Veyron, Taeryun, and Lyra stood before the gates of the **Imperial Sword Academy of Aethelgard**. Veyron froze—
the crowd before him far exceeded anything he had imagined.
So this is the Imperial Academy of Aethelgard… he thought.
Magnificent. Far too magnificent.
A look of awe filled his face.
"Yosh," Veyron said firmly. "Come on, Lyra, Taeryun. We'll be studying at this academy for the next ten years."
Lyra and Taeryun smiled at his words. Their gazes lingered on Veyron's expression—bright with joy, yet still carrying wounds that had not fully healed.
Without hesitation, Veyron, Taeryun, and Lyra stepped through the gates of the Imperial Academy of Aethelgard, each wearing a look of excitement, as if a brand-new future had just opened before them.
---
At the Gardens of the Imperial Academy of Aethelgard
Veyron walked alone through the academy gardens. He had parted ways with Taeryun and Lyra—not due to any argument, but simply because he wanted to explore and witness the academy's grandeur with his own eyes.
Midway through his stroll, a distant conversation stopped him in his tracks.
"Hey. Did you hear? That person is returning to the academy," one senior said, his face filled with shock.
"Seriously? The one who changed the academy's regulations?" another replied.
That person… who?
Someone who changed the academy's rules?
If that's true, then he must have once stood at the very peak…
Veyron continued walking, but his thoughts lingered on the conversation. The expressions on those seniors' faces—fear mixed with excitement—refused to leave his mind.
"Who exactly is that person…?" he murmured, curiosity burning quietly within him.
He did not crave a swift victory.
He only wanted to know—just how high that peak truly was.
"Veyron!"
The voice snapped him out of his thoughts. From behind, Lyra and Taeryun called out to him, waving their hands.
"Oh, you two," Veyron said. "Have you finished settling your accommodations?"
"We have," Lyra replied, narrowing her eyes as she studied his face. "But what's with that expression? You look like you've just found a worthy rival."
Veyron fell silent. Instinctively, he glanced at a nearby reflective surface—and saw an unfamiliar smile etched across his face. Sharp. Too sharp.
Since when did I start wearing such a frightening expression?
And yet… why is my heart racing?
As if I'm anticipating something thrilling…
Seeing Veyron like that, Taeryun quickly approached and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Oi, Veyron. How about we head to the cafeteria?" he said casually. "I'm starving. I haven't eaten since we arrived in the capital."
Veyron nodded. The hunger he had been ignoring finally made itself known.
"All right," he said. "Let's go."
Together with Lyra and Taeryun, Veyron headed toward the academy cafeteria—while the shadow of that mysterious person continued to linger quietly in his thoughts.
---
At the Cafeteria of the Imperial Academy of Aethelgard
Veyron, Lyra, and Taeryun finally arrived at the academy cafeteria. The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by overwhelming noise—students chatting loudly, others scrambling to secure dishes that looked incredibly appetizing.
"This is insane, Veyron. It's way too crowded," Lyra said, her eyes wide.
"Of course it is," Veyron replied calmly. "This is the Imperial Academy of Aethelgard. It's bound to be full of geniuses. Besides, the food looks amazing."
As Veyron moved to get his meal, the sword he always carried suddenly trembled slightly. A clear voice echoed in his ear—the sign that it had finally awakened from its long slumber.
Yo, Zephyron. You're finally awake, Veyron thought, his heart filled with quiet joy.
"Hahahahaha! I thought you had forgotten me. But it seems you haven't, my friend—Veyron Aldrecht," Zephyron's voice rang with laughter.
Easy. Go back to sleep, Veyron replied inwardly. We'll talk later in my room. It's too crowded here.
Zephyron complied. Even so, Veyron could sense its disappointment—it was clear from the restrained tone of its voice.
After collecting his food, Veyron headed toward Lyra and Taeryun, who were seated in the far corner near a window.
"You took your time, Veyron," Lyra said.
But the moment Veyron set his tray down, Lyra, Taeryun, and several nearby students froze. The food piled on Veyron's tray was enormous—far too much for an ordinary student.
"U-um, Veyron…" Taeryun swallowed. "Can you really eat all of that?"
Noticing their stares, Veyron immediately began devouring his meal without hesitation—leaving nothing behind.
"I can. Easily," he said with a satisfied smile. "See? Clean. But… I'm still not full."
Several students stared at him as if they were witnessing a monster.
Suddenly, a senior approached and slammed his hand onto the table.
BANG!
The sound plunged the entire cafeteria into silence. Veyron looked up at the senior with an icy gaze. He could sense a hidden intent behind the act.
"Is something the matter, Senior?" Veyron asked with a thin smile. "Why the sudden outburst?"
Instead, the senior smiled warmly and extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Juniors. My name is Aurelian Vaelcrest. A pleasure to meet you."
He continued, "By the way, have you measured your strength yet? If not, you should do so soon. It determines your class."
"Measure… our strength?" Lyra repeated, confused.
"That's right," Vaelcrest replied. "At this academy, classes are determined by strength measurement.
Class A requires a minimum of 5,000—reserved for exceptionally talented students.
Class B requires at least 1,500, the average level.
And Class C…" He smiled faintly. "That's for those who cannot wield a sword—like myself."
Lyra and Taeryun exchanged glances, growing even more confused.
"Then," Veyron asked hesitantly, "why are people without combat power allowed to enter this academy?"
"Pfft," Vaelcrest chuckled. "A fair question. This academy has a special system known as the **Ordo Cognis Aethelgard**."
He continued calmly, "Ordo Cognis is for those without combat strength but possessing exceptional intellect. Strategists, administrators, scholars—true geniuses enter the academy through this path."
"There are several disciplines within it," he added. "Strategy, Administration, Archivists, Inventors, and Tacticians. I belong to the Strategy class. Does that answer your question, Junior?"
Veyron let out a breath of relief.
"Thank you, Senior," he said politely. "Then, where do we measure our strength?"
Vaelcrest stood and turned toward the three of them.
"Follow me. I'll show you the way."
Without hesitation, Veyron, Lyra, and Taeryun rose and followed Aurelian Vaelcrest toward the **Strength Measurement Chamber**—the place that would determine their class and mark the beginning of their journey at the Imperial Academy of Aethelgard.
---
Before the Strength Measurement Chamber
Veyron, Taeryun, Lyra, and Vaelcrest stopped before the massive doors of the chamber. The three newcomers—Veyron, Taeryun, and Lyra—were left speechless.
The doors were enormous.
Not only tall, but impossibly wide—
as if the space beyond was never meant for ordinary humans.
"Let's go in, Juniors," Vaelcrest said calmly.
Without another word, they stepped forward. Curiosity filled their faces as the same question surfaced in their minds—
What kind of place is the Strength Measurement Chamber, really?
---
Inside the Strength Measurement Chamber
Veyron, Taeryun, and Lyra froze in place. The chamber was far more magnificent than they had imagined—mana stones embedded neatly throughout, with magic formations seamlessly fused into the towering walls.
"All right," Vaelcrest said. "You'll enter one at a time. Who goes first?"
He then added, "One more thing. Anyone who enters the formation will be transferred to a special space. There, you'll see your own strength—and we'll be able to observe the results from here."
"I see," Veyron said, nodding. "Thank you for explaining, Senior Vaelcrest."
His tone was sincere.
Without delay, Veyron stepped into the magic formation. His action startled Taeryun and Lyra slightly.
"Why does Veyron have to go first?" Lyra asked.
"It's fine, Lyra," Taeryun replied. "We'll get to see his strength. Who knows—maybe he's been hiding something."
Standing at the center of the formation, Veyron glanced back at them and offered a faint smile. A moment later, the formation activated.
Yet Veyron remained calm.
A pillar of light surged from the floor to the ceiling. Before Lyra, Taeryun, and Vaelcrest, a magical screen materialized, reflecting the scene within the formation.
"Well then," Vaelcrest said, eyes narrowing with interest. "Let's see Veyron's strength. Will he be Class A… or Class B?"
In an instant, Veyron's consciousness was dragged into a world that felt deeply concealed. He couldn't open his eyes, yet felt his body floating weightlessly.
Then, when he finally opened them—
all he saw was a boundless, endless darkness.
As Veyron looked around, only darkness greeted him—without limit, without edge, without end. A second later, his head grew heavy, as if his consciousness were being forcibly pulled away.
THUD!
Veyron's body slammed onto the dark floor. Just as he was about to close his eyes, suddenly—
a beam of light appeared.
"W-who… is that?" he whispered.
---
Outside the Formation
Taeryun, Lyra, and Vaelcrest stared at the violently shaking magic screen. Anxiety washed over their faces.
Then, suddenly—
the trembling stopped.
Replaced by absolute silence.
Their gazes locked onto the light slowly approaching Veyron's silhouette on the screen. Wings spread wide. Golden hair radiated a blinding brilliance.
"W-what is that light…?" Lyra whispered.
Vaelcrest's face turned deathly pale. His pupils trembled violently. Cold sweat streamed down his temples, his hands shaking uncontrollably. His lips parted, trying to speak—yet no sound emerged.
"T-that's impossible…"
"——"
The light faded in an instant.
Lyra and Taeryun exchanged confused glances. But Vaelcrest suddenly dropped to one knee, his head lowered deeply. His body continued to tremble.
Silence enveloped the Strength Measurement Chamber.
No sound.
No wind.
Not a single object moved.