Chapter 15

In plays or similar scenes, there’s a fairly common cliché.

When the protagonist is in danger, that’s exactly when problems start exploding from all directions.

And as if that weren’t enough, the allies who could help disappear, so the protagonist ends up having to solve everything alone.

That such a stereotypical situation would also happen in real life was absurd, but still, that chaos was precisely the development described in the Book of Prophecies.

“We have to leave this to the professors and assistants and get out of here as soon as possible.”

What Luina said was true.

The professors and assistants were stationed at different points across the area precisely for emergencies like this.

It might take them some time, but they’d eventually resolve the situation somehow. Of course, not without casualties, but that was no longer their concern.

“No. I won’t.”

However, that wasn’t what Fernan wanted.

“We’re going in.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Crazy? Not at all.”

He had come to witness this. And, in fact, he had brought Luina precisely for this situation.

“The monsters in the northwest zone are all cataloged. They’re not very strong.”

After all, the western sector of the northern mountain range was reserved for lower-year students.

“Even in a berserk state, do you think they could really handle the two of us?”

“…Don’t tell me you brought me expecting this from the start?”

How unnecessarily perceptive.

“Don’t be ridiculous. How could I have foreseen this?”

“Well… that’s also true.”

“There’s an elixir not far from here. And you’re telling me to let it go? Besides, I already promised you a reward.”

“…Given the circumstances, you can cancel that promise.”

“No. I won’t pass up that elixir.”

He shook his head firmly.

“Is the elixir more important than your life?”

“You’re making me repeat myself like a parrot. I’m not in danger. You’re here, aren’t you? What could go wrong?”

Right after Aint defeated Verian and left him unconscious, a massive berserk wave among the monsters would erupt, caused by the demons.

While the professors and assistants struggled to contain that situation, Verian—now possessed by demonic power—would charge after him.

And Aint Armian, facing an enemy he couldn’t handle, would be defeated over and over again, until he finally awakened.

That moment—when Aint Armian first faced a demon—was the most important scene in the Book of Prophecies.

Fernan had to witness it with his own eyes. Only then would he get definitive confirmation about the book.

“If you’re not coming, I’ll go alone. Go back. Forget the agreement.”

Fernan walked away decisively, not waiting for Luina’s reply. She watched him silently, her mind blank.

“…What could that elixir be worth?”

Surely it wasn’t something ordinary. But even so, was it worth more than life? Luina simply couldn’t understand it.

“You think if you tell me to leave, I’ll just do it?”

Fernan wasn’t weak. And he knew how to cover his blind spots using artifacts. Even if the monsters went berserk, probably nothing serious would happen.

…Probably.

“…”

Luina let out a deep sigh.

If she let him go and he ended up dead, she probably wouldn’t sleep peacefully for the rest of her life.

“Wait!”

Clenching her lips tightly, she ran after Fernan.

***

“I thought you weren’t coming?”

“I never said that.”

Luina stepped forward determinedly, leading the way. Since there were no paths in the thick mountain forest, it was more efficient for her to take the lead.

“We’ll just extract the elixir and leave immediately.”

“Does that mean you’re helping me?”

“Do I have to say it in so many words?”

“Yes. Make sure you stick to it. As soon as we get the elixir, we leave.”

“Which direction is it?”

Hmm. Fernan unfolded the map and, after confirming the location, headed west.

At that moment, Luina stopped. She gripped the hilt of her sword tightly.

Not far away, a student was running for his life, fleeing from a group of monsters.

“Help! Assistant! Assistant!”

Dozens of monsters were on his heels. It was clear his situation was critical.

“Want to help him?”

“If we leave him, he’ll die.”

“We can’t be discovered.”

“But…”

Fernan checked the map again.

“No assistants nearby, but a good reinforcement is. They’ll save him soon.”

“Reinforcement?”

At that instant—

Slash!

A burst of dark blue aura cut through the air. The monsters chasing their prey were cleaved in half, and blood splattered into the air.

“Get behind me!”

With a short command, the sword’s blade shone again. Each time it sliced through the air, a monster fell without fail.

“Valoshi…!”

The rescued student hid behind the young man’s back. The battle ended so quickly that the previous chase almost felt like a lie.

The difference in level was overwhelming.

“Thanks, Valoshi.”

“It was the right thing to do.”

“…Ah, but…”

Only then did the student seem to remember the midterm’s objective and hesitated.

However, Valoshi shook his head.

“I’m not here to worry about grades in the middle of this. I’m going to find the assistants. Come with me.”

“Can I really go?”

“Of course.”

The two disappeared into the underbrush. Hidden and suppressing her presence, Luina watched them go and muttered softly:

“…Valoshi Bienderk.”

The monster who became first in the Knight Department after crushing the former second place, Verian.

“What did I tell you? Wasn’t I right?”

“Definitely.”

“Impressions after seeing him in person? Think you could beat him in a fight?”

“He didn’t show his full power, so I can’t assess it for sure.”

Luina nodded as if it was obvious.

“I don’t think I’d lose.”

“Good. That’s how it should be.”

Whether Valoshi Bienderk would become a Royal Knight or not, Fernan didn’t know.

But Luina was an official Royal Knight candidate recognized by none other than Gardner Alpenfarsen.

There was no reason for Luina to fall behind Valoshi—not in talent, nor in her position as Aint’s ally.

‘Valoshi Bienderk, I’ll have to keep an eye on you too.’

Fernan memorized his face well.

“What are you muttering about?”

“Nothing important. Let’s go, we’ll be late. I’ll start using magic now.”

Rumble!

Fernan began shifting the terrain beneath their feet, moving forward at great speed.

“Okay.”

Luina nodded slightly and followed him. Then tilted her head in confusion.

‘Late for what?’

Weren’t they only going to extract the elixir?

***

They were late.

Fernan came to that conclusion.

Giant trees knocked down, the ground completely torn up, piles of crushed rocks, and monster corpses scattered everywhere.

The scene, resembling a battlefield, clearly showed that an extremely violent fight had taken place there.

And in the center of those ruins… was a collapsed figure.

“What is this…?”

“There was a fight.”

“…Verian Kalburdern?”

Luina recognized the fallen body.

“Wait…!”

Before Fernan could stop her, she hurried over. She examined Verian’s wounds and breathing and then let out a sigh of relief.

“He’s hurt, but luckily still alive.”

“You shouldn’t approach him so carelessly!”

“What’s the point if he’s unconscious?”

Luina wore a puzzled expression. Fernan swallowed his words, as he still couldn’t convince her about the Book of Prophecies.

“If we’re not careful, we’ll be discovered. He seems to be out of the exam, so the assistants will come get him.”

But that wasn’t going to happen.

The sudden monster hysteria had completely wrecked the midterms, and the assistants didn’t have the resources to handle all the students.

At least, not until Verian, consumed by demonic mana, would rise to attack Aint.

“We can’t leave someone unconscious here. Also, don’t the monsters seem strange to you?”

“That’s why…”

How do I explain this…?

Fernan glanced at Verian. Fortunately, he didn’t show any signs of moving.

Or so he thought.

Crrrk…

A spine-chilling, indescribable sound echoed.

Instinctively, Fernan’s gaze turned to Verian. His eyes, previously shut, had opened.

And not just that.

They were completely bloodshot, and his entire skin was swelling and contracting grotesquely, as if pulsating.

“What…?”

“Luina! Get away from him now!”

Startled, Luina immediately stepped back. The body collapsed to the ground as if falling, but then sprang back up like triggered by a spring.

Haa… Black breath escaped his mouth with each heavy breath. His bloodshot eyes darted between Fernan and Luina.

And then.

──!

A murderous intent exploded violently. Fernan understood instantly.

“…Damn it.”

Something had gone terribly wrong.

***

The figure’s appearance was monstrous.

Parts of his skin had blackened, and his eyes were so red they looked like they might melt.

He wasn’t trying to hide it; his bloodlust and killing intent were so thick they suffocated the air.

But the worst part was the blackness crawling all over his body—an energy that invoked revulsion and visceral fear.

“…What the hell is that?”

Luina didn’t know, but Fernan did. That was demonic mana.

And that figure had been corrupted by a demon. The prophecy was true.

Within seconds, Fernan drew three conclusions.

The red pupils weren’t looking toward where Aint had disappeared—they were fixed on Fernan and Luina.

The worst-case scenario.

‘That’s why I said not to approach so lightly.’

They should’ve moved away before he woke. No, it was already too late. It wasn’t time to blame Luina.

An unconscious student in the middle of a monster stampede… If one didn’t know about demons, of course trying to rescue him made sense.

‘But still…’

He wouldn’t blame her—but she’d have to deal with the consequences.

“What is that…?”

“Luina. Calm down and listen.”

Fernan slowly moved to the side. The creature’s gaze followed him.

It didn’t look like he’d let them go to chase Aint.

“That’s demonification.”

“Demonification?”

“He was corrupted by a demon’s power. Judging by his eyes, he’s lost nearly all reason.”

“You’re telling me the demons have returned to the world? And through Verian Kalburdern?”

Luina was horrified.

“And how do you know that…?”

“Do you think you can defeat him?”

“…I don’t know.”

Luina bit her lip. The demonic mana intensified endlessly, and its pressure far exceeded any limits Verian might’ve had.

It was impossible to gauge his true level.

“Yeah, figured you’d say that.”

Fernan wasn’t disappointed.

This was a monster Aint only defeated after receiving help from Gardner Alfenparsen and awakening his power, and even then, after a fierce battle.

Even if Luina was quite different from Aint, this opponent wasn’t going to be easy.

Fortunately.

“Luina.”

Fernan always assumed the worst-case scenario.

“Hold out for just ten minutes. When I’m ready, I’ll give you the signal.”

He had his own preparations.

“Good luck.”

“…Huh?”

Without waiting for her answer, Fernan turned and ran.

Luina’s stunned gaze stuck to his back, and at that moment, the tense stillness shattered.

───!

Verian moved.

The sword tainted with demonic mana came down on Luina.

“Argh…!”

She let out a grunt from the impact, far stronger than she’d imagined.

“Damn you…!”

─!

──!

In mere seconds, they exchanged dozens of blows.

Fernan was already far away.

And all Luina could do was suppress her rage and keep fighting.