Gem Society,
"What is that, mother?"
"Aaaahhhhh!!"
Massive bombardments destroyed towns and cities.
Many civilians trying to flee were burned by the aftermath.
Screams echoed across the world—many ignored by the ones who ruled them.
The war had begun.
*
Gem Society Council,
All ministers were killed and slaughtered.
The only ones who survived were Teger and the Supreme Minister, who hadn't attended the meeting.
Teger made sure the announcement of war wouldn't reach civilians before the war itself began.
He thought Germio would pause his advance to avoid targeting civilians—giving the Supreme Minister enough time to escape.
But it didn't go that way.
Germio doesn't care.
The nuclear codes have been activated.
The nuclear war has begun.
After taking down the capital planet, they will move on to other planets under Gem Society.
Once the war ends with Kankaar Society's victory, a rain of radiation-absorbing insects will be released across the Dragon Empire.
Gem Society lacks perfect nuclear weapons.
Instead, they have something far more terrifying—
A sleeping Deity.
According to the tales, this deity can erase entire civilizations.
A true nightmare for any civilization.
Teger learned about it recently from the Abandoned Nobles (from the Ruler's Monarchy era).
The Supreme Minister decided to unleash the Deity after enjoying the war.
Teger agreed.
Because for them, it doesn't matter who lives or who dies.
They only care about themselves.
They are the root rot of the system.
Kankaar Society Capital, Palace
Pratik and the others were still in prison, discussing strategy.
[Kel]: There is no way to win. They have double-digit XIGON SCALE monsters with them. The opposition—Gem Society—may also have some trick under their sleeve.
[Grimori]: Moreover, this mission has far surpassed our caliber. I doubt even a Standard Class Teacher Branch sorcerer could handle this.
[Lila]: So how are we going to approach this?
They all glanced at Pratik, hoping for something other than a direct fight.
[Pratik]: Guys… I hit my first Maximiser a day ago.
—
…
Everyone stared at him with blank expressions.
What?
Maximiser?
[Everyone]: WHAT THE HELL??!
Yeah, it's not something common.
Not even many Apprentice Class sorcerers know about it.
Everyone grabbed Pratik's shoulders and started shaking him violently.
Blah blah blah…
Pratik explained everything from start to end.
[Mala]: I see. That explains why I'm even alive.
[Lila]: Great job, kid.
[Kel]: If that's true… you may have surpassed even Grimori in terms of strength.
Pratik nodded.
While trying to fight White Cloak last night, he realized his strength had grown terrifyingly.
Though it was still nowhere near White Cloak.
[Pratik]: I can break this prison easily. Everyone, listen. Germio's targets are the corrupted officials. He won't mind if we just save civilians, right? You guys evacuate civilians. Me, Girishika, and Mala will make sure the war doesn't escalate beyond control. We may even face Wedgermio and Germio—but we'll give it our best.
[Lila]: You will face Wedgermio again?
[Pratik]: Yes. And this time… I'll do it alone. And win.
Mala gave a small, almost invisible smile.
Girishika, watching from her comfortable, luxurious golden cage, let out a heavy laugh.
[Girishika]: I like it, brats. Let's go and kick the butts of those mutts.
Pratik smirked and muttered—
[Pratik]: Range Shiftling: Pressure.
The cage—and the prison itself—shattered under the pressure created by Pratik's Range Shiftling.
Everyone rushed out, assuming Pratik had gained a Range Shiftling thanks to his Maximiser.
But Mala and Girishika stood frozen.
Did… did he use Girishika's Range Shiftling?
Did he copy it?
Did he learn it?
But how?
When?
Only they realized—
The Range Shiftling Pratik used was exactly like Girishika's.
Which meant…
Pratik had multiple Range Shiftlings.
*
Dragon Empire Galaxy,
Four powerful knights appeared in the deep darkness of space.
The Knights of Asura—
Rado, Kelmon, Grim, and Rezen.
[Rado]: Seems like we made it on time.
[Grim]: Whatever. This war looks disappointing. I expected more.
[Kelmon]: Has Team GATSKALTT arrived yet?
[Rado]: No. If they had, things would have settled by now.
[Rezen]: I'm sensing disturbances in the space-time fabric.
[Rado]: That must be due to Germio's four Calamity-class monsters. It is said their combined power surpasses ours.
[Grim]: …Then why aren't they fighting?
[Rado]: Germio is analyzing the
situation. Even if he claims he doesn't care about civilians, deep down he still does. If he unleashes those monsters, it will be the endgame. Their power surpasses any nuclear weapon created by Dragolings. Each one of them can destroy multiple planets with ease.
[Grim]: This sucks…
[Rado]: Don't worry… looks like Germio has finished analyzing. There are hidden variables in this war. From the information Lord Tai gave us, some Apprentice Class sorcerers will handle civilian evacuation. Once that happens, Germio will unleash those monsters on Gem Society.
[Rezen]: Just out of curiosity… where will the civilians be evacuated?
[Rado]: Most likely into Kankaar Society's domain. It's the safest place.
[Rezen]: I wonder if Gem Society is hiding some trick under their sleeve.
[Rado]: That's certain. But Lord Tai assured us—it won't be a problem for us or Kankaar Society.
Suddenly, in the deep forest of the farthest planet of the Dragon Empire—
A group of people teleported in.
Sorcerers.
"Looks like we're quite late."
"This is your fault. You girls wasted too much time on makeup that's about to get ruined."
"You have no right to complain when you were busy stamping papers yourself."
"Everyone, quiet. Looks like we arrived right on time."
Nine figures stood there, dressed in black sorcery-forged uniforms with a golden lion mark near the right shoulder.
The girls' uniforms were slightly different from the boys', but otherwise identical.
Two girls. Seven boys.
One leaned against a tree.
One sat casually on a fallen tree trunk like a captain.
The rest stood behind.
The one sitting was Krishna.
The one leaning was Arun.
Team GATSKALTT had arrived.
[Krishna]: Should we start that game of ours?
[Everyone]: You bet.
---
EXTRAS :-
RANKING SYSTEM
1) Apprentice Class
This class is for student sorcerers.
Divided into A, B, C, and D Grades.
D Grade sorcerers are basically humans who have just started mastering their Dark Energy Reserve pathways.
Pratik and his team are A Grade.
2) Standard Class
This class belongs to sorcerers who have qualified the ISFC Exams.
Based on their scores, they are assigned branches:
Instructor Branch (weakest), Teacher Branch, and Spy/Cop Branch (strongest).
Minimum power starts around 4 XIGON SCALE in the Instructor Branch.
They are at least small country-level in destructive output.
3) Master Class
For sorcerers with exceptional potential—prodigies or anomalies.
Divided into:
a) Semi-Elite Squad – At least small moon-level destructive output and knows at least one S+ Rank technique.
b) Elite Squad – At least planetary-level output and knows at least 5 S+ Rank techniques.
Except Krishna and Arun, Team GATSKALTT belongs to this rank—though they are special even among the Elite Squad.
4) Semi-General Class
Given to the sorcerer or summon chosen by the General.
For Immortalus Society, Kakora holds this rank.
He is not a sorcerer, but a lizard-like summon of Gomo Taka.
Even in base form, he can destroy a star.
He resides in a pocket dimension unless summoned.
5) General
Given to the strongest or second-strongest sorcerer in a society.
In modern times, there is an exception.
Arun and Krishna are the two strongest in Immortalus Society.
Krishna is the Leader, and Arun became Advisor—so the General rank remained with Gomo Taka.
He has held it for over 4000 years.
His base form is slightly weaker than Krishna and Arun only because he is past his prime.
He is also the third member of the Big Three.
Generals awaken transformations after serving at least 50 years.
6) Advisor Rank
Created by Krishna to dump paperwork onto someone else.
He gave it to Arun.
This rank exists only in Immortalus Society.
7) Leader Rank
Given to the strongest or second-strongest sorcerer.
After 20 years as Leader, one gains a transformation.
Krishna has only served 15 years, so he hasn't gained one yet.
However, he has a pseudo-transformation thanks to Gomo Taka.
All GATSKALTT members who trained under Gomo also have pseudo-transformations.