A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 45

Chapter 45

More‌ than a month had passed since Fernan had left‍ the academy for⁠ the field practice.‌

“It’s⁠‌ been over a month and we⁠⁠‌ still don’t know‍ when he’s coming‍‌ back! And finals‌ are just around‍⁠ the corner!”

Luina⁠ Bercheff thought her‍ current academic life⁠⁠⁠ wasn’t exactly going‍ well.

Objectively‌‍ speaking, Aaron Frain⁠‍ wasn’t in Professor‍⁠ Rosalia’s lab by‌ chance; he had⁠ incredible talent.

Thanks‍ to that, Luina‌⁠ had scored excellent‍ grades in all‌‌ their joint classes,⁠‌ but not everything‍ showed up as‍ it should.

“They‍ say your grade‍ drops a little‌ just because he’s an assistant. But⁠ in that case,‌ wasn’t it a mistake to assign⁠‌ me to an assistant in the‌‍‌ first place?”

“Technically…‌ you’re right.”

Aina‌ nodded while munching⁠ on cake.

“But‌ still, you have⁠ to admit the assistant is really‌ good.”

“Yes, but if Fernan‍‍‍ had been here,‍ it would’ve been‍ the same.”

Apparently,‌ others thought the‌ penalty was fair,⁠‌ but in Luina’s‍ eyes, it was‌ completely unjustified.

“Are⁠ you saying Fernan⁠‌ is as strong‌ as Assistant Aaron?‍ You really believe⁠‍‍ that?”

What‍‍ Aaron had demonstrated‍‍‍ in class was‌⁠ a level even⁠ above Carlo, the‍‌ top student in‍‍ the Magic Department.⁠‌ His performance was‌‍ clearly outstanding.

“You’re⁠‌ right, Luina. That‍ sounds crazy… or⁠ well… it should‌ sound crazy.”

Bella,‍ who had initially‍‌⁠ agreed with Aina,‌‍ began to waver.⁠‌⁠

Because‌‍ even if it⁠‌ didn’t make sense‌‌‌ in theory, the‍‌ calm way Fernan⁠⁠ had faced the⁠‌ corrupted left a sliver of doubt: ‘What if he‍ really could?’

“What⁠‌ the hell, Bella? You’re going crazy‌ like Luina now? Did your brain‌⁠ short-circuit?”

“What‍ did you say?”‍

“Ah⁠ no, sorry!”

Luina‍ watched her two⁠ friends bicker as⁠ she drifted into‍‍ her own thoughts.‍‍

It⁠‌ was true that, in terms of‌ raw skill, Assistant⁠⁠⁠ Aaron was superior.‍ But even so,‍⁠ she felt Fernan⁠ could’ve achieved the‌ same results—or even⁠‌⁠ better.

Whether‍‍ through pure strategy,‌ or thanks to‍ his money and‌ weird artifacts.

“So,‌‌ when are Fernan⁠‍‍ and Aria coming‍‌ back?”

“They⁠ said before finals.”⁠

“And⁠‍ is that reliable?”⁠

“Of‍ course. The practice‍ period ends right‌ before the exams.”‍⁠

Bella answered.

If‍⁠‌ they arrived after‌⁠ exams, Fernan wouldn’t‌‌‍ be able to‍ take them. Since‍⁠ the practice period ended there, they‌‍ couldn’t give him⁠ a separate exam⁠‌⁠ or replace it⁠⁠ with something else.⁠⁠‌

If‌ they did, complaints of favoritism would⁠ explode.

“Huh?”‌‍

Not⁠ far off, the‍ city’s port seemed‌‌ to be stirring.‌‍

“Did‍ something arrive?”

“Looks⁠‌ like a ship⁠ just came in.”⁠

Luina‌ used aura to⁠‌ enhance her vision.‌ In the distance,‍ she saw more than ten ships.⁠

All‍⁠ carried sails bearing‌⁠ the emblem of‍‌ the Golden Turtle.‍‍⁠

Fernan‍‍‌ Pellenberg had returned.‍⁠⁠

***‌⁠

“Thank‌ you.”

Fernan‍ immediately unloaded the‌‌ goods from the‌ ship and delivered⁠⁠ them to the⁠ academy.

Of‌⁠ course, everything was⁠⁠⁠ in perfect condition.‍‌

With⁠ that, the expedition⁠‍‌ was officially concluded.‍

“The‍‍‍ rest of the⁠‌ payment will be‍‌ sent by my‌ father to the⁠ duke.”

“Very‍ well. You did‌‍ a good job⁠‍ too.”

It⁠ had been an‍‌ expedition full of‍‍ trouble, but at‌ least it had⁠ ended well.

Thank⁠ goodness.

“Then‍⁠ I’ll take my‍ leave. I still⁠ have to speak‍‌ with the academy‍ staff. As I said, I’m the‌ representative.”

The‍‍ Golden Turtle Company⁠‍ had only handled‍‍ transportation. The main‌ operation was between⁠ the Fridian family‍ and the academy.‌

And⁠ there were more‍‍ than a few‌ details to coordinate.‍

“Take‌⁠ care then.”

After‌ parting ways with⁠‌ the expedition team,⁠ Fernan also split‌ from Aria.

Hyde⁠ followed him, carrying‌ the box that⁠‍‌ held the contaminated‍⁠ fragments of the‍ World Tree branch.⁠‌

“Where‌‍ are we going?”‍‌

“To‍⁠ purify this tree.”‍‍⁠

“And can that be‍ done?”

“If‍⁠ it’s the Cult‌ of the Sacred⁠‌ Dragon, they might‌ have a way.”‌

To‍ be honest, there‌ was no concrete‍ plan. But it⁠ seemed like too‌ much of a waste to simply‍⁠⁠ throw away something⁠‌ as valuable as‌‌ a World Tree‌‌⁠ branch.

“Jace‍ Vynes showed me‍ that the cult⁠ can purify demonic⁠ energy.”

“Wasn’t‍‍ that by burning⁠‌⁠ it? If we burn the sprout…”‌‌‍

“…Don’t‌‍ tell me that’s⁠‌ the only method.”

Well,⁠‍‌ if there wasn’t another way, then‍ there wasn’t. But if there was,‌ great. It wasn’t‌‍ essential, but it‍ was very useful.

Fernan⁠⁠ entered a hidden‌ room inside the‍⁠ tea house run‍‌ by his company.

“It’s⁠ been a while‌‍‌ since I came‍‌ here.”

“You’re⁠‍ late. The agreed⁠ time was 32‌‍ minutes ago, remember?”⁠

Inside‌‌ awaited a guest.‍⁠

Jace⁠‌‌ Vynes, the Saint‌‌ of the Cult‍⁠ of the Dragon‌ God.

“The‌‌ waves were stronger⁠ than expected. The‌⁠ ship couldn’t go‌ faster.”

“Still, aren’t you the‍ one who always‌‍ says time is‍ money?”

“Yes,‍‍ but that doesn’t‌⁠‍ mean I’ll pay‌ you more.”

“I⁠‍⁠ know. I was‍‌‌ just saying.”

Jace smiled completely calmly.

He says he knows,‍ but he still‌‍ licks his lips—what‍‍ a greedy demon.⁠ Fernan clicked his‌ tongue.

“But‍‌‌ what’s all this‍‍ about? After such‌‍ a long trip, you must be‌ exhausted, and yet‌⁠ you wanted to‍‍‌ see me right‌ away.”

“We’re‍ both busy, so‌‍ let’s get straight⁠ to the point.‍⁠ I encountered some corrupted beasts along‌‌ the way.”

“Corrupted‍‌ beasts? Those bastards‍‌ don’t even bother to hide anymore,‍‌⁠ huh?”

Jace‌‍ showed a flicker‍ of anger.

“And‍ what about the⁠‌⁠ plan we discussed?”

“The⁠⁠ items have arrived.‌ His Holiness said‌ we can request⁠ help when necessary.”‍

“Perfect.”‌

“But‌ are you sure⁠⁠ you don’t need‍‍ direct assistance? His‍ Holiness is quite‌‍ concerned.”

“Just‍ hearing that already⁠ makes me grateful.‍ But even for His Holiness, it⁠‍ would be politically‍ problematic to bring cult troops into⁠‍ the academy.”

Fernan⁠⁠ sipped his coffee. From the start,⁠⁠ he didn’t expect‌⁠⁠ that much. Nor‌⁠ should he.

Aint⁠ Armian was, without⁠⁠‌ a doubt, a hero. But he⁠⁠ wasn’t complete yet.‌⁠‌

He⁠‍⁠ needed to obtain⁠‍‍ the relics left‍ by the First‍ Emperor, face his‍‍ enemies, and accumulate experience. Only then‌ would he become‍‍ someone truly complete.‍‍

The‌‍ first demon to‌‌ be summoned was‍‌ Andromalius. The first⁠ “genuine” demon Aint‌‍ would have to‍‌ face.

And‍ he had to.⁠‍‌ Win or lose,‍ the experience would‌ be crucial to⁠ his growth.

‘In‌ theory, Aint should⁠ win. But if‌‌ things have strayed‌‌⁠ far enough from‌ the past that‌ he ends up‌ losing…’

That‌⁠ would be an‌ unacceptable catastrophe. That’s⁠‍‍ why Fernan was‌⁠‍ preparing a fallback‌⁠ through the cult.‌

“The‍⁠ real reason I called you is‍ this.”

At⁠ his signal, Hyde,‍‍ standing in the back, placed a box on the‍ table.

“What‌‌ is this? It’s‌ got top-tier magical⁠ engravings. Is it‌ something rare?”

“Open⁠‍ it.”

Click.⁠⁠

As‍⁠ soon as it‍ was opened, a dense demonic energy spread from within.⁠

“Is⁠⁠⁠ this…?”

“A⁠⁠ branch of the‌⁠ World Tree, contaminated⁠‍ by demonic energy.”⁠‍⁠

“…Excuse‌⁠ me?”

“More⁠‌ precisely, it’s a replica. But it’s‌‌ still part of⁠‌ the original.”

After⁠⁠⁠ all, they shared‍ the same root.

“And⁠ how did you‍ get it?”

“Does‍‍ it matter?”

“It‌⁠ was Fridian, wasn’t‌⁠ it? And you‍⁠ want me to purify it?”

“Yes.‌‌ But not with‌⁠ the same method‌ you used on‌ Bella.”

“True, even if it’s‌⁠ a branch of⁠⁠ the World Tree,⁠ purification flames are‍ too extreme.”

Jace‌ extended his hand‍‍‌ toward the corrupted‍ branch. Zzzzt, the‌ demonic energy tried to corrupt his‍ body, but was⁠ immediately repelled.

“It’s⁠⁠‌ very dense. Normal⁠ methods won’t work⁠⁠ easily.”

“Are‌ you saying there’s‍ no way?”

“It’s⁠‍ not that there‌ isn’t… but…”

Jace‍⁠ shrugged, and Fernan‌ frowned.

“For‍ how greedy we‌ Pellenbergs may be,⁠‌ we’re still nothing⁠‍ compared to you‍‍ guys. What do‌ you want?”

“Holy‌‍⁠ water.”

“Holy⁠‍ water?”

“Purification‍⁠ flames are too‍⁠ destructive. They don’t‍‍ work for the‌ sick or for‍‍‍ children. That’s why‍ we found another⁠ method, gentler and⁠ safer.”

“And⁠ that’s the holy‍ water?”

“Yes.”

Unlike‍ the sacred flames,⁠⁠‍ it wasn’t divine‌ power per se. The medium was‍‍⁠ simply water instead⁠‍‌ of fire, but⁠‍ the principle was⁠⁠ the same—dissolving and‍‌ breaking down demonic⁠‌ energy.

“It⁠⁠ doesn’t burn like⁠‍ flames, but it⁠ breaks down the⁠ energy gradually and safely. We haven’t⁠⁠ confirmed its full‍⁠⁠ effectiveness yet, but⁠‌ if my flames‌‌ worked, this should‌ too…”

Fernan‌ gently tapped the‍‍ table with his‍ fingers. Jace wasn’t the type to lie, so it⁠⁠‌ had to be‍ true.

“Can‍ you guarantee it’ll‍‍ work?”

“I‍‍‍ can’t give you an absolute guarantee.”⁠‌

“And‌ you still want me to pay you?”

“The‌⁠ decision is yours,‌‌ senior.”

“You’re‌ quite the businessman.”‍‍⁠

“I’m‌ a real mage.”

A mage who funds‍ his own research.‌

“I‍⁠ don’t waste money‍⁠ on nonsense. If‍ there’s not a 100% guarantee, I have no reason‌ to buy it.”⁠‍

Fernan⁠ shook his head.‍

“Calling‍ it holy water‍‍ sounds nice, but in the end,‌ it’s not that useful, is it?”⁠

“How is it not?”‌

“If⁠‍ it’s not against‍ demons, corrupted beasts,⁠ or demonic energy,‌ it has no⁠‌⁠ use. It’s a useless trinket.”

No‍⁠ matter how expensive⁠‌‍ it was to‌⁠‌ make, if there‌‌ were no buyers,‌ its price would‌⁠ inevitably drop.

“That‍ was before the corrupted started going wild. You brought‍‍ proof yourself. Are‌ you going to make excuses now?”‍

“Excuses?‍‌ I’m just giving⁠‍ you a chance⁠ to prove it’s‍‌ not useless.”

“A⁠ chance?”

Fernan⁠⁠ opened his subspace.⁠‍ He pulled out‍‌ another box, also‍‌ engraved with magical‌ marks, and placed⁠ it on the‌ table.

“What’s‌ this now?”

“Open‌ it.”

An‌ even more repugnant‍ demonic energy filled‌ the room. It seemed alive, with‍ veins writhing as‌‌ if they pulsed.⁠

Jace’s⁠‍ eyes widened.

“Is‌ that…?”

“The‌⁠‌ corpse of a corrupted beast. There’s‌‌⁠ no better way‍ to see if⁠‍‍ the holy water⁠⁠ really works. Or to prove whether‌‌⁠ the Cult of⁠‍ the Dragon God has been right.”‍

To⁠‍ some, it was‌ just a pile‍⁠⁠ of monstrous flesh.⁠ To others, a coveted research material.⁠

A relic that could‌⁠ prove their research⁠‍ and history were‍ valid.

“…You‌‌ want to trade‌⁠ this for the‍ holy water?”

And in the eyes‌ of one of them, greed sparkled.‍‌

“You’re⁠ mistaken.”

“Mistaken?”‍⁠‍

“You’ll‍‍‍ have to add‍⁠‌ more. Like artifacts‌ I want, or‍ a lot more‌⁠ holy water.”

“That’s‍ not fair. Even‌‍⁠ if it’s the‌⁠ first time we’ve⁠ seen one, now‍ that one’s appeared,‍ more are bound⁠ to show up.”

“This‌ is the corpse⁠⁠ of a class-4‍‍ beast, a Barca.‍‍ A monster that‌‌‌ eats ogres like‍‌⁠ nothing.”

The‌⁠ body of a powerful monster was‍ a valuable material‍⁠ and research object.‌

And even more so⁠‍‍ for the Cult‍ of the Dragon‌ God, desperate for‍ such specimens. Even during the Great‍ War a thousand⁠‍‍ years ago, a class-4 corpse was⁠ incredibly rare.

“…I⁠ know you wouldn’t‌ lie about something⁠⁠ like this.”

“Exactly.‍‍ I don’t lie‌ in business. If‌‍ you want, you‍⁠ can call Aria‍⁠ Fridian as a witness.”

“…Then…⁠ no, still this⁠‍ is… no, but‍‍‌ it’s a Barca!”‌‌

As‌‌ if fighting an‍‌‍ internal battle, Jace‍‍‌ hesitated for a long time before⁠ finally nodding.

“…Alright.‍‌ I accept!”

The⁠ corpse of a Barca wasn’t just⁠⁠ anything. At a time when demons and beasts were⁠ starting to run‌‌ rampant, having time‍ to study them before they got‌ out of hand⁠‌ was extremely valuable.⁠‍

“An‍‌ excellent decision.”

The⁠ deal was made.‍⁠‍

That⁠ same day, the‍⁠ corrupted branch of‍⁠‍ the World Tree‌ was submerged in⁠⁠⁠ holy water.

***‌

“He⁠⁠ really was born⁠ to make money…”‌⁠

‘Who‌ would’ve thought he’d‍‌⁠ use a Barca’s‍ corpse like that?’‍⁠

Hyde‍ couldn’t help but‌ admire him.

“Send‌‌ the rest to‌ the family and⁠ tell my father‍‍ to begin the‍‌⁠ research. We have‌ to prepare against‌ the beasts too.”⁠

“Yes,‌⁠‍ young master.”

Even‍ though much of‌ Barca’s body had‍⁠‌ been destroyed in‍‍‍ the explosion, it⁠‍ was still so⁠‌ massive there was‍⁠ plenty of usable⁠ material left.

“And Hyde.”

“Yes?”⁠⁠

“Find‍ out where the‌ World Tree branches‌ are planted and‌ how they’re cared‌⁠ for. Everything.”

Hopefully⁠⁠‌ it was just‌‍⁠ an unfounded suspicion.‍ But so far,‍‍ the predictions of‌ the book of‍‍ fate, even if⁠⁠ slightly altered, always came true in‌‍⁠ essence.

Was this current calm‍‍ the real future?‍⁠‍ Or had the‌⁠‌ future changed because‌ they managed to‌ prevent the demonic summoning?

“It’s‌ time to find⁠‌ out.”

Fernan’s⁠ eyes turned cold.⁠