Chapter 22 – This is Something No One Anticipated

A Gate alarm. A calamity has manifested at the Cradle.

It wasn’t the first time, but neither was it commonplace.

Hope for the future, protected as they were. Hence the placement of the Sealstones.

“Cradle boundary level, bring it up to maximum.”

Born and survived amidst the Gate outbreaks of those early days.

Grasping the gift of an Ability, he rose as a Guardian, a hero of the past.

And now, a foundation for the juniors who would lead the future.

“Understood, Headmaster.”

Yohan Von Bauken, the 17th Headmaster of the Cradle. Headmaster Von, as he was often called, closed his eyes.

The start of it all: the fracture of the Sealstone. And the cause: a friendly spar between two students.

Though Headmaster Von held no thought of reprimanding student Deus or student Luciel.

Rather, he viewed their emergence as two sturdy pillars to safeguard the future.

Now, it was simply a matter of addressing any shortcomings, ensuring such an event didn’t recur.

‘The Sealstone’s never been damaged before by the impact of student sparring… I was too complacent. Something to note for the handover to my successor.’

Not overly concerned, though. There were no civilians here.

All possessed Abilities. Even the groundskeepers, every last one.

Certainly, the level differed, but at the very least, they could fend for themselves.

Furthermore, he had heard that this was not a high-risk Gate.

Which meant the level of monsters within wouldn’t be too high either.

‘Hunter and Tiamat were said to be at the site.’

Hunter had stepped back from fieldwork, but his skill remained near its prime.

And Tiamat, still active, had come to the Cradle desiring a teaching position.

Both were more than capable of subduing the monsters and closing the Gate.

“Just in case, ensure they thoroughly check for the emergence of additional Gates. And don’t neglect evacuation procedures.”

“The student council is already taking the initiative, guiding everyone towards the operational Sealstone zones.”

“There can be no missteps. It so happens that this damaged Sealstone overlaps somewhat with the 1st-year area.”

Headmaster Von reckoned that the day’s affairs would likely be concluded before evening.

Hunter and Tiamat entering the Gate meant about an hour’s consumption.

Then, once subjugation was complete, another hour to return the students.

With perimeter clearance, it would be a close thing, but perhaps everything would be wrapped up by day’s end.

…Or so he had thought, hours ago.

“The Gate… it still hasn’t disappeared?”

“Y-yes, Headmaster.”

“And Hunter and Tiamat, no word from them either?”

Initially, he had believed that some circumstance was simply delaying the subjugation.

He had faith in both, for they were skilled—or rather, still were—Ability wielders.

But with a delay of this magnitude, something had clearly gone awry.

‘…Should I have had them stand by instead of entering the Gate?’

The standard procedure for Ability users dealing with Gates was broadly twofold.

Inversely enter the Gate before the monsters emerged and eliminate them.

Or conversely, wait outside, fully prepared, until the monsters came out.

The latter method was mainly for high-risk scenarios.

When a powerful monster appeared, a swift strike to seize victory in an instant.

Conversely, the former was for gates that didn’t pose much danger.

Or when there were too many vital facilities or civilians near the gate.

In cases where monsters absolutely couldn’t emerge, this method was typically chosen.

This was Cradle. Whether blessed with abundant ability-users or not, it was second only to the Imperial Palace and the Capital in importance.

Monsters running rampant in such a place was not a pretty sight.

‘If we had opted for the waiting game outside, the sensationalist newspapers, hungry for a story, might have written something that would sway public sentiment.’

The Principal of Cradle had to consider political elements while looking after the students.

Therefore, Principal Von’s choice to enter, rather than wait, was only natural.

“Is there any possibility that the gate’s ranking was misjudged?”

“As far as I know, no. The ranking assessments haven’t been wrong since the beginning, have they?”

“That’s true. Still… there’s always a ‘what if.’ There can always be a first time.”

Unease began to subtly rise. This wasn’t just the unfounded fear of an old man.

As a veteran who had fought in bloody battles. As one who remembered the scent of death better than anyone.

This sensation, like needles piercing his entire body, had kept him alive to this age.

‘I don’t think I can let this go. I need to request reinforcements.’

Reinforcements in Cradle, filled with ability-users, seemed a bit odd.

But most of them were the hopes who would shoulder the future of the Empire.

If something happened, this wouldn’t just be about losing his position as Principal.

He would spend the rest of his life cursing himself, living in regret.

Principal Von immediately contacted the Imperial Ability Bureau.

A gate had appeared in Cradle, and he requested additional personnel as a precaution.

But the response he received was, unexpectedly, “Currently impossible.”

[We apologize, Principal Von Bauken. But we are stretched thin as well.]

“Stretched thin? What does that mean?”

[A short while ago, gates began appearing simultaneously across the Empire, starting near the Capital. The number already exceeds five hundred. This scale is unprecedented, and all available ability-users have entered emergency protocol.]

“Then….”

[We are truly sorry. We will dispatch ability-users who have cleared the gates to Cradle as quickly as possible. Please wait until then.]

Having ended the call, Principal Von blankly turned his gaze towards the window.

‘Not every part of the Empire has Sealstones, so the appearance of gates isn’t unusual. But for them to occur simultaneously, to such an extent that all ability-users have to be mobilized…? Has there ever been such a thing?’

This was absolutely not the same situation as before. It was different. Definitely different.

It was as if. Some malicious entity was launching a massive attack.

It felt like being thrown into an incredibly organized invasion.

“What in the world is happening….”

The evening sky grew dark. As if covered by clouds, neither stars nor the moon were visible.

Simply pitch-black darkness. It was silently, slowly. But undeniably, closing in.

*

At the same time. Other teachers at Cradle were also realizing that something was amiss.

A gate that two teachers could easily handle, and yet, Hunter and Tiamat had yet to report back.

Amidst the chaos, yet more Gates bloomed like poisoned mushrooms.

“From now on, we’ll be operating in squads of four, not two.”

“But… won’t that leave us critically short on personnel?”

“We’ve requested external support, so we only need to hold out until tomorrow.”

They too, were aware of the simultaneous Gate manifestation.

They also knew that the Empire’s gifted were all formidable.

The Cradle’s importance went without saying. Of course, support would arrive.

Until then, they would do their utmost to ensure nothing untoward happened.

“What if we choose to simply hold and not enter?”

“Let the monsters spill out of the Cradle? Absolutely not!”

“I concur with Ruller-sensei. These sacred Cradle grounds must not be sullied by monsters. Imagine the whispers that would follow.”

If the Imperial Palace and the System were the heart of the Empire, the Cradle was the symbol promising victory to the gifted.

Guardians who slaughtered monsters were born within its walls.

As long as they existed, no matter how many Gates opened, they would ultimately survive.

That belief lay deeply rooted within the hearts of the Empire’s citizens.

But what if monsters appeared in that very Cradle and laid waste to it?

What would be the reaction of the Empire’s populace upon hearing such news?

No matter how effectively they defended it, there would inevitably be things they couldn’t hide.

“Understood. From the next Gate onwards, we’ll proceed in groups of four. However, we will leave a certain number of instructors behind just in case.”

“Sensei Smith! Please remain at the rear with the advance unit!”

“Ah! Understood!”

Yet another Gate yawned open, its maw revolting.

The teachers, veterans and survivors, stepped through.

To clear it as swiftly as possible and return, to protect their juniors and students.

Meanwhile, Instructor Smith, who taught monster behavior, summoned the advance unit.

“Sensei Smith. The entire advance unit, excluding the student council, has assembled.”

Starting with Luciel, valedictorian of the fourth year and commander of the advance unit, and the second-in-command, the fourth year’s salutatorian.

Adding two fourth-year students belonging to the unit, as well as the valedictorian and salutatorian of the second year.

“Student council president Neferti! Delegate your duties to the Head of General Affairs… Ugh! …I’ve arrived!”

“There, now. Please rise, President. Student Council Vice-President Casar is also present.”

Neferti, the third-year valedictorian, and Casar, the salutatorian, had returned to the advance unit.

“Will the student council be alright?”

“Yes, sensei. The other executives are giving it their all!”

“That’s reassuring… Ahem. In any case, you are all aware of the current situation, correct?”

– Nod nod.

The two instructors who entered first had yet to report back.

Entry into subsequent Gates was no longer in pairs, but in squads of four.

External support was originally expected to arrive, but the outside world was in a dire state as well.

“…Therefore, we must endure using only the Cradle’s forces, at least until tomorrow morning.”

“Then Sensei Smith, will we also enter the Gate upon manifestation?”

“That is…”

Mr. Smith scratches his head as if mortified.

Normally, entry would be the right call. It would be, but the situation is far different than before.

Even though it’s not a high-risk gate, the other teachers still haven’t returned.

Which means there’s a distinct difference from before, some sort of shift.

He can’t possibly send students with such little practical experience into that.

Especially since these are ones with such promising futures.

“For now, we wait.”

“Wait? You mean wait until monsters start coming out of the gate?”

Luciel’s question makes Mr. Smith even more flustered.

Not just any student, but Luciel. The Empire’s princess.

All the more reason to be sensitive about the idea of ‘monsters roaming the cradle.’

What on earth should he say? Just as Mr. Smith was wracking his brain…

“Mr. Smith!”

The four remaining teachers come hurrying over.

“We should enter too, I think.”

“What? No, you all were supposed to stay here, just in case…”

“That’s what we thought. But look over there.”

Another gate. The problem is, it looks different from the previous ones.

You can tell just by looking that it’s dangerous. The ranking is higher than the others, too.

If left unattended, monsters really will be running wild in the cradle.

“We’ll go in and hold them off for now. If any of the returning teachers are able, tell them to come after us if they can.”

“Ah… I understand. What about support from the dispatch unit…?”

“The dispatch unit needs to take over our role. To serve as a bulwark, a last resort.”

Mr. Smith saw off the remaining teachers.

Then, he raised his head to look at the night sky.

Still, only a pitch-black darkness, devoid of any light, remained.