"The Lucky Ones"

The original purpose of the test was to allocate everyone to their respective classes. Nothing more, nothing less. But Alinta took it a little too far. It wasn't meant to determine if they were eligible to learn at the school. If they weren't, they wouldn't be there in the first place.

Each phase represents one class. The first phase, which was the more easier one, would be class-4. This would be the class with those that were considered the weakest among their generation. This class had 21 students.

Class-3 had students who didn't make it past the wind boss. It also had 21 students.

Class-2 had the 40 students who were not treated so well from the double bosses.

Class-1 had 40. They survived until only one boss remained. That was the class allocations for the 122 students. Many questions were left after the exam though.

The final boss. It was never introduced. 

There were a few who confirmed that they saw that orc multiple times throughout the test. That means that it was always there. That also means that some students were unfairly killed by a monster that could fight the entire world on its own.

That also begged the question. How was one person able to defeat it on her own, without leaving any visible signs of the fight, so fast?

"Did she lie?"

"What if it was faked by her and Alinta?"

"Why would she do that?"

It was clear that others doubted her. Even if she really did fake it, she was definitely still strong.

...

"If the whole point of the test was to allocate everyone to their classes," a student at the back of the class started, "what was the point of the whole thing if they could've just done that using our personal info? Don't they already know our power classes already?"

"We're in different classes so they can teach us based on our abilities, not strength alone." Haizea answered her. "You've seen A class students in class-4, the one where the majority of them are C or lower. And here, in class-1, there's 4 students who are C class, where the majority are A and S. They were looking for those that were more capable than the rest, those who already know quite a lot without having to be taught. and those that more effort needed to be put into them. That way, in the end, we would all be the same."

"R...Right. That makes sense. I should've thought of that."

"Wow lady Haizea, you're so smart." other girls praised her.

"Umm... Thank you."

Classes began the next day. Introductions and school tours were to happen at the students' own free time. 

Now, everyone was getting settled. Haizea had just walked in together with other students.

The class had long tiered seats, with around 4 students on each side. Though one bench had only one person.

You would think that everyone would want to get close to the strong, or the popular. But they all avoided one person. But she didn't seem to care about them. Her mind wasn't even there.

Haizea first sat at the seat on the opposite side of hers, but when she saw her seating alone, she decided to move next to her.

Nyla was brought back to reality when she sensed that someone was next to her. But she didn't have much of a reaction besides looking at her. 

It wasn't that she was hated, they just weren't sure. And she wasn't the only one being massively avoided.

Though not on the same level, they still avoided the one that killed the fire boss in the domain. He sat at the very front right seat, just as quiet as her. Every once in a while, Nyla stole a glance at him, but her thought were hard to figure out.

The giant school bell rang, and the class became silent, ready for their teacher to enter.

The big doors creaked open, and a woman slowly walked in. Her heels echoed in the silent class. More noticeable, was the fact that she had an identification earring. A hero. 

Not just any hero either.

"She's... The Rogue Hero."

A rare site in deed, to see someone as powerful as her right before their eyes. And the fact that they will be seeing more of her in the future is even more shocking.

Haizea noted how she looked a lot like Nyla. The hair, their clothes, even the way their bodies are built.

She smiled while looking around the class, mostly focusing on Riku, the one that killed the fire boss, and most especially Nyla, whom their eyes met for a significant amount of time, like they were reading each other.

"Keep in mind, Haizea," She started, "I rarely use a weapon. She uses a spear. We're not completely alike."

'Did she, read my mind?!'

The spear she was referring to was placed on the wall next to Nyla. 

"And to the rest of you, I have a name. Faelan Deidre."

That name sounded familiar to Nyla. 

"Let's not waste anytime. There's a lot we have to discuss."

...

15 years ago, a contract between humans and monsters was signed. This contract was meant to build trust among both sides about not fighting each other for an indefinite amount of time.

To put it bluntly, the 'indefinite' part of that changed. 

About a year ago, a delegation from the nation of monsters visited the empire with... news. News about the termination of the contract in the near future.

Basically, within the next few months, it'll be null and void. Meaning that the world will go back to the way it was before it was made. Not only that, but they also had some other things to say.

The return of Nerezza Vingar. Leader of the monsters, and the most evil man to ever walk the continent. It is said that he will be returning at the same time as the contract will be terminated.

This'll mean that both sides will no longer have any restrictions for an all out war. And if Nerezza Vingar will be part of it, then the humans will stand no chance.

"Excuse me, miss Faelan."

"What is it?"

"I don't wanna sound bad or anything, but why couldn't we have just... you know... attacked while they thought that we wouldn't? Again, I don't wanna sound like I'm evil. But why?"

"Unlike us, they are fully aware of our capabilities, our strengths and weaknesses, our military power and just, power in general. We don't know theirs."

Twice a year, a group of specialists from each side are sent over to the other to keep in check their power, whether they're planning an attack and such.

The reason why she said that was because we're talking about humans and monsters. While humans are one species of no variants, monsters are a different story.

Ranging from mere goblins or kobolds, to wyverns, dragons and giants, monsters have very many variants, each of different capabilities. And unlike humans, who only a special few can better refine their power class, all monsters have the abilities to get stronger. This is what she meant.

It is not fully known what kinds of tricks monsters have up their sleeves, but it's fairly easy to guess those of humans since they most often than not tend to be very...generic. 

"Let's not forget, monsters aren't our only enemies."

Demons. Recently, there's been an increase in demon activities in the continent. This started around two prior. Although it hasn't been confirmed why this is the case, there've been many speculations going around.

Aside from that, phantoms have also been causing quite a ruckus ever since Nerezza Vingar ascended.

"I heard that they called it, 'The hollo', the event that happened right before phantoms started growing rampant. Why do you think it happened?" Haizea got attached to Nyla. Though it seemed like she wasn't interested, she actually didn't mind her company.

"It probably has something to do with this Nerezza Vingar and the nation of monsters. Think about it. The land of phantoms, Sector F, was taken over by the nation of monsters, making it a part of their own. It must be some kind of plot that they're cooking up so that humans don't get time to grow their power by the time the war begins."

"Uh... Is that really what you think?"

"Of course not. I was just saying what I heard other people gossiping, like they're doing right now."

"Heh?"

"Look over there. There's two of them just loitering around, worry free." 

Haizea and Nyla were taking a walk down a corridor, when they noticed a group of older girls watching them from the garden right next to them. 

"Of course they're worry free. They probably won't even get to participate in the war. It's just gonna be excuses like-They're too young and inexperienced. A 15 year old can't partake in a war- or something like that."

"It makes sense though, to be honest. Who would send children to the battlefield."

"Yeah. That is a good point."

"Hmm? Haizea. Are you alright?" Nyla noticed how she was just blankly staring at them.

"It's nothing. I just figured out why they call us 'The Lucky Ones'. Most of us won't be deployed to the battlefield for, obvious reasons. So we'd still have a chance of, growing old."

"I see... But they don't seem to know who we are. Why don't we make them aware of our capabilities."

"Hey now, girls. Let's respect the younger generations." A smooth male voice approached the older girls from the opposite direction. "You've seen what they're capable of, even without professional training. Especially, the two whom you've chosen to slander."

His hair was as white as the clouds in the sky. So were his clothes, covering him to the top of his neck. And his gorgeous blue eyes exuded a different kind of aura from any other person in the school. He always maintained a warm smile on his face.

"L...Lord Caerwyn! You appeared out of nowhere."

"Do you really not know the two girls over there."

"...Uh... Wait. Is that..."

"Huh! Its Lady Haizea and Lady Nyla! Both of them are S class or higher. We're sorry."

"We didn't mean to come of as rude."

"Sorry." They all apologized in unison.

"Good. Now hurry along. Our next class is about to begin."

"Right!" They left the area, leaving the two girls and him awkwardly stare at each other.

Nyla turned and began walking away, when he suddenly appeared in front of her without making a sound. Not even a SWOOSH! It kind of surprised Nyla.

"Do you want anything?"

"Not even an introduction..."

"We all know each other, and this isn't a school for nobility. There's no need for formalities like introductions."

"I don't think that's a formality, Nyla."

"Then... I hope we'll get along well."

"Sure."

She began walking away.

"Wait up... Uh... It was nice meeting you, lord Caerwyn."

"See you around, ladies."

"Was it a good idea to just leave someone like him standing around? Hello? Nyla?"

She was lost in thoughts. Something bothered her. It was about Nerezza Vingar.

How does a man get the idea to become a god and actually believe they'll succeed. Also, how did they know that he'll return at a specific time? How was he going to return?

According to what she knows, the only way to become a god is by going to heaven, theoretically. And the only way to go to heaven was by dying, also theoretically. If it was that easy, shouldn't there be thousands, maybe even millions of gods?

What kind of thoughts does a man have that makes them even think about becoming a god?

'Nerezza Vingar. One man that took only a few months to make the entire continent absolutely scared of him. Who is he? What is he? And how strong is he if we need hundreds of people with my kind of power to defeat one of him? At least according to the teacher.'

"Wow. What kind of weapon is this? How does it work?" A bunch of fans had surrounded a certain someone going by the name of Riku, asking him all sorts of questions in the background. He didn't seem annoyed by them. Rather, he liked it.

What he felt like he didn't like was the fact two other girls were walking straight by them, not even batting an eye to him.

"Hello ladies."

Once they had gotten a bit far, he approached them, wearing a, shoulder-less shirt? The kind were it has sleeves running from his wrists to his upper elbows, and, no shoulders? It was also pretty tight on him. Actually, he kinda looked like...

"You must be Nyla, and you are Haizea, correct? It's a pleasure to meet you."

The girls weren't happy at all to see him. They were furious at him, seemingly for no reason.

"I'm a hero. I go by the name of Riku... Another worlder."

"..."

"What?"

"Mmhmm. That is the case. It's so nice to meet and get to know people of this world. I hope we can be friends." His face beamed with a wide smile. His hand held out, waiting for a shake.

Even though Haizea was also angry, Nyla was the more furious one. Her teeth were grinding and she was looking at him with crazy eyes. When Haizea realized what it meant, she almost immediately forgot about her own feelings, not wanting to believe it.

"Grr... Riku!"

But she had to set aside her thoughts before things got out of hand. Not all her thoughts could be set aside though.

If she was correct, then all three of them, were from the same class, in the same school... in the same world...