Milo, Kai, and Nessa stood before Selene, their hearts pounding with anticipation and dread.
After hearing about Milo's bizarre experience with Kriz, Kai and Nessa had jumped at the chance to join the 20-year program, expecting an equally quirky interview.
Reality, however, had other plans.
Selene's piercing gaze dissected each of them, her expression as unyielding as the city's walls. "Are you certain you want to proceed with the second interview?" Her voice carried a weight that made their spirits sink.
The trio nodded, though a shiver crawled up Milo's spine. Selene's tone set off alarm bells in his mind.
"Very well," Selene said, rising from her seat. "Follow me."
She led them through unfamiliar corridors, finally arriving at a vast hall where other recruits had already gathered. Milo did a quick headcount: about 20 people in total.
"Welcome," Selene began, her voice echoing in the chamber. "Your presence here means you've expressed a desire to serve the city for 20 years and passed the first phase of evaluation. But what comes next isn't a challenge Von Elio can make 100% safe... It won't be like the cakewalk trials in the book you're familiar with."
Milo exchanged bewildered glances with Kai and Nessa. What fresh hell awaited them?
"To prove your trust in Von Elio and your commitment to the city," Selene continued...
"You must jump into the sea of monsters."
A deathly silence blanketed the room, followed by a storm of disbelieving whispers and terrified murmurs.
"Jump... into the monster sea?" Nessa's voice was a ghost of its usual self. "But that's..."
"A death wish," Kai finished, his typical stoicism cracking like thin ice.
Milo's mind reeled, unable to process the bombshell Selene had just dropped.
All the challenges until now had been laughably easy, almost insulting in their simplicity. But this? This wasn't just a step up. It was a 'leap' into the realm of insanity.
Selene outlined the process, each word more surreal than the last.
Those who accepted the challenge would first receive the rabbit, defeat the swift, and then be granted the swift as well.
"You've... you've done this before?" Nessa asked, her eyes wide with wonder.
Taron chuckled. "Nah, first time for me too. But I've seen enough in my years of service to know when to trust a leader."
The young man Milo had noticed earlier sidled up to them. "Arnaud," he introduced himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "Also my first time."
Something about Arnaud's demeanor intrigued Milo. He seemed... on edge, but not in the same way as the others.
"Arnaud here," Taron said, clapping the young man on the back, "is something of a legend. He's the one who launched that fireball that distracted Fathoran and helped Von Elio in that epic showdown."
Milo's jaw dropped. He'd heard tales of that battle, of how Von Elio had toppled the tyrannical Fathoran.
Arnaud's gaze fell to the floor, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. "It wasn't a big deal," he mumbled. "Anyone would've done it... I got a push."
"Don't be modest," Taron insisted. "It was an act of incredible bravery."
Milo noticed that Arnaud seemed almost... ashamed of the praise. As if that moment of glory was a burden he carried.
As Selene began to give more instructions about the training to come, Milo couldn't help but reflect on the bizarre situation they found themselves in. Just weeks ago, his biggest worry was how to scrimp and save for his family with his 20 daily mana points. Now, he was about to hurl himself into a sea of monsters, trusting that a leader he barely knew would take him out of the depths.
The contrast was so absurd he almost wanted to laugh. Almost.
"What have we gotten ourselves into?" Nessa whispered, giving voice to everyone's thoughts.
Kai, ever the stoic, simply shrugged. "Guess we'll find out soon enough."
Milo nodded, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions churning in his gut. All the challenges up to now had been surprisingly easy, almost disappointing. But this... this was something else entirely. It was real, dangerous, and absolutely terrifying.
As Selene's voice droned on about the specifics of their training, Milo's mind wandered to his family. What would his mother say if she knew what he was about to do? Would his siblings understand the risk he was taking for their future?
But then he looked at his friends, at Kai's quiet determination and Nessa's nervous excitement. He thought of Taron's weathered confidence and Arnaud's reluctant bravery.
He realized that whatever lay ahead, he wouldn't face it alone.
The sea of monsters awaited, and he was ready to take the plunge.