Back at the academy, not a single student was in sight. Everyone had retreated to their hostels, clear evidence of the ongoing damage assessment being led by Toshiro. The only person still moving about was Kaile, a printed checklist clutched in her hands as she walked.
'They should be done by now,' she thought, her footsteps echoing softly along the brick-paved paths lined with wooden accents. 'Preparations in the hall aren't that difficult, especially since everything was already available.'
She glanced down at her list, each item accompanied by a small box waiting to be ticked. 'The only mildly challenging part was figuring out the seating arrangement, the chairs are movable, and deciding on the curtain decorations at the front. But even that wasn't too hard.'
A small, prideful smile tugged at her lips. 'With my big brain, this was easy peasy. I bet my decorations put the previous ones to shame.'
Just a few meters ahead stood the great hall. Within its courtyard, small red and dark red trees had been trimmed to point elegantly upward, surrounded by neatly slashed grass. At the edges, golden privet hedges were similarly groomed, shaped into precise cubic forms.
Beside the entrance, an image of the Flaming Being was carved into stone, with the words "Academy Hall" etched beneath it. The building itself was constructed from granite, its circular design broken only by the flat, straight face of the main entrance.
'I can't wait to see how it turned out.'
Kaile closed the remaining distance in an instant, reaching for the handle of the glass door. The door bore a unique decagon-like pattern and was opaqued, obscuring the view within.
She pulled it open and the scene before her stole her breath. Her lips parted slightly in awe.
Chairs were arranged in four main columns facing the stage, with just enough space between them to allow movement to and from the seats. The black foldable chairs each had a thin foam cushion for comfort.
At the very front, just to the right of the stage, a separate grouping of chairs had been arranged in a gentle curve like the beginning of a circle positioned perpendicular to the main seating so that those seated there could view both the stage to their right and the student body to their left.
Each of the four main columns was marked with a stand at the end indicating its assigned occupants: 1st Years, 2nd Years, 3rd Years, and 4th Years. The uniquely arranged chairs at the front, however, bore cloth covers on their backrests, each embroidered with a single word: "FINALES."
'Wow... it's even better than I imagined.'
Workers in blue uniforms moved about, putting on the finishing touches, adjusting chairs, tying balloons to the ceiling from ladders equipped with flat stabilizing stands. Overhead, lengths of red and green fabric hung in elegant drapes, blending together to create a striking visual.
At the center of the stage stood a glass podium, a deep, dark blue transparent structure. On its front face was a symbol: two lion heads facing opposite directions, angled slightly upward, their ends meeting, mouths open in silent roars. Beneath the emblem, in stylish bright white lettering, were the words: "Zunan Fighters Academy."
Against the back wall of the stage, curtains had been arranged with careful precision, and two workers were still in the process of completing the lettering that read "2020 Graduation Ceremony" across the fabric.
The stage itself was raised a meter above the main floor, with steps at both the center and the ends. Chairs on the stage were arranged in two semi-circular rows around the podium, facing the hall. At the edges of the stage, plastic flowers had been placed at equal intervals.
'A little too colorful and flowery for my taste... but the design is definitely awesome.'
One of the workers, a chubby man with an obese build, finally noticed her presence. He approached, still adjusting the alignment of a chair as he went. "Ah, hello, Vice President. Didn't see you there. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, same as before," Kaile replied, folding her arms across her chest. "I assume you're well yourself?"
With a plastered smile, he answered, "I suppose so. So, what do you think so far? Is it to your liking?"
Kaile carefully moderated her tone, careful not to appear too impressed. "It's not bad. You did a good job here. I can see you made a few adjustments to my original setup, but I don't hate it."
He let out a knowing chuckle. "I'm glad you like it. I told the others to get a little creative, since you're a hard person to impress. But we only built on your designs, we shouldn't take too much credit."
Kaile didn't reply immediately. Her eyes swept the hall one more time before landing on the floor leading to the stage. "Where is the red carpet? I thought I specified a carpet leading from the door to the stage."
"Oh, we definitely didn't forget that," he replied calmly, his smile unwavering. "Another worker is retrieving it from storage. The keys were taken by one of the instructors who recently arrived, so there's been a slight delay."
'I'm trying too hard to find a flaw. Maybe I'm just nervous because this is the job Pathro assigned me. I should just trust these guys they have more experience with this than I do.'
She let out a quiet sigh and handed him the document. "Make sure you cross-check everything on this list before you leave, and tick each item once it's fully completed. I'm counting on you."
"Don't worry, Vice President. You can trust us."
Kaile turned and walked toward the exit. She had barely stepped outside when a man materialized before her, appearing from thin air.
He was taller than her, with a broad chest and the unmistakable physique of a bodybuilder. He wore an umbrella hat and a long black leather coat with a raised collar around his neck. His face was rugged yet handsome, with narrow, eagle-like green eyes. His beard and mustache were neatly trimmed, lending him a youthful, distinguished appearance.
Kaile flinched backward from the sudden appearance but quickly recognized him. "Instructor Kurosaki... what are you doing here?" she asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
The instructor stared at her for a moment before replying. "I want you to come with me to Administration. In the absence of the President."
Kaile gathered her courage. "In his absence? Isn't Pathro in Minato Ward, Tokyo? If it's that urgent, you could easily go get him."
The man turned away, facing the opposite direction, his hands still in his pockets. "I could. But the matter isn't pressing enough to warrant that much trouble. Besides, I heard he's handling some shopping there. This is something you can manage."
Kaile's eyes narrowed at his back as her mind raced. 'Something that originally required Pathro, but I can fill in? What could it be? The only thing I can think of is acting as the cadet representative to some important guests.'
Sensing her curiosity, the instructor spoke again. "You're aware that the Anabasis takes place tomorrow, along with your test? Representatives from various nations have already arrived. It's a formality to introduce the President or Vice President of the Cadet Council. Now, follow me."
'Ah, right. The Anabasis.'
She fell into step behind him. 'I momentarily forgot about that. The Flaming Being, in his attempt to empower humanity against the Zunans, left behind a portal to a realm where people awaken their Life Energy and learn to wield it in combat. No single nation holds dominion over that portal. That's why, during the Anabasis of any academy around the world, representatives from all nations must be present.'
She lifted her chin slightly, lost in thought. 'There's also a set agreement on how many people each nation can empower per year. That's probably why they attend in person to ensure the numbers don't exceed the agreed limits. It's fascinating how the entire world revolves around this phenomenon.'
A cold sensation touched her forehead. She blinked, looking up. A single snowflake had landed on her skin.
'Snowfall?'
She stared at the dark clouds overhead as more flakes began their slow, silent descent.
'Pathro and Sumire had better get back quickly... before this snow gets heavy.'
***
At the heart of bustling Minato Ward, commerce was the central rhythm of life. Inside one of the larger supermarkets, shoppers pushed trolleys through the aisles, selecting items from the shelves before making their way to the checkout counters. Among the crowd, Pathro navigated his own trolley, a faint smile playing on his lips as his gaze wandered from shelf to shelf.
'Man, being in a supermarket is surprisingly refreshing. Even the air in here feels different from outside.'
He came to a stop at the fruit section, where an array of produce, bananas, apples, oranges, and more sat neatly arranged inside transparent freezers.
'Should I buy some fruit? I mean, why not? The only issue is this trolley won't be enough once I add everything else I plan to get.' He lifted his chin slightly, considering. 'Well... I guess I'll buy fruit, but only for us finales. Realistically, I can't buy five hundred pieces. And if I include the instructors, that number only grows. So just enough for the finales and the instructors... a little over a hundred should do.'
He opened the freezer door. The fruits were packaged in transparent plastic bags, each labeled with the quantity and type inside.
'I should take a mix. Not everyone loves apples as much as people think. Personally, I prefer bananas, apples are overrated to be honest.'
He grabbed several bags of oranges, bananas, apples and dropped them into his trolley. Satisfied, he let out a quiet sigh.
'That should do it. Now...'
His eyes shifted to his next target: canned drinks.
'Yep. This trolley definitely won't be enough. I've barely started, and it's already half full from the fruit. I still need drinks and other supplies. It's going to look ridiculous trying to push multiple carts through this crowd. What should I do...?'
He scratched his forehead nervously, the itch entirely imagined.
Then the sound of screeching tires shattered the mundane atmosphere.
Two black vans careened into the parking lot, one slamming into a parked car. The van's front bumper absorbed the impact with little damage, but the other vehicle was left crumpled.
Every head in the supermarket turned toward the disturbance. Men began leaping from the cargo area of the vans, their bodies completely obscured by black clothing and masks fitted with tinted goggles. Not a single patch of skin was visible. And in their hands, guns. Handguns, rifles, shotguns.
Pathro's face fell into a worried frown as the men rushed toward the entrance.
'Wait... are those guys—'
"Bandits!" a woman's voice shrieked, finishing his thought.
Panic erupted. Shoppers scrambled in every direction, desperate to escape, but it was too late. The bandits were already at the door. They fired at the glass entrance, shattering it. Mercifully, everyone had the sense to duck low as bullets whizzed overhead.
Three bandits remained stationed at the front entrance. Others moved to surround the building, anticipating a possible back exit. Five more entered through the shattered door. One, armed with a rifle, fired a single round into the ceiling.
"Nobody move!! Phones on the ground NOW!!!"
Trembling hands began lowering phones to the floor.
Pathro crouched low, his expression twisted with disgust, his eyes tracking every movement. One of the bandits, a lean figure wielding a shotgun kicked a man who was lowering his phone too slowly.
"Do it fast, you old geezer, or I'll blow your head open!"
The man placed his phone down, his face a volatile mix of fear and simmering rage. But his eyes... his eyes hadn't given up yet.
"Now," another bandit spoke, his chest broad despite his average height, "I hope no one here is stupid enough to try anything heroic."
This one was different from the rest. He carried himself with an air of command.
"We've got this entire building surrounded. If you think you'll survive just by slipping past us in here, you're dead wrong. Cooperate, and you might live to see tomorrow."
He strode to one of the cashier stations, leveling his pistol at the terrified woman behind the counter. She was visibly shaking, her eyes wide and red-rimmed as if she were on the verge of breaking.
"Please—please don't kill me," she stammered.
"Oh, don't worry, sweetheart. I don't want it to come to that either," he said smugly. "So you're gonna be a good girl and cooperate. Put all the money in here." He tossed a black bag onto the counter. "Hurry up."
The woman's trembling hands flew to the cash register, frantically shoveling bills into the bag. The leader signaled to another bandit, who began distributing more empty bags to the remaining cashiers.
"Well? What are you waiting for?" the leader barked, noticing the other cashiers frozen in place. "Do I need to repeat myself to each one of you?"
As if jolted by electricity, the cashiers snapped into motion, emptying their registers into the bags.
'Scumbags,' Pathro thought, grinding his teeth.
'What do I do? Their bullets can't hurt me, but I can't be reckless. If I move wrong, they might start shooting civilians. I'm fast enough to take them all out, but at that speed, the wind pressure and shockwave could bring this whole building down worst-case scenario. I never properly learned how to move at high speeds without causing collateral damage, not like the instructors. And if I move too slowly, someone could get killed in the gap.'
He closed his eyes briefly, forcing himself to think.
'I can sense about eight others moving outside. Probably more of them. They're spread too wide for me to blitz them all without unintended consequences. I could end up killing someone myself if I'm not careful. Think, Pathro... what's the best call here?'
"Hey, you," the broad leader called to one of his men, a tall, slim figure carrying two handguns. "Collect their phones. Before anyone gets smart and tries calling the cops."
The tall bandit holstered his guns and produced another empty bag. He began moving through the crowd, collecting phones while the leader covered him, pistol trained on the hostages.
When they reached Pathro's section, the man crouched beside him had already placed his phone on the ground. But his fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles had gone white, his eyes burning with barely restrained fury. Pathro caught his gaze and offered a subtle, silent warning: Calm down.
The man let out a frustrated breath and looked away.
The bandits collected his phone and moved on. For a brief moment, Pathro's eyes met those of the leader. There was no fear in Pathro's gaze only cold calculation.
"Quite the look you've got there, kid," the leader remarked. "You must've lived one hell of a life to stay that composed."
Pathro didn't reply. He simply lowered his gaze.
'I just need to let them finish and leave. It's clear their goal isn't to kill anyone... but that could change in an instant if something stupid happens. And I hope they're gone before the police arrive.'
He glanced discreetly at one of the ceiling-mounted security cameras.
'By now, the manager or CEO has probably seen this on the monitors. They'll have called the police. If the cops show up before these guys escape, they'll use the people in here as hostages. That'll complicate things fast.'
He exhaled a shallow sigh.
'Just hurry up and leave.'
The cashiers finished filling the bags and zipped them shut. One of the bandits overseeing the process signaled the leader. The leader nodded, then directed two of his men to carry the bags to the vans while the remaining three kept their guns trained on the crowd.
Once the bags were loaded, the leader fired another round into the ceiling. People flinched, covering their ears.
"Let's go!" he barked.
The bandits inside rushed out. Pathro sensed the others who had surrounded the building converging back toward the vans.
A devilish smile crept onto Pathro's face. He rose to his feet.
The shoppers nearby stared in shock at his composure there wasn't a trace of fear in his expression.
"Don't worry," he said calmly. "Everyone will get their phones back."
He moved fast enough to reach the door in a blur, but controlled enough not to cause damage. Outside, the vans were just beginning to pull away.
Pathro exploded forward. His first kick tore through the tires of both vehicles, sending the vans crashing down onto their axles. He reached the rear of the first van and drove his hands into the metal doors, peeling them open as easily as parting a curtain.
Inside, the bandits had already removed their masks. Their faces were frozen in shock.
"You chose the wrong day for your little activity."
They scrambled for their weapons, but Pathro simply released a pulse of his aura. The pressure of his meta energy washed over them, and their bodies seized before they collapsed, unconscious.
He walked calmly toward the second van, careful to direct his aura so it wouldn't reach the civilians inside the supermarket. Another pulse, and the occupants of the second van slumped into unconsciousness as well.
'Their souls aren't capable of handling meta energy. Exposure causes their bodies to shut down. Unlike them, I went through the Anabasis not just to gain meta energy, but to make my soul compatible with it. I would've loved to break a few bones and let them fire off a few rounds, but no need to cause unnecessary damage or risk anyone getting caught in the crossfire.'
He opened the second van, spotting the bags of cash and the bag of phones.
Then, a slightly sheepish thought crossed his mind as he remembered how hard the vans had hit the ground when he'd burst the tires.
'Hehe... I hope none of the phones got damaged. The guy carrying the bag probably absorbed most of the impact, though.'
In the distance, police sirens began to wail, growing steadily louder.
'Perfect timing. I can give my statement and get back to shopping... though, does a supermarket even stay open after something like this? I might have to find another one.'