"What!? Snowlotus and Ozbel have been kidnapped?"

After reading the letter from Sharkai Manwei, Sharkai Bai crumpled the paper into a tight ball. This was utterly unforeseen.

Who would dare abduct members of the Cecilia Family? The Cecilia Family had ties with the New Wing Divine Church of the Western Sea and the Sharksea Clan. Setting aside the audacity required—even pulling it off demanded skill.

Glancing at the sleeping Xia Feina, Sharkai Bai slipped on his coat and left the dorm. He’d seek the academy head for useful intel.

"Likely mages from the Winged Deity Punishment Church," Dishi guessed when Sharkai Bai questioned him about the Cecilia incident.

"Where’s this Winged Deity Punishment Church base?"

Sharkai Bai planned the most direct rescue for Snowlotus and Ozbel.

"You know the New Wing Divine Church in the Western Sea? Its leader, Kami Miraishi, was once the Execution Chief of the Winged Deity Punishment Church. Rumor says he founded the New Wing Divine Church solely to eradicate them."

"So the Winged Deity Punishment Church... is this powerful?"

"Their headquarters is at Cloud Peak. They label followers of the New Wing Divine Church and others as heretics. The Cecilia Family has ties to Kami Miraishi. I suspect... it’s beginning."

"Beginning?"

Sharkai Bai didn’t fully grasp Dishi’s meaning. His sole aim was rescuing the kidnapped pair from the church—consequences be damned. He’d never been one to weigh outcomes.

"The war between the New Wing Divine Church and the Winged Deity Punishment Church—and all factions entangled with them—is starting."

"So the other three behind the academy will join?"

"Yes. Even your Sharksea Clan and the Cecilia Family."

"Sounds serious this time."

"What? Has the trouble-averse Sharkai finally decided to step in?"

"Hmm. Until I rescue Snowlotus and Ozbel, I’ll participate under the academy’s banner."

Sharkai Bai was like that. No matter what foes lay ahead, he guarded everyone close to him.

There was another way to avoid war: abandon the Cecilia siblings. But would Cecilia Wox agree? Sharkai Bai would never yield.

---

In Roseld Town, Cecilia Xuelian and Cecilia Ozbel lay unconscious inside Qian Nami Shizuru’s carriage.

"Chief, this deal with the Winged Deity Punishment Church is too risky. They’re Cecilia Family heirs—and the Western Sea is New Wing Divine territory," a black-clad man beside her warned. Their organization wasn’t weak, but against the New Wing Divine Church, they had to bow their heads.

"We only deliver the hostages. The rest can wait."

Qian Nami Shizuru seemed distracted, her expression shadowed by bitter memories. She’d taken this job not just for the hefty payment, but for the jealousy festering inside her. She envied how Cecilia Xuelian had found Sharkai Bai—transformed after two years. She envied how Xuelian had held him in her arms when he was battered and bruised.

Jealousy. Bitter resentment.

She believed, deep in her heart, that the girl standing beside Bai should have been her.

---

Inside Celestial Carving Academy’s high council chamber, figures beyond the four shadow rulers had gathered:

- Sharkai Manwei, head of the Sharksea Clan and Bai’s grandfather, representing the Western Sea.

- Cecilia Wox, patriarch of the Cecilia Family and father of the kidnapped siblings.

- Kami Miraishi, leader of the powerful New Wing Divine Church and one of the academy’s shadow rulers.

- Kurayama Sekai, youngest queen of the Northern Kingdom and a prodigious mage, flanked by her aide Fornoki—a Grand Magus disguised as a butler.

- Situ Sheng, leader of the Five Dragon Kings and pinnacle of fire magic, the "Fire God."

- Halreton, representative of the Northern Kingdom’s native church, the North Slaughter Orthodox.

- Xuanyuan Xingluo, head of the Xuanyuan Clan and representative of the Eastern Continent, still seated cross-legged with his pipe.

- Yamamoto Takedazou, muscle-bound leader of Rage Mars, the dominant faction in the Southern Desert.

- Dishi, academy head, and Elucia, student council president.

"My network confirms it," Kami Miraishi declared, his eyes burning with fervent excitement. Once the Execution Chief of the Winged Deity Punishment Church, he now thirsted to erase his former brethren. "Cecilia Xuelian and Cecilia Ozbel were kidnapped by hired hands of the Winged Deity Punishment Church."

"Daring to abduct my children as pawns for war?" Cecilia Wox’s voice turned glacial, his usual gentle demeanor shattered by fury. "They will pay dearly."

"Let’s first identify hostile factions," Kurayama Sekai interjected, sighing at the two men blinded by personal vendettas.

"The group brokering the deal with the church is called Dark Raven. Mark them as enemies," Xuanyuan Xingluo stated after a slow puff of his pipe.

"So our sole focus is the Winged Deity Punishment Church?" Yamamoto Takedazou dismissed Dark Raven as trivial.

"No. One more requires attention," Dishi murmured, stroking his white beard. "Facing the academy’s four shadows? He won’t miss this chance."

"You mean... Xia Yuan?" Kurayama Sekai instantly recalled the name.

Xia Yuan—the fallen curse master who could elevate mages to Grand Magus level or beyond. His daughter Xia Feina was proof. The image of that deranged sorcerer, his twisted face and infamous deeds, flashed through every mind.

Suddenly, a crushing wave of magical energy slammed into the chamber.

"!!"

Everyone teleported away just as—

BOOM—!!!!

The high council chamber exploded into rubble.

Hovering in the air, they stared at the intruder: a disheveled middle-aged man in a stained lab coat, hands in his pockets, grinning up at them.

"Xia Yuan? Coming alone to provoke us now? Arrogant," Kami Miraishi hissed, brushing dust off his ruined suit.

"Heh. Didn’t know so many VIPs were here!" Xia Yuan snapped his fingers skyward. "First Attendant!!!! Save me!!!! I’m terrified~~~~!! HAHAHA!!!!"

A streak of light plummeted from the clouds—CRASH!—landing before Xia Yuan. The First Attendant stood ready.

"That one’s aura... feels different," Dishi noted warily.

"Holy Incantation: Raging Thunder!" Sharkai Manwei struck first, slamming a massive rune circle beneath the pair. Dark clouds gathered overhead. Bolts of azure lightning rained down.

The thunderbolts hammered the circle—but Xia Yuan stood untouched, relaxed. The First Attendant deflected every strike with perfect shields.

"Grand Magus-level magic... impressive. But greetings exchanged, I’ll take my leave." Xia Yuan grinned. Above the First Attendant, a new rune circle opened. A monstrous beast’s head emerged, swallowing the storm clouds whole. Sensing the other Grand Magi preparing to strike, Xia Yuan’s madness yielded to instinct. The First Attendant teleported them away instantly.

Kami Miraishi cracked his knuckles, his voice icy but eyes alight with barely concealed excitement.

"Prepare yourselves. War begins now."

---

At Cloud Peak, the Winged Deity Punishment Church.

"The heretics below stir," murmured the church’s leader, seated on a throne, his staff glowing.

Flanking him stood twelve-winged angels.

"Merely insects," declared Freyhas, leader of the twelve-winged angels. He spread one pair of pristine white wings, a golden cruciform sword materializing in his hand. His voice dripped with disdain and absolute confidence.

Or perhaps... the mages of the Winged Deity Punishment Church had never taken this war seriously at all.