"What... did you just say?" Stark mumbled while deeply into Sora's eyes, taking her aback slightly as she didn't expect her friend to be this serious over a piece of information.
"I mean... the panel is right in front of you..." Sora shrugged.
"...Right," Stark looked back at it, and immediately his eyes widened again.
...
[Second Semester Trial: The Colosseum.]
[Basic Information: This will be an INDIVIDUAL task, meaning that you will be alone while completing it, get ready.]
...
These were all the informations they got, nothing more, nothing less.
But if what was written here was true.
Then...
The location of the fourth apostle from the second of the [ApostleDex] was just revealed to him.
.
[Line 2, Apostle 4]
[Name: ???]
[Level: ???]
[Location: Last Floor (10) of the Colosseum]
....
The apostle was at the last floor, maybe he was the final boss actually? Who knows!
"Alright," he nodded, "Thank you, Sora, I can prepare something for you if you want?"
It didn't look like it, but Stark was actually very good with his hands, and as he was an accountant who lived alone in his past life, cooking wasn't that strange to him.
"It's fine," but she shook her head, "That is all that I wanted to say, I have to go back to business matters."
Sora was only 18, but she was already vice-president of several guilds under direct order of her father, and her strength was extremely useful to the family.
Of course, her family didn't know about Stark or the domination trials, but if they found out their only daughter, who always acted emotionless and never approached anyone, was getting 'infatuated' to a random boy, then it would be a disaster.
"I'll be taking my leave," Sora got up from her seat, not touching her grape juice, then began heading toward the exit door.
"..." Stark couldn't and didn't want to stop her, so he just followed.
But right as Sora was about to leave...
"Don't worry, Sora, we'll think you while we're having fun!" Lana peeked out of the hall, a genuine smile on her face.
And suddenly, Stark stopped everything he was doing to look at Lana with the most neutral of expressions.
"Lana, I like spending time with you, no denying it," that first sentence made her blush, "But... no matter what, I need to get stronger."
"Why?! Why risk your life even though we're on break?!"
"You wouldn't understand, but right now, it's either I risk my life and get stronger, or I die later anyway for being too weak."
"With your current strength y-you could definitely earn more than enough money! And I can help you too!"
"Wouldn't work, I am forced to keep going no matter what, for I am the..." Stark didn't finish his sentence.
But...
[Talent: Chosen One].
"...Alright," Lana didn't want that, but she understood, she can't force him to stay either.
She was already happy she spent time with him, as he was always busy.
And deep down, she knew, that no matter how many months or years, her mind would still force her to wait for Stark.
"I'm leaving tomorrow," he told her while approaching her and patting her head, "Don't worry, I won't die, at least I hope."
"..." Lana looked down, she really wanted to cry, but somehow she couldn't, the tears wouldn't pour out.
Maybe because she didn't know about Stark's circumstances? Or because she knew that he was right in trying to become stronger, essentially because the academy year wasn't over and that it would become much harder later on.
So in the end...
"Okay," she smiled bitter sweetly, "Do whatever you want!"
"Thanks," he didn't need her approval, but it still was good she understood.
And just like that, the day passed quickly, Stark spending the most amount of time possible with Lana, and even allowing her to lay beside him on his bed.
Tomorrow came, and so D-Day arrived.
...
"Goodbye," she smiled as she waved at Stark, who was currently leaving the apartment, "Please come back no matter what!"
"I will, so even if a long time passes, know that I wouldn't die," he nodded, and she hugged him.
After that quick embrace, he left his apartment and closed the door behind.
"..." Stark didn't feel much, to be honest.
To him, all that mattered is to get stronger.
If he was sure to meet the apostles at some point, and if the third domination trial was looming over him, then he had no other choice.
For being the [Chosen One] is both a blessing, but also a curse.