I read the letter sent to me from Nevermore. It seemed I could still join. However, the guide responsible for transporting students only came once a month, during the full moon. I had two weeks left.
I decided to spend them in the library, learning everything I could.
Two Weeks Later
My seclusion in the library ended, and it was time to depart.
This was the first time I had stepped outside the mansion. I felt that I had changed greatly in those two weeks. I had learned the fundamentals of magic and ancient history.
Yet despite all the books I read, the history of the Lost Century remained unknown. I searched tirelessly but found no record of it in any text.
What I was certain of, however, was that the Lost Century was the link between the Ancient Era and the New Era—and whatever had happened during it had turned the world upside down.
I arrived at the location mentioned in the letter. No one else was there. I waited for hours.
At dawn, a strange man appeared from nowhere. I knew he was the one.
He approached cautiously and whispered,
"Did you come alone? Did you tell anyone about this place?"
"I know the rules," I replied calmly. "Don't worry."
He touched my shoulder. In an instant, we were somewhere else.
It looked like a hidden city surrounded by forests and towering walls. I could barely see the tops of the walls. How had this place remained hidden all this time?
I turned to ask him, but he remained silent and motioned for me to follow.
Once inside, he removed his hood.
"Welcome. We've arrived."
"Arrived? Where's Nevermore?"
"You're inside it."
Nevermore was not a school as I had imagined. It was an entire city. The terrain was complex, the buildings ancient. In the center stood a towering palace.
For a moment, I felt as if I were looking at Uruk in Mesopotamia.
The guide left me to explore. I had one month to prove my worth—or I would be expelled.
Everyone was armed, as if constantly preparing for something.
I entered a small shop. A cloak and a short sword caught my eye. I could barely afford them, and their currency was gold.
I offered to work for a day in exchange.
"And what can a one-handed cripple do?" the shopkeeper said.
I showed no reaction and left.
I considered mining ore to forge my own weapon. But the mines were outside the walls and only accessible during the full moon.
Instead, I decided to go directly to the palace.
Near the stairs, I saw guards kicking a young girl. I intervened and struck one of them.
"Boy, do you want to die too?!" one shouted.
"Does my eye tell you I'm afraid?" I replied calmly.
He drew his sword to my neck.
"Stop."
A man descended the stairs—neither soldier nor commoner. He asked what was happening.
They explained.
He placed his sword before my eye.
"Is that true?"
"I don't know about the girl. But yes, I struck the guard."
He smiled.
"You must be the newcomer. It would be rude to take your second eye on your first day. I'll allow you to leave."
"I don't care who you are. Will you let me pass?"
A guard protested. I whispered one word:
"Vervia."
A spell that forced sleep.
Everyone fell—except me and the captain.
"You may pass," he said. "But we won't allow you back."
I ignored him.
Inside the palace, no guards awaited me. Only a growing demonic presence.
At the throne sat a small, extraordinarily beautiful girl.
"I've been waiting for you, heir of Delheith."
"With respect, I have questions before deciding whether to kill you or let you live."
She laughed.
I demanded answers about the Sacred Selection.
She explained it was inherited tradition. But the recent event had been beyond their control. A high demon had been summoned without their knowledge—or that of the Twelve Families.
Ten people had died. I lost my hand and eye.
She responded coldly:
"Do you know how many would die if we did not recruit new defenders each time? The entire world depends on Nevermore."
I threw my dagger at her throat. It froze midair.
She silenced me effortlessly and ordered me to leave by tomorrow—or face consequences.
I left.
For the first time, I felt utterly without purpose.
Then I remembered Nawa.
Joy filled me.
Yes.
I would take revenge.
On Nawa. On the Twelve Families. On this society.
I would unleash hell upon them all.
And from the shadows, the Serpent Demoness laughed…