Raising My Trash Ability into a Broken SSS+ Rank Skill Chapter 3: Her Secrets

The group soon arrived at the royal palace, a grand edifice featuring golden domes and detailed carvings. Hundreds of guards were stationed across the grounds, all bowing their heads in reverence as Goddess Diana guided the party into the castle's massive great hall.

Entering such a fortress for the first time, the teenagers and the two women were captivated by the opulent architecture and decor. Everything appeared to be crafted from silver and gold, embellished with a staggering number of precious gems.

Seated at the front was a man clad in magnificent golden armor. He possessed a long black beard and a stunning crown; this was the King. Though he looked to be in his forties, age was merely a statistic in this world, where powerful individuals could survive for centuries or even millennia.

He had a sturdy build and radiated a regal aura, yet his smile projected a sense of tranquility to those around him.

Flanking the King were four guards in silver armor, each wielding a spear and projecting a lethal presence.

More than twenty seats lined the sides of the throne room, occupied by ministers, generals, and high-ranking officials. They all rose as a guard announced the Goddess’s arrival.

"Welcome, my esteemed guests, to Dunshire, our humble kingdom. I realize this situation is abrupt and perilous, and we have placed you in harm's way; however, we are committed to supporting you with every resource we have. You have no reason to fear," King Aldric stated after a respectful bow toward the Goddess, his voice sounding quite friendly.

"Our young heroes have awakened incredible abilities that will be vital in our struggle against the demons. Ensure all their basic needs are met; they are under my protection, so see to it that they are not displeased," Diana commanded in a steady tone.

"Of course, Goddess. I shall dedicate myself to assisting them. Rest assured, I will personally oversee everything from their living quarters and instructors to their security," the King replied with a reassuring expression.

King Aldric then gave the group a warm welcome, his approachable manner helping to soothe their nerves. He described the dangers threatening his lands and expressed his gratitude, eventually introducing several high-ranking figures and discussing various matters for a while.

After a time, Vritra stopped paying attention to the King’s speech. Instead, he checked his status window, discovering he could hide it from others with a simple thought. If this seemingly worthless ability was ranked so high, perhaps it wasn't as simple as it appeared.

'Pain Resistance. No one else has a skill like this, at least not at such a high level. Even those with special bloodlines or physiques, like Fiona and her Phoenix abilities, only have Level 1 Fire Resistance.

It’s strange. I’ll need to investigate this more thoroughly later,' Vritra mused, his expression hidden behind the dark hair that draped over his face down to his nose.

The King eventually escorted the group to a spacious dining hall where a variety of dishes had been prepared. While they ate, the Goddess talked with the King about the group's abilities, pointing out which individuals were valuable assets and which were considered useless.

Following the rich meal, everyone moved to the garden just outside the palace. The King, the Goddess, and several guards stood before the assembled group.

Diana cleared her throat and scanned the crowd, speaking in a melodic tone that made the hearts of many boys flutter.

"You must all be exhausted, both in mind and body, after such momentous events. Your rooms are ready. If you require anything, you may speak to me or the King directly. If there are no questions, you are free to rest for the day." Diana paused, waiting for a response.

"Um... Actually, my bones are aching, and my old body shakes with the slightest movement. Even the ability I got is pretty useless, so is there a way I could just stay behind and enjo—" Ms. Mia said, clutching her knee with a pained look.

Diana looked at her briefly before looking away.

"Since no one has anything to add, you may go rest or explore the palace grounds. However, be mindful not to use your abilities recklessly. You will always have a guard or two for protection, so your safety is guaranteed." After a few more instructions, Diana dismissed the group.

Guards escorted everyone to their new palace quarters. The rooms were located along nearby corridors and were just as lavish as promised.

As they chose their rooms, Vritra and Vanessa took adjacent ones, though he suspected his mother would spend most of her time in his room due to her overprotective obsession with him.

Jack tried to secure a room next to Fiona, hoping to catch her eye. He was thrilled with his powerful abilities, believing they might finally help him impress her.

Fiona, however, was nothing like the calm person she appeared to be. She actually had a preference for "bad boys." She had no interest in Jack and had recently developed feelings for Max, the school's notorious delinquent and bully.

Max and Fiona were aware of their mutual attraction. Max always acted like a perfect gentleman around her, allowing their secret romance to bloom, though their relationship was still in its early stages.

Fiona harbored another secret that even Max didn't know—underneath her composed exterior, she was driven by intense lust.

Her mind was often flooded with forbidden desires, her body craving pleasures she couldn't mention. No matter how she tried to fight it, the urge only intensified, but she was determined to keep it hidden.

The group members began retiring to their rooms, drained by the sudden journey. Some students gathered in small groups to talk, while others remained paralyzed by fear.

Max and Fiona exchanged a brief, meaningful look before entering their respective rooms. Max wanted to move faster, but because he truly loved her and saw her as his future wife, he tried to maintain a pace he thought she was comfortable with, completely unaware of her true personality.

"My dear, are you truly okay? Perhaps I should stay with you?" Vanessa asked, her face showing a rare look of concern as her protective instincts kicked in.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'm fine. It's not as bad as it looks... probably. You should get some rest too. By the way, what kind of ability did you get?" Vritra asked out of curiosity.

"Oh... That? *Cough*. Well, it's an ability that helps me cook great food. Anyway, go to sleep. Call me if you need anything," she said, ruffling his hair affectionately before heading to her room.

'She's definitely hiding something. I wonder what her real ability is. I'm sure she'll tell me eventually; I just hope it isn't something problematic,' Vritra thought as he entered his room.

The interior was even more luxurious than he anticipated. Although he was used to a high-end home, this felt different—antique and uniquely designed.

The room contained a bed, shelves, food, clothing, and other necessities. It seemed they were being well-treated for the time being.

He collapsed onto the bed without much inspection. Despite his outward calm, the situation was overwhelming, especially regarding his own skill.

'Is this skill really as pointless as it looks? If so, why does it have such a high rank?' Vritra wondered while staring at his status screen.

Sitting up, he attempted to activate his power. He pointed his palm at the floor and willed it to work; instantly, dust began to hover. He tried to push it further, but that seemed to be his current limit.

However, after several minutes of use, he noticed his Mana pool had barely decreased. That, at least, was a benefit.

With a sigh, he changed into the local attire and fell into a deep sleep.

******

The next morning, the group assembled for breakfast at a massive table. The King, the Goddess, and several palace officials were already there waiting.

In just one day, most students seemed to have adjusted to their new surroundings, laughing and chatting as if they were on a vacation. They finished their meal in silence until the Goddess stood to make an announcement.

"I am pleased to see you have settled into your accommodations well and am satisfied with your conduct. Today, a team of elite warriors will guide you into a labyrinth. Do not worry; this is mainly a scouting mission to familiarize you with demons and allow you to test your skills in a controlled environment." Diana looked as ethereal as ever in her white gown, her flawless skin radiant.

The news was met with a mix of anxiety and excitement. After watching their reactions for a moment, the Goddess continued:

"You will be split into four groups. Each will be led by a commander and several warriors. Their power is among the highest in this realm, so you will be perfectly safe. You will only be exploring the first floor. King Aldric will now announce the groups."

Diana nodded to the King and stepped back. The King took a scroll from an attendant and began reading names. Though it seemed random, Vritra could tell the teams had been carefully planned.

Jack was placed in the first group with nine others. The second group included Vanessa, Fiona, Ms. Mia, and eight other students. The third group consisted of students with above-average talent, like Raino. Finally, the fourth group consisted of Vritra, Max, and Max's entire clique.