Chapter 227
ULzX“I don’t think this is the right place to talk.”dnQMMh4
81tProfessor Rosalia and Fernan moved to a secluded alley.p3Rc
RfN3g2h“Explain in detail.”DfOulgH
FdxCb“The Academy will have no choice but to suspend classes.”QL2DQ8
XEARVJF“That’s obvious.”2Yik8
AI9IbThere were no buildings to teach in, nor professors available to give classes. Shutting down was inevitable.KfgSX5x
7eOTImc“I think it would be better to take advantage of the process to change everything from the root.”cDk
BLF0SAlthough he said it like that, in reality, it wasn’t Fernan’s initiative or the will of the Pellenbergs.obW74H
An1qHThe rector could no longer continue.Xoo4
KYTe“The timing has been too convenient. From the rector’s point of view, he fell into Dantalion’s trap, but for everyone else, he’s just an incompetent who wasn’t present when the Academy was in its greatest danger.”4TqpG
0ezDm2GPublic opinion was boiling. Especially the nobles who had lost children were looking for someone to blame.rQbb
5BF5The rector was the perfect candidate.5CfjL
VOGh‘If he had been there, none of this would have happened.’ That thought was spreading, and it had some truth.lrC1nUX
bB9“I already foresaw that. The question is whether he will resign voluntarily or be forcibly removed.”1QtKgr
asWR“Yes, exactly.”Po6C1
JdEThe position of rector was for life.IYTBd
ewQHhNormally, one resigned after a certain time, but if there were problems, the prince-electors could force a resignation.S0DHpA
WYeSozOUnder normal circumstances, it was enough to maintain good relations with the majority of them, but not in a case like this.tuvK
ArebSo the rector’s departure was a done deal. Now Fernan had to prepare the next step—getting his candidate into the position.hBE0h
W9hficInitially, it was a ten-year project, or at least five. But if he couldn’t take advantage of the opportunity when it came, he had no right to call himself a merchant.0szuTwk
E9pqtR“As you know, the election of the rector works like this—one candidate is chosen from within the Academy, and another is presented from outside.”xDcnfq
TpJTwo contenders.W8Luyr7
JUg4And between those two, the prince-electors decide.4mF
E2J50Y0The difference from the emperor’s election was that in this case, it wasn’t just the prince-electors who voted.AHhTO
2TyPThe head professor of the Department of Knights, the Department of Magic, and the vice-rector also voted.lZ1
qGCb7XIf one of them ran as a candidate, they could even vote for themselves.U4o
r9SaaO“But this is happening much earlier than expected. I’m not head professor yet.”zbQR
orHU“That’s why you need to become an Archmage.”PccyJ
J3KRosalia’s age was far too young for a rector.X81JCO
wpOpuBut the war situation changed everything.L9Flw
t6QAQnThe Academy had been destroyed by the demons’ invasion, and everyone wanted a strong leader, someone capable of protecting them and their children if the demons returned.L1EN4h5
HB2zwoJIf Rosalia achieved the rank of Archmage, the Pellenbergs could put her forward as a candidate.twBa
KwvXThey could even ensure her election.dBTCKn
8Yk“So…”JvEmwVJ
KTsaJ16Fernan paused before continuing.XqobdY7
5j8“Shall we move up the schedule a bit?”152deRX
WmJFHBl“Of course. That’s essential.”FoUEh
wEiljBut everything depended on one condition—Rosalia had to become an Archmage.iD6xs
DEA8hOtherwise, any move would be pointless.bkv
w9z8q“I made it clear from the beginning—I didn’t care who it was.”GO6
lnuAShe exhaled the cigarette smoke.PVFD
m6yB“And same with the timing. It could be right now.”PKw
LFUN“At most, it’ll be a one- or two-month difference. The original plan was to do it during the winter break.”PhF1Zpc
osxsagThen.SDc
hN7n“I’m counting on you, Rector.”2mK
wkAPFernan gave a half-smile.n0GnEhR
wRi“What flattery.”B9Ede
CyFz3“I’m just speaking the truth. Once you’re an Archmage…”wS6cm
TuxBecause I’ll personally make sure you become one.iC3
8VhTMxWith the full backing of his father, Fernan had nothing to fear.3qVBs7
c4NU‘Just wait and see.’99i
jldsCUI’ll rebuild the Academy faster than anyone expects, and I’ll wipe out every last corrupt.aE9feT
dyDrm7eI’ll make sure something like this never happens again.4CKCD
tVykxZFernan once more chewed on his fury.UNMZsp
yfG***50N2ib
zBHMDevastating.b6XANV
EbnS0RWas this really the same Academy he knew?LAdCCJ4
F69AA81Even standing on the rooftop of the Department of Knights building, from where the entire campus could be seen, there was no trace of its former state.Upe
clgHAint took a deep breath, trying to calm the frustration and rage that wouldn’t dissipate.Hus
jbp— Even so, it was a miracle to stop them with so little damage.I5A
BTDEven Flauros, who had descended to kill Fernan and Professor Rosalia.9qb5w
34fnbXIn total, three demons.mB0FY
2RCwtzmThe fact that all three were defeated at the cost of these losses was, without doubt, a stroke of luck.bcTE
wHwNo, it wasn’t luck. It was Fernan.QOB
PQTs2RWithout Fernan, none of this would have been possible.4VYBIa
Xrba“I thought I had grown a lot, but I still have a long way to go.”bfQfs
3CQFrom beginning to end, he had done nothing but rely on Fernan. Yes, he had grown. Yes, he had overcome obstacles. But why did it always feel the same?Nt1
CaZu“And yet I dare to say I want to be emperor…”Wi94op
i1qhgHe lacked the ability and the right.E0UfXUE
0pv1f“What was the First Emperor like? Did he also get cornered by a single demon like I did?”uKOzUZK
YuyV— He could defeat two or three at once by himself.yfYai
zmt— Though only if they were lesser demons.4BY
6k85m“Lesser? Don’t they say the demon hierarchy isn’t directly linked to strength?”NBv66wZ
Fn8NLHbAn uncomfortable suspicion crept in, and he asked again.pLSfRJm
6iyp— That’s true, except for the top ten.HEdv
vl1Yg— The top ten are on another level. They’re the leaders of the demons.oocTy
VwLix6x— And among them, the first and second are even more distinct.y3DE
su55to“The first and second different even from the others?”MFs6
ss1JMountain after mountain. Now he understood how colossal those enemies were and why the First Emperor had risked his throne and territory to unite humanity against them.8IJoB0P
9NeBut not all was despair.7lXsKZ
u1PT“And even so, in the end, the First Emperor stopped them.”KgF2AP
TfVa36W— That’s right.ztK
hNEmOMWThere was already a precedent, a hope.VIBNY
tPNIt wasn’t impossible. It wasn’t an unreachable summit—someone had already made it there before.lNp
VrQ6j“What are you doing here?”4pazU
H4J“Valoshi.”Ne8B2VH
81BzIt was Valoshi, with his left arm and shoulder bandaged.iK1B
rdgn“How are you?”6er1
J9H“Fine. Compared to you, this is just a scratch.”gU8
CWUQHe stood next to Aint and looked out over the devastation of the Academy.0Vs1ctC
JcD“It’s completely destroyed.”NoH
nBk“Not all of it. Including this area, about half is still standing.”VNL
X4mC7S“I saw you when you arrived on the Saintbird and fought against Andrealphus.”MOqQ
H0T2sCnValoshi laughed awkwardly.cL7J
Bmb“It was incredible. I was so scared I couldn’t even move.”dXN0r7t
PyFD2iValoshi was, objectively, a distinguished knight. He couldn’t have defeated Andrealphus, but if he had joined the fight, he would have been helpful.NguQ
c7LxBut the difference was in the mindset.NJUQ
l8kThe first encounter with a demon, the first time feeling that crushing pressure, that fear.Ec0wxL
dF4He hadn’t been able to take a single step toward him.DoHzC
yktXi0Unlike Aint and Luina, Jace and Grad, who had fought fiercely without hesitation, Valoshi had felt the distance separating him from them.b0DB
uVRtuBf“That’s because it was your first demon. I was the same the first time.”JpnK
RHG8“So this wasn’t your first time, right?”gGjlw
XeCG“Correct. I had fought one before.”7hUo
Q01C7ni“Yeah, I heard.”8Hg4
jI8dnlC“You heard?”0RuH
ISf0Gp4“Ah, nothing, forget it.”sfYy
CNQFValoshi quickly changed the subject.3nXgs3x
W5aPAd3“That’s the difference between someone who’s faced a demon and someone who hasn’t. I hope next time I can react better.”tPmSf
Oa4emThe threat of demons was just beginning. The future would inevitably be a great war against them.Yj2aDi
Re9GYiLAnd in that future, he didn’t want to be paralyzed by fear. To survive, he would have to fight.zbG7DoB
NmsMore than anything.euW9soh
cFd5yLY“My sister…”ZxH6RKX
2Q8Oj“Professor Rosalia? What about her?”G9G
9cxt1o“No, nothing.”p3zlVR
ZunDThere was no need to bring up something so personal.SKZA
Upb“Anyway, with all this mess, the Academy will be shut down for a while, right?”COsU
m5JBZ3q“Probably.”Cid
q1T— That’s not a bad thing. Use this break to polish what you gained from that battle.Nf550xU
Padvm6XThe fight against Andrealphus had left him with a lot. Unlike Andromalius, that one had truly been a real demon, a genuine enemy.ppM1
xdLHe needed to digest the experience and knowledge he had gained.d38IXZa
Vo4“By the way, what’s up?”hB2b
jFXZ“Oh, Aria woke up.”3obw
ZXVr“Aria?”XQ25
tjew“You should go see her.”hpc6
kbTO1BN“Thanks for the heads-up.”YOF
eUumoMAfter parting ways with Valoshi, Aint headed to the infirmary. Normally empty, now all the beds were occupied.ndgaJq
vXE8Aria was in a private room at the back.Aonqt
dtA“Aint.”VT4
nVygFP“Aria.”bbY
o8AWhen he opened the door, he found her eating an apple, while Verian was at her side peeling it.hTiC3V
ymR“I heard about Verian. Professor Dominique turned out to be a demon…”q2Z83W
qITfsU“Yeah.”RBa
9f85Y9“Honestly, there’s a point where my memory goes blank.”lRqE
g5p2Pac“Even the part when I brought you sweets?”baij4eu
K70y“You did that?”zSV
IwFQ3“And the part where you invited me to watch the fireworks?”QOWP
3aP“I really said that?”cy0
ya3ZPUAria sighed deeply. Having been manipulated and attacking Aint filled her with guilt.1Ru
eMW0“I’m sorry.”5TVq
88W“It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault—you were under demonic control. And I’m sorry, too.”wup9aG4
2sMo2n“Huh? You? Why?”uokLZ
pAe“I’m the one who broke your arm.”bWe
sQrPag“It’s fine. You couldn’t help it.”9opwmP
gGYAria’s carefree response made him hesitate, but Aint continued speaking.aMa6d
Iht8orJ“Also… your leg…”pCVQm
9j0Lw5“That was because I was being controlled. My fault.”spvd3zg
81A“And two ribs…”Jc6B5QZ
yrdX“Might as well just say it all at once!”HD01qG
sxHso“And the dislocated shoulder. That’s all.”J8398e
R2B“And my face that hurts?”oCYjjJ
Q7e92E“That was because when you fell, you hit it head-on.”yaUl9
eZt4wqSo that didn’t count.iYy5
4mxj“Professor Nania ended up with all her bones broken.”GuZZf
3OwIAint smiled awkwardly.DlKB
OM4“She was just too strong—we couldn’t restrain her gently. As long as she’s okay, that’s enough.”q5EU
7JYwQXWith those words, he hurried out of the room.YVdqld9
kjRFOw— That was rough.oH5O
zhSxb— If you had been able to knock her out after breaking her arm, that would’ve been enough.PdQn
UcG3‘I couldn’t because the spirits charged at me…’WJS
6sQwalWHe had no choice but to fracture her ribs, her leg, and dislocate her shoulder.Og7dwAO
c2UIt was a desperate situation, and he had done the best he could.CnaId
LIp“So, what’s going to happen to the Academy now?”jZgZeuX
K47k6It was clear that classes couldn’t continue in that state, but he didn’t know exactly what direction things would take.PDLedpG
cJ9X6— Go ask Fernan.ywcok
YGjN0VQ‘But I just promised myself I’d try to handle things without always relying on him…’gUXeTaT
9DZY— Nonsense. That’s another matter.bWY
BCQYes, that was true. Even at his best, Aint couldn’t compare to Fernan’s ability to foresee and plan.lSsO2
Xh27h‘That’s true.’HtjSM
QikiOPQWith that decision made, Aint went out to look for him. That’s when—UPFKmN
Kd3FKAa“There’s Aint!”mlaz
lp7CEwL“Aint!”EZFz8
scNSuddenly, voices gave him away, and people began to surround him from all sides.fOXQ7I
QZstv“Eh…?”lTYKA
0E6v5nXSurprised by the unexpected crowd, he froze.98ZvGs
DZeY“I saw you on the Saintbird fighting the demon!”NP1t
YeIlD“Thanks to you, we’re alive, thank you!”WLIP
vrh“Can you ride the Saintbird again and show us?”g5i9aL
TFeZ“Where’s Silver?”DqV
R8eRzJN“Can we talk for a bit? I want to…”zlh8z
o7qeY“I want to support you!”zkdSk
sOObF7They were students, residents of Bardian Island, and even outsiders who had come specifically to see him.u2gdbMH
b7XnoIn truth, they came to see Aint—the one who rode the Saintbird and defeated a demon.nQHBYFZ
oKIIrCuThe reincarnation of a legend.Emv
sK9IA hero.JrCy
vqsPotwGazes of admiration and respect flooded him.UTGi3LP
FrAO— Ah, it’s finally begun.XTB4jxq
ULc0Y8— The former emperor always dealt with this too. Wherever he went, people swarmed like bees.uN1
QFq03eLGardner murmured.6eWa5
9tDiNqAnd Fernan’s words crossed his mind, when he had entrusted Silver to him.Y54
t98“In the midst of a demon invasion, having Aint Armian ride the Saintbird and stop them is the best way to erase the Academy’s fear.”dfeG
IiUxDmwAnd the same was happening with Fernan.GStddwh
0i0A9“Fernan Pellenberg!”8sU
ASOY6v“Is that golem yours?”wl8rF
D29“Show us the golem!”MW9vdQi
HoZ4XIK“A sentient golem! Show it to us now!”F65
6XgNJjJThe difference was that toward him, there was an even more fanatical tone.irifUQH
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