In another dimension, World of Emerald.

Alemnol: The Kingdom of Beginnings.

There was a meeting being held in the city. The meeting was for none other than the 'Council’. The headquarters of the council was a 100 stories tall building. Its constitution was very similar to a building on earth but it was imbedded with magical items. It had some energy spheres floating around it, all looking like a part of the grandiose building. Just like outside the inside also looked grand and beautiful. On the top floor there was long rectangular table with eight people.

Three to either side and one at the far end of a corner and the last one was a man standing at the opposite corner. There were 3 men on one side and 3 women on the other. Whereas the person on the far corner was a man. However, the 6 people sitting had one thing on common. They were all projections. All of the people were of different races including humans being a woman, a man and the head of council himself.

"Is there any news on the stone yet?" The man at the end of the table asked. He was the head of council.

"As of now nothing Chief. We don't have any whereabouts about it except for that it might be on earth." The man standing answered.

"What happened to the thief who got caught?" One of the women asked.

"He's still under interrogation milady. He is under a spell which prevents him from disclosure of the spell’s subject matter.

"Damn that Damian Marley, he should hand over the thief to us and we'll see how he doesn't open his mouth." One of the men complained angrily.

“Calm down Belius.” It was the Chief speaking.

"I am sorry for my outburst Chief but Damian Marley is a relic of the past now. He must have lost his edge in the skill of interrogation and that—

"Belius, are you applying that getting old will hinder his skill required by the Ministry? if that's the case then, aren’t you yourself one to say much with that age.” One of the women commented.

"Roma, you—

Before Belius could retort the doors of the room swung opened. A woman in her mid-forties came in wearing long green colored robes with various designs on it.

"I am sorry for my intrusion in the council meeting but we have received report of the stone's location."

"Where is it?" the man standing asked.

"Sir Xander, it is reported to be in country of Amberin, state of Brimintish and in the school named Green Tales.” At the last phrase everyone's facial expressions changed as if they had heard of the school before.

"From whom did the report came from?" Xander asked.

"Former mage Merissa Ever Bloom." Another change in expression went through everyone's faces this time.

"And how does she know that the stone is in the school?" the chief asked.

"She had seen a student with it when out on the streets of the town 'Up Hill Valley'.

"And why hasn't she recovered the gem then? it must be the duty of—

"Enough Roma." It was again the Council Head interrupting. "She has no reason to recover it back. It's already a great duty done by her by reporting it on sight."

"Yes, indeed." Roma said as she lowered her head a little.

"Does she have any specific identification of the child in whose position it lays?" The head asked.

"No sir, she had only seen the school uniform's crest, even the gender is not known. Also, there is her report that there might be people from the 'Black Cloud' involved.” Replied the woman.

"Black Cloud? That’s insane, what would they even find on earth?" Belius asked doubting that statement.

“While I understand that you have doubts about it Belius, we have direct evidence that some members of the Black Cloud are indeed present on earth. Lady Clare if you may.” The Chief spoke and turned towards one of the women.

Clare who seemed to be in her late 20s replied "Yes, it is indeed correct. The reason is, my apprentice is in that very school pursuing her normal academic related studies. She reported to me today, that she had in fact come into contact with two outer members of the Black Cloud and has confirmed that they are indeed looking for something.”

At this everyone’s mood shifted. This was no trivial matter. The Black Cloud was the worst enemy of the Council and has always managed to keep their whereabouts and purpose hidden. If they get their hands on the stone then it was a sure shot recipe for disaster. 

Clare then continued “Though she doesn’t have an idea about what it is they are specifically after. But after receiving this report I don’t think it’s too much of a coincidence to say that, it is indeed the stone. Of course, my disciple doesn’t have an idea that they are after something stolen since the stone is a top classified legendary treasure."

“Is that so? Then why hasn’t your disciple captured them yet? Shouldn’t two outer members be easy work for your department members?” Roma asked slightly infuriated at the fact that Clare has a lead on it.

Clare’s eyebrow twitched feeling irritated at that comment. “This is the Black Cloud we’re talking even their outer members are to a good degree skilled people. Was she able to stay safe?” The Chief asked turning towards Clare.

“Though she wasn’t able to defeat any of the two, she managed to make them retreat and prevent them for acquiring it for a while. Most importantly no students were hurt.”

“That’s a relief… although the stone is of utmost importance, the safety of the people on earth also takes priority. We should send a special team to retrieve the stone and back Clare’s apprentice.” A man who was literally a panda advised.

“What about the guardian of that school? Isn’t he there? They should have been caught the minute they entered the school’s premises.” The last of the three women, who seemed human but had very distinctive features of a lion asked.

“Apparently, he’s here in the Kingdom of Alemnol, to take approval of the fortress operations from the Ministry of Justice. After the summoner incident on earth where Merissa had handled the situation, he believes things won’t be faring well from here on out and feels that the school may have to use that system in the future.” A red-haired man explained.

He then continued "That said it'll take at least a day to send a proper team over.”  

"Right, Xander arrange the special corps and dispatch them." The Chief ordered.

"Meanwhile Lady Clare, I’ll have to ask you to instruct your disciple to keep a close screening on the school. Since they now the enemy knows that we have knowledge about their presence on earth they will be expecting for us to send reinforcements and might try to act within the next 24 hours. I have knowledge about your disciple’s capabilities and that this is a lot to ask—

“You need not request it, Chief, she is a proud member of the Council and I can assure you that nothing will stop her performing her duties. Even if she has to put her life on the line.” Clare stated firmly. The Chief simply nodded his head. After discussing a few other matters, the meeting was adjourned and all the projections disappeared. The only person left in the room was now the Chief and his assistant Xander.

“Find out where the guardian is, I’ll personally talk to him and have the special corps get into the school as staff and teachers to increase security. Also, I need them to be ready immediately, we can’t have a lone soldier fighting everything for us.” The Chief ordered.

“Understood sir.” Xander replied promptly.