The Ortara Exchange Match
This was the grand conference hall, located not far from Solemnute Adem's grand auditorium. Dean Calix Solenute surveyed the professors seated there and spoke up.
"Therefore, with His Majesty's approval, we shall hold an exchange match with Ortara National School."
The professors nodded with somewhat uncomfortable expressions. Of course, not everyone nodded.
"If that's the case, won't the deadline until the final evaluations be too tight?"
The somewhat snide response came from Professor Calvin Giod of Erosion Studies. He was already wracking his brains over the sheer volume of material to teach, and since Erosion Studies inevitably required hands-on student comprehension, assignments piled up naturally. Just as the students suffered over their homework, so too did Professor Giod suffer over grading them. His days were packed: checking assignments all day only for the next class to loom, and even he wanted a bit of rest. He wished he could dump it on the assistant professors, but to verify true understanding, he had to review them personally. The more assignments the students had, the more work fell on him. Honestly, he didn't even want to assign them, but that would make him a failure as a professor, so he couldn't bring himself to do it. In any case, Professor Giod's schedule was crammed with grading student work, his personal research, and overseeing the assistants' studies too.
This wasn't unique to him. Excluding the leisurely Professors Sione Solenute and Eldora Solenute, quite a few professors were tearing their hair out. And now an exchange match? That would eat up at least a week.
"Moreover, it's been less than a month and a half since the raid on Solemnute. Reports of Salvation Cult sightings are coming in from all over the empire. Do we really need to rush into an exchange like this?"
Several professors nodded in agreement.
"But that's precisely why we need to show that Solemnute stands strong and unafraid of the Salvation Cult."
Calix Solenute replied. He paused thoughtfully before continuing.
"I know exactly what worries you, Professor Giod. The lack of time before finals and the students' safety, right?"
"Yes."
"Truth be told, I share your concerns to some extent. That's why I hesitated. But... my brother—no, His Majesty the Emperor—has ordered it. We must hold this exchange with Ortara. I don't know the full reasons myself... but what can we do? It's a royal command."
Even Calix looked pained as he glanced at the professors. They all sighed. No rest for the foreseeable future, they thought.
"No helping it, then. Understood. But how do you plan to prepare? If even upperclassmen are joining, we'll need a lot of people."
"The Imperial Knights will provide support. The executive committee will help too, of course, and we'll have professors on hand for any contingencies. It's a large group visiting, after all."
Calvin Giod nodded reluctantly. With the emperor's order, resistance was futile.
"Haa... Understood."
"The rest of you professors, it'll be tough for a while... bear with it."
"Understood."
The other professors nodded dejectedly.
All theory classes had ended, and it was late afternoon. Ludenberg Lavante and Ashytara Solenute were in the student council room, sipping tea with Dalia Retiu and Seia Shahain.
"Remember what I mentioned before? About possibly exchanging with Ortara National School? It... got approved in yesterday's faculty meeting."
Dalia's sigh-filled voice echoed in the room.
"So it's official?"
Ludenberg asked, and Dalia nodded.
"Yeah. Probably end of this month. The professors are tearing their hair out over it."
"The professors?"
"Yep."
"Why...?"
"What else? Lesson progress, obviously."
"Ah. No wonder classes have been rushing lately. And assignments are way more than before."
"They're worried if they can finish by finals. Even upperclassmen are in an uproar."
"Aren't you in even worse shape, senpai?"
"Me? I'm used to it. Student council work is way harder than personal study. At least that has answers. You two might struggle."
"I'm used to lots of homework too..."
"Me too."
Ashytara chimed in beside Ludenberg.
"Ah, right. You two are the model students who get antsy without daily study..."
"Not that bad."
"Not bad? Kids like you practically live in the Star Tower and training grounds? It's gotten worse lately."
"Well, with heavy coursework and assignments... Putting off homework leads to headaches, so I finish early. And reviewing that day's lessons is obvious. Prevents cramming disasters later."
"That's what's weird. Exam prep is supposed to be a last-minute panic."
"...I think our concepts differ from yours, senpai."
"It's not me and you—it's you and everyone else. Right, Seia?"
"...Yeah."
Seia, lounging beside Dalia, nodded. Since their encounter in the Moon Garden, she occasionally dropped by to chat.
"See? Even Seia says so. She's diligent too, but thinks your way is odd?"
Ludenberg and Ashytara exchanged subtle looks.
"...We still seem right."
"Ugh... You're too diligent. It's annoying."
"It's kinda novel. First time seeing first-years study so textbook-perfect."
"Right?"
Dalia and Seia eyed them with dismay.
"Anyway, nothing else today?"
"Yeah. Oh, wait. Can you post these notices in your dorms? You too, Seia."
Dalia handed three scrolls to Ludenberg, Ashytara, and Seia.
"I'll post mine on the way back."
"Cool."
"Should we do ours now?"
"Stick around if you're not busy."
"Haha, we'd love to, but homework's piling up..."
"Fair enough. Classes done for the day?"
"Yes. We'll head out."
"See ya. Tomorrow."
"Yes."
Ludenberg and Ashytara returned to their dorms and posted Dalia's scrolls on the bulletin boards.
The students went wild over the new bulletin notices. An exchange with Ortara? Like an extension of the festival. And the details set hearts racing—especially for the Knight Faculty, facing friendly matches against Ortara students.
"Friendly match?"
"Ortara... the warriors' nation, right?"
"Yeah. Born with insane strength, they say. Look at Ashytara."
"Why her?"
"Didn't know? Late Empress Itara was an Ortara princess. Ashytara inherited that blood—super strong."
"Ah..."
"Hey, isn't this why schedules got tight? Professors speeding through lately..."
"True, but it's a royal order. No choice. I'll take it for a week of fun."
"Who knows? Salvation Cult might raid like last time."
"Nah, they'll be prepared."
Such chatter filled the dorms. Amid it, Ludenberg headed to his room. He'd received word from Raha just yesterday: today marked the end of his first trial's finale.
"Raha."
In his room, Ludenberg called softly.
[Yeah. Ludenberg.]
"Today ends the first trial?"
[Yes. You'll meet Istradim Seta.]
"...I see."
[This trial will be tough. Back-to-back battles... and multiple strong foes.]
"Stronger than highest-grade erosion beasts? Devourers, then?"
[...Yes. See for yourself inside.]
"Got it."
With that, Ludenberg lay on his bed. The familiar sensation enveloped him, and his vision faded to black.
When he came to, Ludenberg—in Liberatus Ahad's body—realized significant time had passed since his last trial. Otherwise, Liberatus wouldn't abandon Garundel so abruptly. Memories flooded in simultaneously.
Garundel had repelled attacks from highest-grade erosion beasts and others. Afterward, Liberatus trained Kyle Solenute, Orpina Testia, and Hidea Rune. But word of his presence spread, and Lord Tehern informed him of a summons from the imperial palace. Unable to defy the decree, Liberatus had to leave for the capital, Fermora.
Absorbing all memories, Ludenberg realized the trial had shifted from Garundel to Fermora.
'Fermora... Never heard of it. Lost to history, I suppose. Probably face a Devourer there. Need to prepare thoroughly.'
Anticipating fiercer foes in Fermora, Ludenberg readied himself with Kyle, Orpina, and Hidea. Hidea had already told Tehern she wished to leave with Liberatus to learn more; he agreed it was safer and entrusted her to him, hoping to see her grown next time. He provisioned them well and wished them luck.
"Let's go."
"Yes!"
With their replies, Ludenberg guided Liberatus's body toward the empire's capital, Fermora.