[{"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-60":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},1531667,1990,"Chapter 60 : Preparations for the Summit (1)","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-60",60,"\u003Cp>Chapter 60: Preparations for the Summit (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, I went through the formal process of establishing a master–servant contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the pass connected, Clina’s body turned into dust and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As proof that the contract had been successfully concluded, the Ouroboros mark appeared as a bonus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked down at the mark engraved on my chest and let out a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no other way, so I had to push through with this method—but whether it was truly the right thing to do was another matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Rubia silently tried to help me up, I gestured that I was fine and sank into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay back for a moment. I need to check something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made Rubia step back at least ten meters, and then I fell deep into contemplation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servitude of an evil spirit is achieved through a medium—a part of the contractor’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the spirit deems its master unfit, it can use that medium as leverage to threaten them at any time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s called a “medium,” but in truth, it’s no different from collateral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well… conversely, since I could threaten her by controlling the flow of mana, it meant we both held each other’s weaknesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a bound evil spirit, the greatest honor was to have the heart as its medium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing could serve as a more solid guarantee than offering the very source of mana as a vessel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…With this, the minimum preparations are complete.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, I wouldn’t have to suffer an embarrassing failure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Summit, after all, was nothing more than a gathering of those in power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the attendees were just self-important opportunists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It couldn’t be helped—true powerhouses never flaunted their strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, not at this point in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘For now, that’s the wiser course of action.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the beasts began rampaging across the continent, humanity extended handshakes instead of blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They declared the beasts a common enemy and vowed to unite until every last one was exterminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, far from complete extermination, the situation had dragged into a stagnant standoff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the deadlock continued, the high-ranking representatives of humanity turned their attention solely toward their own safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beasts were dangerous, yes—but not enough to annihilate humanity. That was the current stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, what the current leaders truly feared was not some SS-rank beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the irregulars—those who possessed power capable of shaking the foundation of the existing system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those were the ones the ruling class feared most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Which means, I’ll have to keep my head down for now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the moment, I was out of the public eye, hidden behind the infamous titles of the shortest-lived dropout and drug addict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after the incident at the summit, every faction would be keeping their eyes on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how strong I became, there were limits to what one person could do alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I were to oppose powerful factions, I’d need to build one of my own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So for now….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― Ohhh, this place is quite spacious! Not bad at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could even sort through my next plans, a young girl’s voice rang out, echoing sharply in my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I closed my eyes and turned my consciousness inward, I saw Clina White settled inside my mana heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long black hair and dark eyes contrasted with an ornate dress so dazzling it almost made the rest fade from sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her outward appearance resembled that of a heroine from a gothic novel, but the aura she exuded was something else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had to compare it… yeah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like watching that one younger cousin who always tried to claim the sofa at the family gatherings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She’ll need some time to get used to things.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still had a mountain of things to deal with, and I wasn’t sure if I could handle it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue inwardly, but a thought came to mind, and I asked her,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Clina, I know it hasn’t been long since we made the contract, but I need your help with something….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― You’re referring to the Incurable Curse, aren’t you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Yeah.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could even say it, she had already read my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― Though I was once among the leaders of the evil spirits—the very source of curses themselves—I unfortunately lack the means to remove that particular one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Well, I figured as much.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― Still, I can guess what it is you’re hoping for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clina, who had been reclining midair with her legs crossed, straightened up as she said that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― For instance… something like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a mischievous smile, she snapped her fingers lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if a fuse had been blown—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that very instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A searing wave of pain radiated from my heart and spread throughout my entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once-gentle trickle of mana within me surged into a violent torrent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden explosion of mana made every muscle and nerve in my body tense to the extreme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No joke…!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Focusing all my mind on suppressing it was all I could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Eugene!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, I had no choice but to accept Rubia’s support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain wracking my body was so intense I could barely remain standing, yet I forced myself to maintain a poker face to the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff… huff….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after the vast amount of mana had fully circulated to the outermost reaches of my limbs did I finally manage to regain control of my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave Rubia a faint glance and, inwardly, asked Clina,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…How long has it been?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― Two minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like more than twenty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued asking,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s the maximum duration?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― Hmm… I’d say around fifteen minutes at most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I see.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Longer than I expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But honestly, the duration wasn’t what mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mere fact that I could temporarily regain the condition I had in my prime was enough to exhilarate me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― As you surely know, this isn’t a fundamental solution. It’s a kind of shortcut—redirecting the mana that would otherwise flow into the Incurable Curse outward, for a brief time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clina rolled her shoulders and rubbed her neck, looking somewhat weary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― And you’re also aware, I assume, that once the limiter is released like this, your available mana for the rest of the day will drastically decrease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Yeah.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That much was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning the faucet harder doesn’t make the tank any larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― So, use this method only when it’s truly necessary. I may only suffer for a brief moment, but your frail human body will never withstand the accumulated strain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I’ll keep that in mind.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a small sigh and turned my gaze away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, I had finished every preparation that needed to be done in Mallet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rubia had regained her consciousness, I had confirmed that she could use holy magic again, I had secured cooperation from the Magic Tower, and I had significantly enhanced my own physical stats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had even preemptively prevented a possible secondary ambush—this was about as much as could be accomplished in such a short time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s true, but….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be a waste to just leave things as they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was still quite a bit of time left before the summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which also meant—there was plenty of time for the enemy to make their move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No reason to give them any leeway.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above all, this was the cooperative relationship with Mallet that I had regained after twelve years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether through coercion or negotiation, since I had secured their cooperation, I ought to make full use of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gently took hold of Rubia’s arms, which had still been supporting me, and gave a small nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up at me with a complicated expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face looked as if she had something to say, but instead of speaking, she simply lowered her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could more or less guess what it was she wanted to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I could also guess why she chose not to voice it aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rubia’s feelings toward Eugene Carter, up until now, had been closer to admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she was content to leave it at that, then I could continue existing as her ideal, her goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if those feelings were to evolve into affection—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then my range of choices would narrow dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To stand on everyone’s side—that was what it meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I said nothing. I merely looked at her and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How she chose to interpret that was up to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging that silent conversation with Rubia,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I called over Gustav and Meriel, who had been watching us from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Meriel approached alone, I gave her a pleasant smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d like to ask a few more favors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meriel’s face showed utter exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Not like I have the right to refuse anyway, but fine, I’ll ask. What is it this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First of all….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I went straight to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s get some Artifact support.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gestured with my hand as if to say, bring out everything you’ve got.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, in Chloe Bernhardt’s mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of objects shattering and breaking echoed even outside the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servants covered their mouths and hurriedly moved away from the area, careful not to make a single sound with their footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged butler, the longest-serving member of the household, quietly warned his fellow staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be especially cautious with every move you make for the time being. One wrong step and you could lose your head right there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he carefully polished the dishes displayed in the banquet hall, he fell into brief thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Not since Lady Michel left for Karbenna has she ever been this enraged.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even from this distance, he could clearly hear the sharp yelling coming from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the private room—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chloe Bernhardt was unleashing a torrent of curses at Abattoir Schroeder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You worthless, pathetic worm! You can’t even handle one simple task properly?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had initially maintained her composure, but after staring too long at the expressionless, pitch-black mask that revealed nothing, her anger could no longer be contained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schroeder, who had left one of his doppelgängers behind and come in person, continued his report unfazed even as objects were hurled toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There will be no trace of connection to the Bernhardt Family, so rest assured. My subordinate sacrificed himself for that very reason….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What good is that if the circumstantial evidence still remains?! Even without proof, the suspicion is right there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know as well as I do that suspicion alone can’t be used to pressure Bernhardt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ha, unbelievable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she had known he was such a fool, she would’ve cut ties with him long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tapping her fingers on the desk, Chloe shot back sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think I’m doing this because I’m afraid of that washed-up bastard, Eugene Carter? Do you even realize who’s backing him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You have connections of your own, don’t you? What could one man, even with the title of war hero, possibly do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t just about Carter anymore! If that bastard feels threatened and starts uniting the forces behind him, things will get a hell of a lot more complicated!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, they still can’t compare to the power of the Bernhardt Family. Once you inherit Karbenna, that man’s fate will be sealed, won’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…If you’re trying to make excuses for your failure, I’d stop right there, Schroeder. Before I tear you apart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m merely saying you should be more level-headed. The Bernhardts aren’t a fragile organization that would waver over such a minor incident.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no point in talking to an idiot like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having reached her conclusion, Chloe waved her hand dismissively and crossed one leg over the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. That’s it. As of today, Abattoir is excommunicated from the Bernhardt Family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is that so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you understand, then get out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schroeder bowed his head slightly, then stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As you wish. A failure is still a failure, so I’ll return the advance payment by tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to leave, but just before stepping out, he exuded a fierce, killing aura and spoke with cold finality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, you needn’t worry too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the vengeance I’m about to enact—will be entirely personal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the last thing Schroeder said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After blinking a few times, Chloe realized—the masked man had already vanished without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>",2082,"2026-06-06T06:11:51.334Z",1,"novelbin.me","a9b1bfbd05d3fca21db42c65751e70ab7d3f7bd272e183d8c6629fe54e1dcc79","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-61","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-59",163,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-cover.jpg"]