The Sentinel Knight Order is regarded as the best occupation in the Empire. It is a position admired by all the Empire’s youth, and merely being admitted is considered an honor for one’s family. They are the Emperor’s sword and the Empire’s shield, and also an institution that symbolizes the ideals and purity of the Empire. ......Today is the induction ceremony of such an honorable Sentinel. I looked at myself standing in front of the mirror. The Sentinel Knight Order uniform, embroidered with golden threads on a deep navy base. It was once an outfit I desperately desired. I used to delude myself that just wearing this would make me noble, and even earn recognition from my father. It’s just a superficial shell. No, not even a shell, just a piece of cloth. Rather than that damned Sentinel, I was thinking more about the special ability that manifested when I killed Jacob. “Tick-tock.” I clicked my tongue, mimicking the sound of a second hand. But nothing happened. There was no phenomenon of time stopping or slowing down. Twitch. Instead, a familiar sensation came from below my left collarbone, near my heart. It was the black fragment embedded in my body. A faint but distinct wave of mana could be felt. Not just now. Before bed, during exercise, while eating, this thing pulses like a heart. So naturally, this thought occurred── Maybe, I could use this thing as a pseudo mana core. Mana cores were once one of many methodologies for handling mana, but in modern times, they’ve become nearly obsolete. As fields like manalogy, human biology, and life sciences advanced, the inefficient core was replaced by a far more elaborate circuit system that became the standard. The essence of modern mana usage is clear: : To circulate and amplify mana using the ‘mana circuit’ that forms within a human body through innate or acquired awakening. Of course, depending on how the circuit is trained and how mana is used, people are classified as knights or wizards, and within those, there are countless schools and factions, but the foundation remains the mana circuit. However, the black virus inside me is a ‘plus alpha’. Strictly speaking, it’s an unearned source of mana. “......Hey.” With my hand placed over my chest, I spoke softly. “Become my mana core.” There was no response. Well, of course, it wouldn’t talk. “Make it work, even if it doesn’t want to. If I die, you’re done too.” If this thing could function similarly to a mana core, generating, storing, and releasing mana, then there’s no reason we couldn’t get along. Knock knock. With a knock, Enzi’s voice flowed in. ─Young master. It’s time to go now. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎 “Yeah. Got it. I’ll be right out.” I applied wax to my messy hair. Back in my early twenties, I was terribly bad at grooming, but now I had quite a bit of experience with social life. “Nice.” After a few strokes, it turned into a cleanly styled updo. *** The induction ceremony was held in grandeur, as it was every year. The central plaza of the Capital was packed so tightly with people there was no room to step, and every window of the surrounding buildings was filled with the faces of citizens. On the stage stood high-ranking imperial officials and renowned nobles, and at the center, where flower petals rained down, the newly inducted members of the Sentinel Knight Order stood in line. Even among them, I was in the most attention-grabbing position. The halo of the Ebenholtz family and my Imperial appearance pushed me into the center of everyone’s gaze. “We shall now commence the induction ceremony of the Sentinels.” Knight Order Commander Alberich von Stein began the speech announcing the knighting. His voice rang throughout the entire plaza via a mana amplification device. The Empire’s glory, the honor of knighthood, loyalty to the Emperor... A repertoire I had heard to the point of exhaustion. I slowly scanned the faces of my fellow inductees standing on the stage with me. This class of Sentinels had 40 knights selected. I already had their faces and names memorized. Each of them would leave their mark on the Empire’s history in their own way. At least 30 percent of them harbor intentions different from the Empire, or will eventually turn their backs on it. You think 30 percent is too much? It can’t be helped. Because this is the Empire’s twilight era. “──As the shield of the Empire, as the sword of His Majesty, do you swear to dedicate your soul for the glory of the Empire!” Grand Duke Stein's shout shook the plaza. “──The Empire shall remember your loyalty, and will reward your devotion with glory! For His Majesty the Emperor!” At the Knight Commander’s lead, we pledged our loyalty. Someone signaled me. I briefly closed and opened my eyes. I stepped forward and raised the sword at my waist high into the air. My fellow inductees followed behind me. Forty swords gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight. The cheers of the citizens surged like a wave. ......A long time ago. That is, before the regression, I had felt an indescribable sense of ecstasy at this very moment. It felt like the entire world existed for me, and I was caught in the delusion that the Empire’s future rested on my shoulders. Now, it was just dull. The Knight Commander, who once felt like a towering mountain, the nobles clapping with greasy smiles, my fellow inductees standing next to me, and all the people in this plaza, every one of them would die. I had seen such a future. “Now, go down. Show your proud selves to the citizens.” At the Knight Commander’s instruction, we descended the stage. Numerous nobles and officials swarmed in to offer their congratulations and flattery. I accepted it half-heartedly, trying to slip away. "So it is you." Then, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice called to me. A man stood with arms crossed, scrutinizing me. The man who had once been my supervisor long ago. “The one who’s said to have cut down a fellow cadet.” His name was Julian Ascar. His deep blond hair and sharp jawline stood out, and his golden eyes pierced into me more than anyone else’s. It was a familiar face. Looking at someone so intimately familiar, I had a strange intuition. “Yes. I’m Maximilian.” In the not-too-distant future, I would end up killing him. *** Even before the commotion of the induction ceremony had fully settled, we immediately moved to the Sentinel Knight Order Headquarters. The inside of the fortress-like building was laid out like a complex maze, filled with bustling knights and administrative staff. “This is your space.” My supervisor Julian opened the door to an office at the end of the corridor. The office itself wasn’t spacious. Just a few desks and cabinets for document storage. Before the regression, I had been quite disappointed. I was arrogant back then. But now, I understand. I was someone who had taken even this position from someone else. Someone more capable than me, who didn’t get this opportunity simply because of lower social status and rank. “Yes.” I placed my luggage on the desk. “You can freely hire personal staff within a 500,000 dollar limit. You’ll probably need administrative support or someone to assist with information gathering. If you’re not sure, request a recommendation list from HR.” Julian lightly tossed a file folder onto the desk. “And, you know what that is, right?” He motioned with his chin toward a square box-shaped machine. It looked like a television, but was a far more advanced device. It was the latest desktop model connected to the Empire’s communication network, capable of browsing various information, writing reports, accepting missions, internal messaging, and video conferencing. “Yes, I do. A computer.” I answered as I sat down in the chair. “Right. You really are young.” Buzz. A vibration came from Julian’s wrist. It was his watch. Most likely the latest type of terminal equipped with an artifact. “......Finish organizing and come down to the first floor. Your first mission has been assigned. A noble murder case, apparently.” A murder case. Before the regression, I probably would’ve responded with, ‘Already?’ I had a ton of unpacking to do back then. In fact, I had been the only rookie ever assigned such a case on the very first day. “You’ve got ten minutes.” “Yes.” Julian exited first. Now, a brief thought: what is the true duty of a knight? To look cool? Of course not. Maintaining public order in the Empire, suppressing special criminals or rebel forces that ordinary troops can’t handle, dealing with monsters, and protecting nobles, those are just a few of the responsibilities. Because of this, knights could earn a lot of money through additional allowances on top of their base salary. Hunting monsters yielded rare materials from their corpses, and bounties placed on criminals were quite lucrative. The more skilled a knight was, the more wealth they could accumulate. In its own way, it was a thoroughly meritocratic system. It was the reason why I, who lacked ability, was quickly pushed aside. I left the office. Two of my fellow inductees were standing side by side in the hallway. One was Tiana. The other was Leon. The two simply gave me a nod. That’s the fate of a parachute hire. Back then, I hated those kinds of looks so much I’d go absolutely apeshit, overcompensating like a madman. Now, there’s no need for that. I am...... "I do not know, fuck." I don’t even know myself. In a world where this fucked-up future is already set in stone, I have no clue how I’m supposed to make it through.