Utopian System

The training field, designated for preparing recruits to face the book's second challge, buzzed with activity as new recruits lined up to receive their equipmt.

In rect weeks, this had become the most sought-after training, packed with wom determined to secure better lives for their families with double the usual mana.

But this was leaving the new regime short on instructors...

Kriz and Brok, rectly appointed instructors by Elio, had already demonstrated their teaching skills and perhaps had nothing more important to do... So they supervised the organized chaos.

"Alright, rookies!" Brok shouted, his voice booming across the area. "You've conquered the first level, now it's time to overcome the second and gain some muscle!"

Kriz, at his side, couldn't suppress a grin. "Another day, another chance not to die," he quipped, stretching his arms above his head. His rabbit, Mirror Shot, leaped from his shoulder to land on the g with a crystalline tinkle.

Brok shot him an exasperated look, but there was a hint of amusemt in his eyes. "Focus, joker. We've got work to do."

As they distributed the equipmt, max-level daggers, resistance cloaks, armor, and oxyg stones, Kriz noticed four familiar figures approaching.

Aria, Mei, Lila, and Valeria, the girls who had be hovering a Elio lately.

"Well, well," Kriz muttered to Brok. "Looks like Elio's number one fan club decided to join the party."

Brok grunted, but there was a glimmer of amusemt in his eyes. "Watch it, Kriz. Last time you tried to flirt with a girl, your rabbit melted from embarrassmt."

"Hey!" Kriz protested, feigning offse. "Mirror Shot and I have moved past that... He now understands my unique charm."

Brok grunted. "Behave. Remember, we're instructors now."

"Oh, come on," Kriz playfully elbowed him. "Where's your sse of humor? Did your muscles eat it?"

The girls approached, nervousness etched on their faces.

"We've decided to level up to level ," Aria, the redhead of the group, announced.

"Excellt!" Kriz exclaimed, clapping thusiastically. "Welcome to the new normal, points isn't ough, right? We want 0 and 'Who needs a salamander wh you can have a frog?'"

Mei, the amber-eyed one, frowned. "This is serious. We want to contribute to the city."

"Oh, I'm sure you want to 'contribute'," Kriz air-quoted with his fingers. "Especially if that contribution involves alone time with a certain dreamy-eyed leader, eh?"

The girls blushed.

"Is... is it that obvious?" Lila asked.

Brok let out a deep laugh. "Nah, Kriz is just being dramatic. As always."

"You wound me, Brok," Kriz said, clutching his heart. "I, who have be your faithful companion through so many battles..."

"The only battle you've fought is against common sse... Alone," Brok retorted, eliciting laughter from the girls.

Valeria rolled her eyes. "Is he always like this?"

"Since the fateful day I met him... Always," Brok confirmed with a resigned sigh.

Kriz began handing out the equipmt.

"Ladies," he announced with an exaggerated flourish, "I prest to you your new best frid: the 'Don't-Die-Today' kit. It contains everything a young lady needs for a romantic date with a killer frog..."

"We have max-level daggers here, one for practice and four for the big day. A water-resistant cloak, because no one wants to be wet in front of their deadly date. A max-level armor, which besides saving your lives, does wonders for the figure. And last but not least, an oxyg stone, because breathing is great and you should keep doing it... The spear, oh the spear, that..."

"Enough, Kriz," Brok growled. "Let's start the training. You four, take your equipmt and head to the practice area."

Despite their initial irritation, the girls couldn't help but smile at Kriz's infectious thusiasm. Ev Brok, though feigning seriousness, seemed to be fighting a smile.

As the girls walked away, Kriz couldn't help but notice the way they exchanged glances, as if having a silt conversation.

"Hey, big guy," he murmured to Brok. "Don't you think there's something... differt about them today?"

Brok nodded slowly. "I've noticed. They seem... conflicted."

♢♢♢♢

An 8-year-old Kriz was doing a silly dance in front of his stepsister in the Alari house's living room.

"Kristoff, wasting time again? You should be studying God's teachings."

"But Aunt Mara, I'm just..."

"No buts. In this household, there's no room for nonsse; the ergy you waste fooling a costs mana."

♢♢♢♢

Years later, in the kitch...

"That joke was terrible, Kris," Lina burst out laughing.

"Yeah? Well, your face wh I told it was priceless, sis."

"Never change... Your sse of humor is the only thing that makes living here bearable."

♢♢♢♢

The night before joining the army, Kriz faced his aunt once again...

"Enough with the jokes, Kristoff! Don't you understand the seriousness of our situation?"

"I understand perfectly, Aunt. That's why I'm trying to light the mood."

"Life isn't a game. Tomorrow you join the army. It's time to grow up."

"Maybe it's my way of staying sane in this horrible home!"

♢♢♢♢

Kriz's first day in the army, looking at the sea of monsters...

"How can you smile at a time like this?" asked a tall, muscular boy.

"If I can't laugh, what's left for me? Fear isn't going to scare away the monsters," Kriz replied, forcing a smile.

"Surprisingly, he has a point," interjected a serious-looking young man. "I'm R, by the way. And the big guy is Brok."

"Kriz," he responded, feeling strangely relieved. "Or maybe I'm just laughing out of nerves, should I stop?... I don't know. Do you guys also feel... conflicted about all this?"

Brok nodded slowly. "Truth is, seeing you laugh makes me feel better... thanks."

"You're welcome," Kriz murmured, "I guess I'll keep doing it th..."

♢♢♢♢

"Are you ready?" Brok asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Oh, yes," Kriz replied, rubbing his hands together with exaggerated thusiasm. "Prepare for the most ridiculously safe training in the history of safe trainings."

"Ridiculously safe?" Lila asked.

Brok nodded. "Since Elio implemted the new system, no one has failed level . You're more likely to trip over your own shadow than fail the level challge."

The training began in earnest. Brok directed the physical exercises, testing the recruits' durance and agility. Kriz, for his part, was in charge of teaching the art of dagger throwing.

"Remember," he shouted as the recruits practiced their throws, "the key is style. If you're going to be defeated by a giant frog, at least do it with grace."

Despite his jokes, Kriz was a surprisingly effective instructor. His humor helped ease the tsion, allowing recruits to relax and focus better.

During a break, Kriz approached the four girls. "So, ladies, what brings you to these parts? Decided that seducing Elio required more combat skills?"