Chapter 38
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: The First Ally
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“What in the world is going on!”
When I returned to La Vie Douce Dormitory after my lecture, an unwelcome but fully expected guest was waiting for me.
“What is it, Verian?”
It seems he did as Aint was told.
“Don’t play dumb! Why on earth did you tell Aint about me?”
“Is that a problem?”
“Is that a problem? Are you serious right now!”
“Verian Calburden. Do you know who you’re shouting at?”
But regardless of the fact that I had caused this, and separate from my understanding of his feelings, it was necessary to clarify our respective positions.
As I frowned, Verian flinched.
“…I apologize, but…!”
“But?”
“Didn’t we have a contract that you wouldn’t tell anyone else? In exchange, I would follow your orders.”
“You’re mistaken.”
Pernyan leaned back in his chair.
“Mistaken?”
“To be precise, the contract was to ensure you would not be harmed by this matter.”
“What does that…!”
“When you make a contract, read it carefully, Verian Calburden.”
A contract can sometimes be sharper than a sword or spear, and at other times, more steadfast than a castle gate.
A single sentence, a single word, could mean the difference between heaven and hell.
“However, in this case, you should be glad the contract contains nothing particularly harmful to you.”
“You’re telling me no harm will come of it when people find out I was demonized?”
Verian’s expression screamed, ‘What kind of nonsense is this?’ Pernyan understood how he felt.
It was inevitable for someone who didn’t know the future.
“Listen closely, Verian Calburden.”
“I’ve been listening very closely since…!”
“It might be a problem with anyone else, but with Aint, it’s fine.”
“…And what’s your basis for that?”
“You’re already isolated in the department, and so is Aint. I want the two of you to overcome that hardship together.”
And in doing so, they would defeat Vile Breeds, topple demons, and save the world.
All without Pernyan having to lift a finger.
“Do you say that knowing why I’m in this situation?”
“Is that important?”
“Then what is important?”
“What’s important is that the recording device that captured the moment you were demonized is in my hands.”
“……”
Verian fell silent.
“And what’s more important is that it could slip from my hands and end up with the Inquisitors at any moment.”
“…Why Aint, of all people! What if he reports me to the Inquisitors!”
“No, Aint would never do that.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Because Pernyan, through the Prophecy Book, understood Aint’s heroic narrative and psychology.
From the recording device Pernyan had shown him, Aint clearly recognized that Verian was also a victim.
Aint was not foolish enough to turn a potential ally into an enemy in such a situation.
Moreover, Verian was sent by Pernyan.
Aint would know that turning against him could also ruin his relationship with Pernyan.
“That thing on top of your head isn’t just for decoration, Verian. Think for yourself.”
“Pardon?”
“Let me tell you one thing. Aint Armian is already pursuing other Vile Breeds. If you stick by his side, you might one day encounter the one who did this to you.”
He couldn’t guarantee when, but it was certain that Aint was the world’s hero, a magnet for demons.
“…He already knows about the Vile Breeds?”
“Yes.”
“The one who did this to me?”
“You don’t think you were infected with demonic energy for no reason, do you?”
“…You mean I can catch him?”
“Of course.”
For a moment, a murderous glint flashed in Verian’s eyes.
“…What exactly do you want from me?”
“Stay with Aint for the duration of your time at the academy. Do that, and I’ll destroy the recording device.”
“Fine.”
It wasn’t as if Pernyan would take no for an answer, and he couldn’t take back the words already spoken to Aint.
Verian’s eyes grew venomous.
“Now you’re looking more like yourself.”
Aint Armian had gained his first companion.
One completely different from those in the Prophecy Book.
***
When I woke up in the morning, a letter from my father was waiting.
There were mountains of things to discuss—Mithril, Adamant, golems, or even demons and Vile Breeds.
But this time, the letter was not about any of those things.
[There was a recent transaction of some sort between the Friedien family and the Armian Imperial Academy.]
[The Friediens have agreed to hand over a large quantity of items, including leaves from the World Tree and spirit stones. In return, the academy will provide what the Friediens have requested….]
[These are items of considerable value. Many require careful handling. Therefore, they have formally commissioned the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild….]
I read through the contents until my eyes reached the final line.
[The Friedien family has requested you as the person in charge.]
“Hmm.”
Pernyan tapped his fingers on the desk.
To summarize, it was simple.
A transaction had occurred between the Friedien Marquisate and the Armian Imperial Academy.
In exchange, all sorts of goods, including World Tree leaves and spirit stones, were being traded.
The Friediens commissioned the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild for the transport.
And they requested Pernyan Fallenberg as the one in charge.
‘I can accept the first three points.’
The Friedien Marquisate was still treated like an outsider among the haughty Imperial nobility.
It wasn’t surprising that they were pulling all sorts of strings.
Entrusting the transport to the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild, the largest in the Empire, was also a given.
But the question lay in the final part.
‘Why me, specifically?’
It was true that Pernyan had made a name for himself by diving into practical affairs from a young age.
But if asked whether there was no one more skilled within the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild, that wasn’t the case.
‘They said if I couldn’t be in charge, they’d at least want me to accompany the transport. Is there some reason I must be involved?’
No immediate answer came to mind.
After tucking the letter into a drawer, I headed out. My morning lecture was about to begin.
This lecture was on the 『Study of Demonic Beasts and Monsters』, a joint session with the Knight Department.
The venue wasn’t a combined lecture hall but an indoor arena.
It was a place with ten stages, a well-equipped facility often used for large-scale spars or festivals.
The professor hadn't arrived yet, and the buzzing interior was filled with students sitting in pairs.
Pernyan found Ruina and sat beside her.
“My apologies for being late.”
“The professor hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Then the professor is late.”
Indeed, it was one minute past the start of the lecture.
“I arrived exactly on time. That’s not late.”
“I wish you would demonstrate the virtue of arriving early.”
“Time is an asset that cannot be squandered.”
Ruina’s brow furrowed slightly, but she said nothing more.
Shortly after, the professors and teaching assistants entered through the front door.
“We’re a bit late, so I’ll take attendance immediately.”
Valmon Atra, the second-year professor for the 『Study of Demonic Beasts and Monsters』, quickly called roll. There were no latecomers or absentees.
“As I mentioned last time, the theme of this lecture is cooperation.”
*Tap, tap, tap.* At his gesture, words appeared on the chalkboard.
“Some monsters, some demonic beasts, are too strong to handle alone. Some have hides so tough that weapons can’t easily pierce them, while others have high magic resistance, rendering spells ineffective.”
And some are just absurdly strong, or your skill level is relatively low.
“The last two have no clear solution, so we’ll set them aside. For now, we will prepare for the former cases. When fighting a monster or demonic beast that is the natural enemy of a knight or a mage.”
The characteristics of demonic beasts and monsters varied wildly, and each situation required a fitting response.
Knowing their weaknesses and traits made a huge difference.
“That’s why you’re taking this course, and why from your second year, you form pairs and frequently have joint classes.”
After the Great War against the demons, cooperation between knights and mages became the standard not just in the Empire, but across the continent.
“Shall we bring them out?”
“Let’s.”
*Ahem.* Harkon Pallas, the professor of 『Golem Engineering』, cleared his throat and stepped forward.
“None of you will be unfamiliar with this. You may be using them for the first time, but you’ve likely seen your seniors use them.”
—!
A low vibration rumbled. The sound of heavy footsteps drew closer, and ten dummies entered all at once.
“These are the official training dummies used at the academy.”
They varied in size and shape, each one modeled after a certain monster or demonic beast.
Their basic skeletons were made of various alloys, and their exteriors were inscribed with all sorts of magical engravings and circles.
Since they couldn’t just capture monsters for every class, these dummies were made as substitutes, and Pernyan knew them very well.
After all, his family owned a few.
“So those are the dummies.”
“First time seeing them?”
“I’ve heard stories, but this is my first time seeing them in person.”
“Those were made by the Cult. They’ve magically inscribed the features and characteristics of each monster onto them.”
But more importantly…
“They are absurdly expensive.”
At the academy’s request, the Cult—considered the best in magic on the continent—had poured everything into creating these dummies without a thought for the cost.
And so, they were absurdly expensive. Of course, they were worth the price.
They were as sturdy as they were expensive; most people couldn’t even leave a scratch on them.
‘Not that they’re omnipotent, though.’
While they might have replicated the traits, they were incapable of organic movement.
Therefore, it was common for a single mage to control them.
They were, after all, a type of golem.
“Now, since we’ve come this far, you all know what you have to do, right?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
“You’ll all get a turn eventually, but is there any pair that wants to go first?”
In spars like this, it was usually best to observe the situation and step up later.
“I would like to go first.”
“…Ruina?”
Before Pernyan could stop her, Ruina was already striding forward.
Seeing her expression, Pernyan realized that, for once, she was excited.
“Ruina Bercefe and Pernyan Fallenberg. An excellent attitude. We need nine more teams.”
Pernyan, who had been dragged out with her, whispered.
“What are you doing?”
“A new battle is always exciting. This is my first time fighting a dummy made by the Cult.”
“It’s nothing special. You’ll be disappointed if you get your hopes up.”
Though the item was enhanced beyond just having a monster’s traits inscribed on it, a human was still the one controlling it.
Naturally, one couldn’t expect realistic monster movements.
“That’s a bit of a shame.”
As they spoke, the other pairs all came forward.
“Hm?”
Pernyan tilted his head as he recognized their faces. Ludger and Almon, Carlo and Alia, Daisy and…
They were all top-ranking pairs.
‘A sense of rivalry?’
Their gazes were all fixed on Pernyan and Ruina, so that was likely it.
“This will be even more interesting.”
Ruina, seeming to have noticed as well, smiled.
“Everyone, take your places on the stages.”
As the pairs ascended their respective sparring stages, the dummies stood opposite them.
Pernyan clicked his tongue at the sight of the hulking figure, over three meters tall and thickly built.
“Ruina, Pernyan. Your opponent is a Goliath dummy. What are the characteristics of a Goliath?”
A Goliath was a monster that grew to about three meters tall as an adult, its entire body covered in rock.
‘We drew a troublesome one.’
“Its body itself is hard as rock, making it difficult to inflict physical damage. And the destructive power from its massive frame cannot be ignored.”
“Correct.”
That wasn’t to say its magic resistance was low, either.
With a body that was essentially a mix of rock and metal, it had the endurance to withstand most spells.
“It has excellent physical and magical resistance. But it’s not unbeatable. If you’ve paid attention in class, you should be able to take it down with surprising ease.”
“The same goes for the other monsters. Each has its own traits and weaknesses, so keep that in mind as you fight.”
“For your information, all the dummies have been enhanced by the Cult. You’ll be in for a nasty surprise if you fight them thinking they’re just ordinary monsters.”
With that, the professor signaled for the spars to begin, and the motionless dummy’s eyes began to glow.
“Ruina, you know what to do, right?”
“I’ll hold it down. You aim for the back of its neck in the meantime.”
The Goliath’s weak spot was the back of its neck. It was where its hide was thinnest, and a proper strike could deal significant damage.
“No, I’ll hold it down. You aim for the weak spot.”
“That’s not…!”
At that moment, the dummy kicked off the ground.
Closing the distance in the blink of an eye, the Goliath’s fist swung at Pernyan.
—!
A deafening roar erupted with the impact.
But between him and the Goliath’s fist, a knight and a sword wreathed in aura had already appeared.
“How are you supposed to draw its attention like this?”
Without waiting for his reply, Ruina struck the Goliath’s arm.
Her sword clashed against its wrist with a clang. The Goliath seemed unfazed.
At that moment, heaps of sand and dirt began to scatter in all directions.
“Who said anything about drawing its attention?”
Magic circles were drawn endlessly. An absurd amount of rock, gravel, sand, and dirt poured out nonstop.
By the time the sand, more than enough to fill the stage, had buried the dummy…
“I was talking about holding the dummy down.”
Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for someone of Pernyan’s skill to catch such a fast dummy.
But on the limited stage of a sparring arena, it didn’t matter. He just had to mindlessly fill the whole thing up.
His magical skills might be mediocre, but having consumed all sorts of elixirs since he was young like a true merchant, he was confident in his mana reserves.
—!
——!
The mounds of earth, following Pernyan’s will, burrowed into the dummy’s entire body, seizing it and hardening.
The Goliath dummy struggled to break free, but the more it thrashed, the tighter and stronger the mire-like grip became.
And then, finally.
“…I didn’t know this method was possible.”
Buried in the earth, sand, gravel, and rock saturated with Pernyan’s mana, the dummy could no longer move, only creaking like a broken golem.
“It’s the surest and easiest way. Even someone like me can do it, as long as I have enough mana.”
All he had to do was pour in every last drop of his mana.
“…Isn’t that the hardest part?”
“Just finish it quickly.”
Ruina strode forward and stabbed the Goliath’s neck. A magic circle activated, and the dummy ceased to function.
“Pernyan and Ruina pair. Goliath dummy cleared in 53 seconds.”
The teaching assistant shouted the recorded time, a look of surprise on his face.
Naturally, they were in first place.
“…Already?”
“Is that even possible?”
“Whoa, that’s insane…!”
“How much mana does he have?”
“So that’s why he’s paired with Ruina…!”
Pernyan calmly accepted the passionate gazes and emotions that naturally poured in.
Honestly, with a little more time, he could have used a more conventional method, but he did it this way because…
“That was incredible. I thought I had seen many different sides of you since we became partners, but you always show me something new.”
However.
“…It is a bit of a shame, though. I wanted to fight it myself. But a win is a win, so it doesn’t matter.”
It was all to win the favor of Ruina Bercefe, who aimed to be the top student… huh?
“…A shame?”
Her reaction was rather lukewarm.