The orange-haired man raised his blade, flickering with dying sparks, and sheathed it with a sharp click. He turned to the collapsed students, his piercing gaze scanning their broken forms.
"The threat is neutralized," he said, his voice as cold as a winter gale.
Bringo's eyes widened, a spark of hope finally igniting in the darkness of his despair. "The Electric Lizard!" he gasped. "Guardian Rerov!"
Rerov Rinko, thirty-five years old, possessing features as sharp as his reputation. He was the Third Guardian of the Alpha Vanguards—the elite unit responsible for high-stakes missions and the personal protection of the King. A master of Lightning Mikano, his power reached the pinnacle of the Ninth Level.
The students' eyes shimmered with awe as they looked upon the most famous of the Six Guardians, whispering in unison: "We are saved... thank you, Electric Lizard."
"Ready yourselves," Rerov commanded. "We return to the Kingdom for treat—"
He stopped mid-sentence as he spotted Instructor Edward lying motionless, his breath coming in ragged, shallow gasps. Rerov rushed to his side, kneeling to lift him slightly. He tried to rouse him, but it was futile. Instructor Edward was in a deep coma.
Immediately, Rerov took command. He ordered the students capable of using Earth, Wind, and Fire Mikano to construct a specialized airship. Using Earth to forge the hull, Fire to act as the thrusters, and Wind to provide lift, they prepared to transport the wounded back to the Kingdom at high speed.
Among those working was Aldo. As he helped forge the ship's structure, he took a quick tally of the students. He noticed one missing: Noroko. Remembering the devastating blow the boy took from the beast, Aldo slipped into the forest. He found Noroko unconscious among the broken branches, blood matting his thick white hair. Aldo knelt, pressing his ear to the boy's chest to confirm a heartbeat. Relieved, he hoisted Noroko onto his back and trekked back to the ship.
The Return to Linkbol
At the ship's docking site, Nihi and Mizra finally reunited with Bringo.
"Bringo! Are you okay?" Nihi cried, her voice trembling. "And Noroko... where is he? Is he inside?"
"I'm fine," Bringo replied grimly. "But Noroko isn't here yet. Don't worry, some students are still searching the woods."
One by one, the search parties returned, shaking their heads. "No one in that direction," they reported. Rerov signaled for departure. Just as the thrusters began to glow, Aldo emerged from the treeline, gasping for breath, carrying Noroko on his back. A wave of relief washed over the trio as they pulled their friend aboard.
The airship ascended, streaking toward the Southern Gate of the Kingdom. Upon arrival, Rerov ordered the soldiers to rush the wounded to Linkbol Central Hospital.
Linkbol Central Hospital
The hospital was a majestic structure of white stone, engraved with golden patterns of herbs and vines. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of antiseptics and the sounds of frantic footsteps.
Among the crowd, a woman draped in a dark veil that hid everything but her eyes pushed through the chaos. It was Minahoke. Her heart hammered like a war drum as she searched for a specific room, a specific bed... her son.
In her haste, she collided with the shoulder of a young man with black hair and striking brown eyes. She stepped back, whispering a quick "Excuse me..." before vanishing back into the crowd.
The young man was Aldo. He froze. Something about that brief moment awakened a deep, primal memory. He hadn't seen her face, but the scent... that scent had been etched into his soul since childhood. It was the scent of the mother he had never forgotten.
"Mother?" he whispered. He spun around, trying to catch a glimpse of her, but she had already dissolved into the sea of frantic faces. Aldo stood there, breathing deeply, a rare smile touching his lips.
"Finally..." he murmured. "I've found the first thread."
Shadows of Deception
Nearby, Rerov entered the office of Chief Physician Carlo. "How is Instructor Edward?"
Carlo sighed, looking at the charts. "The news isn't good. He took a massive internal hit. Our team is doing their best, but only time will tell."
In another ward, a noble student named Nolan was having his wounds bandaged when he saw Valric heading for the exit, his face covered in scars and his clothes tattered.
"Valric! Wait!" Nolan called out. "Why haven't they treated you? You look terrible, and your left shoulder seems badly damaged."
Valric winced, quickly placing a hand over his left shoulder as if hiding a secret. "It... it's nothing," he stammered with a forced smile. "I donated my slot to someone who needed it more. I'll tend to it at home."
"Truly the best of the Academy!" Nolan said with pride. Valric nodded and hurried toward the Noble District.
The Royal Council
The next morning, sunlight flooded the Golden Palace of Linkbol. Inside the high-walled council chamber, King Sarohan sat at the head of a massive wooden table. To his right was Headmistress Larin.
The doors creaked open as Rerov entered to deliver his report. He knelt briefly before the King. "Your Majesty..."
Sarohan signaled him to sit. Rerov placed the report on the table. "What happened in the Neron Forest was no random attack. We faced Umito VI... the beast we thought had vanished years ago."
Larin leaned forward, her expression troubled. "Academy records state that Umito VI was never truly killed. It was decomposed by Guardian Komamaru's final strike. It hasn't been seen since that day."
King Sarohan's deep voice filled the room. "Do you believe its return was not a coincidence?"
"I am certain of it," Rerov replied firmly. "Someone is weaving a plot to destabilize our ranks. And only one entity comes to mind with such power."
A heavy silence fell before Headmistress Larin spoke the name:
"The Kingdom of Nokotomo?"
To be continued