Verse Thirty

"I'm touched you would see me off personally, Sasha. Have you come to see me as your elder sister figure?"

"Nah. I figured you would run off first to avoid getting questioned," Sasha said bluntly, "Seriously? Dropping out just as they prepared the diploma… I'm even surprised they just let you off like that! What about the four years you spent here?!"

Although begrudgingly, Sasha tugged the roller suitcase behind her while CK pulled the other. Sasha managed to find CK on the way to the light-year station of the school. Professor Kitmar and Madam Yanyan arranged a train that would pass by Kelter and drop CK off. Had Sasha been a second late, she would have missed the eager young woman on a plan to disappear.

"Come now, it's only been four years. How much time of my youth was wasted with such short time?" CK said. "I don't know! All of it? What are you even going to do now that you're not eligible for a high-ranking position?" Sasha asked worryingly.

"For starters, I'm taking a quick vacation at home. I need to tell mama and papa that I'll be honoring master's request by enhancing my wordsmithing with 'worldly' experience-Whatever that meant," CK said, "I have no intention to stay too long at home."

"You're really built for the outdoors, huh?" Sasha commented. "And you're better off staying inside your room for days," CK said teasingly and pinched her cheek, "Make sure to get your daily sunshine and water, okay?"

"I am NOT a plant! I'm not a shut-in either!" Sasha protested and removed CK's fingers from pinching her cheek. "I hope your friends will occasionally take you out for walks, too. You need exercise," CK said.

"I'm not a dog!" Sasha said irritatingly, "Seriously, CK. You need to worry more about yourself. News about senior Winslow's feats during the graduation rites began spreading across the masses. If you're not careful, the scandal with the trial will follow soon."

"The faculty ensured they'll keep it under wraps. What happens in the Nonaphrontistery, stays in the Nonaphrontistery," CK winked. "You better hope it will stay that way," Sasha muttered.

"I should really find a cover story for my disappearance. If you hadn't gotten into the Nonaphrontistery, you shouldn't have known that I would be here," CK said thoughtfully.

"You can think on it while you're on the way," Sasha said as they approached the train, "You have several light years to travel anyway."

They paused before the entrance and CK looked at Sasha with a grin. "I'll be off now, Sasha. Thanks for seeing me off," she said.

"It's nothing. Just promise me you'll be careful," Sasha replied. "…I can promise that I'll try not to die," CK said dubiously.

Sasha glared, causing CK to giggle lightly. "Okay, fine. I'll be careful," she said and ruffled Sasha's head, "See you."

"…See you," Sasha muttered shyly, making CK smile again. She prompted the two suitcases up the stairs and entered the train, letting the doors slide to a close and finally put barrier between them.

<You know, I was expecting a more emotional goodbye to your almost alma mater. Won't you miss the place?> Malphas asked. 'I'll definitely miss the quality resources the school used to offer. Being a wordsmith is expensive,' CK replied in thought as she placed her belongings in a separate cab.

The light-year train eventually began de-attaching itself from the station, its engines flaring and its mechanisms altering to prepare for take-off. Speeding across light-years without decimating everyone inside the train required hefty amounts of preparation.

But CK had confidence in the school's technology. Surely, they won't try to have her murdered just because she was no longer one of them.

<And what about the things that Sonnet chick told you school? I also remember [Maiden of Prayer] saying should meet 'bigshots' school to get your answers. You wouldn't want sacrifice power for nothing, would you?> Malphas asked.

'Everything has time, Malphas. Since I have permission from the [Maiden of Prayer] to ask questions, isn't it better to ask the most important people directly?' CK thought. She sat down in a private chamber and gazed out.

The train was now ready to take off. CK admired the burst of colors radiating off the train's exteriors.

<So… > Malphas trailed off. 'We'll be returning to this place when the time is right,' CK thought as the train set off on an interstellar route home, 'There's too much unfinished business. We'll wait until the Headmaster returns to the Nonaphrontistery, then I'll ask him directly without involving the administrators.'

The territory of the LaCroix Empire had indefinite boundaries, covering various planets that were governed by various authorities. But even as these different worlds existed by themselves, they were still under the Empire's control. Five years prior, all the existing worlds chose to unite under a single ruler. To this day, no one had made a protest. How could they when even gods and authorities agreed to follow this singular ruler?

But an impossibly vast territory also made travels between worlds impossible due to the distance being light-years on average. But technology was not far behind, and transportations that could travel between light years within days solved the problem.

Most transportations used for interstellar trips could only reach a top speed of 1,500 light-years per hour (ly/h). This is to avoid shipments and live passengers from getting burned or disfigured in the middle of such speed. However, the Balaena 52 was built different. Resembling a hybrid of a whale and a ship, it was manufactured as an exclusive mode of transport for the high-ranking subordinates working for the Emperor and was built with efficiency, speed, and style in mind.

Aside from having a maximum speed of 3,000 ly/h, the Balaena 52 was a product of advanced engineering that allows it to enter combat while also travelling at a terrifying speed. The expenses to even finish the Balaena reached over thirty billion credits, and a few billion more to produce a few more of it.

Such an expensive and rare transportation should be rarely used. However, it was the transportation that Theodore Erzem used for his next appointment. He might be cranky, or he might be used to it, but he was not fazed by the high-end interiors or the costly meals that would land on his table during the few hours of his travel.

But as expected of the quality transport, he didn't have to wait for long. The Balaena 52 eventually reached its destination. Located tens of thousands of light-years away from the Nonaphrontistery was the heart of the Empire: The House of Merlin.

An enormous castle spanning thousands of feet stood upon clustered rocks and shrouds of nebula. Rings surrounded the castle, where luxurious structures built on tinier planets orbited. It was awe-inspiring. It was fear-inducing. It was the headquarters of the sole ruler of the entire Empire. Such a position deserves a castle as grand as the one before the Balaena 52.

The Balaena 52 eventually docked at the base of the castle. Erzem did not waste time to get off the whale-ship. He was greeted by an entourage of veiled humanoids that were six feet tall and had two pairs of wings. 

"Greetings. His Supremacy, the Emperor, is expecting you," one of them greeted Erzem after he descended the platform. "I will meet him shortly," Erzem said. His entourage of knights followed promptly as they approached the castle. 

Two dragons rested by the entrance, their scales plated with outer armor and tails adorned with sharpened cases of alloy. They merely glanced at Erzem's company, allowing them to walk through the double doors and deeming them no threat to the master of the castle.

The knights led the way once inside, and Erzem disinterestedly followed after. It is only after arriving at the throne room did he choose to look in front, allowing the knights to do their tiresome etiquette.

"Announcing the arrival of Doctor Theodore Erzem," a voice from behind the next set of double doors could be heard. After a while, the doors slowly opened, revealing the interiors of a throne room.

Within the vast halls, only a single throne elevated by a platform could be seen inside. Erzem and his entourage approached the platform, where a man was seated upon the throne. Dressed in exquisite robes and plated garments, a decorative eye mask was worn but it did little to hide his salamander orange eyes.

The knights reverently got on their knees before the throne, under the gaze of the masked man. "Glory to His Royal Highness, the Supreme Imperator, Emperor Laszlo LaCroix!" they said, their voices revibrating within the halls of the throne room.

Contrasting the knights, Erzem greeted with a bow. "Greetings, Emperor Laszlo," he said. It was a stark contrast to the knights' reverent greetings, but the Emperor made no comment about this. He waved a hand.

"At ease. You are dismissed for now," the Emperor told the knights, who got up and silently left to stand guard by the side. The Emperor stood from his throne and descended the platform, "Stand back up, professor. How was the journey?"

"It was well and efficient. Your consideration made the entire journey less of a hassle than it was supposed to be," Erzem replied as he stood straight. His bluntness hardly offended the Emperor, who nodded in satisfaction at his reply.

"That is good. I heard that plenty of incidents unfurled on your end. Had we not been a step ahead, things would be a little bothersome," Emperor Laszlo said, "The incantation did not harm you, did it?"

"It was a harmless sleep, but I reckon the symptoms of the trigger had worried my apprentice," Erzem replied, "She was with me at the time."

"Hm... Have you figured how the incantation was triggered?" the Emperor asked, "That incantation was meant to be activated the moment the Juris tries to attack you. But it seems the incantation was triggered before the Juris made their move. It couldn't have possibly been an error."

"It wasn't. I was also thinking about it triggering prematurely until my apprentice told me what happened. Dulia of the Radiance Church was working with the Juris. I conducted a brief search into the files and discovered that she had submitted an appeal to hold my apprentice on trial the same day the incantation triggered my comatose," Erzem stated.

The Emperor's brows furrowed lightly. "And the paper?" he asked. Erzem produced his doctoral thesis out of his inner robes.

He extended the hardcover book to the Emperor with a respectful gesture, which the Emperor accepted. He skimmed through the first few pages, then to the last set where a conclusion was written.

His luminous eyes squinted, not a trace of readable emotion on his face for Erzem to discern. But he's not obliged to know–He's done what his employer requested and isn't obliged to know further.

"Hm," he closed the book, "She knows about the thesis."

"I reckon so," Erzem nodded grimly, "She must've anticipated that the book will be submitted to you and tried to stall for time."

Few people know that Theodore Erzem's thesis wasn't just written for his doctorate. By the time the administration had read his rationale and expected expenses, they guessed Erzem would be sponsored by a powerful patron. That patron happened to be Emperor Laszlo LaCroix himself, but his identity wasn't divulged openly.

If the Emperor was interested, it meant that whatever Erzem had studied on was an important aspect of the Emperor's plan. Erzem knew his life would be threatened by the Empire's enemies. Thus, a countermeasure was taken.

A complex sleeping incantation was cast on Theodore and would be activated the moment his life was threatened. Its activation would resemble symptoms of a heart attack to lessen any possibility of suspicion.

The general public would view this as a health-related issue from the outside and would put Erzem under strict observation and protection, immediately hindering any attempts to kill him. 

Dulia also understood that Erzem's position in the Nonaphrontistery was high, and that he would be untouchable within the school. Glossing over the past events, Erzem realized a few things.

Since she couldn't touch him directly, Dulia attempted to use CK instead by holding her on trial. The trial would be used against Erzem and turn CK into a hostage. Although the threat was turned on CK, her interests have been mainly focused on Erzem. This caused the incantation to trigger the moment the appeal to hold CK on trial was approved.

The Emperor's plans have always been efficient. He was always a step ahead.

"I am glad the issue was resolved immediately without my intervention. The initial plan was to retrieve you from the school, but I never expected they would agree to press charges against you while unconscious," Emperor Laszlo snorted.

"My apprentice is more than capable to deal with trivial things like these. There was no need for intervention," Erzem stated.

However, his head still ached when he remembered everything else that CK was up to. Sure, she managed to deal with the situation. But taking over an archdaemon's dungeon? Sneaking into the administration databank? Taking the [Manuscript] for herself? 

Erzem thought there was truth to the end justifying the means. But CK might be pushing it a little too much. 

"Your apprentice... She was too much of a casualty. Where is she now?" the Emperor asked. 

"She'll be going home to her world. I had to cut off ties with her, else she suffers greater by getting involved with me," Erzem sighed, "She's capable, but still too weak to handle anything else."

"A wise decision," the Emperor said and smiled faintly, "Professor, if it interests you, I'd like to invite you to join my court. We could use your intelligence and talent greatly."

"Politics is not for me. I prefer the teacher's desk over a seat in your table," Erzem said bluntly, causing the Emperor to snort in amusement.

"So quick to decline... But just in case you grow tired of the Nonaphrontistery, my offer will stand," the Emperor said. Erzem shook his head.

"My exhaustion has nothing to do with my job. As tedious as the years might be, I still have a job to look over the students with potential," Erzem's eyes glimmered as he looked at the Emperor.

"Just take a look at you, Your Supremacy," he said, "Once, you were a face in the crowd of students. Now, the only empire to exist is named after you. Students that turn out like you are the reasons why I cannot leave my job."

Emperor Laszlo nodded in reminiscence. "I also hope the Nonaphrontistery will continue to devote to its task," he said and extended the book to his side.

An air nymph of ghostly texture manifested and embraced the book, quickly disappearing along with it. Erzem bowed his head respectfully as the Emperor returned to his throne.

"Thank you for your efforts, professor. Despite the dangers, you chose to respond to my request. I assure you, you will be greatly compensated," Emperor Laszlo stated, "Your findings will be the key to greater plans in the future."

The Emperor's eyes flickered like live flames with determination. New laws are about to be written in the new age, but the pen is still fought over by many trivial hands. By the time the Jubilee comes, the pen should be in his hands. No one else. 

"The time draws near."

End of Prologue