The next day, the heart of Rayah City was a grim scene of devastation. The central square teemed with somber faces. The aftermath of the incident had left deep scars—not just on the city but on the hearts of its people. Over a hundred lives had been lost. Hunters, academy students, civilians… none had been spared.
In the middle of the square, pyres blazed, the acrid smoke curling skyward like a dark shroud, blotting out the sun. The thick scent of burning flesh hung heavy in the air. Wails and cries echoed across the field as people mourned for their loved ones, their voices a haunting chorus of grief.
Alex, Leon, Lila, and Sophia stood at the edge of the square, a silent cluster amidst the chaos. Lila's eyes were red and brimming with tears as she clutched her arms tightly to her chest. She had never witnessed so much death at once. The sight of the endless pyres and the suffocating sorrow around her made her knees weak.
Leon, his face calm and composed, stepped closer to her. "Stop crying," he said gently. "They fought for their lives. They died bravely. The least we can do now is honor their sacrifice. Pray for their souls instead of mourning."
Lila sniffled, nodding shakily. "I... I just need a little time," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Leon sighed, his expression softening. "Take all the time you need."
Alex and Sophia exchanged glances but said nothing. While Lila struggled with her emotions, the other three seemed to wear their stoicism-like armor. Perhaps they'd grown numb to such sights, or perhaps they had learned how to bury their emotions.
After what felt like an eternity, the four of them finally turned away from the scene. The pyres continued to burn behind them, but they didn't look back.
When they reached the academy, the silence between them was heavy. Today was declared an off day, a rare reprieve in the wake of tragedy. Tomorrow, however, classes would resume as though nothing had happened. Life at the academy went on, indifferent to the pain that lingered in the air.
Lila lingered at the gates for a moment, gazing back toward the city as if she could still see the rising smoke. Her heart was heavy, but she clenched her fists. Tomorrow would come, and with it, a new chapter. She had to be ready.
---
The morning sun streamed through the windows of Alex's private training hall. His shirtless figure moved fluidly, muscles flexing as he switched between weapons. A long spear spun in his hands with precise, deadly arcs. He stabbed, twisted, and struck, each motion deliberate, his movements punctuated by the sharp whoosh of air displaced by the weapon.
After a few rounds, Alex set the spear aside and picked up a bow. His gaze sharpened as he notched an arrow, his breathing steady. He aimed at the distant targets lined against the far wall and released. The arrow flew straight, striking the bullseye with a resounding thunk. He repeated the action again and again, each arrow hitting its mark.
Yesterday's battle had been a wake-up call. He clenched his fist, recalling the chaos and his own limitations. The notifications that had appeared after the fight still lingered in his mind:
Swordsmanship: Level C
Weapon Mastery: Level C
It was a breakthrough, but Alex understood something crucial now. To wield his divine power effectively, he couldn't rely on a single weapon. Mastery over different types of weapons was key.
As he reached for another arrow, a sudden chime interrupted his focus. The sound of the doorbell echoed through the training hall. With a sigh, Alex pulled out his phone and checked the CCTV footage. The screen displayed Leon, Sophia, and Lila waiting outside.
He smirked slightly, pocketing his phone. "What are they all doing here together?"
Moments later, he opened the door and let them in. As they stepped into the training hall, Alex stood in the middle of the room, still shirtless, sweat glistening on his well-built frame.
Lila's cheeks immediately flushed crimson as her gaze flickered to his toned chest. "U-Uhm..." she stammered, averting her eyes.
Sophia, however, maintained her usual composure, her expression completely unreadable.
Leon, on the other hand, felt his irritation spike. His jaw tightened as he noticed Lila's reaction. "Alex! For god's sake, put a shirt on!"
Alex glanced at him, unfazed. "What's the big deal?" he muttered, casually grabbing a shirt and pulling it over his head.
"Happy now?" he asked with a smirk.
Leon huffed but didn't respond. Instead, Alex crossed his arms and looked at them. "So, what brings all of you here? Is there some special occasion I missed?"
The group fell silent for a moment before Leon stepped forward, his voice steady but serious. "I want to get stronger," he said, meeting Alex's gaze directly. "I want you to train me."
Alex studied Leon carefully, his eyes narrowing slightly. He knew his friend well enough to understand what this was about. Yesterday's events must have shaken him deeply, igniting a fire within. After a pause, Alex nodded.
"Alright," he said simply.
He turned his attention to Lila. "And you?"
Lila hesitated, her voice soft but resolute. "I... I also want to get stronger. Please train me too."
Alex gave a small nod before shifting his gaze to Sophia, who stood quietly at the back. His sharp eyes locked onto hers, waiting for her answer.