[Location: Maranagara City – Noon – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

  Drifter pushed through the bustling crowd, keeping his eyes locked on the girl ahead. She darted toward a towering square building, its crystal walls gleaming under the midday sun. The lotus insignia of the Evocaier Order stood boldly at the entrance, wings spread wide in an emblem of authority.

  A familiar voice called from behind.

  “Sorry, I’ll wait here.” Friedrich stood just outside the crowd, his expression measured. “They’d recognize me.”

  “Alright, we’ve got this,” Luna said, striding forward without hesitation.

  Drifter fell in step beside her, with Jaxon and Alma close behind. As they neared the grand structure, the sheer scale of it pressed down on them. The surrounding gardens were pristine, centered around an ornate fountain where a sculpted woman poured water from an elegant jug. The architecture loomed like a pace, the reflective walls shifting in the sunlight.

  Drifter gnced at his companions. “First time here?”

  “You bet,” Jaxon said with a grin.

  Alma’s eyes widened as she took it all in. “Wow... This pce makes the academy look tiny.”

  Luna nodded. “It might even be bigger than the headquarters in Nethia.”

  Jaxon chuckled. “Wouldn’t surprise me. This branch is next level.”

  At the entrance, a mustached man with curly brown hair stepped forward. “Can I help you?”

  Jaxon fshed a charming smile and smoothly produced a “Vytros Seal” ID card from his coat, the name “David Akmer” embossed on it.

  “Rindos Agricultural Corporation,” he said. “We’re here about a small sponsorship—donating food supplies for the Sarjavah Festival. Just our way of supporting the Order’s efforts.”

  The man studied the ID, then gave a curt nod. “Reception’s through there.”

  “Appreciate it,” Jaxon said, slipping the card away with practiced ease.

  They entered, the quiet swallowing them whole. The only sound was the soft trickle of the fountain outside. Automatic doors sealed shut behind them with a low hiss.

  Alma leaned toward Drifter, her voice low. “Is it just me, or is this pce way too empty?”

  Luna gnced around. “Maybe most of the staff is out preparing for the festival.”

  Jaxon hummed in thought. “Could be, but still... Feels off.”

  Drifter scanned the vast circur chamber. A glowing blue aquarium dominated the center, casting shifting light across the crystal floors. On the far side, a Nereid girl hunched over a holographic screen, her fingers clenched tight. Beside her stood a woman with striking orange hair.

  “There she is,” Drifter muttered.

  As they approached, the Nereid girl shrank into her chair, her hands trembling. She turned away, refusing to meet their gaze.

  Jaxon stepped toward the orange-haired woman while Luna and Alma settled into seats. Drifter remained standing.

  The woman offered a polished smile. “How can I assist you?”

  “Rindos Agricultural Corporation,” Jaxon repeated smoothly. “We’re offering a food supply sponsorship for the festival.”

  Her fingers danced across the console. “That’s very generous. We always welcome outside support, especially during festival season.” She gestured toward the seating area. “Please, make yourselves comfortable. I’ll notify Sir Lance Vermonth—he handles sponsorship details and should be here shortly.”

  Jaxon’s gaze flickered to the Nereid girl. Her entire body was rigid, her knuckles white.

  “That girl seems a little... on edge,” he remarked.

  The woman’s smile never wavered. “She got separated from her parents in the festival chaos. We’re handling it. Nothing to be concerned about.”

  Jaxon held her gaze for a second before nodding and taking a seat. Alma waved gently at the Nereid girl, while Luna offered a soft, reassuring smile. The girl didn’t react, her fingers twisting her skirt into tight knots.

  “Should we go talk to her?” Alma whispered.

  Luna shook her head. “Let’s wait.”

  Drifter remained quiet, arms crossed, his eyes scanning the room.

  Then the orange-haired woman spoke again, her voice light, practiced.

  “Dhea... your parents are here to pick you up.”

  The girl’s entire body went stiff. Her hands trembled violently.

  Then—

  A voice from outside pierced the air.

  “NO! THOSE AREN’T YOUR PARENTS! RUN!”

  Dhea bolted.

  Drifter, Luna, and Alma were on their feet in an instant. Alma dashed after her.

  Drifter caught a glimpse of the orange-haired woman—her fingers flying over the holographic screen, her shoulders tense, her face carefully neutral.

  Jaxon stepped toward her, his voice calm but firm. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing to be concerned about,” she repeated, her smile frozen in pce. “Just a small misunderstanding.”

  Drifter and Luna wasted no more time. They were already moving.

  Outside, a group of men in bck suits closed in on the Nereid girl. A Felidae girl stood beside her, hood pulled low, her gray-furred hands clenched into fists.

  With lightning-fast reflexes, the Felidae girl grabbed the Nereid’s hand and pulled her toward the exit, weaving effortlessly through the suited men.

  One of them, sungsses gleaming under the sun, turned sharply toward Luna’s group.

  “Who are you?” His voice was ft, unreadable.

  “Rindos Agriculture Company,” Luna replied calmly. “We’re here for food aid.”

  The man’s fingers twitched. A subtle signal.

  Boots thundered against the pavement as his team sprang into motion, charging after the girl.

  Alma moved instinctively, but Luna caught her arm. Alma turned, eyes fshing with frustration.

  “Don’t,” Luna said softly. “You know this isn’t the time.”

  Alma clenched her fists, trembling with unspoken anger. A beat passed, then another. Finally, she exhaled sharply and nodded, though her stance remained rigid.

  “We’ll report to Professor and wait for Jaxon,” Luna said.

  Drifter nodded, and they made their way through the bustling streets, Alma trailing behind.

  They approached the Windy Bloom Café, its rge frameless gss windows adorned with lush green pnts. The space buzzed with chatter and life. Drifter scanned the room until he spotted Friedrich at a corner table, methodically sipping his drink.

  They settled around him - Luna and Drifter across, Alma to his left.

  Friedrich’s gaze was sharp as he set his cup down. “Report.”

  Luna kept her voice level. “The girl ran. A Felidae girl helped her escape, but those suited men chased them. Jaxon stayed behind.”

  Friedrich’s expression darkened. “And they were from the branch office?”

  “We don’t know,” Drifter admitted. “The receptionist cimed the girl was just lost. But the moment those men appeared…” He let the implication hang.

  Friedrich exhaled through his nose, nodding slowly.

  “We’ll wait for Jaxon. Order something.” He took another measured sip.

  A while ter, Jaxon arrived, sliding in next to Drifter with an easy grin. “Miss me?”

  Friedrich barely looked up. “HQ updated our Vytros Seals. Check yours.”

  Drifter activated his Lumina Core. A holographic screen flickered to life, dispying his new identity: Jax Kade – Mercenary.

  Alma frowned. “What about us?”

  “You two aren’t coming,” Friedrich said. “It’s safer if you check into the hotel and rest.”

  Alma bristled. “We can wait outside the meeting—”

  “Bad idea.” Friedrich’s tone was firm but not unkind. “Spies could be watching. Your appearances are too civilian.”

  Alma hesitated. Then, reluctantly, she nodded. “Alright… Dad. Stay safe, okay?”

  “You too,” Luna added.

  Drifter, Jaxon, and Friedrich left the café, Friedrich leading the way. They boarded the skyrail heading to the East District, leaving the Central District behind.

  As they descended, Drifter took in the changing ndscape. The buildings here were lower, with a white sandy beach stretching into the distance. Passengers wore casual beach attire - swimsuits, shorts, sungsses perched atop their heads.

  They arrived at the Tidal Horizon Bar, a sleek structure with dark gray walls nestled along the shoreline. Modern yet organic, the bar featured matte bck walls, expansive gss windows, and natural wood accents softly illuminated by Evocyte mps. A wooden deck with bck woven furniture and marble tables created an atmosphere of rexed elegance.

  Drifter took it in with a skeptical gnce. “This the pce?”

  “No mistake,” Friedrich said. “But don’t judge by appearances.”

  Inside, a blonde elf strummed an acoustic guitar, her voice smooth over the murmur of conversation. At the bar, an Ursidae man maniputed bottles mid-air with telekinetic ease.

  Friedrich stepped forward. “A Virellian Sunset.”

  The bartender studied them, then tapped his Lumina Core. A suited man emerged from the shadows.

  “Follow me.”

  They moved through a narrow, dimly lit corridor. Their footsteps barely made a sound.

  At the end, a door slid open, revealing a stark room with a single table beneath a blinding light.

  “Identification.”

  They tapped their Lumina Cores. Holographic Vytros Seals shimmered in the air. The suited man inspected them, then exited without a word.

  A synthetic voice sliced through the silence.

  “Good evening… Garen Vexler. Jax Kade. Drake Rosier.”

  Drifter suppressed an eye-roll at the fake names.

  “You’re on time. We have work for you. A separatist hideout has been identified.”

  A holographic map materialized, revealing an isnd speckled with boxy buildings.

  “Coordinates sent to your Lumina Core. Your task: destroy it. No questions. No hesitation. Deadline: tomorrow night.”

  “Understood,” Friedrich said coolly.

  “Good. Don’t disappoint us.”

  The hologram vanished. The door opened.

  No one spoke as they left the bar. Outside, night had fallen, leaving the beach eerily quiet. They boarded the skyrail back to the Central District.

  [Location: Vanderne Grand Hotel – Maranagara – Night – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

  The hotel was a monolith of luxury—gss facades reflecting city lights, golden chandeliers casting a regal glow over marble floors, and a central fountain trickling softly.

  To the team, it felt like a gilded prison.

  Their suite was vish—rich mahogany, plush furniture, and a sweeping view of the skyline. But no one rexed. The meeting still hung heavy in the air.

  Alma gnced up from her holographic screen. “Welcome back. How did it go?”

  Luna settled beside her. “Did you find out anything new?”

  Friedrich lowered himself into an armchair, tapping his Lumina Core. A familiar mechanical voice crackled through.

  "I am here. How may I assist you, Commander?"

  “They want us to take out a separatist hideout,” Friedrich said. “No details, no context. Odd—why hire mercs when they have an army?”

  Luna’s brow furrowed. “While you were gone, we dug into Grand Commander Lamont. He has direct ties to Grand Chancellor Radmil Einar. If this order came down, it likely originated from her.”

  Hunter responded without hesitation. “Given that connection, it is likely your team will be stationed aboard the Yuvaka Cruiser.”

  Friedrich’s eyes narrowed slightly. “How long have you been stationed here, Hunter?”

  “I am not a member of the Evocaier Order,” Hunter stated. “However, I have operated in this region for nine years, ten months, and thirteen days.”

  A brief silence followed.

  Not from the Order? Drifter exchanged gnces with Jaxon. That wasn’t expected. For Grandmaster Ragnar to rely on an outsider...

  Friedrich exhaled, shifting gears. “What’s the political climate in the Nusa Union?”

  Hunter responded. “Unstable. Forced bor in the Eterion Mines is no longer a secret. Additionally, six high-ranking officials have been assassinated within the past three months. The perpetrator remains unidentified.”

  Luna’s expression darkened. “This isn’t just about separatists. The resistance is gaining traction, exposing corruption. If Einar’s involved, this mission could be messier than we thought.”

  Hunter remained composed. “My assessment: avoid entanglement in their politics. Focus on the Bck Cube.”

  Friedrich nodded. “We’ll be careful. Observation first, action ter.” He gnced at the team. “Anyone have thoughts?”

  Drifter stared at the city skyline, fingers tapping his knee.

  Politics. Something I never understood. Seven hundred years, and power still clings to those who wield it, just in another form... like the Elysium days.

  Silence stretched between them.

  Friedrich finally stood. “Good work today. Rest up. We move at dawn.”

  Luna nodded. “Take care, everyone.”

  Drifter smirked faintly. “Try not to dream of explosions, Jaxon.”

  Jaxon grinned. “No promises.”

  Alma hesitated, then murmured, “See you in the morning.”

  As they each retreated to their corners of the suite, the weight of the night lingered. They all knew, tomorrow wouldn’t be easy.