It was a land of pure white; no trees, no animals, no people. There was nothing but sand as far as the eye could see. At the center of the white desert was a building of white bricks surrounded by a translucent. Under it were young men and women no older than eighteen, with different features; feathers, scales, wings. Some were dressed in casual outfits and other in combat gear.
"Where is he?" A girly voice asked impatiently, her finger tapping restlessly against her arm. She had pink hair fashioned into pigtails, and eyes blue like an ocean. Around her form were light blue metallic plates with golden trims on the chest plate and shoulder plates.
"Geez, Lola... Will you give it a rest already? I'm gonna start thinking you're in love with Jin at this point." A male, about two meters in height, with dark skin, short spiky black hair and brown eyes commented cheekily, his chin resting his left palm.
"... That's not funny, Viktor." She replied with a deadpan expression.
"I personally think it is, also I'm flattered that you think of me that way." A third voice chimed in.
"Jin! Where were you!?" Lola asked, her voice cracking up slightly.
Jinro or Jin for short was shorter than Viktor, standing at one meter and ninety one centimeters in height. He had spiky black hair with purple highlights, and golden eyes.
"First off, calm down, okay? It's not like I got kidnapped or something. Second, I was getting this." Jin pointed to the sword on his back. "Even though it was a last minute purchase..."
"A new sword?" Viktor raised an eyebrow at the weapon, "what happened to the previous one I made for you?"
"Sorry man, the blade snapped. The old man struck a bit too hard, probably was excited about today."
"Oh well, it can't be helped then..." Viktor said, sounding defeated. "Oh right, this, little ball of anxiety couldn't sit till you showed up." He added, pointing at the pink haired girl with his left thumb.
"Please, I don't want my teammate to drag all me down, you know. Seriously, why do you always arrive a minute before the important stuff!? What if something happens to you on the way!?"
Jinro chuckled while Viktor rolled his eyes, "I'm taking this is your love confession then?" Jinro added jokingly,
But Lola didn't seem to find it funny, judging by her deadpan expression. "Like I could ever be interested by you of all people."
"Damn, you don't have to say it out loud!" Jinro chuckled, "but to answer, your questions... We're not in high danger zones, the Calamities here weak as hell. Anyone with a bit of decent training can roll them over. "
Lola opened her mouth but before the words could formulate, the sound of a roaring engine caught everyone's attention.
"Hey, isn't that..." Someone said, pointing a cloud of dust rushing through the white emptiness.
"Oh, here comes the rich ones..." Another said, sighing while rolling his eyes.
A minute or two later, the cloud arrives before the crowd. From it emerged a tall man with flamboyant, spiky red hair dressed in heavy red armor, next to him was another man, a younger one also wearing an armor, albeit a lighter one and his was blue like a lake.
"... This is the last time I ride with you, Axel." Said the younger man as he dusted his slick blue and black hair. He wore a suit similar to Lola's, only darker in color.
"Oh come on, Lucius! It wasn't that bad! Plus, we're on time, aren't we?" Axel commented, trying to appaese Lucius, but the young man was having none of it.
"Yeah, after you drove over how many Calamities!?"
"... Axel Flamsteed and Lucius Wallakers," Lola whispered,
"Wallakers? Isn't that...?" Viktor chimed in,
"Yep, that's my cousin." Lola confirmed with a sigh as she rubbed her temples
Lucius' ears perked up as he seemed to have caught a familiar voice. "Lola?" He called, walking toward Jinro's group. "What are you doing here?"
"Take a guess, Lucius." Lola answered, turning her back to him.
"As abrasive as ever, I see." Lucius chuckled, "well, I won't question your presence, but explain to me why you are mingling with these... Muggles." His remark was obviously aimed at Jinro and Viktor.
"Watch your tone, water faucet!" Lola spat back, drawing her rapier.
"What, don't tell me you've grown attached to them?" Lucius laughed loudly. Him walking over to the group already steered the attention of the rest, but his laughter brought about a wave of whispers and gossips. The young man, however, seemed not to care.
A dark blue aura rose around Lola's rapier as her eyes grew cold. In response, Lucius coated his form with a light blue aura while grinning.
"Alright, you two. I'd appreciate if you didn't steer a commotion, that's the last thing I need right now. Especially after the fact I almost arrived late." Jinro walked in between the two, separating them before things could escalate further.
"Out of the way, muggle." Lucius warned, reaching for his hip when a heavy fist fell on his head.
"Enough, Lucius." It was Axel. "For someone not aligned with Rupture, you certainly act like one. How about you settle that when the Epreuve is over?"
"Hmph, fine." Lucius' hand relaxed and he prepared to walk away but before he did, "you better distance yourself from them. I don't want you to sully the dynasty's name."
"Just fuck off already, water faucet. The name is mine, not yours." Lola rolled her eyes, returning her rapier to its sheath. "Ahem, sorry about that." She turned to Jinro, bowing her head.
"Are you sure you are not aligned with Sombrage? That was like a switch flipped."
"Oh shut it!" Lola smiled, "by the way, where's Vik?"
"I'm here," Viktor waved one, walking toward the two while holding a plate of food. "I went to grab something to eat, I'm not interested in the familial feuds."
"Where did you get that? I don't see a stall or anything around here."
Viktor pointed toward the white brick building, its doors were open. "It opened during the altercation, so I went it and grabbed a few things."
"... You're a walking stomach, you know that?" Lola sighed.
"Excuse me but last time I checked, it wasn't me that won a food-eating contest!"
"HEY HEY HEY! SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" Lola replied with a shout, her cheeks taking a light shade of red.
"How about we go in? My legs are getting tired of standing around." Jinro said, stretching his limbs.
"Fine by me." Viktor nodded.
The moment they took one step, however. A brilliant pillar of light struck the ground. Everyone's eyes turned to the phenomenon with shock and surprise in their eyes. A girl with gray locks walked out of it, dressed in a white shirt that exposed her midriff, a pair of tight jeans and white boots.
"... What's with the attire?"
"Is she serious?"
Some commented on her casual appearance, that seemed almost uncaring but others were stuck where they stood. "... Hey Jin, can you pinch me?" Lola asked, sweat running down her face but hearing nothing from her friend, she knew something was off.
"Level 5..." He whispered, his hand instinctively reaching to the sword on his back.