A young Orden girl dances down the yellow road, her footsteps tapping a rhythm that the old stones beneath remember well. She reaches a familiar cottage and, with a dainty knock, the door creaks open— just in time for her to leap forward and wrap her grandmother in a delighted hug. Sensing the child’s unusually clingy mood, the old woman sighs, shuffles over to the bed, and retrieves a bar of caramel, pressing it gently against the girl’s cheek.

With a mischievous nibble, Margaret takes a bite, savoring the sweet treat.

Gala "Oh dear, I fear I may have turned you into quite the little sweet tooth, haven’t I?"

Margaret "Well, sweets are our most common food… about nine out of ten times!"

Gala "... Hmm, perhaps my own habits are to blame, then. But tell me, my little angel, what’s brought on all this cheer today?"

Margaret "Jaco's coming over tomorrow!"

Gala "Oho! Feeling bold, aren’t we? Just don’t go turning my cottage upside down."

Margaret "Oh, don’t worry, Granny. Jaco’s very responsible! Though he 'does' get a bit… overly excited with stories relating to the heroes. He’s even more of a nerd than me, which might explain his whole ‘knight in shining armor’ act."

Gala "However it goes, I'm just glad you finally brought over a friend."

Margaret "Yeah and I can't wait! Let's start the story now!"

Gala "All right, all right! Your wish is my command. Now, let’s see… where did we leave off?"

A new dawn spills light into a cabin on the continent’s upper right edge, and as the first barely visible beams stretch across the wooden walls, its conscious tenants begin the new day with a lively Earthly sea shanty— a tune born from sheer boredom, echoing in harmony. The two blond humans glance over each other’s outfits, each with a critical eye.

Mina’s red scarf now wraps snugly around her neck, artfully concealing her “tattoo.” Amelia notes how Mina’s pigtails fall over the scarf, adding a touch of whimsy to her look, which contrasts with her stark white mage robes. Her pale hat, perched proudly atop her head, features a single golden gear on the right, gleaming with purpose. Completing the ensemble, Mina’s white trousers and finely-tooled white leather boots display intricate clockwork designs that spiral together, adding a final flourish to her unique look.

Amelia "You look like a proper chronomancer, you know."

Mina "Aw, cheers! Even Claire thought so. She’s the one who suggested the cool designs on the boots, actually. But enough about me— let’s talk about you, girl!"

Amelia "W-What? I don't think I need any sort of—

Mina "Hush, hush, Amelia dear. Your dark blue garments are just stunning. And that black and gold pirate hat, plus your hair down? You’re like… a noble pirate."

Amelia "Noble pirate? I don’t believe such a title exists. Though, I must say that this outfit combination is almost unsettlingly fitting. Perhaps I was a pirate in a previous life."

Mina "Girl, pirates are THE BEST! Don’t let the haters get to ya!"

Amelia "Hehe… Mina, you know how in our group we’ve all got a sort of… pairing? Like Dave and I, and you and Azan?"

Mina "You mean, like, best friends? Well, sure, but let’s be real—you two are WELL beyond just 'close.' "

Amelia "Quite right— I’m erm lucky that Dave is so upfront with his feelings."

Mina "Yeah, if only I could say the same about Azan."

Amelia "Wait... you're in love with Azan?"

Mina "I thought that was obvious."

Amelia "I always thought you two seemed more like… therapeutic partners, considering how your chats usually seem focused on working through deep personal shite."

Mina "W-W-What? How did you know?! Were you spying on us?! That's not cool, Amy!"

Amelia "Oh, calm down. It’s not my fault— super-hearing is another addition to this third-person view."

Mina "I’ll keep that in mind next time, then. Anyway, let’s go back to this ‘pairing’ topic."

Amelia "I just mean, we’ve spent so much time with our pairs that our connections with the rest of the group have sort of… waned. The last time we all came together properly was during those group events Kanji organized."

Mina "Yeah, Kanji’s an actual monster. I'm pretty sure he knows everything about everyone."

Amelia "Not surprising, since I read an article once mentioning he has a semi-photographic memory."

Mina "Oh, that explains loads. So… if I’m following this right, what you really want is some 'Mina and Amelia' bonding time! Aww, you're so cute, Amy!"

Amelia blushes and quickly looks away, her gaze wandering to where Lisa lies sleeping. But Lisa remains perfectly still, blissfully unaware of the conversation.

Mina "All right, let’s start with what we already know about each other. Amelia, heir to the Duke of NewShire, living solo at just fifteen years old. You’re a cooking fanatic, a bit overprotective, and ambitious as any British noble."

Amelia "Mina, heir of the renowned Explorath Family, cute, enthusiastic, and curious about everything. Secretly troubled sometimes, and, well, very clingy to Azan."

Mina "Hey! I am NOT that clingy! All right… maybe just a little, considering how much we already know about each other. Let's just talk about our bond, okay!"

Amelia "Which, honestly, isn’t as much as you’d think. We’ve barely had a handful of private conversations."

Mina "Oh, like that time you asked me what games ordinary folks play, and I introduced you to Steam."

Amelia "A truly marvelous discovery! Your recommendation made for a delightful experience and pleasant memories."

Mina "So We DO know some things! But since it’s only a handful, let’s share some facts. Here’s mine— I was born on the 18th of August, 2026 —same as Azzy, actually. Oh, and I’m officially a citizen of EVERY country."

Amelia "What?! That's utterly ridiculous! You joking, right?"

Mina "Not at all! It’s all thanks to my crazy parents. They planned the exact place of my birth months in advance. Something to do with the whole War on SouthIncident, actually."

Amelia "Wait… are you telling me this was 'the war'? The bloody, ten-year conflict that ended the same year you were born? The one that had every nation scrambling, not only because they found a way to settle on Antarctica but also stumbled on minerals powerful enough to rocket a country to new heights?"

Mina "That’s the one! There was this specific spot, a piece of land every country claimed as a sort of truce zone. Normally, it was guarded to the teeth, but my parents somehow knew when the security would be lighter, and they seized their chance. They pulled it off, but it was pure chaos. Legally, it 'should' have been a crime, but with so many countries’ laws tangled up, it gave the officials a headache, so… they just let it slide. That’s how I ended up with global citizenship. But you know the worst part?"

Amelia "What was it? The process itself sounds like it’d take ages."

Mina "Well, my parents had two obsessions— traveling the world and world peace. My birthday stunt ended up fulfilling both dreams. With that citizenship, they could breeze into any country without a visa, and the influence from that incident was just enough to spark their Global Peace Movement. And to think… they did all this at TWENTY YEARS OLD! Twenty! They are fuckig insane!"

Amelia "Well, they did manage to avert World War Three, at least. But… you sound a bit unhappy. No, don’t tell me. You have family issues, don’t you?"

Mina "At this point, I don’t even know. My parents were… always smiling and pushing me to fit into their plans as they bounced from one country to another. I kept feeling like I was supposed to live up to some grand expectation. They didn’t exactly give me a proper childhood. No school, no friends, no familiar faces apart from theirs."

Amelia "Good heavens, that sounds dreadful! It’s a wonder you ever managed to reach out and connect with us."

Mina "Their one flaw was getting easily distracted, which gave me those precious moments to hang out with you guys."

Without another word, Amelia shuffles closer and wraps her arms around Mina in a warm, comforting hug.

Amelia "I understand the pressure that comes with a parent's expectations, believe me. Being from a noble family, my relationship with my own parents has always been… distant. I can hardly remember their faces. They simply said, ‘You’re old enough to fulfill your duties now. Go, and show the other nobles that we Lanes are different— we can live like the common folks!’"

Mina "Like a big company trying too hard to seem relatable. At least you've somewhat met their expectations— you even have a perfectly down-to-earth boyfriend. Me, though… I ran from their expectations."

Amelia "Was that... the real reason you joined us?"

Tears begin to well in Mina’s eyes as she finally responds...

Mina "Yes! It’s painful to admit, but yes! I just… I couldn’t handle being under their thumb any longer."

Amelia "Honestly, Mina, I feel a similar kind of relief being out from under my own family’s shadow. Even my curiosity about how ordinary people live— that's finally something I’m pursuing just for myself."

Mina "It’s strange, really. Despite our differences, it feels like you’re the only one who truly understands. Both of us have parents with high expectations, and both of us have, in our own ways, stepped away from those responsibilities."

Amelia "Wait, what about Azan? I thought you and he would relate well in that sense."

Mina "In a way, he does relate, but then again, he doesn’t. He carries an even larger expectation, yet he embraces it with pride and joy. He’s like an unyielding knight, proudly wielding the weight of his duties while still remaining true to himself. In some ways, he’s my ideal self. Though, I’ll admit, all that responsibility has blinded him sometimes."

Amelia "I could see that. He was the only one who initially refused Kanji’s invitation and only joined later, once his sense of duty was… shaken."

Mina "Wait, what?! Are you saying he only accepted Kanji’s offer because of that crystal? I thought it was a side thing, NOT the main reason!"

Amelia "Oh... Oh shite! He didn't tell you—

Before they can continue, a faint rustling under a pile of blankets across the room catches their attention.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Amelia "Looks like we’ll have to pause this chat for another time."

Mina "Y-Yeah... you're right..."

Mina turns away, her face shadowed with an expression Amelia has rarely seen— an unsettling blend of solitude and disbelief. Sensing the need to give her friend a bit of space, Amelia lets her gaze drift, landing its focus on Lisa.

Almost as if feeling its gaze, Lisa stirs and lifts her head, scanning around the room before her symbol meets Amelia's eyes. Without a word, she suddenly springs from her bed, scrambling about with a flurry of movement that makes Amelia's eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

Mina gently taps Lisa’s shoulder, handing her a brass pocket watch with a reassuring smile.

Lisa "Ah, there it is! I thought I lost it!"

Mina "Let me guess— you’re worried about another one of those freaky monsters. Relax! We’re on the far edge of the continent, nothing’s going to reach us out here."

Lisa "Mina, you fool. One of the main reasons I moved here was to keep a watchful eye out for the beasts that come every Monday. The First Ruthless Day and The First Anchored Night."

Amelia "They sound rather brutal… especially that first one."

Lisa "They can show up anywhere, at any time! Better safe than sorry, so we need to clear out, and quick! Do you copy?!"

Both girls nod, and with a shared sense of urgency, the trio makes their way along the right border of the fan-shaped continent, scanning the south horizon as they go.

Amelia "Before we march into what could be a one-way ticket to our possible doom, I have to ask— what’s your plan for climbing the ranks? Have you just decided to wing it?"

Lisa "Well, before I met you guys, I was pretty much stuck with no hope of advancing. Now, though... it feels like there’s a chance."

Mina "Aww, yeah! We're absolute beasts! What do ya need from us?"

Lisa "Normally, to increase your 'Lix' rank, you either have to train for ages or find some form of enlightenment, which is rare. Fortunately, that opportunity presented itself to me, as you saw before."

Amelia "Your words suggest there's a hidden method to rank up."

Lisa "Correct. But it’s a huge risk. You see, the ranking number reflects an individual's Lix rank. From 1 to 100, they’re PentaLix, though they’ve all disappeared for some reason, except for Lord Alma. From 101 to 200, they’re Quadralix, and so on. Since I’m Bilix, my rank should be somewhere between 301 and 400. But my number hasn’t been updated. Do you know why?"

Mina "Oh! You have to defeat someone from that rank to update it."

Amelia "Hold on... she said the method was life-threatening. Defeating someone with the same rank wouldn’t change much other than updating the number. Unless... you target someone even higher?"

Lisa "Bingo. If I defeat someone ranked at 300, I’ll immediately jump to Trilix. But, a Bilix challenging a Trilix is a death sentence— the power gap is massive. That's why I have two secret weapons."

Amelia "I see. Our powers exist outside your system and can help bypass it. Though ganging up on one person... seems a bit cruel."

Lisa "Trust me, the people here are all cruel jackasses. Look over there."

The trio stands still, eyes trained on the distant clearing, which is now filled with the severed stumps of once-mighty Brightin trees. The forest beyond is eerily silent for a moment before the chilling sound of Soulen screams pierces the air. Figures emerge from the shadows of the trees, ragged and disheveled. A mix of old and young, the Soulens stagger through the clearing, some tripping over the jagged remnants of the fallen trees. Their faces are grim despite having nothing but the mark of a crossed-out prayer symbol, which Amelia barely catches in the distance. It’s a haunting sight that stirs the urge to interfere but... she must see things through.

A sudden metallic clang cuts through the chaos, grabbing the trio's attention.

Five mounted figures appear from the shadows, geared head to toe in gleaming metal plate armor with fins traveling down the sides of their limbs. Their steeds are no ordinary horses— they are magnificent dragons, each one made from different metals... copper, silver, iron, gold, and platinum. The flag they bear is familiar, a red flag with a white triangle and a crimson droplet in the center.

The dragons charge without hesitation, tearing through the remaining Unilixes with brutal efficiency. Their jaws crush skulls, and their claws leave no survivors, only a mountain of severed limbs. Only ten Soulen are left standing, their faces marked with a stern look, unlike the previous victims. They turn to face the approaching knights without a trance of fear.

Curious about the situation unfolding before them, the group edges closer to get a better view.

Mina "Who the hell are those jerks?"

Lisa "Part of The Red Sacrifice, Alma's Medallions. A bunch of weirdos, each with a fetish for the metals they possess. They’re known for collecting anything remotely similar to their own metal across the continent. The only thing that keeps them together is their shared hatred for other metals."

Amelia "So we’re dealing with a bunch of racist metal addicted kleptomaniacs. Great. What's the bloody plan?"

Lisa "Let’s just watch for now. Something’s off about those remaining Unilixes. I don’t get why they’d be chasing a group that clearly doesn’t even share their metal."

Amelia "Wait.. I think I can hear them now."

From the mounted opposition, a conversation echoes across the clearing.

??? "Big Brother Platinum. I CAN SMELL IT! IT'S THEM! THE FOUL STENCH OF ALIEN METAL!"

Big Brother Platinum "Calm down, Brother Copper. Their end will be swift, but we must first gather information. We need to know why these filth have come here."

Brother Iron "I know this smell! It's that wretched metal used by the damn Castastrians. It lacks the strength and honesty of iron."

Brother Gold "Nor the brilliance and nobility of Gold."

Brother Silver "Nor the sharpness and finesse of silver."

Big Brother Platinum "Very well... Let’s crush them and ask questions later. Each of us takes two. NOW, CHARGE!!!"

The dragons rise high into the air, their massive forms cutting through the sky like living weapons. Each dragon targets a group of two prototypes, diving down to strike with brutal precision. The ACE prototypes, now revealed in their true forms, cling to the side of dragons' heads in unison, preparing to strike their fierce eyes—

The Gold Dragon roars, its voice reverberating through the air. A wave of golden aura bursts from its body, enveloping the prototypes in a heavy, suffocating weight. The aura solidifies and encases the enemies in layers of gold, amplifying the weight and sending them crashing to the ground, leaving the prototypes sprawled and struggling to regain their bearings. Eventually, the pair stopped moving all together.

The Iron Dragon retaliates by shaking its massive head with a terrifying force. The prototypes holding onto it are tossed mercilessly from the dragon’s skull, slamming into the ground with a heavy thud, disoriented but not defeated.

The Copper Dragon’s head extends, morphing into thousands of deadly, sharp spikes that shoot outwards. The prototypes cling on desperately, but the spikes force them off, sending them spiraling through the air, landing with a painful impact on the ground.

The Silver Dragon begins spinning at an astonishing speed, its entire body rotating in a blur. The prototypes, caught off guard, are slashed deep by the dragon's swift movement, the force of its spinning body leaving deep scratches across their torsos. Then, with a powerful swing of its tail, the Silver Dragon sends them flying, crashing into the ground.

Finally, the Platinum Dragon, calm and composed, merely gazes at one of the prototypes. Its cold, calculating stare causes the prototype to fold into nothingness, compressed into a small, unidentifiable metal cube. The remaining prototype, sensing the immediate danger, kicks off the dragon’s face and lands swiftly on the ground.

Mina "I really want some popcorn right now."

Amelia "This is going to be one interesting fight."

Lisa "Don't be too lax. Stay alert, girls."

The five-way standoff begins with a roar from the platinum, causing the opponents' legs to fold inwards.

Big Brother Platinum grins, his armored hand affectionately petting his dragon’s sleek scales. His voice resonates with confidence as he chuckles, gazing down at the motionless prototype before him. The prototype attempts to regenerate, its metallic form twitching as it tries to heal its legs, but... Every time it begins to repair itself, a mysterious force seems to fold it back in on itself. With a sharp whoosh, the prototype aims at the edge of its blade, cutting its lower half and it quickly regenerates, surprising Big Brother Platinum.

The prototype studies its opponent with cold precision, recognizing the immense power it faces. Its arm morphs into a cannon, and without hesitation, it fires a barrage of plasma blasts. The powerful projectiles explode on impact, splitting into multiple smaller explosions, and creating a cloud of smoke that momentarily obscures the scene of the battle. As the smoke clears, the massive form of Big Brother Platinum and his dragon remain unscathed, shielded by the dragon's enormous wings.

Big Brother Platinum "The firepower is praise worth, but unlucky for you, I'm your opponent! Let's finish this!! Metalica Purgio Imploding Rush!!!"

A swirling, pale-white aura engulfs the mighty figure, and in a dramatic shift, the owner's right-hand transforms into a colossal dragon's head. The beast's maw opens wide, releasing a long, gleaming lance. In the blink of an eye, the duo doesn’t just tear through their opponent— they pierce through Brother Copper's opponents too.

Brother Copper "Big Brother why?!"

Big Brother Platinum "These things are too dangerous for you right now."

The girls watch in stunned silence as the prototypes, once towering, are now folded into compact cubes—each of them blinking ominously...

Big Brother Platinum " Brother Iron! Brother Silver! You know what to do!"

With a swift flick of the dragon's tail, two cubes are sent flying—one toward Brother Iron, the other toward Brother Silver.

Big Iron grips the cube tightly, sweat starting to bead under his helmet. But duty swiftly overpowers fear. His dragon swipes its might, sending the prototype crashing into a nearby tree. Without hesitation, Big Iron hurls the cube toward them, and the dragon takes flight, its wings slicing through the air picking up immense speed. Realizing the object could explode in seconds, the prototypes make a split-second decision— there's no time to retreat. Their arms fuse together, forming a solid barrier of twenty layers reinforced with tinodium shields.

Suddenly, the cube pulses in silence before releasing a transparent sphere that expands, engulfing several nearby trees. And... as if someone had pressed the "delete" key, the prototype vanishes in the blink of an eye, leaving only a crater in its wake.

Brother Silver’s dragon uses its blinding speed which goes beyond the prototypes' ability to adapt in time. With swift precision, the dragon severs their limbs. Unfazed, Brother Silver casually drops the cube before regrouping with a grunt of annoyance as he watches Brother Gold’s dragon drag two prototypes— fully encased in gold.

Brother Silver "There goes your stupid habit again, brother. They're not gold! They're plated gold!"

Brother Gold "That's the difference between you and me, brother. Objects plated in gold can be beautiful even if it's foreign metal."

Brother Silver "Big Brother, you can't keep letting Gold do this!"

Big Brother Platinum "Leave it, Silver. I tried convincing him, but he wouldn't budge. So we shouldn't, brother. At the very least, everyone here has neutralized the foul metal. Let's report back to Lord Alma and enjoy some alcohol. It’s all on me."

The brothers cheer, except for Silver, who grumbles under his breath.

Amelia "You're telling me we have to fight those guys? I'm confident, but not that confident."

Lisa "That's why we’re aiming for 300. That Platinum guy is ranked 201, followed by Gold, Silver, Iron, and Copper. The power difference between them and the 300 is astronomical."

Mina "That gave me a bit of confidence. Okay, Let's go do this!"

Amelia "Wait, I hear something approaching us... MINA, WATCH OUT!"

Amelia pulls Mina back just in time as something blurs past them with abnormal speed, leaving behind an eerie, angry mooing sound.

For a split second with the passing creature, it feels like staring through a shattered window, with every object on the other side distorted and cracked like a broken mirror. They turn toward the direction it came from, their eyes widening in shock as they see the gruesome remains of five dragons— nothing left but their feet and tails, their riders completely vanished. Amelia catches a glimpse of a newly formed line intersecting the previous one.

Amelia "Shite, that was close!"

Lisa "We need to run now! That thing hates when it narrowly misses a living creature!"

Mina "Why?! That is so fucking specific and petty!"

Lisa "Don't know. These things work in mysterious ways."

Amelia "Is that bloody thing invisible or something?!"

Lisa "Semi-invisible—and it can evaporate anything it touches! We need to cross the border! I heard that it only sticks to one territory."

Sprinting as fast as they can, the trio makes a beeline for the border —a tall wooden wall stretching endlessly to the edge of the continent. The ominous mooing noise grows louder in the distance. Amelia, acting on instinct, shoves her friends away in time, narrowly avoiding the creature’s deadly charge. After that fleeting moment, she conjures a copy of the group, sending them as far away as possible. Each time one is struck, she resummons them in an effort to redirect the creature’s pursuit and charging path. But then a miscalculation—

The creature’s trajectory shifts toward them. It catches Mina’s foot, sending the group tumbling in a panic. The creature wastes no time, charging again. The trio rolls to evade, but it still hits— everything from the knee down is gone.

Lisa’s focus sharpens as she works to seal her friend’s wounds, but in exchange, her own blood loss increases. Amelia quickly grabs four syringes, stabbing two into each of Lisa's legs, halting the bleeding— but the toll is evident. Mina looks at Amelia, her face sweaty and eyes clouded with panic. Normally calm and collected, Amelia’s expression now returns a sight of rare desperation. Despite this, the girl summons more doubles, stalling the beast— for now.

Mina slams both hands into the ground, pouring her Time energy into each strike.

The earth beneath them begins to dissolve into fine dust, crumbling away as she relentlessly pounds the soil. With every hit, the hole deepens, and soon enough, they have created a small pit where they can huddle, their heads barely level with the surface. Above them, the terrifying mooing reverberates, echoing over the hole in a continuous loop, fueling their fear with every passing second. They can't tell if the creature has legs, and part of them wishes they didn't want to know— if those legs could step into the hole, they’d be obliterated in an instant.

Mina digs further, continuing to carve downward, then veers to the right just to be certain. Amelia, regaining her composure, collects the loose dust into her inventory, creating more space in the hole. Meanwhile, Mina pulls out their healing supplies, her hands trembling slightly as she consults what little they have left.

Mina "Shit We have only four syringes. If we don't use them, we'll be sitting ducks. But... the others might need them."

Amelia "At least, Lisa sealed our wounds, so we can stay as amputees until tomorrow."

Mina "Hey, is it just me or is it hard to breathe down here?"

Amelia "Makes sense since you dug a very deep hole. Should we ask Claire for some oxygen tanks?"

Mina "Yes, but there is still one more thing to worry about."

Amelia "The trend with these beasts is polarizing aspects, so I suspect that The Anchored Night is a defensive creature, and there's a chance it can be on a different section of the Soula—

Suddenly, an enormous jolt sends the trio slamming against the ceiling. Curious, Mina crawls out of the tunnel and looks upward only to see a fleshy, gray mass covering the hole.

Mina "Yeah, we need oxygen! NOW!"

Without a second thought, they shove the healing supplies back into storage and pick up the brass pocket watch.