Advance
Ludenberg Lavante folded the letter paper neatly and slipped it between the three sheets Ashytara had sent before. One word written in her latest letter was complicating his thoughts.
Solemnute Adem. The name of the school he would enter tomorrow.
Of all places, he had to run into the one person he least wanted to see—at school, no less.
And sending a letter the day before his enrollment? How was he supposed to reply? Ludenberg checked the date on the letter. It was from a month ago. That explained why he hadn't noticed it amid the mess on his desk.
He let out a sigh.
His instincts told him that headaches would cling to him the moment he stepped into the academy.
He double-checked the luggage he'd packed the day before. Nothing was missing, fortunately.
Satisfied, Ludenberg lay down on his bed. Tomorrow, he'd rise before dawn and take the early sky path provided by the Celioum Church to reach Solemnute Adem.
Ludenberg stared ahead. Was this a dream? Or reality?
Ruins lay crumbled and shattered, with a mountain of corpses rising starkly amid the wreckage. It wasn't just one mound. The corpses forming the peaks all stretched their arms toward the sky, as if pleading for salvation from someone.
Among them were not only human bodies but also those of erosion beasts. Grotesque monsters so bizarre they seemed alien to this world, resembling the ones Ludenberg had seen at the edge of the Eastern Erosion Zone.
Mingled in endless heaps, the sight instilled instinctive revulsion in any who beheld it.
"Where... is this place?"
Ludenberg couldn't fathom why he was in such a horrific scene. As he wandered dazedly around the corpse mounds, a desperate scream pierced the air.
"Ugh... ahhh!"
"Please... I don't want to die...."
He turned toward the sound. Far off, a man entered his view—possible only because of Ludenberg's extraordinarily keen eyesight.
The man wielded a sword. A standard longsword of ordinary length, the kind seen anywhere.
But the spectacle it wrought was anything but ordinary.
Swinging it one-handed, the man butchered people with overwhelming dominance. The sight was so awe-inspiring that Ludenberg couldn't help recoiling.
The cold ring of steel slicing flesh and shattering bone echoed. In his wake, new corpse mounds rose.
The owners of those pitiful screams moments ago now lay fragmented atop the piles.
Even as he watched, Ludenberg felt compelled, as if entranced, to approach the man. Given the man's prowess, he should have noticed Ludenberg long ago. Yet he seemed utterly oblivious to his approach.
Thus, Ludenberg reached him without interference.
Up close, Ludenberg stared at the man's face—and froze in shock.
"......!"
Ash-gray hair and green eyes, just like his own. If the face in the mirror grew into adulthood, would it look like this?
The man was his future self.
The moment Ludenberg realized it, time halted.
Everything in motion stopped. Even the presumed future self ceased his slaughter.
And then... a woman's voice echoed.
[Ludenberg.]
He tried to respond, but his mouth wouldn't open.
Who are you? Where is this place?
The questions echoed in his mind but wouldn't escape his lips.
The voice spoke to him.
[Advance.]
Just a single word.
Yet Ludenberg sensed it would engrave itself upon him, unforgettable for years.
[Even if the world turns against you, do not stop. Advance.]
With that, darkness swallowed his vision. Ludenberg opened his eyes.
The familiar sight of his room greeted him. Dawn was still far off; the room was dim and hazy.
But the dream lingered in his mind: the corpse mountains, his future self, the voice urging him to advance.
Too vivid for an empty dream.
After lingering in confusion, he finally gathered himself and recalled something crucial.
Today was the day he enrolled in Solemnute Adem, the empire's premier academy representing the Solemnute Empire.
Solemnute Adem. The Solemnute Empire's one and only academy, also called the Imperial Academy.
Any citizen—noble or commoner—could enroll based purely on merit, transcending class barriers in a rigidly stratified empire.
Not even imperial family members were exempt. Within its walls, no noble could flaunt authority. Violators were expelled immediately, royals included.
This anomaly in a hierarchical society stemmed from the academy's founding purpose: safeguarding the empire from the otherworldly erosion beasts.
To prevent talent from withering behind status walls, Emperor Kyle Solenute had decreed the abolition of class distinctions within Solemnute Adem.
Ludenberg gazed at the academy's main gate before him. A place etched with a thousand years of history, steeped in secrets and mysteries.
He took a deep breath and stepped through.
New students streamed in from all directions. They shared one trait: no attendants or servants in tow.
Likely because only current and incoming students attended the ceremony.
Ludenberg headed to the grand auditorium. It wasn't far, and he arrived soon.
The hall buzzed with freshmen on the first floor and upperclassmen on the second and third.
He found a seat and scanned the crowd.
"Wow, long time no see! How've you been?"
"Hey, stranger. You too?"
From joyful reunions to...
"......"
"......"
...silent glares of rivalry.
Watching the friendly groups, Ludenberg wore a faintly irritated expression. Crowds grated on him.
He turned to face the front.
How long had passed? As boredom set in, a middle-aged man ascended the podium.
The chattering students fell silent at his appearance.
Anyone in the empire following Solemnute Adem knew him: Calix Solenute, the dean who'd capably led it for two decades. Brother to Emperor Rajeta Solenute.
The academy ran by his word alone—even the emperor couldn't interfere.
Calix surveyed the freshmen and began his address. It was brief, as if he understood their impatience, ending swiftly as he stepped down.
The ceremony proceeded briskly: an inexplicable freshman representative, Eden Asta, gave the oath; upperclassmen offered welcomes. Then Knight Faculty and Theology Faculty students split, guided by escorts.
Students dispersed accordingly. Their destination: about fifteen people with documents, awaiting them.
A relaxed-looking woman, seemingly in charge, drawled in a voice matching her vibe.
"Alright, Knight Faculty freshmen! Step forward in groups of fifteen and tell your names to the second-years here."
They formed fifteen lines, taking turns.
Ludenberg was fifth in the third line.
Suddenly, murmurs rippled through.
Curious, he looked. At the front of the last line stood a girl.
Seeing her explained the commotion instantly.
"Yes, underclassman? Your name?"
"Ashytara Solenute."
Dark blue hair framing eyes of clear, profound blue—like peering into a midnight sea.
The girl no imperial knew not: Ashytara Solenute, Second Princess of the Solemnute Empire.
Her gentle, upright nature belied her seemingly aloof looks. She wielded exceptional swordsmanship and the Solem divine power exclusive to imperial bloodlines—destined for greatness.
Ludenberg watched her. Though five years and vast changes had passed, he recognized her instantly.
But her face was eerily expressionless. He'd only seen her warm smiles; this felt alien.
"Next student. Come here."
Snapped from his gaze by the call, Ludenberg stepped to the second-year.
Students murmured again upon seeing him, much like with Ashytara—but different.
Theirs was wonder and admiration for the princess. For him, it mixed suspicion and disbelief: No way...
"Your name."
The second-year, too busy to even glance properly amid 400 names and dorm assignments, flipped through papers perfunctorily.
"Ludenberg Lavante."
Silence blanketed the area.