As the morning sun peeked through the window, Fein stirred in his bed, his eyes slowly fluttering open. He let out a contented sigh, stretching his limbs and getting up from bed to start his morning routine.

He went to the bathroom to brush his teeth, wash his face, and comb his hair. After getting dressed, he made his way to the kitchen, where Fey and Melissa were already cooking breakfast.

"Good morning, Fein," Fey greeted him with a smile.

"Morning," Fein replied, returning the smile.

Melissa added, "We made your favorite breakfast, Fein."

Fein's eyes lit up with delight. "Thank you, Melissa. You guys are the best."

pαndα---noν?1,сoМ After a hearty breakfast, Fein made his way to his training room. He summoned his shadow army and began his training. His movements were precise and graceful as he flowed from one technique to the next.

As the afternoon sun began to set, Fein dismissed his shadow army and made his way to the wall. He commanded his shadow army to keep guard on the walls at night, ensuring the safety of their home and the people within it.

With his duties done for the day, Fein headed back inside the house. Fey and Melissa were sitting in the living room, engrossed in a book.

Fein joined them on the couch, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. "It's been a long day," he said with a sigh.

Fey placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've done well, Fein. Your training has been paying off."

Melissa nodded in agreement. "You're getting stronger every day."

Fein smiled at them gratefully. "I couldn't have done it without your support."

The three of them sat in comfortable silence, the only sounds being the turning of pages and the occasional rustle of clothing. It was moments like these that made Fein grateful for his simple, yet fulfilling life.

As night fell, Fein made his way to his bedroom, feeling content and at peace. He climbed into bed, ready to rest for the night, knowing that his shadow army was keeping watch and that the monsters won't be able to invade that easily.

As the sun blazed high in the sky, the younger generation of the A-rank stronghold gathered in the courtyard. They chattered excitedly amongst themselves, their youthful energy palpable. Some of them wore expressions of excitement and anticipation, while others looked nervous and apprehensive.

One boy, named Kael, spoke up, "I wonder what's out there beyond the wall. Do you think there are other cities like ours? Other strongholds with their own armies of degu users?"

A girl named Hana nodded, "I bet there are. And I bet there are even stronger monsters out there too. Imagine how powerful we'd have to be to take them on and win."

A few of the younger children looked afraid, huddling closer to their parents or older siblings. But the majority of them were caught up in the excitement of the conversation, their eyes shining with dreams of adventure and glory.

A boy named Leon spoke up, his voice confident, "I'm going to be the strongest degu user in the world one day. I will become as my idol! And then I'm going to lead our army to victory against the monsters. Just you wait and see."

"Who's your idol?"

"Of course it's Lord Fein! The strongest degu user in the South!" Leon said with pride.

"You bet! Lord Fein is an S rank degu user that could kill SS-rank monsters." A few of the others laughed and playfully teased him, but there was a sense of admiration and respect underlying their words.

One young boy, Kyo, spoke up with excitement in his voice, "I can't wait to explore what's out there! I want to see the world and become the strongest degu user to protect my family and friends."

A girl, Akari, nodded in agreement. "Me too! I want to be strong enough to face any challenge and protect the people I love."

But not everyone shared their enthusiasm. Another boy, Takeshi, shook his head. "I don't want to risk my life out there. It's dangerous beyond the walls, and I'm not willing to take that chance."

Feeling the tension rise, a girl named Emi spoke up. "It's okay to be afraid, Takeshi. But we can't let fear hold us back. We need to be brave and strong if we want to protect our home and the people we love."

As they continued to talk and dream, an older degu user approached them. It was one of the elite members of the stronghold's army, named Captain Yumi. She had a stern expression on her face, but her eyes were soft as she looked at the younger generation.

"Children, it's important to dream and imagine. But you must also remember the dangers that lie beyond our walls. The monsters out there are not to be taken lightly. They are fierce and powerful, and many brave warriors have fallen in battle against them."historical

The younger generation listened intently, their excitement tempered by the seriousness of Yumi's words.

"But fear not," Yumi continued, "with hard work and dedication, you too can become strong enough to face the monsters and protect our stronghold. Train well, hone your skills, and remember that the safety of our people depends on your courage and strength."

The younger generation nodded in agreement, the weight of responsibility settling on their shoulders. But even so, they couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement and determination. They were the fut

Fein woke up with a sudden hiccup, causing him to wonder if someone was cursing him or thinking about him. He rubbed his eyes and shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.

"Did I eat something weird last night?" he muttered to himself, trying to find a logical explanation for his sudden hiccups. He took a deep breath, hoping it would go away, but another hiccup followed.

Fein groaned, feeling frustrated with his body's sudden betrayal. He got up from his bed and walked around his room, trying to distract himself from the persistent hiccups. He tried holding his breath, drinking water, and even standing on his head, but nothing seemed to work.

"Ugh, why won't these hiccups go away?" he exclaimed, feeling embarrassed at the thought of someone hearing him hiccuping like a child.

ure of their stronghold, and the pillar.