Chapter 105: Subjugation of the Floating Island (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 105: Subjugation of the Floating Island (1)
The first snow had arrived.
Dainty snowflakes drifted down from the hazy, late-afternoon sky. Märchen Academy was soon draped in a mantle of white, proudly displaying its frost-covered beauty.
As the end-of-semester evaluations approached, most students were buried in their studies and training, yet they couldn't help but pause to lose themselves in the magic of the first snowfall.
Luce Eltania maintained a cold, aloof expression during lectures, but the moment break time arrived, she would seek out Isaac with a radiant smile. She played pranks, studied by his side, and even assisted him with his magic training. In Isaac’s company, she was so full of life that her nickname, the "Ice Princess," felt entirely misplaced.
It was said that love had the power to change a person, and one look at Luce confirmed she had an unwavering desire for Isaac and no one else.
Meanwhile, Kaya Astrea was fueled by a fierce determination to surpass Luce in this semester’s final evaluations. However, even as she focused on her goals, she couldn't help but fret over how Luce and Isaac were constantly together.
In her frustration, "Dark Kaya" would occasionally seize control, back-hugging Isaac in an attempt to seduce him or feeding him snacks with bold intent.
Ciel Carnedas, true to form, didn't care whether the evaluations were coming or not. She simply decided to sleep through it all and see where life took her.
Lisetta Lionheart’s rugged nature remained, but unbelievable rumors were circulating among the Magic Department freshmen that she had become more humble. Surprisingly, the rumors were true. She had discarded the arrogant notion that she was already strong, resolving instead to refine herself into a true powerhouse. She trained tirelessly with her magic weapon, Rock Bat, honing her skills to their absolute limits.
Tristan Humphrey was equally determined to prove his superiority in the upcoming evaluations. He pushed himself harder than ever, shedding blood, sweat, and tears in his pursuit of strength. A subtle sense of urgency gnawed at him; he refused to be left in the dust by Isaac, a commoner who was growing at a terrifying rate. Witnessing Isaac defeat Verga had been a shock to his system, leaving him impatient and dissatisfied with his current level of skill.
Mateo Jordana spent his days in the library or training his magic alongside the protagonist of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Ian Fairytale, and Ian's rumored lover, Amy Holloway. Despite his commoner roots, Mateo was determined to prove he could stand toe-to-toe with the nobility.
They all wore the same uniform and lived within the same confined walls of the academy, each harboring their own circumstances while diligently walking their own paths.
And so, time at Märchen Academy continued to flow.
[──────────.]
Then, like a stone shattering a glass window, it appeared.
It was evening over the Arkins Sea.
As if to announce its arrival, an eerie wail, like the haunting note of a woodwind instrument, echoed across the Zelver Empire. As the sound waves rattled the walls of the buildings, students turned toward the west, their expressions frozen in shock.
Despite the incredible distance, the entity dominated the horizon. It was so massive that it couldn't be fully captured in a single gaze. Enveloped in a thick advection fog, a colossal island floated silently in the sky, motionless and imposing.
The sheer scale of it left the students slack-jawed in awe.
"What… is that?"
"Is it dangerous?"
"How did something that big just appear?"
"There was nothing there a second ago!"
"No way… Could it be… the Floating Island?"
The eerie, alien aura emanating from the island stirred a primal fear in everyone who saw it. A formidable pressure of mana, as heavy as physical force, surged toward them like a rising tide.
The Zelver Empire’s Number One Target for Punitive Expeditions: The Floating Island.
Historical records claimed that whenever that island appeared, the surrounding lands were reduced to a wasteland. A brave knight who had once reached the island and barely escaped with his life had described it as both paradise and hell.
The Floating Island, a legend found only in textbooks, had suddenly manifested before their eyes. It was a sight that defied belief.
The Floating Island, Cavallion the Earthshaker.
In the first year of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, it revealed itself over the Arkins Sea on the day of the first snowfall.
I had already arrived at the coastline. Shrouded in dense fog, the demonic landmass hovered over the water. Finally, the long-awaited final boss of the first year’s second semester was right in front of me.
[Cavallion the Earthshaker]
Lv: 190
Race: Demon
Elements: Dark, Earth
Danger: Extreme
Psychology: [────────.]
Are you fucking kidding me? It’s fucking massive…
As expected, there was a world of difference between seeing it on a screen and seeing it in reality. It was gargantuan. Even Hilde would look like a ladybug compared to this demon.
The thick fog gave it a mystical, almost illusory quality.
If I remembered correctly, the academy staff would be in a state of total emergency by now. Aria, the Tower Master of the Hegel Magic Tower, would have detected the aggressive mana and alerted Headmistress Elena via communication magic.
In response, Headmistress Elena would be ordering the staff and the Student Council to evacuate the students while requesting aid from the Imperial Knights. Simultaneously, researchers from the academy and the Hegel Magic Tower would be scrambling to analyze the island's structure to formulate a countermeasure.
For the record, the shocking revelation that the Floating Island wasn't just a landmass, but a living demon, wouldn't be discovered for another two hours.
Woooooooong───.
Soon, massive magic circles began to etch themselves across the body of the Floating Island. It was preparing for battle.
These were Earth magic circles—a deeper, more visceral shade of crimson than those of the Rock element. Since the Rock element was merely a derivation of Earth, the Earth element was considered the true fundamental power.
Anyway, since it’s similar enough to the Rock element…
I recalled that about 70 percent of Earth element damage was calculated as Rock element damage. I adjusted the Elemental Bracelet on my left wrist to the Rock element, boosting my [Rock Elemental Resistance] by 40.
Because of the island's colossal size, the individual magic circles appeared relatively small. However, the vast black and brown magic circle slowly forming beneath the island was incomparable in scale. Constructed with an astronomical amount of mana, the process of engraving it into the air was painstakingly slow.
According to Aria’s calculations, that circle would be complete in approximately four hours. That information would already be spreading among the academy staff.
If that massive circle unleashed its attack on the Arkins Sea… a portion of the ocean would evaporate instantly, and at least a tenth of the Zelver Empire’s territory would be wiped off the map. Naturally, the island housing Märchen Academy would be obliterated.
That was the "Bad Ending" scenario.
"S-Sir Isaac… Is that really… a demon? That entire island?"
Standing beside me on the sandy beach, a girl with light green hair asked in a trembling voice. Her eyes were a clear emerald; this was the original Kaya.
I had given her a black hooded robe identical to mine to hide her identity. I had warned her about the Floating Island’s appearance in advance to enlist her help. With her, I could fly to the island quickly and discreetly.
As expected, Kaya had fervently agreed, saying, "If it’s to protect the peace of the academy!" and helped me get this far.
However, now that she was facing the enemy, her resolve was wavering. Her hands shook as she gripped the Armana Wand. Despite her determination, the island's size and terrifying mana had completely overwhelmed her.
"We… we have to defeat that thing, right? We… Ah, Sir Isaac?"
I kept my eyes on the Floating Island while gently stroking Kaya’s head to soothe her.
"It’ll be okay. If it feels dangerous, just stay close to me."
…Wait, why does my hand feel like it’s touching a furnace? And is there actually smoke rising from her head?
Without me noticing, Kaya’s face had turned a brilliant shade of crimson. Her body stiffened, rendering her unable to move.
"Huaaaaah…"
A strange sound escaped her lips, like air escaping a balloon. At the very least, she didn't look scared anymore.
"Let’s go."
"Yes…"
Kaya lowered her gaze, her flushed cheeks partially hidden by a strand of hair. She nodded slightly, her voice shy.
Just as Leafa the Illusive possessed the unique magic [Penetrative Vision], Cavallion the Earthshaker had the ability to teleport—a skill commonly referred to as "Warp." In the world of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, teleportation magic was incredibly rare.
There’s nothing more to say; even Dorothy and the Council of Kings can’t use it.
Once the Floating Island warped its massive body, it couldn't use the ability again for at least a day. The Empire had never been able to find it because it usually hid deep beneath the sea.
Typically, the Floating Island would warp Dorothy Heartnova—the person it had cursed—and Ian Fairytale—the Light element user it needed to kill—directly to itself. Because it was a unique magic that designated specific targets, it couldn't be blocked.
Dorothy would be absorbed into the core at the center of its body, where her curse would rapidly accelerate, stripping her of control over her own body. She would be rendered completely helpless. Ian, on the other hand, would be warped to a random location on the island.
After that, the Floating Island wouldn't be able to use warp magic again until the end of Act 6.
Therefore, the first thing I need to do is…
Support Ian.
I needed to protect Ian until the subjugation team from Märchen Academy arrived to join him. As the protagonist, Ian was born with the temperament of a Hero. He would quickly assess the situation and realize he had to stop the Floating Island. He would fight through the island's minions and head for the center.
Ian had to unleash [Apostle of Light] on the Floating Island’s core. Only then would the demon's powerful protection magic be nullified, allowing us to deal effective damage.
And that’s my cue.
My ultimate goal was to unleash firepower on par with Dorothy’s ultimate Starlight skill, [Last Light of a Dying Star], directly onto the island. Since I couldn't afford to waste mana, Kaya’s role was crucial.
The Floating Island was both paradise and hell. It was beautiful on the outside, filled with sparkling flames, but it was also home to white mushrooms that sprayed poisonous spores and jewels that caused skin necrosis upon contact. Kaya’s plant-based healing abilities were unparalleled; she would be my safety net in case of an emergency.
By the way, the subjugation team would find Ian easily thanks to the pin on his necktie. It was a gift from the obsessive Amy—a magic tool that functioned as a location tracker.
Kaya and I pulled up our hoods. It was time to depart.
「Wind Generation (Wind Element, ★1)」
Whooooosh───.
A light green wind, thick with mana, wrapped around us and lifted our bodies into the air. We began to ride the currents, flying toward the Floating Island.
Infiltrating the island was simple: you just had to get there. It didn't stop intruders at all. It viewed them as nutrients for its Earth-element body. This was also why the academy's subjugation team would be able to reach it so easily. There was no need to worry about being attacked mid-flight.
"Sir Isaac."
As we crossed the sea and pushed through the mist, Kaya called out to me. She was staring at me with puppy-like eyes, but quickly snapped her head forward when our eyes met. Beneath her hood, a rosy tint stained her porcelain cheeks.
"I’m only saying this because it feels like an opportunity… and it’s just a personal whim, so you don’t have to listen, and it might be disrespectful, but… well… uh, it’s just a bit scarier than I thought! A-and of course, you don’t have to do it, but…!"
"What is it?"
Why is she beating around the bush so much?
Kaya kept her head turned away, but she lowered her gaze and subtly extended her hand toward me.
…Her face is bright red.
"Is it okay… if we hold hands while we go…?"
"..."
Come to think of it, she had seen me hanging out with Luce a lot lately. Whenever Luce helped me with my magic training, it looked like a couple holding hands from a distance. Thanks to [Psychological Insight], I knew Kaya was quite envious.
I had a lot to be grateful for when it came to Kaya. Even today, if she wasn't on my side, my chances of success would be abysmally low. Refusing something as simple as holding her hand felt like belittling her efforts.
This much should be fine.
When I calmly took the hand Kaya had extended, her eyes widened and her shoulders flinched.
"Ah, Heuahhh…!"
Kaya stared at her own hand as if she couldn't believe it. Her face and hand turned so red it looked like her skin color had physically changed. The last time she was like this was when we defeated Garzia the Hermit and camped outside.
[Kaya Astrean]
Psychology: [Absolutely thrilled to hold hands with you.]
"Focus. Don’t let your mana scatter."
"Y-yes, Sir Isaac…"
She responded in a voice that was both sweet and flirtatious, like a girl in the first flush of romance. Even under the hood, her head was practically steaming. Her resistance to the opposite sex was still weak, but this was significant progress. It might be the influence of Dark Kaya.
As I looked forward again, the enormous island—as large as a small nation—loomed in my sight. Its overwhelmingly imposing aura felt like it could devour me whole.
Even so…
I won’t let Dorothy die.
Until now, I had been carefully following the scenario, minimizing variables to reach my goal. But today, I intended to completely overturn the script.
I had grinded through this world not just to defeat the Evil God, but for this very moment.
As always…
…Let’s do this.
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 86
Gender: Male
Year: 1st
Title: Eager First Year
Mana: 14000/14000 – Mana Recovery Speed (B+)