Chapter 179: Preparations for the Grand Festival (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 179: Preparations for the Grand Festival (3)
“President~!”
“Senior Dorothy…? Oh.”
After purchasing magic tools from the shop, I was working alone on a bench near Orphin Hall. I had used [Rock Generation] to fashion a sturdy table, which made the work much more convenient.
Suddenly, Dorothy descended from the sky and approached me. She must have spotted me while flying around with her starlight mana.
As the representative of the third-year class, she was dressed in an exquisitely designed witch outfit. It was likely the work of the top designers in her grade. For a moment, I was so mesmerized by her appearance that I lost my train of thought.
“Do you have any of these left?”
Dorothy showed me a magic tool identical to the one I was currently working on.
“Yes, I bought extras, so I have a few spares. How many do you need?”
“About twenty!”
“…That many?”
“I broke about twenty of them while I was helping the other students by infusing them all at once. I promised to take responsibility and find replacements!”
Dorothy responded with a puff of her chest, as if breaking them was something to be proud of.
She had clearly overestimated the durability of these small magic tools. How could they possibly withstand her massive output of mana?
“Did you buy these yourself? It looks like your group was short on supplies too.”
“Yes, we were.”
“Nihihi! I have extra budget, so I’ll buy them from you at double the price!”
Dorothy extended her index and middle fingers in a playful 'V' sign.
“I’m not about to say no to that.”
I accepted in a heartbeat.
Not only was she a sight for sore eyes, but she was also providing a financial windfall. Dorothy really was a godsend.
“Heave-ho~.”
“Senior?”
Without warning, Dorothy approached the bench and sat down next to me. No—she actually lay down, using my thigh as a pillow.
Wait, what?
I felt my face heat up.
Her beautiful face was positioned so that I could see it clearly just by tilting my head slightly. Her eyes, looking up at me with a smile, seemed to hold the vastness of the universe within them, shimmering with starlight mana.
“Can I borrow your leg for a bit, President?”
“Oh, yes… of course, Senior. But is it really okay to do this here?”
“I’m tired. I want to slack off.”
It was a mindset truly deserving of a perfect score.
The corners of my mouth threatened to curl up on their own, and I struggled to maintain my composure.
Perhaps sensing my internal turmoil, Dorothy opened her eyes slightly and smirked.
“President, are you getting excited just because I’m doing this?”
“I’m trying not to.”
Startled by her soft voice, I continued working on the table and responded as calmly as possible. As expected, it was impossible for someone of my level to hide my feelings from Dorothy.
Having her head on my thigh provided a subtle, heart-pounding stimulation. The fact that she was wearing such an unusual and alluring outfit only intensified the feeling.
I figured the only way to stay sane was to focus entirely on my work.
“I’ll get up if you’re uncomfortable~. I have to leave soon anyway—”
“No.”
I looked down at Dorothy and smiled. She looked lovely.
“It’s okay. Stay a bit longer.”
“…Oh?”
Dorothy seemed surprised by my reaction, her mouth hanging open slightly.
Then, as if satisfied with my answer, she nodded.
“I can’t help it then~. I’m not the type to refuse kindness.”
She smiled broadly and closed her eyes.
A wave of happiness washed over me as I gently stroked Dorothy’s hair. She smiled contentedly, quietly enjoying my touch.
A refreshing breeze blew past us.
“Sir Isaac…?”
Merlin Astrea, the female knight with her green hair tied in a ponytail, was hiding in a nearby tree. Since she couldn't enter Orphin Hall, she was currently surveying the grounds using her familiar.
It was quite a distance away, but she could see the utility room where White was located. If she spotted anyone suspicious, she was prepared to take them down instantly.
…However, she couldn't quite grasp why the students were performing strange rituals with even stranger hairstyles. Actually, she decided she didn't want to understand.
As she was watching White, she spotted Isaac working on a bench near Orphin Hall.
There was a stone table in front of him.
And behind him, a girl’s bare legs stretched out from the side of the bench.
Her toes were wiggling inside her heels. They twisted and turned, occasionally pushing off her shoes and straightening out. Her toes were flushed red, wriggling furiously.
The girl’s embarrassment was being fervently expressed through her toes, but Isaac didn't seem to notice.
“Hmph.”
A smug smirk played on Merlin’s lips as she wiped her nose.
Even at a time like this, Isaac and Luce were finding time to be together.
Whenever Merlin thought about the relationship between those two, she felt like a young girl again. The fresh love stories of youth had the power to touch her heart deeply.
She took particular joy in the love life of Isaac, who served as White’s mentor.
Are those two already at that stage in their relationship? Well, if they’re acting like that, it says it all.
‘You’ve found love at last, Sir Isaac.’
The thought that Isaac and Luce had become lovers brought a sense of deep satisfaction to Merlin.
She momentarily commanded her familiar to watch over White while she observed Isaac with renewed interest.
“…?”
But something felt off.
Merlin’s expression gradually stiffened.
Now that she looked closer, those legs… were they really Luce Eltania’s?
Due to the distance and the wiggling toes, she hadn't noticed at first, but the girl seemed slightly taller than Luce.
“Hmm.”
Surely, it was just a misunderstanding. Who else could Isaac be engaging in such intimate behavior with, if not Luce?
After all, Isaac was the kind of man who could only love one woman. She had no proof, but Merlin was convinced of it. Having watched him teach White all this time, she assumed he possessed a noble and steadfast character.
However, conviction is often a personal delusion.
Soon, Merlin’s fantasy was shattered.
A female student with light purple hair suddenly sat up from Isaac’s lap. She looked like she was preparing to leave.
Merlin’s eyes widened in shock. First, she was stunned to realize it wasn't Luce, and second, she was taken aback by the girl’s identity.
The Star Witch, Dorothy Heartnova. A formidable figure known across the continent. A rare genius rumored to have received the blessings of Lord Manhalla.
Why is someone like her…?
“…!”
Dorothy’s gaze suddenly snapped toward Merlin’s position.
Merlin locked eyes with her for a split second before quickly ducking to hide among the branches and leaves.
Cold sweat trickled down her forehead.
Did she see me? Most likely. That student is not someone this academy can easily handle.
However, there seemed to be no hostility. Dorothy merely seemed to be protesting with her gaze, silently asking why Merlin was spying on them.
‘Sir Isaac, what in the world…?’
Merlin couldn't wrap her head around the situation.
Isaac, whom I thought was a man of noble character, is actually playing with the hearts of two maidens…?
And not just any maidens—Luce Eltania, the top of the second year, and Dorothy Heartnova, the top of the third year?
‘It can’t be…’
How could she accept this? The fact that Isaac was involved with two women was one thing, but the fact that they were two of the most talented and powerful women on the continent was another.
If those two proud women both set their sights on one man…
Won’t it turn into a bloodbath far beyond the academy's ability to control?
Merlin desperately hoped there was some misunderstanding.
But it wasn't exactly something she could ask him directly!
Merlin, who had been rooting for the heartwarming love story of Isaac and Luce, struggled to suppress the creeping sense of betrayal.
“Tristan, we’re done over here!”
“Ha! What is this modification? It’s splendid!”
“Tristan, take a look at this! It might not be perfect, but I did my best…!”
“Ha! Are your eyes just for decoration? How pathetic! It’s utterly beautiful!”
“Tristan, how about this? Isn’t it perfect?”
“Don’t speak of ‘perfection’ so lightly! The angle is slightly off!”
The sun was slowly setting.
After I finished working on the magic tools, I helped move heavy items and decorations. Unexpectedly, I found it to be great for muscle training and stamina. I sprinted while carrying the heavy loads, and the other students watched me in amazement.
I looked around Orphin Hall as I ran.
The vain blond nobleman, Tristan Humphrey, had completely taken over as the manager of the second-year Magic Department’s festival preparations. His tone made it sound like he was pouring out criticisms, but if you listened closely, he was mostly giving compliments.
Looking around, the scene was quite different from the familiar sights of Märchen Academy.
Colorful banners flying overhead glowed with magical light, and ornate decorations adorned the buildings. Vibrant strings were strung between the structures, and various uniquely designed lamps beautifully illuminated the area.
Although I had seen this countless times in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, I couldn't help but be impressed.
I wondered how beautiful it would be on the actual day of the Grand Festival. It looked like it would be even more spectacular than I had imagined.
For now, I would continue decorating the academy in my spare time.
Next would be practicing for the various events, like the cheering competitions. I also needed to start practicing for the arc ball race.
I had three main goals for this Grand Festival.
First, protect White.
Second, defeat the Clover Paladin.
And third…
‘Clear Chapter 8 safely.’
In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, I gained EXP regardless of which event I participated in, but I wasn't sure if that would hold true here. Based on my past experiences, however, it seemed likely.
‘Besides, I’ll be clashing with that Clover bastard in the arc ball race.’
It would be a waste if I didn't get any EXP from that.
Moreover, Märchen Academy offered many prizes during the Grand Festival. Significant achievements could lead to substantial rewards.
‘I’ll have to give it my all.’
It was like any other day. I faced obstacles, and I would overcome them.
On the rooftop of Orphin Hall, Priestess Miya was quietly gazing at the sky, which was dyed in the hues of the evening sunset.
She had been helping with the first-year preparations, fulfilling her duties as a student.
“…”
About a week ago, around this time.
Sitting in an empty classroom, she had heard the whispers of the Student Council President, Alice Carroll.
Every time those enchanting lips moved, Miya felt her mind drifting away.
—“You hate your senior, Isaac, don’t you?”
—“You hate people in general, don’t you?”
Miya felt herself falling into a hypnotic trance as she listened to Alice’s voice.
—“It’s okay. You don’t have to hide your feelings.”
From within Alice's choker, a thin stream of dark mana emanated from her neck and quietly flowed into Miya.
Alice’s voice gnawed at Miya’s mind like a persistent rodent.
—“I only stopped you back then because we couldn't have innocent victims.”
—“So, my dear, why don't you express your true feelings to the person you hate when the moment is right?”
—“Why not pour out all your emotions right now, without restraint?”
—“Surely, you’ll feel much better.”
Malice began to sprout within Miya’s mind. As she felt her heart slowly being overtaken, she felt a sense of alarm, but she couldn't break free from Alice’s influence.
It was as if her entire body was bound by heavy chains. She couldn't move an inch.
With a trembling voice, Miya asked why Alice was saying these things to her.
With a comforting smile and a tender voice, Alice whispered:
—“Because I know you are a superior being.”
—“Someone far too special to be ignored.”
—“That is who you truly are.”
Miya’s eyes lost their light as she scanned the academy grounds.
The silver-blue-haired second-year, Isaac, caught her eye as he moved among the students.
For a long moment, Miya watched him with a cold, hollow gaze. Then, she turned her back and walked away.