The tension was palpable in the air as Gaspar Falk, the Director of Kryoris, contemplated the horizon from his office window.
The academy, once an impenetrable fortress of learning and magic, now seemed fragile in the face of the possibilities he feared.
The phrase echoed in his mind like a forewarning: "The calm before the storm... it must be like this..."
"The defenses... quadruple all of them when they arrive," he ordered, his voice carrying an authority that left little room for questioning. He was preparing...
Eleonor, a skilled and loyal elf in his service, hesitated for a moment before expressing her concern. "Director, I think that—"
"Do what I said," he interrupted her brusquely but quickly realized the harsh tone in which he had spoken.
He made an effort to soften his stance, but the concern was still evident on his face. "Sorry, Eleonor... Just... do what I said, yes? We don't want another Blood Armageddon. Activate all defenses and bring the upper Rank 5 layer online.
No one enters, leaves, or uses magic in all of Kryoris when the convention starts."
Eleonor nodded, still apprehensive, but accepted the orders. "Yes, Director..."
Gaspar knew he was being tough, but there was no room for mistakes. Since the incident caused by Dante, which shook the entire world, the perception of security was never the same again. Dante's actions had exposed vulnerabilities that everyone preferred to ignore, forcing the world to recognize the need for drastic measures.
The response didn't take long. Alice Arcano, in collaboration with the dwarves and the invaluable help of Morgana, had developed new barrier technologies and sealing runes based on Anti-Magic. These innovations had strengthened defenses against supernatural threats, but Gaspar knew that, even with these advances, the risk could never be completely eliminated.
"Do you... think it will happen again?" Eleonor asked, her voice reflecting the unease that hung over everyone who remembered the horrors of ten years ago.
Gaspar sighed, his gaze fixed on the buildings of Kryoris. "I believe we must maximize all defenses. I have a feeling that something big is going to happen..." He paused, the memory still vivid of the flames, the destruction, and the chaos that had engulfed his school. "Let's just be careful... I don't want to see another Hydra destroying my school."
Eleonor said nothing, but the silence between them was thick with mutual understanding.
They both knew that the calm they felt now was deceptive, a mere illusion before the storm that was coming.
The convention at Kryoris would be the stage for forces that escaped common comprehension, and any failure in the defenses could mean the ruin not only of the school but of the world as they knew it.
"Only a few hours left..." He said, looking at the horizon...
...
Preparations continued in the other factions... truthfully, a few people still needed to be summoned, but... Currently, the Kingdom of Beastmen was facing a problem...
"Come on, Daddy! Wake up!" A cat-woman with red hair said, trying to get the attention of a sleeping lion on a large king-size bed. She was genuinely a bit frustrated that this brute wouldn't wake up for anything!
"Daddy!!" She roared, letting out a feline growl that made the lion jump like a frightened kitten.
"H-Hey, Katy," he said, trying to calm the furious woman... "How many times do I have to tell you NOT TO SLEEP FOR MONTHS! YOU'RE THE KING OF THE BEASTMEN, YOU UNGRATEFUL BASTARD!" She yelled so loudly that almost the entire continent must have heard...
The spirit immediately suspected it was an illusionary trick by the fox and attacked with his sharp spear. The woman, startled, dodged the blow, revealing a white tail.
"I knew it, you sly fox! You're the one stealing from our kingdom! Now, you won't escape my strike!!" he shouted, attacking the fox, which reverted to its true form and fled in terror.
Victorious in his first attempt, he grew more confident in his cunning and continued deeper into the forest.
In a clearing, he saw another woman who appeared to be resting. He immediately suspected that she was another fox.
As soon as the woman started walking, he followed her, hiding behind trees while observing her.
But the moment he saw her again, she had vanished... Two foxes? Who knows... He just felt as if the forest was swallowing him...
Like an ancient myth, he ran immediately, but it was too late...
"Small beings like guardian spirits were exiled from this forest because I ordered it." The elder fox said as she appeared before him, her tails unfurling behind her. Her appearance was simple yet beautiful; despite her dirty kimono, she still remained transcendently lovely, like a newly blossomed flower...
She was a black fox, her tails completely dark as the abyss, matching her sleek hair. Her Asian features were striking, and her body, crafted for seduction, was mesmerizing...
"Daughter, escort him out..." she ordered, and another fox, pink like Sakura petals, emerged behind him. Unlike her mother, she did not yet have nine tails; she only had three... Yes, a newborn. Just a few years old...
"Yes, mother," she said, smiling as she shifted into her human form, as beautiful as a cherry blossom...
"That won't be necessary, Akemi, Meiko." The voice came from the least expected place... the skies... "Titania..." Akemi murmured, not wanting to deal with royalty...
"S-S-Sovereign!" The spirit immediately knelt, pressing his forehead to the ground in reverence...
"I don't know what happened, but I'm certain that this forest was exiled for warrior spirits... These women are the rulers here," Titania declared. "B-but Sovereign! There have been food thefts in the spirits' dwellings!"
"And I am sure no one is lacking food," she said sternly. "But..." "I will send an investigator. Until then, do not repeat this. Now, return." She ordered, and the spirit ran away in fear as he saw the woman's crimson eyes, which seemed furious with him... Your journey continues on mvl
"What's going on?" Akemi asked, immediately stopping her delay.
"I want you to accompany me to the Council of Rulers... We've been reestablished as part of the world after... my mistake..." Titania said, catching Akemi's attention, who only gave a small smile...
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" Her demonic laughter echoed throughout the forest, scaring all the birds into flight...
"OF COURSE! FINALLY!" she shouted, still laughing...
'Mother?' Meiko questioned herself as she observed her. Despite being ten years old and appearing as a fully grown woman due to the rapid growth acceleration of a fox, she had never seen her mother so... euphoric...
"HAHAHAHA, I WANT TO SEE HIM! YES, MY FAVORITE STUDENT!" her mother exclaimed with an almost manic excitement...
Well... Do I even need to say who she wants to see?