Five years had passed since the Shaduwar ended. The once-proud House Luvelaine was no more than a whispered memory. A fallen banner in the empire's long and bloody history.
Nothing could serve as further proof than what Caelus saw as he treaded the streets of the city, shrouded by a cloak.
The people rejoiced in their newfound era of peace, leisurely going about their day without a care in the world. The buildings stood tall, especially the grand palace and its golden spires shining from afar. The sounds, the noises — all so loud and nonsensical... it drove Caelus to near insanity.
Today was a cause for celebration, for the first light of dawn marked the fifth anniversary of the Ego of Strife's defeat.
"Look, honey," said a man to his wife. "The children are laughing and playing."
"Indeed. It seems that the world can finally rest, but it does worry me that the Archdemon is still out and about. Why hasn't the empire gotten rid of him yet?"
Because they literally can't. They couldn't kill the Archdemon even if they wanted to, for they lack the very thing that demons are unmatched. Power.
"I wanna become a knight when I grow up!" shouted a kid to his friends. "One day, I'll march to the demon realm, and I'll be the one to slay him!"
"Yeah, right. Get real," another child scoffed. "You'd freeze up in fear the moment you see him."
It is the nature of children to dream about the impossible, so Caelus couldn't condemn them. Still, it was an amusing thought. The Archdemon... is not someone who can be slain, especially by a mere child. He would know that better than anyone.
"The kids sure are lively," a woman giggled as she passed them by. "I suppose the Archdemon's defeat has finally brought about a golden age."
Golden age? Caelus couldn't help but scoff.
"It's too bad those who died couldn't stand in ceremony with us," the woman's friend said. "It is a shame, especially for that... House Luvelaine."
"The disgraced house that was completely wiped out just days before the war ended?"
"Yes. How unfortunate, indeed."
Caelus pulled to a stop, his fists clenching at his side.
Unbeknownst to them, the Shaduwar didn't truly end. It merely halted. For whatever reason, Arkus de Vellum pulled his army back after House Luvelaine's patriarch died. However, no one knew that except for Caelus and his sister, so he had to restrain himself upon hearing such ignorant words.
He leaned his head back and sighed at the sky.
"This better be worth it."
After a long walk, Caelus finally found himself at a bridge leading to a massive gatehouse. A shimmering moat outlined the walls of pure white. Golden spires hung from the ramparts, serving as nothing more than excessive decorations. From within, colossal towers could be seen.
Just as the rumors say, it was magnificent, imposing, and overly bright.
Rhodeia College, a prestigious institution that opens its doors once every year. Even now, the walk across the bridge saw dozens of prospecting students, many from notable backgrounds, hoping for admission to the upcoming semester. And among them was Caelus.
He approached the front gates along with the others, but thanks to his hood and rugged appearance, he was met with some unkind stares.
"Who is this guy?"
"Must be a commoner. I heard that even rats from the dirtiest backstreets have a chance to be admitted to Rhodeia."
Gosh... I can smell that stench all the way from here. Hope I don't get into the same class as him."
"Pfft~ Same here."
It seemed to Caelus that nobles hadn't changed at all during his five-year absence. Still arrogant, still biting off more than they can chew, and still treating the ones who created their noble status like trash.
At last, he passed the gates to the sprawling courtyard. A beautiful, expansive garden lay out in front of him, filled with blooming flowers from all corners of the world. And at its center was a mesmerizing fountain.
He looked up at the tallest building just in front of him. Crafted from elegantly carved wood and outlined in polished stone. Of course, with the occasional gold accents. Already, the blatant pretension was getting to him.
After yet another short walk through the courtyard and dealing with a couple more spiteful words, he made it to the registrar's office. Here, prospects must undergo a vetting process. Where they came from, what their goal is, and what their capabilities are.
"Next in line, please," said a lady behind one of the many desks.
Caelus approached her and pulled out the forged application that Mephisto had given him.
No going back now.
And he promptly handed her the envelope. The lady took it, her eyes skimming through the parchment with relative apathy, as if she'd been doing this all day.
Suddenly, shot up from her seat with a slam, her eyes wide open. The other staff members and prospecting students stopped to stare at her, then at the cloaked man.
Slowly, she peeked past the paper, her wide eyes narrowing on him.
"You... Is this a joke...?" she muttered.
Without a word, Caelus removed his hood. His black hair lifted for a second before falling back down into its messy layers. Many of those who stood to witness this moment had never seen him before, but to the few who had, they were just as surprised as the lady.
Normally, among the most pure-blooded noble families, there is a feature that distinguishes them from the rest.
The imperial family's golden, bright as the sun itself.
House Sigurdia's shining white hair, pristine like snow.
As for a house long since forgotten, it was their mesmerizing lavender eyes.
"Caelus de Luvelaine," he said. "Son of Karlon. I'm here to become a student of Rhodeia College."
No one said a word. All breaths were held. They had not heard of such a name for five years, and every time it came up, it was the subject of disgrace.
They were all killed. Sent to the frontlines to die. The knights, the Patriarch, and even his children. None survived the Battle of the Pale Valley. It was reported that the entire valley became a wasteland... so how was it that the heir of House Luvelaine was standing before them now?
"Is there a problem, ma'am?" he asked.
"W-what? Of course there is!" she exclaimed. "Do you not realize how absurd your claim is?! How can you... y-you..."
Before she could retaliate any further, her eyes inconspicuously locked onto a certain young man leaning against the back wall. He simply planted a finger on his smirk, and that was all it took.
The lady quickly sat back down, spread the parchment on the desk, and promptly signed it. She shot her arm out, handing it back to him.
Caelus tilted his head with a brow raised.
Wasn't there supposed to be a vetting process...?
He decided not to question it and took took the paper.
"Thank you," he said before walking away.
On the first step past the doors, the spectators kept watching. On the second step, they turned to each other. And finally, the third step was accompanied by the ensuing commotion.
"What did he just say?"
"Luvelaine? The legendary noble house that fell toward the end of the Shaduwar?"
"There's no way, right?! I don't believe it!"
"But the registrar lady just signed his paper. That means..."
Still in shock at that sudden interaction, the lady leaned back on her seat and stared at the ceiling. The younger woman on the desk beside her leaned over and rested a hand on her shoulder.
"A-are you alright?" she gulped.
"I... I believe so..." the first lady sighed. "That man..."
"Yeah, I agree. For someone to come here and claim they're from the fallen house of Luvelaine is insanity! I was surprised when you signed his admission paper, but I'm sure you had your reason."
"Well... Yes. Yes, you are right."
However, the man she was talking about was not the one who claimed an impossible identity. It was the one whose snake-like eyes were practically threatening her to stay silent.
She thought to herself, What the hell is that conniving little bastard planning this time...?