Chapter 118
e9d“Fernan Pellenberg!”0IDK
Krc“…Professor?”0CyEy
7ctStill 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.LI18w
j8Z8“I saw the recording of the tournament! Controlling three golems at once! Truly amazing!”dvCyn
WaUDThe unexpected visitor was someone he hadn’t anticipated at all.UuIPgb
Cu0SDjwThud—og8
hBFS1With a loud clatter, someone dropped their tray roughly and sat across from him. It was Professor Harcon Pallas, from the 『Golem Magic Engineering』 class.n1Kg
m6I6U“You’re on the wrong path! Forget that nonsense about earth magic! You need to become a golem master!”q02A
JhKMVKs“Well, if it isn’t Professor Harcon.”Zc1
oL2iOM“Is he recruiting him directly?”3Tlc
NEGDF7V“But it makes sense, doesn’t it? They say he controlled three golems at once.”AMTDcuw
g19Z“If I were a golem professor, I’d be tempted too.”xx1j
DHLxThe other students in the cafeteria began to murmur.BBxi8
psUhqjeIt wasn’t entirely unexpected—controlling three golems simultaneously wasn’t normal.6ZR7txN
Bj3oVBut he never imagined the professor would barge in while he was eating.Wq67jF5
V2Or“A golem master, you say?”TaDoa0r
kyR“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!”qABxD9
v88eERProfessor Harcon leaned forward and lowered his voice.PnN9
ps0CaQD“I’m researching something. It’s called the Auto Golem.”sBda3sK
j2FHN“Auto Golem?”05VO
J5ASClick.4yMhXO
if8kThe professor snapped his fingers and moved his mana. A thin energy barrier surrounded them, blocking out external noise.gTw
j32aaW“It’s the ideal and supreme form that a golem should pursue.”VoY
A08“Supreme, you say?”iEmX
l2LKv“Everyone says the same thing—that golems are trash.”XJ2g
WOtsOf course, golems were useful. If made properly, they could crush an average knight effortlessly.0HlyU
XKpvkZBut the problem was clear—while the golem moved, the mage was exposed, and if they died, the golem became useless.Mzjz0
FV3K8D0“But if we create the Auto Golem, history will change!”uA2
WJFrb“What exactly is it?”4BU
9ZKmw3“What do you think is the biggest problem with golems?”LQw
il8P“Obviously, that the summoner is left vulnerable.”nUmN
P2v8Kqu“Exactly! The Auto Golem is one that has pre-recorded commands and moves on its own. It overcomes that fatal weakness!”XKm
iNH5YFernan could imagine what it was about.lyEe6
jHKd“It won’t be easy.”4PuasNs
oagBut if it worked, it would undoubtedly change the perception of golems.Wrv1tx4
t5MA golem that always depended on a mage was not the same as one that moved with simple commands.4sk3D
UtxhU“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!”z5yzAk
rs5G7dhThe true pinnacle of golems? What a huge mistake.mZKgDIQ
cf4J0The real pinnacle wasn’t a dumb machine that only obeyed commands.JnYK
1o6It was a golem that could think and act on its own—an Ego Golem.oHy
t165Fernan barely suppressed the smile that crept up.UnW051B
Eq6ZcHHe hid Wooden, who was squirming under his clothes as if trying to be noticed.aKzI6s
Hv87“I don’t know if I’d research it, but it certainly seems worthy of investment.”hq2JyG
0WfLAnother matter entirely—it certainly had potential.tAjh9
qCBIf they managed to mass-produce them…S11
oU7XdM7‘It would be a huge help in the war against the demons.’moXWFw
SdtwHe imagined hundreds of golems advancing in formation across the plains, wiping out monsters. It would be quite a sight.F312b9S
6e6“What? Investment…? Well, I didn’t come here for that, but…”ySyjxU
3LFL9“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.”kF1
tCxzn9“…You mean you’d fund me—you, a Pellenberg?”PWVrRiX
c97D“Rather, I’d like to fund your research. I believe it’s worth it.”oVd2
qgjPp“…I knew you’d understand!”vq3
V8JKoRecognizing his talent in the field of golems, Professor Harcon’s face lit up.wPTJVi
UGruY5b【Bardian Branch of the Golden Turtle Guild – Fernan Pellenberg】EF1JPdb
fbRNFernan handed him his business card.qPun
C07bIh“See you next time.”a3x4dEB
X7vIHe finished his meal and stood up.6dAizL
dJlQYO“Yes, see you! I’ll definitely come!”S9YH
8IgqNot many were interested in investing in what people called piles of junk.Toa
UonDThat’s why Professor Harcon was always eager for funding.A3TFH8
ONg1ReThe commitment of a Pellenberg heir left him ecstatic, and Fernan was finally able to shake him off.7Lse4hN
UfPmq“Wooden, stay still.”LNR8
mFZUkQ— Kyuuu!nl6CTY
l2anr“You’re asking how you compare to a simple puppet? I agree, but are you jealous of the golems?”Vtvv
KHKbDD— Kyu kkung!QXIky8
rm6Rh“You’re the best, you say? Yes, I know. But don’t forget that you’re actually a spirit.”e7bX
Aj6— Kuuuuh! Kuuung!dr9x3K
VGz“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.”uEy
X1Xo4Vj— Kyuu!3Qkqi78
sUh4Fernan let out a slight chuckle.Ry9Z
AYr0X‘Anyway, now that I said I’d invest, he won’t bother me about it again.’bsvy
Its5kuxHe had too much to do to get involved in golem research.xX1bn1
Cixh6NBut that very night—daB
dPE“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…!”ZBFWfkf
Q5R736DThat’s when Fernan realized he had underestimated Professor Harcon.agb
CcsSqg3***iTgAeo
O9YThe integrated exam wasn’t limited to second-years—it applied to all grades.OlaqTXK
XzxYP1Naturally, both Aint and Verian were taking it too.wElUZj
BCs1s“……”v4NESCm
tQeIcbu“……”CAzKjB6
zKH6aThe two faced each other in the semifinals.Q1TzRnb
9YpTNT“…I never thought I’d run into you here.”wBYMa
tejVuLO“I’ve always ranked above you.”fTVeqk
bNOLK“When was that? Isn’t that too long ago now?”Zrze0P2
Bw1Sly“It hasn’t even been a year!”HdVY
Uvz7hVerian snapped, but quickly suppressed his anger.QaS
utu“It doesn’t matter. That no longer matters. What matters is that I finally have a chance to get revenge on you.”K0nETI
9QFyHe licked his lips, staring at Aint with fierce eyes.RQF
9h9ix“All the semifinalists are formidable.”pJoG
5cmimEAint murmured that.CCHZalW
Upt1hEThe 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.g6CJNL
GvbfBoth were tough rivals.MN0MK
aVGvValoshi was completely inscrutable, and although Aint hadn’t seen Jace often, he couldn’t clearly gauge his true strength.OJlc
RFg9hqz‘Will this be the occasion where he shows it?’czwZZot
GLOEdNeither Valoshi nor Jace could afford to go half-heartedly against each other.QveM
jb9t‘But before that…’HdEKc
0tGlAint pointed his sword at Verian.DuiB
IaAEPgLAlthough Verian had fallen in rank after losing to him, objectively he was still not an easy opponent.C82zyQx
AbwKjweHis third place in the Knight Department proved it, and recently, as if his resentment fueled him, his skill had grown at an alarming rate.3Rq
SNNF0p— What are you planning to do?qP04wj
5vW‘I must defeat him clearly.’CanhHKL
zovcU79At first, their relationship had been far from good, but that was no longer the case.erlKez8
qyIhnHis intention to make Verian an ally hadn’t changed.0t9RKY
WgmPNiHe planned to defeat him convincingly and then propose once again that he join him.CTL
B4gc8O“Begin!”7G5
88X2EpeThe professor and referee gave the signal.8V9Ov
74TnZcPVerian vanished from his spot.4sv8
X8lNClaaang!gStGiHT
ho2a29QIn the next instant, right in front of Aint, a flash of aura blazed.vggM7W
Wdqj3sVTwo swords met, baring their fangs.QtvqLI
qFN“You’ve gotten faster.”Ag8o
fJ0W3ot“You still have time to talk?”YizFheV
XcrNpClack! Verian’s sword slid along Aint’s blade.2ex
04YgluHe spun on himself and launched another thrust reinforced with aura.CIY
qFSh18aBang!ZjdyTh
MJHThough they were just swords clashing, it sounded like an explosion.T8e3uz
2wdQlVAint focused as he felt the power far greater than before.53vj
bqyeM1W‘I can’t take him lightly.’t4A
YeEhLIt wasn’t an overwhelming difference where he could win half-heartedly.ECx
ttAclEven with Gardner’s help, elixirs, and the absorption of demonic power, Verian was strong enough that he couldn’t be neglected.6mX0kV
4HhN8lHe definitely had to be on his side.x5FZz
TQpSDTo fight the demons, to become emperor, Aint needed as many allies as possible.n32
8drvx“In that case, I’ll go all out…!”rThaL
hq85n6UFor the first time, Aint attacked seriously.CDOt
TLNyTaking advantage of the force pushing him, he deflected Verian’s sword and moved forward decisively…3Fw
UYCiA5oMoved forward…?l8Gj
0lQ3ge— What is that idiot doing?LSZ26n
pzK55GAint’s motion stopped when he saw Verian’s sword fly from his hand.DebR
5Z7OK14“…Huh?”UULqMFE
T4kN“…Tch, damn it, I lost again!”u8i
vpP04cVerian bit his lip in suppressed anger.5Hu2
ICmVTThat provoked an incredulous laugh from Aint.K1llrw
Mi6M7aA“What the hell are you doing?”rQ0PQY
ya3apG“I lost.”lgv1
nmG3dq4“I’m asking what you’re doing.”FDGT
FluyaAint growled as he approached.AYOg49
qCXTrDespite his fury, Verian whispered calmly.11SqAzg
gmyu8bp“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?”5Uob2
YWzM“…What?”38I7F
JNpyfOa“I can’t beat them anyway. Or you. I know my level well. So go and defeat them.”nORFgt7
iX1“Wait, are you saying…?”5PFk
OQlwVerian slapped away Aint’s hand that was grabbing him.fiwBtk
fK6cu“I don’t join just anyone. So win. If you don’t, consider this as if it never happened.”McmQZ5w
7pVaAThere was no need to ask more.Zg0Wci
3xsD5Verian had made his decision.pw3NwOe
Uk9And it was precisely the one Aint wanted most.z3IBf
QjhWu1“…Of course!”9ejG
jG0Fng— Now I have one more reason to win at all costs.zvgh
wI00Jky— That guy is definitely worth it. I can’t let this opportunity slip away.qh6cFI
qfmP“Winner, Aint! Enough with the youth drama, get off the field, we’re in a hurry.”bpNkWc
dz1The referee clicked his tongue, bored, and waved them off.KxDIAfO
io2p***I1Uzut
ThvDfLVerian, who had become the loser by his own will, watched Aint’s back as he walked away.mrdCWS
8k2kRT‘This is the right choice.’kkmihQs
o0ZEven his family wanted him to stand with Aint.aVlRfOv
zVvCAnd Aint also hoped he would become his ally.fl7SMb
6BEsepHBut his decision wasn’t based only on those two reasons.R56ZIA
V704LEKThe future.KLx
YCqThat chaotic future that anyone who knew a little about demons and monsters could foresee.uXKewR
wiKTo survive that disaster, being with Aint was the best possible option.DKG
gc64SG‘The more insane the demons become, the greater Aint’s value will be.’IAIAT
rVGGn9ZThe natural antagonist of demons was as extraordinary as his reputation.bfJ
uZTiAqVerian had seen it with his own eyes.5cZu
b4lPThough he had been unconscious for most of it, the little he witnessed was enough.nMfq
ZSi‘Aint will inevitably become the center of power.’e6uBJ
FuEThe imperial people still felt nostalgia for Armian, and Aint had already started his path as a hero in Valerich.3Td0S
HocKUhAint’s goal was the imperial throne, which would inevitably put him in conflict with the current royal house, the Schwaben.FThu3f
yGtIArmian or Schwaben?nyd3lT
YVJXVPVThe empire would be split between the two factions, and sooner or later, everyone would have to choose a side.31ru
H4fz‘And to think that man, who hates to lose at anything, chose to side with Armian.’8Bp
6siC6Fernan Pellenberg.dvw2SD
UvHThough Verian hated the man who had threatened and pushed him this far, he couldn’t deny his capability.GG1
hy5dNHe chose Armian instead of Schwaben, which meant he saw a real possibility there.Yojg8
sbdAint might think Fernan was inspired by ideals, but—6dE5L
1xu‘Is that so? No, he can’t be that naïve.’L8fDrX
RRHHJtBut ultimately, that didn’t matter.AvJ2
eEeTheir interests aligned.q7HRFy
8ymAnd Verian had made the most realistic and sensible choice.Jfl
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