A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?!

“Nanny, how do I look?”

Aria spun around in front of the full-length mirror.

The shimmering dress fluttered softly with her movement.

“You look stunning, my lady! If not only Verian Kalburdern but even Verian’s grandfather saw you, he’d fall in love instantly!”

“That’s not exactly what I wanted to hear.”

“It’s just a manner of speaking, miss. Come now, sit down. We still need to finish your makeup.”

“Yes.”

The nanny quickly finished her makeup and began styling her hair.

“Your hair has grown quite a bit, would you like me to cut it?”

“Yes, it’s more comfortable short.”

Sss— sss—

The scissors gently trimmed the ends of Aria’s hair.

“But I must say, it’s surprising you managed to win over the temperamental Verian Kalburdern.”

“Yes, he has a terrible temper.”

Even so, he wasn’t a bad person.

“It’s like he uses thorns to hide his fragility.”

“So he’s like a hedgehog.”

“Exactly.”

That made him rather adorable in a way.

“Adorable, Verian Kalburdern? Miss, your taste is quite peculiar.”

“I’m perfectly normal.”

“Generally, normal people don’t feel the need to say they are, miss.”

The preparations finished shortly after.

In the mirror, Aria looked more beautiful than ever.

Then, a maid knocked on the door.

“Miss Aria, someone is waiting for you outside.”

No need to ask who. Aria stepped out.

In front of the entrance, an elegant carriage pulled by four horses awaited her.

Standing before it, a man in a pristine black suit with red hair tied back was waiting.

“Aria.”

“Verian.”

With a faint blush, Verian awkwardly scratched his cheek and opened the carriage door.

“Get in.”

“Mhm.”

The carriage set off.

“You look quite good in that suit.”

“Likewise.”

“Really?”

Aria leaned closer to him. Verian flinched and immediately moved away.

“…What are you doing?”

“You said it without even looking at me.”

“I saw you when you got in.”

“Did you really?”

“……”

Verian cleared his throat and looked out the window.

Meanwhile, the carriage arrived at the banquet hall.

The coachman opened the door, and the two stepped down and entered.

“It’s Aria!”

“And Verian too!”

“So it’s true they’re dating?”

Aria and Verian were quite famous at the academy.

Not only because of their skill and status, but also because they had fought alongside Aint and Fernan against demons.

People swarmed them in seconds.

Surrounded by the crowd, they disappeared from view.

“Aria! In Frazia, I heard that…”

“Aria, you look stunning today. Are you really dating Verian? Since when?”

“Will you dance a piece with me?”

As always, Aria didn’t lose her smile and responded to everyone politely.

“Yes, there was a demon in Frazia, but I didn’t fight directly.”

“Thank you, we started recently.”

“Sorry, I already have a partner for the dance.”

Time flew by.

The sun, which had painted the sky in orange tones, vanished, and Aria, a bit tired, sat in a corner with a cocktail in hand.

The hall was illuminated by dazzling chandeliers, while a soft melody played.

Although she usually enjoyed gatherings and the bustle, tonight was different.

She hadn’t achieved what she truly wanted.

“Where did he go?”

She hadn’t seen a hair of Verian in hours.

No matter how big the new banquet hall was, it was still the same place.

At that moment, a hand extended through the crowd.

“Beautiful lady, I’ve been looking for you.”

A gloved white hand.

“Would you grant me this dance?”

“……”

A familiar voice, but with a pompous tone she’d never heard before.

A mischievous smile appeared on Aria’s lips.

“Did you say I’m beautiful?”

“…You are, without a doubt.”

“How flattering. You also have quite a decent face.”

“…Thank you very much.”

The man looked at her with barely concealed irritation.

Aria only smiled wider.

Yes, teasing Verian was definitely the most fun.

He was like a squirrel — just a little poke and he’d jump instantly.

“And could you explain why I should accept dancing with you?”

“Because if you don’t, I’ll have to invite another lady.”

“Then I can invite another gentleman too.”

Verian dropped the fake tone immediately.

“In that case, I might end up punching the guy.”

“Even if it were Fernan, the senior?”

“…The senior is a different case.”

He might try, but if he did, it would probably be the end of him.

“So, are you going to dance or not?”

“You have no charm.”

“You’re the one who ruined the charm.”

“It’s just that when you talk in that tone, I feel like throwing up.”

“Ha…”

Aria took Verian’s hand.

“Alright.”

The two moved to the center of the hall.

It was a cheerful banquet.

***

[I heard the news. They say you fought demons in Frazia, and I was worried you might’ve gotten hurt.

…(fragment omitted)…

I also heard about the ball being held at the Academy. I wish I could attend too. Should I apply as an assistant now?

…(fragment omitted)…

I’ll write you another letter next time.]

While watching the long line of carriages and people heading toward the newly opened grand banquet hall, Aint folded the letter with a faint smile on his lips.

— Seems like things are going well for you.

“How should I respond to her?”

— Be honest.

— But discourage her from becoming an assistant.

“Of course. I couldn’t let her go through that hell.”

Aint took out a sheet of paper and began to write.

[I received your letter, Yuli. I miss you too.

And please, never, ever think about becoming an assistant…]

Though it wasn’t a long letter, the memory of his days as a punished assistant was still horrifying.

He would never let Yuli Linelt experience something that hellish.

[I’m planning to participate soon in the New Pact Tournament. I’d like you to come watch me when the time comes…]

With the hope of reuniting someday, he finished the letter.

— You’re not going to the banquet?

“I have no intention. Right now, that would be an unnecessary luxury.”

Fernan had given him his word — he would soon obtain the qualification to participate in the New Pact Tournament and would do everything possible to have it held as soon as possible.

His opponent would be a Royal Knight.

No matter how confident he was, he couldn’t guarantee an absolute victory.

That’s why he had to prepare until the very last moment.

“I have to go see Professor Grad.”

— Good. A Royal Knight is always a worthy opponent.

Fernan had already granted him permission — he could visit Professor Grad anytime to request a duel.

Although Aint knew he relied too much on Fernan, that was still his best option for now.

If he wanted to become a Royal Knight, he had to do everything.

Bang!

Boom!

But as he approached Professor Grad’s training field, explosions could already be heard.

— Looks like you’ve got company. That one seems to have the same intentions as you.

— I can see the desire in their eyes…

“The desire to become a Royal Knight, most likely.”

It was Luina Bercheff, visibly more focused than usual.

“Professor Grad, I’d like my turn after her as well!”

Moments later, Aint leapt onto the battlefield.

Naturally, he held back his strength, wary of destroying the practice ground.

***

“Not enjoying yourself, Your Highness?”

“Just by coming here, I’m already overdoing it.”

On the second floor of the hall, Ludger rested his chin on his hand, watching the crowd.

Among all the banquet attendees — a celebration for the defeat of the demons — neither Aint nor Fernan was present.

A party to commemorate their feat without the protagonists.

“Fernan is scheming something.”

An event like this was the perfect opportunity to make Aint the center of attention.

Fernan wouldn’t let such a chance slip for no reason.

If he had, there must be a strong one.

“It must be related to the New Pact Tournament.”

The Schwaben Empire was the one most closely monitoring Aint’s power.

According to the intelligence department, both Aint and Luina were already nearing the level of Royal Knights.

“When the hell did they grow so much…?”

They were classmates, and yet now they were at an unreachable distance.

Ludger understood why Fernan had invested so much in them.

“Exactly. I used to be the top of the class, but now I don’t even dare challenge Luina…”

Almon sighed in frustration.

“And Fernan? Is there any reason he’s also absent? Is he preparing for the Dragon God Tournament?”

“Impossible — or maybe not. After all, they say he played a key role in the hunt for two demons.”

“Monsters. Those guys are damn monsters.”

Ludger gnashed his teeth.

To think someone like that had been among the top ten? How the hell had he hidden it?

No matter how much he cursed, he couldn’t calm himself.

Almon changed the subject.

“By the way, Your Highness, you’ve seemed in better spirits lately.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Since you returned from the demon hunt with the First Prince, your face seems more relaxed.”

“…Really?”

Ludger furrowed his brow.

Was he happy for hunting demons? No, impossible.

In that hunt, he had barely done anything; in the end, it only served to raise the First Prince’s fame.

Then why was he pleased?

‘Ah, right — it was after reading that newspaper.’

The article talked about Fernan.

It said that along with Luina and Armond Merschdorf, he had defeated two demons.

That news had completely overshadowed the one mentioning the First Prince and himself.

Since then, the First Prince had sworn to hunt another demon no matter what.

And seeing him so desperate was both pathetic and deeply satisfying.

Ludger knew that having Aint and Fernan praised as heroes did not benefit the Schwaben family at all.

But he didn’t care.

‘…It’s fine this way. If Schwaben loses the throne, what does it matter to me?’

Even if the throne changed hands, Schwaben’s power and authority wouldn’t vanish.

They might diminish after losing the territories taken from Armian, but that wasn’t his problem either.

‘None of this makes sense anymore.’

Crossing his legs, Ludger took a slow sip of his cocktail.

⸻

Fernan silently closed his eyes.

He could feel his heart beating.

He thought about the fame and rewards he would receive if he succeeded in what he was about to do.

They wouldn’t be small; now he had one more reason to ensure victory.

— Kyu?

Not going?

Wooden, who had caught onto his thoughts, tilted his head curiously.

“That’s right.”

Fernan lifted him off his shoulder and placed him on the ground.

“I could use magic with you, since golems are considered magic too, but not doing so will have a much greater impact.”

Besides, it wasn’t good to always rely on Wooden.

Even though he always tried to stay by his side, there was no guarantee that would always be possible.

And above all, this time he trusted himself.

He believed he could win even without Wooden.

“Sir.”

A familiar voice made him open his eyes.

The saint, Jace Vines, was smiling brightly.

“The time has come.”

“Yes.”

“Amazing. I thought I’d be the first to dare challenge it, but as expected, you’re always a step ahead.”

“No matter how much you flatter me, I won’t pay you for it.”

“Tsk.”

“Let’s go.”

Fernan stood and walked slowly toward the stage.

Waaaaaaaah!

The roar of the crowd was deafening.

Among the masses, he could distinguish familiar faces in the honorary seats.

‘Luina Bercheff.’

He remembered his promise to her.

He had already prepared the ship for the trip, so losing wasn’t an option.

‘Aint Armian.’

He also saw Aint among the crowd, his gaze filled with emotion.

‘Yeah — I can more or less guess what you’re thinking.’

He was probably worried.

But he didn’t need to be.

In the end, he would become emperor and save the world.

‘So don’t get anxious just because the New Pact Tournament has been slightly delayed.’

The New Pact Tournament was organized by the imperial family.

When Armian lost the throne, most of its domains — including the right to host the tournament — passed into Schwaben’s hands.

In other words, the tournament couldn’t be held without the current emperor’s supervision.

And Schwaben didn’t want Aint Armian to participate at all.

Because if Aint won and gained the title of Royal Knight, it would be a huge problem.

And even if he didn’t win, just qualifying would be enough to give him wings.

That’s why the tournament might take a bit longer to happen, but it would happen.

Fernan and his father would make sure of it.

“Where are you looking?”

Fernan turned his gaze forward. There stood his opponent.

A middle-aged man, more of a warrior than a mage, with a thick beard.

“I’ve heard of you from His Majesty, but I never thought it was true. Are you sure you want to do this?”

“If I wasn’t confident, I wouldn’t be here.”

“I see. But don’t expect me to hold back.”

And finally, the announcer’s voice rang out.

“We begin the Dragon God Tournament between Walter Hanfmann, court mage of the Kingdom of Frazia, and Fernan Pellenberg, firstborn of the Pellenberg family!”

The Dragon God Tournament had begun.