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.

nonetheless, and the teenagers around him seemed to

moment

would take two months or more, but…" He narrowed his eyes as he looked at the

month

average of ten hours a day in the Dungeon, they were definitely

in the past couple

individual had their respective

beautiful thing

came out of that Summoning Circle

They had all grown.

********

[Moments Later]

you think about the final training?

"Man… I'm so exhausted!"

get back inside to snack on something

Dude, take a

Ralyks left the bunch of students by teleporting

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

each person had

and Clark

trained together, or just walked

finally, Rey and Alicia were a clique of their

two were practically

they sat and decided what to do

of attention around them—and

and Alicia were known to frequent

they were

proof, nothing

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

he was forced to leave due to how boring and eerily quiet the

and Alicia were definitely doing

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

a rumor about Rey

Alicia was,

called it mere

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

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