Chapter 10

The first morning in the Kairos Empire’s capital, Kailus, dawned. The Aster family’s townhouse prepared in the capital sat among the nobility, but squeezed between the surrounding ostentatious, enormous mansions it looked modest, like a small pebble. It seemed to reflect the family’s current standing.

“Rian, are you ready?”

Kaion, who had been putting on his armor early in the morning, couldn’t hide his excitement and asked. In his hand he held the sword ‘The Guardian’s Will’ passed down from his father. Today was the day he would enroll at the Imperial Knight Academy for the first time.

“Of course, brother. You, of all people, don’t get so carried away that you make a mistake.”

Rian answered calmly and straightened his brother’s clothing. In the fifteen-year-old elder’s eyes there was hope for a future active at the center of the empire, while in the thirteen-year-old younger’s eyes there was a cold clarity that seemed to pierce the vast city.

Standing before the grand main gate of the Imperial Knight Academy, Kaion couldn’t help but exclaim. Fitting for a place that trained the knights who would shoulder the empire’s future, everything boasted an overwhelming grandeur. Many carriages of noble houses had already arrived, and well-dressed noble youths, each accompanied by knights, were entering the courtyard.

After finishing registration, when Kaion headed toward the large parade ground where new students gathered, a group of gazes turned toward him.

“Which family is that kid from? I’ve never seen that crest before.”

At the sneering voice, Kaion turned his head. There stood a boy with silver hair and an arrogant look. On his chest was the crest of the Reinhardt family, one of the empire’s three major marquess families.

“I’m Keil Reinhardt. What’s your name, country bumpkin?”

“I’m Kaion Aster of the Aster family.”

“Aster? That’s a name I’ve never heard. How bold to block the Reinhardt’s way — you’ve got guts, I’ll give you that.”

At Keil’s provocation, Kaion’s face flushed. Just as he was about to retort, an instructor appeared with a bellowing voice.

“New cadets, stop chatting and form up!”

Keil glanced over Kaion once, then turned away with a smile as if thinking ‘this will be interesting.’ Kaion clenched his fist. He had met a formidable opponent on his very first day in the capital.

Meanwhile, having confirmed that Kaion had headed to the academy, Rian was making entirely different preparations. He took off the flashy noble clothes, changed into inconspicuous commoner attire, and slipped quietly out the back streets of the townhouse.

His destination was the dark underside of the capital, the back alleys where all manner of information and crime were traded — ‘Gray Owl Alley.’ Rian had memorized the contents of the parchment he had handed to Kael before leaving the estate lands.

After slipping through a few more alleys to avoid prying eyes, he arrived at a used bookstore called ‘Well of Knowledge’ with a shabby sign. This was the place Rian was looking for. Inside, the musty smell of paper and stacks of piled books greeted him. In a worn chair behind the shelves, a white-haired old man dozed.

“Is the owner here?”

At Rian’s voice, the old man’s eyes opened slittedly. He was known among the information merchants of the capital’s back alleys as ‘Old Fox.’

“Little one, this isn’t a place for you. The candy shop is across the street.”

Old Fox waved his hand as if annoyed. But Rian, unfazed, placed a small silver coin on the counter.

“I’m not here for candy; I’m here to buy ‘information.’ For example, something like: the Bearn Trading Guild will smuggle prohibited Magic ingredients in a secret deal at Warehouse No.3 on the east dock tomorrow night.”

At that moment, Old Fox’s drowsy look sharpened like a blade. The Bearn guild’s smuggling was top-tier information known to only a very few.

“Who… are you?”

“I am an agent sent to convey the intentions of ‘Argos.’”

Rian gave the prepared name.

“I’m thinking of starting a new business, and I heard Old Fox’s shop is the most reliable in the capital.”

Old Fox swallowed. The child before him was by no means an ordinary kid. Watching his reaction, Rian drove in his final wedge.

“Show good faith for the first deal. Gather all information on the Imperial Knight Academy’s new cadets, especially Keil Reinhardt. Everything — petty habits, weaknesses, relationships. I’ll pay a fee that will satisfy you.”

By evening, Rian returned to the townhouse and read a book as if nothing had happened. Shortly after, Kaion returned from training, his face flushed, and rattled on about Keil Reinhardt.

Rian listened quietly to his brother’s tale. In his eyes, the analysis of the figure called Keil Reinhardt had already begun.

The elder standing on the capital’s glittering stage, and the younger who planted the first seed in the dark back alleys.