Comparison is the thief of joy — Theodore Roosevelt.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
First Stratum – Interim Room:
Julius let out a small sigh as sweat formed at his brow. His expression darkened.
Bam!
He slammed both fists down on the table.
"Dammit, can you guys give me some space?!"
The 401st cohort, who had been silently crowding him like he was some bizarre alien specimen, recoiled slightly.
Will scratched his cheek as he sat beside him, chuckling sheepishly.
"You still haven't answered our question… what're you doing in the Water Faction?"
Lunais and Jhorua both leaned in.
"Y-yeah! What happened to succeeding Lady Elfaria?!"
Julius twitched, then scoffed.
"Hmph. You heard Lord Masterias. Great—I mean High Mage Elfaria didn't see the value in my talents, so I went somewhere they are."
The new Ice Faction recruits exchanged awkward glances.
It had been a strange, jarring day.
To go from being followers of the greatest talent in magical history… to a minor faction—something Albis Vina hadn't been in nearly two centuries—was a fall none of them expected.
They still remembered the scramble an hour ago. Forced to gather their things and move out of the floor they'd just settled into.
Now they were on the second floor.
The Wind Faction had already claimed their old rooms, wide grins on their faces.
It stung. Deeply.
The downgrade in accommodations only rubbed salt in the wound.
Where once they'd each had their own small palaces, many now had to share rooms.
What started as a humiliation had already begun scarring.
Their former Vander's teary, brooding face only made it worse.
Colette exhaled heavily.
"I still can't believe she lost."
Lihanna nodded, face flat.
"It's truly a shock. The Wind Faction Chief is certainly something else."
She groaned, hand covering her mouth. A faint green tinge crept onto her face.
Unaware, Wignall folded his arms, eyes drifting.
"That he is."
The elf wondered what life would've been like if Ellenor hadn't stopped Yuno… if he'd been able to join Solphis Neamhain… maybe even learn wind magic under the Wand of Wind himself.
Another path entirely.
Still, he was happy with where he'd landed.
Even if given the choice, he was almost certain he'd have turned Yuno down.
After all, everything he worked for… was to be with his sister again.
Selia beamed beside him.
"Then you should take my big brother up on his offer sometime. You might even meet Mr. Yuno. I'll come too!"
The half-elf's eyes wandered across the room to Emma.
"How are you liking your new place?"
Emma blinked, startled.
"O-oh… so you're Mister Sylor's sister…"
She trailed off, choosing her words carefully before offering a faint smile.
"I-it's nice. Feels like a small city. The difference between a minor and major faction is really something."
Sylor had already transformed the floor with his fantasy magic, replacing Albis Vina's icy aesthetic with Wind Faction elegance.
It was nearly identical to their old floor… just larger, more refined.
Will clenched his jaw as he listened.
Every compliment thrown at Yuno or the Wind Faction felt like a slap to Elfaria.
He sighed after a moment.
He wasn't just upset—he was hurt for his childhood friend.
Losing her seat was one thing.
But having Julius and Argenta poached from her?
Even someone as kind as Will had limits.
Still, the person who did it… felt like an older sister to him.
That made it harder to be angry.
Especially since the fight had been fair. Yuno had won clean.
And Julius and Argenta? They had never truly belonged to Elfaria to begin with.
Unlike Will.
So, he didn't know what to feel.
But, he did know that he couldn't cling to bitterness. Not for long.
He was aware Julius wasn't being fully honest.
But those were his reasons. His choices.
It wasn't Will's place to demand the truth.
Only to respect it.
Even so, the question lingered.
Julius sighed and clicked his tongue, turning to Will.
"I decided I want more from life than chasing after someone's shadow or a fraction of their strength. I'm finding my own path."
Will blinked, slightly stunned.
"Is that so?"
Julius nodded, expression flat.
"Yes. It is."
Then he smirked faintly.
"Enough about me. You should be more worried about yourself—and how your absence is making her feel."
Will paused.
Lunais, Jhorua, and Mimily all nodded awkwardly.
Most of Elfaria's incoherent sobbing had been filled with a single, repeated name.
W-wah Will!!
Will's shoulders sagged.
Just as he was about to sink into that same despair, Sion kicked his feet up onto the table between Lyril and Gordon. He raised his chin.
"Oi! Julius!"
The Reinburg heir turned toward him, unimpressed. He twirled a strand of icy hair and snorted.
"What is it, Ulster?"
The flame mage sweatdropped.
When it came to Will, Julius was almost gentle.
But toward the rest of them? Still the same arrogant, high-and-mighty Julius.
Weird. Very weird.
Sion didn't care for his tone. His eyes lingered instead on Julius's robes.
"Where'd you get that? Doesn't look like Les Ailes."
As one of the brand's top customers, Sion knew their quality like the back of his hand.
And Julius?
His uniform looked just as good—maybe even better.
That surprised him.
If anyone were to get superior uniforms, it would be the Fire Faction. The faction had generational ties to the Ulsters.
And the store was very close to Sion's family.
Not that they'd ever allow that. Brandtal, just like his father valued professionalism.
And the Ulsters were far too prideful to accept special favors from anyone.
So, there was no way Julius's robes came from Les Ailes.
Especially with that brooch.
It wasn't the standard badge they all wore—it was smaller, refined, and seemed fused into the outfit as if designed for it.
Not standing out… but enhancing the whole.
That was because Julius's robe wasn't just a transformed Colorless Gloria like the others.
It was an entirely new set of clothes.
His Gloria, alongside its brooch were now hanging in his closet, with his old academy robe.
Julius blinked as eyes turned to him, then nodded.
"Yeah. It's not from Les Ailes. No logo on top, none underneath either. Mrs. Silva said a friend made them from scratch and sent a bunch to the tower."
Colette looked surprised.
"Huh? But it's not like that tailor took your measurements. So why does your Gloria fit perfectly?"
Julius smiled slowly, clearly proud, before shrugging it off.
"Oh, that's because of something new—Magic Thread."
Will raised a brow.
Sion narrowed his eyes.
"Magic thread?"
Julius nodded.
"Yeah. Whoever made these… they knew what they were doing. The moment you touch the fabric, it comes alive. Adjusts to your size and your preferences."
Wignall sighed. "You Rhizanth always come up with the niftiest inventions."
Colette tilted her head.
"Is that why those other two with you and Mrs. Silva had unique outfits too?"
Julius gave a nonchalant nod.
"Exactly."
The cohort exchanged glances, clearly surprised.
Sion scoffed, then turned to Will.
"Speaking of her—you got any other secrets, Flunkee? Why is that woman, who no one's heard of, so strong?"
Will twitched slightly as all eyes landed on him.
This was the second time Sion had questioned him about Noelle.
The last was after the dungeon praxis… when they were both hospitalized.
He sighed.
Even if he wanted to answer, what could he say?
He'd always known his master was strong.
But his wife, Noelle Silva? Housewife Noelle?
To that extent?
Not at all.
Thankfully, Lihanna cut in to help.
Still groaning, hand on her stomach, she cleared her throat.
"I-is it really that surprising?"
Sion blinked.
"Huh?"
The Owenzaus descendant stared right back at him.
"You heard me. Is it really that strange? There are tons of powerful mages who stay out of history books. I-I mean, if not for the Mercedes Mirror six years ago, none of us would've known how strong Lady Elfaria was."
She hesitated, then pressed on.
"Maybe she would've just stayed with us, as a classmate… and we'd have kept believing she wasn't that different."
Will stiffened.
What is she talking about?
The rest of the cohort slowly nodded, murmuring in agreement.
"Y-yeah."
"U-until she got exposed, we all just thought she was a slightly impressive country mage—"
"Right! Maybe even the No-Talent wouldn't have been caught red-handed—"
"Hey!" someone hissed. "Don't talk about that."
They glanced at Will apologetically.
Will forced out a smile.
"I-it's fine. No harm done."
But inside, he was reeling.
Mercedes Mirror?!
Exposed?!
Caught red-handed?!
What are they talking about?!
He clenched his jaw.
I need to ask the Headmistress… or better yet, maybe Elfie.
Trying to shake off the conversation, he turned to Lihanna with a grateful smile.
"T-thank you, Lihanna… but are you okay?"
The petite lightning mage nodded weakly.
"I-it's fine. And you're Thunder Faction now, so you'll understand soon—urg…"
She groaned again and rested her chin on the table.
"?" Will blinked, glancing across the room at the other two Thunder Faction recruits.
They looked even paler than Lihanna.
Compared to them, Lihanna seemed like the picture of good health.
He opened his mouth to ask what she meant.
But then the door opened.
And a familiar figure stepped into the room.
Kaatt!
Streamers and confetti exploded from the tip of Arbiter Creirwy Serah's wand.
"Congratulations to all of you on your faction placements! Not a single mage was left behind!"
Thump!
Her heels clicked against the floor as she strode to the front, positioning herself behind the desk beneath the blackboard.
She folded her arms, visibly proud.
"But I'd expect no less from the Generation of Disquiet."
Her eyes, hidden behind strands of blonde hair, swept across the room with a smile.
"Even the stragglers from the First Bloom managed to receive blessings. Let me be the first to say—well done. Within all of you lies endless potential."
The former classmates—and Selia—couldn't help but smile together, soft and sincere.
Then Creirwy's smile dropped slightly as she placed both hands on the desk and leaned forward.
"Now then. This guidance session is an annual assembly. We use it to explain the dos and don'ts of the tower to new members."
Sion groaned under his breath, unimpressed.
"Knew it. The tower, the Upper Institute, every faction has their own rules... So tiring."
Wignall chuckled.
"Don't be like that, Sion. Without order, this place wouldn't survive."
Sion clicked his tongue but said nothing more.
Creirwy smiled again—but this time, it wasn't kind.
It was sharp. Foreboding.
"However, this year is different. You'll be responsible for learning the rules on your own time. Most of them are common sense, so I won't waste time spelling them out."
She paused.
"Instead, I'll be assigning each of you a highly confidential order."
Will stiffened.
"Huh?"
So did the rest of the new recruits.
Creirwy carried on, unbothered.
"Each of you will be tasked with thoroughly investigating your respective factions."
Eyes widened across the room.
"Pay close attention to conversations, actions, and records of your camp and its members. Should you find anything suspicious, report it back to me immediately."
Boom!
Julius shot up, both palms slamming against the table.
"W-wait—what kind of 'order' are we talking about?!"
Creirwy's smile widened.
"The tower has been looking into the attack on the Terminalia. And we've found evidence that implicates someone inside the tower."
Pupils dilated.
"Y-you're saying—"
"Yes."
Her hair fluttered beneath her witch's hat.
"In Mercedes Caulis herself… there is a traitor among us."
The new High Mages stiffened, backs straightening wordlessly.
Creirwy's expression glowed with approval.
"I'm impressed. I was expecting more panic from you kiddies."
None of them reacted to the compliment.
Colette gulped.
"D-define traitor."
Thmp.
A purplish cat suddenly bounded past their feet.
For a moment, they thought it was Kiki—but she was still curled on Will's desk.
Then the cat spoke, its voice all too familiar to Will and Julius.
"Allow me to explain."
Poof.
She transformed mid-air into Ceridwen, the mature witch hovering on a broom above them.
Rose blinked.
"W-who are you?"
Ceridwen offered a wink.
"I'm Creirwy's humble master. You may call me Miss Ceridwen."
Eyes twitched across the room.
Julius among them.
"Just give us the info, witch."
Ceridwen sighed, dramatically hurt.
"Oh, how cold, Mr. Reinburg."
He remained unimpressed.
She continued unfazed.
"On the night of the Terminalia, the gate to the tower was opened. As you recall, that's something only a mage of the tower can do."
The room tensed.
She didn't need prompting to elaborate.
"When Creirwy brought you here, she used her credentials to open the gate. Only a registered High Mage can do that."
She rested her cheek against her hand, legs folded casually as she floated in place.
"Unless, of course, the gate is destroyed—but that's no easy feat. And in this case, it wasn't broken. Just unlocked."
Her legs twirled slowly in the air.
"That's not something primitive monsters could ever manage."
Her tone sharpened.
"If a Mage Slayer with Dinoboros had broken in, things would've gotten messy. But if the Devander had joined them… even the lives of the Vander might've been in danger."
Will clenched his fist as Ceridwen narrowed her eyes.
"Believe it or not, Rigarden was on the brink of collapse that day."
She raised a single slender finger.
"But not by chance."
Creirwy nodded, mirroring her master's solemn expression.
"Everything that happened was orchestrated. The arrival of monsters, the slow response from the tower, the High Mages forced to guard the gates… and the sudden appearance of the Mage Slayers."
Julius's jaw tightened.
Was it the same duo that killed Professor Bruno and the others?
The mage queen's gate had hinted at it.
But if those two were already inside the tower—and truly wanted to kill the Vander or undo the false sky—why summon the monsters outside?
Unless… they were just part of the plan.
And someone inside was working with them.
Ceridwen adjusted her hat, expression darkening.
"Thanks to Will—and the rest of you—the worst didn't happen. But the issue remains."
"The gate was opened from within the tower. And senior leadership intends to find out who's responsible."
Fwish!
Creirwy thrust a finger toward them.
"A task we now leave up to you! I hereby assign each of you the following priority—"
"Infiltrate your factions. Earn their trust. Investigate anything and anyone suspicious!"
Snap!
"None of you had access to the tower at the time of the incident. Which makes you exempt from scrutiny."
She paused, eyes glinting.
"Somewhat."
Will blinked.
"Somewhat?"
Julius turned to Ceridwen with a suspicious glance.
"Was this a hidden goal of yours in convincing me to join Fluvia Silva? So you'd have eyes and ears in every faction?"
The classmates raised their brows. Will paused, glaring at Ceridwen with a sharp heat behind his eyes.
She sweatdropped, chuckling nervously. "Astute as ever, Mr. Reinburg. But don't worry, Will—Noelle is not under suspicion."
"Then?" he pressed.
"But you can't ever be too cautious. Who's to say whether Argenta, Théo, or any future members who flock to her are clean as well?"
Will gave a slight nod. Satisfied. But barely.
Emma Clever gulped. "You're really entrusting us with such an important task?"
Mike Maius nodded. "You do know we just graduated from the academy, right?"
Creirwy chuckled. "Righto!"
Emma raised a hand, hesitating. "T-then I have some people to report."
Mike raised his too. "M-me too!"
The room froze.
Every eye turned toward them.
Ceridwen and Creirwy looked mildly surprised. Their smiles dropped.
"Alright," Creirwy said. "Let's hear it."
Emma clenched her fist. "I-I really don't know what, but my gut tells me there's something up with my faction's number two and three."
Creirwy blinked. "Arvin and Monica, you mean?"
Emma nodded. "Y-yeah. But like I said, I don't really have any proof. They just act... weird."
The Ice Faction recruits stared at her, unimpressed.
"Aren't there more suspicious names in your group?"
Even if doubts from the dungeon had largely faded thanks to Yuno's performance during the Vander trial, his sudden display of overwhelming power had sparked new concerns.
For someone with such a vague background to hide so deeply for so long—it wasn't a good sign.
That doubt extended to Sylor and Jozou as well. Their origins were just as inconclusive, and the three of them were suspiciously close.
Selia's expression darkened. She glared daggers at the trio.
They stiffened and looked away.
Mike raised a hand before anyone could respond.
"My whole faction is guilty."
The room blinked. Then turned to him. And Angie.
The petite gothic girl stared at him flatly.
"It might not have to do with Terminalia," Mike continued, "but I'm sure they're guilty of something. Better to lock them all up now while you can. I'm telling you, they're creeps!"
"Ugh..." the 401st cohort groaned.
Colette scratched her cheek. "B-by that logic, can we arrest the Upper Institute Director too? Might as well clean the tower while we're at it."
Rose nodded beside her. "And that pervert while we're at it! We must protect the dignity of women! His existence is an insult to Mercedes Caulis!"
More sweatdrops from the cohort.
Creirwy's eye twitched. She sighed and facepalmed.
"We're not arresting anyone on mere suspicion. We'd risk scaring the true traitors away... Please find proof."
Rose looked offended, clenching her fists.
"But that pervert's been caught before! Several times! Detention doesn't cut it! He needs to be removed from the tower!"
"Y-yeah!"
"I-I agree!"
Most of the female recruits nodded in agreement.
After the challenge, they'd all received a quiet warning from their superiors about the deviant Hagen Steinfels—and now they wanted him gone.
Creirwy sighed, troubled.
She herself had been one of the loudest voices calling for his removal after a particular incident. But even so...
"Hagen, problematic attitude aside, is a valued member of the tower and is facing his assigned punishment. Kreutz has been cleared by Masterias Noah. Unless you find evidence of other crimes, they are not to be touched. That goes for any member of the tower."
Clap.
She brought her hands together as more recruits prepared to argue.
"And stay on topic! We're talking about traitors—not personal grudges!"
"Aww..."
"Come on..."
"Too bad..."
Disappointed murmurs circled the room.
Sion clicked his tongue.
"Tch. Wasting time. I assume you at least have some idea who our would-be antagonist could be?"
Ceridwen, who had been watching her disciple with quiet amusement, turned to Sion. Her solemn expression returned like clockwork.
"We believe it to be the Tome of Ruin. Gohtia."
Will's brows shot up. "Isn't that...?"
Ceridwen nodded.
"Ten years ago, our world came as close to annihilation as it ever has. The day the Magia Vander were killed."
The day of doom's descent.
The room fell silent. A tremor of unease passed through the children.
"Gohtia," Ceridwen said, "was the prime instigator of the Great War that led to that terrible day. We suspect a few survivors, their remaining supporters, and new extremist sympathists are behind this."
Will's face darkened.
The beast Elfie and I fought ten years ago... it was a straggler from that war.
The Headless... that assassin mage... are they connected to Gohtia too?
Thump.
Creirwy gripped the edge of the desk.
"No use panicking now. If we are dealing with Gohtia's remnants, we'll have to carry out this probe with utmost discretion."
Her robe fluttered. The bell on her choker chimed softly.
"As a mediator belonging to no faction, I—Creirwy Serah—implore you. For the good of our world... find the traitor."
Her voice hardened.
"And remember—every mage in the tower is a suspect."
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
A few minutes later, the recruits exited the room, still shaken.
Team Lihanna—Rose and Selia included—stuck together.
Hands in his robe pockets, Julius sighed. "Not the kind of order I imagined getting so soon after joining."
Lihanna pouted. "I wish it could've been longer."
Will blinked. Huh?
Colette leaned forward. "I'm still in shock. I don't want to believe there's a traitor lurking in the tower."
Sion snorted. "Try not to say that out loud. Never know who's listening."
The others stiffened. Wignall's gaze dropped to the floor.
"I can't bring myself to suspect my own comrades," he muttered. "Besides, we elves are far too dignified to commit anything so... nefarious."
Selia scoffed. "More like stupid. Those lamebrains couldn't cut it as evil masterminds. A human child could write a better plan."
Wignall blinked. Huh?
Sion clicked his tongue. "What you want doesn't matter. Unless you want to be the only one ignoring the order."
"Oh come on..." Wignall sweatdropped. "I'm just saying it's tough."
"Hmph."
Lihanna was already panicking.
"I—I'm supposed to investigate the Thunder Faction? They want me to probe them?!"
Will looked concerned. "Okay, talk. What's the matter with you?"
She slumped forward, visibly drained.
"Oh... you'll find out soon enough."
The two other quiet members of the Thunder Faction behind her nodded solemnly.
"Y-yeah."
Then they hurried off toward the Thunder Faction base—eager to catch a few hours of sleep.
They had a feeling it would be their last rest for a long while.
"?" Will tilted his head.
Before he could ask, Colette stopped in her tracks, freezing the group.
She placed her hands on her hips.
"All right, so essentially they want us to play spy and root out this traitor, huh?"
Her face hardened.
"It pains me to pry into my faction's business, but we're the only ones they can trust! C'mon, Team Lihanna—it's time for some espionage!"
Rose looked at her friend, part concerned, part pitying.
Julius clicked his tongue, stepping past her. "Since when did you become the leader?"
Right now, he only really had two people in his faction to worry about, and he planned to settle his doubts before they multiplied.
Will smiled sheepishly. "Y-you're right, Colette! Let's try our best!"
Colette blushed, proud of her own momentum.
But Will had already walked past her, jogging after Julius.
"Hey, Julius! Wait up!"
Julius glanced over his shoulder. "Huh? Why? Your faction's the other way."
Will casually patted his shoulder.
"Yeah. But I want to say hi to my master and Mrs. Silva. Hope you don't mind."
Julius shrugged. "Why would I? I'll just use it as a chance to earn brownie points and have her pass me some of her spells."
He realized he could handle ice magic on his own.
But as for water... he'd learn what he could from Noelle and the others.
Will smiled.
He liked it when Julius was more transparent.
"All right. Let's go."
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Fields of Solitude – Water Faction Manor:
Within the newly built castle nestled in the once barren stretch of the Colorless Garden, warmth now replaced the cold. Inside the stone walls that shimmered faintly with layered wards, Noelle and Asta entertained their first visitor.
Well… Nigel was doing most of the entertaining.
"Remember me?" Yuno asked dryly, holding the pudgy baby high above his head.
Nigel blinked once. Then again.
He promptly stuffed a chubby fist into his mouth and shook his head.
"Bah-un!"
He had no idea who this man was.
Yuno exhaled through his nose, disappointment faint in his eyes.
Of course.
It wasn't like he'd had time to bond. He'd only seen his nephew once—as a newborn. Between avoiding attention from the public and the political balancing act of not bringing suspicion to Asta and Noelle, his visits had been sparse at best.
Still, it stung.
Asta clapped him on the back. Thap!
"Don't be down, oh Great Mage Yuno!" he grinned. "The fact that he hasn't cried while you're holding him means he already likes you."
Yuno flinched. "Enough with the Great Mage stuff."
Asta gave an exaggerated bow, voice deepening in parody. "Oh? Have I offended you, Your Majesty? Please, spare this No-Talent's life! I have repented!"
Yuno's eye twitched. Noelle, watching from her round desk, snorted.
"Asta," she said with amused reproach.
Atop the counter, Leviathan lay sprawled out like a retired general on leave, tail limp, gills pulsing slowly. Undine and Sylph lounged on either side of him, backs pressed against his scaled yet smooth body, whispering gossip between giggles.
Asta chuckled. "What? I'm just happy to see my bro again. Can't help it."
Nigel suddenly reached for Yuno's chest—more specifically, the blue-glinting pendant around his neck. His eyes sparkled with greedy curiosity.
"Bah!"
Yuno looked down at the child's fascinated gaze and chuckled. "You like it? You can have—"
"Yuno!"
Asta and Noelle's voices rang out in perfect harmony, both frowning sharply.
Yuno blinked. "What?"
Bell fluttered into the air with crossed arms and a scowl. "What do you mean, what? Yuno-darling! That pendant's from your parents!"
Yuno sighed, tone quiet but firm. "Exactly. Which is why I can do what I want with it."
Asta frowned, taking a step closer. "N-no, that's not right—"
He reached for Nigel's hand. "Son, let go. That's Uncle Yuno's—"
Yuno brushed his hand away gently. "I said it's fine."
Before either parent could respond, Yuno carefully lowered Nigel into his lap, pulled the shimmering blue pendant from his neck, and clasped it gently around the baby's. The gem looked almost oversized against the child's small chest.
Yet it also seemed perfect.
He then leaned down and pressed a kiss to Nigel's temple.
"Look after this for Uncle, alright?"
Nigel gurgled happily, then clumsily wrapped his little arms around Yuno's chest in a toddler-sized bear hug.
"Bah-un!"
Yuno smiled faintly and ruffled his nephew's tuft of silver hair.
"Attaboy."
Asta and Noelle stood frozen, expressions conflicted. Emotion flickered in Noelle's eyes.
Bell squealed. "Eeeek! I'll remember this moment forever!"
Yuno twitched, stoic mask snapping back into place. "Hmph."
But he didn't resist the child's hug. He returned it.
Noelle bit her lower lip, blinking back a gleam in her eye, while Asta collapsed at the edge of their bed with a sigh.
"Look at this. We're the ones who are supposed to be giving you a gift, and yet…"
"Hmph." Yuno rolled his eyes, still patting Nigel's back. "A gift? After that pathetic display? I'm not worthy."
Asta winced. "You don't have to be so hard on yourself."
Noelle joined her husband, sitting beside him. "Yeah. Beating those two without star magic is no small feat."
Undine floated near her shoulder, voice gentle. "Not to mention, you didn't borrow even a drop of Bell's power. That was all you. You should be proud."
Yuno stared at the floor in silence. Dissatisfied.
"…It wasn't enough. I cheated."
Both Asta and Noelle froze. "Cheated?"
Bell's playful glow dimmed. Yuno's jaw tensed. He walked over and gently laid Nigel—now dozing off with the pendant clutched between gummy lips—into Noelle's lap.
Bell disappeared in a puff of magic. Pffssht.
"I shouldn't stay. If word gets out that I visited, it'll cause problems. I've got a lot to handle now… with my new responsibilities."
He turned for the door. "See you."
"…See you," Asta and Noelle murmured.
Yuno stepped into the hallway, brushing past the lounge area.
Snrkkk— Kezokaku snored on the couch, katana clutched to her chest like a stuffed animal. Yuno's brow twitched.
Fumito, visible in the kitchen, glanced over but didn't speak. He gave a subtle nod. Yuno returned it.
Moments later, Yuno arrived at the castle's front gates.
Creaaaak.
He pushed them open, stepping into the sunlight—and froze.
His Ki flared instinctively. Fwoom!
Too late.
Two familiar figures stood on the path outside, equally startled.
Will Serfort's eyes widened. Julius Reinburg visibly gulped.
"G-Great Mage Yuno? What are you doing here?"
Yuno stared blankly. "Meeting the new chief."
And with that, he strode past them, steps steady, eyes unreadable—disappearing into the white landscape of the Colorless Garden.
The mage and the swordsman stared after him, confusion painted across their faces.
What… was that about?
They both silently wondered.
And then they stepped inside.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Sixth Stratum – Incindia Barham
"You wished to see me, Lord Cariott?" Leopold asked quietly as he stepped into the office.
Cariott looked up, smiling at his Number Three with an expression reminiscent of a certain shadow mage.
"Yes, Leopold."
The former prince clasped his hands behind his back. "How may I be of service, sir?"
Cariott leaned forward, resting his arms across his lap. "I'll get straight to the point. That Mana Zone technique Yuno used—you know it, don't you?"
Leopold stiffened slightly, his silence betraying more than any words.
Cariott's smile widened. "Or at least something like it?"
Leopold exhaled, lowering his head with a small bow. "Yes, sir."
"So which is it?"
He straightened again. "Both. The Mana Zone itself… and something related to it."
Cariott's smile turned sly. "Then teach me."
Leopold blinked, visibly caught off guard—for the first time in years, his composure cracked.
"P-pardon?"
"You heard me," Cariott said with a quiet laugh. "Or is that going to be a problem?"
Leopold's brow furrowed, the hesitation lingering only a moment before he shook his head. "N-no, sir. Not at all."
"Excellent," Cariott said, pleased. "But not tonight. It's late, and the initiation is tomorrow. You will be attending, yes?"
Leopold bowed without hesitation. "Of course, sir."
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Fifth Stratum – Elleaf Canaan:
Inside the Elven Queen's chamber, artificial moonlight bled through the stained-glass windows, casting ripples of color over ancient wood and polished silver. Ellenor Ljos Alf sat with legs crossed, glare fixed, her expression sharp as an arrowhead.
Across from her, lounging like he owned the place, Patri tilted his head, a dramatic sigh leaving his lips.
Haaah...
"How rude, Ellenor," he said, placing a hand over his heart like a wounded actor. "You invite me here, and I, out of the kindness of my heart, accept—only to be met with cold silence and such a hateful glare? Truly... you wound me."
Ellenor clicked her tongue. Tch.
"You really expect me to offer you hospitality?"
"At the very least, a cup of tea would've been nice," Patri replied with a grin, resting his chin on one hand.
Ellenor gave an unamused heh and rudely kicked her feet up onto the round table between them, heels clacking against the polished surface. Clack!
"Enough games, Patri. I have a question."
Patri spread his arms like a stage performer welcoming applause. "Then ask. Anything to end your death stare."
She sneered, jabbing her toe in his direction. Thunk.
"Fine then... how can Prettyboy use Fantasy Magic?!"
Patri blinked. "F-Fantasy Magic?" His smile cracked as he leaned forward. "What are you talking about—?"
"Don't start with me, Patri!" Ellenor snapped. Her voice cut through the chamber like a whip, sharp and furious. "I know you two are connected. Before, I was 99% sure. Now? I'm positive. He's from your world."
She straightened, her legs sliding off the table with a thud. Thump.
"This concerns my people's sacred techniques, so forgive me if I'm a little upset. Answer me—truthfully! Or I'll expose your origins to every court and council on the continent!"
Her anger wasn't baseless. Maybe Yuno had fooled the others, but not her. Not Lefiya.
Only someone intimately familiar with Fantasy Magic could've done what he did—survive Elfaria's Ice Comet and a Supreme Spell Collision with barely a scratch.
He'd used the healing properties of Fantasy Magic at the exact moment of impact. Just a flicker. Just once. But Ellenor and Lefiya had felt it. A signature too distinct to miss.
Masked under physical enchantments, hidden beneath layers of reinforcement, deceiving others, but unmistakable to them.
Patri stared back silently for a moment before reclining with a heavy sigh. Haaaah...
"Yuno's always been... complicated," he muttered.
Ellenor shot him a look that could level cities. "So simplify it. How can a human wield an elf's magic?"
Click. Patri sucked his teeth, exasperated. "I suppose... Yuno has elf origins. Very high-level ones."
"You suppose?" Ellenor's voice was ice. "Explain."
Patri folded his arms and looked away. "Those origins... are more spiritual than ancestral, let's say."
Ellenor clenched her fists. Crk. "What does that even mean?"
He shrugged. "Doesn't matter. You have your answer."
She growled, slow and deep. "Patri, I swear—"
"And I swear," he cut in, "Yuno is the only human capable of wielding Fantasy Magic. He can't pass it down. Not to his future child, not to a student, not to anyone. I vow to you."
Ellenor blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
Patri nodded, tone softer now. "You don't need to worry about humanity stealing your people's heritage. I'll also remind Yuno to keep that ability hidden around any elf. You've got enough headaches without those nosy council pests crawling up your tree."
Ellenor clicked her tongue again. Tch. Then slumped back into her chair. Thud.
"Fine."
Patri smiled. "Wonderful. And now that you're satisfied—"
"I'm not satisfied," she snapped.
He exhaled through his nose. Fffff... "Then please enlighten me, Your Majesty. What else can I do to soothe your righteous fury?"
Her gaze narrowed... then curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
"That Mana Zone technique."
Patri held up a hand before she could say more. "Don't know it. That's human magic. My elves didn't need such a thing—we were born with mana's blessing. We had no use for it."
Ellenor's brow twitched in disappointment. Tch.
Patri looked like he was weighing something, before chuckling quietly to himself. Heh...
"But... I do know something else."
She sat up straight. "Something else?"
He nodded. "Your elves have Fantasy Magic. My elves had something different. A technique. A lost one, now in some sense, but one that could rival even the strongest Mana Zone."
Ellenor leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "And you'll teach it to me?"
Patri gave a small, tired smile.
"Yes. Yes, I will."
I'll treat it as a sort of consolation gift. Honestly, why am I covering for Yuno?
Ellenor's gloomy expression brightened. "Wonderful."
She then reclined in her seat once more. "Wignall's and Selia's initiation is tomorrow. Are you staying the night?"
Patri nodded, absentmindedly. "Yeah." He then clicked his tongue sarcastically. "I can't wait to meet those snobby clansmen once more."
Ellenor chuckled. "If I have to tolerate them, it's only fair you do too."
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Fourth Stratum – Thorzeus Fasce:
Haaahhh...
Komari stretched and yawned, her arms raised high as she shuffled toward bed.
Then she stopped. Her Ki flared—sudden, sharp.
BOOM!
Her door exploded inward in a blast of splinters and thunder, kicked open with unrestrained force.
Zeo Thorzeus Reinbolt stood grinning in the doorway, wild-eyed and electrified.
"Anna!"
Komari's face immediately darkened.
Whap!
She hurled a pillow straight at him. "Zeo-bro! How many times do I have to say it?! You can't just barge into a gal's room whenever you feel like it!"
Thwack.
The Wand of Thunder smacked the pillow aside with a lazy flick and a crackle of static.
"Heh. Nevermind that!"
He stomped into the room without hesitation and grabbed her by the shoulders.
"What do you call that special trick of yours again?!"
Komari raised a brow, folding her arms despite his grip.
"Ki and Zetten. Why?"
"Yeah! That!" Zeo nodded rapidly, strands of lightning crackling around his head with a faint, zzzzt.
"Teach me!"
She blinked. "Huh?!"
She was sure she'd misheard.
Zeo wasn't the type to ask. He stole techniques—like Zetten and Ki—from her during spars or practice matches, mimicking through instinct and sheer force of will.
He never asked about anything—not this, not Harmonic Casting from the elves. Just figured things out and made it his own.
That was Zeo.
Yet now... he was asking?
Zeo's grin sharpened. "You heard me! I wanna master it quick, so teach me!"
Komari stared, blank. "B-but... you're barely behind me already. You don't really need me to—"
"But I want to!"
He cut her off with a gleam in his eye and a toothy, feverish smile. His grip on her shoulders tightened, making her wince slightly.
"I wanna beat that Prettyboy! And maybe learning these thingies properly will show me how!"
There was a twitch in his eye. The kind that screamed obsession.
Komari nearly swallowed the lump in her throat.
Then, softly, "Even if you do... I doubt it would be enough—"
"I know!"
The shout startled her. It wasn't denial—it was raw certainty.
He chuckled with grit in his voice, head lowered, lightning crawling across his arms.
"I know that Prettyboy's hiding a lot. Even if I strip everything from Will too... I still don't think it'll be enough!"
Komari stood frozen.
Zeo leaned in.
"That Mana Zone thingamajigger... you know it, right?"
Komari clenched her fist.
"Somewhat."
Zeo's grin turned feral.
"That's all I need."
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Third Stratum – Solphis Neamhain:
Yuno Grinberryall stepped onto his new floor with his usual calm demeanor, though a flicker of discontent still clung to his brow.
His footsteps echoed softly as he passed down the transformed hallways of the Wind Faction's new base.
The walls shimmered with Solphis's characteristic pale-gold and light green embroidery, the ceilings higher, the mana purer.
Everything reeked of advancement—yet the halls were... silent.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
His boots struck against the polished floor with rhythmic precision, but not a soul stirred.
Not a voice. Not a trace of life.
His eyes narrowed slightly. That's strange.
Room after room passed, all dark, all empty. He felt it now—dozens of Ki signatures, subtle but unmistakable, huddled in one spot.
All in the direction of the common hall.
He stopped before the twin doors of that very room, one hand resting lightly on the brass handle. His other hand hovered, reflexively prepared for anything—friend or foe.
He pushed the doors open.
Click.
Darkness greeted him.
And then—FWOOSH!
POP! POP! POP!
Bright lights exploded on, showering the room with illumination.
"BOOOOM!!"
"SURPRIIIIISE!!"
Yuno flinched slightly—just slightly—as a whirlwind of noise, color, and chaos exploded around him.
His entire squad rushed forward like a small storm of their own. Noisemakers squealed, horns blared, and party streamers fluttered through the air in wild arcs. Confetti rained from above like magical snow.
"Congratulations on your ascent, Great Mage Yuno!!" they cheered as one, voices booming across the vast chamber with infectious energy.
He blinked.
Was that... Monica? Smiling?
He knew it was fake, but still.
Arevin marched up front with a massive cake decorated with wind sigils and vanilla frosting, while Emma tiptoed up beside him, hesitating—then placed a party hat with a tiny pfft atop his head.
He didn't stop her.
Yuno scanned the room, confused—but strangely warmed. There they were, every single member of his squad.
Even the socially-inept Sylor and the perpetually expressionless Jozou stood awkwardly in the corner, blowing into crooked noisemakers with half-hearted fweeeeps. They gave him thumbs-up like stiff statues trying to imitate humans.
Dozens of his Wands were smiling. Smiling. Hands full with wrapped gifts acquired moments ago.
As well as awkward cards and a few very questionably sourced snacks they clearly hadn't had permission to bring onto the stratum.
Yuno stood there a moment longer, stunned, arms still at his sides.
And slowly... the tension in his chest loosened.
The disappointment that had weighed down his heart—the feeling that he'd cheated himself—faded, bit by bit.
So what if he'd used something beyond just wind?
It was still his power. His magic. His path.
He might never be the kind of overwhelming physical force that Mereoleona embodied with fire alone.
But he was Yuno Grinberryall.
The strongest Wand in the world.
And that was enough.
"Hah..." He let out a low chuckle—rare and genuine—and accepted the cake with both hands. His lips curled into a smile. His faction blinked, stunned for a beat.
"He smiled?"
Yuno never smiled.
He was the strict one. The perfectionist. The one who barked orders to train harder, aim higher, and never slack off.
Because he had to be.
Because he didn't want to lose this family too—not like the Golden Dawn.
He trained them like warriors not out of cruelty, but protection.
Because one day, when he wasn't there for them... they'd need to stand on their own.
The way the Golden Dawn couldn't.
But today...
He nodded.
"Alright. Fine. We can party. But"—he raised a finger, sternness creeping back—"you are cleaning this mess up later, and tomorrow it's back to training. No excuses."
The room paused.
And then erupted.
"YEEAAAH!!"
"CHIEF'S CUTTING LOOSE!"
"Open my gift first!"
"No, mine! I actually wrapped mine!"
"Forget that! We're eating cake first, obviously!"
"Ugh, do you ever think without your stomach?"
"Look at me and look at yourself, Chubs."
"Who ya callin' Chubs, you twig-legged laundry pole?!"
"BAHAHA!"
Laughter and jabs echoed through the floor like a whirlwind of camaraderie.
Yuno took a deep breath as the noise swelled, the warmth settling deep in his chest.
He stepped forward into the chaos—into his squad.
Not just his mages. Not just his subordinates.
But his family.
And as the light from the cake candles flickered against the enchanted walls, and the wind mages buzzed around him like joyful, overcaffeinated bees—Yuno smiled again.
A little wider this time.
The measure of progress is not others' heights, but the distance from your own starting line.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Author's Notes:
[1] Yeah, I know—shorter chapter today. But this felt like the perfect spot to end on. Sometimes less is more, and I'd rather cut clean than pad it out. Don't worry though—the next one's shaping up to be a longer ride.
[2] With this chapter, we're officially stepping into Act Two of the Tower Saga. From here on, as we start catching up to the manga's timeline, expect more divergence. The story's going to veer off and evolve into something uniquely its own. So if you ever go back and compare things to canon after Chapter 54 and spot inconsistencies or gaps—yeah, that's on purpose.
[3] If you'd like to chat, discuss the story, or hang out, feel free to join the Discord: https://discord.gg/s3MME8X8ar