Dawn filtered through the windows as the maids knocked on the doors, bringing breakfast and training gear.
The first to answer was Enea.
"Good morning."
"G-Good morning..." the maid replied, her voice barely audible before him.
Enea, a little confused by her attitude, asked, "Would you like to come in?"
Enea didn't look much like a soldier, yet his presence conveyed a quiet strength. His dark hair fell lightly over his green eyes with hints of brown, calm eyes that belied a certain alertness to danger.
"Y-Yes, of course..." she said, entering with hesitant grace.
Enea ushered her in, but just then another door opened, and he peered into the hallway.
"Good morning," Alexandre said to the maid standing in front of his door.
"Good morning, may I come in to serve breakfast and leave your uniform?"
"Of course," Alexandre stepped aside to let her in, then looked out and saw Enea.
"Ah, good morning, Enea."
Alexandre, of medium build, with blond hair tied in a short ponytail, observed everything with his piercing black eyes: calm, composed, and quietly confident.
"Good morning," Enea replied, glancing at the other doors where other maids were patiently waiting. "It seems the others aren't used to waking up so early..."
"Apparently not," Alexandre replied with a faint, sympathetic smile toward the maids.
"Excuse me, Sir Enea..." he called softly to the maid, catching her attention.
He turned and saw breakfast neatly laid out on the table.
"Your meal is ready."
"Thank you so much," Enea smiled, making the girl blush.
"N-no problem," he murmured, bowing quickly before rushing out, leaving Enea perplexed. "See you tomorrow!"
Meanwhile, Andrea and Michael also ushered in their maids.
After watching the girl leave, Enea turned to Alexandre.
"See you later."
"Yes."
As soon as Enea closed the door, Alexandre stood in the corridor for a moment, thoughtful.
"We really are in another world..."
"Mr. Alexandre, breakfast is served."
"Thank you," he said, entering as the maid silently left and closed the door behind her.
Alexandre looked at the meal: bread and meat.
"A savory breakfast, eh?" he muttered, resigned. "I think I'd better get used to it soon."
Then there was a knock on the door.
"It must be the same girl again..." he thought, walking over to open it.
He opened the door, but it wasn't the same maid. Another was there, with a tray and folded clothes in her hand.
"Excuse me, sir. I could use your help."
"My help? Sure, what's wrong?"
"It's Sir Daniel... he won't open the door, and I don't know what to do."
Alexandre sighed deeply. "I knew it..."
He entered the hall, went to Daniel's door, and knocked firmly.
"Daniel, wake up! It's time!"
No answer.
"That idiot... I don't think I have a choice."
He turned and looked at the waitress's tray, noticing a cup.
"Is that water?"
"Y-yes..." the waitress replied, surprised.
"Perfect."
He took the cup, opened Daniel's door without hesitation, and entered, followed by the waitress.
Daniel was still fast asleep, lying on the bed.
"You sleep so peacefully..." Alexandre said with feigned sweetness.
He cleared his throat and spoke in a provocatively feminine tone: "Come on, Daniel... wake up..."
"Oh, wait... I'm not ready yet..." Daniel muttered in his sleep.
"Oh, but I don't want to wait!"
Alexandre stood up and threw the water in his face.
Daniel jumped up, startled, while the waitress could barely contain her laughter.
"Alexandre! What the hell!" Daniel shouted, but then he noticed the waitress holding his clothes and the tray.
"Hurry up. We've made a commitment, let's not ruin everything," Alexandre said curtly before leaving.
Daniel sighed, realizing his mistake.
"Sorry," he said to the maid.
"Okay," she smiled kindly, setting down his breakfast. "But I advise you not to make a habit of it... General Howard doesn't tolerate tardiness."
Daniel scratched his head, clearly aware of his bad start.
Once Alexandre was ready and stepped out into the corridor, he found Enea and Leon near the window.
"You're all ready," Alexandre said, approaching them.
"I heard some commotion earlier... Daniel wasn't up yet, was he?" asked Enea.
"Exactly."
"Typical Daniel. Let's hope he stays focused; he tends to lose motivation after a while," Leon added.
Leon, tall and well-built, had short, messy orange hair and intense crimson eyes, full of energy, determination, and fire.
"Good morning, everyone!" Michael called, leaving his room.
Michael, slim but toned, with silver hair and piercing blue eyes, had a calm and thoughtful air: more of a strategist than a fighter.
"Good morning!" Andrea exclaimed, exiting immediately after him.
Andrea, of slightly above-average build, had medium-length light brown hair and dark eyes with a firm, determined gaze. Reliable and level-headed, her determination only showed when it really mattered.
"Andrea, what did you talk to your maid about?" Leon asked with a teasing smile.
"Oh, nothing important. I just wanted to know if the food contained milk, you know, because of my intolerance."
Michael laughed genuinely. "I wonder if there's a spell to cure that!"
Andrea laughed in return. "If it exists, I absolutely need it!"
Just then, a door opened.
"Thanks for your help... sorry to keep you waiting so long!" Daniel said, exiting with the maid.
"No problem! See you tomorrow, and don't be late," she replied with a playful smile before leaving.
"Oh, wait!" Daniel exclaimed. "What's your name?"
The maid smiled back. "Ginevra! Nice to meet you!"
As Ginevra passed the rest of the group, she bowed politely before disappearing down the hall.
Once she was out, everyone looked at Daniel and gave him a thumbs-up.
He smiled and returned the gesture proudly.
"Well, there's still one more to go..." Enea observed.
"Daniel got ready before him, that's new," Alexandre teased, making him frown.
"I already said I'm sorry!"
"Let's go check on him," Andrea suggested.
"Yes."
They all went to Hector's room, and Andrea knocked.
No answer.
Just as they were starting to worry, the door opened: Hector staggered out, half asleep.
"Guys, can I sleep for another five minutes..."
"No, that's not going to happen," Alexandre replied bluntly.
"Oh, come on, I couldn't sleep because I was so nervous. Have mercy."
"Come on," Enea and Leon each grabbed one of each other's arms. "Let's go."
"Nooo, I want to stay here!"
"If you're so brave, tell General Howard yourself," Leon said curtly.
At the mention of Howard, Hector shivered. "On second thought... I'll make the effort."
Everyone burst out laughing.
[A short while later…]
The group arrived at a massive set of doors — the entrance to the vast training grounds.At its center stood General Howard, alone, waiting.
The boys approached him.
"Good morning, future heroes," Howard said with a powerful smile."Are you ready to begin?"