When morning came, all students of the Golden Aegis Guild Academy gathered by the front gates, awaiting the arrival of visitors from the Four Great Kingdoms of Aethelgard.
The S-Class students had already taken their positions—each tasked with ensuring the safety of every delegate attending the summit.
One by one, the visitors began arriving—each riding elegant carriages that stopped before the massive golden gates. From there, the honored guests stepped down.
The First
Frostveil Dominion — Azure Fangs Guild Academy
Affiliation: Ice / Illusion
Symbol: A wolf biting into a snowflake
Capital: Nivara
Guildmaster: Kareen Frostbane — "The Frozen Huntress"
Style: Assassins and mages who manipulate temperature and perception
Specialization: Stealth, Ice Conjuration, Mirage Craft
Known For: Cold discipline and silent executions
Chief Captain: Eira Thalven — "The Silent Wolf" (Age 22)
Element: Ice / Shadow
Weapon: Dual chakrams that return like hunting fangs
Appearance:
Snow-white hair, pale skin, and sharp silver eyes. She wears fur-lined assassin gear with runic tattoos that glow blue when channeling mana.
Signature Ability:
"Glacier Requiem" — Freezes all sound and movement within a wide area, creating a battlefield of silence where only she can move freely.
Quote:
"The dead make no noise. I prefer it that way."
The Second
Ignis Empire — Crimson Blades Guild
Affiliation: Fire / Blood / Power
Symbol: A blazing sword split in two
Capital: Pyrahelm
Guildmaster: Rogar Drayne — "The Ember Tyrant"
Style: Mercenaries driven by raw emotion and violence
Specialization: Fire Enhancement, Blood Pact Magic
Known For: Brutal tournaments, dueling culture, and devastating physical magic
Chief Captain: Ravien Drayne — "The Ember Prince" (Age 21)
Element: Fire / Blood Magic
Weapon: A greatsword infused with a molten core
Appearance:
Crimson hair, golden eyes, and a grin that bleeds confidence. Half his armor is charred metal, the other half wrapped in burning sigils.
Personality:
Prideful, loud, reckless—he lives for adrenaline, rivalry, and the thrill of combat.
Signature Ability:
"Infernal Reign" — Channels his life force into flames that amplify his speed and strength at the cost of his lifespan.
Quote:
"If I burn out, at least the world will remember the blaze."
The Third
Sylveryn Dominion — Verdant Dawn Guild
Affiliation: Nature / Beast / Spirit
Symbol: A serpent coiled around a blooming flower
Capital: Elarion
Guildmaster: Elyndra Vael — "Mother of Thorns"
Style: Druids, beast tamers, and spirit summoners
Specialization: Nature Manipulation and Spirit Communion
Known For: Balance and neutrality in politics, though secretly influential
Chief Captain: Elyra Vael — "Princess of the Vein" (Age 22)
Element: Nature / Spirit
Weapon: A living staff that transforms into roots, whips, or spears
Appearance:
Long green hair streaked with gold, eyes like amber sap. Her attire is a harmony of armor and living vines that shift like breathing flora.
Personality:
Graceful, maternal, but fierce when provoked. She believes in sacred balance and despises meaningless destruction.
Signature Ability:
"Verdant Dominion" — Summons a colossal forest of sentient vines that attack foes and heal allies.
Quote:
"Even death feeds the roots of life."
The Fourth
Obsidian Dominion — Black Sun Guild
Affiliation: Shadow / Chaos / Forbidden Arts
Symbol: A dark eclipse
Capital: Tenebris
Guildmaster: Lucien Vareos — "The Silent Prince"
Style: Necromancers, curse weavers, and scholars of the forbidden
Specialization: Void Magic, Curse Sigils, Ancient Demonology
Known For: Merciless ambition and the creed: "Power is truth."
Chief Captain: Vyre Lareth — "Eclipsed Heir" (Age 20)
Role: Necromantic prodigy
Personality: unreadable and eerily calm, obsessed with the balance of life and death.
Secret hobbies: collecting souls
These four Guild Academies, alongside the Kingdom of Solara, stand as the pillars of Aethelgard.
Each contributes to the world's balance and control over the mana ley lines.
Though their purpose is shared, a silent war simmers beneath their unity—an unseen cold war fought not with swords, but with influence.
Whoever controls the ley lines… controls the power of nations.
The Arrival
As they entered the academy grounds—
"Stay sharp. Don't let your guard down," Kareen Frostbane whispered to her Chief Captain.
"Even if this kingdom seems peaceful, never forget—they're still potential enemies."
"Yes, Grandmaster," Eira replied, her sharp eyes scanning every corner.
Following them came the Crimson Blades of the Ignis Empire.
"Hmph. As always—Golden Aegis is too quiet," grumbled Guildmaster Rogar Drayne, his voice rumbling like fire.
Beside him, his son and Chief Captain, Ravien Drayne, sneered arrogantly.
"Father, these students look weak. I can't see a single one who could match my power!"
Rogar laughed.
"Hah! Calm down, boy, or you'll end up burning this entire academy."
Behind them, Guildmaster Elyndra Vael of Verdant Dawn sighed softly.
"The people of Ignis Empire… still as arrogant as ever," she murmured.
Her daughter and Chief Captain, Elyra, walked quietly beside her—expression calm, eyes sharp.
And finally, at the rear, the most enigmatic of all—
Obsidian Dominion: The Black Sun Guild.
Guildmaster Lucien Vareos walked in silence, unreadable as a shadow.
Beside him was Vyre Lareth, his Chief Captain, a faint grin twisting his lips.
Immortality… I'm so close.
The Summit Begins
When everyone arrived at the sealed meeting chamber—its walls warded to block sound and mana—they each took their seats.
The Chief Captains stood behind their Guildmasters, alert and watchful.
No one dared meet another's gaze. Even a wrong glance could be taken as provocation.
Every Chief Captain in that room could sense killing intent sharper than steel.
Moments later, Grandmaster Seren entered alongside his Chief Captain, Cyran.
"Hmm. It's good to see you again, Guildmasters," Seren greeted politely.
"Hah! Master Seren, it's been a year, hasn't it?" Rogar chuckled darkly. "Tell me—how's your health? You look like your goddess might take you soon, old man!"
The other Guildmasters fell silent. One wrong word could ignite war.
Though Cyran was visibly irritated, he held back. Unless there was a direct threat, he wouldn't act.
Seren merely laughed.
"Hm. If only you knew, Master Rogar… how much I wish that were true."
"Oh? Then, old man, want me to help you disappear from this world?" Ravien interjected mockingly.
The room fell silent.
The Chief Captains readied themselves. The air thickened, oppressive.
"Forgive me, Master Rogar," Elyndra said sharply. "But it seems your Captain's tone is rather inappropriate, don't you think?"
"We are here for a summit, not to parade immaturity," Kareen added, calm but cutting.
Master Lucien gave a single nod in agreement, his gaze cold.
Rogar laughed again, waving dismissively.
"Ah, forgive him. My son serves as Chief Captain—he's reckless, especially when surrounded by the weak. Ravien, go take a walk outside. Entertain yourself."
Ravien chuckled arrogantly as he left.
"As you wish, Father. I'll leave you to your boring talks. Even if they all ganged up on you, none could ever defeat you anyway."
And with that, he exited the chamber.
Meanwhile, in the Mess Hall…
Lilith, Arman, Anya, and Elara sat peacefully, eating sweet bread.
Because of Lilith's influence, everyone had grown to love it too.
"Miss Lilith! You ordered so many again!" Elara exclaimed.
"Hmph! Totally normal. You mortals never know—if the world's about to end, better make sure this is your last meal," Lilith said with a sly smile.
"Huh!? Miss Lilith, your jokes always sound kinda real sometimes," Arman said nervously.
"Do I look like I'm joking, mortal boy? Better die full than starve in your grave."
"She's right," Anya chuckled. "If the world ends tomorrow, I'm not going into the afterlife skinny."
"Not you too, Anya!" Arman groaned.
"See? Anya gets it," Lilith said proudly.
They all laughed—except Lilith, who stayed eerily serious.
Moments later, a loud voice echoed across the hall.
It was Ravien Drayne, the Crimson Blade's Chief Captain—recently dismissed from the meeting.
He was harassing a female mage student.
"Hey! Why won't you come with me? A pretty face like yours doesn't belong in this dull academy—join Crimson Blade instead!" he barked, grabbing her arm.
"P-please, let me go!" the girl cried.
Arman stood up.
"Hey! Who do you think you are, harassing a student in our academy!?"
Ravien turned, glaring.
"Huh? Some wannabe hero? You look weak. Pathetic, even."
Anya and Elara ran up.
"Arman, he's an S-Class Chief Captain! Be careful!" Anya warned.
Ravien's eyes flicked toward her.
"Oh, another beauty. You should come too—I'll make you my wife."
"W-What!?" Anya gasped.
"Don't you dare come near her!" Arman shouted.
"Hmph. What are you gonna do about it?"
"I don't care if you're S-Class! You and your guild are nothing but arrogant bastards!"
Ravien smirked.
"Oh really? Then go ahead—hit me. One punch is all you'll need."
Arman charged, swinging with all his strength—
but Ravien caught it effortlessly and countered with a fiery blow.
BAM!
Arman crashed into the wall, blood spurting from his mouth. The wall cracked apart.
"Arman!" Anya and Elara screamed.
"Weaklings! All of you are weak!" Ravien laughed, grabbing him by the hair.
Lilith stood, grinning faintly.
"Oh? Not bad… for a mortal," she said playfully.
Ravien noticed her.
"Well, well… you're the prettiest one here. Care to come with me instead, miss?"
"Hmph. And you're the foulest-smelling mortal I've ever met," Lilith replied flatly.
Ravien's aura flared—burning hot and suffocating.
Anya cast a light barrier, shielding the students, while others panicked.
Lilith, however, remained unfazed.
"You're too weak for an S-Class," she said coldly. "And you dare invite me? What a pitiful creature."
She sat back down, taking another bite of her bread.
Ravien snapped. His fiery mana erupted, shaking the entire building.
"Let's see if you can still talk after this!"
Back in the Meeting Room
As the Guildmasters' confrontation reached its boiling point,
a sudden surge of power was felt from below.
Everyone froze—the signature was familiar. It was Ravien.
"Ha! Looks like my son's having fun downstairs," Master Rogar smirked.
Even the S-Class Captains felt the pressure.
"That aura… it's nearly on par with Grandmaster Seren," Cyran muttered.
"That child… his aura surpasses most S-Class mages," Elyndra whispered.
"Guildmasters, please," Grandmaster Seren urged. "Calm yourselves."
But the tension doubled—chaos above and below.
The four S-Class Captains of Golden Aegis—Kaiya, Jaxom, Silas, and Lyra—moved instantly toward the mess hall.
Downstairs
The mess hall shook violently.
Ravien stepped closer to Lilith, whose eyes glimmered like crimson glass.
His flames grew hotter, melting the surroundings.
"Miss Lilith!" Anya and Elara cried.
"Don't you dare… touch her!" Arman gasped, trying to stand.
"No… his aura's pinning him down!" Elara cried.
Ravien grinned.
"So, tell me, miss—can you feel my power now?"
Lilith smiled faintly, lifting another piece of bread.
"You know, if I were you… you'd rather eat before meeting your creator."
She tilted her head, smiling.
"Want some bread? At least you'll die with a full stomach."
And just then—
heavy footsteps echoed behind her.
To be continued…