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Erikhan took a deep breath. He forced himself to keep his voice steady, to make his words sound authoritative.

"Victory belongs only to the best."

The words hung in the air. Simple, yet undeniable. No one could refute this truth. Narrowing his eyes, Erikhan scanned the crowd.

"Everyone sitting in this hall has dedicated years of their lives. Some fell and rose again, some never fell but always strived to reach higher. But in the end… only the best remained standing."

He tried to suppress his emotions. He knew this was supposed to be a victory speech—one that would stir the crowd, strengthen their loyalty to the Empire. But that wasn't what he truly felt inside.

"They call us the sword and shield of the Empire. But swords cannot remain sharp forever. Shields cannot withstand every blow. Sooner or later, every warrior realizes they are walking on the edge of a blade. And it is at that moment… that you understand who you really are."

Silence. His words lingered in the air. Some in the crowd seemed uneasy. Those expecting a rousing speech of triumph weren't used to such a cold, direct tone. But Erikhan didn't care.

"I hope my words have not offended you. But let it not be forgotten—knowing the truth is painful. Especially for those who cannot grasp that victory is not just an outcome, but a price to be paid."

He took a step forward, as if pushing himself further into the crowd, forcing them to confront his reality. His gaze swept over the generals, advisors, and nobles seated before him. Some were unsettled, others cautious. And some… some truly understood what he meant.

As Erikhan stepped away from the microphone, the Supreme Commander moved forward.

The man took a step toward Erikhan, his eyes filled with a mixture of suspicion and measured respect. This young man spoke like a strategist, dissecting every detail. His words were too sharp, too bare for those accustomed to grand titles and thunderous applause.

The Supreme Commander hesitated briefly, then locked eyes with Erikhan.

"Your words are… different from the usual victory speeches," he said in a smooth yet questioning tone. "But I understand what you mean. That was a fine speech, son."

It might have been an unusual speech for a graduation ceremony, but the Supreme Commander had liked it.

Erikhan simply nodded with reserved respect and returned to his seat.

The ceremony hall was still filled with the echoes of his words. As he sat down, his eyes drifted into the void for a brief moment. The Supreme Commander's praise, the cautious gazes of the audience, the murmurs among the generals—none of it sparked any true satisfaction within him.

Top of the class. A fine title, yet to Erikhan, it was more than that. He wasn't here just because he was the best—he was here because he had no choice but to be the best. It wasn't those who memorized textbooks that survived, but those who understood the cold reality of war. And he had done just that. He saw not with his eyes, but with his mind.

And now, he stood not among those celebrating victory but among those who understood its cost.

The ceremony continued. The other graduates walked onto the stage, received their certificates, and bowed with pride as they gave their thanks.

The applause echoed through the hall with the respectful but measured enthusiasm expected from such an event. Yet Erikhan could still feel the weight of the gazes upon him.

His speech had been like a blade cutting through the ceremonial spectacle. Had it left a wound? Or had it merely reminded them of old ones?

As the graduation ceremony came to an end, the students began to disperse in groups. Some embraced their families, others made plans to celebrate with friends. But Erikhan avoided being part of the spectacle. He said goodbye to Izela and Adrian and other friends, of course, but he didn't feel like the other students

With slow yet determined steps, he moved through the crowd, his eyes fixed on some unseen point.

From a distance, the Supreme Commander watched him for a moment before calling out,

"Erikhan."

Erikhan stopped but did not turn immediately. He weighed the meaning behind the voice, measured the weight in its tone. Then, slowly, he turned around.

The Supreme Commander had stepped closer, a faint smile on his face—not one of joy, but the kind that came from the quiet relief of being understood.

"Are you going to celebrate tonight?"

Erikhan took a short breath, his gaze drifting momentarily. Then he shrugged.

"I plan to have dinner with my family. But I don't think there's much to celebrate. Yes, I'm glad I ranked first… but that's all."

The Supreme Commander let out a brief chuckle.

"That's why you stand apart, even among the best, son. Take care of yourself."

Erikhan gave a slight nod of respect. But his mind was already elsewhere.

As he stepped toward the academy courtyard, he noticed the air was unusually cool. Though it was still early in the night, the sky was covered with grayish clouds—much like the uncertainty settling within him.

Was there truly anything to celebrate?

The top ranking, the diploma, the applause… what did they truly mean to him?

He recalled the countless nights spent poring over strategy maps, the weight of his sword etched into his very bones, the moments he stayed awake until dawn, perfecting his craft.

To him, victory was not a ceremonial medal or a title.

It was a reality that would be forged on the battlefield.

And his accurate test had yet to begin.

As Erikhan walked through the courtyard, a few students watched him from a distance—some with admiration, others with curiosity. Ignoring their gazes, he continued on his way. Just as he was about to step out of the academy gates, a voice stopped him.

"Erikhan!"

He recognized the voice immediately. Slowing his steps, he turned his head slightly to glance behind him.

Standing there was one of his fiercest rivals throughout the academy—yet also one of the few who genuinely respected him: Valeria. Her long white hair swayed gently in the breeze. She was still wearing the academy uniform, but the insignia on her shoulders now marked her as a graduate.

Erikhan turned fully toward her. When Valeria's gaze met his, there was the usual challenge in her eyes—a reflection of their years-long rivalry. Neither had ever bowed to the other, neither had ever truly been defeated. But tonight, behind that familiar challenge, there was something different. Perhaps a question… or maybe an acceptance of a truth she already knew.

"Your speech…" Valeria said, tilting her head slightly. "It was… interesting."

That single word was enough to break the unspoken agreement between the academy's two best warriors. Erikhan studied her carefully. Valeria's voice was as composed as ever, yet there was something beneath it—was it curiosity? Or was she simply trying to understand what he truly thought?

"Did you find it bad?" Erikhan asked, his expression barely shifting.

Valeria smirked slightly, but it wasn't a mocking smile. "No. It was a bit harsh for those who weren't ready to hear the truth, but it wasn't bad. By the way… do you want my number?"

Erikhan's eyebrows lifted slightly. Valeria's last sentence felt like an unexpected strike on the battlefield—sudden and unanticipated.

"No."

For some reason, that single-worded cold rejection seemed to surprise Valeria. Not that it was unexpected—after all, she wasn't just the top female student in the academy, she was also incredibly beautiful and came from an unbelievably powerful family.

Her father was a member of the Imperial War Council, a man so close to the Emperor that they could almost be considered friends.

Had Erikhan not been the top-ranked graduate, perhaps he would have treated her with more kindness or consideration. But now, knowing he would likely never need outside help to rise in power, he saw no reason to evaluate the idea.

Sure, being involved with someone like Valeria could accelerate his climb, but Erikhan had no intention of sacrificing his freedom just to reach something he would eventually achieve on his own. Besides, Valeria wasn't the only woman with a powerful father.

Still, it seemed Valeria had never been rejected before. And she wasn't planning on giving up so easily.

"Not only did you refuse my number, but you didn't even bother to explain why." She exhaled softly, tilting her head slightly. "But I think you misunderstood me. I only want to stay in touch with you. You know… we could help each other."

Erikhan studied her for a brief moment. There was a subtle smile on her lips, but her eyes hid something more. She was someone who knew her worth, someone who spoke clearly about what she wanted, and—more importantly—someone who usually got what she wanted.

However, Erikhan wasn't the type to be drawn into such games.

Still, completely rejecting her offer seemed unnecessary. After all, power wasn't just built through individual strength, but also through the right connections.

He slowly nodded. "A fair offer," he said in a calm tone. "But I hope this 'helping each other' won't be one-sided."

Valeria acknowledged his words with a small nod. "Of course. I never ask for something without giving something in return."

The tension between them eased slightly, shifting into something more neutral. Valeria reached into her pocket and pulled out a small card, handing it to Erikhan.

It was simple yet elegant—displaying only her name and a contact number. There was no surname. For someone like her, that was meaningful.

She was one of those who wanted to be known for her own power, not just her family's influence.

"The classic case of a strong, rebellious daughter from a wealthy and powerful family," Erikhan thought.

He took the card and slipped it into his pocket, but his eyes never left Valeria's.

"See you around," he said with a neutral expression.

As he turned away and walked toward the exit, his sharp gaze caught sight of someone waiting nearby—his mother, standing with a wide smile on her face.

At that moment, Erikhan immediately regretted taking Valeria's number.

His mother was definitely going to ask about the girl all night, probably even assume they were in some kind of relationship. In fact, she was most likely already convinced that Valeria was her future daughter-in-law.