Chapter 25: Cadet Social Gathering (2)

“I have already clearly witnessed what you did. Don’t even think about denying it.”

Carl gave a stern warning.

On the surface, he had simply happened to witness the waiter spiking a drink and had followed him.

Since Carl was unremarkable aside from being the top theoretical student, the other party likely thought he was just unlucky to get caught.

“……”

The waiter didn’t respond.

It was impossible to determine whether his mind had been brainwashed or if he was being controlled like a puppet.

If it were the latter, someone might be watching through those eyes—so he had to be cautious.

‘How can I get him to crack?’

Carl lightly tilted his neck.

Several methods came to mind.

The best would be to start a conversation and extract information, but unfortunately, the other party showed no sign of opening his mouth.

In the worst-case scenario, causing a commotion and bringing in others would suffice.

Either way, if it was revealed that a staff member had spiked a cadet’s drink and instigated a fight, it would become a serious issue.

Ssshh.

Carl took the silence as an answer and slowly closed the distance.

‘His body isn’t that well trained. Which means the one behind him is quite skilled.’

Even with body enhancement through magic, pulling off such combat using someone else’s body wasn’t easy.

He needed to keep in mind that the main body was likely quite a capable fighter.

Tap.

Carl suddenly lowered his stance and rushed into the waiter’s space.

A light step using Jin-gak erupted with a burst at the end of his punch.

The opponent seemed to realize escape was impossible and instinctively crossed both arms.

Clang!

The sound of metal being struck echoed in the darkness.

It wasn’t loud enough to cause a scene.

He had controlled the noise well enough to be drowned out by the banquet’s clamor, so it didn’t spread outside.

Swish.

As a result of blocking Carl’s punch head-on, the waiter’s arms spasmed for a moment.

But seemingly unfazed, he immediately twisted his body and launched a sharp kick.

Smack! Thud!

Close-range combat erupted.

Fists and feet flew freely, resulting in a dozen fierce exchanges in a single breath.

As if choreographed from start to finish, every move synced perfectly.

“Hm.”

Carl narrowed his eyes.

Just like him, the opponent was carefully hiding any revealing traits.

No techniques were used, so there were no clues to infer martial style or origin.

‘In that case.’

The dragging stalemate ended there.

Since he had made up his mind, it was time to act.

Flick.

Carl suddenly vanished from the waiter’s sight, his figure disappearing without a trace.

The waiter widened his eyes, scanning around for a moment before raising his arms upon sensing a presence approaching from the blind spot.

Thud─!

It felt like a massive beast had slammed into him from the side.

The impact launched his body into the air…

Whoosh!

From the empty air on the opposite side, an arm shot out.

A sharp knife-hand strike exploded against the waiter’s neck.

“…Ghk!”

Struck in a vital spot, he collapsed to the floor with a brief gasp.

Carl reached out and grabbed the waiter’s neck.

Then, with a rather pleased expression, he let out a chuckle.

“Well, let’s see what kind of bastard dared to pull this stunt.”

Crack.

Carl’s grip tightened.

His spiritual cultivation wasn’t yet deep enough to probe someone’s mind with magic alone.

But when mixed with martial arts, the story changed drastically.

Fzzzzz─.

A darkness thicker than night surged from Carl’s body and seeped into the waiter’s mind.

It was a soul-seizing technique used to dominate the opponent’s consciousness.

A unique technique Carl had developed by blending magic and martial arts to dig through brains and extract information.

Snap.

But that confident momentum didn’t last long.

With a spark flaring from the waiter’s head, the link to the controller was abruptly severed.

“…Tch, so they cut the leash. No guts at all.”

The possessed body seemed to have lost consciousness, causing the controller to immediately abandon it.

They likely hadn’t realized Carl had attempted a reverse trace.

They must’ve cleaned up before things got more troublesome.

The only silver lining was that Carl managed to leave a mark on the target.

If they ever faced each other again, he’d be able to identify them.

Carl released the waiter’s neck and curled his lip into a smirk.

“When the time comes, I’ll tear that brain open myself.”

The first day at the academy passed without incident.

Although there had been a minor commotion beneath the surface during the gathering, Carl chose not to report the waiter.

‘That’ll only make them more confused.’

They would rack their brains wondering why he hadn’t reported it.

There was a risk of drawing unnecessary attention to himself—but that was exactly what he wanted.

Creak.

As Carl opened the classroom door and stepped inside, the quiet interior greeted him.

From the second day onward, the official semester began.

Second-years and above entered a temporary week for class previews and corrections.

However, first-years taking core courses went straight into the regular semester.

“Carl!”

As Carl prepared for the lecture by organizing materials from the Archive, Amy entered from the back of the classroom, waving.

She seemed intent on sitting next to him, but Maximilian arrived a beat earlier and claimed the seat.

“Sorry, but Carl’s seat is mine.”

“…Maxim.”

Amy let out a baffled laugh at Maximilian’s bold tone.

“Who decided that?”

“I did. Right now. Right here.”

“You call that an answer…”

Despite Amy’s sharp glare, Maximilian stubbornly held his seat.

“It’s fine, right, Carl?”

“I don’t mind whoever it is.”

“See? Better luck next time. If there even is a next time.”

“……”

Amy glared at him once, then sat down in the seat in front of Carl.

Maximilian glanced at his friend, then subtly looked over at Carl.

‘I realized it at the social gathering yesterday. It’s best to get close to Carl.’

At first, he hadn’t thought too deeply.

Top of the class in theory and decent looks.

Even the Leipzig background didn’t outshine his own.

He had thought Carl was the type who’d be moderately helpful to keep nearby and had approached him casually.

But his assumption was way off.

‘Whether it was intentional or not, Carl’s actions carry political calculation.’

Like being close to Princess Laysis or Yuria, heir of the Gray Magic Tower.

For those on the high end with nothing to gain to show friendliness toward Carl—it was clear evidence of his exceptional worth.

Wasn’t it the same during the gathering?

Though not as flashy in speech as in appearance, everyone who exchanged even a single word with him left with favorable impressions.

‘You might fool others, but not me.’

This was Maximilian.

He had experience mingling in noble social circles.

If Carl’s every move had been calculated, then he was terrifyingly meticulous, and if unintentional, then he possessed absurd political talent.

Either way, he wasn’t ordinary.

“Carl, did you pick any other lectures?”

“I’m still considering. There aren’t that many to choose from, so I want to be cautious.”

Carl shrugged in response to Maximilian’s question.

First-year cadets had six common subjects:

Understanding of Combat I

Considerations on Magic I

History of the Empire I

Fundamentals of Administration I

International Affairs I

Introduction to Bayern I

On top of that, they could choose two additional classes.

Normally, most would pick one extra and focus on other activities.

There were plenty of self-directed cadet activities outside of lectures.

The most prestigious option was the student council.

Being the top theory student, Carl figured that if he showed some interest, they’d approach him first.

With his eldest brother Karl Leipzig’s connections, it wouldn’t be hard to get in.

For now, he planned to hold off on that and slowly explore other options.

“I’m joining the swordsmanship club.”

“I think I’ll go for the combat magic club.”

“I don’t know. It sounds like a hassle.”

Gale chose swordsmanship club, Pozers picked combat magic club, and Rien wanted a blank slot.

“Carl, want to join the same club as me? I’ve looked into a few…”

“Carl, how about the hunting club? It’s famous for knowing all the empire’s major hunting grounds…”

Amy and Maximilian spoke over each other.

Both had been waiting to invite Carl to join them in extracurriculars.

With the seating fight extending to club recruitment, their gazes clashed sharply.

“…The professor is here. If you don’t want to get scolded on the first day, it’s best to stop arguing.”

Carl gave a wry smile and mediated between the two.

Just as he said, the classroom’s front door opened and an elderly man stepped inside.

The first lecture of the semester was “History of the Empire I.”

The lecturer was Professor Reblick, a scholar of great renown in academic circles.

“Nice to meet you all. I’m Reblick, and I’ll be in charge of this course.”

As Professor Reblick stood at the podium, the front of the room transformed.

One wall displayed an imperial timeline and references, while data from the Archive appeared on the other side.

“How much do you all know about the Empire?”

It was a sudden question to kick off the lecture.

Since most cadets present were from the Empire, the default answer was “somewhat.”

Reading the expression in their eyes, Professor Reblick gave a faint smile.

“You there, second row in front. Do you know who the Empire’s first emperor was?”

“Leios von Ribera.”

“Correct. Emperor Leios founded the Empire. But did you know he was actually a dragon?”

“…What?”

The cadet who was called on looked bewildered.

He knew the emperor’s name, but not that he was a dragon.

“A dragon? The first emperor?”

“Is that real?”

The cadets in the room murmured as they looked at one another.

It was the same with Carl’s group.

Maximilian and Amy both looked puzzled as if hearing it for the first time.

Only Gale had a knowing look.

“I’ve heard of it before.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. It’s the accepted theory in the imperial academic circles.”

Glancing around the room for a moment, Professor Reblick smiled at the cadets’ reactions.

“It’s only natural that this feels unfamiliar. It became mainstream about thirty years ago. Perhaps your parents or older siblings are well aware. Back then, it was quite a sensational topic.”

Naturally so.

The fact that the first emperor was actually a dragon—what could be more shocking?

‘A dragon, huh.’

Carl stroked his chin with an intrigued expression.

The origin of magic, beings capable of transforming into any race—an existence of reincarnation.

If he had to compare it to the Central Plains, he’d call it a dragon.

The difference was that in the Central Plains, an imugi had to endure harsh cultivation, bite into a dragon pearl, and ascend to the heavens to finally become a dragon.

But dragons here were born as a race already called dragons, so the feeling was quite different.

‘There might be beings like immortals as well.’

Carl spun his pen in his hand.

Even he, once called the Unkillable, couldn’t dare approach such existences.

He wondered if there were masters in Artenia who had reached an absolute realm beyond the divine stage.

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