Jaedan sketched a smile. "That's what I thought, but we were wrong."
"How so?"
"That bastard isn't an Indivar for nothing. He cleared an S-rank dungeon and holds the Khaïbet-Nefertoum. He could cause us trouble."
Isra furrowed his brows, shocked. "What? He's not even awakened! Even the two of us would find an S-rank dungeon challenging."
Jaedan shrugged. "Exactly. I'm curious to see his power. We could use him to weaken the prince, then deal with Kara and him once they've exhausted themselves."
Isra sighed, unconvinced. "Do you think he'll stay with Kara's faction?"
"He's a sadist. Either he'll destroy her from within, or he'll become the true mastermind of her faction in the shadows. We can't underestimate him if he takes action."
Isra nodded. "With Scarlett, my sister, our faction will gain strength. She's already at four stars. We could crush Kara."
Jaedan laughed. "Scarlett? She terrifies me with that axe of hers."
"Speak respectfully of our heroic weapon," Isra retorted, proud. "And you, keep an eye on Lucas von Arcadia. That imperial waste could be a good Trojan horse."
Jaedan nodded, taking a sip of wine. "See you at the academy, young Lord Moonshade. Enjoy your oiled girls."
"Likewise, Heir River." The hologram faded.
*The first day of school at the Academy*
*The capital of the Arcadia Empire - Luxem*
It was a large city divided into five parts by a mighty river. North of the river lay the Merchant Guild, where adventurers could purchase artifacts (magic swords, mana lances, or shields). One of the Triad's greatest allies in the shadows.
There, one could also find the blood of magical beasts and even food rations. A grand bridge connected the guild to an imposing edifice called the Adventurers' Tower. It was led by Milania Moonshade, a 7-star Mage, the elder sister of Archduke Moonshade, one of the four great noble houses. Under the Tower's Chief were six S-rank adventurers.
Adventurers aimed to explore the ruins left by the Hundred Years' War on the continent of Alfumans, as well as dungeons and the Misty Continent. They killed the monsters inhabiting these ruins and, in return, found relics dating back to the war era. Looking east from the Adventurers' Tower, one could see a grand crystal castle reflecting the sunlight. It was the royal castle, built since the end of the war. In front of the castle courtyard stood several knights in gleaming armor on patrol.
They were the weakest among them, yet they exuded an aura so fierce it could make a normal human ill. At the heart of the capital stood a monument made of the same crystal as the castle. It was a statue of an angel with four wings, facing the castle, floating while offering the sun with its hands to a man on his knees, touching him with the tip of its finger. It was said to be the First King, Rê von Arcadia, receiving the blessing of the archangel of strength, "LUCIEL."
At the far south of the capital was a city divided into two districts. One was rather poor, with several dilapidated houses where dirty children could be seen running in the streets, beggars, and passersby whose clothes reflected their misery. In the other, more luxurious district, stood several unique mansions. Unlike the other part of the city, carriages and mana-powered vehicles transported people of noble appearance. It was the noble district of the capital. One could say that in any luxurious country, misery will always exist.
...
In the courtyard of one of these mansions, a man and a woman discussed around a table while servants served them tea.
They were Henrik and Diana River. Henrik was the half-brother of Renfild Moonshade. The two had not dwelled on their noble pasts and had taken a free life as adventurers, getting to know each other better and ending up together.
"Eden has been training since the age of four and is progressing at an impressive rate. We can see it every time he practices with his sword," declared Henrik, smiling with pride.
"What surprised me most are his affinities," said Diana, a smile on her lips.
"Ice and Light—this child is special. You can't imagine he's not even awakened yet."
"No wonder that Heretic wanted to sacrifice him to Lucifer. We've never seen such affinities before... I'd love to know his original parents. He's a genius, but the problem is he doesn't want to train."
"Don't worry, Henrik. I've noticed he's interested in magic and has a great sensitivity to mana. He could become a great mage."
"No, he must become a swordsman like his father. He has the potential and shouldn't waste it."
"Well, if you say so. Anyway, I hope Alan will be as much of a genius as his elder brother."
"Of course, he's my son too," declared Henrik proudly.
...
Meanwhile, a 17-year-old boy stepped out of the bathroom, a simple towel covering the lower half of his body. His black, shoulder-length hair with a few silver strands was wet, and water dripped down his well-defined pectorals and abs. His handsome face seemed indifferent as he entered his room without paying attention to the servants staring at him.
"Today, I'm going to the academy on my father's orders. He says I need to train more often now because the academy is full of geniuses."
"It's going to be boring," Eden declared with a sigh as a servant dressed him.
What Daemon didn't know was that Eden was regaining his memories at the moment of his awakening, which left some room for maneuver, even though he was still difficult to manage. But at that time, he was still an arrogant, talented, nonchalant, and lazy young man, completely different from what he would become.
Eden wore luxurious noble attire. He had classic black shoes, black pants, a white shirt with silver-trimmed sleeves and collar, and a black velvet coat made from the skin of a C-rank beast.
He left his room, hands in his pockets.
...
As the sun rose on the horizon, Eden stood before a carriage pulled by four tamed magical horses, with his parents, a few servants, four knights already on their horses, and a 16-year-old boy. The latter was Eden's younger brother, Alan, a young boy with black hair and blue eyes.
"My son, would you prefer to take the teleportation gate at the city's exit or travel the entire way by carriage?" Henrik asked Eden.
"I'd rather take the teleportation gate—it's way too boring to go by carriage, and I might be late," he replied, climbing into the carriage.
"I thought you just wanted to delay your entry to the academy as long as possible, you lazybones," Alan teased his brother.
"I don't see anything exciting about working hard. But the sooner I arrive, the sooner I can rest," Eden retorted, annoyed by his younger brother. "Well, I'm off."
"Come back to see us when you can, Eden," Diana said, looking at her son sadly.
"Yes, Mother."
"You must keep training your sword techniques, Eden. Don't forget what I told you."
"Yeah, I'm not going to use it, Father. See you later," Eden said, looking bored, as the carriage, followed by the four knights, pulled away.
"Have a good journey, young master," the servants replied.
"I'll join you next year, big brother. And when that day comes, you won't believe it, but I'll be stronger than you," Alan shouted with determination, watching his brother leave.