After erasing the existence of Arnold and his group, Exafanos finally left the place with Bella and Hana. They walked in silence, passing through the ruins still heavy with the scent of conflict, until they arrived at Bella's home—a tranquil haven untouched by the chaos of the outside world. There, they were welcomed by the warmth of the house and the delicious aroma of food Bella had prepared.
Bella served a simple yet flavorful meal. Exafanos sat at the dining table, joined by Hana. The three of them quietly enjoyed the food. The soft clinking of cutlery filled the air, occasionally broken by light conversation. They talked about mundane things, nothing grand—just the little moments of peace after a grueling battle.
After finishing dinner, they decided to rest. The night was quiet, free of disturbances or looming threats. Each of them went to the rooms Bella had prepared, sleeping in a rare, peaceful silence—an unusual luxury in a world such as this.
But the next morning, that tranquility quickly faded.
As usual, they gathered at the table for breakfast. Everything seemed normal, even serene. Exafanos calmly enjoyed his meal, Bella busied herself refilling their tea, and Hana gazed out the window, her expression blank yet sharp.
Then, the sky began to change.
What had been a clear sky slowly turned a deep, ominous red. Heavy, dense clouds rolled in swiftly, blanketing the skies above the planet Wallbert. The air grew tense, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Bella was the first to notice the shift. She glanced out the window, then turned to Exafanos and Hana with a worried expression.
"This... is strange. I've never seen a phenomenon like this before," she said, her voice low but taut with unease.
Hana, seated nearby, immediately tapped into her void senses to trace the source of the disturbance. Her eyes closed, her body still, but her awareness stretched far and wide. In her vision, she saw a massive swarm of black creatures advancing from the north—countless in number, their presence filling the horizon like a tidal wave of darkness.
When she opened her eyes, her voice was calm, but firm.
"From the north... millions of black entities. They're heading toward us."
Bella fell silent, then muttered, "They must be... the Chaos Race. I didn't expect them to arrive this soon." Her expression turned deadly serious.
In the distance, the sound of panic began to spread. Civilians screamed and fled, some crying, others frozen in fear. Nobles and key figures in the region quickly sprang into action. Some organized lines and calmed the masses, while others formed resistance units to face the looming threat.
Before long, Exafanos, Bella, and Hana found themselves at Dracosta Academy. Dozens of students stood in formation, clad in battle gear. Their faces were tense, but their eyes burned with fiery resolve. The academy's instructors moved among them, offering encouragement and fortifying their fighting spirit.
Exafanos stood at the edge of the crowd, observing the scene. A faint smile crossed his lips.
This, he thought, was something he admired about humans—when their world stood on the brink of ruin, they did not surrender. Enemy or ally, they stood as one, united by a single purpose: to restore peace.
Not far from him, on the central platform, stood Lithuana, her posture strong and commanding. Flanking her were two hooded figures—her grandparents, the revered guardians of the academy. The atmosphere fell silent as Lithuana raised her hand, demanding attention.
She then addressed the gathering, her voice echoing across the grounds. She didn't hide the truth—the Chaos Race had arrived, and war was inevitable. Yet, instead of fear, her words sparked courage. The students gripped their weapons tightly, their gazes full of determination.
Beside Exafanos, Hana offered a faint smile.
"Humans truly are fascinating creatures," she murmured softly, yet loud enough for Exafanos to hear. He nodded in agreement.
Moments later, Lithuana raised her hand again. Magic energy fused with cultivation power surged from her fingertips. A massive portal burst open, its radiant light piercing the heavens. Lithuana was no ordinary figure—an Archmage and a Nascent Soul cultivator, a rarity in a world where most were born with only one path—mage, warrior, or cultivator. She possessed both, a prodigy said to appear once in several centuries.
As the portal stabilized, students and instructors readied themselves. With blazing spirit and weapons in hand, they stepped through the light, one after another. Exafanos, Bella, and Hana followed close behind.
On the other side, they emerged near the very lands of the Chaos Race. In the distance, the sounds of screams and howls echoed. Dark figures moved swiftly across the terrain, eager to destroy anything in their path.
The great battle was at hand