Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: A Special Recommendation
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Of course, I know one of the Dark Cult's Minor Lords.
Evan Helvin.
The one who was the direct cause of the disaster High Priest Juan orchestrated at the training retreat.
To be honest, I hadn't been too worried about Evan's identity.
At most, he was a potential threat.
Of course, a Minor Lord is a dangerous existence.
But it was safe to assume that no ordinary event would cause Evan to awaken.
I recalled the words Juan had eagerly spouted.
- Evan Helvin is different from ordinary cultists. A normal cultist must break a medium to recover their sealed memories, but a Minor Lord awakens through death.
- And you have granted him the most horrific death imaginable. Haha! Evan Helvin will be reborn as the greatest of Minor Lords!
In other words, death was the indispensable key for Evan to awaken as a Minor Lord…
And the potential he would have as a Minor Lord depended on the kind of death he experienced.
I had no intention of running around telling people about Evan's identity.
At least, not until a moment ago…
‘Hmm…’
I thought as I looked at Alderson.
Despite this mage's candid attitude and likable demeanor, I didn't fully trust him.
That meant I couldn't just blurt out everything about Evan.
Besides, how would I explain knowing Evan's identity, and what would I even say to Evan, who didn't know he was a Minor Lord himself?
Most importantly, I didn't know why Leone was looking for a Minor Lord.
‘Ugh…’
There were too many things to consider, and my head was starting to throb.
This kind of deep thought and deliberation didn't suit my temperament, and I felt a flicker of annoyance.
As if to clear my head, I changed the subject.
“Why did Leone die?”
“After graduating from the academy, she immediately joined Heros. One day, she and Delac were assigned an S-rank mission. It was certainly a difficult one, but no one was worried, given how formidable the two of them were. However… only Delac returned.”
“…”
A Minor Lord awakens through death.
If Leone died on that mission, did she immediately awaken as a Minor Lord and attack the Iron-Blooded Duke? And in the end, did the Iron-Blooded Duke have to kill her again with his own hands?
Of course, this was all just my speculation.
Besides, unlike Evan, Leone knew her identity perfectly well.
‘It must be one of two things.’
Either Leone was just a special case, as Alderson had repeatedly said…
Or she had already died once before.
Alderson spoke in a lowered tone.
“Delac would know the most about Leone. They were in the same year and were quite close at the academy. From here on is my own conjecture, but I believe Leone told Delac more than she told me.”
“The Family Head has always been unusually knowledgeable about the cult.”
To become the greatest demon hunter, simply being strong isn't enough.
You must have precise information about your prey.
If the Iron-Blooded Duke had earned Leone's favor and obtained a wealth of key information about the cult from her…
It would explain why he had achieved so much in his crusade against them.
I subtly changed the topic.
“If I were to secure a Minor Lord and bring them here, what could you do for me, Headmaster?”
“Is that an answer to my muttering just now?”
Alderson let out a hollow laugh.
He seemed to be treating my words as a joke.
“I’m not underestimating your skills, but rooting out cultists is a difficult task even for a seasoned inquisitor. A Minor Lord is an existence shrouded in more mystery than even a High Priest, let alone a common cultist. I have no intention of dismissing your youthful vigor, but I advise you not to waste your time.”
His tone wasn't dismissive, but more like he was patiently reasoning with a reckless youth.
Honestly, that was a normal reaction, so I wasn't offended.
Regardless, I felt the need to reveal a little about myself.
“Headmaster, for my age, I have had quite a few entanglements with the cult. I have already dealt with several cultists with my own hands, and—”
I paused for a moment before continuing.
“—recently, I even killed a High Priest.”
“…”
The smile vanished from Alderson’s face.
“…Hah.”
His gaze, now turned cold, fell upon me.
“Do you understand what you are saying right now?”
I knew he wouldn't believe me easily.
If I were him, I would also be suspicious if some kid claimed to have killed a High Priest.
“I am a Bednicker.”
“What?”
“I hold great respect for the achievements of the Family Head. This means I am not foolish enough to lie about matters concerning the cult.”
“…”
“If you still don't believe me, you are welcome to ask the Family Head yourself later.”
“…Hmm.”
Alderson fell silent.
He clearly couldn't believe my words, but my calm demeanor made him second-guess himself.
Especially since I had brought up the Iron-Blooded Duke.
Even so, it was an incredible story, so eliciting this much of a reaction was an achievement in itself.
After a moment of hesitation, Alderson spoke.
“Indeed… you did seem quite knowledgeable about the cult, so it would be difficult to dismiss your claim outright. We were talking about a reward. Let me ask you instead. What is it that you desire from me?”
I appreciated how quickly he got to the point.
I stated my business immediately.
“I’m actually looking for someone in this academy.”
“Who might that be?”
“I don't know their name. But I was told they know a lot about the demonic realm.”
“Hmm.”
Alderson furrowed his brow and said.
“There are quite a few places on this vast continent called demonic realms. Which one are you looking for?”
“Spirit Mountain.”
I uttered the name, which felt unsettling just by saying it.
For some reason, in my world, it felt as though speaking this word was a sin of some kind.
“…”
Alderson’s expression hardened slightly.
‘He knows about Spirit Mountain.’
I had expected as much from one of the Seven-Colored Great Mages.
“I think I know who you’re looking for… but meeting him will be quite difficult.”
“Is there a reason?”
“The person you’re looking for is likely Alek, a professor of historical geography. He generally doesn't show his face.”
So he was a professor after all.
“What if I go find him myself…”
“I wouldn’t recommend it. You’ll just be turned away at the door.”
“Sounds like he has a rather eccentric personality.”
“Not exactly. To be precise… he is not in his right mind at the moment.”
“…?”
Is there some story behind this?
I asked again.
“Then is there no way to meet him at all?”
“There is one way. You can attend his class. Professor Alek holds a class twice a month.”
“Hmm… that’s not very often. It must be an unpopular subject.”
Alderson smiled bitterly.
“You’re not wrong… but the infrequency of his classes isn’t just for that reason. Professor Alek is currently undergoing rehabilitation.”
“Rehabilitation?”
“You can judge for yourself when you meet him. In any case, getting into the historical geography class will not be easy.”
“Is there some kind of test I have to take?”
If so, it wouldn't be a big deal.
I had the forgotten Martial God on my side.
But Alderson shook his head.
“The level of the historical geography class is exceptionally high. Because of that, you must earn credits from both the history and geography departments separately before you can even apply.”
“How long does it take to earn those credits?”
“Half a year, on average.”
“But I have to leave this place in three months…”
“Indeed.”
I said bluntly.
“Can't you do something with your authority as headmaster?”
“It’s not impossible.”
Alderson took something from his pocket and handed it to me.
I looked at it and saw a badge engraved with a book and a tree.
“This is a student ID for this academy. However, it is not an ordinary one. It is engraved with the [Book] and the [Tree], which signify a special student.”
“A special student?”
Alderson nodded and said.
“I will recommend you as a special student.”
“Oh…”
“Do you know what a special student is?”
“No.”
“…A special student at Kartel Academy is not merely someone whose tuition is waived. They are provided with a room in the Purple Hall, the highest-grade dormitory, and can also purchase items from the academy's internal shops free of charge. But the greatest privilege is the ability to attend any class they wish without any prerequisites.”
“Aha.”
I understood.
“Of course, that is all I can do for you. The authority of professors at Kartel Academy is quite strong. They can expel any student from their class at their discretion, even one they have already accepted.”
“Hmm…”
“Alek is a man of fastidious character, so you must be careful not to get on his bad side.”
I nodded my head.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“There’s no need for thanks. I will be on my way to confirm the facts with the Iron-Blooded Duke. If even one thing you said turns out to be false…”
“That won't happen, but if it does, I will gladly accept my punishment.”
I bowed my head to Alderson.
“It was a pleasure, Headmaster. I should get going now.”
“There’s still the fifth floor left. Do you not intend to challenge it?”
“Is there anything for clearing it?”
“You are given the right to choose another treasure.”
I shook my head.
“Then I’m fine. Ah, I still haven't picked my reward for the fourth floor.”
“Hmm. Take your time choosing. And…”
For some reason, Alderson wore a forced smile.
“…Please. Take. Good. Care. Of. The. Scissors.”
“Yes, sir…”
“If you don't know how to use them, or if you find possessing them to be a burden, feel free to tell me anytime.”
“I will.”
I had no intention of doing so anytime soon, but I said it anyway.
In any case, Alderson left, and I looked around again.
‘Now, what should I choose?’
There wasn't anything I particularly needed.
And it felt wrong to summon the Martial God again.
I was thinking of just grabbing that crimson jade I saw earlier, but then…
[That one looks promising.]
Surprisingly, the Martial God spoke first.
Pleased, I asked back.
‘Which one are you talking about?’
[That mask.]
“Hmm…?”
What kind of mask was this?
It wasn't an extravagant design; it was mostly white with a single horn.
‘It looks just like a ghost.’
[It is a mask of the Linchar tribe.]
‘The Linchar tribe?’
[They are a minority tribe from the eastern grasslands. Their numbers are small, but they have a long history and know all sorts of creative spells. The red pattern engraved on the mask is a unique symbol of the Linchar tribe.]
‘Oh…’
I looked at the mask and asked.
‘What kind of ability does this mask have?’
[The power of transformation.]
‘Transformation… as in, it can change my appearance?’
[That is correct.]
This was more useful than I thought.
At least, it seemed much better than any of the other armors or weapons.
‘Alright.’
This is the one.
I tucked the Linchar tribe's mask into my clothes.
* * *
When I stepped out of the tower, a cool night breeze greeted me.
‘The weather has warmed up a lot.’
It seemed the dreadful winter was finally over.
So much had happened this winter. Now that the weather was getting warmer, I hoped for a period of only good things…
But judging by the way things were going, that didn't seem likely.
“You’ve returned.”
“Keian?”
Keian was standing under a streetlight in front of the tower.
“Were you waiting for me?”
“I was.”
“I’m sorry about that… you must have been bored.”
Keian smiled softly at my words.
“Not at all. It has been a long time since I was at the academy, so it was a pleasant diversion.”
“I see.”
“Let us head to the dormitory first. Your luggage has all been moved, and I have also prepared a change of clothes for you.”
I made a reluctant face.
“A change of clothes… is it for that welcoming party or whatever?”
“So you are aware. Yes, that is correct.”
“Can’t I just skip it? I’m a little tired.”
I was actually in decent condition, but I detested going to such noisy places, so I made an excuse.
However, Keian shook his head with a somewhat firm expression.
“The welcoming party serves as an entrance ceremony for the transfer students. If you do not attend, your admission to the academy will not be recognized.”
“Hmm…”
“There won't be many people. I heard it will only be the members of the student council and a few professors.”
Well, that was a relief.
“By the way, which subject do you wish to pursue, young master?”
“History, for now.”
“That is unexpected. I was certain you would aim for martial studies.”
“I doubt the professors here can teach better than the family’s Grand Master Teachers. The academy specializes in theory, so that’s what I should learn.”
“I see.”
Although I had missed more than half of the training retreat, the teachings of the Grand Master Teachers had been impressive.
The lessons from the Hunting Master Teacher and the Survival Master Teacher, in particular, would likely be quite helpful in the impending battles against the cult.
Walking alongside Keian, I said.
“By the way, this tower was interesting.”
“In what way?”
“Inside, there was a ranking of all the climbers. I saw the Family Head’s name, and I also saw a name, Kaella.”
Keian smiled faintly and said.
“That child was also a student at the academy.”
“Did she graduate?”
“She did not. She had a free-spirited personality to begin with, so it was a miracle she even lasted two years.”
“Is that so.”
I looked at Keian and asked suddenly.
“Do you know Leone?”
“…”
Keian showed no reaction.
But I sensed awkwardness in his failure to reply immediately.
In the flow of the conversation, if he didn't know her, it would have been natural to deny it right away.
Perhaps Keian noticed this as well.
The old man soon let out a dry chuckle.
“You truly are an opponent one cannot let their guard down against, my lord.”
“You flatter me.”
Keian gazed into the distance and said.
“I do not know the details… but I can tell you one thing. Without her, the Family Head would have been a completely different person.”
A statement with many possible meanings.
Was it a positive meaning, or a negative one?
I wasn't sure, but I asked.
“Were they, by any chance, lovers?”
Keian let out a low laugh at my words.
“The Family Head was twelve years old at the time.”
“Twelve-year-olds can fall in love, too.”
“You are not wrong. In fact, the Family Head was extremely popular in his youth.”
It was a blatant change of subject, but I decided to play along.
“I see. For reference, what do you think of me?”
“It does not seem like you have any experience with romance.”
“Why would you say something so harsh?”
“My apologies.”
I nodded and said.
“You shouldn’t say things like that so casually, even if they’re true.”
“Do you have no interest in romance? The academy is full of outstanding talents who are skilled in both academics and martial arts. As I understand it, there are no school rules prohibiting relationships between men and women.”
“I’m a bit busy.”
“You certainly do seem to be.”
“Still, don't you think someone might find my busy self attractive?”
“It does not seem like you have any experience with romance.”
“…”
Sometimes, hearing the same thing twice can really cut to the bone, and this was one of those times.
“…You must have been quite popular.”
Keian simply smiled faintly at my words without replying. It was a dandy smile, even to another man’s eyes.
Wow… how annoying.