Love Letter From The Future

The darkness had settled in the sky, while light and heat lingered on the ground.

It was as if countless starlights from the night sky had been drawn down to the earth. The radiant warmth of civilization heated the land.

The light of nature had no choice but to surrender its glorious place on the ground for today. Only the moonlight remained, refusing to lose its presence amidst the competition between nature and civilization.

It was a landscape that marked the end of the Hunting Festival. Before long, countless spectators had gathered in front of the Southern Forest of the Academy.

This was because the most significant event of the weekend-long festival was about to begin.

Although it was a two-day festival, the only thing scheduled for tomorrow was the Huya Festival to celebrate hunting achievements. The event that represented the Hunting Festival was, without a doubt, the awards ceremony taking place tonight.

It was also the time when the crowd scattered throughout the Academy would gather in one place. Even students operating stalls would temporarily close their stalls and join the crowd as the ceremony approached.

Winning the Hunting Festival held that meaning. It meant becoming the best hunter of the Academy that year and the most notable student.

In fact, by this time, the rumors about who the award winners would be had already spread.

There were hundreds of spectators waiting in front of the forest. The rumors of who had hunted which monsters spread through their mouths.

A senior from the fourth year was reported to have subjugated a bear monster suspected of being a high-level beast, while a third-year student was said to have hunted dozens of mid-level monsters.

The Academy was a place where carefully selected talents from the entire continent gathered. Even without measuring the magical power levels of the monsters, the students’ observational skills surpassed those of ordinary hunters.

Therefore, the information about the award winners, which should have been mere gossip, had a fairly high degree of reliability. At most, there were only minor discrepancies. Nevertheless, the students attending the Academy gathered at the awards ceremony like ants drawn to the smell of sugar as dusk approached.

Hearing it through ears and seeing it with eyes are different. Sometimes, when an unbelievable rumor spreads, people move to verify its truth. The countless crowd today was the result of those two factors.

Before long, the students gathered so densely that there was hardly any room to step. They looked around, hoping to see familiar faces.

As expected, prominent figures from the Academy had already taken their places in front of the podium.

“Hey, look over there. It’s the Imperial Princess, the top of the first-year Magic Department!”

“Hey, watch your words. Even so, can you just call her a great bloodline?”

“What does it matter? We’re at the Academy. And there’s the Virgin Saint and the Queen of the Martial Arts Festival….”

Whispers echoed about the attendees of the awards ceremony. Most students at the Academy participated in events like this.

Those of noble status, outstanding abilities, and remarkable appearances were no exception. And among those who currently stood as mere spectators, some would be considered strong candidates for the champion of next year’s Hunting Festival.

The once-boisterous open area fell silent when a non-mage began to walk. It was as if the power had suddenly gone out.

A frail old man with snow-white hair stood before them. His long beard that reached his waist made a striking impression; his name was ‘Delmore’, a long-time professor at the Academy and the current headmaster.

As one of the few 7th circle mages on the continent, he was regarded as someone on the verge of reaching Master status.

Whether he could overcome the barrier of Master, which had frustrated countless geniuses in his lifetime, was unknown. However, the possibility that he could do so was more than enough reason for him to be revered.

This meant that outside of the three Masters, no one could surpass his skills.

Despite being such a terrifying figure, the traces of passing years were evident on his frail body. He had intentionally neglected physical aging, guided by his conviction as a mage seeking truth.

At first glance, he appeared weak and only seemed to embody a benevolent old man.

However, just a few steps from him simultaneously silenced thousands due to the overwhelming presence. Everyone present knew well.

This seemingly frail old mage was a monster who could destroy an entire village in an instant if he set his mind to it.

The makeshift podium in the open space was raised high. Standing before it, Headmaster Delmore briefly closed his mouth and surveyed the audience.

It didn’t take long before he opened his mouth. A trembling voice resonated throughout the area.

“…Esteemed students of the Academy!”

That booming voice was marked by an overwhelming volume. It was the result of a special spell. Though it was certainly the quivering voice of an old man, its size was enough to penetrate the ears of thousands.

All attention was focused on him. They instinctively sensed that the long-awaited moment had arrived.

“First, thank you for your warm interest in this year’s Hunting Festival. Over 500 students participated in this year’s festival, showing results beyond imagination, as they do every year. Although there were some unfortunate incidents….”

While Headmaster Delmore did not elaborate on what those ‘unfortunate incidents’ were, the students standing before the podium already knew the circumstances.

For a moment, the previously silent students began to murmur. Though not loudly, the whispers were enough to be bothersome.

“I heard that Senior Delphine….”

“Lord Handaxe rescued him, right? But there were signs of temporary treatment; it seems the cause of the injury was from being struck by an axe-like weapon.”

“Ugh, that’s scary. How could a noble be so barbaric?”

“Hmph, that’s probably just because they’re a low-ranking noble. Senior Delphine must have been attacked cowardly. Doesn’t it sound absurd that a noble bloodline of Yuridina was overpowered by a mere low-ranking noble?”

“Well, they say all four members of the party had axe marks… Even if they were ambushed, Lord Handaxe couldn’t have taken all four at once.”

Of course, the truth of that rumor remained unknown. With various opinions reflected, some testimonies might have been exaggerated or dismissed. Eventually, the rumor would fade away.

The Yuridina Clan would never let such disgraceful rumors go unchallenged, especially regarding their heir. Regardless of the truth, today’s events were set to become whispered tales among those in the know.

The students of the Academy could not have been ignorant of such a future. Thus, they enjoyed their brief freedom more passionately. The whispers were gradually spreading.

They fell silent when the rather short speech from Headmaster Delmore concluded.

“…Now, I will announce the glorious winners of this year’s Hunting Festival!”

That utterance was the signal. Once again, the thousands of pairs of eyes turned toward the podium. And every time Headmaster Delmore named the winners, thunderous applause and cheers erupted.

He announced the third and second places in succession, followed by special prizes awarded to those who hunted the smallest monsters and those who hunted the most monsters.

High-ranking dignitaries from various countries seated in the dignitary section silently watched the students climbing the podium. Even from their sharp glances, it was evident they were closely observing each award winner.

The process of presenting awards, announcing accomplishments, and delivering speeches happened over and over again.

Meanwhile, the night had grown quite deep. Yet, the crowd in front of the podium showed no signs of diminishing. The most crucial announcement remained.

It was the moment when the protagonists of the Academy’s largest festival, the Hunting Festival, would be revealed.

Headmaster Delmore adjusted his monocle with shaky hands. Then he began in a solemn voice.

“Having been in teaching for decades, I still find joy in watching young people. This is because youths like you always generate variables beyond imagination.”

As he said this, the headmaster slightly lifted his index finger. Then, a wave of overwhelming magical energy surged forth, revealing the corpse of a monster that had been hidden behind the stage.

Upon seeing the floating monster’s corpse, several first-year students screamed. They were still unaccustomed to monsters. Its massive size was imposing.

Rather than resembling an animal, it was closer to the size of a tree or a building. Its length from snout to tail was impossible to estimate even by sight, standing there as if it combined the stature of two ordinary adults.

In contrast to the first-year students who covered their eyes, the second-year students and above displayed relatively calm reactions. Still, there was an undeniable look of astonishment in their eyes.

Although the body had long since lost its life, even the remnants indicated its might.

It was a high-level monster, or perhaps even beyond that. It might even deserve a name worthy of such a level.

The rumors had been true. A few realized this and began to whisper amongst themselves. However, the award winner had not yet appeared.

“This year’s Hunting Festival unfolded under dangerous circumstances. Unbeknownst to us, a colossal evil lurked within the forest. Countless people may have been killed or injured because of this. I deeply apologize for that.”

Headmaster Delmore then bowed slightly to express his apology. The murmurs grew even wider.

The sounds were tinged with both fear and curiosity. On one hand, it was the fear of the possibility of a large-scale bloodbath; on the other, it was the curiosity of who might have hunted such a terrifying monster.

The answer would soon be revealed. Headmaster Delmore’s booming voice echoed across the open area once more.

“However, through the courageous struggle of certain students, that evil has been eliminated, and I would like to extend my profound gratitude to them. I will now call their names one by one.”

Everyone held their breath. Although many already knew, seeing the overwhelming size of the monster’s corpse cast another shadow of doubt in their minds.

Could there really be a student capable of hunting that beast?

“First, from the Magic Department, fourth-year, Elsi Rainelle!”

A small girl with a proud face and petite stature sprang up onto the stage. She stood there with her hands on her waist, donning a large hooded hat. She looked quite pleased.

However, there was no cheer in return. The crowd held back their anticipation, waiting for the next protagonist.

“And from the Swordsmanship Department, second-year, Seraia Yuridina!”

A woman with gray hair and a cold expression slowly walked onto the stage. Her haughty demeanor belied the fact that it was a mask of nervousness, something the audience was unaware of.

Instead, they focused on a different point.

She was a member of the illustrious Yuridina family. She had accomplished what Delphine Yuridina could not.

A murmur spread among the spectators. Before that commotion could fully swell, the next name was called.

“Likewise from the Swordsmanship Department, second-year, Celine Haster!”

The crowd erupted as if to release the cheer they had been suppressing, with resounding accolades filling the open area.

Leading the applause were the second-year students from the Swordsmanship Department. In particular, the cheers from the low-ranking noble girls were the loudest, as they were gathered in large numbers around Celine.

The girl with black hair and golden eyes scratched her cheek shyly. Then, with a modest wave, she avoided eye contact. Even with that, her friends nearly burst with excitement.

Of course, the commotion didn’t last long.

“We are now down to the last name.”

At that weighty declaration, the crowd fell silent once more. They focused their gazes on the podium with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

No one was unaware that the next name would belong to the true protagonist of this year’s Hunting Festival. The glory of winning the Hunting Festival would be shared among the team members, but the significance of the ‘team leader’ could not be overlooked.

Moreover, he was the most talked-about figure at the Academy recently. According to rumors, he was said to have made the most significant contributions to hunting that terrifying monster.

He had pounded the ‘Yuridina brat’ into the ground.

Afterward, he single-handedly subjugated ten monsters, including high-level beasts, and obliterated the notorious Tean faction of the Southern Kingdom with just a handaxe.

It had been a stormy month. Just thirty days, and within that short time span, his achievements weighed heavier than his entire previous Academy life.

He gradually emerged onto the stage.

His black hair was soaked in blood, and his golden eyes shone even in the darkness.

His Academy uniform was soiled with blood. It was unclear whose blood it was. The heavily bandaged left arm indicated that his condition was anything but normal.

Even though he must have received treatment from a high-ranking priest temporarily, his appearance was far from dignified. It was if it evidenced the brutal struggles he had endured.

Thus, the audience felt even more overwhelmed. His blood-soaked appearance was irrefutable proof that he had battled that massive monster.

“…From the Swordsmanship Department, third-year, team leader Ian Fercurus!”

The eyes of dignitaries from various countries bore deeply into him. Amidst the silence of the crowd, some gazes stood out.

The ‘Virgin Saint of the Holy Kingdom’, the ‘Queen of the Martial Arts Festival’, and the first-year top student of the Magic Department, the ‘Imperial Princess’.

They were renowned figures. Yet, even these stars of great renown were not the protagonists of tonight.

Tonight’s true protagonist was, without a doubt, one.

At this moment, it was solely the bloodied figure standing on stage.

Countless eyes concentrated on his tightly closed mouth.

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