A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 211

Chapter 211

“Ugh, my head…”

Aint‍ woke up with‍‍ a stabbing headache.‌‌ His stomach was also upset, which made him feel‍‍‍ quite sick.

“So‌‍ this is a hangover. I never‌‍ want to go‌⁠‍ through this again.”‌‌

Aint⁠‌ raised his aura, and the alcohol‌⁠⁠ fumes began to⁠‍ escape from every pore of his⁠ body like steam.‌⁠

The‌ unbearable smell filled⁠‍ the room, forcing‌ him to open‌⁠ the window.

— That’s why I told you to⁠ dispel the alcohol‌‍ while drinking. How‍ did you expect‍ not to end⁠ up like this⁠ if you only‍ drank without restraint?

“And⁠⁠ when else was⁠ I going to⁠ get drunk? Besides,‌‌ the atmosphere was‍‍ not so suitable for…”

Looking for water to‌‌ soothe his dry‌‌‍ throat, Aint froze.‍‌

“…Did‍ I enter the‌‍ wrong room?”

— No, this is‌ your room.

It‌ was indeed the⁠ Ravidus Hall. Everything‍‌ there belonged to him.

“Then‍‌ my eyes must‍ be wrong?”

— They’re perfectly normal.‍

Then⁠ why had the⁠‌ carpet turned white?⁠

“…Yesterday,‌ before going out, it wasn’t like‌ this.”

Had‌ someone changed it⁠‍ while he slept?‌ It made no‌ sense.

— Stop looking at⁠ the floor and‌ look up.

Aint raised his gaze.⁠ The supposed white‌ carpet was actually‌‌ a heap of feathers piled up‍ like hills.

It‍⁠ took him a while to realize‌⁠ they were feathers.‌⁠ An enormous number of feathers. And‍‍‌ in the middle⁠‌ of them, curled‍⁠ up inside the⁠ room and taking⁠‍ up all of⁠‌‌ it, was a gigantic being.

Could⁠‌ it be…?

“…Silver?”

Piiiiiii!

The‌ now enormous Silver⁠ let out a cry. Crack— the‍ window glass cracked.‌‍

“W-wait,‍ Silver!”

Aint⁠‌ hastily covered its‍‌ beak.

“Shh, let’s talk quietly,⁠‌ okay?”

Silver nodded its head.

Aint‍ carefully removed his‌‌⁠ hand from its‌ beak.

“Why‍‌ did you grow‌ so much all‍ of a sudden?”‌

Pii!‍

Silver⁠‍⁠ shook its head,‍ as if it‍‍ didn’t know either.⁠

— It’s the molting.‌ Saintbirds, like any‌ other bird, molt‍ their feathers, but⁠‌ in their case,⁠ they grow all at once during the process.

— Although I didn’t⁠‍⁠ expect it to⁠‍ happen this soon.⁠‍‌ Usually it occurs‍ several years after‌‍ birth. Could it‌ be because Fernan‍‌⁠ gave it several‍⁠ elixirs?

Molting in a Saintbird⁠‌ happens at the‌ boundary between chick and adult. When⁠⁠ its body determines‌‍ it has grown‍ enough, it changes‌ feathers and grows‌⁠‍ in size.

According⁠‍⁠ to Gardner, the⁠ tonics Fernan had⁠‍ given Silver had‍ accelerated that process.⁠⁠

“Molting?”⁠‌

If‍ Silver did that‌‌⁠ twice, it would‍ cover the entire‌‍ Academy.

— Keep those feathers.‍ They’re beautiful and⁠⁠⁠ contain mana, very‌‍ useful as materials for magical research⁠ or artistic pieces.‍

— If you sell them to Fernan‍ at a good‌ price, you can⁠‌ make a nice‍ sum. After all,‌‍‌ you have debts‍ to pay.

“But‍⁠ Silver belongs to‍ Fernan.”

— You’re forgetting it‌ was originally yours?⁠ The previous Emperor‌⁠ left it for‌ you!

“Ah,⁠‌ that’s true.”

Aint⁠‍ nodded.

Pii,⁠ pii.

Then⁠‍ Silver looked outside‍⁠‌ and let out‌⁠ a plaintive cry.‌‌ It seemed uncomfortable.⁠

“Do‌ you want to⁠‌ go out?”

Pii.‍

Silver⁠‌ shook its head.‌

— Ask it if‌⁠ it wants to‍‍ see Fernan.

“Do you want to see Fernan?”

Pii-pii!⁠‌‌

Silver‌⁠ made a different‌‌‌ sound this time.⁠‍⁠

— The previous Emperor’s‌ Saintbird also flew‌ to see him‍‌‌ after molting, no matter where he‍‍ was.

— Tsk, I thought‍ it had gotten‌ attached to you,‍ but it still⁠ sees Fernan as‍‍ its true master.⁠⁠

“So⁠⁠ what do I do?”

— What else? If⁠ you don’t want‌‍⁠ it to hate‌⁠ you, you’ll have‌⁠ to let it⁠‍ go.

“Yes,⁠⁠ I guess… But‌ how? Silver is⁠ too big to‍ get out through‍ the door or‍⁠ the window.”

— There’s no other‍ choice. You’ll have‍ to knock down‌ the wall.

“…What?”‍⁠

— Silver wants to⁠‌ see Fernan. Do‍‍‍ you really think⁠ Fernan will be‌‍⁠ upset about the⁠ cost? He’ll pay‍⁠ for it himself.‌

“Even‌ so…”

Pii,‌‍‍ pii, pii.

Silver⁠‌ grew restless, anxious.‍‌‌ With that small⁠ movement, it overturned⁠ the table and‌ knocked everything off⁠ it.

— Or do you‌‍‌ plan to lock⁠ it up here⁠‍ forever?

“…I‍ have no choice.”‌⁠‌

Aint‍ raised his aura‍‌ and slashed directly⁠ at the wall.⁠

──!‌

The‍ magical circles engraved‍⁠ to protect the‌⁠ dormitory resisted violently.⁠⁠‌

──!⁠

But⁠‍ they couldn’t withstand repeated full-force blows.‍

Boom—⁠⁠‍

With a crash, the⁠ wall came down‍ and Silver spread‌ its wings, taking‌‌ off into the⁠ sky.

“Go‌ back to Fernan.”

Piiiiiiii!

Silver‌‍ disappeared into the‌‌ sky.

“…Student⁠⁠ Aint? What the‌ hell happened here?”‌⁠

The‍‍⁠ maids, alerted by⁠‍ the noise, came⁠⁠‌ running in and⁠ were left speechless⁠ at the destroyed room.

Unable to understand the‌‌ situation, they found no words.

‘And‍ what am I supposed to say?’‍

— I don’t know‍‌ either.

And‌⁠ neither did Aint.⁠‍⁠

“The‍ dormitory is destroyed!”‍

“It was Aint!”

“The Saintbird…!”

The‌ alarmed voices of the students on‌‍⁠ the street filtered⁠ through the window.‍

***

“How⁠ did it all‍ end?”

“…A⁠⁠ week of community⁠‌ service at the‍⁠ Academy. And they‍ revoked my Ravidus⁠⁠ Hall privileges for this semester.”

Aint‌ sighed deeply as‍‍‍ he answered Verian’s⁠⁠ question after spending‌ several hours with‍ the disciplinary committee.‌‌

Knocking‍ down the wall‍‌ for Silver was‌‌⁠ fine, but the‍ complicated part was‍‌ the punishment afterward.⁠⁠

It⁠ was logical for‍ them to punish‌ him: he had⁠ destroyed part of⁠ the Ravidus Mansion,⁠‍ regardless of the⁠ reason.

Luckily,‍‍⁠ they considered that‌‌‍ the Saintbird had‍⁠ forced him and‌ that he would‍ pay for the‍ repairs himself. That⁠ reduced the penalty‌ quite a bit.

If‍ not for that, he would have‌ been expelled.

“A⁠‌⁠ week? Just what’s‍‍ left of the‍ festival, huh?”

It⁠ seemed like a punishment designed to‌‍ prevent him from⁠ enjoying the event.⁠⁠

“Even‌⁠ so, the festival‌⁠ atmosphere improved.”

“It‍‍ improved?”

“Look.”‌‍⁠

Verian‌⁠ handed him a newspaper.

【What‍‌ happened with Ravidus⁠‍ Hall during the⁠ festival?】

【Saintbird⁠‍‌ appearance during the‍⁠ festival! The Empire’s‌⁠ symbol further brightens the anniversary of‍ its foundation】

【Is⁠‍ Aint Armian the‍‍‍ owner of the‌ Saintbird? The young⁠⁠ heir flies again‌‍⁠ with the legendary‌‌ bird!】

Despite‍ being the Foundation⁠ Festival, most of⁠ the headlines talked‍‍⁠ about Aint and‌ Silver.

— No wonder. After‍‍‌ all, it’s been‍‍ nearly a thousand‍ years since one‍ appeared.

Until⁠‌ then, Saintbirds hadn’t‍ truly been extinct,‌ but one raised‌‍ by human hands‌‌‍ hadn’t appeared since⁠ the First Emperor.

For‍ the Saintbird, the‍‌‍ Empire’s symbol, to⁠‌ appear at the‍‌ Foundation Festival after a thousand years—if‍ someone didn’t go⁠ crazy over that,‌ they couldn’t call⁠ themselves a citizen of the Empire.‌‌‌

There‍ had already been‌⁠ rumors circulating that⁠‌ Aint owned a Saintbird, but this‌⁠ was the first time an adult-winged‌‌ one had truly‌‌ taken flight.

That‌‌ fact also influenced‍‍ the leniency of‍ Aint’s punishment.

“The‍ nobles who came‌‌ to the Academy‍⁠ during the festival,⁠ they all want‌ to see you⁠⁠ and Silver. If⁠ you go out‍‌ right now, you’ll‍‍ most likely be⁠ surrounded by a crowd. Forget about‍‍⁠ enjoying the festival.”⁠

“…That‌ much?”

Anyway,‍ he didn’t really⁠⁠ care that much either. He had‌⁠ to fulfill his‌⁠ community service at⁠ the Academy regardless.

And‌ if the crowd⁠ was so large‌ it kept him from doing it⁠ properly, well, that‌ wouldn’t be such‌ a bad outcome.‌

“What about Valoshi?”

“His⁠‌ match starts soon.‌ According to him,⁠‍⁠ he’s going to‌ win without any‌ trouble.”

What⁠⁠‌ an unpleasant guy.‌

Verian let out a sarcastic laugh.

“Why⁠‌‌ do you hate‍‌‍ Valoshi so much?”

“You’re‍ mistaken if you‍ think it’s personal.‍ Simple I hate⁠ anyone stronger than me.”

“So‍ that includes me‍‍ too?”

“Of‍‌ course. You’re the⁠ one who annoys‌‍‍ me the most.‌⁠ I still haven’t‌ forgotten your threats.”‌‌‍

He⁠ growled, but half‌ of it was‍ a joke. At⁠ this point, their⁠‌ relationship had advanced‍⁠ enough to leave‍ that memory behind.‌⁠

“So,‌ what exactly does‌‌‌ community service involve?‌‌⁠ Picking up trash?”‍

“No.‌ They said it’s⁠‍⁠ enough to go to the professors‌ and help them‌ with whatever they need.”

“Professors?‍‍‌ Which ones?”

“For⁠ now, Professor Grad.”⁠

“That⁠ guy does anything⁠ besides teaching? He‍ always looks like‍‌ he’s slacking off.”‌⁠

Verian‍ frowned, genuinely doubting⁠‍ that man had‍ any real duties.‌

“Wanna‍ come with me‌ if you’re curious?”‍

“I’m‍⁠ not dumb enough to get into⁠‌⁠ trouble and earn‌‍ penalties.”

“…How‌‍ cruel.”

“It’s‍‌ your own karma.”

Verian⁠‍ left shortly after,‌ and Aint headed‌‍ unhurriedly toward Professor‌‌‌ Grad’s office.

“Sit‍‌ down.”

Professor‌‍ Grad’s office was‌‌ surprisingly bare. It had the basic‌⁠⁠ furniture like any other, but everything⁠⁠ was empty.

What‍ stood out the‌⁠ most were the‍ shelves—completely devoid of‍ books.

“What a mess you⁠ made.”

“…I‍⁠ had no choice.”‍‌

“Everyone‍⁠ who causes trouble⁠ says the same.”‍

Although,⁠ this time, it⁠⁠‌ was true that⁠ he hadn’t had‍⁠ a choice.

Grad‌ had also seen‍⁠ Silver rise into⁠ the sky. The spectacle had been‌ magnificent.

“And⁠⁠‌ since when is that Saintbird so‌⁠‌ big?”

“It⁠ grew like that⁠‌ overnight. That’s why‍‍ I had to⁠‍ break the wall.‍‍ I didn’t want⁠‌ to.”

“A trait of legendary⁠⁠ beasts? Fascinating.”

Grad⁠ moved his hands‌‌ skillfully. On closer‌‍ look, he was‌ polishing his sword.‌

“Where‍ is it now?”⁠

“It⁠⁠ wanted to fly‌‌‌ freely, so I let it go‍ roam the skies.”⁠‌‍

“I‍‍⁠ see.”

After⁠‌ checking the mirror-like gleam of the‍ blade, he smiled‍⁠ in satisfaction and‍⁠⁠ stood up.

“Follow⁠ me. I’ll give‌ you something to‌ do.”

Grad‌‌‍ led him to‌‍ his private training‍‌ ground. A huge,‌⁠ solid, enclosed place,⁠⁠ shielded from any⁠ outside gaze.

“Draw‍‌‍ your sword.”

“…This‌‌ sounds more like‌ training than community‌ service.”

Not that training with⁠‌⁠ Grad bothered him⁠‌ in the least.‌ Aint wasn’t afraid‍ to face the⁠ strong.

But,⁠‍ come to think⁠ of it, this‍‌ didn’t seem related⁠ to “community service”‍⁠⁠ at all.

“Fighting‌ me is a way to satisfy‌‌ my battle thirst.⁠‌ That is a service. And defining the ‘task’ of‌‌ the service is‍ the professor’s prerogative.”‍

No‌‌ matter how he‌⁠ thought about it,‌‌⁠ it sounded like‌ an excuse.

“I’ll‍ be in charge of you for⁠ three days. So‍ for those three⁠ days, you’ll come⁠ here every morning‌⁠ at nine.”

So,⁠ three straight days⁠ of duels.

“If⁠⁠ that’s the case,⁠‍‌ I don’t mind,‌⁠ but why?”

There‍ are no favors⁠‍ without reason. As Fernan always said.⁠⁠‍

Grad⁠ had no reason⁠‍⁠ to show him‌‌⁠ any goodwill.

“Because‌ it would be‍‍ a waste. In⁠‌ my eyes, your‌‌⁠ offense doesn’t warrant⁠ you wasting your‍‌ time. The demons⁠ are stirring, and⁠ meanwhile, the hero‌ is being wasted‌⁠ on dumb punishments.”⁠

He‌‍ clicked his tongue‌‌ and drew his‌‍ sword.

“Come‍‍⁠ on, Aint Armian.‍‍ Your level has‍‍ far surpassed that‌ of a mere‍⁠‌ student, so I won’t be holding‌‍ back.”

His‌‌ aura surged instantly.‌‌

Drrrrrr—‌

The‌⁠‌ pressure made Aint⁠⁠ hold his breath.‍‌ His skin bristled,⁠ and he had to quickly gather⁠ his aura to‌‌ withstand it.

He⁠‍ knew Grad was⁠ strong, but now‍ he was sure:‌‌ stronger than he’d expected.

— What the hell?⁠⁠ Didn’t they say⁠ he wasn’t a Royal Knight?

Aint⁠⁠ drew his sword.⁠

“Oh,‍⁠ and when these‍ three days are‌ over, tell Fernan⁠ I treated you‍‌ very well.”

“Huh?‍ What does that—?”⁠

He‌ didn’t finish the‍‍‍ question.

“Just‍ say it. He’ll understand.”