HEROS OF LALANTIA ARC
AT LUNCE
The cafeteria was buzzing with chatter as trays clattered and students filled the long tables. At their usual spot, Jimmy, Adam, August, and Liana sat together, quietly eating after another morning of grueling classes.
Jimmy leaned back, resting his chin on his hand. "So… these so-called heroes of Lalantia everyone keeps talking about. What's their deal?"
Liana blinked, surprised. "You've never heard of them?"
Jimmy shook his head. "Not really. Enlighten me."
"They're legendary," Liana explained. "Five girls blessed by the gods themselves. Priests discovered their potential and gave them their titles. They've protected kingdoms, destroyed monsters, and even mediated wars."
Jimmy snorted, unimpressed. "Priests. Never trusted churches. Too much power, too many lies."
August's eyes widened, and she leaned in sharply. "Hey, watch your mouth, scarf-boy. They hear everything. Badmouth the church and you'll have priests knocking on your door. And trust me, they don't just bring holy books — they bring guns."
Adam nodded in agreement. "She's right. Here, priests outrank almost everyone. Kings, governors, even the military listen to them."
Jimmy tilted his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Sounds less like holy men and more like tyrants."
Liana shifted uncomfortably. "Three days," she said softly. "Three days until they arrive."
"Yeah," August said with a grin, her grumpy toad puffing out its throat. "And I, for one, can't wait. They're supposed to be amazing."
Jimmy rolled his eyes. The toad croaked in annoyance, glaring at him.
Liana glanced between them nervously. "Do you think… the demons will come back?"
August leaned forward, eyes alight with reckless confidence. "I hope they do. I'll be ready this time. I'll burn them to ash."
Jimmy arched a brow. "Didn't you get launched across the room by the smart one just four days ago?"
August's cheeks reddened. "T-That was different!"
"Sure," Jimmy said, voice dry.
Adam raised his hands quickly, trying to calm the growing tension. "Okay, okay. Let's not start fighting at the table."
His chinchila squeaked as if agreeing.
Liana lowered her gaze to her tray. "I… just hope they don't come back. Not after what happened."
Jimmy's expression hardened slightly. "They will. Whoever gave those three their power… they're still out there."
The table fell quiet after that, the weight of his words settling over them. They finished their meals in silence, then headed together to Professor Fedrick's class.
HISTORY CLASS
Professor Fedrick stood at the front of the room, a stack of books in his arms and excitement in his voice.
"Alright, class. Calm down," he said as students settled into their seats. "Today's lesson — the Heroes of Lalantia, and the story of how they became legends."
Jimmy leaned back lazily as Fedrick continued.
"Five girls," the professor said, "once ordinary students. Until one day, a priest named Anthony Loriangas sensed divine magic within them. He trained them, guided them… and for three years, they followed his command."
The classroom was silent as Fedrick went on.
"But power breeds greed," he said darkly. "Anthony betrayed the other priests and the king, seeking the legendary Cube of Dominance — an artifact said to reshape the very essence of power. The girls hunted him. When they finally cornered him, a terrible battle followed. He killed dozens, even one of their allies — the hero known as Quick Shot — before they brought him down."
"And the cube?" a student asked.
"Locked away," Fedrick said firmly. "Sealed in a high-security facility, guarded day and night."
From the back of the class, August leaned toward Jimmy and whispered, "So? Impressed yet?"
Jimmy didn't even glance at her. "Still don't trust priests."
August scowled.
"Page 456," Fedrick announced. "Read and study for tomorrow's quiz."
A collective groan filled the room.
AT DOORMS
Later, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Jimmy and Adam walked together down the quiet hallway toward their dorm room.
Inside, the room was still and dim, the hum of mana crystals lighting the corners faintly.
Adam collapsed onto his bed with a sigh. "Man… I'm exhausted. What about you?"
Jimmy didn't answer at first, standing by the window and staring out at the fading light.
"Adam," he said finally, voice steady but low.
Adam looked up. "Yeah?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
Adam blinked. "Of course. What do you think best friends are for?"
Jimmy turned, his brown eyes calm but heavy. "I'm not sixteen."
Adam tilted his head, confused. "Okay… seventeen, then?"
Jimmy shook his head slowly. "…No. Not seventeen."
He stepped closer, the shadows stretching behind him.
"Adam… I'm over a thousand years old."
The room went still.Not a sound but the faint hum of the dorm lights and the soft squeak of Adam's chinchila shifting on his shoulder.
Adam blinked once. Twice. Then slowly sat up on his bed, his blue eyes locked on Jimmy as if trying to figure out whether this was a joke.
"…You're… what?" Adam finally asked, voice quiet but trembling.
Jimmy met his gaze evenly. "Over a thousand years old."
Adam stared for a moment longer, mouth slightly open, and then let out a sharp laugh that sounded more like disbelief than humor. "Right. Sure. Over a thousand. You know, you don't have to mess with me just because I can't keep up with your crazy training."
"I'm not joking, Adam."
Something in Jimmy's tone — cold, steady, and without a hint of sarcasm — made Adam's smile fade.
The chinchila squeaked nervously and hopped from Adam's shoulder to the bed, sensing the heavy shift in the room.
"You're serious," Adam whispered. "You're actually serious."
Jimmy nodded once. "Yeah."
Adam swallowed hard, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "Then… then that means…" He paused, trying to process. "The battle… the power… the way you just knew how to fight those demons — it wasn't instinct, was it? You've… you've done it all before."
Jimmy stayed quiet, his eyes distant. "…Yeah."
The weight of that simple word hung between them.
Adam's mind raced. "Then… you're that hero. The one from the stories. The one who… defeated Prime a thousand years ago."
Jimmy gave a small, humorless smile. "Guess the history books got that part right."
Adam stared at him, struggling to breathe past the knot in his chest. "Why… why didn't you tell me?"
Jimmy's gaze softened, just slightly. "Because I wanted this life to be normal. Just once. No titles. No expectations. Just… me." He paused, looking away toward the window. "But with the demons coming back, it doesn't matter what I want anymore."
Adam clenched his fists. "You've been carrying that alone all this time?"
Jimmy gave a slight shrug. "I've been carrying it for a thousand years. What's a few more days?"
Adam stood and crossed the room in two steps, gripping Jimmy's shoulder. "No," he said firmly. "Not anymore. You're not carrying this alone. Not while I'm here."
Jimmy blinked, startled by the sudden intensity in Adam's voice.
"You saved my life," Adam continued, his voice steady despite the storm in his eyes. "More than once. You've saved all of us. So whatever's coming, whatever storm you think you have to face by yourself — you won't. I'm not leaving your side, Jimmy. Not ever."
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Then, quietly, Jimmy let out a breath that sounded almost like a laugh.
"Thanks," he said softly.
Adam smiled faintly, though his voice was serious. "Just don't make me wait another thousand years to hear the rest of the story."
3 DAYS LATER
The academy courtyard was buzzing with restless energy.
Students crowded near the front gates, their uniforms crisp, their chatter electric. Teachers lined the paths, maintaining some semblance of order, though even they couldn't hide their curiosity.
Jimmy stood at the edge of the crowd, hands stuffed in his pockets, scarf loose around his neck. Beside him, Adam shifted nervously, his chinchila perched on his shoulder, squeaking softly. August was practically bouncing on her heels, the grumpy toad glaring at the commotion, while Liana smoothed her uniform, eyes sharp but calm.
"Why is everyone acting like it's the second coming?" Jimmy muttered, scanning the crowd.
"Because," August said, rolling her eyes, "they're the heroes of Lalantia. Blessed by the gods. Stronger than anyone their age. Try to act impressed for once."
Jimmy smirked faintly. "We'll see."
A hush fell over the courtyard as the distant hum of an airship filled the air. Students craned their necks, whispers rippling through the crowd as the sleek white vessel descended from the clouds, glowing softly with golden runes.
The airship touched down just beyond the gates, its engines quieting. The main hatch opened with a hiss, and five silhouettes appeared against the sunlight.
They stepped forward together, their presence almost tangible — five girls, each only sixteen, but carrying themselves like seasoned warriors.
The Five Heroes
Alexandra – The leader.
Long jet-black hair tied into a high ponytail, sharp violet eyes that swept over the crowd with calm confidence.
Wore a pristine white combat uniform with gold accents and a sword strapped to her back.
Her aura radiated authority.
Ceila – The mage.
Flowing silver hair cascading to her waist, pale blue eyes glowing faintly with mana.
Dressed in an elegant blue-and-silver robe inscribed with arcane runes, a staff in her hand that pulsed softly with power.
Selena – The archer.
Short blonde hair, emerald-green eyes sharp and analytical.
Wore a black leather combat outfit with green accents, a bow slung across her back and quivers strapped to both thighs.
Sharika – The brawler.
Fiery red hair cropped short, amber eyes alight with energy.
Wore a sleeveless crimson tunic and black gauntlets reinforced with glowing seals. Her muscular build made her look more fighter than student.
Cassie – The healer.
Soft chestnut-brown hair tied in a loose braid, gentle hazel eyes.
Wore a simple white-and-gold healer's robe, light shining faintly from the crystal pendant around her neck.
The courtyard erupted in cheers as the five descended the steps, their combined presence enough to make even the teachers stand a little straighter.
Jimmy tilted his head, expression unreadable. "So… that's them, huh?"
"Yep," Adam said, his voice tight with awe. "Those are the five everyone talks about."
August smirked. "Told you they'd be impressive."
Jimmy didn't answer, his gaze steady on the group as the headmaster stepped forward to greet them. Something about their mana signatures — bright, powerful, but… controlled — made his brow furrow.
Blessed by the gods, huh? he thought. We'll see what that really means.