The calm before the storm

An orb of white light appeared on Yogiri's palm.

"Wow! You did it pretty well! And your mana control is decent for a beginner. It's like you're a genius!" Oga praised her.

It was morning and I just finished practicing Synchronicity against Oga. It was easy to convince Yogiri to practice magic. Even if I didn't tell her that she might fight the Unkindness, she was willing to do it because magic interested her.

Things were supposed to be fine except for one thing. Anya told me about her creator named Omegaα, a supreme being who was the overseer of the Council.

I had several questions but Anya didn't have any answers for them. She didn't know much about Omegaα even if she was created by her.

But I know it was a big deal. After all, it was enough to make the Primordial Dark break its silence and warn me about her.

"Don't you think it's time to go home, Yogiri?" I asked her.

"Oh? It's almost time for breakfast. I'm sorry, Oga", Yogiri bowed.

"Nah. It's okay. It's fun teaching you and you're actually learning fast. If you want, I can recommend some grimoires you would want to study. I'm pretty sure Westa Library has them", Oga said.

"Please do."

After Oga wrote down a list, Yogiri and I returned home. Yogiri was actually very skilled at Light Magic and I was even more sure that she was the Primordial Light's vessel. My problem now was telling her that she might have to fight an organization that was more than 4000 years old.

"By the way, Yogiri", I called out her name.

"Yeah?"

Was I really going to tell her that she would be placed in difficult fights?

"You're pretty good with Light Magic, huh?"

I decided to not tell her yet. As much as possible, I have to be able to deal with the Unkindness on my own. I was their target since I was the Primordial Dark's vessel. As long as they wouldn't pursue Yogiri, she should stay out of this dangerous situation.

"I don't really know but it's like second nature to me. It's as if I was practicing it for my entire life", she replied.

"You're probably just a genius. I had problems with my mana control back when I started. It's only thanks to Anya that I'm a skilled Dark Mage.'

"Is it that hard?"

"Yeah."

We arrived home and Amelia already prepared breakfast. While we were eating breakfast, Yogiri told Amelia all about her training. It was great to see them getting along with each other.

After that, I took a shower and put on my knight uniform. It should be a regular day as always.

###

"I'm sorry, Temma. We miscalculated", one of our barrack's chefs bowed down.

"It's okay. It's not much of a problem. We'll just post an announcement. It's just one day, anyways', Temma told him.

Apparently, there was a mistake in checking our ingredients. The chefs found out that there weren't enough ingredients to feed the 13th unit during lunch time and they were worried. But like Temma said, it wasn't a big problem.

"Can you post this in the announcement board? I'm sure our knights would want to be informed as soon as possible that we won't be serving lunch today", Temma gave the chef a piece of paper.

"I will. I'm sorry, Temma", the chef bowed down again.

"You can make it up tomorrow by cooking a delicious meal, okay?"

"I will!"

The chef left the room in order to post the announcement. This was troubling. Since the barracks won't be spending money to serve lunch today, there would be excess money in our budget. Should I consult Captain Noel?

She would most likely tell me to put the excess money to the salaries of the knight as a little bonus or to use it to buy better ingredients to make one meal more luxurious than normal. Knowing her, she would probably tell me to do the second choice.

Speaking of Captain Noel, she was having a meeting with the captains today. She was in the room where she could transmit an astral projection of herself and talk to the other captains. They were most likely talking about the lack of a captain for the 3rd unit thanks to Captain Reagan's death.

"Mikage, what are your plans now?" Temma asked.

"I'll probably consult Captain Noel about the excess funds even if I already know the answer", I answer.

"Not that. I'm talking about lunch."

"Ah. I'm probably going to find a restaurant. No… I'd probably head to KFP."

"KFP?"

"You know… Kiara's Fried Phoenix, that restaurant that sells fried chickens. Their food is pretty delicious."

"I see. Do you mind if I join you?"

"Sure. Having company is nice."

When it was time for lunch, Temma and I left the barracks and headed straight to KFP. We were having a conversation when someone approached.

"Excuse me. Do you know where Kiara's Fried Phoenix is?" a small white-haired girl asked.

She was wearing a blue outfit and a shark-like hat. A fish tail was growing out of her back and she was holding a blue trident.

"Yeah. We're on our way there. Do you want to come along with us?" Temma answered.

"Thanks!" the girl smiled, "Calli!! These men know where KFP is!"

A tall pink-haired woman in a black outfit walked towards us. She was holding a cool-looking black scythe.

She looked at me and I could feel something from her pink eyes. It was as if she was seeing everything inside me. And upon paying attention, I could feel tremendous power inside each of them.

"Another one like that damn bird, huh?" the pink-haired woman said.

"What do you mean, Calli?" the white-haired girl asked.

"It's nothing. My name is Calliope Mori and this girl is Gura Gawr. What are your names?"

"I'm Temma Kishido and this man is Mikage Kamishiro."

"Anyways! Let's go to KFP! I'm starving!" Gura shouted.

When we arrived at KFP, the orange-haired manager saw us and immediately leaped towards Calliope. However, Calliope just sidestepped and let her crash to the floor.

"You meanie! Why did you dodge?!" she asked.

"I'd rather not make a scene in public, damn bird", Calliope answered.

"Hey there, Kiara!" Gura greeted her.

"Gura! You're here too?"

"We got called by that old man. He said that there's an emergency so he's trying to gather as many of us as possible. I think Ina is coming too", Calliope answered.

Whatever emergency that was, I hope it wasn't a big deal. I could see Temma looking worried because Westa's peace might be threatened again. However, I pulled him away and ordered food from another employee.

We sat down on a table and began eating.

"What kind of emergency is it?" Temma asked.

"The knight order didn't report anything bad happening, right?"

"No. Or at least, I haven't heard anything."

"Then it's probably a private affair. When people say "emergency", it's not as if Westa's peace is threatened."

"That's true. But you sound like you're convincing yourself."

"It's less than a year since I was summoned and I got involved in lots of incidents already. I'd like to catch a break while the Unkindness isn't trying to attack me."

We continued eating until someone entered KFP. A lot of people whispered among themselves since a popular blue-haired idol entered.

Our eyes met and she walked towards me. I wasn't sure if this was something like a sixth sense where I could automatically sense bad news coming or if it was just plain anxiety.

"I went to the 13th unit's barracks and I heard you guys were in KFP. I need to talk to you, Mikage", Suisei said.

Before I could complain, Calliope made an unexpected remark.

"So the Primordial Star knows him. I'm guessing he's one of us", she said.

"Oh? Calliope and Gura! You're here already? That was fast", Suisei looked at her.

"If the Primordial Dream tells us that trouble is coming, I have to respond. I don't know about the others though", Gura said.

"What's going on?" Temma asked.

"Calliope called me as one of them. Not to mention that Suisei just got called the Primordial Star. I have a rough idea what's going on", I answered.

It was a surprise to know that Suisei was the vessel of the Primordial Star. But I could sense the same enormous power in her like in Gura and Calliope's body.

Now that I think about it, how come I could sense that power inside them? I never felt anything from Suisei before. Was something happening to me?

"Allow us to introduce ourselves once more. I am Calliope Mori, the vessel of the Primordial Death", Calliope said.

"And I'm Gura Gawr, the vessel of the Primordial Water!" Gura added.

"Two more vessels of Primordial Beings are here in Westa?" Temma asked.

"And there'll be more to come. Yagoo sent out a message to everyone because there's an emergency", Suisei said.

I sighed.

"By everyone… You mean…" I was hesitant to finish it because I knew it would be troublesome.

"Yes. The vessels of Primordial Beings are coming to Westa to prepare to fight an enemy", Suisei said.