"Magic Survival Techniques," "Combat, War and Magic," "Exploration of Magical Beasts and Monsters."
These three classes built foundations in the first year, and from the second year onward, joint lectures with the Knight Department were frequent—or rather, held every time.
They were also subjects that valued practical experience more than theory.
And the Knight Department's "War and Practical Dueling" was a subject that aligned with the three subjects of the Magic Department.
"The time has come."
It had already been a month since he and Luina took first place in the first joint class.
During that time, there hadn't been any major incidents, but to Gerhard, this peace felt like the calm before a storm.
"Today, another upset will occur in the duel."
A part explicitly stated in the prophecy book.
His purpose today was to verify the scene and observe Veriana Kalproten, who would turn into a demon's pawn because of this incident.
Having organized his plan, Gerhard called his servant.
"Hyde, you've dropped the money, right?"
"Of course."
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Gerhard put on his coat.
***
"The winner, Aint Armian!"
It was quite interesting.
Watching the future from the prophecy book unfold exactly as foretold.
"My goodness, Aint won!"
"Aint defeated Veriana?"
"Impossible! How?"
"His admission rank was 38th, right? Is this possible in just a month or two?"
And also observing people's intense reactions as the future flowed in a direction generally unexpected.
He could feel a subtle sense of superiority, knowing it alone while watching those reactions.
'This could become addictive.'
It seemed like it would be quite good to take up as a hobby.
Gerhard rested his chin on his hand and calmly reviewed the battle between Veriana and Aint.
'It was a bit different from the content of the prophecy book.'
It couldn't be said that he completely dominated. But it wasn't the paper-thin, precarious battle mentioned in the prophecy book either.
'Is it thanks to the elixir?'
His energy had clearly increased noticeably. Overall, Veriana's swordsmanship was superior, but Aint overwhelmed her with his aura.
It would be impossible to say that Gerhard had no part in that.
He smiled with satisfaction.
'The future changes, albeit slightly, according to my actions.'
It was a fact he had already confirmed once with Carlo. As it repeated again, he couldn't help but smile.
It was because he was gradually gaining confidence that he could change the gloomy future with his power.
"Is it thanks to the elixir?"
"Well, it certainly had some influence."
"That sounds like you're saying Aint would have won even without the elixir."
"That's something no one knows."
Gerhard shrugged and tapped the armrest with his finger.
His gaze was now directed not at the winner but at the loser.
'Veriana Kalproten.'
The heir of the rising Kalproten Viscount family.
Honestly, at first, he thought it was strange that she would take a demon's hand after just one defeat, no matter how shocking it was.
But after understanding Kalproten's inner thoughts, it wasn't that strange after all.
"Hyde."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Is Kalproten still frequently meeting with nobles?"
"Yes. Her already active political movements have increased significantly since Fridien obtained the right to the Golden Decree."
The Imperial Electors. Only seven in the empire, gloriously holding the authority to elect the emperor of the empire.
They were originally the founding contributors of the empire.
The Armian royal family, which became the foundation of the empire, and the descendants of the five kingdoms and religions that the first emperor had unified.
To the empire, the electors were insurmountable, massive pillars and strongholds.
But that had collapsed for the first time, and a new pillar had been erected.
'From the perspective of those who think there's not much difference between the new pillar and themselves, it would only be regrettable.'
They would think and continue to think that position should have been theirs. And they would derive new possibilities.
The conclusion that if it was possible once, there's no reason it couldn't happen twice.
In that process, the interests of Schwaben and Kalproten aligned.
For Schwaben, the old imperial family was an eyesore, and for Kalproten, among the seven pillars, the old imperial family was currently the most vulnerable.
The collusion between the two was all too natural.
Therefore, while on the surface it appeared to be a simple practical duel between students, looking deeper, it was a war between Kalproten and Schwaben to defeat the Armians.
And Kalproten had lost.
"...This can't be happening."
While everyone was cheering and shocked at the upset, Veriana Kalproten was bowing her head, feeling the loneliness in the crowd.
Surprisingly, no one paid attention to her.
'If I also get defeated by Aint and things flow according to the prophecy book, will I end up like that too?'
Forgotten by the protagonist recognized by the world?
Gerhard swallowed a groan at the terrible thought that naturally arose.
"...But it's interesting."
"What is?"
"Every time you attend to observe, Aint Armian causes an upset."
The servant's eyes turned suspicious.
"Just a coincidence."
Gerhard dismissed it as such, but it was actually intentional. The reason he even brought his servant to observe. It was bait to make it more believable when he eventually talked about the prophecy book.
"I'll believe that for now."
"Hyde."
"Yes."
"Keep an eye on Veriana for a while."
"You mean Veriana Kalproten?"
There were time skips in the prophecy book. Between Veriana's defeat, her mistreatment by Rudger, and the midterm exam where she would face Aint again, there was a gap of about two weeks.
During that time, there was not even a mention of exactly how or by what method Veriana made contact with a demon and gained power.
It just happens suddenly after two weeks.
For Gerhard, who valued process over results, and the evidence gained through that process, this was a very regrettable part.
As for the result, well, it was predetermined that Aint Armian would stop it, so there was no need to make a fuss.
"Yes. Where she goes."
Where she makes contact with a demon.
"Who she meets."
How she meets a demon.
"And what conversations she has."
How the demon tempts her.
"Every little detail."
"You mean the heir of Kalproten?"
"Just don't get caught. Can you do it?"
"I didn't say I couldn't. Yes, I understand. Until when should I continue?"
"Until I say it's enough."
"Yes."
Afterwards, Gerhard confirmed Aint's companions mentioned in the prophecy book.
Balrosi Viston and Barosu Drage.
'The heir of Viston, who's the top student in the Knight Department, and the disciple of the Mercenary King, who's ranked 3rd. One companion is outstanding.'
They were individuals who could provide solid backing even outside the Academy.
It made him think that this was indeed the protagonist of the prophecy book, but on the other hand, it also seemed to suggest that without at least this level of support, it would be difficult to stop the demons' resurgence.
Balrosi and Barosu won as befitting their reputation, and they celebrated each other's victories with Aint.
"Viston and Armian are friends? Is that okay?"
"They'll handle it themselves."
Gerhard shrugged, and his gaze happened to catch Veriana again.
She was gritting her teeth while looking alternately at Balrosi and Aint.
'Ah, come to think of it...'
Veriana had been desperate to build a relationship with Balrosi. But the person in question was drawn to Aint, not her.
That aspect probably also had some influence on her decision to make a contract with a demon.
'It's like the world is pushing her to make a contract with a demon.'
Having confirmed everything he needed to, Gerhard rose from his seat.
***
"..."
Upsets tended to spread faster than ordinary rumors.
The news that Aint Armian had defeated Veriana Kalproten quickly spread throughout the Academy.
"What is there to be sorry about? It's just that my expectations were a bit high. For now, take some time to recover your body and mind. If there's an opportunity in the future, we'll talk again."
'...This can't be happening.'
Veriana, who had just faced Rudger, swallowed a sigh.
She knew. That her defeat was truly an absurd thing.
Apart from the fact that he was an Armian, for the second-ranked to be defeated by someone ranked merely 38th? Even though the 10th-ranked Anto had fallen first, there was a clear difference in level between second and tenth.
'...Damn it.'
This incident wouldn't be a major problem.
Schwaben and Kalproten had many means to defeat the Armians. Veriana was just their first blade.
Yes, on a grand scale, there was no significant problem.
'But what about me?'
What about her, who had not only betrayed her family's expectations but had lost to none other than an Armian?
The Kalproten family and Veriana Kalproten were distinctly different entities.
The biggest problem was that her family had talent that could replace her at any time.
She wasn't the only heir of Kalproten. She had a younger brother, and his talent wasn't much inferior to Veriana's.
'That damned brat dares to take my place...!'
And his ambition was no less than Veriana's.
What if this incident became the trigger?
The prince was disappointed, and her father would be furious. It wasn't a baseless, far-fetched assumption.
'I must win. There's no second chance for me.'
The root of all causes was Aint Armian. It was because of her defeat to him that she was in this situation. The best solution was to defeat him and regain her prestige and honor.
'In swordsmanship, I was actually ahead.'
She was only slightly advantageous against an Armian whose swordsmanship was half-forgotten, but nevertheless, she had the advantage.
The problem was energy.
'His aura was greater than mine...'
It was purer and denser. She was pushed back in the battle of auras.
'How?'
She had grown up as an elite with her family's support since childhood. She had consumed countless elixirs, not to mention swordsmanship, etiquette, and education.
No matter how she thought about it, she couldn't understand how the heir of the declining Armians had more aura than her.
Nevertheless, the result was out, and she had to turn this situation around.
'I must...'
Her hand gripping the sword tightened.
***
[Veriana Kalproten is just swinging her sword, traveling between lectures, dormitory, downtown, and the training grounds.]
[She does encounter students and professors while going to lectures, but she doesn't engage in any notable conversations.]
[In town, she visits bookstores, grocery stores, general stores, blacksmiths, etc., but doesn't do anything special other than buying or repairing items.]
[Since that day, there has been no meeting with Prince Rudger so far.]
[There are no special matters yet. I will continue to report consistently.]
Gerhard, who had returned after having a meal, checked the report placed on his desk.
'So there's no contact point yet. How exactly does the contact occur?'
Demons were certainly not common beings.
A thousand years ago, they were completely exterminated by the first emperor who founded the empire, and all traces were thoroughly erased.
Matters concerning demons were almost taboo, and couldn't be found just because one wanted to find them.
'Veriana wouldn't think of demons first.'
Over a thousand years, humanity had erased the word "demon" from their minds. It was nearly impossible for Veriana to come up with the idea of a contract with a demon on her own.
'Then, as expected...'
It means demons hiding among humans would approach Veriana first.
That's why monitoring Veriana's every move was more important than anything. It meant they could catch traces of demons.
And two weeks passed.
Frighteningly, nothing happened.
'...This isn't right?'
Clearly, something should have happened, and it should have happened significantly.
It should have...
'Could it be false? Was the most important demon part among the contents of the prophecy book actually false?'
It was two days before the first-year Knight Department's midterm exam, where Aint Armian would battle with Veriana Kalproten, who had given in to a demon.