First University.
Office Building, Professor Joint Conference Office.
The room was dimly lit. Several dozen professors in black robes had gathered together, their expressions grave. No one spoke. Only the clear, ringing voices of azure firebirds flying into the room one after another echoed through the office:
"—The Relevant Department has stated that it has taken note of the threat from outside the school and is assessing the situation's development... The Relevant Department will not interfere with the school's work arbitrarily, nor will it accept the school's arrangements or deployments..."
"—Activating the School Guardian Formation's special authorization requires at least fifteen minutes. Mister Ruo Yu cannot be contacted for the time being... The Giant Soldier Project team has agreed to dispatch at least one standard hunting team's worth of Edge Type-1 units to join the school's defense mission..."
"—Professor Yao has completely lost contact... The direction from which he last transmitted a message was near 'Fomalhaut,' suspected to be an area where Nikolas has recently been active... The Divination Group and Astrology Observatory have both detected intense magical reactions within the relevant star region, suspected to be the aftermath of a clash between Legendary Rank wizards..."
"—Professor Emma is carrying out a 'rule-based task' and cannot disengage in the short term... She will send down an incarnation as soon as possible to participate in the school's defense work..."
Upon hearing this latest intelligence, a round-faced female professor finally could not help sighing softly. "...One wave hasn't settled before another rises. We never should have proposed that Professor Emma carry out a 'rule-based task'... Simply turning into the sun and circling overhead a few times would have had about the same effect."
"But that would consume far too much of her power."
Another mature-looking male wizard shook his head and analyzed