Chapter 1: The First Sparks

Current Year 2243

Pov: Luna

Today marks the 70th anniversary of soulforging. Seventy years ago, magic cores were discovered for the first time, and this power became known as soulforge. However, that wasn't the only remarkable find astronomers and scientists made.

Five months after the discovery of this mysterious energy, a ruined civilization from a different world was uncovered inside a rift. Scientists found traces of the same energy there, along with records of the inhabitants and their methods for mastering soulforging.

Soulforgers spent three years exploring the ancient civilisation. After their exploration, they brought everything they found back to Earth. All seemed well until five years later, in 2183, when mysterious beings appeared on Earth, wreaking havoc. These attacks killed hundreds of thousands and destroyed numerous cities, and this was the largest ever outbreak that occurred in history.

Zane, the strongest soulforger of that time, established a guild to protect humanity from these attacks. During one of the assaults, he met his one and only student.

The year 2223 saw the last outbreak. Humanity suffered tremendous losses, hoping to end the outbreaks once and for all. In this decisive battle, Zane gave his life, single-handedly fighting off the mysterious beings. His immense effort forced the invaders to retreat, but it cost him his life.

With Zane's sacrifice, the attacks ceased for three years thanks to the barrier he activated to prevent the rifts from appearing. His student took over the guild and began managing the academy that Zane had founded. Today, Zane's training methods, along with those discovered in the ruined civilization, are used in this academy.

This academy, the Aetherium Academy, is now the most prestigious academy in the world.

*Knock knock*

"Lady Luna, it's time to head out," my maid called from outside my door. Right, I'm supposed to meet up with my friends today to discuss how our interviews went for enrolling at the academy.

"Thank you, I'll be right there," I called back to my maid. I stood up from my chair and finished getting ready. As I walked down the hallway, I began to wonder what kind of life I would be living at the academy.

"Good morning, Young Lady Luna," my butler greets me as I step out of the house.

"Good morning to you as well. Will you be accompanying me today?" I ask.

"Yes, I will be responsible for your safety today."

This is Leo, the head butler of the house I currently reside in. The fact that he's personally assigned to protect me today means something unusual must be happening outside. Could it be a rift outbreak?

(A rift outbreak occurs when a rift isn't closed within the allotted time, allowing otherworldly creatures to invade Earth..)

"In that case, let's go."

"Understood. I will prepare the car," he responds.

I sit in the car, gazing out the window as we make our way to where my friends are waiting. The scenery passes by in a blur, but what catches my attention is the unusually high number of soulforgers on patrol today.

Is it because of the anniversary of Zane's death? Or is there really a rift outbreak happening right now? I just hope my friends are safe.

"Leo, can you get us there any faster?" I ask, turning to him.

"I'll do my best," he replies.

"Is there a rift outbreak?"

"It seems like it, but the guilds and the association haven't made an official announcement."

So either the danger level is low, and they haven't issued a warning yet, or I'm just overthinking things.

I take out my phone and send a message to my friends, wanting to make sure they're safe.

Messages

Luna: I'm on my way. Are you guys okay?

Keiya: Yeah, just waiting for you.

Stelle: We're completely fine.

Luna: Glad to hear it. Stay safe—something seems to be going on.

Keiya: Will do. I did notice a lot of soulforgers patrolling today.

Stelle: And they looked heavily equipped too.

Luna: Sounds like a rift outbreak really is happening. I'll be there soon, but if things get dangerous, don't wait for me—just get out of there.

Keiya: Got it.

Stelle: Okay.

Pov: Zack

Meanwhile, in a small part of Sydney, a rift outbreak is occurring.

"What the hell is taking so long?"

I thought this rift was supposed to be a low-rank one. So why are there so many monsters? And I'm pretty sure I just saw a rank 7...

"Eliminate all the monsters immediately and close the rift!"

"Yes, sir!" they responded in unison.

Just as the order was given, a sharp crack of thunder echoed through the sky, and suddenly, the air grew still. The surrounding environment seemed to warp as a dark, ethereal presence descended upon the battlefield. The rift's chaotic energy pulsed even stronger for a moment, only to be pierced by a blinding flash of light.

From the shadows, figures began to emerge. They wore dark, flowing cloaks that shimmered with an unnatural sheen, like obsidian glass catching the light. Their faces were obscured by masks, cold and featureless except for a single gleaming red symbol carved into each one—an unfamiliar emblem.

"What's going on?! Who are those people?" I asked, panic creeping into my voice.

Pov: Mysterious Group

A loud crack of thunder broke through the air, cutting off the voices of the struggling soldiers. In an instant, everything around them grew cold. The wind picked up, carrying with it an unsettling stillness, as though the world itself had held its breath.

From the edges of the battlefield, shadowed figures appeared. Cloaked in dark robes, their faces obscured by featureless masks, they moved like predators. Their presence was commanding, almost suffocating, and the air seemed to grow heavier with every step they took.

"Focus on the bigger ones. Leave the smaller ones to me," came a command, cool and authoritative. The leader's voice was soft but sharp, his tone betraying no hint of emotion.

The Mysterious Group moved as one.

Raven, his form a blur of motion, charged at a massive rank 7 monster that was tearing through the lines of the guild's forces. 

"Activate Skill, Shadow Slash"

[Activating the active skill Shadow Slash: unleashes a dark energy arc with a single sword swing, severely damaging and disintegrating opponents upon impact.]

With a single swipe of his sword, a trail of black energy cut through the air, slashing the creature's midsection open. The beast howled in pain before crumbling to the ground, its massive body disintegrating into dust.

"Alpha, cover the rear. We need to make sure they don't get overrun," the leader commanded. His voice carried a weight of authority that was impossible to ignore.

Alpha responded with a sharp nod, raising his staff and summoning a barrier of pure energy. 

"Activate skill, Aegis"

[Activating the Active skill Aegis: a shield that can block physical attacks.]

It crackled with power, shimmering in the light as it blocked a horde of rank 8 monsters trying to flank the team.

The leader, his mask hiding all but the faintest glint of his eyes, raised his hand. The atmosphere around him seemed to shift as if bending to his will. 

"Activate skill, Heatwave"

[Activating the Active skill Heatwave: a wave of intense heat to scorch opponents or clear obstacles.] 

The power he wielded was vast and unmistakable—light flickered around his fingertips, leaving trails of molten fire in the air.

"Raven, Alpha—hold the line. I'm entering the rift," he said, his tone unshakable.

Without waiting for a response, he stepped forward, his presence commanding the attention of every creature around him. The rift's core just further ahead, radiating ominous energy.

He raised his hand again. "Activate skill, Pressure Dome" 

[Activating the active skill Pressure Dome: an impenetrable dome of energy to encase and protect yourself and allies.]

A wave of shimmering light and force exploded outward, surrounding him in a spherical barrier that flickered with both light and heat. The monsters that dared approach him were repelled with violent force, their bodies shattered by the barrier's sheer power.

"Keep them off me for a few more seconds," he called to his teammates, his voice steady.

Raven and Alpha moved with precision, cutting down monsters and holding their ground.

"Activate skill, Inferno Blade."

[Activating the active skill Inferno Blade: transforms the blade into a weapon of blazing fury, with fiery streaks illuminating its surface. This skill enhances the sword's cutting power, allowing it to sear through enemies.]

Raven's blade—now glowing with fiery streaks—slashed through a rank 7 beast, cutting through its armored hide like paper.

The leader advanced toward the rift, his barrier still holding strong. He clenched his fist, light and fire swirling around him as he prepared for the final assault. His powers surged, and he stepped into the rift without hesitation. The oppressive atmosphere seemed to bend around him as his barrier absorbed any incoming attacks. His eyes narrowed as he located the core, a massive swirling orb of unstable energy.

"Activate skill, Total Nullification"

[Activating the active skill Total Nullification: Nullify everything including objects, magic attacks, physical attacks, and mental attacks within a large radius, rendering both enemies and everything powerless.]

His nullification power flared, and suddenly, the rift seemed to lose it's balance. The very fabric of the rift distorted, its energy bending and warping under the force of his power.

"Activate skill, Laser Beam"

[Activating the active skill Laser Beam: Fire concentrated beams of light that can slice through and explode weaker opponents.]

With a single motion, he raised his hand, the air around him crackling with both light and fire. In an instant, the rift's core was bathed in a radiant, fiery explosion that consumed everything in its path. The explosion of light and fire was blinding, but before the monsters could react, his nullification power cut through it all, neutralizing the chaotic energy and rendering the core vulnerable.

The core buckled, the energy destabilising as its defences crumbled under his onslaught. He gestured again, and the core shattered, its pieces disintegrating into nothingness. With the core broken the rift began collapsing in on itself, its connection to another dimension severed.

Outside the rift, Alpha and Raven stood guard, their eyes scanning the area as their leader stepped out, his form shrouded in the glowing remnants of light and fire.

"The core has been destroyed," he said, his voice calm despite the destruction they'd just wrought. "Everyone, fall back."

The mysterious group moved as one, disappearing into the shadows erasing all their traces, leaving behind only silence and the remnants of the battle they had just won.