[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero":3,"chapter-i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-34":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Became the Academy’s War Hero",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1531741,1990,"Chapter 34 : The Accusers (2)","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-34",34,"\u003Cp>Chapter 34: The Accusers (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the six bridges spanning the Ardens River, as many as four were connected directly to the entrance of Karbenna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting from the wide main gate, the massive fortress walls surrounded the academy, and along the walls were numerous small side gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the main gate, which remained open at all times under guard supervision, the dozens of side gates all locked simultaneously at 17:00.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Detection barriers were set up atop the fences to ward off intruders, making it impossible to pass in or out without formal inspection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidden in the grass near the side gate closest to Building C, Lea Bronte wiped away the sweat that had gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Well, somehow, I managed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muttering softly, she glanced around once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were thirty minutes left until midnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After checking in for roll call back at the dormitory, she had slipped out again, and had been waiting in the same spot for over an hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crouching in the cramped patch of grass for so long was driving her crazy with discomfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I thought no one could beat me when it came to patience, but I guess I was wrong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lea gave a bitter smile and stared toward the dormitory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scenes from a few hours ago replayed like a panorama over the empty pathway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he hadn’t intervened in the first place, none of that would have happened—but still, it had been Instructor Carter who had hidden her presence during that critical moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly, it had been the quick thinking of a war hero who had once roamed the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even if I had escaped in a hurry, I would’ve been caught eventually.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it made sense—her opponent was Cadet Commander Orwell Plezens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the top ten experts in the entire Empire when it came to detection and search magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finding a target in an empty seven-story building would have been as easy as pie for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if one hid behind an artifact and suppressed the flow of mana to the utmost, even he would find it hard to be sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instructor Carter had made his move before Orwell could grow more suspicious, forcing the latter to leave the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a plan made under such urgent circumstances, it had been far too perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even thinking back on it now, Lea couldn’t help but let out a faint laugh of disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after replaying it over and over in her head had she managed to accept it—otherwise, she would still be wondering why he had made that decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why, though?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He had no reason to show that kind of favor to someone like me—a mere student…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that he had realized who I really am?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe he was suggesting we form a united front, since we were up against the same enemy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…No, that’s impossible.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All she had done was ask him a question during class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could he possibly have learned from that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As her thoughts started spiraling, she quickly cut them off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Let’s just keep it simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Instructor Carter was friend or foe didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What mattered was confirming whether Eric Halenber was truly one of Karbenna’s brokers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the only thing important to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strengthening her resolve, Lea sharpened her focus again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before long—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two familiar silhouettes appeared within her field of vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll say it again—don’t do anything rash. Just keep watch in all directions. I’ll take care of the rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you do everything yourself, what am I supposed to learn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Learn? What’s there to learn from something like this? Just keep your eyes open!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The brokers could pull something on us. What if we get blamed for it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just check, that’s all. Check and report. All we do is pass on what we see and hear to the higher-ups.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after his explanation, Lianna still wore a puzzled expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too tired to bother further, Eric simply kept his mouth shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, the two arrived at the side gate entrance and began chanting their spells in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a one-time unlocking magic passed down from a higher code holder—effective for six hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the door slid open smoothly, Eric gestured for Lianna to enter first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, after glancing back once more, he slipped out through the opposite side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked northwest for about ten minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the roadside stood a single carriage, abandoned-looking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coachman, wearing a black vest, ran toward them the instant he saw them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The harbor job, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric silently nodded and climbed into the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage carrying the two began racing down the road at a frightening speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of hooves echoed loudly through the empty streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting inside, Eric was lost deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he told his father that he was quitting this line of work for good—how would his father react?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d pretend otherwise, but Eric knew he’d be shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, just a short while ago, he’d been fighting tooth and nail not to leave Karbenna, and now he was suddenly saying he’d go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or maybe his father would even welcome it with open arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d always complained that his foolish son was tarnishing the Halenber name, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Whatever. Let him think what he wants.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need to cling to it anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had already risen to a level that someone like him could never reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever choices she made from here on out had nothing to do with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he dared say he worried about her, she’d probably just laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A loser should act like one—praise the victor, and bow out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was enough, wasn’t it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage ran for about an hour before arriving safely at their destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raus, at the Western Port of Ribenia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dim lanterns faintly illuminated the dark streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murky puddles mixed with filth covered the ground, and the salty sea air stung the nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Makeshift wooden warehouses stood at regular intervals, with crowds of people moving between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the ships docked at the port were merchant and sailing vessels, but the Ribenian steamship in the distance radiated a grandeur worthy of the Empire’s pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric quickly scanned the surroundings, checking for any potential disruptions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already cleared customs, but surprise inspections were another matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They needed to pick up the goods and leave as soon as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exchanging a brief look, the two blended naturally into the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screech— Screech—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warehouse No. 8, Zone 3 of the port.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because a large shipment of premium whiskey had just arrived from the liquor sector across the way, the place was bustling far more than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, take a look for yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The broad-shouldered man stood with his arms crossed, looking down at the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were so many boxes lined up that it was nearly impossible to count them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric pulled one of the boxes in front of him and lifted the lid open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he brushed away the thick layer of dust, a distinct scent rose, revealing dried leaves beneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were brownish in color, patterned with a unique grid—leaves from the Hoken Tree, the raw material used for Hockma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Lianna closely inspected the inside of the box, Eric glanced at the man with a detached expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The last guy I saw kept groveling all over the place.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had the supplier changed in the meantime?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Or maybe they outsourced the job.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the supply had increased more than fourfold since the last transaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Lianna finished her inspection, she gave Eric a small signal with her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking the cue, Eric acted as if he had finished checking everything and spoke lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah… well, no issues here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was, in truth, just a formality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one overseeing this entire deal was none other than the Bernhardt Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one here would be foolish enough to try scamming the Bernhardts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man nodded to himself and then asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The payment certificate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Later. This is a divided transaction anyway, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that’s true, but… you know, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man trailed off meaningfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Eric wondered if there was something he hadn’t been briefed on, but nothing came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the puzzled look on Eric’s face, the man scratched the back of his head and leaned closer to whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were supposed to give us a small cut too, remember? The Hockma!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah, that matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the first time Eric had heard of it, but he kept a straight face without flinching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We don’t have any finished product yet. I’ll send it as soon as the processing is done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’re not joking, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’d better not have messed with the quantity yourself, or you’ll have to answer for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry about that. I’ll personally vouch for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief tension passed between them, but since both sides had something to trust in, nothing more came of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two began stuffing as many of the leaves as possible into a large leather bag they had brought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After emptying the fourth box, Eric tied off the end of the bag with a string.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, the enormous leather sack shrank until it could fit into the palm of his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Every damn time, it amazes me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First time seeing an artifact?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only your lot would have something like a high-grade shrink bag. Don’t tell me it reduces weight too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not this one, but there are some that do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really, the Bernhardts have everything under the sun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that short exchange, the deal came to an end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they quickly left the site and boarded the waiting carriage, the two could finally let out a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuesday morning, exactly 7 o’clock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing an early breakfast, I was busy preparing for class in my private room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Technically, for this week, I could have substituted it with physical training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, some of the instructors had been too distracted to properly focus on their lessons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was understandable—those participating in next week’s Imperial-hosted summit could hardly think about anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d considered using that as an excuse myself… but decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I want to reach my goal, I can’t afford to do anything half-heartedly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even seemingly trivial efforts like these were what built the faintest glimmer of hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that this was the only reason I was waiting here, of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…They should be arriving any minute now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muttering to myself, I glanced toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right on cue, a knock echoed through the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock, knock—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when the door opened, the face that appeared was not the one I’d expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second-year, Class 3, Candidate No. 17—Eric Halenber. I have business with you, Instructor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sit down first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, that was unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this timing, I had fully expected Lea Bronte to come instead—but to think it would be him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already learned from the reports that Halenber was deeply involved in the drug incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment those documents reached me, I had been certain Eric was tangled in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even so, isn’t this way too fast…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I sat silently, lost in thought, his voice suddenly cut through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize for the sudden request, Instructor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Would you be willing to cooperate with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Cooperate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What on earth was this about?\u003C\u002Fp>",1888,"2026-06-06T06:11:51.613Z",1,"novelbin.me","6dbf94bf7cd7cd2f8edd627fa082ed04d3fb4501ab066cc8800e1b13c1e29f9d","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-35","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-33",163,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-cover.jpg"]