Chapter 119
gzHLEEThe next day.qHW0
A4p8DIn the same place where he had defeated Verian, Aint now faced his next opponent.5wt
Nap───!jjxDfQ
ZLOpULTheir swords clashed.tFeroEl
ty3fSA shockwave exploded.oQYeeX
34QoeShattered fragments of aura flew in all directions.S0I
QiEIn just an instant, dozens of exchanges unfolded, so fast and fierce they were impossible to distinguish with the naked eye.gE7
AHenhZThe dueling ground cracked, forcing the spectators to step back.ZgGF
ViIui“……”ZHrwIX
BJ77Valoshi Bienderk, first place of the first year, silently regulated his breathing.iBWGzIR
aQdIeHis opponent, Aint Armian, also watched him with his sword raised.hvH9gyF
AHR“When I saw you defeat Anto, I figured this day would come—but I didn’t expect it to be today.”EgLrk
psu“This?”9Eosi
MGTO“The day you would fight me as an equal.”1ivFKG
Cz0o“You’re wrong, Valoshi. We’re not equal. I’m here to beat you. Me, beating you.”Gxu
cHDE8jIt wasn’t baseless confidence.XNjOyh
BCsCdPIn fact, Valoshi felt it even more than Aint did.XWc
iTPYhKQ‘I never imagined I’d be outmatched in aura within the Academy…’dvUI8B
RTYTEIt was true—he had taken countless elixirs since childhood thanks to his family.ijb4
wp9j2tGDid the ruined House Armian really have that kind of economic power?v5gD
RJT6MwThis was the first time he felt genuine danger.LWRgl
e90Not even Rob Kaelin had made him feel this.s8C
dqC2‘No, Rob Kaelin was different.’ZtzF6g
FIIkazxHe was in the same category. A genius with talent.OzMl9
CI5N8EgHe had wielded a sword three years before Valoshi; losing to him had been natural. He didn’t give it much thought—he knew that in three years he’d surpass Rob.Mc8u
pkxRBut he never expected someone to rise from below while he only looked up.TUXRx2y
8ZCLXVValoshi smiled under the pressure that now weighed on him.Q2soE
XVy6A‘If I lose, it’ll be because of thoughts like these. I can’t lose.’IJkQ5
9dZ“No, not yet. I have reasons not to lose.”dUdi
iqE“What a coincidence. So do I.”rURlNH
HCfMIt was Valoshi who moved first.YaW
lSeeBienderk’s sword was elegant.pk0
D9ZYpLike the roses that symbolized his house: soft, beautiful, but full of thorns.sdFKyt
C1rDark blue aura roses bloomed across the dueling ground, expanding into a domain that trapped Aint and covered him completely.hctYN
o5t8kEveryone thought it was over.eQxEBCz
WH5IZXGUntil a white light filtered between the petals of aura.AYb
RYPS────!fcr
ZhjFGp6The radiance engulfed the entire dueling ground.ystb
FY0Nv9When it faded, not a trace of the roses remained.Pow
0HWOnly Aint and Valoshi, standing, having swapped positions.BHi
cPGJq2“Who won? Aint? Valoshi?”hG7fMRF
rHFK“What happened?”tLI5
MZQJm“Wasn’t it Aint who won?”CnsSs
xzVLfjk“They both look untouched…”Q0LYeX
gEnxThe students murmured.JuIRA
gwKb0aThey hadn’t seen anything due to the light, but the duelists knew the result.nQukt
siL“Ha… I really lost.”LoOppm
QUBpvValoshi’s sword fell to the ground. His hand trembled with spasms.vlj2
PzYKr‘The light pierced through my roses and destroyed them all. No technique—just brute force.’X9HvI
8d3CHis aura had been crushed completely.CE5qJMf
CTXXqHis face twisted with a mix of emotions he couldn’t even describe.ZmNoEz3
oCeAK4y“I won’t be able to face Jace.”YNHxHfN
ShKHe recalled then the conversation he’d had with him.qTUIWV
xZDkcA8“I’m withdrawing. I’m not interested in the championship. Even if I lose here, I’m still first in the Magic Department.”Xxh2
JT0zfti“If Verian surrendered to Aint, do you think it’s fair for you to arrive at the final exhausted? It should be equal.”xBaxc
CX3Valoshi didn’t know what he was planning, but he found no reason to refuse.o41sgDl
AHZHe thought he could beat Jace, and then Aint too.NUT
uiLGd5That’s what he believed.Q4RbpJ
UgNHe, who had always lived winning.ueKj2
rJlfYes, he had known defeat.XPTX13
zp7t0At the hands of his family’s elders.mC5AqmF
JaxAgainst Rob Kaelin.uEIzOaD
CsKe5But those were rivals that justified it.ang2hn
Y3QSrxbAint Armian was not.RFrXvPJ
so7IAnd yet, he had lost.6G5
A5iTo a fellow yearmate.WWlQc1o
XyUIHValoshi collapsed.FhBZEjH
zKKvGQ“…My sister said she never lost since entering the Academy.”nmLD9
Fv0FZsCould he not be like her?8S1FaF
ef8Q160He let out an empty laugh.2ex
ECHAU“Valoshi, good match.”LYch
JtGrAint extended his hand.Scg
mmiValoshi looked at it in silence.Zenk
dOWkbrcThe one who had handed him his first true defeat.M4rDL5l
NInMore than sympathy, he felt hostility.cP9b4it
ym39“Make friends with Aint Armian.”Pw88Oo
nEGX8bJHe then recalled the words of his father before entering the Academy.ZW4N
nDFkRKWith a bitter grimace, he shook his hand.RiML
t9P“I didn’t think you’d become this strong in just one year. It’s unprecedented.”6q0EB
MWB0B“I got lucky.”uX52s
CZL6Z“Lucky? How much luck does it take to be number one in the Academy? Share some with me.”sjKEiM
bSN2ArValoshi tossed aside his half-burned protective artifact.60DS0b
iHqThe top spot of the first year was decided.Z7wWO
BRskf8***8I6Zzze
PBjpk1IAfter the end of the examslRwQ
m3E6The unified exam had concluded.KMT
ojorY【Magic Department Rankings – 2nd Year, 2nd Semester】zlbcJaL
yNFM1. Carlo Deneb
2. Ludger Schwaben
3. Neria Hapman
…
4. Fernan PellenbergJo6RiJ
owlyI“Like a salmon.”88rKr
EpOoiBEven though he had lost to Luina in the second round of the tournament, Fernan managed to secure the tenth spot in the repechage.qEjx
qtjHe had returned to the same place as always.Xep
VAf9Not bad—as long as he wasn’t expelled from the Ravidus Hall, the ranking didn’t matter much.QzCLO1Y
NqDRZCR“Carlo and Prince Ludger also returned to their original positions.”aexDwVe
TU83R“Yes. And Neria rose to third.”w4Ur
xOQ4FGThe spots below second had changed, but essentially everything remained the same: the same ten occupied the top.2unHDD9
Z4gxJbs【Knight Department Rankings – 2nd Year, 2nd Semester】yqK3e3z
kfpTtE1. Luina Bercheff
2. Harold Volcan
3. Alia Torta
4. Almon Done …2Ski
oK1zdhIt was the same in the Knight Department.eGW
1DpbcAlmon fell to fourth because he faced Luina after Fernan and was crushed.doZ
D3YYGeThen he didn’t perform well in the repechage.SbHs
GyXtA【Knight Department Rankings – 1st Year, 2nd Semester】8YKdqt9
1wlA6K1. Aint Armian
2. Valoshi Bienderk …Fx5FW
iNYIn the first year, everything followed the prophecy book.IwM
qSqThe first place in the exam matched the top of the course.QHcQjG
7hL8qlAint Armian had reached the top in just one year since enrolling.uTP8
Gcf5ttm“A monstrous growth.”5DjHr
HK5ySFr“And you, young master, were part of it.”CbN
sY0Tdi“The heart of the Saintbird must have had a huge influence.”u7qE3WV
ZL6VbjB“No doubt.”bmd
dFrt06QThe Saint bird—symbol of the Armian family and mythical beast of light.jXJRhd
dOnXIts heart surpassed any elixir and fit perfectly with Aint’s light magic.f6jqWkg
KIHi‘It’s said even the First Emperor consumed it…’MD9QW
hyFRgsxThat he could grow like this to become a hero who exterminates demons, like that emperor, was to be expected.Aws1NgP
r2fJ6YgKnock, knock.K4oJn
Hz2i“Are you in there?”ZKGZ
kUGNeThe door creaked open.7Kwq
jVks“Come in, senior.”RHd0g
EBrAiHL“Found you!”EOFDk2K
4uno4cIt was Gismond Ert, who had come after Fernan’s summons.BGR
NgUjPf“What rank did you get?”80kOS
aBlA“Me? Twenty-first. I wanted to make top ten to live in the Ravidus Hall, but it didn’t work out.”Dm8tXOp
9749Dn“Twenty-first is still a good result. Compared to before, it’s incredible progress.”RSKI
asK“I worked really hard.”XD6UUM
wNmMGismond smiled, scratching the back of his head, and soon began looking around in awe.oP2
JQwJ“Wow, I didn’t expect a place like this above a simple tea shop.”Xou
Bjpfku8“It’s a place I use often. You’ll end up coming here a lot too.”0zgg
SJw“If you call me, I’ll go anywhere.”Vvoe0h
HToV“Don’t forget that determination.”ZBls
Zt9“…What was that ominous-sounding comment?”G4Mi
LgWU2f“Ominous”—pretty good word. Fernan shrugged and asked.3VTREXr
wKjk6k1“Did you bring your things?”SEvtlb
x9gl“Yes, in the subspace bag you gave me. I packed everything I need. But… where are we going?”ncy
ZpP“If someone knows demons will descend, what else can they do in their free time? Train, of course.”SOy
A0x1tCGismond nodded, as if he had expected that answer.YzSMx5
YiB1q“So to Pandrein? Aint and Valoshi are going there too, right? And Flauros will be summoned exactly in that place.”AFYyB
PxIvMm“No. I’m leaving that to Aint. We’re going in the opposite direction.”Wvq
7fJm4“Opposite?”umhw
8ILkHBV“Yes.”FusATu8
R2mwR“Are you all ready?”zzblO8
nUdThe one who entered through the door was Luina Bercheff.lpVS
z9L“We’re heading north.”cy2
4P8To meet the Count of Bercheff.QSrZ6p
m92C8And to search for clues about the monsters lurking in that region.xDQ1Soa
EL0qB“But Fernan, why the rush? You haven’t even rested from the tournament…”j3UUmU
2n7SRnQ“Because some very annoying guy is clinging to me. To shake him off, I need to put some distance between us.”SU3n1
Rs3TD“Annoying? Ah, I heard the rumor. Professor Harcon from Golem Magic got obsessed with you… haha, no, never mind.”4jrlj5
Ho9j7Under Fernan’s cold stare, Gismond shut his mouth.4BZ
Sv4Hy“Let’s go already.”l8rg8Jv
tXLEThus began the winter break.1QuJet
1twoL***PdGu
OTRFlash—QhBOc7
4pl9eThe teleportation circle lit up intensely, and the world flipped upside down.JmIOh
ygHWhen he opened his eyes again, a biting cold prickled his skin.0KY2q6
QqbH“Miss!”OQiPG
8kz5afDFernan, Luina, Gismond, Hyde, and even Luina’s nanny.H6jFaa7
aqIthpKThe five of them found themselves surrounded by the mages of Bercheff.RNMyw6
02YDLGm“Welcome back!”ziD8wr
s3dlThe mages bowed their heads. Luina nodded calmly.bWgFQ8
NJ6“Where is my father?”gpqVL7i
mCsHZY“He’s waiting in his study. He ordered the others to be taken to their rooms first.”kj8iW
Juo0“So be it.”yHUfrT
HD9T“Yes, miss!”ep8
Pr65Luina followed the knights elsewhere, while the others were guided to rooms inside the lord’s castle.on3
dzn“Please rest well.”5ES
9LfsFernan entered the room assigned to him and closed the door. Then he sat down in a chair and spoke.Pny03v
ryrrYL“It’s an honor to see you again, my lord.”dlnJ
MQu“It’s been a while… though I can’t say I’m as pleased as I should be.”7sSwu
V4vsoThere was a guest inside the room. Rather, not a guest, but the owner of the place.W51R
iV6WBrown hair, a massive build, a face and body covered in scars, and a natural aura of pressure that demanded respect.zIcv
RLmutdThe blue eyes—identical to Luina’s—seemed to pierce through everything.elJ
RXoPBgKHe was Albinos Bercheff, the Marquess and guardian of the northern frontier.EkqxabE
XTZw“Shouldn’t you be with Luina right now?”iAndJd
E9nguxQ“Reuniting with my daughter can wait until after I speak with you.”ECSH84
6GDtAHN“I heard you wished to see me, but I didn’t imagine it was this important.”MOYLSy
xUC“Don’t use that sharp tongue of yours. I have matters to discuss with you.”7hZk
6iWAAR“I’m listening attentively.”LzlA
n4JTThe count stared at him for a while and then began to speak slowly, with an unexpected opening.QhxdZuT
DXO“I’ve always considered my life a battlefield. I was born in war and fought day after day. But more than a complaint, I saw it as our pride.”gYgOFd
PASejZHThe north was never purely human territory.wMKA5
Fu4FDThe weak were expelled and eliminated. The monsters pushed out of the Demon Territory always ended up in human lands.AIt9D0x
gLwRqvAnd to them, humans were the weakest link.1DS
ooj“A mistake on their part. In the last thousand years, Bercheff has never fallen.”oCbxx7
nKOSGFor centuries, Bercheff had endured there, turning it into human land.qyOc0Up
hpG1tbaBut the wave a few decades ago was different.gXx
likK2“There had never been a hell like that. The walls crumbled, corpses piled up, cities collapsed, and human domains were wiped off the map. Screams and rivers of blood everywhere, and I—unable to protect anything.”N40
aLpHe lost his father, lost his brothers and sisters. Lost the wealth and territory the family had built, lost vassals who were like family.DioVLeX
pypDEveryone said Bercheff was finished. That there was no hope.mgP
Bp2“And even so, we endured. Where there’s a beginning, there’s an end. After a long battle, we expelled the monsters and reclaimed what was ours.”RLvxV
wLxOBut to declare victory, what they had lost was far too much.DsZ
SPRde“Only by restoring the territory did I feel I could stand before my father’s grave with pride. Tell him I had at least accomplished that—rebuilding our land.”lBRfWs
yVE“……”APq6
75J8“To do that, I needed money. A lot of money. And that’s when I turned to your family.”UHNJb1
sdXnRM“I know.”ydCE
mdpuw“We’ve lived under the same roof for a thousand years. I didn’t expect generosity without price, but I did trust there’d be no deceit. Yet when I asked for money, they told me to tear out my house’s pillars and sell them.”35C
tQr“The amount demanded it.”2kk56h
zQtMrPellenberg wasn’t a charity. At that time, Bercheff was a ruin on the verge of collapse, and they couldn’t lend without collateral.MoD
wl0“It was a lot of money, yes. I knew that. When a bowl breaks, you don’t just fill the bowl—you have to fill even the ground beneath it. How much water do you think that takes?”Pjg
Ti7zecwWith reason, he understood. With heart, he didn’t.UxP
TplmHj“They could have asked for land, rights—anything.”Jca6y
5nc“My grandfather believed there was nothing of value left in a devastated Bercheff.”52Hwd
mh6kgPk“I know. I would’ve thought the same. So in the end, I sold the very foundations of my house.”vjBN
3GD2A9And thus, the rights to the Golden Bull passed to Fridien.LW6KQP
uWsTx4f“Even that wasn’t enough. We caught our breath, found stability, but real reconstruction needed more funds.”V2KFmk
EOdu“That’s why you came back to the Pellenbergs.”UFbpqq
Q8Llll“Yes. I thought this time would be different. But then they asked for the heart.”Gbrqic
TrxUIh“Isn’t that the same story again?”JVtxM
15q“No. I don’t blame the merchant who demands fair payment. But at the very least, they shouldn’t have cheated us.”Lk2Jy
CTWzAnd the marquess was right—the second situation wasn’t like the first.8s3
MZexJ1iWithout asking for a heart, arms and legs would have sufficed as collateral to get money.gu1nwcG
xv4But those who wanted the heart made sure no one else would settle for less.2HuSJH
01KGeef“And then you suddenly changed your attitude.”Kn44S
xalPp“Because the situation had changed. The corrupt ones, the demons—they will begin to move.”JtUlKt
DxICN“Demons? Even to demons, you Pellenbergs sell goods. Sacrificing yourselves for the greater good? Don’t make me laugh.”yUAncq
4ECwThe marquess leaned forward. Just that motion made Fernan feel like the air had been knocked from his lungs.Cfd
tOOs“Look me in the eyes and tell me the truth.”crPh
KKcCEHe growled.OeRfMVb
HbTk“What’s your true intention?”eDEFe
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