[Location: Friedrich’s Office - Evocaier Academy – Evening – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

  The antiseptic scent of the hospital still clung to Friedrich’s suit as he pushed open his office door. Long shadows stretched across the crystal floor, and the st rays of sunlight painted his desk in amber. His muscles ached as he sank into his chair.

  Mid-motion, he froze. The Lumina Core on his wrist pulsed—a subtle vibration. His screen flickered blue, dispying a name.

  Grandmaster Ragnar Ashmane.

  Friedrich exhaled sharply. That was fast… The Aether Nexus network and Grandmaster Amisha were certainly efficient.

  He pressed the screen, and a holographic projection of Ragnar appeared.

  "Friedrich. Assemble your team immediately," Ragnar ordered, his tone sharp. "The Cube has been located in Nusa Union. Our informant will brief you upon arrival."

  Friedrich straightened. "Understood, Grandmaster. But with respect, wouldn’t the Aether Nexus team be better suited?"

  Ragnar’s gaze hardened. "This decision is final. The Sarjavah Festival is imminent, and foreign delegates will be in attendance. Deploying Aether Nexus operatives risks exposure. Your team will operate covertly. Drifter’s connection to the Cube may prove an advantage."

  A pause. Then, a heavier tone.

  "This mission remains cssified. I have withheld it from the Evocaier Order’s Nusa Union branch to minimize leaks. No one beyond this room must know you’re there."

  Friedrich gave a curt nod. "Acknowledged. How do we identify the informant?"

  "I’m transmitting their details to your Lumina Core. Alias: HR. Contact protocol as follows."

  Two coded phrases appeared on Friedrich’s dispy:‘The storm arrives at dusk.’‘And the wind carries it across the sea.’

  He memorized them, nodding.

  "This mission is critical," Ragnar continued. "If the artifact falls into the wrong hands, it could shift the bance of power in Vesteria, not in our favor. Ensure success. Failure is not an option."

  Friedrich met his gaze. "We’ll complete the mission. You have my word, Grandmaster."

  Ragnar gave a single, approving nod. "Good. Stay vigint. Dismissed."

  The hologram vanished, leaving Friedrich in silence. He leaned back, processing Ragnar’s words, before tapping his Lumina Core again.

  "Call Luna, Alina, and Jaxon to my office."

  Outside, the campus y in eerie stillness. Crystal domes once teeming with life now stood draped in scaffolding. The once-pristine walkways were fractured, shards of crystal glinting like broken gss. Where lush gardens had flourished, only barren patches of earth remained.

  Friedrich pressed another command, connecting to Alina. Her hologram materialized, revealing weary yet resolute features.

  "How are the students?" he asked.

  Alina sighed. "Not well. Nightmares, anxiety—especially the first-years. I think we should suspend csses temporarily."

  Friedrich narrowed his eyes. "I see..." A pause. "It seems you won’t be joining this mission."

  She blinked. "Professor?"

  "I need you here, assisting Headmaster Gideon and overseeing military operations in my absence."

  Alina hesitated. "I… I’m not ready for that responsibility."

  His tone softened. "I trust you, Alina. The Vilreth Team and remaining forces are under your command. Thank you."

  She exhaled, shoulders settling. "...Understood. I won’t let you down."

  The call ended just as hurried footsteps echoed outside. The door swung open.

  Alma entered first, followed closely by Luna and Jaxon.

  "Dad… has the Cube been found?" Alma asked.

  Friedrich nodded, then addressed Luna and Jaxon. "We leave for Nusa Union tomorrow morning. Get some rest."

  Jaxon crossed his arms. "Alina and Drifter aren’t coming?"

  "Alina is needed here," Friedrich replied. A beat of hesitation. "Drifter… is still in the hospital."

  Jaxon nodded in understanding.

  Luna’s gaze flickered. "Understood, Professor."

  As she and Jaxon exited, Alma lingered. "Dad, can I come too?"

  Friedrich studied her before shaking his head. "Stay. The academy’s medical team and Nethia Hospital need you."

  Alma lowered her gaze but eventually nodded. "...Alright. Stay safe, Dad."

  [Location: Evocaier Academy – Morning – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

  The next morning, Friedrich, Luna, and Jaxon prepared for their mission in casual attire. At the campus gates, the Alcherider Titan hovered low before touching down. As the doors slid open, Friedrich’s eyes widened.

  Drifter sat in the driver’s seat. Alma beside him.

  Friedrich boarded swiftly, Luna and Jaxon following. "You’re not resting, Drifter?"

  Drifter’s hands remained steady on the controls. "I’m fine. Let me join the mission."

  A small, approving smile crossed Friedrich’s face. "Alright. Just don’t push yourself."

  Jaxon cpped Drifter on the shoulder. "Gd to have you back, pal. Wouldn’t be the same without you."

  Drifter smirked. "Yeah… though I wish Alina were coming too."

  Luna met his gaze briefly, offering a quiet smile.

  Then Alma spoke, voice teasing. "No one’s asking why I’m here?"

  Friedrich exhaled. "I had a feeling. You were suspiciously cooperative yesterday. And now, here you are, bright and early." His eyes narrowed. "Let me guess—you ran straight to Drifter and dragged him into this."

  Alma grinned. "Guilty as charged. But you’ll need me on this mission, won’t you?"

  Friedrich studied her, exasperation mingling with affection. Finally, he sighed.

  "Fine. Just promise me you won’t overdo it."

  She beamed. "I promise, Dad. I’ve got this."

  At Nethia City Airport, the group boarded a small gray skyship marked Rindos Agricultural Company. The vessel’s design was unassuming—perfect for covert travel.

  As they took the lift to the cabin, Friedrich gnced at Drifter.

  "One thing—change your outfit. That bck suit of yours stands out too much. Wear something casual."

  Drifter nodded. "Understood, Professor."

  Inside the cabin, Luna, Alma, and Friedrich took their seats while Jaxon headed straight for the cockpit. His hands moved over the glowing controls. A hum filled the air as the metal walls shifted, revealing the vast sky.

  Jaxon adjusted his aviators. "We’re taking off."

  The skyship’s thrusters roared to life, propelling them upward, toward Nusa Union.

  Jaxon flipped the autopilot switch and swiveled in his seat, giving the crew a once-over. Drifter, now sporting a dark blue jacket over a bck shirt, looked like he belonged in a detective novel. Alma had traded her academy uniform for something more rexed—tan scks and a fitted vest. Luna’s usual elegance remained, though her deep green cloak added a mysterious touch.

  Jaxon smirked. "Well, don’t you three clean up nice? Almost didn’t recognize you."

  Drifter leaned back. "That’s the idea. You, though? Same hat, same gsses. You sure you’re not part of the furniture?"

  Jaxon tapped the brim of his hat. "Hey, my style’s timeless, man."

  Alma grinned. "Can I borrow them, Mr. Jaxon?"

  "Alma, for the st time, drop the ‘Mister.’ Makes me feel ancient."

  She gave him a pyful wink. "Alright, old man."

  Jaxon groaned. "I regret everything."

  A chime from the console pulled him back to business. Below, Maranagara sprawled along the coastline—white sands, shimmering waters, and a towering spire at its heart. Blue-roofed buildings curved in elegant spirals, linked by bridges and skywalks. Beyond the city, mountains loomed like silent guardians.

  Drifter stared out, fingers brushing his pocket where Mina’s device rested. He hadn’t looked at it yet. Whatever was on it could wait. One crisis at a time.

  Friedrich adjusted his gsses. "We nd in five. Jaxon takes point. No weapons or armor in public. This isn’t neutral ground. Any slip-ups, and we’ll have more than customs breathing down our necks."

  Drifter nodded. "Read the brief, Professor."

  Jaxon guided the Skyship into port. The docks were alive with shouts, humming engines, and the rhythmic cng of cargo being loaded. Automatons moved in precise patterns, assisting workers hauling shipments.

  Two officers approached—a tall, gray-furred Lupidae, a humanoid wolf-like figure, and a Capriae, a humanoid sheep-like figure, both scanning a holographic ledger. Their uniforms bore the deep blue and emerald insignia of the Nusa Union.

  Jaxon slid his ID across. "Agricultural goods. Just another shipment from Nethia."

  "Quite the team you’ve got here," the Lupidae remarked, his gaze shifting to Drifter, Luna, Alma, and Friedrich.

  "Yeah, we had some trouble with an automaton earlier. Nothing serious," replied Jaxon, handing over his Vytros Seal ID card.

  The Capriae officer tapped the Lumina Core on his wrist, cross-checking the hologram against the ID card. After a moment, a notification appeared on his device. He nodded toward the Lupidae.

  "Everything checks out. Lots of agricultural shipments today, thanks to the Festival," the Lupidae commented.

  Returning the Vytros Seal to Jaxon, he gestured for the group to proceed before exiting the cabin with the other staff and automatons. The cargo door of the Skyship sealed shut behind them.

  Friedrich nodded. "Good work, Jaxon. Let’s move."

  The group nodded in agreement and followed Friedrich toward the Skyrail station.

  While riding the Skyrail, Drifter gazed out at the bustling city below. The streets were packed with people, and streams of Alcheriders filled the highways in a seemingly endless flow.

  Drifter gnced down. "Always this packed?"

  Jaxon stretched, boots propped up. "Festival’s coming. Biggest event of the year. If you wanna disappear, this is the pce to do it."

  A heated conversation caught their ears.

  "Six victims already," muttered a middle-aged man. "And the police still have nothing. What’s the point of a festival if people are scared to go outside?"

  A young Leonari—a humanoid lion with fiery red hair—clenched his fists. "If the cops won’t handle it, someone should."

  Drifter’s jaw tightened. A serial killer before the festival? And no leads?

  [Location: Emerald Haven Motel – Room 201 – Noon – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

  The group disembarked in the Old Harbor district. The air was thick with the salty tang of the sea. Tucked between rusting warehouses and towering cranes, the Emerald Haven barely stood out. The salt-heavy air mixed with damp rot from the wooden structure. Inside, the receptionist barely looked up as Friedrich retrieved their key.

  At Room 201, Friedrich knocked.

  "The storm arrives at dusk."

  A mechanical voice answered. "And the wind carries it across the sea."

  The door creaked open. A hooded figure sat by the window, metal-framed suit glinting in the dim light, blue optics scanning them.

  "You can call me Hunter," the figure said, his voice smooth yet mechanical, devoid of inflection but not unkind. His blue-lit eyes flickered slightly. "In three days, during the Sarjavah Festival, the Bck Cube will change hands. Mercenaries have arranged the exchange aboard the Yuvaka Cruise Ship—one of the most exclusive vessels in the Union. The timing may be coincidence or by design. Either way, it is no accident."

  Friedrich studied him carefully. "You’re suggesting the Nusa Union government is involved?" His tone was measured, but there was a sharpness beneath it.

  "Highly probable," Hunter replied. "The messages I intercepted originated from high-ranking officials." A slight pause. "But there is another factor. The festival is not just a celebration. A separatist faction is pnning an attack. The government knows. They are concealing it—perhaps to prevent panic. Or… to exploit the situation. A crisis would justify heightened security. And in that chaos, the Bck Cube transaction could proceed unnoticed."

  Friedrich exhaled slowly, his fingers steepled in thought. "That complicates things. The cruise ship will be locked down. If we attempt infiltration using disguises and falsified credentials, would we get through?"

  Hunter's head tilted slightly. "Negative. Forged documents will not suffice. Yuvaka’s security is thorough. VIPs from across the Union and beyond will attend. Background checks, biometric scans. Any irregurities will be fgged immediately."

  "So what’s the py?" Jaxon asked, arms crossed.

  Hunter's gaze shifted to Friedrich. "You require trust. A known VIP must vouch for you."

  Friedrich’s eyes narrowed slightly. "You have someone in mind."

  Hunter gave a slight nod. "There is an individual recruiting mercenaries—directly linked to a Union general. However, he is cautious. He will not risk exposure. Before he shares anything, you must prove yourselves."

  Friedrich absorbed the information, then asked, "Which general are we dealing with?"

  "Most likely Grand Commander Lamont. He is the highest-ranking official with direct involvement. If you seek entry, you must gain his trust."

  A heavy silence settled over the room.

  "Then we take the mercenary route," Friedrich finally said. "It’s our best option."

  Hunter's glowing eyes locked onto him. "Good Luck Commander. I will maintain surveilnce. Should I acquire further intelligence, I will contact you."

  Back on the streets, the festival preparations had doubled. Jaxon kept his hands in his pockets, blending into the crowd.

  Drifter gnced at Friedrich. "So, who exactly are these separatists?"

  Luna spoke, her voice measured. "Extremists. They believe the Union forces too many cultures together. They want it undone. Violently."

  Jaxon smirked. "And now we’re trying out mercenary work. Hope they’ve got good dental pns."

  Alma elbowed him lightly. "Got a look in mind, Jaxon?"

  He rubbed his chin. "Shave the sides, leave a stripe down the middle. Instant intimidation."

  Alma ughed. "That’s terrifying."

  Suddenly, Alma was bumped by a petite girl with fin-like ears, long silver-white hair, and barefoot, wearing a pale blue-white dress. They both stumbled slightly.

  "Sorry..." the girl mumbled.

  "No worries," Alma replied.

  Drifter gnced at the girl, noticing her anxious state and profuse sweating. Luna, Friedrich, and Jaxon also observed her and their surroundings.

  "What's a Nereid doing on nd?" Drifter wondered.

  He heard heavy footsteps approaching—two men in suits and sungsses drawing nearer. The girl's face instantly filled with panic, and she tried to flee. But Luna reached out and gently took her arm. The girl initially resisted, but Luna's soft gaze and faint smile gradually calmed her. Pressing a finger to her lips, Luna signaled for silence, then guided the girl to a nearby vacant stall. After ensuring her safety, Luna returned to her position.

  Meanwhile, Drifter, Friedrich, and Jaxon intercepted the two men in bck. Their steps slowed, suspicion flickering in their eyes as they approached. One of them, a Lupidae, raised a badge.

  "Nusa Union Police. Step aside," the Lupidae said firmly.

  Jaxon offered an easy grin. "Lost tourists, Officer. Got a hotel recommendation?"

  "Sorry, Officer... it's so hot here, and this crowd is giving us a headache," Drifter added.

  "We're very sorry, Officer," Friedrich chimed in.

  The Leonari beside the Lupidae snorted impatiently. "Move. Now," he snapped.

  The team stepped aside, watching the men vanish into the throng.

  The Nereid girl peeked out. Alma was by her side instantly.

  "It’s okay. You’re safe now," she said gently.

  The girl’s rge eyes welled up. "I… I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t—"

  Luna’s voice was soft but firm. "Who were they?"

  The girl trembled. "I-I can’t… I have to go."

  She turned to flee, but Luna pced a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Wait. You don’t have to run. Let us help."

  The girl hesitated, then shook her head. "I’m sorry… and thank you…" She slipped away into the festival crowd.

  Drifter sighed. "Those weren’t real cops. And that girl? She’s in serious trouble."

  Jaxon adjusted his hat. "Yeah, and too scared to trust us."

  Alma’s eyes hardened. "We can’t just leave her."

  Drifter turned to Friedrich. "Professor?"

  Friedrich didn’t hesitate. "We follow her. The meeting can wait."

  "Finally, some action," Jaxon muttered.

  They moved as one, vanishing into the sea of festival-goers.