“Following the establishment of peace, humanity was free to explore the transformations of the world after the skies changed. The discovery of Systems saved us, so we put a great deal of effort into researching and developing techniques to awaken Systems which did not rely on pure luck or a person’s unique circumstances. We began construction on great strongholds and fortresses that could withstand even in the event that war once again broke out with the demons.

The beasts, however, never truly settled down. Every ten to fifteen years, hordes of beasts we call Beast Tides would descend on the settlements of both humans and demons, causing massive losses initially. Since these attacks occurred at relatively regular intervals, after the first couple we were able to defend ourselves with almost no losses. After all, the Beast Tides aren’t any kind of organized attack, just a bunch of beasts charging at the walls. There’s no strategy to speak of, so defense is relatively simple since we are able to prepare for it.”

At the front of a large classroom, an aged teacher spoke to a group of about thirty young children who looked nearly bored out of their minds. He smiled slightly; he knew history was not the most interesting subject to these kids, but there were many lessons to be learned from the past and perhaps this knowledge might be helpful in the future. There was one kid who stood out in particular though - a young boy seated in the very front, his eyes wide as he looked up at the teacher. As his hand shot up in the air, the teacher looked down at him and asked, “Yes, Charles?”

“Teacher, why do the beasts keep attacking? Why didn’t they settle down like the demons did?”

“Well, we’re not entirely sure since we can’t just go and ask them, but as far as we can tell it is probably caused by overpopulation - the beasts grow up and reproduce much faster than humans or demons, and sometimes there’s just too many of them. At that point they send out a huge number of beasts which either take land from us or the demons, or die, temporarily taking care of their problem either way.”

Not wanting Charles to dwell too long on that rather dark thought, he shifted the subject a bit. Pointing at a map he continued his lesson, “We are situated around here,” he said, his finger on a spot a short distance within the forest, near its border with the northern tundra. “As far as Beast Tides go, our stronghold has it easier than most. Of the beasts that came to our world, most are suited to the forests and plains, with very few living in the mountains. When the Beast Tide attacks, we are able to focus most of our defenses on one side, the mountain beasts being too few in number to pose much of a threat. This has allowed out stronghold to become relatively prosperous compared to some others, eventually drawing in more people and leading to the establishment of more schools and academies focused on training you young ones in System techniques.

Some of our schools have been able to hone and develop their techniques for centuries, resulting in the possibility of awakening extremely powerful Systems. Next year you will begin your System Knowledge classes in preparation for selecting an Academy the year after and awakening your own System there.”

He stopped talking for a moment as he glanced out the window, seeing the clear sky and bright sunshine of a beautiful summer afternoon. Turning back to face the classroom with a smile, he spoke again, “I’ll let you all go early today. With such nice weather it would be a waste if you weren’t able to get outside to enjoy it.”

He chuckled as the children cheered and ran out of the classroom, Charles and a couple other pausing long enough to thank him before they too charged excitedly out of the room. The old teacher smiled as he muttered to himself, “It’s been seven years since the last Beast Tide, they should have another three until the next. It’s good for them to play and have some fun before they have to deal with the responsibilities that come with a System.”

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Outside, the children hurried to their homes to drop off their school stuff before shouting to their parents about how the teacher told them to go play outside as they turned and ran back out the door to meet up with their friends. A couple classmates invited Charles to meet up at the park with them, but he had other plans in mind.

Bursting through the door, Charles called out excitedly, “Mom, dad! Can we go out to the forest today?!”

Charles’ parents, Winfred and Delia Martel, worked as Hunters. They would join teams outside the stronghold to clear beasts in the vicinity for about a week at a time, returning for a week before heading out again. They had joined different hunting teams so Charles wouldn’t be alone for a week at a time, a slight overlap meaning Charles got to spend a couple night at friends’ houses every other week while they were both out. During the alternating weeks were a couple days when both of his parents were home, and he would almost always ask them to let him go outside the stronghold and explore. Times between the Beast Tides were quite peaceful, and the hunting teams kept stray beasts away from the strongholds, so the surroundings were really pretty safe and they often brought him out when he asked. This time was no different, his dad chuckling as he ruffled Charles’ hair, “So the old man let you out early, huh? He was always my favorite teacher when your mom and I went there, he’d let us out early when the weather started to turn towards summer too. Go ahead and get ready champ, we’ll take you out to the forest today.”

Charles didn’t seem to hear the last sentence as he stood there stunned. “Teacher was your teacher too?! I knew he was old, but can people even live that long?”

Winfred froze for a moment before he burst out laughing, while Delia put on an angry expression and gave Charles a light smack on his head. “Hey, we’re not that old. Now go get ready before we decide you can’t go out today.”

Charles giggled as he ran up the stairs to drop off his stuff and get changed - his parents had bought him some light protective gear they required him to wear whenever they went out. They were a rather carefree couple, but they were naturally very serious about his safety. Winfred smiled as he pulled Delia into a hug, “That little rascal, he reminds of myself back in the day. I think he’s almost as handsome as I was back then, though -“ He cut off with a pained expression as Delia stepped on his foot.

“Hmph, you go get ready too or I’ll tell Charles we’re not going out today and it’s your fault.”

“… yes dear.” Winfred slouched away, and Delia smiled playfully before she followed to gear up too. Although the beasts were generally peaceful between tides and the Hunters kept the surroundings clear, they would still make sure to be prepared in case something happened.

The family planned to venture out the Eastern gate before turning slightly North to face the direction of the tundra. There were fewer beasts in that direction, so that was where they often brought Charles out to explore. Charles watched in excitement as the gate opened, his parents waving at the guards as they walked through, having become familiar with most of them from their frequent trips outside. The guards smiled and waved back at the family as they watched with some envy; it really was the perfect weather that day, warm and sunny with a slight refreshing breeze blowing in off the tundra. Charles laughed as he ran ahead through the wide clearing that surrounded the stronghold, though he was always mindful not to go too far fro his parents. Winfred and Delia held hands as they followed, smiling as they watched their son’s antics. The trio slowly wandered along the forest’s edge, Charles often stopping to look at the plants or gaze down the trails the Hunters used, though his parents never let him actually enter the forest.

As the sky slowly darkened and they started to head back, Charles suddenly stopped and turned to Winfred, “Hey dad, what’s this?” He pointed at a small, thorny plant.

“That’s…” Winfred started, before he frowned and moved closer. The plant’s stem was broken and the surrounding plants looked almost trampled. As he looked closer he saw small fibers caught on the thorns, muttering to himself, “This looks like the material from the Hunter uniform…” His gaze moved up, looking deeper into the forest where he saw a patch caught on a tree. “Wait, that’s Richard’s -“