Chapter 55

After the final exams, the academy entered a long vacation.

The atmosphere was lively with the arrival of the break.

Some were preparing to return home, while others planned to stay to make up pending subjects.

“And you, what will you do, Luina?”

“I plan to go back home. Even though they say the situation in the family has improved, I want to help at least a little while I can.”

Well, although the Bercheff family was slowly improving, the monsters in the north still hadn’t completely disappeared.

“And you?”

“I also plan to return home. There are things I need to do. When do you plan to come back?”

“Why do you ask?”

Why indeed… ‘Because you need to be back before Andromalius is summoned.’

“I was just curious.”

“I plan to return about two weeks early to prepare for the next semester.”

“I see.”

So even without intervening, her participation in the fight against Andromalius was assured.

“If you ever need my help later, don’t hesitate to contact me.”

“There’s no need.”

“Take this. It’s a direct communicator. Its range is at most 3 km.”

“Then it’s useless?”

The distance between Bercheff and Pellenberg easily exceeded thousands of kilometers.

“Just take it for now. This…”

It was a measure for future situations in the academy, not just for the vacation. Fernan held back.

“This what?”

“Nothing. Have a good trip, number one student.”

“Number one… I’m still not used to it, but it doesn’t sound so bad. Have a good vacation yourself.”

After saying goodbye to Luina, Fernan returned to the guild office.

Since he would be away from the academy for quite a while, there were many things he needed to sort out.

“Didn’t you already have everything arranged?”

Hyde looked at him strangely upon seeing him still busy.

“These aren’t guild matters, it’s something else.”

“The materials?”

“Exactly. I need to make sure everything arrives correctly to the family, that it’s loaded on the ship, and check the rest of the materials.”

Of course, although normally nothing should go wrong, it never hurt to make sure.

“Prepare a transport circle to the family.”

“You’re not going by ship?”

“Time is money. And don’t lose sight of even a single detail of Aint Armian’s movements.”

Fernan reviewed the documents related to the sea dragon.

***

— So… are you going back home?

“No.”

The sea wind, heavy with salt, blew strongly. Aint was at the stern, looking out over the vast sea.

“My father would be genuinely happy about my achievements. And so would the vassals.”

Although Armian had fallen, those who remained were more united than ever.

“That’s why, if I go back, it will be hard to leave the family again. Better to stick to my original plan. Besides, I already sent a letter to the territory.”

The ship sailed steadily toward the southeast.

Its destination was not Lutar, where the Kingdom of Armian was founded, but the southern continent of Pandrein.

— Pandrein is a land with many areas still unexplored by humans.

— That’s why there are more monsters, and stronger ones.

— It’s the most suitable place for you to experience real combat.

“I understand.”

Aint nodded.

“But isn’t that information from a thousand years ago?”

— Huh?

For the first time, Gardner seemed confused.

“Still, I don’t think it’s wrong. Even after a thousand years, I’ve heard Pandrein is still pretty underdeveloped.”

Although it had developed a lot compared to back then, everything was relative.

— That’s exactly what I meant.

Days later, they arrived at the port of Ramons, a coastal city in the Kingdom of Frazia.

“At first glance, it doesn’t look much different.”

— Pandrein has less population than Lutar, but there’s always been some exchange.

— By the way… Frazia, that name doesn’t ring a bell.

“It’s a kingdom founded about 500 years ago.”

With vast lands, abundant resources, and heavy investment in mercenaries, it was created to survive among powerful monsters.

After the Empire, it was the strongest nation on the Pandrein continent.

— First register as a mercenary, then look for a suitable mission.

“Yes.”

Ramons was the largest commercial city in Frazia, and as expected, it was crowded. The mercenary guild headquarters was ten stories high and bustling.

The first floor looked like a tavern, like in other guild branches.

There were dozens of tables, a bar, and a large central pillar that also served as a notice board, covered in missions.

In one corner were the counter and receptionists.

Aint went straight to the counter.

“Welcome. How can I help you?”

“I’d like to take the exam to become a mercenary.”

“Could I have your name and identification plate?”

“Actually, my name is Aint, I don’t have an ID plate, but I do have this.”

Aint showed his academy student ID. Although it didn’t contain much detail, it bore the seven stars that symbolized the academy.

“Are you a student of the academy?”

Upon seeing the ID—almost impossible to forge due to the complex magical engravings and the Empire’s control system—the receptionist’s eyes changed.

“Yes.”

“If you don’t mind, may I ask what year you’re in?”

“First year.”

“First-year students automatically receive a rank 4 plate. If you wish to rank up, you can take an additional exam. If you’re interested, let me know.”

Just as Aint was about to respond, remembering Gardner’s advice that with rank 4 he wouldn’t be able to take on missions of a suitable level—

“I’d like to take the exa—”

“Huh? Aint?”

A shadow fell behind him. It was a muscular man with short brown hair, black eyes, and several small scars.

“Varus? What are you doing here?”

“That’s what I should be asking you. I came because I feel at home here.”

Now that he thought about it, Varus Dene was a disciple of the Mercenary King, an almost legendary figure within the guild. That he would come to the guild during the break wasn’t strange at all.

“True.”

“You want to become a mercenary?”

“I want to try the work during the vacation.”

“Wow, the profession is really underestimated. Now anyone wants to try it like it’s a hobby.”

The corner of Varus’s lips curled in a mocking smile. When Aint frowned, Varus continued,

“But you’re not just anyone, so I get it. Hey, you.”

“Y-yes, Sir Varus!”

The receptionist, recognizing him, tensed immediately.

“No need for the exam. This kid is the second place in the first-year academy ranking. You can register him directly as rank 3.”

“Second place?”

“Yes, his skill is undeniable.”

Thanks to Varus’s backing, the registration process finished quickly. Aint received a silver plate engraved with the number 3.

“Thanks. You made it really easy for me.”

“No need to thank me. With your level, it was only a matter of time. If you’re done, step aside, I have business to attend to.”

“Sure.”

Aint stepped aside, and Varus immediately sat down.

“Where’s the request for the Abellar subjugation?”

“Do you plan to participate?”

“Yes. I plan to take my entire mercenary unit.”

“With you leading, this mission is sure to succeed. I’ll register the entire Black Lance Squad.”

“Thanks.”

After quickly completing the registration, Varus stood up.

“If you’re looking for a suitable mission, you could join the Abellar subjugation. With your level, it would be good for you.”

“And what exactly is that?”

“Ask the guild directly.”

Varus brushed past Aint’s shoulder as he left. Aint returned to the counter.

“The Abellar subjugation… what exactly is it?”

“It’s a mission to reclaim a territory overrun by monsters. The area is now infested, and it’s estimated there are nearly five hundred monsters settled there.”

That’s why the Kingdom of Frazia had issued a massive request to the mercenary guild, and so far, about three hundred mercenaries had already signed up.

“It’s dangerous, but the reward offered by Frazia is considerable. Also, the presence of a Gorgon has been confirmed.”

“A Gorgon?”

A Gorgon was a gigantic beast with horns on its head, covered in metallic scales harder than steel. It had front legs like a lion’s, sharp claws, and a serpent’s tail.

A formidable enemy.

But also very valuable—its corpse was worth a fortune.

“That’s why more than three hundred mercenaries have gathered.”

— That sounds tempting.

— A Gorgon is stronger than an ogre, and with hundreds of monsters in the area, it’s going to be a large-scale battle. It’s the perfect scenario to experience a war.

At Gardner’s comment, Aint nodded.

“So can I participate?”

“Of course. The mission is for rank 3 or higher, so you’re more than welcome.”

That day, Aint received the request for the Abellar subjugation.

It was the same one Fernan had seen in the prophecy, where Aint would face a monster of the cursed race.

***

The place where the subjugation unit gathered was a region called Gincef.

A small barony neighboring the devastated Abellar, living daily with the fear of being next.

Three hundred mercenaries and five hundred soldiers from the kingdom had assembled there.

“Uoooooh!”

The townspeople cheered for the troops, hopeful they would eliminate the threat.

“Rank 3 mercenary, Aint. Identity verified.”

Aint was checked by the staff and joined the group. Chaos reigned everywhere; mercenaries were eating meat and bread without any order.

“This way, please. We serve food before the battle so you can go in with a full stomach.”

Aint went to the makeshift dining area, received his portion, and sat in any available chair. The food was bad.

‘I can really tell now how good the food at the academy was.’

— Of course. If you gather the best talents, you’re not going to feed them garbage.

At that moment—

“You don’t seem to like it much.”

Someone sat down beside him.

“Varus.”

“Looks like nobles have refined palates.”

“It’s not that, I’m just not used to it. But what about them?”

It wasn’t just Varus. He was accompanied by about thirty mercenaries with an intimidating presence.

“My squad. It’s called the Black Lance. Pretty famous in this world.”

Aint had heard of them.

A squad made up of mercenaries personally selected by the Mercenary King for his disciple.

Since its founding, they had completed dozens of missions without a single failure.

“You don’t know much about mercenary work, do you?”

“No, this is my first time.”

“If you want, you can join us.”

“Really? Is that okay?”

Varus calmly chewed on meat.

“I don’t think you’ll be a burden. And besides, you’re from Armian.”

“If you mean my family… I have nothing now.”

“But I don’t think you’ll stay that way for long.”

“And what makes you say that?”

“That you went from rank 38 to second place in one semester. That you beat me.”

He’s simply extending a hand in good faith.

“I only trust the skills I’ve seen. And you beat me. I like strong people. Now you’re a mercenary, same as me.”

Aint was thoughtful at that sincere smile.

— Not a bad idea to accept. If they’re truly veterans, you could learn a lot.

— Even if you’re strong at a continental level, on a real battlefield anything can happen.

— And since it’s your first time, it’s better to be prepared.

“But won’t you have problems? The prince won’t like it.”

“Not even the imperial family can touch me.”

— How insolent! Do you dare mock the imperial family?

‘I’m talking about the Schwaben family, not Armian.’

Aint calmed the indignant Gardner.

“In that case…”

“Great, Aint. I think we’re going to get along well.”

Varus grinned broadly and shook his hand.