The day finally broke. He heard the leaves blasted outside his room. He woke up and leaned forward. He watched how the leaves traveled through the guidance of the breeze. This is scenery that he had not seen in a while.

“I’m back in the glade? Am I dreaming?” He asked himself.

Everything seemed to be strange. He remembered that he was saved by his compatriots from getting trapped on that pocket dimension along with Theo.

“This is not a dream. We made it back here.” Linda said. She brought a soup and a glass of water for him. “After what happened in Kayon City, you’ve been sleeping for six days.”

Alastor sighed. “Is that so? How’s everyone?”

“Fine. Noisy as usual. Nothing to worry about, but we have another problem.” Her face turned grave for a moment.

“What do you mean?”

“It would be better if you see it for yourself. Before that, you’d better leave the bowl empty.”

Left alone unattended, Alastor made his way outside. He will never forget the halls, every corner, and the rooms of this humungous mansion, except that when he went outside, everything is different. The walls are charred in black; some rooms were completely destroyed; the halls were blocked by debris from the upper floor. He decided to go through the garden which is the center of the mansion. It was filled with different kinds of flowers. At the center, there’s a fountain and bench to sit down.

“What has happened here?” He pondered.

Before Alastor walk through there, an unfamiliar girl went to him. She quickly picked up the tray held.

“Sir Rod wants to see you in his office.” She said and went ahead of him.

Along the way, Alastor met a certain face he has not yet seen in months. It was one of his batchmates, Nathaniel. He’s one of the boys that has been admired by the ladies in the Glade, but now, it seems that he lost his prime. He’s in a wheelchair and covered in a bandage.

“Hey, Al.”

“Nat.”

“Dashing as always been.”

“Couldn’t say the same thing to you. What happened?”

“A devil snapped and burned this building.”

“What do you mean?”

“You haven’t filled with what happened?”

“Apparently, I sleep for six days. So, a heads up would be appreciated.”

Nat sighed. “The renegades betrayed us.”

The Renegades, they’re an elite group that played a big part during the War of Blights for the past 30 years. Although, he knew little things about them, especially about the members.

“You’re not gonna believe it, but that freak Maine joined their club. Along with its leader Augustus, declared independence on the Glade and attacked us.”

“What about the Rooks? They weren’t able to stop them?”

“You know how it goes, buddy. One time they’re hanging here, the next day they’re out doing special assignments. Rod said that they’re doing a recruiting and building another branch across the Shahaya sea.”

Even though they’re strong more members in the Glade could take them on, such as the 10 Rooks, they’re the members of the Glade that has a high bounty on their head.

The Rooks were classified as a band as rank S mercenaries within the ranks on Glade. They’re comprised of experienced and powerful people.

“Holy crap.”

The attack was planned. Without the 10 rooks, the entire mansion is left vulnerable. Even though this is the home of the mercenaries, not all of them are destined to stay here, others left here to make their own name while remaining their association on the Glade unknown. The only people that were left here are under the ranks A to D. There were only a few ranks A mercenaries here but that doesn’t mean all of them are capable to defend this place.

“I know, those bastards attack us when we’re left vulnerable, but hey… it’s no use to mourn now. I’ll train harder so next time; I’ll repay them the favor.”

Alastor was already at the door. He was self-conscious as he slowly tilted the doorknob. He knew that they will receive harsh treatment, after all, they had been reckless. It was nothing like common, sometimes the plan doesn’t go to the flow, there are times that it would go sideways, but this one is unacceptable. Not only the Kayon City was nearly destroyed, they even let Theo escape.

Alastor heard the last words that Linda muttered. It was all about the summary of what happened in Kayon City.

“I get it now,” Rod said.

Rod sat down on the chair. His finger’s playing with the pen. Just like others, he looked beaten. He’s covered in a bandage and his left arm has been cemented. He had suffered the same treatment as well as the others.

“An Arbiter, huh? I guess I can make some consideration. Now, that he’s not in Kayon City anymore, we fulfilled the request of our beloved customer.”

“What about the Renegades? Are you just gonna allow them to run amuck?” Linda asked.

“You know what we do those who waged war against us. Of course, we’re going to punish them. Another reason is that, if we let them on the loose, the nations will associate them with us. We can’t have an entire nation hunt us, that would be bad for business.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Alastor asked.

“Patience boy. The other Glade mercenaries are busy building another lair across the Shahaya Sea, but the situation reckoned emergence, so two members of the Rooks will be joining the hunt for the Renegades. In the meantime, heal. You lot have been through a lot. Especially you Alastor. You’ve fought that Arbiter in full strength. I can’t imagine the fear you felt.”

“It was terrifying, indeed. I can’t fathom what they had the offer to gain that kind of strength.” Alastor said.

“The Blight.”

“What about it?”

“Nothing. Listen, now that we confirmed that there’s an Arbiter hiding in the shadows, you must not tell anyone about this. His identity must remain secret.”

“Why?” Ken asked.

“It would cause an uproar among the countries. Thus, it would be another reason for a War of Blight to occur again. We cannot let that happen at all costs. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” They replied.

“For the time being, Alastor, you will train the new member.”

“Me?” Alastor asked. “We both know I suck at magic. Surely, others are willing to comply.”

“I know… that is why I chose you. Since the two of you worked in the past, I am sure you can handle her.”

“Her?”

The door behind opened. She wore the same uniform that they used. Plain jacket and tailor-made pants.

“I am sure you already knew Sherry.”

“I’m pretty sure Ken is willing to teach her,” Alastor said.

“Speak for yourself. As much as I want to, we were assigned for food supply.” Ken replied.

“Sucks to be you.”

“Your training will start tomorrow. Meet me at the ruin, across east.”

“We’re not going to start now?” Sherry asked. A disappointment fell to her face.

“I just woke up. Do you think I’m a morning guy? Hell no. I’m gonna go back to sleep.”

“I guess that sums up all. You all can now leave.”

Alastor thought that his life from now would be easy. Sleeping and eating would be the only thing that revolves around his lifestyle but turns out, he will have to train Sherry as a new member of the Glade. Even if she possessed such abilities, her training would require more than 1 day or more than that to be considered qualified to accept missions.

Alastor glanced at the clouds through the window. His head feels light and relaxed.

“Something tells me that this is going to be a rough ride.”