Chapter 103: Uh, Hey... Luce? (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 103: Uh, Hey... Luce? (1)
The strategy for the sub-event 「Territorial Fight」 was simpler than one might expect.
All I had to do was strike Verga’s left ribs. That was his weak point.
A while back, he had taken a critical hit to that exact spot during his fight against Erica Hellraud, the leader of the Four Constellation’s Black Tiger.
Not to brag, but ever since that defeat, Verga had been training like a man possessed. Regardless, I walked away with some valuable EXP.
‘I managed to pull off a partial summon with Eden, too.’
A few days ago, I reached maximum [Synchronization] with my golem familiar, Eden.
Thanks to that, I’d practiced partial summoning a few times during training, but this was the first time I had actually deployed it in live combat.
‘I could definitely feel the increase in my punching power.’
Partial summoning allowed me to emulate my familiar’s abilities, significantly expanding my tactical options. Its utility was largely a matter of personal preference, but I remembered it being incredibly versatile in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
The biggest advantage, however, was the cost—it consumed only half the mana required for a full summoning.
‘I want to master partial summoning with Hilde by the end of the second semester.’
Summoning Hilde was a massive drain on my mana. If I could utilize partial summoning instead, I’d be able to wield her power far more efficiently.
With those thoughts swirling in my head, I finished my morning walk and arrived at the Magic Department’s classrooms. As I walked down the hallway, I practiced channeling mana through a magic tool that resembled a handgrip.
“I heard Verga Rayphelt got absolutely demolished!”
The excited voices of some seniors suddenly reached my ears.
“I heard a freshman beat him. A Class C student, no less.”
“I saw it yesterday! The kid had rock magic covering his arm and knocked Verga out with a single punch!”
“It wasn’t a normal duel, though. If they’d fought properly, wouldn’t Verga obviously have won?”
“You idiot, were you even listening? They’re saying a student from the Magic Department beat Verga with his fists! Does that even sound possible to you?”
I could understand their disbelief.
Among the elite members of the Four Constellations, Verga was well-known for his strength. The fact that the Knight Department’s Verga Rayphelt had lost to me—a Class C student from the Magic Department—was a shock that set the rumor mill spinning.
Well, it would die down soon enough. At least, that’s how it usually went in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
As I entered the Class C classroom, I felt the weight of dozens of curious gazes. It was likely because of the gossip I’d just overheard.
I took my usual seat right in the middle of the room.
“Look at him, strutting around like he actually accomplished something.”
Short brown hair and a red rose hairpin.
Rose Red Rivera, a fellow Class C student, shot me a look, flanked by her usual group of sycophants. She spoke in a mocking tone, clearly intending for me to hear. She was trying to discredit my victory over Verga.
She must really hate me to be grasping at straws like this. I almost had to admire her persistence; she never missed an opportunity to try and put me down.
Still, the fact that she didn’t confront me directly meant that the previous times I’d crushed her had at least forced her to adopt a more passive-aggressive stance.
‘It’s hard to even know how to react to her...’
Honestly, I would have preferred it if she just insulted me to my face. This was just childish. Even so, I found myself wondering, What kind of insult will she come up with today? I couldn’t believe I’d reached the point where I was actually curious. It feels like every day, we stray further from God’s light.
“Senior Verga simply took that man’s full-power attack head-on without any tricks. Isn’t it a bit much to act all high and mighty after winning like that? How embarrassing.”
For the record, I was acting exactly the same as I always did.
However, through the lens of Rose’s low self-esteem, my mere existence apparently looked like arrogance.
“If it had been a regular duel, that guy would have been crushed like a bug. Senior Verga isn’t an opponent he could ever beat fairly. Obvious—”
“Isaac.”
At that moment, a graceful girl with rose-gold hair walked into the Class C classroom.
She brushed right past Rose and headed straight for me.
Rose’s eyes began to tremble. The girl’s elegant presence caused the chattering voices in the room to vanish instantly. Anyone would be struck with awe by her beauty.
She had a bright smile on her face as she called my name. Her voice was charming, sounding like scattered moonlight.
“Hey. Good weather today, right?”
She greeted me with her usual, mundane opening.
It was the top student of Class A, Luce Eltania.
[Luce Eltania]
>
Lv: 154
Race: Human
Elements: Water, Lightning
Danger: X
Psychology: [Delighted to see you.]
As Luce casually took the seat next to me, Rose froze like a statue.
“Luce? Is your training at the Magic Tower finished?”
I already knew the answer, but I asked out of courtesy. Luce gave a serene nod.
“You worked hard. But why are you here all of a sudden?”
“Because I missed you.”
As always, Luce bypassed every emotional, social, and psychological barrier with her blunt way of speaking.
The other students flinched. To an outsider, our conversation sounded exactly like a pair of lovers, so their shock was understandable. Rumors about a "special relationship" between the top seat and me were already common knowledge among the Magic Department freshmen. It wasn't anything new to me.
Of course, we should have been trying to avoid becoming the center of attention, but Luce didn't seem to care at all.
“I’ve been busy lately, remember?”
After the joint practical evaluation, Luce had been stuck at the Hegel Magic Tower for a short-term probation. A few days ago, I’d seen her from a distance, wearing round glasses and a Hegel Magic Tower robe. Even while walking, she’d been buried in research papers. Seeing that, I realized exactly how much work ethic and passion it took to become a Tower Master.
“Lady Luce came to Class C...!”
“How can someone be that beautiful...?”
“What’s so great about that bastard that Lady Luce would...!”
Their glares stung.
The way Class C kept their distance from Luce Eltania was reminiscent of mortals worshipping a goddess. She wasn't just the top student; her beauty and presence were so profound they were impossible to ignore.
Rose’s mocking voice had been completely silenced. She looked like a total loser in the face of the top student’s majesty.
As the whispers grew louder, Luce leaned in, covering her mouth with her hand as she whispered into my ear.
“It’s okay that I came, right?”
“Huk.”
“Yes...?”
Damn it. Her voice.
I couldn’t help but let out a sharp breath as goosebumps broke out across my skin. Taken aback, I hurriedly turned my head away, covering my ear. The sensation was far too intense.
Luce tilted her head like a squirrel, a sly expression on her face.
Unless people record their own voices, they never truly know what they sound like. It seemed she was the same; she had no idea how much power her voice held.
“Try not to whisper directly into my ear.”
“Isaac, your face is red. Is that your erogenous zone?”
Luce seemed to be enjoying herself, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Her tone was playful.
‘Erogenous zone...’
Isn’t her choice of words a bit much?
“Did you have breakfast?” Luce asked, changing the subject back to something mundane, her voice gentle and full of warmth.
“Yeah, I did.”
“What did you ea—?”
“Let’s go outside and talk.”
The weight of the students’ stares was becoming too much to bear. I couldn't stay there any longer.
We still had some time before morning classes. I stood up, continuing to channel mana through my training tool. Luce and I left the classroom together, followed by the envious and resentful glares of my classmates.
We entered an empty rest area and stood side-by-side by the window. The cheerful sunlight streaming in only added to the radiance of Luce’s smile. It was clear she was beyond happy to see me.
Seeing her like that, I couldn't help but smile back, feeling like a doting father.
“Is your probation completely over?”
“Not yet. It’s only a short-term thing, so I helped with some research and came back immediately. I think it’ll continue until after the end-of-term evaluations.”
Luce replied calmly, her clear voice a mix of whispers and light laughter.
The research she mentioned was something the Magic Tower had been banging its head against for over a decade. Luce had stepped in and found the clues they needed—I remembered that plot point from ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
Soon enough, her contributions would spread through the Magic Towers like wildfire. Luce was already a standout as the top freshman; scout requests would be flooding in long before she even reached her third year.
We chatted for a while. Luce must have overheard some of the gossip, because she brought up Verga. However, she didn't actually know who he was and didn't seem particularly interested. Even if I had defeated him, it didn't mean much to her.
“Isaac, you’ve been training without rest.”
Luce’s gaze was fixed on the magic tool in my hand. Even while we talked, I hadn't stopped channeling mana.
“I’m always training. The grind never stops. Besides, this thing is actually quite helpful.”
“...Do you want me to help?”
Huh?
“How?”
Suddenly, Luce gently wrapped her hand over mine, which was still gripping the tool. I could feel the smooth texture and warmth of her skin.
Why is she doing this?
Just as I was about to ask...
“Eh?”
As Luce’s mana flowed into the device, it became incomparably harder for me to channel my own mana.
This device was designed to train mana mastery. It functioned similarly to a physical handgrip—you had to force your mana through a narrow passage, struggling to break free.
‘Wow, ugh, damn, it just got way harder—’
...I can’t believe I’m getting excited because the training got harder.
Is this how gym rats feel? Have I actually become addicted to magic training?
I must be losing my mind.
“Isaac, does this help?”
‘AAAGH...!’
I was screaming internally, so I couldn't respond immediately. The mana Luce had casually sent in was overwhelmingly powerful...
“Isaac, your face is red again. Is this also your erogenous zone?”
“I’m like this because I feel like I’m being steamrolled... Wow, the sensation is getting stronger. This is insane.”
“How is it?”
“It helps. A lot.”
“Then let’s do this every time you use this tool, Isaac.”
Wait a minute.
This situation... from an outside perspective, doesn't this look exactly like a couple holding hands in a secluded spot?
I mean, I welcomed anything that helped with training, but wasn't this a bit too romantic...?
“...Are we going to stay like this all day?”
“My hands are getting sweaty.”
“Hehe.”
I’d answered roughly, thinking it was a joke, but Luce actually responded with a bashful smile.
“Isaac, do you know?”
“What?”
“Surprisingly, I still have one more hand. I have two of them.”
It was truly a shocking revelation. Truly. I was stunned. TWO HANDS? Incredible!
“Do you want to hold it?”
She briefly showed her other hand, playfully wiggling her fingers. Her smile was more mischievous than usual. It seemed she was genuinely excited to see me after being away.
Luce wasn't even sure if she liked me or not. Besides, she was the one who’d told me not to hold hands so easily unless people liked each other...
When I gave her a skeptical look, Luce said, “Just kidding,” and withdrew her hand.
As we stood there, Luce fell silent and stared at me intently. Then, she leaned her head against the window, a faint smile adorning her lips.
She whispered softly.
“Isaac, I missed you.”
...Looking at her then, she looked exactly like a girl in love. As if she didn't want to take her eyes off me for even a second, her oceanic gaze remained fixed on mine.
I understood why. Luce had lived a life of profound loneliness. Through me, she might have finally found a sense of social fulfillment.
“Is that so?”
Of course, I missed you too. You have no idea how much I care about you...
“Isaac, I’ll help you with your training today, so let’s stay together.”
“I’d actually appreciate that. I’d be grateful if you did.”
Of course it’s welcome. It’s so welcome I’m about to throw a party. Having Luce’s help would be a massive boost in getting used to the feel of high-level mana.
“So, we’ll be together all day?”
“Yes, as long as you’re helping me train.”
Since I planned to train late into the night anyway, it was a perfect arrangement. Luce smiled brightly, looking genuinely pleased.
“Whoa.”
As she passed the open door of the rest area, Ciel Carnedas let out a small gasp. Inside, she saw a couple holding hands and whispering sweet words to each other.
For Ciel, a petite girl with short blue hair, it was a shocking sight.
The pair was Isaac and Luce Eltania, the top student.
Watching Isaac’s relationships with other girls was a hobby of sorts for her. Ciel hugged the pillow in her arms even tighter as she watched. What else could it mean when a boy and a girl held hands and gazed at each other in an empty rest area?
‘Those two... are they already dating?’
Kaya Astrean. The brilliant genius, Senior Dorothy Heartnova.
Does this mean the top seat has surpassed all her competitors and won the battle for Isaac...?
‘...No, it’s not over yet.’
Ciel suddenly remembered seeing Kaya in the Class A lecture room just yesterday. Kaya had been lost in thought, looking distressed, as if she were going insane just thinking about Isaac.
Yes. That was right. The battle wasn’t over. After all, Isaac was famous for being an elusive target. It didn't matter if they were holding hands; it didn't necessarily mean they were in a relationship.
However, the top seat’s approach was incredibly bold. The gentle, moonlight-like smile she showed only to Isaac was a far cry from her usual demeanor. She usually seemed so indifferent to others. Was Isaac really the exception?
Class A Lecture Room.
Ciel approached Kaya, who was quietly preparing for her morning class. Lisetta Lionheart and Keridna Whiteclark, also in Class A, watched Ciel with puzzled expressions. They had never seen Ciel—who usually seemed uninterested in the world—approach someone like this.
“Yes? Ms. Ciel?” Kaya looked up at Ciel with her jade-colored eyes.
“Um? What are you doing right now?”
“Huh? Just preparing for class...”
How could this be? Ciel slapped her forehead in disbelief. Her competitors were already on the prowl since early this morning!
This was a fierce battle being waged among three women over Isaac. Ciel knew she had no room to meddle. Useless intervention would only cause trouble.
But even so, there was one thing she had to say.
“Get your act together.”
“...Huh?”
“If you keep acting like this, someone is going to snatch him away from you.”
Phew. That was all she could do for now. She felt a sense of relief after letting those words out.
After delivering her warning, Ciel went to her seat at the back of the classroom. As she sat down, she kept a sharp eye on Kaya, who was left utterly speechless. Kaya didn't understand the meaning behind it, but Ciel’s eyes were filled with a fierce determination to watch over her until she stepped up her game.
“...?”
Kaya was simply bewildered beyond belief.