Chapter 116: End of the Second Semester (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 116: End of the Second Semester (3)
Bang!
The kitchen door of Charles Hall—the dormitory for top-tier students at ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱—flew open. A female student stepped inside, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.
“How quiet!”
It was Dorothy Heartnova. Her flowing lavender hair swayed as she moved. She had left her usual witch hat back in her room; she knew she’d be far too busy to worry about it now.
She stepped into the kitchen, brightened the glowing magic lamps, and tied an apron around her waist.
[Yawn... What are you making?]
“Something for Isaac to eat.”
As Ella, the white cat familiar with a ribbon tied to her tail, asked the question through a yawn, Dorothy pulled her hair back into a ponytail.
[Ahhh... But do you even know how to cook?]
“I haven’t really tried since coming to the academy, but I used to do it all the time, you know? Alright, prep work is done~.”
Dorothy was ready. She summoned the ingredients she had prepared in advance using her starlight mana.
Chop, chop.
She wielded the knife with practiced skill, adjusting seasonings and monitoring the heat as she worked. Before long, dishes that looked as impressive as they smelled began to pile up. Ella’s expression shifted from boredom to pure astonishment.
[Oh my...]
She had never imagined her usually clumsy master could be so adept in the kitchen.
“Huh.”
Suddenly, Dorothy stopped stirring the pot of boiling soup.
[What’s wrong, Dorothy?]
“Am I just too perfect...? I’m starting to get scared of myself...!”
Dorothy’s hands trembled. As usual, she was simply basking in her own greatness. Ella, long accustomed to Dorothy’s frequent bouts of self-admiration, couldn’t help but let out an automatic sigh.
Yet, at the same time, a small smile tugged at the cat’s lips.
As Dorothy’s familiar, Ella could feel her master’s emotions. Despite Dorothy’s lively exterior, Ella had always sensed a deep, sharp pain within her—like being pricked by a needle. She had never brought it up, knowing there was no point in dwelling on it.
But now, it felt as if most of that pain had been chased away. Dorothy was finally shaking off the longing, regret, and agony that had ensnared her for so long. She was finally enjoying the present to the fullest.
“Nihihi. Not only am I pretty, but I’m also a genius at magic and cooking. Doesn’t that make me...”
[Excellent wife material.]
“...!”
Dorothy’s face turned bright red in an instant. She pursed her lips as if she’d heard something scandalous, then went back to silently stirring the soup.
[Dorothy?]
Ella worried for a moment that she had overstepped, despite her casual tone.
Soon, however, Dorothy let out a soft, giddy laugh—a "Nehehe"—before managing to speak.
“Seriouslyyy~~... Don’t say things like that. Wife material? Isn’t that a bit muchhhh~~?”
Dorothy swayed happily, her expression a mix of joy and shyness. It was as if invisible flower petals were fluttering around her.
Ella just stared at her. It wasn't a joke—it seemed like just imagining the possibility was enough to make Dorothy die of happiness.
“President, how does it taste?!”
“It’s phenomenally delicious.”
“Good! What a great answer!”
The twisted tree branches were now dusted with white snow. With the end-of-semester evaluations over and the winter vacation ceremony only a day away, I was back in a corner of the butterfly garden, training my elemental magic for the first time in a while. My fatigue was gone, my mana had recovered, and I was burning with enthusiasm.
My mana flowed much more stably than before. It felt like my mana circuits had become more robust—similar to how muscle fibers grow back stronger after an intense workout.
This only fueled my drive. Defeating the Floating Island had been worth the effort of pushing my limits.
When lunchtime rolled around, Dorothy had suddenly appeared, spread out a mat, and laid out a feast she’d brought using her starlight mana.
I inhaled the food like a starving dog. No joke—the flavors were so perfectly balanced and savory that I thought I was going crazy.
Is this for real? Did I die and go to heaven? My favorite character is even good at cooking?
After the Floating Island incident, everything about Dorothy was now uncharted territory. There had been no mention of her cooking skills in the original ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
To think Dorothy had this side to her. I never would have guessed.
“I made this to celebrate the return of your mana, President. It’s not often you get to eat my cooking, okay?”
“Holy sh— This is actually insane. Wow...”
“...Actually, it might be a pretty frequent thing!”
Look at her, changing her tune so naturally.
Such trivial things felt like proof that I had become someone precious to Dorothy, and that thought made me happy.
“Thank you for the meal.”
I finished every last scrap Dorothy had prepared, then leaned back against a zelkova tree beside her. I wanted to digest the meal while spending some time with her, but I couldn't neglect my training. I quietly conjured [Frostfire] in one hand to work on my [Elemental Efficiency].
“President.”
“Yes?”
“Do you have any plans for the vacation? Like, somewhere you’re going?”
“For the most part, I’ll probably stay at the academy. I don’t really have anywhere else to go.”
“What about your hometown?”
“There’s no one there, even if I went back, so...”
I honestly didn’t know where Isaac’s hometown was. If I asked his older sister, Eve Ropenheim, I might find out, but she seemed to be deliberately avoiding me lately. There was no reason to force the issue. Besides, even if I did go back, I’d just be alone.
“Hmmm.”
Dorothy’s expression turned thoughtful. Thanks to [All In the World], she could see the essence of things and even read emotions. She was surprisingly sharp in ways people didn't expect. I didn't know exactly what that look meant, and since I couldn't read her mind, I decided not to dwell on it.
“President, this Big Sis has been thinking.”
“Yes.”
“If you ever run into trouble, let me know. I know you’re stronger than me now, but you’re not omnipotent. You can ask me for help anytime—even if it’s an unreasonable request.”
“Hmm, where is this coming from?”
“What do you mean? Thanks to you, my curse was lifted and I’m alive... Honestly, I’m late in saying this. It’s only natural that I repay your kindness.”
Dorothy smiled brightly.
An unreasonable request. I actually had one in mind.
That...
Should I ask her or not?
I had debated this dozens of times. At this point, it probably wasn't a bad time to ask... right?
“...Then, can I make an unreasonable request now?”
“Right away? So decisive... Well, fine. Whatever it is, tell me!”
“Please answer just one question. It’s a bit of an impolite one, though...”
“That’s easy-peasy~. What is it?”
“That day... did you kiss me, Senior?”
“...”
Dorothy’s head flinched back before she suddenly turned her gaze to the sky. She looked like she was in deep contemplation. Whether she was trying to figure out my intentions or just deciding how to answer, I wasn't sure.
“Hey, President.”
Eventually, Dorothy smiled coyly, leaning her upper body toward me and cocking her head.
“I didn’t know you wanted to kiss me that badly~.”
Her unique, captivating fragrance hit me instantly. For a moment, my breath hitched.
She really just went for it...
I almost blurted out, 'Of fucking course I do.'
I quickly regained my composure. Should I take this as a positive sign or just a joke? As I struggled to find a reply, Dorothy chuckled and leaned back against the tree.
“This Big Sis is a girl too, you know? Questions like that are embarrassing, okay?”
Didn’t you just say answering a question would be easy-peasy?
“Yes, well... I’ll refrain from asking again.”
Still, I was on Dorothy’s side. I didn't want to make her uncomfortable.
It’s fine. I’ll get to know her little by little.
I wasn't sure if she was dodging the question out of genuine embarrassment or something else. I had no intention of interrogating her. If it was true, great. If not, it was what it was.
“By the way, President.”
Dorothy brought up a new topic as if she’d been waiting for the right moment.
“There was something that happened that day that I wasn't sure if I should tell you. But I think it’s the right thing to do.”
In context, 'that day' referred to the time we were leaning against the wall of the hideout after defeating the Floating Island.
I just had to faint right at the most ambiguous moment.
“Didn’t you find it strange that you woke up safely by dawn? No matter how tough your body is, you pushed yourself wayyyyy too hard back then.”
Something had definitely felt off. I had assumed Dorothy had intermittently helped me recover while I was out, simply because that was the only explanation that made sense.
“Did something else happen?”
“A cute girl named Kaya came to find you.”
“...Huh?”
“She seemed to really like you, President. It also seems like you’ve been sharing quite a few secrets with her for a while now... and that you two rely on each other quite a bit.”
“...”
“You’re unexpectedly popular, aren’t you?”
Dorothy was still smiling, but... there was a thorn in her voice. It felt somewhat menacing.
I didn't know the exact circumstances, but if Kaya had shown up, it explained why I was able to wake up safely by dawn.
Dorothy began to recount what had happened that night.
After the fall of the Floating Island.
It was the middle of the night. Isaac and Dorothy were asleep, leaning against the outer wall of the wooden shack that served as their hideout.
As a gentle, light-green mana floated through the air like fireflies and seeped into their bodies, Dorothy slowly opened her eyes. Her chest felt warm.
“What are you doing?”
A cute but solemn voice drifted from the side. Dorothy turned her head.
A female student with long, verdant green hair was leaning against the wall, her hands clasped behind her back. She wore her school uniform, her brilliant red pupils fixed in a placid expression. Unlike her usual style, her hair wasn't tied in twin tails.
The Armana Wand was visible in her hand. Around her, thick tree branches rose from the ground, emitting vibrant green mana.
Isaac’s injuries—which a mana-depleted Dorothy couldn't heal—were being treated instantly. It was plant mana, a power granted only to those recognized by Sylphia, the Emerald Fairy. In terms of recovery, it was a top-tier element that surpassed almost all others.
Dorothy stared, her jaw agape.
“I guess you didn’t notice me coming because you were too busy fawning over Sir Isaac, Senior.”
Dorothy remembered her. During the Thunderbird Subjugation, she had cast [Tree of Radiance] to heal the wounded. And during the social gathering, she was the girl who had run off with Isaac.
The Magic Department’s 1st-year second seat, Kaya Astrea.
“...Did you follow us after seeing us fall?”
“Yes. Luckily, I found you. I’ve been here with Sir Isaac before, so finding the way was easy.”
The way she said 'Sir Isaac' and her tone made it clear she understood the situation perfectly. Only after Dorothy used [Emotional Insight] did she realize that Kaya was someone who shared Isaac’s secrets.
“Thank you for coming... It looked like it would have taken Isaac a whole day to recover on his own. Thanks to you, he’ll be better much faster.”
“...”
Kaya furrowed her brows at Dorothy’s faint smile. Isaac had ended up in this state to save Dorothy. Kaya couldn't even fathom how terrifying the Floating Island must have been—perhaps it was on the level of an Archwizard.
That was likely why Isaac had struggled so desperately for the first time. His physical condition was abysmal. Dorothy probably hadn't been able to do anything, which was understandable, but...
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting?”
Kaya’s tone turned murderous. She modestly gathered her legs and sat on the ground, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Resting her chin on her hand, she shot a cynical look at Dorothy. Her blood-red pupils were strikingly beautiful.
“Sir Isaac is going to be my man. Who do you think you are, Senior, to nonchalantly say my man’s condition will improve? Sir Isaac became like this because he wanted to save you.”
“...Huh?”
“It’s a relief you’re safe. I’m sure you had your reasons. But still, despite being that strong... you were powerless to do anything and let Sir Isaac suffer... I hate you, Senior.”
Kaya loved Isaac. Of that, she was certain. She knew there were likely complicated circumstances for both of them, but seeing the man she loved so severely injured made it impossible for her to be respectful. Her heart was breaking, and it was driving her crazy.
The fact that Dorothy spoke so casually when he had nearly killed himself for her didn't sit well with Kaya at all.
“...”
Dorothy said nothing. She couldn't. She had planned to sacrifice her life to bring down the island, and Isaac had nearly destroyed himself to stop her. Dorothy’s smile was merely a mask she wore out of habit; inside, she was terrified for him. But those feelings didn't reach Kaya.
“Hoo.”
Kaya sighed deeply and stood up to approach Isaac. She sat back down and leaned against his chest, almost as if she were embracing him.
“Huh?”
Dorothy was taken aback.
With flushed cheeks, Kaya buried her face in Isaac’s blood-stained uniform before looking up to glare at Dorothy. She was staking her claim.
“I sneaked away from the subjugation force, so I have to go back soon... but I have no intention of yielding Sir Isaac to you, Senior.”
After that declaration, Kaya looked down at Isaac and smiled. The verdant mana reflected off his sleeping face, casting flickering shadows on the snow. He looked incredibly lovely.
“Sir Isaac, I’ll see you soon. I love you.”
Kaya gently kissed Isaac’s cheek before standing up.
“Even though I said those things... thank you for staying alive, Senior.”
The branches formed from plant mana dissolved into glowing green dust, scattering like fireflies. In the wake of the shimmering light, Kaya turned and vanished down the forest path, her green hair flowing behind her.
Dorothy was left standing there in a daze.