Major Galahad sat before the investigative panel, facing a barrage of questions about his unauthorized mission to the village of Emille. He lacked both the clearance and the jurisdiction to operate near the Doman region. The fate of his career hinged on the updates from the squad he had sent to the village. If the squad suffered at least twenty percent casualties, his career would be over. Even a single death or injury could result in his suspension.

"Major Erwin 'Galahad' Pendleton, the panel recognizes your bravery and contributions to the Legion. However, permitting this mission and sending a squad to investigate a Phantasm Phenomenon in a region outside your jurisdiction is a breach of our protocol," Lt. Gen. Hemmingway said.

"I understand, Lieutenant General. As much as I would want to turn a blind eye to what is happening in our country, Realdania, the Phantasm phenomenon has caused significant damage and loss of lives and property. I could not allow my conscience to disturb me while performing my duties. Something must be done to safeguard our people and the innocent lives lost," Major Galahad defended himself.

The investigative panel reviewed the documents, and Lt. Gen. Hemmingway glanced at General Ernst beside him. "We acknowledge your noble intentions, Major. However, we cannot allow such actions to continue. We must remind everyone here that, despite being a paramilitary organization, our orders are clear, and we must act lawfully."

"I understand, Lieutenant General," Major Galahad replied.

As updates from Sergeant Erick's team arrived via a carrier pigeon, a lieutenant entered the room and delivered the message to General Ernst. Major Galahad, tense, remained seated. He knew his fate depended on the outcome of his mission. Lt. Gen. Hemmingway then looked at Major Galahad and said, "You are lucky, Major. With only a few casualties, your squad was able to succeed. The possession of a child was resolved, and an evacuation was made. Due to the actions of your squad, a portal was not opened, preventing a small-scale pandemonium in the area."

Major Galahad sighed in relief, not expecting his squad to survive a veil-rupturing event. However, he was puzzled about how Mitchell and the others had managed it. He wanted answers and knew he might get them after the panel's verdict.

General Ernst and the others stood up. "Recess. We will decide Major Galahad's fate afterward."

Everyone stood up. General Ernst and the others exited first, followed by the rest in an orderly fashion. Major Galahad stood up with a smile on his face. He knew that with Mitchell's help, his plans might be realized. With the few casualties in the squad, he was confident he would walk away without facing demotion or expulsion. A suspension might cause slight problems, but it was a far better scenario than the alternatives.

Meanwhile, Mitchell was sleeping after the squad left the town of Gelyndrine. He was leaning against the shoulder of Lucia, who was comfortable with Mitchell beside her. Gary looked at the two with a smirk on his face, which was immediately erased when Lucia glanced at him. He felt like he was watching a mother lion protecting her cub and felt a bit jealous.

Gary reflected on his weakness earlier at the village of Emille. He felt guilty for being a pushover while Mitchell and Vashni risked their lives fighting the phantasm possessing the child. Gary knew he had to take responsibility and fortify his mental will to contribute to their next mission. As a friend of Mitchell, he knew he had to do something for him. Running away and showing cowardice was unforgivable to him.

"Urg... No..." Mitchell suddenly murmured in his sleep.

Lucia looked at him and then said, "Hush... it's alright..."

It looked like the two were lovers, and Gary was about to speak but was glared at by Lucia. Gary retreated to his seat and could only watch in envy. "Damn Mitch... he's got a secret about attracting ladies..." he thought and smiled at Mitchell, saying to himself, "Way to go, by the way!" He secretly cheered for both of them.

Stolen novel; please report.

Meanwhile, Mitchell was dreaming about a white field before him. He felt like he was falling down towards it. Like falling from the sky, he could feel the cold clouds hitting his face. His body felt cold as the temperature around him dropped. He was falling fast and could barely open his eyes.

All of a sudden, he saw holes and dots towards the white field before him. A hole suddenly appeared, and a voice spoke to him, "Mitchell... Mitch!"

The voice called his attention once more and said, "Help us... we don't want to be a part of this..."

The voice echoed in Mitchell's head, waking him up. Mitchell caught his breath and looked around. He was inside the vehicle, with Gary in front of him.

"Whoa, calm down dude!" Gary was surprised to see Mitchell sweating profusely.

Looking beside him, Mitchell was surprised to see Lucia. He couldn't remember sitting beside her earlier. Lucia teased Mitchell with a glare, which scared him further.

"Hey, Lucie... don't scare my bro!" Gary said to Lucia, who was enjoying Mitchell's reaction.

Sergeant Erick, hearing Gary speak about Mitchell, entered from the commander's hatch and spoke to Mitchell, "You alright, boy?"

Mitchell nodded and said, "Yes, Sarge... just a bad dream."

"Good, thought you might have choked there!" Sergeant Erick said, relieved.

Back at the Legion's HQ, the recess was over, and everyone returned, including the jury, to the room. Major Galahad sat in his earlier seat, looking confident compared to his worried face before. General Ernst and Lt. Gen. Hemmingway were the last to sit on the panel before Major Galahad.

General Ernst, wearing a distinct uniform from the others, with his gray hair and mustache, cleared his throat and proceeded to speak, "Major Erwin 'Galahad' Pendleton. Due to your actions of permitting a mission outside of our jurisdiction, you're supposed to receive a heavier punishment. However, your squad performed exemplary despite the odds against them. With only a few casualties, they were able to stop a portal opening and prevent a small-scale pandemonium from consuming the village of Emille," he said, continuing, "Therefore, the verdict of your actions will be a month-long suspension. This is the final verdict of the jury and the panel. I hope you will not do anything unnecessary until your probation is over, Major!"

"I understand," Major Galahad replied.

The investigation ended, and General Ernst and Lt. Gen. Hemmingway exited the room first. The rest followed, leaving Major Galahad alone. He stood from his seat and slowly walked down the stairs. He felt accomplished and thanked Mitchell in his mind. If not for him, who knows where the Major might be. At worst, he could be in prison.

"Phase one is over, the next phase should follow..." Major Galahad said and exited the room.

In the vehicle, Vashni was sitting silently in the corner. He meditated, touching the wooden beads in his hand. Doing so calmed his senses and prevented him from thinking unnecessary thoughts.

Looking at Vashni, Gary was still suspicious of him. He talked to Mitchell and asked why he insisted on taking Vashni with him. Mitchell replied, "We need his knowledge, Gary."

"I still don't trust him, Mitch. Think about it, he refused to help earlier. Maybe he wanted to steal the glory from you!" Gary warned him.

"No, it's not like that... He was planning something. Without his help, I would have been overwhelmed by the phantasm. I tell you, it was a strong one!" Mitchell explained to Gary.

"I see... By the way, Mitch, how do you guys deal with these Phantasms?" Gary asked curiously.

"Actually... it's hard to explain, but we have tools and rites to perform. It looks very religious, and we need to have strong mental fortitude for such stuff..." Mitchell lied to Gary, not wanting him to know about his real ability, the 'pure flame.'

Vashni, overhearing Mitchell and Gary's conversation, thought to himself, "It would be a difficult thing to understand for you, knucklehead!" referring to Gary.

The vehicle suddenly stopped. The sergeant, seeing this, went out of the commander's hatch and took a look outside. It was a checkpoint made by the constabulary. They stopped the vehicle because they were entering the Santere region where the Legion's HQ was located.

"Stay inside the vehicle, ladies. I'll take care of this!" Sergeant Erick said and exited the vehicle.

Looking outside, Mitchell saw Sergeant Erick approach the two constabulary officers. They were having a calm conversation as the constabulary officers were asking for papers. The sergeant took his papers from his wallet and showed them. Seeing that they were from the Legion, the constabulary officers began to be lively around the sergeant, who appeared to use his humor with them.

After the small talk, the constabulary officers allowed the vehicle to pass and the sergeant returned to the vehicle. Inside, he spoke, "The government was alarmed by 'incidents.' That's why the constabulary were sent to maintain order."

"What about it, Sarge?" Gary asked.

"There were troublemakers they say that caused chaos when we were out in the village of Emille," the sergeant explained and continued, "I don't know what they are up to. However, I believe it was serious enough to alert the government. We need to hurry to the HQ, no stops until we get there!" the sergeant said.