The ship cut through the current as it advanced.
The fresh sea breeze brushed the hull, and the fully unfurled sails bent strongly, pushed by the wind.
Inside the ship bound for the Academy.
Sarak—
Fernan opened a book.
A blank book, with nothing written and emitting nothing in particular.
Since the moment he obtained it, he had reviewed it for at least an hour a day, but he had never managed to discover anything special.
If he submerged it in water, it got wet, but dried quickly and returned to its original state; however, ordinary fire did not affect it at all.
The pages were thicker and stiffer than regular paper, so resistant they were almost impossible to tear.
But that was all.
He had tried infusing it with mana, even asked Aint for help bathing it in Armian’s light, but the result was always the same.
“No way out. I’ll have to entrust it to a real mage.”
“Ueeekh!”
Clap. Fernan closed the book. Looking at an unsolvable problem only gave him a headache.
— Pii!
As if it had been waiting for him, a white bird immediately perched on his knees.
Fernan stroked Silver.
“So, how was your stay in Armian?”
— Pii, pii!
— Kyu, kyu!
Wooden translated what Silver was saying.
“That it was pleasant, but he was sad because you weren’t there.”
“Uugh!”
Fernan smiled from the corner of his lips.
When he and Aint left the Academy at the same time, they couldn’t take the Saintbird because it drew too much attention, but leaving it at the Academy wasn’t an option either.
In the end, since Silver showed an affinity with Armian’s power, they had left him there.
He had spent more than a month and a half eating and resting at House Armian, and although Fernan had been a bit worried, the bird’s words eased his doubts.
He petted Silver more enthusiastically, who responded with a satisfied chirp.
“Hyde, bring me a coffee.”
“Yes, young master.”
“Ueeek….”
Hyde quickly served him a cup of hot coffee.
“The jousting and magic tournaments must’ve already started, right?”
“Yes, today already….”
“Ueeeek….”
Sitting at the prow, Fernan drank his coffee while gazing at the open sea.
The vast horizon reminded him that there was still more than a day left before they reached the Academy.
“What a shame. If we’d been a bit faster, maybe I would’ve made it in time.”
Luina’s disappointed face came to mind.
“There’ll be another chance anyway.”
“At least it’s not the last one…”
“Ueghhh…!”
“Kills my appetite.”
Fernan clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Aria, looking pale, raised her head after spending a good while vomiting over the side of the ship.
“…It’s not like I want to, ueeek! It’s not on purpose!”
“But if you haven’t eaten anything, what exactly are you throwing up?”
“And for your information, I was the first one to start vomiting here, ueeek!”
“It’s true, young master. She’s been diligently feeding the fish for a while.”
Fernan let out a nasal chuckle.
“Even Silver doesn’t get seasick, and you do… torturing elves would need nothing more than this.”
“Exploiting people’s weaknesses! Ueeek! Even demons would be horrified by you!”
“That would be perfect. So they tremble the moment they see me.”
If demons were cowardly, they’d avoid invading. That would be ideal.
But remembering their stubbornness even after being defeated by the First Emperor, Fernan knew it would never happen.
“He doesn’t have a drop of compassion. I bet instead of blood, gold runs through his veins.”
“If someone like that existed, I’d catch them and make them bleed for life.”
Of course, he’d keep them well-fed so they wouldn’t die.
“Still, missing the magic tournament weighs on me. I’m sure if I’d entered, I would’ve won this time.”
It was true. With her current level, Aria would have been one of the top favorites.
The only ones who could compare were the saint of the Church of the Dragon God, Jace Vines, Carlo Deneb, or the fourth-year prodigy Liana Horton.
But Jace wasn’t even participating, and Carlo Deneb had already been defeated by her before.
The only real rival would’ve been Liana Horton, and with Aria now able to summon higher spirits after her recent awakening, it was hard to imagine her losing.
Of course, since she didn’t register in time, it was all just speculation.
“It really was a shame. Though the worst part was losing the chance to bet…”
“You can still do that, can’t you?”
“I wouldn’t win the same as if I’d bet from the start.”
“That’s only if you knew all the results beforehand.”
“Well, that’s true too.”
This time, there were no prophecies about the founding anniversary.
No predictions of winners or losers. And with so many major participants absent like Aint and Luina, any foresight was useless.
“Ueeek… but… isn’t it a problem that we’ve been absent from the Academy for so long?”
“Maybe.”
“What do you mean maybe?”
“There’s no such thing as perfection in this world.”
No matter how meticulously one planned something, it could always fail.
They had achieved great results and had enough proof to convince the rector, but even so, in politics there were never guarantees.
“Don’t worry. The Academy isn’t everything in life.”
“How irresponsible!”
“Money is.”
“Oh my god.”
“…Too calm.”
The one who murmured that was Gismond, from the other side of the ship.
“Why do you say that, senior?” Aint asked, opening his eyes after meditating.
“It’s nothing. I just have a bad feeling.”
“A feeling?”
“Normally, when things are this calm, something usually happens…”
He was going to say it’s a cliché, but kept it to himself.
‘Nah, nothing will happen.’
No new prophecy had surfaced.
And after every arc, there was always a bit of peace, right?
Gismond forcibly dismissed his unease.
The ship continued to slowly approach the Academy.
***
The Academy was immersed in a festive atmosphere.
The founding anniversary was the Empire’s greatest celebration, held once a year and always with grandeur.
Fernan, without even unpacking, went straight to the commercial district.
He entered the betting hall of the Golden Turtle Guild, at the Bardaan branch, to check the favorites.
“For the jousting tournament, bets are on Valoshi Vienderk, Almon Donertz, Varus Dene, and Balrog Hernim. For the magic tournament, Liana Horton, Carlo Deneb, and Ludger…”
Just as he had predicted.
The only unexpected thing was that Carlo Deneb was getting more expectations than he thought.
Looks like it wasn’t a lie that he trained like crazy over the break.
“Fernan?”
“Almon? Long time no see.”
Hearing his name, Fernan turned around.
“Did you just get back?”
“Yeah, just arrived.”
“So Luina too…”
“That’s right.”
“Why so late?! If you’d come back a few days earlier, Luina could’ve entered the jousting tournament!”
“And wouldn’t it be better for you that she didn’t participate?”
“What are you talking about? I missed the chance to face her and beat her—how is that good?”
Was he really upset that the strongest rival didn’t enter?
Or did he really believe he could beat Luina?
These knights—I’ll never understand them.
“Fernan, the rector requests your presence.”
At that moment someone tapped him on the shoulder as he reviewed the bets. It was a messenger from the rector.
“Not even half an hour in the city and he already knows. Anyway, I was just confirming this before heading over.”
“I’ll accompany you.”
Although it sounded somewhat imperative, Fernan agreed.
He knew that nearly two months of absence could mean significant political pressure for the rector.
‘Even though they say he doesn’t get too involved in politics…’
Even so, if the matter escalated too much, he could even end up dishonorably dismissed.
Fernan entered the rector’s office. The man set aside the documents he was reviewing.
“You took longer than I expected.”
“That only proves the threat of the corrupted was real. If we had returned with nothing, we would’ve been back much sooner.”
“Good news, then.”
The rector extended his hand. Fernan placed the duplicate recording in it.
“It contains the battle against the corrupted. With Aint’s actions recorded, it will serve as solid proof.”
The rector injected mana into the recording without saying anything further.
“These are strange times—a prince of the kingdom offering his people to the corrupted.”
“That’s the true face of power.”
“If they had succeeded, what do you think would’ve happened?”
“The Empire’s security would’ve been in grave danger.”
And not only Esrin—there had also been schemes attempted in Alprosen. If both kingdoms had fallen to the corrupted, it would’ve been a total disaster.
“Aint’s performance is impressive too. At his age, defeating Rahnas, a class 1 monster. That reputation wasn’t exaggerated.”
There was pride in the rector’s smile over the student’s growth.
“But it seems some parts are cut.”
“The battle was too chaotic; the mana was interrupted several times.”
“Did you perhaps use hidden Pellenberg forces? Whatever the case, I’ll overlook it.”
“Thank you.”
Even though he didn’t really believe it, he wasn’t expecting explanations either. Fernan bowed his head.
“And about our situation, how was it resolved?”
“You’ll be able to remain at the Academy without any problems. Not a single complaint.”
“Really?”
That was strange.
“Surprised? So am I. What’s incredible is that Schwaben didn’t try to interfere.”
“…?”
That he hadn’t expected. Did they really let this opportunity slip by?
***
Elsewhere, Aint was receiving an unexpected visitor.
“Senior Ludger? What brings you to me…?”
The reception room of Ravidus Hall.
A prince of the current imperial family and a noble of the former royal family were face to face.
The visitor was Ludger Schwaben.
The sudden visit caught Aint so off guard that he couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
‘Why would he come looking for me?’
— I don’t get it either. Weren’t the Schwaben the ones dead set on tearing you apart at the first chance?
Gardner Alfenparsen’s thought echoed Aint’s own.
Although more than a problem with the Schwaben themselves, it was an inevitable consequence of the relationship between the two houses.
“It’s been a while, Aint. Did you enjoy your long excursion?”
“It wasn’t bad.”
“If I ask what you were doing, you won’t tell me, will you?”
What was he trying to do?
Aint looked him in the eyes for a moment, but there was nothing to read—they were too calm.
“Yes, I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you.”
“I figured. I understand.”
Ludger didn’t press the issue further and sipped his tea.
“Did you know this? Since the Academy was founded, you’re the only ones who have been absent for nearly two months without a clear reason.”
In reality, they were the only ones who had been able to skip that long without facing consequences.
“Are you threatening me?”
“Not exactly. I’m just telling you nothing will happen.”
“…Excuse me?”
The unexpected words made Aint open his eyes wide.
“It means Schwaben won’t question what happened. And if Schwaben doesn’t, no one else will dare.”
Because it wasn’t just Armian—touching this matter also meant dealing with Pellenberg, Bercheff, and Fridian.
If Schwaben, who should be the first to raise the spear, didn’t act, no one else would.
“…What’s your intention with this?”
“How unfair. Do you think everything Schwaben does must have a hidden motive?”
“I was taught that every action of the nobility holds meaning.”
“You’ve learned well.”
Ludger smiled slightly.
“It’s true. If there weren’t any intention, that would be a lie. This is a gesture of reconciliation from Schwaben to Armian.”
“Reconciliation?”
“They say Armian is strengthening its military.”
Across the continent, knights and soldiers were flocking like bees, drawn by Aint Armian.
It was something already widely known.
“For us, that’s not very pleasant. It feels like a challenge to imperial authority. But His Majesty sees it as something even more serious.”
“More serious?”
After taking another sip of tea, Ludger continued calmly.
“Armies eat up money. Yet Armian is recruiting like they have nothing to lose, when for over a century they lived in practical isolation.”
Whatever the reason, what was clear was that Armian didn’t have that kind of wealth.
So, where was the money coming from?
The answer was obvious.
“Pellenberg.”
The only place capable of moving such large sums with ease.
The only one willing to lend that amount.
“And considering your relationship with Fernan, there’s no doubt it came from there.”
But the reasoning didn’t stop there.
“Fernan doesn’t let emotions or friendships interfere when it comes to money. Even if he likes you, lending funds is a completely different matter.”
Moreover, the Pellenberg were notorious for their ruthless usury.
“Even so, Armian borrowed from Pellenberg. You’re recruiting troops, preparing for war.”
And what did that mean?
Some might say it was to reclaim the lost throne.
But Schwaben’s judgment was something else.
“Demons.”
Ludger said it like spitting venom.
“It means the demon incursion is more serious than we believe. That they’re closer than we think.”
Isn’t that right?
He whispered it as if seeking confirmation, though he expected no answer.
Before Aint could respond, he continued speaking.
“That’s why Schwaben has decided not to question this matter. It’s our gesture of reconciliation toward Armian.”
The throne was important, and Armian was unpleasant—but.
“It’s preferable to let that go than to have demons destroy the continent.”
Ludger extended his hand.
“This is Schwaben’s will right now.”
And then he added.
“What is Armian’s?”
“……”
Aint could not answer lightly.
____
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