After washing, the boys met again and began wandering around the castle.
...
After a while, they stopped, clearly disoriented.
"I'm starving!" Daniel exclaimed.
"Me too..." Hector added.
"Maybe we should have asked the general before leaving," Michael said, sounding discouraged.
"It's not too late for that," Andrea said, approaching a maid. "Excuse me, could you tell us where we can get something to eat?"
"Yes, there's a canteen for the soldiers on the ground floor. I think you can use that," the maid replied kindly.
"Thank you very much!"
The maid walked away as Andrea joined the group. "Now we know our destination. Let's get moving."
...
After wandering for a while, they still couldn't find the canteen.
"We change the plan, but the outcome is always the same..." Alexandre said sarcastically.
"There's no way we got lost again: we just came down the stairs!" Andrea said, skeptical of the situation.
"Today's training was exhausting!" one soldier complained to another as they passed the group.
"Yes, Captain Edward was tougher than usual... we deserve a good meal!" the other soldier replied.
The boys watched them leave.
"Boys, we have our guides," said Enea, who was already following the soldiers.
Leon watched his friend's initiative with a puzzled expression. "Guides who don't even know they're being followed..."
The group followed them until they reached a huge room filled with soldiers.
"Where did all these soldiers come from?" Leon muttered.
"Come on, we don't have much time," Enea said, entering the cafeteria, followed by the others.
They walked between the tables, drawing critical glances and whispers from the soldiers. The boys noticed, but pretended not to care.
Alexandre noticed a section at the back filled with trays and food. "It's a buffet."
They each grabbed a tray and chose what they wanted. Daniel and Enea were the first to leave with their meals.
"Oh, I see an empty table," Daniel said, heading toward it.
Daniel walked nonchalantly, unaware that a green-haired soldier nearby had tried to trip him. But Enea saw him, stopping his friend just in time.
Daniel looked confused, unaware of what had just happened. "What's wrong, Enea?"
"There are the nice guys from the army," Enea said sarcastically.
The soldier stood up and approached them aggressively. "What a good friend you have! He saved you just in time!"
"What do you want?" Daniel asked, his voice irritated.
"I just wanted to point out that you're not cut out for this world. You're just cannon fodder. You'll realize that soon enough."
"What did you just say!?" Daniel snapped.
"Hey, asshole! Who do you think you're talking to!?" Leon growled, approaching with the others behind him.
"I'm just telling the truth. You should thank me... better realize that now, before one of you dies on your pathetic journey."
"Enough!" Leon shouted, lunging at the soldier, but Andrea and Alexandre stopped him.
"Calm down, Leon!" Andrea shouted, holding him back.
Enea stepped between Leon and the soldier, glaring at his furious friend. "Leon, stop. General Howard is waiting for us."
Leon calmed down slightly, noticing the surrounding soldiers approaching.
"Sooner or later, he'll regret what he said," Enea added in a superior tone.
The green-haired soldier grew even angrier and stood up, facing Enea, who didn't back down. "Say it again, if you dare!"
Enea met his withering gaze with a confident smile. "I'd say it as many times as you like."
The soldier threw a punch, but the boys blocked it, triggering an aggressive reaction from the other soldiers around them.
"Enough!"
The command echoed through the room, freezing everyone to a halt.
From the entrance, Princess Alexia stepped forward, her long dark hair gleaming against her silver and gold armor. Her blue eyes, clear as water yet cold and resolute, dominated the room with natural authority. Her face, delicate yet firm, radiated strength and discipline.
"Keep it up, and you'll face more than just punishment!"
The soldiers and boys immediately regained their composure. Enea met the princess's gaze, then sighed. "Forgive me, perhaps I overdid it..."
The soldier looked around, muttering in annoyance. "Yes... I also apologize for provoking you," he said contemptuously.
Alexandre raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't seem very sincere..."
"Newcomers or veterans, we're all fighting for the same goal: to end the Demon King's reign of terror! But with attitudes like this, we'll never get there!" the princess scolded him.
As soon as Alexia finished, Enea stepped forward. "The princess is right!" he said aloud, attracting everyone's attention. "But I know her words aren't enough for you; just looking at your faces will tell." He began walking toward the exit, followed by the others. "You may think we're unworthy now, but I promise we'll grow strong enough to make you regret ever doubting us! See you on the battlefield!"
The group left the mess hall as if nothing had happened, leaving the soldiers furious.
"Who the hell do they think they are..." the green-haired soldier muttered angrily.
Alexia watched them leave, her expression unreadable.
...
A few minutes later, the group returned to the training grounds, where General Howard was waiting for them, his expression anything but pleased.
"Right on time... good."
The general glared at them, indicating he'd already heard about the mess hall incident. "What part of 'putting up with their behavior' didn't you understand?"
Leon took a step forward. "We tried to ignore them at first, but that green-haired bastard crossed a line!"
"I understand," the general said sternly, "but that doesn't give you the right to stoop to their level."
Leon, realizing he had a point, lowered his head and took a step back.
"I'll let it slide this time, but I expect you all to understand what's at stake."
"Yes, sir..." the boys replied in unison.
"Then let's get back to training."
The group resumed their exercises under the general's supervision, while Captain Edward watched carefully from the doorway, especially Enea.
—
Captain Edward walked down the corridor.
"Newcomers or veterans, we're all fighting for the same goal: to end the Demon King's reign of terror! But with attitudes like this, we'll never get there!"
He heard Princess Alexia's voice echoing from the cafeteria across the way. That's the princess's voice... was there a fight?
When he reached the entrance, he saw the commotion inside, and the boys at the center. So they're the cause... the summoned ones — he thought.
He watched Enea step forward. "The princess is right!" The initiative surprised the captain. "But I know her words aren't enough for you; just looking at your faces will tell. You may think we're unworthy now, but I promise we'll grow strong enough to make you regret ever doubting us! See you on the battlefield!"
The boys passed him by without noticing.
—
Enea, huh... — Edward thought, a small smile forming.
"He's an interesting guy," he murmured.