Chapter 75
VLj8XEarly in the morning, Fernan savored his coffee while reading the newspaper.hasxjET
LmT【Academy Daily 10/6】kiRmtMh
jsAYF【Surprise in the magic tournament. The first-year vice leader defeats the second-year vice leader! Carlo Deneb’s lightning eclipsed by Aria Fridian’s gale.】1fgN2JC
upgx【Gismond Ert, the surprise of the jousting tournament, falls in the round of 32 against Luina Bercheff.】XLvUOD
RTUhp【Another surprise: Aint Armian secures his place in the round of 16.】Jipih4k
Q4tf【Jousting tournament and magic tournament reach the round of 16. Who will be the final 32?】Cz0
rDxnThe rest were articles about results, other qualifiers, and festival events.PRIMfF
7iOO4J6“…What is this?”n1ImZiW
1wzRwVNone of it was really important.kGhJ6Ek
m9VgWho won, who fell.vJa
9Na2dwfHe had already assumed that the future would keep twisting because of a single variable.NBO25g
Snb1Although the book of prophecies wasn’t exact, Fernan still made plenty of money because he knew the Academy’s talents well.ihQX
08DTThe problem was something else.BX2Eut
XDoM“Aria beat Carlo?”hfG
XAQZvSjAccording to the prophecy, those two did face each other. And Carlo defeated Aria.zhKt5L
uIZkHIt made sense.ZlGa24
p9cUJIn the original story, Carlo was still the strongest of second year.R9v
EvqzNot by luck or tricks, but by pure skill. No matter how talented Aria was, she shouldn’t have been able to catch up so suddenly.DYQOT
bn6EYEven now, Carlo hadn’t lost his strength. Even though Fernan had pushed him into the vice leader’s position, his level hadn’t changed.GIqg
Cl2“Then why… did the result change?”r8FI3
tw4OwFernan was stunned.x8PFa
J1RjLAll the money he had bet on Carlo, even using his employees and contacts, had gone up in smoke.ZO2eWxw
LNgB5eS***2h3U
zK9vx0Meanwhile, the jousting tournament had already reached the round of 16.lcw
TDIFwCbFernan checked the bracket.Ve9L
zY16【Round of 16 – Jousting Tournament】
• Valoshi Bienderk (1st-year leader) vs. Bella Hoenne (2nd-year, ranked 19)
• Verian Kalburdern (1st-year, ranked 3) vs. Barog Hernim (3rd-year leader)
• Alcan Domirn (3rd-year vice leader) vs. Rob Kaelin (4th-year leader)
• Gillet Piens (3rd-year, ranked 5) vs. Luina Bercheff (2nd-year vice leader)
• Aint Armian (1st-year vice leader) vs. Almon Donertz (2nd-year vice leader)…28p
sig6GBecause of the wildcard named Gismond Ert, the bracket was completely twisted.vfLvPUn
SGz8q“A disaster.”MWRhLve
cAbRcThe magic tournament, aside from Aria’s surprise, was progressing fine.US1
yzQRC0VBut the joust was chaos.LujgQQ
bZ6Bella Hoenne, who should have fallen in the round of 32, had reached the round of 16 purely through lucky matchups. And worse—Aint and Luina would now face each other in the quarterfinals instead of the semifinals.oqlU5u
VvB“…The rest I more or less have figured out.”6Fy0rZE
WxMWith Aint and Luina, he couldn’t be sure.riWjC
vH90IBut he didn’t dwell too much. That duel would be tomorrow. Today it was time to bet on the round of 16.AmeiTc
lib6vHg“Hyde.”iY6
lQ9Wnv“Are you going to bet again, sir?”v9N9
7RyNyn“What kind of question is that?”JjR
Ke4eFernan handed him his betting sheet.N7e
mWr“Do you know how much money I’ve lost with Gismond and Aria? I need to get it back. More than that, I need to win it multiplied.”mKOlQ
voNRUO“…Understood.”1wz
EUsliAnd so, Fernan’s employees and even his contacts placed their bets the same as he did.Xralta
SpnjQ3Within an hour, the tournament would begin.wVkSFUy
W0M***8NS6H
zf3SIn the waiting room, Bella Hoenne trembled, pale.D93fdnx
rNUjLw“…He’s just a first-year rookie. Even if he’s the leader, he’s still first year. I should still have a chance, right? Yes, Bienderk or not Bienderk, he’s still first year…”FDmO9
p6kncQ“Bella.”M3l
U57s1Luina placed a hand on her shoulder. The trembling stopped.weE1foC
bmG“Just do your best. With no regrets. That’s enough.”vmB3
elfApzz“…That sounds like you’re saying I don’t stand a chance.”6dHdt
mSh“I didn’t say that.”39BjmiC
bnqg5Mj“So I can win?”IDO
MMZk“…Do your best, Bella.”UStoFJ
XZtET2“Some friend you are…”dao0gm6
Nl6Luina averted her gaze. Bella sighed. But thanks to those words, her tension eased.iplAJ6s
klayIn fact, reaching the round of 16 was already a miracle. And though luck played a role, it wasn’t the only reason.qzrQub
q0rJwFighting against the Sea Serpents and training with Luina had raised her level considerably.yCG
1cX“I’m the senior. I’ll show my pride as a veteran.”CdQ
FG8l4AT“Bella Hoenne!”RdsiFH0
HM0wYdd“Here I go!”YIH
DTwXIlLWith her mind steady after an hour of self-encouragement, she stepped onto the field.Mo2qD
2ldf0Twenty minutes later…mManvwJ
szre“What humiliation! That monster’s not normal! How can he be first year?”WDT0fC
r8dZzTQBella returned crushed, her armor dented everywhere.pTB
5wRShe had managed to endure three lance clashes, but in swordsmanship, she was overwhelmed. The only thing she gained was a bit more resistance thanks to her training with Luina.Kk1jlZ
WL36QHI“Good job.”6EVCia
yst6v4“Good job? I barely held out. The difference was absurd…”LWg3
n81sEcShe collapsed in a corner, depressed.IrgN
DHtIMErFifteen minutes later, another defeated student entered in the same condition.gzNO6
jnK“…The wall of third-year seniors is too high.”FD8cLwu
l1p5gdSIt was Verian Kalburdern, who had just lost to third-year leader Barog Hernim.QnxFi
a3zIxZThough he held out in the joust, he was annihilated in swordplay.aoh3N
9Kf0QZM“How was it?”cOB1z
VkYs“Don’t ask me, it just hurts more.”BwZ
yn9p5“I’ll handle the rematch.”KSd
4nbsb“If you win, it’ll hurt me even more.”xcGOH33
55GpvVerian ground his teeth at Aint’s innocence.3olo
XD5ayNIn any other case, he would have protested. But since it was Aint, maybe he could. After all, he was the one who had fought against a demon and defeated it.YfeRba
XedXJfE‘The gap between us just keeps growing. Damn it…’x4J5
BqMU6What kind of monstrous talent did that boy have? Was this what all the Armian were like?bhJ
1w9qSL0‘…Is there no way?’323fE
wmoXZipHe didn’t want to be left behind. He wanted, at least, to be one step behind him.qjl
eDcRtqi‘If anyone has the answer, it’s Fernan.’gfzcTAG
a2QQrThat man always found a way.8jgFuu
kskxV“I’m in second year and yet I’m nervous.”OrINkCQ
hoH“Shut your mouth.”0wqUx0P
E6AYBetween conversations, the tournament went on.tDQeZ8
KS2Second-year Gert Grots pulled off an upset against third-year senior Yuria Sandra.Eku
LS3V2mThen came the duel between third-year vice leader Alcan Domirn and fourth-year leader Rob Kaelin.SQgIKj
8d6GP4GExperience prevailed: Rob, last year’s champion, showed his strength.0O4m0hg
B3Vl2lI“Gillet Piens! Luina Bercheff!”q4mNK
LSdALuina stood.gLu
vZP5t‘She’ll win, right?’b1BA5SB
2KxV— The third-years’ level is quite high.Slk
7XpCr— The fourth-years seem weaker, but the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years are solid.KAm
0llr9— On average, third year is the best.q6uQs
vlnL— But I don’t think Luina will lose.4Ph3KKq
T1rSGv0— True. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone face a demon head-on like her.DhzILMv
InaNBuK— In willpower, she surpasses anyone here.UKAg
XEoRvq“Senior, I wish you luck. Please, win.”M65
1hETjLuina paused for a moment and nodded at Aint’s whisper.XeMDgn
B9lF— Do you realize that if she wins, you’ll have to face her?TeGjoX
wKL1‘Uh… well…’UMyO2
u8wtH— Are you sure you can?FR5
6SAi‘I’ll manage somehow.’nuRh
hYDQXDn— How optimistic. You said you had to win the tournament.oESc
jEwGZG‘To be champion, I’ll have to face her sooner or later.’I2u6G
ILvd— Do you think Luina Bercheff will make it to the final?gLXa9UA
13vJ0p‘Of course. If not her, then who else?’HnW
sj0P— I don’t know whether to say you have good eyes… or that you’re blinded by her.a20FGj
9Gn7Gardner sighed. Though he couldn’t truly sigh, his voice carried it.cmcF
J6aFc— Focus on your opponent first. If you fall earlier, you’ll just make a fool of yourself.lSCXW1
JAoi‘Yes.’1qOkgW7
MXBLuina returned victorious.QVSwDg2
hWf9SlJ“Impressive. She was already good last year, but now she’s even stronger.”E3ZM
nJqG“As expected, she’s a Bercheff.”H0dC
jQj“Her sword style is beautiful. Her opponent wasn’t weak, yet he didn’t stand a chance.”Yhi3JE2
PKg6XAThe roar of the crowd confirmed it.Zxs
qxsrbGfNow it was Aint’s turn.04dzu2Q
TI4ln7E“I’ll win too, senior.”cfN
2I70“…Alright.”ZVGUf2c
iKV4sofLuina nodded while wiping sweat, though with a strange expression. Aint didn’t understand why… until he faced Almon Donertz.KxMB
4WKo— That guy is very strong!nLG
tcjDxeqThe protective artifact activated when he failed to block a slash to the chest. The confidence he had built after defeating Andromalius collapsed.9bAmzDf
ozjv“The winner, Almon Donertz!”3VcVM
PO4nj“…Impossible.”hC62
nMxvx1HAint remained on the ground, stunned.gSts5bI
rx5soBut in the stands, someone was even more shocked.oowl
pSa5“…Ah.”9y5x0O
Jrqz5Fernan’s mouth fell open.iID
Eyg07“Right, I’d forgotten about him!”OMy
n5UUKaHe had been so focused on the duel between Aint and Luina that he overlooked it. But Almon wasn’t just anyone.WttRn
J5akIPHe was the wall that had blocked Luina for an entire year. A future royal knight, recognized by Gardner.mrU
XD0His strength was no less than Luina Bercheff’s.Zjp
yBR3Fe‘What a stupid mistake!’jOa
yEgqHHe had been blinded by the prophecy.56i
8G11He had let himself be carried away by the fact that Aint had defeated a demon, elevating him too quickly to the status of hero.eFqSI
0mjQJBut he wasn’t one yet.IIdGMq
24NTqFernan admitted it—he had been naïve.RqgPNr
WJKpt“…My money.”hm303SF
BXniZAnd the price of that mistake was painful.mRK9ezr
opjyHe had lost again.42o
37LOCOnce more.u9Syu
U7Vy***ZoFJ9
PkqThe battle was fierce.n2t
ou54ekThree lance clashes weren’t enough to decide the winner.ZsaFgjh
3KIThe swordplay that followed stretched past three hundred exchanges.fVT
GSr5KTheir auras devoured one another, and the crowd shouted their names with fervor.zoDnZCe
vRrnq“As expected of an Armian! He’s only first year and already incredible!”lzU
qeoAw“Aint Armian, Aint Armian!”zhG9W
zoWr“Come on, Almon Donertz! Defend second-year pride!”b0pnQfN
GG7“Almon, this year you have to win!”Pme5G
ZQlxHYThe difference was minimal.vl6Qd
b20GExperience and endurance.sB7r
HMifAint’s aura, reinforced by the heart of the Saintbird, was superior to Almon’s.YZar
y6XBut the gap wasn’t that large, and Almon compensated with skill. On top of that, his body, trained for years, allowed him to endure longer before fatigue set in.Hx1G1s
C8JFlWAnd that was decisive.PfeK8
MAIcBMCClaang—!CznLQk
cZuqAint’s sword flew out of his hand. Almon’s blade was at his neck.LCLORL
16Hd“The winner, Almon Donertz!”oHBSYfy
qozThe referee declared it officially.d3lj6d
5Nml“He lost, but what an incredible fight!”KOq
mX09fQc“Maybe next year he’ll be champion.”SBnpxc
y0e“So this is an Armian… impressive.”GtjN1
H1mZ“Aint Armian!”S6ZRd
ElKxd“Almon Donertz!”9Ig
Z97UjThe crowd cheered both for the magnificent battle.VKJuY
5v0R3H“This won’t please Schwaben.”156Ct
cENFIWZ“Almon Donertz? From the viscount Donertz family?”7b2u
bAJ“I’d love to have him as a knight.”f2WU409
gbTFcSome were already showing interest in recruiting him.jLLw
muCmMeanwhile, Aint fell to his knees, unable to accept the defeat.Yjtp98
Tc5j“How… how could I lose…?”IyYw
Tt7jbSince defeating Andromalius, he had believed he wouldn’t lose to anyone except Luina or Fernan.uMs
GOkk1Then why?hUpuHsG
mtG7Hb— Were you really thinking something so stupid?yTtdw
zqAvTeQ— Be thankful you lost now.SXRt
3jgCWz‘How can you say that?! Whose side are you on, Gardner?!’BLE55bq
Xua1TFAint rebelled at his sword’s harsh words.Zbb
yCU— The world is vast and full of strong people. And you’re just a first-year student.IaGU
99V4— Yes, you’re powerful for your age, but that’s all.5vcT8S
engn0l‘But I defeated a demon!’HSjej9j
zKf— The Armian light is the natural enemy of demons. Against humans, it’s just a great sword and superior technique.TUEYB
veL— Even so, that style has incalculable value. But you must understand the difference: fighting demons isn’t the same as fighting people.NBZY
7Cxz— Besides, Andromalius didn’t descend with his full power. If he had been as he was a thousand years ago, he would have killed you in one strike.tPLw
wDFWq— And if it weren’t for Fernan and his golem, you never would have defeated him.ciA
ibYQZ— The true credit goes to that rich man, not to you.8E6ebg5
X8I7‘…No way…’DQJs2G
BEVAint lowered his head before Gardner’s bluntness.zbosedg
XbK0IAlmon, meanwhile, didn’t approach to console him.B5aYCxp
w7K‘A monster…’LLM
SAJ1FHe remembered that in the entrance exam, Aint had ranked 38th. And in less than a year he had come this far?foQpqI
HEf0G‘Is it because he’s an Armian?’BSR
yqcRqgFWas that the difference in talent? The world was unfair, Almon thought, the same way many thought of him.Lp8fD5g
wEutuHe sheathed his sword and returned to the waiting room. There was Luina, resting.sb3n
wXqB26“Luina.”MRoif6Y
Yhx7O“Almon.”DNy5WS1
wDG“You know who my next opponent is, right?”Fmpo
2Wy“Yes, it’s me.”bmuK7
rtMUCBecause of Gismond, the two would face off in the quarterfinals, when originally they wouldn’t have.OZzA
3TMQ“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.”sI2
BHi“Can I ask why?”UokY
6Fm“Because you became vice leader.”CU6Ra
2vgukx“That sounds like you don’t accept it.”FEd1
QIloG“Exactly. We’ve never had a fair duel, you and I. It was always because of Fernan’s schemes.”8Ykxj
jGpzgV“Fernan’s credit is mine as well.”6nfY
a35mlvE“I don’t deny that.”dtmt
lK7dLIt was Academy rules. Luina had won fairly.Q8uAlf
7XsEwnAnd while Fernan had shone, Almon’s partner, Ludger, was no inferior.9oM
9q6AIEven so, Almon couldn’t accept it. Since second year, they hadn’t truly crossed swords.vrwsQ
1qiAmC“A knight must speak with his sword. Don’t you think?”iG4
7tVJjSLuina looked at him silently.vPO
T5M4xThen she nodded.6Sigaj
R0fYc“That’s true. I regret it as well. Becoming vice leader like that leaves a bad taste.”5QL
OSH6eW“Tomorrow we’ll settle everything.”eo5h1C
5vpAvR“Yes.”VWGxjJS
UfYvAlmon smiled fiercely.oS7vQc
KO9Jx“But remember, you’ve never beaten me.”USA3
8p9Bk“I’m the vice leader.”kAY
wLN9“A vice leader with doubts.”uRa4UuN
FFj1x“Tomorrow we’ll see.”hFx
ssT“Perfect.”FGRN4Dp
Cxfd1And he left the room.iLEe
61vOiJBut that long-awaited duel never came.yGQIDO
3iKyO“…What irony. I waited so long, and now I’m exhausted because of him…”aF1J
RIOl“It’s a pity, but I won’t hold back.”ebHNbfa
Se7After giving it his all against Aint, Almon had no strength left.FOtv
qTMCB“The winner, Luina Bercheff!”tzV7n
eHZThe victory was clear.6mS
7tpBHZLuina advanced to the semifinals.Ayo
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