Have You Packed Everything?
"Have you packed everything?"
"Yeah. We can head out right away."
As the day Solemnute Adem reopened drew just one day closer, the two began bustling about.
"Haah. Think we can finally get some rest now?"
"You'll have to start training again at Solemnute Adem, though. You sure you're okay?"
Ludenberg asked Ashytara, who let out a sigh, his voice laced with concern.
"I should be fine with that much now. You've always been okay with it, but it was tough for me. But... school training doesn't seem like much anymore."
"...Well, yeah. That wasn't your average roll. Father's training is pretty brutal."
"Now I get how you were so strong from the start of the semester. You've been doing this kind of training every day for five years?"
"No. I did train under Father every day for five years, but..."
"But?"
"Not at this intensity every day. After tough sessions, he'd always give rest days. I've never gone this hard for nearly a fortnight straight. Well, except twice."
"When?"
"When we went to the Eastern Erosion Zone and fought erosion beasts directly. Once at thirteen, taking down a low-rank one. The mid-rank was right before enrolling at Solemnute Adem."
"Ah..."
Ashytara nodded.
"You must've had it rough."
"Maybe... But that's how I survived."
"True enough. Oh, the school's probably a mess, right?"
"Pretty much. But if we focus on what needs doing, the chaos will pass quick."
"Yeah."
"Anyway, let's push through together, Tara."
"Got it, Rud."
The two ascended the sky path amid farewells from the duke's household. Their destination, naturally, was Solemnute Adem. Unlike the smoother path from Solemnute to the duke's estate, this sky route was a bit rougher. Still, thanks to it, they made it back swiftly and headed straight to their respective dorms.
"Unpack and let's meet up, Rud."
"Sure. I'll come to your dorm."
"Okay."
Once at his dorm, Ludenberg checked the bulletin board for any must-know notices. Sure enough, it listed upcoming schedules.
No separate classes today... Looks like something at the auditorium tonight.
He unpacked Liberra and his gear, then set off for the girls' dorm to meet Ashytara.
On the way, Ludenberg scanned his surroundings. Students trudged along with glum faces everywhere. The aftereffects of a fortnight's break seemed heavy. Not everyone, of course... but no one looked thrilled to be back.
He waited in front of the girls' dorm. Whispers buzzed around him, but they held no former disgust or fear. Ludenberg found quiet satisfaction in this small shift.
How long had it been?
"Rud!"
A familiar voice called. Ignoring the murmurs, he turned.
"Hey."
"Yeah. So, what now?"
"Dunno... Nothing much till evening. Spar?"
"Don't even joke... I'm so done with training."
Ashytara grimaced at his teasing grin.
"Alright, alright. But seriously, what do we do?"
"Hm... Wander around? Let's properly tour the school this time. Hit the shopping district too—I barely went before."
"Sure. That sounds fine."
Chatting amiably, they strolled off.
In the heart of the Altis ducal estate, Mion Altis lounged, awaiting someone.
"Wonder when it'll end. Absorbing divine power from a holy relic takes time, but this long?"
Her musing ended as footsteps approached from the training grounds-cum-audience chamber.
"Eden, there you are?"
"Yeah."
"How'd it go?"
"Great. That real battle in Solemnute helped a lot... And that relic you gave me? No ordinary item."
"Told you. Took real effort to get it. How much did your total divine power increase?"
"Doubled. No idea from what era, but it matched my powers perfectly."
"Heh. Good. Think you can beat Ludenberg now?"
Eden shook his head.
"No clue what he's been up to, but his growth is insane. Might not catch him this year. You heard from the Terra church too—what he did."
"Yeah. But that's bullshit, right? A student at seventeen taking down three high-rank erosion beasts and lopping off a Salvation Cult knight's arm?"
"The Saintess said it herself. No way she'd lie."
Mion sighed.
"Haah. How far can you go now? You handled mid-ranks fine last time."
"High-ranks should be doable. All three powers grew, and that fight honed my control and movement."
"High-ranks at your age is dizzying... And Ludenberg goes beyond."
Mion covered her eyes, vision blurring.
Is there no way past Lavante?
Mion's obsession with surpassing Lavante wasn't petty. She craved the top—to lead the empire's greatest house. Since the founding, Lavante had reigned supreme, enduring as eastern guardians amid rising and falling nobles. To eclipse them, she needed to outshine their head. Current Duke Crocus Altis had given up in his generation, knowing he couldn't top Leonard. Instead, he pinned hopes on his daughter. Mion's ambition aligned, so she complied.
She honed her skills, but her genius-level talent couldn't match true prodigies. Enraged by her limits, she chose a talented noble as consort. If her talent fell short, her partner's wouldn't. Thus, her betrothal to gifted Eden Asta.
Yet Lavante's heir shattered expectations—powerless, yet shattering norms, rocketing beyond reach.
Mion felt lost but hid it. Too early to quit.
"Eden."
"Yeah."
"Need more relics? If you can absorb others, I'll help."
"Not yet. Gotta polish my skills and master this new power first. But after... maybe."
"Good. Let's play the long game. Beating him this year? Tough. I'll invest everything—funds, connections."
"Won't that burden you?"
"Underestimating Altis wealth? You know our house."
"True..."
"Exactly. Losses don't matter. Great goals demand sacrifices."
"Still feels bad."
Mion shook her head.
"Eden, think I'd back you just for talent or blood? I like you. You know how I treat my people."
Eden nodded. Even when Gawin, Rev, or Marvin slipped, Mion never scolded—instead, she supported more, consoling their efforts. Ruthless to foes, generous to allies.
"Right. Once you're in, you're in—unless you betray me."
"Yeah. So don't worry. No betrayal, and I'll keep backing you. Not saying win now. Lose a hundred times, win the last—that's victory."
"...Yeah. He can't grow forever."
"Exactly. But you've three gods' blessings—endless potential ahead. Don't quit. You said it: empire's greatest knight."
"I did."
Eden's hesitant eyes steadied on his resolute fiancée.
"I'll live up to you, Mion."
"Good."
Mion smiled at his firm gaze.
Evening came, and Solemnute Adem students gathered in the auditorium, grades mixed. Ludenberg and Ashytara blended into the crowd, eyes forward. Some wondered at the all-grades summons; upperclassmen scowled in annoyance.
All fell silent as a woman ascended the stage. Platinum hair and eyes gleamed against her pristine white Terra saintess robes.
Terra's Saintess, Idilrock Seraha.
She had come to Solemnute Adem herself.