Mona walked out of the Academic Dean’s office on air.
Early graduation.
Those two words drifted through her mind over and over.
With Professor Thomas suspended, her graduation had looked hopelessly delayed, but now she had been handed this chance.
The dean had added that meaningful warning, but with early graduation firmly lodged in her head, none of it registered.
She could skip the tedious dissertation review entirely and earn her degree in one leap.
That alone made the risk worth taking.
Nothing could be worse than having her graduation held up and being forced into an arranged marriage.
Seeing her unwavering resolve, the dean extended an envelope.
It was dark brown, tightly sealed with red wax.
‘To think the details of a project known only to a select few in the Academy are inside this envelope….’
Clutching the wax-sealed packet tightly to her chest, Mona sprinted back to her dormitory.
Phew.
Catching her breath, she firmly bolted the door, then broke the red seal with trembling fingers.
“…!”
The moment she drew out the paper inside, her eyes widened in shock.
Year 664 – Imperial Direct Auspice – S-Rank – No. 011
Official Issue Date: October 15, Imperial Calendar Year 664
[Imperial Invitation]
In the name of the Imperial Family, you are hereby granted special authorization to participate in a classified project.
The imperial seal was stamped unmistakably at the very top of the document.
‘Good heavens, the project is run by the Imperial Family.’
No wonder the dean had stated with such confidence that making an impact here would guarantee an early graduation.
‘…Wait, this is strange.’
Why would an imperial project ever filter down to the Department of Monster Studies, an absolute backwater discipline?
Most people barely knew the department even existed, so what could the research topic possibly be?
Dazed, Mona skimmed through the rest of the document.
This project concerns an investigation of the Land of Chaos. Detailed directives will be disclosed exclusively to attendees on the day of assembly.
There was not much information on the page.
A brief overview, the date, and the rendezvous location were all it offered.
Even so, one phrase seized Mona’s gaze.
Investigation of the Land of Chaos.
‘So that's why they reached out to a researcher in Monster Studies.’
The Land of Chaos was a colossal monster habitat, after all.
Some even referred to it as an unholy demonic realm.
For generations, it had been the domain of the black dragon Baelmos—a cursed territory strictly barred from unauthorized entry.
Anyone else would have shuddered at the danger the moment they realized monsters were involved and folded the document away, but Mona felt her blood race.
‘I might discover forgotten monsters that only exist in ancient tomes with my own eyes.’
Her chest quickened, prompting her to rub at her collarbone.
Until now, she had been reduced to harvesting slime viscous cores or concocting solvents for hair-loss tonics that had nothing to do with monster research.
Knowing she might conduct genuine, scholar-worthy monster research backed by imperial funding made her heart leap with uncontrollable excitement.
‘Could I have stumbled into unbelievable luck?’
Her optimistic fantasies gathered steam.
She could immerse herself in fascinating research, graduate early, and somehow scrape together the funds to open her own monster laboratory. A golden future seemed almost within reach.
‘No, don't get ahead of yourself.’
Tucking in her twitching smile, Mona picked up a pen and marked the project’s first assembly date on her calendar.
She even drew three stars next to it.
Never suspecting that this day would mark the turning point of her life.
***
Time flew by, and the project’s first assembly day arrived.
The meeting was set in a massive stone edifice nestled in the rolling hills on the western outskirts of the capital, an estate that had once served as a military command center.
Nervous, Mona had dressed early that morning and reached her destination well ahead of the scheduled meeting.
“Phew.”
Coming early had been the right choice.
The building sat atop a steep hill where shared carriages did not travel.
Hoisting the worn satchel holding her research notes and writing tools higher onto her shoulder, Mona made her way toward the looming stone structure.
It had looked imposing from afar, but up close, its grandeur was overwhelming.
‘Offering the old military headquarters as a meeting venue….’
Was this what imperial patronage felt like?
Accustomed to an old, perpetually underfunded laboratory, walking into such an antique and dignified setting felt surreal.
The scattered statues were genuine works of art, and the grounds were impeccably maintained.
Absorbed in the venerable scenery, Mona flinched the moment she stepped through the front gate embossed with a dragon crest.
An imposing man in uniform stepped forward, blocking her path.
With closely cropped dark brown hair, a sharp jawline, and a holy cross necklace resting on his chest, he exuded an ascetic aura.
The man spoke in a tone as blunt as his features.
Anxious, Mona rummaged hurriedly through her bag.
“…Mm.”
After carefully scrutinizing the imperial seal on the invitation and her Imperial Academy identification, the man's rigid expression softened, and he gave a slight nod.
Step, step.
Leading the way with crisp, disciplined strides, he looked nothing like an ordinary gatekeeper.
‘He looks formidable.’
Just what kind of project was this to warrant such airtight security?
While she swallowed her doubts, the man halted at the end of the corridor and pushed open a heavy stone door.
“Please enter.”
Clutching the strap of her bag with a tense face, Mona stepped cautiously inside.
Within the Gothic-style conference room, several people had already taken their places around a long rectangular table.
As she entered, the eyes of the attendees turned to her all at once before swiftly drifting away.
“…”
This wasn't an atmosphere for casual introductions.
In the heavy silence, Mona hesitated awkwardly on her feet before settling into a chair at the far edge of the table, fidgeting with her fingers.
‘This is so awkward.’
She felt like a drop of oil floating on water.
Unlike her, every person gathered in the room carried an air of distinction.
The gentleman seated opposite her wore an exquisite robe and an enchanted artifact around his neck that marked him as immensely wealthy.
‘Can I really fit in here?’
An imperial project naturally operated as a team, so why had she overlooked that detail?
While she was wetting her parched lips, the man across from her sprang to his feet, startling her.
He was not alone; the other participants rose one by one with eager expressions.
‘Is he famous?’
A man Mona had never seen before strode leisurely into the conference hall.
He was striking, with long dark blue hair flowing past his shoulders and refined, handsome features.
Swept along by the sudden shift in the room, Mona half rose to her feet, then sat back down in an awkward crouch, realizing how absurd it looked to greet a total stranger.
His aristocratic cadence and mellow voice matched his gentle demeanor perfectly.
With his entrance, the subdued room instantly came alive.
“…”
The contrast with her own entrance was night and day.
‘I don't even know who he is.’
Perhaps she had shut herself off from high society for too long.
Left feeling out of place, Mona glared at her innocent research notes before letting her gaze wander into the distance.
That was when a faded military standard caught her eye, hanging beside a map of the Empire on the wall.
‘…Wait.’
A series of pushpins stuck into the map piqued her curiosity.
Given this was a former command post, it would be easy to dismiss as an abandoned military layout, yet an odd sense of déjà vu prickled her.
‘That pattern… haven't I seen it somewhere before…?’
Before she realized it, Mona was craning her neck, studying the map with analytical precision.
Just then.
“…!!?”
A chilling voice came from right behind her.
The hair on the nape of her neck stood on end without her knowing why.
Mona turned toward the sound with a creeping sense of dread, and nearly fainted on the spot.
A black uniform. Neatly swept-back blonde hair. Cold, deep blue eyes….
A striking face no one could ever forget.
…R-Rihart Cronel.
Why—why was this man here…?!
