Shade, Grace, and Helen stepped out through the door of the Transfer Station and returned directly to the snowing woodland. Since only a second had passed, to the Witches, it seemed that Shade and Thomas Bennett had vanished together and immediately returned.
"Are you all right? How did it go?"
Luvia and Miss Olanord emerged from the woods with Emilia. The little elf wore a white velvet cloak with a fur collar, its fur much like Little Liana's.
"Let's go back. Thomas Bennett is in a fixed state inside the Time Transfer Station. Even with Grace and Helen helping me, I couldn't beat him. Even if Emilia went in now, she wouldn't be able to beat him."
He shook his head regretfully, waiting until Sivie and Megan landed from the air before announcing:
"The Final Battle of Vesta Woodland is coming. Thomas Bennett delivered an Invitation Letter on behalf of that Ancient One. On Saturday night, the first of three consecutive nights of full moons, the Paradox Worm army will awaken in this woodland. Before we challenge that Ancient One, he will be the first gatekeeper, waiting for Emilia and me in the Transfer Station."
Luvia was not surprised.
"So everything that happened today was within that Ancient One's expectations? Let's talk after we get back. This isn't entirely bad. At least we know the exact date."
The gathered Witches shared that view. Shade then looked at Emilia and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"There's one more thing. Thomas Bennett told me who the first candidate for Time really is. I don't think he was lying. Just as we guessed, the first candidate is indeed the Ancient One formed from the World Tree Remnants. No one in this woodland is more qualified than it.
"Emilia, you need to defeat