Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 104: Uh, Hey... Luce? (2)

Only the best of the best could claim a seat as an elite member of the Four Constellations.

Naturally, the skills of Verga Rayphelt, an elite of the Black Tiger Constellation, were held in high regard. It was rare to find anyone in the academy who didn't know of his prowess. Consequently, news of his defeat had spread like a raging wildfire.

"Pfft... Hahaha!"

Inside the opulent lounge of the Black Tiger headquarters, the refined laughter of a female student echoed through the room. Even the male student seated comfortably in a spacious armchair couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

The source of their amusement was none other than Verga Rayphelt, who had just walked in, his dark green hair disheveled and his muscular frame tense.

"Stop laughing."

Even Verga’s low, predatory growl couldn't suppress their mirth.

"Are you kidding me? How does an elite member of the Constellations get destroyed by a Magic Department freshman? A Class C kid, no less! And you even agreed to those ridiculous rules... Were duels always that boring for you?"

"There won't be any problems next time. If we have a proper match, I’ll definitely wi—!"

"Wow! You’re such a sore loser! Ahahaha!"

As Verga raised a frustrated fist, the male student finally stopped laughing.

"I always knew something like this would happen."

Leaning against the window, a second-year student from the Knight Department spoke up. He was casually curling a dumbbell that any normal person would find absurdly heavy, his toned biceps bunching and stretching in a rhythmic pattern.

"Take it easy, Verga. You’re seriously addicted to dueling."

"Hmph! Nonsense. Strength is the only way to prove who's right. Duel me right now!"

The student by the window didn't stop his curls, merely letting out a deep sigh. Verga was uncompromising and suffered from a severe dueling addiction; he hadn't expected a rational response in the first place.

"Hey, Senior. What’s the plan then? Are you going to throw away your own rules and ask, 'Oh, why don’t we have a proper duel this time?' Is that your big proposal? Besides, an elite of Black Tiger challenging some Class C freshman? Isn't that a bit pathetic?"

The female student on the couch, Janie, continued to needle him with a teasing tone.

"It tarnishes the honor of Black Tiger~."

"How arrogant. Do you want a lesson, Janie?"

"Heheh."

Janie, sipping her tea, defused the tension with her usual aegyo—a tactic she employed whenever she ran out of things to say.

"...Regardless, she makes a point. Even if your manners toward a senior are a complete mess."

Verga stared at his clenched fist.

"But if I ever get the chance to fight that guy again... I’ll make sure he feels the true gap between us."

His abdominal muscles still ached from the shock of last night’s duel. He had let his guard down. The mana he’d felt from that Magic Department junior was so minuscule that he hadn't thought there was anything to worry about.

He never imagined the bastard would possess that much physical power.

Wizards with immense physical strength were often called 'Martial Mages.' That guy had to be one of them.

If he ever faced Isaac again, he wouldn't make the same mistake. He would repay this humiliation in full.

"Are you planning to humiliate Black Tiger again?"

"Janie..."

"Heheh."

"..."

*

The season brought a biting chill, and the sky began to darken earlier than usual.

In a secluded corner of the butterfly garden, Isaac and Luce stood facing each other, maintaining a significant distance for their spar. Isaac wanted to keep this training spot a secret, so the two had come here in private.

"Luce."

Isaac maintained a composed expression as he pressed his knees down to stretch. Zhonya’s Staff lay on the grass beside him.

"I’m in your care for the day. I’m going to train seriously—it won't be like last time. Are you sure you’re okay with that?"

"Yeah, it’s okay."

Luce didn't say it aloud, but she was thinking, 'I actually prefer it this way.'

"Thanks. I’ll make it up to you later."

"There’s no need. It’s really okay."

Tilting her head, Luce smiled brightly. As always, her genuine smiles were reserved exclusively for Isaac.

The difference in mana capacity between Isaac and Luce was like comparing a shallow puddle to the deep sea. Strictly speaking, Luce was wasting her time by indulging him.

But Luce always wanted to be with Isaac. And, as always, Isaac knew exactly what she was thinking thanks to [Psychological Insight].

However, he had no intention of taking advantage of her feelings. She was someone he truly cared for. If she was willing to help him train, he fully intended to repay her.

After finishing his stretches, Isaac picked up Zhonya’s Staff. He twirled it lightly, handling it like a spear or a rod, and settled into a combat stance.

The grip was comfortable. The mana flow was smooth. His previous training with the staff had significantly enhanced his mana mastery.

His crimson eyes focused solely on Luce. A fierce determination burned on his face, as if declaring, 'Today, I will land a blow on her.'

"Do you think you can hit me today?"

"No matter what, I will."

Having endured countless attacks from him during their previous duels, Luce knew Isaac’s tenacious dedication better than anyone. Today, Isaac planned to attack relentlessly until he collapsed from exhaustion.

And in that moment, Isaac charged.

Fuaaah—!

Zzzeuk–! Kwang!

Trying to freeze Luce’s water magic with his ice magic was a futile endeavor. Even when he summoned his small golem familiar, Eden, to combine their powers for rock magic, the torrent destroyed it instantly.

The high-density mana fueling her water magic created an overwhelming current. Isaac’s magic wasn't even close to resisting it. Even when he used his athleticism to dodge, he was often swept away by the sheer area of effect of her spells.

Even so, the fire in his eyes never wavered.

He had always been this way. To reach Luce, he would grit his teeth and charge as if his life depended on it.

But it wasn't just blind stubbornness. He used Luce as a sounding board for unique approaches, constantly testing new methods when old ones failed. His ability to apply classroom knowledge directly to battle tactics was no longer surprising.

To an outsider, the duel might look meaningless. But to Luce, who was clashing with him, his steady growth was palpable with every exchange.

'His mana capacity, mastery, elemental resistance, and reflexes... they've all improved noticeably.'

Compared to the first semester, his growth was almost terrifying.

'You’re incredible, Isaac...'

Involuntarily, she found herself marveling in her head. A small smile curled her lips. For Luce, witnessing Isaac’s growth firsthand was a source of immense pride.

*

The vast night sky stretched over the field.

Gasping for breath, I collapsed onto the grass. I was so soaked I looked like a drowned rat.

'I’m so tired I think I’m actually dying...'

After hours of sparring with Luce, I was completely spent. My body refused to move; my stamina was bone-dry.

'Well, it was obvious it would end like this...'

While training with Luce drastically improved my combat senses, it had a fatal flaw: it caused extreme fatigue that bled into the next day.

However, there wasn't much time left until the Floating Island event. Now was the time to focus on rapid improvement, even if it meant gritting my teeth and enduring the hellish workload.

That was why I’d charged at Luce so recklessly, but as expected, I ended up in this sorry state. I couldn't land a single effective hit. And that was considering she was likely using only a fraction of her power...

...Oh well. For now, I should just focus on the stat gains.

"Isaac, are you okay?"

Luce suddenly appeared above me, leaning her upper body forward to look down. Even the simple act of brushing back her flowing rose-gold hair exuded an elegant, noble grace.

"If I’m being honest, I can’t move a muscle. I think I’m dying..."

"Mmm."

I expected her to offer a hand and ask if I wanted to get up, but...

"You look completely defenseless right now, Isaac. Should I just kidnap you?"

What kind of unhinged question was that?

"...Seriously?"

"Just kidding."

Luce laughed softly.

Is this a horror movie? Don't say stuff like that while you're blushing, okay? It’s creepy.

Shortly after, Luce unfurled a fire magic scroll and placed it beside me. Flames akin to a bonfire emerged, providing a perfect amount of warmth. She must have predicted I’d be soaked by her water magic and prepared it in advance.

Then, Luce sat down—right on my abdomen.

She did it so naturally, as if that was where she was always meant to be, that even I was nearly fooled. She placed her hand on my chest and began casting a simple healing spell; the pain gradually began to recede.

"...I’m grateful and all, but I’m not a chair."

"Isaac, I have something I want to ask you."

Wow, she’s just straight-up ignoring me.

As time passed, it seemed Luce had developed a sense of exactly how much teasing I could handle. According to ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Luce originally had a mischievous streak. The increasing frequency of her pranks was proof of that.

It was good to see her becoming brighter and happier.

Anyway, I focused on her question.

"Why are you trying so hard, Isaac? It was already intense, but today felt even worse than usual."

Luce’s ability to read people was borderline inhuman. If I pushed myself even slightly, she noticed immediately. Although it felt weird answering a question while she was sitting on me, I gave a simple response.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"It’s the only way I can get better. I have to be strong like you if I want to swagger around, you know?"

Half of it was the truth—I wanted to improve quickly—and the other half was a lie about wanting to act cool. Hearing that, Luce let out a short burst of laughter. Even her laugh was elegant. It was amazing how refined a voice could sound.

"You want to be like me?"

"You’re the top seat, after all."

"That’s true. With your ambition, I suppose it’s only natural."

Stretching her legs out, Luce rested her weight against my thigh and chest while looking up at the night sky. She seemed lost in thought.

"I guess it can't be helped, then. I can't complain even if you overdo it."

I didn't have much to say to that, so I stayed silent. Then, just as her healing magic finished...

She climbed off me and lay down right by my side.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Luce pulled my head into her chest.

"...!"

An indescribable softness pressed against my head. A pleasant fragrance wafted into my nose. I couldn't even find the words to protest; my eyes were spinning in shock.

It was incredibly... bewildering.

"Uh, hey... Luce...?"

"Even so, it’s okay to lean on me sometimes."

Luce’s gentle voice was close, enveloping my ears. It was an enthralling sound that tickled my eardrums like a feather.

"Feel free to push yourself as much as you want, but if it gets too tough, come to me. That’s okay, right?"

I widened my eyes and looked at her. Thanks to the fire magic scroll, her youthful smile shone brightly in the darkness.

Come to think of it, Luce had always shown an immense amount of concern for my well-being. She seemed like someone who couldn't stand seeing me in danger and wanted to protect me at all costs.

I realized then... that I was the most precious person in the world to Luce. Her sensitivity was likely a byproduct of the trauma of losing people in her past. If something bad happened to me, she would get angry, sad, or even cry. Luce was just that kind of person.

I’m so proud of her.

Man, I feel like a proud father right now.

"So, this isn't embarrassing for you?"

Last time, when she asked, 'Do you want to touch my breasts?', she had immediately retracted the offer in a fit of embarrassment. It seemed a hug ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was within her "safe" range.

"Eut... Isaac... your breath tickles a bit."

Her laughter-tinted voice echoed mysteriously. How embarrassing...

Enough. I needed to get up before this got any more awkward. The healing magic had spread through my body, and I’d recovered a decent amount of strength. I should be able to resume training in a few minutes.

"Isaac?"

I pushed myself away and sat up. I couldn't stay drunk on this sensation when my stamina was returning. Luce followed suit, lifting herself up.

"Can I really count on you for things like this?"

When I asked playfully, Luce tilted her head with a sly smile.

"The limit is hugs."

"...I wasn't going to ask for more."

"Liar."

I decided not to argue. With her extraordinary memory and keen observation, she probably knew exactly how many times I’d glanced at her chest. My denials had zero credibility. It was best to move on.

"...Why aren't you denying it more?"

As an awkward silence hung in the air, Luce avoided my gaze, her cheeks tinged with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠red.

You weren't going to believe me anyway...

The flames from the scroll crackled like a real bonfire. Even though this was just a training ground, the fire changed the entire atmosphere, making it feel like a campsite.

I chatted with Luce for a while, and once my body felt fully recovered, I jumped to my feet.

"Let’s start again."

Luce fumbled for a moment before saying, "Okay," taking my wrist to pull herself up as well.

That day, Luce helped me train until the break of dawn.

*

West, toward the Arkins Sea.

Listening to the waves crashing against the cliffs, she stared into the endless, dark water. She couldn't help but feel a deep sense of futility.

Firmly pressing down on her witch hat to keep the sea breeze from blowing it away, Dorothy Heartnova sat at the edge of the cliff, gazing at the horizon.

Under the hat that blocked the moonlight, there wasn't a hint of her usual ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠smile on her weathered face. She had begun to sense an oddly familiar mana in the wind.

At first, she thought there might be something in the sky, but a closer look revealed nothing. Nevertheless, a foreboding feeling gnawed at her. She couldn't shake the sensation that a calamity was impending over that sea—a terrifying mana that even she could not stop.

She was destined to die from a curse. But before she did, there was a being she needed to send to the afterlife. She didn't even realize that the very being she sought was about to appear.

Dorothy had formed a contract with Stella, the Fairy of Stars, allowing her to observe all worlds where starlight shone. However, due to her limited abilities, her visions were often unclear...

But thanks to this transcendental ability, Dorothy knew exactly how powerful the entity that cursed her was. It was as if the architect of this world had created an existence that was never meant to be defeated.

Therefore, Dorothy had no choice but to calmly accept her death.

—"I will save you, Senior."

As she observed another world, memories from her "other self" began to resonate with her own. It was the declaration made by a boy with silver-blue hair on this very cliff.

In the fog of her memories, his words were the only echoes etched clearly in her mind. Her heart fluttered, and her lips twitched involuntarily.

Dorothy held her breath as she watched the raging waves.

Not long after...

As if boasting its dominating presence, a massive island appeared in the sky over the Arkins Sea. Its size, which seemed to cover the entire horizon, was nothing short of a world unto itself.