Seventh day of Sapta’xahr, Wieh’zien

Dark clouds have formed above Nalkad Island. Although it is still mid-afternoon, the surroundings feel like the evening is approaching fast. The cold wind blows some dried leaves into the fourth watch tower as Zharyx opens the creaking door. Victor follows him shortly, letting more dried leaves inside. The jumbled noises of the students inside spoil the gloomy mood outside. It seems that the members of Asylum are having a meeting on their own, despite each pair talking in different topics completely unrelated to the others.

“You ate the pack of chocolates I was keeping, didn’t you?!”

“I don’t know. It wasn’t named.”

“You little-”

“Like I said, I’m getting my armor back. I also asked them to send one for you.”

“I’m not used to wearing those stuff. I can make any normal clothe as hard as those.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Everyone else should get something to help them fight better.”

“I’ll pass on the offer. This sword is enough to scare people.”

“Sorry, I forgot about you.”

“Heh-! Is that a haunted house props?”

“I wouldn’t mind testing it by giving you another scar.”

“Now, now, I’m against violence. Please stop fighting. I’ll get you a new box of chocolates tomorrow.”

“Won’t your little sister just eat it again?”

“I can’t help it if I’m hungry.”

“Argh-! Do something about this glutton!”

“U-um, can you all be quiet for a moment?”

“I’ll give you a face as distorted as your personality!”

“You two, please stop. The StuCo is here.”

“My, where are your manners, you audacious man.”

“If you don’t shut up, I’ll sew your mouth with my fist!”

“Pfft-! They’re gonna start hitting each other! So Prez, who are you betting on?”

“Why are you doing this?!!”

Zharyx stands in front of the boisterous group. He scans each one of them with his eyes. He takes a deep breath before making a loud noise by clapping to pull everyone’s attention towards his direction. Everyone becomes quiet.

“It seems like you lot have plenty of free time to be goofing around.” His deep hoarse voice rings amidst the silence.

“Actually, we’re very busy.” Azalea says casually breaking the heavy atmosphere.

“Shhh--! Can you not?!” Tristan interrupts. “Mister StuCo Prez, please have a seat.”

Duke then pulls a couple of chairs to give to the guests. He smiles politely while giving them their chairs.

“Well then, let’s hear your report.” Zharyx says after sitting comfortably. “First, what is the situation in the red-zone?”

“Nothing spectacular to say.” Azalea answers then she taps Tristan’s shoulder.

“Ah- umm… We were able to make contact with Smash.” Tristan flinches. He looks straight into Zharyx’ eyes while recalling their recent activities. “They caught wind of the rumors but they do not know the origin either. For now, we are maintaining an alliance in order to exchange information. Nothing suspicious to report on their side.” He takes a deep breath to calm himself. “As for the Headless Warriors… it’s a bit complicated. We were able to make a deal with Minerva Penta however contacting the officers seems to be problematic.”

“I am somewhat aware of how the Headless works.” Zharyx rubs his chin. “You secured an eye inside… that is enough. However, it will be more helpful if you can get another source of information.”

“We’ll work on that.” Azalea answers and then she turns towards Emil with her usual smile. “We have the perfect scout here.”

“Fine,” Emil scratches his head. “I’ll get someone we can easily threaten!”

“Eh-? You don’t have to threa…” Tristan mumbles.

“For the Executioners…” Zharyx’ forehead wrinkles. “Talking doesn’t usually work on them.”

“You know them?” Azalea asks.

“Not personally. They are always late to submit their quarterly club activity report so a member of the student council always comes to get it from them.” He sighs. “They always end up challenging the person into a duel.”

“Last year,” Victor adds. “It took three tries before the report collector was able to make them write their report. If the collector does not win the duel they refuse to hand their report in. Seriously, it’s always a pain dealing with them.”

“Duels?” Blair grins mischievously. “We should just go and beat them up.”

“Blair, please shut up.” Azalea's says in a cold tone.

“I think we can easily win, though.” She mutters while pouting.

“That and the second topic of this meeting…” Zharyx says softly. He then turns his gaze to Azalea. “About the report you sent, that thing concerning that cargo ship… Will it really happen?”

“The probability is high.” She answers.

“That cargo ship has been sunk a few days ago.” Victor reports. “It sailed far into the sea and then exploded. The whole ship, everything in it, is now lying deep in the ocean floor. There are no survivors.”

“Are they going for a search?” Emil asks.

“No,” he answers calmly. “Eldoon New city’s government does not intend to check the wreckage. The deeper part of the ocean is a very dangerous place to explore. Nobody has any idea what kind of monsters will suddenly pop out of nowhere. They just held a funeral and blessing the by the port.”

“Maybe they should.” Azalea says softly; her smile looks faint. “Might find something…”

“I have informed the headmaster about the plan you proposed.” Zharyx fixes his eyes on Azalea. “He approved of it… However, if it becomes too dangerous, retreat towards the admin building. You know what you’re putting yourself into.”

Azalea keeps her business smile on. “Of course, of course.”

“One more thing, Victor and I won’t be here on that day. Don’t do anything unnecessary just because nobody’s watching you.”

“Come on, I’m not a kid.” She forces a laugh.

“I heard you are cutting classes more often this time.” Zharyx glares at her.

Azalea avoids eye contact. “Well… There are stuff…”

“I’ll watch her then.” Evan volunteers cutting in between the two.

“I don’t need it.” She flat out refuses but Evan simply smiles back.

“Um. About that thing the headmaster left?...” Tristan asks. The unsightly sculpture is being displayed in an old shelf in the second floor of the watch tower.

“That thing?” Zharyx recalls. “I believe it will be fine here. You do not have to worry about it. Mister Wyvern will help you look after it when that day comes.” Then they both stand up. “We’ll be going then. Let us know if something suddenly comes up.”

“O-okay.” Tristan gulps while watching them leave.

“I hope they bring snacks next time. Very impolite.” Prim mutters while chewing a piece of chocolate chip cookie.

“By the way,” Azalea suddenly raises her voice. “About the weapons, armors and whatever, they are going to be delivered here in a few weeks. If there’s anything else you need to add, let me know now.”

“Are those legal?” Tristan gives her a doubtful look.

“Who cares?” She answers teasingly. “Anyway, I got you some sort of a magical rifle. With your skills you should be able to use it!”

“I don’t need any of those!!” He yells. “I can’t fight! I’ll surely die this time!”

“Same here.” Prim says after sipping her coffee.

“You’re a contractor, that’s understandable.” Emil says.

“Don’t worry, Wrie and I can handle everything.” Duke says with a smile.

“Is that yashou still wondering around on its own?” Emil asks.

Duke chuckles. “It can’t be helped. That’s just how that one is.”

“I don’t see any problem with that, as long as it can fight.” Azalea declares. “Prim can stay in a safe place when things go bad.”

“Hey, hey,” Blair joins in wearing a cheerful expression. “What can your green-haired look-alike do?”

Prim stares at Blair for a short moment. Then she opens her mouth, “Beat the stupid out of you.”

“You’re hella rude for someone who looks like she could drown in a kid’s pool.” Blair retorts while gritting her teeth behind a smirk.

“You talk so much for someone who has an IQ that’s the same as her age.”

“I can’t accept something like that from you. You’re just as dumb as me!”

“Can you two stop it.” Tristan goes in between Prim and Blair. “Are you not ashamed?”

Azalea laughs while watching them. “Okay, okay. That’s entertaining. I’ll go first.”

She is about to leave when Evan sneaks behind her.

“Azalea, you look tired,” he says. “When was the last time you were able to rest comfortably?”

“What are you talking about?” She replies without looking at him. She lowers her tone. “If you don’t stop being creepy, I’ll rip your ears off.” She warns him before leaving.

“What’s wrong?” Blair asks Evan who remains standing close to the door.

“Hmm. Blair, may I ask you a question?” Evan responds looking straight at her.

“Depends on the question.”

The usual uncanny curve on his lips falls flat. “Have you ever seen Azalea sleep?”

“Huh?..” Blair thinks back. They are roommates, the answer should be obvious. “Well... I always fall asleep before Az, and she’s already awake every time I wake up.”

“I see.” Evan then leaves; his smile is no longer present.

“What’s with him?” Blair mutters.

“He must have noticed something’s up.” Emil responds softly.

∞×∞

Seventh day of Sapta’xahr, Wieh’zien

The scent of the moist ground permeates the Headmasters Office. The rain is lightly pouring, sprinkling on the thirsty ground soaking the dried leaves. When cold wind blows it lets a few rain drops into the rails of the window. The headmaster pauses to look at the scenery beneath before closing the windows. He goes back to his desk to face his guest.

Zharyx sits on the couch staring at his phone. He then puts it down the table to face his father.

“Asylum is doing a good job.” He starts reporting while keeping a relaxed posture. “They look rowdy at first glance but each of them is well aware of their role. Even though they all have just met not too long ago… They are quite the terrifying group, I must say.”

The headmaster pulls a stick of cigarette from his pocket. “That must be one reason… They can cooperate well for now, because they can only see the surface of who their friends really are.”

“Are their bonds that weak?”

“I cannot say that.” He rolls the stick between his fingers. “I’d love to see how they progress from here on.”

“About the possibility of an attack,” Zharyx opens a new topic that makes his brows furrow. “If what Azalea speculats to happen is true, then won’t it be better to activate the Academy’s defense system?”

He stares at the cigarette stick on his palm and then sighs. “That’s a little complicated. I doubt these assailants are not aware of our defense system. If they have planned that much, they must at least have a general idea as to how the academy’s barriers work.” He looks towards the window. The rain has stopped but the dark clouds that brought it are still lingering on the sky. “There are multiple things that the assailant can target here. Some things that they could take with them… and some things that just needs to be rendered unusable.”

“The defense system?” Zharyx covers his mouth as he comes to realize a certain thought. “Sylphid Pandora… but that’s…”

“Might be going too far?” The headmaster finishes his sentence for him. The look of disbelief is clearly painted on their faces. “The possibility is there and I cannot overlook it.”

Sylphid Pandora is the mage specializing in defense that maintains the barrier around Nalkad Island. The island has a defensive magic circle separate from the city. Nalkad Island and AB Academy as a whole is considered as an independent institution that is not under the governance of New Eldoon City. It is an island owned and is overseen directly by ICA.

Sylphid has been the one gatekeeper that protects AB Academy for decades. However, no matter how strong she is, age is catching up to her. As more years pass-by, Sylphid is little by little starting to weaken and so is the protection she provides. Now, even if the defense system is activated, and the academy becomes successful in thwarting the assailants plan, another problem will rise. They will not be able to use the defense system for the next six months. Within this period, the magical barriers need to be reinforced and strengthened. All of these will fall on Sylphid’s hands. It will only tire her out more. In case a secondary attack happens in that time, they may lose their last line of defense and the academy will be exposed to all dangers.

“Miss Pandora is no longer in her prime.” Zharyx says. “What happened to her successor?”

“Well, we already have a candidate.” The headmaster recalls the person in question. “I met him once. His training is still ongoing.” He clenches his fist. “Maintaining a defensive magic circle in the whole island is far from an easy task. Sylphid’s very own defensive magic has a lot of complicated overlapping circles in them. I always doubted that anyone would understand it other than herself.” He shakes his head.

“And that makes following on Azalea’s plan the best option?..” Zharyx takes a deep breath. His tone is full of doubt and suspicion. “Father, the way this enemy obtained the information about the academy is suspicious no matter how I think about it.”

“I know.”

“Even Azalea has not caught up to the existence of Miss Pandora… yet.”

“Looking at the details of her plan… I’m sure she already has the idea that something like her exists. She just does not have the proof to confirm her suspicions.”

“Following that… Doesn't it?… It kind of makes the point of taking her here completely useless now.”

“I know.” The headmaster glances at the crumpled stick of cigarette on his hand. He throws it to the trash can but he misses so it falls to the floor. He frowns. “It’s like no matter what we do, we are already losing.”

“If we make a move now instead of waiting…” Zharyx mumbles but he suddenly clicks his tongue. “It’s no good, is it?.. We can’t gamble to make them change their plans. We might put the people of New Eldoon in danger instead.”

“There is still the probability of this attack being a diversionary tactic.” He adds as he picks up the crumpled cigarette and then throws it into the trash. “I have sent a word explaining the possibilities and the steps we’re taking to the high command of ICA.”

“What are they planning to do?”

“The House of Kirihara is on guard.”

“I see.”

“If the Kiriharas are taking action then there is nothing to worry about.” The headmaster believes. He peeks at the window. The rain has completely stopped but the darkness of the night has already engulfed the surroundings. “The problem is that child. She is putting herself out there. I wanted to be careful so that none of the Seven Houses finds her… At least, not until that child is ready to face any of them.”

After a long pause, he raises his voice. “We can only watch and see where this incident will take us after this.” He walks back to his desk. “Zharyx.”

“Yes?”

“Start informing the select members of faculty.” He clasps his hands together. “They do not need to know all the details about how we came up with the plan. Make sure they know their posts on that day. Also, select some members of BK to stand as guards close to the admin building. Do it discreetly.”

“Understood.” He answers with a firm voice. “What of Asylum?”

The headmaster closes his eyes and ponders. “There will be no change in the plan they have proposed.” He then rests his back on his chair. “The younger Naoe… Evancross… Well, even I can’t understand what he wants, but it doesn’t seem like the young master of the Kirihara is involved.”

“I have confirmed that Evancross has been given the freedom to act on his own during his stay in this academy. In exchange, he will keep that sword with him all the time.” Zharyx explains.

“I see. A whim, is it?..”

“He is very different from his older brother.”

The headmaster chuckles. “Is he the kind that you cannot get along well with?”

“He is the kind that you shouldn’t trust…” He turns his eyes away and then covers his mouth. “Maybe it’s because I do not know him well enough. But… That guy is very unpredictable.”

“Joining Asylum all of a sudden.” He smiles. “I see your point… This much should be enough.” He looks at his son. “Good work for today. I leave the rest to you.”

“Yes.”

Zharyx then stands up and then bows his head before leaving.