Chapter 6: Into the Lion’s Den

Chapter 6: Into the Lion's Den

The seven of them—Sunny, Serena, Elara, Jax, Noah, Mira, and Adrian—walked through the academy's gleaming corridors, CommWatches strapped to their wrists. The Elite Class was housed in a separate wing, a place reserved for the academy's most promising students. As they approached the doors leading into the class, they could feel the weight of expectation pressing down on them. They were outsiders here, not only in status but in the very nature of their connection to the Calamity Masks.

Sunny glanced at his own mask, a simple, dark wooden artifact that hung from his waist. It was unassuming, carved with intricate runes and symbols, and yet it held a power few could understand. But in this academy, appearances were everything, and to the rest of the world, their masks looked primitive—relics from an older, forgotten time. The masks of the other students were sleek, modernized, with glowing energy cores and high-tech designs, built to enhance and channel the abilities of their wearers with maximum efficiency.

As they stepped into the Elite Class training arena, it felt like walking into a den of predators.

The room was filled with students, all of them wearing their modernized masks, which shimmered with energy. Conversations hushed as Sunny and the others entered, and eyes turned toward them—some curious, others openly hostile. It didn't take long for whispers to start.

"Are those the new ones?"

"They look like they just stepped out of the past… Look at those wooden masks, how ancient."

"Isn't that the group from the outer regions? They don't belong here."

Sunny ignored the murmurs, but he could feel the tension rising. Beside him, Serena kept her head high, her hands clenched into fists. Jax, always the hothead, was already glaring at the other students, daring them to say something louder. The rest of their group—Elara, Noah, Mira, and Adrian—remained quiet, but the unease was clear in their eyes. They had stepped into enemy territory.

The door at the back of the room swung open, and a tall, imposing figure walked in. He was a student, but he carried himself like a veteran warrior. His mask, a sleek silver design with sharp edges and glowing blue lines, radiated power. The room fell silent as he approached.

"That's Valen, the top-ranked Mask Bearer," someone whispered behind them. "They say he's already taken down two Menace rank demons by himself."

Valen's cold eyes scanned Sunny and his group, a hint of disdain flickering in them as he took in their wooden masks. "So, you're the ones with the Calamity Masks?" His voice was smooth, but laced with arrogance. "I expected something more… impressive."

Jax took a step forward, fists clenched. "You got a problem with that?"

Valen raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk tugging at his lips. "I don't have a problem. I just hope you're not expecting any special treatment because of those ancient relics you're carrying. This isn't the outer regions—you're in the Elite Class now, and here, you have to earn your place."

NB: everyone knows about the calamity masks because of how different it looks to the modernize masks.

Sunny stepped forward, placing a hand on Jax's shoulder to stop him. "We're not looking for special treatment," he said calmly. "We'll prove ourselves, same as anyone else."

Valen's smirk didn't fade, but he stepped back, satisfied for the moment. "We'll see. But don't get your hopes up too high. The Elite Class isn't a place for weaklings."

As Valen walked away, another group of students approached them. These ones seemed less openly hostile, though there was still an air of superiority about them. A girl with long silver hair and a mask that looked like it was crafted from polished obsidian stepped forward, her eyes sharp and calculating.

"I'm Aria," she said, her voice cool and even. "Second in the class. You're going to find things a little different here. We've been training for years, honing our abilities. You may have the Calamity Masks, but that doesn't mean you're ready to handle them."

Beside her, a muscular boy with a mask designed like a beast's skull—its eyes glowing with a fierce red light—crossed his arms. "Kane," he grunted, his eyes flicking over Sunny and the others. "Don't expect anyone here to go easy on you just because you've got some legendary relics. We've all earned our place here through blood and sweat."

Serena squared her shoulders. "We're not asking for anything. We're here to train, same as you."

Aria studied her for a moment, then nodded, though her expression remained unreadable. "Good. Then we won't have a problem."

As Aria and Kane moved off, Sunny could feel the stares from the other students linger on them. The message was clear—they were outsiders, and in the Elite Class, they would have to fight for everything.

A sharp voice interrupted the tension as the doors at the far end of the arena opened once more. This time, it was an instructor. He was a tall man, clad in military-style armor, with a mask that shimmered with gold and black. His presence commanded respect, and the room fell into immediate silence.

"I am Instructor Jaren, and I will be overseeing your training in the Elite Class," he announced, his voice firm and authoritative. "Here, you will push the limits of your abilities, learn to control your masks, and prepare for the reality of the battles waiting beyond these walls."

His eyes fell on Sunny and the others. "I see we have new arrivals. You've been placed here because of your potential. This class doesn't care where you come from or what mask you wear. Only one thing matters: results. You'll need to earn the respect of your peers, and trust me, that won't be easy."

Instructor Jaren gestured toward the arena behind him, where several students were already sparring. "Training begins now. Pair up, and let's see what you're capable of."

The seven exchanged glances, knowing what was coming next. This was their first real test in the academy, and they were being thrown straight into the fire. Sunny felt a surge of anticipation. He had always known that they would face resistance here. But this wasn't just about proving themselves to the academy—it was about mastering the Calamity Masks, learning what they truly were capable of.

As the other students moved to pair up, Sunny clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his wooden mask at his side.

The battle to prove themselves had begun.

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