The academy had never been so quiet.
The sound of swords striking wooden dummies was gone.
The laughter that usually echoed through the dormitories had disappeared.
Only the wind remained.
Three days had passed since the attack.
Smoke still rose from the western tower.
Workers silently rebuilt broken walls while students helped carry stones.
Every face carried the same expression.
Loss.
Hundreds of students gathered in the academy courtyard.
A single sword stood planted in the ground.
It belonged to Instructor Orion.
His body had never been found.
Only his sword.
Headmaster Aldric stepped forward.
His normally commanding voice sounded tired.
“Orion Valcrest devoted twenty-six years of his life to this academy.”
“He taught not only swordsmanship…”
“…but honor.”
“He died protecting every student standing here today.”
The courtyard fell silent.
One by one…
Students placed white flowers before the sword.
Kael did.
Rex did.
Mira quietly wiped away tears.
When Yozaro stepped forward…
He didn’t place a flower.
Instead…
He knelt.
And bowed his head.
“…Thank you.”
That evening…
A servant knocked on Yozaro’s dormitory door.
“The Headmaster wishes to see you.”
Inside the office…
Aldric handed him an old envelope.
“It was left by Orion.”
“For you.”
Yozaro slowly opened it.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
“If you’re reading this… …then I probably lost.”
Yozaro’s hands trembled.
“Don’t blame yourself.”
“The man who attacked us was far stronger than any student should face.”
“If you seek revenge now… you’ll die.”
“Instead…”
“Become someone who can protect others.”
“Remember what I taught you.”
“Victory doesn’t belong to the strongest.”
“It belongs to the one who survives.”
“Live, Yozaro.”
“That will be enough.”
— Orion
For several minutes…
Yozaro simply stared at the letter.
“…I couldn’t save you.”
Late that night…
He walked alone to the academy cemetery.
A fresh gravestone had been placed for Orion.
Only his broken sword.
Moonlight illuminated the stone.
Yozaro sat quietly.
“…You know…”
“I finally found another teacher after my father.”
“And now…”
“You’re gone too.”
No tears came.
Only silence.
Footsteps approached.
Yozaro didn’t turn.
“I know you’re there.”
Princess Elenia smiled faintly.
“You always notice.”
She sat beside him.
Neither spoke for a long time.
Finally…
She asked,
“Does it ever stop hurting?”
Yozaro looked at the stars.
“I don’t know.”
“My father died when I was six.”
“I still miss him.”
Elenia lowered her eyes.
“When I was little…”
“My mother passed away.”
“I thought becoming stronger would make the pain disappear.”
She smiled sadly.
“It didn’t.”
For the first time…
Yozaro realized they carried the same loneliness.
Without thinking…
He reached out.
Their hands met.
Neither pulled away.
The night remained silent.
But somehow…
Neither of them felt alone anymore.
The next morning…
Yozaro found someone waiting outside the training grounds.
Cedric.
He tossed a wooden sword toward him.
“Fight me.”
“…I’m not in the mood.”
Cedric crossed his arms.
“I know.”
“That’s why we’re fighting.”
Yozaro sighed.
“…Fine.”
Cedric planted his sword in the ground.
“No mana.”
“No magic.”
“Just swords.”
Yozaro nodded.
The duel began.
Unlike before…
Cedric had changed.
He no longer fought recklessly.
His movements were calm.
Disciplined.
Orion’s death had affected everyone. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
For nearly twenty minutes…
Neither landed a decisive hit.
Finally…
Cedric smiled.
“You’ve gotten slower.”
Yozaro blinked.
“…Really?”
“No.”
“You’re hesitating.”
“You keep thinking about that night.”
Yozaro froze.
Cedric lowered his sword.
“You weren’t the only one who lost someone.”
“My uncle died defending the academy.”
Silence.
Then Cedric extended his hand.
“I still want to surpass you.”
“But…”
“…I don’t hate you anymore.”
Yozaro smiled.
He accepted the handshake.
“Then let’s grow stronger together.”
For the first time…
They weren’t enemies.
They were rivals.
That evening…
While organizing Orion’s belongings…
The academy staff discovered a hidden room beneath his office.
Inside…
There were hundreds of maps.
Ancient books.
Monster reports.
And one strange object.
A black key.
Carved into it…
Was the symbol of Greed.
Headmaster Aldric frowned.
“…Orion.”
“What exactly were you investigating?”
Elsewhere…
Far beyond the kingdom…
Varis knelt before seven shadowed figures seated upon stone thrones.
“The academy attack failed.”
One of the figures spoke.
“You let the heir live.”
Varis lowered his head.
“I wished to test him.”
Silence.
Then another figure laughed.
“Good.”
“If he died now…”
“Our centuries of preparation would be meaningless.”
The central throne remained empty.
A deep voice echoed through the chamber.
“Let him grow.”
“When he reaches adulthood…”
“…bring him before the Seventh Throne.”
The flames in the hall flickered.
And the meeting ended.