--- [Lecture Hall] ---
"Once upon a time, the world consisted of various species that lived in their own region. Multiple species such as dragons, ogres, goblins, titans, etc are categorised as the race of monsters. The monsters have traits superior to the human race such as large body sizes, sharp teeth, thick skin and scales, strong movement and most importantly, they are blessed with magical abilities. However, overpopulation caused problems such as food supplies shortage and space limitation for the monsters since they multiply rapidly. They had to fight for territories in order to solve that problem. One day, the monsters found the human race to be vulnerable and started taking advantage of them. The monsters also found human meat to be delicious and started to eat them on a daily basis. That is how the era of chaos for the human race started, the age of where the strong rule over the week."
Currently, it is history class. So, um… this got to be boring. I guess Sir Atlas can teach history because he loves it. Well, I guess I should just be me instead of worrying about something so trivial like this.
"The monsters only see humans as easy meals and the humans could do nothing but hide in fear. Azaria was built as the last human empire in the midst of everything. Nevertheless, the human empire was still unable to protect themselves from the savage monsters. As the human race struggles to live in the age of chaos, the emperor of humankind, Will Maximillian Stardust dreamt of three blade wielding heroes who can save the humans. When the civilians heard about the emperor's dream, they took it as a delusion the emperor conjured in the state of desperation. That is until signs of the dream coming true start to appear, and the so-called delusion becomes a prophecy. The tales of the three legendary sacred blades that fought with the heroes were engraved in the history of Azaria."
That is one heck of a long paragraph.
"Mr. Evans."
"Eh! Y… yes sir!"
"See me after class."
"Yes sir!"
What did I do?
The whole class is looking at me giggling. Unlucky day for me, I guess. Did he realise that I was unmotivated? But how did he notice that? Perhaps it's for another reason…
"Everyone, you can stop glancing on Mr. Evans now, today we continue from…"
They obeyed the order obediently. Well, thank you for averting those discomforting gazes just now sir. You are the cause of it though.
"Did you do something Evans?" Quinn asked.
"I don't know."
"Maybe because you look so gloomy, he wants you to cheer up. Don't worry!"
"Eyes on the lecturer Quinn."
"Yes, yes."
Our conversation stopped there, and I start listening to the lecture attentively as usual.
And accidentally slept ten minutes later until the end of the class.
--- [Sir Atlas Cubicle] ---
Currently, I'm at the front of Sir Atlas doorstep. All I need to do is knock the door and take a step to enter. That is all, but I cannot muster enough courage to do it.
I wonder why though. Maybe I should just turn back and go home. I afraid he will ask me why I did not come tomorrow ugh…
"Kreek…"
The door was opened from inside.
"Mr. Evans, I have been waiting for you. Come inside."
"Y-yes, sir."
He goes to his seat and lay his ass on that nice comfortable-looking couch in his cubicle. So, I just standing beside the closed door, waiting for him to invite me to sit.
"You can just stand there if you like Mr. Evans or you could just sit here," he said while pointing to a chair in front in front of him.
Thus, I go and sit there.
"Evans Reinhard, four days ago, your dad was attacked, yes?"
I nodded. I guess the lecturers and trainers may have already knows about it.
"I know how you feel. You don't have to hide it and be so stiff with me. I also know that you get in touch with someone unknown."
Eh, how did he know that? I am surprised by the way he talking as if he knew everything that happened.
"How… how do you know?" I asked for certainty.
"I saw it. I see them get in contact with you.at the hallway on an evening."
"I see… then, what business do you have with me… don't tell me you are one of—"
"I would appreciate it if you did not jump to any conclusion for now. I know about what happened but I'm not one of them. Say, have you ever heard of Forsaken Union?"
"I do, one of them greet me before on the same night and tell me that he is from that group. I think he is the same guy that pass through me on the evening."
"As I have expected."
"…"
"What? You expect that?"
"Yes, sort of, their movement have been watched by the empire's best spies after all."
I am so confused. Not because of the matter, but identity of this history professor.
"Sir Atlas… who are you actually?" I asked while making a really curious face.
"Me? I am no one, just a nerdy lecturer who taught his students about boring history that's all," he declared half-heartedly.
"Liar," I replied with discontent.
He raises both his hands and make the 'I don't know' gesture.
"Sir, as you are now, I convinced enough that you are not just a commoner who tells story about past occurrences in a lecture hall. With due respect, tell me what you know about the Forsaken Union. What is their objective? Why they are after me? Please sir, my family lives is at stake!"
"I understand. Well, I can tell you a little of what I know about the Forsaken Union, but I need to know, what did he said to you last night."
And so, I tell him everything that happened from yesterday evening till last night conversation. He just nodded as he heard all of it.
"I see, so he said that you are their saviour, is that right?"
"Yes."
"I think I get the gist of it. The real truth of the made-up history of Everlasting Heroes of Azaria, is what driving them to act now. Hm…"
"What do you have in mind sir?"
"Eh, then did everything I teach is a fake one?!" he become anxious.
To be real, he is acting anxious.
"Sir. Jokes aside."
"Hahaha, what a serious guy… so boring. Okay, listen, I will tell you what the Forsaken Union is, and what is their objective, this is what I know for now."
"I'm all ears."
"Good."
So that evening, he told me everything he knew about the union. Basically, the Forsaken Union is a much like apostles that follows a belief by its predecessor called 'The Forsaker'.
Five hundred years ago, during the fight with the Emperor of Monster, Dragorath, the three of them was able to kill it with their omnipotent, sacred blades. They fought together, combining their strength into one and finally succeed to put Dragorath to its demise. But, Arthur Astrea, the first wielder of Atroxia was unfortunate and died by sacrificing himself as the bait. Alisa Frosty, the first wielder of Ristorea and Emperor William Maximillian Stardust, at that time was the prince and the first wielder of Dominia take the one moment chance and finally land a deadly blow to Dragorath. Basically, that's it about the event that have been told but there another twist in the story that The Forsaken Union hold, and it is about the assassination of Arthur by the other sacred blade wielder. A treachery.
The Forsaken Union was a group of believers that hold upon the truth of the history and apparently, the one called as 'The Forsaker' was a woman who is a wielder of Atroxia. She built the 'Forsaken Union' to convey to everyone about the truth of death of Arthur. But she was condemned and exiled from the empire, even her husband does not believe her.
But the reason 'shadow' called me as a chosen one is still vague. I don't understand and why he said that. And if the story itself is true, then Atroxia already have its master inside their group. Do they want to have all the sacred blades in their possession?
Sir Atlas also added, "For the time being, only me who knows that you are being targeted. Make sure you don't tell anyone."
In the end he told me that he is one of the ex-Imperial Special Spy, an elite at that. But he is working at his own pace. I guess I can trust him.
--- [Academy's Front Gate] ---
I'm currently on way back to my house just about to pass the academy's front gate. Ah… what a tiring day. The sun is starting to set, maybe I am the last student to walk pass the academy's gate from this side.
"With the setting sun came a sky of fire, the orange of every wintry hearth. It was the battle cry to the gathering night, that the only achievement of darkness is to show starlight all the more clearly," I speak out of the blue while looking at the setting sun.
That just a quote from a novel I read. It sounds romantic. Saying that here makes me feel like a philosopher.
"The—"
"The orange gold stretches far and widening across the skyline, the colour of fire hearths and tangerines. It is but the reflection of the dawn, the promise of the rising sun that comes after the velvety night has had it say and the land has rested once more," a voice interrupted mine.
Wait. That wasn't my voice. I quickly turned behind me to identify the person who continued my cool phrases that was exactly as from what I want to say. What more important is, that is voice of a girl!
"Who are you?" the voice asked.
"Um, I think that was my question…"
Damn, she's cute as heck!
I have seen lots of girls who are seriously beautiful combines with great-shaped figure with curvilinear waist, totally attractive but, she was different. The fire-red like sunset light before the night engulfing the day into dark sky with streams of twinkling stars, she appeared before my eyes with enthralling, enchanting aura even in a casual soft pink blouse with short striped skirt over her black long slim-fit cotton trouser. Her wavy hair is midnight-black, flowed over her shoulders with her enticing unique aqua-pupils shining through the reddish dusk. Her smooth white skin, slender waist figure become clearer to me as she walks towards to me in a fast pace. A set of dazzling, angel-white teeth gleamed as she tried to open her small mouth decorated with puffy blossom-soft heart shaped lip. While she is standing in front me, a little bit shorter than me, but it is perfect for her.
"Hey!"
"…"
"H-HEY!" she called with a louder but soft voice almost like a shy person does.
"Eh, yes! What is it?" I replied after she calls me for the second time.
Wooh, I almost getting caught staring at her…and she even had to call me twice, what a cute voice though…
"Why are you staring at me?"
Uh-oh, I'm wasted.
"Aaa… ah, sorry… I can't help it, you are so…"
"So…?"
She asked me that while widened her round blue-eyes. How tempting...
"No, it's… it's nothing…"
"You have not answered my question, who are you?"
"Oh, please forgive me. My name is Evans. Evans Reinhard. Nice to meet you. What is your name?"
"My name?"
"Yes, your name."
"You don't know me?"
Hm? Should I find out about someone I just met before meeting them? But I do know her now, my adorable angelic crush. I better no say that though.
"Sorry, I don't—"
She puts her hand to her mouth, trying to resist herself from laugh for something, slightly exposing her unbelievably pretty smile.
"I see… well… see you around later at the academy Evans, bye!"
She turned around and make a small run to her home after bidding a goodbye to me.
"W-wait, how do you know I was from the academy?"
I asked her with curiosity and mixed feeling of don't want to let her go back home yet. Then she stops her small run and turn her head to me.
"Your uniform, I am a fellow student of the academy too, but I am a little bit under the weather today but now I kind of recovered so I come to retrieve some stuff. Oh, and about that phrase, I read that novel too!!"
Her sweet, soothing voice trying to shout softly, mesmerised me as she went her own way and gradually lost from my line of sight. I can't believe my eyes today. I guess my heroin just joined the show.