A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 13

Chapter 13

“Magical‌⁠ Survival Skills”, “Combat,⁠‍⁠ War, and Magic”,‍‌ and “Study of⁠⁠ Beasts and Demonic‌ Monsters.”

These‌‌ three courses formed‌⁠ the foundation during‍ the first year‌ and, from the⁠ second year onward,‌⁠ were held regularly—no,⁠⁠‌ always—as joint lectures‍‌ with the Knight‍ Department.

They⁠ were also subjects‌ that prioritized practical‍ training over theory.‌⁠

The‌⁠ Knight Department course,‍‍⁠ “Practical War and‍ Combat,” was in‌ the same vein‍⁠ as those three‍‌‌ magic classes.

“The time has come.”⁠

It‍ had already been⁠ a month since‌ Fernan and Luina‍‌‌ tied for first‍‌ place in their‍‍‍ first joint class.‌⁠

Although there had been‌ no major incidents⁠ during that time,⁠ for Fernan, the‍ peace felt like⁠ the calm before the storm.

“Another⁠ anomaly will occur‍⁠ during today’s training.”‌⁠

It‍‌⁠ was a clearly⁠ established passage in⁠ the Book of‍ Prophecies.

Today’s‍ goal was to⁠ witness that event‍‍ firsthand and, more importantly, to observe Berian Kalburdern, who,⁠‌ starting from this‍ incident, would begin‌‌ his descent into‍ becoming a puppet‌‌ of the devil.‍

With⁠ the plan organized,⁠ Fernan called his⁠⁠ assistant.

“Hyde.⁠ You’ve distributed the‍‌‍ money, right?”

“Of⁠ course.”

“Let’s‌‌ go.”

“Yes,‌ sir.”

Fernan‍‍ threw a cloak over his shoulders.⁠

“Winner‌ Aint Armian!”

It was quite an‌‌ entertaining sight.

Watching‌ how the future⁠⁠ foretold in the‍⁠ Book of Prophecies⁠ unfolded exactly as⁠‍⁠ written.

“My‍‍ God, he won!”⁠

“Aint⁠ beat Verian?”

“No‌ way! How?!”

“He‍⁠ was ranked 38th⁠ at enrollment, right?‍ How’s that possible⁠ after just a month or two?”‌‌‌

It‌⁠ was a delight‍‌‌ to see people‍‍ react so dramatically‌⁠‍ to a future⁠‌‌ that, for most,⁠⁠ was entirely unexpected.⁠⁠

It‌‍ gave Fernan a subtle sense of⁠ superiority, of knowing‌‌ something no one‍ else did.

“I‍‌‍ could really get‌ addicted to this.”‍‍

It‍‍ seemed like it‌ could become quite‌ a pleasant hobby.‌

Fernan‍ rested his chin‍ on his hand⁠ and calmly reviewed‌‍ in his mind‍ the battle between‌⁠ Verian and Aint.⁠

“It‍⁠ wasn’t exactly as‍ the prophecy described.”‍

He‌⁠ couldn’t say Aint⁠‍ had easily beaten⁠ Verian. But neither⁠ was the fight‌ as close as‍ the prophecy had‌⁠ hinted.

“Was‍‌ it thanks to‍ the elixir?”

He could clearly feel that Aint’s energy‌⁠ had increased.

While⁠ Verian excelled in‍ swordsmanship, Aint had‍ simply overwhelmed him‍⁠ with his aura.⁠‌

And‌ it certainly wasn’t as if Fernan’s‍‌⁠ efforts had nothing‌ to do with‌ it.
A satisfied smile⁠ formed on his lips.

“My‌⁠ actions may be‍ small, but the⁠ future changes.”

He had already confirmed⁠‍ this once, with‍‍ the incident involving‍ Carlo.

Seeing it again brought⁠ an involuntary smile.‌‌

It‌ was that feeling—that‌ he could really‍‌‍ change a bleak‌ future with his⁠ own hands—that gave⁠ him confidence.

“Was‍ it thanks to‌ the elixir?”

“Well,⁠ it certainly played‍⁠ a role.”

“Then‌‍ are you saying‌‌ Aint would have⁠⁠‌ won even without⁠‌ it?”

“That’s‌⁠‍ something no one‌ can know.”

Fernan‌‌ shrugged and lightly‍ tapped the armrest⁠‍‌ with his finger.⁠

Now‍‌ his gaze wasn’t‌⁠ fixed on the‍‍‍ victor, but on‌⁠ the loser—Verian Kalburdern.

The⁠ rising star of‍‍ the aristocracy.

Heir‌ to the House of Kalburdern, a powerful marquess family.‍

Honestly,‌ at first, it⁠‍ seemed strange to‍ him—no matter how‌ shocking it was,‍‍ why would someone⁠ turn to the‌‌ path of demons‍‍ after a single‌⁠ defeat?

But⁠⁠‍ once you understood‌‌ the inner workings⁠⁠ of the Kalburdern⁠ family, it no‍‌ longer seemed so‍ strange.

“Hyde.”‌

“Yes,⁠‍ young master?”

“Is‌ Kalburdern still meeting‍‍ frequently with other⁠‍‍ nobles these days?”⁠‍

“Yes.‍ In fact, his⁠‌‌ already active political⁠ engagements have only increased since Fridian‌ gained the authority‍‌ of the Golden‌ Decree.”

Elector‌‍ Prince.

One⁠‌ of the only‍ seven in the‍ Empire.

Those‍‌⁠ glorious few who‌⁠ had the authority‍‌ to choose the‍‍‍ next Emperor.

Originally, they were the‍ founding heroes of⁠ the Empire.

The‍ royal Armian family,‌ the root of‍ the Empire, and‌‌⁠ the descendants of‌⁠ the five kingdoms‍ and the church‍ united by the⁠‌ First Emperor.

To⁠ the Empire, the‍‍ Elector Princes were‍⁠ towering pillars—fortresses no‌ one dared challenge.‌

And‍ yet, for the‍⁠ first time, one‍‌‌ of those pillars⁠‍⁠ had collapsed, and‍⁠ a new one‍⁠⁠ had risen in⁠⁠ its place.

“Those‍ who think there’s‌⁠ not much difference‌⁠ between them and‍ the new pillar must feel it’s‍ a missed opportunity.”‌

They‌ would think, and‍⁠⁠ keep thinking, that‍⁠ it should’ve been‌ their seat.

And‍‍ they would begin‍⁠ to derive new⁠⁠‍ possibilities from that‌ thought.

“If⁠‍ it was possible‌ once, why not⁠⁠ again?” would be‌ their conclusion.

And⁠‌‍ in that process, Schwaben’s and Kalburdern’s interests aligned.

For‍⁠ Schwaben, the old⁠ royal family was⁠⁠ a thorn in‌ the eye.

And‍ for Kalburdern, the⁠ old royal family—now⁠ the weakest of⁠ the Seven Pillars—was‌⁠‍ an easy target.⁠⁠

Their‌‌‍ alliance was the‌⁠ most natural outcome.⁠⁠

Thus,⁠ what appeared on‍⁠ the surface to⁠‌ be a simple⁠ student duel was,‍‍ underneath, a war‌ between Kalburdern and‍‌‍ Schwaben aimed at toppling Armian.

And⁠‍ Kalburdern lost.

“…This‌‌ can’t be happening.”‌‍

While⁠ everyone else cheered or gasped at‌ the shocking outcome,⁠ Verian Kalburdern bowed‌ his head, drowning‌‍ in solitude among‍⁠ the crowd.

Incredibly,‌‍⁠ no one paid⁠⁠ him any attention.‌⁠

‘If‍ I lose to⁠⁠ Aint and the‌ prophecy comes true⁠‍ as written… will‍ I end up‍‍ like this? Forgotten⁠‍‍ by the protagonist‌ recognized by the‍⁠ world?’

The⁠ dreadful thought made‍ Fernan stifle a groan.

“…It’s‌ quite curious, though.”‍‌

“What‍ is?”

“Aint‍⁠ Armian causes an‌‌⁠ anomaly every time you attend, young‌ master.”

The‍ assistant’s eyes grew‍‌ suspicious.

“It’s⁠‌ just a coincidence.”‌

Fernan‌‍ dismissed it casually,‍‌ but in truth,‌‍ it was intentional.‌‍ There was a reason he brought Hyde to these visits. Later, when‌ the Book of‍ Prophecies was revealed,⁠ it would serve as breadcrumbs to⁠ make the story⁠‍ more believable.

“For‌ now, I’ll take‌ your word for‍ it.”

“Hyde.”‍

“Yes?”‍

“Keep‍ an eye on Verian.”

“You‌ mean Verian Kalburdern?”

The‌‍‍ Book of Prophecies‌ often skipped time.‍ Between Verian’s defeat,⁠ his humiliation by Ludger, and his‍ next duel with‍‍ Aint during the‌⁠ midterm elections, there⁠ was an interval‌ of about two⁠‍ weeks.

But‌‍ it never mentioned‍‌‌ how, or exactly‌‌‍ when, Verian made‌ contact with the devil and gained⁠⁠‍ power.

It⁠‍ happened suddenly, two‌ weeks later.

For‌⁠ Fernan—who valued not⁠ just results but‍ the process and‌ the evidence gathered‍‌‌ along the way—this⁠‌ omission was frustrating.‍⁠

The⁠‌ result needed no‌⁠⁠ elaboration—after all, it‌ was already decided.‍‍ Aint Armian would‍‌ stop him.

“Yes.‍ Watch where he‌⁠ goes…”

Where Verian met the‌ demon.

“Who‌⁠‌ he meets—”

How‌ the encounter happened.‍‌

“What‍ conversations he has—”⁠

How‍ the devil tempted‌‍ him.

Everything.‍‌ Down to the⁠ last detail.

“You‍‌ want me to‍‌ tail the heir‍ of Kalburdern?”

“As‌‌ long as you⁠‌ don’t get caught.‌ Are you saying‍‌ you can’t?”

“I‌‌ never said that.‌‌ Yes, I understand. Until when should‌‍⁠ I continue?”

“Until⁠‌‌ I say stop.”‌‍

“Yes,⁠ young master.”

After that, Fernan turned‍‍ his attention to⁠ Aint’s allies mentioned‍ in the prophecy.⁠

Valoshi‍‍ Bienderk and Varus‌‍‍ Dene.

“He sure has an‌ amazing partner—the heir⁠‍ of Bienderk, head‌⁠ of the Knight‌ Department, and disciple⁠ of the Mercenary‍⁠ King, third in⁠‍ the rankings.”

They⁠ were the kind‍‍ of people who‌ would be strong‍‍‍ supporters even outside⁠ the academy.

Fernan‍ thought: ‘So this is the protagonist⁠ of the prophecy.’‌ But on the‌‌ other hand, maybe‍ that level of‌ support was necessary‌ to withstand the‌‍ resurgence of demons.‍‍

Valoshi‌⁠‍ and Varus lived‍ up to their⁠⁠ reputations and won their matches. Along‌ with Aint, they‌‌ congratulated each other⁠ on their victories.‍⁠

“Bienderk⁠‌ and Armian are‌‌‍ friends? Is… is‌ that allowed?”

“They’ll‍⁠ sort it out‌ themselves.”

Fernan⁠‌ shrugged, but his‍‍ gaze once again‍‌ settled on Verian.‍‍

He‍‌ was clenching his teeth as he‌‌ looked back and forth between Valoshi‌⁠ and Aint.

‘Ah…‍ now that I think about it…’‍

Verian⁠ had been desperate‍ to connect with⁠‍ Valoshi. And yet,⁠⁠ the one who⁠‍ drew him wasn’t‌‌ him, but Aint.‍⁠‍

That‌⁠ too probably played‍ a role in pushing Verian to⁠‌‍ make a deal‌‍‍ with the devil.⁠⁠

‘The world is practically shoving him into⁠⁠ the demon’s arms.’‍⁠‌

Having‌ confirmed everything he‌⁠ needed, Fernan rose⁠ from his seat.‍‍‍

“…”‍

Anomalies‍⁠ always spread faster⁠ than typical rumors.‍⁠‌

The‌‌‌ news that Aint⁠⁠‌ Armian had defeated‍ Verian Kalburdern quickly‍ spread throughout the‌ academy.

***‌⁠‌

“I‍⁠⁠ have nothing to‌ apologize for. My‍ expectations were simply‌‍ too high. For⁠‌ now, take some time to recover,‌‍⁠ both physically and‌‌ mentally. We’ll speak again if the‌‍ opportunity arises.”

“This‌‍ can’t be happening.”‍

Verian,‌‍⁠ who had just⁠‌ returned from his‌ meeting with Prince‍⁠⁠ Ludger, swallowed hard.‍

He‌‌ knew. He knew‍ how absurd this‍‌ defeat was.

Setting⁠‌ aside the fact‌‌‍ that it was‍ Armian—how could the student ranked second lose to someone⁠ who was ranked⁠ 38th at admission?‌ Even if Anton,⁠⁠ who was ranked⁠‌ 10th, had lost‌⁠ earlier, the gap‌ between second and⁠ tenth was still⁠ significant.

‘…Damn it.’

This⁠ incident wasn’t going to cause major‍ problems.

Schwaben‌‌ and Kalburdern still‍ had many cards‌ to play to‌ bring down Armian. Verian was just‍ the first sword⁠‌ they had drawn.‌

Yes,‍ on a broader⁠ scale, it wasn’t‌ a fatal issue.‌‍

‘But‌‌ what about me…?’‌

He‍ hadn’t just failed‍ his family’s expectations—he‍⁠ had lost to‍ none other than‌ Armian himself.

The‍ Kalburdern Family and‌ Verian Kalburdern were two entirely separate‌ entities.

The⁠‍ real problem was‍‌ that the family already had someone‍⁠ else who could⁠ replace him.

He‌ wasn’t the only⁠‍ heir. He had‍⁠ a younger brother,⁠ and that kid’s⁠ talent was nothing⁠‍ to scoff at.‍

‘…That‍ bastard… dares to‌‍ eye my family…!’‌

And⁠⁠ his little brother‍‍ certainly wasn’t lacking‍⁠ in ambition.

If this incident was‍ the spark…

The⁠⁠‍ prince would be‍‌ disappointed. His father would be furious.‍⁠‌ It wasn’t a far-fetched situation—it was‍ entirely possible.

‘I⁠ have to win.⁠‌ There won’t be‌ a second chance⁠⁠ for me.’

The‍‌ cause of it⁠‌⁠ all was Aint‍⁠‌ Armian. This situation‍⁠ had started because he lost to⁠⁠ him. The best‌ way to fix‌⁠ it was to⁠ defeat Aint and⁠‌ regain his prestige‍‌ and honor.

‘My⁠⁠ swordsmanship was superior.’⁠‍‍

Even⁠‍ against Aint, whose‌ swordsmanship had barely‌‌ been honed through‍ live combat, Verian⁠ had a slight⁠ edge.

But‍ the problem was‍ his energy.

‘His⁠ aura is…’

It‍‌ was pure and‍⁠ dense. In a clash of auras,‌ Verian felt overwhelmed.⁠

‘How⁠ the hell…?’

He‍ had been raised‍‌ among the elite‌‌‍ with family support from a young age. Swordsmanship, etiquette,‍‍ education, and even‌‌ all kinds of‍‍ elixirs—he had it‌‌ all.

It⁠ made no sense‍ that Aint, heir‌ to a ruined‍‌ family, would possess⁠ more aura than‍‍ him.

And‍‌ yet, the result‌‍‌ was clear. And‍‍ now, Verian had‍‌ no choice but‍ to turn the⁠ situation around.

‘I⁠⁠ will…’

His‍‌ hand clenched tightly‍ around his sword’s‌⁠ hilt.

[Verian⁠ Kalburdern continues moving⁠⁠ between lectures, dormitories,‍ the city, and‌⁠ training fields, doing‌ nothing but swinging⁠‍ his sword.]

[He⁠‌ encounters other students and professors during‌‍‌ class, but engages‌ in no meaningful⁠ conversations.]

[In‌‌ the city, he‍‌‍ visits bookstores, grocery‌ stores, general stores,‍ and blacksmiths, buying‌⁠ or repairing things;⁠ so far, there’s‌ been no suspicious⁠‌‌ activity.]

[Since⁠ that day, there⁠‍ has been no‍⁠⁠ further contact with‍‍ Prince Ludger.]

[No‌‍‌ unusual developments so‌‍⁠ far. I will‍ continue to report‍⁠ periodically.]

***‌‌

After returning from lunch,‌‌ Fernan reviewed the‍ report on his⁠⁠ desk.

So⁠ far, no contact. Then how is⁠‍ it possible…?

Demons‍ were not ordinary‍⁠ beings.

A thousand years ago,‍⁠‍ they had been‌‌ completely eradicated by⁠ the founding Emperor of the Empire,‌‌‍ and every trace‍‌ of them was⁠ wiped out.

Information⁠ about demons had⁠ become taboo. Even‍ if someone wanted‍⁠⁠ to search for‌ them, it was‍ impossible.

“There’s‍ no way Verian⁠ would think of‌ demons on his‍‍ own.”

In⁠⁠ a thousand years,‌ humanity had erased⁠‍ the word “demon” from its collective⁠‌ memory. The idea‌ that Verian would‍ consider making a pact with one on his own was nearly impossible.⁠‍‌

‘Then‌‍ it must be…’

The‍ demons, still hiding‍ among humans, must‌‌‌ be the ones‍ approaching Verian first.

That’s⁠‌ why it was⁠ critical to monitor‌‌‍ Verian’s every move.⁠‌ It was a chance to trace‌ the presence of demons.

Two‌‍ weeks passed.

And curiously, nothing happened.‍‍

‘…This⁠‌ can’t be right.’⁠

Something⁠ should have happened.‌ It had to.‌⁠ It was supposed⁠‌‍ to.

“Impossible…⁠ Could it be⁠ false? Is the‍ most important part⁠⁠ of the prophecy—the‍ demon contract—a lie?”‌‌

There‍ were only two‌‌ days left until⁠‌‌ the Knight Department’s‍ midterms, when Aint‍ Armian was destined‌ to fight Verian⁠ Kalburdern, who by⁠‌ then was supposed‍‍‌ to have fallen‍⁠ to the demons.‌