometimes," Jett replied with a smirk, taking a seat next to her. "Plus, it was really funny to watch. You were all like ''Help me, help me.''"


    Freya red at him, her irritation palpable. "Why you��" she began, but then simply sighed. "What is this skill anyway? It seems more like something you''d be able to manage around level 70 or so."


    ''How can she tell?'' Jett thought, a smile tugging at his lips. "It''s nothing special, unlike that [Divine Insight] of yours."


    Freya shook her head, clearly unimpressed. "Yeah, whatever you say. You really know a lot about this world, don''t you?"


    "Yeah, I did a lot of experiments," Jett admitted, shrugging casually. "That''s how I know how to level you up faster. Plus, it''s not just about the skills; understanding the world helps in many ways."


    Freya looked at him, a mix of admiration and curiosity in her eyes. "I guess that makes sense. Thanks for the help, even if you were a bit of a jerk about it."


    Jett chuckled, "Hey, all''s well that ends well. Now, get some rest. We''ve still got a bit more dungeon to explore." Jett said as he gave her some fruit he got beforehand.


    As Freya rested, her MP steadily restored, she began to appreciate the peculiarities of her situation.


    Despite Jett''s unusual methods, she recognized the value in his unconventional approach and the unexpected lesson it had provided.


    Jett settled beside Freya as she rested. "There''s something important you need to understand," he began. "You''re currently restricted from using offensive skills or magic until you reach Level 100. Until then, you''ll need to rely more on your MP and HP forbat."


    Freya raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Why the restriction?"


    Jett sighed. "It''s more like a heavenly punishment. You''re the only person in the entire world who can wield light attribute, which makes you unique but alsoes with its own set of limitations."


    Freya nodded slowly, absorbing the information. Jett continued, "There''s another attribute you''ll unlock eventually: the holy attribute. Only those affiliated with the Holy Church can use it. You''re close to the Holy Church because of your family''s roots there, and they treat you like a saint for possessing the light attribute. Little did they know, you have the potential for even more."


    Freya seemed to ponder this for a moment. "I guess I understand, but what about that attack I used back there? How was that even possible? And why is it the only type of attack I can use?"


    Jett''s eyes gleamed with a hint of amusement. "The entity you derive your powers from managed to find a loophole in the system, allowing you to protect yourself against enemies with dark attributes or demons. That''s why you could harm those monsters but not others."


    Freya''s eyes widened in realization. "Wait, doesn''t that mean I could hurt Asher or Elora?"


    "Yeah," Jett said, "but only if your attack was specifically aimed at them. Otherwise, you wouldn''t be able to inflict any damage."


    Freya looked a bit uneasy. "I see. So what''s next?"


    Jett stood up, brushing off his pants. "I brought you here to teach you these things and to help you level up. So, we should keep going."


    "Alright, I''m all rested up," Freya said, getting to her feet. She looked around, only to find the area eerily quiet and devoid of monsters. "Huh? They''re all gone."


    *


    *


    *


    The glitch only works if the enemy is a demon or has the dark attribute.

 Chapter 81 Fruitful Hunting

    As Jett and Freya continued through the dungeon, they diligently collected drops from the defeated monsters.


    The dimly lit surroundings were illuminated by the asional glow from mana stones, casting eerie shadows that danced across the walls.


    Freya marveled at Jett''s skill. "So your skill can also siphon the energy from your target? That''s actually really cool," she remarked, her curiosity piqued.


    "Yeah, I guess." Jett smirked, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. ''I''ll just keep grinding that skill.''


    As they delved deeper into the dungeon, Freya asked, "So, hunting monsters or praying, which is really better for me?"


    "Both have their merits," Jett replied. "In your case, hunting dark attribute monsters is more effective. It amplifies the amount of experience you gain. Praying, on the other hand, helps train your mana faster than anything else you can do."


    Freya nodded, taking in the information. "I picked this area because the dungeons around here only spawn dark attribute monsters," Jett continued. "It''s perfect for what we need."


    Their conversation was interrupted as more monsters began to appear. The eerie silence of the dungeon was shattered by the sounds of skittering and growling as new threats emerged from the shadows.


    Jett quickly activated his [MP Burst] skill, which increased Freya''s total MP and MP regeneration. "Here, this should help," he said, a hint of encouragement in his voice.


    Freya noticed the sudden surge in her mana and smiled, feeling the boost. "Someone else other than me using a buff skill on the priestess," she teased.


    As she prepared to step forward, eager to engage the monsters with her newfound power, Jett reached out and gently held her hand. "What are you doing?" Freya asked, trying to pull her hand back.


    [Contract Terms]


    - User will continuously receive a 30% bonus EXP for whatever EXP the target gains daily.]


    [Usage 3/3 per day]


    [Duration: 24 Hours]


    "Hold on, it''ll only take a sec," Jett said, not looking at her directly as he whispered "Forced Contract"


    [Contract Terms]


    - User will continuously receive a 100% bonus EXP for whatever EXP the target gains daily.]


    [Usage 2/3 per day]


    [Duration: 24 Hours]


    Freya nced at Jett with curiosity, her initial surprise giving way to a mix of anticipation and confusion.


    After Jett finished adjusting the contract, he let go of Freya''s hand. "All done, show them hell," he smirked, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. ''And farm some EXP for me while you''re at it.'' he thought.


    With a burst of newfound energy, Freya stepped forward. She moved with purpose, unleashing a series of powerful attacks.


    Each strike seemed to cut through the darkness effortlessly as she dominated the monsters that came her way. The once-menacing creatures fell one by one, unable to withstand the sheer force of her light-infused assaults. Jett watched from a safe distance, impressed by her disy of


    After about an hour of relentlessbat, they reached the boss room.


    "Alright, let''s go in," Jett said as he walked past Freya, his confidence unwavering.


    Freya looked at him with a mix of exhaustion and curiosity. "No resting this time?"


    "Yeah, just use your [Divine Insight] and finish this quickly. We''ll do this two more times," Jett smirked, clearly enjoying the process.


    The boss of the dungeon was a formidable Goblin King, around Level 40. Its hulking frame and menacing aura signaled that it was a more challenging opponentpared to the regr goblins Freya had faced.


    As the Goblin King charged at Freya with a roar, its massive club swinging with deadly intent, Freya activated [Divine Insight].


    The skill''s power instantly turned the tide of battle. The Goblin King''s stats plummeted to near zero, leaving it vulnerable and exposed. Freya, now fully aware of its weaknesses,unched an attack.


    Her strike was precise and devastating, ending the fight before the boss could even fully engage.


    "Nice," Jett praised as he observed the swift and decisive defeat. Though he had expected such an oue, he couldn''t help but admire Freya''s skillful execution.


    Freya stood over the fallen Goblin King, catching her breath. To her disappointment, there was no system reward for defeating the boss. The usual notifications were absent.


    "No special reward after we came all the way here?" Freya sighed, a hint of disappointment in her voice. She looked around the empty room, feeling a bit deted after the intense battle.


    But despite theck of immediate rewards, she felt a sense of aplishment from her performance.


    "That''s normal for dark attribute bosses. Just take the corpse and leave, and if you ever get a reward for defeating one of them, discard it immediately," Jett exined as Freya collected the corpse into her ring.


    Jett made Freya conquer the dungeon two more times with no rest in between. He guided her through the battles, making sure she stayed focused and utilized her skills effectively.


    Each run through the dungeon was as faster than as thest, with Freya demonstrating remarkable resilience and skill as she took down the dark attribute monsters. By the end of the day, her MP had beenpletely exhausted from the relentless grinding.


    As the final dungeon run concluded, Jett ended up carrying Freya back to the teleportation tform on his back. Freya, exhausted but in good spirits, teased, "This is nice, this carriage is quite smooth."


    Jett''s eyes narrowed, though he maintained a forced smile. "Say that again and I swear I''ll just drop you without a second thought." He was visibly annoyed, thinking, ''How did I even end up carrying you all the way here?''


    Freya, still amused, continued to ask questions while going through her stats. "You know, I don''t really get to see you use your skills. What attributes can you use?"


    Jett''s mind drifted back to why he had never showcased his full range of skills. Initially, he had no reason to reveal his true abilities, as doing so might attract unwanted attention or disrupt his ns.


    Thest time anyone had seen him go all out was during the incident when Freya got kidnapped. Only Rey, Asher, Seraphina, and Evelina had been present at that time. Jett had held back to avoid revealing too much about his capabilities.


    "Fire, water, and dark attributes," Jett replied with a childish smirk. ''Of course, I can use all attributes apart from the holy attribute, but you don''t need to know that.''


    Originally, Jett had only possessed the attributes of fire, water, and wind. However, due to a glitch caused by his [Copy] skill, he unexpectedly acquired additional attributes.


    The moment he acquired skills from others that possessed attributes he didn''t originally have, the system automatically added those attributes to his own repertoire. It was as if the system had no choice but to recognize and integrate these attributes into his skill set.


    Freya, smiling with a mix of satisfaction and exhaustion, said, "I can''t believe I actually had fun. Thanks for the crash course on monster hunting."


    =====


    Level: 41


    ss: Priestess


    HP: 104


    MP: 106


    Strength: 32


    Agility: 31


    Intelligence: 101


    Perception: 52


    =====


    Jett, lost in thought, ''I wonder if she''s trying to spy on me or maybe it''s just Freya.'' As he kept walking, he activated [Tactical Mirage], creating an illusion to obscure their departure from the dungeon.


    *****


    "This distance should be far enough," Gwendolyn thought as she observed Jett and Freya emerging from the dungeon. "How long were they even inside?"


    Gwendolyn watched the illusion that Jett had created. In it, Jett appeared to be limping and leaning on Freya, who was helping him out of the dungeon.


    "I guess she was trying to help him level up, but he must have gotten too injured and exhausted to continue," she mused, analyzing the situation. "Interesting. All the Divine Lords treat him well even when he doesn''t have much talent. I could use that."


    Rey''s agitation simmered beneath his confident exterior. The fact that someone among his peers had managed to surpass him, even indirectly, gnawed at him.


    It wasn''t just the lost rank; it was the sting of being momentarily overshadowed. Despite his efforts and skills, someone else had taken the top spot, and that rank had been stolen from him. The challenge of regaining it had be a point of personal pride.


    Rosa and Aiden were not in favor of Rey''s n. They expressed their concerns about challenging someone of higher rank, but Rey remained resolute.


    His strategy was simple: if he could defeat someone of a higher rank, it would prove his superiority and force the other to concede, thereby demonstrating his strength.


    "Now what?" Cedric asked, his toneced with curiosity.


    "What? Now we wait. You''ll see, she''ll give up soon. Jett was probably bluffing," Rey replied with a confident smirk. He was sure of his victory and the subsequent return to his top rank.


    "You might actually find out soon enough," Rosa said, her voice tinged with apprehension. ''Just pray you don''t regret thister.''


    "Yeah, remember she can openly challenge you, and you''re bound to ept now," Aiden added, trying to reinforce the potential consequences.


    "It would be nice if she could beat some sense into you," Asher said with a smirk, clearly enjoying Rey''s difort.


    "It''ll be fine, right Elora?" Rey said, turning to her for support.


    Elora, however, shrugged nonchntly and walked past him. "Please leave me out of this. I''m not going to feed your non-existent ego."


    Momentster, the atmosphere shifted as five elven girls approached Rey and the others. The girl at the center stood out distinctly. Her beauty was so striking that Rey couldn''t help but stare. She moved with an elegance that seemed almost otherworldly, and her presencemanded attention.


    The central girl, radiant and poised, stepped forward and addressed Rey directly. "Prince Rey Aurora?"


    Rey, trying to maintain hisposure and charm, responded with the most charismatic voice he could muster. "Yes, that would be me." Explore more at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    "I challenge you to a duel," she dered, her voice steady and firm.


    The challenge was made, and Rey''s eyes widened slightly as he realized who she was.


    "So you''re the one who tried to steal first ce from me," Rey said, a mixture of surprise and realization in his voice.


    *


    *


    *


    will be changing [Gluttony] to [Copy]

 Chapter 82 Reys Duel

    As soon as Jett and Freya stepped onto the main campus of the academy, Jett felt an inexplicable urge to check the current rankings. His eyes widened as he saw that Rey had reimed the top spot.


    "There''s no way he beat the Blitz Princess this early in the story... Unless he took on someone else," Jett muttered, his mind racing. "I can''t really me him, but this is definitely going toe back to bite him."


    "What was that?" Freya asked, noticing the concern in his voice.


    "Rey just did something incredibly stupid," Jett replied, shaking his head.


    Just then, they noticed a crowd of students gathered in the courtyard, murmuring excitedly. Curious, they exchanged a nce and decided to see what was causing themotion.


    As they pushed through the throng of students, they caught sight of a tense standoff. A figure stood with a sword drawn, its tip aimed directly at Rey. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, and whispers rippled through the crowd.


    "Is that who I think it is?" Freya gasped, her eyes widening in shock as she recognized the challenger.


    Jett''s expression darkened. "Toote... he''s screwed."


    *****


    "You sure you want to go through with this?" Rey asked, his voice calm but edged with a hint of irritation.


    "Yes, unless you''re too scared," the girl taunted, her toneced with confidence. "You can''t run from this, no matter what."


    Rey sighed, drawing his sword with a steady hand. "If you''re so eager to lose, who am I to stop you?"


    Despite his calm exterior, Rey couldn''t help but be distracted by the girl''s striking beauty. Her elegant features were almost mesmerizing, making it difficult to focus. He forced himself to look away, his grip tightening on his sword.


    "I was hoping to avoid a direct confrontation," she said, her voice cool and unwavering. "But you just don''t know when to stay down."


    With a fluid motion, she shifted into a battle stance, though she made no move to touch her weapon. Her confidence was palpable, and it only fueled Rey''s determination.


    The weapon strapped to her waist was a sleek, silver rapier, its hilt adorned with intricate designs that hinted at both elegance and lethality. It hung lightly at her side, almost as if it were an afterthought.


    "You''re not even going to use your weapon?" Rey asked, a flicker of agitation creeping into his voice as he recalled Jett''s prediction of how the fight would unfold. ''No way I''ll let her show me up like that. My speed can''t be inferior to hers, and there''s no way my level is lower.''


    "You seem to know who I am, but I don''t think I''ve had the pleasure of learning your name," Rey added, his tone shifting to something more charismatic, a confident smirk ying on his lips.


    "Rey, you idiot," Jett muttered under his breath, covering his face with his hand.


    "Is he serious? He doesn''t even recognize her, despite seeing her name on the leaderboard?" Elora asked, incredulous, as she turned to Rosa.


    "I wouldn''t be surprised if he didn''t bother to look at the names," Rosa replied, her voice tinged with embarrassment for both their sakes.


    "How can he not know who that is?" Matthew asked Rosa, bewildered.


    "Does he have short-term memory loss or something?" Cedric chimed in, equally baffled.


    "Why are you all asking me? I have no idea what goes on in that thick skull of his!" Rosa snapped back, clearly frustrated.


    "If that''s the future ruler of Verena, then we''re royally screwed," Finn muttered, covering his face with both hands.


    As the realization dawned on them, the group exchanged uneasy nces. It was now painfully obvious that Rey was most definitely going to lose this fight.


    The girl before him wasn''t just any opponent: he was a force to be reckoned with, and Rey, in his overconfidence, had no idea what he was truly up against.


    "I''m more surprised that even Jett could gauge her strength without ever meeting her, but that meathead over there still can''t remember someone he''s met at least twice," Marce said, munching on some cookies as she watched the unfolding scene.


    "How do you even know that? He made it sound like they knew each other," Morrigan asked, curious about Marce''s observation.


    "He''s the son of a Lord from an almost forgotten corner of the kingdom, and she''s the Elven second princess. There''s no way they''ve technically met, especially since he''s only been to the capital once," Asher exined, his tone matter-of-fact.


    "That''s a discussion for another day. What matters now is that we all know how fast Ciara is. Rey might actually lose this time," Evelina interrupted, her voice tinged with concern as she watched the standoff.


    Before they began, Ciara tilted her head slightly, her voice carrying a hint of mockery as she asked, "So the name Ciara Swyte doesn''t ring a bell?"


    Rey furrowed his brow, trying to recall. "I think it does, vaguely. Are you somehow rted to Elven royalty?"


    "He''s a lost cause... Why is he making it worse!?" Rosa eximed, shaking Matthew furiously as she struggled toprehend Rey''s obliviousness.


    Ciara sighed, a subtle expression of resignation crossing her face as she stepped back, clearly unimpressed.


    One of the girls who had apanied Ciara stepped forward to oversee the match, ensuring fairness, while the rest of the students gave the twobatants space.


    *****


    "Be honest, Jett... Does he really have no chance of winning?" Freya asked, her voice filled with concern as she turned to Jett.


    "He does have a chance; If he forfeits right now," Jett smirked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation and mischief.


    "So what was all that talk about it ending in an instant?" Freya asked, her annoyance evident as she folded her arms.


    "Don''t get me wrong, he has a chance, but right now, she''s the fastest among all the first years and majority of the second years. Rey won''t be able to keep up at his current level, even though she''s only slightly higher in rank," Jett exined, his excitement barely contained.


    As Jett observed the impending match, he couldn''t quite determine the source of his eagerness.


    Was it because he wanted someone other than himself to teach Rey a few lessons, pushing him to take his training more seriously? Or was it the perverse satisfaction of seeing the supposed protagonist of their story finally face a real defeat?


    Before the match began, Jett had Freya put up a barrier around the area, just to be on the safe side. He wasn''t taking any chances.


    *****


    The moment the match started, Ciara moved with an almost supernatural speed, closing the distance between them in an instant. Without a word, sheunched her first attack: a punch aimed straight at Rey''s chest, faster than his eyes could follow.


    [Muffle]


    Rey barely registered the movement before his instincts kicked in. It was clear that Ciara was no joke. He had to activate any skill he could use to stop her attack before it was toote.


    But the punch connected before he could react fully, the force of it sending him flying across the courtyard. He only stopped when he collided with Freya''s barrier, the impact rippling through the air as it absorbed the blow.


    "A barrier?" Ciara murmured, her sharp eyes scanning the area. She quickly spotted Freya standing next to a guy with red-ck hair. ''It''s Freya... but who''s that guy next to her?''


    Her curiosity was piqued, but she didn''t let it distract her. She turned her attention back to Rey, who was slowly getting back on his feet, realizing just how outmatched he was.


    Jett could feel the intensity of Ciara''s death stare from where he stood. The sheer force of her gaze made him instinctively turn away, a slight shiver running down his spine.


    "Damn, you''re fast," Rey muttered as he slowly got back on his feet. ''She''s no joke. But why do I get the feeling she''s actually annoyed with me for something more than just taking the top rank?''


    Before he could fully gather his thoughts, Ciaraunched the same attack again, her fist colliding with Rey''s body and sending him crashing into the barrier once more. The impact echoed in the air, a clear sign of her overwhelming speed and strength.


    Rey struggled to defend himself, but Ciara was relentless. She moved with such incredible speed that he couldn''t keep up, and her strikesnded one after another. For some unknown reason, he found himself unable to mount any proper defense.


    "This is the first time I''ve seen the princess toy with her opponent like this," one of the girls in the crowd remarked, astonished by the side of Ciara she was witnessing.


    "What could he have done to piss her off this much? She''s even using that skill," another girl pointed out, noticing the unusual ferocity in Ciara''s attacks.


    "I have a strong feeling this isn''t the first time they''ve met," the third girl added, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.


    ''Damn it, I can''t use [Heaven Blessing] because it''s still on cooldown. Her speed is no joke, but it feels like there''s something else at y here,'' Rey thought, his mind racing as he struggled to find a way out of this one-sided battle.


    [Boost]


    For a brief moment, Rey managed to catch her off guard, his enhanced speed allowing him to counterattack. Discover exclusive tales on m,v l''e-NovelBin


    He sent Ciara flying, but shended gracefully on her feet, her expression unchanged.


    Without giving him a moment to recover, she rushed at him again, her relentless assault continuing.


    ''I can''t be sure, but there''s no harm in trying,'' Rey thought, focusing his energy.


    [Dispel]


    Rey used a skill that nullified status ailments and illusions on himself, and to his surprise, Ciara''s movements became clear. Her blinding speed had been a trick, an illusion designed to throw him off.


    ''So her speed was just a deception? I''ve got you now,'' Rey smirked as he caught sight of Jett in the distance. ''I will win.''


    As their eyes locked, Jett smirked back, a knowing look in his eyes.


    ''Dumbass, pay attention to your enemy, not that it''ll do you any good in 3, 2, 1... Game over,'' Jett counted down in his mind, confident in what was about to happen.


    *


    *


    *


    Not good...

 Chapter 83 Reys Vague Memory

    That brief second Rey used to gloat, his attention wavering, was all it took for everything to go south. Just as Jett had predicted, Ciaraunched her attacks in rapid session, each one striking with precision. Rey found himself overwhelmed, the illusion of control slipping away as quickly as it hade.


    Rey, now lying on the floor, bruised and battered, decided not to push things any further. "Alright, alright, you win. I yield," he conceded, tapping out of the fight, his voice tinged with reluctant eptance.


    "Well, that''s a shame. I thought you''dst longer," Ciara remarked, her tone light but carrying a subtle edge.


    The atmosphere shifted immediately. A murmur spread through the crowd as they processed what had just happened. This was the first time any first-year student had managed to take down Rey: the previously unbeatable top ranked among the first years. The realization hit everyone like a wave, leaving the crowd in a mix of awe and disbelief.


    "But seriously though, who are you? I feel like we''ve met before," Rey asked, trying to lighten the mood with a goofy smile, though it was clear he was genuinely confused.


    Before Ciara could respond, Rosa came rushing in, her eyes wide with excitement. Rey, assuming she wasing to check on him, braced himself for some words of encouragement or maybe a lecture.


    But instead, Rosa sprinted right past him and threw her arms around Ciara. "Oh, Ciara, it''s been so long!" Rosa yelled in excitement, hugging Ciara tightly.


    The others followed suit, swarming around Ciara with cheerful greetings and warm embraces,pletely ignoring Rey. He sat up, staring at the scene with a bewildered expression, feeling more out of ce than ever.


    "Wait... Ciara?" Rey muttered under his breath, the name finally clicking in his mind. He had heard it before, but in this moment, the connection was still blurry.


    The others continued to focus entirely on Ciara, their chatter filled withughter and fond memories, while Rey was left to piece together the situation on his own.


    Ciara, as it turned out, was the second princess of the Elven Kingdom, known for her charm and exceptional skill. She had apanied her father to Verena on two asions for diplomatic meetings.


    These visits were lengthy, oftensting several days, but Ciara''s presence had always been more about escaping the boredom of royal life than official duties. During those visits, she''d explored Verena, made friends, and left asting impression on those who met her: except, apparently, on Rey.


    During Ciara''s first visit to Verena when she was just 7 years old, and again when she was 9, she initially found it difficult to warm up to humans. Her father, the king, had urged her to try, despite her reservations.


    Over time, though, she gradually allowed herself to connect with the others, especially with Rosa and Freya, who were determined to befriend her. Their persistence paid off, and Ciara found herself enjoying theirpany, even if she didn''t fully acknowledge it at first.


    Rey, however, had been a different story. During those visits, he was far more interested in finding ways to escape the pce and focus on leveling up. The pce''s restrictive environment made him restless, and he rarely spent enough time with Ciara to make any real impression.


    The few times they did meet, Ciara didn''t think much of him, seeing him as just another boy obsessed with power. Her opinion of him remained indifferent, in stark contrast to her growing fondness for Rosa and Freya.


    *****


    "So, she''s that princess from back then? The tomboy?" Rey muttered in disbelief. "She looks a lot different now. Why didn''t you guys say anything before?"


    "We didn''t notice either," Asher admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed. "We''ve never seen her full name until today. It only clicked when we saw her in person."


    "But to think you wouldn''t remember a face like hers," Elora added, shaking her head in mild disbelief.


    Rey sat on the bench, utterly defeated, muttering Ciara''s name as he struggled to fully remember their past encounters. The realization that the girl who had just defeated him was the same tomboyish princess from years ago left him even more disoriented.


    How could he have forgotten someone like her? As the memories slowly resurfaced, he couldn''t help but feel a mix of embarrassment and regret for not recognizing her sooner.


    "How would I know? We hardly spent time together, and plus, she looks��" Rey tried to exin himself, but Marce cut him off with a smirk.


    "Cuter?" Marce teased, pointing her cookie at Rey with a knowing smile. "Don''t sugarcoat it, baby boy. We all saw the way you looked at her."


    Rey froze, caughtpletely off guard by herment. His face flushed slightly as he stammered, "What? How could��"


    Before he could finish, Aiden jumped in with a low, intimidating voice. "And back off, she''s mine."


    "And why would I��" Rey tried to protest again, but Evelina, full of cheer, interrupted him this time.


    "You don''t have to worry, Rey. I''m rooting for you all the way," Evelina said, giving him a thumbs-up.


    "Yeah, we can even help you if you want," Morrigan added, a mischievous grin on her face.


    Rey blinked in disbelief, wondering where they were getting the energy to make such wild spections. "But I never said I liked her like that," he sighed, feeling overwhelmed by their yful banter.


    "Not right now, butter on, something will definitely spark," Marce said, inching closer to Rey until she could cuddle his arm tightly. "It''s called grooming."


    "Get away from me! That''s a really weird thing to be thinking about," Rey sighed, trying to shake Marce off his arm, but her grip was surprisingly strong.


    The others watched the scene unfold with amused smiles, enjoying how flustered Rey had be.


    "Hey, stop putting those dumb ideas in his head! I saw her first," Aiden yelled at Marce and Evelina, feeling very irritated.


    "All''s fair in love and war," Evelina quoted with a smirk, "But if it''s you, then there''s no chance."


    "Don''t be shy, we''ll be d to help," Marce chimed in, holding firmly onto Rey, ignoring his protests.


    Rey felt increasingly awkward as the two girls continued to tease him, seemingly deaf to his attempts to steer the conversation elsewhere. No matter what he said, they weren''t listening, caught up in their own yful banter.


    ''They''re not listening to me,'' Rey sighed internally, feeling a bit trapped. He nced at Asher, Cedric, and Matthew, hoping they mighte to his rescue. Instead, they turned away, avoiding his gaze entirely. ''Traitors,'' he thought with mild frustration.


    "Does anyone know where Jett and Freya are?" Cedric asked suddenly, attempting to change the subject and offer Rey some relief.


    "No idea, they disappeared once sses were over," Seraphina replied casually.


    "I saw them together during my duel, though," Rey added, hoping to shift the focuspletely.


    By now, everyone''s attention had fully diverted, sparing Rey from further teasing.


    "Oh? Yet another two that have fallen prey to love. I mean, it was bound to happen since they''re sharing the same room, right?" Marce continued, her yful tone still lingering. But before she could say more, Seraphina stepped in from behind and knocked Marce out with a light tap.


    "Who fed her sugar?" Seraphina asked, directing the question at Morrigan, who was Marce''s roommate.


    Morrigan raised her hands defensively. "No more sweets for you too," Seraphina added firmly, eyeing Morrigan with a stern look.


    Seraphina helped Marce to her feet and, with Morrigan trailing behind, headed towards the dorms. Marce, still dazed, clung to Seraphina''s arm, her earlier enthusiasm reced by a dazed confusion.


    "I have work to do, so I''ll be leaving now," Cedric said, heading out with a wave before Matthew, who was eager for an early night, followed suit.


    "I''ll go find them," Elora volunteered, and Seraphina, already on her way, nodded in acknowledgment.


    Jett, now alone, looked up at the vibrant hues of the sunset. He was deep in thought, his mind still on the earlier duel.


    "Ciara, huh? Well, that''s a shocking transformation. Too bad I never got the chance to know her better," he mused, a touch of disappointment in his voice but a smile on his face. "But I need to work harder from here on out. That''s not the kind of defeat someone tasked to save this world should be putting on his resume."


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    Suddenly, Jett appeared behind Rey as if from nowhere and tapped him on the shoulder. "I can assure you no one really cares about that. At the end of the day, people only care about results."


    Rey turned, surprised by Jett''s sudden appearance. "So I should spend more time hunting monsters, right?" he asked with curiosity, though he thought to himself, ''Why am I even asking him? He''s not stronger than me in any of this.''


    "Are you really just a battle junkie?" Jett asked, though he already knew the answer. "Try training your Aura and Mana too. I noticed you didn''t use either during the fight."


    "She didn''t seem to be using magic, so I wanted it to be a fair fight," Rey exined.


    "And look where that got you. She practically toyed with you," Jett said with an unapologetic expression.


    Rey nodded, a wry smile on his face. "Yeah, I realize that even if she didn''t use an illusion, she would''ve still won. But I''ll take your advice, don''t worry."


    *****


    Meanwhile, just outside the dorm, Asher sensed something was off but decided not to rm anyone, choosing instead to ignore the feeling.


    A few meters from the dorms, Gwendolyn observed from a concealed spot, watching Asher disappear inside. "I should get going too. How ironic that I''m spying on a Faust without being caught for this long," Gwendolyn chuckled to herself as she stood up to leave.


    But as she moved, she felt a cold, sharp pressure against her back: a dagger lightly tapping her.


    "One wrong move and you can forget about leaving here alive," a voice said from behind. It was Asher, his tone menacing. "Who are you, and why have you been following us?"


    Gwendolyn''s eyes widened in surprise. "I must have jinxed myself. I can''t believe you were able to trick me at such a young age. See youter." With a giggle, she slowly began to evaporate.


    "Damn it, that was a dummy," Asher muttered with frustration, pulling back his dagger. He scanned the area, his expression a mix of irritation and determination, as he tried to piece together what had just happened.


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    Don''t forget to vote your favorite characters

 Chapter 84 Late Night Hunt

    Asher had sensed someone spying on them for some time, but he had initially chosen to ignore it. However, as the incidents grew more frequent, his patience wore thin. By now, he was fed up with the whole thing but when he tried to act he still lost his prey.


    "You better pray I don''t find you," Asher muttered, his eyes narrowing as he faced the direction where he sensed the mana had been transmitted from the teacher''s quarters.


    *****


    In Asher and Rey''s room:


    "And you''re sure you saw what you saw?" Rey asked, tossing a ball into the air while lying on his bed.


    "I know what I saw," Asher replied firmly, pacing through the room. "It definitely came from the teacher''s quarters. The whole thing was suspicious."


    Asher''s pacing wasn''t just idle movement; he was searching for something, his eyes scanning every corner, every piece of furniture, as if the act of looking might help him make sense of the situation.


    "So, let''s say there actually is a spy in the school, and let''s say this spy is really dangerous. What makes you think they''re here for us?" Rey inquired, catching the ball mid-air.


    "Instincts," Asher said, continuing his search, his voice edged with determination.


    "That''s all you got? I guess you really are an assassin. The best course of action would be to inform the authorities, right?" Rey suggested.


    "Yeah, that would be a good idea," Asher admitted, finally pausing his search. "But it''s still risky since we could potentially tell the wrong person."


    Asher paused, taking a moment to think, his mind racing through the possibilities. His gaze grew distant as he weighed the situation, his instincts as an assassin sharpening with each passing second.


    "Hmm, that actually makes sense. Why would someone like that be in a secure ce like this?" Rey mused aloud, still lounging on his bed.


    "I can only think of two reasons." Asher finally spoke, his voice steady. "They either found a way to infiltrate the school or��"


    "Someone let them in," Rey finished, his tone darkening as the realization sank in.


    "What do we do? We have to inform the others first... What are you searching for in my closet?" Rey asked, noticing Asher rummaging through his belongings.


    Asher had already turned his attention to Rey''s stuff, his hands moving swiftly through the clothes and items as if on a mission.


    "Something important," Asher replied, not even sparing a nce at Rey, his focus unwavering.


    "And why would it be in my closet?" Rey questioned, irritation creeping into his voice.


    "Because you can''t keep your fingers to yourself, and I''m pretty sure you took it without even thinking what it was," Asher shot back.


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    Rey sighed, leaning back into his pillows. "It''s apass, what else could it be?"


    "It''s an item I brought with me from home��" Asher exined as he finally pulled out thepass from Rey''s closet, holding it up for a moment before turning to face Rey.


    Asher''s appearance was a stark contrast to the rxed atmosphere in the room. He was dressed in a dark, tight-fitting outfit, the kind meant for stealth and swift movement: an assassin''s attire.


    It was clear he was preparing for something serious, his demeanor exuding a cold, determined resolve.


    He was about to stride out the door when Rey swiftly moved, blocking his path.


    "And where do you think you''re going?" Rey asked, his voice firm as he stood between Asher and the exit, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.


    "Move aside, Rey. You''re wasting my time," Asher said, his voice edged with irritation.


    "Nope," Rey replied, standing his ground. "I have a vague idea of what you''re nning, and I won''t let you."


    "I need to get going already. What''s your problem?" Asher''s agitation grew, his impatience evident.


    "Well, if you''re going, then I''ming with you," Rey proposed, his tone firm.


    "Not a chance," Asher snapped back, dismissing the idea without a second thought.


    Rey responded with a firm, unyielding look, his eyes locking onto Asher''s with unwavering determination. He wasn''t joking, and Asher could see it clearly.


    "You don''t let me follow you, then I won''t let you leave," Rey stated firmly, his stance resolute.


    Asher realized that Rey wasn''t going to back down. There was no convincing him to stay behind, and dying any longer would only waste more time.


    "Alright, fine," Asher sighed, his voice tinged with resignation. "But you have to listen to everything I say."


    "Nice," Rey celebrated with a small grin, pleased that he had won the argument.


    They quickly got themselves sorted out, both dressing for stealth. Asher led the way, and they moved with practiced precision, slipping from room to room and then to the rooftops, their movements silent and coordinated.


    The night air was cool, and the moonlight cast long shadows as they made their way toward the teacher''s lounge. Just as they neared their destination, they spotted a cloaked figure headed in the same direction, moving with deliberate purpose.


    *****


    "I really need to hurry before Freya wakes up and notices that I''m gone," Jett thought, his mind racing as he darted across the rooftops. His movements were swift yet silent, each leap and bound calcted to avoid detection.


    Suddenly, his instincts screamed a warning. Without hesitation, Jett twisted his body mid-air, narrowly avoiding a barrage of needles that shot toward him from behind. The projectiles sliced through the space where he had been just a moment before, their deadly intent clear.


    ''What the��?'' Jett nced over his shoulder and spotted two figures in pursuit. ''Crap, who the hell are they?'' he wondered, his mind racing as he adjusted his path, veering off from his original route.


    The figures chased him relentlessly, their persistence unnerving. Though Jett was exceptionally fast, they attempted to slow him down, hurling projectiles in the form of needles andunching magic attacks. Jett deftly dodged and deflected each assault, his reflexes sharp and precise, his movements fluid as he navigated the rooftops.


    Before he could fully grasp the situation, one of the figures suddenly appeared in front of him, materializing out of the shadows. The assant swung a dagger toward Jett with deadly intent, but Jett''s instincts kicked in, and he swiftly dodged the strike.


    The unexpected attack, however, threw off his bnce. Jett lost his footing and tumbled forward, but his agility saved him. He managed to twist his body mid-fall,nding on his feet, though the impact was less graceful than he would have liked.


    "Who are these guys? And why are they so fixated on me?" Jett muttered under his breath, sighing at his dumb luck. ''I mean, being out at this time, dressed like this, would definitely raise suspicion, but these guys aren''t part of the security here.''


    He found himself surrounded, the two figures closing in on both sides, their intentions clear.


    "Any chance you guys mistook me for someone else?" Jett asked, his voice sounding different, a calcted tone that was almost yful, yet edged with caution. The figures remained silent, their expressions hidden beneath their hoods.


    "No? Well, that''s a bummer," Jett quipped, realizing the seriousness of the situation.


    Without warning, both figures rushed him, their movements synchronized as they attempted to overpower him. They attacked with a ferocity that left little room for error, forcing Jett to react with lightning speed.


    Jett dodged the first attacker''s sword with a swift sidestep, grabbing the assant by the arm and instinctively hurling him toward the second figure just as he teleported behind him. The two collided briefly but quickly regained their footing, continuing their relentless assault with renewed vigor, going all out as they pressed their attack.


    ''Although it looks like they''re trying to kill me, I don''t really sense any bloodlust from them,'' Jett mused, analyzing the situation even as he fought. ''I better end this quickly.''


    As the swordsman lunged at him again, Jett executed a low sweep, knocking the attacker off bnce. He followed up with a powerful kick, sending the swordsman flying through the air. The other figure, armed with a dagger, tried to recover from the fall, but Jett teleported right behind them in an instant.


    "You''re not the only one who can teleport. You know, I have a friend with that exact skill too," Jett said calmly as he appeared behind them.


    Before either of his opponents could react, Jett delivered precise, forceful blows, knocking them both unconscious in a matter of seconds. Theyy motionless on the ground, their breathing shallow but steady.


    Curious about his attackers, Jett crouched down and carefully removed the mask from the one who had wielded the poison. As the mask came off, a small cloud of poisonous gas sprayed out, catching Jett by surprise and causing him to cough slightly.


    "What are you, freaking Batman?" Jett muttered, waving away the remaining gas. "Good thing I have resistance to poison, or this could''ve been really bad."


    He brushed off the lingering effects of the poison and looked at the unmasked face, his eyes widening in shock. It was Asher.


    "Oh god, don''t tell me��" he groaned, quickly moving to check the other person. Just as he feared, it was Rey. "These fucking psychos, good thing I didn''t try anything leathal."


    "Well, this kinda makes my night more annoying," Jett sighed, shaking his head in disbelief.


    Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching and a voice calling out, "Who''s there?" One of the security guards was getting closer to the scene.


    ''Crap��'' Jett thought, his mind racing for a way out.


    The guards arrived at the spot, their eyes scanning the area. "There''s no one here? I thought I saw something," one of them said, his voice uncertain.


    "It was probably just a cat," the other guard suggested.


    "But there are no cats in the academy, not even a stray unless it''s someone''s pet," the first guard replied, still looking around.


    "Probably your imagination. Let''s go," the second guard said, giving hispanion a reassuring pat on the shoulder. They walked away, leaving the first guard a bit unsure of himself but following along.


    *


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    He must really feel good about himself though

 Chapter 85 Strange Enemy?

    Jett used [Checkpoint] to transport all three of them back to Rey''s room, gentlyying each one on their respective beds. The room was dimly lit, casting shadows over their unconscious faces.


    "What were you guys even doing out at this hour?" Jett muttered under his breath, frustration seeping into his tone as he gazed at them. He sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck. "Great�� now they''re going to be running around on a wild goose chase looking for me."


    He began pacing the room, his thoughts swirling like a storm. Each step was slow, deliberate, as if the movement helped him unravel the tangled mess in his mind. His boots tapped against the floor, the sound steady and rhythmic, filling the otherwise silent room.


    ''I can''t be sure we were after the same thing,'' he thought, his eyes narrowing as he recalled the events of the night. ''I went out to steal something, but they... they looked like they were hunting someone.''


    Jett paused, ncing back at the sleeping figures. A sly smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as a new idea formed. ''Maybe I can use this to my advantage. Consider it payment for making me lose my prize.''


    Without another word, Jett activated [Checkpoint] again, the world around him shifting as he returned to his own room. The familiar surroundings greeted him, and he moved carefully, easing onto his bed with practiced stealth. He nced at Freya, making sure not to disturb her.


    Freya, however, was wide awake, her senses on high alert. She had heard the faint sound when he appeared, the soft rustle of fabric as he settled in.


    But when she opened her eyes, but nothing looked amiss, still. Confused, she dismissed it as a trick of her imagination and drifted back into a light slumber.


    *****


    The next morning, Rey slowly stirred, his head throbbing as he awoke. "Ugh�� my head," he groaned, rubbing his temples. "What time is it?"


    "A few more minutes and you''d officially bete," Asher replied with a chuckle, already fully dressed and ready for ss. He was at the door, about to leave, while Rey was still tangled in his sheets, groggy and disoriented.


    Rey blinked, trying to shake off the lingering drowsiness as he realized the time. "Seriously? I just woke up��"


    Rey nced up at Asher, blinking in confusion as the reality of the situation dawned on him. Asher was already halfway out the door, his hand on the knob, fully intending to leave.


    The room was thick with an awkward silence, the kind that made the air feel heavy and tense. Rey''s eyes widened in disbelief, his mind racing as he realized that Asher wasn''t going to wait for him.


    "You freaking bastard! Why didn''t you wake me up?" Rey exploded, his voice echoing through the room as he threw off his covers in frustration.


    "I did try: a lot actually," Asher replied, exasperation evident in his tone as he sighed. "Turns out it''s easier to hunt a monster than to wake you up. I couldn''t even tell if you were still alive at some point."


    Rey huffed, crossing his arms like a petnt child. "So you''re just going to leave me here?"


    Asher didn''t respond immediately, his expression a mix of amusement and irritation. Meanwhile, Rey dragged himself out of bed, his movements sluggish as hezily maneuvered through the room.


    He grabbed whatever he needed without much thought, his mind still half-asleep, as he fumbled for his clothes, toothbrush, and other essentials.


    "Just wait a bit longer so we can go together," Rey pleaded, his voice taking on a desperate edge. ''I don''t want to be the only one walking inte and getting a scolding, especially now of all times.''


    Asher rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Go get yourself a girlfriend if you need someone to walk you to ss," he shot back, his patience wearing thin. ''I''m more concerned with how we even got back to our room, but I''m sure that fact flew over your head.''


    "Come on, just this once," Rey continued, his tone bordering on a whine as he tried to coax Asher into staying.


    But Asher wasn''t having it. "Dude, just take a bath and starting. I''m not waiting for you," he snapped before mming the door shut behind him, the sound reverberating through the now-empty room.


    Rey stood there, staring at the door, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Guess I''m on my own," he muttered to himself, before finally heading off to get ready.


    After a few seconds, panic jolted him awake, and he hurried to get ready, stumbling over his belongings in his haste. His movements were frantic, pulling on his clothes, brushing his teeth with rapid strokes, and grabbing his books.


    *****


    Just as Rey had feared, he arrived at sste. The moment he stepped through the door, all eyes turned to him. The room fell silent, and the teacher''s stern gaze locked onto him like a predator spotting prey.


    "You''rete, Rey," the teacher snapped, irritation dripping from every word. The reprimand was sharp and public, cutting through the room''s silence. Rey felt the weight of the stares from his ssmates, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.


    "I-I''m sorry," Rey stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. It was the only thing he could genuinely say, though he knew it wouldn''t do much to lessen the scolding.


    The teacher sighed, clearly unimpressed by his apology, before returning to the lesson. Rey quickly made his way to an empty seat next to Jett, feeling the burn of humiliation settle deep in his gut.


    The ss was on general studies, which meant everyone was present. The room was filled with students from all walks of life, each one representing different noble families or aspiring to positions of power.


    ''I''m pretty sure he wasn''t supposed to be thiste. Asher did get up early, so it couldn''t be my fault,'' Jett thought as he watched Rey sit down beside him, still looking flustered.


    Jett sighed internally. ''It''s your fault for going out to do god knows what at that time of night with your limited skills. I was even going easy on you two.''


    General studies sses were mostly about etiquette, how to behave as nobles and around nobles, and basic information about their world. It was a necessary subject, but to Jett, it felt like a tedious exercise in stating the obvious.


    ''Gosh, another ss on etiquette, so annoying. But I guess this stuff is important too,'' he mused, leaning back in his chair, his eyes zing over as the teacher droned on about proper conduct.


    Jett''s attention drifted to Rey, who seemed lost in thought, his expression distant. It didn''t take much for Jett to guess what was going through his mind. Rey''s brow was furrowed, his lips slightly parted as if caught between frustration and contemtion.


    ''He''s probably still beating himself up over beingte. Or maybe he''s thinking aboutst night,'' Jett thought, a smirk ying at the corner of his mouth. It was almost too easy to read him.


    Rey, oblivious to Jett''s scrutiny, tried to focus on the lesson, but his mind kept wandering back to the events of the previous night and the embarrassing start to his day.


    *****


    After the ss ended, Rey quickly caught up with Asher, his mind still swirling with thoughts from the previous night.


    "Hey, what do you think we should do?" Rey asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.


    "I''m not too sure myself," Asher sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as they walked through the bustling hallway.


    "Telling the others might be the best option, but I can''t shake the feeling that we already know who that was," Rey murmured, his eyes narrowing in thought as he reyed the events in his mind.


    Asher stopped in his tracks, a bit surprised by Rey''s insight. For a moment, he regarded Rey with a raised eyebrow, a smirk slowly creeping onto his face. "I guess you do have a brain after all."


    "What? It was really strange. We both woke up safe in our rooms, without any injuries, and our stuff was still intact," Rey continued, his confusion evident as he tried to piece everything together.


    "It could''ve been some kind of plot to get us on their side," Asher added, his tone thoughtful. "But we haven''t received any kind of message, so it''s safe to assume that whoever it was isn''t our enemy. Plus, that person used a sword with no magic, and thepass didn''t react, so it wasn''t the person we were after."


    Rey''s eyes widened as he remembered thepass Asher had found hidden in his closet. "What does thepass do, though?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.


    "It can track residual mana, but it only works if it''s within a certain timeframe," Asher exined, his voice low as they continued down the corridor.


    "Oh, I get it now," Rey mused. "You wanted to go back to where you found the clone to collect the residual mana for thepass. Would''ve been nice if you''d told me the n from the beginning."


    Asher shot Rey a withering look, barely restraining the urge to smack him upside the head. "You weren''t even supposed to follow me, dumbass."


    Rey shrugged, a sheepish grin on his face. "Alright, let''s just tell the others so they''ll be on��"


    Asher suddenly paused mid-sentence, his body tensing as his eyes darted around the crowded hallway. He could feel it: a faint, lingering gaze, as if someone was watching them. But with so many people around, it was impossible to pinpoint who it was.


    "What''s the matter?" Rey asked, noticing Asher''s sudden change in demeanor.


    Asher hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he considered his options. ''I can''t trust this moron to act natural if I tell him,'' he thought to himself, casting a judging look at Rey. "It''s nothing," he finally said, his voice calm but guarded. "Let''s just go."


    *


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    Rey probably has a big mouth

 Chapter 86 Impulsive Elf

    "I still have a magic ss to attend, so let''s tell them after that," Rey suggested before parting ways with Asher. With a quick nod, they went their separate ways.


    Asher made his way toward the dorm, his thoughts preupied with the strange encounter and Rey''s unexpected insight. But as he approached the building, he spotted Ciara and one of the girls who had apanied herst time.


    His steps slowed, and an uneasy feeling settled in his gut. He could sense that if he didn''t hurry and leave the area, something was bound to happen.


    Trying to avoid any interaction, Asher altered his path slightly, hoping to slip away unnoticed. But before he could make his escape, Ciara''s sharp eyes caught sight of him.


    "Hey, Asher! You seem like you''re in a hurry," Ciara called out, waving at him with a bright smile.


    Asher forced a polite smile, mentally cursing his luck. "Yeah, I''m on my way back to my room," he replied, hoping the hint would be enough for her to let him go.


    Ciara wasn''t so easily deterred. She motioned for him to step away from the girl she was with, taking him a few steps aside for a more private conversation.


    Asher reluctantly followed, sensing that this wasn''t going to be a simple chat.


    "Oh good, you''re not busy then," Ciara said with a grin as she held his hands, her touch warm and familiar. She then pointed back at the elf girl she was with, who stood a short distance away, looking rather disinterested in the whole situation. "Do me a favor and spar with her."


    Asher blinked, caught off guard by the request. "Why me? Isn''t she already ranked higher than me at the moment?" he asked, ncing at the girl who appeared more bored than eager. ''She doesn''t even look like she wants to be here,'' he thought, noting her indifferent expression.


    Ciara''s expression shifted to one of pleading, her eyes practically sparkling as she tried to convince him. "Come on, Asher. It would really help her out. I''ll even put my ranking on the line too, just to make it interesting."


    Asher hesitated, not liking the direction this was going. The offer was indeed tempting, especially with the possibility of improving his rank, but the attention it would draw was thest thing he wanted.


    "Tempting offer, but I still have to decline. My spot is already good enough for me, and I''d really love to keep the attention off myself," Asher said, shaking his head.


    Ciara pouted slightly, clearly disappointed, but she didn''t push further. Asher gave her a polite nod before turning to leave, grateful to escape the situation without furtherplication.


    "But you really can''t say that someone as attractive as you won''t get attention," Ciara said with a teasing smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief.


    Asher shifted ufortably, acutely aware of his own poprity, which was more a byproduct of his looks than any desire for attention.


    Despite his reluctance to be in the spotlight, he couldn''t deny that his striking features had made him somewhat of a local sensation just like his peers. Still, he had no interest in leveraging that poprity for unnecessary engagements.


    "ttery will get you nowhere, princess, and ''no'' is a ''no,''" Asher sighed, his tone firm despite the underlying frustration.


    Ciara''s smile didn''t waver. "Come on, I''ll just have to keep asking until you say yes."


    Asher rolled his eyes, knowing all too well how persistent she could be. He weighed his options, contemting the quickest way to extricate himself from the situation. He was already mentally preparing for the worst, trying toe up with a usible excuse but he knew who he was up against.


    "So if I say yes, you''ll stop bugging me?" Asher asked reluctantly, trying to make sure he wouldn''t be pressured further.


    "Yes," Ciara replied with an enthusiastic nod, clearly eager to get her way.


    "Alright, I''ll do it," Asher mused with a resigned sigh, knowing it was the only way to end the conversation.


    "Yay! I''ll leave her with you then. Gotta get to ss," Ciara said cheerfully before practically skipping off.


    Asher watched her go, feeling a mix of annoyance and resignation. He felt a bit used, but he was determined to get the sparring session over with as quickly as possible. He turned to the elf girl, who had been quietly observing the exchange with a raised eyebrow.


    "Come with me," Asher gestured, heading toward the training hall. The girl followed him with a reluctance that was almost palpable, her posture stiff and her gaze distant.


    "Whye all the way here? We could have ended this back there," she asked, her tone slightly pompous, as if she considered the whole affair beneath her.


    Asher shrugged, not in the mood for pleasantries. "I prefer to keep things straightforward. Let''s just get this over with."


    The girl gave a faint sigh but said nothing more as they continued toward the training hall. Asher''s mind was already shifting to the best way to handle the sparring session and wrap it up efficiently.


    "If you must know, I don''t want to show off to potential enemies," Asher said with a straightforward tone, trying to be as clear as possible.


    The elf girl''s expression hardened, clearly dissatisfied with his response. "So you''re scared then? I guess I didn''t expect much from a human anyway," she taunted, her voice dripping with disdain.


    Asher''s gaze remained fixed ahead, his face a mask of indifference. "Stop trying to provoke me, missy. I''m only doing this because your princess begged me to. You''re definitely not worth my time."


    Her eyes narrowed, and her temper red. "What the hell�� I''m going to make you eat those words. My princess would never beg the likes of you, especially not a weak human," she said with annoyance, her voice rising.


    Asher raised an eyebrow, internally bemused. ''And you get provoked by something that trivial?'' he wondered, though he wasn''t particrly invested in the exchange. "We''ll find out when it''s over then," he replied, his tone cool and detached.


    "I''m not going to lose to an arrogant human like you," she dered, her hand gripping her sword with determination as she pointed it directly at him.


    Asher moved to a corner of the training hall, pretending to stretch as he mentally prepared for the sparring match.


    ''Come to think of it, the majority of the elves I''ve seen really do have it out for humans,'' he mused, considering the underlying tensions. Deciding to address the issue, he called out, "Is there a reason you keep emphasizing the human part? It''s bing a bit disrespectful and annoying."


    The elf girl''s expression flickered with surprise, but she said nothing, her focus remaining sharp as she waited for the match to begin.


    Asher''s mind was already racing through strategies, trying to figure out the best way to handle the situation while keeping his own interests in check.


    "Because humans are weak, selfish, and everything wrong with this world. Humans don''t even deserve to suck up to us elves," Tina spat with venom. "And there''s no way I''ll lose to a human like you."


    Asher let out a sigh of relief, a faint smirk ying on his lips. "So that''s what this is all about. Damn it, Ciara." He couldn''t help but think, ''She''s making me do her dirty work. How cruel can you get?''


    "Don''t you dare say her name!" Tina''s voice echoed through the training hall, thick with annoyance and a simmering rage that only intensified her resolve.


    Just then, the instructor on duty, a stern-looking man with a seasoned warrior''s aura, entered the training hall. He had been asked to supervise the match, ensuring it would remain somewhat controlled despite the tension between the two.


    As the instructor took his position, Asher turned his attention back to Tina.


    "Before we do this, can I get your name? I''m guessing we''ll be seeing you often since you move with Ciara, so it''d be weird if I don''t know what to call you," Asher exined, his tone casual yet respectful. "Plus, there''s this thing where warriors give out their name to their opponents as a sign of respect. Doesn''t really apply to assassins, but I''ll make an exception."


    "Tina. Remember it, because that''s the name of the girl who''ll be putting you in your ce. Too bad there won''t be anyone here to witness it," she boasted, her eyes narrowing as she gripped her sword tightly.


    Without another word, Tina lunged forward, her de slicing through the air in a powerful vertical sh aimed directly at Asher. But Asher was quick on his feet, sidestepping the attack with ease.


    Tina didn''t let up, immediately following up with a series of rapid strikes, each one more aggressive than thest. Her movements were sharp and precise, but Asher''s agility and experience allowed him to evade each blow effortlessly.


    The ng of metal against metal echoed in the training hall as Tina''s sword struck the ground, walls, and air, but never Asher.


    He moved fluidly, dodging and weaving with a grace that only frustrated Tina further. Her attacks were relentless, but Asher''s calm demeanor only seemed to mock her efforts.


    ''She''s fast, but she''s letting her emotions dictate her movements,'' Asher observed, his mind already working out a strategy to turn the tide in his favor. He could see the frustration building in her eyes, and he knew that her anger would soon lead to mistakes.


    As Tina prepared for another assault, Asher remained cool, waiting for the perfect moment to counter. The instructor watched closely, noting the contrast between Tina''s fiery aggression and Asher''s calcted calm.


    This was no ordinary sparring match; it was a sh of ideals, with pride and prejudice fueling every strike.


    "Hold still, you bastard!" Tina snapped, frustrationcing her voice as she continued swinging her sword with increasing speed and force.


    "And why would I do something that dumb?" Asher replied, his tone almost yful as he effortlessly dodged each of her attacks.


    The only sound that filled the training hall was the sharp whoosh of Tina''s sword cutting through the air. Her strikes were powerful, but they kept missing their mark by mere inches, the metallic hum of the de the only evidence of her relentless effort.


    "I''m no sword expert, but I''m pretty sure your technique still needs some work," Asher quipped, his voice calm and unbothered as he evaded yet another swing.


    Annoyed by his mocking tone, Tina activated her skill, [Wind Blessing], boosting her speed to an almost blinding level. With renewed vigor, she lunged at Asher, her sword aimed directly at his chest. But just as she thought she had him, Asher vanished, teleporting out of her reach in the blink of an eye.


    "That''s a really cowardly skill," Tina remarked bitterly, her eyes darting around to locate him as she prepared to strike again.


    "There''s no such thing as a fair fight," Asher countered, reappearing behind her with a swift motion, ready tond a decisive blow. But just as his strike was about to connect, an invisible force mmed into him, sending him flying across the room.


    "Well, that was unexpected," Asher muttered as he picked himself up, dusting off his clothes. He looked up to see Tina standing with a confident expression, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.


    "I just took a page out of your book, wise guy," she said smugly, readying herself for another attack. "I bet you don''t have enough MP left to pull off that teleportation trick again, so this is checkmate."


    *


    *


    *


    Thanks for making it this far

 Chapter 87 An Elfs Defeat

    ''Crap, she''s on to me,'' Asher thought, a small smile ying on his lips. Despite the situation, he found himself enjoying the challenge. ''I might actually enjoy this.''


    Tina then activated [Wind Wanderer], a skill designed to disorient her opponent by messing with their thoughts and senses. The air around Asher seemed to shimmer, distorting his perception as Tina charged forward, her sword gleaming with the intent to end the match.


    For a brief moment, Asher''s vision blurred, and he felt the subtle tug of the skill trying to keep him in ce. But even through the haze, his instincts kicked in, and he knew he had to act fast.


    Tina''s de was seconds away from delivering the final blow, her confidence growing as she closed in on what she believed to be her victory.


    [Substitution]


    At the moment Tina swung her sword at Asher, expecting tond the final blow, her de struck something soft instead of flesh: a small, lifelike doll. Asher was nowhere to be found.


    "Give up, you can''t beat me," Asher''s voice echoed from behind her, causing Tina to whirl around, taking a few steps backward in shock. ''Good thing I had that skill just now, but I''m out of MP. I guess she''s not that bad,'' Asher mused to himself, hiding his exhaustion.


    Infuriated, Tina gritted her teeth and began swinging her sword with renewed ferocity, this time channeling her Aura into the de. The sword gleamed with an red glow as she lunged at Asher, her movements more aggressive and erratic.


    ''That''s not good,'' Asher thought as he prepared himself, his dagger now also engulfed in Aura. The two shed with intense speed, their weapons colliding in bursts of energy.


    Despite the serious nature of the fight, Asher couldn''t help but feel a thrill, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth as he danced around her attacks, narrowly avoiding each deadly strike.


    Their duel became a blur of steel and Aura, each of them pushing the other to the limit. Tina''s frustration grew with each missed hit, while Asher seemed to be enjoying the challenge, his reflexes sharp and his movements fluid. Then, suddenly, Asher stopped moving, standing still as if daring her to strike.


    Seizing the opportunity, Tina went for a decisive attack, her sword aiming directly for his chest. But just as she was about tond the blow, her body froze. Her sword halted mere inches from Asher, but she couldn''t move it any further.


    "Hold on, this is��" Tina muttered in confusion as she struggled to move, her eyes widening in realization. Something was pulling her in ce, holding her back despite her efforts to break free.


    "Noticed it yet?" Asher smirked, his voice dripping with amusement.


    "I can''t move. What did you do to me?" Tina demanded, her voice mixed with panic as she fought against the unseen restraints.


    "Look closer," Asher replied, his smirk growing wider.


    Tina''s eyes darted around the training hall, and as she focused, she noticed thin, almost invisible threads crisscrossing the space around them. The threads were intertwined with her limbs, binding her in ce like a puppet on strings.


    "It''s those threads��" she whispered in disbelief, realizing the delicate trap she had walked into. The threads were expertly woven throughout the hall, and she had been too focused on Asher to notice them until it was toote.


    They were now the reason she waspletely immobilized, her sword hand trembling as it fought against the binding force.


    "So that''s why you came all the way here?" Tina hissed, frustration seeping into her voice as she strained against the threads that bound her.


    "Guilty as charged," Asher replied calmly, stepping forward and effortlessly taking her sword from her grasp. He held it for a moment before adding, "I win this fight."


    Tina''s irritation was palpable, her eyes burning with the frustration of defeat. But despite her anger, she was helpless, bound by the invisible threads and unable to retaliate.


    Asher began to slowly cut through the threads with his Aura-infused dagger.


    "Luckily for you, I don''t care much about the rankings," Asher said, his tone casual yet firm. "It seems the status I already have is bringing in unwanted attention. And as for what you said about humans, I wouldn''t say you''re entirely wrong."


    "What?" Tina wondered, her irritation giving way to confusion as she tried to grasp his meaning.


    "Humans have killed themselves for the sole purpose of getting paid, and that''s greed," Asher continued, his voice carrying a weariness that seemed beyond his years. "But the same goes for your kind."


    He paused for a moment, cutting through thest of the threads binding her, his gaze distant as he reflected on his own past.


    "Take me, for example. I may not look it, but as an offspring of the Falt household, I too have taken lives: both in this world and in my previous one. Must be some kind of joke, being brought to another world with the same profession."


    The name "Falt" carried weight in Verena, though few truly understood why. The Falt family was known publicly as a deeply religious and influential household, pirs of themunity who were respected and revered for their piety and charitable deeds. To the general public, they were a symbol of moral integrity and devotion.


    However, beneath the surface, only a select few knew the truth about the Falt family. Behind the fa?ade of religious devotiony a dark secret: assassination was what truly kept the family going. The Falts were skilled killers, their services avable to the Royal Council.


    They maintained their influential status in Verena through a careful bnce of public virtue and covert violence, ensuring that their true nature remained hidden from most of the world.


    As Asher spoke, Tina realized that he was not just another human, but someone who had walked a path far darker and moreplex than she had imagined.


    The weight of his words hung in the air, leaving her momentarily speechless, her previous anger now mixed with a sense of unease.


    The Falt family, renowned for their piety and charitable acts, was in fact the shadow arm of the royal council. Their true role in the kingdom was far more sinister than the public could ever suspect.


    Tasked with eliminating the kingdom''s most dangerous and secretive threats, they operated in the darkness, ensuring that the bnce of power remained in the council''s favor.


    They were not only loyal to the king but also to the council itself, executing only the assassinations that were sanctioned by this powerful body. The Falts were indispensable in maintaining the kingdom''s stability, their existence a closely guarded secret known only to a select few.


    "Nobody is perfect," Asher continued, his tone calm yet carrying the weight of his experiences. "Just because you refer to us as lower beings who weren''t blessed by the gods like your kind doesn''t mean your kind is actually superior to mine. It could be the other way around. It may be that the gods cherish the fragile species more."


    "As expected of someone from a religious family? Trying to preach to me," Tina scoffed, looking away, her irritation still evident.


    "A religious family, huh?" Asher muttered to himself, a trace of bitterness in his voice. "Was I really?"


    "You would have if I didn''t interrupt you, moron," Tina snapped, cutting through his thoughts.


    Asher didn''t really care about her response but continued anyway. "Just remember, you''ll never be strong enough to beat me. So try not to drag your princess back, oh Mrs. Superior Species," he teased, though his voice remained emotionless.


    Without waiting for a reply, Asher casually tossed her sword back to her, the de spinning in the air before Tina instinctively caught it.


    She turned, still annoyed and ready to retort, but found herself speaking to empty space: Asher had already vanished, leaving her standing alone in the training hall.


    The silence that followed only heightened her frustration, and she clenched her sword tightly, seething at the humiliation of being bested so effortlessly.


    *****


    A few hourster, as the day''s sses ended, Rey and Asher gathered with the others to discuss the events that had transpired. Their faces were serious as they recounted the unsettling experiences they had encountered. The room was filled with a tense atmosphere as everyone listened intently.


    Asher spoke first, exining how they had both noticed someone, likely one of the teachers, secretly spying on them. The suspicion had grown over time, andst night, they had encountered a mysterious figure who confronted them before everything went dark.


    The next thing they knew, they woke up back in their rooms, unscathed but deeply unsettled. Asher emphasized the need for everyone to be more vignt and cautious, especially with the strange urrences happening around them.


    Jett, standing off to the side, listened to their story with a calcting look in his eyes. He had already pieced together whose mana Asher had sensed during the encounter, his mind working rapidly as he considered the implications. He was already forming a n on how to approach her, his thoughts swirling with possibilities.


    Freya, however, was more focused on the way Jett seemed to be reacting to Rey and Asher''s recounting of the events. She could see the gears turning in his head, and it worried her. There was something about the look Jett gave them that made her uneasy, like he was on the verge of doing something reckless.


    "Please don''t do anything stupid," Freya begged softly, tapping Jett on the shoulder to get his attention.


    Jett blinked, genuinely confused for a moment as he turned to her. "What are you talking about?" he asked, though his thoughts were racing. ''Did she somehow figure out that I''m nning something?''


    "In fact, don''t do anything at all," Freya added, her voice tinged with concern.


    "Gosh, you''re scaring me. What in the world would I want to do right now?" Jett sighed, though he knew exactly what she was worried about. It wasn''t the first time Freya had to caution him, and it probably wouldn''t be thest.


    Freya didn''t miss a beater response was immediate and cutting. "That''s the face of a menace to society plotting something incredibly stupid."


    Jett couldn''t help but feel a wave of irritation at the situation Freya was putting him in. She was right to be suspicious, but that didn''t make it any less frustrating. "Isn''t it time for you to go hunting?" he retorted, trying to deflect her attention and shift the focus away from himself. All the while, he thought to himself, ''Just keep quiet and farm some EXP for me.''


    He then cast a nce at Rey and Asher, his mind returning to the topic of their conversation. ''I''ve edited the contract on those two, so my leveling up should be faster now,'' Jett mused.


    The thought of power coursing through him was intoxicating, and he couldn''t help but wonder how far he could push his limits. He just needed to do the same for the others, and then there''d be no telling how strong he could be.


    *


    *


    *


    He should be at least this greedy

 Chapter 88 Trial 3

    Gwendolyn who was coincidentally the Academy''s magic instructor for the first years, had always prided herself on her keen sense of her students'' potential.


    Most of them were eager to cast spells and unleash power, but few cared about the intricate foundations that made those spells possible.


    She was however, pleasantly surprised when Jett, who she had previously overlooked as not worth the time, approached her after ss one day.


    Jett had seemed like one of the manypetent, but not exceptional. However, when he expressed genuine interest in the intricacies of magic, her perception of him began to shift.


    His questions were advanced, delving into theories and principles that most students didn''t even think to ask about.


    It wasn''t just about casting spells for him; it was about understanding the very essence of magic.


    ''Impressive,'' she thought, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed him. ''Most of them only want to know how to make things explode, but this one...''


    Gwendolyn felt a spark of curiosity. ''He wants to understand the art behind the power.''


    Despite her initial assumptions that he didn''t quite measure up to some of her other star pupils, she found herselfpelled to give him more of her time.


    It wasn''t just his knowledge, it was his eagerness to learn, his desire to dig deeper, that intrigued her, plus this was her opportunity to get close to him so she could discretely get to the others.


    For the next hour, they discussed magic and its many theories, exchanging ideas in a conversation that felt more like a dialogue between equals than a teacher and student.


    By the time Jett left to meet with the others, she had offered him an open invitation to seek her out whenever he needed guidance on magic.


    As she watched him walk away, she couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction: maybe she should use mentoring him as a disguise to get to the Divine Lords.


    Little did she know, Jett had his own ns. He intended to use this newfound connection to gain ess to materials and information beyond his current reach.


    Yet, even as he considered this, a vague sense of unease lingered: had she noticed something about him that set him apart from the rest?


    *****


    Stay connected with m-v l|e''-NovelBin


    "So, are you done with that thing I asked forst time?" Jett asked, his tone casual but with an underlying eagerness.


    "Yeah, I''ve been done for a while now," Cedric replied, reaching into his bag and pulling out the weapon he had crafted. It gleamed under the light, a masterpiece of his forge.


    "Cool," Jett grinned as he took the weapon from Cedric''s hands, feeling its weight and bnce. "I''ll be taking those off your hands then."


    As he examined the weapon, a satisfied smirk crossed Jett''s face. ''Perfect,'' he thought. With this, his ns were slowly falling into ce.


    "But why would you need something like this?" Cedric asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. He knew what the items were, but he couldn''t quite understand how Jett intended to use them.


    Jett casually nced at the ten flying swords Cedric had crafted, each one a masterpiece in its own right. The swords were sleek and deadly, their edges honed to a razor''s sharpness.


    The des were forged from adamantium, a material known for its incredible strength and durability, capable of withstanding even the most powerful of impacts without a single scratch and one of the best conductors of Aura.


    The hilts were elegantly designed, with intricate patterns etched into the metal, giving them an air of both beauty and lethality.


    "Oh, nothing special," Jett replied with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with a secret he wasn''t ready to share. "You''ll find out when the time is right." Without waiting for a response, he turned and began to walk away, leaving Cedric to ponder his intentions.


    ''What does he n to do with weapons like those?'' Cedric thought as he watched Jett''s figure disappear into the distance. ''Those are weapons you''d normally see on a rogue or an assassin.'' The thought troubled him for a moment. ''Maybe it''s for someone else.''


    *****


    Another fruitful week had passed, filled with both challenges and victories. The group had worked tirelessly, and it was now time for the next trial.


    Just as they had nned, they managed to gather enough money from selling monster drops, items, and pills that Cedric and Marce had crafted.


    With their earnings, they purchased teleportation scrolls, ensuring they had the means to make a quick escape if needed.


    While gathering resources, they had also taken the opportunity to increase their levels, pushing themselves to the limit in order to be better prepared for whatevery ahead.


    Every member of the group had grown stronger, honing their skills and gaining new abilities. They knew that in this world, strength was everything, and they weren''t about to take any chances.


    Once they were ready, they all returned to the ce where their next trial awaited. As they approached, they saw Alok standing in his usual spot, his tall figure shrouded in an air of calm authority.


    He was silent as always, his piercing gaze watching them closely as they arrived.


    As they arrived at the trial grounds, a notification suddenly appeared before them, hovering in the air:


    [Continue the trial? Y/N]


    [Trial Completion 2/14]


    "I can''t wait to finally be done with this shitty trial," Finn sighed, his frustration evident as he clicked "Yes."


    Immediately, another notification followed:


    [Defeat all 280,000 monsters/undead within 10 minutes.]


    A timer began counting down, giving them exactly five minutes to prepare.


    The group was instantly hyped, adrenaline surging through their veins. This was it, the kind of challenge they had been training for. But as the reality of the situation sank in, not everyone shared the same enthusiasm.


    "You''ve got to be kidding me," Jett muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. The sheer number of enemies they were about to face was staggering but that wasn''t the only problem


    "Ugh, hell no. Of all the things, why undead?" Finn nearly screamed, his voice tinged with both surprise and dread.


    The mention of "undead" caused both Jett and Finn to freeze, their faces draining of color as they exchanged worried nces.


    "What''s up with both of you?" Elora asked, noticing their sudden shift in demeanor. Her concern grew as she looked between them.


    "I know, right? 280,000 in 10 minutes. That''s like 28,000 every minute, and if we all work together, each of us just has to take out 2,000 every minute," Cedric exined, his voice taking on an excited edge as he quickly calcted the odds.


    "This really isn''t the time to show off your geek trait, Cedric," Seraphina mused, though there was a hint of a smile on her lips. She knew he was just trying to keep the mood light, but the tension was palpable.


    "How are we supposed to take out 4,000 each for 5 minutes?" Freya asked, her eyes wide as she began to grasp the magnitude of the task before them.


    "I knew something was fishy when thest trial ended too cleanly. We''ve been set up," Aiden whined, his usually confident demeanor faltering. The task seemed impossible, even for someone of his caliber.


    As the seconds ticked away, the gravity of their situation became clear. This was more than just a trial: it was a test of their limits, and they would have to give everything they had to survive.


    "She''s right, we don''t have that much firepower," Evelina added, her voice tinged with worry. "And I''m pretty sure I didn''t bring enough arrows."


    "You''re an archer, you can never have enough arrows," Asher remarked, trying tofort her. But his words seemed to miss the mark, as Evelina frowned at him instead, clearly not reassured.


    ''Damn it, do I have to go all out in front of them?'' Jett wondered. ''There should be a way to utilize their abilities for a situation like this.''


    Time was running out, and they still hadn''t figured out how to deal with the overwhelming number of undead. The pressure was mounting, and the group was on edge, each of them trying to think of a solution.


    "I have an idea," Rey suddenly spoke up, his tone filled with confidence. His voice cut through the tension, causing everyone to fall silent.


    ''The MC wants to speak, this should be good,'' Jett thought, his interest piqued as he turned his full attention to Rey.


    "Then let''s hear it," Rosa bickered, eager to hear what Rey had in mind.


    Rey quickly made them gather around. "The n is simple," he began. "We gather them all together by using crowd control to focus their agro at one point, then unleash a massive AOE attack to wipe them out in one go."


    It was a solid n: a tactic most gamers used in situations like this. The idea of drawing the undead to a single location and then obliterating them with a coordinated assault made sense.


    However, there were still significant issues to consider.


    "So, how many of us can use crowd control skills on arge scale? My skills don''t really work with attracting enemies, so I''m not your guy," Aiden admitted, seeking volunteers to fill the gap in his strategy.


    "I can," Matthew said eagerly, stepping up without hesitation.


    "But that''s only one," Asher pointed out, sighing as he exined the w. "It''s not going to be enough for all of them, and it''ll be too much for us to handle. We need to make sure we can fully utilize our attacks by getting them in one ce, but we also need to spread them out enough so we don''t get overwhelmed."


    "I can also use a crowd control skill on arge scale," Rey said, hoping to ease Asher''s concerns.


    "And me too," Morrigan added, her voice steady with determination.


    "Same here," Rosa followed, stepping in to support the n.


    As the group began to see the piecesing together, Jett''s mind was already racing ahead. ''This might work,'' he thought, ''but it needs to be refined.''


    He had already devised a n from everything they had discussed, and now it was time to share it. With a confident smirk, Jett spoke up. "Well then, we''re switching up the n, so everyone pay attention: I''m only going to say this once so listen up."


    All eyes turned to Jett, ready to hear his strategy, knowing that their survival depended on executing it perfectly.


    *


    *


    *


    Let''s go boss

 Chapter 89 Trial 3 II

    The atmosphere grew tense and charged with a mix of uncertainty and resolve as Jett, without hesitation, stepped up to takemand. His voice cut through the air, firm and decisive, leaving no room for doubt.


    The others, though seasoned in battle, couldn''t help but exchange nces, slightly taken aback by the unexpected arrangement. It wasn''t that they doubted Jett''s capabilities, but the abrupt shift in leadership, coupled with his unusual n, left a lingering sense of confusion.


    "We''ll split into four groups with four or three people each," Jett began, his tone brokering no argument. "One person stays as bait to attract the monsters, while the others either keep them in check or contribute to the attack. Those baits will me Rey, Matthew, Finn and myself."


    As heid out the teams, assigning Elora and Cedric to Rey, Morrigan and Seraphina to Matthew, and Finn, Marce, Aiden, and Rosa to one group, there was a palpable hesitation. When Jett paired himself with Asher and Evelina, eyebrows raised slightly, the uncertainty simmering beneath the surface.


    "But you and Finn can''t attract their aggro. It''s not going to work. And what about Freya?" Rey''s voice broke the silence, his tone edged with concern.


    "In normal circumstances, yes, but right now, you''ll just have to trust me," Jett replied, his eyes locking onto Rey''s, trying to convey the urgency of his n. "As for Freya��"


    "We need to keep her as far away from this as possible," Asher cut in, his voice firm. "I''m still pretty much in charge of her safety, so I can''t let anything happen to her."


    Jett remained unfazed by Asher''s interruption. "Hold your horses. She''s the most important part of this whole n. But yeah, she''ll be the safest person here," Jett assured, his tone resolute. "Just listen to what I say. No one should use healing skills unless it''s a passive skill, and the same goes for spells.


    Take some healing potions from Marce."


    The group''s confusion lingered, but beneath it was a growing resolve. Jett''s confidence, though unexpected, began to settle into the others, pushing them to trust in his n despite their reservations.


    The weight of the battle ahead pressed down on them, but under Jett''smand, they felt a flicker of hope, even if it was tinged with uncertainty.


    Marce moved quickly, her hands a blur as she distributed the pills among the group. The tension was thick, yet she remained focused, her calm efficiency a sharp contrast to the uncertainty that lingered in the air.


    As the pills were passed from hand to hand, a shared understanding began to form: a quiet eptance of the roles they were about to y.


    While Marce worked, Jett''s voice filled the space, clear andmanding. "Go all out on your attacks, I don''t have to be the one to tell you to bring out your pets for this one. But if you know your attacks aren''t strong enough, then just try to restrict their movements. Don''t waste your MP unnecessarily."


    His gaze shifted to Freya, his expression softening slightly. "You''ll be alternating between Finn and me," he instructed, his tone carrying a hint of reassurance meant just for her.


    Freya hesitated, her uncertainty evident as she nced at him. "Are you sure about this?" she asked, her voice tinged with doubt. She had never faced an undead before, and the thought of it unnerved her.


    Jett met her gaze, his eyes steady. "Just trust me. I''d never put you in unnecessary danger," he replied with a boldness that caused Freya to blush faintly, a warmth spreading across her cheeks.


    Evelina, always quick to catch onto such moments, grinned yfully. "Was that a confession?" she teased, her voice light in an attempt to ease the tension.


    Jett sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Please pay attention," he said, a hint of exasperation in his voice. Internally, he admitted to himself, ''I wasn''t nning on taking amanding role, but it can''t be helped.''


    Despite the gravity of the situation, there was an odd sense of calm: at least from a few members of the group.


    Unlike the others who still felt the weight of the looming battle, Evelina''s yful banter and Jett''sposed demeanor created a momentarypse in the tension, as if the storm of battle hadn''t yet fully settled over them.


    However, Asher wasn''t swayed by the momentary lightness. His voice cut through, serious and firm. "Freya can''t contribute to the attack, so are you nning on using her as bait? I just told you that''s not happening."


    Freya''s gaze dropped slightly, a flicker of guilt passing through her. She hadn''t yet told the others about her abilities, that she wasn''t as helpless as they might think.


    She could wield attack spells against beings with dark or demonic attributes, but she had kept that to herself, unsure of how to reveal it.


    "And I just told you to shut up and listen," Jett snapped, his voice sharp andmanding. The unexpected edge in his tone caught everyone off guard.


    He wasn''t his usual nonchnt self instead, there was a fierce intensity in his gaze that made the others unconsciously straighten up. "You don''t have to be logical about everything. You''re not allowed to speak till when I say I''m done."


    The group exchanged quick, uneasy nces. Jett''s sudden shift in demeanor was surprising; the easygoing air he usually carried had been reced by an almost intimidating presence.


    It wasn''t just his words, but the way he said them: there was a newfound authority in his voice that left little room for argument.


    "We''ll most likely be sent somewhere else since this trial requires arge number of participants. When that happens, every team will run in a different direction, except Finn''s," Jett continued, his tone returning to a more measured calm, though the underlying authority remained.


    He then turned to Freya, his expression softening slightly. "Once we start, take Lumina to the sky and wait for my signal to strike."


    He surveyed the group, ensuring they were all following. "I repeat, focus on your part, and if you notice that no enemy ising your way, then help the others. Does everyone understand the n?"


    "Yes!" they all chorused, the collective response filled with a mix of determination and anticipation. Find adventures at m_v l|e-NovelBin


    "Good," Jett responded, a confident smirk ying on his lips. His earlier intensity had eased, reced with the assured demeanor of someone who knew exactly what they were doing.


    *****


    [Time Remaining: 09:59]


    The world around them shifted in an instant, transporting the group to a vast, open battlefield. The space was expansive, with rugged terrain stretching out in all directions under a darkened sky.


    The air was thick with tension, the kind that precedes a great sh, and the sound of distant echoes hinted at the scale of the impending battle.


    As soon as they arrived, each team sprang into action, darting in separate directions just as Jett had instructed. Finn''s group, however, remained in ce, their eyes sharp and focused, awaiting the moment when they would make their move.


    The others, though they had followed Jett''s orders, couldn''t help but wonder why Jett asked for him and Finn to have their own group but they just had to trust him.


    Finn, however, knew exactly why. His gaze drifted to the information on his stats, a knowing look in his eyes. He wasn''t looking forward to what was to happen.


    =====


    Level: 41


    ss: Merchant/Warrior


    HP: 100


    MP: 60


    Strength: 95


    Agility: 75


    Intelligence: 40


    Perception: 40


    =====


    [Title: Undead yer]


    [Obtained this title for ying and purifying more than a thousand undead]


    [All undead prioritize you as their natural enemy and will automatically have their hatred directed towards you.]


    [10% bonus damage against all undead monsters]


    =====


    The battlefield was now set, a tense calm before the storm. But the silence was shattered as the monsters and undead began flooding the area, their roars and wails filling the air.


    In a synchronized motion, the four groups braced themselves as the flood of enemies rushed toward them, driven by pure rage and bloodlust. The monsters split, most heading toward Rey and Matthew, drawn by their skills, while the undead were unnervingly singr with their focus on Jett and Finn''s group.


    Freya, her heart pounding, called upon Lumina. The majestic phoenix appeared in a burst of radiant light, its wings gleaming as it took to the sky. The others followed suit, summoning their pets with practiced ease. The battlefield was soon filled with spectral bats, mighty bears, and other creatures ready to assist in the fray.


    "This is nuts! Why are only the undeading our way?" Aiden asked, his voice tight with urgency as the wave of decaying horrors drew closer.


    "You wouldn''t believe me if I told you," Finn sighed, his expression grim. He knew all too well why the undead were after them. The dread that filled him wasn''t just from the sight of the undead: they were relentless foes, not easily felled by normal means.


    "Hey! Stop spacing out. What do we do now?" Rosa''s voice snapped him back to the present, her tone carrying the edge of someone ready to fight or flee.


    Jett''s voice cut through the chaos, clear andmanding. "Create a path or an encampment," he ordered, and the response was immediate. Members from each team moved quickly, working to restrict the enemies'' movements and fortify their positions.


    [Construct]


    [Flora Hall]


    [Earth Wall]


    [Tactical Mirage]


    Despite their efforts, the overwhelming numbers of monsters began to surround the teams, their sheer force threatening to overrun the hastily constructed defenses.


    Jett''s group, in particr, was in a dire situation as the undead pressed in from all sides, their eyes empty yet filled with a cold hunger.


    "This is still more than they can handle, and unfortunately for them, the undead don''t die through natural means. The one person who might have a chance can''t use attack spells or skills," Rey muttered as he struck down a wild beast, his frustration clear.


    "I think Jett finally bit off more than he can chew," Seraphina murmured, a note of worry in her voice as she fought alongside Matthew.


    "And he dragged us into it! We''re going to die!" Finn''s scream was tinged with fear as they continued to hack away at the seemingly endless horde of undead.


    Just as it seemed like they were about to be overwhelmed, Jett''s voice rang out, sharp andmanding, cutting through the chaos. "Freya! Do it now!"


    Everyone paused, breath held, wondering what would happen next. There was a moment of stillness, the battle frozen in anticipation.


    [Purge]


    From the sky where Freya hovered with Lumina, chains of pure light descended, shimmering as they sliced through the air.


    They struck the ground with a force that sent shockwaves through the battlefield,pletely decimating the undead.


    The chains wrapped around the decaying bodies, and in an instant, they were turned to dust, disintegrating before Finn''s team, who watched in stunned silence as the once-encroaching horde was obliterated.


    "Hold up��" Asher''s voice was filled with disbelief.


    "Did Freya just��" Elora added, her tone equally stunned.


    "Use an��" Cedric was next, his voice trailing off in shock.


    "Attack skill?" Rosa finished, wide-eyed as she looked at Freya.


    "What the hell!" they all chorused, their voices a mix of shock and awe as they realized the full extent of what had just happened. Freya, who had always been considered the support, had just wiped out an entire wave of undead with a single attack, turning the tide of battle in an instant.


    *


    *


    *


    It''s Freya''s time to shine.


    Thanksfor making it this far

 Chapter 90 Trial 3 III

    As the dust settled and the chains of light faded, the teams were abuzz with curiosity and adrenaline.


    Freya, who had always been the team''s healer, now stood as their savior, having unleashed an unexpected and powerful attack. Their minds raced, eager to understand how she could suddenly wield such offensive power.


    "We can''t let her show us up now, can we?" Rey remarked with a determined grin, ncing at Cedric and Elora. His eyes sparked with renewed energy as he prepared to unleash his own might.


    [Inferno]


    With a wave of his hand, a massive wave of searing mes erupted around Rey, consuming the monsters that had dared to surround them. The mes roared, their intense heat turning the beasts to ash in mere moments. But Rey wasn''t done. "Master Dragon, go!" hemanded.


    The formidable dragon soared forward, its majestic wings casting shadows over the battlefield. It opened its maw, releasing a torrent of pure mes that incinerated the remnants of Rey''s Inferno, ensuring not a single monster remained.


    Elora was quick to follow, her Death Wolf leaping into the fray, its form glowing red as it tore through the remaining enemies with feral precision.


    Meanwhile, Cedric stood as the team''s unyielding defense, his Forge Turtle steadfastly blocking any attack that dared approach.


    The turtle''s molten shell shimmered with every strike it absorbed, while Cedric''s hammer crashed down with devastating force, crushing any monsters that slipped past their fiery onught. The three of them fought with a fluidity that spoke of their camaraderie, holding their own with ease.


    *****


    [Confinement]


    On the other side of the battlefield, Matthew had the monsters confined, their movements restricted by his earth-shaping powers. The ground trembled under hismand, trapping the enemies in a tight, inescapable space. "Leave it to me!" Morrigan shouted, her voice ringing with determination. Continue your journey on m|v-l''e -NovelBin


    {Earth''s Hatred}


    Sharp, conical spikes of earth burst forth from the ground, impaling the trapped monsters. The earth itself seemed to rise against them, turning the battlefield into a deadly maze of jagged stone. But as effective as her skill was, it left the flying monsters untouched.


    [Falling Meteor]


    Matthew, ever the strategist, was ready. With a sweeping gesture, he summoned fiery meteors from the sky, each one crashing down with devastating force inside the earthen trap he''d set.


    The monsters that had taken to the skies were obliterated in an instant, their screams drowned out by the roar of the meteor shower.


    The time ticked down, but the group was making significant progress.


    [Time Remaining: 07:30]


    [Objective: 97,489/280,000]


    "Let''s keep this up, guys! We can actually make it," Rey encouraged, his voice brimming with confidence as they pushed forward, the team invigorated by their sess.


    While Rey and Matthew''s teams focused on annihting their foes, Jett and Finn''s team had a different role.


    Acting as bait, they drew the relentless undead away, ensuring Freya could remain in position for another strike if needed. The undead swarmed toward them, driven by a mysterious force that seemed to bind them to Jett and Finn.


    Jett''s eyes scanned the battlefield, calcting each move with precision. He wasn''t one to shy away from danger, especially not when so much was at stake.


    His usual nonchnce had given way to a sharper, more focused demeanor, one that inspired those around him to push themselves even harder. Finn, despite his earlier fear, found himself stepping up, coordinating with Jett to keep the undead at bay.


    As the teams continued their efforts, they couldn''t help but nce up at Freya from time to time, the question still burning in their minds: How had she, of all people, managed to wield such devastating power?


    The answer would have to wait, though, as the battle raged on, each moment crucial in their fight for survival and victory.


    Freya meticulously aimed her attacks, making sure to avoid any area near Asher or Jett, mindful of their dark attributes that could be affected negatively by her attacks.


    Despite the care she took, she still managed to decimate the majority of the undead, alternating between spells and skills as she swiftly switched between aiding Finn and Jett. Her attacks were relentless, a barrage of holy energy that tore through the horde like a cleansing fire.


    "I don''t know what happened to Freya, but thank goodness she''s here," Finn sighed in relief, his tension easing as he watched the undead fall one by one under her onught.


    [Time Remaining: 04:59]


    [Objective: 171,059/280,000]


    "If we keep this up, we''re sure to win this!" Matthew shouted, his voiceced with both determination and exhaustion. He was running dangerously low on MP, his mana reserves nearly depleted.


    With a shaky hand, he downed one of Marce''s pills, feeling a sudden rush of energy surge through him. But even with the boost, he knew it would take a while for his MP to recover fully. The others were in a simr state, their bodies and minds pushed to their limits.


    "My MP is down, my Mana too. All I have left is my Aura," Rey huffed, his breathing in ragged gasps. He too took the pills Marce had provided, the small respite giving him just enough strength to keep going. He signaled to Elora and Cedric to cover him while he regained his strength.


    Both Finn and Jett''s teams, however, found themselves with a different task. They didn''t need to engage in the same ferociousbat as Rey and the others.


    Instead, their role was to herd the undead, drawing them into a concentrated space where Freya could unleash her holy judgment with devastating efficiency.


    Jett and Finn directed their teams to corral the undead, forcing them into tighter and tighter groups.


    The undead, mindlessly following their innate hatred for both Finn and Rey, fell into the trap, clustering together in a perfect formation for Freya''s next strike. All Jett''s team had to do was hold the line, keeping the undead contained while Freya did the heavy lifting.


    Freya, however, was nearing her limit. Her mana and MP werepletely depleted, her body trembling with exhaustion. Lumina, sensing her master''s fatigue, encircled her with a protective barrier of radiant light, shielding her from any iing attacks.


    The phoenix''s luminous wings fluttered gently, its aura keeping Freya safe as she tried to catch her breath.


    But the respite was short-lived. More undead were pouring in, their numbers seemingly endless.


    "Can''t her pet take out these guys?" Aiden asked, his voice tinged with desperation as he nced up at the glowing phoenix.


    Lumina was powerful, but even a creature as magnificent as the Lumina Phoenix had its limits. The protective aura around Freya was strong, but Lumina''s offensive capabilities were waning, drained by the constant battle and the sheer number of enemies.


    The phoenix could fend off the immediate threats, but taking down the new wave of undead would require more than just its power alone.


    "That''s what she''s doing right now," Jett exined, pointing towards Lumina, who was diving in their direction, her wings glowing with a soft yet fierce light.


    "But doesn''t that phoenix look tired?" Asher observed, noticing the strain in Lumina''s movements, the slight droop in her wings as she continued to protect Freya.


    "Working on it," Jett replied calmly, his mind already forming a solution. He prepared to send a message to Rey, through the academy ring that they all had with them.


    -Jett- "Send your dragon here."


    -Rey- "But we need him here."


    -Jett- "Just do it, the undead are more than the normal monsters anyways."


    Rey hesitated, knowing the importance of Master Dragon in holding the line against the monstrous horde surrounding his team. But he trusted Jett''s judgment and reluctantly sent Master Dragon to assist Finn.


    Although Master Dragon didn''t possess the light attribute, it was imbued with the holy attribute, making it incredibly effective against the undead and demons.


    The dragon''s twin mes, one of which was the holy me, were devastating against such foes. The holy me, in particr, burned with a purifying intensity that could obliterate the undead in an instant.


    Lumina, on the other hand, wielded both the light and holy attributes, making her an even greater force against the undead.


    She too could conjure the holy me, and as she and Master Dragon dived down together, theirbined assault was nothing short of cataclysmic.


    The battlefield below them erupted in a storm of purifying fire, the undead screeching as they were incinerated by the relentless ze.


    "Amazing. Makes me kinda jealous," Asher admitted with a nervous smirk as he witnessed the sheer destructive power of Lumina''s mes.


    "Kinda? I''m totally jealous," Evelina mused, her eyes wide with awe as the mes engulfed the undead horde.


    [Time Remaining: 02:42]


    [Objective: 252,059/280,000]


    Only 27,941 enemies remained. By this time, Freya had recovered enough to prepare for the final assault.


    With her strength restored, there was no longer any need for Master Dragon to stay with Finn''s group.


    The dragon, its duty fulfilled, roared as it ascended back into the sky, leaving behind a trail of scorched earth and vanquished foes.


    Master Dragon returned to Rey, who was ready to make the final push with his team, knowing that they were now on the brink of victory.


    Freya, with Lumina by her side, was poised to deliver the final, decisive blow that would end the trial once and for all.


    *


    *


    *


    She got her time to shine.

 Chapter 91 Trial 3 IV

    [Time Remaining: 02:42]


    [Objective: 252,059/280,000]


    With time ticking down, the pressure mounted, but the teams were determined to give it everything they had left. Rey and Matthew exchanged a determined nod, signaling their readiness for the final push.


    [Falling Meteor]


    Massive rocks, zing with fiery energy, plummeted from the sky, crashing into the remaining hordes of monsters. The ground trembled as the meteors obliterated everything in their path, creating a devastating shockwave that rippled across the battlefield.


    {Hell Fire}


    Rey unleashed his most powerful spell, the inferno searing through the ranks of the undead. Thebined heat from their holy and dark mes turned the battlefield into a zing hellscape, incinerating the undead into ashes.


    {Purification}


    Freya once again casted a spell which resulted in chains of pure light vaporizing any remaining undead and cleansing the ground they had desecrated.


    [Time Remaining: 02:20]


    [Objective: 280,000/280,000]


    [Trial Complete]


    [Trial Completion 3/14]


    As thest of the enemies disintegrated into nothingness, a wave of relief washed over the entire team. The trial was finally over. The battlefield, once swarming with terrifying creatures, nowy still and silent, the only remnants being the scattered ashes of their fallen foes.


    Everyone copsed to the ground, exhausted but victorious. Jett, however, wasn''t tired: though he made sure not to show it. He stood off to the side, pretending to catch his breath along with the others, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.


    Experience more content on m v|l e''-NovelBin


    As they began to catch their breath, a new notification popped up for everyone.


    [Rewards]


    [Level up x2]


    [x11,000 Low-Tier Monster Core]


    [x8,000 Mid-Tier Monster Core]


    [x1,000 High-Tier Monster Core]


    Each member of the team received the same reward forpleting the trial, the notification ringing out simultaneously.


    [Title: Undead yer]


    Rey and Freya, however, received an additional notification.


    [Title: Saint against the Undead]


    [You have defeated 100,000 undead. The Undead yer title has evolved. The goddess smiles upon your achievements. All aggro effects from the undead yer have been negated.]


    [The undead shall fear you.]


    [x5 EXP from the undead]


    [30% agility and strength reduction for all undead within 20m.]


    Freya blinked in surprise as her screen continued to sh. A special notification appeared, evolving her newly acquired title even further.


    Jett noticed the notification and couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued as he could see Freya''s screen without needing her permission.


    ''What kind of cheat title is that?'' he thought, bemused by her newfound power. But he quickly dismissed the thought with a shrug. ''It doesn''t really matter anyway.''


    As the team slowly got back on their feet, there was a shared sense of aplishment and newfound strength. They had faced overwhelming odds and emerged victorious, stronger than ever before.


    After taking some time to catch their breath, it was finally time to address the burning questions everyone had been holding in. The group gathered around, still buzzing with curiosity, eager to unravel the mysteries behind the trial they had just survived.


    The first question on everyone''s mind was how Jett and Finn had suddenly be mas for the undead, and most importantly, how Freya had managed to use both an attack skill and spell.


    "Well, it''s all thanks to Jett, I guess," Freya began, ncing at him with a grateful smile. "He helped me discover a hidden power I didn''t even know I had."


    Everyone leaned in as Freya continued to exin. She recounted how Jett had taken her to a dark attribute dungeon, a ce filled with malevolent energy.


    It was there that she had discovered something extraordinary: her ability to convert any spell or skill into an attack, as long as her target used the dark attribute, was a demon, or, as she had just learned today, was undead.


    "I didn''t know it also worked for the undead until now, though," Freya added, her eyes lighting up with excitement.


    "So, like, you can use different attack spells now?" Morrigan asked, her curiosity piqued.


    Freya shook her head, her expression shifting to a mixture of excitement and frustration. "Not really," she sighed. "The attack you saw me use earlier seems to be the only one I can activate, and it only works on those three types of enemies: dark attribute users, demons, and now apparently undead."


    "Well, that''s better than nothing," Asher chimed in, trying to reassure her. "You''ve got something unique and powerful, even if it''s limited."


    The group shared in Freya''s excitement, congratting her on her newfound ability. The atmosphere was light and filled with relief after the intense battle.


    But just as they were beginning to rx, Evelina''s voice cut through the chatter, bringing everyone back to reality. "So we''re all going to ignore the fact that all those undead gave everyone else the side eye, paying no attention to us, but somehow mindlessly rushed toward Finn and Jett?"


    The sudden shift in focus made everyone pause. The earlier curiosity returned, this time directed at Jett and Finn. All eyes were on the duo now, waiting for an exnation.


    "I''d also like to know how that happened," Elora chimed in, her voice tinged with curiosity.


    "It was so weird, and they both seemed to know that something like that was going to happen," Cedric added, deep in thought as he tried to piece it all together.


    Rey, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up, drawing everyone''s attention. "I think I know how," he said, his voice carrying a note of certainty. "After getting that Undead yer title, I can boldly say that you two already had the title before now. Probably before we even entered the academy, and I have a good guess as to when and where. You know that right?"


    The room fell silent as everyone turned their full attention to Rey, eager to hear his theory. The suspense was palpable, and even those who had been less concerned about the oddities were now invested in finding out what Rey had deduced.


    "Alright, yes, we cleared the Cursed Shop quest and obtained the title in the process," Jett finally admitted, his tone nonchnt as if it were no big deal.


    "So it really was you guys. I really wanted to take on that quest," Rey whined, a hint of frustration in his voice.


    Jett sighed inwardly, not feeling the slightest bit of remorse. ''And if I''d left you, Finn would never have gotten the Midas Spear,'' he thought, keeping his expression as stoic as ever.


    Just as the group began to process this new information, the environment around them suddenly shifted. They were immediately transported back to the starting point of the trial. A new notification popped up in front of them:


    [Would you like to Continue? Y/N]


    [Trial Completion: 3/14]


    The message hovered in the air, glowing ominously. The exhaustion from the intense battle began to weigh heavily on everyone. They were drained, both physically and mentally, with little desire to push forward.


    Without much hesitation, they each took out their teleportation scrolls, the decision unanimous. One by one, they activated the scrolls, disappearing from the trial grounds and returning to the safety of the academy.


    As Jett followed suit, a nagging thought lingered in his mind. The trial had been grueling, and the rewards substantial, but something about the entire experience felt off.


    He couldn''t shake the feeling that there was more to it than what they had been told. Was what Alok said the actual truth, or was there something deeper, something hidden?


    As the teleportation scroll activated, whisking him away, Jett couldn''t help but wonder what the real purpose of the trial was, and what it might mean for the future.


    Jett knew his questions would be answered in due time, but the uncertainty gnawed at him. How long would it take for the truth to surface? How many more trials, battles, and mysteries would they have to face before everything made sense?


    *****


    A week passed in the blink of an eye, with Jett barely getting a moment''s rest. He was fast asleep, finally finding some respite from the relentless pace of academy life.


    But his dreams were restless, filled with thoughts of the past week''s events and the increasing demands of rence.


    The random assignments rence had been giving him without warning were bing too much to handle. Each task seemed more bizarre and difficult than thest, and the constant unpredictability left him on edge.


    "Jett�� Wake up��" a voice called out, soft yet insistent.


    He stirred, trying to pull himself out of sleep, but something heavy was pressing down on him, making such a simple task nearly impossible.


    A wave of annoyance washed over him, wondering if someone was trying to prank him in his sleep. What was going on? He strained to move, but the weight wouldn''t budge.


    "What the�� Freya! What the hell is this?" Jett screamed out in shock, his eyes flying open.


    What he saw was entirely unexpected and couldn''t be exined.


    *


    *


    *


    What the hell happened?

 Chapter 92 Not Just a Pet

    "You mind telling me what''s going on?" Jett asked, thoroughly flustered by the bizarre scene unfolding in front of him.


    Standing beside his bed, Freya had an unreadable yet still shocked expression as she stared at the situation.


    She was clearly just as surprised as Jett, and her wide eyes were locked onto the sight before her: a little girl with jet-ck hair, who looked no older than two or three, was fast asleep on Jett''s body, nestledfortably as if she belonged there.


    Freya, who had woken up and walked into the room, was too stunned to say a word at first.


    After a moment, she moved with a sort of automatic gentleness, picking up a piece of cloth from the side of the bed and covering the sleeping child with it. Despite the confusion, her protective instinct kicked in, ensuring the little girl wasfortable.


    "Who is she?" Freya finally asked, her voice soft as she pointed at the girl. This was the first time she had seen a child in the academy, let alone in their room. But the bigger question was, how had she gotten there?


    Before Jett could respond, the little girl began to stir, her tiny hands rubbing her eyes as she slowly woke up. She blinked up at Jett with a cute expression, her innocent eyes full of trust.


    "Daddy?" she said in a soft, sleepy voice. Then, turning her head slightly, she looked at Freya and added, "Mummy."


    *****


    The whole gang was now gathered in Cedric and Matthew''s room, trying to make sense of what had just happened.


    "She called you guys her parents?" Rey asked, his brow furrowed as he tried to process the strange situation.


    "But who is she?" Rosa chimed in, her curiosity evident as she nced over at the little girl.


    The girl, oblivious to the adults'' confusion, was happily ying with the pets that could fit inside the room. She giggled as she chased after Asher''s Wraith Bat, her tiny hands reaching out to touch its spectral wings.


    The other pets, like Marce''s Elixir Slime and Evelina''s Archer Faerie, seemed to be equally taken by the girl, circling around her as sheughed.


    The group watched in silence, each of them trying to piece together how this little girl, who had appeared out of nowhere, had managed to get into their room and why she thought Jett and Freya were her parents.


    "I knew we shouldn''t have let you guys share a room together," Aiden teased, a sly grin spreading across his face.


    Evelina joined in with a smirk, "I must say, we didn''t know you had it in you, Jett. And you too, Freya."


    "Evelina," Asher quickly interrupted, covering her mouth with his hand, "Stop talking."


    Evelina squirmed in Asher''s grip, struggling to break free, but Asher held firm, clearly not wanting her to dig the hole any deeper.


    Meanwhile, Elora''s curiosity got the better of her. "So, you really have no idea how she got in your room?" she asked, watching as Seraphina gleefully joined the little girl in making a mess of the once tidy space. The pets were in on the fun too, with the room quickly descending into chaos.


    Cedric whimpered as he watched the disorder unfold, remembering the countless hours he had spent meticulously cleaning the room. "Why this room, though?" hemented, his voice tinged with despair.


    The group continued to brainstorm, tossing around ideas and trying to figure out how this mystery girl had appeared. Morrigan, however, was watching the girl closely. "Look how she''s getting along with the other pets," she pointed out, her tone thoughtful.


    "Pets�� Hold on," Jett suddenly eximed, his eyes widening as something clicked in his mind. He began scanning the room, as though searching for something specific.


    "What''s the matter?" Freya asked, noticing the sudden change in Jett''s demeanor. She could tell he had thought of something important.


    "I can''t find the egg," Jett replied, his voice filled with worry. "I think it was supposed to hatch today, unless��" He trailed off, the implications of his words hanging in the air. ''There''s no way,'' he thought, feeling a mixture of disbelief and concern.


    "Now that you mention it, I don''t see it anywhere," Rey said, his expression mirroring Jett''s unease. He nced at the little girl, now giggling as she yed with the pets. "What if�� she''s the pet that came out of it?"


    The room fell silent as the others processed Rey''s words. The idea seemed far-fetched, yet as they looked at the girl who had seamlessly integrated herself with the other pets, it also made a strange kind of sense.


    "That''s impossible. That''s a little girl we''re talking about," Morrigan interrupted, her disbelief clear.


    "She obviously came from the gacha egg," Rey argued, his tone firm.


    "Then how do we exin her calling Jett and Freya her parents?" Marce asked, offering the girl some cookies. The girl took them eagerly, her big, innocent eyes lighting up.


    "Imprinting?" Seraphina suggested, still ying with the little girl, who seemed to be enjoying every moment.


    The room fell into a puzzled silence. This situation was too bizarre to fullyprehend, and the conflicting thoughts were starting to overwhelm everyone.


    "I am so confused right now," Jett sighed, rubbing his temples as he tried to make sense of what was happening. The situation was spiraling out of control, and he had no idea how to fix it.


    "What did you use to activate the egg?" Rey asked, curiosity getting the better of him.


    Jett hesitated for a moment before reluctantly answering, "A dragon scale I swiped from the treasury when your dad wasn''t looking."


    "You did what!?" they all chorused in shock, their voices blending together in disbelief.


    Their reactions were immediate: eyes wide, mouths agape. The sheer audacity of Jett''s confession left everyone stunned.


    "Do you even know what species of dragon you used?" Elora bickered, her eyes narrowing as she tried to process the information.


    "Nope," Jett lied smoothly, though internally, he was smirking. ''Of course I do,'' he thought. ''The strongest of the dragon species.''


    "That''s by the way," Freya interjected, bringing them back to the pressing issue. "Why does your pet�� girl�� whatever: why does she keep calling me her mom?"


    The question hung in the air, and a new wave of confusion washed over the group. This was yet another mystery they had to solve, but this time, Jett seemed to be hiding something. His expression was conflicted, as if he knew more than he was letting on but didn''t want to say it.


    Freya noticed the hesitation in Jett''s eyes. "Jett, is there something you''re not telling us?" she asked, her voice gentle but probing.


    Jett looked away, his thoughts racing. He knew something, but admitting it would open a can of worms he wasn''t sure he was ready to deal with. "It''splicated," he finally muttered, avoiding eye contact.


    The others exchanged nces, the atmosphere thick with tension and unanswered questions. The little girl continued to y, blissfully unaware of the turmoil her presence had caused.


    "Complicated? What do you mean?" Freya pressed, clearly wanting a straightforward answer.


    "Well�� umm�� technically she is our child," Jett admitted, his voice wavering with nervousness. He couldn''t even bring himself to look them in the eye, hoping they wouldn''t jump to any wild conclusions. "Haha, can you imagine that��?"


    "Oh snap, this just got interesting," Marce smirked, casually munching on some popcorn as she took in the scene, clearly enjoying every moment of the unfolding drama.


    "Where did you even get the popcorn?" Morrigan yelled, ring at Marce, who seemed entirely too amused by the situation.


    Everyone''s curiosity was now fully piqued, including Freya''s, as they turned back to Jett, eager to hear more.


    "So, you guys remember that time Freya got kidnapped and lost most of her blood?" Jett began, his tone more serious.


    "Yeah, we almost died trying to get her back, but what does that have to do with any of this?" Rey interrupted, confusion etched on his face.


    "Yes, of course, what about it��?" Freya added, her voice tinged with unease.


    "Umm, guys?" Seraphina called out, her voice filled with worry.


    "Something''sing out of her mouth," Rosa said, pointing at the little girl.


    "That''s smoke," Asher observed, his eyes widening as he realized what was happening.


    The little girl scrunched up her face, looking as if she was about to sneeze.


    "I think she''s going to sneeze," Matthew pointed out, his voice filled with rm.


    "She''s going to burn my room at this rate!" Cedric trembled, his anxiety spiking as he imagined the potential destruction.


    They all moved to try and stop her, but it was toote. The little girl let out a massive sneeze, and with it, a jet of fire shot out, narrowly missing the ceiling and scorching a portion of the wall.


    "Whoa!" everyone eximed, instinctively ducking as the mes erupted.


    The room filled with the acrid smell of smoke, and for a moment, there was silence as everyone processed what had just happened.


    "Okay, so she really is a dragon," Jett muttered, more to himself than anyone else, as he stared at the charred spot on the wall.


    Freya looked at Jett, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and bewilderment. "Our child�� who breathes fire. What exactly have you done, Jett?" she asked, her voice a blend of disbelief and faint amusement, ''Our child? What the hell am I saying?''


    Jett rubbed the back of his neck, clearly ufortable. "It''s a long story, but I guess we''ll be needing to figure out how to parent a dragon girl now..."


    Cedric groaned, burying his face in his hands as he surveyed the damage. "I can''t believe this is happening��" he mumbled, defeated.


    The little girl, seemingly oblivious to the chaos she had caused, giggled and pped her hands, clearly pleased with herself. The pets and sprites around her reacted with caution, some moving closer while others kept their distance, uncertain about the sudden burst of mes.


    The rest of the group exchanged looks, their earlier confusion now mixed with a sense of incredulous eptance. Whatever had happened, one thing was clear: their lives had just gotten a whole lot moreplicated.


    *


    *


    * Continue your journey on m|v-l''e -NovelBin


    Pretty much unexpected

 Chapter 93 New Child?

    As the situation finally began to calm down, Cedric was still sobbing over the amount of damage the room had taken. Papers were scattered everywhere, pillows had been torn, and furniture was knocked askew.


    Matthew, seeing his friend''s distress, walked up to Cedric and tried to console him. "It''s alright, Cedric," he said softly, patting him on the back. "We can always fix up the room again. It''s my room too, remember?"


    "Yeah, I''ll even loan you some points," Finn chimed in, attempting to help but only earning contemptuous looks from everyone else.


    "Loan? You really are diabolical," Evelina sighed, shaking her head.


    "What? I don''t see any of you trying to help," Finn said defensively, crossing his arms.


    Matthew stepped in to diffuse the tension. "It''s alright, we can take care of it," he reassured Finn, though his tone was more about keeping the peace than actually needing Finn''s assistance.


    As the situation settled, Freya''s mind was still focused on the mystery at hand. She turned to Jett, her expression serious. "Tell us, Jett, how is she technically our child?"


    Jett sighed, realizing he couldn''t avoid exining any longer. "I guess there''s no point in hiding it," he mused. "First off, you have to understand that it wasn''t my fault."


    "What wasn''t your fault?" Morrigan asked, leaning in with curiosity. The room grew quiet again, everyone eager to find out what had really happened.


    "After the whole kidnapping incident, I crossed paths with those bastards a few yearster in Lagia," Jett began.


    "They tried to take you too?" Marce interrupted, her eyes widening.


    "No��" Jett tried to reply but was cut off again.


    "On second thought, they really don''t have a reason to. You may continue," Marce conceded, waving her hand.


    Jett sighed in frustration but continued. "They attacked the town as a diversion, but they were actually there to conduct some kind of ritual. They needed the blood they stole."


    "That makes more sense. I did hear about something like that happening a while ago. So, what happened?" Rey muttered, his interest piqued.


    "I fought with them. They nearly killed me, though, but I managed to spill the blood they were going to use for the ritual. Unfortunately, the contentsnded on my gacha egg," Jett said, watching their expressions closely. ''These idiots really think I''m lying. Well, I can''t me them. A kid taking on those guys alone anding out alive doesn''t sound believable.''


    "Yep, that doesn''t make any sense," Elora said, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.


    "My sister was there to rescue me," Jett rified, hoping to clear up their doubts.


    "Well, you should have said that earlier. I almost thought you were a chronic liar," Marce sighed, giving Jett a yful chop on the head.


    "You didn''t let me finish. What''s with all of you and interrupting someone mid-sentence?" Jett snapped, his frustration finally boiling over.


    The group fell silent, realizing they had been too eager and curious, constantly interrupting him. Freya, still standing by Jett''s side, ced a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. "We''re all just trying to understand, Jett. It''s a lot to take in."


    Jett nodded, calming down a bit. "I get that, but you have to let me finish first."


    A tense silence filled the room as everyone waited for Jett to exin.


    "I think her DNA merged with mine during that incident," Jett began, his voice steady, "and that''s why she looks like a human instead of a dragon. If that''s the case, then there''s a possibility she has both of our attributes."


    His words left everyone speechless, their stunned expressions revealing a mix of disbelief and jealousy. The weight of his revtion hung in the air, making it clear that they were all envious of the unique bond he had forged.


    Jett continued, "From what I''ve seen, she acts more like a real child. Freya and I can barely control her. She doesn''t listen to anyone else, but at least she gets along with everyone, so that''s something. I can keep her hidden and bring her out whenever I want, like any pet, but she seems to have the ability toe out on her own. There''s also a chance she can read both my and Freya''s minds."


    Evelina couldn''t hold back a pout. "No fair, I want something like that."


    "The idea of having both your attributes is especially tempting," Elora added, her voice tinged with envy. She did her best to hide her disappointment, but it was clear she felt a bit left out.


    One by one, the others began voicing their jealousy, each in their own way but with no ill intentions. The room buzzed with their yfulints, though underneath it all, a genuine sense of admiration for Jett''s remarkable connection with his dragon-turned-child lingered.


    "So, what are you going to do with her?" Seraphina asked, gently picking up the crying girl.


    "We also need to think about the next trial," Rey pointed out, his gaze shifting to the now wailing child.


    The sound of her cries quickly became a nuisance, echoing through the room and making it difficult for anyone to focus.


    "We need a babysitter," Jett muttered, mostly thinking aloud.


    "Who in their right minds would want to look after a little child that''s not even a student of this academy?" Freya questioned, taking the child from Seraphina. She patted her on the back, and the crying gradually subsided.


    "I know someone crazy enough," Jett smirked. ''He''ll be the best option to look after her. And I trust him well enough not to do anything stupid.''


    A few secondster, the girl finally drifted off to sleep, leaving the others impressed by Freya''s ability to calm her.


    "You look really good with this nursing mother stuff," Finn teased, only to receive a hard pillow to the face.


    "You guys never took care of children in your past lives?" Freya asked, ncing around and seeing no positive response. "Well, I have some experience looking after my aunt''s children in my past life, plus a few babysitting gigs."


    "That''s impressive, but we can''t take her to ss, at least not yet," Jett sighed.


    "So what''s your n?" Asher asked.


    Jett didn''t respond right away; instead, he shed them a nervous smile, leaving everyone in suspense.


    *****


    Jett walked into rence''s office with Freya at his side. The moment rence saw them, his expression darkened with irritation.


    "What did I tell you about bringing others to my office, boy? You better have a good reason for this," rence snapped.


    "Good day, sir," Freya greeted with respectful politeness.


    "C''mon, this is super important. We have a problem, and you''re the only one capable of helping us," Jett said, trying to lift rence''s spirits while smirking inwardly. ''Just make the old man feel special; he''s gullible to ttery.''


    rence''s stern expression softened just a bit. "Is that so? Alright�� I''ll hear you out, oy."


    Freya was taken aback, surprised by Jett''s casual demeanor. Although he wasn''t being disrespectful, it was clear that he wasn''t following the usual etiquette one would expect in the presence of a teacher.


    Freya tapped Jett on the shoulder and whispered, "Mind your manners in front of the principal."


    ''Oh right, she doesn''t know,'' Jett thought with a faint smile. "It''s okay, don''t get too scared of the old man," he said casually.


    "Huh? That''s the principal you''re talking about, dimwit," Freya cautioned.


    Without warning, she grabbed Jett''s ear and pulled his head down into a proper bow.


    "Ouch, ouch, alright, I get it, sheesh," Jett whined, struggling to free himself from her grip.


    "Good," Freya said, finally letting go of his ear.


    "At least one of you has proper manners," rence remarked, an inward smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. ''She seems to know how to handle the kid.''


    Though amused by the scene before him, rence didn''t let it show. His tone shifted to a more serious one as he addressed Jett. "So, what brings you here? This better be important for your sake."


    Jett straightened up, trying to regain hisposure. "Alright, we came to find out if there''s ever been a situation where a person came out of a gacha egg instead of a pet?" He paused, pondering a better way to phrase it. "Technically, a humanoid pet or something close to that."


    rence looked a bit puzzled by the question. "If you''re talking about a human hatching from those eggs, then that''s impossible. But if it''s a humanoid monster, then that''s a different case."


    "What if this so-called monster looks closer to human than any other monster?" Jett pressed further.


    rence frowned, clearly not fully grasping what Jett was trying to convey. "Could you borate? Is it still considered a pet at that point? I suppose if the master still has control, then we can categorize it as one."


    "Well, that''s another issue��" Jett began to exin, but Freya cut him off.


    "Have a heart and just go straight to the point. Hearing you call her a pet is a bit annoying," Freya sighed.


    As rence was trying to piece together what was going on, the little girl suddenly appeared before him out of nowhere.


    "Mommy, mommy," she called out, stretching her hands toward Freya.


    "Would you look at that," Freya smiled, picking her up. "She responds to my call too."


    *


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    Someone one''s asked if Freya be the new owner of Jett''s gacha egg


    I hope this answers the question

 Chapter 94 Sitting Bargain

    "What in heaven''s name just happened? Who is this child? And ''mommy''? Why does she call you that? Don''t tell me she''s the one you were talking about," rence asked, clearly taken aback.


    "Yeah, she''s the one. Apparently, she appeared from my gacha egg," Jett exined, trying to keep hisposure.


    "But she clearly recognized Freya as her mother just now," rence pointed out.


    Jett felt a wave of anxiety wash over him as he realized how many questions rence was likely about to unleash. The sheer number of exnations he''d have to give made him feel overwhelmed.


    "Here''s the thing�� she''s the product of both our bloods," Jett began, trying to make sense of it all. "An incident happened, causing Freya''s blood to spill on the egg before it hatched, and this is the result."


    rence leaned closer, peering into the young girl''s eyes, and a flicker of amusement crossed his face as he realized something.


    "I see, so it''s a dragon species," rence said, a bit of excitement creeping into his voice.


    Read thetest on m_v-l''e|-NovelBin


    "How can you even tell?" Jett wondered aloud as he looked at the girl, then suddenly it hit him. ''Right, her eyes gave it away.''


    rence nodded, his gaze still fixed on the girl. "I can see it just by looking at her eyes; she''s a dragon. They''re the only ones who have those eyes."


    The girl''s eyes were indeed unique, with an oval-shaped pupil that gave them a mystical, almost ethereal quality. It was a telltale sign of her draconic lineage, something that couldn''t be mistaken.


    "Well, that''s beside the point. Can you watch her for us?" Jett asked, trying to shift the conversation.


    "What? Why?" Freya interjected, clearly opposed to the idea.


    "And why the hell would I do that?" rence added, raising an eyebrow.


    "It''ll be easier for you to watch over her with a valid excuse. She obviously doesn''t stay put and will definitely cause a lot of trouble," Jett exined.


    Freya was just itching to make him shut up. He was making decisions without consulting her, and while everything he said was true, it didn''t make it any less irritating.


    As rence reached out to touch the girl, she suddenly lunged, her mouth opening wide as if she was trying to swallow him whole.


    "Seems like your child is hungry," rence teased, a yful glint in his eyes. "But what''s her name, though? It might get a bit annoying for us if we keep calling her ''little girl''."


    "This is such a pain," Jett blurted out, "I haven''t really thought of a name... maybe something like ''dragon girl'' or��"


    "Absolutely not," Freya cut him off.


    rence and the little girl watched quietly as Jett and Freya began to argue over what to name her.


    "What? I was joking," Jett tried to defend himself.


    "You didn''t even put much thought into that," Freya said, her anger ring.


    "Well, I''d like to see you do better," Jett shot back.


    "E," Freya replied almost immediately, her voice firm and decisive.


    "Well, that''s�� hmm, that''s actually better," Jett admitted, though he wasn''t sure whether to be happy that Freya saved him the trouble ofing up with a better name or annoyed that they had to argue about it. "I guess it''s E from now on."


    "Definitely better than ''dragon girl," Freya replied with a satisfied smile.


    Jett couldn''t help but feel a twinge of annoyance at how smug she sounded.


    "So, are you helping us?" Jett asked, turning back to rence.


    "On one condition," rence cleared his throat, drawing their attention, "I''ll have you enter the yearly rendon Competition, and you''re going to win."


    "rendon Competition? What''s that?" Freya asked, her curiosity piqued.


    "At the end of every year, our academy holds a team tournament for the first years, second years, and third years, along with other activities to showcase their worth to other kingdoms. A school festival." rence exined to Freya.


    Freya''s confusion deepened. Why would rence ask Jett to participate in something like that?


    "And you want Jett to participate with the hope that he''ll win? Why him?" Freya asked, utterly baffled.


    She didn''t know Jett well enough to believe he could actually do it. In her mind, he wasn''t that strong, certainly not strong enough to win such apetition.


    Jett, however, could almost guess what was going on in her mind. He could see the doubt in her eyes, and it only fueled his determination.


    "Well, that''s�� hmm, that''s actually better," Jett admitted, though he wasn''t sure whether to be happy that Freya saved him the trouble ofing up with a better name or annoyed that they had to argue about it. "I guess it''s E from now on."


    "Definitely better than ''dragon girl," Freya replied with a satisfied smile.


    Jett couldn''t help but feel a twinge of annoyance at how smug she sounded.


    "So, are you helping us?" Jett asked, turning back to rence.


    "On one condition," rence cleared his throat, drawing their attention, "I''ll have you enter the yearly rendon Competition, and you''re going to win."


    "rendon Competition? What''s that?" Freya asked, her curiosity piqued.


    "At the end of every year, our academy holds a team tournament for the first years, second years, and third years, along with other activities to showcase their worth to other kingdoms. A school festival." rence exined to Freya.


    Freya''s confusion deepened. Why would rence ask Jett to participate in something like that?


    "And you want Jett to participate with the hope that he''ll win? Why him?" Freya asked, utterly baffled.


    She didn''t know Jett well enough to believe he could actually do it. In her mind, he wasn''t that strong, certainly not strong enough to win such apetition.


    Jett, however, could almost guess what was going on in her mind. He could see the doubt in her eyes, but that didn''t bother Jett on bit.


    "It''s only a temporary request; it''s not like I''m making her stay with you forever," Jett bargained. "When I''m sure I can keep her at bay, you won''t need to watch over her for me."


    ''This old man, what are you nning?'' Jett wondered as he studied rence''s expression.


    "That''s my condition, and it''s not a hard or impossible task either," rence encouraged him. "Just show them how strong you are."


    Freya watched the exchange, bewildered. ''Was this really the same Jett she knew? How could he possibly win such a tournament? He wasn''t even in the top 20.''


    "How would he win such a tournament at his current level? He''s not in the top 20," Freya pondered as she watched them go at it like two children arguing over candy. "Can someone please exin to me what''s going on?"


    rence and Jett stopped their back-and-forth and turned to Freya.


    "I want him to stop acting like he''s weak. I may not know his reason, but it''s appalling, especially as the son of Jerry Grift," rence exined. "I do have some personal reasons why, but that''s not important."


    "You want me to show the world how powerful I am. You''re basically telling me to put a target on my back," Jett said in desperation. "I have a few things I''d like to aplish before I ever do something like that."


    "Then you better get them sorted out before the festival. Plus, I can guarantee your safety within the school grounds," rence assured him.


    "Then what about the person that attacked Rey and Asher? And the one that keeps spying on us?" Freya countered, his tone bing more serious.


    "Hmm, that''s odd. Someone was able to infiltrate the academy under my watch? I can''t believe that, but I also can''t ignore something like this," rence pondered for a moment, lost in thought. Then he shifted back to the main discussion. "So, what do you say about my proposal?"


    Jett weighed the options. The proposal wasn''t a bad one, but it meant he''d have to take a different approach moving forward. He''d have to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight.


    "I presume hiding my identity is out of the question," Jett asked, trying to confirm the situation.


    "Definitely out of the question," rence replied with a sly smile, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.


    Jett could tell that rence was going to get a yes from him, whether he liked it or not.


    "What if I say no and just take care of her myself?" Jett challenged, testing the waters.


    "Good luck with that," rence responded, the hint of amusement in his voice.


    ''He''s right,'' Jett thought, ''taking care of a child isn''t an easy task. It''s more like a prolonged babysitting endeavor with no experience whatsoever.''


    "And what if I don''t win as promised?" Jett pressed on, seeking an out.


    "Then I''ll expel you immediately. I hope you haven''t forgotten the library incident," rence said with a diabolical smile. "I can''t be sure what really happened there, but you definitely went in, and that alone is a feat I can acknowledge."


    Jett was being pushed into a corner, and he didn''t like it one bit. ''This sly old man, resorting to ckmail? How desperate are you?'' He shot rence a defiant look. "You''d really bring that up at a time like this?"


    Jett thought hard, searching for a way to gain the upper hand. Finally, he spoke, "Alright, you win, but I get to make three requests that you have no choice but to ept."


    "And why would I do that? Remember, I''m the one with the upper hand here," rence boasted, confident in his position.


    "How about this: if you agree to watch over her, I''ll participate and win, but you''ll also let me leave the academy for a whole year, give me a free pass to the Hall of Techniques, and a teacher''s pass," Jett listed with a smirk, confident he''d cornered rence.


    "Where are all these demandsing from, you ungrateful child?" rence said, a bit annoyed by the audacity of the requests.


    "If you agree, then I''ll exin exactly how I developed my Lumix so quickly. Plus, Valetta never finds out about Ekris," Jett replied, his unsettling smile growing wider.


    Freya stood there, lost in their conversation, unsure of what they were talking about anymore. The tension between the two was palpable, but the specifics were beyond her understanding.


    "Freya��" rence said softly, masking his unease as he nced at her. Without warning, he opened a portal beneath her, forcefully sending her and E away so that he and Jett would be the only ones left in the office.


    "Tell me everything you know," rence demanded, his expression darkening with a menacing look.


    *


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    What is he so scared of?

 Chapter 95 To the next Trial

    "Tell me everything you know about Ekris," rence ordered, his voice trembling as he struggled to maintain hisposure.


    Jett could barely suppress the smirk threatening to break across his face. The tables had turned, and it was now rence who found himself backed into a corner. A sense of relief washed over Jett, knowing that for once, he held the upper hand.


    "I''m under no obligation to tell you that," Jett replied coolly, his tone dripping with confidence. "But if you agree to my terms, I suppose I can help you out with that too."


    rence''s eyes narrowed, his wariness growing with each word. He was no fool; he knew better than to trust Jett blindly. Every syble was weighed, every gesture scrutinized.


    "And how am I supposed to know you''re not trying to y me?" rence asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.


    Jett leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "If you agree, Valetta doesn''t need to know what really happened to her brother. It''s a win for you too."


    ''This kid... what else does he know?'' rence''s thoughts raced as he tried to piece together Jett''s true intentions. "How do you even know about this?"


    "I have my sources," Jett boasted, his confidence unshakable. "All you had to do was help babysit one little girl, but you just had to go too far, didn''t you?"


    rence''s gaze dropped to the floor as he pondered the situation. The implications of Jett''s knowledge weighed heavily on his mind, forcing him to reconsider his next move.


    "Why would you want to enter the Hall of Techniques this early?" rence finally asked, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and caution. "Even though I want you to win thepetition, I can''t just let you have an unfair advantage."


    Jett scoffed, his arrogance palpable. "Is that what you''re worried about? I don''t need something like that to dominate thepetition."


    rence couldn''t ignore the unwavering confidence in Jett''s voice. It wasn''t just arrogance; it was certainty, and that made it all the more difficult to dismiss.


    "Alright," rence conceded, narrowing his eyes, "but why do you need the Teacher''s pass?"


    Jett leaned back slightly, his expression calm andposed. "You and I both know that my current strength is well over the qualified threshold to be a teacher here," he exined, his voice steady. "But that''s the reason. I just want the privileges teachers enjoy."


    rence considered his words carefully before responding, "I can arrange for you to leave the academy in your second year, but you''ll have to return during your third year. As for the pass, that''s not happening. The only way I can do that is if you make it an indisputable fact to the public that you''re worth it, which means you''ll have toe out of your shell."


    Jett winced inwardly, knowing that rence''s words rang painfully true. The truth cut deeper than he liked to admit, but he had no choice but to ept it.


    "I understand. I can work with that," Jett replied, letting out a sigh as he turned and walked out of the office.


    *****


    As soon as Jett entered the room, Freya pounced, her eyes filled with suspicion. "You mind telling me what all that was about?" she nagged, her voice hushed to avoid waking E, who was fast asleep on the bed. They dared not raise their voices, so they spoke in low tones, careful not to disturb her.


    "Nothing important. We just had to iron out the details," Jett lied, his expression unreadable.


    Freya wasn''t convinced. "That''s all? Then why did I get forcefully warped back here? You''re hiding something," she pressed, her voice filled with skepticism. "And who the hell is Ekris?"


    Jett immediately covered Freya''s mouth, his eyes darting around the room to ensure no one else could hear. He leaned in closer and hushed her, his voice low but urgent.


    "For both our sakes, you''ll have to forget about that name," Jett said with a seriousness that sent a chill down Freya''s spine.


    Freya''s eyes widened in surprise as she tried to pry his hand off. "What gives�� Just let go of me," she mumbled against his palm, struggling to break free.


    After a moment, Jett released her, watching as she slowly calmed down, her initial shock fading into a wary curiosity.


    "So you actually agreed to participate?" Freya asked, her voice now a mere whisper, her concern evident in her tone.


    "Yeah," Jett replied nonchntly, shrugging as if it were no big deal, though his casual demeanor only deepened Freya''s worry. "Even if he didn''t use a contract, I''ll still keep my word."


    Freya''s brow furrowed with concern, and she reached out to shake Jett as if trying to jolt him back to reality. "And you actually think you can win? Are you crazy?"


    Jett quickly grabbed her hands, stopping her before she identally woke E. He spoke with a hint of irritation in his voice. "Yes, I can win, and I''m not crazy."


    Freya looked at him with a mix of disbelief and contempt. "I hope you''re not nning to cheat or anything like that," she said, narrowing her eyes at him.


    Jett shook his head, exasperated. "I''ll do no such thing. What do you take me for?"


    Freya''s concern didn''t waver. "If such apetition takes ce, that means you''ll be going up against Rey, Asher, and even Ciara. There''s no way you can win," she exined, her voice tinged with worry as sheid out the daunting odds.


    Jett couldn''t help but break into a goofy smile as he listened to Freya''s concerns. Her worry only amused him, revealing just how well his ploy to conceal his true strength had worked.


    "I guess I went too far concealing my strength," Jett said, a hint of amusement in his voice.


    But beneath that smile was a twinge of disappointment. He had worked so hard to appear weaker than he really was, a strategy that had served him well. Now, he was about to throw all of that away, and the thought stung more than he expected.


    "You don''t have to worry. I''ll win even if they gang up against me," Jett assured her, his confidence unwavering.


    Freya sighed, recognizing the futility of arguing with him. "You really are delusional," she muttered, resigning herself to the fact that there was no talking him out of it.


    "There''s still time before the festival, so just rx," Jett said, leaning back in a chair as if the weight of the uing challenge didn''t faze him. "He promised to look after her whenever we have sses. We''ll have to take care of her during our free time."


    Freya walked back to her side of the room, but not before giving Jett a long, contemtive stare when he wasn''t looking. There was something about his casual confidence that made her worry even more. With a quiet sigh, she closed the curtain behind her.


    "I hope you know what you''re doing, Jett," Freya said softly to herself, shaking her head as she prepared for bed.


    *****


    Time flew by quickly. Two months had passed in the blink of an eye, and it was now time for another trial. The anticipation and anxiety of whaty ahead had built up steadily, making the days seem shorter.


    The group met up at the dungeon, where Alok was already waiting for them. The air was thick with tension, the kind that always apanied the start of something dangerous.


    "I can''t help but think that this trial will be difficult," Finnined, his voice tinged with dread.


    "Don''t jinx it, moron," Elora snapped, pping him from behind, her irritation clear as she tried to shake off the nervous energy that had settled over them all.


    "It''s not like I''m wrong though," Finn grumbled, rubbing the sore spot on his head where Elora had pped him. "The four previous trials all followed the same easy-then-difficult pattern."


    During the fourth trial, they had to navigate aplex puzzle. Thebyrinthine pathways twisted and turned, each wrong step threatening to lead them deeper into the unknown.


    It took them hours to decipher the puzzle''s intricate design, but in the end, they managed to escape thanks to Cedric''s sharp mind and Asher''s strategic thinking. Together, they worked through the confusion, Cedric''s logical approach meshing perfectly with Asher''s keen intuition, guiding the group to safety just in time.


    The fifth trial, however, was a different kind of challenge. Those who could use mana were required to infuse every ounce of their energy into massive mana crystals, each onerger and more demanding than thest. The task was grueling, pushing their mana reserves to the brink.


    Meanwhile, the rest of the group had to fend off relentless waves of monster attacks, the creatures driven by an insatiable hunger. What made the trial particrly difficult was the sheer size and number of crystals, each one draining them until they had nothing left. They were forced to rest and recover, their mana depleted, while the others battled on, barely holding the monsters at bay.


    The sixth and seventh trials were grueling tests of endurance. Both involved facing down 20 waves of monstrous enemies, each wave more ferocious than thest. The monsters were an average of level 65 in the sixth trial, pushing them to their limits as they fought with everything they had.


    But the seventh trial was even harsher. Not only did the monster levels increase to an average of 68, but they were also forbidden from using any skills, relying solely on their raw strength and teamwork to survive the onught. Theck of skills forced them to adapt quickly, relying on pure strategy and coordination to ovee the seemingly endless waves of enemies.


    *****


    Before long, a notification appeared before them, the text glowing ominously:


    [Continue the Trial? Y/N]


    Without hesitation, they all clicked "Yes." Your next read awaits at m v|l-e''-NovelBin


    [Trial Completion 7/14]


    [Mission: Find the Princess]


    [Duration: 7 Days]


    [Reward: ???]


    *


    *


    *


    What kind of trial do you think this is?

 Chapter 96 Finding the Princess

    "What kind of trial is this? Find a princess? Where?" Finn asked, his voice filled with confusion.


    The others were equally baffled, exchanging puzzled nces. This trial was unlike anything they had encountered before.


    "The objective isn''tplete," Jett muttered, yawning deeply as he tried to shake off the exhaustion that clung to him.


    Despite rence''s promise to look after E, the reality was that Jett and Freya were the ones who spent most of their time with her. Taking care of E had been far more hectic than either of them had anticipated. The constant demands of watching over a child, especially one as energetic as E, had taken a toll on both of them, but Jett had been hit the hardest.


    Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and the weariness in his posture was unmistakable. He looked utterly drained, like someone who hadn''t had a proper night''s sleep in far too long. In contrast, Freya seemed rtively unscathed, handling the situation with surprising ease.


    "Damn��" Rey said, a bit shocked at Jett''s appearance. "When was thest time you slept?"


    "Sleep? I can''t even remember," Jett groaned as he stretched, his muscles aching from theck of rest. ''Oh God, please make me immune to sleep,'' he thought, desperately wishing for some relief.


    "So where is E, anyway?" Rosa asked, curiosity evident in her voice.


    Over the days, they had all grown fond of E. The little girl had somehow wormed her way into their hearts, and even though taking care of her was exhausting, they couldn''t help but care for her.


    "She''s finally asleep," Jett sighed, a mix of relief and exhaustion in his tone. "Took me all night, but I finally did it. Taking care of a child is no joke. I know how many points I''ve spent just for her."


    "You really are hopeless," Freya giggled, shaking her head. "She doesn''t cause me much trouble when she''s with me. I do wonder what you guys do when I''m not around."


    "Oh, he''s been��" Cedric began, but before he could reveal anything, Jett swiftly covered his mouth, muffling Cedric''s words. Cedric struggled slightly, his voice reduced to unintelligible mumbles.


    Continue your adventure with m|v-l''e -NovelBin


    "What was that?" Freya asked, narrowing her eyes as she suspected something was amiss.


    "Oh, nothing�� Right, Cedric?" Jett quickly interjected, turning to Cedric with a desperate, pleading look in his eyes.


    "It''s nothing, really," Cedric retracted his statement, catching the desperate look on Jett''s face and deciding to y along.


    "I know you''re hiding something, so spill it," Freya demanded, her tone firm as she crossed her arms.


    Before anyone could respond, they suddenly noticed a glowing magic circle beneath them. In an instant, the circle activated, and they were teleported away in a sh of light.


    *****


    The group reappeared at the main doors of a massive castle, one that dwarfed even the royal castle of Verena.


    The structure was awe-inspiring, towering over them with an air of majesty and grandeur. The castle was built in a ring formation, with a beautifully maintained garden at its center, filled with vibrant flowers, flowing fountains, and intricate stone pathways.


    "This ce is magnificent," Finn said, his voice filled with genuine surprise and admiration as he took in the sight. "I wonder how rich someone has to be to own a castle this big."


    "With a castle this size, finding someone won''t be easy," Aiden remarked, and the others nodded in agreement, recognizing the challenge ahead.


    "Forget that. Where are our uniforms? And what the hell are we wearing?" Marce suddenly pointed out, drawing their attention to their attire.


    Instead of their usual academy uniforms, they were dressed as high-ranking adventurers. Their outfits were practical yet ornate, consisting of finely crafted armor, cloaks, and essories that seemed designed for a seasoned adventurer rather than students.


    As they looked around in confusion, a series of notifications appeared before them:


    [Trial Completion 7/14]


    [Mission: Find the Princess]


    [Description: The princess hasn''t been seen for a week. She is to meet with her betrothed a week from now, and the Kingdom of Laxen fears the worst. The king has enlisted you, A-rank adventurers, to help find the princess.]


    [Duration: 7 Days]


    [Reward: ???]


    [Failure: You will be trapped here forever.]


    "Seven days? Oh God, please give me some kind offort," Rey begged, feeling the weight of the mission already pressing down on him. Almost immediately, a notification popped up.


    [PS: Time runs differently here, so one day in this space equals one hour in the real world.]


    "Well, that''sforting," Jett remarked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice, though a bit of relief washed over him.


    Suddenly, the massive doors of the castle creaked open, revealing two armored guards standing at attention. Their expressions were stoic, yet their movements were deliberate and respectful, as if they were weing honored guests.


    "Greetings, Raven Cross," the first guard announced, his voice deep and resonant. "The king has been expecting you."


    "We shall show you the way," the second guard added, bowing slightly as he gestured for them to follow.


    The group exchanged confused nces, still trying to grasp the situation they were in. Everything felt surreal, as if they had been thrown into a different reality altogether.


    "Alright, lead the way," Rey said, taking the initiative to step forward and assume the lead position.


    The guards turned on their heels and began to walk down the grand hallway, with the group following closely behind. The castle''s interior was as magnificent as its exterior, with towering ceilings adorned with intricate carvings and chandeliers that cast a warm, golden glow.


    Tapestries depicting the kingdom''s history hung from the walls, and the floors were lined with plush red carpets that muffled their footsteps.


    As they continued walking, Rey couldn''t help but admire the sheer scale of the ce. "Where did you say the throne room is?" he asked, his eyes wandering over the borate decorations that lined the hallway.


    "It''s a long way from here," the second guard replied without breaking stride. "If we were to continue walking, it would take roughly ten minutes."


    The others nced at each other, realizing just how vast the castle was. The enormity of their task began to sink in, but they pressed on, following the guards deeper into the heart of the castle, their minds racing with questions and anticipation.


    "That''s insane!" they all thought unanimously, exchanging nces as the sheer size of the castle and the distance to the throne room registered in their minds.


    The hallway was eerily quiet, the only sound being the rhythmic echo of their footsteps against the polished marble floor. The silence added to the grandeur, making the castle seem even more imposing.


    "You don''t have to worry," the second guard continued, breaking the silence with a reassuring tone. "We''ll be arriving at a teleportation tform that''ll take you closer to the throne room."


    "Why not teleport us directly to the throne room?" Evelina inquired, her curiosity piqued.


    "Security," Rey answered before the guards could respond. "It''s to prevent the possibility of someone trying to infiltrate and threaten the king''s life by simply teleporting directly to him. That would be a rather shameful way to lose a king: giving your enemy free passage to your chambers."


    "I presume the teleportation tforms all have strict coordinates to pull that off so no one else gets ess to them, right?" Asher added, his sharp mind quickly grasping the intricacies of their security measures.


    As they continued down the corridor, they noticed the guards stationed every ten steps, heavily armed and alert, their eyes trained on the group as they passed. The tension in the air was palpable, yet the guards'' disciplined demeanor conveyed a sense of unyielding vignce.


    "Fine observations," the first guard acknowledged with a nod. "I''d expect nothing less from one of the most sessful adventuring parties in thend."


    "Seems like you have tight enough security, guards on every ten steps," Asher remarked, impressed by the level of detail in their defenses.


    "This is a nice ce," Jett chimed in, ncing around at the opulent surroundings. "But can you brief us on why we''re here?" he asked, his tone casual yet firm as they continued walking.


    The guards exchanged a nce before the first one responded, "All will be exined by the king himself once we reach the throne room. It''s a matter of great importance, one that requires your particr set of skills. But rest assured, the safety of the princess is our top priority."


    They stepped onto the first teleportation tform, a shimmering circle of runes etched into the marble floor. The air around them vibrated as the magic activated, pulling them from one section of the castle to another in an instant. The sensation was disorienting but brief, and they found themselves in the middle section of the castle, surrounded by more grand corridors and opulent decor.


    From there, they proceeded to a second tform. This one transported them to the inner sanctum of the castle, a ce where the architecture became even more intricate, with every inch of the walls adorned with borate carvings and precious gemstones. The air was thicker here, almost as if the castle itself was aware of the importance of this area.


    They walked for a short while, passing more guards and regal tapestries, until they finally reached the massive doors leading to the throne room.


    "Your majesty, the prestigious Raven Cross party requests an audience with you!" the loud voice announced from within the throne room. Even from behind the heavy doors, the words rang clearly, filled with formality and respect.


    "Let them in," the king''s voice responded, deep andmanding, yet with a hint of weariness. The doors swung open slowly, revealing the throne room in all its glory.


    The room was nothing short of magnificent. It was a vast hall, the ceiling so high it seemed to touch the sky. Intricate chandeliers hung from above, casting a golden light that reflected off the polished marble floors. The walls were lined with towering columns, each adorned with banners of the kingdom''s crest.


    At the far end of the room sat the king on a grand throne, carved from the finest gem and iid with gold. nking him were his guards, armored in the finest te, standing at attention with unwavering focus. Surrounding the throne were members of the council, seated in a semicircle, their expressions grave and attentive.


    Rey and Rosa walked forward, their steps confident and measured. They gestured for the others to follow, and they did so in unison, their presencemanding the room.


    "We, Raven Cross, pay our respects to the great king of Laxen," Rey dered, his voice strong and filled with the authority of someone well-versed in royal protocol. He bowed deeply, and the others followed suit, their movements synchronized and respectful.


    Evelina, however, was taken aback by the sudden formality. "What the hell are��" she began, but before she could finish, Asher pressed her head down, forcing her to bow.


    "Just roll with it," Elora whispered softly to Evelina, who reluctantlyplied, calming herself down.


    After a brief, tense silence, the king spoke, his voice filling the room. "You may rise, brave warriors."


    The party straightened, facing the king as he continued. "I apologize for calling you here without warning, but your assistance is needed."


    "Please, my Lord, it''s already an honor for you to seek our services," Rey replied, his tone polished and refined. At that moment, they were all reminded that Rey was still royalty, his demeanor and speech reflecting the upbringing he sometimes tried to distance himself from.


    "Wonderful," the king said, though his expression remained solemn. "Although this is a request below your line of work, I do hope you can help find the princess of Laxen."


    Jett, standing slightly behind the others, couldn''t help but analyze the situation. ''For our sakes, I hope so too,'' he thought, his mind already racing through the potentialplications of this mission.


    *


    *


    *


    Wonder why he keeps asking about the room?

 Chapter 97 Where Could She be?

    "It''s been a week since anyone hasid eyes on the princess. We''ve searched everywhere, but we''ve been unable to find her," the king exined, his voice tinged with frustration and worry.


    "Did you check her room, though?" Jett asked bluntly, without a hint of concern.


    The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Jett, their expressions a mix of shock and annoyance at his rudeness. Rey leaned in, whispering harshly, "Dude, show some respect."


    Everyone''s irritation was palpable. The king''s advisors exchanged uneasy nces, clearly displeased with Jett''s disrespectful demeanor. Even Rey and Rosa, usually more tolerant, frowned at hisck of decorum. But Jett, ever impatient, just wanted to get this over with so he could finally get some sleep.


    The king, maintaining hisposure, responded calmly, "It''s alright. The princess rarely leaves her room, finding it unbearable to be around many people. She struggles to convey her thoughts verbally, so she opts to write them down instead."


    ''She''s an introvert then,'' Jett mused, half-listening to the king. His mind started to drift again, thinking about howfortable the princess''s room must be, likely filled with soft cushions and a warm bed. The thought only made him more impatient to wrap things up and get to bed himself.


    "On the day she went missing," the king continued, "one of the maids waste in bringing her food, but when she arrived, the princess was nowhere to be seen."


    "So, Your Highness, what do you think really happened?" Elora asked, her voice refined and poised, matching Rey''s respectful tone.


    Elora''s and Rey''s polished manners were a stark contrast to Jett''s brash behavior. It was clear that, of all the group members, Jett was the one whopletelycked etiquette, a fact that wasn''t lost on anyone in the room.


    "I fear she may have been kidnapped. As you all know, the king of Vond is a war junkie. I suspect he abducted the princess to ignite a conflict, iming we hid her and refused to hand her over to his son, her betrothed," the king exined, his voice heavy with concern.


    ''Like hell. This crazy trial�� this is a story mission. Of all the things we could''ve been thrown into!'' Jett was screaming internally, recognizing exactly what kind of mission they were dealing with: a type he despised.


    For Jett, this was one of those narrative-driven missions that forced yers into convoluted plots, full of political intrigue and maniption. It wasn''t the thrill of battle or the satisfaction of defeating a powerful enemy; it was the tedious unraveling of mysteries and dealing with pompous figures, all while being careful not to offend anyone. Jett hated these missions with a passion.


    "So he and his son want a war?" Rey asked, his tone measured but tinged with a hint of disbelief.


    "Yes. The king of Vond never truly approved of the engagement. It was his wife who proposed the idea to my queen," the king replied, a bitter smile crossing his lips.


    "Still, though, did you check her room?" Jett asked again, his impatience seeping into his voice.


    Once again, the atmosphere in the room soured. Freya shot Jett a disapproving re, while Finn shook his head in exasperation. Even the king''s advisors couldn''t hide their irritation. Jett''sck of respect was grating on everyone''s nerves, but he couldn''t care less; he just wanted this ordeal to end.


    "I assure you she isn''t there, but we did find a few pieces of paper with messages written on them," the king said, as if the thought had juste to him.


    "Those could be a clue. Could we see them?" Rey asked, maintaining his polite demeanor.


    A few secondster, a guard entered the room, holding a small bundle of papers. He handed them to Rey, who carefully ced them into his storage pouch, the group now one step closer to unraveling the mystery. Find your next adventure on m_v l|e-NovelBin


    "Could you tell us how old she is?" Rosa asked, her voice gentle but firm.


    "She''s 19 years old," one of the council members responded, his tone somber.


    ''She''s young though,'' Jett thought, his mind briefly distracted by the revtion.


    "We only have seven days to get her back," the king noted, the urgency in his voice cutting through the air like a knife.


    "Is there a reason we only have seven days?" Rey asked, stepping forward automatically, his presencemanding attention as he took on the role of spokesman for the group.


    Rey''s natural leadership had once again surfaced, his calm demeanor and sharp questions quickly making him the voice of their team. It wasn''t the first time he had taken charge in such situations, and the others instinctively deferred to him.


    "The king of Vond and his son will be visiting our kingdom in seven days. If my daughter doesn''te out to greet them, there will be serious trouble for all of us," the king exined, his eyes betraying his fear. "It''s alreadyte. We''ve prepared rooms for you all to stay in. My guards will show you to your rooms after dinner."


    *****


    That night, everyone except Asher gathered in the room that was supposed to be Cedric''s. The small space was now crowded with the rest of the team, all settling in as if it were their own.


    "Finally, a ce to sleep," Jett muttered as he copsed onto the bed.


    Jett was utterly exhausted, his body aching from the day''s events. He barely had time to adjust his position before sleep overtook him, pulling him into a deep, dreamless slumber almost instantly.


    "At this point, I feel like you guys keep doing this intentionally," Cedricined, his voice tinged with irritation.


    "Come on, Cedric, lighten up. Your room is in the center of all our rooms, so it''s easier for us to ess," Rey said with a yful grin, attempting to ease the tension.


    The room was already filled with the others, who had made themselvesfortable without a second thought. nkets were spread out, and belongings were casually strewn about as if they had all decided this was the perfect spot to gather. Cedric''s frustration grew as he realized they had once again invaded his space without so much as a second thought.


    "Just ignore them," Rey said, pulling out the rumpled paper he had retrieved earlier. "Get this, it''s a poem."


    He passed the paper around, allowing everyone to see the faded ink and carefully crafted verses. The group gathered around, their curiosity piqued as they examined the cryptic message.


    *****


    This was the poem the princess had drafted.


    In shadows deep where fears reside,


    A love so true, we cannot hide.


    Though fate has bound us, heart to heart,


    I call on you to y your part.


    Beneath my bed, a darkened dread,


    I long for you to save instead.


    My love,e close and chase away


    The fears that haunt my night and day.


    *****


    "Notice anything?" Rey asked, looking at the others with expectation.


    "If this is to be considered a clue, then the king''s deduction was wrong," Freya said thoughtfully, analyzing the poem''s meaning.


    "That''s why we actually believe it was the king''s deduction," Jett added with a yawn, his patience thinning.


    Marce''s yful rolling on the bed, which had turned into a full-blown wrestling match, finally woke Jett from his fatigue. Herughter and exuberance were a sharp contrast to his growing irritation.


    "And what do you mean by that?" Rey asked, his curiosity growing.


    [Sound Proof]


    Jett activated a skill which created an invisible barrier around the room, muffling all sounds to prevent eavesdropping.


    "When I asked if they''d actually checked the room, I met consistent resistance from the group. Plus, the king was only able to say she wasn''t there," Jett exined, his frustration evident.


    "Oh, that''s what you were doing? I thought you were just trying to be a dick," Freya said, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.


    "Why you..." Jett said, clearly offended. "I dare you to say that again."


    He reached out toward Freya, but Matthew stepped in just in time, his imposing presence effectively stopping Jett. Freya''s face turned pale, clearly frightened by the escting tension.


    "So you think some people in the pce know what really happened to the princess?" Rey asked, looking around at hispanions. "We need to be sure before we jump to conclusions."


    "How do you propose we do that without tipping them off?" Matthew asked, his tone pragmatic.


    Jett, already restless, flipped off the bed andnded squarely in the middle of the group, his movements fluid and confident.


    "Rey and Freya will try to enter the princess''s room. If I''m right, there''ll be guards there, making the ce off-limits," Jettid out his n. "If that''s the case, then I''ll sneak in with Asher and look for clues."


    "That''s not a bad idea," Elora said thoughtfully, her interest clearly piqued. "But why Freya?"


    The question caused a ripple of curiosity among the group. They all turned to Jett, eager to hear his reasoning.


    "Just in case we''re dealing with demons, she could effectively neutralize them. But that would also change our ns," Jett said confidently. "If they''re actually demons, then we''ll have no choice but to storm the room to see what they''re protecting."


    "How did we even get to this point?" Finn interjected, clearly frustrated. "That''s the most reckless idea you''ve evere up with. If what you''re saying is true, then Freya is thest person we need there. Stick with the original n but leave Freya out of it."


    Even Elora who was usually indifferent to Finn''s opinions were surprised by his passionate contribution. It was unusual for him to engage so strongly in a discussion that didn''t involve financial gain.


    "I agree with Finn. We need to draw less attention to ourselves while investigating, just to be on the safe side," Asher added, his tone firm.


    Jett weighed their arguments and saw the validity in their concerns. He soon realised they they were right and his idea was a bit reckless.


    "As much as I''d love to leave you guys to whatever it is you''re doing right now, but��" Morrigan interrupted the discussion, her voice tinged with worry. "Has anyone seen Seraphina?"


    *


    *


    *


    Where do you think she is?

 Chapter 98 The Princesss Room

    "Just my luck. A quick stroll around the castle, and now I''m lost. I can''t even tell where I am, all the doors look the same." Seraphina sighed, her voice tinged with frustration as she continued moving forward.


    The castle was enormous, with endless hallways that twisted and turned in ways that would confuse anyone not familiar with itsyout. Each corridor looked identical, adorned with the same intricate tapestries and tall, arched doors that seemed to lead nowhere. After what felt like an eternity of wandering, Seraphina realized she hadpletely lost her sense of direction.


    As she murmured to herself, her thoughts were interrupted by a soft glow from the ring on her finger. A message.


    -Morrigan- "Where the hell are you?"


    Enjoy new adventures from m-v l''e|-NovelBin


    -Seraphina- "I don''t know, all these doors look the same to me. I''ve been walking for like a few minutes now."


    -Morrigan- "Alright, what direction did you take when you left your room?"


    -Seraphina- "Umm, left?"


    -Morrigan- "Don''t go anywhere, I''lle look for you."


    The brief exchange left Seraphina standing still, hoping Morrigan would find her soon. She leaned against the cold stone wall, silently cursing the maze-like castle.


    As she waited, a delicious aroma wafted through the air, catching her attention. It was rich, savory, and warm, teasing her senses until her stomach growled in response. The longer she stood there, the harder it became to ignore.


    "Maybe just a quick peek..." she muttered, curiosity winning over.


    Drawn by the scent, Seraphina followed the aroma down a side hall and soon found herself at the entrance to the castle kitchen. Inside, a chef stood behind a stove, still hard at workte into the night, stirring and frying what appeared to be a feast.


    The air was thick with the mouth-watering scent of roasted meats, sizzling herbs, and fresh bread, making Seraphina''s mouth water.


    "You''re cooking thiste at night?" she asked, stepping inside, her hunger now impossible to ignore.


    "Yes, actually. Most of the people who work here: guards and maids alike, take their dinner around this time. Another group covers for us while we eat, and we rotate through three shifts daily," the chef exined, his hands never stopping as he stirred the simmering pot.


    "That''s a lot," Seraphina remarked, her eyes fixed on the pot''s contents, the aroma continuing to tease her senses.


    The chef, noticing her eager gaze, smiled warmly. Once he was done, he grabbed a te anddled a generous portion of the dish onto it before handing it to Seraphina.


    "Here, give it a try," he said, watching her reaction.


    Seraphina gratefully epted the te, her eyes lighting up as she took her first bite. The food was exquisite: perfectly seasoned, rich in vor, and warm enough to melt the tension in her body. Each bite seemed to get better as she continued, a happy hum escaping her between mouthfuls.


    "So good��" she mumbled, barely pausing to catch her breath before taking another bite.


    Enjoying the moment, she decided to strike up a conversation. "So, the princess... what was she like?" Seraphina asked, still munching on the delicious food in front of her.


    The chef chuckled softly at the question. "She was a really nice girl. Kind, cheerful... always had a smile on her face. You could hardly catch her without one," he said, his expression growing more thoughtful. "At least, up until recently.


    She startedining about something."


    "Huh? What could make herin? She''s nice, and she''s a princess," Seraphina said, now invested in the conversation as she set her fork down, intrigued.


    "Well," the chef began, wiping his hands on a nearby towel, "she kept saying she didn''t want to be alone in her room. Said she felt like something was watching her, especially at night. We searched the room from top to bottom, but nothing ever turned up. The king eventually had someone stay with her, just to calm her nerves."


    Seraphina frowned, her curiosity piqued. "That''s sad. Was it... a ghost or something?" she asked, half-joking but with a tinge of seriousness.


    "We really don''t know. She never gave us a clear description of what she was seeing or feeling," the chef replied with a slight shrug.


    "What do you think though? About the king''s conclusion?" Seraphina asked, her mouth half-full as she shoveled in more food, the conversation too interesting to slow down.


    The chef paused, ncing around the kitchen to make sure no one was listening. His eyes flicked to the doorway, ensuring it was clear before he leaned in closer.


    "Between you and me," he whispered, lowering his voice, "I think it''s crazy that the king still doesn''t believe his own daughter. There''s definitely something off about the whole thing. Why else would they have guards posted right outside her room when there''s supposedly no threat? It doesn''t add up. Just think about it."


    Seraphina''s eyes widened slightly, the chef''s words stirring her curiosity further. They continued to chat, exchanging thoughts about the princess, the mysterious happenings, and the odd behavior of the king. After some time, Seraphina finished her te and thanked the chef for both the meal and the conversation before heading out of the kitchen.


    As she tried to retrace her steps, her mind wandered back to the conversation. The chef''s words about the guards and the king''s doubt lingered in her thoughts, nagging at her as she wondered what could be going on. And then there was Morrigan: where could she be?


    Lost in thought, she didn''t notice where she was going until��bump��she walked right into someone.


    "Where have you been? I''ve been looking all over for you," Morrigan''s voice sounded exasperated, but Seraphina could see the hint of relief in her eyes.


    "Oh right, I just met the nicest chef ever!" Seraphina beamed, her expression bright as she recalled the delicious food and the interesting conversation.


    "Gosh. You know what? Don''t tell me. I don''t even want to know." Morrigan sighed dramatically before grabbing Seraphina''s arm. "Let''s just go."


    Without waiting for a reply, Morrigan started pulling her down the hallway, determined to get them back on track.


    Seraphina didn''t budge, even as Morrigan tugged at her arm. Her gaze was fixed on thevishly decorated door next to them, its intricate golden patterns and ornate carvings standing out against the dimly lit hallway.


    "What are you doing?" Morrigan asked, exasperation creeping into her voice as she tried to pull Seraphina more forcefully.


    "It''s gotta be the princess'' room, Look how nice the doors are." Seraphina muttered, eyes still locked on the door. "The guards... they aren''t here."


    "Who cares about that right now? Let''s just go," Morrigan huffed, tugging again.


    But Seraphina was resolute. "I''m going in," she said, pushing the door open without hesitation.


    "Wait, Seraphina!" Morrigan protested, but seeing there was no stopping her friend, she sighed and begrudgingly followed her inside. "This is such a bad idea��"


    *****


    The room they stepped into was breathtaking. It was spacious, with high ceilings and walls adorned with elegant tapestries and beautiful paintings. Silken drapes flowed down from the windows, which were framed by polished gold trim. A chandelier with shimmering crystals hung above a canopy bed that looked as if it belonged to royalty: which, of course, it did.


    Every detail in the room screamed luxury, from the embroidered rugs to the intricately carved furniture.


    "Stay sharp. We don''t know what to expect," Seraphina warned, raising her guard as her eyes scanned the room.


    They began searching through the room, looking for any sign of a clue. Seraphina rifled through drawers, while Morrigan hesitantly peeked under furniture, clearly more cautious about making a mess than finding anything important.


    "What exactly are we looking for? I feel like we''re just making a mess here," Morrigan muttered, her movements more reluctant as she overturned yet another pillow.


    "You''ll know when you see it," Seraphina replied, her tone confident despite theck of evidence so far.


    Morrigan raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "You have no idea what we''re looking for, do you?"


    Seraphina paused for a moment, then smiled sheepishly. "Not really, no."


    Morrigan sighed, rubbing her temple. "Why not check under the bed? There was something mentioned about that in the poem��" she trailed off, trying to remember.


    "What poem?" Seraphina asked, her expression puzzled. She hadn''t been present for any talk of a poem.


    "The one we went over while you were busy ying Dora the Explorer," Morrigan quipped, rolling her eyes. She knelt down and peered beneath the bed, searching for anything out of ce.


    "You really think something might be down there?" Seraphina asked, watching as Morrigan squirmed to get a better look under the bed.


    Morrigan huffed in frustration. "We''ve got nothing to lose, do we? We''re already here, so we might as well check."


    As she struggled to shift into a better position, Morrigan''s hand brushed against something cold and smooth. Narrowing her eyes, she caught a glimpse of a dimly lit object nestled in the shadows. Curiosity piqued, she reached out and carefully pulled it from under the bed.


    "What''s that?" Seraphina asked, her eyes fixating on what Morrigan held. It looked like a fragment of arger object, shaped irregrly. The fragment was made of gold, adorned with small gemstones that glittered even in the room''s dim light. However, its true form remained unclear.


    As Morrigan examined the object, a translucent screen flickered into view before her.


    [Holy Key Fragment 1/5]


    [Description: ???]


    "Holy Key fragment?" Morrigan murmured, reading the notification aloud.


    "What key? What are you talking about?" Seraphina asked, leaning closer, clearly intrigued.


    Morrigan frowned and waved her hand in front of the screen. "You can''t see this?" she asked, gesturing at the transparent screen floating in front of her.


    Seraphina blinked and looked around, confusion creasing her brow. "See what? Stop messing with me."


    Annoyed, Seraphina swiped the fragment from Morrigan''s hand before she could react. "Hey��!" Morrigan eximed, but it was toote. Seraphina was now holding the fragment.


    Suddenly, another notification appeared, but this time it was visible to Seraphina.


    [Holy Key Fragment 1/5]


    [Description: ???]


    "Oh... so that''s what you meant," Seraphina said, offering a nervous smile as the translucent screen flickered before her eyes.


    Morrigan crossed her arms, ring. "Yeah, *that''s* what I was talking about."


    As they both tried to make sense of what the fragment was, a chilling presence swept through the room. Without warning, a misty, spectral hand emerged from under the bed, curling around Morrigan''s leg. Before she could react, it yanked her with a sudden, violent force.


    "Morrigan!" Seraphina yelled, trying to grab her, but the misty hand pulled Morrigan into the dark void beneath the bed with a terrifying speed.


    Seraphina barely had time to process what had happened when the hand reached for her too. She fought back, shing at the floor with her ws, leaving deep marks in a desperate attempt to anchor herself. Her heart raced as she struggled against the pull, but the force was too strong. With onest effort, her grip failed, and she was dragged into the shadowy depths beneath the bed.


    *


    *


    *


    I guess they we''re both just unlucky.

 Chapter 99 Castle Layout

    While Morrigan was off searching for Seraphina, the others didn''t bother waiting around. Sticking to their game n, they each retreated to their designated rooms for the night, leaving behind Cedric''s space inplete disarray: strewn papers, misced gear, and half-empty tes from their hastily abandoned meal.


    Meanwhile, Elora found herself with another task as she gently lifted the sleeping Marce, who had dozed off in the midst of the chaos. "Honestly, you''re so much trouble when you''re asleep," Elora muttered with a tired smile, guiding Marce through the hallways and eventually tucking her into bed.


    Back in his own room, Jett copsed onto his bed with a groan. "Gosh, I''m beat, but there are still things to do," he muttered, staring up at the ceiling. His body was exhausted, but his mind refused to rest. "I really can''t catch a break."


    As hey there, his thoughts drifted to earlier that evening, when he had almost made a critical misjudgment. His brow furrowed as he recalled the moment.


    "Tch... I can''t believe I nearly made the wrong call back there. I needed Finn to remind me of the obvious." He sighed, reflecting on his earlier hesitation. He hated it: relying on others when he prided himself on being the one with all the angles covered.


    Jett waited, still as a predator stalking its prey, until the castle grew quiet. He could tell from the faint sounds: or rather, the absence of them, that everyone was fast asleep. Even E had emerged from her hiding ce, curled up peacefully at the foot of his bed.


    "Alright, he should be awake by now," Jett smirked, his eyes narrowing as he kept his gaze on the ceiling. He had anticipated this move for a while. After all, he had spent enough time observing hispanions to understand their behavioral patterns: what drove them, what made them tick, and most importantly, what they were likely to do in specific situations.


    And tonight, he was waiting for Asher.


    Asher had been suspiciously restless during their earlier conversations, and Jett knew him well enough to predict what he would do. Right about now, Asher would be thinking about slipping out of his room under the guise of surveying the castle on his own, using his abilities to move unnoticed. What Asher didn''t know was that Jett had been expecting this, watching for it.


    Asher''s room was directly opposite Jett''s, so catching him in the act would be all too easy. Jett smirked again, his eyes sharp as he silently rose from his bed, ready to ambush Asher the moment he made his move.


    Jett leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, as he waited. The castle was deathly quiet, the only sound the faint creak of hinges as Asher''s door slowly opened. In the dim light, Asher slipped out, moving cautiously with every step.


    Just as Asher rounded the corner of the hallway, Jett spoke, breaking the silence. "Can''t sleep?"


    Asher froze. His eyes widened, and his heart skipped a beat. He''d waited patiently for what felt like hours, ensuring that everyone had fallen into deep slumber before making his move. Yet here was Jett: standing there as if he had anticipated it all along.


    ''The hell? Is that Jett? I didn''t even notice him. How the hell did he do that?'' Asher thought, turning slowly to confirm his suspicion. Sure enough, Jett was casually leaning in the doorway, watching him with an amused smirk.


    "What are you doing up at this hour?" Asher asked, trying to sound casual but unable to mask the irritation in his voice.


    "I should be asking you the same thing," Jett replied coolly, his eyes gleaming in the low light. "Couldn''t sleep, so I figured I''d take a walk. But seeing how you''re sneaking out of your room so stealthily, I''m guessing you''re about to do some scouting, right?"


    Asher''s jaw clenched, the silence between them heavy. He knew Jett wasn''t guessing: he had already figured it out. There was no point in lying oring up with excuses. For a moment, the two stood in a quiet, tense standoff. Neither spoke, both measuring each other.


    Jett finally broke the silence with a light chuckle. "Do me a favor, though," he said, stepping away from the doorframe. "If you could draw me a map of the ce while you''re at it, that''d be nice."


    Asher blinked, caught off guard by the request. He stared at Jett, trying to read his intentions, but Jett''s expression remained as unreadable as ever. Was he serious? Was this some sort of test? Asher couldn''t tell.


    "Sure, but how did you do it?" Asher asked, still perplexed.


    "Do what?" Jett replied, raising an eyebrow as if he had no clue what Asher was talking about.


    "How were you able to hide your presence like that?" Asher rified, the question lingering in the air.


    Jett gave a small smirk, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Let''s just say I''m more capable than you think," he said cryptically, turning back toward his room. "Just be careful."


    Asher watched him retreat, frustration bubbling up. ''Tch... you don''t need to worry about me,'' he thought. ''I must really be cking off in training.'' With a sigh, he steeled himself for the night ahead.


    *****


    Asher spent the entire nightbing through the castle, his senses sharp, taking mental notes of every corridor and chamber he passed. The castle was massive, yet he moved with a calcted efficiency, checking every essible room, passage, and hallway. He even slipped outside, navigating through the expansive garden, where the moonlight illuminated the lush foliage.


    He had to avoid a few patrols here and there, but they were easy enough to evade.


    Even hidden passages meant to be concealed from ordinary view weren''t much of a challenge for him. The faintest draft from behind a wall, the slightly worn grooves in the floor, and barely noticeable creases between the stones were enough for Asher to pinpoint their locations. He found them with ease and marked their positions on the map he was meticulously sketching in his head.


    By the time the first light of dawn crept through the castle''s windows, Asher had mapped out the entire castle, noting every key location: the guard posts, the servants'' quarters, secret exits, and even the less obvious hiding spots. Despite not sleeping a wink, he felt no fatigue, just a sense of aplishment.


    He waited patiently by his door, leaning against the wall, waiting for Jett to emerge from his room. As soon as Jett stepped out, Asher approached him, holding out the map he had drawn.


    "Oh?" Jett looked down at the map with a sly grin. "Kinda feels like you were stalking. Did you stay up all night?"


    "Yeah, I recently got a passive skill that makes it impossible for me to sleep unless I want to," Asher exined, nonchntly.


    Jett raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really?" A mysterious, almost unsettling smile curled at the edges of his lips.


    ''Lucky me, that''s just what the doctor ordered,'' Jett thought.


    [Skill Copy]


    [...You have copied Sleep Immunity]


    "Much better," Jett muttered, feeling the effects of the newly copied skill wash over him instantly.


    "Huh?" Asher raised an eyebrow, confused by the sudden statement.


    "Oh, nothing." Jett waved off the inquiry with a casual shrug, his hand already on the door, pulling it shut. "Thanks for the map, though."


    *****


    Once inside his room, Jett''s casual demeanor shifted into one of focus and precision. He unfurled the map Asher had given him on his desk. "Now to see what we''re really dealing with. Luckily, I came prepared."


    [Storage Space]


    He reached into the void of his inventory, pulling out a pair of dice��small, seemingly ordinary at first nce, but the gleaming aura around them hinted at their true nature.


    [Truth Seeking Dice]


    [Description: Seek the truth from the map you provide for the price of your level. The answer bes more effective with the user''s luck.]


    Jett smirked. In WAR BOUND, the Truth Seeking Dice was a notoriously rare item, coveted by yers for its ability to uncover the real objective of missions, especially when they hit a dead end. The cost? A sacrifice of a level for each use. But Jett was confident.


    "That''s really nothing to me right now. I''m already way past my peers in level," he said with a chuckle. "This luck part is new, but whatever��"


    With a touch of curiosity, he opened his stats panel for a brief review, checking his current status as a reminder before proceeding. His level and stats were as impressive as he remembered, reinforcing his confidence in the uing roll.


    ====


    ss: Magic Swordsman


    Level: 102


    HP: 70


    MP: 70


    Strength: 370


    Agility: 83


    Intelligence:70


    Perception: 69


    Undistributed Points: 1716


    =====


    Satisfied, Jett rolled the dice onto the map, watching with focused anticipation as they tumbled across the surface.


    The moment the dice left his hand, both the map and dice began to glow with a golden radiance. The runes on the dice shimmered as they rolled across the map, their glow intensifying. Soon, both the dice and the map floated slightly off the surface of the desk, as if weightless.


    Then, with a soft hum, the map''syout subtly shifted. The castle''s originalyout remained the same, but now there were five distinct spots on the map that burned brighter than the rest, marked as key points. The once ordinary map now resembled a treasure map, with the five hot spots indicating areas of great interest.


    Jett leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied the changes. "Five ces, huh? Including the room where the princess probably went missing? Looks like the truth is hidden somewhere in these spots." His grin widened, excitement flickering in his eyes. "This is going to be interesting."


    *


    *


    *


    Interesting indeed.


    They don''t even know what happened to Seraphina and Morrigan

 Chapter 100 An Underground Tunnel

    The glowing hot spots on the map: each marking a critical location, caught Jett''s eye as he analyzed the situation. "Five locations," he muttered to himself, tapping his finger against the map: the garden, the throne room, one of the guest rooms, the castle walls, and the princess'' room.


    "We should probably check out the other locations, starting from the princess'' room," Jett said, mentally forming a n of action. It was already fully morning by now, with sunlight filtering through the windows, though E was still fast asleep in her bed.


    "It''s only a matter of time before she wakes up," Jett noted, ncing at the peaceful creature. His stomach growled suddenly, reminding him he hadn''t joined the others for dinner the previous night. "Time to eat."


    *****


    Breakfast was served to all of them in their rooms, presented with an elegance that resembled high-ss room service. tters of fresh fruit, pastries, and steaming meats wereid out on delicate trays. Jett devoured his food quickly, savoring the rich vors as he replenished his energy.


    Soon after, everyone regrouped in Cedric''s room, but it didn''t take long for the others to notice the obvious absence of two people.


    "Didn''t Morrigan say she''d go look for Seraphina?" Freya asked, looking around with a hint of concern.


    "You don''t think something happened to them, do you?" Cedric added, ncing at Jett for reassurance.


    Jett''s expression remained neutral,pletely unfazed by the situation. "Something definitely happened to them, but it''s safe to say they''re still alive. It''s manageable." His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the growing concern among the others.


    Without wasting any more time, Jett reached into his pocket and brought out the map,ying it out for everyone to see.


    "What''s that?" Rey asked, leaning in to get a closer look.


    Jett pointed to the five glowing hot spots. "This map shows us five key locations we need to check out. Each one is marked as important, including the princess'' room, where Morrigan and Seraphinast were."


    Freya furrowed her brow, clearly processing the information. "You think they could be at one of these spots?"


    "Possibly," Jett replied. "But we''ll need to explore each one. If they aren''t at the princess'' room, then we move on to the next."


    "Our ticket out of here," Jett replied, his tone sharp. "After sacrificing a level, I was able to get this map. You can thank Asher for scouting the castle."


    Despite his confident exnation, the others just stared at him, still not quite following. The confusion in the room was palpable, which made Jett shake his head in disappointment.


    "Alright, pay attention." He pointed to the four glowing spots on the map, excluding one. "Here, here, here, and here. We''ll be checking all four locations simultaneously. I can''t say precisely what it is, but the key to ending this trial is tied to whatever we find in these ces."


    Elora crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "So, you want us to join you on some blind treasure hunt?"


    Everyone exchanged hesitant nces, clearly reluctant tomit.


    Evelina, however, broke the silence. "I''m in."


    Asher, caught off guard, opened his mouth to speak, but Evelina cut him off. "What? It''s not like you were going to take the initiative. You were just waiting to see what would happen. And don''t forget, he was the one who gave you guys tips on leveling up faster." Her usual yful tone was reced with a serious resolve that seemed to echo through the room.


    Her words struck a chord with the others. Slowly, the atmosphere shifted as they reconsidered their hesitation.


    Jett took a step forward, addressing them again. "Look, I''m not here to force anyone. I know you''re all probably more worried about the girls, but our priority should be ending this trial. They''re strong: they can take care of themselves. We need to trust them and focus on our task." His words, though logical, were also meant to ease their minds, though he wasn''t entirely sure if it would.


    The tension in the room lingered, but the urgency in Jett''s voice seemed to push them toward a decision.


    "So, what''s the n?" Rey asked, giving Jett a nod of confidence.


    Jett smiled in relief. They were all on board, willing to trust him and follow his lead. He replied, "Noplicated strategy this time. Four groups, three people each. It''s pretty straightforward."


    Matthew frowned, raising a concern. "What about thest location? Isn''t anyone going there?"


    Jett shook his head. "That''s excluded for now. Just a hunch, but I think we should tackle that onest."


    "Alright then," Elora said, stepping up with a determined expression. "We only have six days left, so let''s get a move on."


    *****


    "Ugh�� Where are we?" Morrigan groaned, rubbing her head as she regained consciousness.


    "Probably underground," Seraphina answered, offering her hand to help Morrigan stand. "We need to find an exit: if there is one."


    They looked around, finding themselves alone in a dimly lit underground tunnel. The oppressive darkness surrounded them, but thanks to her druidic traits, Seraphina could see clearly, though it wasn''t necessary.


    {Fire Essence}


    Morrigan cast a spell, summoning a flickering me in her hand to illuminate the area. The orange glow revealed the jagged stone walls and the long, seemingly endless passage ahead of them.


    They walked for what felt like hours, with nothing but the sound of their footsteps echoing in the tunnel. The path twisted and turned, yet no exit or significantndmarks appeared, leaving them with a growing sense of unease.


    Finally, they stumbled upon something: at the end of a long corridor stood a dozen towering golems, their stone bodies motionless as they guarded arge, ominous door. Nearby, at the corner of the room, they spotted a girl frozen in stone, her expression locked in a look of terror.


    Morrigan and Seraphina quickly ducked into a corner, hidden from the golems'' sight. They exchanged a nce, both trying to gauge the situation.


    "What''s with the petrified girl?" Morrigan whispered.


    "She''s either a warning... or a clue," Seraphina muttered, her eyes narrowing as she studied the scene. "Whatever''s behind that door, it''s heavily guarded for a reason."


    "That''s gotta be the princess, right?" Seraphina whispered, squinting at the petrified figure.


    "Yeah," Morrigan sighed, her eyes darting between the girl and the golems. "I can''t think of anyone else it could be. What the hell happened to her?"


    "Beats me," Seraphina muttered, her mind racing with possibilities.


    Morrigan frowned, frustrated. "This would be a good time to contact the others, but this ce won''t even let me use my ring."


    They both stood in silence for a moment, contemting their next move.


    "That door... it screams boss room. If we can defeat whatever''s behind it, maybe we can go back��and maybe the princess will return to normal," Seraphina suggested, her voice low but steady.


    Morrigan crossed her arms, eyeing the golems. "What if it''s too strong? What happens then?"


    Seraphina watched the golems move, noticing their jerky, uncoordinated motions. "I don''t know, but we have to try. First, let''s deal with the golems. They''re not moving right, maybe they''re easier to handle."


    Morrigan nodded, her face tense but resolute. "Fine. But if it gets hairy, we retreat."


    Seraphina smirked. "Deal. Cover me."


    With a swift dash forward, Seraphina closed the distance between herself and one of the golems, catching itpletely by surprise. Sheunched her fist into its head with immense force, shattering the stone into a cloud of dust. Before the body could copse, she reached into its midsection, yanking out the glowing core lodged within.


    The golem faltered and then crumbled, its movements ceasing entirely.


    The other golems immediately took notice. With a collective, eerie shift, they turned towards Seraphina, their hulking bodies lurching forward in a rush.


    "Hey, Mori, a little help?" Seraphina shouted, ducking under a heavy swing as she dodged the iing attacks.


    Morrigan sighed, already casting a spell. "Ugh, for crying out loud. Avoid the ground!"


    {Earthen Surge}


    The ground beneath the golems erupted in jagged, thorny spikes, destabilizing their movements even further. The golems stumbled, their movements even more erratic as they struggled to keep bnce on the uneven terrain.


    "Nice!" Seraphina grinned, dodging another swing and preparing to take down the next golem.


    "Another?" Seraphina asked, spotting Morrigan readying another spell. Without hesitation, Seraphina leaped onto one of the golems, using her ws to cling to the wall, her nimble form scaling it with ease.


    {Quicksand}


    Morrigan muttered the spell, and the ground beneath the golems began to soften, turning into a pit of quicksand. The massive stone figures were instantly immobilized, their heavy bodies sinking into the thick, shifting earth.


    "Now it''s my turn," Seraphina grinned.


    [Man Beast Transformation]


    Her body shimmered, muscles surging with newfound strength as her eyes glowed with a feral intensity. In that brief moment, all of her stats skyrocketed, making her faster, stronger, and more lethal. With a growl, Seraphinaunched herself off the wall, her ws gleaming in the dim light as she tore through the golems at lightning speed.


    She targeted the cores in their chests, ripping each one out with precision. One by one, the golems copsed into lifeless piles of rubble as Seraphina darted between them, her speed and strength unmatched.


    "And that''s all of them," Seraphina said, triumphantly giving Morrigan a high five.


    Morrigan epted the high five but crossed her arms, looking slightly annoyed. "That was really reckless, though. You could''ve given me a heads-up before you rushed in like a battle junkie."


    Seraphina just smirked, brushing off the warning. "Yeah, yeah, but we got the job done, so what''s the issue?"


    Morrigan sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing when Seraphina was in this kind of mood. The battle had been won, but the reckless nature of Seraphina''s approach still irked her.


    Seraphina turned her attention to the petrified girl. The sight was heartbreaking: the girl waspletely encased in stone, as though she had been frozen mid-scream. Even her facial expression suggested sheer terror, as if she had been attacked by something before being turned to stone.


    "Once we get her out of here, we''ll be home free," Seraphina said softly, gently patting the petrified girl''s shoulder before walking toward the ominous door: the boss room.


    Morrigan followed, both of them taking a moment to stare at the massive door. Its surface was adorned with intricate carvings, but something about it felt off.


    "What do you think we''ll find inside?" Seraphina asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.


    "A boss monster, obviously," Morrigan replied, reaching out to touch the door.


    The moment her fingers brushed the surface, the carvings on the door shifted, and a face emerged from the stone. Its eyes glowed with a sickly green light, staring straight at Morrigan.


    Seraphina reacted instantly. She grabbed Morrigan''s arm and, with all her strength, hurled herpanion away from the door. But before Seraphina could move herself, a sh of green light enveloped her body.


    "No!" Morrigan screamed as Seraphina''s body stiffened, her limbs turning to stone right before her eyes. In mere seconds, Seraphina was fully petrified, her fierce expression frozen in ce just like the other girl.


    Experience tales at m v|l e''-NovelBin


    As if triggered by Seraphina''s transformation, the ground rumbled, and the golems respawned once more, their stone bodies rising from the rubble. Morrigan, now alone, found herself facing the stone army and the mysterious boss door.


    *


    *


    *


    We made it to a hundred chapter guys. That''s for staying with me on this journey.

 Chapter 101 Fragment Hunting

    The garden was nothing short of breathtaking. Towering trees with leaves that shimmered in the sunlight stood proudly among exotic flowers of every color, arranged in winding patterns across lush greenwns. Rose bushes, unfamiliar blooms with sparkling petals, and delicate vines crept up trellises, filling the air with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance.


    Fountains of clear, glistening water trickled nearby, their gentle sound adding to the serene atmosphere.


    "This ce is really beautiful," Rosa said, her eyes wide with excitement as she marveled at the vibrant disy of flowers. "I''ve never seen most of these flowers before."


    Elora, less distracted by the beauty around them, furrowed her brow. "So how are we supposed to find an item that we know nothing about in this massive garden?"


    "That won''t be hard," Evelina chimed in confidently, already preparing herself. "I got this."


    She activated her skill.


    [Treasure Hunter]


    [Rank items within a 20m radius of the user based on how valuable they are to the user at the moment.]


    [Duration: 5 minutes]


    [Cool down: 10 minutes]


    "You guys just sit down and rx," Evelina said with a grin before sprinting across the garden, stopping periodically in different spots. Her sharp eyes scanned the area, keenly focused on any trace of her skill''s effects.


    Elora and Rosa exchanged a look before taking a seat on a nearby bench, watching Evelina dart about like a hawk hunting its prey.


    The [Treasure Hunter] skill, known among thieves and treasure seekers, functioned like a metal detector, but instead of emitting sounds when it found something, it created a faint aura around the detected object: an aura visible only to the skill user. The colors of the aura ranged from dull gray to brilliant gold, with thetter indicating the highest value.


    "Shouldn''t we help her?" Elora asked, feeling a bit useless as she watched Evelina work.


    Rosa gave her an unimpressed look. "And how exactly do you propose we do that? She has a treasure-hunting skill. It''s like trying to find a needle in a haystack with a ma. Imagine trying to do it without one."


    Elora sighed in resignation, leaning back against the bench as they continued to watch Evelina systematically search the garden, the soft glow of her skill asionally flickering in the distance.


    As Elora and Rosa scanned the sprawling garden, they exchanged a knowing look. The garden was immense, filled with winding paths, towering nts, and thick clusters of flowers in every shade imaginable. The sheer scale of the task ahead weighed heavily on them. Finding what they were looking for in this maze of greenery would be no easy feat.


    "I guess that''s true," Elora sighed, taking in the overwhelming scene.


    Rosa, still examining the vast expanse before them, turned to Elora with a curious look. "I and Evelina, I understand, but do you know why he asked you toe with us? He did say your brother and I work better together."


    Elora let out a softugh, her eyes momentarily glinting with amusement. "It''s just a guess, but I think he was a bit scared that Aiden would burn this whole ce to the ground," she said with a resigned sigh. "And honestly, I don''t me him. He would''ve if he were here."


    Both of them broke into a fit of giggles, vividly imagining the scene in their heads.


    "Yep, I can already see that hothead leveling this ce the moment he steps in," Rosa chuckled, shaking her head.


    Elora smiled, then her eyes drifted toward the lush nts surrounding them. "I just wish there was a way to ask the nts here," she mused aloud. "Can''t you do something like that?"


    Rosa furrowed her brow. "That''s not possible. nts can''t talk��" She paused mid-sentence as an idea struck her. "But they can still transfer information." Her eyes lit up with sudden excitement. "Elora, you''re a genius!"


    "Umm�� thanks?" Elora replied, her expression puzzled as she tried to follow Rosa''s sudden enthusiasm.


    Without another word, Rosa stood up from the bench, a glint of determination in her eyes. She gestured toward the ground, and thick vines shot out from the earth, winding gracefully toward her.


    {Quick Growth}


    She whispered. The vines obeyed hermand, growing rapidly and coiling around both her and Elora. With a gentle tug, the vines lifted them off the ground, carrying them swiftly across the garden.


    Far from where Evelina was focusing her energy, they glided over the tangled nts and delicate blooms. Rosa''s eyes sparkled with hope as they neared the far side of the garden.


    "I sure hope this works," Rosa muttered, stretching out her hands toward the vast garden below, ready tomunicate with the nts in a way she''d never tried before.


    Your next chapter is on m v|l-e''-NovelBin


    Rosa closed her eyes, focusing her energy as she activated her skill,


    [Flora Fortification]


    A soft, green glow emanated from her body, and she felt her connection to the nts around her intensify. Her mind cleared, and her abilities sharpened as the power flowed through her.


    Next, she stretched out her hands, casting


    {Auto Communication}


    A faint pulse of energy rippled from her fingers, and immediately, thin vines sprouted from each fingertip, delicately attaching themselves to various nts scattered across the garden. The vines connected with flowers, shrubs, and towering trees, forming an intricate web.


    The garden no longer seemed overwhelming; it felt like an extension of her, a vastwork of life she could tap into.


    Elora, watching in awe, furrowed her brows. "What are you doing?" she asked, but Rosa, deep in concentration, didn''t respond.


    Through the [Auto Communication] spell, Rosa''s mind expanded beyond her physical form, merging with the nts around her. She could feel what they felt, the soft caress of the wind on their leaves, the warmth of the sun filtering through the trees, and even the texture of the soil beneath them.


    It was like she had gained hundreds of new senses, all feeding her information about the garden from every corner.


    Though the spell only covered a quarter of the garden, due to the limitations of her Mana, it was still a vast area. She settled for that, knowing it would have to be enough. While Evelina searched in one section using her [Treasure Hunter] skill, Rosa now had a sprawlingwork of nts providing her with constant updates on their surroundings.


    Before long, something caught her attention: a faint sense of something unusual. The nts nearest the object alerted her to its odd shape, something foreign to the natural environment. Without hesitation, she began moving toward it, with Elora close behind.


    When they reached the spot, Rosa knelt down and brushed away the leaves, revealing a small, oddly shaped object partially buried in the earth. As soon as she touched it, a message appeared in her mind:


    [Holy Key Fragment 1/5]


    [Description: ???]


    "Found it," Rosa muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, still lost in the strange connection she had with the nts.


    Elora looked over her shoulder, eyeing the fragment skeptically. "Are you sure that''s it? It doesn''t look all that special to me," she said, frowning.


    Rosa tossed the small fragment over to Elora, who instinctively caught it mid-air. The moment her fingers wrapped around the object, a notification shed before her eyes.


    [Holy Key Fragment 1/5]


    [Description: ???]


    Elora blinked in surprise and nced at Rosa. "Alright, I take it back. I can''t believe you found it." Her voice held a mix of admiration and disbelief.


    Rosa smirked, satisfied with her sess. "Told you," she replied as they both signaled to Evelina, who was across the garden.


    Evelina made her way over, groaning as she saw the fragment in Elora''s hand. "Damn it. I wanted to be the one who found it," she whined, folding her arms in disappointment.


    But before they could continue celebrating, the ground beneath their feet trembled. A dozens golems,rge and menacing, emerged from the earth, surrounding the trio in a circle of stone.


    "Really?" Rosa muttered, rolling her eyes as they all braced themselves for battle.


    *****


    Meanwhile, in another part of the castle, Asher, Freya, and Marce entered the guest room that had been marked on their map. The room was expansive, with high ceilings and well-maintained furnishings, despite the fact that it hadn''t been used for what seemed like ages. Rich tapestries hung on the walls, and arge, perfectly made bed sat in the center.


    "This is a nice room," Freya remarked, scanning the space with an appreciative eye. "I wonder how long it''ll take us to find this item."


    "Leave that to me," Asher replied confidently as he activated his skill.


    [Treasure Hunter]


    Immediately, his eyes sharpened, and he began searching every corner of the room, from the shelves to behind the furniture, in pursuit of the hidden treasure.


    Marce, on the other hand, wasn''t as enthusiastic. "Wake me up when you find it," she saidzily, throwing herself onto the plush bed. She rolled around, savoring the softness beneath her as if testing every inch of itsfort, before promptly falling asleep.


    Freya watched with mild amusement while Asher continued his meticulous search. After what felt like an eternity of scouring the room, Asher''s gazended on the curtains. With a swift pull, he revealed a hiddenpartment behind them. His hand closed around an object, and as he lifted it, a notification appeared in his vision.


    [Holy Key Fragment 1/5]


    [Description: ???]


    "Is that it?" Freya asked, excitement creeping into her voice.


    "I think so," Asher confirmed, still inspecting the fragment. His brow furrowed slightly as a sense of unease settled over him.


    "Wake Marce up, let''s get out of here." Asher''s instincts were on high alert, a voice in the back of his mind whispering that finding something this valuable without any resistance was too easy. ''It''s already weird that we found an item this valuable and nothing''s happened yet,'' he thought.


    Just as Freya reached out to wake Marce, the ground beneath the bed shifted. With a violent jolt, a golem shot up from underneath, sending Marce flying into the air.


    Without missing a beat, Asher activated [Mini Teleportation], appearing next to Marce just in time to catch her mid-flight andnd them both safely on the other side of the room.


    "Speak of the devil," Asher muttered as he gently set Marce down, eyeing the growing number of golems emerging from the ground. His sword gleamed in the dim light as he prepared for yet another battle.


    *


    *


    *


    Let''s switch things up a bit

 Chapter 102 Fragment and Enemies

    As Aiden, Finn, and Matthew arrived at the castle walls, they were immediately struck by the eerie emptiness that surrounded them. The massive stone walls, usually bustling with guards and watchmen, stood silent and deserted. Not a single soul was in sight.


    "Weird, where is everyone?" Matthew muttered, his voice echoing slightly in the stillness.


    "Come to think of it," Aiden added, his sharp eyes scanning the area more intently, "I don''t think I''ve seen a single person in this castle since we had breakfast." He turned, looking out toward the horizon, but saw nothing but the quietndscape.


    From their vantage point on the walls, they could see the sprawling city of Laxen below. The city''s cobblestone streets snaked through orderly districts of shops, homes, and bustling market squares. Even from this distance, they could make out the faint shimmer of the river cutting through the city, reflecting the sunlight.


    The view was almost picturesque, the kind of scene that would normally evoke a sense of peace and satisfaction. But today, with the castle eerily quiet, something felt deeply unsettling.


    "I have a bad feeling about this," Finn muttered, eyes narrowing as they cautiously moved along the wall. Suddenly, he stopped, pulling out his spear, the glimmering Midas Spear that seemed to hum withtent power.


    "And what do you n to do with that?" Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.


    "You''ll see," Finn replied, gripping the spear tightly before bringing it close to his chest. He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing intently.


    [Pathfinder]


    The Midas Spear began to glow faintly, a soft golden light surrounding its tip as it slowly lifted out of Finn''s hand and hovered in midair. The spear spun gently before pointing in a specific direction, moving steadily forward as if pulled by an invisible force.


    "Let''s go," Finn said, immediately following the spear as it glided ahead, leading the way.


    "Huh? What''s going on here?" Aiden asked, confused but intrigued as he jogged to keep up.


    "My spear can act like apass," Finn exined as they trailed behind the floating weapon. "It helps me find whatever treasure I desire at the moment. The catch is, I can only use it twice a day."


    The three of them followed the spear as it moved with precision through the battlements, its golden light illuminating the path ahead. As they ran behind it, the spear cut through the air smoothly as if it knew exactly where it was leading them.


    The excitement of the chase gripped them, but the eerie silence of the castle lingered in the back of their minds, making the whole experience feel slightly surreal.


    They were on the hunt for something valuable, but none of them could shake the feeling that something else was out there, waiting for them.


    "That''s convenient. Saves me the trouble of having to melt this whole ce to the ground, I guess," Aiden said with a smirk, ncing at the floating spear.


    Finn shot him a sharp look. "Hold up�� You were nning on destroying the whole castle walls, you moron?"


    The three of them continued moving, the eerie silence hanging heavy in the air. There was no one, not a single soul in sight as they traversed the stone battlements. Unlike in the castle where teleportation tforms made travel easier, the walls had no such convenience, forcing them to walk the entire way on foot.


    "Well, yeah," Aiden replied, nonchnt as ever. "It helps blow off some steam too."


    Finn groaned. "Ugh�� there''s no saving you, man. Let''s just get this over with."


    Matthew, trying to shift the mood, added, "The earlier we get this done, the better. We haven''t seen an opponent since we started this trial. It''s getting a bit..."


    "Boring?" Aiden interjected, interrupting Matthew''s thought. "Same here. They just sent us here to y house."


    "That''s exactly what I was thinking," Matthew agreed.


    Finn''s patience was wearing thin. "Well, stop thinking it before you really jinx this operation! I swear, if we get into that clich�� scenario where we have to fight some kind of guardian for the item, I''ll��"


    Before he could finish, the spear suddenly halted in midair, vibrating softly. Its glow intensified, pointing downward toward the base of the wall. A cold breeze swept through the air, and a low rumble echoed from below, as if something ancient had been stirred.


    Finn''s face dropped. "Oh, you''ve got to be kidding me��"


    "Hey, your spear stopped moving," Aiden interrupted, a smirk on his face as he nced at Finn. Explore more stories with m,v l''e-NovelBin


    Finn clenched his jaw, clearly annoyed. "Well, I can see that. I initiated the skill, after all."


    "Oh? I just thought you stopped paying attention or something. Did you say something?" Aiden replied, the nonchnt tone pushing Finn to his limit.


    "You��!" Finn''s temper red, and he lunged at Aiden, but Matthew quickly stepped in, grabbing him by the arm to hold him back.


    "Let go of me!" Finn yelled, struggling against Matthew''s grip.


    The scene almost lookedical, with Finn angrily trying to escape Matthew''s hold while Aiden stood there with a smirk, clearly enjoying the chaos. The tension between Finn and Aiden was palpable, yet there was something strangely routine about it, like this wasn''t the first time they''d shed like this.


    Matthew sighed heavily, his hand still gripping Finn''s arm. "Gosh, you two. I''m still wondering why one of you hasn''t killed the other yet. I mean, you share a room together, don''t you?"


    "That''s because *you* stole the most preferable roommate," Aiden quipped.


    "Yeah, you have no right to talk," Finn added, still fuming. "Let''s not even get started on *Jett* sharing a room with a girl."


    "That has to be ten times better than what we got," Aiden shot back, pointing at Finn. "We''re stuck with each other."


    For a brief moment, it seemed like they hadpletely forgotten why they were even there. Their banter filled the air, easing the tension in a strange, almost friendly way.


    Matthew rolled his eyes, finally letting Finn go. "Alright, alright, I get it. You two actually have pretty good coordination��when you''re not trying to tear each other apart."


    "Let''s just focus on why we''re here," Matthew reminded them, his tone more serious as he motioned toward the spear.


    Finn, grumbling under his breath, walked up to the Midas spear, which was now stuck in the ground. He yanked it free with one swift motion, revealing something odd right beside where it hadnded. His eyes narrowed as he bent down and picked up the item.


    It was strange, almost otherworldly in design, like a fusion of metal and crystal. The second his fingers brushed against it, a notification appeared in front of him.


    [Holy Key Fragment 1/5]


    [Description: ???]


    "Well, would you look at that," Finn muttered, examining the fragment closely. "Guess we''re one step closer."


    As they approached the grand doors leading to the throne room, Cedric''s eyes scanned the empty corridor. "Don''t you guys find it suspicious? We haven''t met a single person all the way here," he said, a trace of unease in his voice.


    "Yeah," Rey agreed, his gaze narrowing. "It''s a bit unsettling."


    Jett, who had been silent for most of the walk, chimed in. "Makes me wonder if something happened to the others. What if it''s the same thing that happened to Morrigan and Seraphina?"


    The massive doors loomed before them, and with no guards in sight, they had to open them themselves. As they pushed the doors, the weight of the silence that followed was almost suffocating. The throne room was vast, but to their surprise, it waspletely empty.


    No courtiers, no advisors, no king. The entire room was devoid of life, leaving the air thick with an eerie stillness.


    They fanned out, scanning the room for any sign of life or movement. The marble floors echoed their footsteps as they searched, but it was as though the castle had been abandoned long ago. Just when they were about to give up, Cedric froze, eyes fixed on the throne.


    "Hey guys," he called out, his voice tinged with confusion. "Correct me if I''m wrong, but wasn''t that throne empty just a second ago?"


    Rey and Jett turned toward the throne. The once-vacant seat now held the king. He sat there, unmoving, as though he had materialized out of thin air. His posture was regal, but something was horribly off. His eyes, as ck as night, stared nkly ahead. His face was devoid of expression, frozen in time.


    "This has to be some weird case of d��j�� vu," Rey muttered, feeling a chill crawl up his spine.


    "Something definitely isn''t right," Jett agreed, his voice low and tense. His mind raced with possibilities, none of themforting. "What do we do now?"


    The oppressive silence of the throne room weighed heavily on them as they waited for the king to speak, to move�� anything. But the king remained still, a haunting figure on his throne, as though he were nothing more than a lifeless puppet.


    As the tension thickened, the group stood on high alert, their weapons ready for anything that might unfold. Every muscle in Rey''s body was taut, eyes scanning the room, his instincts screaming that something was about to happen. "You obviously have a way to find this item, right?" Rey asked, breaking the silence as he nced at Jett.


    Jett nodded, his usual confidence masked by an undercurrent of unease. "Yeah, I do."


    "Good. Just look for the item. We''ll keep watch around here." Rey''s voice was steady, but his narrowed eyes remained fixed on the unmoving king. "Something doesn''t sit right with me on this one, but just do your thing."


    Jett activated his skill,


    [Treasure Hunter]


    He began to search around the throne room, carefully avoiding the throne itself while Rey and Cedric stayed on guard, maintaining a safe distance from the king. For three long minutes, Jett scoured every corner, from the borate tapestries to the ornate carvings along the walls. Despite his methodical search, the aura of treasure remained elusive, and not a single valuable item was detected.


    The eerie silence persisted. The king hadn''t budged an inch, his haunting, vacant eyes still locked forward, watching nothing.


    As Jett circled the room again, avoiding the throne, Rey and Cedric exchanged a nce, their unease growing. They kept an unwavering watch on the king, neither willing to get too close nor take their eyes off the figure.


    All the while, a nagging thought gnawed at Jett''s mind. He had tried to push it aside, dismiss it as irrational, but after a fruitless search, curiosity finally got the better of him. There was no more avoiding it.


    Jett took a deep breath, his steps careful as he approached the throne. He stopped a mere five meters away from the king, keeping a respectful distance but close enough to feel the oppressive aura surrounding the figure.


    "I had a feeling this would happen when he appeared out of nowhere," Jett sighed, a sense of dread settling in his chest.


    Rey''s voice cut through the thick air. "So...?"


    Jett exhaled, knowing exactly what needed to be said. "Thest item is the crown." His eyes locked onto the ornate piece resting on the king''s head. "And as easy as it looks, there''s no way we''re taking it without a fight."


    All eyes shifted toward the king. His stillness, once merely unsettling, now felt like the calm before the storm. The crown glinted ominously atop his head, the final piece of their quest: and likely the key to unleashing whatever dark powery dormant in the room.


    The tension in the air became palpable as the three of them braced for the inevitable confrontation, each one preparing for what was sure to be an intense battle.


    *


    *


    *


    Is that a ghost?

 Chapter 103 Fragments and Enemies II

    The tension hung in the air as they pondered their next move. The weight of the situation bore down on them, making even the simplest question feel monumental.


    "So, who''s going to take it?" Cedric asked, his voice tinged with apprehension as he gestured toward the crown.


    "I''ll do it," Jett replied without hesitation.


    Rey raised an eyebrow, his concern apparent. "You sure you don''t want me to do this one? Maybe I''ll have plot armor on my side," he joked, attempting to lighten the atmosphere.


    Jett sighed, not amused. "Stop treating this like a game. We could actually die here." His eyes scanned the king from a safe distance, calcting the risk.


    "What''s the n?" Cedric asked, sharing Rey''s concern. "It could be a trap."


    "Of course it is..." Rey began, but before he could finish, Jett interrupted.


    "Got it," Jett dered, holding the crown in his hand.


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    "How!?" Rey half-yelled in disbelief, his eyes wide.


    In the span of just a few seconds, while they had been talking, Jett had activated [Tactical Mirage], creating a subtle illusion of himself while darting toward the king. With quick and precise, nearly imperceptible movements, he had snatched the crown from the king''s head without anyone noticing.


    "You think I''d offer to take something like this if I wasn''t confident?" Jett smirked, twirling the crown between his fingers.


    A notification shed before him.


    [Holy Key Fragment 1/5]


    [Description: ???]


    "Cool, looks like we''re on the right track," Jett said, his smirk widening as he admired the crown.


    For a moment, the group felt a wave of relief wash over them. The tension that had gripped them seemed to dissolve, and for the first time since they entered the throne room, they rxed.


    But the brief celebration didn''tst long. A new notification appeared before Jett.


    [Warning: The King awakens!]


    The air thickened instantly, the ominous weight of the notification pressing down on them as they instinctively shifted back toward a defensive stance. The king, once still and lifeless, began to stir. His ck, hollow eyes flickered with a dark energy as a low, unnatural groan escaped his lips.


    "Looks like we triggered something after all," Rey muttered, his hand gripping his weapon tightly.


    Jett''s smirk faded as he readied himself. "I knew this was too easy."


    [Temporary Title: Crown Snatcher]


    [You have stolen the king''s crown.]


    [Penalty: 40% overall reduction of all skills and stats. Additional 10% if not rted to the Rogue ss.]


    [Duration: 5 days]


    "You have got to be kidding me," Jett muttered, his face twisting into a sour grimace as he stared at the message.


    Rey nced over and couldn''t resist. "Hey, you look like you''ve got a bad case of diarrhea."


    Jett shot him a re. "I just got a 50% reduction on everything. I''m 50% weaker right now."


    Rey sighed, smirking. "You have such wonderful luck. Don''t worry, I''ll protect you."


    Jett, despite the situation, managed a grin. "As much as I''d love to take you up on that, prince charming, I can still give you a run for your money even with this penalty."


    Before Rey could respond, Cedric interrupted, tapping Jett from behind, his expression tense yet managing a nervous smile. "Stop joking around. We should focus."


    "Didn''t something like that happen to you the first time we met?" Cedric asked, his tone casual, as if the gravity of what Jett had just revealed hadn''t fully sunk in yet.


    Jett raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"


    "Well, damn," Rey interjected, still trying to make light of the situation, "I knew you were well off, but I didn''t think it was that far."


    Cedric''s eyes widened, a mix of realization and shock dawning on him. "He''s not joking?" he asked, his voice shaky.


    Jett and Rey both turned to look at him as if he should''ve already known this. Their expressions were abination of mild amusement and disbelief.


    "Seriously, Cedric?" Rey said, shaking his head. "I thought you were keeping up."


    "Yeah, I''m only half-power right now," Jett said nonchntly. "But it''s not like I''m weaker than you guys inbat power. If anything, you could say that ourbat power just got even thanks to it."


    "That''s insane," Cedric muttered in disbelief. "Then, if you''re really able to keep up with Rey even after losing 50% of everything, doesn''t that put you close to a hundred in level?"


    "Yeah, that''s about right," Rey responded offhandedly.


    For a moment, Rey''s casual expression shifted into something more thoughtful. He hadn''t really considered the implications until now, and the realization left him more impressed than ever.


    "You''re usually very conservative about things like this," Rey said, his eyes narrowing with curiosity as a little smirk yed on his lips. "So, what changed? Did you by any chance make a deal with the devil?"


    Before Jett could reply, the throne room began to stir. The once motionless king finally stood, his dark, expressionless eyes gleaming. At the same time, several guards and towering golems appeared out of nowhere, armed to the teeth and ready for battle.


    "If by devil, you mean a self-entitled, immature man-child," Jett smirked, "then yes."


    *****


    "I can''t believe they can all fit in a single room," Freya said, her eyes wide as she took in the sight of the twelve massive golems, all primed to attack.


    Five of the golems lumbered toward Freya, their heavy footfalls shaking the floor. Their stone bodies gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen, and each wielded enormous weapons��axes, swords, and hammers.


    "This really doesn''t look good," Asher sighed, ncing at Marce, who was slowly waking up. Her movements were sluggish, as though she were fighting off a deep remorse.


    Without hesitation, Asher acted. "Catch!" he yelled, tossing Marce gently in Freya''s direction.


    Marce crashed into the ground beside Freya with a dull thud, just as the massive golems loomed overhead. Their stone weapons swung down, poised to strike, but then, without warning, they stopped. The heavy des and hammers hovered just an inch away from Freya and Marce, frozen in ce.


    "Ugh... what''s going on?" Marce groaned, slowly regaining consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open, only to widen as she noticed the golems towering above them, their weapons perilously close.


    High above, Asher clung to the ceiling, his shadow tendrils tightly wrapped around the stone beams. Using his threads, he had managed to hold five of the golems in ce. But despite his efforts, the remaining golems were still advancing.


    Freya acted quickly.


    [Chains of Restriction]


    She called out, summoning radiant chains of light that burst forth from the ground. The glowing chains coiled around the remaining golems, locking them in ce. "I may not be able to attack you guys, but no one does defense and support better than me!" she boasted, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. "Hurry, though, I can only keep this up for ten more seconds!"


    Marce, now fully awake, grinned at Freya''s deration. "Nice work!" she said, rising to her feet, ready for action.


    Asher, his voice echoing from above, added, "We''ll take it from here." In a blink, he vanished.


    [Backstab]


    Asher''s de materialized behind one of the golems, striking its vulnerable point with precision.


    [Blood Explosion]


    The golem''s body shuddered as cracks spread across its surface, before erupting into a cloud of shattered stone and debris.


    Marce wasted no time, striking another golem. With swift, lethal attacks, she and Asher dismantled the golems one by one. As they fell, there was a momentary stillness in the room.


    "That''s thest of them," Marce said, brushing off some dust.


    With their taskpleted, Asher quickly contacted Rey via theirmunication link.


    -Asher- "We got the fragment."


    -Rey- "Damn,e help us out! We''re up against a king and a few too many guards!"


    -Elora- "Bad timing, We''ve got a mess of our own to clean up over here."


    Aiden: "Cool, but we''re busy over here."


    "Seems like we''re not the only ones. Rey says they need some help, so let''s get going." Asher said, leading the way toward the throne room.


    *****


    In a serene yet eerily quiet garden, Elora nced at the frozen ground beneath her boots, a hint of worry crossing her face. "I hope we''re permitted to ruin this garden, though. There''s no way we''re taking these things down without coteral damage."


    "Haven''t you noticed?" Rosa interjected, her gaze scanning the surroundings. "We haven''te across anyone for a really long time now. It''s like the ce has been deserted."


    Evelina, weaving between the golems'' attacks, loosed arrow after arrow. Each was aimed with precision, striking at the cores of the hulking constructs.


    [Snipe]


    [Scatter Shot]


    She called out, her arrows splitting midair, finding their targets with practiced ease. Despite her skill, she struggled to keep pace. "Really wish you guys would stop chatting and help me restrain these things! These monsters are definitely stronger than I am," Evelina grumbled, her movements growing more frantic as the golems pressed forward.


    "I used up most of my MP, but I think I can��" Rosa began, preparing a spell.


    "Save it." Elora interrupted, stepping forward with purpose. Her eyes sharpened with focus as she unsheathed both of her des and stabbed them into the ground. "I''ll handle this."


    The air around Elora shimmered with icy energy as she casted a spell.


    {Ice Garden}


    An enormous wave of frost expanded from her position, instantly nketing the once-beautiful garden in a thickyer of ice. The golems, caught in the sudden freeze, were rendered motionless, their stone bodies encased in frost.


    In an instant, the battlefield had transformed into a glittering, frozen wastnd. Even the towering golems had been halted, their limbs locked in ce by the thick frost.


    "We''ve got sixty seconds before they break free," Elora said, turning toward Evelina and pointing in the direction she should go. "Move quickly."


    Evelina smirked, already on the move. "Sixty seconds? That''s more than enough." She dashed forward, her arrows at the ready, knowing the icy reprieve had bought her just enough time to finish the job.


    Elora and Evelina exchanged a quick nod before splitting off in opposite directions, leaving Rosa to deal with thest two frozen golems.


    "Could''ve at least taken care of these two," Rosa sighed, flexing her fingers as she prepared a spell. "Guess it''s up to me."


    She summoned her magic, and with a swift motion, a whip made of vines and thorns materialized in her hand.


    {Thorn Whip}


    The enchanted weapon wrapped tightly around the frozen golems, the thorns digging into their icy shells. Rosa yanked, shattering the golems into fragments, including their cores. She dusted her hands off, satisfied with the clean destruction.


    Meanwhile, Elora charged forward with unstoppable momentum, her swords shing through golems with pure brute force. Each strike shattered the frozen constructs effortlessly, her raw strength enough to break them apart without magic.


    At the same time, Evelina notched a special set of arrows crafted by Cedric, a smirk ying on her lips as she pulled back the bowstring.


    [Mark], she whispered, imbuing the arrows with Aura before releasing them.


    Two arrows, infused with wind attributes, shot forward with a sudden burst of speed, slicing through the air and piercing through the golems'' cores with precision. The added momentum from the wind made the arrows unstoppable. A third arrow, crackling with fire, struck one of the golems. The moment itnded, it exploded in a brilliant burst of me, reducing the target to rubble.


    "How do you like Cedric''s elemental arrows?" Evelina asked cheerfully, admiring the swift destruction.


    With their teamwork, the group took down the golems in record time. Elora quickly contacted the others.


    -Elora- "All done here. We''ll meet you guys at the throne room."


    *****


    Back in the throne room, things were less smooth. Jett, Rey, and Cedric faced a relentless barrage from the golems, soldiers, and the unnerving king, who moved with surprising strength. Despite their efforts, Jett noticed an irritating pattern.


    "Hey, guys, is it just me, or are these guys onlying after me?" Jett asked, dodging another attack, only to be blindsided by a group of soldiers who dove at him out of nowhere.


    "Jett!" Rey yelled, his voice filled with urgency as he watched Jett get swarmed. Desperation surged in Rey''s chest. "Master Dragon, I need you!"


    With a roar, Rey''s pet, the fierce Master Dragon, burst onto the battlefield. mes of pure and holy fire flickered from its maw as it took to the skies, ready to even the odds.


    *


    *


    *


    Hehehe Jett...

 Chapter 104 Fragments and Enemies III

    Without warning, Reymanded his Master Dragon to unleash a torrent of mes, breaking up the cluster of enemies swarming Jett and giving him the precious seconds needed to escape the impending doom.


    "I owe you one," Jett huffed, catching his breath as he dodged yet another swing. "Where are these guys evening from? And this damn king won''t give me a second to rest."


    "No idea," Rey replied, keeping his eyes on the fight. "We just have to hold out till the others get here."


    Cedric, seeing the overwhelming number of enemies constantly respawning with each one they cut down, knew it was time to call in his own support. "Forge Turtle, we need some help here!"


    With a rumbling sound, Cedric''s Forge Turtle emerged from his side, its molten shell glowing with intense heat. More enemies continued to swarm, their numbers seeming endless, while the king lurked, making asional, precise sneak attacks at Jett, aiming for him whenever he let his guard down. Each strike was unnervingly urate, targeting Jett with pinpoint precision.


    "Go, Forge Turtle! [Rebound Attack]!" Cedric shouted.


    Forge Turtleunched itself into the fray, its massive shell spinning like a fiery boulder. It bounced from one enemy to the next, knocking them aside with devastating impact. The golems and soldiers crumbled under the sheer force of its attack, making it easier for Cedric to finish off the remaining enemies with swift strikes. With each hit Forge Turtlended, Cedric''s defense increased.


    Thanks to the turtle''s power, Cedric was also able to share his enhanced defense with Jett and Rey, reducing the damage they took.


    Despite this newfound advantage, the king stayed clear of the main fighting. He watched from the shadows, only making his move when Jett appeared vulnerable. Each time, the king''s attacks were wless, slipping past Jett''s defenses with unsettling ease, forcing him to keep dodging or risk getting hit.


    "You must be really lucky, Jett," Rey joked between breaths as he parried another strike. "You''ve got a stalker and a fan all in one!"


    "Shut up, man. How can you even joke at a time like this?" Jett grumbled, quickly popping a healing pill into his mouth while deflecting a few iing attacks.


    "You still don''t get it?" Rey smirked as he skillfully parried a blow with ease. "You''re a monster ma right now. Cedric and I? We''re barely being pressured: we''re just here ying bodyguard."


    As much as Jett hated to admit it, Rey was right. The overwhelming swarm of enemies seemed entirely focused on him. Golems, soldiers, even the king: they all zeroed in on Jett like he had a massive target on his back. Meanwhile, Rey and Cedric were practically in cruise control, only stepping in to block the odd strike.


    "Hey, guys��" Cedric''s voice cut through the chaos as he swung his sword. "This probably isn''t the best time to reminisce, but remember our third trial?"


    "You mean the one with those undead when Freya blew all our minds? Yeah, how could I forget? Why are you bringing that up now though?" Rey asked, dodging a swing as he spoke.


    Even though they were fighting for their lives, Cedric had a point. They all remembered that trial vividly. It was the first time they had worked together to pull off aplex strategy: and they''d barely survived.


    "We could use that same tactic we used then," Cedric suggested while blocking an enemy''s strike. "Jett acts as bait, draws them all in, and we hit ''em with an AoE attack when they''re clustered together."


    "That''s actually not bad," Jett nodded while parrying an iing blow. "Rey, you on board? I even have the perfect skill for this."


    "Well, it''s not like we have much choice," Rey agreed, giving Jett a quick nce while keeping his guard up.


    With the n in motion, Rey and Cedric gave the enemies enough space to regroup around Jett. The horde swarmed him, driven by some unseen force as if programmed to attack him and him alone. Jett skillfully danced around their strikes, baiting them deeper and deeper into the trap. As soon as the enemies were clustered tight around him, he unleashed his skill.


    [Inferno]


    Rey activated the powerful fire-based AoE attack.


    mes erupted from the ground, engulfing the enemies around him in a searing ze. Golems and soldiers alike were caught in the fiery onught, their numbers thinning rapidly.


    The tactic worked beautifully: Rey followed up with his own devastating strikes, timing his attacks right after Jett''s skill, while Cedric held the line, reinforcing their defenses and protecting them from any counterattacks.


    They alternated seamlessly, Jett setting the stage with [Inferno] and Rey cleaning up with heavy-hitting follow-up moves. Meanwhile, Cedric''s defense boosts from Forge Turtle kept them protected as they carved through the waves of enemies.


    Now, the pressing issue was clear: how were they going to escape?


    *****


    Finn''s Group


    [Spear Throw]


    Finn hurled his spear with impressive force, the weapon cutting through the air and embedding itself in two golems, shattering their cores instantly.


    "God help the bastards who designed this ce," Finn grumbled, wiping sweat from his brow.


    Meanwhile, Matthew barreled through two more golems, his massive frame making short work of their defenses. He swung his axe in a wide arc, cleaving into the third golem and smashing its core with one heavy strike.


    "We''re almost done here, now for the main event," Aiden said with a smirk as he charged forward.


    {me Sword}


    [Sword Dance]


    Aiden moved like a whirlwind, his ming sword cutting through the air with fluid grace. He spun and twisted with precision, each strike perfectly aimed at the cores of the remaining golems, breaking them apart in a cascade of fiery bursts.


    "We''re done here," Aiden stated as they finished off thest of the enemies. Without wasting a second, they sprinted toward the throne room.


    *****


    At the Throne Room


    Asher''s group arrived first,ing to an abrupt halt at the imposing door. It was massive and unyielding, not budging an inch no matter how hard they pushed or tried to manipte it.


    "We''ve tried everything," Asher said, frustration creeping into his voice as he yanked at the handle again in vain.


    Elora''s group soon joined them, each of them panting from the sprint, but even with theirbined efforts, the door remained firmly shut.


    Even when Aiden''s group finally caught up, they still couldn''t find a way in.


    "This is ridiculous. What do we do now?" Matthew growled, punching the door with frustration, his heavy fists thudding uselessly against the wood.


    "If we can''t help them, we should at least try to get thest fragment," Asher suggested, his gaze sharp as he thought it through. "It''s very possible the door won''t open until they''ve defeated whatever is waiting inside."


    "Can''t argue with that logic, I guess," Elora sighed, crossing her arms as she studied the door.


    "Then let''s go get it. The faster we get the fragment, the faster we regroup with them," Aiden said with urgency.


    *****


    The group gathered in the final marked location on the map: the princess''s room. Unlike the previous areas, where they had to search high and low for fragments, this one sat right on the floor beside the bed, almost as if someone had deliberately ced it there.


    There was a brief moment of silence as they all stared at the fragment. Some of them felt relieved, while others were uneasy.


    "This feels too easy," Aiden muttered.


    "Yeah, like we''re being set up for something," Rosa added, arms crossed.


    "Is this a blessing or a curse?" Elora asked, her brow furrowed in suspicion.


    Asher stepped forward, ready to pick up the fragment, but paused when he noticed a strange mark next to it. His eyes narrowed as recognition dawned on him: it was the same mark Seraphina had drawn before being sucked into that hidden tunnel.


    "I''ve got good news and bad news," Asher announced, straightening up. "Which do you want to hear first?"


    "The bad news," Evelina answered without hesitation, bracing herself.


    Asher sighed. "It''s very likely that once we pick up this fragment, we''ll get forcefully teleported to a new area. And it''s also possible that the ce might be dangerous."


    Everyone exchanged wary nces.


    "And the good news?" Freya asked, trying to keep the mood somewhat hopeful.


    "I know where Seraphina and Marce might be," Asher said, but his tone didn''t carry the relief one might expect. "Though, I guess there''s more bad news."


    Finn groaned, already anticipating it. "Let me guess, they were taken by force to this unknown location?"


    "Yeah, exactly," Asher replied with a smirk. "A bit surprised you were the one with the answer."


    Finn shrugged. "Hey, I''m money-minded, not stupid."


    "So, what do we do now?" Finn asked, the weight of the situation settling in.


    Asher looked around at the group, everyone waiting for the n. "We don''t have much choice. We''ll have to take the fragment and deal with whatever happens next. But at least now we have a lead on where they are."


    "Then let''s make sure we''re ready for whatever''sing," Aiden said, gripping his sword tightly.


    With their next steps decided, they prepared for the inevitable, knowing that danger was just around the corner.


    *


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    Don''t forget to give your favorite character a vote

 Chapter 105 King Slayer

    A group of cloaked figures stood huddled beneath the academy, the cold stone walls of the underground chamber barely lit by flickering torches. The atmosphere was tense, their frustration palpable.


    "We''ve been searching this godforsaken academy for months now, and still nothing?" Vinn''s voice cut through the silence,ced with impatience. He mmed his fist into the table in front of him, rattling the group. "Find me that Dream Hound!"


    "But boss, we haven''t got a clue where it is," one of the followers stammered, shrinking back. "They really hid it well."


    Vinn sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Our grace period with the old man is drawing to a close sooner than expected. We''re running out of time." He narrowed his eyes. "Who even allowed you idiots to attack a student directly?"


    Confusion spread through the group like wildfire. The cloaked figures exchanged baffled nces, whispering among themselves.


    "We did no such thing, boss!" one of them protested, stepping forward. "We''ve done everything in our power to stay out of sight."


    "Did no such thing?" Vinn''s voice was sharp as he red at them. "Tell that to the personnel hot on our tail! Who knew you all would be this ipetent. I specifically ordered no contact with the students, didn''t I?"


    "Boss, we swear, we''ve tried our best to stay hidden," another follower piped up, their voice pleading. "We never came into contact with anyone."


    Vinn clenched his jaw, his patience wearing thin. "Then who was it, huh? If none of you did it, then who in the zes��"


    Suddenly, a cold, windy presence swept through the chamber, chilling them to their bones. The air shifted, and an eerie, swirling gust circled around them.


    A figure slowly emerged from the shadows, stepping into the dim light with an unsettling grace. Cloaked in darkness, their voice was calm but carried a sinister undertone. "That would be me."


    Gwendolyn''s face slowly came into view, her sharp, mischievous eyes taking in the scene with a smug confidence. The cloaked men stared in disbelief, momentarily paralyzed by the audacity of this intruder. No one dared to move, not out of fear, but uncertainty about who she was or what she intended.


    Vinn, not one to cower, fixed his re on her, his voice deepening into something more menacing. "Staff uniform? Who the hell are you?"


    Gwendolyn, however, seemed entirely unfazed, a faint smile ying on her lips. "Oh, cut it out," she teased, her tone light and mocking. "I literally heard your real voice like five seconds ago."


    Vinn''s jaw clenched, his pride bruised. "Who the hell are you, anyway?" he repeated, trying to regain hisposure, his embarrassment barely concealed.


    "Oh, you don''t know who I am? That''s cute," Gwen replied as she casually strode closer to him, her gaze unwavering. "But I know who you are. Nice hiding spot by the way, it''s very�� hmm, quaint?"


    "Yeah, yeah, I get it." Vinn cut her off, clearly not in the mood for idle chatter. "This was the best we could do. Now, who are you and what do you want with us?" His voice grew darker as his patience thinned. "If you don''t have anything reasonable to say, get ready to die."


    Gwendolyn''s smile widened as she let out a smallugh,pletely unfazed by his threat. "Aww, and here I thought you''d be more eager to get help saving your sister."


    At the mention of his sister, Vinn''s expression twisted in fury. His entire body tensed as his Aura red up, wild and fierce, crackling around him like a raging storm. The pressure in the chamber grew heavy as his power surged, sending ripples of energy through the air. His followers staggered under the weight of it, barely able to stay on their feet.


    "What did you just say?" Vinn snarled, his voice thick with anger as he prepared to attack.


    Despite the overwhelming force of his Aura, Gwendolyn stood her ground without so much as a flinch, her smile never faltering. While the others struggled to remain upright, she remainedpletely unaffected, as though the intense pressure swirling around her was nothing more than a gentle breeze.


    "Let''s make a deal," Gwen said smoothly as she walked closer to Vinn,pletely ignoring his battle stance and the violent Aura radiating from him. Her confidence was unwavering, and the danger in the air seemed to have no effect on her. "You help me get what I want, and I''ll help you get what you want."


    Vinn''s Aura flickered slightly, his rage subsiding as her words registered. Slowly, the tension in his posture eased, though his eyes remained wary. He lowered his arms, the murderous intent in the room dissipating.


    "I see you''re not as dumb as you look," Gwendolyn remarked with a sly grin, the air around her still light and mocking.


    "What do you want?" Vinn asked, his voiceced with distaste. He clearly didn''t trust her, but the mention of his sister had piqued his interest.


    "Help me take out the Divine Lords," Gwendolyn whispered, leaning in slightly, "and I''ll help you with your sister problem."


    Her words were quiet, but the weight of her offer hung heavily in the air. "So, what do you say?"


    *****


    "Where the hell are theying from? I don''t see any summoner," Jettined, his eyes darting around as he defended himself from yet another wave of soldiers. Each swing of his weapon was bing heavier, and he couldn''t shake the growing fatigue that clung to him.


    Then, something clicked. Every time the king managed tond a hit on him, Jett felt his strength drain, bit by bit. It wasn''t immediate, but each blow from the king made him weaker, causing him to struggle more in battle.


    "We really need to end this quickly!" Rey shouted, desperation creeping into his voice.


    "The King! You have to take him out!" Cedric yelled from a distance, directing his words at Jett, who was much closer to the royal opponent.


    "But he''s the king! He''s literally our employer!" Jett tried to argue, the conflict in his mind visible as he fought off another attacker.


    "Just do it. Live to fight another day, right?" Rey said, clearly exhausted, his voice strained. Even Master Dragon and Forge Turtle had reached their limit, both now resting on the battlefield, spent from the fight.


    Jett took a deep breath, looking toward the king. "Here goes nothing," he muttered, steeling himself. He leaped upward, pushing through the exhaustion with a final burst of strength, his eyes locked on the king.


    [Spellde Dance]


    In an instant, twenty ethereal swords materialized behind Jett, each one glowing with a different elemental attribute that hemanded: fire, water, darkness, and more. The swords hovered, their energies crackling in the air. Jett knew controlling all twenty would be a challenge, but he quickly adjusted, adding more points to his perception stat.


    With his heightened senses, he managed to gain better control, albeit with some strain.


    Heunched ten of the swords toward the king in a sudden burst of power. The king, caught off guard, tried to block but was overwhelmed. Though some of the attacks were deflected, the sheer force of the barrage pushed him back several paces, his armor dented and hisposure shaken.


    With the remaining ten swords, Jett unleashed a relentless assault. The air around the king crackled as if ten different warriors were striking at once. The king struggled to keep up, his defenses faltering as he was forced to parry from multiple angles. Sparks flew as the des shed, the impact of each blow wearing him down bit by bit.


    "Can you do that?" Cedric asked, his voice filled with awe as he watched the scene unfold before him.


    "I don''t think so," Rey replied, equally astonished by Jett''s skill and sheer tenacity. They both stood back, doing their part to keep the remaining enemies at bay, ensuring that no one could interfere with Jett''s battle against the king.


    [Ricochet Strike]


    Jett used the momentum of his swords topensate for hisck of raw speed. The des whizzed through the air, rebounding off surfaces and striking the king from unpredictable angles. Each hit connected in rapid session, disorienting the king and leaving him vulnerable. It was clear that Jett''s strategy was working: the king''s movements became sluggish, his breathingbored.


    Finally, the opportunity Jett had been waiting for presented itself. The king faltered, his defensespletely exposed. Jett didn''t hesitate. With a final, powerful strike, he thrust one of the elemental swords directly into the king''s chest, thebined force of all the elements exploding in a brilliant sh of light.


    The king let out a guttural cry before copsing, his massive form hitting the ground with a resounding thud. As soon as he fell, the golems and guards that had been attacking them stopped moving, their glowing eyes dimming as they stood frozen in ce, like lifeless statues.


    Jett, Rey, and Cedric, drained of all energy, copsed onto the floor, gasping for air. The battle was finally over, but the toll on their bodies was immense.


    "We did it," Jett muttered between breaths, staring up at the ceiling, feeling the exhaustion wash over him like a wave. The silence that followed was both eerie and relieving as the battlefield became still.


    *****


    "Alright everyone, bring out the fragments you obtained," Asher instructed, though his voice betrayed his uncertainty about what to do next.


    One by one, the groups approached him, each handing over their piece of the mysterious artifact. Asher''s group, followed by Finn''s, and Elora''s, all ced their fragments into Asher''s hands. The four small, shimmering pieces fit together in his palm, their faint glow pulsing with a soft light.


    When Asher had all four fragments, a notification popped up in front of his eyes.


    [Holy Key Fragment 4/5]


    [Description: An item can be formed. ???]


    Asher frowned at the message, confusion setting in. "Who''s good with puzzles?"


    Without a word, Freya stepped forward and snatched the fragments from his hand, her sharp eyes studying each piece carefully. "Give me that," she muttered, turning the fragments in her hands. Her fingers moved deftly, fitting each fragment together like pieces of a puzzle. Slowly, they clicked into ce, forming the unmistakable shape of a key.


    "A key, huh? So now what?" Finn asked, staring at the glowing object in Freya''s hands.


    Suddenly, without warning, Finn''s staff began to glow, casting a soft light that matched the key''s radiance. The light intensified, and the key in Freya''s hand responded, glowing brighter as well. Then, with a loud creak, the massive bed in the room abruptly sprang upward, revealing a hidden passage beneath it.


    Everyone stared in stunned silence at the secret tunnel that had just appeared. The air was thick with disbelief as they turned to Finn, who looked equally baffled by the sudden turn of events.


    Aiden, his eyes locked on the passage, broke the silence. "Hey, Finn."


    "Yeah?" Finn replied, still gazing at the passageway in shock.


    "How did you say you got that spear again?" Aiden asked, his tone full of curiosity.


    Finn held his spear forward, his brow furrowed as he examined it more closely. "A quest I did with Jett," he answered, his voice trailing off as if he were piecing things together in his mind.


    *****


    [[Title: Destiny Repeats Itself]]


    [[Title: King yer]]


    [[Retrieving Memory Fragments��]]


    [[Sessor of ???]]


    *


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    The double bracket

 Chapter 106 Who are you anyways?

    [[Title: Destiny Repeats Itself]]


    [[Title: King yer]]


    [[Retrieving Memory Fragments��]]


    [[Sessor of ???]]


    [[Transporting Host��]]


    [[Please wait��]]


    *****


    Jett slowly blinked his eyes open, his mind sluggish as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. Except there was nothing. Literally nothing. No walls, no ground, no sky: just an infinite expanse of emptiness, as if he were floating in a vacuum. The silence was oppressive, a stark contrast to the chaotic battle he had just been in.


    He couldn''t even feel the ground beneath him, though he somehow remained upright.


    "What the hell?" Jett half-screamed, his voice echoing in the void around him. Panic red as his instincts kicked in, but no matter where he looked, there was only nothingness. His thoughts raced, trying to make sense of the eerie situation.


    The emptiness wasn''t just around him: it felt empty. There was no air, no sensation of time or space. It was as though the world itself had vanished.


    "So, you''re finally awake," a voice interrupted the silence. The tone was deep and calm, belonging to an elderly man. Jett instinctively turned toward it.


    Standing a few meters away was a man, his build surprisingly solid for his apparent age. His skin was weathered, his posture stoic, yet the most unsettling thing was his bloodstained attire: so soaked in crimson that it was impossible to tell if it was his own or someone else''s.


    The scabbard at his side held no sword, and his face wore an expression of deep regret and sorrow, as though burdened by an unimaginable loss.


    Jett tensed, his eyes scanning the old man carefully. "Who are you?" he asked, his tone cautious. He tried to conceal the unease creeping up his spine.


    The old man remained silent, his gaze fixed somewhere far away, staring into the abyss that surrounded them. He didn''t even acknowledge Jett''s presence, not a flicker of recognition in his eyes.


    "Hey, you okay though?" Jett asked, noting the sheer amount of blood on the man''s clothing. "That''s a lot of blood. You sure you''re not, like... dying?"


    Still, the man gave no response, his silence unbroken. It was as though Jett''s words didn''t reach him.


    Jett frowned, feeling restless. "So, you won''t answer me, huh?" he muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing in frustration. ''What''s his deal, anyway?'' Jett thought, ncing around again, still hoping for some clue about where he was: or how to get out.


    After what felt like an eternity, the old man finally moved. He sighed, long and slow, and then: without warning, he appeared directly in front of Jett in a blur of speed. His eyes, now sharp and scrutinizing, scanned Jett''s body with an intensity that sent chills down his spine.


    "I see..." the man said, his voice softer yet weighted with meaning, "So you''re the one he chose."


    "Hey, hey, hey, cut it out! What are you even talking about?" Jett said, immediately creating some distance between them. The speed at which the old man had moved was on another level, and Jett knew better than to let his guard down now. A thousand questions raced through his mind, only adding to his growing unease. "Where are we, anyway? Who are you?


    How did you get here?"


    The old man turned away from Jett, his eyes once again gazing into the empty expanse around them. His voice, hollow and detached, echoed in the void. "This is my domain, my worth, my thoughts... and my prison."


    Jett raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "That''s a really miserable way of saying you''re stuck here and lonely," he scoffed, shaking his head. "Let me guess: you were sealed here for thousands of years because of something you did, or maybe something you wanted to do. And now I''m your ticket out of here, right? ssic."


    "You''re not totally wrong��" the old man began, his tone shifting as if he were about to exin further.


    But Jett wasn''t in the mood to let him finish. "Not happening though," Jett interrupted, crossing his arms as he leaned back slightly. "I''m not in the business of freeing mysterious old men from their eternal prisons. However, I might be willing to find out who you messed with and help you take them down."


    The old man sighed in disappointment, his face showing only mild irritation. "And why would I need help from an insignificant pebble like you?" His voice dripped with disdain. "It seems you haven''t even regained your memory."


    Jett''s expression tightened, feeling the weight of the man''s words but still confused. ''Memories? What memories?'' Jett thought, feeling a swirl of uncertainty. "I''m pretty sure my memory is intact," he said aloud, his voice firm. His thoughts quickly added, ''Not to mention I remember everything from my previous life.''


    The whole situation felt surreal to Jett, as if he had been thrust into a story he hadn''t been given the script for. This strange ce, the cryptic old man, and now talk of some "forgotten memory"? None of it made sense, but the man''s cryptic words weighed on him.


    "You must be sick though," Jett muttered, half in disbelief, "I''m getting out of here."


    He activated [Checkpoint], expecting the familiar sensation of his body being whisked away, but�� nothing.


    A slow, sarcasticugh escaped the old man''s lips. "You''re trying to use that skill here? Don''t make meugh," he sneered. "Look at you, still weak. I could break you with a flick of my wrist. How did you even manage to get here?


    Was it his doing?"


    "Ouch," Jett replied, rolling his eyes. But the man''s words forced him to trace back to what was more important. ''What is this ce? And how the hell did I even get here? It''s even weirder that it seems like he knew what I was trying to do.''


    shes of hisst moments with the King of Laxen raced through his mind. The battle had been brutal, overwhelming, but he had managed to take down the king.


    ''Thest thing I remember�� was taking out that annoying king and then��'' He tried to recall what had happened next, but his mind hit a nk. ''Nothing. I don''t remember.''


    Jett nced at the old man, still rambling on to himself, lost in his own world. ''Was he the one who brought me here? Nah, I don''t think so.'' Jett wondered. ''I can''t seem so sense any Mana or Auraing off him. But�� why is my Lumix reacting to him?''


    The Lumix, a vtile energy inside Jett that he usually kept under tight control was raging now, thrashing like a wild beast in response to the man''s presence. Jett could feel its pressure growing inside him, threatening to explode.


    "You better take care of that thing before you blow yourself up," the old man remarked, stepping closer to Jett with a casual indifference.


    Jett''s fists clenched. He could feel the Lumix spiraling out of control. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he fought to suppress it, his mind racing. What does this guy know about the Lumix? And why is it reacting like this?


    Every instinct told him this man was dangerous, but something deeper tugged at his thoughts: a connection he couldn''t yet exin.


    "Next time, don''te here unless you actually want me to kill you." The old man''s voice echoed faintly, almost like a distant whisper in Jett''s mind as everything faded to ck.


    *****


    [[Memory Retrieval was interrupted...]]


    [[Retrieval Failed]]


    "Jett, Jett... wake up, dude!" Cedric''s voice sounded distant, but the urgency was unmistakable. He shook Jett''s shoulders, trying to rouse him from unconsciousness.


    "You could try pping him," Rey suggested with a mischievous smirk, standing nearby with his arms crossed.


    "How could you even think of doing that to him?" Cedric scowled, not liking the idea at all.


    "Trust me, he would''ve done the same to me." Rey''s smirk widened as he leaned in, hand raised, preparing to deliver a yful p.


    Just as Rey''s hand was about to make contact, Jett''s eyes snapped open. In one swift motion, Jett''s hand shot up, catching Rey''s wrist mid-air, his reflexes sharp as ever.


    "What the��" Rey began, but before he could react, Jett flipped him effortlessly over his shoulder, sending him crashing down the hall.


    "Seriously?" Rey groaned from where hended, but there was an amused twinkle in his eye.


    Cedric rushed over. "Are you okay? You passed out for a really long time."


    "I even tried using [Heal] on you, but that did nothing," Rey added, rubbing his wrist as he got back to his feet.


    Jett sat up slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I''m good. Nothing''s broken. But I did have the strangest dream��"


    "A dream?" Cedric repeated, raising an eyebrow.


    "Nah, forget it." Jett waved it off, ncing toward the now open doors. "I see the doors finally opened. So, we can leave now?"


    "Yeah," Cedric confirmed. "But we still need to find the others. I even forgot to send them a message ''cause I was so worried about you."


    -Rey- "Hey guys. We made it out and we''reing your way. Don''t do anything I wouldn''t do."


    They waited for a response, but the silence stretched longer than expected. No reply.


    Rey frowned and turned to Jett and Cedric. "You don''t think... something happened to them?"


    Jett''s expression hardened. "Let''s just go find out." He stretched, flexing his limbs before they started moving.


    As they made their way toward the princess''s room, something else gnawed at Jett''s mind. He was trying to shake off the bizarre encounter with the old man, but something kept bothering him. Then, out of nowhere, a notification popped up in front of him.


    [[The Throne of Destiny is reacting. Find the source.]]


    Jett''s steps faltered for a split second. ''What the hell is this now?'' he thought, ncing down at the notification. He kept the information to himself for now but couldn''t shake the feeling that something much bigger was unraveling before him.


    *


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    Who do you think he is?

 Chapter 107 Found a Tunnel

    A few minutes into the tunnel, Asher and the others heard a distant noise echoing from deep within. It was the unmistakable sound of a battle: a sh of metal and the rumbling of stone.


    "Do you hear that?" Aiden whispered, straining his ears.


    "Yeah," Asher nodded. "Let''s move in quietly."


    They crept forward, inching closer to the source. As the tunnel widened, they were met with a shocking sight: Morrigan, battered and exhausted, was fighting alone against a horde of golems. Her movements were sluggish, her breath ragged. With each swing of her weapon, she barely kept the relentless onught at bay. Of Seraphina, there was no sign.


    "Morrigan!" Freya gasped softly.


    Just as the golems began to surround her, ready tond the final blow, Matthew stepped forward, unable to watch any longer.


    "Over here!" he yelled, unleashing his skill.


    [Taunt]


    In an instant, the golems halted their assault on Morrigan and turned their attention to Matthew, as if they had found a more intriguing target. The stone creatures lumbered toward him, their massive bodies casting heavy shadows in the dim light of the tunnel.


    For a moment, Morrigan stood frozen, her heart racing. She had been so certain that this was the end. The fear of death had gripped her, an overwhelming sense of dread wing at her soul. But now, as the golems moved away, the relief that washed over her brought tears to her eyes.


    She had never realized how close she had been to breaking until now. Seeing her friends standing between her and death was a sight she never thought she''d appreciate so deeply.


    As Freya ran to her side, Morrigan''s legs wobbled beneath her. "Are you okay?" Freya asked breathlessly, reaching out to steady her.


    Marce joined them, rummaging through her bag before pulling out a small vial. "Here, take this," she said, handing Morrigan a glowing pill. "It''ll help."


    "Thanks��" Morrigan replied softly, swallowing the pill with trembling hands. She could already feel a bit of her strength returning.


    "Where''s Seraphina?" Freya asked, looking around with concern.


    "Yeah, I can''t find Seraphina anywhere. Wasn''t she with you, Morrigan?" Matthew asked as they all gathered around her, his tone filled with concern.


    At the mention of Seraphina, Morrigan''sposure broke. Tears welled up in her eyes, her breath hitching as the weight of the situation finally hit her. "She�� she was trying to protect me," she choked out, her voice trembling between sobs.


    "Protect you from what?" Rosa asked, anxiety rising in her voice. "Morrigan, where is she?"


    Morrigan shook her head, unable to find the words to exin. The memory of Seraphina''s sacrifice to protect her filled her with guilt and fear. She tried to speak, but the emotions were too overwhelming, and she could only cry harder.


    "It''s okay, everything''s going to be fine, Mori," Matthew said gently, stepping forward and cing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. His calm presence helped to ease the tension, and the others stopped bombarding her with questions.


    Freya moved in closer, wrapping her arms around Morrigan in a warm,forting embrace. "It''s alright now," Freya whispered. "We''re here."


    Morrigan buried her face into Freya''s shoulder, her tears finally slowing as Matthew knelt beside her. "Take your time, Mori. We need to know what happened, but you don''t have to rush. Just tell us how you got here and what happened with Seraphina."


    Sniffling, Morrigan took a deep breath and wiped her eyes. "We were�� we were dragged in here by some force. I don''t know what it was, but it pulled us into this part of the tunnel. We tried to fight it off, but��" she hesitated, her voice shaking. "Then the golems appeared. There were so many of them.


    At first, Seraphina and I fought side by side, but things got bad, really bad."


    Morrigan shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "Her body''s back at the door to the boss room. They only seem chase me since she got petrified."


    By now, Asher, Aiden, and Rey had taken down the remaining golems, their stone bodies crumbling into dust with each well-ced strike. The tunnel was finally still, but the tension in the air remained.


    Morrigan paused, her hand trembling slightly as she recounted the events. "Something tried to petrify me. I couldn''t get away in time, and it was about to hit me, but Seraphina�� she jumped in the way." Her voice broke again, but she pressed on. "She used her magic to shield me."


    The group listened in silence, the weight of her story sinking in. Asher clenched his fists, anger and frustration brewing inside him. "You''ve been fighting this whole time? Morrigan, you did more than anyone could ask. You held out, and now we''re here."


    "You did well, really," Freya added softly, still holding her close.


    Matthew nodded, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "We''ll find Seraphina, don''t worry. But right now, we need to keep moving. You''ve done your part."


    Morrigan wiped away thest of her tears, steadying herself as the group prepared to continue. "We have to find her," she said, her voice more determined now.


    "We will," Matthew said, stepping forward, his eyes hardened with resolve. "We have to keep going."


    "We have to keep moving," Asher said, his eyes serious. "If there are more golems or traps, we''ll need to be ready. And we need to find Seraphina before it''s toote."


    "Didn''t you hear what she said? If we get too close, we could get petrified. I''m not the only one who got that piece of information, right?" Finn warned Asher, his voice tense.


    "I know that much," Asher replied, keeping his gaze focused ahead. "But we can''t go back the way we came in. The exit closed up on its own and won''t open." He nced around at the others, trying to convince them. "There has to be a way to end all this. I don''t believe we were given an impossible mission."


    Asher took a breath, then continued, "Based on what Morrigan said, maybe we''re more prepared to open the door now."


    "Why? Because of the fragments?" Finn raised an eyebrow. "We only have four out of five. How are we supposed to make it work?"


    "The passage opened on its own when webined the fragments together," Asher countered. "That has to mean something. Maybe the fifth fragment isn''t as essential as we thought. At this point, we might have to just bet on luck."


    The group exchanged uneasy nces, but Asher''s logic held some weight. With no other option presenting itself, they pressed forward.


    *****


    After walking for some time, the group encountered yet another wave of golems. Their sheer numbers might have been overwhelming for any normal team, but they fought together with precision. Matthew''s Ironback Bear charged ahead, tanking the blows, while Freya''s Lumina Phoenix illuminated the battlefield with radiant mes.


    Aiden''s Mystic Tiger and Rosa''s Verdant Nymph wove through the battle, striking with deadly precision.


    Together, they managed to clear the wave in a short amount of time, the golems crumbling to dust at their feet. Asher wiped the sweat from his brow, scanning the area for any new threats.


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    When they finally reached the massive door that led to the boss room, they were greeted by a horrifying sight: Seraphina and the princess, both frozen in stone.


    Morrigan gasped, her eyes widening in shock and grief. "Seraphina��" she whispered, her voice cracking.


    Everyone stood still for a moment, their hearts sinking at the sight of their petrified friend and the princess they had been searching for. They knew they couldn''t do anything for them right now, but the weight of the situation was heavy.


    "We need to keep moving," Asher said quietly, his voice filled with resolve. "We''ll figure out how to save them. But first, we have to take care of whatever''s waiting behind that door."


    Asher stepped forward and brought out the key. As soon as he did, the surface of the massive door began to ripple, and a face slowly emerged from the stone, its mouth gaping wide open like a grotesque carving.


    "I think it wants you to put the key inside," Evelina remarked from behind him, sounding intrigued.


    "I know that already, smartass," Asher grumbled. He took a deep breath, staring at the eerie face. "Here goes nothing."


    He carefully inserted the key into the gaping mouth. To his surprise, there was indeed a keyhole hidden within the hollow, and as he turned the key, the door emitted a low groan before it began to open automatically.


    "Remind me again why I''m actually going through with this?" Finn sighed as he peered into the pitch-ck hall beyond the door, the air heavy with anticipation.


    "It''s either this or be stuck here forever. I''m pretty sure you''d rather be making money outside than waiting to die in here," Freya shot back, giving Finn a pointed look that clearly said, "Stopining."


    "That was a rhetorical question, dumbass. Whatever, let''s get this over with," Finn muttered before stepping through the threshold, following closely behind Asher.


    One by one, the group cautiously entered the hall, their footsteps echoing in the vast, ominous space. Morrigan hesitated, ncing nervously at the now-empty hallway behind them. She took a deep breath and stepped inst, trying to steady her shaking hands.


    As soon as they were all inside, the door mmed shut behind them with a heavy *thud*, trapping them in the suffocating darkness.


    "Alright, I''m really getting sick and tired of doors having their own will," Finnined, his voice rising in frustration.


    "Please, just shut up," Aiden sighed, exasperated.


    "Why you��" Finn started, but before he could finish his sentence, the room responded. One by one, torches along the walls red to life, casting flickering light across the stone chamber.


    As the mes illuminated the room, they revealed the boss waiting for them at the far end. It was a hulking, menacing figure with jagged armor and an air of foreboding.


    Aiden groaned, his face twisting into a grimace. "Of course. I expected someone like you as the boss, but really?" he muttered, recalling an unpleasant memory from a past encounter with a simr enemy a long time ago.


    Before them stood a towering stone golem, its arms thick as tree trunks and its glowing red eyes fixed on them, radiating raw, destructive power.


    *


    *


    *


    Boss fight

 Chapter 108 Missing Clue

    Jett and Cedric finally arrived at the princess'' room, thevish doorway looming before them. Rey stepped inside first, scanning the room, and frowned.


    "We''re here, but I don''t see them anywhere," Reyined, his voice echoing slightly in the quiet room.


    "They must have found a hidden passage or something," Jett replied, ncing around with a thoughtful look.


    Cedric sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping. "So... we''re toote?"


    The disappointment on his face was obvious. He had hoped to be with the others, to help them in whatever battle or challenge they were facing. The feeling of being left behind weighed heavily on him, like he''d failed his team.


    Sensing his frustration, Jett patted Cedric on the back. "Don''t worry, I have a feeling they''ll get the job done."


    Cedric nodded half-heartedly, but the doubt remained in his eyes. He walked over to the massive bed in the middle of the room and copsed onto it, exhausted. Jett and Rey followed suit, the long and tense day catching up with them. But as tired as they were, something still nagged at Rey''s mind.


    "What really happened with this stupid trial?" Rey muttered, staring up at the ceiling. "This whole thing escted too quickly."


    The ceiling above them was beautifully decorated, intricate golden patterns spiraling outward like constetions across the dark surface. It was strangely mesmerizing, almost addictive, to look at, and Rey found himself drawn deeper into its design the longer he stared.


    "No idea," Jett said, stretching his arms behind his head. "We just go with the flow, I guess."


    "But something still feels weird about this whole situation," Cedric added, his voice distant as if he was spacing out.


    Rey started to retort, but Jett raised a hand, signaling for him to stop. He knew Cedric well: better than most, and he understood that in moments like these, Cedric had a unique ability to process things differently.


    Cedric wasn''t just someone who followed the flow of battle; he had an uncanny knack for understanding situations on a deeper level. In fact, Jett remembered from the game that Cedric''s character had a hidden perk, one that wasn''t known to many yers.


    If left alone to go AFK for about five minutes during quests, Cedric would sometimes trigger random hints: little pieces of information that would help solve quests or puzzles.


    Jett had a hunch that they were in one of those moments now.


    "Let him think," Jett whispered to Rey, gesturing to Cedric, who had closed his eyes, deep in thought. "He might just figure out what''s really going on here."


    Most people didn''t know about Cedric''s or the other character''s hidden perks because the developers intentionally kept it secret, one of those elusive Easter eggs that only the most patient yers stumbled upon. You had to leave your character idle, seemingly for no reason: often because something in real life came up, or out of pure chance.


    Only then would Cedric''s random hints start to pop up, slowly unraveling a hiddenyer to his abilities that could help solve even the most obscure quests.


    As Cedric began piecing together the current puzzle, he muttered aloud, almost to himself, "The princess goes missing, and there''s a big chance she vanished from her own room since no one saw her leave. Then Seraphina and Marce disappear, but we don''t know where. The others vanish when they got here... One of the fragments was in this room, right?"


    Jett, starting to catch on to Cedric''s train of thought, nodded slowly. "Yeah, thest one was supposed to be here."


    "So it took four fragments to find a way to the source," Cedric said with a deep sigh.


    Rey, still lost in the conversation, furrowed his brow. "What are you talking about? How would four fragments be enough to get to the next stage when it clearly said five?"


    "Is that what you really think?" Cedric asked, still not fully satisfied with Rey''s understanding of the situation. He was piecing everything together, and his mind was already a few steps ahead.


    Jett, however, had finally grasped the point Cedric was making. He nced around the room, eyes narrowing as he connected the dots Cedric wasying out. The room, the fragments, the princess: it all aligned now.


    "Rey, look around this room. What do you see?" Jett asked, his voice steady, as if inviting Rey toe to the same conclusion.


    Rey hesitated, then stood up and surveyed the area. The room was opulent, filled with gilded furniture and luxurious fabrics. The ceiling, with its addictive golden patterns, was hypnotic, drawing the eyes like a maze.


    Rey scanned the room thoroughly, hoping to find something, anything that stood out. But there was nothing. No scuff marks, no signs of a struggle, no overturned furniture. Just an ufortable clean room filled with expensive, familiar d��cor. He let out a frustrated sigh. "Just a perfectly clean room with fancy furniture that I''m already used to.


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    What are you getting at?"


    "Exactly that," Jett replied, eyes narrowing. "This room is too clean for one that supposedly had a fragment. Remember, the other fragments were all being heavily protected. So why''s this one any different?"


    Jett sprang up from the bed and began pacing around the room, thinking out loud. His boots barely made a sound on the plush carpet as his mind raced. "There should have been a fight here the moment they picked up the fragment. But this ce doesn''t even look like anyone''s been in it at all."


    Rey, slowly starting to understand, nodded. "You''ve got a point. Every other fragment had a guardian or some sort of defense mechanism. Here, it''s like nothing happened at all. Not a single sign of struggle. No broken furniture, no magic residue...


    it''s weird."


    "The princess disappeared without a trace," Jett continued, pacing faster now. "Asher and the others vanished without leaving anything behind, and we didn''t get a notification, a signal, nothing. You know who else disappeared like that?"


    Suddenly, the realization hit Rey like a bolt of lightning. "Crap... Seraphina and Marce! So you think wherever the princess went, they went too?"


    "Exactly," Jett said, stopping in his tracks and turning to face Rey. "They were all taken. But the real question is: How? And why here?"


    Cedric, who had been quiet for a moment, broke the silence. "So what do you guys think? Was this just some random urrence? Or was there an external factor involved?" His gaze was sharp, calcting, as if testing the waters of their understanding.


    Jett crossed his arms, deep in thought. "I don''t believe in coincidences. Not in a ce like this."


    ****


    The hall fell into an eerie silence. The sound of crackling mes filled the void as torches slowly lit up, one by one, casting flickering shadows along the stone walls. Then, in the dim glow, the form of the boss began to emerge: a towering stone golem. Its massive, tree-trunk-sized arms hung at its sides, and its glowing red eyes locked onto the group with a menacing intensity.


    The air around it seemed to thrum with raw, destructive power.


    Before anyone could speak, Elora broke the silence. "You know that guy?" she asked, her eyes fixed on the golem.


    "As bright as day," Aiden muttered, visibly frustrated. "He''s a hidden boss in the game. A really annoying one. Magic? Useless against him. Same with elemental attacks.


    And his defense is insane. Oh, and when he stops moving... just close your eyes, or you''ll be turned to stone instantly."


    Elora hissed under her breath, "It''s almost like we''re being dared to get closer to that thing."


    Rosa, her face pale, asked, "How do we fight something like that?"


    Before anyone could answer, a projectile suddenly whizzed past them, cutting through the air and hitting the boss square in the chest. The impact was enough to make the golem take a few steps back, surprising everyone. They all turned in unison to see Evelina, bow raised, preparing to fire another arrow.


    "We can''t harm it with magic? So what? We can still take it down. If we have to burn through all our skills, so be it!" Evelina said, her voice resolute as she loosed another arrow. This time, the golem raised its massive arm, blocking the arrow with ease.


    "Tch�� get it together, you guys!" Evelina shouted, her frustration evident.


    Asher, standing just a few feet away, caught Evelina''s eye. He gave her a faint smirk, a gesture that held both determination and reassurance. She responded with a quick smile, a brief but calming moment between the chaos.


    "Alright, everyone, anyone who can''t use physical attacks, stay as far away from the boss as possible," Asher instructed, his voice steady andmanding. "Matthew, we''re going to need you to distract that thing so we can get in some real hits."


    Matthew cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "Not a problem. Let''s do this."


    In the back, Finn let out a resigned sigh. "Damn it, I wish I could only use magic right now," he muttered, knowing that he''d be in the frontlines this time.


    As the group prepared for the battle ahead, the stone golem''s red eyes burned brighter, as though it sensed the iing fight and weed it.


    *


    *


    *


    Don''t forget to vote for your favorite character.

 Chapter 109 The Golem Boss

    "Level 100? That''s no joke. What do we all average? 56?" Elora asked, her voice tense as they got ready to attack. The golem stood immobile, a looming figure of stone and fury, as if it were toying with them, patiently waiting for their first move. Its massive body towered over them, and for a moment, the silence in the hall felt almost mocking, as if the golem enjoyed the tension it created.


    As the group prepared, the realization that magic wouldn''t work against the golem struck them hard. "Alright, mages, you''ll need to switch to support roles," Asher instructed, his voice firm and authoritative. "Protect yourselves, but focus on buffing the physical attackers. We need to maximize our damage output while minimizing risks."


    Freya nodded, his expression resolute. "I can boost your attack power and speed. That should help us close the gap and hit harder."


    "Good thinking," Matthew chimed in, her hands already weaving through the air as she conjured protective shields around the mages. "I''ll enhance your defenses and also add some extra buff while you''re at it."


    Evelina, still holding her bow, prepared her arrows, each one lined with a faint glimmer of energy. "I''ll keep shooting and provide cover for anyone who gets too close. We need to keep it distracted while you guys handle the heavy lifting."


    With their roles established, the group took a deep breath, and Asher nodded at Matthew, signaling him to make the first move.


    Matthew charged forward, his axe gleaming with an dark red aura as he closed the distance between himself and the golem. "Here we go!" he shouted,unching a powerful overhead strike aimed at the golem''s head. The golem, sensing the attack, suddenly moved, its massive arm swinging down in retaliation.


    "Watch out!" Finn yelled, diving to the side as the golem''s fist smashed into the ground where Matthew had just stood, sending shockwaves through the hall. Dust and debris exploded into the air, obscuring their vision for a moment.


    [Quick Shot]


    [Snipe]


    Evelina quickly drew an arrow and released it, striking the golem''s knee with precision. The arrow lodged itself in the stone, but the golem barely flinched, its glowing red eyes still fixed on Matthew. "It''s like it didn''t even feel that!" she eximed, frustration creeping into her voice.


    "Stay on the move!" Asher shouted, rushing in to support Matthew. He swung his own weapon, aiming for the golem''s side while dodging another massive swing. The golem seemed to relish the challenge, adapting its movements as they attacked, its body shifting with unexpected agility for such a massive creature.


    [Backstab]


    Asher''s daggers shed against the golem''s rocky skin, sparks flying as he struck. The impact resonated through his arms, but he quickly followed up with a series of rapid strikes, trying to find a weak point. "Keep hitting it! We need to wear it down!"


    [Heavy Assault]


    "Right!" Finn shouted, dashing in with his spear, aiming for the golem''s exposed foot. "We need to destabilize it!" He thrust forward, his spear piercing the stone. For a moment, it seemed like it might work, but the golem responded with a brutal kick, sending Finn sprawling across the ground.


    "Freya! Get him up!" Asher called out, rushing to Finn''s side. She ced her hands on him, casting a quick healing spell that glimmered around him. "You okay?"


    "I''m fine," Finn grunted, pulling himself up. "Just give me a second."


    Meanwhile, Aiden had positioned himself behind the golem, watching the monster''s movements closely. "Now! Everyone push it back!" He shouted, channeling energy into a red aura that began to swirl around his sword.


    Matthew took the lead again, yelling, "Let''s go! Now!" He charged in, striking the golem once more as Asher unleashed a wave of shadow energy, pushing against the golem and momentarily disrupting its stance.


    The golem reeled slightly, but quickly regained its bnce, turning its furious gaze towards Asher. "Uh-oh," he muttered, realizing he had caught its attention.


    [Multi Shot]


    Evelina, quick on the draw, fired another volley of arrows, aiming for the golem''s head. This time, one of her arrows struck true, hitting the golem''s forehead and causing a crack to form in its stone surface. "That''s it! Keep aiming for the cracks!" she shouted, encouraging the group to focus their attacks.


    [Shadow Walk]


    Asher, sensing a window of opportunity, began to rally everyone. "Okay, we need to coordinate our attacks. Matthew, Finn, keep it distracted! Aiden and I will hit from the sides. Freya, keep those shields up, and make sure to buff our attacks!"


    The team nodded in agreement, their resolve strengthening as they charged forward once more. They moved as a unit, Matthew and Finn keeping the golem''s attention while Asher and Aiden nked it. The tension in the air was palpable, each member of the group relying on one another to survive this brutal battle.


    Elora shouted from the back, "I''ll support you! Let me know when you''re ready for a push!"


    As the battle continued, it became a dance of strategy and coordination, the group moving fluidly between attack and defense, always mindful of the golem''s powerful swings. They worked to exploit every moment of weakness, knowing that their survival depended on their ability to work together.


    After what felt like an eternity of dodging and striking, the golem''s movements began to slow, the cracks in its stone body widening with each blow. It roared in frustration, sending vibrations through the floor as it prepared to unleash a devastating attack.


    "Everyone, brace yourselves!" Asher yelled, anticipating the golem''s next move. With a massive roar, the golem raised both arms and mmed them down, creating a shockwave that knocked everyone off their feet.


    But the team was ready. They rolled to the side, quickly regaining their footing and preparing for their final assault. "Now! Everyone together!" Elora called out, and with a shared determination, they all moved in for onest coordinated attack.


    As they charged, the golem''s eyes zed with rage, but this time, it was toote. With a synchronized effort, they struck the golem with everything they had. The impact echoed through the hall as the golem let out one final roar, its body shuddering before crumbling to the ground in a cloud of dust and debris.


    The silence that followed was deafening. The team stood, panting and battered but victorious, as they surveyed the remnants of the defeated golem.


    "We did it," Freya breathed, disbelief etched on her face.


    "Yeah, we did," Aiden replied, a grin spreading across his face as they all shared a moment of triumph.


    "Not yet," Asher warned, his voice sharp and cutting through the brief moment of celebration. Everyone froze, the weight of his words pulling them back to reality. A new notification shed before them.


    [The true boss has appeared.]


    [The door can now be opened from the outside.]


    A tense silence gripped the hall as a figure emerged from the crumbled remains of the stone golem. She stepped forward with a fluid, graceful motion��her form tall and slender, her skin an eerie shade of grayish-green, with serpent-like hair that writhed and hissed. Her gaze was cold, sharp, and undeniably familiar.


    It was unmistakable: she looked exactly like the Medusa from stories they heard in their past life.


    Level 120.


    "You have got to be kidding me," Finn whispered, his voice filled with awe and disbelief.


    Evelina groaned, letting her bow drop to her side for a moment. "No fair, I''m exhausted," she whined, barely catching her breath after the grueling battle with the golem.


    Asher''s jaw tightened, and he exchanged a nce with Aiden. They had just barely managed to take down the stone giant, and now this? They all could feel it: the overwhelming presence radiating from the Medusa. They might have bitten off more than they could chew this time.


    The Medusa''s lips curved into a sinister smile, her glowing eyes narrowing as she surveyed them. She didn''t even need to attack to make them realize how dire the situation was. It was clear: this was going to be a fight unlike any other.


    ***** Your next read is at m v|l-e''-NovelBin


    "I feel a bit guilty, though," Rey sighed, his tone lighter but still serious as they walked through the aftermath of the battle. "This kingdom is wrecked without its king, but you''re not really the one who took that away from them."


    Jett nced at Rey, confused by his words. "What are you talking about?" he asked, not sure where Rey was going with that.


    Rey stopped, looking at Jett with a raised brow. "Didn''t you see the extra info on their status?"


    Jett shook his head, frowning. "No... what extra info?"


    Rey sighed, realizing Jett hadn''t noticed what he had. "Possessed corpse. That''s what was written on the status of the king and his soldiers. It means the king was already dead for a while, but I''m not exactly sure when."


    The realization settled over Jett, and the pieces clicked into ce. That actually made sense. The king hadn''t been in control for some time. He had been nothing but a puppet, and someone or something had been pulling the strings.


    "You could''ve said something earlier when I tried to avoid taking him out. Now all my abilities have been nerfed," Rey sighed, clearly frustrated as the new information hade toote to be of any use.


    While Rey was venting, Cedric remained unusually restless, deep in thought, pacing slightly as if something still weighed on his mind.


    Jett noticed this and asked, "What''s the matter, Cedric?"


    Cedric stared at Jett for a moment before something clicked in his memory. He muttered to himself, ''He still has thest fragment.''


    "The crown... you still have it, right?" Cedric asked, his voice more urgent now.


    "Of course I do. Why do you ask?" Jett responded, curious, as he reached into his storage space and retrieved the crown.


    "Try wearing the crown," Cedric suggested, his tone calm but serious.


    Both Jett and Rey exchanged confused nces, not entirely sure if Cedric was joking or had finally snapped under the pressure. But the intense look in Cedric''s eyes told them otherwise: he was dead serious.


    Jett hesitated for a second, but then, with a shrug, he ced the crown on his head. As soon as it touched him, a series of notifications popped up before his eyes.


    [Title: The Tyrant Who Stole the Crown]


    [Title: King yer]


    [All penalties have been suspended.]


    Before Jett could react, Rey felt something strange beneath him.


    "What the��" he muttered as the bed beneath him shifted. Startled, he jumped off just in time to see the bed spring up, revealing the entrance to a secret underground tunnel.


    "You guys think they''re down there?" Rey asked, a mix of hope and concern in his voice.


    Cedric nced down the tunnel, his expression unreadable. "Only one way to find out," he replied, taking a deep breath before stepping toward the dark, mysterious path.


    *


    *


    *


    Let''s go

 Chapter 110 Stony Defeat

    "How far does this tunnel go? We''ve been walking for hours," Reyined, his voice echoing through the narrow space.


    They had already encountered two waves of golems, and the repetition ofbat was starting to wear on his nerves.


    "Just keep walking," Jett replied without turning back.


    "Yeah, we''ll definitely find something. I''m sure of it," Cedric chimed in, a tone of determination in his voice. "At least we''re lucky it''s just one straight tunnel: no branching sections to throw us off."


    The tunnel felt endless, a narrow, dimly lit path that seemed to stretch into oblivion. The walls were smooth and cold, devoid of any markings or signs of life, amplifying the sense of istion. Every sound of their footsteps seemed to grow louder, adding to the eerie loneliness.


    "Exactly," Jett added, "we don''t need to waste time finding the right route."


    "I guess that''s true," Rey muttered as he continued walking, still feeling the weight of the journey butforted by the simplicity of the path.


    Suddenly, they were greeted by another wave of golems, their massive stone forms rising from the ground in unison.


    "This is bing very annoying," Rey sighed, clearly tired of the repetitive encounters.


    "Alright, let''s do this," Jett said, stepping forward, not wanting to waste any more time.


    Rey unleashed his [Inferno] skill and Jett casted {Hell Fire}, mes roaring to life as they enveloped the golems. Simultaneously, Cedric activated his [Excavation] skill, causing the ground beneath the golems to copse, trapping them in a pit. Rey moved swiftly, finishing them off with precise strikes.


    Together, theirbined efforts reduced the golems to rubble. "That should just about do it," Rey said as thest of the golems crumbled into dust.


    They resumed their walk, the tunnel seemingly endless once again, until Cedric and Jett suddenly came to a stop, causing Rey to nearly bump into them.


    "Why are we stopping?" Rey asked from behind, not able to see what had made them freeze in their tracks.


    As he stepped forward, his eyes widened at the sight before them: an enormous stone door, intricately carved with ancient symbols.


    As the trio stood before the massive door, Cedric''s gaze lingered on the two stone figures that nked it. Upon closer inspection, the figures weren''t just statues: they appeared too lifelike, their features intricately detailed. Jett narrowed his eyes, his gut churning as a sinking realization dawned on him.


    "Look at that," Cedric muttered, pointing at the two massive stone figures nking a colossal door.


    "Wait a second," Jett muttered, moving toward the figure on the left. "Cedric�� Rey, do you see what I see?"


    Rey and Cedric stepped forward, eyes widening in unison as they examined the figure more closely. The figure''s face, though partially encased in stone, was unmistakable. The delicate features, the familiar aura: even through the petrified state, it was clear.


    "That''s�� Seraphina," Cedric said, his voice barely above a whisper, the shock weighing down his words. "How the hell did she end up like this?"


    Jett clenched his fists, staring in disbelief. "No way. Seraphina�� turned to stone? This is insane."


    "If she''s here," Rey added, ncing at the other statue next to her, "then this might be the princess." He hesitated, eyeing the second figure. The face wasn''t as familiar, but the regal attire and stance made it clear that this wasn''t just anyone.


    *****


    Meanwhile, back with Asher and the others, they stood facing the medusa-like figure that had emerged from the fallen golem. Her form was ethereal, her body seemingly made of swirling shadow and stone, and her eyes glowed with an ominous power.


    They had already expended most of their energy on the previous battle, and now they were up against a level 120 boss, far stronger than any of them anticipated.


    "Alright, we don''t have a choice, we''re definitely facing Medusa." Asher said, his voice tense but controlled. "We hit her with everything we''ve got, but watch out for her gaze. If she stares at you too long, you''ll turn to stone."


    The group nodded, each summoning their pets to aid in the fight. Matthew''s Ironback Bear growled as it stepped forward, its massive form positioned defensively. Elora''s Death Wolf snarled, pacing as it eyed the medusa. Evelina had her Archer Faerie at the ready, hovering just above her shoulder, preparing to enchant her arrows.


    Asher''s Wraith Bat emerged from the shadows, fluttering silently above his head, ready to strike.


    "Spread out!" Asher yelled as the fight began.


    Matthew charged in first, his Ironback Bear roaring as it took the lead, smashing its massive paws into the ground, sending tremors toward the medusa. She barely flinched, raising her hand and sending a wave of energy that sent the bear staggering back. The medusa was fast: too fast for something that looked like it should move sluggishly.


    Elora''s Death Wolf darted forward, trying to nk her, its ethereal body blending with the shadows to strike from the side. But the medusa was prepared. She let out a piercing scream, and a wave of dark energy expanded outward, knocking the wolf back mid-lunge.


    "Damn it!" Elora cursed as she watched her wolf struggle to get back on its feet.


    Evelina, seeing an opening, let loose a volley of arrows, each one glowing with the enchantment from her Archer Faerie. The arrows flew with precision, but as they neared the medusa, she raised her hand, forming a barrier that shattered them before they could reach her.


    "She''s blocking everything!" Evelina growled, her frustration mounting.


    Asher, his Wraith Bat blending into the shadows, tried a different approach. Hemanded the bat to use its paralyzing touch, hoping to freeze the medusa in ce.


    The Wraith Bat darted in, faster than the eye could see, but just as it was about to strike, the medusa''s gaze snapped to it, and the bat stopped mid-air, turning to stone in an instant before falling to the ground, shattering upon impact.


    Asher''s heart sank at the sight, but he couldn''t afford to lose focus. "Keep moving!" he shouted. "Don''t let her stare at you!"


    The medusa then unleashed her special attack. She let out a guttural cry, and the snakes that formed her hair writhed and hissed, growing longer and more menacing. Suddenly, the ground beneath the group trembled as sharp stone pirs shot upward from the earth, targeting each of them.


    Rosa was nearly impaled but managed to leap back just in time, while Matthew was forced to shield himself behind his bear.


    Elora''s wolf lunged at the medusa again, but this time, she summoned a st of petrifying mist, instantly freezing the wolf in mid-air. The beast turned to stone before hitting the ground with a dull thud.


    "Watch out!" Elora cried, but it was toote.


    Matthew''s Ironback Bear charged again, but the medusa raised both her arms, and with a flick of her wrist, the bear was lifted into the air and smashed down, hard, into the stone pirs. The bear let out a painful roar before crumbling to dust. Matthew stood frozen, disbelief in his eyes. His most powerful defense was gone in an instant.


    Evelina fired another arrow, aiming for the medusa''s chest, but it was knocked aside by another wave of dark energy. "No fair, I''m exhausted!" she whined, pulling back, her hands trembling from fatigue.


    Asher leaped in with his dual swords, hoping to catch her off guard with a quick, close-range strike. But the medusa twisted her body with unnatural grace, dodging each blow effortlessly. In a single swift movement, she grabbed Asher by the throat, lifting him off the ground. He gasped for air, struggling in her grip as her eyes began to glow, ready to turn him to stone.


    "Asher!" Rosa screamed, rushing forward, trying to cast a spell to free him, but her energy was nearly depleted.


    [Dark Stab]


    It was only thanks to Asher''s sheer will that he managed to summon a burst of energy, causing his daggers to ignite with shadowy mes. He shed downward, forcing the medusa to release him just before she could turn him into a statue.


    He hit the ground hard, gasping for breath, but he wasn''t ready to give up.


    "We can''t keep this up," Rosa panted, watching the medusaugh at their futile attempts.


    "Damn it�� she''s toying with us," Asher groaned, standing back up. "We need a n."


    Medusa was still strong, barely phased, and they were quickly running out of options. The fight had gone from difficult to impossible in a matter of minutes, and they realized that this wasn''t a battle they could easily win.


    Asher nced at Evelina, who caught his gaze. Despite the dire situation, they shared a faint smirk. It was awkward, yet somehowforting. They might be in over their heads, but they weren''t going down without a fight.


    "Alright, guys," Asher said, his voice steady. "Anyone who can''t use physical attacks, stay as far away from her as possible. We''ll figure this out."


    Matthew, now without his bear, nodded grimly. "I''ll keep her busy. You guys find a way."


    The team regrouped, bruised and exhausted but she was just too strong.


    *****


    Jett stepped forward cautiously, pulling the crown from his storage space, the golden glint catching the low light in the tunnel. "I want to test something," he said, ncing at the massive door before them.


    Cedric quickly pieced it together and nodded in agreement. "Oh I see what you''re trying to do, it''s worth a shot."


    Rey, on the other hand, furrowed his brow in frustration, clearly out of the loop. "Why does it feel like I''m always thest one to catch on when you two start scheming?" he grumbled, crossing his arms.


    Jett smirked, sliding the crown onto his head. "Maybe if you tried paying attention, you wouldn''t be asking that question."


    Rey rolled his eyes, watching as Jett stood expectantly in front of the door. They all waited, but nothing happened. The air remained still, the heavy stone door unmoved.


    "So��? What exactly are we waiting for again?" Rey asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.


    Jett and Cedric exchanged a nce, their expressions a mix of disappointment and confusion.


    "I really thought that would work," Jett muttered, just as he stepped closer to the door. Suddenly, the ground rumbled beneath their feet, and the door began to shake, the stone creaking and groaning as it slowly slid open, revealing a pitiful sight beyond.


    Inside was a pitiful sight. Freya knelt on the ground, her hands glowing with soft magic as she worked to heal Elora, Evelina and Finn, whose face was pale and drained. Marce and Morrigan were busy feeding healing pills to Finn and Asher, who looked battered and barely conscious. The air reeked of exhaustion, the toll of the fight evident in every corner of the room.


    But what grabbed their attention was the figure of Medusa standing in the center, her cold, deadly gaze fixed on them, her snakes writhing as if preparing for the next attack.


    "Seems like we''re not toote," Rey said, a grin creeping across his face despite the grim scene.


    Jett''s eyes sparkled with a dangerous excitement. "Say, Cedric, you ready to be a hero? It''s your time to shine."


    Cedric shrieked, he couldn''t reciprocate their excitement, "More than ready."


    It was clear: Jett and Rey''s excitement wasn''t just for the fight. It was for the thrill of the challenge. They were stepping into the lion''s den, and they couldn''t be more eager for what came next.


    *


    *


    *


    [[Sigh, this evil author just took out some pets to quench his wicked thirst.]]


    "You really don''t have to put it like that though."

 Chapter 111 Next Assault

    "Alright guys, let''s get this monster," Jett dered as he took a bold step forward, eyes locked on the towering figure of Medusa. His confidence radiated through the room, unfazed by the dark aura she emitted.


    Rey stepped up beside him and summoned Master Dragon. The massive creature materialized in a sh of light, its mighty wings stretching wide as it stood protectively next to Rey, the air around it crackling with power.


    Aiden spoke up from the corner. "That''s Medusa. Watch out for her petrification attack: one wrong move and you''re done for."


    "Be careful," Asher warned from the sidelines, his voice weak but urgent. "She took out Wraith Bat and Elora''s Death Wolf in a single attack."


    Cedric nced at Asher, his brow furrowing in concern. "Huh? For real?"


    "Yeah, she''s no joke," Asher confirmed, wincing from his wounds.


    "Well, that''s not good," Rey sighed, ncing at his Master Dragon. Now, unsure if he wanted the creature involved, he hesitated for a moment. The stakes were higher than he initially thought.


    Jett, however, took one look at her and gave a nonchnt shrug. "Mid."


    Elora''s eyes widened, a sh of anger crossing her face. "What did you just say?"


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    "Mediocre at best," Jett replied, unfazed by her irritation. "That''s not the real Medusa. Probably some kind of cheap knockoff from whoever started this whole mess." He casually unsheathed his sword, its edge gleaming in the torchlight.


    Elora, still slightly miffed, opened her mouth to argue, but she noticed something in Jett''s demeanor: he wasn''t just being cocky, it seemed like he had a n.


    Medusa, on the other hand, stood her ground with a twisted smile on her face. She didn''t even flinch, her glowing eyes scanning them with the confidence of someone who thought their efforts were futile. She was waiting, toying with them as though victory was already hers.


    [Area Heal]


    Jett raised his hand, casting a healing spell that washed over the group, rejuvenating the others just enough to keep them in fighting shape.


    "Alright then, you got a n?" Rey asked, sensing there was more to Jett''s calm attitude than just bravado.


    Jett nodded. "Yes, I do. But honestly, you don''t really have to do much. I just need Master Dragon over there."


    Rey looked confused. "And what exactly are you thinking?"


    Jett''s smirk grew wider. "On my signal, I want your dragon to hit me with Holy me."


    Rey blinked,pletely taken aback. "You want me to what!? You do realize that''s dangerous, right?"


    Jett''s eyes gleamed with determination. "Trust me. That''s the point."


    Medusa watched them from across the room, her patience seemingly endless. But the flicker of interest in her glowing eyes told them she didn''t expect anything significant from this group.


    "And why in heaven''s name would I agree to that? You''re basically telling me to be an aplice in your murder case." Rey crossed his arms, shaking his head.


    "Just do it. Holy me won''t hurt me unless I have some malicious intent against the user," Jett exined, his voice edged with frustration.


    Rey raised a brow, skeptical. "And you know this because...?"


    "Just st the freaking holy fire at me!" Jett half-yelled, clearly irritated at the dy.


    "I say do it." Finn chipped in from where he was resting.


    "Shut up Finn." Rosa snapped.


    Without waiting for further argument, Jett gripped his sword tighter, and his aura red to life: a brilliant orange that nearly glowed yellow in its intensity. The room lit up from the sheer brightness of his refined energy, stunning everyone around him. Even those who had fought beside Jett before couldn''t help but be surprised at the level of control and refinement he had reached with his aura.


    "We don''t have all day," Jett smirked, clearly enjoying the shock on their faces.


    Rey, still hesitant but trusting in Jett''s n, nodded toward Master Dragon. "Alright, you better not regret this." He gave themand, and the dragon''s maw opened, unleashing a torrent of greenish Holy me. The fire roared as it shot toward Jett, swirling around him in a fierce vortex of heat and light.


    Everyone braced themselves for impact, expecting Jett to at least flinch, but he stood there,pletely still. The holy fire engulfed him, wrapping around his body like a cloak, but Jett didn''t budge. His gaze remained focused, unwavering, as he raised his sword higher into the inferno.


    Slowly, the greenish me began to merge with the orange aura coating his de, swirling together in a harmonious blend of power.


    Jett watched in awe as his sword absorbed the holy fire. ''That actually worked? Just what kind of sword did Dad give me?'' he wondered, marveling at how the de remained stable, unscathed by the intense magic coursing through it.


    Aiden, watching from the sidelines, couldn''t hold back his jealousy. "What the hell is that? I want it too!" he sulked. "Hey, how are you even doing that?"


    "Now watch and learn," Jett called back, stepping confidently toward the boss. His sword glowed with thebined power of his aura and the holy me, a weapon now imbued with terrifying destructive potential.


    As Jett approached Medusa, she locked her gaze onto the fiery sword. Her expression, once filled with smug overconfidence, shifted. There was a flicker of fear in her eyes, a primal recognition that the mes before her were no ordinary magic. Instinctively, she stepped back, remembering Lumina''s earlier attempt with Holy Fire.


    Though Lumina''s fire hadn''t dealt much damage before, something about this me felt different: more potent, more dangerous.


    Jett smirked, seeing the fear in her eyes. "Not so confident now, huh?"


    With a powerful swing, he brought the zing sword crashing toward her, the mes roaring to life as they streaked through the air.


    "Watch and learn," Jett smirked, signaling Cedric. "Cedric, do it now."


    Cedric''s eyes glowed briefly as he activated his skills, summoning his innate power to reshape the battlefield.


    [Construct]


    [Trail]


    He called out, his hands glowing as lines of magic shot out from him, etching earthen pathways across the ground. The stone around Medusa trembled as newly formed tracks spiraled around her, creating an intricatework of ramps and tforms. The paths crisscrossed in midair, looping around her like a spider''s web, giving Jett the perfect vantage points to leap from.


    Jett immediately took off, moving with blinding speed across the freshly-constructed trails. He darted up and down the tforms, running, jumping, and flipping through the air, using the trails Cedric had created to keep Medusa guessing where the next attack woulde from.


    Medusa''s snake-like eyes narrowed as she struggled to keep track of Jett''s movements. Herrge form twisted and turned, her massive body slithering across the battlefield as she tried to follow him, but her strikes kepting up short.


    Jett''s attacks were relentless, swinging his sword imbued with holy me from one angle, then disappearing, only to reappear at her side a momentter for another strike. The heat of his sword sizzled in the air each time he swung it.


    Medusa, now on the defensive, could do little but retreat, her petrifying gaze proving ineffective against the constant barrage of attacks from unexpected angles. Stone pirs cracked and crumbled as Jett used Cedric''s trails to leap high, slicing downward, only to vanish and reappear behind her for another blow.


    "Doesn''t he have a skill that grants him mobility like that already?" Freya asked, watching the disy of acrobatics and swordy in awe.


    REy nodded, still catching his breath from the earlier fight. "Yeah, but his MP was already depleted before we got here. Plus, he used thest bit to heal you guys."


    Freya''s eyes widened in understanding. "So he''s fighting without his mobility skills? Like that''s his genuine speed?"


    "Exactly, I wouldn''t have believed it either" Asher replied, admiring the teamwork between Jett and Cedric. "That''s why Cedric created those trails: so Jett can keep his momentum without wasting any energy."


    Jett''s swordshed out again, cutting through the air toward Medusa''s side. But this time, she was ready. With a swift flick of her tail, sheshed out toward him, the massive appendage slicing through the battlefield with blinding speed. Jett leaped into the air to avoid it, but Medusa''s tail was faster than he anticipated.


    It whipped around and coiled tightly around his midsection, lifting him off the ground.


    He let out a grunt of pain as the tail constricted around him, its crushing force threatening to snap his ribs. His sword, still glowing with holy fire, remained firmly in his grip, but he was now trapped in her powerful hold.


    "Well this was unexpected." Jett cursed, struggling to break free, but Medusa''s grip tightened, squeezing the air from his lungs.


    "Jett!" Rey called out, his eyes narrowing as he saw his friend caught.


    Medusa''s slitted eyes gleamed with malice as she hissed, satisfied at having finally trapped her prey.


    Just then, a notification shed in Jett''s peripheral vision, showing his MP slowly regenerating had reached a certain point. He grinned, even though Medusa''s tail was squeezing the air out of him.


    "Hah�� Hell yeah, you''re mine now," Jett smirked, his voice strained but confident.


    He muttered under his breath,


    [Spellde Dance]


    *


    *


    *


    It''s about to go down.

 Chapter 112 A Come Back

    Durin and bright lookingdy sat across from each other, sipping from delicate cups of steaming tea. The soft clinking of china apanied the rxed conversation, a peaceful contrast to the weight of their previous worries. The air was filled with the gentle aroma of herbal blends, calming yet refreshing.


    "I''ve told you before, you don''t have to thank me," Durin said, swirling the tea in his cup. "This was something I had to do. Even if I had to put my life on the line, I''d do it in a moment''s notice as long as I knew you''d be safe."


    She gave him a yful nudge, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You''re always so serious." Her tone softened as she tilted her head, studying him. "But you still haven''t told me how you got the Serpentine Queen''s Tear for my medicine. Everyone who knew about my illness was in shock when they heard you had found it. The Serpentine Queen''s Tear...


    It''s something we''ve only ever heard about once, and most people consider it a myth. Some spend their whole lives searching for it, and yet you found it in just a few years. That''s impressive."


    Durin chuckled, a bit of color rising to his cheeks. "You praise me too much. I wasn''t the one who actually found it, so I can''t take all the thanks."


    She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Then who did?"


    Durin''s expression became thoughtful, a distant look in his eyes as he ced the cup down gently on the table. "Let''s just say it was a group effort," he replied, his lips curving into a faint smile. "I had help from some people who were as determined as I was to make sure you''d get better. Without them, the Serpentine Queen''s Tear would have remained a myth for me too."


    Thedy''s gaze softened as she regarded Durin, her heart warmed by his modesty. "Still, you did everything you could for me... and for that, I''ll always be grateful."


    Durin ced his empty cup down with a soft clink, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied sigh. The tea may not have packed the punch of his favorite brew, but it was calming nheless.


    "Doesn''t hit like alcohol, but oh well..." he murmured to himself before ncing at Syna. Her curious gaze still rested on him, clearly unsatisfied with his earlier response.


    "Oh, stopining," Syna teased, though her curiosity was clearly piqued. "You keep saying that, but you still won''t tell me about this mystery helper of yours." She stood, offering him a yful smile. "I''ll get you more tea."


    Durin smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, Syna, but you''ll be shocked if I tell you."


    "Do I know the person?" Syna''s eyes sparkled with even more interest. "Now I''m really curious. Just tell me already."


    "He''s a student at the academy," Durin replied nonchntly, taking another sip of his tea.


    "What!" Syna nearly dropped the teapot in shock. "You let a child follow you into that ursedbyrinth? How reckless can you get?"


    Durin couldn''t help but chuckle, the memory of thebyrinth shing before his eyes. Notably the feat Jett was able to aplish and his unending potential which he witnessed first hand. The absurdity of Syna''s concern only made it funnier to him.


    Syna stared at him in disbelief. "You''reughing? Don''t you understand how serious this is? You could''ve gotten someone killed!" She shook her head, incredulous. The idea of Durin taking a mere child into such danger was beyond reckless, it was unthinkable.


    "Say what you want," Durin said, still grinning, "but I can assure you, that boy is no child. Just like his father, he''ll be a major problem that could disrupt the bnce of this world all on his own."


    Syna raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Disrupt the bnce of this world? What are you talking about?" Her expression shifted to one of skepticism, the disbelief obvious in her eyes. ''There are only a handful of people strong enough to be described like that,'' she thought. ''This old man must have gone senile.''


    Durin met her gaze, his grin never fading. "You''ll see," he said quietly. "Sooner orter, everyone will."


    "You''d be surprised to know whose son he is," Durin grinned, taking a slow sip of tea. His mind wandered, ''I wonder what that rascal is up to right now.''


    *****


    [Spellde Dance]


    Without warning, twenty ethereal swords manifested behind Medusa, piercing her simultaneously. A guttural scream tore from her throat as the des sank into her flesh, her grip on Jett loosening. He crashed to the ground, gasping for breath as he regained his bnce.


    ''Out of MP again�� but I''ve still got Mana,'' Jett thought, his gaze shifting to the defeated golem boss sprawled in the corner, its molten core dimming. ''The mes won''t hold much longer anyway. Time to end this.''


    "Hey, Matthew! Think you''ve got enough in you to toss that golem over here for me?" Jett called out, rubbing his sore ribs from where Medusa had nearly crushed him in her grip.


    Medusa, still writhing in pain from the relentless sword strikes, screeched in fury. Her monstrous form convulsed as rage consumed her, and she thrashed violently, her serpentine hair snapping at the air, venom dripping from every fang. Each movement sent tremors through the chamber, forcing Jett to dodge her wild strikes.


    Her tailshed out, shattering a nearby pir, sending chunks of stone flying in every direction. Jett narrowly rolled out of the way, his heart pounding in his chest.


    [Blood Restriction]


    Marce casted a spell, and a crimson aura enveloped Medusa, freezing her movements as invisible chains tightened around her limbs. Medusa snarled, her body straining against the blood-forged bonds, her eyes shing with murderous intent.


    [Construct]


    Cedric was next, raising his hands as thick stone walls erupted from the ground, closing in around Medusa to trap her in ce. Her tail mmed against the walls, but they held for the moment.


    [Light Chains]


    Freya''s magic joined the fray, golden chains of light wrapped around Medusa, intertwining with Marce''s spell. Medusa roared, her serpentine body twitching in defiance, but her movements were now sluggish, her strength waning.


    Even with thebined effort, the strain was evident on their faces.


    "Hurry!" Marce''s voice trembled with exertion, her spell barely holding Medusa at bay.


    "Whatever you''re nning, you better do it now!" Freya warned, sweat dripping down her brow. "These chains won''tst much longer!"


    Medusa let out a piercing wail, her body thrashing violently as she struggled against the chains that bound her. The sound was sharp and relentless, reverberating through the chamber and sending waves of pain through everyone''s ears. The others winced, hands instinctively going to their heads as the shriek seemed to tear at their minds.


    [Boost]


    [Fortification]


    [Herculean]


    Matthew gritted his teeth, pushing through the agony as his muscles swelled with strength. With a guttural roar, he lifted the massive golem''s body, spinning it before hurling it with precision, sending the corpse crashing to the ground right beside Jett.


    "Thanks!" Jett called out, still winded from the earlier attack. "You guys should back away: get to the door and probably raise a shield or something."


    Without hesitation, the team sprang into action, their ears still ringing from Medusa''s wail but knowing Jett''s tone meant business. They hurried toward the chamber''s entrance, regrouping at the door.


    [Divine Defence]


    Freya extended her hand, and a shimmering barrier of golden light spread out before them. Her face was pale, her body trembling from the strain. Setting up the shield meant she had to release her binding spell on Medusa: her MP reserves dangerously low.


    "That''ll do," Jett muttered under his breath, feeling a bit relieved as he turned back to face the enraged Medusa.


    The moment Freya''s chains faded, Medusa snarled andshed out with her tail, her eyes glowing with vengeance. The powerful strike whipped across the chamber, hitting Jett with bone-crushing force and sending him flying into a nearby wall.


    "Jett!!!" they all shouted in unison, eyes wide with horror.


    "I''m good!" Jett groaned, pushing himself off the ground slowly, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. His body ached, but there was still fire in his eyes.


    Medusa, free from her restraints, charged at him, her tail and fangs ready to tear him apart. Jett nimbly dodged her wild attacks, his reflexes sharp as he sidestepped her furious strikes. He darted past the fallen golem''s body, his movements deliberate, calcted.


    The moment Medusa closed the distance, Jett''s lips curled into a sharp smirk.


    "Checkmate," he whispered, eyes gleaming.


    [Corpse Grenade]


    In an instant, the golem''s corpse erupted in a massive explosion. The shockwave tore through the chamber, sending debris flying in all directions. The force was so immense it put cracks in Freya''s divine shield, causing it to shimmer and buckle under the strain.


    Medusa''s scream was swallowed by the st, her figure engulfed in the explosion''s fiery brilliance.


    As the dust settled, the room fell into an uneasy silence. The explosion''s aftermath left the group anxiously staring at the swirling smoke and debris, hearts pounding in their chests. Freya''s shield flickered weakly, cracks webbing across its surface. Each of them stood frozen, breaths held, hoping against hope that Jett had somehow survived the st.


    "Jett��" Freya whispered, her eyes scanning the destruction.


    Just as doubt began to creep in, a familiar voice called out from behind them.


    "What are you guys moping about? I''m over here." Jett''s voice sounded behind them.


    They all whipped around, wide-eyed, spotting Jett leaning casually against the doorframe, dusting himself off with that same confident grin stered on his face.


    "How did you even survive that!?" Finn blurted, disbelief evident in his voice.


    Jett chuckled, his usual swagger back in full force. "It''ll take more than that to kill me." He nced back at the rubble where Medusa''s form was still buried beneath the debris. "And if we''re lucky�� three�� two�� one��"


    *


    *


    *


    What''s he waiting for?

 Chapter 113 Trial Rewards

    "Three, two, one��" Jett counted down, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.


    Right on cue, the golem''s remains erupted once again, sending a second, although smaller, explosion rippling through the room. Medusa, already severely weakened from the first st, was caught in the shockwave. Her body was flung back, unable to muster the strength to avoid the hit. The once-mighty creature nowy motionless amidst the settling dust and debris, her venomous rage silenced.


    The atmosphere in the chamber shifted. The violent tremors subsided, and the air grew still. The eerie silence that followed made them all hold their breath, listening, waiting. No movement. No sound. The battle was over.


    "Did we�� do it?" Evelina whispered, her voice barely audible.


    A soft chime echoed in each of their minds as notifications appeared in their vision:


    [You have defeated the boss: Lesser Medusa]


    [Time Remaining: 3/7]


    Jett shed a smug grin, wiping a speck of dirt from his face. "Like I said," he scoffed, "mediocre at best."


    Elora rolled her eyes, a small scuff escaping her lips as she realized Jett had nned it all along.


    "You mean that thing wasn''t even its strongest version?" Finn clutched his head in disbelief. "What if I identally run into its full form one day? I''ll be done for!"


    "That''s highly unlikely," Aiden added calmly, shaking his head. "You''re more likely to run into something far worse."


    A collective sigh of relief rippled through the group as another notification appeared:


    [All petrification has been reversed.]


    "Seraphina and the princess should be fine now," Morrigan exhaled, her tense shoulders finally rxing.


    [The possession has been lifted.]


    "So, they really were being possessed," Rey muttered, a note of disappointment in his voice. "I feel bad we didn''t catch the one responsible."


    "Don''t jinx it," Jett teased, giving Rey a light shove on the shoulder. "We don''t need any more surprises."


    The final set of notifications chimed in their minds:


    [Your reward will be calcted.]


    [Reward:]


    [x2 Level]


    [x1 Rune stone]


    [Mid-Level ss Exclusive Set]


    Discover hidden content at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    [100% Stats Recovery.]


    [Trial Complete]


    "It''s finally over," Finn exhaled, relief washing over him.


    The moment the words left his lips, the entire group was enveloped in a soft glow, instantly transported back to their meeting spot. Alok, as usual, stood waiting for them, his imposing figure unmoving at his usual post.


    "I see you''ve arrived. Congrattions onpleting the mission," Alok greeted them with his usual calm demeanor, his hands sped behind his back. "Here are your rewards."


    Finn''s eyes lit up with excitement. "More rewards? That''s even better," he grinned, practically bouncing on his feet.


    [Rewards:]


    [x10 Mythril Ore]


    [x10 Adamantium Ore]


    [x10 Yggdrasil Branch]


    [Map of Laxen]


    As they sorted through their newly acquired items, Finn let out a small sigh, shaking his head with a rueful smile. "You know, people might start asking questions. The variety of materials we exchange every week... they''re always high quality or rare materials. Someone''s bound to notice."


    Jett smirked, unfazed by Finn''s concerns. "Don''t worry about that. The academy prefers results over the process. As long as we''re notmitting any crimes, we''re in the clear." He gave a casual wave of his hand, reassuring the group.


    As they all inspected their rewards, a sharp crimson notification shed in front of Jett, his brow furrowing as he read the ominous text.


    [[Akashic Gloves]]


    [[Description: ???]]


    Jett''s expression darkened slightly, his fingers tapping against the air in frustration. ''Another red notification. Every time I see this thing, it''s like trouble''s lurking just around the corner.'' He sighed, eyeing the gloves with a sense of unease. Unsure of what to expect, he reluctantly epted them into his inventory.


    ''Argh�� these question marks aren''t even helping in any way,'' he thought bitterly, growing more frustrated by the cryptic nature of the item.


    Freya, always perceptive, noticed Jett''s unease from afar. Concern shed across her face as she approached him quietly.


    "Is everything alright?" she asked, her voice gentle but tinged with worry.


    "Yeah, I''m fine. I was just thinking about how busy I''m going to be soon," Jett replied, forcing a nervous smile as he tried to downy his unease.


    Freya wasn''t convinced. "Is that really all that''s on your mind?" she asked again, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to read him.


    Jett chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I promise."


    Freya sighed, her lips curving into a small frown. "You''re a bad liar, you know?"


    Before Jett could respond, E popped out from seemingly nowhere, her small arms wrapping around Freya in a tight hug.


    "Mummy, mommy!" E repeated, her voice filled with pure joy.


    "Aww, did you miss mommy?" Freya''s face lit up as she gently spun E around, theirughter filling the air.


    Freya continued to y with E, lifting her up and twirling her, the child giggling uncontrobly. They shared a moment of pure affection, with Freya''s warmth on full disy as she ruffled E''s hair and kissed her forehead. It was a brief escape from the tension that had been building around them all.


    Soon, they were all teleported back, and the familiar surroundings of the academy came into view.


    *****


    The following days saw Jett dive deep into his studies at rence''s office, pouring over the texts, absorbing as much information as he could. During his free moments, he pushed his limits, training his Aura and Mana with an almost obsessive focus, seeking to hone his abilities further.


    One evening, Jett sat cross-legged in his room, meditating in the stillness. The steady rhythm of his breathing filled the room as he tried to center himself, Aura flowing through him like a calm river.


    Bang! Bang!


    A sudden, aggressive knock echoed through the room, shattering the tranquility.


    Jett''s eyes snapped open, irritation shing across his face. Reluctantly, he got up and moved to the door, knowing he was the only one inside. When he swung it open, Rey stood in front of him, his expression intense.


    "What do you want?" Jett asked, his tone sharp and hinting that he had no interest inpany.


    But Rey didn''t seem to care. "Spar with me," he demanded, his voice firm.


    Jett raised an eyebrow, taken aback. "Where''s thising from anyway?" He spoke casually, not taking Rey''s sudden request seriously.


    Rey stepped forward, trying to force his way in, but Jett quickly pushed the door back with a firm hand, blocking his entry. The door stood as a barrier between them, Jett''s resolve clear.


    "I''m serious, Jett. I want you to spar with me. It''s my rank on the line anyway, and you''ve got nothing to lose," Rey pleaded, his tone unusually desperate.


    Jett leaned against the doorframe, his expression unimpressed. "Of course, I''ve got something to lose. My sweet, precious alone time. E''s out with Freya, and I can finally get some rest. What''s the meaning of this?" His voice carried a hint of annoyance as he crossed his arms.


    Rey, unfazed, pressed on. "You''ve been growing exponentially inbat sses, aside from the whole etiquette stuff. I just want to find out how strong you''ve really bepared to me."


    Jett hesitated, his mind racing between thefort of his current rxation and the challenge Rey posed. He wasn''t exactly eager to engage, but the look of determination in Rey''s eyes made it harder to say no.


    After a long pause, Jett sighed. "Alright, fine. Let''s do this," he said abruptly, stepping away from the door without warning. Rey, caught off guard, stumbled forward, nearly tripping into the room.


    "If you can climb the ranks and reach the top of the school rankings, then I''ll face you," Jett added, throwing the challenge out as he casually walked back toward the center of the room.


    "Wait, really?" Rey looked at him in disbelief. "That''s asking way too much!"


    Jett nced over his shoulder, a sly grin tugging at his lips. ''He''s going to do it anyway�� might as well give him more motivation,'' Jett thought as he saw the fire in Rey''s eyes.


    "That''s the only way I''ll agree," Jett said, shaking his head as if the decision was final.


    Rey frowned for a moment before a determined grin spread across his face. "So, you''re saying you''re on par with those at the top of the ranking?"


    Jett shrugged nonchntly. "I mean�� I guess so."


    "Alright then, just you wait!" Rey grinned, his enthusiasm renewed as he marched out, his mind already formting ns.


    As Rey left, Jett leaned back against the door and sighed in relief. "I can''t believe that actually worked," he muttered before heading back to his meditation spot, sinking into the quiet once more.


    "I can''t believe that worked," Jett sighed, shaking his head as he returned to his meditative posture, letting the stillness of the room envelop him once more.


    *****


    Back at the capital, Reynolds stood alone on the grand balcony, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The air was calm, yet his expression was tense. As he stared into the expanse of clear skies, his brow furrowed with an unsettling thought.


    "A storm ising," Reynolds muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as if he could see something no one else could.


    A soft voice echoed behind him, carrying a gentle but curious tone. "And why would you say that? There''s not a single cloud in sight, let alone any sign of rain."


    It was ady''s voice. She approached quietly, her graceful steps almost imperceptible against the polished marble floor.


    For a moment, there was only silence. The stillness between them stretched until it was broken by Reynolds'' slow, deliberate words.


    "No, my lovely wife," he finally said, turning to face her with a faint smile, "not that kind of storm." His eyes reflected a deeper worry, one that could not be calmed by clear skies or gentle breezes.


    *


    *


    *


    What could be thinking about?

 Chapter 114 Long Way to go

    At the academy''s grand training hall, Rey stood alone, his muscles tense with determination as he worked tirelessly to sharpen his skills. His mind was focused, every swing of his sword precise, yet fueled by a burning desire to surpass Jett. The sound of steel cutting through the air echoed in the empty hall, reflecting Rey''s unyielding resolve.


    ''Just you wait, Jett. I''ll catch up to you soon.'' The thought fueled him as he swung his de, over and over, never slowing, never faltering.


    In the center of the hall was a glowing magic circle with illusion magic, aplex enchantment used by students to recreate battle scenarios from their own experiences.


    This particr training circle could replicate any monster or boss a student had defeated, pulling from their memory while also adjusting their capabilities to simte not only the creature''s appearance but its strength and tactics. Though powerful, the circle had a limitation: it could only recreate monsters the user had already conquered, making each battle a test of both memory and skill.


    Rey had chosen to simte five level 60 bosses, creatures he had bested in the past but had never faced all at once. His de shimmered with Aura as he fought, refusing to rely on anything but the sheer strength of his Aura techniques. Each boss attacked with relentless force, their monstrous roars filling the room as they charged at him with deadly intent.


    The first boss lunged, ws outstretched, but Rey sidestepped just in time, his de cutting deep into its thick hide. Aura exploded from his sword, sending the creature crashing into the ground. He barely had a moment to breathe before the second boss leaped at him, a massive brute covered in spiked armor.


    Rey met its attack head-on, his Aura de shing with its hardened exterior, sparks flying as he struggled to push it back.


    ''Focus, focus��'' he thought, his body moving purely on instinct as he maneuvered between the monstrous enemies.


    Sweat dripped down his brow, his muscles screaming with exhaustion, but Rey refused to give in. The third bossshed out with its tail, trying to wrap around him. He swung his sword in a wide arc, severing the tail in one clean strike. The fourth and fifth bosses came at him together, one unleashing a torrent of fire, the other brandishing two massive swords.


    Rey''s Aura red bright red as he fought to control it. His movements became faster, more precise. He dodged, parried, and countered with expert precision, every sh of his sword glowing with the concentrated power of his Aura.


    The battle raged on, his body feeling the toll of each strike. As the simtion neared its climax, Rey delivered the final blow, his sword glowing with a blinding light as he plunged it deep into the chest of thest remaining boss. With a guttural roar, the creature copsed, dissolving into the simted ether.


    Rey stood in the center of the circle, panting heavily, his body drenched in sweat. His chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath.


    ''That was harder than I thought��'' he mused, his grip loosening on his sword as he wiped the sweat from his brow.


    Just then, a voice cut through the air from the entrance of the hall.


    "You really don''t have anyone to train with?" The voice was soft yet carried a teasing edge.


    Rey sighed deeply, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the speaker. "What do you want, Ciara?" he asked, his tone t, clearly not in the mood for her games.


    Ciara, the elven princess, stood at the entrance with a smirk on her face, arms crossed as she casually leaned against the doorframe. She walked in slowly, her steps echoing in the now-quiet hall.


    "I was just passing by and saw you here," Ciara replied, her tone yful yet curious. "Didn''t think you''d be the type to train alone, or even train at all."


    Rey rolled his eyes, not eager for the conversation. "I''m fine training by myself. I don''t need anyone''s help," he said, his voice edged with impatience.


    Ciara chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Well, from what I just saw, you almost didn''t make it. Maybe you could use a partner." She smiled, raising an eyebrow as she challenged him with her gaze.


    Rey wiped thest bit of sweat from his brow and sheathed his sword. "I appreciate the offer, but I''m good." He started to walk toward the door, intending to leave, but Ciara wasn''t done.


    "Come on, Rey. We both know you''re pushing yourself because of Jett," she said, her voice softening slightly. "You don''t have to do this alone, I''m right here."


    Rey paused at the door, his hand resting on the handle as Ciara''s words sank in. He looked over his shoulder briefly, meeting her eyes before letting out a sigh. "I''m not doing this for Jett," he muttered, more to himself than to her. "I''m doing this for me."


    Rey paused at the doorway and turned to face Ciara, who stood confidently, her rapier drawn and gleaming under the hall''s soft light. Her stance was poised, the tip of her de aimed at the floor but ready for action. Ciara''s eyes were sharp, her posture radiating an eager energy as if she was already imagining the thrill of a spar.


    She wore a light smile on her lips, though her eyes told a different story. It was clear she wasn''t going to back down easily. "You really wanna die, huh?" she teased, a spark of challenge in her voice.


    Rey nced at her, his expression calm and indifferent. "And why would I be mad about that?" he asked, unfazed by her yful jab. "You beat me fair and squarest time, didn''t you?" His voicecked any hint of bitterness or resentment. He was far too focused on his current goal to hold grudges.


    "I''m already tired, though," Rey added, stretching slightly as if to emphasize his point. "Maybe another time."


    Ciara''s eyes narrowed, though her grin didn''t waver. "You better keep your promise then," she said, her rapier still in hand, but lowering it as Rey made his way past her.


    Rey exhaled as he left the training hall, muttering under his breath, ''When did I say it was a promise?'' He smiled wryly at the thought.


    As Rey walked back to his room, a quiet sense of aplishment settled over him. He had pushed himself to his limits today, and though it wasn''t enough to catch up to Jett yet, he knew he was on the right path. The challenge had been exhausting, but Rey could feel his own growth: a step closer to his goal, even if the gap was still wide.


    ''There''s still a long way to go,'' he thought, reying the battle in his mind, his heart full of determination.


    "It''s back to grinding more exp after this," Rey muttered to himself, a small smile of anticipation crossing his lips as he imagined his next session of training. He wasn''t going to stop until he reached the top.


    *****


    Meanwhile, in a secluded area of the academy, a different sort of tension filled the air. Elora stood facing Jett, her arms crossed and her expression impatient. Aiden stood nearby, watching silently, though his posture suggested he wasn''t thrilled about being there either.


    "Start talking. What do you want from us?" Elora demanded, her frustration evident in her tone. She didn''t like being kept in the dark, especially when it came to Jett''s ns.


    Jett crouched down, inspecting the floor closely, his fingers tracing over the strange markings etched into the stone. His focus was intense, ignoring Elora''s suspicion as if he was searching for something only he could understand. "I need you guys to help me retrieve something really important," he said, almost absentmindedly, still running his hand along the ground.


    "And what would that be?" Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but cautious.


    "Oh, nothing much," Jett replied casually, his tone betraying no urgency. "Just some really amazing set of swords. You probably won''t need any other weapons once you get a hold of these ones." His eyes never left the markings as he continued his search, as if what he was looking for was just beneath his fingertips.


    Aiden pondered the offer, temptation flickering in his eyes. "Tempting��" he muttered under his breath, already imagining the power of such weapons in his hands.


    Elora shot a sharp nce at Aiden, unimpressed by his quick willingness to go along with Jett''s n. "Don''t believe him so easily, Aiden. Why would he need us for something like that? With his skill level, he could probably do it alone."


    Jett, still focused on the floor, chuckled softly. "You may be right about that," he admitted, his tone rxed as he traced over a peculiar marking with his fingers. His eyes shed with recognition as he found what he had been searching for. "But wouldn''t you like to get better weapons on par with Finn''s Midas Spear?" He smirked as he felt a foreign energy pulse beneath his fingertips.


    ''Found you,'' he thought.


    Aiden''s eyes widened slightly at the mention of Finn''s legendary spear, the idea taking root in his mind. "When you put it like that, then I guess it is a bit tempting," Elora admitted with a sigh, finally relenting to Jett''s offer.


    Explore hidden tales at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    "That''s right," Aiden added eagerly. "Getting a cheat weapon like Finn''s is a no-brainer. I''m in."


    Jett''s smirk grew wider as he poured his Lumix energy into the markings on the floor. The moment his energy connected with the symbols, the ground beneath them began to glow ominously as the markings lit up, forming a perfect circle around them.


    Before Elora could protest, the markings sucked them downwards, as if the very ground beneath their feet had opened up.


    "No, hold on, I haven''t agreed to thiiiiiis...!" Elora screamed as they were pulled into the swirling vortex.


    *


    *


    *


    Let''s see where he takes them.

 Chapter 115 Off to a New Quest

    The trio tumbled and crashed onto a cold stone floor, dust swirling around them as they groaned and slowly picked themselves up. They hadnded in a dimly lit underground passageway, ancient and eerie, with walls lined in faint, glowing runes. The atmosphere was heavy with a sense of forgotten magic.


    Aiden peered down the long, winding pathways ahead, four distinct tunnels stretching into the darkness. "So much for perfectnding... where are we?" he asked, scanning their surroundings warily.


    "We''re under the academy," Jett replied calmly, brushing off his clothes and ncing around the space with a familiar sense of ease. "A special maze that you can''t ess using normal means."


    Elora, still dusting herself off, shot him a skeptical look. "And how did we get in, exactly?"


    "With Lumix, I just channelled it to the markings on the floor." Jett responded simply, his tone matter-of-fact.


    Both Aiden and Elora exchanged nces, they already understood what Lumix was but they still couldn''t manifest it. They had spent weeks learning about the mysterious force but despite their efforts, Lumix still remained just out of their grasp.


    "You can use Lumix to that extent? How?" Elora pestered, her curiosity piqued. The idea that Jett had mastered something they had yet to even touch made her feel both intrigued and annoyed.


    "I trained myself," Jett replied nonchntly, "using the same method I gave you guys. Just be patient and you''ll get there."


    They walked further into the space, where four distinct pathways opened up in front of them, each marked by symbols carved into the stone above. The first had the symbol of a dragon, fierce and coiled, etched in me-like detail. The second disyed a gleaming sword, sharp and deadly. The third bore the shape of a sturdy shield, symbolizing defense and protection.


    The final path was marked with a skeleton symbol, ominous and foreboding, suggesting death or danger.


    "Alright," Aiden interrupted, cutting through the growing tension, "chitchat''s over. Where do we go now?"


    As if answering him, a notification suddenly appeared in front of them, floating with a faint glow.


    [Hidden Quest: Conquer the Twin Maze.]


    [Time Limit: None.]


    [Reward: Entrance Key.]


    Aiden squinted at the message, his concern growing. "That''s a bit weird. Is the system that confident that we''ll never get out of here?" he asked, his voiceced with worry.


    "I guess it''s time to get going," Jett said, stretching his arms before turning his focus to the symbols above each pathway. His eyes darted between the dragon, the sword, the shield, and the skeleton, studying them carefully. After a moment, he muttered under his breath, "Just like in the game."


    Elora, noticing his intense focus, raised an eyebrow. "So... do you know where to go?"


    "Yeah, I do," Jett replied, his voice casual but confident. "All of these paths are traps, though, so we''re not going into any of them."


    Aiden, growing impatient, let out a sigh. "Stop keeping us in the dark and just tell us what''s going on already."


    Jett smirked, clearly enjoying the anticipation. "Before we go any further, you should probably know a bit about the weapons we''re about to retrieve."


    Aiden''s curiosity piqued as he crossed his arms. "Go on, then."


    Jett''s expression shifted slightly as he began to speak, his voice low and deliberate. "Long ago, when beings akin to gods were said to have descended upon thend, among them were two siblings: twin gods of fire and ice. The brother wielded the power of fire, magma coursing through his veins, while the sistermanded the cold of ice, but she also carried a piece of darkness within her."


    Jett paused for a moment, letting the weight of the story sink in before continuing. "Though they were siblings, their powers shed violently. A tragic war broke out between them, one that threatened to tear the verynd apart. Fire scorched the earth, ice froze oceans, and shadows swallowed entire cities. They nearly destroyed the world itself in their battle."


    Elora and Aiden listened intently, their attention fully captured by the gravity of Jett''s words.


    Your next journey awaits at mvl


    "Then, without warning, they vanished, disappeared from the world with no trace left behind. The only proof of their existence? A shield forged from the chaos, a shield that bears the three godly swords they once wielded."


    "The three swords are said to be unmatched by any weapon created since." Jett''s voice dropped lower, adding to the sense of mystique. "The first sword, Ignis Magna, was forged from the heart of a dying star and is imbued with the power of fire and molten magma. The second, cies Eternis, carries the eternal frost of the deepest winter and the icy winds that can freeze anything in their path.


    The third, and perhaps the most dangerous, is Umbra Tenebris, the de of darkness itself, capable of consuming light and spreading pure destruction."


    Jett''s eyes gleamed with excitement as he finished the story. "And those are the weapons we''re here to find. The maze protects them."


    Aiden and Elora were silent for a moment, absorbing the enormity of the task ahead.


    "So, what you''re saying is..." Aiden started slowly, "we''re about to enter a ce where the weapons of gods are sealed away?"


    "Exactly," Jett confirmed, his smirk returning. "And we better be careful, this maze isn''t going to let us through without a fight."


    "Without a fight, huh?" Aiden repeated, eyeing Jett suspiciously.


    Meanwhile, Jett sulked inwardly, thinking about all the times he''d had to restart the quest in the game after going through hell to even find this hidden maze. He kept his eyes on the symbols, trying to focus on the task at hand.


    Elora, however, was growing more curious. She narrowed her eyes as a new thought crossed her mind. "Hey, Jett... those weapons you mentioned earlier," she began.


    "Yeah? What about them?" Jett responded, still preupied with analyzing the markings.


    "They seem... well, perfect for Aiden and me. But that makes me wonder even more," she paused, watching Jett closely. "What''s in it for you?"


    Jett froze for a brief second, his mind scrambling. He hadn''t expected that question, at least, not so soon. "Oh, me?" He tried to y it off casually, turning back to the symbols. "Goodwill, of course. I mean, we all need to get stronger to face the main boss of this world, right? You know, the great danger Aurelia warned us about..."


    "I don''t buy it," Elora cut him off, her voice sharp and unrelenting.


    "Huh?" Jett blinked, clearly caught off guard. He really didn''t like being the one cornered in a conversation.


    Aiden grinned, folding his arms as he chimed in. "I gotta agree with her, man. You''re hiding something. So why don''t you start talking?"


    Jett shifted nervously, feeling the weight of theirbined scrutiny. "And what gave you guys that idea?"


    "You''rezy," Elora said bluntly, folding her arms with a look ofplete conviction.


    "I take offense to that!" Jett snapped, sounding more defensive than intended. "I work harder than any of you!"


    "Oh yeah?" Elora shot back. "Then why follow us down here if you''re not getting something out of this?"


    "She means you''d nevere with us if you had nothing to gain. You normally just give instructions or tips rather than actually staying to help. So if you''re here, there''s another treasure you''re nning to get," Aiden exined, narrowing his eyes at Jett.


    Jett sighed, realizing there was no point in denying it anymore. "Alright, fine. I do have a few things I need to retrieve, but trust me, they''re nothing you guys would want. Let''s just focus on the main reason we''re here, okay?" With that, Jett bent down and began inspecting the ground, his fingers grazing the surface.


    "Hey, Elora," Jett called out without looking up.


    "What are you doing?" Elora asked, suspicious of his sudden request.


    "Freeze the floor for me, would you?" Jett said casually, as if it were the most natural request in the world.


    Elora hesitated, feeling the urge to refuse purely out of annoyance. But after a brief moment, she realized she had no real reason to decline. "Alright, fine. Step back."


    Aiden and Jett quickly moved a few meters away as Elora prepared her skill.


    [Frozen Land]


    With a sharp breath, Elora activated her skill, and the floor beneath them turned into a thick sheet of ice, frozen solid. Frost crept along the ground, covering every inch of the surface. "Now what?" she asked, eyeing Jett skeptically.


    Jett merely grinned, tapping the frozen floor lightly with his sword. A crackling sound echoed through the room as the ice began to shatter beneath their feet. "Brace yourselves!" Jett called out. But before Elora or Aiden could react, the floor gave way entirely.


    Jett, ever the opportunist, immediately leaped to a safe spot and activated his skill,


    [Checkpoint]


    Meanwhile, Elora and Aiden plunged downward, crashing into the next chamber,nding hard on the cold, unforgiving ground.


    The chamber they fell into was vast and hollow, with an eerie emptiness that felt unnatural. The cold air bit into their skin as they slowly stood up, brushing the frost off their clothes.


    "Can''t you just give us a heads up before doing something like that?" Elora snapped, ring up at Jett, who was still standing at his safe point with a smug grin. "It''s bing very annoying."


    Jett, barely able to hold back hisughter, finally jumped down,nding gracefully next to them. "Come on, you have to admit that was funny."


    The momentary banter was interrupted as a new notification appeared in front of them, the words floating ominously in the air.


    [Congrattions]


    [You have found the real Twin Maze.]


    [Objective: Find the exit while traversing the ever-changing ecosystem of this maze.]


    [Duration: None]


    [Reward: Entrance Key]


    Aiden and Elora exchanged confused nces. "Ever-changing ecosystem?" Aiden read aloud, furrowing his brow. "What does that mean?"


    Before Jett could respond, the entire chamber shifted around them. The temperature dropped even further as the surroundings transformed into an environment of ice and snow. The walls of the maze turned to solid ice, with harsh winds blowing snow across the now-frozenndscape.


    Elora shivered, despite her natural affinity for the cold. "Well, this is... unexpected."


    "Good thing I came prepared," Jett said nervously, pulling a thick jacket out of his storage space and putting it on.


    Elora, noticing the grim expressions on Jett and Aiden''s faces, raised an eyebrow. "What''s with you two?"


    "We need to hurry," Jett said, looking at his interface. "My HP''s draining on its own." He quickly zipped up his jacket and adjusted it.


    "Same here," Aiden added, checking his stats and feeling the same constant drain on his health.


    *


    *


    *


    Get ready for the new quest.

 Chapter 116 Twin Maze

    Everywhere around them had transformed into an icy wastnd. White snow nketed the ground, turning thendscape into an endless sea of frost. Frozen icicles jutted out from every crevice, creating jagged points that hung from the ceiling like crystalline spears. A chilling breeze swept through the air, biting into their skin and making the frigid atmosphere even more unbearable.


    "How are you guys faring under the cold?" Elora asked, her voice steady despite the frozen environment.


    Jett gave a nonchnt shrug and a thumbs-up. "Not bad, actually. I''ve got some resistance to it, plus this jacket is really warm." He adjusted his coat, and the faint glow of his ability flickered for a moment.


    [Body Heat]


    Aiden, on the other hand, looked like a furnace. Steam visibly sipped out of his body, rising in wisps as the heat from his fire skill fought against the cold. "I can use my fire to heat myself up," he said, his breath forming visible clouds in the cold air. "But that doesn''t stop my HP from ticking down."


    "Same here," Jett added with a frown. "So we need to find the exit quickly. I''ll walk you guys through this whole thing. The ecosystem will change soon, and things will get tougher."


    Elora nced at him, noting the seriousness in his tone. "What do you mean by ''change''?"


    Jett didn''t respond immediately, his mind wandering to the subtle thought that had been nagging him. ''In the game, the ecosystem changes every three minutes... maybe thirty minutes in real time? If that''s true, I''m the one in real danger here.'' Despite his thoughts, he kept a calm expression and continued, "Thendscape will shift soon. Every part of this maze is alive, so we''ll need to move fast."


    "So what now?" Elora asked, her eagerness to get through this ordeal clear in her voice.


    Jett paused before giving her a specific instruction. "Check your stats. Do you see any skill or title you don''t recognize?"


    Elora opened her stats window, scanning through the familiar list of abilities. "None," she replied, a hint of frustration creeping in.


    "Close it and check again," Jett urged, his eyes narrowing slightly.


    Elora hesitated but did as she was told, reopening her interface. "Umm��" Her eyes widened slightly as she spotted something new. "I see a new skill."


    The description shed before her:


    [Snow Guide]


    [The snow listens to you. Tell it where you need to go, and watch it guide you.]


    [Duration: 30 minutes]


    [Cooldown: 30 minutes]


    She blinked, her expression a mix of surprise and confusion. "The snow listens to me?"


    "Perfect," Jett said, his voice brimming with relief. "That''s exactly what we need. You can use it to guide us to the exit."


    Aiden, still releasing steam from his body, nced at her with raised eyebrows. "That''s convenient. So, uh, what do you n on asking the snow?"


    "Now all you have to do is say where you want to go. As long as the snow is touching the exit, it''ll give you directions. Luckily for us, the snow covers every part of this maze, pretty nice right?" Jett exined, his tone casual but carrying an edge of urgency.


    Elora took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Alright, I get it. The exit."


    As soon as the words left her lips, faint footprints began to appear in the snow, as if an invisible person was walking right in front of her, their tracks imprinted into the frozen ground. The snow seemed to respond, carving out a clear path.


    Jett didn''t waste any time, walking past her confidently. "Don''t just stand there. Follow it."


    "Right," Elora muttered, shaking off the momentary awe and bracing herself. She stepped forward, following the footprints closely.


    "Faster," she instinctively ordered, and just like that, the footprints sped up as though they were now running ahead. The path carved out faster, and she, Aiden, and Jett all followed, picking up their pace to match.


    They moved through the maze, winding through numerous paths and sharp turns. At times, it felt as though they were running in circles, but the footprints never faltered, continuing forward with a steady purpose. Despite the growing fatigue, they kept up, the cold still gnawing at their health.


    After a while of continuous running, Aiden''s breaths grew heavier, his steps slowing as he struggled to keep up. "How�� long�� is this?" he panted, ncing at his stats and seeing his HP now dangerously low at 15%.


    "Get ready," Jett warned,ing to a sudden halt. His eyes flicked to his surroundings, his posture tense.


    "For�� what��?" Aiden wheezed, still trying to catch his breath.


    "It''s been 30 minutes," Jett said grimly. "Time for the next change."


    They stopped, and the shift began immediately. The icy environment around them slowly started to melt. The biting chill in the air receded, reced by an ufortable warmth. Snowdrifts began to shrink, and the footprints ahead of them wavered, then vanished altogether.


    The snow under their feet dissolved into slush, leaving behind puddles of water, and the air grew hotter with each passing second. Icicles dripped, transforming into streams of water that flowed down the walls.


    "The footprints�� they''re gone," Elora said, her voice tense as she scanned the now-swelteringndscape.


    "Damn it, the skill''s on cooldown," Elora hissed, frustration clear in her voice.


    Jett, wiping the sudden sweat from his brow, remained calm. "Don''t worry too much, we won''t be needing it for a while." He shed a grin, despite the growing heat around them.


    The maze transformed before their eyes, its frozenndscape rapidly melting into a harsh, molten terrain. The once snowy environment had morphed into andscape of fire andva. Rivers of molten rock flowed between hard, jagged stones, likely made of phosphorus, glowing with an ominous red hue. mes flickered unpredictably, and the air itself felt stifling, heavy with heat.


    "Now it''s your turn, Elora." Jett pointed at both her and Aiden. "We''re switching roles."


    Elora blinked in confusion. "My turn for what exactly?"


    "Check your HP," Jett instructed calmly.


    Elora hesitated before pulling up her stats. Her eyes widened. "What the��" she muttered, seeing her HP slowly ticking down. "It''s dropping."


    Aiden quickly checked his own and, to his surprise, let out a relieved sigh. "Well, what do you know�� My HP stopped dropping. It''s increasing."


    "Exactly," Jett said, nodding. "So, we need to start moving. Aiden��"


    Before Jett could finish his sentence, Aiden interrupted. "Already on it," he said confidently, following Jett''s earlier advice and checking for new skills. His eyes lit up as he found one.


    [Devil''s Footprints]


    [The me andva listen to you. Tell them where you need to go and watch them guide you.]


    [Duration: 30 minutes]


    [Cooldown: 30 minutes]


    "So, I just say where I want to go, right?" Aiden asked, ncing at Jett for confirmation.


    "Yeah��" Jett replied slowly, a hint of surprise in his voice. He hadn''t expected Aiden to adapt so quickly or to gain such an overpowered skill. Being overtaken so fast left Jett a little off-guard, but he quickly rposed himself.


    "Alright," Aiden added, "Let''s see if this works as well as Elora''s."


    "The exit," Aiden called out.


    Instantly, footprints appeared before him, but unlike the snowy ones from earlier, these left molten impressions in their wake, melting the ground as they moved forward.


    "Faster," Aidenmanded, and the fiery footprints responded, picking up the pace as if someone invisible was racing ahead of them.


    Elora activated her skill.


    [Freezing Body]


    A chill enveloped her, creating a shield of ice that protected her from the intense heat radiating from thevand. "At least I canbat the heat now... but my HP keeps dropping," she pointed out, ncing at her stats as they continued chasing the fiery trail.


    As they followed the footprints through thebyrinth ofva and mes, Elora cast a sideways nce at Jett, wondering how he was managing to keep up. ''Maybe his HP stopped dropping, just like Aiden''s... but still��'' she thought, feeling a lingering sense of unease.


    After a few more moments, she finally voiced her concern. "Hold on�� What about you, Jett? Has your HP stopped dropping?"


    Jett gave a teasing smirk. "Me? Would it make you feel better if I said Yes?"


    Despite his nonchnt demeanor, there was a hint of tension behind his words. Deep down, Jett felt the creeping threat of the maze. He wasn''t as unaffected as he pretended to be, and though he maintained his cool, the weight of the situation wasn''t lost on him.


    "Please stop joking around," Elora said, her annoyance rising.


    Aiden, catching onto the conversation, added, "Now that I think about it, you''vested this long. Your HP should be back up by now, right?"


    Jett sighed, his tone shifting slightly. "If you must know, that perk only works for both of you. Anyone else who tries to traverse this maze will have their HP continuously drained."


    Elora''s eyes narrowed, still concerned despite Jett''s exnation. "So, your HP is still dropping?"


    "Yep," Jett confirmed with a casual shrug, though the underlying threat of the situation weighed heavily on his mind. "But I''ve got it under control for now."


    "Let''s hope you do," Elora muttered, keeping pace with the melting footprints, her mind still racing with unease about what Jett wasn''t saying.


    "How the hell are you still alive!?" Aiden asked, rmed. His earlier confidence wavered as he processed what Jett had just revealed.


    ''I put 500 points into my HP, and I''m using an item to amplify it, plus some other buffs... This is quite the gamble,'' Jett thought. Then, in his usualid-back tone, he added aloud, "I''ve got HP to spare, so don''t worry about me. But heads up, it should be 30 minutes by now, brace yourselves."


    "For what? Another change of scenery? That''s barely a problem right now," Aiden smirked, clearly still underestimating the maze''s challenges.


    As if on cue, the environment shifted again, the oppressive heat of thevand rapidly dissipating. The ground became nketed in white once more, icy winds swirling around them as the maze reverted to its original frozen state. Aiden''s skill went on cooldown, meaning no more footprints to follow.


    Aiden stopped, ncing around. "It''s just snow, nothing to be scared of."


    Suddenly, a sharp whistling noise cut through the air, and an icicle shot down from the ceiling with incredible speed, narrowly missing Aiden as he instinctively dodged to the side.


    "You were saying?" Jett sighed, clearly unsurprised by the sudden attack.


    Aiden''s eyes widened as he caught his breath, "I take that back. Elora, your ce just tried to kill me."


    "I warned you. It''s only going to get tougher," Jett replied with a grin, fully aware of what the maze had in store for them. "After every cold and hot cycle, the maze introduces an additional challenge."


    Aiden looked at Jett in frustration, his voice rising in disbelief. "Why didn''t you put that in the disimer before bringing us here?"


    "Well, excuse me for paying more attention to not dying than telling you something that obvious," Jett retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You really thought it was going to be that easy?"


    *


    *


    Your journey continues on mvl


    *


    The maze is just getting started.

 Chapter 117 Maze Hussle

    As the group darted through the narrow ice-covered corridors, the biting cold of the cavern sent chills down their spines. Sharp icicles the size of spears rained down from above with every step they took, forcing them to zigzag frantically.


    The icy projectiles shattered upon impact with the ground, spraying shards in every direction. Their breath came out in visible puffs, matching the pace of their hurried footsteps.


    "Why do these things always aim for me!?" Aiden shouted, narrowly dodging an icicle that embedded itself right where his head had been a moment ago. He yelped and stumbled to the side, only to slip on the slick ice beneath his feet.


    "Because the universe knows you need to work on your reflexes!" Jert shot back with a grin, gracefully side-stepping another falling spike.


    Elora kept her eyes on the path ahead, but her heart pounded with a growing frustration. Another icicle came crashing down in front of her, and she swerved to the right, muttering, "Are we sure we''re not in some twisted game of dodgeball right now?"


    "Lessining, more running!" Jett''s voice cut through the chaos, his sharp tone unshaken despite the chaos around them. His feet barely touched the ice as he sprinted ahead.


    But he wasn''t just focused on himself. His eyes flickered toward Elora. She was keeping pace, but there was a glint in his eyes, as though he had pieced something together. "Check your skillset again, Elora!" Jett barked, weaving between two massive icicles falling in quick session. "You should''ve unlocked something new by now!"


    "What? You want me to check my skills now?! Are you out of your mind?!" Elora shot back, but even as she protested, her instincts told her Jett was right. She barely avoided another icicle by diving to the side, rolling to her feet in a flurry of movement.


    "Yes, now! Multitask!" Jett''s words were sharp but oddly calm, as if this life-threatening situation wasn''t enough to shake him. His eyes flickered over to her again. "Or do you want to be the next frozen casualty? Now that I think about, that was a dumb thing to say."


    "I''d like to not be impaled today, thanks!" Elora shot a re in his direction, managing to pull up her skillset with a quick swipe of her hand mid-sprint. Her eyes scanned the glowing interface that hovered in front of her, desperately seeking something new.


    And there it was. Right at the bottom of the list, a new skill gleamed brightly as if it had just been waiting for her to find it.


    "Are you kidding me?" she breathed out. "Why didn''t this pop up sooner?"


    "No time for questions, just use it!" Jett called, his voice still steady despite the fact that an icicle had just grazed his shoulder. He brushed off the shards like they were nothing more than an inconvenience.


    [Cold Sense]


    [Feel the cold and change of temperature around you. +50 Perception, Agility and Intelligence, Grows with the user. Uses more MP the bigger the radius]


    [Duration: None]


    [Cooldown: None]


    As Elora activated her newly discovered skill, she felt an immediate shift in her perception. The icy air around her became more than just a frigid obstacle: it was something she could feel in her bones.


    The subtle changes in temperature, the direction of the freezing winds, even the delicate trembling of the icicles overhead, all became clear to her. She could predict where the next spear of ice would fall, sensing the drops in temperature right before they came crashing down.


    The result was immediate and remarkable. For the rest of the mad dash through the cavern, Elora dodged the falling icicles with grace and precision. She ducked, spun, and sidestepped in perfect sync with the shifting temperatures, avoiding each and every icy projectile like she had been running this course her whole life.


    Meanwhile, Aiden was still yelping with every close call. "Okay, seriously, are these things targeting me on purpose!? There''s no way this is random!"


    "Stop whining and keep moving!" Jett shot back, smirking as he watched Elora go, "At this rate, even Elora''s showing you up."


    Elora grinned at the exchange, feeling a surge of confidence as she weaved effortlessly between two massive icicles that came crashing down ahead of her. But there was a cost. With each sessful dodge, she felt a drain on her energy. Her MP was rapidly depleting, and the constant use of [Cold Sense] was taking its toll.


    She could feel the warmth of her sensory range reducing with every second, her MP bar creeping closer and closer to empty.


    By the time thirty minutes had passed, the terrain began to shift. The icy floor beneath them cracked and trembled, the cold air giving way to a dry, sweltering heat. The cavern morphed, and the once-frozen environment melted away asva pits began to take form. The heat radiating from the molten rock was unbearable, a stark contrast to the biting cold they had just escaped.


    Elora felt it immediately. Her MP was drained to nothing, and now she had to face the rising temperature with no resources left. "I''m almost out of MP," she groaned, clutching her side as she struggled to keep up with the others. Her skin glistened with sweat, and the oppressive heat bore down on her like a heavy weight. "I don''t think I''ll be able to walk through this heat so easily."


    Aiden, who had been running beside her, nced her way with concern, but before he could speak, Jett strode up to her, still calm andposed despite the sweltering air.


    "Here," Jett said, handing her a small pill. "Take this. It''ll restore your MP. I got it from Marce."


    Elora blinked at the pill, hesitant for a moment. "You just... have MP pills lying around?"


    Jett shrugged. "Never know when you''ll need one."


    With a sigh of defeat, Elora popped the pill into her mouth, feeling the magical energy begin to slowly replenish within her. The cool sensation of her MP restoring was a wee relief, though she couldn''t help but groan in frustration. "This is nuts," she muttered as the heat grew heavier around them. "How many more do we have to endure?"


    Jett gave her a small, amused smile. "As many as it takes."


    Aiden sighed again, her shoulders slumping. "Well, at least we''re not dodging icicles anymore."


    Jett chimed in from the back, panting heavily. "Yeah, now we just have to avoid getting turned into roast chicken. Great improvement!"


    As the team bolted through the maze, dodging fireballs and icicles, the air was filled with tension.


    "You''ve gotta be kidding me! Now we''ve got fireballs? What''s next, a freaking tornado?" Aiden shouted, narrowly avoiding another fireball that streaked past him, singeing the edge of his cloak.


    "Focus, Aiden!" Jett snapped, but even he couldn''t hide the exasperation in his voice. He leapt over a crumbling ledge, shooting a nce at the destruction left in their wake. "If we survive this, I''m seriously rethinking this whole dungeon-crawling hobby."


    Elora, keeping pace, managed to chill herself with her ice maniption skill, cooling her body to withstand the fiery barrage. "I''d take ice over fire any day," she panted. "At least I can, you know, not burn alive."


    Aiden, who had activated [Devil''s Footprints], dashed through the maze with an eerie agility. "We really need to talk to those gods or whatever. It kinda feels like they don''t even want us to get those swords."


    A fireball exploded nearby, shaking the ground beneath them. "Okay, I take it back. That was too close," Aiden muttered.


    Jett couldn''t help but smirk, despite the chaos. "I''m almost impressed, Aiden. You actually dodged one."


    "Don''t sound so surprised!" Aiden shot back, dodging another fireball. "Just wait, one of these is gonna blow up in your face, and I''ll be the oneughing."


    "Focus!" Jett barked, swatting away stray sparks that flew too close. He threw a quick nce at Elora, stillgging behind.


    One of the fireballs, faster than the others, caught them off guard. Before anyone could react, it mmed into Elora, sending her tumbling to the ground with a yelp of pain. The impact sent mes licking at her clothes as she struggled to get up, grimacing from the heat.


    "Elora!" Aiden''s eyes widened, and without a second thought,


    {Fire Wall}


    He activated one of hisst remaining spells. He thrust his hand forward, summoning a fiery barrier between Elora and the advancing fireballs. The barrier absorbed the brunt of the mes, but the strain was clear as Aiden''s face contorted with exhaustion.


    The me kept reducing as Aiden fell to one knee. "This is so tiring," he panted, beads of sweat rolling down his face.


    Jett rushed over, quickly handing both Elora and Aiden pills to restore their HP and MP. "Here, take these," he said, tossing a few pills in their direction while popping some into his own mouth. He grimaced slightly, the bitter taste lingering on his tongue, but they worked.


    "How many of these pills do you even have?" Aiden asked, catching his breath as he swallowed one. He had seen Jett take pill after pill throughout their relentless run through the dungeon.


    [Iron Shell]


    Jett called out, ignoring the question as he activated the skill. The air shimmered for a second before a dome of solid iron formed around them, providing much-needed protection from the barrage of fireballs. The sound of the explosions outside reverberated against the iron shell, but the group was finally able to take a breather.


    Jett sat downl. "A lot. I had Marce make me a stockpile before we came here," he replied with a small smirk, knowing the pills were a lifesaver.


    The fireballs continued to rain down outside, shing against the dome with loud ngs, but for now, they were safe. "At this rate," Jett sighed, "we''ll run into three more cycles before we get to the exit."


    Aiden, who had been catching his breath, looked up in disbelief. "It''s that far?" he groaned, shaking his head. "Just when I thought it couldn''t get any worse."


    Elora sighed in frustration, rubbing her arm where the fireball had hit her. "Great. And here I was hoping we were almost done."


    "We only need to worry about the third and fourth cycles," Jett exined, watching as the iron shell began to weaken, cracks forming along its surface. The relentless pounding of the fireballs was taking its toll. "Get ready to run."


    Jett stood up, his eyes narrowed in focus as he moved to the front. ''I want this over with as soon as possible,'' he thought, stretching his hand out facing Aiden and Elora. An orange aura began to radiate from him, flickering like mes.


    "Now, stay still, This will only take a minute." Jett muttered, as the aura around him intensified.


    *


    *


    *


    What is he nning?

 Chapter 118 Change of Plans

    The Academy was vast, with numerous training areas scattered across the grounds, each one tailored to a specific ss and its unique requirements. There were grand arenas where warriors honed their strength, open fields where archers like Evelina practiced their precision, and elegant halls where mages refined their control over the elements.


    However, the training hall Asher had brought Evelina to was unlike any of those spaces. This hall was designed for rogues and other stealth-based sses. It was hidden away, tucked in a less-visited part of the Academy grounds, and rarely used except by those who specialized in shadowy arts.


    As they stepped inside, the air felt different. The hall was shrouded in darkness, with barely any venttion. The faint sound of their footsteps echoed in the enclosed space, making it feel more like a secret chamber than a training hall. Unlike the other areas, which were open and well-lit, this one was intentionally cloaked in shadow.


    It wasn''t that the lights couldn''t be turned on, but rather that most people who trained here preferred the dark. Asher, especially, felt more at ease in the shadows. It gave him an edge, heightened his senses, and allowed him to sharpen his skills as a rogue.


    "Woah�� it''s so dark in here. Is this like a secretive date thing?" Evelina teased, her voice bouncing yfully in the dim room. Her lighthearted tone shed with the eerie atmosphere, but that was just how she was.


    Asher sighed, used to her antics. "Sorry to disappoint you��" he muttered, snapping his fingers. As if in response, a few luminous rocks embedded in the walls began to glow, casting a soft light that illuminated the surroundings. It was just enough to see, but still dim enough to keep the room cloaked in shadow. "We''re not here for any of that."


    "Boohoo," Evelina pouted, her curiosity still piqued. She looked around, noticing the unfamiliar surroundings. "So...? What did you bring me here for? You said you wanted to teach me something, but this doesn''t look like where archers train." She twirled her bow idly, clearly out of her element in this hall.


    Asher gave a brief nod, acknowledging her confusion. "That''s because it''s not. This hall is meant for rogues and simr sses. You won''t find archers practicing here."


    The hall felt almost like a cave: silent, cold, with barely any airflow. It wasn''t a ce for archers or those who relied on sight and long distances. But Asher didn''t need a wide open space. He thrived in environments where shadows reigned supreme, where being unseen was an advantage, and where the enemy wouldn''t know he wasing until it was toote.


    He looked at Evelina, his tone softening just a bit. "I brought you here because this hall is rarely used. That means we have some privacy, and I can show you something without distractions."


    Evelina, however, wasn''t ready to drop her teasing. "So it is a date, huh? How sweet of y..."


    Before she could finish, Asher brought his hand down in a swift, light chop on top of her head, cutting off her words mid-sentence.


    "Ow, ow, ow! What did you do that for?" Evelina groaned, rubbing the top of her head with a wince.


    "Pay attention," Asher said, his voice firm but not unkind. His eyes narrowed slightly, the yful glint gone, reced by his usual serious demeanor.


    Evelina stopped rubbing her head and straightened up, realizing that Asher was, for once, in full teacher mode. She sighed but nodded, brushing off the pain. "Fine, fine, I''m paying attention. So what is it you wanted to show me?"


    Asher reached into his ring and, with a swift motion, pulled out a small bag. It wasn''t anything fancy: just a in, worn-looking bag that had seen its fair share of use. But the weight behind it made Evelina curious, despite her initial annoyance.


    "What''s in the bag?" Evelina asked, pouting slightly. She wasn''t in the mood for surprises, especially not after being dragged to this dark, creepy training hall.


    Asher simply smirked as he unzipped the bag. "You''ll see," he said, his voice calm but carrying an air of mystery.


    Evelina''s eyes widened as Asher pulled out its contents. There, nestled in the bag, was a bow: a strange, sleek-looking weapon, much different from the one she currently used. But that wasn''t what caught her attention. Next to it, gleaming under the faint light of the luminous rocks, were two finely crafted daggers.


    "A bow and�� daggers?" Evelina raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "You got me a bow, and some daggers for yourself? I don''t think I need a new bow anyway," she added, her voice dripping with nonchnce as she looked away.


    But Asher''s next words made her pause.


    "They''re both for you," he said simply.


    Evelina blinked, taken aback. "Wait, both? You mean the daggers too?" She nced down at the weapons again, confusion setting in. The bow she understood, though she doubted she needed a recement. But the daggers? She had never once used daggers in battle.


    It didn''t fit her style at all. She was an archer, a long-range specialist.


    She looked up at Asher, sure he had made a mistake. "I''ve never used daggers before," she said, her voice trailing off. "I mean, it''s not my thing. Why would I need them?"


    Asher''s expression didn''t falter. His usual light-hearted demeanor was gone, reced with a serious, almost stern look. He took the daggers and the bow and handed them to Evelina, his gaze steady as if daring her to reject them.


    "You only know how to be useful with long-range attacks," Asher began, his voice low but firm. "But what happens if the enemy is up close, and you can''t escape? Or what if you run out of arrows and can''t make more? Or worse, can''t get ess to more?"


    Evelina opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. She fumbled for an answer, her mind racing for some kind of justification. "Well�� umm��"


    "Exactly," Asher interrupted, his eyes narrowing. "You''ll be vulnerable. Helpless. Anything could happen to you, and you wouldn''t be able to protect yourself. What if there''s no one around to help you?"


    Evelina felt a lump form in her throat. The cold reality of Asher''s words hit harder than she''d expected. She had never thought about it that way. She had always relied on her bow and arrows, always assumed she''d keep her distance in any battle. But what if�� what if she couldn''t? What if she was left with nothing but her bare hands, staring down an enemy she couldn''t outrun?


    "You''re weak," Asher''s voice cut through her thoughts like a de, sharp and unapologetic. There was no trace of humor or gentleness in his tone. He was being brutally honest, and it stung.


    The weight of his words sank in. Evelina''s chest tightened, and she couldn''t help the wave of sadness that washed over her. She was used to being carefree, the light-hearted one in the group, but Asher was right. When it came down to it, she was vulnerable. She was weak, and it made her feel small.


    Her eyes lowered to the floor, the daggers feeling heavy in her hands. She wanted to argue, to say something to prove him wrong, but deep down, she knew she couldn''t.


    Evelina''s heart sank as Asher''s words echoed in her mind. The weight of his judgment crushed her, and she could barely keep herposure. Her grip on the daggers tightened, the cold metal biting into her skin as her emotions surged.


    "I''m weak, right? That''s what you should have just said from the beginning," Evelina murmured, her voice trembling with emotion. "That I''m not good enough to stand by your side."


    Asher, still stern, opened his mouth to respond. "Yeah, it''s good that you already know this..."


    "Jerk!" Evelina screamed, cutting him off, her voice full of hurt and frustration. Without a second thought, she turned and bolted for the door, her footsteps echoing in the dimly lit hall.


    Asher stood there, dumbfounded, the shock of her outburst leaving him frozen in ce. His hand hovered in the air where she had been standing just moments before.


    ''Did I say something wrong?'' Asher thought, his brow furrowing as confusion set in. He had only been honest with her, hadn''t he? He was trying to help, trying to show her the reality of her weaknesses. So why had she reacted like this?


    "Why does it always have to be like this with her?" he muttered to himself, frustration creeping into his voice. "I''m trying to fix her shorings, to protect her, and she''s running away from me?"


    Shaking his head, Asher broke out of his daze and ran after her.


    *****


    Back at the maze, Jett exhaled heavily, wiping sweat from his forehead as he caught his breath. The environment was constantly shifting around them, and the trials were relentless.


    "Good thing I used my aura to augment your abilities till this point," Jett huffed, his tone still carrying some humor despite the exhaustion.


    Aiden was panting beside him, clearly not as amused. "I swear, if you ever make me follow you into something like this again��" he grumbled, bending over to catch his breath.


    Just as Aiden was about to finish his sentence, the maze shifted again. The walls morphed and twisted, turning into a shadowy, eerie realm that stretched out in front of them. A dense, oppressive darkness filled the space, casting long, distorted shadows everywhere.


    "Just great, another one, but it''s super dark, what''s going on?" Aiden muttered, already feeling drained from the previous sections.


    [Link Levitation]


    Without a word, Jett activated one of his skills. Instantly, his feet lifted off the ground, and he grabbed Aiden''s hand, pulling him up into the air with him.


    "W-What the hell are you doing?" Aiden eximed, struggling to break free from Jett''s grip.


    "Deal with it," Jett replied, not letting go. "I can only make others float with this skill if they''re directly touching me. Believe me, you don''t want to step on the ground for the next thirty minutes."


    Aiden frowned, still confused. "What the hell are you even talking about?" he grumbled, ncing down at the ground suspiciously.


    Then, out of the corner of his eye, Aiden noticed something strange. Elora wasn''t moving. She stood eerily still, her eyes vacant as if she wasn''t even aware of what was happening.


    "Umm�� why isn''t she moving?" Aiden asked, his voice filled with growing concern. "Isn''t she supposed to be capable with the Dark attribute?"


    Jett turned to look at Elora, and his heart dropped. He hadn''t ounted for this.


    "Oh no��" Jett whispered, his face paling.


    Aiden nced between the two, still clueless. "What? What''s going on?"


    "Shadow Berserk State," Jett muttered, his voiceced with dread. "If we don''t run now, she''ll kill us both."


    Aiden''s eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what?!"


    Jett didn''t waste any more time exining. He gripped Aiden tighter and began pulling him away, knowing full well that Elora wasn''t herself anymore.


    *


    *


    *


    Why they have to levitate? Sure I''ll answer that.

 Chapter 119 Elora on Rampage

    Asher bumped into Rosa, nearly knocking her over in his haste. He didn''t even notice how frustrated he looked until she gave him a quizzical stare.


    "What did you do this time?" Rosa asked, crossing her arms. She knew that look all too well: Asher was clearly in trouble again.


    "I don''t think I did anything wrong," Asher replied, running a hand through his hair, still trying to piece together what had just happened.


    "You don''t?" Rosa raised an eyebrow, ncing in the direction Evelina had run off to moments ago. "You definitely did something. I''ve never seen her that mad before."


    Asher frowned, genuinely confused. His mind reyed the conversation over and over again, but nothing seemed out of ce. ''What could she be so upset about?''


    Rosa watched him silently for a moment, then sighed, knowing she had to spell it out for him. "Maybe it was something that you said?"


    "Something I said?" Asher repeated, still not getting it. "I only told her she was weak and that she needs to learn how to defend herself." His tone was casual, like he hadn''t just thrown daggers at Evelina''s pride.


    Rosa rolled her eyes, exasperated. "And knowing you, the message was probably delivered in the most blunt, emotionless way possible." She shook her head, trying not tough at how oblivious he was. "Just apologize to her. She went that way."


    Asher stared at Rosa, a mix of confusion and realization crossing his face. "But why? I didn''t say anything wrong."


    "Maybe not to you, but to her, it might havee across differently." Rosa leaned in slightly, softening her voice. "You''re trying to protect her, I get that, but she probably heard it as ''You''re not good enough.'' You know how she is."


    Asher felt a pang of guilt in his chest. He hadn''t meant to hurt Evelina: he just wanted her to be stronger, to be able to fight at his side without worrying. He thought he was helping, but now he realized that maybe his approach had been too harsh.


    He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I''ll go find her and apologize."


    Rosa smiled knowingly. "Good. And maybe this time, try not to make her feel like she''s some helpless sidekick. She wants to stand by you, not behind you."


    Asher nodded and turned in the direction Rosa pointed, quickening his pace. His mind raced as he considered what to say. Apologizing wasn''t exactly his strong suit, and expressing his feelings? Even worse.


    But as he neared the ce where Evelina had run off, he found himself thinking back to all the moments they''d shared. The way she''d always teased him, herughter ringing in his ears whenever she tried to break his stoic demeanor. He realized, with a sinking feeling, that maybe Evelina wasn''t upset because of what he said about her being weak: maybe she thought he didn''t believe in her at all.


    When he found her sitting by the academy''s fountain, head in her hands, he hesitated for a moment. She looked so vulnerable, her usual fiery spirit dulled by whatever was going through her mind.


    "Lina��" Asher started, his voice softer than usual.


    She looked up, her eyes puffy and red from crying. "What do you want, Asher? Come to tell me how much more I suck?"


    He winced at her words, realizing just how much he''d hurt her.


    "No," Asher said quickly, sitting down beside her. "I came to apologize. I�� I didn''t mean to hurt you."


    Evelina stayed quiet for a moment, sniffling slightly as she wiped her eyes. "You called me weak."


    "I didn''t mean it like that," Asher said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just�� I want you to be able to protect yourself if I''m not around. You''re not weak, Evelina. Far from it. I trust you at my side more than anyone."


    Her gaze softened as she looked at him, and for the first time since their argument, she saw the sincerity in his eyes. It wasn''t often that Asher let his guard down like this.


    "Really?" Evelina asked, her voice trembling slightly, as if she wasn''t sure if she should believe him.


    Asher nodded, meeting her gaze. "Yeah, really. You''re one of the strongest people I know, and I�� I don''t want to lose you."


    Evelina''s heart fluttered at his words, her anger and frustration fading. She could feel the walls between them slowly breaking down.


    For a moment, the two sat in silence, the air between them thick with unspoken emotions. Asher wasn''t great with words, but he didn''t need to be. The way he sat close to her, the way his hand lingered near hers, said more than any apology could.


    "Next time��" Evelina murmured, her voice soft, "Just don''t be so blunt, okay? I''m not one of yourbat dummies."


    Asher chuckled lightly, a rare sound that made Evelina''s heart skip. "Deal."


    Their eyes met, and for a brief second, Evelina saw something deeper in his gaze: something he was still too afraid to say. But that was okay. She could wait.


    *****


    As Aiden''s panicked voice echoed in the shadowy maze, Jett''s focus remainedser-sharp. The situation was getting worse by the second.


    "What do you mean she''s going to kill us?" Aiden yelled, his voice tinged with urgency as they darted down the ever-shifting hallway.


    "No time to exin. We need to move," Jett replied without looking back.


    With quick precision, Jett activated his [Copy Skill], locking in on one of Elora''s abilities.


    [Copy Skill]


    [Copied: Shadow Way]


    Immediately, Jett felt the change in his perception. He could now sense the soft, ethereal footsteps the skill left behind in the dark. It was a disorienting sensation at first, like feeling ripples in the air around him. But the moment he grasped the flow of the skill, it was like a map had beenid out before him.


    [Shadow Way]


    [The darkness listens to you. Tell it where you need to go, and watch it guide you.]


    [Duration: 30 minutes]


    [Cooldown: 30 minutes]


    "Alright. We gotta go," Jett said, his tone urgent as he took off in full sprint, chasing after the shadowy footsteps the skill revealed.


    Behind them, the sound of crashing echoed as Elora, now in a full-on rampage pursued them with terrifying speed. Her once calm demeanor was gone, reced by raw, unchecked bloodlust. The shadows themselves seemed to be responding to her, spikes shooting out from the walls, ceiling, and floor in unpredictable patterns, forcing Jett and Aiden to dodge and weave through the onught.


    "What''s going on? Why is she chasing us? What''s with that bloodlust I''m sensing from her? Are you even sure we''re going the right way?" Aiden bombarded Jett with questions, his breath heavy with fear.


    Jett clenched his jaw. "I said I''ll exinter, so please shut it so I can concentrate!" His irritation was clear, but Aiden could see the strain in Jett''s movements as he maintained their speed, dodging shadow spikes, and holding Aiden''s arm tightly to keep him afloat.


    Even as they sped through the dark corridors, more hazards came their way: ice shards from Elora''s dark ice attribute attacks bombarded them as they ran, each one more dangerous than thest. Jett narrowly avoided one that would''ve skewered them both, his reflexes tested to their limits.


    "Okay, okay! I''ll stop!" Aiden muttered, eyes wide, trying to catch his breath. But then, curiosity got the better of him again. "Just tell me what''s wrong with my sister?"


    Jett''s face was grim as he deftly dodged a shadow spike that shot out from the ground, narrowly keeping Aiden from being impaled. "I didn''tplete the story I told you guys earlier," he began, his voice low but steady despite the chaos around them. "Elora''s living with a curse."


    "What?! She''s cursed?" Aiden shouted, his eyes wide in disbelief. He looked over his shoulder, just in time to see a shadowy form Elora getting closer, her attacks intensifying. The bloodlust she emitted was almost suffocating.


    Aiden''s face turned pale as realization set in. "Wait, if she''s cursed�� does that mean I''m cursed too?"


    "None that I know of... You didn''t steal from a witch or something like that, right?" Jett teased, his voice carrying an unsettling nonchnce despite the dire situation.


    Aiden, panting and on edge, threw Jett a disbelieving nce. "What amazes me is how you can joke at a time like this."


    Jett smirked briefly but kept his focus on the path ahead, dodging shadow spikes that continued to erupt from the ground. "Hey, gotta lighten the mood somehow."


    "Whatever," Aiden muttered, still trying to process everything. "Just tell me what''s wrong with my sister."


    Jett''s tone shifted, bing more serious as he began to exin. "The deity with both ice and fire attributes, long before her infamous sibling rivalry, got sick after a battle with another deity. The fight messed her up real bad, and the dark attribute in her went berserk, slowly consuming her from the inside out."


    Aiden''s brow furrowed in confusion. "Okay... but what does that have to do with Elora?"


    "You''ve heard of the Twin Temple from the game, right?" Jett asked, still darting through the hall, guiding them toward a safe passage.


    Aiden''s eyes widened in realization. "Hold on... I know that ce! I once read about it on a forum. You''re telling me it''s real? That wasn''t just some random prank by a gamer?"


    Jett nodded grimly. "It''s real. We''re standing in it. And just like the post said, if you enter this temple using Elora, it triggers her cursed state. At this point, she''s stronger than me."


    Aiden''s voice caught in his throat as he nced back at the rampaging Elora, her bloodlust cutting through the air like a dark, icy storm. "Wait, you''re saying your mistake might kill us all?"


    Jett sighed, frustration flickering in his eyes. "My mistake? I didn''t think it would go this far. But yeah, my stupid mistake just triggered her curse... and now, we need to deal with it before she wipes us out."


    Aiden gulped, his earlier panic now mixing with dread. "Great... just great."


    *


    *


    *


    Well that no good.

 Chapter 120 Maze Development

    "It''s a negative status, right? Doesn''t that mean she has a cooldown time?" Aiden asked, his mind racing for a solution.


    "There is. Thirty minutes," Jett replied, still expertly dodging the shadow spikes and Elora''s relentless attacks. "I''ve already used a debuff skill on her to slow her down. We just need to survive until the effect wears off."


    Aiden nodded but wasn''t feeling much relief as he narrowly avoided a spike shooting up from the ground. "Thirty minutes feels like a lifetime right now."


    The duo sprinted through the maze, with Jett using his [Link Levitation] to avoid the worst of the ground traps. Meanwhile, Elora''s bloodlust was palpable, dark energy swirling around her as sheunched a barrage of ice shards and shadow tendrils. Jett and Aiden dodged and weaved, narrowly avoiding fatal strikes.


    Every few seconds, Jett would nce at his timer, gritting his teeth as the seconds crawled by.


    "What''s her deal anyway?" Aiden panted. "You said she''s stronger than you, but this is crazy!"


    "Yeah, I underestimated how much of her power would be unleashed," Jett muttered, dodging a shadow spike as it grazed his leg. "Her cursed state amplifies both her ice and dark attributes. She''s not holding back."


    Time stretched on painfully as they kept running, barely avoiding the deadly traps and Elora''s onught. Jett''s stamina was holding, but he knew even he couldn''t keep dodging forever. Sweat poured down his face as he activated.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Jett nced at the timer. "Thirty minutes. It''s done," he muttered under his breath.


    As if on cue, the dark energy surrounding Elora dissipated, her dark eyes fading as she copsed to the ground, unconscious. The shifting environment around them paused, the maze retracting as the familiar heat of thevands returned.


    "We made it��" Aiden exhaled, bending over to catch his breath.


    Jett rushed over to Elora, watching her carefully. Her body was limp, but her breathing was steady. "She''s out cold," Aiden said, moving to pick her up. "I''ll carry her."


    "Wait, I''ll do it." Jett interjected, his voice firm as he stopped Aiden from lifting her.


    "What''s the difference? Don''t tell me you''ve got the hots for her," Aiden mocked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Say that one more time and I''ll bury you here myself," Jett threatened, his eyes narrowing dangerously.


    Aiden raised his hands in mock surrender. "I was joking, man. Seems like you''re the only one allowed to joke around."


    Jett huffed, ncing at Elora. "If you carry her, she''ll burn up. You won''t be doing her any good that way."


    Aiden blinked in confusion. "Burn up? What do you mean?"


    "Her body''s still under the effects of the dark and ice attributes," Jett exined. "If you touch her, the heat from your own body could mess with her. Just focus on leading the way, and I''ll carry her."


    Aiden shrugged. "Fine, you''ve got a point. I''ll lead the way. Try to keep up, and, you know... don''t get hit."


    Jett gently lifted Elora into his arms, careful not to disturb her further. "Don''t worry, I won''t." His gaze hardened as he looked ahead, determined to get her to safety.


    With Aiden leading the way, the two of them made their way back through the ever-shifting maze, the oppressive heat of thevands rising once more.


    After a while of running, Aiden noticed that the relentless attacks from the maze had lessened. The shadow spikes and dark tendrils no longer threatened them at every turn, so he took the chance to check his skills.


    "Let''s see..." he muttered to himself, his interface lighting up as he scrolled through his skillset. His eyes widened in surprise as a new skill appeared on the list. "[Phosphorous Body]... Oh cool," he smirked, imagining how he could use it. His gaze briefly shifted to Elora, her peaceful face almost a contrast to the chaotic environment.


    ''I guess she must''ve gotten something simr too,'' he mused silently.


    "What?" Jett asked, noticing Aiden''s focus in his direction.


    "What?" Aiden quickly responded, startled.


    "You were looking at me��" Jett raised an eyebrow, then nced down at Elora. "Oh, it was Elora... Please don''t tell me you have a sisterplex." He sighed, shaking his head.


    "Of course not! What gave you that idea?" Aiden asked defensively, caught off guard by thement.


    "Whatever you say, man," Jett replied with a teasing tone before looking ahead. "At this rate, we might actually make it before the estimated time."


    Aiden grinned, feeling a little more confident. "Cool, and it seems like I''m finally getting the hang of this."


    Just as Aiden started feeling like they might be in the clear, the maze shifted again, this time transforming into an icy wastnd. Cold winds whipped around them, and the temperature dropped drastically. Frost coated the walls and ground as snow started to fall, making the air bitterly cold.


    "It''s freezing again, but she''s still unconscious," Aiden sighed, his breath visible in the cold air.


    "This is bad," Jett muttered, his expression growing serious. "We can''t go anywhere without her [Snow Guide] skill."


    Aiden''s confidence waned, and he shared Jett''s concern. "That''s true�� without her, we''re stuck here."


    Jett clenched his fist, frustration bubbling inside. ''I''ve already copied a skill from her, so copying another one is impossible right now. Damn these restrictions�� I miss being able to copy skills whenever I wanted,'' heined internally, his eyes scanning their icy surroundings for any sign of a way forward.


    Time was running short, and now, without Elora''s help, they were trapped in the frozen maze, with no clear path ahead.


    They had no choice but to wait it out.


    The cold gnawed at them, and with Elora still unconscious, it felt like they were stuck in the worst possible ce. But waiting wasn''t going to be easy. Slowly, from the snow-covered ground, around fifty snow monsters began to emerge, their massive, icy forms lumbering toward them with menacing intent.


    "Are those snowmen?" Aiden asked, flustered at the sight. "They don''t expect us to fight that, right?"


    He knew exactly how much of a disadvantage they''d be at. In an environment surrounded by endless snow, fighting monsters made of it seemed like a futile task.


    "Twenty-five minutes left," Jett reminded Aiden, his voice calm yet focused. "We just have to hold out until then."


    "This is going to be a long twenty-five minutes," Aiden muttered, steeling himself for the battle ahead as the snow monsters inched closer.


    Without any form of hesitation, Jett activated one of his defensive skills.


    [Divine Defence]


    A shimmering array of shields materialized around the three of them, forming a protective barrier. The golden energy from the shields flickered like mes, warding off the bitter cold.


    "Forget about defense and just grind down the monsters," Jett instructed, his tone firm. He quickly swallowed some pills to raise his HP and MP, preparing for the fight ahead.


    Aiden nced at the shimmering shields surrounding them. ''That''s not a skill a magic swordsman typically has,'' he thought. The more he observed, the more questions arose. ''I''m probably overthinking this whole thing.''


    With no time to dwell on it, Aiden charged forward. For the next ten minutes, he shed and hacked at the snow monsters, cutting them down one by one. The snow creatures were relentless, reforming if notpletely destroyed, but Aiden stayed sharp. Meanwhile, Jett unleashed a series of long-range attacks, his projectiles sting through the air with precision.


    As the minutes ticked by, Jett''s defensive skill time psed.


    Without hesitation, he activated another skill.


    [Divine Protection]


    A warm, golden aura enveloped all three of them, granting powerful buffs to all their stats. Their strength and agility surged, and the biting cold became more tolerable.


    ''These effects�� they feel more like something people under Freya''s ss should have,'' Aiden thought, his mind swirling with doubt. ''Am I missing something?''


    Despite the confusion, Aiden continued fighting, his de tearing through the monsters with renewed vigor, but the more he felt the divine aura around him, the more certain he became that there was more to Jett than he was letting on.


    As Jett''s [Divine Protection] spread through the air, the golden aura not only gave them strength but seemed to have another effect as well: Elora, unconscious for so long, began to stir. Her breathing became more even, her face gradually rxing as warmth seeped into her body. The cursed state she''d been locked in started to fade, allowing her consciousness to return slowly.


    Jett noticed the subtle shift, her eyelids fluttering ever so slightly. "She''s waking up," he muttered to Aiden, who gave a small nod but kept his focus on the encroaching snow monsters.


    *****


    Meanwhile, in Lagia, the atmosphere was peaceful, almost too quiet for Jerry''s liking.


    Sitting in his office, Jerry shuffled thest few pages of paperwork with a sigh. "It''s been really quiettely," he said, the corners of his mouth curling into a soft smile.


    Eva, who hade in to keep himpany while she knitted, nced up briefly. "Isn''t that a good thing?"


    "Yes, but��" Jerry paused, gazing out the window. "I have a bad feeling about these quiet times." He gave a soft smile again, but his expression hinted at unease.


    Eva didn''t look up this time, focused on her knitting, but she could feel Jerry''s eyes on her. She was used to this by now: he had a habit of staring when he thought she wasn''t paying attention.


    "Stop staring," Eva said, her tone gentle but teasing as she concentrated on her work.


    "I wasn''t looking," Jerry said with a half-hearted defense, his gaze not leaving her face.


    "I promised Cormac I''d supervise you so you''d get your work done without distractions," Eva sighed, clearly amused.


    "Well, you''re doing a bad job," Jerry replied with a smirk. "How am I supposed to work when I''ve got a beauty sitting this close to me?"


    "Says the man who just denied staring at his wife," Eva countered, giving him a sly smile. "Nice confession, by the way. But I''m not letting you off easy, you''ve still got more work to finish."


    Jerry groaned, grumbling at the thought of more work piling up. He stood up abruptly, startling Eva.


    Before she could react, Jerry leaned down and scooped her up from her chair, lifting her into his arms effortlessly.


    "Break time," he said with a mischievous grin.


    "Put me down, muscle head! Stop trying to sway me!" Eva giggled, yfully pping his shoulder as she wriggled in his arms.


    Just then, a soldier burst through the door without knocking, freezing when he realized the scene he had interrupted. "My apologies, I''ll just..." he stammered, starting to turn back around.


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    Eva quickly slid out of Jerry''s grasp, her face flushed, and rushed out of the office. "No, it''s fine," she said, escaping the awkwardness of the moment.


    Jerry, still visibly irritated by the interruption, crossed his arms. "What''s the matter? Did you forget how to knock or something?"


    The soldier, clearly flustered, managed to speak. "You have a message from the king, sir."


    "That''s not a good enough reason to barge into my office like that," Jerry growled, still annoyed.


    "The message came with a red star seal, sir," the soldier added, extending a letter toward Jerry.


    At the sight of the seal, Jerry''s annoyance shifted into concern. He snatched the letter from the soldier''s hand. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath as he broke the seal. "Why now? What do those bastards want?"


    Without wasting another second, Jerry looked up from the letter. "Ready a horse and set up the teleportation tform. Now."


    "Yes, sir!" The soldier saluted before running off to carry out the orders, leaving Jerry standing there, his thoughts already racing ahead to whatever urgent matter had just been thrown on his te.


    *


    *


    *


    What could''ve happened?

 Chapter 121 Maze End

    Elora''s eyelids fluttered open, her vision still hazy. The first thing she saw was Jett''s face looming close to hers, his expression tense and focused. Her heart skipped a beat, though she couldn''t tell if it was from surprise or the awkwardness of the situation.


    Without thinking, her hand shot up and smacked Jett right across the face.


    It took her a moment to fully process what was happening, but the proximity felt�� strange. Weird, even.


    "What did you do that for?!" Jett whined, rubbing his stinging cheek.


    Elora blinked and then smirked slightly, "Oh, it''s you. Reflexes, I guess."


    Jett rolled his eyes. "Great reflexes."


    Elora couldn''t help but chuckle. It felt oddly satisfying to havended a hit on him, especially since it was Jett. She sat up a little, feeling dazed. "So�� what happened?"


    "Apart from you going psycho and nearly killing me and the new guy over there, nothing much," Aiden responded sarcastically, shing through yet another snow monster as they slowly advanced toward them.


    "What are those?" Elora asked, pointing at the lumbering snow monsters that were still closing in. Then, her eyes widened with disbelief. "Wait�� I tried killing you two? When?"


    "Yep, you went on a rampage," Aiden confirmed, still upied with taking down the iing monsters. "And you got crazy strong too. It wasn''t pretty."


    Elora stared at the snow monsters, her mind still racing to catch up. "What�� are those things?" she asked again, the surrealness of the situation only deepening.


    "Great question," Jett replied dryly, before ncing down at her. "You think you''re good enough to walk?"


    Elora did a quick mental and physical check. Her head was pounding, and her legs felt like they were made of lead. "My head hurts a bit, and my legs are kinda numb right now," she grumbled.


    "In that case," Jett said nonchntly as he bent down and scooped her up into his arms in a bridal carry.


    "What the hell?!" Elora yelped, clearly taken by surprise. She immediately began to struggle, trying to wriggle free. "Put me down right now!"


    Jett held on tight, not letting go as she squirmed. He rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Gosh, you and Aiden really are rted," he muttered. Despite her struggling, he continued to carry her with ease, his grip steady. "Stop moving. You''re overthinking this whole thing."


    Elora huffed, still fuming. "I don''t need you to carry me! I''m fine."


    "Sure, if fine means barely able to stand," Jett shot back. "Look, don''t forget you''re not fully recovered yet. Just hurry up and use your [Snow Guide] skill. I''ll carry you the rest of the way, alright?"


    Elora groaned but realized he had a point. Her body still felt weak, and with the snow monsters around, this wasn''t the time for stubborn pride. She stopped resisting, albeit reluctantly.


    "Fine," she muttered. "But you''re letting me down as soon as I''m able to walk again."


    Jett smirked but didn''t say anything. He just kept moving forward, Elora in his arms, while Aiden covered their backs, cutting down snow monsters left and right.


    "We''re almost there," Jett said, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the path ahead. They continued to rush forward, the icy maze beginning to tremble and shift once more.


    The ground beneath them began to heat up as the frigid terrain rapidly melted away, reced by fiery pits and molten rivers. The maze had transformed back into the Lava Lands, with towering pirs of molten rock and scorching steam hissing from cracks in the ground. From theva pools, hot, bubbling forms began to rise:va monsters, their glowing bodies shimmering with intense heat.


    "Now that''s more like it," Aiden grinned, his energy renewed by the fieryndscape. He loved the heat, and the thrill ofbat in an environment that pushed him to his limits.


    Taking the lead, Aiden dashed forward, facing theva monsters head-on. His de shed through the air, cutting through the molten beings with fierce strikes, sending sparks and chunks of burning rock flying in every direction. The heat from theva seemed to empower him as he carved his way through, effortlessly shing through each one that dared approach.


    Jett, still carrying Elora, followed close behind. He had to focus more on avoiding the attacks than engaging with them while carrying her, but the added weight didn''t seem to slow him down. The fiery heat licked at his skin, but he remained steady and vignt as Aiden cleared the path ahead.


    As they pressed onward, the thirty-minute mark finally approached. The maze trembled again, signaling yet another change but this time, it wasn''tva, nor was it snow. Thendscape around them simply leveled out into what appeared to be a stone-floored mall, eerily still, just as it was before.


    A massive gate loomed at the far end of the room, casting long shadows across the floor as they reached it.


    "Is it finally over?" Aiden asked, ncing around with a hint of wariness, expecting something to leap out at them at any moment.


    "That''s the end of that," Jett sighed in relief, his pace slowing. He tilted his head toward Elora, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. "You know, you got better a while ago, but you decided to use me like an Uber, huh?"


    Elora''s eyes widened in realization. She quickly slid down from his arms, her face flushing with embarrassment. She turned away, biting her lip to hide her reaction. "What was that just now��?" she thought to herself, her heart racing. ''It was nothing, Elora. Definitely nothing.''


    She cleared her throat and forced herself to regain herposure. "So, uh, what do we do now?" she asked, pretending as if nothing had happened.


    Jett chuckled, adjusting his posture. "The maze ends here, but we still need to find the exit. The worst thing we can do now is overthink how easy this part seems. Let''s just keep moving."


    Without another word, the group moved cautiously toward the gate, knowing that while they had made it through the maze, their journey was far from over.


    *****


    "Guildmaster, this is very urgent!" Alex burst through the door of Helen''s office, his voice breathless with urgency.


    Helen, sitting behind her cluttered desk, barely nced up. She had a weary look on her face, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. The endless stream of guild disputes and bureaucratic issues had already drained her. She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed deeply.


    "What''s with you all of a sudden? This better not be another Armin dispute. I can''t deal with those guys right now," she groaned, barely able to muster the energy for yet another problem.


    As the Guildmaster of one of the most powerful guilds, Helen had enough responsibilities piled onto her already. Bncing missions, internal conflicts, and politics was taking its toll. She was stretched thin, and thest thing she needed was another crisis. She just wanted a moment of peace, but that seemed like a luxury she couldn''t afford.


    "Take a look," Alex said, mming a letter down onto her desk with a force that demanded her full attention.


    Helen''s tired eyes flicked to the letter, and the sight of the wax seal on it jolted her out of her fatigue instantly.


    ''''A Red Star Seal?!''''


    The tired look on Helen''s face shifted in an instant. Her expression twisted into something fierce, menacing, and irritated all at once. Her eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line. She recognized the gravity of the situation, and it was far worse than she had imagined.


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    "Alex," she called in a low, dangerously calm tone.


    "Yes, ma''am," Alex replied, standing a bit straighter under her intense gaze.


    "You''re in charge," she said abruptly, standing up from her chair with such force that it scraped against the floor.


    "But Guildmaster��" Alex started, but before he could finish his sentence, all he heard was a deafening crash. He blinked, and Helen was gone, having smashed through the wall of her office in her haste, leaving a gaping hole in her wake.


    Helen charged through the streets with blinding speed, heading straight for the king''s pce. The urgency of the Red Star Seal had awakened something fierce inside her.


    ''''A Red Star Seal? Just when I thought things had settled down�� I guess peace neversts for long,'''' she mused as her feet barely touched the ground. ''''I can already guess how troublesome this is going to be. At least I''ll get to see some old friends.''''


    Her movements were swift and purposeful, every step echoing the tension that hung in the air. Helen''s reaction made it clear: this was no ordinary summons. Something was amiss, something serious. And whatever it was, it threatened to disturb the fragile peace that had nketed the kingdom.


    ''But what could it be?''


    *****


    At the main gate of the castle, two figures arrived at the same time, their footsteps in sync, though their attitudes couldn''t have been more different.


    Helen, her face set in a stern expression, immediately narrowed her eyes as she caught sight of the other person. The tension in her body was palpable, her annoyance barely restrained. She exhaled sharply before speaking, her voiceced with disdain. "I can''t believe you can actually be this punctual," she hissed, clearly not thrilled to see the man beside her.


    "Oh, me? What can I say? I''m just too patriotic," the man replied with an air of arrogance, shing a smug grin. He was tall, with an almostzy, yet sharp look in his eyes, as though everything around him was some sort of game.


    "Patriotic my ass," Helen shot back, her nose wrinkling in disgust. "The direction you''reing from is the red light district. The scent is still on you." She frowned, her eyes shing with disdain. "The fact that you have nothing better to do during the day than being at a ce like that just shows how aimless your life really."


    "You''re hurting my feelings, Hell bear." The man chuckled lightly, utterly unbothered by her sharp words. "Just like always, I really can''t hide anything from you, grandma," he teased, his voice yful, clearly trying to provoke her.


    Helen''s hands balled into fists, and for a brief second, it seemed like she might snap. "On a normal day, I''d want to smash your face into a wall," she growled, barely holding back. Her muscles tensed, but after a pause, she took a deep breath, reigning in her frustration. "But we have more important issues to address."


    The man smirked, clearly amused by her restraint. "Sadly, the feeling''s mutual." His tone, while still casual, shifted slightly as he nced at the imposing castle before them. His gaze sharpened as his eyesnded on a figure standing high above them, watching from a balcony.


    "She''s here too?" the man muttered, his grin fading into something more serious. His jaw tightened, and he clenched his fists. "I really it must really be that bad."


    Helen followed his gaze, her own face hardening. There, standing atop the balcony with amanding presence, was a woman dressed in dark, regal attire, her eyes fixed on them both. The weight of the situation pressed down on them. Whatever wasing, it was far bigger than their petty bickering.


    *


    *


    *


    A storm ising...

 Chapter 122 Frostbane Team up!

    In the grand meeting room of the pce, seven people sat around arge oval table, the atmosphere thick with unease. Helen sat at the far end, her arms crossed and her brow furrowed as she scanned the room. Next to her was Aloy, slouching casually with a smirk that barely concealed the tension beneath.


    Vic, a burly tank with a grim expression, leaned forward as if ready to confront whatever problem they were about to face. Across from them was Veda, a mage with her staff resting beside her chair, her eyes distant, preupied with thoughts of someone who wasn''t in the room.


    Reynolds, the king, sat at the head of the table, but his mind seemed far from the discussion. His gaze wandered, his fingers drumming softly against the table as if trying to keep himself grounded. The conversation was background noise to him, though the weight of his decisions was clearly taking its toll.


    "Seems like most of us are here, so why don''t we start?" one of them spoke up, breaking the silence. The voice was sharp, belonging to Alister.


    "What about Jerry though?" a female voice interjected. It was Veda, her eyes gleaming with a strange mix of fondness and obsession as she mentioned the absent member. "I can''t imagine you didn''t send him a message too. It''s been a while since I saw his face... though I''m not looking forward to seeing his wife." Herst words wereced with subtle bitterness.


    Reynolds finally snapped out of his thoughts, rubbing his temple before speaking. "He''ll be here. We''ll have to start without him for now." His voice was low but firm, trying to steer the conversation back on track.


    As the others settled in, Reynolds'' tone darkened. "Zell, Veda, Alister, Helen, Vic, Aloy..." He paused, looking at each of them with a grave expression. "They brought him back."


    The room erupted into shocked exmations, the weight of his words sending a wave of unease across the table.


    "What!?" They all chorused at the same time.


    "You can''t tell that to Jerry!" Vic, the tank, leaned forward, his voice full of concern. His gruff demeanor softened for a moment, reced by genuine worry. "Do you remember what happened thest time? And most especially�� Eva? She won''t take this well."


    "Oh, my sweet Jerry��" Veda sighed, her eyes zing over with a mix of sorrow and obsession. "This is a nightmare all over again."


    Helen, her face grim, shot a pointed look at Reynolds. "You knew this and still asked him toe here? Nice one," she said, her voice tinged with frustration as she found herself siding with the others for once.


    Before Reynolds could reply, Aloy, the one often at odds with Helen, spoke up. His voice was calm but edged with cold realism. "Cut him some ck, will you?" He nced around the room, his usual teasing gone. "If that thing is back in thend of the living, giving a friend PTSD should be the least of our worries. We all have a bone to pick with that bastard anyways."


    The room fell into a heavy silence as the group let the gravity of the situation sink in. Each of them carried scars from the past, and now those wounds were about to be ripped open again.


    The room was thick with silence, the kind that weighed down on everyone''s shoulders. Tension coiled in the air like a drawn bowstring, the unspoken threat of conflict lingering. Every breath felt heavy, the only sound being the asional crackle of magic in the background.


    "It''s true, I felt it. The only ones foolish enough to tamper with the seal we ced on Zet would be the Crimson Hound," Zell said, her voice cold, almost indifferent, as she voiced her thoughts. "But how? Did Jerry screw it up?"


    "Don''t you dare talk about my Jerry like that," Veda snapped, her face twisting in anger. Without a second thought, she summoned a magic circle right in front of Zell, the energy sparking dangerously between them.


    Zell''s eyes gleamed, an unhinged smirk curling at the edge of her lips. There was something wild in her gaze, as if she thrived on provoking others. "What''s the matter? Did I hit a nerve?"


    "Drop it, Veda," Alister, the spear-wielder, intervened with a calm but firm tone, stepping forward as he shot her a look, urging her to stand down. "We didn''te here to tear each other apart."


    Zell let out a sharp chuckle, her eyes never leaving Veda. "It''s not like I said anything wrong."


    "I want him to exin himself too. That''s why I summoned him," she continued, the smirk still on her face.


    Alister sighed, shaking his head slightly, but a hint of amusement danced in his eyes. "Oh man, wait till the others hear about this," he muttered under his breath, almost as if entertained by the chaos.


    Enjoy exclusive chapters from mvl


    Suddenly, the door mmed open. Jerry stormed in, fury etched into every line of his face. His eyes burned with barely-contained rage, his presence enough to silence the room even further.


    *****


    "Just behind this door is the treasure we''ve been hunting for. Are you ready to be amazed?" Jett asked, a sly grin on his face as he tried to build the suspense, his voice full of yful energy.


    Aiden wasn''t having any of it. "For fuck''s sake, just open the damn door," he growled, shoving Jett aside with a roll of his eyes.


    "Not so fast, pretty boy," Jett shot back, his grin fading slightly. He raised a hand, stopping Aiden. "Before we go in, remember�� I won''t be able to help once we''re inside. You''re on your own from here."


    Jett and Aiden shoved the heavy door open with a loud creak. As it swung wide, they stepped into a vast, empty hall. The air was thick with the scent of old stone, and the only light came from torches flickering along the walls. In the center of the room, two lifelike statues stood as silent sentinels, their stone faces locked at straight at Aiden and Elora.


    One statue held a single sword, its de pointed skyward, as if ready to pierce the heavens. The other clutched two swords, crossed protectively over its chest, its stance emanating a sense of unwavering defense. Both statues felt eerily real, as though they could spring to life at any moment.


    "Those must be our prize," Aiden said, a smirk tugging at his lips as they moved forward, each step echoing in the vast hall.


    Just as Jett took a step closer, a sudden force gripped him, yanking him back. In an instant, he was teleported to the entrance, his body mming into the ground with a thud. He cursed under his breath, realizing he wasn''t allowed to continue further, just as he had predicted. He could only watch from the entrance as Aiden and Elora were left inside, the room now eerily silent.


    "Do your best guys, I''m rooting for you." Jett managed to say in anticipation.


    *****


    Aiden and Elora exchanged nces, the weight of the challenge ahead settling over them. Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath their feet. The crossed-swords statue began to move, its swords sliding out from their resting position. Stone cracked and dust fell as the figure came to life, its stone des gleaming with a cold, deadly light.


    "We''ve gotpany," Aiden muttered, his eyes narrowing as he drew his own weapon, ready to meet the statue''s challenge.


    Without warning, the single-sword statue also came to life, its weapon raised high as it took a battle stance. The two statues, now animated, moved with surprising agility, their every step shaking the ground. They were not mere stone: these were constructs designed to test the skills of those who dared seek the treasure.


    Elora''s eyes glowed with focus as she was ready to use her magic. "We''ll have to work together on this."


    The statue with crossed swords lunged first, its dual des slicing through the air with precision. Aiden parried the attack, his strength barely holding off the powerful swings. The impact sent a jarring shock down his arms.


    Meanwhile, Elora extended her hand, casting a spell that wrapped the ground beneath the single-sword statue in ice, attempting to restrain its movements. But the statue easily broke free, its sword swinging toward her in retaliation. She rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike.


    "Aiden, distract them!" she called out, her voiceced with urgency as she readied another spell.


    Aiden gritted his teeth, charging at the dual-sword statue, drawing its attention with a flurry of quick explosivebo strikes. The statue countered with a heavy swing, but Aiden was fast, dodging just in time. His sword nged against stone, but each strike barely left a scratch.


    Elora, meanwhile, unleashed a barrage of cold energy, ice pulsing through the air. The single-sword statue slowed, its movements hindered by the constant barrage of ice projectiles while slowly freezing it''s legs. Aiden took advantage of the moment, shifting focus to the weakened statue. With a powerful swing, he aimed for its legs, his strike finally shattering the stone at its joints.


    The statue crumbled, copsing into rubble.


    "One down, one to go." Aiden smirked.


    The remaining dual-sword statue advanced on Elora, its attacks relentless. But Aiden was already in motion, nking it from the side. Together, they coordinated: Aiden keeping the statue upied with a series of fiery strikes while Elora unleashed waves of ice from afar.


    [Ice Shot]


    [zing Thrust]


    Finally, with a well-timed spell, Elora sted the statue''s chest, creating an opening. Aiden seized the chance, thrusting his sword deep into the crack, and with a final push, the statue crumbled into pieces.


    Breathing heavily, they both stood amidst the rubble, the room now silent once more.


    *


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    Sibling team up. Damn I made it too short but we''ll be seeing more of them.

 Chapter 123 Ignis Magna, Glacies Eternis and Umbra Tenebris

    Rubbley scattered around Aiden and Elora, the remnants of the shattered statues forming jagged piles of stone at their feet. Dust hung in the air, slowly settling as they both caught their breath, the aftermath of the battle still fresh. Chunks of stone crumbled as Elora brushed them aside, while Aiden stood amidst the wreckage, his hands still gripping his sword.


    "You guys actually pulled it off," Jett said with a smirk, his footsteps now echoing across the room as he was finally able to approach them.


    Elora shot him a sharp look. "You really shouldn''t look down on us."


    "I guess I was worried for nothing," Jett chuckled, though his mind raced with a silent thought, ''Good, one step at a time, I''ll be changing the plot.''


    Just as the tension began to fade, a faint glow emanated from beneath the rubble. The subtle light grew brighter, flickering beneath the stone fragments, catching all their attention.


    "Now what?" Aiden groaned, clearly not eager for another challenge. He knelt down, digging through the debris with a resigned sigh. Slowly but surely, they uncovered the source of the glow: three swords, the very ones the statues had once wielded, lying on the floor, now pulsing with a faint, mystical light.


    But as Aiden pulled thest of the rubble away, his face twisted with disappointment. "Stone swords?" he muttered, frowning at the rough, unimpressive weapons. The glowing aura did nothing to mask the fact that these swords were still made of in stone. "This can''t be it, right?" he scoffed, disbelief written all over his face.


    Jett''s grin widened, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Those are exactly what we came here for."


    Aiden scuffed, rolling his eyes. Before he could argue further, Elora was already grabbing him by the shoulder and bending him forward. "Just pick up the damn sword, you moron," she growled, forcing him down toward the glowing weapons.


    "Alright, alright!" Aiden squealed, swatting her hands away. "Which one?"


    "Just pick any," Elora snapped, clearly out of patience.


    Aiden reached out without much thought, trying to grab the sword that once belonged to the statue with two des. But the moment his fingers touched it, they passed right through the glowing stone as if it were made of air. He blinked, confused, and tried again. His hand slipped through it once more, the weapon intangible.


    "What the hell?" Aiden muttered, trying several more times, each attempt ending the same way. His frustration grew as he nced at Jett. "This is some kind of prank, right?" Explore hidden tales at mvl


    Jett''s smirk remained, and with a knowing glint in his eye, he gestured toward the other sword: the one that had been held by the single-sword statue. "Try the one that''s on its own."


    Aiden gave him a wary look butplied, reaching for the lone sword. Jett''s thoughts raced, ''Just like with Finn��'' he mused silently, a hint of satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.


    Aiden approached the second sword, eyeing it warily. This time, his fingers wrapped around the hilt without resistance. He grinned, giving it a few experimental swings. "This one isn''t a dud," he dered with satisfaction, watching the de cut through the air.


    Jett smirked, turning to Elora. "You can take the other two. Don''t worry, they''re tangible." His tone was confident, but Elora hesitated, ncing skeptically at the swords still lying on the ground.


    She crossed her arms, her brow furrowed. "After what I just saw? Yeah, sure��" She exhaled, her eyes narrowing as she studied the swords, knowing one had passed right through Aiden''s hand earlier.


    But curiosity got the better of her. "What do I have to lose?" she muttered under her breath before bending down. With a cautious hand, she grabbed both swords. They didn''t slip through her grasp, this time, they felt solid and real.


    Just then, all three swords began to vibrate in their hands. The stone that encased them started cracking, small fragments of rock breaking off and crumbling to the ground. Light seeped through the cracks, revealing the weapons'' true forms. The stone continued to fall away, disintegrating until the des gleamed brightly in their hands, finally free from their earthen shells.


    *****


    Aiden''s weapon, [Ignis Magna], burned with a fierce crimson glow, the de pulsing as though alive with molten fire. Runes were etched along the hilt, and the edge seemed to shimmer with heat, as if it could ignite anything it touched.


    [Ignis Magna]


    [One of the Fourteen Divine Weapons, this sword was forged in the heart of a dying star and blessed by the Fire God himself. It is said to contain the fury of a thousand suns, granting its wielder unmatched destructive power. Only those strong enough to tame the mes within can wield this de.]


    [Stats:]


    - +60 Strength, +40 Agility


    - Fire attribute attacks deal 30% more damage


    - Attacks have a 15% chance to ignite enemies, causing continuous burn damage


    - Molten Edge: The de radiates extreme heat, allowing it to slice through even the toughest armor with ease


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    ???


    ???


    Special Traits:


    - Return


    - Pocket Save


    ???


    ???


    ???


    [You are have been BOUND to this weapon and therefore no one else can wield it.]


    [This weapon shall continue to grow as it apanies you.]


    [Quests:]


    [Special Quest: Find the Lost cksmith God]


    [Unique Quest: Find the me temple and conquer the Volcano of Eternal me. Prove your worth by defeating the ancient me beast that guards the weapon''s true potential.]


    *****


    Elora held two swords: [cies Eternis] and [Umbra Tenebris]. [cies Eternis] was a long, elegant de, its surface covered in intricate frost-like patterns. The hilt was cool to the touch, and the de emitted a chilling aura, causing frost to form on the ground around her feet.


    Meanwhile, [Umbra Tenebris] was darker, almost ck, with a sharp, sleek design. Shadows seemed to coil around it like living entities, blending into the de itself, making it difficult to tell where the sword ended and the darkness began.


    [Umbra Tenebris]


    Forged from the shadows of the Void by the God of Darkness, this sword embodies the very essence of the unknown. Its power draws from fear and deception, making it the perfect weapon for those who thrive in the darkness.


    [Stats:]


    - +70 Agility, +40 Intelligence


    - Shadow attribute attacks deal 35% more damage


    - Attacks have a 20% chance to inflict Blindness on enemies


    - Shade''s Edge: The sword bes invisible when swung, making it harder for enemies to predict attacks.


    ???


    ???


    ???


    [Special Traits:]


    - Return


    - Pocket Save


    ???


    ???


    ???


    [You are have been BOUND to this weapon and therefore no one else can wield it.]


    [This weapon shall continue to grow as it apanies you.]


    [Quests:]


    [Special Quest: Find the Lost cksmith God]


    [Unique Quest: Unveil the Darkness Cathedral �C Locate the Cathedral of Darkness, im the God of Shadows'' blessing and Break the curse.]


    *****


    Aiden grinned widely, his earlier doubts reced by excitement. "I take it back. This thing is awesome." He admired the fiery de in his hand, feeling its raw power.


    Elora, still processing the shock, looked at the two swords she wielded with awe. "And I have two of them? Is this even legal?"


    Jett chuckled, giving her a knowing nce. "It''s definitely legal. The capital should''ve gotten the memo by now," he replied casually, scanning the room as if expecting something else to happen.


    At the center of the hall, a faint glow appeared beneath their feet. The ground lit up, revealing an intricate magic circle etched into the floor. The runes within the circle pulsed with a soft, otherworldly light, gradually intensifying until it enveloped all three of them.


    *****


    Without warning, the magic activated. In a sh, the world around them blurred, and they were pulled into the circle''s teleportation spell.


    When Jett opened his eyes again, his breath caught in his throat.


    He found himself floating in mid-air, surrounded by a vast, barrenndscape unlike anything he had seen before. Below him, twonds stretched endlessly in opposite directions. One side was consumed by raging mes, an inferno that burned without mercy.


    The other side was frozen solid, the ground covered in thickyers of ice, gleaming under the light of an unknown sky. The fire and icends met at a jagged, unnatural border, yet there was no sign of life. No sound but the crackle of mes and the eerie silence of the frozen wastnd.


    Jett was suspended far above it all, with nond or structure to tether himself to. The unsettling vastness of the world stretched beneath him, leaving him with only one thought: What now?


    Jett froze for a moment, his ears straining to catch the source of the menacing voice that echoed around him. His eyes darted across the destendscape of fire and ice, but there was no one, nothing but emptiness.


    "Who are you?" the voice demanded, cold and sharp, growing more hostile with every word. "Why do you carry that scent? What connection do you have with HIM?!"


    Jett''s brow furrowed. He spun around again, half-expecting to find someone lurking behind him. Nothing.


    "Answer me, child!" The voice thundered, dripping with venom.


    Despite the ominous presence, Jett found himself strangely calm, as though his mind refused to register the danger. "I have no idea what you''re talking about," he replied, his tone unnervingly casual. "You know, the weirdest part of all this is how calm I am right now."


    The voice was joined by another, this one lower and even more sinister. "You do not fear us? Boy who reeks of the Forsaken One��"


    Jett blinked, the phrase "Forsaken One" sending a jolt of realization through him. "Wait, ''Forsaken One''... You mean that crazy old geezer who tried to kill me?" His lips curled into a half-smirk as he pieced it together. "You know him?"


    The air crackled with an unseen tension as the voices hissed in unison, but Jett stood firm, unfazed by their threats.


    *


    *


    *


    Any idea why he''s not scared?

 Chapter 124 Zet is Free?

    The room was thick with tension, every word spoken adding weight to the already suffocating atmosphere. Jerry''s face was red with anger, veins bulging at his temples as he tried to make sense of the usation thrown his way. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, visibly trembling, though whether from rage or frustration, it wasn''t clear.


    Zell, on the other hand, stood unnervingly calm, her voice devoid of any emotion, each word cutting through the air like ice. "We should be the ones asking you that question, Jerry. You had one job."


    The quiet edge in her tone was enough to make Veda snap. "I told you not to use that tone on him," she hissed, her eyes narrowing as she stepped closer to Zell.


    Reynolds, standing near the back, shifted nervously. His fingers twitched as he fidgeted, the unease etched across his face betraying his worry. He was in over his head, and it was starting to show. The room felt like a powder keg, one wrong word away from exploding.


    Zell, unbothered by Veda''s aggression, kept talking, her cold, relentless voice unwavering. "What? He''s in charge of guarding the location where we sealed that monster. That''s the only reason you were made Lord of Lagia, Jerry, because it was convenient. So how on earth could something like this happen?"


    The silence that followed her words was suffocating, only broken when Alister, usually the calmest in the group, finally spoke. His voice was firm but cautious. "That''s enough. You can''t pin all the me on him just like that. Remember, we all refused the job. He volunteered."


    Helen''s mind was racing, her eyes darting between Jerry and the rest. She spoke up, her tone sharp with analysis. "This doesn''t make sense. If Zet was really unsealed, then Jerry would''ve been the first to know. But somehow, the king gets the message before the freaking gatekeeper?"


    Aloy, leaning against the wall with a sigh, rubbed his temples. "As much as I hate to agree with you two times in one day, you''re right." His gaze shifted towards Reynolds, whose pale face made it clear that something more was going on. All eyes followed Aloy''s, now locked on Reynolds, the unspoken question lingering in the air: What aren''t you telling us?


    *****


    The room fell into an uneasy silence, the tension hanging heavy in the air. For a few seconds, no one moved or spoke, the weight of the conversation sinking in.


    Finally, Vic broke the silence, his voice low but firm. "You have to tell us how you found out."


    Reynolds sighed deeply, the exhaustion clear in his expression. "Alvin Falt. I had him investigate the Crimson Hound for me. He was able to infiltrate their ranks. I trust him and his information."


    Helen, who had been listening quietly, nodded in agreement. "If Alvin said it, then I believe him."


    But instead of clearing things up, the revtion only deepened the confusion. Zet had been sealed in a temple close to Lagia: a ce that was under constant, tight surveince. There were guards stationed day and night, watching over the temple with unrelenting vignce. No one had approached it, no rms had been triggered, so how could Zet possibly be free? And how didn''t Jerry know?


    The logic simply didn''t add up.


    Aloy, standing with his arms crossed, suddenly furrowed his brow as a thought struck him. "Hold on, the Crimson Hound breached Lagia once and got to the temple, right?" he asked, testing out a theory.


    Jerry, still seething but trying to stayposed, nodded. "Yes, but they didn''t do anything."


    Aloy''s mind raced. "The only way to unseal Zet would be to perform a ritual on the magic circle." He paused, piecing it together. "So what if... what if their initial n to unseal him didn''t work, but they found a clue somewhere else? Something that told them how to finish the jobter if the conditions were right."


    Zell, emotionless as ever, chipped in, her voice calm but sharp. "He''s right. The conditions to break the seal are two and one doesn''t require them to be at the original site. As long as they can replicate the unique circle we used, they could do it from anywhere."


    "What! There was actually something like that? Why didn''t you tell us?" Helen''s voice cracked with fury as the truth hit her.


    The room was quiet again as the reality of the situation sank in. The Crimson Hound hadn''t needed to stay at the temple; all they needed was to figure out the ritual. And if they had, that meant Zet''s return wasn''t just possible: it was already happening.


    Zell, unbothered by the outburst, replied coldly, "To ensure this information didn''t fall into the wrong hands."


    Aloy scoffed, cutting in. "And how''s that working out for you?"


    Veda''s eyes narrowed. "For all we know, she could''ve been the one who gave them the information."


    Zell''s piercing gaze locked onto Veda, her tone dark and menacing. "That''s an awfully bold usation,dy. You sure you want to go that way?" Her death stare was enough to send a chill through the room.


    The tension was thickening fast, but before another conflict could erupt, Alister stepped in. "Stop arguing. I also know about the condition. It''s not amon sealing method, and only those with the knowledge could attempt breaking it. She did nothing wrong keeping it from us."


    Vic nodded in agreement. "And it''s possible they figured out the type of seal and adjusted their ns on the spot."


    Aloy rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "But wouldn''t they still need the priestess'' blood?"


    Helen cut in, irritation simmering beneath her words. "They already had that. And you would''ve known this if you took your brain out of your pants for once."


    Aloy blinked, taken aback. "Wait, really? I had no idea... Hey," he paused as Helen''s words sunk in, "Take that back, you crazy gori!"


    Alister sighed deeply, waving away the petty argument. "Alright, enough. We''ve solved that mystery. Now we just need to figure out where Zet is before it''s toote." Readtest stories on mvl


    But Reynolds raised a hand, drawing the room''s attention. "Hold on. There''s one more issue we need to address."


    His expression darkened, a weight behind his words. "Three mes from the Divine Hall have been extinguished... just as the prophecy predicted."


    A heavy silence followed his statement, the gravity of the situation slowly sinking in. Reynolds sighed, as though he carried both the burden of the revtion and a strange, twisted relief.


    *


    *


    *


    What could he be talking about?

 Chapter 125 Three Flames

    The prophecy concerning the Divine Lords had always been a subject of awe and mystery. It spoke of fourteen eternal mes, each tied to the inheritance of a Divine Lord. These mes, housed in the sacred Divine Hall, would only extinguish once a Divine Lord had sessfully received their first inheritance. It was a rare event, signifying the passing of tremendous power.


    The first of these mes had already been snuffed out when Finn obtained the Midas Spear, but only a select few knew of this event. That knowledge was carefully guarded, for fear of what the world might do with such information.


    *****


    Read exclusive chapters at ��??


    "Three mes from the Divine Hall have been extinguished, just like the prophecy predicted," Reynolds repeated, though this time, there was a note of unexpected relief in his tone.


    Once again, the room fell into silence. But unlike the earlier tension, this quiet carried a different weight: one of contemtion rather than unease.


    Vic was the first to break the silence. "Really? That''s great news." He tried to inject some light into the situation, but his voicecked the usual levity.


    Reynolds shifted slightly, continuing, "I kept quiet about the first one because I thought it was a random urrence... even though the me didn''t reignite. I wanted to make sure it was real before rming anyone."


    Aloy, looking mildly perplexed, nced at Reynolds. "You actually kept something like this from us?" There was a hint of disappointment in his voice.


    Before Reynolds could answer, Helen interjected with an indifferent shrug. "I knew."


    Alister added, nodding, "We all knew."


    Then Jerry chimed in, half-apologetically, "Actually, Aloy, you''re the only person here who didn''t know."


    The revtion hung in the air like an awkward cloud. No one dared meet Aloy''s gaze, everyone suddenly very interested in the walls, floor, or ceiling.


    Aloy scoffed, his arms crossing over his chest. "Why?" he muttered under his breath, I feel so betrayed.


    "Really? Take a wild guess? We can''t have you getting drunk and bbing about it now, can we?" Helen smirked, her usual sharp wit cutting through the tension as she nced at Aloy.


    Jerry, however, was not so easily distracted. He frowned, processing everything that had just been revealed. "But the kids... they''re at rendon. You''re telling us that two out of fourteen Divine weapons were hidden at rendon?" His voice wasced with concern. "Do they know about this?"


    His question was more than reasonable. rendon was a school, after all: a ce for young people. The idea that such powerful and dangerous artifacts could be hidden there, especially with no clear knowledge of their purpose or significance, was troubling.


    Reynolds'' response was curt. "That''s a question for another day."


    Aloy, ever the opportunist for humor, seemed to have already moved past the awkwardness of being out of the loop. "That''s right, your kid''s one of them, right? Lucky bastard." He grinned, though his tone had a yful bite.


    Before Jerry could respond, Zell interrupted, ever the voice of skepticism. "That is yet to be confirmed."


    "He was born the same day as the others wasn''t he?" Aloy pointed out, leaning forward.


    "A lot of children were born on that day. Plus, there was nothing special about his awakening." Zell added.


    Veda smiled yfully at Jerry, "Stop being a meanie, leave my Jerry alone." she teased, giving him a suggestive smile. But Jerry wasn''t in the mood for Zell''s cynicism or Veda''s typical antics, choosing to remain focused on the matter at hand.


    Zell, sensing the tension but unbothered, continued, "For all we know, the Fourteenth Lord could be in another country."


    The room grew silent again, but this time with an undeniable weight. The idea wasn''t far-fetched. If the Fourteenth Lord hadn''t yet awakened, or worse, had been hidden away or left for dead somewhere? There was no guarantee that they were even in the same region.


    Aloy, sensing the rising tension, tried to lighten the mood. "At least we know thirteen. That''s a good start, right?"


    Vic, ever the practical one, nodded. "That''s right. We should make do with what we know for now."


    Alister agreed, his calm demeanor helping to ease the atmosphere. "We''ll have to work with what we''ve got."


    Finally, Vic turned to Reynolds, his gaze serious. "So, what are you nning to do now?"


    "ording to Alvin, the method used to free him also drained a lot of his power, so he''ll need time to recuperate," Reynolds exined, his voice measured, though the gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air.


    Veda, ever practical, chimed in, "And how long will that take?"


    Reynolds paused briefly before replying. "Five years. Alvin also said he knows Zet''s exact location. Depending on how things go, I''ll have to make this known to the people."


    Aloy let out a long sigh, his usual bravado faltering for a moment. "This is going to be the longest five years ever. Let''s just hope we can find him before then."


    Jerry''s tone sharpened, the urgency unmistakable. "We need to find him before then. He''s too dangerous to let loose for that long."


    The weight of Jerry''s words settled over the group like a heavy nket. Alister, ever the voice of reason, spoke gently. "We all feel the same about this, and we''ll do our best to find him. But Jerry��" he hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Did you tell her?"


    Jerry''s face darkened as he sank into a nearby chair, the defeat clear in his posture. "I�� I couldn''t bring myself to tell her." His voice was soft, filled with a mixture of guilt and sadness.


    The mood in the room shifted immediately. The atmosphere, already thick with tension, now turned somber. The weight of responsibility,bined with personal burdens, cast a pall over the group. Conversations tapered off as the gravity of whaty ahead settled in their minds.


    "It''s alright," Jerry murmured, trying to pull himself together. He stood up slowly. "I''ll be leaving soon. I didn''t tell Eva I wasing here, and I wouldn''t want her asking questions this early on."


    Veda, who had always been keen to hold onto his presence just a little longer, looked at him with disappointment. "You''re leaving already?"


    Jerry nodded, forcing a smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes. "Yes, I still have things to take care of back at Lagia. I am a Lord, after all."


    The sadness in the room deepened, but Jerry''s forced bravado couldn''t mask the fact that they all shared a collective dread of whaty ahead.


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    Thanks for making it this far

 Chapter 126 Twin Challenge Conclusion

    As Jett stood in the middle of the strangendscape, the scorching heat and biting cold seemed to swell and push against each other, constantly fighting for dominance. Each time one of the voices spoke, the borders of fire and ice expanded, creeping closer toward him, yet neither side would touch, like two rival kingdoms locked in a tense stalemate.


    "So what now? You want to kill me too?" Jett asked calmly, raising an eyebrow as though this had be a regr urrence for him. ''Feels like this keeps happening more often now,'' he mused internally, somewhat amused at the ridiculousness of it all.


    The fire zed fiercely, followed by a voice dripping with power. "What is your motive? Why are you here? You want to harm them don''t you?"


    Jett threw his hands up in mock exasperation. "Seriously? I just helped your sessors find their goddamn Divine Weapons. What''s the deal with you guys anyway? Making impossible, borderline suicidal tasks for the same people you want to inherit your legacy." He scoffed, unimpressed. "Have you no shame?"


    The ground cracked beneath his feet as the freezing wind howled. The second voice, sharp and cold,shed out. "It is not for you to question our methods, mortal. Those who seek our legacy must be tested beyond their limits. It is how they will survive what is toe. You of all beings should know this."


    Jett rolled his eyes. "Oh please, cut the theatrics. You want them to inherit your powers, but you set them up for failure at every turn. Maybe, just maybe, stop making it so damn hard."


    There was a moment of stillness, thend between the fiery and frozen realms at a standstill before both voices answered in unison, shaking the very air around him. "They must prove their worth. Only the strong will rise. But your presence here... your origin disturbs the bnce. A fire that burns without end, and a cold that freezes the light itself: danger lurks in your blood."


    Jett furrowed his brow slightly. "Danger in my blood? Great. Another riddle, just what I needed. Why don''t you stop talking in cryptic nonsense and just say what you mean?"


    "Beware, child of the forgotten me and forsaken ice, for you walk a path where neither fire nor frost may protect you forever. Heed this warning: Your origins may consume those you cherish, as they have consumed others before."


    Jett snorted, unphased. "Yeah, I have no idea what you''re talking about."


    Thend crackled with energy as one of the voices pressed on, insistent. "The contract we saw on both of them, that was your doing, wasn''t it? Terminate it."


    Jett tilted his head, a smirk forming at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, I''ll think about it."


    The fiery side red up, towering high before subsiding into a controlled burn, while the icy side mirrored it with an even colder chill that sent shivers down his spine.


    "Do not toy with us, mortal. We have seen your true self. Your interference will only bring ruin. Leave our sessors to their own path, or face the consequences."


    Jett''s nonchnce was unshaken, even as the environment around him became increasingly hostile. "Face the consequences? Is that supposed to scare me? Come on, you guys really need to work on the intimidation factor."


    The two forces seemed to pause, and for a moment, the fire dimmed and the ice receded. When they spoke again, their voices were less harsh, though no lessmanding. "You meddle where you do not belong, yet we acknowledge but fear your unusual strength and cunning. We will offer you this: A title. You are now known as [Loved by Fire and Ice], but be warned... you tread a perilous path."


    Jett raised an eyebrow, intrigued but unmoved by their theatrics. "[Loved by Fire and Ice], huh? Sounds fancy. What''s the catch?"


    "The catch is this: Leave our sessors alone. Your interference has gone far enough. Let them face their fate."


    With that, the voices began to fade, the border between fire and ice shrinking once more, leaving Jett standing in the middle of the fading battlefield. He couldn''t help but smile. "Yeah, I''ll think about it," he muttered, turning his back on the fading realms with a smirk.


    Jett turned back toward the fading voices, still wearing his trademark smirk. "How about this��" he began, his tone casual yet challenging. "Instead of taking away the contract, I''ll make sure they both reach the peak of their potential."


    The voices, once mighty and imposing, seemed taken aback by his proposition. "You mean��" one started to say, but Jett interrupted them swiftly.


    "Yes," he said confidently. "I''ll max out their levels and help them with their unique quests."


    As Jett spoke, his inner thoughts followed, ''I was going to do that anyway, but I might as well get paid for it.''


    Thend of scorching heat and biting cold fell into a hushed murmur. The voices seemed to contemte the proposal amongst themselves, their silent deliberation stretching for what felt like ages.


    Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a small shard of ice materialized before Jett, floating delicately in the air.


    "Touch the ice and swear that you mean my sessor no harm," one of the voicesmanded, its tone still menacing but more measured. "If you can do that, then we have a deal."


    Jett sighed, giving them a look as though they were making things unnecessarily difficult. "Could try being nice about it," he muttered, before reaching out and taking hold of the ice shard. The cold stung his skin for a moment, but he ignored the sensation.


    Holding the shard up, he spoke with a mischievous grin. "I swear that whatever I do to them or with them will be with their best interest in mind."


    The shard trembled in his hand, responding to his words. As soon as he finished crafting his own oath, the ice crystal shattered into a thousand tiny shards, scattering into the air before vanishing entirely. In that moment, Jett felt a surge of power wash over him, like a hidden door had opened deep within.


    "You have earned the title [Loved by Fire and Ice]," the voices dered. Their tone softened, but there was still an underlying tension. "But remember this: your future will be a dark one, and not even fire nor frost will shield you from the path you''ve chosen."


    Before Jett could respond, the world around him blurred and shifted, the fiery and frozenndscape dissolving as reality returned to him.


    *****


    Suddenly, Jett found himself standing back at the academy, the familiar surroundings of rendon School solidifying around him. He nced to his side and saw Aiden and Elora appearing at the exact same moment. They all looked at each other, checking if they were still in one piece.


    ''We got here at the same time? I guess they still had enough power to pause time just to talk to me,'' Jett thought, smirking at the absurdity of it all.


    Aiden stretched and flexed his arms, clearly reveling in the aftereffects of the Divine Weapon he had acquired. Elora, on the other hand, lookedposed but quietly proud.


    "Alright, you can go show off your new weapons," Jett sighed, crossing his arms. "I guess you won''t be needing the ones Cedric made for you guys."


    Elora shot him a nce, feigning indignation. "Why would I want to show off? How immature do you think I am��"


    Before she could finish, Aiden jumped in with a mischievous grin stered on his face. "I''m definitely showing this off," he said, holding up his newly acquired Divine Weapon like it was a trophy. "I want to see the look on Finn''s face when I show him this baby."


    Jett turned to Elora, his smirk widening. "You were saying��?"


    Find your next read on ��??


    Elora rolled her eyes and sighed, clearly irritated. "He''s a moron, he doesn''t count." She defended herself, ncing sideways at Aiden as if to drive her point home.


    Jett chuckled, knowing that despite the seriousness of their recent ordeal, some things never changed.


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    I guess its over now

 Chapter 127 Back up Mission

    Jett stepped into his room and instinctively scanned it, checking to see if Freya was inside. Finding the space empty, he let out a breath and stretched his arms. [Checkpoint], he mentally activated, and in the blink of an eye, the world around him blurred.


    The next moment, Jett found himself standing underground again, at the familiar cross-section where he and the others had initially fallen into the maze. The dim, eerie atmosphere was exactly as he remembered it: silent and foreboding, with a faint scent of damp stone filling the air. He inspected the four pathways branching off from the central point, each marked with a different symbol.


    "Skull face, skull face..." he muttered to himself, studying each path in turn until his eyesnded on the one he was searching for. A wicked grin spread across his face. "This one."


    Without hesitation, Jett strode down the corridor marked by the skull symbol. His boots echoed lightly against the stone floor as the path seemed to stretch on for what felt like ages, the shadows growing thicker with each step. Something fun better be waiting for me at the end, he thought, his mind always eager for a challenge.


    After a long trek, the narrow passage widened into arger chamber, and there, in front of him, stood an old, rusted iron door. Its surface was engraved with ancient, barely visible runes, and it creaked ominously as Jett pushed it open.


    The moment he stepped inside, the air shifted.


    The ground beneath him trembled, and the door mmed shut behind him with a deafening boom. Jett barely flinched, his eyes already scanning the chamber for threats. Before he could take another step, the floor around him lit up with bright blue glyphs, ancient magic springing to life.


    "Here we go." Jett smirked as the glyphs hummed louder, creating an intricate web of runes that extended up the walls and ceiling.


    Suddenly, a loud crack resounded through the room, and from the walls, hulking stone golems began to emerge. These were not just ordinary constructs: each was imbued with dark attribute, their eyes glowing with malevolent light. Their massive forms towered over Jett, and their stone fists could easily crush a normal adventurer.


    For a moment, Jett admired them. "Well, this would be a nightmare for anyone else."


    The first golem lunged at him, swinging its gigantic arm with enough force to turn boulders to dust. But Jett moved effortlessly, a blur of motion as he sidestepped the attack with barely an inch to spare. His movements were smooth, almostzy, as he surveyed the golems.


    Another golem charged at him, aiming a crushing blow straight for his head. Jett''s smirk widened, and in a sh, he activated [Loved by Fire and Ice], [Fire Dash], his body igniting in mes as he shot forward like aet, weaving between the golems at lightning speed.


    "Thanks to those crazy gods all my skills and spells that use fire or ice got a boost. Alright, ytime''s over."


    He imbued his sword in aura, it''s edge shimmering dangerously in the dim light. Without a moment''s pause, Jett spun and shed at the nearest golem, the aura imbued de cutting through the stone like it was made of paper. The massive creature groaned as cracks spread through its body, and with a final, resounding crash, it shattered into rubble.


    The other golems roared, their lumbering forms closing in on him from all sides. But Jett was already one step ahead. He raised his hand and activated {Water Torrent}, sending a powerful spiral of water crashing into two of the golems. The force of the spell eroded their bodies, grinding them down with relentless precision until they crumbled to the floor.


    "Only two left," Jett muttered, his eyes glinting with excitement.


    Thest two golems tried to pin him in from both sides, their massive fists ready to pummel him into the ground. But Jett was faster. With a snap of his fingers, he activated [Dark Mirage], splitting into several shadowy clones. The golems, confused and unable to tell which Jett was real, swung wildly at the illusions.


    Taking advantage of the distraction, Jett reappeared behind thest golem and plunged his dark de into its back. The creature let out a low, rumbling groan before disintegrating into dust.


    As the final golem turned, Jett unleashed [me Arc], a wide, sweeping strike of fire that sliced cleanly through its torso. The golem froze for a second, then copsed in two halves.


    The chamber fell silent, the once imposing constructs now reduced to piles of stone and dust. Jett looked around at the destruction he''d caused, his smirk still firmly in ce.


    "And they thought this would be difficult?" he chuckled, wiping his hands clean. "Too easy."


    But just as he was about to leave, the glyphs on the floor glowed once more, revealing a hiddenpartment in the center of the room. From it, a mysterious chest rose, its surface marked with symbols he recognized from the maze.


    "Now this looks interesting," Jett murmured, approaching the chest with a gleam in his eyes.


    Jett sighed as he walked up to the mysterious chest that had emerged from the floor, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. "I was getting kinda worried that I picked the wrong path," he muttered under his breath, running his hand over the intricate symbols etched into the chest. With a casual flick of his wrist, the lock clicked open, and the lid creaked upward.


    Insidey a single, delicate flower with ten different petals, each petal a distinct color, shimmering faintly under the dim light of the chamber.


    Jett grinned as he took in the sight. "Found you," he whispered, his tone triumphant. He gently closed the chest, locking the treasure away once more.


    But as soon as he did, a sudden, unsettling sensation washed over him. It was the kind of creeping feeling that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, like eyes were boring into him from the shadows. His instincts screamed at him, telling him that something was watching.


    He paused for a moment, scanning the room without turning his head, his fingers flexing unconsciously at his sides. But he shook the feeling off, forcing himself to stay calm. Not now.


    With a subtle exhale, Jett activated [Checkpoint], and the underground chamber around him vanished in a blur of motion.


    In an instant, he was back in his room, thefort of his familiar surroundings greeting him. He carefully tiptoed toward his bed, attempting to sneak in without a sound. Almost there�� he thought, hoping he could get some peace for the night.


    But just as he was about to slide under the covers, a voice pierced the quiet.


    "What are you doing?"


    Jett froze mid-step, his heart sinking. He slowly turned around to see Freya and E standing in the shadows near the doorway, arms crossed, and expressions far too knowing.


    Freya raised an eyebrow, her voice calm but filled with amusement. "You know, we''ve been watching the whole time."


    Jett blinked, realizing just how long they''d been observing him. "Crap," he muttered under his breath.


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    I guess he didn''t need to tell them since the mission was that easy. Continue your adventure at ��??


    I feel like I''m forgetting something

 Chapter 128 You wont Tell the others?

    Freya raised an eyebrow at Jett''s quick and sudden reaction, her curiosity deepening. "So, what''ve you got there?" she asked, moving closer, her eyes darting toward the box he''d just dropped on his bed.


    Jett nced at her, feigning nonchnce. "Nothing special," he shrugged, "just something I think Marce would like."


    Freya''s interest only grew as she stepped even closer. "And what could that be?" she pressed, her hand reaching out toward the box. "Can I see?"


    In an instant, Jett''s reflexes kicked in. "Nooo!" he eximed, swiping her hand away before it could even graze the box.


    Freya recoiled, startled by the unexpected force of his reaction. Her expression shifted from surprise to irritation. "What was that for?" she mused, her tone sharpening.


    Jett winced, realizing he''d hit her hand harder than he intended. "Crap�� sorry. You can''t touch that." He stammered, guilt shing across his face. His usual smooth demeanor faltered, and he found himself fumbling for an exnation.


    Freya folded her arms, ring at him. "And why not?"


    Jett rubbed the back of his neck, sighing. "Look�� it''s not that I didn''t want you to see it. It''s just��" He nced at the box, then back at her, "��the thing inside, the flower, it''s delicate. Really delicate. If it''s exposed to the wrong conditions, it could die almost instantly."


    Freya''s frown deepened. "You''re telling me you hit me because of a flower?"


    Jett raised his hands defensively. "I didn''t mean to hit you that hard! But�� you kinda acted without asking me first. If you''d touched it without knowing, it could''ve been ruined. And trust me, finding another one anytime soon won''t be possible."


    Freya''s irritation softened, but not entirely. She narrowed her eyes at him. "Still, you could''ve said something instead of acting like a crazy person."


    Jett shrugged helplessly. "Yeah, yeah, you''re right. My bad. But really, just be careful around that thing, okay?"


    Freya gave him a lingering re, but she eventually sighed. "Fine. But next time, try asking before you go all ninja on me." Stay tuned for updates on ��??


    Jett chuckled nervously. "Deal, and next time don''t be so curious."


    Freya''s eyes narrowed as she hissed, "You know I heard that, right?"


    Jett barely stifled a sigh. "Pretty sure I wasn''t whispering."


    Freya, ignoring his nonchnce, continued her line of questioning. "So, what do you need it for?" She absentmindedly searched for a ce to stow the box, still curious.


    As Freya moved about, Jett''s gazended on E, his little girl ying nearby. The sight immediately reminded him of something crucial: he had to hide the box somewhere she wouldn''t mistake it for a toy. The flower was too valuable, too delicate, to leave in in sight where E might get her curious hands, or fire breath, on it.


    "Just making arrangements for when I leave the academy. Wouldn''t want you guys dying on me when I go leave you guys for a whole year." Jett replied as he found the perfect spot.


    Jett shook his head slightly, muttering to himself as he slid the box under his bed. "Nice," he murmured, satisfied that it was now out of E''s reach.


    Freya nced at him skeptically. "You''re actually going through with that?" she asked, sounding more surprised than she probably intended.


    Jett raised an eyebrow at her, confused. "Well yeah, why would I bring it up if I wasn''t going to go through with it?" He leaned against the bed, smirking. "You should be happy. You don''t have to share a room with me for a whole year."


    Freya''s expression turned serious. "And what about E?"


    Jett didn''t even bother looking at her as he replied, "Oh, she''sing with me."


    Freya folded her arms, her voice hardening. "Keep dreaming."


    Jett turned to face her fully, amused by her resistance. "Look, you''ll still be able to call on E when you need her." He waved a hand dismissively. "But I''m going to need her for what I''ve got nned."


    Freya''s frown deepened. "And what exactly do you have nned that involves E?"


    Jett shrugged nonchntly, but his eyes held a yful glint. "Don''t worry, she''ll be fine. You know, just helping me with a few things while I''m away. Think of it as her broadening her horizons."


    Freya was unconvinced. "You''re not seriously going to take her away for a whole year, Jett. She''s mine, and she''s staying with me."


    Jett grinned, unfazed by her insistence. "Rx. She''ll still be yours. I just need her help for some stuff. It''s not like you won''t see her. You know I''ll make sure of that."


    Freya stared at him, unconvinced. "E''s not some tool you can just take whenever it suits you. She''s a part of this team."


    Jett waved her off. "I know, I know. But trust me, I''ll keep her safe. She''s in good hands with me. You can still summon her whenever. She just won''t be hanging around all the time.


    Besides, don''t you think she could use a little adventure?"


    Freya didn''t look convinced but seemed to relent slightly. "This better not be one of your crazy ns, Jett."


    Jett gave her a wink. "Don''t worry. I''ve got it all under control."


    Jett flopped onto his bed with a dramatic thud, rolling from side to side like he''d been reunited with it after years of separation. He sighed contentedly, sinking into the soft mattress, stretching out as if reiming his lost kingdom.


    Freya watched with a mix of amusement and confusion. "I really don''t know what goes on in that head of yours," she mused, arms crossed. "So, when are you going to tell the others?"


    Jett stopped mid-roll and turned to her, his smirk fading into something more serious. "They don''t need to know, we don''t need to tell the anything." he replied tly.


    Freya blinked in astonishment. "What!?" Her voice rose in disbelief. "You''re not going to tell them?"


    The tension in the room shifted as Freya''s eyes widened, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "You''ve got to be kidding me, Jett! You can''t just disappear for a whole year and expect no one to care."


    Jett sat up slightly, leaning on his elbow, his tone still calm but with a hint of impatience. "They''ve got enough on their te. Plus there''ll be a good excuse so don''t worry about it."


    Freya stepped closer, her tone sharpening. "This isn''t about them! It''s about you making decisions for everyone else like they don''t matter. You think they won''t notice you''re gone? You think they won''t worry?"


    Jett shrugged, his nonchnce infuriating. "They''ve got bigger things to focus on. They need to get stronger��" he paused, his eyes locking with hers, "especially you."


    Freya recoiled slightly, her frustration intensifying. "This is your excuse? Pushing us all to get stronger while you run off on some secret mission? How is that fair? Do you even know how dumb you sound right now?"


    Jett finally sat up fully, his expression softening just a little. "It''s not about fair, Freya. It''s about priorities. They''ll be fine without me. And you��" he pointed at her, "you''ve got potential. Focus on that.


    Don''t get distracted."


    Freya''s lips parted, ready to argue back, but the words got stuck in her throat. She stood there, dumbfounded by his self-centered reasoning, "You really are an asshole, how did I not see that till now."


    Jett yawned loudly, turning his back to her and rolling over. "Now, if you''ll excuse me," he muttered, pulling his pillow close, "I need to take a nap."


    Freya''s fists clenched as she stared at his back, amazed at how self-centered Jett could be, but for once, she had no words left to throw at him. She stood there, speechless, as Jett drifted into his usual state of casual indifference.


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    Sorry bout that Freya.

 Chapter 129 Selfish Behaviour

    Freya stormed out of the room, her frustration bubbling over as she mmed the door behind her. "You know what��? Do what you like," she muttered under her breath, leaving Jett behind with E. Her mind raced, but she didn''t want to dwell on the argument. She needed a distraction, anything to get her mind off Jett and his irritating attitude.


    *****


    Freya found herself at the academy library, hoping the quiet ambiance and shelves of books would offer her some sce. She wandered aimlessly through the rows until her eyes fell on a title: Visualizing Mana and Magic. She hesitated for a moment before reaching for it.


    Just as her fingers grazed the spine, a voice interrupted her thoughts. "Visualizing Mana and Magic. That''s a good one," said Valetta, her voice soft yet encouraging. She was standing just a few steps away, watching Freya with an approving smile. "A very smart choice."


    Freya, startled by the suddenpliment, looked up. "Umm�� thank you," she replied, a little shy. Valetta was one of the academy''s respected founders, known for her wisdom in magical theory and control. Freya hadn''t spoken much to her before, but she knew of Valetta''s reputation.


    Valetta stepped closer, ncing at the book in Freya''s hand. "The theories in that book helped me a lot when I was learning how to manipte Mana more effectively. It''s amazing what you can achieve when you stop thinking of Mana as just an invisible force and start treating it like something you can truly feel and control."


    Freya tilted her head slightly, curious. "But if Mana can''t be seen, how do you... feel it?"


    Valetta smiled, clearly enjoying the conversation. "Mana is like a current, a flow of energy that courses through everything. You can''t see it, but once you learn to sense it, you can direct it, manipte it. It''s like when you''re in a room full of people: just because you can''t see emotions doesn''t mean you can''t feel the tension, or the joy, or the sadness in the air. Mana is the same.


    You have to train your senses to pick up on it."


    Freya''s eyes widened as she absorbed the exnation. "That makes so much sense. I never even thought of it that way."


    Valetta nodded approvingly. "The book you picked up goes into a lot of detail about that. If you keep reading and practicing, you''ll start to notice things you couldn''t before. The trick is patience and persistence. Magic isn''t always about grand gestures. Sometimes, it''s the smallest, most precise control that makes the biggest difference."


    Freya was astonished. Valetta''s perspective on Mana was eye-opening, and it lit a spark in her curiosity. "I never realized how much more there was to Mana control."


    Valetta''s smile grew as she gently ced a hand on Freya''s shoulder. "Keep reading, and you will."


    Valetta''s perceptive eyes lingered on Freya for a moment, picking up on her subtle distractions. It was clear something was weighing on her mind. She tilted her head slightly and asked, "What''s the matter, darling? You look like something''s troubling you."


    Freya hesitated for a second, then sighed deeply, her gaze falling to the floor. "It''s nothing really�� just a friend of mine."


    Valetta''s lips curled into a knowing smile. "Hmm�� Boy troubles or did you have a fight with a friend?" she asked with a yful, yet sympathetic tone.


    Freya groaned softly. "Both, I think��" She paused, then, almost without realizing it, the frustration she had bottled up began to spill out. "Gosh, he''s so annoying. How can one guy be so secretive?"


    Valetta gave her a gentle nod of encouragement, and Freya, emboldened by the olderdy''s understanding presence, continued. "He''s always insisting on doing everything on his own, like he doesn''t need anyone''s help. So what if I don''t know what you''re thinking. Even when we''re all in it together, he still tries to handle things by himself.


    He doesn''t realize that by trying to protect everyone, he just ends up hurting us more."


    Freya''s voice quickened with emotion. "I mean, he means well, I get that. But how hard is it to just ask for help? He''s constantly acting like the weight of the world is on his shoulders and��" Freya suddenly stopped, her eyes widening in realization. She looked at Valetta, a little embarrassed, having just ranted out her thoughts without meaning to.


    Valetta chuckled softly, her eyes warm with understanding. "Oh, I see now," she said gently. Freya''s face turned red as she realized how much she had just revealed.


    With a calm and reassuring tone, Valetta offered her advice. "Don''t be too angry with him, whoever he is. Some people carry burdens they don''t know how to share. It''s not that they don''t want to let others in, sometimes they just don''t know how. It sounds like your friend is trying to do the right thing but in the wrong way."


    Freya listened intently, her shoulders rxing as Valetta continued, "Instead of being upset with him, try to help him understand that he doesn''t need to shoulder everything on his own. He might not realize that having people around doesn''t just mean relying on them when things are tough: it means letting them in so they can help carry the load.


    You can be that person for him, to show him he''s not alone."


    Freya''s frustration slowly began to ebb away, Valetta''s words hitting home. "Yeah... I guess you''re right," she mumbled, feeling a bit calmer. Valetta smiled warmly at her, nodding in quiet approval.


    "Thanks, ma''am. I really needed that," Freya said, her face lighting up with a bright smile that entuated her natural beauty.


    Valetta, momentarily taken aback by Freya''s radiance, smiled back and replied, "d to help. You should keep that smile on you a lot more." She gave a subtle nod, admiring Freya''s unexpected charm.


    The scene shifted abruptly. Jett found himself standing in a familiar ce: an eerie, dreamlikendscape, watching a scene unfold before him.


    The dying man''s raspy voice echoed close by, filled with desperation and betrayal. "Why are you doing this? Why go against me?" His words were drenched with disbelief, his body slumped against a stone altar, blood trickling from his wounds.


    Jett narrowed his eyes, recognizing this moment. He had seen this very scene before, back when he first came into contact with Finn''s divine weapon. It was as if he were watching history rey itself, a memory trapped within the weapon''s essence.


    Another voice answered the dying man, colder and more resolute. "We''re sorry, brother, but this has to be done." The speaker''s tone was devoid of emotion, yet there was an underlying sadness to his words, like a burden being reluctantly carried.


    Jett observed silently, his mind racing. The figures before him were blurry, their faces obscured by the mists of the memory. But he sense the betrayal in the air, the anguish of a brother forsaken by those he once trusted.


    The dying man let out a strained, weak breath, his eyes wide with disbelief. As his strength ebbed away, Jett knew this was no dream.


    Yet, even as he watched, a part of him couldn''t shake the feeling that this was more than just a memory. It felt like a warning.


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    Remember the first time it happened.

 Chapter 130 Lingering Memory

    [[Throne of Destiny is reacting to a fragment]]


    [[A memory has been unlocked]]


    Jett''s surroundings warped, the shadows of the scene pulling him deeper into a forgotten past. The air grew thick, almost suffocating, as his vision sharpened on a single figure kneeling before him. The man, battered and bloodied, was on one knee, his body pierced by multiple weapons: swords, spears, and daggers, all buried deep within his flesh.


    Each weapon seemed to hum with power, almost as if they were feeding off the man''s life force.


    Jett''s eyes flickered with recognition. This was the same moment he had seen before: the man''s agony, the weight of betrayal crushing him. Yet now, the scene was clearer. The figure knelt in silent torment, his head bowed, surrounded by 13 imposing figures.


    Unlike the previous memory, where all the figures were mere shadows, three of them now stood visible before Jett. One man was adorned in gold, his regal presence almost blinding. Golden armor shimmered with an otherworldly glow, and a crown rested on his head as if he were royalty. His face was stern, but his eyes held a deep sorrow, as though the act unfolding before him weighed heavily on his soul.


    Another figure stood to his left, his clothes emanating mes. The fire danced along the fabric, never burning it, yet casting a fiery aura around him. His expression was harsh, his gaze filled with a fierce determination as he watched the kneeling man struggle with the weapons lodged in his body. The mes surrounding him flickered wildly, mirroring the inner turmoil he concealed.


    And then, there was the woman. Her clothes were woven from threads of ice and darkness, a chilling beauty that sent a shiver down Jett''s spine. Her pale skin glowed softly beneath the frost that clung to her garments, and her eyes were cold, emotionless. Darkness seemed to swirl around her, blending into the ice as if the two were one.


    She stood still, her gaze locked on the man, her expression unreadable.


    The rest of the figures remained as they had before: shadows, shapeless and indistinct. They loomed in the background, watching in silence, their faces hidden from view.


    Jett''s heart raced as he took it all in. This was no ordinary memory. It was a moment etched into the fabric of the divine weapon itself. The betrayal, the torment, the witnesses, each piece was tied to the weapon''s origin and power.


    But why was he seeing this? And why now?


    The familiar conversation reyed in Jett''s right in front of him, haunting him with its intensity. He had heard these words before, seen this moment unfold in fragments, but now everything felt clearer, more vivid.


    "You gave us no choice," the first figure spoke again, his voice heavy with regret and authority. The man kneeling before them scoffed, a bitterugh escaping his lips, his body trembling under the weight of the weapons driven through him.


    "You''re afraid of me, quit beating around the bush," the man sneered, blood dripping from his mouth. "I know just how threatening my status can be."


    Another figure stepped forward, his voice filled with sorrow. "I''m sorry, brother, but you must die: for our sake, for the world''s sake."


    The man, despite his dire state,ughed again: this time harsher, more defiant. But the collective resolve of the figures surrounding him didn''t falter. With cold precision, they raised their weapons, piercing through him from all angles, the sound of metal cutting through flesh filling the air. His body jerked with every strike, but he didn''t fall.


    His fists clenched, nails digging into his palms as blood gushed from his wounds, staining the ground beneath him.


    Then came the scream, a primal, agonized scream that seemed to shake the very earth. "Damn it all! Why? Why? Why? Why?


    Why? Why? Why?!" His voice echoed across the battlefield,ced with pain, fury, and betrayal.


    "He''s still alive after that?" one of the figures remarked, surprise evident in their voice, as if they couldn''t fathom the strength it took for him to endure such torment.


    Through the pain, the man red at his betrayers, his eyes burning with hatred and defiance. "I won''t go down so easily," he snarled, his voice hoarse but unwavering. "One day, I''lle for you�� I curse these weapons with my soul to live on until then." His words were a vow, a dark promise sealed in blood, as the weapons embedded in him began to glow faintly, resonating with his curse.


    The figures stood still, their resolve unshaken, but their faces betraying a mixture of regret and unease. One of them, likely the leader, spoke again, his voice cold and matter-of-fact. "You brought this upon yourself when you decided to act on your own."


    Just like before, Jett was powerless to do anything but watch the memory unfold, the pain in his head growing unbearable. "Ack�� It feels like my head''s about to explode," he groaned, clutching his temples in agony. "What does this vision mean? I guess technically it''s a memory, but still��" His mind swirled with confusion and frustration.


    Suddenly, new notifications shed before his eyes, interrupting his thoughts.


    [[Memory has ended]]


    [[Throne of Destiny is reacting to a fragment]]


    [[Not enough. Find more fragments]]


    Jett scowled, his irritation bubbling over. "What the hell are the fragments? Can''t you even tell me that much?" he yelled in frustration, his voice echoing into the void.


    Then, faintly at first, he heard someone calling his name. "Jett�� Jett�� Jett��" The voice sounded distant, almost like a whisper. But when he looked around, there was no one there.


    *****


    "Jett�� Jett�� Jett��" The voice grew stronger, more urgent, repeating his name over and over. "Wake up already, you''re scaring us."


    With a sharp inhale, Jett''s eyes fluttered open, the memory from earlier slipping away. His vision was blurry, but slowly cleared to reveal Freya kneeling beside him, her face tight with worry, and E clinging to his side, tears streaming down her cheeks.


    "What''s going on?" Jett croaked, his voice weak and hoarse.


    Freya let out a relieved sigh, her brows still furrowed. "You were out cold for a while, you were even talking in your sleep. We couldn''t wake you up�� E''s been crying this whole time."


    E sniffled, burying her face into his arm. "I-I thought you weren''t going to wake up," Freya whimpered, her small hands gripping him tightly.


    Jett blinked, trying to shake the fog from his mind, piecing together what had just happened. "I''m fine," he mumbled, his hand gently patting E''s head in an attempt tofort her. "Just�� a weird dream."


    Freya shot him a skeptical look. "That was more than just a dream, Jett. You were out cold for nearly an hour."


    He grimaced, feeling the lingering weight of the vision pressing down on him. But he couldn''t exin it: not yet. Not until he had more answers. "I''m alright," he assured them, though his voicecked conviction. "Just need some rest."


    Freya didn''t seem convinced, but she held her tongue, ncing at E, who refused to let go of Jett''s arm. "We were really worried, Jett," Freya murmured. "You''ve got to stop keeping this stuff from us."


    Jett sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah�� I know." But even as he said it, his thoughts wandered back to the memory, the fragments, and the curse. Whatever this was, it was far from over.


    *


    *


    *


    I guess he didn''t see this part in the book

 Chapter 131 Freeing Mystra

    As Jettforted E, his mind raced with a troubling thought: ''The fact that E would act this way means even Mystra could''ve been affected too.'' He frowned, lost in his own thoughts, trying to make sense of what had just happened.


    The visions, the fragments, they were all connected somehow, but how deep did it go? Did it affect more than just him?


    "What is wrong with you?" Freya''s sharp voice broke through his concentration.


    Jett blinked, ncing at her. "Nothing. I''m fine."


    "Fine? You''ve been acting weird ever since you woke up. You''re hiding something," Freya pressed, her eyes narrowing as she searched his face for answers.


    Jett sighed, running a hand down his face. "I told you, it''s nothing."


    "Liar." Freya''s frustration was palpable. "You''re always keeping things to yourself, and then stuff like *this* happens! You won''t tell me what''s going on, and it''s driving me insane!"


    "I''m handling it," Jett shot back, his tone sharper than intended.


    "By handling it, you mean keeping it all bottled up until you copse like you did just now? That''s not ''handling'' anything, Jett!" Freya crossed her arms, ring at him. "You''re not invincible."


    Jett clenched his jaw, unwilling to let her in on what was going through his mind. The visions, the Throne of Destiny reacting: it wasn''t something he could just casually exin. "It''s...plicated," he muttered, not looking at her directly.


    "Of course it is," Freya muttered sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "It''s always plicated'' with you."


    Jett ignored her, his focus shifting as he gently sent E back into her space, knowing she needed rest. He stood up and began to gather a few things, readying himself to leave. Freya, meanwhile, slumped on his bed, looking utterly defeated.


    With a sigh, Jett turned toward her, softening just a little. "Youing or what?" he asked.


    "Huh?" Freya looked up, clearly surprised.


    Jett pointed toward the door. "Hurry up, or I''ll leave you here," he said, trying to sound nonchnt.


    Freya blinked in confusion before quickly getting up, still flustered by their argument. "Wait, where are we even going?"


    "You''ll see," Jett shrugged, already heading toward the door. "You wanted me to open up more right?."


    Freya grabbed her things and hurried after him, not sure what to expect but unwilling to be left behind. Even though she was still frustrated with him, there was no way she was going to let Jett go off on his own again. Not this time.


    *****


    Jett led Freya through the winding halls of the academy, finally arriving at the far back of the library, a section that looked untouched and forgotten. Dust covered the shelves, and the air was heavy with the scent of old parchment and aged wood. Freya nced around, a bit confused as to why they were here.


    "So��" she started, her brow furrowing. "What are we doing here?"


    "I need to retrieve something," Jett replied, scanning the rows of books as if searching for a specific one. His hand reached for a dusty tome, flipping it open, and revealing a hidden mechanism. A soft click echoed through the room, and the wall behind one of the bookshelves creaked open, revealing a concealed door.


    "Woah��" Freya''s eyes widened in awe as she stared at the hidden passage. "Alright, let''s go," she said, stepping forward eagerly.


    But before she could move any further, Jett raised his hand and blocked her path, a serious expression on his face. "Wait, hold your horses." he said, shaking his head as he blocked the way. "You stay here."


    "What''s the matter?" Freya asked, confused by his sudden change in tone.


    Jett smiled, his usual confidence returning. "I just don''t want you triggering any rms. I''m not ditching you or anything like that so I just need you to wait here," he added, seeing the suspicious look in her eyes. "I''ll be right back, promise."


    With that, he stepped into the shadowy passage, his form blurring as he activated [Shadow Walk]. His body seamlessly merged with the surrounding darkness, and he moved through the shadows like water flowing through cracks. Silent, invisible, untouchable.


    Freya crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, watching him disappear into the passage. "Show off," she muttered, though a small smirk yed on her lips.


    She couldn''t help but be impressed by how effortlessly Jett navigated through ces that would normally be off-limits, his unique abilities allowing him to blend into the shadows like a ghost. But as always, he had his own way of doing things alone.


    Freya stood by the shelves, arms crossed, tapping her foot lightly with a subtle frown on her face. "ssic Jett," she muttered, shaking her head. "Just bring me along to leave me here. Even if you have a good reason this time." With a sigh, she turned to the books around her, hoping to distract herself.


    Her fingers trailed across the spines of old tomes, trying to find sce in the familiarfort of knowledge.


    Meanwhile, deeper in the hidden chambers, Jett had made his way to the room that housed Mystra. He stepped inside, and immediately, the Dream Hound bounded towards him, her silver eyes gleaming with joy. Mystra''s excitement was palpable as she jumped around, tail wagging like she had been waiting an eternity for him to return.


    "Sorry I''mte, girl," Jett said with a soft chuckle, patting her head affectionately. "It''s time to leave this ce."


    As if understanding his words, Mystra began to shrink, herrge formpacting into a smaller size, just small enough tofortably sit on Jett''s shoulder. Her fur shimmered faintly, and with a light hop, she perched herself on his shoulder, curling her tail around his neck.


    "They''re going to be so pissed when they find out," Jett grinned, clearly amused by the thought. He turned and swiftly made his way back through the shadows, Mystra clinging to him quietly.


    It didn''t take long for Jett to return to where Freya waited, only to find herpletely engrossed in a book. Her earlier annoyance seemed forgotten as she flipped through the pages, absorbed in whatever topic had caught her attention.


    "Alright, Freya," Jett called out, grinning as he approached. "There''s someone I''d like to introduce to you."


    Freya turned almost immediately, snapping the book shut and looking at him with curiosity. Her gaze then shifted to the small figure resting on his shoulder.


    *


    *


    *


    Off to the next chapter

 Chapter 132 Accomplice?

    Mystra shied away behind Jett, her silver eyes peeking out cautiously from behind his head, clearly unsure of the unfamiliar face in front of her. Her small frame pressed against Jett''s neck as if she were hiding from the world.


    "Freya, this is Mystra," Jett introduced, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "One of the many secrets I''m keeping from you."


    But Freya wasn''t paying any attention to his words; her eyes were locked on Mystra, lighting up with pure excitement. She barely processed Jett''s sarcasm as she took a step closer,pletely enamored with the tiny Dream Hound.


    "You actually had a pet? Why didn''t you say anything?" Freya''s face beamed with excitement as she reached out toward Mystra.


    Without waiting for a reply, she snatched Mystra off Jett''s shoulder, trying to cuddle her. Mystra let out a tiny yelp but didn''t resist, looking between Jett and Freya with wide, confused eyes.


    "Well, technically she''s mine, but umm�� she''s not mine," Jett tried to exin, scratching the back of his head.


    Freya stopped mid-cuddle, her brow furrowing. "What''s that supposed to mean?" she asked, clearly puzzled.


    "It means, I just�� stole her from the school," Jett admitted, avoiding eye contact as he looked off to the side.


    "You wha��?" Freya''s eyes widened, and her mouth opened to shout at him, but before she could get a word out, Jett quickly mped a hand over her mouth, silencing her.


    "Yeah, we should probably take this somewhere else," Jett said firmly, his voice hushed as he nced around the library, not wanting to draw any unwanted attention.


    Jett dragged Freya out of the library, his grip firm but not harsh. Freya struggled, pulling against his hold. "Get off me," she muttered, wrestling herself free once they stepped outside.


    Jett finally let go and sighed. "You really don''t have to be so dramatic," he said, brushing off herints as he began walking away. Freya, still cradling Mystra, followed closely behind, her arms wrapped protectively around the tiny Dream Hound.


    "What if..." Freya paused, her eyes darting around to make sure no one was within earshot. She leaned in, whispering urgently, "What if someone finds out? If she belongs to the academy, why take her away without their consent?"


    Jett smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Trust me, it''s for their own good."


    Freya sighed in exasperation. "I sure hope you know what you''re doing," she muttered, pulling Mystra closer, shielding her from any prying eyes as they walked.


    Jett nced back, noticing Freya''s overly protective stance. "You really don''t need to do that, though," he chuckled.


    "Why not?" Freya shot him a confused look. "What if someone spots her?"


    "She''s a Dream Hound," Jett exined. "No one would recognize her. Plus, she''s using my Mana to cast an illusion on herself."


    Freya''s curiosity piqued. "Why your Mana?"


    "We signed a soul contract," Jett replied, casually as though it was no big deal. "We''re basically bound together, kinda like with E, but it''s a bit different."


    Freya blinked in surprise. "A soul contract? You really didn''t think to mention that before?"


    Jett shrugged. "It just never came up."


    "Yeah, right," Freya scoffed, but her curiosity got the best of her as she poked Mystra''s soft cheek. "So, like, this isn''t what she really looks like?"


    "That''s what she looks like," Jett replied, barely skipping a beat. "The illusion just makes sure no one I don''t trust sees her true form. Right now, she looks like a harmless little slime to everyone else."


    Freya raised a brow, giving Jett a sideways nce. "You really nned all of this, didn''t you? What''s the real purpose behind this?"


    Before Jett could respond, his eyes locked onto something in the distance. Gwendolyn. She was walking into a building across the courtyard, and for a brief moment, Jett hesitated. He wondered what she was up to as although he had a rough idea, so he turned back to Freya.


    "We''ve got some really bad people looking for Mystra," Jett finally said, his voice lowering. "If they find her, the academy is finished."


    Freya''s eyes widened. "Then we have to inform the teachers, Valetta, rence, anyone."


    Jett shook his head, his tone grim. "Nope. We can''t. They''ve already infiltrated the academy''s ranks."


    Freya''s hands shot to his shoulder, shaking him slightly as panic flickered across her face. "Then we have to tell rence or Valetta! Or are they... you know?"


    "Of course not, dummy," Jett sighed, exasperated. "But I can''t tell them anything right now. I need this part to y out naturally. Just trust me and wait a bit."


    Freya stopped shaking him but narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced. "You''re not nning on doing something incredibly stupid, are you? Because if you are, it won''t just be you. It''ll be all of us."


    Jett gave a small, reassuring smile, though it didn''t reach his eyes. "I know what I''m doing, Freya. For now, all you have to do is trust me." He nced at Mystra, who nestled closer to Freya, sensing the tension between them.


    Freya sighed heavily, still unsure but too tired to press further. "Fine, but I''ll hold you to that. If you drag us all into something insane, you''re paying for it."


    Jett chuckled. "Deal."


    "Almost everything I do is incredibly stupid," Jett smirked, taking pride in his recklessness.


    Freya shook her head, clearly unimpressed. "The fact that you smiled while saying that��" she sighed, letting go of Mystra.


    As soon as she released her, Mystra dashed back to Jett''s shoulder, snuggling into him with ease. Freya pouted, folding her arms in slight frustration.


    *****


    Later, everyone gathered in the dining hall, the usual chatter filling the room. Freya had just finished exining the earlier events when Elora raised an eyebrow, pointing her spoon at Freya and Mystra. "So you''re telling me you followed him to steal something that the academy kept hidden?"


    Jett, in the middle of feeding Mystra a piece of meat from his te, barely looked up. He seemedpletely unbothered by the whole ordeal, more focused on Mystra happily nibbling on the food.


    "Well technically, I didn''t know, and he doesn''t even look worried," Freyained, her frustration growing as she turned to Jett. "Just look at him."


    "Isn''t that, you know�� illegal?" Cedric asked, though the excitement in his expression betrayed his curiosity. His eyes were fixated on Mystra, clearly impressed by the rare creature.


    "A dream hound huh? She could sell for a lot, though. Just saying," Finn chimed in casually. "Too bad it''s under these kinds of circumstances."


    "And we''ll all be aplices if we don''t turn him in," Asher said with little emotion, ncing at Jett from the corner of his eye. "You better start talking."


    Meanwhile, Mystra, with her innocent charm, had made her way over to Seraphina and Marce, who were both petting her with awe. Freya couldn''t help but feel a little jealous, her pout deepening as Mystra seemed to enjoy their attention, still avoiding her.


    "Alright, here''s the deal..." Jett started, ready to exin, but before he could finish, he was interrupted by a sudden unfamiliar voice from across the hall.


    "Umm... Excuse me but can I speak with you all?"


    *


    *


    *


    A storm ising.

 Chapter 133 Club Invitation

    "You all have been invited to the Majesty Club," the nervous student stammered, clearly unsettled by the intense stares of the group. His forced smile didn''t do much to mask his difort.


    "The Majesty Club, huh? That''s a pretty big deal," Finn said, raising an eyebrow, nudging Aiden lightly with his elbow. The mention of the club sparked some intrigue around the table.


    Aiden''s interest was piqued, his gaze sharpening. "So they want us to join? That''s cool," he added, looking somewhat pleased at the prospect.


    "An invitation?" Rosa chimed in, skeptical. "That''s weird. Don''t they usually give an orientation before tossing us into the Den of Wolves?" She crossed her arms, clearly not buying it.


    Jett''s smirk grew as he leaned back, his mind already racing through the possibilities. ''Yeah, it''s too early, I guess I''ve changed quite a lot,'' he mused to himself. ''This works out either way.''


    "But isn''t the Majesty Club exclusive to those with rich and powerful backgrounds?" Seraphina asked, her tone cautious as she eyed the student. "What''s the catch?"


    At this point, nearly everyone except Marce had paused their meals, now entirely focused on the student. Even Mystra had abandoned Seraphina''sp, casually helping herself to some of the food on the table, much to Seraphina''s amusement.


    The student, sensing the growing suspicion, cleared his throat. "There''s nothing like that. They''ve seen your potential and decided it would be beneficial to invest in you."


    Finn leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Bullshit," he said tly, causing the student to flinch slightly. "No one gives a first-year an invitation to a club like that without having ulterior motives especially a high ss club like this one, even I know that. But I guess it''s not that important, seeing as they asked theirckey to invite us, no offense."


    The student''s forced smile faltered, and he opened his mouth to respond but found himself unable to defend the invitation with any conviction.


    "Come on, guys, let''s hear him out. We wouldn''t want him to get into trouble because of us," Evelina said, her voice gentle as she gestured for the nervous student to take a seat.


    "You''re too nice, Lina," Asher sighed, leaning back in his chair.


    "And you''re just a meanie," Evelina retorted, yfully narrowing her eyes at him.


    With a small smile, Evelina ushered Bryan into a chair. His confusion was evident as he cautiously sat down, unsure why she was being so kind to him.


    "So, what''s your name?" Evelina asked, her voice still warm and inviting.


    "Bryan," he replied, his confusion growing.


    "So, what''s really going on, Bryan?" she pressed gently, keeping her tone friendly but probing for more information.


    Bryan shifted ufortably, ncing between them. "It''s true, I''m just ackey. I''m barely even holding on in the club, but that''s beside the point. I really don''t know what they want from you guys," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.


    "I''ll tell you why," Rosa interjected, her tone disinterested as she twirled her spoon. "They want to suppress us before we go out of control. They''ll try to use our status to elevate themselves while keeping us in check."


    Jett watched the exchange quietly, a smirk ying on his lips. ''I guess I don''t need to exin all that to them, Rosa seems to know more about the situation'' he mused, satisfied that Rosa had already figured it out.


    Bryan, feeling the weight of their suspicions, tried to rify. "But the vice president was the one who invited you all, so please�� I''m just the messenger."


    "Who''s the vice president?" Rey asked, his curiosity piqued as he leaned in slightly.


    Bryan swallowed nervously before answering, "Edna Dyno."


    The name caused a brief silence to settle over the table, as recognition flickered in their eyes. Jett''s expression darkened ever so slightly as the name echoed in his mind.


    "Oh, her?" Rey said, forcing a nervous smile, his tone trying to remain casual but faltering.


    "I totally forgot she was at the academy," Rosa chimed in, wearing a simr nervous grin.


    The table grew quiet for a moment as everyone at the table noticed their awkward reactions. Matthew raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued by their sudden shift in demeanor.


    "You guys alright?" Matthew asked, his tone carrying a hint of concern as he eyed both Rey and Rosa.


    "What? Nothing, nothing at all," Rey replied hastily, attempting to keep his face neutral, but his unease was obvious.


    Rosa crossed her arms, trying to shake off the tension. "She gives me the creeps. She always apanies her father to the castle."


    "Talk about bring your cold daughter to work every day," Rey mused, chuckling lightly as if trying to downy the awkwardness. But hisment only underscored the difort they both felt.


    "The Dyno name says it all," Asher added, his expression serious. "Now we have to attend. Things will getplicated if we don''t. They''re still the second strongest family in Verena."


    As the conversation swirled around Ciara and her influential family, the focus suddenly shifted to Jett, who had been unusually quiet.


    "What do you say, Jett? You haven''t smiled since you heard the name either," Rey asked, trying to redirect the attention to him, perhaps to ease his own tension.


    Jett''s expression darkened, and he looked away, visibly annoyed. "Mind your business, man. I''ll think about it," he muttered, clearly bothered. His thoughts drifted back to his first encounter with someone from the Dyno family: an uncle who had tried to kill him. The memory left a bitter taste in his mouth.


    Sensing the tension, Bryan cleared his throat nervously, lowering his voice. "You don''t need to worry. They asked that you didn''te, sir Jett."


    At Bryan''s words, Finn, who had just taken a sip of water, promptly spat it out in shock, breaking into uncontrobleughter. Rey, unable to contain himself either, quickly followed suit, hisughter echoing through the hall.


    The others, though trying to maintain theirposure, were struggling to hold back their own amusement. They avoided eye contact with Jett, biting their lips or looking away to prevent themselves from bursting intoughter as well. The whole scene wasically awkward.


    Jett, unamused, just sighed heavily, watching Finn and Rey lose themselves in fits ofughter. "d my exclusion''s so hrious," he muttered dryly.


    *


    *


    *


    I guess the Dyno''s really don''t like him.

 Chapter 134 Big Wager

    At one of the dining hall''s corner tables, three students were huddled in a quiet discussion. A female beastfolk with sharp ears and feline features leaned in, her voice low but dripping with disdain. "That''s the kid?" she asked, nodding subtly in Jett''s direction. "He''s not all that. I heard his ranking shot up because he used his connections.


    Now he''s been deranked to 5000th ce in the whole academy. I''m sure I can take him."


    The trio took quick, subtle nces at Jett across the hall, their eyes darting back and forth to make sure no one was listening too closely. They spoke in hushed tones, careful to avoid attracting attention.


    "I''m not too sure about that," the dwarf among them replied, scratching his beard nervously. He was short but stout, with an air of caution that hispanions clearlycked. "He still ranks higher than you. You''re ranked 40,000. It''s too risky. I''ve seen what his friends can do already, and it''s not worth the risk."


    The beastfolk snorted, baring her sharp teeth in a confident grin. "He''s obviously a fraud riding his friends'' coattails, and I''m going to prove it."


    *****


    At Jett''s table, the atmosphere had shifted. "Whatever," Jett muttered as he stood up abruptly, clearly not in the mood to stay any longer. Mystra, who had been restingfortably near his te, quickly climbed up onto his shoulder, her small size making her a perfectpanion as she nestled there, not wanting to be left behind.


    "Hey,e on. You don''t have to be so mad about it," Rey called after him, his voiceced with concern. But it was futile, Jett was already halfway to the door, his steps quick and determined.


    Just as Jett reached the door, ready to leave the hall and the stifling atmosphere behind, a voice called out, stopping him in his tracks. "Hey, first year, stop right there."


    The voice was firm,manding, and carried an air of challenge. Jett turned slightly, his gaze narrowing as he recognized the beastfolk girl from the trio who had been eyeing him earlier. The tension in the air grew, the hall suddenly feeling a lot smaller.


    "I challenge you to a duel. I''m going to show everyone that you''re a fraud," the beastfolk girl dered, her voice firm and confident, stepping forward with her fists clenched. The room fell silent as her challenge echoed through the dining hall.


    Jett, without turning around, tilted his head slightly, a cold smirk forming on his lips. "Oh? You want to challenge me?" His voice was calm, almost amused, but there was a noticeable edge to it.


    Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room shifted. A chilling aura began to emanate from Jett, spreading across the hall like a cold wind sweeping through the space. Conversations died down as most students instinctively felt the weight of his presence. The temperature seemed to drop, and unease spread across the tables as everyone''s eyes turned toward the impending confrontation.


    "Oh boy," Rey muttered under his breath, knowing exactly where this was headed. He had seen this look in Jett''s eyes before and knew the beastfolk had no idea what she was getting into.


    "Yes," the beastfolk girl snapped, her ears twitching in irritation, "Are you deaf or something?" Her confidence didn''t waver, though she felt a subtle shift in the air, like something was wrong. But she quickly shrugged it off, chalking it up to nerves. This was her moment to expose him, after all.


    Jett turned slightly, enough to cast her a chilling, sarcastic smile. "Alright," he said, his tone casual but dripping with danger. "It is against the rules to reject an challenge from a weaker rank."


    The beastfolk hesitated for a brief moment, feeling the weight of his words but dismissing the odd sensation in her gut. She clenched her fists tighter, determined to see this through. "Good. I''m ready when you��"


    "How about I make you an offer right now?" Jett interrupted, his voice cutting through hers like ice. "You can pick anyone to fight alongside you. Two, three, four... it doesn''t matter." His smirk widened, a confident glint in his eyes. "And I''ll even throw in 10 million points."


    The entire room froze in shock. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Students exchanged wide-eyed nces, unsure of what was more astounding: the fact that Jett had that many points to wager or the sheer confidence radiating from him that he would stake such a colossal amount.


    Whispers filled the room. Some couldn''t believe it. The beastfolk herself seemed taken aback, her previous bravado faltering as the full weight of Jett''s offer hit her. Something was definitely off, but now it was toote to back down.


    "Did you hear that? The kid just offered up 10 million points to go against multiple opponents," Rodney chuckled, leaning over to repeatedly p his friend, Drago, on the shoulder, amused by the unfolding spectacle.


    But Drago, already irritated by Rodney''s relentless taps, had enough. With a swift motion, he caught Rodney''s hand mid-swing, gripping it tightly. His eyes narrowed as he gave his friend a warning look. "Stop," Drago growled in a low, dangerous tone.


    Rodney winced, but he chuckled nervously, pulling his hand back as soon as Drago let go. "Alright, alright... but still, this is wild!"


    Durin, sitting next to them, grinned as he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "I wouldn''tugh too soon. That kid''s got something up his sleeve. No one makes that kind of offer without a trick. Either it''s a hidden skill, a powerful weapon, or some ace no one''s seen yet."


    Before they could continue their spection, Jett''s voice echoed across the hall.


    "And I won''t be using any skills, spells, weapons, or even Aura. Just straight hands... and maybe my legs."


    The whole hall buzzed with shock and disbelief. Conversations broke out all around them as the room split into two camps: those who believed Jett was serious and those who thought it was all a bluff. Some students were intrigued, others skeptical, but no one could deny the confidence in his voice.


    *****


    "There''s... there''s no way you have that much money," the beastfolk girl stammered, her earlier bravado faltering. Her tail flicked nervously as her ears twitched in disbelief.


    Jett''s chilling smile only deepened. "And why would I make that up? It''s also against the rules to wager what you don''t own."


    At their table, the others were equally stunned by Jett''s bold offer. Cedric leaned closer to Finn, whispering, "Did you know he had that many points?"


    Finn let out a long sigh, rubbing his forehead. "I just did what he asked me to do. The amount of points we have now would be enough to get all of us private amodations. But for some reason, he insists it''s not enough."


    Cedric''s eyes widened. "Is he trying to buy the entire academy or something?"


    Freya, watching the situation unfold, furrowed her brows in confusion. "I''m not even worried about him fighting multiple opponents unarmed... but what''s the point? Is he trying to prove something or...?" She trailed off, trying to piece together Jett''s motives.


    The atmosphere grew tenser as everyone awaited the beastfolk''s decision, all eyes on Jett, whose calm demeanor only heightened the sense of unease in the room.


    *


    *


    *


    He''s looking for a punching bag.

 Chapter 135 Club Members

    At the far end of the dining hall, a group of students was seated in a luxurious section, their table adorned with elegant dishware and candles, enjoying fine dining. The rich aroma of gourmet meals filled the air as they savored their food. Their chatter, though casual, wasced with an air of superiority, contrasting the tension building in the rest of the hall.


    "This should be interesting," said a girl with piercing eyes and a chilling smile, lightly swirling a ss of red wine in her hand as she observed the brewing conflict below.


    Her sister, seated next to her, scoffed. "Get over it, sister. He''s just going to embarrass himself. These upstarts always do."


    The atmosphere around their table shifted as a tall, buff student approached, adjusting his sses. His voice carried authority. "No one knows how this showdown will unfold," he said thoughtfully. "But I''d like to see what this boy can do. Let''s see if you rejected him because he''s weak or if there''s something more... special about him."


    Another student, seated higher up, chuckled darkly, shing a mischievous grin as he looked down at the confrontation below. "True. I agree with the president. I''d love to see the boy that nearly made Auntie kill her own brother."


    The group''s opinions were somewhat divided, some dismissive of Jett''s abilities, while others showed more interest in his potential. Despite their differences, they all shared a mutual curiosity about the boy causing such a stir.


    The president, amanding figure, casually sipped his tea, his gaze scanning the crowd below. "Hey, you," he called out to a student refilling his cup. "What ss are you?"


    The student stiffened, spilling a bit of tea as he stammered, "A... t-tank, sir."


    The president waved him off dismissively. "That won''t do. Forget it."


    He nced around the hall, his voice carrying over the hushed conversations. "Who here''s a mage? It doesn''t matter what you specialize in. I have a job for you, and I''m willing to pay 100,000 points."


    The hall fell into an uneasy silence for a few seconds. 100,000 points was an enormous sum, even for the wealthiest of students. Whispers spread quickly, and a few eyes darted around nervously. Finally, a girl seated a few tables over hesitantly raised her hand, her reluctance palpable but her ambition stronger.


    "Umm, I''m a mage," L said nervously, her voice barely audible above the low murmur of conversations in the dining hall.


    "Wonderful. What''s your name?" the president gestured for her toe closer, his tone calm yetmanding.


    L hesitated before stepping forward. As she walked toward him, her steps were slow, cautious. You could tell by her trembling hands and the way she nced around that she was scared, unsure of what she had just gotten herself into. She swallowed hard before stammering, "L-L."


    The president smiled, though his eyes remained calcting. "Alright, L, I want you to join that team against the kid over there," he instructed, pointing toward Jett, who was still standing near the entrance.


    The others at the table exchanged curious nces. They couldn''t quite predict what the president was thinking. Why would he waste so many points on something that seemed so trivial?


    "Really, boss? You''re willing to spend that much for trash like him?" one of the students muttered, his voice dripping with disdain.


    The president''s demeanor shifted instantly. He shot the speaker a sharp, cold stare, his eyes narrowing with an intensity that silenced the entire group. The student quickly shut his mouth, the tension at the table palpable.


    A small, knowing smile curled at the president''s lips as he leaned back. "I want to see what an offspring of Grift can do," he said, his voiceced with intrigue.


    Before anyone could respond, an authoritative voice rang out behind them. "What do you think you''re doing, Ross?"


    The president flinched slightly, his calm facade breaking for just a moment as he turned to see a tall redhead with a sabre strapped to her waist standing behind him. Lana, the fierce and no-nonsense member of the academy, red at him with piercing eyes.


    "Ah, Lana," Ross greeted her, his earlier confidence reced with a hint of nervousness. "Nice of you to drop by."


    "I heard something worth my time was happening here, but instead, I find myself greeted by the sight of you wasting points again," Lana said, her voice sharp as she moved toward the veranda railing. She hissed under her breath when she spotted Jett, her disdain for him evident in her expression.


    "I''m not wasting points," Ross replied, his nervous tone shifting back into his usual charm. "It seems like all your siblings have a problem with this kid. I want to know why."


    Lana''s eyes darkened as she nced back at Jett, the tension between them clear. "He''s trouble. That''s all you need to know."


    "That''s none of your business. Good thing you''re not in charge of our club funds," Lana sighed as she walked over and sat next to Ross, her presencemanding attention.


    Ross, ever calm, adjusted his sses and sighed. "Well, that''s not a nice thing to say to your club president."


    Lana rolled her eyes, her tone sharp. "Don''t embarrass yourself Mr. President, you''re not the boss of me. I''m not as nice as my older sister over there." She nced across the table, locking eyes with someone sitting quietly. "Right, Dana?"


    Dana, seated on the other side, smiled gently but didn''t respond immediately. Before she could speak, the young blonde boy from earlier, with a fine physique and no visible weapons, chimed in, clearly enjoying the tension. "Come on, Lana, you really should be more respectful to him. He''s your president after all," he said with a sarcastic tone, his smirk giving away that he was teasing.


    Lana''s eyes narrowed dangerously as she leaned forward. "One more word and I''ll slice your legs where you stand," she threatened, her hand hovering near the hilt of her saber.


    The boy, grinned yfully. "I''d like to see you try, sis."


    Before the situation could escte further, Dana finally stepped in, her voice calm but authoritative. "Lana, Lance, that''s enough." Her words were enough to make them pause, though the tension between the siblings remained thick in the air.


    The other students around the table were clearly more wary of Lana and Lance than they were of Ross. Despite Ross being the club president, the raw presence and sharp edges of the siblings seemed to have a much more intimidating effect on everyone around.


    "This better be good," Lana muttered, ncing toward the scene about to unfold. "But I guess I shouldn''t expect much from a first year."


    "You say that like I''m not sitting right here," a soft voice added from the side.


    Lance blinked in surprise, turning toward the voice. "Lisa? When did you get here?"


    Lisa, who shared the same sharp features and unmistakable traits of Lance and Lana, sat quietly, her arms crossed as she observed. "I''ve been here the whole time," she replied tly, clearly annoyed that no one had noticed her until now.


    Ross chuckled, but then his attention shifted as he noticed movement from across the room. "It seems like they''re leaving. I guess it''s starting," he said with a smile, turning to L. "Go, add up the numbers."


    The atmosphere in the room changed almost instantly as L stood up, her nervous energy palpable. The quiet tension turned into a low murmur as students began to whisper about the uing duel, their eyes flickering between Jett and the group forming against him.


    L hurried away, her heart racing as she moved to join the challengers, her steps quick and shaky as if the weight of the challenge was already upon her.

 Chapter 136 Is he serious though?

    "Wanna bet how long he''llst? My money''s on two minutes, three if he''s lucky," Lance said, tapping Lana on the shoulder with a mischievous grin.


    Lana visibly recoiled, her face twisting in disgust at her brother''s antics. "You really don''t have anything better to do than annoy me?" she asked, her voice dripping with irritation.


    "Killjoy," Lance mused,pletely unfazed by her reaction.


    They didn''t need to leave their seats to view what was happening outside. Conveniently, an arcane window: a magical projection used to observe battles and duels, materialized above their table, allowing them to watch the unfolding events without stepping foot outside.


    *****


    "You really want to do something like that?" the beastfolk girl asked, a smirk ying at her lips. "Wouldn''t you call this bullying?" one of her friends jested.


    "Only if the person you''re facing was weaker than you," Jett retorted, his calm and confident demeanor sending a ripple of excitement through the crowd. A few students cheered, amused by his boldness. "Plus, I''m the one telling you what I''ll do."


    The beastfolk girl''s grin faltered for a moment as the crowd reacted, her embarrassment growing with every passing second. Feeling the pressure, she forced a grin to save face. "Alright, if you want to get your ass kicked so badly," she sneered, trying to maintain herposure, "I got some friends that''d love to join in."


    Behind her, an elf and a dwarf stepped forward, both of them looking ready for a fight. Their presence added weight to her words, but it was clear Jett wasn''t impressed.


    "Just three of you?" Jett asked, his expression one of disappointment, as though he expected more.


    Before anyone could respond, a soft voice interrupted, "I''ll join them."


    The students turned to see L slowly approaching, her steps hesitant but deliberate as she walked up to the group. Her presence was unexpected, and for a moment, the tension in the air shifted as everyone processed the new addition.


    The beastfolk girl and her friends exchanged confused nces. They had never seen or met L before.


    "Who the hell are you? Trying to join in so you can get the points too? How shameless," the beastfolk girl snapped, her tone sharp and usatory.


    "Umm�� if you haven''t noticed, we''re about to gang up on a first-year, so I don''t think you have any right to call her shameless," the elf boy whispered to her, clearly ufortable with the situation.


    "Whose side are you on, anyway?" the beastfolk girl whined, narrowing her eyes at herpanion. "I''m trying to secure the amount we''ll have to share when this is over."


    Jett''s calm voice cut through their bickering. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked L, his eyes suddenly flicking up to the third floor where the others were watching. "Or did someone else send you?"


    L hesitated, clearly unsure of how to respond. As she opened her mouth to speak, Jett waved it off.


    "It''s alright, you can join them" he said, his eyes still focused on the third floor, but now with a confident, knowing smile. "This works out nicely anyways."


    On the third floor, Ross, the club president, caught Jett''s smile from the distance. His lips curled into a grin in response, as if they weremunicating through sheer intuition, without the need for words or sight, even though they weren''t directly looking at each other.


    *****


    The students all gathered at the arena for the sparring match, moving the showdown to a ce where the damage would be contained. The atmosphere was tense as onlookers gathered, buzzing with excitement and curiosity.


    Jett stood in the center, waiting calmly and patiently, his posture rxed as he watched his opponents deliberate. He didn''t rush them, content to let them make up their minds. His calmness only added to the mounting tension, and the crowd watched eagerly, anticipating the sh that was about to unfold.


    "He''s really going to massacre all four of them just to blow off some steam," Morrigan said, a look of pity crossing her face as she thought about Jett''s opponents.


    "That''s gotta be the most childish thing he''s done since we got here," Aiden added, shaking his head in mild disbelief.


    "Nah, that''d be sending Freya alone into a dungeon just for payback," Finn chimed in with a grin, recalling the incident.


    "But to be fair," Elora joined in, a subtle smirk tugging at the corner of her lips, "They did ask for it."


    "Since when have you been a Jett fangirl?" Evelina teased, her eyebrows raised in mock surprise.


    "Today... What? No. I''m just saying it as I see it," Elora quickly got defensive, her face turning a slight shade of red.


    The entire group gave her a look, not needing to say much, but their expressions all screamed, What the hell?


    "What''s that look for? You know I''m right," Elora insisted, folding her arms as if to reinforce her stance.


    "Sure�� But you defending him is another kind of weird," Evelina replied, sensing how uncharacteristic Elora was acting, causing her to step back slightly.


    "Alright, I gotta do something about this," Rey said, his tone more serious as he realized the potential chaos this spar could cause.


    *****


    Rey hurried over to Jett, catching him just before the match began. "Jett, I know I can''t talk you out of this but you can''t actually kill anyone, alright?" he warned, his voice urgent.


    Jett met Rey''s eyes with a smirk. "Yeah, yeah, they''ll survive."


    "And what does that mean?" Rey snapped back, not liking the vague response.


    "Don''t worry. Remember, I''m the victim here, they''re the ones challenging me," Jett pointed out, using it as an excuse to justify the destruction he was clearly nning. His tone was casual, but it was obvious that he was looking forward to letting loose.


    Rey, sensing that there was no stopping him at this point, sighed and offered, "Fine. I''ll officiate the spar. At least this way, I can make sure it doesn''t get out of hand."


    Jett gave a nonchnt shrug. "Whatever makes you feel better."


    *****


    Rey stepped into the middle of the arena and raised his hand, calling for attention. "Alright, you may begin."


    With that, the spar had officially started.


    *


    *


    *


    Really wanted a punching bag

 Chapter 137 Sparing 4v1

    Jett stood perfectly still, hands by his sides,pletely unfazed as his four opponents circled him. He didn''t even bother getting into a stance, just staring at them with a slight smirk on his face, as if daring them to strike first.


    "He''s mocking us," the beastfolk girl, Behan, muttered under her breath, her hands tightening into fists. Herpanions exchanged nces, hesitant, clearly wanting to see what Jett would do beforemitting to their own moves.


    The arena was dead silent, the tension thick in the air. Students watching from the stands and outside the arena began to grow impatient, yelling for them to start already. The whole situation was unsettling.


    "C''mon now," Jett''s voice broke the silence, calm and taunting. "You wouldn''t want to keep the audience waiting."


    "That''s it, kid," Behan growled, her patience wearing thin. "Don''t me me for being rough with you. Orpa, take the left. I''ll take the right. Gleen, protect the mage, and you��" she pointed at L, her tone sharp, "don''t drag us down."


    "You got it, Behan," Orpa, the elf, replied first, moving quickly to find a vantage point for his next attack.


    "Just stay behind me," Gleen, the dwarf, instructed L as he hefted his shield, positioning himself defensively in front of her.


    "Wow, all this nning just for little ol'' me?" Jett grinned, his mockery cutting through the air. "Please be gentle."


    That was all the provocation they needed.


    [Razor w] Behan charged, her ws gleaming as they extended.


    [Snipe]! Orpa unleashed a flurry of arrows from his bow, aiming directly at Jett.


    {Rain of Thunder} echoed through the arena as L unleashed a crackling bolt of lightning from above, adding her magic into the mix.


    The attacks came simultaneously. First, the sky darkened as the lightning struck down, enveloping Jett''s position in a crackling explosion. Momentster, Behan''s ws and Orpa''s arrows followed, tearing through the dust that kicked up, leaving nothing but debris swirling in the air.


    "It''s over," Lance muttered with a sigh, though he still wore a faint smile. "He didn''t evenst a second."


    ''How disappointing. What''s so special about him?'' Ross thought to himself, visibly unimpressed as he adjusted his sses.


    The arena buzzed with murmurs. Some students whispered in disappointment, others nodded smugly, iming they knew Jett was just all talk.


    "He''s still standing," Lisa murmured, interrupting the pessimism that had begun to spread among the students. Her voice cut through the noise, drawing immediate attention. As she spoke, her eyes glowed faintly with a soft, eerie red light.


    Dana, Lana, and Lance exchanged quick, knowing nces. ''Those eyes again��,'' they all thought at the same time, recognizing the strange and rare trait within their sister''s eyes. It was a unique ability, one that even Lisa herself had little control over. The exact nature of the power was still unknown, and it only seemed to activate sporadically under certain conditions.


    ''Why now?'' Dana''s thoughts raced. ''She still can''t activate it on her own, so how?''


    Meanwhile, on the battleground, the dust began to settle, revealing Jett, still standing,pletely unharmed. His smirk grew wider as he raised his hand, revealing that he had casually caught a few of Orpa''s arrows between his fingers.


    "Don''t tell me that''s all you''ve got," Jett gloated, his voice dripping with condescension.


    Orpa''s eyes widened in shock, his disbelief evident. "How��?"


    But Behan and Orpa weren''t giving up that easily. They quickly activated their enhancement abilities, determination burning in their eyes.


    [Boost]


    Behan roared as her muscles tensed, her aura ring up. Her ws lengthened even more, glowing with a dangerous light as she unleashed her next attack.


    [Raging ws]


    She growled, her ws shing through the air with even more ferocity.


    At the same time, Orpa knocked another arrow, his speed amplified by his own boost.


    [Snipe]


    He shouted, unleashing a precise shot that was immediately followed by


    [Scatter Shot]


    Sending multiple arrows flying toward Jett in unpredictable trajectories.


    [Warp Arrows] Orpa added, and his arrows bent unnaturally in the air, curving and twisting to make them even harder to avoid.


    Jett, however, waspletely unfazed. He dodged each attack with an almostzy grace, moving just enough to avoid the projectiles. But he was careful to make it seem like he was putting in more effort than he actually was, taunting them all the while.


    "You''ll have to try harder than that," Jett said with a smug grin as he sidestepped another swipe from Behan''s ws.


    Suddenly, out of nowhere, an iron bullet shot toward him with incredible speed, much faster than anything Behan or Orpa had thrown at him.


    For a brief moment, it seemed like Jett wouldn''t be able to dodge in time, but at thest second, he raised his hand and caught the bullet with his bare fingers, stopping it in its tracks.


    "Nice, that was a close one," Jett said with a smirk as he twirled the bullet between his fingers before tossing it aside.


    The crowd gasped, their eyes widening in disbelief.


    "He caught that with his bare hands!" one of the spectators eximed, the awe spreading like wildfire among the students.


    Jett, now clearly enjoying the attention, turned his gaze toward L. "Interesting. It seems our shy little mage here isn''t so shy after all," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "You used abination of lightning and wind magic to boost that iron bullet''s speed toward me. Not bad. Your precision still needs work, but the attack itself�� well, it''s way above your current level."


    The crowd murmured in surprise, impressed by Jett''s casual breakdown of the technique.


    "Impressive," Jett added with a nod, still wearing that same infuriating smirk.


    ''He knew I used wind magic? But he doesn''t even know what I can do,'' L thought, shocked by Jett''s quick analysis of her technique. She couldn''t understand how he had figured it out so easily.


    As she stood there, trying to process it, she mentally reyed the skill she had used. The iron bullet had been her idea,bining wind and lightning magic to maximize its speed and impact. She had studied the science behind it to make the technique work more efficiently.


    "The wind magic works like apressed jet stream," Cedric exined to the others. "By channeling the wind in a narrow, focused direction, I can propel a small, dense object like iron much faster than normal. Add lightning magic to it, and the air around the projectile ionizes, reducing air resistance and creating a sort of electromaic field.


    That''s what gives it the crazy speed: it''s like using lightning to supercharge the wind, making the iron bullet move with almost no drag."


    L knew that this was what had made her attack dangerous, even though she hadn''t mastered the precision yet. The science behind it was sound, and Jett had picked up on that instantly.


    ''But how did he figure it out?'' she wondered, still thrown off by his insight. ''He didn''t even hesitate to exin what I did.''


    As L wrestled with her confusion, the rest of the group started to understand what was happening. They had underestimated Jett from the beginning, thinking him just a cocky first-year. But now, with him effortlessly dodging their enhanced attacks and calmly analyzingplex magic like it was nothing, they realized they had bitten off more than they could chew.


    The expressions on Behan, Orpa, and Gleen''s faces shifted from confidence to frustration. They had hoped to overwhelm him with sheer numbers and power, but now they could see that they weren''t dealing with someone who was just talk. Jett was far more dangerous than they had expected.


    *


    *


    * Chapter Discover:


    I hope the exining part wasn''t considered info dumping.

 Chapter 138 Hes Strong

    Ross leaned back in his chair, confused, as he watched Jett deflect every attack with ease. His face was twisted in frustration as he turned toward the others at the table. "Why did you say he was weak in the first ce?" he asked, his tone sharp, though he didn''t get a clear answer from anyone. The siblings exchanged awkward nces, clearly unsettled by what they were witnessing.


    Lance shrugged, clearly unimpressed despite Jett''s disy. "I guess he''s...decent," he said with a sigh, not seeming to care much.


    Ross, visibly irritated by Lance''s dismissive attitude, turned his attention to Dana. "Decent? Why did you refuse to invite him to the club in the first ce, Dana?" His question was loaded, his eyes narrowing as he waited for an answer.


    Dana''s response came cold and clipped. "It''s not important, and I''d like to keep it that way."


    Ross wasn''t satisfied with that. "So is it safe to say you''re putting your emotions before the interests of the club?" he pushed. "Because from where I''m sitting, he''s definitely got potential. I bet he''s family is well to do if they were able to nurture him to this point."


    The siblings shook their heads almost in unison, negating his assumption. "You really don''t know anything, do you?" Lana asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I guess that''s to be expected of you."


    Ross clenched his fists, but before he could respond, the action on the arena floor demanded their attention.


    *****


    On the battlefield, Behan, Orpa, and Gleen grew visibly tense as they observed Jett. Their previous confidence had evaporated, reced by an unease that they couldn''t shake. Each movement Jett made, casual yet precise, further solidified that they had severely underestimated him.


    Jett smirked, his confidence unshaken. "I guess if you won''te to me, you won''t mind if Ie to you," he said with a taunting edge to his voice. Without warning, he blitzed toward L, closing the gap between them in the blink of an eye.


    Gleen, sharp in his reflexes, immediately moved to intercept, raising his shield to block the iing blow. Jett''s fist collided with the shield in a resounding crack that echoed through the arena. The force behind the strike sent a ripple of shock through Gleen''s arm, but what startled him more was the subtle crack that appeared on his shield.


    He stared at it, eyes wide. ''He was able to damage my shield with his bare hands? That''s insane.'' His thoughts raced as he struggled toprehend the sheer power behind Jett''s attack. Chapter Discover:


    Behan and Orpa exchanged quick, worried nces. They were no longer just wary of Jett; they were afraid.


    ''Darn, I cracked his shield,'' Jett thought, trying to hide a faint sense of sympathy as his eyes swayed toward Gleen''s damaged defense.


    "He''s going for our mage! Don''t let him get his way," Behan ordered, her voice tense butmanding as she reassessed the situation.


    Orpa, the elf archer, darted closer to Gleen, moving to protect their mage. His attention was now focused on providing cover, leaving Behan to confront Jett alone.


    Jett tilted his head, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Are you sure you want to do that?" he asked casually, almost amused at the situation.


    "Shut up, first year," Behan snapped, her irritation clear as she pounced toward him.


    With a burst of speed, Behan activated her [Razor w] skill, her fingers extending into sharp, deadly ws.


    A secondter, she used [Clone Attack], instantly creating an identical copy of herself. The two versions of Behan charged at Jett, shing and attacking from different angles, doubling the action with precise coordination.


    Jett,pletely unfazed, blocked and dodged with impressive agility. He kept his movements fluid, avoiding not only Behan and her clone but also the projectiles and ranged spells L wasunching toward him. Wind and lightning crackled through the air, but Jett always managed to slip through the chaos, staying one step ahead.


    Behan, growing more frustrated, lunged with her clone, both of them using [Tail Lash] in quick session.


    Their tails whipped through the air, aiming to strike Jett''s legs, followed by a swift rotation into [Spinning ws], a spinning flurry of shes meant to trap him in close range.


    Jett smirked, effortlessly dodging their synchronized attacks. "You should really calm down," he said, his voice dripping with mock concern.


    Both Behans pounced again, their ws aimed to tear into him. But Jett was ready. He dodged the first Behan and caught the arm of the second with a swift movement. The clone Behan snarled, but Jett used her body as a shield, cing her between him and the real Behan just as she shed forward. Behan''s own attack collided with the clone, causing it to dissipate into thin air.


    "Oops," Jett grinned, his eyes glinting with amusement.


    Before the she could recover her bnce, Jett swept her legs out from under her with a quick kick, sending her tumbling to the ground. In one fluid motion, he followed up with a powerful kick that connected with her midsection. Behan went flying through the air, crashing into Gleen''s shield with a loud, resounding impact.


    The force of the blow reverberated through Gleen''s body, causing him to stumble slightly. Behan, winded and struggling to regain her breath, looked up in shock. Jett just stood there, watching with a smug expression, his posture still as rxed as ever.


    "Behan!!!" both Gleen and Orpa shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the arena as they watched their teammate crash into Gleen''s shield with a brutal force.


    The spectators, wide-eyed and mouths agape, were stunned by the disy of skill and raw strength Jett had just shown. Murmurs spread quickly through the crowd, their astonishment evident as they tried to make sense of what they''d just witnessed.


    "Did he even use a single skill yet?" one of the onlookers whispered in disbelief.


    "He''s just toying with them," another student muttered, shaking their head in awe. The arena buzzed with excitement, and even the skeptics were starting to doubt their earlier assumptions about Jett''s abilities.


    "You''re strong, I''ll give you that much," Behan gasped, still struggling to catch her breath after being sent flying. Despite her words, her pride and determination hadn''t faltered.


    Gleen, seeing the condition Behan was in, quickly ced a hand on her shoulder. "[Heal Blessing]," he whispered, his voice filled with focus as a soft, warm glow enveloped her, beginning to mend her wounds. Behan followed up with a [Quick Heal], a skill of her own,yering the healing magic to speed up her recovery even more.


    Behan slowly rose to her feet, still gasping but visibly stronger now. The healing spells had done their job, and though she wasn''t at full strength, she was ready for another round.


    Her eyes narrowed, and her expression hardened with resolve as her body began to change.


    [Feline Transformation]


    She growled, activating the skill that gave her heightened speed, strength, and agility. Her muscles tensed, and her features became more feral: her ears sharper, her eyes glowing with an animalistic intensity, and her ws longer and deadlier.


    "Get ready," Behan warned, her voice carrying a fierce determination. "We won''t be holding back from this point on." She crouched low, ready to strike, her entire posture radiating danger.


    Jett''s smirk only widened. He stood there, calm andposed, as though the esction of the fight was exactly what he had been waiting for.


    *


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    He''s enjoying himself

 Chapter 139 Really Strong

    "I see you''re getting serious now," Jett said with a smirk as Behan rushed toward him, faster and stronger than before. Her transformation had sharpened her senses, every movement precise and deadly. Her ws swiped with incredible speed, leaving faint streaks of light in the air as she attacked relentlessly.


    The students watching from the stands were impressed. "She''s actually not that bad," someone murmured, noticing how Behan''s enhanced abilities made her a far more dangerous opponent. Her agility, power, and relentless strikes kept Jett on his toes, forcing him to focus.


    Meanwhile, Orpa saw his chance to join the attack. He raised his bow and fired a few arrows, his skills sharper than ever.


    [Snipe]


    [Phase Shot], Orpa called out as the arrows whizzed toward Behan. But just before impact, they phased through her, a clever trick to divide Jett''s attention.


    "What the��" Jett was caught off guard as the arrows passed through Behan and headed straight for him. He dodged to the side, but Behan wasn''t letting up, her ws still shing at him with fierce precision. She was like a whirlwind of attacks, and now he had to deal with her and Orpa''s arrows at the same time.


    "I''m not done yet!" Orpa yelled, firing more arrows.


    [Explode], he whispered, and the arrows detonated just as they neared Jett''s face. He tried a quick backward dodge to avoid the st, but his escape route was cut off.


    [Shield Toss] Gleen shouted, hurling his shield with pinpoint uracy. It spun through the air toward Jett, but as it approached, Gleen maneuvered it behind Jett, boxing him in with no room to retreat.


    "Really?" Jett muttered, his tone slightly annoyed but clearly enjoying himself. His smirk remained as he adjusted his stance, using the momentum of the iing shield and his own agility to perform an acrobatic maneuver. With a graceful leap, he flipped off the shield,unching himself into the air with stunning speed and finesse.


    The crowd gasped in surprise.


    "Are magic swordsmen usually that flexible?" Rosa asked, her eyes wide as she watched Jett''s effortless moves.


    "That''s definitely just him," Aiden replied, still focused on the fight, appreciating the skill Jett was showing.


    "What is he doing?" Seraphina whined, folding her arms. "We all know he could''ve ended this whole thing in an instant."


    Jett, still airborne, took a moment to look down at the group beneath him, his smirk widening. He was having fun, drawing out the fight to enjoy it, testing his opponents and their teamwork. Despite their best efforts, it was clear that he was holding back, letting theme at him with everything they had, only to toy with them.


    As hended gracefully on the arena floor, his eyes locked onto Behan once more. "Alright, let''s kick it up a notch."


    As Jettnded, his eyes gleamed with excitement. He cracked his knuckles, the smirk on his face unfazed by the onught of attacks. "Alright, let''s kick it up a notch."


    Behan, still in her transformed state, growled as she darted toward him again, faster and more feral than ever. Her ws shed at Jett, but this time, there was a different intensity in her movements. She wasn''t just aiming tond a hit, she was trying to overwhelm himpletely.


    Jett deftly dodged her attacks, stepping and weaving through the storm of blows. Behan''s ws scraped the air where Jett had been only a moment before, but each time, he sidestepped her strikes with effortless precision. His movements were fluid, almost like he was dancing around her attacks.


    Orpa, realizing that Behan''s close-quarters attacks weren''t enough, unleashed another barrage of arrows.


    [Multi Shot] he called, letting loose a series of arrows aimed directly at Jett. They shot forward with lightning speed, but Jett''s eyes shed as he anticipated them. In a blur, he twisted and dodged, avoiding every arrow by the narrowest of margins.


    Then, just as hended from another dodge, Gleen took his chance. [Shield Rush] he shouted, charging forward with his shield raised like a battering ram. The shield gleamed with power as it barreled toward Jett, aiming to catch him off guard.


    Jett''s expression didn''t change. He saw the shielding and leapt into the air again, flipping gracefully over Gleen''s charge. He spun mid-air andnded behind him with ease, turning around just in time to see Behaning at him once more. Her ws were a blur as she executed her [Raging ws] attack, a flurry of shes aimed to cut him down.


    "You''re still too slow," Jett said coolly.


    He ducked under her attack, then grabbed her wrist with one hand. Behan''s eyes widened as she felt his grip tighten. In one smooth motion, Jett spun her around and used her own momentum against her. He swung her like a rag doll, hurling her straight into Orpa''s path.


    The elf barely had time to react before Behan''s body collided with him, sending both of them crashing to the ground in a heap. Gleen turned just in time to see his teammates fall, but Jett was already moving.


    Before Gleen could raise his shield again, Jett was in front of him, closing the gap with frightening speed. [Shield Block] Gleen cried, bracing for impact, but Jett didn''t attack directly. Instead, he spun to Gleen''s side, sweeping his legs out from under him.


    Gleen hit the ground hard, his shield ttering to the side. Jett stood over him, offering a casual smile. "You should''ve been more careful."


    The arena fell silent for a moment, the spectators staring in disbelief. Jett had taken on all three of them without breaking a sweat. Despite the fierce attacks and strategies they threw at him, he remained in control the entire time.


    "Has he even used a single skill yet?" someone from the stands whispered in awe.


    "You''re strong, I''ll give you that much," Behan struggled to say as she tried to get back on her feet, her body trembling from exhaustion.


    Gleen, not willing to give up, quickly activated [Heal Blessing], a soft glow emanating from his hands as he healed Behan''s injuries. "[Quick Heal]," he added, boosting the recovery process. Behan gasped as the energy flowed through her, revitalizing her enough to stand again, though she was still clearly worn out.


    "[Feline Transformation]," Behan growled, her body shimmering as she entered an even more ferocious state. Her muscles bulged, her eyes glowing with a fierce yellow light. "Get ready. We won''t be holding back from this point on."


    Jett just chuckled. "I see you''re getting serious now. But you guys really need to work on teamwork especially when you get an additional member."


    As Jettnded, his eyes gleamed with excitement. He cracked his knuckles, the smirk on his face unfazed by the onught of attacks. "Alright, let''s kick it up a notch."


    Behan, still in her transformed state, growled as she darted toward him again, faster and more feral than ever. Her ws shed at Jett, but this time, there was a different intensity in her movements. She wasn''t just aiming tond a hit, she was trying to overwhelm himpletely.


    Jett deftly dodged her attacks, stepping and weaving through the storm of blows. Behan''s ws scraped the air where Jett had been only a moment before, but each time, he sidestepped her strikes with effortless precision. His movements were fluid, almost like he was dancing around her attacks.


    Orpa, realizing that Behan''s close-quarters attacks weren''t enough, unleashed another barrage of arrows.


    [Multi Shot] he called, letting loose a series of arrows aimed directly at Jett. They shot forward with lightning speed, but Jett''s eyes shed as he anticipated them. In a blur, he twisted and dodged, avoiding every arrow by the narrowest of margins.


    Then, just as hended from another dodge, Gleen took his chance. [Shield Rush] he shouted, charging forward with his shield raised like a battering ram. The shield gleamed with power as it barreled toward Jett, aiming to catch him off guard. Chapter Enjoy:


    Jett''s expression didn''t change. He saw the shielding and leapt into the air again, flipping gracefully over Gleen''s charge. He spun mid-air andnded behind him with ease, turning around just in time to see Behaning at him once more. Her ws were a blur as she executed her [Raging ws] attack, a flurry of shes aimed to cut him down.


    "You''re still too slow," Jett said coolly.


    He ducked under her attack, then grabbed her wrist with one hand. Behan''s eyes widened as she felt his grip tighten. In one smooth motion, Jett spun her around and used her own momentum against her. He swung her like a rag doll, hurling her straight into Orpa''s path.


    The elf barely had time to react before Behan''s body collided with him, sending both of them crashing to the ground in a heap. Gleen turned just in time to see his teammates fall, but Jett was already moving.


    Before Gleen could raise his shield again, Jett was in front of him, closing the gap with frightening speed. [Shield Block] Gleen cried, bracing for impact, but Jett didn''t attack directly. Instead, he spun to Gleen''s side, sweeping his legs out from under him.


    Gleen hit the ground hard, his shield ttering to the side. Jett stood over him, offering a casual smile. "You should''ve been more careful."


    The arena fell silent for a moment, the spectators staring in disbelief. Jett had taken on all three of them without breaking a sweat. Despite the fierce attacks and strategies they threw at him, he remained in control the entire time.


    "Has he even used a single skill yet?" someone from the stands whispered in awe.


    "You''re strong, I''ll give you that much," Behan struggled to say as she tried to get back on her feet, her body trembling from exhaustion.


    Gleen, not willing to give up, quickly activated [Heal Blessing], a soft glow emanating from his hands as he healed Behan''s injuries. "[Quick Heal]," he added, boosting the recovery process. Behan gasped as the energy flowed through her, revitalizing her enough to stand again, though she was still clearly worn out.


    "[Feline Transformation]," Behan growled, her body shimmering as she entered an even more ferocious state. Her muscles bulged, her eyes glowing with a fierce yellow light. "Get ready. We won''t be holding back from this point on."


    Jett just chuckled. "I see you''re getting serious now. But you guys really need to work on teamwork especially when you get an additional member.


    *


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    Off to the next chapter


    I seem to repeated a few paragraphs here and I can''t change them anymore so I''ll be increasing the world count for the next few chapters


    I''m really sorry about the mistake

 Chapter 140 Duel Conclusion

    "How?!" Gleen shouted, his voice filled with concern as he rushed toward her, abandoning his stance.


    "How�� when did this happen?" Behan''s voice shook with disbelief, her feline eyes narrowing as she tried to recall the sequence of events. She had been so focused on Jett, on the battle, that she hadn''t even noticed L go down.


    The crowd, equally confused, began murmuring among themselves. The tension was palpable as they tried to piece together the sudden shift in the fight.


    "Was that your n all along? To take out our mage?" Orpa asked, his voice, "But when did you have time to��?"


    Jett stood tall, a smug grin on his face as he addressed the shocked audience. "When you were all too busy focusing on me," he began, turning his attention back to the group he had been fighting, "I got close enough to your mage and knocked her out. Right when you thought I was dodging and ying around."


    The realization hit Behan, Orpa, and Gleen like a ton of bricks. They''d been too distracted by Jett''s taunts, his acrobatic dodges, and rapid movements to notice when he''d stealthily closed in on L. He had taken her out with precision, all while making them think they had the upper hand.


    Jett shot a nce over to Asher, who was watching from the sidelines, smirking. Asher smirked back, a glint of acknowledgment in his eyes. ''Bastard, when did you get that fast? I almost couldn''t follow your movements,'' Asher thought, surprised yet impressed at how Jett had pulled off the move so effortlessly.


    "That was impressive, though," Matthew chimed in, unable to hide his admiration.


    Freya crossed her arms and mused, "He''s just showing off."


    But Asher, his eyes still fixed on Jett, shook his head. "No, that''s not it. He''s sending a message to someone else," Asher said, his gaze shifting upward to the third floor of the arena, where a mysterious figure stood watching the match intently.


    Jett stretched his arms, cracking his knuckles, and said, "Alright, time to end this." Without hesitation, heunched himself toward Behan.


    In an instant, Jett sent Behan flying across the arena with a single blow. The sheer force of the attack left her crashing into the far wall. As soon as she was down, Orpa fired a rapid series of arrows, his precision unmatched.


    [Snipe]


    [Phase Shot]


    But Jett dodged each arrow with near-wless agility, his movements so fluid it was as though he anticipated every shot. Then, with an effortless spin, Jett delivered a merciless kick to Orpa''s back, sending him sprawling onto the ground, gasping for air.


    Gleen, thest one standing, knew he had to stop Jett somehow. "I won''t let you break through my defense!" Gleen yelled desperately.


    [Iron Wall]


    With a shout, a massive stone wall erupted between them, Gleen''s final line of defense. It stood tall and imposing, a testament to his defensive prowess.


    Jett''s eyes narrowed as he analyzed the wall, ''With over 300 points in strength alone? This will be easy,'' he thought, a smirk curling on his lips.


    CRASH!


    In a single, devastating punch, Jett shattered both the stone wall and Gleen''s shield, the impact so powerful it reverberated throughout the entire arena. Gleen, standing defenseless, stared at the fragments of his shield in disbelief. He had no choice but to acknowledge the immense gap between them.


    "I�� I admit defeat," Gleen muttered, lowering his head in resignation.


    The arena fell silent for a moment as everyone processed what had just happened. Then the murmurs began, some students in awe, others shaking their heads in disbelief.


    "He didn''t even use his full strength��"


    "He broke that wall skill with only one punch!"


    "What kind of monster is he?"


    In the stands, Asher simply watched, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He knew Jett well enough to understand that this was only the beginning and he had to work harder to catch up.


    Freya huffed, "Showoff."


    Asher grinned. "I''d say that was more than just showing off."


    As the dust settled, the crowd finally erupted into apuse, cheers, and shouts of admiration, all directed at Jett. He had won, and he had done so in the most spectacr fashion imaginable.


    *****


    "What the hell did we just watch!?" Rodney eximed, his wide eyes fixed on the arena, still struggling to process the spectacle they had just witnessed.


    "That''s not something a first year should be able to do," Drago muttered in agreement, shaking his head in disbelief. The two of them were stunned, and they weren''t the only ones.


    Valetta and Selena sat nearby, equally taken aback by Jett''s disy. Their eyes darted back and forth between Jett and rence, who sat with them, sipping his tea with a smug, knowing expression on his face.


    "You know something, don''t you?" Valetta asked, narrowing her eyes at rence.


    "Me?" rence responded casually, deliberately looking away as if to feign innocence. "Whatever could you mean?"


    "Your face says it all." Selena chimed in, catching on to the tension. "What did you do?"


    rence chuckled nervously, his cool demeanor beginning to crack under the pressure. Drago, always observant, leaned in with a raised brow. "You had a hand in this?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.


    Suddenly, the group was all over rence, their curiosity piqued, pressing him for answers. It wasn''t often they saw something this extraordinary, especially from a first-year.


    "I''ve seen him leave your office a few times. Care to exin what that''s about?" Valetta pressed, leaning forward with her arms crossed.


    The others froze for a moment, eyes widening. Valetta''sment had caught them off guard. It was an open secret that students were hardly ever allowed near rence''s office, let alone inside it. The path to his office itself was something of a legend among the students, an impossible maze that only the bravest (or luckiest) could even attempt to navigate.


    Yet, Jett had apparently found his way there, multiple times.


    "Oh, that?" rence faltered slightly, his smug expression faltering as he realized he had been caught off guard. He hadn''t expected Valetta to know about that.


    "Would you like to exin?" she continued, her tone firm. "I hope you''re not ying favorites."


    rence, feeling the heat of their suspicion, put his tea down and raised his hands defensively. "Believe it or not, I had nothing to do with his growth. If anything, I''m the one gaining from him right now." He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, "That was all him."


    Valetta''s suspicion deepened as she stared at him. "Then what are you gaining from him?"


    rence smirked again, this time with a hint of pride in his voice. "Let''s just say, the apple doesn''t fall too far from the tree."


    Drago, now even more confused, looked at Jett again, this time with a newfound respect in his eyes. "That doesn''t make any sense," he muttered, trying to piece together the cryptic remark. Yet, deep down, they all knew, Jett wasn''t just any student. Something was at y here, and rence knew more than he was letting on.


    *****


    Jett stood over the defeated team, his gaze sweeping across Behan, Gleen, and Orpa, all bruised and battered from their intense fight. His usual smirk softened into something more contemtive, and with a sigh, he raised his hand.


    [Area Heal]


    A warm, glowing light spread from Jett, enveloping the team and mending their injuries. They all felt the soothing magic seep into their aching muscles and bruised skin, slowly bringing them back to top shape. Behan flexed her arms, feeling no pain, while Gleen rolled his shoulders, relieved to be rid of the difort. Orpa, smiling, thanked Jett first. "That was... kind of you.


    Thanks."


    But Orpa quickly noticed something. "Wait�� what about L? She''s still unconscious."


    Jett scoffed, crossing his arms. "Look, just because I healed you guys doesn''t make me Jesus. I''m not waking people up from the dead here, she''s just unconscious. Take her to the infirmary."


    "Jesus��?" Orpa repeated, tilting his head in confusion. He clearly had no idea who he was talking about.


    "Forget it," Jett waved off her question. "Just take her to the infirmary." Without further hesitation, Orpa obeyed and hurried over to L, preparing to carry her off for treatment.


    Behan and Gleen, now fully healed, approached Jett, a mixture of gratitude and lingeringpetitive spirit in their eyes. Behan grinned, despite the bruising experience. "Next time, I''ll win. You can bet on it."


    Jett raised an eyebrow, his trademark smirk returning. "Next time? You sure you want to go through that again?" His tone was teasing, clearly enjoying the banter. "I''ll try not to hit you so hard next time."


    Behan chuckled. "Don''t hold back. I''m not afraid of losing. I admit I was wrong about you but that just means I''ll just have to get stronger."


    Gleen, rubbing the back of his neck, smiled as well. "That was�� unreal. Your strength is on a whole other level. You even broke my shield like it was a piece of wood."


    "Sorry about that, man," Jett said, his tone a little more serious. "I''ll get you a new one."


    "Huh? No, really, you don''t have to," Gleen replied quickly, waving his hands in protest. "It''s fine, seriously."


    But Jett shook his head. "Toote." He then turned and called out, "Yo, Cedric!"


    From across the arena, Cedric nced over and made his way to the group. "You need something?" Cedric asked, a curious look on his face.


    "How''s your cksmith traininging along?" Jett asked, his eyes gleaming with mischief and a n.


    Cedric''s face brightened instantly, excited to talk about his progress. "Actually, I''ve made a lot of progress! I''ve been working on refining my techniques. Why do you ask?" Chapter Stay:


    Jett grinned, patting Gleen on the shoulder. "Gleen here needs a new shield. You think you could help him out?"


    Cedric''s eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Oh, definitely! I''ve been wanting to try making something like that. I''ll get to work on it right away!"


    Gleen blinked in surprise but smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Cedric. And you too, Jett."


    Jett gave him a yful shrug. "No problem. Consider it an apology for breaking your old one."


    *****


    Ross stood at the edge of the table, his face contorted in frustration as the duel came to a definitive close. The result was clear, Jett hadpletely dominated the fight. His fists clenched, anger simmering just below the surface as he red at Dana.


    "I hope it was worth it," Ross spat, barely able to contain his frustration as he stormed away, leaving his seat empty.


    Dana watched him go, her expression cold and unmoved. Beside her, Lana and Lance exchanged nces, trying to justify their earlier decision. "Look," Lana began, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "he may be strong but he''s still trash in my eyes, he shouldn''t even be breathing the same air as we are."


    Dana nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Strength isn''t everything. We need people we can trust, who know how to work together without causing us trouble. He probably used some kind of trick to overwhelm his opponents. No first year is that strong."


    Lance sighed, rubbing his temple. "Besides, the club''s not just about power. We need to maintain cohesion. Jett''s a wildcard, he''s a virus, that''s what we were warned about."


    Lisa, leaning against the wall, rolled her eyes in boredom, clearly uninterested in their justification. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. You guys can keep making excuses, but I don''t see any valid reason why you hate the guy so much." She folded her arms, unimpressed by their logic. "He''s strong, he''s confident, and he just wiped the floor with a whole team. Seems like the perfect addition to me."


    Dana huffed, crossing her arms. "There''s more to it than you think, Lisa. You wouldn''t understand."


    Lisa shrugged, clearly unconvinced. "If you say so."


    *****


    Across the academy grounds, Gwendolyn had been watching the duel from a higher vantage point. Her sharp eyes followed Jett''s movements closely, and as the battle reached its conclusion, a smile of pure delight spread across her face. She was incredibly impressed.


    ''He''s�� remarkable,'' she thought, her mind racing with possibilities. The way Jett had handled himself, the precision of his attacks, the ease with which he dispatched the opposing team: it was unlike anything she had expected from a first-year.


    Her thoughts drifted back to the incident in the dining hall, where she had also been present. She recalled the look in Jett''s eyes then: calm yet calcting, as if he already knew how everything would y out. It wasn''t just his strength that intrigued her, but his intelligence, his foresight.


    Gwendolyn''s smile widened, a glint of determination in her eyes. "This changes everything," she whispered to herself, her tone filled with newfound excitement. Her heart raced at the thought of the future, a future where Jett would y a crucial role.


    She turned away from the arena, walking gracefully with a newfound purpose. "Just wait for me, Jett," she said to herself, already scheming.


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    Thanks for sticking around

 Chapter 141 Plotting

    The undergroundwork where Vinn and his subordinate hid, thebyrinth of tunnels, damp with the scent of earth and moss. The stone walls, rough and unrefined, were dimly lit by flickering torches mounted in iron sconces.


    At the heart of this darkwork was arge, circr chamber, carved out and reinforced with heavy beams. In the center of it all sat Vinn, draped in shadows but stillmanding an aura of authority. He upied a simple wooden throne-like chair at the head of a stone table, his gaze piercing as he surveyed the room.


    Around him, several subordinates moved with caution, their loyalty clear, but their fear evident.


    "Is it ready yet?" Vinn asked, his voiceced with impatience as he tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair.


    One of the subordinates, a wiry man with a nervous expression, approached and gave a hesitant nod. "Yes sir, the item is almost ready."


    Vinn''s eyes narrowed. "Almost?"


    The subordinate gulped, shifting his weight ufortably. "Yes, sir. But... why do we need this item? I thought we weren''t supposed to��"


    "Screw that, we''ve alredye this far," Vinn snapped, his anger ring as he leaned forward, his eyes cold. "We followed his orders for months and we''ve got nothing to show for it. No progress. We''re going with this n instead."


    The subordinate shifted, fear creeping into his voice. "But what if he finds out? We can''t trust that woman, sir. She��"


    "That''s for me to worry about," Vinn interrupted sharply, brushing the concern aside. His frustration was palpable, the pressure of their situation weighing heavily on him.


    Suddenly, the door to the chamber swung open, and the air seemed to grow colder. Gwendolyn strode in with quiet confidence, her presence immediatelymanding attention. She moved with a calcted grace, her eyes fixed on Vinn. The shadows seemed to part for her, as if the darkness itself bent to her will.


    "I like what you''ve done with the ce, you finally made this shithole your home." Gwen mocked but Vinn brushed off the insult, focused on one thing alone.


    "Do you have it?" Gwen''s voice was smooth butced with authority, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.


    The subordinate who had been speaking earlier nced nervously at Vinn, clearly reluctant to answer. Vinn, however, gave a curt nod, signaling that it was fine to proceed.


    With a shaky breath, the subordinate stepped forward and produced the item, wrapped carefully in a thick cloth. His hands trembled as he extended it toward her, clearly afraid of what it represented.


    Gwendolyn took the item without a word, her fingers brushing over the cloth before she unwrapped it slightly, just enough to inspect the contents. A satisfied smile crept onto her lips as she gazed at the object inside.


    Vinn, growing increasingly impatient, leaned forward in his chair. "We''ve brought the item," he said, his tone sharp. "Now tell me what I want to know."


    Gwen, still smiling that eerie smile, carefully rewrapped the item and cradled it in her arms. "I can''t do that just yet," she replied, her voice dripping with maniption. "Not until your job is finished."


    Vinn''s eyes shed with anger. He mmed a fist onto the stone table, his frustration boiling over. "What? You really want us to kill those kids?" His voice was filled with both fury and disbelief.


    Gwen''s smile faded, reced by a look of cold indifference. She took a step closer to him, her gaze hardening. "Do you want to save your sister or not?" she snapped back, her words cutting like a de. "If you fail, she dies and we both know it''s not going to be pretty. So stop questioning me and do what you''re told."


    Vinn clenched his jaw, his rage barely contained. But he knew he had no choice. His sister''s life hung in the bnce, and as much as he hated being manipted, he couldn''t afford to fail.


    "Fine," he growled, his fists tightening. "But you''d better keep your end of the deal."


    Vinn stood there, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face as he watched Gwendolyn. He knew the n was reckless, bordering on suicidal. "But what you''re asking us to do is very dangerous," Vinn voiced his concerns, his tone less sharp but still tense. "What about rence and the other heads? You think they''ll just sit by and watch us act?"


    Gwendolyn, clearly growing tired of his doubts, sighed as she turned away. Her voice was cold and dismissive. "You don''t need to worry about that," she said, taking a few slow steps toward the door. "Justy low, prepare for the job, and the rest will be handled for you."


    As she reached the exit, a thought crossed her mind, and she paused. Slowly, Gwen reached into her cloak and pulled out a small crystal ball, glowing faintly in her hands. She turned back to Vinn, showing him the orb.


    Curiosity and unease mingled in Vinn''s expression as he nced at the shimmering surface. Momentster, an image formed within the ball: a familiar figure appeared. Jett.


    Vinn frowned, confusion clear on his face. "Why are you showing me this kid?"


    Gwendolyn''s eyes darkened, her expression stern as she fixed her gaze on him. "Whatever you do, don''t hurt this child," she warned, her voice low and dangerous. "Not even a scratch." Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving her final words hanging in the air. "I''ll be in touch."


    Vinn waited until the sound of her footsteps faded into the distance before his jaw clenched in frustration. His subordinates exchanged uneasy nces, sensing the weight of the situation.


    One of them finally spoke up, his voice filled with uncertainty. "So, what do we do, sir?"


    Vinn''s eyes narrowed as he stared at the space where Gwendolyn had stood moments ago. His mind raced with conflicting thoughts. "We wait," he replied, his voice more resigned than confident. "And we prepare."


    The tension lingered as they began setting up, moving through the undergroundwork with quiet efficiency. Mysterious preparations were underway: tools, maps, and strange objectsid out in careful arrangements. They moved like shadows, aware that something far more dangerous was unfolding behind the scenes.


    *****


    Meanwhile, Gwendolyn strode confidently through the dim halls of the facility. She moved with purpose until she reached her private quarters, pausing for a moment at the door. Her eyes flicked around, sharp and cautious as she checked for any signs of being watched or followed.


    Satisfied that no one was near, she stepped into her room and shut the door behind her with a soft click. Once inside, she wasted no time. Her fingers danced through the air, and the faint hum of magic filled the space.


    [Wind Veil]


    An invisible barrier enveloped the room, swirling like a gentle breeze but infused with powerful magic. The air shimmered faintly, ensuring that no sound would escape beyond the walls. A perfect silence settled around her, a protective veil that kept her secrets safe from prying ears.


    Gwendolyn exhaled, allowing herself a moment of solitude. She moved to a small desk near the window, where scattered notes and strange relics hinted at deeper schemes.


    Gwen reached into the folds of her cloak and slowly brought out a crystal ball, its surface smooth and cold against her fingertips. She set it down carefully on the table before her, and the orb began to glow, casting an eerie blue light across the dim room. Tendrils of mist swirled inside, and after a few moments, a voice echoed from the other side.


    "Any new development?" the voice spoke, calm but with an underlying sharpness.


    Gwen straightened, her expression cool. "No, master. Nothing out of the ordinary," she replied smoothly, keeping her tone measured.


    "Very good. And you''re only observing, right?" the voice questioned, probing for any hint of deviation.


    "Yes, master. I''ve beenying low as a teacher and keeping a low profile," Gwen lied without a hitch. Her eyes flickered briefly, but her voice remained steady.


    "Are you sure? No... misceneous?" The voice lingered on the word, fishing for details.


    Gwen''s mind raced, carefully navigating the words. "Nothing of note, master," she responded, skirting around the truth with calcted precision. She had learned the art of answering without truly lying, a dance of deception. She offered just enough to satisfy, but not enough to betray her true actions.


    "And I trust that you''ve been keeping a close eye on the Divine Lords?" the voice shifted, changing focus.


    "They''ve progressed quickly, yes," Gwen answered, offering just the right amount of detail to sound thorough without overstepping. She let a hint of admiration slip into her voice, ying her part perfectly. "They''re evolving, faster than expected, but within manageable limits."


    "Including that moron''s child?" the voice asked, its tone darkening as it lingered on the subject.


    Gwen hesitated, the question catching her off guard. She swallowed lightly, her mind weighing her options. Just a moment of pause, but enough to create tension.


    "Well...? Are you going to answer or not?" The voice grew impatient, a sharpness cutting through the silence.


    Gwenposed herself, her lips curling into a faint smile. "No, master," she said, her voice steady once more. "His progress has dwindled significantly." Her mind whispered, ''Like hell I''d give up my ticket out of here,'' as she masked the lie behind a veil of confidence.


    "Is that so? Ha!" The voice sounded relieved, almost amused. "That''s how it should be."


    The tension in the air seemed to lift, and Gwen let out a quiet breath, feeling the shift. She remained silent, waiting for further instructions, her eyes fixed on the swirling mists inside the orb.


    "That will be all. Just continue with your observation," the voice instructed, its presence fading as the glow of the crystal dimmed.


    The room returned to its quiet stillness, leaving Gwen alone, her lips pressed together in satisfaction.


    *****


    Gwendolyn carefully reached into her satchel, fingers curling around the item she had received from Vinn. Slowly, she unwrapped the dark cloth,yer byyer, until the object was revealed: a small, gleaming pin forged from both Adamantium and Mythril.


    The craftsmanship was exquisite: its silver-and-ck sheen reflected the dim light in her room, and she could feel the immense power radiating from it.


    Her eyes narrowed as she inspected the pin closely, her fingers tracing its sharp, intricate edges. Suddenly, a maniacalugh escaped her lips, growing louder with every passing second. "Just a little longer, and this silly game will be over," she whispered, her voice dripping with wicked anticipation.


    Gwendolyn''s gaze shifted toward the ss orb sitting on the table, the one she used tomunicate with her master. Herughter quickly turned to disgust, her expression twisting into one of contempt. Gripping the pin between her fingers, she twirled it effortlessly, eyeing the orb with disdain.


    Without a second thought, she flicked her wrist and hurled the pin at the orb. "Let''s see who''ll be giving the orders when this is all over," she snarled, her grin widening into a wicked smirk.


    The pin passed through the orb as if it were made of water, leaving behind a tiny, almost imperceptible hole in its surface. For a brief moment, everything seemed fine, until Gwen''s expression changed.


    "Crap...!" she eximed, realizing the severity of what she had just done. The orb, her only means ofmunication with her master, was now damaged beyond simple repair. She clenched her fists, her face contorting in frustration. "Damn it!!!" Her voice echoed through the room as she mmed her fist against the table, the pin ttering to the ground.


    *****


    Meanwhile, Ross sat alone in hisvish room, the soft flicker of candlelight illuminating the luxurious furnishings around him.


    The rich velvet curtains, embroidered tapestries, and polished wooden furniture marked a sharp contrast to the more modest dormitories the other students upied. He stretched outzily in arge armchair, his gaze fixed on the veranda just beyond.


    "Jett Grift, huh?" Ross muttered to himself, leaning forward with a frown. "He would have been a great asset to the Majesty Club, but, as usual, those morons decided to make decisions without me." His voice dripped with irritation, his brow furrowing deeper as he continued to stew over his club''s ipetence.


    "Why am I even leading a group that doesn''t listen to me?" Ross asked, his frustration boiling over. "It''s frustrating."


    He stood and walked to the veranda, where the cold night breeze hit him, calming him slightly. He leaned against the stone railing, gazing out at the moonlit sky, his mind racing with ns and the bitterness of being sidelined.


    "What do you think?"


    *


    *


    *


    Hmm


    He''s talking to someone

 Chapter 142

    Ross clenched his fists, the cool breeze doing little to dispel the growing frustration building inside him. His thoughts lingered on the Majesty Club: his so-called "elite group." They were supposed to be the best, a representation of power and influence, but without his guidance, they were making reckless decisions.


    Decisions like excluding someone as valuable as Jett Grift, a strategic mistake that still gnawed at him.


    "Idiots," he muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening. "They think they know everything, but without me, they''re nothing."


    He turned his gaze back toward thevish room behind him, the luxury and privilege it represented only serving to deepen his sense of istion. ''Why do I even bother?'' The question hung in his mind, heavy and bitter. He was the leader in title, but in reality, he felt more like a figurehead, constantly dealing with the consequences of other people''s poor choices.


    A flicker of movement caught his attention from the corner of his eye. He nced down into the courtyard below, where shadows danced beneath the moonlight. The Academy was quiet at this hour, save for the asional patrol or student sneaking about. For a moment, Ross considered making a move himself: perhaps visiting the lower dorms, reminding a few of his club members why he was their leader.


    But his mind kept drifting back to Jett. He knew the guy''s reputation, his skill. Jett had a sharpness to him, something Ross respected and now envied, even if the others couldn''t see it. ''If they''re too blind to recognize talent, I might have to do something about it myself,'' Ross thought, his lips curving into a calcting smile.


    Pushing off the railing, he returned to his room and crossed to arge mahogany desk, its surface covered with various papers and reports. He sat down, staring at a map of the Academy grounds and surrounding areas, his mind already working through the possibilities. Ross wasn''t one to wait for others to act.


    If Jett was going to be valuable to anyone, it would be him, and he would make sure of that, Majesty Club or not.


    "Fine," he muttered to himself, a new determination in his eyes. "If they won''t listen, I''ll show them just how wrong they are."


    His hand clenched the armrest of the chair as he leaned back, plotting his next steps, the gears of ambition turning once more. Ross had always yed the long game, and this time would be no different.


    Ross slowly made his way to a full-length mirror in his room. The dim candlelight cast his reflection in shadow, and for a moment, he simply stared at himself: deeply, as if searching for answers that eluded him. His brow furrowed, and he spoke softly, almost as though confiding in his reflection.


    "What should I do?" Ross''s voice was low, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He waited for some kind of answer, for the mirror to give him rity, but nothing happened. The silence mocked him, and his irritation red. Without thinking, he drew his fist back, ready to punch the unresponsive ss.


    But before he could make contact, his reflection began to move on its own. Ross froze, his heart skipping a beat as the reflection smirked. It wasn''t just mimicking his movements anymore, it was speaking, with a voice that sounded like his, but colder, more sinister.


    "Forget what they say," the reflection urged. "Bring him to our side. We''ll need him."


    ''I really hate talking to you,'' Ross recoiled slightly, surprised but not shocked, this wasn''t the first time this had happened. Still, he hesitated. "I can''t do that. I''ll be risking internal strife," he replied, his voice less confident now, as doubt crept into his thoughts.


    "So what?" the reflection sneered, its tone filled with contempt. "All this won''t matter if you lose it all."


    "But��" Ross started, trying to find a reasonable excuse, something to justify his hesitation.


    "No buts," the reflection cut him off sharply, its eyes narrowing in challenge. "If you won''t do it, I will."


    A chill ran down Ross''s spine. His hand, still hovering in front of the mirror, tensed. "Don''t you dare," he muttered, his voice low and threatening. There was a palpable tension in the air, like a coiled spring ready to snap. The very atmosphere in the room felt heavy, thick with something unnatural, something dark. It pressed down on Ross, making the air harder to breathe.


    The reflection, however, seemed unfazed, its grin widening as it leaned in closer, the ss warping slightly around its form. "Don''t forget," it added, its tone soft but insistent. "We need him if we''re going to survive this. The fact that we found someone like him this early is a miracle on its own."


    The words hung in the air, lingering like a warning. And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the reflection stopped talking. It straightened, and the ss surface returned to normal. Ross was left staring at himself, his own expression hardened, unreadable.


    He let out a slow breath, dropping his fist and turning away from the mirror, walking back into the room as if nothing had happened. It was now like a routine, these conversations with his reflection, these unsettling exchanges. He had long epted that this part of him, the voice within, had a mind of its own.


    Ross nced back at the mirror onest time before leaving the room, his face betraying no emotion. He had decisions to make, and no matter how had been suggested, the reflection had a point. Time was running out, and soon enough, he''d have to act.


    *****


    Jett rubbed his nose and sneezed, the sudden sound echoing in the otherwise quiet room. He blinked in surprise, then smirked to himself. "Someone''s probably talking about me," he muttered, the faint amusement in his voice breaking the silence. Hey back down on his bed, hands folded behind his head as he stared at the ceiling, his thoughts drifting.


    Across the room, Freya turned over in her bed, catching his words. "You think?" she asked, her voice light but slightly muffled by her pillow.


    "Yeah," Jett replied, half-joking. "Must be some poor soul I''ve left in awe today."


    Freya rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Or maybe it''s someone plotting your demise after all the stunts you pulled up till now," she teased, shifting to sit up in her bed.


    "Could be," Jett agreed, chuckling softly. "Wouldn''t be the first time." He nced toward Freya''s bed, his tone shifting slightly. "You still worried about tomorrow?"


    Freya sighed, leaning back against her pillow. "A little. It''s not like we haven''t done trials before, but this one feels different. More intense."


    Jett nodded in the dark, even though she couldn''t see him. "Yeah, I get that. Things have been escting fast. But we''ve handled worse, haven''t we?"


    Freya hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "True, but..." She trailed off, her voice quieter now. "This whole situation�� it''s just... I feel like we''re being watched more closely. Like the stakes are higher this time."


    Jett was silent for a moment, processing her words. "You might be right," he admitted. "But that just means we''ve got to stay sharp. Whatever they�� that thing throws at us, we''ll handle it."


    Freya exhaled softly,forted by his confidence, even if she didn''t fully share it. "You''re always so sure of yourself, Jett."


    "It''s called being prepared." He shrugged, though she could hear the grin in his voice. "And besides, I''m not about to let anything catch us off guard."


    Freya smiled faintly, staring up at the ceiling. "We''ve got another trial tomorrow, right?"


    "Yep," Jett confirmed, turning on his side. "So get some rest. We''re going to need it."


    "Yeah�� goodnight, Jett."


    "Night, Freya."


    The room fell quiet again, both of them settling into their beds, their minds already on the challenges the next day would bring.


    *****


    The soft golden light of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Jett stirred first, blinking his eyes open. He stretched, feeling the early stiffness of morning ease as he nced over at Freya''s bed. She was still sound asleep, curled up under her nket,pletely unaware of the new day.


    Jett grinned to himself. "Wake up, sleepyhead," he called, getting no response. He stood up, walked over, and shook her shoulder gently. "Come on, Freya. Morning already."


    Freya groaned and buried her face deeper into the pillow. "Morning already?" she whined, her voice muffled by the nket. She peeked out from under it, squinting at the morning light.


    "Yep. Get up, or I''ll leave you behind," Jett teased, tugging the nket off her. "We''ve got a trial to get ready for."


    Freya sighed heavily but finally sat up, rubbing her eyes. "I swear, I could sleep for another hour."


    "Not today," Jett said, tossing her boots over. "We''ve got work to do."


    The two of them began getting ready, the familiar routine of preparing for another trial grounding them. Jett strapped on his gear methodically, checking every weapon and tool. Freya moved a bit slower but soon found her rhythm, slipping into her own equipment and ensuring she was ready to go.


    By noon, they were all set. Everyone gathered, exchanging brief nods of acknowledgment as they waited for the next step. Just as they were preparing, a notification shed before them.


    [Continue the Trial? Y/N]


    Without hesitation, they all clicked [Yes], and in an instant, the world around them shifted. They were back in the trial, standing in the same stone chamber as before. The air buzzed with tension as they nced at each other, wondering what new challenge awaited them.


    "So, what do you think the next trial will be?" Aiden asked, his eyes scanning the room. Evelina and Morrigan seemed equally curious, their brows furrowed in thought.


    But Marce, in contrast, stood quietly, looking almost indifferent. She didn''t seem particrly concerned with what wasing next.


    "Has anyone seen Ajax?" Aiden asked, frowning. "He''s usually here to meet us right?"


    "He''s right behind you," Elora replied, barely suppressing a grin.


    Aiden jumped in surprise as Ajax''s glowing, ethereal form suddenly appeared right behind him. "Hello," Ajax greeted in his calm, monotone voice.


    "Dude! Don''t do that!" Aiden eximed, catching his breath. "Get your menacing glowing body away from me."


    The others chuckled softly, finding Aiden''s reaction amusing. Even Jett smirked at the situation.


    "My apologies for scaring you like that, Master Aiden," Ajax said, bowing slightly before standing motionless once again, as if waiting for further instruction.


    A brief silence followed, the mood shifting slightly as they all processed the moment. Finn was the first to break it. "I''m not the only one who thought that was weird, right?"


    "Seems like he''s more talkative today," Morrigan added, crossing her arms thoughtfully.


    Jett, intrigued, stepped forward and faced Ajax directly. "Let me try something," he said. "Ajax, who created this ce?"


    For a brief moment, Ajax''s glow flickered. "Sorry, I''m not at liberty to answer that," he replied, his voice returning to its usual robotic, programmed tone.


    Jett frowned, but something about the exchange didn''t sit right with him. "Figures," he muttered, ncing at the others. There was definitely something different about Ajax today, but for now, it remained a mystery they would have to unravelter.


    Before they could delve further into the strange behavior of Ajax, a new notification shed before them, demanding their attention.


    [Trial Completion 8/14]


    [Mission: Castle Defense]


    [Duration: 7 Days]


    [Reward: ???]


    The group exchanged puzzled nces, clearly not expecting such a trial.


    "Defending a castle for a whole week?" Seraphina spoke up, her reluctance evident. "Isn''t that too much?"


    Finn shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. "As long as it''s not that castle fromst time, we''ll be fine." His words, however, earned him a swift smack to the back of the head from Evelina.


    "What did you do that for?" Finn grumbled, wincing from the unexpected hit.


    "Don''t jinx it," Evelina replied, her gaze sharp. She wasn''t taking any chances after theirst castle-rted fiasco.


    Despite their reluctance and confusion, each of them epted the trial. The moment they did, the world around them shifted once again, pulling them into the new trial location.


    When the scene solidified, they found themselves standing before an enormous, crumbling fortress. The towering walls of the castle loomed ominously, their stone weathered and cracked, like it hadn''t seen a proper defense in decades. The surroundingndscape was bleak��shattered trees and scorched earth as far as the eye could see, with dark clouds swirling ominously above.


    "You have got to be kidding me," Morrigan muttered, staring at the ruins in disbelief. It was far worse than any of them had anticipated.


    "This looks like it''s barely holding together," Rey observed, his eyes scanning the dpidated structure. "And we have to defend this for seven days?"


    "That''s not all," Jett replied as pointed upwards, "Look��"


    *


    *


    *


    What''s he pointing at?

 Chapter 143 Back at Laxen

    "What the hell? We''re back at the hell hole?" Finn groaned, staring up at the tall, battered walls of the castle. The fortress looked like it had been through countless wars already.


    Deep cracks ran along the stone, and scorch marks from past battles marred the surface. The surroundingndscape was ravaged, the earth torn apart by explosions and fires, twisted trees barely standing, and old siege equipment rusting at the edges of the battlefield.


    "Don''t panic," Rey tried to calm the group, his tone steady but his eyes sharp as he surveyed the grim scene. "Best case scenario, this is some kind of reboot, and this whole scene has nothing to do with our previous visit here."


    "And worst case scenario," Asher chimed in dryly, "it does have everything to do with ourst visit, and we''re partially screwed depending on what happens next."


    Before anyone could respond, the unmistakable sound of armored footsteps echoed around them. Out of nowhere, a squad of castle guards appeared, fully armed and surrounding the group. Spears and swords were pointed at them, gleaming in the fading light. Their leader, a grizzled man in a dented helmet, stepped forward and barked amand.


    "We have you surrounded. Drop your weapons!" he ordered, his tone cold and unyielding, "You''re all under arrest."


    The group exchanged confused looks, not quite sure what to make of the situation. Matthew furrowed his brow. "What''s going on here?"


    Marce crossed her arms, her expression bored but slightly irritated. "Kinda looks like we''re getting arrested," she deadpanned.


    Finn threw her a nce, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Thanks for pointing out the obvious, genius."


    "I guess we have to fight our way through," Seraphina said, already reaching for her weapon.


    Freya quickly stepped forward, eyes wide in rm. "I''m pretty sure that''s a bad idea. Have you seen what we''re standing on?"


    Everyone''s gaze dropped to the ground beneath them, where a faint glow was pulsing. Just below their feet was a massive, intricate magic circle, its runes humming with power.


    "An anti-magic circle," Rosa realized, her voice tight with concern. "I can''t sense my mana."


    "Same here," Morrigan added, eyes narrowing in frustration. "I can''t use any of my magic."


    A tense silence fell over the group as they processed the situation. They were surrounded by guards with weapons, standing on a circle that neutralized their magic, and unsure of what exactly they were up against. The trial was already proving to be far more dangerous than they''d anticipated.


    "I still feel my Aura. That''s good enough to fight our way through, right?" Rey pondered, his brow furrowing as he considered their options. "But we''re supposed to be protecting these people, aren''t we? This is so confusing."


    "That sounds like a n," Aiden replied, his sword beginning to glow faintly as he channeled his Aura.


    "Fine by me," Asher added, spinning his daggers in his hands, ready for action.


    "We can figure out what to do next once this is all over," Elora said, drawing her twin swords with a quick flourish.


    But before anyone could make a move, Cedric abruptly dropped his hammer to the ground with a heavy thud and raised his hands higher in the air.


    "Alright, we surrender," Cedric announced, much to the others'' shock and disapproval.


    "What the hell are you doing?" Evelina hissed at him, her eyes widening in disbelief.


    "Trust me," Cedric replied calmly, keeping his hands raised, "this is the right thing to do for now."


    The group exchanged skeptical looks, the tension mounting. It was clear they didn''t agree with Cedric''s sudden change of heart.


    "Come on, Jett, tell him this is a stupid idea," Seraphina muttered, trying to pull Jett into the conversation.


    But there was no response.


    "Umm, Jett?" she called again, turning to look at him.


    Jett stood frozen, staring off into the distance as though he were reading something invisible in the air. His usually sharp gaze was distant, lost in thought.


    *****


    A series of notifications shed before his eyes,


    [Personal Trial: Survive the duration of this trial in prison]


    [The Titles: King yer and Crown Snatcher will be in effect until the Trial is over]


    [Penalty: 40% overall reduction of all skills and stats. Additional 10% penalty if not rted to the Rogue ss. The kingdom shall be against you.]


    Jett''s stomach dropped as he processed the message. Damn it. He knew this woulde back to bite him, but he didn''t expect it to happen in the middle of a new trial. The title, earned in another dangerous situation, was now working against him, and it seemed like the kingdom they were supposed to protect saw him as an enemy.


    His mind raced as the weight of the penalties settled in. How was he going to fight, no, survive this trial with such heavy restrictions?


    "Jett!" Seraphina called again, her voice louder this time. The group was looking to him, unaware of the inner turmoil he was dealing with.


    Snapping out of his daze, Jett finally spoke, his voice low and frustrated. "I think�� we''ve got bigger problems than just fighting or surrendering."


    The group turned to him, confused, while Jett''s thoughts swirled with the ominous implications of the trial ahead.


    To everyone''s shock, Jett calmly dropped his sword, the ng of steel against stone ringing through the tense air.


    "What�� Jett?!" Seraphina eximed, bewildered by his actions. But before anyone could even begin to question him, Jett spoke.


    "Drop your weapons," he instructed, his voice steady. "Trust me."


    The group hesitated for a moment, exchanging confused nces, but one by one, they followed Jett''s lead. Rey lowered his sword, Asher sheathed his daggers, and even Aiden, with a reluctant sigh, released his grip on his de.


    "This is not how I thought I''d be spending my free time," Finn muttered, shaking his head as he tossed his bow to the ground.


    As soon as they surrendered, castle guards moved in swiftly, cuffing them all. Cold metal mped around their wrists, and within moments, they were led away into the depths of the castle.


    *****


    The prison beneath the castle was cold and dimly lit, with thick stone walls and barred windows high above, offering only the faintest hint of sunlight. The boys were thrown into onerge cell, while the girls were locked in the one across from them.


    "What the hell, Cedric, Jett, what was that for?" Finn asked anxiously, pacing back and forth in the cramped cell. His nervous energy seemed to be getting the best of him.


    "Could you please calm down?" Jett replied, sitting down on the hard stone bench. "Did anyone get a personal trial?"


    "Now that you mention it��" Rey nced at the notification floating before his eyes. "I did."


    He read it aloud, "*Personal Trial: Lead the Castle to victory.*"


    "And mine says to stay here as a prisoner till this is all over," Jett exined, leaning back against the cold stone wall as if he were settling in for a nap. "Seems like I can''t help you guys this time."


    The group fell silent, trying to process the situation. The only sound was the distant nking of chains and the faint drip of water echoing through the underground prison.


    Just then, the heavy door at the far end of the room creaked open, and the echo of footsteps approached. A tall woman, draped in an elegant yet stern gown, entered the prison. Her sharp eyes swept over them before she turned to the guard.


    "Open the door," shemanded with authority.


    The guard hesitated for a moment before nodding, quickly moving to unlock the cell door.


    *


    *


    *


    Feeling like making this trial really long.

 Chapter 144 Prisoner

    "You''re free to go," the guard said with reluctance, gesturing for them to exit the cell.


    "Well, that''s a relief." Finn grinned, quickly bouncing out of the cell, clearly eager to leave the cold, damp prison.


    "I guess they realized this was all a misunderstanding," Aiden added with a sigh of relief, stretching as he stepped out.


    Asher, however, lingered, his gaze fixed on thedy who had just entered. His brow furrowed in confusion as he studied her. ''She looks familiar,'' he thought, but couldn''t ce where he''d seen her before.


    "Don''t you dare ogle at her!" barked the guard, his hand lifting to strike Asher on the head.


    "Stand down!" thedy''s voice cut through the tension,manding the guard to halt immediately.


    Aiden, sensing the tension, quickly bowed his head. "Apologies, mydy. I must have mistaken you for someone else."


    Thedy remained silent, her expression unreadable. Without a word, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking sharply against the stone floor. The air grew heavy with awkwardness, the group unsure of what had just happened.


    The others began to make their way out, but Jett gently ced a hand on Asher''s shoulder, holding him back.


    "I need to ask you for a favor," Jett said, his tone low, ensuring the others couldn''t overhear.


    Asher blinked, caught off guard by the request. "And what would that be?"


    Jett nced around to ensure no one was paying attention before he lowered his voice further, speaking just loud enough for Asher to hear. "I need you to meet me here every midnight�� to brief me on the situation out there."


    Asher''s brows knitted together, his confusion deepening. "What? Why would you need that?" He could barely make sense of Jett''s strange request.


    "I won''t be able to leave here until the trial is over, plus I''m pretty sure they already have a grudge against me," Jett said with a sigh, a faint smile tugging at his lips.


    "I still don''t understand what''s going on," Asher replied, concern etching his face. "You''re saying you have to stay?"


    "That''s right," Jett nodded. "It''s my personal trial. Cedric and Rey can probably exin it better."


    The guard nearby, growing impatient, tapped his foot aggressively. "Hurry up or I''ll lock you in with him too!" he barked, ring at Asher.


    "What about Jett?" Rey asked, noticing the tension.


    "He''s a great criminal of the empire, that''s all you need to know," the guard replied with a snarl.


    Rey and Cedric exchanged nces, uncertainty shing in their eyes. Jett caught their looks and gave them a subtle nod, silently telling them not to worry about him.


    Jett turned back to Asher, his expression serious. "So, will you do it?"


    Asher hesitated for only a moment before nodding firmly. "I''ll meet you here at midnight, as you asked. Just�� don''t get yourself into more trouble."


    "What kind of trouble can I get into in somewhere like this?" Jett smirked as he watched the guard locked the cell door behind him, sealing him inside. Asher and the others were led away, their footsteps echoing through the dimly lit dungeon.


    "Well then��" Jett muttered to himself, copsing onto the thin bed provided, staring at the ceiling. "This is going to be a really long trial. Might as well getfortable."


    *****


    As the group made their way out of the dungeon, Finn''s curiosity got the better of him. "What about the girls?" he asked, ncing at Cedric.


    Rey shrugged. "They''ll probably be released just like us, or maybe they''ve got their own trial to deal with. Either way, we''ll regroup soon."


    As they passed through the main door leading outside, the group was greeted by the sight of the girls and thedy from earlier, waiting under the soft glow of the evening sun.


    "Oh, there they are," Finn remarked, spotting them first.


    The woman, standing with quiet confidence, spoke up. "Now that you''re all here, we can proceed to the meeting room." She gestured toward the path ahead, leading the way with graceful authority.


    Asher''s eyes lingered on her a moment longer. There was something oddly familiar about her, though he couldn''t quite ce it. A nagging feeling tugged at the back of his mind.


    "Hey, Lina." Asher sidled closer to Evelina, lowering his voice. "Who is she?"


    Evelina nced over, her expression calm. "Oh, you mean her?" she said before exining casually, "Apparently, she''s the princess we rescued thest time we were here."


    "There''s no way," Aiden chimed in, frowning in disbelief. "She looks a lot older."


    "I know, right?" Matthew added, equally puzzled.


    Marce sighed, shaking her head. "That''s actually really rude, you guys."


    Their footsteps echoed down the long hallway, the soft thud of their boots and hushed whispers the only sounds breaking the silence.


    "ording to her, it''s been 15 years since we saved her," Elora spoke up, her voice quiet but clear. "She''s the queen now."


    "Fifteen years? It feels like it was just two weeks ago," Finn said with a sigh, a faint smile of satisfaction crossing his face.


    "That''s because it was, moron," Marce muttered, not even sparing him a nce.


    Freya, walking a bit behind, suddenly noticed someone missing. "What about Jett?" she asked, her brows knitting in concern as she nced around. "He wasn''t with us from the start."


    The boys exchanged uneasy nces, hesitating. There was a brief pause, thick with tension, as if none of them wanted to be the one to answer.


    Rosa, her sharp eyes narrowing, broke the silence. "Alright, start talking."


    "I guess you could say they held him back as a war criminal," Cedric borated, his tone grave. Rey nodded in silent affirmation beside him.


    "A war criminal!?" The group erupted in shock, their voices echoing off the walls. The disbelief was clear in their wide eyes and furrowed brows as they all turned toward Cedric, seeking answers.


    One by one, they began to ask what happened, their curiosity mixed with concern.


    Cedric sighed, running a hand through his hair. "During ourst visit here, we had no choice but to face the king for thest fragment."


    "And you thought the best idea was to unalive the poor guy?" Rosa asked, her voice sharp, arms crossed as she eyed Cedric with disbelief.


    "What were we supposed to do?" Rey replied, visibly distressed. "It was either us or him. Plus, he was already dead when we got there: being possessed by something. It wasn''t just him anymore."


    Rosa''s stern expression faltered for a moment, as if trying to process Rey''s words. The weight of their previous encounter seemed heavier now, and the reality of what they had done sunk in.


    Freya''s eyes softened as she spoke up, her voice filled with determination. "Okay, then we can at least appeal to them, right? If we give them this exnation, they''re bound to release him."


    For a brief moment, hope flickered in the air, but it was quickly extinguished by an unexpected voice.


    "I''m afraid it''s not that simple," the princess interjected, her voice calm but firm. Her presence, which had been quietly lingering on the edge of their discussion, now came into sharp focus. Her regal posture and unwavering gaze reminded them she had been listening all along.


    The group fell silent, turning their attention to her. The princess crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "There are... other factors at y. Simply exining it won''t erase what''s already been done. The war tribunal doesn''t just operate on logic alone, there are deeper political motivations involved."


    The silence that followed was thick with tension.


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    Oh, he''s in trouble now.

 Chapter 145 Little Issue

    "What do you mean, ''it''s not that simple? He save you too didn''t he?''" Rey asked, his voice edged with frustration. He was tired of the half-truths andplications��they needed answers.


    The princess lowered her gaze, her expression turning somber as she prepared to speak.


    "Although he saved me, there were witnesses..." she began, her voice quiet but steady. "Witnesses who testified that he ended my father''s life."


    A silence fell over the group as her words sank in.


    "They say he was part of a plot to stage a coup," she continued with a heavy sigh, "but I know that''s a lie. My father was..." her voice faltered for a moment, "But you all disappeared before any form of action could be taken so it was concluded that he really was plotting our kingdom''s demise even though I tried to clear his name."


    The weight of her loss hung in the air, and the group shifted ufortably as they realized the depth of her pain. Despite their mission, they had momentarily forgotten that the man Jett had killed was still her father. A wave of quiet regret washed over them.


    "I''m... really sorry," Matthew finally spoke, his voice softer than usual. "You seem to be handling all of this... calmly."


    The princess gave them a brave smile, though her eyes hinted at the grief still lingering beneath the surface. "It''s alright," she said with a slight shrug. "I''ve had 15 years to grieve. And right now, we have more important things to focus on."


    Her resolve was unshakable, and the group couldn''t help but feel both admiration and sympathy for her strength. She gestured for them to follow, leading them through the gates. As they stepped outside, the tension in the air shifted again.


    "Wait, what are we doing here?" Morrigan asked, her voiceced with suspicion as they stood near the entrance where guards had once arrested them.


    The princess stopped, turning to exin.


    "Some of the weapons you dropped during the...motion can''t be touched by just anyone," she exined calmly, nodding toward the ground where a pile of their weapons stilly. "I brought you back to retrieve them."


    Aiden and Finn exchanged nces before a smirk crept across their faces.


    "Well obviously, we''re the only ones who can handle them?" Finn asked, a hint of pride swelling in his voice.


    The princess nodded, smiling slightly. "Yes. I don''t know why but one else was able to wield them as they seem to pass through people as though they were intangible."


    Aiden chuckled, puffing out his chest as he and Finn stepped forward to reim their gear. The others watched as the two boys strode toward the pile of discarded weapons, unbothered by the scene around them.


    "Oh,e to daddy," Finn muttered, his grin widening as he knelt down to pick up his spear, cradling it as though reuniting with an old friend. He hugged it tightly, his pride on full disy.


    "And this is mine," Aiden added with equal satisfaction, gripping the hilt of his sword with a wide grin. He twirled it in his hand, the de catching the sunlight as if greeting him with a sh of brilliance.


    The others followed suit, stepping forward to retrieve their weapons. Asher''s dagger glinted as he picked it up with ease, his fingers brushing over the de as if greeting an old friend. Matthew''s massive axe and shield seemed to hum in recognition as he hefted them, the familiar weight bringing a sense offort to him.


    Cedric picked up his hammer, resting it on his shoulder, the massive weapon bnced effortlessly in his grasp.


    Rey, meanwhile, bent down and grabbed Jett''s sword, his grip tightening as he lifted the de. It felt heavier in his hand than it should have, as though the weight of Jett''s absence had seeped into the steel. He held onto it firmly, a silent promise flickering in his mind,''Just hand on a bit longer, this will all be over soon.''


    "Since that''s all been taken care of," the princess pped her hands, breaking the moment. She stood tall, her regal posturemanding attention.


    "I, Queen Alice," she began, her voice steady but filled with urgency, "request your help in defending Laxen from the kingdom of Vond. They are preparing for war, and without your aid, we may not be able to hold them off."


    The group exchanged nces but didn''t hesitate for long. There was an unspoken understanding among them.


    "You can count on us," Rey spoke for all of them, his tone firm. The others nodded in agreement, their determination clear in their eyes.


    Rey nced at Jett''s sword once more, his thoughts momentarily drifting. ''You just leave everything to us, Jett,'' he thought. ''You can rest easy this time.''


    *****


    "So, you want to enlist the help of these guys as mercenaries?" a deep, gravelly voice interrupted as a man d in golden armor approached. His presence was imposing, his eyes sharp as they scanned the group with skepticism.


    The man, who stood tall with a hardened face, scrutinized each of them as if weighing their worth. His gaze lingered a bit longer on Rey, then Finn, before moving to the others.


    "Yes," Queen Alice replied with enthusiasm, her confidence unwavering. "I believe their strength is exactly what we need to drive Vond back."


    The man, John, narrowed his eyes slightly, his skepticism barely concealed. He crossed his arms, his posture stiff as he continued his inspection. The group could feel his doubt, the silent judgment hanging over them like a heavy cloud.


    "Stop it, John," the queen said sharply, her tone holding an edge of authority. "You''re being very impolite."


    John blinked, seemingly caught off guard by the reprimand, and quickly lowered his head in apology.


    "Apologies, Your Majesty," he said with a bow, though the hesitation in his voice lingered. He straightened, his expression unreadable as he shifted his focus back to the group.


    Queen Alice turned toward the others, her expression softening once again. "I trust all of you, and you will be under John''smand to help defend the castle. Please, follow his lead."


    With that, she turned and walked away, leaving John to assess his new charges.


    As she disappeared from sight, Cedric leaned toward Rey, his voice low. "Still hard to imagine she''s the queen now, huh?"


    Rey nodded slightly, his eyes following the queen''s retreating figure. "Yeah... time changes everything."


    "Pay attention!" John''s voice boomed, cutting through the conversation. He squared his shoulders, hismanding presence filling the space. "You''re all with me now. I hope you live up to the queen''s expectations."


    His words hung in the air like a challenge, but the group stood their ground, ready for whatever came next.

 Chapter 146 Castle Walls

    The group joined the ranks of soldiers gathering in the courtyard, each standing in a tight, orderly formation as John addressed them. His figure was imposing, every inch the battle-worn captain d in his gleaming golden armor. His voice rang out, cutting through the mor of nearby skirmishes and distant shouts.


    "Soldiers of Laxen!" he boomed, his gaze sweeping across the assembly. "You are the shield of this kingdom, the very heart of its defense! We hold these walls until reinforcements arrive. We cannot falter, we cannot break, because we are Laxen''sst stand!"


    The soldiers straightened, murmuring with renewed resolve. They clutched their weapons tighter, nodding with determination. John''s speech seemed to ignite a sense of pride and unity in their ranks, as though the weight of defending their homnd was a fire rekindled within each of them.


    Rey, however, furrowed his brow as he processed John''s words. ''Reinforcements? Are they maybe allied nations? Or something else?'' he thought, casting a quick nce at the scorchednd beyond. ''And how did it evene to this, being pushed back in their own territory?''


    Before he could dwell on it further, a gentle nudge caught his attention. Rosa had leaned in close, her voice barely a whisper. "Whatever you''re nning, don''t act on it yet," she cautioned, eyeing him with a knowing look. "I know you want to help, but we need you steady and in line right now."


    Rey let out a faint chuckle, his smile sheepish. "Am I really that obvious?"


    Rosa smirked but said nothing, her eyes softening with understanding before she turned her focus back to John.


    John raised his sword, his voice unwavering. "Now, to the castle walls! We need every avable hand to strengthen our defenses. Prepare yourselves, whatever they throw at us, we''ll stand our ground!"


    Without another word, they followed hismand, making their way through the winding corridors until they reached the castle walls.


    *****


    When they finally arrived, the full view of the battlefield spread before them, leaving a heavy silence among the group. The town belowy in shambles, buildings reduced to skeletal remains of stone and ash, mes licking the skies from scattered fires.


    The enemy camp stretched across the outskirts and into the wreckage of the town, with armored figures and war machines dotting thendscape. A haze of smoke hung over the area, blurring the lines between the battleground and what had once been a vibrant town.


    Finn let out a low whistle. "They''ve really left a mess of this ce," he muttered, gripping his spear tightly.


    Aiden clenched his jaw. "We''re up against more than just numbers. They''ve got an entire foothold here."


    They all shared a grim look, recognizing the scale of destruction before them. Even so, they took their ces along the wall, shoulders squared and weapons at the ready.


    The camp sprawled out in stark contrast to the devastation of the town around it. Laxen''s defenders watched with growing resolve as the enemy''s tents stretched far into the distance, an intimidating sea of canvas under the green g emzoned with the emblem of fire, this was a reminder of Vond''s unyielding aggression.


    Smoke driftedzily from scattered fires among the tents, the flickering mes casting unsettling shadows. Yet, the camp itself was oddly still, its movements subdued as though the soldiers were merely residents, unbothered by the siege looming on their horizon.


    "What do you see?" Morrigan asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she turned to Evelina, whose eyesight was sharper than the rest.


    "Nothing," Evelina replied, her eyes scanning the scene, unwavering in her focus.


    The group tensed, each taking in her words with careful attention, waiting for a clue.


    Finn squinted, pulling out a small telescope, and brought it up to his eye. "What do you mean nothing?" he muttered, adjusting the focus until the image sharpened. "She''s right... they''re really not doing anything. It''s almost like they''re just living their normal lives down there."


    Evelina nodded. "Most of them are in their tents��," she murmured, her gaze following one small cluster of soldiers as they disappeared behind heavy canvas.


    "Resting," Elora interjected. "They''ll probably attack at night, once we''re worn out from the day."


    Marce rolled her shoulders with a slight stretch, then began walking toward John, determination flickering in her eyes. "Then I''ll use the time to prepare," she said. "This castle is enormous on its own, so I''m guessing there''s a brewery somewhere nearby? I need to make a batch of potions. That''s how I''ll contribute."


    John''s brow lifted slightly in surprise, but he nodded, gesturing for one of his men to escort her. "Yes, we have a brewery, better stocked than most. I''ll see to it that you have ess."


    "See you guyster." Marce gave them a quick nod and headed off without another word, disappearing down a narrow stairway with her guide.


    The group watched her go, a hint of surprise and respect in their expressions. "She hardly takes initiative like this," Matthew said, grinning as he watched her determined pace.


    "We better get ourselves sorted out too," Seraphina said, giving Matthew a light tap on the shoulder.


    "Yeah, we all need to prepare," Finn agreed, stowing the telescope back in his storage space.


    From behind, Aiden raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Where did you even get that thing?"


    Finn puffed up a little. "I''ve always had it. It''s part of my survival kit: I never leave home without it."


    Aiden rolled his eyes. "You sound like you just joined your neighborhood Boy Scouts."


    "Oh, say that again, I dare you," Finn growled, leaning in.


    "Sure, Scout Finn," Aiden teased, grinning as he put up his fists in mock surrender. "What''s next, you gonna pull out apass and some matches?"


    The two broke into a scuffle, nudging and lightly shoving each other while tossing back jabs about survival kits and scout badges. Finn''s face reddened with mock annoyance, but that couldn''t keep the others fromughing.


    John, who was watching this spectacle with Freya, let out a heavy sigh. ''These are the people we''re depending on to help us win this?''


    Freya chuckled, nudging him with her elbow. "Don''t worry. They may act like this now, but you''ll be thanking the prin�� uh, I mean, the queen, for recruiting us."


    John gave her a quizzical look. "Did you just read my mind?"


    "Nope," she replied with a knowing smile. "It''s just that I can practically hear it from your expression."


    Meanwhile, off to the side, Cedric paced back and forth, his gaze darting around like he was searching for something. His brow furrowed in concentration as he muttered to himself, asionally bending down to scan the ground before standing and continuing his nervous sweep of the area.


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    He wants to be useful too (~��?��)~


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 147 Waiting for the Darkness

    Cedric was searching for a ce to set up an array, a protective enchantment he couldy down to create a defensive perimeter along the castle walls. This would amplify the soldiers'' abilities and act as a shield, providing resistance to spells and projectiles from the enemy camp.


    As he continued to scan the area, Cedric mumbled calctions under his breath, mentally mapping out the positions and energies around him. Each step was careful, precise, he needed the exact spot where he could anchor the enchantment so it would cover the widest area without interfering with other defenses.


    Noticing his odd behavior, Rey approached him, tilting his head. "Cedric, what are you doing?"


    Cedric paused and nced up, a determined gleam in his eyes. "I''m setting up an array to boost our defenses. If I can get the alignment right, it should protect us from their initial onught." He nced over to the enemy camp. "With the way they''re lying low, they''re probably preparing something big. We need every edge we can get."


    Rey nodded, his expression sharpening. "Need any help?"


    "Actually, yes." Cedric handed him a handful of enchanted stones. "ce these along the walls at even intervals. Once they''re in position, we''ll have to synchronize to activate it. Just this half will do since the other side of this castle is next to the sea."


    The castle stood tall against the crashing waves of the sea on one side, forming a natural barrier that protected them from any attacks in that direction.


    This castle had long been built with strategic foresight, utilizing the ocean''s fierce currents as a shield, leaving only thendward side essible to enemies. The soldiers of Laxen could focus their defenses there, bolstering the walls where the invaders would surely strike.


    With everyone''s coordinated help, Cedric and the others finished lining the essible walls with enchanted stones much faster than anticipated. Each stone held a faint glow, resonating with the faint pulse of magic as Cedric ced the final one.


    As he stood back to inspect their work, a sense of cautious optimism settled over the group. The array, if activated correctly, would create a barrier that could buy them precious time when the enemyunched its assault.


    Rosa watched Cedric, curiosity in her eyes. "So, how do we activate it?"


    "With mana," Cedric replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "Lots of it."


    Determined, he approached John, who was overseeing preparations nearby. "I think it''ll be a good idea to reinforce everyone''s weapons," Cedric offered. "I can do it, I know the enchantments will help."


    John hesitated, skepticism flickering in his gaze as he sized up Cedric. "Are you sure you can handle it? You''re putting a lot on yourself here."


    Cedric nodded with confidence, though inside, a mixture of nerves and steely resolve churned within him. "Yeah, I can handle it." His thoughts drifted briefly, recalling Marce''s uncharacteristic eagerness to brew potions for the soldiers. Everyone had found a way to contribute. Even with his own doubts nagging at him, Cedric felt the weight of responsibility settle firmly on his shoulders.


    ''I can''t ck off now,'' he thought. ''If Marce''s stepping up, so can I. Jett would have my head if I didn''t give this my all.''


    Slowly, his initial hesitation gave way to a sense of purpose. This was his way to help, to ensure that the soldiers and his team had every advantage they could muster. Cedric took a deep breath, drawing on the well of energy within him. He''d make sure his enchantments counted.


    *****


    As the sun began its descent, casting a golden glow over the fortified walls, the atmosphere among the group grew both tense and resolute. Rey stood with his arms crossed, watching the distant campfires flicker in the enemy encampment.


    "Hang on a bit longer, yeah?" he said, turning to Finn and Aiden, a spark of encouragement in his eyes. "We''ve got this."


    Finn let out a shortugh, giving Rey a yful jab on the shoulder. "Hang on? Are you kidding?" he scoffed. "I''m more pumped than any of you. Why? Because I''m ying guard dog for free. This is like volunteering to babysit a rabid wolf pack: dangerous, stupid, and�� honestly kind of annoying. I n on making those bastards pay."


    "me the system that keeps giving you unnecessary trials then." Aiden grinned, twirling his sword, Ignis Magna, admiring its dark steel and flickers of me running along its edge. "Think of it as a chance to test my baby out properly," he said with a mischievous glint. "Been waiting to swing her without holding back. Not going to waste it."


    "Everything''s just has to be about you huh?" Finn remarked.


    "Obviously," Aiden smirked knowing he was getting under Finn''sst nerves.


    Rey smirked, sensing the anticipation rolling off both of them. They were a strange bunch, but there was no doubt that their spirits remained high, even in the face of uncertainty.


    Asher, however, stood nearby, arms folded and gaze distant, eyes narrowing as he scanned the horizon. A quiet frown etched across his face, and he shook his head slightly.


    "What''s up with you?" Aiden asked, noticing Asher''s serious expression.


    "Something about this whole setup just doesn''t sit right," Asher murmured. "I''m not sure what it is yet, but I''ll keep looking. It''s like... pieces of a puzzle are missing."


    Finn gave him a curious look, but Asher fell silent, turning his focus back to the approaching twilight, the suspicion lingering on his face.


    *****


    Later, as the others dispersed to ready themselves for the night''s battle, Evelina noticed Asher inspecting his daggers alone near the edge of the wall. She approached him, quiet and cautious, watching as he adjusted the des, checking their edges with an almost obsessive intensity.


    "Mind if I join you?" Evelina asked gently.


    Asher nced at her, his face softening for a brief moment before he returned his focus to the daggers. "Suit yourself," he muttered, not looking up.


    For a moment, they stood in silence, Evelina waiting patiently as Asher''s eyes remained fixed on his weapons. Finally, she broke the silence. "You know�� you''re different from the others. Always looking around, analyzing everything. It''s like you''re waiting for something else."


    Asher''s hands stilled on his des, and he let out a dry chuckle. "I suppose I am. It''s just�� habit."


    At first, Evelina thought he wouldn''t say anything more, but slowly, as if dredging up something buried deep, he began to speak.


    "Back in my previous life," he murmured, voice barely above a whisper, "I was an assassin, a mercenary. Constantly on guard, constantly waiting: sometimes for a target to step out of the shadows, sometimes for a friend to fall."


    His eyes grew distant, haunted by memories he''d tried to keep buried. "We''d sit there, in the dead of night, waiting for our uncertain deaths or the death of our enemies, with no way of knowing which woulde first. And then�� that hollow feeling when you realized some wouldn''t being back."


    He looked away, gripping his daggers tightly. "The worst part was the silence. Not knowing if the people you were counting on would even survive to see morning�� Or if your own skills would fail you at thest second."


    Evelina swallowed, feeling the weight of his words. The darkness in his voice was raw, unfiltered, a glimpse into a past he rarely let others see.


    "It''s not something I''ll ever forget, and I guess I carried that here with me." he continued, voice low and cold. "That waiting. Just sitting there, knowing any second could be yourst... or theirs. It doesn''t ever really go away."


    A heavy silence settled between them as Evelina took in his words, feeling a pang of sympathy for the man beside her. Gently, she ced a hand on his arm, grounding him.


    "We''re here now, Asher," she said quietly. "And we''re not alone. We''re going to make it through this."


    Asher looked down at her hand, a ghost of a smile flickering on his lips before vanishing. "Yeah," he replied softly, his voice steady once more. "This time, we might."


    Evelina took a small step closer, then another, before wrapping her arms around Asher in a gentle, grounding hug. For a moment, he stoodpletely still, caught off guard.


    "Huh? What''s with you all of a sudden?" he muttered, though a slight flush warmed his cheeks.


    Evelina looked up at him with a soft smile, her eyes sparkling. "You really are cool, you know. Like you were some kind of spy or something."


    Asher blinked, a slow realization dawning in his expression. "An assassin�� not a spy," he corrected reflexively. But then he froze, his eyes widening as if a puzzle piece had just clicked into ce. "A spy�� Evelina, you''re a genius!"


    "Um�� thanks?" she replied, her face a mix of confusion and curiosity. She wasn''t entirely sure what she''d just inspired, but the intensity in his gaze left her wondering.


    Without another word, Asher spun around and bolted down the hallway. "I need to find John," he called back over his shoulder, determination driving his steps.


    Evelina stood there, watching him disappear, a puzzled smile tugging at her lips. "You''re wee?" she murmured to herself, wondering what exactly she''d set in motion.


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    What did he figure out? (��__��)

 Chapter 148 Theres a Spy?

    Asher strode into the strategy room where John and his fellow officers were hunched over maps and battle ns, their expressions grim and focused. They nced up as he entered, and Asher met John''s scrutinizing gaze.


    "Can I speak with you privately?" Asher requested, his toneced with urgency. "It''s important."


    John''s brow furrowed, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face as he studied Asher. He reluctantly nodded, he excused himself, gesturing for Asher to follow him down a narrow hallway and into a quieter chamber. The door closed behind them with a soft click.


    "So, what did you want to talk about?" John asked, voice gruff and cautious.


    Asher didn''t flinch under his stare. "My apologies, but what I''m about to say is necessary." He spoke with a bluntness that almost dared a reaction, yet he waited a moment, watching John''s expression.


    They stood in silence for a moment, neither saying a word, the weight of Asher''s words lingering in the air.


    "Well�� get on with it," John finally said, breaking the silence. "You wanted to say something, didn''t you?"


    "Oh, sorry, I was just confirming something," Asher replied, a calcted glint in his eye. "We have a traitor among us. Someone here is spying for Vond."


    A sh of rm crossed John''s face, though he quickly masked it, keeping his expression steely andposed as he began to ponder the revtion.


    "Do you have any proof of this?" he asked, his voice controlled butced with skepticism.


    "Not yet," Asher admitted, "but if I''m right, this person''s actions will reveal themselves soon enough. For now, I need to know one thing."


    John leaned forward, his voice steady and immediate. "Ask away."


    "What have their tactics been up to now?" Asher asked, his eyes narrowing. "Every pattern, every approach."


    John''s face darkened as he recalled the past battles. "Their primary strategy has been artillery strikes from a distance. Their aim has been precise and brutal, keeping our soldiers pinned down and forcing us into high-casualty defenses." He took a slow, steadying breath. "We''ve lost more men to those sted bombardments than we have in directbat. It''s left our forces battered and spread thin."


    Asher''s mind raced, connecting the dots. "If there''s someone feeding them our movements and positions, then they''ve been setting up every attack to be devastatingly effective."


    John nodded, an anger hardening in his eyes. "If that''s true, then this spy has cost us dearly."


    He immediately clenched his fists. "We''ll find them, but I''ll need your cooperation. If we keep things as they are and y along, we might catch them in the act."


    Asher nodded curtly, "I''ll take my leave now." Without waiting for a response, he turned and left John standing in contemtion.


    *****


    Outside the prison, four guards stood alert, positioned strategically around the entrance. Asher watched them from the shadows, studying their patterns and their every move with a calcting eye.


    ''Two�� three�� four guards outside,'' he noted to himself. ''There should be more stationed within.''


    His Wraith Bat, Ralph, hovered close by, its spectral form blending into the darkness with ease. Asher reached out a hand to lightly pat its shimmering back, feeling a faint pulse of energy beneath his fingers. "You ready, Ralph?" he asked in a low voice, his tone as calm as it was determined.


    The bat responded with a slight flicker, a sign of agreement.


    "Alright then, I''ll be counting on you," he murmured, sending Ralph forward with a quick motion of his hand.


    Ralph moved with eerie silence, gliding just above the guards, its ghostly wings pping noiselessly. The guards stiffened as Ralph cast an illusion over them, clouding their senses with a heavy, dream-like haze.


    To the guards, everything appeared as it should: unchanged and peaceful. None noticed Asher as he slipped past them, moving through the entrance with ease, as if the guards weren''t even there.


    "I''ll be right back," he whispered, a subtle smirk tugging at his lips.


    *****


    Inside the prison, the air was thick and cold, each cell casting dark shadows across the stone floors. The silence was broken by a familiar, dry voice from down the corridor.


    "Is it midnight already? I must''ve lost track of time in this ce," Jett''s voice echoed through the stillness.


    Asher followed the sound, stopping just in front of Jett''s cell. "Yo."


    Jett was hanging upside down from the bars, his body glowing faintly with Aura, as if he were using it to condition himself even in captivity. As soon as he noticed Asher, Jett smirked and dropped down in one fluid motion. The Aura around him faded slowly, dissipating like mist.


    "Well, you certainly took your time," Jett said, crossing his arms as he stood facing Asher. "So, what''s the news?"


    "I came earlier than we agreed because I''m not too sure if I''ll still be free by then." Asher sighed, his gaze steady on Jett.


    Jett''s mouth curled into a half-smile. "Hmm, sounds like things are heating up. I see you''re doing that thing with your shadow," he noted, raising an eyebrow.


    Asher''s shadow wrapped tightly around him, blending him seamlessly into the darker parts of the cell''s entrance, obscuring him from any prying eyes. They kept their voices low, ensuring their conversation remained private.


    "So, what''s going on out there?" Jett asked, his tone light but curious.


    "Hell," Asher replied with a dry chuckle. "Trust me, you got the easy end of this mess. They''ve got a traitor in the ranks, and it''s a lot messier than I expected. Figuring out who it is, or if there''s more than one, isn''t exactly going to be easy."


    Jett gave a low whistle. "That sounds like a headache. So, what''s the n? Did you clue in the others?"


    "Not yet," Asher said, ncing around Jett''s cell as he spoke, taking note of the dimly lit, cramped space. "But I will, soon enough." He leaned back, arms crossed. "So, how are you holding up?"


    "Good, actually," Jett shrugged, stretching his arms above him. "It''s not half bad. I''ve got time to train, I get regr meals��honestly, might''ve found the easy way out on this one."


    Just then, a loud re echoed from the direction of the walls, the ground vibrating with a steady tremor. The shrill rm jolted them both, punctuated by a low rumble that shook the stones around them.


    "What the hell was that?" Jett asked, springing up, eyes alert.


    Asher straightened, his demeanor immediately tense. "Looks like it''s time." He gave Jett a short nod. "Stay sharp." Then, without another word, he disappeared back into the shadows, leaving Jett behind as he raced toward the source of themotion.


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    Don''t forget to vote your favorite characters. (~��?��)~

 Chapter 149 The First Attack

    The sharp ng of the rm bell echoed through the camp, reverberating off the castle walls and amplifying the urgency.


    "Positions, men! The Vond forces are advancing, ready yourselves!" John''s voice boomed, cutting through the mounting tension.


    Around him, the soldiers and mages exchanged brief nces, the air thick with both resolve and a touch of apprehension.


    Aiden grinned, spinning his sword, Ignis Magna, in his hands, its edge glinting in the dim light. "Let''s show them what they''re up against!" he shouted, his confidence infectious.


    "Get that thing ready!" Johnmanded, pointing toward the fortified wall where the enchantments had beenid.


    Those gifted with mana: Morigan, Rey, Rosa, Aiden, Elora, and several others, moved swiftly to their designated locations along the wall where Cedric''s enchantments had been etched. The soldiers looked on with a mixture of awe and apprehension as the mages and warriors prepared to pour their mana into the barrier stones.


    Without hesitation, each of them began channeling their energy into the stones, their eyes narrowing in concentration. One of the soldiers, watching with bated breath, whispered, "So, we just pour our mana into this thing, right?"


    The others needed no further encouragement; power surged into the stones, setting off a radiant, bluish barrier that hummed to life, shimmering as mana coursed through it. The air around the wall grew charged, the shimmering shield casting an ethereal glow that reflected off their determined faces.


    Just as John had warned, Vond''s forces began their assault from a distance, artillery rounds screaming through the air. But Cedric''s barrier held steady the projectiles crashing against the protective field, their force deflected harmlessly.


    John seized the moment. "Alright, men, this is our chance!" He took a battle-ready stance, his eyes locked on the enemy. "All those with ranged attacks, fire now!"


    Arrows and magical projectiles erupted from the walls, streaking toward the enemy lines. The Vond forces reeled, caught off guard by the sudden, unified counterattack that rained down upon them.


    *****


    Asher arrived at the wall, his eyes scanning the unfolding battle below. From where he stood, he could see that things were going remarkably well; the enemy''s artillery had been effectively neutralized by the barrier, their rounds dissipating on impact.


    Cedric''s work had paid off; Vond''s forces were struggling to find any opening in the castle''s defenses.


    "Looks like they used the same attack strategy as before," Asher muttered to himself, watching as the enemy forces fumbled under the relentless counterattack.


    "Was I��wrong?" He couldn''t shake the lingering doubt, though.


    The scene was almost too smooth, the enemy losing ground quickly and without resistance. But even as he questioned his own suspicion, he kept a wary eye out, his instincts on high alert.


    As Asher stood atop the wall, his gaze fixed on the battlefield below, a voice sounded beside him. "Looks like you were wrong after all," John said, his tone steady but slightly teasing. Asher nced over, finding John''s expression surprisingly calm in the midst of the unfolding conflict.


    John crossed his arms, studying the battlefield for a moment. "Honestly, how do you think you would''ve felt if there really was a traitor among us?" he asked, his voice dropping to a more serious note.


    Asher took a deep breath, letting the question settle. "Relieved," he finally replied, surprising even himself with the answer. "Relieved to know what we were really up against, but��" He trailed off, then added quietly, "Yeah, I''m d I was wrong. It''s better this way."


    John nodded, the hint of a smile breaking through his serious demeanor. "That''s good to hear," he replied. "We''ve got enough to worry about without turning against our own. But for now," he said, shifting back to their immediate concerns, "we need to keep the pressure on Vond''s forces. If they''re not breaking through, they''ll probably try nking or regrouping."


    Asher nodded in agreement. "Then we should focus on fortifying the weaker points along the perimeter," he suggested. "And if they try something new, like storming the walls directly, we''ll need people ready to counter any surprises they throw at us."


    John looked thoughtful. "Good n. Let''s spread out some of the heavier hitters to those points, reinforce with those who can work as shields, and keep the mages stationed for ranged support."


    With a final nod, the two men turned back to the battlefield, each of them with a renewed sense of purpose. "Let''s end this, once and for all," Asher murmured, his resolve hardening.


    Asher watched the distant horizon intently, something nagging at the back of his mind. ''Now that I think about it��'' he mused, his gaze shifting to the far side of the wall. ''I know it''s just a hunch, but...''


    With swift determination, he approached Seraphina, Matthew, and Finn, adopting an air of authority. "Captain''s orders," he said firmly, keeping his tone serious so they wouldn''t ask too many questions. "I need the three of you toe with me."


    As expected, they agreed immediately. Seraphina gave a quick nod, Finn shrugged, and Matthew sighed but followed withoutint.


    As they moved, Seraphina turned to Asher, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "So where are we going?"


    "The other side of the wall," Asher replied as he picked up his pace, making it clear they needed to hurry.


    "What!?" Finn groaned, rolling his eyes. "It''s going to take us forever to get there."


    "And why?" Matthew added, ncing over his shoulder at the sounds of the ongoing battle behind them. "The fight is literally back there."


    "Just a routine check," Asher replied casually, though his brisk steps suggested urgency. "Don''t worry, we''ll be there in no time."


    The three exchanged puzzled nces but followed, picking up their own pace to keep up with him. Asher led them to a stone tform set against the wall''s inner structure, somewhat hidden among other supplies. Without hesitation, he motioned for them to step onto it.


    "What''s this?" Finn asked, eyeing the tform skeptically.


    "You''ll see," Asher replied with a smirk as he activated the mechanism, and in an instant, the tform transported them to the far side of the wall.


    As they arrived, Finn blinked, visibly surprised. "How did you know this was here?"


    "Thank Jett," Asher replied, recalling their previous exploration. Jett had insisted on mapping the entire area, noting even the hidden transport points. ''Was he thinking about this too, or maybe just pure coincidence,'' Asher thought with a faint sense of gratitude.


    *****


    At first, there was nothing unusual. The stretch of wall was quiet, the sea''s waves crashing far below them. But Asher felt uneasy. "Let''s hold here for a bit," he suggested, scanning the surroundings.


    Momentster, Seraphina stiffened, her sharp hearing picking up faint sounds. She signaled for them to stay silent as she crept toward the source, peering carefully over the edge. Her heart skipped a beat as she spotted shadowy figures scaling the outer wall: enemy soldiers stealthily making their way up.


    ''Oh, this is bad,'' Seraphina thought, her eyes widening as she turned to signal the others, a sense of urgency shing in her gaze.


    *


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    Surprise attack?(��?��)!

 Chapter 150 Hidden Attack

    The barrier''s energy pulsed outward in waves, casting a faint but steady light over the defenders stationed along the wall. The air thrummed with mana, their collective power forming a protective shield that hummed against the iing pressure.


    John scanned the horizon, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of the advancing Vond forces��a mass of soldiers armed to the teeth, their own war cries echoing across the field. Siege engines rolled behind them, dark and hulking, a grim promise of the force toe.


    "Hold steady!" he called, though he knew the enchantments would only hold so long under the assault. "Maintain that flow��don''t let it break!"


    The defenders poured their mana into the barrier, each person''s energy blending with the others in a brilliant, interwoventtice of magic. A slight tremor went through the wall as the Vond soldiers began to close in.


    Aiden leaned into the barrier, grinning despite the strain. "This is nothing. We''ve trained for worse than a few siege engines!"


    "Focus, Aiden!" Rosa hissed, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she maintained her steady flow of mana. Her vines glowed in rhythm with the barrier,cing the stone beneath them with a verdant shimmer.


    Elora''s aura sparked with a cold, icy blue as she funneled her mana into the runes, her face serene despite the effort. Beside her, Aiden''s fiery energy shed against her frosty glow, the two elements sparking where they touched yet finding a bnce in their shared goal. Rey''s jaw was set, his focus unwavering.


    Morrigan stood with her hands pressed to the wall, her eyes closed in concentration as her mana spread gently over the barrier, filling in any gaps in the energy flow Death Wolf, perched nearby, emitted a soft, crimson glow that mirrored her calm presence, adding strength to the collective barrier.


    The Vond forces closed in, drawing nearer with each passing second. Arrows whistled through the air, some deflecting off the barrier with bright shes of light, while others found gaps, forcing the defenders to shield themselves. The ground shook as the first of the siege engines fired, a massive boulder hurtling toward the wall.


    The impact was jarring, the barrier flickering under the strain but holding, thebined efforts of the defenders bolstering it just in time.


    "We can''t keep this up forever," Rey muttered, tightening his grip on his weapon as he nced over his shoulder. "When they break through, we''ll have to engage them up close."


    A ripple of determination passed through the group, each one preparing mentally for the moment when the barrier would finally fall.


    John nced at hisrades, his voice steadier now, full of resolve. "Then we make our stand right here. If they want to take this fortress, they''ll have to get through everyst one of us."


    The defenders exchanged nods, their nerves steeling under the weight of theing battle.


    *****


    Hidden within the shadows cast by Asher''s skill, he and his group watched the soldiers of Vond regrouping on the wall. The soldiers moved with calcted precision, guided by amanding officer who barked orders in a low but authoritative tone.


    "Hurry up, you morons. We need to surround them before they figure out what''s happening," the officer muttered, his voice carrying the chill of ruthless intent. The soldiers, now crowding onto the wall, nced around with twisted grins, some even letting out low chuckles as they moved.


    "A barrier, huh?" one soldier whispered, his voice dripping with contempt. "A clever n, I''ll give them that. Good thing we had a counter ready."


    "Ha! To think they''d leave this side unguarded. They probably thought we''d be too scared to try something this bold," another scoffed, nudging hisrade with a smirk.


    "I can''t wait to see their faces when we surprise them from behind," one murmured, his eyes gleaming with malice.


    "Calm down, you fools," themander snapped, casting a steely re at the men. "Remember why we''re here. This isn''t about their soldiers."


    "Yes, yes," another soldier replied, still grinning, "capture the civilians and the queen, use them as leverage, and force the rest of those poor fools to surrender."


    "Good," themander confirmed with a nod. "Taking hostages is our top priority."


    Asher, hidden nearby with hispanions, listened in silence, processing each twisted word. He nced over at Finn, who leaned in close to whisper.


    "We''ve been watching for a while, and I''ve already counted over five thousand," Finn murmured, eyes fixed on the advancing force.


    Asher gave a faint nod, quickly analyzing the situation. ''So they n to bypass the barrier and strike from within.'' His mind raced through possible oues, noting every vulnerable angle. He nced at Seraphina, Matthew, and Finn, who awaited his signal with tense anticipation. They would need to act soon if they wanted to disrupt the enemy''s formation.


    He whispered, "They''re making a massive gamble here. But they''re overconfident�� this could be our advantage."


    They watched in tense silence as the Vond soldiers continued their preparations, the chill in the air almost palpable as the minutes dragged on.


    Shadows flickered across the men''s faces, and the murmur of their ns made the atmosphere feel thick, heavy, charged with the weight of impending danger.


    Seraphina''s brow furrowed, her voice a soft interruption in the quiet. "It''s still too big of a risk to call this a gamble," she whispered. "You''re telling me they came through the sea, risking attacks, all based on a hunch?"


    Asher sighed, acknowledging her point. "Yeah, yeah, I know. They don''t seem like the type to take risks like this." His gaze remained fixed on the gathering enemy as he pieced together the details.


    Finn looked at him questioningly. "And how exactly would you know that?"


    "The way they''ve fought up till now," Asher replied in a low tone, "has been methodical. They''ve worn down their opponents slowly, with no sign of recklessness or desperation. So, for them to try something this drastic, it means they must see it as worth the risk."


    Seraphina nodded thoughtfully. "It''s likely they''ve already caught wind of our iing reinforcements. Maybe they''re trying to end this quickly before we''re too fortified to counter."


    Asher''s gaze darkened. "But there''s something else," he added, ncing at each of his teammates. "They said they''d take the civilians and the queen hostage, and it sounded like they already knew her exact location. That''s ssified information, not even we were given specifics."


    "So, you''re saying��?" Matthew''s voice trailed off as the realization hit him.


    "Exactly. Someone inside must be feeding them information," Asher confirmed, his tone heavy with suspicion. "Someone in Laxen has betrayed us."


    The tension among them was almost tangible now, each of them absorbing the gravity of Asher''s words. They exchanged nces, each one understanding the significance of what he''d uncovered. Around them, the air seemed to grow colder, thickened with a collective unease.


    Then Matthew pointed, breaking the silence. "They''re gathering, getting ready to move."


    Asher nodded, his voice steely with determination. "Don''t worry. We won''t let them pass."


    *


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    Who''s the traitor? ?�n?

 Chapter 151 Another Defense

    Matthew kept his eyes on Asher, waiting for an answer. Asher took onest, careful survey of the area, his gaze sharp and calcting.


    He assessed the enemy''s numbers, then looked at his team. "That''s a lot of them. We won''t be able to face them head-on," he muttered under his breath before ncing at Finn. "You''ve got a re gun, don''t you? Hand it over."


    Finn blinked, thrown off by the sudden request. "A...re gun? Wait, how did you even know I had that with me?"


    Matthew raised an eyebrow, equally surprised. "A re gun? Where did you get that, Finn?"


    Finn looked at them both, not entirely sure what was happening but reaching into his pack. "It''s part of my survival kit. I always�� How do you even know about it, Asher?" he demanded, shaking his head slightly as he handed over the small, bright-red device.


    Asher gave him a knowing smirk. "Ever seen a survival kit before? I''m guessing Cedric helped you put it together. You probably also have some thermal nkets still from Cedric, water purification pills from Marce... should I keep going?"


    Finn stared at him, impressed yet unsettled by how urately Asher had described his kit. "Okay, that''s a little freaky. You''re scary good at this, you know?"


    "Damn, Asher, you could probably read someone''s mind if you tried hard enough," Seraphina sighed, still astonished by his keen deduction skills.


    Finn let out a nervous chuckle, reluctantly handing the re gun over to Asher. "You really need to stop doing that," he mumbled, feeling exposed under Asher''s scrutiny.


    Asher took the re gun, his expression shifting to something more serious. "We''ll use this to signal the others. But we need to keep these guys in ce until they can get here."


    Seraphina crossed her arms, skeptical. "You think we can manage that?"


    A grin spread across Finn''s face, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of a challenge. "Oh, definitely. No way this is as bad as watching Jett send you to the afterlife just to clear a mission."


    The group turned to Finn, their expressions quizzical as hisment about Jett''s "After life?" lingered. Finn''s face flushed as he realized what he''d let slip.


    "Uh...ignore that," he said quickly, trying to brush it off, though the others continued to give him a mix of confused and suspicious looks.


    Seraphina raised an eyebrow, her voice thick with skepticism. "Yeah�� we''re definitelying back to thister." Finn let out a nervousugh but said nothing, shifting his focus back to the task.


    Asher smirked back. "d to see the confidence. Let''s show them they picked the wrong day to mess with us."


    They shared a nod, each one''s resolve tightening as they prepared to put their n into motion.


    Asher turned his attention back to the approaching soldiers. He nodded to Ralph, who immediately set to work casting arge-scale illusion over about a hundred soldiers near the front of the enemy formation.


    The illusion made it appear as if the soldiers behind them were advancing foes. Confusion quickly spread through their ranks, several of them shouting in rm as they misidentified their allies as enemies. Asher used this time to set off the ir to alert the others.


    Meanwhile, Matthew took position toward the back, his hands raised as he activated his skill,


    [Gravity Prison]


    With intense focus, he locked down several soldiers near the rear, trapping them in an invisible force that held them to the ground. The heavy gravity paralyzed them, leaving them unable to advance, ensuring they couldn''t regroup and support the front ranks.


    With a confident grin, Finn stepped forward and thrust his spear into the ground.


    [Fortune Domain]


    He announced, activating his skill. In an instant, the mystical energy of his Divine weapon surged through him and his team, siphoning 30% of the enemy soldiers'' stats from a massive range of nearly 5,000 troops, transferring the boost directly to Finn and his allies. The energy spread like a radiant aura, strengthening their abilities and endurance.


    "That''s what a Divine weapon can do," he smirked, relishing the power boost.


    With the enemy now weakened and unable to regroup, they pressed the advantage, moving swiftly and decisively. Finn''s maneuver had left the enemy scrambling, unable to form a solid front as the group continued to disrupt their lines.


    "Asher!" Finn called, noticing Asher charging ahead.


    "Right," Asher replied, focusing his dark energy as he activated [Dark Sphere].


    A shadowy space engulfed another portion of the enemy soldiers, trapping them in a pitch-ck void. Asher maneuvered through the darkness, gliding past his disoriented opponents with ease.


    Behind him, Seraphina joined the assault, her form shifting as she activated her [Man Beast Transformation], her senses sharpening through [Keen Sense].


    With a powerful leap, she entered the dark space, her heightened agility and awareness allowing her to pick off the soldiers still reeling from the effects of Asher''s dark trap.


    "I''ve got these guys. You go on ahead," she called to Asher, her voice steady and focused as she moved through the shadows, cutting down enemies with fierce precision.


    Asher gave her a nod, leaving the confused soldiers in Seraphina''s capable hands. His focus shifted forward, eyes set on the remaining soldiers still scrambling, determined to keep up the pressure and give them no chance to recover.


    Themander scowled at his soldiers, his voice booming with disdain. "We''re losing to four kids led by an assassin? Pull yourselves together!" His massive, muscr frame towered over the others, his broad shoulders and bulging arms radiating power. He carried himself with an air of brutal confidence, certain that his strength alone could crush any challenger.


    Asher, undeterred, dashed directly toward themander, his movements swift and calcted. Themander sneered, narrowing his eyes at Asher''s approach. "You''re mine, you little runt," he taunted, cracking his knuckles as he prepared to intercept.


    "Yeah? I''d like to see you try," Asher shot back with a smirk. With each stride, he infused his dagger with a faint aura, a reddish glow flickering along the de.


    Themander scoffed. "Hah! Impressive aura, boy, but you''ll need more than that to beat me." He chuckled, watching Ashere closer, clearly confident in his own strength. ''You think because I''m big and muscr you can slip past me,'' he thought smugly, angling his stance as if inviting Asher closer.


    Asher weaved through the other soldiers, narrowly dodging their attacks as he kept his eyes locked on themander. His approach was relentless, each sidestep and pivot bringing him closer to his target. When he was finally within arm''s reach, themander lunged, reaching out to grab him.


    But at thest second, he caught sight of Asher''s sly grin, and something flickered in the boy''s eyes, a gleam of cunning. Asher''s aura red, darkening to a nearly brown hue as he poured energy into his dagger.


    ''This skill costs an incredible amount of MP, but��'' Asher thought, his gaze steely with focus, "But it''s definitely worth it."


    In an instant, he activated [Phantom Step], his body flickering and bing ethereal as he slipped through themander''s grasp as though he were a ghost.


    "What...?" Themander staggered, his eyes wide in shock. ''He tricked me!'' the realization hit him as he spun around, but Asher was already moving into position.


    Without hesitation, Asher struck, activating [Back Stab] and [Poison Stab] in one fluid motion. His dagger sank toward themander''s exposed side, aimed with lethal precision.


    But themander snarled, activating his own skill, [Iron Skin]. His body took on a steely sheen, the muscles beneath hardening as his skin transformed into an imprable shield. Asher''s dagger met the iron-like surface with a ng, his de momentarily halted by the hardened defense.


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    Oh no Asher''s in trouble! (;?�n?)

 Chapter 152 The Race

    The battleground was a frenzy of chaotic energy, with Rey and his squad holding their ground, expertly coordinating ranged attacks to keep the Vond forces at bay.


    Rey''smanding presence at the center provided a sense of control amid the turmoil. He continuously fired powerful, precise sts from his sword, creating arcs of energy that tore through the lines of advancing enemies.


    Nearby, Elora''s ice attacks and Aiden''s me strikes created a continuous assault, forcing the Vond soldiers to stay at a distance despite their artillery strikes hammering down from all sides.


    Above the frontlines, Freya activated her [Light Array] skill, spreading radiant, empowering light over the soldiers around her. She directed the glow carefully, infusing as many fighters as possible with just enough strength and resilience, their spirits lifted even as the sh wore on. Meanwhile, Marce darted through the ranks, distributing her glowing potions to anyone in need, her calm efficiency a wee balm in the heated fray.


    "Hey, watch out!" someone shouted, barely avoiding a strike. The chaos of attacks and defenses was reaching a fever pitch, but despite the relentless bombardment, the line was holding, and both sides seemed locked in a precarious stalemate.


    "They really won''t give up, will they?" Rey muttered, his eyes scanning the Vond troops.


    "Huh��" Elora squinted, something catching her eye amidst the surging enemy ranks. She nced over her shoulder, her frustration visible. Her brother Aiden, grinning amid the intensity, threw her a teasing look.


    "What''s wrong, sis? Not having fun?" he quipped.


    "Shut it, you moron," Elora snapped back, a sigh of irritation escaping her. "Concentrate."


    Rey noticed her tense expression and turned to her, sensing she was on the verge of something important. "What is it, Elora?"


    She gestured toward the Vond forces. "Look at them. They''re not making any advances, even though they clearly have the manpower to push us back. It''s almost like they''re��"


    "Stalling for time?" Rey finished her thought, a calm realization in his voice. His eyes narrowed as he observed the opposing troops'' cautious, almost restrained movement. "Yeah, I noticed that too."


    "Ugh��" Evelina panted, her breaths bing strained as she infused her aura into each arrow she released. Despite Cedric''s warnings to conserve her energy, she pushed herself to maintain the barrage. "Has anyone seen Asher?" she asked between shots, her voice tinged with worry.


    "Asher?" Rey echoed, but his question was cut short by the sudden, unmistakable crack of a re lighting up in the distance. Its sharp sound pierced the battlefield, causing Rey and his team to look up in unison.


    High above, the re''s red glow burned bright against the sky, signaling a call from Asher.


    ''Could it be?'' Evelina''s mind raced, her heart pounding as she bolted toward the direction of the re, her legs carrying her almost instinctively. She didn''t wait for the others, and before long, they were trailing behind, struggling to keep up.


    "Evelina, wait up!" Elora''s voice called out, but Evelina barely nced back, her focus unwavering. Determination fueled her steps, pushing her forward with an intensity her friends had rarely seen.


    Rey, needing to catch up with Evelina and the others, turned briefly to address John, giving him a quick excuse. "I just need to check if my friends are okay."


    John frowned, suspicion evident on his face. "And where exactly is ''there''?"


    "I''m not sure," Rey replied, already moving away, "but we''ll be back soon."


    Freya took a step forward, her voice urgent. "I''ming too," she insisted, but Rey held out a hand, stopping her.


    "Stay with them," hemanded, his tone firm.


    "What? Rey!" Freya protested, frustration shing in her eyes as she watched him vanish into the distance. "I can help too, you know��" Her voice trailed off, lost amid the chaos, and she gritted her teeth. "Reyyy!" she shouted after him, but he was already out of earshot.


    *****


    "Evelina, slow down!" Elora called, her voice edged with concern as she tried to match Evelina''s relentless pace. The echoes of the ongoing battle still filled the air behind them, a constant reminder of the urgency, but Evelina was unstoppable.


    "We won''t get there in time, even if something''s wrong," Aiden warned, attempting to inject some reason into the situation.


    "You''re lying!" Evelina snapped, her pace increasing, her voiceced with a desperation that silenced the others momentarily.


    Rosa, usually calm and collected, softened her tone. "Please, Evelina, try to calm down. We''ll make it. Just��"


    "Don''t tell me to calm down," Evelina interrupted, her voice breaking as tears pooled in her eyes. "You know as well as I do that he wouldn''t call for help unless he thought he might�� he might��" She couldn''t finish the sentence, her breath hitching as she pushed herself harder.


    Watching her with mixed feelings, Rey felt a twinge of guilt. ''Ugh�� Asher''s going to kill me for this,'' he thought, a memory of Asher''sst words surfacing in his mind: a private request that Rey had promised to keep. But with the situation as it was, he shoved the thought aside. ''No�� I can''t worry about that now,'' he resolved, focusing on catching up to Evelina.


    "Hold on!" Rey called out, finally catching up to Evelina.


    Evelina barely nced at him, her expression fierce. "Don''t try to stop me," she warned, her tone sharp and unyielding. Rey took one look at her face and knew she wasn''t in the mood for any arguments. Her eyes, steely and determined, left no room for persuasion: she was going, no matter what anyone said.


    He let out a resigned sigh, a hint of amusement breaking through his otherwise serious expression. "I know a shortcut," he said, his voice calming yet purposeful. "You guys, follow me."


    Without waiting for questions, Rey led the way through a winding path until they reached an old, hidden tform by the wall. It was the very spot Asher, Finn, Matthew, and Seraphina had used earlier to make it to the other side. The mechanism was cleverly disguised, tucked behind arge pir and half-covered in overgrown vines.


    "What is this ce, and how do you know about it?" Rosa asked, her eyes darting around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.


    Rey didn''t spare her a nce, his focus on activating the tform''s controls. "Not important right now, is it?" he replied dismissively, concentrating as he pulled the lever. A hum of power pulsed through the tform, and within seconds, they felt the familiar pull of teleportation whisking them across to the other side.


    *****


    An hour earlier.


    The battlegrounds were a frenzy of motion as everyone fought to suppress the enemy''s advance. The shouted orders filled the air as they held their line, sending volley after volley of counterattacks to keep the onught at bay. Freya was in the midst of it, casting a [Light Array] to empower their side, while Marce hurriedly handed out potions to anyone who needed them, darting through the chaos.


    In the midst of this, Asher approached Rey, tapping him on the shoulder. "Hey, I need you to do something for me."


    Rey didn''t even look up, his attention focused on infusing mana into Cedric''s device to keep it running. "Can it wait?" he muttered, sparing only a fraction of his concentration. "Pretty sure you can see I''m busy here."


    "Just listen," Asher pressed, his tone insistent. "I''m leaving to check something, but I need you to promise me something."


    Rey finally paused, curiosity tugging at him. "What?" He raised an eyebrow, watching Asher''s serious expression.


    "No matter what happens, make sure Freya and Evelina are safe. Better still, keep them as far away from me as possible." There was a subtle shift in his voice, an unspoken weight in his words that Rey couldn''t ignore.


    "Huh�� Freya, I understand, but Evelina��" Rey trailed off, a sheepish grin forming as he nced over to where Evelina was working. "Oh, for a second there, I thought you were giving me yourst will or something��"


    He turned back, only to find that Asher had vanished without a sound. Rey rolled his eyes, a chuckle escaping him despite the tension of the moment. "Damn it, what is he? Batman?" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "I really hate when he does that."


    *


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    I''m Batman (�R���Q)

 Chapter 153 Backup

    "Hahaha, you see that?" Themanderughed, masking the flicker of surprise at Asher''s unexpected strike. His rough voice was filled with disdain as he sneered, "Your flimsy attack can''t harm me."


    Asher narrowed his eyes, his face set in determination. "Well, it would have�� if you hadn''t used that annoying skill," he retorted, his toneced with frustration.


    Themander grinned, his expression darkening as he loomed over Asher. "When I''m done with you, there''ll be nothing left. Don''t worry, I''ll find the ones you care about and send them your way."


    "Trying to taunt me?" Asher shot back, his voice steady. But inside, he felt the toll of his previous move; his MP was nearly drained and he used a lot of Aura, leaving him barely hanging on. ''For a skill that uses so much MP, it sure doesn''tst long: just three seconds,'' he thought, frustration gnawing at him.


    Bothbatants pressed for the upper hand, each struggling in his own way. Themander tried to catch Asher in a powerful grip, while Asher danced out of reach, dodging strikes from other soldiers who closed in to trap him.


    "Asher!!" a voice called out from behind. It was Matthew.


    [Thunder God Throw]


    In a fluid motion, Matthew hurled his shield toward Asher. On its path, the shield crackled and sparked, charging with fierce electricity that arced andshed out at the soldiers in its way, electrocuting them in bursts of light and force.


    Seeing his chance, Asher flipped backward, letting the shield pass just below him beforending briefly on its surface. With another agile flip, he sprang off the shield, sending it hurtling directly toward themander''s face.


    The shield collided with bone-jarring impact, and themander screamed, clutching his face as electricity surged through him. "Ahhhhh!!!" His furious, pain-stricken cry rang out, his voice a twisted mixture of rage and agony. "You brat!! What are you guys waiting for? Get him!"


    Asher grunted as he hefted one side of the heavy shield, standing it upright between him and themander''s forces. ''Gosh, this thing is heavy.'' For a split second, he realized just how much agony themander must''ve felt taking that hit.


    "You need the shield back?" Asher called out to Matthew, a faint smile of relief on his face.


    Matthew, giving a thumbs up, grinned. "Keep it for now. I''ll take itter."


    The soldiers around them took in the scene, their eyes widening at the sight of theirmander clutching his face in pain.


    A murmur of disbelief ran through them before they regrouped, their voices hardening with determination. "Get him!!" one of them shouted, rallying their morale. "It''s just one kid!"


    Asher braced himself as the soldiers charged from all directions. He moved swiftly, deflecting their attacks as best as he could, but just as the first wave closed in, a volley of projectiles crashed down on them, scattering the soldiers and halting their advance. Stunned, Asher looked around, uncertain of the source, until he spotted her from a distance.


    It was Evelina.


    She moved with fierce purpose, tearing through the soldiers blocking her path. With her bow in hand, she struck down those who dared to obstruct her, sometimes using the bow as a melee weapon to knock them down and asionally firing arrows to dispatch those who posed a greater threat.


    Her movements were swift and precise, her gaze never leaving Asher as she made her way to him.


    Then, she paused, drawing an arrow and aimed at Asher. Before he could react, she released it, a blur that shot straight towards his face.


    *****


    Meanwhile, Rey and the others arrived on the chaotic battlefield.


    They took in the scene: Finn and Matthew were locked inbat with clusters of soldiers, while others were inexplicably fighting each other, their confusion evident in every movement.


    Seraphina zipped through the chaos, Ralph''s paralyzing touch allowing her to weave through the crowd and disable the soldiers she passed.


    The scene was an utter mess, with nowhere truly safe as projectiles flew and soldiers stumbled, each uncertain whether the next blow woulde from an enemy or an ally.


    Amidst the chaos, a st hit Finn hard, sending him flying across the battlefield. Aiden dashed forward and caught him just before he hit the ground. Finn gave him a tired grin, struggling to catch his breath. "Hey guys�� what took you so long?"


    "It''s alright, man," Aiden reassured him, gently setting him down. "You can tag me in now." Aiden turned back to face the fight, ready to jump into the fray. Nearby, Rosa moved quickly, her hands glowing with healing energy as she tended to Finn''s wounds.


    Meanwhile, Evelina scanned the area, her eyes darting through the battlefield with urgency until she spotted Asher fighting near Matthew. He looked exhausted, his movements slower as he tried to keep up with the relentless assault of enemy soldiers. "It''s Asher," she said, heart racing as she sprinted toward him.


    Not letting anything hinder her, Evelina slid under low attacks and dodged through clusters of soldiers. Her path was relentless; if a soldier blocked her way, she''d use their own momentum against them, flipping them to the ground, or she''d knock them out with a quick strike from her bow.


    Just ahead, a group of soldiers was closing in on Asher, ready to overwhelm him in his weakened state. Without hesitation, Evelina nocked several arrows and activated her skills.


    [Multi Shot]


    [Drill Shot]


    [Snipe]


    A spread of arrows struck down the soldiers near Asher, each arrow hitting its mark and creating space around him. Seeing a second group attempting to approach, Evelina drew back for a concentrated shot.


    Her arrow spiraled forward, piercing through the soldiers'' defenses in one powerful strike. But still more soldiers were advancing, so she steadied herself and narrowed her focus.


    With incredible precision, sheunched a single arrow, taking out thest soldier nearest to Asher and giving him a moment to breathe. Evelina continued her dash forward, weaving through enemy lines. When she couldn''t dodge, she leveraged her attackers'' weight against them, shifting their center of gravity to throw them off bnce, or she knocked them aside with powerful swings of her bow.


    But then she spotted a muscr soldier towering behind Asher, a brutal-looking mace raised high, ready to bring it down on Asher''s head. Evelina''s line of sight was blocked; she didn''t have a clear shot.


    "Matty!" she shouted as she got closer to Matthew.


    Matthew saw her nce, understood instantly, and extended his hand. With one fluid motion, he boosted her up, sending Evelina into the air above the chaos.


    Evelina, suspended in mid-air, took perfect aim at the man next to Asher. She recognized his face: themander she''d seen while scouting from the wall, and without a moment''s hesitation, released her arrow.


    It flew with deadly precision, piercing his eye. He let out an enraged scream, clutching his face as blood poured from the wound.


    Evelinanded smoothly and sprinted to Asher''s side, kneeling down and wrapping him in a tight embrace. Her heart was racing with relief and worry as she looked him over.


    She cupped his face, her eyes scanning him as if to reassure herself he was still in one piece. "Are you okay?" she asked breathlessly, fishing out a potion and pressing it into his hands.


    Asher''s voice was strained as he tried to catch his breath. "Why�� are you�� here?" he managed to ask, his usualposure slipping in his weakened state.


    "Stop talking, you selfish bastard," Evelina shot back, tears beginning to well in her eyes. "Punching you right now wouldn''t even make me feel better."


    Asher blinked, surprised. "You knew?" he asked.


    "Of course I knew," Evelina replied, choking on her words. "I heard you tell Rey not to let mee here. Why would you do that?" Her voice wavered as she fought back her tears.


    Asher hesitated, guilt and worry mixing in his eyes. "Lina�� I just didn''t want you to get hurt." He reached up, patting her gently on the head. "I''m sorry."


    "We need to get you out of here��" she said, her voice firm as she helped him to his feet.


    But a furious roar cut through the air. "You''re not going anywhere!" themander yelled, blood streaming down his face, the arrow still embedded in his eye.


    His fury was palpable as he surveyed the battlefield, now noticing Rey and the others cutting through his soldiers with increasing ease. Rage twisted his features, disbelief in his voice. "Where are you alling from? This wasn''t in the intel we got!"


    Evelina''s heart skipped a beat. ''He''s still alive?'' She quickly reached back to her quiver, but her fingers came up empty. She nced down in horror, she was out of arrows.


    Themander spotted his opportunity, his gaze locking onto Asher. He charged forward, weapon raised high. Evelina''s instincts took over, and she shoved Asher back, raising her arms to block the attack. "Run��!" she shouted, but her words were cut off as something hard smashed into her head.


    The impact left her vision swimming, and she crumpled to her knees, right in front of Asher.


    *


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    Are you kidding me!!!!!!!?

 Chapter 154 Not giving up

    Asher''s heart dropped as he saw Evelina fall to her knees, blood trickling down her temple from the blow. Rage surged through him, a fire igniting within as he steadied himself, ignoring his own exhaustion. He reached out, catching her before she fully copsed, his hand cradling her face. Her eyes fluttered, but her fierce determination was still visible, even through the pain.


    "Evelina, stay with me," he whispered, trying to keep his voice steady despite the fear tightening his throat.


    Themander let out a menacingugh, stepping closer with his weapon raised, blood from his wounded eye staining his armor. "Fools. You thought you could interfere with my ns and live?" he sneered, looming over them like a dark storm.


    Asher''s grip on Evelina tightened, his jaw clenching as he shifted to shield her with his own body. His eyes met themander''s, defiant. "You''ll regretying a hand on her," he spat, his voice low and deadly.


    Just then, a roar erupted from behind them. Rey and the others had reached the scene, their faces set with a mix of determination and fury. Matthew led the charge, his shield sparking with residual energy from his previous attack. Aiden held his weapon ready, his gaze locked onto themander.


    "Finally caught up," Rey muttered under his breath, casting a nce at the bleedingmander. "I take it that''s our main target?"


    Themander scowled, realizing the tide had turned against him. But before he could retreat, Finn, despite his injuries, raised his weapon with a grin. "You''re not going anywhere, big guy."


    As themander prepared to swing his weapon again, Rosa reached Evelina''s side, her healing magic weaving into Evelina''s wound, gently closing it. Evelina blinked, her strength slowly returning as she took in the sight of her friends rallying around them.


    With a newfound resolve, she reached for Asher''s hand, giving him a faint smile. "Let''s finish this together."


    Asher nodded, helping her up as they both turned to face themander, the rest of their team standing by their side, ready for the final showdown. Themander, now cornered and desperate, bared his teeth in rage as the group closed in, each prepared to unleash their remaining strength to end the battle once and for all.


    Evelina''s vision slowly blurred, her surroundings shifting in and out of focus as she felt herself sway. Just as she was about to fall, Asher reached out, steadying her with a firm grip. "You better sit this one out, okay?" he said softly, concern woven through his voice.


    She pressed a hand to her throbbing head, managing a small nod. "Ugh�� my head. Alright, sure." She grinned weakly up at him. "Just make sure you put in one good hit for me, alright?"


    Asher smirked, nodding. "Damn right I will."


    With that, he handed her carefully over to Rosa and Marce, who moved her to a safer spot. They began to heal her, Rosa''s hands glowing softly as she worked to mend Evelina''s wounds. Marce watched over them, her gaze sweeping the battlefield to ensure no threats approached.


    Themander sneered at the sight, his face twisted in disgust and bitter envy. "Look at you two," he spat, disdain dripping from his words. "Acting all lovey-dovey in the middle of a battle. Pathetic. Love is nothing but a distraction, a weakness. Maybe if I''d ever lowered myself to such drivel, I''d understand. But now, you''ll understand my power, because when I''m finished with you��"


    "Shut up, old man," Asher cut him off coldly, turning his head to give themander a menacing look that made the air around him feel heavier. His voice dropped, carrying a dreadful promise. "When I''m done with you, even your own mother won''t know which part of your face to love or fear."


    Themander''s face flushed with rage, his fists tightening around his weapon. "What did you just say?!"


    Asher began to step forward, slow and deliberate, his movements carrying a terrifying aura. Each step echoed with a quiet threat, as though he were a storm gathering right before the strike.


    "Wait�� Asher!" Rey called, concerned by the chilling intensity radiating from him.


    Asher paused, ncing back at Rey with a smirk. "You don''t need to worry." He then turned his attention back to themander. "You''re lucky we can''t afford to kill you right now. But still��


    Themander''s face twisted in rage, his voice now a thunderous roar. "What did you say!?"


    He advanced, the deadly promise in his eyes enough to make even themander falter, as he readied himself to deliver a blow that would ensure themander felt every ounce of his fury.


    Asher smirked, taunting him further. "Why don''t youe closer so I can say it again?"


    Without hesitation, themander activated his full arsenal of power.


    "[Boost]�� [Rush]�� [Full Berserk]!"


    Fueled by raw fury, he closed the distance in an instant, gripping Asher by the face and mming him forcefully into the ground. The impact sent a tremor through the area, dust and debris scattering as Asher was forced down.


    But before themander could continue his assault, the rest of everyone rushed forward to help. They coordinated their attacks, eachnding blows from different directions, yet themander held his ground. He fought them off with ferocious strength, tossing each of them aside with powerful strikes.


    "Hah�� I told you, you''re no match for me!" themander boasted, hisughter echoing as he regained hisposure.


    Through the dust, Asher began to rise, chuckling softly under his breath. It was a low, unsettling sound that caught themander off guard. "Isn''t that obvious?"


    Themander''s smirk wavered, a flicker of difort crossing his face. "What''s so funny?"


    Asher''s eyes gleamed with menace. At that moment, themander''s vision began to blur, his muscles feeling heavier, as if they were betraying him. A cold sweat prickled down his spine, and his knees wobbled ever so slightly.


    "Ah, I see it just kicked in," Asher said, his tone cold and unyielding. "Payback time, big guy."


    A sh of panic crossed themander''s eyes. "What�� What did you do to me?" he demanded, his voice unsteady.


    "You''ve got a little poison in your system," Asher replied, his smirk widening. "Don''t worry, it''s not lethal. Just strong enough for me to beat the crap out of you."


    With renewed energy, Asherunched himself at themander,nding a series of swift, brutal blows. Themander staggered, attempting to hold his ground, but his body betrayed him as he stumbled back, each punch and kick adding to his agony. He tried to swing back, but his coordination faltered, his strength slipping with each second.


    Finally, themander, desperation evident on his face, activated hisst line of defense.


    [Iron Body]!


    His muscles hardened, his skin taking on an imprable sheen as his body became immune to attacks. He straightened, the effects of the poison slowly diminishing, strength returning as he stood tall once more.


    Asher noticed the change, realizing that his usual attacks wouldn''t work. He was down to just one dagger, but with a determined re, he charged forward, aiming to stab it through themander''s guard. Yet themander had regained enough control to catch Asher''s hand, stopping him mid-strike.


    "It''s over, kid. Give up," themander said in a steady voice, tightening his grip.


    "Hell yeah it is!" Asher yelled. He released his hold on the dagger, letting it drop momentarily, then caught it with his other hand as he twisted his body to strike again.


    Themander growled, a mixture of frustration and disbelief crossing his face. "You can''t damage me in this state! No matter how skilled you are!"


    Asher''s grin only widened, his movements bing more elusive.


    [Phantom Step]


    In a sh, he phased right through themander, leaving him stunned. As the skill ended, the dagger re-materialized inside themander''s arm, buried deep in muscle, sending waves of searing pain through him.


    "AHHHH!" Themander let out a pained roar as Asher twisted the dagger with a wicked smirk.


    "Even a tortoise has meat under the shell," he taunted, pulling the de free and watching as themander staggered back, clutching his injured arm in a mix of shock and fury.


    *


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    He''s not ying ??o?;?

 Chapter 155 Aftermath

    Themander, visibly shaken and enraged, stumbled back, his oncemanding presence faltering. Blood seeped from his arm, his face twisting in both agony and pain as he struggled to maintain his stance. This was not how he''d expected the fight to go, certainly not against one person, much less a group of mere children.


    "You�� You little brat��" he snarled, clutching his wounded arm. "You''ll pay for this!"


    Asher, unphased, merely spun the bloodstained dagger in his hand, his eyes never leaving themander. "I think you''ve already paid enough," he replied with a smirk.


    Themander''s re intensified, his hatred radiating off him. "You''re all dead! Everyst one of you!" he shouted, his voice shaking as much as his fists. He took a heavy step forward, despite the growing instability in his legs.


    Rey stepped forward to stand beside Asher, his own weapon at the ready. "Please stop making this hard for everyone. You''re in no position to threaten us anymore," Rey said, his voice calm butced with warning.


    Behind him, the others closed in, forming a loose circle around themander, who was now bleeding, weakened, and surrounded. Themander looked around, realizing he was being slowly outmaneuvered, his gaze flickering between each of them.


    "This�� This isn''t over!" he spat, trying to project authority, but the words fell t as he staggered.


    Evelina, still nursing her own injuries but defiant, managed a smirk of her own. "Oh, it is for you, old man."


    Themander''s face twisted further in disgust. "You and your petty�� your pathetic friendships," he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "You waste your energy on each other, coddling and protecting like fools. Real strength doesn''t need anyone!"


    Asher''s expression darkened. "Funny how you''re the one outnumbered, outyed, and out of options," he said coldly. He pointed his dagger at themander. "We fight together, that''s why you''re losing."


    Themander''s face turned a furious shade of red. "You insolent��!"


    Before he could finish, Asher lunged forward, cutting off his words with a swift strike to his weakened leg, bringing themander crashing down to one knee. The once-powerful man now knelt before them, utterly humiliated.


    "Get up if you dare," Asher taunted, his voice carrying the weight of the final blow.


    Themander tried to rise, his pride unwilling to let him stay down, but his strength was gone, his body refusing to cooperate.


    Rosa stepped forward, raising her staff in preparation. "Stay down," she warned. "You''ve lost. Just surrender, and we won''t need to make this worse."


    "Honestly I really don''t give a damn." Marce walked up to him squatted as she brought out a long needle made entirely of blood out of her palm and pointed it at his neck, "I don''t know about them buy you''re wasting my time. So please don''t surrender."


    Themander gritted his teeth, but the fight had left his eyes, defeated. He slumped back, breathing heavily, his gaze locked in hatred on the young warriors who''d bested him.


    Asher took onest step closer, meeting themander''s re without a hint of fear. "You made your choice," he said softly. Then he turned to Rey and the others. "Let''s finish this."


    Together, they bound themander, ensuring he''d cause no more harm. Asher and Evelina exchanged a small smile, their victory earned with blood, sweat, and the unwavering strength of their bonds. The battle was over, and they''d won, together.


    *****


    Rosa moved swiftly through the aftermath of the battle, raising her staff and murmuring a quiet spell. Vines sprouted from the earth, weaving together to bind the fallen soldiers tightly, their strength subdued by the enchanted flora.


    She then casted {Sleeping Nectar}, releasing a soft, floral mist that drifted over the bound men. One by one, the soldiers fell into a deep, tranquil slumber, their struggles subsiding as the soothing magic took hold. Within moments, every captive was resting peacefully, their threat neutralized.


    Nearby, Asher, drained from the intense fight, finally lost his bnce, his knees buckling. Rey quickly moved to support him, catching him just in time. "Alright, I got you, you really didn''t need to push it that far" Rey muttered, steadying his friend with one arm around his shoulder and guiding him over to where Evelina and the others waited. Marce was already prepared, pulling out a vial of glowing potion, which she handed to Rey.


    Asher, half-conscious, managed a faint smile as he sipped the potion, his grip still resting on Rey''s shoulder. "May��be��" he murmured, his words barely audible. Yet there was a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes as he allowed himself to be supported, a soft smile on his face that he didn''t even realize he was wearing.


    The silence that followed was uncanny. The battleground, moments before teeming with cries, ngs of weapons, and res of magic, nowy utterly still. The quiet was so absolute that it felt surreal, as though no battle had taken ce at all.


    "It''s only day one," Finn said with a sigh, rubbing his shoulder. "I''ve already done more exercise than we do in the academy."


    Marce looked around, still catching her breath. "I wonder how the other side''s doing."


    "Judging by what we''ve just seen," Elora replied, nodding toward the neatly bound soldiers, "we might have an edge here. These guys inside the walls were the main force, so the ones we saw outside were just a diversion. When they notice no one''sing back, they''ll have to retreat for now."


    "If we''re lucky, then this bozo here might actually be in charge of the entire group," Morrigan added, pointing to the defeatedmander still lying where they''d left him. "That would make things a whole lot simpler."


    "But," Matthew cut in, his tone cautious, "it''s never that easy. There''s definitely someone stronger giving them orders. No onemands a force like this without someone higher up watching their moves."


    Everyone nodded, sensing the same unease. This battle might be won, but the war was far from over.


    *


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    Nice one...(???)


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 156: Chapter 156 Prison Options

    Aiden raised an eyebrow, holding up his ring. "We could just ask," he pointed out, as if the whole intense fight had made them momentarily forget themunication tool. He smirked, "And Freya''s still out there."


    Rey looked down, noticing his ring glowing, a series of persistent pulses shing from numerous missed messages. "Right�� Freya," he muttered, seeing a backlog of notifications. As he scrolled through, he chuckled. "Speak of the devil. She''s been spamming us nonstop."


    The messages were a mix of frantic inquiries and exmations:


    -Freya- "Are you okay?"


    -Freya- "Is everything under control?"


    -Freya- "Why isn''t anyone answering?"


    -Freya- "Did someone get hurt?!"


    -Freya- "What''s going on over there??"


    -Freya- "Are you ignoring me?"


    -Freya- "Please say something."


    Rey pressed the ring, finally replying.


    -Rey- "Hey Freya, how''s it going?"


    There was a pause, and then her voice came through, sharp with annoyance.


    -Freya- "You''re replying now? You just left me here, Rey!"


    Rey winced, sensing her irritation even through the ring.


    -Rey- "Come on, I couldn''t afford to put you in any more danger."


    -Freya- "Oh, that''s not fair!" she shot back, clearly frustrated. "You''re treating me like some baby."


    A few feet away, Finn elbowed Aiden,ughing quietly. "If they''ve got time for chitchat, I''d say things must be looking good on her end too."


    Aiden chuckled, "Yeah right, just go over there and copse already."


    Finn gave a sly grin. "Care to make a little wager?"


    Rey, meanwhile, tried his best to soothe Freya''s frustration.


    -Rey-"Just bear with it a little longer. How are things on your end?"


    There was a pause, then Freya''s voice sounded with an unexpected note of relief.


    -Freya- "Actually, we''re doing great. They just�� retreated. Out of nowhere. No idea why, though."


    "Oh nice! Would you look at that," Finn said, turning to Aiden with a satisfied smile. "You owe me a thousand points."


    Aiden rolled his eyes, muttering, "Tch, whatever," and casually punched Finn''s shoulder, fully aware it would sting.


    Finn winced, squirming in pain as he clutched his shoulder. "Ow! What was that for?"


    *****


    Meanwhile, in his cell, Jett sat cross-legged, eyes closed as he focused on drawing out his Aura. "Unknowingly, I got put in one of the best conditions to train my Aura," he thought with a grin.


    The cell was lined with intricate magic circles that dampened both Aura and Mana by 90%. Normally, this would be a hindrance, but Jett knew that training under such intense suppression could boost his power exponentially. Deciding to focus on Aura, which was slightly easier to harness than Mana in such an environment, he settled into a corner to meditate.


    As he concentrated, a notification suddenly popped up right in front of him.


    [[A Hidden Scenario will be activated soon.]]


    [[Make your choice.]]


    [[A. Stay here. You will receive a special technique.]]


    [[B. Breakout. You will receive a hidden map.]]


    Jett nced at the notification, frowning. "I can do thister. I need to concentrate right now." He tried to brush it aside, pushing it to the back of his mind, but it popped up again, brighter and more intrusive than before.


    Annoyed, he waved it away, but it reappeared instantly, shing insistently. "What''s wrong with this stupid thing? Just go away already," he muttered, swiping his hand as if physically trying to dismiss it. The guards passing by his cell threw him suspicious looks, whispering to each other as they wondered what he was doing.


    "Ahhh, stop bothering me!" he groaned, feeling his frustration mount.


    Then, the next notification appeared,rger than the previous ones, with a bold five-minute timer ticking down from the top.


    [[5:00]]


    [[Make your Decision. And by the way moron��]]


    [[I am not a thing and I am definitely not stupid�� Dumbass.]]


    Jett blinked, momentarily stunned by the notification''s unexpected sass. "You''ve gotta be kidding me��" he mumbled, staring as the timer ticked down, mocking him as if daring him to make a decision.


    "What the hell? You canmunicate with me?" Jett blurted, staring at the notification in disbelief. He tried speaking directly to it, "Hey, say something. You''ve already slipped up, so there''s no need to hide now." But there was no response, just the same pulsing countdown ticking down relentlessly.


    His eyes flicked to the timer, now at 3:50. He took a deep breath to center himself, trying to think clearly despite the confusion swirling in his mind. "Alright, focus, Jett." He frowned, "What even is this thing?"


    He eyed the two options, his mind racing with questions. "Stay here and receive some mysterious technique? Or break out and get�� a hidden map? Neither of these options even says what I''d really get. It''s like rolling the dice on mystery rewards."


    From outside his cell, the guards exchanged wary nces, clearly viewing his one-sided conversation and intense expression as signs that he''d gone a bit mad. Ignoring their stares, Jett continued mulling over his options.


    ''If the rewards are vague, might as well leave it to chance, I mean I do have maxed out luck right? Although, I can''t call what Aurelia exined for me maxed out luck��, whatever,'' he thought, reasoning through his situation. ''I''m still under restrictions, and there was already a reward for just staying here right?. Choosing to stay in the cell might mean two rewards stacked together.''


    After another moment of contemtion, he let out a resigned sigh, deciding on his path. "Yep, no reason to overthink it." With a slightly nervous smile, he chose Option A. "I wonder how long I''ll have to stay here, though."


    [[1:17]]


    Just then, another notification popped up.


    [[Congrattions, you have picked A]]


    [[A. Stay here. You will receive a special technique.]]


    [[Reward Loading��]]


    "Oh, I get the reward immediately? Cool." Jett chuckled to himself. ''Please, don''t be some boring text I have to memorize,'' he thought, crossing his fingers.


    [[Reward: Twin Cultivation Technique. Train two sources of power simultaneously.]]


    His eyes widened with excitement. "For real? I could use that to quickly level up my Mana and Aura. Better still, I could train Lumix alongside any of the others�� Hehe��" He couldn''t contain his grin as the possibilities unfolded in his mind.


    The system then prompted him.


    [[Pick two.]]


    [[A. Aura]]


    [[B. Lumix]]


    [[C. Mana]]


    "I''ll just choose Lumix first," he muttered, pressing it eagerly. But his excitement was cut short when an error message popped up.


    [[Error��]]


    [[Not an option.]]


    Jett''s face twisted in frustration. "Then why put it there?!" He red at the notification, half-expecting an answer.


    A new notification blinked on the screen.


    [�U ? o ? ��]


    Jett''s jaw dropped, feelingpletely thrown off. ''Did it just�� shrug at me?''


    *


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    Wild

 Chapter 157 Nothingness and the Old Man

    Jett blinked, expecting to see the shrug still lingering on the screen but it was gone, as if it had never been there. He stared, unconvinced. "Nope, I''m pretty sure you just shrugged at me," he muttered, trying to reassure himself. "I haven''t stayed here long enough to go crazy."


    One of the guards overheard and snickered, calling out, "You sure about that!?" Hisughter echoed down the hall, and the other guards joined in, thoroughly entertained by what they assumed was Jett''s slow descent into madness.


    ''Right,'' Jett sighed to himself. ''I''m talking to myself.''


    Shaking his head, he turned back to the screen. His gaze sharpened as he analyzed the options. ''You never intended for me to choose Lumix,'' he thought with a subtle smirk. ''If you''re toying with me, I''ll y along.''


    With newfound determination, he selected Aura and Mana. Instantly, a new notification blinked in front of him.


    [[Congrattions]]


    [[You have chosen Aura and Mana]]


    [[Dropping the technique. Please hold��]]


    Before he could react, a scroll appeared, hovering in the air before him. His excitement dimmed a little at the sight. "A scroll? Really?" he muttered, rolling his eyes as he reached for it. ''Alright, let''s see��''


    The screen pulsed with another notification just as he began to unfurl it.


    [[The technique has been tailor-made for this user.]]


    [[Just read it. No need to memorize.]]


    "Huh." Jett let out a sigh of relief. "So you''re just spamming me with messages today, huh?"


    As soon as he opened the scroll, a brilliant, blinding light burst forth, engulfing him entirely. He didn''t even have time to process what was going on before his vision went dark, and he slipped into unconsciousness.


    *****


    "Ugh�� my head." Jett groaned, clutching his temples as he slowly blinked awake, feeling as if a thousand needles were stabbing through his mind. The pounding was relentless, but as he tried to shake off the pain and sit up, he froze, suddenly aware of his surroundings.


    Everything around him was an endless void, an expanse of nothingness stretching as far as he could see. It was hauntingly familiar, this was the same empty space he''d somehow stumbled intost time by mistake. And now, inexplicably, he was back.


    "How am I here again? Did I�� die or something?" He rubbed his face in frustration, groaning at the realization. "If I''m here, then�� that bastard''s also here."


    "You''re finally awake, huh?" came a low, almost amused voice from behind him.


    Jett stiffened. ''Crap, it really is him.'' He tensed before slowly turning around, not thrilled to face the man again.


    There he was, holding an ancient scroll, eyes skimming across its lines. With a small sigh of relief, the man rolled the scroll up and fixed his gaze on Jett. "So, it''s this one, huh? Come here, child."


    Jett raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms defiantly. "Why? So you can one-shot me likest time? No way." He backed up a step, wary of the man''s intentions.


    He scanned the emptiness around him, though there was truly nothing, just the two of them floating in this vast, empty void. No escape, nondmarks, just an oppressive, silent expanse.


    "Where am I, anyway?" Jett muttered, ncing back at the man.


    "My sanctuary. Nowe closer," the man insisted, his tone darkening.


    Jett''s eyes narrowed. "Yeah, right. You probably want me closer so you can get a clear shot."


    A spark of irritation flickered in the man''s gaze. "I don''t need you any closer for that," he replied, voice sharp, clearly growing frustrated with Jett''s stubbornness.


    The tension between them thickened as they continued to argue, Jett crossing his arms defiantly. "You want me closer so you can do something worse thanst time," he muttered, eyeing the man with suspicion. "Whatever it is you''re nning, I''m not falling for it old man"


    A vein seemed to pulse on the man''s forehead, his annoyance visibly building. "If I wanted to get a clear shot, as you so eloquently put it, I wouldn''t need you to take another step closer," he replied, his voice dangerously calm.


    Jett huffed. "So�� what do you want from me, anyway? Last time I was here, you actually tried to kill me. I''d say that''s reason enough to be at least this suspicious of you."


    The man looked up from his scroll, raising a brow with an almost amused look. "I didn''t try. I really did kill you," he said, his tone casual as he returned to his reading.


    "Yeah, right. You''re even more senile than I thought." Jett shook his head, exasperated. "I''m still standing here, so clearly, you didn''t kill me."


    The man rolled his eyes and exhaled in exasperation. "There are only two ways you can leave this space: either I wish it, or I kill you. And yes, I did kill you herest time so you''d wake up in reality."


    "You said you could''ve just sent me back if you wanted to so why kill me then?" Jett wondered.


    "I didn''t like you at all and I wanted to test something." the man replied.


    Jett scoffed, smirking slightly while giving him a judging look. "Sounds like you''ve got some serious issues, old man."


    "Why, you little...!" The man clenched his fist, his face contorting with irritation as he raised a hand to smack Jett.


    Jett ducked instinctively, bracing himself with his arms over his head, only to peek out and see the man pausing mid-swing. The old man gave a small, indignant cough and lowered his hand, struggling topose himself.


    "Anyways," he said, clearing his throat as he steadied his tone, "do you feel a slight headache?"


    "Slight?" Jett retorted, rubbing his temples. "I feel like someone detonated a bomb in my skull!" He let out a groan, his frustration obvious.


    "Wow, is that so? You really are talentless," the man said, his face twisted in utter disappointment.


    Jett felt a pang of irritation at thement, his jaw clenching. For a moment, the words stung, the weight of the insult settling in. ''Talentless?'' He bristled at the usation, but quickly masked his frustration with a forced, casual shrug.


    "Yeah, yeah, whatever," Jett muttered, pushing past the insult as he nced around, searching for his sword. "If that''s all, then��"


    The man raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"


    "Looking for my sword," Jett replied, pointedly avoiding eye contact.


    "Why?" The man''s confusion was apparent.


    A smirk crossed Jett''s face. "You said if I die here, I''ll be sent back, right?"


    The man sighed, shaking his head with a look of pure exasperation. "Wow. Talentless and dumb. Could you be any more disappointing?"


    Jett rolled his eyes, muttering, "I''m not even going to reply to that." Then he noticed the scroll still in the man''s hands. ''Right,'' he thought, ''that scroll. He was able to read it without any issues.''


    His headache throbbed anew, like a relentless drumbeat behind his eyes, but he pushed through it, focusing on the possibility. ''I guess I have nothing to lose. What''s the worse that could happen?''


    Jett activated his skill. "[Copy Skill]!" But then a message appeared, echoing in his mind.


    [Notice�� Notice�� Skill Copy has been temporarily restricted.]


    *


    *


    *


    What just happened? (��__��)

 Chapter 158 Dream inside a Dream?

    [Notice�� Notice�� Skill Copy has been temporarily restricted.]


    Jett''s eyes widened in shock. ''What? Why?'' He blinked a few times, trying to make sense of the message. Was it because he was inside this strange space?


    He nced at the man, who was still engrossed in the scroll, his fingers carefully tracing the lines of text. The man didn''t seem to care about Jett''s frustration, though after a moment, he looked up and gave Jett a long, piercing stare. The silence stretched, and the intensity of the man''s gaze made Jett shift ufortably, a slight chill creeping down his spine.


    Finally, the man broke the silence. "Before we start, I need you to tell me something��" He paused, his tone serious. "What level are you? Is your HP over 300?"


    Jett blinked, unsure why the man was asking. Still, there didn''t seem to be any harm in answering honestly. "Level 102, and yeah, my HP is over 300."


    As he said this, Jett recalled spending some points on it during hisst stat update. "570 to be precise," he thought. ''But why is he even asking?''


    The man''s eyes widened, and his mouth dropped slightly in astonishment. "102!?" he screeched, practically lunging toward Jett. "Seventy to eighty would be normal given the circumstances, but 102? That''s just�� abnormal! How are you gaining that many levels?"


    Jett shrugged, scratching the back of his head. "Lucky, I guess. Plus, there''s this trial thing that always gives me a level every time I pass it."


    The man waved dismissively, clearly unimpressed by the exnation. "Yes, yes, I know about the trials."


    Jett raised an eyebrow, intrigued now. "And how would you know that?"


    The man smirked, ncing back at the scroll as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Why wouldn''t I know? I helped create those trials," he said nonchntly. "Now that I think about it�� the levels idea was originally mine."


    The man''s words hit Jett like a rock, the weight of the revtion settling in. He was literally standing next to the very person who had created the trials, the stressful activities he had endured time and again. His fists clenched at the thought.


    "So you''re the bastard that made this hellhole?" Jett sighed, his voiceced with frustration and anger.


    "Yes," the man replied with a resigned sigh, his mood shifting to something more somber. "I and my siblings."


    Jett fell silent, his mind spiraling into a whirlwind of thoughts. ''What kind of being could create something so insane? Trials that push you to the brink of your limits and still reward you with levels...'' His train of thought paused as a realization struck him. "Wait�� you have thirteen siblings?"


    "Had," the man corrected, his tone shaded with an emotion Jett couldn''t quite ce. "I had siblings."


    "Oh, damn��" Jett muttered awkwardly. "I gotta say, you don''t really look��"


    Before he could finish, he felt an invisible force grab him, yanking him off his feet and dragging him toward the man. Jett iled wildly, trying to resist, but it was useless. "Hey! What the hell is the big idea?"


    "Hold still, or this might actually hurt," the man warned, his tone cold and detached. He hoisted Jett upside down as if he weighed nothing, letting him dangle mid-air like a ragdoll. "But if it does hurt, then that only proves how useless you are to me."


    The man seemed to catch himself, retracting his words with a dismissive wave. "Let''s see if you''re worth the time," he muttered, stretching a hand toward Jett with slow precision.


    "Woah, woah! What the hell are you trying to do?" Jett squirmed desperately, trying to wiggle free, but the invisible grip held firm.


    "I said hold still, you brat!" the man snapped, his patience wearing thin.


    Before Jett could protest further, a brilliant sh of light erupted from the man''s hand, mming directly into Jett''s head. His vision swirled as the force coursed through him like a tidal wave. It felt like hours, an agonizing eternity as streams of unfamiliar texts and symbols shed through his mind, one after another, too fast to grasp but impossible to ignore.


    His headache intensified, splitting his skull with each passing moment, but within the chaos, something shifted. The jumbled words began to align, forming a coherent structure. A spark of understanding bloomed in his mind, forcing him to absorb and process information he never knew existed. By the time it ended, Jett gasped, his body trembling from the overwhelming influx of knowledge.


    Once the process was over, the invisible force that had been holding Jett aloft withdrew, leaving him suspended in the endless void. He drifted aimlessly, his body limp, as the remnants of the excruciating ordeal pulsed through him.


    Jett groaned weakly as he began to regain consciousness, the ache in his head making every thought a struggle. His senses felt muddled, as if he were trapped in a thick fog.


    "You''re up already? That''s a surprise," the man''s voice echoed, breaking the silence. He was seated a short distance away, casually watching Jett. "I was certain you''d stay unconscious much longer than this."


    Jett squinted, trying to focus on the man, but his vision blurred and doubled. His head buzzed incessantly, like a thousand bells ringing at once, making it almost impossible to process what was being said. "What�� did you�� do��" he stammered, his words slurred and broken.


    "Don''t move, kid," the man said, his tone strangely calm. "Give it time."


    Jett barely heard him as his body, heavy with exhaustion, began to sink deeper into itself. His eyelids drooped, and the buzzing in his head dulled into an oddly soothing hum.


    "There you go�� just sleep," the man murmured, his voice fading into the background as Jett surrendered to the pull of unconsciousness.


    *****


    "Ahhh!" Jett bolted upright, gasping for air as though waking from a nightmare.


    Across from him, the man sat cross-legged, his expression bemused. "What was that for?"


    "I think I just had a bad dream��" Jett muttered, holding his head as he tried to steady his breathing.


    The vertigo that had gued him earlier had subsided, leaving only a dull ache in its wake. He nced around, disoriented but far more grounded than before.


    "A dream inside a dream. That''s a new one," the man mocked, his lips curling into a smirk.


    Jett shot him a re but quickly sighed, his frustration giving way to curiosity. "I''d love to ask what you actually did to me, but��" He paused, frowning. "Strangely enough, I already get the gist of it."


    The realization left him both annoyed and relieved. He wanted to be mad but had no grounds for it, which only added to his frustration. But then, another thought struck him.


    "Hey, old man," Jett said, his tone sharper now.


    "What is it?" the man replied, impatience creeping into his voice.


    "Seems like I''ll be seeing you more often, even though I''m not exactly looking forward to it. So��" Jett trailed off, exhaling heavily.


    "Alright, Jett Grift," the man interrupted before he could finish. "Call me Void."


    "Void, huh��" Jett repeated, narrowing his eyes. Something about the name felt ominous. But as he pondered it, another realization hit him. His brows furrowed in suspicion. "Wait a second��" His eyes widened. "I never told you my��"


    Before Jett could finish his sentence, a sharp, whistling sound cut through the air.


    CRACK!!!


    A fast-moving projectile drilled through Jett''s skull with precision, the force of it snapping his head back.


    His thoughts came to an abrupt halt as his body went limp, falling backward into the void.


    *


    *


    *


    A second time?


    So rude ?�n?

 Chapter 159 Upgrade Skill

    "This was an unexpected turn of events. Makes me wonder what will happen in the future," Void mused, a sly smile curling his lips as he watched Jett vanish into the emptiness before him.


    "Now then��" he muttered, turning his back to where Jett had been moments ago. The space around him was as it had always been: vast, endless, and void of any features or life. The oppressive emptiness stretched infinitely in every direction, a realm of pure nothingness.


    Void''s expression shifted, revealing a bit of boredom. "I really need to talk to more people," he sighed, his toneced with exasperation.


    *****


    "Woah!" Jett gasped, jolting awake. His hands instinctively went to his head, the sensation of the projectile piercing through it still vividly fresh. It had felt so real, but to his relief, there wasn''t a single scratch on him.


    He blinked, taking in his surroundings. The dim, ustrophobic confines of his cell came back into focus, the cold stone walls a stark contrast to the surreal void he''d just left behind.


    "That senile old geezer," Jett muttered under his breath, rubbing his temple as though to shake off the remnants of his experience. His eyes darted around the cell. "How long was I out, anyways?"


    His attention shifted to the sound of footsteps outside his cell. Spotting one of the guards strolling by, Jett called out, "Hey, hey!"


    The guard''s expression immediately soured, clearly uninterested in entertaining any conversation. He quickened his pace, attempting to ignore Jett entirely.


    "Hey! I''m talking to you!" Jett raised his voice, rattling the bars of his cell for emphasis. The metallic ng echoed through the corridor, stopping the guard in his tracks.


    "What do you want?" the guard growled, his tone dripping with irritation as he turned to face Jett.


    "How long was I unconscious?" Jett asked, leaning casually against the bars.


    The guard furrowed his brow and shrugged dismissively. "I don''t know, a few minutes maybe?" Without waiting for a reply, he resumed walking. "Gosh, I don''t get paid enough for this."


    Jett watched the guard disappear down the hallway, his mind racing. "A few minutes?" he whispered, his expression shifting to one of intrigue. "So time really does move differently in there. Does he have some kind of time maniption ability?"


    The thought sparked a sudden realization, and his lips curved into a smirk. "If I trained in there�� wouldn''t my progress be so much better?"


    It seemed like a promising idea, but Jett quickly shook the thought away. He had more pressing matters to consider. The shes from before lingered in his mind, almost like fragments of an unlocked memory, and he felt an eagerness to uncover what they truly were.


    Taking a deep breath, Jett essed his skills, scrolling through the seemingly endless list of abilities he had umted over time. As he suspected, there was something new waiting for him.


    [Dual Cultivation Level 1]


    [An unfinished Technique from a talentless but mysterious entity named ???. Can only be mastered by those with both Mana and Aura.]


    [Train both Mana and Aura simultaneously. Progress speed will increase by 10%. Every 10 levels adds an additional percentage.]


    [Condition: Must not be moving and must be in a meditative state. Please note, this doesn''t include sleeping.]


    [Upgrade for better effects.]


    "What the hell?" Jett muttered, staring at the description. "Another cheat skill? And it''s passive with no real drawbacks apart from needing to stay still. That''s hardly an issue since I don''t even need much sleep after taking that recovery skill from Asher."


    He chuckled, a mix of amazement and gratitude crossing his face. ''Thanks for that, Asher.''


    Jett reread the skill description carefully, his analytical mind picking apart the finer details. "Progress speed increases by 10% per level, huh? If I push this far enough, the multiplier could make me unstoppable in both Mana and Aura control. And the condition''s not even that bad, meditating beats sleeping, anyway. Plus, I''ve got skills to defend myself if anything catches me off guard."


    He smirked, silently marveling at his own luck. "At this rate, I''ll be too powerful before I even hit 30. Too bad I can''t share this with the others, this is one of those skills that''d break the bnce in a group."


    His eyes narrowed as he read over the mention of the mysterious entity, "???". Something about it felt familiar yet frustratingly distant, like a memory just out of reach.


    "Unfinished, huh?" Jett muttered, tapping his chin. "Whoever this ''talentless but mysterious entity'' is�� they clearly knew what they were doing. If I can upgrade this, the potential is insane."


    ''Well this will be fun.'' The thought sent a thrill down his spine. Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him in the trials and the strange encounter with Void, he couldn''t deny the excitement building within him.


    As Jett''s excitement bubbled up, a troubling thought suddenly crossed his mind.


    ''How the hell do I upgrade this skill anyway?''


    *****


    In WARBOUND, a select number of skills were categorized as upgradable skills. These differed significantly from standard abilities. While most skills remained stagnant or evolved slowly through repeated use, upgradable skills came with clearly defined levels and a guarantee of exponential improvement, provided the user couldplete specific tasks or challenges tied to their progression.


    These tasks often came in the form of quests or instructions. For example, a yer might need toplete a dungeon, defeat a rare enemy, or survive a certain set of scenarios to push the skill to its next level or by simply crafting or owning an item. Once the criteria were met, the skill would automatically upgrade, with no room for ambiguity.


    Jett had seen plenty of these types of skills before. They were highly sought after for their ability to scale with effort, making them invaluable in the right hands.


    But [Dual Cultivation]��


    This skill was different.


    Despite its obvious potential and the fact that it wasbeled as upgradable, there were no instructions, no quest markers, and no hints. Jett was leftpletely in the dark about what he needed to do to unlock its full power.


    *****


    "Well, this is a major letdown," Jett sighed, feeling a bit of frustration. "I guess that''s a problem for future Jett to figure out."


    Resolving to focus on what he could control, Jett sat cross-legged on the cold floor of his cell, ready to train. Closing his eyes, he began channeling his Mana and Aura simultaneously.


    To his amazement, the skill worked just as described. He could feel both energies flowing through him in perfect harmony, amplifying and refining one another in ways he had never experienced before.


    Hours passed in silence, but to Jett, it felt like no time at all. The cultivation process was smooth, seamless, and undeniably effective. When he finally opened his eyes, his grin stretched wide across his face.


    "Amazing," Jett thought, his chest swelling with pride. "It''s even better than I imagined. This speed�� I''ll be climbing the ranks in no time."


    He clenched his fists, feeling the subtle but significant improvements in his Aura.


    "Can''t wait to see the look on their faces when my Aura jumps up a rank," he mused, already picturing the stunned expressions of his peers and rivals alike.


    *


    *


    *


    How would he upgrade it though?


    (-_-;)???

 Chapter 160 Close

    Asher''s consciousness returned slowly, his mind piecing together his surroundings bit by bit. He was lying on a small, in bed in a room lit by faint daylight filtering through wooden ts. The first thing that caught his attention was the tight bandages wrapped around his torso and arms.


    ''Bandages?'' he thought, his brows knitting in confusion. He flexed his fingers, testing his limbs. They ached but responded as they should. ''Was I unconscious?''


    Memories of the battle shed back: pushing himself beyond his limits, the overwhelming strain of his depleted Aura. ''I guess that would make sense,'' he mused. ''I went all out.''


    He began peeling the bandages away, wincing as the material tugged at sensitive skin. His body was battered, but the worst of his injuries had already started to mend.


    As he shifted to sit up, he froze. Evelina was slumped over in a chair beside the bed, her head resting on folded arms. Her face was serene in sleep, but the faint dark circles under her eyes hinted at her exhaustion.


    Guilt tightened in his chest. She had clearly been by his side the entire time. He leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "You''re really cute when you''re asleep, you know that?"


    The soft murmur must have reached her because Evelina stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked a few times, groggy, and looked toward the empty bed.


    "You''re awake," Asher said casually, his back turned to her as he tugged his shirt on.


    Evelina turned sharply and spotted him near the wall. Her expression shifted from sleepy confusion to immediate frustration. "And where do you think you''re going?"


    Asher paused, turning to face her. "Outside��?" he said hesitantly, as if unsure what had upset her.


    Her eyes narrowed, and her tone took on the edge of an overprotective mother. "Oh, really? And what exactly do you n to do in your condition?"


    "We still have a lot to do," he said matter-of-factly, his mind already shifting into problem-solving mode. "Gotta find out who the traitor is and��" He paused, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Right, it''d be nice if I could question themander��"


    Before he could finish his train of thought, Evelina marched over, grabbed him by the ear, and yanked him back toward the bed.


    "Hey, ow! What are you doing?!" Asher yelped, stumbling as she dragged him with surprising strength.


    "Saving you from yourself," she said, her tone sharp as she pushed him back onto the bed. "You''re not going anywhere until you''re fully healed."


    Asher groaned, rubbing his ear and ring up at her. "I''m fine, really."


    "You''re not fine, and don''t you dare argue," Evelina shot back, her hands on her hips. "You''re staying right here until I say otherwise."


    For once, Asher didn''t have a wittyeback. He slumped back onto the bed with a sigh, muttering under his breath, "Tough crowd."


    Evelina, arms crossed, gave him a stern look but couldn''t help the small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.


    Evelina shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she gently adjusted the nket over him, her touch almost motherly. "You''re impossible, you know that?" she said softly.


    "I''ve heard that before," Asher replied with a smirk, leaning back against the headboard. "But seriously, you didn''t have to stick around the whole time. You should''ve rested."


    "And let you wake up and sneak off before I could stop you? Not happening," Evelina shot back, raising an eyebrow. "I know how you operate, Asher. You don''t know when to stop."


    He shrugged, not even trying to deny it. "I can''t really ck off with everything going on. The longer I sit here, the more time we waste. Or don''t you want to finish up and head back?"


    "Of course I do," Evelina said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Her tone was firm, but there was a hint of worry in her voice. "But not everything has to be done in a day. If you keep pushing like this, you''re going to fall apart."


    Asher nced at her, noticing the mix of seriousness and care in her expression. Usually, he didn''t let anyone tell him what to do, but there was something about Evelina that made it hard to argue.


    "Alright, you win," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I''ll take it easy. For now."


    "Good," she said, giving him a satisfied nod. "Because if I catch you trying to sneak out again, I''ll tie you to this bed."


    Asher''s smirk widened, the mischief returning to his eyes. "Oh, so that''s how it is, huh?"


    Evelina''s cheeks went bright red as she swatted his arm. "You''re impossible!"


    "Hey, that one''s on you," he teased,ughing.


    Evelina rolled her eyes but couldn''t help the small smile creeping onto her face. "Just�� behave, okay?"


    "I''ll try," Asher replied, though the gleam in his eye said otherwise.


    Evelina sighed and stood up, shaking her head. "I''m getting you something to eat. Don''t move, or I swear��"


    "I hear you loud and clear," Asher cut in, waving her off.


    As she walked out, Asher leaned back with a soft smile. Even with the pain and exhaustion weighing him down, her presence made everything feel lighter.


    He closed his eyes, letting the quiet moment sink in, though he was already working out his next move in the back of his mind.


    *****


    Asher leaned back in his bed, waiting until the sound of Evelina''s footsteps faded. He nced at the door to make sure she was gone before muttering under his breath. "Alright then."


    He activated his skill.


    [Shadow Clone]


    A dark, hazy figure emerged beside him, solidifying into an exact replica of himself. The clone gave him a silent nod before slipping out the door, its movements fluid and quiet as it melted into the dimly lit hallway.


    *****


    Rey was on his way to Asher''s room, a tray of food bnced in his hands, when something flickered in his peripheral vision. He froze, narrowing his eyes at the shadowy figure darting through the hallway ahead.


    ''Asher?'' Rey thought, quickening his pace.


    [Sense]


    He sent out a pulse of energy, the skill scanning the area around him. The feedback was immediate and unmistakable.


    ''No, that''s his clone.'' Rey''s sharp gaze shifted to the door of Asher''s room. The real Asher hadn''t moved.


    For a moment, Rey hesitated, debating whether to confront him now or see where this was going. Curiosity and a growing sense of concern won out. He quietly followed the clone.


    *****


    Trailing it wasn''t easy. The clone moved with a precision that bordered on unnatural, sticking to the darkest parts of the corridor. Its form blended seamlessly with the shadows, slipping past unwitting patrols like a wisp of smoke.


    Rey followed with deliberate steps, his sharp eyes locked on the figure ahead.


    ''What are you up to, Asher?'' he thought, unease growing in his chest.


    The chase led him deeper into the castle, past the usual corridors and toward the restricted prison wing, the same ce Jett had been taken after theirst mission.


    ''You''ve got to be kidding me,'' Rey thought, his jaw tightening.


    The clone didn''t falter, sliding past the guards with unnerving ease. From his hiding spot in the shadows, Rey couldn''t help but feel impressed, even as his concern deepened.


    ''This isn''t good,'' he thought, watching the clone vanish into the prison wing.


    *****


    Just as Rey debated his next move, footsteps echoed down the hall, and his heart sank. Another figure was heading straight for the prison wing a tall, broad man with an unmistakable presence.


    ''Now? Seriously?'' Rey grimaced as he recognized John, themander of the guards, striding toward the restricted area with purpose.


    Rey had seconds to decide. He couldn''t let John catch the clone, but getting involved now would onlyplicate things further.


    Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the shadows, stering a casual expression on his face. "Commander John!" he called out, his tone light and conversational.


    John stopped in his tracks, turning to face him.


    Rey swallowed his nerves and forced a smile. "Got a second? I''ve been meaning to talk to you about something."


    As John shifted his attention to him, Rey''s mind raced.


    ''You better make this worth it, Asher,'' Rey thought, his calm exterior hiding the tension coiled in every muscle as he prepared to stall for time.


    *


    *


    *


    Yeah he''s screwed... (*�n*;)

 Chapter 161 Friendly Diversion

    John raised an eyebrow as Rey approached, hismanding presence making the hallway feel even narrower.


    "What is it, Rey?" John asked, his tone gruff but curious.


    Rey hesitated for a fraction of a second before shing a confident grin. "Oh, nothing urgent, Commander. I just had some thoughts about thest patrol route and wanted to get your take. You know, since you''re the expert."


    John''s expression softened slightly, but suspicion lingered in his gaze. "Couldn''t this wait until tomorrow''s briefing?"


    Rey shrugged casually. "I figured I''d catch you while I could. You''re not exactly the easiest person to pin down, sir."


    John sighed, clearly annoyed but too intrigued to brush him off entirely.


    *****


    Meanwhile, Asher''s shadow clone moved with purpose through the dimly lit prison wing, sticking to the darkness like it belonged there. The guards on duty remained oblivious, their focus on their predictable patrols, while the clone slipped effortlessly out of sight.


    Reaching Jett''s cell, the clone paused, its glowing, indistinct eyes scanning the room. Jett sat on the floor, his back against the wall, his usual calm demeanor giving way to a hint of amusement as he spotted the clone.


    "You sure took your sweet time," Jett said, his voice low and measured.


    The clone didn''t respond, only motioning for Jett to step closer.


    Jett smirked as he stood, brushing himself off. "Not the chatty type, huh? Figures."


    Without another word, Jett approached, his sharp eyes watching as the clone handed him a small object.


    *****


    Back outside the door to the prison, Rey was doing his best to keep John upied.


    "So, Commander," Rey started, scratching the back of his head like he was trying to y it cool, "don''t you think the patrol routes near the east wing are kind of... predictable? If someone were trying to sneak in, they might..."


    John raised a hand, cutting him off with a sharp look. "Are you saying my security measures arecking, Rey?"


    Rey held up his hands quickly,ughing nervously. "No, no, not at all, sir! I just thought, maybe, you know, it wouldn''t hurt to reevaluate a little. Fresh perspectives and all that."


    John''s eyes narrowed, but after a moment, he gave a small nod. "Fine. I''ll take another look when I have time. Anything else?"


    Rey shook his head quickly. "Nope, that''s it. Thanks for hearing me out!"


    John muttered something under his breath before turning and walking away.


    Rey let out a slow breath, relief flooding through him as the tension lifted.


    ''That should buy you some time, Asher,'' he thought, casting a quick nce toward the prison entrance.


    *****


    The shadow clone stood motionless, a silent observer as Jett scrutinized the token in his hand. It exuded an aura of quiet vignce, its presence was almost nonexistent as though it wasn''t even there.


    "A messaging item, huh?" Jett mused, turning the object over with deliberate care. "Shame we can''t use my ring for this. The guards thought they were clever, confiscating it like that."


    His finger traced around the object, pausing as his sharp mind worked to decipher its purpose. "So I just need to infuse my Aura, and then��"


    He stopped mid-sentence, a smirk curling at the corner of his lips as he turned slightly to regard the clone. "Oh right, you''re not him, are you? Still, you can hear and see right? Asher." Jett said with a grin on his face, "Not a total waste then."


    With a flicker of focus, Jett infused a small trickle of his Aura into the token. Its glow intensified, the object dissolving into fine lines of light that shifted and reformed into the delicate shape of a thin paper.


    Curiosity sparked in his eyes as he unfolded the newly revealed message. He scanned the text, his smirk widening into something both amused and knowing.


    "So there really was a traitor," Jett murmured, the words like venom in the quiet air. "And Asher got himself hurt dealing with it? Figures. Can''t say I''m shocked."


    He leaned back, the cool stone wall pressing against his shoulders as he flicked the paper with his fingers. "Too bad I''m stuck here. Cleaning up messes like this is my specialty."


    The clone remained unmoving, watching in silence. Jett nced at it again, his smirk turning almost yful. "You know, you didn''t have to go through all this effort just to fill me in. You''re capable enough to handle this without me micromanaging from behind bars."


    With a casual motion, he folded the paper neatly and slipped it into his pocket, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, with a shrug, he added in a softer, yet firm tone, "Still, tell him this: just do what you can. When the timees, I''ll help if I can."


    The shadow clone didn''t so much as flinch. It was a living reflection of discipline and purpose.


    Jett''s smirk faded into something more contemtive as he leaned back again, his hands resting behind his head. His voice dropped to a murmur, barely audible.


    "Let''s see how far Asher gets without me."


    Jett leaned back with a satisfied grin as the shadow clone shimmered, its form dissipating like smoke into the dim air of the prison cell. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the edge of the stone bench, the sound echoing faintly. A glint of mischief sparkled in his eyes.


    "Oh, this is going to be fun," he muttered to himself, his voice low with anticipation. His sly smile widened as he leaned forward, his thoughts racing with the possibilities unfolding in his mind.


    *****


    Asher stood beside his bed, a scoff escaping his lips as he shook his head. "Corky bastard," he muttered, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Who said I needed your help? You think way too highly of yourself, Jett."


    He rolled his shoulders, testing the limits of his mobility, wincing slightly at the pull of the bandages wrapped around his torso. Despite the lingering ache, he reached for his clothes. His shirt slid over his head, settling snugly against his skin, and he quicklyced up his boots.


    On the bedside tabley a small pill. Asher picked it up, turning it over in his fingers.


    ''Marce''s handiwork, huh?'' he thought, inspecting the glossy surface. Without hesitation, he popped it into his mouth.


    A sharp, acrid bitterness hit his tongue instantly, drawing a wince. ''Ugh, bitter as hell,'' he thought, swallowing hard. ''That''s how you know it''s high-tier. Can''t believe I can actually taste it.''


    Asher turned toward the door, pausing when he noticed a tray of food lying on the floor just outside his room.


    His brows furrowed as he scanned the empty corridor. The faint tter of distant activity echoed, but no one was nearby.


    "Is this for me?" Asher muttered, crouching to pick up the tray. His stomach growled, betraying his hunger, and he let out a soft chuckle. "I did say I was hungry, but��"


    He nced around onest time, then shrugged. "It''s not poisoned, so I guess it''s fine." Bncing the tray, he carried it inside, setting it on the table as he prepared to eat before heading out.


    *****


    Meanwhile, Rey was still locked in conversation with John, though his tone had grown increasingly strained.


    "So, uh," Rey began, forcing a casual grin as he walked alongside the Commander, "where did you learn to fight? I mean, you''ve got that unshakableposure and all. Were you trained in the capital?"


    John nced at him, his sharp eyes glinting with suspicion. He seemed fully aware of Rey''s stalling tactics but chose to indulge him, for now.


    "Not exactly," John replied. "I trained in the bordends. Real battlefields don''t care for capital polish."


    "Right, right, makes sense," Rey said quickly, nodding like a bobblehead. Desperate to maintain the momentum, he gestured broadly. "And what do you think of the Vond soldiers? Pretty disciplined, huh? Bet their strategies keep you on your toes."


    John''s brow furrowed, and a flicker of impatience crossed his face.


    "They''repetent," he replied curtly, his tone sharp. "But why the sudden interest? Something bothering you?"


    Rey''s pulse quickened as he scrambled for another question, cursing inwardly. ''You bastards, what the hell are you still doing in there?''


    "Oh, no, no reason," Rey said with a nervousugh, waving his hand dismissively. "Just, you know, always good to learn from the best."


    John stopped abruptly, and Rey nearly bumped into him. The Commander''s gaze was cold and cutting, his authoritative demeanor making Rey''s skin prickle.


    "Alright," John said firmly, his voice carrying an edge that brooked no argument. "I''ve indulged your chatter long enough. I''m heading to the cells now. If you''re so interested, you cane along. After all, it''s your friend we''re going to see."


    Rey froze, his heart sinking. There was no escaping it now. With no other option, he nodded and fell in step behind John, his nerves taut as he desperately tried to think of a way to salvage the situation.


    *


    *


    *


    He''s going to be soooo pissed.


    (��?��?)����ߩ���

 Chapter 162 Choose a Scenario

    Jett sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor of his cell, the dim light casting long shadows across the walls. A faint hum of energy filled the air as he practiced his Aura and Mana technique, his focus unwavering. The steady rhythm of his breathing matched the flow of power coursing through him.


    The tranquility shattered with a loud ng against the iron bars.


    "Hey, you! ytime''s over. You''ve got visitors," barked the guard, his sword tapping against the bars in a steady, impatient rhythm. His tone was gruff,ced with disinterest.


    Jett opened one eye, his concentration broken. A long sigh escaped his lips as he uncrossed his legs and stood, brushing the dust off his pants.


    "Visitors, huh?" he murmured to himself, a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. "Let''s see what fresh hell this is."


    Momentster, John and Rey appeared at the far end of the corridor, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Jett''s gaze immediately locked onto Rey, noting the tightness in his friend''s expression.


    Meanwhile, Rey''s mind was a tempest. His eyes darted around the cell, searching frantically for any sign of Asher''s clone. It was nowhere to be found. The realization struck like a lightning bolt: Asher must have dismissed the skill as soon as it served its purpose.


    ''You have got to be kidding me!'' Rey screamed inwardly. ''I distracted John for nothing! I am such an idiot!''


    Jett leaned casually against the bars, a cheerful grin spreading across his face as he watched them approach. "Hey there!" he called, his voice light and teasing.


    Rey''s sharp re cut through the cheerful greeting like a knife, wiping away the grin almost immediately.


    ''What''s his problem?'' Jett wondered, tilting his head as he studied Rey''s stormy expression.


    "So?" Jett began, feigning nonchnce. "What brings you here? Can''t be to check on little old me, right? I''m harmless in here." He raised his hands in mock surrender, his tone dripping with exaggerated innocence.


    John stepped closer, his piercing gaze locking onto Jett like a predator sizing up its prey. "I need to ask you a few questions," he said, his voice steady butced with authority. "Are you a Vond soldier?"


    Jett''s grin faltered, reced with a flicker of caution. ''Ah, still holding onto that, huh?'' he mused. ''This is about me taking down his king, isn''t it?''


    He quickly masked his thoughts, shing a charming smile. "Of course not," he replied smoothly, gesturing toward Rey. "You can ask my friend here. He''ll vouch for me."


    John''s attention shifted to Rey, his sharp eyes narrowing. The weight of his gaze was suffocating, and Rey felt himself shrinking under the scrutiny.


    "Oh, I see," John said, his tone calm but brimming with suspicion.


    Rey swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. His mind raced for an exnation, any excuse to defuse the moment.


    ''Why do I always end up in these situations?'' Rey thought, cursing his rotten luck. He resisted the urge to squirm, painfully aware that Jett''s carefree attitude had done nothing to help their case.


    Jett leaned back slightly against the cold iron bars of his cell, his arms crossed loosely as he observed the unfolding exchange between Rey and John. His gaze was steady, calm even, as he watched Rey struggle to make his point. Jett''s eyes flicked between Rey''s frustrated gestures and John''s unyielding stance.


    Despite the tense atmosphere, Jett''s expression remainedrgely unaffected, though there was a glimmer of interest in his eyes.


    He knew this wasn''t the time to be impulse as he still didn''t fully understand why this was even happening. His eyes narrowed imperceptibly as he considered his next move.


    "He''s not with those guys, how many times do we have to exin it." Rey sighed in frustration like he was already tired of exining.


    "But he decapitated our king." John added.


    "Because he had no choice. That was the only way we could''ve saved you guys��" Rey argued.


    "Rey, stop talking..." Jett called out with a serious tone while facing John.


    But he got interrupted by John''s sharp words: "All my time here as the head guard andmander of Laxen fleets, this has to be the dumbest excuse I have ever heard."


    Jett''s lips twitched slightly, but he said nothing, keeping his posture rxed. Still, his focus sharpened. ''A hidden agenda, perhaps?'' he mused, quietly watching as the exchange escted.


    When John delivered his final, damning statement, "His punishment is imminent," Jett''s body stiffened for a brief moment. Both he and Rey froze. The words hit like a cold gust of wind. Jett''s brow furrowed, the previously yful glint in his eyes now gone. Something wasn''t right.


    ''What the hell is going on?'' he thought, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of John''s sudden shift in tone.


    Rey, too, seemed taken aback by the severity of John''s deration. But Jett could feel it, the underlying shift in the air. The tension was palpable. Whatever was happening here, it was much bigger than just a simple interrogation.


    As Jett''s thoughts spiraled, John continued with his damning ims. "I don''t know how you did it but we sessfully foiled your ns of sending ten thousand men tond a sneak attack and kidnap the princess and you can thank your friends for that." The smug satisfaction in his voice made Jett''s mind buzz with suspicion, "Don''t worry, the sky won''t miss you when you''re gone."


    ''This bastard, he''s trying to pin the me on Jett.'' Rey thought but he was powerless to do anything.


    ''So that''s what this is all about?'' Jett sighed, ''I''m the scapegoat. What the hell does he mean by the sky won''t miss me though?''


    But then, as if on cue, a new notification appeared before Jett, shimmering in the air. His eyes locked onto it.


    [[A new scenario is being created]


    [A. ept the iing offer]]


    [B. Admit that you are the traitor]]


    [Reward: ???]]


    Jett''s heart skipped a beat. ''A new scenario?'' He quickly scanned the options, his pulse quickening with each passing second. ''The first option looks like the obvious one, second option, admit that you are the traitor feels like a obvioustrap, but then again, the option itself had a strange pull. Why give me an option I would never pick?''


    ''Based on the reward part, I''ll get something regardless of what I pick so option A is a no brainer, right?'' Jett was obviously conflicted.


    His eyes flicked back to John, who wore a self-satisfied smirk, unaware of the sudden shift in Jett''s focus. Something wasing, a decision, a moment of reckoning. And Jett had to decide how to y it.


    ''What is this scenario?'' Jett''s mind raced as he tried to analyze the notification. ''Is someone trying to mess with me?'' He had a feeling that whatever path he chose would irrevocably alter the course of this trial.


    Rey, oblivious to Jett''s internal struggle, stared at John with a mixture of confusion and frustration. But Jett wasn''t looking at Rey. His eyes were locked on the choices before him, the weight of the moment settling heavily on his shoulders.


    "But I have an offer for you." John finally said, bring Jett back to reality.


    But now Jett knew the system wasn''t joking so the question was which option should he choose?


    *


    *


    *


    Is he in trouble? �ѩn��

 Chapter 163 Im the Traitor

    John''s voice cut through the tense silence like a de. "But I have an offer for you."


    Jett blinked, momentarily caught off guard. He tilted his head, his confusion deepening with each passing second.


    ''An offer huh? What kind of twisted trial is this?'' he wondered, his frustration evident as he exhaled sharply. ''This was never part of the story. Guess that means I''m really changing the narrative.''


    John smirked, crossing his arms as he gestured to the guard. "I''ll give you a chance to prove you''re not one of those Laxen bastards."


    The guard, without hesitation, began unlocking the cell door.


    Rey let out an audible sigh of relief, his posture visibly rxing. "Finally," he muttered, stepping closer to the bars. "You''ll see he''s not with those guys." He turned to Jett, his expression a mixture of encouragement and urgency. "Come on, dude, get out of there already. They''re letting you go."


    But Jett didn''t move. Instead, he stared into the air as if distracted by something only he could see.The system notification still loomed in front of him, demanding his attention.


    [[A new scenario is being created]]


    [[A. ept the iing offer]]


    [[B. Admit that you are the traitor]]


    [[Reward: ???]]


    Jett smirked inwardly. ''Alright, let''s do this.'' He selected his option with a decisive mental push, the notification disappearing as he turned to face John and Rey.


    "I''ve made my decision," he announced, his voice calm but tinged with mystery.


    John''s confident grin widened as he stepped forward, extending his hand for a shake. "Good. Then let''s settle this."


    Rey watched with anticipation, expecting Jett toply.


    But Jett didn''t reach out. Instead, he took a deliberate step back, his smirk growing.


    ''Alright, you shitty luck,'' Jett thought, his voiceced with yful defiance, ''I''m making a big gamble here.''


    His next words hit like a thunderp.


    "I''m the traitor."


    The room fell into stunned silence, the weight of his deration hanging in the air.


    "Huh?" Rey''s voice broke the stunned silence, his face a mix of disbelief and confusion. "You''re kidding, right?"


    Jett''s calm attitude only deepened the shock for both Rey and John.


    John blinked, his brain scrambling to process what he''d just heard. "What? You''re not even going to deny it?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration. His mind raced, trying to decipher Jett''s motives.


    ''Damn it, what does this mean?'' John thought, momentarily frozen in ce, his hand still hanging in the air from the aborted handshake.


    Meanwhile, Jett stood unfazed, a small, knowing smirk ying on his lips. ''The trial about staying here hasn''t ended yet,'' he grinned. ''I''ve already stuck around this long, so why not y the viin for a little longer? We are roleying, after all.''


    His smirk deepened as he thought,


    I sure hope I don''t regret this.


    Just then, a new notification materialized in front of Jett.


    [[B. Admit that you are the traitor]]


    [Reward: One of your initial skills [Checkpoint] has been revaluated.]


    ''Revaluated?'' Jett''s eyebrow arched as he focused on the word. ''That''s a thing here?''


    *****


    In WAR BOUND, "Revaluation" was a term used by the developers to indicate adjustments to a skill or item. These changes, whether buffs or nerfs, were announced in patch notes and were exceedingly rare. yers debated these updates endlessly, as they could drastically alter ystyles. For Jett, this was the first time he''d seen it happen since arriving in this world.


    *****


    Before he could reflect further, another message appeared.


    [[Revaluation Complete!]]


    [[New Description and Terms Added.]]


    [Checkpoint Lv. 2]


    [Save:


    Create checkpoints for quick transportation. Usable once a week.]


    [Load:


    Appear at one of your saved locations.]


    [Cooldown:


    1 hour.]


    [Swap:


    Swap ces with a marked target. Requires physical contact to mark a target.]


    [Uses:


    1/1.]


    [Cooldown:


    24 hours.]


    [Transport (Locked):


    ???]


    Jett''s eyes widened slightly as he read the updated skill description. ''Oh wow,'' he thought, his smirk returning with renewed confidence. ''You never fail to surprise me.''


    He closed the notification with a flick of his mind, already formting his next move.


    ''Alright,'' Jett thought, his eyes narrowing slightly as a glint of excitement crossed his face. ''I know exactly what I need to do next.''


    The pieces were falling into ce. Now, it was time to execute.


    "Sorry to disappoint you, but I meant what I said." Jett''s voice broke the silence, cool and deliberate, as he sped John''s hand in a firm handshake.


    Rey''s irritation boiled over at Jett''s nonchnce. His hand shot out, gripping Jett by the cor and yanking him forward. "Stop joking around, man! What the hell are you talking about?" Rey growled, his tone sharp andced with frustration. "Are you even thinking straight? Yeah, that''s gotta be it. You''ve been in here for too long!"


    "Let go of me," Jett snapped, struggling briefly against Rey''s grip before leaning in closer and whispering into his ear, "It''s part of my trial."


    Rey froze, his fingers loosening slightly as the realization hit him. His frustration simmered, but he pushed it down. "We need a moment," he said, turning to John with forced calm.


    John raised an eyebrow, his suspicion evident. "Five minutes," he relented curtly. "And my men stay with you." He pivoted on his heel and began to walk away. "Your judgment ising soon," he added without turning back.


    As John disappeared down the corridor, Rey rounded on Jett, his voice lowered but stillced with annoyance. "You''re enjoying this, aren''t you?"


    Jett smirked, unbothered. "A little," he admitted, his tone casual.


    Rey clenched his fists, frustration etched across his face. He wanted to say so much but was acutely aware of the guards still watching.


    ''Crap, what am I supposed to do about these guys?'' Rey thought, his mind racing.


    *****


    Jett''s sighed as he activated


    [Tactical Mirage].


    Although nothing seemed to change visually, the guards'' postures rxed slightly, as though they''d just overheard something mundane.


    "Alright," Jett said under his breath, his voice steady but carrying a hint of strain. "Say what you want to say. I''ve masked our conversation, so they''ll be hearing something different. But no sudden movements, maintaining this skill right now is taking a lot out of me."


    Rey blinked in surprise. "You have an illusion skill? Since when?" he asked, keeping his voice low. "That�� actually exins a lot."


    Jett shrugged, leaning casually against the wall to conceal his effort.


    "But how the hell are you even using your skill so well in here? Isn''t the dampener supposed to block that?" Rey''s voice betrayed his disbelief as he tried to process the sudden wave of revtions.


    "Good question," Jett replied with a smirk, clearly enjoying the look on Rey''s face.


    Rey shook his head, exasperated. Each passing moment with Jett seemed to hit him with something new and unexpected. "This is insane��" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.


    *


    *


    *


    He probably feels like Jett''s the main character.

 Chapter 164 Suspicion

    Jett leaned casually against the wall, maintaining his calm demeanor. "Alright, Rey, what''s really going on outside? All I know is that we have a traitor and they''ve already started making their move and apparently, I''m being dragged through this mess blindfolded."


    Rey folded his arms, scrutinizing Jett as if deciding whether to trust him. "I don''t know how much you actually know, but��" Rey nced at the guards still nearby, his unease growing. "I need to ask you something, and I need you to be honest. Did you do something to get John on your side?"


    Jett raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"


    Rey''s eyes narrowed. "He''s acting weird. Too weird. I never told him about the attackers'' motives. All fourteen of us are the only ones who know what they were really aiming for nd we made sure to keep it that way but he suddenly acted like he knew. And now he''s letting you out?"


    Jett''s smirk faltered for the first time, though only slightly. "Interesting," he muttered under his breath.


    Rey took a step closer. "Listen, if John''s not what he seems, you''re probably the only one who can catch him off guard. He thinks you''re his ally, doesn''t he?"


    Jett''s eyes glinted with realization as Rey''s words sank in. "That would exin why he was so eager to make me an ''offer,''" Jett mused, half to himself. "If he''s the real traitor, then he probably thinks I''m his secret contact."


    Rey''s jaw tightened. "Which means��"


    Jett finished the thought with a sly grin. "Which means I have leverage."


    Jett took a deep breath to think about the whole situation carefuly. "Alright, Rey. If John thinks I''m his aplice, then we need to y along, for now. But you need to keep your distance and act like you''re suspicious of me. That''ll make it easier for me to gain his trust."


    Rey hesitated. "And what happens when he finds out you''re not really his ally?"


    Jett shrugged, his grin unwavering. "Then I improvise."


    Rey groaned. "This is insane."


    "Exactly my style," Jett replied, giving Rey a wink.


    Rey frowned but didn''t argue further. "Fine. But I''m not leaving you alone with him for long."


    Jett nodded. "Fair enough. Now, let''s see what our ''friend'' John has in store for me."


    "One more thing," Jett added.


    "What?" Rey replied, not ready for anymore plot twists.


    "The sky won''t miss you when you''re gone. Get Asher you interrogate those guys from before until they spill it." Jett instructed confidently.


    "What the hell are you talking about? No one speakes to them unless its��" Rey tried to exin.


    "Unless it''s John?" Jett interrupted with a knowing smile.


    Soon Rey started seeing the pattern too, "Oh damn, I''ll get him to do it."


    *****


    As the five minutes ticked away, John returned with a confident stride, nked by two guards. His eyes flickered briefly to Rey before settling on Jett.


    "Well?" John said, his smirk returning. "I trust you''ve made peace with your friend. Shall we move on to more pressing matters?"


    Jett matched his smirk, stepping forward. "Lead the way."


    John''s gaze lingered on Jett for a moment, trying to read him. When he didn''t find what he was looking for, he turned and gestured for Jett to follow. Rey trailed behind, his mind racing.


    *****


    The group walked through a dimly lit corridor that led to a secluded chamber. John waved the guards away, signaling that he wanted privacy. Once inside, he closed the door and turned to Jett, his tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.


    "Alright, enough ying around. What''s your real purpose here?" John asked, his eyes sharp and calcting.


    Jett tilted his head, feigning ignorance. "You tell me. You''re the one who put me in that ursed ce. My mission was a simple one but you couldn''t do your part."


    John''s expression tightened. "Don''t act coy. Even if they sent you here, you should''ve known that there''s only so much a puppet like me can do, you just had to push it by killing the king too early. And that''s why haven''t you acted yet? And now you boldly agreed to be the traitor even when I gave you a chance to freedom, you fool!!!"


    ''I can''t believe it''s actually working. All those acting sses finally paid off.'' Jett smiled inwardly, ''I hope you''re hearing this too Rey, those doors aren''t thick enough to stop you from hearing.''


    Rey, who was lingering near the door, stiffened at the mention of the Vond kingdom. ''A puppet?'' he thought, his suspicion solidifying.


    Jett leaned forward slightly, his voice low andced with feigned authority. "Let''s just say my priorities have shifted. But I need you to confirm something for me, what''s the next move?"


    John hesitated, clearly debating whether to trust Jettpletely. Finally, he said, "The fragment. The Laxen are desperate for it. If they get their hands on it, this entire kingdom falls."


    Jett masked his surprise but filed the information away. ''A fragment? So that''s what this is all about. Hold on�� Could he be talking about�� Never mind, probably just my imagination.''


    Rey, who was listening intently, realized this was the critical clue they needed. Now it was a matter of exposing John without blowing Jett''s cover.


    As the tension in the room thickened, a loudmotion echoed from the hallway.


    "What now?" John barked, spinning toward the door.


    Jett did nothing as he watched as John stormed away. ''Whatever happens next, stick to the n,'' Jett reminded himself.


    As John turned sharply on his heel, his boots echoed against the stone floor. Before stepping through the heavy iron doors, he cast a final nce over his shoulder. His piercing gaze locked on Jett. "I''ll be back, and you better get your priorities straight."


    The doors creaked open, and just before they shut behind John, Jett caught a fleeting glimpse of Rey lingering nearby. With a subtle sideways nod, Jett silently urged him to hurry up.


    Rey hesitated for a moment, scanning the area for any lingering guards before swiftly leaving the corridor. Once he was certain he was alone, he pulled out a sleek ring and activated it.


    *****


    -Rey-


    "Hey Asher, where are you? We need to talk."


    Rey paced impatiently as he waited for a reply, his brow furrowing when no response came. "Come on, Asher," he muttered under his breath.


    Nearly thirty minutes passed, the silence gnawing at Rey''s nerves, before the device finally buzzed.


    -Asher-


    "What''s the matter? I had something to take care of."


    -Rey-


    "There''s been a new development with John and Jett."


    They both went quiet for a moment.


    -Asher-


    "Really? I''ve got one too."


    Rey froze mid-step. "You found something?"


    -Asher-


    "John''s the traitor."


    *


    *


    *


    I think i rushed this chapter.

 Chapter 165 Serum Request

    The brewery was a whirlwind of activity. The air was thick with the fragrant scent of herbs and the bubbling sounds of potions brewing.


    Marce stood at the center, her focus locked on the glowing furnace as she carefully monitored the bubbling liquid in her cauldron.


    Around her, Rosa, Freya, and Morrigan dashed about, grabbing bottles, chopping ingredients, and stirring smaller concoctions under Marce''s sharp instructions.


    "More crushed valerian root, and don''t let the heat drop below 300!" Marce barked, not even ncing up as she expertly poured a glowing green liquid into a small sk.


    Freya darted past Rosa, holding a handful of mint leaves. "Got it! Rosa, toss me the powdered quartz!"


    Rosa turned, smirking. "I''m not yourckey, Freya."


    "Less chatting, more moving!" Marce interrupted.


    Asher pushed open the wooden door, stepping into the bustling room with a faint smile. "Hey, guys, working hard, huh?"


    The girls paused, momentarily surprised by his presence.


    "You''re up already?" Rosa asked, arching a brow.


    Marce nced at him briefly before returning to her work. "Of course he''s up faster than usual. I made his pills."


    "And," she added pointedly, stirring the cauldron with vigor, "he doesn''t know how to rest properly."


    Freya, meticulously aligning bottles on a nearby shelf, sighed. "She''s got a point."


    Asher ignored the jab, scanning the room. "Is she...?"


    Morrigan cut him off with a smirk. "On patrol duty with Seraphina, so you''re good. She better not find out you''re already moving around."


    "She won''t," Asher replied, though his guilty smile betrayed him.


    The girls, except for Marce, burst into soft giggles at his expression.


    "What''s so funny?" Asher asked, frowning slightly.


    "Oh, nothing," Morrigan replied, her lips twitching with amusement. "You could say you two are just too cute sometimes."


    Marce rolled her eyes as she adjusted the mes under her cauldron. "Enough of that. Hurry up and tell us why you''re here. I''d hate to get an earful from Evelina. That''s a phenomenon I try to avoid."


    Asher straightened, his yful vibe vanishing. "Right," he said, his tone suddenly serious. "Do you have anything that works as good as sodium thiopental?"


    The room went still for a moment. Even Marce paused her stirring to nce at him, curiosity and suspicion flickering across her face.


    The group''s collective expressions shifted almost in unison, save for Morrigan, who remained impassive. Rosa was the first to voice the confusion, her eyebrows shooting up as she tilted her head.


    "Sodium what now?" she blurted out, her tone incredulous.


    Marce, poised over the simmering cauldron, froze mid-motion. Her sharp eyes flicked toward Asher, suspicion glinting in their depths as greenish steam spiraledzily into the air. For a moment, the bubbling of the cauldron was the only sound in the room.


    "Sodium thiopental?" Marce repeated, her voice calm but carrying an undeniable edge. "Are you seriously asking for a truth serum?"


    Asher nodded without hesitation, his expression unreadable.


    Freya exchanged a nce with Rosa, her earlier amusement vanishing in an instant. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she crossed her arms. "Why do you need that?"


    Asher shifted slightly, crossing his own arms, his gaze unwavering. "There''s something I need to find out, and it''ll be a lot easier if I had it. That''s all."


    Marce sighed audibly, a clear sign of her doubt. Her hand lowered to her side, but her gaze stayed fixed on Asher. "Are you sure you''re thinking straight? How did you even arrive at this conclusion?"


    "I wouldn''t ask if it wasn''t necessary," Asher replied, his tone firm and final.


    "Necessary for what?" Freya pressed, taking a step closer, her voice tinged with frustration. "A better question would be:


    who


    are you trying to investigate this time?"


    "That''s not it at all," Asher interrupted, his voice carrying a sharp edge now. "I just need something reliable, okay?"


    Marce sighed once more, her shoulders dropping slightly as if resigning herself to his stubbornness. She stepped away from the cauldron, reaching into her storage ring. The group watched her silently, their confusion and concern simmering beneath the surface.


    After a moment, she produced a small ss bottle filled with a shimmering purple liquid that seemed to shift colors as it caught the light.


    "I have something," she said finally, holding up the bottle. Her voice was measured, though it carried a hint of reluctance. "It''s not as strong as sodium thiopental, but it should do the job��as long as the target''s willpower isn''t too strong."


    She extended the bottle toward Asher, her lips curving into a wry smile. "I call it


    Witch''s Truth


    . I made it a while ago since I had time on my hands. It''s not that potent, so pray it works."


    Asher took the bottle carefully, his eyes scanning the liquid as if weighing its reliability.


    Freya frowned, her arms still crossed. "And if it doesn''t?" she asked, her tone filled with unspoken doubt.


    Marce tilted her head, an almost amused smirk ying on her lips. "Then I suppose you''ll have an awkward conversation on your hands, or a very angry target if they realize what you''re trying to do." She ced the potion in Asher''s outstretched hand, her expression sharp. "You know, I don''t normally make things for half-baked ns."


    Rosa gave Asher a sidelong nce, her earlier confusion giving way to mild exasperation. "This really doesn''t scream good idea. What exactly are you getting us into this time?"


    Asher ignored her, his focus entirely on the potion in his hand. The faint glow reflected in his eyes as he weighed his next words. "I know but we don''t really have the time to y it safe. And if you must know, I''m trying to make sure we end this trial as soon as possible."


    Morrigan remained quiet, her gaze darting between Asher and the potion, though her usual yful smirk never wavered. The silence that followed herck ofment only seemed to magnify the tension in the room.


    "Typical Asher," Rosa muttered, throwing her hands up. "Always the lone wolf."


    Freya took a step closer to him, her voice softer but no less insistent. "Are you sure about this? Whoever you''re targeting, this could backfire in ways you might not be able to control."


    Asher''s jaw tightened, but he met her gaze steadily. "I''m not asking for anyone''s approval. Just trust me on this." He inspected the bottle, thinking about how to use it, "I just need to take away his willpower, will a near death experience suffice?"


    "I guess so," Marce sighed again, retreating back to the cauldron. "You better have a damn good reason for this, Asher. And for the record," she added, stirring the bubbling liquid with a metal rod, "I''m not making a habit of indulging your more�� morally gray requests."


    Freya opened her mouth to protest further, but Asher turned sharply, clutching the bottle tightly. Without another word, he walked toward the exit,


    "Hey Freya," Asher called, just before leaving the group in tense silence, "Jett said hi by the way."


    Rosa shook her head. "Unbelievable. First sodium whatever, and now


    this


    ." She nced at Freya, who sighed deeply, her concern etched clearly across her face.


    "Let him be," Marce said, her voice unusually tired. "He''s going to do it whether we approve or not. Let''s just be grateful that''s he''s the best in what he does."


    Freya didn''t respond, her gaze lingering on the door Asher had disappeared through, her unease only growing.


    *


    *


    *


    What the hell does he need that for? (��.��||��


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 166 Chapter 166 Worried

    As Asher walked out of the brewery, Freya''s eyes stayed on the door a little longer than they should have. She let out a quiet sigh, muttering under her breath, "I wonder how he''s doing��"


    "Huh? What was that?" Rosa asked, ncing over while still arranging empty potion vials on the shelf.


    "Oh, nothing! It''s nothing," Freya said quickly, waving her hand with a nervousugh.


    Marce raised an eyebrow and snorted. "For crying out loud, just admit you''re worried about Jett."


    Freya''s face flushed as she spun around to face Marce. "W-What? That''s not it! I was just... thinking, that''s all!" Stay connected with empire


    "Oh yeah,


    thinking


    ," Morrigan chimed in, suddenly popping up behind her with a cheeky grin. "It''s okay, we''re all worried about him."


    Freya opened her mouth to argue but stopped when Rosa nodded along. "Yeah, with all that drama going on right now, it''s hard not to think about it."


    Freya managed a small smile at their words, but Marce''s dry tone broke the moment like a snapped string.


    "I''m not worried," Marce said tly, her attention still on the bubbling potion in her cauldron.


    Freya blinked, her brows furrowing. "How can you


    not


    be worried?!"


    Marce shrugged, not looking up. "First off, Jett''s like the poster boy for doing too much. If he got out, he''d probably make me brew potions all day and night. I don''t have the energy for that."


    "That''s... kinda true," Morrigan admitted, tapping her chin like she was genuinely thinking it over.


    "And second," Marce went on, her voice calm but firm, "he''s strong. Like,


    really


    strong. Let''s be honest, he could probably solo this whole mess if they let him. And even if he couldn''t, he''d still carry the rest of us without breaking a sweat."


    Rosa hesitated, tapping her fingers on the table. "When you put it like that... she''s kinda got a point."


    The room went quiet for a moment as the girls seemed lost in their thoughts. Rosa and Morrigan shared a look, both trying to figure out if Marce was right or if they should still be worried.


    Freya, though, wasn''t having it. "Still," she said firmly, "if he was here, all of this would be over a lot faster."


    Marce finally looked up, smirking. "Maybe. But let''s be honest, he wouldn''t show up unless we really needed him. Or..." She raised an eyebrow and added with a teasing tone, "...unless someone


    really


    wanted to see him."


    Freya''s face turned bright red, and she crossed her arms defensively. "That''s not��! I don''t��! I mean, it''d just be


    easier


    if�� ugh, forget it!"


    Morrigan leaned her elbow on Freya''s shoulder, grinning. "Aw, it''s okay. You miss him. It''s cute. We all do."


    "You guys are unbelievable," Freya groaned, burying her face in her hands while Rosaughed softly, and even Morrigan chuckled. Marce just rolled her eyes and went back to stirring her potion.


    Freya''s expression shifted as determination sparked in her eyes. Her brows furrowed in thought, and then, almost without realizing, she spoke aloud. "Maybe I''ll go see him myself... just to check on him."


    The room fell silent as all eyes turned to her.


    "And how exactly are you gonna pull that off?" Rosa asked, crossing her arms. Her tone was skeptical, but there was a flicker of curiosity too.


    Freya shrugged, more to herself than anyone else. "Asher got in, didn''t he? So why can''t I?"


    Morrigan leaned back against the table with a grin. "You really think you can pull off whatever stunt


    he


    did? Be honest, Freya, you''re not exactly stealth material."


    Marce didn''t even look up from her cauldron. "It''s a bad idea," she said tly, stirring the potion with a practiced hand. "And probably a waste of time."


    The group sat with the idea for a moment, the skepticism in the room almost palpable. Rosa finally broke the silence. "Even if you could get in, don''t you think security''s going to be a pain? They''re not gonna let anyone sneak past, let''s just say Asher was an exception."


    For a second, Freya hesitated. The doubts they raised were real, and she knew it. But then an idea struck her like lightning, and a confident smile spread across her face. "Lumina," she said simply.


    The mention of her phoenix earned mixed reactions. Rosa tilted her head, confused. "Your pet phoenix? And what''s


    that


    supposed to do, set the guards on fire?"


    Freya grinned wider. "She''s more useful than you think. I''ve got a n."


    "Oh, don''t keep us in suspense," Morrigan said, nudging her with a sly smile. "What''s this genius n of yours?"


    "Yeah," Rosa chimed in, leaning forward. "You can''t just drop a name and leave us hanging."


    Freya shook her head, the air of mystery adding to her confidence. "Not telling. You''ll see soon enough."


    Morrigan groaned dramatically. "You''re the worst," she teased, but the curiosity didn''t fade from her face.


    Rosa huffed, sitting back in her chair. "Fine. But if this goes wrong,


    we


    don''t know you."


    Marce, meanwhile, stayed entirely out of the conversation. Her focus was unshaken as she peered into her bubbling cauldron. "Could you all shut up?" she snapped, her voice sharp. "If this explodes, I''m ming all of you."


    Freya just smirked, her resolve strengthening. Hang on, Jett. I''ll figure this out.


    *****


    Deep in the heart of the prison, the air was frigid and heavy. Asher stood before an imposing iron door reinforced with both magic and steel. The faint hum of enchantments buzzed in the air, and four guards stood watch, their eyes scanning every inch of the area around them.


    Yet, none of them saw him.


    [Shadow Walk]


    Asher''s body melded with the darkness, his movements silent and undetectable. The shadows around him stretched unnaturally, intertwining with the guards'' own until the boundary between him and the room faded entirely.


    He moved like a whisper, gliding past the guards without even stirring the air.


    The darkness was suffocating, an all-consuming void that devoured light and sound. The air felt heavy and damp, carrying a faint metallic tang of rust and blood.


    A narrow staircase spiraled downward, each creaky step groaning underfoot as though reluctant to let anyone venture deeper. The descent seemed endless, the silence pressing in, broken only by the asional drip of water echoing like a distant whisper.


    Atst, Asher reached the bottom. The shadows grew thicker here, oppressive and absolute. There were no torches, no magical lights, just an unrelenting ckness. It wasn''t by ident. This prison was designed to crush its captives, stripping them of any sense of time or ce.


    Trapped in eternal darkness, the prisoners were left to rot, their minds unraveling long before their bodies gave out. For many, this wasn''t just a physical cell; it was a prison for the soul.


    "They''ve got a ir for the dramatic," Asher muttered, his voice breaking the suffocating silence. A smirk tugged at his lips. "Too bad it doesn''t work on someone like me."


    He flicked his hand, activating [Dark Blessing].


    Sharpening his senses and illuminating the void in shades of gray. The crumbling stone walls, the iron bars of the cells, and even the faint scratches etched by desperate hands were now clear to him.


    *****


    As he moved through the corridor, Asher''s steps were deliberate, his sharp gaze darting from one cell to the next. Most of the prisoners were hollowed-out shells, broken bodies slumped in corners or muttering incoherently to the walls. Some screamed now and then, their cries raw and animalistic, echoes of a shattered mind.


    "Pitiful," Asher thought coldly, his expression unreadable as he strode past. The weight of despair in the air was almost palpable, but it didn''t faze him. His focus was unshakable.


    Eventually, he stopped in front of a cell that stood out from the rest. Thickyers of magic shimmered faintly over the iron bars, protective runes pulsing with power.


    The air was heavier here, a testament to the strength of the enchantments meant to keep whatever, or whoever was inside from escaping. Asher didn''t need to guess who it was.


    A sly grin crept across his face as he approached, his voice smooth and mocking. "Hello, Commander," he said, letting the words hang in the still air. "I hope you''re enjoying your stay."


    From within the cell, a figure stirred, moving sluggishly. Though confined and weakened, they still carried an unmistakable aura of menace, a faint echo of the power they oncemanded.


    Asher''s grin widened as he stepped closer, the dark energy radiating from him like a silent challenge. "I have to say, you don''t look somanding now."


    *


    *


    *


    Hehehe ???

 Chapter 167 Chapter 167 Dark Prison

    The darkness was designed to seep into a prisoner''s very essence, stripping away their sanity and leaving them as hollow shells of their former selves. In total istion, with no light or sound to cling to, the mind was supposed to break under the weight of its own thoughts.


    Time lost all meaning; moments stretched into hours, and hours into days. This was the darkness'' true cruelty, a weapon that turned prisoners into their own worst enemies.


    Yet, themander sat unfazed, chained to the walls, hisposure betraying the short time he''d been subjected to this punishment. Only a few hours had passed since his incarceration, far too little time for the void to sink its ws into him. He leaned against the cell wall, his breathing even, his gaze sharp as he looked up at Asher.


    "It''s you," themander spat, his voice hoarse yet steady,ced with restrained anger. His re could have pierced through iron. "You''ve got some nerve showing your face here."


    "Oh, you tter me, Commander, I thought you would''ve forgotten me by now." Asher replied smoothly, his tone dripping with mockery. He leaned casually against the bars. "I figured someone of your importance might appreciate a visitor. After all, it''s not every day one finds themselves in amodations this... exclusive."


    Themander''s jaw tightened as his fists clenched at his sides. "How did you even get in here? Aren''t you afraid of being caught?"


    "Caught?" Asher echoed, feigning disbelief with a theatrical wave of his hand. His smirk widened as he gestured to the dim, oppressive hallway behind him. "Do you seriously think these fools stand a chance against me? I slipped past their guards like a shadow. Literally."


    As Asher spoke, his sharp eyes studied the man before him. Despite the conditions, themander''s voice held no tremor, his words crisp and deliberate. Asher''s smirk faltered for a brief moment before he recovered, masking his intrigue with a condescending chuckle.


    "Surprisingly, you haven''t gone mad," Asher mused, dragging the edge of his dagger across the enchanted bars with a grating screech that echoed through the hollow corridor. "That''s impressive. You must have an incredible amount of willpower... but don''t worry, we can always fix that."


    Themander''s eyes narrowed, but he remained silent, his expression an unreadable mask of defiance.


    Asher took his time, radiating the confidence of someone who owned the moment. He toyed with the de in his hand, casually scrapping the dagger on the cells bars and flipping itzily as if to emphasize just how little he feared being discovered.


    "You know," Asher began again, his tone light, almost conversational, "I could stand here all night if I wanted to. There''s no rush. No one here can even sense me, let alone stop me."


    He crouched down slightly, his grin sharpening as he peered closer at themander. "So why don''t we make the most of this little chat? Tell me, Commander, how are you enjoying the darkness?"


    *****


    He straightened up, his tone shifting to something more serious. "Alright, let''s not waste time. We both know why I''m here."


    The Commander''s expression didn''t waver, though a hint of curiosity crossed their eyes. "Enlighten me, then. Why


    are


    you here, boy? To gloat? To pretend you''re in control?"


    Asher chuckled darkly. "Control? Oh no, I''m not here to y games." His eyes gleamed with malice as he leaned closer to the barrier. "I''m here to find out who the traitor in here is and why you''ve been helping whoever it is."


    The Commander froze, their expression faltering for the briefest moment before hardening again. "I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    Themander''s eyes had long adjusted to the futile effort of searching for any source of light, staring instead into the inky ck that offered nothing in return. Even so, his sharp instincts kept him alert, aware of Asher''s presence despite his inability to see him.


    Asher, cloaked in the dark, took full advantage of the situation. His footsteps were deliberate, soft enough to mask his exact position but loud enough to remind themander that he was still there.


    "Don''t y dumb," Asher snapped, his voice sharp. He stepped closer, his shadow stretching unnaturally across the cell. "Whoever it was has been a bit sloppy, but not sloppy enough to expose his ns outright. You, however..." He let the words hang, watching for any reaction.


    The Commander''s silence was telling, though they didn''t speak.


    Asher continued, his tone dripping with venom. "He''s feeding you intel. Helping you coordinate attacks, sabotaging our efforts, and probably more. The question is, Experience more content on empire


    why?


    It''s an instant victory for you guys but, what''s in it for him?"


    "I''d be careful whates out of my mouth in a ce like this," the Commander growled, the chains rattling as they shifted. "You don''t know the half of what''s happening here."


    "Then educate me," Asher countered, spreading his arms mockingly. "I''m all ears, Commander. Give me the grand exnation for why you''ve been undermining us. Or..." He let the threat linger, his fingers brushing the hilt of his weapon.


    This made themander slowly burst intoughter. Themander''s low chuckle quickly grew into a resonantugh that echoed ominously throughout the dark cell, ricocheting off the stone walls like a sinister melody.


    Asher tilted his head slightly, raising an eyebrow. "What''s so funny?" he asked, his voice steady, though curiosity hid behind his calm demeanor.


    Theughter deepened, showcasing mockery and defiance. The chains binding themander rattled with every heartyughter, their metallic tter blending with his ridicule.


    "What''s funny?" themander repeated, hisughter finally subsiding into a contemptuous sneer. "How na?ve can you get? You came here, thinking you could get information from me?"


    He leaned forward slightly. "Keep dreaming, boy. I have nothing to say to vermin like you."


    The crackling chains punctuated his words, vibrating with an almost eerie rhythm.


    Asher straightened up, brushing imaginary dust off his coat. "I guess it can''t be helped then," he said coolly, a bit of amusement in his tone.


    [Mini Teleportation]


    Without a sound, Asher disappeared from his spot by the bars. Themander froze, his smirk faltering slightly as he strained to hear any movement. Then, faint footsteps echoed in the darkness, growing louder, closer.


    "Did you��" themander started, but his words trailed off as a sudden burst of light erupted in front of him.


    Asher stood before themander, holding a burning torch that red to life from his ring. The sudden brilliance illuminated the grimy cell, its harsh glow banishing the suffocating shadows. Themander recoiled instinctively, his pupils constricting painfully against the unexpected brightness.


    "Oh, my bad," Asher said mockingly, his voice dripping with insincerity. "That was sudden, wasn''t it?" He smirked, holding the torch up to better illuminate the room, and himself.


    Themander blinked rapidly, his eyes slowly adjusting to the light. When his vision finally cleared, the first thing he saw was Asher, standing mere steps away with a devilish grin stered across his face.


    In Asher''s other hand was the potion he had secured from Marce. The crystalline vial caught the torchlight, its contents glowing faintly with an iridescent sheen. He turned it over casually, reading the description etched on the side of the ss.


    [Truth-Seeking Potion]


    [Those who drink it cannot lie or give false information about whatever they are asked. The effects work better if the target has a fear status or a wavering heart. Effectiveness reduced by 50% for targets above Level 100.]


    [Duration: 2 Hours.]


    Asher looked up from the vial, his grin widening as he met themander''s re. "Shall we get started?" he asked, his tone almost cheerful.


    *


    *


    *


    Cheerful huh?( ?��? )

 Chapter 168 Chapter 168 Truth Seeking Potion

    [Truth-Seeking Potion]


    [Those who drink it cannot lie or give false information about whatever they are asked. The effects work better if the target has a fear status or a wavering heart. Effectiveness reduced by 50% for targets above Level 100.]


    [Duration: 2 Hours.]


    *****


    Themander''s eyes flicked to the bottle in Asher''s hand, curiosity got the best of him. With a dry chuckle, he sneered, "What''s that in your hand? Trying to poison me? I guess the hatred runs deep. Get on with it then."


    He shut his eyes firmly, bracing himself for what he thought would be his final moment. Seconds passed, the silence stretching agonizingly long. The absence of any action gnawed at his patience until finally, his frustration boiled over.


    "You can''t even do��"


    Before he could finish his sentence, a sharp, heavy impact collided with his face. His head snapped to the side as a groan of pain escaped his lips. The metallic ng of his chains echoed as he shifted from the force.


    Asher stood over him, shaking his hand nonchntly as if dusting off the annoyance. "I''ll admit, I really want to end your miserable life right here and now for what you did to Lina. But killing you?" He took a deliberate step closer, his voice lowering to a dangerous tone. "That would take me back to square one. And I''m not about to waste all this effort on you."


    Themander opened one eye, ring up at him through the pain, but remained silent as Asher lifted the bottle into view.


    "Now, this isn''t poison," Asher exined, turning the small ss container in his hand as if admiring it. "It''s something far more useful. Sodium thiopental. Or, as you might call it here��"


    He crouched down to meet themander''s line of sight, his grin widening. "Truth-Seeking Potion."


    Themander''s breath hitched, his gaze locking onto the glowing liquid. Slowly, realization dawned on his face, turning his disdain into something closer to rm.


    "W-What is that supposed to do?" themander growled, feigning ignorance even as his chains rattled faintly from his involuntary flinch.


    "Oh, you''ll find out soon enough." Asher''s voice was almost teasing. Without hesitation, he uncorked the bottle, its distinct herbal aroma wafting through the air.


    Themander jerked his head away, his body struggling against the restraints as Asher grabbed his jaw with an iron grip. "Stop resisting," Asher ordered. Since the restraints where made to make the prisoners weaker, Asher was able to force the bottle against themander''s lips, tipping it to pour the shimmering liquid down his throat.


    Themander thrashed weakly, trying to spit the potion out, but Asher kept his grip steady. "Come on now," Asher said mockingly. "Drink up. Don''t be shy."


    Finally, the bottle emptied, and Asher released his hold, stepping back to observe. Themander coughed violently, the potion''s effects taking hold as he struggled to catch his breath.


    "You''ll thank meter for not poisoning you," Asher said with a smirk, spinning the empty bottle between his fingers before stashing it back into his ring. "Now, let''s have a little chat, shall we?"


    Themander shot him a venomous re, his breath still uneven. Though the effects of the potion were beginning to settle in, the fight in his eyes hadn''t yet dimmed. But Asher knew it was only a matter of time.


    "In your dreams," themander hissed defiantly, spitting onto the damp floor.


    "Well, it''s a good thing I wasn''t asking." Asher''s calm retort came just as a set of notifications shed before his eyes.


    [Truth-Seeking Potion has taken effect]


    [Target is over Level 100]


    [Effect will be reduced by 50%]


    [Target''s Willpower is strong]


    [Effect will be reduced by 10%]


    [Duration will be permanently reduced to 1 hour]


    Asher''s smirk faded briefly as he read the notifications.


    ''Sank down to 40% in an instant? How annoying. He sighed inwardly, crossing his arms. I guess I''ll have to pull out all the stops.''


    Returning his attention to themander, his smirk returned, sharper than before. "So," he began, pacing slightly. "What scares you the most? Can you even feel fear, Commander? Or have you buried it so deep you forgot it exists? Why don''t you tell me what I want to know?"


    Themander''s silence was a clear act of defiance, his re unwavering as he clung to his resolve.


    [Target is resisting the question.]


    [Target is resisting the question.]


    [Target is resisting the question.]


    "Tsk, stubborn," Asher muttered. His gaze darkened as a new idea sparked in his mind. "Ralph," he called.


    A faint distortion in the air above Asher''s shoulder shifted before a shadowy form materialized, gliding silently down.


    The Wraith Bat emerged from its hiding ce, its dark wings spreading wide as it floated above themander. With a menacing grace, Ralphnded directly on themander''s shoulder, his sharp fangs sinking into themander''s flesh.


    Before themander could react, Ralph bit into his neck, injecting an intense wave of pain that spread like wildfire. Themander gasped, his chains rattling violently as his body convulsed from the excruciating sensation.


    [Target is experiencing fear.]


    [Effect will be reduced by 20%.]


    Asher watched intently as themander''s expression shifted, his defiance cracking just slightly under the pressure. But Asher wasn''t done yet.


    "Let''s take this up a notch, shall we?" he whispered, his voice dripping with malice.


    [Dark Illusion]


    *****


    Themander''s world spiraled into chaos. In his mind''s eye, his stomach began to churn violently, and he watched in mounting horror as grotesque, oversized spiders began ripping their way out of his abdomen. Their needle-like legs tore through his flesh, each movement sending searing pain through his body.


    The floor of the cell disappeared, reced by a writhing mass of arachnids that surged upward, swallowing him whole. As he thrashed in terror, he heard a chorus ofughter. Dozens of Asher''s clones surrounded him, their forms flickering in the dim light as their cackles grew louder, drowning out even his own screams.


    [Target is experiencing fear.]


    [Effect will be reduced by 25%.]


    [Target is experiencing fear.]


    [Effect will be reduced by 15%.]


    [Duration will not be increased.]


    Asher canceled the illusion, his expressionposed as he watched themander gasp for air, trembling visibly. Ralph fluttered back to Asher''s side, vanishing once more into the shadows.


    "That''s better," Asher mused. ''


    Wouldn''t want him spilling out his whole truth when someone else walks in here.''


    He crouched slightly to meet themander''s dazed, fearful eyes. "Now, are you ready to talk? Or do we need to get more... creative?"


    "I''ll talk, I''ll talk, just please stop." Themander begged.


    "I have no idea what you saw but it''s got to be hellish to make you beg like this." Asher grinned, finally ready to question him thoroughly.


    *


    *


    *


    What secrets does he have to share?

 Chapter 169 Chapter 169 The Real Plan

    In a massive, ornately decorated tent near the rear of the Vond camp. Laughter and music filled the air as women in elegant attire danced and frolicked around avishly dressed man reclining on an extravagant chair. His golden goblet, filled to the brim with wine, glimmered under the soft glow ofnterns.


    "I am such a genius!" the man bellowed, hisughter echoing through the tent. He took a long sip of wine before boasting, "Killing two birds with one stone with just this move, it''s almost too easy!"


    A group of older men, dressed in fine robes, sat at the sides, observing the scene with indulgent grins. They too held goblets of wine, casually sipping as they watched the dancers and listened to their king''s boasts.


    "Yes, my lord," one of the men said, raising his cup in deference. "This war will soon reach its conclusion, and victory shall be yours."


    "Surely the king is the wisest in all thends," another chimed in, his voice dripping with ttery. "None canpare to your brilliance."


    This ttery sent another wave ofughter through the tent as the king basked in their praise, utterly engrossed in his moment of triumph.


    "I should be getting good news soon," the king mused, twirling his goblet of wine in his hand.


    The tent''s lively atmosphere was abruptly interrupted as a soldier entered, bowing deeply. "Apologies for the interruption, my king."


    The older men seated nearby instantly bristled, their expressions turning dark.


    "What is the meaning of this?" one snapped, his voice sharp with irritation.


    "Can''t you see that the king is busy?" another growled, ring daggers at the soldier.


    "It seems like you truly don''t value your life," a third added coldly, his fingers drumming on the armrest of his chair.


    The soldier dropped to one knee, his head bowed low. "Apologies, my lords. But I bring urgent news."


    The king, unfazed by the outburst, waved a dismissive hand, his mood still cheerful. "Leave him be," he said with a chuckle, his gaze falling on the soldier. "Go on, then. What''s this urgent news?"


    The soldier lifted his head cautiously. "My king, Arizol and his men have yet to return. We suspect�� they''ve been captured."


    The king''s jovial expression vanished, reced by a scowl. He mmed his goblet onto the table, spilling wine as the tent fell silent. "Captured?" he repeated, his tone dangerously low. "How ipetent can one man be? I trusted Arizol with a simple task!"


    The women stopped dancing, retreating quietly to the edges of the tent. The older men exchanged uneasy nces but wisely stayed silent.


    The king rose to his feet, pacing back and forth as his annoyance grew. His ornate robes swayed with every step, the jewels encrusted in his crown glinting in the flickeringntern light. "I should''ve known better than to rely on a fool like him," he muttered, his fists clenching at his sides.


    Turning abruptly to the soldier, the king''s voice boomed, "This changes everything. If they''ve been captured, they''ll talk. And if they talk, it won''t be long before our ns are exposed."


    He strode to the center of the tent, addressing everyone present. "Enough waiting! Assemble the troops immediately. We strike at dawn. If they want to meddle in our affairs, we''ll crush them before they have the chance!"


    "Yes, my king!" the soldier replied, rushing out to ry the orders.


    The king returned to his seat, his lips curling into a sinister grin. "Get ready to attack," he muttered, lifting his goblet once more. "It''s time to remind them who rules thesends."


    *****


    "So, who''s your inside man?" Asher asked, cutting straight to the point, his tone sharp. "And what''s this war really about?"


    Themander''s face twitched briefly, but his lips moved involuntarily, his words spilling out like a broken dam. "John," he said tly, his voice devoid of inflection, almost mechanical. "First, we sent the princess to abyrinth while we staged a coup. But before we could proceed, we got word that the king was already dead and that the princess was safe... so we had to improvise."


    The lifeless delivery, paired with themander''s nk stare, made it clear he was no longer in control of his own words. It was as if his will had been stripped away, his responses driven solely by the potion''s effects.


    Asher frowned slightly, his mind racing. ''


    So, basically, this is our fault,''


    he thought, recalling that Jett had assassinated the king.


    "So, you nned on forcing the queen to step down?" Asher pressed, leaning in closer.


    Themander''s monotone reply came quickly. "The people unanimously made her queen, so we had to change our ns. We had John provoke Laxen into war with us, creating a valid pretext for an invasion."


    Asher nodded slowly, piecing it together. "And with John feeding you information, you''d be able to kidnap the Queen and, let me guess, force her into a marriage with your king, right?"


    "Yes," themander answered, his eyes briefly flickering with something akin to surprise, as though he hadn''t expected Asher to know. "But how do you know that?"


    Asher smirked. ''


    I was only guessing, but it seems like I was right on the money.''


    The genuine astonishment in themander''s expression confirmed it.


    "Let''s just say I''ve got a knack for understanding how vermin operate," Asher quipped, straightening up, his grin sharper than ever. "Now, tell me more about John. How long has he been ying both sides?"


    Themander''s gaze remained distant, his voice monotonous as he began to borate, "Vond always desired thends of Laxen. For years, they''ve envied its resources and position, but they couldn''t act on it because of the multi-empire alliance that protected Laxen from external aggression."


    Asher''s brow furrowed slightly. ''


    So it''s greed as usual. Typical.''


    "Then John came to us," themander continued, his tone still soulless. "He used the alliance to his advantage, promising us the entire kingdom of Laxen in exchange for better treatment and a massive reward. It was an offer we couldn''t ignore."


    "And you bought into it just like that?" Asher scoffed, folding his arms. "Sounds like a cheap deal to me."


    Themander''s lips twitched, almost into a grimace. "It was moreplicated than that. We devised a n with him, but things didn''t go as intended. John thought we were responsible for the failures, but we yed along, adapting. We convinced him to force Laxen into war with us, and he seeded."


    "Of course he did," Asher muttered, his toneced with sarcasm. "And the new n was to force the queen into marriage with your king? That way, you could merge kingdoms without triggering the alliance''s intervention?"


    "Yes," themander confirmed, his vacant expression unwavering. "That was the only way to avoid retaliation. If the alliance saw the kingdoms united through marriage rather than conquest, they wouldn''t turn against us."


    Asher let out a shortugh, but it was devoid of humor. "And you think that would work? That''s the most idiotic backup n I''ve ever heard."


    "It''s possible," themander insisted, though his words carried no personal conviction, only the residual effects of the potionpelling him to speak.


    Asher''s gaze narrowed. "You''re awfully confident for someone who''s chained up and spilling secrets. What else are you hiding? What about John, have you met him before?"


    "I''ve never met him," themander admitted, his voice softening. "I only know his name. But there is one thing��"


    Asher leaned in, intrigued. "Spit it out."


    "The skies won''t miss you when you''re gone," themander said cryptically, his voice hollow yet deliberate.


    Asher tilted his head, scrutinizing the man. "That''s how he''d identify himself? What does that even mean?"


    "I don''t know," themander replied tly. "That''s all I was told. And now, thanks to you and your group, we have to rethink everything. Nothing is going ording to n anymore."


    "Oh, I get it now, it''s not for you its for him to use so you can identify him." Asher gave an approving nod. "Smart move. That way, you don''t have any means of jeopardizing his cover and he could approach you without raising any suspicion. I must say, your king is kinda smart."


    Themander''s brow furrowed. "My king?"


    "Yeah, he''s the one pulling the strings from behind the scenes, right?" Asher chimed in with a sly smirk.


    Themander''s eyes widened slightly, betraying his shock. "You knew?"


    "It''s painfully obvious," Asher replied, his tone bordering on smug. "An impatient man waiting for his bride wouldn''t sit idly by. He came in person to oversee his troops, but of course, he''s not brave enough to stand on the frontlines. And let''s not forget that massive tent at the far back of the camp. A dead giveaway."


    Themander stared at Asher, astonished by his deductions, his silence betraying his admiration and unease.


    Asher''s expression turned more serious, his gaze sharp. "One more question. Where''s the queen hiding?"


    *


    *


    *


    It''s alling together now. ?(????)?

 Chapter 170 Revealed

    Asher leaned against the damp wall of the cell, dragging a hand down his face. He was mentally drained from questioning themander, yet the nagging sense of dissatisfaction wouldn''t leave him.


    "Is that everything?" Asher asked, his voice edged with frustration. He stared at the defeatedmander, now slumped against his restraints, his once-fierce eyes dulled by exhaustion and the effects of the potion. "Maybe you''ve forgotten something."


    The potion''s limitations were evident to Asher. ''The potion is strong, but there''s a catch, it only works on what I ask. If I don''t ask the right questions, I won''t get the right answers,'' he thought, biting the inside of his cheek in frustration. The timer disyed only eight minutes remaining. Time was running out.


    "Alright, let''s make this easy for you," Asher muttered, running through the questions still lingering in his mind. One stood out above the rest. He locked eyes with themander and asked firmly, "What''s so special about Laxen that your king wants it so badly?"


    "Ah��" Themander hesitated, his lips quivering as if battling the truth lodged in his throat. Sweat beaded on his brow, and his shackles rattled faintly. Finally, he whispered, "The fragments."


    Asher''s eyes narrowed. "What fragments? Why does he want them?"


    Themander gulped, his voice shaky as he replied, "No one knows the specific reason, but... ording to rumor, the fragments, if assembled, possess the power tomunicate with gods. With that... one can attain omnipotence."


    The revtion made Asher''s chest tighten. ''Seriously? Just how many messed-up events do we have to prevent?'' He frowned, trying to recall what he knew of Laxen''s history and the significance of these fragments. A flicker of realization crossed his mind, but he kept his expression neutral. ''Fragments of what, though? And how do they even exist in this world? Or could they be��? There''s no way, right?''


    Asher pushed himself off the wall, preparing to leave. He turned back to themander onest time, the timer now showing only a few minutes left. "Besides your king," Asher asked, his tone low and deliberate, "are there any others we should be worried about?"


    Themander flinched, his body trembling as if resisting the answer. Finally, he spoke, his voice like a whisper carried on the wind, "Yes... there are others. But not all of them are... human."


    Themander hesitated, his gaze was hazy with a mix of reluctance and fear, but the effects of the potion left no room for deception. "If they were to be ranked," he began, his voice rough and uneven, "the king would be at the top. Below him, there''s a ferocious beast, a monstrosity he lets roam free, unmatched in brutality. Then there''s me, and anothermander... though he''s a bit weaker than I am."


    Asher''s lips curled into a smirk, his confidence unwavering. "Is that so? We can take them."


    Themander''sugh was dark and humorless. "Your ego shall be the death of you."


    Asher chuckled, shaking his head as he turned to leave. "Worry about your own life, old man. You can watch from the side lines if you can. Watch how we take down your king." He walked out of the prison, his steps quiet and deliberate, leaving no trace that he had ever been there.


    *****


    Asher made his way further from the secure confines of the prison, his mind still processing the fragmented revtions. His ring buzzed with a message, pulling him out of his thoughts.


    -Rey- "Hey Asher, where are you? We need to talk."


    Rey paced impatiently as he waited for a reply, his brow furrowing when no response came. "Come on, Asher," he muttered under his breath.


    Nearly thirty minutes passed, the silence gnawing at Rey''s nerves, before the device finally buzzed.


    -Asher- "What''s the matter? I had something to take care of."


    -Rey- "There''s been a new development with John and Jett."


    They both went quiet for a moment.


    -Asher- "Really? I''ve got one too."


    Rey froze mid-step. "You found something?"


    -Asher- "John''s the traitor." -Rey- "We need to talk the others right now. Meet me at my room, I''ll go contact the others"


    *****


    The atmosphere in Rey''s room was tense. Everyone was present: Evelina, Finn, Rosa, Aiden, Morrigan, Elora, and everyone else, waiting impatiently for Rey to arrive. Finn, in particr, was drumming his fingers against the table, his frustration clear as he muttered, "What''s taking him so long?"


    The door swung open suddenly, and Rey rushed in, slightly out of breath. He froze for a moment as he met the impatient gazes of everyone in the room. "Sorry I''mte," he began, raising his hands apologetically. "I had to retrieve something." Explore more adventures at empire


    "And what could that be?" Finn asked sharply, his irritation apparent. But Rey didn''t answer, instead moving toward his spot in the room.


    Finn''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Ignoring me, huh?" he muttered under his breath, his hands twitching as though itching to grab something. Aiden quickly stepped in, cing a firm hand on Finn''s shoulder to hold him back. "Calm down, Finn," Aiden said with a hint of amusement, though his grip didn''t waver.


    Rey cleared his throat to refocus the group. "Alright, you guys. This is really important," he said, his tone grave. "We know the identity of the traitor."


    The announcement sent a ripple of tension through the room.


    "Well��?" Rosa snapped, clenching her fists. "Get on with it. Who''s the freaking bastard?"


    "It''s John," came a calm voice from the corner of the room. Everyone turned toward Asher, who had been sitting quietly in the shadows, speaking for the first time.


    The room fell into a stunned silence. Evelina was the first to break it, her eyes narrowing as she fixed Asher with a suspicious look. "And you know this because��?"


    Asher blinked, his mind racing. "Oh, umm, Rey told me beforehand," he said, his tone a little too casual to be convincing.


    "Right��" Evelina muttered, clearly unconvinced, but she chose to let it slide for now.


    "It''s worse if it''s John, though," Elora said, her expression thoughtful. "Those morons won''t even listen to us if we tell them theirmander is trying to get them all killed. And I''m very sure even the queen would turn on us if we tried to tell her."


    As the room buzzed with whispered conversations and theories, Morrigan''s sharp gaze fell on Freya, who was sitting quietly in the corner, her head slightly bowed. "Freya, what''s wrong?" Morrigan asked, her voice tinged with concern.


    Freya looked up hesitantly, her hands clutching the edges of her cloak. "I�� I used Lumina," she admitted softly, "to manipte the light so I could sneak into the prison without being seen."


    "And?" Morrigan prompted, her eyes widening slightly.


    Freya''s voice dropped further. "Jett�� he wasn''t there. The cell was empty."


    The room erupted into a flurry of voices, questions flying in all directions. "What do you mean, he wasn''t there?" Rosa demanded. "Where could he have gone?"


    Freya shook her head. "I don''t know. I searched the entire area, but there was no trace of him. It''s like he vanished into thin air."


    "He''s fine, for now at least. John moved him to a more secure cell," Rey sighed, running a hand through his hair, clearly tired from the constant pressure of their situation.


    "That''s the least of our worries right now," Seraphina remarked, her voe calm but with an edge of urgency.


    "Yep," Marce added nonchntly, nibbling on a pastry.


    "How do we expose John, then?" Cedric asked, leaning forward with a serious expression.


    "Forget about exposing him for now. There''s no time," Asher interjected, his tone firm. He turned his attention to Rey. "We have to prepare for the real trouble. You still have those items we got from ourst trial here, right?"


    "Yeah, but Jett has thest piece. Why?" Rey replied, curiosity flickering in his eyes.


    Asher exhaled deeply and began to exin. "Themander mentioned fragments: ancient artifacts supposedly connected to some divine power. ording to him, if the fragments are brought together, they have the potential tomunicate with gods and grant omnipotence. That''s the king''s true goal, he believes these fragments are the key to ultimate power."


    The room went eerily silent as the weight of Asher''s words settled in.


    "Now we''re supposedly battling gods?" Finn muttered, his frustration palpable. He threw his hands in the air. "This is just messed up."


    "Don''t worry," Asher said, attempting to reassure him. "It''s just a rumor. Even if it''s true, as long as we don''t bring the fragments together, we should be fine. The real issue is what''sing next."


    Evelina narrowed her eyes, folding her arms. "You seem to know an awful lot about this whole situation, don''t you?"


    "Umm, Rey told me already?" Asher replied, his voiceced with just enough uncertainty to draw suspicion. He subtly nced at Rey, silently pleading for backup.


    "For an assassin, you really suck at lying," Evelina said with a smirk, her sharp gaze cutting through his fa?ade.


    Before she could press further, Matthew stepped in, redirecting the conversation. "Hold on�� So what''sing next?"


    Before anyone could answer, the room shook violently as a deafening explosion echoed through the air. The ground trembled beneath their feet, knocking over a few items on the nearby shelves.


    "That!" Asher shouted, steadying himself against the wall. The group exchanged rmed nces as another explosion rumbled in the distance, the sound of chaos reaching their ears.


    *


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    Won''t be long now till he get''s back in.

 Chapter 171 Surrender the Queen

    John and his subordinates descended further into the depths of the prison, their boots echoing against the cold, damp stone stairway. The air grew colder and heavier as they moved deeper, the faint torchlight from the upper levels barely reaching this far.


    One of the soldiers raised a hand, a small orb of fire flickering to life in his palm. With a murmured spell, the fire expanded and lit the entire corridor, casting ominous shadows across the walls.


    The sudden illumination caused a stir among the prisoners, who recoiled in confusion and irritation, shielding their eyes or retreating into the darkness of their cells.


    "This should do it," John muttered with a smug grin as he approached the cell, where themander was held. His footsteps slowed as he eyed the motionless figure slumped against the far wall, chains binding him tightly.


    "You guys are starting to be a massive pain," John sighed, motioning for the guards to unlock the cell. "First it was that other guy, and now it''s you lot. How many people did that king of yours send?" He stepped inside, the heavy iron door creaking shut behind him.


    Themandery face down,pletely still, his unkempt hair covering his face as the chains clinked softly with the faint movement of the air.


    "How the hell did you and your men even get defeated by those rascals?" John grumbled, standing over the prone figure. He paced back and forth, his irritation evident. "Now I''m in a tough spot because of your ipetence. You should be grateful you''re still alive."


    He stopped mid-rant, narrowing his eyes at the unresponsivemander. "Hey! You won''t even say anything?" John''s voice rose as he nudged the man with his foot.


    Themander''s body shifted slightly under the push, but it was clear he wasn''t moving on his own. The chains clinked again as his lifeless form swayed briefly before settling back into stillness.


    "Umm, sir��" one of the soldiers said hesitantly, crouching near themander and cing two fingers against his neck. His face paled as he stood abruptly. "He''s not breathing."


    "What?!" John''s eyes widened in disbelief, stepping closer to inspect the body himself. His voice grew louder, tinged with panic. "But how? He was alive just hours ago!"


    "I don''t know, sir. It looks like he took his own life," the soldier replied, his voice uneasy as he nced at themander''s lifeless body.


    John clenched his fists, the veins in his temples bulging. ''This can''t be happening'', he thought furiously. His gaze snapped to the soldier. "What about the other one?" he demanded.


    Before anyone could respond, the ground beneath them began to rumble. The faint tremor grew stronger, causing the walls of the prison to vibrate and dust to fall from the ceiling. The prisoners in their cells erupted into panicked murmurs, their chains clinking as they tried to understand what was happening.


    "I''s another attack," one of the soldiers murmured, his eyes darting around the room.


    "What''s that idiot doing? It''s not time yet!" John bellowed, his frustration spilling over as he turned on his heel. He paced back and forth, raking a hand through his hair, hisposure unraveling.


    "That bitch," he snarled under his breath, "if only she''d surrendered from the beginning. This is all her fault. Every. Last. Bit of it." His muttering turned into a full-blown rant as he vented his anger, seeming to forget his subordinates were still present.


    "She could have ended this without bloodshed, but no, she had to resist, had to fight back. And now look where we are! A stalemate at best and chaos at worst. Everything is spiraling because of her damn stubbornness!"


    John finally stopped pacing and turned back to his men, his face a mask of cold determination. "We''re going to take the queen," he announced, his voice steady despite his rage.


    As he walked out of the cell, one of the soldiers hesitated before speaking up. "What about the King yer, sir?"


    John froze mid-step, his expression darkening as he turned his head slightly. "Kill him," he said, his tone icy and final. Without waiting for further questions, he stormed out, his footsteps echoing in the now-silent prison.


    *****


    Outside, chaos reigned as the battle raged on. Explosions of fire lit up the night sky as mages from both sides hurled their most destructive spells. Arrows rained down in waves, shing against hastily raised shields and magical barriers. The defenders of Laxen held their ground, their determination keeping the enemy at bay.


    "Hold the line!" amander shouted, his voice barely audible over the cacophony of battle. "Fire at will!"


    Themand was met with an eruption of energy as Laxen''s mages unleashed a barrage of ranged spells. ming projectiles streaked through the air, colliding with enemy formations and causing chaos in their ranks. The defenders, though outnumbered, fought fiercely, refusing to give an inch.


    *****


    Rey, Asher, and the rest of the group rushed to the wall, their hurried steps carrying them past frantic soldiers and the wounded being carried away on stretchers.


    "What''s going on?" Rey asked as he reached the top of the wall, his eyes scanning the battlefield.


    The sight before them was grim. The enemy forces seemed more organized and determined, their siege weapons advancing steadily despite the defenders'' efforts.


    "Why does this look worse than before?" Seraphina asked, her usually calm demeanor slipping into concern.


    "That''s because they''re pulling out all the stops this time," Asher replied grimly, his sharp eyes catching the faint glimmer of advanced magical barriers protecting the enemy''s siege engines. "They''re done ying around."


    Cedric clenched his fists, his gaze steely. "We need to do something, or this wall won''t hold much longer."


    "Well, there''s only one thing we can do," Asher said, drawing his daggers. The faint glint of their des reflected his determination.


    "We fight it out," Rey added, gripping his sword tightly as he prepared to descend into the chaos below.


    *****


    The battlefield had gone eerily silent, the sh of steel and the roar of spells momentarily reced by an ominous calm. The silence was broken by a loud,manding voice, one that reverberated across the battlefield with authority.


    "Release the queen at once, and there shall be no bloodshed!"


    Heads turned toward the source of the voice. The figure who had spoken stood tall atop a hill overlooking the battlefield. It was the King of Vond, his royal armor glinting under the pale light of the moon. His presencemanded immediate attention.


    The soldiers of Laxen froze, whispers spreading like wildfire.


    "It''s him�� the King of Vond��"


    "What is he doing here?"


    "The king himself�� this must be serious."


    The realization caused an uproar among the ranks. Soldiers exchanged uneasy nces, their morale shaken by the sudden appearance of such a powerful adversary.


    "Like hell we will! Fire!" barked one of themanding officers, snapping the troops out of their stupor.


    *****


    Meanwhile, amidst themotion, John and his soldiers emerged unexpectedly, dragging the queen of Laxen toward the wall.


    Her regal appearance was now undone, her hair messy, and her face set in defiance. The soldiers who had once trusted John stared at him in shock and disbelief, their horrified gasps rippling through the ranks.


    "What are you doing?" one of the soldiers demanded, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and betrayal.


    John sneered, tightening his grip on the queen''s hair. "Isn''t it obvious? I''m ending this war and saving my skin. You can join me if you wish," he said coldly, his voice dripping with venom.


    Turning to face the King of Vond, John raised the queen slightly, forcing her to look toward the enemy king. "I have the queen," he called out. "And I will dly hand her over. But don''t forget your promise."


    The King of Vond inclined his head slightly, his voice regal andposed. "Of course, my loyal subordinate. What kind of king would I be if I didn''t keep my promises?"


    One of John''s former allies couldn''t contain his outrage any longer. "John, you traitor! What are you trying to do?" he shouted, stepping forward as if to strike him down.


    John smirked, pulling the queen closer to shield himself. "Don''t be so naive. This war was over the moment you let me lead you. Now, stand down, or you''ll all regret it."


    The soldiers of Laxen stood frozen, their weapons half-raised, eyes darting between the traitorous John and the queen he held hostage. No one dared to make a move. The queen''s life hung in the bnce, and John''s cold smile showed he was fully aware of his upper hand.


    "Cowards," John sneered, tightening his grip on the queen''s hair. "You''re all spineless."


    "I''m pretty sure selling yourrades like this counts as being a coward so you''re the biggest coward here." Seraphina angrily interrupted him.


    "Watch your tongue girl, I''m not as forgiving as you think." John replied.


    "At least we won''t look like fools if we say John''s a traitor now," Evelina muttered, crossing her arms.


    Freya nced at her sharply. "Yeah, but that''s not fixing this situation, now is it?"


    Before anyone could respond, John suddenly leapt with unnatural speed, heading straight toward the King of Vond. His boots left a deep imprint in the soil as heunched himself through the air, the queen still in his grasp.


    Several soldiers rushed forward to intercept him, their weapons gleaming as they prepared to strike. But their efforts were in vain. Arrows and spells rained down from Vond''s forces, cutting them down one by one before they could reach him.


    "Damn it! I don''t want to die here." Finn cursed under his breath, gripping his weapon tighter as he watched the chaos unfold.


    *****


    Jett sat quietly, his back resting against the cold wall. The faint echoes of the battle above managed to seep through even to this isted ce.


    "You know, now would be a good time to say something," Jett muttered, his voice breaking the oppressive silence. He wasn''t speaking to anyone in the room, though his words were directed at the system that had been painfully quiet.


    Getting no response, Jett stood and began pacing the cell, his mind racing. Thoughts of the battle raged within him. He itched to join the fight, to make a difference. Yet, he knew he couldn''t leave, not until the system dered his trialplete. His fists clenched in frustration.


    The sound of footsteps snapped him out of his thoughts. Five heavily armed soldiers entered the cell, their expressions grim and devoid of emotion.


    "Turn around," one of them ordered sharply. Find your next read at empire


    Jett tilted his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You''re an awfully strong bunch," he quipped, though his words earned no response.


    He sighed inwardly. These weren''t ordinary soldiers, they were elites. Their movements and aura made that clear. Jett instinctively understood their intention, but he didn''t resist. He stood still, his mind racing for a n, ''What do I do now? If worsees to worst then I have no choice but to defend myself but I''m not even sure if that''ll spoil anything for me.''


    The soldiers formed a tight formation, their weapons glowing ominously as they prepared their strongest attack. The air in the cell grew heavy, charged with lethal energy.


    ''Anytime now would be nice,'' Jett thought, gritting his teeth in frustration as he awaited some kind of intervention.


    Then, it happened.


    A new notification appeared before him, glowing faintly in the dim light:


    [[Trial Complete]]


    [[Calcting Rewards��]]


    A smirk spread across Jett''s face as he turned to nce at the soldiers just as they unleashed their devastating attack.


    "Perfect timing," he murmured, bracing himself for what was toe.


    [Swap]


    *


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    He''s back (? ?_?)?

 Chapter 172 Jetts Back

    The aftermath of the soldiers'' attack left the air thick with tension. The destructive force of theirbined attacks hadnded squarely, but not on Jett. Instead, Johny sprawled on the ground, smoke rising from his scorched armor and blood dripping from several cuts.


    "What the��?" One soldier stammered, his eyes wide in disbelief.


    "Did we... just hit him?" another whispered, taking a shaky step back.


    John groaned in pain as he struggled to sit up. His face twisted in agony and confusion. "What...? How did I get here?" he screamed, clutching his injured side.


    The soldiers remained rooted in ce, their expressions a mix of horror and bewilderment.


    John''s breathing grew ragged as he nced around, his confusion quickly morphing into fury. "Where is she? I had her in my arms, damn it!" He bellowed, mming his fist into the ground.


    "Who?" one of the soldiers dared to ask hesitantly.


    John''s eyes snapped toward him, zing with rage. "The damn queen, you morons! I had her with me! I was this close to making the trade!" He gestured wildly as he tried to rise, only to falter from the pain.


    The soldiers exchanged uneasy nces, their gazes darting from John to the smoldering spot where their attack hadnded.


    "What about the task I gave you?" John barked, gritting his teeth as he red at them. "Is he dead?"


    A long, awkward silence stretched between them. The soldiers hesitated, each one silently urging the others to speak first. Finally, one of them cleared his throat nervously.


    "Umm... sir," he began, his voice trembling, "we were just about to, before you, uh, appeared."


    John''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "What are you trying to say?" His tone was eerily calm, the kind of calm that promised an explosion.


    The second soldier, braver, or perhaps more foolish than the first, stepped forward. "What he''s trying to say is..." he paused, swallowing hard before continuing, "we think he swapped ces with you."


    "That''s impossible!" John roared, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Do you know how much that kind of power would cost? That level of magic is absurd!"


    The soldiers flinched at his outburst, but the evidence was undeniable. Jett was nowhere to be seen, and John had taken the full brunt of their attack.


    *****


    Right before the soldiers'' stunned eyes, the figure holding the queen shifted in an instant. The armor and posture of John faded away, reced by Jett''s lean form, his smirk lighting up the chaos like a spark in dry grass. The air itself seemed to hum with disbelief.


    "What��? How did..." one of the soldiers stuttered before falling silent.


    The queen, now in Jett''s arms, let out a startled cry. Jett raised an eyebrow, his usual nonchnt demeanor barely interrupted. "Your Majesty? In mid-air? Sorry, we''re meeting again under these circumstances. And sorry for this too." he apologized, tightening his hold on her as he adjusted mid-fall.


    Below, the ground rushed toward them at an rming speed, but Jett showed no sign of panic. "I''m not totally sure what''s going on, but I get the gist of it," he said, his grin widening. "Guess I can try out some random skills I''ve been neglecting."


    As their descent elerated, Jett activated a series of abilities in quick session. [Comet Drop] increased their falling speed, and turned their fall into a zing streak of light and energy, while [Body Defense] formed a glowing, translucent shield around them.


    The addition of [Iron Slime] wrapped them in a gtinous, reflective substance that could absorb the impact of falling at that speed. To cap it off, [Thunder God Enhancement] sent arcs of crackling lightning surging around their form, illuminating the battlefield below with shes of electric blue.


    Together, thebination created a dazzling, chaotic spectacle as they plummeted like a divine meteor toward the earth.


    The duo appeared like a meteor plummeting from the heavens, a mix of glistening slime, sparking electricity, and fiery aura surrounding them. The trail they left in the sky was a brilliant, chaotic dance of light and energy.


    From various positions, Vond''s soldiers watched in growing dread.


    "They''re falling��" one whispered, their voice shaking.


    "Really fast!" another shouted, starting to backpedal.


    "Run!" a third screamed, and themand spread like wildfire.


    Soldiers scattered in every direction, some throwing down their weapons in blind panic. The growing roar of their descent drowned out all other noise, until finally��


    BOOM!


    The ground exploded in a shockwave of earth, light, and thunderous energy. Dust and debris flew into the air, and the impact was so powerful that even those stationed far from the battlefield could feel the vibrations beneath their feet. The battlefield stilled, a crater forming where they hadnded, with bodies flung like ragdolls within a 50-meter radius.


    As the dust settled, Jett stood in the center of the destruction, nonchntly surveying the aftermath. "Nice," he said, brushing some dirt off his shoulder. "Took out almost everyone within 50 meters." He tilted his head, thinking. "I think."


    Beside him, the queen looked far lessposed. Her face was pale, and she was visibly shaking. The slime around her slowly dissipated, leaving her covered in a thin sheen of its remnants. She groaned softly, her eyes unfocused.


    Jett sighed, scratching the back of his head as he looked her over. ''Crap, I think I broke the queen,'' he thought, his inner voiceced with exasperation while watching more soldiers attempt to approach them.


    As the soldiers charged toward him and the queen, Jett let out a small sigh. "Guess I need a little breathing room." He raised his hand, summoning dark, crackling mes around him.


    {Hell Fire}


    The ground erupted in an inferno, forming a barrier of hot mes that radiated intense heat. The soldiers skidded to a halt, their courage wavering at the sight of the deadly wall. Some attempted to approach but recoiled as the heat began to singe their armor.


    "It''s not enough��" Jett muttered as heyered another spell on top of the first.


    {Wind Wall}


    Experience more on empire


    A sudden gust of powerful wind howled outward, throwing back the more daring soldiers like ragdolls. They mmed into the ground, groaning in pain. The dualyered defense bought Jett the moment of peace he needed.


    He flicked his wrist, summoning his status screen into view.


    =====


    ss: Magic Swordsman


    Level: 102


    HP: 570


    MP: 270


    Strength: 370


    Agility: 283


    Intelligence: 270


    Perception: 269


    Undistributed Points: 1000


    =====


    "Alright," Jett muttered, a grin forming as he scanned his stats. "Pretty impressive, if I do say so myself. These numbers would pass for anyone around level 200, maybe 135 if it''s the others, but I''m pretty sure Rey''s would be faster, so maybe 125." He paused, smirking to himself. "Still, why do I get the feeling this isn''t enough?"


    *****


    A booming voice interrupted Jett''s concentration. "You there, who might you be?" It was the King of Vond, his piercing gaze fixed on Jett.


    "Me?" Jett said casually, his trademark smirk in ce. "No one important. I just happened to show up here."


    The king''s lips curled in a condescending smile. "Thedy in your arms is my bride, and I would appreciate it if you brought her to me."


    Jett cocked his head slightly, the grin never leaving his face. "Oh really? And what if I refuse?" he asked, though the fatigue in his voice hinted at his dwindling MP. ''Damn, I should''ve thought twice about using all those skills in session,'' Jett thought. ''The [Swap] almost drained mepletely.''


    The queen, standing behind the zing wall of fire, watched the entire scene with wide eyes. She clutched her dress tightly, struggling toprehend the surreal sight. A single man, unarmed, smiling like this was a minor inconvenience, even though they were surrounded by enemies.


    Yet, amidst his calm demeanor, Jett felt a flicker of unease. ''Let''s see what we''re really dealing with here; I still don''t feelfortable with this situation,'' he muttered as his eyes gleamed.


    [Appraisal]


    He turned his attention to the King of Vond, whose calm confidence radiated across the battlefield. Jett''s smirk faded slightly as the stats began to load.


    =====


    ss: Warrior


    Level: 317


    HP: 1000


    MP: 200


    Strength: 1000


    Agility: 700


    Intelligence: 100


    Perception: 170


    =====


    "You''ve got to be kidding me, but is this why I''m having cold feet?" Jett whispered, his brows furrowing. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.


    The king caught Jett''s sharp gaze and smirked knowingly. "You''ve realized, haven''t you? There''s no way you can face my wrath. So hand over the queen to me," he said, his voice cutting through the roar of the battlefield.


    Jett snapped the status screen shut and forced a grin back onto his face. "I''m not so sure about that; I can''t let a pervert like you keep on building a harem," he taunted, masking his unease.


    The queen, still trying to process what was happening, felt a chill run down her spine as she noticed the subtle shift in Jett''s demeanor. "You''re enjoying this?" she asked, incredulous.


    "Not quite, Your Majesty," Jett replied, his smirk fading into a serious expression. "But I don''t n to lose either."


    *


    *


    *


    Such a gentleman.

 Chapter 173 Battlefield

    "You''re ignorance shall be the death of you," the king said, his voice cold and cutting as his re bore into Jett.


    Jett clenched his fists but maintained aposed exterior. He wasn''t ready yet. The inferno zing around him was his only shield, its dwindling mes buying him precious seconds as his MP slowly climbed. Time was slipping through his fingers, but he needed more of it. Discover hidden content at empire


    "Cornered, young man. Hand her over," the king demanded again, his tone sharp with finality.


    Jett''s mind raced. ''What''s his deal? With those stats, he should''ve crushed me by now. Why''s he stalling?'' His eyes narrowed as he studied the king. ''He keeps acting like he wants to finish this quickly, but something''s holding him back.''


    His gaze shifted to the queen, her pale face etched with fear. She stood too close to danger, and every second made the situation worse. ''I need to get her out of here. But how?''


    The mes protecting them sputtered and died, leaving nothing but smoldering embers. Jett''s jaw tightened as the soldiers, sensing their opportunity, surged forward with renewed vigor.


    "Can you run?" he asked urgently, his voice low enough that only the queen could hear him.


    She looked toward the distant walls, her eyes betraying the answer before she spoke. "I don''t think I''ll make it."


    Jett let out a frustrated sigh, his lips curling into a faint grin despite the tension. "Yeah, dumb question. Hold still."


    With a sharp gesture, Jett activated his skill. [Construct].


    The ground beneath them rippled like water as his magic surged forth. In moments, a protective dome of solid earth rose around the queen, encasing her in a sturdy barrier. He gave her a quick nod of reassurance. "You''ll be safe in there. Just give me a sec."


    The soldiers were already closing in, des gleaming as they prepared to strike. Jett stepped forward, rolling his shoulders as a mischievous smirk spread across his face.


    "Now for my stats," Jett muttered to himself,


    =====


    ss: Magic Swordsman


    Level: 102


    HP: 570 +253


    MP: 270


    Strength: 370 +230


    Agility: 283 +517


    Intelligence: 270


    Perception: 269


    Undistributed Points: 0


    =====


    "Alright, let''s dance," he muttered, ''First time I''m hitting Zero on undistributed points.''


    Unarmed, Jett relied on his agility and quick thinking. As the first soldier lunged at him, he sidestepped and drove an elbow into the man''s jaw, sending him sprawling. Two more came at him from opposite sides. Jett ducked under their swings, using a sweeping kick to knock one off bnce while grabbing the other''s wrist and flipping him over with a practiced motion.


    "[Muddy Feet]," he whispered, snapping his fingers.


    The ground beneath the soldiers turned to slick mud, causing them to stagger and slip as they struggled to stay upright. Jett darted among them like a shadow,nding precise strikes and keeping them disoriented. He fought with calcted ferocity, never letting them get too close to the dome protecting the queen.


    But he knew this couldn''tst forever. His MP was recovering, but time wasn''t on his side. ''Just a little longer�� I need to hold out.''


    {Hell Fire}


    mes roared to life at Jett''smand, the intense heat scorching the battlefield. Without hesitation, he followed up.


    {Flood}


    A tidal surge of water crashed into the inferno, creating a violent hiss as steam billowed upward. The dense vapor nketed the area in a massive smokescreen, obscuring visibility for everyone.


    Jett exhaled sharply, wiping sweat from his brow. ''This should buy me some time.''


    He raised his hand and activated [Storage Space], reaching into the dark space. His fingers closed around a hilt, and he pulled out a gleaming sword. "A weapon would be good right now," he muttered, gripping it tightly as his eyes scanned the swirling mist.


    [Battle Instincts].


    [Tactical Mirage]


    Jett''s senses heightened in an instant. The chaotic fog didn''t hinder him; instead, he could feel every movement within a 50-meter radius as though it were imprinted in his mind. The presence of his enemies burned like red-hot coals in his awareness.


    In the blink of an eye, multiple illusions of Jett sprang to life within the smokescreen, each moving with deceptive purpose. The soldiers hesitated, swinging wildly at the phantoms, their confusion growing with every missed strike.


    Meanwhile, Jett maneuvered unseen, his actual presence undetectable. Inside this space, his stats surged, while the enemies'' were significantly diminished, their strength sapped as though the very air weighed them down.


    From a distance, the King of Vond observed the battlefield. His sharp instincts prickled as he watched the unnatural fog churn. Something wasn''t right. Frowning, he stepped further back, unwilling to be caught in whatever trap Jett hadid.


    Then came the sounds, steel meeting steel, the pained groans of men falling to unseen des. The king''s frown deepened as he realized his soldiers were being picked off one by one.


    Jett moved like a ghost, his sword a blur as he dispatched his enemies with cold efficiency. One soldier after another fell, their armor ttering against the ground. He didn''t stop, his focus unwavering. Each strike was deliberate, each movement precise.


    Suddenly, the battlefield trembled as a hulking figure emerged. An armored man, towering and far more massive than the previousmander, strode forward. He raised his enormous hands and pped them together with earth-shaking force.


    The resulting shockwave tore through the smokescreen, scattering the vapor and revealing the scene beneath.


    Jett stood amidst the fallen soldiers, his sword slick with blood. His chest heaved as he turned to face the giant, who now loomed over him like a living fortress. The armored man''s presence alone was oppressive, his footsteps resounding like thunder.


    Jett''s heart raced as he nced toward the dome protecting the queen. He tightened his grip on his sword. ''I have to hold them off. No matter what.''


    The monstrous man charged, and Jett leapt back, barely dodging the earth-shattering swing of a massive axe. Soldiers began closing in from the nks, their weapons glinting in the sunlight. Jett gritted his teeth.


    He readied himself to defend against the onught, every fiber of his being screaming to protect the queen. But just then, a familiar voice pierced through the chaos.


    "JETT!"


    His head snapped toward the source of the voice, his eyes widening, ''What the Hell?''


    *


    *


    *


    What could that be?

 Chapter 174 Finns Spear

    At the wall, the once chaotic battle was slowly quieting. Soldiers and mages, worn and battered, were no longer focused on their immediate fights. Their attention was drawn further ahead, where the real spectacle unfolded.


    "Is that��" Evelina began, her voice trailing off as her sharp eyes caught sight of a familiar figure moving within the misty battlefield.


    "Jett! It''s Jett!" Freya eximed, her excitement slipping out before she realized it.


    The group turned their attention to the scene ahead, watching Jett wreak havoc across the battlefield. He moved with precision and ferocity, taking down soldiers left and right. Each motion was calcted, yet it was clear he was being pushed to his limits. His attacks, though devastating, were growing more defensive.


    "We need to help," Elora urged, her tone serious. "He doesn''t even have a weapon. And we still need to get the queen out of there."


    "Yeah, he''s holding back just so he can protect the queen," Freya added, worry creeping into her voice.


    "Don''t worry," Rey interjected, pulling a sword from his storage ring with a grin. "I''ve got his sword. Picked it up on my way here."


    "That''s the one he got from his dad, right?" Freya asked.


    "I don''t think he''ll need it," Finn said, crossing his arms with a knowing look. "Jett''s already got an arsenal, even if he hardly ever uses it."


    "What are you even talking about?" Rey demanded, narrowing his eyes.


    "You''ve got those annoying eyes that can see through things, don''t you?" Finn replied, gesturing toward the fog. "Take a look inside."


    Rey frowned but did as Finn suggested. His sharp gaze pierced the veil of steam and mist, and there it was, Jett wielding a sword in the thick fog.


    "Huh. He really doesn''t need it," Rey muttered, slipping the weapon back into his storage ring.


    Before anyone could respond, a sudden tremor rippled through the battlefield. A massive armored figure emerged, his heavy footsteps shaking the ground. The man raised his colossal hands and pped them together with an explosive force.


    The fog was obliterated in an instant, revealing the carnage beneath. Jett, now fully exposed, stood amidst the fallen soldiers. His stance was tense, his eyes locked on the towering man before him.


    "Jett''s in trouble," Rey warned, his tone serious.


    "That guy looks really strong," Matthewmented, though there was a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.


    "And probably fun to fight, too," Seraphina added, her enthusiasm evident. Without waiting, she grabbed Matthew''s arm and leapt over the wall.


    "Wait for us!" Freya called out, but Seraphina and Matthew were already charging ahead, eager to join the fray.


    "What are you guys doing?! Are you trying to get yourselves killed?! And you Freya, you''re not going anywhere." Rosa yelled, her voice sharp with panic, as she watched Seraphina and Matthew leap from the incredible height of the wall while Freya sulked.


    "You don''t need to worry about us!" Matthew called back, the wind whipping through his hair as they plummeted toward the ground.


    As they neared the surface, Matthew tightened his hold on Seraphina and called Iron.


    In an instant, the massive Ironback Bear materialized below them, its gleaming, imprable skin catching the light. The duonded squarely on its broad back as if it were a tform. With a powerful roar, the bear began racing down the wall, its ws digging into the stone, allowing it to descend with ease.


    By the time they reached the ground, Seraphina looked back at the others on the wall and called out yfully, "See? No problem at all!"


    "You really should stop worrying so much," Marce sighed, ncing at Rosa, who was still clutching the wall in disbelief.


    Meanwhile, back at the top of the wall, Finn brought out his spear, holding it as if he were taking aim at a distant target. The weapon gleamed, its intricate design pulsing faintly with magic.


    "He''s going to need something that actually packs a punch," Finn muttered, grinning because of what he was about to do.


    Rey, catching sight of Finn''s actions, felt his frustration boil over. "What the hell are you trying to do from here?"


    "I''m giving Jett my spear," Finn replied confidently. "It''s much stronger than anything he''s got right now."


    Rey gawked at him. "You moron! Did you casually forget that no one else can even pick up your spear? We''ve all tried it, haven''t we? Even Elora and Aiden''s weapons, they''re just as exclusive as yours!"


    "It''s true," Elora added, her gaze sharp. "If you''re just trying to attack the soldiers, that''s one thing. But giving it to Jett? That''s not going to work."


    Aiden crossed his arms, shaking his head. "Stop ying around, Finn. They were specially made for us. No one else can use them."


    Finn''s smile widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he adjusted his stance, still aiming his spear.


    "Hey, you guys," he said, his voice brimming with confidence, "I''m about to blow your minds."


    Finn tightened his grip on the spear, the intricate engravings along its shaft glowing faintly as he summoned all his strength. With a deep breath, he nted his foot firmly on the wall.


    "[Meteor Throw]!" he roared, hurling the spear with everything he had.


    The weapon tore through the air like aet, its zing trajectory leaving a faint golden streak in its wake. "JETT!" Finn shouted, his voice booming across the battlefield.


    Jett, midbat, turned at the sound of his name. His sharp eyes caught sight of the fast-approaching projectile. For a split second, confusion shed across his face, followed by recognition. "What the hell��" he muttered.


    "CATCH!" Finn''s voice cut through the chaos, and despite himself, Jett couldn''t help but smirk.


    The spear rocketed forward, passing Seraphina and Matthew in a blur. The sheer force of its passage kicked up a whirlwind of dust and debris, leaving the two momentarily stunned as they watched it zoom by.


    "It''s not slowing down!" Seraphina shouted, shielding her face from the dust.


    The hulking, herculean soldier near Jett noticed his distraction and seized the opportunity. His massive frame loomed over Jett as he sneered, "Never show your enemy your back."


    Jett sidestepped slightly, a faint smirk ying on his lips. "So you can speak after all," he said mockingly, stepping back cautiously.


    The spear, now mere moments from impact, seemed to tear through the very air. Its unyielding path radiated a sense of unstoppable power.


    "DODGE!!!" Rey and the others screamed from atop the wall, panic clear in their voices. To them, it looked as if the spear would impale Jett without mercy.


    But Jett didn''t flinch. As the hulking soldier lunged at him, his massive fist descending like a hammer, Jett moved with fluid precision.


    [Hammer Fist] the soldier roared, his attack aiming to crush Jett where he stood. Stay updated with empire


    At thest moment, Jett backflipped with effortless grace, narrowly avoiding the devastating blow. As he flipped, his hand shot out, catching the spear mid-flight with perfect timing.


    Using the immense momentum of the weapon, Jett spun, channeling the spear''s power into a counterattack. The sheer force sent the herculean soldier hurtling backward like a ragdoll, crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact that sent shockwaves through the battlefield.


    As the dust settled, Jett turned to Matthew and smirked. "He''s all yours."


    Matthew grinned, cracking his knuckles. "With pleasure."


    Above, the group stood in stunned silence. Finn leaned casually against the wall, a smug grin stered across his face.


    "That''s Finn''s Midas Spear��" Elora finally managed to say, her tone filled with disbelief.


    "No one else is supposed to be able to use it," Aiden added, his brow furrowed in confusion.


    Rey stared wide-eyed at the battlefield. "How the hell is he holding it?"


    No one had an answer, but one thing was clear, Jett had done the impossible yet again.


    *


    *


    *


    Yet again!!!

 Chapter 175 Better Now

    The herculean soldier, still reeling from the impact, struggled to get back on his feet, his armor dented and cracked from the sheer force of Jett''s counter. But before he could fully recover, Matthew''s Ironback Bear charged toward him with a thunderous roar, its massive ws aiming to finish the job.


    Seraphina followed close behind, her Sylvan Faerie flitting around her shoulder as she prepared to bind him.


    [Nature Bind], she chanted, and thick vines erupted from the ground, coiling around the soldier''s legs and locking him in ce.


    "Not so tough now, are you?" Matthew taunted,nding a crushing punch into the soldier''s exposed chest, his enhanced strength sending him crumpling to the ground.


    Meanwhile, Jett twirled the Midas Spear in his hands, testing its weight and bnce. The golden weapon hummed faintly, as if responding to him, its energy flowing through his veins.


    From the wall, Finn watched with a satisfied grin. "See? Told you I''d blow your minds."


    Rey''s jaw tightened. "That doesn''t exin how. That spear was made for you so how?. What''s going on, Finn?"


    "Beats me," Finn replied nonchntly, though the mischievous glint in his eyes suggested he might know more than he was letting on, "He''s always been able to hold it ever since we got it."


    "What do you mean we?" Freya asked.


    "Ah, well��, he helped me find the spear in the first ce." Finn got a bit flustered as hesitated ''After literally killing me though.''


    "HE helped you too? What is that''s the criteria for being able to wield them?" Aiden suggested.


    "No dumbass, that why can''t I hold yours?" Elora stepped forward, her tone sharp. "If Jett can wield it, does that mean��?"


    "As much as I''d hate to say this, it means he''s special," Finn interrupted, folding his arms. "More special than any of us realized."


    "Hey you guys? Has anyone seen Asher?" Evelina asked while scanning through battlefield.


    *****


    Back on the battlefield, Jett had no time to dwell on the astonished looks from his friends. More soldiers charged at him, emboldened by the temporarypse in his focus. With the Midas Spear in hand, Jett smirked.


    "You guys really don''t learn, do you?" he said, crouching slightly.


    [Power Strike]


    Heunched forward with explosive speed, the Midas Spear radiating golden energy as he swung it in a wide arc. The impact was devastating, sending several soldiers flying and creating a crater beneath his feet.


    The queen, still protected within the dome Jett had constructed earlier, watched in awe. "Was he always this strong?" she whispered, clutching her chest as relief and astonishment mingled in her gaze.


    Jett, now standing alone amidst a sea of fallen enemies, turned his attention to the approaching reinforcements. The king of Vond, who had been observing from a distance, stepped forward with a slow, deliberate p.


    "Well, well," the king said, his voice cutting through the chaos. "It seems I underestimated you. That weapon wasn''t meant for your hands, yet here you are, wielding it like it was forged for you."


    Jett met the king''s gaze, twirling the spear once more before nting it firmly into the ground. "You talk a lot for someone who''s next," he said, his tone dripping with defiance.


    The battlefield grew silent as the tension between Jett and the king reached its peak.


    "Let''s end this," Jett said, gripping the Midas Spear tightly.


    The king smirked. "Oh, I won''t be doing anything since I''m already a dead man."


    Jett removed the protective dome from over the queen, stepping back and ncing around. "You hear that?" he asked, his tone calm but charged with anticipation.


    The queen looked at him in confusion. "Hear what?" she asked, her voiceced with uncertainty. There was no one else nearby, or so she thought.


    Out of the queen''s shadows, Asher materialized behind her with an almost ghost-like grace. The sudden appearance made her gasp in surprise.


    "Yeah, whatever," Asher replied nonchntly, gripping the queen''s arm firmly but not roughly. His Amethyst eyes met Jett''s. "Don''t lose."


    Jett''s lips curled into a confident smirk as he shifted the Midas Spear behind him, gripping it with an air of certainty. "I never lose."


    Asher nodded, pulling the queen closer. Without another word, he stepped back into the shadows, both him and the queen vanishing into the ck void. Their forms flickered between silhouettes as he traversed the battlefield, darting between shadowy patches with an unrelenting pace.


    Asher''s only thought echoed in his mind. "Don''t die, Jett."


    Freed from distractions, Jett turned his attention fully to the battlefield''s core, the king of Vond. He lowered his stance, the spear angled behind him like a coiled spring ready tounch. With no warning, he sprinted forward, the ground beneath him cracking from the sheer force of his eleration.


    "I''ll have to overpower him with my agility," Jett thought, his focus razor-sharp as he closed the gap.


    But just as he was within striking range, the king smirked, a subtle yet ominous gesture. "Move away or you might really die this time" Jett''s instincts screamed at him, but before he could react, the king snapped his fingers.


    The ground beneath Jett trembled violently before exploding upward, sending him hurtling sky-high.


    "What the��?!" Jett gritted his teeth as he twisted in the air, trying to regain control.


    The earth split open below, and from its depths emerged a massive dragon. Its scales gleamed like molten gold, and its roar was deafening, echoing across the battlefield like a war cry. The sheer size of the beast was enough to cast a shadow over the entire area, its massive wings unfurling as it stared up at Jett with glowing crimson eyes.


    *****


    Matthew and Seraphina stopped mid-battle, their eyes widening at the sight of the colossal dragon. Even the herculean soldier, who had been battling them fiercely, froze in ce to watch the scene unfold.


    "Haha!" The soldierughed, a cruel grin spreading across his face. "Your friend''s a dead man now!"


    Seraphina''s expression darkened. Without warning, she delivered a bone-crushing punch to the soldier''s jaw, sending him staggering backward. "Worry about yourself," she growled, her Sylvan Faerie glowing brighter as she prepared for another strike.


    [Man-Beast Transformation]


    "Get ready for a royal ass whooping."


    *****


    Meanwhile, Asher darted through the battlefield with the queen in tow, his movements fluid and precise as he navigated through the chaos. The dragon''s roar reached his ears, but he didn''t dare look back.


    ''Just hang in there Jett, I''ll be right back,'' His grip on the queen tightened as his thoughts raced. ''Stay alive, Jett. You''ve got this.''


    *****


    Jett, still airborne, red down at the dragon as he tightened his hold on the Midas Spear. "A dragon, huh?" he muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips despite the situation. "Guess things just got interesting."


    *


    Continue reading on empire


    *


    *


    Oh it''s on now...


    Are you missing anyone?


    ?????

 Chapter 176 Trials and Dragons

    =====


    ss: Magic Swordsman


    Level: 102


    HP: 823


    MP: 270


    Strength: 500


    Agility: 800


    Intelligence: 270


    Perception: 269


    Undistributed Points: 0


    =====


    *****


    "That thing is huge!" Rey eximed, unable to hold back his awe as the colossal dragon loomed over the battlefield.


    Elora snapped into action. "Alright, you guys, we need to move. Ghost,e on out."


    A low growl resonated from the shadows as Elora''s Death Wolf, Ghost, emerged. Its fur as dark as the underwold sending a ghostly aura, its eyes burning with an otherworldly intensity as it stepped forward, the shadows trailing behind it like smoke.


    Before Morrigan could protest, Elora grabbed her arm and pulled her along. "Come on, we don''t have time!"


    "No way! This is insane!" Morrigan yelled, her resistance strong but futile. As they argued, Ghost bolted forward,unching itself from the wall with unrelenting speed.


    "Wait�� WHAT?!!!" Morrigan screamed, her voice piercing as they plunged toward the ground. Elora sat calmly beside her, looking unfazed.


    The wind rushed past them, Morrigan''s shrieks intensifying with every second. "We''re going to crash!"


    Elora smirked, clearly enjoying the chaos. "Pipe down already and watch this." She patted Ghost reassuringly. "Alright, Ghost, do your thing."


    Ghost''s sharp eyes locked onto a small shadow cast by a fallen corpse below. Without hesitation, it aimed for the shadow, diving straight into it. The trio disappeared into the darkness, swallowed whole by the shadow.


    They re-emerged seamlessly from another shadow a few steps away on the battlefield. The transition was so sudden that Morrigan''s screams cut off in an instant, reced by a dizzy groan.


    Morrigan wobbled unsteadily, trying to regain her footing. "I�� I think I''m going to��"


    Before she could finish, Ghost sped onward, unfazed by her state, dragging them deeper into the fight.


    *****


    Meanwhile, Aiden stepped forward, his Mystic Tiger, Babel, materializing beside him in a burst of radiant energy. Its sleek, muscr form glimmered with faint streaks of magic, and its eyes shone with intelligence and power.


    "Alright, Babel, time to move," Aiden said, his excitement clear.


    Cedric and Finn joined him, climbing onto Babel''s broad back as its massive wings unfurled with an audible whoosh.


    "Let''s go!" Aiden shouted with vigor.


    Babel roared, the sound reverberating across the battlefield, before leaping into the air. With a powerful beat of its wings, it soared, diving toward the chaos below.


    Babel performed a graceful arc as it approached the battlefield, then broke upward sharply, heading straight for the colossal dragon. Its eyes locked onto the massive beast, its roar challenging the dragon''s dominance as it carried its riders toward the fight.


    "Asmodeus, we need to move too," Rey dered, his voice firm as his dragon emerged from behind him.


    The Master Dragon had grown significantly since itsst battle, its scales gleaming with a proud radiance, its wings broader and moremanding than before. While impressive, it was still dwarfed by the titanic Earth Dragon towering over the battlefield.


    "Let''s go!" Rey shouted as he mounted Asmodeus, reaching a hand back to help the others. Rosa, Freya, and Marce quickly climbed aboard, but Evelina remained on the wall.


    "You''re noting?" Marce asked, raising a brow at her.


    Evelina shook her head, casually gesturing to herself with her thumb. "I''ll stay here. I can provide support from this vantage point. I''m an archer, after all."


    Rey nodded, respecting her choice. "Alright then, do your thing."


    With a powerful p of its wings, Asmodeusunched into the air, carrying its riders straight toward the looming Earth Dragon.


    *****


    "How do you like my Earth Dragon?" Vond''s king taunted Jett, his voice booming with triumph. Jett, still high in the air after being sted skyward, red at the king below. The massive dragon beneath him let out a deafening roar, its colossal form shifting as it prepared for Jett''s inevitable fall.


    The dragon''s jaws opened wide, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. It waited eagerly, a predator anticipating its prey.


    "Don''t get too cocky, you overgrown lizard!" Jett sneered as he plummeted toward its maw, gripping Finn''s spear tightly.


    The moment he got close enough for the dragon to snap its jaws shut, Jett smirked.


    [Ricochet Strike]


    A surge of energy exploded around Jett as invisible tforms formed mid-air beneath his feet. He propelled himself upward just as the dragon''s mouth mmed shut, narrowly avoiding being swallowed.


    Using the air tforms, Jett ricocheted across the dragon''s massive body, his movements swift and unpredictable. With each strike of the spear, he delivered punishing blows to the creature, sharp bursts of magic sparking with every impact.


    The Earth Dragon groaned in pain, its massive form shaking with each strike. Jett pierced its scales repeatedly, aiming for weak spots as he rebounded from tform to tform.


    "How do you like it now?" Jett taunted, flipping mid-air and delivering a particrly powerful thrust with the spear into the dragon''s neck. The beast roared, its cry echoing across the battlefield, as Jett continued his relentless assault, showing no signs of slowing down.


    "Sorry, but your pet''s about to be my training dummy," Jett dered with a grin, greed gleaming in his eyes. "I wasn''t just sitting in that cell twiddling my thumbs, you know."


    Jett swiped his hand in the air, opening his skill list with practiced precision. A long menu appeared before him as he quickly scrolled through like he was looking for something, "There you are."


    {Waterfall}


    A torrential downpour materialized above the Earth Dragon, drenching the massive creature from head to w. The dragon roared in irritation as water cascaded down its scales, its movements growing sluggish under the sheer weight of the soaking.


    "Let''s cool you off a bit," Jett muttered with a smirk, activating another skill.


    {Skin Frost}


    Wherever the water had touched, ayer of ice spread rapidly, encasing much of the dragon''s body in a chilling prison. The creature thrashed violently, struggling against the cold that now gripped its massive frame. It groaned in difort, the frost causing noticeable cracks in its tougher scales as its joints stiffened.


    "Don''t worry there''s more? Let''s turn things up a notch." Jett grabbed Finn''s spear, which hummed with energy as he focused his Aura into the weapon.


    [Thunder God''s Throw]


    With a powerful heave, Jett hurled the spear with godlike force. The weapon tore through the air, spinning with deadly precision before piercing deep into the dragon''s side. The impact alone was enough to create a gaping wound, but Jett wasn''t done yet.


    Streams of electricity erupted from the spear, coursing through the dragon''s body. The water-soaked and ice-ridden areas amplified the current, sending jolts of pain through the massive creature. It roared in agony, its thrashing growing even more violent as it struggled to free itself from the electrifying torment.


    Jettnded gracefully on the spear embedded in the dragon''s side, standing firm against its writhing. "You''re not gonna like this next part," he taunted, cing a hand on the dragon''s head.


    [Pain Amplification]


    [Multiply pain caused within 1 minute by x10.


    Adds 5% health regen for the user.


    5% chance to get a stun effect.


    Activates only by contact and can only be used on 5 targets at once.


    Costs 50 MP.]


    [Cooldown 10 minutes]


    [Target Acquired: 1/5]


    A dark energy surged through Jett''s palm, connecting with the dragon.


    ''I was initially trying to get a healing skill but I couldn''t pass up something like this now could i?'' The skill''s effects activated instantly. "Even if you''re Level freaking 150, this is still gonna hurt," Jett said with a devilish smirk.


    A jolt of amplified pain shot through the Earth Dragon''s entire body, magnified tenfold by the spell. The creature let out a deafening roar, its agony visible in every twitch of its muscles and tremor of its massive frame. Sparks of electricity danced across its waterlogged, frozen body, intensifying the torment.


    Meanwhile, Jett''s health began regenerating, a small but satisfying side effect of his sinister move. "Let''s see if you can even move after that," Jett muttered, watching as the dragon''s thrashes slowed, its immense strength faltering under thebined assault.


    *


    Experience tales at empire


    *


    *


    At this rate he''ll kill that thing before they get there to help him.


    *


    *


    *


    Fun Fact: HP and MP are actually set to show 1% with the ratio being 1:100 of their actual value, so in reality,


    HP: 270,000


    MP: 270,000


    ?(�� ? ��)?


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