By the second sester of their second year, students at Stella Academy begin to feel the pressure of preparing for graduation.
Why the rush? Because by their third year, students are usually sent out into the field for practical training or focus on leveraging their accumulated grades to secure positions in mage towers, essentially starting their career preparation.
Of course, there are plenty of cases where students don’t need to worry about jobs.
For instance, the children of noble families often have bright futures already secured. They either inherit their family’s trade or leverage their connections to secure cushy positions in prominent mage towers through nepotism.
But not all nobles have it so easy.
Take Princess Hong Bi-Yeon of Adolevit, for example.
Royal families face restrictions even when it cos to employnt.
While so of these restrictions are intended to avoid tarnishing the royal family’s reputation, they primarily serve to strip displaced royals, those who lose in the fight for the throne, of any significant power, ensuring they cannot ddle in politics.
In other words, there is no preordained golden path for soone like Hong Bi-Yeon.
She must carve out her own future entirely on her own.
This ans she is busier than most, even compared to commoner students.
And yet, despite her hectic schedule—
’... Why am I wasting my ti like this?’
Hong Bi-Yeon stared at Baek Yu-Seol, who was casually sipping coffee in front of her.
She couldn’t even rember the last ti she had a proper conversation with him.
"Ahem, ahem. So why did you call here?"
Baek Yu-Seol finally spoke up, breaking the silence, as he cautiously observed Hong Bi-Yeon’s deanor. She hadn’t uttered a word the entire ti he finished his coffee, her gaze fixed on him in a way that felt undeniably intimidating.
If he found her silent, unwavering stare unsettling, it wasn’t just his imagination.
Hong Bi-Yeon opened her mouth to say sothing, then imdiately closed it again.
Each ti her lips moved, Baek Yu-Seol inadvertently found himself watching them, only to quickly avert his gaze whenever she shot him a sharp look.
’I don’t even know what to say...’
In truth, the reason Hong Bi-Yeon had impulsively sought out Baek Yu-Seol was because of the recent rumors surrounding him and Scarlet, the first-year student.
But now that she was here, she realized that her own relationship with Baek Yu-Seol hadn’t progressed to anything particularly special either.
So, no matter who Baek Yu-Seol dated, Hong Bi-Yeon had no right to criticize him for it.
"You ca here because of the rumors, didn’t you?"
But it was Baek Yu-Seol who brought up the topic first.
Hong Bi-Yeon knew that admitting it outright would make the situation awkward, so she stayed silent. However, the subtle changes in her expression - her slightly widened eyes and slightly parted lips - did not escape Baek Yu-Seol’s keen observation.
[Surprise, Fluttering]
Noticing her reaction, Baek Yu-Seol sighed inwardly and ran a hand through his hair.
"You don’t need to worry about it."
"... What?"
"I think there was a similar situation before. The rumors usually have a reason behind them, but they’re always baseless."
Even as he explained, Baek Yu-Seol couldn’t fully understand why he felt the need to justify himself.
’If soone overheard this, they’d think I’m stringing people along...’
But that wasn’t the case.
Baek Yu-Seol was certain. He had never intended for things to turn out this way.
It was just that... He hadn’t yet co to terms with his own feelings.
The Fawn Prevernal Moon’s plans were progressing by the day, the end of the world was drawing closer, and nothing was resolved yet. At such a critical ti, he couldn’t recklessly open his heart to anyone.
That hesitation left everything in an ambiguous state.
"...You’re the one who doesn’t need to worry about it."
"...What?"
When Baek Yu-Seol finally responded, Hong Bi-Yeon closed her eyes and spoke.
"This... What I’m doing, it’s just the immature whining of a foolish child. I’m fully aware of that. But when I see you worrying about every little thing about ... it makes ..."
She opened her eyes, looking at him with her crimson gaze.
The coldness that had been in her eyes earlier was gone, replaced by a look full of guilt and apology.
"I know very well how important the things you’re doing are. And yet... Even knowing that, I was just too young and foolish. So please don’t let this kind of thing weigh too heavily on your mind."
"Uh. Well, I just thought..."
"Sigh. I’m not even sure what I’m trying to say anymore. But anyway... Even though I said all that, just knowing that you’re thinking about so deeply is more than enough. Oddly enough, after hearing your answer, I feel calm... like I can think clearly again."
"Really...?"
Hong Bi-Yeon stood up, her lips curving into a soft smile.
It was a stark contrast to the rigid, serious expression she had worn just monts ago, and Baek Yu-Seol felt his neck stiffen in surprise.
That smile wasn’t the kind of grin you’d expect from the villainess of a romance fantasy.
Instead, it was warm and radiant, more fitting for the heroine of such a story. The sight of it struck Baek Yu-Seol like a bell tolling in his head.
’Did I ever know she could smile like that...?’
In Baek Yu-Seol’s eyes, Hong Bi-Yeon looked like the star of a grand stage.
The background around her seed to fade into blackness, as though the world itself had dimd to shine a spotlight solely on her.
Snapping out of it, Baek Yu-Seol shook his head vigorously and pressed his hand to his forehead.
"I must be really tired these days."
Even so, it wasn’t a bad feeling.
Baek Yu-Seol found himself hoping that this peaceful mont, where even minor troubles could occupy his mind, would last just a little while longer.
***
The sky was stained a deep crimson, and below it stretched a jagged, blood-red canyon.
The cliffs looked as though they had been maliciously chewed and torn apart. Between the sharp peaks of the canyon, a massive beast crawled ominously, its glowing red eyes flashing with malice.
Thud! Boom!
Perhaps ’crawling’ wasn’t the right word.
If anyone were standing nearby, they would have to crane their necks painfully to take in the sheer size of the creature.
This colossal beast was known as an Earth Dragon.
It bore the shape of a lizard, yet its tail split into two, and its forehead was irregularly studded with sharp horns. Its long, flowing whiskers gave it the appearance of a mythical dragon from ancient legends.
However, just because the word ’dragon’ is in its na doesn’t an it is a true dragon.
"To give such a pathetic creature the na of a dragon... humans are truly foolish."
Dark Mage Cult Leader Hui-Ryeon gazed at the Earth Dragon with calm yet piercing eyes.
According to legend, an Earth Dragon could detect the movent of all living beings within a radius of hundreds of kiloters through the vibrations of the earth.
Yet strangely, it seed entirely unaware of Hui-Ryeon’s presence.
"I-It’s incredible, Cult Leader...!"
Behind him, dozens of devotees fell to their knees in awe, bowing deeply and singing Hui-Ryeon’s praises.
To not only awaken an Earth Dragon, a creature said to have slumbered for ages, but also control it directly... truly, this was the majesty befitting the highest priest who served the god of the dark mages!
"But, Cult Leader... may I ask where you intend to send the Earth Dragon?"
The dark mage followers’ curiosity was understandable.
The Earth Dragon was so powerful that, according to ancient records, it had taken three Class 9 mages to seal it away.
Though it seed to have completely lost its intelligence and could no longer wield its forr terrifying abilities, its sheer physical power remained formidable.
Sending it to the Central Continent would undoubtedly cause devastating damage.
’Fools.’
Hui-Ryeon clicked his tongue in disdain.
Were their heads rely decorative ornants? Had they already forgotten all the defeats they’d suffered up until now?
’They’re just denying their defeats.’
Pride, a double-edged sword for the Dark Mage.
Even when they lost to humans, they would do everything possible to deny it.
"The humans used cowardly tricks!"
"They ganged up on us!"
"If it were a fair fight, we would’ve won!"
Excuses and justifications piled up endlessly.
Because the dark mages saw themselves as superior to humans, they could not tolerate defeat.
Instead of learning from their losses, they buried the truth, feeding their egos and licking each other’s wounds.
’At this rate, they’re not dark mages. They’re just a pack of wounded dogs.’
’Becoming their king... it’s not sothing I particularly look forward to.’
However, this was his father’s command.
Starting as the king of the dark mages, Hui-Ryeon would eventually rise to the pinnacle of the world.
For now, he had to accept the unpleasant and disgraceful title of the Dark Mage King, but such things were insignificant if he could ultimately hold the entire world in his grasp.
"I will not send it to the Central Continent."
"R-really? As expected, the Cult Leader must have a grand plan!"
There was no grand plan.
Rather, there was a simple reason that would surely wound their pride.
’The Central Continent is protected by Baek Yu-Seol. I can’t send it there.’
Even this mighty Earth Dragon would be crushed effortlessly if Baek Yu-Seol stood against it.
This wasn’t rely Hui-Ryeon’s personal judgnt; it was also the judgnt of Fawn Prevernal Moon.
’I will unseal the Earth Dragon, but do not send it to the Central Continent.’
When Fawn Prevernal Moon had said this, Hui-Ryeon, despite already knowing the reason, had deliberately asked again.
Why?
He wanted to hear Fawn Prevernal Moon confirm it with his own mouth.
’Because of Baek Yu-Seol. He is accelerating fate at an unprecedented pace. If we’re not cautious, he could pose a significant threat.’
In other words, even Fawn Prevernal Moon, effectively Hui-Ryeon’s father, was wary of Baek Yu-Seol and sought to keep him in check.
Frankly, it was difficult for Hui-Ryeon to believe.
Was it even possible for Fawn Prevernal Moon, arguably the strongest being in the world, to fear a single human?
While it was true that Baek Yu-Seol wasn’t an ordinary human, Fawn Prevernal Moon was no less extraordinary.
Recalling that conversation, Hui-Ryeon spoke to the Dark Mage followers.
"The Earth Dragon... is on its way to the Dark Mage King."
At last, the dark mages seed to understand Hui-Ryeon’s intention, and they raised their heads with expressions of realization.
"Y-you an...!"
"Yes. It’s ti to prepare to sever the Dark Mage King’s head."
"Of course!"
"No matter how powerful the King is, surely the Earth Dragon’s strength will be enough to bring him down!"
"Ah, as expected of you, Cult Leader..."
The dark mages seed convinced, but Hui-Ryeon thought otherwise.
’No, the Earth Dragon won’t be able to kill the Dark Mage King.’
It had been nearly 50 years since the Dark Mage King last revealed his true power.
Hui-Ryeon, having learned about the Dark Mage King’s true abilities from his father, was certain that even the Earth Dragon couldn’t kill him.
’The ability to absorb all magic and make it his own...’
Such a monstrous power wouldn’t be defeated by sothing as trivial as the Earth Dragon.
But that wasn’t the point.
Even if it wasn’t enough to kill him, it would suffice if the Dark Mage King suffered any kind of significant damage.
The Earth Dragon, a creature of legend, would serve its purpose as nothing more than a sacrificial pawn.
’The real plan begins after the blow is struck.’
The Dark Mage King wouldn’t die, but he would undoubtedly sustain a grave injury.
Hui-Ryeon was certain of this because his father, Fawn Prevernal Moon, had made special arrangents for the Earth Dragon.
’A wounded Dark Mage King would be forced to hastily choose a successor...’
Soone to inherit his boundless power and eternally take the throne within the depths of darkness.
’Ma Yu-Seong. He will be summoned.’
Hui-Ryeon’s eyes glead sharply.
The mont Ma Yu-Seong inherited the Dark Mage King’s power would be Hui-Ryeon’s golden opportunity.
To take for himself the ability to absorb all forms of dark magic, a power that defied the very laws of the world.
’With that power... I will finally beco the true king and bring the world to its knees.’
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