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

The party soon reached the royal palace, a grand edifice featuring golden domes and detailed masonry. Hundreds of guards were stationed at various posts, all of whom lowered their heads in respect as Goddess Diana guided the group into the castle's massive 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 gold and silver, embellished with an array of precious gemstones.

At the far end sat a man clad in magnificent golden armor, sporting a long black beard and a regal crown. This was the King. Although he looked to be in his forties, age was merely a statistic in this world, where powerful individuals could live for centuries or even millennia.

He possessed a sturdy physique and radiated a royal aura, yet his smile projected a sense of tranquility to those around him.

Flanking the King were four guards in silver armor who exuded a lethal presence, each gripping a spear.

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

"Welcome, my dear guests, to this humble kingdom of Dunshire. I realize this situation is abrupt and perilous, and that we have placed you in harm's way; however, we shall assist you in every possible manner and grant you all the resources at our disposal so that you have nothing to fear."

King Aldric spoke with a friendly tone after offering a slight bow toward the Goddess.

"Our young heroes have awakened marvelous abilities that will be of great service in the war against the demons. See that all basic requirements are prepared for them; they are under my protection, so do not offend them in any way," Diana stated, her voice composed.

"Of course, Goddess, I shall do my utmost to support them. You need not worry about a single thing. Whether it concerns living quarters, instructors, or protective guards, I will oversee everything personally," the King replied with a reassuring expression.

King Aldric then gave the group a warm welcome, his approachable manner helping them relax. He discussed the dangers threatening his realm and expressed his gratitude before introducing several key figures and speaking on various matters for a period of time.

After listening for a while, Vritra stopped paying attention to the King and focused on his status window instead. With a simple thought, he managed to hide it from everyone’s sight; this skill, which appeared completely worthless at first glance, might be more significant if it carried such a high rank.

'Pain Resistance... nobody else had a skill like that, at least not at such a high level. Even those who received special bloodlines or physiques, like Fiona with her Phoenix abilities, only had Level 1 Fire Resistance.

How peculiar. It seems I’ll have to investigate this further later,' Vritra mused, his face remaining hidden behind the fringe of black hair that fell down to his nose.

The King eventually escorted the group to a spacious dining hall where a wide variety of dishes had been laid out. While they ate, the Goddess discussed the group's abilities with the King, advising him on which individuals to prize and which were essentially useless.

Following the decadent meal in the palace dining room, the group assembled in the garden just outside the gates. The King, the Goddess, and several guards stood before them.

Clearing her throat, Diana scanned the group and spoke in a melodic tone that made the hearts of many boys flutter.

"You must all be exhausted, both mentally and physically, after such momentous events. Your rooms have already been prepared. You may speak to me or the King directly if you require anything. If no one has anything else to add, you may go and rest for the day." Diana looked over them, waiting for a response.

"Uh... actually, my bones are aching, and my old body shivers with even the smallest movement. Even the ability I got is quite useless, so is there a way I could stay back and just enjo—" Ms. Mia clutched her knee, speaking with a pained look on her face.

Diana looked at her briefly before shifting her gaze away.

"Hmm, since no one has anything to say, you may rest or explore the palace. However, be careful not to use your abilities recklessly. A guard or two will always be nearby to protect you, so you need not worry about your safety." Diana mentioned a few more details before finally dismissing the group.

Guards led the group to their new quarters within the palace. The rooms were located along nearby corridors and, as promised by the King and Goddess, were quite lavish.

As everyone picked their rooms, Vritra and Vanessa chose adjacent ones, though he suspected his mother would spend most of her time in his room given her obsessive and overprotective nature.

Jack attempted to secure a room next to Fiona, hoping to catch her eye. He felt quite confident after receiving such powerful abilities, thinking he might finally be able to impress her.

Fiona, however, was the opposite of the calm persona she displayed. In reality, she was attracted to bad boys; she had no interest in Jack and had recently developed feelings for Max, the school's notorious bully and delinquent.

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

Fiona harbored another secret from everyone, including Max—beneath her refined exterior, she was driven by intense lust.

Her mind was flooded with wild desires and impulses, her body yearning for pleasures she kept hidden. No matter how much she tried to stifle it, the craving only intensified, yet she could never reveal this side of herself.

Everyone retired to their rooms, drained by the sudden journey. A few students gathered in groups to talk, while others remained paralyzed by fear.

Max and Fiona shared a brief, meaningful look as they entered their respective rooms. Though Max wished to move faster, he truly loved her and intended to make her his wife, so he tried to maintain a pace he thought she was comfortable with, unaware of her true nature.

"My little darling, are you sure you're okay? Maybe I should stay with you?" Vanessa asked, a rare look of concern crossing her face as her protective instincts kicked in.

"Don't worry, Mom, it's fine. It's not as bad as it seems... probably. Anyway, you should get some rest too—oh, by the way, what kind of ability did you get?" Vritra asked out of curiosity.

"Uh... that—*Cough*—well, this ability helps me cook delicious meals. Regardless, you should sleep now. Call me if you need anything." After ruffling his hair affectionately, she retreated to her room.

'She’s definitely hiding something. I wonder what her skill actually is. Well, I’m sure she'll tell me eventually. I just hope it isn't anything problematic,' Vritra thought as he stepped into his own room.

The interior was even more extravagant than he had anticipated. He was accustomed to living in luxury, but this was different; it had an antique atmosphere with a unique design.

The room contained a bed, shelves, some food, clothing, and other essentials. It appeared they were being treated well, at least for the moment.

Without much further inspection, he collapsed onto the bed. Despite his outward composure, the entire situation had been quite a shock, especially regarding his ability.

'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 window.

He sat up and attempted to activate his skill. Pointing his palm toward the floor, he focused his mind on the ability and immediately saw dust begin to hover. He tried to do more, but that seemed to be the extent of it for now.

However, even after maintaining the skill for several minutes, his mana pool barely decreased, which was a clear advantage.

Sighing, he changed into the local comfortable attire and soon fell into a deep sleep.

******

Early the following morning, the group congregated for breakfast at a massive table. The King, the Goddess, and several important palace officials were already waiting for them.

Most of the students seemed to have adjusted to their new surroundings in just one day, laughing and chatting as if they were on a vacation. They ate in silence, and once the meal was over, the Goddess had a vital announcement.

"It appears you are all satisfied with your lodgings, and I am pleased with your conduct. Today, a squad of our elite warriors will escort you into a labyrinth. Do not worry; this is mainly a sightseeing trip to observe the demons so you can grow accustomed to them. You may also test your skills there without concern." Diana looked as pure and regal as ever in her white gown, her smooth skin radiating a glow that could stir anyone's heart.

As usual, the news sparked a mix of anxiety and excitement among the students. After watching their reactions for a moment, the Goddess continued:

"You will be split into four groups, each commanded by a leader and several warriors. Their power is among the highest in this kingdom, so you will be perfectly safe. You will only be exploring the first floor of the labyrinth. Now, King Aldric will assign your groups."

Diana nodded to the King and stepped back. The King took a scroll from an attendant and began reading names. While the order seemed random, Vritra could tell the arrangement was calculated.

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