Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Isolde - (1)
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Isolde.
One of the five protagonist characters featured in Throne of the Academy.
Two of them are supporters who stay at the base without heading to the front lines.
That made Isolde one corner of the three great protagonists in this world, alongside Sophia and Elise.
In the game, Isolde was portrayed as a flawless paragon of virtue.
She never refused a request, got along with everyone, and never started fights. If anything, she mediated others' quarrels.
Thanks to that personality, Isolde was one of the most popular characters among players.
"...So, you're saying you find Miss Isolde repulsive?"
Elise saw Isolde from a different angle.
Elise set down her beer mug and nodded at my question.
"It's a kind of self-loathing, isn't it? I used to live like that myself, so now it just seems pathetic."
"...Could you elaborate?"
If Sophia had said something like that, I might have brushed it off, but Elise had at least been trained as a saintess candidate, so she was perceptive and thoughtful in all things.
After pondering my question for a moment, Elise replied.
"Someone who gets along with everyone, is kind to all, and loved by everyone. What do you think, Priest?"
"...Isn't that a good thing?"
"Right. It'd be convenient and nice from everyone else's perspective. What could be more convenient than a tool that never says no?"
There was bite to Elise's words.
"How should I put it... Both my old self and Miss Isolde... I doubt the person herself finds that situation all that pleasant."
Elise sighed and ran her finger over the foam on her beer mug.
"Being loved by everyone paradoxically means never showing your 'true self' to anyone."
"...Hmm."
I roughly understood what Elise was getting at.
"Someone who molds themselves to fit everyone loses their sense of self."
"Exactly. Everyone has their own unique color. The more vivid the hue, the more colors it won't mix with, leading to conflicts. It's normal for some to like you and others to hate you. Like how I hate that mongrel."
"... ."
No, Elise's dislike for Sophia probably stemmed less from clashing personalities and more from me, plain and simple.
But I didn't voice that thought.
"Shall we use this glass of water as an example?"
Elise pointed to the water glass on the table.
"Water takes the shape of a square container if poured into one, or round if poured into a round one. It can adapt to anyone."
"...Is that what Miss Isolde is like?"
"Yes. Being able to adapt to everyone isn't flexibility. It's just... lacking any unique form of your own. It's empty, so others can fill it with whatever they want."
Elise stared intently at the glass and dropped in a single drop of beer.
The water clouded instantly.
"...So, it can easily be dyed by someone. Like how I was dyed by you, Priest."
She added a wink to that last line, leaving me at a loss for how to respond.
"Haha, just kidding."
Elise shrugged, as if to say the serious talk was over.
"This is just my take, of course. Miss Isolde might not feel that way at all."
"No, I'll take it to heart. Thanks for the advice."
"Advice... wasn't what I had in mind."
I smiled at Elise and raised my beer mug.
The conversation shifted topics a few times after that, but the one that stuck in my mind was still about Isolde.
The following week, I went to see Isolde.
To get Void checked.
"...Hmm... It's grown even more. The fur color seems a bit brighter too."
[Kiiing...]
"My, this little one's so affectionate. It must really like me."
I wanted to pry Void off Isolde's chest, where it was already lunging, but I just lifted the corner of my mouth.
"Yes. No issues at all. Mana flow is stable, no problems with the contract, and the mana link between you and me looks fine too."
"That's a relief. Thank you as always."
"No need. This much is only natural for you, Priest."
Only natural.
Isolde considered dispensing favors as a matter of course.
'Hmm...'
Was it because I'd heard Elise's take, or because Isolde thought we were close enough now?
Either way, I finally noticed the stacks of documents piled on her personal desk.
"Miss Isolde, what are all these?"
"Oh, just my personal work. Nothing impressive."
I glanced at the top one.
"Mana stones? Were you researching that too, Miss Isolde?"
"No, it's not my research. A classmate asked me to look over their project data..."
"What about that one?"
"That's an assignment the professor gave me specifically."
"And this?"
"Hmm... That's"
Too much, isn't it?
I frowned. Even as the top student in her department, it hadn't even been a full week since the semester started, and having this many documents piled up wasn't normal.
Especially since...
Clunk.
"Senior Isolde..."
"Oh, Charlotte. What is it this time?"
"Um... The assignment deadline's next week, but I'm short on reagents for the experiment... I was wondering if I could use the ones you made last year...?"
Isolde nodded without a second thought at Charlotte's request.
"Come back tomorrow? I'll have them for you then."
"Wow! Thank you! I'll make it up to you!"
After Charlotte left, Isolde turned back to me.
"Cute, right? I remember flailing around like that when I was a first-year too."
As she said it, she rummaged through her drawer. Curious, I watched closely and saw her pulling out ingredients.
"What are you doing?"
"Making reagents. I told her I had some, but the ones from last year have probably degraded. So I'm making fresh ones."
"In a day?"
"I can finish before bed."
"... ."
I watched her closely.
Elise's words kept circling in my head.
"Even so... aren't you being too much of a saint?"
"Nah. It's just looking out for a cute junior."
"When people make these requests, doesn't it ever annoy you? Ever want to say no?"
Isolde's eyes widened, and she stared into space for a moment, as if she couldn't even grasp the question.
"Hmm... Well, is there any need to get mad?"
"It's not about need. It's about feelings."
"But if I put in a little effort, everyone benefits? No conflicts, things get done quickly. That's the most rational outcome."
"... ."
Just look at how she'd linked mana with me—a total stranger until recently—without asking for anything in return. It showed how she never refused.
And the undergrad Charlotte who'd just dropped by seemed used to this. Isolde asking "what is it this time?" proved it.
That must be why Isolde was overwhelmingly popular in her department...
'Hmm.'
But I didn't think it was such a great direction.
"Miss Isolde?"
"Yes?"
"Aren't you tired?"
"... ."
A flicker of bewilderment crossed Isolde's face. Then a smile formed on her lips.
"Thanks for worrying. But I see all this as fertilizer for my growth."
"...Hmm."
"Believe it or not, I'm the first commoner to top the department. Though now with the Ivory Tower and all, titles like that don't mean much."
I shrugged and forcibly pried Void off Isolde's chest, where it'd taken up full residence.
[Kiiing...]
"Well, I'll be going."
"Sure. See you next time."
I stepped out the door.
And thought.
Something's definitely off.
Of course, in the original novel, Isolde never caused any major incidents all the way to the ending. Not even minor ones.
No sudden quests for her either.
But I'd learned over the past few months how dangerous it was to blindly trust the original knowledge.
Sophia and Elise.
The Full Moon Festival, the twin towers, the cathedral incident.
'Even a stone bridge needs tapping before crossing.'
With all those precedents, I had no intention of dropping my suspicions about Isolde.
"...Gotta confirm it somehow."
Uncertainties should be minimized.
So I sought out an expert.
"Miss Helena, care to join me for a bit?"
"A date? Sorry, I'll pass."
"I got permission from your lady."
"Lady Elise...?"
The result of earnestly begging Elise.
Helena's expression darkened.
"So, what nefarious deed are you planning to make this lowly maid do, Priest?"
"Nothing nefarious. I need help with some tailing."
"Tailing?"
"Yes. Miss Helena, you have stalker tendencies, right? Your lady told me all about it."
"...What."
Helena looked genuinely indignant at my words.
Whatever. It didn't matter.