The Central Authority facility rarely slept.
Even deep into the night cycle, mana conduits hummed softly through the steel corridors. Researchers moved between labs, analysts watched endless streams of gate data, and containment teams prepared for emergencies that could appear at any moment.
Rowan Hale stood near one of the observation balconies overlooking the massive operations hall.
Below him, dozens of screens floated in midair displaying live mana readings from gates across the continent.
Beside him, Seraphine leaned against the railing, her long silver hair tied loosely behind her back. She watched the shifting displays with calm focus.
Their recent combat simulations had finished only a few hours earlier, but neither of them had returned to their assigned quarters yet.
Both were still thinking about the same thing.
Their bond.
Rowan could feel it constantly now.
Not just emotionally.
Physically.
Mana flowed between them like a quiet river beneath the surface of his senses. Whenever Seraphine moved slightly, he could feel a faint echo of her motion through the connection.
It wasn't intrusive.
If anything, it felt natural.
Seraphine exhaled softly.
"Still getting used to it?"
Rowan glanced at her.
"Yeah."
He lifted his hand slightly, focusing on the subtle pulse of energy moving through his core.
"Before, my mana felt like… one stream."
He paused.
"Now it feels like two systems running in sync."
Seraphine gave a small smile.
"That would be the new ability."
Rowan opened his system interface again.
Several familiar messages floated before him.
[ SHARED VITALITY Lv.1 ]
[ DUAL CORE MANA FLOW ]
[ INTIMATE RESONANCE AMPLIFIER ]
Even thinking about the last one made his ears heat slightly.
Seraphine noticed.
Her expression turned faintly amused.
"You're still embarrassed about that?"
Rowan cleared his throat.
"The system didn't have to name it like that."
Seraphine laughed quietly.
"You're the one who activated it."
Rowan looked away.
"That was mutual."
Their conversation ended when an alarm suddenly echoed across the operations hall.
A sharp crimson light began flashing across the massive screens.
Researchers immediately began shouting instructions.
Rowan straightened.
Seraphine was already looking down toward the central display.
One of the floating screens expanded, projecting a large three-dimensional map of a nearby city region.
A flashing point pulsed violently.
Mana readings spiked.
"Gate anomaly detected!" one of the analysts shouted.
Another voice followed.
"Instability class rising! Mana output exceeding standard thresholds!"
Seraphine frowned.
"That's unusual."
Rowan nodded.
Gates opening around the world had become more common over the last decade.
But the Authority usually detected them hours in advance.
This one seemed different.
A tall figure stepped onto the command platform below.
Director Kael.
The entire operations hall quieted almost instantly.
Kael studied the readings silently for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"Unregistered gate formation."
His voice carried easily across the chamber.
"Location: Sector D-17 forest perimeter."
Another analyst spoke quickly.
"Initial scouting team already deployed fifteen minutes ago."
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Status?"
The analyst hesitated.
"Signal lost."
A tense silence spread through the hall.
Seraphine glanced toward Rowan.
"That's not good."
Kael looked up toward the balcony where Rowan and Seraphine stood.
"Agent Seraphine."
Her posture straightened instantly.
"Yes, Director."
Kael continued.
"You and Rowan Hale will form the second response team."
Rowan blinked.
"That fast?"
Kael nodded calmly.
"The anomaly is expanding. Waiting longer increases risk."
A nearby screen projected the gate's mana readings again.
Rowan's eyes widened slightly.
The energy output was enormous.
Even from a distance he could feel the chaotic fluctuations.
Seraphine looked toward him.
"You ready?"
Rowan closed the system window.
His expression hardened.
"Let's move."
Twenty minutes later, a transport aircraft cut through the dark sky toward the forest sector.
Rowan sat across from Seraphine inside the dimly lit cabin.
The aircraft vibrated slightly as it descended through the clouds.
A small tactical screen displayed the mission information.
Gate anomaly.
Unknown monster types.
Scout team missing.
Rowan leaned forward slightly.
"You think they're alive?"
Seraphine answered honestly.
"I don't know."
Her hand rested lightly on the hilt of her blade.
"But if they are… they'll need help soon."
Rowan nodded.
The aircraft slowed.
A voice came through the cabin intercom.
"Landing zone approaching."
The rear hatch opened with a mechanical hiss.
Cold night air rushed inside.
Below them, a dense forest stretched across rolling hills.
And in the center of it—
A massive glowing tear in reality pulsed like a wounded star.
The gate anomaly.
Rowan stepped out of the aircraft first.
The ground beneath his boots vibrated faintly.
Mana pressure radiated from the gate like waves.
Seraphine landed beside him a moment later.
The aircraft immediately lifted away.
Leaving them alone.
Rowan scanned the surrounding forest.
"Scout team should be somewhere nearby."
Seraphine nodded.
"Stay alert."
They moved quickly through the trees.
The deeper they went, the more unstable the environment felt.
Branches twisted unnaturally.
Mana currents swirled like invisible storms between the trunks.
Then—
A distant explosion echoed through the forest.
Rowan froze.
"That came from ahead."
Seraphine had already drawn her sword.
"Let's go."
They sprinted toward the sound.
Within seconds they burst into a small clearing.
And stopped.
Three Authority scouts lay injured near the edge of the clearing.
Several large monsters surrounded them.
Shadow-covered creatures with jagged claws and glowing red eyes.
Gate beasts.
At least eight of them.
But something else caught Rowan's attention.
A dark figure moved among the monsters.
Fast.
Silent.
Deadly.
A flash of silver blades cut through the air.
One of the creatures collapsed instantly.
Another monster lunged.
The figure twisted sideways, vanishing into the shadows before reappearing behind it.
A dagger pierced its neck.
Rowan blinked.
"What the—"
Seraphine whispered beside him.
"That's not one of ours."
The mysterious fighter moved like a ghost.
Black cloak.
Long dark hair tied behind her head.
Twin daggers flashing in the moonlight.
Two more monsters fell within seconds.
But the remaining creatures were adapting.
They began surrounding her.
Rowan frowned.
"She's going to get overwhelmed."
Seraphine nodded.
"Let's help."
Rowan stepped forward.
Mana surged through his core.
Then through Seraphine.
The bond reacted instantly.
Their power synchronized.
[ BOND SYNCHRONIZATION: 88% ]
[ SHARED VITALITY ACTIVE ]
[ DUAL CORE MANA FLOW ENGAGED ]
Rowan drew his sword.
"Let's clear them."
They attacked together.
Seraphine moved first.
Her blade sliced cleanly through one monster's torso.
Rowan followed immediately behind her movement, striking another creature before it could react.
Their coordination was seamless.
Two monsters fell.
The rogue fighter noticed them immediately.
Her sharp violet eyes flicked toward Rowan.
Surprise flashed across her face.
Then she moved again.
Working with them.
Even though they had never fought together before.
Another creature lunged toward Rowan.
Before he could strike—
A dagger flew past his shoulder and embedded itself in the monster's skull.
Rowan blinked.
"Nice throw."
The rogue didn't respond.
But Rowan caught the faintest smirk on her lips.
The battle ended quickly after that.
The final monster collapsed with a heavy thud.
Silence returned to the clearing.
Rowan exhaled slowly.
Seraphine lowered her sword.
The mysterious rogue retrieved her daggers calmly.
Rowan studied her carefully now.
She looked to be around their age, maybe a little younger.
Her golden-blonde hair flowed down her back in a long, elegant braid, the strands catching the moonlight as she moved. A few loose pieces framed her face, giving her an almost regal presence even in the middle of a battlefield.
Her eyes were striking — a deep crimson-amber color, glowing faintly in the darkness. Rowan immediately recognized the trait. That kind of eye color was almost always associated with people who possessed extremely strong fire affinity.
Her face was refined, almost aristocratic in its symmetry. Smooth features, sharp but elegant, the kind usually seen among high noble families rather than wandering fighters.
Even the way she stood gave it away.
Her posture was perfectly straight, every movement controlled and graceful, as if she had spent years drilled in noble etiquette and discipline.
But Rowan could also see the strength beneath the elegance.
Her build was slender, almost delicate at first glance, yet the way she held her daggers and balanced her weight told a different story. Every motion was precise and efficient — the body of someone far stronger than they looked.
Her outfit was unusual as well.
A white and red academy-style uniform, clearly modified for combat. Small enchanted ornaments were sewn subtly along the sleeves and collar, faint runes glowing whenever mana passed through them.
Gold earrings hung from her ears, each shaped like tiny flame sigils, catching the light whenever she turned her head.
Despite the battlefield around them, she looked completely composed.
Calm.
Controlled.
Like someone used to being in command of every situation.
Seraphine stepped slightly closer to Rowan.
Subtle.
Protective.
The rogue noticed.
Her eyes flicked between them.
Then Rowan's system suddenly reacted.
A new notification appeared.
[ COMPATIBLE SOUL RESONANCE DETECTED ]
Rowan froze.
Another message appeared immediately.
[ POTENTIAL BOND CANDIDATE IDENTIFIED ]
Rowan's eyes widened slightly.
Seraphine noticed his reaction.
"What is it?"
Rowan hesitated.
"System message."
The rogue tilted her head slightly.
"You two with the Authority?"
Her voice was smooth but cautious.
Rowan nodded.
"Yeah."
He gestured toward the injured scouts.
"We came to check the anomaly."
She glanced at the fallen monsters.
"Looks like you arrived just in time."
Seraphine studied her.
"You're not Authority."
"Obviously."
The rogue stepped backward slightly.
Still watching them.
Rowan asked carefully.
"What's your name?"
For a moment she looked like she might refuse.
Then she answered.
"Lyria."
She paused.
"Lyria Nightveil."
The name hung in the air.
Rowan opened his mouth to respond—
But Lyria suddenly turned.
And vanished into the forest shadows.
Gone.
Seraphine blinked.
"Well."
Rowan stared at the trees where she disappeared.
"That was fast."
Seraphine crossed her arms.
"Suspicious."
Rowan nodded slowly.
But the system message still floated quietly in his mind.
Potential Bond Candidate.
He had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time they saw Lyria Nightveil.