Outside the room, the students gathered, with the remaining students from class A all gathered outside.
Those who witnessed what happened inside were perplexed. Just what in the hell happened inside?
"Aoki-san, what is the dreaming incident?" Ayumi asked, her voice concerned and her expression serious.
"Oh, that." Reina stopped for a moment, before heaving out a sigh. She curls her lips into a slight smile, before proceeding.
"It's an incident where people are possessed, speculated that they are in a "dream" world. Like the two students earlier, they seemed possessed."
"So basically, it's similar to zombies?" Yasu asked in his deep, passionless voice.
"Interesting comparison, but yes, you can think of it that way."
As Reina gives some brief info about the dreaming incident, Ryo remembered what Kyouko had told them.
This incident happened last year, and the only foundation, the magician of the infinite Skyfall, was the key to that incident.
Will there be someone like that this year?
...
A few hours have passed, and it's nighttime. Reina was in her dorm, sitting on her chair, her arm leaning over her desk and her head resting over it.
Her expression was plain, yet her eyes were a little heavy.
Her eyes were glued to her computer. The screen displayed news articles regarding the recent Dreaming Incident in the FWMA (Far Western Magic University).
And behind her was Souta, who was reading a Light Novel.
"You're digging too deeply." Souta nonchalantly remarked, his eyes still following the book he was reading.
"It's the opposite. I'm still not yet there." Reina replied.
"Can our council go against the dreaming incident?"
Reina thought for a moment, before answering.
"I haven't looked at them yet as a whole. The president and the sixth seat is still a mystery."
"But, with the known seats, do you think they could?"
"No, they can't."
"Why is that?"
Reina stopped what she was doing, and turned around and looked at Souta. He noticed her gaze and looked back.
Voided and empty, yet terrifying and fierce were her eyes.
"You already know how big of a destruction these dreaming incidents are. After all, this incident is the one that robbed us of our life." She coldly replied.
Souta didn't talk, or reply.
"Do not forget, that the main perpetrator of this mass incident is still unknown. The approach was always to investigate, yet those investigations never led anywhere.
"Yeah, yeah."
"But, while we worry about this catastrophe, do not forget our real intention here in this school."
"Yes. I won't" Souta replied.
"Then, all is good." She replied before returning her gaze towards the computer.
The information posted on the web was vague and left to the readers' speculations. However, Reina became interested in one piece of information.
In one interview with the culprit in the incident, one of them said, "We, the apostles, won't stop!"
"So, those who lead the incident are called "the apostles"," Reina remarked, her voice intrigued and her expression pensive.
Souta overhead this, put down his book on the desk beside him, and walked up to Reina. He leaned forward and looked at the article posted.
"In total, there were 6 "apostles."
"How many apostles do you think this school will have?" Souta asked curiously.
"2, will be enough. If I remember my notes correctly, last year's incident at this school consisted of the "sleeper" and the "dreamer." Reina replied, not removing her eyes from her computer.
"Do you have a prospect person in mind?"
"... I don't"
"Okay, got it."
Souta sat back down and grabbed the book he was reading. He was about to read when Reina called out his name in a low, soft voice.
"Souta..."
"Yes?"
"This incident will be the opportunity for us to make our move."
Souta's eyes remained indifferent and stoic as if he had been expecting this.
"Yes, I know."
"That's good."
"So, how many "orbs" do you have?"
"3. I'll get more."
"Alright."
...
As for the council, they decided to make their move immediately.
At the restaurant beside the Police headquarters where an acquaintance of Yukime worked, the two council members were waiting for someone.
It was Stella and Yukime, both in their casual clothes, sitting side-by-side, with untouched, hot food on their table.
"She's already on her way out," Stella said, showing Yukime her phone.
"Alright. It's very fortunate that she can make time for us."
"Of course. This incident is a serious problem, and she is the person who has the most experience with it."
And as they were talking, "she" arrived.
It was Matsubara Kiku, the previous president of the Seiei Academy, rushing towards them as if she had been an hour late.
"I'm soooooooo sorry, you two." She promptly apologized, her face flustered, and frankly, very unlike her. She bowed over and over again, clearly embarrassed at the fact that she was actually two hours late.
"O-Oh, I-It's no problem. It's actually us who should apologize." Yukime replied, trying to calm Kiku down.
"Matsubara-san, It's no biggie, really," Stella replied with a smile, reassuring Kiku.
"O-Oh... T-Thank you!!"
Kiku promptly sat down and composed herself. She wiped some sweat from her forehead and took a deep breath before smiling at the two council members.
"How have you two been? I'm delighted to see that Yukime here is all and well! When I was the current president and Xyl (alumni and previous vice-president) was my vice president, I remember Yukime being shy and all!" She spoke in a playful tone, with a high-pitched intonation at the end of her speech, clearly teasing Yukime.
Yukime's cheeks slightly blushed and she averted her gaze in embarrassment.
"Oh, yeah, I remember that! But look! Yukime-chan is the most fierce out of us all!" Stella boasted as she patted Yukime on the head.
"Is that so? That's good news!"
"I taught her quite well."
Yukime felt embarrassed as she lowered her head, resisting the constant teases from her seniors.
She's just like Kyouko. Cold, as a vice president, yet warm, as a person.
"Well, it's good to catch up on each other's life, but I know you have something urgent to say to me." Kiku diverted the conversation as she picked up her chopsticks and grabbed some sushi.
The expression of the council members straightened and turned serious, as they composed themselves.
"I'll get straight to the point, the dreaming incident has started again." Stella lays out seriously.
Kiku stopped frozen in her tracks, shocked as her eyes widened.
"It started again, huh?" She remarked, her eyes now serious and straight.
"Yes. Yukime, could you?"
Yukime nodded and laid her phone on the table, the front-facing Kiku.
"This was captured through our CCTV at the First-Year Music Room."
Yukime played the CCTV footage.
It shows a boy, specifically the first possessed student, entering the room. He went on to the nearby desk, and opened the drawers, seemingly looking for something. Then out of nowhere, he began acting strange.
He turned around, and just stood still, looking at the ground.
A few moments later, the girl victim entered. She entered and closed the door behind her.
Looking around, she noticed the boy, just standing still. She called out to the possessed boy, and this was when the attack happened.
Kiku felt shivers down her spine. She remembered the scene from her time. The dreaming incident when she was still the president.
And after the whole event, the video ended.
"The ones who came in aid were First-Year Class A students. It was challenging still, so the arrival of Yukime was really on point." Stella said.
Kiku placed her food and chopsticks back on her plate.
"From experience, that is the beginning of an impending "dreaming event.""
"We thought so too. That's why we came to you, and frankly, we need your help."
Kiku pondered deeply. She wants to help, as she, more than anyone else, knows the terror of this unsolved, and mysterious event. As she pondered, she remembered the events from the past.
She stood in front of a dozen, possessed students. Some, are her dear friends. However, while she can easily stop them, she doesn't have the heart to hurt them. And without exerting magic that will hurt them, they'll only continue to rampage.
Eventually, she was left with no choice, and like the title that she carries, she was the fall of the dreaming incident.
However, at one point, one of the possessed lunged at a nearby innocent person.
And ultimately, she killed that possessed person.
But that came with the cost, of killing her friend's life. Because the possessed person was none other than her friend.
Bearing the weight of her death, she fought the two apostles. She tirelessly clashed against them and emerged victorious.
But, in the process, she lost her eye.
And when everything was already done, that's when the police arrived.
This school is already ruined. And yet, they've just arrived. What kind... of sick... nonsense is that?
If they can't help, then I will.
And thus, she became an officer.
...
Kiku was zoned out, and she didn't notice Stella was repeatedly calling out to her.
"Matsubara-san," Stella called out again, this time quite concerned.
"O-Oh," Kiku finally snapped out of it and realized what was happening. "I apologize for zoning out. But, regarding your concern, yes, I will help you."
She won't let this incident break out again. She's determined to stop it.
"Thank you very much, Matsubara-san." Yukime thanked,
"No worries. In the meantime, do not break the news of the incident to the general public, as it could a widespread panic. Assign council members to each building for protection. I'll be there tomorrow morning. We'll deduce the cause of this incident." Kuki replied in a determined voice.
...
Their conversation ends, at the same time Kuki's break time ends. Eventually, the three of them left the restaurant. Kiku immediately rushed out to go back to work.
"It's settled. I'm glad that Matsubara-san agreed to our request for help." Yukime said as she walked out of the restaurant.
"Well, after all, she knows how devastating that incident is," Stella replied.
"I see. Then, we should go home for us to prepare for her arrival tomorrow."
Stella giggled in response.
"What's with the giggle?" Yukime asked, confused.
"N-Nothing. It just feels different when I remember your first-year state." Stella reminiscently replied.
"Stop it. I'm different now." Yukime sighed after her reply.
"Yeah, I know, Yukime-chan." Stella stopped for a moment, before looking Yukime in the eye. "Let's all work together to stop this incident, miss vice-president."
Yukime smiled, before replying. "Of course, we will."
We'll find the cause of this event.