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Two days ago, Mofa exited the Leader's Hall and walked down the corridor of the mansion toward his room. The corridor was adorned with Persian rugs and small tables holding vases, while the earthy-toned walls amplified the nostalgic feel of the place.
He entered his room, which mirrored the corridor—earthy walls, a decorated Persian rug. In one corner stood a large bookshelf, and beside it, an elegant bed.
Mofa opened his notebook, dipped his quill in ink, and began to write:
> Today, I managed to understand different applications of the magic system. Until now, we believed the diversity of magic was confined to logic. But when I arrived at the site of Prestgash Operation No. 455, I couldn't find any trace of a corpse or even its magical energy. The only conclusion is that someone is using magic beyond logic. But it doesn't matter much—when the Day of Return arrives, no one can stop that person. No one can stand in the way of the Dawn Covenant.
---
Tohito spoke with a serious tone.
Tohito: "Get ready, Haro. This might be one of our toughest missions yet."
Haro responded with a trembling voice.
Haro: "Tohito… aren't you scared?"
Tohito gave Haro a reassuring smile.
Tohito: "Of course I'm scared, but I promised Aiko I'd come back."
Haro tried to steady her trembling.
Haro: "You're right. Now's not the time to be afraid."
Tohito snapped his fingers, but nothing happened.
Tohito: "Time won't stop…"
Realizing the situation, Tohito shouted loudly and urgently.
Tohito: "Haro, run!"
Before Haro could react, a green light pierced through Tohito's chest.
Haro's gaze turned to Tohito, her eyes trembling as she whispered in a broken, shocked tone.
Haro: "Tohito…"
Tohito gave Haro a faint smile before collapsing, whispering a short sentence.
Tohito: "Haro, please stay alive."
Tohito's lifeless, bloodied body fell onto the marble floor. The blood stained the marble tiles red, as if waves were painting the ground.
Haro's tears began to fall, and with a broken voice, she tried to process what had happened.
Haro: "Tohi… Tohito…"
Haro froze, her trembling legs robbing her of the ability to move.
With shaking hands, Haro clutched Tohito's lifeless body.
Haro: "How could you… How could you break the promise you made to Aiko? I'm talking to you… I'm begging you… Please, open your eyes."
Haro glanced around in fear and screamed in a shattered voice.
Haro: "Please… Please, someone help… God… You can't die… You promised… You promised we'd be together forever…"
The sound of soft footsteps drew Haro's attention.
A man in a hooded green cloak approached them, a nauseating smile on his lips.
Man: "So, even if your magic is beyond logic, it can still be disrupted."
Haro's trembling intensified. The feeling she got from the man was one of power—power she had never seen or felt before.
Haro: "W-Who… are you?"
The man answered with a voice laced with disgust.
Man: "I am Mofa, Second Commander of the Dawn Covenant—or rather, let's say… the strongest person here. Most people think I'm just a commander who reads strange books in his room… but few have ever seen this side of me."
As he finished his sentence, Mofa's aura began to spread in a terrifying manner.
Haro, in a frightened tone, asked:
Haro: "Why… Why are you doing this?"
Mofa let out a repulsive laugh and replied arrogantly.
Mofa: "To prepare everything for that person's arrival."
Haro responded with rage.
Haro: "Who's that person? Speak clearly, you bastard!"
Mofa raised his hand toward Haro, and a green light, identical to the one that pierced Tohito, appeared.
Mofa: "I don't think you'll live long enough to find out."
Haro tried to stand, but her legs wouldn't move—her body paralyzed by grief and fear. She raised her hand to use magic.
Haro: "Substitution!"
Haro quickly realized the situation: her magic wasn't working due to a disruptor, and her physical abilities were gone, overwhelmed by fear and grief.
Haro: "So… this is… where I die?"
Mofa, gathering magic in his hand, continued with an excited tone.
Mofa: "It's pretty awesome, isn't it? A disruptor that only works on specific targets, so my magic—or anyone else's—remains unaffected, making our job easier."
But at that moment, the last droplets of Tohito's magic spread around his body, triggering a massive explosion that teleported them.
The explosion threw Mofa violently against the wall, causing an indentation and the collapse of part of the building.
Haro, dazed and broken, opened her eyes and looked around. Seeing the familiar surroundings, she was shocked.
Haro: "I'm… home?".