A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 39

Chapter 39

“…He‌ filled the entire‌ dueling field with‍ magic.”

“It⁠‍‌ doesn’t look like‌ he used a complex spell. He⁠ just crushed it⁠‌ with pure mana‌⁠⁠ volume.”

“Crude,‌ but effective.”

“How⁠ much mana does that guy have?”‌

“It’s‌‌ obvious that’s not something just anyone can do.”

“Why‌‌‌ was he hiding⁠⁠ that ability all⁠⁠ this time?”

Once‍⁠‌ could be a coincidence. But when‍ something happens two‍ or three times‌ in a row, it stops being⁠‌⁠ chance and becomes⁠‍ certainty.

Even‍‌ though the students‍ were surprised to‍ see how Fernan‍‍ ended the dummy‌‍ training in a single blow, they no longer showed⁠ the same astonishment‍⁠‍ as before.

Because‌ from the very‌‍⁠ first training, it‍ had become clear‍ that Fernan had⁠ been hiding his⁠ true strength all‍⁠ along.

Though‌ no one knew‍ why.

“…This‍ I did not‌⁠ expect.”

Professor⁠⁠ Balmon gave a light round of‌ applause.

“It’s⁠ not a tactic‍‌ that can be⁠‌‌ used outside the⁠⁠ confined duel field,‍‍‍ but we can‌‌ say he made⁠ excellent use of‍ the current environment.”⁠‌

At⁠‌ the academy, they taught you to⁠ use everything at⁠ your disposal.

And‍⁠‌ using the enclosed‍⁠ space of the⁠ duel arena was also a demonstration‌‌ of skill.

Following‍‌ Fernan and Luina,⁠ other pairs began‍‌ managing to immobilize‌ their respective dummies‌ and claimed victory.

“They‌ said it was 53 seconds?”

“Jeez,‍ that’s crazy…”

“That’s⁠ even possible?”

“Was⁠ Fernan really that‍⁠ strong?”

Ludger⁠‍ and Carlo’s reactions‌ were especially intense.‌

“How‍‌ have you lived‍ hiding that strength?⁠ Aren’t you worried⁠‍⁠ it’ll cost you‌ your second place?”‍

“Don’t‍ exaggerate.”

“Exaggerating?⁠‍ I don’t think‌⁠‍ so.”

Ludger‌ smiled at Fernan’s⁠⁠ reply.

“Looks like you’re adjusting‌‌ to your partner, but… are you⁠‍ aiming for first⁠‌ place too? Carlo,‌ if you don’t⁠ push harder, he’s‍‌ going to take⁠⁠ your spot.”

“I won’t lose that position, Your Highness.”‌‍⁠

With‌ eyes full of⁠‍⁠ fury, Carlo glared⁠‌ at Fernan.

“Just⁠ standing out a little doesn’t mean‍‌ you can reach‌⁠ the top so‌‍ easily. The academy‌‌‌ isn’t that generous.”⁠⁠

“That’s‌‍‍ true.”

Though⁠ if it were‍ that easy, it‌‍ would be disappointing‍⁠ too.

The‍ murmur he added‌‍ under his breath‌ made Carlo frown.‍‍

“In‍ any case, Almon. We also have‌‍ to give it‍⁠‌ our all. We‌⁠‌ can’t lose to‌‍ a second and‌ tenth-ranked pair when‌⁠ we’re first and‌ second.”

“Of‌ course, Your Highness.⁠ That’s what makes‍ it a ‘surprise’—because‌‍ it’s unlikely.”

Almon‍ flashed a faint‍‍ smile, showing his‌⁠ motivation. When his‍‌ eyes met Luina’s,⁠ sparks practically flew.⁠

Though⁠ with varying intensity,‍‍ even those in⁠ the top ranks‌ were showing their‌⁠‌ competitive spirit.

“That’s⁠ enough. Return to‌ your seats. Don’t‍‍ hold up the‌ class.”

The⁠‍‌ tense confrontation ended‍ with Professor Balmon’s intervention.

Thus,‌ the hundred pairs⁠‌ fought against the‌‌ dummies, but none‌ managed to beat⁠‍‍ the 53-second mark.‍⁠

***⁠⁠

“Luina.”‍

“Yes.”‌‍

“We have several dummies⁠ made by the‍ Order in the‍‌ main house. If⁠ you’d like, I can bring one‍‍ for your training.”‍⁠

“Really?”⁠‍

Seeing‌ Luina’s joyful expression,‌⁠‌ Fernan finally relaxed.‍

“Ah,‌⁠ no, that would be too much.”‌

“Don’t⁠ worry, it’s no‍ trouble at all.”⁠‍

Still,‌ Luina shook her⁠ head again, but⁠ Fernan had already⁠ decided to bring it.

He⁠ would just drop it off and⁠⁠ say that since‌ it was already⁠ there, it’d be⁠⁠⁠ a waste not‌‍ to use it.‌

‘I⁠ underestimated a knight’s‌‌ pride.’

Fernan‍ scolded himself and‍⁠ promised not to‍‍ make that mistake‌ again.

“But‍ are you really‍‌ revealing your abilities‍‌ because of me?”‍

At‌⁠ that moment, Luina‌ threw a different⁠‍ kind of question.‌‍ Maybe she had‍ been thinking about‌ it since her⁠⁠ talk with Rudger.‌⁠⁠

“What⁠‍ if I say‌ no?”

“It’s not because of⁠⁠⁠ me?”

“No,⁠‌‍ it is.”

He⁠‍‍ had no intention‍‌ of standing out in the classes‌ he took on‌⁠ his own, but‍‌ at least in⁠⁠ those he shared‌ with Luina, he‌ made a point⁠ to try.

“We’re‌⁠ partners. Your goal⁠⁠ is to be‌⁠ the best, and‌‌ since you’re accommodating⁠ my whims, it’s‌⁠‌ only fair I do my part‍⁠ too.”

The‌⁠ real reason, of⁠ course, was to‍‌ avoid the worst‍ possible future.

If the one who‌‌‌ caused disaster was‍⁠⁠ a nobody, the most efficient response⁠⁠ would be to‌ eliminate them. But‍ if the cause‌‍⁠ was a future‌⁠ Royal Knight… well.‌

If⁠‌‌ necessary, he’d build‍‌ her a golden⁠‍‌ house.

‘Though it’d be fake gold, of course.’‍

He⁠‌ wouldn’t destroy it⁠‍ just to prove it.

“…”‌⁠⁠

Suddenly,‍⁠ Luina seemed speechless.‌

“…Your‍ face looks a little red, don’t‌ you think?”

“It’s‍‍ your imagination. Good‍‌ work today. See‌ you in the‌ next joint class.”‍

Luina‌‍ walked away briskly.‌ Hmm, maybe it‍ came off as‍⁠ a pickup line.⁠‍‌

That‍‍ wasn’t the intention,⁠ but thinking about it, it could‍ be taken that‌ way.

‘If⁠‌‍ it’s a misunderstanding,⁠⁠ I’ll clear it⁠ up later.’

It‌ wasn’t something worth‍ worrying too much‌⁠ about.

“Hmm,‍‌ I didn’t come⁠‌ at a bad‌‌‍ time, did I?”⁠

“Stop‍⁠ talking nonsense and‍ let’s go eat,‍ Gert.”

“This⁠‍‍ is the first time I’ve seen⁠ Luina react like that. Is that⁠‌ why you ditched‌⁠‍ me and partnered‌‍‌ with her?”

“You⁠⁠ never shut up,‌⁠ do you?”

The⁠⁠‍ one leaning against⁠⁠ the wall, clapping,⁠‌ was Gert Valor.‍ Sixth in the‍‌‍ Department of Knights,‌‌‍ and Fernan’s original⁠ intended partner.

But‌⁠ ever since Fernan‌‌‍ got the prophecy‍⁠ book and partnered‍‌ with Luina, that‍⁠⁠ no longer mattered.‌‌

“That’s‌ my charm, don’t‌ you think?”

“A‌⁠ commoner like you⁠ sure doesn’t hold‌ back, huh?”

“Weren’t‍ you the one‍‌ who said skill‌ is all that‍‌ matters?”

“That’s⁠‍ why I still‌ keep you around.”⁠

“And⁠ I’m still here‌⁠‌ because it pays⁠ well, young master.”‍‌‌

“Isn’t⁠ it for the money?”

“The⁠ benefits I get‍‍ are quite sweet,‌ yes.”

Gert⁠‌‌ didn’t hide his‍⁠⁠ ambitions.

That⁠ was one reason‍⁠ Fernan trusted him⁠‍ to some extent.

No‌ one in this world hates money.⁠‍ And if they⁠ say so, they’re‍ either crazy… or‌⁠‍ hiding something worse.‌

At‌ least, those who‍ show their ambitions⁠ openly are less‍⁠ likely to betray‍ you if you‌‌‍ keep them satisfied.⁠⁠‍

Fernan‍ took Gert to‌ a luxury restaurant‍ owned by the‌ Golden Turtle Guild.‍⁠

As‌‌ they crossed the⁠ crowd and reached‌⁠ a private room,‌⁠‍ a woman who‍‍ had been sitting⁠ alone at a table stood up.

“Senior,⁠‍ I’ve been waiting‍⁠ for you.”

“For‍ me?”

“Yes.⁠⁠ Please, have a seat here.”

Fernan‍ frowned at her‍‌ casual demeanor as‌ she pointed to‍⁠ the seat across‌⁠‍ from her.

“Did⁠⁠ we arrange to⁠‍ meet?”

“No,⁠ I just thought⁠‌ you might come⁠‌ by.”

“And‍ why would you‍‍ think that?”

“You‌ like the food‍ here, don’t you?‌ It’s the place‌ you visit most‌‍ often.”

That‌ was true. The‍‍⁠ restaurant was run‌ by a chef⁠‌ brought in especially‍ from the continent,⁠‌ and Fernan liked‌ it a lot.‍‍⁠

“You‍‍ researched me?”

“No, I confirmed it‌⁠ personally.”

The⁠ young woman blinked‍‌‍ with an innocent‌ expression. Her pointed‍‍‌ ears twitched as‍ well.

How‍ curious. Are all elves like that?‍⁠

“If⁠ you have something⁠‍ to say, make⁠‍ an appointment. I’m‍ busy, Aria Fridian.”⁠

As‌⁠ Fernan walked past⁠‌ her, a phrase she murmured under‌‌ her breath made‌‌ him stop.

“How⁠⁠ odd. Didn’t you⁠ receive a letter⁠⁠‍ from the family?”‍

“…It‌ was you.”

At last, the question‍ that had been‍ bothering him all‍⁠ morning began to‌ clear up.

“That’s⁠ right. It was⁠ because of me‌ that…”

“Follow me.”

“Oh dear, I just‍ remembered something. I’ll⁠‍‌ excuse myself.”

Gert,‍⁠ understanding the situation, vanished immediately, and‌‌ Aria followed Fernan⁠⁠ to a private‌ room on the‌ restaurant’s third floor.‌‍

“Talk.”‌

“Did‍⁠ you receive the‍ letter?”

“The‌‍ Fridian Family demanded that I be‌⁠ the one responsible.⁠⁠ Was that your‌ doing?”

“That’s right. I had⁠ a hand in‍‍ it.”

Aria‍ smiled sweetly.

“There⁠‍ are others in‍ the guild more‌‌ capable than me.⁠⁠ If you chose‌ me and came‍‌ to speak in‍ person, there must‍⁠‍ be a good reason.”

“Big if seen as‍⁠ big, small if‌‌ seen as small.‌ But yes, there‌ is a reason.”⁠‍

She‍ nodded firmly.

Fernan‍‌ couldn’t understand it.‌‍ In every transaction,⁠‌ someone had to⁠‍ benefit.

But‍‍‌ in this case,⁠⁠ if he participated,‍ there didn’t seem‍‌ to be any‍‌‌ clear gain — at least, not‍ from what he‍⁠ could see.

“What⁠‍‍ is it?”

However,‌ if something was⁠ being hidden, that‌ changed everything.

“What‍⁠ did the letter‌ say?”

“Nothing‌‌ special. Just that⁠ there was an‍‌‌ agreement between the⁠ academy and your‌⁠ family, and that‌⁠⁠ various goods were‍⁠ being exchanged.”

Among‌⁠ those goods were‌⁠ spirit stones and‍ World Tree leaves‍‍ — extremely costly‍⁠ items that couldn’t‍‍ be obtained easily without the elves’⁠ help.

He‍‌ didn’t know what‍ the academy had‌‌⁠ offered in return,‍‍ but it must⁠ have been something‌ quite valuable.

“That’s‍‍ right. But that’s‍ just a facade.”‍

“A‌⁠ facade? You mean‌⁠‍ there’s more?”

“Exactly.”‍

Aria⁠ paused.

“Don’t‌‌ beat around the‍ bush. I’ve lived⁠‌⁠ as a merchant.⁠⁠⁠ I’ve seen everything‌⁠ — strange and‍ priceless things. You think you can‍‌ surprise me? Unless‍‍ you’re planning to‌⁠‍ transport the entire‍ World Tree…”

But‌‍ that was something⁠‍‍ impossible from the‌⁠ start. The elves⁠ would never commit⁠ such madness.

“That’s⁠ right.”

“Yeah,‌‌ that would never…‌⁠‌ what did you‍ say?”

Did‍ I hear that‌ right?

“It’s⁠ the World Tree.‍‍ More precisely, a branch of the⁠ World Tree.”

“…You’re⁠ bringing a branch‌‌‍ of the World Tree to the‌‌ academy?”

It‍⁠ was true it⁠ didn’t hold the⁠ same importance as‌‍‌ the tree itself.‍

But‌ that didn’t mean‌ its value could‌⁠ be underestimated. Even⁠ if called a “branch,” it wasn’t‌⁠ just any branch.‌‍‍

It‌ was a sprout‌‍‍ the World Tree‍ produced only once‌ every hundred years.‌⁠⁠ An extension of‍‌ the tree itself.‌⁠‌

By⁠ itself, it contained the spirit of‍‌ the forest and⁠ deep mana, and⁠ was an object that constantly influenced‌ its surroundings.

“They’re delivering something like‌ that? What the⁠ hell did the‍ academy promise in‌‍ exchange?”

“You‍ didn’t think I’d⁠⁠ tell you that,‌‌ did you? And⁠‌‍ they say you’re a great merchant,⁠‌ senior. What a letdown.”

“…I⁠ admit I let‌ myself slip.”

Fernan⁠‍ quickly regained composure.‍

A branch of the⁠⁠⁠ World Tree was,‍ without a doubt,‌ an astounding item.‌‌ He didn’t know‌‍ what the academy‌ had offered in⁠⁠ return, but that wasn’t what concerned⁠ him at the⁠‍ moment.

“I⁠‌‌ see. I understand⁠ the importance of‍⁠ all this. Is‍⁠ that why you‌‌ insisted I be⁠ responsible?”

“Yes.”

Aria‍‍ smiled after a brief pause.

“If‌‌ the heir of‍ a noble house‍‍⁠ is responsible, the⁠‌ weight of the⁠‌ duty changes entirely.”‌

It⁠ was a clear‌ sign of how‌⁠‌ important this was⁠‌‍ for the elves.⁠‍

“And,‌ while we’re at⁠‍ it, I want⁠ to use this⁠⁠ opportunity to strengthen‌ ties with the⁠ future duke. Remember‌ I told the‍‌ assistant I wanted‌ to get along‌ with all the⁠ princely houses?”

“You’re‍ coming too?”

“The‍ academy’s been very⁠ generous. I think‌ I’ll be able‌ to validate this‍‌‍ as fieldwork.”

Of⁠ course they would⁠⁠ allow it. They⁠‌ weren’t receiving just‍ anything — it⁠‌ was a branch‍‌‍ of the World‌‍‌ Tree.

“I’m‍‌⁠ not interested in‌‍ your second reason.⁠ But I understand everything you’ve said.”‍

Fernan‌ leaned back in his chair.

“Going‍⁠ in circles, we’re back where we⁠ started — you⁠‌‌ want me to⁠‌ be responsible for‌ the guild.”

He‍‌ rested against the‌ backrest with a disinterested expression.

“Then⁠ tell me, what‍⁠ are you offering⁠‌ me in return?”⁠

They‌‍‍ were the ones‌⁠‌ who bowed first.‍‍‌ That gave him‌‍ the power.

***‍‌

Early‍ in the morning, Fernan opened his‌‍ eyes.

[“Looks⁠‌‍ like they’re going‌ to replace the‌ professor of spirit‍ magic.

Maybe‌⁠ there was some‌‍‌ deal between the‍ Fridian Family and‌⁠ the Imperial Academy,⁠‍ since the family⁠ donated various items⁠‍ related to spirit⁠ magic.

The‌‌⁠ academy prepared to⁠ receive them, and‌‌⁠ Fernan Pellenberg was⁠⁠ appointed responsible to‍ transport them safely.”]⁠‌

[—They’re replacing the professor‍‌ just because they⁠ got a few spirit magic materials?‍

“Yes.”‍

— Hmm, something doesn’t add up…

“Aria⁠‌ told me not⁠‌ to say, but I’ll tell you‌ anyway.”

— What is it?⁠⁠

“Among‌⁠ those materials is⁠‍ a branch of‍‍ the World Tree.‍⁠ That’s why she’s⁠⁠ coming in person.”‌‌‍

—A‍‍‍ branch of the⁠⁠‌ World Tree! No‌ wonder the academy is in a frenzy! But why⁠‌ give up something like that? Have‌ the Fridian gone⁠ mad?]

[“It‍‌ doesn’t seem to‌⁠⁠ be growing well.‍‍ Maybe because it⁠ was relocated?”

— There weren’t any‌ problems during transport?‍‌

“No,⁠⁠ Aria said nothing⁠‌ happened.”

— Then stay out‍ of it. Let‍‌‌ those pointy-eared folks‍‌ and the academy‌⁠ handle it. It’s⁠‌ vacation time, isn’t‌ it? Get ready⁠ to suffer like⁠ a dog during‍ the holidays.”]

[Sky‌‌⁠ dyed in dark⁠ red.

People‍ out of control,‌ tainted by demonic⁠‍ energy. A rift‍ opening, and demons‍ descending on the‌ world.

At‍⁠ the center of‍ it all was‍ the branch of‌ the World Tree.‌

— It’s the branch‌⁠ of the World⁠ Tree! It’s acting as the most‍‍ powerful mana source‍ in the summoning⁠ circle!]

Though⁠⁠‍ he had read‍ the whole prophecy‌ book, he was‌‍ annoyed not to⁠‍ recall what came‌⁠ right after. But‍⁠ that worry vanished‌ instantly.

Because‍‍ another, far more⁠ alarming concern took⁠⁠ its place.

“…”‍‍

This⁠ wasn’t the first⁠ time. By now,‌ he should be‌ used to it.⁠ But he wasn’t.‍⁠‍

The‌ pain in his‍⁠⁠ head, the content‌‍ of the vision‍ — it was‍ all horrifying.

“Wasn’t‌⁠ nothing supposed to⁠ have happened!? And‍⁠ why does it‍ become a catalyst‌⁠ right when I’m⁠ the one in⁠⁠ charge!?”

Fernan’s‍ body was drenched⁠⁠ in cold sweat,‍‌ and his eyes⁠⁠‍ were bloodshot.

A nightmare.