[Research Center – Verm Evocaier Academy]

  Drifter sat in the corner of the white room, back pressed against the cold wall, his vacant gaze fixed on the Bck Cube floating in its protective field. Whispers gnawed at his mind like cold winds through cracks.

  His empty stare remained unchanged until something touched his consciousness, a voice unlike the others. A distortion, like a rift in reality speaking directly to him.

  "They... are coming..."

  His eyelids blinked once, slow but sharp. His empty gaze ignited, fshing with an unusual gleam—not just awareness, but something darker, deeper. His lips curled into a twisted smile, not of relief, but of something far more unsettling—like a predator finally finding its prey.

  His body trembled—then surged forward. Blue light enveloped him, forming shimmering bck armor as his cloak billowed in the energy-charged air.

  Exaltare materialized in his grip, its dark gray bde pulsing with vibrant blue light. The very air quaked as he stood firm, his resolve unshaken. Raising his left hand, crackling energy gathered at his fingertips.

  Exalt Storm.

  Three glowing blue sigils fred to life. In an instant, a volley of energy bsts erupted, striking everything in the room.

  As the shockwaves rippled through the space, two figures slowly emerged from invisibility.

  The first, a young man with silver hair, wielded daggers emitting wild blue electricity. His movements were fast, hard to follow as he dodged energy bsts.

  The second figure, tall and slender, moved with an effortless grace. His bck suit remained immacute, a fedora casting a shadow over his face, partially obscuring the eye patch he wore. In his hands, he wielded crescent moon-shaped tonfas, their edges glowing with an unnatural, fiery light—Vimorian Moralistra.

  "Well, well... Do you have some magical sight, or is that just pure skill? I'll give credit where it's due... that was impressive." the man said.

  Drifter's eyes fred with a dark gleam, his gaze sharp like a knife. The muscles in his brow tensed, revealing raw anger, while his lips curled slightly.

  Fire and lightning Evocaier... whoever they are, no mercy, Drifter thought.

  Suddenly, the room trembled like a storm. Drifter's feet braced hard against the ground.

  The man smiled faintly, tilting his head in a gesture both rexed and almost dismissive.

  "Ah, too bad the lights are still on. Looks like we're about to get a real show, huh?"

  Drifter's eyes sharpened, narrowing at him.

  No doubt about it... that vibration... Skyship Cannon... Damn... Looks like that nightmare is becoming a reality. I hope they all make it, Drifter thought.

  The young man disappeared in a fsh of blue lightning, reappearing at the magisterial console. He threw a small rectangur box in three directions, creating glowing blue portable shields to protect him while his fingers touched the console near the Bck Cube.

  Drifter immediately vanished into blue particles—Exalt Shift—moving straight to the console's side. He sshed at the shield with Exaltare, but suddenly felt heat on his right. The man in the fedora emerged from fmes, attacking with his dual tonfa bdes. The ssh struck Drifter's arm, but his armor and natural barrier protected him.

  "Oh, come now. Don't spoil the fun for my partner," the man said.

  Drifter stepped back, but the man advanced with weapons engulfed in raging fmes. Drifter released a series of Spectral Swords towards the youth at the console. Dozens attacked from various angles, but before they reached their target, the man in the fedora snapped his fingers.

  Click… the sound of his finger snap.

  Suddenly, an explosion shattered every sword into bursts of energy.

  The man in the fedora continued sshing toward Drifter, who blocked with Exaltare. Blue light and fire cshed in the room.

  The man chuckled softly. "Ah, an Arcane Saber? How quaint. You don't see those much anymore. A shame, really—almost a lost art."

  Drifter gritted his teeth. Damn... whether I like it or not, I have to deal with him, he thought grimly.

  With unwavering determination, Drifter activated Exalt Shift once more, his sword carving a brilliant blue streak through the air toward the man's back. But with effortless grace, the man spun his dual tonfa bdes behind him, deflecting the strike without so much as a backward gnce, a smug smile tugging at his lips.

  In one fluid motion, he whirled around, executing a perfect 360-degree ssh. Drifter barely stepped back in time, but before he could regain footing, the man snapped his fingers with a sly grin.

  Explosions of fire struck Drifter, but he emerged from the smoke, his sword slicing toward the man's head. The fedora-wearer tilted his head effortlessly to dodge, then countered with a fiery kick that sent Drifter staggering backward.

  "Quite nimble," the man said casually. "But cks impact." He winked.

  Drifter’s eyes widened, his thoughts racing—he’d never seen anyone fight like this. What css is he...? That finger snap—it's not just for show. How does his magic work? I need to be careful.

  Taking a deep breath, Exaltare began to shine, its blue energy intensifying. Determined, he swung his sword, unleashing a barrage of Exalt Edge—blue energy waves surging toward the man in the fedora.

  However, the man moved his dual tonfa bdes with uncanny precision, slicing through each wave until the energy dissipated into nothing.

  The man materialized spinning red sigils in both hands, radiating intense heat before disappearing as swiftly as they appeared.

  Drifter felt arming heat beneath his feet, sharp and searing. What is he doing? A trap rune? he thought, eyes scanning the room.

  He took a slow step sideways, while keeping eyes and body aligned with his opponent.

  The man smiled faintly, fingers raised. With a snap, he cast Fme Burst.

  The explosion struck like a storm, scorching Drifter’s hands and waist. The Lumina Core on his wrist shattered, fragments vanishing into the air. His Evocyte recovery pouch burst apart, its remains falling uselessly to the ground.

  Drifter staggered but quickly steadied himself, his face composed—showing no panic, only a cold, unwavering gaze filled with relentless determination.

  "Ah, what a shame," the man mocked. "Looks like your little energy drink spilled, didn't it? How terribly unfortunate..."

  He suddenly emerged from the fmes in front of Drifter, swinging his Fire Tonfa Bdes in a swift motion. As he cast Inferno Shrapnel, the bdes shattered into bursts of glowing energy, scattering in chaotic patterns before erupting in an explosion.

  Drifter jumped high and sshed downward with one hand. As the man blocked the strike, Drifter fired an Exalt Bolt from his left hand—blue projectiles shooting toward the man's face. His red natural barrier protected him, but the fedora fell, and a smile spread across his face.

  "Now that's better..." the man said with a rexed tone.

  Drifter was sweating. He gnced to his left, watching the barrier protecting the Bck Cube begin to fade while the young man worked at the console.

  No time left... Drifter thought to himself.

  [Location: Front Area of Academy – Night – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

  The night wind howled fiercely. Friedrich stood among the Holy Knights at the edge of the academy's front yard, eyes fixed on the holographic dispy reflecting red light from the fallen structures.

  He raised his hand to the Lumina Core on his wrist. The ARF comms text fshed on the hologram screen.

  "Research Center team, report in... Drifter, do you copy?"

  Explosions drew closer, shaking the air and ground beneath him, but Friedrich didn't flinch. Suddenly, Vilreth's name appeared beneath the ARF text.

  "Commander, we’ve lost the golems and skyships. The enemy unched a surprise assault on all our hangars... They have Stealth Automatons," Vilreth reported.

  Friedrich's jaw tightened. "How many units are left?" he asked.

  After a brief silence, Vilreth replied emotionlessly, "We have no remaining operational units."

  Friedrich's eyes darkened. "Hold your ground. Varde reinforcements are en route," he commanded.

  Soft but confident footsteps approached. Without looking, Friedrich spoke sharply, "Did you hear my orders? To the shelter. Now."

  Alma and Nadia stood firm in their battle gear, resolute. Alma’s voice trembled but held steady. "We're not going."

  Friedrich met her pinkish eyes, exhaling quietly as if holding something back. "Damn..."

  Friedrich scanned the students of Css Equites—Lorcan, Sloane, Reine, Caelus, Alyssa, Bryan, Erick, Vaeloria, Mia, Lily, Vellya, and others. Most stood ready, though some, like Alma and Nadia, relied on equipped gear over materialized armor. Fear flickered in their eyes, some trembling—yet none stepped back.

  Lorcan forced a smirk, masking his unease. "Oi, Alma, Nadia... don’t act like you’re the only tough ones. We’re here too, right?"

  Caelus spoke calmly but with quiet resolve. "What else can we do? This city, this academy... it’s our home."

  A faint smile broke through Alma and Nadia’s tension.

  Sloane eyed the approaching automatons and exhaled. "Yeah… if you think about it, this is kinda beyond us, right?"

  Alyssa scoffed. "Oh, come on. We’re not quitting just because it looks tough."

  Bryan sighed. "Just don’t do anything reckless, Alyssa."

  Mia groaned. "Ugh… can we at least try not to die young?"

  Vaeloria stepped forward, her stance firm. "Like it or not, we’re doing this."

  Vellya hugged her guardian skeleton, her voice steady. "Papa and Mama will protect us all."

  Reine, Erick, and Lily remained silent, their faces pale but determined.

  Vaeloria gnced at them, her tone softer. "You okay? No one’s forcing you."

  Lorcan’s usual bravado faded as he added seriously, "Yeah. If you’re unsure, head to the shelter. No shame in that."

  Reine forced a small smile. "Don’t worry. We stick together, right? Just like always."

  Erick gave a firm nod. "Yeah. We’ll be fine."

  Lily exhaled, gncing at Vellya. "If the little one’s in, I’ve got no excuse to be scared."

  More students from various csses gathered, swelling their ranks.

  Friedrich scanned their young faces, then nodded. "Alright. Listen carefully. Follow my orders. If I say retreat, you retreat. Understood?"

  A chorus of nods followed—fear mingling with determination.

  Turning to the instructors, Friedrich issued a firm command. "Keep them safe. Don’t let them act recklessly."

  Luna’s voice carried warmth. "They will be safe. I’ll make sure of it."

  Alina’s tone was firm. "We’ll protect them."

  Jaxon smiled faintly. "No one’s dying here."

  A low, mechanical hum grew into a rumble as the ground trembled beneath them. Friedrich’s voice rang out, steady and commanding. "Everyone, get ready! Hold the line!"

  The first explosion followed—a blinding fsh of light and a deafening roar.

  Friedrich and the Holy Knights charged ahead, with Luna and Alina at the front. Jaxon led the rear, keeping the students in formation with a few others.

  Then, like a storm, the automatons advanced.

  Steel cshed, energy crackled, and the ground shook beneath their feet as battle erupted.

  [Location: Evocaier Academy – Research Center – Night – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

  Drifter and the man in the fedora cshed violently, blue energy colliding with raging red storm, sending sparks flying. Each strike echoed like metal against metal. Drifter's attacks grew sharper, exploiting every opening, but his opponent blocked each attack with dance-like movements.

  Drifter focused on his breathing, eyes darting between his opponents. I hope this works, he thought.

  The blue swords circling him moved like flowing water toward the fedora-wearing man. As his opponent blocked and destroyed them, Drifter vanished into blue particles—Exalt Shift. He reappeared near the console, but red light fred beneath him. Ignition Trap.

  Boom!

  A massive explosion erupted, sending a red-orange pilr of fire skyward. But Drifter was ready. Exalt Barrier surrounded him, a transparent blue shield pulsing with energy. The silver-haired youth froze, eyes wide with surprise.

  Drifter unleashed Azure Tempest, filling the room with afterimages and blue sshes like a raging storm. The youth, however, merged with blue lightning, leaping high to evade every bde.

  The tempest shattered all portable shields and gouged the floor deeply. After nding, the young man exhaled briefly. "Man, that was close," he said calmly with a small smile pying at his lips.

  From afar, the man's smile widened. "Don't tell me that was your best shot," he teased.

  Drifter stood firm, materializing his Exalt Barrier again. The man raised an eyebrow. "You think you can take me head-on? Bold... but foolish."

  He dismissed his tonfa bdes and summoned red sigils, releasing Ember Precision. Molten fireballs formed at his fingers, shooting toward Drifter and destroying his barrier. Yet Drifter formed a new one each time.

  His breathing grew heavier, eyes narrowing as pressure mounted. Just a little more...

  Suddenly, the man paused mid-swing, brow furrowed. Drifter seized the opportunity, dashing forward. Exaltare moved with lightning speed, its blue gleam cutting through the air in a flurry of sshes that destroyed the man's natural barrier. The final strike pierced his bck suit, drawing blood.

  The man winced. "Tch..." His hand lifted, gathering fire energy to heal his wound. Across the room, the silver-haired youth froze in surprise.

  Drifter's victory was brief. Pain spread through his body as Exaltare's faded. Damn... My reserve is almost gone, he thought.

  The man straightened, wiping blood away casually. "Ah, bravo! That was almost... entertaining. But, I'm afraid the show ends here."

  He disappeared into fmes, reappearing before Drifter with wild eyes and wrong smile. His strikes grew faster, more aggressive. Drifter struggled to block, retreating step by step.

  When his opponent sshed vertically with a fiery shockwave, Drifter raised a small Exalt Barrier. The shield held momentarily, causing the man to stagger. Quickly, Drifter spun and sshed at the man’s right arm, tearing his jacket as the man turned into fme and disappeared into the distance. Drifter pursued, summoning a dozen spectral swords, but the man created a firewall that destroyed them all.

  Suddenly, the young man called out, "Done."

  Drifter turned quickly—the shield around the Bck Cube had vanished. The youth touched it, dark energy pulsing beneath his fingertips.

  Cold filled Drifter's chest. Stay calm... It's not over yet. If I can take this guy down...

  He used Exalt Shift again, teleporting to the right of the man and unleashing Azure Tempest. His afterimages sshed through the air, but struck only a fire dummy as it was an illusion trap. Suddenly, the air heated around him. A series of explosions hit him with brutal force.

  Drifter dropped to one knee. His barrier held briefly, but Azure Tempest ceased. The man appeared to his left, and with a single ssh, triggered Inferno Shrapnel. The explosions shattered Drifter's natural barrier. Pain seared through his ribs as his body smmed into the floor.

  The world spun around him. He tried to rise, but his strength had drained. Blood pooled beneath him.

  His opponent dismissed his weapons, which dissipated into red particles. He retrieved his fedora and turned toward Drifter. "Well, what a shame... looks like the prize is already in our hands," he grinned with dark satisfaction.

  The taunting words cut deep. Drifter y gasping, Exaltare and his armor fading into the air.

  The two intruders walked toward the exit, but the man paused at the doorframe, gncing at Drifter's weakened form. "Don't take it personally. It's just business."

  Outside, a bck Alcherider appeared from invisibility, its sharp angles and aerodynamic body hovering with cold blue light.

  Before boarding, the man snapped his fingers, triggering Concussive Fme. A deafening boom erupted, followed by a massive fireball forming a mushroom cloud with a powerful shockwave. The explosion lit up the night sky behind him as his smile brightened the darkness.

  The young man watched coldly as the Research Center crumbled. "Well... it always ends with a bang," he said, entering the cockpit. The man followed, his smile never fading as he shut the door.

  [Outside the Research Center – Verm Evocaier Academy – Battlefield – Night]

  The ground shook violently as tremors rippled through the battlefield. An explosion roared like a dragon's cry, blending with cshing magic, cnging steel, and war screams.

  Sloane flinched, nearly losing bance as he deflected an attack with Zephyra Fang, his dagger. His face paled as he stared at the explosion's source. "What in the world was that?"

  A panther-shaped automaton leapt from the shadows. Its cws shed out, barely missing Sloane as he rolled away, wild winds swirling around him.

  Nearby, Reine gripped his sword and shield, Vireiscryne tightly, the shield trembling under energy bsts. "That's coming from the Research Center," he said tensely, gaze fixed on distant fmes.

  Alina tore through automatons with her Frostshard Legacy greatsword but stopped suddenly, eyes locked on the firestorm. "Luna... is that—"

  Luna stood firm despite her strained breathing. Her hands glowed with blue sigils, freezing advancing enemies. Her gaze remained fixed on the distant inferno, her expression shadowed with fear. "I know," she murmured, hands trembling slightly.

  [Location: Evocaier Academy – Research Center – Night – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

  Cold enveloped Drifter as he y beneath the rubble. His breaths came shallow and weak. The faint blue glow from the Elysian Wardstone had barely shielded him from the worst of the explosion.

  His vision blurred, distant arms and battle sounds receding like whispers into silence. His hand clutched the fading Wardstone until its warmth vanished, repced by bone-deep cold. "Vina… you saved me again… I'm sorry… Wardstone… your precious one..." he whispered.

  The stone crumbled to dust in his grasp, the final memento of his past gone.

  Shadows twisted in the corners like sentient creatures watching him. With great effort, Drifter forced his eyes open. A faint shimmer appeared, solidifying into a blurred figure that shifted constantly—one moment human, the next something indescribable. Its face changed with each transformation, subtly wrong, as if reality rejected its presence.

  The figure approached with deliberate steps. Its smile was gentle yet sinister, its voice soft but oppressively heavy. "Hello again, my dear."

  Icy tendrils shot through Drifter's veins. The voice felt both familiar and alien, digging into buried memories. He tried to move, to speak, but remained paralyzed by fear and weakness.

  The figure crouched before him, its void-like eyes staring into his soul. "Oh, don't bother. I can see you're not quite up for a chat."

  Its tone was soft, almost mocking, wrapped in false affection. It leaned closer, cold breath sending shivers through him.

  "I know what you're thinking—'Why are you here?' Well, let's just say I wanted to see how it all pys out...."

  The words struck hard, dragging Drifter back into inescapable memories. Visions of his friends fighting an impossible battle filled his mind—not dreams, but cold reality sinking into his heart.

  The figure raised its hand, plunging the room into darkness. Horrifying images flooded Drifter's thoughts: Friedrich wielding his glowing Mace against endless waves; Luna, exhausted yet resolute; Alma, struggling to heal the injured; Nadia, trembling as she created protective barriers.

  "Look at them. They're giving everything they've got, aren't they? But it's never enough," the figure's voice poisoned the nightmare.

  Drifter's heart raced with fear. His fingers trembled, searching for anything to hold onto.

  The figure leaned closer, its whisper both tempting and sinister. "I can change all this. Bring back the Cube, save them. All you have to do is ask."

  Drifter froze, caught between fear and impossible hope. But something about the figure felt deeply wrong. His body remained still, voice trapped, even as his heart rebelled. No... This is wrong... but out there... they need me...

  The figure leaned in, its face nearly touching his, smile widening mockingly. "You'll change your mind, My Dear. You always do."

  It stood, its body shimmering and vibrating, warping the room around it. Shadows stretched and wrapped around the figure before it vanished, leaving crushing silence.

  Drifter y still, strength gone, mind haunted by terrifying images. He tried to hold onto his friends' faces, but darkness slowly consumed everything, enveloping him completely.