Team Father walked in silence.
No jokes.No noise.No celebration.
Only the weight of farewell words that refused to leave.
After a long stretch of quiet, Aren spoke.
"From what I read…"
A pause.
"This trial was never about strength."
He looked up at the sky.
"It was meant to change people."
Ben nodded slowly.King exhaled through his nose.Even the small blue horse moved more quietly than before 🐎.
The path ahead widened.
And then—
It appeared.
The Ancient Pillar.
Massive.
Radiant.
Unmoving.
Its surface pulsed with a faint, ancient light, as if time itself had been carved into it.
Ben stopped walking.
King's posture stiffened.
Aren stepped forward—
Then paused.
"…Wait."
A faint frown formed.
"How can it already be over?"
The ground trembled.
A voice followed.
Old.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
"It is not over, child."
The pillar glowed blue.
Team Father stood still.
"Phase One has ended."
A pause.
"Phase Two will begin… after one month."
No one spoke.
"…One month?" 😳
📺 The Academy Breaks Again
Across the Academy, the reaction shattered whatever calm remained.
"ONE MONTH!?""THIS WAS ONLY THE FIRST PHASE!?""THEY CLEARED IT!?""TEAM FATHER ARE INSANE—!!"
The pillar continued.
"This trial was created to shape lives."
"To remind those who enter… of compassion."
Its light deepened.
"But that purpose was forgotten."
A breath.
"But you…"
"…remembered."
All three lowered their heads.
"You may each ask for one gift."
Aren stepped back.
"This should be theirs first."
🎁 The Gifts
Ben moved forward.
His hands trembled.
"My sister…"
His voice broke.
"She can't walk."
A pause.
"Please… heal her."
The pillar turned white.
"She will be healed."
"She will live a full life for one hundred years."
Ben covered his face.
He did not try to stop the tears.
King stepped forward next.
He hesitated only once.
"…Do you know my true love?"
The pillar paused.
"True… love?"
King blinked.
Ben leaned forward.
Aren watched quietly.
Light gathered—
And a girl appeared.
Berry.
Standing beside him.
Confused.
Shy.
Smiling.
The pillar spoke again.
"She is your true love."
"Your future will know happiness."
Berry stepped forward and hugged him 🤍
King didn't move.
Not out of fear.
Out of disbelief.
Ben laughed.
Loud.
Relieved.
Across the Academy—
"IS THAT REAL!?""HE GOT HIS TRUE LOVE!?""THIS IS BETTER THAN ANY STORY!"
🌌 Aren's Turn
Aren stepped forward.
The pillar's voice changed.
Softer.
"Your wish…"
A pause.
"…cannot be fulfilled in this life."
Aren did not react immediately.
"The ones you seek…"
"…are no longer here."
Silence followed.
Then—
"But in another life…"
"…they will return."
The light pulsed.
"As wife."
"As brother."
"As daughter."
Aren closed his eyes.
Ben didn't speak.
King lowered his gaze.
The horse stood still 🐎
"For this life…"
The pillar continued,
"I grant you something else."
Golden light surrounded Aren ✨
"Endless hunger for knowledge."
"You will learn anything."
"Master anything."
"Your limit… will be your effort."
Aren opened his eyes.
"…Acceptable."
🌠 The Return
The pillar dimmed.
"You will return now."
"I will see you again… in Phase Two."
Aren looked up suddenly.
"…The horse."
"Fear not."
"He will follow."
Light exploded outward.
🏛️ Return of the Unwanted Legends
They appeared at the Academy gates.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then—
Sound returned.
Loud.
Violent.
Uncontrolled.
The Academy erupted 🎉🔥
Students shouted.Teachers stood.Staff bowed.
Even the headmaster applauded.
At the center—
Aren.Ben.King.And the small blue horse 🐎
No longer just participants.
Something else.
Ben wiped his face.
King smiled quietly.
Aren looked forward.
"Let's go."
No excitement.
No pride.
Only movement.
Phase Two waited.
And the Academy—
Was no longer watching with curiosity.
It was watching with fear 🌑