Chapter 7 - The First Encounter - Part 3

Later that night, after settling into their rooms and finally feeling safe, the teenagers gathered in the lobby again.

Protheu decided to check the teenagers and when he enter the lobby, he spotted the teenagers gather altogether. When they spotted him, they stood up quickly.

They still looked battered and worn, but there was a new light in their eyes — a cautious but growing hope.

Rafael Mendoza, the natural leader among them, stepped forward.

He gave a small bow, rough but sincere.

"Sir," he said, "we would like to properly introduce ourselves. And… tell you about our roles and what we can do."

Protheus nodded calmly.

"You may."

One by one, the teenagers spoke — their voices filled with a mix of pride and shyness.

"I'm Rafael Mendoza," the boy said. "I fight with the sword. I used to lead scouting missions back in our stronghold."

Maria Mendoza, his younger sister, spoke next.

"I support him… I fight too, but I'm better with defense. I carry a shield and short sword"

Joshua Dela Cruz grinned as he stepped forward. "My name is Joshua Dela Cruz. I'm fast and I use dual sword."

Sofia Dela Cruz added with a wink,

"I'm a Sofia Dela Cruz. I can use basic healing magic. I patch up the mess he makes." while pointing to Joshua

Laughter rippled through the group.

Mark Villanueva spoke seriously.

"I am Mark. Archer and I watch their backs."

Angela Reyes gave a small wave.

"Hii~ I'm Angela! I can use support magic. I can make people faster and stronger for a while."

Patricia Gomez smiled shyly.

"Hi Sir, My name is Patricia Gomez. I can use fire magic. I'm… still practicing, but I can blast enemies from a distance."

Vincent Perez grinned.

"I'm Vincent Perez! I use big sword to hit things hard!"

Janine Soriano added,

"My name is Janine and I'm a wind mage. I can control air, push enemies back, and help our archers."

Clarisse Padilla beamed.

"I use barriers! Defensive magic. I keep people safe."

The others followed:

Carlo Ramirez — scout, expert in tracking.

Liza Ramirez — healer, though her magic was weak.

Miguel Santos — heavy shield user.

Carla Santos — quick sword fighter.

Bryan Torres — earth magic user, defensive walls.

Daniel Cruz — dagger fighter, very fast.

Erika Lim — minor illusions, used for distraction.

Kevin Fajardo — fire support with crossbow.

Denise Bautista — healer apprentice.

Nolan Suarez — ice magic user, basic control.

Abby Suarez — dagger and light bow.

They listed their strengths honestly — no boasting, no exaggerations.

They had survived because each one of them had done their part.

Protheus listened quietly, committing every name and skill to memory.

When the last teenager finished speaking, Protheus finally said:

"You are stronger than you know."

He raised a hand — and with a soft, golden pulse of magic, a healing warmth swept over them.

Scrapes vanished.

Aches disappeared.

The weight of exhaustion lifted slightly from their bodies.

Gasps of amazement filled the lobby.

He lowered his hand.

"You have fought bravely. Rest tonight. Tomorrow… we begin anew."

He gave them a final nod and turned to leave, the soft rustle of his cloak echoing in the wide halls.

The teenagers watched him go — silent, stunned. He had said little. He had promised little. And yet, they felt it deep inside: Their lives had changed. Forever.

After Protheus left them in the lobby, the teenagers were about to head back to their rooms when a soft sound caught their attention.

A group of humanoid golems entered through the wide doors, moving silently but gracefully.

They were different from the battle golems — these ones were slimmer, built more elegantly, their frames smooth and polished like silver.

Each one carried large trays filled with plates of steaming hot food.

The smell hit the teenagers instantly.

Freshly baked bread.

Steaming bowls of rich, hearty soup.

Roasted meats.

Crisp vegetables.

Even desserts — sweet, golden pastries that made their mouths water.

The teenagers stared, frozen in place.

One of the golems stepped forward, bowing respectfully.

Its glowing eyes were soft, not threatening.

It carefully set the trays down on a long coffee table at the side of the lobby.

Another golem gestured, inviting them to eat.

For a moment, no one moved.

They weren't used to this.

They were used to scavenging half-rotten food. Looting what they could. Going to sleep hungry more often than not.

Rafael took the first step.

Slowly, he picked up a plate, his hands shaking a little.

He looked back at the others and gave a small smile.

"It's okay," he said softly.

At that, the dam broke.

The teenagers rushed forward — laughing, crying, overwhelmed.

They piled their plates high and sat together at the tables, eating hungrily but gratefully.

The food was delicious — the best they had tasted in years.

Tears streamed down Maria's face as she bit into warm bread.

Mark silently fed his younger sister Liza a spoonful of soup.

Joshua and Sofia shared a plate of roasted meat, grinning like children again.

Even the quiet ones — like Nolan and Abby Suarez — smiled through mouthfuls of dessert.

The humanoid golems stood silently nearby, occasionally refilling water pitchers or bringing extra plates without needing to be asked.

It was like living inside a dream.

For the first time in so long, they weren't fighting.

They weren't running.

They were home.

Later that night, their stomachs full and their hearts lighter, the teenagers gathered in one of the larger rooms.

The beds were too soft.

The air was too clean.

They sat cross-legged on the carpet, whispering excitedly.

"Did you guys see that? He healed all of us with just one wave," Joshua whispered.

"Without chanting," Patricia said in awe.

"And without even looking tired," Sofia added.

Mark shook his head slowly.

"That's not normal magic.

Even our best mages needed minutes of chanting for basic healing."

"He's different," Rafael said simply.

"Way different," muttered Vincent.

"I bet he's some high-ranked awakened," Daniel Cruz said.

"But… he doesn't act like them," Angela Reyes said softly.

"Those S-Class people from the surviving nations we heard about? They're usually proud and arrogant."

"Yeah," Nolan agreed.

"But this guy… he's quiet. Calm."

Sofia grinned.

"And handsome."

The others laughed quietly.

"But seriously," Liza said, "did you notice his magic? It felt… different."

"It's not just power," Bryan added. "It's… pure."

They fell silent for a moment.

Erika hugged her knees.

"So what do we call him?"

Clarisse thought for a moment, then smiled.

"White Archmage."

The others nodded.

"The White Archmage," Patricia repeated.

"It fits," Joshua agreed.

They smiled, feeling safer than they had in a long, long time.

Under the soft glow of the Citadel lights, the twenty teenagers finally drifted off to sleep.

Their bellies full.

Their hearts healing.

And their dreams guarded by the mysterious, kind-hearted White Archmage.