Chapter 16: Ant Cave (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 16: Ant Cave (1)
“That’ll be 2,000 gels.”
I ended up taking out a high-interest loan from the Academy Bank. The terms were brutal: a monthly interest rate of 5%, or 100 gels. While the rate was vicious, the loan itself was small enough that it wasn't a death sentence.
Typically, loan screening was based on an individual’s mana capacity, grades, and credit. Since my mana was a measly Grade E and I had zero collateral, my limit was capped at 2,000 gels, and I was forced into a bottom-tier, high-interest product.
This is basically highway robbery—no different from an illegal loan shark.
The institution that monopolized the academy’s financial sector was truly terrifying.
Still, I told myself it was an unavoidable choice. My pride wouldn't let me crawl to Mateo for food, even if I could technically hold the fact that I'd saved his life over his head.
Besides, if my plan worked, I’d be able to pay off the debt in no time. I wouldn't even have to worry about the academic penalties associated with outstanding loans. It was a gamble, sure, but that was a problem for future me. For now, I needed to eat well and get stronger.
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 36
Gender: Male
Year: 1st
Title: First-year
Mana: 260/400
Potential ❰❰Details❱❱
[Combat Skills]
Elemental Series 1: Ice
• Elemental Firepower (C)
• Elemental Efficiency (C)
• Elemental Synergy (C+)
Elemental Series 2 (Locked)
[Owned Skills]
Active
• (★1) Ice Generation (C-) / (★5) Black Ice (C-)
• (★2) Ice Curtain (C+)
• (★1) Cold Divergence (C+)
• (★1) Basic Protection Magic (E)
Passive
• (★7) Psychological Insight
Skill Tree ❰❰Details❱❱
“…Nice.”
The sun had long since set. In a deserted corner of the garden, I stared at a piece of parchment engraved with the 4-star ice magic, [Frostfire]. I had finally committed the pattern to memory.
[Frostfire (★4)] [Obtainable!!]
Emits powerful cold air in the form of flames.
Type: Active Skill (All-Purpose)
Element: Ice
Acquisition Conditions:
• Lv 35 (O)
• [Ice Generation] Grade C- (O)
• [Cold Divergence] Grade C+ (O)
• Ice [Elemental Firepower] Grade C- (O)
• Ice [Elemental Efficiency] Grade C- (O)
Trigger Conditions:
• None
To cast magic, one first had to memorize the structure of the magic circle. Aside from basic 1-star spells, magic didn't just activate by dumping mana into the air; you had to use your mind to weave the flow of mana into a specific geometric form.
When my unique trait, [Hunter], was active, it felt as if my body already knew these circles by heart, allowing me to cast instinctively. But in this ordinary body, I had to follow the standard procedure.
I held out my right hand, palm facing the sky, and began molding my ice mana into the shape of the circle. A pale blue magic circle manifested in my palm. Above it, the faint, freezing mana flickered into the shape of a flame, birthing the [Frostfire].
“Ohhh…!”
[You have learned the Ice Spell: Frostfire (★4)!]
It worked!
It was a beautiful, freezing flower of burning mana. I could feel my reserves steadily draining. I braced my right arm with my left hand, pointing the [Frostfire] outward, and poured more power into it.
「Frostfire (Ice Element, ★4)」
────Whaaaaaaa──!
The pale blue cold blazed forward like a flamethrower. The range was short, but that was expected given my D-rank proficiency.
“Wow…”
The sheer thrill of finally having a viable offensive spell made my jaw drop. I clenched my fist to extinguish the freezing flames and closed my eyes tight. My entire body trembled with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
“Khehehe.”
But I wasn't done yet.
Next up: [Ice Wall].
[Ice Wall (★4)] [Obtainable!!]
Creates a solid wall of ice.
Type: Active Skill (Defensive)
Element: Ice
Acquisition Conditions:
• Lv 30 (O)
• [Ice Generation] Grade C- (O)
• [Cold Divergence] Grade C (O)
• Ice [Elemental Firepower] Grade C- (O)
• Ice [Elemental Efficiency] Grade C- (O)
The sensation of using [Ice Wall] was already ingrained in my muscle memory from my time as the Hunter. A few days ago, I would have struggled with the precise mana control required to make the structure solid, but now, it felt within reach.
I closed my eyes and released my mana, visualizing a massive barrier rising before me.
Creak───!
As I shifted my hand, a heavy grinding sound echoed, as if something massive were erupting from the earth. When I opened my eyes, a thick slab of ice completely blocked my vision.
[You have learned the Ice Spell: Ice Wall (★4)!]
「Ice Wall (Ice Element, ★4)」
Success! I finally had a proper defensive spell. It seemed that having [Magic Training Efficiency] at B+ was really paying off; my growth rate was noticeably faster.
“Keuuuuuuuuu…!”
The memories of my grueling training sessions flashed before my eyes like a montage.
“Hahaha!”
A volcanic surge of joy erupted in my chest. I punched the air in triumph, looking like Manny Pacquiao after a title win.
*
「Act 2, Chapter 3: Practical Training」 was scheduled to begin in eleven days.
Garzia, the ant demon, would begin gathering its strength two weeks prior to the event. By now, Garzia should be nestled deep within the Tantak Underground Cave, surrounded by Zephrim—crystals formed from the remnants of its overflowing mana.
In the original game, you couldn't get many Zephrim if you visited the cave after Act 2, Chapter 4 ended, because most of them would shatter from mana overload. However, if I could get there ahead of schedule, I could harvest a massive amount of high-quality Zephrim.
The timing was perfect. Tomorrow was the weekend. As soon as my classes ended today, I was heading straight for the cave.
It was a five-hour carriage ride, meaning I’d have to spend the night in the wilderness after dealing with Garzia. I could have waited until tomorrow morning, but it was more efficient to leave now and use the extra time to invest in my stats and train.
Did I pack everything?
I sat alone in the empty Class D classroom, checking off my list on a piece of parchment.
Provisions like water and bread? Check. Portable lamp? Check. Camping gear—tent, chair, blankets, pillow? Check. I even packed spares, just in case. Finally, I checked the two magic pouches I’d bought to store the Zephrim. I’d spent nearly every gel I borrowed on this gear.
Perfect.
I was ready. The sky was bleeding into a deep red. By the time I reached the Tantak Underground Cave, it would be pitch black. I gathered my things and headed for the carriage stop.
There were no horses here. The "horses" used for these carriages weren't animals, but "magic horses"—constructs powered by the driver's mana. It was a classic game mechanic that I didn't feel like overthinking.
“Where to, kid?” the coachman asked.
“Tantak Underground Cave.”
“Huh? If you leave now, you’ll be arriving in the middle of the night. There’s nowhere to stay out there, you know?”
“It’s fine. Please, let’s go.”
I climbed into the carriage and took a seat.
“Well, if you’re sure…” the coachman muttered, snapping the reins.
The carriage began to creak as it rolled forward. I figured I might as well take a nap to save my energy for the hunt. I leaned back, closed my eyes, and drifted off.
*
Twenty minutes before Isaac’s departure.
Class A had just let out, and Kaya had made her way to the Class D wing.
"The Secret of Märchen Academy"—the dark conspiracy theory she’d been obsessing over—weighed heavily on her mind. She needed to get to the bottom of it. If there really was a hidden danger lurking within the school, it threatened everyone, including herself.
She had finally made a decision: she would follow Isaac. He was her only lead.
She tried to tell herself this was different from her usual habit of stalking the person she admired. This was an investigation. It was necessary.
Peering through the cracked door of the Class D classroom, she saw Isaac sitting alone, scribbling intensely on a piece of parchment.
What is he doing? Studying? No, that doesn't look like schoolwork...
Kaya tilted her head in confusion. Suddenly, Isaac stood up. Panicking, Kaya bolted down the hallway and dove into a large box of cleaning supplies.
She poked her head out just enough to see Isaac walking past, heading toward the exit.
Time to move. Like an assassin. Stealthily...
Kaya trailed him from the shadows, her movements fluid and hidden. When Isaac reached the carriage stop and boarded a coach, Kaya’s eyes widened.
“A carriage?”
The sun was setting, turning the sky a brilliant gold. It was far too late for a casual trip.
Where could he possibly be going at this hour?
Something was definitely up.
Should I follow him?
The hesitation lasted only a second. She rushed to the next carriage in line.
“Excuse me, miss, I need a destination—”
“Follow that carriage,” Kaya interrupted, pointing ahead. “And stay far enough back that they don't notice us.”
The coachman blinked, confused. Student drama? He didn't care enough to ask. As long as he got paid, he’d drive anywhere.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the second carriage began its pursuit.