Chapter 54
AjjucvOnce can be a mistake.x9d3EL
gIvROTwice, a coincidence.QJlGJ
1qhknUBut three times is fate.rTZOAkx
mlNQZ2When Fernan took first place in practice, some thought it was because of others’ mistakes.Q05c
cmmWhen he was first in the midterm exam, they said it was only because it was switched to a written test due to a fortuitous incident.n7il2
4ppBut the third time—yi3tC
P1hTWhen even in the final exam of Battle, War, and Magic he again took first place, no one could say it was luck anymore.KAl7ary
myxUIt was inevitable. Fernan Pellenberg’s talent was real, and everyone understood that he had been hiding it until now.Z2zOLF
6lI5h【Fernan Pellenberg and Luina Bercheff also take victory in Battle, War, and Magic. One step away from being the best of the year?】aMxAMuj
M4T“Hmm.”uF60Y2
Dt8Uep0In a lush forest, a red-haired elf sat on the branch of a tree, humming as she flipped through the newspaper.wnUM
8GYqiaTick.JmG
F6G3hlWith a light snap of her fingers, the spirits summoned a gentle breeze. The forest’s energy tenderly caressed the branch of the World Tree.yts
B6PQnJ“When everything goes so well, it’s almost scary.”lc10
mqn“What exactly has gone so well?”kcbBv
sXg“You, senior. Look at this.”2blxAV
63w7GfqAria held out the newspaper. Fernan, looking up at her from below, read it.McuIM
B9az7Eq“They say there’s a good chance you’ll become the best of the year.”G9H
sMS“And?”piSyCTH
h4VdulV“It’s just that I’m very happy my first marquis friend is doing so well.”15V
5XOnx“You seem to be misunderstanding something.”41Zc
cTHYcqCrack. A mound of dirt shot up and tore the newspaper apart.unFVv
uxRHVaV“We were never friends.”wqv
jyYK74“Then let’s call it an alliance. A great demonic alliance against demons. In any case, to me, you’re the closest person.”cqKlN
HjuyAria smiled carefreely.U8JpWH
feM44i“Are you an outcast or something?”yX3EQs
NsbFJli“Of course not! I could ostracize the whole world if I wanted to, but the world could never ostracize me.”MWpzLvn
40RPev“What nonsense are you spouting?”q84c4Q
NQCo“I mean it.”AI9g2
tFybpEven smiling, her pure, bright eyes weren’t showing everything. Fernan felt there was something more.xsDUTeM
fM6fThen he changed the subject.BZg
STFA“Any strange energy in the World Tree branch?”JQi
jHaq“None. It’s clean as always, not a speck of dust.”pvrLWh
zYfNVzFernan secretly checked the surveillance spheres he had hidden. Other than Aria, no one had approached the World Tree branch.Zzfo
3TrMspThey still haven’t come close.RSC
P3wHIUFThat reassured him, but also left a faint unease.Yl9UJ
sT2lmcWhat if I’ve gotten too involved and that’s changed the future?34cZn
3BC6PMWhat if the corrupted were hiding even more? What if their plan had already shifted?VTxBE
zxLWhat if Andromalius’s appearance no longer happened, and Aint lost his chance to fight a demon? And if, in the end, an inexperienced Aint was defeated by demons who had prepared more thoroughly?j0G34
0tlZWhat if that led to Fernan’s total downfall…?HQ3JR3
L9iAA nightmare. A future that must never happen.rAR
6E6GCcB“If you notice any anomaly, no matter how small, tell me immediately.”A9noJ
cmDGg“Don’t worry. It’s a matter related to the Mother Tree. I’ll do everything I can.”aDA5Vb
RsDfu“And what’s the situation over there?”4m1QB6
fUmy“You mean my father?”G4p
6zrUFhQThe Fridian family, together with the elves, had witnessed the monsters and detected the activity of the corrupted.f8spgFo
wZAiByQIt wouldn’t be strange if they started to act.RtZsudR
e1BGac“It’s quiet. Don’t you remember you asked me yourself not to say anything about the monsters and corrupted for a while?”5OS
nt3i1cz“I didn’t think you’d actually do it.”Aml5XAx
icgJ“Of course! It’s a request from the senior closest to me at the academy.”r0wwQ
QXTrwShe lowered her voice as if it were a secret, even though no one was around.JURj
kFn5Y“Not even my father knows yet.”yqU
eeQUY9“You’re obsessed with relationships.”TKUjlOd
3SNlUA“And you with money. Maybe that’s why we make a good team.”kOK5264
1GDIt wasn’t clear if she was being serious or joking.TEK
dnN5pBut Fernan decided to assume it was a lie. He couldn’t imagine someone deceiving the head of the family and acting on their own.HKI
V4Xq“How are the final exams going?”HvOzw
Qaqz“Not bad. Although against that noble from the Dragon God Cult I don’t stand a chance, right below him I’m doing fine.”MWDU30o
NDSVgS1“I see.”hS2dh
nZuIt made sense. She was the companion of the hero proclaimed by the prophecy book. Having that level of talent was normal.iPBKUYI
18nZiAnd besides, he, who won with money, was in no position to worry about anyone else.rz27
pXAXvQ***kY2BL4S
XwPgseDespite taking first place in Battle, War, and Magic thanks to his excellent improvisation and sound strategies, the final exam wasn’t over yet.QGI6L
KQtSeveral subjects remained, including two more worth five credits each: Magical Survival Techniques and Study of Monsters and Magical Beasts.uOsH
MMZ3JC1Although the three subjects—Battle, War, and Magic, Magical Survival Techniques, and Study of Monsters and Magical Beasts—were different courses, they were deeply related.p0dl5
PhMNaturally, the contents of the three exams also had many similarities.u8iK
VdMNGWR“The exam setting for Magical Survival Techniques will be the snowy northern region. You will have to survive there for four days. Nothing will be provided, and your enemies will not only be the harsh conditions but also the monsters.”dE6UXsu
ntHLuckily, there was no direct competition between students this time, but on the other hand, the level of the monsters was higher. Still, the exam results were somewhat different from before.UpQ
ykYdp4The academy’s students weren’t stupid. They had suffered through several situations already, so they prepared as best they could, which was especially evident in the Magical Survival Techniques exam.8tcZmnO
7WlALudger and Carlo, in particular, were confident.rK2nEs6
kA8z“It’s not like you’re the only one who can use money, you know? Maybe not on the Pellenberg level, but the Schwaben are also a family with money to throw around anywhere in the Empire.”aft
M3BuXS6“If we’re on equal footing, there’s no reason for me to lose to you.”mtvuQ
I2bWjAmid constant blizzards and monster attacks, Fernan and Luina managed to survive until the end.k2kV
HBAI8But perhaps because of artifact use, there were more survivors than expected. Since the evaluation was relative, not absolute, among the survivors other factors were considered.XQ1oX
sgkVJ9ECarlo Deneb, the student with the highest offensive power among the second years, and Alia Torta were the ones who hunted the most monsters and took first place.h75m
VrRsLudger and Almon came in second.vNfivn
pdAFernan and Luina were pushed to third place.KsWWsfW
IbESAnd to top it off—uWC
NtlMy3W“We’ve received the reports. They say the fever over the exam got out of control and artifacts, elixirs, and potions were used far too often.”OA2F
5F1l“That’s why we’re going to cool that enthusiasm a bit. In the next Study of Monsters and Magical Beasts exam, the use of any external item is prohibited.”AtF7W3
fCGKBThe worst possible news for Fernan.xYc
b0wzMbC“…It’s not like without artifacts I lose all my skill, right?”qT80q
TGw7iK“You do. I depend on money more than you think.”UcRd6I
q7c5VThe Study of Monsters and Magical Beasts exam was simple—hunting large monsters using mannequins.kgb59
gnlQCIt was evaluated based on how quickly and in how much coordination they managed to bring down ten monsters of different characteristics, which appeared one after another.vvz
Wdr“But I think you’re the one who knows best and understands how to use the monsters’ traits.”dU1kLu
DK0JsNL“I’m not so sure. If someone made it this far, they’ve probably already memorized the basic traits of most of them.”a0Q7tP
vENr“But not everyone knows how to use them efficiently when facing them, right?”NzOcGUz
yzSnsDS“That, you’re right about.”wec2hc
8TU6“Then that’s enough.”qXAlbHY
Tt5HgaAnd indeed, it was. Fernan explained the most efficient method for handling each monster, and Luina executed it with astonishing speed.qdu06
xXgrFk“…Your skill?”0hU
jYOq“I’m working hard not to be a burden. Thanks to that, lately I’ve had small achievements.”XPL
EAGgThanks to Luina’s unexpected performance, they both took second place in Study of Monsters and Magical Beasts.dNB
1xl0aT“We won again.”IpGO
Qy15Hx“At last, I was able to properly show you my skills, Your Highness.”3lPJ4j
fTI1JqLudger and Almon took first place, but that didn’t change the overall picture much.ZDNb
xlbOnce the group exams were over, the individual ones began.nfsYH
6i3【Second Year, First Semester – Department of Magic Grade Ranking】
【1st: Fernan Pellenberg
2nd: Carlo Deneb
3rd: Rudger Schwaben
4th: …】XRB
PxUS3【Second Year, First Semester – Department of Knights Grade Ranking】
【1st: Luina Bercheff
2nd: Almon Donertz
3rd: Harold Volkan
4th: …】JwO
mq7SrJAfter the exams came the results everyone had been waiting for.AfZReV
1VD8hFernan and Luina, who had caused a stir since the start of the semester, finally rose to first place.frqbE
QS5【Final Ranking – Second Year, First Semester – Department of Magic】
【Best Student: Fernan Pellenberg
Second Place: Carlo Deneb
Third Place: Rudger Schwaben
4th: Daisy…】x2l
GmPQlcx【Final Ranking – Second Year, First Semester – Department of Knights】
【Best Student: Luina Bercheff
Second Place: Almon Donertz
Third Place: Alia…】BGL
hCQMX7The positions that had remained almost fixed all year finally shifted.zBB
Kjw***NF5jIG
lsXmFEver since he enrolled, Almon had never lost first place, so dropping to second was quite an event.EexOq
WDAuXXAnd Fernan, who had been in tenth place, rising to become the top of the semester was even more shocking.bGzSXs
tNGVumh“…Did Fernan really get first place?”P0Id
9WXvw7v“From tenth to first in a single semester? He was definitely hiding his skill. Why show it now of all times?”MhCI
VdqRVg“Luina finally became the best!”PQIyLB1
VIKp“Congratulations, Luina!”oB9QPUd
vBxegVq“I can’t believe I dropped…”pXQ
4YFYwOS“This is the first time I’ve lost first place.”JaSLcq5
NH7KBmRIn front of the board with the grades and rankings, many students gathered.9E3
TKdDSome were surprised at the change, others offered congratulations, some were upset, and others were filled with competitiveness.wkUK
5d2j3“…I got first.”V84zZ4n
ldXwLSBut the main person responsible for all of it didn’t seem particularly happy.Mrx
mDtw9“You wanted it so much, and now you don’t seem pleased.”JiLOgo
WfTr0“More than that… I feel like I didn’t quite earn it by myself. Without your help, it would’ve been impossible.”VXQ3sD
OYV“What a useless thought.”SLoW
8LiK6Is this upright guy really worrying about that? Fernan thought with an ironic smile. It felt like he came from a completely different world.eOlNYB
skOu4“We were partners, and a pair is a team. We got the result together, so there’s nothing to worry about. I wouldn’t have had these results without you either.”wlt2y
o4zRuT“Really?”Uat
Re4m6g“Really.”T2baLJ
BaiGBS9“I was never a burden?”GVtl
bfG7xnf“Not even once.”qhs
CFf“I see.”Pon9r8
FwNoLuina nodded lightly. Even so—bkNHdA
3uN“Next time, I’ll work harder.”cQY2
JwKJ“As much as you like. Congratulations on your first place. You’ve taken one step closer to your goal.”69Dw
08eG“Thank you. Congratulations to you too. I hope we work just as well together next semester.”ZXvBeFy
Hgk“Of course.”sE37
JExLLuina gave a polite bow and left with her friends.TOwd
oSZDlq“You’re looking good.”XWBN
oo4k“Ludger.”ugu0jHq
Fvp3“Honestly, I didn’t expect it. The moment the second semester started, you came out swinging so hard I completely let my guard down.”E4e5pB
wS0yZtl“You didn’t seem so relaxed during the final exam.”mz0
pJ4c“The midterms hit me hard.”Ilh
ioGKNRAnd since the midterms were all written tests, Fernan had benefited considerably.TC0M
vDlo9e3Though, due to their particular nature, this final evaluation placed more weight on the final exams than on the midterms.oPLZA3f
c3LnN5“Anyway, congratulations. But be clear on this—there won’t be a second time.”sLa5
ZZjq“Wasn’t it your spot to begin with?”z6gMHC
ZECZ“Don’t you feel the fierce eyes of its original owner?”DPb8y
o5omLUNot far away, Carlo was biting his lip in front of the board. He was the one who lost the most from Fernan’s sudden rise.g4W8
Gru‘Originally, Luina and Carlo were partners.’D70vFpR
c4nsIf that had stayed the same, the results would have been very different. But that wasn’t something Fernan cared about. At most, he felt a little bad.2cV
SgiPQQ9“Any plans for the break?”Fdl6Q0
PzgU8q“I’m going back home.”ysDJfhm
6abAI“What boring vacations.”wCH8
y1K5dokBut they weren’t boring. Just thinking about everything he’d do once he returned to his family’s territory made him excited.R1pE
dZqor9After chatting a bit more, Ludger left, and Fernan moved to another board.JBsV2A
EhBX【Department of Knights Ranking – First Year, First Semester】
【1st: Valoshi Bienderk
2nd: Aint Armian
3rd: Verian Kalburdern
4th: Varus Dene…】2SkBtDF
yC9“Hmm.”U1QakA
UEGeAint Armian, despite having ranked 38th in the entrance exam, had achieved a surprisingly good result.dYlGp
i1cE“Not bad at all.”JMfA
6CtHe wasn’t first, which was a shame, but that didn’t mean Aint lacked talent—only that Valoshi Bienderk was even more outstanding.Heu
8Rs0Truly, not bad at all.3Mvik
XTMSmxZ***eji2I
tpGValoshi Bienderk, always friendly for no apparent reason.wuqIBu
RnIgsXAria Fridian, thirsty for social connections, even more insistent than Valoshi.Zbr
ShebZMLuina Bercheff, who had fallen in love at first sight and had approached him first.9uWu
fjXP7sEAnd Varus Dene, whom he befriended during the break while working as a mercenary.LdL
SWSIn total, Aint Armian had four companions.ujRJuR8
IBB9APerhaps more would join later, but for now, these were all Fernan had been able to confirm in the prophecy book.vTHd
1jsWOtAnd the last one to approach Aint was the Mercenary King’s disciple, Varus Dene.phAlk2
DEFAfter Andromalius’s arrival, Varus would end up fighting alongside Aint, and from that, they would grow closer.BWN
3tbkBut Fernan intended to alter that future a little.Cyvy3mL
3aVOdgV“Varus Dene. I want to hire you and your mercenary group.”mwzLR7M
0dLsB“Senior Fernan? Gladly! If it’s a request, I’m always willing. And even more so if you’re the one asking. I know you’ll pay well.”hPN1
OJSnByqVarus smiled greedily.rToL0V
uKql0i“The job is…”M5Qb
ox0lzFernan already knew, from the prophecy book, which requests Aint would accept. He planned to include Varus and his group in that job.piOzbx
H3ZSince he had already altered the course of events several times, it was likely that the dangers Aint would face were now even greater than foretold.gQ03ZYM
X3YD0‘Although the safest thing would be to prepare myself, I can’t do it.’ysBfV
hTUqDAndromalius’s arrival would happen right before the end of the break. And for that near day, he needed at least one ace up his sleeve.KaipNGK
1AVt6‘Varus Dene and his group should be enough.’ROgqL
cwHVarus was fourth in the Department of Knights, with enough talent to be Aint’s companion, and his group was made up of the best chosen by the Mercenary King.fmsiiCj
uuDnAThey would be more than sufficient as escorts.6rl
lOL8lEven if he recruited them a little early, the future shouldn’t change too much.oowfoV
jd7aZCAfter signing the contract with Varus, Fernan stretched.pu7d4Do
Gr1w2w3Thus ended the long, long first semester of the second year.bfHd
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