Hades sat cross-legged at the heart of the sanctuary garden. The early morning breeze played across his bare chest, each breath rising and falling with solemn rhythm. Around him, red petals fluttered gently from the overhanging roses, dancing alongside the soft trickle of water that spilt from the maidens' stone jugs. The melody of distant birds joined in a quiet symphony meant to fill the hollow space where silence used to reign.
But he needed more than serenity. He needed stillness.
With eyes closed, he sank deeper into his breath, drawing the air in measures. He visualised the layers of his life force, not as tools of in battle, but as gates, one behind the next. Yet, he couldn't concentrate.
Energy pulsed through his limbs, electrified not by recent battle wounds, but by something far more volatile: shame.
Luca.
He couldn't forget.
Luca had stood firm like an unmovable fortress. His blade wasn't just a weapon but steel forged through the culmination of years of experience and bloodshed.
His eyes were shut, but yet a flicker of those emerald irises said it all. They held no room for hesitation, no mercy, not even for a boy still learning what it meant to fight.
Hades opened his eyes.
Slowly, he rose, noticing the few other pupils who joined him in his morning meditation.
He said nothing, approaching the door.
The grass whispered under his feet as he reached for his dark robes, slipping them on. Today marked the first step on a new path. Sensei had declared they begin training a few days ago, but due to the lack of preparation by the instructors the day was shifted. This gave the children enough time to practice their commandments and hone their swordsmanship. For the past three days, it's been nothing but sweat from the rigorous exercises and headaches from the studying of multiple books.
Hades reached for the door, the wood cold beneath his fingertips, and stepped into the corridor beyond.
Once, these halls were no more than a passage for him. Just walls and tiles, a road walked in solitude. A lone wolf he was, chasing strength, avoiding attachments, and burying his soul beneath layers of cold resolve.
But things had changed.
Now, he was not alone.
He had friends. Allies. People who looked him in the eye and saw him, not just the ferocity of his talent. Lily had shattered the mirror he'd been trapped behind, revealing truths he'd long refused to see. And Jin had taught him that growth did not come from isolation.
At the corridor's end, Hades tied his hair back, reaching for his wooden sword on the racks. Without a word, he stepped out. A new instructor was here, one who didn't care for their lives like Sensei. For the first time, he cared not for himself but the other students, hoping they all made it alive today.
#
The breeze of dawn swept through the golden forest, stirring fallen leaves into a quiet dance.
It whispered, brushing against the cheeks of the children kneeling in silence. Clad in matching black robes, they rested on one knee, heads bowed, eyes closed, not out of peace, but discipline.
Their wooden practice blades had been replaced. Real swords now hung at their waists, polished steel cold and heavy. Their ears were sharp, attuned to the slightest shift in the air, waiting for their masters' voices to break the hush.
At the head of the line stood Luca, his long white robe trailing behind him like a river of silk. The multicoloured ribbons on his conical hat fluttered freely in the wind. Beside him was another instructor, a youth with a scarred face. Though young, the weight in his eyes made him seem older. His robe was shorter, his hat plain, unadorned by flair or memory.
To Luca's left stood the final figure: a woman with an austere elegance. Her robe clung close, hinting at her lean frame and lithe power. Unlike the others, her sword was sheathed across her back, and her violet eyes darted across the students as if sizing them up. Her face was smooth, untouched by time or war, but her silence spoke louder than experience.
Luca stepped forward, hands behind his back, and began.
"Today... your training truly begins. Sensei gave you a gift—one more valuable than any sword, or any skill. That gift… was childhood."
He gazed across the students. He saw it all, the tension in their shoulders, the fear hidden behind closed lids.
If an enemy struck now, half of them would fall before they even drew their blades.
But not the devil's child.
Luca's eyes settled on the one student who did not tremble. His hand hovered over his hilt, subtle as breath. A faint shimmer of aura coated his skin, barely noticeable, but controlled near perfection.
No wonder Sensei favours him, Luca thought. I wonder what experience had shaped him into a fine student.
Luca cleared his throat and continued.
"Today, you'll forget all of it. Every game you played, every delicious food you ate and every comfortable sleep you had."
He took another step forward, his shadow long over them."From this moment onward, the battle will be difficult, your skills will be sharpened and your blades shall tell stories of it. You will taste suffering, hatred, blood and perhaps even death."
The wind paused as he stepped closer to the children. "That is the path of greatness, young ones. Before you head on said path, before you raise your sword against another... you must conquer the war within yourself," he said, raising his voice with rage.
"If your heart still clings to comfort, to childish dreams! Then get out of my sight, this path isn't yours to follow."
Not a single one moved.
Why would they?
They had all chosen this the moment they passed through the Sanctuary gates.
They had watched the swordsmen who guarded the Heathen Lands and admired their grace and strength. They fantasised about wielding such power and dreamed of standing among legends.
They were all born without names, every single villager. But this was the chance to make a name for themselves.
What good was youth if all it did was shelter them from the truth?
Deep down, they all knew.
They knew they admired and feared Hades.
He was born gifted but never leaned on it. While the others wasted days with toys and stories, he carved his name into stone with sweat and steel. No other child could match. A boy destined to become a weapon.
But even Hades had rivals.
Lily, once only a dancer, had become his equal in speed and grace.
Jin, once the thirty-fifth and among the weakest and unnoticed, rose through blood and will to challenge Hades himself.
These weren't just stories.
They were proof among them.
Proof that will, not blood, forged legends. And they won't falter as well, they won't rise to their feet.
Among the students, Lily sat still, her breath slow and quiet.
She had walked away from everything, her warm home, the soft voice of her dying father.
She had been an only child, the centre of someone's world. But she knew that love could not protect her in this one.
If she wanted to survive, she had to become stronger.
No matter what it took.
Jin's fingers curled tightly around the hilt of his blade.
Like many here, he had no family left to mourn him if he fell. Orphaned and hardened by the world's cruelty, Jin's desire went far beyond mere survival. Beyond the borders of this land lay countless realms teeming with beasts, spirits, and truths buried deep within forgotten ruins, secrets that laughed in the face of logic and sanity.
The path of the sword had never truly been his calling…
But strength—strength was the key.
The key to shattering the veil of the unknown. To claim knowledge no man had ever held. To forge weapons not of steel, but of legend itself. Jin didn't just want to be a warrior.
He wanted to become a swordsmith whose blades could cut through reality itself, greater than any celestial artisan who had ever lived. But to chase that dream, he must be strong. He won't get up.
Meanwhile, Hades wore a faint smile.
It was not a smile of pride, but a thin veil to cover the storm beneath.
He had always known the truth about himself, about the thing that slumbered inside him.
A monster, vast and unrelenting, coiled around his soul like chains soaked in venom.
Its voice never ceased. It twisted his thoughts, urged him to violence, and tempted him with destruction. He had long stopped asking why it chose him or perhaps why it was the best for him.
Now, he only fought to cage it.
And yet... in the midst of that struggle, he had been offered something fragile.
Acceptance.
The others, despite their fear, had welcomed him. For the past few days, even in silence, in the smallest acts of camaraderie—shared meals, sparring sessions, unspoken respect- they had given him a place.
It was not redemption. But for now... it was enough. To keep this warmth, to be strong enough to control the devil in him. He won't get up.
Luca scanned the kneeling students.
Still, none had stood.
So, Sensei had been right; this new generation wasn't like the others.
In years past, the mere mention of death would send two or three running.
Yet here they were, frozen in unwavering resolve.
He let out a quiet chuckle.
Let's see how long that fire lasts.
Composing himself, he spoke low but firm.
"To your feet."
The students rose in unison. Their backs were straight, and their gazes locked forward.
"Follow me."
He turned, his robe catching the wind as he led them deeper into the woods.
High above, unseen among the branches, Dan and Enma moved like shadows.
In the distance, the village of Heathens lay quiet and still.
They arrived at a clearing. The earth here was soft with fallen leaves, and at its centre stood a scarecrow, bound together from straw and sticks, its form crude, yet oddly human. But at its chest was tied a doll.
Luca stepped beside it.
"This is your first trial," he said.
"Scattered throughout the forest are forty-seven scarecrow-like dolls. Your task is simple: retrieve one, and bring it back to this very spot."
No one said a word.
Their silence wasn't obedience, it was scepticism.
Luca smirked.
"Yes, I know. It sounds easy. But listen carefully, this is monster territory."
He clasped his hands behind his back, beginning to pace.
"The terrain is harsh. The dolls don't emit life force, so you won't be able to sense them with your energy. You'll need to rely on your instincts, your eyes, your ears, your judgment."
He stopped in front of the straw figure.
"Not all of you will return with a doll. Some of them will be destroyed by the beasts that roam these woods. Others may fall into monster traps. And some of you may not return at all."
He turned, voice colder now.
"Dan and Enma are already out there, watching you. Grading you and evaluating every decision you make. If your doll is damaged, even slightly, you fail. If you cannot find one, you fail. And if you die… well, then you were never meant to be here."
Lily narrowed her eyes.
This was the man who wouldn't falter when children died from his training. His so-called leniency, allowing the weak to leave before the harsher trials began, was nothing more than a facade. He had no qualms about sending them into monster territory, where survival was anything but guaranteed. Now they had to protect straw dolls on top of it all.
Luca, with a casual shrug, gave the final command.
"You have until sunset. Begin."
In an instant, the students scattered, disappearing into the trees like shadows.
Luca remained still, his boots crunching dry leaves beneath him.
He closed his eyes, inhaling the cold, crisp air.
"What a perfect morning," he said under his breath. "For blood to paint the roots."
#
Hades crouched atop a tree branch, scanning the vast golden canopy beneath him.
It was a poor vantage point, he knew. The scarecrow dolls had no life force. He could stare at the forest for hours and see nothing but leaves. But there must be some way. How could he find the dolls before the monsters-
He raised his head, an idea forming.
"Monsters were placed to destroy the dolls…"
Luca's words echoed in his mind.
If they're hunting the dolls… then all I need to do is hunt them.
Closing his eyes, Hades inhaled slowly and extended his energy. A faint pulse of his energy rippled outward like a sonar wave. It bounced between trees, scattering birds into the sky. He felt the presence of other students moving through the forest, animals scurrying beneath the underbrush...
And then—
A presence. Pulsing with animosity.
"Found one."
Hades bolted, springing from branch to branch with grace. Each leap was calculated, his speed increasing with every step as he made for the distant source.
Soon, the thunder of a waterfall filled his ears. He skidded to a stop atop a tall branch, gaze locking on the doll, tied delicately to a stick jutting out just above the waterfall's edge.
But he wasn't alone.
A creature clawed its way up the cliffside.
Its form was grotesque, a churning mass of green sludge and moss, its body sprouting half-alive plants like tumours. Its eyes bulged and rolled, wild with hunger as it reached for the doll.
Hades leapt to the stream, catching the monster's attention.
He drew his sword, his eyes gleaming. "Not every day you see a monster up close," he said calmly. "Shall we begin?"
The creature roared and lunged, its massive arm sweeping through the air.
Hades dodged, flipping backwards with a smile—
Only for his confidence to falter as a whip-like tendril lashed from the beast's body, catching his leg mid-air.
"Tch!"
The monster roared again, slamming Hades into the earth. Stones cracked beneath the impact as he was flung again and again, his breath crushed from his lungs.
Through sheer will, Hades sliced the tendril and crashed to the forest floor, coughing violently as he struggled to rise.
The monster came charging.
It opened its massive, grotesque maw and sprinted toward him with a guttural scream.
Hades twisted aside, narrowly avoiding the jaws, and countered with a clean slash across its side.
The creature recoiled, only for the wound to bubble and seal itself seconds later.
"Regeneration… great," Hades muttered, dodging another heavy swing. He struck again. And again. Each blow cut deep, but the monster's wounds healed faster than he could make them.
This isn't going to work. I need an edge.
His eyes darted around until they landed on the waterfall.
A plan was formed. A risky one.
Commanding Earth, huh? And I'm running low on energy.
Hades dodged another strike, gritting his teeth.
He didn't need to kill the monster, he only needed to delay it.
With a sharp pivot, Hades turned and ran toward the rushing water. The beast snarled and gave chase, slime slapping against the rocks with every monstrous step.
At the cliff's edge, Hades spun mid-run, leaping up and backflipping on the beast's head. Without hesitating, he drove his blade straight into the monster's eye.
The creature howled.
It raised both arms to crush him, but Hades vaulted high, using the monster's own face as a springboard. He landed on a narrow ledge beside the waterfall.
His energy surged. It wasn't much, but something inside him responded. His gift's aura erupted within him like a burning, raging flame.
The stone beneath his hand shimmered as he screamed and drove his palm downward.
The rocks cracked, shattered, and collapsed.
Tons of boulders crashed down onto the beast below, and the roaring waterfall swept through the debris. Sludge and torn vines spilt into the river below, fragments of the monster's body dragged and twisted apart by the current.
Its regeneration had slowed. Severely.
Hades dropped to his knees, chest heaving.
He was out of energy. Spent.
With trembling fingers, he tore a strip of cloth from his sleeve and tied the doll to his waist, securing it tightly.
After that little noise, more monsters would be here any second. He gritted his teeth, pushed himself to his feet, and leapt back into the canopy. Branches groaned beneath his steps as he moved swiftly, silently, through the trees.
His thoughts, however, weren't on the victory.
They were on the others.
"That was harder than I expected… If anyone else runs into one of those things, they might not make it."
Please be safe out there… all of you.
#
Jin stood still, his chest rising and falling with each breath as he stared at the decapitated beast at his feet.
Its thick, matted fur was soaked in blood, staining the vibrant forest leaves beneath it. The creature's severed head rested to the side, its tongue lolling out, eyes still twitching from the final blow.
He let out a sharp breath, then sank to his knees, planting his sword into the earth for support.
A tired smile tugged at his lips.
"Didn't think it'd be that tough," he said, tilting his head toward the treetops. "But I trust you had no trouble?"
"Trouble?" came Lily's voice, calm and almost amused.
She stepped into view, leaning casually against a nearby tree, her scarecrow doll neatly tied to her waist with not a speck of dirt on her clothes. The wind caught the edge of her cloak, revealing a golden ear of corn in her hand.
"I wouldn't say it was easy," she said, peeling back the husk and taking a bite. "But it was... fun, in its own way."
She chewed thoughtfully, her gaze drifting upward as a flock of birds scattered across the sky, wings glinting in the sunlight.
Hades.
She thought of his quiet voice from the night before—the way he admitted he had no desire to become the strongest or most renowned.
In that moment, she'd felt something stir, a shared understanding.
Not everyone sought glory. Some simply wanted to exist freely, without labels.
And yet...
Every soul craves something.
Whether it was power, peace, or purpose, she was still unravelling her own desire, uncertain even how to phrase the question, let alone answer it.
Still chewing, Lily brushed off her cloak and stepped away from the tree.
"Knowing Hades, he's probably done by now," she said, swallowing the last bite. She glanced over at Jin. "Let's go find him."
Jin chuckled softly, wiping sweat from his brow as he stood.
"Yeah," he said, retrieving his blade and slinging it over his shoulder.
Together, the two disappeared into the forest, the shadows of the trees parting before them.
#
Harold and Krissy ducked and dodged as the creature lashed out.
A monstrous plant, pulsing with a sickly green glow, hissed and snarled before them. Its gaping maw was lined with jagged teeth, while venom-laced vines lashed violently around it, striking like whips.
"We've already got our dolls," Harold said, drawing his massive claymore with a grunt. "And now we've got this ugly thing picking a fight."
Krissy adjusted her glasses with a glint in her eye. "Looks like we'll have to take it down together."
"Or we could just run," Harold said with a yawn.
Krissy gave a soft laugh. "Run? With our tails between our legs? What would the others think?"
Harold sighed, raising his sword with a smirk. "See you being a motivator, never saw that coming." He glanced sideways. "Wanna do the honours?"
She shook her head with a confident smile. "Let's beat it together. That's way better."
He grinned, turning to the beast. "Now that's more like it."
They launched forward in sync, steel and spirit leading the charge.
Krissy moved with precision, dancing through the snapping vines, sensing the life force pulsing through each one. Her blade flicked out like silver lightning, severing the poisonous whips and carving a path for Harold.
As she twisted past the final strike, Harold shot past her with a shout, his claymore glinting in the forest's dim light.
"Let's end this!" he roared, leaping into the air.
The beast's maw opened wide, shrieking as Harold descended.
With a single, powerful arc, his blade cleaved through the monster's stem-like neck, severing its head in one brutal strike.
He landed hard, the earth cracking beneath him as the creature's remains slumped to the ground, vines twitching before going still.
Krissy exhaled softly, sheathing her blade as she pushed her glasses up. "That was... surprisingly smooth."
Harold chuckled, wiping a streak of sap off his cheek. "Guess all those hours in the garden, studying and meditating, finally paid off, huh?"
Her cheeks flushed slightly. "Of course they did," she said with pride, nudging his shoulder. "Now, let's wrap this up."
"Yes, we shall," Harold replied, falling into step beside her as the two disappeared deeper into the forest, shoulder to shoulder.
#
Mika sat slumped on the forest floor, her breath ragged, her vision blurry.
What did I do to deserve this fate?
Her brown hair clung to her blood-smeared face as crimson dripped from wounds that burned with every breath. She gripped her sword tightly, her strength nearly gone.
Before her a towering beast cloaked in matted fur, its breath reeking of death. It stood like a gorilla, muscles rippling as it beat its chest with an earth-shattering roar that shook the ground beneath them.
Mika clutched the doll close, hiding it beneath her torn cloak. Her heart thudded painfully as she glanced at her comrades, her friends, scattered and bloodied, gasping for air, barely able to move.
"Is this… really the end?" she whispered, her voice small, trembling. "Am I going to die here?"
"You're not dying yet," came a strained voice.
Bon, the wiry boy with stubborn eyes, coughed up blood as he forced himself to stand. His knees buckled, but his gaze never left the monster.
"How dare you hurt my friends!" he growled, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "We're not done yet!"
Mika turned to look at him, her eyes wide. They all had the chance to run… but they stayed. They all did.
One by one, the others pulled themselves up, blades trembling in their hands, legs unsteady but filled with fire.
"This thing isn't even that terrifying!" Kim yelled, stumbling forward. "Hades' monster was a million times scarier!"
Bon rushed to her side, determination burning in his eyes. "Levi! Distract it! I'll hit it from behind. Kim will assist you"
"On it," came a soft voice.
Levi soared into the air, his long hair streaming behind him. His eyes shone like twin stars in the dark forest, remembering the fight between Hades and Jin.
No more watching from the ground, he swore. Not again.
Bon and Kim ran towards the beast with Levi overhead.
He twisted midair, narrowly dodging the monster's swipe, then drove his blade toward its arm. It struck true, but got lodged in the creature's thick hide.
"Damn it!" he cursed.
The beast turned with a snarl, its massive fist lifting into the air, ready to crush him.
"Levi!" Kim screamed.
She dashed forward, crossing her blades above her head just in time. The monster's punch landed with a thunderous impact that sent dirt and leaves exploding outward. Her knees buckled, arms shaking violently beneath the weight.
But she didn't fall.
"We're not losing anyone today!" she shouted.
Mika watched her comrades, her chest tightening.
She could see it, the fear in their eyes, the desperate resolve carved into their faces.
This was their first true battle against a monster, yet they fought with surprising skill, each movement a clash against the nightmare that loomed before them.
They had found their dolls by sensing the monsters' life forces, retrieving them through courage and instinct. But now… they faced something far worse.
This creature was the embodiment of terror: massive, relentless, seemingly invincible.
Why?
Why was she still on the floor?
Why was she still cowering, watching, while her friends fought with everything they had?
She was terrified.
She was cold.
Her feet ached.
Her heart screamed for her to move, but her body refused.
Bon, breathing heavily, reached the monster's back. His gaze, burning with fury, locked onto Mika.
"Get up, Mika!" he roared. "This isn't the time to stay still! If you want to be strong, stand up and fight with us!"
He leapt, aiming for the beast's head, but the monster swung a massive leg, sending Bon hurtling through the air, crashing against the trees with a sickening thud.
Groaning, Bon forced his head up, blood dripping from his lip.
"Get up… Mika…" he rasped.
Mika clenched the doll tighter against her chest.
"I-I can't," she whispered, her hands trembling violently.
What can I do?
All this time we played around…
A few days of training—and now they expect us to kill this thing?
Master Luca was right…
Why am I even here?
She raised her tear-filled eyes just in time to see the monster slam its fists toward Kim and Levi, who struggled to block the onslaught.
Bon staggered back to his feet, racing toward the creature once more as the beast threw Kim and Levi aside and turned to him with a punch.
Mika just sat there, frozen in place.
We're all going to die.
Because we're not strong enough… Is that why?
Is that why it ends here?
Tears streaming down her cheeks, she rose to her feet, sword trembling in her grip.
No.
They're not weak.
Even staring death in the face, they chose to fight.
So even if I'm scared—
Even if I'm weak—
I'll fight too!
Mika dashed forward, her energy flaring, her coating hardening like a second skin.
She threw herself between the beast and Bon, intercepting the monster's crushing fist and slicing it off in an instant.
"Good job, Mika!" Bon shouted, gritting his teeth as he hurled himself upward, sword poised.
He swung with every ounce of strength he had left—
The creature roared, its massive energy rippling through the forest in a violent pulse.
Bon hung in the air, stunned by the force, then fell.
Was that... a burst?
Levi sprang forward, grabbing Bon.
Mika and Kim fell back, blades ready, as the monster thrashed violently, shattering trees in its rage.
Then, with a monstrous roar, two new arms burst from its sides, its frame growing even larger, more terrifying.
Bon opened his eyes, his friends forming a wall around him.
"In the end… we couldn't do it…" he whispered bitterly.
The beast towered over them, eyes gleaming with savage bloodlust.
Mika stepped forward, her voice steady.
"No."
Levi hoisted Bon up, his own legs shaking.
"We're not done yet!"
Kim flicked open a lighter.
"We fight until our last breath! We chose this path"
Bon's hand tightened around his sword.
He stared into the flame and smiled.
"Yeah... you're right," he said, regaining his stance. "We're not out yet!"
The beast lunged, its monstrous form crashing forward.
They didn't hesitate.
Their auras flared, energy roaring to life, feeding the tiny flame until it grew, whirling with their combined will.
Their coating hardened, armour blazing.
The beast closed in for the kill.
"BURST!" they roared in unison.
Their energy surged outward, intertwining with the raging flame and with an earth-shattering blast, the explosion consumed the monster in a swirling inferno of light and heat.
The creature gave one last, defiant roar and then disintegrated into ash.
The four of them collapsed onto the forest floor, smoke curling around them, the smell of scorched earth heavy in the air. Their clothes were singed, their bodies battered, but their breaths were not lost.
Mika managed to sit up, looking into her robe. With teary eyes, she fell back on the floor, staring at the sky through the shattered trees, and laughed breathlessly. "It's still a win"
#
Hades sat cross-legged on the grass, eyes tracing the slow drift of clouds across the crimson-streaked sky. Around him, the battered students gathered, exhausted yet somehow still standing.
They had all passed. Even Luca, with that permanent scowl, looked displeased by the outcome.
Does he really want to see people fail? Hades wondered, casting a glance at the man.
Then there was that strange explosion earlier. It had to be the work of a monster.
He glared at Luca. Lily had been right all along: their instructor was a madman when it came to training.
The last group staggered into view, bloodied, bruised, and dragging their feet. As they handed over their dolls, a wave of realisation swept the field.
"We all passed!"
"It was so hard!"
Laughter and joyful tears broke out. Some collapsed to their knees, hugging each other in relief.
But Luca remained unmoved. His cold gaze swept the group before landing sharply on Mika.
"You. Thirty-eighth," he called.
She remained still, her head downcast.
"You failed. Your doll has scorch on its back"
Bon and Levi rushed forward.
"You can't fail her!" Levi yelled, squaring his shoulders against Luca. "She fought to protect it with everything she had!"
Bon stepped in beside him, fists clenched. "Yeah! If it weren't for Mika, we'd all be dead!"
Luca's eyes darkened. "Mind your tongue, boy," he warned. "She was tasked with guarding that doll with her life. It bears a wound. How can she protect others if she can't even shield this? How pathetic."
Bon's teeth ground together. His hand drifted toward his blade.
Mika shook her head, stepping forward. "Enough," she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. "It's fine, Bon. I guess... I guess I was never meant to be a swordswoman."
"No!" Levi said fiercely, his voice trembling. "Without you, we wouldn't have survived. We needed you, Mika."
Kim grabbed Mika's trembling hands. "You were amazing! You stood up to that monster and protected us when it mattered most. You even made a cut when we all couldn't get past his fur."
Mika's eyes widened. Around her, her friends had formed a shield, standing tall, they weren't backing down.
"If you fail her, then fail us too," Bon said, stepping protectively in front of Mika.
"Yeah," Levi joined him. "We only made that explosion because of her."
Luca's gaze sharpened. No matter how passionately they spoke, he had made his decision. Rules were rules.
Hades stood, arms crossed, silently studying the scene.
Wait... they're the ones responsible for that explosion? I thought it was a monster.
Lily hurried forward. "Master Luca," she said, her voice steady yet pleading. "Yes, the doll was harmed. But can't you see? Her friends are alive because of her. Isn't that worth more than a scratch on a doll?"
Luca remained silent. The students gathered closer, their numbers growing as Hades and Jin stood behind Luca, trapping him in a circle.
"She's right!" someone shouted.
"Mika fought for her friends!" another added.
"We're not letting one of our own get kicked out for protecting us!" Bon barked. "Not even if we have to stand against the strongest swordsman here!"
Mika trembled, not from fear, but from overwhelming gratitude as Kim helped her steady herself.
Luca studied the young warriors.
They're serious, he thought, noticing their hands hovering over their blades and their eyes sharp as a falcon.
Such remarkable growth, and in such a short period.
A faint smile touched Luca's lips. Sensei would be proud.
Suddenly, Dan and Enma emerged from the trees, strolling towards Luca.
Hades' eyes met Enma's for only a moment as she passed through. A foreigner? He wondered as both instructors stood by Luca's side.
All of them against Luca already felt like a suicide battle, but fighting those two as well would lead to their demise.
Hades held his hilt tighter. We all passed this challenge together. I'm not letting anyone die here today.
The winds howled through the clearing. Above, storm clouds gathered, blotting out the dying light.
Luca tilted his head toward the storm, listening as Dan whispered something in his ear.
Finally, he turned back to the students with a sigh.
"You pass," he said.
The students blinked, stunned.
He turned to Lily. "Forty-three, you're right. A swordsman must know when to prioritise. Saving your comrades outweighs any superficial loss."
Luca stepped forward, kneeling before Mika.
"You have the heart of a true warrior, fragile yet fierce. Beautiful... but dangerous, but next time ensure you do better"
Mika's cheeks flushed as she stumbled over her words. "T-Thank you, Master Luca, and yes, I will."
Luca rose without another word, the cloth tied to his hat snapping in the wind as he turned away, Dan and Enma falling in behind him.
Mika turned to her friends, bowing deeply.
But Bon stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. "No need for that."
Lily grinned and lightly punched her arm. "We're in this together, remember?"
Hades offered an awkward fist bump as Jin rushed in to wrap his arms around them both. Even Bon and Kim joined in on the hug as Levi just watched in silence.
Harold threw a fist into the air, his voice echoing across the forest. "Our first win, everyone! Let's make it a loud one!!"
A roar of laughter and cheers erupted, shaking the very skies above them.