Chapter 1
drQ1jSince then, I’ve tried everything to find out what that soul was, but I haven’t found a single answer.H82Dv
EX3rWhy had it tried to possess him? Why him, of all people? How did it carry so many memories?Cznr8
Ugpbpj4Even now, he didn’t know.GBF4Lo
R6iL“Devoting yourself to something that has no immediate answer is a waste.”vBO7
6FXzCmcIn the end, Fernan set aside thoughts of the soul and possession and continued living his life.UUSq9
d0Bt5After all, time kept moving forward.t3l
gSSyiJE“Where’s today’s newspaper?”aKgBQY
8olVIFernan, after finishing his reflections, extended his hand. Hyde placed the newspaper onto it.3k3msd
ngNqX1p“Here you go.”H5p1
aG2mFernan opened the newspaper.mFUEg
cH4O[…]clJ01v1
uhe2h“…”BTI5
thAfR5The moment he saw a particular name printed in the newspaper, a subtle and indescribable emotion flashed in Fernan’s eyes.zaFfWM
zhXdQxM“Young master? Is something wrong?”uVNs
KEoRpQ“It’s nothing.”45hpALq
8BYqThough the servant asked about his strange expression, Fernan brushed it off.S7lE
N9sa‘So he finally showed up.’JGUx
4IpYC4The book of prophecy hadn’t revealed everything about the future. Most of it was locked away and, aside from a few fragments, Fernan could only perceive the future to a certain extent.eXyd6
j510XkAnd among those fragments, the name in the newspaper was the most significant.kJtW
xxSL“…He actually enrolled.”acs7PM
oCkSIFCHe had used it well for business purposes, but deep down he had hoped that part wouldn’t come true.wZ0GjE
LlcF“Who are you suddenly talking about?”MMrfa
z3OvE“Hyde.”QNR3
bxsKFernan interrupted Hyde.JrBqh
bee“Yes?”T6KW
ecwDjll“Do you think there’s a chance I’ll be disowned and end up broke?”IRTm
SYJH“Where did that come from all of a sudden?”d4Os
8vEpv0“Just answer the question.”4PsyLL
C1Vaz“Well, nothing in this world is certain, so I suppose there’s a slim chance. Like being struck by lightning on a clear day. But from what I’ve seen, I can’t even imagine you losing all your money, young master.”Bwk7b7
ARCVX“Exactly. Neither can I.”ZXEIbF
TfTMe? Disowned and reduced to a beggar? There’s no way a future like that exists. Haha.53jku
BW5qCrunch!ADYE
7V752vThe newspaper crumpled in Fernan’s grip.76PSF
GGiqhL“Young master?”d8E
K9s“That’s what I’m about to find out.”ytihD
C4NRRQ“Find out what?”tCX
ZgA5E“The southern swamp.”3iOI
d1Ktu“Excuse me?”ZoDE7OP
gIbj“I’ll have to make a quick trip to the southern swamp.”MsWi
Qb6HFernan got up from his seat and put on his coat.GDppM
tPvRcFrom the moment he was struck by that lightning, he began counting the days.W7M
g85‘Most of the prophecies revolve around the Imperial Armian Academy.’rPluv
Ss2Through that so-called “protagonist” named in the book of prophecies.Y9V55
vbfP0He didn’t know why the prophecy took the form of a novel, or why everything revolved around the academy.Pj2
9Tc“That doesn’t matter.”sj2Zx
eSOmbThrough countless cross-references, Fernan had concluded that the prophecies were at least partially true, but the truly important part was still to come.NkfjEGR
SsvvHThe moment the protagonist enrolled, the real story of the prophecy would begin.nUWpL8D
iwUEYAnd verifying that protagonist was the top priority.PkUmQwi
PBxV“I’ll go alone. Prepare my horse.”YcM
pMtE“Are you sure you’ll be okay alone?”RS1brJM
Oyz“Don’t make me repeat myself.”ttBTid
ps6RlThe servant brought out an elegant, gleaming horse. Moments later, Fernan set out onto the main road.HOCi
QPFHA8BThe Imperial Academy was located in Bardian, an island in the Empire’s inland sea, a vast territory in itself.kLm2u
o9jpIts expansive grounds were magically cultivated artificial terrain, and its southern portion was covered by vast marshlands.ux5Wx
looSjDAs Fernan rode south, fragments of memories began to surface in his mind. Three stories had been etched into his memory more than anything else.ISjc
4n3oVDVThe future where Fernan Pellenberg is disowned.lPZ
2XEeoXThe future where Fernan Pellenberg falls into ruin.LBD
uP6The future where Fernan Pellenberg becomes a penni—HNvTKH
NPJ4mOl“No. No, not that one again.”Kd69
Nc7oAAiThe future where Fernan Pellenberg becomes poor. The future where the 72 demons summoned by King Colomo a thousand years ago begin to stir again.TEnNQ
fRpm2And the story of the protagonist of the prophecy. Among them, the third—the protagonist’s story—was what needed to be analyzed right now.m8Wb
yuX[After finishing the entrance exam, Aint didn’t return immediately, but headed toward the southern wetlands. The reason he came to the academy was to track down the remnants of a map left by the First Emperor.]P7h
09a7“It’s not Armian. The First Emperor… argh.”gPn4
CMjKJTAs soon as he recalled the contents of the prophecy, a terrible headache nearly made him fall off his horse. He barely managed to stay balanced.A70
FLIGripping his throbbing head, he continued his thoughts. The two people mentioned in the prophecy were figures no citizen of the Empire could be unaware of.vnx
paBX5The last king of the Kingdom of Armian, the great founding emperor who established the Empire alongside five surrounding kingdoms.CVy
3viAnd his descendant, Aint Armian, who had lost all the former glory of the royal house and retained only its honor.4FMXKhl
LpZGIf the prophecy was true, he was the most suitable person to save the world from the demons.IqJaXf0
xWZttgWere the First Emperor’s plans hidden in the academy? No one had discovered them in the past thousand years… Damn it. If I had found them, I could’ve toppled the last pillar supporting the Armian family.Qc4
5htgEither way, if the prophecy was true, Aint Armian’s importance would increase immensely.QrLv5u
KE27I7He wouldn’t just be a remnant of an old royal house, but a dark horse who inherited the First Emperor’s arrangements.ceDa
fwtbm[After gathering enough food and weapons to last a few days, Aint arrived at the edge of the swamp. The first to greet him was Croker, the swamp crocodile. It was an unexpected encounter—he had heard that Croker rarely ventured to the outskirts.]Jey
xvgRDamn it. These headaches I get every time I recall a prophecy never let up.b3xWw
nCyCroker was an apex predator in the swamp. His skin was tough, his teeth strong, and his jaws could crush steel.bSaHYr
L1g5yA monster difficult even for the most seasoned knights to handle, originally meant for third-year students and up.TrciZ
XUKRMIt was a mystery why he had come to the outskirts, when he usually resided in the heart of the swamp, but life rarely follows logic.x7R
4OFo0LoJust like when I was struck by lightning.sVmW
d6F8‘If the prophecy is correct, maybe it wasn’t bad luck but destiny.’xTtZjz
eC80A5According to what passed through his mind, that guy always got caught up in incidents.Pb61
RZcYRBut that wasn’t the important part right now.F96kfMD
MbAc[Aint had talent, but the swordsmanship of his family had deteriorated and couldn’t bring him to full bloom. Croker was clearly too much for him in his current state.]6CMr5E
Ru17t2[He barely managed to escape, despite his injuries.]0ZL
0EOC0KE“So far, everything is real.”MeFK
Sfk3yFCFernan murmured calmly. He wasn’t very surprised; he had already gained some advantages thanks to the prophecy.6EA
y9NrDCroker had vanished, but traces remained. The stench of monster blood and rot still lingered in the distance.DHap
14Ao9Splash—bRl49
9S3JStill, he didn’t feel good.O6moa
GNbQxmNAs each prophecy came true, it meant his own future (ending up poor) drew ever closer.t86k
u3XAint was badly wounded. He used the potions he’d brought for emergency treatment, but the scent of blood was already attracting monsters.2lY
qaZFaHe ran, though not aimlessly. Even in his condition, he consulted the map.nfpttb
lAtThere was a very small hole marked on the map. There was no trace of magic, and it seemed no human could fit inside.iqQ
sAssBX[He hesitated, but the bloodthirsty lizardmen were already chasing him.]TfGL
DGruDon’t hesitate. Dive in.zAQ0
1wufb[Remembering the phrase written at the bottom of the map, he clenched his teeth and threw himself in. And there it was—the dungeon.]pwDF
2Q8bFernan circled around the lizardmen who were distracted by Croker and followed Aint’s trail.lDPZH
WyRXSdqThe escape route was clear, and there were bloodstains scattered along the path.bWeey
z480fGiIn the end, he found a hole.P7hQJ
fxBg6A small tunnel that no human could enter. It looked more like a rabbit hole, but according to the prophecy, it was the dungeon’s entrance.hdq9
H2qVAnd beside it—qTVRaGQ
SDXDz“…Huh?”RXnK
63yXB“…Huh?”C9lPY0L
Pdeg2LHe came face to face with Aint, who was clutching a wound on his chest and struggling to reach the hole.N0f
gcOlKmnWhat the hell? Why is this bastard still here?QhV8
qHRwir‘…Shit, did I get here too early?’3EUEj
zNFThat seemed to be the case.0qrLt
4PVFuuHe had been so eager to confirm the protagonist’s identity that he arrived too soon.S4pBg
yZEHoTotally unexpected.O4jevR8
DFvJFernan’s plan had only been to follow Aint after he entered the dungeon and confirm the truth. He only knew that Aint would obtain the First Emperor’s inheritance on the day the academy newspaper covering new students was published, but not the exact time.d0H2Zq
o5Y0And that led to the current situation.Ish
qP2fKyHe never imagined that Aint wouldn’t even be in the dungeon yet. After thinking for a moment, Fernan decided to act confidently.HHooboZ
EI7eUY“You’re not Aint Armian. The entrance exam should be over. What are you doing here? This place isn’t for you.”aNYsMsu
JnLCWhen both parties are caught off guard, the one who strikes first has the advantage.StkpeeY
tB5dRkAnd judging by Aint’s expression, Fernan’s tactic had worked.IUggL
aXv1Eo“…You know me?”4Vxj7
aubr9f“There’s no one in the academy who doesn’t, whether student, professor, or even a first-year who passed the entrance exam. But even if that weren’t the case, you’re too well-known.”NhN
jIXUDHe didn’t flinch under the cold stare.V1GT
akfj“…If it’s not rude to ask, who are you?”hOwKd
iHvvMru“Fernan.”LUpYdZA
ZD08Far“Fernan…? Fernan… Pellenberg…?”gaV7
cv0Y“Yes, that’s my full name. Though it seems you’ve omitted the senior title.”fdpAPU
wxGrPDwAint’s eyes widened. He probably never imagined he’d encounter him here. Just as Fernan never imagined meeting Aint like this.Veib
4OXnEN“S-sorry!”pc7Hn
iwFqIy“No need. I don’t care. Just answer my question. The entrance exam should be over. Why are you here? This place isn’t for you.”Q5sGRQk
LlXb5F“…That.”ewvxcsn
ywbNG“You’re hurt.”PC6
C3IEwFernan’s gaze landed on Aint’s shoulder. Blood was seeping from his fractured armor.G28Wf5
4yfhA“Did the lizardmen do that?”hpE
hQQCOOI“…I ran into Croker.”P3vAcd
SlC8“Croker was at the entrance? What bad luck! That only happens once or twice a year.”jDSi2R
Udt4Pretending to think for a moment, Fernan took a potion from his subspace.hGD1H56
21exU“Take it. It’s a first-class potion.”4Mog
LAz2A“I don’t have the money to buy a potion from Lord Fernan.”fesUB
fwnJF“Do I have to spell it out? Call me senior.”AuFeGeo
9Lg5c8“…Yes, senior.”weOJD
79Jb0“There’s no need to pay. But it’s not free either. Consider it an investment, Aint Armian.”4h2
RyRR9“An investment?”au6
8ASG5IBThe sudden declaration made Aint blink in surprise. Fernan, watching him, explained nonchalantly.K6BMw
pU10“Your house may have collapsed, but royalty is royalty, even if it’s ancient. It’s not likely you’ll become a disgraceful man.”cre6
CN6LZTd“…”Nm3K
dTUKw4“Will you take it or not? If you lose much more blood, you’ll be kissing the ground soon.”V3K
PCWGxA8“…I’ll repay this debt someday, no matter what.”WoBuz
W8qZ1GyAint accepted the potion and poured it over his wound. His flesh bubbled and quickly regenerated.nxlY
Wzu0g3Money was truly powerful. If it had been a lower-grade potion, he’d have needed ten bottles.vF6
l7aCdNWI won’t ask why you’re here. Everyone has at least one secret.QXE4yQJ
ds3“…”OJ3Oc2U
S06F6m“But don’t think you’ll get lucky twice. Go back. This place is still too much for you.”MBcwFon
ryKRqxk“Yes. But, Senior Fernan, why are you here alone?”u3SBo
6aH5SVq“I came to gather herbs. There’s a rare and expensive herb that only grows in this region.”x6Tom
QsJ6“You gather it yourself?”4iug
nACHMw“Only a mage can harvest it properly.”bCc7PC
PCq“Ah…”TZEqdR0
orgnj“See you next time. Now go quickly—it’s dangerous.”QRgjq
TSSr“Thank you for the warning, senior.”Gbq4Ic
BiTJ7SFernan rode off on his horse.hMGmCu
TZ4bGOnce he was out of sight, Aint let out a sigh of relief.JAqDP
yLNmJR“…That was close.”ygt
UtbTo think he’d run into someone right before entering the dungeon.kD1EUDB
tcVYW***45UVJkH
fW7um“Fernan Pellenberg.”sBZeyF4
lazThe eldest son of House Pellenberg, widely known as a money-hungry demon.fa80m
Zv4aHul“But he didn’t seem so greedy.”6KH6
TQqibRumors were like that—exaggerated, malicious, and crafted to ruin people.Q0BI
1EGdYvGAint knew all too well what kind of gossip and mockery had surrounded House Armian after they lost the throne.7vay
wAcg6uJIt had been etched into the family’s bones for generations.Nr657BV
nRz“In any case, I’ll make sure to repay this favor.”ZYKM
B8txEven if the investment was made in his house and not in him personally, it still felt good.r1ayrr3
Y0XGIt meant he had value.Hkyw
LvDAbove all, having his wounds healed before entering an unknown dungeon was no different than having his life saved. Aint checked his surroundings again and then dove into the hole.4JsEnj
fdkyHe disappeared.Y3tLdj
gwp5***4Hq93fH
Elf4qdK“So it really is a dungeon.”0ipP
qh3ZkFernan, who had been hiding his presence, peeked out.CrqiaYk
o5KGBut man, why is he so clueless? He’s nothing like the guy I saw in my dream.YJtBcWS
RzJEpGSWhat had happened between then and now for him to change so drastically?2uy4u
7i0WiTsk. Fernan clicked his tongue and shook off the thought, turning his gaze toward the dungeon entrance.hcMzC
dErGytR“You drop straight down upon entry.”eG4c6CS
1zKW9[Aint stifled a groan from the impact of the fall. His whole body ached, but he drank all the potions he had left to survive. Even so, his wounds were serious, and the potions were so poor in quality that he didn’t fully recover.]N8oFb4
JiQv[He pressed on, enduring the pain.]m5P
YpfbAfter this, Aint would move forward despite his injuries, but now that he had met Fernan, the story would change a bit.Bxfoa
Z4Ey6k“First-class potion…”ZE1
tFJIt seemed like a waste, but if the prophecy was true, the investment was worth it.I4YMcx
YDbVFrom the first impression, things had changed. It seemed the first button to change the future had been properly fastened.JtAVTkl
T2fPA long time passed. When the sun was setting on the horizon, Fernan finally jumped into the hole.LfIM0P
vX8PThe world flipped upside down without resistance.FtYGA
6yZQuIc“Of course.”cbdnW
r0k7iwgIf a dungeon that only responds to royal blood reacts to anyone, that means it has already fulfilled its purpose.tuQr3I
6B9KygThud.dEv
GVqG6Fernan landed softly and looked ahead.wL8
aaiZnNo enemies. No traps. Just a long, straight corridor.Tsc
hdrP8hoThe soft glow of magic lamps illuminated the passage more than expected.60l
OPM9“So many magic lamps and barely a trace of mana left?”3Ny68U
7sQEKFernan floated up and examined one of the lamps.ttQD1n
PIZ“I’ve never seen a sigil like this before…”QwEwDF
MG3UmHe noticed it subtly absorbed ambient mana. Then he realized—it was a semi-permanent magic lamp.UGgv
eP7FZThe finely carved engravings exuded an elegant and ancient aura.wCUGX
Kq6sQySFernan frowned.o6R3iif
LrNEeifSo Aint Armian really is the man from the prophecy? I’m starting to doubt it.DlP
SpzilmUHe pulled one of the lamps from its place. But it didn’t stop glowing.IZspK
ZZOI“And the fate of the world is in the hands of some fool who would just leave this behind?”lvVy
9iE0VJAll that remained in Fernan’s wake was darkness.zWShf3
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