Chapter 45: King of Iron Mountain (1)
IOb80MFermack’s office was on the 7th floor of the Liberty Hall where we just had our lesson.2nn7
OJRIn this world without any elevators, any office that was higher up the building was known as a bad one but as a knight, Fermack seemed fond of it because of how much of an exercise it was.jif
Xm4Despite being a very half-assed institution that had the traits of both a university and a high school, they seemed to have taken all the bad things from both sides.TcDYg
hHNMH“Student Korin Lork?”aMRjUK
zzB75Aw“Yes sir.”VqYo
IGnNqV“…”j09
TBgwNNzFermack directly stared at me for a while. Was he going to ask a straight-forward question about it?XxvUJd
o5M“Are you really a Grade 5 Knight?”yuS
ls32P6rHoh, is he not going to ask? He must be feeling very curious though.MKvcc
XgQ“Yes.”gE9
ek2RN“I’m sure you know it yourself, that it’s not correct for us to call you a Grade 5 Knight judging from your abilities.”0i21
go6v9x“Well yes. I am a bit strong.”gyjhKW
lKVThe only reason I became Grade 5 was solely because I couldn’t defeat a demonic spirit during the grading test. Since I couldn’t perceive astral bodies, it was impossible for me to defeat any demonic spirit without meeting certain conditions, and that was why I couldn’t even beat a ghost.wSf
YJcLr“Recently, the professors of the Knight Department gathered and had a discussion about you.”SgjWyA
6xQHmm? Ah, I guess that was coming. It was probably because of the fight against Lunia Arden during the interim exam.laO0e
nqc27FBecause of her splendid set-up just to see how strong I was, my plan to hide myself like an eminence in the shadows ended up failing big time.7adbZo
9wI“The conclusion we came to was that we needed to reassess your ability, Student Korin.”gfcurZP
GK2wv7k“I would assume so.”WRr
sKzDespite lasting only a few minutes, I was able to fight on equal grounds with a semi-Unique Grade Knight like Lunia Arden. Just from that alone, it was exceptionally obvious that I wasn’t supposed to be in Grade 5.W3Y2nQ
KPzLRshIt would be at least Grade 2, but my guess was that I wouldn’t be placed into Grade 1.qhyTcW
Ik4J3gGrade 1 required achievements and a referee.ql2
XoctFfStarting from Grade 1, guardians would have the right to participate in the secret agendas of the worldwide Guardian Alliance and receive official support from them.cYK6r
g4ngH8oThe representative Grade 1 named characters among the 1st and 2nd year students were Marie and Hua Ran.I7LosN
wAws9UiMarie was an official guardian who made her way up the ladder by accumulating achievements upon achievements, whereas Hua Ran had a ‘temporary student grade’ which had no actual rights.Al9
xc3For someone like me who hadn’t achieved anything, I would probably be semi-Grade 1 at the very best.xkxh7A5
ooBk“You’ll be given several missions, Student Korin. And we’ll be reassessing your grade through those missions.”kBSHzK
Cv6g“Ohh. What’s the highest grade I can get?”Tz9GNk
ug8“Semi-Grade 1.”7lrQbq
i79“That sounds great to me.”Njx10
kOLx“It’s only possible because of all the things you’ve shown us.”tsyT
4CDCThere was nothing bad about getting a higher grade. First off I would be getting more money and there would be a wider selection of missions, allowing me to choose more difficult missions at will.HPcG
XzaYEIt was the privilege that was given to the player one year into the plot, which meant I was quite ahead of time.SqO
ohTEE“Okay. I will take the reassessment. What do I have to do?”7ZL3i
BP1Y6“There will be 2 missions. One for a semi-Grade 1 demonic beast and the other for a demonic spirit. Of course, it’ll have to be by yourself.”20WiLL
mLgPlFYThat was tough. The variable here was that I had to defeat a demonic spirit as well.daVY
1amie21“What kind of monsters do I have to defeat?”M6uqRAj
EsO5okThe assessment standards became more strict the higher the grade.TFR5dOV
HDxNormally, a semi-Grade 1 knight was supposed to be able to hunt a Grade 1 monster after forming a party. Grade 1 monsters were usually bosses of a field event or a dungeon.FCrh
IMv51f6Therefore, the fact that the mission was about hunting 2 semi-Grade 1 monsters meant that I had to do it all by myself without receiving any help.bvqBsHl
00oDZc“Currently, there are four semi-Grade 1 level subjugation missions that you can get from the Guardian Alliance. Luckily we have both beasts and spirits.”beIxL2
BzoOkVIn other words, it meant I had to clear one each.jrKMqB4
bbKe4V1“Can I have a look?”u88
X4Crb“Here you go.”gqMculb
llgnm8gFermack handed me several papers in response.WXDJFe
KX3LPzHmm, they were all monsters I was familiar with.xYD
8ARypEAs for the semi-Grade 1 demonic beast missions, there was the horseman with no head – dullahan – and a twin-headed ogre which was known for having two heads… A twin-headed ogre was supposed to be at least Grade 1, so judging from how it was a semi-Grade 1 mission, it might not even be a full grown-up.3eCCAPI
GqeRThe biggest problem is the demonic spirit missions though… Hoh? Was this one out already?tyENW
zdY7Aw“I chose my missions.”eISR
8KMd4k“…That was quick. I believe you should be a bit more careful.”1nvi6J
cgEotPm“Well, they’re all dangerous anyway. Who’ll be my supervisor?”Lk9m7
fK6Oy“You’ll be accompanied by Old Man Haman and members from the Alliance. They won’t help you unless you are in an extremely dire situation so be ready for that.”qrhC
tkdTtThat old man was definitely trustworthy. Actually, it was probably him that strongly persuaded others about my reassessment because he was a very impartial person.48ysK
Bpo“Do I have to do this immediately?”BgGfqn0
rpdU“Of course. Because semi-Grade 1 subjugation missions have to be promptly dealt with.”vqbMH7
hIw5rpmIn other words, he was saying I might not even have another chance to receive a reassessment if I missed this opportunity.sb7C
1Z9bu‘…This is a bit risky.’xqeqMf
0lvCqOI realized his intention as well as the reason why he picked this specific moment. That was a very clever move from him.zXa5fi
99U“Alright. Then please do so. When should I leave?”1oLxXzW
6erS1“You’ll be leaving tomorrow morning. Of course, you don’t have to worry about your other lessons and assessments.”dhOvD
VTbeo8“If it’s Old Man Haman, I guess we might even have to leave first thing in the morning. I’ll get myself prepared then.”6bm
knoirTurning my back to Fermack, I walked out of the office. Until the very end, he did not ask me about my identity.T1RVjU
R1JCBy showing neither goodwill nor hostility, he pretended to be uninterested.qTVH
LdViW****Nu4MCjt
pRe“S, semi Grade-1 test?”Eo6NN
avYSQ“Yes.”B4g3qjE
ZURxnSx“T, this is big! You are taking a semi-Grade 1 test!!”LnteS4U
1v5Wx3Marie made a fuss after hearing about how I had to take another grading test as soon as possible.rdSa6r
SJe3Zhu‘Maybe I should go with you as a judge!’ she said while forging a plan so I calmed her down and dissuaded her.mfLB
JFLwFip“Senior. You can’t come with me anyway. You’re still in your surveillance period.”Ajnq3
wf7Ofs“Ah…”6z5gm9R
rCP2Ever since she awakened into a vampire, Marie still hadn’t received the permission to leave this city. Just like Hua Ran, she was only allowed to go downtown and was not allowed to leave the city by any means.neOCUx
rhoGz0Of course, this restriction would soon be lifted. Chairman Eriu Casarr was going around the Tower of Mages, New Faith and the kingdom for a negotiation so we should be hearing some good news very soon.hnGpjB
ykrThe Old Faith might be a bit fussy but their forceful demands of outdated principles were causing them to fall in popularity slowly but surely. At the very least, they did not have the power to suppress Merkarva Academy, which was receiving the support from the New Faith as well as the kingdom.w1G0
T3PhThe problem was the Tower of Mages. They would be in full throttle after the end of the 4th Arc but now that we had a variable called Marie Dunareff, we had to be on guard against them.gE2X
Ybgi“Nnn… I see. Sorry… It’s an important test but I don’t think I can help you.”ImHy
gE2AMarie apologized with a sullen look on her face. Holding onto her shoulders, I raised a sincere request.yzyM
dYnOH0b“Senior. There is something I want you to do for me while I’m away.”RYnXNcw
ELiatThe key elements were already in place. The only question now was whether I could make good use of them or not.s3dEE
fbUQThis would be the first turning point that decides the state of the main scenario henceforth.7OY6
RPN4cf“How much do you trust me, Senior?”Nw34T
0wb“…!”vCNXCPR
RrnEvident from the slight flush in her cheeks, Marie was also quite tense. After sensing the seriousness in my gaze, she must have noticed the importance of this conversation.pKjO
Mcm8“W, what do you mean?”Kz7OIl
co4Sf“Senior Marie. How much do you trust me… Korin Lork?”aMm
axe“I trust you!”2h69
CNHBx2ZMarie held onto my shoulders with a fairly serious look on her face. We were now holding onto each other’s shoulders in a very peculiar posture but that wasn’t the important part.7j2xy
34SZ75“I can trust you! Even if you tell me you can make kimchi with potatoes!”4DV
M5CWjn9“…You can make kimchi with potatoes though.”fmmp
rFMo3“I trust you!”0Yx
irymIJk“Like, I’m serious. There are some types of kimchi where you can add potatoes.”fQ4
MzK“Nn! If you say so!”ok8I3h
fUcmI was super serious though. I guess she never had one before.AMiG76k
yj5A“Anyway… If you trust me, how far can you go with me?”FeUOs
LsJ“H, how far!!?”enzfZB
ZAU3VkIt was a question that had to be asked, because Marie Dunareff might be caught in another vortex and walk a different path in the future than what she had planned because of my choice. Could she come with me for the sake of a peaceful future?Ovv
UruB“Until the end! Yes! Until the very end! Hukk! Am I taking that too far?!”lYnwH
S2eE8ymAs if she understood my intention, Marie replied without any hesitation that she would walk the same path as mine.Jbz
3Kx8– Sniff!wBYlJfz
mGaThis uncle here… I mean, this oppa wasn’t the type to be moved this easily, but that was quite a touching sentence.PK43gI6
nVGLCo“To think you trust me so much… I knew it. You’re the best, Senior Marie.”D5dmxIt
IZzqz“R, right? I’m the best, right?”gH6oOGA
RWZNCQAs expected of a kind girl, it appeared that she was very loyal to her friends. Now that I successfully persuaded Marie, there were about two more important members left including Alicia.WbS
gZRi“I have a plan. But your help is a definite must for that plan, Senior Marie.”I1ekSh0
Ir6fyt3“I, I see!! I’m a must for your plan, huh!”uuXk
MBVhThat was natural, because Marie was the only acquaintance I had that could openly enter the laboratory.I6T4Dy
IpBvqN“Let me explain the plan now. Starting from tomorrow Senior, you and Alicia…”21i
AMZCU“Korin.”Bi2coX
ugxgy“Yes?”TkA
aIRFxzpHer voice suddenly turned cold in an instant. With a chilly look on her face, Marie asked with an interrogating voice.RlQNp
dDF9Z“It’s our plan. Why are you talking about another girl?”DlVto
cx0cp“…What?”8t20t
rG1w11b****Rrj
vRQ9mIThat morning, there was a rare layer of mist. Carrying my bag, I arrived at the eastern gate of the Academy.nt9yriX
93P8Vlm“You are right on time, Korin Lork.”9lt8xI
2MmRbWaiting for me at the eastern gate wearing a stiff business shirt that revealed his muscular build was Old Man Haman. His clothes were very similar to my own.GBb
Helll3“Instructor Haman. Good morning… It’s a bit foggy though.”xBX8V3
Mfy“This is nothing. Back in my days, we used to march to the nest of a bunch of demonic beasts through a thick fog.”gP6s
0Nmuw“It’ll be a fun journey if I get to hear your heroic tales on the way.”hiq8L
GW3CK“Hmph! I guess I could start off with what happened back when I was in the west.”iycl
BYI0Old Man Haman was just like every other old man in his age, and he loved talking about his own heroic exploits. He was actually quite an interesting speaker to listen to, so it wasn’t that bad either. Both in this iteration and the last iteration, I’ve always been a fairly good listener.wcYh2u
jILg“So… Where’s our first prey?”ruCtv7j
M2oK“I like your eyes, young man. Those are the eyes of a hunter.”1Hxep
PesIIt seemed that I was the type of person that Old Man Haman liked because he did say something similar in the last iteration as well. Looking back, he didn’t really like Park Sihu for some reason.3Ywoe
uTwfnraThis veteran knight might have some instincts that couldn’t be explained through logic or something.mJahd
evt“Your first prey is the semi-Grade 1 demonic beast found on the mountain range in the west, twin-headed ogre. It’s slow but very menacing.”F8a
0tUsG“I did pick it, but aren’t twin-headed ogres usually Grade 1? Why is this one a semi-Grade 1?”EN0P8
WVJ5Jmj“This one’s not an adult. So it’s natural for the grade to be lower.”gAc1sp
7ofHIt sounded plausible because both demonic beasts and spirits also tended to grow in power over time.0fzoxo
ajDF07A“Considering your skills, this shouldn’t be too difficult. From what I heard, the monster also seems to be raising several long hounds.”wiN2
zXeJD“I believe you’re telling me to avoid going straight in?”xhfS
2Xw“Of course! Strength isn’t the only important aspect of a guardian. I shall evaluate everything I see from you.”oGOMxn
TEtHe appeared to be over-evaluating me due to the fight against Lunia.6Nn4aK
aYrO0But…XBYKy
vl5“Sounds doable.”OXN
E0E“As expected of the knight I recommended!”I8pWfKO
kIoOld Man Haman hurried me forward as if there was no reason to waste any more time. I was quickly leaving the Academy when he suddenly turned his eyes to my neck.B9nt3
ftCR“Looks like there’s a wound on your neck. And you look quite exhausted as well.”iduL2AJ
fd5g“Ah~. It’s nothing much. It should be fully healed by the time we get there.”FhUhO
MPDcWJIt was the bite created by Marie when I let her suck as much blood as she wanted yesterday. I had a feeling that yesterday was a bit more painful but… I was probably just overthinking it.SnS6
SrS3“Huhu. Being too ethical is also a problem, but try not to be too immoral.”7znV1Q
Vc0“…Sorry?”1uoDQf
jLPnpeQHe appeared to be misunderstanding something, but Old Man Haman glossed over it while grumbling ‘That is youth’. Seriously…QmfSchv
2zU“Would you like some beetroot juice? It’s good for your blood circulation.”1soo9
DxXS****j172
4IKj5KMarie had trouble falling asleep that night but still woke up on time. Leaving behind the crumpled blanket which was caused by her kicking it several times, Marie started her morning shower.2X1grbY
KJ5Korin should have departed by now, right?dTz
bfKL“Ugh… Making me misunderstand all the time…”09lX
600Even though she was leading an extremely eventful life as a veteran guardian who suddenly turned into a Unique Grade vampire, she was still a girl in her teens.YsKL
j1HKorin’s word choice that made it very easy to misunderstand was more than enough to shake the heart of a young girl.DwEtVHi
oOsVE‘But… That was more serious than I thought.’5JB
r2DUIt was always the same for that boy. He was always at the scene before things even occurred and by creating a plan, he would respond to everything in time.Q5YDg
P5RXEven when he was saving herself and helping Alicia Arden… It’s not like she didn’t feel grateful for his dedication, but there were still some questions appearing in her mind.9KTFD
spcd9KWhat exactly did this boy know, and how much was he aware of?lNQHm
D8HLsHe knew way too many things for a newbie knight that entered the Academy as a Grade 5 Knight and was way too strong.Xmv93
r0KmEM‘It would be tactless of me to ask about it, right?’wqMu
iynIf Korin didn’t talk about it himself, Marie had no plans of delving deeper into it. If need be, he would probably tell her one day. However, she still couldn’t help but wish to become his ‘special person’ whom he would entrust everything with.7QkoOHs
xtn‘Mhmm! But the reason Korin left this task with me is because he trusts me! Let’s be positive!’D7Vvu
QoODThat was a good sign. It probably meant that she was the only one he could make such requests with that wouldn’t ask for things in return. Marie decided to put the focus on that.lAVb
dsiK4qAs a girl that just recently became aware of what love was, she had the very mindset of an easy pushover, but she couldn’t help it.O4lw4
0JqUHer mind would melt like butter on a stove every time she was in front of Korin, so what could she even do?oevR5
A6uIt was inevitable for the one who first developed the crush to be the one on the losing end.xleBo
2s5– Knock knock!H3OiuK
yaM2t– Come in.kLuRTp
lCHPJidMarie knocked on the door of Room 606 of the Magic Department’s laboratory as the owner of the room invited her in.Z59EU6h
UudT“Hello, Professor Deina.”MJ16NP
eQqPY“Oh my, isn’t this Marie? What brought you here?”jlNbx95
hEBhMln“I wanted to volunteer for your research, Professor!”UuX
WgqyoF5As a girl who recently fell in love, Marie was heavily blinded by it. It was to the point that she readily accepted the request, even when her crush pretty much wanted her to jump into a pit of flames while carrying hay on her back.V7sd
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