"He's protecting Master? Are this Sasaki guy's intentions positive? What if I'm getting this all wrong…"
Alfie questioned himself, sinking deeper into his own thoughts as the road stretched before them. His fists were clenched, his eyes heavy with doubt.
"No. I don't know for sure—but there's only one way to find out. I need to pull it together. Rebekah's waiting for us… I can't keep whining like a kid."
He whispered the words to himself with renewed determination, his expression sharpening.
They approached the first gate. Its colossal structure loomed against the blue sky, the metal walls covered in runes pulsing faintly with Renshi. To Alfie's surprise, there were no guards posted at the massive entrance.
"Master, there's nobody here. How do we enter?" Alfie asked, turning to Lucy.
Lucy's gaze didn't waver. Her hand rested calmly on her sword's hilt, her posture steady.
"Things are different in Ashura. The moment you draw near the gate… the first trial begins. Stand firm, Jack. This trial tests only one thing—force energy."
Her voice cut like steel. She tilted her head toward Jackson.
"Alfie and Sasaki will handle it easily. But you… your case is different. That seal I gave you will help. Trust it. Trust yourself."
Jackson lowered his eyes, shame gnawing at him. He still carried the weight of weakness.
"Hey Jack," Alfie's voice broke through, sharp but encouraging, "no time for whining. We've got bigger things to do. Rebekah's out there. Let's pass this trial together. Enter Ashura. Get stronger."
Jackson lifted his head slightly, seeing Alfie's fiery grin. For a brief moment, the crushing doubt lightened.
"…At least you finally got yourself together. I'm glad," Jackson muttered.
The four walked until they stood before the gate. Lucy stepped forward first, pressing her palm against the cold iron.
From the corner near the walls, a voice drifted out.
"What the hell are these people thinking? Bringing two kids to Ashura? Have they lost their minds?"
A young man leaned against the stone, arms crossed.
Another older man, seated with a bottle in his hand, snorted. "That's their business. Nothing shocks me here anymore. If you think they'll fail, you're blind. Ashura's unpredictable… wouldn't surprise me if they passed."
The gate groaned. A violent surge of Renshi burst outward as a man descended, floating in the air. He wore white sleeves and trousers, his black Shinra cape flowing elegantly. His bald head glistened under the sunlight. His presence was suffocating.
"Another bunch of losers," the man sneered. "What do you want?"
Alfie's eyes flared. "Don't you dare insult my master, you bald head!" He shouted, fists clenched.
Jackson winced internally. He insulted all of us… Alfie, pipe down.
The man's smirk widened. "Such a mouth. I hope you're not all talk, kid. You'll regret calling me that."
The pressure of his words drew Shinras closer, different colour-caped figures gathering silently around the gate to watch.
The man's eyes scanned them slowly. "So… who comes first?"
Lucy stepped forward without hesitation. Her Renshi flared like a storm as she uses her Renshical pressure on him, her presence so sharp the man staggered back half a step, his veins straining against the weight of it.
"You don't need to test me," she said coldly. And in an instant, she vanished, switching inside the open space between the gates.
"Not bad," the bald man muttered with narrowed eyes. "Take her to the second trial," he ordered the Shinras.
Sasaki moved next. His Renshical pressure swelled, dark and sharp. The man braced himself instantly, meeting Sasaki's pressure with his own. The ground shook beneath their clash, both refusing to yield.
"…Incredible. Been a while since I felt talent like this in Ashura," the man admitted, astonished, as even the onlooking Shinras whispered in disbelief.
Finally, his gaze turned to Alfie and Jackson.
"Now… which of you is next?"
"I'll go first," Jackson said quickly, stepping forward.
"Oh? I thought the loudmouth brat would have the guts," the man mocked.
Alfie put a hand on Jackson's shoulder, leaning close.
"Hold on, Jack. Let me go first. Watch carefully. Look for hints that will help you. We need to pass this together."
Jackson hesitated, then nodded, stepping back.
Alfie strode forward, his grin returning. "I can't use Renshical pressure yet… so, bald head, give me everything you've got."
The man's eyes narrowed. He released his Renshical pressure like a crushing tide, the ground splitting beneath Alfie's feet. Dust and stone cracked under the weight. Yet Alfie stood. Unmoved.
"What—?!" The man's eyes widened.
Alfie didn't flinch. His gaze burned back at the man, unyielding.
"It's impossible! That boy—he's withstanding the Trial Master's Renshical pressure!" one of the watchers gasped.
The bald man's lips curled into something between shock and respect. This kid… his force energy… it's on my level. No, stronger.
He withdrew the pressure at once. "You passed. Go."
Alfie smirked, brushing past him. But before entering, he turned back and walked to Jackson. He whispered serious.
"Jack. Don't rely on the seal. Push everything into your legs. The seal will do the rest. This trial's about strength. Don't fail."
He turns and walk inside
Jackson nodded faintly, his chest tightening.
He stepped forward. Immediately, the crushing wave of Renshical pressure fell upon him. His knees trembled violently. He gritted his teeth, sweat dripping from his chin.
"Ghh—… so heavy… stronger than I thought—!" Jackson gasped, one leg buckling as he fell to one knee, clutching the ground.
From the crowd, voices jeered.
"Hah! Not all of them can be talented. One of them had to be a lackey!"
Jackson's teeth ground together, rage flashing in his eyes. No… not after coming this far. Not for me. For Papa… for my sister… for Alfie…
His hands pressed harder against the earth as he tried to rise, veins bulging. His whole body screamed against the weight.
"I… I won't fall here!"
The gate's trial raged on.