There's a trope often seen in plays and stories.
When the protagonist falls into a crisis, multiple problems suddenly erupt all around them at once.
At the same time, any potential allies disappear, forcing the protagonist to solve everything alone.
It was absurd that such a cliché scenario was playing out in real life—but regardless, things spiraling into chaos was precisely the sequence written in the prophecy.
"We need to leave this place immediately and leave it to the professors and assistants."
Ruina was right.
The professors and assistants were originally stationed throughout the field in anticipation of unexpected emergencies like this.
They would handle the situation, even if it took some time. Of course, there would likely be some casualties in the process, but that wasn't something the two of them needed to worry about.
"No, we're not doing that."
But that wasn't what Fernand wanted.
"We're going in there."
"Are you insane?"
"Insane? Please."
This was exactly what he came to see. In fact, he'd brought Ruina along precisely to prepare for this kind of situation.
"The monsters in the northwestern zone are limited in type. They're not even that strong."
That part of the northern mountains was designed for lower-year students.
"Even if they're rampaging, do you think they can stop us? When you and I are both here?"
"…Did you bring me along because you predicted this might happen?"
Needlessly sharp, as always.
"Don't be ridiculous. How could I have predicted something like this?"
"You're right about that."
"There's an elixir not far from here. Are you telling me to give that up? Even after I promised you a reward?"
"…Considering the situation, it's fine to cancel the deal."
"No, I can't pass up the elixir."
He shook his head firmly.
"Is the elixir more important than your life?"
"You're making me repeat myself like a parrot. I'm not weak, and you're here with me—what's so dangerous about that?"
Right after Aint defeats and knocks out Berian in a duel, a massive monster rampage triggered by demons will begin.
While the professors and assistants are busy trying to suppress the chaos, Berian—empowered by the demons—will begin to pursue him.
And Aint Armian, facing an overwhelming enemy, will struggle, and struggle again, until he finally awakens.
This is the moment Aint Armian first comes face-to-face with a demon—and it's also considered the most important part of the prophecy. Fernand had to witness it with his own eyes.
To gain final confirmation of the prophecy's truth.
"If you won't come, I'll go alone. Go back. Forget the deal."
Without waiting for Ruina's reply, Fernand turned and walked off with long strides.
Ruina stared blankly at his retreating back.
"…All this for an elixir?"
Of course, it wasn't exactly something common. But no matter how rare, was it really worth risking your life over?
Ruina simply couldn't understand Fernand.
"You think I can just leave if you tell me to?"
Fernand wasn't weak. And with the help of his artifacts to cover any blind spots, even with monsters going berserk, things probably wouldn't get too out of hand.
…Probably.
"..."
Ruina let out a deep sigh.
If she left him like this and he ended up dead, she would never sleep peacefully again.
"Wait for me!"
Biting her lip, she ran after Fernand.
"I thought you said you'd go alone?"
"I never said that."
Ruina marched ahead, clearing the path. Since there weren't any actual trails in the dense forest, it was more efficient for her to take the lead.
"We grab the elixir and leave. That's it."
"So you're helping me?"
"Do I really need to say it out loud?"
"Yeah. Let's make sure to do that. Once we retrieve the elixir, we'll get out right away."
"Which direction is it?"
Hmm. Fernand unfolded the map and confirmed their location before setting course westward.
At that moment, Ruina suddenly came to a halt. Her grip on her sword tightened.
Not far off, a student was running for their life, trying to flee from a horde of monsters.
"Help me! Assistant! Somebody help me!"
With dozens of monsters chasing him from behind, he was clearly in a dire situation.
"You want to help him?"
"If we leave him like that, he'll die."
"We can't reveal ourselves."
"But…"
Fernand checked the map once more.
"There are no assistants nearby, but… there is someone better. He'll be saved soon."
"Someone better?"
Just then—
SLASH!
A blade of deep blue sword aura split the sky.
The pack of monsters that had been pursuing their prey was suddenly cleaved in half, and flesh burst into the air.
"Get behind me!"
With a short shout, another flash of sword light lit the forest. Every time the sword tore through the air, another monster collapsed without fail.
"Valoshi…!"
The rescued student hid behind the man. The chase had ended in an instant, as if it had never happened.
That's how extreme the difference in level was.
"Thank you, Valoshi."
"It was nothing."
"…Ah, but…"
The student hesitated, only just remembering the purpose of the midterm exam. But Valoshi shook his head.
"I'm not thinking about grades in a situation like this. I'm going to find the assistants. Come with me."
"Can I?"
"Sure."
The two students disappeared beyond the underbrush.
Ruina, who had been watching silently, whispered under her breath.
"…Valoshi Bienderk."
He was the monster who had utterly crushed Berian—who was ranked second—and became the top student in the knight department.
"What did I tell you? I was right, wasn't I?"
"You were, indeed."
"Now that you've seen him in person—do you think you could beat him?"
"I couldn't get a full read since he wasn't going all out."
Ruina nodded as if it were obvious.
"But I don't think I'd lose."
"That's what I like to hear."
Whether Valoshi Bienderk would become a Royal Knight or not was uncertain. But Ruina had already been acknowledged as a Royal Knight candidate by Sir Gardner Alpenfarsen.
No matter how talented Valoshi was, Ruina had no reason to be inferior—not in talent, nor in the fact that she was Aint's companion.
Valoshi Bienderk. That guy's another one I need to keep a close eye on.
Fernand etched Valoshi's image into his memory.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. Forget it. Let's get moving. We'll be late at this rate. I'm using magic from here."
Rumble! Fernand began manipulating the terrain, rapidly advancing ahead.
"Yes, sir."
Ruina nodded slightly and followed. Then, she tilted her head in confusion.
Late?
Weren't they just going to collect an elixir?
They were late.
At least, that's what Fernand concluded.
Broken trees, gouged-out ground, shattered piles of rock, monster corpses scattered everywhere—
The place looked like a battlefield. It was clear a fierce battle had taken place here.
And in the center of that devastation lay a limp figure.
"…What is this?"
"There was a fight here."
"…Berian Kalburden?"
Ruina recognized the fallen figure.
"Wait—!"
Before Fernand could stop her, she rushed over. She quickly examined Berian's wounds and breathing, then let out a sigh of relief.
"He's hurt, but thankfully still alive."
"You shouldn't just rush up to him!"
"How could you say that about someone collapsed like this?"
Ruina looked at him in disbelief. Fernand, unable to explain the prophecy to her yet, held his tongue.
"If we're not careful, we'll get found out. He's probably out of the exam now, so the assistants will take care of him."
But that wouldn't happen.
The sudden monster rampage had already ruined the midterms, and the assistants didn't have the luxury to monitor every student.
At least, not until Berian—consumed by demonic energy—rose and attacked Aint.
"Even so, we can't just leave him like this. The monsters are acting strange, too."
"That's why…"
How the hell do I explain this?
Fernand glanced at Berian.
Thankfully, there was no sign he was waking up yet.
Or so he thought—
Right then…
Creeeak—
An indescribably eerie sound tore through the air.
Fernand's gaze instinctively snapped to Berian.
The eyes that had been peacefully shut were now wide open.
And that wasn't all.
Not only were they bloodshot to an inhuman degree, but the skin all over his body was grotesquely swelling and contracting, over and over.
"What the hell…?"
"Ruina! Put him down and back away right now!"
Startled, Ruina jumped back to gain distance.
The moment she let go, the body slammed to the ground—only to bounce back up like a spring.
Huff— With a manic breath, black mist spewed from his mouth. The blood-red orbs darted back and forth between Fernand and Ruina.
And then—
──!
A murderous aura exploded outward.
Fernand realized it then.
"…This is insane."
Something had gone horribly wrong.
His form was grotesque.
Patches of skin had turned black, his eyes no longer bloodshot but glowing crimson.
He made no attempt to conceal the malice radiating from his body; the sheer pressure of his murderous and combative intent was enough to choke on.
But the most terrifying part was the black energy slithering out from every pore—a sinister, primal force that stirred deep revulsion.
"…What is that thing?"
Ruina didn't understand what she was looking at—but Fernand did.
That was demonic energy.
And that thing… was tainted by a demon.
The prophecy was true.
Within seconds, Fernand reached three conclusions.
The crimson pupils weren't focused on the direction Aint had gone—the one who had caused all this.
They were locked onto Fernand and Ruina.
The worst-case scenario.
This is why I told her not to get close.
They should've put more distance between them before it woke.
No… It wasn't Ruina's fault.
In a situation like this, where monsters were rampaging and a student lay unconscious, anyone who didn't know about demonic possession would have tried to help.
Still…
He wouldn't blame her—but she would have to deal with it.
"What the hell is going on…?"
"Ruina. Calm down and listen to me."
Fernand slowly stepped sideways. The creature's gaze tracked him precisely. There was no doubt—it wasn't going to ignore them and go after Aint.
"That's demonic transformation."
"…Demonic transformation?"
"He was given power by a demon—and he's been corrupted. Judging by those eyes, his sanity is probably gone."
"You mean a demon has appeared in the world again? And through Berian Kalburden, no less?!"
Ruina was horrified.
"How do you even—"
"Can you beat him?"
"…I don't know."
Ruina bit her lip.
The power surging alongside the demonic energy had already far surpassed Berian's previous limits.
She couldn't easily gauge his level anymore.
"Yeah, that makes sense."
Fernand wasn't disappointed.
This was a monster that even Aint, after awakening and receiving help from Sir Gardner Alpenfarsen, had only barely managed to defeat.
There was a clear gap between the current Ruina and Aint—and even with that in mind, this wouldn't be an easy opponent.
Still, it wasn't hopeless.
"Ruina."
He always acted with the worst-case scenario in mind.
"Just hold out for ten minutes. I'll give you the signal when I'm ready."
He had a backup plan.
"Good luck."
"…What?"
Fernand didn't wait for her answer—he turned and bolted.
Her blank stare pierced into his back. At the same time, the precarious standoff shattered.
───!
Berian moved.
His blade, soaked in demonic energy, came crashing down on Ruina.
"Guh…!"
She let out a strained gasp at the shocking impact.
"You…!"
Clang!
Slash!
In the blink of an eye, they exchanged dozens of blows. She had no choice but to let Fernand retreat farther and farther away.
A tremble of betrayal coursed through her body.