The grand dining hall basked in soft crystal chandelier light as Luna sat with practiced poise, her ice-blue eyes seemingly lost in distant thoughts. Across from her, Alina's sharp gaze traced Luna's every movement.

  "That time, Drifter was so serious talking to you. What's going on?" Alina probed.

  Luna's gaze remained fixed on her pte. "Ah, it's nothing," she replied with finality.

  The moment shattered as Vestra System's synthetic voice resonated throughout the hall: "Attention all teaching staff, instructors, and veteran members of the Evocaier Order. This is an emergency announcement. Please proceed to the Grand Hall immediately. Condition II has been activated."

  The hall fell silent. Confused gnces darted between instructors as Alina turned to Luna.

  "Condition II? That... has never happened before," she whispered disbelievingly.

  Luna rose with unnatural calm. "I figured this would happen. Drifter must have talked to Friedrich."

  Alina leaned forward intensely. "See? I knew something's up. Come on, Luna, spill it."

  Luna shook her head subtly. "I'm sorry, Alina. It's better if Drifter expins it. He'll tell you everything you need to know."

  In his room, Jaxon stretched across his bed, staring bnkly at the ceiling as nguid melodies filled the space. "So tired... When can I get a week off?" he murmured, smiling. "The Sarjavah Festival is coming up soon. No way I'm going to miss that."

  His mind wandered to Maranagara—white beaches, luxurious resorts, and gentle waves. He imagined vibrant parades, exotic street food aromas, and awe-inspiring Arcadian technologies.

  "Fireworks over the water... beautiful beaches... and a whole week of the best food and drinks from across Vesteria. Perfect."

  The peaceful moment shattered when Vestra System's voice filled the room. His smile vanished as he pushed himself up between reluctance and concern.

  "Condition II? Ugh, seriously?" Swinging his legs over the bed, he gazed at the sunset-painted sky, gathering his belongings with a heavy sigh. "Goodbye, quiet evening... Alright, let's see what's going on this time."

  In the library, Vellya perched on a stool with a colorful picture book while Alma and Nadia fnked her like protective angels. Behind them loomed Guardian Skeletons, their hollow eye sockets vigint.

  "Yay! That story was amazing! Thank you, Papa! Thank you, Mama!" Vellya excimed, turning to her companions. "Big Sis Alma, Big Sis Nadia, do you have another good storybook?"

  Before they could respond, Vestra System's mechanical voice shattered the peaceful atmosphere. Students tensed, their faces etched with growing concern.

  "Big Sis, what does that mean? What's Condition II?" Vellya asked, clutching her books tightly.

  Alma knelt beside her with a forced smile. "It's probably just a drill, little one. Nothing to worry about, okay? Everything's fine."

  But doubt flickered across Vellya's innocent face, and nearby, Nadia's hands trembled as she whispered to Alma, "Alma... what's going on? Condition II... it's not something we've seen before, right? Do you think... we're in trouble?"

  Alma reached for Nadia's cold hands. "Sshh... it's okay, Nadia," she soothed. "It's probably just a precaution. They're being extra careful, that's all."

  In the courtyard, students prepared to leave as the golden-orange evening light bathed everything. Vaeloria, Mia, and Lily led the way, followed by Lorcan, Sloane, Reine, Alyssa, Bryan, Erick, and Caelus.

  "Hey, did you see Drifter earlier?" Lorcan asked Caelus curiously.

  Caelus shrugged. "Nope. Did something happen to him?"

  "We saw him," Sloane interjected. "Looked like he had a lot on his mind. Any idea what's going on?"

  Caelus grew serious. "If I had to guess... it might be something to do with the Bck Cube."

  Bryan sighed worriedly. "Poor guy. Maybe we should check in on him, bring him something. He's done so much for us."

  Erick nodded. "Yeah, we owe him. If it weren't for him, the three of us wouldn't even be here."

  Alyssa rolled her eyes. "Ugh, that was just because I messed up. But fine, you're right. We do owe him."

  Reine offered a gentle smile. "Let's do it. What should we give him?"

  Lorcan raised an eyebrow and quipped, "How about a cube-shaped bck cake?"

  The group fell silent, turning to him with ft, unimpressed stares while the background buzz of student conversation continued unabated.

  Caelus shot him a deadpan look. "Really, Lorcan? That's more likely to give him a panic attack."

  Sloane ughed lightly, cpping Lorcan's shoulder. "Okay, okay. Let's just get moving. We can figure it out along the way."

  Their conversation was cut short by Vestra System's announcement. The cheerful atmosphere vanished as students froze in confusion.

  "What the... did you guys hear that?" Sloane muttered.

  "Yeah... we've been here for years, and I've never heard anything like that," Lorcan replied.

  Ahead, students near the gates began turning back, confusion and worry etched on their faces. Vaeloria, Mia, and Lily, who had been leading the way out, stopped in their tracks.

  Lily gnced at Vaeloria tremblingly. "Ria, what do we do now?"

  Vaeloria stared back toward the academy resolutely. "Looks like our pns are off. This has to be serious."

  In the Grand Hall, Drifter's footsteps echoed as he approached, each step feeling impossibly heavy. His eyes scanned the concerned faces filling the vast space, spotting Jaxon waving casually, Luna standing motionless, and Alina's narrowed eyes catching sight of him.

  Friedrich and Headmaster Gideon stepped onto the podium as the murmurs faded into expectant silence.

  "As you've heard, we are now in Condition II," Friedrich began gravely. "This is not a drill."

  A deathly quiet fell over the assembly as uneasy gnces were exchanged.

  Headmaster Gideon raised his hand commandingly. "To crify, let me remind you all—Condition II signifies heightened alert status. The situation involving the Bck Cube has escated. While there is no immediate threat, we must remain vigint."

  Friedrich's precise words cut through the silence. "Patrol schedules will be issued shortly. Key areas, especially the Research Center, must be secured at all times. Report anything suspicious immediately. The Bck Cube must remain protected."

  As people filed out in hushed discussions, Jaxon sighed beside Drifter. "Well, there goes my vacation," he muttered. "Any idea what's going on? Why the sudden alert?"

  "I'm the one who requested it from Professor Friedrich," Drifter stated evenly.

  Jaxon's eyebrow arched with interest. "Seriously? Did you find something?"

  Drifter nodded. "Yeah... just stay alert. Don't let your guard down."

  Jaxon studied him intently before murmuring, "Alright... got it."

  Drifter raised his voice just enough. "Stay sharp, everyone. I'm heading to the Research Center to keep watch."

  Each step toward the Research Center felt like walking through quicksand. Whispers crept into Drifter's consciousness—inhuman voices mixing commands, compints, and agonized screams. Pain nced through his head like countless needles.

  The voices intensified, seeping into his thoughts like poison. "Help... stop it... Destroy... Attack... Conquer..." His body refused to move, as if chained in pce.

  Hold on... I have to hold on... The thought echoed desperately as his muscles screamed in protest.

  Through his pain, Alma's soft voice broke through. "Good evening, Drifter. Are you okay? You look pale," she said, appearing beside him with Nadia and Vellya.

  "Alma? I'm fine... Thanks," he managed, forcing a weak smile.

  "Hey, old man! You sure you're okay? Just say the word, no need to act tough," Lorcan teased worriedly from behind.

  "Drifter... you don't have to worry," said Luna, standing with Friedrich, Alina, and Jaxon.

  The peaceful moment shattered as a deafening explosion tore through the air, hurling Drifter backward. When his vision cleared, horror greeted him—a world in ruins, severed limbs, disfigured faces, and raging fmes.

  Damn it... Whatever this is... I won't let it happen... The thought burned through him with renewed determination.

  He forced himself up, each painful breath catching in his chest. His hand found the comforting warmth of the Elysian Wardstone in his pocket.

  The apocalyptic vision began to fade, but the voices persisted. With every step, reality shifted—one moment showing carnage, the next appearing normal. When he finally reached the Research Center, the metal door slid open, and harsh white light poured out.

  "Silence... please, silence..." he pleaded almost inaudibly.

  Inside the lift, the noise crashed over him like a tidal wave. When the doors reopened, he stumbled forward, barely maintaining bance.

  "QUIET!" he shouted desperately into the empty corridor.

  His eyes darted around as shadows writhed at the edges of his vision. "Who's there... You again... Show yourself!" he demanded of the emptiness.

  Step by painful step, he forced himself toward the Bck Cube chamber. When the final door opened, blinding light flooded his senses. The Cube hovered at the center, surrounded by a pulsing blue aura that called to something deep within him.

  "Just shut it down. Take it. End it all," a distorted voice hissed seductively.

  His hand froze mid-air, trembling with effort. But... what if this thing... what if it's maniputing me and I'm the source of all this?

  He stepped back until he felt the cold wall, then slid down as his strength gave out. The voices faded to a background drone as his focus narrowed entirely to the Blue shimmer.

  No matter what happens, this thing must not fall into anyone's hands.

  The next day, Luna, Jaxon, and Alina went to find him after he didn't return at the end of his shift. They heard from other members that he had been acting strange—silent, withdrawn, and not eating. Worried, they quickened their pace, guided by another teammate, until they found Drifter slumped against the wall in the Bck Cube Room. His face was a bnk mask, but his eyes held a storm of complex emotions.

  "Hey, pal... how was st night? Everything alright?" Jaxon asked casually, met with silence.

  Alina gripped Drifter's shoulder firmly. "Drifter! What's going on with you?!" she demanded sharply.

  Luna knelt beside him gently. "Drifter... we're here. Come back to us."

  After a long silence, Drifter blinked. "What are you doing here?" His voice was rough, barely audible.

  "First things first, buddy—grab some food, then head home and rest. We've got this," Jaxon urged.

  Something in Drifter snapped. He pushed himself up suddenly, eyes burning intensely. "You can't!" he burst out desperately. "You won't be able to handle it! Don't try to stop me, alright?!"

  Luna stepped forward again gently. "Drifter... you're wearing yourself out. Let us help."

  Silence fell over the room. Jaxon had never seen Drifter like this, so unlike himself. Alina was just as shocked, but Luna remained calm.

  "Please... let us help," she said gently.

  But there was no response. Only that unfamiliar gaze, hollow and unreadable, as if he were someone they no longer knew. Luna, Alina, and Jaxon exchanged uncertain gnces.

  Reluctantly, they turned to leave. Near the exit, Drifter's quiet voice stopped them.

  "I'm sorry... and thank you."

  Luna, Jaxon and Alina offered faint smiles before stepping out. As they walked, concern weighed heavy between them. Jaxon and Alina whispered, trying to figure out how to help, but Luna remained silent.

  Finally, after a moment, she spoke. "I'll tell Friedrich."

  They nodded in agreement and continued on together.

  The next few days, they kept visiting him, but he never touched the food they brought. Even Friedrich had spoken to him, offering advice and issuing a direct order—yet nothing changed. When Alma and Nadia accompanied Friedrich on a visit, they were just as shocked.

  Day after day, they tried, but there was no progress.

  Eventually, Alina, Luna, Friedrich, and Jaxon gathered to discuss the situation. If this continued for a week, they would have no choice but to report to the Grandmaster.

  But on the fourth day, Drifter finally ate—though he barely finished anything. His expression remained unreadable, unchanged.

  By the fifth day, in the cafeteria, sunlight streamed through the windows. No invaders, no unusual reports—just the same uneventful routine.

  "Ugh, I'm so tired. Five days of this, and nothing's even happened," Sloane compined, stirring his soup endlessly.

  "Honestly, I'm fine with it. If five quiet days mean we're safe, I'll take it," Reine sighed with relief.

  "If it stays quiet for another two weeks, they might finally downgrade us from Condition II," Caelus noted thoughtfully.

  Bryan groaned audibly at the thought. "Two weeks? Are you serious? Five days already feels like a year."

  Mia poked listlessly at her food. "Yeah... I'm so bored. I can't imagine sitting through another week of this."

  "I just want all of this to be over. Doesn't matter how long it takes, as long as we're safe." Erick said

  "Same here. I miss home so much." Lily said.

  Their conversation lulled for a moment as Alyssa tilted her head, her sharp gaze settling on Lorcan, who sat unusually quiet, absentmindedly twirling his fork.

  “Hey, Lorcan. What’s up with you? You’re weirdly quiet today. What’s on your mind?”

  Lorcan gave a small shrug, his eyes distant. “Just… thinking.”

  Seated nearby, Vaeloria smirked. “Wow, Lorcan thinking? Should we be worried the world’s ending?”

  "By the way, has anyone seen Drifter? It’s been five days, and I haven’t seen him anywhere. Anyone know what’s going on with him?" Lorcan asked.

  "Probably off on some special assignment. My bet’s he’s at city headquarters," Caelus said.

  "No, he’s not. My sister’s stationed there, and she said she hasn’t seen him," Reine added.

  Before anyone could specute further, Vaeloria squinted toward the cafeteria entrance. Alma, Nadia, and Vellya had just walked in. She nodded toward them with a small smile. "Hey, let’s just ask her. She’d know for sure."

  "Good idea," Mia said.

  As the three approached, Alma greeted them with her signature bright smile, though there was a faint tension behind it. Nadia, on the other hand, seemed uneasy, her eyes darting nervously around the room. Vellya followed close behind, cheerful but with a hint of confusion in her expression.

  "Hey, Alma. Do you know where Drifter is? We haven’t seen him in days," Lorcan asked.

  Alma’s smile faltered slightly. She hesitated, gncing at Nadia, then back at the group. "He’s... he’s at the Research Center."

  "Is he okay? Is something wrong?" Reine asked, brows furrowed.

  "No, he’s fine. He’s just... on guard duty. That’s all," Alma replied.

  "Guard duty? Isn’t that where the Bck Cube is?" Erick asked.

  "Cut the act, Alma. We know something’s up. Why not just tell us?" Vaeloria pressed.

  Alma sighed, lowering her gaze. "Okay... He’s been acting strange. We saw him recently, and... he’s not himself."

  The group fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them.

  After a moment, Lorcan spoke up, louder this time. "Enough talk. Let’s go to the Research Center and see what’s really going on."

  "We’re novices. We can’t just walk in there, especially not in a big group like this," Caelus pointed out.

  Lorcan turned to Alma, his expression hopeful. "Can you talk to your dad? Maybe get us permission to see him?"

  Alma hesitated, uncertainty clear on her face, but after a moment, she nodded. "I’ll try."

  She stepped aside and made the call. When she returned, her expression was apologetic. "So, uh… bad news, guys. My dad says it’s restricted, so we’re not allowed in. But hey! Maybe there’s another way we can figure this out?"

  "If we can’t see him, how about we send him a message? All of us together," Vaeloria suggested with a smile.

  "That’s a good idea. Let’s do it," Lorcan agreed.

  The group pulled out their Lumina Cores, typing heartfelt messages to Drifter. Even Vellya smiled brightly as she joined in, inspired by the group's shared hope that everything would soon return to normal.