'Michael Étienne' The Head Advisor

Time had passed swiftly, and the moment everyone anticipated had finally arrived.

Now was the time when the mission's details would be revealed, and the weight of the upcoming responsibility hung heavily in the air.

Ryuu and Seichii emerged from their quarters, walking side by side down the grand hallways, their footsteps firm and purposeful.

A fire burned in their eyes—a flicker of excitement mixed with a hint of apprehension.

They could sense that something monumental was about to unfold.

Ahead of them stood Shigeru, accompanied by Akiko and several other students, all waiting in the corridor.

The anticipation was palpable, as though the walls themselves were holding their breath.

"Master!"

Ryuu called out as he and Seichii approached with respect.

Shigeru turned, his warm smile calming some of the tension.

"Ah, there you are. We've been waiting just for you two,"

He said, his voice reassuring. "Did you manage to rest well?"

"Yes, Master!"

Ryuu replied with renewed energy, his face alight with a mixture of confidence and enthusiasm that caught Shigeru's attention.

(He seems different somehow… there's a spark in him that had vanished before!.)

"Sir Shigeru, the hall is ready, and everyone is awaiting your presence,"

A calm voice interrupted. Matthieu approached, bowing respectfully before them.

He turned and led the way, and the group followed him toward the meeting hall, their hearts racing with anticipation.

The doors swung open, and as they stepped into the hall, all eyes turned toward them.

Rows upon rows of people filled the grand room, their gazes intense and scrutinizing.

The weight of the moment settled on Ryuu and the others as they walked down the aisle, the soft echo of their footsteps breaking the silence.

Matthieu ascended the stage and addressed the crowd with a resonant voice.

"At last, we welcome the Special Defense Force from Japan, led by the renowned scholar Morishita Shigeru himself!"

A wave of applause broke out, reverberating across the hall.

The audience's expressions ranged from admiration to envy.

Whispers flickered through the crowd, each person reacting differently to Shigeru's presence.

After all, he was known as the greatest mind of his generation, a beacon of intellect and skill.

In the crowd, Sophie, clapped with an unusually bright smile on her face.

Her teammates exchanged glances, bewildered by her uncharacteristic enthusiasm.

"What's gotten into her highness? Why's she smiling like that?"

One of her teammates muttered, watching Sophie with a mixture of amusement and disbelief.

Suddenly, an enthusiastic voice rang out from the side of the stage.

"Ah, if it isn't the great Sir Shigeru!"

A man with sharp black hair and a finely tailored black coat stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with a mix of admiration and challenge.

Matthieu bowed respectfully.

"Good morning, Sir Michael."

Michael Étienne, head advisor of Delian, gave a sly smile as he looked at Shigeru.

"It's been a long time, Shigeru. I hadn't expected to see you personally leading the special force."

Shigeru's eyes sparkled with recognition.

"Well, I could hardly miss a mission orchestrated by Sir Michael himself.

I wouldn't miss the chance to witness your 'grandness' in person."

His words were polite, but there was an unmistakable undertone.

To most, it appeared to be a cordial exchange.

But to the few who truly understood, these words were pieces in an intricate, unspoken game.

Michael Étienne had always been Shigeru's rival, the only one on the planet whose intellect could match his own.

Their rivalry had given birth to countless strategic duels, battles fought in shadows that only a select few could perceive.

Ryuu and Ryoko exchanged glances, each thinking the same thing.

(So this is Michael Étienne…)

Michael's gaze narrowed, and he gave a slight bow, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.

"I'm humbled by your praise, Shigeru," he replied, his voice edged with a hint of sarcasm.

After their brief exchange, Shigeru and his team took their places in the audience as Michael addressed the students.

His tone shifted, becoming somber and authoritative.

"Students from across the globe, I, Michael Étienne, the head advisor of Delian, welcome you all.

Your presence here is a testament to your extraordinary talents."

The audience grew silent, hanging on his every word as he continued.

"As you know, natural disasters have been rising at an alarming rate across Europe. But there's more to it.

Demonic activity has surged beyond anything humanity has ever faced."

The room stiffened with shock, as murmurs of disbelief spread.

Michael paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

"This is the first time in twenty-five years that such an overwhelming number of demons has appeared.

You may remember the legends of the Resurrection Array, the one the last Demon King used to shield his kind from the wrath of the Devas.

Our intelligence suggests that this very array is close to completion."

Michael's face was grave as he lifted a tablet, tapping it to display an image on the large screen behind him.

It was the same shadowy figure that had appeared during the Inter-Division Competition results in Japan.

Dark fumes shrouded its form, casting an ominous aura.

"This… this figure was spotted in Japan not long ago. Notice the darkness enveloping its body. And the most chilling revelation? It could speak."

Gasps rippled through the hall. A demon… that could speak?

It was unheard of; all the demons encountered in recent years had been mindless, inarticulate beasts.

"This revelation leads us to one conclusion,"

Michael announced, his voice filled with grim determination.

"The Asuras have arrived."

The hall fell into a stunned silence, each student processing the enormity of his words.

The Asuras, said to possess power ten times that of the last Demon King. And now, humanity faced their return.

"But humanity, too, has grown stronger," Michael continued.

"Each of you represents the best of your homeland, the brightest hopes for our future.

The Delian will deploy you across the regions most affected by these disasters, and our veteran Defense Force members will accompany each of you."

He took a step forward, meeting the eyes of every student present.

"This mission could very well be the most dangerous of your lives. You may even lose your life.

But remember, you are the future of humanity and the only hope which can protect it—the ones who will stand between humanity and its destruction."

The students' faces were somber, a mix of fear and fierce resolve gleaming in their eyes.

They knew what lay ahead, and though the threat was daunting, they were ready to give everything.

Michael concluded,

"You will be dispatched to your designated areas the day after tomorrow. Prepare yourselves."

With that, he left the stage, and a quiet determination spread through the hall.

.

.

.

Once outside, Shigeru and the others gathered in the corridor. Seichii let out a long yawn, stretching his arms.

"Man, what a long session," he muttered, rubbing his neck.

Akiko turned to the group with an eager smile.

"Hey, since we're free now, why don't we go check out Paris? I've heard there's a lot for tourists to explore."

Meiko rolled her eyes, looking at Hibino.

"I'm going back to my room. I'm exhausted,"

She said, and the two of them walked off, with Rajin following silently.

Rika scoffed, crossing her arms.

"Why would I want to hang out with a bunch of losers?"

She strode off ahead, ignoring the others entirely. Ryoko's gaze followed her, her eyes as cold as ice.

Akiko chuckled, unbothered.

"Well, it looks like it's just us!"

She threw a friendly arm around Seichii, who looked mildly embarrassed, and the remaining group set off, ready to experience a bit of Paris before the storm of battle awaited them...