Chapter 94: The Saint Bird’s Door [1]
The test was over.
"...Team 3 won."
"Wow, Gerhard and Luina did it?"
"Did you see the ground collapse? That was insane."
"And the map didn’t burn in that situation?"
"That’s the first time I’ve seen combined magic used in a real battle."
Except for Gert and his partner, all members of Team 3 were eliminated, but Gerhard and Luina survived until the end.
And the two of them eliminated everyone, including Carlo.
The two who had successfully turned the tables became the final winners.
"I can’t believe it. I didn’t expect to lose like this..."
"We were lucky."
"Lucky? Then we’re just fools who couldn’t beat one lucky guy."
Rudger laughed self-deprecatingly.
"Almon being there was certainly nothing but luck."
"This was just one of many practical subjects that has finished, Gerhard."
"I know."
Rudger clicked his tongue in displeasure and turned away.
"It ended too easily, Luina. Next time, I’ll show you the real difference in our abilities."
"Anytime. I won’t lose to you anymore."
Almon, who had been talking with Luina, followed after him.
"Gerhard...!"
"How could we lose like this...?"
Gerhard passed by Carlo and other students who were filled with anger and denial of reality, then went to the healing room with Luina to treat their injuries.
"Thank you for your hard work today. Thanks to you, we were able to get first place."
"It’s not over yet. As Rudger said, this is just one of many."
Of course, with everything else they had built up, they were one step closer to the top position, but the future was still uncertain.
"Anyway, I couldn’t have done this much today without you."
"Well, I won’t deny that."
"Let’s see each other again next time. Oh, if it’s about the demon species, please don’t hesitate to send me a message anytime."
As Luina was about to leave, Gerhard stopped her briefly and said quietly,
"I’ll make sure what we found underground goes to its rightful owner."
"Do as you wish. I’m not particularly interested in things that don’t belong to me."
Luina disappeared.
"...What’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is also mine."
Tsk, Gerhard clicked his tongue and fell into thought.
’First priority is to let Aint get that artifact.’
What he told Luina wasn’t a lie.
The artifact left by the previous emperor had to be returned to its original owner, Aint Armian.
Even if the timing wasn’t originally supposed to be now, since things had changed, he had to let him have it now.
’If it had remained hidden all the way, it would be a different story, but once it’s been exposed, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes public.’
Gerhard had taken temporary measures, but there were many more powerful wizards in the academy.
"Hyde, where is Aint Armian right now?"
***
"Aint Armian."
Aint unfolded the map.
After the test ended, he received a sudden visit from Gerhard.
"It seems I’ve found the Armian family’s secret dungeon."
His abrupt statement was quite surprising.
"I’m doubtful if it’s real, and if it is real, I’m suspicious about why you’re freely telling me."
"You’re right. I’m a merchant, and normally I would have either sold you this information at an extremely high price or kept it for myself. If I hadn’t encountered demon species and magic beasts, that is."
He couldn’t argue. When asked if he thought Aint was the right person, Gerhard nodded without hesitation. The only reason was that he was an ’Armian.’
<The power of the Armians is the antithesis to demons. That guy made the wisest choice.>
<These nouveau riche types have always been good at assessing situations.>
In the end, Aint had no choice but to accept it. So he had to leave as soon as possible to find the artifact Gerhard mentioned.
He wanted to wait a bit due to the exam period, but that wasn’t possible.
If it had never been discovered, it would be different, but once an artifact was exposed, it wouldn’t be strange for someone else to find it again.
"Normally you can’t use the field freely, especially during exam period. I’ll help you."
The result was the map now in Aint’s hand.
Though it only covered part of the northern mountainous region, it was a map that showed the real-time locations of teaching assistants who had come out to survey for the exam.
It was meant for professors.
<These so-called educators of the empire’s future would sell their liver and gallbladder for a few coins.>
Gardner grumbled with disapproval, but for Aint, it was exactly what he needed right now.
"This is it."
Aint arrived at his destination after taking a detour to avoid the teaching assistants. The ground that had collapsed during the day’s commotion seemed to maintain a fairly intact appearance.
<The professors have already restored it. If that’s the case, maybe we don’t need to get it right now?>
But it felt silly to come all this way just to turn back.
Gardner guided Aint to another place. A cave leading underground, not far from there.
It was the proper path to find the artifact, not an abnormal route like the ground collapse.
"If you didn’t know about this, would you just think it’s a rabbit hole and pass by?"
<If anyone could easily find it, it wouldn’t be an artifact, it would just be a banquet hall for grave robbers.>
That was true.
Anyway, Aint walked through the dark underground. The reason why the path seemed blocked in some places was due to the collapsed ground from above.
Fortunately, the underground was relatively spacious; otherwise, he would never have reached his destination through this route.
<It should be here... There it is.>
Gardner immediately saw through the concealment magic that Gerhard had set up. A door with the Saint Bird, the symbol of the Armian family, engraved on it was revealed.
"What’s here?"
<If you’re asking what it is, hmm. A core.>
"A core?"
<My body, not my real body, but an artifact that attaches to the handle of the sword to strengthen the aura. Made from the heart of a Saint Bird.>
"...What?"
<Thanks to that nouveau riche guy, you’ve already eaten a Saint Bird’s heart, so I wonder if you really need this, but the more the better.>
"I’m surprised the Saint Bird isn’t a common spirit creature. But how do I open this?"
No matter how hard Aint pushed with all his might until his face turned red, the door didn’t budge.
<Make a wound and spill your blood. It responds to the Armian bloodline...>
Gardner stopped speaking. The sword blade trembled slightly.