The Donglai City Cardian Master Association headquarters stood as an unremarkable five-story building, unless one noticed the expansive plaza attached to its front entrance.
On his first day as Vice President, Azrael encountered none of the tedious dramatics typically involving security guards failing to recognize high-ranking officials and subsequently creating unnecessary complications.
The security personnel, clearly well-informed about his appointment, had received advance notification and promptly escorted Azrael through the entrance without incident.
The reason for their efficiency was practical rather than ceremonial: including Azrael, there were now five Gold-level Lore Cardians stationed at the Donglai headquarters. Should any crisis arise, these guards would require their protection rather than the reverse.
Crossing the empty plaza under the midday sun, Azrael entered the main office building where he was greeted by the beaming figure of Kavach.
"President Azrael, you could certainly afford to rest for a few more days," Kavach offered with diplomatic courtesy.
Azrael waved dismissively. "Since I'm essentially sitting idle anyway, I might as well familiarize myself with operations here."
Kavach nodded without further comment, simply leading Azrael toward the executive floors.
"Vice President Azrael, this will serve as your office from this point forward," Kavach announced, gesturing toward an impressive set of double doors. "I've had my staff organize all relevant administrative matters. The documentation awaits your review on your desk."
"As for matters requiring discretion that my staff cannot handle directly, I'll brief you separately on those."
Azrael nodded appreciatively. "Thank you for your diligent preparation, President Kavach. Please, continue with your duties."
He watched the middle-aged administrator enter the adjacent office before frowning slightly and pushing open his own office doors.
"Certainly a marked difference from Velkairos," Azrael observed quietly.
Having previously visited the president's office at the Velkairos Cardian Master Association, the contrast was immediately apparent, this facility paled in comparison to the capital's grandeur.
However, Azrael wasn't inclined to dwell on material disparities.
Settling into the comfortable executive chair, he began reviewing the documents arranged across his mahogany desk.
"Notice of Appointment and Removal: President of the Donglai-Subordinate Licheng Cardian Master Association."
"Proposal for Enhanced Public Security Activities in Donglai."
These bureaucratic documents threatened to overwhelm him with their administrative complexity.
Fortunately, he had Fubuki's expertise at his disposal.
In the original narrative, Fubuki had successfully managed an organization known as the Blizzard Group while maintaining her position as a B-Class hero. Her sister commanded respect as the ranked 2nd S-Class member of the Hero Association. Such leadership experience should prove invaluable for handling official governmental duties.
With this reasoning, he summoned her assistance.
Fubuki materialized with her characteristic dark green hair and confident demeanor, immediately assessing the situation with a professional sigh. She efficiently displaced Azrael from the executive position and began organizing the administrative chaos with practiced skill.
Azrael relocated to the reception sofa, observing the elegant woman work with obvious admiration.
"Competent secretaries handle business affairs, but when there's no business..." he mused with slight embarrassment, watching her graceful movements.
Sensing his wandering thoughts, Fubuki smoothly tossed a particular document in his direction without breaking her concentration.
"You should examine this one immediately," she advised with subtle authority.
Azrael accepted the document with a wry expression, recognizing her tactical redirection.
"Regarding Recent Escalating Issues: The Onefold Doctrine and Crimson Oath Society Conflict."
The mere sight of this title caused Azrael's expression to shift into serious focus.
The office filled with the rustling of pages as he absorbed the intelligence report's contents.
After several minutes of careful reading, Azrael released a long, contemplative sigh. "The Onefold Doctrine."
The document carefully avoided mentioning whether the Onefold Doctrine's leadership maintained connections to certain political factions. It simply stated that conflicts between the two organizations had intensified recently, requiring the association to strengthen oversight of regional activities.
Azrael understood the diplomatic necessity of such vague language. If the Onefold Doctrine truly maintained connections to Goryeo's political elite, such relationships clearly couldn't be discussed in official documentation.
Just as Azrael contemplated methods for extracting more detailed information about the Onefold Doctrine from Kavach, the office telephone rang with sharp persistence.
"President Azrael, please report to my office immediately."
Kavach's voice carried unusual urgency.
After ending the call, Azrael stared at the wall separating their offices in mild disbelief.
Given that he and Kavach were separated by merely a thin wall, was telephone communication truly necessary for such proximity?
Shaking his head at the bureaucratic absurdity, Azrael left Fubuki to continue managing the administrative duties.
"Knock, knock, knock."
"President Kavach, it's Azrael."
"Enter immediately."
Hearing Kavach's tense voice emanating from the president's office, Azrael pushed through the doors and entered.
President Kavach's expression appeared strangely agitated, though he gestured for Azrael to be seated without immediate explanation.
Azrael remained alert, prepared to assess whatever situation had prompted this urgent meeting.
Shortly thereafter, several additional Gold-level Lore Cardians arrived at Kavach's office, Diesel and others who had hosted Azrael's welcome reception several days prior.
Once everyone had assembled, Kavach cleared his throat gravely. "I've just received a concerning intelligence report."
"Someone has provided information regarding a Onefold Doctrine hideout location."
Diesel appeared stunned. "That's potentially excellent news. We'll simply dispatch a cleanup team to investigate. Why summon all of us here?"
Kavach paused significantly before continuing. "According to our intelligence sources, the informant appears to be an unregistered Lore Cardian."
"Most likely affiliated with the Crimson Oath Society."
As Kavach concluded this revelation, the office atmosphere grew distinctly uncomfortable.
After a prolonged silence, Godfrey, the Public Security Office director, asked with carefully neutral expression, "What specific action do we require now?"
Azrael suppressed his amusement at the irony.
While the others present remained unaware of Godfrey's true affiliations, Azrael possessed that crucial knowledge.
Godfrey maintained his own connections to the Crimson Oath Society.
Kavach then revealed his underlying intention, "Since we cannot confirm whether this represents legitimate intelligence or an elaborate trap, a Gold-level Lore Cardian should lead the investigative team."
"Who among us should assume this responsibility?"
Donglai possessed several Gold-level Lore Cardians beyond those present; several branch presidents also held Gold-level certifications.
Under normal circumstances, they typically remained within their respective territorial jurisdictions, making their immediate deployment impractical.
Immediately following his question, Godrick, Director of Human Resources Management, hastily interjected, "President Kavach, I have pressing prior commitments that require my attention."
Kavach acknowledged this with a nod, then directed his attention toward the remaining three candidates.
Azrael recognized this situation for what it truly was, a calculated challenge designed specifically for him.
If he failed to demonstrate decisive action today, he would face persistent marginalization attempts in the future.
After all, he had been appointed as Vice President through external influence rather than internal promotion. Regardless of whether Kavach and the others had been influenced by court politics, his presence undoubtedly affected someone's advancement opportunities.
Without his appointment, the Vice President position might have been claimed by one of those currently present.
"I'll handle this assignment. As the newest member here, I have flexibility in my schedule," Azrael stated calmly. Rather than prolonging awkward negotiations, he chose to seize initiative and establish his authority.
Kavach regarded Azrael with apparent surprise. "Truly befitting Master Lucian's disciple, President Azrael's decisiveness provides an excellent example for us all."
"I suggest Diesel and Godfrey accompany President Azrael on this mission."
"After all, President Azrael remains unfamiliar with Donglai's geographical peculiarities."
Azrael ignored Kavach's subtle condescension while analyzing the reasoning behind these specific assignments.
Godfrey's participation as Public Security Office Director made logical sense for such operations.
However, Diesel's inclusion puzzled Azrael, he couldn't determine Kavach's specific motivation for that selection.
"Insufficient intelligence remains a persistent problem," Azrael noted mentally. "I must question Godfrey about the Donglai Cardian Master Association's internal dynamics when circumstances permit."
After finalizing the mission assignments, Azrael departed first.
Diesel and Godfrey followed with their own unspoken calculations.
They naturally understood Kavach's underlying expectations regarding the young man walking ahead of them.
The expectation wasn't merely that Azrael might fail to resolve this situation effectively, they were actively hoping for his failure.
Within the Cardian Master Association hierarchy, political connections might provide temporary advantages, but ultimately, demonstrated competence determined everything.
As the externally appointed vice president, if Azrael couldn't handle even basic operational challenges properly, convincing others of his worthiness would prove impossible.
Entering the association's assigned vehicle, Azrael closed his eyes and rested in the rear passenger seat.
The official vehicles of the Donglai Cardian Master Association were identical to those used in Velkairos, the same model that Michael operated on a daily basis.
The driver glanced at the young man through the rearview mirror, thinking, "So that's Azrael. He appears remarkably young for such a position."
Azrael, already functioning as a Gold-level Lore Cardian, easily detected the driver's scrutinizing gaze but simply opened his eyes and stated calmly, "Focus on the road ahead."
The driver, properly chastened, immediately became obedient and ceased his inappropriate observation.
After approximately an hour of travel, several association vehicles had departed the city limits and approached the coastal region.
"The territorial overlap explains the Onefold Doctrine and Crimson Oath Society's conflict," Azrael observed thoughtfully.
Both illegal organizations operated within essentially identical geographical areas.
The previous location where Magnus had conducted investigations lay further south along the coastline. The Onefold Doctrine's exposed stronghold targeted for today's mission was positioned further north, but both sites remained near the coastal waters.
The vehicle came to a smooth stop beside the roadway.
"President Azrael, we've reached the staging area," the driver announced.
Azrael nodded acknowledgment and exited the vehicle.
Godfrey and Diesel, accompanied by approximately a dozen Bronze and Silver-rank Lore Cardians, awaited Azrael's arrival.
"President Azrael, to avoid alerting potential hostiles to our presence, we must travel independently for the remainder of the approach," Diesel explained with apparent concern masking underlying malice. "I wonder if you possess appropriate transportation cards for this mission. If not, I can provide assistance."
Godfrey observed silently, his expression unreadable.
The assembled Lore Cardians lowered their heads, pretending ignorance of the subtle confrontation.
Upon hearing this thinly veiled challenge, Azrael regarded Diesel with cold assessment. "Unnecessary. My capabilities suffice."
He understood their purpose perfectly, they sought to embarrass him before the assembled team.
Normally, Azrael might choose to deploy the Shadowkhan Army for such operations. Once reaching his destination, he possessed numerous methods for efficiently neutralizing the Onefold Doctrine operatives.
However, as previously determined, today he intended to demonstrate overwhelming capability to prevent these individuals from continuing their petty schemes.
While their attempts posed no genuine threat to him, their persistent provocations had become genuinely irritating.
Diesel, standing nearby, appeared stunned by Azrael's confident response. "What exactly do you mean?"
Godfrey frowned slightly and discretely signaled the assembled Lore Cardians with subtle eye movements.
They quickly dispersed to strategic positions.
Azrael paid no attention to these minor tactical adjustments.
The next moment, the brown-haired girl materialized beside him with an aura of crackling energy.
Godfrey and Diesel observed Misaka, immediately recognizing her as Azrael's Gold-level card manifestation.
"Is this his primary Gold-level card?" they wondered simultaneously.
Both men subtly extended their mental energies to probe the petite girl's power levels.
However, a sharp crackling sound disrupted their psychic investigation, forcing them to withdraw their probes without gaining useful intelligence.
"No surveillance in this area. Proceed as planned," Azrael instructed.
Misaka acknowledged his words with a confident smile spreading across her features. "Leave everything to me."
As the girl concluded her response, brilliant blue lightning began dancing around her form while fine particles of black iron sand gradually floated upward from the surrounding earth.
Diesel stared in growing amazement as vast quantities of iron sand soared skyward, dancing between heaven and earth like a massive serpentine dragon.
Crackling electricity coursed across the iron sand's surface, creating spectacular displays of electromagnetic power.
Soon, the enormous volume of iron sand converged and reshaped itself, forming a towering black giant that dominated the landscape.
Gray particles drifted across the giant's surface while bright electrical arcs swirled throughout its body like luminous tattoos.
This was Misaka's "Thunder Giant", a creation combining iron sand manipulation with electromagnetic control through her Level 5 Electromaster abilities.
Witnessing this display, Diesel opened his mouth but found himself speechless.
Godfrey frowned deeply, his pupils contracting as he absorbed the implications of what he was observing.
As Gold-level Lore Cardians, both men could immediately sense the immense energy contained within the giant construct.
Rather than existing for direct physical combat, the giant functioned more like a massive energy amplification system.
As the group watched in shocked silence, the brown-haired girl atop the giant raised her right hand and pointed toward their designated target.
The black giant, its body gleaming with electrical arcs, mirrored her gesture perfectly.
A moment later, a blazing yellow-white beam streaked across the sky.
The tremendous electrical energy accumulated through constant friction between the iron sand particles comprising the giant's body was instantly released as a devastating electromagnetic railgun projectile.
"BOOOOMM!"
A terrifying sonic boom erupted, tearing a lengthy scar through the cloud formations.
Powerful gusting winds ruffled everyone's hair and clothing.
However, none of the observers cared about their disheveled appearance.
Their attention remained fixed on the young man standing calmly beside the brown-haired girl, his arms folded in casual confidence.
Seeing the young man atop the black sand giant looking in their direction, the assembled Lore Cardians immediately lowered their heads in deference.
"Monster", this assessment applied equally to both Azrael and Misaka.
Individuals possessing supernatural abilities at Level 5 represent terrifying entities capable of single-handedly forming complete armies.
Except among their own kind, ordinary people have long ceased regarding them as fellow human beings.
Unlike the lower-ranking Lore Cardians filled with primal fear, Godfrey gazed at Azrael with distant contemplation, his thoughts unreadable.
Meanwhile, not far from their position, several Lore Cardians observed the black giant and the lingering orange beam trail in the sky, involuntarily swallowing nervously.
"Do you think we somehow offended President Azrael?" one whispered anxiously. "Otherwise, why would he send us to reach the destination ahead of them?"
"Fortunately, we haven't arrived yet, otherwise we'd be dead right now," another responded grimly.
After this exchange, the group members looked at each other meaningfully before turning around and retreating toward their original positions in unanimous silence.
"Let's proceed and complete this mission," Azrael announced.
The black sand giant crumbled gracefully, with fine iron particles raining down like metallic precipitation while cleverly avoiding the positions of all personnel.
Watching the black iron sand seeping into the ground at his feet, Diesel fell into stunned silence.
Before he could formulate any response, the Silver and Bronze-rank Lore Cardians present responded with crisp enthusiasm, "Yes, sir!"
A few moments later, only Azrael, Godfrey, and Diesel remained beside the roadway.
Godfrey maintained his calm expression while offering seemingly genuine flattery. "President Azrael, that was a masterful tactical demonstration. I suspect your primary card possesses exceptional quality rating, doesn't it?"
Just as Godfrey spoke, Diesel composed himself and assumed an expression of admiration. "It's absolutely true that reputation pales beside personal experience. President Azrael's capabilities fully justify his national championship status."
Observing Diesel's transparent attempt at ingratiation, Azrael's expression remained coldly neutral.
Without answering Godfrey's inquiry about his card quality, he settled into a chair materialized from shadows by a Shadowkhan soldier, stating simply, "I'll advance to the target location. You two may proceed at your own discretion."
With that declaration, the Shadowkhan soldier knelt respectfully and escorted Azrael into the shadow realm for rapid transportation.
Witnessing this departure, Godfrey glanced at Diesel with a half-smile of dark amusement. "You've made quite a significant gamble here."
"Using your own position to create this test," he observed, before disappearing from the location himself, leaving Diesel with a visibly shaken expression and trembling composure.