A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 140

Chapter 140

“An⁠ egg?”

Aint‍⁠⁠ carefully picked it⁠⁠‍ up.

Was‌ this really a Saintbird egg?

“It’s⁠ the first time‌‌ I’ve seen a Saintbird.”

— To be precise,⁠‌ it’s an egg.‍ Even so, I understand why the⁠‍ First Emperor left‍ this behind.

An‍‍ adult Saintbird was a colossal creature,‍‌ easily over five‍ meters tall.

Its⁠‍ back was wide⁠‌ enough to carry⁠⁠ a human, and⁠⁠⁠ the First Emperor‍⁠ used to ride‍‍ one.

That’s⁠⁠ why the Saintbird‍⁠ became the symbol‍‍ of House Armian.‌‍‌

“But‌ is this really‍ okay? It’s been‍⁠ nearly a thousand years. Shouldn’t it⁠ be dead hundreds‌ of times over‍ by now?”

A thousand years was‌‌ too long.

Even‌‌ for a Saintbird,‍‌ which lived for‌ hundreds of years, it should have‌ died of old‍‌ age several times⁠ over by now.‌‌‍

Even⁠ if it had‍ been preserved by⁠‍ magic, it was‌ hard to believe‍⁠ it could still⁠ be alive after‍ so long.

This⁠‍ wasn’t a simple object—it was a living being.

“…It’s‍⁠ warm.”

For some reason, Aint‍ could feel warmth‌‌ from the egg.‍‌⁠

— Could it really⁠‍‌ be possible, even‍⁠ if the First‍⁠⁠ Emperor used some⁠‌ method?

— Check the box.

Inside were countless engraved‌ magic circles.

Neither‍⁠ Gardner nor Aint,‍‍ both being swordsmen,‍‌ could understand what‌⁠ they meant.

“If⁠‌ I knew what‌ these meant, I could figure out‍ the egg’s condition…⁠⁠⁠ but like this,‍ I’ve got no idea.”

— Take it to⁠‌ Fernan.

“To‌‍ Fernan, the Senior?”⁠⁠

— Yes. This is⁠ too big to‍ tell just anyone,⁠ but Fernan is‍⁠⁠ different. He might‍‌‍ expect something in‌ return, but he’s the one who‍‌‌ gave you this‍ box and has helped you many‍‍ times.

— Most of all,‌ remember it was‌ Fernan who gave‍‍ you the Saintbird’s‍‍ heart.

He‌ had the most,‍ and for that very reason, he‍‌ could examine the⁠⁠ egg without greed.⁠‍⁠

— He’s the one⁠ who best understands your value.

“True.”⁠‍⁠

Aint‌‍ took the egg‍⁠‌ and box to⁠‌ Fernan.

“So this is the‌⁠ chest, and this⁠ is what was‌ inside?”

“Yes.”‍‌

It‌⁠ was already evening, but despite being‍ busy with guild‍ matters, Fernan received‌ him privately.

“…Incredible.”‍

Seeing⁠ the engravings and‍‌ inner circles, Fernan‍⁠ couldn’t help but‌ exclaim.

“Is⁠⁠ it really that‍⁠ amazing? I don’t‍ really get it…”⁠

“There’s⁠‍ a magic stone embedded inside this‍‌ box. That stone‌‍‌ absorbs mana from the surroundings and‌‍ turns the box⁠ into a semi-permanent⁠‍ container.”

To‌ Rosalia, this would‌‍ be an irresistible‍‌⁠ treasure—the pinnacle of⁠‍‍ all her research.‌⁠

‘This‌⁠ isn’t like magic‌‌ lamps.’

Magic‍ lamps only absorbed mana to produce‌‌⁠ light—a simple and‌ low-efficiency mechanism.

This,⁠ on the other‌⁠‌ hand, was on‍‍ a completely different‍ level.

‘Did⁠ something like this⁠ exist a thousand‍‌ years ago and‌⁠⁠ get lost?’

If‌‌⁠ so, there should‌ be records—but he‍ had never seen‍⁠⁠ anything like it.‍

‘Or‍‌ was it something‌ only the First⁠⁠ Emperor could make?’‌⁠⁠

Maybe‌‍ he deliberately kept⁠ it hidden.

‘That’s⁠ something to figure⁠‍ out later…’

Fernan‌‍ examined it thoroughly‍‌ and finally understood.‌

“This‌‍ is a high-level‍‌‍ freezing magic circle.”‍

“Freezing?”‌‍

“Yes.⁠ The level is‍ so advanced that‌‌‍ even I don’t‍‌ understand half of‌ it. But most‍‌ likely, when the‍ lid closed, the⁠‍‌ egg was frozen.”‌‌

“Frozen…?”⁠

“In‍ ancient research, there‌‍ were attempts to‍‌⁠ preserve living creatures⁠ in hibernation through magical freezing. Many survived intact even⁠ after centuries. This‍ is probably the same.”

Fernan‌ continued analyzing.

“There’s⁠ also a magic‍‍ circle to thaw‍ the egg. The catalyst is blood—probably Armian blood. Tell‌⁠ me, are you‌ okay?”

“Eh?”⁠

“To⁠‍ meet the conditions,‍ a few drops‍‌ wouldn’t be enough—you‍ must’ve needed a lot of blood.”‌‍‌

“That’s‌ why it took‌‍ me so long‌‌‍ to open it.‌‍ Yeah, it needed‌⁠ a lot.”

Aint‌ scratched his neck,‌‍ smiling awkwardly.

“In‌ conclusion, this egg‍‌ was placed into⁠ hibernation to be⁠ given to you.‌ But even with‌ extraordinary magic, there’s⁠ no guarantee it’s⁠‌⁠ still alive after‍‌ a thousand years.”

Fernan⁠ placed both hands‌⁠ on the egg‌⁠ and closed his‍ eyes.

He⁠ channeled mana into it, but the shell rejected it.⁠‌

‘Is⁠‍ it repelling me?’⁠‌

Of‍ course—it was a Saintbird.

Intrigued, he controlled the‌‌ mana flow more‍‌ precisely.

As⁠‍⁠ he projected it⁠‍⁠ onto the shell—‌

Crack—‍

The‍‌ egg split in⁠ two.

From‌ within, the head⁠ of a white‌‍ bird emerged, locking‍ eyes with Fernan.‌

“……”⁠‍

Piiiiiiiiiiiiii—⁠

Crash!

The⁠ screech echoed as‍‍‌ the office windows‌ shattered into pieces.

***‍

“……”‌‍⁠

Fernan‌ was dumbfounded.

Pipipipi—‌

He‍ never imagined it‍ would actually hatch‌ after a thousand‌ years.

Nor⁠‌ that, upon doing so, it would follow him everywhere.

The‍⁠ first thing the creature did was‍ perch on his‌⁠ shoulder and rub against his cheek.‌‍

When‍ he returned it⁠‍⁠ to Aint, it‌ flapped its wings⁠ and flew right‍ back to Fernan.‌‌

If‌ Fernan moved, it followed.

“…I‍ didn’t cause this.”‌

“Yeah,‍ I know.”

Aint was also surprised.⁠

The idea of being‌‌ able to raise⁠‍ a Saintbird had‌ made him happy—but⁠ the white bird paid him no‌⁠ attention. It only‍⁠⁠ sought Fernan.

Piiiiiiiiiiii!

If‍ they tried to forcibly separate it,⁠ it screeched until‌ the windows shattered.‌

“…There’s‍⁠‍ no helping it.‌‍ I’ll look for⁠ a solution and⁠ come back later.”‌‌

“…It’s⁠ not like I’m⁠ trying to keep‌ it.”

“I⁠ know. I saw⁠‌ it with my⁠‍⁠ own eyes.”

Aint‍‌ left, resigned.

— Is this the⁠ effect of Saintbird⁠ imprinting?

— I can’t blame Fernan, but it’s‌ annoying.

“Totally.”⁠

— What a waste,‍ what a waste!‌⁠

That’s‍ how Gardner felt—and‍‍ so did Aint.‌

This‌‌ wasn’t just any‌ creature—a Saintbird, a legendary beast on‌ par with a phoenix.

Losing⁠‌ it like this‌‍ turned his stomach.‍

If⁠‍‍ it hadn’t been‍ Fernan—and if it‍‌⁠ hadn’t been such‌ an inevitable accident—Aint⁠ might’ve let out‌‍‌ the first brutal⁠⁠ curse of his⁠‌ life.

— Let’s resign ourselves.‌‌ Leave it in‍ Fernan’s hands, and‍ we’ll think about‌⁠‌ how to reclaim‍ it later.

“What‍⁠‌ if we never‍‍ can?”

— Then think of it as payment.‌ Fernan gave you⁠‌ the Saintbird’s heart‍‌‍ and handed you‌‌ that box.

That‍⁠ thought gave him some comfort.

He‍‌ had lost the‍‌ Saintbird—but in return,‍‍⁠ he had its‌‌ heart.

“Still,‍ it’s so frustrating!⁠ I wanted to‌ fly a Saintbird‌ like the First‌ Emperor!”

— So did I!‍ Damn First Emperor!‍⁠‌ If you were going to leave‌ this behind, you⁠ should’ve told me!‍

For‌‍ the first time‌ since he’d known‍ him, Aint heard‌‍ Gardner curse the‍ Emperor.

***

“May⁠‌ a bag of⁠ gold coins fall‌ on me from⁠‌ the sky…”

“Pii?”

— Kyu?

The‍‍ bird and the‍‌ golem stared at each other across‍ the table, tilting⁠ their heads curiously.

It was a rather⁠ confusing situation—the box⁠ had contained an⁠ egg, which had‌ hatched just fine after a thousand‍‌⁠ years, and above‌‍ all, that it‍‌ had imprinted on‌‍ Fernan the moment⁠ it was opened.⁠‌

“Is‍ this what they‌ call the imprinting⁠ effect or something?”⁠

Aint‍ had heard that‍‌‌ birds, upon hatching,⁠‍ regarded the first creature they saw as their parent.‌⁠‌

They‍‌ said it wasn’t⁠ a universal rule,⁠ but—

“Pii!”‍

Apparently,‌‍ Saintbirds fell into⁠ the category where it was.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be clinging to him‍‍ just for making⁠⁠ eye contact when‌ it was born.‍‌‍

“…I‌ hope it doesn’t‍ hold a grudge⁠⁠ against me for‍ this.”

Fortunately,⁠‍ Aint wasn’t the‌ type to forget‍‍⁠ what he’d been‍ given and only‍‍ think about what‍‌ had been taken.‌⁠

“But,‌‍ what am I supposed to do⁠‌ with this thing?”‍‍

It‌‍ wouldn’t leave him⁠ alone for a second, and even⁠‌‌ if he brought‍‍ it along, it‍‍‌ wasn’t just any‌ bird.

With its two pairs⁠‌‍ of wings, anyone‌ would recognize it as a Saintbird.

“This‍‍‌ really is a problem…”

At‌‌‌ that moment, Wooden⁠‍‌ thumped his chest firmly.

“You‌⁠ want to take‍ care of it?”‌

— Kyu.

— Kyu, kyu, kyuuu,⁠ kyu.

Wooden‍⁠ made a series‌ of sounds, and⁠‍ the Saintbird looked‌ as if it⁠ were about to‍‍ cry.

— Kyuuu…

But‌‍‍ in the end,‍ when Wooden shook⁠ his head firmly⁠⁠ and looked at‌ Fernan, the Saintbird‍ nodded in resignation.⁠

Its serious expression seemed‌ to say it‍‌ would be hard,⁠⁠ but it would‍ endure it.

‘…Could⁠⁠ it be that,‌ as a spirit,⁠ he can communicate‍ with a magical‌⁠ beast?’

Whatever‍ the case, it was a relief.⁠‌

“Then,⁠ Wooden, take care‌ of this little‌‍‌ one. Don’t leave‍‌ this room under‌‌ any circumstances.”

— Kyu.

Before‍‌ leaving, Fernan activated‌ the protective magic‌ circle in his⁠‍ office.

It was a defense‍ spell that prevented anyone from entering except himself; he‌‍⁠ had installed it‌ to prevent intrusions,⁠ but now it served the opposite⁠⁠‍ purpose.

With‌⁠ everything ready, Fernan‌‌ headed to the⁠‍ professors’ tower.

“What‌ is it now?”

After⁠ a while, Professor Rosalia entered his‌⁠ office, while Fernan‍ waited sipping coffee.‌

“Seems‍‌ like you were‍ busy.”

“I⁠ was researching something.‌‍ What do you want?”

“I‌ brought a gift‌ I’m sure you’ll‍ like.”

“A gift?”

“This.”⁠

It‌ was the box‍ that had held‌ the Saintbird egg,⁠‍ with the semi-permanent‌‍ magic stone embedded⁠ and the complex⁠ engraved magic circles.‌

“…This…”‍⁠

Professor Rosalia immediately recognized⁠⁠ its value.

“Where‌⁠ did you get‍ this?”

“I‍ stumbled upon it‍⁠‌ and thought it‌‌‍ might be useful‌ to you. Both‌‌ the freezing circle and the semi-permanent magic stone.”

“Stumbled‍⁠ upon it? And you expect me‍ to believe that?”⁠‌

“It⁠ actually belonged to⁠‍‌ Aint.”

“…Was‌ something like a semi-permanent magic stone⁠ already developed? At⁠ such a high‌ level…?”

Rosalia‌⁠ fell silent for⁠ a long while—perhaps‍ because this meant⁠ her years of‌‌ research had only‌‌‌ been following in‍‍ someone else’s footsteps.‌

“Are you okay?”

“There’s⁠‌ no reason not⁠‍ to be. In‍ all my years⁠⁠ of study, I’ve never seen a record of this magic being completed.”‌⁠

If⁠‍ it had been‍ used a thousand‍‌‌ years ago and⁠ then lost, it‌‍ was almost as⁠‌ if it had‍⁠‌ never existed.

“Besides,⁠‍ this method is‌‍ a bit different from the path I was pursuing.”‌

“Which⁠‍ is exactly why‍‌ I thought it‍ might help you,‌‌ professor.”

“And‌ how did you‌‍ know what it⁠‍ was?”

“I’m‍ first in theoretical⁠⁠ studies, aren’t I?”‌‌

Fernan‌ said it calmly.‌

Maybe‌‍ his combat skills⁠‍‌ weren’t worthy of‌ first place, but‌⁠‍ in knowledge and‌ written exams, he‌ was ahead of‍ everyone.

“The⁠ freezing circle is⁠ on a level‌ that even surpasses‌ mine. Whoever made⁠‍ it was definitely a great mage.”‌

If‍ it had been‍‍ someone who fought‌‍‍ demons alongside the‌‍ First Emperor, it‌ was only natural‌ they had that‌⁠ level.

“I’ll⁠‌ have to investigate‍ it more thoroughly,‍ but I’ll gladly⁠ accept it.”

“Consider‍‍‌ it a gift‍ from your investor.‍ Use it well.”‍‍

Fernan⁠⁠‍ smiled calmly.

After all, nothing was‌⁠ more satisfying than‌ earning favor using⁠ someone else’s resources.⁠‌

“Before‍ you go, give me some cigarettes.”⁠‌‍

“You⁠ already finished them⁠⁠ all?”

“No.”⁠

“Then?”‌

“I‌‍ say that because‍ I’m about to‍‍ smoke more than‍ ever.”

Rosalia’s‌‌ eyes gleamed with⁠⁠‌ that research-driven greed⁠ unique to mages‍‍ as she stared⁠‍ at the box.

***‌⁠

Time‌‍ passed quickly, and‌ in the blink⁠‌ of an eye,⁠‍‌ a month had‌‍‍ gone by since⁠ the start of‌⁠ the new semester.‍

That⁠⁠ meant the moment⁠‌ foretold in the‍‍ prophecy book was‍‌ approaching.

Aint,‍ Luina, Aria, and⁠‍ Verian had already‍ been warned about‍ possible emergencies.

Fernan,‍ too, had thoroughly‌ prepared, with plenty⁠⁠‌ of holy water‍‍ stored in his‌ subspace.

The⁠⁠ Mercenary King had‍ agreed to the‍ commission, and the‍ troops stationed at‍ the black stone‍ mine were ready‍‍‍ to march south‍ the moment they received the order.‌

“All‌ that’s left is‌ for Flauros to⁠⁠ descend.”

“You⁠ say that like‍ you’re hoping the‌‍ demon appears.”

“No⁠⁠ way. No one‌ wants it not‌ to appear more‍‌⁠ than I do.”‌‌‍

However—

No‍‍ message came from‌ Frazia.