Chapter 207
b0XjhcP“Today you must rest until the end of the day.”jcnvA
j4UaeXk“Understood.”toh
7WWhCvo“I mean it.”vgnDZ5U
zcBSgAs evening fell, Luina returned to the Ravidus Hall. The next day, Fernan, who for the first time in a long while had done nothing and had slept deeply, woke up in a good mood.15M7pZO
E3o2MaHyde entered with breakfast.YlTYTB
bhWQ0“How do you feel?”CL4
eLf“My head is clear.”InE
AI3lLThe headache had disappeared as if it had never existed. No, in fact, he felt even more refreshed.6cPxD
VpsR“Please, from now on, take better care of your body. What’s this about working until exhaustion?”LObrc6e
RQo“It’s not exhaustion, it’s a side effect of using the prophetic vision.”RnmN0P
LU24sj“Is it that serious? Last time it wasn’t to the point of coughing blood and fainting.”cTqS
XV5x“That was a different matter.”zrC
p5IR“Huh?”gWW
petFernan continued explaining slowly. Upon hearing it all, Hyde was stunned.4Py78X9
5dvXm“…Are you saying it’s an effect of the Dragon Heart?”6ZN
2WAUI“That’s right. Feeling the senses of a dragon with a human body, it seems I suffered an overload. Now that I know, I’ll be more careful.”q8FrGK
DcXNU“So, your current physical condition is…?”pmU8st
rnGAkVZ“Actually, better than before.”j56lU
67f“Congratulations.”NsG1
AmGY3Fernan tried a spoonful of creamy soup.Lvks
WXdiYlG“And the letter?”2Wl
FJdVj“I sent it via the express route through the Golden Turtle Guild. But does it relate to the prophetic vision?”dhZQmc
llc“It does. Ten kilograms of mithril appeared. They say the corrupt plan to destroy it.”rXGE
PXaWR4“Then we must stop them.”NIl3
21x“Not just stop them, we must obtain it.”Kul2L5
GntBcMHe tore a soft piece of bread and dipped it in the soup; the buttery aroma filled his nose.ClEnn3
aa4Nj“Ah, so that letter… did you send it to your father?”ZpMXCo
8k1z“I requested reinforcements. I’ll go myself.”jPcDKlf
qJdThe location was deep in the mountains. Fernan had never been there, so he would have to rely solely on the vision’s contents. If he didn’t go in person, locating it would be even harder. Moreover, he couldn’t take a large army into foreign territory.YN0
khAHb“But will the rector grant permission? Even if he overlooked it the first time…”WipJk
6TlyU“That’s why this time I’ll use a different excuse.”6SNeXRq
Ol9F“A different excuse?”m46TPU
USg8“The same as with Valerich.”4InAvuV
UqWk0“Then you won’t be able to take Aint Armian.”sSTN
TGUGS“That’s why I asked my father for help.”JHWGr
NgpmkAnd besides, Professor Rosalia was worth a hundred. When it came to demons, Aint was unmatched, but in terms of pure strength, she surpassed him.BAEiWe
uHQ8“Will Professor Rosalia agree to go?”0lLQ
DgHsev5“I’m going to talk to her right now.”g9nT
W4IbFernan was convinced she would accept without hesitation.serYjWV
JHnN3N“A mage who ignores mithril stops being a mage.”cNU
9kTsEbThe three great metals: adamantite, orichalcum, and mithril.0QFieMU
HNEjAll were valuable for research materials, but among them, mithril was what drove mages wild. Its magical conductivity fit perfectly into any research.Fz4ET5p
0D8O***J2kpvE
kLJ“I found 2 kg of mithril.”wfAe
Ysp3Fernan didn’t waste time with preambles. He got straight to the point and waited for the reaction.Hk7
6zZC“I’ll give you 500 g. In return, allow me to accompany you to the location.”UcS
2vqo3HHyde, listening from behind, barely kept a neutral expression.DM6ynS
WK2‘He lies as naturally as breathing.’t5c
NvaHe had reduced the 10 kg to just 2 kg.yZzn
Gk7hQ“……”UlURRsE
Hubo4SuProfessor Rosalia lit a cigarette in silence.AWRN
tS993‘How much does each one of those cost?’nqY
v7kGobThey were incredibly expensive, filled with special herbs. She was the only one who could smoke them like water.mMP
2giFw“You’re saying it’s mithril?”eTFrE
XrQ0“Yes.”pmYCr
FgJK“2 kg…”ApzHKp
5tcu“It’s not much, but being mithril, it has great value.”kEq
sHYBUd“True. With 1 kg alone, the trip would be worth it.”6fSx5
qc2Hyde marveled at how naturally Professor Rosalia doubled the offer.mvKi
x14UjCy“500 g.”jzoaCm
JjWvi“In that case, I won’t help. If, even with the Golden Turtle Guild at your disposal, you insist on going yourself, it must be for a serious reason, right?”hwcas
0LD19U5Her reasoning was impeccable.UifBK
T2rPs2“…I understand.”vDtbg
PVTTJaFernan nodded resignedly, but that answer hardened the professor’s expression.FpP
DOoUVZj“What are you hiding?”383m
Rdmvu“Excuse me?”GIuOSw
bZKolQ“You’re hiding something, aren’t you?”RQeP
g4CRTShe tapped the ashes into the ashtray.DpI5Rw
rD4Au“Me, hiding something?”7HGfDfl
43xS“Just like you know me, I know you well too, Fernan Pellenberg.”Kon
5k3VnTTHer intent was clear—to force him to reveal what he was hiding.GJ5
5E3“What are you hiding?”IOU
PPIl“The corrupt know about it too.”Kq0xART
clbi“Then I’m going. No matter what.”YoAEN
t8kj6lRosalia firmly set down her teacup.XFq9R
N4A“Didn’t you say to notify you without hesitation if the corrupt were involved?”2VZ
VavfShe hated demons. They had already destroyed her research and used her as a medium for a demonic summoning.xlV
ILSKoX“So you’ll help me even without mithril?”Fe2rX
557o5l“How shameless.”uIA5
wTKxZRb“When can we depart?”yIAulV
ZFbK“I’ll prepare right away. The sooner, the better.”VZAJ
PN3IYJ“And what excuse will you use?”jLGsXF9
sb2rGv“That’s my business.”3lyHhI
FcGHRosalia gathered her documents and left for the rector’s office. Hyde, who had been tense the whole time, let out a big sigh.OvXS500
wBz7D6“Impressive, even in this situation…”M0mK
K2De0unShhh—Vb6
Nj0Fernan covered his mouth. He closed his eyes and released the dragon’s senses.djuMjG
ZTYfzSH─!OwqX39a
K25zBtFThe invisible became visible, the inaudible was heard, the intangible was felt. And amid it all, he sensed a strange flow.u5Y1ZyU
vfvM9QFCough—dynl7Db
rKAS6qtFernan swallowed the blood that rose, grabbed Hyde, and left the office. Hyde, horrified by the red trickle escaping from his lips, exclaimed,t4Bb
AOaiNp“What’s happening all of a sudden…?”TTU6Ms
sBI“It’s nothing. I just used the dragon’s power.”qyh7aWK
NxiZxP“But why use that power so suddenly!”3TFm5W
o7jq“There was a recording.”ghP
y7FM“…A recording?”KAmrE
vwpf5“What were you about to tell me earlier?”R7pUqD
Uq9o“…That you reduced the 10 kg to 2 kg when you told her.”VucHSI0
Ytq1PXHyde’s eyes widened.IryK
PklqsW“Could it be…?”CBp
GF4bI9g“If I had said the full amount, it would’ve ended up in Professor Rosalia’s hands.”W8buVv
f6ki4If it was recorded, it would be a problem. And even if he destroyed the record, the fact that it was destroyed would be suspicious.vR3
X4yR2e“Even the corrupt were too lenient, and I still had doubts. But as I suspected, the professor is also not easy to fool.”teRQA
BslWou“Clean your mouth first.”eGT8zE
t3UWERgFernan took the handkerchief Hyde offered.4cfVkl
CBNDY“Anyway, I’ll extract the mithril myself, so I’ll be able to hide it well.”JPS
afFNo matter how powerful Rosalia was, she wasn’t an earth mage. Manipulating 10 kg and making it look like just 2 during extraction would be hard, but not impossible.dMvLs
H84b“But why 2 kg? If you were going to reduce it, I thought you’d make it even less.”DLgO6g8
M2h82H“2 kg is the sweet spot.”SfvV
bIrConsidering that 1 kg of mithril was already a lot, sharing it with her made the deal seem reasonable.zxH
KDM“Also, we’re not just going—we’ll have to fight monsters. But with 2 kg, it’s enough. So she’ll keep 1 kg.”0b0
3mj“1 kg? Did you plan that from the start?”ouf2N
M7mcOk“Professor Rosalia is quite fair. She likes to split things evenly.”IlDL
2ja9C2GThat’s why Fernan rejected her first offer and accepted the second. To be able to take her with him, he had to make it clear that something was hidden.eJlSX
WIjC“And even then, she didn’t fully trust me, so she placed a record. Wow, you and the professor are amazing…”5k9VHqR
jvyIBHyde shook his head.IqctYaA
ERcfOP“It’s basic. What matters is that she’s already agreed, so let’s get everything ready. When she said ‘right away,’ she meant it.”0EsYsf
xKyWith 8 kg of mithril saved, Fernan hummed cheerfully.Gxa8YQ
Xx1gefe***4AHZHXL
mPuKhg“…You’re leaving again?”bymwO9
unznZ4Faced with Fernan’s sudden announcement, Aint asked again.pOL
WQ48S“That’s right. I found mithril, and they say there are corrupt around. I’m going to take care of it cleanly.”95Yxs
hsze9“If it has to do with the corrupt, wouldn’t it be better if I go with you?”nZMC
Awd“No, taking you is impossible. Not just you—no one. Being away for nearly two months during the semester was already a miracle.”aty
v03t“That’s true. Then how will you manage to leave again?”WpxNwK
88e“There are ways.”47xc
OpHk8pFernan handed him a small pouch.g6yR
JsnzI5C“This?”iiZaZr
iApY“Gems.”SpyST
aHTg1e1“And what for…?”1AF
Vgry2Y0“I’m going anyway, but you never know. Something might happen at the Academy. During our last absence, they caught two corrupt right here—even the rector himself.”ie0qR
Ri4s7DiThey all carried books, and upon death, vanished like smoke.eauIfo
x4VCCThe fact they kept being sent, even knowing they would fail, could only mean one of two things: either they were idiots, or there was a much larger plan at work.EtQKj9m
WeQtckFernan was convinced of the latter. The corrupt were hiding something.Yfq
9BAvcr“They could take advantage of my absence. I need you to handle it.”fIWU6Se
gXo“Of course, but what do the gems have to do with that?”fDY0
Tct0vtb“If things get bad, ask for help from those who’ve already been in this room.”FZh
hGad3lbEveryone who had passed through there was someone entirely trustworthy, with no ties to the corrupt.aQb
ACJAXUWithin the Academy, they were the safest allies Aint could have.4APivX
iCBO“The others will help you without hesitation, but Jace won’t. In that case, give him this gem.”Mo37D
t9KKo“…Understood.”o249Q
2JEuJ“Then I’m off.”XKF
qvcOVFernan stood up. Even if the corrupt made a move during the festival, with Aint leading, they could handle it without major issues.wt8h
vju1‘There’s Luina, Aria, Verian, Jace—and above all, the rector.’SGY5
IuVThat they had sometimes come close to falling into traps was due to how well the corrupt hid themselves, not because the Archmage was weak.8ri
6F1OqAs he left the room, Hyde was waiting.RxNt3X
k4Zdg“All set, the carriage is ready outside.”8hVaE0e
dReb“I’ll stop by to pick up Wooden first.”HHpO
HYVoCc2At that moment, Fernan wasn’t wearing the pendant. Wooden was receiving lessons from Professor Emond.7aI
svRLz0k─!Jkdy3
sWtYnoH──!aeypkjJ
6r3Upon entering the professor’s private training field, the air trembled with the clash of swords.95aLM
TwSIcah“Professor.”yOs
dTOnYSMContrary to what he had thought, Emond wasn’t fighting, but standing with his arms crossed, observing.Hvt
fe7T8“Luina?”wFBI20
LFywX“That golem… no, that spirit is a genius. Absorbs everything like a sponge.”Su8
hQszzWooden had already grasped the essence of the Altrierc’s lower swordsmanship. What remained was to solidify it through practice and duels.FQE0pl0
NTj“The more varied the opponents, the better. I asked Wooden if there was a knight aware of their own existence, and he recommended Luina.”p4ut7f
kwoThi8“So that’s why she’s fighting him?”Ci1LC6C
ck7TJn“Yes.”VGM3
RujyM7The duel between Luina and Wooden was evenly matched. Or at least, it appeared so.vKdcHg
bxa4V1“Luina’s winning.”peynO
mDHVh“Wooden is strong, but Luina Bercheff… she’s a real monster. She’s already far above Academy level.”CATzrap
rxGWeVRAnd not just the Academy. Across the entire continent, few knights could surpass her.uA63
YppoN0“Even stronger than you, Master?”3fV9MoX
RMEswN“I’m just a retired old man now.”1Tl
ePkp“If you say that in front of certain people, you’ll get stabbed.”t49s9
1Rp9“That’s why I only say it to you.”VGi9O
9mKEmond smiled.i9JxNo
RWpWKb“So, what’s going on? There’s still time left in the training session.”1gjRBf
a85MX8“I came to take Wooden. I’ve got a matter to attend.”3ljuVBQ
KKaP91“A matter? What talent, taking two months off and now heading out again.”snC
cwR7“All legally permitted.”CDPwGS
OPCc6“Sure, even the illegal becomes legal with you.”ErRJj
Y39J“Wooden!”faVk
KHPMsAt Emond’s call, the duel stopped. Wooden and Luina ran over to Fernan.mmv
jJ77“Fernan? Are you feeling better?”E1H
Lmd0i“Thanks to you all.”MZrk5w
E2A“And where are you off to?”A00t
oe7RYtJ“I need to go out for a while. If the corrupt cause trouble, help Aint.”4646a
9xdU9s“In your condition, you’re going out?”2SsgYy
94lc0R“I’m already fine.”2eFJe4P
9iYTF“I’ll go with you.”zD7K
N3V“It’s nothing serious. Just found a mineral and going to extract some. I’ll be back soon.”mggbd
xj83rThere was no need for her to go with him. Fernan pulled a box from his subspace.dwg
oMBttR“What’s that?”tKzmTA
RagtOT“Kraken ink chocolate. There’s a good amount—you won’t run out for a while.”5JBwF
yFk0AKh“…Didn’t you say you’d be back soon?”CO7j
MOCyx“And who said otherwise? It’s just a gift.”0my
vQh“…I can’t accept it without giving something in return.”N67
Jgapf“Then consider it thanks for taking care of me. Thanks to you, I rested well.”i1t
9tn5U“No need to thank me.”pRx
G69Luina nodded softly, tilting her face to hide the slight blush on her cheeks.cWeQ8
B7hvNA“Let’s go, Wooden.”ELg
HIk0— Kyuu!U0FSVo
6lR3Fernan held out his hand, and Wooden, shrinking down, perched on it. As he watched him leave, Professor Emond murmured,iVjy
dWF“Youth.”9fPz4V
eD868j“It’s not that.”BJo
SQ0rfShortly after, Rosalia and Fernan departed from the Academy.fIMq
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