[A Day Before the Event]
Ma Feng watched calmly as Beatrice, a student of the Crescent Department who became a substitute teacher for a teacher in their department, taught the class in the session given to her. Although she isn't said to possess any magics, she understood magics.
Beatrice could be seen teaching while Romeo had a grumpy expression on his face, which made Ma Feng smile. Ma Feng understood that it would be entertaining to have them both on a team.
Two exes opposing themselves on the same team will be fun!
Ma Feng smiled as he closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and sighed, keeping his hands in his pockets while remaining still—it could look like he was meditating all throughout the scene.
"Violet, given the circumstances... is there any way I can communicate with her without exposing myself? I would like to invite her into the Dragon Knights as our brain. Is there a possibility to my question?" Ma Feng asked.
VIOLET: YES, BUT GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT WON'T BE EASY. THIS IS A SORCERY DEPARTMENT, SO INVOKING YOUR DRAGON MAGICS WOULD SEND INFORMATION TO THOSE FROM WHOM IT CAN'T BE HIDDEN.
"Oh, is that so? Then what am I going to do?" Ma Feng asked.
VIOLET: IT'S QUITE SIMPLE. THE ONLY WAY TO CONVERSE WITH HER WITHOUT ANY FORM OF DISTURBANCE OR DISTRACTION IS TO DRAG HER SOUL INTO THE MATRIX WORLD.
"The Matrix World? Isn't that the world the Dragon God Ozel is sealed in—my heart? Wouldn't I be exposing myself to her once she sees the Dragon God who is sealed in the Matrix?" Ma Feng asked.
VIOLET: I AM THE SAGE OF WISDOM, MA FENG... TRUST ME WHEN I MAKE SUCH STATEMENTS. I HAVE CALCULATED EVERY POSSIBLE OUTCOME, AND IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT THERE IS A CHANCE.
"Hmph, there is a chance? Please, go on," Ma Feng said.
VIOLET: YES, THERE IS A CHANCE, AND THE ONLY CHANCE THAT'S THERE IS TO TAKE HER SOUL INTO THE MATRIX ALONGSIDE YOUR SOUL. YOUR BODIES WOULD STILL BE IN MOTION AND WOULD CARRY OUT YOUR ACTIVITIES WHILE BEING SOULLESS. THEN YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CONVERSATION.
"That's a good idea, Violet. You are such a darling... I wonder what I would do without a system like you," Ma Feng said with a smile on his face as he slowly raised his head and stared at Beatrice.
Both he and Beatrice made eye contact. Beatrice gasped as she opened her eyes to find herself standing in another world—one completely different from her own. A world beyond her understanding, and she was shocked!
"What is this place? Where am I?" Beatrice asked herself in shock when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see a copy of herself approaching with a smile on its face, and she staggered back.
"Who are you, and what's this place?" Beatrice asked as the copy paused. The being couldn't believe it wasn't recognized. It looked down to see itself in a transformed state—shaped like Beatrice.
"You can't recognize me, right? I see I partially took your shape while transporting your soul into this world. Well, I'll take my form back," the being said, and with a snap of his fingers, he transformed back into Ma Feng.
"You... you... you are Ma Feng?" Beatrice asked.
"Miss Beatrice, welcome to the Matrix. While our bodies are consciously following the script, we will be having our separate conversation here. Do not be scared... I will undo this when we are done talking," Ma Feng said.
"Scared? I'm not scared, but I am rather surprised to see myself in this world. So tell me, why am I brought here? What kind of conversation are we going to have?" Beatrice asked as she adjusted her glasses.
"The recruitment kind of conversation, Miss Beatrice... You see, while transporting our souls into this world, I mistakenly got good information about you which left me stunned—or rather, surprised."
"You were once a member of the Luminous Society, one of the top ten secret societies in this Scarlet Academy. But once you got to the Third Year Lower, you quit the organization... Why is that?" Ma Feng asked.
"How did you figure that out? I never told anyone this," Beatrice asked in shock.
"That's an answer I can't afford to tell you. You see, I'm not the type to give out a tempting secret to the world. But I would like to know why you quit the Underworld. Your tattoo shows it all," Ma Feng answered.
"Well, since you figured that out without any help, I won't be hiding anything from you then. The Luminous Society is among the top five darkest organizations in this academy, and I was once their valid member—and a brain to them."
"The Luminous Society once fought the Punishers and almost won—until I left the organization. I chose to leave, and I don't have to give out why if I choose not to. It's a soul-crushing secret I must keep to myself," Beatrice answered.
"Hmmmm. If you insist, then I won't be asking what the secret is. But I have an interesting offer to give you, Miss Beatrice. You see, I newly created an organization in the Underworld, and I would like you to join us," Ma Feng said.
"An organization in the Underworld? What's your goal?" Beatrice asked.
"Yes, an organization in the Underworld. And I wasn't expecting that question from you, but I will answer it anyways. My goal is simple... I would like to maintain the balance between the Light and the Darkness."
"To conquer all the organizations in the Underworld and put them under my control to maintain the absolute order. The Underworld can't be silenced, and Light can't fully destroy Darkness—since life wouldn't be meaningful then."
"Evil must exist, and there must be light to fight against the evil. I would like to be that neutral being who fights both the Light and the Darkness. And I would need a smart being like you on my team," Ma Feng said.
"You need me on your team? What do you see in me that would warrant such?" Beatrice asked.
"It's a simple question with a simple answer. You are gifted. I personally let out an aura to see if my suspicions could be confirmed—and it was confirmed. Your left eye is a gift, right? I don't know the source, but it's quite special," Ma Feng said.
"Huh? How do you come about to have such dire information? There are things I've never told anyone in my life. How did you learn all these things... What are you?" Beatrice asked while staring at Ma Feng.
Ma Feng chuckled softly as he brought out his right hand from his pocket.
"That is an answer I can't afford to tell you, Beatrice, but what I know is that we Dragon Knights do not mean any harm to both the Light and the Darkness. We only wish to control and maintain the balance," Ma Feng said.
"So I would ask you—would you like to join the Dragon Knights? You aren't the type that needs to stay idle in this world. Join us and become one of the best tacticians in this Academy," Ma Feng said.
Beatrice looked down to see a butterfly harping on Ma Feng's palm. She sighed and adjusted her glasses before looking up to stare directly into Ma Feng's eyes. The Matrix became chilled.
"Before I can give you an answer, I would like to ask you a question... What's your relationship with Romeo? The Flower Magic user in your class," Beatrice asked, and Ma Feng wore a bright smile on his face.
"He is a member of my new organization... The Dragon Knights," Ma Feng said.
"That idiot is a member of your organization? Huh, I thought he was too weak to join any secret organization. Why would he choose to join you?" Beatrice asked as she frowned, and Ma Feng giggled out loud.
"Uhmmm... what seems to be funny?" Beatrice asked while facing Ma Feng.
"Romeo already informed me about your issues with him. You guys were once dating, right? And now separated. Your relationship is quite funny to me, but that doesn't mean it would be a hindrance to me."
"Yes, Romeo is a valid member of my organization, and you also will be one. You can settle your differences as teammates. That would be the coolest way to do it," Ma Feng said as he stretched out his hand.
Beatrice sighed as she collected the butterfly harping from Ma Feng, and she stared at the hairpin before gazing at Ma Feng, who kept his right hand back in his pocket like a cool dude would always do.
"Very well then... I will join this organization of yours, but it has a condition. I would like to crush Romeo while being in your organization. Is that okay with you?" Beatrice asked, and Ma Feng laughed out loud.
"As long as he ain't dead... that's okay with me," Ma Feng said with laughter. He knew Beatrice had no hatred towards him—or he and Violet would have sensed it already. Violet could sense emotions without hesitation.
"Okay then... I am now a member of your organization. It's the Dragon Knights, right?" Beatrice asked, and Ma Feng nodded. Ma Feng stretched forth his hand for a handshake, and Beatrice shook his hand.
"Welcome to the Dragon Knights... Beatrice!!" Ma Feng said.
"Yeah, thanks. And besides, you shouldn't be too happy. You will be receiving an invitation from the Syndrome very soon. You should get prepared," Beatrice said, and Ma Feng sighed. Of course, she was a tactician.
"Very well then... I will summon the squad!!"