Chapter 178
mtHdpsqThe spring semester at the Academy began, marking the start of Fernan’s third year’s second semester.Q2KkNZQ
tIUEl1“This semester too, count on me.”CgoYH
wSq“Same here, count on me.”3dMPn5F
e4QPGCLuina handed him a small box.pHWAp6z
1UzdFD“This?”uFuT8BX
jh0PCstInside was a carved figure of Wooden, shining in gold.SA5RBPi
uRE“It’s a gift to thank you for everything until now, and to ask you to keep guiding me from here on.”6TCblzi
2hw“Wooden?”Y2N
PuZ“Yes. I don’t know if it turned out well, but…”hkyQ
CDbXl7“It looks just like him.”GFBxvP
wAy— Kyu!6p1T14
F8a48QeHearing his name, Wooden, who was hiding in Fernan’s clothes, poked his head out with curiosity.cnK
yhzZThen, upon seeing his golden figure, he excitedly waved his hand.D0hFZ
FYuK“Get in.”muJKWBR
0c3nrsFernan immediately pushed his head back in. Fortunately, no one besides Luina had seen it.QzmIZKB
JOrK“Is it gold?”5u56DD
b9GAvKs“Yes. I thought hard about what to give you, but it seemed like you wouldn’t need anything else.”kkeGk8
PH91HAfter all, Fernan thought only of money, breathed money. That’s why Luina got a gold bar from her father and carved it.WLxLJ4A
gMvb“You made it yourself?”e9Z
GaLR“Yes, using aura.”UPssJs
1PQ79DQNo wonder. Though it looked a bit rough, the cuts were clean as if magically finished. It was the work of aura.rDsVsZo
pChJBbM“Do you like it?”N8kDNKv
51XL4a3“I’d like to hire you as a craftswoman for the company.”3nsfZ
AxY“I’m honored to hear that.”4vl
FDOD3“I’m serious.”IeAi3
GzlOrdinary artisans could never control aura with such finesse, and knights who could didn’t work in carving.9T53
K9OYIf he hired Luina, he could sell jewelry crafted by her at a much higher price.CSO
x6AxQ‘And if she becomes a Royal Knight, the value would be immeasurable.’PAG5
0kuxlGJewels carved by a Royal Knight. He was sure they’d sell for astronomical sums.1tEoN
1DW‘And even more if this was her first one…’LsbPHv
MVM4CQ6Its value was even more brilliant. Fernan immediately closed the lid to keep dust out.r1gQTgL
91Y7Ide“Thank you. I really like it.”uZwu16
foZNfjx“I’m glad.”T81
LmD“I didn’t prepare anything…”xZAcl
AqWH“It’s fine. I’ve already received more than enough from you.”gjTnT5
tUROf course, she had given him a lot. But just with Luina—one of the most important—he couldn’t fall short.DecNKMA
qFfM“This is my return gift.”IZ5
iIX0LHe pulled out two boxes of chocolate from his subspace: kraken ink chocolate and World Tree bark chocolate, Luina’s favorites.7UPv
HOXpw“Didn’t you say you didn’t prepare anything?”LWfdEL
7iJ“These are always in stock, so they don’t count as preparation.”ix2
tx0xDq0“…And you don’t even like chocolate.”5XU
yVXX“I don’t, but it’s not forbidden to keep them.”IrV
ZlWgiiD“…And who said anything?”GmY
BEsurDxA faint blush appeared on Luina’s cheeks.MG0b
ccU“How were your holidays? Your aura seems much more stable.”QEHL
wTiFAvz“I made a small breakthrough.”VqH
MpWc2“Again?”B8Tz
UTsk2hSo soon after her last revelation?1PBT0r
qpgCA6P‘No wonder the prophecy book acknowledged her as Aint’s companion.’ulX2Yl
XKIRu8Luina’s potential was truly amazing. Making her his ally right after getting the book was undoubtedly the best decision of his life.7XMKwU
nFjG8g1“I was lucky. In a fight against a group of monsters in the snow, I pushed myself to the limit and…”qTGLC
KmN8But as she spoke, Fernan frowned.ZSLPMlm
wlSCEiWas she saying she nearly died?K6s
tDTJIt was true that knights and mages often had revelations on the verge of life and death, but that also meant she’d nearly lost her life.jYW
TejttR‘After everything I’ve invested in you?’E0P
iio6UILike nurturing a tree, watering and feeding it, only for it to almost die before bearing fruit.7lx
5ARNZ8He couldn’t allow that. And if she died, he’d drag her back from hell if needed.j1OE2J
0TDmFernan pulled out a top-grade potion from his subspace and handed it to her.L2jTa
aRE“This is…?”7VzZ
MfWtl“Never die, Luina. Never.”5C4Y
Gh5u2“……”8hr
2o2SHer face turned so red it seemed it couldn’t blush any more—but Fernan didn’t notice.r67K
AkRQN“Fernan Pellenberg.”rUy5VGx
j7qBAOSomeone approached him at that moment.tuEJ
jVbzhjAmid long blue hair, black eyes sparkled.ZloDm
CBnbPV“Carlo Deneb?”oI2vNP
iIapx“This semester will be different.”qGSZ
dtd“Obviously, every semester is different.”wtbFrQd
4tczM“I mean in grades and the Magic Tournament.”8CQj
px2“Do what you want.”gOATyt
I0mqhFernan had no intention of participating in the tournament. And as long as he shared a carriage with Luina, his grades were secured.mXm2J
aUf“Did you live on a mountain during break? Your hair’s a mess.”4A2a4
bHd7G“…It’s proof I made good use of my vacation.”Zerj
wyAh“Training in the mountains, I suppose.”6pI7D4
a3NL“…Think what you want.”1WFfyh
cwoE7Carlo returned to his seat.pyooJXi
sDz2‘Despair all you want.’hPO
ZRc6It was cruel to think, but Fernan doubted Carlo could beat Luina even if he gave it his all.9VKWP0
Od0EBCC‘And I’m not about to fail exams on purpose to help him.’uSp6q
fnLsqeHe’d never commit such stupidity.BrO9
JStyCBWhen Fernan looked away from Carlo, he spotted another figure.1JwK
Ytv5JzV‘Ludger?’IJUigd
f9ILjkGLudger sat beside him.5Nk3
G6K8qZ“It’s been a while, Fernan. Curiously, this vacation was quiet for me.”mrTwZ
aFTJW“I didn’t do anything unusual either.”lzL
zmK“More than accidents, I’d say you have a talent for always being at the center of trouble. You were in Bercheff last winter, weren’t you?”lRvgOB
AOJ56Well, that part was true. And though Ludger didn’t know, he’d been in the thick of it this summer too.O0Ga
2rLU4“But… nah, never mind.”5T8yG
pJQjdR1Ludger shook his head and looked away just as the professor entered the classroom.yUs
mRi2ZOR***TbG9Cf5
Ezk“Nice to meet you all. I’m Ahgrot.”HazPK
PMs6HThe 21-year-old dwarf stood before the others, his heart pounding, trying to hide it as best he could.qJS
lWVZVAmong the scattered empty seats, dozens of student eyes focused on him.Qhgp
iU2up“Ahgrot is a special student transferring this semester to our academy. It’s not common, but it happens, so don’t discriminate against him for arriving suddenly—treat him well, understood?”pwBZuo
as9“Yes!”oCZ
RmEhr“A question.”7o1H
MuRa8NSomeone raised a hand.gWn
9Wli“What is it?”EeKJbR
GwS“Does that mean he’s not a new professor, but a student like us?”KdbEnV
nA3Lw6P“…I’m 21 years old.”c1ze
8TO“You heard him. Even if he’s a little scrappy, don’t discriminate and treat him well. Ahkroto, go sit wherever there’s an empty seat.”5PjzHj
Ovu6“…My name is Ahgrot, professor.”T9Schj
hpDtl“Yes, yes, Ahkroto.”OQSH
hx7LThe professor waved his hand dismissively. It wasn’t that he didn’t know the name—he simply didn’t care.obwC
6ZCV4d‘Senior Fernan said they’d treat me well…’7VXJ
eSUVsQhWhat was this professor’s name again? Something like Grad… what else?KY9
MBMC1AAhgrot quickly searched for an empty seat.6tQH
NYcrb2w“Sit next to the blond boy with brown eyes. That’s Aint Armian, I know him, so if you mention my name, he’ll treat you well. If you suggest hunting corrupts together, he’ll welcome you with open arms.”AiDlUE
eWfOb“Are you Aint?”AzM0Rc
orbM4AF“You know me…? No, wait, you know who I am?”pVt
FYnzNailed it on the first try.nlgMiz
pJ4“Fernan has spoken of you several times.”wd9
RY0Opn“You know senior Fernan…? Ah.”0bCwZ
JzbLSo Fernan had arranged for him to transfer. Aint understood the situation much better now.aIW
b6FCWF“If Fernan sent you, then…”o6w8DL3
OGqpAint’s voice dropped.Zvizj
NKmm“Have you already fought corrupts?”9xZo
gBVdb3n“Not corrupts—monsters. With a little help from Fernan.”RB02Z
NEYtIqV“I see. Got it.”ih6lCCw
vJAAint held out his hand.H6CbAk
haCpC4I“I’m Aint Armian. Nice to meet you.”TWZNF
B48LQe“I’m Ahgrot.”5B98d
903flDG“Silence, everyone. The next one—well, no need for introductions. Sit wherever you like.”qYd5d
T5Ji“Yes, professor.”u7ZGepA
ZexoThe second student also sat next to Aint.k2uwGTo
ozNlb“Long time no see, Aint.”R6Jgzl
YfEY“We saw each other recently.”cIPM3U
n70oZh2“Don’t you remember that was last winter?”zAYBGs
5FWcOIaThe prodigal son who had left the academy, Varus Dene, was back.aUe
ZKa6***5iBX
mxhJqgAfter finishing his first class without issue, Fernan requested an audience in the faculty building and received it promptly.3taw
ZlCY“Well, here comes the idiot.”hcmzlgc
L9HProfessor Rosalia greeted him with a cigarette in her mouth.RZX
6WMoVWX“Talking about me?”6mM0fa
gsPiThe last time he’d seen her was in Valerich, when they traveled together to attend the reopened Continental Academic Conference.PDN4c4
RNuyIAfter that, she had stayed in Valerich until the holidays.m0bq
QLsp2e8“Didn’t you say that anyone who got someone without merit into the academy was an idiot?”LW1
DuSi“I said if it’s someone without aptitude, yes.”fhS
m5sKz“I didn’t use those words.”dfz
GnNI“Well, I’m using them now.”rSOqI
ecKt9c“So you’re telling me that short dwarf has aptitude.”qvfHQG
DekWE9“He’s strong. And he’ll be quite useful.”GMoI1
C9xBTThe oracle had already pointed him out as Aint’s companion.b3wH
kJCs9And both Luina and Aria, the first to join him, were growing powerfully.KiM5e
AUNpiAhgrot was one too—and he would grow even more.pEnlbd
5MOpy4“How did you convince the dean?”ZNsQd4z
z3eQJzt“I made a generous donation.”MTU3mHt
R2LOEn3It wasn’t just money; he also mentioned the corrupts. It hadn’t been easy, but in the end, it worked.eP0Aol
NTAbn“What a shame. It would’ve been better if you’d invested in me.”tHV
guT1“Didn’t you finish your research already?”chKSHB
OpS“For now, yes, but who knows when I’ll start another.”uh0YO
pjfmC“They say the rich always want more. With this contract, you already have enough to live comfortably for life.”9KiOdV
7WkeXB“…Did you just say that to me?”3SLACw6
l7vProfessor Rosalia was stunned. Her mouth dropped open and the cigarette fell from her lips.kHUe
XgXaC3T“Must be that the stress of research made me go mad for a moment. Hearing you say that…”ioAEpd
aL0g6o“…Is it really that shocking?”2qquO
Qudx“Enough. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”cEgg
sTpRosalia picked up the cigarette, lit it again, and took a deep drag.G6UX
XP9pUqc“Thanks for everything.”AQ0QY
I04VI“Thanks?”3hLv
AWqbMt“Thanks to you, I earned a lot. I owe you.”d4usT
ZjCG“You were the only kid who dared to invest a fortune in me. What you achieved is yours, not mine.”rYTBMR
mEICPMBack then, her research had potential, but her youth was a big obstacle.WPVH
fiWw6UEven though she was recognized as a genius in Vienderk, she was still just a girl.VEgQC
Skag7IJNot even her own family invested in her. Who would?7Hym
U53MnThey’d think it was just the Duke of Vienderk’s will.chIu5L
r1FxnLcThe only one who ignored all that was Fernan, who even as a child understood the real value of money.gCP8s
KXxMy“Still, I didn’t expect the results to come so soon.”kxEGhCv
yfvShe had estimated at least twenty years.smtn
7RX92“I’m better than you think.”xwz
WqHQQp“Yes, that’s clear.”eqn55
inNquxFernan sat back in the chair.HfvTg
uZAR“So, did you already talk to my father?”p6RFzB
V0VNOpO“Yes.”Ih11H2
pxL1oRosalia tapped the ash into the ashtray.mnpyBcJ
G4J6n3“We agreed to do it over the winter break. Thanks to you. That box you gave me opened my eyes.”BbOkWs
ZvQyiw“But you said back then it was just a small clue.”4VFUS
Ay21“The more I study it, the deeper it gets.”RqEI
klZf“…Have you had another revelation?”zyn
q5fBZWmInstead of answering, the professor lit another cigarette.fxo
Vro“…What the hell is in that box?”GvKVKYN
hpPjaK“You shouldn’t be asking me.”M5uORwn
9Ds2“I suppose not…”4P1fDN
4kdyWho the hell made it? Did the first emperor have such an amazing mage at his side?jxK
EHjO‘The high priest of the Dragon God Cult?’m3Nt3FX
Nla0cIn his time, he was considered the most powerful mage in the world.wSb
PPTW3Maybe he was even greater than Fernan had imagined.QH0DIHV
4yc“…And have you decided who it’ll be?”9u5NMY
Psb3The positions of Archmages and Royal Knights were limited.SDa7B
Q0Nz7iFor someone to rise, another had to give up their place.XVldc5
z5x7“Duke Yvon is a coward. I told him I didn’t care who it was, but…”pYcL91
bOzvCXa“There’s no point picking the weaker option when there’s a stronger one.”LgZarH
14ujq“With a 0.001% chance, if it’s me, it becomes 100%.”t1gr
hTkKlrProfessor Rosalia spoke with absolute confidence.7ZTPp
69dFernan knew it wasn’t empty confidence—but still, you never know.E97t4
by7uit“It can’t be taken lightly.”IFjht
8mhBecause her opponent would be an Archmage.aSIIQ
xV1pAnd her first step couldn’t be a misstep.9zhvuJ8
do2Not for her. Not for Fernan. Not for his father.bzu
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