An unexpected event occurred.
The defeat of Liana Horton, whom everyone had pointed to as the winner of the Magic Tournament.
“No way…! How could Liana Horton lose?”
“Carlo Deneb? The same one who lost to Aria Fridian last year? He even dropped to third place in the ranking of his class!”
The champion of last year’s tournament, the top of fourth year, against the third place of third year who had lost to a first-year student.
To anyone, the outcome should have been obvious.
That’s why the impact was even greater.
And for those who had bet without restraint, trusting in the certainty of a guaranteed victory, the blow was devastating.
“…My money. All my money…”
It had vanished into thin air.
It wasn’t a small sum—he had bet enormous amounts, even mobilizing employees of the Golden Turtle Guild.
“Are you okay?”
“No, I’m not.”
“When mana backlashes, you say it’s nothing, but when you lose money you insist you’re not okay.”
Luina let out a disbelieving laugh. But in a way, that reaction was very typical of Fernan.
If he had said that the money didn’t matter, she would’ve thought he was truly unwell.
“They said Senior Liana cast a spell into the air. Could it be that Carlo learned illusion magic?”
“Yes, illusion magic. Carlo studied under Professor Dominique during the break.”
And Dominique’s classes were specifically on Illusions and Arcane Magic.
“The key to illusion magic is disturbing the opponent’s senses. Great illusionists can do it without catalysts, but if catalysts are used, it’s much easier.”
Sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.
“Lightning is light, and light is an excellent medium to distort vision…”
Come to think of it, Carlo had a naturally ideal foundation to learn illusion magic.
If Dominique had decided to teach him thoroughly.
And if Liana, caught off guard, was surprised by that hidden attack?
“…That makes everything add up.”
Carlo winning stopped being senseless.
Even more so if he had never shown illusion magic before and had saved it specifically for facing Liana.
“Really?”
“Yes, but that opens another problem.”
“What is it?”
“Illusion magic shines when it goes unnoticed. Its essence is deception—making the false seem real. And once the opponent knows there’s a trick, fooling them becomes much harder.”
If he kept advancing, he’d likely face Ludger in the final.
And Ludger was a cold and calculating mage—not easy to deceive.
“But wasn’t Carlo originally more talented than Ludger?”
“That’s true, but don’t forget Ludger also spent his break training. It won’t be easy.”
Besides, when someone achieves a great upset, they often fall flat in the next round.
“That’s what they call ‘the wind was just wind.’”
“Yes, it happens among knights too—they defeat a strong opponent and then lose helplessly in the next match.”
Sometimes because they gave it their all, but more often because the surprise no longer works a second time.
“A dilemma—a single mistake and the money’s gone.”
“Then maybe it’s best not to bet.”
“Maybe you’re right. By the way, how long do you plan to stay here?”
They were in the Academy’s infirmary.
Fernan, already treated, was resting in a private room, and Luina was keeping him company, sitting beside his bed.
“If I leave, you’ll get up right away.”
“I’m fine already.”
“Your pale face says otherwise. The healer said there’s nothing physically wrong, so it must be exhaustion. And with how much you work, I’m not surprised.”
Fernan had always carried the weight of his studies and the Guild’s business, on top of fighting against the corrupted. It was only natural that his body would catch up with him.
“I told you it was mana backlash.”
“If a mere spectator of a tournament suffers mana backlash, then yes—it’s serious. You have to rest today. Hyde will take care of everything, right?”
Hyde had already stopped by earlier, although in reality, he had left quickly upon seeing Fernan arrive leaning on Luina.
She took an apple from the fruit basket Hyde had left behind.
“Want me to peel it?”
“I’d rather you sculpt me a gold bar. I’ll pay royalties.”
“Settle for the apple.”
Crunch, crunch—
Luina peeled the apple and handed it to Fernan.
“Thanks…”
At that moment, the fruit fell from his hand.
Fernan closed his eyes.
“Fernan? Fernan…!”
Luina’s voice began to fade away.
In his mind, the pages of the cursed book began to unfold.
[ A dark room.
After finishing his classes, Aint entered and sensed a strange presence.
“…Duke?”
The figure, not bothering to hide, was waiting for him at the table.
“It’s been a while, Aint Armian.”
“Likewise, Your Excellency.”
It was Yvon, the Duke of Pellenberg. With a gesture, he indicated the seat in front of him.
“I must apologize for appearing so suddenly. The matter is confidential. Please sit.”
“Is it something urgent?”
“Urgent and very important.”
Aint sat down. But what the duke said next had no apparent relation.
“First, I want to thank you. Fernan has left the Empire safe and sound. All he has left is Hyde and a few coins, but that boy will know how to survive.” ]
…That I left the Empire?
Fernan flinched, but quickly understood.
The prophetic book had twisted. What he was seeing was no longer a possible future.
There was no reason to be afraid.
[ “Ever since the Pasa Bell was destroyed by the corrupted, we’ve been searching for materials to forge it anew.”
“Of course.”
If the corrupted had gone to such lengths to destroy it, it was proof of its effectiveness.
For Aint and the duke, remaking it was an absolute necessity.
“I have good news and bad news.”
“Did you find the materials?”
“We found mithril. We estimate around ten kilos.”
Only ten kilos, but for mithril, that was no small amount.
“And the bad?”
“That the corrupted are looking for it too. Apparently, word has spread that we’re trying to remake the bell.” ]
Mithril…?
Barely ten kilos. Fernan clicked his tongue at such a “small” scale.
But he immediately scolded himself for his rotten mindset.
‘Mithril, and I say barely? You really are insane, Fernan Pellenberg.’
The fact that the First Emperor had stored away dozens of kilos of that metal had made him overly confident. When in reality, a single gram of mithril was priceless.
And worst of all, he couldn’t allow it to fall into the hands of the corrupted.
Imagining how those worms would treat something so valuable, without even understanding its true worth, was horrifying.
[ “We have reports that monsters are already abundant in the area. That’s why I came to find you.”
The mithril hadn’t been found in Pellenberg territory nor in an area under its influence.
Because of that, deploying a large military force was impossible.
The task had to be done by a small group, quietly. And when it came to monsters and the corrupted, no one was more suited than Aint Armian.
“Of course.”
“But I don’t intend to leave you with the whole burden. I’ll assign you to the Order of the Red Turtle Knights.”
Upon hearing that, Aint’s eyes opened wide. It was Pellenberg’s best knight order.
“Really? If it’s the Red Turtle, they’d be enough on their own.”
“There can be no mistakes in this mission. The corrupted have failed before, so they’ll be even more cautious. They won’t show a single crack of weakness.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll take care of the Academy myself.”
The page turned.
[“There are too many.”
Inside the cave, Aint looked up as he sensed the presence of countless monsters.
— It was to be expected. But look at it from another angle.
— If a bunch of fools who don’t even understand the importance of the mineral are defending it so fiercely, it means the Pasa Bell really did hurt them deeply.
“Was it the same a thousand years ago?”
— It had little effect on the demons. But on monsters, especially low-ranked ones, it was devastating.
“Then we must obtain it no matter the cost.”]
The vision ended with Aint and the Red Turtle Knights venturing deeper into the cave.
This time, there was only a single prophecy. But it was of incalculable value.
Fernan had gained two certainties.
‘That the Pasa Bell is tremendously effective against demons, and the location of ten kilos of mithril.’
He had to secure it at all costs. Mithril was never enough, and its value was beyond measure.
“…Fernan…!”
‘But leaving immediately after returning almost two months late? Would even the rector allow something like that?’
‘No, I’ll have to use another excuse.’
A viable idea came to him, though the problem was he wouldn’t be able to bring Aint or the others along.
The difference between facing the corrupted with Aint or without him was immense.
‘In that case…’
Fernan found the answer in the prophetic book itself. Pellenberg. His father knew he read those visions.
“Fernan…!”
A strong jolt brought him back to consciousness. Luina’s worried face was right in front of him.
“…What are you doing?”
“How could I not worry if you suddenly start groaning and sweating cold?”
“It’s nothing serious.”
“This is anything but nothing. It’s not the first time. I’m bringing a healer.”
“Really, I’m fine…”
But Luina didn’t listen. She disappeared and soon returned with a healing mage.
“Pain again? The body is in perfect condition, no abnormalities…”
Of course. They couldn’t find anything, because it was all due to the information overload from the prophetic book.
“Seems like exhaustion. I recommend several days of rest.”
The healer bowed and left.
“Did you hear that?”
“What?”
“You’re not leaving this room today.”
“…Understood. But, is it necessary for you to stay with me?”
“Don’t even dream of escaping.”
The firm gleam in Luina’s eyes forced him to nod.
“At least, can I write a letter?”
“Yes.”
Fernan took up the pen and began writing while organizing his next move.
‘Tomorrow I must go see Professor Rosalia…’
He had to act quickly. Before the demons destroyed the mithril.
____
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