Heave… ho… the black tide rolls.
Bones in the bilge and blood in the shoals.
Chain them tight where the cold irons bite,
Hear them beg in the dead of night—
A pale young man with brown hair sang into the cold breeze of the starry night,
his gaze fixed on the mysteries of the dark sky above.
Oars creaked low like a hangman's plea,
Rope sang sharp for the gallows tree.
Salt and rot filled the sailor's lungs,
Count the souls that the dark has hung.
He was rowing a small ferry, a lantern hanging at its front,
lighting the unseen path ahead of him.
Sigh—
It has been three days… Did I really wake up in the middle of nothing?
Three days ago, Judas—formerly known as Gu Tian—had awakened in a forest,
the starlight reflecting faintly on his body.
So I didn't die… did I?
If this is not some long, pathetic final dream of a dying man…
And I was brought here with only a lantern beside me…
Hah… interesting.
Three days of rowing, and not a single soul in sight.
It would exhaust anyone—especially someone thrown into another world with no knowledge of it.
At least I have this lantern.
Without it, I would not have made it this far.
Still… it's strange.
Not seeing a single living being nearby…
Is this place really dea—
Neighhh!
A sudden sound, like a horse's cry, broke through the silent night.
Judas raised his eyebrows slightly and turned toward the source of the sound.
A carriage approached, pulled by two brown horses.
On the driver's seat sat an elderly man, dressed like a Victorian gentleman.
The man slowed down as he noticed something unusual—
a ferry floating in the air, guided by a lantern that looked as if it could lead souls to the afterlife.
His eyes met those of a young man looking down from the ferry.
The man had fair skin and brown hair.
His eyes were pitch black, yet within them shimmered faint gold and silver particles.
The old man froze for a moment.
It felt as if he were staring into the night sky itself.
"Hello, sir. May I ask who you are?"
His aged voice broke the silence.
It was the first human voice Judas had heard in three days.
"I am Judas, sir. And you?"
"I am Reiron, of House Kalpras."
House Kalpras…?
So this really is some kind of magical world.
"Where are you from, Mr. Judas? You do not seem to be a local."
"You're right. I'm not from this island.
I come from a place called Blue Star.
You probably haven't heard of it—it's very far away."
Reiron studied him for a moment but found nothing suspicious.
"I see… Sir Judas, forgive my question.
Is there anything I can assist you with?"
Judas glanced at the carriage behind him.
The curtains were closed, hiding whoever was inside.
"Actually, I'm unfamiliar with this land.
If you could guide me somewhere I can rest and eat, I would be grateful."
Reiron slightly turned his head, as if waiting for permission.
"Let him."
A calm female voice came from inside the carriage.
"Yes, young mistress."
"We are heading to Solaris Academy.
There, you will find both food and lodging.
If you wish, you may accompany us.
We could use an extra hand for security."
A carriage, an academy, noble houses…
This truly is another world.
I wonder if they can use magic.
"Thank you, Mr. Reiron."
Judas guided the ferry down until it hovered just above the ground.
He stepped off and stretched.
His body ached from rowing for three days.
If not for his past training, he would not have lasted even a week.
At that moment, the ferry and the lantern began to shrink,
forming into a wooden staff with a lantern hanging from its end.
Judas placed the staff on his right shoulder and walked toward the carriage.
Reiron frowned slightly.
"Are you a Tool Awakener, sir?"
Judas paused.
Tool Awakener?
"I'm afraid I don't know what that means."
Interesting… Reiron thought.
Judas climbed onto the driver's seat and spoke toward the carriage interior.
"Thank you for having me, young mistress."
"…."
No reply came.
Judas waited for a moment, then looked ahead.
That was… hah.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Is there a public library at Solaris Academy?"
It would be suspicious to ask too much directly.
Better to learn quietly.
"Yes. The academy has a public library open to everyone.
There are also private libraries for students and professors."
"So do not expect to find advanced magical knowledge in the public one."
That's fine.
For now, I only need to understand where I am.
"Thank you, Mr. Reiron."
Reiron nodded and returned his attention to the road.
The rest of the journey passed in silence,
broken only by distant sounds of birds, wolves, and other animals.
It seems people here do not disturb nature as much as we do.
At last, stone walls appeared in the distance.
The rising sun cast light over the towers of Solaris Academy.
The buildings stood like a fortress atop a hill.
Tall towers with pointed roofs rose above castle-like walls.
Flags fluttered in the wind.
They bore a symbol:
a bat-like bird with a starry pattern resembling the night,
and a lion with a radiant, sun-like mane resembling the sun.
The two faced each other in a circular design.
As the carriage approached, a large gate came into view.
Other carriages moved in and out while guards checked identities.
I wonder if it is always this crowded.
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Welcome to Solaris Academy.
Please present your identification."