Fortress Under Siege
Ludenberg Lavante and Ashytara Solenute adapted to student council duties with remarkable speed. From the second day, Dalia Retiu had them handling paperwork, and to her astonishment, both proved exceptionally skilled at it. It was no surprise for Ludenberg, but even Princess Ashytara excelled, convincing Dalia they were ready for real work. She put her thoughts into action right away.
Dalia laid out clear classification criteria, and the two dove in, sorting documents on external guest invitations, responses to merchant district cooperation requests along with their demands, faculty collaboration pleas, and supply requests from each church order. Though entirely new territory, they made only minor slips at first, but within an hour, the stacks were perfectly categorized. Dalia trembled with joy at the sight.
Mountains of papers melted away under the now-expert hands of Ludenberg and Ashytara, queuing up only for Dalia's stamp. Day by day, her complexion brightened noticeably before their arrival. It was only natural—with two expert aides lightening her crushing load. Their early arrivals helped too, letting her wrap up without late nights. Whenever council members dropped off files from around the academy, the pair swiftly organized and passed them to her. All she had to do was stamp...
No wonder her gaze toward her new recruits softened endlessly.
"You guys worked hard today too! Sorry for dragging you in on a holiday. But with this endless paperwork finally done, I couldn't help it. You saved my life—seriously. Thanks, thanks a ton."
"You too, Dalia sunbae."
"Once Adem Festa wraps, I'll treat you to something delicious—big time!"
"Sure."
Ludenberg replied curtly, Ashytara with a smile, as they bid Dalia farewell and left the student council room.
"Good work. Any plans now?"
"Just resting quietly in the dorm today."
"Oh...?"
Ashytara looked genuinely disappointed, but Ludenberg had no choice. Today was the day to enter the world of trials.
"Yeah. Been swamped with student council stuff lately."
"True. And you never skipped training once... Got it."
They parted for their dorms, and Ludenberg lay on his bed, awaiting Raha's summons.
"Looks like you're all set. Let's get started right away."
Ludenberg surrendered to the familiar pull of his consciousness sinking, awakening before Raha.
"Today's trial will be grueling. Expect battles with hordes of erosion beasts, but you'll grow amid them."
"I'm prepared for that. Anything else to watch for?"
"You'll find out the rest firsthand."
"Got it. Oh—one more thing..."
"Go ahead."
"I told Professor Nah Tes about the Starting Knight. Wasn't sure if it was okay. You once guided those two to me, so I shared about him and the trial world... Was that fine?"
"No issue. Nah Tes and Nadan Tes are fated to aid you anyway."
"...I see."
"Then let's begin."
Raha snapped her fingers, plunging Ludenberg back into the trial world.
The now-familiar vertigo swirled through him as Ludenberg opened his eyes. Time resumed in this world. Harsh sandwinds howled, chased by the weary gasps of a boy and girl trailing him. They were pushing north relentlessly.
He glanced back. Kyle and Orpina followed, faces pale with exhaustion, barely hanging on. As before, his mouth moved on its own—Liberatus Ahad speaking to them.
"Rest if you're spent."
"Hah... hah..."
They lacked even breath to reply. No telling how long they'd marched, but for fighters who could battle erosion beasts, this fatigue meant hours on end. Dusk crept in, the winds turning chill. Stars blazed overhead, but below lay barren wastes—withered trees, cracked earth.
Looks like we camp soon... I control Liberatus's body perfectly except for speech. To follow the story, I have no choice but to let him talk and act accordingly.
Ludenberg halted, preparing camp.
"Sit and recover. Ration food and water—that's how we'll endure."
"Yes."
"Three days' march north lies Garundel, fortress city guarding the empire's border. Refugee swarms must be a headache, but they won't turn us away. The empire holds strong—for now. We'll resupply there. Got any coin?"
"Uh..."
"None, huh."
"...Yes."
They drooped. Liberatus shrugged it off casually.
"No worry. I've got plenty."
"Really?!"
"Yes. I'm imperial-born. Heard Nadempir was swarmed by erosion beasts, so I went to clear them."
"Why? Nadempir's not even empire land."
"If it fell, they'd swarm the empire next. Obvious."
"Ah..."
Ludenberg gleaned new intel: Liberatus hailed from the empire.
But which empire...? Never heard of any before Solemnute.
The talk flowed on.
"From the empire... Got a home there?"
"Yes. Tachgalde, precisely—my birthplace."
"Ah! That's why you're heading to Tachgalde?"
Kyle mumbled through dried meat.
"Yes. Eat up and sleep. You've marched far—your bodies are spent."
"Yes."
"Once in Garundel, I'll teach you swordsmanship."
"Really?!"
"You need strength to protect yourselves."
"Thank you!"
Kyle and Orpina beamed genuine gratitude, collapsed on their bedrolls, and passed out instantly—utterly drained.
Smooth so far... But something's brewing soon. Raha wouldn't warn otherwise.
Ludenberg steeled himself for the ordeal ahead.
Three days north, as Liberatus foretold, Garundel loomed—a massive fortress city. Yet their faces hardened at the sight.
Highest-grade erosion beasts battered its sturdy walls.
"Damn... Garundel's under attack too?!"
"W-what do we do, Liberatus?"
"We go. Save Garundel. Stick close—I'll protect you. No danger while I'm with you. Focus on entering."
"But the gates are shut!"
"Scale the walls. I'll get you over safely—hide inside. I'll clear this and fetch you."
"Y-yes!"
No alternatives, they nodded. Ludenberg drove Liberatus's body forward, but noticed Kyle and Orpina lagging. He doubled back, scooped them to his sides, and charged.
Closer now, desperate defenders clung to the walls against highest-grade beasts. Skilled knights held—no mass casualties yet. But the walls teetered; time was critical.
Ludenberg pierced the chaos. Beasts spotted the intruder, unleashing clubs, fists, tentacles, spines, chains, dark orbs. But he'd mastered this superior body last time—dodging effortlessly.
He exploited wall cracks, scaling swiftly.
"Who goes there?!"
Guards shouted in alarm, ignored. He leaped inside, depositing Kyle and Orpina safely.
"I'll handle those—wait here. If danger comes, head deeper. Got it?"
"Yes!"
Liberatus's words flowed unbidden; they nodded dazedly. Ludenberg vaulted back atop the wall.
The knight who'd yelled earlier demanded, "Who are you? Friend or foe?"
"Friend, assuredly. Names later—clear these beasts first."
The knight nodded, drawing steel. Ludenberg unsheathed his blade, eyed the colossal foes... and as one swung its arm, he leaped onto it.
"No—fight from the wall!"
The knight yelled, but Ludenberg ignored, climbing the limb.
The true battle began.