The days following that summer remained as hectic as ever.
It wasn't that his time in Clausel had been unfulfilling, but life in Erendil was a whirlwind of exam preparations and social obligations that made the months pass in the blink of an eye.
Major shifts occurred within the Clausel family as well.
Lezard was summoned to the Imperial Castle, where he was formally granted a viscountcy in recognition of his achievements as the Lord of Erendil. It wasn't merely a reward for his cooperation during the summer incident; his steady hand in governing the once-troubled region of Erendil had finally been acknowledged. The Emperor himself announced the promotion during an official audience.
The news came as a shock to everyone.
Lezard was the most stunned of all, and he spent the aftermath of the ceremony sharing tearful embraces with those close to him. He expressed his deepest gratitude to Ren with eyes brimming with emotion.
Thus, he was now officially known as Viscount Clausel.
While he was still far from being considered a high-ranking noble, Lezard’s standing among the aristocracy grew significantly. It was a rare honor for the Emperor to tell a subject that he was "expecting great things," making the summer's events a popular topic of conversation in noble circles.
Licia’s birthday that summer was much like Ren’s—a modest, quiet celebration held only with family.
Autumn brought the third round of exams, and the final exams followed shortly after the New Year. Ren dedicated himself to his studies alongside Licia, with Fiona occasionally joining them. On some days, Ren would head into the heart of the Imperial Capital with Radius as promised. Between Licia spending a month away to handle family business and the subtle shift in the bond between her and Fiona after her return, it was a truly eventful season.
It was a half-year that left no room for boredom, even after the heat of summer had faded.
Then, a certain day in spring arrived.
"Father!"
Licia stepped out, revealing herself in her Imperial Academy uniform for the first time—the specific attire reserved for the Special Merit Class. Lezard smiled with profound emotion as he watched her, celebrating the arrival of this long-awaited day.
He then turned to Ren, who was dressed in the same uniform, and offered a warm nod. "Congratulations to you as well."
"Thank you. It feels... a bit stiff in the shoulders, honestly."
"Brand-new uniforms are always like that," Lezard chuckled. "In time, the fabric will soften and conform to your movements."
The weather for the entrance ceremony was nothing short of perfect.
The vast azure sky was devoid of a single cloud, and the temperature was mild—neither too warm nor too cold.
"Now then, everyone."
Weiss called out as he entered from the foyer.
He offered the two students a series of compliments similar to Lezard's, his eyes eventually welling with tears of pride.
However, they couldn't afford to linger. If they didn't depart soon, they would be late for the ceremony.
Under the watchful, supportive gazes of the gathered attendants, knights, and the butler, the three set out beneath the clear spring sky.
The Great Auditorium of the Imperial Academy was a magnificent display of silver, crimson, and gold. Looking up from the ground floor, one could see golden chandeliers lining the impossibly high ceiling. The silver interior walls were majestic, providing a sharp contrast to the rich crimson carpet. The entire hall was built in a sweeping fan shape.
Tiered seating rose from the floor to the fifth level. Guests and every current student were in attendance, filling the space with a palpable sense of anticipation.
And standing on the stage at the far end was a peerless gem—Chronoa Highland.
Having completed her duties abroad and returned to Leomel, she stood there today to welcome the incoming class.
The voice of another instructor rang through the hall.
At this academy, the male and female students with the highest entrance scores were selected as representatives to step forward before the Principal.
This year, the names called were Ren Ashton and Licia Clausel.
As the ceremony drew to a close, the two rose from their adjacent seats and walked down the center aisle.
"Ren, are you nervous?" Licia whispered.
"Yes. A little bit, actually."
"I'm glad. I am too."
They exchanged hushed words and soft smiles, their footsteps muffled by the thick crimson carpet. They ascended the stairs to the stage, approaching the Academy Principal who waited at the center.
To think I would be standing here alongside Lady Licia, Ren thought.
The light from the chandeliers was nearly blinding. As he moved, memories flickered behind his eyelids.
"Can't you tell? I've just killed her."
He remembered the Ren Ashton from the game—the one who had murdered Saint Licia and stood over her body on a similar stage, his hands stained with her blood.
Now, he was walking onto this very stage with that same girl.
They were side by side, closer than they had ever been.
Though haunted by the weight of those dark memories, Ren didn’t falter. The rhythm of his leather shoes against the wooden stage was steady.
And then, there she was—Chronoa.
In the original Legend of the Seven Heroes, she was another person whose life Ren had eventually taken. She was one of the world's most powerful mages.
Chronoa Highland watched their approach with swaying golden hair, looking every bit the legendary figure. She wore a wide-brimmed witch’s hat and a cloak that she carried with effortless grace.
As the two stood before her, she offered them a smile as brilliant as a gemstone.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Saint. And... it has been a while, Hero-kun."
Licia tensed at the formal address but immediately blinked in confusion when Chronoa called Ren "Hero-kun."
Furthermore, Chronoa had explicitly said it had been a while.
Licia glanced at Ren's profile, finding him equally puzzled.
It's been a while? Ren wondered.
He searched his memory, trying to pinpoint when and where he could have met her. He knew Chronoa wasn't the type to lie, so he racked his brain for any encounter he might have overlooked.
In the game, Chronoa was a pivotal figure for Ren, much like Licia. He shouldn't have been able to forget meeting someone like her.
The two representatives remained silent before the Principal for a moment. To the audience, it appeared as though they were simply sharing a private, respectful moment with the legendary mage.
"Have we met somewhere before?" Ren asked quietly.
"Mm-hmm. About two years ago, I think. You and I have even spoken before."
That was all it took.
Ren’s memory was sharp, and the fragments finally clicked into place.
It was the day he had hunted the Steel-Eating Gargoyles. And another time, when he had been traveling through the villages with Licia.
"There were quite a few complications, but Academy Principal—"
"Chronoa is fine. You probably aren't a fan of 'Lady' anyway, right?" she interrupted playfully.
Ren smiled, recalling the words he had exchanged with her at the Adventurer Guild in Clausel. "As you intended, Chronoa-san... I've made it to the Imperial Capital."
"Yes! I'm so happy you remembered."
"Re-Ren...? Where on earth did you meet her?" Licia hissed under her breath.
She couldn't exactly interrogate him on stage, but her shock was evident to both Ren and Chronoa.
Ren glanced at Chronoa, silently asking for permission to explain. She gave him a small, conspiratorial wink.
"Do you remember when we were touring the villages in Clausel and you had to return home suddenly?" Ren whispered.
"The time I met a traveler in town who showed up in the forest later?" Licia asked.
"Exactly. It seems that traveler was Chronoa-san."
"Tee-hee... I was scouting locations for the entrance exams. It was pure coincidence that I ran into Ren-kun twice in Clausel."
Licia was floored, while Ren felt a sense of clarity. Everything that had seemed mysterious about those encounters now made perfect sense.
"I’d heard about Ren-kun from Marquis Ignat. I really wanted to pay my respects to the Clausel family as well, but..."
Because the academy's entrance process was so rigorous, she hadn't found the time. She looked as though she wanted to apologize for the incident in the Baldur Mountains, but realizing they were in the middle of a ceremony, she decided to save it for a more private setting.
Instead, she addressed the crowd. "We'll talk more later. For now, I have to do my job as the Principal."
She turned her attention to the two representatives and the sea of new students behind them.
She officially welcomed the class to the Imperial Academy, offering her heartfelt congratulations and a prayer that their years here would be fruitful. Then, she spread her arms wide, like wings.
"Now, everyone."
With a snap of her fingers, a gust of wind surged through the Great Auditorium.
The ceiling, the walls, and the floor all began to shimmer.
Everything except for the furniture and the people became transparent, dissolving into a limitless, brilliant azure sky. Clouds drifted past as if swimming through the air, and white birds soared through the simulated firmament.
Mystical sunlight poured from the zenith as Chronoa’s voice rang out.
"Welcome to the Imperial Academy! Welcome to the world's greatest place of learning!"
It was a scene so divine it felt like a realm of the gods.
Gasps of awe rippled through the hall, eventually swelling into thunderous cheers. Amidst the joyous applause, Ren and Licia smiled as they took in the breathtaking sight.
"Congratulations to you both!" Chronoa said, her voice rising above the din of the crowd.
She wore a radiant, lovely expression as she looked at them.
"Next time, let's have our chat in my office!"
Ren and Licia weren't sure if they were truly allowed to treat the Principal’s office so casually, but Chronoa was a woman whose authority rivaled the highest nobles. Refusal wasn't an option, and Ren genuinely wanted to hear the full story of her time in Clausel.
When they both offered a hesitant "Yes," Chronoa beamed.
After the ceremony, the entire campus became a hive of activity.
The Great Auditorium, the gardens, and the area around the main gate were packed with people socializing. Nobles were busy networking, while commoners sought out new friends or potential patrons among the upperclassmen. The students in the Special Merit Class uniforms were the center of attention, surrounded by crowds of people eager to associate with the new elite.
Licia, wanting to avoid the worst of the crowds, stayed near the main gate. She kept her departure imminent to discourage too many people from approaching.
"Licia!"
Sera Riohalde called out as she approached, Vane trailing behind her. She was bubbling with excitement about the prospect of them all studying in the same class.
Vane followed with a polite, refreshing smile.
"Our exam venues were different right until the end, but from now on, we'll be in the same room!" Sera chirped.
"Indeed. I look forward to it. And... you were Vane-kun, right?"
"Y-Yes! It’s an honor to meet you! I’m Vane! I don’t have a family name, but I’m currently under the care of the Riohalde family!"
Vane was clearly intimidated by Licia’s presence. Sera pouted at his stiff reaction, but it was hard to blame him. In her uniform, Licia possessed an almost ethereal radiance—the "Saint's Aura," as some called it.
"I look forward to working with you as well," Licia said, checking her watch.
It was the pink gold watch Ren had given her for her birthday. The white dial and elegant design suited her perfectly.
"I’d love to talk more, but we have to be going soon."
Ulysses had arranged a celebratory dinner for that evening. Radius was also expected to attend in secret, making it a high-stakes social affair.
Licia turned to Ren, who had been fending off questions from other students nearby. "Ren, it's time to go. Father is waiting."
Ren turned away from his interlocutors and finally faced Vane and Sera.
The two stood frozen. They blinked repeatedly as the memories of a certain summer night rushed back to them.
"Wait... what?"
"Is that...?"
As they stood there in open-mouthed wonder, Ren gave them a casual wave. "Hey. It's been a while."
Licia, who knew exactly what they were thinking, let out a playful giggle. "Let's go," she said again. After bidding Sera and Vane a final goodbye, she began walking, with Ren at her side.
Behind them, the voices of the two students finally found their strength.
"W-Wait! You're that guy!"
"No way! Is he... is he really him!?"
Their shouts reached Ren and Licia’s ears as they walked away.
"I knew it! The boy Licia said was stronger than her—that’s him! He was the representative standing right next to her!"
"That means he’s the one from the rumors...!"
Licia’s voice was light and cheerful as she looked at Ren. "I know I said we should go, but are you sure we shouldn't have explained things to them properly?"
"There's no need," Ren replied. "We'll be in the same classroom every day from now on. We'll have plenty of time to talk. For today, let's stick to our priorities."
"Hehe... I suppose you're right."
Ren watched the bustling crowds around the main gate and smiled.
A lot really has changed, he thought.
In the original timeline, different students would have been the representatives. His mere presence had shifted the course of history. Meeting Chronoa like this and their conversation on stage were entirely new developments.
Ren no longer felt the trepidation he had once harbored toward the Imperial Academy. In its place was a burning desire for growth and a quiet resolve for the trials that surely lay ahead.
"You look like you're having fun, Ren."
"I am. I'm actually quite excited."
Because it was finally beginning.
Everything that had happened until Ren entered the academy was over. It had been his prologue—the long, arduous setup before the true story began. Enrollment in the academy marked the start of the "Main Story."
It wasn't just a game mechanic; it was how he felt in his heart.
It certainly was a long prologue, though.
He had fought countless battles and survived life-and-death struggles. He had experienced things most people wouldn't face in ten lifetimes.
So, why not start the "Main Story" like this? A beginning born of turmoil, balanced by an equal measure of happiness.
A gentle spring breeze ruffled his hair. Ren spoke in a low voice, almost a whisper, as if confirming his path to himself. It was a way to honor the life he had lived and light the way for the one that was coming.
"All right... time for the main story to begin."
Reincarnated as the story's mastermind, he had faced a bizarre and singular fate. But the true beginning of his journey was, without a doubt, this very day.
Let us recount a fragment of an old tale.
Once, a young girl was imprisoned within a tower of cold stone, guarded by a heavy watch.
She was breathtakingly beautiful. Her face held a loveliness that made the finest jewels seem dull, and her grace could have captivated any heart.
However, she carried a curse within her—a rare, devastating power that corroded everything in its path. Those who stayed near her found their life force drained, their skin rotting, and their minds unraveling as the corruption reached their very thoughts. She was a beautiful, terrifying existence.
Yet, there was one who spoke to her.
Night after night, a man would steal past the guards. He would speak to her through a tiny slit in the stone—a window just large enough to see a sliver of the world outside.
Two months passed in this manner. The girl listened to his voice, but she never offered a word in return.
It wasn't until a third month had passed that she finally spoke.
"Why haven't you lost your mind?"
The man didn't panic at the sudden question. In his usual, easygoing tone, he replied, "It's because I'm strong. A power like yours isn't enough to corrode me."
He spoke with such nonchalance that the girl was momentarily speechless.
"You're a liar," she finally hissed. "You must be using some kind of magic to shield yourself. My father sent you to charm me, didn't he?"
"No, nothing of the sort."
"Then reach your hand through that window. If you can touch me without fear, I'll believe you."
"If that's all it takes, then gladly."
The man reached his arm through the narrow opening.
The girl was stunned. Despite being the one who had challenged him, she couldn't bring herself to touch him. She scrambled back, away from the window.
"Are you stupid? Or just a fool?"
"I don't see much difference between the two," he replied.
"Then you are reckless. Enough. Pull your hand back before it's too late."
But the man didn't move. In fact, since he couldn't see inside, he began waving his arm around, trying to find her.
The girl watched him and sighed. "You really are stupid."
"That's a bit harsh. You were the one who told me to touch you. If I'm stupid for trying, then you must be stupid for asking."
"No one has ever called me stupid before."
"I'm honored to be the first."
"I wasn't praising you! Now pull your hand back!"
"No. I'm not moving until I've touched you."
The girl let out a long, heavy sigh. She moved even further into the shadows of the room so that not even her breath would reach him. Finding that her voice had retreated, the man’s hand slumped dejectedly against the stone.
"Nothing good comes from touching me," she whispered.
"I disagree."
"Oh? Name one good thing."
"For one... you'll finally understand that I'm not like the others."
"I don't need to understand that. This is your last warning. Pull your hand out and leave, or I'll scream for the guards."
The man’s arm remained still as he contemplated his next move. Then, as if he had just had a brilliant idea, he spoke up again.
"What would it take for you to take my hand?"
The girl sighed again, her frustration boiling over. "Ugh, enough already!"
To get rid of the persistent man, she decided to set a task so impossible it would silence him forever.
"If you bring me certain items to suppress this power, I’ll take your hand. I’ll even meet you face-to-face and kiss it if you like."
Her tone had become rough and haughty, born of her desperation to be rid of him. It wasn't her natural way of speaking, and she was secretly surprised by her own outburst.
"Tell me what you need," the man said. "I'll find a way to get them."
The girl recalled the words of a legendary magic tool craftsman—a woman named Milim Altia.
"Bring me a Fragment of the Dragon King's Horn, the Blood of the Phoenix that Rules the Sky Continent, and the Tears of the Giant Sleeping on the Seabed."
At those words, the man finally withdrew his hand.
The girl felt a wave of relief, thinking he had finally given up. But beneath the relief was a sharp, unexpected sting of disappointment.
However, she had misjudged him.
Outside, beneath the light of the moon, the man was smiling.
"I’ll have them all for you within a year."
"Wait—what? No! Stop!"
"It's a promise. Wait for me. And make sure you don't go back on your word."
"I said wait! You—!"
But the man was already gone. He had vanished into the night like mist. The girl stood there in the silence, eventually sinking to the floor.
"Liar," she whispered. "There's no way."
She told herself he was a liar, but in her heart, she prayed he wasn't. For the first time in her life, someone had stayed by her side and truly spoken to her. She closed her eyes and made a wish.
I hope he comes back. Even if he can't find those things... I just want to talk to him again.