Golden Horizon Ho
The retirent center where Evangeline Lerin resided was nestled in the outskirts of Aeonia, its exterior painted a peaceful shade of golden beige.
Decorative flowers adorned the entrance, and serene pathways guided visitors to the entrance, creating a welcoming facade that suggested comfort and care.
I approached the entrance, taking in the soft sounds of laughter and conversation drifting through the air. Steeling my nerves, I knocked on the door.
The door swung open to reveal a middle-aged woman, likely a caregiver, with a warm smile that imdiately put at ease. Just as I prepared to return the gesture and introduce myself, she spoke in cheerful recognition.
"Wow, it’s been a while since you ca, Remillia!"
"...Sorry?" Caught off guard, I staggered backward ntally, akin to a hamr hitting the back of my head. However, I quickly collected myself.
It was entirely possible that the real Remillia had visited frequently enough to create a bond with the people here. After all, this place was only thirty minutes from her original apartnt.
Thinking about it now, this place was only 30 minutes away from Remillia’s original apartnt.
"Ah... yes, nice to et you. It’s been a while," I replied with a forced smile, feeling the weight of my charade.
To my relief, my response seed to satisfy the caregiver, who gestured for to enter. "You must be busy with all the hero training lately. What brings you here? Co in, co in!"
"You must be busy with Hero training lately. What brings you here? Ah, co in." The caregiver invited inside, and I followed her in.
I stepped inside, greeted by a spacious interior which seed bigger than from the outside. The living room buzzed with warmth, filled with elderly residents engaged in conversations, so huddled together around chess pieces while others played bingo. So of them noticed and laughed heartily.
"...." I took in the vibrant atmosphere; it felt both comforting and hoy. The caregiver turned her attention back to , her anticipation evident.
"It’s been almost a year! How has it been?" she asked, eager for an update on my life.
"Ah, you see..." I hesitated, grappling with how to bring up the topic.
"Yeah?" The caregiver waited, her keen interest prompting to answer.
"...Um, it’s about Erina Gassos," I finally said, deciding to target the purpose of my visit.
"Erina... Oh, that foreigner woman?" A flicker of recognition highlighted the caregiver’s expression, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
I nodded, conflicted emotions swirling within . It was becoming clearer that the real Remillia had so kind of relationship with Evangeline Lerin—likely more significant than I had anticipated. The new author must have done sothing to make things difficult once again, the author probably didn’t expect to arrive here so soon.
"Yes, I was wondering if there was anything she left behind," I said, forcing myself to remain composed.
The caregiver furrowed her brow in thought. "Let think... I don’t think she specifically asked us to take care of it, but there was sothing," she replied, her voice trailing off.
"Is it a letter?" I pressed, my heart racing.
"Huh? Oh, yes, a letter. How did you know?" The caregiver’s surprise barely concealed her interest.
My eyes opened wide. "Where is that letter? Can I see it?" I asked, my excitent barely hidden.
"It’s in the morial along with his ashes. Why?" the caregiver asked, her brow furrowing slightly, perhaps sensing my interest.
"Ah, well..." I scrambled for an explanation. I didn’t know much about the original Remillia’s personality, but from the caregiver’s gentle deanor and the smiles of the other retirees, I deduced that Remillia must have been friendly and well-liked.
"Well, she and I had a promise..." I said, trying to keep my tone light.
"Oh, did you? That’s lovely. Right, I rember now! You used to enjoy chatting with the residents here and listening to their stories. If I recall correctly, her ashes are kept inside the Carpa morial," the caregiver added.
"Thank you so much," I replied gratefully, offering her a kind smile. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, I departed the warmth of the living room, my mind racing with thoughts as I made my way to the morial.
Carpa morial
"Hmm. Where should I go next?" I pondered aloud, casting my gaze around the morial. This was my first ti visiting such a somber space, and the sheer number of urns lining the walls was both solemn and overwhelming.
I scratched my neck nervously, stepping further inside, each step echoing softly against the polished floor.
Thanks to my skill, I was able to identify the na I sought without too much difficulty. I navigated through rows and rows of urns—so ornate, others simple—each one holding within it mories of the dead. At last, I found it: "Erina Gassos."
The urn was placed inside a small drawer, nestled among a few trinkets. Alongside the urn was a frad photograph of an elderly woman with kind eyes and a warm smile, and a neatly folded envelope.
Stepping closer, I was about to reach for the envelope when I suddenly withdrew my hand. It felt all wrong for to be the one to read it first. The letter belonged to her son, Adrian Lerin, or at least to soone who held a stake in Evangeline’s mory.
Instead, I turned slightly away and opened my smartwatch to access the Scarlet Phantom website, navigating quickly to my account and searching for Adrian Lerin’s contact to send him a ssage.
Scarlet Phantom: Verification Services
Dear Client,
We are happy to inform you that we have located Evangeline Lerin. The information you want to hear costs 500 million Glacium. Please complete the paynt first if you still want the information that will be provided.
With regards,
Verification Services
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
The written exam flew by in a breeze, and the combat exam had begun. The first event was a squad battle.
It had similar rules to the first sester duel but was conducted between two squads.
"Team Craine will be on offense, Team Vossaryn will be on defense!" The instructor who will be judging us shouted from the platform.
Our squad was in the first battle of the day.
Our squad was the first to take the stage, and adrenaline surged through as I looked across at Team Vossaryn. Their leader, Kaelan Vossaryn, stood confidently at the front of his team. Rumor had it that he was a top-class warrior, with lineage stretching back to the legendary Aric Vossaryn1.
"Ready!" A voice bood from the instructor’s platform, snapping from my thoughts.
There were many spectators watching the battle. Of course, it was practically empty because there are no guests, family, or reporters compared to the previous midterm exam, but many cadets still ca by to watch. It was to be expected as Ezekiel’s squad and Kaelan’s squad were participating.
"Get into formation," Ezekiel said.
We fell into the arrangent we had prepared, aligning ourselves with precision. Ezekiel and Alena Mordue, the two front fighters, took their positions at the forefront, ready to engage. Hannah Rustov, our supporter, stood protectively between and Adrian, guarding our rear flank
I could slowly feel the adrenaline coursing through as I readied my daggers. I leaned in toward Hannah, urgency in my voice. "You don’t need to protect . Focus on protecting Joshua."
"What? Why?" Hannah shot back, confusion creasing her brow.
"You can’t keep up with my speed since I’ll be quickly taking out their mage," I explained, keeping my voice low enough so that our leader won’t hear straying from our plan.
"Wait! What about the pla—" Hannah started, her worries erging, but the judge cut her off with a booming shout.
"Let the match begin!"
The arena for the team duel was a stark contrast to the one-on-one Colosseum-like structure we had faced in the first sester. This ti, we stood in a wide rectangular arena.
As soon as the judge signaled the start of the duel, the arena morphed, the air rippling as rocky hills and narrow ravines took shape, providing strategic cover and ambush points. I could almost feel my blood pulse with excitent as I prepared to spring into action. They served as obstacles separating the two teams, but they helped more than they hindered .
"Alena and I will charge forward. Everyone else can slowly chase after us while supporting us from the back," Ezekiel shouted, rallying the squad.
But I had other plans. Without hesitation, I leaped up to a sturdy branch of a nearby tree, gaining a vantage point that would put in the perfect position to strike.
"Um, Remillia?" Ezekiel’s voice drifted up, tinged with confusion.
I smiled down at him and gestured with confidence. "Go ahead. I’ll act as an assassin and disrupt the enemy squad’s composition."
He hesitated for a split second, but then nodded at my response. He and Alena charged forward, swords glinting in the manipulated sunlight of the arena. I watched them go then I took off, leaping from tree to tree, using the branches for cover and high ground.
"...!"
Aric Vossaryn is said to be a direct descendant of the legendary King Arthur, fad for his noble heart and unparalleled prowess in battle. According to lore, he wielded Excalibur, the enchanted sword, and led the Knights of the Round Table, uniting the realm of Calot and defending it against the forces of chaos. His bravery and wisdom continue to be celebrated in tales passed down through the generations, inspiring many to carry on his legacy of chivalry and honor.
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