A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 53

Chapter 53

The⁠ first emperor undoubtedly‍‌ possessed the greatness‌‌‍ worthy of someone⁠‌ who founded an‍ empire as colossal‍ as the Armian‍‌ Empire.

“If⁠‌ that weren’t the‍ case, there would‌ be no reason⁠⁠ to embed something‍‍ so expensive in‌‌ every dungeon without‍‌ sparing any expense.‍‌ Perhaps he foresaw that his descendants‍‌ would fall into‍ ruin and prepared‍⁠ it as a precautionary measure.”

Thinking⁠ that it was‌‌ the first emperor‌ who prepared all‌‍ of this so‌ that his heirs‌⁠‍ would be ready‌ for a future resurgence of the‌‌ demons didn’t sound‌⁠ so far-fetched.

“Of‌‍‌ course, unfortunately, all‍⁠ of this is⁠ mine now.”

“Hehehe.”⁠⁠ Fernan let out‍‍⁠ a laugh.

“…At⁠ least it’s clear⁠ it wasn’t to‌ fill Your Lordship’s‍‌‍ stomach. If the first emperor knew,⁠⁠‍ he’d surely be⁠⁠‌ rolling in his‍‌ grave.”

“Whether⁠ he rolls around or spits blood‌⁠‌ doesn’t matter to⁠ me. What’s important‌ is that now⁠ it’s all in‌‍ my hands.”

The‌ feelings of a man who had‌‍ been dead for‌ a thousand years‍‌ were worth less‍⁠‍ than anything tangible.⁠

“Are‍⁠ you going to⁠‍ auction this too?”‌

“No.‍ For now, I don’t plan to‍‌ sell it.”

It⁠‌ had only been⁠ a few months‍⁠ since he sold‌ the magic lamps‍ he obtained after‍ his first encounter with Aint and⁠⁠‍ after defeating the‍ sea dragon.

“I⁠ don’t think they’ll‍ lose value that quickly.”

“But‌‍⁠ I can make‌‌ people want them‍ more. The thirstier‍ they are, the⁠⁠ more they’ll want⁠⁠ to drink.”

The‌ semi-permanent magic lamps‍ were no longer‌ just convenient objects—they‍ were becoming top-tier‌‍ luxury products.

Instead⁠ of selling them⁠ all at once,‍⁠ releasing them one⁠ by one at⁠ the right time‍ in auctions was⁠⁠ a far more‍ profitable way to‍ make money.

“Anyway,‌ thank goodness these⁠⁠ lamps appeared. Since‌⁠‌ you’ve been in‍⁠‌ your second year,‌⁠ your personal expenses⁠ have skyrocketed… If‌⁠ not for this,⁠ we’d be in‍‍ trouble.”

“There’s⁠ no other way.⁠⁠‍ If a sparrow⁠ wants to keep up with a stork, at the⁠ very least it⁠ has to rely‌‌ on potions and‌‍ good equipment.”

And‌ then there were‌‍ the frequent “incentives”‍‌ he had recently‌ had to hand‌‍ out to keep⁠ up with Aint.‌⁠‌

It‍‍ was undeniable that⁠ the expenses were‌ enormous, but it‌ was also inevitable.‍

“How‍‌ do you feel?”

“I‌‌ healed with a potion, so there’s⁠⁠ no problem. I’m‌ just a little‍‍‍ tired.”

“That’s‍ good.”

“Watch⁠‌ all the academy’s‍‍ high-ranking officials closely. See if any⁠ of them react⁠⁠ strangely.”

The‌‌‍ corrupt one they had just eliminated‌‍ was different. He‌ was stronger than‌‍ the previous ones…‍⁠‌ and seemed to‌⁠ know a lot.⁠‌‍

If⁠⁠ there was someone‌‌ behind him, they‍⁠ would surely show‍ some reaction.

“Yes.⁠ I’ll do that.”‍⁠

“You‍⁠ may go.”

Fernan⁠‍ waved his hand.‍‍

“I’m‍ going to sleep⁠ for a bit.‌ I’m exhausted.”

“Rest⁠⁠ well.”

Fernan⁠‌⁠ let himself fall‍⁠‌ onto the bed‍ and closed his‌‍ eyes.

***‍⁠

“…Haa.”⁠‍

Under‍⁠‍ the dim moonlight‍⁠‌ that illuminated the‍ training field, Luina slowly opened her‍ eyes and exhaled.⁠⁠

The⁠ mana she absorbed⁠‌‍ through her skin‌‍ and breath was‍‍ refined and turned into aura, which‍ then entered her‍‌ core and transformed‍ into her strength.

“First‍ place…”

She⁠ mentally reviewed the⁠‌ last test.

The⁠‌ fight against Almon,⁠ and then the‍ combined magic led‍ by Carlo Deneb.‌‍

There⁠ were moments so⁠‌‌ dangerous that it‌ wouldn’t have been strange for her‍‍ to lose.

It‍‍‍ was she who‌‌ managed to overcome it all and⁠⁠ achieve victory… but⁠⁠ she couldn’t feel⁠⁠‍ entirely happy about‌ it.

“Fernan…”⁠⁠

She⁠ couldn’t deny that his help had⁠ been crucial. In fact, was it‍‌ just crucial?

Without‌‌‌ him, she would have lost. She⁠ was certain of‍‌ it.

If‍‍ not for his‍⁠ strategy, they wouldn’t‍‍ have been able⁠ to catch the‍‍⁠ other groups off‍‍ guard. If they‍⁠ hadn’t received support‌ from his spells‌⁠ and artifacts, they‌⁠‌ wouldn’t have endured‍ the joint magic.‌

Luina‌ took pride in‌ her skill, but⁠‌‌ she had never‍ been arrogant.

‘Yes.⁠ I would have‌ lost. Without a doubt.’

If‌‍ she had taken‌ the combined magic‍ head-on, the map‍⁠ would have been‍‌ burned. Of course,‍ if it had‌ been an actual‌‍ battle, even though‍ she would have‌ been injured, she‌ might have endured without dying.

But at the academy,⁠ the safety systems‌‌ activated earlier to‍ protect the students.⁠‌

And⁠‌⁠ she couldn’t blame anyone for that.‍‌⁠ After all, it was an educational⁠⁠‍ environment and everyone⁠⁠ was under the⁠ same conditions.

“I’m‍⁠ one step closer‍‍ to being the⁠⁠⁠ best…”

But⁠⁠⁠ she didn’t feel⁠ joy. She wanted⁠‌ to be number⁠⁠ one. She wanted‍‍ to be someone worthy of being⁠‌ the best.

She‍ wanted to be⁠‌ a knight who⁠ had no choice‌‍ but to take first place.

It⁠‌ wasn’t just a wish. She wanted‍ to have such⁠‍ overwhelming strength that⁠ it was inevitable,‌ and with it,‍‍⁠ become a Royal⁠ Knight.

Being‍⁠ the best in‍ the academy was‍⁠‌ not her ultimate‌⁠⁠ goal. It was‍ only a step along the way.⁠

But⁠ if from that⁠ very step she⁠ was already relying⁠⁠⁠ on someone else,‌‍ what was the⁠ point?

‘I’ve⁠‍ already digested enough‍‍ of the mandrake⁠‍ elixir.’

And⁠⁠ the worst part‌‍ was that Fernan’s goal was not‍‌ to be number‍ one at the‌ academy but to⁠ fight demons.

She‌ had said she⁠‍‍ wanted to help⁠ him, but wasn’t‍‌ she being more⁠ of a burden?⁠‍

Shing.‍ She slowly drew‍‍ her sword.

‘More.’‌

The‌⁠‍ sword began to‌ move according to⁠⁠‌ her will.

‘More.’‍‍

It‍ gently cut the⁠ air. It sliced‌ through the falling⁠‍ leaves.

It⁠‌⁠ danced with the moonlight with elegance.‍

‘Faster.‍ Stronger. Sharper.’

Every‌‌ swordsmanship technique has‍ an axis and‌ a symbol.

If Armian swordsmanship, known‍‌⁠ as the nemesis‌‌ of demons, was‌ a radiant light…‍

Then‌‌⁠ the Bercheff’s, protectors⁠ of the north⁠ for generations, was‍⁠ a lion that‍‌ devoured even monsters.‌‍

“…The‍ white lion.”

Aint,‌‌‍ watching her from‌‌⁠ a certain distance,‌ saw that lion⁠⁠ in her sword‌‍‍ dance.

Beautiful,⁠ elegant, yet also‍⁠ fierce. A refined‌ predator hiding its‍ claws.

Swish!‍‍

Luina’s‍ sword stopped right‍‌ in front of⁠ Aint’s face.

The cutting wind that‌ followed made his⁠ hair sway. Their‌‌‍ eyes met.

“Ah,⁠ sorry. That slipped⁠‌ out unintentionally.”

“I’m‍ fine, senior. I was the one‍ who approached without‍‌‌ making a sound.”‌

Watching‍ another person’s sword⁠⁠ training without permission⁠ was almost like⁠⁠‌ breaking a taboo.‍‍‌ The fact that‌‍ he could enter⁠⁠ so calmly meant‍‌ he had been‌ called and authorized‍ by her.

“But⁠ you say you⁠⁠‍ want a duel,‌⁠ just like that?”‍

“Can⁠‌ I assume you’ve come because you feel like facing‍ me?”

“Well,‌‌‍ since you’re asking,‍‌⁠ I suppose so…”⁠⁠

— He’s completely insane.‍ If you asked⁠ him for his liver and kidneys,‍‍‌ he’d give them to you without complaint.

Aint‌⁠ deliberately ignored Gardner’s⁠⁠ murmur.

“I‌⁠‍ know it’s rude⁠‍ to treat you‍ like this…”

Fernan⁠⁠ held Aint in very high regard.‍⁠ He considered him‌ someone destined to⁠ become the natural⁠‍ enemy of demons.‌‌ Even if not‌‍ for that, she had seen it⁠ too—how his sword‌ weakened monsters.

“I‌ thought that you,‍ who are the⁠⁠ natural enemy of‍ demons, could tell‍‌‌ me if my‍‍⁠ current sword could⁠‍⁠ really face them.”‌

That‌‍ was why she‌⁠‌ was curious.

That⁠⁠ was why he‌‌ was the most‌‌ suitable person.

“Does‍ it bother you?”‍

She‍ wanted to know‍‌ if she would‍ continue being a burden or if⁠‌ she could still‍‍ be considered a sharp sword.

“…To⁠ be honest, I didn’t come with‍ such a grand‍ intention.”

The⁠ seriousness on her‌‍ face made Aint⁠ become serious as‍⁠ well.

“But‌⁠ a duel with‍⁠‌ a talented knight⁠‌ also motivates me.⁠ Although I don’t know if I’ll‍ be able to evaluate it properly.”⁠‌

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Is‌⁠⁠ there a reward?”‍

“Reward?”⁠⁠

“If‌⁠ there’s a reward⁠‌ for winning, I’d‌‌ feel more motivated.⁠ Something like a wish, for example.”‌

— Tsk, you can clearly see his‌ ulterior motive.

Luina,‌ however, was not‌‍ offended by this‍‌ blatant enthusiasm. On‌ the contrary, she liked it.

She‌‌ was a knight,⁠‍ and she admired⁠ strong knights. She‌ also valued those‌‌⁠ who, with pride‍‌ and determination, strove to become stronger.

Because that was what⁠⁠ she wanted to‍ be as well.‌

“No.”‌

Still,⁠ she couldn’t fulfill‍‍‌ Aint’s expectations.

“Huh?‌ Why not?”

“Because‌‌ Fernan warned me. He told me⁠‌‌ not to make‌ promises lightly. You‌ never know when‌ that promise could⁠‍ turn into a poison that strangles⁠ you.”

That man, obsessed with‌ contracts, didn’t let⁠‌ the smallest detail‍ slip.

“Especially those vague and‌⁠ unlimited rewards. Never.”‌

“T-then,‌ if I lose,‌‌⁠ I’ll grant you⁠ a wish instead!‌⁠⁠ Honestly, you have‍ a much higher⁠ chance of winning!”⁠

Luina⁠ shook her head‍ again.

“In‍‍‍ this world, nothing‌‍ is absolute. No‌ matter how high‍‌ the odds may‌ seem, one should‍ never accept such a contract.”

When‌ she finished, she‌ let out a small laugh. ‘Since⁠‍ when do I listen so much⁠‌ to what Fernan‌‍ says? Until last‍‍ year, I didn’t⁠‌‍ even want to‌ deal with him…’⁠

No, it was simply⁠ reasonable advice. That was why she‍ kept it in‌‍ mind.

“So‌ then…”

Shaking‌ her head to‌⁠ clear those thoughts,⁠ Luina gripped her⁠ sword.

“Come‌ on, Aint.”

“…Here‍ I go.”

───!⁠⁠

White‍⁠ light and the‌ blue lion clashed.

***⁠

“…….”⁠⁠⁠

The‍‍ man, who was‌‌ trimming a twig from a bonsai⁠ placed by the⁠ window, set the‍‍ scissors on the‍ table.

After making sure there‍ were no customers‍⁠ in the quiet⁠‌ bookstore, he drew⁠⁠ the curtains. The‌ sign flipped to‍‍ show the word‌ “close.”

“I‌‌‌ told you not to come during⁠ business hours.”

He picked up the‌‍‍ bonsai scissors again.‍⁠ A shadow emerged‍ behind him.

“Comentas has been eliminated.”‍‍

“Who‌ was it?”

Tic,‌‌ a twig fell‍⁠‍ to the floor.‌⁠‌

“Bah,‌‍ what nonsense. There’s⁠‍ no point in‍‍ asking.”

Comentas⁠ guarded one of the barriers set‌ by the first emperor.

His⁠⁠ function was to‌‌ analyze the defensive‍‍⁠ mechanism and keep‌ it sealed. He‍‌‍ was also meant‍⁠ to set a trap for Aint‌ Armian, in case‌⁠ he arrived ahead⁠⁠ of schedule.

But‌ it had barely‍ been activated. It‌ wasn’t a solid or well-prepared trap‌‌ yet.

“He‌‍ was warned that‌⁠⁠ if Aint Armian arrived earlier than‌ expected, he was‌‍ not to intervene⁠ rashly…”

“I’m⁠ sorry…”

“The‌ one who should‌ apologize is not⁠‍ you, but Comentas,⁠ for disobeying the⁠ order and dying.”‍‍‍

If⁠ he were in front of him,‍⁠‌ he would have‍ ripped out his‌‍ soul before it‌ disappeared, to make‍ him pay for it.

Contrary‍⁠ to what humans‍ think, not even‌‍ demons can manipulate‍ souls at will.‍‍

“Even‍⁠⁠ so, the fact⁠ that that brat‌ managed to eliminate‍⁠ him is unexpected.‍ Has Aint Armian’s‌⁠⁠ growth already reached⁠ that level?”

“Almost‌ all traces of⁠ the battle were‌‍⁠ erased, but there‍ was something suspicious.”‍

“Speak.”⁠

“There⁠‍ was an evaluation⁠ for second-year students‍‍ during the day.‌ The ground collapsed,⁠ and an underground‌ cavity opened. After⁠ the enemies disappeared,⁠‍ the entrance was‌ concealed with camouflage‍ magic.”

“Who‌ was it?”

“Fernan Pellenberg.”

The⁠ man’s hands paused‍‌‍ for a brief‍‌ moment before resuming⁠‍ their movement.

“Yes.⁠⁠ Of course. It‌‍⁠ had to be him.”

Even⁠⁠‌ if Aint Armian‌‍ had absorbed the‍ first emperor’s legacy,‌ defeating Comentas so quickly was unlikely.‌‍‌

“Aint‌‍ Armian knows about the corrupt ones.”⁠⁠⁠

It was natural. He had seen them‍ through the first⁠‍⁠ emperor’s legacy, and‍ had fought against‌ the monsters sent‌ from this side.‍‌⁠

“And‌⁠ Fernan Pellenberg knows‍‌‍ as well.”

Fernan‍⁠ had been drawn⁠⁠ into Aint’s affairs.⁠

“Even‌‌‌ so, they haven’t‍ made anything public.”⁠‌⁠

Fernan‌ had more than‍‌⁠ enough power to‌‌ cause a scandal‍ and expose everything.‌‍⁠ The fact that‍ he hadn’t meant‍ one thing.

“They’re‍‍ suspicious. They suspect‌⁠‌ there are corrupt‌ ones infiltrated within‌‍‌ the academy.”

A faint smile appeared‍‌‌ on his lips.⁠‍

“It’s‍ obvious that Aint⁠‍ Armian and Fernan‍‍ Pellenberg are cooperating.”‍⁠

“…And⁠‍⁠ isn’t that a serious problem?”

“It‍‌ is. But not immediately.”

Until‍⁠ they obtained conclusive‌ proof, it seemed‌‌ they would choose‌‍ to act from‌‌ the shadows. That‍ gave a small‍‌ window of time.‍⁠‍

“That’s⁠ why they’re resorting‌‌⁠ to the Dragon⁠⁠ God Cult…”

The⁠⁠ man fell silent,⁠ thoughtful. After a long while, he⁠‌‌ spoke again.

“Do‌‍ you already know⁠‌ where they planted‌ the World Tree’s‌‍ branch?”

“Yes.”⁠

“Make⁠‍‍ contact.”

“But…”⁠

“Don’t‌ make me repeat⁠⁠ myself.”

Tic,‍ another twig fell⁠ to the floor.

“When⁠ the net closes⁠‌ in little by‍ little, and one⁠‍ is certain it will eventually strangle your neck, the⁠ only thing left‍ is to break‌⁠⁠ it, even if‌‍ it means taking‍ losses.”

That‍ damned greedy bastard,‍ Pellenberg, would surely‌‌‌ come for him‌⁠ as well.

“If‌ it’s only a matter of time,⁠ the right thing⁠‍‌ to do is‍ strike first. Even‌⁠⁠ if it means‌⁠ revealing our existence‌ to the world,⁠ we must kill‍ them both.”

The‍ natural enemy of⁠‌ demons, designated by‍⁠ the first emperor.⁠‍ And the wealthy‌‍⁠ bastard helping him.‍

With⁠‌ the most effective⁠ method they had⁠⁠⁠ at hand.

“Even‌‍‍ so, the summoning must remain the⁠⁠ last resort. It‍‍ would be best‌ to resolve it‍ before reaching that⁠‍⁠ point. Soon it⁠⁠⁠ will be the‌‍‌ school break. If‍‌ an opportunity arises,‌‍ act yourself.”

“…I obey the order.”‍

The‍ shadow disappeared.

Tick—‌⁠

Another‍‍⁠ twig was cut.⁠‍