A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 68

Chapter 68

That‌ the demon had‍ been summoned and‍ then stopped by⁠‍⁠ the students did‍‌⁠ not change the⁠ passage of time.

The‌‌‌ academy, for its‌‍ part, concealed everything related to the‌‌⁠ demon and began⁠‍⁠ discreetly tracking the⁠ corrupted.

Thus,⁠‌ the incident of⁠‌ Andromalius’ summoning was⁠ temporarily closed.

‘No‍ riots broke out⁠‌ among those infected‌‍ by demonic magic.’‌

Though‍ the aftermath still ran deep and‍ stirred the academy⁠ both visibly and‌ invisibly.

Under‍‍‍ normal circumstances, those‌‌⁠ infected by demonic⁠ magic should have⁠‍⁠ gone berserk, throwing the academy into⁠‌‌ even greater chaos.‍⁠‍

That‍⁠ would have hindered the professors and‌‌ assistants from responding⁠ properly to the‌‍‍ demon, and everything⁠ would have fallen‌‌‍ as an additional⁠ burden upon Aint.‌‍⁠

But⁠⁠ this time, none‍ of that happened.‌‌

‘What‌ does this mean?’‍‍

If that was the‍‍ case, then all‍ the effort of⁠ cooperating with the⁠⁠ Saint and the religious order to⁠ cure the infected⁠‌ seemed to have‍⁠ been pointless.

Why‌⁠ had the Saint‌⁠⁠ gone through the‌‌ trouble of preaching‍ and purifying?

‘No—maybe⁠ it was precisely‌‌ because he did‍ that that nothing happened.’

But⁠ still, the number‍ of infected Jace⁠ managed to find‍‍ was small. Compared⁠ to the number⁠ recorded in the‌‌ prophecy book, it⁠ was laughable.

And‌ to make matters‍ worse.

“I‌ haven’t been able⁠‌ to find a single one lately.⁠⁠ Could it be⁠ there are none‍ left, brother?”

“Since when?”

“About⁠ two days before‌ you got injured.”‍‍

The‍ people who had‍⁠ been tainted by⁠⁠ demonic magic simply‍⁠ vanished. More precisely,⁠‍ the demonic magic‍⁠ that had corrupted‍‌‍ them had disappeared.‍

And‍ that definitely was not the result⁠ of Jace’s actions.‍

Nor did it seem‌ like the culprits had gone into⁠‌ hiding out of⁠‌ fear. If that were the case,‍ they wouldn’t have dared to summon‌ a demon.

“There’s⁠‍ something I’m missing…”‌

He‍‌ couldn’t grasp what‌‌ it was.

“Something⁠‌‌ you’re missing?”

“It’s‌‌ nothing.”

Fernan⁠⁠ bit his tongue. It seemed the‍ thought had slipped‌ out unintentionally.

“So,⁠ what did the⁠ headmaster say?”

“For⁠‍‍ now, he said⁠⁠ he won’t hold‌ me responsible.”

“I didn’t expect that.”‌‌

If Aria had remained‍ in that half-catatonic‍‍‌ state caused by‌‌ the corrupted, it⁠ would have been⁠‌ understandable. But she was cured, in perfect condition, and⁠ still, no measures‌‍ were taken regarding‍⁠⁠ the World Tree.⁠‌

‘I⁠⁠ have an idea‌‌ why…’

Knowing⁠‌‌ the headmaster’s personality‍ more or less,‍‌ it was worth‍ confirming.

“That’s⁠ not something you⁠⁠ should say! I told you we‌ should’ve resolved it‍ from the beginning!”⁠

Aria‍‌ shouted furiously. It⁠ was clear she‍⁠ was still deeply‍‌⁠ frustrated that a demon had been⁠‌‌ summoned through a branch of the‍‍ World Tree.

“Haa…‍⁠‍ Relax, Aria. You’re a cultured elf.‍‍ Kind words, soft words.”

You’re⁠‍⁠ making a scene⁠ by yourself.

“Just‌ tell me what‌⁠ the headmaster said.”‌

“…And why should I tell you?”

Aria,⁠‍ having regained her⁠ composure, smiled sweetly.⁠

“I⁠⁠ only cooperated with you to protect the branch of‌‌ the Mother Tree.‍‍ There’s no need⁠ to continue doing⁠‍ so now, is‍‍‍ there?”

“Didn’t⁠⁠ you say you⁠ wanted connections?”

“I⁠‌‍ said I wanted⁠⁠ contacts, not that‍ I wanted to⁠⁠‍ be used. Honestly, the one at a disadvantage right⁠‌ now is you,‌‌ isn’t it?”

And‌ she was right.‌‌ Whatever Aria and⁠⁠⁠ the headmaster had‌ discussed, and what‍⁠ measures the academy⁠‌ would take regarding‌ the loss of‌ the World Tree,‍ would be crucial‌‌ in the future.‌

“Fine.”‍⁠

But⁠ he had no⁠‌ reason to beg.⁠ He had dealt with people like⁠ Aria before.

Sweet‌ faces hiding poison.‍ If you showed‍⁠‍ servility even once,⁠‌ such people would‍‍ exploit it endlessly.‍

“Fine?”‌⁠

“I‌ already heard everything.”‌

“But⁠ I didn’t say‍‌ anything.”

“You said they would‍‌ let it slide.⁠⁠ That can only mean one of‌ two things: either⁠ Fridian promised something‍‍ else to cover‌ it up, or‍‍‌ from the start‌‍ they never intended‌ to do anything‍‍ about it.”

And‌ for the latter⁠‌‍ to be possible,‍ there was only⁠‍ one reason.

“Summoning⁠‌ a demon isn’t‌⁠ something that happens‌⁠ just because a branch of the‌⁠‌ World Tree was‍‌‍ neglected.”

“……”‍

“And what’s more, an‌ elf would never‍‌ neglect a branch‌ of the World⁠‍ Tree. It’s not⁠‍ your fault, right?”⁠‍

“…It‌ isn’t.”

“Then‍‌ there’s no problem.”⁠

With⁠‍ that crooked smile, Fernan rose without‌‌ showing the slightest⁠‍‍ remorse.

“Wait!”‍

“What⁠ is it?”

“It‌‌ was a joke,‌ a joke. Can’t⁠ we tease each⁠‍⁠ other a little?”‌

“What⁠⁠ kind of relationship do you think‍ we have?”

“One⁠‍‌ where we introduce contacts to each‍‌‍ other, right?”

“Is‍ your measure of‍ friendship based on‍⁠‌ contacts?”

What a sick obsession.‍

“I‍‌‍ know it sounds⁠ bad… but if⁠ I think about‌⁠ it, you made me this way.”

“Me?”‌‌

“Well,‍⁠ your family and‍‍‌ the other houses‍‌ of the prince-electors.”⁠‌‌

“Don’t‍ blame others.”

“I’m⁠‍‍ only speaking the⁠‍ truth.”

“What‌ do you mean?”

“That‌‌ unless you have⁠ something to ask‍ me. I’m willing‌ to answer sincerely.”‍

Then,‌ in a cautious‍ tone, Aria asked.

“…You‌‍ haven’t forgotten the⁠‍‌ promise to introduce‍ me to the‍‌ heir of another⁠‍ prince-elector house, right?”‍‌

“A⁠‌ merchant lives on⁠‍ trust.”

“You‍ really are a true merchant. I always trusted you.”‌‌

“What⁠ if that prince-elector‌ heir is me?”

“…Swindler!”‍

“Lies.”‌

“I‍ was joking too.”‌⁠

Aria let out a forced laugh.

***⁠

After‍⁠‌ finishing the conversation⁠ with Aria, Fernan⁠ moved on to⁠‌‍ the next matter.‍‌

[A‍ horse in armor⁠ ran.

A knight lowered his‍ posture and extended‌ his lance.

As⁠ they crossed, a blast of wind⁠‍⁠ shook the air.⁠⁠

But⁠ the fight wasn’t decided. Both knights‍ turned and charged⁠‌⁠ again.

Three‍ times it was⁠ repeated.

As‌⁠‍ no victor emerged,‍‌ they dismounted and‌⁠ drew their swords.⁠

The‍‍⁠ duel thrilled the‌ entire audience.

“Winner,⁠⁠ first year of‍‍‍ the Knight Department, Aint Armian!”

After‍‌⁠ more than fifty‌ exchanges, there was‍‍ a victor.

“Gillet‍‍⁠ Fiens lost?”

“…Aint Armian won?”

“But isn’t he fifth⁠ place of the‍‍‍ third year?”

“Losing‍ to a freshman!‌ What a disgrace⁠‌ for the third-years!”⁠⁠‌

“This‍⁠ is a fraud!‌‍ I bet everything‌ on Gillet Fiens!”

“…Looks‍ like Armian isn’t‍ finished yet.”

Though‌‍⁠ at that time‍ he had to‍ let it pass‍‌ because of matters‍‍ with the headmaster,⁠⁠ the prophecy did‌ not refer only⁠ to him.

— Well done. With⁠‌ that momentum, win‌ the jousting tournament.‍

— Well, even if⁠ you don’t manage‍ it now, you‌ still have three‍⁠⁠ more chances until⁠ your fourth year.‍ But the future‍ is uncertain.

The‍‍ winners of the‌⁠ joust and the‌ magic tournament gained⁠⁠ access to a vault maintained by⁠ the academy since⁠⁠‍ the era of⁠ the First Emperor.⁠

And‍ also the right‍ to take a single treasure from⁠ within.

‘What’s‌ inside?’

— Many things. But‍⁠‍ only one interests⁠ you.

‘Which‍⁠ one?’

— An armor. Just‌‌ like me—well, if‌ I’m the sword,‌‌⁠ it sounds weird.‌‌⁠ But like the‌‌ sword, it’s made‍ of mithril and‍‍ adamantium combined.

— It’s hidden so⁠ no one can⁠ take it away.⁠⁠⁠

The‍‍‌ joust and the⁠‌ magic tournament. The‍ greatest competitions of‍ the academy.

And⁠‌ one more strategy‌ of the First‍ Emperor hidden within‍‌ them.

“How⁠⁠ do you feel?”‌⁠

“I’m‌‍ fine.”

Once‍ again, the importance‍⁠‍ of Aint Armian,‍ the protagonist of‍‌‌ the prophecy book,⁠⁠ was reaffirmed.

Maintaining⁠‍ a relationship, even⁠ a minimal one,⁠‍ was fundamental.

“If⁠‌ you notice any‍⁠ anomalies, come see me immediately. Don’t‌ hold back.”

“Yes,⁠⁠ thank you.”

“By‌ the way, are⁠ you planning to‍‌‌ participate in the⁠⁠ joust?”

“Yes,‍‌‌ I intend to.”‌⁠

“I see. Good.”

When⁠ Aint was about‌‍‍ to leave, he⁠⁠ paused for a moment.

“Oh,‍‍ by the way,⁠‌ Senior. That golem…”‌

“You‍⁠ mean Wooden?”

“Yes.‍ May I know‍‍ what it’s made⁠‍ of? Ah, if‍‌⁠ it’s an inappropriate question, don’t feel‍‍ obliged to answer.”‍

“No‌‍ problem. It’s made‍ of a mithril and adamantium alloy,⁠⁠‍ like the one‌⁠⁠ I bought with‌ you.”

“Thank you for telling‌ me.”

Aint left the room.‍

— I knew I was right! It‌‌ could only be‌ an alloy of‌‍⁠ mithril and adamantium.‌⁠

— To withstand against‍⁠ a demon, and‌‌ then to turn‌‍‍ it into an‍‍ ego golem by‌ inserting a spirit…⁠‍‍

Gardner‌⁠⁠ burst into laughter,‌‌‍ delighted to confirm‌⁠ that his theory‌ had been correct.⁠

‘Yes,‍ Sir Gardner, you‌‍⁠ were right.’

— But I find⁠‌‌ it curious… how‍ did he know⁠ mithril could contain souls?

— I don’t think‌‌‌ anyone else knows⁠ that.

As‌ far as he⁠⁠ knew, only the‍⁠⁠ First Emperor had‌⁠ ever considered using mithril as a vessel for souls.‍

‘And⁠‌‍ what if he‍ had simply dreamed of creating an‍‌ ego golem for‌ a long time‌ and researched it⁠ on his own?’‌

— Makes sense. It’s‍‍⁠ been a thousand⁠‍ years. The idea‌‍ that no human⁠‌ thought of it‌‌ again also seems unlikely.

Gardner‌ figured he had‌‌ probably bought that⁠⁠ information with money.‌‍⁠

— But still, to⁠⁠ build almost the‍ entire golem out‌ of adamantium and‍ mithril alloy… only‍ a crazy rich man could pull‌⁠ that off.

In‍ any case, the⁠⁠ fact that such a being was on the allied⁠‍ side for now, and would remain‌‍ so as long⁠ as the demons‌⁠‌ sought to destroy‌‌ the world, was a positive thing.⁠

— Looks like, aside‍⁠ from the demon‌ summoning, everything will⁠⁠‍ settle more smoothly‌⁠‌ than expected.

‘It seems so. Though⁠ it’s still a demon.’

— I suppose it’s‍ too soon to‌ make it public.‍‍ I understand.

But⁠⁠ that didn’t mean⁠‌ he trusted completely.‌ After all, wasn’t⁠ the academy so⁠‍ incompetent that they‍⁠‍ hadn’t noticed the⁠‌ corrupted sneaking in‌‍ right under their‍⁠ noses?

— They’ve no right‍ to be this⁠‍ useless. If the‍‍‍ Emperor knew, he’d‍‍‌ crawl out of‌⁠ his grave and feed them all‍ to the demons.‌

— If they love‍ demons so much,⁠ they should start‌⁠ by offering their‌⁠ own bodies.

‘Every⁠‍ time I hear about the First Emperor, my curiosity‍ grows.’

— He was a hero. But not‍‌ a saint.

In‌ fact, it would‍ be more accurate‍⁠ to say he‌⁠‌ was a little insane.

— To fight demons,‌ losing one’s sanity⁠ is only natural.‌⁠⁠

Anyway.‍‍‌

— Even if the‍ academy is useless,‍‍ you do what⁠ you can.

Earn‍‌⁠ fame within the academy.

And‍ grow stronger.

Aint‍ arrived at a private training chamber⁠ prepared for the⁠ students.

He‍‍ sat in the⁠‌ center, legs crossed.‌⁠‌

— What you must‌ do now is…⁠

He‍‍‍ placed his sword‌ across his knees.‍⁠

— …Make Andromalius’ demonic‌‌ magic completely your‍‌ own.

— Because his summoning‌ is only the‌‍ beginning.

He⁠‍⁠ closed his eyes.

— Winning the joust‍ is also important.⁠⁠ For the armor!‍‌

‘Yes!’‌

The demon’s dark energy and a pure‍ white light intertwined⁠‍‌ and enveloped Aint‍‍ Armian.

***‍‍

Crack!‍

The‌⁠ bonsai scissors completely‍⁠ split the trunk‍‍ of the plant.‌‍

But‌ the man’s hand‍‍ didn’t stop.

Crack,‌ crack! With each motion of the‍ scissors, another bonsai⁠ lost its shape⁠⁠ without fail.

“The‌ seventh has died.‍‍ He tried to‌ escape, but it‌ was useless, and‍‍‍ in the end‌⁠ he chose suicide.”⁠

“……”‌

“The‌ third hideout was‌ discovered by Grad Kshant and the‌‍ Guard he leads.”⁠

The Guard was a combat unit directly‍⁠ affiliated with the‌ academy, operated independently.‍ Some professors commanded⁠ it, and several‍‍‌ assistants were also‌ assigned.

“It⁠ was expected.”

From⁠⁠ the moment Andromalius‍‍ had been summoned—no, from the moment⁠ his summoning was planned—it was already⁠‍ anticipated that he‍‍ would fail in‌ his objective and‌ be eliminated.

Even‍⁠ so, it was⁠ not a pleasant thing.

Everything⁠⁠ had been foreseen‍‌ and prepared.

They‍ had even considered‍ the possibility of⁠⁠‌ “cutting off the tail like a lizard,” sacrificing what‌⁠ was necessary.

“Aint⁠‌ Armian…”

The‍ one they had‍ tried to eliminate‌‍ at all costs,⁠‌‌ even at the‍‍‌ price of sacrifices⁠‍ and exposure, was‌‌ still alive.

“This is truly amusing.”⁠⁠‍

He‌ had never imagined‌ such a result.⁠ Never thought things‌ would turn out‌⁠ this way.

“Andromalius—a‌⁠ full-fledged demon, and⁠ he turned out‌‌ to be this incompetent?”

It⁠‌ was ridiculous.

That‍ a great demon⁠⁠ was defeated by‌‌ just five “students.”⁠

Even‌ if he had‍ been summoned hastily‍‍ and most of⁠‍ his power sealed.‍

They‌ had even recovered⁠ the demonic energy‍ scattered throughout the‍ academy to reinforce⁠ the summoning circle.‍

“With‍⁠‌ this, the entire continent knows demons‍ are on the‍ move. And yet,⁠‌ we’ve gained nothing.”⁠

And⁠ that wasn’t all.⁠

“Aint Armian has that‍ damned sword.”

The‍‍ sword of the‌ First Emperor, capable of hunting demons‍ and absorbing their‌ power.

Even⁠ if most of‌‍‌ its strength had‍‍‍ been lost with‍ time, after this battle it surely‌ had absorbed Andromalius’‍ power.

Instead‌ of killing him,‌‌‍ they had made him stronger.

“As‌ planned, three bases‌‌ and twelve corrupted‌⁠⁠ will soon fall.‍‌‍ But they won’t⁠ discover anything more.”‌

“That’s‌ obvious.”

Aside from Andromalius’ unexpected‌‍ incompetence, everything was within the man’s calculations.

The‌ headmaster summoning all⁠‍ high-ranking staff, the secret search—everything.

They⁠⁠‌ would discover nothing‌ he hadn’t allowed.⁠‌

But‌ that didn’t mean‍‍ it was a success.

“Knowing‍ the headmaster’s personality,‍ he’ll surely talk⁠‌ about the corrupted⁠ in the next‍ Foundation Day ceremony.”‍‍‍

But‍‍ they couldn’t allow‍ him to do‍‍⁠ as he pleased.‌⁠‍

“We’ll‌ strike first.”

They would divert all attention focused on⁠‌‍ the academy elsewhere.⁠‍

“Your‌ Excellency.”

At‌ that moment, another‌‌‌ shadow emerged.

“Speak.”‍‍⁠

“A‌‌ message arrived from⁠⁠ the north.”

The⁠‌ man’s face stiffened‌‍ slightly.

“That‍ was fast.”

With reluctant steps, he⁠‌‍ moved to open‌ the storeroom door.⁠⁠ But just then—‌

“……”‍

His⁠⁠‍ eyes turned cold.⁠

Tling!‌⁠⁠

The‍ door opened.

“Today⁠‍ I’m off duty‍‍ for personal matters.”‌‍‌

A woman with long,‍‍⁠ dark-blue hair down‌ to her waist approached step by‍ step, calmly.

“I⁠‍ put a sign‍ on the door.‍ Didn’t you see it, by any‌ chance?”

“I‍ saw it.”

“Then‌ why…?”

“We’re⁠⁠ both busy, so‌ I won’t waste‌ time.”

A white hand brushed‍ across a bookshelf. Crack—the books instantly‌‌‍ froze solid with⁠⁠ frost.

“Will you do this‍⁠ the easy way,⁠⁠⁠ or the hard‍ way?”

“…Hah.”‌‌‌

The‌ man sighed.

“How⁠ did you know?”

“What⁠ a funny thing‍‍ to ask. Do‌ you know why‍ you’ve managed to⁠ survive until now?‌‍ Only for one⁠ reason—because we decided⁠⁠ not to pay⁠ you any mind.‌⁠ Filthy corrupted who sold your soul⁠‌ to a demon.”⁠

“Seems‌ there’s a misunderstanding.”⁠

The⁠ man smiled.

“I⁠ bathe every day.‌ I’m very clean.‌ Though, I suppose‌⁠‍ not to the level of Professor‌ Rosalia, with her obsession for cleanliness.”⁠‍

He‍⁠ opened a nearby‍ book. The seal⁠ engraved within reacted‍ as it came⁠⁠‍ into contact with‌⁠ mana.

Bzzzz!‌

A blue ray shot⁠‌ out in a straight line.

But‌‍ it was easily⁠‍ blocked by a wall of pure,⁠⁠‌ white ice.

“You’re‍ mistaken too.”

Crack—the‍ cold spread across‍⁠ the floor, binding‍‌ the man’s feet.

“I‌ don’t have an⁠ obsession with cleanliness.‍⁠ I simply can’t‍‍ stand dirty things.”‍

Crack!‍‌

Dozens‍ of ice spears⁠ pierced straight through⁠⁠ the man’s entire body.