The sky started to grey with clouds gathering, signifying a downpour. The trees and bushes in the Mounagiri Hills began to sway violently as the winds sharpened across the slopes.
Tamara lay on the soft floor of the special wing of Shizumanam. She was breathing frantically; Kodo and Tom held her head gently in their hands, trying not to let the panic show in their eyes.
The Inimainashi sisters gathered their disciples, guiding Tamara's worried classmates to the waiting area. They lifted Tamara and placed her gently on the ripplebeds of Shizumanam. Pinkish-green threads rose and curled, engulfing her as the sisters began their Yojna.
Kodo and Tom hovered beside her, but the sisters urged them to rest as well — their bodies were still recovering. The Inimainashi sisters and their disciples guided the remaining classmates to the waiting area of the Shizumanam.
The moment Tamara's back touched the ripplebed, something pulsed through the school's layered wards.
A tremor — subtle, but unmistakable to anyone who could sense threads.
Across the Gakuen, near the Echothread Core, the Council of Mounagiri stirred.
Outside, in the waiting area, Tamara's faction and her classmates had begun another tangle.
Kim stepped forward sharply, threads flaring blue."Look what you all did to her! She's collapsed because of you!"
Ron fired back, red threads shimmering hot."Oh yeah? Blame us for worrying about Tom? She could have had her own issues!"
Voices rose. Threads clashed.
The sisters rushed out again.
"I understand this is a difficult period, dear children," the Inimainashi sister said softly.Their anger melted just enough for them to nod like scolded but soothed sparrows.
"But if this commotion continues, it troubles not only Tamara… but Tom, and Kodo, and every gentle soul inside Shizumanam.Let us pray for their recovery instead."
The flaring threads finally swindled out into greenish calm.
From far behind the crowd, Eiroh watched with a bored expression, clicking his tongue."Tch. Needs more crimson," he muttered, before turning away.
Meanwhile, the tremor had awakened the Council Of The Mounagiri Gakuen. They convened an emergency SANBO.
The chamber glowed with ancient resonance glyphs. Five faculty chairs hummed with active threads.
Madhabucho Tazen stepped forward first as he stood on a Golden pedestal.
"What is happening in Mounagiri Gakuen? Why are the thread wards unstable?"
The Headmaster replied, "Mounagiri Gakuen sensors detected a crimson-class binding mid-cast… then reversed. The counterwave was golden."
Mistress Yuhara frowned."I have a feeling it is a student belonging to class 11A - Tamara. It could only be her."
Professor Lathen snapped, "Who authorized a Crimson Cage? That's a combat-level spiral!"
The Echothread projected the scenes — Tamara unconscious, golden threads faint around her in the Shizumanam — and a shadow fleeing through a sealed stairwell.
"Shadowseal gate… unauthorized," Lathen muttered.
The Echothread shook again. This time, replaying the entire rooftop clash inside the crimson barrier.
Mistress Yuhara whispered, "This wasn't training. This was covert combat."
A heavy silence.
Madhabucho exhaled sharply.
"Enough. One hospitalized ripple. One unconscious empath. Two unsanctioned thread ruptures. We cannot endanger our children any longer."
He raised his staff."All Students of Mounagiri Gakuen must be present. Activate the Kazan Trial. Venue — Echochasm Arena."
The decree spread across the Gakuen as a SEISHIN.
Back in Shizumanam, Tamara stirred faintly on her ripplebed. Kodo sat beside her, silent. Tom stood near the window, breathing through the dizziness.
A pulse brushed the air. A glowing Veilscroll floated into the chamber and landed on Kodo's lap. He touched the scroll with his fingers as the scroll unwound slowly, and it echoed:
"To Kodokuna, of uncertain Circle. And to Tamara of Resoundline Status. You are hereby summoned to the Pre-Trial Assembly."
Tamara didn't speak. She only closed her eyes — the Anukan Effect still weighing on her chest.
Kodo stared at the scroll…then at Tamara…then at his own hands.
No threads appeared. But his palms trembled. Kodo lowered his gaze, trying to steady his breath. But his chest… wouldn't listen.
A strange heaviness swelled inside him —half fear, half something he didn't have a name for yet.
He looked at Tamara, the way she lay there, exhausted, fighting for breath even in sleep. Something twisted deeply inside him.
Because of me… she…He clenched his fists.
Still no threads. Only that faint white flicker beneath his ribs —a quiet heartbeat refusing to disappear.
"Kazan Trial…?" he whispered, but it wasn't the trial he feared.It was becoming the storm that drags others into ruin.
Tom noticed the trembling, nudged him gently.He"y. Don't spiral. We are all going to survive whatever trial they test us."
Kodo nodded — small, fragile —and kept his eyes down so neither of them would seeThe tear he didn't allow to fall.
Tamara breathed faintly.Kodo stayed right beside her.Tom stood guard near the window.
And outside—Mounagiri is prepared to wake the storm.