I Became the Academy’s War Hero Chapter 37

Chapter 37: The Accusers (5) ‘…It frustrates me, but what he said is right.’ Lea swallowed a lump in her throat and glanced up at Eugene. She didn’t know how much he knew, but at least he didn’t seem to harbor hostility toward them. If he had, there was no way they would be having this kind of conversation in the first place. And if the insider he mentioned really was Eric Halenber— Then the credit would never return to her. She was an outsider after all. An outsider’s access to information was always limited—especially compared to the very broker himself. And this was a Halenber they were talking about: a faction that had received authority from the Bernhardt Family and taken control of the Western Port. If the whistleblower came from within that, the ripple effect would inevitably be far greater. ‘Anyway, if it means striking them back, that would be good news for my Master…’ But why? For some reason, she felt unpleasant. There was no need to think deeply—the answer had long been within her. Lea, who had worn a gloomy expression for a while, suddenly clenched her teeth and muttered, “…It should have been me.” The one who would save him—that greatest contributor—should have been her. Just as he had saved her, she, too, had to save him. The countless trials he had endured, the unending pain he had felt along the way, and yet the convictions he had never abandoned— And she was supposed to hand over the credit for “saving him” to fools who didn’t know the slightest thing about any of that? ‘…No.’ She couldn’t allow that. Having steeled her resolve, Lea looked at Eugene with determined eyes. “I understand now that you’re not our enemy.” “Well, that’s a relief.” “But that alone isn’t enough.” Eugene Carter. A man who had piled up countless achievements since his cadet days. A hero of the battlefield. A man whose tragic downfall had rendered all those accomplishments meaningless— And yet, one who had refused to yield and was now seeking to rise again after seven long years. Truly, a man of legend. A fallen noble, walking a path that almost bordered on anti-Bernhardt. On top of that, an educator with the ability to awaken Francia Brida herself. Perhaps because of such complexities, even her Master had shown considerable interest in him. There was no one in Karbenna better suited to cooperate with than Eugene Carter. And yet, Lea couldn’t easily extend her hand. Even if they cooperated for now out of mutual interest, if their ultimate goals differed, they would inevitably part ways. She didn’t want her current choice to become something that would hold her back later. “What’s your true goal, Instructor? Wealth and power? The restoration of your family? Or perhaps… a life of honor?” So she asked him bluntly— —to see whether he harbored the same will as her Master. “My true goal, huh…” Eugene’s reply was as follows: “If I had to put it into words—world peace, I guess?” “…Pardon?” It was the second time she found herself at a complete loss for words. ‘Go ahead and spoon-feed her, why don’t you.’ Up until a moment ago, she had only been a strong candidate. But now, I was sure. At least ninety-five percent certain. After all, she was the young lady of a noble family under someone’s guardianship. That alone required the wealth and status of a ducal household. Add to that the rumors that her guardian was a member of the Imperial Family, plus her excessive reactions just now— The answer was obvious. The reformer of the Ribenia Empire, the fourth-ranking figure of the Imperial Family— One of the Empire’s main characters, and the eternal rival of Michel Bernhardt. The Third Princess, Edel Ribenia. I quietly rose and walked over to the girl who sat frozen in shock beside me. “I see your loyalty to Her Highness runs deep, Lea Bronte.” “H-how did you—?!” She instinctively tried to cover her mouth, startled by her own outburst, but I caught her right arm and said calmly, “However… don’t you think you’re being a bit arrogant?” “…Arrogant?” “To think you could shoulder that burden alone.” At that, Lea averted her gaze, her expression as if I had struck a nerve. I slowly walked over to the desk, picked up a sheet of paper and a pen, and handed them to her. “Don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re the only one who wishes to save her, Lea Bronte.” “……” I didn’t know how those words reached her. Lea silently accepted the paper and pen, went to the desk, and began moving her hand at an incredible speed. After nearly two minutes of continuous writing, she glanced at me. “…If what you’re saying is true, then why does no one listen to her? Why does no one follow her?” “The cries of the powerless echo in vain.” “Ha! If a direct descendant of the glorious Imperial Family has no power, then who in the world does?!” “Because that Imperial Family has no power anymore. Most of their authority was taken by the Bernhardts and the great noble houses—they’ve been reduced to little more than puppets.” “……” An Emperor who had been in a coma for eleven years. A First Prince who died early in battle. A Second Prince who was a scoundrel. A Second Princess who embodied vanity. And a weak Fourth Princess. If the Emperor had been conscious, he would have made some decision. And if he had died young, the other direct heirs would have done something—anything—to preserve the Imperial Family’s standing. But the Bernhardts, who took advantage of the chaos to amend the laws in their favor, never allowed the Emperor to die. They kept the comatose Emperor as a figurehead and began to seize control of the Imperial Court directly. To those blinded by gold, they gave money. To those lusting after pleasure, they gave women. To the ambitious, they handed power. To those seeking honor, they made soldiers. They excluded anyone who could become a threat and drew close to those who could be useful, building their own foundation of influence. And fearing betrayal from within, they kept a tight hold on their allies’ weaknesses and manipulated them as needed. Through all that, Edel had fought alone. But no matter how talented she was, there was a limit to what one person could do. That, of course, applied to Eugene Carter as well. “The opponent we’ll be facing from now on is an evil that’s been fattened by centuries of Imperial growth. If you treat them like some neighborhood gang, you’ll only end up dying a dog’s death. The more allies, the better.” I looked coldly at Lea, whose face was on the verge of tears. “If you think, ‘It has to be me who saves her. Only I can save her,’ with that kind of delusion… you’ll never be able to save her. Ever.” “……” “Keep that in mind.” Even at my harsh words, Lea didn’t shed a single tear. She only lowered her head in silence before quickly leaving the room as if fleeing. As I stared toward the door, my gaze shifted to the desk. There lay a half sheet of paper—Lea Bronte’s hastily scribbled note. At that moment, in the Mage Studies Hall library, first floor. “I-I’ll carry those….” “No, no! There isn’t much time left, so Miss Francia, please just focus on reading!” Books were piling up on both sides. Francia sighed deeply, wearing a troubled expression. No matter how she asked herself how things had turned out this way, there was no answer. Seeing Rubia Magnus approaching again, carrying another stack of books, Francia let out another sigh. Thud! The long library table trembled under the weight of all the books Rubia set down before she clapped her hands with satisfaction. “Here’s the Basic Doctrine of Imperial Swordsmanship, and this one’s a historical analysis of lost sword techniques. This book covers the mana control method of the Sword Saint Archidale, and this one’s the most authoritative text in Aura Studies, so it’ll definitely help. Oh, and this one’s the Compendium of the Empire’s Famous Blades…” “…I have to go to my next class soon.” “Oh my, look at me! You said you also needed the genealogical records of the Levinel region, right? Just wait a moment, Miss Francia!” In her usual unhurried, scatterbrained fashion, Rubia hurried back toward the bookshelves. Watching her retreating back, Francia scratched her forehead awkwardly before smiling faintly. Her fussiness yet diligence reminded her of her mother from childhood. Rubia returned about five minutes later. “Read this later during personal study time, Miss Francia. There’s only twenty minutes until class.” Francia skimmed through the book’s contents and nodded. Then, just as she was about to turn the next page of the book she’d been reading earlier, she glanced at Rubia and carefully asked, “But… how do you know me?” “You took my class last year, Miss Francia.” “…Just because of that?” Rubia smiled brightly and nodded. “Well, not only because of that… you’re actually kind of a celebrity, Miss Francia.” “Me?” “You’re the successor of Illusion Swordsmanship, heir of the Heir of the Sword Saint, user of the Aura Blade, and above all, Professor Eugene’s very first student! With that many titles, who wouldn’t know you?” That last line sounded particularly filled with personal affection. Francia blinked in confusion before asking carefully, “By any chance… do you like Instructor Carter?” “Yes, I do.” “…Huh?” Her answer was so calm and straightforward that Francia ended up more flustered than Rubia. Then Rubia seemed to realize what she had just said and waved her hands frantically. “O-of course, I mean as a fellow instructor! You know what I mean, right?” Sure, sure. Whatever you say. Francia nodded with a knowing smile, while Rubia’s face turned as red as a beet. The two exchanged an awkward smile. “…So, what made you start liking Instructor Carter, Professor?” “What about you, Miss Francia?” “Well, because he helped me reach a higher realm…” “So, you mean you respect him as a mentor?” “Yes, that’s right.” “I’m not that different either.” Rubia murmured softly, gazing out the window with a wistful expression. “To me, he was a hero.” “A hero…” Then she turned back and smiled faintly. “Everyone has their own hero, after all.” “……” Did I ever have someone like that? If I had to name one, it would have been my father. But could I really call someone who left me alone in this awful world a hero? ‘…Maybe I just haven’t met mine yet.’ If that’s the case, then I should keep on living—no matter what. At least until I meet that person. Feeling like she had found another reason to live, Francia suddenly felt lighter. After talking for a while longer, the time had already passed 11:50. “…I should get going. The classroom’s a bit far.” “Oh, right. It’s already that late…” When Francia stood, Rubia rose as well. “It was nice meeting you, Miss Francia.” “It was nice meeting you too, Professor Magnus.” “Next time, just call me Professor Rubia, okay?” “…Yes.” The two shook hands before heading off in separate directions. Where they had sat, more than fifty books were scattered all over the table. When the librarian, having finished organizing the archives, returned to the reading area and saw the mess, he immediately groaned and clutched his head in despair.