Chapter 137: Mentor Isaac (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 137: Mentor Isaac (2)
Grade S Mana.
Ranked 1st in the Class Placement Evaluation.
Guaranteed a spot in Class A.
Those were the grades of Miya, the Priestess.
Grade D+ Mana.
Ranked dead last in the Class Placement Evaluation.
Guaranteed a spot in Class D.
Those were the grades of Princess Snow White.
“Merlin, life is so meaningless…”
“I’ve already heard you say that six times, Your Highness.”
Snow White had heard others claim she was part of the 'Golden Generation.' Not only were the Princess, the Saintess, and the Priestess all in the same year, but the other freshmen were also far more talented than usual.
But even so, this… aren’t they a bit too talented?
After arriving here, Snow White realized that she—who had received an elite education from the most distinguished tutors due to her royal background—had merely been a big fish in a small pond.
She had mistaken herself for a true prodigy after hearing countless compliments like “Well done” and “You’re brilliant” from high-ranking wizards in the exalted Magic Tower. But reality was a bitter pill to swallow.
Inside an empty classroom within Orphin Hall, the building for the Department of Magic.
White sat at a desk, staring vacantly into space, with another empty chair placed across from her. Aside from White and Merlin Astrea, who stood behind her, the classroom was deserted.
“Don’t you think I’m pathetic? I told His Majesty the Emperor that I would do my best, but I’ve already started on the wrong foot with the Priestess, and I’m leagues behind both her and the Saintess… I haven’t even met the Saintess yet, let alone had the chance to speak with her…”
“There is no need to be discouraged. Your Highness has a kind heart. An opportunity to become acquainted with them will surely arise.”
A kind heart. Is that really my only redeeming quality?
With a soft sigh, White flashed a rueful smile. Merlin judged that it was time to change the subject.
“By the way, your mentor should be arriving any moment now.”
“Merlin, you said the mentoring program didn’t exist when you attended this academy, right?”
“Yes. I heard it is being implemented for the first time this year.”
The mentoring program.
It was a new initiative by Märchen Academy. Freshmen who wished to participate were assigned a random senior student as a mentor. The chosen senior would provide guidance and advice regarding school life.
Of course, the seniors had to volunteer in advance. Those who became mentors received scholarship benefits for their tuition and an additional stipend proportional to how much their mentee’s grades improved.
However, because it was a new program and it was unclear how much it would interfere with one's own studies, there weren't many volunteers.
“Do you think there will be someone right for me? Someone who rose from the bottom to the top in a short period of time… Looking back, I think that might have been an unreasonable request.”
“We will see soon. If it doesn’t seem to be a good fit, Your Highness can simply withdraw later. There’s no need to overthink it.”
Since mentees needed a mentor who suited them, they were allowed to submit specific criteria. White had submitted her ideal requirement: ‘The person with the most significant grade improvement last year.’
White didn’t need a mentor who had been talented and powerful from the start, like Merlin. A fitting mentor for her would be someone who had started with low grades, just like her, and managed to climb the ranks through effort.
Her current grades were abysmal. She needed to raise them as quickly as possible to display enough power to at least catch the eyes of the Saintess and the Priestess. After all, the first step to befriending them was being able to stand on the same level.
That was her way of contributing to the future of her nation and world peace.
“Your Highness, I believe they are here.”
“What? How do you know?”
“I can hear footsteps. Someone is approaching.”
“But I can’t hear anything… Just how good is your hearing, Merlin?”
Finally, the door creaked open, and a boy stepped into the classroom.
“…”
Silence fell. Holding her breath, White peered intently at the senior who entered her field of vision.
He wore the school uniform, a blue jeweled brooch signifying his second-year status pinned to his tie. His silver hair was slightly wavy, and his eyes were a shade of murky crimson. The large, circular glasses he wore gave him the air of a model student.
His expression suggested a gentle personality. Admittedly, her senior was quite handsome.
“You are…?”
“It is an honor to meet Your Highness, the Princess.”
Standing before White, the student placed a hand over his chest and bowed politely. The two girls watched him—White with a blank gaze, and Merlin with an inquisitive, searching look.
“I am Isaac, your newly assigned mentor. I look forward to a meaningful semester together.”
The silver-haired student, Isaac, greeted them with a bright smile that reminded one of a professional salesman.
It was what some might call a 'capitalistic smile.'
Everything went according to plan.
Snow White. I just call her the 'Lousy Princess.'
She plays a major role in the episode during the second semester of the second year, and her death practically guarantees a bad ending. Therefore, it was necessary to build a close relationship with her in advance and lower her guard so I could protect her when the time came.
I had three ideas on how to get close to White, and I planned to use all of them.
First up: ‘The Mentoring Program.’
The mentoring program was a mandatory part of the Magic Knight of Märchen storyline. Normally, Ian Fairytale would have been chosen as Princess White’s mentor because, as the protagonist, he was the student with the 'most significant grade improvement.'
Since White was a side character, not a heroine, she barely contributed to the story during the first semester of the second year. But after becoming close with Ian, she provided the opportunity for him to shine in the second semester.
However, in this world, there wasn't even the slightest chance of Ian being able to protect White. Not to mention…
In this world, I’m the one with the biggest improvement.
This world had me. If anyone asked my peers who had the most drastic growth in their year, they would all say 'Isaac.'
That was why I was certain I would become White’s mentor if I volunteered.
Behind White, who had fair skin and pure white hair, stood Merlin Astrea. Her light green hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her eyes scanned me like a hawk.
But my smile didn't falter. Acting was my specialty; I could cry on cue if I had to. Maintaining a natural expression, I waited for White and Merlin to lower their guard.
For the record, Merlin was Kaya Astrea’s sister and a likable side character. She was also the person I wanted to form the deepest connection with after White.
That was because of the Obsidian Blade, the legendary Earth-element weapon.
Stance and form were crucial when using the Obsidian Blade’s skills. Merlin, a genius swordswoman, would be an excellent teacher. If I got close to White, I’d likely be able to ask Merlin for a few favors as well. That was all part of the plan.
“S-Senior Isaac! This is the academy, and you’re my senior! There’s no need for such formalities!”
White leaped from her seat after my greeting, waving her hands frantically in a panic. She acted and spoke exactly as one would expect from a girl who stayed far away from the power struggles of the crown.
“W-well, it’s nice to meet you! I’m sure you already know, but my name is Snow White Von Kairos Elfieto. You can just call me White.”
“As you wish, Princess White.”
“By the way, Senior Isaac… would it be rude of me to ask about your grades last year?”
White asked tentatively, cupping her hands near her mouth. As expected, that was her first question.
“I started as the lowest-ranked student in Class D. Currently, I am the top student in Class B.”
“Perfect!!”
White, the current bottom-ranked student of the first-year Class D, cheered joyfully. It was as if she had found a ray of light in the pit of despair.
*
White, Merlin, and I walked across the campus.
White was a princess of the Zelver Empire. Furthermore, after dumping her food tray on the Priestess—as dictated by the original scenario—she had attracted far too much attention from the student body.
Attention was a distraction to training. So, I planned to train her somewhere secluded.
Why train her at all?
There were several reasons. As her mentor, I was responsible for White’s growth, and she needed to become stronger anyway to prevent the bad ending. Plus, it was beneficial for me to be exposed to the specific mana White used.
“From last place in Class D to first in Class B…! How is that even possible?!”
White had been buzzing with excitement the entire way. She seemed deeply invested in my story as a former Class D bottom-feeder.
For context, classes were assigned based on a combination of maximum mana capacity and Class Placement Evaluation scores. There was a strict benchmark. There wasn't actually much of a skill gap between me and Keridna Whiteclark, who was 5th in Class A. But because her maximum mana was slightly higher than mine, I ended up at the top of Class B.
In reality, the general consensus was that 'Isaac is at the same level as Class A students.' That was my current standing.
Regardless, I gave an awkward smile, pretending to be embarrassed.
“It’s just the result of hard work. I’m sure Princess White will do much better than a commoner like me.”
“Ah, humility! Yes, this is exactly the kind of person I wanted!”
White was burning with enthusiasm. It was almost cute to see her fist balled up in determination, telling me she wanted to start coaching as soon as possible.
Though it was called a mentoring program, our relationship was likely going to be more like teacher and student. White wasn't in a state where simple advice would suffice. Like a personal trainer, I needed to teach her proper training methods.
But that didn't mean I was going to dedicate all my time to her. I planned to adjust the schedule so it wouldn't interfere with my own training, and there were things I stood to gain from her as well.
It was a give-and-take.
“By the way, Senior, you don’t need to use honorifics. This is the academy. I’ll only feel uncomfortable if you keep speaking so formally…”
“Ah, well then… Alright.”
I was waiting for her to say that. I dropped the formalities immediately before things got awkward.
White continued to grin from ear to ear, clearly in a good mood. To her, I must have looked like a golden rope that could pull her out of the abyss.
Well, that was true. Though I was going to make her work damn hard for it.
We ventured deep into the Hydrangea Gardens, turned onto a secluded path, and finally arrived at a hidden corner of the grounds. There was a small lake nearby. While smaller than the corner of the Butterfly Gardens I usually used, it was more than enough space.
“This is…?”
“A corner of the Hydrangea Gardens. Not many people know about this place besides me. We’ll be able to train in peace here.”
“Merlin, have you ever been here?”
“No. I never had a reason to come to a place like this.”
That made sense. The Märchen Academy campus was as vast as it was full of secrets. The island itself was so massive that most students graduated having seen less than half of it.
“White.”
“Yes, Senior Isaac!”
“From now on, you’ll be training for about two hours a day. This is all for your own improvement. You can handle that much, right?”
“Heh, two hours? That’s a piece of cake!”
White responded eagerly, her face full of confidence.
Then, twenty minutes later.
“Gaghhh…!”
“Your Highness!”
White collapsed onto the ground, completely exhausted.