I would've stayed standing alone in the training hall if I hadn't heard a familiar voice behind me.
"Zion, what are you doing here alone? I've been looking for you for a while."
I turned around and said, "How are you, Gina?"
She quickly approached me, asking in an irritated tone, "Where were you? I've been searching everywhere!"
I raised my hand instinctively. "I didn't arrive that long ago."
"Ah…" she muttered, then quickly changed the subject with a faint smile. "So… what do you think? How will the battle arena be this time?"
I shrugged. "I don't know."
My short answer made her eyes widen in surprise. "You've really changed… you used to be cheerful. Now you seem completely different."
I froze for a moment, thinking about her words—before the hall's door burst open suddenly.
A sudden scream echoed, without any warning. His voice was filled with waves of Anya, precisely directed at everyone inside.
That level of control required terrifying mastery… yet the man who entered did it as if it were nothing.
I saw everyone's ears bleeding, and some collapsed unconscious.
…
After the man finished explaining the nature of the "Battle Arena," I heard Gina mutter behind me in annoyance, "He's completely insane."
She sounded like she knew him, so I turned toward her. "You know the man who came in?"
She looked at me as if my question was absurd. When she realized I was serious, she said:
"Well… that's George Dargan. One of the people who fought in the last war."
I froze, confusion clear on my face. "What is someone like him doing here?"
She sighed. "He was severely injured… he can't fight anymore."
I asked without thinking, "How was he injured?"
She lowered her voice. "They say he was wounded while fighting a high-rank demon."
The moment I heard the word demon, my nails dug into my palm hard enough to draw blood. I couldn't control my reaction.
"What's wrong? Your expression suddenly changed."
I lowered my head slightly. "It's nothing… I'm fine."
She didn't press further, and soon the team gathering was announced.
I went to the corner where I was told the team would meet. I was the first to arrive since I was the closest.
It didn't take long before the others arrived.
I stood silently, but I noticed the entire atmosphere shift. Everyone's attention turned toward one spot… and when I looked, I saw a young man with black hair and dark eyes walking calmly, as if nothing around him mattered.
The members began introducing themselves to him one by one. When it was my turn, I said confidently:
"Zion Steele… Rank 1."
He lifted his gaze to me, an unmistakable look of surprise on his face… then replied quietly:
"Rion Taylor… Rank 999."
....
We were in the middle of discussing who would be the team leader. Honestly, I didn't care much about who would lead; my mind was elsewhere—somewhere far heavier than any conversation.
Every time I thought about what awaited us inside the Battle Arena, the ground seemed to shake under me. My head spun, and it felt like the air around me was slowly disappearing.
I didn't want to go in… I didn't even want to get close.
I searched my mind for any excuse that could stop me from going. Should I say I'm sick? No, that wouldn't work. The academy had ways to verify that. And even if I were sick… that insane instructor would force a healing potion down my throat and throw me into battle anyway.
Should I beg them? That wouldn't work either…
Some might think I was exaggerating, but they had no idea what awaited me. What would anyone do if they knew they were walking straight into a place that could only be described as… hell?
I was drowning in thoughts, searching for a way to escape… until I heard the worst possible voice at the worst possible moment:
"All teams, prepare yourselves. You will enter the Battle Arena shortly!"
It felt like my heart dropped to the ground. It was over… there was no escape.
Audrey suddenly said: "Wouldn't it be better if Zion were the leader?"
Someone replied, "I'm fine with that."
The others nodded in agreement. Alfonso looked at me and asked:
"What about you, Rion?"
I turned to see all their eyes on me. They looked excited to go… At moments like these, ignorance truly is bliss.
I shifted my gaze toward Zion, who stared back calmly, waiting for my answer. I took a quick breath and said:
"…Alright, I agree."
Relief spread across their faces instantly, as if they had just heard wonderful news.
But I didn't share their joy. I heard the instructor's voice rising again:
"All teams, prepare for entry into the Battle Arena!"
Damn… damn… damn… I couldn't stop repeating it in my head.
And finally—
"All teams, enter!"
My body froze. I couldn't even swallow.
And just before stepping inside the arena…