I Became the Academy’s War Hero Chapter 82

Chloe Bernhardt.

One of MAGA’s most infamous villains—and Michel Bernhardt’s archrival.

There were countless reasons why she was Michel’s nemesis.

But the biggest one stemmed from Bernhardt’s excessive favoritism toward its direct bloodline.

Given the structure of the Bernhardt Family, where lineage outweighed skill or competence, it was only natural that Michel, a collateral branch member, would be cast aside.

Even so, Chloe’s jealousy toward him had long crossed the line.

Whether it was mere irritation that a collateral member dared to step into their main business territory—

Or if there was another reason I didn’t yet know, I would eventually find out.

But regardless of that, I made no effort to hide my hostility.

‘There’s no reason to hold back anymore.’

As I continued to stare at her with a displeased expression, a laugh burst from Chloe as if she found it ridiculous.

“Why the angry face? I’m the one who should be furious here.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“Hmph. Sure you didn’t.”

Chloe ran her fingers through her dry, tangled hair, her eyes flashing with amusement.

“You must feel satisfied. Surviving the woman who was desperate to kill you, shaking the very foundation of Bernhardt’s ironclad bloodline, and driving a dagger into its most fatal weakness.”

“Do creatures like you even bleed?”

“Heh, who knows?”

Wanna check for yourself?

With that, Chloe pulled a palm-sized dagger from her breast pocket.

She mimicked slitting her wrist, flashing a wicked grin.

Unfazed, I shifted the topic.

“What do you want?”

Her lips curled, still holding that sharp, mocking smile.

“You’re in quite a hurry, Carter.”

“I’ve no desire to spend more time talking to you than necessary.”

“That’s a shame. I actually like you.”

Fine, I’ll get straight to the point.

“Become an ally of the Bernhardt Family, Carter.”

She flipped the dagger around, offering it hilt-first as if sealing a deal.

“……”

‘Now this is an interesting offer.’

Of course, my answer was already decided.

Still, it was a topic worth hearing her out on.

‘In that way, she’s not too different from Michel.’

If something had value, she’d suppress her emotions and pursue the most rational outcome.

I crossed my arms and decided to test her a little.

“You were practically oozing murderous intent a moment ago, and now you’re proposing an alliance? I don’t follow.”

“You know the kind of person I am.”

“I’m not sure I do.”

“Well, then. I’ll explain.”

Clenching her fist, Chloe’s gaze hardened.

“I hate half-measures, Carter. If I want to kill someone, I kill them. If I want something, I take it. I’ll climb to the top of the world and show mercy to the pitiful masses—that’s my drive, my purpose.”

“Then why not kill me? With Bernhardt’s power, it’d be easy to bury me. Physically or socially.”

“True enough.”

But I changed my mind.

“To be precise, my desire to have you has outweighed my desire to kill you.”

“……”

“Bernhardt’s full of idiots like Jeff Halenber—men who do nothing but occupy a seat. But you’re different.”

“Guess you like the underdog’s punch.”

“Ahaha, that’s part of it… but mostly, it’d be a waste to let you go.”

Between her determined eyes, I saw a growing spark of battle fervor.

“Whatever your goal is, the place you’re standing isn’t where you’ll achieve it. Only Bernhardt can give you what you truly want.”

“Even more than the Imperial Court?”

“What’s there to expect from a puppet court? You know that as well as I do.”

“Well….”

It was true that the Imperial Court’s influence had waned.

With the so-called first and second most powerful people being what they were, it was no wonder Bernhardt still held its position as the strongest family.

If not for the extraordinary capabilities of Edgar Bernhardt, the head of the main line, and Mikhail Bernhardt, the head of the collateral branch, the family’s dominance would’ve already collapsed.

Feigning hesitation, I rubbed my chin thoughtfully.

“If I pledged myself to Bernhardt… what would happen to the Chairwoman?”

“Oh, Michel?”

Chloe’s expression briefly said, Why are you even worried about that? before she waved her hand dismissively.

“Relax, Carter. I don’t plan to kill my dear brother. I just want his position.”

“You know as well as I do that Michel Bernhardt would rather die than let that happen.”

“…True. That’s him, all right.”

But do you really think he can hold onto that seat forever?

“No matter what he does, it’s meaningless. He’ll end up isolated, dying quietly without recognition. Even if it’s not me, another Bernhardt will take his place.”

“So you’re saying I should abandon the sinking ship and board a new one?”

“If not for your interference, he’d have been finished at this very summit. You’re the reason he’s still afloat. That’s why I value you. You understand, don’t you?”

“Oh, I understand perfectly.”

Listening to her, I realized there was nothing she wouldn’t say.

I met her confident smile with one of my own—a different kind.

I turned the dagger back around and clenched its blade in my palm.

“I’ll be the judge of which ship is sinking.”

As blood dripped down to the floor, her eyes darkened.

“…You’ll regret this.”

“We’ll see.”

Anyone else would’ve backed off after such a clear rejection.

But Chloe only scratched her scalp irritably and let out a sharp sigh.

“You know there’s never been a single person who survived crossing Chloe Bernhardt. Why make such a stupid choice?”

“Because that’s the only way I can save her.”

“Why go that far? What has that trash of a woman ever done for you?!”

Ha.

Now she was crossing the line.

I stepped in close—so close our faces nearly touched—and smiled coldly.

Both eyes filled with hostility and murderous intent.

“You’d never understand, someone like you.”

“……”

Perhaps it was the first time anyone had ever called her that.

Chloe Bernhardt’s mouth parted slightly in shock, but no words came out.

That was the end of the conversation.

“If you’ve nothing more to say, I’ll take my leave.”

Waving my hand lightly, I walked off the stage without a hint of hesitation.

Exhilaration surged through my body, and the pain in my palm was completely numb.

After nearly thirty minutes of recess, we resumed the discussion.

Perhaps because the earlier commotion had been so intense, the rest of the proceedings went surprisingly smoothly.

It was decided that all academies, including Karbenna, would begin a full-scale investigation into Hokma. The Imperial Court would directly inspect all trade records at Raus, the western port.

In addition, penalties for Hokma manufacturers, possessors, and users were to be increased more than twofold, and the import regulations for unprocessed Hoken Trees would be re-evaluated.

As a result, the session concluded an hour earlier than the previous one on the refugee crisis.

Edel, who had been presiding over the meeting, looked around at the speakers and began her closing remarks.

“Humans are foolish creatures. Driven by greed, they desire what exceeds their means and end up losing everything.”

“……”

“That is why we must focus on establishing systems that can compensate for the imperfection of mankind. Before long, this will become the duty of not only our Empire but all of humanity.”

With a familiar posture, Edel raised her voice in impassioned appeal.

“So do not place your faith in the Imperial Court. Do not trust the Eight Great Houses. Trust only in the Ribenia Empire itself—this nation we shall build together with our comrades. That alone will be the power that carries us through this chaotic age.”

Without bending her knees, she bowed gracefully to all the participants gathered in the hall.

At once, thunderous applause erupted from every direction.

Amid the standing ovation, I let out a quiet chuckle of admiration.

“For a member of the Imperial Court to bow ninety degrees to the people…”

She really knew how to put on a show until the very end.

Truly fitting for Edel Ribenia, the so-called Empress of the People.

Perhaps because she had addressed nearly every concern raised during the discussions, the Q&A session wrapped up in less than ten minutes.

“If there are no further questions, we’ll conclude the second agenda item—regarding the current state of Hokma addiction and its countermeasures.”

Bang, bang, bang.

With the moderator’s declaration, Edel briskly left the stage.

She didn’t look back even once.

Even after she exited, the applause and cheers refused to die down.

Only after another ten minutes of such clamor did the hall slowly return to silence.

“The third agenda is the current status report of the Empire’s academies. Speakers for this session, please come to the stage.”

While people stood and returned to their seats one by one,

I stretched my stiff body, rolling my shoulders lightly.

“I’ll head back first, Instructor.”

It was time for those not participating—Francia, Lea, and Eric—to leave.

“You’ve all done well. Take the rest of the time to rest properly.”

After sending the three off, Michel approached me.

“Good work, Carter.”

“This is only the beginning.”

“I saw you talking with Chloe earlier.”

“…So you noticed.”

She sat down beside me and closed her eyes softly.

“Do as you wish, Carter.”

“……”

“After all, what ties us together are our interests. It’s only natural to side with whoever benefits you more.”

“…She did make an offer.”

“As I thought… she did.”

“But I turned her down.”

Michel’s eyes snapped open.

Her green irises shimmered brightly, brimming with surprise—something very uncharacteristic of her.

I smiled faintly at her reaction.

“Are you really that surprised I rejected your sister’s offer?”

“…I just didn’t think you’d have any reason to.”

“Maybe not right now.”

At least, not by the standards of this world as it stands.

“Things will change soon. The Bernhardt Family won’t be an exception. They’ll eventually lose their power—and we’ll face countless dangers ourselves.”

“Then why…”

“Well, isn’t that just how the world works?”

I met her gaze head-on and continued.

“If I have to face threats anyway, I’d rather do it alongside someone I can trust to watch my back.”

“……”

“Someone like… you, for instance.”

How she took those words, I couldn’t tell.

But beneath her pale eyes, a faint blush began to bloom.

She quickly turned her head away and stood up.

“W-We can talk about that later. The summit’s only halfway through.”

Then, in an instant, she disappeared into the crowd.

‘…That side of her really doesn’t show often.’

Half amused, half intrigued, I watched her go.

And then—

“How’s the preparation for the duel going, Carter?”

A familiar, unwelcome voice reached me from the side.

It was Frederick Lake, the Dean of Karbenna and my opponent for the upcoming Special Duel.