Mr. Nuzus stood at the edge of the grand balcony, the cosmic winds brushing his coat as he gazed across the luminescent skyline of Hysteria. With a voice seasoned by wisdom and war, he spoke softly yet firmly, "What are your thoughts, Mr. Dalg Walters... Founder of Hysteria Academy?"
Beside him stood a woman of grace and intellect—Miss Cillin, a renowned scholar said to possess a bond with nature itself, her presence like the tranquil hush before a celestial rainfall.
"The existence of nature will never allow disorder to fester for long," she said, her tone both soothing and resolute.
From the far side of the hall, a commanding voice broke the silence. "Yes, we can. I am Sagryn," declared a tall man clad in the silver robes of a senior tutor. His gaze was sharp, his aura unfaltering. "I've been watching every movement of the princes and princesses. I oversee their growth. Their trials. Their potential."
He turned to Mr. Nuzus, then gestured subtly toward a young boy in the distance.
"So," Sagryn continued, "if you're asking whether we can truly guide them through this storm... then I say—take your son, Nagant, for example." His voice lowered. "He's rough around the edges, but that child holds a future... no, a destiny. Even at just seven years old."
Mr. Nuzus smiled faintly. "I'd like your family to know this."
He stepped forward, raising his voice for all to hear. "I'd like all the clan heads of the Nine Clans to be present for what comes next. An event worthy of legend. A clash of royalty—the princes and princesses, side by side in battle."
There was a stir in the crowd.
"Yaomie included," he added, his eyes narrowing with intent.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. A presence—so familiar yet overwhelming—entered the chamber. A soft ripple passed through the air as an aged figure in celestial garb made his entrance.
"It's... Grandmaster Kailyla," someone whispered, reverence thick in their voice.
Kailyla—the Grand Nurturer. A being of ancient knowledge and boundless flow, who once shaped the planetary rhythms of Chanté itself.
He moved like flowing time, his voice echoing purpose: "My goal is to elevate Chanté, and gift her with the true essence of harmony. The energy of a pure being."
The hall fell silent.
Then, with a smirk, Kailyla turned to the gathered crowd—the Nine Clan heads, their advisors, their champions.
"You all laugh and drink as if this were just another ceremony," he said coldly. "But know this... something is coming. A storm no one is ready for. Stronger than anything this galaxy has ever known."
He paused, eyes glowing.
"A servant of a god... awakened. Born not from peace, but silence. And in that silence... he's watching."
Suddenly, a resonant laughter rang through the air, cutting across the tension.
It was Mr. Koral, the notorious head of the XIV-Mic Clan.
His booming laughter echoed throughout the grand hall, and moments later, the rest of the clans burst into uproarious laughter—masking the quiet dread that had just crept into their hearts.
But even amid the joy, something unshakable lingered.
The feeling... that the true battle had yet to begin.
_______________________________________
The gentle warmth of morning light spilled across her cheeks.
Vibe slowly opened her eyes, blinking away the remnants of sleep. Her soft sheets tangled around her legs like lazy clouds. She sat up groggily—only to feel a tiny weight press against her chest.
"Vibe...!" a whisper followed by giggles.
Her baby brother, Vide, had crept into her bed while she slept, curling into her arms with the innocent stubbornness only a toddler could wield. His round eyes blinked up at her, full of joy, his arms wrapped tight around her.
She smiled.
In that quiet moment, the world paused—only the warmth of sunlight and the light of sibling love filled the room.
Then the silence shattered.
"VIBE!! You're gonna be late for school!" Kimberly's voice boomed from the kitchen, maternal and thunderous like a command from the heavens.
"Alright, alright! I see you, Mom," Vibe called back, ruffling Vide's soft hair gently.
She gave him a soft kiss on the forehead before slipping out from beneath the covers.
In one swift motion, she switched out of her nightwear and changed into her academy uniform—an elegant blend of discipline and edge. A fitted black mini skirt with a light blue stripe near the hem hovered just above her knees, complementing the sleek blue-lined undershirt beneath a cropped black top, adorned with the insignia of Hysteria's students.
On her head, she tossed on a sleek student cap—something between a chief's hat and a street style crown—symbolic of her dual life as both nurturer and fighter.
Her long black socks clung tightly up her thighs, drawing the eye to her powerful yet graceful legs. Black boots with radiant blue stripes hugged her feet, ready to carry her across the city or into battle—whichever came first.
Just then, a familiar scent wafted from the hallway—bread, fried egg, and something fizzy.
Vibe stepped into the corridor just as Kimberly reached into the cupboard, stretching to grab a packet of food along with a chilled can.
"Here," her mom said, tossing her the items in one smooth motion.
"Thanks, Mom!" Vibe grinned as she caught the energy drink mid-air and tucked the food into her satchel.
She took one last glance back at Vide, who stood at the doorway with his tiny hands waving goodbye.
And in that moment—between the ordinary and the extraordinary—Vibe felt it.
Today wasn't going to be just another day.
Something was stirring in the ley lines of the world… and her story was about to begin.