Feeling as if a huge burden was lifted off of her shoulders, Valeriana smiled and looked ahead. She didn't bother hiding the fact that she felt greatly comforted by the words of advice her companions gave her—mostly Corvan—and her cheerfulness was infectious that the others felt it as well.

The walk through the path in the shadowy forest provided a relaxing atmosphere. It felt more like a midnight rendezvous between a very . . . unusual group of friends rather than a mission they've been sent out to do.

"Hey. Why is hearing a Celestial Beast not a small thing?" She asked.

Elfre took the liberty of answering her question. "Because not a lot of people can do it." She stated. "You have to have a special connection to them in order to be able to hear their words. They communicate through an entirely different way. Technically, it's not even you who's talking to Avaro, but your soul."

"My soul?" She asked.

"Does that answer your question?"

"Yeah." She scratched her head. "I guess."

"Now then." Charles started. "Since I suppose that all our other problems were smoothed out, I think it's time to discuss about the reason why we originally came here, don't you think?"

"Right. The matter's been waiting to be solved." Raziel agreed.

"Lord Lienhard," Charles began, politely addressing the man with all the dignity he could muster. "We have managed to beat you in your little game. As promised, we will discuss of the matter about you fortifying the barrier around the academy."

The sound of an owl echoed faintly in the background, followed by the sound of heavily flapping wings. Corvan tilted his head to the side ever so slightly, his emerald green eyes narrowing at a faint sound that everyone else seemed to have failed to notice.

"I may very well consider it." The man answered. "But I believe those responsibilities are supposed to be my brother's."

"In respect to His Majesty, we have already consulted him regarding the matter before acting." Charles said.

"I didn't know we did."

"It'll be a complete, utter, disrespect to act out without informing the king." Charles scolded. "Do mind your manners, Keelan."

"When did we do that anyway?" Zevlin asked.

The fourth-ranker growled. "You fools. Have you already forgotten? You weren't listening, were you?"

"Oh. It must've slipped from my mind." The older of the twin muttered thoughtfully.

"Just admit that you weren't paying attention at all."

"Alright! Sorry!"

Once they backed down, Charles continued. "His Majesty confirmed of his . . . incapability of filling the role currently. And his son, Prince Bertram as well, is currently unavailable due to certain conditions. We request that you step in as per your obligations as a member of the royal family."

"See? I told you this business was related to me being a member of the royal family." He pointed out. "I really didn't want to have these responsibilities."

"We know that you desire to live the life of a carefree man. Just grant us this one request and we shall leave you alone to your heart's desires." Charles offered.

He grumbled something incoherent before turning to the fifth-ranker and sighing. "Let's say I help you. What do I get in return?"

The members of the circle exchanged glances except for Charles, who kept his eyes trained straight to the man's.

"We're willing to do you any favor."

"Charles—" Tamara protested but was cut off by a hand being brought in front of her face.

"We're asking something from you. That gives you the right to ask something from us in exchange." He said.

"Well," Lienhard breathed. "If that's how it'll be, then . . . I guess I have to." He then grinned. "The chase wouldn't have been any less of what I expected from Celeste Academy's renowned Celestial Circle. It's been fun despite being tackled in the end. You people will be perfect for this job." He laughed.

"We honestly expected you to put up more of a fight." Corvan said. "That was why we all came in the first place."

Normally, tasks of this kind were performed individually by each ranker. But if they truly wanted to 'capture' Lord Lienhard, they needed all the strength they could get. There was no telling what kind of fight the man would've put up.

"I was only looking for something to keep me from my boredom. You kids proved to be good at helping me with that." He stated.

"If you truly were serious about the chase, it wouldn't be this easy at all." Tamara muttered.

"Anyhow, people!" The king's brother cried out. "What were we discussing about a while ago?"

"Yes, about that." Corvan quipped. "What kind of favor would you have us do?"

"Well, it's pretty simple, are you aware of the City of Loquin in the Near North?"

"Near North? Prelurésia, you mean?" Charles did his trademark fixing of his glasses. "What of it?"

"The city is currently being overrun by demons." He said. "The Evereeshas have attempted to aid them by lending manpower, but it seems that the plan didn't work. Many civilians either died or were turned into demons themselves. No further casualties can be afforded. The loss is too great."

"That's terrible." Valeriana muttered, but she shivered at the thought of demons.

"Since I owe the Near North's lord a favor, he's calling me on the promise I made." He sighed. "By the way he delivered things, it seems that everyone who tried to save the city perished. No one seems successful so far."

"The deal?"

He eyed the kids around him. "Simple. Take care of the pest problem and save the city."

Charles gave a small smile at this. "If that is all, then consider it done. Reclaiming a city from demons? You cannot have any other better people to do the job. I believe we're even a bit too . . . overqualified for the task."

"My, my." Lord Lienhard laughed. "What confidence!"

"It's only reasonable. We are the Celestial Twelve after all." Charles said, beaming with pride.

Corvan sighed.

"It seems that we have come to an agree—"

The lord was cut short when Corvan suddenly put a finger vertically against his lips as he looked behind him through the corner of his eyes, focusing his concentration on his hearing. He held a hand up as a signal for everyone for them to quiet simultaneously before eventually turning to meet their hidden pursuer.

Everyone stopped dead in their tracks.

"Whoever you are," he growled into the darkness. "Show yourself."

Everyone turned to where he was looking, suddenly aware of the presence behind a thick, leafy bush—all except for Valeriana.

"What is it?" The fifth-ranker asked them, brows knitting questioningly.

"It's no use hiding." The first-ranker laced his voice with a dab of poisonous venom that no doubt sounded intimidating. "Come out of there right now before I make you."

'Seems to this one that 'tis not a demon.' Avaro said.

The Twelve minus Aneeka and Rowe eyed the direction where Corvan was looking, a mix of anticipation and caution. All Valeriana felt was anxiety and uneasiness. She didn't know what was happening and her lack of ability to figure it out didn't help at all.

A small furry creature jumped out which made Valeriana squeal. "Ooh! A squirrel! It's so cute! Can we keep it please?"

"Do what you want. Just don't bother me." Corvan grunted before he resumed walking.

"He's in a bad mood." Tamara shook her head while exhaling heavily. "Valeriana, leave the animal alone, please." The third-ranker told her, right when the small creature scampered away before Valeriana could lay her hands on it.

"Aw." She muttered. "I forgot to ask, though." Valeriana remarked.

Elfre and Raziel talked in the background, their voices a little bit louder than normal because of their argument. The girl didn't let it interrupt her, though.

"What is it?" Genevieve inquired.

"How do we get back to the academy?"

"We'll have to travel." Zevlin answered, chuckling. "It'll take us at least a week of constant journeying by ship and about a month by foot." He surmised, rubbing his chin.

"Seriously? Can't we take the plane?" She asked them dumbly and they looked at her as if she grew three heads.

"A plane?" The third-ranker echoed.

"Never mind." She waved it off dismissively. "But are you serious?"

"The Academy is in the Dark Continent, idiot." Corvan told her. "We're currently in Larkovia. If we go to Prelurésia, it'll even be farther away."

"Can't we use the instant transport door thing we used to get here?"

"That's what you call a portal." Charles corrected. "And they can only be used one-way."

"Aw! Bummer!" Valeriana groaned. "So this was a one-way trip through the door?"

"What do you expect?" The fourth-ranker asked, sighing. "I've got to make plans for the situation." He suddenly quipped before falling silent, taking out a small notebook from one of his pockets.

"Can't you just make another one of those?"

"A portal's not a child's play." Charles told her without looking up. "In order to conjure a path to a desired destination, there must be something powerful enough to hold it. Creating a portal also requires high level of skill and strong control over one's power since it'll be chaotic to have someone inexperienced do it and transport them to a place different from the one intended."

"Ugh."

"Anyhow, I'll be sending you, Brindon, Keelan, Aneeka, and Rowe back to the Academy to escort Lord Lienhard and make sure he doesn't run away while I and the rest of the Twelve will go to the City of Loquin in Prelurésia to do our part of the deal." He snapped the notebook close and slipped it back into his pocket.

"You don't trust me going there by myself?"

Charles continued, not sparing any of his attention to the man's remark. "There'll be a ship leaving for the Central Continent tomorrow the same time with another that'll lead to Raubinald. From there, we can head our way to Loquin and you others will start your trip back to the Academy." He explained.

"How did you know that?"

"Don't ask questions. Where are Aneeka and Rowe?" He asked, looking behind them.

"We're here." A voice suddenly spoke up.

Valeriana, startled, bounced from where she was before turning to look at the two who suddenly appeared beside them. "Where did you come from?"

"You're late." Charles said.

"We apologize."

They all turned to see Aneeka walking alongside the second-ranker, her face graced by a dusty blush that reeked of her shame and Rowe who wore his casual smile. Who wouldn't be embarrassed when she practically exposed her weakness in front of a huge crowd?

"Now, since we're complete. It's time to move."