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.

serious, nonetheless, and the teenagers around him seemed to resonate with it with

moment he heard

thought it would take two months or more, but…" He narrowed his eyes

one month should

hours a day in the Dungeon,

grown exponentially in the past couple of

growth, but each individual had

was a beautiful thing to

that came out of that Summoning Circle were not the same as the

They had all grown.

********

[Moments Later]

about the final training?

"Man… I'm so exhausted!"

inside to snack on something real

take a shower

the bunch of students by teleporting away, everyone instantly

Ralyks had told them to take the rest of the day off and relax, so being this

each person

Eric, and Clark hung

often trained together, or just

Alicia were a clique

were

and decided what to do after,

said to be "the boys"—with Belle being the center of attention around them—and the second group was essentially the "hardcore training club," then the

frequent

like Justin—postulated that they were definitely doing something more

with no proof, nothing he said

he

forced to leave due to how

solidified his beliefs that Rey and Alicia were definitely doing something extra

but not me!" He often declared aloud, though that was always followed-up by some kind of slap on his back

led to a rumor about Rey and Alicia

and powerful Alicia was, and how average Rey appeared—but no one could deny their

called it

to their relationship as

others made no comments on the