CHAPTER 152: WHAT BEGINS IN ALTRIARK [2]

And also that simply keeping him safe wasn’t enough.

The delay for first-years was probably because he needed time to convince the other leadership of the Academy.

Even the Chancellor couldn’t make all decisions unilaterally.

"Here, take this."

At Gerhard’s nod, his servants handed over a stack of documents.

"What is this...?"

"Information about student deployment. It details how many, where, and how they’ll be deployed."

Gerhard turned to the first page. The four students followed suit.

"As you might have guessed, qualification means being in the top 10."

These were spirit creatures, after all. It was clear that mediocre students wouldn’t even dare present their nameplates.

"First and second years are grouped together, and third and fourth years are grouped together. The Academy evaluates their levels differently."

First and second years would head to the less dangerous Altriark.

Conversely, third and fourth years would go to Count Molten’s territory.

The still sturdy barrier of the Margrave’s house versus Count Molten’s territory, where they were barely holding on with refugee soldiers from two collapsed territories.

Although imperial reinforcements were already there maintaining order, it was obvious to anyone which location was more dangerous—the one with barriers or without.

"First and second years will move together under the guidance of Knights Faculty’s Professor Grad Xant and Magic Faculty’s Rosalia Wienderk."

And.

"Departure is exactly three days from now."

There were other specific schedules and details, but these were the most important.

"Any questions?"

"Is this a lie?"

The red-haired elf tilted her head.

Gerhard’s eye twitched.

"A lie?"

"Didn’t you say a decision hasn’t been made for first-years yet? So how is there already a plan? Getting something that can’t be obtained is lying."

But soon she smiled wryly.

"Living cooped up in the forest has left you knowing one thing but not the other."

"Pardon?"

"Listen carefully, Ariadne. The Chancellor’s intention is clear. That’s all that matters."

The Academy isn’t a dictatorship? The Academy has decision-making bodies?

What does it matter? Even all the Academy’s leadership combined is no match for the Chancellor alone.

"That’s what an Arch Mage is. When the Chancellor expresses an opinion, it’s not an opinion but an order. Following proper procedures is merely for show. To demonstrate his respect for imperial laws."

"Isn’t that completely chaotic?"

"The Empire has always been a class society."

"...Then how did you get this plan? It should still be confidential, no matter what."

"I got it from the Chancellor."

"What?"

It wasn’t directly received but merely passed on, but that didn’t matter.

"Ariadne, in this world, money can get you anything."

"Are you saying the Chancellor sold it for money?"

"The Chancellor doesn’t move for petty cash."

"...Then?"

"House Goldenheim is the Academy’s biggest sponsor."

"Ah..."

Ariadne, having realized the truth, stared blankly at Gerhard.

Seeing her expression, Luina shook her head. Her hand was already reaching for chocolate.

==

"Can you see this?"

Gerhard was newly moved as he looked at the golden medal Luina was waving in front of him and her exhilarated expression.

Seeing how she stayed behind in this now-empty private room just to show this off to him, his efforts hadn’t been in vain.

’Now there’s truly no future where she becomes Aint’s enemy and falls, right?’

You never know. The demons’ schemes and attempts to divide might begin again at any time.

But the trust built since the first semester wouldn’t break easily.

That was enough.

That’s why Gerhard’s face wore such a genuinely human smile.

"Ah."

Luina stared at Gerhard blankly for a moment.

"What’s wrong?"

"No, it’s nothing. So, this is..."

"I know. It’s the championship medal from the mounted lance competition, received directly from the Emperor."

The pure gold medal and decoration featured an eagle, the symbol of the Schwaben imperial family.

"That’s right! I can’t believe I really received this...! It’s all thanks to you!"

"Yes, congratulations. I didn’t expect you would defeat Rob Kaelin and win the championship."

"Thank you so much. Without you, I would never have gotten this in my second year."

Luina nodded vigorously.

But her specific mention of "second year" suggested she had confidence she would have achieved it eventually, even without Gerhard.

’Well, that makes sense.’

If a future Royal Knight couldn’t win a championship medal, demons could never be considered worthy adversaries of the Empire.

"I didn’t expect you’d show off to me like this, though."

"I promised, didn’t I?"

Promise?

Ah, yes. To win no matter what. To protect my money.

"So you won?"

"A knight doesn’t break promises."

Luina’s expression became solemn.

"I’m starting to like knights today. Should I have become a knight instead of a wizard?"

Gerhard chuckled and reached into his pocket.

"Since you kept your promise, there should be a reward."

"I didn’t do it for a reward. Besides, just winning itself is..."

He popped something into Luina’s mouth as she was refusing. She paused at the extreme cold and sweetness spreading in her mouth.

"...What is this?"

"Chocolate frozen with ice crystals, produced in extremely limited quantities for the royal family and high nobles of the northern Kingdom of Grunad. They say it doesn’t melt for a month even at room temperature."

"...It’s exquisite."

"Exquisitely expensive. But you earned it. As promised, I’ll calculate your contribution and deduct that amount from your debt."

Gerhard handed her an elegant box containing the ice crystal chocolates.

"Thank you. I won’t forget this kindness."

"Yes, be sure to remember it for the rest of your life."

"Do you know what this is? It’s a sword I selected from the Academy’s storage, with sharpness comparable to my family’s finest treasured swords..."

Luina went on talking about the sword she received as a championship prize and the elixir bestowed by the Emperor before finally leaving.

’Was Luina always this talkative?’

Ah.

Come to think of it, I forgot to ask Luina to find the arrangement left by the first Emperor.

’It probably doesn’t matter much.’

Even in the original history, Aint didn’t obtain it in his first year anyway.

Moreover, although it wouldn’t be the same, he planned to lend him special-grade weapons and armor made by the Golden Turtle Company.

"Wow, I didn’t know the young master had become this close with Luina Berchef."

Gert, who had been waiting outside, entered the private room with a teasing smile.

"She’s a partner."

"It didn’t look like just a partnership to me? Waiting outside, I was getting cavities..."

"You’re also applying for deployment."

"Do I have any say in this?"

"It’s amusing that you think you would."

It’s human duty to give value for money received.

"Tell Neria too."

"Well, if the young master says jump, I jump. Actually, I was curious anyway. Spirit creatures! Beings that haven’t appeared for a thousand years!"

"Nothing to be excited about. This is just the beginning."

"That’s why we should go. Whether you’ve experienced spirit creatures or not will make a huge difference."

"True."

By the way, what happens to Gert in the original history?

After briefly pondering, Gerhard realized it was a pointless concern.

’He probably lived well. My father, who already accepted a great loss by abandoning me, wouldn’t abandon Gert and Neria.’

"Then I’ll be going now."

"See you later."

After sending Gert away, Gerhard took out a pen and paper. He wrote "Altriark" and "Spirit Creatures" on it.

"...Since potions and equipment will be supported from across the Empire, there’s no profit in selling. So instead of selling, I’ll buy."

"Unlike demons, spirit creatures leave corpses, so I’ll collect all of them, including monsters..."

"Since most people will consider spirit creature corpses as garbage due to their toxic energy, I’ll announce that I’m disposing of waste and instead take everything..."

War means profit.

Gerhard began devising every possible means to make money.