A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 32

Chapter 32

There‍‌ were countless clubs‍ at the Academy.‌

From the simplest—like reading,‌ tea, or theater—to the largest, like‍ fencing, horseback riding, or magical research.‍

The‍‌ Academy encouraged student‍ socialization and learning,⁠‌ and as long‌ as the activities‍ weren’t too strange,‌⁠‍ almost every club‌‌ received approval.

Thanks⁠ to this, hundreds‍ of clubs had‍⁠‍ formed, but the‍‍ best of them⁠ all remained the Yacht Club.

It⁠‍⁠ was said that‌ only the top‍‌ 5% of the⁠‍⁠ Academy could join,⁠⁠⁠ and that entry⁠‍ required an invitation‌‌ from an internal‌⁠ member.

It‌‌ was the club‍‍ every student dreamed‌ of.

The‌ reason was simple:‌‍ members of the‌ Yacht Club were‌‌‌ recognized not only⁠‍‌ at the Academy‌‌ but throughout the‌ Empire.

Academic,‍ regional, or blood⁠‍ ties—these connections were‌ powerful in any‌‌ world, and the‍‍ Yacht Club was the best stage for forging them.‌‌

‘Hmm…’⁠

The‍⁠ enormous luxury yacht,‌‍⁠ which would serve⁠ as the event’s‍‍‍ venue, was moored‍ at the dock.‌⁠

Masked⁠ members began boarding the ship one‍ by one.

Fernan⁠‌ sat waiting for‍ Luina.

The⁠‌ Yacht Club’s rules⁠‍‌ stated that you‍ had to enter‍ with your partner,‍ the one who⁠‍ had invited you.⁠

‘Soon,‍ this whole place⁠ will be swarming‍‍ with monsters.’

As‌‌ he felt the⁠‌⁠ sea breeze and‌ reflected on the‌‌ future, Luina approached.⁠

“Didn’t‍⁠‌ you say you‌⁠⁠ went dress shopping‍‍ with Bella Hoenne?”‌⁠⁠

“Yes,‍‌ I went.”

“Then‍ why are you‍ wearing the knight‍ order’s uniform?”

It‍‌⁠ wasn’t a huge‍ issue—knights sometimes attended⁠‌ parties in official⁠ uniform—but this time‍‍ she was here‍ not as Knight‌ Luina, but Student⁠ Luina.

While‌ all the other‍‌ women wore dresses,‍ her uniform would‌‌ certainly draw attention.

“…Those⁠⁠ frilly clothes just‌‌⁠ aren’t for me…⁠⁠⁠ Besides, what if‌ we end up‌‍ fighting? I wouldn’t⁠ be ready for‌ anything in a dress…”

Luina⁠ murmured her excuse,⁠‍ nervous. Though, in⁠ truth, she wasn’t entirely wrong. Fighting‍⁠ in a dress‌ would be difficult.⁠

“…Nah,⁠‍‍ it’s fine. Not⁠ a serious breach‌‌ of etiquette. Everyone⁠ knows who you are, dress or‌‌ not.”

Even‌ though the theme‌ of the party‍ was a masquerade‍ ball, those masks didn’t hide much.‍ After spending so‍‍ much time together‍‌ at the Academy,‍ recognizing each other⁠⁠ was inevitable.

“So,‍⁠ what exactly do I need to do?”

“Have‌ fun.”

“Huh?”‌⁠

“Just enjoy the ball.‌⁠ The Yacht Club⁠ is primarily a social space. Until‍ I give the⁠‌ signal, just act‍⁠ normal.”

“…Understood.”⁠

“Have‌ you ever been‌‍ to a ball?”

Luina‌ hesitated before shaking‍⁠ her head.

“My‍ family’s situation wasn’t⁠‍ great, so I didn’t have time‌‍ for parties.”

“My mistake… I’m sorry.”

Though‍⁠ it’s said a noble family can‌⁠‌ last three years‍ after ruin, Fernan⁠ never imagined Luina,‍ descendant of a marquis, had never‌‍ attended a single‌ party.

“It’s‌ fine. It’s not‍‌ like I had‍‌‌ no opportunities—I just‌‌ chose not to‍⁠⁠ go.”

“I⁠‍ figured as much.”⁠‌

Yes,⁠‍‌ it couldn’t be‌ that she never‌ had the chance.‍

Fernan,‍‌‍ convinced, adjusted his⁠ clothes and glanced‌ around. That’s when‌⁠ he spotted other⁠ guests.

“I’m⁠⁠⁠ a bit nervous…‍‍ it’s my first‍ party.”

“Don’t⁠‌ worry, people are‍‍‌ the same everywhere.”‌⁠

Under⁠ their masks, two‌‌ brown-eyed men stood out. One had‍‌ neatly styled bluish-black hair; the other,⁠‍ gleaming blond. Fernan‍‌ recognized them instantly.‌‍

‘Valoshi‍⁠ Bienderk and Aint⁠‍‍ Armian.’

Even masked, each person⁠ had their own‍ presence, their own⁠‍ voice.

“They’re already here?”

A third masked figure⁠ joined them.

‘Alkan⁠‍⁠ Chayson?’

A slim man with‍⁠‌ gray hair and‍ blue eyes. Second-in-command‍ of the third-year⁠⁠⁠ Knight Department and‌⁠⁠ one of Ludger’s⁠⁠ closest.

“Pleasure‌ to meet you.‌ I’m Aint Armian.”‍‍

“I‌ know. Is there‌ anyone at the‍ Academy who doesn’t?‌ Delighted, I’m Alkan‌ Chayson.”

One⁠ of those charming‍⁠ types who were‌ usually quite popular.

‘Was he the one⁠‌ who gave him⁠ the invitation? Then,‍ Ludger?’

Aint‌‌⁠ had been at⁠‌ the Yacht Club‌‍‌ when he was‌ attacked by cultists.

Since⁠ those men had⁠ already infiltrated as‍⁠ yacht staff, everything⁠ was clearly premeditated.‌‌‌

That⁠‍ meant the problem‌ began with the‍⁠ invitation.

“Let’s go in.”

“Yes.”⁠

“Understood,‍ senior.”

That’s why, when Valoshi‍⁠ suggested he join, Fernan had already‍ suspected something.

Valoshi⁠ Bienderk was a clear ally of‌⁠ Aint—there’s no way‍‌ he’d work with‌ cultists to trap‍‍ him.

If‍‍ the issue was‍ just who handed‍ him the invitation,⁠⁠ that made sense—but if Ludger was‌ behind it, that‌ was harder to‍ believe.

‘Ludger‍ isn’t dumb enough‍‍‌ to side with‌‌‌ the corrupt, is‌‍ he?’

Even‍ if demons had‍ disappeared, the Empire was still founded‌‌ on their eradication.‌

Demons‌‍ remained the mortal‍⁠⁠ enemy, and for⁠ the prince to⁠ get involved with⁠‌ the corrupt was⁠ madness.

‘Still⁠⁠ too early to⁠ judge.’

Maybe⁠‍ Alkan Chayson had⁠ his own plans,⁠ maybe Ludger didn’t‌ even know those‌ men were corrupt,‍ or maybe it‌⁠ was just coincidence.‍⁠

‘Or⁠ Ludger plans something⁠‍ solely against Aint.’‌‍

Or perhaps some cultist‍⁠ in the shadows‍⁠ was nudging Ludger‌⁠ into making those‌⁠ decisions.

Fernan⁠⁠‍ considered every possibility.⁠ Whatever the truth,‌⁠ now was not⁠ the time to‍ make a call.

“Why‌‍ are you staring‌ so much…? Ah,‍⁠ Senior Alkan, right?”⁠‍

Luina⁠ noticed his gaze.‌

“And‍⁠‌ the other two‍ are Aint Armian‍ and Valoshi Bienderk?⁠ Looks like Alkan sent them the‌ invitation.”

“You‍⁠⁠ recognize them quickly.”‍‍‌

“I’ve‍⁠ been observing. And‍‌ even if I weren’t, who wouldn’t⁠⁠‌ recognize those two⁠ even with a mask?”

And‍ she was right.⁠

Since‌‍ the entrance ceremony,‍⁠ both Valoshi and⁠ Aint had been⁠ surrounded by rumors.⁠

Seeing⁠⁠ them board with‍ the invitation, Fernan‌ offered his hand‌⁠ to Luina.

“Let’s⁠‍‌ go. Should I call you ‘my‌⁠ lady’ now?”

Luina looked at him‍ seriously.

“How‍ cheesy. Is it⁠‌ necessary to hold‍ my hand?”

“Aren’t‍ we partners for‍ this?”

It⁠‍‌ wasn’t mandatory to‌ link arms as⁠ partners. Sometimes they⁠‌ did, but that‌‌‌ wasn’t the case now.

Fernan‍⁠ mainly did it‍‍ to make their‍‍ relationship clear to‌ others. Regardless, she⁠ and Aint were⁠⁠ the two people‍ he needed to‌⁠ build a strong⁠ relationship with.

‘I’ve⁠‌ invested a lot⁠ in this and⁠ built some trust.’⁠‌‍

Now‍⁠ it was important‌‍ to show that⁠⁠ no one else⁠ should try getting too close.

“…Alright.”‌‌

After⁠ a moment’s hesitation,⁠ Luina took his‌ hand. Together, they⁠ headed for the‌‍‌ ship.

“Welcome,⁠‌ Young Master.”

A staff member of‍‌ the Golden Turtle‌‍ Guild, in charge‍‍ of the yacht,‌‍ bowed.

“Is‍ everyone here?”

“Yes.⁠‍ The two new‌ members just boarded.”⁠

“Ludger‍‍ arrived sooner than expected.”

He‍ usually arrived late⁠‌ just to enjoy the spotlight, so‍‍‌ this was unusual.

Fernan‌ and Luina boarded‍‍ the ship.

Inside,⁠‍ soft music played⁠‌ by a small‍ orchestra filled the⁠ space. Chefs stood‍ ready to serve‌ fresh food, and⁠ masked attendants ensured‍ guests lacked nothing.

Conversations‍‍ faded as the⁠ new guests entered.⁠⁠ The attention centered‌⁠ on Fernan and‌ Luina—or at least,‍⁠‍ it should have.⁠

But‌⁠⁠ the music had‍‌‌ stopped. The dishes stopped coming, and⁠‍⁠ the staff stood⁠⁠ aside, motionless.

“This‌‍ is…”

“What⁠‍ an interesting scene.”⁠

The⁠ students no longer⁠ looked at Fernan‍‍‍ and Luina. All⁠ attention was fixed‌ elsewhere.

There,‌ just as Fernan‌‍ had imagined, stood⁠ Aint and Ludger.⁠

Armian‌‌ and Schwaben.

Ludger,⁠‌ with a calm⁠‍‌ smile, observed his‌‍ rival.

Aint, on the other hand, was tense,‍‍⁠ his eyes trembling‍‌ ever so slightly.⁠‍

The‌ current and former‍ imperial bloodlines faced‍ off at last.⁠‍

“There’s⁠‍‍ no competing with⁠ that.”

Not‌ even entering with‍‍ Luina, nor being‌‌ the host, could‌‌ top that clash⁠ between the current‌ and former royal‍ bloodlines.

***‌‌‍

“I⁠⁠ won’t be able⁠ to take you into the banquet‌ hall, Gardner.”

As the agreed hour‌ approached, Aint, checking‍ his attire, unbuckled⁠ the sword from⁠ his waist and‍⁠ laid it on‌‍ the bed.

But‌‌ he had no‍‌‌ choice but to‍‍ pick it back⁠ up immediately.

— Don’t worry.

— Remember I told‍ you this sword‍‌⁠ contains mithril? Mithril not only accepts⁠ a soul—it’s also‌ a metal with‌ a wide range⁠ of uses.

For‌‌‌ example, this.

— It can shrink‍‌ in size.

The⁠‍‍ sword, which had⁠‍‍ previously been a bastard sword, suddenly‌ turned into a small dagger.

In‍‍ fact, it was‍ so tiny that‌⁠ calling it a “dagger” almost felt‍ unfair.

“Is this even possible?”‌‍⁠

Fascinated,⁠ Aint kept running‍⁠ his fingers over⁠⁠ the miniature weapon.

— Get a cord⁠‍ and wear it⁠‍⁠ around your neck.‌‌ If you use‌ it as a necklace, no one‌ will suspect a thing.

“That’s‌‌ exactly what would‌ make it suspicious.”‌⁠⁠

— Exactly. Either way,⁠‍ you might be‍ about to face‍⁠⁠ the bastard who‌ betrayed the Armian⁠‌ family, so I can’t stay behind.‌‍

— I have to‌ see it with‌ my own eyes.‍

“Betrayer?”‌

— He was granted⁠‌ the title of‍ elector prince, and⁠‍⁠ yet he betrayed‍‌ that honor by⁠‍⁠ coveting the throne. How is that⁠‍‌ not a traitor?‍

“…Mmm.”‌‌

Aint‌‌ scratched his cheek⁠ without saying a word. It was the First Emperor⁠ who had established‌‌ the law that‌‌⁠ the throne would‌⁠ not be inherited,⁠ but chosen by‌ the electors.

Aint⁠ chose not to⁠‍ bring that up.⁠

Because,‍ regardless of the reasoning or origins,‍‍‍ it was true‍‌‍ that the Schwaben‌ family had taken‌ the throne and‍‍ paved the way‍⁠⁠ for the fall‍⁠ of the Armians.‍

So⁠ from his point⁠‍ of view, he‍⁠ didn’t look on‌ them kindly either.‍‌

“Anyway…‌ what could be the real reason⁠ I was invited?⁠⁠⁠ They say the⁠‍‌ one who gave‍⁠⁠ me the invitation‍ is close to‍‌ Ludger Schwaben.”

— And what’s strange⁠ about that? It’s‌⁠‌ probably one of‌‌ these four options.‍⁠‍

“Four?”⁠⁠

— First, Ludger Schwaben‍‍⁠ has his own‌ agenda.

Second‌⁠ prince of the‌‍ Empire, someone who‍⁠ clearly bears a grudge against Aint.⁠‍

As‌ a core member⁠ of the Yacht‍‍‍ Club, it was⁠‍ highly likely he⁠ was behind it all.

— Second option, Fernan‌⁠ Pellenberg has his own plans.

The⁠‌ merchant who gave⁠‌ you the “Heart⁠ of the Saint‌‍ bird” without hesitation,‍‍⁠ and who recently‌⁠ made a deal⁠‍ involving adamantite.

He was also part⁠⁠⁠ of the Yacht‌⁠‌ Club. In fact,⁠⁠‍ it was said‍ that his influence‍‍ transformed a simple social club into‍ the current Yacht‌ Club.

— Third, Valoshi Bienderk‌⁠ has his own⁠‍ plans.

The‍ heir of a great family who⁠ showed inexplicable kindness‍ from the beginning.‍ Neither Aint nor‍‌ Gardner could grasp‍‍ his true intentions.‌‌

“And‍‍‍ the last one?‌‍ Is there anyone‍ else who has⁠‍ the authority to‌⁠ send invitations?”

— That Valoshi Bienderk is just insane.‍‌

The‍ last option was‌ half a joke.‌‍‌

Valoshi⁠‌ didn’t seem crazy,⁠‌ at least not‌‌ based on what⁠ they’d seen so‍ far. Still, it‌⁠ was clear he⁠ was hiding something.‍

And‌ then, the conclusion⁠ appeared before him.‍

“At‌‍ the Academy, we‌‍ follow Academy rules.‍‌ Here, we are all equals.”

— So it was‌ the first one.‌

“But‌⁠‌ that only applies‌‍‌ to students in the same year.‍‌⁠ Aint Armian, as⁠ your senior, I expect at least⁠ a minimum of‌⁠ courtesy, respect, and‌ formality from a junior.”

He‌⁠ had arrived sooner⁠ than expected.