“Haa~”

  Sigh escaped out of Arc’s mouth as his gaze went through horizon.

  His mind returned to day before.

  Yesterday, it’d be called most hectic day ever since he lives in Crestia.

  Do you know why?

  Because half of village was destroyed!

  It’s amazing as the buildings in village were unexpectedly very sturdy despite its look. Even the explosion incident that Arc and Misha caused years ago only destroyed a tiny part of it.

  To summary what happened;

  –It’s Chaos–

  After him and others escaped from the scruffle, the fight escalated, dragging more villagers into. It resulting a massive street fight across village.

  If only Crestia was normal village, the fight wouldn’t be so much trouble.

  Unfortunately, it wasn’t.

  Crestia was a very special village.

  None of villagers were normal people.

  First of all, the carnivore plants. It’s big and annoying. No matter how many times villagers cut it, it keeps grown back and multiply endlessly until it covered most of village. Not only that, the plant also sprayed yellow liquid that’d melt cloth, resulting crowd of naked old men and women on road.

  Gryph also a problem, as he destroying most buildings. Although he’s a former priest, he using many strong techniques that totally unrelated with priesthood, bulldozing everything in his range.

  A villager trying to stop the chaos, only to get hit by stray bullet and snapped, then tried to cover whole village in massive blizzard.

  Some houses turned into golems, then blindly attacking everyone.

  And many others bizarre phenomena come out as the chaos escalated.

  It’s picture of hell.

  The chaos only managed to stop when the village chief, Mr. Gran, returned from his outside business. His return almost like the advent of demon god as he beaten all villagers senseless except few that weren’t involved.

  The next day, or rather today, almost every activity in village was ceased. None usual people were sighted as they still recuperating on bed.

  Leaving the teens with a rare moment of freedom.

  *****

  ***

  *

  Because the incident, the teens got unexpected free day, as all their teachers and instructors still couldn’t rise from their bed.

  “Haa~”

  “Arc, how many times you’d sigh? Stop already. It’s annoying.”

  “Can’t be helped. Just look at me.”

  “Well… my condolence…”

  Misha honestly giving him her condolence.

  Why not?

  It’s because Arc was bandages all over his body! He got struck by bunch of stray bullets yesterday. Not only him, Misha herself and the rest of group, none of them leave unscathed. It wasn’t as bad as him though.

  Misha turned her face to the others.

  Beside their usual group, many others also with them today.

  The boys and girls were living in Crestia while holding similar yet different circumstance like them.

  Although they currently living in Crestia; Arc, Misha, Herlin, Raina originally outsiders. Crestia has rule not receiving guest or outsiders to live in, except for some ‘Circumstance’.

  Four of them wasn’t the only ones living in village with ‘Circumstance’. The rest young men and girls also outsiders with ‘Circumstance’, albeit different with theirs.

  “That’s quite pathetic look you got there, Arc.”

  A red-haired heroic girl shooting Arc with pitying gaze.

  “I wonder just how you managed to escaped from that with such light injures.”

  An elf girl commented with a bit amazement remembering the chaos yesterday.

  “May Mother Alycia will always protect you from your unfortune destiny.”

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  A young nun-looking girl holding her hands, praying for the boy.

  “It’s must tough for you, Arc.”

  A blonde boy with kind and refreshing face tapping Arc’s shoulder to encourage him.

  “I know it’s late, but you’re rather beloved by misfortune was confirmed.”

  A boy with scholarly appearance said without averting his eyes from book.

  “Whoa, you really. Can’t get out there unscathed, are ya’.”

  An ash hair boy sitting cross-legged in midair.

  “…”

  A sleepy looking white-haired girl boring her gaze at Arc.

  “Heh, he won’t die just so easily.”

  A flaming young beastman threw a spiteful word.

  “……It’s been while since everyone gathering together.”

  A bored-looking man watching the surrounding.

  Arc looking at them.

  He learned their identity and purpose while living in Crestia. After incident yesterday, he finally confirmed what he guessed years ago.

  Even though he has been living here for years, Arc still couldn’t uncover the secret that laying before him. The people living in Crestia were more powerful than he was imagined and their background still mystery. Aiden, Slyph and others were here to train the power they received and learned the way of the world here.

  As for why–

  These nine young people was bearing heavy destiny as beings of chosen ones.

  The bearer of power crest.

  Sign of future calamity.

  Future of Savior.

  There many titles bestowed on to them, but there only one title was recognized by the world.

  [The Nine Illuminates]

  As the title suggest, there nine people bestowed with powerful power.

  First Illuminate – The Beginning of Salvation – Aiden Akaleon.

  Second Illuminate – Saint of Arcetica – Annagold Holyfield.

  Third Illuminate – Ever Burning Cyrion Flame – Vandal von Violetstorm.

  Fourth Illuminate –Light of Velician – Willfred von Shield Velician.

  Fifth illuminate – Wanderer of Mystic – Leonard Viscalation.

  Sixth Illuminate – Sage of Emerald Wild – Slyphillia Ygg Symphonia.

  Seventh Illuminate – Endless Length Restion Marksman – Renvor Magnum.

  Eight Illuminate – Bringer of Eternal Peace – Cassandra.

  Nineth Illuminate – The Illusion and Reality Trickster – Richard Lupidheart.

  They are the future heroes of despairing time.

  They’re sign of great calamity that have yet come.

  Greater calamity than the one fall on his and Misha home.

  *****

  ***

  *

  The teens warming up their relationship since it’s rare occasion they could gather together.

  Arc group tell them about their future departure. Except Richard, everyone was reacting rather calmly upon hear the news. No one reacting like Aiden in early day. It seemed they have been informed beforehand as they only showed slightly disapprove expression.

  Except some disapproval mark and Richard endless chatter, everyone calmly accepted their departure.

  Although knowing they couldn’t prevent that, it still weighted their mind knowing their friends will leave soon.

  Anticipating it, Arc have some idea to lighted their mood and trying to create some memory together.

  “You really want to do this?”

  Aiden asked.

  “Yeah, it’s quite we’re got time together like this, so might we do this.”

  Arc explained.

  “Hmph, why did you always doing useless things.”

  “You can leave if you don’t want to, Vandal.”

  “…”

  “A-ha-ha-ha, don’t tease him too much, Arc.”

  “…Shut up…”

  Vandal scorned as Misha laughed.

  Arc and Misha smiling warmly as they saw his expression. They didn’t mind his rudeness as they know him quite well.

  “You… Don’t be so rude.”

  “Why you shortie.”

  Though, Herlin didn’t quite like his behavior. Herlin and Vandal seemed didn’t like each other as both of them quarreling pretty much upon met.

  A warm looking blonde boy approaching the group as Arc and Misha busy pacify Herlin and Vandal.

  “Hey Arc, we’re ready.”

  “Oh, Will. Thank to tell us.”

  “…Do you really want to go with that appearance?”

  Willfred looking Arc’s painful appearance. Almost entire of his body covered by bandage except for his face.

  “Oh, right… A moment.”

  [Instant Change]

  A bright glow covering Arc. Once the light faded, most bandage on him vanished and his appearance become more or less normal. His clothes also replaced with better ones.

  “Let’s go”

  “That trick still amazing no matter how much I see it.”

  Willfred was complimented with a bit amazement in his voice.

  What Arc just shown was his self-create magic. Its power allowed someone to instantly change their clothes and equipment.

  “Hmph, just a little trick.”

  “But, it’s a trick only Brother can use…and he made it by himself…not like you…”

  “Why you little…”

  “Hey, both of you, just chill out.”

  Misha standing still between them with tired expression. Though, there hint of pride in her eyes when mentioning Arc’s magic.

  Although she didn’t show it outwardly, Misha felt little prideful with Arc’s achievement.

  [Instant Change] was a First Level Magic and only could considered a little trick compared magics that taught in Crestia. However, creating a new magic was harder than said, moreover creating useful one. Albeit lowest rank, [Instant Change] was unique magic only few beside Arc could learn it as it involving Arc’s unique constitution.

  By the way, Vandal was pouted for a week when he learned he couldn’t learn one of lowest level magic, but that’s another story.

  “Why you can’t just be nice…”

  “Hmph. Why should I?”

  Misha thought returned by the pair beside her. Realizing their quarrel won’t stop soon, she musters the best smile she had.

  “…Both of you, just get along, okay? Or I really will angry.”

  “Yes, sis!”

  “Roger!”

  Or maybe, the scariest smile she had.

  Herlin and Vandal stop their quarrel immediately. None of them had courage facing Misha when she smiling like that, especially Vandal. Vandal broke cold sweat as an unpleasant memory surfaced. He was first hand experiencing the chilling experience when someone going against scary smiling Misha.

  As them three conversed, Arc finished changing his appearance.

  “Hmm, you look good now.”

  Willfred said after taking a look.

  “Thanks. Everyone, let’s go.”

  Arc said after tidying up his clothes.

  While there still some bandage, his current appearance was much better.

  They then went to the others place. There, Raina was setting a magic camera (Or was it Misha was called) while the rest have taken position before it.

  It’s Arc and Misha idea.

  To take a picture together and give everyone a copy.

  For the camera, Misha managed get a hand of it in the past. Magic camera in this world somewhat similar with one from the depth of her memory. Although there difference here and there, the basic operation and its feature very similar. There even timer!

  The camera was one of few items they brought from home. Apparently, camera was an incredibly rare item as only Renvor and Willfred recognized it after Arc shown it.

  “Hey, how long you want to make us wait?”

  “Haha, sorry.”

  Arc was apologizing.

  “Step aside.”

  “Can’t you stop being rude.”

  “I’ll stand here.”

  “Go here, Herlin.”

  “Umm, Thank you…”

  “I’ll take the best pose!”

  “Don’t pushing!”

  “Just calm down! There so much room here.”

  Immediately, almost everyone take position before the camera. There a little ruckus in process, then everyone managed to take their place. For some reason, Arc group was placed on center.

  Raina handed the camera to Misha and took position just behind Arc.

  “Everyone ready! Say, cheese!!”

  Out of habit, she brought up the shooting habit from that place here.

  After setting the timer, Misha quickly ran to the group and take position beside Arc and pull Herlin in her arms.

  Ten second later, the camera shot bright light and immortalizing the scenery before it.

  Leaving a memory that will know as ‘Heroes and Young Memory’ for long further future.