The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 224

Though it was only a week, many things had changed.

Looking down at the plains beneath the vast Odryse Mountains, Sepia spoke.

“Castica has sided with the Emperor. Ah, though now we should call him the Prince since the Emperor is no longer with us.”

They had been completely cut off from the outside world during their stay here.

So, the fact that the Emperor had died, a new Emperor had ascended, and the Castica family was supporting the new Emperor…

It was shocking news, even to Han Si-hyuk.

“The world is in turmoil.”

Han Si-hyuk muttered, frowning.

Even though the very person behind it was right next to him, it still didn’t feel real.

He glanced at Sepia, who, as always, was smiling brightly. Over the past few months, he had spent a lot of time with her, whether he liked it or not.

He had heard her life story, learned about her beliefs.

He hadn’t understood all of it…

But he had finally come to understand Sepia herself.

“…”

For a long while, the two of them stared out the window in silence.

They both sensed that, just as the world around them was in upheaval, they too would soon be swept away by the tide.

Sepia was the first to break the silence.

“Han Si-hyuk.”

She had words she never wanted to say, but today, she had to.

Before things became even more irreversible, Sepia had decided to let Han Si-hyuk go.

With great difficulty, she finally spoke.

“Abaddon is going to start a war.”

Han Si-hyuk, the prophet, must have sensed it long ago.

There was no way he didn’t know about the ominous signs of war looming over the land.

Han Si-hyuk looked at Sepia, his eyes showing little surprise.

Without responding, Han Si-hyuk lifted his teacup.

His expression was astonishingly calm.

As Han Si-hyuk took a sip of tea, Sepia bit her lower lip hard.

“A lot of people are going to die… and that could be you or me.”

Such was the nature of Abaddon’s sins.

And Sepia, too, could not escape from those sins.

She didn’t even intend to escape.

She was certain that she would not regret her choices.

However,

She didn’t want Han Si-hyuk to walk that path.

‘He definitely won’t be able to endure it.’

To capture Han Si-ha, Abaddon would undoubtedly try to use Han Si-hyuk.

And from what Sepia knew, Han Si-hyuk wouldn’t be able to endure the pain of that situation.

Unable to bear seeing him suffer, Sepia was determined to hide Han Si-hyuk.

Somewhere Abaddon couldn’t find him.

But also somewhere she couldn’t see him either.

Though Han Si-hyuk wouldn’t be part of her journey moving forward.

Sepia believed that this farewell was the right choice.

“Han Si-hyuk, I’m giving you one last chance.”

Since she was the one who brought him here, she was more than willing to let him go.

Sepia hesitantly spoke, her lips barely able to form the words.

“Leave me.”

She feared that if too much time passed, she would hold onto him again.

And by then, it would truly be too late.

Before it was too late.

While she still had the chance to let him go.

She desperately wanted him to leave, but—

Han Si-hyuk remained motionless.

“Why… are you just sitting there?”

Sepia slowly lifted her head to look at Han Si-hyuk.

His eyes were filled with a deep, sorrowful light.

“Isn’t it already too late?”

Han Si-hyuk added with a bitter smile.

“…That’s what I think.”

* * *

A small study hidden beneath the Odryse Mountains.

The study Sepia had set up for Han Si-hyuk was, surprisingly, quaint and charming, making one smile just by looking at it.

The shelves were filled with rare books that couldn’t be found anywhere else, including numerous astrology texts, Han Si-hyuk’s specialty.

Han Si-hyuk slowly ran his hand over the shelves, feeling the warmth emanating from them.

He had already moved three times, and this time he planned to leave for a far-off place, so he would likely never return here again.

Han Si-hyuk glanced over the books with lingering attachment.

Sepia had told him to leave while he still could.

But Han Si-hyuk had already made up his mind.

‘This is an act deserving of divine punishment.’

Han Si-hyuk had no intention of leaving Sepia.

He didn’t plan to join their cause, but as always, things rarely went as planned.

Eventually, he, too, would be caught up in that wave.

While spending time secluded in this place, Han Si-hyuk devoted most of his days to prophecy.

Sepia would always ask questions, eyes brimming with curiosity.

They were the kinds of questions anyone would naturally wonder about.

‘What do you think I’ll be doing when I grow old and die?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Can’t a prophet see that far into the future?’

‘Prophets don’t see every future.’

That was a lie.

Han Si-hyuk had seen Sepia’s future, Han Si-ha’s future, and had even guessed his own.

He had read too many sad futures.

And so, at some point, he gave up reading the stars’ meanings.

He simply buried the futures he didn’t want to see.

“Dust has already settled.”

Han Si-hyuk pulled out a book from the shelf.

It was an introductory book on astrology, worn by time.

It was the book he clung to when he first learned astrology, during his first year at Ardel Academy.

Though the original wasn’t in his possession anymore, Sepia had painstakingly found this out-of-print copy for him.

Even if he had to leave all the other books behind.

This was the one he wanted to keep, the one that had been his constant companion.

Han Si-hyuk placed the astrology book into a box and stepped out of the study.

There was one last person he needed to see.

* * *

The coronation had been rushed, and Han Taesu became a key figure supporting the new Emperor.

It had not been an easy journey by any means.

The ministers who betrayed the Emperor were nowhere to be found.

Han Taesu carefully picked out those he could trust with his experienced eye.

His cold decisiveness shone brightest in these dire moments.

Han Taesu systematically identified and captured the ministers who had colluded with the dark wizards.

To help Marcel reestablish his authority, traitors were executed, and the palace was swiftly reorganized.

Though the Imperial Palace was still in chaos, the Castica family stood as a steadfast pillar of support for the royal family.

The Arkenent family also actively threw their weight behind the new regime.

And as for me…

I, too, had become unexpectedly busy.

With Ardel Academy temporarily closed, the students were scattered everywhere.

Meanwhile, Marcel, now Emperor, would summon me as often as one would have a meal.

Who could have predicted things would turn out this way?

“Lee Han!”

I raised my hand in greeting as I spotted Lee Han staggering out of the Emperor’s audience chamber like a zombie. He was just as exhausted as I was.

The two of us had pulled all-nighters for three straight days.

Lee Han, who was usually brimming with energy, had his shoulders slumped today.

After receiving reports of rebellious factions, he had been dispatched to the provinces, only to be sent back down again just as he returned today.

The relentless schedule was enough to make anyone groan.

With so many competent people disappearing from the palace, those looking for reliable help turned to us.

Talented juniors who had attended the same academy.

In other words, people like Lee Han and I were seen as easy to exploit.

“No matter how few useful people there are, isn’t it too much to treat us like kids?”

“Kids? Be careful with your words in front of the audience chamber.”

“Objectively speaking, we’re still kids, aren’t we?”

“…”

And of course, the prince is just a kid, too.

It’s tragic to think that they’ve entrusted the country to an eighteen-year-old.

Still, he’s doing his best, nosebleeds and all.

Unfortunately, the war won’t be stopped.

Not because Marcel is incompetent, but because it’s an inevitable event that can’t be prevented in the grand scheme.

The imperial power was already weakened, and rebellions large and small were erupting all over.

These weren’t just uprisings driven by hardship and poverty.

Most of them were organized rebellions led by dark mages who had infiltrated the provinces, and even with a strong response, there were limits to what could be done.

But what choice did we have?

Even if it’s just pointless effort, we have to do our best to hold them off.

We’re buying time.

Though I have no idea how long we’ll be able to hold out.

“I’m thinking of heading to Arkenent territory tomorrow.”

“Isn’t the Count already firmly in control there?”

“Still, it seems pretty noisy.”

Now, even the core territories of the Empire, like Arkenent and Castica, were showing signs of unrest, highlighting just how severe the situation had become.

I had kept Lee Han here too long, given how busy he must be.

I patted Lee Han’s shoulder and spoke.

“Go on ahead. I’ll go with Adela tomorrow.”

“Sure, I’ll let Solia know.”

“Yeah, take care.”

I, too, had mountains of things to handle, so I needed to keep moving.

After sending Lee Han off in a hurry, I was about to head towards the Emperor’s audience chamber but changed my course.

“Ah.”

I remembered something I’d left behind in the dormitory.

“I should’ve brought my sword.”

It was a family heirloom handed down by Han Taesu—the Sword of the Earth—which I had left in the dormitory.

Even though Ardel Academy was temporarily closed, most of my belongings were still there.

It wasn’t something I’d need right away, but given the unpredictable nature of the situation, it was better to have it on hand.

It was a hassle, but…

The distance between the palace and Ardel Academy wasn’t that far.

“Let’s go.”

I quickly packed up and headed towards Ardel Academy.

* * *

Ardel Academy was eerily quiet inside.

It felt even quieter than right after the edicts and riots.

The hallways, once filled with countless students, were now deserted after the closure order, and there were barely any students left in the dormitory.

It was so deserted that, after stopping by my dorm room and coming back down, I hadn’t seen a single person.

It was peaceful, and I didn’t mind it.

I grabbed my sword and descended the stairs swiftly.

I reached the first floor in one go.

I didn’t expect to encounter anyone on my way out.

But as I was heading towards the area where the carriages were parked, I suddenly stopped in my tracks, feeling an uneasy sensation.

“…”

I felt eyes on me from somewhere.

Instinctively, my hand moved towards the staff at my waist.

Even though the academy was under a closure order, I thought that no one would be crazy enough to launch an attack in the middle of the academy grounds.

But then I considered—if they could assassinate the Emperor inside the palace, maybe it wasn’t so impossible after all.

A dark figure emerged from behind the building.

“Ah.”

I was at a loss for words, as the face was all too familiar.

I took a step back.

I had always thought we’d meet again someday, but I never expected it to be here.

Han Si-hyuk was standing there.

Having fled from the academy like a fugitive, he seemed to be in good health, suggesting he hadn’t struggled too much.

I was worried.

But at least he was alive.

“…Why are you coming out of here?”

Han Si-hyuk’s face twisted slightly.

“It’s been quite a while since we last met. Is that really your first question?”

“…”

My response to his brazen remark was simple.

“Are you insane?”

Where do you think you are, barging in like you own the place?!

You’re a wanted man!