Skyler entered the college building and, ignoring the students, headed straight for the vice principal’s office. He was here to remove his name from the college, and the VP handled those matters.
He was about to knock when he saw that the door was open and multiple teachers, along with the old female principal, were gathered in the office, talking solemnly.
Suddenly, one of the male teachers, dressed in a button-up shirt and slacks, raised his voice in anger.
"The guild should do their job! I know the guild leader’s son experienced something tragic, but that doesn’t excuse them from their responsibilities! This situation won’t just impact 4th Nowan High but also endanger countless students!"
Another teacher beside him agreed.
"We have asked the guild for help five times in the past month. Nowan City is small and has only one guild. But we can’t waste more time. Let’s contact another guild, or else the situation could become disastrous."
Skyler frowned upon hearing the conversation. The teachers were obviously discussing his father’s guild. But why?
His visit to the college was unannounced, but he didn’t expect to hear this. Moreover, they were all so engrossed in their talk that they didn’t even notice his presence.
His eyes widened when he heard what the vice principal, a bearded man, said next.
"Let’s calm down. A small dimensional field has appeared in the college, but it has been dormant. As long as no one among us uses a dense concentration of Evol in the vicinity, it won’t activate. I will call the guild one last time. If they don’t come to help, I will reach out to a guild from outside the city. It will cost a lot, but that’s the only choice left."
Skyler stepped back, his mind racing.
’Dimensional fields’, they are natural Evol fields that materialize in different locations on the day each year when those eligible to participate in the preliminary test of Battle Royal are teleported. But this occurrence is very rare. So much so that only one or two such fields appear each year in Eldoria.
These fields can vary in size, from small to large enough to encompass an entire city.
They appear completely dormant and can be easily destroyed by powerful Lights who can identify their weak links. However, if not destroyed in time, these dimensional fields absorb Evol from nearly everything nearby and function like teleportation portals that activate once they gather enough Evol.
Once activated, these fields transport every living being on them into the nearest orange crystal, which then seals itself and can only be opened from the inside if the occupants can find and destroy the core that sustains the dimension the crystal leads to.
Or when all the occupants die.
Skyler recalled the memory of the previous timeline in which he had spent his 18th and 19th years with his parents. Just like now, a small dimensional field had appeared in 4th Nowan High, but since he never entered the Battle Royal in that timeline, his father’s guild destroyed the field swiftly.
’I need to contact dad...’
He didn’t remember how he climbed the Throne of Spirits, but he recalled the 18th and 19th years he spent in Nowan City. He was about to take out his phone when a cold male voice echoed from behind.
"What the hell are you blocking the way for? Step aside. I need to get into the office."
Skyler was about to step aside, but the individual behind him roughly shoved him aside, causing him to stagger. The sudden noise alerted everyone in the office. The old female principal called out loudly.
"Come inside! The two brats who are eavesdropping on the elders!"
Skyler regained his footing and glared at the rude person who had just pushed him.
The young man was the same height as him and wore a similar uniform. He had a pair of pitch-black, hazy eyes that exuded nothing but detachment and gray hair.
"Why did you—"
Skyler couldn’t even finish his words because the young man entered the office without giving him a second glance.
"That little..."
He groaned and followed behind as the principal shouted again for them to come in, or she would drag them in. Everyone in the office, furnished with sofas and a study table where the vice principal sat, fell silent upon seeing the two familiar students.
Shocked to see them both alive, the vice principal, an old man, called out.
"Skyler Ironhart, a talented 2nd year, and Charles Mahson, a 4th year student."
The VP paused for a moment. In Eldoria, after school, all the colleges typically offer four years of education before students go on to find an organization or field they want to work in. The two young students in front of him were at the top of their year.
"I am glad both of you... one who was teleported into Battle Royal and the other who disappeared for an entire month—are safe and healthy. However, I believe it’s not appropriate to eavesdrop the moment you return. So, what brought you two here?"
The two answered together.
"To withdraw my enrollment."
Charles looked at Skyler with a frown, but this time it was his turn to be ignored since the person he had offended was very petty.
The VP looked at the old female principal, who was observing the two boys.
"I can understand why Skyler wants to leave, but Charles, this is your final year. With your excellent results, you can easily secure a job in any organization. So, why are you considering leaving? And... why have you been absent for a month?"
Some teachers who recognized just how exceptional a student Charles was spoke up. They were already losing a top student like Skyler, so they couldn’t afford to lose another. But he stepped back.
"I would like to remain silent. It doesn’t matter if the college removes my name or not since I won’t be coming back starting tomorrow. I am only here to inform you."
He turned and headed for the exit of the office, only to pause when Skyler began to speak to the old female principal.
"I heard about the Dimensional Field. I will inform my father about this. The guild will take care of it, so there’s no need to worry."
The VP and the principal nodded, relieved. The teachers shared the sentiment. Finally, they had heard some good news. They were losing two good students, but at least the danger would be addressed. The VP stood up and smiled at the young man.
"Then we thank you."
Skyler shook his head.
"No need for thanks. This is my responsibility as a Light of Eldoria to help others. Now, I shall take my leave so I can contact the guild as soon as possible."
He turned and saw Charles standing in front of the exit with his back to him. Skyler ignored him and left the office. Only then did the young man move and follow him.
Coincidentally, they both left the college building together. The classes had begun, so no students were loitering around.
Skyler had called his father and was discussing the Dimensional Field while walking when he saw Charles pass by him heading toward the college’s main gates.
He wasn’t focused on him, but suddenly he sensed a powerful attack made of dense Evol approaching Charles from the side.
"Be careful!"
He shouted, and Charles, who had also sensed the attack and was ready to evade it, was knocked off his feet when he leaped forward to help him. They rolled to the side, and chains of fire enveloped the spot where Charles had stood just moments ago.
The ground trembled as dust and debris erupted into the air. Two figures, a woman dressed in complete red and a man with yellow teeth, emerged from the dust.
Dread clicked his tongue loudly.
"You missed your target, Scar."