I had no answers, but one thing was clear: that boy with the red bandana had just crossed a dangerous line. And the Greenders were there to remind him what happened when someone defied Lottie’s rules.

  At that moment, the boy didn’t even have time to react.

  We all watched as the Greenders surrounded him, immobilizing his arms with inhuman precision. Without the slightest hesitation, they dragged him away as if he were nothing more than an object to be moved.

  The echo of their footsteps resonated through the empty city, amplifying the tension that already hung in the air.

  “And since you’ve disrespected me, let’s see…” Lottie continued, a malicious smile slowly spreading across her face.

  Her tone was seductive, as if she was relishing what she was about to say.

  “Well… I’ll simply remove you from the exam, and the Greenders will teach you some manners. And since you don’t wish to participate in our project, I’ll also revoke the points we gifted you for bringing you to Pegasus Island. I hope you can survive without them in the Nameless District.”

  The boy tried to resist, but the Greenders were relentless. His efforts were futile, and soon he disappeared among the rubble, dragged toward a fate none of us could imagine.

  It was at that moment that the reality of our situation became clearer.

  Are we disposable?

  When the soldiers took the boy with the red bandana, we all understood our predicament. This wasn’t a game. Lottie wasn’t joking. Anyone who dared to defy her would face terrible consequences.

  Without missing a beat, Lottie continued her speech, as if what had just happened was of no importance, as if the Greenders hadn’t just dragged a student away by force.

  Showing not even a hint of remorse, Lottie resumed her address, her tone as composed as ever.

  “Well then… is there anyone else who wishes to join student 3,114?” she asked softly, letting the silence reinforce her challenge. “Come on… surely one of you would also like to learn the secrets of the Nameless District.”

  No one moved.

  The silence was so absolute that even the natural sounds of the ruined city seemed to vanish. No one dared to speak after what we had witnessed.

  Who could?

  Lottie let out a small sigh, as if disappointed by our lack of response.

  “Well then… since no one is stepping forward…” she continued, her voice tinged with a hint of amusement, “it’s time to proceed with the trial. As I mentioned earlier, now that you belong to Centaur, it’s time to prove your aptitude.”

  With a precise gesture, Lottie pointed her staff at the dirigible’s screen, where a large number “15” appeared and began to count down.

  14… 13… 12…

  As the numbers continued to descend, a Greender approached Lottie, handing her a neatly folded uniform.

  “First, dear students, let me clarify something important about the uniforms you’re wearing,” she said, tearing the uniform apart with a single swipe of her staff. “They are crafted with the latest technology from Centaur.”

  11… 10… 9…

  Murmurs spread among the students.

  She tore the uniform? What is she trying to prove?

  Lottie dropped the uniform on the ground, and the Greender beside her set it on fire, reducing it to ashes within seconds.

  “Though you’ll have to return them at the end of the trial, don’t worry about overusing or damaging them,” Lottie continued, entirely indifferent to our reactions. “They’re practically indestructible. They’re made with the magical silk of the Abyssal Eternal Spider. All it takes is a little energy to restore them.”

  8… 7… 6…

  Lottie extended her hands toward the uniform’s ashes.

  She enveloped the remains with her Gift, and the uniform began to regenerate as if it had never been damaged.

  I watched, unable to look away.

  Magical silk? Could that really be possible?

  Well, Gifts didn’t follow any apparent logic either, so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised.

  5… 4… 3…

  But even so…

  My thoughts were a mess. The seconds kept ticking down, heightening the tension in the air.

  2… 1…

  When the counter finally hit 0, the sky exploded with vibrant colors. Fireworks illuminated the ruined city like a festival, but for us, the display was anything but celebratory.

  The fireworks served as a stark reminder of our position as mere pawns.

  Then Lottie’s voice rang out with authority.

  “Well, students, the rules are simple,” she declared in a tone reminiscent of a master of ceremonies, as if she had become the ruler of a combat arena. “We have 5,600 students, but only half will advance to the next stage.”

  A murmur rippled through the crowd. We could barely process what was happening.

  “Those who don’t make it will be sent to Districts Nine and Ten,” Lottie continued, her smile unwavering. “If you aim to proceed in the trial, you must collect ten points. It’s as simple as that.”

  Her explanation hit us like a hammer.

  An absolute silence followed her words.

  The students’ gazes met, each reflecting the same unanswered questions. The uncertainty was palpable, like an echo reverberating through the ruined city.

  Will we have to fight each other?

  It was a question no one wanted to voice, but it was on everyone’s mind. The fireworks continued to burst in the sky, while Lottie watched with her enigmatic smile.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  It was as if she was mocking our uncertainty.

  “Remember, each student is worth four points,” she continued, her tone so casual it reaffirmed our lives as mere disposable tokens. “And to make it easier for you to gather them, our team has dispersed plenty of robots and monsters throughout the arena. Each one is worth seven points,” she added as a holographic map unfolded on the giant screen.

  The map was detailed, showing the arena divided into various sectors. There were dense jungles, scorching deserts, forests, icy mountains, and volcanic zones.

  Each region seemed designed to push us to our limits, a further sign that this wasn’t a simple game. It was a mix of perilous landscapes, all surrounding a single focal point.

  The silver stadium—the destination of our first trial.

  “Once you have the ten points, you must head to the central stadium to validate them. Though I must say, finding the stadium will also be part of the challenge,” Lottie explained, pointing to the stadium on the map with her staff. “For this one time, in addition to the secret prize, I will grant the first student to reach the stadium their wish.”

  Her words landed like a thunderclap.

  A wish…

  It could change everything.

  But it was also a trap to push us to our limits.

  The images on the screen now showcased the arena’s various biomes.

  We saw everything from lush jungles to the icy peaks of mountains. Each setting looked more hostile than the last.

  The extreme temperatures and treacherous terrains were clearly designed to keep us on edge.

  “If you want to form teams, go ahead,” Lottie continued, her smile foreboding. “You’re free to do so and speak in private—all you need to do is link your communicators. But remember, the points are individual. If the prize doesn’t interest you, trust whomever you like. Just don’t complain if you end up betrayed.”

  The students’ voices began to rise. Some glanced around, looking for potential allies. Others observed with distrust, as if already imagining betrayal.

  But Lottie wasn’t finished yet.

  “And to add a little more excitement,” Lottie continued, with a smile that felt like a punch to the gut. “We’ve included some final bosses. A Shadow Minotaur leads the monsters, and an Aetheric Centurion commands the robots. Each final boss is worth twelve points. Oh, and Ribbon will also be playing. Defeat the penguin, and you’ll earn another twelve bonus points.”

  The names Shadow Minotaur and Aetheric Centurion sounded terrifying, making my throat tighten. But the mention of Ribbon left me confused.

  That penguin...

  Calling it a final boss was strange.

  Maybe Lottie was adding her assistant as a way to give us a break from the battles—encountering the small Ribbon could be equivalent to gaining twelve free points.

  The airship disappeared into the clouds, leaving behind an unsettling void.

  The silence that followed was heavy.

  I could feel everyone processing the options Lottie had just presented.

  Fight or die. Betray or survive.

  In the end, it all came down to whether we were deemed fit to remain on the island.

  If not, Districts Nine and Ten awaited us.

  I glanced around, assessing the others.

  Ray and Sasha stood frozen, as if fear had paralyzed them completely. Their faces mirrored the same uncertainty I felt.

  But Minoru… Minoru was different.

  His expression was calm, as if he had already planned his next steps. There was no fear on his face, only a determination that reminded me of the times we’d gotten into trouble.

  My brother always found the solution.

  Within a minute, Minoru approached us.

  There was something in his stride that conveyed confidence, as though he had already figured out the answer to our predicament.

  “If we work together, we can take down a few robots and monsters,” he said, pointing toward the main road. “I really don’t want to find out what happens in Districts Nine and Ten. The further we progress, the closer we’ll be to escaping the island and returning home. Who’s with me?”

  Hearing his words, I felt a sense of relief bloom within me.

  Minoru hadn’t forgotten about Wataru…

  I had thought he might want to stay on Pegasus Island, but my brother was also thinking of a way to escape and go home, sparking a small glimmer of hope within me.

  However, not everyone shared that sentiment.

  “Escape the island?” Ray’s voice rang out, dripping with disdain. “Why the hell would I want to go back?”

  His comment hit me like a bucket of cold water.

  For us, trying to escape the island and return to our lives seemed like the natural thing to do. But for Ray, the idea was absurd.

  That’s when Sasha stepped forward.

  His expression was hard, serious, as if Ray’s words had ignited something within him.

  “For our families,” he replied firmly. “I don’t know what kind of life you’ve had, but my family is waiting for me to come back. I believe in that.”

  The atmosphere immediately grew tense.

  Ray froze for a moment, his eyes narrowing as his face twisted into a mix of fury and resentment.

  “Oh, yeah?! What kind of life I’ve had?!” he suddenly shouted, his voice echoing in the empty road as he shoved Sasha hard, sending him to the ground. “You think you’re better just because you have a family?! Well, lucky you! That word doesn’t exist in my damn dictionary!”

  Ray’s anger hung in the air.

  I wanted to help Sasha, but he got up on his own, staring straight at Ray with a hardness that left me stunned.

  “That’s not what I meant, you idiot,” Sasha retorted in a low voice. “If you think you’re the only one with problems, do whatever you want. We all have our issues, so stop acting like you’re the center of the universe.”

  Sasha’s words hit like a direct blow.

  Ray, who had been furious moments ago, fell silent for a few seconds. I watched as his expression shifted, softening into an unexpected vulnerability.

  Had Sasha’s words made him reflect?

  “What’s your plan, Minoru?” Sasha asked, turning to us. “I understand we can’t trust anyone, but I’d rather form a team until I get my points. I’ll do whatever it takes to earn the wish.”

  Though he was still irritated, Ray sat down.

  Frustration was evident in his tense posture, but he tried to mask it.

  “Since you’re so set on this,” he said, attempting to sound indifferent, “I’ll stick with you until I get my ten points. After that, everyone’s on their own. I’m not interested in being part of a permanent team.”

  His words left no room for doubt.

  It was clear Ray only intended to use us to reach his goal, then go his own way. Minoru, however, showed no reaction to his attitude.

  With his usual calm demeanor, he ignored Raynard’s comment and focused on what mattered.

  “Alright, then we’ll be a team until we reach forty points,” he said with a serious expression, making it clear he wouldn’t waste time on unnecessary arguments. “First, we need to share information about our Gifts. We must be upfront about their uses and weaknesses. I’ll start. Mine is Elemental Spirit…”

  According to his explanation, this was Minoru’s ability.

  Elemental Spirit: A Gift that transforms the user into an adaptable and resilient being, granting the ability to alter their body’s composition and absorb materials to enhance physical and defensive capabilities.

  First Skill - “Form Shift”: Allows the user to change the structure of their body at will. They can transform their body material into elements such as metal, stone, wood, or even liquids, optimizing performance for combat or defense. The maximum armor limit depends on the user’s stamina.

  Second Skill - “Core Assimilation”: Grants the ability to absorb materials to mimic them, repair damage, or strengthen armor. Absorbed objects integrate directly into the user’s body, increasing durability, strength, or even bestowing additional properties based on the material.

  Minoru’s Gift was powerful, but it also had limitations.

  Using “Form Shift” consumed energy proportional to the complexity of the material. While Minoru could layer multiple armors, he was restricted by his own endurance.

  Put simply, repeated transformations or stacking armor without rest would cause heat buildup in Minoru’s body.

  If he reached overheating, his body could lock up, rendering Elemental Spirit unusable and leaving him vulnerable or unconscious until he regained sufficient energy.

  Additionally, if Minoru completely ran out of energy, he would be unable to activate “Core Assimilation” or deactivate “Form Shift,” leaving him trapped in his current form, burdened by its weight.

  For “Core Assimilation,” the main restrictions involved the types of materials he could absorb. Materials that were overly toxic, magically unstable, or incompatible with Elemental Spirit could cause adverse reactions, such as deterioration or loss of control.

  This effect could be particularly dangerous in prolonged battles with “Form Shift” activated or under sustained pressure. Although “Form Shift” was resistant to physical attacks, it struggled to adapt to pure magical energies, such as light, darkness, or chaos spells.

  Absorbing materials with “Core Assimilation” was not instantaneous. Minoru required prolonged physical contact with the object he intended to assimilate, leaving him exposed during the process.

  “Even though Elemental Spirit has many weaknesses,” Minoru explained, gripping a piece of metal in his hands, “I’ve analyzed the risks of my power. For now, it’s best to focus on simple transformations. But I’m not useless—just now, I found this piece of metal. Platinum, to be exact. It seems to have fallen from one of the drones Lottie sent our way. This will help protect us from any incoming attacks.”

  As Minoru’s words lingered in the air, Sasha decided to continue the conversation. In a fluid motion, he ignited a small, dancing flame in the palm of his hand.

  We watched as he raised the flame and made it spin in circles.

  It certainly feels like a good offensive power...