"He said that a new Child of God was right here at this school, didn't he?" Lay asked, his voice tinged with tension.
"Meaning," Anos replied calmly, "that the vessel of the Child of God is among us, waiting to awaken."
"If he's referring to a god powerful enough to destroy you, Anos…"
"Then it's safe to say the child will be born with power equal to such a threat," Anos concluded, his voice unwavering.
A silent beat passed. All eyes turned to Ri-hyun.
"I've already tried a myriad of times," Ri-hyun said coolly. "If Anos were truly killable… he wouldn't still be here."
His statement held weight. The others, though reluctant to admit it, nodded in quiet agreement.
"Hmph. Then I'll just find this so-called Child of God and remind him of his place," Anos said, his confidence bordering on defiant amusement.
"How exactly should we search for him?" Misha asked softly, her crystalline voice cutting through the tension.
"Can't you use your demonic eyes to scan for divine energy?" Lay suggested.
"If the Child of God hasn't awakened yet, he's not emitting anything detectable," Anos replied. "Even my eyes won't be of much help."
"Maybe we dig through the backgrounds of every student and teacher?" Sasha proposed, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"Or just ask around," Misa added with a shrug.
"We should split up for this," Eleanore recommended. "The sooner we gather intel, the better."
Anos rose from his seat. "I'll speak with Melheis about the matter. He may have insight we don't."
Ri-hyun stood as well. "I'll investigate on my own. I'll remain within the academy grounds—find me if you need me."
"I'll focus on identifying the vessel," Ri-hyun and Anos said in unison before disappearing—Anos in a swirl of magic, Ri-hyun into the thin air, vanishing like a whisper.
Eleanore left next, answering a telepathic summons. The rest of the group spread out across the academy, the golden sun sinking behind the towers of the school as shadows lengthened.
Above it all, Ri-hyun sat cross-legged atop the highest spire, eyes closed, his vast energy stretching out like a fine net, feeling the spiritual pulse of every individual within the academy grounds.
---
In the courtyard below, Lay and Misa walked side by side.
"So far… nothing," Misa sighed, brushing her hair back.
"Same here," Lay responded, folding his arms.
"The Child of God… it doesn't have anything to do with the war 2000 years ago, does it?" Misa asked tentatively.
"I'm not sure," Lay admitted. "Nosgalia, a god, helped Jerga. He transformed his source into magical form. There could be a connection."
Misa's brows furrowed with worry. "Do you think danger's coming again?"
Lay smiled gently. "Whatever happens, I'll protect you. That's my duty as a hero. And more than that—it's my will."
"Lay…" Misa whispered, moved.
"I can't let you be caught in the chaos of a past you had no part in."
Misa looked away, but her voice was firm. "Then let me protect you, Lay."
He blinked in surprise. She faced him with fierce resolve.
"I might not have any overwhelming power, but I'll stand by you. Fight by your side."
"What if you're hurt? What if—what if you die?" he asked, concern painting his voice.
"If the person I love might die, why should I fear death myself?" she answered. Her voice was steady, unwavering. "More than this fragile peace, more than the promise of another life… I want a path that I can walk beside you."
Her hand moved to the necklace charm at his chest.
"And by the way, saying I have 'nothing to do with it'—that's pretty cold." She smiled softly, but her eyes glistened. "You're still Lay. Whether it's now or two millennia ago."
"If our roles were reversed… would you really say I had nothing to do with you?"
Lay looked into her eyes, then reached out, placing his hand on her cheek.
"I'll help you—no matter the place, no matter the cost. I'll come to you."
"I feel the same," Misa whispered.
Their lips met in a quiet, intimate kiss—brief, but full of emotion.
Then, Ri-hyun's voice echoed in Lay's mind.
"Lay, apologies for interrupting, but to your right—courtyard entrance. You're being watched."
Lay's expression sharpened. He turned.
"Not very classy, spying from the shadows," he called out.
From the entrance emerged a young man in royal attire.
"My apologies," he said with a sly smile. "I am Gerad Azrema. Lady Misa Illiorogue, I've come under orders from your father."
---
Meanwhile, outside the Fan Union's tower, Anos stood addressing his loyal supporters, instructing them to spread the word across Dilhade—the Demon King of Tyranny had returned.
Suddenly, Sasha's voice entered his mind.
"Anos!"
In the academy hallway, Misha knelt beside a bleeding Revest, healing magic swirling around her hands.
"Revest and others were attacked," Sasha reported quickly. "Misha's healing them now."
"Are you all right?" Misha asked gently.
"Don't worry about me… Ms. Menou… she's been taken," Revest groaned. "By… Rinka Theornes. Of the Age of Chaos…"
He manifested a glowing map from his chest. "I marked her with an Enoy spell—you can track her."
"Anos," Sasha's voice returned. "Awaiting your call."
"They might as well have left a sign saying 'capture us.' But… could be a diversion," Anos mused.
"We're going," Sasha said firmly.
"You're likely facing a demon from 2000 years ago," Anos warned.
"It's fine," Misha said gently. "Who do you think trained us?"
"Anos," Ri-hyun called. "Head to Melheis' chambers. A rat snuck in—and bit the cat."
---
Anos teleported to Melheis' room. The scene froze him.
Melheis stood unnaturally—bleeding, dead on his feet.
Across the room stood a man with a cruel smile.
"You're too late, Demon King Anos," he said.
"Ingall."
Without hesitation, Anos began chanting the resurrection spell. A drop of Melheis' blood floated, activating a green magic circle beneath his feet.
But the man extended his arm. A violet magic circle formed in his palm, infecting Anos' circle, halting the spell.
"Rivide."
Before Melheis could fall, Anos froze his body in temporal stasis.
"You're one of Erdomaid's, aren't you?" Anos asked calmly.
"I serve Erdomaid, the Blaze Death King. I am Zeik Ozma, his military adviser."
"Erdomaid's been possessed by a god. You know that?"
Zeik nodded. "Of course. My lord willingly offered his body to the gods—to forge the enemy meant to rival you."
"Classic Erdomaid." Anos smirked. "So?"
"I can't match you in strength. That's why I propose a battle of wits."
Magic screens lit up between them.
Lay and Misa were on one. Gerad held a half-sword identical to Misa's.
"This sword…" Misa whispered. "It's just like the one my father gave—"
Gerad stabbed her through the chest. Lay shouted in horror.
"Ordered by my lord—the King of Curses, Kyhilam Jiste—to take your source," Gerad said coldly.
On another screen, Eleanore and Zeshia found their comrades with blue skin, lifeless expressions.
"Who are you!?" Eleanore demanded as a boy emerged from black smoke.
"Zabro Gaze. Lieutenant to the Scarlet Monument King, Gilysiris Dello."
In the skies above a valley, Sasha and Misha confronted a woman carrying Menou.
"She was bait," the woman said, dropping Menou's body. "I am Rinka Theornes. I serve the King of the Netherworld, Eges Code. My orders are to annihilate you both."
The screens vanished. Anos stood still, calculating.
"The Four Evil Royals have allied," he said flatly.
"You're searching for the Child of God," Zeik confirmed. "And you'll soon realize—he's among your own."
"In other words," Anos said, "one of my subordinates is the divine vessel."
"I hold the answers. That's my bargain." Zeik smiled. "Care to accept my challenge?"
"I will," Anos replied. "Just make sure you're ready."
Then Ri-hyun's voice entered his mind once more.
"I saw everything. I'm lending you my masks. I hate losing wars."
"Thank you," Anos said aloud.
The stage was set—and war had returned.