Noah fell on a tree, not knowing when it was. His head was splitting, and he couldn't look up at the sky for answers. He closed his eyes and massaged his temples, trying to relieve some of the pain while recovering.

He sat there, unable to determine how long it had been, when distant voices faintly sounded in his ears. Noah narrowed his eyes and slowly opened them. The headache was still intense, but he could have sworn by—

“…… This is nearby. ”

Oh my God, someone.

Noah stood up and shouted loudly, "Help! This way! ”

After a few moments, he tried to hear if anyone had responded to him.

"Hello? Please, I'm lost! I need help! ”

Two people hovered above the trees, each standing on an ornate metal plate. They wore sleek black robes, and even from Noah's point of view, even the hoods hid their faces in shadow. Noah's eyes widened and he looked up at them.

"God, what are you doing?" A spaceship landed in the clearing across from them, and one of the men asked. "What's wrong with you?"

Noah opened his mouth, then stopped.

I can't give away any information to them. I don't know Vermeer's purpose here. I didn't even know who he was.

"I ...... I'm hurt. Noah said weakly. I was hit in the head by a big monkey and my memory was all messed up. I don't know where I am or how I got here. All I remember is Vermeer. ”

Noah pulled a small metal badge out of his pocket and handed it to them, and the two exchanged glances. One of them pulled up his hood, revealing his gray beard. He took the badge and studied it carefully.

"He's a teacher at Autry Academy," he said, looking back at his partner. "It's definitely quite a scuffle. Could it be the Marauders of Hell? ”

"Of course not," the other sneered. "He's alive and not burned. Maybe one of the saboteurs. Do you think he's still alive when he meets that flame devil? Guess what. Maybe it's an ugly, tall guy? ”

He raised his hand, much taller than Noah. Noah frowned.

"No, almost twice as tall as this one."

"Assassin," the bearded man grimaced. "Tough guys. I know this can be a problem. However, you don't look hurt. Don't you have a cure? ”

Noah grimaced and patted his belt. "I don't remember. All I have is this badge and my book. Listen, can you take me back...... Ottery? I'm sure they can help me. But if I had to wait longer, I might go crazy. ”

"We'll take you there, not too far." The man nodded. "If the Ragper becomes strong enough to defeat the Teacher, that's a bad omen. It's not a good thing. Come here, stand behind my board. My name is Frederick. ”

"Thank you." Noah staggered over, still unbelieving his luck, and stepped onto the metal plate. He stood on the man's shoulder, which radiated light and slowly rose into the air.

"Wait a minute," Frederick said. "If you think you're going to fall, at least warn me in advance. I don't want to witness an Outlie teacher fall to his death on the way to you. ”

Noah grunted in agreement. Frederick's partner also floated in the air, and then they took off together, flying in the sky above the scorched earth treetops. Noah grabbed Frederick's shoulders and closed his eyes tightly so that the headache would not worsen.

His consciousness was intermittent, struggling to keep the feeling of holding Frederick. Noah didn't know how long the flight lasted, but it didn't seem to take more than a few seconds.

Suddenly, someone pushed him, and he noticed that the whistling wind had stopped. He opened his eyes slowly, the glare of the sun making him squint. Noah raised his hand to block out the sun, trying to alleviate the sting.

They landed in front of a tall, ornate stone building in front of a meadow. Huge pillars towered along the sides of the building, and monster statues clinging to them, seemingly trying to tear them apart as they climbed to the top of the mountain.

Each pillar is embedded with a glittering sign with the gold letter "T", and each pillar is about twice the size of Noah's head. Noah narrowed his eyes and stared at them.

Actually, I don't think it's the letter "T", but the closest translation of English. Well. It's only going to give me a bigger headache.

"You'll be well taken care of," Frederick said. Noah looks around for Frederick's partner, but the other party somehow disappears and he doesn't notice.

In my current state, it's probably not too difficult.

"Where are we?" Noah asked.

"Ottery, Fourth Fortress," Frederick replied. Seeing Noah's blank face, he patted Noah on the shoulder. "Don't worry. If there's something that can be done, someone will take care of it. It's any time now—"

Two double doors engraved with a Chimera pattern opened, and a short man stepped out of the door, following Frederick's partner, who had not yet been named. He wears a plain white robe and holds a small wooden staff, though it seems to be of little use. They hurried towards Noah.

The short man's brow furrowed slightly, and he slowed his pace, the initial panic on his face almost gone.

"Mage Julmir. You look...... Hurt. ”

"Hi...... Are you a therapist? Noah asked, rubbing the back of his head, trying to dissipate the pain and confusion.

"I heard you have amnesia." Said the short man. "Do you remember me?"

Noah shook his head. "I ...... No. Not really. Sorry, should I know you? ”

"My name is Richard. I specialize in healing runes. ”

Richard paused and examined Noah's face. It's still a blank slate. They stared at each other.

"No memories?" Richard asked.

"I'm afraid not. I don't know anything about you. ”

Richard bit his lower lip, his gaze resting on Noah's face. Then, they maintained eye contact for a while.

"Didn't you?" Richard asked.

"That's true." Richard said calmly. "Frederick, thank you for bringing this kind mage. We'll make sure you are properly rewarded for your hard work. ”

Frederick gently touched the edge of the hood. "Everybody does it. Good luck, Mage. ”

He jumped back onto his board and shot energy into the sky. Noah looked at them with a trembling gaze, then turned to Richard. He held up a hand to block the sunlight to alleviate the glare sensation.

"I'm afraid I don't know what to do at all," Noah said. "I don't really remember anything."

"It doesn't matter. I will report back to the principal on your situation and suggest that you take a break there. Maybe some memories will slowly surface. ”

Noah nodded, feeling like he was being illuminated by a cold spotlight inside. The sensation starts in the stomach, spreads down the spine, into the mind, and then slowly spreads throughout the body.

The small wounds on his body from the fight with the monkey have healed and are no longer there. But his headache didn't lessen, and if anything, it seemed to become clearer, as if a voice whispered in his head.

Noah winced, trying to free himself from the pain, but seemingly in vain. He quietly followed Richard into the ornate building and into uncharted territory that he had never seen before.