It began 15 years ago.
Monsters started to invade human territories all over the continent.
They first attacked the small settlements in the continent's remote corners.
And then over the years, the scope of the invasion turned more inland and larger.
From villages to towns to cities and eventually to an entire region. The monsters consistently assaulted places where humans settled.
The vile creatures failed their endeavor in the first few years.
But as they gradually increased their forces at their next attempt and the next and the next after, the humans began to see losses.
Until losses were all humanity could face.
Nobody could explain why the monsters were doing this. They usually never leave their habitats.
The only significant clue was the phenomenon where ancient ruins mysteriously appearing all over the continent 15 years ago.
However, all ruins were blocked by a strange barrier, preventing anyone from entering. Investigation was impossible.
If only monsters and the ruins were the only things to be worried about, deadly plagues and catastrophic disasters had been occurring all over the continent for 15 years back.
Seeing how death was looming near from all sides with the presence of monsters, plagues, and disasters, people started to murmur that the end of the world was near.
It was especially hard to convince otherwise when more monsters began to appear from those mysterious ruins in these recent years.
And one such ruins was found in my homeland. The Damai region, the land of the Zeref Household.
"It is truly concerning to hear that the ruin in your land has started to spew out monsters."
The headmaster said in worrying tone.
He and I were already aware of the fact that monsters might come out from the ruins. Our academy had received reports of such occurrence from numerous ruins across the continent after all.
Not one region survived the outbreak.
Some held out for months. Some almost made it a year. Some only lasted days. Some did not even get past an hour.
But none survived in the end.
Which was why my father, Viscount Belgard Zeref had placed a blockade on the ruin in his land. An action that had been done for the rest of the ruins by the respective lords in charge of the region.
Ever since then, dreads were lingering on everyone's mind, wondering when the ruin in their land would start unleashing the creatures of death. And whether we'd persevere over the wave of calamity.
"Although we've heard about what happened in the other ruins and prepared as much as we could, the monsters still managed to overwhelm the blockade my father had put in place."
I told the headmaster about recent words my family had sent me.
"Dear the goddesses! To be able to overwhelm the Zeref army, just what kind of monsters were they?"
"Individually they were relatively weak. But their endless number was what overwhelming us. Our defensive line is gradually being pushed back as we speak."
"No wonder you're eager to get back home."
I nodded to the headmaster's statement.
"I can't stay in the academy while my homeland is being destroyed by monsters."
I clenched my fist, fueled by worry of my home and family.
"Though the battle might take forever and seemed impossible to win, I still have to go back and help!"
The headmaster stared at me with sympathetic look.
He understood what I was feeling and did not try to make me stay despite how he favored me as his pupil.
Not to mention, dozens of students, almost everyone, had resigned from the academy in the recent months because they needed to go back to their respective homeland, for the very same reason as mine.
So the headmaster was well aware of the gravity of the situation.
"It surely is a very troubling time."
The headmaster stated. He continued.
"Towns and cities falling one by one. Army conscription and mobilization everywhere we go. Corpses abandoned on the streets, claimed by the plagues and disasters."
I nodded.
I stared at him with a sharp intense gaze, making a point to my next words.
"We're not in peaceful and leisure era anymore, headmaster. It's now an era of war."
I continued.
"We have to put aside our own personal aspiration and focus on achieving what can be done to win this long and losing battle. For the sake of the world we're living in."
The headmaster put on a bitter smile.
"Right you are, Serafina. As you have always been."
He then let out a disappointed sigh.
"It's too bad you have to discontinue your studies. I was eager to see the heights you'll reach as a mage. I always thought you could become as strong as the crown princess."
I chuckled at the headmaster's words, amusing him in his wondering.
"Though I doubt I'd ever become even just a tenth as strong as Her Highness, I do feel it's a shame I can't develop myself more. After comprehending the ways of airship's magic core, I was about to expand my field toward golem-making."
"Following the footsteps of the Great Bromstead, are we? Well, you could still do it, you know? You might need the knowledge to protect your homeland."
"War does provide the great pressure to improve, I won't deny it. But I believe I'll be too preoccupied in the battlefield to focus on my research."
The headmaster was right. I would need every knowledge I could gather in order to protect what matters to me.
However, we were pressed on time. The monsters ever-continuously advancing toward the villages and towns in Damai.
I could not hole myself up in a laboratory or a library, trying to slowly increase my magic repertoire.
Even if I had to spend my time in those places, it would be create more potions and enchantment stones.
If only I could have more time and proper resources to improve.
But such was not provided to me and I had to make do with what I already possessed.
Another knock came on the door.
This time it was a girl in maid's clothing who appeared. She was the attendant who accompanied me in the academy.
"Lady Zeref, your airship has arrived."
Airships, one of the magic technological wonder in the continent of Dunia. A flying ship which signified the strength of a noble household, or strength in general.
Bearing the title of viscount, the Zeref family possessed six of this kind of object.
Three reserved for the three children of the Zeref Household, my two brothers and I each got one. While the other three for the family head, used for executing his duties as the lord of the Damai region.
As I mentioned earlier, I had sent my potions ahead of me to my home. I used my airship to deliver them so my father and brothers could use them for the battle against the monsters.
And now, the airship had returned to pick me up.
"Well then, I suppose this is where our conversation ends."
The headmaster concluded our meeting with the maid's announcement.
"Thank you for taking the time to see me off, headmaster."
"I would like to actually see you off departing with the airship, but I'm afraid I have an urgent matter to attend to with Count Orlo."
I raised my eyebrows with the mention of the count.
"Is there another subjugation quest?"
The headmaster shook his head.
"There are always subjugation quests these days, Serafina. But incidentally, the two ruins in Count Orlo's region have been showing signs of activity."
Two ruins.
Even with one ruin my family's army was already overwhelmed, let alone two.
Then again, Count Orlo's army was larger than my family's.
"Will you be helping to hold the blockade around the ruins, headmaster?"
"I am Baron Elgar. And the Elgar Household is a loyal vassal to Count Orlo. I have to join the effort no matter what position I hold in the academy."
Seeing the headmaster's display of loyalty to his master, I could not help but to express admiration.
Due to how our family was founded, the Zeref family had a neutral standing toward the political world of the Tsatu Empire.
Aside from our obvious loyalty toward the Imperial Family, the Zeref Household did not have a close relation to any particular noble family. Not even to any of the Seven Great Houses.
As such, the Zeref existed to serve itself and its people. And my loyalty lied with the Zeref's cause.
Which was why I was impressed by the headmaster showing loyalty to an entirely different family from his.
I never had any other master aside from the Zeref Household.
I wondered whether I could attribute such devotion to someone other than my family.
Unbeknownst to me at the time, I would soon discover the answer.