Ch.111Prophet (1)

The competition ended amidst enthusiastic cheers.

The Snake who had shown such shocking prowess.

The boy who unanimously won the championship after deliberation among the faculty became the hottest topic at the academy during that short week.

Stories about the event were on everyone’s lips.

It was only natural.

After all, he had achieved what had been considered impossible throughout the academy’s long history.

Students who had witnessed the match firsthand knew.

The miracle they had witnessed transcended mere talent—it was a [power] with the potential to reach the stars.

It also hinted at the future that would lead the continent.

A hero who had reached the highest star.

The Red Sword Star.

He was the material of a [star] that had appeared after three years since his death.

As such, the attention showered upon him was justified.

“I just can’t forget that scene.”

“I knew he was beyond student level… but who would have thought he’d win against a professor?”

“Especially that moment when he parted the tidal wave—it gave me chills.”

“Is this what they call talent that will go down in history?”

“I heard various institutions are going crazy right now. The Imperial Family, the Magic Tower, the Knights, noble families… they’re all sending letters to the academy trying to claim him first.”

“I heard the teaching assistants have been working all week without sleep to process them.”

Abundant talent naturally inspires admiration.

Students spoke with gleaming eyes.

Even the jealousy and envy that had been pouring out until now had transformed into admiration.

Proof serves as a measure that draws recognition from others.

“He seems like a pretty decent guy, doesn’t he?”

“Despite his talents, he doesn’t come across as arrogant… and seeing how he rejected all recruitment offers, he’s quite likable, right?”

“He firmly stated that he wants to focus on his studies for now.”

“I heard he gets along well with that commoner girl too.”

“His impression may be strangely ominous, but when you look closely, he has many handsome features.”

“I should try talking to him sometime.”

Public opinion was flowing positively.

Of course, not everyone felt the same way.

Some still harbored doubts.

“I don’t disagree that his talent could reach the stars… but honestly, it feels sudden.”

“Isn’t that family more famous for alchemy than magic?”

“Talent doesn’t necessarily follow bloodlines, but it’s strange that a family that has practiced alchemy for generations suddenly produced a magician.”

“I heard they were a family with a deep scholarly tradition.”

“Besides, with talent that exceptional, it should have been known outside the family already… why hasn’t there been any talk about it until now?”

“Seems like they’re hiding something.”

A reasonable doubt.

Why did the [star] that had been quiet all these years only now reveal itself to the world?

Such questions would occasionally arise.

But even those gradually subsided.

There was no one to provide a proper answer.

They were simply buried under the continuing buzz.

And so, the questions about the Snake’s family scattered beyond the surface that no one could see.

With all the answers forgotten.

***

A week after the eventful competition ended.

I spent my days leisurely.

With the practical exams and various busy schedules behind me, I was now granted some free time until the vacation began.

Of course, the aftermath of the competition drew the academy’s attention.

But aside from such trivial matters, it had been a relatively peaceful few days.

I spent time with the people around me.

“Congratulations on your victory!”

“Miss Lezia.”

“Master is amazing! I, I believed you would win from the beginning…!”

“Your faith makes my shoulders feel heavy with responsibility.”

I patted the head of the protagonist who was jumping with joy.

“It’s not particularly surprising… but still, good job.”

“I’m pleased to hear you say that.”

I responded with a smile to the villainess who offered her congratulations with a prim attitude.

“Was it hard?”

“Not particularly difficult.”

“Hmm… Judas is really amazing.”

I conversed with the young prince who nodded his head alone.

“You were more impressive than I expected.”

“Hehe… I am in a position to assist His Highness after all. If I struggled with something like this, I wouldn’t be able to face you.”

“You’re always good with words, that’s the problem.”

“So, do you dislike that?”

“…Not really.”

I even teased the thorny rose who responded gruffly.

Although the sentences they uttered were different, they all contained the same concern and congratulations.

I was secretly grateful for their words.

The academy’s daily life continued peacefully.

Additionally.

I also had a conversation with Professor Cadel, my opponent in the competition.

The event had a tradition where the loser had to grant one request from the winner, and as the victor, I was given the right to request something from him.

My demand was as follows:

“Withdraw from next year’s selection for the head professor position.”

“I intend to put my mentor there.”

“In return, I’d like you to support our side so we can take office.”

It was a somewhat unreasonable request.

The price to pay was too high for a simple event.

I thought the other party might refuse, but surprisingly, Professor Cadel signed the contract without much protest.

Having already suffered a humiliating defeat in front of the entire student body.

It seemed his pride wouldn’t allow him to refuse.

Of course, he was gritting his teeth as if his jaw might break at any moment, but that was none of my concern.

From my perspective, I was simply returning the insult I had received.

“I will remember this.”

The professor exited with those somewhat flag-raising words.

I countered with a meaningful sneer.

I had no intention of losing the subtle psychological warfare he was initiating.

Remembering his rotting expression makes me chuckle.

“Hehe.”

“…I don’t understand.”

Selena looks at me strangely.

Her eyes hold deep questions.

The peculiar fatigue can be glimpsed in her carelessly sprawled purple hair.

After a moment of silence, the woman poses a few questions.

“May I ask the reason?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m talking about the recent match. You responded to the opponent’s provocation on my behalf. I wonder if there was any need for you to do so from your position.”

“Perhaps I overstepped my bounds?”

“Not at all. Rather, I’m grateful for it. I’m simply asking out of pure curiosity.”

“Hehe… The reason is as I told you before.”

I smile gently.

My softly curved lips convey warmth.

“I stood up for my mentor.”

“…”

“Haven’t you helped me numerous times? I was bothered by the insults being hurled at you, whom I’ve relied on, and I thought it was my duty as a disciple not to let them pass.”

“I thought it was just a joke you made in jest.”

“How disappointing to hear you say that.”

I speak smoothly while taking a few steps to stand beside Selena.

A faint smell of alcohol tickles my nose.

“It was solely for you.”

“As I’ve pointed out before… we are merely in a teacher-student relationship based on contract. I don’t think Judas has any obligation to be loyal to me.”

“That’s fine. It wasn’t an action driven by obligation anyway.”

“Then?”

“It’s taming.”

I linger near the woman.

But I don’t reach out my hand.

If I did, it was obvious that the drunkard would push me away. Proper taming requires maintaining an appropriate distance to begin with.

One must gradually accustom the other from a distance that doesn’t frighten them.

I was maintaining a precarious boundary.

Too far to firmly push away, too close to ignore as if nonexistent—a distance that keeps catching the eye.

Even without awareness, the relationship gradually deepens.

“Please don’t feel any burden. I simply wanted to repay the help I’ve received.”

I return a bright answer.

After a moment of silence, the woman nods.

“…Yes. If that’s the reason, I’ll accept it gratefully.”

Her lifeless eyes were trembling slightly.

Ripples falling on a calm surface.

Cracks were forming in the icy atmosphere of the drunkard.

I withdraw my steps with satisfaction.

‘I shouldn’t be hasty.’

It was laying the groundwork for future developments.

To approach an adult sick with sorrow, I needed to be more careful than usual.

I continued the taming while standing on that delicate boundary.

***

Two days later.

I visited the main building to receive the reward for the competition.

Apart from the tradition where the loser grants the winner’s request, there was a separate benefit given to the final victor.

It seemed they were putting effort into various aspects, befitting one of the academy’s notable events.

‘A reward, huh.’

I would have casually dismissed it if it were useless… but this time, even I found it difficult to be confident.

It was something I couldn’t predict despite knowing the original work.

That’s why confirmation was necessary.

“Excuse me.”

Creeeeak-

I open the antique door and enter.

The scene that comes into view.

Among bookshelves that stretched wide like a library, there was a desk, and beyond it, an old man with white hair was sitting with his back against the chair.

His colorless pupils were staring intently at me.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

The old man invites me in.

As if he knew I was coming, two cups of freshly brewed tea were placed on the table.

I put aside my complicated thoughts and greet him.

“This is the first time I’m seeing you up close.”

Although he showed his face at every academy event, he was someone who had no interaction with students.

None other than the person who served as the head of the academy.

“Headmaster.”

The headmaster of Gallimar Academy.

Gaston Gallimar.

I had wanted to meet him ever since possessing this body.

Although there hadn’t been an opportunity to connect until now, winning this competition gave me the chance for a private audience.

I speak calmly.

“First, I’ll ask straightforwardly.”

“Go ahead.”

Information about the old man flashes through my mind.

An old man with a warm impression.

In this world, everyone calls him the headmaster, but in the original work, there was another name that described him.

A sinner who received the curse of the world and was made to see beyond.

“Prophet.”

The Prophet of the Apocalypse.

(prophète de l’apocalypse)

“How much do you know?”

“…”

A direct question without beating around the bush.

The white eyes were capturing the afterimage of the snake without the slightest tremor.

After a moment of silence, the old man parts his lips.

“…What answer do you seek from me, betrayer?”

The prophet was seeing right through me.