Theos’s expression was unusually grave. Yet, given his personality, the stern look suited him perfectly.

Moyu Manatsu, however, was from another world. Her mind could only take in so much of this reality. She worried what earth-shattering news might spill from Theos’s lips.

“No need to tense up. This is good news for you,” Theos said, sensing her anxiety.

“Due to your outstanding performance during Princess Wensidia’s rescue mission, the royal family wishes to summon you to the palace. It was the princess’s personal request.”

The announcement stunned the girl. She’d never expected this turn of events.

“You seem surprised.”

“Do I…?”

“I understand. Being summoned by royalty is a monumental honor. Your reaction is only natural. Truly impressive, Classmate Lunorette.”

A bitter smile flickered across Theos’s face. A trace of resentment flashed in his eyes before vanishing.

“The summons is set for eleven days from now. Caina and I will accompany you. The princess invited all ten students involved in that mission—so we’re all included.”

Moyu had little desire to attend some royal audience. But refusing Princess Wensidia’s invitation was unthinkable; her words were commands. Besides, the invitation was meant for Lunorette—not her.

“You’ve gone quiet,” Theos remarked casually.

The Chief Student seemed different today. He hoped it was just his imagination.

“Ahem. So, Theos… was this the only reason you sought me out?”

“Yes. You’d learn eventually. Better to know sooner. Though…”

“Though what?”

“Classmate Lunorette isn’t on good terms with Princess Wensidia, is she?”

“Huh?”

Moyu froze, unsure how to respond.

Lunorette and Wensidia didn’t get along? She’d never heard such a thing. Wensidia often tried approaching Lunorette—surely they were just ordinary classmates?

Wensidia had repeatedly invited Lunorette to join the student council. Moyu had experienced those attempts firsthand while inhabiting Lunorette’s body. She couldn’t believe they were estranged.

“I’ve noticed,” Theos continued. “Princess Wensidia often tries speaking to you, but you politely decline. I wondered if there was tension between you.”

Moyu grew more bewildered with every word. She had no clue about this whatsoever.

*Lunorette must be hiding things from me.*

“My apologies. That was mere speculation. If I overstepped, I apologize.”

Seeing the girl’s perplexed expression, Theos wisely dropped the subject.

“It’s fine.”

Moyu herself didn’t care about the rumors. Her thoughts were fixed on Lunorette’s secrets.

*Just how much is she keeping from me?*

The bustling street drew attention to their quartet. Their striking attire and aristocratic aura made them stand out—a group clearly not to be trifled with.

Though some men glared at Theos—the only male—far more women showered him with admiring gazes, slowing the crowd.

“Shall we find a place to sit and talk?” Theos suggested, uncomfortable under the stares.

“Good idea,” Moyu agreed instantly, long weary of the attention. The other two girls trailed silently behind, easily ignored.

Unaware, Moyu Manatsu stood on the brink of a world about to shift.

The sun blazed overhead, its light dimmed only by a small cloud. The partially eclipsed orb still scorched the earth.

—

“Lord Fleet, please eat something.”

A young man offered bread to a gaunt-faced man.

“Thank you, but I’m not hungry. Save it for those who need it more.” Fleet refused firmly, his weary features brooking no argument.

“But without food, your health will—”

“Don’t underestimate me. I’ve survived two days on battlefields without food. With supplies scarce now, civilians need it more than I do.”

Fleet’s gaze swept over the scorched land—crumbled ruins, displaced refugees. This was the Zazvita Duchy, a tropical nation erased from the map. Swallowed whole by the Miralstin Empire, it had vanished overnight.

Just days ago, magical bombardments and sorcerer assaults had drowned the country in ruin. Fleet had fought back, but against the Empire’s overwhelming Magus Army, resistance was futile.

“To think Xiejit is dead…” Fleet sighed.

He’d rushed to the Death Forest only to find battle scars and no trace of Xiejit. Later, he learned the Imperial Army had retrieved and cremated his body.

The failed princess-kidnapping plot had stained Zazvita’s name, giving the Empire its pretext for war.

The nation had fallen in a single night.

“Damn it… who killed Xiejit?”

Fleet clenched his fists tightly.

Xiejit was Zazvita’s top military mage—a seasoned soldier. Fleet couldn’t fathom who could have bested him. Those Imperial students? Impossible. The Imperial Army? The Holy Knights?

But the Empire wouldn’t have risked sending troops then—exposing the princess’s kidnapping would have backfired spectacularly.

*Who else could have killed Xiejit that day?*

Fleet wrestled with the question, refusing to accept the simplest truth: students had done it.

Now, the land reeked of despair—scorched earth, collapsed homes, starving civilians.

Near a crumbling house, a girl clutching a photograph sprinted into the street like a madwoman.

“Wait, Fileo! Come back!” a woman cried, chasing her.

“I won’t listen! Father isn’t dead! He promised he’d return for my birthday!”

The seventeen-year-old screamed, her coarse cloth dress marking her as common-born. Tears streaked her lovely face as she clutched the photo—a man’s face that would have shocked Moyu: Xiejit, the very mage who’d tormented her in the Death Forest.

“He promised! He’d bring the best gift… told me to wait patiently… to care for Mother… I did everything… but…”

Tears fell drop by drop, evaporating almost instantly on the hot ground. She tried to stifle her sobs, but the tears wouldn’t stop.

“Fileo.”

The woman wiped her own tears, steadying her breath as she approached her daughter.

“Your father wouldn’t want to see you like this. Be strong. You still have me.”

Her heart shattered as Fileo slapped away her hand.

“I don’t want that! I want Father! Bring him back!”

The girl raged against the impossible, craving the familiar figure who’d vanished forever.

Once, that man had been gentle with her.

Once, she’d clung to him.

Once, he’d loved her more than anyone.

“Fileo, do you know why I chose your name?”

Her father’s face had glowed with happiness then.

“Because I wished for you to live as happily as your mother.”

“Riding takes practice, but I know you’ll master it quickly—you’re my daughter.”

His proud smile was etched in her memory.

“I’m sorry, Fileo. Duty calls. I must leave you and Mother.”

Even as a child, she’d resented his absences.

“I promise—I’ll return on your birthday with the world’s greatest gift. And when you find a boy you love, I’ll give you my blessing.”

*Daddy, you idiot. I don’t want gifts or blessings. I just want you here—with Mother, happy.*

On the scorched earth, Fileo’s tears vanished as quickly as her hope.

Her father was gone. No amount of crying would bring him back. Yet the tears refused to cease.

Why must heaven treat her this way? She only ever wanted a happy family. Why must heaven be so cruel to her?

"Waaaaah!!!"

Fileo Xiejit wailed uncontrollably, pouring out a lifetime of tears. She clutched her father’s photo, letting every ounce of pent-up sorrow flow out as tears.

"Child, don’t grieve. I’m still here for you…"

The woman held back her own tears as she embraced her daughter, letting her cry freely.

Where their future lay, no one knew. For now, they were merely struggling to survive.