Chapter 44: Tokyo Journey
After returning from the Althuria Kingdom, Shen decided that before taking on another dangerous mission, the four of them deserved a short break.
"Let's enjoy today," Shen said.
Kenya immediately grinned.
"So... no monsters? No missions? Just food?"
Ruke sighed. "That's the first thing you think about?"
Eliz laughed. "Let's simply enjoy ourselves."
The four spent the entire day exploring Tokyo. They visited famous shopping streets, bought souvenirs, tasted local dishes, wandered through parks and markets, and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere that none of them had experienced for a long time.
For once, they weren't warriors.
They were simply four friends.
The next morning, they made one last visit to a souvenir market before heading toward the Arcane Drifter Headquarters.
Standing before the enormous gates, Shen looked at his companions.
"I've made my decision."
Kenya crossed his arms.
"...About the crew?"
Shen nodded.
"I don't want us to be separated after every mission anymore."
"We've survived everything together."
"I want us to remain together."
Ruke smiled.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Eliz nodded without hesitation.
"I'm with you."
Together, they entered Headquarters.
Their arrival immediately caught everyone's attention.
"They're the team that defeated the Arcane General."
"I heard they even built a floating sanctuary."
"Those four rookies?"
Inside the Grand Assembly Hall, Commander Ryulga stood waiting.
He looked at Shen.
"You requested an audience."
Shen stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Commander... I wish to establish an official Arcane Crew."
The hall became silent.
Ryulga stared at him for several moments.
"Do you understand what it means to lead a crew?"
"It means carrying lives."
"It means accepting responsibility."
"It means making decisions that may cost people everything."
Shen answered without hesitation.
"I understand."
Ryulga then questioned Kenya, Ruke, and Eliz individually.
Each of them answered with complete confidence, declaring that they trusted Shen completely and would follow him wherever he led.
Rather than approving the request immediately, Ryulga smiled.
"Words are easy."
"Show me."
He removed his coat and picked up his spear.
"I'll be your test."
The entire Headquarters fell silent.
Four young Drifters...
Against one Commander.
The battle began instantly.
Kenya attacked first with blazing flames.
Ruke followed with lightning-fast assaults.
Eliz supported them with powerful Arcane magic while Shen coordinated every movement with his sword.
Their teamwork impressed every veteran watching.
"They move as one."
"They're reading each other's movements perfectly."
Even Commander Ryulga smiled.
Yet experience proved overwhelming.
Every attack was countered.
Every weakness was exposed.
Ryulga wasn't simply defeating them.
He was teaching them.
When Kenya relied too much on power, Ryulga corrected him.
When Ruke hesitated, Ryulga showed him why hesitation was dangerous.
When Eliz depended too heavily on vision-based magic, he broke her illusions with ease.
When Shen focused only on winning, Ryulga reminded him that leadership meant protecting everyone.
The four refused to give up.
Again and again they stood back up.
Again and again they attacked together.
Finally, Shen understood.
"A leader..."
"...isn't the strongest person."
"A leader is the one who makes sure everyone reaches the end together."
Those words made Commander Ryulga smile.
For one final time, the four combined everything they had learned.
Fire.
Lightning.
Support Magic.
Swordsmanship.
The attack was beautifully synchronized.
Although Ryulga effortlessly dispersed it with a single technique, he couldn't hide his satisfaction.
"You've shown me everything I needed to see."
The battle ended.
The four stood exhausted but smiling.
Ryulga planted his spear on the ground.
"Shen Karguro."
"Kenya Naro."
"Ruke Vellian."
"Eliz Betham."
"You fought as one."
"You trusted one another."
"You never abandoned your companions."
He paused before smiling.
"You have earned the right to establish your own Arcane Crew."
The entire Grand Assembly Hall erupted into applause.
When Ryulga asked for the crew's name, Shen looked at his three friends before answering proudly.
"Heavenly Paradise."
The ancient Founder's Register accepted the name.
Golden light filled Headquarters.
The official registration was completed.
Shen became the Founder and Captain of Heavenly Paradise.
Kenya, Ruke, and Eliz became its first members.
Their Arcane badges transformed into new insignias carrying the Heavenly Paradise emblem.
Each of them received an official white founder's uniform.
Ryulga then handed Shen the Crew Charter.
"What will be your motto?"
After discussing it together, Shen wrote:
"Together We Rise, Together We Protect."
Then, standing side by side, the four wrote their crew oath together.
«"We swear to protect the innocent, trust one another without hesitation, never abandon a companion, and carry the name of Heavenly Paradise with honor until our final breath."»
The ancient parchment glowed, accepting their oath.
At that moment, Heavenly Paradise officially became one of the Arcane Drifters' recognized crews.
Soon afterward, B-Class Captain Kael Arden congratulated them and welcomed them with the traditional challenge given to every newly formed crew, promising a friendly spar in the future.
Commander Ryulga also handed Shen the official documents recognizing their floating sanctuary as Heavenly Paradise's headquarters.
Before leaving, he gave Shen one final piece of advice.
"Winning battles is easy."
"Leading people..."
"...is much harder."
"Protect them."
"They'll protect you."
The four left Headquarters wearing their new uniforms, laughing and arguing over who should become vice-captain.
Watching them disappear down the corridor, Commander Ryulga smiled.
"They still have much to learn."
"But I believe..."
"...they'll change this world."
Far away, inside the ruins of an ancient temple, a pair of crimson eyes slowly opened.
"So..."
"A new crew has been born."
"Heavenly Paradise..."
"Let them enjoy their happiness."
"Because soon..."
"...their paradise will be tested."
Thus ended the forty-fourth chapter, marking the birth of Heavenly Paradise and the beginning of an even greater adventure.