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

shrugged the moment

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

now, one month should

of ten hours a day in the Dungeon, they were definitely going to finish things within

exponentially in

but each individual had

a beautiful thing

Circle were not the same as the ones who now sat before

They had all grown.

********

[Moments Later]

did you think about the

"Man… I'm so exhausted!"

get back inside to snack on something

Dude, take

left the bunch of students by teleporting away,

plus Ralyks had told them to take the rest of the day off

one would expect, each person had their

Eric, and Clark hung out

often trained together,

Rey and Alicia were a clique

were practically

and decided what to do

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

frequent the library pretty much every

naughty ones like Justin—postulated that they

nothing he said could

on them, he couldn't get

due

discouraging him, the experience only solidified his beliefs that Rey and

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

a rumor about Rey and Alicia

match-up was surprising—considering how incredibly beautiful and powerful Alicia was, and how average Rey appeared—but no one could

called it mere

referred to their relationship as one-sided,

made no comments on