D-City – Zenith Tower, 77th Floor

  The low hum of arcane servers and enchanted machinery filled the air, as though the city itself breathed through wires and spellwork. Inside one of the most imposing structures in the heart of the central district, the TechnoForge Conglomerate worked behind the scenes, controlling the flow of technology and magical hardware across all three islands of Astrea. From enchanted weapons to mass-scale prana systems, everything passed through their hands.

  At the very top of the tower—where black glass met the stormlit sky—stood a man, his silhouette framed by lightning on the horizon.

  Renard Kisaragi, CEO and architect of TechnoForge’s rise, carried the poise of a commander and the chill of a tactician. He stood with hands clasped behind his back, speaking into a levitating communicator rune.

  —So it’s confirmed... the First Phoenix is in a coma?

  A voice on the other end replied, calm and precise:

  —Yes. Her core collapsed after the tournament. All that’s left is to secure her body and bring it to the altar. Everything’s in place.

  Renard’s eyes narrowed.

  —Good. Proceed as planned. Extract the girl from the Kurogane Estate—quietly. No mistakes.

  —Understood. Magic inhibitors are already active. Once Ishiki leaves the premises, we move in.

  The communicator dimmed to silence.

  Renard turned toward a glowing schematic of the estate. Every magic seal, every weak point, every hidden gate—it was all there.

  He allowed himself a thin smile.

  —In the end... the Phoenix won't rise in flame. She’ll rise in service.

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  Far from the neon-touched towers of D-City, beyond the tech-fueled pulse of Ambrocity, lay Crystalis—the third island of Astrea. Land of enchanted mines, sapphire towers, and ancient noble houses who wielded magic through living gems. Refined, elegant, and deadly.

  Its capital city, Usagi, was known for its dense population of therra—beings with animalistic traits, especially rabbits—though its true fame came from its gemstone trade and arcane refinement.

  On a hill cloaked in crystalline trees stood the ancestral estate of the Riessfeld Family. Master jewelers. Elite warriors. A clan whose name carried weight not just in politics, but on the battlefield. Here, blade met gem, and tradition shaped destiny.

  Inside the estate’s primary dojo, a young man trained with relentless focus. Each swing of his gem-forged sword left trails of light in the air. Embedded in the hilt, a blood-red crystal pulsed with prana, syncing with every movement.

  The silence broke with hurried footsteps.

  —Lady Eva! Lady Eva! —a butler called, breathless—. Urgent word from Ambrocity. The Kurogane daughter… she’s fallen into a coma.

  The woman seated by the window turned slowly, her presence as commanding as any general. Eva Riessfeld, matriarch of the house, bore white hair and eyes like winter frost. Her aura crackled with the quiet promise of power.

  —What did you just say?

  —It happened during the tournament. Her core was forcibly collapsed. There are whispers of a prophecy... and a plan to steal her body.

  Eva stood at once, her jeweled cloak shifting like flowing crystal.

  —Prepare my transport. Summon the Sapphira Guard. We leave for the Kurogane Estate tonight.

  —And the Council? —the butler asked hesitantly.

  —They can wait. When a daughter of fire falls... a mother of crystal answers.

  From the dojo, a calm voice broke in.

  —We’re going after her?

  It was Lucien Riessfeld, her son. Bare-chested, sweat glistening across his skin, he held the gemblade at his side, eyes sharp as cut glass. At only seventeen, his prowess in both swordplay and gemcasting already made him one of the most promising heirs in the noble circles.

  Eva looked at him, their bond unspoken but steel-strong.

  —Yes, Lucien. We will find Homura. And we will deal with whoever dared lay a hand on my future daughter-in-law.

  Lucien gave a quiet smirk, stepped forward, and sheathed his sword with a clean click.

  —Then we better get there before they do.

  Eva nodded once.

  —Indeed. If anyone thinks they can toy with the destiny of the Phoenix… they’ll learn just how sharp crystal can truly be.

  And with that, mother and son began their preparations. The heart of Crystalis beat faster once more.

  Not for politics.

  Not for power.

  But for loyalty—

  … and a flame that refuses to die.