**Previously on Chapter 21*
In the previous chapter, we saw that Manu and his team could not qualify for the next round. However, after coming to Sun Academy, Manu placed a bet with President Reika Kurotsuki. Meanwhile, she receives a letter. Now, moving forward...
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Reika Kurotsuki (thought): I swear... this confidence of yours, your habit of keeping everyone happy, and that big smile—never lose them, Manu. I wish he were alive today. The weather is so nice today.
NARRATOR VOICE: Reika Kurotsuki was looking at the clouds and at the tree under which Manu was taking a sleep. The sun was fully out. Even in such bright sunlight, Manu was peacefully sleeping. A light breeze was blowing, and the sounds of sparrows and insects filled the air, as if nature itself were storytelling.
Nyra: Aren't you going to train? Don't you need to take assassin and spy training?
Manu: Just five more minutes. Let me sleep for just five minutes.
NARRATOR VOICE: Reika Kurotsuki smiles. She looks back at her desk, where a photo frame was kept holding a picture of two people. Seeing it, Reika looks back at Manu and smiles again. To her right hand side was a phone. She dials a number.
Reika Kurotsuki: Falcon Team... call Manu.
NARRATOR VOICE: Kael Draven goes to Lyra.
Kael Draven: The President has called you to her cabin.
Lyra: Okay, but did we make a mistake? Is the President expelling us from Sun Academy?
NARRATOR VOICE: Saying this, Kael Draven leaves from there. Lyra then shares this message with everyone. Soon, everyone was standing outside the President's cabin. Lyra knocks on the door.
Lyra (trembling voice): P-President... I am Lyra, captain of the Falcon Team.
Reika Kurotsuki: Come in.
NARRATOR VOICE: Upon entering the room, except for Manu, everyone bows down before the President. Tension was clearly visible on their faces, sweat dripping down. They were overthinking worst-case scenarios. The whole team speaks together.
Falcon Team: President Reika Kurotsuki, a mistake has happened on our part. We will not repeat this mistake next time. Please do not kick us out of Sun Academy! We promise we will convert this mistake into victory. Just give us one chance!
Reika Kurotsuki (smile): I am not kicking you out of the academy. If I hadn't made that bet, things would have been different. Why didn't you bow down?
Manu (smile): First, I don't bow down to anyone. The meaning of 'bow down' is different for me. If I haven't made a mistake and have given my full effort, why should I bow down?
Reika Kurotsuki: The results are in. You lost the bet.
NARRATOR VOICE: Manu's reaction stays the same, still wearing that smile.
Manu: I won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes. If you are right, then congratulations, you won. But I want to see it myself.
NARRATOR VOICE: Manu walks toward the paper lying on Reika Kurotsuki's table. Reika places her hand on his head.
Reika Kurotsuki: Do you still think you won?
Manu: Yes. I have a gut feeling.
NARRATOR VOICE: Reika Kurotsuki takes the paper away from Manu.
Reika Kurotsuki: The Falcon Team is entering the Spy Game. Frost Vein and Astra Academy have donated some of their points to Sun Academy. Their TRP shot up significantly because of Manu and others. The public also wanted Sun Academy back. But you can go under one condition.
Lyra: What condition?
Reika Kurotsuki: Aria will not participate in this round. Find and recruit another candidate.
Lyra: But President, the round starts in eight hours! How can we do it in such a short time?
Manu: Don't worry. As your leader, I have already recruited someone. Let's head to the tournament.
NARRATOR VOICE: The Falcon Team gets ready to leave, but just then, Aria arrives.
Aria: Sister, take care of yourself. Bring back victory.
NARRATOR VOICE: Aria says her goodbyes. The Falcon Team heads toward the tournament ground. The scene shifts to the tournament arena.
Ruka: Boys and girls, now these six academies will fight right before your eyes! Among these six academies is everyone's favorite—Sun Academy!
NARRATOR VOICE: Fog emerges from the stage, but Sun Academy does not appear.
Ruka (awkward): Ha ha, looks like Sun Academy didn't hear us. Let's call them all together!
NARRATOR VOICE: Everyone calls out together, but still no one comes. They call five or six times, yet nobody shows up. Ruka was about to start explaining the rules when the entire Sun Academy team comes running in. They were all breathing heavily.
Elira Windmark: Wait! We arrived!
NARRATOR VOICE: Exhausted, Manu lies straight down on the ground. Suddenly, time freezes. The space around Manu begins to alter. Around him, everything turns into a dark cosmic space. A faint light emanates from a distance. Manu walks toward it. He sees everyone lying on the ground in a sleeping position—Nyra, Lyra, Aria, Elira, Darius, Reika, Guttu—all with blood bleeding from their heads. A massive pool of blood was spreading. Manu runs toward them, tearing his clothes to stop their bleeding. He tries with his hands, then with his torn clothes... his clothes turn red with blood.
Manu: Help me! Someone call a doctor!
NARRATOR VOICE: Nobody comes. Standing before him was a mysterious person clad in full black clothes. In his hand was a sword with blood dripping onto the ground. His face was hidden behind a tiger-pattern mask.
Manu: Who are you?! Why did you kill them?!
Mysterious Man: This will be your fate too. You cannot go against the Gods... or else. Remember my name, I am the God of Editor. This is just a warning.
NARRATOR VOICE: Time and place shift back to normal instantly. Everyone around was still laughing and cheering. Manu gets up trembling, walks straight to Nyra, and hugs her tightly.
Manu (fear, trembling voice): You are alive... Please don't ever leave me.
Nyra (shocked): Okay... but what are you saying? Are you alright?
NARRATOR VOICE: A few seconds later, Manu regains his composure. He covers his face and steps back to create distance. Ruka now begins to explain the rules.
Ruka: Point System!
Common Information = 10 Points
* Monster population
* Safe routes
* Water sources
* Food locations
Rare Information = 50 Points
* Secret tunnels
* Hidden camps
* Monster nests
* Treasure locations
Epic Information = 200 Points
* Boss location
* Ancient ruins map
* Hidden dungeon entrance
Legendary Information = 1000 Points
* Ancient artifact location
* Tournament secret
* Hidden king's tomb
* World-changing secret
Stealing Information:
If a participant steals another participant's information scroll, 50% of the points will be transferred to them. This will create betrayals and mind games.
Bonus Points:
* Spy Capture: +100
* Secret Message Decode: +150
* Hidden Puzzle Solve: +250
* Save Teammate: +75
Negative Points:
* Submit Fake Information: -100
* Caught Cheating: -250
* Kill Another Participant: Disqualification (Except self-defense)
Ranking:
* Rank S: 5000+
* Rank A: 3500+
* Rank B: 2000+
* Rank C: 1000+
* Rank D: Below 1000
Ruka: Oh, I forgot to mention the Sun Academy members! The members of Sun Academy are Manu, Nyra Vale, Lyra, Darius, Elira Windmark, and one member is still unknown. Oh wait, this person wearing the Windmark mask is the new member! Candidates, enter through this portal!
NARRATOR VOICE: A portal opens up. Everyone starts entering.
Manu (smile): Let's go, team!
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COMING SOON...
Comment below which part you found most interesting! Keep commenting because it gives me motivation and goals. If you enjoyed the story, throw a Red Power Stone at it!
Wait, ladies and gentlemen, don't be sad that this chapter was short. There's a reason for it. Time was tight due to a deadline because I was watching a web series, so I didn't have time to make it longer. You guys enjoy too, and I will as well. Okay, bye!