Ryan stood with his arms outstretched, golden aura spiraling around him like a divine storm.
The air warped. Pressure mounted.
Then—
Spears.
Golden, radiant, and merciless. They burst from his palms like judgment, slicing through the chamber with lethal intent.
Sylph danced between them, her movements fluid, effortless—like wind weaving through blades.
But Sunless wasn't so lucky.
One spear tore through his ribs.
A flash of pain. A gasp. Crimson liquid spilled out.
He staggered, breath shallow, vision flickering.
I have no choice.
His Authority surged.
From his hands, high-density mana drills erupted—spinning, screaming, tearing through the golden barrage.
But Ryan grinned.
A grin too wide. Too wrong.
"You fool!" he roared, eyes glowing with madness.
The moment Sunless activated his Authority, Ryan's own flared to life—like a trap waiting to be sprung.
A sharp pain struck Sunless.
His Authority collapsed.
Unwillingly.
'He shut me down…' Sunless thought looking at his hands no longer thriving with the energy of his authority.
Sylph saw the opening.
She moved like lightning.
Her fist crashed into Ryan's jaw, sending him flying into a marble pillar.
Stone cracked. Dust rained down like ash.
Then—
Boom.
The door to the fourth floor exploded open.
Mica stood there, panting, eyes blazing.
"Finally!" she shouted, voice echoing. "I've been stuck in that damn maze forever!"
"Five minutes remaining!" the announcer blared overhead.
Time was bleeding out.
It was do or die.
Sunless didn't hesitate.
He rushed Ryan, grabbing him with both arms, locking him in place.
"Urgh! Get off me, you vermin!" Ryan snarled.
He kneed Sunless in the stomach.
Once.
Twice.
Countless times.
Each strike was a hammer. Each breath was agony.
But Sunless didn't let go.
Not yet.
Sylph took her chance.
Her kick knocked a tooth straight out of Ryan's mouth.
His eyes widened.
Fear.
The floor beneath them cracked.
The three of them descended to the third floor as sylph lept up to retrieve the flag.
Below stood Issac and Tori.
"You're done, Ryan," Issac said, walking toward him.
Ryan lay on the ground, dazed.
Issac stepped on his face, pinning him.
"Who's the lesser version now… prince?"
Ryan gritted his teeth.
Dirt filled his mouth.
Tears and snot streamed down his face.
"This is not happening!!"
"I am undefeated! Unparalleled! I wield the ultimate Authority!"
He slammed his hand into the ground.
"This is not fair!"
"No," Tori said, kneeling beside him. "I don't think you're so 'unparalleled' anymore Now are ya?"
Sylph descended with the flag in hand.
[Game Over! ]
The announcer's voice rang out.
The academy roared.
Victory.
The royal team was carried away on stretchers.
Ryan demanded a rematch.
[ The Primordial Observers suppose they are satisfied with that uneventful ending. ]
Tori looked at the floating window, irritated.
"There's just no satisfying you Observers, is there?"
"They thrive on entertainment," Sunless said, wincing as medics tended to him.
After the chaos—
"Hey everyone," Tori called, smiling. "Let's eat at Issac's place."
Issac's face twisted.
"Don't get any ideas!"
Issac said realizing everyone was following him to his house.
"Wait No!"
Too late.
Everyone was already inside.
The dining room filled with laughter, victory, and noble delicacies commoners rarely tasted.
By night's end, Issac's home looked like a tornado had passed through.
He kicked everyone out.
Tori was sentenced to clean it all up.
Tori had no intention of showing up.
Two weeks left.
Tori actually started attending class.
His popularity soared.
People gravitated toward him like moths to flame.
He grew closer to Issac and Sylph.
I want them in my guild.
"Tori, do you really plan on asking them?" Sunless asked, adjusting his uniform.
Beatrice licked her paw on his lap.
"Yeah," Tori said, eyes gleaming. "But first… I've got something to do."
"I'm gonna challenge Issac. One last duel. With conditions."
Sunless smiled.
"Then go ahead. You're strong now. You can handle him."
Beatrice hopped onto his shoulder.
The brothers left their home.
At the school gates, they met Mica, Issac, and Sylph.
"Heeey guys!" Mica waved.
Tori stepped forward.
Nervous.
But confident.
"I've been thinking," he said. "We work well together. I want you two to join my guild."
Sylph smiled.
"I wouldn't mind. Every Ashuran becomes a powerful adventurer anyway. Doesn't matter who I'm with."
Tori's face lit up.
He turned to Issac.
Issac hesitated.
You don't get it, Tori.
My parents have plans. Expectations. Chains.
They've already written my story. I'm just acting it out.
"Uh… with you as leader, I don't know. Plus, my parents said I—"
"Who cares what your parents said?" Tori interrupted.
"They're not living your life."
Issac looked at him.
"Sorry. Can't."
Their eyes locked.
Bags dropped.
"You know there's only one way to convince you…" Tori said, grabbing his wooden sword.
They circled each other.
"Guys? Seriously? Right here?" Mica groaned.
Sunless sighed.
Beatrice scoffed.
[ The Primordial Observers are intrigued. ]
Tori and Issac lunged.
Blades clashed.
Thwack.
Dark clouds swallowed the sun.
Why do I hesitate? Issac thought.
Why do I let them decide who I am?
I've always followed. Always obeyed. But maybe… maybe I want to choose.
"If I win," Issac said, "there's always a spot for you on my sorry excuse for a brother's guild."
"Sorry," Tori said, sweeping Issac off his feet. "I take orders from no one."
Issac hit the ground.
But he wasn't done.
He sent a wave of pressure.
Tori's sword flew from his hand.
"Okay then…" Tori balled his fist.
"Let's see you grit those teeth!"
His punch landed.
A tooth flew.
Issac staggered.
Tori stared.
"Giving up?" Tori asked, smiling.
Issac looked down.
Then up.
"No. You win."
Tori reached out.
Issac took his hand.
The duel ended not with a cheer, but with understanding.
"That was the lamest fight you two had" Mica said disappointed by the lack of action Beatrice hopped on her shoulder seemingly agreeing.
Issac scoffed.
"I had the intention of joining you anyway," Issac said, brushing dirt from his collar.
"I just needed to see how determined you really were to recruit someone like me.
"I'll break the news to my parents."
"Glad to hear it. Who would turn down an offer to join me?" Tori said with a smirk.
"Ha!"
"Two hundred thirty-five to one," Tori muttered.
Tori grinned.
"Two hundred thirty-six now."
Issac said before slamming his fist into Tori's face.
A clean hit.
Tori flew into a tree.
"Consider it payment for the tooth."
Laughter erupted.
Mica doubled over.
Sylph chuckled softly.
Sunless sighed.
Beatrice flicked her tail.
Tori hung from the tree, dazed.
"Okay...I did not deserved that!"
And just like that—
The Unarmed Guild was born.
Not with ceremony.
Not with banners.
But with bruises, laughter, and a promise.
A promise that this group—mismatched, chaotic, and brilliant—would carve their own legend.
Together.