Chapter 113: Omen (4)

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While NOX, which thrived in the shadows, was busy moving,

Bayern was flowing in peaceful daily life.

Aside from the external field trip scheduled for next week, there were no major issues for the time being.

The only thing left was the final exam at the end of the semester.

Of course, other practical trainings were being prepared beneath the surface along with it, but for now, it could be said to be peaceful.

In the midst of this, Carl was currently seated in the library.

Sitting across from him was not the cadets he usually spent time with, but NOX’s member, Luna.

She reported to Carl with a serious expression unlike her usual self.

“They said it has reached a lull. However, because the Turgar faction was stronger than expected, the Dirsen faction suffered significant losses.”

“That would be so. Until we arrived, Turgar’s side was the mainstream faction.”

Reports reaching Carl came through Seolbaek or through the Ninth Lord’s direct visit.

To focus on the Academy and avoid being caught, the communication network was minimized.

Instead, an overlapping structure was created by planting members everywhere so they could naturally gather information and pass on orders.

If necessary, Carl himself could move directly.

“In short, there is no major problem.”

“That is correct.”

The place of the secret meeting was a secluded corner of the library.

Because the Bayern archives were so vast, there were plenty of places rarely visited by people.

Though it was the source of ghost stories and rumors, no place was better for Carl.

In addition, he had blocked surrounding sounds with a sound barrier, doubling the security, so there was no worry that their conversation would leak.

“So, what about that matter?”

The reason Carl contacted Luna today was not only to hear NOX’s current situation but also to ask about the non-human beings they had previously encountered.

“There were no significant findings from either.”

“You mean they were ordinary.”

“Yes. Considering how many unusual types there are among Bayern’s cadets.”

Luna politely handed Carl her written report and continued.

“Seira is as ordinary as they come. She’s an Administration major in the General Faculty, with grades in the upper-middle range. Aside from the fact that she works as a library assistant to pay her tuition, there are no major factors.”

“A library assistant.”

“Oh, she’s very popular among male cadets. She’s pretty, intelligent, and well-regarded. Since the semester began, she’s already received more than ten confessions.”

“Hmm.”

Carl nodded.

Though it wasn’t very important information, even trivial points should not be neglected.

One never knew from which angle they might uncover the opponent’s identity.

“Her family is also ordinary. If it weren’t for Master’s words, there would have been no reason for her to come into NOX’s sights.”

“That is true.”

Carl nodded again.

Other than slightly good grades and working in the library, she had no peculiarities.

If she was hiding her identity and infiltrating, then she was an extremely skilled spy.

“And Rachel…”

“There’s a lot.”

“Yes. Mostly issues involving incidents and accidents.”

Carl let out a hollow laugh as he flipped through Rachel’s records.

Her daily life in Bayern was nothing but ordinary.

She seemed uninterested in studying, her grades were at the bottom, and since she always slept during lectures, her attitude scores were abysmal, with professors and instructors giving her poor evaluations.

However, despite her small frame, she was producing fairly outstanding results in practical skills.

“She defeated a second-year cadet ranked 17th in a duel?”

“Yes. The cadet had been bothering Seira, so she accepted his duel request and crushed him. According to witnesses, it was an overwhelming victory.”

“Fractured cheekbone, both arms broken, ruptured ribs…”

Carl exhaled a hollow laugh.

Whether she intended to or not, the opponent had been beaten into a pulp.

“Those cadets who kept confessing to her even after this must be remarkable.”

“It seems she has her own boundaries. If someone annoys her beyond a certain point, she steps in herself. Because the cadets know this, they’re careful around her.”

“What’s the connection between the two?”

“The first record is from a liberal arts lecture in their first year.”

“That would make sense. Since their faculties are different.”

Seira was an Administration major in the General Faculty.

Rachel was a Swordsmanship major in the Faculty of Magic.

The only places they could have crossed paths would have been in liberal arts lectures or clubs.

‘If our suspicions are correct, it would be more precise to say they already knew each other.’

They might even belong to the same organization.

“Since becoming second-years, they’ve only attended required courses and no other lectures. At this point, it looks like Bayern has given them some special consideration…”

“You mean the higher-ups also know something.”

“Yes, it seems to be an agreed matter.”

Carl nodded.

The fact that Bayern had not imposed any sanctions on such a troublemaker was already surprising.

Bayern was obsessed with its name and hated blemishes.

Yet, the fact that they kept Rachel meant there was something worth enduring such a stain for.

“She’s likely a vampire, and from quite a distinguished bloodline at that.”

“…Shall I sprinkle garlic powder on her?”

“Hmm.”

Carl had considered the same.

If she was truly a vampire, she might show some reaction.

The legends of garlic and crosses were famous, after all.

But there was no need to poke a hornet’s nest, so he shook his head.

“For now, bury it. They haven’t done anything, and we only ran into them by chance.”

Otherwise, he might accidentally stir up something Bayern was secretly hiding.

While steadily building his reputation, he had to avoid such noise.

“But don’t the other cadets find Rachel strange?”

“No. From the second year onward, most cadets tend to be individualistic, each looking out for their own benefit. In that regard, this year’s first-years can be considered irregulars. Usually, they’re not this tight-knit.”

Perhaps because of the terrorism and other incidents that had occurred since the entrance exam, a strange sense of camaraderie had settled among the first-years.

It was uncertain how it would evolve as the years went on, but it was certainly different from Bayern’s usual atmosphere.

“That’s why the higher-ups seem to have high expectations for this upcoming Walpurgis Night Festival.”

“Because of their strong sense of unity.”

“Yes. Since it’s an event where cooperative play is crucial. And the smarter and more outstanding people are, the harder it is for them to cooperate.”

It was only natural.

With cadets already being highly individualistic, how could they give up their own benefits to act collectively?

“Then I’ll leave the surveillance to you.”

“Yes. Master, your next schedule is…?”

“I have an appointment with Lacis.”

“Ah.”

“Why is that?”

“N-no, it’s nothing.”

Luna quickly corrected her expression.

Alongside her support mission for Master, she had also been given a double mission from the Queen.

It was about Master’s relationships.

‘Lacis, Yuriana, Amy. For now, it’s only three….’

In particular, she was ordered to thoroughly report about the female cadets hovering around Master.

At the start of the semester, there was no problem.

It was common for cadets to grow close to one another.

But as time went on, a strange undercurrent began to flow among them, and by midterms, trouble finally erupted.

“……”

When Luna recalled that weekend, her head spun slightly.

A photo of Lacis leaning on Master’s shoulder as they watched the sunset affectionately.

Naturally, that damned photo ended up in the Queen’s hands….

‘It was terrifying.’

She was ordered to investigate the matter even more thoroughly.

The way the Queen’s eyes gleamed, it looked as though she might resort to poison.

Since they were important cadets, Master kept an eye on them as well, so there was no way she would actually commit something so extreme.

Still, Luna could not help but feel uneasy.

After all, the Queen had countless cards at her disposal besides Luna herself.

“…It’s nothing, I should be leaving now.”

Luna repeated her words, bowed deeply, and left before Carl.

“……?”

Tilting his head for a moment, Carl tidied up and left the library.

‘It’s time to loosen my body a little.’

After the midterms.

Carl had revealed part of his strength to Lacis.

It had been to lay the groundwork for his future activities and to win her over.

But because of that, he ended up being dragged into regular sparring matches with Lacis.

‘A magic study with Yuriana, and a swordsmanship study with Lacis, huh.’

It was not a bad structure.

What mattered was that he had established separate relationships, creating different dynamics.

After all, the more people there were, the weaker the bond tended to become.

Creak.

Carl opened the door to the designated training hall.

Judging by the sonic bursts slicing through the air, Lacis was already in the middle of training.

Swish, swoosh, swish!

Seemingly engrossed, she did not stop swinging her sword even at Carl’s arrival.

Carl leaned his back against the wall and quietly watched the scene.

‘Impressive.’

Her fundamentals were solid.

From the force carried in her sword and the sharp traces it carved, he could tell how long and hard she had worked.

In terms of the Central Plains, she would rank among the top talents of the junior members of prestigious orthodox sects.

Perhaps she could even be counted among the Five Dragon Peaks.

In fact, within Bayern, she ranked second only to Nerian.

‘…Should I teach her martial arts?’

The thought suddenly came to Carl.

His mind contained countless martial arts of the Central Plains.

During his life as an assassin, he had acquired numerous secret manuals and thoroughly analyzed the techniques of masters he was tasked to kill.

Not only from the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families, but also from many renowned masters of the martial world.

That was how he had reached the seat of Greatest Assassin of the Central Plains.

Perhaps the reason he had been able to master the supreme art, the Primordial Unity Divine Art, without issue was not talent, but his accumulated effort.

‘If it were a martial art suitable for Lacis….’

It would have to be chosen from the orthodox arts.

And it could not overlap with the martial arts he had already passed on to NOX’s Black Label members.

The Plum-Blossom Sword Technique of Mount Hua.

The Taiji Sword of Wudang.

The Four-Seasons Sword of Mount Song.

The Sky-Cleaving Boundless Sword of the Namgung Family.

One of these four should be appropriate.

‘No, if I give her something too good from the start, it won’t serve as a proper deal.’

Carl shook his head.

What he wanted from Lacis was for her to sink deeper into his world.

To be bound by greed and thirst for better sword techniques after learning a new one.

He wanted to create a swamp she could never escape.

‘Then, the appropriate choice is….’

When Lacis’s sword finally stopped, Carl made his decision as well.

For the first time, apart from the Black Label, he resolved to pass on martial arts of the Central Plains to another.

“Ah, Carl. Sorry, I was too focused.”

“It’s fine. More importantly….”

“More importantly?”

“Would you like to learn the sword from me?”

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