Chapter 57

The circular meeting table gleamed with embedded sigils, softly pulsing with mana. One by one, each of the captains and elite members filed in—some still stretching from training, others sipping tea, and a few (namely Lily and Celeste) sneaking in mid-laughter.

Shizuku ‘Kurogane’ Mizuyari, the Universal Emperor, sat calmly at the head of the room. The sun beamed through the massive skylight behind him, reflecting off his ponytail’s silver-blue strands. His glasses were on. That meant business.

Shizuku
(quietly, but clearly)
Before anything else… how’s everyone feeling?

There was a long pause. Then—

Alto
(grinning softly, arms crossed)
Rested. Happy you let us take a breather.

Celeste
(stretching out in her chair)
Mentally recharged. Physically? I might’ve punched a training dummy through three walls yesterday.

Berwick
(readjusting his coat)
Sanguinella’s been less bratty now that Lily’s back, so I’ve been able to get through three philosophy tomes in peace.

Eris
(nods with a faint smile)
My gravitational core’s almost fully stabilized again. Thank you for the time.

Astera
(laughing)
I haven’t been this sore since I tried gravity core squats. Thanks, Lily.

Lily
(grinning, elbowing him)
You asked for it.

Asche
(dryly)
“I’m fine. I’ve been meditating between debates. And watching Berwick lose every chess match.”

Berwick
(scoffing)
That’s slander.

Shizuku smiled at the banter—briefly, warmly—but then leaned forward.

Shizuku
(suddenly serious)
I called this meeting not just to check in. But to say: we need to start training again. Hard.

The room immediately quieted.

Shizuku
There’s peace for now. But we’ve all seen how fast that can change. Raureif reminded us that even frozen places thaw… and even once-fallen threats can rise again.

He tapped his fingers on the armrest once.

Shizuku
I don’t want us caught off guard. That includes sparring drills, formation coordination, mana-flow stabilization, and if we can help it—preparing our next wave of cadets.

Celeste
(lightly tapping her conductor baton on the table)
...Meaning it’s time for the Sound and Support Guard to actually run formation sessions again, huh?

Shizuku
(grinning faintly)
Yes. I’ll even let you choreograph the opening drills, Celeste.

Celeste
(smirking)
I accept with sparkling honor.

Kalt XVIII, who had joined the call via arcane mirror from Raureif, blinked from the screen.

Kalt
Does this mean I still have to do punch dodging with Celeste at 6AM?

Celeste
(voice loud and clear from the other side)
Oh yes, snowflake. And tomorrow, I throw in leg sweeps.

Shizuku
(nods once more)
Train hard. Laugh harder. But be ready. I have a feeling…

He looked out the skylight, eyes narrowing just slightly.

Shizuku
…that something’s on the horizon.