"Alia Torta got paired with Carlo Deneb?"
Inside a small café in the city, Fernan took a sip of his iced coffee and asked.
"Yes. When I refused, he asked a few more times and then finally gave up."
Ruina, who was chewing on Praxia's specialty—Kraken ink chocolate—nodded.
"Is it good?"
"Yes."
"You acted like you wouldn't accept it before."
"I do feel a bit like I was toyed with, but a win is a win. There's no reason not to claim a rightful reward."
She quickly popped another piece of chocolate into her mouth.
"Alia Torta was ranked fourth in the knight department, right?"
"Yes. She was originally fifth but made great progress in last year's second semester finals."
Though she fell short compared to the runner-up, Ruina Berchef, she was by no means lacking in talent.
From Carlo Deneb's point of view, she was a decent enough substitute.
"...So it's changed, then. Now we'll see how far this butterfly effect goes."
Would it ride the wind and become a storm, or would it end as nothing more than a small flutter?
Fernan hoped it would become a modest storm—one that wouldn't distort the future too much, but just enough to give hope that it could still be changed.
"What are you talking about?"
"No, it's nothing. But the rumors will spread soon."
"They already have."
Like the magic department, the knight department selected partners by submitting the name of their chosen partner.
Ever since Ruina Berchef had selected Fernan Pellenberg as her partner, the news had spread throughout the department—quietly, but rapidly.
"Are you okay with that?"
"I expected it. It's something I have to deal with. And besides, it's not like anything they're saying is wrong."
"True, you did pair with me because of money. That's why money's great."
Fernan nodded with a hum.
"...."
Ruina stared at him expressionlessly. Fernan turned his head and pulled something out of subspace.
"Take this."
"What is it?"
"A potion and a voucher."
"A potion and a voucher?"
Ruina looked puzzled by the sudden words.
"The potion's made from refined mandragora root. And the voucher can be exchanged at our company's armory for top-tier equipment."
"Why…? I can't pay this back."
Her pupils trembled at the mention of mandragora.
"Did you forget our contract?"
"You really intend to sponsor me?"
"I never say things I don't mean. I keep every word I give."
For a merchant, trust was more valuable than anything.
"Mandragora is priceless, isn't it…? And the best gear from the Golden Turtle Company…"
"It's not cheap, but that's not your concern."
It would be a lie to say it wasn't painful to part with, but compared to preventing a future where he lost everything, it was a small price.
By supporting Ruina in every way, he planned to earn her favor, prevent a bleak future, and also gain an ally in the fight against demons.
"...But this is too much. I can't accept it."
"If you don't, the contract is void."
"What do you mean?"
"Did you forget the clause in our contract? The penalty for non-fulfillment—"
"I'll accept it!"
Ruina abruptly snatched the box and the paper. Fernan gave a small laugh and stood up.
"Take your time eating and come down later."
He opened the hidden room's door and disappeared. The place they were in was a secret room inside a café run by the Golden Turtle Company, unknown to anyone outside the company.
Right after that, a realization struck Ruina, and she shouted.
"...Wait, was there even a penalty clause in the contract?"
There wasn't. She laughed bitterly, realizing she'd been tricked. She hadn't expected Fernan to deceive her in a way that disadvantaged himself, so she fell for it in the moment.
"...Ha. Why is he going this far?"
It was hard to believe it was all just because of her swordsmanship.
"...Whatever he's after, he won't get what he wants."
Having grown up painfully aware that no act of kindness comes without a price—especially in a family struggling to make ends meet—Fernan's kindness felt like a thorn lodged in her throat.
Ruina's gaze, now filled with resolve, dropped downward.
She looked at the potion and voucher lying on the table.
"…If I just leave them here, they'll stay untouched, won't they?"
…There was nothing in the contract that would make it a problem.
Gulp—
It would be a lie to say she wasn't tempted.
"I heard Almon got paired with Prince Rudger."
"Just as expected. So those two are leading their year?"
"Only Ruina could've rivaled Almon, but she got paired with Fernan instead of Carlo…"
At one student's comment, another opened their eyes wide.
"What? Ruina paired with Fernan?"
"What, you didn't know? Ruina is—"
Having arrived at the shared lecture hall for the joint class between the Knight and Magic Departments, Fernan glanced casually around, then approached a familiar brown-haired figure he'd seen a few times recently.
"You got here first."
"Welcome."
As Fernan sat next to Ruina, the room—which had gone quiet the moment he entered—began to buzz again.
"It's true then."
"Why would Ruina settle for someone like that?"
"Isn't her gear different?"
"So it was because of money...?"
Rumors were one thing, but seeing it with their own eyes was another.
The unexpected pairing of the second-ranked and tenth-ranked students, who had rarely interacted before, caught everyone off guard.
"Your equipment has changed."
"…If I left it lying around, something valuable might be wasted."
"I wasn't going to throw it out."
"If I had left it, it might've just blown away in the wind."
At her unexpected response, Fernan smiled faintly.
"Looks like mid-grade gear. Why not just wear the best?"
"How could I wear something so obviously engraved with the Golden Turtle Company's insignia?"
At her cautious reply, Fernan gave a short laugh and turned his gaze.
Among the curious onlookers, three figures stood out in particular.
One was the Rudger- and Almon-pair, exchanging amused glances as if asking, "Was it really true?"
"..."
The other was Carlo Deneb, staring at Fernan with quiet hostility.
"He's not handling this very well."
"What do you mean?"
"Look at him. Doesn't he seem really irritated that you were taken from him?"
"Ridiculous. I belong to no one."
"Well, of course not."
Fernan raised his voice.
"Carlo Deneb."
The subtle mana woven into his voice instantly silenced the noisy hall.
"Got something you want to say to me?"
"…No."
Carlo, who flinched visibly at the direct callout, replied curtly and turned his head sharply.
"A guy built like a golem acting all sulky. Makes me want to summon a real golem and punch him once."
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
At that moment, the firmly shut lecture room door slid open.
The sound of clicking heels mixed with light footsteps echoed as a pair—one man and one woman—entered the room.
"All the Knight Department students are here. Professor Rosalia, what about the Magic Department?"
The red-haired man with a large scar on his face looked around the room as he spoke.
He was Grad Xanth, professor of "Warfare and Practical Combat Techniques" for second-year knights.
"All second-years from the Magic Department are present. Thankfully, no one's late,"
replied Rosalia Vienderk, the woman with midnight blue hair cascading down to her waist—professor of "Combat, War, and Magic" for second-year mages.
"I see."
Grad strode forward and took his place at the podium.
"Looks like everyone paired off nicely. I'll call roll now. Hopefully there's no idiot who wrote down one partner but showed up with another."
He began the roll call.
Out of the 100 pairs—200 students in total—there were no false or mismatched entries.
"Hmm, some unexpected combinations, but everything checks out.
Professor Rosalia, anything you want to add?"
"Nothing from me."
"Then let's get straight to our first joint session: fieldwork."
"Fieldwork?"
"What kind of fieldwork?"
As murmurs began to spread among the students, Grad lightly knocked on the lectern.
The noise faded.
"To truly understand what you've learned, there's nothing better than real experience.
From now, you'll be dropped into the field."
Click.
Grad touched a crystal orb placed atop the podium. It glowed and projected a shape.
It was the mountainous region in the northern part of the academy.
"This lecture is a joint class combining three subjects from the Knight Department—including 'Warfare and Practical Combat Techniques'—and three from the Magic Department, including 'Combat, War, and Magic'."
The teaching assistants began handing out maps one by one.
"The destination is marked on your map. You must reach it within three days.
But not too fast—or too slow. You must arrive at exactly 12 p.m., three days from now.
Any questions?"
Once Grad's explanation ended, hands shot up across the room.
"Will this count toward our grades?"
"It's the third most important evaluation—after the midterms and finals."
The students' eyes changed. What they thought was a minor test was clearly something more.
"Are we allowed to engage in combat with each other?"
"Bonus points if you capture someone."
Grad answered a few questions, then, seeing that the map distribution was complete, clapped his hands.
"If you've received your map, enter the magic circle with your partner."
Rosalia, who had finished drawing a massive magic formation across the training hall with the assistants, spoke up.
Just like that—
"Well then, best of luck to you all. Hoo, some unexpected pairings here."
Flash—
Just before the mana and light engulfed them, Fernan locked eyes with Grad.
The first lesson had begun.
When the light of the magic circle surrounded their entire bodies and the world turned upside down, Fernan and Ruina opened their eyes to the northern mountains.
A dense and rugged terrain. The cries of beasts and monsters echoed throughout the wilderness.
"Where are we?"
"We'll have to figure that out now. Using orienteering—"
"Wouldn't it be easier to just use magic?"
"Do you know a spell that pinpoints location?"
Fernan casually shrugged.
"No, I meant we should climb up and scout from a higher point."
"Isn't that technically still orienteering?"
"Let's not nitpick."
Just then, the sound of rustling, and two figures appeared.
"…Fernan?"
"…Ruina?"
A male-female pair. Their names were…
"Knight Department rank 71, Jane Hux. Magic Department rank 77, Ned Palan."
Their faces went pale. For students in the mid-tier ranks, running into Fernan, who was ranked 10th, and Ruina, the runner-up, right from the start was horribly bad luck.
"Uh, hey… Fernan…"
Ned, who usually kept his distance due to Fernan's intimidating reputation, awkwardly waved his hand.
"What do you want to do?"
The question wasn't directed at the pair—but at Ruina, who had been silently observing them from behind.
"I should be asking that. What would you like to do?"
"I'll follow your lead."
"I thought you said you were a merchant?"
"And you're a knight. I can see the hunger for bonus points in your eyes."
"Does that not matter to you?"
"I'm willing to deal with it for your sake."
"Why?"
"Because it's worth it."
After all, she was practically guaranteed to become a Royal Knight—someone connected to the very downfall he was trying to prevent. He had to earn her favor.
That's why he'd become her partner.
"…Honestly, I don't understand your reasoning, but I won't refuse for now."
After a brief hesitation, Ruina nodded. In the next instant, her figure vanished.
"Run!"
Jane Hux shouted urgently—but Ruina was faster.
—!
Wind howled as her blade slashed toward them. Clang! Jane's sword instinctively moved to block, but it trembled from the impact.
A short skirmish. In just five exchanges, Jane was staggering. Ruina didn't miss the opening.
"No!"
Ned shouted desperately. A blade of wind struck toward Ruina's flank.
—!
A sharp aura split the incoming wind, but even that brief pause was enough for Jane to regain her footing.
"No matter who you are, you think we'll just be your bonus points?"
Jane struck at Ruina's now-exposed flank. At the same time, another burst of wind came from the opposite side.
It was a critical moment—but Ruina remained calm.
She held her breath, split the wind blade, and lunged toward it instead. Jane's blade cut through empty air.
"No!"
Realizing what Ruina was aiming for, Jane chased her desperately. But in that moment, Ruina spun around and plunged her blade into the gaping weak spot in Jane's chest.
—!
A shockwave burst out.
"…!"
Jane trembled and collapsed.
A translucent shield had appeared between her and Ruina's sword.
Whoosh—
The magic scroll protecting Jane burned to ash, having fulfilled its purpose.
"One team eliminated,"
Ruina muttered coldly, staring down at her fallen opponent.