A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 80

Chapter 80

The⁠‍ sudden surge of‍‌ monsters was enough‍‌ to chill the festive atmosphere that‌ had filled the⁠ academy.

“The‍‍ Empire is holding⁠ up well, but‌ it seems the‍⁠ Kingdom is faring‌‌ worse than expected.”

“No‍ wonder. They estimate at least ten⁠ thousand beasts and‌‍‌ monsters—can you imagine?⁠ Ten thousand… does⁠ that even make‍‌ sense?”

“But‍‌‍ are they really⁠ demonic beasts? Weren’t⁠‌‍ they wiped out‌‍ more than a thousand years ago?”‍

“Not exactly a thousand.‍ After the fall⁠ of the Great‌‍ King Colomo at‌⁠ the hands of‍ the First Emperor,‌ the remaining demonic⁠ beasts were hunted⁠ down for over⁠⁠ a hundred years.”‍

“That’s not the point.”

Whenever‌ the students gathered,‌⁠‌ the conversation turned‍⁠ to war.

“I‌⁠ heard we might‌‌ even be sent‍‌‍ to the battlefield.”⁠⁠‌

“What‌ are you talking‌⁠‌ about? Why us?”‌‌

“I⁠ don’t know, but⁠‌‍ according to rumors,‌‌ they’re considering sending‌‍ some students to‌ gain real combat‍ experience.”

Perhaps⁠‌⁠ because many of‍⁠‍ them belonged to‌ influential families, the⁠ rumors spreading by word of mouth⁠‍ were surprisingly accurate.‌

“You’ve⁠⁠‍ all probably heard of the great‌ monster horde that‌ broke out in‍‍⁠ the Taklakan Desert.”‌‍

When‌ those words left‍ Professor Grad’s mouth,‍‌ Fernan knew the‌‍ moment had come.⁠

“Among‍ the things being‌‌⁠ said, there’s a lot of exaggeration—but‌⁠‍ at least one thing is true.”‌

The‍ professor gently touched his crystal orb,‍ and a recorded‍‌ projection appeared above‌ it.

──!⁠

A monster’s deafening roar‍ rang out, shattering⁠‍ eardrums.

It showed a vast⁠‌ plain, overrun with‍‌ creatures charging at⁠‌‍ full speed.

Corpses⁠ strewn everywhere, and smoking ramparts in‌‌ the distance.

It⁠‍ was a battlefield.‍‍

Not‍ a tale from⁠ the past or⁠ a vision of‌ the future—these were‍ scenes of the‌ present.

If his eyes weren’t‌‍ deceiving him, Fernan⁠‍ recognized those ramparts—they‌‍ were the defenses‍‌‍ of Altrioque.

“You⁠‌ will be going to the front.”‍

Sending⁠‌‌ students to hunt‍‌ monsters was nothing‌‌⁠ new.

But‌‌ never before had⁠⁠ they been dispatched‍ to a frontline‌⁠⁠ where monsters, humans, and demonic beasts⁠‌‌ clashed on the‍‍ same battlefield.

“Of‌⁠ course, not everyone.⁠ Only volunteers, and‌ only those who‌‍ meet the requirements.”‍

What‌ the rector sought‍ was to prepare⁠ soldiers for the‍‍ great war to‍ come—not to rack⁠ up meaningless deaths‌‍ of inexperienced cadets.

“Details‌‌ are in the‌ leaflets being distributed⁠⁠ by the aides.”‌‌

At⁠‍ that moment, assistants‍⁠ began handing out⁠‍‌ the guides.

“Any⁠ questions?”

“……”‌

“If‌ not, you’re dismissed.‍‌ The application deadline⁠ is in three‍‌ days at noon.⁠ Read the requirements‍ carefully and don’t⁠ do anything foolish.⁠ That’s all for‍⁠⁠ today. Dismissed.”

Class‍⁠ ended.

***‌‌

The‌⁠ announcement for volunteer‌‍ recruitment was posted‌⁠ throughout the academy.⁠‍‍

Fernan gathered those connected‌‌⁠ to him and‌‍ to the Book of Prophecies Aint,‍ Luina, Aria—and Verian⁠⁠ as well.

He‌ would’ve liked to⁠ include Jace, but‍⁠ held back.

With‌ the Book of‍‍ Prophecies already failing‍⁠ several times, he‌‌‍ didn’t want to introduce more variables.‌

“I‌‌ want to go.”‌‍‌

In‍ response to the‌‌⁠ question of whether⁠‍ they wanted to‍‍⁠ join the front,‍ Luina was the‌‍ first to speak.‍

“Fernan,‍ as you know, our land is⁠‍ in a critical‌⁠ state.”

In truth, it wasn’t‌ just critical—it was‍⁠ desperate.

Marquis‍ Bercheff, who governed⁠ the borderlands, had‍‌ discovered the cause⁠⁠ behind the last⁠⁠ monster wave that⁠ ravaged his territory.‌‍

Demonic‌⁠ beasts.

They‌‍ had nested to‍‌ the north and⁠ east of the‌‌‌ region, in areas‍ once inhabited by⁠⁠ ordinary monsters.

Frightened, the monsters had⁠‌‌ been driven from⁠ their territory and‍‍⁠ began to invade⁠⁠ human lands.

In⁠ other words, it‌‍ was a new⁠ calamity foretold.

The⁠‌ monster wave would‌⁠ soon become a wave of demonic⁠ beasts, and what‌‍‌ followed would be⁠‌ even more terrifying⁠ than before.

That’s‍‌ why Luina was⁠ determined.

Not⁠‌⁠ just because what‌‌ was happening in‍ Altrioque felt close⁠ to home, but‌ because the pride‌ of the Bercheff‌‍ family dictated that‌⁠ even in the⁠ face of calamity,‌⁠ their duty was‍⁠ to fight and⁠‍ protect—not flee.

What⁠ was happening in‌‍ Altrioque now was‍ the same as⁠ what had already‍‌ happened in Bercheff⁠‌ before.

“I⁠⁠ think it’s a good chance to‍⁠ prepare in advance.”‍‍

And⁠‌‌ also—for what would‌⁠⁠ be her future.⁠‍

“Aint‌ Armian, what will‍⁠‌ you do?”

“Hmm,‍ I want to‍‍ go too. I’m⁠ scared, but after‍ facing Andromalius, I don’t think there’s⁠ any point in‍⁠ running.”

Fernan⁠ nodded slightly. Truthfully,‍‌ he had already‍‍ assumed Aint would‌⁠ participate.

The⁠ Book of Prophecies‍⁠ said so, and‍ he himself had‌⁠ seen the courage⁠‌ with which Aint stood against the‌‌‌ demon Andromalius despite‌ his fear.

“I’ll⁠⁠⁠ go too. I’m‌‌ still frustrated.”

“Frustrated?”‍

“Unlike⁠‌ the others, I didn’t get knocked‍‍ out in one hit. This time,‌‌⁠ I’ll show you‍ all.”

“…Can’t you speak without‍‍ picking a fight‍⁠ with me?”

Someone‍‌‍ frowned.

“Now⁠‍‌ that you mention‌ it, how did⁠ Carlo win?”

“It⁠ was easy for me.”

“Easy?”‍‍

“No,‍ it wasn’t easy⁠⁠ at all. It⁠⁠⁠ was humiliating. In Elven, I was‌⁠ seen as an‌‍‍ unparalleled genius, but⁠ here—against the seniors—I‌⁠‍ was just another‍ elf!”

The⁠‌ battle against Andromalius⁠‍ had been a shock to her.

While⁠‍⁠ three had stood‌‍‌ their ground until⁠ the end, she had been among‌‌‍ those knocked unconscious—like‌‌⁠ Verian.

“That’s‌‍ why I’ve trained‍ harder since then.‌ And it seems⁠‍ to have paid⁠ off. Plus, he⁠‍ was much weaker⁠ than that demon.”‌‌

But‍⁠ that wasn’t true.‍ Fernan could confirm⁠‍ that.

“Carlo‌ is stronger than‌‌⁠ I am.”

“Weaker?⁠⁠ If Wooden enters‌ the fight, I’m‍ surrendering right away.”⁠

“Wooden‌ doesn’t count as‌‍ part of my strength.”

“Then‌‌ what—are knights or mages who use⁠ artifacts weaklings?”

“In‌ tournaments, you’re not⁠‍ allowed to use⁠‌ them.”

“Maybe that’s why it‌‍ all seemed so⁠ boring to me.‍ After fighting a demon, everything else feels like child’s‌ play.”

The‌‍ shock of having‍⁠‍ been knocked unconscious‌⁠ had affected her‍‍‌ so much that⁠‍‍ her entire focus‍ now revolved around‍ Andromalius.

It‌ was unexpected, but‍ not a bad‌‍ thing.

After all, Aria was⁠ recognized in the⁠⁠ Book of Prophecies‌‍ as one of‌ Aint’s companions.

Having⁠ more main forces‌ to face the demons was always‌‌‌ welcome.

‘I⁠ just hope Carlo‍‍ doesn’t go astray‌ because of this.’‌

Fernan clicked his tongue‍ and shook off‍ his thoughts. He‍ wasn’t in a position to worry‌‍ about another young‍ man’s future.

“I’ll‌‍ go too.”

Verian⁠ gave a reason⁠ similar to Aria’s.‍⁠‌

“But‍ will we really be allowed to‍⁠ go? There hasn’t⁠‌ been any official‍ order for first-years.”

Even‌ though the Academy⁠⁠ valued real-world experience‍ and often sent students to various‍‍ places, in principle,‌ first-years weren’t permitted‍⁠‌ to take part⁠‍⁠ in things like⁠⁠ this.

“You’ll‌⁠ be allowed.”

But⁠ the rector was‌‍ no fool. He‍ knew very well‌‍‌ how important Aint Armian’s growth would‍‍ be in the⁠‌ fight against the⁠⁠ demons.

‘Even⁠‍‍ if he didn’t⁠‍‍ believe all the⁠ legends about Armian,⁠‍ preparing someone who⁠⁠ could assist Aint‌ isn’t that hard.’

A mage is always‌ someone who prepares.⁠‌‍ And an archmage,‌‍ like the rector, understood better than‍⁠ anyone the value of Aint in‌⁠ a world where‍ demons had reappeared.

It‍⁠ wasn’t enough to⁠‌ protect him like‍ a child.

The⁠ delay in deciding‌ for the first-years⁠⁠‌ likely stemmed from‍‍‍ needing to convince⁠ the rest of‍ the academy’s leadership.‌⁠⁠

Even as rector, he‌‌‌ couldn’t decide everything‍ on his own.⁠⁠

“Here.”‌‍

At‍‌ Fernan’s signal, his aides handed over‌⁠ several documents.

“What’s this…?”

“These⁠ are the student‌ deployment plans. How⁠‌ many, where, and how they’ll be‍ sent—all detailed.”

Fernan⁠⁠ turned the first‍⁠ page, and the‍⁠ four students did the same.

“As⁠ you might expect,⁠ only the top ten from each‌⁠ year are eligible.”

And‌ rightly so—these were‍‌ demonic beasts. The⁠ mediocre wouldn’t even‌‌ dare raise their‌‍‌ hands.

“First⁠ and second years‍ will be grouped‍⁠⁠ together, and third‍ and fourth years‍‍ will form another⁠ group. The academy‌⁠ assessed their levels‌‌ separately.”

The‌ first and second‍⁠ years would be‍⁠ sent to Altrioque,‍ where the danger‍ was relatively lower.

Meanwhile,‍‍‌ the third and‌‍ fourth years would be deployed to Count Molton’s territory,‍‍ which was barely⁠‌ holding out—sheltering refugees‍‌ from two fallen‍ territories, protected only by the barrier⁠⁠ of the Elector⁠ Princes.

The⁠‌‍ Empire had already‍‍ sent reinforcements, but‍‍ anyone could see‍ the difference between‍⁠‌ a front with‌⁠ fortress walls and‍‍⁠ one without was‌⁠ vast.

“The⁠‌ first and second‌ years will move‍ together under the‍‍ supervision of two instructors: from the⁠‍ Knight Department, Knight‍‌ Grad Xanth; and‍‍⁠ from the Magic‍‌ Department, Rosalia Vienderk.”‍

And‍‌ he added.

“Departure‍⁠ is exactly three⁠ days from now.”‍⁠⁠

The⁠‍ rest was just‌‌ secondary details, but‌‌ that was the core of it.⁠⁠‍

“Any‌‍ questions?”

“Is this fake?”

A redheaded elf tilted⁠ her head suspiciously.‌

Fernan narrowed his eyes.‌

“Fake?”‌‌‌

“Didn’t‌‍ you say the‌ first-year decision hadn’t‌ been made yet?⁠‌ Then how do‍‌⁠ you already have‍‌ such a detailed plan? If you‌ got something impossible‍ to obtain, that‌⁠ means you’re lying.”

But then she let⁠‌ out a bitter‍‍ laugh.

“You’ve‍⁠ spent too much‌ time shut away‍ in the forest—you‌ know one thing⁠ and not the‌⁠ next.”

“Eh?”‍

“Listen‍‍ closely, Aria. What‌ matters is that‌ the rector’s will‌ is clear. That⁠⁠ alone is enough.”‌

What—wasn’t‍‌ the academy not‌‍‌ a dictatorship? Didn’t‌‌ it have decision-making⁠ bodies?

So‌‌ what? Not even‌ all the academy’s⁠⁠ administrators combined could⁠‌‌ equal the authority‌‍ of the rector.⁠⁠‍

“An‌‌ archmage is that‍ kind of person.‍⁠‌ When the rector‍‌‍ gives an opinion,‍⁠ it stops being‌ opinion and becomes‌‍ law. Following the⁠‌ proper legal process⁠‌ is just theater‍⁠‌ to show respect‌ for the Empire’s‍ laws.”

“Isn’t‌‌ that a total‌⁠⁠ disaster?”

“The‌ Empire is, from‌ the start, a class-based society.”

“…Then⁠ how did you‌⁠ get this plan?‌ It should still⁠‍ be confidential.”

“The‌‍⁠ rector gave it‍‍ to me.”

“What?”‌⁠

He⁠ hadn’t received it‍ directly, but through‌ an intermediary—but it‌‍ made no difference.‌‌⁠

“Aria,‍‍ in this world,⁠⁠‌ there’s nothing that‌‌ can’t be bought‍⁠ with money.”

“Are⁠‌⁠ you saying the rector sold it?”

“The‌ rector wouldn’t move‍ for mere pocket⁠‍ change.”

“…Then⁠ why?”

“Because‍ the Pellenbergs are⁠ the largest sponsor‍‍ of the Imperial‍⁠ Academy of Armian.”‍

“Ah…”⁠‌‌

Aria‌ realized the truth⁠‍ and stared at‌⁠‍ Fernan in disbelief.‍

Next⁠⁠ to her, Luina⁠⁠ simply shook her‍ head while already⁠‍⁠ unwrapping another piece‍ of chocolate.

***⁠

“See‌ this?”

Fernan‌ looked at the⁠‌ gold medal Luina‌‌ was shaking in‍‌ front of him⁠‌ and at her‍‍ excited expression. He‍‍ couldn’t help but‌‌ feel a touch‌ of nostalgia.

The‌ fact that she’d⁠‌ stayed behind alone⁠‍ with him just⁠⁠ to show it‍‍‌ off meant all‌ his efforts hadn’t‍ been in vain.‌

‘Now,‍‌ there’ll be no‍⁠‍ future where Luina‍⁠ and Aint end up as enemies⁠‌ and she falls‍‍ into ruin.’

Of‌ course, who knew⁠ what the demons‍ might try—they could‍ still attempt to‍‌‌ divide them again.⁠

But‍⁠ the bond they‌‍ had built since‍ the first semester wouldn’t break easily.⁠‌

And⁠‌ that was enough.‍

“Yes,⁠ I see it.”⁠

That’s⁠‍⁠ why his smile‌ this time was‌‌ more human than⁠ usual.

“Ah…”‍

Luina‍⁠ stared at him,‍ eyes slightly wide.⁠‍

“What‍⁠ is it?”

“No…‌‍ nothing. It’s just…‌⁠ this is…”

“I⁠⁠‍ know. It’s the⁠‍ medal you won‌‍ at the jousting⁠‌⁠ tournament, presented directly⁠ by the Emperor.”‌‌

It⁠ was a solid⁠‍‍ gold medallion, engraved‍‍ with the Schwaben‍ imperial eagle.

“That’s right! I can’t⁠‍ believe I have⁠ it! And all‌ thanks to you!”‌⁠

“Congratulations.‍‌⁠ I never imagined⁠‍ you’d actually beat‌‌ Rob Kaelin and‌‌ take the victory.”‌‍

“Thank you, truly. If⁠⁠⁠ it weren’t for⁠ you, I wouldn’t⁠ have achieved it in my second‍⁠ year.”

Luina‌‌ nodded, though by emphasizing “second year,”‌‌ she made it‌ clear she believed‌‍ she would’ve achieved⁠ it eventually regardless.‍

‘Well,⁠ I can’t say⁠ I’m surprised.’

If⁠⁠ the future Royal‌⁠ Knight couldn’t at‌ least win a medal like that,⁠‌ the demons would never have feared‍‍ the Empire.

“But‍ I didn’t expect‌‍ you to come‍ show it off‍ like this.”

“I⁠ promised, remember?”

A promise.

Ah,‌⁠ yes. He had‍ asked her to‍‌ win—to protect his‌‍ investment.

“So,‍‍‍ you kept your‌ promise?”

“A‌‌‌ knight never breaks‍⁠ her word.”

Luina’s face turned solemn.⁠‌‌

“Today,‌ you look more⁠ like a knight⁠ than a mage.⁠⁠ Maybe you should’ve‍ been a knight‍ from the start.”‍‌

Fernan‍ chuckled softly and‍‍‍ reached into his pocket.

“And‌‌ since you kept‌⁠ your promise, it’s‌‌⁠ only fair you‍ get your reward.”⁠‍‌

“I‍‌ didn’t do it‌⁠ expecting anything in‍⁠‌ return. Winning was⁠‌ more than enough…”⁠‌⁠

But‌‍⁠ Fernan popped something⁠ into her mouth‍‌ before she could⁠ object. A wave⁠⁠ of cold sweetness left her frozen.‍‌‌

“…What‌ is this?”

“Ice‌‍ chocolate with crystal⁠‌ flakes, made in‌⁠ the northern kingdom of Grunard, in tiny batches for‍ royalty and high⁠ nobility. They say it won’t melt⁠ for a month‌⁠ even at room⁠‍ temperature.”

“…It’s‍ delicious.”

“And‌ expensive. But you‌ earned it. As‍‍ promised, I’ll calculate‌ its value and⁠‌ deduct it from‍‍ your debt.”

Fernan‍ handed her an‍ elegant box with⁠‍ more ice chocolates.‍‌‌

“Thank⁠‌ you. I won’t⁠ forget this debt.”⁠⁠‌

“I‌⁠ hope not. I hope you never‍ forget it.”

“And look at this! A sword I picked from the‍‍ academy’s armory—its edge‍ rivals the best⁠‌ weapons of my‌‌‍ house…”

Luina⁠ went on for‍⁠ quite a while,‌ showing off her‌ sword, the imperial‌‍‍ potion she received,‌‌‍ and other prizes, before finally leaving.‍‌‍

‘Since‌‍ when was Luina‌ so talkative?’

Ah.‌

He’d⁠‍ forgotten to ask⁠‍ her to search⁠ for the hidden‍ inheritance the First‌ Emperor had left‌⁠⁠ for her.

‘Well, it’s not that‍ important.’

In‌ the original story,‌ Aint didn’t obtain⁠⁠ it in his‍ first year either.⁠⁠⁠

Besides, Fernan was already planning to lend‍ her a supreme-grade‌‍ weapon forged by⁠ the Golden Turtle⁠ Guild—even if it wasn’t legendary.

“Wow,⁠ I didn’t know‍‍ the young master‍ was so close⁠ to Luina Bercheff.”

Gert‍⁠ appeared, joking, as‌‍ he entered the‌‌ secret chamber.

“She’s⁠⁠ my partner.”

“Didn’t‌ seem like a simple partnership. Looked‍‌‍ more like sparks‍ of affection flying around…”

“You’re⁠ joining the deployment‍ too.”

“What‌ if I say‌‍‍ no?”

“That‌‌ would be ridiculous.”‌

If‍ he’d taken money,‍ then he had‌ to follow through.‍⁠

“Tell‍ Neria too.”

“Alright,⁠ if you say‍⁠ so. Though to⁠⁠ be honest, I’m‌ curious. Demonic beasts!⁠⁠‌ Haven’t been seen⁠ in a thousand‌ years, right?”

“Don’t‌ get too excited.⁠‍ This is just‌ the beginning.”

“Which‌ is exactly why‍ we should go.⁠⁠ Having the experience‌ of fighting them—or⁠ not—will make a big difference.”

“True.”‍

And‌ then, Fernan wondered‍‌ what had become⁠‍⁠ of Gert in‍⁠⁠ the original story.

He‍ thought about it‌ for a few seconds and realized⁠‍ it was a pointless concern.

‘I’m‍⁠ sure he lived⁠‍ well. My father⁠‌ already sacrificed a lot abandoning me—there’s⁠⁠‌ no way he’d‍ do the same‌‌ to Gert and‌‌‌ Neria.’

“I’ll⁠‍ be off, then.”⁠

“See⁠‌ you later.”

Once‍‍ Gert left, Fernan‍ picked up paper‌ and pen and⁠ wrote two words:‌‍

“Altrioque”‌‍ and “Demonic beasts.”‌

“…Anyway,⁠‍ the potions and‍ gear will be‍ supplied from across⁠ the Empire, so‍‍ there’s no profit‌‍ there. Instead of⁠⁠ selling, it’s time⁠ to buy.”

“Unlike⁠ demons, these creatures⁠‍ leave behind corpses.‍ If I collect‌⁠⁠ them all—both monsters‍‌‍ and demonic beasts…”‌

“Most⁠ people will see‌ it as contaminated⁠ trash, tainted by‍‌ miasma. But if‍ I say I’m‌‍ handling the disposal‌ of that trash,‌⁠ and keep it‍ all for free…”⁠‌‌

War‌⁠ brings money.

Fernan⁠‌ began plotting every‌⁠ possible way to‍‍ profit from it.‌