I kept my mouth shut as the bear-like fellow continued, "There's always one who won't say his family name. That's when you know he comes from a garbage bloodline, so bad he can't even speak of it. Bastards like you—lowborn scum who slip into the academy without knowing who they're up against. Is that why you're clinging to the prince? Chasing some fantasy of turning your life around?"
His friends burst out laughing, but I was surprised. Even though they knew the prince's identity, they still smoked and drank here? Even if Glenn was easygoing, I couldn't make sense of this with my common sense. I wasn't especially offended by the childish mockery, but I couldn't help wondering, What gave these guys the nerve to act like this?
"What about you, senior?" I asked, keeping my tone slightly polite. "Which family are you from?"
He flashed a sly grin. "Even a bumpkin like you should've heard of this one. The Rosalus family."
Normally, I wouldn't recognize a name dropped so casually. But not this time. Rosalus stood out clearly in my memory. They were an Earl family, quite famous in the capital. The fact that someone like me knew the name meant their reputation ran deep.
"I'm Talis Rosalus, the legitimate son and heir to the family, as well as its next head," he said.
"I see."
"Listen, commoner. I've got my eye on you now. Don't even think of running. No matter where you go, you won't escape me. Got it? You don't drop this class unless I say so—"
At that moment, the door opened. A middle-aged man with blank eyes appeared. His hair hung matted, his back hunched, and spots stretched down to his chin, leaving a striking impression.
Was this Alec? It seemed so. The delinquent students fell silent. Talis shot me a glare that clearly said, "Get lost."
I nodded and returned to my seat.
"Let's start the class," Alec said, his voice as gloomy as his appearance.
Of course, it was my first class at the academy, but even I could tell this wasn't normal. He skipped the greetings, sure, but I still expected at least a basic attendance check. Alec didn't so much as glance in my direction, even though I was seated right in the front row. Normally, a new face would draw at least a little attention.
What is he saying? I could barely make out his voice. Alec mumbled his words, his pronunciation almost unintelligible. Is this really a lecture?
I stared at the platform in confusion.
By then, Glenn had returned. After confirming Alec's presence, he approached me quietly, scribbled something in his notebook, and held it up. "Is everything okay?"
I nodded again.
Glenn let out a quiet sigh, then turned back to the platform. At that moment, something about him changed. The usual timid and disheveled impression faded away. Behind his glasses, his bright red eyes gleamed with focus.
Watching him, I forced myself to accept this nonsense as a class. I focused, catching his barely audible words. "Today, the land our intelligent races have conquered covers less than one-tenth of the continent. Beyond the empire, death and chaos reign. The only way to understand the world's shape is through ancient texts. All who envied, yearned for, and ventured into the unknown are dead. Within the next 100 years, the empire will fall..."
I blinked. Somehow, what I heard felt impossible to dismiss. He's talking about the fall of the empire?!
This was a history professor, speaking in front of someone from the imperial family. Yet Glenn showed no reaction. He wasn't angry, or shocked, or even vaguely disturbed.
One hundred years from now, I repeated the words to myself, trying to grasp their weight.
Though the room was ventilated, a sudden suffocating weight pressed down on me. It felt like slipping into madness.
I struggled with irritation and discomfort, finally raising my hand in frustration. "I have a question."
Alec's blank gaze settled on me. "I don't take questions in class."
"Then will you take questions afterward?" I pressed.
"If I feel like it."
His tone left no doubt he would dismiss them and leave without looking back once class ended. If so, I had to force it. "What is your basis for predicting the empire's destruction within a hundred years?"
Alec paused. I half expected him to ignore me and move on, but to my surprise, he answered, "For the past millennium, the intelligent races' territory has been shrinking. Long ago, many races shared this continent. Giants once ruled the Northern Snowfields. The Eastern Forests were home to fairies and beastfolk. In the south, dwarves and dragons thrived. And now? We live inside a narrow empire fractured into five regions. Things may seem stable for now, but we're approaching the breaking point."
"Because of overpopulation?" I asked.
"No." Alec shook his head. "It will happen when the Dark Church and the demons reveal their true strength."
I gave a low hum. So he expects it to take about 100 years?
With a half-smile, I said, "So you're an optimist after all."
"What?"
"There is no way it will take 100 years for the empire to fall," I stated flatly.
His blank gaze settled on me again. I felt a flicker of discomfort but kept my expression steady. "It will take ten years."
"You are talking nonsense," he spat.
"It's not nonsense. Besides the capital, where in the empire is truly safe? Is it the Badnikers' territory?" I asked.
I wasn't saying this because it was my family. I genuinely believed it. But now I understood the truth was different. A church member had infiltrated the Badnikers, and Seren's attitude hinted the capital was far from safe. In fact, no place in the empire was absolutely secure anymore.
I continued, "The cold in the north means fewer people live there. The hunters of the Eastern Grasslands answer to their chief, warriors, and ancestral gods, not the imperial family. The south? If disaster strikes, it will start there. Right now, the empire doesn't control even half of that vast wilderness."
In fact, the war had started in the south in my previous life.
Alec studied me. "You're really so certain about the empire's collapse?"
"I don't know if it'll collapse, but I'm certain there'll be war," I replied.
No one in the world was more convinced of war than I was. I had lived through it. It was the time when the Dark Church's influence spread unchecked. Ten years later, I was caught in that war and died.
Alec murmured, "Come to think of it, I've never seen your face before."
Only now he noticed.
"That's because I'm a transfer student," I replied with a chuckle, but my unease hardened into certainty. This man wasn't crazy. He was only pretending to be.
***
The class had ended. This was supposed to be the only session for the month, yet Alec locked eyes with me and asked, "I'll start another class in three days. Will you be able to attend?"
I nodded without hesitation. As Alec left the classroom, I told Glenn, "I have urgent business and need to leave for today."
"W-what? I-I understand! Be careful," Glenn stammered.
Ignoring his words, I hurried after Alec. He hadn't gone far, so I caught up to him just outside the Theory Hall. "Professor Alec, I have a question."
"If it is your question, then it deserves my attention. Save your questions for the next class," he replied.
"No. I want to ask you now when it is just the two of us, not in class." I hoped my sincerity came through.
Alec stopped and fixed his gaze on me. Then I asked suddenly, "Professor Alec, you know about Spirit Mountain, right?"
His usually dull face tightened slightly. It was a subtle reaction, but it told me enough.
"Where did you hear that name?" he asked.
"I haven't properly introduced myself yet. I'm Luan Badniker."
"A Badniker," he said slowly. "Yes. You said you're a hero disciple. And your family head is the Iron-Blooded Lord. Naturally, you would know about Spirit Mountain."
I nodded. "Yes. The family head personally told me to come and find you."
Alec chuckled softly, then gave me a somewhat uncomfortable smile. "Follow me."
I followed Alec. We walked past the Theory Hall, the main building, and an unmarked structure. Finally, we stopped in front of a shabby building that was probably Alec's residence. He pulled out a bundle of keys and asked, "May I ask why you are seeking Spirit Mountain?"
"It's a place I have to visit someday," I answered.
"I see." He unlocked the door, and a pungent smell hit my nose.
Is that the smell of medicine? I wondered.
The interior resembled an experimental laboratory. Glass bottles, liquids, and plastic beakers cluttered the space, while books and papers lay scattered across the desk and floor.
Alec stepped inside and began, "According to records, the existence of Spirit Mountain was first confirmed 157 years ago. It was said to lie on the peninsula at the eastern edge of the land, shrouded in mist all year round."
He handed me a nearby document. I looked closer and realized it was not a report but a newspaper—the Empire Journal.
I had heard the name in passing. Pam once mentioned it was the largest publisher in the empire.
My eyes flicked to the publication date. It was nearly a century old. The headline read, "The Great Imperial Expedition Is Once Again Set to Uncover the Mysteries of the East."
"This—"
"In the past hundred years, countless people have ventured to Spirit Mountain. Some carried special magic tools." Alec pulled an object from a drawer and held it up.
"It looks like an old watch," I said. The glass face was square, and there was no hour hand.
"Of course, it tells time, but that is only one of its functions. This was crafted by the Yellow Archmage Owen, a master of alchemy. Though it is a century old, few modern devices rival its complexity." Alec continued, "It monitors the wearer's heart rate and temperature and even allows communication between users. It is shock-resistant, waterproof, and has a separate storage space to hold a small amount of things."
It was impressive, but I said nothing. Somehow, I felt the watch's functions were not the main point.
Alec was silent for a moment before saying, "There is more. This watch reveals other information."
"What kind?"
"The wearer's location and whether they are alive." Alec gritted his teeth, but I sensed fear rather than anger in his voice.
"They are all alive," he said with a trembling voice.
"What?"
"Over the past 100 years, every expedition, scout, and subjection squad that ventured to Spirit Mountain—and all who wore this watch—are still alive. Their positions shift constantly. Sometimes, they soar hundreds of meters into the air. Other times, they sink thousands of meters underground. Occasionally, someone missing for decades suddenly reappears." Alec crossed his arms and laughed bitterly. "I know. I thought there must be an error with the magic tool. That seemed reasonable. But if Hell exists, I believe it is there."
"Why?"
"Because of one thing: a photo I took on Spirit Mountain."
I paused for a moment before asking, "You took it?"
"Yes. Ten years ago, I joined an expedition. It was the worst decision of my life. I don't know when or how I took that photo. I have no memory of the six months after I returned, but I heard I screamed and laughed like a madman, cut myself, and even tried to hang myself whenever I got the chance," he confessed.
I studied Alec's face and asked quietly, "Can you show me the photo?"
He hesitated, then struggled to rise and moved toward a chest of drawers. "It was taken with an old camera and is badly damaged."
Alec opened the drawer. Suddenly, he recoiled as if he had seen some grotesque insect. His hand trembled as it reached inside. Moments later, he pulled out a yellowed photograph. "Take a look."