"Y-yes, we'll be fine if we work together," Mirella murmured, pale, her eyes welling with tears.
Alden nodded. "Yeah, let's work as a team then," he muttered, visibly shaken, but still with a hint of arrogance in his tone.
Solara stepped forward, a greedy smile on her face. Unlike the heroes, she seemed content and serene.
"Very good, Heroes, that's the spirit. Now, we need to begin your training. Please, step closer," she said, waving her hand for the heroes to approach.
The heroes approached Solara hesitantly. In front of her was a white crystal ball. It looked like a pearl, extremely bright and radiant.
"Heroes, there is something you need to understand. As you know, your levels can increase, of course... But the true potential of each of you was sealed the exact moment you set foot in this world. Many who were here before you had incredible potential, powers that could have easily defeated the Demon King. But they failed," she said, a sadness in her eyes.
"The reason? Because talent isn't everything in this world. To improve, one needs discipline, willpower... and the courage to keep going even when all seems lost. Many Heroes with greater potential than you can imagine fell, died, and were forgotten, abandoned. Now, I will measure how far you can go. But remember this: this is only the foundation of your power. What comes after depends solely on the effort of each one of you," she exclaimed with conviction and confidence.
"The only heroes who managed to return home—none of them had extraordinary potential. But their efforts were immeasurable. They overcame the impossible with sweat and determination, in addition to impeccable teamwork. They trusted their lives to one another without hesitation, and that led them to victory. We keep here, in this hall, the records of all the heroes who were once present in this world. Now, behold your predecessors," she said, opening her arms with reverence.
The scenery changed completely. Now, numerous images were reflected throughout the room, like a projector, but with infinitely better quality. The images were sharp and vivid. They contained all sorts of people, although the majority were young, somewhere between 17 and 24 years old, with a few exceptions like a man around 50 and a small child. Fat, thin, tall, short, blond, brunette—all these people were united by one goal: to defeat the Demon King and return to their world, united by fate and forced to work together for the greater good.
"This tradition stretches back thousands of years, since the first records of our history. Not even I can say for sure when they began summoning people from your world. It's a beautiful thing, people destined to shine, you see?" she exclaimed, her eyes jumping with joy, her hands clasped as if she were speaking of a dream.
The Heroes stared at it all, mesmerized. Then Mirella pointed to a larger hologram on the wall.
"Were they the ones who succeeded?" she asked, curious.
"Yes, that's them," Solara replied. "Those are Kael, Raen, and Ayame, respectively."
The image was gigantic. In the center, Kael, tall and muscular, displayed a confident and experienced posture; that swordsman had clearly been through a lot. At his side, Ayame, a short girl with short, dark hair and emerald green eyes, hugged him with a beautiful smile. On the other flank stood Raen, a short and chubby boy, yet stocky and imposing. They looked unstoppable. All of them wore incredibly stylish armor and wielded their weapons with the satisfaction of victory stamped on their faces. Positioned in front of the Demon King's castle, they had just defeated him and were now saying goodbye to that world.
Everyone looked at that image with fondness. It wasn't just a picture, but a record of formidable warriors who had overcome unimaginable challenges.
"Were Kael and Ayame a couple?" Kaien asked, smiling with warmth and curiosity.
The mage nodded. "The heroes fell in love during their journey and formed a beautiful couple. It was very beautiful to see," she answered, nostalgic.
"And what happened when they returned? Did they stay together?" Alden asked.
"No one knows. Communication between worlds is impossible... but we hope for the best for all of them," she said, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
Alden, Kaien, and Mirella were hypnotized by the images, absorbing every detail of the scene. The story seemed to light a flame within them, motivating them to seek a similar destiny. But Arthur… he saw everything differently.
Arthur watched it all with indignation. Something inside him couldn't believe this story. It was too romanticized. His mind could only think of those who had lost their lives trying. After all, they hadn't had a choice; they were forced into it. It didn't seem right in the boy's head, not one bit.
Arthur felt anger boiling in his heart. His expression changed completely. He became visibly irritated, even red. Clenching his fist, the boy stepped forward, looked directly at the mage, and said:
"'Destined to shine'? You have to be kidding me," he said, his voice firm, almost wanting to laugh.
"All these people were thrown here and forced to risk their lives for you in exchange for nothing?" the boy expressed, his voice indignant.
Solara took a step back and answered the boy.
"But this is an hono—"
Solara was interrupted by an irritated Arthur.
"Honor? Where is the honor in risking your life for complete strangers? And worse yet, with no option to refuse. I wouldn't call this a dream. I'd call it a nightmare."
Arthur continued his speech.
"You take innocent people from their homes to solve your problems and you still say it's honorable? This is unbelievable. In fact, it's the most idiotic thing I've ever seen. I can't understand how this is even conceivable," he said, clenching his fists in fury.
Solara's expression hardened. Now angry, she shoved Arthur.
"I will not let you disrespect the sacrifice of the past Heroes!" she responded, shouting.
"You don't understand the weight of your words, boy! These people fought for a better world, for the good of all! They sacrificed their lives for it! Nothing is more beautiful than that!" she screamed, losing her patience.
Arthur didn't back down. He quickly stood his ground and continued.
"But they didn't have a choice!" he retorted, pointing to the images of all the fallen heroes. "Look at them! They were forced to fight and died for a cause that wasn't theirs! This isn't honor, it's slavery!"
Kaien, Alden, and Mirella watched the argument in shocked silence, without any reaction. Fear was etched on all their expressions, even if, on some level, they agreed with Arthur.
Mirella, still pale, took a step forward.
"Arthur, maybe…" she exclaimed softly, but was cut off by Solara's thunderous voice.
"Enough!" the mage screamed, a golden aura beginning to emanate from her body. "How dare you judge their sacrifice? What do you know? How dare you question the necessity of their actions? You have no idea what you're talking about!"
She approached Arthur, huffing with rage and indignation.
"You came here as a savior, like all the others. But the only thing you see is suffering and the lack of choice. You are not worthy of carrying this title, you insolent boy!" Solara expressed angrily.
"I didn't ask to be a hero! I don't want this 'honor'!" he shouted, his voice loud and angry. "I just want to go back home! I want to go back to my life, not die for you!"
Solara grew increasingly furious. Then, in an act of rage, she grabbed Arthur by his shirt.
"Your vision is limited, boy. And your insolence is unacceptable."
"It doesn't matter what you think. The destiny of the heroes is already sealed," she exclaimed, holding the boy up in the air.
Arthur tried to resist, but Solara's strength was far greater.
"This… This has never happened to me before. You are the first to defy the inevitable. And you, the fourth hero… something never seen before."
Watching it all, Kaien and Mirella decided to act.
"Calm down, both of you! And let him go, Solara!" Kaien exclaimed, taking a step forward. His voice trembled, but he tried to be firm. Mirella, at his side, nodded, her teary eyes fixed on Arthur.