A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 136

Chapter 136

“Will‍ there be practice⁠‍ again this year?”

In‍ Rosalia’s office within‌⁠ the Academy.

Fernan⁠ was seated in front of the‍⁠ room’s owner.

“Yes.‌ Professor Grad said‌‍ we should do‌⁠‌ it this way.‍‍ Last year’s results‌⁠ weren’t bad, and‍‍ I agreed. But⁠ why do you⁠ ask that all⁠ of a sudden?”‌‌

“No,‍‌ I was just‍ curious.”

“You’re‍‌ not one to⁠ be curious without‌ reason.”

“Believe⁠ me. After all,⁠ I’m an investor.”‍‌

“How‍‌ cheeky. Right now,‌ you’re just a student.”

Fernan⁠‌⁠ had already confirmed‌⁠ through Rosalia the⁠ location where Aint⁠‌ would suffer the‍ attack.

The⁠ second-year training exercises,‍⁠ in which Fernan‍ had started to‍ stand out, would‍ be repeated again⁠⁠ this year.

“Can‍‍‌ I participate as‌ a temporary assistant?”‌

“Last‍‌ year you joined‌⁠ as an assistant‍ for first-year practice, and this year⁠‌ for the second-years?”

Rosalia looked at him‍ in silence while⁠‌‍ bringing a cigarette to her lips.‍

“You⁠ can light the⁠‍ fire yourself, right?”‍

“Don’t‍ you want to‌‍ be a temporary⁠⁠ assistant?”

“Do‌ you want me‍ to light it‌⁠ right now?”

Fernan⁠⁠‍ sparked a flame⁠ at the tip‌⁠⁠ of his finger.‍

“I⁠ won’t ask your⁠‌ reasons. I can‍⁠ already imagine them.”‌‌

“Will⁠⁠ you accept me?”‌

“There’s⁠⁠ been a lot⁠ of talk lately‌ about who you’re⁠⁠ always hanging around‍ with.”

“Who’s⁠‌‍ been spreading those‌⁠ rumors?”

“If‍ it’s already appeared in the newspaper twice, anyone at⁠‍ the Academy who‌⁠‌ doesn’t know, I’d⁠ report them myself.”⁠

The⁠ matter of the Continental Conference and‌‌ what happened in the north. Fernan and Aint had‍‍ appeared together in‌ the headlines, like an inseparable duo.

Although⁠‌ in the north‍ the main attention‌ had been on‌‌⁠ Luina and the‍‍ two Royal Knights,‍ still.

“Why‍⁠ is it interpreted‌‌ that way?”

“Because⁠ someone who didn’t⁠ have the qualifications‌ to enter the‍‌ Academy did so‌‌ irregularly.”

“One⁠ thing is certain—‍⁠ I don’t let⁠ anyone in here‍⁠‍ through connections.”

Fernan⁠⁠ wasn’t foolish enough‍ to sponsor someone‍⁠ so useless that‌⁠ they couldn’t even⁠ get into the‍ Academy.

“Ah,‍‍ right, how are⁠ the preparations for‌‍ the Dragon God‍ Cult Conference going?”

“So-so. Lately they keep‍⁠⁠ insisting I create‌⁠ another magical crystal⁠ fusion artifact so‌⁠‍ they can continue⁠‌‍ their research.”

“Not‌⁠ planning to make⁠‍ one? With how obsessed they are,⁠⁠ they’ll pay anything.”⁠

“I’m busy with my main job.”

Now‍ that the semester‍ had started, she‌ had plenty of‌ duties as a professor. Besides, with⁠ Fernan as a solid sponsor, money‍‍ wasn’t an issue.⁠

“Alright.⁠‌ I’ll accept your⁠‌ request as a temporary assistant. I imagine you plan‌⁠ to sneak off‍⁠ again.”

“Yes.”⁠‌

So‍ she already knew‍ that last time⁠⁠ he had left⁠ everything in Jace’s⁠⁠ hands. But it‌⁠‍ didn’t matter.

“Did‌‌ you tell Aint?”⁠

“No.”‍

“You⁠ should.”

Rosalia⁠⁠ spoke indifferently.

“No⁠ matter how good‌⁠ the results are,⁠‍‍ if someone feels⁠ used, they can‌ always hold a grudge. And if you want to‌⁠ stay by his‍ side for a long time, it’s⁠ better to keep‌‌ a good relationship.”‍⁠

“That’s not why.”

“Then⁠ why?”

“Because acting is needed.⁠ And Aint doesn’t⁠‌ know how to‍ act.”

“That’s⁠⁠⁠ true, he doesn’t‍ hide his expressions.”

Anyway,‍ you know what‌‍ you’re doing.

She exhaled a puff⁠⁠ of smoke.

“If⁠⁠ you’re done, get out.”

“Sure,⁠ see you next‍ time.”

Fernan‌ left Professor Rosalia’s office.

“How⁠ was the chat?”‍‍

“Fine.”

He⁠ climbed into the‍‍ carriage where Hyde‍ was the coachman.‌ The carriage had barely started moving⁠ when he saw⁠⁠ a familiar face outside.

“Wait.”⁠⁠

It was Aint, carrying‍‌⁠ someone toward the⁠⁠ infirmary.

“That’s⁠‍ Timon Baertz. Looks like he left⁠‌ him half dead.‍ So Aint Armian‌ has quite the⁠‌‌ temper.”

“If‍‍ the opponent is‍ a corrupt, it’s‍ not about temper‌‌ or anything like‌‍‍ that.”

Either⁠⁠ way, it meant⁠‌ they already had⁠ a clear result—Timon⁠ Baertz was or‍ wasn’t a corrupt.‌⁠

Fernan waited until Aint‍⁠ left Timon at‌‍ the infirmary and‍⁠ came out.

“If‌‌ you’re heading to‌ Ravidus Hall, hop‌‌‍ in. We’re going⁠ the same way.”‍

“Ah, thanks. I had‌‍ two things I wanted to talk‌⁠‍ to you about.”⁠‌

Aint⁠ got in and⁠ the carriage started‌⁠ moving.

“I know already. It’s‌⁠ about Timon Baertz,‍‌⁠ right? So he‌‍ was a corrupt?”

“The‌ first one, yes.⁠ But no, Timon‌ wasn’t a corrupt.”

“…He‍ wasn’t?”

Fernan, leaning against the‍ window with his⁠ chin in hand,‍ was taken aback.⁠⁠‍

“Yeah.‌‍ I knocked him⁠ out and checked⁠⁠ him top to‌‍ bottom, and I didn’t find a trace of demonic‌ energy.”

“I‍‌‌ see…”

The Book of Prophecies‌⁠ had marked him‍ as corrupt.

Although‌ Fernan had changed many futures and‍‌‌ some things could⁠‍‍ vary, in this⁠‌‌ case he saw‍ no reason why‌‌ it would change—or‌⁠ did he?

‘This⁠ complicates things.’

If he really were‍‍ corrupt, it would‌⁠ be enough to‌ monitor him and⁠⁠⁠ prepare measures.

But‌ now that everything‌ seemed different, the‍ situation became confusing.‍‍

‘Or⁠‌ maybe he can⁠ hide his magic⁠‌ even from Aint? No, would that be too much?’⁠‌‌

After⁠‌ such a thorough⁠ internal check, it‍‍ was most likely⁠ that he truly‍‌ had nothing.

“Anyway,‌ he seemed suspicious‍‌ to me, so⁠‌ I’ll keep watching. You don’t need‌⁠ to be a corrupt to become‍‌ a follower of‍‍ demons, right?”

“That’s⁠‌ true.”

The‌ few records spoke⁠‌‍ of demon followers⁠ who weren’t corrupt.‍

‘Or⁠ maybe he’s an‍⁠⁠ aspirant. Not yet‍‍ corrupt, but wanting‌⁠‍ to be.’

All⁠ demon followers were‍⁠ divided in two—full‌ corrupts and those‍⁠ aspiring to become‍‌⁠ one.

“Good‌ work.”

“Come on. The one carrying the real‌ burden is you,⁠‍ senior Fernan. Always‍‍ tracking all the‍ corrupts.”

“I’m‌‍ just doing what⁠‍ I must.”

“And most people don’t.⁠⁠‍ That’s what sets‍ you apart from the rest.”

“They‌‌‌ don’t have as‌⁠ much to lose.”⁠‌

But⁠ Fernan wasn’t like⁠⁠ them. If the‍‌ prophecies had come‌⁠ true without his⁠‌ intervention, he would’ve‌‌ lost everything.

And the same applied‍ now—even though he’d‌ avoided excommunication, if‍⁠ the demons descended‍‍ and tore apart‌ the continent, the‌ value of wealth‌‌ would plummet.

Fernan‌‍⁠ would never allow‌‍ that.

He did everything for⁠‌ a prosperous future.‍

“That’s‌ true.”

“So,⁠ what’s the other‌ thing?”

“It’s⁠‍‌ about that.”

Aint‌ pointed to Fernan’s‌ chest.

Specifically,‍‌ to the pendant‌ that was actually‍⁠ Wooden, shrunk to‌‌ three centimeters to‍ pass as a necklace.

“Wooden?”⁠‍

“Yes.‍‌‍ I wanted to‍ ask if you‌‍ have more Itarium‌‍ root left.”

“Do⁠ you need more?”‍

“No,⁠⁠ it’s just that⁠⁠ I read in‍‍‌ a book that⁠ the root of‍ Itarium is especially⁠ good for golems.‍ Since it strengthens‌‌⁠ metal, I thought⁠‍ it might be⁠ useful.”

“…I‌ see.”

Fernan⁠ nodded.

It‍⁠ wasn’t a book,⁠ clearly Gardner had‍‌ told him.

‘If‌ Gardner wanted to‌‌ convey that through‍ Aint, it means he’s starting to‍ see me as‌ an ally.’

And⁠‍ it also confirmed‌‍ that it was⁠‌ a safe method⁠ to strengthen Wooden.⁠

Furthermore,‌⁠ he once again⁠⁠ felt certain that‍‍ the suspicion of‌ being accused of corruption had completely⁠ vanished.

“Alright,‌ I’ll try it.‍‍ Thanks.”

“It’s nothing. Compared to⁠‌⁠ everything you’ve helped⁠‍ me with, this⁠ is nothing.”

“Yes,‍ it’s a small‍‌ thing.”

“….”‍

The⁠‌ root of Itarium‌⁠ was originally his.‍‌⁠

‘Ah,⁠‌ right, I secretly took it from⁠‍ the First Emperor’s‍ dungeon.’

Fernan‌‌ coughed to cover⁠⁠‍ it up.

‘Now⁠ that I think‌‍ about it, that⁠‌ box….’

He⁠ had almost forgotten.‍ After hesitating for‍ a moment, he‌⁠ took out a box from his‌⁠ subspace.

“Here.”⁠

“What’s⁠ this?”

“Only⁠⁠ someone of Armian blood can open⁠‌ it.”

“What?‍ And how did⁠ it get to⁠⁠‍ you?”

“Do‌‍ you remember that‌ place we went‌ together? Where the‌⁠ First Emperor’s legacy‍ rested.”

It‌ was the place‌ they found when‍ the ground collapsed‍‌⁠ during the final⁠‌ second-year exams, where⁠ Fernan had saved⁠‍ Aint’s life.

“Yes,‍ I remember.”

“While‍ searching for more‍ things there, I came across it‍ by chance.”

“There‌⁠ was more stuff⁠ like this?”

“If‌ not, where do⁠ you think I would’ve gotten it?”⁠‍‍

“Well,‍ that’s true…”

Although‍⁠‍ something felt off,‍ Aint nodded.

“Oh,‌‍ and during these‌‍⁠ practices, whatever happens,‌‌ don’t be surprised.”⁠

“Huh?‍‍ What do you‌ mean…?”

Fernan didn’t say anything⁠ more.

Shortly⁠‍‌ after, the carriage‍ arrived at Ravidus‌ Hall.

***

“Can‌ I strengthen a golem with the‌ root of Itarium…?”‌‍

In⁠‍‌ theory, it made‍‍‍ a lot of‌ sense.

The‌‌‌ root of Itarium‌‌ was an elixir‍⁠ that nourished with‍‌‌ metal energy. It‌⁠ was logical to⁠‍ think it would‌ have a great effect on a golem whose body‍ was made precisely‌ of metal.

Just‍ thinking about it⁠⁠⁠ made that conclusion‍⁠ clear. However, Fernan‍⁠ had never tried‍ because he wasn’t‌⁠ sure.

That‌ root, obtained from⁠‍⁠ the First Emperor,⁠‌ was far too⁠ special.

But⁠‌⁠ if Gardner had‌‌ given that advice,‌ there was no‌ reason to hesitate.⁠

Of‍‌‍ the five roots⁠‍ of Itarium, one‌⁠ had gone to Rosalia’s research, another‌‍‌ to Aint, one to Jace, and‍‌‍ another to Luina⁠‍⁠ in Bercheff.

Only‌⁠ one remained.

‘How‍‌‍ balanced it all‍ seems.’

There⁠ was nothing to‌‍ lose.

Normally,⁠ to make a golem with Itarium,‍ you had to⁠ refine the root⁠⁠‌ and turn it into a core.‍‍‌

But‍‌ Wooden wasn’t a simple golem—he was⁠⁠ a spirit with‍‌ a golem’s body.⁠

Just‌⁠ ingesting it would⁠ be enough.

“Wooden.”‍

─ Kyu!

“Do‌‍ you want to‌‍ eat it?”

─ Kyuuu!

As⁠ soon as Fernan⁠‌‍ took out the‍⁠ root, the scent‌ of elixir filled⁠‌ the air. Wooden‍ nodded like crazy.⁠

But‌ Fernan immediately closed⁠‍ the lid.

“No.”⁠‍

─ Kyu kyu!

Wooden,⁠⁠‌ convinced it was‍‌ going straight into‌ his mouth, let out a wail.‍‌⁠ With his tiny‌‌ hands, he started‌‌ hitting Fernan’s shoulder.

“Argh…!‌ That hurts, stop⁠‌‌ it!”

─ Kyuu!

“Then⁠⁠ why provoke me? Nonsense! Get down‌‍ right now, that’s⁠ an order.”

Wooden⁠ climbed down with‌ a dejected look.⁠

“Listen carefully. I’m not saying I won’t‍ give it to‌ you. I’m just⁠ not sure what‌ effect it’ll have⁠ on you right‍ now.”

That it would be‌⁠⁠ good for him, yes. But he‌‍ couldn’t calculate to‍‌ what extent.

What‍ if, inside the‍ Academy, after eating‍‌⁠ it, his mini form broke and‍ revealed to the‍ whole world the⁠⁠ secret weapon he‍⁠ had hidden so‍ well?

“So‍ you’ll only be⁠ able to eat‍⁠ it outside the⁠ Academy.”

─ Kyu….

“Sorry,‍ there’s no other⁠ option.”

Resigned,‍ Wooden returned to‌‌ his pendant form.‍

“That’s‌‍ why we’ll have to leave the⁠⁠ Academy for a bit.”

─ Kyu?

“It’s nothing hard. Most‍ of the ships⁠ managed by the⁠‌‍ Academy are under‍ the control of⁠‌‍ the Golden Turtle‍ Company.”

With⁠⁠ a quick stop‌ on some nearby‍⁠ uninhabited island, they⁠‍‍ could reinforce Wooden‌ and return. It‍‌ wouldn’t take long.⁠

─ Kyu!

Wooden’s⁠ face lit up.⁠

***⁠

The biggest difference between‌ first and upper-year‍‌⁠ students was whether⁠ there were partners‍‌ or not.

The‌ Empire understood perfectly‍⁠⁠ that in war,‌‌ knights and mages‍‌ couldn’t be separated.‍

That’s‍‍ why the Academy‌ gave time for‍‍ both to understand⁠‌ and adapt to‌⁠⁠ each other.

Those‍⁠ were the partnerships,‌⁠‍ and the ones⁠ formed in second‌ year, after the⁠‌ first-year transition period,‍ lasted until graduation.⁠⁠

Therefore,‌‍‍ choosing a partner⁠‍ was one of the most important‍ decisions.

“…Yes,‌ perfect. I love‌⁠⁠ it!”

In‍⁠ that sense, Aria had to admit‍ she had hit the jackpot.

“Let’s⁠ take care of‌‍ each other from‌ now on.”

“Of‍ course, me too.”⁠‍

Ordinary‍⁠ brown hair, white skin, but golden‌ eyes that stood‍⁠ out above all.‍‌

His⁠‌⁠ family was half-ruined,‍‍ but in an⁠‌⁠ era shaken by‌ demons, he possessed⁠ incomparable potential.

Her‌‍ partner was Aint‍ Armian.

And⁠⁠ in truth, it‌‌⁠ hadn’t been hard⁠ either.

“Aint,⁠⁠⁠ do you want‍ to be my⁠‍ partner? After all,⁠‌ as first and‌ second, we make‍ a good team…”⁠

“Alright.⁠⁠ I feel comfortable⁠ with you too.”‌

The‍ 77 reasons Aria⁠ had prepared to‌⁠⁠ convince him were useless. The partnership⁠ formed immediately.

“I‌⁠ feel at ease.‌‍⁠ From here, the ones who fought⁠ with me against⁠‍ demons were you‍ and Verian. And‌ I can’t partner with Verian.”

“That⁠⁠ was actually my‌⁠ reason number 31.”⁠

“What⁠ does that mean?”‍‌

“Nothing,⁠ forget it.”

Whatever‍ the reason, being the partner of‌⁠‍ Aint, who was⁠‌ spreading his wings‌ with Fernan Pellenberg⁠‍ as his support,‌‌ was a more‌⁠ than satisfactory outcome.‍

— Fernan warned you‍⁠ not to be‍ surprised if something happens. It’s very⁠ likely the corrupt‍⁠ will make a move.

— And in those‌ circumstances, there’s no⁠ one more fitting than that girl.‍⁠‌ Even if she’s⁠ an open book,‍ so are we.‌‍

‘Yes,⁠‌ I agree.’

Aint⁠‍ thought the same⁠‌ from his side.‍

“We’ll‌⁠ begin practice now!”‍

And‍ so, the second-year‌⁠ practice sessions began.