Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: A Fateful Decision
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(2)
3.
"It's fate."
"Huh?"
What the hell is this out of nowhere?
As Berje asked in bewilderment, Stella suddenly shot up from her seat. Her face flushed with excitement, she launched into a passionate rant.
"This is a blessing sent to me by the Holy Spirit. That boy—no, Ullan must become a monster hunter. It's his destiny!"
"Calm down and explain it step by step."
Stella recounted what had happened during the monster hunt. Once she finished explaining the whole story, Berje was genuinely surprised.
"He took down a 5-star monster in just 13 seconds?"
"Yes! And it was the Twin-Headed Dragon, infamous for being a tricky hunt! He sliced it apart with his axe like it was nothing!"
She was so impressed by Ullan's battle that she even grabbed a candlestick from the desk and swung it around like an axe in a reenactment.
"Bold judgment, guts, and innate strength to boot. If he picks up hunter skills on top of that, Ullan could become a legendary monster hunter representing the Empire!"
"I... see. I understand."
At the very least, it was clear that Stella held Ullan in extremely high regard. But at that moment, Ethan snorted derisively.
"Hmph, monster hunter my ass."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'm going to turn that kid into a soldier. He'll be a secret weapon to sweep away the southern desert heretics someday."
"No way! Even if you're my senior, I won't yield on this. Hunting is Ullan's true calling. The eastern front is seeing monster numbers swell even now!"
The two raised their voices.
It seemed Stella wasn't the only one with eyes on Ullan. Berje rubbed his throbbing temples with his fingers.
"...Both of you, calm down. We haven't heard the final opinion yet."
The moment he finished speaking,
all eyes turned to one person.
It was Deplin Chernio, acting supervisor for the Mana Detection exam and Dean of the Magic Department.
Meeting the onslaught of gazes,
Deplin smiled brightly.
"He has tremendous potential."
"Potential? What kind specifically?"
"Well..."
She trailed off for a moment.
The greatest potential, of course, was his dual mana reservoirs.
'But it's best kept secret.'
Even now, there were already two vultures circling Ullan. If word got out about the dual mana reservoirs?
The vultures would multiply uncontrollably.
It would do Deplin no good at all.
So, buy time for now.
At least until she achieved her research goals.
"It's hard to say for sure yet, but just from the exam, he holds up even compared to Arpen's magic genius."
"Arpen's magic genius..."
"You mean Dilia Arpen? I heard she got in on a special recommendation."
"Exactly. She's my student."
Deplin's nose rose a bit higher.
Ignoring that, Berje summarized the supervisors' opinions.
"Remarkable. A talent showing considerable aptitude in both combat and magic."
The corners of his wrinkled mouth twitched upward.
His eyes gleamed with interest.
"From the Academy's perspective, it's like a ripe pumpkin rolling right in on the vine..."
Berje trailed off, furrowing his brow.
He looked troubled. Noticing this, Ethan asked cautiously.
"Is something worrying you?"
"Yes. But it's not an Academy issue. More precisely, it's an Empire-related problem."
Berje answered immediately,
as if he'd been waiting for the question.
"Everyone here is connected to the Empire, so I'll be frank. But first..."
"I've already cast Silence Magic."
"Thanks. Then straight to it."
With the last issue resolved, Berje didn't hesitate to reveal his thoughts.
"You all probably know that recently, the great nobles have been pushing to expand territory."
All three nodded.
It was common knowledge for anyone tied to the military or nobility.
"But the military doesn't welcome it. The Empire hasn't stabilized internally enough for war."
The western war where Berje himself had fought had only ended 5 years ago. Starting another now was premature.
The moment he finished,
Ethan's face twisted in anger.
"That's why those central bastards are no good. Do they think war is child's play? They'd wise up if they rolled in the mud on the front lines like dogs."
"Lower your voice! What if someone hears?"
"What's there to fear with Silence Magic?"
"Still!"
Stella glanced around nervously.
It was that sensitive a topic.
Berje and Deplin didn't bother stopping him. They shared the sentiment.
"So instead of force, they're exploring peaceful expansion. Anything to avoid war."
"An ideal approach."
"Indeed. And there's a possibility now. Thanks to this entrance exam's top scorer, Ullan."
Why does Ullan come up here?
Curiosity flickered in their eyes.
Berje pulled a stack of documents from his drawer and placed them on the desk. Confidential files stamped by the Imperial Intelligence Bureau.
"This is the Intelligence Bureau's report on the border barbarians this year. According to it, Ullan is the successor of the 'Bator Tribe' beyond the northern snow mountains on the plains."
The Bator Tribe was quite large for border barbarians. Gathering all scattered across the plains numbered over 10,000.
The second son of the chief leading such a tribe.
That was Ullan's status.
"Ethan, you'd know this. How border barbarians choose their next chief."
Ethan had fought the eastern jungle barbarians for 3 years. He knew them better than anyone.
"Yes. Barbarians submit to the strong. The chief must be a warrior who passes the warrior's trial."
"Then, in your view, what's the chance Ullan becomes next chief?"
"I don't know how strong the ones beyond the snow mountains are, but if they're like the eastern jungle tribes, 100%."
His answer carried firm conviction.
The moment he spoke, Deplin clapped her hands sharply. A sharp smack echoed.
"Ah, now I get it."
Drawing all eyes,
Deplin smiled like a crescent moon.
"So Dean Erkazan's goal is to make Ullan feel friendly toward the Empire?"
"Exactly. And the real aim is to fully bring him to our side."
Ullan, successor of the sizable Bator Tribe in the north.
If the likely next chief sided with the Empire, they might peacefully incorporate the plains barbarians.
That was Berje's thinking.
"Worth trying."
"At least the plains beyond the snow mountains could expand without war."
Ethan and Stella answered in turn.
Deplin pondered briefly, then nodded in agreement.
"Then it's decided."
Unanimous. Berje grinned.
A satisfied smile.
"From now on, accommodate Ullan as much as possible. While he's at the Academy, let him experience the Empire's fine culture and greatness."
Win Ullan to the Empire's side and swallow the northern border without war.
A plan known only to the four was born.
"And if foreign professors act suspiciously or eye him, report to me immediately. I'll handle it."
"Yes, sir."
The meeting ended with their replies.
On the day the Academy's acceptances were announced,
Ullan gained solid backers. Secret ones the man himself didn't know about.
4.
The next dawn.
Ullan woke and opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was an unfamiliar ceiling. Then the bed, chair, and desk came into view. Memories of yesterday flooded back.
'Right, I got assigned a dorm.'
After the acceptance announcement yesterday,
dorm assignments followed immediately.
Dorms were usually two per room, but the top 10 scorers got singles.
Top scorer Ullan included.
One question lingered, though.
"Why the hell am I sleeping on the floor?"
Ullan had woken on the room floor.
A plush-blanketed bed sat right beside him. Why sleep here instead?
As he looked around,
something caught his eye. A booklet wide open on the desk.
"That..."
After entering the dorm yesterday,
he'd received it from the dorm supervisor. Arsen Academy basics and dorm rules.
The moment he saw it,
yesterday's memory resurfaced.
'Right, while reading the booklet...'
Sudden sleepiness hit, and he collapsed.
Apparently passed out right there. Recalling that, Ullan sat at the desk to review.
"Arsen Academy's course is 4 years."
Each year distinguished by necktie color.
First-years red, second-years blue, third-years purple, fourth-years black.
"Dorms change by year too."
Arsen had four dorms by year and gender.
Named after seasons: first-years in Spring Hall, fourth-years in Winter Hall, etc.
"Entrance ceremony tomorrow morning. Then class assignments, next..."
As he recalled step by step,
a sudden headache throbbed. Sharp pain. Frowning, Ullan remembered the real reason he'd fallen asleep.
Ajuh had once said:
Everyone has a limit to knowledge intake at once. Ullan's was lower than most.
Remembering that,
Ullan eyed the booklet.
It was thick. Likely packed with info matching its size.
But he'd ignored Ajuh's advice and tried cramming it all. Brain overload led to blackout.
Realizing yesterday's truth,
Ullan nodded solemnly.
"No helping it."
Review the booklet slowly over time.
Can't faint again.
One page a day would do.
Decision made, he lay back on the floor.
Gazing at the room, his chest felt stuffy for some reason.
Soon he knew why.
"Too cramped."
Fine for normal students.
But for plains-raised Ullan, way too small. Especially at 2 meters tall.
"Maybe run a lap outside."
Fresh air should clear the stuffiness. Decided, Ullan headed out—but stopped at the door.
【Spring Hall—Notice】
【Main gate unavailable now.】
【No entry/exit: 22:00~07:00】
【Unauthorized outing: Penalty points.】
Notice: No outings.
Back gate and side door same.
One spot without warning: the room window.
"Window's fine, then."
If not, it'd have a notice too.
Simple logic.
Done, Ullan flung the window open. Then leaped straight down to the 5th floor below.