Chapter 162: Bet (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 162: Bet (2)
Only a few people ever used the outdoor training grounds at Märchen Academy.
The primary reasons were its distance from the dorms and the fact that the facilities were lackluster compared to the other training areas.
On those very grounds stood a man, immersed in his training under the scorching rays of the sun.
Shirtless, he was performing overhead squats. In his arms was a massive boulder, easily exceeding three meters in size.
He was drenched in sweat. With every repetition, his muscles seemed to bulge even further.
This was Verga Rayphelt, a third-year student with dark green hair and an elite member of the Black Tiger, one of the Four Constellations.
“Senior Verga! Your one and only cute junior is here!”
“Janie?”
Janie, a second-year student and fellow member of the Black Tiger, approached and gave a playful salute. Verga responded without looking, his voice heavy and strained.
He didn't stop his squats.
“Why are you here?”
“To deliver an announcement.”
“Then say it and leave.”
“Heheh. That’s cold, you know.”
Janie deftly lightened the mood with a charming laugh.
“By the way, that boulder looks bigger than usual. You’re excited for the duel evaluations, aren’t you?”
As someone who lived for combat, the semesterly duel evaluations were an event Verga eagerly anticipated. It gave him a legitimate excuse to force those he wanted to fight into a duel.
However…
“Not necessarily.”
“What? Why?”
Verga heaved the boulder forward.
Thud—!
The heavy rock slammed into the ground with a thunderous crash, kicking up a cloud of dust.
As the dust began to settle, Verga’s glistening body heaved with heavy, ragged breaths. Janie let out a whistle, a mischievous, almost lewd expression on her face.
“I’m not interested in the evaluation. What I want to do right now is break that bastard’s nose.”
“That bastard? Ah.”
There was only one person Verga would refer to as ‘that bastard’.
A second-year student in the Magic Department. His silver-blue-haired junior, Isaac.
Last year, Verga had suffered the ultimate humiliation: fainting from a single blow dealt by Isaac.
But things were different now. His muscles—the defense he took such pride in—had improved tenfold. He would no longer lower his guard or act arrogant. If he got the chance to duel Isaac again, he was certain he would achieve an overwhelming victory and wash away the stains of his past disgrace.
Verga was brimming with confidence.
“I plan to challenge him again before the evaluations even begin. I thought that would give me enough time to settle my emotions. I won’t be provoked, nor will I taint the honor of the Black Tiger.”
“Honor? Wow, so you actually remembered what I told you last year. I didn’t know Senior was so sensitive or held grudges like a meanie,” Janie teased.
“…Is that a challenge?”
“Heheh.”
Janie scratched her head and giggled. That single laugh was always enough to instantly diffuse Verga’s anger.
Verga glared at her for a moment before muttering, “You’re lucky you’re cute.”
He grabbed his uniform shirt and jacket from a nearby rack, tossing them over his shoulder.
“That reminds me. That Isaac guy… he was recently challenged to a duel by the Priestess. It seems he’s quite popular, for better or worse.”
“Priestess or not, it doesn't matter.”
Verga began to walk past Janie.
“Where are you going?”
“I told you.”
Is he going to challenge Isaac right now?
“Aha. Well, then. Good luck!” Janie cheered, pumping her fists.
Watching Verga walk off into the distance, Janie stared at his broad shoulders, mesmerized. Then, realizing she had forgotten something, she hurriedly shouted after him.
“Senior Verga, there’s an announcement!”
Janie rushed to catch up.
*
Meanwhile, near the Magic Department’s main building, Orphin Hall.
Abel Carnedas, a first-year student with blue-gray hair, was leaning against the backrest of an outdoor bench, waiting for a friend from the Magic Department.
They were supposed to spar and practice magic together. As an aspiring Magic Knight, Abel couldn't afford to slack off on his magical training.
However, Abel’s mind was currently elsewhere.
The first person he had thought of upon hearing the news of the semester’s duel evaluations was his senior in the Magic Department, Isaac.
Though he couldn't officially request a duel since they were in different departments, he desperately wished to fight Isaac again. The memory of losing to him during the joint practical evaluation had only added fuel to his competitive fire.
As he sat there, a question suddenly occurred to him.
‘Why did the Priestess use both of her duel requests on Senior Isaac…?’
Miya. The top-ranked student among the Magic Department first-years. Rumors about her were everywhere, given her status as the Priestess of the Eastern Nation.
Using both of her duel requests on Isaac was a clear display of interest. While it likely wasn't a positive kind of interest, it was obvious that Isaac had caught her eye.
“Is there something special about Senior Isaac?”
Isaac was unique.
Despite being in the Magic Department, he had the physique of someone from the Knight Department. In fact, even among the knights, he would be considered top-tier. But that didn't mean his magic was weak, and his combat instincts were remarkable.
Abel knew other seniors with famous nicknames, like the Star Witch or the Wizard of the Emerald Fairy. However, as an aspiring Magic Knight, he felt much more drawn to Isaac.
“Huh?”
Suddenly, a commotion broke out on one of the upper floors of Orphin Hall. Everyone seemed to be talking about the same thing.
Abel tilted his head back, staring up at one of the windows of the building.
*
The Hall Monitors—an organization under the jurisdiction of the Märchen Academy Student Council.
The group’s objective was to maintain the elegance and order of the academy. As such, Erin, the Head Hall Monitor, habitually spoke with an authoritative tone.
“The Student Council President summoned Isaac…?”
“Are they trying to recruit him?”
“No way… The Student Council? Wait, really…?”
“It makes sense if it’s Isaac.”
Just being associated with the Student Council caused Erin to draw a significant amount of attention. Since that attention was currently focused on us, my name began to circulate among the crowd as well.
It didn't matter to me.
The only reason I had been sensitive to gossip in the first place was because of Alice. If the gossip wasn't about her, I didn't need to care.
“May I ask why she is calling for me?” I asked calmly. Since Erin was a third-year, I kept my tone polite.
“You’ll find out when you get there. It’s good news for you. Let’s go.”
“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to pass.”
Why should I go?
“…Huh? What did you just…?”
“I’m busy. I can’t afford to delay my training.”
“…???”
She looked flustered. She must have assumed that mentioning the Student Council would make me drop everything. Even though I knew she was a bit thick-headed in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, she was surprisingly fragile in person.
The students watching us stared in shock. A heavy silence filled the hallway.
How could it be good news when the person summoning me wants me dead?
Obviously, I should run away.
Reading Erin’s expression, it seemed Alice had mentioned wanting to invite me to the Student Council. Her intentions couldn't be more transparent.
“Isaac. I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to ignore the President just for the sake of a little training…!”
“Tell her I apologize.”
I brushed past Erin and walked away.
Alice suspected me of being the Nameless Hero. Back when we walked together under that umbrella, I had done my best to show her I didn't fit the profile.
But people have intuition, and hers was exceptionally sharp. Once a seed of suspicion is planted, it’s hard to uproot. That was why it was ideal to avoid Alice entirely until the final events of the first semester of the second year: 「Alice Subjugation」.
The students around us were practically gasping. I heard someone question my sanity.
It didn't matter. I had expected to be the talk of the school the moment I became associated with Alice. If it was going to happen anyway, I might as well establish the image of someone too obsessed with training to be bothered.
Just then, I sensed an ominous mana and stopped in my tracks.
[Master.]
Hilde’s voice rang in my head. She was hiding as a small orb of light beneath the collar of my shirt. Her role was to sense the specific magical beast I feared most in this academy.
‘I felt it too.’
It was hard not to feel it when it was being this obvious.
[Meow. Aren’t you being a little too cold?]
Suddenly, a strange, androgynous voice drifted from the hallway window. I turned my head toward the sound.
There sat a plump purple cat wearing a small fedora—the Phantom Cat, Cheshire. It was watching me from the windowsill.
[This is an important matter, so I must insist you come with us.]
They’re pressuring me.
While I hadn't usually felt the Phantom Cat watching me, it seemed it had come to ensure I complied with Alice’s order this time.
“The Student Council President’s familiar…!”
“Wow, it’s so cute!”
The students cheered. Their whims were as fickle as reeds swaying in the wind.
The Phantom Cat coughed sheepishly at the compliments, then puffed out its chest with pride. That confident smirk… it somehow reminded me of Dorothy.
But even as it preened, it continued to radiate a heavy aura toward me. It was a silent threat, telling me not to refuse.
“…”
…This isn't good.
I wasn't confident enough to refuse now that the Phantom Cat was involved. I didn't want to risk souring its mood. I wasn't sure I could handle the consequences if I did. This creature acted entirely on whim; its actions were impossible to predict.
I scanned my surroundings. There were plenty of witnesses. Alice wouldn't reveal her true colors and try to kill me here. Besides, if she had solid proof I was the Nameless Hero, she would have used more secretive methods to eliminate me. She wouldn't start an outright fight without a guaranteed win.
Of course, that was just on the surface. If I fought Alice right now, I would definitely lose.
Regardless, was Alice planning to corner me bit by bit? This time, it was an "invitation" to the Student Council.
Well, I just needed to play dumb until the subjugation event.
I made my decision. I looked at Cheshire, then turned back to Erin.
She was staring at me blankly.
*
“President, I’ve brought him.”
Bartos Hall—the heart of the academy’s administration.
Knock, knock.
Head Hall Monitor Erin knocked on the door of the Student Council room. A kind voice from inside called out, “Come in.”
“Go on.”
Erin opened the door and stepped aside.
[Meow! Cheshire is here~! Alice, I brought Isaac!]
I entered the room with Cheshire. Erin bowed and closed the door behind us.
A luxurious chandelier hung from the ceiling, and the room was filled with expensive, antique furniture. The elegant design suited the space perfectly.
‘This is my first time here since entering this body.’
So this is what the Student Council room looks like in person. Impressive.
My observation lasted only a second.
A warm breeze made the curtains dance. In front of a large arched window sat an office desk. The blonde student seated there looked up at me, then rested her chin on her interlaced fingers with a leisurely smile.
“Hello, Baby. How have you been?”
Her voice was sweet. She looked like a sunflower, smiling brightly with the sun at her back.
“Senior Alice…”
This was Alice Carroll. The Student Council President and the final boss of 「Alice Subjugation」.
In the original story, after a fierce battle against Ian Fairytale and his party, she lost. Ultimately, she took her own life with a hollow smile, as if she had simply given up on everything. Along with Dorothy, she was a character who always met a tragic end in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
I couldn't see her status page or read her thoughts. This was due to her unique trait, [Red Queen’s Paradox].
Hiding my anxiety, I used my acting skills to return a natural smile.
“I’ve been well. I must thank you again for what happened during winter break.”
“Oh, it was nothing. I just happened to be in the mood.”
It was the generic response expected of a kind, unremarkable senior.
“Ah, have a seat. Would you like some tea?”
“No, I’m fine, thank you.”
I ignored the sofa Alice pointed to and approached her desk. With the large desk between us, I looked down at her.
“What have you been up to lately?”
Acting friendly right away. Is she testing me?
“I’ve been training. You must have been busy with Student Council work, I assume?”
“Yes. I feel like I’m going to be buried alive by these papers one day.”
“That would be a shame.”
I gave a textbook response to her playful remark.
“But this is your final semester. There’s been a lot of trouble with the demons and all, but I’m sure you’ll do great until the end.”
“I like the way you talk, Baby.”
Alice stood up with a smile, her chair creaking as it slid back.
“But why did you call for me? And just me, specifically?”
“There was a favor I wanted to ask of you.”
Alice walked around to the front of the desk and leaned against it, facing me.
A favor, huh.
I liked that she was getting straight to the point. It was obviously going to be an invitation to join the Student Council. I was a student with a clear record of rapid improvement, currently rivaling the top students of the second-year Magic Department. Given my current skills and potential, it was natural for the Four Constellations and the Student Council to want me.
‘Though I definitely have to refuse.’
I couldn't waste training time on administrative duties. Besides, I already had an excuse ready to reject the offer.
I’ll finish this quickly and get out of here.
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing special.”
When I pressed her, Alice tilted her head slightly, a relaxed smile on her lips. As she moved, her silky blonde hair caught the sunlight, sliding down her uniform.
The words that followed were so far from what I expected that I couldn't maintain my poker face.
“Why don’t we go on a date today?”
“…What?”
That’s… actually quite special.