Chapter 182

(6)

11.

“Wow, I’m really surprised!”

The silver-haired girl approached with a skip.

Fertisha’s rabbit-like red eyes grew wide, and her lips moved as she fixed her gaze on Ulan and Noa.

“Who would have thought we’d meet like this?”

“H-Haha, right?”

Noa chuckled awkwardly.

Probably, there wasn’t much intent behind it. Just a reaction to meeting in such a significant match.

“Well, since it’s turned out this way, let’s fight fairly regardless of who wins or loses.”

“Got it. I’ll do my best.”

That was Ulan’s last response.

The short conversation came to an end. After taking care of her business, Fertisha turned on her heel with a bright smile.

As I watched her walk back to the second class, Noa suddenly muttered under her breath.

“Not that it’s truly fair, though.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“About Fertisha.”

After letting out a small sigh, Noa revealed a fact only she knew.

“Since the start of the sports festival, she’s been using spirits non-stop.”

“What? Is that really true?”

“Yeah, I swear.”

Seeing Ulan’s shocked expression, Noa nodded confidently.

Just like she mentioned, Fertisha had been using Spirit Art in all the matches up to now.

‘Thanks to that…’

Class 2, where Fertisha belonged, managed to reach the finals even without particularly outstanding athletic talent.

Yet, the reason they hadn’t been caught was that spirits do not react to magic power.

‘Spirits only react to spiritual energy.’

Pure power of the soul, spiritual energy.

At this moment, only Fertisha could use this third form of energy. It was an unknown force that magic power detection devices couldn’t sense.

Then, Ulan tilted his head.

“But how did you know that?”

“Huh?”

“Unless you’re a spirit user too, it should be impossible to even feel the spirits’ presence.”

Ulan’s statement was indeed true.

Those unrelated to spirits couldn’t see or feel them, and even if they could observe the flow of magic, they wouldn’t be able to notice.

On the other hand, Noa was different.

“Ah, I have a special ability.”

“A special ability?”

“It’s the ‘system’ ability I mentioned while explaining about players before.”

A unique ability that only Noa possessed.

She finished her answer and turned her gaze to the screen visible only to her. There it documented proof that Fertisha had summoned spirits.

[Notification]

*The power of the spirits has been detected.

―Earth Spirit Art: [Weak Quake]

―Wind Spirit Art: [Gale]

―Light Spirit Art: [Flash]

*Number of activated spirits: 31

*Caster: 【Fertisha Eve Al Rubens】

Shaking the ground to disrupt an opponent’s balance or unleashing fierce winds at them, and so on.

She truly commanded the spirits in diverse ways to secure victory in her matches.

‘Moreover, the number of activated spirits…’

It’s quite a lot.

This meant that she could simultaneously activate thirty-one spirit arts.

‘She must be a Named, like Delia, in terms of power.’

If Delia is favored by mana, Fertisha is favored by spirits. She was indeed a unique entity when it came to Spirit Art.

“But it wasn’t intentional, I guess.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know how naive Fertisha was back in the day?”

Hearing that rang true.

Ulan, nodding silently, recalled memories from his past.

When he first met Fertisha in the ruins of the fallen Rubens Empire, she was someone devoid of any common sense whatsoever.

“I can’t believe someone more clueless than a walking muscle mass exists.”

That’s what Laurea said after having a conversation with her; Fertisha completely lacked basic knowledge.

But she was slightly different from Ulan.

While Ulan had virtually no aptitude for learning, Fertisha quickly absorbed knowledge like a sponge after that.

‘Anyway, she was like a kid back then.’

A child who had yet to experience the world.

A person who retained the purity of a primordial soul. That was the first impression Ulan had of Fertisha.

“So, she might not have realized that using spirits in the sports festival was cheating.”

It was a reasonable deduction.

Above all, Spirit Art was a power Fertisha had naturally used since birth.

In other words, for her, using Spirit Art was as reflexive as a normal person moving their arms and legs.

“That does sound plausible.”

Ulan nodded quietly.

It was a sign that he agreed with Noa.

Meanwhile, having completed her deduction, Noa suddenly sighed with a worried expression.

“Tomorrow’s match won’t be easy.”

The most powerful spirit user, Fertisha.

Ulan would have to face such an opponent without any aura or magic, relying solely on his physical capabilities.

Naturally, it would be a heavy burden.

In contrast, Ulan’s response was nonchalant.

“It’s fine, so don’t worry.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I have a plan.”

“…That just makes me more anxious.”

Noa’s face turned awkward.

From past experiences, Ulan’s plans were often beyond common sense.

As she couldn’t shake off her ominous feeling, the second day of the sports festival came to an end.

12.

And that night.

A figure entered the Military Department’s Dean’s Office.

Seoric Al Gorphant, a Marquis who became an honorary professor at the Academy from the second semester.

“Dean.”

Upon entering the room and spotting Berge, Seoric immediately stated his purpose.

“I received a message from Lord Lapis.”

The “Wild Sword” from the East, Rimer Yen Lapis.

The Imperial Master involved in the coup alongside Crown Prince Chartang. In response, Berge’s face turned stiff as stone.

“What did he say?”

“The situation is going smoothly, and everything should wrap up by tomorrow night at the latest.”

“What? Tomorrow night?”

“Yes, they say it might even be finished before sunset.”

Berge’s eyes widened considerably.

As if genuinely shocked.

“That’s astonishingly fast.”

“Well, it’s a fight we were never going to lose anyway.”

Before the coup took place.

Chartang had seized control of the military and the Information Agency.

He also secured loyalty pledges from more than half of the grand nobility, and even the magic tower, which could be seen as the core of the mages, backed him.

Victory was a certainty.

“Like Ulan from the sports festival.”

“Hmm, that guy.”

As soon as Ulan’s name was mentioned…

Berge let out a low groan. He grimaced as if he had a headache.

Meanwhile, seeing his reaction, Seoric tilted his head in confusion.

“Was there some problem?”

“Well, you see….”

Since he had briefly left the Academy, Berge summarized what had transpired in the sports festival for Seoric, including the fact that there had been over thirty injuries during tug-of-war and combat swimming.

However, Seoric’s reaction was lukewarm.

“Thirty isn’t too many, all things considered.”

“What? Not many?”

“Isn’t that less than during the entrance ceremony?”

“That’s….”

Of course, it was less than that time.

Most injuries were minor bruises, and compared to the entrance ceremony, they were negligible.

So, Berge stayed silent.

But then, he seemed to suddenly remember something and let out another sigh.

“Even if what you said is right, the real serious issue is something else.”

“What serious issue?”

“The finals tomorrow.”

Berge’s expression grew serious.

In contrast, Seoric tilted his head, seeming not to understand why that would be a problem.

“It’s specifically Ulan’s opponent that’s the issue.”

“Who’s the opponent?”

“Check this out.”

What he handed over was the matchup chart for the finals.

From this, they could see that Class 3, where Ulan was, was to face Class 2.

While looking at the list of players from Class 2, Seoric couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

“Th-this is…!”

“Looks like you’ve just realized.”

Berge sighed repeatedly.

He muttered with a somber tone while glancing at the matchup chart in Seoric’s hand.

“Fertisha, the princess, will be in Class 2, which is set to face Ulan in the finals.”

The moment his somber remark hung in the air,

Silence engulfed the room.

Moments later, Seoric muttered with a stiff face, just like Berge.

“If the princess gets hurt….”

“His Majesty won’t sit still.”

Shadows clouded Seoric’s expression.

Finally understanding what Berge meant by the “real issue.”

“If only the coup had finished a day earlier, we wouldn’t have to worry about all this.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Well, once the coup is over, His Majesty will bring the princess back to the Imperial Castle.”

Berge replied as if it were the most obvious thing. In contrast, Seoric scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“Uh, that probably won’t happen.”

“Huh? What do you mean it won’t?”

“I was told His Majesty doesn’t plan to call the princess back to the castle just yet.”

“What? Why not?!”

“I didn’t hear the exact reason, but I definitely heard he plans to call her only after officially becoming Emperor.”

Berge’s face crumpled immediately.

Of course. He had assumed that once the coup was wrapped up, she would smoothly return to the castle.

But if she would remain at the Academy, like always, they would need to keep a close eye on her just as they had been doing.

“Ugh, why is this happening….”

Just thinking about the finals tomorrow was already giving him a headache, and with this new issue added to it, he felt even more overwhelmed.

“By the way, Dean.”

“…What is it?”

“What about Ulan’s punishment? We need to have an answer after the sports festival.”

“Normally we would summon a disciplinary committee, but there’s really no need for that this time.”

Ulan had reached a point where punishment held no meaning for him.

If he wins the sports festival, he would be granted various rewards, including a privilege called “Exemption Right.”

“So, after the awards ceremony, just inform him of a punishment below level 2. Then, he can use the Exemption Right to nullify it.”

“Yes, I’ll convey that.”

Seoric slightly bowed his head.

Soon the midnight conversation came to a close, and the next day,

The morning of the finals dawned.

13.

Wednesday morning.

Although it was still early morning, Ivella hurriedly got ready to head out.

Today was the day of the sports festival finals.

So she wanted to stretch a bit beforehand. Moreover, she wanted to spend as much time as possible with Ulan, who would be arriving at the grand stadium early.

“Alright, let’s do our best today.”

She slapped her cheeks to wake herself up.

Ivella stepped out of the dormitory towards the grand stadium. Well, that was the plan.

But then she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

“Huh?”

She spotted a girl leaving the dormitory at a similar time. A very familiar face to Ivella.

“Silfi?”

“Ah! I-Ivella?”

Silfi’s eyes widened in surprise.

Meanwhile, Ivella, noticing Silfi, quickly walked over to her.

“Are you heading to the stadium?”

“Ah, um, well….”

“Then let’s go together. I was just a bit bored.”

Ivella smiled, pleased with the idea.

However, Silfi’s reaction was different.

Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, she hesitated for a moment before pushing Ivella’s hand away from her arm.

“I-I’m not going to the stadium.”

“Huh? Then where?”

“I’m going to stop by the infirmary.”

“What? The infirmary?”

“Actually, I haven’t been feeling very well since last night, so I’m going to get some medicine.”

After Silfi’s detailed explanation,

Ivella asked with concern, “Really? How bad is it?”

“It’s not serious enough for you to worry.”

“But…”

“I’ll be fine after taking some medicine and resting.”

Silfi waved her hand dismissively, but Ivella continued to look at her with worry.

“Should I go with you?”

“No, I can go alone.”

“Are you really okay?”

“Yeah. It’s really nothing to worry about.”

After several refusals, Silfi finally managed to shake Ivella off.

“Alright. Then be careful and come back soon.”

“Yeah, I’ll hurry back so I’m not late.”

Silfi awkwardly smiled and waved goodbye.

Finally, once Ivella completely disappeared from sight, Silfi let out a deep sigh.

“Phew.”

Moments later, she turned on her heel.

However, instead of heading to the Military Department’s infirmary, she walked towards the Academy’s northern gate. The exact opposite direction of where the infirmary was located.

How much time had passed?

Once Silfi arrived close to her destination, she placed her hand on the Academy’s outer wall.

Then, something amazing happened.

Rumble! Rumble!

Shadows seemed to rise up and envelop her body. Before long, she faded away as if she melted into the shadows, and then reappeared on the other side of the outer wall.

Having left the Academy in a most extraordinary manner, she headed towards the forest beyond the northern gate.

Shortly after,

Upon reaching deep within the woods, her eyes landed on a black carriage set up in the distance.

“That’s….”

The moment she noticed the emblem engraved on the carriage,

Silfi swallowed hard.

An expression clearly filled with tension. Just then, she felt her heart racing wildly.

“Cultists.”

A cold voice pierced her ears, and Silfi’s complexion grew pale.

She had spotted the owner of that voice.

A middle-aged man with brilliant blonde hair.

One of the Empire’s Five Swords and the most formidable and feared enemy of the Desert Order.

Istan El Deorg.

43. Dreaming of a Different Reality