Chapter 118

“Fernan Pellenberg!”

“…Professor?”

Still sore from the battle against Luina and aching from morning muscle pain, Fernan had gone to his usual restaurant. Just as he was bringing his fork to his mouth, he froze.

“I saw the recording of the tournament! Controlling three golems at once! Truly amazing!”

The unexpected visitor was someone he hadn’t anticipated at all.

Thud—

With a loud clatter, someone dropped their tray roughly and sat across from him. It was Professor Harcon Pallas, from the 『Golem Magic Engineering』 class.

“You’re on the wrong path! Forget that nonsense about earth magic! You need to become a golem master!”

“Well, if it isn’t Professor Harcon.”

“Is he recruiting him directly?”

“But it makes sense, doesn’t it? They say he controlled three golems at once.”

“If I were a golem professor, I’d be tempted too.”

The other students in the cafeteria began to murmur.

It wasn’t entirely unexpected—controlling three golems simultaneously wasn’t normal.

But he never imagined the professor would barge in while he was eating.

“A golem master, you say?”

“Yes! I assure you, on this whole continent, you’re the only one who can control three golems at once! You were born to be a golem master!”

Professor Harcon leaned forward and lowered his voice.

“I’m researching something. It’s called the Auto Golem.”

“Auto Golem?”

Click.

The professor snapped his fingers and moved his mana. A thin energy barrier surrounded them, blocking out external noise.

“It’s the ideal and supreme form that a golem should pursue.”

“Supreme, you say?”

“Everyone says the same thing—that golems are trash.”

Of course, golems were useful. If made properly, they could crush an average knight effortlessly.

But the problem was clear—while the golem moved, the mage was exposed, and if they died, the golem became useless.

“But if we create the Auto Golem, history will change!”

“What exactly is it?”

“What do you think is the biggest problem with golems?”

“Obviously, that the summoner is left vulnerable.”

“Exactly! The Auto Golem is one that has pre-recorded commands and moves on its own. It overcomes that fatal weakness!”

Fernan could imagine what it was about.

“It won’t be easy.”

But if it worked, it would undoubtedly change the perception of golems.

A golem that always depended on a mage was not the same as one that moved with simple commands.

“Even if it starts weak, its end will be glorious! The Auto Golem is the true pinnacle! Let’s research it together! You can do it! This is a revolution!”

The true pinnacle of golems? What a huge mistake.

The real pinnacle wasn’t a dumb machine that only obeyed commands.

It was a golem that could think and act on its own—an Ego Golem.

Fernan barely suppressed the smile that crept up.

He hid Wooden, who was squirming under his clothes as if trying to be noticed.

“I don’t know if I’d research it, but it certainly seems worthy of investment.”

Another matter entirely—it certainly had potential.

If they managed to mass-produce them…

‘It would be a huge help in the war against the demons.’

He imagined hundreds of golems advancing in formation across the plains, wiping out monsters. It would be quite a sight.

“What? Investment…? Well, I didn’t come here for that, but…”

“Golems require a lot to research and manufacture, right? You must need funds. I’m willing to invest. If you’re interested, find me at the Golden Turtle Guild.”

“…You mean you’d fund me—you, a Pellenberg?”

“Rather, I’d like to fund your research. I believe it’s worth it.”

“…I knew you’d understand!”

Recognizing his talent in the field of golems, Professor Harcon’s face lit up.

【Bardian Branch of the Golden Turtle Guild – Fernan Pellenberg】

Fernan handed him his business card.

“See you next time.”

He finished his meal and stood up.

“Yes, see you! I’ll definitely come!”

Not many were interested in investing in what people called piles of junk.

That’s why Professor Harcon was always eager for funding.

The commitment of a Pellenberg heir left him ecstatic, and Fernan was finally able to shake him off.

“Wooden, stay still.”

— Kyuuu!

“You’re asking how you compare to a simple puppet? I agree, but are you jealous of the golems?”

— Kyu kkung!

“You’re the best, you say? Yes, I know. But don’t forget that you’re actually a spirit.”

— Kuuuuh! Kuuung!

“You’re a golem right now, so it’s the same? You’re not wrong. Meeting you was my greatest fortune. I’m counting on you, Wooden.”

— Kyuu!

Fernan let out a slight chuckle.

‘Anyway, now that I said I’d invest, he won’t bother me about it again.’

He had too much to do to get involved in golem research.

But that very night—

“Fernan, I think we didn’t discuss the investment properly last time. Listen—you weren’t born to be a merchant. You were destined to become a golem master…!”

That’s when Fernan realized he had underestimated Professor Harcon.

***

The integrated exam wasn’t limited to second-years—it applied to all grades.

Naturally, both Aint and Verian were taking it too.

“……”

“……”

The two faced each other in the semifinals.

“…I never thought I’d run into you here.”

“I’ve always ranked above you.”

“When was that? Isn’t that too long ago now?”

“It hasn’t even been a year!”

Verian snapped, but quickly suppressed his anger.

“It doesn’t matter. That no longer matters. What matters is that I finally have a chance to get revenge on you.”

He licked his lips, staring at Aint with fierce eyes.

“All the semifinalists are formidable.”

Aint murmured that.

The four who made it were him and Verian, along with Valoshi Bienderk, currently ranked first in the Knight Department of first-year, and Jace Vines, first in the Magic Department.

Both were tough rivals.

Valoshi was completely inscrutable, and although Aint hadn’t seen Jace often, he couldn’t clearly gauge his true strength.

‘Will this be the occasion where he shows it?’

Neither Valoshi nor Jace could afford to go half-heartedly against each other.

‘But before that…’

Aint pointed his sword at Verian.

Although Verian had fallen in rank after losing to him, objectively he was still not an easy opponent.

His third place in the Knight Department proved it, and recently, as if his resentment fueled him, his skill had grown at an alarming rate.

— What are you planning to do?

‘I must defeat him clearly.’

At first, their relationship had been far from good, but that was no longer the case.

His intention to make Verian an ally hadn’t changed.

He planned to defeat him convincingly and then propose once again that he join him.

“Begin!”

The professor and referee gave the signal.

Verian vanished from his spot.

Claaang!

In the next instant, right in front of Aint, a flash of aura blazed.

Two swords met, baring their fangs.

“You’ve gotten faster.”

“You still have time to talk?”

Clack! Verian’s sword slid along Aint’s blade.

He spun on himself and launched another thrust reinforced with aura.

Bang!

Though they were just swords clashing, it sounded like an explosion.

Aint focused as he felt the power far greater than before.

‘I can’t take him lightly.’

It wasn’t an overwhelming difference where he could win half-heartedly.

Even with Gardner’s help, elixirs, and the absorption of demonic power, Verian was strong enough that he couldn’t be neglected.

He definitely had to be on his side.

To fight the demons, to become emperor, Aint needed as many allies as possible.

“In that case, I’ll go all out…!”

For the first time, Aint attacked seriously.

Taking advantage of the force pushing him, he deflected Verian’s sword and moved forward decisively…

Moved forward…?

— What is that idiot doing?

Aint’s motion stopped when he saw Verian’s sword fly from his hand.

“…Huh?”

“…Tch, damn it, I lost again!”

Verian bit his lip in suppressed anger.

That provoked an incredulous laugh from Aint.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I lost.”

“I’m asking what you’re doing.”

Aint growled as he approached.

Despite his fury, Verian whispered calmly.

“Your next opponent will be Jace Vines or Valoshi Bienderk. Do you really think you can beat them if you waste all your strength on me here?”

“…What?”

“I can’t beat them anyway. Or you. I know my level well. So go and defeat them.”

“Wait, are you saying…?”

Verian slapped away Aint’s hand that was grabbing him.

“I don’t join just anyone. So win. If you don’t, consider this as if it never happened.”

There was no need to ask more.

Verian had made his decision.

And it was precisely the one Aint wanted most.

“…Of course!”

— Now I have one more reason to win at all costs.

— That guy is definitely worth it. I can’t let this opportunity slip away.

“Winner, Aint! Enough with the youth drama, get off the field, we’re in a hurry.”

The referee clicked his tongue, bored, and waved them off.

***

Verian, who had become the loser by his own will, watched Aint’s back as he walked away.

‘This is the right choice.’

Even his family wanted him to stand with Aint.

And Aint also hoped he would become his ally.

But his decision wasn’t based only on those two reasons.

The future.

That chaotic future that anyone who knew a little about demons and monsters could foresee.

To survive that disaster, being with Aint was the best possible option.

‘The more insane the demons become, the greater Aint’s value will be.’

The natural antagonist of demons was as extraordinary as his reputation.

Verian had seen it with his own eyes.

Though he had been unconscious for most of it, the little he witnessed was enough.

‘Aint will inevitably become the center of power.’

The imperial people still felt nostalgia for Armian, and Aint had already started his path as a hero in Valerich.

Aint’s goal was the imperial throne, which would inevitably put him in conflict with the current royal house, the Schwaben.

Armian or Schwaben?

The empire would be split between the two factions, and sooner or later, everyone would have to choose a side.

‘And to think that man, who hates to lose at anything, chose to side with Armian.’

Fernan Pellenberg.

Though Verian hated the man who had threatened and pushed him this far, he couldn’t deny his capability.

He chose Armian instead of Schwaben, which meant he saw a real possibility there.

Aint might think Fernan was inspired by ideals, but—

‘Is that so? No, he can’t be that naïve.’

But ultimately, that didn’t matter.

Their interests aligned.

And Verian had made the most realistic and sensible choice.