The Imperial Knight Commander of the Volcan Empire, Matheo Draven, walked past the marble pillars of the grand castle halls with heavy, deliberate footsteps. The usual sharpness in his stride had faded. His weathered face carried a tension that clashed with the gleam of his enchanted silver armor. To the common eye, he looked like a legend — a man of confidence and command. But to those who truly observed, the furrowed brows and clenched jaw betrayed a deeper unrest.
The guards lining the corridor gave him curious glances but dared not halt him. It was rare for Matheo, the Empire's unyielding sword and shield, to appear without summons. They assumed it must be urgent.
Without hesitation, he pushed open the towering doors of the Emperor's Chamber, ignoring the startled expressions of the sentinels at its sides. The golden handles trembled in his armored grip.
The Emperor of Volcan, Kroven Volcan, looked up from a stack of scrolls, his hawkish eyes narrowing.
"Matheo?" Kroven's voice carried the cool authority of a seasoned ruler.
"I greet Your Majesty, the Emperor," Matheo said with a brief bow, then met the ruler's gaze. "Forgive my intrusion. But the matter is urgent."
Kroven's brow lifted, irritation flickering in his expression. But he knew Matheo well — the man was not prone to alarm. If he had come unbidden, there was reason.
"Speak," the Emperor ordered.
"An urgent letter arrived from the Holy Church," Matheo said, producing a sealed scroll from within his cloak. "It concerns the security of the entire Empire."
"Security?" Kroven smirked. "How polite. Who dares threaten the Volcan Empire? Is there even a nation left that could rival us?"
"See for yourself, Your Majesty." Matheo handed over the scroll.
Kroven's fingers brushed the wax seal — the ancient sigil of the Grand Cathedral. With a whispered incantation, the seal dissolved in light.
He scanned the message. His eyes widened… then darkened.
"What insolence… How dare they…" The scroll crumpled slightly in his grip. "Damn it!"
"What does it say?" Matheo asked, his voice calm despite the tension rising in his chest.
Kroven clenched his jaw. "Can you guess, Commander?"
"If it made you curse aloud, I'd wager it's nothing pleasant."
"They've declared war on Oriana, and — they demand our participation in the holy campaign. Against what they call an 'existential threat.' A group that operates in the shadows." His voice curled with disdain. "They speak of the Shadow Garden."
Matheo's face darkened.
"They want our full support — troops, supplies, resources — and claim that refusal could be viewed as treason."
A heavy silence fell.
"Summon Ramer, now," Kroven barked.
"I already have, Your Majesty. He should be arriving shortly."
Moments later, the chamber doors opened again. A man in dark priestly robes entered, his gaunt face glowing under the pale enchantments etched into the chamber walls.
"I, Advisor Ramer Kalnor, greet the Sun of the Empire."
"No need for flattery. Explain the situation," Kroven ordered.
Ramer blinked. "So impatient, Your Majesty."
"Watch your tongue," Matheo warned, his hand drifting to the hilt of his blade.
"Enough," Kroven snapped. "Ramer, speak."
Ramer cleared his throat and nodded. "The situation has escalated. The Cult of Diabolos has mobilized its elites. The Church claims that the Shadow Garden is interfering with their sacred operations, even sabotaging key rituals in foreign lands. They declared Oriana a godforsaken land."
"So the war isn't mainly against Oriana," Matheo murmured. "It's against them."
Ramer nodded. "They've branded the Shadow Garden a global threat."
Kroven scoffed. "And the other kingdoms? Midgar? Zelon?"
"They can't afford to stay neutral," Ramer replied. "Midgar will pull out themselves with the alliance with Oriana. Zelon, I suspect, will side with the cult… if promised spoils."
"And the Church?" Kroven asked. "Will they support this madness openly?"
"They'll act from the shadows — sanctify the cause, but never stain their own hands."
"And we…" Kroven stood, the silk sleeves of his imperial robe whispering as they dragged across the polished floor. "...have no choice."
"Your Majesty," Matheo said cautiously, "why would they go to such extremes for a fringe organization? The cult has faced worse before."
Ramer's lips curled. "Because this is different. The Shadow Garden doesn't play politics. They seek no land, no riches, no temples. They operate in silence — and they leave nothing behind."
"They fear potential," Matheo whispered.
"They fear the truth," Ramer added. "The cult's leaders are many things, but they aren't blind. They know power when they see it."
Another pause. Tension thickened the air.
"We must prepare," Kroven said. "Ramer, anything else — ?"
"Create a special unit," Ramer replied. "Separate from the main army. Trained in darkness, supported by the cult. The Pope has already agreed to provide resources."
Matheo's fists clenched. "You mock the Empire's knights? Think we can't fight this war?"
"No," Ramer said coolly. "I'm saying the battlefield has changed. These aren't enemies you fight with swords and formations. They fight in shadows — and we must respond in kind."
"And loyalty?" Kroven asked. "How can we trust such recruits?"
Ramer gestured. A guard entered, carrying a thick leather-bound folder.
"These are candidates. Individuals with potential — and an openness to… unconventional arts."
Kroven flipped through the pages slowly.
[POTENTIAL CANDIDATES]
1. John Smith
2. Beatrix The War Goddess
3. Yukime the Fox Merchant
4. Jack the Ripper
5. Serika Emberfall
6. Garron of the East
7. Nyla
…
41. Clarie Kagenou
Kroven flipped through the list slowly, stopping at the top.
"John Smith. Never heard of him. Yet the Church placed him above the rest."
Ramer nodded. "According to their intelligence, he might be stronger than even the Seven Shades."
"Is that so?" Kroven muttered, eyes narrowing. "Then I'll recruit him myself."
He scanned further.
"Beatrix… she was the former captain of the Shadow Guards. Think she'll return?"
"Doubtful," Ramer said. "But it's worth a try."
Kroven's eyes paused again."Jack the Ripper? You put a wanted psychopath on this list? I've heard he took out all twelve of Midgar's royal swords with cards. I don't believe it though."
"The Church's investigation was thorough," Ramer said. "Even the Cult confirmed it."
Kroven chuckled lightly. "Interesting." He closed the folder with a soft thud."Begin recruitment. Quietly. I don't want panic in the capital."
He turned to the window, eyes fixed on the crimson hue blanketing the city."So it begins... the war of shadows."
Just as he stepped away, his eyes flicked back to the final name."Clarie Kagenou…"
Ramer tilted his head. "Something about that name?"
Kroven didn't respond at first. Then, in a calm but distant tone, he said,"Kagenou, huh..."
And walked off without another word.
***
[Midgar Academy]
The sun peeked through the windows of Midgar Academy's main building as students shuffled into the classroom, groggy and barely awake. Among them, Cid Kagenou sat at his desk—eyes half-lidded, posture perfect, expression... suspiciously calculated.
A perfect mob always blends into the background, he thought, staring intently at the corner of the desk. He exists. He breathes. But he never shines.
"Good morning, class," their homeroom teacher, Miss Helena, stepped in, voice crisp. "Before we begin today's lesson, we have an important announcement."
Cid's ears twitched ever so slightly.Po Tato, two seats away, sat up straight like a soldier expecting war.Skel was snoring beside him, drool dripping onto his notes.
"We'll be hosting a joint Evolution Test with Volcan Academy," Miss Helena announced.
Gasps filled the room. Even the background NPCs perked up.
Cid, however, remained completely neutral. Internally?
"The test will include both written and practical components," the teacher continued. "And yes—rumors are true. Prince Jason Volcan will be participating as a special observer."
This time, Cid's smile almost cracked his "mob" mask.A prince? Royalty? The ideal foil for a hidden mastermind...
"Additionally," Helena went on, "we expect you all to show the dignity of Midgar students. No outbursts, no duels—"
Too late for that, Cid thought. Fate has already chosen this battlefield.
Po Tato rushed up to Cid during lunch.
"Did you hear that?! It's really happening! Jason Volcan is coming! You think I should bow? Or maybe wear armor?!" he said, practically hyperventilating.
Cid calmly sipped his milk.
"You should wear nothing," he said.
Po Tato froze. "W-What?"
Cid blinked, dead serious. "Armor would make you a target. But true invisibility… is achieved when you blend in. Become… unremarkable."
Po Tato had no idea what that meant, but he nodded anyway. "You're a genius."
From the shadows behind a nearby tree, a small figure watched.
Claire Kagenou.
She narrowed her eyes at her brother. "What's that idiot planning now…"