Aelric Vaelis of Eldoria stared up at the blue sky, too bright for such a terrible morning. The air in the capital was actually cool, but it felt hot on his skin. Today, he—the eldest prince of the Eldoria Kingdom—would officially be "sent" to the borderlands.
Or, to put it bluntly, banished.
"Not bad… the last morning air before becoming a demon snack," he muttered softly.
No one heard. No one cared. Even the palace maids were busy stifling laughter when they saw his small suitcase—which he had even packed himself.
Aelric shrugged. It was normal.
Since childhood, he had no talents whatsoever. Couldn't wield a sword, use magic, or open a mana core. No class. Nothing. In Eldoria, that was worse than a birth defect.
"A cowardly prince."
"Ah, that prince who lost even to a peasant's son."
"Why does the King still keep that boy?"
Comments like these had plagued him since he was five. Now, at seventeen, he was immune… semi-immune, to be exact.
"Huh. So the pain is still there," he said with a small grin.
He took a deep breath. There was no point in complaining. Being a modern man reborn in a world of swords and sorcery hadn't made him any good. The RPGs he'd played in his previous life hadn't helped. Cheat skills? None. Modern knowledge? Nothing useful in this conservative kingdom.
At least he had one thing: a sane head.
"Are you ready?"
The deep voice of his father, King Aldren, rang out behind him.
Aelric turned. The King stood in his golden robes, looking majestic and… tired. Very tired. Those eyes weren't those of a proud father looking at his son, but rather those of a ruler forced to choose politics over family.
"I'm ready, Father," Aelric replied.
"The journey to the border will take seven days. Lord Geros is waiting for you there…" The king paused for a moment. "…and I expect you to carry out your duties well."
Duty, he said. Everyone knew this was just a subtle throwaway.
Aelric smiled faintly. "I will try."
It was the most honest answer. And the safest.
King Aldren bowed his head slightly—not respectfully, but with suppressed sadness. "I'm sorry."
Aelric only stared at him briefly. "If anyone should apologize, it's court politics. Not Father."
The King wanted to say more, but more footsteps sounded. Aelric knew immediately who it was.
A girl walked up—calm, cold, but her graceful aura made all the servants bow in respect. Her silver hair flowed down her back, her eyes were piercing ice blue, and the thin sword at her waist reflected the morning light.
Seraphine Astrid Valen.
Aelric's fiancée.
The future Sword Emperor.
A talented girl beloved by the entire kingdom.
"So," Seraphine began, her voice expressionless, "you are truly leaving."
"It seems so," Aelric replied casually.
Seraphine stared at him for a long moment—longer than usual. There was a subtle hint of worry, but it was hidden behind her characteristically stoic face. She wasn't used to showing emotion.
"Have you eaten?" she asked.
Aelric blinked. Of all the questions, that was the one he got?
"Not yet."
"Of course not. You always forget," Seraphine said, her tone still cold but… familiar, like a gentle reprimand he'd repeated hundreds of times since childhood.
Aelric scratched his head. "Well, my mind was busy thinking about existential matters. Like, what's the percentage chance of me dying in the first week?"
Seraphine looked at him like a stupid student. "Eighty-five percent."
"…why did you answer that?"
"Because it's a realistic number."
Aelric snorted with laughter. "Thanks for the encouragement."
Seraphine sighed. It was the kind of sigh she used when Aelric did something stupid, but not seriously so. Slowly, she held out a small, gold-engraved box.
"What's this?" Aelric asked.
"A protection charm," Seraphine replied. "I made it myself. Place it near your heart."
Aelric was silent for a few seconds.
Seraphine rarely gave things. She wasn't the romantic type, not the indulgent type, and not the type to say 'take care.' But she was considerate in her own way—a way that didn't show emotion.
"…Thank you. Seriously, this means a lot."
Seraphine didn't answer. She simply nodded slightly and glanced at him once more, as if to make sure the departing person was truly okay.
"If you die," she said flatly, "I'll be angry."
Aelric gave a short laugh. "Fine, fine. I'll try to stay alive."
He wanted to add something, but the palace guard called: the carriage was ready.
Time to go.
Aelric glanced at his father, then at Seraphine.
"Then… see you later."
Seraphine didn't say goodbye. He just stared, unblinking, until Aelric stepped into the carriage and the doors closed.
Of all the people in this kingdom—only one had never looked down on him.
And he left that person today.
---
The seven days of travel passed relatively peacefully. There were no assassination attempts, no major demons, and no betrayals by the guards—surprisingly enough. Aelric spent the time reading border records, sleeping, or contemplating.
The city of Averra, his destination, finally came into view in the distance. And it was… ruined.
The walls were cracked. The towers were half-collapsed. The fields were barren. The inhabitants were emaciated, dressed in rags.
"This is worse than I thought…" Aelric muttered.
The carriage stopped at a crumbling gate. A large man in light armor waited with an unfriendly expression.
"Lord Geros, border commander," the man said curtly. "Prince Aelric, yes?"
"Yes. That's me," Aelric replied, dismounting.
Geros scanned him from head to toe—and was clearly dissatisfied.
"No sword. No armor. No mana. No aura. Just like the rumors."
Aelric raised an eyebrow. "What rumors?"
"That you came here to die."
It was said bluntly. Aelric smiled slightly.
"Calm down, Commander. If I die, please make sure my body is at least recorded in the official reports."
Geros massaged his temples. "This is going to be a long day."
Aelric stared at the city—the place he was to lead. A place that refused to accept him. A place filled with death, poverty, and the daily threat of demons.
A place that could be his end.
Or… his beginning.
Just as he stepped into Averra, a cold sensation pierced his chest.
The world seemed to stop.
And a mechanical voice rang out clearly in his head.
---
[Ding!]
Forbidden Class 'Archevalier' has awakened.
---
Aelric froze.
"…Huh?"