David woke up. The first thing he felt was that he was submerged in water. Gradually, the liquid began to recede. After waiting for more than ten minutes, the water finally drained away.
The capsule opened. Stepping outside, David took a deep breath. A sudden pain gripped his lungs, and he thought to himself:
"The air in this world is even fouler than in the Realm of Fate… But still, I'm glad to finally be back."
Looking around, David noticed the doors opening as people in white uniforms entered the room. They quickly approached him and began inspecting his condition.
Turning his head, David saw that the other capsules were also beginning to open. People stepped out slowly… but when he looked closer, he realized that more than half of the students had not awakened at all.
"Just as Teacher Vincent said… More than ninety percent of the students won't make it through the trial," he thought.
Suddenly, a voice from the loudspeakers interrupted his thoughts:
"Students who have successfully passed the Trial of Fate, please proceed to the assembly hall!"
Those who had survived began moving in formation toward the designated place. On the way, David spotted Emma, Lucy, and Leo — and joined them.
"Leo, what do you think they're going to say?"
"I don't know either, David."
"I see…"
Five minutes later, they reached the assembly hall. Entering one by one, the four companions found seats and sat down.
When everyone had gathered, David looked around. He remembered how, the first time, this hall had been filled to the brim with no seats left. Now, only about a hundred students sat waiting for Vincent. Their gazes were firm. No fear, no hesitation — only determination to fight.
"Did the trial really change them this much?" the thought flashed in David's mind.
A few minutes later, Vincent appeared. He carefully swept his gaze across the hall. In his eyes, two emotions could be read — pride and sorrow. Pride for those who had survived. Sorrow for those they had lost.
But he knew it wasn't his fault. The students' fates had unfolded the way they were meant to. Glancing toward David and Emma, Vincent noticed them. A faint smile touched his lips, so subtle that no one else would have been able to see it.
After standing in silence for a few seconds, he began to speak:
"Students gathered here… I am both glad and proud of you. Though more than nine hundred could not pass the Trial of Fate, that is not your fault, but ours. We failed to teach them to fight better.
But those of you who survived must not forget your comrades who perished in the place you have just returned from. You are the future of humanity. You are the ones who will stand against the demons.
And we will do everything to make you stronger. We still have enough time for you to grow. And one last thing I want to say… I am glad you managed to return from the Realm of Fate. You are free. You may go."
The students rose and began to leave. David said goodbye to his friends and headed toward his room.
Opening the door, he whispered in surprise:
"Wow… The room is so clean."
"Someone must have looked after it. After all, this is my first room… my first home," he thought.
After taking a shower, David tied his hair back in a ponytail and removed his bandage. Lying down on the bed, he fell asleep instantly.
David's sword stood quietly nearby, as if watching him. It seemed like it wanted to say something, but couldn't.
What could it be?..