Twilight Zone,
Eastern region,
A few days after the overtake,
The Dark Dawn Guild headquarters. Guild master's room.
Tirus was sitting peacefully while drinking his recently brewed coffee like drink.
'This small-scale guild actually had a secret plane, huh.' He thought. After soul-searching the previous magi of the guild, he got a hold of a good deal of forbidden information as well knowledge on the subject of magic tool refinement, potioneering, formations and transfiguration.
Speaking of secret planes,
They were something that were extremely useful as well as difficult to create for the magi.
A magus's aptitude is set from birth, and is impossible to change, and the only way to make up for it thereafter is in the resource aspect.
'With sufficient resources, even a Magus with an average aptitude can possibly reach the footsteps of a gifted Magus…'
An expression full of awe revealed itself on Tirus's face.
'Thus, once ancient Magi advanced, they would search for an area that had a high concentration of elemental energy particles, and construct a secret plane to nurture and grow resources… For this reason, it is the root of many ancient Magi remnants that one may find in this day and age.'
'As for the current generation of Magi, they are far from the overpowering might of ancient Magi, who could cast isolation spells on their own, and set up spells that could stretch and compress space… some needed resources like space rocks for the construction, which cannot be found by the current age Magi.
But if, only if, I could someday make my own secret plane, how great would that be?' He got lost in his thoughts when suddenly he heard footsteps of someone coming closer to his chair.
It was, of course, Beth.
"Tirus, I've stabilized the situation of the acolytes, but we are running short on professors." She said while letting out a sigh.
"Don't worry, we'll just make large-scale classrooms, since there are only 200 or so acolytes left, I don't think they can't fit in a class at once."
"But what about professors?" Beth asked, confused about what to do next.
"I will make alchemical puppets and have them give lectures and practical classes on the subjects of transfiguration, potioneering and formations.
As for magic tool refinement, I can make other alchemy puppets for that too. Get the branded swordsmen to complete important missions." Tirus explained his plans with great confidence.
One had to know that he was now a master in the subject of transfiguration, so making alchemy lifeforms who could perform a single job was as easy as breathing for him.
"I see." Beth said, sighing in relief. Ever since the takeover, she hadn't slept at all. She had been working continuously, day and night, just to stabilize the situation within the guild.
"But wait...why did you name our organization 'guild' if you are just going to implement academy system here?"
"That is because, the situation of the humans is currently dire in Twilight Zone, so if I were to publicize the academy system, a system far better than the guild system, then the other organizations would copy us.
That would result in them becoming too strong, and that'll not be good for our future plans." Tirus explained the meaning of his actions.
"When are we going in the secret plane?" She inquired. Although she had already entered the secret plane once to kill every magi in it, she still hadn't gone there with Tirus.
"In a few more days, once the acolytes understand the benefits of working for us, then we'll see." He replied in a calm tone.
In these past few days, Tirus had provided every single acolyte with a meditation technique most suited for them, allowing them to make great progress in their cultivation while not limiting their future potential.
This caused many acolytes to have a good impression of their new leader. Although the rules were now much stricter, and the education system had been drastically changed, they now wanted to stay here much more than before.
There was a saying 'Every man for himself', which meant that everyone, no matter the place, seeks their own benefits, as long as they get sufficient benefits, then anyone would be willing to bend their knees to others.
….
Days passed like this,
Although now the Dark Dawn guild used the academy system, but they still didn't let the information about it get out.
The acolytes, who previously felt bitter for being forced to agree to such a cruel contract like slaves, now felt the desire to spend their entire lives in here.
Although it wasn't to the point of sacrificing themselves for the guild, but they were slowly getting there.
....
Under the headquarters of the Dark Dawn guild,
In the secret plane,
In one of the 3 human cities,
In a small hut,
There lived an orphan named Karl. He turned 15 years old this year. Beside him, there was a little girl with green eyes, who was two years younger than him, it was his younger sister, Hannah.
"Hannah, wake up, we have a lot of work today!" He tried to wake her up by shaking her hand.
Their parents died a year ago due to something called a 'cardiac arrest' while tending to the lightning crops. It was an unfortunate accident which forced him, Karl, to mature quickly.
"If you are not going to wake up, then you can say goodbye to breakfast and, oh, did I mention, I brought your favorite, brown bread today!"
"Heh! Brown bread, how did you get the money for it?" Hannah who seemed to be sleeping peacefully a moment ago suddenly, opened her eyes in excitement.
Even though their father had once somehow managed to buy brown bread for them, it was the only one time she had ever eaten brown bread.
"Of course I don't have it." Karl shook his head, trying to show 'disappointment' in his younger sister.
"Do you ever even tell the truth?" Hananh asked with an annoyed expression as she got up from the bed.
This was just her being a little playful. Her older brother had become too strict and rarely ever laughed since their parents died. This made her feel sorrowful.
Although she could understand it was only because he cared for her, but she didn't like it whenever he acted so strict.
"Brother, did you get any clue as to who those men in black armors are?" She asked curiously. It was a few days ago when she saw those people in black armor taking control of this area.
"No, still no idea." Karl said in a monotone voice, preparing his sickle.
"And remember, if that old man Herbert tries to invite you to his hut, don't talk to him and don't go anywhere, just come to me." He said with concern in his eyes.
Just in a few days after his parents died, he saw the true colors of everyone. While most were simply concerned for them, however, there were some who only had impure intentions in their minds.
"Okay, fine." The little Hannah couldn't understand why her brother hated that old man, he was always so nice to her.
"Remember what I said, and don't you dare disobey." He warned her.
Seeing her brother's serious expression, she didn't dare think about the topic anymore.
There was a time when she had taken his brother's warning about other thing lightly and she didn't heed his warnings, once her brother found out about it, she was beaten quite harshly.
Even though it was a bit too much, but this was the only way of disciplining others, Karl knew. He was a child as well, after all.
What they didn't know was that their lives were about to be completely changed.
To be continued…