Raven ordered everyone to return to their rooms to rest and sleep before setting out to harvest demonic blood.
No one objected; they all went to their rooms.
Sky Sword stared at the ceiling of his chamber, blinking and opening his eyes in vain. Sleep had abandoned him, and he tossed and turned in his bed repeatedly, first to the right, then to the left.
He stayed like that for nearly four hours until Maya came to check on him and said that the time had come.
"Yes," she said, "everyone has already woken up. The moment of harvest has arrived: the harvest of death or the harvest of salvation and distinction—which will they reap?"
Everyone gathered in the main hall—the cafeteria—and whispers began to echo in every corner.
Raven stood before them, looking sternly and intently, his hands clasped behind his back, projecting an aura of pride, authority, and mutual respect.
He drew a breath and placed his clenched fist before his mouth as a signal to pay attention. He was about to speak.
The whispers and murmurs among the trainees vanished as they focused all their attention on the man standing before them.
"In fact," Raven began, "I have something important to tell you about the boy who joined us recently—Zain."
Raven called out Zain's name; Zain, surprised to be addressed so publicly, looked around. Faces turned toward him, and he pointed to himself, saying, "Me?"
Raven replied, "Yes. Step forward." Zain's tension was visible as he scratched the back of his head and approached.
"What I want you to understand," Raven continued, "is that the boy beside me may be the key by which we can overcome these creatures." The trainees gasped and the hall buzzed with renewed whispers.
Raven raised a hand to restore silence, and complete focus returned to his lips. "This boy is, in truth, only a blacksmith—but not just a blacksmith; he is also a scholar with knowledge of all types of rare metals and components."
He paused and then said, "He claims he can forge a weapon with which we humans can repel and resist the demons."
Silence fell for a moment before he added, "Do you believe it? That is his claim. I myself do not. But if he truly can, it would make him a genius. So, do we trust him?"
Whispers spread among the trainees like wildfire, and Zain lowered his head, anxiety written on his face.
At that moment, Sky Sword intervened with a thunderous voice that filled the hall with awe: "Be silent!" Immediately, everyone obeyed.
Sky Sword stepped forward beside Zain and spoke bluntly, "Do you think this is easy? Do you know how much blood must be spilled to gather just one component? You might be the first to die. At least you have the option to withdraw if you wish—your fate is in your own hands. If you trust our knowledge, you risk death at any moment; or you can choose to pull out, surrender, and preserve your life. But remember this: if Zain really can forge that weapon, it will change our very destiny as humans. Choose wisely."
Raven patted Sky Sword on the shoulder and said, "That is true. But let us explain exactly what we intend to do so that no one remains ignorant."
He turned back to the trainees and continued, "What I mean is that the task is far from easy—it is exceedingly difficult. We are playing a game between life and death; a single mistake could be fatal. In short, we must acquire a sample of demonic blood and some fangs, should we be able to obtain them. As for the other components, Zain already collected them before joining us."
"With these materials," Raven went on, "Zain will combine the ingredients, melt them down, and forge them into a weapon—whether sword, spear, axe, or otherwise."
Silence fell again, and the whispers transformed into fixed stares. Hesitation was clear on their faces.
Sky Sword challenged them, "What is it? Are you afraid? Will no one volunteer?"
Not a single word was uttered; heads remained bowed in silence.
Zain saw the situation and looked crestfallen. Sky Sword noticed, grabbed Zain's hand, and led him aside. "Wait here; we'll be right back," he said.
Zain stood there speechless, astonished.
Sky Sword addressed the trainees once more: "Where is that sword? They need to see it, too—it will strengthen their conviction."
Understanding, Zain replied, "It's in my room. Let's go left now. My room number is 44."
The hideout was vast. One corridor housed about a hundred rooms, fifty on each side. Zain's room was on the left; Sky Sword's was on the right.
They entered the rooms and Zain began inspecting his gear—swords, spears, and blacksmith's tools. He grabbed his sword, and they made their way back to the main hall, their shadows preceding them as reactions began to stir among the trainees.
They advanced slowly down the dim corridor. Sky Sword raised the sword overhead and declared, "This is one of Zain's inventions: the Flaming Sword."
He held it aloft again, and its unique flame ignited—orange with hints of blue and a green core. The trainees gasped, mouths agape.
Sky Sword drew the sword forcefully, and the flame flared hotter and sharper. He nearly dropped it from the intense heat but endured it for his friend's sake and theirs.
He gripped the hilt firmly, brought the blade before his face, and sheathed it slowly at first, then swiftly, to protect his hand from the flame. "This is how it works," he explained. "Pull it out and it ignites; sheathe it and it extinguishes."
"What do you say now?" he asked.
No one spoke. Their tongues seemed bound, faces fixed in astonishment.
Raven then said, "As I told you, that is the mechanism of the sword Zain forged. After seeing this, do you still doubt his brilliance? I have no doubt whatsoever. On the contrary, I trust he can create what we need—he's shared every detail, large and small."
"If you do not wish to take part," Raven concluded, "we will not force you. The three of us will manage on our own—do not worry—and speak now if you have anything to say."
The trainees lowered their heads, lost in thought and speculation, hesitation plain on their faces—until Sky Sword spoke again:
"Uncle," one said, "is it not worse for us to venture out as a group? Our numbers might draw the demons' attention."
"Would it not be better," another added, "for just the three of us and possibly a few others to go?"
Raven considered for a moment and replied, "You are right. Well deduced." Then he addressed the assem
bly: "We need only three volunteers, and we will exclude the women from this task."