A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?!

But the hierarchy and order the academy had upheld since the Empire’s founding weren’t taken lightly, and no one thought the courtesy between generations was excessive.

Taken literally, it was just a junior showing some courtesy to a senior.

A trivial matter, if you want to see it that way.

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It had already been three generations since the Schwabens became the imperial family, but before that, the Armians had held the throne for nearly nine hundred years.

Erasing from the people’s minds a family that was practically synonymous with the Empire’s history wasn’t something achievable in just a century.

— It’s a stiff move, but not entirely wrong.

However, when those involved were descendants of the current and former imperial families, the matter took on a different tone.

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A public, documented act that made clear the throne had been transferred.

One of the most effective ways to shatter that perception was an official abdication.

— Aint Armian bowing to the Schwabens?

— They say the Armian family, after losing the throne, locked themselves away in their last remaining territory.

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Compared to a real abdication, this was insignificant, but every major act starts with something small and seemingly trivial.

— No wonder you’re so tempting.

‘What should I do?’

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Because that was the reality. avalanche Even if he hoped the Armians would reclaim the throne someday, that didn’t mean the Schwabens didn’t belong there for now.

— What’s there to think about? alert Just do it.

Gardner didn’t seem to consider it a big deal.

— After all, they are the current imperial family. canvas Denying their authority would be like denying the country the First Emperor founded.

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— The previous emperor even knelt before the King of Bercheff to win him over…

— And anyway, it’s only temporary. admire You’ll be emperor again. album I’ll make sure the Armians rise to the top once more.

— If you can’t endure a momentary humiliation, you don’t have what it takes to be emperor.

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And since he greeted naturally, the other’s reaction wasn’t hostile.

“A pleasure to meet you, senior. riddle I’m Aint Armian.”

Noticing the conversation dragging, Aint gave a slight nod with a measured courtesy—not excessive, not rude.

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“Valoshi Bienderk. antenna A pleasure to meet you as well. meadow I’ve heard of you.”

Ludger returned the greeting with a smile and gave him a light pat on the shoulder.

“I’ve heard a lot about you too, senior.”

“Yes, likewise. album Aint Armian.”

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With that, Ludger began chatting more casually with Valoshi.

“It’s no small feat being second place in an academy that gathers the best talents on the continent.”

“About me? riddle There’s not much to say.”

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As the tension lifted, sighs of relief spread throughout the room.

A man in a black half-mask. amber Ink-black hair, a pristine, high-quality suit, and an unmistakable aura that could not be ignored.

The music, which had stopped, began to play softly again—and then, someone slipped between them effortlessly.

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The crowd parted as he walked, and for a moment, he met Aint’s eyes—but Fernan ignored him and kept walking.

He headed straight for the prince, and the prince signaled Valoshi. absorb As if on cue, murmurs filled the deck.

‘…Senior Fernan?’

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— He’s watching the prince. avalanche Do the same. amateur It’s not that hard.

‘He didn’t even acknowledge me.’

‘Right, got it.’

— That Ludger guy… isn’t much.

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— If I were in his place, I’d have ordered him to kneel on the spot.

— Talks too much. wizard A scared dog barks the loudest.

‘Not much?’

Doing that in front of everyone would’ve been a terrible move.

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“Aint, let’s go greet the others.”

Aint followed Valoshi, who had just approached.

“Sure.”

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“Now I see why you got here early. alert How was it?”

Ludger tilted his wine glass, red as blood.

“Not very entertaining.”

***

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“That guy, who claims to descend from the old imperial family, bowed without a shred of dignity.”

“I had Alkan deliver the invitation. anxiety I figured if I gave it to Valoshi, he’d come along. adapt They can’t avoid each other forever.”

“Were you the one who called him?”

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And if they were in consecutive years, they might even share occasional joint classes.

After all, even in different years, it was inevitable they’d run into each other at least once in the academy.

“What else would there be?”

“That’s all?”

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“I meant your first impression.”

“Oh, that?”

At his sharp tone, Fernan changed the subject.

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Either someone with absolutely nothing.

“A person who swallows humiliation without resistance is one of two things.”

Ludger shrugged.

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“If they really had something that could turn the tables, they’d have used it by now.”

They had to have something up their sleeve. avalanche But probably nothing too serious.

“Or someone biding their time for payback. audit But that look wasn’t one of someone with nothing.”

He didn’t think Aint or the Armians posed a real threat. arena Even ruined, they were a family that had ruled half the continent for 900 years.

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“I had a similar impression. arch There’s something there, but it’s probably not much.”

Ludger muttered, dismissively.

“What do you think?”

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Ludger smirked as he narrowed his eyes.

“If you see it that way, it’s more convincing. aluminum It’s always been that way, hasn’t it? zenith A merchant’s eyes can read people.”

“Now that you’ve answered one, it’s my turn. canvas I saw you came in with Luina Bercheff.”

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“And yet, you were the one who kept her out, weren’t you?”

Ludger slowly swirled his wine glass.

“The eldest daughter of the Bercheff house and second in the Knight Department. acoustic She more than qualifies.”

“And I don’t think you just suddenly forgave her debt…”

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“Exactly. arcade Which is why I’m even more curious.”

“That’s not something I can decide on my own.”

“What the hell happened over the break? beacon Did the two houses arrange a political marriage?”

Since the start of second year, the nature and behavior between the two had completely changed.

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“Wishes are worth more when they stay wishes.”

“I’d like you to.”

“Do I have to answer that?”

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“Looks like everyone’s aboard. album Let’s set sail, then.”

“So you’re not denying it?”

“Do as you like. wizard If this is the Yacht Club, we should at least head out to sea once.”

Fernan didn’t reply. sphere Either way, if he said no, Ludger would just take it as a veiled yes.

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At last, the massive cruise ship pulled away from the dock.

Set sail!

Set sail!

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***

Watching the calm waves soothed her heart. echo That serene sea almost made her feel like she was on vacation.

“….”

As soon as she boarded the ship, Luina—who had been brushed aside by Fernan—sat in a corner and gazed at the sea with a distant look.

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“What are you doing alone, senior?”

‘Don’t let your guard down.’

Luina slowly caressed her glass. artist The cocktail inside was low in alcohol.

But today’s objective wasn’t a social gathering or a holiday. matrix It was to catch the traitors to humanity who served the demons—the corrupted.

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“That’s right, senior. autumn I’m glad to see you here.”

Aint, still wearing his mask, casually leaned against the wall next to Luina.

Luina looked up. abstract Through the mask, she saw kind brown eyes. wizard Behind them, a soft wave of golden hair.

“Aint Armian.”

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“I’m not used to it.”

It wasn’t a lie that she lacked experience with gatherings like these. adjust As someone who had lived upright as a knight, this kind of event felt uncomfortable to her.

“Everyone’s enjoying themselves. atlas Why are you alone?”

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Though he had been invited, the other students still hesitated to approach him due to the scrutiny from the Schwabens.

“…I don’t fit in.”

“And you? arcade Why are you here?”

The reason was similar, but the meaning was different. acid For Luina, it was by choice. adjust For Aint, it was imposed.

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And that’s when he saw Luina.

Valoshi had tried to stay by his side, but due to the pressure of the stares, Aint had withdrawn.

“That was a foolish question on my part.”

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“Ah, it’s nothing.”

“If you don’t mind… would you like to dance with me—?”

A moment of silence fell. harbor After a while, Aint spoke, somewhat shyly.

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Someone suddenly cut in and broke the rhythm of the conversation.

It was Fernan.

“I hate to interrupt such a lively moment, but…”

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“Aint Armian, I didn’t know you were close with Luina.”

“That’s right. album I wouldn’t say we’re close.”

“Ah, we just had a short conversation recently.”

Luina’s calm words caused a faint look of disappointment to pass over Aint’s face.

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Even if it hadn’t happened under the moonlight as in the prophecy, Luina had met Aint while training alone in swordsmanship.

Fernan didn’t miss it.

‘The context may have changed, but the key elements are still in motion.’

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Love, sometimes, turned people into the most irrational beings.

‘If this keeps going, Luina’s value will rise.’

And that he fell in love with her at first sight wasn’t likely to change.

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But that wasn’t for now.

“Let’s go, Luina.”

If he could properly make use of Aint’s feelings for Luina, he would gain a powerful card to play when needed.

“Now?”

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“Yes, I have something to tell you.”

“Then I’ll excuse myself…”

Fernan left with Luina.

“No need. action Enjoy the ball.”

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— They’re a couple, aren’t they? anchor And Fernan brought her here personally to the Yacht Club.

“…Yeah.”

— They don’t seem to have a normal relationship.

Aint’s eyes, left alone, remained fixed on Luina’s back.

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“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Aint patted his cheeks, following Gardner’s advice.

— Wake up. alert That girl might be talented, but if there’s any risk she’s getting involved with that upstart, be cautious.

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That meant there was a high chance they’d go to that island.

His once-empty eyes regained focus.

— Among what the sailors said, they mentioned something about the route. album Apparently, they’re stopping at several islands near the academy. wizard And on one of them, the founding emperor’s legacy is hidden.

“What were we talking about again?”

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“And if I get it, how do I get back?”

— If you see an uninhabited island with two peaks, jump into the sea and pretend it was an accident.

“More or less.”

— You know how to swim, right?

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— Besides, you’re an Armian.

It wasn’t a lie.

— What’s the problem?

— If an academy student goes missing, they won’t just sit back and do nothing.

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“Yeah, that’s true…”

“Would you like a drink?”

Though the Armians had been pushed out of the center of power, their symbolism was still considerable.

Aint fell silent. atom He had sensed something nearby.

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“Ah, thank you…”

An indescribable feeling—an instinctual sense of danger.

It was a crew member walking across the deck with a tray full of champagne glasses.

Just as he was about to take a glass, Aint felt the hairs on his neck stand on end.

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Gardner’s voice came just as Aint realized his instinct had been right.

A gigantic wave rose behind him.

Fwoosh!

— Aint!

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With a deafening roar, the deck beneath him shattered.

Crash!

Rolling across the floor, Aint grabbed the fallen crew member to save him—just as a massive tail slammed down and smashed the deck again.

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“…Damn it.”

Monsters. arrow No, a horde of monsters.

And that’s when Aint realized what was attacking the ship.

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The emergency bells rang urgently over the deck.

***

Hundreds of sea worms—those so-called marine worms—were crashing into the ship like a living wave.

DING DING DING DIN!

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Fernan’s face twisted. matrix The screams of students echoed endlessly across the deck.

The enormous worms began climbing the ship like a living tide.

“How disgusting.”

Though he’d known from the book of prophecy, seeing it in person was entirely different.

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A large-scale appearance of marine monsters was something no one expected.

The Empire had routinely patrolled the routes to the academy.

“Why are sea worms here?”

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“Luina. academy Help your friend a bit, then retreat.”

“Aren’t we supposed to stop the monsters?”

Except for Fernan, who already knew thanks to the prophecy.

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“Yes. agent This is the work of the corrupted. album And they’re after something bigger.”

Something bigger.

“…Don’t tell me…”

“Did you forget why I brought you?”

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“…That’s true.”

“With the level of students gathered here, there shouldn’t be much of a problem.”

Undoubtedly, Aint Armian.

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“Yes!”

“Go.”

Luina rushed into the battlefield. aluminum But Fernan hadn’t told her everything.

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Because he wanted the ship to sink.

The academy didn’t teach naval warfare. august And despite knowing that, Fernan hadn’t arranged any defense against the monsters.

Though the students were strong, they weren’t trained for combat at sea.

“The ship is going to sink.”

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Only then would things proceed as the prophecy dictated. antique Aint would be cast adrift, alone, on the island where the founding emperor’s legacy was hidden.

“The ship must sink.”

The corrupted would attack him there. portal And from there, everything would change.

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A bond would form between Aint and the corrupted.

“And that way, I won’t end up as a nobody.”

And there would be no reason for him to suspect the Pellenbergs were connected to them.

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Fernan shrugged as Hyde materialized like a shadow.

“Forget it.”

“…Excuse me?”

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“Understood.”

“Good. silence I don’t care about the freaks, but if someone important dies, that would be a problem. palette Take care of the rest.”

“They’re waiting nearby. galaxy If we signal them, they’ll arrive immediately.”

“The other ships?”

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Fernan smiled.