Prologue: Double Larceny
From the depths of the planet, below the bottom of the ocean, through the crust, past
the mantle, and beyond—it rose from the core.
"Gauge activating. Detected."
The southwest corner of Mudor Canyon. Observation Facility 47.
This Imperial gauge had captured a strange change in something surging underground.
"Seismic magnitude of one. Epicenter is more than thirty-two thousand feet below surface."
"…That's deep."
"Detecting extreme heat. We've determined these tremors aren't from the tectonic plates
but something moving within the planet."
"Seismic magnitude of two. Epicenter has risen. Nearing thirty thousand feet below."
"That was fast. Could it be magma?"
"No active volcanoes in the vicinity. I doubt there's any reason for magma to come to the
surface."
"Then, what is it?"
This conversation was going nowhere.
A mix of voices from men and women, superiors and subordinates, all jumbled together.
Someone muttered quietly, "Could it be astral energy?"
Silence.
Everyone held their breaths and glared wordlessly at the gauge.
"A fountain…"
"Are you saying a vortex has formed at this location?!"
They were speaking about inexplicable power—astral energy.
Well, there was one thing about it that was clear. They had learned a century ago that
astral energy could possess humans.
Those controlled by astral energy developed a mark on their bodies of unknown
origin, becoming vessels of great power—akin to magic in fairy tales. This phenomenon
gave birth to the first witches and sorcerers in history.
"A surge of what might be astral energy is rushing up to the surface!"
"It's huge…"
"It'll break ground soon enough. Based on size, I'm guessing it will only be a matter of
time before a vortex forms on the surface!" reported someone with hints of anxiety.
A vortex was an exit point for eruptions of astral energy.
One hundred years ago, one of these vortexes formed under the Imperial capital,
transforming thousands of people into witches and sorcerers. Later, they began to be
persecuted, sparking a war between humans and those who could no longer claim to
be the same.
The vortex could even be considered the source of their bitter fight.
"You're saying it's going to erupt here?"
"…Yes, and it'll trigger the worst tug-of-war."
Any who were bathed in astral energy would become witches and sorcerers.
Moreover, it was common knowledge that coming in contact with a vortex increased
the strength of those who had already been possessed by this mysterious power.
"If the witches' paradise… the Nebulis Sovereignty is able to capture the vortex, then…"
"The witches and sorcerers will become even more powerful… This is no joke!"
Under no circumstances could that be allowed to happen.
The continued existence of "humanity," free from possession, depended on it.
This would cause a scramble for the vortex—one more terrifying than an ordinary
struggle between nations over any other resources.
"Inform the Imperial capital immediately!"
"Detecting high amounts of energy from what we believe to be the site of vortex formation.
Estimates indicate it should erupt in the next few days."
"Requesting military backup. We must secure the vortex, no matter what!"
Two hours after that incident, the Eight Great Apostles who served as the supreme
judicial organization in the Empire passed down their judgment.
"Dispatch one battalion from headquarters."
"Also, notify the Saint Disciples."
"Odds are that the Nebulis Sovereignty will mobilize their astral troops and purebred
mages. We must consider making use of the eighth seat of the Saint Disciples, 'Nameless.'"
Meanwhile, in the Nebulis Sovereignty—the "Paradise of Witches"—a firebird carrying
Kissing Zoa Nebulis took flight. She was a member of the Grand Witch's bloodline—in
other words, a purebred.
The Imperial army against the astral troops. The superhumans called the "Saint
Disciples" against the highest-ranking witches, purebreds.
The curtain rose on the violent scramble between humans and those who could no
longer claim to be the same.