Sealed Authority

Just like Arthur, Evan was on high alert. In fact, all four of them were. Even while they spoke, their senses were heightened, every muscle tensed for the inevitable. 

Arthur's expanded spatial perception was proof enough of his vigilance.

Normally, he wouldn't stretch it to cover an area exceeding 10 million square kilometres. But in this situation, with an opponent who could strike from any direction and at ridiculous speed, he had no choice.

The instant the enemy entered his range, Arthur intended to accelerate his time to respond without delay. 

Evan, too, remained cautious, his inventory trick a subtle but telling move. Beatrix and Artemisia were no less vigilant, had had already activated the SOS beacons their parents had given them—signals to alert their families in case of extreme danger. 

But these beacons didn't deliver their signals instantaneously. The signals took time to reach their destinations.