From Chaos to Clarity
Nadan's compiled notes were a chaotic sprawl of vast knowledge, scribbled in every direction. Ludenberg Lavante scanned them intently, then began sorting the mess into categories.
"This is what needs organizing? I can make my own categories, right? It's a total disaster."
"Do whatever. You've seen and fought way more erosion beasts than I have, so your judgment's better. I'll ask questions once you're done."
"……."
Ludenberg said nothing more, just stared at the papers before diving in to organize the jumble. He added clearer explanations to sections on erosion beast behaviors, how they reacted to specific saint laws, and their mutations against knights. He even sketched their variant forms for precision.
Whenever Ludenberg glanced at a page, crystal-clear knowledge surged in his mind, manifesting as neat writing on the paper. It was like witnessing Lanur's saint law that warped all common sense—Nadan could only gawk, eyes wide, as Ludenberg worked.
About an hour later, the mountain of notes had shrunk to around thirty sheets. Ludenberg tossed them to Nadan.
"Done. That should answer your questions."
"Whoa……."
Nadan let out an involuntary gasp at the seamless prose. His hunch that this guy had something special was spot on.
Nadan had a ton of questions, but the notes addressed every doubt so clearly that none came to mind.
"Impressive. Everything's backed by solid reasoning, and the categorization's flawless. What the hell have you been up to?"
"None of your business. We're done—get out."
"Fine, fine. I don't care about your sob story anyway. Let's go see my sis."
The two headed straight to Professor Nah Tes's lab.
Nah glanced at them and nodded subtly.
"All finished, I take it."
"Sis, this ash-head's insane. Knows everything about erosion beasts. I mean……."
Nadan raved on, showering praise on Ludenberg's expertise. Nah listened, then looked at him with equal admiration.
For the past five years, Ludenberg had endured gazes laced with fear rather than awe. The Tes siblings' genuine respect just made him itch.
He snapped at Nadan.
"Shut it."
"Hey, why bite the hand that praises you? Gotta loosen up sometimes. Like me."
"You're not loose—you're flighty. Professor, anyway, it's done."
"Thanks. Must've been a headache with this motormouth."
"It was fine. About the ruins—you said we'd use a Setra Gate, right?"
"Yes. Permission's granted from the church, so just show up. Though it's a ruin, so safety gear might come in handy. I've prepared some."
She pointed to three hefty bags stuffed with supplies.
"Take this one. And arm up, just in case. Old ruins can spit out surprises. Got personal gear?"
"No. Nothing I carry just for me."
"Good. We'll borrow from the Setra church."
"……We can just take their stuff?"
Nah shot him a look like what kind of nonsense is that?
"Of course we pay. It just comes out of my research funds. Think I'd fleece a student?"
"No, that's not—"
"No time for chit-chat. Grab the bag and follow."
"……Understood."
Research fever had Nah moving at double speed. Even noisy Nadan fell silent en route to the Setra church, pouring all energy into haste. Ludenberg was struck again by their devotion as true Star Pilgrims.
From what he'd heard, Star Pilgrims lost their minds at the words "knowledge" or "research."
Ludenberg eyed the Setra church branch before him. At the main gate stood a massive statue of Setra holding a giant book emblazoned with a star, just like at the Wisdom Pavilion. Behind it loomed several book-shaped structures.
"Brief inspection."
"Hey, long time."
"No way—Professors Nah and Nadan. Who's the student?"
"My disciple. Helping with our personal research."
"Ah, does he have ID or proof?"
Inside the branch, Ludenberg underwent a quick check. The Tes siblings were registered Setra priests, so they skipped it, but as an outsider, he couldn't.
All churches inspected non-members, even with a vouch from their own. Ludenberg handed over his student ID without fuss.
"Here."
"……Lavante?"
The Setra knight blinked at the name and family but nodded.
"Inspection complete. May the Star of Knowledge light your path."
With the traditional blessing, the knight returned to his post.
The interior shimmered like starlight captured in stone—subtle, mesmerizing beauty. Pillars etched with starry traces glowed faintly, illuminating the hall. At the center towered a colossal Setra statue, dwarfing those outside.
The difference? A saint law formation of starlight orbiting the book's pages, projecting fragments of the past, true to Setra's lore of peering into history and foresight.
As an early branch from Solemnute Adem's founding, it reflected the site's history: construction, statue erection, countless glimpses flickering by.
A first for Ludenberg, he stared, entranced.
"Amazing, right?"
Nah's words snapped him back.
"……Yes. First time seeing it."
"Not just you—me and Nadan too. Everyone's awed on their first visit. Shame we can't draw foresight formations anymore."
He recalled Professor Rohan Heywards's lecture: foresight was theoretically possible but taboo, risking mental collapse.
"Heard it from Professor Rohan recently. Foresight's too dangerous, hence forbidden……."
"Exactly. Stuck reading past scraps."
"Even high archbishops can't read the future?"
"Asked them myself. No one in Setra can now."
Oddly, hyper Nadan was dead quiet—mouth sealed since entry. Ludenberg noted it but said nothing; silence suited him fine.
"I see."
"Enough sightseeing. Time for gear and procedures?"
"Yes."
Gear rental was swift. A few words from Nah, and Ludenberg was equipped decently.
As he finished, Nah said,
"Let's go. To the Setra Gate. Permission's set—just walk through."
"Understood."
"Ever used one?"
"No."
"Figured. Quick rundown? It's obscure even to most."
Nah explained: A high Setra saint law sending users to past-visited sites. But the site must still exist.
"Ludenberg, how'd you get to Solemnute Adem from the east? Long haul to the north."
"Celioum church's sky path."
"Makes sense—fast. Setra Gate's different. Instant. Just need memory of the site and divine power."
"Transcends space?"
"Pretty much. But to reuse, the site needs its own Gate. That's why Star Pilgrims install one first at new ruins."
As Nah detailed it, they stopped before a sealed, empty room.