Chapter 130: Alice (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 130: Alice (1)
Heavy snow blanketed the quiet campus.
Professor Fernando Frost looked up from his paperwork and lightly rubbed his bleary eyes. Through the window, Märchen Academy was draped in a pristine white shroud.
It would have been a beautiful sight—if not for the memory of the Floating Island.
For Fernando, the snow-covered landscape had become a source of trauma, stirring a subtle sense of unease deep within his chest. After all, the academy grounds had looked exactly like this just before that gargantuan island appeared in the sky.
Naturally, his thoughts shifted from the Floating Island to the "Black Monster," the Archwizard now hailed as the Nameless Hero.
The entity had appeared out of nowhere at Märchen Academy, systematically wiping out demons. Recent reports claimed it had even slain the black tower demon that appeared in the Astrea Duchy.
This meant its scope of activity wasn't limited to the academy; the entity possessed the freedom to move as it pleased.
And now, it was winter vacation.
The words of his mentor, Aria Lilias, echoed in his mind.
—“I assume you’ve already guessed, but that monster is likely one of your students.”
“My… student…”
If the Black Monster really was a student, who could it be? Given that the demons had only begun appearing this year, there was a strong possibility it was a freshman, though even that wasn't certain.
Of course, it wasn't a problem for him to solve alone, especially with the Imperial Knights involved. As the youngest professor on staff, Fernando had a mountain of work to climb during the winter break.
He needed to revise next year’s curriculum based on the latest research from the Magic Towers. Between entrance exam preparations, next semester’s grading rubrics, personal research, writing his thesis, and preparing for demonic threats…
He was set to spend his entire vacation buried under a landslide of miscellaneous work.
Not long ago, the faculty had seriously discussed closing the school due to the frequent demon attacks. However, that talk had since faded into the background.
The Imperial Family had intervened directly, deploying the Imperial Knights with a firm decree: “We shall ensure the students’ right to an education, regardless of the disasters the demons may bring.”
In short, the faculty was forbidden from closing the gates.
‘And then there’s that.’
The Imperial Princess, the Saintess, and the Priestess.
The world’s most influential figures were all applying for the Märchen Academy entrance exam at the same time. Just planning the curriculum and accounting for the safety risks of such high-profile students was enough to make his brain fry.
The sheer weight of these noble applicants was a heavy burden on Fernando. To make matters even more peculiar, this year’s entrance exam had been personally approved by the Headmistress, Elena Woodline.
Fernando let out a long, weary sigh.
“Ugh…!”
Knock, knock.
A rhythmic thumping hit the office door. Hearing the distinct, shuffling gait of a zombie, Fernando knew exactly who it was: a graduate student.
“Come in.”
The door creaked open, and Marco, a male assistant with messy brown hair, entered. His face bore the hollow, gaunt expression of someone who had long since departed the land of the living.
Marco approached Fernando, his joints creaking as he carried a massive bundle of documents. His skeletal arm dropped the pile onto the desk with a heavy thud.
“Is it finished?” Fernando asked.
“Ughhhhhhhhhh…”
“Good work. You know the drill for the next batch. It needs to be done before the entrance exam.”
“Gueughhhhh…?!”
Without another word, Fernando used telekinesis to hand Marco a fresh stack of documents.
Marco let out a strangled scream, his head spinning as he stumbled for a moment. But as a lowly assistant, he had no choice. He turned and trudged out of the office.
It was early morning, yet it was clear he would be pulling another all-nighter.
*
[I see you often, child.]
The cave of the Trial of Sandstone was still saturated with dense rock mana.
Most of the spacious cavern was occupied by a creature resembling a mountain-sized alligator snapping turtle.
The 8-star rock element magic beast, Stone Turtle - Gormos.
Gormos welcomed me with a voice like a weathered old man.
“Hi.”
[I have returned, Gormos!]
I greeted him alongside Hilde, whom I had summoned in the form of a small baby dragon.
I had introduced Hilde to Gormos yesterday. Unlike Hilde, who was buzzing with excitement, Gormos remained calm and stoic, possessing the aura of a wise sage who had seen it all.
“Weren’t you bored?” I asked.
[Bored, you say? I used to enjoy quiet contemplation, but lately, I have had no such luxury because of the commotion you two cause.]
Gormos answered, though he glared at me with eyes that lacked any real heat.
[Stone Turtle - Gormos]
Psychology: [Very pleased to see you.]
What a total tsundere.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be coming by often.”
[I shall come often as well!] Hilde chirped.
[Huh…?]
He clicked his tongue as if he found us ridiculous, but he didn’t tell us to leave.
“Is it okay if I bother you again today?”
[Hmm… Since it would be unsightly to turn away such a pitiful child, I suppose I have no choice.]
What the magnificent, gentle tsundere actually meant was that he wanted to play.
“Thanks.”
I set Zhonya’s Staff on the ground, did a quick warm-up, and then gripped it tight. Accelerating the flow of mana within my body, I took a deep breath and steeled myself for battle.
Kududoom, kuung, kuung.
Rock mana coalesced in front of Gormos. Shards of stone armor crackled and fused together, rising into the shapes of golems.
Five golems, each about four meters tall, stood before me. Behind them loomed a titan nearly seven meters in height. These were the rock minions Gormos had created specifically to match my current level.
[Guwaaak!]
As the largest golem let out a stony roar, a grin spread across my face.
Yes, this is it.
I couldn't make Gormos my familiar yet. My only 8-star contract circle was already tied to Hilde, and frankly, I wasn't strong enough to defeat Gormos in a real fight anyway.
However, even if the Stone Turtle wasn't my familiar, there was still a way to utilize him. That’s where these minions came in.
They were tangible opponents with physical bodies. Training against them was far more effective than fighting demonic illusions.
‘If this guy were actually my familiar, this would be an unimaginable asset.’
In other words, this was damn good.
I couldn't take down that seven-meter boss golem last time, but today, I was going to break it.
Thump, thump.
The golems charged simultaneously, swinging massive fists. When I dodged, they followed up with skillfully cast rock magic. I countered immediately, weaving ice and rock spells into the fray.
Hilde watched from atop Gormos’s shell, but I didn't have the luxury of looking back.
Booooooom!
I took hits, I rolled through the dirt, and I got covered in dust. I dodged by a hair’s breadth, pouring every ounce of my mana into shattering the golems.
The intensity was staggering. I couldn't even catch my breath.
“Sigh.”
Yet, the harder the training became, the more effective it felt. The more efficient my movements became, the greater the rush of ecstasy. It was painful and exhausting, but the thought of how much stronger I was becoming with every shattered golem filled me with pure joy.
Kua-ka-kang!
This was the spark I needed.
*
Isaac.
When he exchanged greetings, he looked as gentle as a puppy, but his eyes turned cold and sharp the moment he entered battle.
Hilde and Gormos watched as Isaac waged a fierce war against the pack of golems. As the battle raged, his combat instincts, elemental output, and mana mastery were evolving at a terrifying rate.
[…Fascinating,] Gormos murmured, unable to hide his impression.
Hilde, the Frost Dragon in her tiny baby form, poked her head over the edge of Gormos’s shell.
[What do you mean, Gormos?]
[That child.]
Gormos blinked slowly, watching the flashy elemental magic explode across the cavern. Though the boy was still weak in the grand scheme of things, his talent was undeniably that of a genius.
More importantly, he didn't waste a single drop of that talent. He put in the work.
Add to that the aura of the Ice Sovereign…
[As I live and breathe… what on earth is that kid?]
[Well, I see him as the reincarnation of the Ice Sovereign,] Hilde chirped.
[…And why do you think that?]
[What other explanation could there be? Yes, Gormos, the Ice Sovereign must have reincarnated just to meet me once again!]
Gormos hesitated, unsure how to respond to the foolish White Dragon, and settled for a soft sigh. Given his size, the sigh created a small gale.
[Your way of thinking remains as romantic as ever, Hilde. I cannot begin to understand it.]
[There is no need to understand. You just have to feel it in your heart.]
Quaaaaa!
The conversation between the two ancient beasts was drowned out by the thunderous roar of Isaac’s [Frost Explosion].
As Isaac finally pulverized the largest golem, he laughed while falling back toward the ground, his face lit with a sense of accomplishment that screamed, ‘I did it.’
Gormos couldn't take his eyes off the boy.
Suddenly, the image of the Stone Sovereign came to mind—a master full of competitive spirit who always sought to grow stronger and lived for the thrill of fighting the powerful.
[Feel it in your heart, indeed…] Gormos pondered Hilde’s words in silence.
*
“I feel like I’m dying…”
Evening had fallen. The ash-gray sky continued to dump heavy snow onto the world.
I limped across the snow-covered campus, leaning heavily on Zhonya’s Staff. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest.
I had almost cheered when I finally took down Gormos’s seven-meter golem. But when a ten-meter titan appeared immediately after and absolutely wrecked me, I could do nothing but gnash my teeth in frustration.
I’d heard there were even "compression-type" golems; I could only imagine how terrifying those would be.
[Master, shall I help you?]
“It’s fine… you stand out too much. Besides, I’m tapped out. I don’t have enough mana left to maintain your summoning.”
Hilde was currently tucked in my pocket in the form of a glowing firefly. This tiny creature was actually the legendary White Dragon of the Whiteclark Duchy. She was far too conspicuous to ask for help in public. If anyone at the academy saw her, it would be a catastrophe.
Besides, I had burned through almost everything dealing with Gormos’s minions. If I summoned Hilde or Eden in a size large enough to carry me, I’d risk total mana depletion. It was better to just walk and recover.
I’d be fine by the time I reached the dorms.
[I can transform into a form that isn't noticeable, though…]
Wait, what?
[Oh!]
“Gah!”
Plop!
Dammit, I fell. My legs gave out, and I lost my balance.
Face-down in the snow, I raised my head, feeling the biting chill against my skin.
“Argh.”
First I was covered in dirt from the cave, and now I was coated in snow. I forced myself up, brushing the powder off my clothes. My arms were shaking uncontrollably.
It was then that I heard the distinct crunch of footsteps in the snow behind me. Did someone see me fall? How embarrassing.
“Are you okay?”
A soft, elegant voice reached my ears. It sounded… strangely familiar.
“Oh, I’m fine. Thank y—”
As I turned toward the voice, my words died in my throat. My eyes widened.
Pale gold hair.
A black-and-white patterned choker adorned her neck, with matching earrings. The stunning student leaned forward, looking down at me with light pink eyes the color of cherry blossoms.
She held an umbrella over my head, shielding me from the falling flakes.
“Where on earth were you rolling around? Your clothes are a mess.”
She elegantly smoothed her skirt and knelt down, her knees together, as she gently brushed the snow from my hair.
For a moment, I just stared at her like an idiot, completely speechless. She met my gaze with a soft, knowing smile.
“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
The atmosphere grew heavy. It felt as though the entire academy was holding its breath under the endless descent of the snow.
It was Alice Carroll.