Chapter 15
fHWHNnPIn plays or similar scenes, there’s a fairly common cliché.LzC
T4yWhen the protagonist is in danger, that’s exactly when problems start exploding from all directions.5ng
SCKWnAnd as if that weren’t enough, the allies who could help disappear, so the protagonist ends up having to solve everything alone.tON
8pClThat 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.Hhm
DCfW23w“We have to leave this to the professors and assistants and get out of here as soon as possible.”Wo8D
YsypQHLWhat Luina said was true.WPYbEA
she94tThe professors and assistants were stationed at different points across the area precisely for emergencies like this.1lUEe
PBeujdIt 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.0mFuHz
DJm6z“No. I won’t.”Oqwbp7x
cU6kHowever, that wasn’t what Fernan wanted.57L8O
uQ7uVY“We’re going in.”Ii1k0f2
ketoI“Are you crazy?”QSN5Ej4
ydrF“Crazy? Not at all.”H0QUTcB
RgmWsDHe had come to witness this. And, in fact, he had brought Luina precisely for this situation.fk88YE
s1EP“The monsters in the northwest zone are all cataloged. They’re not very strong.”EAS
POgLfZAfter all, the western sector of the northern mountain range was reserved for lower-year students.9v5f
SRW“Even in a berserk state, do you think they could really handle the two of us?”0N0W
cHU“…Don’t tell me you brought me expecting this from the start?”R7ECz
U4817s4How unnecessarily perceptive.TYnqWe3
ZKW“Don’t be ridiculous. How could I have foreseen this?”h7jVb
hUPiDWy“Well… that’s also true.”U1v7Q1
4n7g8m“There’s an elixir not far from here. And you’re telling me to let it go? Besides, I already promised you a reward.”jHXGur3
sOFN“…Given the circumstances, you can cancel that promise.”7pBS0
J51bz7“No. I won’t pass up that elixir.”kSt
X3aPHe shook his head firmly.rsC8IA1
zfS“Is the elixir more important than your life?”vDHA0e
zG9gdni“You’re making me repeat myself like a parrot. I’m not in danger. You’re here, aren’t you? What could go wrong?”GZhZ
IHM46WRight after Aint defeated Verian and left him unconscious, a massive berserk wave among the monsters would erupt, caused by the demons.bBd54
VZwGGWhile the professors and assistants struggled to contain that situation, Verian—now possessed by demonic power—would charge after him.1vR
1DypAnd Aint Armian, facing an enemy he couldn’t handle, would be defeated over and over again, until he finally awakened.6Tt
hM8That moment—when Aint Armian first faced a demon—was the most important scene in the Book of Prophecies.kMI
5XcuHFFernan had to witness it with his own eyes. Only then would he get definitive confirmation about the book.jbxNB
tod“If you’re not coming, I’ll go alone. Go back. Forget the agreement.”d4RQg
SfyriKFernan walked away decisively, not waiting for Luina’s reply. She watched him silently, her mind blank.i49
WHOxGV“…What could that elixir be worth?”0qqWnXB
AZFw3gZSurely it wasn’t something ordinary. But even so, was it worth more than life? Luina simply couldn’t understand it.fLmq
My2dd“You think if you tell me to leave, I’ll just do it?”6lek6s
m42D79pFernan 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.j06kxU1
N4Cw…Probably.LGI7
IHTB“…”6Z4WSX
eFa3lLuina let out a deep sigh.3kxL
bXnEJWIf she let him go and he ended up dead, she probably wouldn’t sleep peacefully for the rest of her life.P0WaemI
wUdIja“Wait!”i6Pv1xw
OxRClenching her lips tightly, she ran after Fernan.P2j
qNV***vBql1W
2403zMM“I thought you weren’t coming?”A8ISp
KaTa“I never said that.”G7hNU
C8h4bo7Luina 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.BoslN
PPyiL“We’ll just extract the elixir and leave immediately.”hlWB
943M“Does that mean you’re helping me?”KOM
54fZa1“Do I have to say it in so many words?”ihFd
sfx“Yes. Make sure you stick to it. As soon as we get the elixir, we leave.”oeymy
ujPMkRV“Which direction is it?”gneQ
BQUHmm. Fernan unfolded the map and, after confirming the location, headed west.cpy9U
LCpAt that moment, Luina stopped. She gripped the hilt of her sword tightly.i30fkQ
vB7Not far away, a student was running for his life, fleeing from a group of monsters.jhbI
iVIjMNO“Help! Assistant! Assistant!”6Ith4
TCKUDozens of monsters were on his heels. It was clear his situation was critical.dFnB
FHJH2a“Want to help him?”jXl50sG
gavb“If we leave him, he’ll die.”Za0sjP
rB0“We can’t be discovered.”F3bYQU
5KQbh4“But…”TXJ
u2quiLFernan checked the map again.5VlR
mvLWX“No assistants nearby, but a good reinforcement is. They’ll save him soon.”NAcROp
uN8R“Reinforcement?”GS7V
OfKukAt that instant—SiT
VawtqWWSlash!CSn
qwCC59YA burst of dark blue aura cut through the air. The monsters chasing their prey were cleaved in half, and blood splattered into the air.AbvSD8
XIcI5“Get behind me!”ZITtjf
m9ALBdWith a short command, the sword’s blade shone again. Each time it sliced through the air, a monster fell without fail.Ty7b
Qd7“Valoshi…!”WaJT2WT
O3HolThe rescued student hid behind the young man’s back. The battle ended so quickly that the previous chase almost felt like a lie.6pw
E2ZXpZThe difference in level was overwhelming.IfuUvS
QeFpH6i“Thanks, Valoshi.”qZgnr9
SBd“It was the right thing to do.”Epps
eVi6ER7“…Ah, but…”e48T2j
KrmjOnly then did the student seem to remember the midterm’s objective and hesitated.6Hpj7z
EQU7fNhHowever, Valoshi shook his head.TAe
QwBl7VD“I’m not here to worry about grades in the middle of this. I’m going to find the assistants. Come with me.”hH8d8
r2TcNj“Can I really go?”4ysI8t
P5Fuxby“Of course.”Bmonx4
DbwThe two disappeared into the underbrush. Hidden and suppressing her presence, Luina watched them go and muttered softly:Crcuy
dB2sv“…Valoshi Bienderk.”FGG7zc
Y8tg1The monster who became first in the Knight Department after crushing the former second place, Verian.rLW
6us“What did I tell you? Wasn’t I right?”JLjcy
fb9“Definitely.”gT2uW
cn7“Impressions after seeing him in person? Think you could beat him in a fight?”5miOrr
IgyN5“He didn’t show his full power, so I can’t assess it for sure.”Swd
K5WJZLuina nodded as if it was obvious.dbg269
QJN1N5“I don’t think I’d lose.”uQogC
lbCrf3“Good. That’s how it should be.”Og28
6hrEoxWhether Valoshi Bienderk would become a Royal Knight or not, Fernan didn’t know.mpZ
HmmPBut Luina was an official Royal Knight candidate recognized by none other than Gardner Alpenfarsen.np5BBiG
D3WItBThere was no reason for Luina to fall behind Valoshi—not in talent, nor in her position as Aint’s ally.OuFkvD
miB‘Valoshi Bienderk, I’ll have to keep an eye on you too.’pnfghF
XaRd8Fernan memorized his face well.eFAi2p
kTovS“What are you muttering about?”0UV
tw9NyU“Nothing important. Let’s go, we’ll be late. I’ll start using magic now.”lzwdE
gOFlwRumble!suA
nLvnEf1Fernan began shifting the terrain beneath their feet, moving forward at great speed.ToyoP5i
tYV“Okay.”qQm
ApGhnLuina nodded slightly and followed him. Then tilted her head in confusion.wvR
YGeFuZ5‘Late for what?’BwpHz
9Eo7FDWeren’t they only going to extract the elixir?UtZOb8h
zRs3N***TtwM
jMhjThey were late.WN1XI
3jSxeFernan came to that conclusion.qeYQM
QePO6hGiant trees knocked down, the ground completely torn up, piles of crushed rocks, and monster corpses scattered everywhere.ykSW9EE
DcehV3mThe scene, resembling a battlefield, clearly showed that an extremely violent fight had taken place there.WtEP
qFMiWAnd in the center of those ruins… was a collapsed figure.TmlAS
couA“What is this…?”NMIbJM
DyIqIb“There was a fight.”z8Gu
KuJopWO“…Verian Kalburdern?”fzVY
R21Luina recognized the fallen body.2D0XIr
qJ3“Wait…!”NIN4A
M8t1xOBBefore Fernan could stop her, she hurried over. She examined Verian’s wounds and breathing and then let out a sigh of relief.He5C
bt63n“He’s hurt, but luckily still alive.”KSIiDp
LhCNr“You shouldn’t approach him so carelessly!”3SISBV
Mopo“What’s the point if he’s unconscious?”Ggbr
XU2fKD9Luina wore a puzzled expression. Fernan swallowed his words, as he still couldn’t convince her about the Book of Prophecies.z386
KVQ“If we’re not careful, we’ll be discovered. He seems to be out of the exam, so the assistants will come get him.”qIqkBQq
n6YVpsKBut that wasn’t going to happen.ZpujEpv
HlvX8voThe sudden monster hysteria had completely wrecked the midterms, and the assistants didn’t have the resources to handle all the students.i78
yOyAt least, not until Verian, consumed by demonic mana, would rise to attack Aint.EGjKus
rVg“We can’t leave someone unconscious here. Also, don’t the monsters seem strange to you?”PlVs33
z2DXFc“That’s why…”PU0Sk
Qd57tHow do I explain this…?hIjDdm
DNA8vkFernan glanced at Verian. Fortunately, he didn’t show any signs of moving.WsJdyhl
tgX4JOr so he thought.G4i0qt
qqu6Crrrk…WpdPWC
v4EAvA spine-chilling, indescribable sound echoed.X7pNES
aUsrwInstinctively, Fernan’s gaze turned to Verian. His eyes, previously shut, had opened.Pw1J
hHjAnd not just that.yEuf5
6bDDu5uThey were completely bloodshot, and his entire skin was swelling and contracting grotesquely, as if pulsating.Gq9uOb
UCMEDT“What…?”MLE
ikDeF“Luina! Get away from him now!”wKhml
Hq4DZjxStartled, Luina immediately stepped back. The body collapsed to the ground as if falling, but then sprang back up like triggered by a spring.abX2vFV
ozZSFHaa… Black breath escaped his mouth with each heavy breath. His bloodshot eyes darted between Fernan and Luina.P9Sk
Z5cxKKAnd then.Zhw
zI1──!HsfT48h
zjuztlaA murderous intent exploded violently. Fernan understood instantly.cXv
Ri2O“…Damn it.”WU2
DEKSomething had gone terribly wrong.7YDoZ
nKEsI***WavIXk7
PvpKThe figure’s appearance was monstrous.AGy19
IeaAParts of his skin had blackened, and his eyes were so red they looked like they might melt.tgZYAAl
gxdMeUgHe wasn’t trying to hide it; his bloodlust and killing intent were so thick they suffocated the air.8O5
JI0dZpzBut the worst part was the blackness crawling all over his body—an energy that invoked revulsion and visceral fear.lMFAZO
HMuK“…What the hell is that?”XjH
6BwDB7Luina didn’t know, but Fernan did. That was demonic mana.8JTo
Kxz3q6gAnd that figure had been corrupted by a demon. The prophecy was true.5nQqGm
z4ZO2Within seconds, Fernan drew three conclusions.w2t8O
n85fYuThe red pupils weren’t looking toward where Aint had disappeared—they were fixed on Fernan and Luina.7yf
KxWCjThe worst-case scenario.AptQ
aFJTFCs‘That’s why I said not to approach so lightly.’R1KpH7
yGuThey should’ve moved away before he woke. No, it was already too late. It wasn’t time to blame Luina.Kuzzsw
NvwAn unconscious student in the middle of a monster stampede… If one didn’t know about demons, of course trying to rescue him made sense.oQZhiKS
66Fxxg‘But still…’ubmpdEC
2IEHe wouldn’t blame her—but she’d have to deal with the consequences.YSyOA
LofX“What is that…?”A1x5a0b
vZdFw“Luina. Calm down and listen.”INBKg
HQCFernan slowly moved to the side. The creature’s gaze followed him.2k16u
FGpYIt didn’t look like he’d let them go to chase Aint.bIvoDZ
jBWBIny“That’s demonification.”y24
8Cgf4“Demonification?”a65X
JCNT42e“He was corrupted by a demon’s power. Judging by his eyes, he’s lost nearly all reason.”erSFB
sFeLuOa“You’re telling me the demons have returned to the world? And through Verian Kalburdern?”6FOdhlI
E9KtoC6Luina was horrified.9f03y
i1rK“And how do you know that…?”CTpa4
nxoVrp“Do you think you can defeat him?”cia
Wrj2t1C“…I don’t know.”BApTe6u
CYKoOALuina bit her lip. The demonic mana intensified endlessly, and its pressure far exceeded any limits Verian might’ve had.OJk
jCgIt was impossible to gauge his true level.c3JKc
34wLq3“Yeah, figured you’d say that.”WJvyypg
sNqBkvFernan wasn’t disappointed.ZODzA2u
Xeg2tDgThis was a monster Aint only defeated after receiving help from Gardner Alfenparsen and awakening his power, and even then, after a fierce battle.iGD3
YZKzvEven if Luina was quite different from Aint, this opponent wasn’t going to be easy.N8jCKz
6g87Fortunately.t6kys
koVo“Luina.”pSOgkj4
GsGSyOcFernan always assumed the worst-case scenario.wTY
0ZaW2“Hold out for just ten minutes. When I’m ready, I’ll give you the signal.”sLB6Se
Dy1nCHe had his own preparations.qWAV
WL4Dy“Good luck.”ik1a8kl
hz217cs“…Huh?”ffluWDk
QlEWithout waiting for her answer, Fernan turned and ran.Zzrr
gNaGXWLuina’s stunned gaze stuck to his back, and at that moment, the tense stillness shattered.ayQ
DWpt───!c8P
M2LXVerian moved.dNApF
ifjzbSThe sword tainted with demonic mana came down on Luina.8Japt
KoOhMq“Argh…!”5VIWJ0
vZAfShe let out a grunt from the impact, far stronger than she’d imagined.vzos4
0Fud“Damn you…!”oPhSjf
GQU318D─!xhF
QoW0DFD──!o4si
YJejGIn mere seconds, they exchanged dozens of blows.sDn4b99
xTFkgFernan was already far away.7wAE0d
84jw0LOAnd all Luina could do was suppress her rage and keep fighting.B3Rb7
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