"Yes sir!" The soldiers replied.
Then, the guards stationed by the left side of the room opened the gigantic door behind them.
It was made out of dark wood, plated with iron and gold, locked by a metal beam that's held in place by two hand-like shapes attached near the ring-like doorknobs.
The bright sunlight flooded the space through the gap as soon as the door moved. Revealing the green premises of the castle and its refreshing air.
Gardens were in every corner and plants overgrew each building.
Surprising Michael greatly.
Never would he have thought that the gold, luxurious, and huge throne room would lead to a luscious green realm; a sight that he rarely sees living in the city.
It once again kicked in, he was now in a different world.
"Michael..." Mia suddenly called out in a quavering tone.
Michael stood up and held her hands, "It'll be fine. We're here with you also."
He reassured her.
"No I'm fine, It's you!" She shouted, startling Michael.
"Ever since you saw your stats you've been down!" Mia added.
Michael stared at her then laughed.
"I mean, who wouldn't?" He said with a shadow cast upon his face.
He paused and clenched his fist.
"Transferred in a fantasy world that we have to save, with shitty stats?! No, the stats are fine, It's that fucking (Sloth)!" He yelled.
Mia was surprised by this, she didn't think he would lash out like this.
"A-Ah I'm sorry I-"
She shuddered.
Suddenly, Michael hunched over and uttered with a bright smile, "I'm fine, really. Don't worry,"
Before kissing her on the forehead and lining up.
Mia's face turned bright red followed by the romantic cheers from the group.
Though they're now differentiated from weak to strong, they still came from the earth. With scenes like this tugging their hearts.
Unlike the people born here, they have earth's morals and are not plagued by discrimination. Or at least not yet.
Although only the girls reacted, most of the guys looked at him with scornful eyes. Michael glanced at them and shook his head.
"Damn that was cringy," Zack laughed.
He laid his hand on Michael's shoulders and grinned at him teasingly.
"Oh shut up," Michael looked away with a red face.
"Please..." A guard spoke. It was soft but loud enough to catch everyone's attention.
She opened her palms pointed her arm outwards, towards the outside.
The person had a helmet on but is obviously a woman from her slender body, and puffy chest.
"Oh, great heroes...the males and females quarters are separated...The caretakers shall lead you to your rooms..." The female guard said in a soft voice.
"Yes!" Everyone replied.
Before leaving, they were given a chance to say their farewells to each other. Although it won't be for long.
"Next time we meet I'll be strong! You don't have to worry! In fact, I'll become so strong I will be the one protecting you! So don't be sad okay?"
Mia said in a confident and reassuring tone.
"No need, I'll manage," Michael replied with yet another smile.
"Just focus on yourself, you don't have to be burdened by me."
"I insist!" She added with a pout.
She raised her heels and stared him down in the eye.
Seeing her face up close, Michael looked away as a red tinge appeared on his cheeks, "I'm counting on you then." He smiled back at her.
"Mhm!" Mia nodded followed by a cute grin as she ran back to her group.
"That's a promise!" She said with a gleaming smile and waved.
Shortly after, they all went their separate ways. But instead of a despondent farewell, everyone parted ways in high, competitive spirits. In just a few months, they were to be battled against each other in a friendly match.
Though he was sad, he knew they would meet again.
But the sorrow he was currently feeling was different—guilt still lingered from the person he had killed. But oddly, the aftershock didn't feel as bad as he thought it would.
He was always an indifferent person by nature molded by his personal experiences, keeping friends close and strangers at arm's length.
But he didn't think he would be this undisturbed. And a part of him was unsettled by that fact.
'Am I a psychopath?' He asked himself.
He held his palm and took a deep breath, calming his shaking hands.
'No. I'm a good person. I can't do something bad even if I wanted to.' He tried to convince himself but shuddered as he recalled the event.
'That doesn't sound as convincing coming from a murderer...'
He shook his head and discarded the thought, the time you doubt yourself is the point where you'll lose it. He'd rather believe his own words even if it's flawed than be influenced by others. Not again.
"What are you doing Michael? Hurry up!"
Zack yelled bringing Michael back to reality.
He lifted his head and ran. "Coming!"
The caretaker in charge of the males made one last headcount before moving.
The boys were led left to a more green area, it had an urban feel to it. The buildings had white concrete walls, supported by brown beams, and tiled with orange roofs.
While the girls went right where the path becomes more defined and tall buildings were seen. Like a road from a village towards a city.
Unlike the left side, the buildings at the right had more stone in their materials.
Opposite in contrast to the refreshing and loose layout of the training grounds where the male dormitory is.
He took a mental note of the routes and layouts of the buildings just in case.
Whilst walking, Michael saw a guard next to a barrel near what he assumed was a storage shack and decided to use his skill again.
[ Name: Luke Earl ]
[ Will these heroes be enough? ]
With it, he was once again able to gain more information; (Thorough Analysis) is capable of revealing a vague idea of what an individual is thinking.
'Woah, this skill is actually nuts!' Michael exclaimed inwardly.
'Now if only I didn't have that useless (Sloth) I could have been at least half-decent. I guess it's also my fault for being so lazy...' He cursed himself immediately after.
They walked for a few more minutes before reaching a more open area. The stone path had turned into dirt as they passed through the brick walls into a more rural-like area.
Training gadgets were seen littered all around, from dummies, obstacle courses, to scattered weapon racks coupled with dueling circles marked with chalk.
He continued observing the surroundings, noticing three more details.
There were few guards, lack of armor, and badly maintained elements such as; dried grass and plants, rusty weapons, and dusty bricks.
The castle itself was no doubt luxurious, but the foggy windows and the marble walls' faint, obstructed glow gave him some suspicions.
After a few deliberations, he came up with the most probable theory;
"The war has already started."
Despite the explanations of the king, stating it was just, "At the tipping point."
Which didn't surprise him that much. He wasn't expecting a stranger to be completely honest anyways.
'The lack of personnel can mean that they've either been drafted or have quitted. As for the weapons, the ones with the better quality might have been transferred to the frontlines...'
Deep in thought, he crossed his arm and held his chin.
"The guards here are rather skinny also, so it's safe to assume that they are at the weakest of the bunch, hence being left here and not sent out to the battlefield..."
"There are still maids here, but fewer in amount than what you'd expect a luxurious castle would have..."
Michael subconsciously said underneath his breath. Zack, in front, heard his muttering and slowed down.
"What have you been mumbling about?" He asked as he nudged Michael on the shoulder.
Michael flinched from surprise but quickly answered, "Just breaking all the information down,"
"Damn, how can you stay so calm about the situation?" Zack asked. His heartbeat was faintly heard.
Michael looked back at him and paused briefly before replying, "I make it a habit to always stay composed," Although in truth he was nervous.
'Though it's hard to stay calm when things matter. If I want to survive I need experience.' He thought at the same time as he brought his arms down.
Zack rubbed his temple and sighed, "Haa...It's hard for normal people like us to do that..."
"The hero is saying he's normal?" Michael joked.
"You act like I'm exceptional when in truth I'm just a damn sloth." He added with a chuckle.
Hearing such a statement, Zack could only awkwardly smile. "Haha...yea,"
Michael: "..."
"Anyways, the information I'm talking about is the state of the kingdom," Michael continued.
"Kingdom?"
"The war is already waging," Michael immediately answered.
But before Zack could reply, Michael uttered with a serious tone.
"Be always prepared," He said with a glare.
Seeing his eyes, Zack shuddered. "O-Of course."
Didn't they tell us it hasn't started yet? Zack wanted to ask but pieced together what he meant by it; 'We shouldn't trust the king.'
Getting the signal, Michael turned his head away. He closed his eyes and sighed.
He looked back at him and smiled shortly after, "As long as you understand."
Suddenly, the male caretaker stopped and raised his hand, signaling for everyone to stop.
He told everyone to line up side by side and ordered, "Step forward if you're called...I'll be handing out the keys for your room."
After, he reached into his pocket and grabbed a key ring. Taking the first one he held out, he called.
"First, Michael Fortune." Instantaneously, Michael walked up to the guard.
"Your room is 241." The man said giving him a silver key. A coin hung from it with the room's number engraved on both sides.
Michael remained in the front as the next person was called up. "Next..."
"Leonardo Rogers, Room 298."
A red-haired muscular teen with a wet mop haircut walked up. "Yes!" He was given the same silver key.
"Room 311...Zack."
"Yes sir!" Zack replied, stepping forward beside Michael. The man gave him a key also and continued. But unlike the others, his had a small pouch the size of a pinky.
Michael slightly tilts his head and suddenly uttered. "I don't know about you," Seemingly directed at Zack.
"But to me, this isn't some kind of fantasy adventure,"
"This is a matter of life and death."
"I'm not planning on becoming a hero, a peaceful life is what I strive for." He added with resolve.
"So if you're one of them, not that I'm stopping you to, please be careful," Michael said as he fully turns his head towards him, showing a gentle face and a soft smile.
Zack was surprised by this but soon grinned.
He raised his arm and grasped his biceps. "Don't worry I'm a lot stronger than you, so even if I become reckless I won't die too easily," Zack replied arrogantly.
"That better be true. If you die I'll kill you." Michael threatened with a half-assed intimidating expression, holding back his laughter.
"How will you kill me if I'm dead?" Zack questioned with a chuckle.
Doing a tugging motion with his clenched fists, he smiled and said menacingly;
"I'll pull you out from the depths of hell,"