[Point of View: Hero Academy – Kaori Minazuki]
The radiant halls of the Hero Academy echoed with footsteps as messengers rushed through its marble corridors. Instructors and knights gathered urgently before the training ground bell rang.
Dong—Dong—Dong!
The heavy emergency bell had not tolled since the heroes arrived.
Kaori, Takuya, Rika, and the other summoned students quickly assembled in the main atrium. Even the usually calm head instructor looked grim.
"All summoned heroes. A royal decree has arrived."
He raised a scroll bearing the king's golden seal and read:
[Royal Emergency Dispatch]
Confirmed Demon Lord Activity in Veldenar Province Threat Class: A-Rank (Likely Higher) *Demon Lord cloaked in human appearance. Already caused heavy casualties. The Hero Candidates are to depart immediately and eliminate the threat.
Whispers broke out immediately.
"A Demon Lord… already?!" "Didn't they say that wouldn't happen for another year?"
Takuya stepped forward, resting his greatsword on his shoulder.
"If it's a Demon Lord, then this is our job. We're the ones who were summoned for this."
Kaori nodded, her expression determined.
"We need to protect this world. This is why we were chosen."
Even Rika, usually proud and dismissive, looked tense. "Let's finish this fast and prove we're real heroes."
[Meanwhile – Point of View: Renji Akatsuki]
The road to Veldenar Province stretched far, cutting through jagged hills and dense forests. Storm clouds loomed in the distance like war banners.
Renji walked alone, his coat fluttering behind him.
His hand rested lightly on his sword's hilt.
He could already sense it—the shift in the air, the surge of dark mana coming from the direction of the battlefront.
His thoughts, however, drifted.
"Demon Lord in human form, huh…? Sounds like hard to find."
But his lips curled slightly.
"Still… I have to get more stronger before meeting with him."
The terrain was rough, but he pressed on. His footsteps were silent, his senses sharp.
The Demon Lord was gathering power. But so was he.
[Back at Hero Academy – Departure]
Carriages rolled out, enchanted and escorted by knights. The summoned students sat inside, armored and ready.
Kaori looked out the window.
"…Do you think we're really ready for this?"
Takuya gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.
"Doesn't matter. If we're not… we'll become ready by fighting."
As the Academy gates faded into the distance, none of them realized…
They weren't the only ones headed toward the battlefield.
[Final Line – Renji's POV]
Renji stopped at a high cliff, overlooking the distant edge of Veldenar's warfront. He could see faint trails of smoke.
He closed his eyes. The cold wind swept his hair.
"Let's see what this Demon Lord's really made of."