A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 46

Chapter 46

After‌‌‌ a month and‍‌‍ a half, Fernan‌‌ returned to the‍‍ academy, and a piece of news‌ awaited him.

“A⁠⁠ new subject called⁠‍‌ Naval Combat will‌⁠‌ be introduced at⁠‌ the academy.”

At‍ the vice-director’s report,‌ Fernan showed a barely perceptible smile. It was a future foreseen by‌‍ the book of prophecies, which meant—⁠‍

“Following‍ the contract signed‍‌‌ by the headmaster,‌ a first agreement‍ has been made for thirty warships.”‌

It⁠ was money also‍‌ foreseen.

“Who‍ will be the professor?”

“Everything⁠ points to Parmion⁠‍⁠ Hakan. A former‌⁠ officer of the‌‍ imperial navy, with⁠‌‌ twenty years of‌‌ active service at‍⁠‍ sea.”

He⁠ was the same⁠‍⁠ man Fernan had‍‍⁠ seen in the⁠ prophecy book.

“It‍‌ hasn’t been determined yet how many‍ credits ‘Naval Combat’‌‌‌ will offer, but it’s expected to‌‌ be mandatory…”

As he listened to‌ the report and⁠‌ flipped through the‍⁠ documents, Fernan raised an eyebrow.

“They’re‌‌ expanding the island‍‌ shipyard?”

“Yes. Assuming the ships‍‍ will suffer significant‌ damage during training,‍ we judged that‍ the current size‌‌ wouldn’t be enough⁠‌ for repairs.”

“Perfect.‌ The academy’s warship‌‌ project is going to become a golden goose.”

“I‌‌‍ believe so too.”‌

He⁠ turned the report‌‌ page. On it⁠ were things Fernan⁠⁠ had been eagerly waiting for.

“You’re⁠⁠ saying they already⁠ delivered the sea‌ dragon’s corpse?”

“Yes.‍ The items you‌ mentioned are stored⁠ in a special‍‌ warehouse.”

The⁠‌ “mana heart” of‍‍ the sea dragon.‌‍ It was finally‌ in his hands.‍

Fernan’s face lit up‌ with excitement.

***⁠

【Academy‍ Weekly】

【Fridian’s‌⁠ spirit stones successfully delivered. They will‌ be used for⁠‍ elemental spirit classes‌‌ and research…】

【New⁠‍ professor of Spirit Studies arrives at‍‍ the academy! Who‌ is Professor Nania‍‌ Beris…?】

【Jace⁠ Vymes, saint of⁠ the Cult of the Dragon God,⁠ touring the academy‌⁠ asking: “Do you believe in mana?”‍ Some believers have‌‌ joined him…】

【Barog‍⁠‍ Herr, top student of the third-year⁠ Knight Department, slapped⁠ by Liana Horton,⁠‌ top of the‍ Magic Department…】

【From enemies to best friends? Aint Armian‍ and Verian Kalburdern‍‌⁠ become inseparable…】

“Long⁠ time no see.”‌‍

Fernan⁠ folded the newspaper.‍ Luina sat down⁠‌ in front of him.

“Yes,‌ it’s been a while.”

Luina‌ didn’t seem to be in bad‍‌ shape after all‌ that time apart.‌

“How‍‌ did it go‌‌‍ while I was‍ gone?”

“Not⁠⁠ bad. But if‍‍ I had to‍ point out something⁠ negative, it’d be‍⁠ my grades.”

“I‍‌ heard you were‌ assigned an assistant as a partner. Wasn’t he competent?”‍⁠

“The‌ assistant wasn’t to⁠ blame. He was‌‌‍ more than enough.”‌

Fernan‌⁠ guessed what had⁠⁠⁠ happened.

“You got points deducted.”

“That’s⁠ right.”

“Certainly,⁠‌ letting Professor Rosalia’s‌ assistant loose among⁠‌ second-years wasn’t fair.”‍‌‌

“I‍‍ understand that perfectly,‌‌ but…”

“But?”‌

Luina‍ tapped the table‌‌‍ with her finger‌ before continuing.

“I say this because even if you⁠‌⁠ had been there,⁠⁠ I doubt the⁠‍ result would’ve been‍ much different.”

“I‍‌‌ didn’t expect you to hold me⁠ in such high‌‌ regard.”

“Just‌‍‍ being honest. I think you would’ve‍‍⁠ achieved good results‌⁠‌ one way or‌ another.”

Whether‍ by real skill‌⁠ or thanks to‍ artifacts and potions,‌‌⁠ well.

“When‍ I was a kid, my mother⁠ used to say‍ that. That I was very smart,‌⁠‌ and if I put my mind to it, I could achieve anything.”‍‍

“All⁠ mothers say that. I didn’t think you were naïve⁠‌ enough to believe⁠ it.”

“But‌‌‌ everything I’ve set‍‍‌ out to do,⁠ I’ve achieved.”

Thanks‌‌ to that, he‍‍‍ became an executive⁠‍ at Golden Turtle Company at a young age, and‍⁠ since teaming up⁠‌ with Luina, he‌‌ had also performed‌‌‌ well academically.

Sure,⁠‌ the Pellenberg name helped him get‍‌ that position, but‍ if he lacked⁠ skill, he would‍ never have become‍⁠ a division chief.‌

“If‍‌⁠ you say so.⁠⁠ And how was‍‌⁠ the trip?”

“Not⁠ good.”

He‍‌ achieved his goal, but lost a lot of resources.‌ It was a significant blow.

Losing⁠⁠ the heart of⁠ the World Tree‌‍‌ branch and having⁠‌ to pay compensation‍⁠ would’ve been worse,⁠⁠ but knowing that‍‍ with better preparation‌ he could’ve avoided‍⁠ the losses still‍‍ hurt.

‘And‍‌ the golem too…’‌‌

Each⁠⁠ golem was the⁠ pinnacle of magical‍ engineering—extremely expensive. He⁠ lost four and‌⁠ could only recover‌‍ some value as⁠ scrap. Just remembering⁠ it gave him‌‍ a headache.

‘I⁠ definitely need to⁠‌‌ build an Ego⁠ Golem as soon‍⁠ as possible.’

If‌‍ he had one,‌‌‍ none of this‍‍‌ would’ve happened. That⁠ ultimate weapon would’ve‌ crushed Barca.

At‌‌ least in theory.‌‌

“Since‌‍ nothing went wrong‍ on the return‍‍ route, I guess‍ it was just‍⁠ a financial loss.”‌‍

“…Are⁠ you investigating me?”‍

“It‍‍ was obvious.”

Luina‍‍⁠ gave a short‌ laugh and changed⁠‌‌ the subject.

“Are‍ you preparing for the finals?”

“I⁠‌ already have the‍‌ leaked exams.”

“That’s⁠ cheating.”

“Want⁠⁠‌ the Knight Department⁠‌ ones too?”

“…No‌‌‌ need. I’ll do⁠‍ it cleanly.”

“You‍ hesitated for a moment.”

Luina‌ avoided his gaze.

“Maybe‍⁠ I’ll ask for⁠ your help soon.”‍

“Me?”⁠‍

“Does⁠ your promise still‍‍ stand to help‌⁠ me if it⁠ involves demons or⁠ corrupted beasts?”

“You‍ found leads on‌⁠‌ the corrupted?”

His‌‍ gaze changed.

“Of⁠ course.”

“Perfect.”⁠‌

‘Having⁠‌ a sense of‌ justice is very‌ useful.’

Using‌ such talent for‍⁠ free—how wonderful.

***‌⁠‍

Andromalius.‌‌

When‍ he learned that‍ Demon No. 72‍ was going to‌‍‌ be summoned within⁠‍⁠ the academy, Fernan⁠‍ gave it serious⁠⁠ thought.

If‍ he could prevent‍ the demon’s manifestation—if‍ it was truly‍ possible to stop‌‌‍ it—should he do‍‌ it? Or was⁠⁠ it better to‌ let everything run‍ its course?

Demons‍ were calamities. The‌ appearance of one⁠ at the academy⁠‍ would cause massive⁠ damage, a direct‍‌‌ blow to the‍‍ Empire’s future.

‘If⁠ that were all,‍‌‍ of course it‌‌‍ should be stopped.’⁠‍

But what if it⁠⁠‌ was only the‌‍ starting shot? What⁠ if it was‍ just a skirmish,⁠ and behind it‌ came more demons,⁠‌ more catastrophic horrors?‍

Preventing‍‌ Andromalius’s descent would⁠⁠ be like pouring‌ a low-level potion‌‌ over a wound‌ with guts spilling‌‌‌ out.

‘The⁠ descent of the⁠ demons is an⁠ inevitable future.’

And⁠ what if, because‍‍ he didn’t live⁠‍ through that battle,‍‌ Aint failed to‍‍⁠ grow and couldn’t stop the true⁠⁠ catastrophe in the‌‌ future? That was⁠‍⁠ a possibility Fernan‌‌ didn’t even want⁠ to imagine.

So,‌ he reached a conclusion: “The descent⁠‌ of Andromalius must‍ happen no matter‍ what.”

Well,‍ to be exact:‍‌‍ “It must descend‌⁠ and be defeated⁠ by Aint.”

***⁠

“So,‍⁠ you’re saying the‍‌‌ corrupted are going‌⁠ to try to⁠⁠ touch the branch of the World⁠ Tree?”

Next‍‌ to Aria stood‍‍ a small sprout⁠ planted in the‌⁠ ground.

They⁠ say if you‌‍ want to hide⁠ a tree, place‌‌ it in a forest—so the academy⁠⁠ had hidden a branch of the‌ World Tree among‍ other trees.

This‍⁠⁠ was the place.‌

“Exactly.‍‍⁠ Though it doesn’t‌ seem to have‍ the heavy security‌‌ I imagined.”

“No⁠⁠‌ need to overdo‍‌ it. But anyway,‌ that’s not the‍⁠ point now. Honestly,‍‌ if you’d told me this before,‌⁠ I would’ve asked if you were‍ crazy. But after everything that happened…⁠ I can’t.”

Aria⁠ tilted her head‍⁠ slightly.

“But‌ what you just⁠‌ said implies there‌ are corrupted hiding‌‌‍ within the academy,‌ doesn’t it? Otherwise,⁠‌ no one could‌‌ attempt to touch⁠‌ the branch planted‍⁠ here…”

“That’s correct.”

“…Oh⁠‌ my god. Seriously?”‌‍

Aria’s‌‍‌ eyes widened.

“Then‌ wouldn’t it be‍ better to inform the academy and‌‍ wait? Why do‌‍ you have to‍ do this, senior?”‍

“Because we don’t know⁠⁠ who the corrupted‍‌⁠ are.”

“Then‍‍ we should find‌‍ them.”

“If⁠‍‍ we make this⁠⁠ official within the‌‌ academy, they could⁠⁠ hide. And we’d‌ lose the only‍‌⁠ chance to catch‌ them.”

“Your⁠‍ logic isn’t entirely‌‍‌ wrong…”

Aria⁠‌ rested her chin‌‌ on one hand and stared at⁠‍ Fernan.

“Why‌‌ do I feel‌ like you’re hiding‌ something from me?”

“Do‌‌ you want to‍⁠ know?”

“Of‍‍ course.”

“Information‌ is expensive.”

“Hold‌‍‍ it right there!‍‍ Better not.”

“Why⁠‌ not?”

“I⁠ just imagined a terrible future. Are⁠ you trying to‌‌ hint that you’ll cancel what you‍ were already going‌ to give me‍ in exchange for⁠ that information?”

Fernan‍‍ let out a short laugh.

“You‍ have good instincts.”‍‍

“I‍ always have. So,‍ what exactly do‍‍ you need me⁠‍ to do?”

“What‍‌ if you just help me unconditionally?”‌

Aria‍ nodded.

“After⁠ all, this is about protecting the‍‍ World Tree’s branch⁠⁠ from the corrupted,‌‍ right? Right now,⁠ it’s under my‍ care, and if‌⁠ something happens, I’ll‍ be in huge⁠‍‌ trouble.”

She‌⁠ had almost been‍ a victim without‌ knowing anything. If⁠‍ Fernan got involved,‌ it was a win-win for her.⁠

“But⁠⁠ before that, I’d⁠‌ like you to‍‌ give me what⁠‍⁠ you promised.”

“So‌ impatient.”

“After‌ what I just⁠ heard, you think⁠⁠ I’m going to⁠‍ sit still?”

Aria‌⁠⁠ raised her hand with a haughty expression. Fernan handed‍⁠ her an invitation.‌

“Finally,‌ I have it!‍ It took forever…!‍ The Yacht Club‍ invitation!”

“The‍⁠ name changed. It’s⁠ not a yacht⁠⁠ club anymore, now‍‍ it’s the Masked‍‍‌ Club.”

After such chaos, no⁠‍ student wanted to casually go out⁠‍ on a yacht again.

Naturally, the club’s meeting‍ place changed, and‌ since the masquerade‍ party theme was⁠ popular, they decided‍⁠ to keep it.‍

“That⁠‌ doesn’t matter! What⁠‌ matters is that⁠‍⁠ I have this‍⁠⁠ in my hands!”‌

With‍‍ this… just with‌ this…

“I can become the queen of connections!”‌

“I‌‌ don’t think you⁠ should assume that‍⁠ just attending will⁠⁠ make everyone part‌‍ of your network.”‍

“You’re‍ so negative. Must‍ be because you’re a merchant.”

“I’m‌‍ just realistic.”

“You‌ know nothing. Dreams have to be big. That way,‌ even if you‍‌ fail, you get‌‍ something valuable.”

Aria⁠⁠‍ grinned slyly.

“So,⁠ how exactly do‌ you want me⁠ to help?”

“First, who knows that⁠⁠⁠ this branch was‌‍ brought and planted⁠‍⁠ here? Or rather,⁠ who knows it’s⁠‍⁠ in the academy?”‌

“The‍ headmaster, the vice-headmaster,⁠ the spirit summoning‍⁠ professor…”

Aria‌ began folding her⁠‌⁠ fingers one by‌ one.

“And⁠ then you and‌‌ me.”

She‌ folded all ten‌⁠ fingers.

“You‌ think one of‍ those ten is⁠ corrupted? But they’re‍ all key figures‍⁠ of the academy!”‍⁠

“Or‍‍‌ someone around them.‍⁠ Maybe they leaked⁠ the information unintentionally⁠⁠ or by accident.”

“So‍ you’re sure someone‌ inside is involved.”

Aria‍‌ gently caressed the⁠ World Tree branch.‍‍ A faint spiritual‌ energy and mana⁠‍ were slowly being‌‌ infused.

“I asked for your‌ help, yes, but‍‌⁠ you don’t really⁠⁠ have to do⁠‍ much. I just need you to‍‍⁠ allow it.”

“Allow⁠⁠ it?”

“I’m⁠ going to make⁠⁠ some preparations around⁠‌⁠ this area.”

Like‍‍ setting up surveillance,⁠‍ for instance.

He‌‌ didn’t plan to‌‌⁠ prevent the World‌ Tree’s corruption or⁠⁠⁠ stop Andromalius from‌ being summoned. But who did it,‍‍ when, and how—they⁠‍‍ needed to know‌ that with certainty.‌‍

He‍⁠ asked Aria for⁠ help because she‌ was the official⁠‌ caretaker, secretly appointed⁠‌‌ by the academy,‍ and he couldn’t‍ do anything here‍‍ without her noticing.⁠

“If⁠‌ things get too⁠⁠‍ noisy, the World‍⁠ Tree won’t like‍‍‌ it.”

“So‍‌ is that a no?”

“But‌ it’s better for⁠ it to get⁠ corrupted, isn’t it?”‍

Perhaps⁠ because the World Tree was involved,⁠ her decision was⁠‍‌ surprisingly clear.