In a colossal open field, more than a thousand academy students stood waiting before a massive stage under the open sky.
Teachers lined the sides of the platform, observing everyone carefully, making sure everything remained in order.
Groups of students chatted excitedly about the upcoming visit to the Elven Academy, located in the capital of the Elves.
For the overwhelming majority of them, this would be their first time leaving the human continent. To get there, they would take a train to the coastal city on the western edge of the Empire.
After that, they'd spend a full week aboard a ship crossing the ocean until reaching the elven continent.
In total—two days on the train plus seven days aboard the ship—they would travel for nine days before arriving at their destination.
The groups were divided by class ranking, and the departures would follow that same order. At the very front stood the Mythril Class, Evo's class.
Speaking of Evo, he stood off to the side, leaning against a tree with his hands shoved into his pockets.
He stared up at the sky with a scowl; something clearly wasn't sitting well with him.
– Damn it.
He cursed, as if blaming his own big mouth. And why?
Simple. For the past four months, he had thrown himself into dungeon after dungeon, slaughtering so many monsters he could fill multiple bestiaries.
Yet even after all that relentless effort, the thing he wanted most remained out of reach.
– Still so far...
Evo muttered bitterly, eyes drifting to the corner of his status window where his level was displayed.
[ Level122 ]
He sighed, frustrated with himself. Four months ago, he had confidently stated that he'd at least reach the threshold for his next advancement, but...
– I'm still 28 levels short. And each level takes longer and longer to climb.
– At this rate, it might take me another four months just to reach 150, like I wanted.
– Nothing I can do about it.
Evo simply accepted it. Being upset or angry wouldn't change a thing. So he stayed there, waiting for the moment they would depart.
He closed his eyes, feeling the breeze skim across his face. The weather was pleasant today — though it wouldn't last for long.
The human continent had a major flaw: its warm season was extremely short, lasting only from February to June. The rest of the year... was winter. A climate completely different from Earth, Evo's old world.
But he didn't mind. In fact, he kind of liked the cold.
– Evo! Why do you look so annoyed?
A feminine voice made him open his eyes. He turned toward the owner of the voice: Livia, with Blanche, Jullie, Brandon, and lastly—someone who stirred something long dormant inside him—Talier, his own subordinate from the Order.
Of course, Talier had no idea that Evo was actually Veyrath, his leader.
A flicker of rage attempted to rise within Evo, but it quickly died down. It wasn't time yet to direct that hostility toward the traitor.
For now, Evo would continue playing the role of someone blissfully unaware.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose and answered Livia:
– It's nothing. Just a few annoyances I need to deal with.
Livia sighed, as if she too carried her own share of burdens. Evo would occasionally exchange a few words with her, though not often.
He was still apathetic and cold — that would never change. It was simply part of who he was. But at times, he allowed himself small conversations with the group.
The two of them had similar behaviors and ways of thinking; only a few differences, which made conversation between them easier.
– Tell me about it. It feels like every problem decided to appear at once, right at the start of the year...
– And I still have to put up with those annoying nobles.
She said, exasperated. Evo shrugged.
– Well, that's what you get for being a popular young lady.
– Everyone sees you as an opportunity because you're from a great house.
She stared at him as though he wasn't seeing himself clearly.
– Hm! You're the same, you know. Why do you talk like I'm the only one who goes through that?
She asked, pretending to be offended. Evo gave a mocking grin and replied:
– Because I don't care in the slightest. I just shoo all that nonsense away and move on.
In truth, even though he teased Livia and Blanche about their popularity, Evo wasn't far behind at all.
Whether first-, second-, or third-year girls, countless of them constantly tried to flirt with him.
So he simply drove them away like insects. Evo's taste was for mature women — that would never change.
Everything else held little to no importance to him.
They continued talking until she appeared — the academy's director — stepping onto the stage. Immediately, every student turned their attention toward her.
And, of course, they were bewitched by her overwhelming, borderline unfair beauty. It was as though all the world's blessings had been poured into her, leaving crumbs for everyone else.
She scanned the crowd... and then her gaze landed on Evo. When their eyes met, her expression faltered ever so slightly — it held something complicated, almost sorrowful.
Evo awkwardly looked away. Her expression dimmed for a moment, but she quickly composed herself.
Then she began:
– Students, as you know, today you depart for the Elven Academy in the elven capital. Professor Elizabeth, who comes from there, will guide you throughout this journey.
She gestured to the instructor, who nodded with a gentle smile.
– Behave well and follow every instruction. Remember: you carry this academy's name with you.
– Everything you do there, whether good or bad, will reflect upon us.
– With that said, departure begins in five minutes. You will use the teleportation gate to reach the capital's train station.
– From there, you'll travel to the city of Lernias in the west, and then continue the rest of the journey by ship.
– The Mythril Class will depart first, followed by the others according to ranking.
Evo nearly burst out laughing at Freya lecturing them about responsibility and duty.
This woman, who dumped her work on Ravina and secretly drank during work hours...
– A real gangster.
He muttered with a goofy smile, staring at that shameless witch on stage.
The students then began moving toward the teleportation gate on the right side of the stage.
It was built from circular stone, its edges lined with some unknown material. At its center swirled a multicolored portal brimming with spatial energy.
One by one, the students passed through, with Freya supervising.
Evo was the last. When he approached, the two exchanged an awkward stare.
Evo scratched his neck and looked away. Freya darted her eyes everywhere, unable to speak.
They looked like two introverts meeting unexpectedly for the first time.
It had been almost five months since they last spoke.
Seeing it would lead nowhere, Evo finally spoke while still looking aside:
– Then... I'm going.
She nodded, visibly flustered.
– Take care.
– I won't be there, but... you can contact me through the Order's ring if you need anything.
Evo gave her one last look and offered a faint smile.
– Alright. I'll be careful.
– See you.
He walked through the portal without waiting for a reply — but it was enough to bring a small smile to her lips.
Freya stared at the spot where he had vanished, lost in thought.
She knew everything he had gone through. She wanted to support him, to help him heal, but Evo kept avoiding her. He no longer visited them.
He even asked Luneth to deliver the Order reports instead of going himself.
– I miss you, you bastard...
She whispered, voice heavy with longing.
On the other side, Evo emerged in the train station, where staff guided the students to their assigned cars.
Evo went to a small café nearby, bought a coffee, and drank quietly while waiting his turn to board.
When the moment finally came, he entered and went straight for the most isolated spot: the very last car, which was completely empty.
He smiled, pleased to have the entire place to himself, settled down, and closed his eyes to take a nap.
Hours later, a familiar voice pulled him back from sleep.
– Evo, can I sit here with you?
He opened one eye and saw the girl standing there with a hint of expectation. It was obvious why she had sought him out specifically — the place was hidden, quiet, far from everyone. She was seeking the same thing he was: peace.
– Sure, Livia.
He had no reason to refuse.
Livia gave a soft smile — something rare, since her expression was usually stark and emotionless. Evo was a bit surprised, but brushed it off and closed his eyes again.
Some time later, he felt a weight on his shoulder. He cracked his eyes open... and sighed.
There, leaning against him, Livia slept peacefully, her head resting on his shoulder, her long and silky red hair cascading into his lap.
Not knowing what to do, Evo simply gave up on thinking about it... and went back to sleep.