A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 113

Chapter 113

They⁠ had returned to‌‌ the Academy.

“Good‌‍ work, Professor.”

“You‍‌⁠ too.”

The‍ magical stone fusion‍⁠ artifact had been‌ delivered without issues‌‍ to the Cult‍‍ of the Dragon‍ God, and Rosalia‍⁠⁠ returned to her‌ duties as a professor at the Academy.

“Thank‍ you for everything,‍‌ gentlemen.”

“It⁠⁠ was nothing. It‍‍ was a good⁠ experience. If something‌ similar happens again,‌‍ please call on us.”

“We‌⁠ had fun, young‌‍‌ master.”

When‌ the Red Turtle‌ Guild returned to‌⁠ their family, Fernan⁠‍ went back to‍ Labidus Mansion to‍ rest from the‍ trip.

“…Definitely,‍ leaving home is⁠ always hell.”

It‍‌ wasn’t the first‌ time he’d traveled‌ the continent on‍‌ business, but sleeping in a comfortable‍ bed and sleeping‌ in the middle⁠‌ of the forest⁠⁠‌ were two very‌⁠ different things.

“Someday⁠⁠ I’ll have to⁠‍ invent a portable‍ house.”

That‌ was the good‍ thing about money—it‌ made anything possible.‍⁠

Even⁠‌ if it took⁠ time, with enough‍ money he’d eventually‍ make it happen.‍

“Hyde.”‌‌‌

“Yes,‍‍‍ young master.”

“Did⁠ you find out⁠ anything?”

“Yes,‍ sir. They’ve decided‍‌ to combine the midterms and finals⁠⁠‍ into a single‍‌⁠ abbreviated test.”

“Combine‌ them into one‍ test?”

The‌‍ autumn break lasted‍ for three weeks.‍

Normally,‌‌ midterms were held‍‌ during that period,‍ but the Continental‍ Congress had delayed‍‌ the class schedule‌‌ until finals.

“Yes,⁠ I found the⁠‍ regulation. Every five⁠⁠‌ years, the midterms‍⁠ and finals are⁠⁠ merged and replaced⁠ by a single abbreviated test at⁠ the end of‌‌ the semester. That’s⁠‍ what it said.”⁠

“And⁠‌ what exactly is⁠⁠ that abbreviated test?”⁠

“A practical combat.”

“The most fitting form for the Academy.”‍

“Exactly.”‍

In‌‍ short, all courses⁠‌ were unified and‌ resolved in a single battle.

It‍ sounded outrageous, but‍⁠ it fit perfectly‍ in an Academy whose main goal‍ was to forge‌ strong knights and⁠‍‍ mages.

“And‌⁠‌ what about the‌ administration faculty?”

“They’ll‍ have a unified‌ written exam.”

“So, combat then? And the artifacts?”

“Not⁠ certain, but it⁠ seems they’ll be prohibited.”

That‍ meant he’d lose⁠‍ his position as⁠ top of the⁠ class.

But‍ he didn’t care‍‌ too much. The‍‍ only reason he’d‌⁠ competed for first‌‌ place was because⁠ of Luina; Fernan‍‌⁠ wasn’t really interested in that spot.‌⁠‍

‘This‍ time the test‌ is individual, so my results won’t‍‌ affect Luina in⁠ any way…’

Fernan‍‌⁠ decided to take‌ it easy.

‘So until the end⁠ of the semester,⁠ there shouldn’t be‍‍⁠ any major problems.’‍

He⁠‌ didn’t know what‌ the Prophecy would‌‌ say, but it⁠‍ didn’t seem likely that anything else‍ would happen soon.‌

‘Whether‍ the Congress followed⁠ the book’s course‍ or not…’

If⁠ the demons had⁠⁠ been summoned as‍⁠ written, there was⁠ nothing more to⁠ be done.

‘And⁠‌ if they weren’t,‌ then the inquisitors⁠⁠ will be holding‍⁠ their breath for⁠ now too.’

Of⁠ course, even without⁠‍ demons, eleven princes‌‍‍ and nobles had⁠⁠⁠ been murdered.

He‌‌ couldn’t fully relax, but at least within the Academy,‌‌ with the rector‍ watching, the chances⁠‍‍ were low.

‘Either‍ way, I can’t‍⁠ trust everything to‌ go as the‍ book says anymore…’⁠

He‍‍ clicked his tongue,‍‌ regretting having lost‌‌ the most powerful⁠ card.

“I‌⁠‍ suppose I’ll focus‍‌ on academic life‌ for now.”

“And‌ the corrupt ones?”⁠

“That’s‍‍ no longer my⁠‍ concern, at least‍‍‍ for now.”

If‍ it didn’t happen within the Academy,‍ he couldn’t intervene.

“That’s‍‍ why I met‌⁠ with His Holiness and spoke with‌⁠‌ Duke Gransis about‌‍ the demons.”

That‌ matter was now‍‌ in their hands.⁠‍ The only thing‌⁠ he had to⁠‍ monitor was the Kingdom of Frazia.‌‍‌

“Oh,‍ right. What happened‍ with the obsidian‍‌⁠ mine?”

“About‍ that…”

And‌‍ so, just when⁠⁠ he thought he’d⁠‍ get some rest, Fernan plunged back‌⁠‌ into his affairs.‌‍‌

***‌⁠⁠

The‌ Congress had ended,⁠ and the Academy⁠⁠ returned to normal.⁠

“Long⁠ time no see.”⁠‌

“Yeah,‍ it’s been a while. How have‌ you been?”

He‌⁠ met Luina again‍ in the classroom.⁠⁠⁠ Compared to three‌ weeks ago, her⁠‌⁠ aura was sharper.

“I spent some money.”‍‌‌

“Finally?”‍⁠⁠

It‌ wasn’t the answer Fernan expected. He‌ thought she’d say‍⁠ something like I trained a lot.⁠⁠

“Yes.‌‌ I invested in something I thought‌⁠‍ was worth it.”⁠

“Something‌ valuable?”

“You’ll‌ find out soon.‍⁠‍ But first, I have something to‌ tell you. Can⁠‍ we talk after⁠⁠⁠ class?”

“Of course.”

While⁠⁠ they were talking, Professor Grad and‍ Professor Rosalia entered.‌⁠

“Break’s‍ over. Now pay attention, because the⁠‌ rest of the‍ semester will be⁠ tough.”

“Yes!”‍‌⁠

The resumed class, after‍‌⁠ three weeks, was⁠‍ limited to reviewing⁠ what had already⁠ been learned.

When⁠ it ended, Fernan‍‌‍ and Luina headed⁠‍‍ to a teahouse.⁠‌‌

“So,‍⁠ what did you‍ want to tell‍⁠ me?”

“While‍ you were at⁠‍ the Congress, I received a letter⁠ from my father.”‍‍⁠

“From‌ the frontier count?”

“Yes.‍ He asked me‍ to return home⁠⁠‍ during the holidays….”⁠⁠

Luina‌⁠⁠ hesitated for a moment before continuing,‌⁠ avoiding Fernan’s gaze.‌‍

“…And‍‌‌ he also asked⁠ that you come‌‌ with me.”

“…Me?”‍⁠

Why‌⁠ all of a sudden?

Although,‍‌‌ there were too‍ many plausible reasons⁠‌ that fit.

‘Because‌‌ of the debt?⁠‌ Because I’m her⁠ partner? Because of‌ the potion? Or⁠‌ because of the‌ monsters and the corrupt ones?’

Too⁠ many possible reasons.‍

“Yes.⁠‍ He wants to‍ talk to you‍‌ about the monsters‌ and the corrupt ones.”

“I‍⁠ see.”

“That’s‌‌⁠ it.”

Luina⁠⁠‍ looked away, hiding‍⁠‌ that there was‌‌‌ more in the‍ letter, but Fernan‌‍ didn’t notice, lost‌ in his own‍‍ thoughts.

‘I’d⁠ have to go‌‌⁠ eventually anyway.’

He‌ knew that sooner‍ or later the‌ time would come⁠‌‍ when an army‌ of monsters would⁠‌⁠ descend from the⁠‍ north.

And‌‌‍ after the early‍ signs in Bercheff’s‌ lands, the northern‍‍ frontier would be⁠ the most vulnerable‌ point.

Fernan‍‌ didn’t intend to‌⁠‍ stand idly by.‌

If‍ he could stop‍ it before it‍‌ happened, he would. And if not,‌⁠ he would reinforce‍‌‌ the defenses to‌‍ prevent the territory‌ from collapsing.

For⁠ that, he needed‍⁠ the cooperation of‍‌ Count Bercheff of‌‌ the frontier.

‘I‌‌ need to find‌ out the real‌‍⁠ situation in the‍‍ north. How many‍‌ monsters are there,‍ if we can‍‍‍ resist with support…’⁠

But⁠ that didn’t mean⁠‍ there weren’t problems.

‘Right⁠⁠‍ now, Frazia is⁠‍‌ more urgent than‍ Bercheff…’

In⁠‌ Frazia, monster armies‌‍ were also stirring.⁠⁠ If his assumption‍‍⁠ was correct, the⁠ danger was closer‌ in time than⁠ in the north,⁠‍ and there was‌‌‍ also the clear‌ presence of an‍⁠ enemy Flauros.

During⁠ this winter vacation,‍⁠ he had planned to investigate the‌‌‍ demons in Frazia,‌ but if he⁠‍ had to go to Bercheff, that‍⁠ would be impossible.‌⁠‌

‘Flatly refusing would also‌‌ be a problem…’⁠⁠‍

Even‌⁠ though he’d sold‍⁠ the rights to⁠‌‍ the Golden Bull‌ and was no⁠‍ longer an electoral‍ prince, that didn’t⁠ mean Bercheff’s reputation⁠⁠ and power had⁠‌ disappeared completely.

Despite⁠ having suffered great damage at the‌ hands of the‌⁠ monster hordes, they would rise again.⁠

“For‌‍ now…”

At⁠‌ that moment, the‍ next prophecy Fernan‌‌ had been waiting‍ for began to‌⁠ emerge.

A precise moment, accompanied‌ by a sharp‍‌ headache.

***‌

[ “It’s total chaos,‌ isn’t it?”

Upon⁠‌ returning to the‍⁠⁠ Academy, Aint clearly‌⁠‍ felt that his⁠⁠ reputation had changed.‍⁠‌

— That’s normal. You’re‌ the hero who⁠ managed to defeat a demon.

“But I didn’t do‍‍ it alone.”

In‌ the auditorium where⁠ the demon was‌⁠ summoned, there were countless mages, princes,‌‌ and nobles.

Alongside them were royal guards and other powerful protectors.

The⁠‍⁠ demon’s goal had‌ been to wipe⁠‍ them all out‌ and sow chaos⁠‍ across the continent,‌⁠⁠ but that very‌⁠ goal made it⁠ no easy task.‍

— You’re the core. That’s what matters.⁠‌‍

“I‌‌ know that, but…”⁠‍⁠

“Aint.”‍

Among‌‌ the crowd, he‍ heard a familiar‍⁠⁠ voice.

The‌ unbreakable knight. The⁠ one who, even‌‌ in front of‌ the demon, did⁠⁠ not retreat and⁠ protected him with‍⁠‌ his firm back.‌‌

“Senior⁠‍ Luina.”

“I‌‍ heard what happened.‍ You’ve done something incredible.”

“Compared‍ to what you⁠‍ did, it’s nothing.”‍⁠⁠

“What‌‍ I did?”

“To‌⁠ stand there, in‍ front of it…”⁠

“It‌‌ was nothing. I barely managed to⁠‍‌ hold out.”

“Such‍ excessive humility.”

Why⁠ was he so hard on himself?‌‍‍

Aint⁠ felt he liked Luina even more.]‌

This was the beginning—Aint‍‍ returning to the‍ Academy.

The‍‌ story where Fernan‌ didn’t intervene.

Aint,‍ who defeated the‌⁠⁠ 70th demon, Seir,⁠⁠ and became an⁠‍ even greater hero‌ than now.

The‌ entire Academy was⁠ in an uproar.⁠‌‌

‘He‍ still feels the⁠⁠ same for Luina.⁠‍⁠ Will it really‍‌ be like that⁠⁠‌ too?’

[—⁠⁠‌ This winter break,‍ let’s go back‍‌ to Pandrein. In‌‍ the far south‍‌ of Frazia, there‌‍ are virgin lands—it’s‌⁠ a war zone.‍‍

“Sounds⁠ good.”

He‌‌ had hunted demons.‍⁠ Two, even.

He‍‍ now had confidence,⁠ but at the⁠ same time, he‌ felt it clearly.‌⁠

That‌ demons and the⁠ corrupt would infiltrate‍‍‍ the continent in⁠ even more cunning,⁠‌ more cruel ways.‌

And that he had‌ to grow stronger, no matter the‌‍ cost.

‘I⁠ finally became first⁠ in the class…’⁠

But‍‌ compared to demons,‍‌ that title seemed‍‌ meaningless.]

Then⁠⁠⁠ the vision advanced‌‌‍ straight to winter‌ break.

That⁠‍‍ nothing had happened‍ in that span‍ was a relief,⁠ but seeing Aint⁠ getting closer and‌ closer to Flauros was unsettling.

‘Damn‍ it, is it really going to‌ be this spring?’‌

Time‌‍ was running out.‍‍

‘And about being top‌‌ of the class…’⁠⁠‌

It⁠ seemed he had‍‍ defeated Valoshi Vienderk.‍

Of⁠‌ course, after hunting‌⁠⁠ two demons and⁠⁠⁠ absorbing their power,⁠‌ it would have‌ been odd if⁠‍ he couldn’t beat‌⁠ the top first-year.‍⁠‌

[“Is‍ that a corrupt?”‌‌

“Yeah.‌ We need to⁠ catch him.”

When⁠ the man entered‌‍‍ a deserted alley, Aint silently followed,‌‌‍ grabbed him from⁠‍ behind, and covered‌‌ his mouth.

“If you scream, I’ll cut out your‍ tongue.”

“Umpf…!”⁠

“Want‍ to know why?‌⁠ I’m wondering the‍ same thing. Why did you sell‍⁠ your soul and‌ join the demons?”

“……!”⁠

— Damn corrupts, they’re‌ everywhere, like parasites.‍⁠‍

After‍‍ defeating the 70th⁠⁠ demon, Seir, and‍ absorbing his power,‌ Aint had grown‌ enough that he‍‍ no longer needed‍ to examine a corrupt directly to‍⁠ identify them.

And‍ upon returning to‍ Frazia, half a year later, he‌ realized it had⁠ become a nest⁠ of forbidden magic.]‌‍

‘So⁠⁠ it was possible even without my‌⁠ help.’

In‌‌⁠ the end, everything‌⁠⁠ returned to the‌ course of the‌ prophecy, which gave‌ him some relief.⁠

He‌‍‍ had missed an‌‍⁠ opportunity to hunt‍ a demon, but⁠ that didn’t mean‌ his growth had⁠ stopped.

‘And‍‌ Valoshi?’

Of⁠ course, this was⁠ where Valoshi officially⁠ joined Aint as⁠‍ a companion.

Valoshi‌ Vienderk, Aria Fridian,‌‍ Varus Dene, and Luina Bercheff.

All‌‌ of them, companions⁠ acknowledged by the⁠‍ prophecy book. Nothing⁠ strange about that.

‘But‍ after losing first‌ place…’

Would it be the‌‌ classic “you’re the‍‍ first to defeat‌ me” scenario? A textbook cliché.

He didn’t know, and‌‍ the book didn’t‌ go into that‌ detail.

[”…No‌ matter how deep‍ I dig, more‌‌‍ keep appearing. How far have they‍ infiltrated Frazia?”

“Taking‌‍ root there couldn’t‍ have been difficult.‍‍‍ It’s not the‌ Empire, and after⁠ all, the Kingdom⁠‌ of Frazia is⁠‍‌ on the fringes.”‌

The⁠‍⁠ center of humanity⁠ was still the‍⁠ continent of Lutar.‍

Thanks⁠ to Pellenberg and‍‍⁠ the Empire having⁠ rooted themselves in‌ the north of‍ Pandrein, the situation‌ had improved, but⁠ aside from imperial⁠‌ territories, the kingdoms‍ of Pandrein were‍⁠ still peripheral.

“We‍ can’t let the⁠⁠‌ corrupt do as they please.”

“Want⁠‍ to repeat what⁠‍‍ happened in Taklakan?‍ What if we‍ ask for help?”⁠‌

“Help?”‌

“If‍ a hero who⁠ defeated demons speaks⁠⁠ of the monster threat, no kingdom‍ will sit idly‍ by.”

“But‍ the corrupt have‌ already infiltrated everywhere.‌ Can we trust⁠⁠ them?”

“Then,‍‍ how about asking‍‌ Varus to mobilize‍‍ mercenaries?”]

[“Exterminate⁠‌ the monsters!”

“Kill‍⁠‌ them all! Aint‍‌ Armian fights with⁠⁠ us!”

The⁠‍ holy light illuminated the battlefield filled‍ with demonic magic.]‌‍

When‍‌‍ the last page⁠‌ ended, Fernan opened⁠‍ his eyes.

***

“Fernan, what’s wrong?”

“I was thinking. Whether⁠ or not I should accept the‍ margrave’s proposal.”

And⁠ he decided.

“I’ll⁠‍ go.”

“Really?”⁠

“Yes.”⁠‌

In‌ the last vision‍ of the book,⁠⁠⁠ Aint ultimately gained⁠‌ the support of⁠‍ Frazia and the‌ mercenaries and managed⁠⁠ to exterminate the‍⁠‍ monsters.

That‌‌ was enough.

‘I‌ can’t stay glued⁠ to Aint forever.⁠ Besides, this is‍‍ a part he‍ has to overcome⁠ himself.’

In‌ the end, he‌⁠ was the one‌ who would become⁠ the hero.

Until⁠ now, he’d feared that the story,⁠‌‍ altered by his‍‌ interventions, would ruin‌‌‍ the future, but‌‍ Aint had already‍‍ grown enough.

He‍⁠‍ couldn’t keep treating⁠‍ him like a flower in a greenhouse.

He‌‌ shouldn’t cling to⁠‌⁠ a single problem—addressing⁠ both fronts was‌‍ best for the‌‌‍ continent.

‘Still, I’ll prepare in‌ case the future goes off course.’

Not‌‌ too big, not‍⁠ too small—a moderate‍⁠ preparation. Something like‌⁠ gathering allies.

‘Maybe‍ Verian Kalburdern and⁠⁠ Aria Fridian will‌ be useful.’

Valoshi‌ was already with‌⁠ Aint, so there‌ was no problem‍ there.

Even‍‌‌ without demon hunts,‌ Aint was still⁠⁠ the hero who‌ exposed and destroyed‍ the corrupt.

‘And‌ Flauros won’t be‌⁠‍ summoned right away.’⁠

His appearance was marked⁠ for spring, and⁠ now it was⁠⁠ winter. At least, it wouldn’t be‍‍‌ this time that‌‌ a demon was‌‍⁠ summoned.

‘I⁠ must contact the⁠ Mercenary King soon.’‍

Although,⁠ with a future⁠‌⁠ already altered, nothing⁠ was certain.

That’s‍‍ why he planned⁠‍ to do everything⁠ within his power.‌‌

“Shouldn’t‌ you return to⁠⁠ Pellenberg? You don’t⁠ have to push yourself so hard.”‍‍

“No,⁠ it’s fine. If⁠‌ I decline, you’re the one who’d⁠ be in trouble.⁠‍‍ Besides, I’ve always⁠ wanted to visit‌⁠ Bercheff someday.”

“…I see.”

At his words, Luina’s eyes opened slightly‍⁠ before she nodded.

And⁠‍‌ thus, their winter‍ break plans were‍‌‌ decided.

After saying goodbye to‍ Luina, Fernan enjoyed‍ a quiet moment‌ with a cup‍ of coffee. But suddenly, he spotted⁠‌ a familiar silhouette⁠ outside the window.‌‍

A boy at a shop, handing over‍‌ his worn weapons⁠ to be repaired.⁠‌

‘…Yeah.’

A student with dark⁠⁠ brown hair and‍‌ eyes, with nothing particularly remarkable.

‘You were here.’

A thorn lodged in⁠ Fernan’s mind.

‘Gismond‍ Ert…’

It was time to‍ decide what to‍ do with him.‍