13 One Step Before Glory

The following day had come, the day Dora and Hope were scheduled to register at the academy.

The sun had already been up for a few hours and the capital was bustling with activity.

In the courtyard of an inn, Hope, dressed in shorts, was practicing with a wooden sword.

"Ha!"

Powerful blows rent the air, a delectable sight for the inn manager.

"Mister, you have a visitor."

The young man halted and gazed at the manager, who was standing next to a sturdy, tall man with messy black hair.

"Hm, not so bad, if It was me, I would have added a few weights, but I think for a beginner it's already good."

"Oh Huh... Thanks, but it's only a warm-up, I can't risk getting injured today, my daily training is usually more brutal."

The man crossed his arms and cocked his chin proudly, showing off his massive pecs.

"For me, if you don't risk getting hurt, it's not training."

"... Who are you by the way?"

"I am an examiner from the Royal Academy of Nebula, Physical Education teacher, and more than everything, C-class Warrior: Galviol."

"An... An examiner?! So you're the one sis said... I mean the one who will take us to the academy?"

"Yes, consider yourself lucky, it's rare that the academy sends an actual teacher, and what's more a Hand, to pick up new students. But since you have quite the reputation, we got a little out of our way."

Hope flinched.

"Reputation? Do you mean that people are already interested in me? Holy shit... I... I didn't know that my numerous fights and training had echoed all the way to the capital... Are we going now? Can I train for real just a little bit?"

Joy sparked in Hope's eyes as he struggled to contain his growing energy, while Galviol raised an eyebrow.

"Hey boy, I didn't delay my activities to watch you sweat you know? Bring your friend here, we're leaving in 10 minutes. You're now part of the Royal Academy so you better behave like this."

Hope let out a frustrated sigh before quickly making her way into the inn.

He sprinted down the staircase, through the hallway, and rapped loudly on Dora's door.

"Dora! Dora!!! Wake up! Someone from the academy is here! Doraaaaa!!!!"

The man relentlessly pounded on the wood, oblivious to its futility.

Meanwhile, somewhere else, deep within a cave, a pack of lizard-like creatures scurried aimlessly, clumsily crashing into each other in the pitch-blackness

"Hum? So you really can't see anything in the dark? Poor things, this is going to be scary."

With claws extended, one of the creatures swiftly charged towards the origin of the voice.

"Hm? Sensitive to the sound?"

The group huddled together in the middle of the room, straining to hear the gruesome noise of flesh being cut, accompanied by the beast's haunting cries.

"Freeze"

A chilling gust swept through the cavern, causing the temperature to plummet rapidly, reaching an unbearable level.

The monsters let out piercing screams and scattered in every direction, crashing into rocks and walls as they fled.

Gradually, their movements grew sluggish, and they struggled to move forward until they eventually succumbed, collapsing one by one.

[Lizard killed: 7/18]

"What tough guys, this is taking forever... Freeze"

Dora casted the spell anew, causing the cave to slowly be enveloped in ice.

As the ice crept over every surface, the lizards below transformed into frozen statues, starting from within and extending to the very tips of their tails.

The air turned icy and difficult to breathe, signaling the imminent start of the countdown.

[Lizard killed: 11/18]

[Lizard killed: 15/18]

[Lizard killed: 18/18]

[Quest Completed]

[You have successfully achieved the quest]

[Reward received]

[+20 exp]

[1 soul stone dropped| 2 elemental stones dropped]

[Unlocked a new skill]

[sonar acquired| defense +10/stamina +5]

"Sonar? I see, so that was that."

Dora quickly assimilated the stones and his eyes shone orange again.

(Sigma body)

Dora activated a different portal and exited the cave. Utilizing one of his abilities, he could instantly teleport to locations where he had placed a unique marker.

This skill would prove invaluable for completing quests while attending the academy, especially since they were located in dormitories.

Today marked the day of their endorsement. Upon reappearing in the bathroom, he made his way to his room only to find Hope and the inn manager standing at the door.

"Huh? What are you doing here?"

They turned to him, their expressions filled with desperation.

"You... Where were you?! We've been looking for you for 30 minutes!"

"30? Isn't this our worse time? If it was me it would have been 10."

"10 minutes of what?! There's an examiner from the Academy to pick us up, get ready already for God's sake."

He left to his room hastily and quickly gathered his belongings.

Descending the stairs, both came across the examiner. This formidable figure, engrossed in sipping his coffee, cast them a furious glare upon noticing their presence.

"If it weren't a direct order from the academy, I would have left you guys here."

"We're really sorry, Mister Galviol, it won't happen again."

"What's about you, shrimp? Not gonna apologize like your friend?"

Dora glanced at him before shifting his attention to Hope.

"My friend and I share everything, so he's also apologizing for me."

"Bro…"

A vein bulged on Galviol's forehead as he folded his arms and unleashed a powerful surge of energy, causing the inn to tremble. Hope and Dora struggled to remain standing.

"M-Mister Galviol?!"

"Good, I was annoyed with all these arrogant brats, but at last this one isn't an untouchable. We're going now."

He started walking, under the stunned gazes of Hope and Dora.

"Dora... Why do you always seek problems?"

"There is an angel in me... But when he is out we're getting humiliated."

Reluctantly, they trailed behind the massive man in an oversized black car. Once the vehicle began moving, they were en route to the academy.

"Alright, so I've also been mandated to inform you of the protocol. As you have been directly recommended by a high authority, you are both official property of the kingdom. Your actions are observed, and your life will be supervised. I know that you are peasants so you will quickly understand that things here are very different from your little countryside."

"We... Understand, sir."

"Good, you have the perfect spirit to be a boot licker, that already put you above your little buddy."

Hope wanted to laugh but quickly realized the insult behind and tightened his face.

"Most of your comrades are nobles, people who have only known luxury since birth, people who spend in a day what your families accumulate in a lifetime, and they know it. The only way for you to be able to even sit in the same room as they are is to accumulate power and achievements. Which one of you is Hope?"

Hope stopped breathing and directed a finger towards himself. 

"So you're her little brother."

"What?! How did you..."

"I told you, from now on, you belong to the kingdom. There's nothing you can hide and everyone in the academy knows that already, I can say that you've become the talk of the last few days. The legend of the academy has a brother, and he's an Avatar Hero like her, but will he be up to the task?"

Hope bowed his head. He had done a lot of effort to conceal his connection with Elizabeth, fearing that he would be overshadowed by her fame, thus, this news must have struck him deeply.

Nevertheless, as he lifted his head, his countenance revealed more than just anguish.

His smile caused his lips to quiver, and his eyes gleamed with unmistakable excitement.

"I see, I didn't expect the most important and powerful people in the kingdom to be interested in me. Now I really can't wait to show what I have."

"Please don't get too carried away. Most people are just curious to know who the brother is, but they won't let someone with an E-rank walk over them. These are some elite members of the Kingdom, and they are now keeping an eye on you."

"... I couldn't ask for more. This is the only time I will say that, but you will soon understand why Elizabeth and I share the same name."

"You have guts, I'll see where it will lead you."

As they drove over the bridge, they entered a district filled with luxurious establishments like teahouses, theaters, and a museum.

The landscape was completely altered by these grand edifices, and they found themselves in the midst of the affluent area.

It was a moment of pure awe for him, as he had never been so enchanted by his environment before?

Each structure he laid eyes on mesmerized him, making him feel as if he were a kid in a candy store.

And in the distance, a vast compound enclosed by a towering wall came into view, it was the Royal Academy.