The Library of Endings

Ash van Atheliya.

The pride of the Atheliya Empire.

The Crown Prince, beloved by every citizen of the empire.

Master of the Atheliya family's legendary swordsmanship.

A leader destined to stand at the very pinnacle of the empire's future.

After completing his three-year journey across the empire and neighboring nations—mastering his swordsmanship and broadening his knowledge of cultures far and wide—Ash van Atheliya had finally returned. His reputation had only grown in his absence. Now, the prodigal prince stood not as a royal, but as a teacher before the students of Vanessa Academy—the very academy from which he had once graduated.

With calm, unshakable confidence, Ash took the microphone in hand. His voice carried through the auditorium, soft yet commanding, refined yet approachable.

"It's an honor to meet you all. I am Ash van Atheliya. Starting today, I will be serving as a guest professor here at Vanessa Academy. I look forward to guiding you… and learning alongside you."

A stunned silence swept through the students. The Crown Prince of the Empire—now standing as their professor? It was beyond anyone's expectations. But as the shock wore off, the entire auditorium erupted in applause.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

WOOOOOAAAH!

Ash smiled softly at the overwhelming welcome.

"Thank you all for greeting me with such passion. As your professor, I will do my utmost to guide you well."

Whispers and murmurs buzzed across the hall.

"Oh my god… The Crown Prince himself… a professor here…!"

"This is insane! I never thought I'd get to meet him in person, let alone train under him."

"This is the luckiest year to be enrolled in the academy!"

Professor Lucy stepped forward with a bright smile to calm the rising excitement.

"Alright, everyone. Professor Ash will be teaching the Knight Department in swordsmanship. All Knight Department students—be ready for his classes starting today. For now, please return to your scheduled lessons."

With that, the students began dispersing, still bubbling with excitement.

Outside, Silvia nudged Kayle with a grin.

"Yo, big brother… looks like you'll get to learn directly from the Crown Prince himself."

James nodded, visibly eager.

"Yeah. I've heard countless rumors about his talent with a sword. If I get to train under him, I'll give it my all. No excuses."

Just then, a soft voice called out.

"James, let's go. We'll be late for class."

Kayle and Silvia turned toward the voice. A beautiful young woman approached—her snow-white hair framing her gentle features, her calm black eyes carrying quiet strength. Nana Shrik, daughter of Viscount George Shrik, and a student in the Knight Department. More importantly… James's girlfriend.

Silvia smirked playfully.

"Go on, go on… my soon-to-be sister-in-law is calling you." Silvia teased.

"Oh, come on, Silvia! It's not like that," James protested, flustered.

"Yeah, yeah. Say what you want, but you can't hide anything from me." Silvia chuckled.

James, defeated, followed after Nana with a smile. Silvia and Kayle shared a brief glance before heading off to their own classes.

---

In the Classroom.

Kayle, Silvia, and Sara were seated together. Over the past two years, Sara had managed to build good relationships with nearly everyone in the class. Silvia, on the other hand, had let go of her grudges from the past, but she still remained cautious whenever Sara tried to get too close to Kayle.

The other students soon gathered around their desks. Every student in the Star Class had managed to maintain their position within the top ten rankings throughout the past four years, creating a deep bond of friendship between them.

"Hey, what's up, guys? Pretty surprising, isn't it? The Crown Prince himself is going to be teaching at the academy," Rose said as she took her seat.

"Yeah, no one saw this coming. Who would've thought we'd get the chance to learn from someone like him?" Jin replied, leaning back casually.

> "It's a bit disappointing though. Since he's a swordsman, he'll only be teaching the Knight Department. I wish we could see him more up close." Mariya sighed with a pout.

> "Well, it's not that disappointing." Latty smiled as she hugged Kayle from behind. "Sure, the Crown Prince is handsome and all… but he's still not as handsome as our Kayle."

Both Silvia and Sara glared at Latty, their intimidating auras filling the space between them.

"Seriously, you Lonen sisters are all the same," Mariya teased. "Professor Lucy hugges and kisses Kayle whenever she gets the chance, your elder sister Katty used to cling all over him too… and now you treat him like your boyfriend."

"Oh my, I can smell the jealousy in the air." Latty teased even more boldly, tightening her hold on Kayle. "Well, Kayle is my boyfriend… right, Kayle?"

"Latty… knock it off," Kayle said with an exasperated sigh.

Both Silvia and Sara clenched their fists in silent frustration.

"Alright, enough messing around." Rames cut in, his tone serious. "We've got more important things to discuss. It's already August. In December, we'll have to take on our graduation assignments. You all know how important those are."

"Yeah, you're right. Only four months left." Jack nodded. "I've been thinking of taking a group assignment. It's always better to have people watching your back. What about you guys?"

"Same here. Group assignments seem safer," Rames agreed.

"I'm planning on doing it solo." Shawn replied, his voice calm and confident.

"I haven't decided yet. We still have some time to think," Jin said thoughtfully.

At Vanessa Academy, graduation assignments were divided into two categories: solo Assignments and Group Assignments. Each category was further classified by difficulty, ranked from one-star to five-star.

One-star represented beginner-level tasks, very Low difficulty while five-star missions were known to be extremely difficult—or very high difficulty challenges meant only for the most capable students. Every student carefully selected their assignment based on their personal strength and aptitude.

"What about you two, Sara and Silvia? Are you planning to take solo or group assignments?" Latty asked, still hugging Kayle from behind as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"I don't know yet. I'll think about it." Sara replied casually.

"Same here. It depends on my mood." Silvia said with her usual nonchalant tone.

"Wow… depends on your mood, huh? Well, I guess we can expect that from you two. Unlike us, who barely managed to reach the Fourth Circle, both of you are already Fifth Circle mages." Rose remarked with a playful sigh.

"So what about you, Kayle?" Latty asked again, her arms tightening slightly around him as she grinned.

Both Silvia and Sara immediately turned their sharp gazes toward Kayle, waiting for his answer.

"Of course, I'll choose a Group Assignment." Kayle answered calmly. "I'm still the only one in class who's a Third Circle Mage. I think taking a Three or Four-Star assignment with you guys in a group would be the best option for me."

"Oh my darling, then I'll also take a Group Assignment with you!" Latty said sweetly. "Don't worry, I'll protect you."

"Me too." Silvia added flatly. "Even if you have Four-Element Affinity, you're still a Third Circle Mage. So I'll be with you."

"Same here. I can't let him take on difficult assignments alone." Sara said without hesitation.

"Ah… all of you just want to stick close to him." Everyone thought simultaneously.

With that, the matter was settled.

---

During Lunch Break.

The group gathered at their usual spot in the cafeteria for lunch.

Kayle, Silvia, Sara, Latty, Mariya, Rose, Shawn, Rames, Jin, and Jack—all the members of Star Class—were enjoying their meal together.

James, who used to eat lunch with Kayle and Silvia, now spent his lunches with Nana. Of course, this wasn't entirely his choice; Silvia had "kindly" forced him to spend more time with his girlfriend.

"Hey! Don't take from my plate! Those meatballs are mine!" Jack complained loudly.

"You couldn't possibly eat all of them yourself, so I'm just helping you out." Rames teased with a grin.

"You…! Why don't you shut your mouth for once?!" Jack shot back.

"Can't you two eat without fighting? You're like children." Mariya sighed in exasperation.

"Well, today's menu is pretty special." Rose commented as she took another bite. "I think it's because of the Crown Prince's arrival. The cafeteria's added so many new dishes to the menu."

"Here, eat these meat rolls too. You're getting skinnier every day." Silvia said, pushing food onto Kayle's plate.

"I'm not getting skinny, Silvia. You should eat more yourself." Kayle replied with a soft chuckle.

"Try this too, Kayle. It's really good." Sara offered with a gentle smile, placing a dish in front of him.

Silvia's gaze sharpened as she watched Sara.

"Damn it… she never misses a chance to flirt with him." she thought, irritated but keeping her expression composed.

As everyone continued enjoying their lively lunch, a familiar presence approached.

"Oh? So this is where the famous Star Class gathers for lunch."

A calm, refined voice spoke from behind them.

"Mind if I join you?"

Everyone turned to look.

Standing there with a warm smile was none other than Ash van Atheliya.

Ash's sudden arrival caught everyone off guard. For a brief moment, the entire table froze, surprised that the Crown Prince himself had come to casually speak to them.

They hurriedly swallowed their food and looked at him in awe.

"Y-Your Highness, please take a seat here!" Shawn was the first to react, quickly nudging others aside to make room. "Hey, move over—make space for the Crown Prince!"

Ash smiled gently as he took the seat offered to him.

"Oh, please. There's no need to address me as Crown Prince here," Ash said with a relaxed tone. "Right now, I'm just a professor. Treat me as one. There's no need to be so formal."

"Understood, Professor." Shawn straightened his back awkwardly.

Ash's gaze swept across the table with warmth.

"It's good to see all the Star Class students having lunch together like this. It reminds me of my own days here at Vanessa Academy. Back then, my classmates and I would also gather for meals like this."

"Thank you, Professor. It was actually Rames' idea for everyone to eat together." Rose answered with a smile.

"A brilliant idea, indeed. You must be Rames, right?" Ash said, turning to him. "Your older brother and I were good friends back in my time here. He was the one who united the entire class, encouraging us to stick together rather than split into factions. We graduated together from the Knight Department. How are your father and brother doing? I didn't get the chance to meet them after my return."

"They're both stationed at the Southern Borders, " Rames replied proudly. "My brother serves under our father's chivalric order. They're holding the line against the monsters creeping in from beyond."

"Ah, I didn't know that. I only just returned and immediately accepted the professor's position here. But I'm glad to hear Sir Quiros and your brother Eligio are doing well. They've always been men of honor."

"Thank you, Professor." Rames nodded respectfully.

Ash smiled before continuing,

"You all enrolled in the academy the same year I graduated, which is why we never crossed paths before now. When I heard the current Star Class consists of students from the Five Great Clans and other prestigious houses, I must admit—I was surprised. During my time, we never had the chance to gather so many exceptional people in one class."

Then, Ash casually pointed at each of them with a knowing expression.

"Jack Harolan, from the Harolan Clan, one of the Five Great Clans. How's your father?"

"Rose Danver, of House Danver, your father is a well-known Seventh Circle Mage."

"Mariya Hans, of House Hans—your elder brother made quite the name for himself in Magic Engineering."

"Shawn Forin, of House Forin—your grandfather, Tailor Forin, remains one of the esteemed Twelve Grandmasters."

"Jin Nasoniya, I believe? Your sister, Emma Nasoniya, was my junior here—a truly talented mage."

"And Latty Lonen, the youngest sister of our beloved Professor Lucy Lonen. How are you doing?"

The group exchanged glances, a little stunned that Ash knew so much about them already.

"My father's doing well. He's always tied up with territory matters, as usual," Jack answered first.

"You flatter my father, Professor. He's just busy with his research, not worth such praise." Rose added modestly.

"Thank you for your kind words, Professor. My brother's doing great with his engineering work." Mariya smiled.

"Yeah, my grandfather recently returned from the field. He's resting at home now." Shawn added.

"My sister used to mention you often, Professor. She always said you were number one in the Knight Department every year." Jin said.

"I'm doing well, Professor." Latty smiled brightly.

"I'm glad to hear all your families are doing well." Ash nodded sincerely.

Then Sara spoke up calmly, her tone carrying a hint of pride.

"With all due respect, Professor, you know as well as anyone—status holds no weight within Vanessa Academy. Only accomplishment matters here."

Ash smiled at her remark.

"You must be Sara Vaviniya, from the Vaviniya Clan. I've read about your achievements in the papers."

"It's nothing worth mentioning, Professor." Sara replied, downplaying her success.

"No, you've done very well. The same goes for you, Mariya. Both of you have contributed greatly as research assistants."

"Oh, it wasn't anything grand, Professor. We simply did our best." Mariya said humbly.

"Perhaps, but the credit remains yours." Ash said warmly before turning his attention.

"And here sits the one who's been first in all four years—Silvia. You've made history here at Vanessa Academy as a commoner, ranking first in both practical and theoretical studies. You even contributed to Professor Olivia's groundbreaking research. I've read about you as well, and I must say—I'm truly proud to have someone like you representing our academy."

Silvia offered a polite nod, her tone composed yet grateful.

"Thank you, Professor, for your kind words. But honestly, much of the credit belongs to Kayle. Without him, we wouldn't have been able to complete that research."

"Yes… you're absolutely right." Ash said with a knowing smile.

Finally, Ash's gaze settled on Kayle. His smile grew a little wider.

"Now, I understand why every male student in both the Mage and Knight Departments envies you. Sitting between two goddesses like Sara and Silvia... And let's not forget, you're easily one of the most handsome men I've seen—almost like an elf plucked from the pages of a legend. Only a Elf can match your good looks . That alone would cause envy. But you also bear the rarest gift in the empire's 500-year history: Four-Element Affinity. The only person with it. And you've changed the very foundation of magic with your research. No one will forget your name in the future, Kayle. You already possess everything any man could want."

Kayle offered a modest smile.

"You flatter me, Professor. I've only been fortunate. Even with Four-Element Affinity, advancing to the next circle is complicated. I'm still stuck in the Third Circle."

Ash met his gaze firmly, his voice carrying both warmth and encouragement.

"Don't let that trouble you. Kayle, you're someone who has already pushed people to think beyond the limitations of human understanding. Not all strength is measured in circles or raw power. Your mind is your greatest weapon, and it's sharper than any sword. Besides, you're not alone—you have your friends… and you have me. Not as a Crown Prince. Not as a Professor. But as your friend."

Ash smiled sincerely.

Aeon, hidden beneath Kayle's calm smile, observed Ash quietly.

"That's your gift, Ash. You see the goodness in people's hearts. You bring comfort and loyalty without even trying. That makes you a true leader .....and a worthy friend, who never abandon his friends. You deserve to become the next Emperor." Aeon thought.

Aeon smiled softly.

"Thank you… Ash."

The entire table froze for a moment.

Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief.

Did Kayle—Kayle of all people—just call the Crown Prince by name?

No honorifics, no 'Your Highness,' not even 'Professor Ash.' Just… Ash.

Their jaws nearly dropped. They turned to look at Ash, wondering how he would react.

But instead of being offended, Ash simply gave Kayle a bright, playful smile.

"I really like you, Kayle," Ash said warmly. "From now on… we're friends."

He extended his hand toward Kayle for a handshake.

Without hesitation, Kayle shook his hand, smiling in return.

"I'm glad to have you as my friend, Ash."

The others stared in shock as if watching some mythical scene unfold—Kayle and the Crown Prince shaking hands like old comrades and casually exchanging words.

"I'm just as glad, Kayle." Ash laughed lightly. "Let's get along well from now on."

They smiled at each other—two people destined to stand at the very peak of the empire, sharing a moment of simple friendship.

Ash then turned toward Silvia.

"Ah, that reminds me. Silvia, your brother is James, right? I met him earlier in the Knight Department."

"Yes, Professor. He's in his fourth year now," Silvia answered.

Ash nodded thoughtfully.

"I couldn't believe it when I heard about his progress. To rise from having no formal training to being called a sword genius in just three years… That's no small feat. Both you and your brother—truly born with talent."

"Thank you, Professor," Silvia said politely. "Although he still struggles with theory, he's confident in practical combat."

Ash smiled, leaning back slightly.

"Well, theory is just for understanding. What truly matters is real-world ability. If his practical skills are strong, the rest is secondary."

"He always says that himself—ignores the books and focuses on swordsmanship," Silvia said with a sigh, though there was fondness in her tone.

"Let him be. He's on the right path. He'll make a fine knight," Ash said with a reassuring nod.

"He'll be happy to hear those words from you," Silvia replied with a smile.

Ash glanced around the table.

"So, have you all decided on your graduation assignments yet? Time is running short, after all."

Rose answered for the group.

"Yes, Professor. Kayle, Silvia, Sara, Jack, Rames, Mariya, Latty, and I are planning to take a group assignment. Shawn, and Jin are thinking about doing solo assignments."

Ash gave a pleased nod.

"It's good that you've given it thought. But let me remind you—don't pick an assignment beyond your ability just for the sake of grades. Many students have overestimated themselves in the past and regretted it deeply. Risking your life recklessly isn't worth it. Remember, survival and experience matter more."

"Understood, Professor." They all replied in unison.

Ash smiled.

"Good. If any of you need help, don't hesitate to ask me. I'm here to guide you—not just as a professor, but as someone who wants to see you all succeed."

"Thank you, Professor." They said together.

With that, the tense atmosphere eased, and everyone returned to enjoying their lunch, chatting casually as if Ash had always been one of them.

---

After Class

When the day's classes ended, Kayle and Silvia walked together on their way back to the dormitories.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the academy grounds. The soft glow of the evening light reflected in the windows, and a gentle breeze stirred the leaves, filling the air with a quiet calm.

Silvia, walking beside Kayle in silence, glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Kayle… You nearly gave me a heart attack today," she said, her tone somewhere between exasperation and disbelief. "Calling the Crown Prince by his first name is considered disrespectful. If this weren't the academy, you could've been executed on the spot."

Kayle gave a small shrug, entirely unfazed.

"He told me to treat him as a friend, not a prince. Didn't he?"

Silvia sighed, shaking her head.

"That may be true, but you really should be careful with that mouth of yours. Don't get too carried away."

"Okay, okay. I'll keep that in mind." kayle replied.

Silvia narrowed her eyes mischievously.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Someone seemed very happy earlier when Latty was hugging him."

Kayle's eyes widened slightly. He slowly glanced toward Silvia, who was strolling beside him with a teasing smile, casually twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers.

"Tell me… was it nice?" Silvia said sweetly as she reached out and grabbed his hand.

Kayle, fully aware of Silvia's personality by now, instinctively sensed danger. She was definitely planning something.

In a flash of desperation, he pointed behind her.

"Look! James and Nana are behind that tree!"

Silvia reflexively turned to look.

"What—?"

That was all the opportunity Kayle needed. He bolted.

"Thanks for the opening!" he shouted as he sprinted away.

Silvia spun back with a glare.

"Kayle! You think you can run from me?! Just wait till I catch you!"

With that, she dashed after him, her steps light but fierce.

Laughter echoed faintly behind them as they chased each other across the academy grounds like children who had never truly grown up.

---

That Night

Under the quiet moonlight, Aeon stood before the window in his dormitory, holding three silver necklaces in his hand.

He looked out over the academy grounds, lost in thought.

"Hnnn..Silvia… even after all this time, she still acts like that. Even as an adult now, she hasn't changed one bit. But… that's part of what I like about her."

He chuckled softly to himself.

"Still, I'll have to use invisibility magic tomorrow… otherwise, she won't let me off so easily."

His gaze dropped back to the necklaces. The faint glow of moonlight reflected off the gemstones, casting small fragments of light across the room.

"It's almost time… The final event of our academy life: The Graduation Assignment."

Aeon's expression turned cold.

"This is when Alexander will finally make his move."

He exhaled slowly, recalling the details.

"He's been silent for the past two years, licking his wounds after his failure… But this time, he'll follow the original plot exactly. He'll change our assignment by bribing an academy official, just like before."

His fingers closed tightly around the necklaces.

"That was the reason why… Kayle and James died in the original story."

His thoughts unraveled, revealing the chain of events.

"It was a group assignment involving Silvia, Sara, Latty, and Kayle from the magic department, and James, Nana, and Rolex from the knight department. The assignment was supposed to be a four-star monster extermination mission in the western territory of the Maklice family—located in the western part of the Atheliya Empire, bordering the Larko Kingdom. The monsters from Garxiz Forest had been causing trouble there.

But when they arrived and wiped out the monsters as planned…

A massive horde suddenly appeared."

His grip tightened further.

"Back then… Kayle and James sacrificed themselves to save Silvia. That's how Silvia awakened her Sixth Circle. But it was all orchestrated by Alexander. He used his connections in the Larko Kingdom to funnel monsters through a Teleportation array into the Garxiz Forest. And he was clever, he used Black mages.

The black mages were scattered across the six kingdoms and two empires… ensuring his involvement would never be traced.

All the blame fell on the black mages. No one suspected Alexander."

Aeon's eyes darkened with quiet rage.

"But this time… things will be different."

He placed the necklaces back in the box.

"I've prepared everything. The things I've been 'borrowing' from the academy's research facility for the past three years… helped me to complete some tools and potions. They're finally complete. They'll help ensure none of us die this time."

He smiled coldly.

"Alexander… just wait. This time, I'll burst open your head with my own hands."

Satisfied, Aeon turned from the window and headed for bed.

But what he didn't know…

Even with all his preparations…

Even with all his knowledge of the story…

Fate had already begun to change.

And something far beyond Aeon's expectations awaited him in the graduation assignment.