Life in Erendil had been packed with more than just preparation for the exams; time had slipped away in the blink of an eye.
During that period, a momentous event occurred for House Clausel.
Lezard was summoned to the capital, where he was granted the rank of Viscount in recognition of his service. It wasn't merely a reward for his cooperation during the summer incident; the Emperor had formally acknowledged his skill in governing Erendil—a territory that had long been a source of imperial concern.
During a ceremony held in the Imperial Castle’s Audience Chamber, the Emperor himself proclaimed the elevation. It was rare for the sovereign to tell a subject that he "had high expectations," and the summer investiture became a popular topic of conversation among the nobility.
In contrast to these grand events, Licia’s birthday was a modest affair, much like Ren’s, celebrated quietly with only family.
The seasons turned. The Tertiary Exam concluded in autumn, followed by the Fourth Exam before winter set in. Once the new year dawned, the Final Exam was finally behind them.
Ren had spent his days studying alongside Licia, with Fiona occasionally offering her assistance. As promised, Ren also found time to explore the Imperial Capital with Radius. There were periods when Licia was away for a month to handle House Clausel’s affairs, and subtle shifts began to appear in the friendship between Licia and Fiona. Truly, it was a year of profound change.
Then, on a certain spring day, the long-awaited moment arrived.
"Father!"
Licia stood before them, wearing her Imperial Military Academy uniform for the first time. The silver-trimmed fabric was adorned with the prestigious Special Merit Class Badge. Seeing her, Lezard smiled with deep emotion, his face bright with pride.
He also turned to Ren, who was similarly dressed in the academy's sharp uniform. "Congratulations to you both," he said warmly. "The two of you look quite sharp."
"Thank you, sir," Ren replied. "It’s just... the shoulders feel a bit stiff."
"Brand-new uniforms are always like that. Eventually, the fabric will soften and conform to your movements."
On the day of the Entrance Ceremony, a cloudless blue sky stretched across the entire celestial sphere.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
The world was silver, crimson, and gold.
The Great Auditorium, the pride of the Imperial Military Academy, was a space of staggering scale. Looking up from the first-floor seating, one could see golden chandeliers lining a ceiling that seemed impossibly high. The silver inner walls were majestic, providing a striking backdrop for the rich crimson carpets. The seating followed a fan-shaped design, rising level after level up to the fifth floor. In addition to the distinguished guests, every single current student had been gathered to witness the ceremony.
Standing upon the stage at the very back was the Peerless Jewel—Chronoa Highland.
Having returned to Leomel after completing her long-standing duties in the Holy Land, she stood there today to welcome the fresh intake of students.
Ren Ashton had been selected as the male student representative, while Licia Clausel served as the female representative. As the ceremony reached its conclusion, they stood from their seats and walked toward Chronoa, who waited for them on the stage.
"Ren, are you nervous?" Licia whispered.
"Actually, just a little."
"I'm glad. Me too."
The two exchanged a small, private smile.
They advanced over the thick crimson carpet and came to a halt before the stage.
To think I’d be standing here with Licia-sama...
The light from the chandeliers pouring onto the stage was almost blinding. As his vision blurred in the glare, a memory flashed behind Ren’s eyelids.
“Can’t you tell by looking? I’ve just killed her.”
He remembered the Ren Ashton of the game—the one who had murdered Saintess Licia and spoke those words while cradling her cooling body. He could almost see the blood dripping from the silent Saintess, soaking into the floorboards of this very stage.
Though tormented by the darkness of that alternate history, he did not let his footsteps falter. The soles of his leather shoes made a rhythmic clack, clack against the wood as he walked.
Furthermore, Chronoa—the woman waiting for them—was also someone whose life Ren Ashton had taken in the Legend of the Seven Heroes. She was the world’s greatest mage.
Her golden hair swayed as she watched their approach with clear delight. She wore a wide-brimmed witch’s hat and a sweeping cloak that she carried with effortless grace. As they came to a stop before her, she offered them a smile that sparkled like a rare gemstone.
"Nice to meet you, Saintess. And long time no see, Hero-kun."
Licia tensed at being addressed directly by the Director. However, she was immediately puzzled by the fact that Chronoa had called Ren "Hero-kun." More importantly, Chronoa had definitely said "long time no see."
Confused, Licia glanced at Ren’s profile and saw that he looked equally taken aback.
Long time no see...?
Ren searched his mind, trying to recall where he could have met her. Chronoa wasn't the type to lie. In the game, Chronoa was a special existence to Ren, just like Licia. If he had encountered such a person in this life, there was no way he would have forgotten.
The two student representatives stood silently before the Director. To the audience, it appeared as though they were simply sharing a formal moment of quiet respect. The new students, seniors, and guests assumed they were conversing in hushed tones.
"Have we met somewhere before?" Ren asked.
"Yes. About two years ago, I think. You and I have even spoken."
That was enough of a hint.
Ren remembered the day he had defeated the Steel-Eating Gargoyle. He remembered the time he had toured the villages with Licia.
I knew it. It really was her.
His hunch had been correct. Back then, the mysterious woman had invited him to come to the capital.
"There were many twists and turns, but Academy Director—"
"Chronoa is fine. I'm not a fan of formal titles," she cut in playfully.
Ren acknowledged the words they had once exchanged at the Adventurer Guild in Clausel. "Just as you intended, Chronoa-san, I have come to the Imperial Capital."
"Yes! I'm so happy you remembered."
"R-Ren!? Where on earth did you meet her...?"
Licia couldn't exactly cause a scene on stage. She maintained a facade of composure for the audience, but the shock was written all over her face as she looked between the Director and the boy standing beside her.
Ren glanced at Chronoa, silently asking if it was okay to explain. Chronoa gave a small nod.
"When we were touring the villages in Clausel together, remember that time I had to return suddenly?" Ren whispered.
"You mean when the person you met in town was somehow in the middle of the forest?"
"Exactly. Apparently, that person was Chronoa-san."
"Ahaha... I was looking for potential sites for the entrance exams. Meeting Ren-kun twice in Clausel was a total coincidence, I promise."
There was the stunned Licia and the surprisingly calm Ren. For Ren, everything finally clicked. It was actually a relief to have the mystery solved.
"I’d heard about Ren-kun from Marquis Ignat. Honestly, I wanted to pay my respects to House Clausel as well, but..."
Because the preparations for the exams had been so demanding, she hadn't been able to make it. Chronoa looked as though she wanted to apologize for the incident in the Baldur Mountains, but realizing they were still in the middle of a ceremony, she decided to save it for later.
"Let's talk properly after this. For now, as the Academy Director, I suppose I should work a little," Chronoa said.
She turned her attention away from the representatives and toward the vast sea of new students. She congratulated them all from the bottom of her heart and offered a prayer that their days at the academy would be fruitful.
Then, she spread her arms like wings.
"Now, everyone."
She snapped her fingers. A sudden gust of wind swept through the Great Auditorium.
The ceiling, the walls, and the floor—everything except for the chairs and furniture—suddenly turned transparent. The hall vanished, replaced by a boundlessly vast blue sky.
Clouds drifted past as if swimming through the air, and flocks of pure white birds soared through the heights. Dazzling sunlight poured down from the zenith, creating a mystical, heavenly landscape.
"Welcome to the Imperial Military Academy! Welcome to the world's greatest seat of learning!"
If a realm of the gods existed, it surely looked like this. The audience let out a collective gasp of awe, which quickly surged into a roar of cheers. Amidst the thunderous applause and shouts of joy, Ren and Licia looked out over the impossible vista.
"Congratulations to you both!" Chronoa said, her voice cutting through the tumult. She wore a radiant, mischievous smile. "Next time, let's talk in the Director’s Office—my room!"
Ren and Licia hesitated, wondering if one could really be invited to such a place so casually. But this was Chronoa, a woman with more influence than almost any high-ranking noble in the Empire. Refusal was not an option, and Ren genuinely wanted to hear the full story of their past encounters.
When the two gave a reserved "Yes," Chronoa beamed with delight.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Once the ceremony concluded, the campus became a hive of activity. Every year, the auditorium, the gardens, and the main gate were crowded with people talking and networking.
Nobles deepened their connections and discussed political futures. Commoners sought out new friends, while the most promising among them were approached by seniors or noble families looking to recruit talented attendants or civil officials. The students wearing the Special Merit Class Badge were particularly sought after, surrounded by crowds hoping to get close to the elite.
Licia had anticipated this and moved toward the main gate early. By signaling that she was about to leave, she managed to avoid being pinned down by a crowd.
"Licia!"
Sera Riohard called out as she approached, bringing Wayne along with her. She was clearly thrilled that they would all be in the same class. Wayne followed behind her with a polite, refreshing smile.
"Our testing sites were separate until the very end, but from now on, we're in the same room!" Sera chirped.
"Yes. I look forward to it. And... it was Wayne-kun, right?"
"Y-Yes! It's an honor! I'm Wayne. I don't have a family name, but I'm currently being supported by House Riohard...!"
Wayne was visibly nervous in the face of Licia’s beauty. Sera pouted slightly at his reaction, but it was hard to blame the boy. In her uniform, Licia possessed a certain radiance—the unmistakable aura of a Saintess.
"I look forward to working with you as well," Licia said kindly. Then, she checked her wristwatch.
It was the watch Ren had given her for her birthday—a delicate pink gold piece with a pure white dial that suited her perfectly.
"I’d love to stay and talk, but we have to go."
It had been arranged long ago that Marquis Ignat would host a celebration today. It was to be a grand affair, and Prince Radius would be attending in secret.
Licia turned to Ren, who had been fendng off other students nearby. "Ren, it's time to go. Father is waiting."
Ren turned around, finally showing his face clearly to Wayne and Sera. The two of them blinked, their eyes widening as the memory of a certain summer night came rushing back.
"Eh...?"
"Wait..."
As they stood there in a state of total shock, Ren gave them a casual nod. "Long time no see."
Licia, who knew exactly why they were staring, gave a helpless little giggle. "Let's go," she urged. She gave a final wave to Sera and Wayne and began to lead Ren away.
As they walked toward the gate, the voices of the two they had left behind finally caught up to them.
"A-A-Aren't you that guy!?"
"Is that really him!?"
"No way! The 'strong boy' Licia mentioned—that was him!? He was the student representative!?"
"That means he’s the one from the rumors...!"
Hearing the commotion behind them, Licia spoke to Ren in a bright, playful tone. "I'm the one who told them we had to go, but are you sure you don't want to explain things to them?"
"No, we'll be in the same classroom every day. There will be plenty of time to talk later. For today, we should focus on the celebration."
"Fufu... I suppose you're right."
Licia walked with a light, bouncy step.
Everything really has changed, Ren thought.
In the original game, different students were supposed to be the representatives. His mere presence had shifted the timeline. His meeting with Chronoa, their reunion—it was all uncharted territory.
Ren no longer felt the dread he once had toward the academy. Instead, he felt a hunger to grow and a quiet resolve to face whatever trials awaited him.
"You look like you're having a good time, Ren."
"I am. I'm actually quite excited."
Because it was finally beginning. The story of Ren Ashton leading up to his enrollment was over. In a way, it had been his Prologue.
In the original Legend of the Seven Heroes, the early game events ended with the start of the academy. Everything that happened from this day forward was the Main Story. Even if this wasn't a game, that was how it felt to him.
"Ren-kun! Congratulations on getting in!"
Current students nearby looked on in shock as the usually aloof Fiona Ignat happily greeted a boy.
"I saw your speech. You were wonderful."
"Hearing you say it makes me a little embarrassed. My legs didn't look like they were shaking, did they?"
"Oh, stop it. You were perfectly composed."
Even Fiona’s presence was a miracle. She, who was destined to die, was here and smiling.
It really was a long prologue, Ren mused.
He had fought countless battles and survived desperate struggles. He had experienced things that a normal person wouldn't see in ten lifetimes. If this was the start of the Main Story, it was an opening filled with more upheaval—and more happiness—than anyone else's.
A pleasant spring breeze ruffled his hair. Blending into the bustle of the celebrating students, Ren spoke in a whisper—a confirmation of his own path and an affirmation of the life he had fought to build.
"Well then—let the Main Story begin."
Reincarnated as the mastermind of the tale, the boy met his singular fate. But his true story? That surely began on this very day.