A Star's Secret Summons

My head was ringing.

It felt like my life was flashing before my eyes.

"Why no answer?"

I couldn't keep my mouth shut with the emperor prodding me.

"I... I've been assigned to the Eastern Coastal Guard Battalion."

"The eastern front?"

It was like he was asking why I of all people was going there.

Not easy to respond to that.

"Y-yes, that's right."

"You who claimed the second seat—why the east and not the west?"

The emperor turned to look at the Training Command's commander.

In that instant, the atmosphere froze over like thin ice.

We're screwed.

This was exactly why I didn't want to stand out.

I never thought I'd regret working so hard back then.

"Th-that..."

The commander was sweating bullets as he glared at Brigadier General Cels.

"Training camp commander, what's the situation?"

"Well..."

The questions kept piling up.

Everyone here probably knew what was up.

They were all stars in education-related posts, and they'd all graduated from this place in their youth.

"It's just..."

Cels dragged it out, then suddenly stood as if sensing mortal danger.

"Your Majesty, this is a delicate matter. May I approach?"

"Speak to my proxy."

"Thank you for permitting it."

I had no idea what he was thinking, but Cels whispered something in the proxy's ear.

Hey, why all the secrecy?

It had to be about me.

"I shall relay it."

The proxy nodded, having heard it all, and whispered the same to the emperor.

"XX Agency XX, top-secret XXXXX operation XX."

What the hell were they talking about?

I caught a few words here and there, but piecing it together was impossible.

"Hm, ah!"

The emperor's face lit up as he grinned suddenly.

"I nearly made a grave mistake. Yes, of course."

Suddenly, he placed a hand on my shoulder and nodded.

"I shall remember your loyalty to the empire well. Show us more of that fine form ahead."

What? What the hell just happened?

For now, he handed over my diploma, so I knelt and accepted it reverently with both hands.

"Y-Your... Majesty, I am eternally grateful."

While third place received theirs, I racked my brain but came up empty.

Just be glad it blew over.

I patted my chest in relief and returned to my seat from the podium.

"Next, words from the sun of the empire, His Majesty the Emperor."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Was he handling everything now that he was up?

The emperor stepped forward and surveyed the cadets.

"I like seeing that fire in your eyes."

The tension was so thick, even a small cough would shatter it.

Everyone stared up at his face alone.

"Surely some of you still don't grasp why you must head to the battlefield."

That'd be me.

I wanted to raise my hand boldly, but sadly, I wasn't that noble.

"A bit of history: I first saw battle at fifteen. If you've studied, you know—the war with Osiris Kingdom as they pushed inland."

I vaguely recalled it from my memories.

"A brutal war. Tens of thousands dead or wounded. We won in the end, but not one soldier who went smiled."

"Yet who laughed the loudest—and only—when it ended? The empire's nobles."

His voice dripped with thick disgust.

That explained forcing noble heirs into service under noblesse oblige.

"They spilled not a drop of blood yet hogged all the gains. I knew it wasn't right. Your parents don't know war's horrors. Too busy tallying beads in their offices."

The more I heard, the more it rang true, drawing me in oddly.

Yeah. Take Tems—that bastard thought supplies the second war broke out.

No intention of fighting, just profiting from the rear.

But... saying this with all the nobles here? Isn't he just slapping them down?

The parents in the stands, here for their kids' graduation.

Some were visibly trembling now.

"The nobles to lead the empire's next generation must know war's brutality."

A bit extreme, but no one could miss the emperor's point.

"Go show who will lead Lycan Empire's great future! As I said at enlistment, I won't forget your names."

Nth time hearing it.

At this point, I could say aren't you tired?, but like a lover's whisper of love, it never got old.

Same here.

Just go to war, and I'm your halo.

From the emperor himself.

For a girl, it'd be a top idol whispering love—how could you not lose it?

"As supreme commander of the imperial forces, I hereby commission all 1,307 cadets here as second lieutenants! I trust you!"

"His Majesty the Emperor!! Long live!! Long live!! Long live!!!!"

The roar filled the grand parade ground louder than ever.

Damn... he sure knows how to talk.

If not for the system message popping up, I'd have been a diehard fan like the rest.

Truth Eye...? Sword Mastery...?

I had no clue about the eye thing, but Sword Mastery was the combat specialty I'd been dying for.

If my training scores sucked, I'd have just gotten the eye and nada—close call.

Two weeks of feeling specialties' insane power firsthand meant I couldn't help being greedy.

"Ugh."

Not fate, you bastard!

I swallowed a curse as the ceremony wrapped and the emperor departed.

"Family and guests, please come down to the grand parade ground and offer cheers and congratulations to your sons and daughters, now proper soldiers."

At the announcer's words, nobles in the stands began seeking their kids.

"Family... they're both here."

I spotted my mother and father approaching from afar.

Both came?

I figured Mom would—mothers love all their kids, even if we siblings don't get along.

But Dad next to her? That was a wild card.

"Haha! Fine work, my boy. Congrats on graduating safe. No injuries?"

"You've lost weight—weren't they feeding you? And second place! Mom was shocked."

They beamed with the world's affection.

Whatever else, Dad had definitely eaten something bad.

Why act out of character? Health issue?

He'd skipped my eldest brother's academy graduation four years back for a "business deal."

"Ah... yeah. I got by fine."

Awkward reunion, awkward response—then Dad suddenly pulled me into a bear hug.

"My brilliant son—how did I miss spotting this talent?"

What's with this guy?

A perfect 180-degree personality flip.

"Palan, I'm heading out first. See ya."

As I endured the weird dad vibes, Derek approached with a greeting.

"Yeah, train safe."

My goal: see that kid healthy again.

"Don't worry."

"This the friend you mentioned?"

As Derek grinned, a massive shadow loomed behind.

"Yeah. Bro, this is my dad."

The man Derek introduced with a smile—stripping the solemn aura, the face was a dead ringer.

Obvious he was Count Rahila, former Imperial Knights commander.

"An honor, Count."

I bowed deeply.

"Heard a bit, though brief. Said you helped my son a ton—thanks."

"No, sir. I owe him more."

Without Derek, no march bonus points—fact.

"No need for modesty. Beating the Rinton Marquis heir for second says it all."

"Ha... haha."

Overpraise left me scratching my head sheepishly.

"From the vibe earlier, seems you're off to somewhere big. Serve the empire well."

"Yeah, bro. Keeping your posting secret from us—good luck."

What the hell?

They were totally misunderstanding.

"No, it's really Eastern Coastal Guard Battalion. Already finalized—no changes."

Quiet meant assumptions stick, so I corrected quick.

"Cadet Palan—no, Second Lieutenant."

As I shooed Derek and dreamed of ditching this hellhole—

Familiar face: Lieutenant Gevin called me.

"Second Lieutenant Palan!"

Habitual rank-name callout.

All eyes snapped to me.

"Ah, uh... quietly, follow me."

Noble stares even spooked the instructor—he ducked his head and beckoned.

"I'll be right back."

"We'll wait here."

"That's the instructor? Looks younger than I thought."

After excusing myself from my parents, I followed him out of the parade ground.

"May I ask why you've summoned me?"

"Not sure on details. Just told to bring you."

"Got it."

No info? Nothing to say.

Probably that whisper earlier.

At this point, worst-case scenarios flooded my mind.

Did they shift my posting west to dodge the crisis?

If so, I'd flop on the ground ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and protest.

East was my hard-won prize—no matter what.

"In here."

At a small single-story building, the instructor pointed to the door.

"Alone?"

"Yep."

"Anyone inside?"

If it was the emperor, I'd need to brace.

"...See for yourself."

He gave zilch and left.

Damn, that makes me not wanna go in.

But orders were orders.

"Tch."

Tongue-click, push the rusty door, step in.

"Ah, there you are. Come sit."

Waiting inside: a figure way beyond expectations.

A star... one star.

Training camp commander Brigadier General Cels—from enlistment and now graduation.

He waved me over like an old pal.

"This the guy? Doesn't look that useful."

"What kinda talk is that? Second in the class. Same rank as you."

"Second among pampered noble brats—what's that mean?"

The man in pitch-black coat scowled distastefully.

"Just talk. Talk."

"Hm."

The man stroked his chin, scanning me head to toe.

What kinda killer glare is that?

Like prey before a beast—pressure choked my breath.

"May I ask why you've called me?"

Couldn't just sit—squeezed out words.

"Ah, right. You know the little mishap earlier?"

Cels dove in like perfect timing.

"Yes."

"Telling the truth then? Neither of us walks away clean."

Yeah, probably.

Especially with second place to the east—the commander'd be stripped by imperial temper.

"So I racked my brain, remembered this guy needed someone useful."

Pat pat!

Cels clapped the coated man's back.

"Didn't mean it as dead weight disposal."

"Why fuss? Instructors raved about this cadet."

"W-weren't I going to Eastern Coastal Guard Battalion?"

My utopia—drifting away panicked me.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime shot for you. What glory in the east anyway?"

No, you psycho—I picked east to avoid glory!

Couldn't say it—total bullshit sandwich.

"Ha... haha."

"Doesn't even seem interested. Pass."

The man shook his head at my eyes, turning to leave.

Cels grabbed his coat.

"Why? You said this op needs noble blood. Look—no doubts, count's heir. Perfect."

"Hm."

Op talk spun him back.

"Save my ass ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠too. Already told His Majesty you're sending him."

"Sigh, don't dump your messes on me."

The man sighed softly, shaking his head.

"Fine, status fits the op. I'll take him."

You psychos, take who? Coastal Guard, damn it.

They were drumming and fife-ing their own party.

"Sorry, but my assignment's out."

"Fate finds a spot for you—what's a paper worth? Introduce yourselves."

At Cels' nudge, the man approached, hand out.

"Pleased to meet you. Captain Eden Tal, Intelligence Command."