Dorothy stepped forward, her gaze sweeping the crowd like a blade.

— My greetings to all. Happy to see you come this year and do everything to aspire to be strong in order to serve humanity. But know that this trial will be harsh and aims only to choose excellence. It will be severe. Even if none of you meet the criteria, which means you must give your all and be ready to risk everything. And for the weak and sensitive souls, it is not too late to abandon now…

Murmurs of protest rose from the crowd. No one had come this far to give up before even starting.

— Young woman, if you knew what awaits you, believe me, it would be better for you to throw in the towel if you are not strong, Dorothy said, pointing a finger at a female candidate.

— They're just a few trials! Let's just try, and if it doesn't work, then we'll come back again and again! the young woman retorted.

— You know, I am the one who chose the trials for you. And instead of several, I will only have you undergo one. And whoever wins it will be capable of joining the coalition army. Even if you all perish in this trial.

A shockwave went through the audience.

— Hmph, she's joking, I hope? One single trial? Goki murmured.

— Come on, bring us the trial so we can get it over with once and for all! It's my lucky day! shouted another candidate, overconfident.

— Something dark is hidden there, I'm sure of it, Selene whispered, worried.

At the Royal Palace

— So, Dorothy prepared a single trial for them? I can see she doesn't like visitors in the kingdom, commented Queen Adeline.

— Mother, what's certain is that they are not yet ready and qualified for this trial. Dorothy always goes overboard and is too demanding. There's a risk of deaths, Gabriel worried.

— What do you want us to do with useless soldiers, incapable of passing a few trials? It's not with incompetents that we will save humanity, you understand, my son?

— Alright, mother, Gabriel capitulated, resigned.

Back at the Assembly Point

— Hey, Giantess! Tell us what we have to do instead of continuing to humiliate us! We have other things to do than listen to your monologue! Ageel provoked.

— I see. Normally, this stupidity would have cost you a leg and your career. But I will be kind enough today and let you die during the trial, Dorothy replied in a voice as soft as a blade.

— You talk too much!

— Otherwise, the next trial will be to explore a dungeon. And this, for 3 days.

The word "dungeon" had the effect of a bomb, eliciting exclamations of surprise and horror from Hiruko, Goki, Ageel, Selene, and even Gabriel, who was observing from afar.

— But a dungeon, we don't have the level to explore one yet! Uli alarmed.

— Normally, that's a trial granted to sergeants, colonels, and Daimyo, Selene added, pale.

— Old woman, haven't you mistaken the trial? That's reserved for Daimyos, given the risks involved! Ageel protested.

— For a multi-level dungeon, one Daimyo is enough, and he can explore it with a 40% chance of getting out alive, Dorothy retorted, unperturbed.

— And that's where you want to take us?

— I forced no one. You can go in whatever order you want, alone or in groups. I even authorize you to form groups and bring me the arms or bones of the creatures you find down there. So if you're scared, my boy, I ask you to take the cart and go back to your kingdom to return after 5 years. And also, I forgot: for you to be able to undertake this trial, there is an armory where we will take you so you can equip yourselves with Anima and Slakers of your choice, as well as arcane stones.

— I knew it! We'll face Draugrs. Otherwise, I don't see what the Anima is for in all this, Goki deduced.

Fear gripped Hiruko. His brother Arima, whom he considered a monster of power, explored dungeons alone. Him, who had barely mastered the Anima, was heading into suicide. Perhaps he should...

As if reading his thoughts, several candidates began to abandon, admitting their fear and preferring to return in five years. Over 170 candidates withdrew, leaving just over 130 people.

— Apparently, Dorothy started really strong by attacking them mentally. She holds the power to impose her authority on the mind, Gabriel murmured. Hiruko, I know you're not ready yet, but you have good potential. I'd like you to drop out; you still have a bright future ahead of you.

— Well, 131 candidates, that's enough to exploit this dungeon, even if I would have preferred only 10 of you to remain, Dorothy declared.

Hiruko wrestled internally. He didn't want to be selected by relying on luck. But the fear was there, tenacious. Beside him, Ageel was also fighting his own doubts.

Then, Hiruko raised his head, and in a voice that trembled but carried far, he challenged the silence:

— Dorothy Keyteler, I am not afraid of you nor of what you can impose on my mind. Know that I will not back down from a dungeon, no matter the level, and not even from you. I have a goal to accomplish, and it's for this dream that I pushed myself beyond my limits in one day, and it wasn't luck as you want to impose on my mind. If others yield to fear, well, what scares me is remaining a coward, fearful, and one who would not have accomplished his dream. I will come out of that dungeon, believe me, Daimyo. I am HIRUKO KOSUGA, never forget that!

At the Royal Palace

— Ha haha! I'm proud of you, Kosuga! Gabriel exclaimed, delighted.

On the Ground

— Uh, Hiruko, you… Ageel stammered, impressed.

— Well said, my friend! I knew you wouldn't give up! Uli encouraged.

— Here we go, Selene sighed, resigned but proud. Yet, I taught them not to play the hero and to always keep a low profile. But it's a lost cause with Hiruko.

— Haha, he's so stupid! But it lightened the atmosphere, Hayabuza commented.

— You talk much more than the other one. I see. And you, I'll have you in my sights, Dorothy promised, her piercing gaze fixed on Hiruko.

— I never remain the prey, he shot back.

— Otherwise, let those who are committed follow me to the armory and prepare for the dungeon exploration, she ordered, turning away.

As she walked off, a thought crossed Dorothy's mind: "Hiruko, something tells me I've sensed you before, or at least the presence you emit, to stand up to me like that. Anyway, good luck, and may these words not be just empty talk."