I turo Strawberry, my eyes widening.

  "That's..."

  "The POTUS in the flesh. That's just crazy! Wow."

  I could hear the disbelief ione, and I was nearly speechless. I mean, it wasn't pletely unheard of for a president to speak to a crowd of magical knights, but it wasn't on, and the implications of him iotally inito like that was... more than a little overwhelming.

  I had no idea what to make of it, and based on the emotions I felt in the air, her did anyone else.

  Elysia narrowed her eyes, staring at him quietly with an unreadable expression.

  "Thank you, thank you," Erichthonius Escathos said softly into the mic. "It's an honor to be here with you all. I know it must be a surprise to some of you, but I've always been a close friend of the magical knight unity. I am no Magical Knight myself, but I have taught, fought alongside, and bled with the best of the best. Yends and your stories inspire me and motivate me every day to tio do the best I in my role as leader of this great nation."

  He paused, his eyes darting around the room. "After what we experienced just a few weeks ago, it's more important thahat we e together as a people, as a nation, and as a p. I know we have had some differences, and there have been... troubling rumblings between major supervilin fas and hidden anizations that seek to undermihe peace we have built i tury. But no matter what happens, remember that we are all on the same side, and we are all here to fight together to ehat there is a tomorrow for ourselves and those who e after us."

  There was silence as his words resohrough the crowd.

  Strawberry ched her fist, aed look in her eyes. "Damn, this is intense. I 't believe... wow, this feels surreal."

  Elysia shook her head, squinting at him. "His aura seems... off today."

  I raised an eyebrow, leaning in. "You see that too?"

  She smiled, looking up at me. "Ah, you have Aura Sight? Well, not quite. I 't see auras. My skill is more like a sixth sense... I feel fluctuations in auras and gauge the amount of mana and magic arouh my bined senses. In any case, I've attended Presidehos's rallies in the past. His aura is... unusual. It's like it's yered, or encased in a field of energy. But it's definitely not pletely ordinary."

  Strawberry pouted, "Both of you have aura sensing abilities? No fair. Now I feel like I'm the only o of the loop!"

  Elysia ughed awkwardly, waving her hands in front of her face. "Oh, no, I just have a minor ability. Not very useful."

  But I khat couldn't be totally true.

  There was something... off about her too now that I thought about it.

  She briefly made eye tact with me, and I could sehe hesitation and doubt radiating off her aura as she looked away.

  She didn't have the same rea when talking to Strawberry. I mean, her aura danced like she felt awkward around Strawberry too, but she was fog mostly on me.

  Was there something in my own aura signature that was making her feel uneasy?

  Maybe it was because I clocked her real strength with my aura sight and I was subsciously ag differently.

  Or maybe...

  Maybe something deeper was going on here.

  I was getting increasingly suspicious of Elysia, and I wondered if there was something I was missing. She seemed so friendly and nice, but she was definitely on edge, and there was a sense of heavy restraint ing from her.

  "In spite of the widespread damage from the Cataclysm, society is still intact, and we are building back from the ground up with more passion and fervor than ever before. It's a testament to our strength as a people, our unity as a p, and the fual goodness in humanity. We are still standing, and we are determio rise up in the face of adversity and move forward."

  Another round of appuse.

  I couldn't help but smile and breathe a sigh of relief I didn't know I was holding as the president's aura rippled and expanded, no longer suppressed but revealing a brilliant golden glow that emanated around him.

  Most of the other knights couldn't see it, of course, but a heaviness in the air suddenly lifted.

  "I will say this ht. All of you are the best and brightest of this geion, and you hold a crucial role in proteg our p, our cities, and our uhere is no higher honor than to stand by your side and bring our best to the table for mentorship, and some of you may even grow to bee heroes greater than the ones who came before when all is said and done. But more importantly, you represent hope. Hope for a future, hope for prosperity and peace, and hope for a better, brighter world."

  He lowered his head, his expression sullen. "Rebuilding will be long and painful, and many will struggle to recover from the tragedy. But with every tear, with every loss, with every stroke of kindness and patiend determination, we rise up aurn stronger and more resilient than we could imagioday. And in that moment of renewal, we will never fet the sacrifices and the heroes who stood up and fought so that we could live in a better tomorrow."

  Strawberry chuckled softly to herself. "Man. He's got a way with words, huh? Guess that's why he's the president."

  Elysia sighed, shaking her head. "It's not a bad speech, but it's clear he no longer has The Sn with him. It has oomph, but the speeches she wrote for him would have people in tears at this point. I think he may actually struggle with reele, with the Unity Party's approval ratings dropping so quickly."

  I furrowed my brow, thinking about the tall, eye-catg girl half the campus was fawnierday. The raven-haired beauty was supposedly The Sn's daughter, and she'd been spotted heading towards the school's administrative offices.

  The Sn was one of twons on Presidehos's team. On-a-geion talents in their respective civilizations that pursued mastery to the highest level and asded beyond Pioneers.

  To bee a Paragon, the World System required someoo pursue a course that would refiheir talents in a way that served human adva and the ideals greater than themselves. It was a state of being that only a handful of people could achieve in the world in each geioo the tight ditions, and the highest form of being for someone designated as a Pioneer.

  Pioneers oher hand, are individuals that the World System identified as exceptional talents on a pursuit of mastery for an abstract, refined goal that would directly serve human adva. These could range from something as simple as a martial art, or sd engineering, to pursuits such as art or archaeology.

  But for a Paragon... that was the epitome of mastery. An ultimate expression of skill, ability, and mihat transded the veil of reality and reached a state of being in tuh the world.

  On individual bees a Piohey are offered accelerated advas by the World System in terms of skills, raw power, knowledge, and magical ability. The system monitors and guides their progress, giving them an edge against those who have not attained such a status. It was usually a margi quantifiable edge, such as rapid mastery of instruments and nguages, or a minor but signifit periodic leaps in attributes like strength or dexterity.

  But the World System always offered adva in the text of individuals and their goals. It was never forceful, hreatening, but simply a tool for talent identification, guidance, and encement. The system does not trol a person's life, nor does it dictate their will, but it offers those who would seize upon lofty ambition paths to achieve their goals.

  When offered a path to quick power and means to serve their is, some individuals would take the system's offers and spiral slowly to ruin. A desire for stifiowledge could turn into an obsession with the unknown and a lust for power, or an innocuous passion fhting inequality and injustice could turn into widespread terrorism and arson.

  In the end, the World System could only guide and proteuch. It did not decide the hearts of humanity, nor could it determihe choices individuals made.

  Most Pioneers remained simply that. Pioneers. But nearly all supervilins were Pioneers once.

  Pioneers who began to tread down a dark path would be offered special skills the knights branded as Depravities. They didn't o walk down those paths, of course, but Depravities often came during periods of their lives where it would just be... easier to give in, and follow a dark path instead to hold themselves to their ideals and values. It was easy to self-rationalize too, and skills that could be sidered Depravities were never explicitly beled as such, except through examination by special skills created to detect their use.

  That was the crux of the problem, really.

  Every individual was free to choose, but choosing wisely was not always easy, and choosing well was even harder.

  Once a Pioneer acquired a single Depravity, they would never be able to bee a Paragon, no matter how hard they trained or tried to redeem themselves. Their energy signatures and frequency would be fually ged.

  The Sn was one of Presidehos's teammates, a genius political kingmaker, and master tacti, who had served as his right hand in a good-cop/bad-cop duo. She was a brilliant battle strategist and a world-css martial artist, aired from hero work after the climactic battle against Mortifera Nox fifteen years ago.

  She had won nearly every high-stakes battle and war she had ever been part of, and her intelligence was as legendary as her fighting prowess.

  But no matter how skilled and dangerous she was, the Sn was still human, at the end of the day. She didn't have the enhanced vitality or lifespan from being a Magical Knight, arengths were all learned, not natural, and they could fade with age. The Sn had left the final battle against Mortifera Nox victorious, but with a tig time bomb in her body.

  Many people referred to her as a mastermind, a strategist who could outthink any enemy.

  But she could not out-think the terminal illness Mortifera Nox's magic had seeded within her during the battle.

  Some said that without the Sn's brilliant, prest mind, Presidehos would have never beeed as the sole third party didate in over a tury, let alone secured an untested four-year term and packed a quarter of gress with his party. She had survived for over a decade after the battle against Nox, but time could only dey the iable.

  Her death three years ago had shocked and stuhe world, and her presence would be missed by the entire world.

  But her legacy was alive and well in the dozens of highly successful students she'd mentored and trained personally throughout the years. She had also famously adored children, and was known for sp dozens of orphans, resg them from bad situations aing them pced in homes or f works. She had given the world so mud made a sting impact.

  With her gohough, a power vacuum had beeed.

  Presidehos was incredibly popur, but even for someone like me. That is, someone who wasn't too into politics... I could see the breakdowhe st year or two. The fractures, the cracks. With his chief advisor and fidant gone, he had lost a major pilr of support and stability in his administration.

  And then the world had nearly ended a couple of weeks ago.

  The president had personally leaped into battle outside Kaleidoscope City in a mech adorned with the Ameri fg and rescued civilians alongside the knights and the remaining heroes that had gathered at the time.

  He'd risked his life, and had e out of the battle with plenty of injuries, but he had made a heroic impression that brought a wave of popurity. Nobody knew how it would py out long-term, but it seemed like his approval rating was hitting the low 70s for the first time in years.

  But everything seemed to be up in the air right now.

  "Lux?"

  I blinked, snapping back to the present as I realized Elysia was staring at me.

  ...I'd pletely spaced out thinking about the Cataclysm and the Nightmare of Nox again.

  "Sorry, my mind just drifted off for a bit."

  Elysia frowned, gng up at the stage as Escathos was making his closing remarks. "It's okay. I uand. It's a lot to process."

  "Yeah, definitely. Man, just..."

  She smiled, a hint of sadness in her voice. "I know. Escathos has such a long history with the Magical Knights, and it's o hear him speak directly to the unity again. He's always been very vocal about supp the knights and teamwork, but it's a little different now."

  I nodded. "I tell. It's weird, almost like he's... unfortable?"

  She nodded. "He's been caught up since he was elected. But that es with the territory, I suppose."

  "So you know him personally, huh?" I probed.

  She smiled, twirling a strand of her hair. "I wouldn't say personally, but my parents worked for him, and my... dad still does. They took me along for his campaign but I never spoke to him directly, at least not back then."

  Ah.

  So Elysia was something like a legacy child in the world of Magical Knights. It was no wonder she had a freakishly bright aura.

  She'd probably been tracted young and trained by some of the best. She probably also had access to the most cutting-edge teology and training programs. That expined a bit about her but not everything.

  "My parents were always busy," Elysia blurted out quietly, as if reading my thoughts. "I was bounced arouween nannies and tutors, ao b schools a lot, but they did put in effort where they could. I guess it helped cultivate my independence, and they did something right because I was chosen to be a magical girl, but I missed out on having a real retionship with them, you know? It was lonely."

  I smiled weakly. "I know what you mean. I grew up with my mom, a along well, but it wasn't always easy. We were dirt broke and she's a siher, so I guess... the stress eventually got to her and she spent less aime around me."

  She nodded, her face filled with uanding and sympathy. "I get it. It's hard growing up like that."

  "Yeah," I sighed, shrugging my shoulders. "But hey, it's life, right? You've got to make the best of it."

  "Exactly," she grinned. "Anyway, what's your team status so far?"

  "I was one of the emergency tracts. tracted during the Cataclysm, so I'm a bit of a rookie. Didn't get mu the way of formal training. Nearly died a couple of times figuring things out, but I'm here, and I'm trying to make the most of it."

  She winced, biting her lip. "I'm... sorry to hear that. I had no idea. That was a terrifying day to say the least. Even for someone like me who's been a magical girl for a few years, it was..."

  She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "It was horrible. I still have nightmares about it."

  "Yeah, it retty rough."

  "Zzzz....."

  I turo my left, blinking as Cw Strawberry suddenly slumped onto my shoulder, asleep. Her cheeks were a bit red, and she had a satisfied look on her face as she snored softly.

  Elysia stifled a ugh. "Oh my."

  There were still chocote crumbs on her face, and I couldn't help but smile.

  As eaining as this was, it was also a little unfortable.

  I couldn't let Strawberry fall asleep here.

  I gently nudged her, whispering. "Hey, you're asleep."

  She just snorted, breathing softly against my shoulder.

  "e on," I sighed, shaking her gently.

  She smiled, yawning as she batted my hand away. "Mmmmm.... macaroons."

  I sighed. It seemed like it wasn't going to be that easy.

  "Anyway..." Elysia chuckled, and she seemed a little distant. "I'm pretty o Kaleidoscope. Like, literally dropped out of the sky."

  She rubbed her arm, staring down at the floor. "And well, I just wao ask. You don't have a team right nht? If you air up for awhile... maybe we line some courses up or just practice together?"

  "Oh," I said, taken aback. "You sure? I mean, I'm sure you've got better offers than a noob like me."

  She blinked, looking up at me. "I don't, actually. Like I said, I'm literally new, and um, I don't have any references or es here."

  "Huh."

  She seemed genuine.

  Holy, she robably above my level in skills, and I'd feel bad about taking advantage of or slowing down someone who was so much more experiehan me.

  But... I could definitely see myself fighting alongside her. Her sensing abilities would be a big help, and she seemed niough.

  She bit her lip, before tinuing. "Um... I mean... why don't we join up for a week or two and see how things go? No pressure, though."

  I nodded. "Sounds like a pn."

  She smiled, and I could see a sharp relief suddenly cross her eyes as she huffed.

  Cw Strawberry stirred, yawning as she blinked her eyes open, fused. She lifted her head off my shoulder and looked around, before realizing where she was and frowning. "Nnny... Ah, sorry. Did I fall asleep on you?"

  I chuckled softly. "Don't worry about it. I don't mind."

  She rubbed her eyes, groaning. "What did I miss?"

  I shrugged. "Nothing. Just Presidehos talking. He's almost done anyway, so we probably should get ready to go."

  Her ears drooped, and she frowned "Oh, dammit. I nodded off! Argh."

  I ughed. "It's okay. I spaced out for most of it too."

  "Humph. I never nod off. Shoulda napped when I was feeling drowsy earlier."

  Her grumbling seemed half-hearted, though, and I couldn't help but grin.

  "...Well then, thank you all for your attention and for everything you do."

  The president waved to the audience, and the hall exploded into appuse, the ceiling eg with the deafening sound of our g.

  Cw Strawberry gasped, pumping her fist. "Yeah! Escathos for life! That was a good speech, even if I didn't get to hear most of it."

  Elysia shrugged, smiling. "He's good with words, that's for sure."

  She gnced back, meeting my eyes, and an awkward silence passed between us before we both turned away and focused oage.

  Odd.

  She was... odd.

  There was something in her aura that was more than a little off. It didn't feel threatening or dangerous. It was like there was something she really wao say but was holding back.

  "So girlies, anyone want to get some ice cream? Lux? Elysia?" Cw Strawberry stood up, brushing some of the hair out of her face as she stretched her arms. "Like, now. I am dying of hunger."

  "Strawberry, you just ate a muffin the size of your head," I deadpanned.

  She giggled, c her mouth. "I know! And it's time for sed dessert."

  She looked at me with bright, mischievous eyes, and I had a feeling this would just bee a thing I might regret in the long run.

  But hey, ice cream sounded good.

  Elysia looked thoughtful, shrugging. "Sure, I don't mind. Good for after the speeches, I suppose. It's always good to celebrate with sugary treats after a job well done."

  Cw Strawberry rolled her eyes, smirking as she turo me. ", Lux. Let's blow this joint."

  She looked at me pleadingly with her watery eyes, and I knew I couldn't say no.

  I scratched the bay head, ughing nervously. "Oh, uh, yeah. Sure. I mean, if you're both in, I don't have any objes. It'll be fun."

  Strawberry held up her fist. "Ice cream, baby!"

  She was a sweetheart and full of energy, but she could be a bit of a handful.

  Just a bit.

  At least I wouldn't be alone.

  I took a deep breath, turning to Elysia. "Alright the's go?"

  She hesitated, but then quickly nodded in agreement. Then, she breathed out deeply, and I saw a visible tension leave her shoulders.

  "Let's."