The Therion guild buzzed with vibrant energy, the grand hall alive with the spirited chatter of adventurers sharing tales over frothy mugs of ale.
The air shimmered with an intoxicating blend of scents—polished steel from well-worn armor, leather oil from freshly maintained gear, and the distinct electric tingle of magical energies that danced invisibly through the atmosphere.
Enchanted weapons hummed softly at their owners' sides, each emanating its unique magical signature into the already power-saturated air.
Three familiar figures stood at the ornate counter, their postures betraying a mix of anticipation and lingering frustration as they conversed with the guild's sharp-tongued receptionist about their next quest.
"Since you couldn't handle the Neo Dungeon," Kurumi remarked with a knowing smirk.
Her slender fingers sliding a parchment across the polished wood, "I've found a quest more... suitable for adventurers of your caliber."
"What?!" Takemitchi's voice cracked with indignation, his fist slamming down on the counter hard enough to make nearby mugs tremble.
"We didn't fail, okay? Things just didn't go as planned! Some people—" he shot a pointed glare at his companions, "—got scared, so we had no choice but to retreat before reaching the inner chambers."
Ayame's melodic laughter cut through his protests. "You were the only one trembling in your boots," she teased, her eyes dancing with mischief as she flicked her dark hair over one shoulder.
"I distinctly remember you screaming about 'imminent death' at the first sign of movement in the shadows."
"Be quiet, you," Takemitchi hissed, his cheeks flushing crimson.
Kurumi's expression remained impassive, though a hint of amusement played at the corners of her lips. "I never mentioned failure," she replied coolly.
"but the fact remains that you didn't complete the quest. As such, you remain firmly anchored at level one... for now."
With practiced precision, she produced a weathered scroll from beneath the counter and unfurled it before them with a theatrical flourish.
"This is a level one quest to exterminate slimes in the western marshlands. Perfect for... training wheels, wouldn't you say?"
"Wha—slimes?!" Takemitchi's jaw dropped in disbelief, his voice rising an octave. "You can't be serious!"
"Deadly serious," Kurumi responded, her smile never reaching her eyes. "I wish you the very best of luck."
"Couldn't you at least have given us a level two quest?" Takemitchi's voice had morphed into something dangerously close to a whine.
"I did," Kurumi replied, her smile stretching into something predatory, "and you failed." Her words pierced Takemitchi like poisoned daggers, leaving him momentarily speechless.
He stared at the request parchment, tracing the elaborate guild seal with his finger before turning to his companions with a sigh of resignation.
"So, what do you think? Should we take it or keep looking?"
Shizuri, the quietest of the trio, offered a solemn nod of agreement. Her deep violet eyes, partially hidden beneath a curtain of midnight-black hair, revealed nothing of her thoughts.
"I don't see why not," Ayame added, twirling a small dagger between her fingers with practiced ease.
"Besides, we made a decent haul from those wolves Ein dispatched for us. We should use this opportunity to upgrade our gear before taking on anything more challenging."
"Good point," Shizuri murmured, her voice barely audible above the tavern's din. "Better equipment might make even slimes worth our while."
Takemitchi pondered for a moment, weighing their limited options before reluctantly snatching the parchment from the counter.
"Alright, we'll take it," he declared with as much dignity as he could muster, turning away from Kurumi's knowing gaze.
As the trio took their first steps toward the massive oak doors, Ayame suddenly spun around, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"Hey, Kurumi! You never explained what Ein meant when he said 'the message was cold.' What was that about?"
Kurumi's expression remained carefully neutral as she arranged some papers. "Oh, that? Nothing important—just guild jargon meaning the dungeon monsters have weakened since our last assessment."
Takemitchi froze mid-step, his entire body stiffening as the implications crashed over him like an icy wave. 'Wait... if that's true, then we failed to clear a dungeon rated LOWER than level one?!'
"We're leaving. NOW!" he barked, storming toward the exit with renewed fury, his companions scrambling to keep pace.
Behind them, Kurumi's facade of cheerfulness melted away as she watched their retreating forms, her expression darkening with concern.
'It's better if you don't get involved,' she thought grimly.
'If what Ein reported is accurate, a calamity unlike anything we've seen may be brewing in the shadows. These children have no idea what forces they're toying with.'
Just outside the guild's massive doors, Shizuri halted abruptly, her usually serene face clouded with uncertainty.
"What's wrong?" Ayame asked, genuine concern softening her features.
"I... forgot to ask her something important," Shizuri replied, already backing toward the guild. "Go ahead to the device shop—I'll catch up with you there."
Without waiting for a response, she darted back through the ornate doorway, disappearing into the guild's golden light.
"Ask who? About what?" Takemitchi called after her, confusion evident in his voice.
Ayame gently tugged at his arm. "Let's just go. She knows where to find us," she insisted, pulling him away from the guild and toward the bustling marketplace beyond.
After navigating through the crowded streets, they finally reached their destination: MIT Device Shop, a treasure trove of magical artifacts and equipment that made adventurers' eyes gleam with desire.
Weapons and armor adorned the walls in dazzling displays, enchanted accessories glittered from behind protective glass cases, and the air hummed with contained magical energy.
"Wow!" Ayame gasped, rushing forward like an excited child. "They've added so many new pieces since our last visit!" Her fingers hovered reverently over a display of ornate daggers, each blade etched with glowing runes.
"Try to contain yourself," Takemitchi scolded, though his own eyes betrayed similar excitement as they darted between exotic weaponry. "Have you forgotten where we are? This isn't some roadside bazaar—everything here costs a small fortune."
As Ayame wandered deeper into the shop, something strange began to happen. A portion of her vision darkened, as though shadows were creeping in from the periphery.
Within this darkness, a single object stood out with unnatural clarity: a serpentine necklace displayed within a crystal case, its delicate chain forming an intricate snake-like pattern that coiled around a heart-shaped crimson crystal at its center.
Drawn by an inexplicable compulsion, she approached the case, her hand reaching out involuntarily toward the glass.
"HEY!" A sharp voice shattered her trance-like state. "What do you think you're doing? You know the rules—you touch it, you buy it!"
A young woman with flame-red hair tied in a severe bun glared at Ayame, her blue uniform marking her as shop staff.
Despite her youthful appearance, her eyes held the weary irritation of someone who had dealt with too many careless adventurers
Meanwhile, at the Mana Academy, with the lunch break now over, Kuroyami was making his way through the elegant corridors to meet up with Claudine.
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished floor.
After a few moments of searching, he spotted her leaning casually against a wall, waiting for him. Her posture was relaxed but alert, like a predator at rest.
"Hey, I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long," he called out, quickening his pace slightly.
She replied with a slight, enigmatic smile that didn't quite reveal her thoughts. "Not at all. Let's get going." Her voice was smooth and measured, betraying nothing of her intentions.
They fell into step beside each other, their footsteps echoing in the now-emptying hallway as the remaining students hurried to their respective classrooms, leaving them in relative privacy.
"So, Kuro, I am curious," she began, her tone deliberately casual. "Where do you stay?"
Though she asked as if the answer was of little consequence, her eyes watched him intently from the corner of her vision.
"Hmm, why would you want to know that?" he replied hesitantly, a flicker of suspicion crossing his features.
"Nothing really, just creating small talk," she replied with that mischievous smile that always made him wonder what thoughts lurked behind it.
"There's an inn near the academy. That's where I'm staying right now," he answered, deciding that the information was harmless enough to share.
Just then, three figures wearing pristine white robes passed them at a short distance.
One of them, cloaked more heavily than the others, made brief but intense eye contact with Kuroyami for a split second that seemed to stretch into eternity.
Curiosity piqued by the unusual attire, which he had never seen before, Kuroyami turned to Claudine.
"Who are those people? That's some kind of strange outfit they've got on," he asked, his expression betraying his interest.
"Those are members of the Church, the Believers of Nature," she explained, her voice dropping slightly as if sharing a secret.
"They are the largest religious organization in the Kingdom. They believe that the crimson tear is actually a fragment of a powerful deity who fell to earth, their divine essence creating all magic as we know it." Her explanation was measured, but there was an undercurrent of caution in her tone.
'Have they seen what actually spawned from the same miracle they worship? Talk about scary,' he thought to himself, suppressing a shudder.
"Because of their beliefs, they want to possess all powerful magical artifacts for themselves, claiming it will bring them closer to their god," she continued.
"I'd stay clear of them if I were you." The warning in her voice was unmistakable.
'It may be too late for that,' Kuroyami thought grimly, remembering past encounters.
It wasn't long before they finally reached the imposing doors of the student council room. Claudine pushed them open with practiced ease, and they entered the chamber together.
All they saw was a single boy seated behind an ornate table.
He wore glasses that glinted in the sunlight streaming through the windows, had penetrating brown eyes that seemed to see through facades, and emanated an aura of authority so overwhelming that it almost felt physical. Surprisingly, no one else was present in the spacious room.
'I thought this was supposed to be a meeting, but this room is eerily empty. Maybe we arrived a little early?' Kuroyami pondered, feeling slightly off-balance.
"You two certainly took your time. You're precisely one minute and twelve seconds late," the president declared crisply as he adjusted his glasses with a practiced motion. The light reflected off the lenses momentarily obscured his eyes.
"As you already know, I am Saito Misogi, the student council president of the Mana Academy," he introduced himself with elegant precision, his posture perfect and commanding.
'I didn't actually know that, but okay, that's cool,' Kuroyami thought, feeling increasingly out of place in the formal atmosphere.
"And I am—" Before Kuroyami could complete his introduction, the president cut him off with a dismissive wave.
"I already know exactly who you are: Kuroyami Ryouseibai and Claudine Kurosaki, two of the three representatives of the first-year class D," Saito stated with cool confidence, his eyes surveying them like specimens under glass.
'This guy is making me incredibly uncomfortable, and I need to find a way out of here fast,' Kuroyami thought as a creeping sense of unease intensified in his gut.
The president continued without pausing, "I'm sure your teacher has already thoroughly explained all your duties, perks, responsibilities, and potential consequences. If by some chance you didn't understand, here is a comprehensive sheet compiled by Yatageshi."
He lifted a meticulously organized paper and placed it precisely on the table.
Then, with deliberate slowness, he placed his hands flat on the polished surface before interlocking his fingers, his expression growing intensely serious.
"Now, let's get down to business. There's a specialized test I need you to complete before I can officially recognize you as class representatives," he announced, his tone brooking no argument.
"I don't believe there is any need for that," Claudine replied with remarkable calm, meeting his gaze unflinchingly.
"Our teacher has already clearly stated that no one else in our class is worthy of these positions, so it's not as if your personal recognition will affect us in any meaningful way." Her words were polite but carried a subtle challenge.
A slow, calculating smirk spread across Saito's face as his penetrating gaze shifted deliberately toward Kuroyami.
"Are you absolutely certain about that?" The question hung in the air like a sword.
Claudine glanced briefly at Kuroyami, something unreadable flickering in her eyes before she turned back to the president.
"Alright, we're ready. What exactly is this test?" Her surrender came too quickly to be entirely genuine.
"You'll find out soon enough," the president said, his smile widening with an almost predatory satisfaction.
'Wait, things are moving far too fast, and why do I feel like I'm missing something critical here? I have a terrible feeling about this entire conversation. I should definitely ask Claudine what they're really talking about,' Kuroyami thought frantically, his instincts screaming warnings.
Just as Kuroyami was finishing his thoughts, a strange, crackling sound like lightning splitting the air filled the room. In the infinitesimal moment before they could react or even cry out, the two figures vanished completely, disappearing into thin air as if they had never existed at all.