Flynn and Isabeau descended the winding staircases of Camp Ichigaya, their footsteps echoing through the desolate military complex. The ruined city of Tokyo stretched out beyond the shattered windows, a grim reminder of the world they had fought to save. Isabeau's gaze lingered on the desolation as she spoke, her voice tinged with sadness and disbelief.

"Even after two years since we helped Nanashi and his allies, there are still parts of Tokyo that remain abandoned," Isabeau remarked, her eyes scanning the crumbling buildings in the distance.

Flynn nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Isabeau, it takes time to return a sense of normalcy after the fiasco with Merkabah, Lucifer, and the Divine Powers," he replied, his voice steady and reassuring. "Hmm, let me try something."

Flynn paused, staring at the Gauntlet on his left hand, the device a constant reminder of the battles they had faced and the power it held. "Burroughs," he asked, addressing the navigation AI installed in the Gauntlet. "Is Camp Ichigaya the correct place?"

The screen interface of Flynn's Gauntlet began to glow green, and the virtual image of Burroughs appeared on the screen. Her voice, calm and measured, filled the air.

[Yes, Master Flynn,] Burroughs confirmed. [I can detect Stephen in the Yamato Perpetual Reactor.]

Isabeau's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Stephen. "Stephen, right?" she muttered, her voice laced with a hint of concern. "It's been two years since we last saw him."

Flynn's expression grew more serious as they continued to traverse deeper into Camp Ichigaya. "If Stephen is here, then it must be serious," he said, his voice carrying a note of determination. "Let's go, Isabeau."

The weight of their mission settled heavily on their shoulders as they pressed on, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Flynn and Isabeau finally reached the Yamato Perpetual Reactor, their steps echoing in the vast, humming chamber. Stephen sat waiting for them, his wheelchair positioned near a pulsating control panel. As they approached, he looked up and greeted them with a nod.

"Flynn, Isabeau…" Stephen said, his voice warm despite the cold, mechanical atmosphere of the reactor. "It's been two years since we last saw each other."

"It has been a long time, Stephen," Isabeau replied. "Two years have passed since we last saw you."

Flynn nodded in agreement. "Since you specifically called for us, I assume Nanashi and his allies will be the ones protecting Tokyo and Mikado in our stead," he said, his eyes meeting Stephen's gaze.

Stephen nodded solemnly. "That's correct," he replied. "Nanashi and his friends chose to remain here to protect both Tokyo and Mikado in case the forces of Law and Chaos encroach here again."

"I see," Flynn presumed. "Then, what's the reason you called us here?"

"The reason I contacted you both is that the Expanse, the alternate plane where demons and gods originate, is encroaching on another world," Stephen explained, his expression grave. "A world where the Academy City, Kivotos, lies."

The moment Flynn asked that question, Stephen tapped on the keys of his wheelchair, and a projected image of a city appeared in front of Flynn and Isabeau.

Isabeau's brow furrowed in curiosity. "That city looks beautiful. It resembles a fully restored Tokyo, and so much more," she asked, her eyes reflecting the pulsating lights of the reactor. "That's Kivotos, right? What kind of city is it?"

Stephen leaned back in his wheelchair, his fingers interlaced. "Kivotos is an Academy City where the majority of its population are female students," he explained as the projection changed images to the various students doing their everyday activities. "Each of these students possesses halos of all shapes, sizes, and colors."

Flynn narrowed his eyes, his mind racing with the implications. "Halos?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "Are these halos similar to the ones certain Divine and Herald demons have?"

Stephen nodded. "Yes, but the students' halos serve a purpose. They grant an impressive amount of strength and durability to the students," he clarified. "The halos are a visual representation of the students' abilities."

"I see," Flynn surmised as he looked at the images of some of the students, noting their non-human features like wings, horns, and pointed ears. "That must mean the students aren't human?"

"Not exactly, Flynn," Stephen explained as he leaned on his wheelchair. "Despite having halos and certain features, the students are born, grow, and age like normal humans. Therefore, 'mortal' is a more appropriate term for the students of Kivotos.''

"I understand," Flynn nodded in acknowledgment. "The students of Kivotos may not necessarily be human, but they're mortals… people, nonetheless."

As Flynn replied to Stephen, Isabeau's expression grew more serious. "While it's helpful to know what these halos do," she said, her voice filled with worry and determination. "I can't help but think that Kivotos is in peril."

Stephen leaned forward in his wheelchair, his expression serious. "Before we delve into the details," he elaborated. "You two should know that Kivotos is divided into several schools — Abydos, Gehenna, Trinity, and Millennium, among others."

"Isabeau and I are somewhat familiar with schools and how they function thanks to the books Nanashi gave us," Flynn interjected. "Is there a neutral party that can mediate between these schools?"

"Yes, Flynn. There is one such organization," Stephen explained. "The General Student Council, or GSC, acts as the mediator between them, maintaining a delicate balance of power and order."

Flynn's brow furrowed as he processed the information. "Hmm, despite all of this," he surmised, his voice grave. "Something catastrophic must have happened to Kivotos."

Stephen nodded, his expression somber. "Yes. Kivotos is on the verge of collapse. The General Student Council is overwhelmed, and the schools are on the brink of conflict," he said, his gaze fixed on Flynn. "All because the General Student Council President, a benevolent and shrewd woman, went missing."

"The General Student Council President went missing?" Isabeau repeated. "Do you know what happened to her?"

"Sadly, not even I know what happened to the General Student Council President. She is beyond my scope, even in my full power," Stephen shook his head. "Nonetheless, her disappearance led Kivotos to a downward spiral, but she managed to establish an organization before she disappeared — an extrajudicial, autonomous organization called SCHALE."

"SCHALE?" Isabeau inquired. "What kind of organization is it?"

"SCHALE has similar authorities as the General Student Council but can act more independently," Stephen elaborated. "This is where you two come in, Flynn and Isabeau."

Isabeau looked at Flynn, who kept listening to Stephen as the man in the wheelchair continued explaining the situation.

"The one in charge of SCHALE is called a Sensei," Stephen revealed. "Truth be told, Kivotos needs a Sensei to guide the city and its students. And Flynn, I believe that you are qualified to become a Sensei of SCHALE."

Flynn's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the title. "Sensei? From what I remember from reading mystic scripts back at Mikado, that translates to 'Teacher'," he said, his voice thoughtful.

"How can I help?" Isabeau spoke. "Being a Sensei sounds stressful. I want to help Flynn out as much as I can."

Stephen nodded in agreement. "That's correct," he explained, his voice filled with hope. "Flynn cannot do this alone. This is where you come in, Isabeau. You must aid Flynn in his duties whenever you can."

"Of course," Isabeau nodded. "I won't let you or Flynn down."

Flynn looked at Isabeau and saw the determination in her eyes, the same expression that he saw in her whenever she helped out the people of Mikado and Tokyo. Then, he turned his attention to Stephen as he felt that the man in the wheelchair had more to say.

"Now, Flynn," Stephen stated. "As a Sensei, you'll be able to guide the students to be better people and, eventually, to become better adults. Are you up to that task?"

Flynn fell silent for a moment, considering the offer. Beside him, Isabeau spoke up, her voice steady and supportive. "As I've said to Stephen," she said, her eyes reflecting her unwavering loyalty. "I'll support you no matter what, Flynn."

Flynn looked at Isabeau, gratitude shining in his eyes. He then turned to Stephen, his expression resolute. "I've decided," he declared, his voice filled with determination. "I'll become a Sensei of Kivotos."

Stephen's face broke into a relieved smile. "I'm glad to hear that, Flynn," he said, his voice warm. "Your guidance and experience will be invaluable to the students of Kivotos."

"I'm sure it's as difficult as uniting the people of Mikado and Tokyo together," Flynn remarked. "It can and will be done."

Isabeau placed a hand on Flynn's shoulder, her grip firm and reassuring. "We'll face this challenge together, just like we always have," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "I shall be with you every step of the way."

Stephen looked at Flynn and Isabeau, his expression serious. "Before you two embark on your mission, I need to upgrade your Gauntlets," he said. "The software and hardware are centuries old and it won't be sufficient for what you'll face in Kivotos."

Flynn glanced down at the Gauntlet on his left hand, his brow furrowing in curiosity. "Alright, but I admit I'm curious," he asked, looking back up at Stephen. "What upgrades are you installing?"

Stephen wheeled himself closer to a nearby console, his fingers dancing over the keys. "I'm planning to increase the digital storage space in your Gauntlets and install a feature that allows devices such as tablets and smartphones to connect to them," he explained, his eyes scanning the lines of code on the screen. "I'm also going to install some updates on the Demon Summoning Program and the Demon Fusion Program."

Isabeau and Flynn unclasped their Gauntlets from their arms and handed them to Stephen. Isabeau's expression was thoughtful as she asked, "But why did you need to upgrade our Gauntlets?"

Stephen held the two Gauntlets in his hands, his gaze shifting between them. "The technology of Kivotos is more advanced than Tokyo and Mikado combined. There are malevolent entities in Kivotos that can hack software and hardware," he explained, his voice grave. "That includes the Gauntlet itself, which is why I need to make adjustments to ensure your safety."

Flynn nodded, understanding the necessity of the upgrades. "It makes sense," he said, his eyes reflecting the glow of Stephen's hands as he worked on the Gauntlets. "Being prepared minimizes risks."

Stephen's hands pulsed with a soft light as he made the final adjustments to the Gauntlets. He handed them back to Flynn and Isabeau, his expression somber.

"In Kivotos, you'll face foes whose strength is on par with or even stronger than the gods and demons you've fought previously," Stephen stated, his voice filled with concern. "I wanted to at least upgrade your Gauntlets to give you a fighting chance."

Isabeau clasped the Gauntlet back onto her arm, her expression determined. "We appreciate your help, Stephen. We'll do everything in our power to protect Kivotos and its students," she said, her voice resolute.

Flynn nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on the upgraded Gauntlet on his left hand. "With these upgrades and our experience, we'll be ready to face whatever challenges await us in Kivotos," he said, his voice filled with determination.

[Master Flynn, Master Isabeau...] Burroughs chimed through their Gauntlets. [I'll register that as a new quest on the list.]

[Main Quest: "Welcome to Kivotos" has been accepted]

[Your mission in the new world is to go to Kivotos and aid its denizens. Flynn must become the Sensei of SCHALE while Isabeau must aid Flynn in his role.]

As Isabeau and Flynn looked at the new quest that appeared on the screen of their Gauntlets, Isabeau's eyes widened with realization. "That's why you wanted us to meet you here at the Yamato Perpetual Reactor," she said, looking at Stephen.

Flynn nodded in agreement, his gaze shifting between Stephen and the massive reactor. "It's because the Yamato Perpetual Reactor can open portals to the Expanse and even to other versions of Tokyo," he said, his voice filled with understanding. "And as you know already, Isabeau and I have been to both Blasted and Infernal Tokyo."

Stephen nodded, his expression serious. "That's correct. To travel to Kivotos, I need to channel a small amount of my power to open a portal through the Yamato Perpetual Reactor," he explained, turning his attention to the humming machine.

Flynn took a deep breath, steeling himself for the journey ahead. "We're ready, Stephen," he said, his voice resolute. Beside him, Isabeau nodded, her expression determined.

Stephen turned to the screen on the right handlebar of his wheelchair, his fingers dancing over the keys as he inputted a series of commands. He then pointed his finger at the Yamato Perpetual Reactor, his voice steady as he muttered, "Executing program."

The Yamato Perpetual Reactor began to hum louder, its pulsating light growing brighter as a portal started to manifest within it. The air crackled with energy as the portal stabilized, revealing a swirling vortex of colors and shapes.

Stephen turned back to Flynn and Isabeau, his expression somber. "Safe journey to Kivotos," he said, his voice filled with a mix of hope and concern.

Flynn and Isabeau nodded at Stephen, their expressions determined. "We'll do our best to protect Kivotos and its students," Flynn said, his voice steady and reassuring.

As the light of the Yamato Perpetual Reactor engulfed them both, Flynn and Isabeau stepped forward, their figures disappearing into the swirling portal. The hum of the reactor filled the air as the portal closed behind them, leaving Stephen alone in the vast chamber. He looked at the now-closed portal, his expression thoughtful.

"The fate of Kivotos rests in their hands now," he murmured, his voice filled with hope as he turned away from the Yamato Perpetual Reactor, his mind already focused on the next task at hand. Meanwhile, Flynn and Isabeau stepped out of the portal, leaving Tokyo behind and entering the advanced and perilous world of Kivotos, ready to face the challenges that awaited them.

A few moments later, both Flynn and Isabeau opened their eyes, only to be greeted by a vast, white space spread as far as they could see. Flynn and Isabeau could not see anyone else among them.

"Where are we, Flynn?" Isabeau asked him. "I don't think this is the place that we're supposed to go."

"Be wary, Isabeau…" Flynn muttered. "I have been here before…"

Suddenly, the duo could feel an ominous presence near them. Flynn and Isabeau turned around to see four shapeless, monochrome entities appearing before them. The entities gradually took the forms of the people that they knew back in their world.

"This can't be," Isabeau looked at the three figures before them. "Walter, Jonathan, Nanashi, and Asahi?"

"I don't think that's them, Isabeau," Flynn warned her. "They're using the people we know to talk to us. Don't be swayed by their words."

As Isabeau nodded at Flynn, each of the monochrome entities looked at them with utter contempt. Flynn and Isabeau felt a lot of otherworldly pressure emanating from them.

"The gate has opened once again," The monochrome version of Walter spoke. "The two Vagrants from the world that chose Neutrality… You two may call us the White…"

"Upon receiving knowledge and wisdom," White Jonathan said. "The atoms of mortals that learned desire have opened the gate once more."

"We ask the mitochondria within you two…" White Nanashi asked them. "Have you ever given thought to why you were born? Why does the world exist?"

"Yes, we have," Flynn answered. "Ever since we defeated YHVH, the future of our world has been ever hopeful."

"We endured and suffered for it. In that, we accept," Isabeau added. "But, we persevered and succeeded in making our world a better place for everyone."

Unfortunately, the reasoning fell on deaf ears. The Archaic entities' expressions remained unchanged, even at the convictions of the two humans before them.

"Futile mortals, those are your insights…" White Nanashi surmounted. "But, such answers are utterly meaningless to us…"

"A single atom's revolt will damage no more than a single cell…" White Asahi droned in. "The damaged cell will quickly be healed by the other cells..."

"Your efforts in your world matter little in the grand scheme of things…" White Walter added. "You two are no different from the other humans. You mortals have always been pawns in God's schemes."

"Humans… No, you mortals are but prisoners of God's machinations. But we know a way... A way to escape God's control," White Jonathan spoke. "Yes... We will simply collaborate with certain inhabitants of the new world, in that city called Kivotos, to reduce everything to nothing."

"You would dare exert your influence on another world?!" Flynn drew his blade and pointed it to the White. "We will stop you!"

"We've worked hard for our future," Isabeau agreed as she readied her blade. "I'm with Flynn. Dare to plan your schemes in Kivotos, and you all shall pay the price!"

"No... You two and your messianic tendencies… Little wonder you two are affirmed in Neutrality," White Nanashi rebuked. "What do you think you two can do? Both of you have saved your world, yet you two would do the same to the new world...? Cowardly humans!"

"No matter what choices you mortals make, the world will always drown in self-destruction," White Asahi added. "Yet, you two are blinded by such false hope that our words become meaningless to you two…"

"Why do you disagree with us? Are you two certain to place your hopes in the possibility of a future, even for the new world?" White Jonathan's voice seethed with contempt at them. "Even after we have shown to the Fifth Son that there is no future for mortals?"

"Even if we have to face despair again, we won't lose hope, not even to you, White..." Flynn stated. "We will fulfill our duties, and we will unravel your schemes! Your nihilism will not surmount to anything!"

"We have expected such a response from you, Fifth Son… It seems you two are intent on opposing us, so be it…" White Walter concluded. "May your mission in the new world be riddled with disappointment and despair."

Suddenly, the scenery around them shone in a brilliant white, and thus a new possibility has opened for both worlds. But, the direction for that new possibility remains to be seen…

As Flynn opened his eyes, he realized that he was on some sort of metal carriage. Based on what Nanashi and his friends explained to him, he was apparently on a train. As he looked around, he realized that, unlike the encounter with the White, Isabeau was not with him. Instead, he saw a teal-haired woman sitting on the opposite seat in front of him. Then, Flynn realized that the teal-haired woman was grievously injured, with blood flowing and staining her previously pristine white uniform.

"I'm sorry... It was all my fault..." The woman lamented. "My decisions, and everything they had caused..."

Flynn tried to move in hopes of casting a Media or even Diarahan, spells capable of healing the woman, but to no avail, as he realized that he could neither speak nor move at all, only to listen to what this woman was about to say to him.

"It had come to this for me to finally realize..." The woman admitted. "That you were right all along..."

As he pondered what she meant with those words, Flynn felt distressed as he saw the woman smile soberly at him, despite sustaining potentially life-threatening injuries.

"So, forgive me for being so bold, but I must ask for your help, Flynn..." The woman continued. "Yet, I'm afraid you'll forget these words I say to you."

Flynn became intrigued as to why the woman said those words. As if on cue, he had a feeling that this woman managed to read his facial expression as she wheezed raggedly as she began speaking again.

"But, it doesn't matter... I think you'll probably make the same decision in the same situation..." The woman explained. "Therefore, I believe what matters most are the choices we make, not the experiences we have... The choices only you can make..."

Then, multiple images flashed through Flynn's eyes, images of girls with halos... students going about their lives. As those images seared through his mind, Flynn realized that even though he hadn't met these girls yet, he felt that he could connect with them...

"I've spoken of responsibility before... I didn't truly understand back then, but now, I do," The woman explained. "Adulthood, responsibility, obligation... and the choices that you make that extend beyond those ideals, even though I understand their implications..."

Then, Flynn saw the woman pointing her right index finger at him, and for a split second, he saw the woman flash a genuine, heartfelt smile at him.

"Flynn... You're the only one that I trust to become the Sensei of SCHALE," The woman declared. "Only you can free us from this twisted, distorted fate... and find the choices that will lead us to a new reality."

Then, she slumped her right arm, signifying that she was succumbing to her injuries. Then, the teal-haired woman mustered every ounce of willpower she had to speak her words to Flynn.

"Flynn Sensei..." The woman pleaded as tears flowed from her eyes. "Please help Kivotos... Please help the students to become better people... and to become better adults..."

Then, Flynn's vision became blurry, and upon doing so, he heard several indecipherable voices speaking two phrases together.

We thirst for the Seven Wailings.

We bear the Koan of Jericho.

Then, Flynn's vision was engulfed in a bright flash of light and he passed out.

The Demon-Summoning Samurai of Kivotos

A Shin Megami Tensei IV & Blue Archive crossover

Chapter 1: Welcome to Kivotos!

Flynn's eyes fluttered open as consciousness slowly returned to him. He found himself lying on the floor of a room in a tall building, the hum of activity outside the window a stark contrast to the silence within. He noticed Isabeau stirring beside him and realized he was clutching something in his right hand.

Raising his hand, Flynn examined the strange-looking card he held. His brow furrowed in confusion as he turned the card over, trying to make sense of it. "Burroughs?" he asked, his voice steady despite the unfamiliar surroundings. "Can you please scan this card?"

The screen interface of Flynn's Gauntlet began to glow green, and the virtual image of Burroughs appeared on the screen. Her voice, calm and measured, filled the air. [Yes, Master Flynn,] she explained. [Activating Scan Mode...]

Then, Flynn's Gauntlet scanned the mysterious card. Flynn's eyes gazed upon the mysterious card as his Gauntlet emitted a green light, scanning it. Then, after the Gauntlet finished its scan, Burroughs chimed again.

[From my scanners, the card you're holding is called the Adult Card] Burroughs revealed. [However, aside from its name, all I'm getting is an error. But, I can detect a faint amount of energy within the Adult Card. I suggest keeping it in the Gauntlet's inventory just in case, Master Flynn.]

Flynn let out a sigh, his expression thoughtful. He slipped the Adult Card into his Gauntlet's virtual storage and turned his attention to Isabeau. Gently nudging her shoulder, he softly said, "Wake up, Isabeau."

Isabeau stirred, her eyes slowly opening as she groggily looked up at Flynn. "Flynn?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion and curiosity. "Where are we?"

Flynn looked around the room, his gaze taking in the modern furnishings and the view of the cityscape outside the window. "If my guess is correct," he said, his voice filled with a sense of awe and determination. "We're likely in Kivotos."

Isabeau sat up, her eyes scanning the room before settling on the view outside the window. "We arrived in Kivotos inside one of the buildings," she said, her voice filled with relief and concern.

Suddenly, Flynn's ears picked up the sound of footsteps approaching. His expression grew serious as he turned to Isabeau. "We're not the only ones in the building," he said, his voice low and cautious.

Isabeau's eyes widened slightly, her body tensing as she prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead. "We should be careful," she said, her voice filled with caution and determination.

As Flynn and Isabeau cautiously observed the doorway, a young woman wearing glasses entered the room. Their eyes took in her appearance, noting her long, black hair, striking blue eyes, and pointed ears. She wore a white coat paired with black leggings, but what truly fascinated them was the halo floating above her head, shaped like a circle with three prongs.

The young woman looked at them curiously, adjusting her glasses as she spoke. "Hmm? I assumed that the president has sent you two here," she asked, her voice polite and professional. "Did both of you apply for the position of Sensei of SCHALE?"

Isabeau glanced at Flynn before replying, "Actually, he is the one who applied for the position as Sensei. I shall assist him in his new role." She paused, her gaze returning to the young woman. "Oh, pardon my manners. I am Isabeau, and this is Flynn. May I ask your name?"

The young woman nodded, her expression remaining calm and composed. "I am Nanagami Rin," she introduced herself, her voice steady and clear. "An officer of the General Student Council of Kivotos."

Flynn's eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed the way Rin pronounced her name, her family name first, followed by her given name. It reminded him of the customs in Tokyo.

"Is it alright if we call you by your given name, Rin?" Flynn asked, his voice respectful yet cautious.

Rin calmly nodded, her expression unchanging. "Yes, you may refer to me by my given name," she replied, her voice filled with a sense of authority and grace.

Rin continued speaking, her expression serious. "While I don't fully understand how both of you got here, I will overlook that for now," she explained, her voice filled with curiosity and concern. "Something has happened in Kivotos, and your presence may be connected to it."

Isabeau's brow furrowed, her eyes reflecting her worry. "What is currently happening in Kivotos?" she asked, her voice steady despite the uncertainty that surrounded them.

Rin adjusted her glasses, her expression somber. "Something grave has happened," she said, gesturing towards the elevator door. "I can explain more once we get on the elevator."

Flynn and Isabeau exchanged a glance before following Rin out of the room and into the building's elevator. As Rin pressed the button for the ground floor, the elevator doors closed, and the cab began its descent.

"I will be honest with you two," Rin said to Flynn and Isabeau. "The General Student Council present has gone… missing."

They knew this fact already from Stephen, but having someone from Kivotos verify that face affirms the credibility of that information.

Inside the elevator, Rin turned to Flynn, her expression thoughtful. "Since you will soon become the Sensei of SCHALE," she said, her voice filled with a sense of urgency. "You and Isabeau need to see Kivotos in its entirety to understand the scope of the situation."

Flynn nodded, his expression determined. "I understand, Rin," he said, his eyes fixed on Rin as he waited for her to continue. "Go on."

Rin adjusted her glasses once more, her gaze shifting between Flynn and Isabeau. "Kivotos is a massive city, home to thousands of different schools, academies, and institutions," she explained, her voice steady and informative as the several buildings of the titular city were visible in the elevator's transparent glass. "Each of these schools has its own unique culture, strengths, and weaknesses."

Isabeau let out a soft sigh, her expression thoughtful. "It will be a challenge for us to adjust to Kivotos," she remarked, her voice filled with concern and determination. "It is a stark contrast to where Flynn and I come from."

Rin calmly smiled, her eyes reflecting her confidence in them. "I do not doubt that both of you will adjust, especially you, Flynn," she replied reassuringly as she looked at Flynn. "After all, you were chosen to be the Sensei by the General Student Council president herself."

[Hmm,] Burroughs spoke in a way that only Flynn and Isabeau could hear. [It looks like the quest is going well.]

The elevator whirred softly as it approached the ground floor, the descent smooth and steady. Flynn and Isabeau stood side by side, their expressions reflecting their shared resolve as they prepared to face the challenges that awaited them in the vast and complex city of Kivotos.

As the elevator doors slid open, Flynn, Isabeau, and Rin stepped out onto the ground floor, where a sixteen-year-old girl awaited them. The young girl had striking blue hair styled in pigtails, and her halo was a simple black and blue circle. She wore a black and white business suit with a white jacket, and a pair of submachine guns were holstered in her belt.

Just then, two more teenage girls joined them. One had pointed ears and wore a white collared uniform shirt with a black skirt, while the other sported black hair and wings, clad in a black school uniform.

Rin addressed the three girls, her voice steady and authoritative. "Hayase Yuuka, Hinomiya Chinatsu, and Hanekawa Hasumi," she acknowledged each of them with a nod. "Am I correct?"

"Yes, and I'm a representative of Gehenna Academy, specifically of the Prefect Team," Chinatsu explained to Rin. "I was hoping to meet with you since Sorasaki Hina, the Head Prefect, has some terms she would like to discuss."

"I've been waiting to see you, Chief Officer," Hasumi said to Rin. "I come on behalf of Trinity General School, representing the Justice Task Force."

Turning her attention to Yuuka, Rin remarked, "If you three are here," she sighed in exasperation. "Then, the situation in Kivotos has become more dire than I thought."

Yuuka gruffly replied, her arms crossed over her chest. "We've been waiting for a while, and some of the students are getting restless," she said, her gaze shifting between Rin and the newcomers. Noticing Flynn and Isabeau, she asked, "And these two are adults... Who are they?"

Flynn stepped forward, his expression calm and confident. "I'm Flynn, and this is Isabeau," he explained, his voice steady and reassuring. "We're both recent arrivals to Kivotos."

Isabeau nodded in agreement, her gaze taking in the three girls before them. "Flynn and I come from a faraway place," she added, her voice filled with determination and kindness. "It's unfortunate we arrived in Kivotos at the wrong time."

Yuuka, Chinatsu, and Hasumi exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting surprise and curiosity. They remained silent for a moment, processing the information they had just received. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation as the group stood there, each of them aware of the gravity of the situation and the challenges that lay ahead.

Chinatsu stepped forward, her pointed ears twitching slightly as she spoke. "Flynn and Isabeau, right?" she said, her voice warm and inviting. "As Gehenna's representative, I welcome you both to Kivotos."

Hasumi glanced at Chinatsu before adding, "As Trinity's representative, I also welcome you both to Kivotos." Her wings rustled softly as she shifted her stance, her gaze fixed on Flynn and Isabeau.

Yuuka, however, stared at them incredulously, her arms still crossed over her chest. "I also welcome you two into Kivotos, but we have a situation right now," she explained. "Many academic districts are in a state of panic! Even Millennium's wind generators were shut down a few days ago!"

Chinatsu chimed in, her expression serious. "And there were rumors in Gehenna Academy that one of the Seven Prisoners has escaped from the Federation Correction Bureau's custody," she revealed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Just then, another student entered through the building's main door. She wore a grey and black school uniform, her stride confident and purposeful. Hasumi turned to her and said, "Morizuki Suzumi from Trinity's Vigilante Crew, right?"

Suzumi nodded, confirming Hasumi's statement. "Yes, that's correct," she said, her voice filled with a sense of urgency. "And let me tell you, there's been an increase in crimes around Kivotos due to public safety concerns."

Yuuka interjected, her gaze shifting to Rin. "This is why I want to know the whereabouts of the General Student Council president," she demanded, her voice filled with frustration and determination. "I demand to see her right this instant!"

Flynn and Isabeau exchanged a glance before turning their attention to Rin. Rin let out an exasperated sigh, adjusting her glasses as she prepared to answer Yuuka's question.

Rin took a deep breath, mustering her resolve before speaking. "The truth is, the General Student Council president has gone missing," she revealed, her voice filled with concern and determination. "Because of that, the General Student Council has no authority to access the Sanctum Tower, which was previously under her jurisdiction."

Chinatsu, Hasumi, and Suzumi remained silent, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Yuuka, however, grumbled in annoyance. "Is there a way to bypass the Sanctum Tower's verification?" she asked, her arms crossed over her chest.

Rin glanced at Flynn before turning her attention back to Yuuka. "Yes, we do," she reminded Yuuka, her voice calm and steady as she glanced at Flynn. "Flynn is the key. He is chosen by the president to become a Sensei of the Independent Federal Investigation Club – SCHALE."

Yuuka's eyes widened at the mention of SCHALE. "Independent Federal Investigation Club? SCHALE?" she asked, her gaze shifting between Rin and Flynn. "Is that true?"

Rin calmly stared at Flynn, her expression unchanging. "Flynn, would you mind explaining it to Yuuka yourself?" she asked, her voice filled with a sense of reassurance.

Flynn nodded, his expression serious. "It's true," he confirmed, his voice steady and confident. "The General Student Council president chose me to become the Sensei of SCHALE."

Yuuka let out a sigh of resignation, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Fine, I'll accept your claim at face value," she said, her gaze fixed on Flynn as she spoke. "For now..."

Rin adjusted her glasses, her expression thoughtful. "Moving on… SCHALE's club room is about 30 kilometers from here," she explained, her voice filled with a sense of purpose. "The building is empty, but the General Student Council has prepared something at the president's request."

Isabeau turned to Flynn, her eyes reflecting her relief. "It seems we have a place to stay in Kivotos," she said, her voice filled with gratitude and determination.

Flynn nodded in agreement, his expression calm and collected. "It seems to be the case," he replied, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon as he prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead in the vast and complex city of Kivotos.

Yuuka's brow furrowed as she considered the distance to SCHALE's club room. "If it's 30 kilometers from here, we'll need a helicopter to get there," she said, her voice filled with concern and impatience.

Rin calmly replied, her expression unchanging. "There's a helipad on the roof of this building. I'll arrange for a helicopter to take us to SCHALE," she explained, her voice steady and reassuring. She activated her earpiece and spoke into it. "Momoka, we need a helicopter to escort us to SCHALE."

A moment later, a girl's voice crackled through Rin's earpiece. "Rin, we can't send a helicopter right now. One of the suspended students from the Correction Bureau is trying to get inside the SCHALE building, along with some thugs and even a Crusader Tank," Momoka explained, her voice filled with a sense of urgency.

Chinatsu gasped, her eyes widening in shock. "That suspended student could well be one of the Seven Prisoners I mentioned earlier," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Ugh! This is so infuriating!" Yuuka grumbled as she stomped her right foot into the floor in frustration. "Why would they attack the SCHALE building, of all places?!"

"It's probably because they know that the SCHALE building used to be in the control of the president. Maybe they think they can loot the place or something," Momoka postulated through Rin's earpiece. Then, a crunching noise could be heard in Rin's earpiece. "Oh! My snack is here! I'll talk to you later!"

As Momoka ended the call, Rin let out a long sigh, her expression growing more serious. "It seems we'll have to travel to the SCHALE building the hard way," she said, her voice filled with determination and resignation.

Suzumi's expression grew more urgent. "Time is running out," she said, her gaze shifting between the group as she awaited their response. "We need to do something."

Isabeau turned to Flynn, her eyes reflecting her concern. Flynn stepped forward, his expression thoughtful as he considered their options. "I have a suggestion," he said, his voice steady and confident as he addressed Rin and the rest of the students.

"Alright," Rin calmly nodded at Flynn. "What do you suggest, Flynn Sensei?"

Flynn stepped forward, his expression serious. "Rin," he said, his voice steady and confident. "Isabeau and I offer our aid."

Chinatsu stared at Flynn and Isabeau, her expression filled with worry. "But Flynn Sensei," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You and Isabeau don't have halos."

Flynn and Isabeau's ears perked at the mention of halos. Even if Stephen had informed them of the students of Kivotos having halos, it was refreshing to hear it again from the perspective of the students themselves.

Yuuka nodded in agreement, her gaze shifting between Flynn and Isabeau. "That's right," she explained, her voice filled with concern and caution. "Every student in Kivotos has a halo. They grant us durability and strength."

Suzumi chimed in, her expression thoughtful. "With our halos," she said, her gaze fixed on Flynn and Isabeau as she spoke. "We can shrug off attacks that would otherwise kill someone."

Isabeau turned to Flynn, her eyes reflecting her determination. Flynn nodded at her, his expression unchanging. Isabeau then addressed the group, her voice filled with a sense of pride and resolve.

"While it's true that we don't have halos," Isabeau explained, her voice steady and confident. "Flynn and I are Samurai of the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado. We are trained warriors, and we have faced countless battles."

The four students stared blankly at Flynn and Isabeau blankly. Even Rin raised her eyebrow the moment that Isabeau said those words.

"Samurai?" Yuuka muttered in confusion.

"Eastern Kingdom..." Chinatsu uttered.

"Of Mikado?" Hasumi finished.

Flynn stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the four students. "Isabeau and I will explain our home later," he said, his voice filled with determination and sincerity. "When we say we Samurai want to help, we mean it."

The four students stared at Flynn, their expressions reflecting surprise and admiration. Rin calmly adjusted her glasses, her expression thoughtful.

"If that's the case, we can certainly use your help. We'll need everyone's assistance to save Kivotos," Rin explained, her voice filled with a sense of urgency and purpose. "Defending the SCHALE building is vital in regaining the Sanctum Tower."

Flynn nodded, his expression determined. "Then we need to go to the SCHALE building quickly," he said, his voice filled with resolve and urgency.

With their newfound allies by their side, Flynn, Isabeau, Rin, Yuuka, Chinatsu, Hasumi, and Suzumi exited the building and stepped out into the chaotic streets of Kivotos. Their expressions were filled with determination and resolve as they prepared to face the trials that lay ahead. The fate of Kivotos and its students rested in their hands, and they were ready to do whatever it took to protect it from the forces that threatened its stability and peace.

As Flynn, Isabeau, Rin, Yuuka, Chinatsu, Hasumi, and Suzumi exited the building, Flynn paused, his expression thoughtful.

"Before we move out," Flynn said, his gaze fixed on his Gauntlet as he began to tinker with it. "I need to do something."

Yuuka noticed Flynn's actions and her curiosity piqued. "Those wrist-mounted gadgets on your arms," she asked, her eyes reflecting her interest. "What are they?"

Isabeau glanced at Yuuka, her expression calm and steady. "These are Gauntlets. We use these bracers as a multi-purpose tool," she explained, her voice filled with pride in their advanced technology. "Flynn is currently using the Map Analysis app to scan the general area of Kivotos."

The group watched as Flynn activated the Map Analysis app on his Gauntlet. He pressed a series of buttons, and a grid of squares projected from the device, scanning the surrounding area. After a moment, he pressed another button to complete the scan, registering the map data of the building and the city of Kivotos to his and Isabeau's Gauntlets.

[Map Analysis Complete]

[Kivotos General City Map Unlocked]

[Current Location Identified. Kivotos: Outside the General Student Council Building]

Yuuka, Chinatsu, Hasumi, and Suzumi all looked at Flynn with interest as he finished scanning using his Gauntlet.

Rin adjusted her glasses, her eyes reflecting her fascination. "Your Gauntlets are an interesting tool," she remarked, her voice filled with admiration and curiosity.

Flynn smiled, his expression confident. "The Map Analysis has helped us many times in the past," he admitted, his gaze shifting between Rin and the other students. "I have to use it so we don't easily get lost in the city."

Yuuka interjected, her expression growing more urgent. "While I admit that as a Millennium Science School student, I'm curious about what the Gauntlets are, and I certainly think Veritas and the Engineering Club would also be curious," she said, her voice filled with impatience and determination. "But, we can't waste any more time."

Flynn nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "Now that I've scanned the general area of Kivotos, we can proceed to the SCHALE building," he said, his voice filled with purpose and resolve.

Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed through the streets, sending a shiver down the spines of Flynn, Isabeau, Rin, Yuuka, Chinatsu, Hasumi, and Suzumi. Suddenly, enemy students opened fire, forcing the group to take cover behind nearby barriers and vehicles.

Flynn's eyes widened as he noticed Yuuka clutching her right leg, a small, bloody wound visible. Unlike the gunshot wounds he and Isabeau had seen in Tokyo, Yuuka's injury appeared more like an insect bite, a testament to the durability granted by the students' halos.

Isabeau's gaze shifted between Yuuka and the other students, her expression filled with awe and concern. "What you all said about your halos... it's true," she remarked, her voice barely audible over the sound of gunfire.

"Here," Chinatsu said as she grabbed a syringe from her medical bag. "Let me help."

As Chinatsu injected the serum into the syringe in the bullet wound, Yuuka seethed in pain momentarily. Then, as her gunshot wound began to rapidly heal, she picked up the bullet that had hit her leg. "The nerve of these delinquent students," she complained, her voice filled with anger and frustration. "They're using hollow-point rounds."

Hasumi calmly replied, her expression unchanging. "Hollow-point rounds aren't illegal in Kivotos," she reminded Yuuka, her voice steady and measured.

Yuuka sighed in annoyance, her grip tightening on her submachine guns. "Hmph," she grumbled, her expression determined. "I might as well file a petition to at least ban hollow points in Millennium after this."

Flynn equipped his Bruce Gun, his gaze fixed on the enemy students. "We need to charge and take out as many of them as we can," he said, his voice filled with determination and urgency.

Yuuka nodded in agreement, her expression resolute. "Right, Flynn Sensei," she said, her voice steady and confident. "Now that Chinatsu healed my leg, let's go."

With a collective nod, the ragtag group left their cover and charged into the streets, their goal being the SCHALE building. Flynn and Isabeau led the way, their weapons drawn and their expressions determined. Beside them, Rin, Yuuka, Chinatsu, Hasumi, and Suzumi fought with unyielding spirit, their halos granting them the durability and strength they needed to face the enemy students head-on.

As the group pushed forward, taking out as many enemy students as they could, Yuuka grabbed her trusty calculator, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I'll take on these enemy students," she declared, her fingers dancing over the keys of her calculator. "They'll pay for hitting my right leg with those pesky hollow points."

Isabeau's eyes widened in surprise as a barrier formed around Yuuka, shimmering with a faint blue light. "Flynn," she whispered, her voice filled with awe and confusion. "Did Yuuka just use that device to deploy a shield?"

Flynn calmly replied, his gaze fixed on Yuuka as she prepared to engage the enemy students. "It seems so," he muttered, his voice steady and measured. "And I think I scavenged a similar relic back in Tokyo."

[And to inform you two,] Burroughs chimed. [The relic that Miss Yuuka used is called a calculator.]

With her barrier active, Yuuka grabbed the other submachine gun holstered to her belt and dual-wielded her weapons, her expression filled with unyielding resolve. "According to the current situation and conditions," she declared, her voice filled with confidence. "Okay, this is a win."

Yuuka charged at the enemy students, her submachine guns roaring to life as she opened fire, knocking most of them out with her relentless assault. Isabeau turned to Chinatsu, her eyes reflecting her curiosity and admiration.

"I admit what Yuuka did piqued my curiosity," Isabeau asked, her voice filled with wonder and intrigue. "What did Yuuka do?"

Chinatsu's expression was thoughtful as she replied to Isabeau. "Some students of Kivotos have unique abilities that they can use in combat," she explained as she grabbed a syringe containing a greenish liquid from her medical bag. "For example, I can inject a syringe into someone to instantly heal their wounds."

Flynn's gaze shifted to Chinatsu, his expression filled with respect and admiration. "Being a healer is useful in battle," he remarked, his voice steady and sincere.

Chinatsu stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly as she replied, "Th-thank you, Flynn Sensei." Her eyes reflected her gratitude and determination as she prepared to support her allies in the battle ahead.

Flynn's keen eyes spotted a lone enemy student attempting to shoot Chinatsu from behind. Just as he was about to act, the student was swiftly taken down by a precise shot. Flynn and Isabeau turned around to see Hasumi lowering her sniper rifle, her expression calm and focused.

"Thanks for taking that student down and saving Chinatsu," Flynn said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Hasumi calmly replied, her gaze scanning the area through the scope of her rifle. "We can't be complacent during battle," she said, her voice steady and measured.

Suddenly, Hasumi's expression grew more serious. "A group of enemy students is approaching," she warned, her eyes narrowing as she prepared to engage the new threat. "Around four of them."

Suzumi quickly grabbed a flashbang grenade from her belt, a determined look in her eyes. "Maybe this will do nicely," she said, pulling the pin and throwing the grenade toward the approaching group of enemy students.

The flashbang detonated with a bright flash and a deafening bang, briefly blinding and disorienting the enemy students, making it easy for Hasumi and Suzumi to take them out with precise and coordinated strikes.

Just as the group caught their breath, another wave of enemy students charged at them, guns blazing. Flynn stepped forward, his Bruce Gun at the ready. "Isabeau and I will take this group on," he declared, his voice filled with determination and resolve.

Yuuka, her barrier now worn off, turned to Flynn and Isabeau, her expression filled with concern. "Be careful," she warned, her voice steady and sincere. "Especially you, Flynn Sensei."

Isabeau nodded, her gaze fixed on the approaching enemy students. "Don't worry, Yuuka," she assured Yuuka and the rest of the group, her voice filled with confidence and determination. "I shall assist Flynn in combat."

As Flynn and Isabeau charged against the enemy student group, Flynn turned to Isabeau, his voice steady and focused. "Isabeau," he said, his gaze fixed on the enemies ahead. "Cast a buffing spell."

Isabeau smiled, her eyes glowing with a soft light as she began to chant. "Right, I know just the spell," she whispered, her voice filled with power and grace. "Tarukaja."

A warm, golden aura enveloped Flynn, his muscles tensing as the spell took effect, enhancing his strength and agility.

Flynn readied his Bruce Gun, his voice booming with confidence as he yelled out the skill he was about to use.

"Stun Needles!" Flynn shouted, his weapon spewing out a barrage of projectiles that tore through the enemy student group, taking them down with ruthless efficiency.

Yuuka, Chinatsu, Hasumi, Suzumi, and Rin watched in awe, their expressions reflecting their disbelief and admiration. Despite having no halos, Flynn and Isabeau had taken down the group of enemy students by themselves, their combat prowess unmatched.

Rin adjusted her glasses, her expression calm and measured. "I must say," she remarked, her voice filled with admiration and curiosity. "Just a few moments before, I was skeptical, but now I'm impressed by your combat prowess."

Isabeau humbly replied, her gaze shifting between Rin and the others. "All I did was cast a buffing spell on Flynn. He did the rest," she explained, her voice filled with a sense of modesty and pride.

Yuuka's brow furrowed in skepticism as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I noticed that your gun fired more bullets than its magazine could carry," she said, her voice filled with suspicion and curiosity. "And magic? I find it hard to believe."

Flynn turned to Yuuka, his expression serious. "It's the truth, Yuuka," he explained, his voice filled with a sense of conviction and power. "What we did during combat was magic."

Yuuka huffed in annoyance, her arms still crossed over her chest. "But still… Seeing you and Isabeau perform 'magic' with my eyes, and I'm skeptical," she muttered, her voice filled with impatience and determination. "You two better explain what your magic is to me later."

Isabeau awkwardly stared at Flynn and Yuuka, her expression reflecting her discomfort. "We'll do our best to explain later," she promised, her voice filled with sincerity and uncertainty.

"Anyway," Suzumi spoke. "This battle was easier than expected."

"I know, right?" Hasumi added. "We were able to fight effectively because of Flynn Sensei and Isabeau's help."

"Not to mention their use of magic," Chinatsu commented. "Even to Kivotos' standards, I find it hard to believe that magic exists."

"Magic aside," Yuuka huffed as she stared at Flynn. "I suppose the General Student Council president has a good reason why he's our Sensei."

"I'll do my best to live up to the role the General Student Council president has left to me," Flynn spoke solemnly. "But, the SCHALE building is close by."

"Flynn Sensei is correct," Rin replied as she adjusted her glasses. "Time is not on our side."

And thus, the group marched on to their destination as gunfire and explosions were heard from a distance. They all knew that they needed to reach the SCHALE building in time, fearing the worst.

As the group approached the SCHALE building, Yuuka's voice cut through the tension. "The SCHALE building is just ahead," she said, her gaze fixed on the structure looming in the distance.

Suddenly, the group spotted a young kimono-wearing woman whose face was concealed behind a fox mask. She was leading a group of enemy students, accompanied by a formidable Crusader Tank that they had stolen. They were marching resolutely towards the SCHALE building, their intentions clear and menacing.

Chinatsu gasped, her eyes widening in recognition. "That student..." she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "It can't be..."

Isabeau turned to Chinatsu, her expression filled with concern and curiosity. "Who is she?" she asked, her gaze shifting between Chinatsu and the masked woman.

Chinatsu hesitated for a moment before speaking. "That's Kosaka Wakamo, one of the Seven Prisoners who escaped from the Federation Correction Bureau's custody," she revealed, her voice filled with fear and determination.

Yuuka's expression grew more serious as she spoke. "From what I've heard, Wakamo is naturally inclined to anarchy and destruction. She prefers to cause chaos and rampage wherever she goes," she explained, her voice filled with a sense of urgency.

Rin adjusted her glasses, her expression thoughtful. "Wakamo has been suspended from the Allied Hyakkiyako Academy due to her anarchist tendencies," she added, her voice steady and measured.

Flynn's gaze hardened as he looked at the approaching threat. "We need to stop Wakamo from destroying the SCHALE building," he declared, his voice filled with determination and resolve.

Rin nodded in agreement, her expression serious. "The sooner, the better," she said, her voice filled with a sense of urgency.

With a collective nod, the group broke into a run, their hearts pounding with adrenaline and determination as they raced toward the SCHALE building.

Meanwhile, Wakamo led her forces towards the SCHALE building, the stolen Crusader Tank rumbling alongside them. She mused to herself, a smirk playing on her lips.

"I have no idea what this building is used for," Wakamo said, her voice filled with malice and amusement. "But I'll destroy it since it belongs to the General Student Council."

As her forces marched on, Wakamo noticed a group charging towards them, led by Isabeau, Rin, Yuuka, Chinatsu, Hasumi, and Suzumi. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Hmm," she murmured, her smirk widening. "This is going to be interesting."

Hasumi's voice cut through the chaos as she took down an enemy student with her sniper rifle. "Kosaka Wakamo has been spotted," she announced, her voice steady and focused.

Wakamo's smirk turned into a sarcastic grin as she addressed the group. "Ah, the puppies of the General Student Council have arrived to stop me," she taunted, her voice dripping with disdain. She snapped her fingers, issuing a command to her forces.

"Take out the interlopers," Wakamo ordered, her voice filled with confidence and malice.

As Wakamo headed for cover, her forces opened fire, forcing the group to take cover behind nearby barriers and vehicles.

"As much as I'd like to chase after the Fox of Calamity," Suzumi muttered. "We have to deal with the enemy forces she brought along."

"Not to mention," Hasumi reminded everyone else in the group. "Reclaiming the SCHALE building is our top priority. We can deal with Wakamo some other time."

Yuuka huffed in frustration, her gaze fixed on the Crusader Tank. "While we can shoot down the enemy students, that tank is the main problem," she said, her voice filled with concern and determination.

Flynn turned to Isabeau, who nodded in agreement. He then addressed Yuuka, his voice steady and confident. "Yuuka, you and the others deal with the enemy students. Isabeau and I will take down the Crusader Tank," he said, his gaze fixed on the formidable machine.

Yuuka objected, her expression filled with concern. "While you two have magic, it's too dangerous for you to take on the tank alone," she argued, her voice filled with worry and caution. "I doubt you two have..."

Isabeau stepped forward, her voice filled with a sense of reassurance. "Trust us, Yuuka," she said, her gaze fixed on the Crusader Tank. "We know what we're doing."

Flynn nodded in agreement, his expression determined. "We're more powerful than we appear," he assured Yuuka, his voice filled with confidence and resolve. "Trust in me, your Sensei."

As Flynn and Isabeau stepped forward to confront the Crusader Tank, Yuuka let out a sigh, readying her submachine guns.

"Alright, let's take down these enemy students for Flynn Sensei's sake," Yuuka said, her voice filled with determination and resignation. She turned to Chinatsu, Hasumi, and Suzumi, her expression serious.

"Let's show them what we're made of," Hasumi declared, her voice filled with a sense of purpose and resolve.

Thus, Yuuka, Chinatsu, Hasumi, and Suzumi broke their cover and opened fire at the enemy students as Flynn and Isabeau charged at the Crusader Tank, while Wakamo watched from the sidelines, interested in what was going to happen next.

As Yuuka, Chinatsu, Hasumi, and Suzumi engaged the enemy students in a fierce battle, Flynn and Isabeau broke away from the group, running towards the formidable Crusader Tank.

Flynn's voice cut through the chaos, his tone steady and focused. "Isabeau," he said, his gaze fixed on the towering machine before them. "Please cast a buffing spell again."

Isabeau smiled, her eyes glowing with a soft light as she began to chant. "I know just the spell," she whispered, her voice filled with power and grace. "Sukukaja."

A warm, golden aura enveloped Flynn, enhancing his hit rate and evasion. Then, the Crusader Tank's cannon swiveled towards Flynn, its barrel glowing ominously as it prepared to fire. With a deafening roar, the tank fired its cannon, but Flynn, buffed by the effects of Sukukaja, managed to dodge the attack with swift and agile movements.

Isabeau's keen eyes spotted two enemy students aiming their guns at Flynn, their fingers tightening on the triggers. Without hesitation, she chanted once more, her voice filled with a sense of urgency.

"Mazionga!" Isabeau cried out, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as she unleashed the multi-targeting electric spell.

The Mazionga spell hit its mark, electrocuting the two enemy students and knocking them out with a crackling burst of energy. Seizing the opportunity, Flynn dashed towards the back of the Crusader Tank, where its armor was less formidable.

"Let's see how it handles this," Flynn muttered as he aimed his Bruce Gun at the vulnerable spot. "Riot Gun."

With a powerful shot, Flynn's Bruce Gun fired a single, devastating blast that sent shockwaves rippling through the Crusader Tank, severely damaging it. The students piloting the tank jumped out of the destroyed vehicle, only to be swiftly apprehended by Hasumi and Suzumi, who had been waiting for the opportunity to strike.

Meanwhile, Wakamo watched the scene unfold from a distance, her eyes fixed on Flynn as he effortlessly destroyed the Crusader Tank. As a blush crept on Wakamo's face, she was smitten by his appearance and the ease with which he had dispatched the formidable machine. As Flynn, Isabeau, Rin, Yuuka, Chinatsu, Hasumi, and Suzumi walked into the SCHALE building, Wakamo's gaze followed them, her expression filled with fascination and longing.

"I can't describe the feeling I have right now," Wakamo murmured to herself, her eyes never leaving Flynn as he entered the building.

Wakamo looked around in case some students were after her. Then, she looked at the SCHALE building one last time as she caught a glimpse of Flynn through one of the transparent windows.

"I need to find out who that man is someday," Wakamo muttered, her voice filled with a newfound sense of purpose. "He has… piqued my interest."

With a final, lingering glance at the SCHALE building, Wakamo turned and walked away, her objective to destroy the building forgotten, replaced by an infatuation with the man that consumed her every thought.

As the group stepped into the SCHALE building, they were unaware of the effect Flynn had had on Wakamo. Their minds were focused on the task at hand, their spirits unbroken and their wills unyielding. Together, they would face the challenges that lay ahead, determined to protect the students of Kivotos and unravel the mysteries that surrounded the General Student Council president's disappearance.

As Flynn, Isabeau, Rin, Yuuka, Chinatsu, Hasumi, and Suzumi entered the ground floor of the SCHALE building, it was fortunate that the interior was relatively intact.

"Thank goodness we intervened in time," Chinatsu muttered. "The Fox of Calamity would have destroyed the interior if we didn't."

"Agreed," Rin replied as she scoured the area. "We all did our part in this, especially Flynn Sensei and Isabeau."

Hasumi turned to Flynn and Isabeau, her expression filled with curiosity. "Speaking of Flynn Sensei and Isabeau..." she asked, her voice steady and inquisitive. "The techniques you two used during the battle... what were they?"

Isabeau hesitated for a moment before replying, her gaze shifting between Hasumi and the others. "I used a buffing spell on Flynn and a Mazionga spell on those enemy students," she explained, her voice filled with modesty and pride.

Flynn nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "And I used the Riot Gun skill to take down the Crusader Tank," he admitted, his voice filled with confidence and power.

Yuuka huffed, her arms crossed over her chest as she stared at Flynn and Isabeau. "Magic or not, you both fought so efficiently that even I'm impressed," she said, her voice filled with admiration and grudging respect before she stammered. "D-don't get me wrong! I... I still have my doubts!"

Suzumi stepped forward, her expression determined. "In any case," she said, her voice filled with a sense of purpose and resolve. "We'll search around the SCHALE building and defend it in case more enemy students show up."

Chinatsu nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed on Flynn, Isabeau, and Rin. "You three do what you need to do to bring Kivotos back to normal," she said, her voice filled with trust and determination.

As Yuuka, Hasumi, Suzumi, and Chinatsu spread out across the ground floor, Flynn, Isabeau, and Rin made their way to a small stairway leading into the basement. Rin's voice cut through the silence as they descended the stairs, her tone thoughtful and measured.

"Even though I have a feeling that both of you are still hiding a lot of your power," Rin said, her gaze fixed on Flynn and Isabeau. "I feel like I can start trusting you both."

Isabeau turned to Rin, her expression filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Rin," she said, her voice filled with sincerity and warmth. "It warms my heart that you're starting to trust us."

Flynn nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "Building trust is slow and fragile," he remarked, his voice filled with wisdom and understanding. "That's why it's important to do it right."

As Flynn, Isabeau, and Rin arrived at the SCHALE building's basement, Rin made her way to a long table and grabbed a tablet computer. She handed it over to Flynn, her expression serious. "Here, Flynn Sensei," she said, her voice filled with a sense of purpose. "Take this tablet computer."

Flynn looked down at the tablet computer in his hands, his brow furrowing in curiosity. "What is it?" he asked, his gaze shifting between Rin and the device.

Rin adjusted her glasses, her expression thoughtful. "Flynn Sensei, this is the gift the General Student Council president left for you," she explained, her voice filled with intrigue and reverence. "It's called the Shittim Chest."

Isabeau stared at the Shittim Chest in wonder, her eyes reflecting the dim light of the basement. "I swear I've heard the word 'Shittim' somewhere back home," she remarked, her voice filled with curiosity and awe. "Mayhaps I heard that word back at the monastery at Mikado… or was it at Tokyo? I'm not certain…"

"Hmm," Flynn mumbled as he examined the Shittim Chest in his hand. "Rin, what can you tell us about it?"

Rin nodded, her expression growing more serious. "Flynn Sensei, from its OS, system structure, and components, the origins of the Shittim Chest are a mystery," she elaborated, her voice filled with a sense of uncertainty and fascination. "Not even the brightest students from Millennium Science School can decipher its inner workings."

Flynn stared down at the Shittim Chest in his hands, his expression thoughtful. "If that's the case," he said, his voice filled with determination and understanding. "I assume this is needed to take control of the Sanctum Tower."

Rin nodded in agreement, her expression steady and measured. "That's correct, Flynn Sensei. I'll leave you both to it," she said, her voice filled with a sense of trust and respect. "I wouldn't want to interfere in the activation of the Shittim Chest."

With a final nod, Rin turned and left the basement, leaving Flynn and Isabeau alone with the mysterious device.

"Burroughs," Flynn said to the Navigation AI on his Gauntlet. "Please scan the Shittim Chest."

[Of course, Master Flynn,] Burroughs chimed. [Activating Scan Mode…]

Then, Flynn's Gauntlet scanned the Shittim Chest. Flynn and Isabeau's eyes gazed upon the Shittim Chest as Flynn's Gauntlet emitted a green light, scanning the enigmatic tablet. Then, after the Gauntlet finished its scan, Burroughs chimed again.

[Fascinating, it seems that Miss Rin's claims are correct,] Burroughs replied. [My scanners detect ample amounts of energy in the Shittim Chest… And there's another AI in the device as well.]

"Another fairy-like being?" Isabeau gasped. "Just like you, Burroughs?"

[I'm positive, Master Isabeau,] Burroughs answered. [From my initial scan, it seems this AI is female, just like me.]

Isabeau turned to Flynn, her expression filled with excitement and anticipation. "Go ahead, Flynn," she said, her voice filled with a sense of encouragement and support. "Activate the Shittim Chest."

Flynn nodded, his expression determined. He touched the screen of the Shittim Chest, his fingers tracing intricate patterns as the touchscreen of the Shittim Chest activated.

[Connecting to the Shittim Chest…]

[Please enter the system password.]

"Flynn," Isabeau spoke to him. "Can you recall anything that can be the password?"

"Hmm," Flynn pondered. "Let me think…"

Then, Flynn remembered the two phrases that were seared into his mind on his fateful encounter with the wounded woman on the train. Impulsively, Flynn began typing several words on the Shittim Chest's touchscreen while Isabeau watched closely.

[We thirst for the Seven Wailings.]

[We bear the Koan of Jericho.]

The moment Flynn typed those two phrases, he hit the confirmation bar in the Shittim Chest touchscreen. As he did, the screen changed in a way that confirmed that the password entry was successful.

[Welcome to the Shittim Chest, Flynn Sensei.]

[Converting to operating system ARONA for biological verification and generation of verification certificate.]

Suddenly, the device emitted a bright light that engulfed the vision of Flynn and Isabeau, filling the basement with a radiant glow that seemed to pulsate with otherworldly energy.

As Flynn opened his eyes, he found himself in a strange and unfamiliar landscape. He was standing in a building filled with school chairs and tables, a gaping hole in the ceiling revealing a clear blue sky above as his brow furrowed in confusion.

"This place…" Flynn muttered. "It resembles a Demon Domain from Tokyo and Mikado."

Suddenly, a young girl's voice echoed through the eerie silence. "Oh! You've entered the password," she said, her voice filled with curiosity and excitement. "You must be Flynn Sensei, right?"

Flynn looked around, his eyes scanning the area before settling on a young girl with blue hair adorned with a ribbon, clad in a blue and white school uniform along with a blue halo. He nodded calmly, his expression steady and measured.

"That's right. My name is Flynn," Flynn asked, his voice filled with intrigue and caution. "And who might you be?"

The young girl smiled, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I am Arona, the AI system manager of the Shittim Chest," she explained, her voice filled with a sense of pride and purpose. "My role is like a secretary."

Flynn's expression softened, and he replied with a gentle nod. "It's nice to meet you, Arona," he said, his voice filled with warmth and nostalgia. "You remind me of someone — her name is Burroughs."

Arona's eyes lit up with interest, her curiosity piqued. "This Burroughs," she asked, her voice filled with excitement and eagerness. "Is she also a system manager?"

Flynn raised his left arm, revealing the Gauntlet equipped to it. "Of a sort… Burroughs manages this Gauntlet," he explained, his voice filled with a sense of gratitude and respect. "She's been an invaluable ally."

Arona's smile widened, her eyes reflecting her genuine delight. "Two secretaries are better than one, Flynn Sensei!" she said, her voice filled with anticipation and enthusiasm. "I can't wait to meet Burroughs!"

Suddenly, Arona's eyes widened as she remembered something crucial. "Flynn Sensei, you need to complete your biological authentication. It's part of the Shittim Chest's protocol," she said, her voice filled with a sense of urgency and importance.

Then, Arona raised her right finger, extending it towards Flynn. "Please touch my finger with yours to complete the authentication," she instructed, her eyes reflecting her seriousness and focus.

Flynn aligned his right index finger with Arona's, a thoughtful expression on his face. "This biological authentication reminds me of the Gauntlet Rite," he mused, his voice filled with nostalgia and curiosity.

As the authentication process was completed, Arona's expression grew more inquisitive. "Flynn Sensei, can you tell me what has happened in Kivotos thus far?" she asked, her eyes reflecting her eagerness to understand the situation better.

Before Flynn could respond, his Gauntlet began to glow green, and the familiar voice of Burroughs echoed through the air. "I can help explain, Arona. Flynn isn't much of a talker," Burroughs said, her voice calm and measured.

Arona's eyes widened in awe as a holographic image of Burroughs projected from Flynn's Gauntlet. "You're so refined and mature-looking," she remarked, her voice filled with admiration and respect. "I'll look forward to working together with you, Burroughs!"

Burroughs offered a polite nod, her expression steady and composed. "Thank you, Arona. I'll begin a summary of the recent events in Kivotos," she said, her voice filled with a sense of purpose and clarity.

As Burroughs began to explain the situation, Flynn observed Arona as she nodded at Burroughs. After a few moments, Burroughs turned her attention to Flynn.

"Master Flynn," Burroughs said to him. "I've finished giving Arona a summary of the recent events. I'll be in the Gauntlet if you need me."

"Flynn Sensei," Arona spoke to the Samurai as Burroughs' hologram faded away. "Am I hearing this right? You and Isabeau are from another world?"

"Yes," Flynn calmly replied. "Isabeau and I come from a world where there are two settlements – the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado and the city of Tokyo."

"Ooh!" Arona's eyes lit up. "Flynn Sensei, from what Burroughs told me, you and Isabeau can also summon demons, right?"

"That's correct," Burroughs replied in Flynn's stead from his Gauntlet. "The Demon Summoning Program allows for Masters Flynn and Isabeau to summon and command demons."

"Wow!" Arona exclaimed, impressed by what Burroughs told her. "Flynn Sensei! Are there cute demons that you've summoned?"

"Well, there are some demons that are… cute," Flynn reluctantly replied. "But, most demons are monstrous and are aggressive to people."

"I see," Arona's face became pensive at Flynn's answer. Then, she decided to change the topic. "Anyway, Burroughs said that the General Student Council president went missing, and there's no one in charge of Kivotos right now?"

"Yes," Flynn affirmed. "Arona, do you know anything about the General Student Council president?"

"I'm sorry, Flynn Sensei," Arona sadly shook her head as she replied. "I don't know much about the president, but… at least I can help re-activate the Sanctum Tower!"

"Then, do it, Arona," Flynn said to her. Then, he thought of an idea. "Please restore the connection and… temporarily cede the Sanctum Tower to the General Student Council."

"Sure! It'll take a moment… " Arona closed her eyes as her body glowed in a blue hue. "All done, Flynn Sensei. I've re-established the connection to the Sanctum Tower and temporarily gave its privileges to the General Student Council."

"Alright," Flynn affirmed. "Now, I need to go back to the physical realm. I think Isabeau is worrying about me."

As both Arona smiled at Flynn, the background faded to a soft, ethereal white, creating a serene and focused atmosphere. As his soul returned to the physical realm, Flynn knew that the knowledge and support of both Arona and Burroughs would be invaluable in navigating the challenges that lay ahead and bringing stability and peace back to Kivotos.

As Flynn opened his eyes, he found Isabeau looking at him with concern and relief. "Did anything happen while I was out?" he asked, his voice steady despite the slight disorientation he felt.

Isabeau nodded, her expression thoughtful. "You were in a trance for a minute," she explained, her gaze shifting between Flynn and the devices. "Both your Gauntlet and the Shittim Chest were glowing."

[Master Flynn, remember the upgrades Stephen installed on your Gauntlets?] Burroughs reminded them, her voice filled with a sense of purpose and clarity. [One of them allows the Gauntlet to link with compatible devices.]

Flynn's eyes narrowed in thought as he considered the implications. "Is that so?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity and determination. "Can the Gauntlet and the Shittim Chest be linked?"

[Yes, Flynn Sensei! It's possible!] Arona's voice chimed in from the Shittim Chest, her tone enthusiastic and confident. [While you were talking with Isabeau, Burroughs and I agreed to link the Gauntlet and the Shittim Chest!]

"Huh? That fast?" Isabeau replied as she stared at the Shittim Chest. "Oh! You must be the one that Burroughs was referring to."

[Yeah! My name's Arona, the system manager of the Shittim Chest!] Arona replied from the Shittim Chest. [Nice to meet you, Isabeau!]

[Master Flynn,] Burroughs nodded in agreement, her voice steady and focused. [All you need to do is store the Shittim Chest in the Gauntlet's digital storage. Arona and I will handle the rest.]

Flynn nodded, his expression determined. He placed the Shittim Chest inside the Gauntlet's digital inventory, and as he did, the Gauntlet's screen glowed green with blue highlights, indicating the successful linking of the two devices.

[Flynn Sensei! The link between the Shittim Chest and your Gauntlet has been established!] Arona's voice echoed from the Gauntlet, her tone filled with pride and accomplishment. [We'll be able to accomplish more things now that Burroughs and I can cooperate!]

Burroughs chimed in, her voice filled with a sense of congratulations and respect. [Master Flynn… Since you are now officially the Sensei of SCHALE,] she said, her voice filled with warmth and admiration. [Congratulations on completing the quest!]

[Main Quest: "Welcome to Kivotos" has been completed.]

Isabeau turned to Flynn, her expression filled with pride and gratitude. "Congratulations, Flynn," she said, her voice filled with sincerity and warmth. "You're not just a Samurai, but also a Sensei."

Flynn let out a small smile, his expression humble and determined. "Thank you, Isabeau. I just did what needed to be done," he replied, his voice filled with a sense of purpose and resolve. "But now, I think it's time to reveal some of our capabilities to Rin and the four students who accompanied us earlier."

"Oh, Flynn…" Isabeau became pensive as she listened. "Don't you mean…"

"Isabeau, I'm now a Sensei of SCHALE, which means our capabilities will be known around Kivotos sooner or later," Flynn explained as he narrowed his eyes with resolve. "What I'm referring to is not just our capabilities as Samurai, but also our ability to summon and command demons."

The Demon-Summoning Samurai of Kivotos

A Shin Megami Tensei IV & Blue Archive crossover

Chapter 2: Summoning Revelations!

See you next time!