Fritz handed his ceremonial uniform to the shop assistant, who looked at him with a raised eyebrow, visibly surprised.

— The event ended just an hour ago, and you have three days to return it. Are you sure you want to return it now?

Fritz nodded briefly, dismissing it as something unimportant.

The woman tilted her head, intrigued.

— You should be celebrating with your family.

With his typical deadpan expression, Fritz replied without hesitation.

— I don’t have a family to celebrate with. And no, it’s not because we’re fighting. I’m an orphan. Now, could you give me back my deposit?

The woman hesitated a moment before handing him the money, watching him as he walked out of the store without looking back.

Fritz headed to the store next door, but upon entering, he was met with a chaos of people. It was filled with newly graduated cadets and their families, all radiating pride and excitement.

What bothered him most, however, wasn't the crowd, but the prices. Everything on the shelves had tripled in cost, shamelessly taking advantage of the festive atmosphere.

Anger began to boil inside him. If it weren't for the deposit on that suit, perhaps he would have been able to buy food at a fair price. Now, his options were slim.

In the end, Fritz emerged from the store with a piece of stale bread, the one item no one wanted and the only one whose price hadn't changed.

His gaze fell on the cheering crowd. Beaming faces, shared laughter, and the unmistakable glow of pride filled the air. Graduates raised their Agnus Academy plaques in glee, showing them to their families as if shouting, "Look, I'm special!"

Fritz pulled his own plaque from his pocket. Its surface reflected the academy seal: a sheep carrying a flag adorned with the symbol of the sun. But what really caught his attention was the number engraved beneath it:

10,523.

Out of seventy thousand students, he had managed to get a place on the list. However, that number meant nothing. It was insignificant.

He knew what it represented: only the first five thousand had the privilege of going to the capital. The others, like him, were sent at random, scattered like puzzle pieces throughout the territory.

Fritz let out a soft sigh before putting the badge away again. Without wasting any more time, he entered his temporary housing. There was only a week left before he had to report to the assignment center, where he would be informed of his final destination.

He allowed himself a moment to imagine what this place would be like. Would it be quiet? Would he be able to find respite there? But he quickly dismissed those thoughts. He knew the odds were not in his favor. He would almost certainly be sent to the front lines. Perhaps to a border area, if he was lucky he would guard a small town far from the borders.

With disgust, he picked up the stale piece of bread and began to eat it. The tasteless taste accompanied him in his resignation. It wasn't much, but at least it would give him enough energy to stay fit. And in this world, staying on his feet was the only thing that mattered.

Deep down, Fritz would have liked to say that he had an exciting week, but the truth was that it was quite the opposite: a tedious and monotonous week.

His routine was divided between training and rest, over and over again. He would occasionally go out to buy supplies, but he would always quickly return to his small apartment. He knew that such an isolated lifestyle was not good for him. Still, as someone who came from another world, he understood better than anyone that the less he interacted with people, the safer everyone would be.

If there was one thing he had learned in the nineteen years he had been in this world, it was that he had a special talent for getting into trouble. No matter what he did, he seemed to attract chaos like a magnet. Even people tended to get angry with him and contradict him, although perhaps that was due to his “adorable” personality (he’s not adorable)… or perhaps because he was too handsome and incredibly intelligent. (He’s a bit of a narcissist)

And so, the days passed quickly. When he least expected it, the week had come to an end. Now, he held in his hands a sheet of paper with a marked appointment.

With a cold, calculating gaze, Fritz looked around the assignment center building. He was preparing for the big day, the day when his fate would be decided.

Fritz stood in a long line with other people, all waiting for their assignment.

If there was one thing Fritz truly admired about this world, it was its bureaucracy. Everything worked quickly, was straightforward, and designed to be as efficient as possible. Even though it took two hours until his turn came, he couldn't complain. Finally, he approached a table where a receptionist was waiting.

The young woman was remarkably beautiful, much more so than Fritz expected to find in a place like this. In contrast to the ordinary people who appeared on television, the employees at this place seemed to be incredibly attractive. Fritz arched an eyebrow, looking around. All the workers shared that same characteristic, and he couldn't help but think sarcastically: Maybe I should look for a job here. His ego allowed him to easily imagine himself as part of that exclusive group.

However, his train of thought was abruptly stopped when the receptionist spoke to him.

—So, Fritz, number 10,523. You're here for your assignment.

Fritz nodded without hesitation.

The receptionist took a folder and, with a smile so radiant that it could eclipse the sun itself, handed him the documents. Her smile was so charming that even the coldest heart would have shivered... and although Fritz hid it, he felt a slight drumming in his chest.

With a sweet and professional voice, the young woman continued:

— You will leave in two days. All the information you need is in this folder. Prepare well... and fight for the empire.

The smile she gave him was so genuine and kind that Fritz could not help but reflect. Now he understood why they hired such attractive people: not only did they give information, but they also managed to calm and entertain the hearts of the soldiers, making them feel accepted and valued.

Fritz let out a small sigh and nodded. He knew that the process was fast, and with so many people waiting, he could not stay long. He took the folder, thanked briefly, and left. It was a short procedure, as expected; At the end of the day, what the empire needed were soldiers, not long talks.

As Fritz walked away, something curious happened. The receptionist's expression changed completely. The sweet kindness disappeared from her face, and in its place a sly, almost malevolent look emerged. She remembered Fritz's name as a sarcastic smile appeared on her lips.

Usually, men blush and lose control when they see my face. But this guy... he kept his composure. Interesting.

In her personal experience, those who control their emotions are the ones who go the furthest... Perhaps a future hero of the empire.

Stolen novel; please report.

The sound of the door opening brought her out of her thoughts. In an instant, her attitude changed completely: her face was once again that of a lovely professional, her perfect smile ready to greet the next person in line.

Fritz, who would normally have returned to his small apartment, decided this time to head straight to Ziris' library.

For those who don't know, Ziris is a city strategically built near Agnus Academy. This city thrives on students and their families, offering accommodations and services focused on their needs. During the beginning and end of school years, Ziris reaches its peak, with visitors and nobles spending without restraint, leaving a river of profits for local merchants. However, it's not all about commerce; Ziris also possesses valuable resources, such as a large library that serves as a reference point for the academy's students.

But unlike the Agnus Academy, this library is not free. It charges for time of use, something that many consider an injustice but that Fritz accepted as a fact of life in this world.

Entering, he headed to the counter. A receptionist greeted him, but upon seeing him, she immediately narrowed her eyes.

…

Fritz raised his hands in surrender, adopting a tone of false understanding:

— I promise you that I will not hit anyone... not with a book, not with a bookshelf, not...

His expression showed a slight trace of discomfort, as if he had just remembered something.

—I have no bread in my hands.

The receptionist sighed, somewhat skeptical, but slid a ticket across the table. Fritz took it and left some coins next to the counter before entering the library.

He found a free table and sat down. He opened the folder he had received from the assignment office and began to read. As he had predicted, he was sent to the front lines, to an eastern border region called Ikyrus. This territory borders Sombría, a nation known for its instability and constant hostility.

Fritz raised an eyebrow and closed the folder. He stood up and began to walk through the aisles of the library. The old scent of worn paper and dried ink surrounded him, a reminder of the passage of time and the stories contained in those books. Patiently, he collected volumes that might be useful to him. When he had a small pile, he returned to the table and carefully organized them.

He couldn't help it. Learning about the region that would soon be his new home was a necessity, not a whim. He wanted to know the customs, the dangers, and everything that could make the difference between surviving or perishing in that unknown land.

He thought coldly of something practical: if he found out that the survival rate on Ikyrus was less than forty percent, he was willing to give up right away and wait for another chance. Deep down, though, he knew that was pointless. No matter how much he wanted to, he would have to go anyway.

Fritz looked up and took in his surroundings. The library was deserted, as if everyone else had found better ways to spend their time. For a moment, he thought that maybe he was exaggerating, that he was being too paranoid.

Maybe I’m just wasting my time, he mused.

But he quickly dismissed the thought. He preferred to err on the side of caution rather than let reality hit him when it was too late.

With renewed determination, he opened the first book and began to read.

Although officially the place was known as Ikyrus, most called it “The Cemetery.” It wasn’t just a popular nickname; even the higher-ups of the empire used that term casually. However, in official documents, the name remained Ikyrus. Changing it would involve modifying all administrative records, and the empire, with its obsession with efficiency, preferred to avoid that expense. In short, they recognized the nickname, but for bureaucratic purposes, the place would continue to be called Ikyrus.

Fritz continued to read carefully.

One thing was clear: the strategic importance of the Graveyard lay in three key points.

The first objective: Sombria.

Even though Sombria shares only ten percent of its borders with the empire, this region is a constant hotbed of conflict. Although it is generally peaceful, there is one exception: the Graveyard.

No one knows for sure why Sombria's skeleton armies are concentrated at this point. They are an endless force, as if emerging from nowhere, and they attack with inhuman persistence. Battles can go from long periods of calm to seemingly endless storms of violence, testing the Cemetery's resilience.

Despite its strategic importance, the empire has never shown interest in conquering Sombria. Its aridity, lack of resources, and harsh living conditions make this land practically uninhabitable. Rumors suggest that a large city of heretics exists within it, but these are only speculations without concrete evidence.

“Perhaps I can find out more about these heretics at the Cemetery” Fritz thought as he turned a page.

The second objective: The Forest of Death.

To the east of the Graveyard lies a forest so vast that even the Empire's maps cannot delimit its size. However, its danger lies not in its size, but in the deadly creatures that inhabit it. Entering the forest represents a survival rate of less than ten percent.

From time to time, monsters emerge from the forest and attack the Graveyard, being so deadly that they have even managed to breach the walls on more than one occasion. Even so, the Imperial forces have managed to exterminate them each time. However, Fritz noticed that some sections of the report seemed censored.

“Perhaps the Forest of Death is not as simple as it seems” he thought, distrustful.

The third target: The Titan of Chaos.

In the southwest of the Graveyard, there lies a colossus of colossal proportions: the Titan of Chaos. Standing approximately four hundred meters tall, this being has remained motionless for a thousand years, according to imperial records.

The seventh emperor six hundred years ago left behind a disturbing prophecy: When the Titan moves from its resting place, the empire will fall.

Although reports on the Titan were sparse and full of gaps, one thing was clear: its gaze was fixed in the direction of the imperial capital, as if awaiting the fulfillment of the prophecy.

Over time, the empire's interest in the Titan had waned, and in recent years, even regular reports on its status stopped being sent.

“So, in short, there is a millennia-old being nearby that could destroy me at any time” Fritz thought with a mixture of irony and resignation.

He continued reading. Despite the inherent dangers of the Graveyard, records indicated that its mortality rate was surprisingly low, barely ten percent. This was because the defenses were always at the forefront, and clashes with Shadow, though frequent, were manageable.

The real danger lay in the raids into the Forest of Death, but such missions were rare and usually carried out by outside groups, not the soldiers assigned to the Graveyard.

Fritz looked through other books with information on the Graveyard. The details varied slightly, but the gist was the same, and the data was consistent. However, three concerns stood out in his mind:

Grim, with its endless army of undead and vast desert.

The Forest of Death, an abyss filled with deadly creatures.

And the Titan of Chaos, a dormant threat that could awaken at any moment.

— At least it doesn’t look as bad as I thought

he muttered as he closed the last book. However, he knew he was being optimistic. Appearances can be deceiving, especially in a place called “The Cemetery.”

As Fritz was about to leave the library, a chill ran down his spine. He felt a stare from behind the bookshelves. He turned quickly, but saw no one. Only the muffled sound of retreating footsteps broke the silence.

It was clear that someone was watching him, but also that the person preferred to remain hidden. Fritz, with his experience and the certainty that he should not look for trouble, let the situation fade away on its own.

“Maybe I will regret this in the future… or maybe not” he thought. The only thing that was clear was that he had to focus on preparing for what was to come.

As he pondered, his gaze fell on a pair of imposing volumes. One was an encyclopedia of skeletons, the other a catalogue of the creatures of the Forest of Death. Although both books were seven years old and possibly out of date, Fritz considered them essential. Without hesitation, he took them with him, determined to make copies and study them during his trip to the Cemetery.

Despite everything, he still had a hard time accepting it: his new home would be called Cemetery.

----------------------------------------

Two days later.

Fritz checked his luggage one last time. His personal suitcase was small, barely enough to survive. It contained clothing, basic provisions, and the two books he had meticulously copied in the library.

The second suitcase, provided by the empire, was filled with tools for war: a soldier’s uniform, a standard weapon, ammunition, and a survival kit. The latter he found particularly useful, a silent reminder of how unpredictable fate was at the front.

He had invested his first pay into buying extra ammunition. “You never know when you might need it,” he muttered as he secured the suitcase’s closure.

With everything ready, the excitement was palpable in the air. In front of him, several military convoys were preparing to transport soldiers to the Cemetery. As engines roared and soldiers exchanged nervous words, Fritz remained calm, an obvious contrast to the hectic atmosphere.

“Maybe… things aren’t as bad as they seem” he thought as he boarded the convoy.

----------------------------------------

In the Cemetery.

Far away, at an altar lit by a merciless sun, a young blond man in white robes was breathing heavily. His clothing, marked with the symbol of the Sun, indicated his affiliation with the Church of the Sun Goddess. However, his face was drenched in cold sweat, and his hands trembled as he muttered hurried prayers.

Suddenly, his eyes opened wide. A terrifying vision consumed him:

A devastated land. Death and destruction in every corner. Endless war.

At the center of that chaos, a gigantic skull dressed in black robes stood imposingly. Despite having no facial muscles, the skull seemed to smile mockingly, radiating an aura of untold evil.

The young man fell to his knees, panting.

“The Cemetery will be destroyed in a year!” he screamed in horror, his voice echoing in the vast, silent temple.