---
On the path from the Assembly Building to the 9th Division Headquarters, Alex and Saint, the division's vice-captain, walked side by side. The silence between them was awkward and heavy.
"You're dressed just like that scary man from before. Are you related?" Alex finally asked.
Saint paused mid-step and looked back. "Yes. He's my father." He turned and continued walking.
"Well, I'm Alex Hathaway," Alex said, trying to start a conversation.
"I know that," Saint replied flatly.
"If that old man's your father, you must know what he did to that soldier," Alex pressed.
"That's the special ability of the Edo family," Saint said. "The power to create a physical manifestation of Aether. Only a handful of us can do it."
"Oh, that's… terrifying," Alex said.
"He is a terrifying man," Saint replied. "Even if he's my father."
"Saint, why are you so free with all this information?" Alex asked, suspicious.
Saint stopped again, turning sharply to lock eyes with him. "Why not? You're my subordinate now. And if you try anything funny, I'll end you quicker than you think." His eyes glowed pure white—just like Ralph's.
"Was that a threat?!" Alex snapped, Umbral Aether flickering to life around him.
'It's getting easier to access by the day,' he thought.
'This is a bad idea. Don't do anything rash,' Gemi warned.
"No," Saint said calmly. "It was advice. And it's Vice-Captain Saint from now on." He turned and continued walking.
'What the hell is with this guy?' Alex grumbled mentally.
[INSPECT]
[SAINT EDO]
[TIER: ELITE]
[MARTIAL ARTIST]
[AETHER RESONANCE: 49/68]
'What the fuck!!' Alex's heart pounded as he gulped hard.
Finally, they stopped before a towering building—thirty floors high—with a massive "9" engraved on its front. Smaller buildings surrounded it, each marked with the same symbol. The area buzzed with life; soldiers talking, training, laughing.
"Welcome to the 9th Division Headquarters," Saint said.
"It's huge," Alex muttered. "How many of us are in the 9th Division?"
"About a hundred and thirty, including non-combatants," Saint replied. "I'd have shown you around, but I can already sense the Captain's Aether."
Doom!
A figure landed in front of them with enough force to shake the ground.
"Captain Verest, welcome back," Saint said.
---
Elsewhere—behind closed doors, in a chamber surrounded by twenty-four masked elders—Ralph stood in the center.
"Ralph! We, the Council, placed you where you are. You shall not act on your own will!" one elder barked.
"Exactly," another chimed in. "You were given power to serve, not to rule."
Ralph smirked. "You gave me power, and I'll use it for the good of South the Ironvale."
"And how does bringing a demon into our Aether Commission benefit the South?" another demanded.
"I've discussed this with my captains. We've made our decision," Ralph said, stepping toward the exit. "I'm not your typical Aether King. You handle your politics—I'll handle my command. My decision is none of your business."
"Ralph," one elder said coldly, "we are the Council of 24. We've upheld order for 800 years. The elders before us had a way of dealing with those who defied them."
"So don't push us to use it," another finished.
---
At the Aether Health Center, in the highest security ward, lay Nev.
"Captain Rex, you may leave now," said a woman in a black jumpsuit, her long dark hair cascading down her back. "Nev is my vice-captain. He's my responsibility."
Rex didn't respond. He just stared at his unconscious brother.
An elderly doctor entered, holding a digital pad. "I have good news and bad news," she said.
"The good news—Vice-Captain Nev is no longer in critical condition. He'll wake within three days."
"Well, that's great news," the woman said, exhaling in relief.
"The bad news," the doctor continued, "is that his life force has drastically weakened. His Aether resonance has fallen significantly. He won't be able to use Aether as effectively as before."
She turned to leave. "If you don't have any questions, I'll be going."
"This is bad," the woman muttered. "We've lost another prodigy. If this keeps up, Ironvale's in trouble… and he's a vice-captain too. What do I do?"
"Captain Cole," Rex said finally, turning for the door, "I'm pulling Nev out of the Aether Commission. We can't risk a potential heir in this condition."
"Rex, what do you mean—Captain Rex, wait!" Cole called, but he didn't stop.
---
Back at the 9th Division, the courtyard was crowded. Members had gathered to welcome their newest recruit.
"Normally, I don't care who joins," Captain Verest said, stepping forward. "But today's different. Everyone, meet Alex—the Demon Kid."
'Kid? We're only like ten years apart,' Alex muttered mentally.
'Ten years is a lot, in my opinion,' Gemi replied dryly.
"Alex," Verest continued with a grin, "the only two things that matter in the 9th Division are strength—and chicks."
"Not this again," Saint mumbled under his breath, shaking his head.
"What's going on?" Alex whispered.
"A showdown," Saint said simply as the crowd buzzed with excitement.
'These people are definitely crazy,' Alex thought. 'And I like it.'
"You'll be fighting Saint," Verest said. "We need to measure your strength—and that's the only way."
"The only way? Why can't I fight you instead?" Alex asked, feigning bravado.
"I'd kill you instantly," Verest replied with a smirk. "Saint! No familiars, no sacred techniques."
"Understood, Captain." Saint removed his white robe.
'Wait—did his Aether resonance just spike?'
[INSPECT]
[AETHER RESONANCE: 60/68]
"You're kidding me…" Alex muttered with a nervous laugh.
---