In the dark room, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Five people gathered around a round table exchanged glances filled with suspicion, trying to ensure that the dim light did not reveal their identities. The tension peaked because this meeting was not an ordinary one; the decisions made here had the potential to shape the future of their nation and influence the fragile geopolitical relationships between Gaia, Earth, and Country Gamma. They were trapped in a prolonged conflict that began with a major incident that tore apart a peace agreement and sowed distrust among these three entities. In this context, they questioned what the next steps should be taken to avoid worse consequences.
"Are we ready to take this step?" asked one of them, his voice hoarse yet firm. "Atlantis will be key to influencing all our demands if we can master it. However, we also know its history—there will be unpredictable consequences," he continued, referring to the magical power said to envelop Atlantis, which could supposedly grant extraordinary strength to its ruler. Atlantis, known in world mythology as a center of knowledge and power, was something each country involved in this conflict yearned for. However, the division that occurred between Gaia, Earth, and Gamma, along with the rediscovery of Atlantis's location, added a complicated layer to the existing conflict, forcing them to reconsider every step.
About ten years ago, a major incident occurred: a magical portal that had long been hidden suddenly opened, bringing many supernatural beings into their world. As a result, diplomatic relations between the three countries deteriorated further. Gaia and Earth, united against this invasion, blamed Country Gamma, considering it the party that facilitated the opening of the portal. Every decision and contact between these countries was governed by ongoing tension. That time was filled with uncertainty and chaos, reinforcing the belief that the use of Atlantis's magical power could worsen the situation, forcing them to reconsider whether cooperation or conflict was the best choice.
"This proposal is about more than just power," the second person continued in a cold voice, emphasizing the importance of this decision. "It's about our survival. Will we allow the dark call of the past to demand us again? Or will we fight for a stable future?" In their minds, these three groups were part of a dangerous chess game, where one wrong move could mean disaster. Every choice on that table would not only affect them but also the fate of everyone living under the shadow of these three countries, heightening the interest in the impact their decisions could have.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the same dark room, five people gathered around the round table. It was too dark to recognize each other's faces, creating a tense and secretive atmosphere. Outside, thick fog enveloped the streets of the city, which had been devastated by long-standing conflict. The people inside realized that every decision made tonight could change the fate of Gaia, Earth, and Country Gamma forever, or even prolong the suffering they had endured for years.
"Do you agree with this proposal?" said the first person, his voice somewhat gruff; from his tone, it seemed he disagreed with the proposal he had just put forth. "It's very dangerous if anyone finds out about this. Chaos could erupt in this world again, just like ten years ago," he continued. The conflict that erupted a decade ago stemmed from the betrayal that occurred when Atlantis—a legendary island and center of magical power—fell under the weight of greed and ambition for power, causing a rift among the three countries now struggling to control the remnants of its power.
"There are still people debating this, even though everyone wants to forget that event. What is this child thinking?" asked the second person, her voice indicating that she was a woman. "Sometimes the past must be forgotten; what's the point of digging up the day when everyone mourned?" She recalled Atlantis's function as a balance of magic between Gaia and Earth, and how the presence of the remaining magical artifacts in the ruins of Atlantis now created tension—some factions were willing to do anything to control them, even though such actions could reopen old wounds that should have been closed.
"Hmm… I feel like I've lived long enough in this world, yet I still can't escape my desire to enjoy life, learn, and keep learning. Looking at this proposal, I'm curious about what remains unknown, which is the reason…" said the third person. In his mind, he envisioned a past filled with mystery and wonder in Atlantis, a place where politics and magic intertwined to create a balanced yet vulnerable civilization.
"Still, your ego could destroy us all," replied the second person. She emphasized that their individual ambitions and dissatisfaction could tear this group apart, once again leading to the destruction experienced a decade ago when a very strong alliance collapsed due to betrayed trust. She remembered that at that time, when the Artifact of Atlantis last appeared, a great battle occurred between the three countries, where the three wizard leaders fought to gain power. Currently, the presence of that lost artifact once again triggered deadly tension between Gaia, Earth, and Gamma, with risks far greater than before.
"You might think so. If everything is done with the heart, can you really read the hearts of people? The human heart is like a never-ending maze," replied the third person. "We don't know anything about what's happening outside. Are you able to answer why we built Atlantis? Atlantis, as a symbol of grandeur and magical technology, was once a center of civilization that produced knowledge and prosperity for the three nations. However, now we must be wary of the potential that could arise from those ruins, which may hold the key to understanding the conspiracy we face now. Moreover, have you ever thought about why our nation, the Gaia nation, seems to be colonized by the Earth nation? Ten years ago, when Earth suddenly destroyed the peace agreement, chaos began to unfold, making our position increasingly vulnerable. Now, almost 70% of the students in this school come from the Earth nation, embracing much of the power that should be ours and adding complexity to our situation."
"....."
"....."
"Reason?" asked the fourth person, tapping the table with increasing intensity. "Honestly, I cannot accept the reason why Country Gamma attacked our nation before, and why Country Earth suddenly intends to help us? Is this purely a strategy to control us? I'm sure all the answers are in this proposal," he continued, emphasizing that the pain from past betrayals still lingered, both in diplomatic matters and magic, often masked by sweet words and dangerous offers that could ensnare them back into chaos. In this world full of intrigue, every step must be carefully considered to avoid love that could lead to destruction.
"Huh… it seems we must agree to the proposal to reveal the island of ente, the only place where the Gamma nation resides," said the fifth person, "that island may be the key to our understanding of their identity, which has long been hidden in myths and legends. Uncovering this truth could bring us closer to understanding the motivations behind their actions, as well as recognizing the potential threats they may pose to these three nations."
"It seems there are no other answers," said the second person, the tense atmosphere increasingly enveloping the room, discussing the possibility of a repeating tragedy if the wrong steps were taken. Amid the discussion, a feeling arose that the solution pointed toward a risky path, and everyone agreed that every decision must be carefully considered.
"Agreed," said the third person, affirming that the price to pay if the decision was wrong could be very high. "The magical expertise possessed by the Gamma nation may have unimaginable power. If we do not prepare ourselves, we could be caught in chaos like ten years ago."
"What can we do?" said the first person, preparing for all possibilities, while the strategies in their hearts flowed like an invisible stream of magic.
"Elbert is right. This girl may be our way; she is one of the best students in this school," said the fourth person, "clearly, I agree," he continued. In the context of the interaction between the Gaia nation led by Queen Iris Agnara, the Earth nation under the authority of King Arthur Aurelius, and the Gamma nation known for its magic, this girl seemed promising. Ten years ago, when a great battle occurred between Gaia and Gamma, all eyes were on Lord Hector Alfrenzo, who gathered the power of his magical weapons. Urban legend has it that the magical power of this girl could have a significant geopolitical impact, making her crucial in the stability or tension between these three nations. With her potential, she might be the hope for creating a new balance in this world full of ambition and conflict.
"Isn't that girl the child of Lord Hector Alfrenzo?" said the second person. The political horizon became more complicated, as many speculations circulated regarding the girl's origins when the great battle occurred ten years ago. Was she a new power system that would bridge the historical conflict involving the city of Atlantis, the center of ancient civilization now within a neutral country? Atlantis was once revered as a source of magical knowledge, and by mastering magic from its roots, the girl had the potential to change the existing power map.
"Well, true," replied the fourth person. There were rumors that the magical institution in Atlantis was conducting new experiments to create a new magical army that could ease intercontinental tensions. However, the final information to date remained shrouded in mystery, and the risks for those who investigated further could lead to betrayal or threats from other rulers—this fragile balance made every action more valuable.
"Hmm," murmured the second person, with a face that hinted at doubt. The plan to utilize the girl was not without risk. Rivalries among the nations produced a number of agents and spies actively seeking gaps to exploit information, and every step had to be calculated carefully. History recorded a significant failure in the attempt to seize the same trump card ten years ago, and no one wanted to repeat that mistake. In this challenge, every small detail could greatly influence the outcome, and the existing doubts had to be overcome.
"Why?" asked the fourth person, touching on the painful history and the resurgence that had not yet fully manifested. The question added depth to the fragile peace. Every individual involved had hidden agendas. Some wanted to end the war at the cost of one or two figures, while others did not hesitate to harbor old grudges that could bring down the three nations.
"Can the aegis be easily penetrated by wind attacks?" said the second person. The power of wind magic might sound trivial in the general view, but it could be the key to answering all these doubts. In short, if the girl could harness the tragic potential, it could shake every joint of magical power in this nation, setting a new path for a brighter or darker future.
Everyone was immediately astonished. With every opinion and new information that emerged, the concern for the safety and integrity of the three nations rolled on. Everyone in that room knew that their next choice could change the course of history once again.
They began to watch Rinoa's power with suspicion, observing her every move as if she held secrets that could change their fates.
They were asked to closely monitor Rinoa's every move, as if she were the mysterious queen in a complicated political game.
They received reports from Elbert regarding Ellis, indicating that there were new dynamics to consider concerning the ongoing situation. This information could be very valuable, possibly leading to innovative solutions or opening new paths in addressing the long-standing conflict among these nations.
Aegis is one of the strongest defenses in the world, primarily based on the earth element. Only fire or lightning elements, or very strong attacks, can penetrate it, comparable to the magical power of Lord Hector Alfrenzo. However, a girl managed to destroy Ellis's aegis with just simple wind magic, even though she had weaknesses. Historical records indicate that aegis also has vulnerabilities, emphasized by a magical attack from an Atlantis storyteller a decade ago, which caused national instability and conflict among the three great powers.
"The girl has power equivalent to Cleo; even I cannot read the limits of her strength," he continued, emphasizing that this power was very significant amid the rising tensions between Gaia and Gamma, where both sought to gain control over the ancient secrets stored in Atlantis. Ten years ago, a major event occurred—a secret meeting that led to the past when Lord Hector Alfrenzo introduced her to me as he found her wandering on the battlefield. It is said that at that time, the battlefield was where many magical wizards fought over the magical resources desperately needed by these three nations: Gaia, Earth, and Gamma. In that turmoil, Atlantis emerged as a symbol of prosperity and unparalleled magical knowledge, which became a point of contention among the three countries that have yet to fully recover.
"The girl has power equivalent to Cleo; even I cannot read the limits of her strength," he continued, emphasizing that this power was very significant amid the rising tensions between Gaia and Gamma, which continued to seek to occupy Atlantis to gain control over the ancient secrets contained within. History records that ten years ago, a major event occurred—a secret meeting that led to the destruction of the peace agreement, which not only caused a rift in relations but also changed the power dynamics among the three nations that have yet to fully recover to this day.
"It's better we wait for the results," said the third person, with a tone reflecting uncertainty about the future. At this moment, all attention was focused on the mysterious girl, whose presence seemed to bring both hope and threat. Could she be the key to breaking this prolonged political deadlock? In this overly complicated situation, a solution might be needed to achieve the long-lost peace among the three nations.
As the leaders of the Earth nation desired Atlantis to come closer, all parties sought to uncover what the agenda was, even though they knew that almost every decision could lead to significant consequences, both politically and magically, emphasizing that their fate now depended on the next steps to be taken.
"Regarding that, will we agree to Elbert's proposal regarding the use of Dark Magic?" asked the first person, his voice trembling with conviction, trying to convince the stunned members. He looked at the tense faces, every eye filled with doubt and hope, creating a tense atmosphere in the dim and mysterious room. This reflected the inner struggle faced by every individual here, between upholding moral values and gambling for their survival.
"Making Atlantis the center of magic in the world, replacing the Tree of Life," he continued, his voice echoing in the silence, as if carrying the heavy burden of a frightening decision. The dimly lit room seemed to shrink, waiting for the reactions of the attendees who were shocked by this bold and controversial idea.
The atmosphere became tense, and everyone fell silent.
"Dark Magic? Isn't that what we used to prohibit?" replied the third person with a questioning tone.
"If it's to save ourselves, why should we be trapped in a moral debate?" replied the first person firmly, his eyes shining with determination as he observed the reactions of the stunned members.
"The Earth nation has developed potential technology that could threaten our existence, the wizards," said the first person seriously.
Everyone fell silent, the atmosphere of silence enveloping the room as if time had stopped for a moment. Every eye was on the first person, creating an indescribable tension.
"If no one wants to speak, I will assume everyone agrees," the first person's voice echoed in the silence, creating an increasing tension. Every word flowed firmly, adding to the heavy and challenging atmosphere, as if inviting them to choose sides in this dangerous game.