The Author's POV

Caissa headquarters.

"Everything is going as Ren has predicted."

Ryan mumbled something under his breath as he bit his nails and studied the monitors that were situated in front of him. Ava was standing next to him at the time, and she gave a slight nod as a bird perched on her arm.

"In approximately one week, the forces of the Monolith will make their way to Ashton city. As Ren had predicted, they began their assault on us by first destroying the four cities at the edge of the human domain. They will almost certainly make a brief stop on the outskirts of the city before attempting to breach the city's defenses."

"I agree…"

Ryan kept gnawing on his fingernails as he moved the pointer of his mouse around the screen and gazed at the deserted streets of Ashton city. In particular, his gaze was drawn toward a few distinct buildings, and he turned his head to inquire about something.

"Have you already set everything up?"

"Yes. Everything has been arranged. All we have to do is wait for Ren to give us the go ahead before moving."

"How long do you think that will take?"

"Probably two more months."

Ava truthfully answered.

"He did mention in advance that he would be extremely busy over the course of the next three months. One month has already passed, and there are still two more months to go. Because Angelica is not here with us either, we are unable to proceed with our plans just yet."

"So are we just going to stay here and do nothing while the Monolith attacks next week?"

Leopold's voice could be heard as he walked into the monitor room with his daughter Sophia following closely behind.

She waved her hand lightly at the two, who waved back at her.

All of the members' families were escorted to the headquarters in order to ensure their own personal safety.

Hein's parents and siblings, Ava's family, Ryan's mom, Leopold's daughter, and so on…

This place had basically become the home of all the members' families. Fortunately, the warehouse was big enough to house everyone without any problems.

"Yes, for now, that is."

Ryan replied to Leopold without looking at him. He had already seen him coming a few seconds ago so he wasn't exactly surprised.

we supposed to

comfortable on one of the sofas at the back of the room. Ava, staring at him, turned to Sophia

whatever he's doing, we won't have time to spend with our families for quite some

face subtly shifted as he leaned his head down to gaze at his daughter. In the

that way, then I will do my best to enjoy

***

Within a dark void.

Swoosh—! Swooosh—!

practicing a series of sword moves as his

Swooosh—! Swoooosh—!

an ethereal quality to them, and with each new set of moves he would perform, his

seen standing not too far away from where he was. The figure was restrained by a number of chains, and it just stood there and stared

silence enveloped

what he was doing and looked at

is what I've come up with so

"…"

without uttering a

unconcerned as he sat down on the ground and dropped

green book appeared

sets one executes, the more precise

slowly over the

he discarded the book and

his hand, a new colored book appeared in his

to release the latent and raw power that is within the muscles of the human body. The harsher the conditions that their bodies undertake, the more powerful they

sword arts, he

"The Keiki style…"

of the room. He cocked his head back and looked up at the pitch-black abyss that loomed over him as he leaned back in his

would be such a great space

head to the

I decided to practice

to his feet and moved in the direction of the figure that was restrained in chains. His

of outside? It's very obvious that training outside of here would be more efficient given all of the equipment that is available to me, but I chose

at the space. His face looked completely dead, and Ren's words seemingly passed

didn't seem to mind this as he continued

reason why I decide to train here is

his head forward and whispered

to create a new sword art and reach the