Let the trials begin

"How is it?"

Asks the woman with glistening rose-colored hair.

"We found nothing, captain."

The shaking of her male subordinate's head causes Miranda to frown in dissatisfaction.

"Continue the search."

Says Miranda in a disappointed voice while dismissing her subordinate.

The man nods and vacates the room, leaving only Miranda standing inside.

Inside the barren room that only contained several chairs and a desk, Miranda grits her teeth in anger while folding her arms and staring out the window to glance at the dim moonlight.

"We've been searching for so long but there hasn't been any evidence?"

She lowers her head and stares solemnly at the floor in deep thought for a few good minutes. She tries her best to organize the information she has gotten thus far.

They, the second inquisitor and other recruited mages of the royal mage corps, had arrived at Mond after following a mysterious clue left by an unknown source. There was some debating on whether they should go, but they rolled with it since they had absolutely zero leads investigating themselves.

However, even after they arrived in Mond it seems like nothing has changed. For the past day they had been investigating every nook and cranny of this city and still, no movement could be seen from the black magicians which caused Miranda to viscerally angry.

Miranda grits her teeth while clenching her fist in anger.

"Hah."

A few seconds pass and Miranda managed to clam herself down before breathing out a sigh of disappointment.

"Captain."

Miranda turns around to face the man with glasses that just walked into the room. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she failed to realize someone else entered the room.

"How was the investigation Fabian?"

As soon as she said that, the door opened again. This time revealing a man with a large build that looked like he could wrestle a bear and a delicate woman with blue hair.

"Oh? Fabian's here too."

Says Aaron while closing the door behind him and Meia.

"We have returned captain."

Meia speaks out while closing in on Miranda along with her two squadmates.

"Perfect timing, we can start the meeting now."

Says Miranda in a stern voice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So you really managed to find a lead?!"

Aaron's shocked voice echoed throughout the room, prompting an annoyed Meia to hit the side of his arm.

"Yes."

Fabian nods, causing the other three's pupils to dilate. Miranda was especially surprised. After going so long without a single clue, she had started to feel a bit pessimistic about the whole situation.

But now that she was presented with one, she couldn't be happier.

"Let's hear it."

Miranda says in a elated voice.

Her previous ice cold expression could no long be seen, in its place was a huge grin that revealed her excitement towards the clue.

Everyone fixated their gaze on Fabian in anticipation for what he was about to say.

"I think I may have found one of the warehouses of the black magicians."

"What?!"

Everyone looked at Fabian in shock whilst being taken aback by the revelation.

"How?"

Miranda prys curiously while leaning forwards, causing Fabian to respond immediately.

"I found a black magician and managed to follow them until they reached a certain building on the outskirts of the city."

"I wanted to investigate further, but decided to return after discovering more of them."

"Their ranks?"

"About third rate, but I did manage to catch a glance of a second rate mage."

"Second rate?!"

Aaron and Meia vocalizes their shock.

Their surprise was understandable. Based on what Fabian had described, that black magicians he saw didn't seem like all of them, and the second rate black magician didn't seem like the leader. That would mean that there was a stronger mage lurking in the shadows.

The entire second inquisitor squad was of the first rate rank, with their leader on the verge of becoming a master. If there really was a first rate magician leading them, their enemies could put up quite the resistance and could cause major casualties to their side.

And to add to all that, they didn't even know what the black magicians were planning.

"Hmm..."

"Captain."

A concerned Meia glances over at Miranda who was leaning back on the chair and deep in thought. Her other two squadmates naturally do the same.

"I think we should attack first, captain. It would be great to launch a preemptive strike."

Says Fabian while asserting confidence in his strategy.

"I concur."

Aaron nods as a sign of agreement.

Meanwhile, Miranda was currently in her own world, thinking about the whole situation.

"The black magicians chose Mond for a reason. I'm sure they are secretly planning something."

Miranda's instinct told her that something bad was about to happen, and she would soon find out, that it didn't disappoint.

"Just what is it?"

[BOOM!]

A huge explosion sounded, snapping Miranda out of her daze and causing the entire squad to head towards the window to access the situation.

As they crowded at the window, they saw a large cloud of smoke rising out into the atmosphere and an orange light that illuminated the direction of the sound.

[BOOM!]

Another explosion had sounded and this time, the group turned their heads to the right to see the nearby building on fire.

"AHHH!"

"HELP! PLEASE HELP!"

"ANYONE! PLEASE!"

[BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!]

More and more explosions sounded which made the city seem like it was engulfed in pure chaos. The second inquisitor squad watched with their eyes wide as destruction ensued across the city.

It all happened so fast. In one moment, the peaceful city of Mond transformed into absolute mayhem with citizens escaping from the nearby destructions. But this wasn't the end.

"MONSTERS!"

"HELP THERE'S MONSTERS HERE!"

"AHHH! NOOO!"

Large beasts could be seen roaming about the city and terrorizing everyone, causing another huge problem to arise.

In that instant, the second inquisitor squad gathered themselves and sprinted towards the only door of the room.

[Slam!]

"Captain there's an issu-"

The soldier who just walked into the room was immediately pushed aside when the four dashed out the door.

"Sound the signal! Evacuate the citizens and kill the beasts!"

Miranda's roaring voice echoed throughout the base.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

[1 hour ago]

"Are all the bombs in place?"

Asks Spencer, voice full of anticipation.

"Yes master."

Orchid makes a bow when replying.

"Splendid."

Spencer praises his disciple and averts his gaze to the girl annexed to the back wall. It was No. 20.

"How about the test subjects?"

Spencer asks while walking towards No. 20, with Orchid following.

"I've received word from one of our warehouses that the second inquisitor squad has already arrived. They said that the inquisitor squad was trying to figure out their locations."

Orchid responds diligently to her teacher.

Spencer grins wryly and touches the sleeping No. 20's cheeks in silence.

Spencer felt thrilled. It wasn't long till he could see his creations in action and that fact alone made him feel exhilarated.

"How about the one that killed Wanfi?"

"No sign of them yet, master."

Orchid bows while trying her best to not anger her master with the disappointing piece of information.

"Well, it cannot be helped I suppose."

Spencer thought back to what Noel had said to him.

"Don't worry about that person, if my intuition is right, they should appear when the trials start."

Was what Noel said.

Contrary to Orchid's belief, Spencer did not lash out in anger, instead he greeted her with a smile upon her lifting her head.

"It's time."

Spencer turns away from No. 20 and heads towards the door while happily humming away.

As they both step out and Orchid closes the door behind them, Spencer delivers his order.

"Release the chimeras alongside the homunculi. It's about time we let the trials begin."

He says with a sinister smile.