The days in Drakenvaar passed quickly. In the weeks that followed the students' arrival, everyone found a way to adapt to their new surroundings. Despite the uncertainty about the future, the city offered a temporary refuge, a breathing space before the inevitable return to the labyrinth.
Yui felt out of place because she didn't have a Hero's Path and in an attempt to find something useful, she started working in the local bar. Her natural charm and ability to strike up a conversation with anyone made her a popular figure among the customers. However, when she was alone, the shadow of insecurity returned to haunt her.
Arisa, on the other hand, adapted more easily. With her new bow and magic gloves forged by the Maestro, she became one of the most promising hunters in the city. She took part in competitions and hunts, improving her marksmanship more and more.
Renji followed a more direct path. He divided his time between ground zero and ground one, never taking risks beyond that. His focus was on gaining experience and testing the skills he would acquire. The dagger given to him by the Maestro had over time become almost an extension of his body.
Toru, however, was restless. His dream of commanding an undead dragon had become an obsession. He began to wander Drakenvaar, questioning merchants, archaeologists and even bounty hunters in search of information about the great winged lizards. His obsession soon became a laughing stock among the locals, but Toru didn't care.
The Maestro, faithful to his role as guardian of the floor, prepared equipment and passive skills to strengthen the group. Renji received new armor, tough but light. Arisa got an enchanted bow and the glove that prevented burns from her skill.
Yui received nothing. After all, he hadn't awakened yet. Toru, even though he was entitled to a gift, refused. His pride wouldn't allow him to accept anything from that man.
But attention soon turned to something bigger.
The annual "Jade Tomb" festival was approaching. The city was filled with life and color, the streets teemed with vibrant decorations, and the smell of spices and roasted meat hung in the air. The event celebrated the Maestro's victory over the old floor boss, the petrified dragon that now rested in the center of the city, serving as a monument.
When Renji and the others discovered that it wasn't a statue, but a sealed boss, they were stunned.
"Was that ever alive?" Yui whispered, looking at the stone colossus.
"The Maestro petrified that thing...", Toru muttered, absorbing the information. "Does that mean he could have killed it, but chose to leave it like that?"
Renji crossed his arms. "If he did that, he must have had a reason."
The festival would culminate in an evening ceremony, where the Maestro would give a great speech. But until then, the whole town was indulging in the celebration.
○
At sunset, the festival reached its peak. Yui, now behind a makeshift outdoor counter, was serving mugs of mead to the excited customers.
She was wearing a typical local costume, a kind of long medieval dress, made of light fabrics and golden ornaments, which made up her brown hair. - tied up in a ponytail. - Shining in the torchlight.
Renji approached, picking up an empty mug from the table and twirling it between his fingers.
"Have you tried the bow competition?" Yui asked, pouring a drink for one of the customers.
Renji laughed. "I'd try, but I know I'd get slaughtered by Arisa. Ever since Maestro gave her that passive, she's never missed a shot..."
"Exaggerated!" a voice intruded.
Arisa walked up to them, casting a confident glance at Renji. In her hands, she held her new bow, the polished wood reflecting the flames of the surrounding lanterns.
"But I admit I'm getting better and better," she added, raising an eyebrow in defiance.
"Maybe next year there will be a combat competition, Renji. Then you might have a chance against her," Yui teased, smiling.
"I'd probably lose," Arisa replied, shrugging. "The Maestro has made you much stronger..."
In the center of the square, the Maestro began his speech, his voice echoing over the crowd.
"Today we celebrate the courage and strength that brought us peace!" He raised a golden cup. "May this festival remind us that, even in the midst of the labyrinth, we remain alive!"
The crowd applauded.
Meanwhile, in a far corner of the festival, Toru was restless.
He turned away from the party, his eyes locked on the ancient statue of the petrified dragon. A strange energy exuded from the statue, something that only the young necromancer seemed to perceive.
As he approached, Toru could have sworn he heard something. As if they were... whispers.
He frowned. That was impossible.
He reached out, touching the cold surface of the stone. At the same moment, a shiver ran down his spine.
"Is that... alive?" he muttered.
Yui noticed him in the distance, shouting for him and drawing his attention.
"Toru? Are you all right?
He turned around abruptly. "It's nothing."
He headed towards the girl straight away.
Arisa appeared beside her, arms crossed. "You must be tired from wandering around all day."
Toru sighed, annoyed.
"Aren't you going to fight me back?"
He shook his head. "If the little redhead isn't coping properly, that's your problem. There's no point in stressing, I'm not sleeping with you."
Arisa raged. "Shut up! Shouma's not my boyfriend, you piece of shit!"
"Then why are you so angry?"
Before Arisa could react, Renji intervened. "Arisa, leave him alone. There's clearly something bothering him."
She huffed. "You'd better. I'll leave that idiot there."
That's when Maestro approached.
"Time, time, let's see what we've got here!" He threw some coins on Yui's counter. "Pour me a drink, please."
"Right away!"
He turned to Arisa. "Your precision is impressive. I could tell from up on the stage!"
"Thank you," she replied with a nod.
Yui handed the Maestro a glass of mead. "Aren't you going to drink it, Renji?" The man asked.
"I don't feel like it."
"Oh, that's fine." The Maestro then turned to Toru. "I hear you're trying to capture a dragon with your ability. Is that true?"
Toru crossed his arms. "What if it is?"
"If it is, I think you're failing."
Silence hung in the air.
"If you took one of my passives..." Maestro suggested.
"Ah, enough!" Toru exploded. Toru exploded. "I don't need your help! I can achieve my goals on my own!"
Renji intervened, and in a cold voice said. "Toru, shut up."
Arisa conjured her bow and aimed one of her arrows at the necromancer. "Do you want to fight? Fine with me."
"Two against one? Then come on!"
"Guys, knock it off." Yui said.
The instant Toru activated his ability, the statue behind him shook slightly. A tiny crack appeared on the surface of the stone.
It was the Maestro who realized the danger first.
"Enough!" His voice reverberated like thunder.
Everyone stopped.
The old man sighed. "You needn't bother with that."
He looked at Toru, his gaze filled with something indecipherable.
Deep down, he knew what had just happened.
If he hadn't intervened, the Dragon Queen would have broken free.
And worse, she would have been under Toru Kanzaki's control.
The Maestro then snorted, "Fine. I'll get out of here."
"Mr. Maestro, you don't have to." Renji said.
He let out a slight smile. "It's better to avoid incidents like that. It wouldn't be interesting to end up badly, you know..." He then said goodbye to the group, moving away and blending into the crowd, his presence imposing and approachable at the same time.
○
High up on a terrace, Shouma was watching everything.
The Maestro approached him, keeping himself in the shadows.
"You saw it, didn't you?" he murmured, his voice carrying something darker than usual. "Renji isn't the biggest threat among the rookies."
Shouma remained silent for a moment. Then he nodded slowly.
"Do you think he can really control that thing?"
"I can't say for sure... But I don't want to find out." The Maestro crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the crowd below. "And unlike the other three, he doesn't seem to trust me completely."
Shouma narrowed his eyes. "So... what do you want me to do?"
The Maestro stared straight at him.
"I trust you, Shouma," he murmured, placing a hand on the knight's shoulder. "If we fail to stop him now... chaos will take over this floor."
Shouma didn't reply. He already knew what he had to do.
"I want you to kill Toru Kanzaki!"