The WORLD ASSOCIATION OF SORCERERS Headquarters, Hazen.

  Choppers hovered over the elegant 34-storeyed skyscraper that was surrounded by a dense crowd of people and cars.

  "Wasn't expecting such a massive turnout," Sir Zelazny Zoldrak said. He stood at the top of the stairs leading to the entrance, watching the crowd.

  "Most likely because of the influentials showing up today," Arthur Smith, who stood behind him, replied, hands crossed.

  "Hmm, probably," Sir Zoldrak nodded slightly. "The last W.A.S. meeting took place twelve years ago, so I understand why people would be anxious about today's event," he said, voice deep.

  Suddenly, numerous cameramen and reporters rushed over to where Sir Zoldrak stood.

  Lights flashed against his face as cameramen and photographers took his photo.

  "Can't help it, can I?" Sir Zoldrak grimaced, shaking his head. He held his suit and pulled it forward, tightening it on his body.

  "Here we go," he muttered as he stepped forward.

  "Sir Zoldrak, what do you have to say about first-tier Sorcerer Glock Harbinger's declaration of war?" a journalist from the crowd shouted.

  "Sir! Why is a meeting important before Eldrid can decide what action to take concerning this declaration? Isn't this just a waste of time?" another question arose.

  "Glock Harbinger has threatened to forcefully breach the Vesta barrier. What are your measures to counter such action?"

  Questions flew through the air as the journalists forced their way forward, each wanting his question answered first.

  "Jeez," Sir Zoldrak sighed.

  Suddenly, a clap ripped through the air, and everyone fell silent instantly.

  "What?"

  "Who's that?"

  Voices muttered.

  "Huh?" Sir Zoldrak turned to Arthur as he stepped forward.

  "Ahem." Arthur cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses. "The Sorcerer-general will now speak," he announced.

  "You may carry on, sir," Arthur said, bowing as he stepped backwards.

  "Thanks. You saved me there, Arthur," Sir Zoldrak exhaled, facing the crowd.

  "Good morning, Eldrid," he began, gaze hardening. "As you've all known, first-tier Sorcerer Glock Harbinger has turned against Eldrid, threatening the forceful breach of the Vesta barrier if its key isn't provided. This despicable action would lead to the invasion of demons into Eldrid." He stopped and inhaled, then continued.

  "However, we will not allow such an event to occur!" he declared.

  The journalists scribbled violently.

  "That's the reason for the meeting taking place today. All sorcerers ranking from the fifth-tier grade to first-tier grade have been summoned in an attempt to stop this event from happening. So rest assured, Eldrians, we've got this covered," he reassured.

  "But Sir, why did you let the barrier breach happen?" a question popped up.

  "Eldrid possesses enough military power to take on the demons contained in that forest. What's been holding the process back?"

  "We'll try our best to completely neutralize the demons this time," Sir Zoldrak replied.

  "Are you saying that you haven't done your best in past neutralization missions?" a journalist asked.

  Questions spiralled up again.

  "What a drag," Sir Zoldrak groaned.

  Arthur walked forward, stepping in front of Sir Zoldrak.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "The Sorcerer-general will no longer be able to take any more questions," he announced.

  "Why? But you've not been able to answer a single one of our questions right!" the journalists demanded.

  "That's why I don't like dealing with the press," Sir Zoldrak whispered. "I'm an old man for Aethrauzon's sake!"

  Sir Zoldrak and Arthur turned away, about to walk inside. But suddenly, he halted and sighted a figure approaching from afar.

  "Oh?" Sir Zoldrak muttered, squinting.

  The crowd, which was scattered and non-uniform, quickly rearranged into two sides, forming a long narrow space leading to the entrance.

  "What's happening?" Sir Zoldrak asked, gaze following the line until he locked on the source of the dispersion.

  A man clad in black formal wear opened the door of the black limousine with a golden emblem, and she stepped out. Clad in a long black dress that exuded royalty, she had blonde hair that gleamed with youthful shine, framing deep yellow eyes filled with indifference.

  She carried a white cat in her arms, and a silver necklace tied to a black gem dangled from her neck. The gem seemed to absorb light into itself.

  "Oh my God!" someone in the crowd screamed, eyes going wide.

  "I-Is that...the Duchess of Kaida!"

  "Lady Anastasia Welles?!"

  "Ugh. Who the hell are all these cockroaches? Did they come to see me?" a voice came from inside the car as she stepped out.

  Her golden hair gleamed under the sunlight. Every adornment she wore was made of pure premium gold, and as usual, she was dressed in a way that barely passed the nudity mark.

  "That's her younger sister. Alpha Welles."

  "Tch, the spoilt brat." They spat.

  "Lady Alpha, you should be more gentle with your words," Peridot cautioned, coming from the other side of the limousine.

  "Yeah, whatever," Alpha replied, rolling her eyes away.

  The three walked through the crowd with aura and dignity, headed towards the entrance. No one could utter a single word.

  "If it isn't Anastasia," Sir Zoldrak greeted, a slight smile tugging on his lips.

  "Sir Zoldrak. It's been a while," Lady Anastasia greeted back, tone cheerful though her eyes betrayed her lack of interest.

  "It really has."

  "The meeting room's this way," Arthur Smith said, gesturing inside as Lady Anastasia followed.

  "Alpha," Lady Anastasia called before walking in.

  "Eh?" Alpha answered. Her eyes widened as she locked on her sister's face. Lady Anastasia's gaze was icy.

  "Don't do anything stupid," Lady Anastasia said before going in.

  "Jeez," Alpha exhaled, turning back. "Where the hell's big bro Van?" she demanded, scanning about.

  "It doesn't seem like he's around yet," Peridot replied. 'Agh... Van Ackerman,' she screamed internally, cheeks flushing.

  Soon after, another noise boomed from the other end of the crowd.

  "Whoa! She's really the one!" someone in the crowd screamed.

  "What now?" Alpha muttered lazily, gaze shifting.

  A black SUV, followed by three other cars, drove into the parking area.

  Numerous bodyguards clad in black with earpieces poured out of the three cars, rushing towards the SUV.

  The back door swung open as she stepped out. She wasn't dressed in her usual boxing attire but in a black jacket over a white top and military-coloured pants, with a silver necklace.

  Her orange hair was tied into a ponytail, with two strands dangling in front, framing her sunglasses.

  "It's Nico Reeves!"

  As she stepped out, the guards immediately surrounded her as one placed an umbrella above her head.

  She reached the entrance, face expressionless.

  "Fuck! It's my nemesis!" Alpha spat as she sighted her.

  "What do we have here?" Nico said, gaze rising to Alpha's. "If it isn't the spoilt brat that everyone despises," she mocked.

  "Looks like someone missed her way. The zoo's that way," Alpha shot back, pointing away. "Good thing we brought a leash."

  "Fuck you!" Nico snapped.

  "Hehe... fuck you too!" Alpha said smugly.

  "Calm down, guys!" Peridot shouted, trying to mediate the fight.

  "Man, we can never get tired of this scene, can we?" a voice muttered.

  "Huh?" Everyone turned, quickly sighting the two men as they reached the staircase.

  Both men were dressed in formal suits over white shirts and black trousers. The man on the right had thick black hair woven into dreadlocks, and his narrowed eyes framed a hardened gaze, while the other possessed light green hair and a slim appearance that contrasted with the former.

  He was busy swiping through his phone with a smirk.

  "The Civic Arcana are here too?" someone said, covering his mouth in shock.

  "The largest and richest guild in all of Eldrid, possessing thirty-five members."

  "It's said that their members conduct their training in special sites known for high demonic activities."

  "It's headed by two leaders."

  The man in dreadlocks: third-tier Sorcerer Sage Harlan.

  And the other: fourth-tier Sorcerer Blaise Howthorne.

  "How've you been, my ladies?" Sage Harlan greeted, bowing in courtesy.

  "Ahhn!"

  Girls in the background screamed.

  He grabbed Nico's hand, raising it to his lips, attempting to kiss it.

  "Oi, you sick?" Nico said, tone metallic as she quickly withdrew her hand.

  "He's probably got a screw or two loose," Alpha added, chuckling.

  "Fuck off man, I'm already taken," Nico said to Sage, turning to leave.

  Alpha and Peridot followed, disappearing into the building.

  Sage Harlan stood still, staring at the door, while his counterpart, Blaise Howthorne, stood next to him, staring at the nude pictures.

  "Damn!" Sage hissed, teeth clenching as a crushing aura unleashed from his body.

  "Huh... man, we good?" Blaise asked in alarm.

  ...

  A while later... inside the building.

  The conference room was a steep circular row of seats arranged in order of tier, with fifth-tiers at the top and first-tier at the bottom, closest to the centre where the Sorcerer-general sat.

  Each seat already had a name assigned to it, and all were occupied except four.

  The seat of first-tier Sorcerer: Van Ackerman, the seat of 2nd-tier Sorcerer: Ken Ryouken, 3rd-tier Sorcerer: Hakuri Hina, and 5th-tier Sorcerer: Akatsuki Ryūma.

  'What's taking them so long?' Sir Zoldrak thought, brows knitting.

  'Looks like we'll have to start without them,' he decided, rising to his feet.

  "We'll now begin the Sorcerers' Association meeting!" He announced.