The evening sky burned with shades of orange and gold, as though the sun itself was painting one last masterpiece before sinking into the horizon. The sea reflected that light beautifully. Waves shimmering like molten amber, rippling gently as if nothing in the world had changed.

But beneath that breathtaking sky…

Lunaris Haven was no haven anymore.

The coastline city, once noisy, bright, and filled with life, now stood broken.

The tall blue-glass buildings that used to mirror the ocean were cracked open like split shells. Houses were half collapsed, walls shattered. Roads that once held markets and children's laughter were torn apart. Deep claw marks carved through stone, carts overturned, blood staining the edges.

The scent of salt from the ocean mixed with iron from the spilled blood.

People wandered the ruined streets in trembling silence. Some called out names again and again—voices cracking with fear and hope. Others pushed aside debris with shaking hands, trying desperately to find loved ones buried beneath the rubble.

A mother cried quietly as she held a child's shoe to her chest. "My baby!"

An old man knelt beside a broken cart, whispering to someone who wasn't there anymore. "Where are yo-you?"

A group of survivors carried a stretcher, faces blank, refusing to look at what lay on it.

Dead monsters lined the pathways in grotesque shapes. Some with their armor-like hides pierced, others split open cleanly. Flies already hovered over their dark purple blood, the stench thick and nauseating.

The city was safe now.

But safety had come too late for many.

The sea kept shining. The sunset kept glowing.

As if mocking the tragedy below.

Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!

The guards of the city, whose duty was to protect it from any danger, were helping residents. Their silver armor was covered with the blood of monsters. Some of them were tired.

Lunaris Haven was unlike most cities in Valmoria. It wasn't ruled by a noble family, nor did it fall under the jurisdiction of any duke or baron.

As a major tourist port, famous for its festivals, beaches, and sea-walk market, it was managed under a neutral civilian administration…

The City Council of Lunaris Haven, appointed by the Imperial City Council.

It was formed by influential merchants, senior mages, and long-time residents. They oversaw trade, infrastructure, tourism, and security, ensuring the city remained neutral and welcoming to travelers of all nations. But the highest authority belonged to the one appointed directly by the Imperial City Council.

He was Governor Cassian Thornwall.

Currently, Governor Cassian Thornwall was busy, doing all he could to help his city.

A man in his early forties, tall and sharp-featured. Dark blond hair tied loosely, navy coat stained with soot and dust. His calm demeanor was gone. Replaced by exhaustion, frustration, and fear for his city.

He wasn't a warrior. But he was a leader.

And today, leadership meant running across broken streets, shouting orders, coordinating rescue teams, organizing medical stations, guiding soldiers, and comforting tearful families. All at once.

It was a completely unexpected incident. All communication devices in the city had stopped working, as if something was blocking them. Because of this, they couldn't even ask for help.

It wasn't that there were no strong people in the city. It was the opposite. But it's not like they could be in every corner protecting every person. Some of them were bound to die.

The monsters were mostly rank two and three, while some were rank four and five. The most dangerous thing was not their strength but their number.

Protective barriers had failed without warning. Monsters poured in from unknown portals. Unknown hooded figures destroying everything.

Nothing about this attack made sense. Since the incident had calmed down, the hooded figures were dead. But some of them had managed to flee. After that, the communication system regained connection again. Help from the nearest city would arrive soon.

Now beside the Governor moved the Lunaris Knight Order, clad in silver-blue armor engraved with wave patterns.

Commander Roderick Vale, the leader of the city's knights. A muscular man with short iron-gray hair, a large shield strapped to his back, and eyes that had seen too many battles. His expression serious. Even after so many battles, he didn't look tired.

He directed search teams with a booming voice, even though he had a deep cut across his cheek and blood-soaked armor.

But despite all their efforts…

The city was wounded.

Near what used to be the central plaza. Now nothing but rubble and cracked fountains—a group of soldiers suddenly straightened.

A faint gust of wind brushed past them.

A presence descended.

Elegant… radiant… overwhelming.

Isabel DawnheartHeadmistress of Arcadia Academy.

Her white cloak fluttered behind her, glowing softly under the evening sky. Pure white hair shimmered in the fading sunlight, giving them a golden hue. Her silver eyes. Deep and mysterious surveyed the destruction in calm, controlled silence.

Even surrounded by chaos, she looked like a serene force of nature. Despite her age, she still looked too beautiful.

Governor Cassian quickly rushed toward her and bowed respectfully.

"Headmistress Dawnheart… thank you for coming."

Isabel didn't smile.

She didn't speak at first.

Her gaze moved slowly across the broken city. The collapsed buildings, the bodies being carried away, the blood trails, the terrified survivors holding onto hope.

Her expression remained unreadable… but her eyes held a quiet storm.

Commander Roderick stepped forward and knelt.

"We lost thirty percent of our defenses in the first wave. The monsters appeared from unknown portals opened by multiple hooded people. They were wearing half masks. At the time when they were opening portals, there was no warning, no mana fluctuation. And—"

"And our communication arrays suddenly died," Cassian added, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Something blocked every signal."

Isabel's voice finally broke the silence.

"Show me."

She walked forward through the rubble, the Governor and Commander following behind her.

They explained everything in detail again.

The moment the arrays failed. How the monsters came. The strange mana disturbance spreading through the city. The survivors reporting hooded figures before the attack.

Isabel listened without interrupting.

Her eyes narrowed while listening to them.

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