Alfie walked in silence, his thoughts circling around Sasaki.
He's protecting Master?
Are his intentions really good?
What if I've misunderstood everything?
His fists tightened as doubt settled in his mind.
No....I can't be sure of anything yet. There's only one way to find out. I need to get myself together.
He took a deep breath, his expression gradually hardening.
Soon, they arrived at the first gate of Ashura. Its enormous metallic structure towered above them, runes covering its surface. Surprisingly, not a single guard stood at the entrance.
"There's nobody guarding the gate. How are we supposed to get in?" Alfie asked.
Lucy kept her hand resting on her sword's hilt, her expression calm.
"Ashura doesn't work like other kingdoms. The moment you approach the gate, the first trial begins."
She glanced at Jackson.
"This trial tests your Force Energy. Alfie and Sasaki should have no trouble passing, but your situation is different, Jack. The seal I placed on you will help. Trust it, and more importantly, trust yourself."
Jackson lowered his head.
"Hey, Jack," Alfie said, drawing his attention. "There's no time to feel sorry for yourself. We have bigger problems to deal with. Rebekah is out there, and we need to get stronger if we're going to save her."
He flashed Jackson an encouraging grin.
"So let's pass this trial together and get into this so called Ashura."
Jackson looked at him for a moment. Seeing Alfie's usual confidence return brought him some relief.
"At least you've finally pulled yourself together," he muttered. "I'm glad."
The four of them continued toward the gate until Lucy stepped forward and placed her palm against its cold metal surface.
From somewhere near the wall, a young man's voice broke the silence.
"What are these people thinking, bringing two kids to Ashura? Have they completely lost their minds?"
He stood nearby with his arms crossed, watching them with disbelief.
An older man sitting beside him took a sip from his bottle before shaking his head.
"That's their problem. I've seen all sorts of things here, so nothing surprises me anymore. Besides, Ashura is unpredictable. You can't tell who'll pass just by looking at them."
He glanced at the group.
"Those kids might surprise you."
Suddenly, the enormous gate groaned. A powerful surge of Renshi erupted from within, sending dust swirling across the ground.
A bald man emerged, descending through the air as though gravity meant nothing to him. He wore white sleeves and trousers beneath a flowing black Shinra cape.
He looked down at the group with a contemptuous smirk.
"Another bunch of losers huh. What do you want?"
Alfie's expression darkened immediately.
"Don't you dare call my Master a loser, you bald-headed idiot!"
Jackson nearly winced.
He insulted all of us, Alfie. You don't have to take it personally.
The bald man's smirk widened.
"Quite a mouth you've got there, kid. Let's see if you can back it up. You'll regret speaking to me like that."
His voice attracted the attention of nearby Shinras. One after another, they gathered around the gate, their capes displaying different colours as they watched the newcomers.
The bald man surveyed the group before speaking again.
"So, who's going first?"
Lucy stepped forward without hesitation.
Her Renshi surged outward, and a powerful wave of Renshical pressure crashed against the man.
His expression changed as the force struck him. He staggered half a step backward, his muscles tightening as he struggled against the overwhelming pressure.
Lucy stared at him coldly.
"You don't need to test me."
In the next instant, she vanished using Switch Mode, reappearing beyond the first gate.
The bald man watched her with narrowed eyes.
"Not bad... Not bad... Another weirdo...Take her to the second trial," he ordered the nearby Shinras.
Sasaki stepped forward next.
His Renshical pressure erupted, dark and fierce, spreading across the entrance.
The bald man immediately released his own pressure to meet it.
The two forces collided, shaking the ground beneath them. Neither man backed down, the surrounding Shinras watched in disbelief as the pressure intensified.
The bald man's expression slowly changed from amusement to genuine surprise.
"Incredible. It's been a long time since I've seen this kind of talent in Ashura."
Whispers spread through the crowd as Sasaki finally passed the trial and moved beyond the gate.
The bald man then turned his attention to the remaining two.
"Now, which one of you is next?"
"I'll go first," Jackson answered, stepping forward.
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Really? I thought the loudmouth brat would be the first to step up."
Alfie placed a hand on Jackson's shoulder.
"Wait, Jack. Let me go first."
Jackson turned toward him.
"Why?"
"Watch carefully. Pay attention to how the trial works and see if you can pick up anything useful. We need both of us to pass, so don't rush in without thinking."
Jackson hesitated before finally stepping aside.
Alfie walked toward the bald man, a confident grin spreading across his face.
"I can't use Renshical pressure yet, so don't hold back on my account, bald head.."
The man's smile disappeared.
"Fine. Don't blame me if you can't handle it."
He released his Renshical pressure.
A crushing wave of force swept across the entrance, splitting the ground beneath Alfie's feet. Dust rose into the air as cracks spread through the stone.
Alfie remained standing.
He didn't stagger or even bend his knees.
The bald man's eyes widened.
"Wh..What?"
Alfie stared straight back at him, completely unmoved by the pressure.
"Impossible!" one of the watching Shinras exclaimed. "That boy is resisting the Trial Master's Renshical pressure!"
The bald man studied Alfie in disbelief.
That kid's Force Energy is on my level....
He immediately withdrew his pressure... And sighs.
"You pass. Move along."
Alfie smirked and started toward the gate. Before crossing it, however, he stopped and returned to Jackson's side.
His expression became serious as he leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"Jack, listen carefully. Don't depend entirely on the seal. Put everything you've got into your legs and keep pushing forward. The seal will help you withstand the pressure, but you still have to fight against it yourself with your force energy."
He held Jackson's gaze.
"This trial is about strength. Don't give up."
Alfie turned and walked through the gate.
Jackson watched him disappear, then took a deep breath.
I can do this.
He stepped forward.
The moment he entered the trial area, the bald man's Renshical pressure crashed down on him.
Jackson's knees trembled. His body felt as though an enormous weight had been placed on his shoulders, forcing him toward the ground.
"Ghh... This is heavier than I expected!"
He clenched his teeth, sweat running down his face. Despite his efforts, one knee slammed against the ground.
Laughter rose from the watching crowd.
"Hah! So much for being talented. One of them was bound to be a useless follower."
Jackson's fingers dug into the dirt.
His face twisted with anger.
No... I'm not giving up here.
His thoughts flashed to his father and his sister.
I've come this far. I can't keep being the one everyone has to protect. I need to become stronger. For Papa. For my sister.
He pressed both hands against the ground and struggled to lift himself.
Every muscle in his body screamed under the pressure. The seal Lucy had placed on him began to glow faintly as he forced more strength into his legs.
Jackson gritted his teeth, his veins bulging as he fought to stand.
"I... won't... fall here!"
The pressure continued to bear down on him, testing his strength.