Chapter 14
tKTcL09“So it’s finally today.”B10L
RX5Gpu“You again! You’re not Armian!”KuYwF6
MKFisVerian charged. Aint calmly withstood his assault.azK5Q
4fMvSince his defeat, Verian had trained relentlessly, clenching his teeth in frustration. The tip of his sword had become even sharper.QnRqSkW
4RiGA fierce exchange unfolded.DGk
utIsmCBut the result had already been decided. Aint wasn’t the kind of opponent to lose against someone he had already defeated once.Ida
Ap8esYEspecially not with the greatest master, the gardener Alpenfarsen, at his side.PKa
M97atO“I bear you no particular grudge.”GotK4
XDndtmAint’s sword cut Verian. His guiding light went out.YcX
IIn“It’s over…”CNjWB
XnL“Don’t be ridiculous!”Ar1
N2FIHowever, the instructors didn’t appear and Verian refused to admit defeat.1pD9jhy
QlV“A disgrace who’s forgotten chivalry. Kill him. If he lives, he’ll disgrace the honor of the knights.”nW1PD
LK0GJin“I can’t do that.”3uJ
rWl“Then knock him unconscious. Leave him and the instructors will take him.”OkM6
Jyxy2Leaving the fallen Verian behind, Aint had no idea that the demonic energy, slowly beginning to seep in, had started to consume Verian’s body and mind.qGf7S1
LmmVAt dawn, Fernan greeted the morning with a headache.L4gkk5N
XNMquAfter an hour of light tea, he headed to the Golden Turtle Trading Company’s academy branch.vBy
cbpana“Young master, you’ve arrived.”tbjiH
3ZcjMuj“Young master.”dYcdwqX
sX1fUIgnoring the staff’s greetings, he headed to the warehouse.6jlH
ZUIOpening one of the many large storage units, he entered, opened his personal subspace, and began storing items in it.WKh
3s7RL5“What are you doing?”x33
omL“Preparing for contingencies.”40J
lrrB“Are you going to war or something?”5XhH
FYJIgnoring the comment, Fernan continued filling his subspace until it was completely packed. Empty spots started appearing throughout the vast warehouse.nsE
xp3Wf“Hyde, when did you get here?”AjZ
WaRSl“When you entered the warehouse,” Hyde replied.0oL
SZHtYuQ“What about Verian?”hg5RA
YqTd“You told me to report first thing in the morning, right?”mlpVQxv
JLk8lc“And Verian?”PRaHq1
KSRRm“Still no unusual behavior.”nuMg
t280“Still?”v4gl
ak4wEyZ“Yes.”yZBU
Bdk“That’s a bit concerning.”pmYv
ZcNQHyde had no reason to lie to him. Though something felt off, Fernan had no choice but to accept it.VDKZWz4
JL3LOV‘Then there are only two possibilities. Either the demon never existed, contrary to the prophecy—’NNnBYR
xOJc“…Or you lacked the skills.”JbKn
HMFDdA“That’s the first time I’ve heard that in my life,” Hyde replied with a serious face.VTUI3H
jiC9x“I don’t know what it is, but I’m suggesting maybe your suspicions are just that—suspicions.”4bvz
GRUwc“So you’re saying I’m delusional.”abj7W
i5of“That’s not what I meant. Besides, I don’t even know why you ordered me to monitor Verian Kalburdern.”fwg68it
v4d25PNOf course not, Fernan hadn’t explained it clearly.te8WY
HLZXlEven if he tried to reason it out, without knowing Verian was supposed to fall to a demon in the future, there was no way to draw a logical conclusion.ZmoE0
qzd9“Well, that’s how the world works.”JXs1lW
kgSThings rarely go as planned. Especially when it comes to demons that hadn’t appeared in over a thousand years.xphyspM
ZkCok“Anyway, something more urgent has come up.”ipSgjfl
0MuFernan closed his now-filled subspace and replied.eduUQV
TVgS2jd“I’m going to supervise the midterms.”daqe
pZk“First years again?”eeG8Lf
XZNzS“Yes.”ZNHCmN
vWG0R4“Do you really have to go that far for Aint Armian? I don’t really get it.”iHyjr
RbJ“I’ll explain everything once this is over.”8oM9
VyygIf Verian really had become a demon’s pawn, he could gather evidence. If not, the prophecy was false, and he could convince Hyde accordingly.fM0
esz6“I trust you… but do you have to go alone this time?”l7O8LdU
awhNt“Why?”6WqG
BtXZJG“Because I can’t go with you.”8yKg2XZ
u4Eee“…What do you mean?”Fs0lZS
7bklFernan’s eyes widened at the completely unexpected response.Ris
5z9eTK6“A letter came from the family.”EqYg
siNgGzHyde handed him a letter with a broken seal.niMWr3
gD3Fernan checked it and clicked his tongue.wQKL5
HTl“A summons from my father.”kObx8lF
RrdW“Yes.”4ic
pT5“Ugh… Why now, of all times?”1VEpFD
HzZn“Yes.”UKlQm
yqZTx5BThis was bad.T2Cw
uDHHe was on his way to personally confirm the demon with his own eyes. There was no way to know what variables or dangers might lurk, so he had tried to prepare as best he could.H2aM3p
dQ7jCjIn that sense, an escort wasn’t optional—it was a necessity.mQkmo
ESEw4BYAfter thinking for a moment, Fernan nodded.xw6cA
FQGc“It can’t be helped. Go, I’ll take someone else.”FAeDF
1F56“Someone else?”H6A
9d3AZUFernan tore a piece of paper from a stack in the corner of the warehouse and scribbled something on it.Cg97
ChLsr“Deliver this to Luina Bercheff. As quickly as possible.”ANTMLo
sc8Fortunately, he still had another card to play.6fWPm
boYY“What is this, so early in the morning?”xHm9
ILV2B9yAfter leaving the trading company, Fernan entered a café. It was run by the company.Pl9WH
cYdjWhen he opened the door to a private room, Luina was already waiting, having responded to his message.T85
9YnFDmn“I’ll get straight to the point—we don’t have much time. A rare elixir has been discovered in the northwestern mountains.”aUIl
hlKG“An elixir?”y9n0Tz
wl6ZtWq“It’s comparable to the mandrake you took. I’m going to harvest it.”4Gm4DOk
EbzgMhAt the mention of mandrake, Luina’s eyes widened.CV5PI
LiiK“And what does that have to do with me?”BvVAmxS
rCnag“I want to ask you to accompany me. While harvesting an elixir, I won’t be in a position to watch my surroundings.”DXRxO
iPFLuina tilted her head at his words.Ert
NfoHFVf“But the western slope of the mountains is where the first-year knight students are taking their midterms. Access should be restricted, no?”OsugM
mRaJF“There’s nothing in this world that money can’t resolve.”aAejUl
gTbn“…You say that like bribery is something to be proud of.”pV9NxM
1ZoShe shot Fernan a scornful look.ktHe3xk
9k1pse“Who was it? Actually, I don’t even need to ask. Professor Grad. I can’t believe he took a bribe and let someone into a testing site…”QDgcdOe
kXiG“That’s not what matters right now.”YF1XN9D
xN2OycL“How can that not be what matters?”iAE5w0L
aQ1p1mEFernan had brought a fake elixir because he knew her personality well.2g7C
hMMosplRather than intrude into the exam site without reason, it was better to have a clear purpose—one that wasn’t intended to harm anyone.8JwFmbA
Q18v“I’ll collect the elixir and leave. If you come with me, there’ll be no need to cause trouble.”g5MvC
SxJ“Does it really have to be today?”c8OoF
U6NLkV“It’s a rare elixir. What if someone else finds it today?”Fx2d7
tQa“One day late—”NdEQ24f
vxV“Even being a minute late can mean losing the right to a plant.”zBoGfq
v6zAnd once she came with him, all he had to do was orchestrate a meeting with the demon.mYeGRD
qIj5Luina Bercheff was someone who believed in upholding justice and protecting the weak—a model knight in every sense.Z2jJ
DXFhtAnd if she came face-to-face with a real demon?Bjv
c8PDrIf she realized she had to fight it?t8SJDG
8xrZnQwWhat would she do? Stand by or act?NL5LS
KuIydAnd maybe she would become more cooperative with Fernan, who was trying to stop the demons.BCp8nb
23Ph3‘Even though the prophecy’s credibility has slightly diminished, the fact remains: it warned of demons that would plunge the entire continent into chaos.’ngtx6lc
XhExThis wasn’t a threat that one person or one household could stop alone.XxOiW
puJaHe needed allies.cXxCjQU
Xg5PGccSure, Aint Armian might end up stopping the demon anyway. But now that he was aware his actions could change the future, he had to prepare for any possible outcome.gy7U3x
B9ui1qHe had to be ready for the butterfly effect of a changed fate.2sx9tPb
406kf“In that sense, you’re quite suitable.”FIa8FS
lu3The second-ranked student in the academy, daughter of a former Elector family, was slowly regaining her strength, even if that strength had once crumbled.0mMU
qEmbkw0And the prophecy, still largely accurate, had named her a future Royal Knight, despite some cracks in its credibility.wqTIDKs
emB2jShe was the ideal assistant.U4T4JI
BYYOriginally, he had only planned to show her the evidence, but now that Hyde had been called away, he had no choice but to bring her as a companion and let her witness it firsthand.ujE
4GBjXD“…What’s that supposed to mean, all of a sudden?”yl3o
BSh“It means I’m counting on you to be my companion.”1mIiX
8fBtT“I never said I would.”dPxkY
XtqLuina frowned.JFpjP
Q8yPL“Why should I? I’m busy with the midterms too.”ekj4HE
6RYz“You ate the mandrake root, didn’t you?”1ch2
WILHer aura was clearly different from before. She hadn’t fully assimilated the elixir’s energy yet; it felt wild and unruly.tWH
NRzH“…How long do you think you can keep using that against me?”nP7QT6
hGDDL“This is only the second time. And the last.”2I2w
Y5Qra3“Even so, sneaking into the exam site is too much…”ynrLg
WP0While she hesitated, Fernan spoke again. He hadn’t planned to rely on words alone to persuade her.0sP8
sfJr“I’m visiting my family over the break. I’m thinking of bringing up the matter of House Bercheff to my father.”ECohyYq
L11S“…Are you blackmailing me right now?”CKSIHTz
rbyGT“No. It’s a proposal. If you help me, maybe your family’s interest rates won’t go up after graduation.”8Whi
fEY“You think that’s going to—”3EF
J2BDd“I think I’ve earned enough trust.”szsmVM
GT01“Still…”KVTfm
Rdg“Who knows how many years it might take for your family’s restoration to come.”IeiEL
642yLuina grabbed his hand.g9w
EyIThe first-year midterms had nothing extraordinary about them.kba
8yCJQICJust like the second-years had done not long ago, the students demonstrated their skills in the northern mountain range.y12J
f6mqThe difference this time was that it wasn’t a paired test, but one conducted solely by the Knight Department. It lasted two days. And it wasn’t just a practice—it was a real exam.BNfMPW
f9K7f***j9qXsc
iJ6In the thick forests of the mountains, a young man and a woman moved silently.zk65h
1Jky“Conceal your presence as much as possible. Don’t let any teachers or instructors detect you.”d2VP2
PzUsxfyFernan spoke as he wore a special cloak that concealed his presence and energy.KaQRc
JAXw3“Didn’t you say you bribed Professor Grad?”lAulIVm
SDPr“Just because I bribed him doesn’t mean I can walk around in the open.”uj0
3ioB3Ci“At least you know this is problematic. That’s something, I guess.”7sNRjs
UxECIyLuina, who was also wearing a stealth cloak, let out a soft sigh.ZIIa5UV
tbt“So, where are we going?”v82
S23k“To wait.”RleSbw
sPRFernan pulled a map from his coat. Red and blue dots moved around on it.OgG7mZ
LjvZ“According to this map…”qnO
fYAsx“…That’s a professor’s map, isn’t it?”kDqLglI
wAvT6Ws“Correct. I received it along with strict instructions not to cross paths with any instructors or students.”7w9oUV
x8L“…Oh, Professor Grad. Nothing surprises me anymore.”RL9q
wUfWNo, Luina muttered, maybe sneaking them in like this was actually the best option.V6vrPVl
olBSPFernan acted as if everything was going smoothly while searching for a number. The point marked with 38 was him.xbC
WsA“Well.”6jAx
wgZHe saw a nearby point marked with a 2, and his eyes lit up.GgiqnQK
U4dIk“This way. Let’s go.”kUmm
Ecwa“Right. And we’re just going to collect the elixir and leave immediately.”10Z9PW
caJ“Obviously.”JHSZ
I4LvBm“It doesn’t sound obvious when it’s you saying it.”02WqPc
nfNoThe two moved quickly into the mountains. Monsters emitting a foul stench appeared, but thanks to their suppression techniques and the help of artifacts, they managed to avoid them.E5wN
S9yBThanks to the map, they also avoided any encounters with students or instructors.tEJTTzz
R0eFCzzThe unexpected happened when they reached the central region of the mountain range.hzEFQV
Voza6───!FNBW
gql7dl──!TY76d
R4yMQMRoars and monster screams erupted from all directions.BIqz6M
Ob64GHA sinister energy began spreading throughout the area.po6gf
L2qENrThe dots on the map moved frantically, and students’ screams echoed through the forest.vigB
L35“…What is this?”UYQ
ATwaOHpAlarmed, Luina drew her sword.XAj
fwpOR2Before them stood a troll, eyes bloodshot and nostrils flaring.WCOtS
KdldTOXIts bulging veins and muscles, along with the drool pouring from its mouth, made it clear this wasn’t a normal state.nslRcvV
uwW“…!”KF6t
8MUHqfeHer sword met the club. Luina’s shining blue aura blade split the club in a single strike.UJ7Ih0Z
aakHowever, even without its weapon, the troll didn’t falter. Eyes rolling back, it threw a punch.cJtv7iv
UQvM6nMBoom!YsZJ
Cx9BX5fA crater formed in the ground. Debris exploded in every direction.Hx6
ak7e4At the same time, stone spears shot out from all sides, piercing the troll—but it didn’t react.Dw2hh5
BtHEven with spears in its back, it charged at Luina with the intent to kill.5jMrJK
UyrXIt crushed trees with its body. Even when its arm was cut off by her sword, it didn’t stop.Vu1Uyd
ibnlIt was pure madness.wnk
2XZ1UFX“WHAT IS THIS?!”6On3q
uAiE“It’s in a berserk state! Be careful! Trolls in that state don’t feel pain; you have to decapitate them completely to kill them.”iyTrQC
tWYhMBerserker monsters were completely different from normal ones.I8G
ulg1MdThey burned through their life force in a frenzied rampage; each one posed a deadly threat.q4mMKfl
Vdy2tFThis was an anomaly severe enough to justify immediate suspension of the exam.RgIk1CL
CMBcFernan hadn’t expected the monster to instinctively pierce through the stealth artifact, but he stayed calm.ET0B
nwp“So it’s begun.”WRpux
fudkBecause he knew this was exactly the event foretold in the prophecy.Ljw
SdpUD‘Even without contact between Verian and the demons, the monster wave still happens, huh?’J3A
pjHHe scoffed to himself.oOX
Ra4bm‘No need to pretend anymore. How ridiculous.’kxkLlNe
no1With a mocking smile, Fernan began casting a spell.kz0e
E1qFirst, he needed to get rid of that tenacious beast.yykYPC
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