Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart, Central Auditorium.
After the Night Party concluded, a group of people had been invited to gather in a conference room within the auditorium.
These people were neither high-ranking academy officials nor renowned figures from powerful nations—they were students of the academy.
However, they were far from ordinary students.
Proof of this was the presence of Magnus, who sat nearest to the head of the table. Though only accompanied by his two Automata, Hotaru and Kamakiri, the pressure he exuded was overwhelming.
Yet every student present remained composed under the weight of Magnus's aura.
That fact alone was enough to prove how extraordinary the assembled students were.
The person who had invited them was a young girl.
"Thank you all for responding to my invitation and gathering here," she said.
The speaker stood at the head seat—a girl with beautiful honey-colored golden hair and dazzling noble features. She bore a resemblance to Charlotte, though her presence was far more dignified and elegant. Draped in a white ceremonial dress adorned with ornaments, she stood with poise.
Within the academy, there was not a single person who didn't recognize her.
She was the 4th ranked member of the Thirteen, the overall student representative, responsible for managing all student affairs—in essence, the student council president.
Her name was Olga Saladin, also known as — The Golden Olga.
Before Felix's fall and before Rozen rose to become the 2nd rank, she was once the 3rd—truly among the top three elites. During the Night Party, she was highly favored, with betting odds just beneath Magnus. In terms of popularity, strength, and reputation, she was a force to be reckoned with.
It was she who had convened this meeting.
"Though it's late and not the ideal time for a meeting, I'm sure you, like me, found it hard to sleep after watching tonight's Night Party," she said with a meaningful tone, drawing the others' attention.
Soon, someone responded to Olga's words.
"If you've got something to say, just say it. No need for roundabout nonsense."
The sharp reply came from another girl.
She wore what could technically be called a uniform, though it clearly looked custom-made. Her long skirt was puffed out by a petticoat, the waist resembled a corset, and her shirt was boldly open at the chest, showing off her striking figure. She looked less like a student and more like an aristocratic lady from a bygone era.
Still, her burning eyes betrayed the battle-hardened aura of a formidable warrior.
And indeed, she was just that.
Her name was Sonechka Snitkina, ranked 5th in the Thirteen, a powerful exchange student from Russia. Her strength rivaled even Olga's, and she had always regarded Olga as a rival.
People called her The Empress, with the Registration Code — Northern Cross.
Since Olga had spoken up, this "Empress" naturally couldn't stay silent.
However, where there were rivals, there were also loyal followers.
"Don't you dare pick on Olga-onee-sama! You nasty woman!"
The shrill voice came from a girl holding a staff adorned with a skull, dressed in mourning-like gothic attire. She looked no older than ten, like a child who had wandered into an adult's meeting.
And yet, there was no doubt she was sixteen—otherwise, she wouldn't be a student at Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart. She too was part of the Thirteen, ranked 13th.
Her name was Dorothy Macguffin, Registration Code — Nosferatu.
Dorothy deeply adored elegant older girls like Olga, and had trailed behind her like a clingy kid for as long as anyone could remember. Seeing Sonechka pick a fight with Olga had naturally set her off.
Even if, truth be told, Sonechka was also Dorothy's type.
Of course, Olga's supporters didn't end there.
"Starting trouble with the student representative the moment the meeting begins?"
"My, Miss Sonechka, you really haven't changed at all, have you?"
These calm and icy lines came from a pair of brothers seated together.
One was tall and lean with dark-blond hair and sharp, aggressive eyes. The other had golden hair and fair skin, a gentle smile on his lips, yet a mocking glint in his eyes.
These were the Zekaros Brothers, both formidable members of the Thirteen, ranked 9th and 11th respectively—well-known figures within the academy.
Such were the students seated around the conference table.
Then there were two who had remained silent the entire time.
One looked so androgynous it was hard to tell whether they were male or female. They wore a hooded top and a short skirt that barely reached the thighs, with tight shorts underneath. A curved blade was strapped to their back in a pitch-black sheath. Their short hair, boyish in style, was a startling pearl color—radiating danger.
The other was a young man with dusky skin and black eyes, radiating a composed maturity far beyond his years, though his gaze burned with idealism and ambition like a youthful zealot.
The former was Hazel Heimdall, ranked 12th in the Thirteen, a first-year student of unknown nationality. Aside from Dorothy, they were the youngest present. Registration Code — Sable Saber.
The latter was Asura Owen, an exchange student from India and a 4th-year. Once ranked 2nd, he was hailed as the man closest to Magnus until Rozen surpassed him and claimed that position. Even Olga was wary of him. Registration Code— Avatar.
And then there was Magnus.
With the exception of the late 10th-ranked Cedric, the Night Party's Disciplinary Executive, all remaining members of the Thirteen had gathered here.
All, except four.
The 2nd, 6th, 7th, and 8th ranks—Rozen, Charlotte, Loki, and Hinowa—were absent.
In other words, all the Thirteen had gathered here—except for Rozen's faction.
"The reason I gathered you all here is simple: to discuss how we're going to deal with Fimbulvetr's Winter."
Seeing that the room was on the verge of descending into chaos, Olga decisively got to the point.
"I believe none of us want to give up on the Night Party, much less the title of Wiseman. But we also have no confidence in defeating Fimbulvetr's Winter, do we?"
At that, silence fell over the room. Every member of the Thirteen looked toward Olga.
Even Magnus.
He too turned his eyes to her.
Seeing that, Olga smiled brilliantly.
"Looks like we can begin the meeting."
A meeting held specifically — to deal with Rozen.