Chapter 7

“Was Alia Torta paired with Carlo Deneb?”

Inside a small café in the city, Fernan took a sip of his iced coffee and asked.

“Yes. When I refused, he asked several more times and finally gave up.”

Luina, who was chewing on Praxia’s specialty (Kraken ink chocolate), nodded.

“Is it good?”

“Yes.”

“You acted like you wouldn’t accept it before.”

“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.”

She quickly popped another piece of chocolate into her mouth.

“Alia Torta was ranked fourth in the knight category, right?”

“Yes. She was originally in fifth place, but made a lot of progress in last year’s second semester finals.”

Though she didn’t match up to second-ranked Luina Bercheff, she wasn’t lacking in talent.

From Carlo Deneb’s point of view, she was a decent enough substitute.

“Then it’s changed. Now we’ll see how far this butterfly effect goes.”

Would it ride the wind and become a storm, or end up just a small flutter?

Fernan 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.

“What are you talking about?”

“No, it’s nothing. But the rumors will spread soon.”

“They already have.”

Just like the magic department, the knight department selected partners by submitting the name of their chosen partner.

Since Luina Bercheff chose Fernan Pellenberg as her partner, the news spread throughout the department, quietly but quickly.

“Are you okay with that?”

“I expected it. It’s something I have to deal with. And besides, it’s not like anything they’re saying is wrong.”

It’s true, you partnered with me for money. That’s why money is great.

Fernan nodded with a hum.

“…”

Luina looked at him expressionlessly. Fernan turned his head and took something out from subspace.

“Take this.”

“What is it?”

“An elixir and a voucher.”

“An elixir and a voucher?”

Luina seemed confused by the sudden words.

“The elixir is made from refined mandrake root. And the voucher can be redeemed at our company’s armory for top-quality equipment.”

“Why…? I can’t return it.”

Her pupils trembled at the mention of mandrake.

“Did you forget our contract?”

“You really intend to sponsor me?”

“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.”

“It’s not cheap, but that’s not your concern.”

It 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.

By 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.

“But this is too much. I can’t accept it.”

“If you don’t, the contract will be void.”

“What do you mean?”

Did you forget the clause in our contract? The penalty for breach…”

“I’ll take it!”

Luina snatched the box and the paper. Fernan chuckled and stood up.

“Take your time eating and come down later.”

He 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.

Right after that, Luina realized and shouted.

“…Wait, was there even a penalty clause in the contract?”

There 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.

“Ha. Why does he go so far?”

It was hard to believe it was all just for her swordsmanship.

“…Whatever he’s after, he won’t get what he wants.”

Having 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.

Luina’s gaze, now full of resolve, dropped.

She looked at the elixir and voucher lying on the table.

“…If I leave them here, they’ll stay untouched, right?”

…There was nothing in the contract that could turn it into a problem.

Gulp.

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t tempted.

***

“I heard Almon was paired with Prince Ludger.”

Just as expected. So those two are at the top of the year?

Only Ludger could have rivaled Almon, but she was paired with Fernan instead of Carlo.

At a student’s comment, another widened their eyes.

“What? Luina was paired with Fernan?”

“What? You didn’t know? Luina is…”

Arriving 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.

“You got here first.”

“Welcome.”

As Fernan sat next to Luina, the room, which had fallen silent the moment he entered, began to buzz again.

“So it’s true.”

“Why would Luina settle for someone like that?”

“Doesn’t her gear look different?”

“So it was for money…?”

Rumors 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.

“Your gear has changed.”

“…If I left it lying around, something valuable might go to waste.”

“I wasn’t going to throw it away.”

“If I had left it, it might have blown away in the wind.”

At her unexpected reply, Fernan smiled slightly.

“Looks like mid-range gear. Why not use the best?”

“How could I wear something so clearly engraved with the Golden Turtle Company’s insignia?”

At her cautious reply, Fernan let out a short laugh and turned his gaze.

Among 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?”

“…”

The other was Carlo Deneb, staring at Fernan with silent hostility.

“He’s not handling this well.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look at him. Doesn’t he seem really irritated that you were taken from him?”

“Ridiculous! I don’t belong to anyone.”

“Well, of course not.”

Fernan raised his voice.

“Carlo Deneb.”

The subtle mana woven into his voice instantly silenced the noisy hall.

“Do you have something you want to say to me?”

“…No.”

Carlo, who visibly flinched at the direct call, replied curtly and turned his head sharply.

“A guy built like a golem acting all sulky. Makes me want to summon a real golem and punch him.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

At that moment, the firmly closed door of the lecture hall opened.

The sound of heels mixed with light footsteps echoed as a man and woman entered the room.

“All students from the Knight Department are here. Professor Rosalia, what about the Magic Department?”

The red-haired man with a large scar on his face looked around as he spoke.

It was Grad Xanth, professor of “Warfare and Practical Combat Techniques” for second-year knights.

“All second-year students from the Magic Department are present. Luckily, no one is late.”

Said Rosalia Vienderk, the midnight-blue-haired woman whose hair cascaded down her waist, professor of “Combat, War, and Magic” for second-year mages.

“I see.”

Grad stepped forward and took his place at the podium.

“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.”

He began calling names.

Of the 100 pairs (200 students total), there were no false entries or mismatches.

“Hmm, some unexpected combinations, but everything checks out. Professor Rosalia, anything to add?”

“Nothing on my end.”

“Then let’s move right on to our first joint field session.”

“Fieldwork?”

“What kind of fieldwork?”

As murmurs began spreading among the students, Grad lightly tapped the podium.

The noise died down.

To truly understand what you’ve learned, there’s nothing better than real experience.

Starting now, we’ll put you into action.

Click.

Grad touched a crystal orb placed on the podium. It glowed and projected an image.

It 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).

The teaching assistants began distributing maps one by one.

“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.”

“Any questions?”

Once Grad’s explanation ended, hands shot up across the room.

“Will this count toward our grades?”

“It’s the third most important evaluation, after the midterms and finals.”

The students’ expressions changed. What they thought was a minor test was clearly something more.

“Are we allowed to fight each other?”

“There are bonus points if you capture someone.”

Grad answered a few more questions and then, seeing that the map distribution was complete, clapped his hands.

“If you’ve received your map, step into the magic circle with your partner.”

Rosalia, who had just finished drawing a massive magic formation across the training hall with the assistants, spoke.

“Well then, best of luck to everyone. Oh my! What unexpected pairings!”

Flash!

Just before mana and light enveloped them, Fernan stared intently at Grad.

The first lesson had begun.

When 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.

A dense and rugged terrain. The cries of beasts and monsters echoed throughout the wilderness.

“Where are we?”

“We’ll have to figure that out now. Using orientation…”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just use magic?”

“Do you know any spell that determines exact location?”

Fernan casually shrugged.

“No, I meant we should climb up and scout from a higher point.”

“Isn’t that technically orientation?”

“Let’s not get picky.”

Just then, a rustle was heard and two figures appeared.

“…Fernan?”

“…Luina?”

A pair of a man and a woman. Their names were…

“Jane Hux, ranked 71st in the Knight Department. Ned Palan, ranked 77th in the Magic Department.”

Their faces went pale. For mid-ranked students, running into Fernan, ranked tenth, and Luina, ranked second, right from the start was terrible luck.

“Uh, hey… Fernan…”

Ned, who usually kept his distance due to Fernan’s intimidating reputation, awkwardly waved his hand.

“What do you want to do?”

The question wasn’t directed at the pair, but at Luina, who had been quietly watching from behind.

“I should be asking you. What would you like to do?”

“I’ll follow your lead.”

“I thought you said you were a merchant?”

“And you’re a knight. I see the hunger for extra points in your eyes. Doesn’t that matter to you?”

“I’m willing to deal with it for your sake.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s worth it.”

After 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.

That’s why he became her partner.

“…I don’t really get your reasoning, but I won’t refuse for now.”

After a brief hesitation, Luina nodded. The next moment, her figure vanished.

“Run!”

Jane Hux shouted urgently, but Luina was faster.

Fwooosh!

The wind howled as her sword came crashing down. Clang! Jane’s sword moved instinctively to block the attack, but it trembled from the impact.

A brief skirmish. In just five exchanges, Jane was staggering. Luina didn’t miss the chance.

“No!”

Ned shouted desperately. A gust of wind struck Luina’s side.

—!

A sharp aura cleaved through the incoming wind, but even that brief pause was enough for Jane to regain her footing.

“No matter who you are, do you think we’ll just be your bonus points?”

Jane attacked Luina’s now-exposed side. At the same time, another gust of wind came from the opposite side.

It 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.

“No!”

Realizing 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.

Boom!

A shockwave exploded.

“…!”

Jane trembled and collapsed.

A translucent shield appeared between her and Luina’s sword.

Zzzap!

The magic scroll protecting Jane burned to ashes, its purpose fulfilled.

“One team eliminated.”

Luina murmured coldly, staring down at her fallen opponent.