A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 12

Chapter 12

An⁠‌ unexpected twist in‌‍ the joint training‌ session between the‌ Second-Year Department of‌‍ Knights and the‍ Department of Magic.‍

Contrary‌ to expectations, the⁠‍⁠ first-place winners were⁠‌ Luina Bercheff, second‌⁠ in the Department⁠‌ of Knights, and‍⁠‌ Fernan Pellenberg, tenth‌ in the Department⁠‍‌ of Magic.

“Fernan‌ Pellenberg, who defeated⁠ the pair Carlo⁠⁠ Deneb and Alia‌⁠ Torta and confined‌‌ ten students for⁠ about five minutes.‌‍⁠ Has he been‌⁠ hiding his power all this time?”‍

How did Luina Bercheff‍‌‌ and Fernan Pellenberg‍ end up as‍ a pair?

The‍⁠‌ joint training between⁠‌‌ the Department of Knights and the⁠ Department of Magic⁠ wasn’t just a second-year matter—it became‌ a major issue‍ throughout the entire⁠‍ academy.

Aint⁠‌ let out a sigh of admiration‍ as he flipped through the daily⁠ newspaper.

“As‌⁠ expected, Pellenberg is⁠ Pellenberg. And Luina⁠ Bercheff, even though⁠‌‌ she lost the‌⁠ rights to the⁠ Golden Decree, is⁠‍ still a Bercheff.”‌

— Hmm. That rich⁠ kid really pulled⁠⁠ off a great⁠⁠ result.

“Or⁠ maybe it’s thanks‍ to the Bercheff‌⁠ lineage.”

— The world’s going‌‍‍ to hell when‍ the status of‌ nouveau riche rises‌⁠ and the Bercheff‍ family teeters on‌ the brink of‍‍ ruin.

The ego inside the⁠⁠ sword, Alfenparsen, clicked‍ his tongue in⁠ disgust.

“You⁠‌ don’t like Pellenberg,‌ but you seem‌‌ to prefer Bercheff.”‍‍

— Don’t compare those⁠ two families. The head of the⁠⁠ Bercheff family was the only knight‍⁠ who could stand‌ on the battlefield‍‍‌ alongside the former‌ Emperor… and me.⁠‍⁠

— I still fondly⁠ remember the days⁠‍⁠ we rode into‌ battle together, cutting‌ down demon heads.

The⁠⁠ nostalgic tone of‍ the ego hardened‍ again.

— Compared to that,‍‌ the Pellenbergs are…!‍⁠

— Don’t compare them‍ again. It’s an‌‌‌ insult to Bercheff.‌

“But‌‌ right now, it’s‍‍ Pellenberg getting all⁠⁠ the credit. Even⁠‍‍ Bercheff owes him‌ a huge debt.”⁠⁠

— That’s why this world is doomed.‌‍

— A noble house‌ of heroes is⁠ trampled while vulgar‍‍ upstarts float skyward‍⁠ on fame.

— If I didn’t need military funds,‌ I’d have taken care of them⁠ myself… Wait a minute.

The⁠‍⁠ sword trembled faintly‌⁠ in Aint’s hand.⁠

“That’s‌⁠ it.”

“Huh?‌ What do you‍‍ mean, that’s it‍ all of a sudden?”

— That Fernan or‍⁠‍ Bernan guy said‌ it, didn’t he? That you could‌‌‍ come to him‌‍ anytime if you needed something.

“…Senior‌ Fernan never said‍⁠‍ that.”

In‌‍‍ fact, he had‍‌ approached Aint, but‍‍ only to waste⁠⁠ time with meaningless⁠‍ conversation.

— He didn’t say‍‍ it? Even if‌‌‍ it wasn’t explicit, being kind and‍ making an effort⁠ to talk… that’s‌ how those types⁠ operate.

— And besides, your‍‌⁠ gear sucks, so‌ go ask him‍⁠ for some money.‌‌

“…What?”

— Why are you‍⁠‌ so surprised?

— You agreed we’d make that guy‌ your lord, didn’t‌⁠ you?

“But‍⁠ wouldn’t it be‍‌ weird to suddenly ask out of⁠ nowhere?”

— Out of nowhere?⁠ This is exactly‍ what he’s expecting.‌‌⁠

— I guarantee it.‌‍ He’ll give you‍⁠‍ the money like⁠ he’s been waiting⁠‍ for the chance.

The sword flashed a confident smile.

— Sure, they’ll try‌ to charge you‌⁠ interest later, but‍ who cares? Once⁠‍⁠ the demons come‌ back, they’ll be‌ the ones clinging‌ to your leg,‍ begging for help.

“…Demons.”‍‍

At‍⁠ that word, Aint’s‍ expression hardened.

“Honestly,⁠‍‍ I still have‌‌‍ a hard time⁠⁠ believing it. Are‌ demons really coming⁠ back?”

— Yes.

The sword confirmed it.⁠⁠

— The former Emperor‍⁠ turned me into⁠‍ the ego of‌‍‍ a sword because‌⁠ he foresaw the‍ return of demons‌‍ and wanted to‌ prepare for the‍‍⁠ worst. The fact‍ that I’ve awakened means his prophecy‌ is coming true.‍‌

“…Mmm.”‌

— Don’t worry. You’ll defeat the demons⁠‍ and save the world. Because you⁠‍‌ will.

“…Yeah.”⁠

— First, go squeeze‌ that rich kid⁠⁠‍ for some gear.‍ It’s the least they can do⁠‍ for a hero‌‍ destined to save⁠‌ the world.

The‌⁠ voice that had‍‍ once been solemn‌‍ quickly turned frivolous again.

I felt a bit⁠‌ lost as to‍‌‍ which version of‍ Gardner was the‌ real one.

“…But‍ won’t this draw‍⁠‍ Schwaben’s attention?”

— That’s exactly why‌⁠ you should do⁠‍ it. Don’t you⁠ want to know⁠‌ why he approached‌ you even with‍ Schwaben nearby? If‍‌‌ I’m not mistaken,‌ that guy will definitely help you.‌‍ Not openly, because‍‌ of all the‌‌ eyes watching, but he’ll help all‌ the same.

The‌ sword said it‌‌ with certainty. And⁠‌ that confidence was…‌

***‍

“…Sorry,⁠ but young master‌ Fernan said he‌‍ can’t meet with⁠‌ you.”

“…What?”‍‍

…It‌ was instantly devastating‌ when an employee‌‍ at the shop‍ where they had⁠ once secretly met‍ coldly turned him‌‍‍ away.

The⁠‌ balance of power‍ had shifted.

Fernan‌‍ Pellenberg had drawn⁠ attention ever since‍⁠ he first enrolled.‌

But‍ that was a very different kind of attention from‌‍ what he received⁠⁠⁠ now. Back then,‍ it was all‌⁠ about the prestige⁠‌ of the Pellenberg‌‌ Family and the‍⁠ expectations that came with it.

There⁠⁠ had been no⁠‍ genuine hope or‍‌ applause specifically for Fernan.

Even⁠‍‌ ranking tenth was‍⁠⁠ considered the bare‍ minimum for a Pellenberg. In fact, ranking tenth earned‌ him a reputation‌ as a run-of-the-mill‌‌‌ guy.

That perception flipped overnight.‌‌

It‍⁠ was thanks to⁠ his pairing with‌‍ Luina, and even⁠⁠ though they’d only‍‌ taken first place⁠ once, the performance‍‌ was unlike anything anyone had ever‍ seen from him.‌

“You‌⁠‍ must be pleased.”‍

“It’s⁠⁠ just a fleeting‍ flash.”

For‌ now, people might⁠ treat him like‌‍ an exceptional talent,‌ but they’d lose‌‍ interest just as⁠⁠ quickly. If he⁠ had even one‍ poor showing, everything‌ would collapse faster⁠‌ than it rose.‍

That’s‍ why Fernan paid‍ little attention to‍⁠‌ the cheers surrounding him. Because that‍ wasn’t what mattered.⁠‍‌

“You’re‌ the one who‍ was happy to‌ be first for the first time,‍‍⁠ weren’t you?”

He thought so. But‌ now… not anymore.

Luina shook her head.

“You‌ finally beat Almon,⁠ didn’t you?”

It‌ wasn’t a midterm‌ or a final.⁠ It was just‍‌‌ a practical session.‍‌

That⁠ same session Rosalia⁠‌ said would count‍⁠‌ for bonus points,‍⁠ second only to‌ midterms and finals.⁠⁠ A graduate might‍⁠ lie, but Professor Rosalia wouldn’t.

This‍ time, she nodded‌‌⁠ slightly, but her‍⁠‌ resolute gaze didn’t‌ waver.

It was just one‍‌ victory. You caught‌ me off guard,⁠ but who knows what’ll happen from‌ now on. I need to grit⁠ my teeth and‌ keep winning.

“You’re⁠⁠⁠ really rigid and⁠⁠ textbook.”

“I’m‌⁠ just speaking by‍‌ the book.”

Taking⁠ a sip of⁠‌⁠ tea, he changed⁠‍ the subject.

“So,⁠‍‍ why did you‌ call me this time?”

“At‍‍ the academy, if‌‍⁠ you get good⁠‌‍ grades, they give you a scholarship.”‍

“…Are‌‌ you saying you’re‌‍ giving me something⁠⁠‌ because we placed⁠‍ first?”

You?⁠‍‌ Luina’s face twisted‌ slightly.

“I’m⁠ your sponsor, after‌⁠ all.”

“I‍ don’t need it.”‍

“You‌⁠⁠ will. And giving‌ something is my‌ decision.”

‘I‍⁠‌ already got gear⁠‌ once and almost‌‍ raised suspicion among‍ my friends. A second time…’

“Take‍ it.”

Fernan⁠ didn’t even wait⁠‌ for her full protest before pulling‌‌ out a small⁠⁠ box.

“…What’s⁠‌‌ this?”

“I‌ noticed you haven’t‌ taken the mandrake root yet.”

“I’m⁠⁠ still preparing for⁠ it.”

The‍ mana stored in‍⁠ a mandrake root⁠‌‍ was so immense⁠‍‌ that it couldn’t‌ be consumed carelessly.‍ It wasn’t the‍‍ kind of elixir‌ you could just‍ take on a whim.

“Well,‍‍ I was wrong.‌‍‍ I assumed that‌ preparation would be⁠ easy, but I was thinking by‌ my own standards.”‍

In‍⁠ the Pellenberg family,⁠ no matter what‌ was attempted, the‌ preparations were always‌ in place. But‌ Bercheff, just starting⁠ to recover from⁠⁠‍ collapse, couldn’t afford⁠‌ such luxuries.

“…”

Luina‍‍ fell silent and‍⁠‍ stared at Fernan as he pointed‍‌ out that painful⁠ truth.

“I‍‌‌ didn’t mean to offend you. If⁠‌ I did, I apologize.”

“You don’t sound the‌ least bit sorry.”

“It‍‌ doesn’t matter. What⁠‍ counts is that‌‌ I said it‍ out loud.”

Click.‍‍⁠ Fernan opened the⁠ box. Inside were⁠ five different vials.‍

“What‌ are those?”

“One‌⁠‍ for a mana⁠⁠ control circle. One‌ to strengthen your‌ mana path. One‍‌⁠ to enhance your‍ mental fortitude. One⁠ to boost the⁠‌ mandrake’s effectiveness. And‍ one to neutralize‍ its toxicity.”

It‌‍ was a complete set of supplements⁠‍ to safely consume‌⁠ the mandrake root.⁠

“They’re‍ all top-quality—truly priceless.⁠⁠ So what? Don’t⁠‍ need them?”

“…Yeah.”

Fernan‌‌‌ smiled, and Luina‌⁠ murmured in a voice barely above‍‌‍ a whisper.

“I’ll‍ repay this debt,⁠ no matter what.”‍

“No⁠‌ need. A sponsor⁠ shouldn’t expect anything‌‍‌ in return, right?”‌

“Most‍⁠ do, as far‍ as I know.”‍

“And‍⁠ you really believe⁠ I’m spending all‌‍ this money and expecting nothing in‌⁠⁠ return?”

“So‍‍ you won’t accept⁠‌⁠ it?”

“…Thanks.‌‌ Someday, I…”

***⁠

After parting with Luina,⁠‌ Fernan returned to⁠ the Ravidus Pavilion.⁠ The meeting had‌‌ gone better than‍ expected. He didn’t mind it at⁠⁠‍ all.

“I’ve‌⁠ fastened the top⁠‍ button. Time to move on to‌ the next.”

“But‌⁠ haven’t you already‍‍ buttoned the whole‍ coat?”

A servant who had‍‌ entered at just‌ the right moment‍‍ asked.

“I⁠ wasn’t talking to⁠ you.”

“We’re‌⁠ alone and I heard everything, but if you say⁠⁠⁠ so, I’ll believe‍ it.”

At‍‍ the servant’s blank‌ response, Fernan hesitated.‍⁠ Should he tell‍ him?

About‍ the end of‌‍ the world. About Aint Armian, the‍ prophecy’s protagonist. About‌ the terrifying future of his downfall.⁠‍‍

His‌ servant, Hyde, had⁠‍ been with him‍‍‌ since childhood. Aside⁠‍‌ from his family,‍‍ there was no⁠ one Fernan trusted⁠⁠⁠ more.

He was Fernan’s hands⁠ and feet, and⁠‍‍ the perfect aide⁠‍ in preparing for‌‌ the end.

“Hyde.”‌⁠‌

“Yes,‌ young master?”

“…No,⁠‌⁠ never mind.”

Still,‍‍ Fernan couldn’t bring‍ himself to say‌‍‍ it yet. Because‌ if their roles were reversed, Fernan‍⁠ knew he wouldn’t believe it either.⁠

‘I’ll‍‌ tell him when‌‌ I have definitive‌ proof.’

That‍ was Fernan’s typical⁠⁠ approach.

Appealing‍ to emotions wasn’t‌‌ his style (and⁠‌ besides, he didn’t‍ feel confident doing‌ it).

“Anyway, what is it?”⁠

“Ah,⁠ a visitor has⁠‌ arrived.”

“A visitor?”

“Yes.‌ He said his⁠‍⁠ name is Aint⁠‍ Armian.”

“…Where⁠‍ is he now?”‍

“At⁠‍‍ the shop where‌ you met him‍‍ before. What should I do?”

“Hold‍‌‌ on.”

He⁠ came first? That‌ was unexpected.

He‍ thought the bait⁠ hadn’t worked, but⁠⁠ apparently, it had.‌⁠

“Why‍‌‍ do you think‌‍‍ Aint Armian asked‌‍ to see me?”‌

“Because‌ you left the‌⁠ door open.”

“And⁠‌ the reason?”

“Many⁠ knock on the‌ Pellenberg Family’s door,‍ but their motives‌ are always the⁠‍‍ same.”

Money. Whether it was⁠ sponsorship, help, or‍⁠ a loan, it‌ all boiled down‌‌⁠ to the same‌ thing.

“Exactly.‍ That’s what I thought.”

Fernan‍⁠ nodded.

Once‌‌‌ you understood someone’s⁠‌ intentions, it was‌‌ easier to deal‍ with them.

“You should be careful.”‍‌‌

“Careful?”⁠

“We‌ don’t know how‍‍‌ the imperial family‍ will react. The‍‌‌ current one is⁠ nothing like the‌ last, but still, this would be‍‌ a thorn in‌‍ their side.”

“I‌ know.”

Still,‌⁠ he had to create and maintain‌‍ the connection. Because⁠⁠ Fernan had seen⁠‌ what kind of⁠‍ hero Aint Armian‍⁠ would become one‍⁠ day.

“For‍‍ now, reject the‌‍‌ meeting.”

“Should‍‍⁠ I send someone‍‌ discreetly?”

“Yes.”‍⁠⁠

“I’ll‍ use the person‍ we prepared for⁠ this kind of‍‍ situation. Could you‍⁠ write a letter?”‍

Fernan⁠ shook his head.⁠⁠ Their relationship wasn’t⁠ sentimental enough for⁠ letters.

“Send⁠ him an elixir.”‍‍

“Not‍ money?”

“No.‌‌ He probably tried‌‍ to be discreet, but the academy‌‍‍ has too many⁠⁠⁠ eyes. If he⁠ sees me and‍‌ ends up with⁠ new gear…”

To⁠⁠⁠ anyone, it would‍‍ look suspicious.

“Then⁠‌‌ I’ll prepare a suitable elixir.”

“No.”⁠

He‌‌ recalled the future‍ he had seen.⁠⁠

Andromalius.‍‍

Just⁠‌ thinking about that‍‍ terrifying figure sent‍‍‌ chills down his‍ spine.

Fernan‌⁠ had no intention‍ of facing it‍‍ himself. That was Aint’s role from the beginning.

If my involvement causes⁠ changes to the⁠⁠‌ future, the best way to reduce‌ variables is to‌‍ help now while⁠‌ I still can.‍

It‍ was a bit⁠ extravagant, sure, but⁠ better that than‍ the extinction of‍ humanity.

“Go‌‍⁠ yourself and raid‌‍ the family vault.”

Fernan‍ gave the order⁠ firmly.

***‍

That⁠ night, Aint returned‍⁠ to his dorm,‍ grumbling about Gardner,‍‍ only to freeze in shock when‍ he saw the‌ small box on‌ his bed.

— I told you!⁠‌

— What did I say?!

“There’s no proof this⁠ is from senior‌⁠‍ Fernan…”

When‌ he opened the‌⁠‍ box and examined the contents, Aint’s‍‍ hands trembled, and‍ he dropped it without realizing.

— The Heart of‌ a Holy Bird?! Are they insane?⁠⁠ How did they‌ get this?!

It⁠‌‌ was the heart‍‌ of a sacred‍⁠⁠ bird that held‌⁠ the power of⁠ light. Perfectly compatible‌⁠ with Armian swordsmanship,‍ which was based on light.

— Yeah, classic rich people nonsense. Now⁠‌‍ tell me, who else but those flashy, loaded types‍ would wrap up‌‌ an insanely expensive‍‌ elixir like this‌‍⁠ and leave it‍ on your bed?‍ Seriously, does that‌ even make any‍‍ logical sense?

“I can’t even deny‍‍‍ it. But this‌‌ isn’t the gear I asked for.”⁠⁠‍

— Exactly. Proof that‍‍ they’re worried about‌⁠ being watched by⁠ usurpers.

Gardner’s⁠ smug smile was⁠‍ the cherry on‌‍‌ top.