It was when he reached 30,000 meters that Joseph felt he couldn't make it.

His arms felt like it was being pulled down by a building pressing down.

Just his trying to move his arms required conscious thought, and they screamed in protest.

Swimming became impossible, not because his arms were in pain but because the water pressure was simply too heavy.

But he had to keep going, which meant he needed to find an alternative way. He furrowed his brows before his eyes widened at the sight of a blue chain giving off a glow that faintly illuminated the area.

They descended into depths below, glowing markers showing the path.

Perfect!

Joseph quickly moved to the nearest chain before his fingers wrapped around it, gripping it tight despite numb hands. He began pulling himself down, using the chain as a ladder. One hand grabbed above, pulling his body, and then the other hand moved higher, grabbed again.

Over and over, he continued reaching and pulling himself down.

Over and over. Don't think about the pain. Don't acknowledge the crushing pressure. Just pull, and move.

But it became harder as each pull required more effort. His arms trembled as his vision darkened further, not from lack of light now, but from his consciousness fading.

His eyelids grew heavy while his grip loosened. He felt himself fainting, darkness pulling him down into unconsciousness.

Then voices spoke in his thoughts.

Anna's voice echoed inside: "Since you're Rein's friend, he should help you!"

Reinhard's laugh. "I have amazing friends who will keep me safe and help me return to them."

Marie giggled and said softly. "Why should we worry? Aren't you here, Joseph?"

Professor Rosaria's stern tone carried unexpected warmth: "You are a stubborn fool, Joseph. But that isn't a bad thing. In fact, it's one of the most amazing things in the world. Because that means you're willing to push through to achieve your goal."

Klaus's booming laugh. "Huh? You want to know why Marie acts without a care in the world on missions? Isn't it obvious? Because she has you protecting her back. And I am sure, it's not just her, but Reinhard feels the same. That's why they never look back or care about their safety. Because they know you will protect and keep them safe."

His sister's voice, teasing but loving. "Protect me? Hahah, fine. When you grow up, then I'll retire and you will be my knight."

Energy rushed through Joseph's body.

Warmth flooded his limbs, burning away exhaustion before his eyes snapped open.

But to his surprise, he was still climbing down. Even while unconscious, his hands had continued reaching, grabbing, pulling. His body had simply reacted to the belief that those who cared about him had in his ability to succeed.

Joseph laughed inwardly. The sound echoed in his mind, mixing with the voices still whispering encouragement.

He continued climbing down.

Pain didn't disappear or lessen in the way he felt like he was being crushed and pressured against every nerve. But what changed was the determination to live up to the encouraging voices in his head that were making him push through the pain.

40,000 meters, 43,000 Meters, and then 45,000 meters flashed around, but the numbers are barely registered now.

As he continued moving, his green eyes widened at the sand appearing in his vision. Without a second thought, he pushed off the chains before pushing his arm out, and in the next moment.

His hand touched the sand before the rest of his body followed.

Then instantly, a beautiful light shone from below, illuminating the entire bottom of the lake. Joseph blinked before seeing a pure white sandy ground with countless weapons lying scattered across the sand.

There were swords, spears, axes, all glowing.

Then two hands gently caressed his face from behind, the touch was warm and reminded him of his mother.

A voice spoke, resonating through water and consciousness. "Welcome home, little one."

Then everything around shattered with the lake, the light, the weapons, and the hands all began to break apart.

Darkness rushed in, consuming the fragments.

The voice continued, now coming from everywhere and nowhere: "You have passed the trial and are now a Second Class Beast Master."

Magic and strength rushed through Joseph's body. He felt his magic expanding. Then his spiritual armor strengthened exponentially while his connection to Lancelot deepened beyond anything he'd experienced.

The darkness fully took him.

And Joseph smiled as unconsciousness claimed him completely.

He'd done it.

…

Reinhard sat at a wooden table in the inn's common room, eating breakfast. The meal was simple bread, eggs, and some fruit preserved from the forest's rapid growth. Marie sat across from him, platinum hair catching morning light from the windows, while Brunhilde occupied the seat beside him.

Marie tilted her head, light-gold eyes scanning the room. "Where is Joseph? Or Amiya and Janus?"

Brunhilde smiled. "Joseph is probably still dealing with his trial. While Janus and Amiya, from what I can sense, are still trying to convince Nigen."

Reinhard blinked in surprise, lowering his fork. "This early? I was expecting them to wait a bit before asking."

Marie hummed thoughtfully, chewing a piece of bread. "Well, the faster we know the information, the earlier we can go find the Star Jewel and have the Saint help stop the Dark Silence."

Brunhilde nodded. "They're desperate right now. Not from fear, but from seeing hope and being told there's a possibility to end the nightmare that plagues their town."

"I can admit, after seeing the Night Terrors, I can't blame them." Reinhard said quietly.

Marie nodded before a frown appeared. "I watched them from my window, and it was terrible. It makes me wonder how they were created or why they were."

"There could be all kinds of reasons," Brunhilde said. "But I'm sure we'll find out if we follow the Saint."

Footsteps sounded on the stairs before Joseph descended, his green eyes alight with triumph. A grin spread across his face. "I did it. I passed the trial, and I am now a Second Class Beast Master."

He held up his right hand, showing his Beast Symbol. The knight figure looking down at the lance remained, but now it wasn't just the lance shaded in grey, but also the two hands clasping around the figure were also darkened.

Reinhard smiled, Marie clapped her hands, while Brunhilde nodded in approval.

"That's amazing, but are you okay?" Marie asked, concerned about mixing with happiness.

Joseph's grin widened. "I am. In fact, I should be thanking all of you. It's your voices and thoughts that helped me push through the trial."

Reinhard blinked in surprise. "Did our words really help you?"

Joseph laughed before nodding.

"When you have people believing in you, then you tend to gain that strength to continue pushing ahead." Brunhilde said. "I'm sure your siblings' belief in you has given you plenty of strength, no?"

Reinhard nodded with a smile. "There were many nights I just wanted to give up, or mornings I wanted to stay in bed. But then I think about Klein and Anna's faces, and it just gives me the strength to get up before hearing their words that motivate me to keep going."

Marie giggled. "Dad, Rosaria, and all the others at school have always encouraged and helped me, so I want to validate their effort by never giving up."

Brunhilde nodded, her smile taking on something softer. "Just hearing my sister Hel's encouragement was enough to keep me pushing. And now I have my parents and other siblings encouraging me..." She paused, looking at each of them. "Alongside you as well."

Marie beamed. She reached across the table to hold Brunhilde's hand. "I hope one day we get to see them."

Joseph laughed. "It's unfair that only Rein got to see your sister and family."

Reinhard's lips twitched while Brunhilde smiled and said. "I'm sure they'd be happy to see you as well."

An ear-splitting scream tore through the morning air.

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