The Sentinel Knights are considered the best workplace in the Empire. It’s a position all young men of the Empire aspire to, and joining the organization alone brings honor to one’s family. They are the Emperor’s sword and the Empire’s shield, and they symbolize the Empire’s ideals and purity.
Today is the induction ceremony for the prestigious Sentinels.
I looked at myself in the mirror. The Sentinel Knight uniform, with its deep navy base and gold embroidery. It was a uniform I once desperately desired. I mistakenly thought that wearing it would make me noble and earn my father’s approval.
It’s merely a superficial shell. No, it’s not even leather, just a piece of cloth.
More than any Sentinel, I thought about the unique ability that manifested when I killed Jacob.
“Tick.”
I clicked my tongue, mimicking the sound of a second hand. But nothing happened. Time didn’t stop or slow down.
Instead, a familiar sensation spread from beneath my left collarbone, near my heart. It was the black shard embedded in my body. I could feel a faint but distinct wave of magic. It wasn’t just now. It pulsed like a heart before sleep, during exercise, while eating.
Thus, the thought was natural: Could this thing be used as my pseudo magic core?
Magic cores were once a common method for manipulating magic, but they have become virtually obsolete in modern times. This is because advancements in related fields like thaumaturgy, anatomy, and biology have led to the standardization of far more sophisticated circuitry systems in place of inefficient cores.
The essence of modern magic operation is clear:
To circulate and amplify magic through ‘magic circuits’ formed in the human body through congenital or acquired awakening.
Of course, the way circuits are trained and magic is manipulated distinguishes knights from mages, and further divides them into numerous schools and factions, but the basis is always the magic circuit. However, this black virus within me is an ‘extra.’ It’s a source of magic gained through sheer luck.
“……Hey.”
I placed my hand on my chest and spoke softly.
“Become my magic core.”
There was no reply. He wouldn’t understand me anyway.
“Make it do it. If I die, you die too.”
If this thing can function similarly to a magic core, capable of generating, storing, and releasing magic, there’s no reason we can’t be friends.
Knock. Knock.
Enzi’s voice came through the door.
“Young Master. You must leave now.”
“Yeah. Got it. I’ll be right out.”
I applied wax to my messy hair. In my early twenties, I was terrible at grooming, but now I had extensive experience with social life.
“Good.”
A few strokes later, my hair was neatly styled upwards.
The induction ceremony was as spectacular as ever. The central square of the capital was packed with a throng of people, and the windows of surrounding buildings were filled with the faces of citizens. High-ranking imperial officials and renowned nobles occupied the podium, while the newly inducted Sentinel Knights stood in the center, showered with confetti.
I was in the most prominent position, even there. The prestige of the Ebenholz family and my imperial appearance drew all eyes to me.
“We shall now commence the Sentinel induction ceremony.”
Archduke Alberich von Stein, the Grand Master of the Knights, began his speech announcing the knighting. His voice, amplified by magic, resonated throughout the entire square. The Empire’s glory, the knights’ honor, loyalty to the Emperor… It was a familiar repertoire that I had heard countless times.
I slowly scanned the faces of my fellow inductees standing on the podium.
Forty Sentinels were selected this cohort. I already knew their faces and names. Each had left their mark on the Empire’s history in their own way. More than thirty percent of them harbored different aspirations from the Empire or would eventually turn their backs on it.
“Still, thirty percent is too many, you ask?” It can’t be helped.
This is the twilight of the Empire.
“By the oath of the Empire’s shield and the Emperor’s sword, do you swear to dedicate your souls to the Empire’s glory!”
Grand Master Stein’s cry shook the square.
“The Empire will remember your loyalty, and will repay your devotion with glory! For His Majesty the Emperor!”
Following the Grand Master’s lead, we pledged our loyalty. Someone signaled me. I briefly closed my eyes and opened them. I stepped forward and raised the sword at my waist high. My fellow inductees followed suit. Forty swords glinted brilliantly in the sunlight. The cheers of the citizens washed over us like waves.
A long time ago.
On this very day, before my regression, I had felt an indescribable ecstasy. The whole world felt like it existed for me, and I was under the illusion that the Empire’s future rested on my shoulders.
Now, it’s just dry and dull.
The Grand Master, who once seemed as monumental as Mount Tai, the nobles clapping with their oily smiles, my companions standing beside me, and all the commoners in this square – they would all die. I had seen such a future.
“Now, descend. Show your citizens your glorious presence.”
Following the Grand Master’s instructions, we stepped down from the podium. Numerous nobles and officials swarmed us, offering congratulations and flattery. I received them politely, trying to slip away.
“It’s you.”
Just then, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice called out to me. A man stood with his arms crossed, scrutinizing me. He was my former mentor from long ago.
The one who decapitated a cadet.
His name was Julian Ascart. His dark blond hair framed a sharp jawline, and his golden eyes seemed to bore into me with peculiar intensity. He was a familiar face. Seeing him, so very familiar yet strange, I had a bizarre premonition.
“Yes. I am Maximillian.”
In the not-too-distant future, I would kill him.
Before the commotion of the induction ceremony had even subsided, we were immediately escorted to the Sentinel Knights’ headquarters. The building, reminiscent of a fortress, was a labyrinth of interconnected corridors, bustling with knights and administrative staff.
“This is your space.”
Mentor Julian opened the door to an office at the end of the corridor. The office itself wasn’t large. Just a few desks and cabinets for storing documents. Before my regression, I had been quite disappointed. I had been arrogant.
But now I know. I took this position from someone else. Someone with greater ability than I, but who couldn’t seize this opportunity simply because of their lower social status and position.
“Yes.”
I placed my duffel bag on the desk.
“You can freely hire personal staff within a $500,000 budget. You’ll need administrative support and intelligence gathering assistants. If you’re unsure, request a list of recommended personnel from the HR department.”
Julian tossed a file folder onto the desk.
“And you know what that is, right?”
He gestured with his chin towards a box-shaped mechanical device. It looked similar to a television but performed far more sophisticated functions. It was a state-of-the-art desktop, connected to the Empire’s communication network, capable of information retrieval, report writing, mission assignment, internal messaging, and video conferencing.
“Yes, I know. A computer.”
I replied, sitting down in the chair.
“Indeed. You’re definitely young.”
Whirr. A vibration emanated from Julian’s wrist. It was his watch. Likely a cutting-edge device equipped with an artifact.
“……Organize your belongings and come down to the first floor. Your first mission has been assigned. It’s a murder case involving a noble.”
A murder case.
Before my regression, I probably would have asked, “Already?” I had so much to sort out. In reality, I was the only rookie deployed on such a mission from day one.
“I’ll give you ten minutes.”
“Yes.”
Julian left first.
Let’s take a moment to consider: what exactly is the duty of a knight? Is it to look imposing? Of course not. Broadly speaking, it’s to maintain imperial order, suppress special criminals or rebel forces that ordinary troops cannot handle, deal with monsters, and protect nobles, among other things. Therefore, knights could earn a substantial income through additional allowances beyond their base salary. Rare materials obtained from hunting monsters, and bounties on criminals were quite lucrative. The more skilled the knight, the more wealth they could amass; it was a thoroughly meritocratic system. This was why my lack of skill led to me being sidelined so quickly.
I left the office. Two of my fellow inductees stood side-by-side in the corridor. One was Tiana, the other was Leon. They merely nodded at me. It’s the fate of the parachute recruit. In the past, I hated such looks and acted out, going overboard. I don’t need to do that anymore. I…
“I don’t know, you bastard.”
I don’t even know myself. I have no idea how to navigate this world, where a shitty future is set in stone.
