Runheimr. This is the name of the northern lands where the Kingdom of Frostheim rules. As the name suggests, there are many frosty and magical places up in the north. The people's magic tended to drift toward ice and fire too, but with ice being more powerful and dominant.
The Sanctus Empire was located in the southern region known as Sol. Sunny, pleasant, and filled with your typical fantastical enjoyments: elves, dwarves, monsters, and dungeons.
The last location worth speaking of, the mountainous region to the east, was home to the demons.
This brief recollection I was having was interrupted when the headmaster clapped his hands loudly, drawing everyone's attention in unison.
"My name is Gaius Magnum, and I am the headmaster of Aurelium Academy. Before we begin, I would like to celebrate this moment of unity. This year, 930, marks the tenth year since this academy's founding."
Cheers and loud clapping resounded before Gaius waved everyone silent.
"For those who are not well-learned, or are uneducated by birth," Gaius continued, with a few faint snickers echoing in the auditorium, "this Academy was established as a joint effort between the Sanctus Empire and Frostheim Kingdom to fight demons."
An emotional tone weaved its way into his old voice.
"I am very happy we've created this academy. An ironic statement, considering the purpose of this place. War forges friendships and bonds that can only be made through shared struggle and bloodshed. These are friendships that last a lifetime."
"And for the first time in centuries, our people fight together!" Gaius breathed, gripping his podium tightly with a smile as more students cheered.
'How many souls do you think that man has sent off to an unremarkable end?' Achlys snickered in my mind. 'His soul reeks of death. I can smell it from here.'
Achlys was not far off. Gaius's history was one of numerous lost comrades in his younger days against Frostheim, and more so now against the demonic hordes. He had killed thousands to survive.
Speaking of surviving, that is something I have to think about.
Mephitis is my name, and with memories of the novel returning, I realized why students around me were a little nervous. Compared to their smooth skin and unworked hands, I indeed looked like a thug with calloused hands and an unfriendly aura.
Was it intentional? Partially, but not because of them. Because of Achlys.
And who was I? Who was Mephitis in this novel?
A villain to be slain by the hero for consuming innocent souls.
Was there an alternative solution for the original Mephitis?
Yes, but Mephitis was a little messed up in the head.
When the hero discovered that he was the one behind the missing students, it was revealed that Mephitis needed souls to feed Achlys so that his own remained untouched. The problem was that Mephitis didn't care who it was and he even enjoyed doing it.
'I can be selective. Isn't that right, Achlys? It doesn't matter whose soul it is or what creature, so long as you're fed.'
'Hm...? That is correct, stranger. Status does not matter, only the size and strength of a soul.'
Yes, and the hero had a soul that would've kept Achlys content for years. But now that I inhabit this body, in a novel which I can only assume can be cleared by reaching the end of the story, I can't exactly do that.
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William Crest, or Will for short. An orphan boy who was raised near the frontline like a soldier. To live, he was taught nothing else but how to fight and survive against horrifying beasts that could slaughter men in droves.
Compared to that lifestyle, the local goblins and ogres he encountered as he neared the academy were insignificant—felled by a single swing of his sword.
Yet he still felt nervous and tense.
This wasn't a lifestyle he was well-versed in, as people smiled and cheered, listening to the headmaster in awe and peering over at the front row with curiosity.
'Why are they so curious about the front row?' Will thought, confused, watching as some tried leaning to get a better look at the others.
They didn't look half bad. A silver-haired young lady with smooth skin, a stoic man next to her. On his other side was a red-haired female and a male with jade eyes, their uniforms just as refined as the others.
There were more in this row, but he couldn't see them.
"Excuse me, which nobility household are you from?"
A beautiful long silver-haired lady beside him stared with curious sapphire eyes.
"I'm not nobility."
"Not nobility? You're a commoner?" she inquired, eyeing his roughly ironed uniform.
"Yes."
"Really? I don't think I've ever met a commoner before... Where's your village?"
"Well, it used to be near the Elven Forest before it was destroyed."
She gasped. "I'm sorry! I meant to—"
"Don't worry about it," Will smiled. "It's not an uncommon story at this point."
"It is, however, uncommon for a commoner to sit amongst nobility."
A voice from his opposite side drew his attention. The red-haired man sat next to him, glaring.
"Be careful who you speak to, or you'll find yourself without a tongue."
Next to him, sharing similar features, the young lady elbowed his side.
"We're in Aurelium Academy, Marcus. Ranks don't matter here, remember?"
He snorted, rolling his eyes.
"Only a fool believes that."
"Then I guess I am a fool too?"
Leaning back in his chair as the silver-haired lady leaned forward, frowning, Will let them duel it out. The silver-haired lady became heated while the rude man stiffened.
"Not at all, Lady Astra! These rules meant for Aurelium Academy are only temporary. You having never seen a commoner is proof enough."
"It appears the world is changing," Astra scolded him. "Commoners fight alongside nobility because of the growing crisis on the border. I'll be fighting next to him, and so will you! I suggest you get used to it."
'Is it really that bad?'
There were some rough spots at the borders that were dangerous for him. While he didn't have a problem eating monster, his master and the others who struggled forbade him from traveling deeper alone.
'But they were getting old. I'm sure after we graduate it'll be a breeze.'
"I'm sorry," Astra whispered next to him. She leaned in and smiled sincerely. "I didn't mean for our first meeting to be this awkward for you. Can I know your name?"
"It's William, or Will for short," Will replied.
"Will, it's nice to meet you! Hopefully we'll be in the same class!"
"He will," a grumpy voice echoed beside him. "He wouldn't be in the front row otherwise."
The red-haired girl leaned forward with an amused expression.
"I'm Scarlette, and he's Marcus."
"Don't introduce me to the p—" his eyes flicked briefly in Astra's direction before he sighed. "Never mind."
Though faint, Will bit his inner cheek when he heard Scarlette whispering, "If you don't want to keep embarrassing yourself, at least try being nice to the commoner!"
"This commoner most likely only got in because he knows someone! I highly doubt he has the skills worthy of being amongst us!"
"That doesn't matter! If you want to get on Astra's good side, stop being a fool!"
Marcus groaned and glanced back at Will reluctantly. It looked like he was about to say something before changing his mind and returning his gaze to the podium, followed by a frustrated sigh from Scarlette.
'So much drama. They talk more than any soldier or mercenary I know.'