"Are you sure about this?" Flora approached Arnold, who was leaning against a pillar, watching the group from afar. They were preparing their equipment, while Arnold stood in Gergois, fully equipped, with Luxtivin at his waist.
"About what?"
"Didn't you come to the dungeon for a different reason? What's the point of putting your life on the line for someone you don't acknowledge?"
She had a point there. To this, he replied:
"Whether I acknowledge him or not doesn't matter. Getting the sword out of here is the best-case scenario. Once Luke is ready to bear the responsibilities of a Hero, he'll be the one taking the holy sword and won't need to look for it."
Luke only went to the divine realm 10 years from now which was too far into the future when there are demons breathing down their necks. There was also the issue with the Faceless showing up on Yorm's world without a reason given why. Arnold suspected that whatever caused that thing to spawn in Ofore was just as big as an issue as a demon lord.
Could it be [Target Teleportation] that Lancelot used on him before? No, there could be limitations to the spell that Arnold doesn't know about.
Then could there be a secret portal spitting out those things? Unlikely because the fairies living on Ofore would've been able to sense the distortion in space and mana. Yorm couldn't even give an explanation as to what those things were so that was probably the first time they showed up on Ofore.
"We can deal with other threats sooner if Luke is prepared," Arnold continued. "To ensure he becomes worthy sooner rather than later, I need you to train him even more vigorously to gain control of his golden aura. Don't let him rest, even during semester breaks at the academy."
Flora will also get her old sword back that's needed for Luke to use his golden aura. This is a win-win situation even if there's no benefit to her as Luke's master.
"…To do that, I'll need to abandon my mercenary work and focus on the kid alone…"
"What, are you not up for it? You sounded so passionate before."
"I still am…"
"Then there shouldn't be an issue."
"But how am I going to raise my levels and become stronger if I have to train him too. That's the whole point of becoming a mercenary."
"How about letting him fight monsters as a test of his strength? Sebas did this with me during my training days. He'd take me out hunting for monsters once a month and have me kill the strongest monster in the region while he deals with the others in that area."
"He didn't go easy on you, did he…" Flora smiled wryly.
"No. And you shouldn't go easy on Luke either. Register yourself and Luke at an adventurer guild. Doing that will allow you to gain access to knowledge of where you can find monster zones around Diacree. This information isn't available to the public so registering for a license is your only way. It's up to you to decide which one is most suited for his level of strength."
"That sounds a bit excessive for a kid. Monster zones are unpredictable most of the time. You could end up fighting an S-class monster near a place where you normally only find slimes."
She was right about them being unpredictable. Even the lesser-known monster zones could harbor powerful monsters you can also find in the Mountains of Wails' monster zones.
"You'll just have to risk it. This will be a chance for you to prove to me that you're ready to save your master."
Flora's expression changed from troubled to confident.
"If that's the case then…" she looked down with a sigh, "…I'll just have to do it. I hate being rough with kids so he'll just have to endure."
"Now that's the mindset a teacher should have."
"Wouldn't dungeons be preferable? The only reason I've never gone inside one is because of mercenary rules."
"Maybe when he can hold his own against B-class monsters. For now, just focus on clearing monster zones."
Flora could've picked the Sky God Dungeon for Luke's final test if only the Offspring weren't here. Sooner or later those high walls and barriers will come down, letting those monstrosities free. The only way to prevent this is to close the dungeon completely by destroying the mountain that it's a part of.
"—Are you ready, Al?" Anais came up to the two of them.
Thankfully she hadn't changed how she interacts with him or ignored him completely. Arnold didn't know what was going inside her head whenever she looks at him and decided not to ask since he didn't want to bring up what happened earlier today.
Anais had never expressed her anger to anyone but there was a worry that she was bottling all her feelings up inside. If possible, Arnold wants her to at least tell him what she thinks of what happened.
"Yeah," Arnold replied shortly and looked at her shaking hand for a moment, "There's no reason for you to come, Anais. None of us can focus on getting you out of there if those things turn hostile. Everyone's top priority would be getting Arthur out of there."
A magician is going to be useless if you aren't quick on your feet, he added again.
Anais was never the athletic type despite being so skinny.
Anais made a troubled smile as her arms fell limply to her waist.
"Big brother told me the same thing, but..." She glanced back at Arthur, who was speaking to a small group that included Sabrina, Evelyn, Daraia, Fecius, and Shirley. Judging by their expressions, it seemed like a serious discussion.
Sabrina's expression was particularly telling—she looked both sad and troubled, a conflicted mix of emotions that was hard to define.
"After hearing what he said outside… No, I've had this determination even more before that but can see it clearer now. I want to do everything I can to make sure his dreams come true. Did you know that when he said he'll become a hero who will protect everyone back in our first year of the academy, those around him laughed? Even our adopted parents and extended family. They laughed because they thought it was merely a child who said those words. A child motivated by tragedy. No one believed in him. He wasn't the strongest or the smartest. He wasn't like you or Miss Adavire, who everyone sees as geniuses. He's just… a normal person who works harder than others and is above average."
Anais' cheeks were flushed as she looked at her brother with a loving gaze.
Her eyes shimmered with a mix of admiration and determination, her grip tightening on her skirt.
The colorful orbs danced above, their light creating an almost magical atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the tension that hung in the air. The radiance in Anais' eyes as she gazed at her brother did not lose out to the dancing lights in intensity and incandescence.
Arnold watched her for a moment.
"…You really believe in him, don't you?"
"Yes," Anais whispered, her voice filled with conviction. "I do. And that's why I have to be there. To support him, no matter what. If I die, then I'll die knowing I protected—no, stood by—him."
"If you're that determined then I won't stop you. Just keep your distance from the rest of us if a fight does happen."
"Mm!"
**
It was about ten minutes later that everyone in the team was ready to go deeper into the dungeon.
The team accompanying Arthur included Hofir, Shirley, Daraia, Fecius, two veteran warriors and two magicians from the rescue party, Sabrina, Anais, Evelyn, Charkley, Castacia, Remri and finally Arnold.
There were 16 if them in total. There was no formation in the group yet but everyone knew to get into position when a fight starts. That said, the magicians will always remain behind to gain distance from the rest.
Arnold had looked around earlier if he could find the merchant. There wasn't anything in particular he wanted to buy, only browse through the inventory to see what could be useful in a fight. The Mid-Tier scrolls will come in handy sure but they weren't exactly useful in all situations. Giving magic items that boost buff abilities would've come in handy for Sabrina since she's a priest who has to buff fifteen people. While the magicians could also cast buffs, they weren't nearly as powerful as divine spells that utilize divine power instead of mana. The difference is that magic buffs are just derivations of divine buffs, and just like with martial arts derived from pure martial arts, they have some drawbacks.
Unlike with magic buffs, Sabrina could use her buffs for longer periods of time which will help in long battles where stamina and health was most important.
'I can draw divine buffs on these magic sheets but there isn't exactly time for that right now.'
Plus, he had hundreds of buffs to choose from and no idea what could work in a fight against demigods. Who knows, the titans' damage might negate buffs completely—meaning enhanced strength buffs (like 10% extra damage) might not even work and you'd be doing base damage as if you're attacking without the buff.
Arnold hadn't faced the titans directly in the game. They aren't Luke's enemies, after all. Antagonizing them just to test his theories would've also been stupid unless he was on an evil playthrough and wanted to get the bad endings.
Arthur's assigned group departed silently.
The tension could be cut with a knife.
Their footsteps echoed down the smaller hallway that was lit by only wall torches.
Unlike the grand hall from before that resembled an abandoned palace of a monarch, this hallway resembled a rundown castle. There were the sounds of mice in the walls, droplets from who-knows-where, and an eerie silence that makes you hear the thoughts inside your head.
Arnold was walking next to Sabrina. Whether or not that was intentional, he didn't know.
He studied her expression and body language with a glance.
Even under this dimly lit hallway, he could make out her lifeless eyes, pale face and slumping posture. The scene of her bangs hanging over her eyes didn't suit someone as outgoing as her.
Arnold could see her lips move but would have to use his warrior sense to hear what she was muttering to herself, which he chose not to do.
"A light." Professor Remri pointed up ahead.
"That light is quite large. That might be where that pressure from earlier was coming from." Arthur replied.
"Are you sure? It feels kind of odd how it's this easy. No traps, monsters behind any corners, puzzles to solve, or ambushes."
"Maybe the trial to come for our little hero is why that is." Arnold threw that remark, making the group go silent.
It felt like they didn't know how to interact with him. Evelyn was still hatefully glaring at him, of course.
They reached the blinding light and without hesitation, took the first step forward then the second until finally all of them were inside the room.
The first thing that Arnold noticed was that this space boasted a ceiling window that revealed the world above, offering a view of the sky and the majestic creatures that flew through the air, making it feel as if they were transported to another world just by walking down the hallway. No, maybe they actually teleported somewhere else just by walking through the hallway.
Perhaps the hallway is a space pocket? That seems likely.
The floor, a luxurious expanse of polished marble and intricate mosaics, mirrored the opulence found in the grandest of palaces.
The space itself—or room if you will—could only be described as a spectacle of grandeur, an imposing chamber that exudes both majesty and power. As Arnold was the last to enter, his gaze was immediately drawn to the five colossal thrones that line the room, each carved from a different element—stone, ice, fire, metal, and wood—perhaps symbolizing the previous dominion of the titans.
Three of these thrones stood on the left side, occupied by titans of immense power and presence. The first, a curvaceous female titan with golden skin and powerful golden eyes, sat unmoving like a mountain, her skin glowing with a radiant sheen. She wore a robe that clung to her shapely form, barely covering her modesty. Beside her, on the throne made from icicles, the titan exuded an aura of chilling cold, her golden skin shimmering. Her robes, similarly scanty, reveal more than they conceal, adding to her ethereal seductive beauty. The third, the titan on the throne of fire, radiates an intense heat, her golden skin reflecting a warm glow. Her skimpy attire flutters with the flames radiated by her throne.
On the right side, only two thrones are occupied. The titan on the metal throne sat opposite the first titan, her golden skin gleaming like polished steel, eyes sharp and unyielding. Her minimal robes glisten in the light, accentuating her appearance that didn't lose to her fellow titans. Next to her was the titan atop the wooden throne, her golden form intertwined with vines and leaves but leaving her chest bare for all to see, and her form exuding an air of ancient wisdom and natural power. Her scanty robes blend seamlessly with the unnatural vegetation that seemed as if it were alive, emphasizing her connection to nature.
But it is the empty throne that caught Arnold's attention—a throne once belonging to a titan, now conspicuously vacant. This empty seat, crafted from elements that remain unknown, serves as a silent testament to the fallen titan.
The air was thick with an aura of power, as if the very room was alive, watching and waiting for the next challenger to step forward.
Arnold and the rest of the group arrived in front of these titans, feeling the weight of their presence and the silent challenge they present.
Five powerful voices, each with the same gentle feminine voice, resounded:
"Our champion hath come."