One month since the test ended.
No more nights running through the forest.
No more goblin screams.
No more smell of blood in the air.
Instead, there were quiet mornings….sunlight through the window, and the soft sound of knives and chopping in the small kitchen of the three boys.
The strange feeling of this new world had slowly faded. The stone streets, the herbal shops, the mages in long robes….everything had become familiar.
But that peace….
It was never enough to make them forget those three days in the forest.
Mike sat at the living room table, chewing on pieces of dry bread, his eyes glancing toward Duke.
Duke sat across from him, holding a thick letter. The edges of the paper were decorated with fine golden threads. The red wax seal had already been broken, but the school's symbol was still clearly visible.
"You sure this is real?" Mike asked.
Duke didn't look up. His eyes moved across the lines.
"No mistake. She wrote it clearly."
The wooden stairs creaked.
Kai walked down, hair messy, eyes still sleepy. Even though his wounds had healed thanks to the school's recovery potions, he still sometimes touched the places that used to hurt.
"Sorry… I woke up late," Kai said. "What's going on?"
Duke raised the letter.
"Read it yourself."
Kai walked over and sat on the sofa. He took the letter and opened it.
The paper was thick. The smell of ink was still faint.
The handwriting was neat and elegant…clearly Sopharie's.
Kai read out loud:
"To those who have passed the test,
One month has passed. You have likely begun to adjust to this world.
Tomorrow, I summon all survivors to the Grand Library of the academy for a special occasion, where we will determine the chosen heroes.
Further details will be announced when everyone has arrived.
…Sopharie."
Kai lowered the letter.
"'Chosen heroes,' huh? Sounds like some cheap market advertisement."
Mike let out a small laugh, but his eyes weren't smiling.
Duke crossed his arms.
"What do you think?"
Kai leaned back and looked at the ceiling.
"No idea. We'll find out tomorrow. How are your bodies? Fully healed?"
Mike rotated his wrist a few times.
"Yeah. Those recovery potions that school gave us for the past whole month are insane."
Mike pull out a small green potion that he have, slowly pouring it on his hand then start to rubbing it around the wounded
"The wounds healed way faster. No scars either."
"Same," Duke said. "Now that I think about it… they gave us the medicine so quickly. Like they were already prepared for serious injuries."
The room fell silent for a few seconds.
Kai stood up.
"So….What's for breakfast?"
"Bread and milk," Mike answered.
Kai frowned.
"Sound boring. You guys didn't cook anything?"
Duke shot him an annoyed look.
"And guess who didn't go shopping, Huh!? Thank to you now there isn't a god damn egg in the fridge!"
Kai scratched his head.
"Alright, alright… my fault. I'll go later."
But the letter was still on his mind.
"Chosen heroes."
Based on what? he thought. Strength? Scores? Or… something else?
A strange feeling crept into his chest.
Kai clenched his fist.
In a different house, larger and brighter, three others were also starting their morning.
Denial sat by the window, sipping a cup of hot coffee. Sunlight reflected off his neat hair.
Chad was in the middle of the room, doing push-ups. His breathing steady, muscles tightening with each movement.
Hajime sat on a chair, holding the same letter Kai had.
"So, what do you think will happen tomorrow?" Denial asked.
Chad kept going.
"No idea. The letter doesn't explain anything."
Hajime smiled slightly.
"A 'special occasion'? 'Chosen heroes'?"
Chad stopped, stood up, and wiped his sweat.
"Could it be another test?"
Denial shrugged.
"Maybe….The academy has been quiet this whole month."
Hajime slowly shook his head.
"No. I don't think so."
"Why?" Denial asked.
Hajime folded the letter, his eyes turning sharp.
"Sopharie is cunning. She's not the type to repeat cheap tests. If she calls it 'choosing heroes'… then it must be something that creates hierarchy."
"Hierarchy?" Chad repeated.
"Separation," Hajime said. "Dividing people. Putting some above… and others below."
Denial smiled faintly.
"Sounds interesting."
Hajime stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the city stretching into the distance.
"It doesn't matter what it is."
He turned back, ambition clear in his eyes.
"As long as it helps us get what we want."
He tightened his grip on the letter.
"No matter the consequences."