Nick, Kael, Lloyd, and Rem stood together in the courtyard, yet it felt like each of them was alone—trapped inside their own thoughts. Around them, other students laughed, talked, and formed teams, their voices echoing with excitement and confidence.
But not here. Not for them.
"We're really going to get expelled… aren't we?" Lloyd muttered, his voice unusually quiet. Kael clenched his fists, frustration visible in his eyes. "This is ridiculous. We're stronger than most of these people. And yet…" He trailed off, biting back his anger.
Rem leaned against a nearby pillar, arms crossed. "Strength doesn't matter if no one wants to team up with you."
Nick said nothing. His gaze remained distant, fixed on the ground. For the first time since entering Astria Academy, uncertainty crept into his mind. It wasn't fear of being expelled—it was something deeper. Something heavier. Was this really how it ended? After everything? After defeating Rehmon… after proving himself…Just because they couldn't find one more teammate?
"…We still have time," Kael said, though even he didn't sound convinced. "No," Rem replied bluntly. "We've already asked almost everyone." "And they all said no," Lloyd added bitterly. Silence returned.
Then—"Why don't I join your team?"
The voice came from behind them.
Soft. Calm. Yet carrying an undeniable presence.
All four of them turned at once. And for a moment—Time froze. A girl stood there, her silver hair shimmering under the sunlight like threads of moonlight. Her eyes were calm, almost unreadable, yet they seemed to see everything. Kael's eyes widened. Lloyd's mouth opened slightly. Even Rem, who rarely reacted to anything, stiffened.
"…No way…" Lloyd whispered.
Kael took a step back. "Y-You're…"
"The Princess of Astreon…" Rem finished quietly.
Yuki.
The name alone carried weight. She wasn't just another student. She was royalty. The strongest bloodline in Astreon. And she was standing right in front of them. Nick blinked.
"…Princess?" he said, confused. The others snapped their heads toward him. "You don't know who she is?!" Lloyd whispered harshly.
Nick shook his head slightly.
But then—Something clicked. A memory surfaced. That moment after his fight with Rehmon. A girl. Silver hair. Watching him.
And her voice—"I'll be watching you." Nick's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at her again.
"…You were there that day."
Yuki gave a small nod. "Yes." Kael, Lloyd, and Rem exchanged looks of disbelief.
While they were struggling to even breathe in her presence…Nick was casually talking to her. "…Why?" Kael finally asked, gathering himself. "Why would you want to join our team?" It was the question all of them were thinking. Yuki's gaze shifted between them before settling on Nick.
"Because I choose to."
"That's not an answer," Rem said.
Yuki tilted her head slightly, as if considering how much to reveal.
"…Everyone assumed I already had a team," she said calmly. "Because of my status. Because of my strength." She paused.
"So no one asked." The group fell silent.
Lloyd blinked. "Wait… seriously?" Yuki nodded. "And I had no reason to approach anyone either." Kael frowned. "So why us?"
For a brief moment, Yuki's eyes softened.
"…Because you're different." Her gaze lingered on Nick. "But also because I know your potential."
Nick didn't respond. But something about her words felt… genuine. No arrogance.
No pride. Just truth. Kael exhaled slowly. "…If this is a joke, it's not funny." "It isn't," Yuki replied. Rem pushed himself off the pillar. "Then I don't see a reason to refuse."
Lloyd looked between everyone, still processing. "So… we actually have five members now?"
Kael smirked slightly. "Looks like it."
For the first time that day—The tension eased. Nick nodded once. "Then you're in."
Just like that—The team was formed.
—Later that day, all students gathered once again. The instructor stood before them, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd.
"I see that everyone has formed their teams," he said.
A pause. "…Good." A wave of relief spread through the students. As "No one will be expelled." Some students sighed. Others cheered quietly. But the instructor wasn't finished. "However…" his voice deepened, "your real test begins now." The atmosphere shifted instantly. "There is a dungeon," he continued, "located beside this academy since its very foundation."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
"A dungeon that existed even before humans arrived on Astreon."
Silence fell."No one has ever completed it."
The words sent a chill down everyone's spine.
"Many have tried."
"Many have died."
Nick's eyes sharpened.
"This dungeon is filled with monsters beyond your imagination. Each year, new students are sent inside—not to succeed, but to be tested." A pause. "To see who is worthy." The instructor turned, pointing toward the distant structure beyond the academy walls.
"You will enter it soon."
"Prepare yourselves."
And with that— He left. The courtyard buzzed with tension as students gathered into their teams. Nick and the others moved to a quieter area. Kael crossed his arms. "Alright. If we're doing this, we need a strategy." Rem nodded. "We can't just rely on strength."
Lloyd looked at Yuki. "You said you know about the dungeon?"
Yuki stepped forward slightly.
"Yes."
All eyes turned to her. "I've been there before." "…What?" Kael said. "With my father," she continued. "And royal soldiers."
The group stiffened. "If even they went…" Rem muttered. "It's difficult," Yuki said plainly. "Far more than you think."
She began explaining. "The dungeon isn't just about fighting monsters. Each floor changes. Terrain, enemies, conditions… everything." "Some floors test endurance."
"Some test intelligence." "And some…" she paused, "test your will."
Nick listened carefully. "The deeper you go, the stronger the monsters become. Coordination is essential. If even one person acts alone, the entire team can collapse."
Kael nodded. "So we need roles."
Yuki agreed. She quickly outlined formations. Frontline. Support. Defense. Recon. Each member had a role. Each movement had purpose. Even Rem seemed impressed.
"…You've thought this through," he said.
Yuki simply replied, "I had to."
After a long discussion, they finalized everything. "All that's left…" Lloyd said, "is a team name." Kael smirked. "This better be good." They debated for a while. Ideas came and went. Until finally—
"…The Hope of Humanity," Nick said.
The others looked at him.Yuki smiled faintly.
"…I like it." And just like that—Their team had a name. As the others began to leave, one by one—Lloyd stretched. "I'm going to rest. Tomorrow's going to be hell."
Kael nodded. "Same here." Rem glanced at Nick. "Don't be late."
Soon—Only Nick and Yuki remained.
A quiet silence settled between them.
Yuki stepped closer. "I've been watching you," she said. Nick glanced at her. "…You already said that." "No," she replied softly. "Not just that day." Nick frowned slightly.
"From before," she continued. "Even before your fight." "…Why?" Yuki's gaze met his.
"Because you're not normal." Nick said nothing. "There's something about you," she said. "Something even you don't understand yet." For a moment—Neither spoke. Then Yuki turned away slightly.
"We should rest," she said. "Tomorrow won't be easy."
Nick nodded."…Yeah."
As she began to walk away, she paused.
"We'll meet again tomorrow."
And then—She left. Nick stood there for a moment longer. The wind brushed past him.
And deep within his mind—That voice echoed again.
"Return."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"…What are you?" he whispered. The next day—All students gathered at the dungeon entrance. A massive, ancient structure loomed before them, radiating an ominous presence. The instructor stood at the front.
"Listen carefully," he said.
"No one goes alone."
"You will remain in your teams at all times."
"You will spend days inside."
A pause. "But outside…" "It will only be hours." Murmurs spread. "One hour outside equals one day inside the dungeon."
Shock rippled through the crowd.
"If you reach the 99th floor, you will stop."
"Do not attempt the 100th floor."
His voice turned cold. "That is the boss chamber." "And it will kill you." Silence.
"You will not start from the first floor."
Another surprise. "You will begin deeper."
"To test your limits immediately." He looked at all of them one last time. "Be careful."
"Survive." And then—The gates opened.
A dark, endless path lay ahead. Nick stepped forward.Beside him—
Kael.
Lloyd.
Rem.
Yuki.
The Hope of Humanity.
Without hesitation—They entered the dungeon.
And the darkness swallowed them whole.