Dawn Breaks Without Fail
As dawn broke without fail, Ludenberg Lavante's eyes fluttered open to the sunlight filtering through his window. He rose immediately and washed meticulously in the dormitory bathroom attached to his room, clearing his mind.
His first act upon regaining full awareness was to check on Liberra. The black sword Raha had given him stood straight and firm, just as it had at the altar. The hilt he had clumsily attached himself had fused seamlessly with the blade without issue. Above all, it fit his hand so perfectly that merely gripping it filled Ludenberg with a profound sense of fulfillment. And as Raha had said, it was utterly indestructible—a perfect weapon for someone like him, who constantly battered his blades to ruin. Perhaps it was the first true weapon of his own in Ludenberg's life.
As he examined Liberra, he pondered Raha's words from the day before. 'She said that when the time comes, she'll impose a trial on me through this sword.' For now, there was no need to dwell on such complications. With that thought, Ludenberg set Liberra aside in a corner of the room. He longed to use it in today's training, but that wasn't possible. All Knight Faculty students at Solemnute Adem were required to use the academy-provided real swords and training blades; personal weapons brought from outside couldn't be used in training or evaluations except during practical sessions. Within Solemnute Adem, there would be almost no opportunity to wield Liberra.
Continuing his inspection, he soon noticed one glaring deficiency. 'No scabbard.'Liberra had no sheath. 'I'll need to get one made... But I don't know the skill of the blacksmiths in the shopping district. Maybe I should visit home later and have one custom-forged there?'
As he considered where to find a new scabbard, something strange unfolded right before his eyes. Plumes of black mist rose from Liberra, swallowing the blade whole before solidifying into a sleek sheath. Hardened by the recent string of bizarre events, Ludenberg barely batted an eye. Only one thought crossed his mind: 'It even comes with its own scabbard. Saves me the trouble.'
No need to visit the shopping district or his family home—it was all for the best.
The Setra Church's Solemnute Adem branch, bathed in starlight. Inside the bishop's office. Professor Nah Tes greeted the elderly visitor who had arrived unannounced with a respectful bow.
"Bishop Nah Tes greets the Archbishop."
"It's been a while. I hope you've been well."
The old man in violet robes was Atan Isnah, one of the Setra Church's three archbishops and leader of the Star Pilgrims. He simply smiled warmly at the young bishop, as if pleased to see her.
"Yes. I've been finding small joys in teaching the students. But what brings you all the way here?"
"I heard you'd visited that ruin and came to ask if you'd uncovered anything."
"You could have just sent word—I would have come to you."
"Nonsense. You're busy teaching at Solemnute Adem; it's only right I come to you. An idle old wreck like me shouldn't summon a busy person on a whim."
"Your very existence is a beacon for countless Setra faithful, Archbishop. Don't belittle yourself like that."
At Archbishop Atan's hand-wave dismissed her earnest response. "Enough. If I say so, it's so. No need to drag this out when you're busy. I'll get to the point. What did you see in the ruin?"
"Ornaments of forgotten history. And the martial arts they once wielded."
"Oh ho. Sounds like you found some wonders. But how did you breach the barrier? Even we old folks couldn't crack it despite our efforts..."
"That story might take a while. Is that all right?"
"Of course. Time is the one thing I have plenty of."
Professor Nah recounted Ludenberg Lavante's tale and the sword he had acquired for Archbishop Atan.
"A mysterious affair indeed."
"So I handed the sword to Ludenberg. What do you think, Archbishop?"
"You did well. Those guided by fate always appear in time—your actions were right."
"Really? I worried we might face criticism for giving a church relic from our excavation to an outsider..."
"As if. You did well. That sword is surely fated for him. No—the entire ruin was drawn toward that boy. He himself is fate's chosen. Clinging to such things would have brought us great calamity. Nah, do you remember what I once said? What is the mission of the Star Pilgrims?"
"To record fate, observe it, gather its fragments, weave them into shards of knowledge, and better the world. And... not to covet items chosen by fate."
"You know it well. Then you know what you must do?"
"...Yes."
Professor Nah nodded solemnly.
"Observe that child. He is fate's chosen—one whose every step will subtly reshape the world. Our discovery of the ruin was surely part of that fate."
"I'll keep it in mind."
"Soon, danger will assail him, and the world's evils will converge. Aid him. Star Pilgrims have always been companions to those who bear fate."
"Yes, Archbishop."
"Speaking of, where's Nadan?"
"He's... immersed in his research."
"That erosion beast investigation?"
"Yes. Fortunately, with Ludenberg's help, he's made significant progress."
"Then his results will be splendid. I'll look forward to them."
"I fear they may fall short of your expectations."
"No matter. You've always exceeded ours. I'll take my leave now."
"Fare well, Archbishop. May the Star of Knowledge light your path."
"May the Star of Knowledge light your path. Take care—and don't forget to relay my words to Nadan."
"Understood."
Ludenberg grew curious about the rank-specific training scheduled for the afternoon. But that was for later—for now, he needed to focus on the class at hand. Zoning out during Professor Sione Solenute's lesson could invite unknown retribution.
Theology built on childhood basics and was dreadfully dull, but Sione's interjections of Solem's sayings livened it considerably.
"When erosion beasts overrun, Solem could be quite resolute. One passage captures it: Thus Solem decreed: Those who slaughter the loathsome ones, drenching themselves in their blood, are my warriors, my children. Fear not—engage them, and dry up their seed."
Unlike the usual depictions of Solem as stern and benevolent, this ruthless stance toward enemies kicked off a shift.
"He made jokes too. Like this one: My descendants, shave your heads. It is the simplest, surest path to fully receiving me. When you bear the shining sun upon your crown, your lives shall brim with radiant glory."
"Shave our heads?"
"Did Solem really say that? How did our ancestors respond?"
"They took it as gospel and all shaved their heads."
A few stifled laughs at Sione's words; others gaped in disbelief.
"I know it sounds dubious, but it's canon in Solem's church. Truth be told, I chuckled when I first read it. Looking back, Solem had a wicked streak—his priests, men and women alike, all sported gleaming scalps back then."
"Good lord..."
"Are there more like that?"
"Dozens. I'll share more if you're engaged. For today, that's it. Good work, everyone."
Next came Saint Law class. Ludenberg promptly pulled out his Principles of Saint Law textbook. Professor Rohan Heywards ascended the podium with a jovial smile. The elderly professor, usually so grave, sparked curiosity among the Innocence students—and the reason was simple.
"What a fine day."
"...?"
The weather was pleasant. The Innocence puzzled over Rohan's sudden remark.
"I've reviewed your submissions on surviving erosion beasts. All quite entertaining."
His satisfied tone brightened their faces—from the anxious to the confident.
"Creative methods, classic ones—all good. Properly leveraging your abilities for survival is key for you, who must ceaselessly battle erosion beasts. Shall we begin proper?"
The Innocence opened their Principles of Saint Law and leaned in. Though 'principles' often dragged, they stayed rapt. Rohan, invigorated, passionately lectured on Saint Law's principles and structure.
None of it applied to Ludenberg. Propping his chin, he half-listened. Soon, his mind wandered to questions about Liberra and Raha's promised trial.
What trial does Raha plan for me?
His reverie shattered as rippling dark blue hair caught his eye. Ashytara Solenute, diligently taking notes. That sight dragged his thoughts back to last week's blunder. He'd sworn to sever ties, yet casually used her nickname, evoking old times—leaving her an opening. Giving leeway to someone he shouldn't was admitting weakness in his resolve.
He let out a wry chuckle. 'And I claimed I needed no friends.'
Ashytara saw him as a friend, but he couldn't reciprocate. 'Trusting her would make everything easier. But if she ever turned away...?'
He wouldn't endure it. Ludenberg knew his fragility all too well. Above all, could someone who endlessly doubted others' sincerity even deserve a friend?
'Keep your distance. No more openings. That's right.'
No more lapses—for his sake, and hers. That was the proper path, Ludenberg believed.