Chapter 60
The arena where the Xelphone tournament took place was situated in the heart of a small fortress city. In its early days, the arena was nothing more than a vast circular stadium and a few lodging buildings for participants on a broad plain. However, as Xelphone gained popularity, a commercial district formed around it, eventually evolving into a full-fledged city over the centuries.
“The Imperial Academy of Rokesha’s accommodations are in this building,” the guard leading the way from the city gate stopped in front of a three-story building.
The students’ faces lit up at the thought of finally staying under a roof again.
“Camping is finally over.”
“I want to take a hot bath first.”
“Rest will have to wait. We still need to pass the qualification screening.”
The unique screening method of Xelphone was the talk of the participants. The competition allowed entrants over three days, with individual qualification screenings conducted on the afternoon of their arrival. Only those who passed this screening could participate in the Xelphone preliminaries.
Today was the first of the three days.
The first day had fewer participants due to limited information about the screening process, which was advantageous since it meant less waiting time and less exhaustion.
As a result, academies confident in their students’ abilities often chose this day. The Imperial Academy of Rokesha and Udik Academy were among them.
“That’s true. How is everyone feeling? We’d be less tired if we hadn’t encountered those monsters last night.”
“Triche took care of all those monsters, didn’t she? That monster skewer was surprisingly tasty.”
About forty students filed into the building.
A guard, overhearing their conversation, was taken aback and asked the professor standing nearby, “Did you encounter monsters last night?”
“Yes, seven bird-like monsters.”
“Seven?!”
Seven was a number that almost certainly resulted in casualties. Yet the students appeared remarkably unscathed, leading the guard to doubt the severity of the encounter. He rechecked the participant list he had seen at the gate—43 names, all accounted for.
“Surely, you must be joking. I almost believed you.”
The guard laughed, trying to match the lighthearted tone, assuming the professor had exaggerated.
However, the professor’s hearty laughter confirmed the truth. “You would think it a joke. But our students are exceptionally talented!”
“…Were you serious?”
“Did you hear about Triche Rodwick from our academy’s magic department? She’s a prodigy with a magic affinity of 98. She’s competing in this Xelphone.”
“Ninety-eight?!”
“I’m not just saying this because she’s our student. She’s truly extraordinary.”
The professor pointed to Riche’s name on the list the guard held and whispered, “In six months, you’ll see her as the champion and won’t regret it.”
Given that the city thrived on Xelphone, betting on the tournament’s outcome was common, especially on the eventual winner. Although the finals were six months away, the professor’s confidence in Riche’s potential to reach that stage was clear.
“Highly recommended.”
Meanwhile, Riche stood outside the accommodation building, waiting to bid farewell to Morgan.
She had parted ways with Hamad at the city gate. Hearing that Udik Academy had arrived early this morning, Hamad had rushed off without looking back.
“I need to oil my equipment…!”
Morgan had initially seemed like he might follow Hamad, but for some reason, he remained by Riche’s side. The professor even hinted, “Mr. Dayel, shouldn’t you be going now?”
Regardless, Morgan couldn’t accompany Riche into the building as a student from another academy. It was truly time for them to part ways.
“Nice meeting you. We’re rivals now,” Riche joked lightly, extending her hand for a handshake.
Morgan looked at her hand for a moment before taking it.
“Ever thought about transferring to Udik Academy? I’d hate to be your rival.”
“Nice try.”
Riche, now accustomed to Morgan’s charm, smiled back, her lips curving into a pleasing arc. Morgan captured that image with his golden eyes and returned the smile.
“I enjoyed meeting you too, Triche.”
“See you later. If we both make it to the finals, we’ll be in the same city for a few months, right?”
“…Right. See you later.”
Morgan bid her a cheerful farewell and walked away. Riche watched his departing figure before turning around herself.
[Contractor.]
‘Yes.’
[Stay away from him.]
Riche agreed with Pythonus. Her face, now serious and composed, resembled Deon’s and Blake’s impassive expressions. Her silver eyes darkened with resolve.
This morning, after all.
During the chaotic time of setting up tents and organizing luggage, Riche and Pythonus overheard Morgan’s communication by chance.
“No. The monster attack failed.”
Though it was just one sentence, Riche and Pythonus immediately understood its significance.
‘Morgan lured the monsters to our campsite.’
Morgan was the enemy.
* * *
At Udik Academy’s accommodation building.
“Morgan.”
The professor called out to Morgan, who had just entered through the front door and stepped into the first-floor living room.
“Professor Declan.”
“You’re late.”
Professor Declan, a young man in his thirties with long eyes, showed no concern about Morgan having been missing for a night. It was as if he had expected Morgan to be absent.
“Follow me.”
Morgan followed Declan to the room the professor would be using. Once Morgan closed the door, Declan spoke, as if he had been waiting.
“Why did you fail? You were given bait to attract the monsters.”
By planting and detonating a large magic stone in the ground, they could summon monsters within a certain range. The chancellor and senior professors of Udik Academy planned to use this to hinder the Imperial Academy of Rokesha. They viewed this year’s Imperial Academy, bolstered by Triche Rodwick, as a threat to their victory.
Morgan Dayel was assigned to carry out this mission: to detonate the magic stone near their campsite.
“Explain.”
Declan waited for Morgan’s explanation, watching him intently. Despite his youthful appearance, Morgan was not to be underestimated.
His swordsmanship, challenging even for professors, and his mastery of aura and magic made him formidable in combat.
The chancellor had been nurturing Morgan for years, molding him into his loyal weapon.
“It’s just as I reported this morning. The Imperial Academy students were stronger than the monsters.”
The chancellor’s weapon, Morgan Dayel.
Declan clicked his tongue, gazing at Morgan’s now cold, golden eyes.
“Then you should have intervened. You should have stopped them by any means necessary.”
“How? Besides, the chancellor only instructed me to destroy the magic stone and return.”
Morgan’s demeanor was icy, despite the smile playing on his lips. Declan frowned, disliking the chancellor’s weapon who only listened to his master.
Declan questioned further.
“On a different note, I heard you saved Hamad from underground monsters. Didn’t you see a ring there?”
“There was no ring.”
Tsk.
Declan had nothing more to ask since the ring was his own family heirloom that he had dropped while walking. The ring had rolled away just as monsters erupted from the ground and got caught on one of the monster’s spikes. The monsters then chased Hamad, a student from the engineering department.
“I see. Even if you failed the mission, we can’t let those Rokesha students be. Triche Rodwick is the strongest among them, right? During today’s qualification test, you should—”
“Professor Declan.”
Morgan’s firm voice interrupted Declan.
His face still bore a smile, but it was clear that the chancellor’s weapon was displeased.
Morgan, with his cold eyes fixed on Declan, spoke.
“Don’t touch Riche.”
“Riche? You mean Triche? When did you become so familiar with her to shorten her name?”
“I did that on my own. And,”
Despite Declan’s narrowing eyes, Morgan maintained his smile and continued.
“The chancellor promised me not to touch Triche until the finals.”
* * *
Morgan left the room, stating he would focus on the tournament like the other students until he received further instructions from the chancellor. He headed to the room assigned to him, which was neatly furnished for a few months’ stay.
“…”
Click.
Morgan stood silently before the closed door, his steps heavy as he moved slowly.
His past, which had haunted him for six years, came rushing back.
“Why am I here again?”
One step.
“Because I want you to live. If you die, Lertium dies too.”
Two steps.
“Not interested? How about this: What if your death causes Lertium’s?”
…Three steps.
“Tita reversed time for Lertium. Your fates are now intertwined.”
Thud.
Ian collapsed into a chair, the weight of his memories bearing down on him.
Six years ago, about a month after arriving at the Gerwer estate, Hikenka had visited him. Tita, the star that created Lertium, had reversed time for Riche. In the process, Ian’s and Riche’s fates became intertwined.
“If you die, Lertium will meet the same end as before.”
Ian’s fate was to die at 16, and Riche at 19.
Hikenka had told the 11-year-old Ian to run away to avoid their impending fate.
“How long do I have to run?”
“Until Lertium passes 19. If Lertium escapes her predetermined death, your fates will be loosened.”
Why were they the only ones threatened by fate? Other ability users had likely lived longer lives than their past selves.
Hikenka explained.
“Other ability users died from side effects, not from their predetermined lifespans.”
But Riche and Ian’s deaths were tied to their destined lifespans.
“To change your fate, leave this place, Iandewan. I’ll help you disappear.”
Ian had fled Rokesha Empire, unable to even say goodbye to Riche, as he couldn’t explain his reasons.
To defy his fate, he crossed over to the Pan continent, abandoning everything.
His family, his name, and even his abilities temporarily taken by Hikenka.
Struggling to live as someone else, Ian was found by Udik Academy’s chancellor.
“I needed a dog to raise. Just in time.”
He had no choice.
Iandewan Gerwer, a second-year student at the Imperial Academy of Rokesha, thus became Morgan Dayel, a first-year student at Udik Academy.
