When Jason joined the other “heroes” for breakfast the next day, Sara was still at the far-end table, staring into dead space as people tried to talk to her. People were treating her like a prophet ever since she showed up with a suitcase, but all she brought were a bunch of tampons, clothing, and a fucking toothbrush. No guns. No lighters. No modern utilities. A pack of Tampax and a goddamn toothbrush. She was clearly going on a day trip after school, but she convinced everyone that she was a prophet. It was a joke.

“Yo. What’s good, man?” Raul asked, sitting beside him.

Jason looked at his friend, who was looking at Sara. That ticked him off. Raul was the mediator of the group, always coming in to “clarify” things that Jason said. He dealt with it, but ever since Sara showed up yesterday, he had constantly justified her words and actions. It was annoying.

“Nothing much,” Jason replied, turning away.

“Do you think it’s true? That we’re heroes?” Raul poked at a strange jelly on his plate with a grimace. The guy survived on steak, chicken breast, and tortillas. Jason thought it was his Hispanic upbringing. Turns out he might’ve ended up a protein tank because he was afraid of other food.

“Well, we’re here,” Jason replied, sniffing the green drink in front of him. Then he tried it. It tasted pretty good. Kinda like V8 if it was thinner. Nice. “I doubt this is fake. As for being a hero, I doubt half these losers would be able to run a mile, let alone kill anything. So it’s basically just you, me, and—“

“Me,” Mary said, flashing a smile as she sat down.

“Hey, Mary,” Jason drawled, not even looking at her. No one told her that Sara being a bitch didn’t give her a right to pounce on him. He was faithful, even if Sara wasn’t. He snorted and cast a sidelong glance to Sara, who was sitting with Emma and… Daniel.

“Yo. So what’s up between you two?” Raul asked. “Don’t mean to pry, but it’s pretty important with us being here. What happened—“

“Do you think I’d be over here if I knew?” Jason scoffed. “Unlike her, I’m an adult. If she just told me what her problem was, I’d fix it.”

“Yo. Chill man. I’m not trying to start shit, I’m just—“

“But you are. So be quiet.”

Raul fell silent alongside the rest of the table. Finally.

The politician from the first day returned after they finished eating, giving them a decent sales pitch this time. The seal holding Agronus Lykspear, the demon king, was breaking. If it broke, he would reclaim his army, and there wasn’t a legendary mage to stop them. As a result, they summoned heroes from another world.

Why they summoned people from another world was interesting. It surrounded a concept known as channel degradation. Humans have conduits known as mana channels, but they aren’t born with mana cores. And without a core to purify the mana, their channels start to break down. Unfortunately, children’s bodies were too unstable, and trying to develop anything beyond a beginner’s core would lead to tyexis, a disease that causes a break in the mana network. When that happens, their body goes haywire, and they get really sick and eventually die. So there was a Catch-22: Anyone who waited to develop a good core would have degraded mana channels before they turned eighteen; anyone who developed one before was forced to develop a weak core.

The solution? Summon people who are of age and give them a core from the minute they arrive. Then, their power was pure and exponentially more powerful. Jason liked the way that sounded.

I can’t wait to start training… Jason thought. In this world, his ability to obtain power was beyond anything possible on Earth.

After breakfast, sycounts (as knights who used magic were called) led them to the training grounds. It was a massive area that was outside the forest, teeming with purple and gray trees that created beautiful contrast. Jason wondered if he could take Sara on a date in them after she got off her period. If she got off her period. She looked like a statue with a stick up her ass, standing there, staring into dead space.

Ten minutes later, they met Edico Sullusberg, the leader of the Royal Sycounts and the person who was overseeing the heroes’ development. Then they met Aelia Twilix, the sycount who would teach them magic and swordplay.

“Listen up!” Aelia said. “In six months, you’ll be heroes. But until then, you’re just children with potential. If you can’t pass the training exam in three month’s time, you will not get a mana core.”

A wave of horror washed over the “heroes” when it happened. Jason found their faces were priceless. What? We don’t just get power by breathing? Ridiculous.

“Developing a core isn’t simple,” Aelia continued. “It requires deep concentration and an understanding of mana. If you do it wrong, it’ll kill you. That’s why we need you to take this seriously. But don’t worry. Learning magic is fun. Observe.”

Aelia turned to a dummy in the distance. "Énaigeia tis flogás, anaveí ti photiá tis émnisi, graphóntas ti métra tis alítheias.” A ball of fire developed in front of her hands. “Dante, metriázontas ti syllogí, ekchylízei ti elpída!" The fireball shot across the field and crashed into the wooden dummy, setting it ablaze in a beautiful inferno. Jason’s heart fluttered when he saw it, and his stomach developed a pit. He needed it.

“In three months, you’ll be able to do that,” Aelia said. “Not to that extent. That could take years. But you’ll be able to make fireballs, and it doesn’t take stamina or physical exercise. It just takes an ability to read mana and to chant correctly.”

Jason scoffed when all the virgins, posers, and delinquents started cheering. Most things in life didn’t require exercise, and they sucked ass at those things, too. Everything took dedication, trial and effort, and critical thinking—including magic. Aelia was stupid for robbing people of their fear of failure. That’s what they needed if they were going to improve. Otherwise, they’d never be winners like him and Sara.

Jason turned to his girlfriend and saw her staring into dead space, obviously annoyed. What the hell is going on with her? he thought.

“Now pay attention because this next part is very important,” Aelia said. “A week after the training exam will be the Golden Trial. It’s the most important point in an adventurer’s life.”

Everyone quieted down.

“It’s a ranking exam to allow adventurers to exceed the upper ranks, allowing them to take on greater adventurers,” she explained. “It’s also a great opportunity. The most powerful nobles in the Escaran Kingdom will be present that day. Depending on your performance, they could make you offers to become your patron. If they do, they will buy you elixirs, body constitutions, tempering substances, and other resources to build your power. In exchange, they will get a percentage of the treasures, hides, artifacts, and other wealth you accumulate on your travels. I assure you, young heroes—this deal is wildly in your favor.”

Jason swallowed hard.

“So take this seriously,” Aelia concluded. “Are there any questions before we get started?”

“Yes,” Sara said. “Can I practice swings?”

Aelia raised an eyebrow. “Sword swings?”

“Yes.”

Jason scoffed. “Are you craz—“

“Yes,” Aelia said. “If that’s what you wish to practice. I’ll have someone get you a practice sword. Are there any other questions?”

“Ummm….” Raul hummed. “What… exactly are sword swings?”

“It’s when you swing a sword repeatedly,” Edico replied, jumping into the conversation. “It builds up your muscle memory so that you don’t have to think when you’re fighting. It’s a good use of time. Everyone will be doing it, eventually.”

Jason’s eyebrow twitched.

“Can I practice sword swings, too?” Daniel asked.

No, you can’t practice fucking sword swings, Jason thought, turning to the timid little virgin. That’s my girlfriend. If you try to make a move on her, I’ll break your fucking—

Edico shook his head. “Unfortunately not. Right now, we need to practice mana circulation, and Lady Reece’s channels are already breathing. You can join her once you’re finished.”

Daniel smiled wryly.

“It’s okay,” Sara said, patting him on the shoulder. “We can practice once you complete it.” A soldier brought her a sword, and she and Edico walked away, leaving the students with Aelia.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

“Are my channels also breathing?” Jason asked.

“Unfortunately not,” Aelia said. “She’s the only person.”

A buzz of excitement spread through the area, making Jason scrunch his face and breathe through his teeth. What’s going on?

That was his question for the next two and a half months. Because no matter how many lessons they went through, no matter what they learned, no matter what progress they made with magic, Sara just practiced sword swings. Day in. Day out. Morning until sunset. Even when Jason made his first fireball and shot it, she was practicing sword swings. And when they started learning how to fight with swords, she was practicing sword swings. Hell, she even turned down the sword lessons to swing that fucking sword!

It wasn't just practice, either. Aside from learning the native tongue and reading books in the Royal Library, it was like she didn't care about anything or anyone. Sara took her dinner away from the dining room, avoided the heroes' team-building exercises, and didn't travel into the capital to shop with the others. She didn't go to plays, parties, or events. She didn't even celebrate holidays, go on trips outside the walls, or tour the magical technology and culture of the world. And whenever Emma or anyone else invited her to something, she rejected them outright. It was rude. Really rude. Unbelievably rude. If she wanted to swing swords and read her life away? Fine. It's a free world. But toxically bringing down her fellow heroes? That wasn't okay.

Sara needed a wake-up call. Yeah, she needed one bad. Luckily, the core eligibility exam was coming up, and when he showed her the vast power differential between them, she'd be forced to confront the truth about her actions. It wasn't about humiliating her. It was about opening her eyes to the truth. Someone had to do it, and only he could.

On the day of the mock trial, Jason’s eyes flitted across Tara’s body as they waited for the core eligibility exam. She was so-so on Earth, sporting a mediocre body and an equally mediocre dream of becoming a small-town veterinarian. But in combat leathers… Jason looked up. “Your progress has been incredible,” he said, making the brunette turn away with rosy cheeks. “I have high hopes for you.”

“It’s nothing special,” Tara whispered, rubbing her toe in the dirt. That shy lack of confidence… It was kinda cute. He could get used to that. “Anyway….” she said. “I should get ready.”

Jason smiled gently. “Of course. I look forward to seeing your performance."

Tara smiled and rushed away. Thinking last second, he called out. “Oh, Tara.”

She stopped dead in her tracks, turning back hesitantly as if he would find some flaw in her and take it all back. “Yeah?”

“Have a little more confidence in yourself. You’re doing amazing.” Jason watched her eyes glitter as she smiled. “And try to smile more. You look better that way.”

Tara’s smile faded as if his words were bittersweet. That kinda ticked Jason off. He’d never understand why women were so sensitive to that phrase as if it were a code word to put on an apron and bake up a child. I mean, he just complimented her smile, right? It was annoying. Still… that semi-wounded look in her eyes as she looked at him told him, I’ll do better. That was the type of mindset that brought people to the top. And she’d be back, anyway. He had a sneaking suspicion that women kinda liked men being more confident than them. Why else would they go after douchebags that wanted to use them? At least he was one of the good guys.

“I’ll try,” Tara said with a slight smile.

“Maybe smile wasn’t the right word,” Jason said. “Happy. You look better when you’re happy, and you’ve been looking better all the time.”

Tara’s smile returned with interest. Success.

“Thank you. Bye, Jason!” Tara waved and ran away before anything else could ruin that feeling.

I love making people’s days, and he thought, sneaking a longing glance at her ass as she ran away. Yeah, she looked good in combat leathers.

“Yo. I thought that you were still into Sara, man,” Raul said, clapping him on the shoulder. His face was smiling, but his eyes weren’t smiling. Jason could tell from the moment that Sara threw her fit that he was on her side as if he, the kid humiliated in front of a class without warning or provocation, was in the wrong. Ever since, he had continued justifying her every word and statement under the guise of being an impartial mediator. He was obviously into her. Two-faced asshole.

“Do you have a problem, Raul?” Jason asked.

“Problem? Dude. What’s up with you, man?

“What’s up with me? I can’t even encourage a teammate without you questioning my fidelity, and you’re asking what’s up with me?”

Raul frowned and looked at Tara. She looked like a soldier, targeting Jason with blushing glances while using her friends for cover. “That’s not all you were doing, man.”

Jason scoffed, looking away. “So you have a problem.”

“Nah, man. I’m just saying—“

“Hey! Have you guys seen Sara?” Emma asked, her red hair fluttering as she ran toward them.

“Nah. I haven’t,” Raul said.

Emma developed a grimace. “You haven’t?”

“No,” Jason confirmed. “Why do you even care? She’s been avoiding you like a Covid ward.”

Emma’s grimace deepened, carving sad lines in her face. “I….”

Jason rolled his eyes at Raul’s mocking smirk. Annoying. “Besides,” Jason said. “She was probably just up late realizing you can’t learn magic by swinging a sword.”

“No, that’s the thing,” Emma said. “Aelia said that things suddenly changed and she might not be joining us.”

Jason’s eyes snapped open. “Wait, what?” He couldn’t believe it. She was probably embarrassed and didn’t want to show her face. But that was even more annoying. This was the day she’d have to admit how wild her behavior was. And she knew that. So was that what this was? Worming her way out of giving him the satisfaction? That had to be it.

But how could she pull it off? It didn’t make sense. Sara was fawned over by Edico and the other sycounts for swinging that fucking sword. And as much as he hated to admit it, after swinging a sword, he could recognize that she was really good at it. But you can’t learn magic or fighting by doing sword swings. Unless…. Maybe that’s what it was. Sara found something that she could do better than him and was using it as a shield, worming her way into good graces to get special treatment. What a sneaky bitch!

Jason was livid. This whole time, she was playing games to get her way. It made him ill. Thankfully, the Golden Trial was a week away. For now, he’d develop the strongest core. Then, right in front of the most prominent people in the Escaran Kingdom, he would shame her ruthlessly.

Sara was glad that she didn’t have to go to the core eligibility exam. She already had to do all her training and learning at night. Otherwise, Jason would try to drag her into a competitive death spiral that would ruin everyone’s life, and she was way too old for that shit. Besides, what she needed more than anything else was muscle memory, and three hundred vertical, horizontal, and thrust swings (each) were doing the trick.

Though at present, the exam, trial, and Jason Newborn were the furthest thing from her mind. She and Edico were riding montas, a fast animal similar to a horse but with a calcified shell over their head, heading south on a trodden path in the Lycian Forest.

It was a breath of fresh air. Ever since she declared she was protecting Daniel, he was wearing her reputation like body armor to stave off Jason and the gossip hounds, and it was getting annoying. The last conversation she had with him had been particularly ridiculous.

Have mercy! Daniel had said, clasping his hands melodramatically when he learned she was leaving.

I’m not your queen. And if I were, I’d make whining illegal. While he didn’t need it, Sara protected him around the clock. It was unfair that he’d guilt trip her.

At least tell me where you’re going!

Sara turned to him with a serious expression. To meet a beggar.

—and that’s exactly what she was doing.

Kinda. That was the end goal. But first, they were heading to the Tyrina region in search of a silvermoon bloom, an exceedingly rare flower that only bloomed under a full moon. As for why she was doing it, it started on the fifth night she was in the castle. She had followed proper procedure to request an audience with King Escar, and when she was in the room, surrounded only by his most trusted guards, she had explained something profound: I think… I’m an oracle.

Sara would never forget the look of shock on King Escar’s face when he heard her say she was an oracle. It was as grim as it was sublime, much like eating bad food loaded with so much Tabasco that it only tasted like vinegar and endorphins. Foresight magic was a myth loosely fabricated through stories, so when she name-dropped Emanasa, the god of wisdom and a deity she shouldn’t know about, and claimed he gave her the gift of foresight, King Escar turned pale.