Secret Organization Base, Moscow – Grand Master's Quarters (Floor: Unknown)
The sound of running water echoed from the women's restroom. Syd and Jody stood waiting for Sera just outside. The boy was obsessively drying his hands with tissue after tissue, prompting Jody to raise a brow.
"You think all the germs are dead now?"
"I just don't want to catch your contamination. Gotta be sure they're all dead."
"Wow, rude."
Jody gave him a light punch on the shoulder.
"I said I was sorry, didn't I? Big Sis Jo's really sorry, okay? Pretty please, forgive me, Giffy-boy~"
"Call me Giffy one more time and it's curtains for you. Black screen and credits, got it?"
"Nope, I'm good."
"Thought I felt sorry for you getting nuked by my mom earlier, but now? Nah, not anymore."
"Yeah, speaking of that—your mom told me something..."
"Told you what?"
"...Your codename."
"!"
Syd twitched slightly.
"My codename?"
"Don't play dumb. She told me herself—her codename is [Starless]. Totally forgot spies have codenames too."
"Wha—? Wait, what? She told you that?"
"Yes."
"..."
"'Starless'... Does that have something to do with her ability?"
"Why'd you think that?"
"Because, generally, codenames reflect who someone is, right?"
"...Well, yeah, fair."
"So what's your mom's power, then?"
"Not telling. Nobody has the right to spill it but the old hag herself. It's personal, so if you're curious—go ask her."
"So that means all four of you must have codenames too... What's yours, Syd? Do you have one?"
"......"
He went quiet for about five seconds, clearly debating something, before answering—
"Yeah. I've got one."
"And it is?"
"My codename is: None of your damn business, you nosy twit."
"Really now?"
"You're still not satisfied after getting my childhood nickname exposed? What more do you want!?"
"..."
"Okay, okay! Fine. Geez, you're annoying..."
"......"
"Sigh..."
Syd crossed his arms and gave her a withering glare.
"[The Beast]. That's my codename. Happy now?"
Bonk.
Jody smirked and returned to her usual teasing self.
"Hm... Yeah, I think I get why you'd be called that..."
"What do you mean?"
"How many people have you punched here already?"
"You think I'm a thug like you or something? Doesn't matter how many I've hit. But I might just add one more soon."
"Whoa, hey now—"
Jody raised her arms defensively as Syd cocked a fist.
"Your mom seems to really love you and Roxxy, from what I've seen."
"She's just crazy. Absolutely insufferable."
"Why didn't you say that when she was around?"
"Uh..."
Syd blushed slightly.
"Didn't wanna pick a fight, okay?"
"Aww~ So sweet~ Didn't wanna pick a fight~"
"Hey! I mean it!"
Just then, Sera walked out of the restroom, towel-drying her damp hair.
"You asshole. Throwing it like that? Gross."
"...Oops."
Jody clutched her chest as if wounded. One insult, two hits.
Before Sera could say more, all three of their phones buzzed simultaneously.
Upon checking—
An emergency meeting summons from Jade.
"!!!"
Footsteps echoed down the hallway as they rushed toward the conference room where Jade awaited. Toshi was already there, lazily spinning in a chair.
Syd burst in first and barked,
"Hey! What the hell is this!? I thought the meeting was tomorrow!?"
The others were just as confused. But Jade's answer cleared everything instantly.
"This is a direct order from Grand Master Annie Barrett. All other Grand Masters are present. She wants to begin... now."
Jade looked uncomfortable saying it, but it was the truth.
"...What!?"
Roxxy was in disbelief.
"That old hag—what is she thinking!?"
Was Jody really okay with this?
But all their concern came to a halt when Jody spoke up.
"It's fine."
"Huh?"
"I'm okay with doing it now. Better than waiting until tomorrow. I wouldn't be able to sleep with the anxiety anyway."
"..."
Yeah. Fair point, actually.
Seeing everyone ready, Sera raised her hand.
"Wait... do I... have to go too?"
"You do, Sera. All of you are included. You're the team that discovered the wind Elementalist."
"...In this outfit?"
Sera gestured to her casual clothes.
"No need to change," Jade replied, hand over her heart.
"Just bring your body and your heart."
Syd: "Okay, that was lame as hell."
"Ah—"
Jade immediately turned red and looked away in embarrassment.
"A-anyway, follow me. I'll escort you to the Grand Masters' chamber."
Jody and Sera exchanged tense looks and swallowed hard.
"It's okay."
Mickey stepped in, placing a hand on both their shoulders.
"We're with you."
.
.
.
Jade led the six of them into an elevator. Jody and Sera could feel it moving down—which struck them as odd.
"Huh... I thought higher-ranking rooms would be upstairs," Sera mused.
"If you're still thinking like that, feel free to walk out now—ow!?"
Mickey got smacked by Sera.
"Mick, buddy, you're almost everyone's emotional sponge now. Just missing Jody."
Toshi commented while glancing at Jody. She just smiled at him—
but he could tell. He knew something deeper was going on inside her.
He swallowed hard and looked down again, but Syd, who stood nearby, leaned in to whisper—
"I'll remember this, pal. Don't let me get a chance to return the favor."
"Wait, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—! I had no choice—!"
"Idiot. Couldn't you have just kept your mouth shut? Aren't we friends?"
"Hey—I didn't think silence would fool your mom, alright!? If I helped you, I'd be the one screwed. She'd snap my neck!"
"It's fine, Syd... Toshi was right."
Jody cut in, her eyes looking straight ahead.
"People always protect themselves first."
"..."
Oof. That could be interpreted both ways.
Toshi wasn't sure if she was being sarcastic... or genuinely understanding.
Roxxy, overhearing their exchange, didn't really care either way. As far as she was concerned, Jody and Syd were her mom's responsibility now. Though of course, she'd still be the ever-watchful CCTV. After all, Giffy had caused her plenty of trouble before.
She nudged Sera's shoulder.
"Hey Sera..."
"Hm?"
"You haven't been fighting with Mickey much lately... Getting close, huh?"
At that, Sera's mind instantly flashed back to what happened around 1 a.m. the previous night.
"Wha—? I-I guess I've just gotten used to how annoying he is."
"...Suspicious."
Ding.
Before they could say more, the elevator arrived.
"We're here," Jade announced.
As the doors slid open, they were met by Skylar, Grand Master Annie Barrett's secretary, standing right at the entrance.
Skyler
Secretary to Anong Wongphudi, also known as Annie Barrett—the Grand Master of the Thrak organization. She has worked with Anong since the days when Syd and Roxxy were still little kids.
Naturally, she's a member of the organization herself.
Nationality: Indonesian
Ability: None
Rank in the Organization: Master
She nodded politely. Jade stepped aside and handed the task off to her.
"Skylar will escort you from here."
"And you're going where, Jade?"
"I'm entering through the other side. Think of it like... the audience entrance. You, Jody, get to go center stage."
"God, Jade. Just admit you're going to see Vega."
Skylar smirked, and the Colombian agent instantly turned bright red.
"Wh-what!? What are you talking about!?"
Skylar patted her shoulder playfully.
"Everyone on base knows. Seriously."
"Ack..."
They watched Jade float away like her soul had left her body.
"Come, please."
Skylar was just as professional as Jade. So was Landa, even if he spoke with a bit of a sly tone. Still, they both had voices that commanded attention—enough to keep even Jody focused.
Seriously, they'd probably do great in direct sales.
As they walked down the hallway, Sera couldn't help but notice the architecture. It screamed European palace—very much in line with Thrak's origins in the era of witch hunts.
The structure was undeniably conservative, reminiscent of knightly halls. Most striking was the massive 5x9 meter golden-framed painting hanging on the wall.
"....."
Jody and Sera stood in awe. It was immediately clear:
this was a room for world-changing decisions.
They also noticed a central stone table—no, more like a monolith—smooth, rectangular, and large enough to require walking around. Resting atop it were four tomes, each placed at a corner, with a fifth in the center, encased in glass.
A big drawing presented on the wall inside a golden frame;
The image features a towering deity-like figure—half statue, half chaos incarnate—perfectly split down the middle into four primal forces. On the left, a black vortex of wind churns the void with symbols of air swirling like forgotten runes. The left leg crumbles like ash, merging with earth and decay, while glowing triangles hover like forbidden geometry.
The center torso burns with divine fire, molten and wrathful, igniting the sky with embers and flame.
Then comes water—not gentle, but a force of collapse and rebirth.
And presiding over all of it? A regal, ancient face, emotionless yet godly, adorned in ornate headdress and glowing eyes—watching as if balancing the fate of worlds with every breath.
This isn't just a visual—it's mythology screaming in high definition. The 4 Elements.
"Miss Skylar..."
"Just call me Sky, please."
"...Okay... Miss Sky..."
Jody pointed toward the books.
"Those tomes on the stone slab... if I'm not mistaken, they're—"
Skylar nodded.
"Yes. The four surrounding books are the Quran, Bible, Tripitaka, and a Non-theistic Doctrine. The one in the center is Thrak's own codex."
"...Huh? I thought Thrak was non-theistic?"
"No. Thrak's codex was compiled by gathering core principles from all major religions. It's based on the essence of belief systems around the world. Do you understand what that means?"
"...Stripped of superstition, only the philosophy remains?"
Jody asked.
Syd: "Basically a greatest hits remix."
"Exactly. And the four surrounding books were sourced globally—they're thousands of years old."
Sera: "...So why are they here?"
"They serve as representatives. The number of tomes on display represents the religious affiliations of the Masters and Grand Masters gathered here today."
"...Wait—seriously? That's kinda ironic, considering the stone inscription we saw during the tour said religion was ignorance."
Sera recalled the stone slab they saw earlier.
"That referred to institutional religion—the ones taught in schools and churches. That's ignorance. They teach only the outer bark, never the core."
Skylar placed a hand over her heart.
"I'm Indonesian. Where I'm from, we've got countless islands—most people worship spirits. No offense, but it's not exactly scientific. Miracles in scripture? They were just human inventions meant to preserve the faith. Easy to memorize, easy to repeat. All passed down through unfiltered fear. Did you know Buddha never told his followers to worship statues? Those came years after his death. His only legacy was the texts recording his teachings."
Sera couldn't argue—and she was beginning to understand.
"So... we have to interpret religion differently here, huh?"
Skylar smiled warmly and led them to a towering door—one that looked like it belonged to a cathedral.
"Here we are."
She stepped aside, gestured toward the pad, and activated it.
This was the perfect fusion of tradition and modernity—classic, yet current.
The massive doors slid open, revealing blinding white light from the chamber beyond—light that spilled out into the dark hallway.
"......"
Syd moved to Jody's side, resting a hand on her shoulder.
She turned to him and gave a firm nod.
Together, the two of them stepped forward into the Grand Masters' assembly hall.