Chapter 7
3OIMj11“Was Alia Torta paired with Carlo Deneb?”Gx7
AQ77fuInside a small café in the city, Fernan took a sip of his iced coffee and asked.klaU6d6
J3SbsXg“Yes. When I refused, he asked several more times and finally gave up.”AfQj2oL
qwtRSILuina, who was chewing on Praxia’s specialty (Kraken ink chocolate), nodded.vCzC
G2yx0Km“Is it good?”gY9T
ZosFF1y“Yes.”NUJsN
2co“You acted like you wouldn’t accept it before.”TgHr0T
svY9vVB“I feel a bit like I was tricked, but a win is a win. There’s no reason not to claim a well-earned reward.”2v0
N8r2YmpShe quickly popped another piece of chocolate into her mouth.aSw
auDGh“Alia Torta was ranked fourth in the knight category, right?”DSbn
gRqnRhS“Yes. She was originally in fifth place, but made a lot of progress in last year’s second semester finals.”Jkw
nTzThough she didn’t match up to second-ranked Luina Bercheff, she wasn’t lacking in talent.MKj3WiX
rnSZkFrom Carlo Deneb’s point of view, she was a decent enough substitute.1L83
8qzIw“Then it’s changed. Now we’ll see how far this butterfly effect goes.”Am1ek6d
HM0HqWould it ride the wind and become a storm, or end up just a small flutter?WIhBAqg
70RFernan hoped it would turn into a modest storm—one that didn’t distort the future too much, but just enough to give hope that it could still be changed.9m5A
Acm“What are you talking about?”Lbf7KIn
X6ruVLO“No, it’s nothing. But the rumors will spread soon.”F8p
RXAW“They already have.”fH9
mSBOJust like the magic department, the knight department selected partners by submitting the name of their chosen partner.Krn3tMW
gFUSince Luina Bercheff chose Fernan Pellenberg as her partner, the news spread throughout the department, quietly but quickly.QEV
8FXRN3“Are you okay with that?”VWC2UL7
70edX5U“I expected it. It’s something I have to deal with. And besides, it’s not like anything they’re saying is wrong.”sttStl
Pa2cYIt’s true, you partnered with me for money. That’s why money is great.hdryP
KnI9mNJFernan nodded with a hum.BKU
k44w83“…”1P2s
JD9cLuina looked at him expressionlessly. Fernan turned his head and took something out from subspace.bc9r
FLcH“Take this.”jSOTR
AkRCvJ“What is it?”Icp95Q
PFG“An elixir and a voucher.”qZw1
aFto“An elixir and a voucher?”4lj7V0Y
R7FLuina seemed confused by the sudden words.s4USq
JSs0wV“The elixir is made from refined mandrake root. And the voucher can be redeemed at our company’s armory for top-quality equipment.”UTUtBw
mOsnJZ“Why…? I can’t return it.”TLOS
EvD76lHer pupils trembled at the mention of mandrake.8g5n
7X5“Did you forget our contract?”x2K
tigZ“You really intend to sponsor me?”ZNa1c
qEH“I never say anything I don’t mean. I keep every word I give. For a merchant, trust is more valuable than anything. Mandrake is priceless, right? And the best gear from the Golden Turtle Company.”dkpgT
PKAxb“It’s not cheap, but that’s not your concern.”ZgUci9
9gzFvqIt would be a lie to say it wasn’t painful to part with it, but compared to avoiding a future where he lost everything, it was a small price.fSTn
EcmOBy supporting Luina in every way, he planned to win her favor, avoid a bleak future, and also gain an ally in the fight against demons.sT58TxU
ipfI“But this is too much. I can’t accept it.”bkWB4Hp
lYf“If you don’t, the contract will be void.”eVfN
o2x“What do you mean?”gco1
d5gmDid you forget the clause in our contract? The penalty for breach…”6dTOSIN
UZm“I’ll take it!”t5P
EFrRpoLuina snatched the box and the paper. Fernan chuckled and stood up.SKSih
cmTMf“Take your time eating and come down later.”Np2B
Gwz0He opened the door to the hidden room and disappeared. They were in a secret room inside the Golden Turtle Company’s café, unknown to anyone not part of the company.ZeWfSBZ
RmWp6Right after that, Luina realized and shouted.EX7G
dVpE“…Wait, was there even a penalty clause in the contract?”haSn
OUqThere wasn’t. She laughed bitterly, realizing she had been tricked. She didn’t expect Fernan to trick her in a way that would harm her, so she fell for it in that instant.KzvIGO
OtT“Ha. Why does he go so far?”HVmi
YpgrFveIt was hard to believe it was all just for her swordsmanship.n9g
BRhvTq“…Whatever he’s after, he won’t get what he wants.”G4A5M
n5PHaving grown painfully aware that no act of kindness is free—especially in a family that struggles to make ends meet—Fernan’s kindness felt like a thorn in her throat.iKpq
VrOQRosLuina’s gaze, now full of resolve, dropped.R8Kg2
IaPnLD1She looked at the elixir and voucher lying on the table.q6R4wS
ONpG2“…If I leave them here, they’ll stay untouched, right?”552AUoG
SdNA7nT…There was nothing in the contract that could turn it into a problem.lvEeNs
B4ecsYkGulp.OlbAWd
s6Q8It would be a lie to say she wasn’t tempted.KIYHdR
q9G***TIwdET
YkFLrX“I heard Almon was paired with Prince Ludger.”B6PS
9KP3eJust as expected. So those two are at the top of the year?cGS
Qg5iA2UOnly Ludger could have rivaled Almon, but she was paired with Fernan instead of Carlo.gzV3
qrLaAqAt a student’s comment, another widened their eyes.GSPT
zWCQEw“What? Luina was paired with Fernan?”BIVtL
ThbiN“What? You didn’t know? Luina is…”GMpwQc
Qi0oAdFArriving at the shared lecture hall for the joint class between the Knight and Magic Departments, Fernan casually looked around and then approached a familiar figure with chestnut hair he had seen a few times recently.dnj
IFgoPK“You got here first.”EwIrrR
jgU“Welcome.”VcJdGK
oK5As Fernan sat next to Luina, the room, which had fallen silent the moment he entered, began to buzz again.8XsP4CR
zrCdLvB“So it’s true.”EP1ZMlw
uBjx“Why would Luina settle for someone like that?”afs3f
YxQEeCh“Doesn’t her gear look different?”7jQ
wzH2“So it was for money…?”N7l
GDUUGuRumors were one thing, but seeing it with their own eyes was another. The unexpected pairing of the second- and tenth-ranked students, who had rarely been seen together before, took everyone by surprise.PzO
RQkv“Your gear has changed.”npif
RLf“…If I left it lying around, something valuable might go to waste.”aPSHHG
Tre“I wasn’t going to throw it away.”B1D9n
va9Vu“If I had left it, it might have blown away in the wind.”ix9Z8je
jM0At her unexpected reply, Fernan smiled slightly.l7Q
TMOHEPI“Looks like mid-range gear. Why not use the best?”Z5z
nc5L“How could I wear something so clearly engraved with the Golden Turtle Company’s insignia?”ptl
fcexdeAAt her cautious reply, Fernan let out a short laugh and turned his gaze.0SkLG7E
TsWqAdMAmong the curious, three figures stood out. One was the pair of Ludger and Almon, exchanging amused looks as if to say, “Was it really true?”bawDKA
1Lvaxb“…”xyqV
Zjt66WThe other was Carlo Deneb, staring at Fernan with silent hostility.2PcjBxY
ESMWS9“He’s not handling this well.”nHsfJ
zSuRyXv“What do you mean?”6tA0NI
tpuVOrf“Look at him. Doesn’t he seem really irritated that you were taken from him?”Xkop
694IH“Ridiculous! I don’t belong to anyone.”2fX
aXJaGA“Well, of course not.”Cau0e1
rtkfzqFernan raised his voice.uRLVuZe
RQpuoIx“Carlo Deneb.”lWWTe0e
EinThe subtle mana woven into his voice instantly silenced the noisy hall.oaHmn
SaHw“Do you have something you want to say to me?”wjFY
SIdNCI“…No.”HcBJhVO
0UvxQp0Carlo, who visibly flinched at the direct call, replied curtly and turned his head sharply.hGey
hWIWFab“A guy built like a golem acting all sulky. Makes me want to summon a real golem and punch him.”6oWe
xcHw“What nonsense are you talking about?”p44b
iKAxnAt that moment, the firmly closed door of the lecture hall opened.YIEKp
leEZNvThe sound of heels mixed with light footsteps echoed as a man and woman entered the room.6uI8
nbz8fF“All students from the Knight Department are here. Professor Rosalia, what about the Magic Department?”uJoBJRv
GRmXyThe red-haired man with a large scar on his face looked around as he spoke.XkzTr
5nAct31It was Grad Xanth, professor of “Warfare and Practical Combat Techniques” for second-year knights.sUcVhR
4oO“All second-year students from the Magic Department are present. Luckily, no one is late.”eppC9nC
ez1o6Said Rosalia Vienderk, the midnight-blue-haired woman whose hair cascaded down her waist, professor of “Combat, War, and Magic” for second-year mages.PSneT
FNutf“I see.”U8hI6Xl
I83aOGrad stepped forward and took his place at the podium.AnNqj
WYcVyy“Looks like everyone paired up nicely. I’ll now take roll. I hope there’s no idiot who wrote down one partner and showed up with another.”KRPiB
zmMctT7He began calling names.72sMW
oWenmOOf the 100 pairs (200 students total), there were no false entries or mismatches.V8WU3S7
bn6E“Hmm, some unexpected combinations, but everything checks out. Professor Rosalia, anything to add?”R9e
86k9YF“Nothing on my end.”f3SC
9mJd1“Then let’s move right on to our first joint field session.”frRd
ArHwI“Fieldwork?”2PQYio5
mnx3bkh“What kind of fieldwork?”mxvC
xWsYwnAs murmurs began spreading among the students, Grad lightly tapped the podium.2YOYIAc
MFsNFThe noise died down.rEC
0rzRlpTo truly understand what you’ve learned, there’s nothing better than real experience.veV9Pk
IWD7Starting now, we’ll put you into action.kLS
8uHClick.7XO
6QbYGrad touched a crystal orb placed on the podium. It glowed and projected an image.corYn
P4YlvjcIt was the mountainous region in the northern part of the academy. This lecture is a joint class combining three subjects from the Knight Department (Warfare and Practical Combat Techniques) and three from the Magic Department (Combat, War, and Magic).DFv
wlIThe teaching assistants began distributing maps one by one.20nScT2
54O“The destination is marked on your map. You must arrive in three days. But not too fast and not too slow. You must arrive exactly at 12 noon, three days from now.”qac7RgL
VLBOJR“Any questions?”YLAG
kymaOnce Grad’s explanation ended, hands shot up across the room.tDWj
IV5Y27“Will this count toward our grades?”sGhs
reeslE“It’s the third most important evaluation, after the midterms and finals.”gkMgkKy
xs08qhThe students’ expressions changed. What they thought was a minor test was clearly something more.A2exxV
s006fZU“Are we allowed to fight each other?”2aB
CzcmRr“There are bonus points if you capture someone.”qhm
iYnMWGrad answered a few more questions and then, seeing that the map distribution was complete, clapped his hands.IuEYo
5rz“If you’ve received your map, step into the magic circle with your partner.”P0BvD4z
yjzbOQRosalia, who had just finished drawing a massive magic formation across the training hall with the assistants, spoke.TZx02
5nwJRRq“Well then, best of luck to everyone. Oh my! What unexpected pairings!”QaQ
U4IL51tFlash!PoT
zXltJust before mana and light enveloped them, Fernan stared intently at Grad.fH86AO
dm3BThe first lesson had begun.wSQKC
LzNcyWhen the light of the magic circle surrounded their entire bodies and the world flipped upside down, Fernan and Luina opened their eyes to the northern mountains.5Nyh7
iYuEmeA dense and rugged terrain. The cries of beasts and monsters echoed throughout the wilderness.ohVK5du
CEj8v“Where are we?”7BqAdr8
YOEaTid“We’ll have to figure that out now. Using orientation…”xVupqW3
CDX“Wouldn’t it be easier to just use magic?”lkcnHQ
KgZyW“Do you know any spell that determines exact location?”w0jl
1NOFZHFernan casually shrugged.3oM4u
ytn4Wh“No, I meant we should climb up and scout from a higher point.”6zh0
0zFO“Isn’t that technically orientation?”dbT
4cNshi“Let’s not get picky.”9GU
PNtJust then, a rustle was heard and two figures appeared.KKK
7sTza“…Fernan?”0A1mj0
tTR12rC“…Luina?”pxsVI3
KYVRA pair of a man and a woman. Their names were…FVqUPJN
jw0v“Jane Hux, ranked 71st in the Knight Department. Ned Palan, ranked 77th in the Magic Department.”QLAyqi
ZjmTheir faces went pale. For mid-ranked students, running into Fernan, ranked tenth, and Luina, ranked second, right from the start was terrible luck.lV3NX0
3PX“Uh, hey… Fernan…”YpmE
4DCYNed, who usually kept his distance due to Fernan’s intimidating reputation, awkwardly waved his hand.p2By09X
8eV“What do you want to do?”1pUirSN
sFfAThe question wasn’t directed at the pair, but at Luina, who had been quietly watching from behind.zf0ZtDJ
PhMHV“I should be asking you. What would you like to do?”Gpeo
wqv5“I’ll follow your lead.”wTB7LZJ
COGHD“I thought you said you were a merchant?”6sdch
1ma“And you’re a knight. I see the hunger for extra points in your eyes. Doesn’t that matter to you?”2CGhzd
yZRUS“I’m willing to deal with it for your sake.”jxa
oIcL2v“Why?”nmKEg
o53rg5L“Because it’s worth it.”VRJha1q
Gjta1IAfter all, she was practically guaranteed to become a Royal Knight, someone tied to the very downfall he was trying to avoid. He needed to win her favor.08sh
8re7bThat’s why he became her partner.QPIf
11SgfSc“…I don’t really get your reasoning, but I won’t refuse for now.”36A9
idDOoBsAfter a brief hesitation, Luina nodded. The next moment, her figure vanished.GDr
7Kw2“Run!”xB8LD6
vJXNJane Hux shouted urgently, but Luina was faster.pBs
hLSVFwooosh!7jR
R2CBNThe wind howled as her sword came crashing down. Clang! Jane’s sword moved instinctively to block the attack, but it trembled from the impact.41HwC
9iQA brief skirmish. In just five exchanges, Jane was staggering. Luina didn’t miss the chance.peG
D7BUE“No!”q0waPb
53gfNed shouted desperately. A gust of wind struck Luina’s side.QlZ
K7A—!aCMX
UvXuA sharp aura cleaved through the incoming wind, but even that brief pause was enough for Jane to regain her footing.5SK
yjR“No matter who you are, do you think we’ll just be your bonus points?”6kSu
lndJane attacked Luina’s now-exposed side. At the same time, another gust of wind came from the opposite side.ucw
eOaE2ERIt was a critical moment, but Luina remained calm. She held her breath, cleaved the blade of wind, and charged. Jane’s sword cut through empty air.7FKhaPw
QSw7bA“No!”wwD0jm
K85PqRRealizing what Luina intended, Jane desperately chased her. But in that instant, Luina turned and drove her sword into Jane’s weak spot at the chest.aByek
KtfoHBoom!LLG3F4y
Ial5EA shockwave exploded.6R1Ha2
uID“…!”vgAD
tkiJane trembled and collapsed.PNN0
NRY9rhEA translucent shield appeared between her and Luina’s sword.QgMnCdG
26FMh8Zzzap!3Ce64WT
ZzlThe magic scroll protecting Jane burned to ashes, its purpose fulfilled.Um5
Wo1ZRtg“One team eliminated.”vOPcPXn
qSaLuina murmured coldly, staring down at her fallen opponent.oFjVBU2
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