Chapter 160: Ring — Interlude
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 160: Ring — Interlude
The atmosphere… wasn’t exactly great.
I hadn’t expected her to ask so bluntly if I liked Dorothy. It caught me completely off guard.
She seemed to have already noticed, so there was no point in trying to hide it.
“What is it you want to say?”
“…”
Luce lowered her head. Without flinching, she reached out and tugged gently on my sleeve. The Ring of the Abyssal Queen on her ring finger shimmered with the dark luster of a black pearl.
I was suddenly reminded of the time I survived the Thunderbird Subjugation and reunited with her. This felt like a reenactment of that moment.
The words Luce uttered then were:
“Please like me, Isaac.”
Her intimate tone seemed to tickle the very air between us.
“Please like me more than that senior.”
Luce lifted her head, meeting my eyes with a tender, vulnerable gaze.
“That might… be enough.”
She was baring her soul, making no effort to hide her feelings from me anymore.
For a long moment, I couldn't find my voice. I remained silent, deliberately pausing as if weighing the gravity of her words.
Eventually, Luce’s face began to flush a deep crimson.
She tried to maintain a calm facade, but the way her eyes darted around suggested she had finally realized just how bold she was being.
It was the same reaction she’d had when she once asked me, ‘Do you want to touch my breasts?’
It was immediately obvious that her emotions had gotten the better of her, causing her to blurt out something she now found incredibly embarrassing.
“This is, well…” Luce stammered, trying to find an out.
Shall I give her a hand?
“Was that a confession just now?”
“It was an appeal for affection… We’re friends, after all,” Luce replied, offering a strained, awkward smile.
Well… with a reaction like that, it’s best to keep things light and move on.
She probably didn't want to dive deeper into her feelings right now, especially after the tension with Dorothy had already soured the mood.
I gently tapped Luce’s shoulder and smiled.
“Silly. Friends don’t say things like that.”
“…Right?”
“Let’s eat. What did you bring?”
“Oh, meat and sandwiches. I only packed things I know you like, Isaac.”
I casually cheered her up and expressed my gratitude. Luce pulled a mat from her basket, and we sat down to share dinner.
Throughout the meal, Luce kept stealing glances at me. The air remained thick with awkwardness. To break the silence, I started teasing her, and she eventually began to fire back, slowly returning us to our usual rhythm.
As I was getting ready to leave, a thought occurred to me.
“But Luce…”
There was one thing I was genuinely curious about. I had to ask.
Luce, still munching on a sandwich, looked up at me.
“…How did you know what my saliva smelled like?”
“…”
Luce’s jaw stopped mid-chew.
…The atmosphere turned awkward once again.
*
Morning. Orphin Hall, Magic Department.
I was settling into my seat in the tiered lecture hall, preparing for class. This was the classroom for the second-year Class B. Around me, I saw familiar faces like Ian Fairytale, Mateo Jordana, and Tristan Humphrey.
Normally, Luce—the top student of Class A—would naturally come over to sit beside me and shower me with affection. But she was nowhere to be seen today. It seemed she had decided to skip.
‘Is it because of what happened yesterday?’
Luce had asked me to like her more than Dorothy. Even for someone as bold as her, the aftermath must be embarrassing. It was understandable.
Every time Luce visited Class B, she commanded an incredible presence, which usually meant I had to endure the heavy, envious stares of the other students. Being alone today certainly felt more liberating.
Of course, it’s not that I don’t want to see her. How could I dislike having someone so pretty and lovely cherish me enough to always want to be by my side? I’ve even grown used to the stares.
Still, I couldn't help but feel a slight sense of emptiness.
“Professor Daisy has arrived.”
The female professor for the second-year Class B kicked the door open and marched in. Several students jumped in surprise.
It was Professor Daisy, a woman famous for her ‘middle school syndrome’ theatrics. During orientation, her first words were, “In my eyes, a classroom is just a crime scene waiting to happen,” which had instantly solidified her eccentric reputation. Regardless of her quirks, her skills were top-tier, so I respected her.
Professor Daisy stood at the lectern, books tucked under her arm. The students scrambled to their seats.
“Before we begin, I have an announcement,” Professor Daisy said in a solemn tone.
It was that time of year again.
“The duel evaluations are approaching. As with last year, you will be issued duel challenge tickets to use against an opponent of your choice.”
Duel evaluations were held once every semester. Each student received two tickets. With one ticket, you could challenge anyone in your year. The challenged party could refuse, but if the challenger used both tickets at once, the duel became mandatory.
The rules were mostly the same as last year, with one major exception.
“However, there is a change this year. First-year students from the Magic Department are now included as potential opponents. Keep that in mind.”
The classroom erupted in surprised murmurs. “Huh?”
The reason Märchen Academy was including the freshmen was obvious. My juniors—the current first-years—were known as the ‘Golden Generation’ because of their freakish strength. The faculty likely wanted to balance things out by letting the strongest freshmen test themselves against the seniors.
In the original story of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, the second-year Ian Fairytale received a challenge from the first-year Priestess, Miya. Since Ian was a ‘Light Element’ hero who specialized in slaying demons, it was a sub-event that provided a massive amount of experience points.
Having confirmed that defeating Verga and completing sub-events yielded substantial EXP, I knew this was an opportunity I couldn't ignore.
However, in this timeline, the demon slayer was ‘The Nameless Hero,’ not Ian. That was likely why Miya hadn't shown any particular interest in him.
So, does this mean the sub-event is out of reach for me?
It wasn't feasible to challenge Miya myself. Even if I did, there was no guarantee it would trigger the specific sub-event, and defeating her right now would be incredibly difficult. It was an unnecessary risk. I’d be lucky to walk away without a severe beating.
‘Anyway, who should I face?’
Dueling was a guaranteed way to grow. Combat experience was never a waste. With my current skills, I could probably challenge someone from Class A—maybe Keridna Whiteclark. Mateo was also a solid choice. And Tristan, brimming with his usual enthusiasm, was almost certain to challenge me first.
Well, there’s still time. I’ll think it over.
*
“Hello, Senior. Would you like to duel?”
“…”
Even with [Clairvoyance] and [Psychological Insight], people still managed to catch me off guard with their unpredictability.
Case in point.
While walking through the outdoor corridor of Orphin Hall, a first-year girl with jet-black hair stepped out and blocked my path.
“What if I refuse?”
“Then I’ll use both tickets. You’ll have to accept then, right?”
The junior waving two challenge tickets, a folded black fan pressed against her lips, was none other than the Priestess, Miya.
[Miya]
Lv: 156
Race: Human
Elements: Fire
Danger: X
Psychology: [Wants to defeat you to gain the attention of Luce Eltania.]
Passing students stopped in their tracks, their eyes darting between us.
“Looks like the Priestess has already picked her target.”
“Wait, is she using both tickets on him?”
“Who is that senior?”
“That’s Senior Isaac, the top of Class B in the second year.”
“Why would the top freshman challenge Isaac…?”
The whispers rippled through the corridor. Miya, who was used to being the center of attention, didn't even blink at the gossip.
“Why do you want to duel me?”
“I’ve become curious about you, Senior. That’s all. I want to fight you, so let’s duel.”
A gentle early summer breeze drifted past. Miya tilted her head, offering a lovely smile. But thanks to [Psychological Insight], her true intention—to crush me mercilessly—was clear as day.
“Why the silence? Don’t tell me you’re scared?”
“…”
It seemed Miya was intent on provoking me. She knew I was Luce’s weak spot. In an official duel, no matter how badly she beat me, it would be difficult for Luce to intervene. I wasn't entirely sure what her long-term game was, but she clearly didn't have my best interests at heart.
Regardless, it looks like I might be able to capitalize on this sub-event after all…
‘But still…’
This is… a bit too unexpected, isn't it?
“The movements of the Ice Kingdom, Düpfendorf, are unusual.”
In the northern reaches of the Zelver Empire, within the Whiteclark Duchy, the snow never stopped falling.
The Whiteclark Ducal Family. Their symbol was the white dragon summoned by the ancient Ice Sovereign as his familiar. Hidden deep within the basement of their grand mansion was a secret capable of upending the world.
In the underground Round Table meeting room of the Whiteclark Mansion—a space as opulent as it was dark—the air was lit only by the faint glow of magical lamps.
Around the table sat figures composed entirely of the elements.
A figure of roaring flames: The Fire Sovereign.
A figure of crackling lightning: The Lightning Sovereign.
A figure of shimmering water: The Water Sovereign.
A figure of billowing wind: The Wind Sovereign.
The moderator, Aichel Whiteclark—the pink-haired heir to the Northern Grand Duchy—stood respectfully before these beings of immense power.
This was the Council of Kings.
Regular meetings occurred once every three years, but emergency sessions could be called if a global crisis arose. Aichel had been chosen to moderate this specific gathering.
Typically, the Kings didn't all attend these emergency meetings. They had a mutual agreement not to interfere in each other’s territories unless their own nations were at risk. They rarely felt a sense of crisis unless the world itself was ending.
However, the subject of this meeting was so unprecedented that all four current Kings had manifested.
“It seems you have all realized the emergence of the next Ice Sovereign.”
[Düpfendorf… indeed, it would be strange if we were not aware. Ha ha…]
The voice of the Fire Sovereign, an elderly man of living flame, echoed through the room. He let out a dry, disbelieving chuckle, stroking his long beard as the fire flickered.
The Ice Kingdom, Düpfendorf.
A nation of mighty ice beasts and the powerful human descendants of the Frost Race. Celestial-tier monsters like the Glacial Bear, the Frost Spirit, and the Icebound Crocodile called it their home. For over a thousand years since the passing of the original Ice Sovereign, the throne had remained vacant.
The people of Düpfendorf had waited a long time for a new King.
Aichel Whiteclark, a woman who valued peace, had been monitoring the kingdom closely. Recently, the shift in their behavior had become impossible to ignore.
“The one served by the White Dragon and the Primordial Beast of Ice… the next Ice Sovereign, ‘The Nameless Hero.’”
Aichel lowered her eyes.
“There is no way Düpfendorf failed to sense the Ice Sovereign’s mana. It has spread every time demons appeared at Märchen Academy over the past year. The most crucial moment was when the power of the Primordial Beast of Ice manifested, however briefly.”
A monster among monsters, a being said to surpass even the Primordial Elemental Kings.
The next Ice Sovereign was a force so formidable that even the Elemental Kings present dared not provoke him. While the nations ruled by these Kings had non-interference treaties with the Zelver Empire, the emergence of a new Sovereign changed everything.
The next Ice Sovereign was at Märchen Academy, within the borders of the Zelver Empire. This was a fact. Yet, none of the Kings had visited the academy—partly due to the treaties, and partly out of respect for the new Sovereign’s privacy.
[I’d like to see him just once. I hope he’s a frail-looking boy. If so, I’d truly cherish him…]
The Water Sovereign, stroking her cheek, spoke with the voice of a mature, sultry woman.
[Water Sovereign, the next Ice Sovereign is not some plaything for you to project your perverted desires upon.]
[Oh, don’t misunderstand, Jaul. I simply want to make a good impression on our new peer.]
The Water Sovereign giggled at the critique from Jaul, the Lightning Sovereign.
[Because… the next Ice Sovereign seems to be quite dangerous.]
Her voice dropped to a soft, airy whisper.
[…It will be soon, won't it?]
“Yes. It won’t be long before Düpfendorf welcomes its new King,” Aichel replied to the Fire Sovereign.
The air grew heavy with tension. Aichel hid her shock; even the strongest beings in existence were feeling the weight of this shift.
Isaac, a second-year student at Märchen Academy.
The people of the Ice Kingdom, Düpfendorf, along with their massive armies and catastrophic frost beasts, would soon move as one to serve him.
No one could predict how powerful he would become, backed by the White Dragon and the Primordial Beast of Ice. The balance of power that had held the world together was about to shatter.
Perhaps soon…
…The most dangerous Elemental King in history would finally emerge.