Last day of school in the 2nd year of high school. The final exam for those who do not need to take make-up exams. Vektor and Sych are two students in this group.

After the incident in the building where he lived, Sych moved with his father to a simpler house, even if temporarily. As for Vektor, after his duel at the Dawn Plateau, his unconscious body was carried back home, while the Slasher Platinum was left under Kder's care.

Right after finishing the final test, Vektor and Sych talk as they walk towards their homes, starting with Vektor stretching in relief, raising his arms:

"Ahhh... Finally, another year of suffering comes to an end... Next year will be the 3rd year, the last step. I can't wait to finish this once and for all...!"

"You sound like you're going to spend the rest of your life relaxing after graduation. Do you even know what you want to do after high school?"

"Ah, I dunno... I'll stop and think about that when the time comes. My priority right now is to think about how I'm going to spend my vacation!"

"Speaking of that, what about that party on Netern Island that Master Noogard was organizing? It's tomorrow, isn't it?"

"Oh yeah... My mom said she's going to spend the rest of the day preparing the magic portal. She also said we're going there around lunchtime."

"I see... Well, I hope you have fun!"

"Wait, you're not going with us?"

"The party was organized for the Etykiran families, right? So, you could say I wasn't invited."

"But can't you go as my guardian like last time?"

"Well, it's a party and not an emergency, so I guess I can't use that excuse this time."

"I see, that's a shame..."

"Well, I'm also on vacation, which means I can also do whatever I want tomorrow. Maybe I'll go pay a visit to Kurono or Shiromi."

"I haven't heard those names in a long time... I wonder how are they doing...? I think I'll see them the day after tomorrow too."

The two continue their conversation until they go their separate ways. Upon arriving home, Vektor prepares his clothes for the next day while his mother prepares the portal. He then spends the rest of the day playing games as usual.

Before going to sleep, he decides to quickly skim through his mother's book on the culture of Netern Island. Ever since his journey on Netern Island came to an end, he has never bothered to read the contents of the book beyond the first page, specifically the prologue:

"An extremely dense point in the middle of an infinite void. An existence that precedes the concept of time. In a single instant, the energy of the point destabilized, causing the point to explode and giving rise to the universe in which we live.

Netern is the name given to the point of origin, which caused an explosion so powerful that, due to its omnidirectional nature, it caused such strong internal pressure that it transcended space-time, causing another explosion in a parallel dimension, thus giving rise to another universe. The internal pressure of this second explosion then began a cycle of eternal expansion for both universes.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

The first living beings also originated from Netern, entities so powerful that we humans have become accustomed to calling such entities 'gods'. These entities fought and continue to fight for the fate of both universes.

The planet we live on is certainly the main arena in which these gods wage their battles. Called by various names depending on the local language, the name that the inhabitants of Netern Island have decided to use for this planet is Drettonus, the sanctuary of the Eternal Dragons."

Vektor has never felt the need to read more than that. Unlike linear narratives, informative books can have their chapters read in any order the reader sees fit without affecting the overall experience, but he finds it unnecessary to know more than the situation demands. He can formulate any justification necessary to procrastinate.

Vektor's mother continues to prepare her portal spell. In the middle of the night, while her son is sleeping, she remains focused on the spell, until randomly... her power is activated.

For a few seconds, her vision disconnects from reality and she starts seeing the future as if she was an observing entity in the skies, without a body, without submitting to the laws of Physics, as if she was in fact a non-existent being, incapable of interfering in any way in her vision, being there only as a witness.

In her vision, she sees a dark sky like midnight, and a small isolated island in the middle of the ocean. A deserted island, consisting only of low vegetation with a moderate amount of trees. However, there is something on this island that stands out: a large cylindrical metallic tower, located in the center of the island.

Immediately after her power deactivates, the first thing she does is pause the preparation of her magic to call Sych, who takes a while to answer because he is sleeping:

"Hmmm... Hm... Hello...?"

"Hello, Sych? Can you hear me?"

"Yes..."

"Sorry for calling you like this in the middle of the night, but it's urgent."

"Something happened to Vektor?"

"No, he's fine, but I just had a vision."

"A vision...? And what did you see?"

"All I saw was some kind of tower on a desert island. Do you know some place like that?"

"No... I can't remember anywhere with that description, I'm sorry. Is that why you called me?"

"Actually, I want to ask you a favor. I don't know how to explain it well, but I'm afraid that this vision has something to do with tomorrow's party."

"So you want me to go to Netern Island too?"

"If it's not too much to ask..."

"It's okay, that's my job after all. Besides, helping my friends is quite rewarding."

"I'll stock up on everything you need to take, and I'm already preparing the portal. Before dawn tomorrow, I want you to be here to head to the island before me and Vektor."

"Understood. Then, see you later."

After the call, Sych sleeps for a few more hours while Vektor's mother continues working on the portal...

Dawn of December 14th. First day of summer vacation. Sych wakes up again thanks to his alarm clock, gets ready and heads to Vektor's house, where he meets his friend's mother, who hands him a backpack, saying:

"Vektor is still sleeping. This backpack has enough food for a whole day. So that no one suspects your presence, I want you to secretly watch the party from afar, so find a good hiding place. If anything bad happens, let me know using your power, do you hear me?"

"Understood."

"I also kept a Sealing Crystal in the backpack. Use it if you find yourself in a desperate situation."

"You can count on me. I'll do everything I can to ensure your safeties."

"Thank you, and good luck."

Sych enters the portal, heading to Netern Island. After a few hours, he is ready for the party to begin, camping in the forest surrounding the Dawn Plateau, at a point where it is possible to observe Wind Hills from afar.

The afternoon finally arrives. Dressed in clothes that are neither too casual nor too formal, Vektor and his mother leave through the Drenn Portal and head straight to Master Noogard's house in Wind Hills, the location of the celebration party for Maken's defeat.