Sora

It was the start of the ninth month, Kugatsu. In Kurenai Village, the four major factions were planning for their future, seeking new talents.

Although the Star Academy was closed after the incident at X-You Mountain, and most likely due to the Civil War, the four factions decided to personally train this year's group of newcomers.

The Katsuragi and Atsuki Clans gathered all 16-year-old allies and placed them under their wing. The Mayor faction, however, took in students from Star Academy and those born to normal Tama-Artist families. Meanwhile, M2 had access to all 16-year-olds from the three mortal regions.

This selection process led to a temporary ceasefire among the four factions, lasting only a week.

At the mortal region's southern coast, a black-haired woman with a grimace on her face coldly surveyed the 300 gathered 16-year-olds. Clicking her tongue in disdain, she glanced at the large bowl filled with glittering red liquid before her.