Previous Chapter Reminder: In the previous chapter, Manu, Nyra, Orion, and Eira faced their past memories and fought against Cerberus. Now, Ruka is about to announce the results.
Now Next...
Ruka = Are you ready for the results?!
Crowd = Yes...
Ruka = I can't hear you! Say it louder!
Crowd = YEAH!! HAAA!! YES, RUKA!!
Ruka = Only five academies will advance to the next round. Let's see the names of the top five academies.
NARRATOR VOICE = Ruka held several cards in her hands. The names of the academies were written on them.
Ruka = The representative of Mira Ganga Academy... the representative of Ragnar Asura Academy... and three more slots remain.
Let's watch the results together on the big screen.
NARRATOR VOICE = A giant screen appeared above the stadium.
The entire Sun Academy was nervous.
Lyra had tightly clasped her fingers together.
Author Voice = You know... the way couples hold hands. Just imagine that. I don't know how else to explain it.
---
Scene Shift
NARRATOR VOICE = Inside a room stood a large brown table.
Several files were placed on top of it.
One of those files belonged to Manu.
It contained his complete information—height, weight, profession, background, and other details.
A monitor and keyboard sat on the table.
There was also a sofa nearby.
A glass cabinet stood against the wall, displaying several trophies.
At the very top rested a mysterious black stone.
Someone was sitting in a chair.
Their back faced the table while their gaze remained fixed on the clouds outside the window.
The person wore a black suit.
Knock... Knock...
Black Suit = Come in.
NARRATOR VOICE = The door opened.
Kael Draven entered the room.
He wore white clothes similar to those of a scientist or doctor, along with a black tie.
Kael Draven = Mrs. President, you called for me?
President (angry) = Yes.
Who exactly is this Manu that you sent into the tournament?
Do you really think he can win?
You know very well that if we fail this year, Sun Academy could fall from Rank One to the very bottom.
Do you have any idea how hard we worked to reach this position?
How could you place the academy's entire future in the hands of a complete newbie?
Do you want to drag this academy into ruin?
Kael Draven (nervous) = President Reika Kurotsuki...
That wasn't my intention.
That boy cleared extremely difficult tests without any weapon, skill, talent, or profession.
I believe he can protect Sun Academy.
Reika Kurotsuki (angry) = A gut feeling?!
How?
It's already questionable whether that boy can even survive among those dangerous monsters and elite participants.
Forget victory.
When even our elite teams couldn't achieve it, what exactly can he do?
Answer me, Kael Draven.
Kael Draven = ...
Reika Kurotsuki = Even if he somehow clears the first or second round...
Standing before him is Serpent Academy's ace—
Kaizen Drath.
Reika Kurotsuki (tired) = At this point, all we can do is watch...
And pray that he brings back victory...
Or at least returns alive.
---
Scene Shift – Stadium
Ruka = The final three slots belong to...
Orion of Astra Academy.
Eira of Frost Vein Academy.
And Kaizen Drath of Serpent Academy.
The second round will begin one week from now!
NARRATOR VOICE = The moment the results were announced, Falcon Team's last hope shattered.
Orion and Eira walked away behind Ruka.
Manu = Come on, let's go.
Don't we need to prepare for the second round?
Darius = Can't you see?
We're losers.
Nothing can change now.
Manu = Great.
Remember one thing.
Winners are afraid of losing.
Losers have nothing left to lose.
We don't have anything left to fear anymore.
And besides...
I have a gut feeling we're going to the next round.
My gut feeling has never been wrong.
Elira = First of all...
I'm sorry.
I judged you unfairly.
Now I've seen your strength and your intentions, Leader.
But reality is reality.
We didn't qualify.
Manu = Time is a strange game.
Sometimes you win...
And still end up losing.
Let's focus on our actions.
Hard work always pays off eventually.
Be positive.
Nyra = Yeah.
Let's prepare for the next round anyway.
Lyra = Exactly.
Crying and blaming won't change anything.
We'll just become stronger for next time.
NARRATOR VOICE = Everyone stood up and left the stadium.
As they returned to Sun Academy, people whispered among themselves.
People Gossip = That last battle was amazing...
It's a shame they didn't qualify.
I wish Falcon Team could've advanced.
---
Mid Journey
Nyra = Manu...
Why did you leave us behind?
That question keeps repeating in my mind.
If I hadn't understood your hint, I would've been eliminated too.
Thank you.
Manu = I didn't give any hints.
I just felt that something was wrong.
And besides...
I'm an open book.
If you can read me, then go ahead and try.
---
Sun Academy
People Gossip = Look.
The losers are back.
Still losers.
NARRATOR VOICE = Kael Draven approached Falcon Team.
Dark circles had appeared beneath his eyes.
His clothes were messy.
The tension on his face was impossible to hide.
Kael Draven = President Reika Kurotsuki wants to see all of you.
Manu = Teacher...
How long has it been since you last slept?
Kael Draven = ...
NARRATOR VOICE = Everyone except Manu became visibly nervous the moment they heard her name.
Soon, Falcon Team arrived outside Reika Kurotsuki's office.
Kael Draven (broken tone) = Go... inside...
Reika Kurotsuki = Come in.
NARRATOR VOICE = She was still staring out the window.
Then her chair slowly rotated.
For the first time, everyone saw her face.
Her crimson-red hair glowed beautifully beneath the sunset.
Her sharp black eyes resembled those of a hunter.
Just one look from her felt capable of sending someone straight to hell.
Her features were flawless.
Her pale skin, pink lips, black suit, white shirt, black skirt, and long black stockings created an overwhelming presence.
A faint jasmine fragrance filled the room.
Not strong.
Just enough to be noticed.
A small smile appeared on her face as she looked at Falcon Team.
Everyone felt nervous.
Everyone except Manu.
Manu stood there smiling naturally.
No guilt.
No fear.
No tension.
His eyes sparkled as he looked directly at Reika Kurotsuki.
---
Falcon Team = We're sorry, President.
Reika Kurotsuki = Aren't you going to apologize?
Manu = No.
Reika Kurotsuki = You're quite bold.
Explain yourself.
NARRATOR VOICE = Manu walked right up to her.
Manu = Oh no...
Our academy has a red-haired beauty.
Are you single?
Because a red-haired beauty like you can't be handled by ordinary people.
NARRATOR VOICE = Manu casually pulled her cheeks.
Reika instantly smacked his hand away.
Everyone present thought the same thing.
"Today is Manu's last day alive."
Some had already mentally prepared for his funeral.
Reika Kurotsuki = You don't fear death?
That much confidence isn't healthy.
You lost.
Get out of this academy.
Manu = Wait.
The second round hasn't started yet.
Reika Kurotsuki = Nothing can change now.
Manu = Then let's make a gamble.
If Falcon Team reaches the next round...
You have to marry me.
And if we fail...
You can do whatever you want with me.
Deal?
Kael Draven & Falcon Team = ARE YOU INSANE?!
Reika Kurotsuki = Since you're the one proposing it...
I accept.
But tell me.
Where does all this confidence come from?
Manu = My gut feeling is never wrong.
And I want it in writing.
NARRATOR VOICE = The two signed a contract.
Falcon Team was given one week.
Afterward, everyone left to train.
Meanwhile, Manu slept peacefully beneath a tree.
---
Later
Only Kael Draven and Reika remained in the office.
Kael Draven = President...
This is madness.
Why did you accept?
What if he actually wins?
Reika Kurotsuki = I'd do anything for this academy.
I thought he'd ask for a skill scroll, resources, or money.
But he's different.
Very different.
Manu (thought) = Strange.
The system never announced mission failure.
---
Six Days Later
NARRATOR VOICE = An official message arrived at Sun Academy.
Reika Kurotsuki opened it.
The moment she read it, countless emotions appeared on her face.
Shock.
Hope.
Happiness.
Disbelief.
Her entire body froze.
Manu = I'm waiting...
---
COMING SOON...
Which part did you find the most interesting?
Leave a comment and let me know.
Your comments motivate me to keep writing.
And if you're enjoying the story...
Throw a Power Stone at it.
I mean the red one.
---
One more thing.
If I ever mess up color descriptions, please forgive me.
I'm still learning colors properly.
I'll improve for a better reading experience.
See you next time.
Take care of yourselves.