First Cultivator of the Philippines

Far away in a distant land, the serene mountain that housed the imposing temple of the Azure Cloud Sect was anything but peaceful. The atmosphere crackled with tension as the Master of the sect, Elder Yu Qinglong, stood on the main dais, his piercing gaze scanning the room with cold fury. His flowing robes, embroidered with streaks of gold and deep blue, shimmered ominously in the faint light of the chamber.

Elder Yu's expression was as unyielding as stone, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "The Scroll of the Divine Vessel Ascension Method has been lost. Its carrier has perished."

The gathered disciples knelt in fear, their heads bowed low, avoiding even the possibility of meeting his eyes. One of the braver ones dared to step forward, his voice trembling. "Master, we lost contact with him after he entered the Philippines. He was ambushed by a creature of the night, but… the scroll may still—"

"Silence!" Elder Yu's roar echoed through the chamber as he struck the marble table beside him, shattering it into jagged pieces. The force of his qi sent shards scattering across the floor.

"Do you understand the gravity of what has been lost? That scroll is no mere artifact. It is a cornerstone of our sect's power! A treasure that embodies centuries of cultivation knowledge, The Martial God's inheritance!"

The disciples quivered under the weight of his words, the room thick with tension.

"You were sent to ensure its safe return, and yet you allowed this disgrace to befall our sect?" Elder Yu's fury was palpable, a storm of energy swirling faintly around him.

He raised his hand, and the group of kneeling disciples who had accompanied the scroll's ill-fated carrier were lifted into the air by an invisible force. Their panicked expressions betrayed the knowledge that no amount of pleading would save them.

"Incompetence," Elder Yu spat, his voice cold and final. "Such failure cannot be tolerated."

A surge of energy burst from his palm, and the disciples disintegrated into nothingness, leaving only the faintest traces of ash in the air. The remaining onlookers shuddered, their fear carved deep into their hearts.

Elder Yu turned to a group of elite disciples standing apart from the rest, his eyes narrowing. These were the sect's most skilled cultivators, handpicked for their loyalty and talent.

"You will travel to the Philippines," he commanded, his voice a dangerous calm. "Find the scroll. Discover who or what has taken it, and return it to this temple. The reputation of our sect demands it. You are to succeed, no matter the cost. Should you fail…" His voice trailed off, but the unspoken threat was clear.

The elite disciples bowed deeply. "Yes, Master!" Their voices rang in unison, trembling slightly but resolute.

As they departed to prepare for their mission, Elder Yu turned his gaze toward the horizon, his expression unreadable. Beneath his fury lay a simmering curiosity. How had a mere mortal or some unknown force—managed to claim such a treasure?

The answer would be found, no matter the cost.

~~~~~

Far away in a towering castle surrounded by lush green hills, the council of the Grand Order of Magisters convened in secret. The council chamber, a circular room adorned with banners of ancient lineages, buzzed with quiet murmurs. A crystalline table at the center projected a shimmering map of the world, where an isolated island in the Pacific region glowed faintly, indicating the source of their urgent discussion.

"This cannot be ignored," said Sir Lancel, a tall man in ceremonial armor, his voice resonating with authority. "The trace of Excalibur—King Arthur's legendary sword—has been detected. Its energy signature matches the descriptions in the ancient texts."

An elderly woman with a staff made of intertwined silver vines nodded. "The Sword of Kings is no ordinary weapon. If it were to fall into the wrong hands, it could tip the balance of power in our world and perhaps beyond. We must act swiftly."

A younger knight, skeptical but attentive, raised a question. "How can we be certain? Similar traces have led us astray before."

Sir Lancel's expression hardened. "The island's resonance is unmistakable. This is no ordinary trace. If there is even a chance that Excalibur lies there, we cannot afford hesitation."

The room fell silent as the gravity of the situation sunk in.

"To avoid drawing unnecessary attention and alarming the mortal world," the elderly woman added, "we must act discreetly. A large expedition would be too conspicuous. Instead, we will send our disciples under the guise of students, researchers, and travelers. They will infiltrate the island, investigate the source of the energy, and secure the sword."

One of the younger magicians, a woman with fiery red hair, raised an eyebrow. "You mean we're sending knights and magicians to blend in with mortals? By enrolling in schools?"

The woman with the staff nodded. "Precisely. They must not draw attention to themselves. The mission is to observe and report, not to stir chaos."

"Understood," Sir Lancel said, his tone firm. "The preparations will begin immediately. We'll select only the most capable knights and magicians for this mission. They must be ready for anything."

The fiery-haired magician smirked. "Knights in a school. This is going to be interesting."

Sir Lancel shot her a stern look. "This is not about your amusement. Focus on the mission. The fate of the world could rest on this."

As the council adjourned, the members departed with urgency. The disciples chosen for the mission were unaware that their lives were about to intersect with a young man in the Philippines named Jiro, who had unknowingly become entangled in a grand and dangerous narrative.

Meanwhile, the organization that Jose belonged to held a private meeting in a dimly lit chamber, its air heavy with tension. A senior member of the group, dressed in formal yet functional attire, addressed the room. "We've detected a powerful resonance of energy coming from an island in the Bicol Region. Its nature is unfamiliar but undoubtedly dangerous. It could pose a threat to the people there and beyond."

Another member, seated at the far end, nodded gravely. "It could be related to the sudden disturbances we've been monitoring. Jose, you're one of our most trusted agents. You're tasked with investigating this phenomenon."

Jose, standing silently with his arms crossed, gave a slight nod. "Understood. I'll prepare to leave immediately."

The senior member continued. "To provide a cover story and minimize suspicion, we've coordinated with Westway University Philippines to organize a two-week tour for students. The tour will include various events for the school's department, and you'll be accompanying them as part of the operation."

Jose raised an eyebrow. "A tour for students? Clever, but risky. I'll ensure no harm comes to the participants."

The senior member smiled faintly. "We're counting on you. Be vigilant."

The next morning, Jiro was running late to class, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of his training and the mysterious scroll. He hurried into the lecture hall just as his professor made an announcement. "Attention, everyone. I have exciting news. The school will be organizing a department-wide tour lasting two weeks. We'll be traveling to a location in the Bicol Region. There will be cultural activities, outdoor events, and opportunities for hands-on learning."

The room buzzed with excitement, but the professor wasn't done. "Additionally, we'll have foreign exchange students joining us for this tour. They've been enrolled in our school as part of an international program. Please make them feel welcome."

Jiro sank into his seat, barely processing the information. "Parang nakita ko na to ah, sa anime1," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head in disbelief. "This is so cliché."

He couldn't help but wonder if this was just a coincidence or another piece of the puzzle that his life seemed to be turning into. Whatever the case, it seemed like he was about to be dragged into yet another adventure.