THUD
In an underground base, specifically in one of the shelters scattered throughout the area, the lifeless body of a muscular man in his forties collapsed onto the ground. A pool of dark red blood formed around his now-missing head, spreading to the feet of those surrounding him.
The man's death made all those dressed in black nearby shudder, deepening the already dark atmosphere.
CREAK
Suddenly, under the dim light of one of the two mana lamps, a metal door, rusted by the weight of years, creaked open with difficulty, releasing a grating sound that sent chills through the gathering.
"Well, what do I see? You're all already here?"
The man who had just entered spoke with a broad smile on his pleasant face.
"You're late, sir…"
Replied a young man, his face marked by a dark expression.
"I apologize for that, but why is there a corpse here?"
The man approached the lifeless body and nudged it into a corner of the room with a slight kick.
"This fool made a mistake that could have hindered our goal."
"Yenica~, it's been a while~"
"I would've preferred not to see you again so soon…"
Yenica, a woman with a dark look, responded, barely concealing her disdain.
"Don't say that~"
"Tsk, every time I work with you, something ugly always happens."
"Well, you're not entirely wrong~"
"Bastard…"
The man's smile vanished, and he straightened, taking on a serious expression.
"The king has given his next order."
Why am I involved in all this?
One of the dark-clad figures wondered, silently listening to the conversation. Beneath the dark clothing hid a student of the Academy, who had just entered his second year.
The student's name was Kaelan, born in the slums. Raised in poverty, his education was incomplete despite the love of his parents, who were caring and sometimes very strict when needed. Yet the gods hadn't been kind to him: he lost his only family at the age of five, as his father hadn't been able to repay a debt.
A year after his parents' deaths, he was adopted by an elderly man who, at first, seemed kind. But it was merely a facade. This man worked for a criminal organization that sought not to help the demon king conquer the world, but to resurrect an abominable being known as the Demon God.
Of course, Kaelan didn't want to work for this organization called Exocre, but what could he do, bound to the one to whom he owed his life?
Thus, under the orders of the man he considered his grandfather, he enrolled in the world's most prestigious Academy, where the greatest minds gathered.
He passed the entrance exams with flying colors and was assigned to the highest class, Class S. With this, he earned the privilege of residing in the Semeion dormitory, in a spacious and grand room adorned with gemstones. But between classes and the daily missions he had to accomplish for Exocre, his grades dropped, and he was downgraded to a lower class.
His fall from Class S to Class A made waves, drawing mocking laughter and destroying both his motivation and friendships. Lost in an endless depression, he began skipping classes, afraid of further ridicule.
Having shut himself off from the outside world, one day a younger student, just a year below him, knocked on his door. This young man, standing barely one meter seventy-five, had long black hair and dull gray eyes, devoid of any emotion.
What is this ?
Kaelan asked in a cold, hoarse voice. The young man responded with a slight smile—a cold, emotionless smile that sent a strange shiver through Kaelan's stomach.
What is this strange feeling ?
Kaelan wondered inwardly, hiding any trace of emotion on his dark expression.
The young man handed him a few sheets before Kaelan bade him goodbye and closed the door.
Was I too cold with him?
Kaelan then looked at the sheets and noticed a few words in demonic language. By arranging the words in the right order, a particular phrase appeared.
The King? So, I have to go back there…
PLOP
PLOP
Suddenly, tears began to flow down his somber face, his nose started to run, and only his sobs echoed throughout the room.
Sniff… I don't want to… anymore…
He murmured to himself in a trembling voice. But he knew it all too well: if he didn't show up, he would be branded a traitor and hunted down by the Exocre. And if he decided to confide in the soldiers or anyone else, he risked imprisonment for aiding such an organization—or worse, he could be killed. With no other choice, Kaelan decided to keep his pain to himself and did what the Exocre demanded of him, never questioning it.
***
"Where did he go?"
The voice of a young woman echoed in the dense forest. She had hurriedly pursued a student named Reyn after he fled from the library where they had both been just over two hours ago.
"I've had enough!!"
She suddenly shouted, stamping her foot like a child. She had been wandering in circles in the misty forest for over thirty minutes, but she would never admit it.
Did that idiot get himself lost?
She wondered, holding her chin, without even realizing that she herself was lost.
RUSTLE
"Huh?!"
At the sound of rustling leaves, Princess Annalia swiftly turned her head and began channeling mana into her body.
Expecting a monster or something else, she was surprised to see a young girl with snow-white hair cascading down to her slender, elegant waist. The princess noticed that the girl, who shone like a star in the faint moonlight, wore the same uniform as hers.
"Who are you?"
The young girl looked at her intently with beautiful emerald green eyes, which made her face appear even more radiant. She finally opened her mouth.
"I am the granddaughter of the great master of weapons, Yervock."
"Huh…?"
"Did I say something strange?"
The princess shook her head quickly and answered the young girl who was staring at her with a detached expression.
"Um… And what is your name?"
"My name is Vaelith Nymeria."
"A-Aren't you the prodigy who reached the rank of Sword Master at only sixteen?"
Vaelith simply nodded before beginning to walk toward a specific destination. As she headed toward that place, she noticed the princess following her very closely, as if afraid of getting lost.
"Princess Annalia?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you here? And why are you following me?"
She asked in a nonchalant tone.
"I'm looking for a 'friend,' and I'm following you because I'm sure you'll lead me to him."
"Why would your friend be here?"
"He came to inspect this place, fearing that malicious people might be lurking around."
The princess observed Vaelith as she said this, and soon saw her expression turn grave.
"What's going on?"
Vaelith looked at the princess with a frown and a worried expression before asking:
"Tell me, princess, does your friend… know how to fight?"
"He's… rather skilled."
"Damn…"
After those words, Vaelith quickly rushed toward her destination, with the princess right behind her.
Soon, they arrived before a scene that shocked the princess.
In front of a large metal tunnel lay the corpse of a burly man, sitting on the ground, decapitated. A short distance away, his head lay with a knife planted in it.
Vaelith stepped forward and glanced around to finally notice several people in a deep sleep.
She approached the sleeping people and then pierced them with a magic sword.
"Why did you kill them?"
"These people… are extremely dangerous and cruel. I don't know why your friend didn't finish them off, but he made a big mistake. Fortunately, he managed to put them into a deep sleep with a sleeping arrow."
She pulled a dart from the neck of one of the corpses as she said this.
Then, she turned toward the tunnel and began to enter it.
Princess Annalia watched her for a few moments, lost in unpleasant memories. She shook her head and followed Vaelith, murmuring something that only she could hear.