A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 9

Chapter 9

“Good.⁠ Thanks to the‍ artifact catching them⁠ off guard, we‌⁠ were able to‌ finish him off‍ with relative ease.”⁠

Carlo’s‌ true power lay‍⁠ in his storm‑like‍ lightning discharge and‌‌ the rapid Blink movement that accompanied‌ it.

Using‌‌ his signature ability,‌‍ Double Casting, to‌‌ execute fast hit‑and‑run‍ tactics was a proven battle style⁠ that earned him‍⁠ first place in‌⁠‌ the Department of‌ Magic.

If Luina hadn’t defeated Alia quickly, the‍ outcome could have⁠‌⁠ easily turned.

“No‌ matter how I think about it,⁠ using an artifact‍ seems a bit⁠ unfair…”

“If‌‌ there really was‍‌⁠ a problem, the‌ assistant professors would‍ have stepped in.”‌‌

“Good⁠ point.”

Luina‌‍ nodded as if⁠‌‌ conceding the point.‍

“Either‍ way, thanks to‍ that, we won.”⁠‌

“But‍ still, even while‍‍ the magic was‍⁠ raining down, you‌‌‍ never took your eyes off Alia.”⁠⁠

“Didn’t‍‍⁠ you tell me‍⁠⁠ to do that?”‌‌⁠

“Coming‍‍ from the one‌⁠ who said it,‌⁠‌ how sweet. But‍‌‌ did we really‍⁠ have that much‍⁠ trust between us?”⁠‍

“With⁠‌ time, it would‍‍‌ have to become‍ more than that.⁠ But for now,‍ our connection was‍ purely transactional, tied⁠ to money.”

“Whether‌‍‍ it existed or‍ not, once they⁠‍ paired us, I thought I had‌⁠ to trust you.”⁠

That‍‍ wasn’t the only‌⁠ reason, of course.‌ In the duel,⁠ Fernan had already‍⁠ proven his worth.‍‍ That’s why she‍‌‍ thought he must have had a plan.

She‌ just didn’t expect⁠‌ that plan to⁠⁠ involve using an‌ artifact.

“Look who’s acting like‌‌ a knight. So,‍ where to next?”‍

“Obviously‍ north. But first,‍ we should rest‍ and rebuild our⁠‌ strength in a safe spot.”

“I‌‌ have potions. Plenty.”‍

The⁠‌ two began heading‌ north at a steady pace.

Not‌‍ far off, a pair of eyes⁠ fixed on them.⁠‌⁠

***

“…That’s‌ unexpected.”

Professor‌‌‌ Grad of the‍‌ Department of Knights narrowed his eyes.‌

Carlo‌ and Fernan. Luina⁠‍⁠ and Alia.

Grad had assumed Carlo‌⁠ would have the‍ highest win rate‌ in the first‍ pair, and Luina‍⁠ in the second.‌⁠ After all, academy‌‍ ranking wasn’t decided‍ like poker.

Rank‍⁠⁠ was a clear⁠⁠ indicator of skill.‌ Fourth place was‌‍ better than tenth.⁠ The top student‌ was better than⁠⁠ second.

Naturally,⁠ he expected Carlo‌ to eliminate Fernan‌⁠ first and then⁠ press Luina for‌‌ victory.

“An‍‌ artifact, huh…?”

Grad⁠ stroked his chin.⁠‌

He⁠⁠⁠ really didn’t think using an artifact‍⁠ was wrong. This‌ training exercise aimed‍‌ to simulate real⁠‌ combat, and unless⁠ it was truly⁠⁠ malicious tactics, almost‍‍ everything was allowed.‌

He‍ just didn’t expect⁠ someone to actually⁠‌‍ use one.

“Just‌ as expected from⁠ a Pellenberg. If‌‍‌ he has that⁠ much money, he‌ could at least⁠‌ leave me a few pouches of‍‌ coins.”

Either‍‍ way, setting the artifact aside, using metal to neutralize‌⁠‌ lightning magic wasn’t⁠‌ a bad approach.‍

“Perhaps‍‌ Rosalia’s method.”

A style aiming to maximize efficiency with‍⁠‍ minimal investment by⁠⁠ leveraging the nature‍‍‌ of magic and⁠ elemental traits—just as‍‍ Professor Rosalia advocated.‍⁠

“Interesting.”

He‌ chuckled.

***‍⁠

Grrrr.‍

The⁠ northern mountains weren’t⁠‍ just full of rocks and trees.‍⁠‍

Goblins,⁠ kobolds, gnolls, orcs,⁠‍ trolls… even ogres. It was a haven for mountain⁠ and forest monsters.⁠⁠

The‍ professors had deliberately‍ led the students‍ to the southern‍ zone of the‍‌ northern region to‍ prioritize student conflicts. But once they‍ moved past that,‍ they began facing‌⁠ the region’s native‍‌ beasts seriously.

With‌‌ a roar, Luina’s‌ sword sliced open a troll’s chest.⁠‍ However, it regenerated‍‌ so fast the⁠‌‍ blow seemed insignificant.‍

“Decapitate it in one⁠ strike!”

“I⁠‌⁠ already know that!”

Luina whirled in the‍‌ air. The troll’s‍‍ crude club whizzed past.

A deep scar marred‌ the ground where‍‍ it struck. At‍ that moment, the⁠‌ earth beneath the troll’s feet rose.‍ It lost balance,‌ and Luina’s sword‌‍ sliced its neck‍⁠‍ cleanly.

She‍ wiped the blood⁠⁠‌ off her blade‍ and held her‍ breath.

“Are‍ you tired?”

“I’m‌ fine.”

Fernan‍‌ chanted a spell.‍ A basic cleansing‌ magic washed the⁠‍ blood from Luina’s‌‌ armor and face.⁠

But⁠ that wasn’t the‍ end. Some mana⁠ seeped into the‌⁠ troll’s corpse, contorting⁠⁠ its body like a wrung-out rag.‍

“…Was‍‍ that really necessary?”‍

“ troll blood is‌ one of the‌‍ key ingredients for‌ potion‑making.”

“I‍‌ know, but shouldn’t‍‍ you be above‍‌ worrying about stuff like that?”

Fernan‍ replied while pulling‍ an empty glass⁠ vial from his⁠ subspace.

“Money‍‌‍ is money, no‍ matter how small it is.”

“That’s⁠⁠ why everyone says‌‍ you’re too obsessed⁠‍⁠ with it.”

“It‌‌ worked out. I got you on‍‍ board, didn’t I?⁠‌‌ That’s a gain.”‍

“…”‌‌‍

Fernan⁠ sealed the vial,‍‍ now filled with⁠‍ blood, and stored‌ it back in‍‍ subspace before changing‌ the subject.

“All set. Let’s move on.”

“Yes.”⁠⁠

Fernan‍‌ and Luina continued⁠ north, and before‌‌ they knew it,⁠ the final day⁠‍⁠ of the training‌‌‍ exercise arrived.

“How⁠‌ many did we‌ take down? Seven?‍ Or was it‌ eight?”

Eight⁠ pairs. Hopefully we get bonus points.‍⁠

“You’ve‍⁠ completely lost your⁠‌ mind over grades.”‍⁠

“I‌ have a reason⁠⁠‌ I must become⁠⁠⁠ the best student.”‌

He⁠ already knew. She‍‌‌ aspiring to become‌‌‌ a Royal Knight.

Not‍‌ all, but most‍ Royal Knights were‌⁠ graduates who’d ranked first in the⁠ academy.

That’s‌ why being the⁠‍ top student in‌ the Department of‌‌‌ Knights was often‍‍ seen as the⁠ minimum requirement to⁠ become a Royal⁠ Knight.

As they chatted and⁠ progressed calmly, they‌ reached close to‌ their destination with⁠ exactly one hour‍‍‍ remaining before noon.‍‍

Fernan⁠‌⁠ and Luina suppressed⁠ their presence as‍ much as possible.‌‌‍

“Can⁠ you feel them?”‍

“There’s⁠⁠ quite a few.”⁠‌‌

At least twenty. They’d‌ moved north treating⁠ every student they‌‌‍ found as a potential source of‌ bonus points, but‌ it seemed a good number of‌‍⁠ students didn’t think the same. There were several groups‍⁠ of more than⁠ two people gathered.‌

A fragile peace held,⁠⁠ where everyone watched‌ each other carefully.⁠‌

Just‌‌‍ by looking, you⁠‍ could tell something⁠ was about to⁠ happen. They said‌‌ if you got⁠⁠⁠ ahead or delayed‍‍⁠ too much, you’d⁠‌⁠ lose points.

“So‌‌ a clash will‍‌⁠ happen soon.”

They‍⁠ could’ve eliminated everyone‍⁠ and moved ahead‌ quietly, but the‌⁠ opponents were all⁠ academy students. If‍ those students banded‌ together and attacked‌ them, it’d be⁠‍ their team eliminated.⁠⁠

So, for now, they‌‌ decided to wait⁠‌ until the moment,‍‌ until the chaos⁠‌ erupted.

It was obvious this‍‍ peace wouldn’t last‌ much longer.

The‌‌ commotion erupted about⁠ thirty minutes later.‍

“It’s‍ Almon!”

“Prince‍ Ludger is with‌ him too!”

It‍‌‌ was a shout‍ from the west.⁠⁠

Fernan⁠ and Luina turned⁠ their heads—and immediately‍⁠ understood why they⁠⁠ appeared with such‌⁠ boldness.

“Their‍ numbers…”

“They⁠⁠⁠ gathered all the‍ students from the‌ start?”

Not that they hadn’t‌ fought. There were faint signs of‍⁠ battle on their‌‌ armor and swords.⁠⁠

They⁠⁠‌ must have fought⁠⁠‌ moderately, leaving some‌⁠ alive to entice⁠ them to their‍ side.

It‌‍‌ was a move‍ made assuming most‌⁠⁠ students would be⁠‌ hiding near the‍‌ goal.

“Just⁠‌ as expected of‌‍‍ a prince…”

Always‍ showing off. Fernan‌‍‌ clicked his tongue.‍‍

“What‌‌⁠ should we do?”⁠⁠

“It‌⁠‍ looks like all‌ the attention is⁠ on them right‍ now, so instead⁠ of dealing with‌‍‍ them, it’s better‌ to use this‍‍ chance to get‍ even closer to⁠⁠ the goal.”

Just⁠‌‍ in case, it⁠ would be wise‌ to take some‌ precautions as well.‍

Fernan‍‌ began to move‌⁠ stealthily.

“There’s⁠ nothing here.”

Ludger‍ examined the surroundings.⁠ There were presences‌ here and there,⁠⁠ but none of‍ the people he was looking for. The pairs Luina‌‍ Bercheff and Fernan‍ Pellenberg.

Carlo‍ Deneb and Alia Torta.

They‌‍ were the pairs he was watching⁠⁠‌ most closely.

“What kind of person⁠‍ is Fernan?”

“Why‍‍ are you asking‍ that all of⁠ a sudden?”

“Despite⁠ being only in⁠⁠‌ tenth place, Your‌ Highness seems to⁠⁠‍ be paying him unusual attention.”

Ludger‍‍ chuckled at Almon’s⁠ words. Luina, who‍ held second place,⁠‌ was understandable. But‍‌ it was a veiled way of⁠‍ asking if someone‍‌ like Fernan, barely‍‍ in tenth place,⁠⁠ deserved such a level of caution.⁠⁠⁠

“Isn’t‍⁠‌ it strange?”

“What‌‌ do you mean?”‌⁠

“The‌‍ Pellenbergs attacked the‌‍‌ Bercheffs. Everyone who⁠ matters knows that.⁠ They exerted great⁠‌ financial pressure on‌ them. Even though⁠ they maintained a façade of restraint,‌‌ such maneuvers between⁠ two marquis houses‍ clearly exceeded the⁠ limits.”

The‍ influence of the‌ Pellenbergs was so‌‍⁠ great that most⁠ simply kept silent.⁠ But they paid‌⁠ a high price‌ for it.

Interfering‍‌ with the guardian‍ of the north was not something‍‍ even the Pellenbergs‌⁠ could do lightly.‍

“But‌‍‌ then, suddenly, Fernan visits the Pellenberg estate and becomes Luina’s partner.”

“So‍ the two houses⁠⁠ reached some kind⁠⁠⁠ of agreement.”

“That’s‍ the assumption.”

“But‌ what could they‌‍‌ really achieve just⁠ by becoming partners…”‌⁠⁠

“Exactly.”‌

Being⁠⁠ partnered didn’t necessarily⁠⁠ mean anything special. Still, Ludger wanted‍ to undermine their⁠‍ results, even if‌ just a little.⁠⁠‌

Though⁠‍ it might seem‍ insignificant now, the⁠ Pellenbergs always think long-term. That’s why‌ the best way‍‌‍ to deal with⁠ them is to extinguish even the‍ smallest spark.

The⁠‌⁠ partnership with Luina‌ was clearly aimed‍⁠ at improving his⁠ grades.

“Isn’t⁠‍ it suspicious that‍ someone who’s been hiding his true⁠⁠ ability is now‌⁠ teaming up with⁠‌ Luina?”

“Are⁠‍‌ you saying Fernan⁠‍⁠ has been hiding⁠ his abilities?”

“Yes.”⁠

That’s‌‍ why he suspected,‌⁠‌ why he was‌‍ cautious, and why‍⁠ he wanted to⁠⁠ foil their plans.‍‌‍ A sly smile‍‌ formed on Ludger’s‍‌ lips.

He‌⁠ looked at the⁠‌ 14 students following him and said:‌

“Go.‌‌‍ Find everyone hiding‌‌ ahead and eliminate⁠⁠ them.”

He⁠‍ added one more⁠ line.

“We’ll⁠⁠ be the ones‌‍ to take the⁠ top ranks.”

“Yes,‌ Your Highness!”

“Let’s go!”

“Some⁠⁠ of us fought‌‍‍ with all our‌ might, and others⁠‍‌ hid like rats? You’re all dead!”‌‌

A clash broke out‌ between those who‍‌ followed Ludger and‌⁠ those who didn’t.‌ Watching the chaos as dozens of‌ students clashed, Fernan‍ let out a dry laugh.

As‍‍‍ expected of Ludger.⁠‍‌ Sweep everyone away⁠‍ first and then sort through the‌ ranks of his‌ own followers.

“What‍‍ do you think‍⁠ will happen?”

“Everything will go according‍ to Ludger’s plan.”‌

Although⁠ the opposing team‌ was more numerous,⁠⁠ Ludger’s group had superior quality. The‌‍ outcome was obvious.⁠

“But‌ what if we‌‌ intervene?”

“Is⁠ it really necessary?⁠ We can just⁠ watch quietly and⁠‍‍ head to our⁠ destination when the time comes.”

“They‌⁠ say the best⁠ victory is one‌‍ won without fighting.⁠⁠ Look. They’ve been⁠‌ fighting so much‍⁠ that only five‌ minutes remain. That‍‍‌ means we’ve won.”⁠

“…Unfortunately,⁠ it’s too soon⁠ to be sure.”⁠

Luina⁠‌ placed her hand⁠‌‌ on her sword‍‌ hilt. Fernan turned‍⁠ his head at the sight and⁠‌ his expression hardened.⁠‍

“Ruina?‍⁠ Fernan?”

“When‍⁠⁠ did they get there?”

“Were‍ they hiding the‌ whole time we⁠⁠ were fighting?”

The⁠ battle had ended‌⁠‌ before they even‌‌⁠ noticed. The eight‍‌ remaining students loyal‍⁠ to Ludger panted‌‍‌ as they watched.

“Fernan.‌ Why were you‍‍ sneaking around like‍ a rat?”

Their‍ leader, Ludger, slowly‍ approached.

“Trying‍⁠ to take first‌‍‌ place.”

“We‌ didn’t give you⁠‌ permission to take first.”

“That’s⁠⁠‍ not something anyone needs permission for.”‍⁠

“At‌ least now it‍ is.”

Attack.⁠‍‍ At Ludger’s murmur, the students charged.‍

In‍ response, Fernan struck‌⁠ the ground with‌‍ his staff and‍ began to chant.‍ A magic circle‍ began to glow.‍‍

No,‍⁠ it had already⁠ been drawn.

“Huh?”⁠‌

“What⁠⁠ is this…?”

The‌ magic circle under‌ the students’ feet⁠ lit up.

“Nap.”‍‌

A hidden mana amplifier‌ lent its power‌⁠⁠ to Fernan. A massive surge of‌⁠ mana.

Rumble!⁠

“Run!”‌

“Bre—!”⁠‌‍

Boom!‍

A huge wall rose‍⁠ up and swallowed‍⁠ all the students.‍⁠ Then the ceiling⁠‌ closed, blocking even⁠ the sky.

Not‌‌ a single exception.⁠

“…!”

“…!”⁠

Explosions echoed within the⁠⁠ dome. As it⁠⁠‌ trembled, Luina nodded.⁠‍

“You‌ were right after‌‍‌ all.”

“I’m⁠ exhausted.”

“You‍ even brought magical‍‌‍ reagents with you.”⁠

When⁠‍ drawing the magic⁠ circle, he used‌⁠ magical reagents to⁠ enhance its quality.‌‌

Combining‌ a mana storage⁠ device, an amplifier, and those reagents,‌ he created a magical prison powerful⁠‍ enough to trap‍‌ ten students.

“Keep⁠‍ the use of‍⁠ the storage device,‍‌‌ amplifier, and reagents‍‌ a secret. I want that to‌ be my trump card for now.”‍

“Didn’t⁠‍‍ Carlo and Alia‍⁠ already find out?”‌

“They’re⁠ not idiots. They‌ won’t tell anyone.‌‌ After all, they’re‍‍ competitors too.”

“I⁠‌‌ understand.”

Even‌‍⁠ so, that was‌‌ pretty cunning. Luina murmured.

“But⁠⁠‍ how long will‌⁠⁠ it hold?”

“Let’s‍‌‍ hope it lasts⁠ until time runs‌ out.”

“And‌‌⁠ if it doesn’t?”‌

“What‍ do you think?”‌‌‌

“They’d⁠⁠ have to face‍ the wrath of‌‍ ten furious students—including⁠‍ the top-ranking knight⁠ cadet and the‍ second-ranking magic cadet.”‍

“They’d⁠ be screwed.”

───!‌

With‍‌ a deafening crash,‌ the dome was‍ pierced.

“It’s‍‍‍ broken!”

“How‍ many times did‍ they have to⁠ hit it? Was‍‍ Fernan really that‌⁠ strong?”

“Are⁠⁠ all tenth-rankers like‍ this?”

The⁠‌ students, pale-faced, muttered‍ anxiously.

“…We‍⁠‍ were completely fooled.”‍‍

Ludger‍ laughed bitterly.

He⁠ didn’t think it‌ took that long,‌‌ but by the‌⁠ time the dome‍⁠⁠ was destroyed, Fernan⁠⁠⁠ and Luina had‍ vanished. It was⁠⁠ clear they’d left⁠⁠ at the exact‌ time.

“They⁠⁠ really were hiding‍ their strength, just⁠ as you said,‌‍‌ Your Highness.”

“Told‍ you.”

Ludger ran a hand‌⁠ through his hair‌ and sighed.

“I‌⁠ won’t lose next time, Fernan.”

Gritting‍⁠‍ his teeth, he‌ turned to Almon.‍

“Let’s⁠‌ go, Almon.”

“Yes,‍ Your Highness.”

Ludger‍ shouted.

“We‍ lost first place,⁠‍‍ but aside from‌‌ Fernan and Luina,‌⁠ nothing has changed. As promised, we’re still among the⁠ top ranks, so⁠⁠ let’s continue accordingly.”‍⁠

“Yes,⁠ Your Highness!”

“Yes!”⁠‍

Naturally,⁠ Ludger was the⁠⁠ first to enter.⁠