"Honestly, Yui. We have an all-school assembly starting, and you suddenly have to go to the bathroom? Your timing is the absolute worst."
"Brother! Fee is right here, so stop bringing it up every five seconds!"
"Partner, she’s your sister, but even you should have a little more tact than that," Yugo interjected.
"Exactly! Please, tell him off more, Yugo-san!"
"A-Ahaha... Neither Yugo nor I really mind, so please, let’s not fight..."
A short while later, Yugo found himself walking toward the assembly hall alongside Ryuga, Yui, and Fee. The entire student body of Luminous Academy had been summoned for a sudden, unscheduled meeting.
Usually, the elementary, junior high, and high school divisions gathered in separate venues. However, Yui, who was blind, had been granted a special exception to stay with Ryuga. Given the gravity of the situation, she had expressed a strong desire to be present by her brother's side.
Since Fee was close friends with her and often acted as her guide and support, he had come along as well. Yugo had simply followed suit, figuring that if his partner and his younger brother were both going, he might as well join them.
Before heading to the hall, they had stopped by the elementary division to pick up Yui and Fee. That was when Yui had mentioned needing to use the restroom, leading to the current state of affairs.
"You always do this. If you have such a weak bladder, you should really watch what you eat—gah!?"
"Brother! That is quite enough!!"
Yui swung her slipper, connecting with her brother in a single, clean strike. Whack! The sound echoed beautifully through the hallway as she punished his lack of delicacy with the very gift Yugo had given her. Watching the scene, Yugo couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.
"Well, yeah. You're definitely overdoing it, Ryuga. Yui-chan has her pride as a girl, and it’s not like she can help a natural bodily function. Give it a rest."
"Hmph...!"
Yugo gently chided his friend, considering the feelings of Yui, whose maidenly dignity had been trampled on in front of Fee.
Once Ryuga finally fell silent, Fee spoke up to change the subject.
"S-Still, I wonder why they called a meeting so suddenly? Do you think something happened?"
"Hmm... It’s probably related to those craters that have been getting closer, right? I'm also curious about that sister from the Central Church we saw earlier. I bet it's something to do with that."
Yugo offered his prediction, following the lead his brother provided. The fact that they were holding an emergency all-school assembly meant the topic had to be significant. The recent news regarding the mysterious craters was the most obvious candidate. As he pondered the presence of the nun he had spotted that morning, the group reached the assembly hall.
"Looks like things haven't started yet. Let’s slip inside."
The hall was packed with Luminous Academy students, and the air was still thick with restless murmuring. Sensing that the proceedings were about to begin, Yugo signaled to the others, and they quietly blended into the crowd at the very back of the room.
"Ahem! ...It appears everyone is here. We have called this emergency meeting to discuss an urgent matter. From this point on, I will step aside and allow Lady Dogma to address you. Listen closely and remain silent."
Uno stood before the high school students, his voice booming through the hall via a magic item with an amplification function. Yugo idly wondered if his image was being broadcast to the other venues through similar magic tools. As he watched, the sister he had seen earlier took Uno’s place at the podium.
"It is an honor to meet you all. My name is Dogma, a messenger dispatched from the Central Church."
As Dogma offered her greetings, projecting the air of a quiet, pious nun, a ripple of excitement seemed to pass through some of the male students. With her blend of mature grace and the refined aura of a holy servant, she was undeniably beautiful. Yugo figured it wasn't surprising that some would be smitten at first sight.
"The reason I have asked for your presence today is quite simple," she continued. "It concerns the damage from the great holes that are steadily approaching this academy... or rather, it concerns the divine oracle we have received regarding them."
At those words, the students erupted into a low roar of surprise. Oracles were things most had only ever heard of in rumors and legends. As they voiced their shock, Dogma spoke again, her voice calm and steady.
"That oracle clearly identified the culprit behind these incidents. At the same time, the Heavens have shown us the way to resolve these terrifying events."
The students were now hanging on her every word, their entire focus narrowed on the woman at the podium. They harbored no small amount of doubt and curiosity about how they could possibly be involved with the cause of the craters or their solution. To this captivated audience, Dogma delivered a staggering revelation.
"A foreign object that has no place in this world has found its way in... That is what the Divine has declared."