It's the break of dawn. The sun has started to rise. It's the fourth day of January, the first month of the year. The Rising Sun calendar uses a 12-month structure, unlike the Dual Moon era, which relied on the patterns of the two moons to track the passage of time.
During the Dual Moon era, the moons' magical reserves were tapped extensively. However, following the Twelfth Grand War—just before the Black Century—the second moon shattered. Its magical reserves destabilized after the abrupt cessation of magical usage. Centuries later, those reserves fully collapsed, leaving nothing of the celestial body behind.
Or at least, that's the story everyone believes. The real reason for the moon's disappearance is unknown. It remains one of the greatest mysteries, alongside the vanishing of the mages.
"It's almost six o'clock. I should get ready."
I rise from the single bed. It's not the most comfortable, but it's good enough for rest. The room is small but has all the essentials: an office table by the bed, a bathroom, and a compact kitchen. It's far better than most places I've spent the night.
This is one of the cheapest inns I could find. Just two bronze coins per night. I could easily afford better accommodations, but that would draw attention—something I can't afford.
"I should take a bath before leaving…"
***
The table before me is a chaotic mess of tomes and records I borrowed from the library.
"I have to return these, too," I mutter with an internal sigh.
I slip on my tattered black robes and pick up my trusty spear. Wrapping the books in cloth, I prepare to head out. As I descend the stairs and approach the exit, the innkeeper calls after me.
"Thank you for staying with us! Safe travels!"
I return the books and make my way toward the city gate.
"Hmm?"
The gate is surrounded by guards, their spears ready for combat. Why would so many soldiers be posted here?
"Hey, you! Stop right there!"
One of the soldiers yells, pointing his spear in my direction.
"You cannot leave the city!"
"What's going on?" I ask, keeping my voice calm.
"What, you don't know about the mass murder at Velrithia Academia?!" the soldier replies, his voice tinged with suspicion. Then his eyes narrow. "Wait… tattered black robes, a spear… You're the killer, aren't you?!"
Well, that escalated quickly.
Velrithia Academia? A massacre? Velrithia recently rejected Kaelvaron's request for financial aid for its academia due to Velrithia's poor finances. If this incident leads people to blame "Kaelvaron assassins," it could easily spark a war.
"What are you waiting for? Arrest him!" the commander barks.
"That won't be a smart move," I warn, my grip tightening on my spear. "Don't do something you'll regret."
"A-Are you trying to command me, the commander of the guards of Mages' End?!" he shouts, his bravado cracking. "G-Guards! Arrest him! Show no mercy if he resists!"
I don't have time for this. I need to uncover the truth behind this massacre before things spiral out of control.
"If you're going to attack, hurry up. I don't have all day."
The guards hesitate before a few lunge forward, spears aimed at me.
Well, I warned them.
With a series of swift strikes, I sever their spearheads, leaving them holding little more than wooden staves. Before they can react, I toss a smoke bomb, obscuring their vision.
By the time they recover, I'm gone.
"Now then…" I think to myself, blending into the shadows. "Time to get to the bottom of this."