"What rotten luck, running into this right at the start of the semester."
"Tell me about it."
"Though honestly, I'm kinda jealous they get to skip school."
Kojou, Motoki, and Asagi chatted away while Rozen fell into deep thought beside them.
"Yeah... rotten luck indeed."
Rozen muttered under his breath, too quiet for the others to hear.
Though the situation was far from trivial—Itogami Island being cut off posed a genuine survival threat—neither Kojou, Motoki, nor Asagi seemed particularly alarmed. Even their classmates continued chatting about their winter break adventures, utterly unconcerned.
After all, the Management Cooperative was well aware of the island's vulnerabilities. Given the unpredictability of maritime weather—typhoons and storms could disrupt supply routes at any time—Itogami Island had always stockpiled resources.
The warehouse district in the eastern sector, for instance, housed massive granaries with enough food to sustain every citizen for over sixty days. Even if completely isolated, the island could last for months. With strict rationing and local food production, survival for a full year wasn't out of the question.
And realistically, how long could such a crisis last?
So, despite everything, the public remained unfazed.
Naturally, Rozen wasn't worried either.
With him around, even if food shortages arose, he could single-handedly ensure the island's survival—and in style. Water and supplies wouldn't be an issue.
Besides...
"Sure, incoming flights are a mess, but outbound ones are weirdly smooth. If things get bad, we can just evacuate, right?"
Motoki joked, earning him a punch each from Asagi and Kojou.
But he wasn't wrong. While entering the island was impossible, leaving was bizarrely hassle-free—so no major panic had set in yet.
Still, the strangeness of it all was unsettling upon closer inspection.
"Multiple maritime and aviation disasters, preventing any ships or planes from reaching the island since yesterday."
"Entering is a nightmare, but leaving is oddly effortless."
"And that faint, inexplicable sensation in the air..."
Putting it all together, Rozen couldn't help but suspect:
"Could it be...?"
He turned to the window, gazing toward the sea.
"What's up, Nichiyo?"
A voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Rozen turned to find Asagi staring at him curiously.
No—not just her. Kojou and Motoki were watching him too.
"You've been quiet all of a sudden."
Kojou raised an eyebrow.
"Don't tell me you're actually scared?"
Motoki teased.
Rozen chuckled and shook his head, saying only:
"Alright, let's get ready for class. I'd rather not piss Natsuki-nee off again."
The moment he spoke, the bell rang.
Students scrambled to their seats, and even Asagi, Kojou, and Motoki pulled out their textbooks.
As Rozen rummaged through his bag, his eyes drifted back to the window.
After a moment's thought, he made up his mind.
"An anomaly this obvious wouldn't escape Natsuki-nee's notice—or the Management Cooperative's. I'll wait for them to act first."
At the end of the day, Itogami Island was their territory, not his. There was no need for him to intervene yet.
Besides, Natsuki had already warned him:
"Strange incidents have been occurring on Itogami Island lately. If you notice anything unusual—or get dragged into something—report it to me immediately."
Recalling that morning's conversation, Rozen realized this was likely the "strange incident" she'd meant.
So, rather than meddling, he'd simply inform her of his suspicions.
With that in mind, Rozen pulled out his phone and quickly sent Natsuki a message before the teacher arrived:
[Heard about the situation. This is likely deliberate magical interference—someone may have set up a large-scale barrier around the island to block incoming vessels. Recommend investigating.]
He hit send just as the teacher walked in.
Tucking his phone away, Rozen feigned attentiveness—even though the material was child's play to him.
Maintaining his "perfect" image was paramount.
Meanwhile, at Itogami Island's port, Natsuki stood by the shore.
Her gaze fixed on the horizon, where thick fog shrouded the sea, trapping distant ships in a motionless haze.
Above, several military helicopters took off from the island—only to abruptly turn back.
Their outbound flight was smooth.
But the moment they attempted to return, violent turbulence struck, sending them spiraling until they collided mid-air—exploding in a fiery wreck.
Natsuki narrowed her eyes.
"Bzzzt—!"
Space warped before her, and the pilots tumbled out, collapsing onto the ground, pale and shaken.
Ignoring them, Natsuki spoke coldly:
"How many failed return attempts now, Astarte?"
The emotionless homunculus beside her answered:
"Reply: This marks the seventh consecutive failure for inbound aircraft."
"Seventh, huh?" Natsuki murmured. "No doubt left, then."
Her phone was already in hand—Rozen's message displayed on the screen.
Without hesitation, she ordered:
"Inform the board members: This is likely deliberate magical sabotage. A large-scale barrier may be obstructing access to the island. Commence immediate mana anomaly detection and tracking."
"Accept."
Expressionless, Astarte activated her communicator.
An unseen malice crept toward Itogami Island.
The storm was coming.