Chapter 6
Vs5While Fernan was away visiting his family estate, time at the Academy continued to move steadily forward.f5ntS
VYhRcm5The entrance ceremony concluded with the oath of the top first-year students from each department. Soon after, the Imperial Academy began a new semester.cR9y
gQatFernan entered the classroom and took a seat. As students arrived, the room grew increasingly lively and noisy.WOLaUvU
C9FpIu“Fernan.”Nwist3
IDnppQSomeone approached while he sat silently, lost in thought.Iz0HS
BT2xfo“Your Highness. It’s been a while.”oGOybN
vqFL“I’m disappointed. Weren’t we going to talk casually?”ZFo
aYG“This is our first time seeing each other since reaching the second year. I thought I should at least greet you properly.”hen7
vANFew people dared approach Fernan, given the dignity of his house and the heavy aura surrounding him.4RRTBW
72qn8mOnly those with comparable prestige or those whom Fernan personally acknowledged as competent and with whom he maintained a certain level of familiarity came near.a5h4i7
6YuQVtjLudger Schwaben, the blond second prince of the imperial family, belonged to both categories.e3T
yP2rm“I heard you returned early and were working on merchant guild affairs?”e5Od
EmaUQ“That’s right.”TGSBTgn
WheIvpW“As expected from Pellenberg’s heir, always busy.”2jzir8k
ZRlkUQM“I’m not the heir.”UuO
fDmEZlv“That’s practically guaranteed.”FTxX
ZP2SgF3“Nothing is ever guaranteed.”YsOJ7Z
q5XiV“Typical merchant talk, so thorough. Don’t you ever get tired of living so tensely?”BIjUiuS
s1p5n“That’s none of your business.”a3pa
uqx3“Yes, yes.”Ukyd
Ck8Ludger chuckled softly. After glancing around, he leaned in a bit closer.rs4b
vS4“Anyone among the first-years catch your attention?”ZJ5hi
mBnd“Why?”vdlKio
BmX“Because if it’s you, you’ve probably already investigated all of them.”KImV
WIa1W“I’ve been watching everyone who made the rankings.”Brv
oPWAA textbook answer, but also the correct one. This year’s incoming class had quite a bit of talent.0KoGIR8
ZCCgRLudger nodded.qjLEOC3
SS1d“What did you think of Aria Fridien?”IovHBAs
VoXEksP“The runner-up from the Magic Department?”kQ83
HaWi“Yes. She seems desperate to get close to the electors’ children. Probably trying to earn recognition. The established elector families consider the Fridien family outsiders.”fcm
II3“You’re one to talk. Weren’t you the one who helped her?”XS4C
A8f3R“I didn’t really do anything.”a9Un
opMiOP3That wasn’t a lie. It was Duke Pellenberg who acted as an intermediary, and Fernan had nothing to do with it.NJCUs
k9GmcW“What about Aint Armian?”i1z
84N“He hasn’t shown anything special yet, so I’m not sure. Aside from the name ‘Armian,’ he doesn’t stand out much.”ljHaY
UpANj2“Funny, considering I heard you visited him personally.”dGrzIg
uMdp5TLudger’s lips were smiling, but his eyes weren’t.NJc96
aYHojQo“Well, he’s from the old royal family. Of course I’d be interested if someone from the ancient imperial lineage suddenly showed up at the Academy after more than a century.”EQH
Uc89“Well, you’re a merchant. A merchant’s curiosity can rival that of a mage. Oh wait, you’re also a mage, aren’t you?”3GbJxM
07HtHLudger shrugged with a smile.7HZcfzr
S9QCdPo“Looks like the professor’s coming. See you later.”4ix6E
jEQg“Yeah.”2f7UC
pRSB‘Ludger Schwaben.’wbJ
5EUyLWatching him walk away, Fernan let out a quiet sigh.pyqwF
I65Ka‘Ludger Schwaben and Aint Armian. Schwaben and Armian…’grT
02FThe current royal family and the former royal family that they overthrew. Though they once shared the same roots, they were now like oil and water—impossible to mix.X9UWv
RFu“Defeat him.”Kohc3i
Y27RLudger Schwaben muttered softly.CQqxE6R
AVazDPThe past is only romanticized when it remains in the past. Memories are more beautiful when left untouched. Let people know that the past is just that—past.FniLAA
YOmCk“And let it remain forever as nothing more than a memory.”Q4ut7Or
Dyi24tA sharp pain throbbed in Fernan’s head as the vision of the future he had once seen repeated itself.50Q
pl47A future where Ludger Schwaben moved to suppress Aint Armian.Bi3O
agmWhat should he do?WHhU
pBLISg“…If I go by the prophecy alone, then Aint Armian is the one to bet on.”Va7
el9PsumBut Schwaben wouldn’t collapse so easily. Aint still had a long way to go before achieving victory.fNmrP
uUI8tTap, tap.jA9
g01Fernan’s fingers drummed on the desk.wCF
YHYtThe first lecture for second-year magic students was a 5-credit course titled Combat, War, and Magic.ehl3D5T
AqANVNu“Is everything ready?”BvKX
55wyWhen Fernan left the lecture hall after finishing class, Hyde approached him.evjByh
BoqThere had been a surprise test. He finished quickly and left.T2KJk6
B7kThe professor had given a test on the first day, which drew complaints from many students, but it allowed Fernan, who finished quickly, to leave ahead of the others.onRrfEh
nUC9“A test on the first day? What a peculiar professor!”PxpilGE
vc1“Unusual, yes. But skilled and experienced enough to pull it off.”ZDzw2B
MFseaIOfficially, it was to assess whether students remembered what they had learned in the first year, but Fernan didn’t really care.TumO56
90iFor him, the exam wasn’t that important to begin with.FFYq14
l3s“For the next class, write the name of a second-year Knight Department student you’ll work with as a partner.”G3aJQb5
gU74“If the knight student doesn’t agree to the pairing, it won’t be valid, so don’t just write anyone and make a fool of yourself.”U4LaFnm
9GblKJ5“During the test, the announcement written on the board turned out to be the core of today’s lecture.”E1SJuh
GgdIRPartners. The long-awaited moment had finally arrived.Drjub49
xBUlNMThe first thing Fernan did, as if struck by lightning, was confirm the protagonist.JNxY8
zuOXLbWAfter that, he began manipulating his connection with Luina, who would lead to his downfall.8gi
U8GThe seeds he had sown during the break were finally beginning to sprout.xSeF
w2Jw“And I’m curious to see who that guy ends up paired with.”OhsjJZI
gQwkNAt that moment, the top student from the Magic Department, Carlo Deneb, exited the classroom a bit later than Fernan.cn1djLO
dzwCarlo gave Fernan a strange look, then quickly turned away when their eyes met.QmCEbA
s9Rw‘Originally your partner was Luina Bercheff, wasn’t it?’tsEL
CshA textbook pairing of first and second place, but undoubtedly a powerful one.zGCnI0w
kP15However, since Fernan had altered the future, he was very curious to see who Carlo would end up with.0zwYv
zXJjtAx‘If this incident causes a change in the future, that would prove the prophecy isn’t absolute.’4huu
xfI1P5Even persuading Luina Bercheff to become his partner preemptively had already altered the original path, but that detail wasn’t written in the prophecy.rc7FD1
IgGRpWhich meant that from this point on, this was the true test.h3j
UItKsv1This was the moment when the future described in the prophecy should unfold.zg75qIj
F8NGy‘Depending on the result, I’ll decide how to handle Aint.’s9tri0Z
LwLRWhether to approach him actively or passively. If the future could truly be changed, then the future where he ended up ruined could also be reversed.bpaC
4YaZP6m“Are we heading to the Knight Department now?”qH23Xs
CfMwi0F“Yes. The opening lecture for first-year Knight Department students is War and Practical Dueling, right?”zHadJQI
aJ0cuWar and Practical Dueling was a 5-credit course for first-year Knight students. It conceptually overlapped with Combat, War, and Magic from the Magic Department and was known for organizing duels on the very first day to accurately assess skill level.Q6B7V
eTGWLKkIt was also the lecture mentioned in the prophecy.BvIf
eodL***pmdYSO
M7al“Winner! Armian!”8jq
KD0HDThe referee raised the flag signaling the end of the match after checking the condition of the fallen cadet.nbo
BsAAt his declaration, cheers erupted among the spectators.pJr
7CRCfWa“He won!”GbVDl1O
sXb4“He defeated Anto Dnern!”TluO
zOBwH5“He was no match for him during the entrance ceremony!”k2DO6I9
t02bb“Is this the power of royal blood…?”0kXrN
bd4A“Even so, Aint didn’t even rank in the entrance exam, and Anto placed 10th!”WxS15
RxHEveryone was stunned by the sudden upset. Everyone except one.HYNoeSE
o1TCJgThe one who created the miracle, Aint, raised his sword high and roared.cn1L
t4m‘This is just the beginning. I will restore my family’s honor.’1xV
KsmKQrThis was the moment when the name Aint Armian began to spread among professors and cadets alike.3pxirH
NLy1deThis was the turning point when Aint Armian began to shine after obtaining Gardner Alfenfarsen’s ego sword.cAZ
js1tVNZIt was something that absolutely had to be witnessed.u8qFo5
Oout***oWo7
EOmT“This must be the first time a second-year mage audits a first-year Knight Department class.”Yu2
l2QucA“Don’t be ridiculous. What’s the situation?”CUVPw
qOkM6“I already bribed the assistant, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”NRmw
FCGq“Only the assistant?”PdhZpo
SHfjqAccording to Academy rules, professors are forbidden from accepting bribes from students and face severe disciplinary action if caught.iJsdLln
yFz8t1“And?”AEl5Wok
xQ2g“But picking up an unclaimed bag of gold someone conveniently dropped in their home? That’s not against the rules. Professor Grad, who just happened to find such a bag at home, was delighted with your academic enthusiasm and kindly allowed you to attend as an observer, so long as you don’t interfere.”Maasi
asQYnp“Excellent.”Kna6
nfArThe Knight Department had a noticeably different atmosphere than the Magic Department—more energetic and full of vigor.cS1
OZDPart of it came from the fundamental difference between mages and knights, but also from their environments: while the Magic Department had many labs, the Knight Department was full of training rooms.YknX
tqcKLMA“Should I go in too?”TpX
kwdIl“It’s just an audit. One more person won’t be an issue.”qAVj
x7L“But Professor Grad only mentioned you, young master…”RNk
PPb“After all the money I spent? If that becomes a problem, that’s the real problem.”SE7
NZGAnd if it did become a problem, he would simply visit the professor’s house and drop off a bit more.xRj
ugGQUFernan, accompanied by his assistant, entered the lecture hall, avoiding as many gazes as possible.vec4D5
MvR2“Next! Aynan Elaine and Pellon Hark!”OUzN
txYZTrue to the Knight Department’s style, the lecture hall had a small dueling arena in front of the podium.K3d
N6bkyOAt the assistant’s call, the first-year student pairs stepped forward to duel. To one side, the burly and scarred Professor Grad silently watched the duels with a critical eye.ZJu
iJM1PTThanks to everyone’s attention being fixed on the duels, Fernan slipped in and took a seat unnoticed.WkhIs
lhdyW7nAynan Elaine. Rank 61. Pellon Hark. Rank 37. Bad luck for Aynan. Pellon should win easily.4th
GxW93The duel pairs were selected at random by drawing names from a box. It was pure luck, and being matched against someone more than ten ranks above you was simply misfortune.KFE
sXqFThe skill difference was clear. Pellon Hark will win.pDtGAan
lPjeGu“I think so too.”MNT
8iwAs expected, Aynan Elaine put up a decent fight, but was ultimately defeated with ease.cY6c
m6Z4FCY‘It’ll be the same for Aint Armian too… unless this time is different.’9rt5S
jIeQKMore specifically, his lineage and the weapon he had obtained.1bgQ8
5BsNo, even if most had forgotten, the fear and terror of that era still lingered. Those feats wouldn’t have been possible without genuine talent.vdKet
td1TBWTAfter all, he had defeated legendary demons. If that could have been done with just a special weapon, anyone could have done it.yGU
tzIp5Aint Armian is special. If anything, it was his environment that held him back. The decline of the secret sword art of Armian is well known.wnMWTA
bY2The long-awaited moment had arrived.Bo5
oihJT“Next, Anto Dnern! And Aint Armian!”ondfdk6
dLZk6Ranked 10th in the Knight Faculty, Anto Dnern and Aint Armian stepped forward.QqI
aIGH“Anto’s going to win, right?”0Yb
B6rIvYp“Of course. Anto is 10th and Aint is 38th. There was also a huge difference in skill during the entrance exam.”xk2WG2Q
RNMCV“Even so, it’s pitiful. To be humiliated in public like this.”Z8bm
PAREJj“Old imperial family. And even if he were, what can you do with no talent?”7iwEOZU
N68Whispers filled the air. Perhaps because the Armian royal lineage was still respected and revered throughout the Empire, the murmurs weren’t too loud, but everyone was certain Aint would lose.eBUGj
a32Y3“You came to see Aint Armian too, young master?”7IkObg
kfbW“Yes.”uDt3SY
qfv“Who do you think will win?”N4AKnTY
YBMbqR“What do you think?”QeVsj
yR8LGe3“Hmm.”xodH
FA1lkThe assistant carefully observed the two students.Bfi4W
KAzTCX2“That Anto Dnern… didn’t he place 10th in the entrance exam?”IqvTAT
bWXvEl“He did.”a0x
DOLODa3“And Aint Armian placed 38th, which lowered people’s expectations for the Armian family.”H8bcCIz
cxffk“That’s also true.”iWS
VuR5FzW“But how odd. It doesn’t seem like the gap between them is that big to me.”37vuoh
gRV1FHe tilted his head in curiosity.v5tPSr
1A66WC6“Begin!”KSqi4
fNoThe duel started immediately.Kpp3
5pJx8“Winner, Aint Armian!”Q40iSn7
15JWa7Defying everyone’s expectations, it happened exactly as the prophecy foretold.v2AVQ
DI7yhF“…”wVJ
iNOA flash of interest gleamed in Professor Grad’s eyes.rI2H
cBxd94“He won!”dMApp
Lwh“Anto Dnern was defeated!”9cpOZ
z5igni“He couldn’t even compare to the entrance ceremony!”oI0
LGG5MThe classroom filled with gasps of surprise from the students.Rwen
akmXh2d‘Just as the prophecy said, helping Aint Armian stop the demons is the best course of action.’aoj
ay7wFernan believed it was the best option for the most favorable future.NmFd
ddMVABut he still couldn’t be sure. Would the prophecy’s content change if he acted differently?jqTQB
LUYz‘Or am I making things worse by interfering?’q0pdp
VbXSWdOr perhaps, no matter what he did, everything would still unfold exactly as the prophecy described.PacfCeD
KeSzAt least for now, events matched the prophecy. That was reason enough to trust it, though it didn’t make him particularly happy.yhhpA
pHgy6Nj‘No, the future isn’t fixed. I’ll confirm it in the next lecture.’ohXobs
1xvgUTwTaking advantage of the commotion, Fernan rose from his seat.kWwKnPT
xSP“Let’s go.”j7O32
WU2K8“You already knew?”tYiuAQR
g7rytk“Knew what?”keGuejy
Maa“That he’d win. You didn’t seem surprised at all.”rHu0
aw73“I had a hunch.”vOTrcj
F7MF“How?”jhT
9Pw“I met him once by chance.”zndtqo
9NB“Did you fight him or something?”E1Cji
PRZ7“No. I knew just by looking at him.”YlmWy
avU“What kind of nonsense…?”NnpZxh
fcPO6FvAt that moment, a student caught his attention—someone silently watching Aint Armian with an expressionless face.Bj1Fy
UtE8DUJThat guy’s Verian Kalburdern, right?Ek2V
tVSWho…? Oh, right. He entered as second in the Knight Faculty.”DcBT
MGVvn2d“That’s him.”lSA
EQPikw“Excuse me? What do you mean?”eAdw
vCGXMaBA villain. The first adversary the protagonist must overcome to grow.u5A
OZMpWHo“And I must ensure he becomes nothing more than a memory.”CHbxv0
HNQh“Yes. I think I should focus on the present, not the past. On a new future.”wVhu
mVIPzVerian Kalburdern’s pupils turned cold.oX0I
gXbxWhether his skills had suddenly improved or he’d simply been hiding them, Anto Dnern was finished. Aint Armian will never surpass this.lDf
5kLHaNBecause I’ll make sure of it.j4CfZm
XcAV7UkHe was the pawn taking orders from Ludger Schwaben.0F0e
myaHe would soon fight Aint.zuy
Cj7DCw‘And that’s exactly where my knowledge of the future ends.’31SDh0
qhvOcbAWhat happened after that, Fernan still didn’t know.LE1OL
icG9H“Let’s go.”p67A3
7HvP0“You’re not going to tell me what you’ll do?”Sbr
OyGCsOn“You’ll understand when the time comes.”oPSb6h
8ZXTThe noble and his assistant left the Knight Faculty.eW2
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