The first light of dawn illuminated the castle. The rays of sunlight painted the stone walls in gold. General Howard stood at the entrance, waiting for the carriage to be prepared, with Princess Alexia by his side.
"You didn't need to come keep me company at this hour," the general spoke with a calm and kind tone.
"General…" Alexia looked at him seriously. "You may fool the summoned ones, but not me. Your opponent is strong, and victory is far from certain."
"So you came to give me an early farewell?" Howard replied with a teasing smile.
"That's not what I meant…" the princess said quietly, sadness in her voice.
"General! The carriage is ready!" shouted a soldier.
"I understand your worries," Howard said, placing a comforting hand on her trembling shoulder, "I'm not as young as I used to be. But still…" He gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll return victorious. And even if I don't, I'll be proud to have left behind a generation of extraordinary warriors. So cheer up. You'll have to do the same with those young heroes."
The general moved toward the carriage as Alexia lifted her gaze, struggling to hold back tears.
"Get out of the way!" someone shouted from inside the castle, drawing everyone's attention.
"Stop! You can't go outside!" yelled a soldier trying to hold someone back.
"I don't care about your damn rules!" Leon exclaimed, shoving the soldier aside and stepping out, followed by the others.
"General!" Enea called out, making Howard turn. "When you get back, you'll have to congratulate us for passing the exam!"
The general laughed, then stepped toward the carriage again. "I'm counting on these words. Don't disappoint me!"
The group smiled at his words as the general departed with a handful of soldiers.
Alexia watched the gates close, then turned toward them. "We all have expectations to meet. Try not to let them be just words."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Then, first of all," she continued, walking past them into the castle, "you'll receive punishment for breaking the rule about not leaving the castle."
The boys froze in confusion.
"Even epic moments have a price…" Daniel said dryly.
They followed Alexia back inside.
"Yeah, and to think we woke up earlier than usual for this…" Hector muttered, disappointed.
Daniel chuckled lightly and started walking backwards to look at Hector. "I thought you'd gotten past your sleepy phase—"
He bumped into a soldier and fell to the floor. "Ow…"
"Oh, my apologies," said the soldier, offering him a hand.
"No, it's my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going." Daniel was about to take the hand, but when he looked up, he froze — the man's build was perfect, muscles like carved stone. Hesitantly, he shook his hand. "Thanks…"
The soldier lifted him up with one arm as if he weighed nothing.
"Vice-Captain Doran, up this early?" Alexia asked, approaching.
"Captain, as usual, I'm doing my morning exercises. And you? What brings you here?"
"I came to see General Howard off."
"Right, he's heading to the northern front against that ancient demon… Let's hope he returns safely."
Doran turned toward the group. "You must be the summoned ones, then?"
"Exactly. Until the general returns, they'll be trained by me," Alexia replied.
"Interesting…" Doran examined them carefully, then noticed Leon's muscular frame. "Hey, you — the one with orange hair. What's your name?"
Leon blinked, surprised by the sudden question. "Leon."
The vice-captain stepped closer, observing him up and down, making Leon uneasy. "You've got solid muscle. Did you train in your world, too?"
"Yeah… I like to stay in shape…"
The vice-captain began bombarding Leon with questions, while the others watched in amusement.
"He's made a new friend," Andrea murmured.
"Well, at least now we know there are soldiers who don't hate us," Alexandre said.
"Vice-Captain Doran, I have news from the King," a soldier called out.
"Yes, go ahead."
The soldier hesitated when he noticed the group. "Uh… this is kind of awkward…"
Doran raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"
The soldier sighed, bracing himself. "The King orders you to participate in the summoned ones' exam in two weeks… as their opponent."
Everyone froze in shock.
"Oh… so that's what you meant by awkward." Doran folded his arms thoughtfully. "Can we choose our opponent?"
"Uh… Vice-Captain Felix did, so I guess it's fine if you speak with the others about it."
"Good." Doran looked at Leon again. "Leon, I'd like to face you…"
Leon's eyes narrowed, ready for a challenge.
"But I like you, so I'd rather not hurt you." Then his gaze shifted toward Daniel, making him stiffen. "But your attitude… really rubs me the wrong way. You'll be my opponent. Hope you don't mind."
Daniel forced a nervous smile. "I don't think I have much of a choice…"
"Then I'll see you in two weeks. Be at your best."
The vice-captain walked away, passing by Alexia, who looked nervous.
"I'm sorry, Captain," he said quietly, "but this time, I can't help you."
They watched him leave.
"Princess," Alexandre asked, "that was your unit's vice-captain, right?"
"Exactly. He's Vice-Captain Doran Stonewyrm of the First Unit — an exceptional soldier. He's deadly in one-on-one duels, just like the ones in the exam. He boasts 1,260 victories out of 1,265 duels. Only I, the other captains, and Vice-Captain Felix have defeated him."
Daniel's jaw dropped. "He's only lost five times!?" He dropped to his knees in despair. "I'm doomed…"
"What kind of magic does he use?" Enea asked.
"Mainly physical enhancement spells. Especially one… a unique magic called Dragon Skin."