Chapter 97

Fernan had known Rosalia since before entering the Academy.

At that time, he was just forming the Golden Pillar and preparing his personal fund, when he ran into her at a banquet.

“Pellenberg? So you’re the brat who got into business as a kid and is already overflowing with money.”

She was looking for a sponsor for her research.

At first, Fernan didn’t understand why someone with the backing of the Vienderk name needed external support.

However, after reviewing her research, he concluded that, as the Golden Pillar’s first sponsorship, it wasn’t a bad choice.

And that relationship continued to this day.

“Maybe I didn’t understand everything, but at least the experiment was a success.”

Even in theory it seemed flawless. If it could be presented at the Continental Congress, Fernan could amass a fortune.

Although he had invested enormous amounts of money and magic stones, the results more than made up for the cost.

Satisfied with the achievements, Fernan smiled as he imagined a promising future.

But as if to scold him, a sharp headache struck.

“…Tch?”

He looked for a nearby bench and sat down. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply, letting himself be dragged by the memories that surfaced.

***

[ “The Continental Congress? You want us to go together?”

“Yes.”

Aria smiled innocently and nodded.

“Even though I’m not a mage?”

“What kind of nonsense is that? It’s not the Magic Congress, it’s the Continental Congress. It’s not just mages—many knights attend too.”

“Really?”

The truth was, Aint also wanted to go.

Such a prestigious and bustling event across the continent, hosted in turn by the prince-electors…

A festival that was no longer held in Armian.

He wanted to see it with his own eyes.

And someday, make it return to Armian.

— It wouldn’t be bad to go at least once. I’m curious too. ]

The first vision showed Aint Armian wanting to attend the Congress with Aria.

And there, Fernan understood that the event would not be peaceful.

‘That guy always drags trouble wherever he goes.’

Wherever Aint appeared, incidents involving the corrupted followed.

It was one of the laws Fernan had discovered in the Book of Prophecies.

[ “A draco? No… that’s not a normal draco, it’s a mutant. Look at its scales and eyes. Why is it dying?”

“It has no energy, looks exhausted.”

— That’s because its time is up. Mutants are more powerful than normal monsters, but they consume their life much faster.

— This one clung too much to life and was left in agony. Put an end to it.

— And being a mutant, it probably has a core.

Aint cut off the mutant draco’s head.

It barely resisted.

Just as Gardner predicted, he found a small core near its heart. ]

On the way, Aint and Aria encountered a dying mutant draco and obtained an elixir.

‘A core from a dying mutant draco… What luck.’

Even if its quality wasn’t the best, it was still an elixir.

[ The great city of Godilita, in Bienderk lands, overflowed with people who had come for the Continental Congress.

The streets were so crowded that Aint thought he had never seen so many people gathered in one place in his life.

“…Incredible.”

“Of course, almost all the mages of the continent come to the Congress.”

And not just them—nobles, merchants, knights, and mercenaries who escorted them.

It wasn’t surprising that there were so many people.

“Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“That person…”

Then Aint saw someone he knew.

“Isn’t that Professor Rosalia?” ]

The next vision showed Aint and Aria arriving at the Congress and encountering Rosalia Vienderk.

Fernan skimmed through that part quickly, as what he wanted was to discover the problem that would erupt there.

[ “I will now present something.”

On stage, behind Rosalia, a large white sheet was pulled away.

Beneath it appeared a gigantic ice orb.

Overflowing mana emanated from it.

Its surface was covered in countless inscriptions and magical circles.

“It is a new form of magic stone, capable of changing the order of the world.” ]

[ “This is…”

Rosalia, who had maintained a calm face the whole time, began to look distorted.

More than a thousand engravings and magic circles shone irregularly, releasing a strange energy flow.

“Is that okay?”

“What’s happening?”

“I feel a bad omen…”

Most of the attendees were powerful mages and immediately understood that this wasn’t what Rosalia had planned.

“Stop the magic immediately!”

“Cut the artifact’s power!”

But it was already too late.

The artificial magic stone concentrated an immense amount of mana and shot it into the sky.

The accumulated power tore through space itself, opening a rift.

From that rift emerged—

A silver winged horse, and a man riding it.

“…What is that?”

“A pegasus?”

“No… that’s not a pegasus. That aura is repulsive.”

“A demon?”

No, it was neither horse nor human.

— …Damn it. Seir! Aint, watch out! That’s Seir, demon number 70!

A demon had descended upon the Continental Congress. ]

“…What…?”

Fernan’s jaw dropped.

Now he clearly understood why the prophecy spoke of ruin.

***

They say that when someone is too shocked, they can’t even speak.

Fernan experienced that for the first time in his life.

He couldn’t utter a word.

It was as if his mouth were full of sand.

He couldn’t breathe, cold sweat ran down his back, and his eyes reddened with blood.

What to do?

How?

How?

Nothing came to mind.

If that were to happen, what would come next?

The only certainty was that the catastrophe would drag down two people beyond salvation.

The creator, Rosalia Vienderk, and her sponsor, Fernan Pellenberg.

‘That’s how it is… one after another, and in the end, everything explodes in a single blow.’

That would be the reason for his expulsion from the family, for that nightmare to repeat itself.

‘Was all my effort until now pointless?’

No. He had managed to change many futures.

His relationship with Luina was excellent, he had gained Aint’s cooperation, turned Verian into an ally when he was supposed to disappear in silence, and had prevented several tragedies.

There were accomplishments.

But if this disaster came to pass, it would all end the same—Fernan would be finished.

Nothing before would matter.

Because this was a demonic summoning.

And worse, at a public event, with the intent of massacring the gathered nobility.

‘So what’s the issue, then?’

He saw three possibilities.

That Rosalia Vienderk was a corrupted.

That her assistants were.

Or that another hidden corrupted within the Academy had sabotaged everything.

Fernan covered his face with his hand.

Whatever the case, the result would be the same.

He had to resolve it.

No matter the cost.

***

Fernan returned to his lodging and reviewed once again the list of suspected corrupted that his father had sent him.

But neither Rosalia Vienderk nor any of her assistants appeared on it.

“…Damn it.”

If at least they had appeared, he could’ve targeted them and started a direct investigation.

But now he had to start from scratch.

“Young master, you called…? Are you alright? You look pale.”

It was Hyde, who had just entered.

“Hyde.”

“Yes.”

“Go right now to the temple and bring me Jace Vynes. Tell him I asked for him.”

“You mean Jace Vynes?”

“And also Aint Armian.”

“Those two, so suddenly?”

“Also, deliver this letter in secret to Professor Rosalia.”

“Huh?”

Hyde flinched at the barrage of orders but received the letter seriously.

“What’s all this about?”

“I saw something terrible.”

“Come again?”

“If my suspicion is right, my life is over.”

“…I understand less and less.”

“In Professor Rosalia’s research, I noticed something strange. I think it might involve forbidden magic.”

The words forbidden magic immediately changed Hyde’s expression.

“…Are you sure?”

“That’s what we need to confirm now.”

For that, he needed Aint Armian and Jace Vynes.

At least regarding forbidden magic, they were two of the highest authorities he could consult.

The Pope would’ve been better than a saint, but Fernan couldn’t summon someone of that rank.

“I’ll go at once.”

Hyde left. Fernan also began preparing to go out.

His destination: a hidden chamber in a shop owned by the Golden Turtle Guild.

He waited sitting until the door opened and the first visitor appeared.

“You called me, brother?”

It was the money-obsessed magic lunatic.

“Did you bring what I asked for?”

“Of course. Did you find another corrupted?”

“For now, just a suspicion. But this time, it’s not just about finding them—I need your magical skill.”

“If you pay my fee, I’m always happy to obey, brother!”

Jace grinned crookedly and took a seat.

“So, what’s this about?”

“Wait a bit.”

“Someone else coming besides me?”

“Yes.”

Soon, footsteps echoed outside. The door opened and the gazes of two young men met.

“Aint Armian?”

“Jace Vynes?”

They were in the same year, but had barely interacted. At that strange pairing, both looked at Fernan.

“Aint, have a seat. I have something to tell you.”

“Yes, senior.”

Huuu… Now gathered, Fernan forced himself to take a deep breath.

“Listen carefully.”

He didn’t do it on purpose, but his voice came out lower, filled with tension.

“I’ve discovered the corrupted’s next plan. And to stop it, I need your help.”

“……!”

“……!”

***

Scrib scrib—

Rosalia’s pen moved ever faster over the documents.

For someone who wanted to dedicate every last moment to her research, that paperwork was just an obstacle.

And with Fernan’s interruptions, the delays were even worse.

‘I’m exhausted.’

How many nights had she gone without sleep?

Though her mage’s body was far more resilient than a normal human’s, she was still human in the end.

Fatigue accumulated like a snowball.

But she couldn’t afford to rest. The fruit of years of work was near, and the Continental Congress was just two weeks away.

Click.

She lit a magic cigarette. One puff was enough to clear her muddled mind.

Knock knock—

“Professor, student Fernan sent a letter.”

An assistant entered and handed her an envelope.

“A letter? But he was here just an hour ago.”

“I don’t know either, professor…”

“You may go.”

“Yes.”

Rosalia opened the letter.

And as soon as she read its contents:

[All sponsorships are hereby canceled, and all previously delivered research materials will be withdrawn… (omitted)… If you object, present yourself at the tea house of the Golden Turtle Guild.]

“…What a funny joke you’re playing, Fernan.”

The cigarette snapped between her fingers.

Sleep vanished completely.