---
The misfit class regrouped after their chaotic encounter with the demons. Toru, Yumi, and the others bore cuts and bruises, but their spirits remained intact. Kaito’s mind, however, was elsewhere. The massive summoning circle etched into the clearing loomed over his thoughts, its presence undeniable.
“This wasn’t random,” Kaito muttered, crouching near the remnants of the formation. His hand hovered over the residual energy crackling faintly in the air.
“What do you mean?” Yumi asked, still catching her breath.
“This circle...” Kaito trailed off, Appraisal activating as he examined the intricate runes. His heart sank. “It’s not just a summoning. It’s part of something bigger—a network.”
Yumi frowned. “A network?”
Kaito nodded, his expression dark. “Think of it as a chain. Each circle connects to another, amplifying the summoning’s power. This wasn’t meant for standard demons.”
The others exchanged uneasy glances. Elara voiced the question on everyone’s mind. “If that’s true, then where’s the next circle?”
---
Before Kaito could respond, a cold wind swept through the clearing, silencing the group. Shadows coalesced in the center of the summoning circle, forming the silhouette of an old man. His presence exuded an aura of timelessness, his eyes glowing faintly with an otherworldly light.
“Who are you?” Kaito demanded, standing protectively in front of Yumi and the others.
The old man didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he studied Kaito with an unsettling intensity. “You carry the weight of countless lives,” he said finally, his voice a low rumble.
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Kaito froze. “What are you talking about?”
"What does he know?" his heart skipped a beat.
“You bear the nexus within you,” the old man continued, stepping closer. “A force unique, unknown even to gods and titans. It is your curse and your salvation.”
Kaito’s heart pounded. “What the hell is the nexus?”
The old man’s gaze turned almost pitying. “In time, you will understand. But beware, child. The nexus draws both creation and destruction toward itself. And you... you stand at the precipice of both.”
Before Kaito could press further, the figure began to dissipate, his final words echoing ominously. “Seek the truth within the void, but tread carefully. Not all shadows are your allies.”
"What the hell is going on?" Kaito thoughts raced,"Nexus, gods, creation and destruction what kind of bullshit is this."
As the old man vanished, the clearing fell silent, leaving Kaito and his companions shaken.
---
“What did he mean by ‘nexus’?” Yumi asked softly, her concern evident.
Kaito clenched his fists. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. “But whatever it is, it’s tied to the summoning circles—and me,” Kaito thought to himself.
Toru placed a reassuring hand on Kaito’s shoulder. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”
The gesture surprised Kaito, but he gave a faint nod. “Right. But first, we need to find the next circle.”
---
Back at the academy, Kaito spent the night poring over the tome they had retrieved from the library’s restricted section. The diagram of the summoning network confirmed his worst fears. Each circle was a conduit, channeling power toward a central location.
The question was—what was the central target?
Yumi entered the room, her expression weary. “You’ve been at this all night.”
“I have to,” Kaito replied, not looking up. “We’re missing something.”
Yumi hesitated before sitting beside him. “We’ll find it. But you need to rest, too.”
Kaito finally turned to her, his gaze softening. “Thanks, Yumi.”
For a brief moment, the weight on his shoulders felt lighter. But in the back of his mind, the old man’s words lingered like an unshakable shadow.
---
The next day, during a strategy session with the misfit class, Kaito presented his findings.
“The summoning circles are part of a larger scheme,” he explained, tracing the network on a map. “If we don’t disrupt the chain, the central circle will unleash something far worse than what we’ve faced so far.”
Damon crossed his arms. “And how do we stop it? We can’t take on an entire army of demons.”
Kaito’s lips thinned. “We don’t have to. If we can identify and destroy the central summoning circle, the network will collapse.”
Rian raised an eyebrow. “And where do we start?”
Kaito pointed to the map. “Here,” he said, marking a location near the northern borders. “It’s the most recent activation point.”
Elara frowned. “That’s close to the academy. Why hasn’t the council acted?”
“Because they don’t know what we know,” Kaito replied. “I will try to convince them with this evidence but if It doesn't work I will have to do it myself.”
The group exchanged determined looks. They didn’t have all the answers, but one thing was clear—if Astraea and the continent were to survive, the misfits would have to lead the charge.
---
End of Chapter 7: Part VI