The training ground was quiet, smelling of scorched earth, ozone, and fresh-cut wood. The members of the Obsidian Phalanx were resting, tending to minor bruises and steam burns while sprawled out on the soil. The team was completely spent, but their exhaustion was mixed with amazement over the fight. Kaelus, however, sat slightly apart, a frown etched on his face.
"I know why your face looks like that," Sylva said, popping a healing potion. "This isn't the result you were waiting for. You couldn't pop out Fire or Earth. But look at the bright side: maybe the Mage Emperor's mission will bring the success you need."
Zane chuckled as he applied ointment to his wrist. "You're strong, Kaelus, so strong that even working together, we couldn't force you to expend your vast mana. You're too different from the kid I first saw. Our sword training was successful—so successful that sometimes I think I raised a monster."
Zathis, energized by the thought of Kaelus's raw talent, piped up, "Kaelus, your battle wits are so strong, and you have so many ideas on how to use your wind. Maybe you have some ideas to improve ours, for us to be worthy on your side."
Sylva raised an eyebrow. "Zathis, I thought you were dumb, but I'll give you credit this time. That's actually a very good idea."
"What do you mean by dumb??" Zathis squawked in protest, causing the rest of the group to burst into laughter.
Grund nodded earnestly. "Yeah, I also think that's a good idea. Me and Kaelan know we can do many things with our Deviant Wood, but we're not thinking as versatile as you, Kaelus. We need ideas too."
Vara added, "Me too. Also, Jian needs some advice."
Kaelus smiled, the disappointment momentarily forgotten. He thought back to his past life, where vast knowledge of elemental applications existed not just in magic texts but in countless Japanese manga and fantasy novels. They do have a point. The elements here are powerful but lack imagination.
"Okay, I will help you guys in our remaining time in training," Kaelus agreed.
Zane stood up, the exhaustion gone from his voice. "Very well. Vara, give everyone mana pills and healing potions. We need to work hard. Because as time passes, the growth level of the monsters in the Eastern Territory will increase exponentially."
Sylva's exhilaration was clear. "I'm so excited about how Kaelus will help us with our elements!"
The team spent the remainder of the day training intensively, guided by Kaelus's unconventional strategies, until the very next morning.
The next morning, the Obsidian Phalanx, along with Aethon, stood in the majestic main hall of the Grand Mage Tower, the seat of the Neutral Empire (The Magic Court).
The meeting was an official, high-level briefing hosted by the Mage Emperor. Standing with him were the three powerful Territory Leaders who governed the allied domains:
The Northern Domain was ruled by the Elven Kingdom, represented by King Emyr Elijah Silverleaf and Queen Megan Llewellyn Silverleaf.
The Western Domain was governed by the Dwarven State, represented by the rugged State Head Jaleel Solarin Stonebrow and his shrewd wife, First Lady Mosi Soyinka Stonebrow.
The Southern Domain was ruled by the Human Sovereign, represented by Sovereign Leader Léonard Philippe Vancroft and Sovereign Lady Bérénice Blanchett Vancroft.
The Emperor spoke, his voice grave. "The situation in the East is spiraling out of control. The Eastern Territory is a vast, ungoverned monster territory, and the source of our rising threat. The constant appearance of S-Rank and S+ Rank monsters and the alarming speed of the expansion require an unconventional response."
The Emperor shifted his gaze. "We have received new information that sheds light on the very truth of this world. The nature of the current threat is far more disturbing than we imagined. I will let Sylva Moonshadow of the Obsidian Phalanx elaborate."
Sylva stepped forward, holding a worn, transcribed copy of an ancient journal. "Your Majesties, Lords, and Ladies, the Dragon Fury Guild acquired information regarding the legendary Hero's Party from a millennium ago that fundamentally changes our understanding of the Eastern Territory."
She paused, allowing the weight of the name to settle over the hall, then delivered the summary of the shocking revelations.
"According to this journal, over a millennium ago, the Hero's Party ventured into the deepest part of Eastern Territory and encountered a monster called the Verdant Dragon. The journal makes a critical distinction: dragons are Divine Spirits, capable of possessing rare secondary elements like the Verdant Dragon's Plant Element, which is fundamentally different from the four basic elements of monsters."
Sylva's voice sharpened with tension. "The journal reveals the dragon was already severely wounded by assailants who were not from this continent. The wounds would not heal by conventional magic. These assailants were identified as 'Players'."
A collective gasp went through the room. The Emperor's eyes widened in disbelief. "Players?"
Sylva continued, summarizing the devastating truth the journal held.
"The most critical revelation from the journal is that our world is not singular, but divided into three distinct continents, all meeting at a nexus point in the Eastern Territory: Terra, The Land of Mortals, this is where we are right now; Mythos, The Land of Divine Spirits; and Atlas, The Land of the Gods, which is the home of the Players—the Immortals."
"The Dragon's purpose there was to maintain a powerful, essence-based barrier that not only suppressed monsters but, crucially, prevented the Players from traveling to Mythos and Terra," Sylva explained. "The journal details the catastrophic consequence of the barrier weakening."
She detailed the fight: "The Dragon successfully killed the initial invaders from Atlas, but was grievously wounded. The next day, the same Players—true immortals who could not truly die—returned with others. The Dragon and the Hero's Party fought together, managing to kill the Players once more, but it came at the cost of the entire party's lives, save for one ancestor."
Sylva concluded, her gaze sweeping over the powerful rulers. "The ancestor survived, but the chilling truth remains: the core issue is Atlas, the land of the Players. In our investigation, the barrier was deactivated a few months ago. This strongly suggests that the Mythos continent, which deploys dragons to maintain the barrier, lost the dragon that was guarding the innermost caves of the Eastern Territory and has failed to send a replacement."
The hall was silent. The Territory Leaders processed the shocking intelligence.
Queen Megan Llewellyn Silverleaf. of the Elven Kingdom was the first to speak. "Immortals from another land... If this journal is true, our entire defense strategy against the East is flawed. We have been fighting the effects, not the source."
Sovereign Leader Léonard Vancroft of the Human Domain rubbed his temples. "A deactivated intercontinental barrier is a terrifying thought. The rate of S-Rank monsters and now the presence of these 'Players' clearly correlates with this loss. We need confirmation of this 'Mythos' incident immediately."
State Head Jaleel Stonebrow of the Dwarven State slammed his fist on the table. "Regardless of the source, they can't be allowed on Terra! If they can't die, our conventional armies are useless. The Obsidian Phalanx must confirm the state of this barrier."
The Mage Emperor nodded grimly, his voice regaining its firm authority. "That is precisely your mission. I am officially giving you your new mission: Like the information you gathered, you will be following the footsteps of the Hero's Party from a thousand years ago. The Obsidian Phalanx will venture deep into the Eastern Territory to investigate the heart of the three continents—the Dragon's Cave."
He addressed the Territory Leaders. "While the Phalanx handles the critical confirmation, I expect all three leaders of these great territories to prepare your own domains. I believe this new information is not just a millennium-old story; what is happening right now is the start of something big, and we need to be prepared."
The three leaders rose and gave a respectful, unified bow. "We will follow the Mage Emperor's command," they stated.
"The meeting is adjourned. Morthos," the Emperor commanded, turning to his advisor. "Show the Territory Leaders to the dining hall. Dragon Fury Guild, stay."
The Leaders left the hall, their faces etched with concern. The Obsidian Phalanx and Aethon remained, awaiting the final, private instructions from the Emperor.