After the tragedy in the Sander-root Taiga Forest, the Golden Aegis Guild Academy temporarily suspended its student admissions. This was no trivial decision—it was to investigate the strange circumstances surrounding the Giant Goblin slain by Lilith. Admissions would resume the following day.
However, Guildmaster Sir Seren Aldric could not ignore several applicants who stood out. Elara, Anya, and Arman had displayed unmatched courage and determination in facing the cursed goblin. It didn't take long for the Guildmaster to recognize them as students worthy of the academy.
The Holy Arena Ceremony
On the day of their acceptance, the three stood in the center of the Holy Arena, surrounded by countless students and instructors watching intently. Guild Chief Captain Cyran Valeheart stepped forward, handing them their uniforms and class designations with a professional yet approving smile.
"Congratulations to the three of you for the bravery you've shown," the Chief Captain said warmly.
"Continue to embody the true spirit of adventurers!"
The academy divided its students into four classes—A through D—with Class A being the highest. Beyond even that was the elusive Class S, reserved only for elite adventurers whose mastery of magic and combat exceeded the realm of ordinary talent.
Each class had its own building and captain. Classes D and C shared one wing, while Classes B and A shared another. The S-Class, however, resided in an isolated facility—home to only five extraordinary members. These S-Class leaders oversaw all other classes, under the command of the Guild Captain himself. At the very top stood Chief Captain Cyran Valeheart, known as The Dawn Blade.
Members of the S-ClassFor Class A:
S-Class: Lyra Ventus (19)
Small, sharp amber eyes, long seafoam-green braid.
Ability:Atmosphere Control — can summon powerful gusts of wind and manipulate local temperature and humidity.
For Class B:
S-Class: Jaxom Corvus (21)
Broad-built, rugged copper-red hair, scar over the left brow.
Ability:Gravitational Pull — can distort gravity in any surrounding area, including his own body.
For Class C:
S-Class: Kaiya Shadowbrook (19)
Tall, athletic, with short black hair streaked with bright emerald.
Ability:Kinetic Echo — stores and releases physical force, creating aftershocks from punches and kicks.
For Class D:
S-Class: Silas Alderidge (20)
Calm, pale-skinned, eyes the color of petrified wood, wearing a simple high-collared tunic.
Ability:Phantasm Shift — creates lifelike illusions that affect all five senses within a limited radius.
Each group had mentors and student-teachers to guide them through different magical disciplines, ensuring no student would be left behind—even if their powers were nowhere near those of their S-Class leaders. Promotion was possible, depending on performance and the evaluations of their assigned S-Class captain.
Elara and Anya were placed in Class D. Arman, recognized as a brave hero, was assigned to Class C.
And yet—one name was missing. Argus, along with his mischievous and jealous partner, were nowhere to be found.
Inside the Grandmaster's Office
"Mr. Argus Alioth. It's an honor to finally meet you," said Grandmaster Seren, stroking his beard with a calm smile.
Argus sat across from him, a cup of tea placed before him.
"What you did to the Giant Goblin was extraordinary—truly, a remarkable display of skill, was it not?"
The Grandmaster's smile hinted at subtle doubt.
"You're mistaken, Grandmaster," Argus replied evenly.
"That wasn't my work alone—it was my partner's."
He gestured slightly toward the shadow behind him, where Lilith silently waited.
The Grandmaster chuckled.
"Am I too old to be deceived?"
A faint white aura shimmered around him, intensifying the tension.
"Perhaps you're right," he continued. "But that girl… she's connected to you, isn't she? Or rather—was she made from your very soul?"
Argus remained composed, sipping his tea.
"My Lord! He knows!" hissed Lilith telepathically.
"I can neither confirm nor deny your suspicion," Argus said calmly.
"But I don't underestimate your insight, Grandmaster."
The aura thickened, heavy and tangible. For an ordinary demon, it would have been suffocating. But Argus merely smiled faintly.
"May I tell you a story, if you'll allow me?" Seren asked with a sly grin.
"Clever old man," Argus thought. He reads everyone he meets.
"My Lord! I'll erase every soul in this academy if he provokes you!" Lilith hissed again.
"Calm down," Argus murmured. "We bear the blessings of the Goddesses. We didn't come here to make enemies… but this world's fate depends on how they accept us."
Lilith sighed.
"The Goddesses!? Don't tell me you're thinking about that flirt again! What if she proposes to you after this? Ugh, disgusting! Master!"
"It's not like that—good grief," Argus muttered, face twitching.
The Grandmaster noticed his sudden expression shift.
"If you'd rather not hear my story, may I ask you a question instead?" he said with a polite smile.
The aura around him surged—gentle yet divine. Every student and teacher in the Holy Arena felt it.
"What's happening? That aura…!" cried Cyran. "Could it be…?"
For decades, no one had ever felt such immense power from the Grandmaster.
The Truth Unveiled
"Have you ever heard of an old tale?" Seren asked.
"A legend… of a Demon God who devoured his entire race, destroyed his world, and became the Judge himself? Alongside his executioner—his own weapon?"
"That story?" Argus replied smoothly. "I haven't. Even if it were true, that demon would have perished thousands of years ago."
The Grandmaster's smile faded. His aura swelled once again.
Outside, Cyran ordered the immediate evacuation of the arena.
The five S-Class members rushed toward the Grandmaster's office.
"Everyone, return to your quarters! The ceremony is temporarily suspended!"
Students and instructors quickly cleared the arena as the S-Class dashed through the halls.
"Captain, what do you think is happening?" asked Lyra.
"I'm not sure," Cyran muttered. "That man… there's something about him."
"Who, Captain?" Kaiya asked. "Is there a problem?"
"The man without a weapon," Cyran answered.
"The same guy who killed the cursed goblin with that woman?" Jaxom added.
"The man who purified a curse spirit with a kiss, apparently," Silas muttered, unimpressed.
"I don't know what he is," Cyran said, "but the Grandmaster has taken interest in him—and now, they're face to face."
"I trust the Grandmaster," Kaiya said, cracking her knuckles. "But if that guy hurts him, I'll deal with him myself."
"Move," Lyra commanded softly. "We're running out of time."
Back in the Office
At last, Argus spoke.
"Lilith."
She emerged—not in her elegant maiden form, but in her true demonic shape. Seren's eyes widened.
"I'll explain everything. But first, lower your aura, Grandmaster."
Seren hesitated, then complied.
"Thank you. Your suspicion was correct. I was summoned by the Four Goddesses. And this girl—"
"Hi, gramps!" Lilith said cheerfully, waving. "The Abyssal Blade of Agony, reporting!"
"And I," Argus continued, "am Valerius Kael—the Adjudicator."
Seren froze, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"I am here under the mandate of the Goddesses—to prevent the impending invasion of the Four Demon Emperors and their Queen, Vexia."
"Four Demon Emperors… and Queen Vexia? Impossible… how?" Seren gasped.
"If you doubt me, ask your own Goddess,"
Argus replied.
"I was not commanded, but requested. The price… cannot be revealed."
The Grandmaster fell silent, stroking his beard as his aura subsided.
"Mr. Alioth," he said at last. "If such things will come to pass—when?"
Argus sipped his tea, smiling faintly.
"No one can say. All you can do is prepare for what's to come."
Seren's gaze sharpened.
"Then, one final question," he said gravely. "Whose side are you on?"
Argus drained the last of his tea and stood.
"I stand with neither mortals, nor Goddesses… nor my own kin."
He walked toward the door, Lilith following close behind.
"I am here to fulfill my mission."
Seren's voice followed.
"And what mission is that?"
Argus paused at the doorway.
"To judge."
Before leaving, he added one final warning.
"Grandmaster, everything I have told you is true. The remaining four kingdoms—some may be pure, others may already be corrupted."
"What do you mean?" Seren asked.
"Be wary of the neighboring kingdoms. Though their goals may seem united, some will act out of greed. The cursed goblin you witnessed may be the work of one of them."
Argus and Lilith stepped out.
"Consider this not a warning—but a reminder," Argus said.
Lilith crossed her arms, pouting.
"And I'm not letting my master marry your flirty Goddess! Hmph!" she huffed before leaving.
Seren remained silent, eyes fixed on the closed door. Then, a faint smile formed on his lips.
"So the legend is true… Mr. Argus Alioth."
He looked toward the heavens.
"May the Goddesses not have erred."
Moments later, Argus and Lilith encountered the five S-Class members in the corridor.
Lilith gave Cyran a teasing glance. The air grew tense.
Their eyes met—Argus and Cyran—each sensing something unsettling about the other.
"My Lord, that man—" Lilith whispered.
"I know," Argus replied. "His aura probes my sealed core… he's searching."
"Even hidden, his presence cannot be fully contained," Cyran murmured to his team.
The coming war could no longer be ignored.
The five great kingdoms of Aethelgard would soon have to prepare.
To be continued…