A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 212

Chapter 212

Three‌⁠ days passed quickly.‍‍

“For‍‌‍ the gods’ sake,‌ what the hell⁠‌ are you doing‍⁠ to end each⁠‍‍ day with your‍‍ body in this‍ state?”

The mage from the‍‌ healing center scolded⁠‍⁠ him every day‍‌ Aint showed up,⁠ throwing insults nonstop.‍ This repeated for‌ all three days.⁠‌‌

Aint trusted in his‍‌ swordsmanship and the level he had⁠⁠‍ achieved fighting demons,⁠ but against Grad‍ he couldn’t manage⁠⁠ a single win.‍

However,‌⁠ those defeats weren’t useless.

“Don’t‍ look at the sword, look at‌‌⁠ the person. Observe⁠‍ everything about your‍ opponent, feel them.⁠ Even if it’s‍ the same technique,‍⁠ the same downward‍⁠⁠ slash, it always changes depending on‍ the person.”

Just by responding to his attacks, Aint’s⁠‌‌ senses sharpened.

“A⁠‌⁠ lethal force against‌‍ demons? Even without‌ it, if you⁠‍ can hunt them,‌ then they’ll truly‌‌⁠ fear you.”

Not‌⁠ all of his‌ advice was useful,‌‌⁠ but many were‌‌ — and to‌ a great degree.⁠

“The⁠⁠‌ next one you‍‍ should go to⁠ is Professor Ladina⁠ Brancheff.”

“Professor‍ Ladina Brancheff…?”

“She‍⁠ handles Attribute Imbuing,‍‌ Enchantments, and Basic‍‍⁠ Alchemy.”

Ladina⁠‌ Brancheff was a professor in the⁠‌‌ magic faculty, an⁠ alchemist so prominent‍ she was known⁠‍ throughout the Empire.‌‌

“Magic‍ department? Why would‌ someone like that⁠ be interested in‍‍ me?”

“That⁠ I don’t know.⁠ But you’ll be‍‍ under her charge⁠ for the next‌ four days, so⁠⁠ go see her‌‌⁠ tomorrow.”

“That’s⁠‍ a shame. I wanted to keep‍ learning from you…”⁠

“You’re‌‌ not the only⁠ one. There’s a line of students‍ waiting for me⁠⁠ to teach them.”‌

The‍‌‌ next day, Aint⁠‍ knocked on Professor‍‌‌ Ladina’s office door.‌

“Ah,‍ welcome, Aint Armian.‌‌ It’s the first⁠‌ time I see‌ you in person.”⁠

She‌ was a professor⁠‌ with long pink‌‍ hair down to⁠‌ her waist and⁠ blue eyes.

“I⁠ asked for you⁠ because I want to research a bit into the‍‍ power of Armian‍‌⁠ — that power‌⁠ which stands against‌ demons.”

“You⁠ mean my power?”‌‌

“Yes.‌‍ I think it‍ might be possible⁠‌ to inscribe that‍‍ power into a magic circle and⁠ use it in⁠ an enchantment.”

She‌‍‌ adjusted the large⁠‍‌ round glasses that⁠⁠ had slipped halfway‍‍ down her nose.‌‌

“Well,‍ for now it’s‍‌ just an idea,‍‌‍ and I need⁠ your help. Sorry for not explaining‌ beforehand and just‍⁠ calling you over.”

“No‌ problem. I’d never‍‌ thought of it,⁠‌‌ but I’d like it to work.”⁠‍‍

He was sincere. Aint‌‍ aspired to be‍ a hero, but‌⁠‍ he didn’t believe‍ he could defeat⁠‍⁠ all demons alone.⁠ If this could⁠ even slightly increase‌‌ humanity’s chances of‍ survival, it was⁠‌ worth it.

‘If‍ this could become‌ real, wouldn’t the‍‌ situation change a lot?’

— It’s possible. But‌‍ mass production wouldn’t‍‌ be feasible.

‘…Did⁠ this exist a thousand years ago?’⁠⁠

— Yes. My own‍ weapon had that‌⁠ power engraved in⁠⁠ it. In fact, you could say‍ all Royal Knights’⁠‍‌ weapons had a bit of that⁠ force.

That’s⁠ why not only‌ the Emperor, but⁠ all Royal Knights⁠‌ were nightmares to‌ demons.

— A thousand years‍⁠ ago, the first‍‌⁠ Pontiff of the‍ Dragon God’s Cult‌‍ engraved it herself.⁠ Only she could⁠⁠ do it, and⁠ it took a long time.

— So except for‌ the Royal Knights, no one else⁠‌ had those weapons.

— And if a once-in-a-lifetime genius like‍‌ her took that‍ long, imagine how⁠ long it’ll take⁠ an average mage⁠⁠ to study it‌‌ and produce results.‍‍⁠

However,⁠‍ Ladina Brancheff was‌‍‌ far from average‌⁠ — she was‍ a genius.

Even‌ so, compared to‍ the Pontiff, it⁠ was like the⁠‌ difference between a firefly and a full moon.

‘Regardless,‍⁠ it’s worth cooperating.’‌⁠

— Better to try⁠ than not. You’re⁠⁠‌ right.

Even‍‍ if Gardner was⁠ skeptical, Aint saw‍‍ hope. If there⁠⁠ was already a precedent, it meant‍ it wasn’t impossible.‌ And even if‌ only the Royal⁠ Knights had those⁠ weapons, that was‌ already enough. If‍‍ successful, it would‍‌ be like giving‍⁠ them wings.

“I’ll actively cooperate.”

“Thank‍ you. Now, let’s‍ go to the‍‍ lab. Follow me.”‌‌

Ladina picked up several‍⁠ bundles of papers‌⁠ piled up to‌ the floor and‍⁠‌ led the way.⁠‍

“So⁠ this is the research building. It’s⁠‌⁠ my first time‍‌ inside, it’s interesting.”‌

“It’s‍‍ not that different‌ from the training‌ fields in the‍‌ knight department. In‍‍‍ the end, both⁠ labs and training‍ grounds are personal‌‌ spaces for professors.”‍‍

The‍⁠ structure wasn’t that⁠‍ different. Only that‍ instead of combat‍ grounds, there were⁠ labs and magical‍ equipment.

The⁠ difference was elsewhere.⁠

Where‍⁠ the knight department⁠‌ was filled with‌ the smell of⁠ sweat and clashing weapons, here there‌ were strange smells‍‍ and explosions.

“Fire!⁠‍ The reagent’s on fire!”

“Put‌ it out now!⁠ Don’t open the‍ window, idiot! If‌ the toxic smoke‍‌ gets out, it’ll⁠‌⁠ be a disaster!⁠‍ Use purification magic‌ immediately!”

Shouts⁠ and screams were⁠ part of the‌ background.

“A⁠ bit noisy, right?‍‍ Don’t worry, it’s‍‌ nothing serious.”

“…Alright.”‍‍

They‍‍‌ walked down a long corridor. The floor vibrated from‌ the explosions, but⁠ Ladina didn’t even‌ blink.

‘So‌ this is daily‍ life in the‌ magic faculty…?’

— It’s always been‌‍ like this. Magical‌ research involves risks, and mages risk‍ everything for their‌ discoveries.

Gardner⁠⁠ also clicked his‍ tongue. Then, Aint⁠‌ spotted someone up‍ ahead carrying a pile of papers.‌

From behind, but the⁠‌ orange hair and‌ pointed ears were‌ familiar.

“Aria?”⁠

No‍ response.

He‍ stepped forward to‍⁠ see her face‍ — it was Aria.

But⁠ her expression was‌ blank, her eyes‍‍‍ like a dead‌ fish’s — lifeless.‌‌

“Aria.”‌‌⁠

Nothing.‍⁠‍

“Aria!”⁠‌⁠

“Huh?‌ Aint? What are‍ you doing here?”‌‌⁠

He⁠‌‍ raised his voice⁠ and waved a hand in front⁠‍ of her eyes‍‍‌ to snap her⁠ out of it.

“I’m‍ fulfilling disciplinary service.‌ This time they‍ assigned me to‌‌‌ Professor Ladina.”

“Discipline?⁠‌ Why?”

Aria‍ opened her eyes‍⁠⁠ wide, as if‌ she had never‌ heard about it.‌⁠‌

“Because‌⁠ he destroyed the‍‍ wall of the‍‌‍ Ravidus Hall, Aria.‌⁠ You seem really⁠ busy lately.”

“Ah,⁠ professor. Sorry, I was so distracted‌ I forgot to‌⁠ greet you.”

“It’s‌⁠ fine. I know‍‍ Professor Dominique and⁠‍ Professor Nania are‍‍‌ very busy lately.‌‌ You’re also working⁠ hard, Aria.”

“Yeah,‌‍ I haven’t slept‍ well in days,‍ I’m exhausted. But we’re almost done,⁠‍ so…”

Aria‌ smiled awkwardly.

“The‍⁠‌ Ravidus Hall wall?‌⁠ Aint, what did⁠‍ you do? Are‍ you crazy?”

“It’s‍ a long story,‍ I can’t explain‍⁠ it now. Just⁠⁠⁠ check the newspaper,‌ it’s all there.”⁠⁠

“Alright. Ah, I’m late⁠ — I have⁠ to go.”

Aria ran off.

“She‍⁠‍ looks really exhausted.”‌

“Professor⁠ Dominique is in⁠ charge of the‌ final festival show. He wants it⁠⁠‌ to be as‍ dazzling as possible,‌ mixing illusions, sorcery,⁠⁠ and even spirits.⁠⁠ It won’t be⁠ easy. The lab‌⁠ lights haven’t gone off in days.”‍‍

“Tough⁠‍ work.”

“You⁠‍⁠ can expect something⁠ great. You’ll end⁠ up the same.”‌

“…What?”‌

Aint‍ widened his eyes‌‍ at the sudden‌‌‌ discomfort he felt.⁠‍

“Just‍‌ kidding. I only‍ need you to⁠⁠‌ inject aura when‌‍‌ I ask. You‌‍ won’t have to‌ do anything more,⁠⁠ so you won’t‍ be exhausted like⁠ them.”

“…Thank⁠⁠ goodness.”

“Of⁠ course, my assistants‌⁠ and I will⁠ end up like‌ that.”

Here‌ it is. She‍ smiled as she‌⁠ opened the laboratory door.

“…She’s‌‌ here, Professor.”

Two⁠ assistants with deep‍⁠ dark circles under their eyes greeted⁠⁠⁠ her.

‘…I’ve gotten myself into‍ something bad. No,⁠ definitely.’

Aint‌ felt he had‌‍ made a mistake.‌

Creak—‍ The door closed.⁠

***‍

The‌⁠⁠ sun was barely⁠‍ peeking over the‌‍ horizon.

Aint‌‌ sat on the‍‍‍ terrace meant for‌ assistants to rest,‍ reading the newspaper.⁠‌

【Surprise‌ at the Magic‌ Tournament! Carlo Deneb‍‌‍ makes it to‍ the final! Decisive‌‍ final match: Carlo⁠ Deneb VS Ludger‍ Schwaben!】

【No⁠ surprises in the‍⁠ jousting tournament. Final⁠⁠ confirmed: Almon Donertz VS Valoshi Vienderk!】‌

【Unlike‍⁠‌ last year, the⁠‌ semifinals were held‌‍ after a three-day‍⁠ break, offering an‌‍‍ even more spectacular show!】

The‌‍‍ magic and jousting⁠ tournaments continued as‌‍‍ planned.

“Now‍ that I think‌ of it, I didn’t even congratulate‌ Valoshi on making⁠⁠ it to the⁠ final.”

— Better take care⁠ of yourself. Do‌ you know what‌ your eyes look⁠‍ like right now?⁠⁠

— Like a dead⁠‌ fish’s.

“…I’m‌‌ tired.”

What⁠⁠ Professor Ladina had‌⁠ said—that he’d only⁠ need to inject aura when necessary,‌‍ without participating directly‌ in the research—wasn’t‍‌ a lie.

The‌‌ problem was the‌⁠ amount of aura‍⁠ requested was enormous,‍‍‍ and they asked for it constantly.‍

Even‍ so, Aint couldn’t complain, because what⁠ he did was‌‍ nothing compared to‌ what the two‍‌ assistants and the⁠ professor herself were going through.

— Why don’t you‌⁠ smoke a wake-up⁠ cigarette? Fernan gave‌‍‍ you some just⁠ in case, didn’t‌ he?

“I‍⁠ know they help,‌‍‍ but if I start smoking, I won’t be able⁠ to stop.”

He‍ hadn’t interacted much‍⁠ with Professor Rosalia,‍‌‍ but he always‍‌ saw her with‌‍ a cigarette in‍‌ her mouth. And‍⁠ he didn’t want‍ to end up‌‌ the same.

“Tired,‌ right?”

One‌⁠ of the assistants,‌⁠ who had been‍⁠ working with him⁠⁠ for two days,‍ sat next to‌ him.

“I’m‍‌ fine.”

“Come⁠ on. We’re used to it, but‍ this is your‌ first time, right?”⁠⁠

“Yes…‍‌ It’s different. I’ve‍‍ stayed up whole‌ nights training with⁠‌ a sword, but this—just injecting aura‌‌ and waiting—feels tiring‍⁠‍ in a completely‍‍⁠ different way.”

“I‍⁠ get that. I can spend the⁠⁠‍ night researching, but‍‍ I couldn’t handle⁠ an all-nighter of‍⁠‌ physical labor.”

The‍‍ assistant drank some‍⁠ coffee and smiled‌ bitterly.

“I⁠ don’t mean to be pushy, but‌⁠⁠ try to understand‍ the professor. She‍⁠⁠ thinks that after‍‌‌ your disciplinary service‍‌ ends, it’ll be‍‌ hard to get‍‌ your help again.”⁠‍

“I’m⁠⁠ not saying I wouldn’t help again,⁠ but I wouldn’t⁠⁠ have as much‍⁠‍ free time as‌‌ now.”

“Exactly.‍‍⁠ And I’m sure‌‌ she’ll give you some sort of‍ reward.”

Aint‍‍ tilted his head.‍‍

“Reward? But this is‍⁠ punishment—a service for⁠ the sanction.”

“Still,⁠ this borders on⁠ exploitation. In fact,‌‍ assistants in the‍‍ magic faculty get‌⁠⁠ treated well. The‌‍ work is brutal,‍ but the pay’s⁠ good; otherwise, we’d‍ all have quit⁠‍⁠ long ago.”

And⁠‌⁠ besides, Professor Ladina wasn’t the cruel‌‌ type.

“That’s‍ why I stayed⁠ with her.”

The‍⁠‌ assistant chuckled.

“By‌ the way, look‌ at that guy.‌ He’s been sitting‌ there since noon‌‌⁠ yesterday. Could he be dead?”

Following‌⁠ his gaze, Aint‍ saw someone unmoving‌‌⁠ in a chair. With a hat‍ covering their face⁠‍ and completely still,‍ anyone would think⁠‍ they were a corpse.

“Since‍ noon?”

“Yeah.‍ I saw him there during lunch.‌‌ Then again at‍‍ dinner—still there.”

“Maybe⁠ just catching up on sleep.”

“Could⁠ be. Let’s go,‌ the professor will⁠ be calling us.”‍‍

“Alright.”‍

After⁠⁠‍ a short break,‍⁠ he went back⁠ to injecting aura⁠⁠ at the designated⁠‌ points, and soon‌ it was lunchtime.

After⁠‍ eating, he returned‌‌ to the terrace⁠‌ with the assistant‌ for coffee.

“Phew,‌‍ I can’t live‍ without this coffee.‍ They say Professor⁠⁠‌ Rosalia’s cigarettes have‌ amazing revitalizing effects,‍‌⁠ without any side‌ effects.”

“I heard they’re custom-made⁠ and super expensive.”⁠‌

“Ah,⁠ that’s why they’re‌‍‌ not sold? If⁠‍‍ they’re custom, no‍ way a simple‍‍ assistant like me—wait, is that person‌ still there? Again⁠⁠ since noon?”

Aint didn’t need to‍⁠ ask who he‌ meant—he saw it‍ too.

At‌ that moment, the‍‌ wind blew the hat off, revealing‌ reddish hair and‍‌ pointed ears.

“Aria?”⁠

“Isn’t‍ she your friend?‍ Look how pale she is. Could‌ she actually be⁠ dead?”

“Come⁠ on, of course‌ not.”

Aint‌‍ walked over to⁠⁠ wake her.

“Aria.”‌

No‌ response. First he⁠ called her softly,‌‍ then shook her⁠ a bit harder—finally,⁠ she opened her‍‌ eyes heavily.

“Uhm…‌ Aint?”

“What‌‍⁠ are you doing⁠ here?”

“I⁠ was just tired‍‌ and closed my⁠⁠ eyes for a moment…”

Yaaaawn—‍⁠ she let out⁠‌⁠ a long yawn.‍

“These⁠‌⁠ days I’m sleepy‍‍ all the time.⁠‌‌ It’s so hard‌ to wake up.”‍

“That‍‌ happens to everyone⁠‍‍ who starts a serious project.”

The assistant chimed in.

“I‌‌ think so too.‌ Huh? But I feel like I slept a lot,⁠‌ and it’s still‌ noon… I closed‌ my eyes after‌‍‌ lunch, and it’s⁠ still the same⁠ time.”

“You’ve⁠ been asleep since‌‍ yesterday.”

“…Huh?”⁠‍‍

Aria‍ looked at them⁠ with a “what⁠ a bad joke”⁠ face, but seeing⁠‍‌ the seriousness in‍‍ their expressions, she‌‍ froze.

“…Seriously?”

“Yes.”‌

“No‍‌ way…! I have‌‌ to go!”

She⁠‌ spun around quickly and nearly tripped‌ over the chair—something she would never⁠ normally do.

“Are⁠ you okay?”

“Yes,‌⁠ yes, see you.”‌⁠

Aria⁠ vanished running.

“So‍⁠ she really sat there, unmoving, for‍⁠ a whole day?‍ I get that‍‍ the work for‌⁠‌ the fireworks show‌‍ is intense, but⁠ for even an⁠⁠ elf to end‌⁠ up like that…⁠‌‍ We’re lucky to‍‍ have Professor Ladina.”‍‌

The⁠‍ assistant let out a bitter laugh.‍‍

“Let’s‌‍‍ head back in.”⁠

“Yeah.”‌

— An elf, famous‍⁠ for sharp senses⁠ and barely needing‍ sleep, losing track‍ of time and falling unconscious for⁠‌ a whole day?‍‍

— Is the project‍ really that hard?‍

Aint‌‌ returned to the‍⁠ lab with that‍‍ concern on his‍ mind.