Chapter 1: Invitation
Ten thousand years ago, a great war covered the entire world. It was an invasion from another world, the Abyss.
An inter-dimensional gate leading to the Abyssal Realm opened, allowing the abyssal monsters, born with insatiable destructive desires, to enter the world.
The abyssal monsters were like ants to sugar, swarming out of their home and annihilating dozens of kingdoms. Countless lives were lost in the invasion, and several species were pushed to the brink of extinction.
Amidst this dark period, a single maiden emerged and overturned the tables of the great war. Wielding a magic bow and potent ice magic, the maiden slew countless abyssal monsters and saved countless lives, causing her to be hailed as a hero.
Using her fame and power, the maiden rallied the remaining survivors and led a charge to the Abyssal Gate, aiming to stop the otherworldly invasion. After a long and arduous battle, the Abyssal Gate was sealed, and the world entered a period of peace.
However, this peace was obtained at an immense price. Over 80% of the advance army was exterminated, and the maiden used her life to cast her strongest ice magic, sealing the Abyssal Gate in a prism of seven-coloured ice.
The maiden’s closest companions, the rest of the Twelve Heroes, commemorated the sacrifice of their dearest friend by founding an academy to train future heroes that would protect the world.
The institute’s name is [Elysium Academy].
………
“So?”
“What do you mean, ‘So?’.”
My master, a wrinkled old lady dressed in a black robe, grumbled.
“The story of the Hero, Elysia, and the Abyssal War. I’ve heard that story countless times. What’s the point of telling me that now?”
“You…Hah…”
My master looked as if she wanted to scold me but gave up and sighed.
“…Here.”
With a wave of her hand, my master levitated an envelope to me and said.
The envelope was clean and pristine, printed with the highest quality paper. There was a wax seal with snowflake insignia pressed onto it.
“This is…”
Recognising the insignia, I opened the envelope and read the letter inside.
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“…”
It was an invitation for me to enrol in Elysium Academy, the most prestigious academy in the world, containing the best teachers and resources.
Anybody who graduated from Elysium Academy would receive worldwide respect. They would have no trouble finding jobs, and any business started by an Elysium graduate would receive countless investment offers.
However, it is notoriously hard to enrol, much less graduate, from Elysium Academy.
To enrol into Elysium Academy, one had to pass three exams; a written exam to test knowledge, a practical exam to test physical capabilities, and a departmental exam depending on the selected department.
In the martial arts department’s third exam, the examinee must defeat a monster in single and group combat to pass.
In the magical arts department, the examinee must showcase their magic control and speciality magic.
Even if you receive a passing grade for all three exams, applicants aren’t guaranteed enrolment into Elysium Academy, as their yearly acceptance limit is a hundred per department.
Elysium Academy allowed everyone and anyone to enrol, provided they were not criminals and passed the entrance exam.
The invitation in my hand would allow me to bypass the first two entrance exams and participate in the third exam directly.
“What brought this up?”
I asked my master while waving the letter.
My master was a recluse and detested even leaving the house. She rarely interacted with anyone except me and mainly relied on me to prepare her meals and clean the house. Without me, I’m afraid my master would have long been buried under a sea of books.
“…It’s a request.”
My master sounded annoyed as she answered.
“My damned younger sister is the current principal of the academy. She heard about you and felt it would be a waste for you not to enrol.”
“Huh? I’ve lived with you since childhood and never knew you had a younger sister.”
When I was an infant, my parents were killed by magical beasts. It was my master who saved and raised me.
Throughout my life, not once had I heard about my master’s family. I thought she was just a lonely witch living in the woods.
I didn’t expect her to have a younger sister in such a high position.
“We aren’t close. The last time we spoke was 30 years ago. It’s not surprising that you don’t know about her.”
“Anyway, I couldn’t reject her, so I told her to send a letter to let you decide.”
“…”
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t interested in it.
I always wanted to venture out into the world, but I was always worried that my lazy master wouldn’t be able to survive without my help.
The enrolment letter was a path, a way for me to explore the world beyond this small mountain village.
“You can go if you want to, you know. I’m not helpless without you.”
As if reading my mind, my master spoke up, meeting my eyes with her deep and mysterious gaze.
“…You sure?”
I couldn’t help but ask.
“If you really want to go, then go. Besides, enrolling in Elysium Academy will be good for you. They can teach you many things I can’t, and there will be many people your age, so why not?”
My master replied nonchalantly before continuing.
“This village is a tad small for you. You should go into the world, learn new things and meet new people. Expand your horizons and maybe leave a mark on this world.”
“If one day, you feel tired of the outside world. You can always return to this village.”
“…”
…………
“Wow…”
I couldn’t help but speak out in amazement as I alighted from the carriage. Before me was the sea, a vast expanse of blue that stretched to the horizon.
The salty breeze of the sea filled the air as rowdy fishermen shouted at one another as they unloaded cargo from ships.
Living in a mountain village, I had never seen the ocean before, only hearing stories from the older villagers and visiting merchants.
The city streets had rows of stands selling various products, ranging from fish to vegetables to toys to accessories.
This was the port city, Curruid. It holds the largest port on the West Continent, with hundreds of ships coming and going every day.
With my master’s blessing and a few gifts from her, I hitched a ride from the merchant caravan that came to the village once a month.
The village is located in the mountains of the West Continent. It took three days to reach Curruid due to the rough terrain and plentiful beasts.
“Amazing, isn’t it?”
A gruff voice broke me out of my reverie, causing me to turn towards the speaker.
Standing beside me with a slight smile was a muscular middle-aged man. He had short grey hair and a full beard with strands of black. He was dressed in simple leather armour, with a short spear and round shield strapped on his back.
The man is Leon Sarca, a seasoned mercenary who guarded the caravan that brought me to the port city.
While inhabiting the village with the caravan, Leon told stories of his youth to the village children, making him popular among them. He spoke of his adventures and the world outside of the village.
“Yeah!”
Unable to contain my excitement, I gave an excited grin.
“Hahaha! That’s good!”
Laughing loudly, Leon smacked my back.
“The Tethra will be leaving tomorrow, kid. It will take around a week, so you should prepare for a long trip.”
“Go to Mercury Wings. Their stuff is good quality and fairly priced. Let’s meet at the Black Whale Inn in two hours.”
Leon advised me on the coming journey. He was also going to the Central Continent, so we planned on leaving together.
Parting ways with Leon, I followed his directions to Mercury Wings.