Night.
Somewhere in the Southern Free Federation.
In the dense depths of darkness, faint footsteps emerged, sounding vague and distant.
A moment later, the footsteps approached, becoming clear. After a few seconds, with a "clatter," as if a curtain of darkness was swept aside, a group of dozens of Wizards emerged from the shadows.
They moved from all directions towards a center, stopped after a certain distance, and simultaneously pulled out a conical object engraved with intricate Magic Runes from their hands, used their inner Mana to activate it, and cast it to the ground.
"Puff!"
The conical objects hit the ground, like stones falling into a pond, effortlessly piercing through the soil and disappearing into the depths.
The dozens of Wizards had evidently anticipated this outcome and showed no surprise. They exchanged glances and floated up towards the sky, rising higher and higher, merging into the night after a dozen or so seconds.
