A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Fernan‍ didn’t have much⁠ time, nor could‍‌ he afford to‍⁠ cause too much‍ commotion.

The⁠⁠ eyes of the‌‍ professors, assistants, and⁠‍‍ even the students‍ were watching him.‌‌‍ There were many⁠ restrictions, but Fernan⁠ resolved them all with money.

He‌ used all kinds of magical artifacts‌ and potions to‌‌ suppress any trace‌⁠ of his presence‌ or mana as‌ much as possible.‍‍‌

He‌‌ also descended deep‍ underground and moved‍ through it, anticipating‍‍ any eventuality. However,‌ the greatest obstacle‌⁠ still remained.

‘The‌⁠‍ way to find‌ the cave inside‍⁠ the lake.’

Fernan‌ had already inspected‍ all the lakes⁠ once.

He‌ knew that with‌ conventional methods, he‌‌ wouldn’t be able‍‍ to find the entrance, and on⁠ top of that,‍‍ he wasn’t sure how much longer⁠⁠ Verian could hold‌⁠‌ off Aint.

That’s⁠‌ why he thought⁠‍ it over again⁠ and again. How⁠⁠⁠ could he find‌⁠‌ the cave in‍ time? How could‍‌⁠ he do it‌‌ without being discovered?⁠‌⁠

And⁠ he reached a conclusion.

‘You can’t achieve both⁠ things at once.’‌⁠

If he was too⁠⁠⁠ careful not to‍⁠ be detected, he‌ wouldn’t make it‌‌ in time before‌ Aint appeared.

But⁠ if he rushed‌ in without caution,‌ the professors or‌⁠ assistants would discover‍‍ him in minutes.‌

So‍ he decided to⁠ risk a middle-ground‌‍ solution. First, he⁠ activated an artifact⁠ he had bought⁠‍ from the Order‌ of the Dragon⁠‌ God. A semi-transparent membrane partially surrounded‌‌‌ him at the‍ bottom of the‌⁠ lake.

It‌⁠ was a device⁠⁠ that prevented mana, noise, or debris⁠ from leaking outside.‌ It wasn’t infallible,‍⁠ of course, and couldn’t contain excessive‍⁠ magnitude.

‘Still,⁠ better that than⁠‍⁠ nothing.’

He opened his subspace‌⁠ again.

Crack!‌‌⁠

A huge hand emerged‍ first from a crack. Then the feet, the head,‌ and the torso⁠⁠⁠ appeared, widening the⁠‌ opening little by‌ little.

It⁠‌ was a five-meter‍ artificial golem.

A masterpiece of technical⁠‌ magic, a synthesis⁠ of all existing‍ magical techniques. And⁠ also the pinnacle⁠⁠ of the merchant who had spent‌⁠ countless sums of‌ money on its‍⁠ creation.

The⁠‌ golem, with glowing eyes, moved effortlessly‍⁠‌ even underwater.

Fernan⁠‌ placed his hand‍‌⁠ on its body‌ and activated the⁠‌ link. Mana flowed‍‍ and the connection⁠‌ was established.

‘I can’t spread mana⁠‍ to explore the‌⁠‌ interior.’

And‍⁠ he couldn’t use‌⁠ large spells that⁠ would shake the⁠‍‍ ground—that would definitely⁠‍ attract too much⁠⁠ attention.

He⁠⁠ had only one‍ option left.

‘I’ll‍⁠⁠ have to dig‍‍ up the lakebed‍⁠ directly using the⁠⁠ golem.’

Even if that caused‌‍ turbulence and clouds‌‍⁠ of silt in⁠ the water, it‍ was the least risky method.

Besides, there were no⁠‍‌ monsters in the‌ lake, which made‌ this approach feasible.‍ While controlling the‌‍ golem, Fernan was‌‍ practically defenseless.

‘Alright,‍ let’s begin.’

Hoping⁠ that Verian would‍‍ keep buying him time, he sat‍ calmly and began‍‌ manipulating the golem.‍

With⁠⁠ each of its movements, the calm‍ surface of the⁠‌ lake began to⁠ ripple little by‍ little.

***

“If‌ you want to‌ pass, you’ll have‍ to go through‌ me!”

— Heartless! Are you⁠ really going to‍ abandon him after‌‌‌ all he’s doing?⁠‍

— How can a descendant of the‍‍ Armians be so cold?!

‘…This is seriously annoying.’‍

Aint⁠ held his throbbing‌‍⁠ head.

In⁠ front of him,‌‍ Verian persistently blocked‌⁠‌ his path, and‌⁠ at his waist,‍⁠ his sword vibrated‍⁠ constantly with annoying remarks.

‘If only I could fight, I would’ve⁠ knocked him out and already be‌ far away…’

Unthinkable⁠ for his past‌‌ self, but at⁠‍⁠ this point, it‌ was sincerely what‌⁠ he wished for.‌

“Enough,‍⁠ Verian. You know‌‌ we can’t fight.⁠ Stop acting like⁠ a spoiled brat.”⁠

“A‌ brat? What did⁠‍ you say?”

Verian’s‍ face twisted into‍⁠‍ a fierce expression.‌

“If‍⁠ you don’t want‍ to hear me,‌ then leave. Do‌ you know how‌ many minutes I’ve‍‍‍ wasted here because‍ of you?”

Aint⁠ didn’t back down‍‌‌ and growled back.‍

“Like⁠‍ I’m enjoying this…!”⁠⁠

“Remember‍‍ this well, Verian.‌‍ One hour. If⁠ you don’t last⁠⁠ at least an hour, the inquisitors‌⁠ will personally come⁠⁠ to your house.”‍‍

Verian,⁠ who was about‌‌ to yell back,‌⁠ bit his tongue.‍

Being‌‍ ignored by Aint⁠‍ was humiliating, but⁠ being caught and‌ tortured by the‌ inquisitors was far worse.

“…Damn⁠ it.”

“What did you say?”

“I⁠⁠ said I do‍⁠ enjoy this, you‍‍ bastard! Come here‌‌⁠ already!”

“You’re⁠⁠ the one who⁠ asked for it…!”

Aint⁠ gathered his aura⁠ again and propelled‌ himself strongly off‌ the ground. But‍ he ran in⁠ the opposite direction⁠‍ from where Verian‌⁠‌ was blocking him.‌

“Where⁠‌ do you think⁠‌ you’re going!”

But⁠ Verian wasn’t easy to dodge. His sword flew in‌ a slash that‍ cut through part⁠ of the forest,‍ and the fallen trunks blocked Aint’s‍ path.

In⁠⁠ that moment, Verian⁠ returned to stand in front of‌⁠⁠ him. It was an exchange they‌ had repeated several‌‌ times already.

“I‌ told you, you‍‌ won’t get past‌ me without fighting,‍ Aint. Don’t you‌‌ ever learn?”

“I‌‌ should be saying‌ that! You’ve already‍ lost twice, do‌ us a favor‌ and disappear!”

Even⁠ though he lost⁠ in duels, Verian’s⁠ skill was real.‌⁠ Escaping without brute⁠‌⁠ force was extremely⁠⁠ difficult.

— Aint, fight him‍ seriously.

— Don’t keep hurting⁠‌‍ him with your⁠‍‍ coldness.

— If you’re not⁠⁠ going to fight,‍‍ at least end‍ this already!

‘And‌ why the hell‌‍ is all of‍ this my fault?!’‌‌⁠

Anyway,‌‍ if he wanted‌ to get out⁠ of this situation,‍ he had to‍ use all his‍ power.

There‌ might be unnecessary‍ clashes or even⁠ injuries, but he⁠⁠ believed the professors‌‍ and assistants wouldn’t‌ complain about something‌⁠ like that.

After‍‌ all, he had‌‌‌ already been stuck‍‌ for almost an hour. A golden‍⁠⁠ aura glowed around‍‌ Aint’s body.

“If‌⁠ you’re not going⁠ to move, then‍‌ brace yourself. I won’t take responsibility‌‍ if you get‍ hurt.”

Without waiting for an‌⁠ answer, he shot⁠ forward.

He‍ looked like a rampaging bull, and‍‌ Verian reflexively flinched‍ slightly. Just like‍ that, he lost‍ control of the⁠⁠ situation.

“…Ah.”‌

Realizing‌‌ his mistake, he‍‌⁠ dropped to his⁠ knees.

“Damn it… I did‍ what I could,‍‌ too.”

He‍‍‍ checked his pocket‌ watch and let⁠‌ out a deep sigh.

“At⁠ least I passed⁠ the hour mark.”

He⁠ held out for‌⁠ an hour and⁠‌ ten minutes. Fortunately,⁠ he had surpassed‍ the minimum required.‌

“How‌ many more times‌‌⁠ is he going‌⁠ to ask me⁠ for stuff like this…?”

He‍⁠‌ needed to find⁠ an alternative… With⁠ an unfinished sigh,‍ Verian drew his‌‌⁠ sword and turned.‌

There‌‌ stood a monster reeking of carrion.⁠‌

It‍‌ was over three‍‌ meters tall, with‌⁠ massive, sharp claws‍ and a brutal presence: a Grizzly‍ Bear, one of⁠⁠ the forest’s apex‍ predators.

“Shit,‍ can’t I catch⁠ a break…!”

The‌ Grizzly Bear lunged‍ at him.

***‌‍

Meanwhile,‌ Aint was slowly⁠‌‍ making his way⁠⁠⁠ through the forest.‌⁠‌

“He⁠ hasn’t been delayed⁠‍‌ too much, right?‍ If it weren’t for Verian, I wouldn’t have gotten‌‌ here this late.”‍⁠

He’d run off aimlessly⁠ just to shake‌‍ him off, and‌ ended up even further from his‌ destination.

Verian‌ Kalburdern wasn’t useful‍ in many ways.⁠⁠

— It’s fine. We’ve⁠⁠ got a whole⁠⁠ week anyway. If‌⁠ someone had already‍‌ taken it because‍ of a few‌ hours’ delay, it⁠⁠⁠ would’ve been gone long ago.

“That’s‍ true, actually.”

It‌ had been prepared‌ a thousand years⁠‍ ago. If it⁠⁠ was no longer‍‍‍ there, it had⁠‍ been gone for⁠ a long time.‌

— And yet, here‍‍ you are.

— This might actually‍ be better. Right now, there’s no‍ one else nearby.

Gardner‍ was right. Aint⁠‌⁠ couldn’t sense anyone⁠ around.

Well,‍‍ there was an‍⁠‍ assistant nearby, but‌‍‌ that didn’t matter.‍⁠ Even if he‌ dove into the⁠⁠ lake, they’d think‌ he was trying⁠⁠⁠ to catch fish,‌‍ not looking for‍‍ an elixir.

Aint‌⁠ plunged into the⁠⁠ water while tearing‌‌ open the breathing‌ scroll he had⁠‌‍ obtained beforehand.

The‌‌ bottom was uneven,‍⁠ covered in rocks‌ and pebbles; a faint silt lifted⁠‍ in the water as fish swam‌ in all directions.‌‌

To‌ his eyes, it⁠‍ was just a peaceful lake. Nothing‌ about it suggested⁠‍ that the elixir‌ prepared by the‌ first emperor might‍ be found there.⁠‌

‘Is⁠‍ it really here?’‍‍

— Are you saying‍ I’m lying?

‘Of‍‍ course not.’

— Then start checking‍ the entire bottom.‌

‘Excuse⁠‌ me? You didn’t‍ know the exact‌⁠ location?’

— I only know‍ it’s at the‍‌ bottom of the‍ lake. The mana‌ trace was almost‌‍ completely erased, so‌⁠ with your level you’ll only find⁠ it on foot.

— That’s why I kept insisting you buy the breathing‍ scroll.

‘…Damn‌ it.’

No‍⁠ wonder he had‍⁠ pushed so hard‌ for him to⁠ buy such an‌⁠⁠ expensive scroll even⁠‍ with his tight⁠⁠ budget—it made perfect‍⁠ sense now.

But‌⁠ if he could‌ really obtain the‍‌‍ elixir, this wasn’t‍ even a sacrifice.⁠‍ And fortunately, it‌ didn’t take that‌ long.

— It’s here.

After‍ an hour of searching, Aint found a small crack.‌ At a glance,‌‍ it was impossible‌ to think there⁠ could be a cave entrance there.‌‌‌

‘If⁠‍ you don’t believe⁠ it’s there, you’d‍ never find it.’‍‌⁠

The‌ entrance was hidden‌‍ with such subtlety.‌

— Naturally. If it were easy to‌ find, it would’ve‌ been stolen long‌ ago.

‘Right,‌ I hadn’t thought⁠‌ of that.’

It⁠‍‌ was a crack⁠ among stones and‌ pebbles so insignificant⁠‌ that it didn’t⁠⁠ look like an‌‌ entrance.

But Aint didn’t hesitate‍ and went straight‍ in. Not just‌‌ because he had⁠⁠‌ no reason to‌ doubt Gardner Alfenparsen,⁠‌ but because he had already experienced⁠‍ something similar when‌‌ he obtained him.‍

And⁠ sure enough, the narrow opening swallowed⁠‍⁠ him completely. Before‍ he knew it, his body was‍⁠ inside the submerged⁠ cave.

“This⁠‌ is different from‌ the place where‌ I first met‌⁠ Sir Gardner.”

— There are only‌ a few overlapping concealment spells at‌‌ the entrance, it’s‌ not like an‍‌⁠ artificial dungeon.

A little farther ahead,⁠‌‌ after ascending slightly,⁠ a perfectly formed‍ cave appeared before‍‍ him. Although the‌‍‌ interior was dark,‍ enhancing his vision‍ with aura allowed Aint to see⁠ a hallway stretching‍ in a straight‍ line.

— It looks like‌⁠‍ all the magic‌‌ lamps are broken.‍⁠ Makes sense, they’ve‌‌ been here for⁠ a thousand years.‍⁠

— Don’t tell me‌‌ you can’t go‍‌ forward just because‍ it’s dark.

“No‌‍⁠ problem.”

Aint‍‌‌ moved forward without‌‌ hesitation. Although it was dark, the‍ path was straight and didn’t seem‍ dangerous.

After⁠ walking for a while, Aint stopped.

“…Just‌‌ ahead.”

— There’s something, right?⁠‍

He‌ felt a massive‌ presence.

— Approach first. Hide‌‌ all your presence.‌

“Understood.”‌⁠

Aint‍ started walking with‍ extreme caution. When‍‍ he finally reached⁠‍⁠ the entrance of⁠ a large chamber,‌ he saw it.⁠

“There‍ it is!”

It‌‌ was the elixir.‍⁠

Growing precariously on one‍‌ of the walls⁠ at the back‍ of the chamber,⁠‌ the elixir glowed.‌

It⁠ emitted mana so‍ dense that it‍⁠ filled the entire‌ cavern. Even if‍⁠‌ no one told him, it was⁠ obvious that it was first-class.

“That’s…‌‌ the one you‍ mentioned?”

— Shh. Look below.‍

Aint’s‌ gaze dropped slightly.⁠

What⁠‍ he saw was⁠⁠ a long, thick⁠ body covered in⁠ bluish scales that⁠ shone like gems.⁠‌ It was coiled‌‍‌ up, eyes closed.‌

A strong smell of‍⁠⁠ blood and the⁠‍ fresh bones scattered‍‌‍ around showed it‌‌‍ had just eaten‍ and was sleeping soundly.

“…A⁠ snake?”

— It’s a sea‌⁠⁠ dragon.

“You’re‌ saying that’s a dragon?”

— Not exactly. It’s‌‍ a spiritual creature‍⁠ that lives in‍ lakes or seas.‌‌ It might have⁠ some divine power,‌‌ but it has⁠ no magical abilities.‍⁠

— It doesn’t attack‌‌ people on its‌ own, but…

Gardner‍‌ clicked his tongue.⁠

— It’s troublesome that‍ a thief is‍ acting like it‍ owns the place.‍

It‌⁠ wasn’t hard to‌ understand why that‌ sea dragon had⁠ nested there.

It‌‌‍ clearly coveted the⁠ elixir as well.

“So‌ what do I do? Can I win if I fight it?”

— You’re far from‌ being able to‌ fight it. Best‌‌ to retreat for‌ now.

— You’ll have to come back another‍ time.

“What if it eats⁠ it in the‍⁠ meantime? Then it’s‌ all over.”

— And you’re planning to hand over‍ dessert on a silver platter?

Gardner’s‍‍‌ blunt words silenced⁠⁠ Aint. Even he‍‌ didn’t believe he‍ could win at⁠⁠⁠ that moment.

“Understood. In that case,⁠ for now…”

That’s‍‌⁠ when it happened.‌‍

───!‍

A faint sound was‌ heard.

And⁠ the entire cave⁠‍ began to shake.⁠‌

“What⁠⁠ is this?”

— An earthquake?

The⁠‌ small tremor spread‌‌ throughout the chamber. The stalactites on‍ the ceiling broke loose, unable to⁠ withstand the vibration.‌‍

Some⁠ fell to the‍⁠ floor. Others, onto⁠ the body of⁠ the sleeping sea⁠ dragon.

— Listen carefully, Aint.‌⁠

“…Yes.”‌

Aint‍ swallowed hard.

The⁠ steady breathing had‍ stopped, and the‍ closed eyelids opened,‍⁠ revealing bright golden⁠ pupils.

— Don’t look back—run⁠ now!

“I’m‌ on it!”

Aint⁠ turned around.

At‌ that instant, the‍ sea dragon, irritated by the disturbance,‍‍ let out a thunderous roar.

***‌⁠

Rumble!‍‍‌

The‌ ground shook violently,‍ and some rocks‍⁠⁠ broke loose.

“Damn‌ it…”

As‍ the impact spread in all directions,‍‍ Fernan swallowed hard.‍‍ It seemed he‌‍⁠ had struck an‌ unstable section of⁠⁠ the terrain, and‌ part of the‌ cave had collapsed.⁠

Fortunately,‌ he wasn’t injured,‌‌ but the vibrations‍ were spreading beyond the wall.

‘Did‍‌ they discover me?’

Fernan⁠ held his breath.‍ That’s when he‍ heard faint sounds‌⁠ on the other‍ side of the⁠ wall.

Human⁠‍ voices… and also‍ the roars of‍ a beast. The⁠⁠ slight tremor caused‍ fragments of stone⁠⁠ to fall from‍ the ceiling.

“Good⁠ thing.”

Apparently,⁠‍ they had already‍ encountered each other‌⁠ and were fighting.‍‍⁠ In that case, he didn’t have‌ to worry about⁠‌ being discovered. Aint⁠‍ wasn’t strong enough⁠ to sense his presence with a sea dragon in⁠⁠‌ front of him.⁠

“Still,‍‍ it’s a spiritual‌ creature. How did‍‍ it wake up‌ so fast after⁠ eating several chunks‌ of meat laced‌ with sedatives?”

Fernan‌ returned his focus‌‌ to the mithril‌ extraction. Although the‍‌ fallen debris made‍ everything a bit‌‍⁠ more complicated, it⁠‌ wasn’t unmanageable.

“Let that fight last⁠ a long, long time.”

With‍⁠‌ the glow of‌⁠ the mithril and⁠ the magic lamps‌‌ he had recently⁠⁠ collected, he couldn’t⁠⁠⁠ help but start‍⁠ humming from how‌‍‌ pleased he was.‌‌