Chapter 51
5DdvThe exam was over.FnWX
6X7“…Group 3 won.”WD52C7l
lyB“Wow, Fernan and Luina pulled that off?”WXN8
L4sYv“Did you see how the ground collapsed? That was insane.”dtoQl1d
moop“And in the middle of all that, their map didn’t burn?”alZuL
HBRho“That’s the first time I’ve seen combined magic in a real test.”Wzx
FuJqExeExcept for Gert and his partner, everyone in Group 3 was eliminated. But Fernan and Luina survived until the end.07BYo
OiXEjrAnd they took out Carlo and everyone else.aLWE
UDlKBoth made a comeback and became the final victors.FIN9bU1
RNPNN“I can’t believe it… to lose like this?”ZBzl9
CjVYZs“They got lucky.”w5S
XEHdrn“Lucky? Then we’re just idiots who couldn’t beat a couple of lucky punks.”znf
Fn9EjrRudger let out a sarcastic laugh.MTV
5Gr“Having Almon there was luck, no doubt about that.”l8PvFy
cvHtYg“Only one of the practical subjects is over, Fernan.”oSNORbU
Cx5rON5“I know.”Xp0SzS7
W7NxLudger clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed, and turned around.dn5r9Q
PKZT“It was a dull ending, Luina. Next time, I’ll show you the real difference between us.”it5dday
cSWd“Whenever you want. I don’t plan to lose to you again.”dy2
2tasdYAlmon, who was talking with Luina, followed him.WLsC
u30bQ8i“Fernan…!”YYH3
7qV“How could we lose…?”eJTZ1s
2LOtJqWIgnoring Carlo and the others who didn’t want to accept reality, Fernan went with Luina to the infirmary to treat their wounds.rnrxe
2VI3qF“Thanks for everything today. Thanks to you, we got first place.”SNlWRMl
fqx5qh“It’s not over yet. Like Ludger said, it’s just one subject.”SrGy98
OuISure, with what they’d accumulated, they were one step closer to securing first place, but there was still a long way to go.sVMSo
sLR“Anyway, if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have gotten this far today.”6XFHkS
JKlw67“I won’t deny it.”Jj0
gKApgKh“See you next time. Oh, and if anything happens with the corrupted, don’t hesitate to message me.”GEQ8MjU
A3UqAs Luina was about to leave, Fernan stopped her for a moment with a quiet voice.fbj
v05“What I found underground… I’ll make sure it reaches the one who should have it.”DgNtFR
2EUw624“Do what you want. I don’t care about what isn’t mine.”CqU2pf
LQLLuina left.2kEsgNQ
pB5“…What’s mine is mine, and what’s not mine is also mine.”JmPvaPG
1AM6tNClicking his tongue, Fernan stood there thinking.G5p0
Y2uMt‘First thing is making sure Aint gets that legacy.’NRSVl
5mZGPCWhat he told Luina wasn’t a lie.yey
fGnOJ2CThe legacy left by the First Emperor had to return to its rightful owner: Aint Armian.DkUowg
CQSpTrgEven if it wasn’t the originally planned time, now that things were out of control, it was better for him to get it as soon as possible.rV1RjvZ
VnnP5G‘If it had stayed hidden, it’d be a different story. But now that it’s been found, it’s only a matter of time before everyone knows.’eSE
3bfiLQVFernan had cast a temporary concealment spell, but within the academy there were many mages more capable than him.cvRo0
LuEZ“Hyde, where is Aint Armian now?”YVj
Lphys***1NDuS3
6qpdwH“Aint Armian.”epsSQr
dH4Aint unfolded a map. After the exam, he’d received an unexpected visit from Fernan.xlOwZ
E5U“I think I found the Armian family’s secret dungeon.”9Whv
BygtuWhat he blurted out with no preamble left him stunned.UsNn
e3np“You’re probably wondering if it’s real. And if it is, why I’m just telling you about it?”OtFeYV
KHYE4E“You’re right. I’m a merchant. Normally, I’d sell the info at an outrageous price or just keep it for myself. If it weren’t for the corrupted and monsters.”nVT6Mc
riBHe couldn’t argue with that. When Fernan asked if he thought he was the right person, Aint nodded without hesitation. For one reason only: he was an Armian.4djf20
8rp6— Armian’s power is the antithesis of demons. That guy made the smartest choice.lmb
FGWzZkc— Nouveau riche always had a special talent for reading the situation.cQf5is
48nMIn the end, Aint had no choice but to accept. He had to retrieve that legacy as soon as possible.WddQxYj
hshI8z3He’d wanted to wait a bit, since it was still exam season, but that was no longer possible.3kyDtW
3w3Now that it had been exposed, anyone could find it again.mDDP3ko
8cBsF“You can’t move around the field freely during exams. I’ll help you.”PoXod
B2y86And that led to the map Aint now held. It only covered the mountainous northern area, but it showed in real time the positions of assistants patrolling the region.eszMa
Kq9A professor-exclusive map.b1y
ZBwIZIc— They’re supposed to be shaping the Empire’s future, yet they’d sell their souls for a few coins.Oo8AQA
EWjXQfGardner muttered, clearly displeased, but to Aint, it was exactly what he needed.2EIRvfR
AxlCHVm“This is it.”fNfb6u
vtLaMzAvoiding the assistants, Aint circled around and reached the site. Despite the collapse earlier in the day, the terrain had stabilized somewhat.LzVYttK
7iMu6c— The professors already fixed it. Maybe it doesn’t need to be taken right now.vaQe
jO89sQBut since he was there, he couldn’t leave empty-handed.bcqBgTJ
KhwV5e8Gardner guided him to another spot, not far away, where a cave descended underground.DtMAn
74b4dIt wasn’t some new passage created by the collapse, but the original entrance to the legacy.xhFv
t49“Anyone would think this is just a rabbit hole.”pUc
sUlgGOI— If anyone could find it, it wouldn’t be a legacy. It’d be a looters’ banquet hall.e6W2h0f
MhMVZFHe had a point.bg68THW
opr40VAint descended into the dark underground. Some areas had collapsed, but luckily the tunnel was wide, or he wouldn’t have made it.GofGW1t
a4TW— It should be around here—there it is.CQeS3j
qqYr9OVGardner instantly detected the concealment spell Fernan had placed.azcg0d
zDHA door appeared, bearing the emblem of the Armian family: the Saintbird engraved in relief.i2D
cJYjB“What’s inside?”xaQu4J
g7ATm7V— If I had to say… the core.dQdO
jC1ooiK“The core?”MyqegL
P2Y7psX— An artifact mounted on a sword’s hilt that amplifies aura. Made from the heart of a Saintbird.OrlLEeF
skaFZ“…Excuse me, what?”p0U
Ex7f— Though you already ate a Saintbird’s heart thanks to that rich guy, it doesn’t hurt to have another.jqZ8
nhM8q1“A Saintbird isn’t exactly your everyday magic beast… but how do you open this?”E8Bd
RbOfAfzAint pushed the door with all his strength, turning red, but it didn’t budge.7gQjJ
oT2s— Wound yourself and bleed. It only reacts to the blood of the Armian…fuwco6l
g8DxPuGardner stopped abruptly. The blade trembled.GsU
x7sedAint straightened with a tense expression. Shing, he slowly unsheathed his sword.OO6Qogw
TTUH8A nauseating stench hit his nose.vh5
vYKA hostility so dense it was almost visible made his skin crawl. And then—zH6I
APoaIAHis aura reacted to a repugnant presence.didlMc
7EOgxq— …They’re monsters.bITJ5Dv
14TpjPHe was wrong. It wasn’t one. They were monsters. Plural.WTyRM
5w1In the darkness, multiple red eyes gleamed. Aint briefly wondered, “When did they get here?”ePn8PAN
S6bX— Skold.1pE
zMdJA rank 7 beast in the form of a giant 3-meter scorpion. And there were dozens.y2pF
QOlEach one a formidable opponent, capable of rivaling a seasoned knight.4mwE6
H0ry74b“…Why are there monsters here?”3XdmJQ
4TJqSAc— Ask that after killing them.Fz9
uN8TlfIf it weren’t for Aint Armian… If it weren’t for the Armian swordsmanship, of light attribute, naturally opposed to monsters…RLNk
a2DSHe would’ve died.6ZUVM1
gVC5gEDAn aura of pure light burst from his sword.4DNZa
JojM5eThe opposing power instinctively weakened the Skolds, and Aint didn’t waste the opening.BJEm
BsICAnSlash!zCQEJPO
WqUHe cut the leg of the Skold at the front. The monster screeched as it launched its tail.YPV
wTcsMcClang!lVsoL
lsUvTThe poisonous needle of the tail slid across the sword’s blade, and Aint took advantage of the exposed opening to stab his weapon in.ncY
2HsGThe Skold, its head crushed, couldn’t withstand the light’s power and disintegrated.aBUFuc
yRlpoThat was just the beginning. The wavering Skolds roared in fury upon seeing one of their own die.QOT
KJFcu8oBut Aint didn’t back down. He activated his orohole and unleashed an even more intense light.djA
usJfHe was no longer the weak boy from his early days at the academy. He had trained under Gardner’s guidance, eaten the Saint bird’s heart, and faced multiple real battles.SKM3u
AyHfhvFNow he was the natural enemy of monsters.i18
zzjzYSlash!oD3C6
n6Z74nSlash!uZh9t
k9LlyA white flash lit up the darkness.QmjVO4
RpnThe light weakened the monsters, and every time that white streak sliced the air, a beastly body was split in two.fMjOe
uw9Screams and howls filled the air, a constant cycle of death and purification.oAFcJiS
n5pLzAAfter a long while, following the storm, only the remains of what were once monsters and Aint Armian remained.jKpK
QQ4HvR“Hah… hah…”LvUe0Q6
daq— You’ve improved a lot. Compared to the first time I saw you, it’s a huge leap.eNmN
4h9JAint gave a tired smile at Gardner’s praise. He was gasping for breath.ECp8tmz
t4ghRHe still didn’t understand why there were monsters there, but the thrill of victory and pride in his achievement gave him strength.s4Fg1
918Fkik“…I never imagined I’d defeat dozens of rank 7 monsters. Just a few months ago, something like this was unthinkable.”SpFD4kA
rRI— Don’t settle for this.YvAO
NQQ2bv— You’re an Armian. You’re meant to wipe out all demons.bVajx
KuN3“To be honest, at first I doubted I could do something like this… but maybe it’s not impossible after all…”zlA4
5oW99eAt that moment—kefp
DBpwH— Dodge!6MM
1UaGardner’s voice thundered, and Aint leapt to the side. The ground where he had stood was torn apart.qWyzokc
2BpA black flash. Just a mass of magical energy.Bzd0JYG
N8WVvyaBut that dark mass split into dozens, shooting toward him like lightning.mOG0Nb
LGhxJClang!huzeD6b
ZlNAint barely managed to deflect some with his sword, but the impact forced him back.b0B
ufxRscHe stifled a groan of pain.fx2
Chg“I wasn’t planning to intervene, but…”QIy3
m9lbA screeching voice echoed from the darkness, like nails on a chalkboard. Aint frowned.TNtf1NA
RjKW“Now that I see you in person, I understand. You’re a major obstacle to our plan. Damn cursed bloodline.”BpP
iUcQpvk“…A corrupted?”9l6J
L5iePKThe figure had a human form. But its eyes lacked life, and its skin was deathly pale. It couldn’t be considered human.E1e9C
h8V2MH“His Excellency ordered us not to touch you inside the academy, but after seeing you fight, I understood. If I don’t kill you here and now, I’ll regret it forever.”CDsp
u0CwFcnEven if it means our existence will be revealed to the world…J5O6l
1aFsvcq“You must die.”V6WaOu
hTbAn intense bloodlust burst through the air. Aint held his breath.iWPexzq
YeV9q“If I can offer this pathetic life to fulfill the great design, I won’t stop!”TPFAq
RVfFgTThe corrupted snapped his fingers. Ten masses of dark energy shot out at once.852hiF
CiuMJTBigger, faster than before.SyY
O9m“…Tch!”XV3wRn
jaP235Aint dodged as best he could. The place he had been was obliterated, and the corrupted closed in immediately.M3q424Q
1SOvHis elongated claws slashed in an arc.n01gr
ssP7sSlash!amqCv
MlaxAlthough the power of light weakened part of the dark energy, it took his breath away.NT9Qk9f
lBQXlY9— What kind of monster is this?!Ha4bXrg
bjqGwWithin seconds, they had exchanged dozens of blows.zKgjTh
nl7HIt was a one-sided fight. The enemy was faster, stronger, more destructive.GkDh
YIjKxAint could only block, dodge, and block again.VGLq
JICHis body was covered in small wounds. The more he gasped, the more his confidence faded.7sT
I3756l— Up!W0o6Z
pKErJ— Down to the left, now!MB5PhIL
CG1pBIf it weren’t for Gardner’s guidance, he wouldn’t have lasted even a few seconds.oB7
DbJkvThere was no hope. Death was looming, clutching his throat.6CC
cgIUXCrack.lHGZ
O2Jw9KAint’s palm tore open. He lost his grip on the sword, which flew out of his hand.i6Ch
JPK“Die, Aint Armian! Cursed bloodline!”4XJGig
N5YINThe corrupted didn’t miss the chance. His massive claws lunged toward him, ready to tear him in two.IsEp
D9v— Aint!Njfe
VLiAt that instant…hdxP
6aX5Boom!qoHib0
f0NRcVA rock shot up between them, blocking the claws. From the side, another rock struck the corrupted, flinging him away.mlK
yHfWqAint, barely saved, collapsed to his knees, gasping.g2CM1U
l8Hegr“S-Still… alive? Senior?”UPa
VVNpY“…I just came just in case. Good thing I did.”5a0WyL
wCdsMFernan appeared out of nowhere, standing in front of Aint.tRini
F8Jjwef“Aint. Are you okay?”iIaN
yr3E“…Yes. Thanks to you. But… how did you know?”mYV
xSR8Uab“I told you already. I came just in case.”jXmPGVa
cQcPAnd thanks to that, the worst was avoided.dDznd8r
hQZUF90“Fernan Pellenberg?”RJr
pqxyvI“You know me?”pmcj9o9
OETThe corrupted, staggering, stood up.Rk1aP
pkvQ“Yes… you’re here too. But it doesn’t matter if it’s one or two. Today, this place will be your grave.”eru
p5u79“That’s exactly what I was about to say.”8pS
ND1C2Trying to kill the one who carries my future.09wS4
Viv“Sorry, but I’m not even giving you flowers for your funeral.”Jmqn
ke3MHWith a gesture from Fernan, the ground began to tremble.g7g1VB
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