A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 103

Chapter 103

“What‍ could it have‍‌‌ been?”

“It‌‍ wasn’t a corrupt.‍ Most likely a demon.”

The‌ demon’s self-destruction failed to fulfill its purpose. Its misfortune‌ was that, in⁠‍ that place, there‌ was an Archmage.⁠

The⁠‍‍ director, upon detecting‌⁠ the signal of‍‍ the explosion, enveloped‍‌⁠ the seed with‍‍ magic at the⁠ very instant.

Rosalia added her power,‌ and although the⁠ explosion broke through part of the⁠‌‌ defense, it stopped⁠ there.

Rosalia⁠‍‍ and Fernan were injured, but nothing‌‌‌ fatal.

“Well,⁠‍ the concealment circle‍ broke.”

The⁠ director clicked his‌ tongue as he⁠ checked the damaged⁠‌ circles on the⁠ wall.

“So⁠⁠ the corrupt magic‌‍ leaked outside?”

“…Yes,‌‌ though only in⁠‍‍ a minimal amount.”‌⁠‍

“And⁠ what do we⁠⁠ do?”

“I‌‌ doubt there’s anyone‌‍ capable of perceiving⁠ something so faint.”⁠

“Could‌‍ there never be⁠‌‌ someone?”

“Magic seeks perfection, but it is never‌ perfect. However, within the Academy, there’s⁠‌ almost no one with enough sensitivity‍‌⁠ to detect it.⁠ Much less to‌ recognize it as‍ corrupt magic.”

Fernan drank a potion‌‌⁠ and nodded. If‍‍ the director said‍‌‌ so, there was‌ nothing to do⁠ but believe it.‍

“Anyway,⁠ I suppose it’s⁠ a shame for‌ you.”

“What‍ is?”

“The‍⁠ opportunity to make a fortune vanished,‌ didn’t it?”

Despite⁠ the explosion, some‌ remains were left—though‌⁠ little more than‌ black ashes.

Fernan‌‍ understood that this‌‍ was an even‌ more complete closure‍‌ than if Aint had destroyed it⁠‍ with his power.‌‌

“Yes,⁠ it’s a loss.‍ But the worst‍ part is that‍‍ the demons clearly⁠ identified Aint.”

The‍ self-destruction had been⁠‍ directed at him.⁠ If they hadn’t‍ recognized him as‌⁠ a threat, maybe nothing would’ve happened.‍‌

It‍ was almost a public declaration—they would‌‌ no longer leave‌ him alone.

“That’s⁠ true as well.”⁠‌⁠

“But‌‍ not everything is‌⁠ bad.”

“Oh⁠ no? Why not?”‍‍

“Because‍‌ it means Aint‍‍⁠ inspires real fear in the demons.”‌

If⁠ he didn’t frighten⁠⁠‍ them, they wouldn’t‌ monitor him. And‍ much less risk self-destruction.

Just‌ as humans fear demons, demons also⁠ fear and watch⁠⁠‌ the Armians.

Whether‌ it was because of the feats‍⁠ of the First‌‍‌ Emperor or the⁠ power of light‍‍ he inherited, the‌‍ cause didn’t matter.‌⁠

What‍⁠ mattered was that‌‍ Aint was the⁠‌⁠ only hero capable of saving this‍‍ world, and that⁠⁠‌ hero was in⁠ Fernan’s hands.

“That‍ was already proven‍ when Andromalius descended.”⁠

“That’s‍‌ right. What will you do now,⁠‌‌ director?”

“What‌⁠ do you mean?”⁠

“It’s‌ clear that there‌ are still corrupts⁠ hidden within the⁠‌ Academy.”

Except‌‍ Fernan, who knew‍‍ the Book of‍‌ Prophecies, no one‍⁠ knew Aaron was⁠⁠ a corrupt.

Which‍‍⁠ implied that even‍ after the previous⁠‌ attack, there could⁠ still be infiltrators.

“There‍ won’t be a second time.”

The‌‌ director cast a fleeting glance at‍ Aint. Fernan didn’t⁠⁠ miss it.

But‌‌ he let it‌ go—if the director‌ used Aint to⁠ track down corrupts,‌ that would only⁠ strengthen him.

And‍ the more uncertain‌‌ the future became,⁠ the higher the‍‌ priority of Aint’s‌ growth.

***‌

Later,‍ at the duke’s⁠‌ residence

“You’ve⁠ been coming often‍‌ lately. Before, you‌ used to say‍‍⁠ transportation circles were⁠⁠‍ expensive, that you only traveled during⁠ holidays.”

“I⁠⁠ still would like‍ that, but the‍‍ matter calls for‌⁠ it.”

The‍⁠ duke straightened in‌ his seat. If⁠‌⁠ Fernan had spent‌ money to come personally, the matter‍‍ was serious.

“I‌‍ know the research⁠ collapsed.”

“It’s‍ not my research,‍ but Professor Rosalia’s.”

“You‌‌ pay for it‍ with your money.‍‍ That makes it⁠‌ yours.”

“She‍ takes the fame.”‍‍

“But⁠‌‌ the profits will‍ be yours.”

He⁠⁠ was right. If‍ Rosalia succeeded, Fernan‌ would amass a fortune.

“Do‌‍‌ you know the‌ reason for the⁠ failure?”

“I‌ can guess.”

“Your‍‍ assumption is correct.”‍

The⁠‍ duke drummed his‌ fingers on the⁠⁠⁠ table.

“Cockroaches,⁠‍‍ no matter how⁠‍ many you exterminate,‍ always come back. But this cycle⁠ has been too‍ short. The director‍ reacted too late.”‍

“That’s⁠⁠ right. Because of⁠‍ that, my investment⁠ was lost. Should⁠⁠ I demand compensation?”‍

“Don’t say foolish things.‍ If you bite‌‍‍ a tiger carelessly,⁠ you’ll end up‍⁠‌ being hunted by‌ it.”

With‌ the Archmage’s reputation and the director’s‍ connections, that would⁠ be suicide.

“You‌⁠ know what Rosalia⁠⁠‌ was researching. The‌ corrupts had planted a seed inside.”‌⁠⁠

“A‍ seed? And what grows from it?”

“A⁠‌ demon.”

“…..”‍

The⁠‌⁠ duke fell silent‌ at the unbelievable‍ statement, then nodded.⁠‌

“True.‌ They already summoned‍ Andromalius; summoning another⁠ isn’t impossible.”

There was precedent.

“They‌‍ planned to do‍ it at the‌ Continental Congress, using the magiestone core⁠‍‍ as a source.”

The‌ duke immediately understood‍ the magnitude.

“They‍ were targeting us as well as‌‌ the Vienderks. With⁠ a demon there,‌⁠ half would’ve died—no⁠ matter how well we fought it.”

And‍ that’s even counting⁠ powerful nobles, mages,‍‌ and guardians. Against⁠‌ a demon, disaster‌⁠ was certain.

“You’ve⁠⁠ done a great‌ service.”

“I only did my‌ duty.”

“Then,‍ what do you‌⁠‍ come to ask‌⁠ for?”

It‌ was logical—the plan⁠ could’ve ruined both⁠‌ Pellenberg and Vienderk‌ by accusing them⁠ of being allies‌‍‍ of demons.

“Professor⁠ Rosalia is rebuilding⁠⁠‍ her research.”

“I‌‌ know. The director⁠ himself is helping‍⁠ her.”

It⁠‍‍ was obvious—the massive⁠⁠‍ shipments of magiestones,‌ the help of the Pope of the Cult of‍⁠ the Dragon God,‌ and the Congress‌‌‍ delay proved it.⁠

“I‍ don’t think the⁠‍ corrupts will keep‌⁠ their hands still.”‍

“Will⁠ they come for⁠‌ her again?”

“An object with such power can’t be⁠‍ left alone. That’s‍ why they attacked⁠⁠ it.”

“Of⁠ course… if they‌⁠‍ manage to seize‍ it, they’d have‍ a secret weapon‍‍ to use whenever‍ they wanted.”

The⁠ duke stroked his beard.

“Then‌‍ you need escort.”‍

“Yes.⁠‍⁠ But not just for protection—also to‍ set a trap.”

“You‍‌ want a small‌ group that looks‍ weak but isn’t.⁠ I won’t give you the Red‌ Turtle.”

The⁠ Red Turtle was‍‌ the First Order‍⁠⁠ of Knights of‍‍ Pellenberg, the pride‍ of the duchy.‍‌

The‍ duke firmly refused.

“But…‍ I will give‌⁠⁠ you the Red‌‍ Turtle.”

The‌ Second Order of⁠ Knights of Pellenberg.‍‍

Saying‍ “just Turtle” was⁠⁠ modest—they were nothing‌‌ less than elite⁠‍⁠ of the elite.⁠

“Yes, sir. I will⁠‌ capture them.”

Fernan‍ bowed his head.‍

***

“Has‌ anything new come⁠ up?”

Aria⁠ was rolling a bright red cherry⁠ candy in her‌ mouth.

“Unfortunately‌‌ not. In fact,‌⁠ I wanted to‍‌ ask the same.‌ Aria, did you‌ find anything?”

“Me neither.”

“So in the end,⁠ neither of us‌ has results.”

Inquisitor‌‍ Girard Izuel sipped⁠⁠ his coffee as‍⁠ he spoke.

“When⁠ I got the⁠‍ director’s letter, I was determined to‌ unmask every corrupt‌‌ in this world,‌ but since I arrived—aside from those⁠⁠ first ones—we haven’t‌‌‍ found anything else.‌ It’s frustrating.”

After‌ the incident, and‌‌ under the director’s‍ guidance, thirteen corrupts hidden within the⁠‌‍ Academy had been‍⁠⁠ eliminated.

But Girard didn’t believe⁠ that was all.‍

After⁠‌ hiding for so⁠ many years, would⁠‍ they really show⁠⁠⁠ themselves just to‍‍‍ be eliminated so‍‍⁠ easily? Impossible. It couldn’t be.

That’s‌‌ why he had‍ stayed at the‍⁠ Academy, convinced there‌ were more.

“If⁠‌ I’d known, I would’ve gone west.”⁠⁠

“There⁠ were corrupts in⁠‍ Altrierc.”

“Exactly.‍‌⁠ I stayed to‍‌ earn merit and⁠⁠ in the end,‍‍ all I got‍ was a missed‌⁠ opportunity…”

Aria‍‌ watched him silently as he complained.‌

It‍ wasn’t a coincidence⁠‌⁠ that they had‍ ended up in‌‌⁠ contact.

After‌‌‍ returning from Altrierc,‍⁠ Aria had sought⁠ him out under‍ the pretext of‍⁠ talking about the‍ corrupts. Girard, who‍ had been digging‌‍‍ in a dry‌‍ well until then,‌ quickly clung to⁠‍ that connection.

Since‍⁠ then, every two‌‌‍ or three days,‌‍ they shared information⁠‌‌ about the corrupts.‍‍

‘The‍‌ matter of the‌‌ corrupts is only‍⁠ beginning. The authority‍‌‌ of inquisitors is‌ bound to grow.’

They⁠ carried symbolism inherited⁠‍ from the First⁠ Emperor.

If corrupts began to‍‍ proliferate, their political⁠ and social power‌⁠‍ would increase.

That’s‌‍ why Aria considered⁠ it wise to⁠‌‍ build ties with‍ Girard and share‌‍ information early.

“Today⁠‍‍ there are no‍ results either. I’m‍⁠‍ still convinced there are more corrupts‌‍⁠ hidden here, but…‌ am I wrong?”⁠

At⁠⁠‌ that moment—

“…….”‌⁠⁠

He‌ felt a small‌‍ pulse.

No,⁠‍‍ it wasn’t small.‍‍ It had been⁠⁠ reduced and reduced⁠⁠ until it seemed‌‌ minimal.

But⁠⁠ the discomfort and⁠ the chill were⁠‍ unmistakable.

“The⁠‌‍ research building?”

It⁠⁠‍ was where the‍‍ professors’ laboratories were.‌ Luckily, the café‌‌ they were in⁠⁠ was nearby, so‌ professors and assistants often passed through‌‍ there.

And,⁠ on top of‌ that, Girard was‌‌ more sensitive to‌‍‌ mana than others. Aria, being an elf, noticed it‍ too.

As proof, the rest⁠⁠‍ of the people⁠‍⁠ in the café didn’t sense a thing.

“That’s‍‍ the director’s lab⁠⁠ area. What could be going on?”‍‌

After‍⁠ two months at⁠⁠ the Academy, she‍⁠ already knew its‍ structure by heart.‍

“…This⁠‍ is.”

“If‍ I’m not mistaken,‌‌ this is…”

Corrupt⁠⁠ magic.

It‍ was disgusting, viscous,‍ dirty. Clearly distinguishable⁠‍‍ from mana.

Although‍‍ Girard couldn’t be⁠ certain—even as an⁠⁠‍ inquisitor—he had never⁠‍ directly faced a demon or a corrupt before.

But‌ it was worth‌⁠‌ checking.

Girard stood up.

“Are‍⁠ you going?”

“I‌‌⁠ have a good‍ feeling about this.”⁠

He‍‌ felt that finally,‍‍ after two months,‌‌ the fruit of⁠ his wait was‌ near.

“I’ll⁠⁠ go with you.”‌‌

Aria‌ followed him.

And⁠ what they discovered‍ was—

“…Senior?”‍

“Fernan‍⁠ Pellenberg… coming out‌ of the director’s⁠ lab?”

There⁠ was Fernan, exiting‍ the laboratory.

“…What⁠ are you going‌ to do?”

Aria⁠ asked upon seeing Girard’s face change,‍ as if he had struck gold.⁠

“I think Aria felt‌⁠ the same thing‍⁠ I did.”

“……”‍

Should‍ she agree? But⁠‌⁠ if Fernan was‌⁠⁠ involved?

No,‌⁠ it was corrupt⁠ magic. Aria knew⁠‍ it better than anyone—she had been‍ in contact with‍‍ it many times.‍

“Is‌‍⁠ there any way‌‌ to enter the⁠ research building? I can’t.”

“Me⁠‍ neither. Only professors,‍‍‌ assistants, or those‌ they authorize can⁠ enter.”

“What⁠ if we asked⁠ the professor from‌ Fridian for help?”‍‌‍

“Don’t⁠ be ridiculous.”

Aria‍⁠ shook her head‍‍‌ firmly.

Though⁠ there was a professor from Fridian‍ at the Academy‌ thanks to the‍ World Tree incident,⁠‍ and she was⁠ curious too, Fernan‌ was the problem.

“Then‍‌ there’s no choice.‌‌⁠ We’ll have to‍ follow another lead.”

“You‌‌‌ want to follow‍‍ Fernan?”

“I‌‌ smell a corrupt.‍ Maybe the director‌ captured one and⁠ they’re interrogating him.⁠‌ Or torturing him.”

Unknowingly,‌⁠‍ he was half⁠‌ right.

“And‍ you think Fernan‍ would tell us‍⁠‍ something like that?”‌

“Of‌ course not. But‍‌ I’m not in‍‍ a position to‍‌ be picky.”

After‍ two months, any⁠ lead was water‍‌ in the desert.‌⁠

However—‍

“Ah.”‌

“…What⁠ now?”

Fernan‍ used a transport circle and left‌⁠ directly for Pellenberg.‍

All⁠‌‌ they could do⁠ was stare at⁠ the empty circle.‌‌

“Can‌‍ we use it?”‍

“Impossible.⁠‍‌ There’s no direct⁠ circle to Fridian,‌ and even if there were, without⁠‌ Academy authorization, no‌‌‌ one can use‍⁠ it.”

“When‍ we need it‍‌‍ most, it’s useless.”⁠‍‌

“You⁠‌ want to compare‍‍ what an inquisitor⁠⁠ can do against⁠⁠⁠ someone from Fridian?⁠‌⁠ Anytime you like.”⁠‌

“It⁠⁠ slipped out. Sorry.”‌‌‍

Though⁠⁠‌ his face showed‌ no hint of‍⁠ apology.

“What‍ if we force‌ our way into the circle?”

“Are you crazy? It‌‍‌ only activates if‌‌‌ a mage manipulates⁠⁠‍ it from the⁠⁠ outside.”

“But⁠⁠ there is a mage here.”

“Where?”⁠‌

Aria⁠ stared at him, incredulous. Girard didn’t⁠‌⁠ take his eyes⁠⁠‍ off her.

“Don’t⁠ say nonsense. I’d‌ be expelled.”

“No,⁠ you wouldn’t.”

“What⁠ are you talking‌ about? To use it, we’d have⁠‍ to neutralize the mages and guards‍‌‍ who monitor it.‌ Isn’t that enough⁠⁠ reason for expulsion?”‍

“Well…‌‌‍ then there’s no‌ helping it.”

Girard‌‌ sighed and gave⁠‍ up.

“All‌ we can do‍‍⁠ is wait for‌ another chance. But⁠ Fernan coming out‍‍‍ of a place‍‍ with corrupt magic and then heading⁠‍ home… that only‌ deepens my suspicions.”‌⁠

It‍ couldn’t be a coincidence.

No⁠‌ way.

Girard’s⁠‍ eyes burned with determination.