A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 214

Chapter 214

He’s⁠‌ a corrupt.

Aint,‌ who had found‌‍‍ a clue, didn’t‍⁠ go looking for‌ Carlo right away.‍⁠

“Senior‌‌ Carlo is a corrupt?”

“Yes, in the end‌⁠‍ that was definitely demonic magic.”

“If‍ he showed it‍⁠ in front of‍‌‍ everyone, others should’ve⁠ noticed something weird,‍⁠ right?”

“It‌‍‍ was very faint.”‌‌‌

It‍ didn’t seem like‌‍ he had revealed⁠ it on purpose—more⁠‌‍ like it slipped⁠⁠ out unintentionally. That’s‌‍ why it was so weak, and‌⁠ if it hadn’t been Aint, someone‌ extremely sensitive to⁠ demonic magic, no‌‍‌ one would’ve noticed‍‌ it. At least,‌ that was how‌ Aint and Gardner⁠‍‍ saw it.

“Then we have to‌‍ catch him immediately.”‌

Verian‌‍ commented while munching‍ on the snacks‍⁠ left in the VIP area.

“No.⁠ Senior Carlo is⁠‌ proof that someone‍ inside the Academy⁠‍ is acting as‌ a host, mediating⁠ contracts with demons.‍ We need to‌ follow him to‍ find the real body and the‍‌ head.”

Carlo‍ Deneb was just⁠ the tail. They‌‍⁠ had to follow‌ it to find the body—and beyond‌⁠ that, the head.⁠‌‍

“Senior⁠‌ Carlo suddenly got⁠‍‌ strong. Don’t you‍⁠ think there might⁠ be a clue‌ in that? Anything‌ come to mind?”‍

“He⁠⁠ got that strong‍⁠ right after he‍‍‍ started combining illusion‍ and mirage magic.”‌⁠⁠

That⁠‍ happened after he‌ learned new techniques‌ during summer break⁠ from a private‌ tutor.

“Illusion‍ and mirage magic?‌‌ Then you mean⁠‍ Professor Dominique?”

“If⁠‌ what you’re saying⁠ is true, then‌⁠ you’re implying that Professor Dominique is a corrupt…”

Professor‌ Dominique had been‍ teaching at the‌⁠ Academy for over ten years. He⁠ was a central‍‍ figure of the⁠⁠ institution.

“I‌ don’t know. It’s just a suspicion.‍‌ I have to⁠ investigate.”

“And‌‍⁠ do you have⁠ a plan?”

“Aria.”⁠

“Aria?”⁠‌

“Yes.”‍⁠

Under‌‍ normal circumstances, Aint,⁠‌ who was from‍⁠ the Knights Department, had no connection‍‌ to Dominique, a professor from the Magic Department.

In‌‍‌ Professor Rosalia’s case, there were at⁠‍‍ least joint classes,‍‍ but the subject⁠‌ “Illusions and Mirages”‌‌⁠ had nothing to‌‍ do with knight‍ students.

“Aria‌ is helping Professor Dominique, right?”

Whether⁠‌ it was coincidence‍⁠ or fate, Aria was currently assisting‌ Dominique with his⁠ preparations—not exactly research,‍‍ but for the‌‌ fireworks display.

“Oh,⁠ really? I’d forgotten.”‌⁠

“Well,‍‌ you know I’m‌ currently helping a professor from the‌‍ Magic Department as‌ part of my⁠ disciplinary service, right?”⁠

“You‍‍ assume I know‍‍ that.”

“Weren’t you my subordinate?”‍‍

“I’ve‍ yet to seriously⁠‌ say I want⁠ to be your⁠‍ subordinate.”

Verian‍ drank his coffee‍ boldly, and Aint,‌ letting out a dry laugh, continued⁠ explaining.

“…While‌ I was helping‍‌ Professor Ladina, I ran into Aria‌ a couple of‌ times in the‌ research building. She⁠ looked like a walking corpse.”

“She⁠ turned undead?”

“No,‍⁠ I mean she‍‍⁠ was that exhausted.”‍‍

“Oh,⁠‍ got it.”

“Anyway,‍ I’ll use that⁠ as an excuse⁠ to go see⁠‌ her. I’ll bring⁠‌ some snacks she‍⁠ likes.”

At‍ that moment, two‌⁠ protagonists stepped onto‍ the stage.

“Second‍‌‍ place of the‍ second year of‌‌ the Knights Department,⁠ Valoshi Vienderk! His‌ opponent, second place⁠⁠⁠ of the third⁠‌‍ year of the⁠ Knights Department, Almon‌‌ Donertz!”

A battle of second‍ places.

But‍ no one considered‍‍ them mere “second⁠⁠ places.”

The‌‍‌ horses began to‌⁠‍ run.

────!‌‍

A roar shook the stadium. The horses‍⁠‌ neighed wildly and‍‍ the shockwaves made⁠ the ground tremble.‍‌‍

“Tell‌‌‌ me, do you‍⁠ think you could win if you⁠‍ were out there?”‌

Aint’s⁠ sudden question made‌‍ Verian snort in disdain.

“And⁠ you?”

“I⁠ think I could⁠ win.”

It‍‌ wouldn’t be easy.⁠⁠ He might lose.‌⁠ Those two weren’t‌ weak or easy⁠ opponents by any means.

But⁠ if he fought‍ them ten times,⁠⁠ he was confident‌ he’d win at least seven, maybe‌ more.

It‍ wasn’t arrogance or‍‍ overconfidence.

Aint‍ had clearly seen‌ their levels. He⁠‍ looked down on‌ them from above.‍

Among⁠ students, he no⁠ longer had any rivals on his‌‌ level. Except for‍ one.

Luina‌ Bercheff. The only⁠⁠⁠ person he admired‍ and for whom‌ he held special‍ affection.

If⁠‍‍ the comparison extended‍‌ to the Magic‍⁠ Department, that was⁠⁠ a different story.‍‌‌

At‍ those words, Verian‍ bit his lip.⁠‌

“You‌⁠ bastard.”

“So⁠⁠ suddenly?”

“You‍ used to be‍⁠ below me, and now you’re…!”

“It‌⁠ was just a moment.”

“Twenty‍‍ years!”

Aint‍⁠‌ had entered ranked‌ 38th, and at‍ that time he‌‍‌ was weaker than⁠ Verian.

If‍‌ you counted from‌ birth, twenty years⁠⁠‌ wasn’t a lie.

“You‌ put it like‍ that?”

“That’s⁠⁠ what I think.”‌

“And‍ are you sure you’d win? You⁠ haven’t answered.”

“Of⁠ course…”

Verian⁠ scanned the stadium.‍⁠ He watched the‍ two knights running‍‍ in the arena.‍

The‌ horses turned, ran‍⁠ again, clashed.

Three⁠‌ fast duels later,‌‌ the knights dismounted‍ and drew their‍‍ swords.

Two‌ distinct auras flared⁠ brightly as they⁠ charged each other.‍‍

The‍‍ auras clashed and‍‌‍ the ground split.‍⁠‍

Verian⁠ imagined himself in‌‌ the middle of‌⁠ that chaos.

Victory?⁠

No,⁠ that was too⁠ much.

Even⁠ though he had‌⁠ grown a lot‍ under Fernan’s guidance, those two were‍⁠‌ also geniuses who had ranked first‌ or second at the Academy.

However.

“At‌ least I’m sure⁠⁠ I wouldn’t lose.”‍

Maybe⁠‌⁠ he couldn’t win,‌ but he could‍ endure.

Eventually,‌‌ he’d lose, but‌ he could hang‍‌ on with such⁠‌‍ tenacity that the⁠ others would tire out first.

“Oh, really?”

Aint‌ didn’t say anything‌‍ more.

The⁠‍‍ duel continued.

───!⁠‌⁠

Being‍ a knights’ match,⁠ it didn’t have⁠‌ the visual spectacle‌‍ of a magic‌‌‌ tournament.

But⁠⁠‌ their swords were⁠ heavy and fast,‍‌‌ and the impact‌⁠ was no less⁠‍ than that of‌⁠ spells.

The‍⁠ stadium floor shattered,‌ and the magical‌⁠⁠ barrier raised to‌ protect the spectators⁠⁠⁠ groaned with each shockwave.

Both‍ knights’ bodies were‍⁠ covered in wounds,‍ their auras dimmed‌ and lost sharpness.‍⁠

Even‍⁠ so.

“Almon!‍⁠ Almon!”

“Valoshi!‌‌ Valoshi!”

There‌ was passion in⁠ their fight. The‍‍ crowd chanted their‌‍ favorite’s name.

“…I⁠⁠ wish I were⁠ there too.”

Aint‌⁠ murmured without thinking.⁠

If⁠ the timing hadn’t‍⁠‌ gotten thrown off,‌‍ he and Luina‍⁠ would probably be‍ standing in that‌ place.

And‌⁠ the names the‌‍ audience was shouting‍ would be theirs.‌

Just‍ imagining it filled‌⁠⁠ him with a powerful sense of‌‍ catharsis.

The‌ atmosphere intensified.

─────!⁠

Waaaaaaa!‍

The‌‌ climax arrived soon.‌

Aint‌ stood up.

“Want‍‍ to come with me?”

“What‌⁠‌ would I go⁠‍‍ for?”

“To‍‌ see Aria?”

“I’m⁠ not interested.”

Well,‍⁠ if he said⁠‍ so.

As‍ Aint walked toward‌ the exit, he‍ heard a quiet‌ recommendation from behind.‍⁠

“If⁠‌ you go, bring‍⁠⁠ candy.”

“Candy?”⁠

“She’s‍⁠‌ always eating sweets.”‌

“And‌⁠ weren’t you not⁠⁠⁠ interested?”

“I’m‌ not interested.”

Verian⁠‍ shook his head⁠ firmly.

“The winner, Almon Donertz!”⁠

At⁠‌ that moment, the‍‌ judge announced the‌ victor.

***‌‌

While‍ Aint and Verian‍⁠ were watching the‌⁠ jousting tournament, Luina⁠⁠‍ sat in another⁠ VIP room.

She⁠ watched the duel between Valoshi and⁠ Almon, imagining herself‍ in their place.⁠‍⁠

How⁠‍‌ would she have⁠‌ blocked Almon’s sword‌ if it were⁠ her?

How‌‌ would she have‍‌ responded to Valoshi’s‌ offense?

How‍ would she have⁠‍ moved her feet,⁠‌ how would she⁠⁠ have counterattacked?

Just‌ imagining it was‌ already fun.

Different⁠ people, different swordplay,‍ different styles, different⁠ auras.

Breathing,‌⁠ reactions, the path‌‌ of the sword,‍‌ even the direction—everything was different.

Although⁠‍⁠ she was confident⁠‍⁠ she could respond to each of‌ their movements, just‍‌‌ watching the duel‍‌ taught her a lot.

“Miss,‍⁠ it’s over.”

When⁠‍‌ the duel ended, Luina came out‌‍‌ of her trance.‍⁠⁠

The⁠ nursemaid had called‍⁠ her.

“You go ahead, nursemaid.‍‌ I have to‍⁠ stop by somewhere.”‍⁠‍

“Yes, I know. How⁠‌ could I not‍ guess? Watching something‍ like that must’ve‍‍ made your blood⁠ boil, right?”

“You make me sound⁠‌ like a crazed‍⁠ beast thirsting for‍‌‌ blood.”

“You’re⁠ going to Professor‌‌⁠ Grad, aren’t you?”‍‌‍

“…Yes.”⁠

“I⁠‌⁠ knew it.”

The⁠⁠‍ nursemaid chuckled quietly⁠‍‍ while Luina wore⁠ an awkward expression.

“I⁠‍ really am surprised. I knew he⁠⁠ wasn’t ordinary, but⁠⁠ to have a master of that‌ level teaching at‍ the Academy…”

“Everyone⁠ has their circumstances.”‍⁠

Luina‌ didn’t care about‍‍ Professor Grad’s past.⁠ What mattered was‍‍ that he was‍ an expert, he‍‌ taught well for‍ money, and Fernan‍ had left her both chocolate and‍⁠ funds.

‘Next‍⁠ time…’

She‍‍ wouldn’t let Fernan‍ leave her behind‍ again.

When⁠‍ he disappeared in Esrin, how much‌‍ she had suffered.⁠⁠ She had blamed‍ herself countless times,⁠ thinking, “If I had been there,‍‍ if I had‌⁠ been stronger.”

They‌ said there hadn’t⁠ been much danger,⁠ but to Luina,⁠ it was serious.‍‍

From now on, the‍ demons would descend⁠⁠ with even more‍⁠ force, and danger‌⁠ would keep seeking⁠‌‍ him out. Fernan⁠ would throw himself⁠ into the riskiest places.

He called it protecting⁠⁠ money, but to‌ Luina, it was‌‌ simply a heroic⁠⁠‌ path.

‘…I‌ have to become‌ a Royal Knight.’‍⁠

The‍ title of Royal⁠‍ Knight didn’t guarantee being stronger.

But‍ it was recognition.‌ Recognition from the⁠ whole world, a clear boundary—the wall‌ that, once broken,‍‌ led to transcendence.‌⁠⁠

There‌‍ were many close‌ to the level‌‍⁠ of a Royal‌‌ Knight, but only‌ ten truly held⁠ the title.

It⁠ had been her dream since childhood,⁠ always chasing the⁠‌‌ backs of the‍‌‍ Royal Knights, and‌⁠⁠ it was the⁠ path she had‍ to take.

Not⁠‌ to stand beside⁠ Fernan, but to⁠⁠ stand in front‍ of him, facing‍‍ the demons with‌ pride.

She would protect Fernan.‌

Because she was a knight.

Because‍ that was her⁠⁠ knighthood.

***‍

Knock,‌ knock, knock—

No‍ response. After knocking‍ about five times,‍‌⁠ he finally heard‍ footsteps and the‌‌ door opened.

Aint‌‍‌ appeared with a bright smile, holding gifts in both‌ hands.

“Who…?”⁠‌‍

“Hi,‌⁠⁠ I’m Aint Armian.”‍

“Ah,⁠‌‌ yes. We’ve crossed‌‍ paths a few‍ times, haven’t we?⁠ How’s helping Professor‍‌ Ladina going?”

“I’m⁠ dying.”

It wasn’t a joke.‍ He’d never do‍ it again. He’d⁠‌‍ rather swing a sword day and‍ night for a full week.

“It‌ must not be⁠‌ easy for a student from the‌ Knights Department to‍‍ assist in research.⁠‍‍ The fields are‍⁠ very different. So,⁠ what brings you here?”

An⁠ assistant with a haggard face greeted him.

“Oh, nothing special. I just wanted to⁠ see Aria’s face⁠ after a while and brought some‍ sweets. I heard‌⁠ from Professor Ladina⁠ that you all tend to share‌ these kinds of‌‌ things.”

“Of‌‍ course. Thanks, it’s‌‍ appreciated. All candy,⁠ huh? Well, when⁠ we’re low on‌⁠ sugar during research,‌ our brains stop‌‍ working, so candy’s‍‍ important.”

It⁠‌ certainly was.

The assistant accepted the‌‌ sweets with a grateful (or resigned?)⁠‍‍ look.

“Wait⁠ here. I’ll go‌ call Aria.”

“Thanks.”‍

The‍ assistant closed the‌⁠ door and returned‌ to the lab.‌⁠

— He looks completely‍⁠ drained.

— Are magicians always⁠‍ like this? And‍ as expected, they⁠ won’t let you‍ in so easily.‍‍

‘Same⁠ with knights. Spying‌⁠ on training is⁠ taboo.’

With‌‌ magic, which is⁠‍‍ often recorded in⁠‍‌ detail for research,⁠ the rules must‌⁠ be even stricter.‍‌

After⁠ a short while,‍ the assistant came back out. But‍ Aria wasn’t with‍‌‍ him.

“And‌ Aria?”

“I‌ was going to bring her, but‍ the professor says‍⁠ it would be rude not to‌ invite the visitor‍ as well. He‍‍ wants you to‌ come in. What⁠ do you say?”‍‌‌

He‍⁠ had no reason⁠⁠ to refuse.

“In‍‌‌ that case, I’d‍‍ be glad to.”‍

“Follow⁠ me.”

Aint stepped inside.

Clack—

The⁠ door closed.