Shinji's eyes fluttered closed, his dreams transporting him to a world of luxury and adoration. He was surrounded by beautiful women, all vying for his attention. One woman, with piercing green eyes and raven-black hair, leaned in close, her lips inches from Shinji's.
Shinji's heart skipped a beat as he waited for the moment their lips would touch. But as the seconds ticked by, his anticipation turned to frustration. Why was she taking so long?
Just as Shinji was about to open his eyes to get a glimpse of the mysterious woman, a loud voice boomed through the air.
"Boom! Wake up, sleeping beauty!" Kai exclaimed, his voice dripping with amusement.
Shinji's eyes snapped open, and he fell to the ground, his face red with anger. "Why did you have to wake me up right now, Kai?! Can't you see I was... uh... in the middle of something?"
Kai's grin grew wider. "Have you forgotten that we have training today? Or did I disturb you while you were having a good dream there, pal?"
Shinji's face turned an even deeper shade of red as he scrambled to his feet. "Shut up, Kai! You have no idea what you just interrupted!" He stormed out of the room, leaving Kai chuckling behind him.
Lila's voice called out from the dining area. "Shinji, breakfast is ready! Come and eat before we head out for training!"
Kai added, "Yeah, and food is ready now!"
Shinji's anger slowly dissipated as the aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air. He stomped into the dining area, his eyes scanning the table for any sign of his beloved breakfast.
Lila smiled sweetly at him. "Good morning, Shinji! I made your favorite dish – scrambled eggs with smoked salmon."
Shinji's expression softened, and he took a seat at the table. "Thanks, Lila. You're a lifesaver."
The three of them ate in silence, fueling up for their training session ahead.
As they finished their meal, Kai stood up, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Alright, let's get moving! We've got a long day of training ahead of us."
Lila nodded, her expression determined. "I'm ready to learn. Let's go!"
Shinji groaned, still feeling the effects of his interrupted dream. "Do we have to? Can't we just stay here and... uh... rest?"
Kai chuckled. "No way, Shinji! We're going to the guild to pick up our training mission. Let's move!"
The three of them set off towards the guild, their spirits high and their determination burning bright.
The Nobles arrived at the guild and as they stepped into the guild, their eyes scanning the bustling room as they searched for a mission to aid in their training. The air was thick with the smell of ale and roasting meat, and the sound of laughter and clinking glasses filled the atmosphere.
As they made their way deeper into the guild, they spotted Kieran and his team lounging at a table, their faces twisted into smirks. One of the guild members approached them, curiosity etched on his face. "Aren't you guys preparing for the team-on-team fight? You seem rather... relaxed."
Kieran chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "What's there to train for? The fight will be a cakewalk." His voice dripped with confidence, and his team members laughed in agreement.
Kai ignored them, his focus on finding a suitable mission. His eyes scanned the mission board, and his gaze locked onto a particular quest: "Wolfpack of the Crimson Moon." The description sent a shiver down his spine: "A pack of ferocious wolves, led by the alpha wolf, Crimson Moon, has been terrorizing a nearby village. Eliminate the pack and bring back the alpha wolf's pelt."
Kai nodded to himself, confident that this mission would provide the Nobles with the training they needed. He approached the guild master, who was busy pouring ale for a group of thirsty adventurers.
Just as Kai was about to accept the mission, the guild master looked up and spotted Kieran and his team. "Ah, Kieran! I see you're not taking the team-on-team fight seriously."
Kieran grinned. "Why should we? We're going to win either way."
The guild master chuckled. "We'll see about that. Kai, Kieran, please come and submit your team's fighting order."
Kai took the paper, his eyes locked onto Kieran's, the tension between them palpable. He wrote:
1. Kai
2. Shinji,
3. Lila.
The guild erupted into excited whispers. "This is going to be a good team-on-team fight! Wait and see!"
Kieran stepped forward, a sly grin spreading across his face. He wrote:
1. ....
2. Kieran
3. Shake
The guild master's eyes narrowed. "You left one spot open. I think that's where you're supposed to write the name of your strongest member... isn't that you, Kieran?"
Kieran's grin grew wider. "The regulations state that we have up to the day of the fight to fill in the team details."
The guild master's expression turned thoughtful. "I see. Well, I suppose we'll just have to wait and see who your team leader is."
Kieran chuckled. "Oh, you'll see. Our team leader will fill in his name when he appears tomorrow... or on the day of the fight."
The guild fell silent, the only sound the quiet hum of speculation. Whispers circulated, with some guild members wondering who Kieran's team leader could be. "Did you hear that? Kieran isn't their team leader... So, their team has Kieran and someone even more powerful than Kieran."
Others countered, "But guys, remember Kai is an SSS-rank adventurer. No one can just simply defeat him."
A third guild member responded, "Even if Kai wins his match, they need two wins to take the fight. I don't see Kieran or Shake losing."
The guild continued to buzz with excitement, their anticipation building for the upcoming team-on-team fight.
Kai quickly exited the guild, the quest papers clutched in his hand. The Nobles followed closely behind, their faces set with determination.
As they walked, Lila turned to Kai, a hint of fear in her voice. "Kai, do you think we still have a chance? I think Kieran's team is going to be tough to beat."
Kai's expression remained neutral, but Shinji chimed in, a smile spreading across his face. "Don't worry, Lila. I trust our leader Kai. And I won't accept it if anyone defeats Kai before I do."
Kai smirked at Shinji, his eyes glinting with amusement. The tension between them was palpable, and Lila couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement.
Lila's eyes remained fixed on Kai, her brow furrowed with concern. "Kai, what's the quest we just took? I didn't get a chance to look at it."
Kai's expression turned serious. "It's an A+ Quest. We're going to take down the Wolfpack of the Crimson Moon, led by the Alpha Wolf."
Shinji stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes wide with alarm. "Are you crazy, Kai? Do you want us to die?"
Lila's face paled, her voice trembling. "What's the Wolfpack of the Crimson Moon? Shinji, explain."
Shinji's expression turned grave. "The Wolfpack of the Crimson Moon is a legendary pack of wolves known for their ferocity and strength. They're led by the Alpha Wolf, a creature rumored to possess unparalleled power."
Lila's eyes locked onto Kai's, her face etched with worry. "I hope you know what you're doing, Kai."
Kai smirked, his eyes glinting with confidence. "Don't worry, Lila. I'd never put you in danger." He glanced at Shinji, a mischievous glint in his eye. "But I wouldn't say that for some other people."
As they continued on their way, the atmosphere grew thick with anticipation. The Nobles were in for the fight of their lives, and they knew it.
Meanwhile, back at the Land of Valhalla, a sense of unease settled over the tranquil landscape. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the rolling hills and towering trees. But amidst the peaceful atmosphere, a sense of tension simmered just below the surface.
Akira's chambers were ablaze with activity, his advisors and guards scurrying about with worried expressions. Akira himself paced back and forth, his eyes blazing with intensity.
Suddenly, a man burst into the chambers, his face flushed with urgency. "I have urgent news, sir!"
Akira's eyes snapped towards the man, his expression thunderous. "What is it? Didn't I say I didn't want anyone disturbing me?"
The man hesitated before speaking, his voice trembling. "It's Sakura, sir."
Akira's expression changed in an instant. He stopped pacing, his eyes narrowing into slits. "What did Sakura do now?"
The man swallowed hard before speaking. "You had ordered me to follow Sakura, and I'm sorry to announce that Sakura has left the Land of Valhalla."
Akira's face turned beet red with rage. "WHAT?!" he thundered, his voice echoing through the chambers. The room fell silent, with Akira's advisors and guards exchanging nervous glances.
The man trembled before speaking. "I-I'm sorry, sir."
Akira's expression turned cold, his voice dripping with menace. "Okay, man. I'm giving you a new mission. Leave Valhalla and find Kaito. Inform him that I'm giving him another mission. He has to find and bring back Sakura alive. But if she resists... I don't mind her coming back in bruises."