The final days of summer break were drawing to a close, and everyone at Seidoukan Academy was gearing up for the start of the new semester. Ayato and his friends were enjoying their last few days of freedom, spending time together and making the most of their remaining vacation.

As the group sat in the courtyard, chatting and laughing, they were suddenly approached by a serious-looking Claudia. "Ayato, I need to speak with you privately," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Ayato excused himself from his friends and followed Claudia to her office. As soon as they were alone, Claudia's expression softened. "I'm sorry to pull you away from your friends, Ayato, but I have some important news to share with you."

"What is it?" Ayato asked, a sense of foreboding settling over him.

"I received word from my contacts in the International Battle Standard Authority," Claudia said, her voice grave. "They have received reports of a new threat emerging in the world of asterisks."

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"A new threat?" Ayato echoed, feeling a cold sweat break out on his forehead. "What kind of threat?"

Claudia shook her head, looking troubled. "Details are scarce, but apparently it's a group of powerful fighters who have banded together to challenge the existing power structure. They call themselves the Phoenix Brigade."

Ayato's mind raced as he tried to process the implications of Claudia's words. If this Phoenix Brigade was as powerful as she claimed, then the world of asterisks was in for a serious shake-up. "What can we do to stop them?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Claudia gave him a small, reassuring smile. "For now, all we can do is prepare ourselves. We don't know when or where the Phoenix Brigade will strike, but when they do, we need to be ready to face them head-on."

Ayato nodded, steeling himself for the challenges that lay ahead. He knew that he and his friends would have to be at their best if they hoped to stand a chance against this new threat. But as he left Claudia's office and rejoined his friends, he felt a renewed sense of determination burning within him. No matter what the future held, he knew that they would face it together.