Chapter 14- Threads of Convergence

Karna and the others rose from the table, finishing their lunch and preparing for the second test.

Beck turned to face them with his usual calm smile. “Before we begin, I’d like to say—you all met my expectations during the endurance test. And the four of you,” his eyes drifted toward Karna, Gyoda, Kenta, and Reiko, “surpassed them by a wide margin.”

The group smiled, a quiet sense of pride in the air. Fumiko smiled too, genuinely happy for them.
Haruto, however, frowned slightly.
They’re better than me… I’m one of the best in my class, and they still beat me so easily. How?

Beck continued, “It seems you were trained by someone who truly knew what they were doing.”

Kenta straightened proudly. “Yes! Our old man trained us well!”

Beck chuckled softly. “I can tell. Hina-san mentioned that you’ll soon be heading out on a few ‘adventures’—ones that may test your lives. I needed to understand where you stand before that, hence the endurance test.”

He turned his kind gaze toward Haruto and Fumiko. “You both did very well too. Haruto, you performed exactly as I expected—which means there’s still more potential to bring out. And Fumiko, you’re right there beside him.”

Fumiko let out a small smile of quiet accomplishment. This was her very first true training—surrounded by friends, guided with patience, and in a place that finally felt safe.

Haruto, though disappointed, clenched his fists. “I still have the second test to prove myself. I’ll beat them this time.” A determined grin crossed his face.

Beck’s expression softened. “That’s the attitude I like to see,” he said warmly. Then, after a brief pause, “And since you’ve all run so much already, I’ll make the next one a little easier.”

Everyone’s eyes lit up immediately.

Beck smiled faintly. “All you have to do is release your magic steadily—until you’re almost out of it.”

Their smiles vanished.
“What?!” they shouted together.

Kenta groaned. “That’s harder than running around the lake!”

Fumiko blinked, confused. “Wait… that sounds easy. You just stay still and release magic, right? How hard can that be?”

Haruto sighed. “You’re joking, right? That’s one of the toughest things to do in magic control.”

Reiko nodded. “It takes immense concentration to release magic steadily. It wears you down mentally and physically.”

Fumiko frowned. “But… our bodies are always releasing magic anyway. That’s how people sense others nearby, right?”

Beck nodded approvingly. “That’s right. Our bodies constantly radiate a small amount of magic. The soul is the source of all magic—it’s what keeps our energy flowing. When we spend magic, the soul replenishes it gradually.. When we use too much, the soul takes time to recover your magic. With training, you can learn to control that flow and even strengthen your magic output and reserves.”

Reiko added, “And since our bodies constantly emit magic, most people train to suppress it—to stay hidden. But this kind of training helps improve your control and increase your magic reserves.”

Haruto nodded. “Yeah. In the academy, this is called The Flow Test. It’s rare for students at my level to do it, though—it’s intense, both mentally and physically.”

Fumiko tilted her head. “It still doesn’t sound that bad… our bodies already do it naturally.”

Kenta sighed. “Think of it this way—someone who’s only ever walked is suddenly told to sprint non-stop until they collapse.”

Fumiko blinked. “That… sounds terrifying when you put it like that.”

“Exactly,” Kenta said, crossing his arms. “And it’s at least ten times worse.”

Beck chuckled softly, his tone gentle. “Alright, let’s get started. Find a position that helps you focus—you can stand, sit, even lie down if you need to. Concentration is key here. Don’t worry about the duration; I don’t expect any of you to last more than 5 minutes the first time.”

Everyone nodded and began preparing.

Karna, Reiko, Gyoda, and Kenta stood relaxed, eyes closed, taking slow, steady breaths. Within seconds, the air around them began to change—growing dense and heavy. The grass at their feet rippled as faint streams of energy started to seep from their bodies, shimmering like heat waves in the sun.

Fumiko took a moment, then brought her palms together at her chest, focusing deeply. Her magical energy spread gently across her skin, a soft, pale glow radiating outward until it wrapped her whole body.

Haruto crouched slightly, both hands held near his chest as he steadied his breathing. A fine ripple of magic pulsed across his frame, growing stronger with every exhale.

Beck watched them all closely, his expression calm but quietly impressed. “Hmm… all of them started well,” he said softly. “Their control isn’t bad at all”.

7 minutes have passed.

Haruto and Fumiko began to waver, their magic flow flickering. Sweat formed on their brows as their concentration faltered.

Then Gyoda’s magic suddenly flared—wild and heavy, the air around him pulsing like a heartbeat. Dust lifted from the ground, and even the nearby grass bent away from him.

Karna’s eyes snapped open, his expression tightening. “Gyoda, you idiot! You’re letting too much out again! Didn’t Goro-senpai teach you how to control your output?”

Gyoda grinned through the pressure, his aura flickering like untamed fire. “Huh? You got a problem with that? I can control it—I just don’t want to.”

Kenta groaned, exasperated. “Forget it, Karna. He’ll never admit when he’s struggling.”

Haruto and Fumiko, startled by their voices, lost focus—their magic wavered for a moment before fading completely, like a flame quietly snuffed out.

Their bodies instantly reacted to the strain. Haruto dropped to one knee, gasping for air, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Fumiko swayed unsteadily, her hands clutching at her chest before she fell to the ground, sweat trickling down her face.

Both of them struggled to breathe, drained and trembling, their bodies feeling unnaturally heavy as the exhaustion of overexertion hit.

Reiko’s expression shifted to concern. She started toward them.

Reiko groaned. “You idiots! You made them lose concentration! Can’t you stay quiet for a minute?”

Beck calmly said, his voice even and reassuring.
“It’s alright,” he said softly. “They just lost focus. Give them a moment to recover.”

He turned toward Haruto and Fumiko with a kind smile. “You two did well—lasting around seven minutes is impressive. If you guys didn’t lose concentration, I’m certain you could’ve gone on much longer.”

Fumiko slowly took Beck’s hand as he helped her up. Haruto pushed himself off the ground, still unsteady. Both of them were trembling, their breaths short and uneven. Fumiko quietly moved to a nearby chair and sat down, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

Haruto looked at the others, astonishment cutting through his exhaustion. “How… how are you guys able to keep the flow going while being so relaxed—and even talking?”

Beck turned his gaze toward Karna, Kenta, Reiko, and Gyoda, a hint of admiration in his eyes. “I suspected you’d had prior training,” he said, “but I didn’t expect it to be this refined. Whoever trained you knew what they were doing.”

Reiko nodded. “Yeah.”

Beck smiled faintly. “How long have you been practicing?”

Karna replied, “About two years. We didn’t focus too much on it, though. Our old man taught us a little bit of everything—including this.”

Fumiko and Haruto watched from the side, still catching their breath, as Karna, Kenta, Reiko, and Gyoda continued their steady release of magic. The air shimmered faintly around them, rippling with energy.

Gyoda glanced at Karna, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Karna! Up for a challenge?”

Karna smirked. “You bet I am.”

Kenta groaned immediately. “Ah, not again! What is it this time, you idiots?”

Gyoda grinned wider. “Simple! The last one standing doesn’t have to pay for meals for the next ten cycles!”

Karna’s eyes lit up. “Now that’s a worthy challenge. Let’s do this!”

Kenta threw his hands up. “You morons! Are you insane? You’ll drain yourselves dry!”

Gyoda puffed his chest. “I’m gonna win this easily. This is a walk in the park!”

Reiko, sighing. “Oi, Goro-senpai isn’t here. Don’t you think he’ll have something to say about this ridiculous deal? He’ll probably demand a rematch when he finds out.”

Gyoda shrugged. “That’d be cheating! We all know Goro-senpai would win without even trying. It’s not fair if he joins. This deal’s just for us four—he’ll have to accept it when he’s back.”

Karna nodded firmly. “Yeah, that’s fair. Let’s see who lasts the longest.”

Gyoda smirked. “It’s going to be me!”

Karna shot back, “Not a chance—it’s mine to win!”

Kenta sighed heavily. “These idiots… I have no choice but to join now. Besides, I’m broke, so if I win, at least I’ll save some money.”

Beck finally stepped in, raising his voice slightly—but still calm and polite. “Hey, hey! Who said you could make up your own challenges during training?” He crossed his arms, his expression half stern, half amused. “It’s dangerous to drain all your magic like that. Stop once you’re really tired. Understood?”

Reiko and Kenta straightened up and said together, “Yes, Beck-san!”

Karna and Gyoda, however, didn’t answer—they were too busy staring each other down with matching grins, sparks of rivalry practically visible between them.

Beck sighed softly, shaking his head with a faint, amused smile. “You kids really are something else…”.

An hour passed. Reiko and Kenta eventually gave in—not because they were out of magic, but because they knew Karna and Gyoda would never stop competing as long as they stayed in it. The two sat back, exchanging a knowing glance as the air around the field thickened.

Only Karna and Gyoda remained, crouched low with palms pressed together, magic steadily flowing from their bodies. Sweat rolled down their faces, their bodies trembling, yet their breathing remained calm and steady—locked in stubborn endurance.

Beck watched them closely, his composed demeanor giving way to quiet intrigue.
How can a Twilight have such reserves… and such control? he thought, eyes narrowing slightly. Twilights are weaker than the average mage, yet his output rivals a low D-class wizard.
Is he a Luminar? No… As per the records Luminars at his age were far stronger. Then what is he?

Gyoda’s voice trembled. “I’m… going to win!!”
Karna’s voice followed, low but firm. “No… I’ll win as usual.”

Beck’s calm expression finally shifted to concern. His tone carried the weight of genuine worry.
“Kids, that’s enough. You’re both exhausted—physically and mentally. Your bodies can’t handle much more. Please, stop before you hurt yourselves.”

Reiko stood up, shouting, “Listen to Beck-san! Stop it now!!”

But the two only looked up, still grinning despite their shaking bodies. “No way!” they said in unison.

The moment the words left their lips, the air around Karna changed.
A heavy pulse rippled outward from Karna’s body. The air grew dense, unnaturally cold. The grass flattened around him as if pressed down by invisible force. Everyone froze. Even the distant forest seemed to fall silent.

The sky seemed to darken for a heartbeat. The animals nearby scattered. Birds burst from the trees in a sudden storm of wings, fleeing the area. Beck’s eyes widened as he glanced up, watching the birds scatter across the sky.

Karna’s expression twisted. His body grew stiff, his vision dimming. It felt as though gravity itself was pulling him down—his chest tightening, his breath slipping away. His world went black as he collapsed to the ground.

"Karna!" Everyone rushed forward, but were too far away. Only Beck was fast enough, catching him just before he hit the earth.

Gyoda stumbled toward them, trying to help, but his knees gave out. The immense drain finally hit him, and he fell beside Karna, completely spent.

“Karna! Karna!” Beck’s voice echoed as he shook him frantically.

Karna heard someone calling his name—it sounded distant, almost muffled. When he opened his eyes, there was nothing. Only darkness.

Then, the voice came again. This time deeper, colder, carrying a weight that sent shivers through him. It rumbled like thunder, yet darker—something primal hiding beneath the sound.

He turned slowly.

A figure sat before him—tall, thin, limbs folded like a shadow given form. Patches of dark flame flickered across its body— each flare revealing more of its inhuman shape.

The figure opened its eyes.

So did Karna.

He was back—in Beck’s arms, pale and trembling, his breath weak and uneven.

Rin’s voice cut through the panic. “We need to take him inside! Quickly—get him to David!”

Beck nodded without hesitation. “Right.” He lifted Karna gently, cradling him with care as he hurried toward the mansion.

Kenta moved beside Gyoda, who could barely stand, slinging his friend’s arm over his shoulder.

They followed Beck back to the mansion.

Inside, David, the mansion’s healer, was already waiting. He examined Karna carefully, his hands glowing faintly as he traced a diagnostic spell over the boy’s body.

After a moment, he straightened. “It seems like he simply ran out of magic,” David said calmly.

Beck stepped closer. “Nothing else?”

David shook his head. “None at all. Physically, he’s fine. But his body’s completely drained. He needs to rest till tomorrow morning. By then, his magic reserves should recover fully”

The group exhaled in collective relief, though Beck’s expression remained thoughtful. He looked down at Karna, still unconscious, then toward the window where the afternoon light streamed softly into the room. His thoughts racing.
That aura from before… what was it? Even the animals sensed it—fled from it. The air turned cold enough to sting, and for a moment, even I felt it.

He paused, his brow furrowing slightly.
Could it have been… RESOLVE?... No. That can’t be. Resolve isn’t something achieved so easily… and none of the conditions fit. Then what was it?

Vanara Village 8 PM

The workers returned to the village like clockwork, their shackles rattling in weary rhythm. The guards in black walked beside them, whips coiled in hand, driving them toward the village center.

The rattling soon faded, replaced by the familiar clanging of iron as the chains fell away. Another routine evening—or so it seemed. The men forced smiles for their waiting families, hiding the exhaustion and despair in their eyes.

But this time was different.

The guards didn’t release them. They held their grips firm, and the air grew tense.

Among the workers, Rana’s father turned toward his home—and froze. His eyes widened in horror. A guard was dragging Rana out by the arm, while his wife pleaded behind them, her cries echoing through the square.

“Let him go!” Rana’s father shouted, rushing forward. He stumbled to his knees before the guard, desperate. “Please, I beg you! He’s just a child! What did he do?”

The guard sneered and kicked him down. “So you’re the brat’s father, huh? This little rat’s been sneaking food from the City.”

Rana’s father tried to rise, trembling. “He’s just a boy—please, have mercy!”

The guard’s voice dripped with contempt. “Mercy? You fools should be grateful Khumba-sama allows you to live. Those rations you get every week? They’re more than you deserve. And yet you dare to crawl into the city for scraps? Insulting the hand that feeds you?”

Rana’s father threw himself between the guard and his son. “Please! Spare him! We’re thankful—truly thankful for the rations. He didn’t mean any disrespect!”

The guard’s expression darkened. “Desperate, are you? Pathetic! Khumba-sama provides for you, and this is how you repay him? These rations are not a right—they’re a gift. You vermin should remember that.”

He struck Rana’s father hard across the face. The man collapsed.

“Dad!” Rana cried.

The guard grabbed the boy’s arm, his smile cruel. “Don’t worry, kid. He got off easy.” With a swift, brutal twist, he broke Rana’s hand.

A piercing scream filled the square. Rana’s father crawled toward him, clutching the boy in his arms, tears streaming down his face.

“You monster… how could you do that to a child?” he cried.

The guard kicked him in the stomach, and he coughed blood.

The crowd watched in silence—no one moved, no one spoke. Their faces were pale, frozen between fear and despair.

“Listen well!” the guard roared, his voice carrying through the square. “You belong to Khumba-sama. Every crumb, every drop you receive is his gift. You should be grateful you have a purpose—a reason to exist. Let this be your warning. Defy him, and death will find you swiftly.”

He turned away, muttering under his breath as he left. “You’re lucky Koren-sama only ordered me to break the kid’s hand. If it were up to me, I’d have killed him.”

Rana’s parents knelt beside their son, their trembling hands trying to comfort him as he whimpered in pain.

Around them, the villagers stood motionless, helpless—fear locking their limbs. But beneath the despair in their eyes, something else began to stir.

A quiet, burning anger.

Hina’s Mansion.

Kenta and Gyoda stepped out of Karna’s room, closing the door softly behind them. They walked into the common hall, where everyone was gathered. The mansion was quiet under the dim glow of lanterns. Moonlight spilled faintly through the tall windows, brushing silver across the floor. Despite the calm, an unease lingered in the air. Beck sat with the others in the common hall, his expression thoughtful, concern lingering over what had happened earlier—the strange phenomenon before Karna collapsed, when the air had turned heavy and cold, and the forest itself seemed to recoil.

Beck looked up as Kenta and Gyoda approached. “How’s he doing?”

Kenta replied, “Still fast asleep. David said his condition’s much better than it was this afternoon.”

Beck gave a relieved nod. “That’s good to hear.”

Haruto leaned forward, frowning. “But what was that before he passed out? That energy —so dark and suffocating. The air went cold all of a sudden… it didn’t feel normal.”

Beck’s gaze lowered slightly. “Did anything like that ever happen before? During training, maybe?”

Reiko shook her head. “No. This was the first time he pushed himself that far. Our old man was always strict about not draining all our magic—and especially careful with Karna.”

Beck tilted his head slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “Strict with Karna in particular?”

Reiko nodded. "Yes. He was always careful not to let Karna overexert himself. He said that because Karna is a Twilight, pushing past his limits could be actively dangerous."

He nodded once, his tone calm. “Your teacher sounds like a cautious man—especially when it came to Karna, given that he’s a Twilight.”

But Beck’s thoughts told a different story.
Or maybe Karna’s teacher knew something the others didn’t—something he deliberately kept from them. Passing out from overusing magic isn’t unusual even for Twilights; in fact, most teachers allowed it as part of pushing limits. But for their mentor to forbid it so strictly, especially in Karna’s case… and that energy he emitted right before collapsing.

Beck’s gaze lingered toward the hallway leading to Karna’s room.
Something doesn’t add up.

Beck got up and left, thoughts running through his mind.

He rose quietly, offering the group a reassuring nod before turning away. As he walked down the corridor, his calm expression remained, but his thoughts moved restlessly beneath the surface.

Fhog city 10 PM.

The Bhoga Bar stood at the heart of Fhog City, its weathered wooden sign swaying gently in the night breeze. The area around it was restless — a few men gambling by the wall, others arguing over payments, and in one corner, three thugs roughing up a man while the crowd pretended not to see. The air smelled of alcohol, smoke, and sweat.

Inside, the noise was constant — laughter, shouting, and the clatter of mugs against wood. The place was busy, every table filled with rough-looking men and women: mercenaries, thieves, and traders. The floor was sticky from spilled ale, and the faint hum of conversation mixed with the sound of coins and cards.

The bar counter stretched across one side of the room, cluttered with mugs and bottles. The bartender moved quickly between customers, serving drinks without much conversation.

Toward the back, a wooden staircase led to the upper floor. The rooms above were dimly lit, their doors half-closed, where people met for quieter — and usually less legal — business.

It was a noisy, crowded place — the kind where no one asked questions, and everyone knew better than to draw too much attention.

A block away, in a narrow alley dimly lit by lanterns, Hina and Goro watched the entrance from the shadows.

Hina frowned, arms folded. “It’s already past ten. Bokto’s nowhere in sight. When does this deal even start?”

Goro’s eyes scanned the bustling street. “Even if he shows up, getting to him will be tough. Look at that place. Half the people there are criminals—most D or C-class wizards. Some might even be B-class.”

Hina sighed. “You’re right. But why hasn’t he shown up yet. What if the deal’s already happening inside?”

“Then I’ll go check,” Goro said firmly.

Hina immediately shook her head. “What? No! If something goes wrong and they get suspicious, Bokto might never show up. We can’t risk that.”

Goro glanced toward the bar, his tone calm but certain. “I’ll be careful. I won’t do anything to draw attention—just look around and come back.”

Hina frowned, still uneasy. “Still… even one wrong move could ruin everything.”

Goro gave a small grin beneath his hood. “Then I won’t make any wrong moves.”

Hina sighed softly. “You always make it sound so simple… Just be careful, alright?”

Goro nodded once and stepped into the street, the crowd swallowing him as he made his way toward the Bhoga Bar. As he walked, a few men turned to look—unfamiliar faces drew attention in this part of town. Goro ignored the stares and made his way past the gambling corners and scuffles before slipping through the doors of the Bhoga Bar.

A few streets away, at a small ale shop, Bokto and Nikharva sat outside at a wooden table.

Nikharva scowled, swirling his drink. “Why are we waiting in a dump like this? The ale here sucks!”

Bokto smirked. “We won’t be here long.”

Nikharva leaned back. “You borrowed my men, stationed some near Bhoga Bar and others at The Ale Mug… mind telling me why?”

Bokto didn’t answer, only smiled.

Nikharva chuckled, realization dawning. “Don’t tell me—you’re using them for the trap you set?”

Before Bokto could respond, a man ran up, panting. “Bokto-sama! Hina Mizuwoka has been spotted near Bhoga Bar!”

Bokto’s grin widened. “So they took the bait… good. Now we’ll have both—Hina and the snitch.”

Nikharva- “As expected!! Now I get to fight Hina Mizuwoka!!“

But before either could move, a thunderous explosion echoed through the streets. A column of flame shot up from the direction of Bhoga Bar, the blast lighting the night.

Nikharva’s grin faded. “What the—”

Bokto’s eyes sharpened. “Looks like Hina made her move. Let’s go!”

They broke into a run.

Hina watched as the sudden explosion shook the street. She flinched as a burst of fire lit up the Bhoga bar. “What the—Goro!”

Through the flames spilling from the bar’s entrance, Goro burst out—cloak scorched, eyes sharp. The moment he hit the street, several men turned toward him, shouting.

“Get him!” one of them barked.

Goro didn’t hesitate. As the thugs lunged, he slipped past the first, striking the second with a clean blow to the gut. Another swung at him, but Goro ducked low, swept the man’s legs, and kept running. Every move was quick, efficient—just enough to break through without killing.

He reached Hina, breath steady despite the fight. “Let’s move!”

They darted down the alley together.

But just as they turned a corner, several armed men appeared, blocking their path. More closed in from behind.

Hina and Goro exchanged a glance. She nodded once.

Goro dashed forward, catching a man’s wrist mid-swing, twisting it sharply before hurling him back into two others. The momentary opening was enough—they broke through and sprinted deeper into the maze of streets, men shouting behind them.

“This was a trap,” Hina hissed between breaths. “They were waiting for us before you even went in.”

Goro nodded. “Yeah. The moment I entered, everyone turned on me. I had to fight my way out.“

Hina glanced over, relief mixing with frustration. “I’m glad you’re fine. But this is bad. By morning, the whole city will be crawling with Bokto’s men. We have to get out—now.”

When Bokto and Nikharva arrived at the bar, smoke still curled from the shattered windows. Inside, groaning men lay scattered across the floor. A few survivors were tending to the wounded.

Nikharva grabbed one by the collar. “Where’s Hina Mizuwoka?”

The man coughed, trembling. “She—she never came! It was her partner! We tried to catch him the moment he stepped in, but he… he took everyone down in seconds!”

Nikharva’s eyes widened. “Everyone? Even the B-class ones?”

Another man stammered, “He moved too fast—we couldn’t even see him clearly.”

Bokto’s smile returned, calm and cold. “No wonder Hina brought him along.”

Nikharva’s lips curled into a grin, excitement flashing in his eyes. “B-class or not, he dropped them like nothing… ha! I like this guy already. I want to fight him myself!”

Bokto’s gaze sharpened slightly, his voice low but steady. “I didn’t anticipate him being this strong. Looks like Hina Mizuwoka slipped through our fingers… but we still got the snitch.”

Nikharva leaned back with a wild grin, his hands trembling slightly, lost in his thoughts. “Heh… my body’s shaking with excitement. I can’t wait to face them both.”

Vana-Dhara City — Capital of the Aranya Kingdom
Magic Council Headquarters — Inside the CIO’s Office

The office looked more like a battlefield than a workplace.
Stacks of documents reached the ceiling, swallowing the room’s outline in a paper storm. The air carried the scent of ink, dust, and faint candle smoke—blending with the cool night breeze drifting in through the slightly open window. Somewhere between those piles sat a large man slumped over his desk, asleep among the chaos.

He was a mountain of a man—broad-shouldered, white cape draped over gleaming armor marked with the crest of Terra Ursus, the bear of Aranya. His black undershirt clung to his arms, the contrast sharpening his frame. If he stood, he’d tower over most men, a soldier turned bureaucrat—against his will.

The desk was a graveyard of half-empty teacups and scattered reports. Two lanterns struggled to keep the shadows at bay. And amidst it all, the huge man slept, mouth open, drool dripping onto official council documents

The door creaked.

A woman in a blue jacket and skirt entered, adjusting her glasses as her eyes widened at the sight. Balancing a pile of papers, she stepped carefully through the maze, each movement deliberate—one wrong step and the whole office could collapse in a domino of disaster.

“Thoma-sama! Thoma-sama! Wake up!”

The man jerked awake with a start, shoulders twitching, eyes darting around. “What? What?” Then he blinked at her through sleep-heavy eyes. “Ah… Maki-chan.” His voice was deep, a low rumble that still carried warmth.

Maki frowned. “Thoma-sama, you’re supposed to sign the documents in ink, not seal them with drool.”

Thoma rubbed his neck, offering a sheepish grin. “My bad! My bad!”

She pointed toward the nearest pile, frustration sharpening her voice. “These Magical Dispensation Warrants are due next week! The Access Archival Pass—the one you just turned into a towel—is due in two days! And the National Threat Assessment Summary you were supposed to submit... was due yesterday!”

Thoma scratched his head. “What time is it?”

“Past ten,” she replied.

He blinked. “Past ten? Shouldn’t you be heading home?”

“I should,” Maki said dryly, “but I had to dig through the archives to find the documents you were supposed to sign. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Thank you, Maki-chan!”

Her eyes swept over the endless paper towers. “You’ll be buried under those at this rate.”

Thoma dragged a hand down his face. “Ahh, I can’t keep this up… Why did they throw me into the CIO position? I was doing fine as Chief Military Officer.”

Maki adjusted her glasses. “Regret won’t help. You still have to finish them.”

“Without Hina, this is impossible,” he muttered.

“Impossible?” She swept her gaze over the paper towers. “That’s one way to put it.”

“Where is Hina-sama anyway?”

“Vacation,” he replied flatly.

Maki blinked. “A vacation?”

Thoma stood, stretching his arms, the armor plates shifting with a metallic scrape. “Yeah. Went to visit her brother. Ten days. Just ten days, and the whole system’s falling apart.”

“That’s because you’re hopeless with paperwork,” she said. “You belong on the battlefield, not behind a desk.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying!”

“Then why did they reassign you?”

Thoma chuckled under his breath, though the sound carried a bitter edge. “Let’s just say I caused them… some trouble. And now they want me on a leash.” His tone hardened. “I hate this desk. But I’ve got no choice.”

“Well, keep up the hard work,” Maki said dryly, dropping another stack onto the desk.

As she turned to leave, she muttered, “I hope Hina-sama returns soon.”

Thoma sighed. “Yeah…”

He waited until the door closed, then opened the drawer beside him. Inside was a neatly folded letter. The name across it read: Hina Mizuwoka.

Thoma-san,
I know the last week’s been rough for you. But you have to keep up the good work.
Please send me the intel on Kashi Horimi and his assistant Bokto.
I need them ASAP. So use your Zephyrax for delivery — That bird is pretty fast. The council cannot track it.
And keep this between us please (^_^).

Be a good boy and hang in there (>.<)
I’ll be back soon.

Your beloved assistant,
Hina Mizuwoka ;)

Thoma’s expression shifted—amusement fading into thought.

“Bokto, huh…” he muttered.

He pulled out two documents—intelligence reports marked Confidential. His eyes scanned the details, stopping at one section.

Primary Magic Affinity:

Bokto: Unknown

Kashi: Many / Cannot be catalogued

The lantern light flickered, shadows stretching across the paper towers.

Thoma leaned back in his chair, gaze hardening. “Can’t be catalogued… What kind of people are you two?”

The air in the room stirred faintly—as if even the piles of paper whispered in unease.