Livy stood in the middle of a wide chamber that had just been completed. The stone walls, reinforced by magic, emitted a soft glow from the crystals embedded in the ceiling. This room was located dozens of meters underground, perfectly concealed with high-level spatial magic taught by Zeref himself.
"Perfect," Livy murmured as she surveyed the room, now equipped with an ebony strategy table, a massive map of the world of Megicula spread across the wall, and a training area filled with various golem dummies in the corner.
Her fingers brushed the surface of the strategy table, feeling the smooth wood grain. Five years of effort had finally borne fruit.
POV: Livy
Five years had passed since Zeref saved us from that hell. Time had moved so fast, yet every second of it was carved vividly in my memory.
We were all grown now — I was fifteen, no longer the trembling little girl trapped inside that iron cage. The sword at my waist felt light, even though it weighed fifteen kilograms. The Mana Foundation I awakened two years ago had brought me to the Bronze-Silver Rank (Low) — a power I could never have imagined before.
Master… no, Zeref. He doesn't like being called "Master" when it's just the two of us. He gave us more than freedom.
He gave us purpose.
The Shadow Corps — an organization that would move through darkness, protecting the weak and destroying the hidden evils of this world.
Today marked a historic day. We would officially establish our base of operations in the capital of the Helios Kingdom — Helion City, the beating heart of one of the strongest human realms.
Ironic, isn't it? The brightest place in the world makes the best hiding spot for shadows.
And we already had the perfect cover — Ferez Trading Company.
Three years ago, we founded the trading company under Nora's advice. It started as a way to secure operational funds, but it grew rapidly into one of the largest trading enterprises in the Helios Kingdom.
The secret? The knowledge Zeref had shared about his world — Earth.
Zeref often told us about his homeland — about technology, agriculture, commerce, even foods and drinks that didn't exist in this world. We were addicted to his stories and recorded every detail.
From those tales, we adapted countless ideas:
A more efficient irrigation system for farming.
Better methods of food preservation.
New products never seen in the market.
Revolutionary marketing strategies.
Most importantly — Zeref didn't know about any of this.
He never interfered with our affairs. He focused solely on training us to survive and grow strong. He didn't realize that his stories about Earth had become the source of our immense wealth.
We kept it a secret because… we wanted to prove ourselves.
We wanted to show him we weren't just burdens — that we could stand on our own and build something with our own hands.
The Ferez Company now owned:
15 branches across major cities.
Over 200 employees.
Trade networks in four kingdoms.
And monthly revenue capable of funding fifty Shadow Corps operations.
And the best part?
Our employees were potential recruits.
We took in street children, freed slaves, orphans — people just like us. We gave them work, fair wages, and a place to live. Then we observed their character and loyalty.
The best among them would be secretly trained.
Those who passed would join the Shadow Corps.
The company was the façade.
The Corps was the true mission.
"Livy, everything's ready," said a sharp, commanding voice behind me.
I turned to see Tina, a fifteen-year-old wolf demi-human with long braided silver hair and piercing blue eyes like a predator. A massive black spear rested on her back — Gáe Bolg. Once, she could barely hold it upright. Now she swung it as easily as her own arm.
Behind her, one by one, the core members of the Shadow Corps began to enter.
Lora stepped in gracefully, as elegant as any elf. Her long silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, contrasting with her sharp crimson eyes — the eyes of a hunter. The black bow slung across her back radiated an intimidating aura. I knew it was a personal gift from Saint Archer Aprilia, Zeref's mentor. Lora had already mastered the advanced Starfall Technique — she could unleash hundreds of arrows at once with perfect precision.
Nora followed, holding her staff glowing with dark-violet chaotic mana. Her golden hair was tied in a high ponytail, and her blue eyes gleamed with confidence. She was the most talented among us in magic. At just fifteen, she had already reached Gold Rank (Low) — a feat that would shock any noble. Nora also managed Ferez Company's finances flawlessly — not a single coin went unaccounted for.
Sasa entered timidly, her straight black hair partly hiding her face, her big blue eyes still showing that gentle shyness that never faded. But I knew better — never underestimate her. The thunder whip at her waist had shattered one-meter-thick stone walls during training. She was our silent assassin. At the company, she served as the head of security — not a single thief dared touch our warehouses.
Mira came next, smiling brightly as usual. Her short pinkish-red hair was messy, her golden eyes sparkling with endless energy. The massive axe, Wrath, strapped to her back had grown even larger — now almost her size. The weapon grew stronger with her rage, amplifying her strength exponentially when angered. During our last battle with bandits, she had crushed five foes in one swing.
Then Mia leapt in with the agile grace of a cat demi-human. Her silver feline ears twitched adorably, her tail swaying lazily. Her short silver hair was cut practical, and her large silver eyes gleamed with excitement. The mithril-clawed gloves on her hands glinted — lethal enough to rip out a man's throat in an instant. Mia managed the courier and transport network of Ferez Company — no one could match her speed.
"Good," I nodded, gazing at each of them. "You all know why we're gathered here today."
At that moment, the door opened again.
Lilia entered wearing an elegant black-and-red maid outfit — one she had chosen herself as a symbol of devotion to Zeref. The small horns on her head gleamed under the crystal light, a sign of her awakened demon lineage. Her long red ponytail swayed as she walked, her once-sorrowful green eyes now burning with fierce determination.
Behind her was Karina, her delicate angelic wings folded neatly on her back.
In contrast to Lilia the demon, Karina was an angel. Her wavy orange hair and warm amber eyes radiated gentleness.
But I knew — both of them were equally deadly on the battlefield.