The morning sun had barely risen when the academy’s central plaza was already bustling with activity.
Dozens of armored transport vehicles lined the courtyard.
Elite instructors checked supplies while hunters from the Royal Guild inspected enchanted equipment.
For the first time…
The students realized this wasn’t another academy exercise.
It was a real expedition.
One where people could die.
Kael adjusted the sword at his waist.
Unlike everyone else carrying expensive weapons and enchanted armor, he wore only a simple black academy jacket and leather gauntlets.
Several students whispered.
“Is he seriously going into ancient ruins dressed like that?”
“Doesn’t he own armor?”
Victor scratched the back of his head.
“I…
actually offered him mine.”
“He refused.”
Kael simply smiled.
Heavy armor only slowed him down.
Inside the Infinite Sword Archive…
Scarlet stretched lazily while sitting atop a floating throne.
“Our Master is hopeless.”
“He finally has fame.”
“And he still dresses like a common adventurer.”
Astra smiled.
“Appearance has never interested him.”
Solis chuckled softly.
“The greatest swordsmen rarely cared for luxury.”
Scarlet sighed dramatically.
“You’re both boring.”
The Headmaster stepped onto a stone platform.
“The expedition will be divided into three squads.”
A massive magical screen appeared overhead.
Squad OneLyra ValenCedric RavencrestVictor GravesThree Elite InstructorsSquad TwoLucien AshcroftMira EverhartKael ArdynProfessor RolandSquad ThreeSupport and Investigation Team
Mira looked relieved.
“We’re on the same team.”
Kael nodded.
“That should make things easier.”
A voice interrupted.
“For you, perhaps.”
Everyone turned.
Lyra stood nearby, arms folded.
“I requested a transfer.”
Professor Roland blinked.
“You requested what?”
“I’ll be joining Squad Two.”
Cedric frowned.
“Why?”
Lyra answered without hesitation.
“I trust Kael’s judgment more.”
The courtyard immediately exploded into whispers.
“Did Lyra just choose him?”
“Since when are they close?”
Mira puffed out her cheeks.
“…Hmph.”
Kael noticed.
“Is something wrong?”
“N-No.”
“Nothing.”
Scarlet grinned.
“This is getting interesting.”
Several hours later…
The convoy reached the foothills of Mount Eryndor.
Ancient forests surrounded the mountain.
Towering trees blocked most of the sunlight.
Even during the day…
The area felt strangely dark.
Professor Roland looked around carefully.
“Everyone stay alert.”
“Our scouts disappeared somewhere nearby.”
Victor swallowed.
“Disappeared?”
“No bodies?”
Roland shook his head.
“Nothing.”
“It was as though they simply vanished.”
Kael activated Sovereign’s Insight.
Golden lines spread through his vision.
Immediately…
His expression changed.
“This forest…”
Mana flowed unnaturally.
Like rivers moving backward.
Solis quietly spoke.
“Master.”
“This mountain is alive.”
The group continued deeper into the forest.
Then…
They found it.
An enormous stone staircase.
Covered in moss.
Each step was nearly twenty meters wide.
Ancient statues lined both sides.
Warriors.
Kings.
Dragons.
Every statue held a sword pointed toward the sky.
Mira stared in amazement.
“Who built this place?”
Fenrir answered inside the Archive.
“The first civilization.”
Kael froze.
“The civilization before recorded history?”
Fenrir nodded.
“They were the first disciples of the Sword Sovereign.”
As they climbed the staircase…
A loud crack echoed behind them.
CRACK.
Everyone stopped.
Victor turned around.
“…Did anyone hear that?”
Another crack.
Then another.
The stone statues…
Were moving.
One by one…
Hundreds of stone warriors slowly turned their heads toward the expedition.
Their empty eyes glowed blue.
Unauthorized entrants detected.
Beginning Trial of Worthiness.
Every statue drew its stone sword simultaneously.
BOOM!!
The mountain shook.
Professor Roland shouted,
“Defensive formation!”
Students immediately prepared for battle.
Lyra summoned icy spears.
Victor lifted his massive axe.
Cedric ignited his mana.
Kael remained calm.
“Something feels wrong.”
These statues weren’t emitting killing intent.
They were…
Watching.
Testing.
One statue stepped forward.
Unlike the others…
Its armor was covered in gold.
A cracked crown rested upon its head.
It planted its sword into the ground.
“You who seek the Sacred Mountain…”
“State your purpose.”
Professor Roland stepped forward.
“We come in peace.”
The statue ignored him.
Instead…
It looked directly at Kael.
“You.”
“The one carrying the scent of the Archive.”
Kael slowly stepped forward.
“I seek the truth.”
Silence.
The statue stared into his eyes for several long moments.
Then…
To everyone’s shock…
It slowly knelt.
Every other statue immediately followed.
Thousands of stone swords struck the ground together.
BOOOOOOM!!
The entire mountain trembled.
The ancient guardian lowered its head.
“Then…”
“The Mountain of Sovereigns welcomes its rightful heir.”
Everyone stood frozen.
Cedric whispered,
“Rightful…
heir?”
Even Lucien’s normally composed expression shifted.
He hadn’t expected this.
Far beneath the mountain…
A massive chamber lit up.
Ancient mechanisms that had remained dormant for ten thousand years began moving once again.
Deep within the darkness…
A woman sealed inside a crystal slowly opened her silver eyes.
She smiled faintly.
“So…”
“You’ve finally arrived…”
“…my little successor.”