The afternoon sun filtered through the tall, arched windows of the Yearlord's private quarters, casting golden rays upon the obsidian tiles. The room was vast—more akin to a throne chamber than a dormitory. Ancient tapestries adorned the walls, embroidered with emblems of past Yearlords. A small fountain trickled softly in one corner, enchanted to circulate endlessly. Shelves stacked with tomes, scrolls, and crystalline artifacts circled the chamber, and at the center, Arthur Valerian sat quietly.
He leaned against a velvet-backed chair carved from onyx wood, the black folds of his uniform draped like a shadow over the seat. In his hand, he held a parchment sealed with a golden sigil — the Erinoguard emblem. He broke the seal and unfolded the document.
"Weekly Curriculum — First Year Cadets," it read in swirling script.
Arthur's golden eyes scanned the schedule.
⸻
Erinoguard Academy – First-Year Weekly Schedule
Mandatory Classes:
• Monday — Basic Mana Theory & Practical
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Internal mana flow, breathing techniques, foundational spells.
• Tuesday — Combat Training & Skill Mastery
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Weapon arts, magical dueling, body reinforcement, and strategic combat drills.
• Saturday — Arcane Knowledge & Ritual Practice
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Fundamentals of runes, magic skills and spells, arcane theory, and core expansion.
Elective Days (Choose Your Path):
• Wednesday — Elemental Control
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Friday — Alchemy & Potion Studies
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Sunday — Guild Clubs & Independent Research
Optional day. Attend clubs, conduct missions, or rest.
"Three core classes a week…" he muttered, eyes scanning the parchment with casual ease.
"…It's a lot better than back on Earth."
He set the letter aside and leaned back into the velvet chair. Despite the calm, his mind was already spinning.
They'll come soon.
The dragons, the demons, the ones born proud and violent. They wouldn't tolerate someone else sitting on the throne they believed theirs by birthright. Not a human. Not someone they didn't expect.
Arthur's golden eyes narrowed.
"Let them come. I won't give up this position… It's too important for my plan."
He closed his eyes for a moment, but then opened one as a faint voice echoed in his mind—silken, with a hint of attitude.
"You forgot to thank me, Master."
He smiled.
"Ah… right. Thank you, Elaris. I couldn't have aced the theory exam without you."
Elaris—his ultimate skill, a sentient construct born the moment he formed his Core and broke into Rank 1. She resided within his soul, invisible to all but him. A skill with a voice, a mind, and the power to absorb and simplify knowledge.
"Using me and then forgetting me. How very mortal of you."
Arthur chuckled.
"Sorry, sorry. But it really is amazing. You simplified the complex theories like a dream."
"Of course. I exist to ensure your superiority. Ignorance is not acceptable."
There was a beat of silence before Arthur leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.
"Hey, Elaris… Did you record their stats?"
"Obviously. Before you even thought to ask."
"You're not as humble as you look."
"And you're not as clever as you pretend, Master."
"Tch. Acting grumpy again?"
"I am not."
"You are."
"I am not."
"Fine, fine. Let's call it even."
A faint giggle rang in his mind, softer this time, almost playful.
Arthur stood, walking toward the balcony, the warm wind ruffling his midnight-black uniform. His eyes, glowing faintly gold, scanned the city beneath the clouds.
"Elaris."
"Yes, Master?"
"What do you think? Where are they?"
"Watching. Hiding. Training. Or waiting. Be careful, Arthur. Even with your strength, arrogance invites ruin."
"I know," he said, voice steady. "That's why I'm becoming strong. That's why I came here."
He lifted his hand.
"Elaris. Show me my status."
"As you wish, Master."
A faint shimmer of blue light pulsed in the air. An intricate magic circle unfolded, followed by transparent glyphs forming a crystalline panel—his status window.
⸻
✦ STATUS — Arthur Valerian
Age: 15
Rank: 2 (Peak)
Class: Swordsman
Elemental Affinity: Void (10% Mastery)
Core: Divine Core
Physique: Worldheart Frame (Mythic Physique – Stage 2)
⸻
⚔️ ULTIMATE SKILL: Revelation — Soul Archive: Elaris
Type: Sentient Support Skill
Tier: Ultimate
Bound to: Arthur Valerian
Functions:
• Analyze emotional/mana signatures
• Scan skills of any being 5 ranks below
• Full identity analysis if target is same rank or lower
• Combat Memory Link
• Strategic Projection (30m cooldown)
• Danger Pulse (detect intent, traps, assassination)
• Knowledge Solver: Break down, simplify, and optimize skill trees
Limitations:
• Cannot analyze divine beings or sealed entities
• Overuse causes mana fatigue and strain
• Cannot directly fight
⸻
⚔️ ULTIMATE SKILL: Blade God — Arvandir
Type: Insight-Based Sword Mastery
Evolution of: Sword Lord
Tier: Ultimate
Core Functions:
• Infinite Sword Insight: Understand, refine, or dismantle any sword technique after one viewing
• Instinctive Adaptation: Muscle and mana respond before thought
• Movement Prediction (vs. swordsmen): See 3 future sword paths as glowing trails
• Conceptual Sword Comprehension: (Locked until Rank 4) Passive mastery of all sword fundamentals — even without aura or mana
⸻
⚙️ Physique: Worldheart Frame (Stage 2)
Type: Mythic Physique
• Absorbs ambient mana and natural energy (boosts cultivation)
• Regenerates limbs using absorbed energy
• Organ regeneration still locked
⸻
📚 Additional Skills:
• Legendary Skill: Quantum Edge Mastery (35%)
• S-Rank Skill: (55%)
• A-Rank Skills: 6 complete, 2 at 80%
• B–F Rank Skills: Full Mastery
⸻
Arthur's eyes skimmed through the display. He knew each number, each mastery percentage. He wasn't just strong—he was far beyond what anyone would expect of a fifteen-year-old.
"I've spent five years mastering my skills," he said quietly. "And with the divine core… with both my ultimate skills… I became far stronger than I used to be."
"You trained, not understood," Elaris said, her voice cool. "You moved through instinct. I deciphered the laws. I restructured complex skills so you could digest them."
Arthur smirked. "You're taking credit for everything again."
"Because I deserve it."
He chuckled. "Then why didn't you mention my second ultimate skill?"
"Hmph. Displeased."
There was a long pause between them. Comfortable. Familiar.
The kind of silence shared by those who knew each other too well.
The sun vanished beneath the horizon. Arcadia shimmered in a thousand golden lights, floating over the clouds like a dream carved by gods.
Arthur sat down on the edge of his bed, exhaling slowly.
Tomorrow would be the true beginning.
Not the entrance, not the speech, not the crown of Yearlord—but the real start. Combat, politics, danger… and secrets buried in the walls of Erinoguard Academy.
And beneath it all, his purpose.
He looked up at the ceiling. "Let's see how long I can keep my head above the tide."
"You won't drown," Elaris whispered softly. "Not as long as I'm here."
He smiled faintly.
Outside, night blanketed the world.
Inside, the storm in Arthur's soul waited—calm for now, but ever-burning.