The Northwestern Continent.
Cellars Empire.
At the heart of the empire stood the royal capital, home to one of the continent's greatest experts.
A Half-Human, Half-Beastkin of the Black Frost Panther Tribe.
Cellars Frost.
A being who stood at the peak of the Sovereign Level.
Within the deepest part of the imperial palace, Cellars sat upon his throne. The enormous audience hall was dimly lit, its dark stone walls disappearing into drifting mist. It was a room built to inspire reverence rather than comfort.
Cellars himself was an imposing figure.
Tall and broad-shouldered, his body was packed with powerful muscles beneath an elegant black martial robe. A crown of black and gold, embedded with precious gemstones, rested above the pair of panther ears standing proudly atop his head. Underneath the robe he wore a dark brown tunic embroidered with pale yellow crystal threads that shimmered softly whenever light touched them. Heavy chains decorated his boots, adding to the overwhelming dignity surrounding him.
Resting his chin against one hand, he appeared to be completely alone. His eyes slowly opened before he let out a quiet breath, revealing two sharp canines.
"Elric." His deep, raspy voice echoed throughout the vast hall. The shadows beneath the pillars suddenly twisted. From within them, a young man calmly stepped forward as though he had been standing there all along.
His appearance was surprisingly ordinary.
Messy yet well-kept black hair framed a youthful face with dark eyes that lacked any obvious emotion. He was dressed unlike most martial artists. Instead of robes or armor, he wore a fitted white shirt beneath a tailored black waistcoat, paired with elegant suit trousers, polished blue leather shoes, silver tie, and black gloves. Without the blazer, the outfit somehow looked even cleaner, giving him the appearance of a refined gentleman.
Keeping both hands inside his pockets, he smiled faintly. "What's wrong? You seem unusually... grumpy today." Cellars snorted before letting out a rough chuckle. "Cheeky brat." He shook his head. "Never mind my mood. Did you complete your mission?"
Elric nodded. Without another word, the shadows beside him rippled once more. A corpse emerged from the darkness before landing heavily upon the polished floor. Unlike Cellars, whose Beastkin heritage was relatively restrained, this figure possessed an obviously beast-like appearance. Even in death, his body radiated strength. Cellars glanced at it once before nodding in satisfaction.
"Good. If you were able to complete this assignment, then there isn't much else I need to teach you before you head to the academy." Elric released the corpse. The shadows swallowed it once again before disappearing without leaving a trace.
He folded his arms. "I'm more curious about something else." Cellars looked at him. "Is whatever happened really so important that even people like you have to pay attention to it?" For several moments, Cellars remained silent.
Eventually he sighed, covering part of his face with one hand. "It's the first gathering of its kind in an unimaginably long time. This time... it isn't only Mythical Beings who were summoned. Even those of us above the Sovereign Realm have been ordered to attend."
His voice carried an unfamiliar weight. "It seems..."
"A new era is beginning."
Elric absorbed those words quietly before asking another question. "How long will the meeting last?" Cellars turned toward the enormous window overlooking the sleeping capital. Pale moonlight streamed into the throne room. "We don't know. The academy can't postpone its opening forever. Delaying the younger generation already means wasting some of their most important years, it could take ten years..."
He paused.
"...but I doubt it will."
Elric walked over before taking a seat beside his father. "So I'll be around twenty-three by the time admissions begin?" Cellars nodded. "Something like that. I don't think you'll have to wait that long."
Elric leaned back thoughtfully. "Then why shut down the academy at all? If the delay really lasts years, won't they have to increase the age limit for enrollment?"
"Most likely."
Cellars nodded before continuing.
"Kingdoms, Empires, and major organizations rarely leave themselves without their Sovereigns. If all of us disappear at the same time, wars, invasions, and opportunists become very real possibilities. The academy understands that. They also have no choice. The organization hosting this gathering specifically requested every Mythical Being and everyone above them. That includes the academy's strongest instructors."
Elric slowly nodded. For the first time in years, he genuinely felt a trace of unease. Someone capable of summoning every Mythical Being and every Sovereign...
Just how terrifying were they?
His father was one of only seven Sovereigns on the entire Northwestern Continent. Very little in the world could force him to leave his empire. Yet even he had no intention of refusing. After thinking for a while, Elric decided not to ask anything further. "I'll head back to the guild then. If the delay lasts a while, I'd rather not waste the time."
Cellars simply nodded. The shadows beneath Elric's feet stirred once more. Without another sound...
He disappeared.
The throne room became silent once again. Cellars remained seated for several moments before slowly closing his eyes.
'Just what does The Lord Guidance want...?' Even after reaching his current level...
The thought of that ancient existence still filled him with unease. He released another long sigh before rising from his throne. His footsteps echoed quietly through the empty palace as he climbed toward its highest balcony.
Stepping out into the cool night air, he looked north. Far below him stretched the countless lights of his empire. For a long time... He simply watched them.
"I only hope..."
"...it isn't as serious as I'm beginning to fear."
...........
Elric appeared outside his private residence. The moment he stepped through the gates, he frowned. Something felt... off.
He couldn't quite place it, but after a brief shake of his head he continued inside. His attendants immediately bowed. "Greetings, Young Master."
Elric gave a small nod before accepting the letter one of them presented to him. He unfolded it. The more he read, the more his expression twisted into annoyance. With a long sigh, he looked at the attendant, who returned only a helpless smile.
"Is she inside?" The attendant nodded apologetically. "Yes, Young Master. Lady Amber refused to wait in the audience hall. She insisted on waiting in your bedroom."
"...Of course she did."
He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Have someone prepare coffee... and cake."
"At once." The attendant bowed before leaving. Elric loosened the top button of his shirt as he made his way upstairs. By the time he entered his room, he had already resigned himself to whatever chaos awaited him.
Sure enough... Amber was sitting comfortably beside the window, elegantly sipping coffee while leisurely enjoying a slice of cake, as though she owned the place. She looked up and smiled. "My dear cousin."