A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 36

Chapter 36

A sword so radiant it illuminates the‍ entire world.

That’s⁠ how the ancient texts described the⁠ swordsmanship of the‌ First Emperor.

When‌ Fernan first read‍ that phrase, he‌‌ thought it was‍ just a metaphor.‍⁠‌ Something like humanity’s‍ hope dispelling the⁠ darkness and despair‌ represented by the demons.

But it wasn’t that.‌

Today, Fernan understood that‌‍ the sword truly‌⁠‍ shone with a blinding intensity.

“…A⁠⁠‍ swordsmanship that purifies⁠‍ even the soul.”‍‌

The⁠ aura gleamed with⁠ light. And it⁠ wasn’t just a visual effect. The giant monsters influenced‌‌ by demons shrank‍ slightly before the‌‍ immense light-attribute power‍ it contained.

A display that clearly⁠⁠ showed why the⁠‌‍ Armian were considered⁠‍‍ the natural enemies‍ of demons.

Fernan‍‌ recalled one of‌‍ the most intense‍ futures he had‍‌ seen the first‌‌ time he received‍‌ the surge.

When‌‍‍ the demons descended⁠ and their legions‍‌ began invading southward,‍ the sky turned⁠‍ black with demonic‍ mana.

“Under‌ a gray sky…⁠ that person wielded‌ that to cut down demons…”

It‍‌ was enough to⁠⁠‌ inspire respect and⁠‍ faith, even if‌‌ one hadn’t had⁠ them before.

That’s‌⁠ why Fernan was‌⁠ sure.

“Demons⁠ must definitely be‌ eliminated by him.”⁠

Aint⁠‌ Armian was the⁠ best card to face the demons.‍

⸻

The⁠‍‌ battle didn’t last‍‌‌ long.

Fighting⁠⁠‍ on land, with‌⁠ a power that‌ was their natural⁠ antithesis, the Sea‌‌ Serpents couldn’t wield the same power‍⁠ as before.

They‍ were still colossal‍ beasts, impossible to‌ face for most‍‌ humans, but the‌‌ problem was their opponent.

Over⁠⁠ their wounded bodies,‍ a massive boulder‍ fell from a golden magic circle‍ drawn in the⁠ air.

Boom!‍

“Haa…‍‍ haa…!”

The‌‌ ground trembled with‍ the monsters’ collapse.⁠‍ Exhausted, Aint collapsed on top of⁠⁠ them.

“…Impressive.”‌‌⁠

— It was a legacy from the‌⁠ previous emperor. It⁠ couldn’t be something trivial.

There‍ wasn’t an astronomical‍ increase in mana‌ or aura, nor‌ an overflowing energy.‍

But⁠⁠ Aint’s aura attribute‌‍ had intensified. His⁠ perception and control⁠ of the flow‍ were much more‍ fluid.

That‌‌ alone already created‌‍ a huge difference.⁠‌

— By the way,‌ those two turned‌‌ out to be‌‍‍ quite useful.

— Especially Luina Bercheff. Maybe Bella could‍⁠ be on par‌ with you, but‍‍ against Luina you’d⁠‍‍ lose a hundred out of a hundred.

Even‍‍⁠ though Aint had‌ defeated the second‍‌ place of the⁠⁠ first year, the difference between first⁠ and second year‌ remained clear.

In‍‌⁠ fact, even without⁠ that difference, Luina⁠ Bercheff was simply‌ strong.

— If she continues‌‍ like this, she⁠‍‍ might become a Royal Knight.

“We‍⁠ survived…! I can’t‌ believe we won!‌ Are you okay?”

Bella,‍ who had worked‍ hard to support⁠‌ Aint and Luina,‍‍ sighed in relief.⁠‍

“Yes,‍ thanks to you…‌ Thank you so⁠ much, senior.”

“I⁠⁠ thank you too.‌⁠ No wonder they talk so much⁠‍ about the Armian…⁠⁠ Does your swordsmanship‌ have a natural‍‍‌ affinity against monsters?”⁠

“Aint‍‌ Armian.”

Another‍‍ voice made Aint⁠ turn his head.

“So⁠‍ it’s true you‌ defeated the second‍‍‌ place of the‌⁠ first year. Good‌ job.”

“Thank‌‌ you, senior! You⁠⁠ were amazing too.”

“…Hmm.”‍

When⁠⁠ Aint responded with‍⁠ a slightly more‍⁠ animated tone to‍ Luina’s words, Bella⁠‍ tilted her head,‍‌⁠ puzzled.

“Good‌ job.”

At⁠ that moment, Fernan‍ approached after finishing‌ off the two‌ monsters.

“Aint‍‍ Armian. Thanks to⁠⁠⁠ you, everything was‌ easier. Is that‌⁠‌ the skill of Armian swordsmanship?”

“Yes.”⁠

“I’d‍‌‍ read about it in texts, but‌ seeing it in‍‌ person is truly⁠‌ impressive. It almost‌ seemed sacred.”

“Thank you.”

“By⁠ the way, do‍ you need those‍ corpses?”

“Huh?”‌‌

Aint,⁠ confused, soon understood⁠‍ the intention behind‌⁠ the question.

“Ah,‌‍‍ not particularly…”

“I‍‌ see. You’re not‍ that greedy.”

Fernan‍ had finished off the monsters intending‌ to claim all the credit.

“Huh?”‍‍⁠

“It’s‍ nothing.”

Without‌ waiting for an‍ answer, he headed‌‌ toward the lifeless‍ corpses.

“…Seriously‌⁠ going to take‌ them? What about‌‌‌ my opinion? I helped too, don’t‍ I have the‌ right to claim‍ something?”

“You⁠ owe me a favor.”

“…Fine,⁠⁠ I accept.”

Bella‌⁠ yielded without protest.‌‌‍ After all, she‌ owed her life‌ to him after‍ being saved from demonic corruption.

“But‌ what about Luina?‍⁠‍ She doesn’t owe⁠‌‌ you anything and‍ directly killed one.”‍

“Luina‌ does owe me‍⁠ a favor.”

“…That’s true.”

“And I don’t need‍ them.”

When‍ debts were mentioned,⁠‍ Bella fell silent⁠⁠‍ upon seeing that‌ Luina didn’t seem to care.

“…Alright,⁠ Aint Armian. I’ll‌ be direct. Are‌‌‌ you willing to⁠⁠‍ collaborate with me?”⁠

“…Excuse‌ me?”

Aint⁠ was surprised by⁠‍ the abrupt change‌‌ of topic.

“It’s‌‌ simple. I was‍⁠ investigating traces of‍‌ intruders in the company. I suspected‍‌ corruption, but wasn’t‌‍ sure. Today, seeing⁠ you, I’m convinced.”‍

“Convinced⁠‌ of what?”

“That⁠ we’re dealing with‍ corruption. And if‌‌ that’s the case,‍⁠ cooperating with you‌ is best.”

Aint‌⁠‌ didn’t ask why.‌⁠

It⁠⁠ was obvious. Against‌ demons, there was⁠ no more effective‍ card than an‍ Armian. Even more‌ so after today’s‍⁠⁠ battle.

“Not‍ everyone infiltrating the⁠ company will be‌ corrupted. But behind⁠‌ them, there will‍⁠ be, and beyond them, the demons.”‌‍

It‍⁠ made no sense‍‍ for there to‌‌ be corruption without⁠‌ demons involved.

In‌‌‌ the great war‌ a thousand years‍⁠ ago, the corrupted⁠‍ always obeyed the‌ demons.

“If⁠‌ they’ve appeared, the‍⁠ demons will show⁠‌‍ up sooner or‌⁠ later. At least,⁠‍ that’s what I believe.”

It⁠ was a sound‍⁠‌ deduction.

In‌ fact, Gardner had‌ already warned Aint⁠‌ about the demons’‍⁠ movements. That made‌⁠ it feel even⁠⁠ more real.

‘It… kind of excites me.’

He‌ had believed he‌⁠ was alone in‍‌‌ this fight. But‌ now he knew‍ someone else was‍‌‌ prepared and on guard.

Though he also had⁠ doubts.

— Did this guy‌⁠ eat something weird?‌

“Why‌⁠ are you telling‍ me all this?”⁠⁠

The⁠‌ tone was so‍‌ sincere it didn’t‍ resemble the usual⁠ Fernan Pellenberg at all.

“Does‍⁠ that seem strange‍‍‌ to you?”

“Very.”⁠‌

The⁠⁠ Pellenberg usually hid‌ lies within truths or told half-truths⁠ for gain.

But⁠‌ this conversation had none of that.‍

“I⁠ won’t deny it.‌ But this time it’s not a normal situation. And⁠ neither are you,⁠‌ Aint Armian.”

“…What are you saying?”‍⁠

— What’s this lunatic⁠‌‌ babbling about?

“I‌ can give you⁠ the support you‍ need. And you‍‍‌ have the strength⁠ I need.”

It⁠ seems like a win-win agreement.

“Isn’t⁠ it obvious we‌ should join forces‍‍‍ if the enemy is demons?”

“…”‍

— He didn’t say‍ anything wrong. Which‌‍‍ is exactly why‍‌ it feels more‌‌ suspicious.

— Never trust everything‍ a rich guy‌ says.

Doubts‍ grew.

Even⁠ if they were⁠‍‌ demons, why was⁠‍‌ the ambitious Fernan⁠ being so kind⁠⁠‌ only to him?‌‍

That‍ same Fernan, who‍⁠ sold even to‍⁠ demons.

— But thinking it‌ through, it doesn’t‌⁠‌ sound too bad.⁠‍

— After all, he‍‍‍ served under the‍ previous Emperor. And he already gave‍ you the Saint‍ bird’s heart as‍‌ a sponsorship.

— And if he were allied with⁠‌‍ the demons, he‌ wouldn’t have given‌‌ you something like‌⁠‌ that.

‘What‍⁠ if he just‍ wanted to get‍⁠ close to me?’

— Get close by‌⁠ giving you that? The best elixir‌⁠‌ compatible with your‍⁠ swordsmanship?

A medicine that contained‍‌ pure light, perfect‌‌‌ for Armian swordsmanship.‌⁠ Would a demon‌‌ do that just⁠ to gain your trust?

‘So⁠⁠ what do I do?’

— Accept it for‍⁠ now and observe.⁠ It’s the best‍ move.

— Too many things are still unclear, but confronting him‌ now doesn’t help⁠‍ you. Collaborating might‍⁠⁠ yield something useful.⁠⁠

“…Yes.⁠ If there are‍ more people prepared‌ against the demons,‌ all the better‍ for me.”

In⁠‍ the end, Aint‍‌ could only nod.‍‌⁠

***‌

“Are⁠‍ you saying there‍⁠ are corrupted individuals⁠ in the city?‌‌ That’s not just‌‍‍ anything, you know?”⁠‍

“That’s⁠ right. We’ll collaborate‌ with the Cult‌ of the Dragon‍ God…”

Aint‌⁠⁠ and Gardner, who⁠‌ had decided to⁠ work together, realized‍⁠ the situation was⁠ more serious than⁠‌⁠ they had thought.‌

— Were the corrupted‍‌ infecting with demonic‍‍ energy inside the‍ academy?

— How? I didn’t‌‍ detect any trace‍‍⁠ of demonic energy…!‍

Aint‌ was the same.‌⁠ Even after becoming⁠‌ more sensitive to‌‌ demonic energy thanks‍ to the Armian‍ aura method, he‌‌ hadn’t sensed any‌⁠⁠ anomaly.

— We’ll have to⁠‌ confirm it.

Following Gardner’s instructions, Aint‍⁠‌ moved discreetly and⁠ brought the sword‍‌⁠ into contact with‍ the three individuals.⁠‍‍

A subtle energy quickly‍ examined their bodies⁠‌ and returned to‍⁠ Gardner.

— It’s true. I can’t say about⁠‍‍ the other two,‌⁠ but in the⁠ body of that⁠‍ human called Bella,⁠‍ there are traces⁠‌ of demonic energy.‍

— Her Mana Heart⁠⁠ is a little‌⁠ damaged. Fortunately, it’ll recover soon, but‌‍ those are typical⁠‌ marks of someone‍ infected by demonic‌‌ energy.

— What a crude method. They burned‍ everything—demonic energy, mana,‍ even the Mana Heart?

— Even the Mana‌ Heart is damaged.⁠ Tch, what kind of idiots use⁠ that kind of⁠ method?

If‍⁠‍ Bella had heard⁠‌ that, she probably‌‌ would’ve yanked out⁠ all of Jace’s‌ hair, shouting, “I‌ told you!”

‘Does‍‍ this mean the⁠ demons had already⁠ descended and extended‌ their claws earlier?‌ Or is it⁠ just the corrupted?’⁠

— We’ll have to‍‌ investigate, but I doubt the demons⁠ have descended yet. Their arrival is‌⁠ always preceded by‌‌ signs.

While‍ conversing with Gardner,‍ Aint tried to⁠‍⁠ deduce Fernan’s intentions‌‌ and the state‌‌⁠ of the demons.‌

That‌‌ process made him‌‌ slow his pace,⁠⁠⁠ naturally drifting a bit away from‍‍ the group.

Fernan,‌ for his part,⁠⁠⁠ didn’t lose focus.⁠‍‍

‘That suspicious look. He’s⁠ probably talking with‍‌ Gardner.’

He‌‍‍ had anticipated a certain level of‍‍ distrust. After all,‌ the idea of‌‍‌ someone trusting another‌‌ completely was unrealistic.‍⁠

The⁠ human heart wasn’t‌ absolute, and that’s⁠ why trust was‌ like a reed,‍ easy to bend.‌

Even‌‌‌ the strongest trust‍‍ could be broken‍‌ by a trivial⁠⁠ detail.

‘Trust…‌‍ that lukewarm thing‍ isn’t worth relying⁠ on.’

That’s‌‌ why people built⁠‍ something more concrete—credit,‌ based on contracts⁠ and wealth. Something‌‍ far more reliable.‌‌‍

All‍ Fernan needed was‌‍ to show Aint⁠ the truth—that he‌ was the best‌ ally to defeat⁠‌ the demons.

“What‍ do you plan‍ to do with⁠‌ that corrupted one?”‍‌

Luina‍⁠ pointed to the⁠⁠ pile of sand floating constantly beside‍‍ Fernan. Inside, an⁠ unconscious corrupted person lay.

“Interrogate⁠‌ him separately.”

“Glad⁠ everything worked out.‌⁠ Now I get‍‌ it.”

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

Luina‌ glanced sideways at‌⁠‌ Aint, who trailed‌⁠ slightly behind, and‌⁠ explained.

“When we first encountered⁠‌ Verian corrupted, I was surprised by‍ how calm you‌‌ were. Now I understand why. You‌ already knew about⁠ their existence and‌⁠‍ were pursuing them,‌ right? Did you⁠‌ also discover it⁠ that way?”

“…?”

Had‍⁠ Luina also fallen‌ for the lie‍ Fernan fed Aint?‌⁠

He‌ didn’t mind. So he didn’t deny⁠‍ it.

“Let’s say yes.”

“I‍‌ knew it.”

“In‍ any case, it’s⁠‍ a relief that‍⁠‌ everything turned out⁠⁠ fine this time. Though I didn’t‍‍ expect it to get this complicated.”⁠‌

“You‍ think this turned‌ out fine?”

“Didn’t‌‍ it?”

Luina⁠‍ tilted her head.‌‍

“Rather,‌‍ it seems like⁠‌⁠ everything went exactly⁠ as you planned.⁠‍ It’s not that⁠ it went well⁠ or badly. It‌‌ just went how‌‍‌ you intended.”

At‍‍ that innocent compliment,‌‍ Fernan looked a bit flustered, though‌‌ he quickly regained⁠ his composure.

“No⁠ matter how much‍ you flatter me,⁠‍ I’m not giving you anything.”

“I’m⁠⁠ just stating the‌‌ truth. Oh, and⁠ the ship was⁠‍ completely destroyed. Isn’t‍ that a problem?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

After‍ all, if the‍‌‌ academy opened a “Naval Combat” subject,‌⁠ he’d make much‌‍ more money. A ship was just an investment.

“The⁠‍ same goes for⁠ the student issue.”‍‍

“Right,⁠‌‍ it’s not something‌ Pellenberg can be blamed for.”

“You’re‌⁠⁠ right.”

Bella’s⁠⁠ sudden interjection made⁠⁠ Luina nod.

The‌‍ massive appearance of‍‌‍ sea monsters since the academy’s founding‌ was unprecedented.

Of‍⁠ course, if someone‍‌⁠ wanted to use it as an‍ excuse to demand⁠⁠ compensation, they could‍‌ try. But who⁠ would dare go‍ against the Pellenberg⁠ family?

Moreover,‍‌⁠ there were no‍ conflicts with the⁠ other elector-prince houses⁠ either.

“Then‌ how are we‌ getting back? Don’t‍‍ tell me we’re⁠ using another Breath‍ Scroll and walking‍ back to the‍ academy…”

“Shut‍ up, Bella. Who‍⁠ would do something‌‌ so dumb and⁠‌ inefficient?”

“…Well,‍‍ good thing, but‌ the way you‌ say it is kinda offensive.”

“Did⁠‌ you record everything‌ properly with the‌ orb?”

“I missed the beginning,‌ but I got‍‍ the scene where‌ the corrupted used‍‌‌ demonic energy.”

Bella⁠ handed over the‍‍⁠ orb with the⁠ recording of the‍⁠ battle.

“That’s⁠⁠ enough.”

“Are‍‍ you going to report it to‍ the academy?”

“Leave‌ it to me.‍ Don’t worry.”

Since⁠ he didn’t yet⁠⁠ know how far⁠⁠ the corruption had‌ spread in the‌‌‍ academy, he had‌⁠ no intention of⁠‍ disclosing that information immediately.

“What?⁠‌‌ After everything I did to help‌‍‌ you!”

“Thank you, Bella. Thanks‌ to you, we⁠‌‍ have evidence.”

“…I’m only putting up with this because‍⁠ of Luina.”

“Get‌ your things ready⁠ for the return.”⁠

Fernan‌⁠‌ pulled out a signal flare and‌⁠‌ lit it.

The‍⁠ red smoke rose⁠ high into the‍‌ sky, and it‍ wasn’t long before the Pellenberg ship⁠⁠ arrived at the‍ island.