At the Sangre De Reyes Grounds…
After another round of training, Taiho steps out onto the field.
"Tanya, bring the group," he calls, waving casually.
"Yes, sir," Tanya nods, gathering everyone. The group lines up at attention.
"So, the first mission is to investigate the warehouse in Citrobal," Taiho begins. "Bring back information we can hand over to the Chuq City Elites, as well as disable anyone who might interfere."
Ari tilts his head slightly. 'Disable?' He thinks,
"You'll head out at midnight. Ehh… Oh, right." Taiho scratches his neck. "If you run into high-ranking Psychomaners, we'd prefer you avoid getting killed, obviously… heh." He chuckles.
"But we can kill them, right?" Tanya asks casually.
"Of course!" Taiho beams, matching her tone.
Ari frowns at their exchange, but stays quiet.
"I'm putting Tanya in charge. Everything she says goes." Taiho says firmly. "Don't let me down."
…
In Another Classroom,
"There's the last one! You're Kevo, right?" an instructor says excitedly as Kevo steps in.
"Yes…" Kevo nods, taking a seat. He notices Beyce, Plaster, Claire, and two unfamiliar students already there.
The instructor claps his hands together. "My name is Capsule! Also Beyce's newfound mentor! Oh! Yeah!" He points dramatically at Beyce.
"YEAH!" Beyce shouts back.
"Okay, stop," Capsule says flatly, clearing his throat.
"This is the group you'll be rolling with for missions. Exciting, isn't it?"
"Yes it is, master!" Beyce sits tall, practically glowing.
"What is this… the goofball class?" Plaster mutters, resting his legs on the desk.
Capsule's expression hardens. "As your mentor, I demand you take that back and sit normally."
Plaster frowns, standing up. He gets right in Capsule's face. "Or what, clown?"
The two unfamiliar students lean back, watching with bored expressions.
"Alright, everyone outside… BEYCE!!" Capsule suddenly roars.
Beyce jumps up. "YES, MASTER!"
"Teach this wannabe the fist of Capsule!" Capsule points dismissively at Plaster.
Beyce's eyes sparkle. "Really? Can I?"
Capsule grins. "Really! Come on, everyone, let's go outside."
Plaster shakes his head. "Whatever. I'm finishing this quick…"
They all step out into an open courtyard. Kevo and the two students stand-off to the side, watching.
Plaster keeps his hands in his pockets. 'I saw him against Kevo at the first-year tournament… he can't be that strong, right?'
"I'm sorry, Plaster. You disrespected my master. I won't stand for that," Beyce says calmly.
"Alright, FIGHT!" Capsule yells.
The two circle each other, staring intently.
"Guess I'll strike first," Plaster mutters, lunging with a heavy overhand right. Beyce blocks cleanly with both arms, but gets pushed back.
"Heh." Plaster smirks, until Beyce counters with a kick to the midsection, knocking the wind out of him.
Plaster reaches for Beyce's leg, but a lightning-fast jab snaps against his face.
Beyce bounces back on his feet, composed.
Plaster blinks, nose already bleeding. 'What was that? He's fast… faster than Ari was during the tournament…'
He wipes his nose. "Hey, Capsudork, how hard can we spar?"
Capsule laughs. "As hard as you want! You'll never beat my apprentice anyway."
Plaster sneers. "We'll see about that! Pyro Style: Hell Ball!"
A blazing fireball forms, shooting at Beyce.
Kevo's eyes widen. 'I see… everyone's gotten stronger…'
Capsule closes his eyes. "Don't run, Beyce."
Beyce stiffens, then lowers his stance. "I won't run!"
The heat intensifies as the fireball pushes closer. Beyce plants his feet and catches it with both hands.
"What the?!" Kevo gasps.
The two students gape in disbelief.
Capsule smiles.
Plaster's face twists. "Is… is he crazy?"
Beyce roars, getting pushed back but holding firm, his feet digging into the dirt.
"Alright, Beyce! Show him!" Capsule calls proudly.
"Y-Yes, master!" Beyce struggles, then launches the fireball into the sky.
The massive Hell Ball bursts in the air, exploding into a shockwave felt across the entire Sangre De Reyes grounds.
…
Back at Taiho's Classroom…
"Yeah, so then I summoned an AK and just started going ham, you know?" Tanya says.
"Sounds pretty cool, actually…" Hazu replies.
Suddenly, the upper floor windows shatter from the force of the shockwave.
"What was that?!" Ari exclaims.
"What the hell?!" Hazu yells.
The group rushes to the broken windows, spotting Plaster and Beyce's showdown
…
Elsewhere, in the Hotel Lobby…
"So, Viola… do you got something for the boss?" Shinsei asks, while keeping a lookout,
"Ehh? What's that got to do with you, creep?" Viola answers uncomfortably,
"Just wondering since you were clinging onto him earlier… I don't actually care, as long as it doesn't interfere with work." Shinsei says, annoyed.
"Well… he's cute…" Viola says casually, while pondering about Saint.
"Really… sometimes I forget your age." Shinsei says with a nonchalant expression,
Viola sighs, "Shinsei… I'm bored… I wanna go shop…"
Then suddenly, a girl with long brown hair walks in, surrounded by bodyguards.
"Hey, Viola. That's her," Shinsei nudges.
Viola sips her drink lazily. "I'm bored, Shinsei…"
"Make room, this is Mr. Vino's daughter you're blocking the way from!"
Across the lobby, a bodyguard calls the elevator for the important girl.
Shinsei pulls out his phone, dialing Saint. "Boss? She's here. What should we do?"
…
Saint buttons a white shirt, slipping into black dress pants. He calls for the elevator, his steps
steady.
'Jane… Prince… Mari…'
His thoughts run deep as he realizes the world he's living in. He collides with a tall man but doesn't budge.
"Hey! Watch where you're going, Idiot!" The tall man yells,
'No… I get it… I… I am despair.'
His eyes focused.
"From now on, I will burn this world."
…