The sanctuary gradually returned to its natural silence after Kronos finished explaining Absolute Time Dominion. The ancient chamber, which had remained hidden beneath Stonefang Highlands for thousands of years, now housed all seven members of the Dimensional Clan once again.
No one spoke for several moments.
Each of them was lost in thought.
Raizen eventually broke the silence with a grin.
"...So."
"We're finally complete."
Hiroshi folded his arms.
"It has taken thousands of years."
"But we're here."
Ayame walked toward one of the ancient stone windows carved into the sanctuary wall. Beyond it, only darkness and distant mountain peaks could be seen.
"The world has changed."
"I wonder if humanity has changed with it."
"They have," Kronos answered calmly. "The people above have become stronger than I expected."
Raizen laughed.
"Stronger?"
"They're still insects."
Kronos glanced at him.
"You'll regret underestimating them."
Raizen only smirked.
"I've never regretted a fight."
Kaizen quietly stepped forward.
"The academy they call Reikosha..."
"...is unlike the others."
Haruto looked at him.
"You calculated it?"
"I observed enough."
Kaizen raised his hand, and countless blue lines spread across the sanctuary floor once again. Unlike before, they didn't represent battle calculations.
Instead...
They formed a map.
The kingdoms.
The oceans.
The mountains.
Stonefang Highlands.
Reikosha Academy.
Even the forgotten lands hidden from ordinary people.
"This is the current world."
The others gathered around the glowing map.
Kaizen pointed toward Reikosha Academy.
"This place continues producing exceptional warriors."
"Shougo."
"Griffin."
"Judas."
"Mr. Fushi."
"And..."
His finger stopped.
"...Kairo Kurosawa."
Haruto's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing the name again.
Raizen noticed.
"...You're reacting."
Haruto remained silent.
"..."
"You've done that twice now," Hiroshi observed.
Haruto slowly exhaled.
"I don't know why."
"But every time I hear that name..."
"...my soul responds."
No one answered.
Even Kaizen couldn't explain it.
Ayame gently smiled.
"Perhaps fate enjoys creating mysteries."
"Or perhaps..."
Yurota calmly added.
"...the past hasn't finished speaking."
Raizen stretched before sitting atop one of the broken stone monuments.
"Whatever the reason..."
"We'll find out eventually."
His smile slowly disappeared.
"But first..."
"...there's another matter."
Everyone looked toward him.
Raizen's eyes became serious.
"There is one warrior I refuse to ignore."
The sanctuary became quiet.
"Lady Chõko."
No one laughed.
No one questioned him.
Kronos spoke first.
"I sensed her."
"She sensed me."
Haruto looked surprised.
"Without meeting?"
Kronos nodded once.
"She knew."
Ayame folded her arms.
"Interesting."
Kaizen looked down at the glowing map.
"I calculated every possible encounter."
"And?"
"...Every result involving Lady Chõko becomes unstable."
Raizen stood.
"Good."
"I hate predictable battles."
Hiroshi looked toward the sanctuary entrance.
"So..."
"When do we move?"
Raizen slowly walked toward the massive stone doors.
"The time for introductions is over."
"The time for waiting..."
"...is over."
He placed his hand against the ancient doors.
A low rumble echoed throughout the sanctuary.
The enormous doors slowly began opening for the first time in thousands of years.
Sunlight poured inside.
Fresh wind rushed through the ancient chamber.
The outside world welcomed the seven once again.
Raizen looked toward the distant horizon.
"...Tomorrow."
"We leave."
Haruto quietly looked at the mountains stretching beyond Stonefang Highlands.
"...Then history begins moving again."
Kronos stood silently beside him.
"No."
His crimson eyes remained fixed on the endless horizon.
"...History..."
"...never stopped."
Far away...
Inside Reikosha Academy...
Lady Chõko had already finished her mountain of food.
She happily placed another empty plate onto the table before standing up.
The cafeteria workers stared in disbelief at the towering stack of dishes.
"Thank you for the meal."
She smiled warmly, stretched her arms, and casually walked toward the academy gate.
Griffin happened to notice her.
"Leaving already?"
Lady Chõko smiled as usual.
"Mhm."
"Going somewhere fun?"
"You could say that."
Griffin scratched his head.
"When are you coming back?"
She looked toward the distant mountains for only a brief second.
Then her usual carefree smile returned.
"...Soon."
"Probably."
Without another explanation, she continued walking.
The warm breeze carried her long hair as she disappeared beyond the academy grounds.
No one stopped her.
No one asked another question.
To everyone...
It looked like Lady Chõko was simply going out for another carefree stroll.
Only Mr. Fushi watched her leave in silence.
After several moments, he quietly smiled to himself.
"...Take care."
His voice was so soft...
That only the wind heard it.
Beyond the mountains...
Beyond the kingdoms...
Two paths were slowly drawing closer.
One belonged to the Dimensional Clan.
The other...
Belonged to Lady Chõko.
Neither side had taken their first step yet.
But both already knew...
The next meeting would not end with words.