A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 16

Chapter 16

‘How‌‍⁠ much time has‌‍ passed?’

She⁠⁠⁠ didn’t know.

Sweat⁠‌ poured down like‌⁠ rain, her breath‍‍ reached her throat, her armor was‌ half-destroyed, and her‌‍‍ sword’s blade was‌‌ chipped all over.‌‌

‘He’s⁠‍‍ strong.’

Definitely‍‍ not on the‌‌ level of a first-year student.

His‍‍ sword was sharp,‍‍⁠ and the aura‌ surrounding it was‌⁠⁠ incredibly dense.

But⁠ the most disturbing‍⁠⁠ part was the ominous and heavy‌‌ feeling radiating from‍ that aura.

‘Is that demonic mana?’‍

That’s‌⁠ what Fernan had⁠‍ said—that he’d been⁠ corrupted by a demon. In that‍ case, that black‌‍ energy had to⁠⁠ be the power used by demons—demonic‌⁠ mana.

Maybe‌⁠ that was why the demonic mana kept trying to⁠ invade her own aura. As a result, her energy‌ consumption skyrocketed.

Crash!‌‍

Luina‌ rolled across the‍ ground. The spot she had just‍‍ been in was‌ utterly destroyed.

The‍‌‌ black demonic mana‍‍ relentlessly pursued her.‌⁠ She quickly got‌⁠‌ back up and‌‍ raised her sword.‍‌

Clang!⁠

A dark flash clashed with a blue gleam. Fragments of⁠ shattered aura scattered‍ everywhere.

“Come‍‍‌ to your senses,‍ Verian Kalburdern!”

But‌⁠ her shout didn’t⁠‌ reach her opponent.⁠⁠

‘What⁠ am I supposed‍⁠ to do?’

After‌ multiple clashes, Luina had gauged her‌ opponent’s level.

If⁠ she truly wanted to win, it‍‌ wasn’t impossible.

But‌⁠ no matter how⁠‌ corrupted he was,‌⁠ Verian was still a fellow academy⁠‌ student, and the⁠‌ problem was that‌‍⁠ a moderate approach⁠‌ wouldn’t be enough.‍‌

She‌⁠⁠ could win, yes—but‍‌ at the cost‌‍ of Verian Kalburdern’s⁠‍⁠ life.

Because⁠‌‍ he wasn’t an⁠ opponent who could⁠ be defeated with‌ restraint.

“…”‌

She⁠ bit her lip.‍

Her‌‌‌ muscles screamed, her⁠ fingers trembled.

The⁠ end was near.‍

The‌⁠‍ biggest problem was‍‌ that, unlike her‌‍ enemy, who seemed to have an⁠ infinite energy source, her aura reservoir⁠‍ was nearly empty.⁠‍

‘…What⁠ do I do?’⁠

She⁠ then thought of⁠ Fernan, who had‌ fled.

If‍ he hadn’t run,‌⁠ maybe she wouldn’t‍ be struggling so⁠‍⁠ much.

Whether‍‍ through his own⁠‌ skill or with‌ artifacts, Fernan’s support⁠ was top-class, and‍ with effort, they⁠ might’ve subdued Verian‍ without serious harm.‍‍

At‌⁠ that moment—

Piiiiii!‍⁠

A whistle sounded not‍⁠ far away. From‍ the west—the direction⁠ Fernan had fled.

‘A‍ signal?’

Luina‍‌⁠ realized this was‌⁠ the signal he‍‍‌ had spoken of.‌‌‌

‘…He⁠ must have a solid plan.’

Suppressing⁠ the disappointment starting‍ to rise, she⁠ instead delivered a direct kick to‌‍ Verian’s chest, who⁠‍ was lunging like a rabid dog.‍

The‍ opponent rolled across‌⁠ the ground, and‍⁠ in that brief⁠ instant, Luina spun⁠ on her heels.‌

***⁠⁠

“This‍⁠ way, Luina. Come‌‌‍ this way.”

“You…!”‍

Luina,‌⁠‌ running along the‌‍ mountain path, shouted⁠‌‍ when she saw‌ Fernan.

“Why⁠ did you run‍ away!?”

“What‍⁠‌ kind of question‌‍‌ is that… Because⁠ it’s a demon,‌‌ of course.”

Fernan,‌ guiding the furious‍ Luina, started moving.‍‍

“If‌⁠ you hadn’t fled, we could’ve taken him down easily!”‍

“Eh?‌ You’re saying if⁠ I’d been there,‍ we could’ve done‍ it?”

Fernan⁠⁠ tilted his head,⁠⁠ puzzled.

A knight corrupted by‍ demonic mana—someone Aint‌ only defeated after⁠ awakening his power⁠‌⁠ with Gardner’s help.‍‌

“No⁠⁠⁠ way that would’ve‌⁠‌ worked.”

Of‍ course, Fernan had‌ assessed the opponent’s⁠⁠ level as among⁠‌ the highest.

He‌⁠ had two reasons:‌‍ Aint was destined‍ to save the‍‌‍ world.

And⁠‌ demons were powerful,‌ unknown entities.

“It’s‌‌ a demon, Luina. A demon appearing for the first⁠⁠‍ time in a thousand years can’t‌‌ be weak.”

“What‍‍⁠ kind of nonsense⁠‍ logic is that?⁠ That’s Verian. He‌‌ might be monstrously‌‌ distorted, like he’s‌ possessed, but his‍ core is still‍⁠ human.”

“…”‌‌⁠

At‍‍ that moment, Fernan realized a mistake.‌⁠‍

Aint’s‍ level.

No matter how destined‍‍ he was or‌ how much guidance⁠ he received from‌ Gardner Alfenparsen’s soul,‍ Aint was still‍‍ a first-year student.⁠‍

He⁠‍‍ had risen to‍‍ second place in‍ his course in‍ the blink of‍⁠ an eye, which⁠ was extraordinary—but he‌⁠‌ was still first-year.⁠

And⁠‍ across the academy’s⁠‍ classes, there was‍⁠‍ a clear gap‍ in average level.‌⁠ Luina Bercheff was,⁠ without a doubt,‌‌‌ stronger than Aint‍‌ Armian right now.⁠

“…Wait a minute.”

Fernan‌ realized he had been so obsessed with the concepts‌‌‌ of “demon” and‍ “prophecy” that he’d‌ overlooked the most‌ important thing.

“You⁠ really think the‌ two of us could beat him?”‌‍

“Yes.‌ I can’t stop⁠ him alone without‌ killing him, but‌ if you help‌⁠ me…”

“Then⁠⁠⁠ what are you‌⁠⁠ doing here?!”

“…Huh?”⁠

“Go⁠ now and stop‌ him! Before he‍ gets any closer!”‌

Fernan⁠‍ reached toward Verian,‍⁠⁠ who charged like a rampaging bull.‌

“Go‌ before my trap‌ is ruined…!”

──!‍‍

─!‌

That’s⁠ when the explosions⁠‌⁠ began.

“Ah, no…!”

It‌‍ all started with a small stone⁠ Verian stepped on.⁠‍‍

The‌ stone exploded, momentarily‍ throwing him off‌⁠ balance—and at that‌ instant, magic arrows‌ rained from all‍⁠ directions.

Crack-crack-crack-crack—‌‍⁠

Demonic mana overflowed to‍ protect its host.‌ Verian deflected all‌ the arrows and‌⁠ charged again, even‌‌ angrier.

Or‍ at least, he‍‌ tried to.

In a split second,⁠ the ground beneath‌ him collapsed. Losing‍‌ balance, Verian fell‌ into the pit.

And‍‌ just as his‌⁠ back hit the‍‌ ground—

Fwoosh!⁠

A magic circle drawn⁠‌ with red reagents‍‌ ignited.

─!‌‍

From⁠ the center of⁠ the circle, powered⁠⁠⁠ by magic crystals,⁠ a pillar of‌ fire rose straight‍ up, intending to‍ melt everything.

But‌ Verian didn’t fall.‌

He‌ unleashed his demonic‍ mana, neutralized part⁠⁠ of the fire,‌ and managed to‌‍⁠ crawl out of‍⁠ the pit.

And⁠ just then, Fernan⁠⁠⁠ launched his next‍⁠ move. When his‍⁠ hand touched the⁠⁠ trap, several bottles‍‍‍ shot out.

Clink!‌‌

Five‌ bottles shattered and⁠ drenched Verian. Chiiiik—the reagents, with corrosive⁠⁠ properties against mana,‌ began to gradually weaken his demonic⁠⁠ energy.

Verian‍‍ screamed in pain‍ and staggered, triggering another trap. A scroll tore.

Crack!⁠ Ten lightning bolts‍⁠ struck down in⁠‍‌ a straight line‍⁠‍ with a burst‌ of sparks.

Boom,‍⁠‍ boom, boom, boom!⁠⁠

The⁠‌ white lightning pierced⁠⁠ through the already⁠ weakened mana. Verian’s‌ body trembled as‌ if being tortured.‍‌

“Kuuaaaaargh!!”‌‍

A grotesque, bloodcurdling scream‍⁠⁠ burst from his‍ mouth.

…And just like that, it was over.‍⁠

“Grrrr…”⁠‌

Verian,‌⁠⁠ foaming at the‌⁠ mouth, rolled his‍⁠ eyes back and‍⁠ collapsed. It all happened in the⁠‍ blink of an‍ eye.

Fernan‍ and Luina stared‍ blankly at the‍ scene.

“…Is‍ he okay? He’s‍⁠ not dead… right?”

“My plan was to‌ switch places with‍‌⁠ him when he‍‌ lost his mind⁠ and came at⁠‍‌ me, then trigger⁠‍ another trap…”

Fernan⁠⁠⁠ muttered to himself,‍ not hearing Luina.⁠

She‌‌ then looked behind‍ him. Just one⁠‍⁠ step back from⁠‍ where Fernan stood‌ was a meticulously‌ crafted trap.

“After⁠‌ that, I was going to fight⁠‌‍ him with you‍ once he was‍⁠⁠ torn apart…”

Fernan‍‍ let out an‍‍ empty laugh.

“But‍ I see now—it wasn’t necessary. No,‌⁠ with both of⁠⁠ us, it never‍⁠‍ was.”

Was⁠ that a demon?⁠⁠

Fernan’s‍⁠ eyes turned bloodshot.⁠

***⁠‍

Among⁠ mages, there’s a well-known saying.

“A mage is one‍ who prepares.”

“A⁠ perfectly prepared mage‌ can defeat anyone.”⁠

Luina‌⁠ Bercheff had fought⁠‌‍ against mages several‌ times, but she‍‍ had never truly⁠ understood the meaning‌‍ of those words.

But‌‍ now, it was‌ different. The prepared terrain.

The‍ laid-out magical traps.‍‍ The meticulously planned strategies.

She‌‌ finally understood the‌ truth behind the‍ words mages so‍⁠ often repeated. And⁠ she also understood why she hadn’t‍⁠ grasped it before—because⁠‍ until now, it‍ had only ever⁠‌ been in practice duels.

“So this is the⁠ true way a mage fights…”

“Wrong.‌‍‌ This is how‌ a merchant fights.”‌⁠‌

Fernan interrupted Luina.

“…A‍‍ merchant, not a mage?”

“Think‌‍ about it.”

He⁠ pointed with his⁠ finger.

“Scrolls‍‌ bought with money.”⁠

He‌ shifted slightly to‍ one side.

“Artifacts‍⁠‌ bought with money.”⁠

“You⁠‍ didn’t use any‍‌‍ artifacts, though.”

“I‍‌‌ planned to. But‍ since he turned‌⁠⁠ out to be⁠ so weak, I didn’t have to.”

He⁠ moved to another‍ spot again.

“Magical‍ reagents bought with‌‌ money, magic crystals⁠ too. Even the traps were made‌‌‌ from those materials.”

Every‍ inch had been‌‌ touched by the⁠‌ power of money.

“It⁠ all started with‍ money and ended‍⁠ with money. If this isn’t a merchant’s battle, then what is? Do⁠‌ you think some‌⁠ penniless, ragged mage‍‌ could do this?”‍‍

Not‌ at all. Fernan⁠ shook his head.‍⁠

“They‌⁠ never could. Without‍‍⁠ money, not even⁠⁠ in another life.‍⁠ And in the‌ end, mages are,⁠⁠⁠ by nature, consumers—not⁠‍‍ producers.”

“…I‍‍ get what you’re‌ saying, but you’re also a mage.”‍

“That’s⁠‍⁠ wrong too. I learned magic just⁠ for self-defense and‌‍ some practical uses.‌⁠ My true essence‍⁠ is that of‌ a merchant.”

That’s‌⁠⁠ why it hurt‌‌⁠ more. If you⁠⁠ calculated the value‍⁠ of all the‌ materials used in‍ this fight, the⁠⁠‍ sum was far⁠‍ from small.

“The‌‍ more I think⁠ about it, the⁠⁠ more absurd it seems. If only‌ I’d known that‌ guy was so‍ weak…”

If‌‍ only he hadn’t‌⁠ been intimidated by‌ the word “demon.”‌⁠‌

“No,⁠⁠ if you had‌ just told the⁠ truth a little‌ earlier…”

“You’re‍⁠‍ the one who⁠ ran off without⁠‌ explaining anything.”

“And⁠‍⁠ that’s exactly why‌ you should’ve followed⁠ me—because I didn’t⁠‍⁠ explain anything.”

“And‍ weren’t you the‌‌ one who asked‍ me to hold⁠ out for ten‍ minutes?”

“And do you think⁠⁠ blindly following someone‍‌ without reason is‌ the right thing‌‍ to do?”

Hah.‌‍ Luina let out⁠ an incredulous chuckle.⁠ Shaking her head,⁠ she changed the‍ subject.

“Anyway,‌‍ you’re surprising. In⁠ absolute terms, forgiving⁠ three years of‌ interest on our⁠ family’s debt is‍⁠ worth more than⁠ all of this.”‍‌

Frankly, it was a mystery that Fernan,⁠‌ infamous for being‌ a stingy money-obsessive, had made such‍ a proposal.

At‍ first, she had‍⁠ been suspicious. Then⁠ she thought maybe‍‍‍ the rumors were⁠‍ just exaggerated.

But‌ today, seeing him⁠ complain about how‌‍‍ much he’d spent,‍ she didn’t know⁠‍ what his true‌‌‍ face was anymore.‍

“It’s⁠⁠ different.”

“Different‌ how?”

“Do⁠ you know why⁠‍ I love money‍ so much?”

“Am‍⁠‍ I supposed to?”‌

“Because‍⁠⁠ with money, anything‍‌ is possible.”

“Okay,‌⁠ you’re not listening⁠⁠⁠ to me anymore.”‍

“Money⁠ is possibility.”

With‌‍ money, even what⁠‌ seemed impossible becomes‌‍‍ achievable. With money,‌ solutions arise where‌‍ none existed before.⁠ With money, even⁠ unreachable people can‍ become accessible.

Money‍⁠ is, literally, a powerful treasure with⁠‌ which anything can⁠‍‌ be done.

“That’s‍‍ why money is‍‌ valuable. That’s why‌⁠ it should be‍ used for something meaningful—something truly worthwhile.”⁠⁠

Not‍ on garbage like⁠‍ this, but on⁠ something like Luina.‌⁠

The‌‍‍ money he had‌ spent on Luina didn’t seem wasted‌⁠ to him at all.
Because he saw⁠‍⁠ in her the‍‌ potential to become⁠‌ a future Royal‌ Knight.

“There‌ was no point⁠ in spending so‍ much on someone⁠ we could’ve beaten‌‍ together just fine.”⁠‌

Fernan’s⁠‍ icy gaze fell‌⁠‍ on the fallen‍‌ Verian. And only‌‍ then did Luina⁠ examine him calmly⁠ and feel surprised.⁠

After‌ falling into traps‌‍ and taking dozens⁠ of spells, it⁠ wouldn’t be strange⁠‍ for him to be on the‌ brink of death.‍‌ If anything, it‍ was the demonic⁠⁠ mana that had⁠‍‌ kept him alive.⁠

“I⁠ know it’s not‍ the best time,‍‍ but could you⁠⁠ give me a potion? If we leave him like‌‍ this, he’ll die.”‍‍

“…Fine.”⁠

Fernan‌ pulled out a potion and poured‌ it over Verian’s⁠‍‍ body.

He‌ had no choice.‌

He⁠ muttered quietly:

“The⁠‍ money I spent…‌‍ I’ll have to‌‍ collect it from⁠ the one responsible.”‌‌

That‌ was the unchanging⁠‌ law of the‌ world since time⁠ immemorial. And to‌ do that, Verian‍ couldn’t die.

First,‌ he needed to retrieve the traps‌‌‌ that were still⁠ intact.