[Nowo's POV]

"Goodnight, Nowo."

This morning, the sound of trumpet noise didn't wake me up but the voice I've heard from a dream, I guess.

Strange.

I think I've already dreamed about this voice, however, I couldn't remember when it happened.

My eyes were already opened. I can't barely move that's why I stayed lying on my bed for few more minutes while staring at the ceiling. The sight of it suddenly changed into dark clouds with black smoke coming towards me, I could barely breathe as if something strangled my neck. I creased my eyebrows due to confusion, but the thought of maybe it's some kind of another nightmare made me blinked my eyes and then after that Lane suddenly appeared in front of me.

"Hiya." She lively greeted me wearing a wide smile. My eyes are still widened even after that. "Why… What's the matter, my dear? Having nightmares again?" She asked, her forehead creased in worried lines as she stared at me.

"No, Lane. I'm fine." I spoke to her, but inside I was like, what in the world did I just see? Like a black smoke wanted to pull my soul inside the dark clouds?

These thoughts made me freeze for a while. There's an unexplainable feeling inside me which caused me to feel uncomfortable.

[Arphen's POV]

"How shall we begin the test?"

This is the question I've been longing to ask the old king, but he kept disappearing a couple of times. He indeed has lots of time to spend. His obsession with newly discovered skills and abilities pushes him to wander around and spy on the orphans, even if we are in the middle of planning about the upcoming tests.

I couldn't wait much longer for his arrival, so I began casting my magic to search for his whereabouts. He is seriously giving me too much work to get done.

"You don't need to do that, Arphen. I'm already here." I heard him speak from behind.

King Alasdair may be known as a good man and a great ruler. His decision-making skills are remarkable, and he has that strong presence that will make everyone admire and idolize him.

But they aren't aware of the fact that he has an immature side.

"My king, if you don't mind, will you please stop disappearing at times like this?" I almost fussed.

He responded by flashing a broad smile on his face as he sat down on his throne. I'm not sure if he's still in his right mind.

"What is your plan now, King Alasdair? There's a report that all the orphans are learning to use their weapons well. When are you going to start their test?" I asked him.

"Soon, Arphen." He urged.

I didn't wait for him in almost an hour to hear this short response, so I decided to ask him again, but then we suddenly heard the door hinged and then a man walked towards our place.

The moment I saw his face clearly, the confusion I felt made me utter his name.

"Moha?"

[Moha's POV]

I was in the middle of training when one of the centaurs approached me and led me into this room. I'm not sure why the headmaster wishes for my presence. He already told me everything I need to know, including my mission to end the reigning darkness into this land, and I have already accepted my fate though it's fully against my will so, is there something more difficult than that which he wanted me to do?

I can also trace the bewilderment on Arphen's face as he and the said leader continuously talk about the upcoming test.

"What do you think about that?" The headmaster asked both of us.

"Well, I can say that your plan about the challenges was great, but there is one thing that is so unclear to me, your majesty." He uttered. He gave me a quick gaze and stared back at the leader. "Why does Moha need to be here? Isn't it unfair to others?"

The headmaster chuckled and responded, "Why do you think that it's unfair?"

He shrugged once, "Well, he already heard about our plans, so.."

"Don't worry, Arphen. He just knew the plan but not what's exactly going to happen once they're in. Right, Moha?" He started flashing his broad smile once again.

They both have a point. The others might think that the leader is being unfair once they saw me joining their meeting but on the other hand, I'm still clueless of what's waiting for us once the tests begin.

[Narrator's POV]

Moha, Arphen, and King Alasdair headed to the training ground to announce the information regarding the said tests. While they were walking through the gloomy hallway, a girl suddenly appeared from the other side, gently tapping her knee-level dress as if she's trying to take off dust from it. It was a black halter dress with red collars covering her nape and neck. She's also wearing black arm sleeves and tight pants.

"Ugh. What kind of cloth is this?" She fretted to the female fairy sitting on her shoulder.

The fairy responded with a wide sweet smile, "Why, dear? You look gorgeous!"

"It's itchy." She complained while continuously scratching her neck. "Where did you get this, huh?"

She shrugged her tiny shoulders with her arms crossed. "Um... Just somewhere…" Then she started whistling.

The lady walked and entered the room with a frown, not noticing the presence of the three men standing behind her, even though they were three meters away from where they came from.

Moha couldn't stop his sorrowful eyes from looking at the long-haired woman. Little did he know that his guardian noticed his expression. Talaa has been wondering why Moha keeps on staring at Nowo in a different way but chose not to pay attention to it and pretend that he didn't see anything.

From the outside, you can hear the shouts of orphans who are still struggling to expertise their weapons.

The small wooden gate started to open, and once they were all inside, the headmaster couldn't hide his excitement when he saw the defenders showing off their improved skills. His blue eyes sparkled in joy, continuously tilting his head around to give a quick gaze to each of them.

Jack, the strongest and most arrogant defender, trained with Cordelia— a small woman who loves fighting, seems to be enjoying their battle— they are the ones who received spears.

Raiden, the genius, calculated his every move before he even started to aim a shot of his weapon; this kind of habit makes him slow. He's training with Blaze, the woman who seems to have natural skills of aiming at her target.— they are the slingshot users.

Axes are indeed the easiest weapon among the others. That's why Maison and Frisia are both doing well in learning different tricks on using their axes.

Nowo is still learning from Helios; they are currently wielding their swords together.

While Luna remained sitting on a wooden bench waiting for Moha before she even started training her archery skills.

Her frown changed into a bright face the moment her gaze went into the young man's direction.

"Moha!" Luna shouted which drew the attention of everyone. They stopped training for a second and bowed their heads in respect for the people in front of them.

The stares of the other orphans— who seem to be wondering why Moha is with the higher-ups, made him flustered. He bowed his head right before he lined up with the other defenders.

"It's been a long time since we all gathered here," the old king said as he broadened his smile. "I can see the huge improvement from each and every one of you, and that is very surprising."

You can see that some of them are smiling and celebrating in their own thoughts, but some remain serious and focused on more of what the king will announce to them.

"I want you all to be prepared and gather here tomorrow not to train but to hear the announcement regarding the stages of your test." The king urged in excitement.

One of them raised his right hand. The king saw it quickly and nodded his head as a sign that he allowed him to spill his thoughts. "Are the tests going to start tomorrow as well?"

"Good question, um..." The king paused for a moment because he couldn't remember the name of the said defender.

"Raiden." Arphen whispered to him.

"Right! Raiden." He uttered with a loud voice.

The loyal comrade couldn't help but let out a deep breath with the question on his mind: how come he didn't know the names of these people when he always spies on them anytime he wanted to.

Another girl raised her hand and began questioning him, "Will there be monsters in our test?" She asked in a lively tone while gently pressing her chubby pinkish cheeks with her soft palm. "What about strong creatures that we can fight?" The tip of her purple hair continuously bounced on her shoulders as she jumped in excitement.

The headmaster moved closer to his assistant, "That's Cordelia." Arphen whispered.

"I'm afraid I can't assure you about that; maybe there will be much stronger creatures other than what you have mentioned. Just a piece of advice, all of you should expect the unexpected." He winced.

The headmaster, with a mysterious glint in his eyes, observed the reactions of the defenders. He seemed to relish the anticipation and uncertainty that filled the air. The defenders, each with their unique abilities and weapons, understood that their training had prepared them for more than just routine exercises.

The questions from the orphans continued, echoing the curiosity and concerns shared by many.

The king raised his hand, signaling for silence. "Your journey won't be easy, but it is necessary. The tests will push you beyond your limits and reveal the true extent of your abilities."

Arphen, standing beside the king, exchanged a quick glance with Moha, who remained composed yet contemplative. Talaa, the small fairy, fluttered around Moha, sensing the mix of emotions within him.

The announcement concluded with a reminder from the king. "Remember, the challenges you face are not just about physical strength but also about wit, courage, and teamwork. Be prepared for the unexpected, and may your determination guide you through the trials ahead."

-----""When facing challenges, you must be ready and well-prepared. There are going to be lots of struggles and dangers waiting somewhere you didn't know."-----