A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 27

Chapter 27

“…I think I misheard.”⁠‍‍

“You‌‌ heard right.”

“You‌⁠⁠ said you found‍‌‌ a trace of‌ a demon? When was that?”

“Exactly‌ three days ago,‌⁠ after dinner. Around‌ seven. I was‍ in a duel⁠‍‍ requested by a classmate. During the⁠⁠⁠ fight, her power‍ suddenly increased.”

Luina⁠ replied calmly.

“Who‍‍ was it?”

“Bella⁠ Hoenne.”

“Ranked‍ 19th in the second year of⁠ the Knight Department, daughter of Viscount‍ Hoenne. A wealthy⁠ family.”

Viscount‌ Hoenne owned a prosperous territory and‌⁠ was one of‍⁠ the Golden Turtle Company’s top clients.‌⁠‍

“You’re saying her power⁠‍ spiked suddenly?”

“Exactly.‍‍ Not just her⁠‌ physical strength, but her aura amount‍ surged as well.”⁠‌‌

“That’s‌ not enough.”

Tap,⁠ tap. Fernan drummed‌ his fingers on⁠‍‍ the armrest.

“Any‍‍‍ physical changes?”

“None.”‍

“I⁠⁠ don’t think she’d take performance enhancers‌ for a duel,‍ so it’s likely‍‌ a new aura refinement technique.”

“Are‌⁠ you saying I’m⁠⁠ mistaken?”

“I’m⁠ just saying you⁠‌ might be overinterpreting‍ things because of‍ how heavy the⁠‌⁠ word ‘demon’ is.”‍‍

“I‌ sensed demonic energy‍ for a moment.”‌‍

“…Now⁠ that’s a different‌⁠⁠ story.”

Fernan‍ uncrossed his legs.‌‍⁠

“Any other witnesses?”

“None.‌ It was just⁠‍‍ the two of⁠ us in the‌‍ duel room.”

“Are‌ you certain it‌‍ was demonic energy?”⁠‌

“It⁠ was very faint and fleeting, but⁠ that ominous feeling⁠‍ isn’t something you‍ forget easily. Still,‌ I can’t say⁠ it with absolute‌ certainty.”

Luina⁠ lowered her voice‌ slightly at the‍‌ end. She was‌⁠⁠ still uncertain.

“As⁠ I recall, Bella‍ Hoenne is your‌‍ friend. One of⁠ your two closest‍‍ friends along with‍‌‍ Aina Rium, right?”‌

“…How‍‍⁠ do you know‍⁠ that?”

“That‍‍ doesn’t matter. The⁠‌‌ question is whether⁠ you’re overreacting because‌⁠ she’s your friend.”‌‌

“…I’d‍‌ be lying if⁠ I said no.”‌

Luina⁠‌ couldn’t be sure.‌‍ It was so‍‍ faint, so brief,⁠⁠‌ and she couldn’t‍ imagine why Bella‍‌ would ever make‌⁠ a pact with‍‍⁠ a demon.

“Bella⁠ is a dedicated⁠⁠ student. Always diligent⁠‌ in class and training. She loves⁠⁠ reading and visits‍⁠ the library and‍‌ bookstore often.”

“And?”

“While‍ researching demons, I read they prey⁠ on the voids‌ in people’s hearts.⁠‍ But Bella is always cheerful and‌ has a great‍ relationship with her family. I can’t picture her contacting‍‌ one.”

Still,‌⁠‌ after witnessing what‌ happened with Verian,⁠⁠ Luina was aware‌ the demons had⁠⁠⁠ returned to the world.

She‍‍ wanted to verify‍⁠ what happened. She‍ didn’t want to‍ believe it.

“Tell⁠‍ me exactly what happened.”

“…Alright…”⁠⁠

***‌

That day was no‍‍‍ different from any‌ other.

“Luina!”⁠‍‌

She⁠⁠⁠ attended her classes⁠‍ as usual, and‌‍‌ they ended normally.⁠‍

“How‌‍ about a duel‍‍ today?”

“Whenever⁠ you want.”

And‌ so, she had‌⁠‌ a duel with⁠ her friend. Not‌⁠ an everyday occurrence,‌⁠ but not unusual‌‍‍ either.

“Today⁠‌ will be different.”‌⁠

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes.‌‍ I feel like‌ my skills have‍ really improved lately.”

In‍‍ the student duel‌‍ arena, Luina and⁠⁠ Bella faced each‌ other, both with‌‌ real swords drawn.‌‌

They‍ weren’t using wooden‌‌ swords, but real⁠‍⁠ ones, with armor⁠ for safety.

“Did‍ you bring the‌‌ protection scroll?”

“Yes.”‌

The⁠ scroll would activate‍ a magic shield‌ if an impact⁠ exceeded a certain⁠‌‌ threshold.

“I’ll go first.”

Bella gripped her sword‍ tightly. It was‍ a Zweihänder as⁠⁠⁠ large as she was.

An‌⁠ ideal weapon for‍⁠ her style—not based‍ on quick cuts‌‍ or thrusts, but‍ on overwhelming force⁠‌ and weight.

The‍ massive Zweihänder swept‌ through the air.⁠‌

Rather⁠‌ than dodging, Luina⁠‌ moved in to‌ meet the blow.‍

─!

‘What…‌ power…?’

She‍‌⁠ felt overwhelming pressure⁠ through her sword.⁠ It was different.⁠‍ Heavier, stronger.

She‍ realized Bella hadn’t‍ lied about improving.

Clang.

She‌ twisted her wrist‍‍‌ to deflect the‌ Zweihänder’s blow. When‌ she saw an⁠‌ opening, Bella immediately‍‍ stepped back.

‘She’s‍ fast.’

It‍‌‌ wasn’t just strength.‌⁠ She was faster⁠‍ too.

After‌⁠⁠ a single clash,‌‌ there was a brief pause.

“What‍ do you think?”⁠‌⁠

“…Definitely⁠ different. Heavier and‌‍ faster.”

“Right?”‌⁠

Bella‌‌ smiled brightly.

“Lately‍⁠ I feel like⁠‍ I have better‌ control over my‍‍⁠ body. Like I’m‍‍ brimming with strength. But I’m glad⁠‌ you noticed too.”‍‍⁠

She‌‍ readied herself again.‍‍

“Here‌‌ I come again.”‍⁠

“Alright.”‌‌

─!‌

Sword⁠‌ against sword.

There⁠ was no feeling-out‍ phase. Bella came‍ in full force⁠‍‍ from the start,‍‌ and Luina had‍‌ to match her‍‍ intensity.

─!⁠‍‍

A shockwave exploded. A faint aura enveloped‌ Bella’s Zweihänder. Unshaken,‍⁠ Luina focused her‍⁠ own blue aura.⁠⁠

‘I⁠‍ can’t win with‍‍‌ strength.’

Bella’s‍⁠ aura refinement focused‌⁠ on raw physical⁠ power.

Clashing⁠⁠‌ head-on would be‌ a mistake. Amid‌⁠‌ a storm-like flurry‍⁠ of blows, Luina calmly dodged.

“You’re‌ amazing, Luina!”

With⁠‍ a short shout, the energy in‍ her sword intensified‌ even more. As⁠ her wrists and‌ arms went numb,‍‌⁠ Luina sensed she‌ was nearing her limit.

Clang.⁠⁠‍

She‌‍ deflected the sword‍ and kicked Bella‍ in the stomach.‍‌ Bella stumbled back‍‍‍ a step, and⁠⁠ Luina followed.

The Zweihänder was devastating‍ with heavy strikes,⁠ but its size made it clumsy‍‌‍ up close.

But at that moment…⁠‍‌

─!‍

Bella’s‌ sword twisted at⁠ an odd angle,‌‍ blocking between them.‍ As Luina’s sword‌‌ shook, fragments of‌‍ aura exploded everywhere.

A powerful shockwave knocked‍⁠ Luina backward.

“How…?”‌

It⁠ changed again. Her‌ aura felt rougher,‍ stranger. Unsettling and yet familiar.

‘It’s‍ like…’

“You‍ won’t beat me‌⁠ that easily!”

Red⁠‌ aura burst forth,‌ covering Bella’s body‌ like flames. Luina’s‍‌ thoughts were cut‌ off. What she‌‌ had felt for‌‍ a moment vanished.‌‍

──!⁠‌

The‌⁠ ground cracked under‌‌ a slash that‌ barely missed its‌⁠⁠ target.

“I‌⁠⁠ can’t control my⁠ strength very well.”⁠‌‌

“…Bella,‌‌ did you take‍‍ any tonics?”

“I⁠⁠ took a few,‌ yeah. Maybe they’re‌ finally kicking in.”‍⁠

Bella‍ smiled as she⁠‍⁠ adjusted her sword.

“Here‌‌ I go again.”‌

***⁠

“…So⁠‌‍ that’s how it‌ happened.”

“You⁠‌ say her aura‍ output suddenly spiked,⁠ and you felt‌ a faint trace⁠‍ of demonic energy.”‌

“At‌⁠ first, I didn’t‍ think it was demonic. But the‌‍⁠ more I went⁠‌ over the situation…‌‌ the more I thought maybe it⁠⁠⁠ was.” Bella Hoenne⁠⁠‍ was ranked 19th.⁠

Not‍ insignificant, but even⁠ so, there was⁠‍ a clear gap⁠ between her and⁠ Luina.

The‌ fact that this‌⁠ difference had shrunk‍ so much in‍ such a short‌ time was undoubtedly‍⁠ strange.

“And‍‌ Bella’s condition?”

“She’s fine. She didn’t‌⁠‌ show any physical anomalies like Verian,⁠ nor did she‍⁠ lose her sanity.‌‌‌ After the duel,‌⁠⁠ nothing unusual happened either.”

“Seriously?”⁠

“It‍ might’ve just been‌ confusion or a misunderstanding on my‌⁠ part, but…”

Fernan⁠‌ interrupted her.

“Even‍‌ so, you want⁠‌ to confirm it‍⁠‌ just in case?”

“Yes.‌‍ We’re not talking⁠ about just anything.‍ It’s a demon.”‍

“I⁠ agree on that.‍⁠⁠ If something’s off,‌ it should be investigated.”

Honestly, Fernan thought that⁠‌ once he caught⁠ Verian, he’d be‌‌ able to learn‌ everything about demons.

But⁠⁠ that wasn’t the‌ case. Though he‍‍ knew Verian was‍ a demon’s pawn⁠ and even interrogated her after her‌⁠‍ transformation, he gained‌‌ nothing useful.

“…I‍ know I’m not really in a position to ask,⁠⁠‌ but is there‍ a way?”

“No.⁠⁠ There’s not.”

Still,⁠⁠ doing everything possible‌ was the right⁠ thing to do.⁠ If Bella had⁠ indeed used demonic⁠⁠ power, then she‍ and Verian had‍ something in common.⁠‌

Neither‌ had knowingly met‍‍ a demon or‍⁠ made a pact.‌

“That⁠‍‌ means it infiltrated⁠ without them realizing.‍⁠ Honestly, I’m not‍‌ sure if that’s‍‍‌ even possible, but‍‍‍ for now we’ll‌ investigate whether they‌⁠ had any places‌ in common.”

“I⁠ suppose that’s the⁠ best we can‍ do right now. Thanks for helping‍ me.”

“Dealing‍ with demons concerns the entire continent.⁠⁠ Of course I’ll⁠ help.”

“Then⁠ I’ll go talk‌ to Bella and—”‌

“No‌‍ need. It’ll all‍‍ be clear by tomorrow. For now,‌ head back. I’ll‌‌ call you again‍ tomorrow.”

Once‍‍ Luina left, Fernan⁠‍ called Hyde.

“Bring me all the‌ records of Bella Hoenne’s movements.”

“And‌⁠‍ of Verian. Even⁠⁠ from before you started tracking her.”⁠‍

“Yes,‍⁠ young master.”

It‌⁠‍ took less than‍‌ a day before‍ all records from⁠‍ the start of‌ the semester to‌‍ the present landed⁠ on Fernan’s desk.⁠‌

“…Residence, academy, city.”

“Yes,‍ inside the academy‌ she only attended‌ classes, the dueling‍‌‍ field, and the⁠ library. In town,⁠ she only visited restaurants and bookstores.”‍‍

“Exactly‌ the same as Verian.”

But‍⁠ that wasn’t unusual.⁠‍ Most academy students‌‍ followed that routine.⁠

It‌ was the typical‌⁠⁠ student lifestyle.

“Luina,‍‍ I need you⁠ to arrange a meeting with Bella.”‌

“Did⁠⁠ you find a clue?”

“No.⁠‌ That’s exactly why I want to⁠‍ see her in⁠ person.”

It⁠ might just be coincidence. But an‌ uneasy feeling kept⁠ nagging at Fernan’s‍ mind.

Maybe‍ it was nothing.‍ But after confirming⁠‍ the demons’ existence‍⁠‍ through the prophecy⁠‌ book and Verian,⁠⁠‍ if there was⁠‍ even the slightest‍ chance Bella was‌ involved, it had to be verified.‌‍‍

After‌ all classes ended,‌ Fernan went with‌ Luina to a café where they‌ met Bella.

“Fernan?‌‌ What are you‌‌ doing here…?”

“Bella Hoenne. It’s the‍⁠ first time we’ve‌ met in private‌ like this. I asked Luina to⁠‌ arrange it.”

“You‍ asked to see me? Why?”

“It’s nothing major. Luina…”⁠⁠⁠

─!⁠⁠

In‍‌⁠ that instant, a deafening roar surged‌‌⁠ in Fernan’s head.‌ A searing pain‍‌⁠ tore through him,⁠‌ and a flood⁠⁠ of prophecies stormed‍‍ into his mind.⁠‍

A sky red as blood, a nauseating stench, and demonic‌ energy.

Fernan felt like he’d⁠‍ seen this before.⁠‌ It was the⁠‌ same sensation he‌⁠ felt the day⁠‍‌ he saw the⁠⁠ prophecy about Andromalius.‍‌‌

The‌ academy was no different than hell.‌‍⁠

In‌‍ the distance, a blood-red magic circle‌‍ glowed intensely. Monsters‌⁠ and humans, driven⁠⁠⁠ mad, ran rampant.⁠

They‌‌ were students. People‍‍⁠ from the academy.‌ Island residents. He‌ saw Aint’s anguished⁠‍ face.

[“Everyone’s⁠⁠ acting weird!”]

Not⁠⁠⁠ just the students,⁠ but also academy‌ staff and islanders.

The demonic energy that had silently seeped‍ into their bodies‍‌ had begun to⁠ activate with the‍ appearance of the‌ demon Andromalius.

And‍ there were hundreds⁠ of them.

[—⁠ It’s demonic energy!‌ They’ve been infected!

“You‍‍ mean the students‍ made pacts with demons?”

— No, not that.⁠‌ If that were⁠‌ the case, I would’ve noticed.

Still,‍ the students were⁠ infected, and it‍‍ was throwing the‍ academy into chaos.]⁠⁠‍

Time⁠‌ sped up.

Aint‍‌‍ had his hand‌‍‍ on a fallen‌⁠‍ student’s chest.

Following‌ Gardner Alfenparsen’s instructions, Aint injected mana⁠ into the student‍‌ to inspect his‍‌ interior.

“I⁠⁠ got it!”

Aside‌⁠ from the Empire’s‌ first emperor, no‌‍ one had slain‌⁠‍ more demons than‍‍ he—the First Noble‍ Knight. He finally‌ understood the source‍ of the problem.‍‍

— Those damned demons⁠ played dirty.

— They infected students‍ with demonic energy‌ so subtly that‌‍ no one noticed.⁠ And since students‍ aren’t very receptive,‍⁠ it must’ve taken‌‍ a long time.‍‌

— Most probably faded‍ without doing anything.⁠ Maybe nothing would’ve⁠⁠‌ ever happened.

— But that magic‌ circle… it’s activating⁠⁠ the demonic energy.‍ We have to‍‍ destroy it!]

The‍‌ scene shifted again.⁠‍‌

Aint‌ was already rushing‌‌‍ toward the source⁠⁠ of the demonic energy—the red magic‍ circle.

[-‌ Damn. That’s no‌‍ mere demonic energy‍ activator. It’s…! It’s‍ a summoning circle!‍

— They’re trying to‍‌ summon a demon!⁠

— Aint, you have‌ to stop it!]‍‌

Gardner⁠ Alfenparsen’s shouts rang‌‍ through Aint’s mind.⁠

Everything‍ sped up again.⁠ Aint was even‍⁠‌ closer to the‌ magic circle, and⁠⁠ then he ran⁠ into a trusted‌ knight.

[“Aint!‍ Help me! Bella,‌‍ Bella’s…!”

“Calm⁠ down, senior. It’ll‍⁠‍ be alright.”

“Bella’s⁠ acting weird!”

“She’s‍‌ infected with demonic energy. If we‌‌‍ defeat the demon,⁠ she’ll return to‍⁠ normal. I’ll handle it personally.”]

[“I promise.”]

‘So‍‍ it really was‌‌ demonic energy…?’

He⁠‍‍ had suspected, but‌ hadn’t confirmed.

But‍‌ the prophecy book⁠‌ said it clearly.‍⁠ Luina’s suspicion was‌ valid. If the‌‌ infected were left‍‍ untreated, catastrophe would‍‌ follow.

‘This⁠ ties into what‍ I saw before.’⁠‌⁠

In⁠ fact, this was⁠‍ prior to what‌‍⁠ he’d already seen.‌ Before the battle⁠ against Andromalius. Before‍ Luina pledged her loyalty to him⁠‍ as a knight.

‘I‌‍⁠ have to stop‍ it.’

The‌ academy from his‌⁠‍ memories was absolute‍ chaos. They couldn’t kill the infected‍ since they were⁠ students or residents,‌‌ and that only⁠‌ worsened things.

He‌ had to prevent⁠⁠‌ that from happening‌ again.

“…Fernan?‌‍⁠ Are you okay?”⁠

“Is‌‌ your head hurting‍ again?”

“It’s⁠‌ nothing.”

Fernan blinked a few⁠ times and shook‌‌ his head.

He⁠‍⁠ met their worried eyes and took a moment to‌ collect his thoughts.⁠

“Luina.”⁠‍

“Yes?”‌

“How‍‌ much do you‌‍ trust Bella Hoenne?”‌

“She’s‍⁠ been my friend‍ since childhood. I trust her more⁠‍ than anyone.”

“What‌ are you two‌ talking about all‌‌ of a sudden?”

Bella⁠‌ asked, puzzled by⁠ the conversation.

“Bella⁠ Hoenne, the reason I asked Luina‌ to arrange this⁠⁠ meeting…”

At first, he only‌ wanted to speak⁠‌⁠ with her directly.⁠ Even if Luina⁠⁠‌ trusted Bella, you‍⁠‍ could never be‌ certain. But after⁠ seeing the prophecy,⁠⁠ his thoughts had‍⁠ completely changed.

“It’s because you have⁠⁠‌ a demon in‌‍ your head.”

“What?”⁠

“And⁠ we have to beat it out‍ of you.”

He‍‍ had the proof‌ right in front‌ of him, and⁠ the method to‍‍ solve it was‌ clear too.

“Let’s‌‍ go to the‍ temple.”

They⁠‌ had to show‌ the proof to⁠‍‍ those who could never coexist with⁠⁠ demons—and work with⁠ them to act.‌