The moon hung solemnly above the Astral Legion Academy, casting pale light over the scorched mountainside as the surviving students were escorted back by the Astral Legion. Silence followed them like a ghost. The break had ended in tragedy. And deep beneath the academy—beneath even the known floors—Lilly was sealed away in a forgotten realm, a place so dark even the stars dared not shine.
She would not see daylight again.
Inside the War Room, Astral Tower
Jessie leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching the flicker of a dim projection crystal.
Jessie: "So much for a peaceful break."
Neve: "That's obvious. But why would Lilly do this?"
A tall, veiled figure stepped out from the shadows—a Vandor whose presence bent the air itself.
Unknown Vandor: "She's not just a student. Lilly is a dragon born from the heavens. Sent by Solaris himself. But that same heavenly power twisted into obsession. Her desire to return—her revenge—took over everything else."
Neve: "Right… I forgot. She's a dragon."
Unknown Vandor: "What she did is unforgivable. She doesn't belong among mortals. There's no way to kill her, so we sealed her. Far away from the world. That… thing must never walk freely again."
Neve: (Quietly) "One of our own, dead… because of betrayal."
Jessie: "They were best friends. That's a cruel way to go."
Unknown Vandor: "Honestly, she didn't even qualify for the Academy. It's a miracle she lasted this long. But enough about her… that demon girl. Gendai. She took her down."
Neve: (Firmly) "Gendai is from my faction. She's different. A demon without a demon's heart. And defeating a creature strong enough to challenge heaven? That's no small feat."
Unknown Vandor: "That dragon wasn't at full power. She's volatile. Her rage makes her stronger—but also reckless. The more she gets hurt, the stronger she becomes… but the less she thinks."
Jessie: "So her greatest strength is her downfall."
Unknown Vandor: "Exactly. If she ever learns control—true control—then even together, we might not be able to stop her."
Jessie: "We need to find a way to sever the immortality she stole from Angelly. The fact that she could extract a cursed core… and bind it to herself—that's a terrifying ability."
Unknown Vandor: "Have her family been told about Angelly's death?"
Neve: "Riah and Gendai will handle that. They were closest to her."
Jessie: "So they told you already. Alright. What's next then?"
Neve: (Soft smile) "It's been a while since we've all sat down like this and talked…"
Unknown Vandor: (Snorts) "Better this way. Saves us from hearing your low-IQ rambling."
Neve: (Rolling her eyes) "Wow. How very edgy of you, Mr. Brooding Cloak."
Jessie: (Standing) "Well, I'm off. Back to my tower."
Neve: "Byeeee~! Don't set your pillow on fire!"
Unknown Vandor: (Vanishing into the corridor)
Neve: "Guess I'm the only one left…"
Meanwhile, in the Garden
Gendai sat alone on a wooden bench beneath a dead cherry tree, the scent of burned air still clinging to the soil. Her spear leaned beside her. Her thoughts were heavy.
Riah: (Sitting beside her) "You need a shoulder?"
Gendai: "She… Angelly, she was kind. Even when no one believed in me, she did. Now she's just… gone."
Riah: (Pulls her gently into an embrace) "It's cruel. But let's be honest—she wasn't ready for what we face. None of us are safe. We could die any day."
Gendai: "But… all she wanted was to be with us."
Riah: "And now she will. In memory. We carry her with us now. We mourn… and we survive."
Gendai: (Tears finally falling) "She mattered to me…"
Riah: "It's okay. Let it out."
At the Top of the Academy, Under the Stars
Raijin stood with his hands behind his head, staring out across the dark horizon. Tojo leaned on the railing. Xavier checked a data pad glowing faintly blue.
Raijin: "So… what's next?"
Xavier: "Whatever comes. Missions don't stop for grief."
Tojo: "Yeah. Let's just hope we don't have any more traitors lurking around."
Xavier: "After what that dragon did in training… it was bound to happen. That power—she was a walking nuke. Someone was going to get hurt."
Tojo: "True. But she's gone now. Sealed. All we can do is prepare for what's next."
They fell into silence, the wind whistling through the upper spires of the Academy. Somewhere below, the city healed. But the scars remained.