Chapter 101
l7AGWT“I’ve more or less heard the whole story.”bDw6Ee
XTjThe rector inserted himself into the situation as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He stepped forward, approached Rosalia, and caressed her research.kLgjs90
IajIjNV“Professor Rosalia.”0dM
HCz0YA“Yes, rector.”0RtU
dwylZx“Some say I don’t care enough about the Academy, that I spend too much time away… but I think differently.”U1w
qa6St8“……”OO4q0B
DfcQm“If the staff is a disaster, how could I not intervene? If the professors are know-it-all fools, how could I wander around distracted?”jpURSE
pMcuF“I’m sorry.”AKiYY
0GDlwvThe rector’s mana began to interfere with the cluster of magic stones.RTR
wA0In response to the illegitimate intrusion, the circles and magical circuits emitted a faint glow in resistance, but it was futile.HsVgbu
VTk0Jr“You really created this. Congratulations.”XEar
C7kF61“Thank you.”Tag3
GgNGju“But… hmm.”upc
twjffOeHis gaze changed.WaDnc
CjG7Yh“If I hadn’t confirmed it myself, I’d never have known.”WXLzTSk
2RQvc“Do you mean there really is corrupt magic inside?”jOoy9jb
BTFMd“Didn’t you trust what student Aint said?”uKYWAI
acscA7“I do, but I still can’t feel anything. That’s why it’s always more convincing to hear it from two rather than one.”2hT1GZm
zzQqj“I thought that after freezing an assistant and the entire lab, you’d end up admitting it was all a mistake.”8C56
M4hSpXThe rector clicked his tongue with a dry laugh.eKgm
t7Y“Yes, it’s there. It’s hidden so carefully among the mana currents that hardly anyone could find it—except someone of my level. Well, and an Armian, of course.”Xlko
dt5qVxThe hand caressing the magic stone structure grew gentler.AF7kt0
jHs5jAV“The fact that it even escaped your eyes, despite checking it every day… that’s only possible if it was there from the start. Tell me, when did you start building this?”eskQOTo
iUIPO“I began the research nine years ago. Started with the ice core seven years ago. And the cluster, three years ago.”Kbd
fJ3“And when did that corrupt assistant join?”KvI6s
6vaUQG6“…Three years ago.”XtxR6
rrDBl8wAs if realizing something, Rosalia pressed her lips together.StMK
ljM“It’s the fruit of my abilities.”uJV5o
I28Ne9i“I never said otherwise. Never even thought it.”o8m2QN
AYH24fxThough his face wore a gentle smile, the rector’s eyes carried fierce hardness.YasYn
ERU1rs“But, isn’t there at least one hypothesis worth considering? That corrupt gave your research a little clue at a stuck point and blended in naturally.”whCoF
OzfoIt made sense.HKpPp8E
l8i7The reason the trace of corrupt magic couldn’t be detected was the swarm of hundreds of magic stones surrounding the interior. A kind of interference.aSHyDzb
GFz7JTricking Rosalia before all that mana had accumulated was nearly impossible.1LLI
acoZcA6The only possibility was that the corrupt had used a secret circuit or spell known only to their kind.phsCdm
k9Ns“Aren’t the corrupt just that? Dogs of the demons. Who’s to say he didn’t receive a tip from those beasts they call masters of magic?”lzlxQ
Qnjp3U“…That statement I cannot let slide, rector.”nbDUhag
hMoIt was Jace who replied, fired up, having listened in silence until then.FJra
ZWQ“Masters of magic, you say? Those monsters are nothing but trash that even hellfire can’t consume.”Ucfh
Tya“Oh my, it seems I’ve slipped in front of a saint of the Dragon God Cult. But you can’t deny that demons possess great mastery over magic.”PkUMHI6
V38W“Because they stole it. Thieves who usurped the gifts of the Great Dragon God.”9SRN
V9JbS“If you say so, then it must be.”ngSRd
19tGThe rector accepted it indifferently, and Jace could no longer argue.xWNcUv
j1z“Then, what do you intend to do?”YrklI5o
6wGa54“If even you say it, rector, there’s no doubt that seed of corrupt magic exists.”aYGA
qBloclCRosalia raised her hand to her forehead, as if her head ached.9RelLtO
46sk7“I don’t know if it could invoke a demon, but one thing is clear: we can’t let the corrupt get what they want.”AU6
XSC“Even if it sets you back five years?”iIWOyd
toF“That was just the safest method, not the only one.”E4xpM
mY6WQZW“Knowing you, you’ll rise just as fast as before. Though it would be a shame.”yvB
9Zt0FiFThe rector stroked his beard. At that moment, Fernan spoke.BvP5
jhJy02N“Rector, I don’t want Professor Rosalia’s research to stop here.”2Wp
WowzsFn“What do you mean?”ujz1
PYmKU“Gathering the materials to recreate the cluster would only take us a day.”Ql7
regpHe was sure that if no path existed, he could carve one.fTMBU6s
xEL28Lw“I can also assemble personnel from the mage guild. And the most important core? Do you know what Itarium is?”qkY02Sv
vX4J1zb“I do. If it’s that mineral that feeds on vein currents, it would be a perfect core to link magic stones, since they’re also minerals.”8l9mz
myPFernan nodded. They were thinking alike.bO5pvC0
tdCHe had obtained a supreme-grade Itarium, a legacy of the first emperor. Perhaps destined precisely for this moment.1xIm5v
wV1XR“…But I still wonder why you’re saying this now.”NzgDJ
ofK7“I doubt you haven’t figured it out, rector.”6EI
OoB3z“The Continental Congress is only 12 days away.”XP2aDpw
9K2“Walking a path a second time is always easier.”yKU
zS8I“But three years don’t shrink to 12 days.”qvtt
RtIrwglThat was normally true.aLPE
7ls3“Unless you help.”Pd5U7g
vSSI1At that moment, both Rosalia’s and the rector’s brows twitched simultaneously.PoBk7r
az7l1g9“And why should I?”WHm
TwXFRv“Because, if you think about it, the root of this problem lies with you.”9VpLjy7
4edlYRH“With me?”avy6Ts
naMI“The Academy is your domain. Could the corrupt have infiltrated if you had been watching with both eyes wide open?”Y2zHDfc
lqiv9o“Interesting way to speak.”06f
wMsVkGWThe rector’s face hardened, but Fernan held his gaze without flinching.vWelc
gWncLURosalia’s research couldn’t sink now. Not after all the investment he’d made, nor all the effort she had poured into it.WMQzR
9nnyQW4‘The fruit is about to ripen. I won’t let the demons rot my tree.’rkbbe
uNcsyThe issue was, even if Pellenberg was the Academy’s biggest financier, he couldn’t use that to blackmail the rector.kwv
lTQIPAs an archmage, the rector could replace the Pellenberg funds with other sponsors, even if it cost him.bHt
yBMcPCBBlackmailing with money would only earn his enmity.YaTe
tWu8zDwHere, what Fernan had to use wasn’t a whip—but a carrot.Pvu
pzY“If you wish, I’ll donate 10,000 gold coins to the Academy through the foundation.”j0gEd
eyPNwnl“My, you really are in a rush.”3XK
OZK“Professor Rosalia’s research is worth it. It would be tragic if the corrupt made use of it or if it vanished in vain.”mJDg
rgGE“You’re the only one who looks me in the eye and says it’s my fault.”ayu
CbJTyl“I’ll take that as a compliment.”Bfh
wZGAU1p“Do you know what irritates me? That you’re not entirely wrong.”Q8RxTQp
J6ojAfter a brief silence, the rector spoke.Sk5kO6G
YPWCn“Fine. Not for you, but because I refuse to indulge the corrupt who roam my Academy like it’s their home.”Q9L
8XMcXVT“Of course.”NeFHGe
fJXA0“But there will be a condition.”LbE
niOy0nEven if it was help, an archmage couldn’t be treated like a mere assistant.eYeMkEB
0azdIf he participated, he’d know the very heart of the research.KIDa
UZxCWBQ“Professor Rosalia, you decide. Will you accept my help or not?”7Qhj
Mpm“……”h9Nry
M5K1dW“It sounds like blackmail, but deep down, Fernan is right. As rector, I failed to keep the Academy in order. Let me have a chance to amend that.”7dWX
i9jtdRosalia remained silent for a long time, shifting her gaze between Fernan and the rector. Neither looked away.ukmpI
8cHWjTCQuite a bit of time passed.lAh
cwM“Thank you for your help.”88W2
UBLNProfessor Rosalia bowed her head.rIa
IK9Xcuf***9ML
vYfUThe rector, after receiving permission from Professor Rosalia and thoroughly examining the cluster, changed his mind.DVS
O1v“Even for me, 12 days won’t be enough.”8T3YuZg
pCpIt couldn’t be otherwise.Xonncs7
LaRAl5EHe was an archmage, but Rosalia was not only the youngest professor at the Academy, but also the one closest to becoming an archmage in history.lSr
GlhAnd since this was the result of nearly nine years of research, it couldn’t be interpreted and reproduced easily—not even by him.Ykf
uPD1tAi“I’ll need a bit more time. Hmm, we’ll postpone the Continental Congress a little.”koJaa
flI“Will that be possible?”QYT1
nfV“Not by myself. But tell me, who is gathered here?”P2Fx
zaDdNThe rector’s gaze stopped on Jace. He understood the meaning behind his words.Gq7UzE
QiZTp“Of course. I’ll speak with His Holiness the Pope. Even if that’s not enough, both the Dragon God Cult and I will do our utmost. If you need my hands, command them without hesitation. I’ll prove that the true lord of magic is the Great Dragon God!”f89O
vLqP“I’ll make it known.”1eBV
fEc2rw7Corrupts, archmages, and the Pope of the Dragon God Cult himself.dCgv
EnYdEugThat was more than enough justification and support to delay a continent-scale event.RW4n
9tt8Vn“And I’ll be taking this.”9bBmH5a
9bJqrThe rector tapped twice on Aaron’s frozen figure.4qm1oo
urXb“That’s supposed to be mine…”3qoHYOX
HnCEVDZ“I captured him. I think that’s enough to claim the right, isn’t it?”q9ba
yopUX“The damage he caused us was enormous.”L0yaKl
E6kP“He infiltrated the Academy. I have more resources than you to interrogate him. In exchange, I’ll share all the information.”GuRhUz
Ik5RPfWith those words, there was no room for rebuttal.e90Qyio
FxJzcL“Yes.”LrA
p645vThe matter was closed. At least the urgent part had been resolved, and Fernan allowed himself a sigh of relief.MaFy
cvDFt“…Incredible. I never imagined the corrupts had penetrated so deeply. If not for you, senior, they would have caught us off guard.”r7ewvXS
HA2mj“And without you, the same. I couldn’t have detected the corrupt manipulation on my own.”1MK
CyP“Well, that…”KVz2qp7
3G3wkPQ“That’s why, take this.”O2eo
6IaBVoFFernan pulled an old box from his subspace and handed it to Aint.1UqH
xFAbMm“What is it?”BeEn
QtpqueO“An elixir made from a fragment of the Itarium root.”zNKgm
m6tThe Itarium inherited from the first emperor was so large and plentiful that, when divided, it could yield enough power for five equal parts. One was for Rosalia; four remained.3Xl2w6H
jpZ“Why give it to me…?”aj48V
hjts“Because thanks to you we avoided a disaster.”Gmx
HdAHC“I don’t deserve this much.”ME47
xFhM“You do. If that cluster had gone out of control at the Congress, Professor Rosalia and I, her sponsor, would’ve been accused of collusion with the corrupt.”4eSr
ZBiUrJSo accept it without complaint. He’d justify it however necessary, but he would give it to him.759
cBixEFernan forced the box into Aint’s pocket. And then met the expectant gaze of a certain first-year.n4kK5h
tmW0“Senior, and mine? Isn’t there one for me?”tS2oD9
QZDE“But you didn’t do anything.”pSB21Pq
717B2“Yes I did. I brought the artifact and we used it for the test.”0VNMN
CLJyd“And found nothing. Maybe a small payment for the trouble, but an elixir? Don’t you think that’s pushing it?”2oO2AuK
sKWkv“What weighs more—losing a bit of shame or gaining such a valuable elixir?”WaMwJ
OVQA1BJace replied without flinching. At that brazenness, Fernan laughed.j7x4
sqslK5“Fine, but you’ll owe me five favors.”nQk
sMQcQLs“…Isn’t five too much? Let’s say two.”hq0Y
ZF8Xih“Four.”rG80BVa
O2cgVe“Then three…”vF6RLR
lgeCl“Four.”qDxzO0H
9yRk1M“…Alright, four. But nothing impossible.”QxJ3iIt
K0Hk“Deal.”Z9VF3
wnSCfFrom the moment he had decided to completely twist that future, Fernan had already planned to give him one.ddGDp
u1761He didn’t know why Jace hadn’t been Aint’s companion in the future, but he was a great mage, a solid ally, and a Dragon God fanatic who hated the corrupt more than anyone.FxR
JLwlaHNIf the future was already broken, and Jace wouldn’t join Aint, Fernan would recruit him like he had Verian.YEJI2qT
ql4“Get some rest. I’ll call you if anything else comes up.”B7EJ
Qeu“Yes, senior.”AamBAq
kZz“Yes, brother.”unNteI4
kITUOKAint and Jace left, laughing together.fBMSnCr
mh9MQQHFernan returned to the guild branch and sent an urgent report to his father.LN0edin
TSwSoon, mages from House Pellenberg would join to assist Rosalia. Perhaps they wouldn’t access the core of the research, but they would be a great reinforcement.8t1
fKnXX“…At least the immediate fire is out.”TgTb
tDVYzFsThe next step was preparing for the corrupt’s reaction when Rosalia and the rector rebuilt the cluster and presented it at the Congress.9SZL
YDhEIf they knew Aaron had been captured, they would also understand their plan had failed.oSbqdD
SOWThey had to get ahead of them.QaBQ
joV6“And also the mutant drake.”vSP7tfX
6EkmjAThe mutant drake mentioned in the Book of Prophecies. Did it still have its core, or had someone already taken it?a4BhAlZ
eOZeIf it was the former, no problem.rRda
khcLIf it was the latter—Lf0jsU
bgWf6D‘Once or twice is coincidence, but not more.’XIIl
AEtFernan didn’t intend to let Gismond Ert go unpunished any longer.LamGw
x5hrD***vFmRX
4icOYDM“Human beings are social animals. If there’s one, they want to be two. If they’re two, they form a group. They become a family, a village, a city, a domain, a kingdom, and then an alliance.”UQUv
WM0o“……”YQ7
eJGm2“And though they could survive alone, even while clashing, hurting, and crying, they don’t let go of each other.”xn2GYHi
MfvUs“……”IeBD
IhDPYt“Some scholars say it’s because happiness and joy outweigh pain. Or maybe that’s just how our species is.”h1CPN
luh2W“So? What’s your point with all this?”kRrc0
SoMDqB“I want to be friends with you, senior.”jEGbf3e
h35gXAria Fridian smiled radiantly.ww0
V6rz“……”DUvse4P
HMeoLuina Bercheff stared at her and crunched a piece of chocolate between her teeth. The sweet taste immediately made her feel better.BDPrSh
FX53u“If you think about it, we’re not complete strangers, right?”bfrfM
H59QZW“Then what are we?”u24VKsL
YQGmC“Comrades who fought a demon.”mDugk
VTTQ0In Aria’s voice, the word “demon” came out as a whisper.43wX
4qZQiTu“That’s not just any bond, don’t you think?”eKwq9
2XicAnd it wasn’t.36KdJ
aZxyThe odds of a demon descending into this world were extremely low; to face it, fight together, and survive—even lower.1lI
Zw9hgjkBut that didn’t help Luina understand Aria’s behavior.7K6d67
Llv9sAb“Do you really need to say out loud that we’re friends to make it true?”77ZJc2
3mQ“Huh?”cLEAuL
DaZQ“As you said, we fought a demon, faced the corrupt, and shared more than one battle.”8FBH
dhjXEAmong them, and among all who were there, a mutual feeling had been forged.Kzi
NFrPWhat was normally called camaraderie.E30iv
fpT3“Is confirmation necessary? I already think we’re friends.”MT1o
RoGb“Oh.”rEiKUOi
RUTErAria’s eyes went blank for a moment, but soon regained their usual sparkle.8PhBXb0
preh“You’re right, senior. I just jumped ahead because I wanted to get closer.”VHPtu
gXZY0U“Yeah?”iH5ef
L8fQGEE“Want a candy? I always carry some because I love them.”SlW
NqmWAria pulled out a little bag filled with candies wrapped in colorful paper.bBk2C
v7bJJP“Thanks.”kXwf
Dk4KR3DLuina accepted them, while thinking.cvFOx4
UxtwT7‘She must have her own problems.’cncv8
UyJ9After all, no family was free of them.j7OiJ
4sFlfksIt was only a brief moment, but Luina didn’t miss how Aria’s mask had cracked.tkKUX
gZ2ij9‘…They’re good.’Ewphhp
7NRpAfAAnd she let it go, without thinking any further.92B
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