Chapter 170: Fury — Interlude (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 170: Fury — Interlude (1)
Without a doubt, Priestess Miya was stronger than Isaac.
From the gap in their mana capacity and mastery to the sheer status of their familiars, Miya held the advantage in every conceivable category. Unless one’s mana perception was utterly atrocious, anyone watching would have felt the same.
However, the duel defied all expectations, yielding a completely different outcome.
“Amazing…”
The Clover Paladin watched in awe.
The moment the duel began, Isaac’s mana density had spiked. It was likely due to his staff, which appeared to be at least Tier 2. Wielding such a high-level magic weapon was proof enough of Isaac’s considerable skill.
Of course, there was always the possibility that he was an Archwizard or the Black Monster—beings capable of manipulating their mana reserves at will—but…
Even though he was clearly enraged, the level of power Isaac displayed could still be explained away by the effects of his magic weapon. He hadn't even tried to match Miya’s raw output.
He had simply overwhelmed Miya through pure technique. Because of this, the suspicion that he might be the Black Monster was pushed aside for now.
Still, his battle sense was nothing short of astonishing.
The Clover Paladin noticed it clearly: Isaac had been playing with Miya, keeping her right in the palm of his hand. Despite his fury, he had remained cold and analytical, observing the situation to devise the perfect tactics.
Naturally, Miya still had her true power hidden—the Nine-tailed Fox, Mae. Had she unleashed her familiar’s strength, Isaac’s techniques would have been rendered meaningless. He would have been crushed by the overwhelming disparity in raw power.
Yet, to the Clover Paladin’s amazement, Isaac had even accounted for that.
Isaac must have known the duel would end the moment Miya summoned Mae, so he exploited her arrogance. He baited her into acting exactly as he wanted and countered her perfectly.
In the end, Miya lost without ever getting the chance to call upon Mae’s power.
After all, no matter how much power one possesses, it is useless if it cannot be unleashed.
A duel was meant to showcase combat ability. A person who could accurately gauge an opponent’s strength and effectively utilize their own skills to secure victory was bound to receive a high evaluation.
In that sense, this duel was a decisive, overwhelming victory for Isaac.
“T-the duel is over! Isaac of Class B is the winner!”
As the referee raised an arm and made the loud declaration, Isaac released Miya and stood up.
The students surrounding the dueling ground erupted in cheers, their faces masked with shock. Murmurs of disbelief rippled through the crowd. “Isaac actually won…”
The Priestess of the Eastern Nation, a true genius and master of a calamity-class familiar, had been defeated. And she had lost to a man who was once considered the weakest, a mere Grade E in mana.
Even if he had climbed to the top of Class B in his second year, the power gap should have been insurmountable. For the students, it was a scene that defied logic.
The medical team rushed onto the field, carrying Priestess Miya away on a stretcher.
After a brief word with the judges, Isaac ignored the feedback session and sprinted straight through the corridor of the dueling grounds. It was understandable; as Snow White’s mentor, he was likely frantic with worry for her.
“…”
Mateo Jordana and Ciel Carnedas, the only ones who knew Isaac was the Nameless Hero, remained silent, lost in their own thoughts.
“He was definitely angry…” Ciel murmured, resting a clenched fist against her lips and bowing her head.
Isaac’s rage toward Miya had been palpable. He had unleashed a portion of his power because of it, yet it still felt insufficient compared to his true capabilities. Was he merely pretending that his increased strength came from his magic weapon?
Naturally, the better a mage handled a high-tier weapon, the denser their mana appeared. This was how Isaac had managed to deceive everyone regarding his maximum mana output during the joint practical evaluation.
However, after witnessing this duel, Ciel’s doubts only intensified. Even in his rage, even when no one in the academy could possibly match him… Isaac had refused to fully unleash his power.
It’s as if he’s terrified of being found out.
Perhaps Isaac’s pretense of "rapid growth" was only because remaining weak would restrict his movements. His behavior could only be described as a calculated deception.
But why?
Even if someone dear to him suffered a terrible fate, even in the depths of fury, why would an overwhelming powerhouse feel the need to hide his strength?
Could there even be a reason for that?
Ciel’s doubts only deepened.
*
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 116
Gender: Male
Year: 2nd
Title: Skilled Second Year
Mana: 27,550 / 37,700
Mana Recovery Speed: (A)
Reading Miya’s behavior patterns was a simple task for a veteran of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱. I tailored my tactics accordingly, and fortunately, the plan succeeded.
If I had made even a slight mistake, or if my attack had been blocked for even a second…
I would have lost.
I was reminded of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ Act 8: Priestess of the Red Lotus. Against a Miya who used the full power of the Nine-tailed Fox, the meager tactics I used today wouldn't have stood a chance.
Fortunately, Miya underestimated me. She let her guard down and lost the duel, just like in the sub-event 「Burning Petals」.
My level has risen to 116.
It hadn't been long since I hit 115, but I had already gained another level. The experience points from that fight were substantial. I also unlocked the achievement [Defeating the Priestess], gaining 10 points of [Fire Resistance] as a reward.
I invested every stat point I earned from the level-up into [vs. Human Combat Power], knowing I would have to face Alice and the Paladins in the near future.
◈ Elemental Resistance
– Fire Resistance (D+): 20/100 [UP]
◈ vs. Race Combat Power
– vs. Human Combat Power (B): 44/100 [UP]
I’ll need to start investing in [vs. Heavenly Beings Combat Power] and [vs. Other Races Combat Power] soon, especially to prepare for the 「Descent of Heaven」 and the 「Fairy War」. Heavenly Beings, in particular, have incredibly high elemental resistance, making a strong physical build essential.
Under normal circumstances, with Dorothy around, I wouldn't have focused so heavily on [vs. Human Combat Power]. However, the immediate threat of the Paladins forced a change in plans. Once I reach a level where I can defeat them with ease, I’ll have to stop dumping points into that category.
But before that…
I hurried toward the academy hospital. I was worried about White.
*
In her dream, a luscious, bright red apple shimmered before White’s eyes.
As she reached for it, drawn in by its beautiful appearance, her mother suddenly appeared, dressed in a luxurious gown. Her mother, famed as the most beautiful woman in the world, was said to have won Emperor Carlos’s favor through her beauty alone. Even here, in this dream, she wore a dress that covered her all the way to her neck.
With a mouth torn from ear to ear in a grotesque smile, her mother urged her in a gentle voice to eat the apple.
White stared at her. She wanted to ask how her mother knew about this apple. But as a thought too terrible to imagine began to surface, fear consumed her. She couldn't open her mouth.
“Why aren’t you eating it?”
Her mother prodded her, that massive mouth insisting she eat it immediately.
White was terrified. Only then did she realize she had eaten this apple before. This was the apple that led to death. A poisoned apple.
Inside her mother’s torn mouth, something evil smiled broadly at her.
*
“…!”
White’s eyes snapped open.
Before she could even register the softness of the pillow beneath her head, two faces entered her field of vision.
Her escort knight with the dark green ponytail, Merlin Astrea. And her senior with the wavy silver-blue hair, Isaac.
Both looked relieved the moment she opened her eyes.
“White! Are you okay?”
“Princess!”
“Senior Isaac? Merlin…?”
White sat up and looked around. She was in a private room in the academy’s infirmary. Even though the academy claimed to treat all students equally, there was an inevitable disparity in status. She realized her position as a princess had secured her this high-end room.
The pain in her body had subsided significantly.
“…It doesn’t hurt much anymore.”
“You received healing magic immediately. The burns are gone for now, but you need to rest for a few days,” Isaac explained from the chair beside her. For some reason, he wasn't wearing his usual glasses.
“Do you want some?” Isaac asked, his expression tense as he offered her a mana pudding bar.
Merlin, also looking nervous, tried to reassure her. “I’ll only eat a little bit this time, I promise.”
White had lost to Miya in the duel. It was a devastating blow to her already fragile ego, and they were clearly trying to handle her with extreme care.
“…Ehehe.”
Realizing their concern, White let out a shy laugh. “Thank you, Senior Isaac.”
Isaac and Merlin relaxed as White smiled and took the bar. As soon as she tore open the wrapper, Merlin said, “Please wait a moment, Princess,” and took a hearty bite of the pudding bar.
When about a third of the bar vanished in one go, tears welled up in White’s eyes again.
“You said you’d only eat a little…”
“…Yes?”
White’s hands trembled. Seeing her sob, Merlin panicked.
“Was that not ‘a little’?” Merlin asked, looking hesitant.
It couldn't be helped. What was gone was gone. White reluctantly bit into the remaining portion of the bar. Whether they were tears of joy or sorrow, small, grain-like tears rolled down her cheeks.
“It’s delicious…”
“Is it really that good? I-I’m sorry! I should have taken a smaller bite…” Merlin apologized, bowing her head.
White shook her head through her tears, whispering that it was okay. She felt resigned. Then, she looked down.
Her resentment hadn't faded. Her tears flowed as she recalled how Miya had insulted her. The gap in their strength had been absolute. White, who couldn't even fathom hurting others, could only feel a deep sense of bitterness.
Just one hit. If she had managed to land even one proper blow, she wouldn't feel this miserable.
“Senior Isaac…”
“Yes.”
“I was really angry at Ms. Miya… She said such… horrible things to me. But I couldn't do anything…” White bowed her head, her voice trembling as she confessed her feelings. She gripped the blanket tightly, her shoulders shaking.
“If I could have just landed one hit on her, it would have been enough… I’m so frustrated that I couldn't. But she’s so strong, isn't she? She wouldn't lose to just anyone… I’m so angry, but the fact that I can’t do anything about it… it’s just so depressing…”
“Ah, if you’re talking about the Priestess, Sir Isaac already took care of her.”
“…?”
At Merlin’s blunt response, White’s head snapped up. She stared at Merlin in total disbelief.
“What did you just say…?”
“As soon as your duel ended, Sir Isaac immediately challenged the Priestess and won. He left her in a terrible state; she’s currently being treated.”
“…???”
White’s expression became a mask of confusion, like someone trying to solve an impossible riddle. Even hearing it twice, she couldn't wrap her head around Merlin’s words.
So, Isaac… her senior… had utterly crushed the powerful Miya?
White turned her head slowly toward Isaac. He gave her an awkward, sheepish smile—his usual kind expression.
“That just happened to be the case…”
“…”
For a long time, White remained speechless.