A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 134

Chapter 134

Not much time had⁠‌ passed since the‍ new semester began‍ when someone came‌ to see Fernan.

“Sir,⁠ it’s been a while since we⁠ last saw each‍⁠ other.”

Black⁠⁠‍ hair that contrasted‌‌ with skin white‍‍ as snow and blue eyes like‍⁠ gems.

A sturdy, muscular body‌ that didn’t match⁠‍ his noble young‌‍ face.

It‍ was Alcmion Altrierc,‍ known for having⁠ inherited more than‌⁠ anyone the talent‌⁠‍ and blood of‍⁠ the great Royal‍‌ Knight, Katrina Altrierc.‍⁠

Fernan‍ had known him‍ since childhood.

“It‍ has been a while. I didn’t‍⁠ expect you to⁠ enter as top‌ of your class.”‌‌‍

“My‌ mother trained me‍ hard, wasn’t it only natural?”

“I⁠⁠ heard you spent‌ some time on‍‌‌ the frontlines.”

“Haha, I struggled a bit. The corrupted‍ are very different‌⁠⁠ from monsters.”

Despite⁠⁠‌ his words, his‌ face was full‍‍ of satisfaction.

“Have‍ you seen Professor‌ Emond yet?”

“You‍ were the first‍ one I came‍ to see. The⁠‌⁠ ahjussi is doing‌⁠ well.”

“He’s a professor. We’re⁠‌ at the Academy,‌ mind the title,‌‍ especially since you’re‌⁠ an Altrierc.”

“Of⁠ course. It’s only‍ because we’re among‍‌ friends.”

Alcmion⁠ shrugged.

“Actually,⁠ I wanted to‌ ask you something.”⁠

“Me?⁠ That’s unusual.”

“Timon‍ Baertz. I’m sure‍ you crossed swords⁠ with him—what did⁠ you think?”

“You mean the runner-up‍‌ who lost to⁠‍ me? Pretty sharp.”⁠⁠

“Did‌ he almost beat‍ you?”

“No,‍ not quite that‌⁠‌ close.”

Fernan‌‍ tilted his head.‍‌

According‍ to the book‍‍ of prophecies, Timon⁠‍ Baertz was supposed⁠ to be first,⁠ not Alcmion.

That‍ Alcmion had barely‌ won might make‍‌ sense, but not⁠‌ that he seemed‌‍ far superior.

No⁠‍ matter how much‍⁠ Fernan had altered⁠ the future, there‌ was no reason⁠ for Alcmion to⁠‌‌ suddenly become much‌⁠ stronger.

‘So‌ Timon Baertz got⁠ weaker? Why?’

Had‍ the changes to‌‌‌ the future already‍ started affecting new‌ students unrelated to‍‍⁠ him?

He⁠‌ didn’t know.

“Understood.‌ Best of luck⁠⁠ at the Academy.”‍

“Yes,⁠ sir. See you.”‌

Alcmion‌‍ stood up.

“Oh, right. My mother⁠ asked me to‍ say she was⁠‌ very satisfied with‌ the effect of‌ your gift.”

“I‍‌ suppose the calluses‍‍⁠ on her hands‌‍⁠ are gone now.”‍⁠

“Yes.‌⁠ She was delighted.⁠ I don’t get⁠ it—calluses are a symbol for a knight…”

Alcmion,‍‍ hardened from childhood‍‍ by the strict⁠ Katrina Altrierc, showed⁠ some shortcomings in‌ other areas.

Over⁠ time, Academy life⁠ would polish him.⁠‌

When⁠ he left, Fernan⁠⁠ murmured:

“If‍‌ he really is⁠ weaker than the⁠ prophecy said, then‍‌ there’s nothing to⁠ worry about…”

He‌ trusted Aint would‌ take care of‍‍‍ him.

“Then‌⁠ only one immediate task remains.”

Preventing‌‌ Aint from being‍‌‍ assassinated.

“What‍‌ would be the⁠ best move?”

Stop⁠⁠ it at the‍ root? Or let Aint face Timon⁠⁠⁠ directly and only help if he⁠ was in danger?‍‍

Fernan‌⁠‍ continued to think⁠⁠‌ about it.

***⁠

Ravidus‍‍ Hall.

Only⁠‍ elite students could‌ enter, and no‍ others were allowed⁠⁠ into its rooms.‌

But⁠‍ in the prince’s⁠ chamber, there was‌ a guest.

“Did‌ His Majesty truly‍ give such an order?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

A middle-aged man nodded.⁠

“That⁠‍‍ plan is absurd!”‍‍

Ludger⁠ ground his teeth.‌‍

“Right⁠ now, with the‍ corrupted rampaging and demons appearing, this⁠‌ won’t benefit us‌ at all.”

And‌‍ still, killing Aint‌⁠ Armian now, in this moment of⁠‍ public attention?

It was a reckless⁠‍‌ plan. Not even‌ worth considering, let‌ alone executing.

“His‍ Majesty judged that⁠⁠ if we let⁠ him grow any‌ further, he will‌‍ become uncontrollable. Didn’t‍ you say yourself⁠‌‍ that Aint Armian‍‌ should be feared?”‍‌

Ludger‍‍‍ admitted he had.‍ At this rate,‍‍ he would become unstoppable.

“But⁠‍ if we kill‍ him now, who‌‌ do you think‍‌⁠ will be the‍‍‍ suspects? Us! The‍‍‌ ones who most‌⁠ resent the rise‌‍ of the Armian!”‌

“If‍ he dies in‍⁠‌ an accident during an exam, no‌ one can blame‍ us. Aint is‍ strong, but he’s⁠ still a student.⁠⁠‌ Besides, we have an alternative plan.”‌⁠

Ludger⁠‌ knew that too,‌‌ but killing Aint‌ would bring more loss than gain.‌

“And‍⁠ the demons? What⁠ happens if we⁠⁠ can’t stop them?‌ Does His Majesty‌⁠⁠ want to be‍‍ the last emperor‌‍ of a ruined⁠‌ continent?”

“The‌‍ power of Armian⁠ may be a natural enemy of⁠ demons, but they’re⁠‌ not the only‌‍ ones who can‌⁠ hunt them.”

The‌ man lowered his‌ voice and whispered.‍

“Besides,⁠‍⁠ Your Highness… we’ve‌⁠ already obtained Armian’s⁠ secret swordsmanship.”

“…What?”‍

Ludger’s eyes widened.

“When‌‌ they lost the‍⁠ throne, who do‌⁠⁠ you think caused the chaos in‌ Armian?”

If‌ the Armian had⁠‍ lost it, it⁠‍‍ was because the Schwaben had taken‌⁠ it.

“You⁠⁠ don’t mean…”

“Exactly.‍‌ And His Majesty‍‌ has already made⁠‍ his decision.”

They‌⁠ hadn’t revealed it‌‌‌ to avoid suspicion⁠ and condemnation.

But‍ if more demons‌‌ appeared and the‌⁠ only ray of⁠⁠⁠ hope—Armian—died, humanity would⁠‌ desperately look for⁠‍‍ another symbol.

Even‌⁠ if that symbol‍‍‌ was stolen.

“Your⁠ older brother is‍⁠‍ already learning it.”⁠

“…I‌‍ see.”

Ludger’s‌ eyes darkened.

“You‍ don’t know anything,⁠ Your Highness. Leave⁠‍⁠ this to me.”‌⁠

“And‌ if I oppose‍‍ it?”

“I’m‌‍‌ sorry, but the⁠ Emperor’s edict outweighs‌‍ a prince’s words.”⁠⁠

It was logical, so Ludger said no⁠ more.

“Leave.”⁠

“Yes.”

The‍‌‌ man vanished like a shadow.

It‌‍‍ was no accident‍ he had been‍ chosen as the‌‍ best assassin to kill a hero.⁠‍

Ludger lay back on⁠⁠ the bed.

“…And‍‍ I, knowing nothing,‌⁠ while my brother‍ already learns Armian’s‌ swordsmanship…”

He⁠ knew his brother‍⁠ had great qualities⁠ and the Emperor’s‌‌ absolute trust.

Sooner‌‌ or later, the‌ title of heir⁠‍ would go to‍‍ him.

That’s⁠ why Ludger had‍‍‌ never dared to‍‍ aspire for more—or‍‌‌ so he thought.⁠⁠‌

But‍ upon hearing that⁠⁠ his brother was‍⁠ already practically named⁠‌ heir, his heart‍ pounded.

He⁠‌ felt anger and⁠ disgust.

“…Disgusting.”‍

What was I really⁠‌ hoping for?

He‍⁠ swallowed his rage⁠ and closed his⁠⁠ eyes.

— Kyu.

Perhaps that’s why he‌⁠ didn’t notice the‌ presence hanging from⁠ his window.

***‍

“The‌‌⁠ winner, Timon Baertz!”‍

The‌⁠⁠ first exam of‍‌ “War and Combat Practice” for first-year‍‍ students in the‌‌⁠ Department of Knights⁠‍ had begun with‍⁠⁠ duels, just like‌ the previous year.

Timon‍ Baertz easily crushed‌‌ student number 13.‌‌

“Wow, I didn’t think‌⁠ I’d win that‌ easily, but hey—it‌‍‍ works.”

Hidden‌⁠ among the first-year‍ students in the‌‍ stands, Aint muttered‌⁠ without thinking.

Even‌ if they were⁠‍ in the same‌‍ department, attending classes‍ from another year‌ without permission was⁠ a violation.

The professor would never‌⁠‍ have allowed it.⁠

— I knew it.‌‍ That rich guy isn’t the type to lie.

— Forget that. What‌‌ did you see?‍‍

Aint‍⁠ closed his eyes‌‍ and reviewed the‌ fight, focusing on the aura’s flow‌⁠ and variations.

‘I⁠‌ don’t sense anything‌ strange. Is he‍‍ really a corrupt?’⁠⁠‌

There‌‍‍ wasn’t a trace⁠‌ of demonic magic.‌

— I don’t see⁠‌‌ him as a corrupt either.

But‌ Fernan wouldn’t have‌‍ pointed him out‍⁠ without reason.

These‌ days, the trust⁠‌ between Fernan and‍ Aint was strong⁠ enough to believe‍‌ in him without question.

— You’re still inexperienced.⁠‌⁠ He might be‍ hiding demonic mana‌ so well that⁠ your perception can’t‌ detect it.

It‌‌‍ was possible. Gismond‍⁠‌ had also gone⁠‌ undetected, though in‌‌‍ his case it‌‌⁠ was because he’d consumed absurd amounts⁠ of elixirs.

— That Gismond would⁠‌ have died if he hadn’t swallowed⁠ Itarium Root along⁠ with everything else.

Itarium⁠ Root, fed with‌‍ metallic energy, strengthened‌ the body more‌‍‍ than any other⁠‍‍ elixir.

Unlike‍ others, it wasn’t‍⁠ absorbed into aura,‍ but into the⁠⁠ body itself.

— Oh, by the‌⁠ way. Tell that⁠‌ rich guy this.‍‌

— I don’t know⁠ if he has any more Itarium⁠‍ Root left, but⁠‍⁠ if he gives⁠‍ it to that‍ golem, things will‌‌ get interesting.

It⁠⁠ was an elixir‌⁠ capable of strengthening‍⁠ even a human body. So what‍⁠ if they gave‍ it to a golem made of‌ metal?

Just‌‌‍ like a knight‍⁠ breaking through a wall to reach⁠⁠ the next stage, that golem could‌‍ advance to a new level.

And‍⁠ its soul was‍ that of a spirit, so it⁠ would absorb the⁠‍ elixir’s energy even⁠⁠ better.

‘I⁠⁠ absolutely have to tell him.’

Aint,‌ who already felt‌‌ indebted to Fernan,‌⁠‌ saw this as⁠⁠‌ a way to⁠‌‌ repay him a little.

— It benefits us⁠ too. The stronger‍⁠‍ our ally against‍‌‍ the demons, the‍ better.

— Though I don’t⁠⁠ know if there’s⁠ any more of⁠‍ that root. It⁠ wasn’t common.

That was true.

‘Still,‌⁠⁠ if it’s Fernan,‍ he’ll probably find‌‌ more.’

Aint’s‍⁠ attention returned to⁠‍ the dueling field.‌⁠

He’d⁠‍ already confirmed what‍‌‍ he needed from‌ Timon, but now‌ it was Alcmion⁠‌ Altrierc’s turn, the‍ top of the⁠‌ class.

‘He’s⁠‌ strong. As expected‍‌ of an Altrierc.’⁠

— His body’s well‍⁠ trained. More resilient than yours.

Alcmion’s‌ style, based on⁠⁠⁠ a massive zweihänder,‌ was brute force‍ swordsmanship that crushed‍⁠ everything.

His‍ sword was unstoppable⁠‍⁠ for any of⁠‌‍ his peers.

‘I want to fight‌‍ him someday.’

— First Timon Baertz.‍‌‌

‘Of‌ course. But I need a direct⁠ way to confirm‌ things about Timon.‍ Any ideas?’

— How about challenging⁠⁠⁠ him to a duel and knocking‌ him out to check?

‘…A⁠ bit rough, but‍ it would work.’⁠‍

Aint‍‍⁠ was pondering how‌ to approach Timon,⁠⁠ his eyes fixed⁠⁠ on the back of the boy’s‌ neck.

***‍⁠

【The‌ demon who invaded‌‍ Bercheff! No longer…】‍

【Armian‌‌ facing the demons,‌ that…】

【The‌‍ tall black knight⁠‍ riding a giant⁠⁠⁠ steed. Presumed to‍ be demon number⁠⁠ 66, Kimaris…!】

【Bercheff‍ stopped the demonic‍‍⁠ invasion. Ten thousand⁠ monsters struck its‍‍⁠ walls, but…】

【The‍‌ heroes who killed⁠ a demon…】

“Pff,‌ my instincts are‌‌ garbage. Should I just quit already?”‌

Girard‌ Izeel sighed and⁠‍‌ tossed the newspaper.⁠‍‌

“Seems‌‌ like it’s been rough.”

“What’s‌ rough about it?‌⁠ I just lack‌⁠ ability.”

Girard‌⁠⁠ leaned his head‌⁠ back on the⁠ couch. The head⁠‌ of the Judges,‌‍ reviewing documents, responded⁠ without looking up.⁠‍

“Lack‍ of ability?”

“Yeah.‌‌ Because I lack‌⁠ ability, I couldn’t⁠ break through that⁠ highborn brat’s cold⁠‌ shoulder, and because‍⁠ I lack ability,⁠⁠‍ I couldn’t uncover‍ anything even though⁠ he was practically⁠⁠ hiding in the‍ Academy in plain‌ sight.”

“You⁠⁠ mustn’t mess with‌‍ Fernan Pellenberg. He’s⁠⁠ the only one‍⁠‌ giving us even‌‍ a little support.”⁠‍

The‌ Judges were ostracized⁠ by everyone. If⁠‍ not for Pellenberg,‌‌ that last lifeline⁠⁠‍ would’ve been cut⁠ long ago.

“Yeah, yeah. I know.⁠⁠ It’s all my⁠‍‍ fault for not‌ having the skill‍ to convince that highborn brat, huh?”⁠‍‌

Since‍ Fernan returned to⁠⁠‍ the family, Girard‍ had tried to meet him, but‌ Fernan intentionally refused.⁠ He even used‌‍ the Golden Turtle Guild to block‍⁠ him outright, so‍‌ there wasn’t much he could do.‌

That’s‍⁠ why he resigned‌‍ himself to wait⁠‍ for a better opportunity. But now—

“Who‍ would’ve guessed that⁠ brat would cause⁠‍ such a ruckus‍ in the north?⁠‌ If I’d known, I would’ve held‌‍ on tighter.”

“Wouldn’t have mattered. He‌‌‌ used a direct‌ transport circle, and without the count’s‍‌‍ permission, it’s unusable.”‌

“Does⁠‍ any of this⁠ make sense?”

Girard‍⁠ shot up from‍⁠ the couch.

“It’s⁠⁠⁠ absurd that, while‍ corrupts run rampant, monsters roam free,‌ and even demons‌‌ descend, we Judges‍ are nothing but‍ cold soup!”

“It does make sense.”‌⁠⁠

The⁠ director nodded.

“The‍‌ title ‘Great Demon‍‍ Army’ is too‍‌ much for us.‍‍ We barely survive‌‌ and haven’t prepared‌ anything.”

“Ugh,⁠⁠ don’t rub it in.”

“Are you going to the Academy or‌‌ Frazia?”

“You’re⁠ telling me to‌‍ go back to‍ the Academy?”

The‌‍ director opened another‌ newspaper.

“The‌ crisis of the‌⁠ corrupt at the‍ Academy, the attack at the Continental⁠‍ Academic Conference, and⁠⁠ now this in⁠‍ the north. Fernan‍ Pellenberg was at⁠ all of those⁠‍ places. Do you⁠ think that’s coincidence?‍ You said yourself⁠‌ it’s like he⁠⁠ knows something.”

“You want me to‍⁠ stick close to‌‌‍ him and squeeze⁠‌⁠ something out of‍‍ him. What about‌⁠ Frazia?”

The‍‌ director handed over‌⁠ a file with a detailed report⁠ of recent events there.

“…Isn’t‍‍‍ this already over?”⁠

“Seems‌ Aint Armian wiped out most of‌‍ the corrupt, but‌⁠‍ there were still‍‍ dozens hiding in⁠ Frazia. Do you think a group‌‌ that size sat‌‌ idle doing nothing?”

The‌ director spun a pen between his fingers.

“It’s⁠ just my instinct,⁠‍ but there’s something‌⁠ there. We just‍⁠ haven’t found it yet.”

“…My instinct says the‌⁠⁠ same, but.”

After‍⁠ so many recent‌⁠ failures, Girard hesitated⁠ to take another‌ wrong step.

“If‌ we find something,‍‍ it’ll be a major achievement. We’d‌‍ have done what⁠ Aint Armian couldn’t.”⁠

“Hmm…”‍‍⁠

“And⁠ that kind of‌ merit would earn‌ us the support‍ we need. Then‍‍‍ we can finally⁠ stand tall again.”⁠

“I’m‌‌‌ going to Frazia!”‌‍

Girard‌‍‍ carefully folded the‍‌‌ paper and tucked‌‌ it into his‌‍ chest.

“I’ll⁠ find it. I’m‍⁠‌ sick of this‍‌ miserable life.”

“And‍‌ the Academy?”

“The⁠ more I think⁠ about it, I don’t think that⁠‍‌ iron wall will⁠‍‍ give me any⁠ useful info. This‍⁠‌ feels more realistic.”⁠⁠⁠