The flames of war had erupted unexpectedly and without notice, a shocking morning turned extremely bloody in the Light Continent as the forces from the Dark Continent moved in grandly.

Before the forces of the Imperial City could even react, multiple Cities in the edges of the Continent had been taken over through the surprise attacks that utilized airships sent in with GOLD Blessed at the lead!

Within these cities, flames rose to the skies as the dead Blessed were burned right where they fell, causing for a crimson color to shade the dark skies!

It was a shocking reality as Noah and two girls were moving towards the center of their subjugated City soullessly.

His eyes were red as all the fears he had since his transmigration had actually come true as he wasn't able to do anything against a suddenly appearing powerful force!

His parents…

His gaze was melancholic and filled with wrath when he thought of the last look he received from his father.

It told him that against all odds, he must protect his little sister!

He stared down at the figure of Annalise that had a blank expression while looking at the destructive sights around him, his hand reaching out to stroke her head as the two siblings mourned the great loss of their parents.

Rose moved with light steps as she bled, emotions of shame and regret flowing freely from the young princess!

The three made their way deeper into the center of the City after learning a painful lesson.

It was a lesson on cruelty and ruthlessness, a lesson they would not forget anytime soon!

---

Chaos, Flames, and Blood overflowed across Academy City, only coming to a stop after a few hours as new Banners and flags were raised throughout.

The banners and flags contained a slanted crown that was dripping with blood, a golden sword passing in between this crown gloriously!

"Under the Rule of the Dark King, you all will prosper!"

RUMBLE!

When many beings were gathered at the center of the city where bodies of their brethren burned to ash, the voice of the Golden Commander resounded out.

"The King is truly magnanimous, as his only rule is that every able being has to dive in the Dimensional Rifts within this city, and those successfully finishing a dive will have to hand over half of their loot!"

"Those of you still with families...hold them close as you work together towards a grand future. Those of you that have finally woken up to the realities of death and saw your friends lose their lives in front of you...work even harder as we welcome your challenge if you wish to rebell!"

RUMBLE!

"As of this day...this City shall be known as City 8...and you all are the proud subjects of the Dark King."

"..."

Noah, Annalise, and Rose were breathless as they were among the many clustered in the square watching the Golden Blessed say these words in person, their eyes etching every single scene in the recess of their memories.

Academy City was occupied and given the number identity of City 8, the Blessed within all becoming the conquered in but a single day!

What a grand show of power!

What a wondrous Ethereal Realm!

---

In the very same apartment they had run out of earlier, three beings returned as they missed 2 less people.

The three were finally able to find a time to rest as they sat around each other in a room.

Noah was silently stroking Annalise's head as she sobbed, while Rose had red eyes as she looked outside the window and into the city that was tinged red with blood!

Noah's eyes seemed to have lost all emotions as he turned towards the 5th Ethereal Princess and spoke coldly.

"I'll need your help for the next few days."

His eyes locked with the Princess as a myriad of thoughts crossed their minds, Rose only nodding while biting her lips.

Noah then looked at the crying Annalise as he then whispered to her.

"It's ok, little sister"

The tears of the girl didn't stop falling from these words as he continued.

"They did this to us because they were strong, and because we were too weak to even defend ourselves."

RUMBLE!

Noah's eyes shone as he spoke, his mentality greatly altered after today's event as his eyes flashed with wrath to overshadow the deep shame and regret he felt.

"What they did to us...we shall pay them back tenfold!"

This sentence finally got Annalise's attention as she wiped her tears while turning towards him, her small voice ringing out silently.

"How…"

Noah stared at the girl that felt even more pain than him, the girl that had always been diving into Rifts to prevent a situation like the one that occurred today from happening.

His eyes flashed with light as he replied while looking at the vast burning metropolis they lived in.

"We will dive into Dimensional Rifts and grow our strength! In time…"

Many dangerous emotions coursed through him as on this day, the naive laid-back transmigrator was killed in Academy City as someone else was born from it!

---

The hours passed as in the evening, Noah and the two girls were able to step out of the apartment once more as they went towards the portal of a Rift with heavy steps.

Rose had her hair dyed as a veil covered half of her face, the identity of the 5th Ethereal Princess thrown away as she moved behind Noah.

She felt an enormous debt of gratitude towards this family, and as she had just helplessly watched as the lives of the parents were lost, she felt like she had to repay them somehow!

Noah was walking forward with a blank Annalise by his side, the three not wasting any time after today's event as they were actually the first few Blessed to go towards the Rifts under the new Regime.

They appeared at the Encampment of a BRONZE Rift, multiple guards wearing armor that was inscribed with the bloody crown and golden sword piercing stationed there and looking at them with deep smiles.

"We have the first customers...haha!"

The Blessed laughed with each other as the one at the forefront came to stand beside Noah and look at the pretty girls beside him.

"What a lucky man you are...enter the Rift and remember...half of what you gain will be left behind when you come out!"

Noah glanced at the being in front of him as he nodded coldly. Walking forward as he, Annalise, and Rose entered a Bronze Rift for the first time.

They moved with great urgency as they felt their weakness!

They moved with great urgency so they could have a chance at revenge!

They moved...to build a better future!