-1399- [ Armored Beetles ]

————「Wizard」.

These are beings born with magic, allowed by the world to possess special powers.

In short, they are the magus of this world, unique individuals capable of using magic to fight.

Around 400 years ago, or about four centuries in the past, a species suddenly appeared in this world.

They are the natural enemies of humans, a ferocious species from an unknown origin, possessing a power different from magic, and able to exert unparalleled ferocity and aggressiveness.

People call them————「Armored Beetles」.

Faced with these ferocious creatures, humans found themselves in a situation of one-sided slaughter. Eventually, to survive, they abandoned the land overrun by the Armored Beetles and moved to the sky, using magic and scientific power to build floating cities, making these cities the last strongholds against the Armored Beetles, and holding onto humanity's final spark of life.

For humans, Armored Beetles are not just mortal enemies, but also a terrifying species.

This is because, possessing a power different from magic, they don't just kill humans; they also have the ability to erase the memory of the deceased from the minds of those around them.

Thus, humans harbor immense fear towards the Armored Beetles, a fear that surpasses even hatred.

After all, people bear hatred because they've lost important family members and friends.

However, when killed by Armored Beetles, humans even lose their memories of their loved ones. Even knowing someone important was killed, they can't feel much grief or hatred because they've forgotten the cherished memories with them.

For this reason, humans' fear of Armored Beetles far exceeds their hatred. They never know when they might forget their loved ones around them, making it impossible to leave any traces of their existence even if they are killed.

The only ones who can remember those killed by Armored Beetles are the Wizards born with magic.

Thus, Wizards are not only the bearers of humanity's last historical traces but also the final hope against Armored Beetles.

Among them, those who fight on the frontlines, protecting humanity's last strongholds in the sky, are known as「Sky Wizards」.

And Mistgun is an academy dedicated to training Sky Wizards.

These types of floating cities are collectively known as academy floating cities. They have the duty to cultivate individuals with the potential to become excellent Wizards, sending them to the frontlines to fight against the Armored Beetles.

Besides that, each academy floating city also has roles in gathering intelligence, planning routes, patrolling, and researching new technologies. Their importance to humanity is beyond doubt.

Rozen is a Sky Wizard in the academy floating city Mistgun, currently in his second year of undergraduate studies.

The academy floating cities only admit students aged twelve to eighteen, with a six-year study system consisting of three years of preparatory courses and three years of undergraduate courses.

Generally, preparatory students are known as Sky Wizard candidates, who are not yet fully trained Sky Wizards and are undergoing academy training.

Undergraduate students, on the other hand, can already be considered formal Sky Wizards. They are capable of going to the frontlines, and without a certain level of skill and potential, they cannot advance to this stage.

Rozen is a second-year undergraduate Sky Wizard.

In terms of fame and popularity, Rozen has already reached an unparalleled level.

"Rozen-sama!"

"Rozen-sama!"

As Rozen descended from the sky into Mistgun, he was immediately surrounded by a group of people.

They were all wearing uniforms and white lab coats, with most of them also wearing glasses, appearing to be researchers.

In fact, they were.

In Mistgun, the total population is six thousand.

Because it is an academy floating city, nine-tenths of this population are Wizards, with the remaining being family members of Wizards.

These Wizards are all undergoing academy training and guidance.

In other words, they are all students.

Therefore, Mistgun, like all academy floating cities, is established with the principle of student autonomy.

In essence, only preparatory students can be considered true students, while undergraduate students, though still studying at the academy, are essentially mature Wizards. They need to participate in defending the floating city and shoulder the academy floating city's duties, gathering intelligence, planning routes, and providing new technology for the frontlines.

In other words, although they wear uniforms, those in white lab coats are formal researchers with authority.

Now, all these people were gathered around Rozen.

"Where have you been?"

"Disappearing again...!"

"This is the most critical moment of the research!"

"Please don't disappear at such an important time!"

"We were very worried!"

The researchers were shouting at Rozen, seemingly complaining, but in reality, they were relieved to see Rozen appear, like finding their backbone.

"Alright, report any issues here. I still have a class later, so let's solve all the problems on the way to class."

Rozen said this calmly, walking forward.

The crowd seemed used to this, and quickly reported.

"We've completed steps 11 to 33 as per your instructions. After overnight observation, we found anomalies in steps 17, 20, 27, and 31."

"The anomaly scale is small, but step 27 is nearing a medium anomaly, and we are attempting to stabilize it."

"At this rate, the magic reactors near these steps will be affected, all entering an anomalous state."

"Should we proceed with the new plan to continue the research?"

"This is my suggestion. Please review it."

One after another, the researchers reported swiftly and efficiently.

Surrounded by the crowd, Rozen didn't hesitate. He took the stacks of documents handed to him while giving instructions.

"Stop reactors 5, 15, and 24. Increase the output of reactors 1, 11, and 31, and observe for eleven hours."

"During this period, if the reaction stabilizes, adjust the magic reactors back to their original output. If not, switch reactors 1, 2, and 3 to fallback reactors and continue observation."

"If it still doesn't stabilize, proceed with the new plan as discussed, and abandon this plan."

"I'll take these documents and give you the conclusion tonight."

"Also, notify the manufacturing division to expedite our order delivery, or I'll personally collect it."

Rozen gave these instructions calmly as he walked forward.

Many students witnessed this scene, none of them surprised, but looking on with admiration.

"Rozen-senpai is so cool today as well."

"He's just a second-year undergraduate, yet even third-year seniors have to seek his guidance."

"That's Rozen-senpai for you."

"He's our hero, humanity's hope."

"Ah, I wish I could talk to him, even just once."

"Yes, indeed."

Along the way, the students discussed, looking at Rozen with admiration and respect.

In this manner, Rozen arrived at the school.

"Alright, you all can go back now."

Rozen dismissed the surrounding crowd.

"Yes."

Though they were reluctant, seeing that class time was approaching, they had no choice but to leave, returning to their experiments as per Rozen's instructions.

Rozen, carrying a stack of documents, yawned as he walked into the school towards the second-year undergraduate classroom.

At that moment...

"Hey, great hero, working hard as usual huh? It must be tough."

With a teasing yet familiar voice, Rozen stopped in his tracks.

In front of him, three familiar figures approached.