TIKKA: PALACE
"This is exhausting," Charlotte muttered, pressing the royal seal into yet another document.
"Not just exhausting… boring. Can't I hand all this paperwork over to Lord Silas Vane? It would make things much easier."
The wide desk before her was buried beneath stacks of parchment, each waiting for the authority of the crown.
Silas stood across from her, composed as always.
"No, my king," he said calmly,"This responsibility belongs to you. It is not something I can do in your place."
Charlotte sighed softly but continued stamping.
After a moment, Cassandra spoke.
"Anyway… how is the orphanage coming along?"
As the words left her mouth, the change began.
Her brown eyes faded into silver white, light fracturing within them like a prism.
At the same time, her hair lost its natural color, turning into pure silver, gleaming faintly under the palace light.
Silas noticed immediately.
"They are progressing well," he answered, but his voice carried hesitation.
He looked at her more closely.
"My lord… your eyes… and your hair. They've changed again. Your eyes were brown, but now they hold that prism light… and your hair, it's completely silver."
He paused.
"You look different. Even your voice sounds different. Forgive me if this is a troublesome question."
Cassandra met his gaze without blinking.
"It is still me, Silas, I am still the King of Tikka."
Her silver eyes did not waver.
"This is simply my truest form. In this state, lies cannot exist before me. Nothing can hide. Everything reveals itself exactly as it is."
Silas felt a chill he could not explain.
Cassandra spoke again, her voice carrying quiet authority.
"A lie may walk freely among men, but the moment judgment arrives, it forgets how to stand."
TIKKA
PHANTOM THIEVES HIDEOUT
VAIL FOREST
Deep inside Vail Forest, far from roads, far from cities, and far from watching eyes, the Phantom Thieves had built their home.
The trees there grew tall and stronger their thick trunks forming a natural wall around the clearing.
Sunlight filtered through the heavy canopy in thin golden rays, painting the forest floor in shifting patterns of light and shadow.
A narrow stream ran quietly through the clearing, its clear water flowing over smooth stones with a soft, endless murmur.
That stream was their lifeline. They drank from it, cooked with it, and the children played beside it.
Near the stream stood a modest wooden cabins.
It was simple, built by their own hands, strong enough to endure seasons.
A small fire pit sat outside, thin smoke rising gently into the still air.
It was peaceful.
Zinna stood near the stream, staring into the flowing water.
His red hair caught the light, and his blue eyes reflected something deeper than calm.
"Hey, Thane," he said. "What do you think happens now?"
Thane stood nearby, his black hair slightly messy, his posture relaxed but his eyes alert as always.
"I don't trust them," Zinna continued. "The last job didn't bring enough money.
The black market would've paid more.
We need more if we want to keep this place running."
He glanced back at the cabin's.
"And now we have copycats. Calling themselves the Phantom Thieves.
Even if we stop, they'll keep stealing,People will still blame us."
A small smile formed on his face.
"So we go back, Steal Enorian one last time. The next wagon heading to Daria."
Thane didn't respond immediately.
His gaze shifted to the children running along the stream, their laughter light and free.
"You know," Thane said quietly, "Fulton hasn't reacted to our last heists, That alone is strange."
He folded his arms.
"They've been supplying Daria for years, We hit them more than once. And still… nothing."
He shook his head.
"I think going back would be a mistake."
He looked toward the cabin.
"We have enough money already, Enough to open a sushi restaurant."
A faint smile appeared.
"Nina's cooking is good enough to make that work, We could stop all this,Live normally."
His eyes returned to the children.
"…we should stop risking their lives too."
Zinna followed his gaze.
But his expression didn't change.
"Just one last heist," Zinna said.
His voice was calm, Certain.
"Then we disappear."
He crossed his arms.
"Call it insurance, Backup money."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"Lot is dead, Demi-humans are being freed. And the new king, sounds like she's a good ruler, things is getting better. "
He exhaled.
"She's twelve, she can be manipulated , controlled by someone wicked her mind is fragile and can be laid astray, that alone makes things even more troublesome." Thane said
He looked back at Thane.
"This kingdom is unstable. We take the Enorian, combine it with our savings, move to Daria, and open the restaurant there." zinna replied.
His smile returned.
"It's a perfect plan, what do you say Thane ?"
Silence filled the clearing.
Only the sound of the stream remained.
Thane finally sighed.
"I'll think about it, one last heist " he said.
Right then
"FOOD IS READY!" Nina's voice called out from the cabin.
Both men turned.
As little children ran inside.
Nina stood at the doorway, her red hair tied behind her, her blue eyes bright. She waved at them with a warm smile.
Behind her, the smell of fresh cooking drifted into the forest air.
For a moment
The Phantom Thieves weren't criminals.
They were just people.
DARIA:VALERIAN
THE GUILD
"This is taking too much time,What are they waiting for? They should start the exam already," Cassandra said, bouncing her leg impatiently, her excitement impossible to hide.
The door opened.
A young man stepped inside.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting," he said. "I'm Jake Cole."
He wore a plain light-gray shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and simple black trousers, Nothing fancy. Nothing flashy.
His hair was short, dark blond, and slightly messy, like he didn't care much about styling it. His eyes were blue and calm.
His body was well-built—broad shoulders, narrow waist. The build of someone who trained regularly.
Hanging from his neck was a gold adventurer tag.
JAKE COLE — GOLD RANK
Before he could continue
"JAKE!"
"Oh my gosh, it's him!"
Several girls in the room immediately called his name, smiling brightly.
One even waved.
Jake gave a small, polite nod.
Cassandra leaned toward Hesper.
"What's this creep all about? He seems popular."
"Focus," Hesper said quietly. "We're here for the exam."
Jake began handing out papers and pens.
The paper contained written questions:
What is the first rule of survival during a guild mission?
What should you do if your party leader is injured?
When is retreat the correct decision?
Why are parties required for low-rank adventurers?
What is more important, pride or survival?
"You have one hour," jake said. "Answer everything."
He turned and walked out.
Behind Cassandra.
"He's so handsome…"
"I heard he reached Gold Rank at nineteen…"
Cassandra rolled her eyes and focused on her paper.
Time passed.
Exactly one hour later, Jake returned.
He collected the papers.
Then left again.
A few minutes later
The door opened.
Another man entered.
He was taller.
More serious.
His hair was jet black, and his eyes were golden-brown, sharp and intimidating.
His gold tag reflected the light.
"I'm Victor Hale," he said.
His voice was firm.
"We'll now proceed to the arena. Your combat exam begins."
He handed each of them a number plate.
Cassandra looked at hers.
27
"Follow me."
He turned and walked out.
They followed him down a staircase.
It was dark.
Cold.
Quiet.
Their footsteps echoed.
Then
Light appeared ahead.
They stepped out and entered a massive arena.
Bright.
Wide.
Beautiful.
Stone walls circled the entire space.
They were underground, but it was so bright.
Weapons lined the racks—swords, spears, shields.
Rows of seats waited above.
The applicants sat down.
Cassandra gripped her number tightly.
Her heart was racing.
The real test was about to begin.
Victor stepped forward, his boots echoing softly against the stone floor.
"If you're able to use Eno Weapon Creation, you may fight with your own weapon," he said calmly, his voice carrying across the arena.
"If you are not, you may choose one from the rack.
That is why they've been provided."
He gestured toward the long wooden stand behind him.
Swords, spears, axes, and shields rested neatly in place.
"No excuses," he added.
He looked down at the list in his hand.
"Number 3."
A young man stood nervously and walked into the center.
He grabbed a sword from the rack.
Victor didn't draw a weapon.
"Begin."
The man charged.
Too fast.
Too reckless.
Victor stepped slightly to the side.
His hand moved
A simple strike.
His palm hit the man's wrist.
The sword fell.
Before the man could react
Victor's foot swept his leg.
The man hit the ground hard.
Victor's hand stopped inches from his throat.
Silence.
The entire fight had lasted three seconds.
Victor straightened.
"Bronze Rank one, " he said flatly.
The boy was helped away.
Victor called again.
"Number 8."
This time, a girl stepped forward.
She formed a weapon from Eno.
A short red spear made of fire, it was flame made tangible, she threw it straight at Victor aiming for his head.
Cassandra leaned forward slightly.
"Oh… she can use Eno."
The girl attacked carefully.
Better control.
Better balance.
Victor nodded once.
Then moved.
He dodged her first thrust.
Grabbed the spear, the flame was instantly put out.
" Hmm I see, creating water over the flame spear, normally his output is bigger than hers, making him able to extinguish the flame" hesper said as she sat down watching the match.
He charged at her, before she could move,his elbow struck her shoulder, she fell to the ground.
Victor placed two fingers against her chest.
A killing point.
She froze." I can't believe I lost"
"Bronze Rank Two," Victor announced.
" Newbies exams are so much boring nothing fun every happen, if it wasn't for the guild master who called me in today, I won't think of coming here to assist with today's exam" he thought to himself.
She nodded, breathing hard, and stepped away.
Victor didn't even look tired.
"Number 12."
A larger man entered.
Muscular.
Confident.
He created two Eno blades of earth.
He attacked aggressively.
Fast swings.
Heavy force.
Victor watched calmly.
Then
He moved.
Faster than the man expected.
He stepped inside the attack.
His shoulder slammed into the man's chest.
Air left his lungs.
Victor grabbed his arm
Flipped him.
The ground shook when he landed.
Victor placed his foot on his chest.
Finished.
"Bronze Rank One."
Cassandra's eyes widened slightly.
"He's strong…"
Her gaze shifted upward.
"There," she whispered to Hesper.
She pointed toward the upper platform.
A man sat alone.
Older.
Around forty-five.
Calm.
Watching everything.
He wore dark formal clothing.
No armor.
No weapon.
Just presence.
"He looks important," Cassandra said quietly. "He could be the Guild Master."
Below
Victor continued.
"Number 27."
Cassandra froze.
That was her turn.
Then suddenly a man ran inside the arena. "So sorry I'm late, had a little trouble.
I was attacked by some gang and had to take care of them first. I can't believe I got knocked down to the ground,it was kinda a mess."
As he turned, Cassandra nudged Hesper. "Hey, Hesper, look who just dropped in the Shadow Jumper guy," she said.
" what are you doing here?" Hesper asked.
"I guess that punch wasn't enough, you had to stalk me," Cassandra said.
"Stalk you!? That's one crazy accusation," he replied.
"Lysander, I'm kinda busy now, You two can resume your discussion later, She's about to take a test. Besides, you're late, We can talk about the group that attacked you and deal with them later.
For now, I need to finish this as fast as possible.
Give me ten seconds and this will be done quickly."
"I don't know, man, but you'll need days to finish this, that's if she doesn't end up beating you instead," Lysander replied.
Victor's face twisted with irritation. "What are you saying, Lysander!?"
"You think I'll get bested by a newbie?" Victor continued, clearly annoyed now.
"Cassandra, hold back and don't cause too much destruction!" Hesper shouted from behind.
"What's this? They're getting cocky. I'll put them in their place," Victor said.