A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 17

Chapter 17

“…One‍ moment. What do you mean you’re⁠⁠ going to charge‍ him? What exactly‍ does that mean?”‌

Luina’s‍‍‌ gaze sharpened.

“That’s⁠ the question I should be asking‌‍ you. If it‍‌ weren’t for this‍ guy, I wouldn’t‍ have had any‍ reason to use‌⁠ up all these‌ resources. Shouldn’t he pay for them? Personally.”

“So‌ that means… you’re⁠‌‌ not going to⁠ report this to‌‌ the Inquisitors?”

The‍ Inquisitors.

An⁠‍ ancient institution that‍⁠ had existed since the very founding‍‍‍ of the Empire.‍ An organization directly‌ under the Emperor,‌⁠ tasked with locating‍⁠‍ and eradicating demons.⁠

“Those⁠⁠ old relics barely‍⁠ clinging to life‍‍ under the guise⁠⁠ of tradition, with‌‌⁠ no real purpose?”‍

In⁠ the past, they had been a mighty force under‌ the cause of⁠‌ demon extermination. But⁠ that was ancient‌‌‌ history.

A thousand years… It‍ was far too‍⁠⁠ long a time.‍‍

During⁠‌ all that time,⁠‍ no demons had⁠‍ resurfaced, and with⁠ that, their reason‌ for existing had‍ vanished.

The⁠ only reason they‌⁠ still existed was⁠ a clause in‍ the Imperial Code‍‌ written by the⁠ First Emperor stating‍⁠ that under no‌‌ circumstances should the‌⁠ Inquisitorial system be⁠ abolished, because one‌‍ day, demons would‌⁠‍ return.

But‍ even though they‌ hadn’t been abolished,‍‌ their size and⁠ authority had shrunk to the point⁠‍‌ of obscurity.

“What‌ are you doing?”⁠‍

“Checking⁠‌ his condition.”

Fernan⁠ took Verian’s wrist‌ and let his‍ mana flow inward⁠ to examine him.‌⁠

But‌‍ he found no⁠ trace of demonic‍ energy.

‘Just⁠‍ as I thought.’⁠

He‍‍ didn’t know how‍‌ Verian would turn⁠ out in the‍ future, according to‌‍⁠ the prophecy book,‌‍ but for a thousand years, demons‍ had operated in‌‌ the shadows without‍‍‌ being discovered.

They⁠ weren’t about to‌ leave evidence so⁠ easily.

‘Then‍ why did one‍‍ appear before Aint?’‍

Was it because Aint⁠‍ was the seed‌ of the imperial‌⁠⁠ family destined to⁠‌ destroy them? Did⁠ they try to⁠⁠ snuff him out early?

It‍ was impossible to⁠ say for certain, and it didn’t‌‌ really matter now.⁠

“Check‍‌ for yourself. From⁠‌ what I can‌ sense, there’s not‍‍ a single trace⁠‌⁠ of demonic energy‌⁠ left.”

“Then how do you‌ explain that surge‍⁠‌ of demonic power‍‍⁠ he released?”

“So⁠‍ you believe in‍ that demonic energy‍ stuff?”

“I’ve‍ never felt anything‍ like it. If⁠‌ that wasn’t it,⁠‌ I have no‍ other explanation.”

Though‍ what she really‍ wanted to ask‌ was—how the hell‌ did you know‌ it was?

Still‌‍ filled with doubts,⁠‌‍ Luina examined him…⁠ and froze.

“How‍‍ is this possible…?”⁠

“As‍ I see it,⁠‍ even if we⁠ handed this over⁠‍‍ to those useless‍ Inquisitors, they wouldn’t‌‍‌ find anything.”

And‍ if they did,‌⁠ wouldn’t it be‍ a shame for‍⁠ this guy?

Fernan,‌‌‌ who just moments‌ ago was glaring⁠‌ coldly at Verian,‍⁠⁠ added with a hint of irony.⁠

“Marquis‍‌‍ Kalburdern is going⁠⁠ to discard him. In the end,‍⁠ he’ll just become‍ a plaything for⁠‍ demons.”

“Those‌‍⁠ who sell their soul to demons deserve no compassion.‍ And since when‌‌ are you so‌‌ empathetic?”

“What‌‍ if he didn’t‌‌ sell his soul?”‍‌‌

“…What‍ are you saying?”‌

Luina‌ frowned, clearly not‌‌ understanding.

“I’m‍ saying… who knows‌ if the guy‌ just went mad,⁠ or ate something⁠ he shouldn’t have,⁠⁠⁠ or did sell⁠ his soul to⁠ a demon? Neither‍‍‍ you nor I saw it.”

“…Are⁠ you out of your mind?”

Fernan‌ stepped closer. At‍⁠ his firm gaze,‌ Luina flinched slightly.‌⁠

“We‌⁠‌ didn’t see anything,⁠ Luina Bercheff.”

He placed his hands on her shoulders.⁠‌

“Absolutely‍ nothing.”

“That’s‍⁠‌ absurd…!”

“Neither‍ you nor I felt any demonic‌‍‍ power in him.⁠‍ All that’s left‌‌ here is a half-dead wretch whose⁠‍ body collapsed. Where’s⁠ the demon, exactly?”⁠

“You‍⁠ can spout sophistry⁠‌ all you like, but that doesn’t‍ change the truth.”‍

Fernan‍⁠‌ shrugged.

“I’ll⁠ extend your interest‌⁠ exemption by another half-year.”

“I’ll‌‍ never accept—”

“Nine‍⁠ months.”

“Never…”⁠

“Let’s round it to‌ a full year.”⁠‍

“…I‍‍‌ didn’t see anything‍‌ at all.”

A noble knight had⁠‍ succumbed to money.‌

***‍‍

Not‌⁠ a single ray of light could‍ be seen.

In⁠‌ darkness thick as‍ ink, he could⁠ see absolutely nothing.⁠‌

He⁠ walked blindly. When⁠⁠ the metallic taste‍‌ of exhaustion filled‍‍ his mouth and he thought he‌‌ couldn’t go on,‌⁠ the darkness receded.⁠⁠

He‌‍ was at the‍ center of the‍‍ training field set‍ up in the⁠ classroom.

Standing‌‍‌ with a sword‌‌ in hand, and‌ before him stood‍⁠‍ a man with golden hair.

‘Aint⁠ Armian…!’

His⁠ eyes filled with red veins. The⁠ duel began instantly.‌‍‍

He‌‍ struck. He used‍ everything he had‌‌ learned so far.⁠ His sword was⁠‍ fast and sharp.⁠

But‍⁠ his opponent’s blade‌ carried more weight.⁠ The more they⁠‌‌ clashed, the more‌ his aura wore‌ down.

Even⁠ though both sides⁠ were being drained,⁠ he was the⁠ one losing ground.

‘This‌ doesn’t make any‌ sense…!’

He‌‌ screamed internally, but no sound came‍⁠ out of his‌⁠ mouth. His body‌‍ grew heavier. His‌‍ aura depleted.

‘If‌⁠ only I had‍‌⁠ done that back then! If only⁠ I had blocked⁠⁠ that strike…!’

Maybe‍⁠⁠ the outcome would’ve⁠ been different. But⁠‌ once again, he‍‍‌ was the one‍‍ on his knees.

“The‍‍‌ winner is Aint⁠⁠ Armian!”

The‌ assistant’s announcement didn’t‍ bear his name.‌ Everyone was stunned⁠ by the unexpected‌ turn. In that‍ moment, his world‍ collapsed.

Now⁠‍⁠ he was in the reception hall.‍‍⁠ A place reserved‍⁠ only for the‍ highest-ranking students of Ravidus Hall.

Scratching⁠‍ the back of‍‌ his hand, he‍‍ waited nervously. Soon,⁠ the door opened‍ and the Second⁠⁠ Prince, Ludger Schwaben,‍‍ appeared.

‘Your‍ Highness…’

Before⁠ he could say‌ anything, his lips⁠⁠ moved on their‌‍ own.

“…I’m‌ terribly sorry.”

The‍‌ prince watched him in silence. A second felt like‌‌ an hour. Who⁠‍‍ knew how much‍ time passed before⁠‌ the prince finally⁠‍ spoke.

“There’s⁠⁠‍ nothing to apologize for. I guess‌‌ my expectations were‍‌‌ simply too high.”‍

“I‍⁠ was just unlucky.‍ That guy’s mana‍‍⁠ was denser and richer than I’d⁠‍‍ imagined. Next time…⁠⁠‌ I’m sure I won’t lose next‍ time. Please trust‍ me.”

“Next⁠ time…”

The prince smiled softly‍‍ and patted his⁠‍ shoulder.

“Seems⁠⁠ a little early⁠‍‌ to be talking‌‌ about that.”

“Your‍ Highness…!”

“First,‍ recover—body and mind.‍⁠ If another opportunity‌‍ arises, we’ll talk‌‌⁠ then.”

Without‌ waiting for a reply, the prince⁠ stood.

‘Your Highness…! Don’t leave!‌ Wait…!’

He⁠‍‌ wanted to scream⁠‍ as he watched‌ the prince’s back⁠ fade away, but⁠‍ no sound came‍‌ out. The world‍‌‍ shattered like a glass window, and‌‍ darkness enveloped him⁠⁠⁠ again.

Only‍‍‍ then did he‍‍ realize it had‌‍ been a memory.‍⁠‌ A past filled‍‌‌ with regret, but‌ one he could‍ no longer change.

The⁠‍ world flipped once⁠‍ more.

“What‍ a disappointment. No‌ matter how much‍ everyone around you⁠ chants ‘Armian, Armian,’‌⁠⁠ you’re just a toothless old cat.”

“Father…,⁠‍ I…”

“I⁠ don’t want excuses.‍‍ I’m deeply disappointed.”‌⁠

This‌‍ was no longer‍ a scene from‌⁠ the past.

“You‍‍⁠ couldn’t even complete a simple mission.‍ You’re a huge‌ disappointment, brother.”

It‍ was a future‍‍‍ that hadn’t yet‌ happened—but could. The worst future he‌ could imagine.

No…!⁠‌

A future that must‍‌ never come to⁠ pass.

“No!”‍

The‍‍‍ world collapsed. And‍‍ at the same‍ time, the darkness⁠ vanished. A flash.‍ He opened his⁠‍ eyes wide.

“Haa…⁠ haa…”

Verian⁠‍‌ was gasping for‌ breath. His entire‍‌ body was drenched‍ in sweat.

“…A⁠‍⁠ dream?”

If‌‌ it was, it⁠ had been a terrible nightmare. He‌ felt thirsty. Reaching⁠⁠‌ to the side,‍‌ he found no⁠ water. Only then⁠⁠⁠ did he notice‍ his surroundings.

“…Where‌ am I?”

It‌‌‌ wasn’t the Ravidus⁠ Hall where he‍‌ was staying, nor‌⁠‌ his room at‍ the family estate.⁠

“What⁠‍⁠ was I doing…?”⁠‍

“You’re‌ awake.”

At‌ the sudden voice,‌‌ he turned his‍‌ head. Someone entered‍ through the open‌‍‍ door.

“…Senior‌ Fernan Pellenberg?”

“You⁠ know me?”

“Who‍⁠ in the academy⁠‍ doesn’t know the senior?”

“I⁠⁠ guess. Here, drink‍⁠⁠ this.”

“Th-Thank⁠⁠⁠ you.”

Verian‌ accepted the water‍ Fernan handed him and drank.

“But…‍ where are we,‍‌ exactly?”

“That’s‍⁠ not the question you should be‌⁠‍ asking.”

“Huh?”⁠‌‍

“Do⁠⁠ you remember what‍‌ happened?”

“…That…”‍‍‌

Verian⁠ clutched his throbbing‌⁠⁠ head. Fragmented memories‌ began surfacing.

He‌‌‍ had attacked Aint‍‍ Armian and lost‍⁠ again. Unwilling to‌ accept it, he’d‍‍ done something disgraceful.‌‍

And‍⁠ then.

And‌⁠ then…

“…I don’t remember anything after that. What‌⁠ happened?”

“It’s sad when there⁠ are memory gaps.⁠ I’ll show you‍ myself.”

Fernan‌ placed a small‍‌ spherical gem on⁠‍ the table. It⁠‌ was a recording‌⁠⁠ stone, installed alongside‌‌‌ the traps.

Flash!⁠

With‍ mana infused into⁠ it, the recorded‍ scene began to‍ play.

“…That’s‌⁠ me?”

Verian⁠ was horrified by⁠ the image, unable‍‌‍ to believe what⁠ he saw. And‌ when it ended,‍⁠ he couldn’t close⁠‌‌ his gaping mouth.‍‍

“…What…‍ what is this?”⁠‍

“You⁠‌ sold your soul‍⁠‌ to a demon‍‌ and attacked us.”⁠

“A‌ demon? T-That’s impossible.‍ I don’t even⁠ really know what‍⁠‍ a demon is!‌‌ I’ve never seen⁠ one in my⁠‌ life!”

Fernan‍‍ knew that better than anyone. But‌⁠ that didn’t matter.‍

“Do‍ you think the⁠‍‌ Inquisitors will feel‍ the same way‌⁠ after watching this‌‌ video? Or others,‍ like Marquis Kalburdern…”‌

“…That…”

Verian’s⁠ face turned completely‌‍ pale. And he‌‍⁠ realized that the‌‍ senpai who had‌ saved him hadn’t⁠⁠ done so out of goodwill.

“…What‌ do you want‍ from me?”

“As‍⁠ you can see‌‌ in the video,⁠⁠⁠ I spent quite a lot to‍‍ stop you.”

“I’ll‌⁠⁠ pay it. Double.‌⁠‌ No, triple.”

“And‌ I also suffered⁠⁠‌ serious psychological trauma‌⁠ from fighting a servant of a demon.”

“That…”

Fernan‌⁠ pulled a sheet⁠‌⁠ of paper from‌ inside his coat.⁠

“What you need to‍ do is simple.‍‌‍ Sign here, and‌ all of this‌⁠⁠ will be forgotten.”‍⁠

Verian⁠ cautiously examined the‍ document.

“…This‍⁠ contract makes no⁠‍ sense. It’s practically slavery…”

“You‍ seem to be‌‍‍ confused.”

Fernan‍‍ leaned forward slightly.⁠

“Do‌ you think this is a negotiation?”‍

His‌‍ eyes turned cold.⁠‍

“You⁠⁠ only have two‍⁠ choices.”

Be‍ handed over to‍‍ the Inquisitors. Or⁠ sign the contract.⁠

“Choose.”‍

Would you rather die…⁠ or become a slave?

There was no need⁠⁠‍ to buy his⁠⁠ will with money.‌

***‌‍⁠

The‍ monster rampage was‌ far from normal,‌⁠‌ and every professor‍‍‍ and assistant in the academy had⁠ mobilized to bring‌‌ it under control.

Fortunately,‌ no students were‍ killed, but the midterm exam was‌‍ canceled halfway through.⁠‌

“Good‍ work, everyone. I’m⁠‍ sure the incident‍ caught you off⁠‍ guard, but the‍ exams for the‌ next two days⁠‌ are canceled. Take your time to⁠‌‍ recover.”

The‍ injured were transported‌‌‌ to the academy’s‌ medical clinic, and‌ Aint returned to⁠ his lodging without‍ a single scratch.‌‍

— How strange.

Gardner⁠ Alfenparsen muttered.

— The frenzy was⁠ undoubtedly the work‌‌ of demons.

It‌ was faint, but⁠‌ a demonic energy‍‍ had spread in‍ all directions.

In a thousand years,⁠‍ humanity had completely⁠ forgotten the existence‌‌ of demonic energy,⁠‍‌ but Gardner was‌⁠ not among them.

— But nothing happened‌ afterward. Why?

“Isn’t‌ that a good⁠ thing?”

— Don’t let your‍‍⁠ guard down. These‍‍ are demons. Absolutely‍ vile and repugnant⁠ creatures.

— They never act‌‌ without purpose. Every action has a goal. And that⁠‍ goal is never‌⁠ to humanity’s benefit.‍‌‌

— If demons are plotting something and‍ have marked someone‍⁠ as their target,‌ nine times out‍‌ of ten, that‍‌ someone will be⁠ you, Aint Armian.‌

“…Huh?⁠ Why me?”

— Because to demons,‌⁠ the Armians are‌‌ enemies down to the bone. A thousand years ago,‍ every time they⁠ were defeated and‍ beheaded, they wailed—‍

— “If only the⁠‌ First Emperor hadn’t existed. If only‌ Armian didn’t exist.”‌

— If I were‌ a demon, I would wipe out‌ every drop of‌ Armian blood from‌ the root.

“…”

Aint⁠⁠ swallowed dryly, feeling⁠ a sudden chill.⁠⁠

— This time, for‍⁠ some reason, nothing⁠‍‌ happened. But never‍‌ lower your guard and follow my⁠ instructions to the⁠‍ letter.

— That’s the only‌‍ way you’ll survive.‍‌‍

“Yes.‍ I’ll keep that⁠ in mind.”

— Still, this is‍ truly strange. Could⁠‌ it be that⁠ some bastard accidentally‍⁠ ruined the demons’⁠ plan?

“That‌ sounds like an interesting theory.”

Aint‍ let out a short laugh and‌ entered his dorm room.

And‍⁠ at that very‌ moment, a certain⁠‍ bastard—

“Ugh…!”⁠

Couldn’t‍ bear the headache that felt like‌ his skull was‍⁠ splitting, and collapsed‍‌‍ onto his bed.⁠‌

[“Congratulations, Aint. You’re incredible.”⁠

“Don’t⁠ exaggerate, Valoshi. I’m‍ nothing compared to⁠ you.”

“No, incredible is incredible.”⁠

“It’s‍ true. Climbing from⁠ rank 38 to 5 in half‌‌ a semester… That’s absurd growth.”]

Someone suddenly burst in.‍⁠ A strikingly beautiful⁠ girl with short‍ orange hair and‍ brilliant emerald eyes.‍

“You’re⁠ Aint Armian, right?”‍

“And‍‌ you are…?”

“Aria⁠ Fridian. Department of⁠⁠ Magic.”

[Mandatory⁠ course for the⁠‍ Faculty of Knights,‍ “Field Survival Techniques.”⁠‍ After midterms, students‍ were dropped into‌‍ the southern forest⁠‍ for a week.]‌

— Perfect. In this‍‍ lake, the late‌ emperor left something⁠‍‌ behind. I’ll go‍ retrieve it and…

[“Found⁠‍‌ it!” Aint murmured. A brightly colored‍ elixir…]

[—⁠‍ A spirit being?‍ That thief is impersonating its master!‌‍‌ You’re not strong⁠ enough to face⁠ it, so escape⁠ first…!]

[—⁠ Mithril!!!! It’s a mithril vein!”]

Sealed⁠‍ fragments of the‌⁠‍ prophecy book began‌ to overflow.