"Lost-Controlled individuals, like monsters, are categorized from 1 to 10, with 1 being the weakest and 10 the strongest. Those in categories 1 to 3 are Beta-Class Lost-Controlled. Categories 4 to 6 fall under Alpha-Class. And from 7 to 10 are Omega-Class Lost-Controlled. Fortunately, humanity has never faced monsters beyond Category 7… and never a Lost-Controlled beyond Category 4.
"These categories represent, roughly, the number of abilities or traits a monster or Lost-Controlled can possess. The Federation created this numerical system so that anyone, even civilians, could understand the level of danger. The most powerful creature humanity ever faced was the very first monster—the Umbralux Draco, a Category 7 beast that destroyed a large portion of the planet before being slain by the first hero…"
"Yeah, yeah… the 'great hero' known as Aegis. 'The Shield of Humanity.' Do we really need these classes?"
Allen glanced at Shinobi, who was busy leafing through a stack of documents, interrupting General Titan in the middle of his speech. Titan's temple throbbed with a bulging vein as he held back his irritation.
"Those are the rules, Allen. If you don't want to listen to Titan, cover your ears and ignore him. Just don't blame me if he starts throwing things at you later."
Allen sighed and shook his head.
"In my opinion, listening to all this is pointless…"
"Then all you need to do," Shinobi said, lowering the papers, "is answer the question I asked you weeks ago. How did you obtain the staff and the stones?"
Allen smiled lightly, feigning innocence.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. They're just family heirlooms."
"If they were heirlooms, they wouldn't summon suits on you. And let's not even start with the multi-purpose staff."
For days, Shinobi had scanned the sapphire, the prism, and the staff with every tool available. The results were always the same: normal jewels and a simple wooden stick.
"What suit? I think you're starting to hallucinate, Shinobi."
"Titan," Shinobi said calmly, "initiate Plan B."
Titan grinned at Allen, cracking his knuckles menacingly.
"I don't hold anything against you, General Titan," Allen warned, "so I'd greatly appreciate it if you avoided doing something you'll regret."
Titan ignored him.
Flexing his arm, he tore through his yellow military shirt with his imposing muscles and struck Allen with a full-force punch.
The blow triggered a violent gust of wind across the room—but Titan quickly realized he had hit nothing. Allen's body vanished like an afterimage.
"Too slow. Though I must admit, your strength is impressive—worthy of a A-Rank hero."
Allen stood behind Titan. In his left hand, Shinobi caught a faint flicker of green light.
"Let's recap," Shinobi said. "You've used a prism, a ruby, and a sapphire. That's three. Which means there are two left: an emerald and a topaz. Which one do you have in your hand right now?"
Allen took a few steps to the right, casually glancing at the clock on the wall.
"In a few seconds, General Titan, you're going to be pushed back. If I were you, I'd brace myself."
A moment later, a tremendous burst of air surged from the direction Titan had thrown his punch. Both Titan and Shinobi had to kneel, sliding back a few centimeters under the force.
"Well, gentlemen, this is where I take my leave. I'm not studying something that's useless to me. See you around."
The wind subsided. Allen stood, dusted his shoulders, and jumped out the window, leaving Shinobi and Titan alone.
"…Your plan didn't work, Shinobi."
"Neither did yours."
Shinobi's plan had been to bore Allen into reacting by making him sit through hours of Federation history. Titan, alternatively, wanted to force information out of him with a fight. The end result was their current failure.
"In any case," Titan continued, "according to your brother, Allen still hasn't used two of his stones."
Shinobi nodded.
"He hasn't used the Emerald of Truth or the Topaz of Will yet. The only thing we know is that one of those two was strong enough to fight a Category 5."
Both Titan and Shinobi had read Crimson Shadow's documents. The conversation between him and Allen was only vaguely transcribed, and while the file didn't specify which stone Allen had used against Gigax Leo, it did list all their names.
"So he just used either the emerald or the topaz. A 50% chance. Want to bet on it, Shinobi?"
Shinobi didn't dignify the suggestion with an answer. He stared out the window, unable to spot Allen anywhere.
"Send a surveillance drone."
"No need," Titan replied smugly. "I planted a micro-radar in his pocket this morning."
Shinobi shot him a side glance. Titan usually relied on brute strength, but every once in a while he surprised him.
"If you applied this much brainpower consistently, you could probably reach the top fifty A-Rank heroes."
The comment was blunt. Titan stiffened, then stormed out, slamming the door so hard it tore the hinges off and sent the frame crashing to the floor.
---
Allen walked calmly through the streets, not sure where to go. Turning a corner, he passed an appliance store—something he normally ignored—until a video on a hanging television caught his eye.
The footage showed the incident from the other day: a Lost-Controlled in the skyscraper, and Allen in his Knight Style leaping from the window and landing on the ground with the rescued civilian.
"When… did they record that?"
His hands trembled slightly, though his expression remained perfectly composed.
His connection to the Federation—and especially to Calibur—had always ensured that footage of Firmament never reached the public. He had never imagined they would broadcast his powers so openly. When the Gigax Leo incident happened, and he used the Topaz of Will, the Federation had done the impossible to bury every trace.
Shaking his head, Allen resumed walking. He needed peace. And a good coffee.
He headed toward his favorite café.