[{"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-90":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},1531697,1990,"Chapter 90 : Butterfly Effect (1)","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-90",90,"\u003Cp>Chapter 90: Butterfly Effect (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>March 18th, Friday, 6 a.m.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two carriages heading for Karbenna were waiting in front of the dormitory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who had finished preparing were standing by the front gate, waiting for the coachman to return after his inspection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last to come out, Rubia, grabbed my forearm and asked quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Eugene, no matter how much I look, I can’t find Cadet Lea anywhere! She must’ve known we were leaving today….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She won’t be coming back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? What do you mean—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll explain on the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mind was already too cluttered with deductions from the events of the previous day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excluding Lea Bronte, the remaining ten of us split into two groups of five and boarded the carriages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As before, our carriage held Michel, Rubia, Francia, Eric, and me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I openly revealed that Lea had been one of Edel’s pawns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not like I could’ve hidden it forever, anyway.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four who were deeply involved in the Hokhma Incident didn’t seem particularly shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s what happened….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder she always seemed too aware of what was going on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Especially at the banquet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they each made their comments, I spoke again, making sure Michel heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll discuss her expulsion with the Dean soon, Chairwoman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Michel Bernhardt’s reply was… to hold off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s just watch the situation for a bit longer. The Faculty handles cadet management anyway, and we’ve got that under control now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you sure that’s wise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If she becomes a liability, of course we’ll cut her off. But for now, we don’t know whether she’ll be an asset or a risk, do we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes, understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the brief conversation ended, I quickly returned to my train of thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The results of this summit were by no means small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had identified the Empire’s key issues and successfully appealed for Karbenna’s reform to major figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, news articles about the summit would spread across all of Ribenia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Feels like an early declaration of war… but it can’t be helped.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment I possessed the body of Eugene Carter, I had foreseen this possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the significant influence he had exerted over the Empire, there were barely any proper records left of him—an inherently dual-natured character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why I had no choice but to control him directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were things I brought upon myself, but many incidents also occurred beyond my will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For every one of them, I had always acted with the best possible move in mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, not all results were satisfactory—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…but up to this point, I could call it a passing grade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At least this much is necessary. To overcome this damned Apocalypse Mode.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What encouraged me most was that Francia Brida had already achieved her second awakening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hadn’t even been a month since my direct involvement, and she had already bloomed both the Aura Blade and the Demon-Slaying Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in my ten years of MAGA experience, that was unprecedented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘To think her relationship with Eric Halenber would conclude like this….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back when the corrupt Jeff ruled Halenber, the aggressive distribution of Hokhma had been possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Michel Bernhardt’s influence wasn’t yet significant, Hokhma could be smuggled into Karbenna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Eric felt guilty toward Francia, he could reform and become an ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And because she shared that desperate sense of sympathy with another fallen noble, Francia could awaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All those unlikely chances aligned to create the present result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t see that as mere coincidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If coincidences repeat, they become fate—Edel said that too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though this outcome couldn’t be better, that didn’t mean there were no sources of anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The awakenings and achievements were great, sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the process, we’d drawn far too much attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If it were only me, I could’ve managed the burden somehow….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia Brida, who stole the spotlight with her overwhelming performance of “cutting through curses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rubia Magnus, who boldly used taboo holy magic right in front of the Archbishop of the Ribenian Orthodox Faith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Michel Bernhardt, who, through his report, predicted Karbenna’s upheaval—provoking the Imperial Court, nobility, army, and Church alike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless people would soon be trying to approach them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just imagining managing all that coordination already made my head throb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Well, no need to panic from the start.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s no point in fussing over things that haven’t happened yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d already made the minimum preparations, and I had plans to counter those people if needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So for now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s just see what kind of storm this butterfly effect we caused will bring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a satisfied smile, I looked out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage had already left the city and was crossing the Ardens River bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just past 8:30.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The summit attendees had safely arrived in Karbenna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About thirty staff members surrounded the main gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the returning heroes stepped down from the carriages, thunderous applause erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I read all about the summit in the papers! Truly amazing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got nerves of steel, you know that? Pulling off that kind of performance in the Empire’s most watched venue!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I look forward to your continued success, Instructor Carter. Or should I say, it’s us who should be saying that? Haha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene returned their greetings with a polite smile while murmuring inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’re probably all still trying to decide which side to bet on.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, he made sure to remember every one of their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who intended to oppose them wouldn’t have shown up here anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment of welcome, people had to return to their duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Michel addressed the gathered crowd with instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The regular Faculty Meeting will start at 10 a.m.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know it’s sudden for those who attended the summit, but please bear with me. See you in the meeting room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chairwoman, whom everyone assumed would take the day off, was moving busily—so the others couldn’t just stay idle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the department heads urged dismissal, the teachers began scattering to prepare for the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll see you later, Sir Eugene!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sending Rubia off, Eugene turned toward the dormitory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked, he gave final instructions to the two cadets following behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You both did well. Don’t worry about anything today—rest in your private rooms. I’ll mark your attendance for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve worked really hard too, Instructor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia and Eric headed straight to their individual dorm rooms as instructed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t much conversation between them during the walk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had never been particularly talkative to begin with, and after all that happened at the summit, there wasn’t much left to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too much had occurred — they were both, frankly, exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dormitory for Class 3 of the second year was completely empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it the Military Studies period right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without needing to say who first, the two each took a seat in the common room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence that lasted just over twenty minutes was broken by Francia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you going to do from now on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Who knows.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric pressed his throbbing temples and sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll have to find somewhere to stay. I can’t stay under Halenber anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A typical line from an internal whistleblower, huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you… regret it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s there to regret? Back then or now, I’ve just been struggling to survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Eric threw the question back at Francia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do you feel? You’ll soon get to see the downfall of the Halenber family you hated so much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia leaned back against the sofa and slowly closed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“During that sparring match, Instructor Eugene said something to me — that killing you wouldn’t be the end of revenge, that it wasn’t the final stop of vengeance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But behind you, there was your father. You were forced to act that way — to survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, what I did can’t be justified. Hokhma trafficking is undeniably illegal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. If punishment’s necessary, you should take it. But that punishment doesn’t come from me — it comes from the law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should that same standard apply to those who had driven her family to ruin?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a question she still hadn’t found an answer for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia Brida had no intention of stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened her eyes wide and spoke with determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know what true revenge is, or how far I’ll have to go to feel satisfied.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, I’ll just keep going — as far as I can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because whatever waits at the end… that’s the answer I truly wanted to find.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her resolute answer, Eric shook his head with a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that’s an answer that fits you perfectly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Then I can’t just sit around either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly stood up and extended his hand to the red-eyed girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m really curious about what kind of answer you’ll find.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging their resolutions, the two decided to spend the rest of the day resting in their private rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once their classmates returned, it would surely get noisy again — in more ways than one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Eric entered his room, he let out a deep sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too many things had happened in such a short time; his mind was spinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll think again after some sleep….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He set his belongings down, and as he approached his desk out of habit, his eyes caught something unfamiliar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What’s this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crumpled note, sender unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Mr. Eric Halenber,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courageous figure you displayed at the Imperial Summit was truly moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your past, being a foster son bound by the leash of life to your father, was also deeply impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ve carried out a heavy role no young boy should’ve had to bear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though you could’ve simply turned away and continued your peaceful life, you chose instead to abandon it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I applaud your efforts and actions, and I wish to make a proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t you wish to reform this rotten Empire?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t you wish to overturn this miserable world, where you must obey those who destroyed your own family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our revolutionary organization, the Ribenia Resistance, operates in secret throughout the Empire, continuing our preparations for an imperial revolution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You too are a Code Holder of the Platinum Dawn, albeit for different reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since you revealed it publicly at the summit, once the major events settle, you’ll inevitably become a target. You won’t be able to remain in Karbenna for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Imperial Court and the noble factions act, we must move first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s discuss the details in person — Monday at midnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destroy this letter afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wishing you good fortune, Mr. Eric Halenber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— The One Who Manages Names\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>5, 10, 16, 23, C\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the message was a short combination of numbers and a single letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same format as the coded messages he used to receive when acting as a broker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“E, J, P, W… and somewhere between them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric immediately pulled out an old map of Karbenna’s districts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“E and J stand for Arje, P and W for Fromwork, so between those would be….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He compared it with the current city layout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No way… this place is—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After double-checking the spot he had marked, Eric silently took a few steps back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The location indicated by the code—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was the Small Conference Room on the 4th floor of Building C.\u003C\u002Fp>",1895,"2026-06-06T06:11:51.334Z",1,"novelbin.me","d7c7fdfa16984fb217b48d34e20a581c61f89da0444b9877d6b83f18a8512d59","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-91","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-89",163,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-cover.jpg"]