Skill Forge: Broken Extra Character

Jett strolled into the castle walls, his steps slow and sluggish as he absently fidgeted with a small stone he had picked up. His usual sharpness was dulled, his head slightly lowered, and his demeanor quiet.

"You made it!!!" Evelina's cheerful voice rang out as she rushed forward to hug him. The others followed closely, their relief and excitement were clearly visible.

"We really thought we had this one in the bag," Matthew said, puffing out his chest in mock bravado.

"Ugh, I feel like a side character in a masochist story about you," Aiden quipped, before releasing a few chuckles.

But the humor didn't land with Jett. He stood there, unmoving, his face blank, and the energy of the group began to falter as they noticed his subdued state.

"What's with him?" Cedric finally asked, breaking the awkward silence. "He just took down the trial boss, but he looks like he just lost a lottery or something."

"I know, right? What the hell goes on in that head of his?" Aiden added with a mix of curiosity and exasperation.

Rey stepped forward, holding Jett's sword out to him. "This is yours. You finally got out, huh? I'm guessing you got some kind of massive reward."

The words hit Jett like a dagger to his pride. His shoulders tensed, and his face twisted ever so slightly, a fleeting but noticeable crack in his usual composed exterior.

"What's wrong?" Rey asked, his brow furrowed in genuine confusion.

"It's nothing," Jett replied, though his voice lacked its usual confidence. He hesitated, visibly swallowing his pride, before cautiously asking, "You got a reward for yours?"

"Oh, yeah! I got my reward," Rey said, grinning as he recalled his own victory.

Jett's hope shattered like glass. His eyes darted away, and he sank further into his inward sulk, his thoughts simmering. "He got a reward? That's not fair. But then again he doesn't have a sassy system like mine."

The group exchanged puzzled looks as Jett's mood continued to darken. Cedric tilted his head. "Did he not get anything?"

Rey scratched his chin. "There's no way he wouldn't get something, he had it worse than the rest of us?"

'Stop talking man, your words feel like bullets from an assault rifle.' Jett pleaded inwardly as he felt defeated with each passing second.

Evelina stepped closer, concerned. "Jett… are you okay?"

"I said it's nothing," Jett muttered, shoving his sword back into its sheath with more force than necessary. But his silence spoke volumes, leaving the group with a strange sense of unease as their triumphant moment turned awkward.

As Jett tried to walk away, his gaze landed on Freya, slumped in a corner, her usually bright aura dulled. Her face was pale, and her breaths came shallow and uneven, as if she were fighting to stay conscious. A feeling of unease tightened in Jett's chest.

He stopped in his tracks, the sight of her making him feel uncomfortably out of place. 'I can't sense mana at my level, but I'm absolutely sure… something's wrong with her mana,' he thought grimly.

"What happened to her? Did something happen to her mana circuit?" Jett asked, his voice laced with concern as he turned to the others.

Marcella stepped forward, a mix of hesitance and discomfort flashing across her face. "Things happened… and this is the result. Don't worry too much, but…" She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "You even know what method she uses to train her mana?"

"Well, yeah. Circulatory. That's what we're all using since it's more efficient than the condensing method." Jett answered, furrowing his brow. "That's what your families decided to teach you, isn't it? Or am I wrong?"

Marcella hesitated, and Morrigan stepped in to back Jett up. "He's got a point, Marcy. It's the same method for me and you, too."

Jett's attention snapped back to Freya, his worry only deepening. He took a step closer to her, his usual confidence overshadowed by an unfamiliar softness. "Really, though… is she going to be okay?"

"Yeah, she'll be fine. I sealed her mana. It's supposed to last for an hour, so just give her time," Rey interjected, trying to reassure him.

But Jett wasn't convinced. A knot of discomfort twisted in his stomach. He clenched his fists and turned to Rey, his voice sharper this time. "Sealing someone's mana isn't supposed to have this kind of effect. So, please, just tell me the truth… what really happened?" His expression was a mix of sadness and seriousness, his piercing gaze demanding answers.

Marcella and Rey exchanged looks before Marcella sighed. "She infused a spell into a mithril arrow so she could cast it from afar."

Jett blinked, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. 'So that's why they shot me with an arrow. But the idea itself is incedible,' he realized, his chest tightening with guilt.

Rey continued, his tone unusually somber. "The skill she used was too advanced for her. It kept forcefully draining her mana, and I had to seal it before it got any worse."

"She did that much… for me?" Jett's voice dropped to a whisper as the weight of her actions settled over him, 'She had to come to my rescue.'

He let out a deep sigh, one filled with defeat and guilt. His hand instinctively moved to the back of his neck as he looked away, struggling to process the lengths she had gone to for his sake. For once, Jett found himself at a loss for words.

"Umm, I don't think you guys noticed," Rosa interrupted, breaking the tense silence, "but we're still here. Isn't the trial over?"

Rey rubbed the back of his head, his brow furrowing in frustration. "I guess there's still some hidden condition to end the trial," he replied, ruffling his hair as he tried to piece things together.

Their musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing through the halls. The queen of Laxen approached them, flanked by her guards. Her elegant robes swept the floor as she moved, her expression filled with gratitude.

"I thank you, brave heroes, for protecting Laxen," she said, her voice resonating with sincerity. She began to lower herself in a bow, but her guards immediately tensed, their unease evident.

"Your Majesty, please, you shouldn't…" one of the guards started, only to be interrupted by Rey.

"Don't mention it," Rey said smoothly, stepping forward with a disarming smile that carried an unmistakable air of royalty. "You really shouldn't do that for us. You're still the queen, after all."

The queen hesitated for a moment before nodding gracefully. "Right, of course. My apologies." Her gaze then shifted to Jett, her expression softening. "And I do hope you can forgive my people for being wary of you."

Jett smirked, his tone light and carefree. "Don't sweat it. It's not your fault."

Rey and the others exchanged subtle glances, a quiet sense of pride swelling in their chests. Being thanked so genuinely for their efforts felt like an accomplishment, a validation of their journey thus far.

"Right," the queen continued, her composure steady, "but you will all be greatly compensated for your bravery."

Before anyone could respond, Asher cut in, his expression sharp and focused. "These fragments Vond's king seemed hell-bent on getting… what are they? Do they really have anything to do with gods?"

The queen paused, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Well, the thing is…"

As she began to explain, a sudden glow emanated from Asher's pocket, catching everyone's attention. Simultaneously, a similar light radiated from the crown Jett was holding, the two objects pulsing with synchronized energy.@@novelbin@@

"What the…" Jett murmured, stepping closer to Asher.

The glow intensified, drawing Freya's attention as a notification materialized before her.

[Personal Trial: Collect all Hidden Fragments and Revive Laxen]

Her eyes widened in realization. "It's not over yet?" she muttered.

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Let's end it soon ⊙.☉