An Extra’s POV

"Well done, everyone."

The man of darkness himself, Ralyks, clapped as he gazed upon the group of nine who stood before him.

No one could see what was hidden underneath his dark mask, but based on the tone of his voice, and his gesture, it was clear he was pleased.

The expanse above showed a bright sun that sharply contrasted with his black aesthetic, and the ground around him had been shattered—destroyed by the just-concluded battle.

"You exceeded my expectations." Ralyks nodded in approval as he formally ended the round.

The Otherworlders—or rather, students under Ralyks—had just passed the final phase of their test with the Dark Adventurer.

This was something they had been undertaking for the past few days, so the smiles and expressions of relief that pervaded their faces was understandable.

Everyone was exhausted, but they couldn't help but laugh energetically as they collapsed on the ground in satisfaction.

They really did it!

"You've defeated the last of my Elemental Summon. I can see you're now ready for the next step."

The Otherworlders all looked at Ralyks from wherever they sat on the devastated ground.

They knew what was to come.

"Tomorrow… we will venture into the Royal Dungeon." He declared.

The equipment that they needed was finally ready. Their practice had paid off, and they were deemed prepared enough for the rigors of the Dungeon Raid.

Everything had been set in motion.

"Any questions?" Ralyks asked, both hands behind him as he did so.

No matter the situation, this man always maintained an air of elegance and prestige.

… Also power.

"I have one. How long will we be spending for the Raid in total?"

The person who asked this question was Justin, and he had a goofy smile on—as usual.

and the teenagers around him seemed to resonate

moment he heard

more, but…" He narrowed

one month

they spent an average of ten hours a day in the Dungeon,

exponentially in the

each individual had their

a beautiful thing

teenagers that came out of that Summoning Circle were not the same as the ones who now sat before

They had all grown.

********

[Moments Later]

about the final training? Was it

"Man… I'm so exhausted!"

back inside to snack

Dude, take

the bunch of students by teleporting away, everyone instantly

them to take the rest of the day off and relax,

each

Justin, Eric, and Clark hung out together very

Trisha often trained together, or

and Alicia were a clique

were practically

they all rose from where they sat and decided what to do

boys"—with Belle being the center of attention around them—and the second group was

to frequent

like Justin—postulated that they were

nothing he said

he decided to spy on them, he couldn't get his hands on the

due to how boring and

Rey and Alicia were definitely

He often declared aloud, though that was always followed-up by some

led to a rumor about Rey and Alicia in

surprising—considering how incredibly beautiful and powerful Alicia was, and how average Rey appeared—but

called it

to their relationship as one-sided, with Alicia essentially controlling

made no comments on the