A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 96

Chapter 96

“Are‍ there more elixirs?”⁠‌

“Yes.”⁠‌

“What⁠ are they and‍ where are they?”⁠

“Nothing‍⁠ special. Just berillin⁠‌‌ fruits.”

Berillin fruits contained mana,⁠‌ but in very‌ small amounts.

In⁠ terms of rank,‍‍ they were among‌⁠ the lowest.

Even⁠‍‌ so, they were⁠‌ still considered elixirs,‌ with some value and difficult to‌‌ obtain.

The‍‍‍ important thing, however,‌ was not that.‍⁠

It‌ was the fact‍‌ that he kept‍‍ acquiring them from⁠ somewhere.

Something⁠⁠‌ not even Fernan,‌‍ with his personal‍ information network the‍ Golden Pillar, could‍‍ manage.

“Where‌‌ did he get‌‌‍ them?”

“It’s‍‌‌ suspected to have‌ been during the‌ open field Survival‍‍ class, three days‌ ago.”

“Suspected?”‌

“Even⁠‌ I can’t completely‌ hide in a place full of professors and assistants.”‌‌

Hyde‍ shook his head.‌

This‍ was the Academy,‌⁠‌ a place full⁠ of magical security⁠ circles and experts.

Magical‌ devices could be⁠⁠‍ bypassed in part⁠⁠ thanks to the⁠⁠ master key Fernan‌ had given him,‍ but running into a professor was⁠ another matter.

“And‍‌ besides that?”

“Nothing‍‌ else.”

“Not⁠ a single clue?”‍

“No. Extremely normal. I have the report⁠⁠‌ here.”

Finally,‌ what Fernan had⁠ been waiting for.‌‌‌

He⁠⁠ opened the first‌ page. Nothing stood‍ out.

Gismond‍‌ Ert.

Born⁠ into the Ert‍‍ family, he was⁠ called a genius‍ from a young⁠‌ age.

But‍‌ after entering the‍⁠⁠ Academy, he hit‍⁠ the wall of‍ the true geniuses.⁠⁠

So⁠⁠ he spent the‌ first semester as‌ just another among⁠ the hundred average‌‍ students, until—

“In‌‌ the second semester‌ he began to‌ stand out.”

That⁠ was something he⁠‍‌ already knew. What⁠⁠ Fernan was interested⁠‍⁠ in was where⁠⁠ he had been‍ during those holidays.⁠‌‌

“As⁠‍⁠ you’ll see in‍ the report, Gismond‌⁠ traveled to several‌ places. One of‌ them, as I already mentioned, was‍‌‍ the south of Frazia. Specifically…”

“…Feios?”⁠⁠

Fernan’s⁠ eyes widened.

“A‌‍ fortress with walls⁠ over 20 meters‌‍ tall and a vast plain. What’s⁠ it called?”

“Fortress⁠ Feios.”

“……”‍‍‌

Could⁠ it be a coincidence?

And‍⁠ that wasn’t all.‌

“During‌⁠ these holidays, was he also in‍ Altrierc?”

“Yes,⁠ he was.”

Immediately,‍ Fernan thought of the itarium.

The‌‌‌ itarium that Gismond had consumed, and‌ the one that⁠ should have been‌‍ there but had‌ vanished.

Was⁠‌⁠ there really no‌ connection?

‘It‌ can’t be…’

An‌ unsettling thought ran‍ through his mind, and cold sweat⁠ drenched his back.‌

“Young⁠⁠ master…”

“I⁠ want you to find out one‍⁠ more thing.”

“What‍ is it?”

“Whether‍ Gismond Ert…”

Fernan‌ didn’t want to finish the sentence.‍‌‍

He⁠‌ prayed it wasn’t‍‌‍ true.

“…Whether⁠‌ he was struck by lightning.”

***‍‍

Hyde‍‍ left, but Fernan’s⁠⁠ heart remained agitated⁠‌‍ for a long⁠ time.

His⁠‌ shock was equal‍ to, or even‌ greater than, what‍‍‍ he felt when‌ he himself was‍ struck by lightning‌ and saw the⁠‍ future.

‘It‍ can’t be.’

It‌‌⁠ should be impossible.‍

Knowing⁠ the future alone‌ wasn’t the same⁠ as sharing it.

Resources‌ were limited.

If‍‌‍ there was another like him, it⁠ meant there was‌ a competitor.

And if that person’s‍‌ actions twisted fate, all of Fernan’s effort—his caution, his‌ calculations, his struggle—would‌⁠‍ become meaningless.

The⁠ value of the‌ Book of Prophecies‍‌ would plummet into‍ trash.

That⁠ was the one‌ thing he couldn’t allow.

“At‌‌‌ this rate, I’ve‍‍ missed all my‌ classes…”

He‌⁠ decided to take‍ another day off.⁠

He‍ unfolded the morning⁠ newspaper.

【The‌ border count’s house⁠ of Altrierc delivers⁠⁠‌ all fragments of‌⁠ the Bell of‍⁠ Pasa to the Cult of the‍‌‌ Dragon God…】

【The⁠ Cult of the‌ Dragon God declares‌‌ total effort to‍ restore the Bell‍ of Pasa…!】

【Monsters‌‍ active in the‍ Taklakan desert and‌ the corrupt who‍‍⁠ destroyed the Bell.⁠ After a thousand‍⁠ years of silence, they bare their‌‌‌ fangs once more.】⁠

【Is‍⁠‍ this truly the⁠ end of the‌‍ resurgence of the‌‌ corrupt?】

【A‍‍‍ continent in chaos.⁠ Now more than⁠⁠ ever, it’s time‍⁠ to reclaim daily⁠⁠‍ life…】

【The⁠‍ 198th Continental Academic‌‌ Congress will be⁠ held in ten‍⁠ days…!】

Though it was an‍ Academy newspaper, most of the news‍ revolved around Taklakan⁠⁠ and Altrierc.

It‍‌ made sense. The‍ threat of the⁠‍ corrupt wasn’t just‍ Altrierc’s problem—it was‍ the entire continent’s.⁠

The‍ only other topic‌‍ was the academic‍‍‍ congress to be⁠⁠‍ held in a week.

‘Academic congress…’

Fernan‍⁠‍ was especially interested.‍‍‍

It‌⁠‌ was held every‌‌ five years and was a key⁠‍ event for the‌ Pellenberg family.

Inventions‌‌⁠ always emerged there, and among them,⁠⁠ one or two‍⁠ could generate fortunes.⁠

Where⁠ there was money,‌ there was Pellenberg. Several of the‌ attending mages were,‌ in fact, sponsored⁠⁠ by his family.‍‌‌

‘I definitely have to‌ go.’

The‍ congress was a high-level gathering, a chance to learn.⁠⁠

The‌‍ Academy even encouraged⁠ attendance, pausing classes‍‍ for three weeks in what they⁠ called the autumn‍ holidays.

‘This‌ time the venue⁠‍ is Vienderk.’

The⁠ congress rotated among⁠ the domains of‍⁠⁠ the seven electors, as a way‍‍⁠ to reinforce their⁠⁠ power.

Since⁠ Armian lost the‍ throne, they had⁠ refused to host⁠ it, leaving six‌‌ venues instead of⁠ seven.

‘…I‌‍ should visit the⁠ professor.’

Among‌⁠ Pellenberg’s sponsored individuals⁠ were also professors⁠ from the Academy.‌⁠

Some aimed to present‌ at the congress.‌

With‍ time to spare,⁠‌ Fernan got ready⁠‍ and headed to‌‍ the professors’ pavilion.‍⁠‍

“I‍ would like to‍ see Professor Rosalia.”‍‍‍

“The professor isn’t receiving‌ students right now.”⁠‌‍

“I’m⁠⁠ not here as‍ a student.”

Fernan⁠ discreetly slid a plaque forward—the official sponsor badge of‌⁠‍ the Academy.

“Ah…‌⁠ one moment.”

The‍ assistant returned five⁠ minutes later.

“The‍‍ professor asks you‌ to wait half‍⁠ an hour.”

“I’ll⁠‌ wait inside.”

Fernan‌‍ entered the office.‍‍

Rosalia‍ was buried in⁠‍ mountains of documents,‍⁠ handling errands.

Only⁠‍ the turning of‍ pages and the scratch of a pen filled the⁠⁠ silence.

She‍ was so focused‌‌ that she didn’t⁠‍⁠ even notice Fernan’s⁠⁠ presence.

He⁠ decided not to‌‍ interrupt her and‌ sat on the⁠⁠⁠ guest sofa, preparing‍‍ himself a coffee.‌‍

Time⁠‌ passed quickly.

A breeze came in⁠ through the slightly‍ open window, lifting⁠ papers that she‌‍ gathered with an‌‍‍ annoyed gesture.

She⁠⁠ brought a black‌‍ cigarette to her‌‌‌ lips but had⁠ no fire.

“Here.”‍⁠

Fernan‍ lit a small‍‍ flame on his⁠ finger.

Rosalia⁠⁠‍ accepted it naturally,‌‍ exhaling smoke.

Her‌ previously dull eyes⁠⁠ regained clarity.

As‌ she stretched, she‌‌ finally noticed him.‌

“Fernan?‍ When did you arrive?”

“A‍ while ago.”

“I⁠ thought I said‍‌‍ I wasn’t receiving students.”

“Today‍⁠‌ I’m not a student. I came as a sponsor.”‌

At‍ the word sponsor,⁠‍‍ she took a deeper puff.

“And⁠ your classes? As far as I know, you had‍⁠ class today.”

“I‌‍ canceled.”

“How‌‍⁠ shameless, saying that‍⁠ in front of⁠‌⁠ a professor.”

Rosalia⁠‌ let out an ironic laugh, but‌ didn’t scold him‍ further.

“Did‍ you come to⁠⁠ pressure me? To see if I have results?”

“Just‌‌ to check in.⁠ There are two‌ weeks left until the congress.”

“How⁠ could I forget?⁠⁠ I’ve been looking⁠‍ forward to it⁠⁠ every day.”

“I‍⁠ hope your results⁠ live up to⁠‍‍ that anticipation.”

Fernan‌ smiled, then changed‍ the subject.

“I‌ see you’re making⁠ good use of the tobacco.”

“It’s⁠⁠ not bad. A single puff clears⁠ the mind. Maybe because it’s a Pellenberg product. Either‍ way, I need‍‍ more.”

“If⁠‌‌ you put in‍⁠ a request, I’ll‌ take care of‌⁠ the supply. But‍ don’t overdo it.⁠‌ It doesn’t have major side effects,‍ but it’s still⁠ a stimulant, and‌‌ excess is never‌ good.”

“Stop‍‍‌ pretending you care.”‍‍‍

“I’m not pretending, but⁠⁠ fine.”

“Follow‍ me.”

Rosalia‌‌ rose from her‍ seat.

“Where‌ are we going?”

“Isn’t⁠‍ it obvious? The sponsor wants to see the research‍ results.”

“Is‌‌ it finished?”

“In the final phase. It’ll be reviewed‌⁠⁠ and fully ready‍⁠⁠ before the Continental Academic Congress.”

“Impressive.”‍

Fernan‌ expressed genuine admiration.⁠

He‌ knew how difficult‌ her research topic‍‌ was, and even‌ though he had sponsored her, he‍‍ never thought she‍‌ could complete it in just five‍‌ years.

He‌ had estimated a minimum of ten.⁠⁠ No matter how much of a genius she was,‍ she couldn’t have‌‍‍ done it without‌⁠ sacrificing body and‍‌ soul.

The⁠ magic tobacco, made‌ at Rosalia’s request,⁠‍ had certainly played‍‌ its part.

Fernan⁠ followed her to‌ her lab.

It⁠‍‍ was large and‌⁠‌ spacious.

In‍‍ fact, Rosalia’s lab⁠‍ was among the⁠ top five largest⁠‌⁠ in the entire‌ Academy, the result⁠‌⁠ of her talent,⁠‍ connections, and Pellenberg‍‌ backing.

Upon‍ entering, Fernan felt a chill.

“The⁠ ice crystal has grown.”

“Yes,⁠‍ it’s grown more.”‍‍

In‍ the center of‌ the lab stood‌‌ a huge ice‌ orb about five‌ meters in diameter.‍‌‌

Its‍ surface was covered‍‍‍ in intricate runes‌‍ and magic circles,‌ leaving no space untouched.

Around‌‌ it, several assistants‌ worked silently.

“Professor!”

Seeing‌‍ her enter with‍ Fernan, the assistants‌‌‍ greeted her.

Most‌ only nodded before‍ returning to work, but one of‍‌ them ran toward⁠⁠ them.

“Professor,⁠ you’ve come. And⁠ you too, Fernan.”⁠‍

“He’s‍‍ here as a sponsor.”

“So‌ today he’s here‍ as a sponsor.”‍

The‍ assistant nodded.

“I’m‍‍ Aaron Frein, assistant⁠‍‍ to Professor Rosalia.⁠ It’s an honor to meet you,‍‌ sir sponsor.”

“Fernan.‍⁠‌ Always so formal.”‍

“It’s‌‌ the least I can do for⁠‍ a sponsor.”

Rosalia⁠⁠ spoke without looking‍ at them.

“He‍ wants to see‍ the results. Explain⁠ it to him.”‌‌

“You‍ won’t do it‌ yourself?”

“I’m⁠⁠ behind on work.”‍⁠

Saying⁠⁠ that, she disappeared‌‌⁠ without turning back.‍‍⁠

“This‌⁠ way, please.”

“Thank‍ you.”

Aaron‍ led Fernan.

***‍⁠

An⁠‌ hour later, Fernan‍‍‍ left after hearing‍ the full explanation.‌

“Take⁠ care.”

Aaron⁠ saw him off‌ with a bow,‍ and only after‌ making sure he was gone did⁠⁠ his expression change.‍

“So⁠‌⁠ it was true⁠‍‍ that the sponsorship‍⁠ was from the‍ Pellenbergs and not‍‌⁠ the Vienderks?”

He⁠‍ had heard that⁠ before, but always⁠ thought it was‍‍‍ a ridiculous rumor.‌‌ Why would someone‌‌ from the Vienderk‍ line need support⁠ from the Pellenbergs?‍‌

“What‍ an interesting pair…”⁠

Rosalia Vienderk and Fernan‍⁠ Pellenberg.

Vienderk⁠ and Pellenberg.

Sponsored‌ professor and sponsor‍ student.

“One⁠⁠ and the other.⁠‍ This will be⁠ fun. The academic‌ congress is going‍ to be something.”⁠

He‍ was convinced it‍ would be the‌ most controversial congress‌‌ of all time.

Aaron‍‌‌ smiled and returned‍ to the lab.‌‌⁠

He⁠⁠‍ had no idea what had just‍⁠ happened.

“…Ugh.”‌⁠

Fernan,‌ who had just‌ left, collapsed onto a bench, clutching‌ his head.

A sudden, sharp pain⁠ had struck him⁠‌ without warning.