"It is fate."
"Huh?"
What does that mean?
Bewildered, Berge asked, wondering why she had suddenly blurted out such words, and Stella suddenly jumped to her feet, her face flushed with excitement.
"This is a blessing sent to me by the Holy Spirit. He, Ulan, must become a monster hunter no matter of course. It's meant to be! It's his fate."
"Calm down and tell me step by step."
Stella began to describe the events during the Monster Hunt. When she finished, Begre was stunned.
"He took down a 5-star monster in just 13 seconds?"
"Yes! It was even the elusive Twin-Headed Dragon, known for its challenging hunt! And he easily took it down with his axe!"
So impressed was she with Ulan's battle that she even reenacted it, swinging a candlestick from her desk like an axe.
Ulan's remarkable combat skills deeply impressed Stella, and in her excitement, she even reenacted it, swinging a candlestick from her desk like an axe.
"Such bold judgment, such courage, and such natural strength. Add to that the skill of a hunter, and Ulan will be a legendary monster hunter who will represent the Empire in the future!"
"Well, I see. I understand."
At least he knew that Stella thought very highly of Ulan. But then Ethan snorted.
"Hmmph, what monster hunters."
"What's wrong with it?"
"I'm going to raise him as a soldier. I'm going to make him a secret weapon to wipe out the heathens in the southern desert."
"No way! Even if you're a senior, I won't concede. Ulan's calling is to be a Hunter. The monsters are increasing in numbers on the Eastern Front even as we speak!"
The two engaged in a heated argument.
Apparently, Stella wasn't the only one who wanted Ulan. Berge pressed his fingers against his throbbing head.
"...Calm down, both of you. Because I haven't heard the last opinion yet."
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, all eyes turned to one place.
It was the acting supervisor of the [Mana Detection] test and Dean of the Magic Department, Deflyn Chernihiv.
Facing the multitude of gazes, Deflyn smiled.
"He has tremendous potential."
"Potential? What kind of potential, exactly?"
"It's...."
There was a pause.
The biggest potential, of course, was that he had two mana vessels.
'But it's better to keep it a secret.'
It wouldn't be wise to disclose that Ulan possessed two mana vessels, as there were already two people coveting him. If word got out that he possessed two mana vessels, there would be an uncontrolled increase in those seeking him out.
In other words, nothing good will come of this for Deflyn.
So, she thought she should buy some time.
At least until she'd accomplished her research.
"I'll have to look into it a little more, but right now, he's on par with Arpen's magical genius."
"If you mean the magical genius Arpen...."
"You mean Dilia Arpen, I thought I heard she passed with second-place."
"That's right, she's a former student of mine."
Deflyn's arrogance showed.
With that behind him, Berge summarized the supervisors' opinions.
"Amazing, a man of considerable talent in both combat and magic."
A faint smile appeared on his wrinkled lips, accompanied by an intrigued gleam in his eyes.
"From the Academy's perspective, it may seem like a mere pumpkin rolling among vines... However..."
Berge's words wavered, and he furrowed his brow with a troubled expression. Ethan noticed his hesitation and cautiously inquired.
"Are you worried about something?"
"I do. However, it's not related to the Academy. It's more precisely a matter concerning the Empire."
Berge promptly responded, as if waiting for the question to be asked.
"However, everyone here has ties to the Empire, so I'll be honest with you. But before that...."
"If it's a silencing spell, I've already cast it."
"Thank you. Then I'll tell you right away."
With that last issue resolved, Berge wasted no time in baring his thoughts.
"Recently, there have been movements within the Empire, particularly among the nobility, aiming to expand their territories. I assume you all might be aware of it."
All three nodded.
It was information that anyone with even the slightest connection to the military or the Great Houses knew.
"However, the military is not pleased with this situation. The Empire's internal stability hasn't been restored enough to initiate a war."
It had only been five years since the end of the Western War, in which Berge had fought himself, and it was premature to talk of another.
Meanwhile, as soon as those words were spoken, Ethan's face wrinkled in irritation.
"This is precisely why the central folks don't get it. Do they think war is some kind of child's play? They need to go to the battlefield themselves and get some sense knocked into them."
"Lower your voice! What if someone hears you?"
"We have a silencing spell, so what?"
"Still!"
Stella nervously looked around; the remark was sensitive.
Berge and Deflyn, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind Ethan's outburst.. They shared a similar sentiment.
"We are, therefore, seeking a more moderate approach to expanding our territories, rather than coercive means. We wish to avoid war, if possible," Berge explained.
"That's an ideal idea."
"It certainly is. However, we see a potential opportunity. Thanks to the top ranker in this year's entrance exam, Ulan."
Why is Ulan suddenly brought up?
Curiosity sparkled in the eyes of all three.
Berge pulled a stack of papers from a drawer and placed them on the desk. They were classified documents, stamped with the seal of the Imperial Intelligence Agency.
"These are the results of a survey conducted by the Imperial Intelligence Agency this year on the Barbarians of the fringes of the Empire. According to this, Ulan is the heir to the 'Bator clan' in the grasslands beyond the northern snowy mountains."
The Bator Clan was a fairly sizable tribe for barbarians living on the periphery, boasting a population of over ten thousand if you count all the clans scattered across the grasslands.
The second son of a Chieftain who leads a tribe of that size.
That was Ulan's status.
"Ethan, I'm sure you know the criteria by which the barbarians of the fringes choose their next chieftain."
Ethan had once fought against the barbarians of the eastern jungle for three years, so he knew more about them than anyone else.
"Yes. The barbarians submit to the strong. Therefore, only powerful warriors who have passed the Trial of a Warrior can become the chief."
"Then, in your opinion, what are Ulan's chances of becoming the next chieftain?"
"I don't know how strong the barbarians beyond the snowy mountains are, but if they are comparable to those in the eastern jungles, it's a hundred percent."
An answer that oozed strong conviction.
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Deflyn slammed her palms together. With an audible thud.
"Ah, I see now."
With everyone's attention focused.
Deflyn grinned like a crescent moon.
"So Dean Erkazan's goal is to make Ulan harbor friendly feelings towards the Empire, isn't it?"
"Exactly. The real purpose is to take it a step further and turn him completely to the Empire's side."
Ulan was the heir to the Bator clan, a clan that boasts a considerable size in the north.
If the next Chieftain could be brought over to the Empire's side, they might be able to accommodate the barbarians of the steppes through peaceful means.
This was what Berge thought.
"It seems worth a try."
"I don't know about the rest of the world, but at least the grasslands beyond the snowy mountains could be expanded without war."
Ethan and Stella replied in turn.
Deflyn, after a moment's consideration, nodded. As if agreeing with Berge.
"All right then, it's decided."
Unanimous agreement. Berge chuckled contentedly.
It was a satisfied smile.
"From now on, make Ulan's life as easy as possible. While he attends the academy, he should experience the fine culture and greatness of the Empire."
Win Ulan to the Empire's side, and take the lands of the northern fringes without resorting to war.
It was the moment a plan known to only four was born.
"And if any professors from other countries make any suspicious moves or attempt to covet him, report it to me immediately. I'll handle it separately."
"Yes, understood."
With the response of the three, the meeting concluded.
On the day when the academy announced the list of its accepted candidates, Ulan gained a reliable backing. However, the backing remained unknown to the person in question – a secret support in the shadows.