Serag prepared some kind of magic ball and launched it towards Krishna.
Krishna simply deflected it with his right hand.
The magic ball that Krishna deflected destroyed the peak of a nearby mountain.
[Serag]: You truly are powerful.
Saying that, Serag teleported behind Krishna and unsheathed his sword. However, before Serag could even perceive what happened, his sword had already shattered into pieces.
Krishna… was standing behind Serag.
Krishna whispered into Serag's ear.
[Krishna]: I said I am quite angry. I have no intention of playing around. Tell me… who is your ruler?
Serag jumped back to create distance.
Though in front of Krishna, no distance was truly safe.
Serag was breathing heavily now. His instincts were screaming danger.
[Serag]: How about we settle this without fighting?
Serag sighed in relief.
[Krishna]: Tell me then. Who sent you?
Serag stiffened in fear.
[Serag]: He… he is T—
Before Serag could continue, his tongue melted away.
He screamed in agony.
[Serag]: Grhhaa… waahhh!!
"A curse perhaps?"
Krishna thought for a moment.
Krishna: You are worthless now.
Serag's eyes widened in terror.
He started begging desperately.
[Krishna]: Range Shiftling, Absolute Freeze.
Serag's entire body started freezing.
Eventually, he died.
[Krishna]: Expected more. What a disappointment.
Saying those words, Krishna disappeared.
Amidst all this chaos, two eyes had been watching everything.
A stone statue placed atop a nearby mountain slowly rolled its eyes.
The statue transformed into particles and flew away.
*
On Earth,
Krishna teleported back after grasping the situation through Shang Sho, the Leader of the Japanese Sorcery Society, who informed him about the sudden monster attack in Shinjuku.
Krishna happened to pass through the Medical Sector, so he entered the hospital building where Pratik was being treated.
Krishna opened the door while thinking Pratik might be discouraged, only to see a mummified person dancing and twerking.
"This kid truly knows every way to get on my nerves."
After seeing Krishna, Pratik immediately stopped dancing and greeted him.
[Pratik]: You were quite quick with it, Master.
[Krishna]: Stop that nonsense and tell me what exactly you were doing.
[Pratik]: That was important for my mental growth.
Krishna: What? Idiocy?
[Pratik]: Yes—No! Not that. I meant rest and reform. Anyways, long time no see, Master.
[Krishna]: I am here for something important. Stop fooling around and listen carefully. The next mission assigned to your team will be extremely important. Mistakes will not be tolerated.
[Pratik]: Haha… I never make mistakes.
"He himself is a mistake."
Those were Krishna's thoughts, though he kept them to himself.
[Krishna]: The next mission is intergalactic.
Pratik, who had been speaking casually until now, froze.
[Pratik]: You're kidding, right?
Seeing Krishna's silent stare, Pratik realized he wasn't joking.
[Pratik]: What mission is it, Master?
[Krishna]: According to our intel, it concerns a war between two civilizations. Your mission is to prevent it. Even if war breaks out, you must ensure its effects never reach our galaxy. The two sides are originally from the same civilization, merely divided into factions.
[Pratik]: Which civilization?
[Krishna]: How does Dragon Empire sound?
[Pratik]: Scary… but fine. This time I won't mess up. I'll make sure I earn enough internal points to participate in ISFC this year.
ISFC stands for International Sorcery Fundamentals Championship.
Yeah… the name sounds awkward.
The exam takes place once every five years.
It was held in 1990, but the 1995 ISFC was cancelled because of the 1994 Alien Invasion.
The 2000 ISFC was cancelled too for unknown reasons.
And now here we are, in 2005.
This year, I want to participate in ISFC and finally get promoted.
I don't want to remain a student forever.
At least I want the Sorcery/Standard Class Guide Branch rank—the lowest official rank under Sorcery Class.
Right now I get 100 Kalp as allowance, and with mission payments included, I earn around 500 Kalp at best.
Things are expensive in Dendadarlands.
As of this year, 1 Kalp = $20.
But even then, it's barely sufficient there.
If I get promoted to Sorcery Class Guide Branch, I'll finally have a proper income source.
So anyways…
Master was staring at me with serious eyes.
I got nervous and looked away.
It genuinely felt like he was staring directly into my soul.
After informing me about the mission, he simply turned around and left.
Wait, what?
You're not even here to check on me?
That's cruel.
Before I could protest, he slammed the door shut and walked away.
That guy.
While Krishna was walking towards the Meeting Sector, he sensed a familiar presence.
"You are always harsh on that kid."
The person who appeared behind Krishna said.
He had short, spiky blue hair and was slightly taller than Krishna.
[Krishna]: Long time no see, Arun.
It was Arun—one of the Big Three Sorcerers and Krishna's colleague.
[Arun]: Yes. You truly are cruel to everyone.
Arun said with a small smile.
[Krishna]: How many times are you planning to repeat that?
[Arun]: Well, you are quite troublesome, you know that? You literally created the Advisor Rank in the sorcerer hierarchy just to dump your paperwork on someone… and then specifically appointed me as Advisor.
Arun said that with a smile, though it was less pleasant and more terrifying.
[Krishna]: I don't remember doing such a thing.
[Arun]: Oh my, aren't you a forgetful child?
[Krishna]: Have you met Sunita?
Arun's irritation vanished instantly, replaced by confusion.
[Arun]: What about her?
[Krishna]: She returned from her mission recently and is currently resting with our old team.
[Arun]: I see. I'll meet them later. We'll continue our debate another time.
[Krishna]: Before you leave, tell me something. How much do you think we can trust them?
Arun narrowed his eyes seriously.
[Arun]: I'd say avoid following their orders whenever possible. Not like you listen to anyone anyway. I suspect they're involved in information leaks and bribery.
[Krishna]: I see. That's enough for now.
Arun left, while Krishna resumed walking toward the Meeting Sector.
*
Monster Realm,
Shining particles drifted freely through the sky.
They entered a massive castle.
No… "massive" felt too small a word for this monstrous structure.
The particles slowly gathered together and transformed into a monster.
A humanoid figure with the head of a bull.
Its presence alone felt overwhelming.
The monster knelt before a smiling human seated upon the throne.
The human looked calm and charming, almost like someone in his twenties.
"All the monsters sent to eliminate the powerful society leaders were effortlessly killed, my Lord."
The bull-faced monster spoke.
"Oh, do not worry. Everything is proceeding exactly as I predicted. In truth, it was merely a small diversion. You have done well, Tai."
Tai bowed his head.
[Tai]: I am honored to receive praise from my Lord.
"Oh, you flatter me. Besides, my objective was never to kill the Society Leaders at this stage."
The man laughed softly.
[Tai]: What are my next orders, my Lord?
"Let me think… hmm… Dragon Empire is currently unstable, correct?"
[Tai]: That is correct, my Lord.
"Perfect. Immortalus Society will naturally involve itself in this matter. They will send sorcerers to ensure the damage never reaches the Milky Way. Creating chaos within Dragon Empire was quite worthwhile after all. Very well, Tai, I order you to secretly assist one of the factions during the war."
[Tai]: You do not have a preferred side, my Lord?
"That is unnecessary. That is not how Immortalus Society operates. Their priority will merely be minimizing damage to the galaxy. Right and wrong hold little meaning in war. Only victory and loss matter. The Immortalus Society group will aid one faction openly. You will support the opposing side from the shadows. Balance must be maintained."
[Tai]: I understand. I shall take my leave.
Tai transformed into particles and flew away.
Meanwhile, the man upon the throne continued smiling calmly.
"It will be interesting to see whether the new generation follows the old path… or forges a new one entirely. Either way, they shall learn the taste of despair and agony that burns away morality."