Old Man Leng arrived in his hovercar soon after our conversation over the phone ended. When he saw us, he was quite surprised.

"Well… ya seem to have… matured quite a bit since the last time I saw ya,

" he murmured, then noticed Lin Luo behind me.

"Oh? Ain't this the Celesticus ya faced in the final fight? She can't enter Fragment, can she? Granted, she's pretty, but ya already got so many girls 'round ya, takin' in any more ain't a good idea.

"

"I have my ways,

" I replied casually and cryptically, then turned to the other girls.

"Everyone who has Sky Magic, we're just going to fly. Anyone who doesn't, ride Old Man Leng's car.

"

"Alright, kid. Ya managed to really get into Fragment… I have no place to be tellin' ya what ta do,

" Old Man Leng laughed as the girls who didn't have Sky Magic boarded his car.

"Where are we goin' to?

"

"The same place we fought in the tournament,

" Feng Mian replied.

"That's the meet-up place.

"

"People who are flying, follow me,

" Xiang Peng smirked.

"I know the way.

"

And so, Yu An Yan, Obsidia, Flaria, Xiang Peng, Lin Luo, Mei Gui, and I rose up into the air using Flight, while the rest took off in Old Man Leng's car.

*****

"We're really entering Fragment, huh?

" Yu An Yan smiled as she gazed down at the retrofuturist city below.

"The dream of every young, aspiring mage…

"

"Once you get there, you'll be attending an university for the next four years,

" Xiang Peng explained.

"There's only one in all of Fragment, and it could be said to be the best one in the entire world.

"

"Let me guess… it's name is Shanghai Magic Academy?

"

Xiang Peng blinked.

"Uh… how did you know?

"

I snorted.

"I have a… history with the headmaster of that school.

"

"Well, even if you two have some sort of conflict, I still recommend joining, as long as they don't reject you. I doubt they will, since you entering Fragment via the yearly competition looks good on your profile. The resources and opportunities at that university are unparalleled. You get to travel the world.

"

"That's great and all, but only if you make it there,

" a voice suddenly said from behind us.

I immediately spun around, surprised this individual managed to sneak up on me. I didn't have my Third Eye active, so perhaps that was why, but… she was like a ghost that didn't make a sound.

"… Melvia.

"

"Why yes indeed, that is me!

" the woman laughed.

"So? About my Starflower…

"

I sighed.

"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten. There just isn't any here in the Fortress. I'll get you what you want once I get into Fragment. They have everything there, according to Xiang Peng.

"

"Well, not everything, but close.

"

"Hm…? But you know, I can't reach you inside Fragment. How can I be sure you will uphold your promise?

"

I narrowed my eyes.

"You'll just have to trust me.

"

At this, a deep green aura surrounded Melvia, even though her expression did not change.

"Or, I can just place a Curse on you right now to make you obey…

"

Similarly, a black and red aura formed around my body, rivaling hers.

"… You can try.

"

At this, the other girls also prepared for combat, and Melvia soon realized she was outnumbered and diminished her aura.

"Oh~ you all seem to have grown a lot stronger in the span of just a few days… tell me, how?

"

"If I tell you, will you drop the whole matter with the Starflower?

" I smiled deviously.

"Hm… you know what, sure. I'm not particularly in need of one anyway, as that old lady friend of yours is already getting me one. As long as you tell me the truth…

"

At this, I realized she definitely had Psychic Magic to read my mind, and quickly put up a Mind Block mental defense. She snickered.

"My, my, so on guard. Just tell me already, eh? I have things to do after this.

"

"Fine,

" I replied.

"Come closer.

"

"There aren't any others listening in,

" she smiled.

"Just to be safe.

"

"Fine, fine… so cautious.

"

Melvia flew closer to me, and I leaned into her ear.

"Go to hell.

"

Materializing my katana in an instant and stabbing it straight through her stomach, I grinned devilishly.

Melvia's eyes widened as she tilted her head up towards me and tried fighting back, but the Chaos properties of the blade sucked her entire body dry. She fell limp, dead. I flung her body away onto the roof of a nearby building, spilling blood below.

"… Was that really necessary?

" Xiang Peng asked.

"The less possible enemies… the better.

"

I demateralized my katana and thrust my hands back in my pockets calmly, as if nothing had happened.

"Lead the way.

"

Lin Luo glared at me.

"You are a… monster.

"

"The same one you are working with,

" I smirked.

"Who's going to get you into Fragment, I wonder?

"

"Hmph. I still have my doubts — you may be strong individually, but are you able to influence the organization that governs the world? I think not.

"

"Just relax… I know what I'm doing.

"

Several minutes later, we arrived at the coliseum below the massive diamond in the sky. This was where we had battled a few days ago — the fight to enter Fragment.

"Here we are,

" Xiang Peng said, a smile on her face.

Below, we could see that the others on Old Man Leng's car still had not arrived. It made sense, considering us in the sky didn't have to worry about following the roads or anything.

"You guys can head down first. I'll be right back,

" I said, before turning around and flying away.

"W-Wha- hey!

" Yu An Yan cried out.

"Where are you going?

"

I didn't respond, leaving them to wonder.

*****

Very soon, I reached my destination — the Library of Infinite Beginnings.

Strolling on in, I spotted Mrs. Fang working away at the desk. She waved towards me, but I ignored her. Now that I had become one of the Founders of the Library, there was no point currying favor with an employee there. I no longer had any use for her, basically.

Still, I took care of Melvia for her, so she didn't need to get the Starflower anymore. She would find that out soon enough though, so there was no need to tell her.

She seemed surprised at me ignoring her, but I didn't really care and just continued upwards, heading for the door.

On the way, I received numerous glances.

"Hey… isn't that the guy who won the tournament to enter Fragment?

"

"Don't mess with him… he nearly blew up the whole arena with one spell…

"

I heard these fearful murmurs, but I ignored them as well. Racing up the stairs one level at a time, I couldn't help but groan to myself.

Man… isn't there an easier way to access the Infinite Realm where I can talk to the other Founders…?

But as soon as I thought this, my world went white.

*****

When I opened my eyes again, I was in the familiar Infinite Realm, exactly where I had wanted to go. All sixteen Founders were sitting there, as if they had been waiting for me.

"Welcome back, Kai Kai~

" Aluna smiled gently and waved to me. The gesture was so innocent that I couldn't bring myself to tell her not to call me by that name.

Besides, things were urgent, so I decided to get right to the point.

"Founder Tian,

" I said, looking to the human Founder.

"I have a question.

"

"Oh?

" He raised an eyebrow.

"The favor I owe you has already been repaid though.

"

"Hehe~ don't be so stingy,

" Fiona giggled.

I sighed.

"The question's nothing too secret. I just want to know… is it possible for a Council member to forcefully admit someone into Fragment?

"

"Yes, but… I will not help you out.

"

I smiled and shook my head.

"Don't worry, I'm aware. I have a different candidate in mind already. Thanks for answering my question.

"

With that, I prepared to leave, but someone grabbed my arm and stopped me.

"Xuan Kai.

"

"Hm?

" I turned to the one who had done this.

"What's up, Sylvie?

"

At this, she blushed.

"D-Don't call me that in front of others, idiot!

"

"Oh, my bad,

" I cackled internally.

"Did you need something?

"

"I just thought you should know… the Midnight Syndicate is everywhere — even within Fragment. The International Magic Foundation holds a deep secret — one I cannot ascertain just yet. Whether you believe me or not is up to you, but I cannot tell you where I obtained this information without revealing my spies' identities. Forgive me.

"

"You have no reason to lie to me,

" I replied.

"Thanks for the warning.

"

With that, I left, chuckling as the other Founders began poking fun at Sylvoir's nickname I came up with for her.

After exiting the Infinite Realm, I immediately returned to where the girls were. The others on Old Man Leng's car arrived just as I got back.

"Perfect timing,

" Xiang Peng noted as I descended.

"Where did you go? Ah, not like you're going to tell us anyway. That aside… it seems like we're about to go in.

"

Mei Gui. Send Ling Xin a message — tell her to forcefully allow Lin Luo to enter Fragment as well.

Understood, Master.

An IMF staff stepped up onto the stage and faced us.

"Welcome back, winners.

"