Minutes before the world suddenly began to show signs of abnormality, in the United States, Washington, at the now-famous academy.
In one of the private training grounds, Olivia, who had just finished her sparring session with the principal, couldn't help but stare at her admiringly while she lay sprawled on the ground, still catching her breath.
"You need to build your finesse more," the principal, Mirellia, advised as she looked at Olivia with an indulging gaze.
She was actually quite satisfied with this student of hers, after all. A student who worked hard despite her natural talent, and who hadn't betrayed her expectations... what more could she ask for than that?
"Mastering the Infernal Spark technique, and then going even further, that's what you should have in mind," she continued, speaking calmly about how important it was not just to wield the attributes but to find creative ways to use them. That was just as vital as accumulating essence and rising in stages.
But Olivia, listening to her teacher's words and realizing that this time the discussion had touched on technique, couldn't help but remember something she had kept to herself until now — that she hadn't yet informed the principal of how she had passed her technique on to Christian.
And so, while she couldn't entirely predict how her teacher would respond… maybe not too harshly, but certainly not with the same gentle tone as now, Olivia, who had made this decision long ago and had simply never found the right moment, finally took a deep breath and said, "Teacher, there's actually something I wanted to tell you…"
She hesitated, starting with a long, hesitant introduction, unlike her usual self. Olivia couldn't bring herself to be blunt and straightforward this time.
But Mirellia just chuckled softly before saying, "Just say what you have in mind. I wouldn't mind really, whatever it was about."
Seemingly getting the affirmation she needed, Olivia finally said it directly, "I taught my technique to someone else!"
Mirellia raised an eyebrow at that, her curiosity piqued.
And Olivia hurried to add, "But he is trustworthy! And he will not teach it to anyone else, so please don't worry."
Feeling more and more intrigued, and recalling the background the government had provided her about the girl standing before her, Mirellia tilted her head slightly and asked, "Boyfriend?"
Olivia's cheeks flushed a deep red at that one word, but she vehemently denied it, "No!"
Mirellia chuckled and continued her small chat with Olivia, though in her mind, she had already begun making inquiries.
'Vaelis, has the Infernal Spark technique been used by anyone new during these last few months?'
She sent a telepathic message to someone else within the academy, her tone calm but filled with curiosity. And after a few seconds, a reply arrived.
'I can't sense anyone other than Olivia practicing this technique on the planet.'
Mirellia felt her intrigue deepen. Whoever this "someone" was, that could get the academy's technique, but end up not practicing it… she definitely wanted to know more.
That he didn't have an enough talent and ability? She didn't think so. After all, he was someone Olivia, her prideful student, trusted.
That's why, she planned to inquire further about this man.
But just as she was about to speak again, her expression changed slightly.
Olivia, noticing how Mirellia had fallen silent and still unaware of the coming change, looked puzzled.
But then, a few seconds later, she felt it too… the faint vibration of the ground beneath them, the stirring of essence in the air.
Her expression changed at once as she asked, "Teacher, what's going on?"
Mirellia, who could already feel some kind of invisible shackles on herself starting to loosen at that very moment, smiled calmly as she replied, "Nothing too important. It's just the first sign."
"The confirmation that this planet… is really heading into its Ascension Point."
"Well, for us, it doesn't mean much. But for others? Not the same."
"It will be chaos going forward."
Mirellia replied casually, her tone filled with confidence. But on the other side, Olivia couldn't stay as calm, and that's why she immediately began showering her with one question after another!
In a place some distance away from the center of the city, in a vast, dimly lit hall where the air itself felt heavy, as if weighed down by countless secrets and unspoken ambitions, a man who radiated both a calm and oppressive presence suddenly had his expression change.
And he began laughing manically, the sound echoing eerily through the hall, so unlike the composed image he had kept moments before. The people surrounding him, who had been watching with respect and reverence, now cast puzzled glances at one another. But unperturbed, he spoke, his voice filled with excitement.
"It's really the first sign!"
"This world is really going to evolve!"
And as if in response to his declaration, the members felt a commotion rumbling up from deep underground. The ground itself seemed to hum faintly, and low murmurs filled the hall as the group reacted. But one old man, wiser and more knowledgeable than the rest, couldn't hide the worried look on his face. He stepped forward, glancing at their leader before speaking with concern.
"Sir, with the first sign happening at this moment, won't it act like a beacon to the universe? All those faraway worlds will now know this planet's coordinates. Unlike us, from the nearby worlds who sensed the stronger presence through other means."
"So, isn't that dangerous, especially when we still don't have a firm grip on this planet?"
The man, their leader, still had that wicked grin etched across his face. His eyes gleamed with ambition as he answered casually, as if the danger only fueled his excitement.
"It's in chaos where we, the Liberation Front, thrive!"
The leader declared grandly, his voice resounding through the hall. And most of the high-ranking members around him, upon hearing those words, had that fanatic gaze burning in their eyes.