Arlman

The city was in extreme tension and bustle, not even sleeping at night.

Move your feet!! The enemy group will be here shortly! Get into position!!!

All entrances to the underground tunnels are open! Be ready to evacuate at any time!!

The city of Arlman was originally the place where Prisma was enshrined in its icy prison; it was built and maintained with the resurrection of Prisma in mind. One example was the citys underground tunnels, which, in preparation for this battle, were further expanded. Food and other supplies had also been brought in, turning it into pretty much an underground fortress.

The use of flygears and flygear carriers had begun to become much more widespread in Charalias military forces ever since Myynti, the previous Special Envoy, was in place and even more so in the time of the current Special Envoy, Theodore. And yet, that didnt mean every single Knight had their own flygear. The preparation was meant to allow the ground-locked Knights to fight while hiding from widespread attacks.

Knights rushed out of the underground tunnels and headed for their positions to intercept the Prisma. And Yua watched them in a haze in the dreadful atmosphere. Sitting on the edge of the roof of the tallest building, she left her legs dangling. Apparently, this was the building where the Prisma used to be.

While others might tell her that a place like this couldnt possibly be relaxing, Yua liked this place. It was, oddly enough, calming for her. Whenever she had the time, she would skip work to be here, just like she was right now.

Ooi! Yua!

She could hear someone calling her name. That voice came from a flygear that was approaching.

Beansprout what is it?

It was Maurice, her classmate from the Knight Academy. He was one of the few friends Yua had.

Dont what? me! Cant you see the fuss?! Prisma is coming!

The other one, Silva, who had arrived on a different flygear, scolded her. Apparently, all the other students of the Academy had assembled, but when he couldnt spot Yua in the ranks, he asked Maurice where she was, and thus came to pick her up.

Mr. Foureyes Forgive me. This place is too relaxing.

youre something else, really. Even with the whole thing happening, you dont even flinch and act as if business is usual!

I got praised. Thanks.

I didnt praise you! That was sarcasm!

Deep down, however, Silva was half-praising her. While everyone was ready to face Prisma with their hearts riddled with fear, Yua alone was calm and composed, acting like her usual self. That was admirable.

Good grief. Looking at you makes it feel like things are going to work out just fine. You dont look scared at all.

Maurice sighed.

No need to be scared. Its not scarysee? Thats the feeling I get

either way, assemble! Go to the principal right now! Get on Maurices flygear!

Aye.

Yua lightly hopped onto Maurices flygear.

Alright, lets go!

With Silva taking the lead, the two flygears took a course along the east side of the citys defense wall. As they wind their way over the city

Hm?! There they are, the swarm of magic stone beasts!

Just as Silva had said, a group of flying bird-shaped magic stone beasts had begun to appear in the eastern sky. Silva raised his voice, quickly informing the ground-locked Knights of this.

Everyone! Enemy presence from the east! A large number of flying bird magic stone beasts! But, some of them are holding something in their legs! Those are h-, humanoid! Humanoid magic stone beasts!

H-, humanoid magic stone beasts?!

What the hell?!

That exists?!

Silvas call caused a stir among the Knights on the ground. Doing so perhaps had been a mistake but, he couldnt possibly tell otherwise. Silva personally had seen beastfolk magic stone beasts before. Still, those humanoid magic stone beasts felt somewhat different.

Besides, beastfolk magic stone beasts had all been annihilated, they would never appear again.

If so, then what are they? Prismas very own existence produced a similar effect to Prism Flow, in which they turn the surrounding creatures into magic stone beasts. He had heard that Highlanders had a weak resistance to Prism Flow and thus could be affected by it, so could it be that those were transformed Highlanders? But then, there were too many of them!

It was highly doubtful that there would be so many Highlanders whod get close enough to a Prisma to be affected by it. In fact, the Highlanders were all on the Highland to steer away from Prism Flow and Prisma.

S-, senior! What are they?!

I dont know! For now, get to the principal!

Silva and the two 2nd year students hurried to the Knight Academys flygear carrier above the eastern defense wall. There, they found Principal Miliera commanding the students.

Principal!

Ah, Mr. Silva! I see you have Miss Yua with you. Thank you for bringing her!

Theres a more pressing matter! What are those humanoid-looking magic stone beasts?! I dont think there would be that many Highlanders in the area, and beastfolk magic stone beasts shouldve been all annihilated too!

I have no clue, but right now we dont have the time to ponder it! Magic stone beasts are magic stone beasts! Dont hesitate to defeat them!

With a stern look on her face, Miliera made a snap decision.

B-, but, principal

Right when Silva said so, he could feel something similar to a morning mist rapidly filling the air around him. It had a faintly shimmering, rainbow-colored shine to it.

Wh-, what is this?!

This is, the same thing that Prism Flow makes?!

Voices rose from the Knights in the ground troops.

Be careful! There might be some small animals around you that turn

Right then

UGGGHAAAAA?!

One knight fell down, screaming. And as he did, his body began to transform. His body was swelling larger and larger, his skin growing an outer skin like a mineral, and gem-like gleams covered his body all over

H-, he turned?!

Thats impossible! Humans cant possibly turn into magic stone beasts!!

Silvas fears were not unfounded. It was happening right in front of him. It wasnt a mistake in his vision. It wasnt an illusion. It was reality. And, that Knight wasnt the only one who was screaming!

Ugh?! HOOOOTTTT! The Prism Powder, whats happening?!

Maurice, who was piloting the flygear, began to tremble and suffer. His chest was violently shining in prismatic colors as if something that he was hiding behind his clothes was reacting.

Maurice! I dont know what it is, but you should throw that away! Its dangerous!

Silvas warning, however, didnt come in time, as the flygear lost control and fell from the sky.

?!

Yua jumped off the hull and landed on the ground, unharmed. Maurice, however, crashed along with the flygear, and Just like the Knight, his body was transforming right in front of Silvas eyes.

Beansprout?

SHRIEEEEEEK!!!

Maurice responded to Yua with a wordless, ******* shriek