Upon returning to the academy after a month and a half, a piece of news awaited Fernand.
"A new course, Naval Combat Studies, is about to be established at the academy."
At the deputy branch chief's report, Fernand gave a faint smile.
It was a future foretold by the Book of Prophecy—and that meant one thing.
"In accordance with the contract signed by the branch chief, we've finalized a first-phase deal for thirty warships."
It was preordained money.
"Who's the professor?"
"Parmeon Hakan is the leading candidate. A former officer in the Imperial Navy, he served in the military at sea for twenty years."
He was the very man Fernand had seen in the Book of Prophecy.
"Although the credit value for Naval Combat Studies hasn't been revealed yet, there's a high chance it'll be a mandatory subject…"
As he listened to the report and flipped through documents, Fernand's eyes caught something unusual.
"They're expanding the island's shipyard?"
"Yes. Given that the course will involve practical training, we anticipated significant damage to the ships. The current scale wouldn't be able to support repairs, so we judged expansion to be necessary."
"Good. The academy's warship program will become a goose that lays golden eggs."
"Yes, I think so too."
He turned to the next page of the report. There, the very thing Fernand had long desired was written.
"They've delivered the sea dragon's corpse?"
"Yes. The items you requested have been placed in a special storage unit."
The sea dragon's Mana Heart. It was finally in his hands.
A look of ecstasy bloomed on Fernand's face.
[Weekly Academy]
[Spirit stones from Pridian successfully delivered. To be used for spirit studies classes and research…]
[A new spirit studies professor has arrived! Who is Professor Nania Berris…]
[Saint of the Dragon God Cult, Jace Vynes, seen going around the academy preaching, "Do you believe in mana?"
Some followers of the cult are joining in…]
[Top knight department student, Barog Herr, slapped by top magic student, Liana Horton…]
[Yesterday's enemies are today's friends? Aynt Armean and Berrian Kalburden have suddenly become close companions…]
"It's been a while."
Fernand folded the newspaper he was reading. Ruina sat down across from him.
"It has."
Ruina didn't look bad, considering they hadn't met in a while.
"How were things while I was away?"
"They weren't bad. If I had to name a downside, I suppose… my grades."
"I heard they assigned you a teaching assistant as a partner. Was the assistant not helpful?"
"It wasn't a matter of the assistant's ability. On the contrary—they were more than capable."
Fernand voiced what he had already guessed.
"Points deduction, huh."
"That's right."
"Indeed, letting Professor Rosalia's assistant run free among second-years would be unfair."
"I understand that… of course."
"But?"
Ruina tapped her finger on the table before continuing.
"I just don't think things would have gone much differently even if you were here."
"I didn't know you rated me that highly."
"I'm only stating the truth. I figured if it were you, you'd find a way to get good results, no matter what."
Whether it was due to real skill, artifacts, or potions—either way.
"Well, my mother used to say that when I was little. That I could do well if I just put my mind to it, since I was smart."
"Isn't that the kind of thing all parents say? I didn't think you'd be naive enough to believe it."
"But the thing is—I've accomplished everything I've ever set my mind to."
So, at a young age, he became an executive of the Golden Turtle Merchant Group and continued to earn solid grades even after being paired with Ruina.
Of course, being a member of the Pellenberg bloodline played a significant role in becoming an executive, but without real ability, he would never have made it to the position of branch chief.
"I'll give you that. Did your trip go well?"
"No."
Although he achieved his objective, the loss of resources was substantial, and the damage was significant.
It was better than losing a branch of the World Tree and having to pay compensation, but it still infuriated him to think that with better preparation, the loss could have been avoided.
'The golems too.'
Each golem was an expensive culmination of magical engineering. And he had lost four of them, salvaging only scrap metal—no wonder it made him sigh.
'I really need to complete the Ego Golem as soon as possible.'
Had he possessed it, this incident wouldn't have happened. That ultimate weapon would've completely destroyed Varka.
At least, theoretically.
"I heard the trade caravan suffered no issues, so it must have been a financial loss."
"…Did you look into me?"
"It's obvious."
Ruina gave a dry chuckle and changed the subject.
"Are you preparing for the final exams?"
"I got the answer key."
"That's cheating."
"Want me to get the knight department's answer key too?"
"…No need. I'll fight fair and square."
"You hesitated just now."
Ruina averted her eyes from Fernand's gaze.
"I might ask for your help soon."
"With what, me?"
"You still stand by your promise to help me if it's against demons or the corrupted, right?"
"You've found a lead on the corrupted?"
Her eyes sharpened.
"Of course."
"Good."
'A strong sense of justice really is a fine thing.'
To think he was using someone this capable for free.
When Fernand foresaw that Andromalius, the 72nd-ranked demon, would be summoned inside the academy, he was conflicted.
If the demon's descent could be prevented—if it was possible—should it be stopped? Or should he just let it happen?
Demons were catastrophes. The descent of a demon would wreak havoc on the academy and, in turn, damage the empire's future.
'If that were all, of course stopping it would be the right choice.'
But what if this was merely the opening salvo?
What if it was just the beginning—a prelude—and more demons, worse disasters, were waiting?
Stopping Andromalius would be like pouring a low-grade potion on a gaping wound with intestines spilling out.
'The descent of demons is a future that must occur.'
But if Aynt didn't experience battle with demons ahead of time—if that lack of growth led to his failure to stop a future calamity?
He didn't even want to imagine such a future.
And so, the conclusion was: Andromalius' descent must happen.
More precisely: It must happen so that Aynt can defeat him.
"…So you're saying the corrupted will try to reach out toward the World Tree branch?"
Beside Aria stood a small sapling.
Hide a tree in a forest, they say. The academy had hidden the branch of the World Tree among the trees. This was the place.
"Yes. But the security isn't as tight as I thought."
"There's no need to make a big show of it. No, that's not what matters. Honestly, under normal circumstances, I'd ask if you'd gone insane—but after everything we've been through, I can't bring myself to say that."
Hmm. Aria tilted her head.
"But that means… are you saying there are corrupted hiding inside the academy? Otherwise, how could they reach for the branch planted here…"
"Exactly."
"…Oh my gosh. Really?"
Aria's eyes went wide.
"Then shouldn't you inform the academy and wait? Why are you handling this, senior?"
"Because we don't know who the corrupted are."
"Which is exactly why we need to find them."
"If we make it official, they might go into hiding. And then we'd lose the chance to catch them."
"Well, the logic isn't completely wrong…"
Aria rested her chin in her hand and gave Fernand a long look.
"Why do I get the feeling you're hiding something from me?"
"Want to hear it?"
"Of course."
"It'll cost you."
"Stop. I don't want to hear it anymore."
"Why not?"
"I just imagined a terrible future. One where the price you ask for information gets… canceled."
Fernand chuckled.
"Your instincts are sharp."
"I've always been like that. So? What exactly are you going to ask me for?"
"Didn't you already say you'd help?"
Aria nodded.
"This isn't just anything—we're talking about protecting a branch of the Mother Tree from the corrupted. I'm supposed to be in charge of it for now, and if something goes wrong, that puts me in a really tough spot."
She had nearly been caught off guard without even knowing what was happening. Having Fernand help would actually be a gain for her.
"But before that, I'd like you to give me what you owe me."
"You're impatient."
"After hearing something like that, how can I not be?"
Aria struck a proud pose and held out her hand. Fernand handed her the invitation.
"Finally, I have it… After all this time! An invitation to the yacht club!"
"It's been renamed. It's no longer the yacht club—it's now the Masked Club."
After that whole mess, no student really wanted to go yachting again.
Naturally, the yacht club changed its meeting place, and since everyone liked the masquerade concept, they decided to keep that part.
"Who cares what it's called! What matters is that it's in my hands!"
With this—just this—she could…
"Become the Queen of Connections!"
"You might want to drop the idea that everyone there will automatically become one of your connections."
"You're so negative. Is it because you're a merchant?"
"It's called being realistic."
"You really don't get it. You have to dream big. That way, even if you fail, you still walk away with something."
Aria grinned smugly.
"So, exactly what do you want me to do?"
"First, who knows the branch is planted here—or more broadly, that it's been brought into the academy?"
"The Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, the Spirit Studies professor…"
Aria counted on her fingers, one by one.
"…And then you and me."
All ten fingers folded down.
"You think one of those ten is corrupted? But they're all part of the academy's top leadership."
"Or someone close to them. They could have leaked the information by mistake—or chance."
"So it's definitely someone inside the academy, then."
Aria gently stroked the branch of the World Tree. A soft flow of mana and spiritual energy trickled into her hand.
"I did ask for your help, but there's not much you'll need to do. Just… turn a blind eye."
"Turn a blind eye?"
"I plan to set up some things around here."
Surveillance, for example.
He didn't intend to stop the World Tree's corruption or Andromalius' summoning outright—but he needed to know who, when, and how it would happen.
That was why he'd asked Aria for help. Since she was the academy's officially—but secretly—appointed caretaker of the branch, there was no way he could work around her without getting noticed.
"The Mother Tree doesn't like a lot of noise around her."
"So you're refusing?"
"But it's better than letting her be corrupted."
Maybe it was because the World Tree was involved—her decision was surprisingly decisive.