“Now that everyone is here, we can begin,” Novus says, clapping his hands together. The whole room darkens temporarily, then two people materialise in the doorway. They both stare at him, eyes wide.

  “Astraea and ?elare. No need to be scared. I'm the one who called for you both.”

  The door closes behind them.

  “Take a seat so that we may talk about the future.”

  The newcomers hesitantly walk to the two chairs on the left of the room and sit down, Novus gesturing to everyone in the room as he continues with an abnormally wide smile on his face.

  “All four of you are here for different reasons, but there is a thread connecting each story. You each have a burning desire for strength.”

  Everyone in the room nods to themselves.

  “I have gathered you all here for that very reason. I intend to train you all into the best versions of yourself, so that you may overcome anyone or any monster in the way of your goal.”

  ?elare and Astraea glance at each other.

  “Or perhaps you wish to explore another avenue of power to better yourself or to protect. It does not matter to me.”

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  Hunter grunts and Vis grins.

  “So, then. I shall end my speech with a word of encouragement- with my help, you can achieve incredible heights. Of course, you are free to leave if you so desire, but that would mean missing out on the greatest opportunity you will ever have in your lifetime. Does anybody want to make such an absurd choice?”

  Shifting his gaze between all who are present, he leaves ten seconds of silence. Nobody even makes a noise.

  “Very well. The first order of business is to learn about each other and how you operate in battle. You can't work as a team without knowing your companion’s fighting style.”

  He snaps his fingers nonchalantly, and the room darkens again. Unlike the first time, however, it becomes pitch black.

  In the darkness, Hunter feels a wind blowing his ponytail against his neck, puzzling him. From seemingly no specific direction, Novus’ voice can be heard saying, “Behold, the arena! You four will now fight it out. The winner will receive a reward- a single favour from me.”

  He rubs his eyes as his vision returns, finding himself to be at the corner of a square platform. It is approximately eighty metres by eighty metres, raised barely twenty centimetres off the flat, grassy ground. The only environment visible in the distance is an identical plain. Each of the other three are in their own corners, clearly just as disoriented as he is.

  He glances up and his jaw drops. Novus is levitating above the centre of the arena, lying down on the air as one might on a bed. Hunter sees him move his hands to his mouth, where they stay for several seconds before he uses two fingers on each of his hands to point at all of the soon-to-be combatants. Only a moment later, Hunter hears the same voice.

  “Leaving the arena platform for any reason will disqualify you, and you can resign at any point. Without further ado, let the battle commence!”

  Vis punches his fists together with a dumb grin on his face.

  ?elare draws his dagger as he vanishes into thin air.

  Hunter unstraps his bow and nocks an arrow.

  Astraea steps out of the arena.