As Alex and the others arrived at the training area, Adrian''s request for a quick spar to test their skills caught them off guard. Mixed feelings swirled within each of them at the suddenness of the request.


    While it was only natural to assess their capabilities, facing a 2 versus 5 situation like they were now was unexpected. Adrian, however, seemed confident in his decision, his demeanor indicating a purpose behind the unconventional matchup.


    Alex couldn''t shake the feeling that Adrian must have had some inkling of their strength, especially considering the formidable reputation of Alex and Be alone.


    With the addition of the other three, who likely ranked among the top in their respective sses, it was reasonable to assume that they were facing a formidable opponent.


    Observing Adrian closely, Alex couldn''t help but notice subtle changes in him. It wasn''t just his appearance or overall personality; there was something deeper, a shift in his aura that seemed tomand respect.


    It made Alex wonder if Adrian''s newfound role as the hero was responsible for this transformation. The realization that Adrian was now the hero felt surreal to Alex. Initially, he had believed Tristan would assume the role, making Adrian''s ascension to hero status surprising and somewhat difficult to ept.


    As they prepared for the spar, Alex couldn''t shake the feeling of uncertainty…


    Facing off against Adrian and Elena, he realized that their opponent wasn''t just physically strong but also possessed an intangible quality that set him apart.


    "Why am I getting nervous now…? I knew Adrian was secretly strong when I first met him," Alex attempted to reassure himself, shaking off the unease that crept into his mind.


    Refocusing his attention, he observed Adrian closely. A pure white sword materialized in Adrian''s hands, devoid of any blemishes or impurities.


    Its pristine appearancemanded attention, radiating a sense of purity and power.


    Adrian assumed his stance, and the surroundings seemed to shift, bathed in a golden hue as a bright light enveloped the de of the sword.


    Its ethereal glow gave the impression that they were facing a deity incarnate. Sweat trickled down the spines of everyone present as they watched Adrian unleash the holy sword.


    Even Be, who had appeared sleepy moments before, was now fully awake, her gaze fixed on the radiant golden sword.


    A hint of concern flickered across her features, her thoughts veiled behind her elusive demeanor.


    One thing was certain, though—facing Adrian inbat, even with all five of them working together, wouldn''t be an easy task.


    "Start!" The announcer''s whistle and words reverberated through the air, signaling the beginning of the bout.


    With determination etched on their faces, all the fighters surged forward, ready to sh in a test of strength and skill.


    ….


    The sh of titans seemed to stretch on for an eternity, though only five minutes had passed.


    Throughout the arena, sparks flew asbatants moved with lightning speed, their movements blurring as they shed.


    "UWAAGHHH!!!"


    Amidst the chaos, a deafening roar erupted as Buka unleashed a mighty shout, his axe descending upon Adrian like a falling star.


    The impact reverberated through the area with a resounding boom, causing the ground to fracture beneath Adrian''s feet. With lightning reflexes, Adrian managed to block the attack just in time, preventing certain death.


    Yet, the force of the blow drove him down, forming a small crater around him as he struggled to maintain his footing.


    As Adrian grappled with the aftermath of Buka''s assault, he felt the searing heat of Alex''s presence beside him.


    With a fiery aura enveloping him, Alex bore down on Adrian with an intensity that hinted at a desire for nothing less than victory.


    The look in Alex''s eyes spoke volumes—it was clear that he intended to push Adrian to his limits, perhaps even beyond.


    Adrian''s heart pounded in his chest as he faced this dual onught.


    Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him, he refused to yield


    ''This is fun…'' Adrian''s thoughts echoed through his mind as he surveyed his opponents.


    This battle was unlike any he had experienced before.


    Gone were the structured duels of his training sessions; here, anything and everything was fair game.


    It was a chaotic dance, reminiscent of the unpredictability of real-lifebat.


    Suddenly, a red magic circle materialized behind Adrian, catching him off guard. Before he could react, a st of energy struck his back, leaving him immobilized.


    Despite feeling no physical pain, Adrian realized that he was now under the effect of Be''s celestial magic, his movements restricted and his options limited.


    Trapped between the relentless assault of Buka and the binding spell cast by Be, Adrian found himself at a disadvantage.


    As Alex, fueled by Isabe''s divine power, closed in for the final blow, he knew defeat was close.


    Yes, it would be the end of Adrian if he just keeps relying on his sword skills alone.


    With Alex''s sword poised to strike, Adrian''s smirk betrayed a hidden confidence. His gray eyes flickered with golden light, a sign of something extraordinary stirring within him


    [Authority: Ster Sris: (Active)]


    In a burst of blinding radiance, an explosion of golden energy erupted from Adrian, engulfing everyone in its vicinity.


    The golden light, unleashed by Adrian''s newfound power, showed no mercy as it swept through the battlefield like a tempest.


    Under the authority of "Ster Sris," Adrian became the epicenter of destruction, unleashing a force beyond imagination.


    As the dust settled and the echoes of the explosion faded, the battlefieldy in shambles, a testament to the devastation wrought by Adrian''s newfound power. Amidst the chaos, Adrian stood tall, his gaze sweeping across the wreckage surrounding him. However, his victory was far from assured.


    Despite the point-nk range of Adrian''s attack, Buka, the towering warrior, remained standing, albeit slightly kneeling due to the weight of his massive axe.


    It was clear that without Darius''s intervention, Buka would have been felled by the st. Darius, shielding Buka from the brunt of the explosion, bore the marks of the battle, smoke rising from his scorched form.


    Yet, both warriors wore smiles on their faces, their eyes alight with a sense of triumph.


    Which was only right as he felt the searing heat of a zing sword pressing against his neck.


    …..


    "I know you probably hear this all the time, but are you crazy?" I couldn''t help but blurt out as I looked at Alex, who defiantly pointed his swords at me.


    His entire body seemed to be burnt to the brink, the hand holding his sword moments away from turning into charcoal. It was evident that Darius''s shield had absorbed most of the attack''s output, sparing Alex from total destruction.


    "Hahaha, now you sound a whole lot like Tristan," Alexughed heartily at my remark. Right, I thought, even Tristan had found this guy to be a maniac during battles. Despite his skill and diligence, Alex never shied away from taking risks. He was both righteous and somewhat foolish, a true battle maniac in every sense of the word.


    As I surveyed our surroundings, I noticed Be hiding behind Isabe, using her as a shield. Treating her in such a manner seemed excessive to me.


    While I understood that my divine authorities over light didn''t fully affect those blessed by the gods above, using Isabe as a human shield felt excessive.


    After all, Be was destined to be a future archmage; surely, she could have conjured her own protective barrier.


    For someone with such potential, she seemed surprisingly cheap? Herziness was truly her only weakness.


    She didn''t even do much in the battle instead of bombarding me with spells earlier she took a more of a support role… which was clearly not needed… what exactly is she ying at here?


    Even in the midst of battle, Darius assumed a predominantly supportive role, focusing his efforts on shielding his allies from the onught of energy balls hurled by Elena. It was a testament to his unwavering dedication to the group''s safety.


    As for Isabe, she performed admirably, though not quite as I had expected. Despite her proficiency, I couldn''t shake the feeling that she was holding back. After all, as our mother''s chosen saintess, she possessed untapped potential. I made a mental note to inquire about her capabilities when the opportunity arose.


    Elena, on the other hand, acted swiftly, rushing to my side to assess my condition before turning her attention to Alex. Her prioritization surprised many, myself included.


    In a departure from her usual behavior, Elena chose to heal me first, despite Alex''s more dire injuries. The unexpected decision caused murmurs of astonishment to ripple through the onlookers, as it went against the saintess-like nature Elena was renowned for—always prioritizing the care of the wounded.


    Well, it''s kind of expected anyways…


    After all, I was her fiancé, and her actions were perhaps more understandable through that lens. However, I knew that to the others, such behavior might seem strange and raise questions.


    Despite my desire to share the truth about our rtionship, I recognized the potentialplications that could arise from revealing too much too soon.


    Exposing the intricacies of my rtionships with Elena and the other girls could lead to unforeseen challenges and disruptions.


    I preferred for our connection to evolve naturally, through subtle cues and rumors, rather than making a grand announcement.


    While I anticipated that keeping our rtionship under wraps would likely result in its fair share of annoyances, I reasoned that going with the flow for now would yield the best oue in the long run.


    As the day drew to a close, I found unexpected camaraderie among our group.


    Despite it being the first time, the five neers had fought alongside each other, their skills and instincts seamlessly integrated with our own.


    It was a testament to their capabilities and adaptability, reassuring me that our party was more than ready for the journey ahead.


    With their bonds strengthened through battle, I resolved to schedule one final training session for tomorrow, with everyone on board.


    It would be an opportunity to solidify our teamwork and iron out any remaining kinks before embarking on our adventure.


    "I just hope Aria and Louise wouldn''t mind Alex''s presence too much…" I mused, pondering theplexities of their rtionships, which had be increasingly tangled, especially for Aria—or perhaps more so on Louise''s side.?


    The intricacies of their feelings were a delicate matter, but ultimately, it didn''t matter now.


    "Adrian Vulter Tellus…. Would you be my ally?"


    I needed to focus on the task at hand and formte my reply to the princess soon.


    ….


    Amidst the swirling distant and frigidnd in the north, where a lone figure traversed the icy expanse. d in tattered garments, the woman''s white hair and piercing blue eyes contrasted against the darkened skies.


    Despite the harsh environment, the surrounding flora—normally resilient to the bitter cold—appeared withered and lifeless, tainted by a sinister influence.


    The towering trees, once vibrant with life, now stood as solemn sentinels of decay.


    Even the air seemed thick with a malevolent presence, as demonic miasma permeated the atmosphere.


    It was evident that the corruption had spread far beyond the confines of civilization, reaching even the remotest reaches of thend.


    Mavis stood amidst the deste forest, her gaze lingering on the twisted trees, a silent testament to the corruption that had seeped into thend.


    Despite the sorrow that weighed heavy on her heart, she knew she couldn''t dwell on it. There were answers to be found, and a thirst for vengeance burned within her.


    Thrown into this unfamiliar ce without exnation, Mavis was determined to make the most of this opportunity.


    As the queen of the north and thest living high fairy, she carried a weighty responsibility—to reim what was rightfully hers and restore bnce to thend.


    With resolve hardening in her heart, Mavis pushed forward, leaving the forest behind her.


    She had a mission—to find the hero. Whether he held the key to her questions or not, she knew that their paths must intersect if she were to achieve her goals.


    As Mavis pressed forward, unaware of the eyes that watched her every move, a figure cloaked in an executive ck dress observed her from a distance of approximately five kilometers. The woman''s red eyes gleamed with a predatory hunger, her tongue flicking out in anticipation.


    "You can''t harm her, Sasha," another woman interjected, her golden blonde hair framing her face as she exuded a dark and sinister aura.


    "I-I know, Lady Schwi," Sasha stammered nervously, concealing her hungry gaze under a veil of obedience.


    Schwi regarded her vampire maid with a mixture of resignation and understanding. It seemed that Sasha''s desires knew no bounds, regardless of whether her target was male or female, as long as they possessed beauty. Despite her initial shock, Schwi had grown ustomed to Sasha''s predatory nature over time.


    Returning her attention to Mavis, who continued to flee in the distance, Schwi muttered, "It seems she noticed…"


    Sasha, ever eager to please, questioned, "Should we follow her, mydy?"


    Schwi shook her head, her decision firm. "No, while we were tasked with monitoring her, our primary objective is to keep her safe. Chasing after her now would only lead to greater danger."


    She knew that pushing Mavis too hard would only drive her further away. For now, it was best to maintain a watchful eye from a distance and intervene only when necessary.


    "Understood, youngdy," Sasha replied dutifully, her crimson eyes glinting with obedience as she resigned herself to her role as protector rather than predator—for the time being, at least.