In Leithanien, at William University, Professor Magna Naumann had just finished a lecture and returned to the lounge to rest. She and her students had recently been conducting observational experiments on Originium–related natural disasters; given the season, volcanoes were the most suitable targets, and volcanic catastrophes were also the most "common" form of Catastrophes in Leithanien.
Her husband, Professor Katia Naumann, was equally enthusiastic about this research trip. Both believed that after this round of observations, they might gain a deeper understanding of Originium-based natural calamities.
A messenger had delivered to her a package and a letter. Back in her office, Magna opened the parcel to find the latest publications from Columbia concerning Catastrophes and natural science. The book was authored by Muelsyse, and on the title page she expressed special thanks to the Naumann couple for inspiring countless ideas.
Magna and Muelsyse had long been close research partners, able to discuss anything. Seeing her friend's new book published—and receiving an advance copy—pleased Magna greatly, as she was keen on reading.
She then opened the letter. The place of origin was Kazdel, which surprised her; she couldn't recall having any friends who had gone there. From what she knew, the conflict in Kazdel had not yet fully subsided.
What shocked her even more was the sender: Felix—Muelsyse's boyfriend, the scientist she'd met a few times.
The letter, written in a light and pleasant tone, asked after their well-being. Felix explained that his faction was now firmly tied to Kazdel, the civil war had ended, and a new era had begun. Finally, he invited the Naumann couple to come to Kazdel. The laboratories there lacked researchers proficient in Originium arts and Originium-based natural disasters, and salaries were negotiable.
The Naumanns, already well-known in scientific circles for their outstanding work, had received many enticing offers before—universities and labs willing to pay several times their current wages. But they had grown attached to William University and never seriously considered leaving.
Yet one line in Felix's letter stirred Magna's interest:
Kazdel's Catastrophes occur constantly.
For researchers obsessed with understanding Originium calamities, Kazdel was practically a paradise. Most people fled at the sight of disasters; these scientists ran toward them.
The other benefits were secondary. What truly mattered to Magna was Kazdel's unique environment.
With that in mind, she headed to her husband's office. Regardless of whether they ultimately accepted the offer, she wanted to visit Kazdel at least once.
Waiting for a volcano to erupt could take ages. Before that happened, studying Kazdel's climate and the ecological impact of its frequent disasters would be invaluable.
Katia, who was between classes, took the letter and read it carefully. He was surprised.
"Felix managed to build a laboratory in Kazdel?"
Magna felt he was focusing on the wrong detail.
"The faction he leads is now an official governing force in Kazdel."
"If we go, then Adele must go with us. Her education worries me. Kazdel…"
Katia frowned. "I'm not sure how safe it is."
The couple agreed that visiting Kazdel could be an excellent research journey, and they weren't overly concerned about the pay. Their real worry was whether Kazdel was suitable for Adele—whether she could grow up safely there.
The next day, when Muelsyse's clone appeared to chat about her book release, Magna took the chance to share her concerns.
"Felix wants you to conduct Catastrophe research in Kazdel? Hmm… my relationship with him is too close, so I probably can't give a very objective assessment."
Muelsyse tapped her chin adorably.
"Kazdel's city has been renovated several times already. Its population is close to seven digits. It's definitely not the Kazdel you remember."
Katia, silent until now, finally spoke.
"Then we'll apply for temporary unpaid leave. After we visit Kazdel, we'll decide whether to stay."
Muelsyse giggled.
"In that case, I can go with you."
When the Naumanns told Adele, the sensible little sheep didn't object. She had close friends, of course, but knowing her parents were pursuing their dreams—and that she wanted to work with Originium herself someday—she quietly began packing her tiny suitcase. She placed her homework and a few photos inside.
A week after sending their reply, the Naumann family set out for Kazdel, accompanied by several students who chose to follow them. They traveled by bus through multiple mobile cities. Along the way, Muelsyse treated the whole trip like a spring outing—chatting with the students and discussing scientific theories with the Naumanns. And so, another week passed.
Ahead lay the borderlands between Leithanien and Kazdel, the region commonly called the no-man's-land. From Magna's memories, this area used to be controlled by Sarkaz mercenaries; if one strayed in, paying "protection fees" was the least of the possible troubles.
The bus driver refused to go any farther. Frightened, he threw their luggage off, then stepped on the accelerator and sped away.
Magna's student, Kahn, rubbed his backside. He had been shoved out of the bus and hit the ground hard. Panicked, he checked his equipment. After confirming that none of the experimental devices were damaged, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Muelsyse, what do we do next?"
Katia adjusted his sun hat, held Adele's hand, and raised his other hand to shade his eyes as he looked toward the dusty horizon. "Are we supposed to cross the entire no-man's-land on foot?"
Muelsyse gently shook her head. She pointed toward the distant sky. "It's here."
Everyone squinted, eyes narrowed from the harsh sunlight. For a moment they could not make out what Muelsyse was referring to. Then they saw it. A flying craft clad in pure white appeared in the eastern sky. At first it looked like a tiny speck, but as it descended before them, they finally grasped its immense size.
It looked like something straight out of a futuristic Columbian film. Its fuselage stretched nearly fifty meters long, like several stacked shipping containers, yet it settled onto the ground with surprising grace.
The mighty V100. A flying vessel reserved exclusively for those backed by the Kazimierz Chamber of Commerce. Because of their relationship with Felix, this aircraft had been gifted willingly.
The landing gear deployed. A sleek ramp descended. Four tall mercenaries in formal uniforms stepped out first. Following them was Felix, wearing a faint smile.
"It has been a while, Professor Katia, Professor Magna."
He wore a standard-issue jacket. Although it was only early March and the borderlands remained bitterly cold, his expression was warm. He extended a hand in greeting. "Professors, students who have traveled so far with you, little Adele, Muelsyse... let's talk inside."
Katia only came back to his senses when Magna tugged lightly on his sleeve. He coughed twice in embarrassment, took his daughter's hand, and guided her up the ramp. The professors kept their composure, but the students were different. Young and full of energy, they stared wide-eyed at the high-tech craft. They clutched their coats tightly and stepped aboard with stiff, nervous movements. The mercenaries naturally reached for their bags, helping carry the heavy luggage with practiced ease.
Once everyone settled in, the students finally let out the breaths they had been holding. Their eyes darted everywhere. Soft leather sofas, interactive control panels, and a smiling Sarkaz attendant handing them drinks left them unsure where to put their hands or feet.
"It really has been a long time."
Katia and Magna shook hands with Felix before the three of them sat down on the sofas. Muelsyse led Adele to a seat nearby. The girl stared at Felix with wide, curious eyes.
"Professors," Felix began, his tone sincere, "I formally invite you to become directors of the Originium research division at the Kazdel Institute."
"Kazdel is a land in need of rebuilding. After the civil war, I took charge of the city. The reconstruction is nearly complete. People are changing, powers are shifting, but the one thing that does not change is the presence of catastrophes."
"I understand the goals the two of you pursue. That is exactly why I invited you here. The ecology, the Originium arts, and the natural catastrophes of this land are all worth studying."
He paused for a moment and opened the cockpit communication line.
"Leader, we are approaching the designated zone. We will reach the target area in two minutes and will maintain stable flight along the storm perimeter."
Felix nodded with a smile. He gestured toward the window, inviting the two professors to look. He turned his gaze outside first.
Ahead of them, the sky and earth were connected by a single raging line. Countless Originium particles and sand were being dragged into a violent spiral. Thunder rumbled nonstop.
The storm hammered against the hull, producing a harsh scraping sound that made one's scalp prickle.
Felix spoke calmly. "Everyone relax. This craft is equipped with protection modules and anti-contamination modules. It will not be brought down by an Originium catastrophe. Inside, there is no risk of Originium dust or contamination."
The aircraft reached the storm's boundary. From here, everyone aboard finally saw the overwhelming sight. Massive pillars of Originium fell from the sky, burying themselves deep into the ground.
"A combined Originium storm and Originium meteor catastrophe..." Magna whispered, her voice trembling with shock. "Leithanien hasn't seen a dual catastrophe event in decades."
"But in Kazdel, this is commonplace."
Felix pulled out a file and handed it to Katia. "The last dual catastrophe occurred two months ago. Compared to decades, two months is a much shorter interval."
The aircraft looked insignificant in the face of the storm. It did not linger long. After about five minutes, it made a smooth turn and headed toward the Kazdel mobile city.
The professors remained absorbed in the data throughout the flight. The students stayed silent, overwhelmed. Even Kahn, who had been with Professor Magna the longest, had never witnessed a catastrophe up close. Until now he had only seen them in reports or on television. Seeing one with his own eyes made him realize how small and powerless he truly was.
As if to confirm her thoughts, Adele quietly asked,
"Brother Felix… there aren't any mobile cities near where the Catastrophe just happened, right?"
Felix smiled, and in that moment, he caught a glimpse of her gentle nature.
"There's only one mobile city on the land of Kazdel now. But don't worry—hundreds of Catastrophe Messengers work for us. If a Catastrophe ever occurs near Kazdel's mobile city, we detect it immediately and steer away."
"Thank you, Brother Felix."
"Once your life settles down, you can continue your studies. There may not be higher education like universities here, but you can at least finish high school in Kazdel."
"Okay~"
The moment school was mentioned, Adele instantly showed the spirit of an honor student. She smiled, her eyes full of anticipation for student life.
Thirty minutes later, the aircraft landed at the Kazdel mobile city's platform. Felix led the group off the plane and headed straight for the Kazdel Research Institute, where their most basic identity registrations would be processed.
Katia and Magna hadn't said anything, but from their attitudes and emotions, it was obvious. Their obsession with Catastrophes had all but made them fall in love with this place.
The moment the two stepped inside the institute, their eyes widened. Not far ahead, two female Liches walked past them, chatting casually as they made their way into a laboratory.
Katia swallowed hard. He recognized that race—every scientist who worked in Leithanien did. At the peak of Leithanien's scientific research stood the Tower Casters… and the Liches.
This race possessed the oldest knowledge. In Leithanien, their names were known, but their figures were almost never seen. Rumor had it that the Liches cooperated with the Empresses through unique exchanges, and some even said that a single piece of knowledge from a Lich was enough to carry someone through a university degree.
He had never seen a Lich with his own eyes before. Yet right after arriving here, he encountered not one, but two.
"The Liches of Leithanien reached out to me," Felix explained. "They rent space in my laboratory. Some have even formed cooperative relationships with Tomorrow's Development and joined as researchers. Together, we explore the unknown."
As he spoke, Felix noticed Saria approaching to greet them—she had come as soon as she heard he was returning with new researchers. He extended a hand toward her.
"This is Director Saria, from the Columbian scientific community. She's an expert in engineering and biology, and also a good friend of mine."
"A pleasure to meet all of you."
Saria shook their hands.
"I'm Saria. Welcome to the Tomorrow's Development Research Institute."