Chapter 104: A Familiar Feeling

We were out in the suburbs of Paris, the "Tower" finally in sight.

"Alright, Greese?"

"Master, I'm afraid it's no good. Too far away for 'Identification' to work."

"Is that so...?"

Still, getting any closer would be dangerous. The farther we got, the more I felt my strength draining away—like something was siphoning off my very body.

With the European Parliament shutting us down, we hadn’t gotten any real intel. Sure, if they’d attacked that hard, someone would’ve noticed… but still…

"Damn it! If only we’d known sooner that monsters were appearing, we could’ve prepared! Those politicians should be held accountable!!"

"Talking about it now won’t change anything."

Still, the fact remains—we were caught off guard. If the Sanctuary Knights (Sanctuary Knights) had been active normally, this wouldn’t have happened… not like this.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

"Who’s calling, Master?"

"Speak of the devil..."

"Going to see them? Worthless scum like that? What’s the point?"

"Still, they’re the only ones with the info. We’ve got no choice."

A monster this big… if it’s a "Leader," then who knows what we can do now. But I can’t just stand by and watch.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Jilin Province, China—

It had been a full week since I’d officially started hunting monsters in China. Today, I’d been out early, guiding my students through leveling up in a region thick with beasts.

Especially Emily…

"——Black Sun——!"

Emily’s dark orb split into dozens of smaller spheres, floating around her like a halo. Three boar-like monsters charged straight at her.

The moment the pig touched the black sphere, it was yanked inside with terrifying force.

The three-bodied monster vanishes without a trace. Emily reshapes the multiple spheres back into a single large sphere, then slowly shrinks it down before quietly erasing it.

Emily’s level had soared past thirty, and not only was she getting better with dark magic, she’d also grown much more skilled with her unique ability, “Black Sun.”

Even Wang said “That’s seriously messed up” after seeing Emily’s power.

The other kids’ve all leveled up past forty, too.

The Great Mage Sara is beginning to master combined magic, while the monk Lewis is taking up Qigong Martial Arts.

And then—

Noah aims the gun he’s holding at the monstrous bird flying through the sky. The bullet fired from the gun pierces the creature.

For a split second, the strange bird froze as if its thoughts had stopped—then it screeched, furious, and lunged straight at Noah.

It exploded mid-air, then fell to the ground and burned to ash. The weapon Noah used was one listed in the "Arcane Tome"—a black barrel with golden engravings, the surface of the bullet glowing with runes, magic etched into it.

I managed to gather the materials… but I couldn’t actually craft anything. My blacksmithing rank was still too low.

Noah was determined to make it, but finding someone who could actually build it was a headache. She’d even checked inside the Vermilion Bird, but just when she was stumped, she ended up stumbling across a surprise talent.

There was a pair of twin blacksmiths in the younger class at Saint Viktar Monastery. And they had a unique skill.

I'm Gabriel, the older brother. That one's my younger brother, Raphael.

"R-Raphael... Nice to meet you..."

When I first met them, they seemed so cute. But their unique skill—“Twin Owls”—was something else entirely.

When they combine their power, they can “create” using far more advanced materials.

Honestly, the ability was never valued before—without raw materials and a magical blueprint like a schematics book, it was useless. But now that they have both? It’s terrifying.

I managed to convince a teacher from another class to let me, Noah, and the twins work together on crafting “magical weapons.”

It’s a dangerous weapon. Normally, I keep it stored in the sub-space, only handing it to Noah when we’re fighting monsters.

“Teacher, see? Way stronger than expected.”

Noah’s voice crackled with excitement. Yeah, I get it. He’s been the weakest in combat so far. Probably thrilled he’s finally catching up to the others.

Everyone’s strength has shot up. If this keeps going, we’ll be fine even if we head off to America… just thinking that, and Wang calls.

“What’s up?”

‘Heard a news report from France. Something about a monster appearing in Paris—and Prometheus attacking.’

“Paris!?!”

‘They said the monster was defeated, so it should be fine. Just wanted to give you a heads-up.’

“Right… thanks.”

Weird. I was in France yesterday, and there was no news like that. And not a single reaction from my “hostile intent” sense.

If it’s already been taken down, then okay. But France is ranked “A” in the Archive. Definitely worth keeping an eye on.

“Hey, let’s head back a bit early. We can come again tomorrow.”

So I told the kids we’d go back to France now.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

European Parliament – Strasbourg, France

I got a call from the UN Secretary-General. I was summoned to the Louise Weiss Building in France. There were UN staff there, Prometheus’ Air Marshal Mark, a few European Parliament members.

And on the monitor—Hans Berent’s face.

He’s in Germany now, so he and a few other members are joining via video conference…

On the way here, I’d already heard the general situation from Air Marshal Mark. Worse than I’d expected… if only we’d known sooner.

“Leo, the European Parliament has unanimously approved the resumption of the Sanctuary Knights’ operations. We’d like to entrust you with eliminating the ‘Leader’ in France.”

It was Robert Lang, a French member of the European Parliament. He’d been a human rights advocate, opposed discrimination against异能者.

Hans didn’t speak himself. He had another Parliament member—someone who backed the Sanctuary Knights—say it, so he couldn’t refuse.

That’s just like him. Always sneaky… I reply.

“Of course. If monsters have appeared, it’s only natural for the Sanctuary Knights to fight them.”

“Then you’ll do it?!”

“But we’re already too late. By now, these monsters have grown so strong… even the Sanctuary Knights can’t hope to handle them.”

Robert Lang and everyone else in the room went pale.

‘This is the fate of humanity! Put aside personal feelings. Answer—think of all of humankind!’

Hans spoke through the monitor. His face was tense.

I’m not speaking from personal feelings. I’m just stating facts.

“Leo, listen. Deciding to suspend the Sanctuary Knights’ activities was premature. It was just the result of hearing the public’s voice.”

Sounds like I’m blaming the people for my own actions... But—

“Still, I’m ready to take responsibility for the outcome. Once this issue is resolved, I’ll resign from parliament. Please, help me.”

“It doesn’t matter to me whether you resign or not. I’ll decide whether to act based on logic.”

Hans grimaced, then fell silent.

“Seriously… is it really hopeless!? Is there absolutely nothing we can do!? Whatever it takes—we’ll do it! Please, Leo… you’re the only one I can count on!”

Robert, pleading desperately, I answered calmly.

“I never said there were no options.”

“R-really!? But just now you said it couldn’t be done…”

Robert blurted out, startled. The others nearby looked equally shocked.

“I said the Sanctuary Knights *can’t* do it.”

“What do you mean!?”

“There’s someone who might be able to pull it off.”

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

That evening, I used instantaneous teleportation to return with the kids to the French convent. No reaction from the “Hostile Detection” system—so Prometheus really did take down the monster. Looks like it’s true.

Walking down the hall, I ran into Mr. Philip after class and asked about the news.

“Yes, there was a report saying the creature that appeared in Paris was bombed by Prometheus. He claimed it’s already been resolved. But….”

“What is it?”

“It’s been making headlines lately… about some kind of tower.”

"Tower?"

Didn't really get it, but news had been buzzing lately—huge footage of some kind of tower, and no explanation from the French government, so the public’s totally confused.

I said thanks to Teacher Philip and started heading back to the dorm with the kids. Then Sister stopped me.

"Teacher Gojo, you're back. A guest has arrived."

"Me?"

At the monastery entrance, a man stood waiting. The kids, who’d just followed out of curiosity, froze the second they saw him—mouths open, breath caught.

"Ah, Gojo. Sorry to drop in like this."

Leo Garcia stood there, smiling.