The words of Saintess Sylvara ignited a fresh wave of panic through the crowd of gathered students, and some soon started screaming to be sent back home, while others threatened to take legal action.
None of them cared much about being granted a wish if they had to fight something named a 'demon king'. In translation, what Saintess Sylvara had said to them was that they couldn't be sent back to their world, and they were essentially trapped in this one.
One of the students, a sturdily built young man, wearing a grey tank top and cargo shorts, standing at nearly seven feet tall with bulging muscles, walked out of the group confidently, popping his knuckles.
"Sylvasa, or whatever you call yourself. It seems you will not let us go until you take some beatings from this uncle," he spoke as he drew closer to the saintess.
Zorat recalled that this person was named Broddy. He always hung around with Jacob and Lilly. Usually, Broddy never makes a move on his own, which means he must have been engineered by Jacob to step up.
"Normally, I hate hitting women, but in our previous class, we were taught about equality." He added, rotating his right hand like someone about to throw a javelin.
"Broddy, don't!" A yell came through one of the female students. A girl in a black maxi skirt and a white lace top layered with jewelry. This was Broddy's girlfriend, Erica.
Erica had a thing for strong bad boys. That's why she was first attracted to Broddy. However, she soon found out that Broddy was as dumb as a rock.
He believed everything could be solved with his muscles. And just now after Jacob whispered some inaudible words into his ears, he had sprung to action to go challenge someone in a place where there are literal knights with swords just a few feet away.
"I call this. The punch of equality." Broddy yelled, as he heaved his massive right hand behind him to build momentum before sending a powerful punch straight at Sylvara's face. However, Sylvara did not even react and merely stood there.
The students felt a gust of wind pass them by, as a beast-woman, dressed like an Amazonian goddess in golden armor, was already in front of Broddy, and casually intercepting his punch with her pinky finger.
Hmm. A Fox-race Beast-woman.
It's been a while since I saw their kind.
But this person. There is something…. Off about her.
Zorat wasn't picky about where he dipped his stick. He's a demon for a reason. He's had the pleasure of bedding multiple races and species. Elves, dwarves, beast-folk, fairies, giants, the list goes on.
Out of all these experiences, beast-folk was particularly memorable. Though this one has a scent. A scent that he could never mistake. She tried to hide it well. But one can't hide such a thing from a primordial demon king.
Demonic energy.
This is getting more and more exciting. hehehe.
The sexy beast-lady in armor then grabbed Broddy's punch in the palm of her hand and twisted lightly. A horrid screech tore through the throne room, as Broddy wailed like a banshee.
She then pulled him by the hand and dragged him to where the students are gathered, before repositioning herself directly behind Sylvara. As if standing as a bodyguard. An act which elicited a scoff from Zorat, because he was certain Saintess Sylvara was far more powerful than the beast woman.
Erica immediately ran over to Broddy, crying as she looked at his dislocated shoulder. She stared daggers at the beast woman who was now behind Sylvara.
Even if Broddy was a dumb brute, she still loved him, and he was her man. Moreover, she had a thing for bad boys. It would have been perfect if Broddy had a little bit of sense to go with his muscles, but that would be asking too much. She couldn't imagine Broddy any other way.
"You savage. You nearly tore his hands out!" Erica yelled at the beast woman, who ignored her completely.
"Thank you, knight commander," Saintess Sylvara voiced her appreciation without turning around, and the knight commander simply nodded from behind.
"Dear Heroes. I know how confusing this whole situation can be. But I assure you, we mean you no harm."
"Bullshit. You mean no harm ?. Fuck you mean no harm ?. You just broke my boyfriend's hand!" Erica barked as she nursed the injured Broddy.
"It was an act carried out in self-defence, dear Heroes. We do not condone such violence in the first place. It should be directed instead at the Demon King and his minions, the demon lords."
"And how do we fight such beings ?. As you can see, we are mere mortals with little strength. Evident by how your guard easily dispatched our friend." Andrew spoke this time.
It had become crystal clear to him that they weren't getting out of this without doing as these people say. And he was in a hurry to get back to his sister. If it meant vanquishing a demon King to get back to his world. He is ready to do just that.
"Am glad you asked this question, dear hero." Saintess Sylvara responded with unusual zeal. Clearly, she had been waiting for this exact question.
"As hero candidates chosen by the goddess to vanquish the demon king. You all have a special advantage that others born of this world do not," she began.
"You can awaken Divine skills."
The curiosity of the gathered students was piqued, and they followed her every word with rapt attention.
Even Zorat was paying attention, curious to discover if his assumptions were accurate. Saintess Sylvara, seeing this, was happy. She smiled and continued.
"Unlike others born of Arleria, who can only awaken special skills of varing grades; all below divine grade."
"Upon your awakening. You heroes are bestowed the highest grade of all skills. The divine grade. Of which there are only ten in this world"
"Specifically created by the goddess Arleria, for battling the demon king. And can only be awakened by you heroes"
"Also. With these divine skills, comes extremely fast pace of leveling and growth, with no limit to how high you can level up, unlike ordinary people of Arleria." she finished saying, then turned around and gestured to the podium with a blue crystal orb on top.
"All you need to do is step forward one after the other, and place your hands on that blue awakening orb right there, and you will have your divine skills bestowed."