The Strongest Saber Arrives
Gate Management Bureau Minister Metis.
His office wasn't a place just anyone could enter.
As a minister in the Central government hub of Central, he was one of the highest-ranking officials representing the government.
But even he had opponents who gave him trouble.
"Ah, Mr. Dennis. I heard you arrived."
"I'm the one who's late."
"Haha, you're so busy, it's unavoidable. Have a seat for now."
"Understood."
Dennis Raphael.
A man who had acquired four skills from gates alone—true to his moniker of "Legend," he didn't need adjectives like "strong."
After his rival Isis died in a 7th rank gate, he was the only existing 7th rank Saber.
Dennis was the strongest Saber.
Even more astonishing was the fact that he was only thirty years old.
"The council has a lot of interest in this operation."
"They're strong students. It'll succeed."
Meeting Dennis's golden eyes,
Metis felt pierced through by something. Known as a gate veteran and a 6th rank in his active days, Metis was on a whole different level from Dennis's overwhelming strength.
"By the way... the fact that the council sent you to the Gate Management Bureau—does that mean the rumors are true?"
Metis asked Dennis cautiously. Though his government rank was higher, it meant nothing to Dennis.
Dennis brushed back his long silver hair out of habit.
"For now, only they know."
The official reason for dispatching Dennis to the Gate Management Bureau was as an evaluator.
It was a virtual gate, but with difficulty ranging from 4th to 5th rank. The council's stance was to send a master like Dennis to assess the students' capabilities.
But the internal reason was security for the Gate Management Bureau.
Desire had recently declared war on Central.
The known Desire members included 6th rank Sabers. They were far too powerful to dismiss as mere terrorists.
Yet yielding to threats and postponing the schedule would be Central waving a white flag to Desire.
That's why they dispatched Dennis.
Just looking at him made Metis feel secure.
"With you here, Mr. Dennis, the enemy will rethink their plans if they're smart. While you're at it, why not check out the raid teams' skills tomorrow with me? The Arcana and Celia Academy raid teams are on another level from the other parties."
"The rumors are rampant."
Rumors.
Dennis had no interest in Battle Survival or any particular student. He was at the pinnacle of all active Sabers.
There was no reason for him to care about students who hadn't even graduated. Yet Metis smiled and said,
"See for yourself. They'll exceed your expectations."
At Metis's words, Dennis issued a warning that wasn't quite a warning.
"My standards are high."
Dennis had reached 5th rank Saber by his second year. A literal monster. Satisfying him would take more than ordinary skill. But Metis spoke confidently.
"You won't be disappointed."
In Metis's view, Zien was a monster on par with Dennis.
The cutting-edge metropolis of Central.
Desire had gathered in one of its high-rise buildings. By the window overlooking the city nightlife sat seven chairs.
But only four people.
They pursued elite quality over quantity.
The leader had issued a summons, but unity was a distant concept for them.
"Four again. We know the boss isn't coming. Where the hell are 4 and 6?"
Fatal glared at the empty chairs. Cloa shrugged, as if she'd seen it coming.
"Those two are ghosts. I figured they wouldn't show."
The free-spirited No. 4.
The team-averse No. 6.
As Cloa predicted, they hadn't come. Someone burst into loud laughter.
"Kuhahaha! Yeah, better to assume those two are out!"
The boisterous man beside her was Teton, No. 2. His body, packed with muscle, was like a boulder.
Teton always wore a confident grin.
"Heard students are coming to the Gate Management Bureau this time? Perfect. I wanna see that brat who one-shotted my illusion."
As he spoke, Teton clenched his fist. He possessed raw strength that could crush steel without mana.
The table under his hand creaked ominously. At his words, Cloa let out a seductive sneer.
"Ah, Zien? That annoying little punk's got skills. Not that I'd ever admit to~ his illusion-beating feat."
Fatal cackled in agreement, a chain with a clock weight wrapped around his hand.
"Right! Gotta give credit where it's due. From watching the broadcast, that guy's no joke. If he keeps growing, heh, who knows? Might even reach boss level."
Fatal meant it as a joke, but Illusion's voice turned ice-cold.
"Are you saying that seriously?"
Killing intent poured from him, mana pressure crushing the air. Illusion's loyalty to the leader was blind.
Fatal backed down first—No. 3 Illusion was a tough matchup even for No. 5 Fatal.
"Ah, hey~ just kidding. Why so serious? Anyway, our threat must've scared 'em good—sending Dennis himself. But even he'd freak seeing the boss, right?"
Fatal snickered at whatever amused him. Cloa was just as pleased.
"Hehe, their faces would be hilarious. They probably think the boss is dead."
In Desire, numbers measured strength. But from No. 2 to No. 7, they were equals. There was a hierarchy of power, but
Bam!
"...Dennis!"
Illusion slammed the table without thinking. Cloa and Fatal flinched preemptively, while Teton calmly soothed him with a stoic face.
"Calm down, Illusion. His betrayal failed, and the boss survived. We're the proof."
Desire was the government's greatest threat. Their infamy drew massive public attention. But no one knew their goals or who their leader was.
"...Right. I have to endure. Tomorrow, that filthy liar's deception ends."
Illusion gazed out the window at the building below. On the first floor stood a woman in black robes and a white cape.
Ash-gray hair. Ash-gray eyes.
A woman whose somber aura turned the world around her to monochrome ink wash. But seeing her eased Illusion's face.
"...Let's greet the boss."
The Gate Management Bureau's portal room.
Today marked the first time in history students challenged a high-rank gate. But there were more staff and officials than the hundred-plus students.
Guilds. Broadcasters. Academy teachers—a diverse crowd.
"More people than I thought."
"It's the first time students are tackling a 5th rank gate."
Arcana's third-years Stella and Camille were hired for security during the off-campus activity.
Stella stuck out her tongue at the academies lined up before the portal.
"And tons of students too. Arcana, Celia, Croa, Plana... Easily over ten academies."
Flash Sword. Stella of Lightning Speed.
Despite her grandiose titles, she had an eccentric side. Keeping her in check was always Camille's job.
"Focus on security if you don't want points docked."
"Pfft! Come on, you really think Desire's coming?"
"Can't rule it out."
"Relax—know how many Sabers are on standby? And if Desire shows, I'll protect you."
Stella patted Camille's back, claiming childhood friend privileges, then eyed the evaluators.
"Look over there. Super reassuring, right?"
There were far too many evaluators for this virtual gate raid.
Active Sabers including Ferma and Marceline from the train.
The Broom of Extermination guild, with Bluma, Jackson, and Irel.
Arcana Principal Selphis and Celia Principal Raymond.
Gate Bureau Minister Metis and the strongest Saber Dennis—they would monitor the raid and judge if the students could handle a real gate.
"If the raid performance is pathetic, we won't entrust them with a gate even if they clear it."
Dennis nodded at Minister Metis's words.
"I'll judge carefully. Especially the 5th rank gate—I'll keep a close eye."
The portal rippled like waves of mana.
Zien looked at his seven companions and spoke.
"Not everyone shines in a gate. Quests, handicaps, condition—countless variables at play."
All eyes turned to Zien. They harbored different thoughts, but they trusted him.
"A Saber's job is simple: always make the best choice."
Zien's rallying speech to his team.
Ferma muttered incessantly to the hunters, clearly displeased.
"Talking like a veteran when they're basically chicks."
Kella sneered at Zien alongside Ferma.
"Totally. And 5th rank as students? Charging in on combat power alone is idiotic."
Kella herself had never cleared a 5th rank gate, but her tone dripped disdain for Zien.
Marceline, sidelined since the train incident, just listened, itching to speak.
Instead of cheering, these so-called seniors strut around. Sigh.
Dotton placed a massive hand on Marceline's gloomy shoulder.
"Hmm, Marceline. You look down."
"N-no, I'm fine."
All Marceline wanted was one thing.
For Zien's raid team to clear the 5th rank gate and shut Ferma up. Despite the awkwardness, she secretly cheered for Zien.
Go for it!
Meanwhile, Zien steeled himself staring at the screen by the portal.
This is the 5th rank virtual gate. It might help me reclaim my power.
📍 Region: Sky City
⚔ Difficulty: 5th rank
Zien closed his eyes.
His heart always raced in moments like this. Just as he'd said, no one knew what world or events lay beyond the gate.
A space far from safe.
Yet to save the current world, someone had to conquer it.
Thoughts sorted, Zien opened his eyes.
"Let's win."
At their party leader Zien's signal, the pre-planned Arcana-Celia alliance surged into the portal as one.