The next morning, the main hall was filled with the echoing voices of wildly confused students. When Grey stepped onto the stage, his footsteps, loud yet intimidated forced everyone into instant silence.

  "Is everyone here?" Grey said from the podium, scanning the hall to analyze the number of students present. He gave a slight nod once he was finished.

  "Alright. Most of you know that one of the Seven Holders visited our campus yesterday with a goal in mind. He even asked me a favor about something that might shock some of you."

  Tension escalated as the students heard Grey's ominous announcement, instilling a significant fear that this news would never be good.

  "Crake, the current Tempest Holder, has declared a war against Ordeus, the current Dark Holder. Thus, Ordeus's request is for me to select candidates to join his faction for this upcoming war!"

  The students were greatly shocked, erupting into confused whispers in the background.

  "What does Sir Grey mean by that?" one student muttered. "I don't know, but a war between Holders? Isn't that strictly forbidden?" another replied.

  Carol listened silently, letting out a deep sigh.

  "Silence!" Grey roared, silencing the students once again. "I know some of you don't want to look forward to this. All of you have your own choice, and I respect that. Unfortunately, I can't turn down this request. If the Dark Holder loses this war, it might significantly impact not only the world economy but also disrupt the power balance between all the territories."

  Although Grey's reasoning was unsatisfying to many students, most decided to listen respectfully. A clear sign of their high regard for their lecturer.

  "So," Grey pulled a paper from his pocket and placed it on the podium. "The names I call will be the candidates, selected based on their scores in the previous dungeon exam. Be ready to travel to Qtiryn, the Dark Holder's territory."

  He began calling the names one by one. A few nervous yet determined students moved toward the stage.

  "Next up, Arvain!"

  A few female students loudly cheered Arvain's name.

  "Relax, ladies. There's no need to be this excited," a blonde-haired man said, confidently running a hand through his hair as he arrogantly strolled toward the stage.

  "Who is that man?" Aria asked, annoyed. "And why do I suddenly feel like I want to punch him?"

  "Relax, Aria. I know the feeling," Noire said, trying to calm her. "Arvain von Blight. He's the successor to the Blight Holder. Just like us. Though his attitude is, well, quite unlikeable for most people on campus."

  "Arvain... Also Miss Hana's son," Saria mumbled to herself, loud enough only for herself to heared.

  Grey continued, calling the names. Revir, Saria, Rein, Aria, and Noire were also among the candidates, and they walked toward the stage as a group.

  "And for the last candidate..." Grey looked down at the paper, his mouth suddenly dry. The last name was Carol's, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. He fell into a flashback, recalling the request Ordeus had made.

  (Yesterday: Before Ordeus and Benjamin left Grey in the office)

  "You want me to find potential Margias students to join your faction? Won't that just escalate the conflict between them?" Grey asked, confusion striking his heart.

  "There's no need to be anxious about it. You can just select some students with high marks from their previous exam," Ordeus said, attempting to reassure him.

  "But what if they don't want to go? They still have their own futures. I can't just force them into a war they have no experience with," Grey countered, overthinking. "What if they die, and their parents come looking for them?"

  "I'll try my best to prevent any casualties. After all, you don't want your niece to suffer any longer from that 'entity' inside of her, am I right?"

  Ordeus's statement widened Grey's eyes in horror. He stood, grabbing Ordeus's collar in a sudden threat. "What are you trying to do with her, Ordeus? How do you know about the 'entity' that's been haunting her? Tell me!"

  "Relax, old friend. There's no need to let your emotions lash out," Ordeus said, slightly nervous as he trying to calm him. "It's just a speculation. But I can feel she's close to falling into the Corrude state. The more she tries to hold it back by sheer will, the more damage the Dark Ender will inflict on her soul."

  "So you're saying that if I 'sell' my niece to you, it might slow her Corrude process?"

  "Did I say you should 'sell' your niece, Grey? I asked that you should add her as one of the candidates. Of course, you can turn down my request anytime you want... if you don't care about the bad ending, that is."

  "What makes joining your side is a way to slow down her Corrude state?" Grey asked, his grip still tight on Ordeus's collar.

  Ordeus then showed him a clean, antique emblem. It was the previous Gaia Holder's emblem.

  "Is that...?" Grey said in great shock.

  "Benjamin took this emblem when I asked him to spy around the Tempest Holder's territory, even watching over Crake."

  "The security there is surprisingly tight, so it wasn't an easy task," Benjamin interrupted calmly, despite his leader being physically threatened. "And that emblem... I saw it lying on Crake's table. So I took the opportunity to replace it with a fake one."

  "Is that so?" Grey released his hold on Ordeus. "You think that guy, Karl, is going to join Crake's faction as well?"

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  "More like already joining his faction. I mean, if we can satisfy your niece's goal, wouldn't that slow down her Corrude state?"

  "If she has another goal in her simple mind, Ordeus. I don't know if her revenge is the only thing she has," Grey commanded his wand to appear in his palm, lighting up with a bright, red glow. "But I know her life will never remain the same. For better or for worse."

  "Sounds like you're ready for a fight. It's been a long time since I've seen that determined look on your face, Grey."

  As the flashback ended, Grey quietly clenched his hands on the podium. Despite wanting to protect Carol, even watching over her when he gave permission for her past journey, he knew he must let her go. The war, the pain, the despair, and the consequences were the only way for her to learn that revenge was not the only path. It only led to torture and not the peace she sought.

  With a final breath, Grey finally said the last name of the candidates. "The last candidate, Caroline Erlikh!"

  Hearing her name called loudly, Carol clenched her hands tightly. She was deeply unsatisfied that she was selected instead of other people, as her mind remained solely focused on revenge.

  In the cold, starry night, Carol walked rushedly to Grey’s office, fueled by a torrent of questions. Arriving, she immediately flung the door open, closing it harshly behind her. Grey only sighed deeply, looking out at the night sky through the window.

  "What's the meaning behind this, Uncle?!" Carol roared, her voice laced with antagonism.

  "This is for your own good, Carol," Grey said calmly, still facing the window. "You should be grateful."

  "Grateful?" she scoffed in disbelief. "For what? To be grateful that you send your only family member as a soldier, is that it?"

  "Don't push my limit, Carol. Even if you're my niece, I can still hurt you."

  "Oh, now you want to play your authority against me? You really make me sick!" Carol pulled out her wand, morphed it into her sword, and instantly charged toward Grey. As she prepared to swing, Grey swiftly turned and grabbed Carol's wrist. Their gazes locked, and she saw a desperate, profound pain in her uncle's eyes. Using his strength, Grey swung Carol toward the wall on his left, managing to control the force so the impact was contained.

  "Still as childish even to this day, huh," Grey said, looking down at Carol with a menacing expression that showed he wasn't playing around. "Stubborn and deaf to the core. Just like your mother."

  "So what? If it means I can kill that bastard, I would gladly be as stubborn as I needed myself to be," Carol retorted, meeting Grey’s eyes with an unwavering expression.

  "Even to the point of pushing away your only happiness?" he pressed, the question striking deep into her heart.

  Carol hesitated, surprised by the intensity of his words, but she clenched her hands and slowly stood up.

  "Yes. If it means stopping that nightmare, even if my belief is shattered along the way," she said with a small, chilling grin, a sign her mind was completely set.

  However, Grey’s expression shifted, showing a slight fear as he looked behind Carol. It was the entity, still wrapping itself around her. Its dark, threatening red eyes staring intensely at Grey.

  (I really am a failure, huh? I couldn't even save Lydia, and now her?) Grey thought, clenching his hand out of frustration. (But... if what Ordeus said is true...)

  "Uncle?" Carol asked, confused by his sudden change.

  Grey sighed in defeat, kneeling down as he gently gripped both of Carol's shoulders. "There's a reason why I chose you to join their faction," he confessed, pulling out the clean Gaia Holder emblem from his pocket, a direct parallel to the bloody emblem Carol carried.

  "How did you...?" she responded in deep shock, staring at the object.

  "That man Ordeus told me that the one you're looking for is going to join this war as well. His name is Karl, and he's siding with the enemies," Grey replied, standing up and turning away from Carol as he placed the emblem on his table. "This is what you want, right? All the patience and time finally paid off for you."

  Carol froze, slowly looking at both her hands, trembling in excitement, a wide grin spreading across her face. "You're right, Uncle. It has finally paid off."

  "Then, you should get ready, Miss Vengeance. This opportunity is waiting for you."

  Hearing his permission, Carol ran toward the door, opening and closing it forcefully as she immediately left the room.

  "I hope this way is going to work," Grey whispered, looking back at the two moons through the window. "If not... violence might be the last resort I can think of."

  (Katern Village: A property in Neurn Territory)

  Inside a small, wooden infirmary, Hana slowly opened her eyes. A bright light shone above her. Confused, she carefully stood up from the bed, looking around the room filled with empty cots.

  "Good thing you're awake," a voice said, grabbing Hana's attention. It was Yuno, sitting in a chair reading a book by the corner window.

  "Yuno? Is that you?" Hana asked, still trying to process what had happened.

  "In the flesh, my friend," he replied, walking casually toward Hana. "If you want to know, we're in the infirmary of Katern Village. And, yeah, this place isn't looking too good, given how the economy in the Neurn territory is falling apart."

  "No wonder I don't see any patients other than me."

  "Yep. Let's just say that... they'd rather 'hang' themselves out than pay for a cure of their torturous diseases," Yuno said, tipping his hat.

  "Is that so?" Hana replied, feeling sympathy for the villagers' plight.

  A small, echoing sound could be heard from the other side of the door.

  "Speaking of hanging," Yuno pulled out his wand, pointing it at the door. He instantly created several plants to grab the door handle and pull it inward, revealing Erick and Dulcinia eavesdropping.

  As the two lifted their heads, they saw Yuno looking down at them. They offered nervous smiles, hoping for mercy.

  "Seems like punishment wasn't enough to make you repent," Yuno said, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

  "W-we're truly sorry..." Erick and Dulcinia said in unison.

  "Did you bring them here?" Hana asked, bewildered at the sight of the two individuals they had recently faced.

  "Sort of. Since they're survivors and finally left their so-called 'revenge' on the Margias, I thought I'd make them acquaintances. Knowing they don't have jobs anymore, that is," Yuno explained.

  "How about that Hindrey?"

  "Oh, him," Yuno turned his head toward the window, which offered a view of a majestic and wealthy city in the distance. "He went to the city of the Tempest Holder, saying he would join that rumored war because of a certain someone."

  "Who?"

  "Karl. The one he worked with decades ago," Yuno replied with a serious tone. "Well, it's not like I could do anything about it. He's literally blinded by his own obsession. No reasoning would affect him."

  "That's... unfortunate," Hana replied. "But that's not the full picture, is it?"

  Yuno chuckled in amusement upon hearing Hana's question. "Indeed, my lady. I just let him go so that we have time to investigate further inside that city. By having both forces shift their focus when they meet with Hindrey, we'll gain the time we need to see what kind of things they created."

  "Things they created?" Hana raised an eyebrow, confused by his meaning.

  "You'll know soon enough."