The atmosphere in the hall was charged with the energy generated by the four heirs. Director Regan ordered them to follow him, and none dared object. They silently followed him to his office on the top floor of the academy, each step on the stone floor echoing heavily in the long corridor.
They entered the large office, filled with ancient books and maps depicting the ten kingdoms of the world. The Director stood behind his broad desk, slowly turning his chair toward them, and stared intently at them.
A full minute passed without a word. The only sound was the slow ticking of a clock. Then Lucien broke the silence with a tone that was a mixture of caution and curiosity: "So, Director… what is this test you have in store for us?"
The Director finally smiled, a mysterious smile with a hint of amusement: "Your test is simple… but it will reveal which of you is truly worthy of bearing the title of heir to his family."
The four exchanged expectant glances until Ryan exclaimed excitedly, "Finally! Are we going to fight?"
The Director chuckled, a short, light laugh, then said, "The test won't be a fight. But your test will be close to a fight in terms of danger."
He raised his head slightly and said firmly, "The test will be two against two."
The four froze. Kyle exclaimed in surprise, "What?! We're going to fight?!"
The Director slammed his hand on the table. "Didn't I tell you it's not a fight? Were you even listening? It's not a fight between you. It's… a double mission."
He moved closer to the large map behind him and reached out to point to two locations opposite each other on the map's edges: an endless desert and a dense forest whose greenery shimmered in the light. "Two of you will be sent to the Sand Kingdom, and two others to the Tree Kingdom."
Then he turned to face them one by one, saying in a clear order, "Saruto and Lucian… to the Sand Kingdom. And you, Ryan and Kyle… your destination is the Forest Kingdom."
Everyone moved closer to the desk to learn more. The Director clasped his hands behind his back and said, "Your families possess a collection of treasures belonging to your family founders. Four of these treasures were stolen centuries ago during the War of the Kingdoms and are now kept in the palaces of the Sand and Tree Kingdoms."
He raised his finger to the map again and continued in a stern tone, "Your mission is to recover these treasures and return them to the Academy. Whoever completes the mission first… will be the winning team."
The four of them looked excited, each knowing what these treasures represented for their families—symbols of honor, power, and history.
"So… whoever brings back the treasures first wins?" Lucian said enthusiastically. "Sounds easy."
Kyle, the Storm Heir, chuckled. "Simple? You haven't seen the terrain of the Tree Kingdom yet, my friend. The trees there swallow up anyone who goes astray."
"If necessary," Ryan smiled confidently, crossing his arms. "I'll turn their forests to ash if we need to."
Saruto raised his head, smiling slightly. "Really?" he said in a quiet but defiant tone. "Then let's add some fun to this test."
Everyone turned to look at him, even the headmaster raised an eyebrow curiously.
"Let's make it an open bet between the four of us," Saruto said, taking a step forward, his eyes gleaming with a familiar, quiet arrogance.
"Oh, that sounds exciting," Lucien said, smiling, anticipating what he was going to say. "What do you suggest, Saruto?"
Saruto continued, "If Lucien and I win, you two, Kyle and Ran, will stand before everyone and admit that the founders of our families are the strongest of all families."
Ryan laughed loudly and mockingly. "Ha! Unbelievable audacity… Well, what if we win?"
Saruto replied without hesitation, "Then we'll do the same. We'll admit that your founders are the strongest."
A short silence followed, then the four exchanged defiant glances.
It was as if the very air between them had caught fire with the intensity of the challenge. The Director smiled broadly, a mixture of admiration and adolescent recklessness. "Well… it seems to be getting a little more exciting now. So be it."
Then he slammed his hand on the desk and said, "Prepare yourselves, all of you. You will depart at dawn. Each team will leave the academy through the teleportation gate to their assigned location. You must conceal your energy to avoid igniting a war between the kingdoms. I conducted this test at the request of your fathers. Let's see who deserves to be the strongest heir."
The four nodded, their chests swelling with excitement, the rivalry blazing in their eyes. They left the office with steady steps, each thinking the same thing: "I won't lose."
But before they had completely left the hall, Saruto paused at the door and turned to them, a calm smile playing on his lips.
"Remember the wager we made. Whoever loses will know before the entire academy that the founders of his family are weak compared to the founders of the other families."
Then he left, leaving behind an echo of his words reverberating through the academy's corridors, like a prophecy foretelling the beginning of a new confrontation between the heirs of the four families.