Three days passed in a blur of preparation and soul absorption.

Reinhard stood in his dorm room, surveying himself one final time in the small mirror. His black-white academy jacket sat perfectly on his shoulders, the fabric crisp and clean. Black trousers, black shoes polished to a subtle shine.

The Herald Mark necklace rested against his collarbone, the metal cool through his shirt. His right hand flexed inside the black glove, he felt the leather had become second nature now, comfortable as his own skin.

His bag sat on the bed, packed with essentials. Spare clothes, basic supplies, and everything he needed for a month-long expedition into Eastern Hesod.

He then heard three taps on his door, leading him to turn, and he crossed to the door and pulled it open. Joseph stood in the hallway, his bright green eyes filled with delight.

A grin spread across his face, the kind that suggested barely contained excitement. "Are you ready?" Joseph asked, already shifting his weight like he wanted to start moving immediately. "Marie is already at the main hall to greet our new teammate and is with Brunhilde."

Reinhard smiled, reaching back to grab his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. "Yeah, I have everything. Let's go."

He closed the door behind him, the lock clicking into place. They began walking through the dormitory corridor past numbered doors, beneath lamps and pools of light across the carpet runner.

They passed through the heavy wooden doors marking the exit of the East Wing, stepping into the broader academy corridors.

Tall windows lined the walls, letting in morning sunlight that painted patterns across marble floors. A few early-rising students passed them, offering nods of greeting that both returned automatically.

Reinhard glanced at Joseph, noting the slight tension in his shoulders beneath his white-black jacket. "So about your older sister… Did she go missing by choice or-"

Joseph's grin faded before he sighed. "We aren't sure. There were no conflicts or fights in our family. She promised me before she went on her trip to the Binah Continent that she would come back for the new year."

"But she didn't?" Reinhard watched Joseph slightly tremble as they walked. "I'm already guessing a search was done in Binah, but nothing was found?"

Joseph nodded with a slight frown. "She went with a team of researchers when undiscovered ruins were found in Binah. My sister Vivian joined the team because her teacher, Emeriss, had invited her. He used to be the History Professor for Third Years, and Vivian was considered one of his favorite students."

Reinhard's eyes widened. "No wonder..." Understanding clicked into place. "Wait, was it just Vivian who went missing? Or could it-"

"The entire team went missing," Joseph confirmed, his voice dropping lower while his hands clenched at his sides. "It happened ten years ago, in the year 1037 on July the fourteenth."

Reinhard's brows furrowed as they turned a corner, passing carved stone archways that marked transitions between academy sections. His eyes widened slightly. "Wait, wasn't there a rumor about a rainbow appearing in the sky on Binah?"

Joseph nodded, and something flickered in his green eyes. "There were multiple witnesses who said they saw a pillar of rainbow rush up into the sky. Then it covered the entire Binah Continent sky in rainbow colors for three minutes before it faded."

"Then after that..." Reinhard frowned. "There were no sightings of Vivian and the others?"

Joseph grit his teeth while his fist clenched harder. "The entire Binah army forces and Memento Mori Academy scoured the entire continent and the ruins they'd explored. But they couldn't find anything, not a single clue or indication that something happened." His voice turned bitter. "It was as if they never even entered the ruin, was the reply my father got."

They walked in silence for a moment, passing through another section where portraits of stern-faced academics watched from the walls. Reinhard processed this information, turning it over in his mind.

"But then there have been sightings of her?" Reinhard asked.

Joseph's expression brightened immediately. "Multiple people have said they've seen a person who looked like my sister. A woman with long silver hair, light blue eyes, and a blue cloak with a sword pointing down."

Reinhard nodded slowly as he caressed his chin. "The description could also be about another person... Did you confirm through her magic signature?"

"There have been multiple readings of my sister's magic where people have seen her," Joseph said quickly with a faint smile. "And now the most recent one is in Eastern Hesod."

Reinhard's eyes softened as he could see the hope warring with doubt in his friend's expression. "I'm surprised the academy didn't send people to go check."

Joseph shook his head as his shoulders slumped slightly. "I think they and my dad have given up on trying to find my sister and the team." His voice carried resignation mixed with anger. "They believe if she keeps showing up throughout the world, then it's obvious she isn't missing and taken. They think she's just hiding away and doing her own thing."

They reached the grand staircase now, beginning their descent. The iron curved along the railings, polished to gleaming, while below, the main hall opened up with its columns and ceiling.

"And what do you believe?" Reinhard asked quietly.

Joseph's frown deepened while his hand gripped the railing as they descended. "I don't know..." The words came out strained, honest. "I just want to meet her and simply ask her why. I just want to hear her reasoning and why she hasn't come home."

Silence descended between them for five seconds as their footsteps on the stairs echoed in the vast space.

Reinhard could feel Joseph's confusion and pain, ten years of not knowing.

Reinhard smiled, reaching out to gently grasp Joseph's shoulder. "Then let's go find her and ask her. If she tries to run away and not answer, we can just beat her up until she does."

Joseph blinked, the statement clearly catching him off guard, and then laughter burst from him. "That doesn't sound too bad." His grin returned, brighter than before. "Maybe this time I can finally topple that tyrant."

Reinhard chuckled as they reached the bottom of the stairs, and the main hall spread before them with columns rising toward the ceiling. He spotted Marie standing in her standard black-white academy uniform, her platinum hair and her light-gold eyes were focused on someone beside her.

It was a man with black hair bearing blue highlights, orange eyes, tan skin, and wearing a black-blue coat over his academy uniform. The stranger shifted nervously, but a faint smile played across his face as Marie spoke to him.

Brunhilde stood slightly apart, her violet-blue hair falling past her shoulders in waves. Her dress was deep midnight black and ashen silver, the skirt asymmetrical and torn with deliberate intent. Long panels fluttered slightly, revealing glimpses of black silk stockings and heeled boots laced high to her knees.

Rosaria was there too, her silvery-lavender hair swept back, crimson eyes observing everything.

Brunhilde noticed them first.

Her light blue eyes lit with delight, a smile spreading across her features. She walked toward them with her heeled boots clicking against marble.

Marie blinked, then her eyes brightened as she turned while she waved energetically. "Rein! Joseph! There you are, you're the last ones!"

Joseph chuckled as Brunhilde reached them. "I see you went to get Rein." She said, her voice warm with approval. "Thank you, Joseph."

Joseph nodded with a smile before heading toward Marie.

Reinhard focused on Brunhilde, studying her expression. "Are you okay?"

Brunhilde nodded, something softer entering her features. "I'm guessing they told you everything?"

"Regardless of anything." Reinhard said firmly. "I'm happy you aren't arrested and can continue toward your dream."

Brunhilde chuckled. "It's all thanks to everyone's help, and I hope that with me coming along on the mission, it can help."

"It will." Reinhard assured her. "And I'm thankful you're coming. Let's go."

They headed toward Marie and the others, Brunhilde falling into step beside him. Rosaria nodded when she saw them all gathered, her crimson eyes sweeping across the group with practiced assessment.

Marie suddenly pulled the nervous man forward with enthusiastic energy. "This is Janus Gruner! He's a fourth-year and our lovely team member for this mission."

Janus chuckled nervously, his orange eyes darting between them. "It's nice to meet you. Marie has been telling me a lot about you guys."

Joseph's lips twitched. "Hopefully the good stuff."

Marie pouted slightly, genuine offense entering her expression. "I always say the good stuff."

Reinhard chuckled. "It's good to meet you, Janus. It feels good to have a guide on this mission."

Janus's smile strengthened, some confidence replacing his nervousness. "It's good to have companions with me."

Rosaria stepped forward, commanding attention without raising her voice. "Alright, since everyone is here, you're all ready to go. Remember to stick together, listen to Brunhilde's orders in Eastern Hesod, and for this mission, Janus will be the lead."

Janus blinked before pointing at himself in surprise. "I am?!"

Marie, Joseph, and Reinhard all nodded simultaneously while their voices overlapped. "It makes sense. You're the guide, and we don't want to be screwed by the forest."

Rosaria nodded her approval. "The mission for this expedition has two phases. The first phase is to reach Janus's hometown, called Naraku. The second phase is to find the sighting spot where Vivian's magic signature was detected." Her crimson eyes hardened. "If it gets too dangerous, pull out. If there are problems, contact us immediately. Is this understood?"

All of them nodded.

Rosaria sighed, and for just a moment, something almost maternal crossed her features. "Then off you go... And good luck."

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