That night, after the town had finally settled, the five were summoned to Lysternia's District Hall—a squat stone building at the center of the city, where a glowing seal warded off low-level demons and corrupted air.
Inside, they met Head Clerk Velk, a middle-aged man with a long mustache and a voice like stone scraping against gravel.
"You brats have no idea what you've done," he began, pacing behind a desk cluttered with scrolls and old energy detectors. "That thing's been ravaging our borders for weeks. We lost an entire platoon just two nights ago."
"Then why wasn't it hunted down?" Konacho asked bluntly.
Velk slammed a palm on the desk. "Because no one strong enough stayed in this town! Everyone's either fled to the capital or been reassigned. You five... were the only active-ranked heroes left here."
Silence.
He sighed.
"But you held. You saved us. For that, the entire city of Lysternia owes you a debt of gratitude."
The old man looked up at them. "The Lysternia Council has issued a commendation for all five of you. You'll be awarded fifty silver coins, and a technique scroll—pending Headmaster Kime's confirmation."
Itekan and Itoyea blinked.
"We're... first-years," Itoyea said, confused.
"I'm aware," Velk replied flatly. "But you've earned it."
"I believe that's all. Go out and enjoy the celebration—in your name." Velk waved them off, and they were ushered out.
---
Later, the taverns were alive. Music spilled through the streets. Someone rolled out barrels of sweetroot ale. A huge feast was organized in the town square. The five were pulled into the festivities whether they liked it or not.
Itekan found himself beside Itoyea, watching a fire-eater perform impossible tricks. He leaned over.
"Is this what it feels like to be a hero?" he whispered.
Itoyea nodded. "Only if you survive."
Nearby, Tobi sat on a bench, exhausted but upright, several bandages wrapped over his injuries. Townsfolk offered him food, and children shyly asked questions about his lion mane.
He smiled and answered their questions as best as he could.
"It's always nice to get this kind of attention," he muttered once they finally left him alone.
Konacho rolled her eyes. "Don't let it get to your head. They'll forget us by next week."
"Let them," Bukanami said, sipping from his mug. "We didn't do it for them anyway."
Konacho smirked. "No, of course not. We did it for the money," she said—then they all burst into laughter.
As the night grew dim and the celebration roared louder, parents began herding their children to bed. The five were given rooms to rest. And soon, they were all fast asleep.
---
The next morning, they departed from Lysternia to the sound of cheers and songs. People lined the streets, singing praises for the five heroes.
Itekan jiggled the bag of silver coins they'd earned from selling their SE stones.
"Brug-bruh-bruha-wa-tisai," Togira muttered, sprawled lazily atop Itekan's head.
"Yep, we're rich!" Itekan grinned, ear to ear.
After their heroics, the merchant had paid them three times the original offer for the SE stones. Apparently, one of the guards they had saved was the merchant's only son and heir. The man credited the boy's survival entirely to the group's intervention.
As thanks, the merchant also promised lifelong discounts—half-price on every second stone they sold to him.
Combined with the silver reward from Head Clerk Velk, the five now had enough money to last for months.
They passed through the outer forest, navigating deeper until they crossed beyond the dungeon boundary. By noon, they stood at the edge of the Red Dungeon.
Surprisingly, the journey back had gone smoother than expected. Bukanami even took the time to teach them how to read the forest's subtle shifts—how to predict its paths, rather than be lost by them.
Finally, they arrived at the giant wall separating the Red Zone from the Yellow Zone. It was here that Bukanami, Konacho, and Tobi came to a stop.
"We'll be staying here," Bukanami said simply.
"Yeah, yeah. Take care of Togira for me, okay? I'll pet him when I get back," Tobi added dramatically, wiping fake tears from his eyes.
Togira shivered on Itekan's head and let out a pitiful groan, as if contemplating the future tortures to come.
Itekan and Itoyea laughed at his over-the-top misery.
"Alright then! We'll await news of your success," Itekan said with a confident grin.
"Of course! Don't let it go to your head, though," Konacho replied, giving him a playful shove. "We're going to catch that damned snake!"
Her voice no longer held hostility—just the fire of rivalry.
"I wish you all luck," Itoyea said with a slight bow.
Tobi grinned, Bukanami nodded quietly, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
And then—whack! Konacho kicked them both on the butt.
"Well? Get outta here, you idiots!"
Itekan and Itoyea burst out laughing. With Togira atop Itekan's head, they passed through the gates.
And just like that, they were headed back to Four Stars Academy.
Their first adventure beyond school walls... a complete success.
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Spiritual Energy (SE)
Spiritual Sea (SS)
Spiritual Signature (SST)
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