The massive arena buzzed with tension.
Students from all nine academies stood in their respective groups, waiting for the first level of the Great Finale to begin. The air was filled with excitement, nervousness, and silent competition.
The eight students of Nightfall Kingdom stood together, trying to stay calm—but it wasn't easy.
"Why is it taking so long?" Lucy whispered, looking around.
"Relax," David said, though even he looked slightly tense. "They'll announce it soon."
Just then, an announcement echoed:
"Attention students. Please wait with your teachers. Your instructors will now explain the first level."
A few moments later, the teachers began gathering their teams.
Before Mr. Stone could arrive, something unexpected happened.
A girl walked toward them.
She was confident, beautiful, with a neat ponytail and sharp eyes. Her uniform clearly showed she was from another academy.
She stopped right in front of Daniel Williams.
"Hello," she smiled. "Myself Judy."
Daniel blinked. "Uh… hi."
She tilted her head slightly.
"What's your name, Mr. Handsome?"
"I'm Daniel Williams."
From the side, Mary quietly watched the conversation.
Her expression didn't change much—but her eyes did.
Judy smiled wider.
"You look really good, Daniel. After the first level… want to come with me?"
Mary's fingers slowly tightened.
Before she could say anything—
Daniel shook his head immediately.
"Sorry. I have a girlfriend."
Then, without hesitation, he turned and gently held Mary's hand, pulling her closer.
"She's Mary."
For a second, everything went silent.
Judy's smile faded just a little.
"Oh… I see."
Mary looked slightly surprised—but also… relieved.
Still, she didn't say anything.
Judy gave a small nod and stepped back, hiding her irritation.
"Alright. Let's see how you perform then."
She walked away.
The moment she left—
David smirked.
"Wow, Daniel. People are trying so hard to impress you… and you're just 'Mary, Mary, Mary.'"
Everyone laughed.
Everyone except Mary.
Daniel noticed.
He leaned slightly toward her and said softly,
"Hey… don't overthink it. I'm not going anywhere."
Mary looked away.
"I'm not overthinking."
"Really?" he teased gently.
She didn't answer.
That silence said everything.
Just then, Mr. Stone arrived.
"Alright, everyone. Listen carefully."
All eight straightened up.
"The first level is a search and survival test."
Everyone focused.
"You will be sent into a 10-kilometer forest. There are five hidden treasures… and nine teams."
A murmur spread.
"Only five teams will pass. Four will be eliminated."
Now it felt serious.
"You have one week. Find a treasure and bring it back here."
Noah raised his hand.
"Sir… what if another team attacks us?"
Mr. Stone nodded.
"They can. And they will."
The group exchanged looks.
"Anyone can steal your treasure. Even after you find it, you are not safe until you return."
Now the tension was real.
"So be smart. Be careful. And most importantly—work as a team."
He stepped back.
"Get ready."
Soon, all teams were guided to the forest gates.
Nine gates.
Nine teams.
The moment the signal was given—
Everyone rushed inside.
The exam had begun.
The forest was huge.
Thick trees, wild grass, uneven land—it felt endless.
At first, all eight stayed together, searching every corner.
But after a while—
"This isn't working," Lucy said. "We'll never find anything like this."
Felix nodded.
"She's right. We need to split."
Daniel Williams agreed.
"In pairs. No one goes alone."
David added,
"And stay alert. This place isn't safe."
After a quick discussion, they formed teams:
Daniel & Mary → North
Lucy & Felix → West
Noah & Lily → East
David & Zoya → South
Before leaving, Felix said,
"At sunset, we meet back here. This is our camp."
Everyone agreed.
And then—
They split.
Daniel & Mary
The forest grew quieter as they walked deeper.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then—
Mary said, "That girl… Judy."
Daniel sighed.
"Seriously?"
"She was flirting with you."
"And I rejected her."
Mary looked away.
"She was pretty."
Daniel stopped walking.
"And?"
Mary didn't answer.
He stepped closer.
"Mary."
She finally looked at him.
"I chose you. That's it."
Her expression softened.
"…okay."
They continued walking.
This time, closer than before.
Other Teams
Lucy and Felix carefully checked the terrain, marking paths.
Noah and Lily searched near water sources and rocks.
David and Zoya moved through the densest area, quietly observing everything.
As the sun began to set, all teams returned to the camp point.
No treasure.
Not yet.
Everyone looked tired—but determined.
"This is harder than I thought," Noah said.
Felix nodded.
"We'll try again tomorrow."
Mary suddenly spoke,
"Daniel… can you go get some water?"
"Yeah, sure."
Daniel walked away.
The moment he left—
The rest of the group exchanged serious looks.
David stepped forward slightly.
"We need to talk."
Mary's expression changed completely.
This wasn't about water.
This was something else.
Something important.
Something dangerous.
What are they planning without Daniel?
What secret are they hiding?