In Sumeru City, inside a grand house, ninety-something-year-old Bona toyed with a Vision.
"What a pity. Still no breakthrough," Bona sighed.
"You've advanced this research significantly," a young scholar said.
"Not enough. And I can feel my time's running out," Bona replied. "I've got a few months left, at most."
"You're joking. You're in good health," the scholar insisted.
"Heh, I know my own body," Bona said, forcing a smile. "Zexi, come out."
"Father," Zexi emerged. At over seventy, he was an advisor to the Akademiya's Disciplinary Office, deeply versed in stealth and presence suppression, known as the man who kept the Akademiya sleepless.
"Go fetch your Uncle Reisen. I want him to see me off," Bona said.
Zexi nodded and left. He knew his father wasn't just sending him to find someone—it was to seek refuge. His son, Busayn, the Akademiya's Chief Disciplinary Officer and top stealth expert, was safe under Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's protection. Zexi, however, wasn't.
As an advisor, his stealth research was formidable, but his combat prowess couldn't hold a candle to his son's. Families targeted by the Disciplinary Office loathed him for making their lives harder. While Bona was alive, they dared not touch Zexi—Bona, a former Great Sage, still had clout to shield someone despite his age.
But Bona was dying. Busayn, though powerful, could only protect himself, not Zexi. Only Greater Lord Rukkhadevata could ensure his safety, but Zexi doubted she'd intervene. She'd been busy, often absent, these past years. Nobody knew where she went. Bona likely knew, having met her before her frequent disappearances, but he stayed silent.
Zexi boarded a ship, carrying a state letter from Amurta's new Sage for Reisen Riou. After half a month at sea, he reached the Shogunate and met Reisen.
"Uncle Reisen, here's Father's letter and a state letter from the Sage," Zexi said, handing over a letter and a document.
Reisen ignored the state letter, opening Bona's first. "Your father's done for already? I thought he had a few more years."
"Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's blessings have weakened lately, and Father's research has ravaged his body. It's a miracle he's lasted this long," Zexi said.
"Then stay here and lie low. Don't worry too much," Reisen said, snapping his fingers. Several samurai appeared.
"Banjiao, he's in your care. Protect him well. By the way, this is a stealth master from Sumeru. You can exchange professional insights," Reisen told one samurai.
"Yes, my lord!" Banjiao Nisei, a true swordmaster at LV7+ swordsmanship, nearing LV8, was still under thirty with a long growth window. Per Lady Narukami, while reaching the Original God peak of LV90 was unlikely, LV80+ was certain, making him a top Inazuman force. His life energy was already LV60+.
Banjiao led Zexi away to the Kanjou Commission for a residence permit.
Reisen took the Amurta Sage's state letter and returned to the Shogunate, opening it.
"What's it say?" Raiden Makoto asked, overseeing Raiden Ei's paperwork.
"No big deal. Fourth batch of scholars and public-funded students," Reisen said.
The matter was straightforward, tied to Inazuma's agricultural reform. The first five-year batch of scholars were elites for pioneering, the second for development. The third, currently here, were ordinary, with few elites, tasked with maintenance and steady progress. Elite scholars in Inazuma now were self-funded, chasing breakthroughs. For example, the hydroponics research team had elite members who stayed, as a decade wasn't enough for satisfying results.
Some of their promising research, useful to Inazuma, would be evaluated and sponsored by the Shogunate. Less critical projects, like hydroponics, were self-funded by Sumeru scholars. While vital for Watatsumi, the island's poverty and the Shogunate's lukewarm stance meant no sponsorship.
Thus, Sumeru scholars quietly funded small-scale studies, leveraging Resurrection's supercomputing power and Reisen's "Bygone Wisdom" guidance.
The fourth batch from Sumeru would be true elites, tackling issues like Inazuma's fertilizer problems and livestock breeding improvements. As for public-funded students, they'd long returned, applying their knowledge to improve Inazuma's livelihood.
"What about Bona?" Makoto asked, as Reisen had mentioned his nearing end.
"What else can I do, Sister Makoto? I'm asking for leave," Reisen said.
"Fine. Six months. Enough?"
"More than enough. Thanks, Sister Makoto." Reisen thanked her and left.
He couldn't just rush to Sumeru for Bona's farewell—his status demanded protocol. First, he'd write to Sumeru, addressing the students and fourth batch, noting he'd attend Bona's farewell privately.
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