Night settled over the Archon Kingdom like a quiet veil.
The city, loud and chaotic during the day, softened into flickering lantern lights and distant murmurs.
From the small window of their inn room, the sky stretched endlessly—stars scattered across darkness.
Dazai sat alone by that window.
His elbows rested on his knees, his fingers loosely clasped together.
His eyes weren't really looking at the sky.
They were lost somewhere deeper.
E rank…
"Orb boy"…
Monster…
The voices from the academy echoed in his mind.
He clenched his fists.
"…What am I?"
The Room Next Door
In the adjacent room, Kaizer paced back and forth.
"I'm done with this," he snapped. "I'm going to him."
Anugus, sitting calmly near the table, spoke without looking up.
"Stop."
Kaizer froze.
"He needs time," Anugus continued. "Right now, he's not fighting the world. He's fighting himself."
Kaizer's fists tightened.
"I don't care."
Azlea sat quietly, her gaze lowered. She wanted to say something—but nothing felt right.
Kaizer suddenly stopped pacing.
His voice shook.
"I DON'T CARE WHAT THE WORLD THINKS!"
Both Azlea and Anugus looked up.
"I don't care if they call him a monster!" Kaizer continued, his voice rising.
"I don't care if no one stands with him!"
Tears gathered in his eyes.
"He's my brother."
Silence filled the room.
"He's not just my friend… he's my half. Without him… I'm nothing."
Azlea's expression softened.
Kaizer wiped his eyes roughly.
"So I'm not leaving him alone."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out.
Back to Dazai
Dazai didn't notice when the door opened behind him.
But he felt it when someone dropped beside him.
Kaizer.
No words at first.
Just presence.
Then Kaizer threw an arm over his shoulder.
"Bro… what's this?" he said lightly. "This doesn't look like the Dazai I know."
Dazai didn't respond.
Kaizer bumped his fist gently against Dazai's chest.
"I'm not saying you can't feel down," he continued. "But you don't quit."
Silence.
"The Dazai I know… always finds a way."
Dazai looked down at Kaizer's fist.
Then slowly looked up at him.
Something shifted.
A small breath.
A small nod.
"…You're right."
Kaizer smirked slightly.
"I know I am."
Dazai straightened his back.
"I'm not done yet."
His voice was quiet—but firm.
"I'll become what I want to be."
Kaizer grinned.
"That's more like it."
They bumped fists.
"Brothers?" Kaizer said.
Dazai smiled faintly.
"Brothers."
The Silent Night
Eventually, everyone went to sleep.
Everyone… except Kaizer.
He lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
Memories flooded his mind—
Dazai training despite failing.
Dazai helping him improve.
Dazai never giving up.
Kaizer clenched his fist.
You carried me…
Now it's my turn.
The Final Day
Morning came quickly.
Anugus stood outside the inn.
"Move," he said simply.
The trio walked with him through the bustling streets.
No jokes today.
No distractions.
Only focus.
At the academy gates, Anugus stopped.
"This is where you prove yourselves."
Kaizer smirked. "We always do."
Azlea nodded calmly.
Dazai said nothing—but his eyes were steady.
Anugus gave a small nod.
Then he left.
Assembly of Fate
Thousands of students gathered once again.
The air felt heavier than before.
This was the final day.
The principal stepped onto the stage.
Beside her stood four powerful figures—the Four Pillars of the Academy.
Even from a distance, their presence was overwhelming.
"Today," the principal began, "your fate will be decided."
Her voice carried across the field.
"The results will be announced tomorrow."
Murmurs spread.
"Those who fear failure… cast it aside."
She raised her hand.
"If you pass even two trials—you still have a chance."
Her gaze sharpened.
"So fight."
"Show your passion."
"Show your will."
"Begin."
The Trials Begin
Light engulfed the field.
And once again—
They were teleported.
Different Paths
Across different locations:
Engineers appeared in workshops filled with tools.
Alchemists stood in vast laboratories.
Scholars found themselves inside endless libraries.
Warriors—
Were sent into battle.
The Battlefield
Dazai, Kaizer, and Azlea appeared near a village.
Wooden houses.
Open fields.
And a tense silence in the air.
Other participants appeared around them.
Suddenly—
A glowing window appeared in front of each of them.
STATUS WINDOW
Name
Role
Specialty
Stats
Rank
Mission
Kaizer blinked.
"…Okay this is cool."
Azlea focused immediately.
"We need to understand the mission first."
Before they could—
Voices surrounded them.
"Hey… that's him!"
"The orb boy!"
Dazai froze.
Students began gathering around.
"How did you do that?"
"What's your mana nature?"
"Are you even human?"
The pressure grew.
Kaizer stepped forward instantly.
"Back off."
Sparks flickered around his body.
Fog began forming around his feet.
Azlea stepped in front of Dazai.
"Give him space."
The crowd hesitated—
Then parted.
The S-Rank Party
Five figures approached calmly.
Their presence alone silenced the area.
A girl in armor stepped forward.
"Relax," she said. "We're not here to cause trouble."
She smiled slightly.
"I'm Seraphina Valcrest."
She gestured to her team.
"Elion Dawnbloom — healer."
"Lyra Nightwhisper — mage."
"Kael Thornstrike — archer."
"And…"
She paused.
"…Veyron Shadowveil."
The rogue smirked lazily.
First Clash
Introductions were exchanged.
Then came the question.
Lyra leaned forward excitedly.
"So… what's your mana nature?"
Dazai hesitated.
"…I don't have one."
Silence.
"…What?"
"Are you joking?"
Veyron laughed.
"Then how did you break the orb? Luck?"
Kaizer stepped forward instantly.
"Say that again."
Electricity crackled.
Fog thickened.
Veyron smirked wider.
"You're threatening us?"
"S-rankers… remember?"
"Stay in your place."
Dazai's eyes sharpened.
"Watch your mouth."
The Fight
Everything happened fast.
Veyron vanished.
Appeared behind them.
Attack.
Dazai moved first.
He grabbed Veyron mid-air—
SLAMMED him into the ground.
Kaizer followed instantly—
Lightning-coated punches struck rapidly.
Veyron twisted—
Released poison mist.
"Back!" Azlea shouted.
Kaizer grabbed Dazai—
FLASH STEP.
They vanished into the fog.
Reappeared at a distance.
Control
"ENOUGH."
Seraphina's voice cut through everything.
Kael drew his bow.
Lyra cast binding magic.
Elion stepped forward.
The fight stopped.
Azlea walked up—
BONK
She hit both Dazai and Kaizer.
"IDIOTS."
They froze.
"Is this what we trained for?"
Silence.
She turned.
"…Sorry."
Seraphina nodded.
"Same here."
She turned to Veyron.
"Apologize."
He sighed.
"…Sorry."
Kaizer muttered.
"…Yeah. Same."
The Mission
Suddenly—
A massive window appeared in the sky.
MISSION:
• Protect the village
• Save civilians
• Eliminate monsters
• Compete with other participants
Another smaller window appeared.
"You may form teams."
Everyone looked at each other.
Kaizer crossed his arms.
"I don't trust them."
Veyron smirked.
"Same."
Azlea sighed.
"We don't have time for ego."
Seraphina nodded.
"Temporary alliance."
Dazai spoke quietly.
"…Fine."
The Calm Before Chaos
They began forming a strategy.
Azlea analyzed terrain.
Kael scanned surroundings.
Elion prepared healing spells.
Kaizer and Veyron argued.
Dazai stayed silent.
Then—
The ground trembled.
Low growls echoed.
From the horizon—
A massive wave of monsters appeared.
Hundreds.
Charging toward the village.
Dust rose.
The sky darkened.
Villagers screamed.
Kaizer grinned.
"…Now this is more like it."
Azlea raised her staff.
"Positions!"
Seraphina drew her blade.
"Defend the village!"
Dazai stepped forward.
No magic.
No mana.
Only resolve.
His fists tightened.
"Let them come."
The Battle Begins
The first wave crashed like a storm.
And the real test—
Finally began.