A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 21

Chapter 21

All⁠‌ the first-year students‍⁠‌ from the Department‌ of Knights, all‌‌⁠ those from the‌‌ Department of Magic,‌⁠‌ and even the‌ professors and assistants‌ assigned to supervise⁠‌ them.

More than two hundred‌ people gathered in⁠ one place.

“During‌ this upcoming week,‌⁠‌ you must survive in this forest…”‌‍⁠

“Monsters…”‌‌‍

Aint‌⁠ attentively observed the people while listening⁠ to the professors’‍ final instructions.

— That one looks useful.

— That one’s no⁠⁠‍ good. Weak and‍ untalented.

— Oh, who’s that?⁠

In‌‌ truth, his gaze‍ followed the commentary‌ of Gardner Alfenparsen.‍‌

Even‌‍ though they all⁠ attended the same⁠‌ academy, it wasn’t‍ common for such‌⁠ a large number⁠ of people to‌‍⁠ gather like this,‍ and Gardner wanted⁠ to evaluate the‍⁠ current state of the Empire.

— Among them, two‍‌ really stand out.‍⁠

— The one approaching,⁠ and the one‍ they call “the⁠ Saint.” Those from the Order of‌‍ the Dragon God⁠⁠ have always been⁠ insane.

“Aint.”‍‌‌

As⁠‌ soon as Gardner⁠⁠‌ finished speaking, Valoshi⁠‌ approached.

“Are⁠‍‌ you really going⁠ to be okay⁠ on your own?”

“It’s⁠ forbidden for us‍‌ to fight each⁠‌ other anyway. I want to try‍‍ doing it alone.”‌

“Still,⁠ be careful. Just‌ because conflicts aren’t⁠ allowed doesn’t mean‌‌ there won’t be‌⁠ traps. There are⁠ plenty of sneaky types around.”

“Thanks‍ for the advice.”‍⁠‍

After‍ Valoshi left, this‍‍‌ time it was⁠⁠ an elf who‌ approached him.

“Aint, did you change⁠‍‌ your mind?”

“No.”‍⁠‌

“That’s‌⁠ a shame. But if you change‌⁠ your mind along⁠ the way, be‌⁠ sure to let‌⁠ me know.”

Without⁠ waiting for an‌ answer, Aria placed⁠‌ a small orb⁠‌⁠ in his hand‌ before walking away.⁠‌

— A communication orb.‍

— Just break it.⁠

“Mmm.”⁠

Aint‌⁠ hesitated for a moment, but eventually‍ tucked the orb‍ into his clothes.‍⁠

— What are you‍⁠ doing?

“You‍‍ never know. There’s‍⁠ always a chance‌ something might happen.”⁠‌

— Weak. A true‌ heir of Armian‍ should be ready‍‌ to cut off⁠ even such possibilities.‍⁠⁠

Gardner clicked his tongue‌‌ but didn’t add‍‌‍ anything more.

— Let’s go over the plan one‍ more time.

— The lake we’re‍‍ headed to is⁠ Lake Farden, to‌⁠ the west. To⁠‍ avoid suspicion, we’ll‍‌ pretend it’s a coincidence. At first,⁠‌‍ we need to⁠‍ wander around a bit to divert attention from others.‌‌

“Eh?”⁠

Just‌⁠ then, Aint saw‍‌ someone familiar among‌ the crowd.

— Are you listening to me?

“That’s senior Fernan over‌‍‌ there.”

— So it was⁠ true he’s rich. What the hell‍‍⁠ is he doing‌⁠ here?

“From‍⁠ what I understand,‍‍‌ upperclassmen can participate⁠ as assistants in‌ first-year training. Maybe‌ that’s it.”

— And do you think someone from⁠ a wealthy bloodline⁠ would do that‍ without a reason?‌⁠‌

“I⁠ don’t think he’d‍‌⁠ do it without‌ a reason. Maybe‍‍‍ he’s after extra‌ credits or additional‍‌⁠ ranking points.”

After all, that was‌ the common goal⁠ of students who‍‌ served as assistants.‍‍

— Not for money?‌⁠

— Then it sounds‍‌ even more suspicious⁠ to me.

Although the explanation seemed⁠ reasonable, Gardner’s suspicion‍‍ only grew stronger.‌

“In‍‌‌ thirty minutes, the⁠ training begins. Assistants,‍ take your positions.”⁠

“To‌‍⁠ your positions!”

At‌⁠ that moment, the⁠ assistants began to‌⁠ disperse in all‌‍ directions.

The⁠ survival training was‍⁠ about to begin.

***‌

The⁠⁠ professors and assistants managed the students‍‌ by dividing the‍ forest into zones.‌‍

Each⁠ was assigned a specific area and made responsible for‌‌ the safety of⁠‍ the students who‌‌‍ entered it.

“Fernan.”‍‌‍

“Yes,‌ professor.”

Just⁠ as he was⁠ heading to his⁠‌ zone, Fernan was‌ stopped by Grad.‌

“Why‍ didn’t you come⁠‌ see me? If‍‍ you had told⁠ me, you could’ve⁠‍‌ gotten the assistant position much more⁠‌ easily.”

Seeing‍ that mix of‌ regret and greed‍ in his eyes,‍‌‌ Fernan simply shrugged.⁠

“I’ll‍ be sure to⁠⁠ ask next time,⁠ Professor.”

But⁠‍‌ if he found⁠‍⁠ another path in‍ the future, he‌ had no intention‌ of relying on⁠ Grad. He was‌ a professor willing⁠‍ to do anything⁠⁠⁠ for money, which‌ inevitably meant everything came with a price.

Fernan’s philosophy was clear:‌⁠ spend what’s necessary,‍‍ but save everything⁠‌ else.

“I⁠‌⁠ don’t know what‍⁠ you’re here for,‍⁠ but… as long‍⁠‌ as it doesn’t‌⁠ interfere with the⁠‌ exam… No, actually,⁠ you know how⁠‌ to handle things.‍ You’ve never caused‌‍‍ trouble. I’ll trust‍‍‍ you.”

“Thank‌ you.”

“Go on, then.”

Once‌ he arrived at⁠⁠ his zone, Fernan‌⁠ looked around. There was no lake⁠ nearby, and from various directions, he⁠ could feel the presence of monsters⁠⁠⁠ starting to gather.‍‍‌

From‍ that moment on,‍ the students would have to survive‍ there for a week on their own.

He‍ unfolded the map. The professors’ and⁠ assistants’ version of⁠‌ the map displayed the real-time locations‌‍ of all students.‍‌

Those⁠ who hadn’t moved‌‌ yet were still⁠⁠‌ gathered at the‍‍ starting point, but‌‍⁠ after about thirty‍ minutes, they began‍‌⁠ to disperse.

Fernan‍ focused his attention⁠ on the point⁠‍ marked with the‌ number 38. Perhaps‌‍‍ because of the‍‌‌ presence of other‍‍ observers, it showed‍⁠⁠ some wandering, encounters⁠ with other students,‌ and then separating again.

“Come‌‍‌ on, Aint. Show‍⁠‍ me which lake‍‌‌ you’re heading for.”⁠⁠

But‌ Aint wasn’t heading‌ toward any particular‍ one decisively. That‍ was when someone⁠⁠ called him from⁠‌ beneath a tree.‌‍

“Brother,‌ I’m here.”

It was Jace Vynes,‍‍ the redhead.

“Good.”‍‍

“Shall⁠‌ we start right‍ away?”

“Yes.”⁠

Jace opened a subspace‍‍‌ and pulled something‍ out. It was⁠ a humanoid mannequin.‌

“Give‌‍‍ me some blood⁠ and mana, please.”

Fernan‌⁠‌ bit his finger‍‍ and dropped a bit of blood⁠‌ on the doll.‍ Then he injected‌‌⁠ mana, and it⁠‍ began to glow⁠⁠ faintly.

“Perfect.”‌

Jace⁠ placed a hand⁠ on the mannequin’s‌ chest and activated‍ the spell.

Various‌‌ magic circles enveloped‍‍‌ its body, and‍ soon, the clay‌ doll began to‍ take form.

It‌⁠ had Fernan’s face.‌‍‍

“Did⁠‌ you bring the⁠‍ clothes?”

“Yes.‍⁠ Identical to what‌ I’m wearing today.”‌⁠

Once⁠‌ dressed, the mannequin‌ opened its eyes.‌⁠ At a glance,‌ both its appearance‌ and the energy⁠ it emitted were‌‍‌ indistinguishable from Fernan’s.‍

“They‌ won’t notice?”

“Don’t worry. For at‍‌‌ least five hours,‌‍ there won’t be‌⁠ a problem.”

“And‍‍ what makes you‍ so sure?”

“Would‌⁠‌ you believe me‌‍ if I said‌‍ I learned this⁠‍ spell to sneak⁠ away without His‌⁠⁠ Holiness the Pope‌⁠ noticing?”

Fernan,‌ frowning slightly, asked‌⁠ again.

“You’re‌‌ saying you managed‍‍‍ to fool the‌‍ Pope?”

“No.⁠‍ I never fooled⁠ him.”

Fernan‌ pressed his lips⁠ together.

“But‍‌ usually, it would‌ take him a few hours to⁠‍ notice. Until then,‌ even His Holiness‍‌‌ would have some doubts.”

“That’s‌ enough.”

The⁠ Pope of the‌ Dragon God Cult‌ was officially recognized⁠ as the greatest‌⁠‍ magician in the world. If even‌‌‌ he had hesitated,⁠ it showed how‌ effective the duplication⁠‍ spell was.

And‍⁠‍ within the academy, there was no⁠ one above the‌ Pope, so the chances of being‍‍ discovered were extremely‍ low.

“But‌⁠ don’t forget. The time limit is five hours.”

“That’s⁠ more than enough.⁠‌ Do you remember‍‍ everything an assistant⁠‌‌ is supposed to⁠⁠‍ do?”

“Of‍‌‍ course.”

Fernan‌ handed over all‍ the necessary items⁠⁠ for the assistant role. He had⁠⁠ prepared a duplicate‌ of each one‌ in advance.

“See you later, then.”⁠⁠‌

“Yes,‌ I’ll stay here⁠⁠ until you return.”‍

“If‍‌⁠ something happens…”

“Don’t⁠ worry, I’ll handle‌ it before any‍⁠⁠ other assistant even⁠ notices.”

He pulled his cloak‌‍ tightly around him‌ and checked the‍ map again.

“…Right‌⁠‌ on time.”

The‍ point marked as⁠ number 38 had already moved quite⁠‍ far from the‍‍‌ others. Though still‌ zigzagging, it was clearly heading toward‍ a lake.

Fernan’s⁠ gaze turned cold.⁠

He pulled a magic⁠ orb from the‌⁠ subspace and injected mana. It was‌‍ a communication orb‍‌ that vibrated when⁠⁠ its pair was‍ activated.

It⁠⁠ was time for‌‍ his second card⁠ in play to start moving.

***⁠

The‌‌ wind blew through‌ the thick forest‍ undergrowth.

Fallen‌⁠ leaves drifted down⁠‌‌ between two figures⁠ who stood face‍ to face.

One‍‌ of them, Verian‍‌ Kalburdern, caressed the⁠‍ signal orb that‌⁠ vibrated faintly on‌⁠ his chest and‌‌‌ swallowed hard.

‘Why‍ the hell am I doing this…?’⁠⁠‍

It‍ was because of Fernan. There was‍ no way to ignore the threats⁠ he had made‌ not long ago,‌‍ so even after‌‌ two defeats, he⁠⁠ stood once again‍⁠ before his opponent.‌⁠

‘I⁠⁠ never imagined I’d‍‍ be back here‌ so soon.’

The‌‌ first time, he‌ thought he would‍ win without a doubt… and lost. The second time,‍ he swore not‌⁠ to be overconfident…‌ and still lost.⁠

With those two defeats,‌ Verian had no‍ choice but to‌‍ admit there was‍⁠‌ a clear difference‌ in level between‍‌ him and Aint.⁠‍

That’s⁠ why the sword‌ he now held‌⁠‍ in front of‌ Aint didn’t carry‍⁠ the same confidence‍⁠ it once had.‌

Even so, he had‌ to fight.

“Your⁠⁠⁠ task in this‍‍ exercise is simple.⁠ When I give the signal, you⁠⁠ launch at Aint⁠‌ and don’t let‌‍ go.”

“The⁠ longer you hold‍ out, the better‌ for you. If you last an hour, I won’t‍ tell the judges⁠ your secrets. If⁠⁠ you reach two hours, I’ll give‍ you a reward.”‍

“You‍⁠ don’t have a valid excuse? Say‍⁠ you can’t accept⁠⁠ defeat, that you’re⁠ doing it for‍ a knight’s honor,⁠ and that’s why‌⁠‌ you’re challenging him⁠ again. There’s no‍ better reason for⁠⁠ a knight than‍⁠⁠ that.”

It⁠ was an open‌ threat, and of‌ course, he had‌ no other choice.⁠⁠

‘This‌⁠ is so unfair…!’‍⁠

He⁠ wanted revenge. He couldn’t accept losing‍ to Aint. But‍‍ even so, he‍‍ swore he hadn’t⁠ sold his soul‍⁠ to the devil.‍ So why was‍ he in this⁠‍ situation?

It⁠‍ was frustrating, but‍ there was nothing to be done.‌ As long as‍‌ that cursed recording⁠⁠ device existed, he‌ had no choice⁠⁠‍ but to obey⁠‌‌ Fernan.

“What’s‍‌ this, Verian?”

His‌ opponent, Aint Armian,‌ looked at him.⁠⁠⁠

“You’re⁠ going to try‌ again? You already know it won’t‌ work, right?”

Those words should have⁠ come from his‌ own mouth. Verian‍‌‌ gritted his teeth‍ in rage and‍‍ humiliation.

“…I‍⁠‌ can’t accept defeat.”

To‍‍‍ be honest, he‍ was starting to‌ feel some fear‌⁠‌ toward Aint, who‌ grew stronger with‍‌‌ each encounter.

“Wasn’t two times enough?”‌‌

“Doesn’t⁠ matter if it’s‍ two or a hundred.”

No‌⁠‌ need to go⁠‍‍ to a hundred.‌‍‍ Two was plenty.‌ But he pushed‌ his fear aside‍ as best he⁠⁠⁠ could.

“Losing⁠ to you has dragged my honor⁠ through the mud. I’m fighting again‍⁠ to protect it,‍ to reclaim it.”‌⁠⁠

“And‌ if you lose⁠⁠ again?”

“…Knights‌⁠ speak with their‍‌ swords.”

Because‍ what scared him‌ wasn’t Aint, but‍ Fernan. Losing to‍ Aint just meant‍ losing. He had‍⁠⁠ already done it‍ twice, so one‌ more wouldn’t change‍⁠‍ much.

But‌ if he earned‌ Fernan’s hatred, his⁠‌ life was over.‌ No one knew‍ what insane method‍ that ruthless merchant‌ would use to⁠ drag him into‍ hell.

“Prepare‌‍ yourself, Aint! This‍⁠ time will be‍ different. You won’t‍‍ move forward without⁠⁠‍ defeating me first.”‍‌⁠

Wooooong—‌‍

Verian’s⁠‍ sword began to‍ vibrate. A gray aura rose from‍⁠‌ it.

— The spirit of‍ one who doesn’t⁠‍‌ give up despite‌‍ defeat!

— At first, I didn’t think much‍ of him, but now I see he’s a true⁠⁠‍ knight.

— Challenging again without‍‌‌ fear of defeat‌ for the sake⁠ of honor and‍ will is worthy‌ of admiration! You’re‍‌ a knight too,‌ so face him‌‌⁠ with all your‍ strength!

Moved‍ by his determination,⁠ Gardner Alfenparsen urged Aint. But Aint⁠ shook his head.‌‍

“…All‌⁠ of that is‍⁠⁠ fine, Verian.”

He‍ sighed instinctively.

“You‍⁠‌ haven’t forgotten that‌ conflicts between students‌‌‍ are prohibited during‍ this exercise, right?”⁠⁠

“…”⁠

Of‌‍⁠ course, he knew.⁠‍⁠ Even though he‌‌ drew his sword,‍‍ Verian had no⁠ real intention of‍⁠ fighting.

“Saying‌⁠ that fighting is‌⁠‍ forbidden during this‌ survival training? That’s⁠‍⁠ your view, Verian.⁠ If you truly‍⁠ want to survive, you’ll do whatever‍‌ it takes to‌ buy time. In‌ this world, nothing‍⁠‌ is impossible. And‌ if it is,‌‌ it becomes possible.”‌

“…”‍

It‍ was all a façade to disguise‌‍ his true purpose—buying‍ time—under the name⁠ of “honor.”

“V-Very well, it doesn’t matter! I do⁠‍ it for honor…!”‍‍

— And does that⁠ absurd rule matter,‍⁠ Aint? A knight⁠‌ is fighting for‍ his honor! Are‌‍ you going to‍‌ trample on the‍ courage of someone‌ who mustered the‍ will to fight?⁠

Aint‌ let out another‌ sigh.

‘I don’t have time‍⁠ for this…’

It⁠ felt like he⁠⁠ had a bothersome⁠⁠ leech stuck to‍‌‍ him.

***‌

Rrrrrrumble—⁠‍

In‌‍‍ the underground depths,⁠⁠‌ Fernan ran beneath⁠‍ the earth. His‍⁠‌ magic pierced the‍⁠ ground, creating tunnels‍ he closed behind‌‌ him.

It‌⁠⁠ consumed a lot‌ of mana and‌ wasn’t exactly fast,‌ but it was‍⁠ the best way‍ to avoid being‌⁠ spotted by students,‌ professors, or assistants⁠⁠ stationed throughout the‌ forest.

‘Keep‌‍ stalling him, Verian.’‌

He‌⁠⁠ checked the map‌ constantly. He watched‍ the points marked 2 and 38 getting closer. They hadn’t moved from the same spot‍ for five minutes.‍‍⁠

Everything‍‌ was going according‍ to plan.

‘Luckily, I’m not far from the lake.’‍‌

It‌‍‌ wasn’t the nearest‍‌ lake, which was‌ unfortunate, but at⁠ least it wasn’t‍ the farthest either.‍

He kept running for a while longer,‌⁠ and still, the two points remained‍‌‌ fixed, facing each⁠ other.

‘He’s doing better than⁠ I expected.’

Fernan‍‌⁠ mentally raised Verian’s‍ value a little.⁠

And‍‍ just then…

──！‍⁠‌

Water‍⁠‍ began seeping in through a newly⁠ opened gap. He‌ had reached the‌ lake.

He‍‌ tore the scroll‌‍ with the stored‌ breathing spell and⁠⁠ dove into the⁠‍ water. It was‍ the same lake⁠⁠ he had already‌ explored before, without‍ success.

‘Let’s‌‍ see if I find it this‍ time.’

He‌⁠ opened his subspace.‍

────！‌‌

A massive arm and⁠⁠ leg suddenly emerged.‍⁠

It‌ was a laborer‌ he had prepared⁠⁠ specifically for this‍‍⁠ occasion.