101 End of the Mandatory Events

Day three of the school trip was the last day of the mandatory trips we had to attend. Therefore, everybody was a bit restless that morning as we lined up to board the buses. On everyone's faces were looks of excitement. They were all focused on what they plan to do for tomorrow, knowing that there will be freedom for them to enjoy. Because of their discussions with friends, it was quite loud on the buses as we rode to our destination.

The destination for us on our last day of mandatory trip is the tomb of Leshius I. It was a tall tower that was thirteen stories in height. However, each floor of the tower had different designs, meaning there were different roof heights for each floor. In addition to that, the tower was extremely large as well, being about two hundred meters in diameter. In addition, the tower was of a cylindrical shape with a pointed top.

The entire group entered the museum situated before the tall tower that was located near the center of the city. In the museum, we were introduced to the history of the first emperor. It was pretty interesting to be honest because apparently, the wooden cabin in the museum was the exact house where Leshius I grew up in. The house was situated in a glass display room, with the ground being the exact same ground that the famous Leshius I had stood on in his early childhood.

The house was off limits to be entered by the public in order to protect it, but there's videos of an exploration being played on a nearby large screen with a narrator describing a possible daily routine by the emperor. Then, on display was also some furniture and eating utensils that was extracted from the ancient house itself.

Later on in the day, we entered the tall tower that was the tomb of Leshius I. To preserve history, the government did not install wiring in the tower to provide power to fuel any illuminations. Rather. the government had the special Mana lights in this tower that was created by the Knights of the empire.

"This tower serves an important role in the royal family," our tour guide explained to us as she brought us up to the second floor. On the second floor, there was a large back metal door with the seal of the royal family drawn on it with permanent gold ink. "This is the door that all future emperors must pass through in order to commence the Crowning Rite. The future emperor must pass through the trials the first emperor had designed and reach the top floor and bow before the resting corpse of Leshius I in order to be crowned the next emperor."

So that's how it's done.

"The trials are split into many different levels. There's the first Way of the Strong, which tests the challenger for their strength. Then, there is the Way of the Demon, which tests the decision making skills of the challenger when presented with circumstances that requires one to cast away all their humanity. Finally, there is the Way of the Sinner, a final trial that instills the sins of Vilheim into the challenger. Only when the challenger passes through these three trials could that person be crowned the Emperor of Vilheim. And as expected, not everybody can challenge the trial since the seal on that door can only be broken by one with royal blood," the tour guide finished explaining. "In addition, as for what the trials consist of, that is an unknown secret that the royal family cannot reveal."

So the current emperor also passed through the trial... I thought, looking over at the dark metal wall. I wonder what kind of torment he must've endured in order to be crowned the ruler of this empire.

When we returned from the educational trip and back to our hotel, it was already 5 P.M. The day was slowly dying outside, meaning that it was entering dusk time. However, everybody was still super energetic as the bus pulled into the hotel parking lot as once we disembark, that thus marked the beginning of free time for the rest of the duration of our time here. The only thing the school required us to do was to show up every morning and night when the teachers take attendance. Once that's done, the students can do whatever, and it is the students themselves that're responsible for their own safety and expenses during their free time.

"Freedom!!!" Noah shouted as he jumped off the bus and onto the paved parking lot.

We were the last ones off the bus and were followed by Mura and Emilia as we left.

"You seem kinda happy," I commented after seeing a relieved look on Mura's face.

"Yeah," she smiled and said. "I won't have to babysit anymore."

I then looked around and discovered that Muria had a determined look on her face. If I were to guess, she must be thinking about spending the next few days with her older sister. I mean... she must have a pretty serious sister complex. It's still nice to see that their relationship is so harmonious though.

I looked over at Emilia, who simply watched as Noah went about and expressed his excitement. From her eyes, I could sense a fatigue, probably from the activities resulting from the past three days. However, I wasn't focused on that. Rather, I was still worried that there will be another mission that they'll send me on that Socialization app. I'm hoping to be able to allow myself to relax for the next few days and maybe help make the trip memorable for Luna since this will be her last trip even if she didn't have that illness.

"What do you guys wanna do tonight?" Noah turned around and asked us.

"I'm free to do whatever," Loyd responded.

"Me too," Zaksus added.

"Sorry," Irina smiled apologetically. "Some of the girls invited me earlier to go to karaoke tonight."

Then, the focus seemed to be directed towards Muria, who seemed to have snapped out of her trance from earlier and returned to the usual calm and reserved girl that she was.

"I'm a bit tired," she said as she closed her eyes. "I'm not in the mood to stay out late tonight."

"Aw..." Noah sighed. "What about you, Luna?"

"I've got a date with Erith," Luna responded while laughing apologetically. "Sorry."

"No girls..." Noah frowned. "What're we supposed to do then with just four guys?"

Don't count me in there...

I sighed as I realized that he must've included me in that list by default. However, I still didn't want to go out with them tonight. My body needs some time to relax. Maybe if it was something relaxing, I might be able to go.

"Hey Noah!" a boy approached us. "I brought my PX4. Y'all wanna head to my room and play?"

"That sounds alright," Noah nodded. "What about the rest of you?" He turned and looked around at the guys that were the only one available.

"I guess why not?" Zaksus agreed.

"Sure," Loyd added.

"I think I won't..." I muttered in response.

"Alevian you don't have to come if you don't want to," Noah finished for me.

"Wait really?"

I looked at him with wide eyes as I did not believe I heard him correctly. However, from that serious look on his face when he responded to my question, I could tell that something was wrong. It was just to natural of a look that he gave me. This isn't like Noah, someone who would literally drag me to an event that I didn't want to attend. I have an ominous feeling about the night.

"You guys wanna go right now?" the male student asked.

"Sure," Noah smiled. "Let's go."

Noah then walked off with the male student while Loyd and Zaksus followed after him. I watched as they walked away and noticed Noah looking over his shoulders at me. On his face was a playful smile as he held up his phone and pressed down on the screen. Then, a notification appeared on my phone.

--

Current Objective:

Spend the Night in Muria and Irina's room.

Reward: 5000 SP

P.S. Their room number is 1225. Enjoy!

~Noah

--

I looked up from my phone and back at the devil that had issued me that mission. The hand that held onto my phone trembled as I stood there with a mysterious anger burning inside me. Noah had looked away now, but I know for a fact that he must be laughing at the moment.