Chapter 18: The Plan Began
{Yura – School}
Yura was sitting with Noctyre, trying to calm his breathing, when the Principal's voice echoed through the hall.
"Yura. Noctyre. I have a mission for you both. Head to Suraen. Now."
Their expressions hardened.
Without hesitation, they nodded and sprinted forward at full speed, Vital Force surging through their legs.
As the wind rushed past him, Yura thought to himself,
I won't let there be any more casualties.
{Suraen – Residential Area}
The ruined streets stood soaked in blood and fear.
Three figures waited.
The S-Grade Cultist, Hiroshima Toko, rubbed his hands together, a twisted smile creeping across his face.
"I've been waiting, Kael," he muttered, excitement trembling in his voice.
Beside him stood Huro Mozart, silent and still, eyes locked forward.
And June Kennedy—her smile trembled, sweat running down her neck.
Am I really ready to face Kael? she thought, her heart pounding.
Above them, the Witch of Envy – Lily raised her hand, purple aura flaring violently.
"He's arriving," she commanded.
"I'm changing location. Stay prepared."
The S-Grade cultists nodded.
Then—
A presence descended.
The air warped.
Footsteps echoed—THUD.
A man walked forward, the air around him unable to touch or graze him, as if reality itself rejected his presence.
He smiled.
"So," he said calmly,
"you're the ones creating all this chaos, huh?"
June's smile vanished.
"…He's here," she whispered. "Kael Draven."
Hiroshima Toko trembled faintly, his grin widening.
"I've been waiting," he said. "Kael."
Kael stepped forward—THUD.
People screamed and ran around him as Vital Spirits hunted the streets, blood staining the ground.
Kael's gaze sharpened. His smile disappeared.
How can I save this many people…
…before they're slaughtered?
And so, the strongest stepped onto the battlefield.
Yet unseen by him,
the threat of being sealed loomed—
—and the plan had begun.