As Rolland leads his group through the treacherous forest, they are desperate for food after nearly two days. As they walk, they engage in conversation.
Jean: "So, how are we going to find food?" , Rolland: "We are almost reaching the No Man's Land , that's where we will find food." Jean, curious: "What is the No Man's Land?" Dominic, one of the teenagers, answers: "It's the land of the monsters." Jean: "I thought there were a lot of them outside of Flowerberry." Rolland explains: "Right now, we are in Flowerberry's forest. The monsters are rare here, but our group still encountered one."
As they enter the No Man's Land, they notice a stark difference from the Flowerberry forest:
In the Flowerberry forest, they could only see fruitless trees and vines. In the No Man's Land, they see a vast natural plantation of flowerberries. These flowerberries resemble flowers that bear fruit like berries, each fruit the size of a coconut, with about three to five fruits per flowerberry. The No Man's Land is an open plantation without trees, covered with flowerberries over a vast area. While other plants and fruits are present, they are not as abundant. I n the distance, they spot bird-like creatures flying above the flowerberries. Taking in the landscape, they see a river, a plateau mountain with tree cover, and the remnants of a city from the old world in the far distance. This sets the scene for their journey into the mysterious and bountiful No Man's Land.
Rolland: "That is our food right there."
Jean: "Then all we have to do is pick the flowerberry fruits. It seems easy."
Jenna, one of the adults, interjects: "Those birds are actually monsters. You can't see it now, but they are gigantic up close. They won't hesitate to eat anything feeding from the flowerberries."
Jean: "Does anyone have a plan then?"
Dominic suggests: "Can't we just wait for them to go away?"
Rolland: "We will lose daylight, and we also have to find a place to stay for the night."
Jean turns to Paulin: "Any ideas?"
Dominic, surprised, says: "Why ask him?"
Jean explains: "His powers are of the mentalist type, he is basically very smart."
The group is astonished, having never encountered such a power type before.
Rolland, with determination, asks Paulin to help devise a plan to survive their current situation: "Paulin, we need you to help us find a plan."
With shyness, Paulin opens up and says: "My brain works like a puzzle; I need pieces to be able to put it together."
Confusion spreads among the group as they try to understand Paulin's statement.
Jean, as Paulin's long-time best friend, deciphers his words and clarifies for the others: "He means that he would like to know everyone's powers and whatever tools you may have with you, anything that might help."
As they come together to devise their plan, they pool their resources and powers to tackle the challenges ahead.
We now follow Kai Aoki as she attends her first special force program. She meets her new classmates for the first time.
Mr. Stanley: "Good morning, class. As you can see, you have a new classmate, so I will do a quick presentation to get it over with."
Kai is surprised to find that the teacher is more lively than the rumors had led her to believe. She is certain that he is intentionally breaking from his usual routine.
Mr. Stanley continues: "This is Kai Aoki, your new classmate. Aoki, these are your new classmates, Pack Se-yong, and Franklin Sierra."
Mr. Stanley has been granted permission to start an expedition to study the civilization of the old world, and he briefs the class about there first expedition. The students are excited about the opportunity.
Stanley announces: "The expedition is confirmed for tomorrow, we leave at sunrise."
He shows his three students a map, pointing out a museum located in what used to be a small town in the old world. Kai, skeptical of the professor's behavior, is filled with questions.
Kai's thoughts: "Why choose me? I didn't buy the nonsense he said the other day. The strangest thing is that he has had permission for expeditions but is only using them now. He is up to something."
In ARXCE, Duke Crass commands his underground henchmen while Cesarius leads his secretive soldiers. They provide him with information about the happenings in every city, including his own, functioning as a clandestine government intelligence network known only to him.
Reports of the disappearance of the highest sorcerer have reached Cesarious through his covert channels. He understands that King Alexander must be displeased with the situation, sensing that something unsettling may be brewing in ARXCE. Cesarious is not the only one to receive this news; it has also reached his ears.
Upon receiving this crucial information, Duke Crass makes a decision to travel to Kindleheim. With dubious intentions, he sets off, likely plotting to exploit the situation for his own gain.