The Third Generation of Gates
The lights went out, and spotlights bathed the stage.
As all eyes fixed on the stage, a man strode out, and the lights of the entire plaza flickered back on. The imposing middle-aged man standing at the podium was Yubel.
Clap clap clap clap.
Thunderous applause erupted at his appearance. Once it died down, Yubel, holding a wireless microphone, opened his mouth.
"Humanity divides the history of gates into the first generation and the second generation. The first generation refers to the era when mankind faced the brink of extinction due to gate manifestations and disaster penalties."
The day the first gate opened.
Humanity was utterly defenseless. If they failed to clear a gate within the given time, the area would transform, monsters would spawn, or natural disasters from mana backlash would strike.
As many gates emerged, so did myriad disasters that greeted humanity, a world where people gave thanks simply for being alive.
A solemn voice flowed from Yubel's lips, firm as a single stroke of the brush.
"The second generation is conquest. Thanks to the power of Sabers, gates have become as manageable as weather phenomena. Yet gates remain a net negative for humanity." Yubel's expression grew grave.
True to his position as the head of a major corporation, his speech brimmed with charisma and magnetism, drawing the crowd's undivided attention.
"Our Mage Tower has relentlessly researched the reasons and principles behind gates. Could we not harness this power for the benefit of humanity?"
Click.
A massive screen lit up, displaying an inn from Zone 3, commonly called the martial world—a realm Savors could experience.
"The truth we ultimately uncovered about gates was astonishing. Parallel worlds detached from this Earth. Fragments from worlds that may have once existed. Those fragments are what we call gates."
Yubel's hand moved again, and various game screens appeared on the display.
"But they are not reality. Having broken away from their original worlds and become mere fragments, they are virtual, like these games. Nothing more than videos containing movie plots."
During the presentation, Yubel flashed a meaningful smile.
"But what if we could predict the world, time, and location where a gate will open?"
Gulp.
Zien swallowed unconsciously. They could peek into desired futures or spy on technologies from other dimensions. In fact, humanity's tech had advanced leaps and bounds after gates began opening.
"This is the third generation of gates: 'Gate Utilization.' In practice, we've collaborated with 1G to develop virtual gates."
At Yubel's gesture, photos of various academies scrolled across the screen.
"They're used for student exams and Saber-related events. But if the technology advances further, humanity can enjoy even greater progress through gates." Applause exploded once more at Yubel's speech.
Clap clap clap clap!
The cheers seemed endless. Then, the eyes of active Sabers, including Zien's, locked onto one spot.
'What's that?'
Mana usage.
Someone in the corner of the hall was aiming at Yubel and channeling mana. No way.
Boom!
An explosion rocked the air with vibrations.
Debris from the building rained down over Yubel's head. But elite active Sabers beyond 5th rank swiftly surrounded him. Yubel emerged unscathed, though the plaza had turned into a chaotic hellscape.
"What the hell?"
"Fire from upstairs!"
Screams and blasts drowned out all other sounds.
"Evacuate for now!"
"Kyaaak, save me!"
"Don't panic—head to the emergency exits!"
The active Sabers guarding Yubel whisked him out of the plaza in an instant. Zien scanned the situation, then said to Isabel.
"The emergency exit behind the stage is closest! Head there!"
"What? What are you talking about?"
Isabel was flustered by the sudden chaos, but Zien had no time to coddle her. Of all days, a terrorist attack on the one he was assigned to escort for extracurriculars. He tuned into his earpiece mic.
- Static, static... all personnel... evacuate... alert! Anomaly!
After the blast, the earpiece kept crackling. Zien activated it and spoke.
- Receiving. VIP will be routed to Emergency Exit 3. Acknowledged.
"What are you doing? Hurry up and go."
"You must be mistaken."
A burning structural beam plummeted from above, halting right over Isabel's head. A mana barrier had blocked it.
"I hate the hassle, but I'm a Saber too. I won't evacuate before the civilians."
"Fine. But you planning to rescue people in that dress?"
At Zien's question, Isabel gripped her velvet dress and tore it.
Riiip!
Now a miniskirt, it looked flashy but far more practical for movement.
"Any problems?"
"None at all."
Zien and Isabel launched toward the civilians.
With mana coursing through their legs, their speed was like a gale.
Isabel had rescued twenty civilians. She panted heavily, catching her breath.
"Huff huff... no one else on this floor?"
Even with mana-enhanced body strengthening, limits existed. Isabel slumped, soaked in sweat.
"Yeah, good work, Isabel."
"Ugh, how much dust did I inhale? Cough! No idea what their goal even is..."
The Twin Towers held no state secrets or treasures. Thanks to the Mage Tower's swift response, the pandemonium was settling.
Yet the terrorists' objective remained unclear. Isabel had felt uneasy throughout the rescues.
"Miss Isabel!"
Someone rushed up to her in a panic. Isabel rose slowly and eyed him.
"...Arman?"
"Lord Yubel is looking for you."
"Rescues are done, so I'll head down soon."
"Soon?"
"Gotta catch the terrorists."
"Oh dear, miss. That's for active Sabers. You need to evacuate first."
As Arman pleaded desperately, Zien, watching, spoke up.
"You've done more than enough as a student. I oppose you chasing the culprits too.
Go see your father."
Isabel nodded at Zien's pragmatic advice. It was foolish for a mere student like her to charge at villains.
Arman finally sighed in relief. He extended his right hand to Zien for a shake.
"Thank you! Given this incident, I'll propose tripling the compensation for all escorts today."
"No need. It was just my duty. But..." Zien suddenly grabbed Isabel's wrist and yanked her close.
"H-Hey? You, you you! Suddenly! What the...!"
So close their breaths mingled. Isabel's face flushed at the abrupt development. But.
Zien drew his magic tool, Black Fragrance, and swung at Arman.
Slash!
Unlike before, Arman—or rather, the figure—gazed at Zien with a seductive expression.
"Sharp eyes, huh? How'd you know?"
"Arman is left-handed." Zien's voice toward her was chillingly cold.
Freaky.
"Heh, pfft. Ha, ahahaha!"
The muscular man in his thirties laughed like a pubescent girl. Her hand-covered giggle was utterly feminine.
"Ah~ You've got keen eyes?"
"Villain, what's the goal of this terror?"
"Sorry, that's a secret. But I'll show you something fun instead."
Her stigma glowed, and her magic tool cloak enveloped her.
Swirl of colors.
Emerging from the cloak in Arman's place was a voluptuous beauty. Cloa.
Cloa loved her own appearance. With her disguise blown, there was no reason to cling to Arman's form.
"A transformation magic tool?"
Cloa answered Zien's question candidly, sneering.
"Yep, that's right. Too bad, kid. Your sharp eyes were your misfortune. I was just gonna take this lady and go."
With the situation clear, Isabel let out a hollow laugh.
"What? Your target was me? Guess they underestimated me."
Whoosh.
Flames engulfed Isabel's hands.
In their wake remained red gauntlets. Not quite on par with the 5th-rank Sabers guarding Yubel, but thanks to her innate talent, Isabel surpassed 3rd-rank Sabers. Unrivaled among first-years.
"Worked hard on those eyebrows. Sure you want them burned off?"
"Hmm~ Confident, are we? I like it~, but."
Cloa pulled a bead from her bosom. Inside the mana orb swirled darkness, like forced confinement, ominous.
Shatter.
The bead hit the ground, and the released mana eroded the surroundings.
"Can't use mana anymore, right?"
Cloa's words rang true. Isabel's gauntlets, Blaze, vanished like mist. No matter how she tried, her mana merely circulated within her body.
"Wh-What? For real..."
Isabel was undoubtedly strong. Her mana potential was peerless.
Thus, she never bothered training her body. Without mana buffs, her physical prowess was bottom-tier—barely able to guarantee victory even against civilians.
"Sorry, your ladyship trusted only mana and got cocky... Big sis went too far, huh?"
Seizing the advantage, Cloa sauntered toward Zien with leisure.
"Without mana, no magic tools, no stigma, nothing. Sad for cocky kids like you who rely on abilities."
Cloa licked her index finger seductively, smirking.
"So~ what's left? Just two frail students? Right?"
At Cloa's signal,
Ten members of the direct guard unit, the Gold Fangs, surrounded Zien and Isabel in a flash.
Gold Fangs.
True to their name—"steel molars"—these non-ability users, lacking internal mana, had honed Zone 3 swordsmanship to the level of 1st- or 2nd-rank Sabers. Impressive for normals.
"Kid, if you beg now, I might spare your life..."
Cloa whispered in Zien's ear. Her sweet voice and breath clung to his earlobe.
"This girl's irrelevant, so take her. That's all. Deal? Life's precious, you know."
Cloa relished Zien's sneering expression. Breaking strong-willed foes was exquisite.
'That condescending gaze... Ah~ Addictive~'
She imagined Zien's sneer twisting into submission or humiliation. The mere thought sent shivers down her spine.
'Gonna kill him anyway... but toying with him first...'
But Zien's actions far exceeded her expectations.
"Weak without mana?" In a flash, Zien snatched the sword from the Gold Fang directly in front of him.
"To me, that's."
Gripping the blade, Zien smirked. Even without mana, a single sword sufficed. One of Zien's many past-life titles was Sword God.
Facing such a Zien, Cloa's strategy of discarding mana for swordplay was blatantly.
"A blunder."
Zien aimed the sword at Cloa.