A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 275

Chapter 275

“Nanny,‌⁠ how do I look?”

Aria⁠ spun around in⁠ front of the‌⁠ full-length mirror.

The‍ shimmering dress fluttered‌‌ softly with her movement.

“You‍ look stunning, my⁠⁠ lady! If not‌‍ only Verian Kalburdern‌‍‌ but even Verian’s‍‍ grandfather saw you,‌ he’d fall in‍⁠ love instantly!”

“That’s‍ not exactly what‍⁠‌ I wanted to‍⁠ hear.”

“It’s‍ just a manner‍ of speaking, miss.‍‌ Come now, sit‍⁠ down. We still need to finish⁠⁠ your makeup.”

“Yes.”‍

The‌‌ nanny quickly finished⁠ her makeup and‌ began styling her⁠ hair.

“Your‌⁠ hair has grown‍ quite a bit,‍⁠ would you like‌ me to cut it?”

“Yes,⁠ it’s more comfortable short.”

Sss—⁠‌ sss—

The‍ scissors gently trimmed⁠ the ends of‌‌ Aria’s hair.

“But⁠ I must say,‌‍ it’s surprising you‍‌⁠ managed to win⁠⁠⁠ over the temperamental⁠ Verian Kalburdern.”

“Yes,⁠‌ he has a terrible temper.”

Even‍ so, he wasn’t‍‌ a bad person.⁠

“It’s‍⁠ like he uses thorns to hide‍ his fragility.”

“So‍⁠⁠ he’s like a hedgehog.”

“Exactly.”‍

That⁠‍ made him rather⁠ adorable in a way.

“Adorable,‌ Verian Kalburdern? Miss,‍ your taste is‍⁠ quite peculiar.”

“I’m‍ perfectly normal.”

“Generally,⁠‍ normal people don’t‌‌ feel the need⁠ to say they‍‌ are, miss.”

The‌ preparations finished shortly⁠ after.

In‌ the mirror, Aria‌ looked more beautiful than ever.

Then,‍ a maid knocked‌ on the door.⁠‌

“Miss⁠⁠ Aria, someone is⁠‍ waiting for you‍ outside.”

No‌ need to ask‍‍⁠ who. Aria stepped⁠‌‍ out.

In‌ front of the entrance, an elegant carriage pulled by⁠ four horses awaited‍ her.

Standing‍ before it, a man in a pristine black suit‌ with red hair‌⁠‌ tied back was‌‍ waiting.

“Aria.”⁠

“Verian.”

With‍‍ a faint blush,⁠⁠ Verian awkwardly scratched‍ his cheek and opened the carriage‍ door.

“Get‍ in.”

“Mhm.”‌⁠‍

The⁠‌ carriage set off.‌

“You⁠‌ look quite good⁠‍ in that suit.”⁠

“Likewise.”⁠

“Really?”‌‍‌

Aria⁠⁠ leaned closer to‌ him. Verian flinched⁠‍ and immediately moved‍ away.

“…What‍‍‍ are you doing?”‌‌‌

“You⁠ said it without‌ even looking at⁠⁠‍ me.”

“I‌ saw you when you got in.”‌

“Did you really?”

“……”⁠‌

Verian‍⁠ cleared his throat‌ and looked out⁠‌ the window.

Meanwhile,‍ the carriage arrived‌ at the banquet⁠ hall.

The⁠ coachman opened the‌ door, and the‍⁠‍ two stepped down‌⁠⁠ and entered.

“It’s‌⁠ Aria!”

“And‌‍ Verian too!”

“So‍ it’s true they’re dating?”

Aria⁠‍ and Verian were‌‌ quite famous at‌‌‌ the academy.

Not‍ only because of‍‌ their skill and status, but also‍‌ because they had fought alongside Aint‍⁠ and Fernan against⁠‍⁠ demons.

People swarmed them in⁠⁠ seconds.

Surrounded‌‌ by the crowd,⁠ they disappeared from‌ view.

“Aria!‍ In Frazia, I heard that…”

“Aria,‌‍ you look stunning‌ today. Are you‌‌ really dating Verian?‍‍ Since when?”

“Will⁠‍ you dance a piece with me?”‌

As‍‍ always, Aria didn’t‍‌ lose her smile‌ and responded to‍ everyone politely.

“Yes,⁠ there was a demon in Frazia,⁠ but I didn’t⁠ fight directly.”

“Thank‌ you, we started recently.”

“Sorry, I already have‍ a partner for‍‍ the dance.”

Time⁠ flew by.

The‌‍⁠ sun, which had⁠ painted the sky⁠‍⁠ in orange tones,‍ vanished, and Aria,‍⁠‌ a bit tired, sat in a corner with a cocktail in hand.‌

The‌⁠ hall was illuminated⁠‌ by dazzling chandeliers,⁠ while a soft⁠‍‍ melody played.

Although‍‍ she usually enjoyed‌⁠‌ gatherings and the⁠‌ bustle, tonight was‍ different.

She hadn’t achieved what‌‌ she truly wanted.‍‍⁠

“Where‌ did he go?”‍

She hadn’t seen a hair of Verian⁠⁠ in hours.

No⁠ matter how big‍‍‍ the new banquet hall was, it‌‍ was still the same place.

At⁠‌‍ that moment, a hand extended through the crowd.

“Beautiful‍ lady, I’ve been⁠ looking for you.”‌

A gloved white hand.‌‌⁠

“Would‍‍‍ you grant me⁠⁠ this dance?”

“……”‌⁠⁠

A familiar voice, but‌‌‍ with a pompous‍‌ tone she’d never‍‍ heard before.

A mischievous smile appeared‍ on Aria’s lips.⁠⁠

“Did⁠‍ you say I’m‌‌ beautiful?”

“…You are, without a doubt.”

“How⁠⁠ flattering. You also‍ have quite a decent face.”

“…Thank you very much.”‍

The⁠ man looked at‍‌ her with barely‍ concealed irritation.

Aria‍⁠ only smiled wider.⁠

Yes,‍ teasing Verian was‌ definitely the most⁠ fun.

He‍‍ was like a squirrel — just⁠⁠‍ a little poke‌‍ and he’d jump‍‍ instantly.

“And‌ could you explain‍‌ why I should‍‌ accept dancing with‌‌ you?”

“Because⁠‍ if you don’t,⁠⁠ I’ll have to‌‌ invite another lady.”

“Then‌‍ I can invite‍ another gentleman too.”‍

Verian‌ dropped the fake‌‌ tone immediately.

“In that case, I might end up⁠ punching the guy.”‍

“Even if it were‌‍‌ Fernan, the senior?”‍‌‌

“…The‌‍‌ senior is a different case.”

He⁠ might try, but‌‌ if he did,‌ it would probably be the end‍‍ of him.

“So,‍ are you going‌ to dance or⁠‌⁠ not?”

“You⁠ have no charm.”⁠‍‍

“You’re‌ the one who‍ ruined the charm.”‌

“It’s‌‍ just that when‌ you talk in⁠‍ that tone, I feel like throwing⁠‌ up.”

“Ha…”‌

Aria‌ took Verian’s hand.‍⁠

“Alright.”‌

The‍⁠ two moved to‌⁠ the center of⁠‍ the hall.

It⁠‌ was a cheerful‍ banquet.

***⁠

[I⁠‍‍ heard the news.⁠⁠ They say you‌‍⁠ fought demons in‍ Frazia, and I was worried you⁠ might’ve gotten hurt.⁠

…(fragment‌ omitted)…

I also heard about‍ the ball being‌⁠ held at the‍ Academy. I wish‍‌ I could attend⁠⁠⁠ too. Should I apply as an‌ assistant now?

…(fragment⁠ omitted)…

I’ll‍‌ write you another‌⁠ letter next time.]⁠‌

While‌ watching the long‌⁠ line of carriages‌‌ and people heading toward the newly‍‍‌ opened grand banquet‌ hall, Aint folded‍⁠⁠ the letter with⁠ a faint smile‍‍ on his lips.‌‍

— Seems like things⁠ are going well‌⁠ for you.

“How‌‌⁠ should I respond‌ to her?”

— Be honest.

— But discourage her‌ from becoming an‌ assistant.

“Of‌ course. I couldn’t⁠‌⁠ let her go‌‌‍ through that hell.”⁠‍‌

Aint⁠ took out a sheet of paper‌ and began to‍ write.

[I‍⁠ received your letter,‌ Yuli. I miss‍ you too.

And‌ please, never, ever‌ think about becoming‌⁠ an assistant…]

Though‌ it wasn’t a long letter, the‍‍ memory of his⁠‍‌ days as a punished assistant was⁠⁠ still horrifying.

He‍ would never let‍ Yuli Linelt experience‍‌ something that hellish.‍‍

[I’m‍‍ planning to participate‌‍‌ soon in the‌‌ New Pact Tournament.‌ I’d like you‍‌ to come watch‍ me when the⁠ time comes…]

With‍⁠⁠ the hope of⁠‍ reuniting someday, he‌ finished the letter.‍

— You’re not going‌‌ to the banquet?‍

“I⁠‍‌ have no intention.‍‌ Right now, that⁠‌⁠ would be an⁠ unnecessary luxury.”

Fernan⁠ had given him‍ his word — he would soon‍ obtain the qualification⁠‌‍ to participate in‌‌ the New Pact‍ Tournament and would‍ do everything possible⁠‌ to have it‍ held as soon‌‍ as possible.

His‌⁠ opponent would be⁠‌ a Royal Knight.‍

No‌‍‌ matter how confident‌ he was, he‌‍ couldn’t guarantee an⁠‍‍ absolute victory.

That’s‍‍‌ why he had‌ to prepare until‌ the very last‌ moment.

“I‌ have to go⁠‍‍ see Professor Grad.”⁠‌

— Good. A Royal Knight is always⁠‌⁠ a worthy opponent.‍‌

Fernan had already granted⁠⁠‌ him permission — he could visit‍‌ Professor Grad anytime‍⁠ to request a duel.

Although‍⁠ Aint knew he‌‌‍ relied too much‍ on Fernan, that‌‍⁠ was still his‍‍ best option for‌ now.

If‍ he wanted to⁠‌ become a Royal Knight, he had⁠⁠ to do everything.‍

Bang!‍

Boom!‌‌

But⁠ as he approached‍⁠ Professor Grad’s training‍ field, explosions could⁠⁠ already be heard.⁠‌

— Looks like you’ve got company. That⁠ one seems to have the same‌ intentions as you.‌

— I can see‌ the desire in‍⁠⁠ their eyes…

“The‍ desire to become⁠⁠ a Royal Knight, most likely.”

It⁠ was Luina Bercheff,⁠‍ visibly more focused⁠⁠‌ than usual.

“Professor‌‌ Grad, I’d like⁠⁠ my turn after‌‍ her as well!”‌

Moments⁠ later, Aint leapt‌‌‍ onto the battlefield.

Naturally,⁠⁠‌ he held back his strength, wary of destroying the‍ practice ground.

***‌

“Not‌ enjoying yourself, Your⁠‌ Highness?”

“Just‍‌‌ by coming here,⁠‍ I’m already overdoing‍‍ it.”

On‍⁠‍ the second floor⁠ of the hall,‌ Ludger rested his‍ chin on his‍ hand, watching the‌‌ crowd.

Among⁠ all the banquet‌‌‍ attendees — a celebration for the⁠‌ defeat of the‍ demons — neither⁠ Aint nor Fernan⁠ was present.

A party to commemorate‍ their feat without⁠‍ the protagonists.

“Fernan‍ is scheming something.”‌

An event like this⁠‌ was the perfect‌ opportunity to make⁠ Aint the center⁠ of attention.

Fernan⁠‌ wouldn’t let such a chance slip‌ for no reason.‍

If⁠‌⁠ he had, there‌ must be a strong one.

“It‌ must be related‌ to the New Pact Tournament.”

The‍⁠ Schwaben Empire was‍‍ the one most⁠ closely monitoring Aint’s⁠‌ power.

According‍‍ to the intelligence‍‌ department, both Aint‍ and Luina were⁠ already nearing the⁠ level of Royal‌ Knights.

“When⁠‌ the hell did‌‌ they grow so‍‌⁠ much…?”

They‍ were classmates, and⁠ yet now they‌‍‍ were at an‍⁠ unreachable distance.

Ludger‍ understood why Fernan had invested so‍ much in them.‌⁠

“Exactly.⁠ I used to‍ be the top of the class,⁠ but now I don’t even dare⁠ challenge Luina…”

Almon⁠⁠ sighed in frustration.

“And‌ Fernan? Is there any reason he’s‍⁠ also absent? Is‌ he preparing for‍‌‍ the Dragon God‌ Tournament?”

“Impossible‌ — or maybe‍ not. After all,⁠ they say he played a key‌‌ role in the‌⁠‍ hunt for two‌⁠ demons.”

“Monsters.‍ Those guys are⁠‌ damn monsters.”

Ludger‍ gnashed his teeth.‌

To think someone like that had been‍ among the top‌ ten? How the⁠ hell had he‍‌‍ hidden it?

No‍⁠‍ matter how much‌‍ he cursed, he‍ couldn’t calm himself.‍

Almon‍ changed the subject.

“By⁠‍ the way, Your⁠ Highness, you’ve seemed‌ in better spirits⁠ lately.”

“Me?”

“Yes.⁠ Since you returned from the demon‍ hunt with the‍ First Prince, your‌ face seems more⁠ relaxed.”

“…Really?”⁠

Ludger⁠⁠ furrowed his brow.⁠

Was⁠ he happy for⁠‌ hunting demons? No,‌‌ impossible.

In⁠ that hunt, he had barely done⁠⁠⁠ anything; in the⁠⁠ end, it only‍‌⁠ served to raise‍‌ the First Prince’s‌‍⁠ fame.

Then‍ why was he‌ pleased?

‘Ah,‌‌ right — it was after reading‍ that newspaper.’

The‍⁠ article talked about‌ Fernan.

It‌‌ said that along‍ with Luina and Armond Merschdorf, he⁠ had defeated two⁠ demons.

That news had completely⁠ overshadowed the one‌⁠ mentioning the First⁠ Prince and himself.

Since‍⁠ then, the First‍⁠ Prince had sworn‍‌ to hunt another‍‌ demon no matter⁠ what.

And⁠⁠ seeing him so‌‍ desperate was both‌ pathetic and deeply‌‌⁠ satisfying.

Ludger‍⁠ knew that having‍⁠ Aint and Fernan‌‍ praised as heroes did not benefit the Schwaben family‌‍‍ at all.

But‌‌ he didn’t care.⁠⁠

‘…It’s‍ fine this way.‌‌ If Schwaben loses‌ the throne, what⁠ does it matter⁠ to me?’

Even⁠⁠ if the throne‌ changed hands, Schwaben’s‌‍ power and authority⁠ wouldn’t vanish.

They‌‌⁠ might diminish after‍‌‍ losing the territories‍‍ taken from Armian, but that wasn’t‍ his problem either.‍

‘None‌ of this makes⁠⁠ sense anymore.’

Crossing‍‌‍ his legs, Ludger⁠ took a slow‍ sip of his⁠‍ cocktail.

⸻

Fernan⁠ silently closed his‍‍‍ eyes.

He could feel his‍ heart beating.

He‍ thought about the‌‌‍ fame and rewards⁠⁠‍ he would receive⁠‌⁠ if he succeeded in what he⁠⁠‌ was about to‌ do.

They wouldn’t be small;‍‍⁠ now he had‍‍ one more reason⁠‌‍ to ensure victory.‍‍

— Kyu?

Not⁠‌ going?

Wooden,⁠ who had caught‌ onto his thoughts,‍ tilted his head⁠⁠ curiously.

“That’s‌ right.”

Fernan‍‍ lifted him off‌⁠ his shoulder and⁠ placed him on⁠‌ the ground.

“I⁠‌‌ could use magic‍‌ with you, since golems are considered⁠ magic too, but⁠‌ not doing so‌‍ will have a much greater impact.”⁠‌

Besides,⁠‌‍ it wasn’t good‍‌ to always rely‌‌‍ on Wooden.

Even‍⁠ though he always⁠ tried to stay‌ by his side, there was no‌⁠ guarantee that would‌ always be possible.‍‌⁠

And‌ above all, this‍‍ time he trusted‌⁠‌ himself.

He‌‍ believed he could⁠ win even without⁠ Wooden.

“Sir.”‍‌⁠

A familiar voice made‌‍ him open his⁠⁠ eyes.

The saint, Jace Vines,‍‍ was smiling brightly.‍

“The‌ time has come.”‍

“Yes.”⁠

“Amazing.‌‍ I thought I’d⁠ be the first‌‍ to dare challenge‌⁠ it, but as⁠ expected, you’re always‌⁠ a step ahead.”‌⁠

“No⁠‌⁠ matter how much⁠⁠‍ you flatter me,‌‍ I won’t pay‍⁠ you for it.”‍⁠

“Tsk.”‍‌⁠

“Let’s‍⁠ go.”

Fernan stood and walked‌ slowly toward the stage.

Waaaaaaaah!‌‍

The⁠ roar of the crowd was deafening.‍‍‍

Among⁠ the masses, he‍‍ could distinguish familiar⁠‌ faces in the⁠ honorary seats.

‘Luina Bercheff.’

He⁠‍ remembered his promise‍ to her.

He‌ had already prepared‍ the ship for‍‍‍ the trip, so‌ losing wasn’t an‍‍ option.

‘Aint‍ Armian.’

He⁠ also saw Aint among the crowd,‌‍ his gaze filled‌⁠ with emotion.

‘Yeah‍ — I can⁠‍‍ more or less‍‍⁠ guess what you’re‌‍ thinking.’

He‌ was probably worried.‌‍‌

But‌‌ he didn’t need‌‌ to be.

In⁠‍⁠ the end, he⁠⁠ would become emperor‍⁠ and save the⁠ world.

‘So⁠ don’t get anxious‌ just because the‍ New Pact Tournament‍⁠ has been slightly⁠ delayed.’

The‍ New Pact Tournament‌ was organized by⁠‌ the imperial family.‍‍⁠

When‍‌ Armian lost the⁠ throne, most of‍ its domains — including the right⁠‌ to host the⁠‌‌ tournament — passed⁠‍ into Schwaben’s hands.‌⁠

In other words, the‌‌‌ tournament couldn’t be‌ held without the‍ current emperor’s supervision.‌

And‍ Schwaben didn’t want‍ Aint Armian to⁠⁠‌ participate at all.‌

Because⁠ if Aint won and gained the‍‌ title of Royal⁠⁠ Knight, it would‍ be a huge‌⁠ problem.

And‍⁠ even if he‌ didn’t win, just‍‍ qualifying would be⁠ enough to give‍ him wings.

That’s‌ why the tournament‍‌ might take a bit longer to⁠ happen, but it‍⁠ would happen.

Fernan⁠‌‌ and his father⁠‌⁠ would make sure of it.

“Where‌ are you looking?”‌‌⁠

Fernan turned his gaze‌ forward. There stood‍‌ his opponent.

A middle-aged man, more⁠ of a warrior than a mage,⁠‌ with a thick‍‍ beard.

“I’ve⁠‌ heard of you‌ from His Majesty,‌ but I never⁠‌ thought it was‍‌ true. Are you‌‌ sure you want‌ to do this?”‍‍

“If I wasn’t confident, I wouldn’t be‌ here.”

“I see. But don’t⁠‌ expect me to‌‍ hold back.”

And⁠ finally, the announcer’s‌⁠ voice rang out.‌‌

“We⁠ begin the Dragon⁠ God Tournament between⁠‍‌ Walter Hanfmann, court‍⁠‍ mage of the‌ Kingdom of Frazia,⁠ and Fernan Pellenberg,⁠‌ firstborn of the⁠ Pellenberg family!”

The⁠‍⁠ Dragon God Tournament⁠‌‍ had begun.