Prophecy (1)
Seong Hyun-jin parted ways with Clarice for now. He had planned to take Serena to the award ceremony, but his gut told him that bringing her along for real might lead to something irreversible.
“I’ll think about teaching you the sword. It’s not something I can decide on the spot.”
“I understand. You need time.”
“Alright, I’m off to the ceremony then. Like I said earlier, don’t meet with Instructor Willis alone.”
“Yes, I’ll trust your instincts.”
After bidding Clarice farewell, Seong Hyun-jin considered picking up Serena, but with no idea where she’d gone, he had no choice but to head to the ceremony alone.
Returning to Starry Stadium after just a day, Seong Hyun-jin asked a staff member for directions and made his way to the presenters’ waiting room. Naturally, there was a familiar face inside.
“Hey, junior. Feeling better?”
“Thanks to you, yeah.”
It was Ciela Teraport, the second-year winner. She was the kind soul who had checked on him after foreseeing his condition through her prophecy.
“Good to hear. Looks like Senior Yeonhui healed you right up?”
“Yeah.”
Seong Hyun-jin wondered if Ciela knew about Yeonhui’s abilities. But recalling that she’d only mentioned taking him to Yeonhui based on her prophecy, he held his tongue for now.
“I got treated with spirit divine magic.”
“I see. So that’s why you looked in top form during the matches?”
“Yep. You watched them, huh?”
“Yeah, I did.”
Ciela beamed naturally as she spoke.
“You were awesome, junior. I’ve never seen swordplay like that before.”
“Thanks for the kind words.”
Seong Hyun-jin gave a light nod of thanks and glanced to the side. There sat who appeared to be the third-year winner—a hulking man wielding a massive spear that matched his build. What stood out was his dark skin and bald head.
Bald already at that age…
Seong Hyun-jin felt a twinge of pity. Noticing his gaze, the man growled.
“…Don’t pity me so arrogantly, junior.”
“…Ah, sorry. Nice to meet you, senior.”
“Do you even know who I am?”
“You’re the third-year spear arts senior, right?”
“If you don’t know my name, you didn’t even watch the tournament.”
The spear arts senior sighed.
“Not that I’d watch it either. Who’d enjoy a match like a red bean bun without the filling?”
“What do you mean?”
When Seong Hyun-jin asked, Ciela answered for him.
“All the real third-year powerhouses bowed out for personal reasons. Senior Descartes here wasn’t even in contention for first, but he lucked into it.”
“Do you have to say it like that?”
“It’s the truth, isn’t it? That’s what you said yourself.”
Descartes clicked his tongue but didn’t deny it. From his reaction, Seong Hyun-jin probed further.
“How many dropped out for it to be this bad?”
“The sword arts top student—last year’s tournament champ—is on exchange at Celestial Academy. The theology top student who came from Celestial Academy this year is doing commentary instead of competing. The magic arts top student watched Ciela Teraport’s match here, suddenly remembered something, said he didn’t have time, and forfeited…”
“Didn’t know I had a hand in it! Ahaha!”
Ciela laughed brightly, and Descartes shot her a glare before sighing again.
“With half the department heads sitting it out—and all the strong ones at that—how could it be fun?”
Seong Hyun-jin tilted his head at Descartes’s words.
“But doesn’t that mean you get a hundred gold coins, senior? Shouldn’t you be happy?”
“Money doesn’t mean much to me.”
“But a hundred gold?”
“…A hundred gold is a lot, sure, but it’s nothing compared to the value of real experience. This year, I wanted to face off against Elena Apocalipse.”
“Who’s Elena Apocalipse?”
Ciela fielded Seong Hyun-jin’s question.
“Third-year sword arts top student. The senior who went on exchange to Celestial Academy. She’s insanely strong.”
“The undisputed strongest in Terastial Academy right now.”
“…Oh ho.”
Seong Hyun-jin showed interest—specifically in the “academy’s strongest” part.
Being sword arts top isn’t the big deal here?
Sensing that, Descartes thought he was an odd one, but he recalled the swordplay Seong Hyun-jin had shown. While preparing for the third-year matches, Descartes had watched the earlier first-year bouts. The sword Seong Hyun-jin unleashed against the Dragon Star’s daughter… it had been thrilling, downright electrifying.
“…I’d love to meet her sometime.”
For a first-year to burn with rivalry against that Elena Apocalipse—anyone else, he’d call arrogant. But…
This guy might actually be worth crossing blades with.
Descartes inwardly rated Seong Hyun-jin highly. If that swordplay wasn’t his all, he might even hold his own against Elena.
“So the exchange student thing—was that with Senior Yeonhui?”
“Pretty much.”
“Academy’s strongest, huh… Worthy of an exchange, then.”
“Worthy? Yeonhui did take theology top spot here, but her skills don’t measure up to Elena’s.”
Descartes continued.
“Honestly, it feels like Celestial Academy straight-up underestimated us. Exchanges should be even matches. If they sent their strongest, we should’ve gotten theirs too.”
“I don’t see it that way…”
“I won’t deny Yeonhui’s talented, but Elena’s on another level. You’d see it if you met her.”
“No matter how strong Senior Elena is, it doesn’t really matter to me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
As Descartes pressed, Seong Hyun-jin realized he’d said too much and clammed up.
“Uh, that’s all I can really tell you.”
“……What? Why stop there?”
“Ask Senior Yeonhui if you’re curious. I’ve told you everything I can.”
Descartes stared like he couldn’t believe it, but Seong Hyun-jin truly couldn’t say more. Yeonhui’s powers were a secret. He gave an awkward smile, and Descartes shook his head slightly, realizing he wouldn’t budge.
“You’re a weird one.”
“Haha…”
Seong Hyun-jin chuckled awkwardly and glanced at Ciela. Recalling the practice field incident before coming here, he spoke up.
“Oh, Senior Ciela.”
“Yeah? What’s up, Junior Seong Hyun-jin?”
“I’ve got a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
Seong Hyun-jin said, “I’d like to borrow Shamash’s power.”
At his request, Ciela looked at him with mild surprise, then tilted her head.
“…Hmm? For what?”
“Something I need to look into. Not for personal gain or anything.”
Sensing he wasn’t lying, Ciela probed gently.
“Can you tell me the situation?”
“Somewhere private?”
“Sure. I’ll hear it out and decide.”
Ciela smiled lightly.
“For now, let’s go get our awards?”
Right after the ceremony ended, Seong Hyun-jin explained the practice field incident to Ciela. She seemed skeptical about his suspicions toward Willis Graham, but he clarified it wasn’t about digging into the two specifically.
“Just check if there’s any common thread in their futures. That’ll confirm it.”
“…You’re not suspecting an innocent person, right? From the story, it just sounds like the instructor wanted to guide Junior Clarice.”
“If I hadn’t sensed bloodlust from him, I’d think the same.”
“Alright, just a look then…”
Ciela said, “To use Shamash, follow me.”
“Shamash is your prophecy magic, right? Where do we do it?”
“It’s magic, but… seeing’s faster than explaining. Come on!”
Ciela headed off, and Seong Hyun-jin followed. Arriving at their destination, he was floored.
“…Senior, you live here?”
“Yep.”
Ciela asked the stunned Seong Hyun-jin, “First time at Tera Hall?”
Tera Hall. The priciest, most luxurious dorm at Terastial Academy. Even pricier than Superior Hall for high nobles like Clarice—it cost a whopping fifty gold coins per year.
Its grand, opulent exterior was palace-like. Seong Hyun-jin gaped.
“You live here because you’re the dean’s disciple…?”
“Huh? Ahaha, nope~! My master didn’t support me for academy life. No special favors from her just for staying here.”
Ciela explained, “It’s my family’s support. You don’t know what they do?”
“No clue?”
Seong Hyun-jin’s reaction implied he shouldn’t have to. In truth, anyone in the Magic Kingdom—or this world—should’ve heard of House Teraport.
“Along with Gold Star Giovanni, they run the Teraport Foundation—the biggest sponsor of Terastial Academy.”
“…Pardon?”
The foundation named after Teraport. Ciela’s surname was Teraport. Meaning…
“My family’s filthy rich.”
Ciela Teraport was a gold spoon—no, a diamond spoon.
Hearing Ciela Teraport was insanely wealthy, Seong Hyun-jin couldn’t hide his shock and let out a hollow laugh.
“Ha, so that’s how you afford a place like this?”
“Yep.”
As Ciela confirmed casually, Seong Hyun-jin eyed her with envy. He’d just won a hundred gold—enough for two years here—but knowing her born privilege made it feel trivial.
Amused by his honest gaze, Ciela chuckled lightly.
“It’s not just for luxury, though. I needed it.”
“Needed?”
“Yeah, I required a huge room. When I entered the academy, I had to build something. Needed vast, private space… Only Tera Hall fit.”
“Superior Hall rooms are pretty big too.”
“Not big enough. You’ll get it when you see mine.”
Ciela beckoned.
“Follow close, junior. It’s huge—you could get lost.”
“…Okay.”
Seong Hyun-jin followed her into Tera Hall. As the doors opened, three maids bowed in unison.
“““Welcome back, Lady Ciela.”””
Their perfectly synchronized greeting startled him. It spoke to their training—and that they served Ciela. Clarice Levatein had just one maid, highlighting the gap between Tera and Superior Halls.
The central maid eyed Seong Hyun-jin behind Ciela.
“Who’s with you?”
“Ignore my guest behind me. And don’t enter my room—I’ll be busy.”
“Understood.”
The maids bowed and stepped aside.
“Come in, junior.”
As Ciela passed naturally, the awkward Seong Hyun-jin followed.
The lobby alone is insane.
Superior Hall’s was spacious and grand, but this dwarfed it. No wonder the fifty-gold fee, he thought, stepping forward.
“Senior Ciela.”
“Yeah?”
“Anyone else live here besides you?”
“Of course. Not many, though.”
“How many?”
Ciela folded fingers briefly before her hand was full.
“Four besides me?”
“Ah…”
Considering Terastial’s student body, that was tiny. Tera Hall’s fees deterred most. Even the pampered Levatein heir from the northern Magic Kingdom lords chose Superior—driving home how elite Tera was.
“That’s why it’s so quiet?”
“Yeah, feels like a noble mansion.”
“Usually more, but no new residents since last year’s seniors graduated. Was about ten then.”
Ten’s still few, Seong Hyun-jin thought but stayed quiet.
“Up we go. My room’s on the third floor.”
“Got it.”
Reaching the third floor, Seong Hyun-jin was taken aback—not by the vast hallway, but by the doors: just one per side.
“…Only two rooms on the third floor?”
“Yep. Biggest rooms in Tera Hall. Third floor costs seventy gold a year.”
“Se-Seventy…?”
Seong Hyun-jin blanked—his prize money wouldn’t even cover two years.
“So you pay seventy gold a year… to live here.”
“Exactly.”
Ciela’s nonchalance screamed old money.
“Did you really need a room this big?”
“Ahaha, same question again. That curious, huh?”
“Kinda.”
Seong Hyun-jin admitted honestly, and Ciela laughed lightly.
“Like I said, seeing beats explaining. Come on in.”
Ciela pulled a golden key from her pocket and unlocked the left door. Even the creak sounded luxurious. Through the gap, the room looked—
Ciela spun around.
“It’s been a while since I introduced Shamash to someone.”
“…?”
Her phrasing—like prophecy magic was a living entity—puzzled him. Then:
[Welcome, Ciela Teraport. My master.]
[As expected, you brought a guest today.]
A ethereal voice echoed—not quite feminine, not quite human. Seong Hyun-jin’s eyes widened. He understood why Ciela treated her prophecy like an entity.
“Let me introduce you, junior.”
As she raised her hand slightly, the dark room blazed with clear light—not fluorescents, but countless interlocking magic circles glowing in unison, forming a seamless system.
To a magic novice like Seong Hyun-jin, it was a bewildering web… yet flawlessly harmonious.
“The prophecy magic system I created—official name Shamash’s Prophecy, but just call it Shamash.”
[Pleased to meet you, guest. I am Shamash.]
Shamash wasn’t mere prophecy magic. It was a colossal “magic system” crafted by Ciela Teraport, the once-in-a-generation genius mage even acknowledged by Demon Star Eleonora.
“…Whoa.”