> "Round Two, commence!" Miss Yaomie's voice rang across the battlefield like a divine decree.
Instantly, tension burst into the air—a crackling force felt in every breath the students took. The atmosphere grew heavier as the next set of opponents stepped forward, locking eyes with one another across the shimmering arena floor. Dust lifted in lazy spirals as combat energy gathered around them like a living storm.
Rose, her rose-pink hair gleaming in the twin suns, stepped calmly beside So-waa, whose eyes reflected the ever-changing tides of her fluid-based power. On the opposing end stood Gama and Pavi, their matching smirks carrying enough arrogance to ignite conflict without a single blow.
The second round had just begun...
But something else stirred on the horizon.
A faint whirr echoed in the sky above—a spiraling sound like glass being etched by lightning. From a brilliant stream of descending light, a figure stepped onto the field, not with boots, but on a column of pure energy.
> "Master Kasue," Yaomie murmured under her breath.
The energy-beam lowered to the ground, and Kasue, a sharp-eyed instructor clad in a flowing white coat and silver gloves, materialized in front of the standby students. His every movement radiated controlled chaos, a man whose aura whispered of explosions and equations.
He gave a respectful nod to Yaomie before turning to address the class.
> "Good morning, students," he said, voice calm but commanding. "I can see you're... occupied right now. So I'll be brief."
In his gloved hand, he held a scroll sealed with the emblem of the Arcanian Council.
> "Master Dolgwalter has called for an emergency summit. All instructors are to attend immediately. Effective now—all remaining lessons are suspended. Resume tomorrow at noon."
A collective groan spread through the field, quickly stifled under Yaomie's sharp glance.
She sighed, a rare flash of disappointment flickering in her usually composed expression.
> "That's enough for today, then," she said, brushing her long hair behind one ear. "You can stay and relax, or go home early. Dismissed."
> "Yes, teacher!" the children chimed in unison, though many looked disappointed by the abrupt end.
Rose, Miree, and Dorie broke from the gathering crowd, chatting lightly as they headed toward the hovering cafeteria dome, the structure rotating gently above a glowing leyline. Laughter trailed behind them like flower petals caught in a breeze.
But not everyone left.
Just as the energy on the field began to settle, Vibe appeared from the side path—silent, still, unreadable.
She walked past the dispersing crowd, eyes locked onto one figure across the field: Nagant.
Their gazes met like two blades unsheathed in a quiet room.
Nagant raised an eyebrow, unamused and unmoved. But Vibe? She didn't blink. Her aura began to shimmer—subtle, but undeniable. The space around her warped faintly, like air trembling around sound too deep to hear.
The clash of intent was deafening, though no words had yet been spoken.
And then—
BOOM!
A ripple of raw pressure split the air, shaking the flash barrier that enclosed the field. The surrounding crystals flickered violently, reacting to the unresolved tension. Even the soil beneath their feet seemed to grow cautious.
> "This isn't over," Vibe whispered.
The skies above darkened, not with clouds... but with anticipation.