Chapter 108: Encounter (2)

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“Monster ecology? Did we have an assignment related to investigating monsters?”

Before the Imperial History lecture began.

Maximilian showed interest in the book spread out in front of Carl.

Carl, who was copying down content related to demons, shook his head and replied.

“No. Monster and monster ecology only start in the second year. This is just personal interest.”

“I see.”

Maximilian nodded.

Carl often read a wide variety of books.

Today, it was just that the topic was slightly unusual, which caught Maximilian’s attention.

“Monsters, huh. Gale, have you ever seen a monster?”

“Even what we fought recently was a monster.”

“Ah, the Temple of the Fallen Heretic. Right. The things that appeared there were monsters too.”

Being a monster didn’t mean it was something grandiose.

The Temple of the Fallen Heretic, which the cadets had visited recently for practice, was also a den of monsters.

Skeletons, ghouls, liches, death knights, and other creatures could all be considered a branch of monsters.

“The Death Knight was pretty strong.”

“I didn’t expect a monster to be that strong.”

“Monsters are diverse. Still, it was good experience.”

“The hot springs were nice too.”

Amy, who had been listening from beside them, added her comment, and everyone nodded in agreement.

The time at the Leipzig mansion was short, but it had been pleasant.

Carl secretly hoped Maximilian might invite them again since he wanted to go one more time.

Scritch scratch.

He continued taking notes diligently.

Mulling over the content he was copying in his mind.

“Monsters are also classified by rank, just like ordinary monsters.”

Most of what came out of the Temple of the Fallen Heretic had been low-level monsters.

Only boss monsters like the Death Knight or Lich could possibly be classified as mid-level.

Even at that, an Expert or upper-level hunter could handle them alone.

Carl had defeated them without much effort.

In terms of raw strength alone, Carl’s power had long surpassed the Master level.

He had mastered the Divine Skill of the Clear Sky and the Celestial Demon Martial Art, legendary techniques of the Central Plains.

Moreover, if one added the abilities of the Lone Origin Martial Art, he could probably handle opponents several levels above.

“So what is that then?”

The reason Carl had borrowed a book on monster ecology and was copying it attentively.

It was the being he had brushed past in the medical room just the day before.

Her name was Rachel.

Being a senior cadet by one year, she was not particularly famous.

“Obsession with blood, and the scent of a corpse brushing past her nose.”

It wasn’t that she actually smelled like a corpse.

It was that her aura emitted a corpse-like scent.

In other words, Rachel was not a living human.

“If she is an inhuman monster, it makes sense.”

The strange sense of unease Carl had felt, along with all the evidence, pointed to one conclusion.

「Vampire」

Eyes like crimson gems and pale skin that could not absorb sunlight.

And an instinctive obsession with the blood she craved.

It might have seemed unbelievable, but Carl did not overlook these small clues.

“The encounter was almost by chance. If Lacis hadn’t forcibly dragged me to the medical room, I wouldn’t even have noticed her.”

It was unlikely he would have had any reason to speak to her otherwise.

Apparently, even Nox had found no particular abnormalities.

“There is an inhuman being among the cadets.”

Tap tap.

Carl lightly tapped the tip of his fountain pen as he pondered.

A vampire.

It seemed almost certain from the circumstances, since he couldn’t have been mistaken.

At least, nothing of this was publicly known.

Did Bavaria even know about this fact?

“Vampires are mid-level monsters, but depending on their traits and bloodline, they can surpass that.”

A typical vampire was just a creature that craved blood.

However, one who inherited the blood of the original progenitor vampire, or an awakened vampire, emitted potential beyond a high-level monster.

Some were even classified as demons or high-ranking devils and given names.

The vampire Rachel he had encountered in the medical room seemed to be at least a similar type.

“Garlic is supposed to be effective.”

Should he secretly follow her and try sprinkling garlic powder?

A mischievous thought crossed his mind, but he restrained himself.

Drawing too much attention to this matter could be problematic.

In any case, it was a fairly notable subject, so he finished organizing the information.

He could continue investigations based on the related information.

Luna would handle the direct action.

It would be easier for Luna, a senior cadet, to move than for himself, a first-year cadet.

“Now, let’s begin the lecture.”

Soon, the professor entered, and the Imperial History lecture commenced.

The first semester’s midterm course had ended, and they had entered the final advanced course, but this field posed no significant issues.

History, in particular, could be considered Carl’s specialty.

Of course, it leaned toward heroes, but since it was a memorization subject, it was not a major problem.

Thanks to the vast materials left by senior cadets in the Archaeological Exploration Club, even the lacking areas were almost perfectly supplemented.

Because of this, Carl had been considering a future path as a historian.

Choosing the historian route would at least give him a reason to freely travel across the continent.

“Now, we will end today’s lecture here…”

At the professor’s remark, the cadets relaxed, letting out quiet sighs.

They leaned back, stretching stiff spines and rubbing tired eyes.

Having been seated for so long, fatigue was inevitable.

“There’s an announcement. Next time, we will probably go for a field experience.”

“Oh?”

“Field experience?”

The new announcement immediately regained the cadets’ attention.

Even those who had been dozing off nodded up eagerly, eyes wide at the mention of a field experience.

“Field experience, that is, a tour.

Everyone knows that there are several historical sites related to Imperial history in the Tohoshu territory.

Next time, we will take time to visit those places.

After that, you will submit a report for evaluation, so be aware of this.”

“Ugh.”

Maximilian made a grimace at the mention of submitting a report.

But most of the cadets seemed excited at the idea of an outdoor tour.

Life at the academy was enjoyable, but going out and walking around was fine too.

Seeing the cadets’ reactions, the professor slightly adjusted his glasses and continued.

“In the future, not only this lecture but also external activities and practical exercises are planned.

The goal is to allow cadets to gain as much diverse experience as possible.

So I would appreciate it if everyone participated actively.”

That concluded the lecture.

When the professor left the classroom, Amy stretched and said.

“Ugh, a field experience. Sounds fun. I’ve been to the Tohoshu region once, and the peanut butter ice cream was delicious.”

“Just the name makes it sound sweet.”

“It is sweet, but it’s pretty good while touring the ruins. The food quality is high since the tourism industry is well developed.”

“That sounds exciting. Are we staying there for a day?”

“If it’s not practical training, then no. Since it’s a tour, we’ll finish quickly between morning and afternoon and return. Ah, there’s a notice. It’s a one-day trip.”

“I see. That’s a shame.”

Tap tap.

While the other cadets chatted, Carl finished preparing to move.

“Then I’ll go to the club for a bit.”

“Alright, see you in the next lecture.”

Today was the day of the club’s regular meeting.

Following the first exploration, they were planning a second expedition.

This time, they had found another promising undiscovered ruin, so Carl intended to participate.

‘They’re more competent than I thought.’

When historical interest and resources combined, nothing was impossible.

The club itself was good, and the members were excellent, so investing effort here wouldn’t be a loss.

“See you later then.”

After saying goodbye to the cadets, Carl left his seat.

But not long after leaving the classroom, he stopped in his tracks.

“Carl.”

“Lewis.”

Lewis Wolfsburg.

He approached Carl naturally, as if he had been waiting.

“Going to the club?”

“Yes. There is a regular meeting scheduled.”

“It won’t take long, so just a moment.”

“Understood.”

Carl followed Lewis.

Since there was still some time before the meeting, it wasn’t a problem.

Walking across the courtyard in front of the classroom, Lewis subtly observed Carl.

“Thanks to your introduction, it’s almost certain that I will run in the student council elections next semester with Senior Alecdima.”

“That’s good.”

“But are you really okay with letting me have it?”

Lewis wondered.

Senior Alecdima’s popularity was guaranteed.

Even if he ran in the election, he could easily secure at least 30% of the votes.

No matter which first-year cadet entered, they could campaign without difficulty.

‘In other words, being part of the student council is a guaranteed position.’

For Lewis, it was an opportunity he couldn’t ask for more.

He had been eyeing any chance to catch up to Nerian, so the honor of a student council seat was something he wanted to take even voluntarily.

“I’m fine. I never intended to pursue that anyway.”

“Even if you’re not interested, considering your grades, you should keep it in mind. Student council activities add a lot of points. Even if not a leadership position.”

Carl looked at Lewis.

He roughly guessed the intention behind calling him over.

‘He’s trying to tempt me.’

For a first-year cadet, joining the student council wasn’t just for the vice president position.

There were executive and various officer positions below, which could be filled with his people.

Lewis intended to strengthen the connection with Carl while also offering him a position.

The vice president position might be too burdensome, but the subordinate positions would be fine, he assumed.

‘Quite a clever idea.’

From Lewis’ perspective, it was a way to express gratitude.

But Carl shook his head with a wry smile.

“I understand what you mean, but I really have no intention of doing it. I’m busy with other activities, unfortunately.”

“The Archaeological Exploration Club, right?”

“Yes. Managing academics, the club, and the student council together would be difficult.”

“Then it can’t be helped.”

Lewis gave up gracefully.

If Carl found it difficult, how could he force it?

He had only intended to offer a good position as a gesture of thanks.

“But if you change your mind, let me know anytime. I can make room for at least one person like you.”

“Understood.”

“Still, you’ve opened the path for me. I was worried because I had no connections with the student council.”

He had been looking for someone to introduce him to connections with Senior Alecdima.

Carl had solved that issue perfectly, so he had to be grateful.

“If it’s alright, I’d like to invite you later…”

“What are you talking about?”

“…Nerian.”

During Lewis’ words, an uninvited guest interrupted.

Nerian, coming from elsewhere, appeared between Lewis and Carl.

Lewis pushed him aside with a smiling face and said.

“This is a conversation between me and Carl.”

“Hmm.”

Nerian’s gaze turned to Carl.

With inquisitive periwinkle eyes, Carl shrugged and answered.

“Lewis invited me to a meal.”

“A meal?”

Nerian looked between the two briefly, then nodded.

“I’ll go too.”

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