The classroom was noisy, as usual. Students were chatting about Titan Planet, First God Sanctuary, and how some senior students had signed up for the next recruitment test.
Prince sat quietly near the window, sketching shapes in his notebook. His friends gathered around his desk, as they always did during breaks.
"Did you see the news?" Arjun said excitedly. "Two students from our city passed the First God Sanctuary trial! They're already rich. One mission, and they'll never need to work again."
Kabir whistled. "Lucky guys. I wish I had that kind of courage."
"I don't think it's just about courage," Rhea said. "They trained for years."
"Still… imagine going there, fighting strange beasts, exploring other worlds…" Anaya's eyes shone. As the daughter of an Army colonel, she had grown up hearing about courage and discipline. "If we get a chance, we should try."
"You're serious?" Mira laughed. "You'd drag all of us there?"
"Why not? Prince, what about you?" Anaya asked suddenly, turning to him.
Prince froze. All five pairs of eyes were on him. Normally, he would've lowered his head and mumbled something safe like, 'I don't know'.
But today felt different.
His smartwatch had buzzed again that morning.
[Reminder: First God Sanctuary contains high-level Devil Souls.]
[Host must grow stronger to survive.]
The words hadn't left his mind.
"I… I want to go too," Prince said softly.
For a moment, there was silence.
"Wait, what?" Mira blinked.
Prince looked up, meeting their surprised faces. His voice was firmer this time.
"I'll go with you. To First God Sanctuary."
"You're serious?" Anaya's eyes narrowed, studying him carefully.
Prince nodded. "Yeah. I… I don't want to stay ordinary forever."
Mira leaned back in mock shock. "Oh ho! The silent prince speaks! And such big words too. Ordinary, he says."
"Finally," Rhea grinned. "Our quiet boy has a dream."
Arjun patted his shoulder. "If Prince is in, then I'm in too. No way I'm staying behind now."
"I'll go as well," Kabir added. "It'll be fun if we all stick together."
Mira pointed a finger at Prince. "You'd better not chicken out later. Once you've said it, there's no going back."
"I won't," Prince said softly.
Deep inside, a faint voice echoed in his mind:
[Host's resolve confirmed. Beginner Mission: Survive First God Sanctuary's Entry Test.]
Prince's hand tightened into a fist under the desk. This time, I won't let myself fall behind.