Eventually, Rowan led them into the dining hall, a cavernous space with high vaulted ceilings and a massive table that seemed to stretch endlessly. Servants entered with trays of food, and soon the table was laden with dishes so exquisite the students could hardly believe their eyes.


    The aroma alone was enough to make their mouths water. Roasted meats, fresh vegetables, fluffy bread, and fruits so vibrant they looked plucked from a dream filled the table. As they began to eat, their hesitancy gave way to enthusiasm. Every bite was a revelation, the flavors richer and more vibrant than anything they’d ever tasted.


    Rowan chuckled as he watched them. “The Golden Empire prides itself on the finest food, all sourced naturally from our lands. Consider this a small taste of what awaits you here.”


    Once the meal was finished, Rowan leaned back, his tone growing slightly more serious. “Now, everyone here has an assigned fighting style. Your abilities will tell you much about how you’ll fight, but personal preference matters as well. I’d like each of you to write down your preferred weapons and techniques. From there, we’ll pair you with adventurers to train you properly.”


    His gaze swept over them, equal parts stern and encouraging. “You’ll spend the next year and a half—two years, if necessary—undergoing intensive training. After that, you’ll begin your journeys as adventurers, gaining the experience you’ll need to face real battles. But for now, there’s no rush. Greatness takes time, and I won’t risk rushing you before you’re ready.”


    The students nodded, their initial fear replaced by determination. Rowan’s words carried both the weight of expectation and the promise of guidance.


    For a man whose name inspired fear across the world, Rowan Sinclair was unexpectedly kind. Perhaps it was because his own children were near their age, making him more empathetic to their struggles. Whatever the reason, his desire to see them succeed was genuine.


    As he watched them, a faint smile crossed his lips. '' Time to mold them into adventurers even greater than I ever was,'' he thought.


    ....


    At night, Kael sat outside on his balcony, leaning against the cold iron railing as he gazed at the twin moons. Their pale light bathed the landscape in a ghostly glow, casting sharp shadows on the ground below. Despite the serene view, his jaw tightened, and his foot tapped restlessly against the floor. An ominous feeling gnawed at him, coiling tighter with every breath he took.


    "I can''t use my ability anymore. Is it cooling down, or did it just break?" he thought bitterly, grinding his teeth. "Ever since I took that fucker Travis''s ability, I can only see abilities now. I can’t even steal them anymore, and it’s pissing me the fuck off!"Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    He clenched his fist, then slowly unfurled it. With a sharp inhale, Kael summoned his sword. It shimmered into existence, reflecting the moonlight off its sleek, metallic edge. A grin tugged at his lips despite his frustration.


    "Guess I''ll just rule the world with his ability," he muttered under his breath, twirling the blade effortlessly before letting it dissolve back into nothingness.


    ---


    The class dove headfirst into their month-long training regimen, grinding through relentless drills and combat exercises without pause. Each day pushed them to their limits, their bodies aching and battered, yet their progress was undeniable. Their growth was exponential, with leaps in strength, speed, and precision that left even their seasoned instructors speechless.


    "These kids are monsters," one of the teachers muttered in awe, watching a sparring session where students moved like seasoned warriors, their strikes calculated and devastating. "I''ve never seen progress like this."


    Rowan, however, was unfazed. Sitting in his study, he smirked as he scanned the report. His fingers tapped lightly against the desk as he leaned back in his chair.


    "It’s going well," he mused, his voice low and deliberate. "They’ll keep this up for the next five months. After that, we’ll begin even harsher training. Let’s see just how far they can go."


    His eyes drifted to a particular document lying on his desk.


    "Guess we''ll be having a summit earlier than I thought," he muttered, his tone a mix of amusement and determination.


    The paper bore two prestigious seals, their intricate designs denoting the influence of the signatories. As Rowan scanned the text, a small smile curled his lips. He set the document down and rose from his seat, his movements deliberate. Walking to the window, he let his gaze sweep over the sprawling view of the capital. The city, with its towering spires and bustling streets, seemed to pulse with life even at this early hour.


    "This is going to be exciting," he murmured, his voice barely audible but carrying a trace of anticipation.


    ---


    Back in the forest, the bright sun steadily climbed over the horizon, its golden rays piercing through the dense canopy and dappling the forest floor. Travis lay motionless among the undergrowth, the warmth of the sun on his face stirring him from unconsciousness. The irritating brightness forced him to squint as he cracked his eyes open. Blinking against the light, he turned his head away and groaned softly.


    "I''m... somehow still alive," he thought, his mind slowly catching up to his body.


    His gaze dropped to his torso, now unmarred and fully healed, the fresh memory of his injuries flashing through his mind. He stared in disbelief before exhaling sharply, the absurdity of his situation sinking in. This was a different world, after all, and he wasn’t going to waste energy questioning the impossible.


    Travis pushed himself to his feet, testing his limbs. His body felt lighter, almost unfamiliar, as though the battle had left him not just healed but fundamentally changed. Reaching down, he pulled his sword from the dirt, brushing off the blade before sliding it back into its sheath.


    Surveying his surroundings, the forest loomed vast and unfamiliar, its dense expanse reminding him how utterly lost he was. Yet the unease didn’t weigh on him like it had before.


    "I shouldn’t leave this forest—not yet," he thought, his mind calculating. "I’m still too weak. If goblins—creatures thought of as fodder in every story—could nearly kill me, what chance would I stand against whatever else is out there?"


    The memory of the goblin battle flashed in his mind: the desperation, the close calls, the overwhelming odds. A shiver ran through him, but he shook it off. He clenched his fists, a steely resolve hardening within him.


    "The day I leave this place," he vowed silently, his gaze sweeping across the dense trees, "I’ll have conquered this whole forest."


    With that thought anchoring him, Travis began to move, his steps purposeful, as if the forest itself had become his proving ground.


    TO BE CONTINUED