After nearly two weeks of sailing — dodging sea monsters, surviving dungeon trauma, — the crew of Eleutheria finally saw it.
The Urames Kingdom.
It didn't just rise from the horizon — it flexed into view. Towers of gold shimmered in the sunlight, mana-infused bridges arched across crystal rivers, and banners fluttered like they were showing off. The whole place looked like it had been designed by someone who said, "What if royalty… but extra?"
"Guys, look!" Mica shouted, leaning over the deck.
"Woah!" Tori grinned, nearly falling off beside her.
The two hung over the railing like kids at a theme park, eyes wide, mouths open, brains temporarily offline.
Behind them, Issac sighed.
"Alright, once we reach land, we need to do a few things first. What's our strategy for the exam?"
The crew gathered around a table on deck, forming a circle like they were about to summon a demon — or argue for an hour.
"I'm the captain, so I say we just crush this thing. No strategy needed!" Tori declared, fist raised.
"Out of the question," Issac replied, not even blinking. "Next."
"Ooo! Me me!" Mica said, bouncing in her seat. "Why don't we just… um… actually go over the examinations?"
Issac groaned like he'd aged ten years.
"The exams are: Physical Test, Dungeon Raid, and King of the Hill."
"How does King of the Hill work again?" Sylph asked, cheeks pink.
Issac stared at her.
"Oh my god. You too?"
The crew chuckled.
Issac sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Okay, I'll make this fast. You hold the designated area — the 'hill' — for the longest time. Timer starts when you're inside. If someone kicks you out, timer stops. It resumes only if someone beats your time. Match ends when the time limit or score threshold is hit. Top three teams pass."
"Sounds easy," Sunless said, petting Beatrice like she was a stress ball.
"There's more," Issac added.
"Of course there is," Tori muttered.
"I heard a rumor on Aspin."Sylph chimed in. "The hill will be a mana-rich zone," she said informing them of a key detail.
Tori sat up straighter.
"Okay, we need a real plan."
Sunless raised a hand, Beatrice now curled up like a crown on his head.
"First: the dungeon should be fine. We've got teamwork and Sea Dungeon experience. Expect anything."
Everyone nodded.
"Second: King of the Hill isn't hard if we keep formation. Most teams will treat it like a battle royale. If everyone's inside, the timer won't move. So — me, Sylph, and Issac hold the zone. Tori, Mica, and yes you Beatrice handle clearing out opponents."
"That's not a bad plan," Tori said.
"It's heavenly flawed if the other teams do the same," Issac countered.
"Actually, that works better," Sunless replied. "It becomes a 3v3 inside the zone. We just need artifacts that alert us if someone's in danger."
"Whole bunch of yap and yap," Mica groaned, face planted on the table.
"Did you at least listen to the first part?" Sunless asked, flicking her forehead.
"Ow… and yes!"
"Alright, we'll go with that!" Tori said, jumping up like he'd just won a game show.
"Come on, Tori! Let's go register!" Mica said, eyes sparkling.
Issac raised a hand.
"Hold on. No way you two idiots do that without stirring something up. Sunless, go with them. I need to pick up a few things in town. Just don't do anything stupid."
He pointed at Tori.
Tori saluted.
The trio entered the kingdom.
Adventurers filled the streets — cloaked, armored, glowing with mana. Some looked like they'd fought Wars. Others looked like they were soldiers preparing for Huge battles.
"Wow… they look awesome," Tori whispered, cloak fluttering dramatically.
They reached the Adventurers Association — a massive building with stained glass windows and a mana scanner at the door.
Inside, a receptionist greeted them.
"Welcome to the Adventurers Association. Are you here to enter your guild into the exam or join solo?"
"Guild! We're entering for our licenses!" Tori said proudly.
"Name of your guild?"
"Eleutheria!" he shouted.
She handed him a form.
Tori filled it out like a kid signing up for a tournament — eyes wide, handwriting chaotic.
"Alright. Tomorrow, Eleutheria will participate in the exams. Good luck, aspiring adventurers."
The lady winked.
"See? That wasn't so bad. Nothing happened," Tori said, turning—
And bumped into a wall no — a man.
A very large man.
His drink spilled.
All over his golden armor and And his face.
Sunless froze.
'You jinxed us!' he thought, horror creeping into his expression.
The man turned slowly.
His eyes locked onto Tori.
The room went silent.
Tori blinked.
"Uh… sorry?"
The man didn't answer.
He just glared.
Liquor dripped from his armor like tears of rage.