At a relatively desolate intersection not far from the school where Al had just completed his examination, a silver vehicle gradually decelerated before coming to a composed halt along the left-hand curb.

The driver-side window was already lowered, and from the right-hand seat—customary for this city—a white-haired man leaned slightly outward and called into the quiet afternoon air.

"Student Al."

It was Sebastian. In public, he simply could not bring himself to address Al as 'Master.'

He had come to retrieve him.

Al, who had been reclining languidly upon a roadside bench in a state hovering between consciousness and sleep, stirred at the sound of Sebastian's voice.

His eyelids parted unhurriedly, and through a haze of residual fatigue he directed a faint glance toward the car.

"Huff… he doesn't even have the time to step out and wake me properly," he muttered under his breath, resignation saturating his tone.

Without further ceremony, he pushed himself upright and hurried toward the vehicle, slipping into the front passenger seat. He reclined it fully, pulled down the sun visor to shield his eyes from the fading glare, and stretched out as comfortably as the confined space permitted.

"Finally arrive," Al said flatly.

"Ah… my apologies, Master. You know how insufferably congested this city becomes at this hour. Had you contacted me earlier, I could have mobilized sooner," Sebastian replied with a courteous inclination of his head.

Al merely nodded.

He had not originally intended to be picked up by Sebastian; he had assumed he would return in David's car. Unfortunately, David's particularly irritating behavior had culminated in the present arrangement.

The car resumed motion, gliding smoothly through the smaller streets before merging onto the primary roadway.

The moment they entered the main avenue, however, an overwhelming congestion engulfed them. Vehicles advanced no more than a meter per minute, reducing their progress to a slow, mechanical crawl. Under such circumstances, casual conversation was the only viable occupation.

"No alternative routes?" Al asked lazily.

"There are several, Master. Some are equally congested, while others extend the journey unnecessarily. Ultimately, whichever path we choose yields a comparable outcome. Your examination zone is rather disadvantageously located," Sebastian responded evenly.

"Huft… figures. By the way… as a teacher, aren't you supposed to be involved in sorting students into their respective examination areas?" Al asked, arching a brow.

Sebastian shook his head.

"Although I do hold a staff position, my responsibilities do not extend to that level of administrative involvement, Master," he answered calmly. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Al simply stretched again, indolence evident in his movements.

"Hmph… nothing to be done, I guess. Still, that exam drained me far more than nightly patrols ever do. I just want to get home and sleep," he complained.

Sebastian nodded once more.

"I shall endeavor to deliver you home as swiftly as possible," he said resolutely.

"Oh, right. Master, how have patrols been progressing recently? Michaelis and I have been thoroughly occupied at the school and unable to participate. I must admit, I'm rather curious," he added.

Al cast a brief sideways glance at Sebastian before closing his eyes again.

"Nothing particularly noteworthy. Irvan and his squad assigned here have been sufficiently effective in handling routine patrol matters. Ai occasionally intervenes when she's unoccupied. No reports of large-scale incidents requiring our direct involvement in other territories."

His eyes reopened, and his gaze sharpened subtly.

"What's urgent right now is monitoring those specific matters," he added.

Sebastian's posture stiffened.

"Daraka?"

Al nodded.

"Yeah. He's troublesome enough on his own, and with the possibility of his association with Ordo Ferox, his threat level has escalated."

Sebastian nodded gravely.

"Indeed, Master. That is precisely why I have intensified our surveillance upon them. Kian and Bata are currently commanding the Arsy group. As per your directive, they are awaiting Daraka's next significant movement."

Al blinked in mild disbelief.

"Even though you reported it before, I still can't quite believe you handed that responsibility to that bunch of rowdy brats. You know Ruri's probably the only one more troublesome than they are."

A faint smile touched Sebastian's lips.

"What alternative do we have, Master? With you, Michaelis, and myself present in this city, we have not stationed many elite forces here. Only Irvan. However, you are aware of their potential. For surveillance alone, Fatar, Rayan, and that boy… Gala… they are more than sufficient."

"Yeah. They're capable," Al admitted. "It's probably better this way. Let the others handle routine patrols. Leave that mission to them."

Sebastian inclined his head, accepting the order.

"By the way… how is Shae?" Al asked.

"Shae has improved considerably. She and Sa-Ya are awaiting your word. Since you mentioned wanting to travel to Ataris to meet them, they're currently waiting there. Or would you prefer that I summon them to you instead?"

Al contemplated briefly.

"Both Sa-Ya and especially Shae were exposed to excessive foreign energy at the time. Recuperating in Ataris benefits them more. I'll go there tonight. Prepare a transportation stone."

"Tonight, Master?" Sebastian asked, faint confusion coloring his voice.

Al turned to regard him, noting the peculiar inflection.

"Yeah. The sooner the better. I want to examine their condition personally, including what Shae experienced in Almakubar. That might unravel part of Daraka's scheme. Is there a problem?"

"Uh… hmph… none at all, Master. What time do you intend to depart?" Sebastian asked.

Al narrowed his eyes.

"You're suspicious," he remarked, though he shook his head dismissively. "Whatever. I'll head there around ten tonight. It should be daytime there at that hour, right?"

Sebastian gave a small nod, silently calculating before responding.

"Yes, Master. I will make the necessary preparations."

Al clicked his tongue lightly and turned away.

"You people really do enjoy keeping things from me," he complained, though without genuine irritation.

His fingers moved to the ring adorning his hand, gently rubbing its surface as he sensed the unique energy emanating from within. The peculiar resonance of the ancient parchment stored inside occasionally seeped outward in faint pulses.

Without looking at Sebastian, Al continued.

"And one more thing…"

"What is it, Master?" Sebastian asked attentively.

"You remember that girl I beat up during the school festival, right?"

Sebastian nodded as the car finally began emerging from the worst of the congestion.

"Of course. If I am not mistaken, her name was Yolanda Karagara. A relative of Jogo Karagara. What of her, Master?"

"Correct. She belongs to a branch of the Karagara family residing in this city." Al replied.

"And?" Sebastian asked.

"I want you to monitor and compile comprehensive data on that branch. Particularly Yolanda's grandmother—maternal or paternal, determine which. Investigate them thoroughly." Al ordered.

Sebastian pondered briefly, searching his memory for existing information on that lineage, though very little surfaced.

"Understood, Master. But if I may inquire—what concerns Yolanda and her family? Are you intending to target that branch as well, not merely the main Karagara family?"

Al shook his head.

"You know me. I'm far too lazy to annihilate that many people. I only target those who deserve it."

"Then what is it, Master?" Sebastian asked curiously.

"She… is connected to the artifact I'm searching for," Al replied indifferently.

Sebastian's eyes widened slightly.

"You mean the ancient parchment?"

Al nodded once.

"I see. In that case, I understand," Sebastian said firmly.

"Speaking of which, Master," he continued, "I have acquired a minor update regarding the parchment. I intended to inform you once the information was more conclusive, but if you wish to hear it now…"

That statement alone was enough to ignite visible interest within Al. Any intelligence regarding the ancient parchment was invaluable, given its connection to the mission assigned to him by the divine agent—more precisely, by HE.

"Tell me," Al said sharply.

Sebastian nodded.

"As the DIAR girl specializing in ice explained, the information I obtained aligns closely with hers. This suggests her account was accurate. The ancient parchment is…"

"…a fragment of an ancient holy scripture," they stated simultaneously.

Their eyes met, and both nodded in affirmation.

"Honestly, that was always the most plausible explanation," Al said. "Which means the information about the war and the scripture serving as the emblem of a ruler in the past is true."

He turned his gaze toward the gradually dimming evening sky.

"Whatever transpired in the past… it seems everything that happened back then profoundly shaped the present world."

He shifted his attention back to Sebastian.

"And aside from that?"

"Besides that…" Sebastian continued, "…the information regarding the scripture's capacity to elevate its possessor into a world ruler is somewhat incomplete."

"Incomplete?" Al echoed.

"I cannot confirm the details yet. There are two prevailing accounts. The first suggests that the scripture itself can elevate its holder to rulership. The second claims that it is merely one of five relics belonging to the World Ruler."

He then fixed his gaze directly upon Al's eyes.

Al instinctively leaned back slightly, unsettled by the sudden intensity of that stare.

But Sebastian merely clarified:

"And one of them is… the Dimensional Eye."

The revelation struck Al with startling force. As the bearer of a fragment of the Dimensional Eye, he had never imagined that if this theory proved correct, his eye possessed a function far more consequential than he had previously assumed.

A brief flashback unfolded within his consciousness.

Deep within an isolated primeval forest where impossibly colossal trees ascended toward the heavens like natural pillars supporting the sky itself, several sturdy tents stood firmly arranged in deliberate formation.

Around that encampment prowled numerous ferocious beasts—massive, predatory, and instinct-driven—yet none of them could cross into the designated territory.

An unseen barrier formation shimmered faintly across the perimeter, preventing any external creature from intruding upon the safeguarded domain.

In front of a crackling bonfire, a small boy—Al—sat cross-legged in what appeared to be meditation.

Approaching him was a humanoid figure with a bare upper body and slightly pointed ears, his physique lean yet powerful, his presence instinctively imposing.

"Boy," the humanoid called out in somewhat imperfect human language, lightly poking Al's shoulder.

There was no response.

He shook the boy once. Twice. Several times.

Only then did Al's eyes slowly open—slightly bloodshot, a heavy exhale escaping his lips.

"W-what… what is it…" he mumbled lazily.

He had not been meditating at all.

He had fallen asleep.

The humanoid could only stare in speechless disbelief before shaking his head in resignation. He was already thoroughly accustomed—perhaps even exasperated—by the boy's astonishing laziness.

This child… truly loves sleeping beyond reason, he thought inwardly.

And yet, he could not deny the paradox. Even in his indolence, the boy had grown at an extraordinary rate. Or perhaps… his growth was strengthened precisely because of that laziness.

With a subtle flick of his finger, a condensed mass of water instantly materialized around Al's head.

Splash!

The gathered water coalesced and smacked directly against Al's face.

"Come to your senses. Wake up," the humanoid said evenly.

The force sent Al tumbling backward into the bonfire, extinguishing the flames in the process while simultaneously jolting him fully awake.

"What are you doing, Mr. Nuzakha?!" Al protested furiously as he scrambled to his feet.

The humanoid—Nuzakha—merely chuckled.

"Calm down. No need to throw a tantrum. Come with me," Nuzakha said casually, already turning his back.

Still irritated, Al stomped his foot against the ground before begrudgingly following.

Not long after, they arrived at one of the larger tents, its aesthetic reminiscent of traditional indigenous tribal dwellings. Ornaments crafted from bone, carved wood, and vibrant bird feathers decorated the interior, giving the spacious enclosure a solemn yet mystical atmosphere.

Only the two of them were inside, seated cross-legged opposite one another.

"You have been here for one year," Nuzakha began. "And by my evaluation… your strength has more than surpassed sufficiency."

Al's small eyes widened instantly.

"What do you mean?" he asked, slightly stammering.

Nuzakha nodded, a reluctant yet genuine smile forming on his face.

"That's right. It is time for you to seek your path back."

"R-really? I can leave? I didn't mishear you, Mr. Nuzakha?" little Al asked, disbelief overwhelming his voice.

Nuzakha narrowed his eyes and nodded.

"Yes. You misheard."

"Huh?" Al's brows furrowed in confusion.

"I was merely inviting you to eat. Haha," Nuzakha added teasingly.

Al took a step back, pointing accusingly.

"You old geezer! You—you're messing with me!" he protested indignantly.

Nuzakha laughed heartily before shaking his head.

"That is precisely why you should not sleep excessively. Your hearing becomes unstable."

Al crossed his arms and looked away with an annoyed expression.

"Tch… as usual, you only know how to prank me and lecture me," he complained.

"Heheh. Enough. What I truly mean is this—given your current strength, you should now be capable of wandering beyond this area and searching for that exit," Nuzakha explained seriously.

This time, Al's eyes shone brightly. Emotion surged within his chest. At last—he could search for the path home.

He had never truly been imprisoned here. He simply knew that previously he had been far too weak to even consider leaving this protected region. But now… he possessed the strength to step beyond it.

He stared at his hand with intense feeling, forming a tight fist as crimson energy flowed around it.

"One year… no! To me, it feels like a hundred. I was trapped within this dimension, forced to hide here. And now, finally… it's time for me to return."

His eyes grew moist as he lifted his gaze upward. In his mind, the silhouettes of the people he longed for appeared vividly before him, smiling as though waiting.

"Mother Angelia… Indra… everyone… I will come back. I swear it. I will return," he declared resolutely, joy gradually illuminating his expression.

But Nuzakha interrupted his reverie. There was something more that needed to be addressed.

"Al. Do not celebrate prematurely. You understand this is only the beginning," he warned.

Al looked at him. Their eyes met, and comprehension dawned.

"You're right," Al replied. "Being able to wander is only the first step. Finding that exit—and discovering how to cross it—is the real objective."

He tightened his fist once more.

"But I'll find it… I will," he vowed.

Nuzakha smiled in satisfaction.

"I believe in you. If they were capable of bringing you here, then you are certainly capable of freeing yourself," he said confidently.

"However, to make that journey easier… you will require this."

He reached into his belongings and produced a small pouch. A distinct and peculiar energy emanated from within it.

Al narrowed his eyes, his expression turning serious.

"What is that?" he asked curiously.

"This is…" Nuzakha began as he withdrew the object from the pouch.

Golden radiance burst forth, warm yet overwhelmingly authoritative—an energy that instinctively compelled submission.

Al stared intensely, fascination overtaking him.

Meanwhile, Nuzakha's hand trembled slightly. An unusual smile curved upon his lips.

Without any forewarning, he lunged forward.

The hand gripping the glowing object thrust directly toward Al's face.

"…the object that will guide you," he finished.

Al had no opportunity to react. The distance was too short, the ambush too sudden, and Nuzakha far too swift.

And then—

"ARGGGHHHH!!!"

A single agonized scream reverberated across the entirety of the encampment, echoing through the forest as though the dimension itself had been wounded.