(Third Person Pov)
Year 2032, June 21, according to the global calendar.
In the northern part of the Tirshtain Empire, nestled between snow-covered mountains, lies a small town—or perhaps it could be called a village, as it is not as developed as the rest of the world.
Despite this time of year being summer, the village was entirely blanketed in snow.
Children played joyfully in the snow, their laughter ringing through the air.
The adults worked while keeping an eye on them, smiles also gracing their faces.
Despite the harsh conditions, everyone seemed content with their circumstances, living their days in peace.
Higher up from the village, a large house stood, significantly bigger than the surrounding homes.
The house was built in an ancient and traditional style. Though old, it still stood strong.
In its courtyard, a girl was seen training with a sword.
With her red hair and yellow eyes focused intently on her training, she appeared lost in thought as she swung her sword with great force.
Each strike of her blade created a gust of wind, as if she was slicing through space itself.
Despite the surrounding snow, she wore a short training top that revealed her toned abdomen and visible muscles, paired with training shorts.
Her crimson hair cascaded like a waterfall, and with every strike, the right side of her face, usually hidden by her bangs, was revealed.
The skin on the right side of her face was reddish-brown, scarred and wrinkled from an old burn that had long healed.
The girl training was Riana Elin, the eldest daughter and heir of House Elin.
Once, she had been considered one of the candidates capable of reaching the rank of Grandmaster in swordsmanship.
The pride of House Elin—great Riana—who had never lost a formal match or direct battle.
Until four years ago, when she failed to protect the Empress, and all her comrades were slaughtered by Orlax at the time.
The incident shattered her for a while, causing her to lose confidence and severely regress in skill.
Four years ago, she was at an advanced level in sword fighting.
Now, while all her peers had reached graduate status at the age of twenty-four, she remained stuck at the same level.
The girl once hailed as a genius fell swiftly due to a single incident, just as many geniuses before her had, becoming just an ordinary person.
Her muscles trembled, and eventually, her sword slipped from her hand, now bleeding. She refused to pick it up again.
After resting for a while, she entered the manor and went to her room, quickly taking a bath.
Emerging from the bath, her dripping wet hair exposed her scar completely.
She gazed at her bare body, then lifted her eyes to her disfigured face, a frown creeping onto her expression.
Turning away, she dressed herself and stepped out of the room.
She approached a small door and entered immediately.
The room was a modest office. Seated at a desk was a man with faded red hair and brown eyes, a weary expression on his face.
In front of him sat a portable device resembling a computer, alongside a stack of papers.
As Riana entered, the man looked up and saw his red-haired daughter approaching him.
"Hello, Father. What's wrong? You look exhausted."
"Hello, Riana. Given the news I've received, it's only natural that I'm tired."
The man sighed, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes.
"What news?"
Riana lazily sat on the couch, watching her father, whose hair was now streaked with traces of gray.
"First, I must say congratulations—you've been accepted as a professor at the Royal Academy."
"Really?! Father, are you serious? I've been accepted?"
Riana shouted in excitement, leaning over her father's desk, her face beaming with joy.
"Yes, it's true. You've been accepted."
"Yay!"
Riana punched the air in excitement, jumping in place with pure happiness.
"Also, a monster wave is expected in three days."
Riana's enthusiasm faded instantly, replaced by a serious expression as she quickly turned to her father.
"A monster wave in three days? Then why haven't you notified the capital? We need reinforcements for this."
"I have already sent a request to the Duke of the North's office for reinforcements, but I have yet to receive a response."
Baron Elin showed traces of despair as he contemplated the approaching disaster.
"Those scoundrels have abandoned us to fight alone! Don't they realize that if House Elin falls, the monsters will sweep through the mountains and reach the duchy?"
Riana clenched her fists tightly, anger evident in her voice at the people who had forsaken them.
"Also, there is something else."
"What is it?"
Riana asked, still lost in thought.
"The Emperor is arriving in three days."
"..."
Silence filled the room as Riana lifted her head, shock painted across her face.
"What?! That bastard is coming here?! What does he want?"
"Riana, lower your voice. If someone hears you say that, you could be executed."
Riana raged like a madwoman, shouting in fury upon hearing the news of Orlax's arrival in her beloved city.
"Apparently, the Emperor has accepted the invitation to attend my birthday celebration, and now he's coming."
"A birthday party? Shouldn't he be busy handling imperial matters right now?"
"It seems he has appointed the Grand Duke as his aide, leaving him to handle affairs in his absence—so this is how things turned out."
"The Grand Duke? Has he completely submitted to him? First, he betrothed his daughter to this demon, and now he serves as his assistant."
"Well, even I don't fully understand his reasons. He could've attended a duchy's celebration or visited another empire, but instead, he chose to come here."
"..."
Silence settled over the father and daughter as they pondered the Emperor's decision.
"My daughter, this may not be entirely bad. Perhaps we can convince him to help us against the upcoming monster wave."
"Are you serious, Father?"
"Yes, but that will only happen if he arrives before the monster wave strikes."
"I don't know. I'll go now and prepare everyone for the approaching battle instead of sitting here waiting for that man to arrive."
Riana left her father's office and headed for the knights' center, where she began announcing the impending monster wave.