Two years later...

The air of Tenebris was saturated with a cold so intense that it instantly crystallized the water.

The Holy Cathedral, spiritual pillar of the Empire of Alexandria, had officially decreed the launch of a large-scale crusade against the occult organization The Spectrum.

Her Holiness Siel had given her final approval because the ranks of the paladins and priests were completely overwhelmed by an unprecedented epidemic of demonic possessions across the entire human continent. For the first time, all the major factions of the Sky City Academy and the great lineages had been united to eradicate this threat, even if there were clearly tensions between them.

The Imperial faction was led by Olivia Kleopatra Dantalion. Her long silver braid with golden tips whipped her shoulders under the effect of the icy wind. Her piercing golden eyes scanned the horizon.

At her side, the Stavenger faction, still with Helia von Stavenger as leader, with her brother dabbing her face.

"Look at them," murmured Ariana Hornraven as she leaned toward Darwin Ashborn, an enigmatic smile stretching her full lips.

"They all think this war will be their hour of glory, when they are nothing but pawns on a chessboard too vast for them." Darwin said nothing, his gaze was glassy. After all, he was a simple instrument in the hands of this domineering woman. Ariana absently caressed a lock of her curly brown hair.

Further away, Lysandra Silvernight, whose heterochromatic red and orange eyes shone with intensity, checked the sharpness of her spear.

Julian stood a little apart, his back turned to the crowd. His black hair, slightly longer than usual, floated in the icy breeze. When the wind lifted it, one could see bluish scales on his nape. His expression remained calm even if a certain weariness could be read in his gray eyes.

The faction of The Dawn, grouping the Elves of the Sol and Spina clans. Lady Jezabel of the Sun, the princess of the Sol clan, was giving orders to some underlings while Rosalinda was visibly nervous for some reason.

"What’s wrong with you?" asked her brother Zak.

"I.. I don’t see Nox, I thought he would be back but it’s been more than two years since I last saw him, I’m afraid something happened to him."

"He went to train, right?"

"Yes, in the deep zones of Tenebris, I hope he’s okay... Maybe we’ll run into him."

Zak snorted and turned his head: "I’m more afraid of the monsters than for him, if you want my opinion."

Lady Lynn of the Lake floated gently a few centimeters above the snow, next to her husband, Jasper Del Luna, still with his face crossed by a blindfold, held his bow with disconcerting stability, his slender body showing no sign of weakness. Apart from his slightly taller stature, he seemed to have changed nothing in the past few years... At least in appearance.

The Babylon faction was also represented, although only Norah Walpurgy was at its head for this event. Her many piercings shone under the dim light of Tenebris, and her offbeat gaze scanned the assembly to see where her lover was. She seemed bored, waiting for the moment when she could finally use her devastating elemental magic.

However, it was the appearance of the representative of the Pendragon faction that caused the most surprise and murmurs. The man who stepped forward was almost entirely covered in bandages, revealing portions of skin marked by severe war wounds. Even his mouth was covered with bandages.

His long red hair now had roots of pure white. The aura he emanated was not only powerful but also terribly domineering, an arcane gravity pressure so strong that the ice cracked and sank under each of his steps. He looked at no one, his attention seemingly focused on an invisible target in the distance.

A new faction had also made its official entry for a year: the Arcadia faction, led by Loran of the Kitsunes. This presence marked a historic turning point in the integration of demi-beasts into the power structures of the world. Many mercenaries, renowned professors like Seraphina of the Lake or Merlin of the Vulcain, elite students and even the vice-director Amaera Castillon completed this impressive tableau of military power.

Director Daeron Akhazel finally stepped forward onto the icy platform, leaning on his cane with a red crystal pommel. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

His warm smile, which usually inspired confidence, seemed almost out of place in this hostile environment.

"The Holy Cathedral thanks you for coming of your own free will for this sacred mission," he declared in a voice that carried despite the howling wind. He paused, sweeping the assembly with his red eyes before continuing in a more serious tone.

"I myself will not be fit to lead this expedition aimed at permanently destroying The Spectrum," he began, feigning modesty.

"I think someone else is much more suited for this mission. A young man endowed with the innate ability to destroy these vile demons, who has proven himself over the past few years and has become a precious friend of our Holy Cathedral. Please welcome the one some already call The Mystical Exorcist."

A silhouette then detached itself from the shadow of a tent. His long silver hair, whose shade recalled that of the first emperor Sulyvhan, cascaded over his shoulders, identical to his long leather coat with runic patterns.

Upon seeing him, the young playboy Sierra blushed and turned his head to the side.

He advanced with nonchalance, a lit cigarette at the corner of his lips, exhaling gray smoke that mingled with the mist of Tenebris. His gaze, light gray with an icy coldness, scanned the ranks of the factions with casual arrogance.

"Wow, is he this famous Exorcist?"

"I thought he was older!" commented a young girl.

"He is so handsome with his nonchalant aura..." added another, blushing.

After all, the rumors about him were diverse, capable of inspiring fear at the mere mention of his name. It is said that just mentioning his name gave fear to possessed people.

His legend had even reached the deepest parts of hell.

"No need to address me with nicknames," he declared in a drawling voice that cut off the last whispers.

"My wife Walpurga doesn’t like this kind of pompous and ridiculous names that only serve to flatter the ego of fools."

He stopped in the center of the assembly, exhaling a puff of smoke.

"Address yourselves to me as Klein... Klein Konstantine."