A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 98

Chapter 98

“He’s⁠‍‌ waiting upstairs.”

The‌ teahouse owned by⁠‍‍ the Golden Turtle‌ Guild.

From the outside, it⁠ looked closed—lights off,‌⁠ no sign of‍‍ customers. But the‍‌ door wasn’t locked.‍‍

Upon‍ entering, an employee‌ awaited her as⁠‍ if already informed⁠‍ of her arrival‍‌ and guided Rosalia‌⁠‍ without delay.

“At‌‌ least the stage⁠‌ is well set.”‌‍

She⁠ scoffed with a smirk at the‌‍‌ magical inscriptions on‌⁠ the doors and‌‌‍ walls, and without‍ bothering to knock,⁠ she opened the⁠‍ door.

“She’s‌ here?”

Fernan⁠ was waiting inside.‌ But he wasn’t‍‍⁠ alone.

“Your‌‍ invitation was rougher⁠⁠ than expected.”

“Otherwise,‌ you wouldn’t have‌ left your seat.‍ I apologize if⁠ it came off‌ a bit aggressive.”‌⁠

“And‌‍⁠ why did you‍⁠ call me?”

“First,‌ take a seat.”⁠

“Just‍ being here is⁠‌‌ already a major‌‍ concession. You’d better⁠ appreciate it.”

“You must sit. Do‍‍⁠ you think that‍ letter was just‍⁠ an ordinary invitation?”‌⁠

Fernan‌ didn’t back down an inch. He‌‍ gently tapped the⁠‍‍ table with his‌ fingers, holding Rosalia’s⁠‌‌ icy gaze without‍ blinking.

“I’m⁠‍ about to show‍‍‍ results. And now you say I should step down?”‌

“If‌‍‌ necessary, yes.”

“Five‌‍ years of investment,⁠ money thrown away⁠‍⁠ just like that?⁠ You, of all⁠⁠⁠ people?”

“If‌‌ the loss could be even greater,‌ then yes, it’s⁠‌ better to cut‍‍ things off now.”‍‌⁠

The‍‍⁠ word loss made‍‍ Rosalia’s eyes flicker‍‍⁠ slightly.

“When‍ I was a child, my father‍⁠ gave me a small steel golem.”‍

“Nice‌ gift.”

“It‍ was. Around that⁠‍‍ time, I was‍ just beginning to‌ take interest in‍ magic.”

She was fascinated by⁠ the inscriptions and⁠⁠ systems that made‍ it move—so much⁠‍‌ that she even‍ slept hugging the‍ golem.

“One⁠‌ day, my brother‍‍‌ saw it and demanded I give⁠‍ it to him.”⁠

“And‍ did you?”

“No.⁠ What’s mine is⁠⁠ mine, what’s his‌⁠⁠ is his.”

That‌ differed a bit‍ from Fernan’s philosophy—to‌⁠‌ him, what’s someone⁠‌ else’s could become his too—but he⁠ listened in silence.‌

“Father‌ bought him another‍‍ golem, exactly the‍⁠ same. Still, he‍‌ wanted mine.”

“And‍ what happened?”

“What‌‍‌ do you think?”⁠

Fernan‌ pretended to think.⁠‌

“You‌⁠⁠ gave it to‌ him.”

“He‌ took it from‌‍ me. I think⁠ from that moment,‌ I vaguely understood.”‍‌

Rosalia⁠‍ looked up, as⁠‌ if recalling the‍‌‌ memory, and sighed.⁠⁠

“I⁠‍ know now he didn’t want the‌‌ golem, but my⁠ attention. But that‌‌ no longer matters.”⁠‍‍

“The‌‌‍ message here is⁠ that you hate‍ having something given to you, only to have it taken away.”

“Exactly.”‍‌⁠

Rosalia‌‌ sat down.

“Convince‍‌ me.”

“I will.”

Fernan⁠⁠ nodded.

“…What’s‌ going on? Why⁠⁠⁠ is the professor‍ here?”

“No⁠ idea. Should we⁠‌ leave?” Jace asked nervously.

“No,‌ stay. I need‍ you all.”

“Aint⁠⁠⁠ and Jace together…‌⁠ strange combo. Tea?”‍

“Right⁠ away.”

The⁠⁠ staff brought four⁠‍ cups of tea, coffee, and some‍‍⁠ sweets.

“You can smoke if‌ you’d like.”

“No⁠ need. Thanks to‌⁠‌ someone, my sleep‍ has already vanished.”‌⁠

Fernan⁠ set down his‌‌ cup and spoke.‌‍

“I⁠‌‌ called you because I had no‌⁠‍ other choice.”

“Be⁠⁠ specific.”

“First,‍ Jace. Take it‍‌‍ out.”

“Huh,‍⁠ brother? You sure?”‍

Fernan‍‌‌ was firm. Jace‌ ended up pulling‌‌⁠ out a semi-transparent‌ crystal orb.

“What’s‍‍ this?”

“Do‍‌ you recognize it?”‌

“That‌ was it? You‍ thought I was‌ a corrupted?”

“I‍‍⁠ don’t believe you⁠‍‍ are.”

Fernan⁠ knew Rosalia well—her family, her past, her character.

She‍‌‌ had been the‌ first investment of⁠‍ the Golden Pillar. If he hadn’t‌ thoroughly investigated her,⁠‍ it would’ve been a lie.

Rosalia‍ Vienderk was like‌‍ a proud scholar.‌⁠⁠ She could die,‌ but would never sell her soul‌⁠ to a demon.‌‌

Still,‌⁠⁠ suggesting the test⁠‌ was necessary. In‍⁠‍ business, even the⁠⁠ slightest stain ruined‍ everything.

“Then?”‍

“I‍ found a lead.⁠ I believe in⁠ you and want to keep believing,‍ which is why‌ I offer you⁠‍‌ this.”

“Not‌ me, but my‍‍ lab?”

“Exactly.”⁠⁠

“So you’re saying I can’t control my‍ own lab.”

As⁠‍ harsh as the‍ accusation sounded, Fernan‌ nodded without flinching.‍‌

She‍ didn’t react.

“One‌‌ of my assistants?”‌‌‍

“If‍ only it were⁠⁠ that simple.”

This time, she did⁠ tense up.

“I‍⁠ check my experiments‌ and results every day.”

“I‍⁠ hope there’s nothing,‍ too.”

Her‌‍ doubt was the‌‌ same as Fernan’s—could‌ someone really deceive a mage like‌ Rosalia and use her research as‌ a means for‌ demonic summoning?

Unbelievable,‌⁠ but according to‍ the Book of Prophecies, it would‍ happen. And that‍ book had never⁠⁠ been wrong.

“You’ll‍⁠ answer with your‍ life if you’re‍⁠ wrong.”

“I will.”

“And I didn’t see⁠‍ it.”

“That’s‌‍ why Aint Armian‌ is here.”

Aint‌‍‍ blinked, surprised. “Me?”⁠‍

“Your‍‌‌ power is more⁠‍ lethal to demons‍⁠⁠ than you realize,⁠‌ professor.”

“And‌‌‌ if he finds‌ nothing?”

“Then⁠ I’ll admit my‌⁠ mistake and double⁠‌ the sponsorship.”

Rosalia‍ took the orb,‍‍‍ injected mana, and⁠⁠‌ nothing happened—it remained‍‌ transparent.

“There’s‍ not even a trace of forbidden‌⁠⁠ magic. At least,⁠‍ according to the‍⁠ temple’s artifact.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Fernan‍ wanted to use‌ Aint and Gardner⁠‌ as well, but‌⁠ that would already‍ cross a line.‌‌

“And‍ the test?”

“I⁠ need your lab‌ to be emptied⁠‍ as soon as‌‍⁠ possible.”

Rosalia‍‌ set down the‍ cup and left.‍‌

She‍⁠ said nothing, but⁠‍ Fernan knew it‍‍ was an implicit‌ yes.

“Brother!‍ Did I hear‌‍ right? Someone on‍‍ her team is corrupted?”

“No,‌ senior, right?”

“Yes.”‍⁠

“Gods…”⁠‍

“But‌ didn’t they already‍ catch all the‌⁠ corrupted in the⁠⁠‌ Academy after that⁠ attack?”

“That‌⁠ attack… the one⁠ where they tried‌‍‍ to kill me‌ and others.”

Jace⁠ understood instantly.

“What‍⁠‌ exactly is happening?”‌‍

“There’s⁠ a corrupted in‌ that lab. And they had the‌ nerve to tamper‍‌ with the research‌‍ I invested in.”‍

“Pretty bold. To touch‌⁠ my brother’s money…‌‌ well, that’s what⁠⁠ a corrupted would do.”

“Wait. Isn’t that the‌‍ research to be⁠⁠⁠ presented at the⁠‍ Continental Congress?”

It wasn’t a secret‌⁠⁠ in the Academy.⁠

“If⁠‌ what you say‍ is true, and‌ that thing had‌ exploded there…”

“Luckily,‍‌ I found out⁠ in time. The‍⁠‍ problem is, I don’t know where‍‍⁠ the trap is.‌⁠‌ Not even the‌ professor noticed.”

“I‍⁠ don’t get it.”⁠

“Which⁠⁠ part?”

“How‍‌ did she see‌ nothing, and you‌ did? Did Lord⁠ Duleo advise you…?”‌

“I‌ can’t say.”

It⁠ was easier to stay silent than‍ to make up‍ a lie that‌‍‌ would eventually be⁠ uncovered.

“Well…‍‍ you wouldn’t waste‌ money just to⁠‌‌ lie. What do⁠ I do then?”‍⁠

“Same‍⁠ as her. Test⁠‍ everyone on her⁠‌ team.”

“And‌⁠ me?”

“If‌ it weren’t for⁠ you, Aint, I wouldn’t have done‍‍ anything. I wouldn’t have taken this‍ step.”

The‌ truth was, if‌ he didn’t have‌ that revelation, Fernan‍ wouldn’t have risked⁠‌ a direct confrontation.‌

“You⁠ want me to‌‍ find what even‌ the professor couldn’t see?”

Aint‌ swallowed hard.

‘Is‌⁠‍ that possible?’

—If there’s forbidden magic,⁠ even just a trace, there’s no‌‍‍ doubt.

Fortunately,‌‍ the answer was⁠ yes.

***‍⁠

“…..”

When‌ she received the‍ letter, and then⁠‌ when the cult’s‌⁠‍ artifact was placed⁠ before her, Rosalia Vienderk was filled‍ with fury.

But⁠ upon returning to‌‍ her office and‌ releasing a puff‍ of smoke, she‍⁠ regained her usual composure.

Fernan⁠ had known her‌⁠‍ for a long⁠ time—but the reverse was also true.⁠⁠‌

Was‌‌‍ Fernan someone who‌⁠ would say nonsense‍ about money?

No.‌⁠

Was he someone who‍‌ would withdraw from⁠‍ a research project‌ he had heavily⁠‌ invested in, for no reason?

No.‌

Was‌ he someone who‍ would speak nonsense‍‍ regarding the corrupted?‌⁠⁠

No.‌

Would⁠‍ he summon Jace‍⁠ Vynes—one of his‌‌ most valuable contacts—and⁠⁠ herself, just to‍ talk nonsense?

Also‍‌ no.

Fernan…‌⁠ no.

Not‌ in any of‌ those cases.

And⁠ so she came⁠ to a conclusion.⁠‍‌

She⁠ stubbed out the⁠‍ short cigarette and⁠ headed to the‍‌ lab.

“Professor,‌‌ you’re back.”

“Are⁠ your tasks done?”‍‌‌

Rosalia⁠ nodded absentmindedly and‌‍ took her seat,‌‌ from where she‌‍‍ had a full⁠ view of the‍‍⁠ lab.

‘If‌‌ there really is⁠ a corrupted, they’re‌‍‌ in here.’

Five⁠ assistants.

Though⁠⁠ more people were‌ indirectly involved in‌ her research, if‌ anyone had directly⁠ tampered with her‌‌ work, it had‍⁠ to be one⁠ of those five.‌⁠

“We’ll stop here for today.”

Everyone⁠ paused and looked‌‌ at her, surprised.‍‌⁠

“But⁠ aren’t we short⁠ on time?”

“It⁠ doesn’t matter. We’re‌‍ in the final⁠⁠ phase. Besides, we⁠‌ haven’t slept in‌⁠ days; a day’s‌ rest will be⁠ more beneficial.”

“Understood…”‌⁠

“Dismissed. See you tomorrow.”‍‍

“Yes!”‌‌

“Thank‍ you, Professor!”

Happy⁠ with the unexpected⁠ break, the assistants‌⁠‌ left.

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing.”‍

“Professor,‌‌ you should rest‌‌‍ too. Don’t tell⁠ us you plan‌ to keep working‌‌ alone.”

Their eyes met. Aaron,‍‍ wearing his usual‍⁠ kind smile.

That‍⁠ smile had attracted⁠ two girls to⁠‍ the lab, and‍ there was even‌‌ another on a waiting list. Not‍ surprising—he had a way of getting‌‌ in.

“I’ll⁠ rest.”

“Then,‍ see you tomorrow,‍ Professor.”

Aaron Frein.

She‌ had never suspected⁠ him. But after‍ Fernan’s words, if‍ she had to‍ point to the‍‍ most suspicious, it‌ was him.

The⁠ most capable after⁠ her.

The one with the‍ most authority after‍ her.

‘Has‍ he been hiding‌ his strength?’

Strong⁠ enough to deceive‍ even her?

‘Was⁠‌ Fernan truly not‍⁠⁠ lying?’

She‍‍ still had trouble⁠⁠ believing it.

If‌ it had been‍‌⁠ anyone but Fernan,⁠ she would’ve made‌‌ them pay dearly for such an‍ insult.

At⁠ least with her⁠‌ own senses, with‌ her perception, she couldn’t detect anything.

Would⁠‌⁠ Aint be different, as Fernan claimed?‍

“We’ll‍ find out soon.”‌

Drops‌‍⁠ of water formed⁠ on her fingertips.‍⁠

Drip,‍ drip—

They‌ fell onto the⁠⁠⁠ table, but instead‌ of soaking in,⁠‌ they retained their‍‌ shape. One, two…⁠⁠‍ until they formed‍‌‌ the silhouette of‌ a small bird.

Crack—

She⁠‍ whispered a spell, and the little‍ bird froze in pure white frost.⁠

Then‌ it flew out‍ the window.

Rosalia‍ stood and approached‍‌ her research.

The⁠‌ massive five-meter ice‌⁠ core, covered in⁠‌ inscriptions and magical⁠‍ circuits.

The‌‍‍ culmination of her‌⁠ life’s work.

She‌ infused mana, and⁠ the runes lit‌‌ up as a cold wind filled⁠⁠‍ the room.

“They⁠ say my research‌‍ is flawed…?”

It⁠ wasn’t just a project. It was‍‍ her very life.⁠

Hers—and‍ her family’s.

It‌‍ couldn’t be flawed. It mustn’t be‍ flawed.

She⁠ examined the core.‍⁠‌

She‌⁠ examined the other⁠ orbs.

Again‌‍ and again.

And‍ when night had‌ fallen…

Knock‍ knock—

Visitors arrived.

“It’s⁠‍‌ open.”

“So‌‌ you’ve been checking⁠ all this time.”

The⁠ cause of her‌‌ unease entered, looking‍‌ calm.

“Yes.”⁠

She‍‌ stroked the icy surface. The mana‍ and pleasant cold filtered into her‌ skin.

“I’ve⁠⁠ been reviewing it⁠‍ for hours.”

And‌ still…

“I‌ didn’t find anything‍‌ strange. Are you‍‌ really sure you’re‍‌ right?”

“Who knows. May I take a look?”‍⁠⁠

She‌⁠ nodded.

Fernan,⁠ Aint, and Jace⁠ approached to examine⁠ the complex inscriptions‍‍ and circles.

“I,⁠ for one, don’t‌ understand a thing.”‌

“And‍‍‌ that means?”

“That⁠ I never said‌ I would find‍‍⁠ it.”

“True.”‌

All⁠⁠ eyes turned to‍‌‍ Aint. He smiled awkwardly.

“If…‌‌ if I don’t find anything, then‍ what?”

“Then‍‍ I’m just an‍‍ idiot who insulted the professor. And⁠ in return, I’ll‍‌ double the research‍ funding.”

“…Aren’t‍ you placing too⁠‌‍ much trust in‌‍ me, senior?”

“I‍ trust you.”

“No,‌‍⁠ I…”

“I⁠ said I trust‍ you.”

Fernan’s firm tone left‌ him speechless. Aint‌ stepped up to⁠‌ the icy core.‌

— Stab me. That‍‌ way, you’ll be⁠ sure.

‘Understood.’‌

Aint‍ held the sword⁠ in necklace form,⁠⁠‍ ready to stab‍ it.

“…Stop!‌ What do you⁠ think you’re doing?”‌

Suddenly,⁠‍ an icy chill‍‍ gripped his torso.⁠‍

The‍‌ instinctive aura that‌ flared up protected him from freezing‌ entirely, but it⁠ was enough to⁠ halt him.

“I…‌⁠ I was going⁠‍ to use it‍ as a catalyst,‍ to examine it⁠‍ better…!”

“Are‌ you stupid? This⁠⁠‍ artifact is covered‍‍ with thousands of⁠‌⁠ runes and magical‍‍ circuits. If even⁠ one is damaged,‍‌ it becomes garbage.‍ And then, even‍⁠⁠ if it costs‍ me the Vienderk‍‌ name, I’ll have‌ you expelled from⁠⁠⁠ the Academy.”

Rosalia’s‌ roar made him‌ flinch.

“…Ah.”

Nervous,‍‌ Aint looked to‌‍ Fernan. With a slight nod from⁠⁠⁠ him, he chose‍‍⁠ not to stab—just‍ to bring the‍⁠ sword close.

“…I’ll⁠‍ begin.”

Aint‍ closed his eyes.‌⁠‌