In the Evergreen estate located in the royal capital, a pair of father and daughter were arguing.

“Papa it’s not fair! Will is such a talented person! It would be unfair if he weren’t given a chance to go to Lancelot!” argued Sophia.

“Once again, Sweetie, Lancelot is a prestigious school and with prestige comes expenses. I cannot send just any random person off the street to Lancelot; that’s not how it works.”

“But you’ve seen what Will can do! He’s an amazing person! Please, Papa~!” She hung on to his arm like a child asking to buy toys at a store.

“Enough!” He waved her off, “Just why are you so adamant on this subject?” His words seemed to hint at something else.

“Kuh!” Sophia momentarily choked and replied, “T-there’s n-no reason, Papa.” Her eyes darted back and forth as she continued, “I-I just don’t want to see his talent go to waste.”

Her reaction was all Zenobia needed to understand the situation. His expression darkened, “Sophia, you are a daughter of noble birth. As my only child, you have a duty to uphold. I cannot permit someone that can’t even afford their schooling to run this household. As a father, I never want to see you suffer, if this man, Will, was it? If he were to marry you, I could only see suffering in your future. He is not grounded; he’s too passionate and prone to follow his heart rather than his mind. He would be like a slab of fresh meat in front of a pack of wolves if he were to join the kingdom’s politics. With that, I cannot approve of your choice.”

Sophia nervously nibbled her lips while listening to her father. “But! He can learn those things! Isn’t that what Lancelot is for?” She argued back.

“Hah~… Sophia. You are still a growing young lady; I don’t expect you to understand. People like Will are like a flame. They burn brightly and intensely, but they will die out after not too long. If they don’t burn out, they will cause a large fire large enough to burn the world. People like Will only have two choices, to overcome their obstacles or be erased from existence. That is why I cannot permit you to follow such a man; I can’t have you taking this risk.”

Sophia felt her heart-throb at the perfect interpretation that her father had of William. It was because William represented an impossible dream that she became enamored by him.

“If there was a person who suited you, why not Vincent?” Zenobia began asking about the person who ignored her. “He would be a perfect candidate. He had renounced the Redwall name, meaning he will marry into the household. Ever since he came back, his bearing has changed greatly. Not only that, he seems to be more intelligent than he let on.”

While Zenobia was singing praises about Vincent, Sophia was fuming angrily. She also agreed that Vincent knew more than he was showing, but ultimately, he had no interest in her and only saw her as a child. She still remembered the way he treated her as if she were a brainless girl when she was showing him around.

“Ugh! I hate you, Papa!” Sophia couldn’t handle it anymore and stormed off.

---

Elsewhere in Eidolon, a black-haired youth was traveling with a pack on his shoulder. He was hitchhiking on the back of a caravan wagon, providing escort services in exchange for allowing him to stay with the caravan.

William, the main character, was on his way to the capital. He had received a recommendation letter from General Aster of the Evergreen Rangers. Unknown to both Zenobia and Sophia, he had met General Aster on his way back to Florence and gotten to know the person. Not too long later, General Aster heard about his dream of being the change for the kingdom and decided to write him a recommendation letter.

The letter only allowed him to be examined to see if he would be able to attend Lancelot. It didn’t guarantee that the academy will admit him, but he was confident that he would succeed. Now all he had to worry about were the tuition fees.

William was an orphan. He lived in a secluded village in the outskirts of the Emerald Forest with his parents. They lived a happy and fruitful life, but one day a stampede of monsters ran over their entire village, massacring all its inhabitants aside from William. That day he had gone out exploring and found a hidden cave. From that cave, he obtained an ancient legacy. When he returned, all he saw were the half-eaten corpses of his village with the inheritance, he killed the straggling beasts in the village and buried everyone in his village.

After holding their last rites, he left for Florence. He had gone to the lord of Florence to inform the lord of the dangers plaguing the edge of the forest, but his voice was left unheard; the lord’s guards turned him away at the gates. With his heart downtrodden and his cries unheard, he roamed the streets, homeless and alone. One day, William was taken in by a gentle old woman, Gertrude. She was an elder to a sizable portion of the townsfolk and respected in the community. Old Gertrude they call her, she would take in orphaned children and raise them in the orphanage that she had volunteered to run.

William spent five years in Old Gertrude’s care. In those five years, he grew to understand the corruption that spreads among the upper class. Over the years, he watched as the lord of Florence wined and dined in his palace of greed and pleasure, the melody of tunes never ceasing from dawn ‘til dusk, dusk ‘til noon, and noon ‘til night.

“Are you doing alright, Lad?” The caravan hand called out from the carriage behind.

William jumped up in surprise but calmed and down and answered, “Yea, I’m just thinking to myself.” His fists clenched under his travel cloak as he whispered, “I will change this corrupt society.” He slowly released his fist and looked up, peering over the side at the gleaming fields of wheat. It was midsummer, soon the time for harvest would come.

---

It was early noon the following day. Vincent had just returned inside after his morning routine when a servant approached him.

“Young Master, a letter has arrived for you this morning.” The servant retrieved the note from his coat pocket and presented it to Vincent.

“Thanks,” said Vincent casually as he took the note and waved away the servant.

Vincent gave the note a quick look over before recognizing the sender. “So it’s the academy? Is this a follow-up of my exam from the previous day?” He quickly opened up the letter.

Attention Student Vincent Silverlight,

Due to unexpected and unforeseen circumstances, you have been selected to present a speech for the welcoming ceremony. The honor of giving the welcoming speech for the 1st-year class is an honor bestowed to only the best student of the current year. Due to your scores exceeding every other 1st-year student this year, you have been selected to perform the speech.

p.s. This is optional. The Headmaster requested you give the speech to allow you the passage in and out of Lancelot at your leisure.

Signed,

Bardus Geringer

“It doesn’t look like I have much of a choice. Do I?” Vincent sluggishly smiled as he retrieved some paper to send a reply.