Preparations for the coming festival filled Veyl Academy with noise, color, and nervous excitement. Students ran around with banners, booths were being set up, and magical lanterns drifted across the blue afternoon sky.
But inside the Academy's inner courtyard far from the music and chatter three men stood in silence.
These were not students.
Not professors.
They were the Eclipse Vanguards, the strongest force the Academy could deploy.
Kurosawa Zeke, magma flames simmering beneath his skin.
Gorou Kanzaki, the monk-like giant whose calm was heavier than stone.
And Kaito Yagami, the tactical Wave-user whose mere presence felt like watching still water waiting to strike.
Master Isen had summoned them in private earlier.
And now, following his orders, they walked toward the northern boundary toward the ancient burial grounds where Kaom the Giant was sealed.
The air around them grew colder and heavier with each step.
Kurosawa Zeke
