Morning came with the sound of trumpets echoing throughout Thornfield Academy. Aeris woke from a restless sleep, immediately realizing that this was not the normal alarm for morning assembly. This trumpet was different—more formal, more urgent.
[ROYAL MESSENGER ARRIVED]
[TIMELINE ACCELERATION: CONFIRMED]
[WAR PREPARATION STATUS: ACTIVE]
"Royal summons," Aeris muttered as he hurriedly dressed. he already knew what was going to happen today, but anxiety still gnawed at his stomach.
When he reached the main hall, a crowd of students had gathered around a figure dressed in royal colors—a messenger with perfect posture and a stern expression. Beside him stood Principal Nightshade, his face unusually serious.
"Aeris Draemor," the messenger called out upon seeing him. "His Majesty King Alderon Valenhall commands your immediate presence at the Royal Palace."
Excited whispers spread through the student body. Royal summons directly from the King were not an uncommon occurrence for an academy student.
"Immediately?" Aeris asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Within the hour," the messenger replied in a tone that brooked no argument. "The royal carriage awaits at the gate."
The principal approached with a scroll in his hand. "Mr. Draemor, this is an extraordinary honor. The royal family has recognized your house's contributions to the kingdom."
[SYSTEM NOTE: ORIGINAL TIMELINE DEVIATION CONTINUES]
[DRAEMOR HOUSE POLITICAL VALUE: SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED]
"Principal," Seraphina's voice suddenly rang out from the crowd. She moved with a familiar grace, but there was urgency in her ruby eyes. "Allow me to accompany Aeris."
"Miss Valemont," the principal began, but Seraphina interrupted politely but firmly.
"As a representative of the Valemont family, I have diplomatic immunity and the right to attend royal meetings involving international affairs," she said with a confidence that showed a deep knowledge of royal protocol.
The messenger studied Seraphina with careful attention. "Valemont... yes, your family's trading agreements with the Crown grant you certain privileges. You may accompany Lord Draemor."
Lord Draemor? Aeris was unfamiliar with the formal title, but he recognized that royal summons automatically elevated his status in the eyes of the court.
"And I," Leon voice rang out with determination. "As a Hero candidate, I have a duty to protect my fellow students in matters concerning kingdom security."
The messenger looked at Leon with a skeptical expression. "Hero candidate... hmm. Very well, but you will wait in the antechamber unless specifically summoned."
Out of the corner of her eye, Aeris saw Damien standing in the shadows with an unreadable expression. Dark energy enveloped his body faintly, and when his emerald green eyes met hers, he gave a subtle but meaningful nod.
[DAMIEN RAVENCREST: HIDDEN AGENDA DETECTED]
[WARNING: DEMONIC INFLUENCE INCREASING]
"Come," the messenger said with impatience. "His Majesty does not like to wait."
The journey to the Royal Palace took nearly two hours in a luxurious but surprisingly well-defended carriage. Aeris noticed that the guards escorting them were no ordinary royal guards—they wore armor specialized for anti-magic warfare.
"Something's wrong," Seraphina whispered as they passed the third checkpoint. "These royal security measures are... excessive for a diplomatic meeting."
Leon, sitting across from her with a rigid posture, nodded with a grim expression. "These aren't routine summons. Something bigger is going on."
[INTELLIGENCE GATHERING ACTIVATED]
[OBSERVATION SKILL: ENHANCED DUE TO SYSTEM ASSISTANCE]
Aeris began to notice details he had previously missed. Merchants on the streets were moving with unusual haste. Military patrols were more frequent than usual. And most concerning of all—there were messenger hawks flying back and forth with a frequency that indicated active communication with multiple locations.
"War preparations," Aeris murmured, realization hitting him hard.
"What?" Seraphina leaned closer, her voice barely audible.
"Look at the movement patterns around us," Aeris explained in a quiet voice. "All indicators point to military mobilization. Something has forced the kingdom to accelerate defense preparations."
Leon's expression darkened. "But why involve us? Academy students aren't supposed to be involved in military operations."
"Unless," Seraphina said with growing understanding, "there's a special reason that makes us valuable."
[PLOT ANALYSIS: COMPLETING]
[ORIGINAL TIMELINE: WAR SUPPOSED TO BEGIN IN YEAR 3]
[CURRENT STATUS: WAR PREPARATIONS BEGINNING IN YEAR 1]
[CAUSE: UNKNOWN EXTERNAL FACTOR]
The Royal Palace loomed ahead—a massive structure that combined architectural grandeur with obvious defensive capabilities. But today, there were additional fortifications that made the entire complex look like a fortress preparing for siege.
Guards escorted them through corridors that were normally filled with court officials, but today felt eerily empty. Their footsteps echoed on the marble floors with an ominous sound.
"Lord Draemor," the herald announced as they reached the throne room doors, "His Majesty will receive you in a private audience chamber."
Private audience? Aeris felt anxiety spike. In the original novels, King Alderon was a wise but distant figure—someone rarely involved directly in academy affairs until much later in the story.
The doors opened to reveal a chamber smaller than the throne room but infinitely more intimidating. King Alderon Valenhall sat in a chair carved from a single piece of black oak, his presence commanding immediate respect. Beside him stood the Royal Advisor with scrolls and maps indicating the strategic importance of this meeting.
"Aeris Draemor," the King spoke in a resonant and powerful voice. "Approach."
Aeris walked forward with Leon and Seraphina flanking him, all three bowing with proper etiquette as they reached appropriate distance.
"Your Majesty," Aeris said in a hopefully steady voice.
"Straight to business," the King said, gesturing to the maps spread out on a nearby table. "Our intelligence network has detected concerning movements from neighboring kingdoms. Aethermoor and Shadowlands have begun military preparations that suggest coordinated effort."
[CRITICAL INFORMATION REVEALED]
[AETHERMOOR: TRADITIONAL ALLY TURNED HOSTILE]
[SHADOWLANDS: KNOWN ENEMY INCREASING ACTIVITY]
"Your Majesty," Seraphina spoke carefully, "Valemont trading networks have noticed unusual patterns in cross-border commerce. Reduced trade volumes, increased requests for strategic materials..."
King nodded approvingly. "Exactly. And house Draemor," he turned to Aeris, "has unique advantages for intelligence gathering operations."
"Unique advantages?" Aeris asked, though she suspected she knew where this conversation was headed.
"Your house's neutral reputation," the Royal Advisor explained, "combined with your recent elevation in social status, makes you perfect for diplomatic reconnaissance missions."
"Reconnaissance missions?" Leon interjected with concern. "Your Majesty, with respect, they are still academy students—"
"Academy students," the King interrupted with a slight smile, "who have demonstrated capabilities far beyond normal expectations. Recent incident at Thornfield shows that they can handle extraordinary situations."
[SYSTEM ANALYSIS: KING AWARE OF MORE THAN HE'S REVEALING]
[HIDDEN KNOWLEDGE: ROYAL INTELLIGENCE NETWORK EXTENSIVE]
"Your mission," the King continued, "will be to attend a diplomatic gathering in neutral territory—the Crystalline Peaks confederation. Officially, you will represent the junior diplomatic corps in a cultural exchange program."
"And unofficially?" Aeris asked, though she already knew the answer would be dire.
"Unofficially," the Royal Advisor said with a grin, "you will gather intelligence on military preparations, identify potential threats, and assess the likelihood of a coordinated attack on our kingdom."
Seraphina stepped forward with a determined expression. "Your Majesty, I volunteer to accompany Lord Draemor on this mission. The Valencia family's connections can provide additional cover for intelligence operations."
"And I," Leon added with an all-too-familiar heroic conviction, "will ensure team security and provide combat support if needed."
The King studied the three of them with a calculating gaze. "Very well. But understand—this mission is not an academy exercise. Real dangers exist. Political intrigue, potential assassination attempts, and the possibility of discovery that could trigger an international incident."
[QUEST CONFIRMED: DIPLOMATIC RECONNAISSANCE]
[DIFFICULTY LEVEL: EXTREME]
[CONSEQUENCES: POTENTIALLY KINGDOM-ALTERING]
"When do we depart?" Aeris asked, accepting the inevitability of the situation.
"Three days," the King replied. "Time enough for preparation but not enough for enemies to adjust their plans based on intelligence leaks."
"Intelligence leaks?" Seraphina's question caught something in the King's tone.
The Royal Advisor exchanged glances with the King before answering. "We have reason to believe that enemy agents have infiltrated various institutions throughout the kingdom. Academy, merchant guilds, even some noble houses."
[ALERT: SPY NETWORK CONFIRMED]
[DANGER LEVEL: ELEVATED]
[TRUST NO ONE: ACTIVATED]
"Which means," the King continued in a grave tone, "mission details must remain absolutely confidential. Only people in this room and select royal intelligence officers will know the true nature of your assignment."
As the audience concluded with a formal dismissal, Aeris felt the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. This was no longer about navigating academy politics or romantic complications. This was about the kingdom's survival in a war accelerated far beyond the original timeline.
As they walked through the palace corridors for departure, Seraphina said in a low but intense voice, "Aeris, there's something you need to know about this mission."
"What?"
Her ruby eyes glowed with unusual light. "The Valemont family's intelligence network has detected unusual magical signatures in the border regions. Demonic energy traces that don't match anything in recorded history."
Leon stopped walking, face pale. "Demonic energy? Like what we saw with Damien?"
"No," Seraphina shook her head with a worried expression. "This is something completely different. Something ancient and far more dangerous."
[REVELATION: ANCIENT THREAT AWAKENING]
[CONNECTION TO DAMIEN'S TRANSFORMATION: UNCLEAR]
[DANGER LEVEL: UNKNOWN BUT EXTREME]
As they reached the carriage for the return journey, Aeris realized that the mission ahead was no simple diplomatic reconnaissance. There are forces moving in shadows—forces that could threaten not only their kingdom, but potentially the entire continent.
And somehow, he and his friends are at the center of the brewing storm.