The weight of leadership (5):into the green gate

Miss Dalia stood at the back of the school field, surrounded by her students. Before them stood a circular stone portal, its ancient carvings glowing faintly. Behind the portal was a man dressed in a simple brown robe, his white hair and mustache giving him an air of wisdom. The man smiled patiently as the students whispered among themselves, their excitement and curiosity filling the air.

Some of the noble children boasted loudly about having portals back in their family estates, while the middle-class students gazed in awe, many seeing one for the first time.

But Theodore? He remained unimpressed, his expression calm. Portals were nothing new to him. Belial could summon portals at will, and Theodore himself could access the Dark Soul Realm, which made this so-called "wonder" feel almost trivial.

"As expected of Prince Theodore," Noah Morris said loudly, his voice brimming with admiration. "He doesn't even flinch at the sight of a portal. Truly remarkable!"

Theodore sighed, his patience already wearing thin. "Can you stop talking already?"

"Never!" Noah grinned, his eyes shining with overzealous loyalty, which annoyed Theodore even more.

Behind Theodore, his usual entourage—Jin, Vivian, and Elisa—trailed after him. Elisa, ever smug, seemed to enjoy Theodore's irritation, while Jin looked like he was trying his best not to trip over himself. Vivian, meanwhile, simply stared at Elisa with her usual glares of suspicion.

What made everything worse was Mr. Lonny, the swordsmanship instructor. The man had insisted on accompanying them and had been staring at Theodore for far too long, as though the boy was some sort of rare specimen. Theodore didn't fully trust him, and the instructor's strange gaze wasn't helping.

"Alright, class!" Miss Dalia clapped her hands to grab everyone's attention. The students quickly quieted down. "Today, we'll be entering this portal.if it's your first time, so there's no need to be afraid. However, remember everything we practiced during the hunting test!"

The man in the brown robe, who introduced himself as Mr. Arthur, stepped forward. Raising his staff, he began chanting an incantation. The carvings on the portal began to glow brighter, and the energy within the circle swirled and shifted until it resembled liquid glass. Through the portal, the faint outlines of another world became visible—tents, soldiers, and a sprawling red lake.

"The portal is ready, Miss Dalia," Mr. Arthur said.

"Thank you, Mr. Arthur." Miss Dalia smiled and gestured for the students to step forward. "Everyone, enter in your groups. Remember to stick together, and don't stray from your teammates!"

The students entered the portal one by one. When Theodore and his group stepped through, they found themselves in an expansive grassland. The sky was a vibrant blue, but the large lake in the distance was an unsettling crimson, its waters glimmering like blood under the sun.

Around them, soldiers and adventurers moved about, some setting up tents, others sharpening weapons. Merchants hawked their wares—potions, food, and weapons—while groups of injured warriors sat silently, their bandages stained with blood.

What caught Theodore's attention, however, were the humanoid lizards standing among the humans. Towering over most of the crowd, these lizard-like beings wore armor and carried weapons, speaking casually with adventurers.

"I see. So beastmen really do exist here," Theodore muttered to himself.

"They're members of the Beastmen Tribe," Elisa said, suddenly appearing beside him with a smug grin. "There are lots of them in my territory."

"Lots of them?" Theodore asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Yeah, they mostly come for business," Elisa replied. "They're here for the power stones."

"Power stones?" Theodore's brows furrowed.

"They're rare stones that generate energy. They're used for something called 'technology,' which is a type of ancient magic."

Theodore froze. His mind raced at the mention of the word "technology." "What did you say?" he asked sharply, drawing the attention of some nearby students.

Elisa blinked, confused by his reaction. "Uh… I said it's called technology? You've never heard of it before?"

Theodore's expression darkened, though he tried to keep calm. "I've heard of it. I just didn't expect to hear it here."

Elisa smiled playfully. "If you're curious, why not visit my territory? I can show you the power stones myself!"

Theodore hesitated. On one hand, he was intrigued by the idea of seeing technology in this world. On the other, the thought of dealing with Elisa's father, a duke, wasn't exactly appealing. "I'll consider it," he replied curtly.

"Hmph! You're so cold, Prince Theodore," Elisa teased. "I invite you to my home, and that's all you have to say?"

Theodore pinched the bridge of his nose. (She always has to ruin a normal conversation.)

Miss Dalia motioned for the students to follow her. As they moved closer to the gates, the air grew heavier. Injured adventurers limped past them, their faces pale, while others sat silently with haunted expressions. The scene filled the students with unease, a grim reminder of the dangers they were about to face.

Finally, they arrived at the gates. Four massive trees stood in a circular formation, their trunks bearing glowing slashes. The green gate shimmered in the center, while the yellow, red, and orange gates radiated faintly from nearby. Soldiers stood guard, their expressions grim and wary.

Miss Dalia turned to her students. "This is Red Lake, a base camp for adventurers and soldiers. Beyond these gates are dangerous creatures and even more dangerous trials. But don't worry; today, we're entering the green gate, the safest one. Stick to your groups, work together, and remember your training!"

She opened a small pouch, and a variety of weapons spilled onto the ground—swords, bows, and other tools of combat. "Choose a weapon that suits your skills. And mages, don't overuse your mana."

The students quickly grabbed their weapons. Elisa picked two short swords, while Noah grabbed a single-handed blade. Vivian ignored the weapons entirely, confident in her ice magic. Jin stood frozen, staring nervously at the options.

"Take the bow," Theodore suggested.

Jin hesitated but eventually picked it up. "I trust your judgment, my prince," he said, though his uneasiness was evident.

"Good," Miss Dalia said. "Now, head inside the gate, and remember, Mr. Lonny will be observing from afar if you need help. Good luck!"

The students nodded and stepped into the green gate.

Miss Dalia watched as the last group disappeared, turning to Mr. Lonny. "They'll be fine. It's just a green gate."

Mr. Lonny adjusted his glasses, his eagle perched on his shoulder. "Perhaps, but my instincts tell me I should follow them."

Miss Dalia chuckled. "You're very protective, Mr. Lonny. Just make sure not to interfere unless absolutely necessary. The students need to learn on their own."

Mr. Lonny smiled. "Of course. I'll stay out of sight."

As he stepped into the gate, the eagle shifted on his shoulder. The moment he passed through, his calm smile twisted into a sinister smirk. "Let's see just how capable you are, little prince," he muttered under his breath.