Chapter 202: Teacher — Interlude (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 202: Teacher — Interlude (1)
“What a disappointment.”
In front of Hegel Tower.
As Luce and I were about to board Professor Fernando’s carriage, Aria Lilias pouted, her disappointment written clearly across her face.
Professor Fernando, who had been about to greet his mentor, was caught off guard.
“Master, what do you mean by that…?”
“I had hoped those two would have made history last night. Such boring kids… Fernando, even your students are just like you. No fun at all.”
“…?”
Professor Fernando had no idea what Aria was grumbling about. I felt the same. Even with [Psychological Insight] active, I couldn't begin to fathom what was going on in her head.
Luce’s ears turned a deep, vivid crimson. The moment she sat down in the carriage, she whipped her head toward the window, desperately hiding her face. She looked utterly mortified.
Aria caught my eye through the open carriage door.
“Anyway, Isaac, Luce… take care of yourselves.”
“You too, Teacher!”
Aria waved. Her youthful appearance made her look like a child waving goodbye, which brought a smile to my face. I waved back.
Professor Fernando offered a respectful bow before climbing into the carriage and taking the seat across from me.
As the coachman signaled the horses to move, Aria watched us for a moment before turning back toward Hegel Tower.
“Did something happen yesterday?”
Professor Fernando asked, crossing his arms and legs as he looked between Luce and me.
Beside me, Luce flinched and remained deathly silent. It seemed it was up to me to handle the explanation.
“I think she’s just upset because we fell asleep without saying a proper goodbye, even though it was our last day. We were just exhausted. I’m sorry about that.”
I offered a gentle, characteristic Isaac smile.
Something like that wouldn't actually upset Aria, and Fernando knew it. He looked at us both with a suspicious gaze, but eventually closed his eyes and leaned back. He clearly decided it wasn't worth the effort to dig deeper.
“Well, if you say so. How were the ten days of training?”
Professor Fernando opened his eyes again to ask.
We had spent a total of ten days at Hegel Tower.
I had trained relentlessly to learn [Icebolt], and thanks to the environment of the tower, I had been able to wrap things up much earlier than expected. Aria’s guidance had been invaluable.
From a commoner’s perspective, it was an staggering achievement.
For most elite wizards, it usually took an average of thirty years to master basic 7-star magic. Even a genius like the Tower Master herself, Aria Lilias, had taken years to learn it.
And yet, while still an academy student, I had successfully mastered it.
How should I describe this feeling? It’s hard to put into words…
“It was fun.”
To put it simply, I felt a profound sense of accomplishment, like I had finally cracked an impossibly difficult riddle.
Throughout those ten days, I felt constant chills running down my spine. I had been too excited to sleep. The thrill of finally grasping the solution was indescribable.
Moreover, Luce had been by my side. The word “fun” felt perfectly appropriate.
“For me, too…”
Luce replied in a tiny, hushed voice, her eyes still glued to the passing scenery outside the window. It seemed she’d had a rather… intense discussion during her individual interview, considering how shy she’d been since we left.
Professor Fernando and I both stared at Luce for a moment before the carriage fell into silence.
Time passed, and we eventually arrived back at the academy. After ten days of surviving on the edge with barely any sleep, it felt like we had been gone for an eternity. Even the familiar sights of the campus felt nostalgic.
“Well done. Get some rest today.”
“We only had this opportunity because of you, Professor. Thank you,” I said.
Luce and I gathered our things and stepped out, bowing deeply to Professor Fernando. He gave us a soft smile as the carriage pulled away.
“Let’s head back, Lu—”
Swish.
The moment I turned to face her, Luce snapped her head away so quickly it whipped up a breeze. Her ears were still blazing red.
I kept my smile fixed, but I was sweating internally.
I didn't know exactly what had been said during her private interview. I knew Aria had some mischievous intentions, but still…
What kind of scandalous things did she say to get Luce into this state?
“Yeah, let’s go…”
Luce replied timidly, her head bowed. I figured it was best to give her some space to collect her thoughts.
Since it was a day off, there were fewer students wandering the grounds than usual. Those who were out were dressed in casual clothes, enjoying the break.
Luce decided to head straight back to her dorm to rest, as she hadn't fully recovered from the training camp yet.
We reached the crossroads. Luce headed toward Charles Hall, the dormitory for the top-ranked students, while I turned toward Elma Hall, the dorm for the middle-high ranks.
I thanked her one last time. Thanks to her, I had managed to sleep soundly the previous night. Since I rarely got the chance to truly rest, I felt like I couldn't thank her enough.
Luce just gave a small “yeah” and didn't say another word. Her red ears betrayed how conscious she was of me. It was actually quite cute.
With that, we parted ways.
I needed to get to my room, but I didn't plan on staying long.
I need to start training immediately.
I was in peak condition, and my motivation was at an all-time high after learning [Icebolt]. I couldn't wait to master its applications.
I walked briskly toward Elma Hall, organizing my mental roadmap.
Now that I had [Icebolt], the next steps were [Perennial Snow] and then the advancement to [Abyssal Glacier].
I want to master [Abyssal Glacier] before the summer break ends.
In the second semester of the second year, I would need to prepare for the arrival of the heavenly beings and the fairies.
Preparing for both races in a single semester would leave very little room for stat distribution. Therefore, having magic that could neutralize attacks or provide a sturdy shield was crucial.
Spells like the 7-star [Abyssal Glacier], which was optimized for neutralizing threats, or the unique skill of the Obsidian Blade, [Eclipse], which provided ultimate defense, were mandatory.
Also…
When my unique trait [Hunter] was active, I would be able to wield the ultimate ice spell.
The 9-star magic, [Cocytus].
While it wouldn't be as overwhelming as the version I used against Leafa the Illusive during the first-year duel evaluation, it would still be a devastating offensive tool.
As I planned my growth, Aria’s words drifted back into my mind.
The transcendental state…
According to Aria, only two people had ever reached the transcendental realms, and both were deeply connected to me.
One was my ultimate goal and the final destination of this journey: the Evil God Nephid.
The other was the Witch of the Candy House who had taken in Hansel and Gretel.
The Witch had died in Luce’s arms. Since then, Luce seemed to have ascended toward that transcendental state, though the specifics remained a mystery to me.
To become such a being… do you have to die first?
It was a heavy question, and the single case of the Candy House Witch wasn't enough to draw a conclusion. Since I couldn't find the answer now, I pushed it aside.
What required my immediate attention was the upcoming scenario.
The Alice Subjugation.
The scriptures told the story of Lord Manhalla scattering seeds of blessing to bring abundance to the Zelver Empire. This was the origin of the holiday known as “Red Day.”
That day was fast approaching. An annual ceremony would be held that evening.
Just as the festivities reached their peak, Alice’s familiar—the Nightmare Dragon, Jabberwock—would suddenly appear over Bartos Hall. Its roar would signal the start of the final event of the semester: 「Act 9, Alice Subjugation」.
I had been terrified when Alice brought the paladins, so I was grateful that everything had progressed smoothly so far.
Then again, I didn't expect things to follow the original game scenario exactly. My knowledge was merely a guide; my predictions had been rendered meaningless long ago.
My goal was to clear the scenario without a single casualty. With Dorothy alive and well, our combat power was formidable.
Still, one thing bothered me…
Why did Alice commit suicide?
Despite going on multiple dates with her, laughing and talking, I still couldn't fathom why she would choose to take her own life after losing the battle in the original game.
I arrived at Elma Hall and decided to lock those worries away for now. It was time to focus on [Icebolt]. I needed to change and head out to the training grounds as soon as possible.
But as my hand reached for the doorknob, a strange sensation surged through my body.
I froze.
[Master.]
The voice of Hilde, who was hiding inside my collar in her mana form, echoed in my mind.
My eyes narrowed.
The doorknob felt unnaturally cold, as if it had been left out in a blizzard.
Someone is in my room.
Hilde, can you sense Cheshire or any of the Paladins?
[If it were their mana… No, not at all. However, I sense a somewhat ominous aura.]
I removed my glasses and tucked them into my pocket, bracing myself for a confrontation.
Hilde, go in and check it out first.
[Understood.]
Hilde’s tiny form slipped through the crack in the door.
A moment later, she spoke.
[It is safe to enter, Master. It does not appear to be an intruder.]
Not an intruder? They broke into my room. What else could they be?
If it wasn't an enemy, then I could face them directly.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside, only to be greeted by a figure I had never seen before.
Standing by the window was a giant, easily over three meters tall, waiting in silence.
Wrapped in a tattered black cloak, his elongated body was tightly bound. His bizarre face was hidden beneath the wide brim of a wizard’s hat. Even the bright morning sun couldn't dispel the ominous aura radiating from him.
I met his pale blue gaze. He had been waiting for me.
“…Who are you?”
He looked like a monster. However, since [Demon Detection] hadn't triggered, he wasn't a demon.
I opened his status window.
[Frost Spirit Merphil]
>
Lv: 180
Race: Magic Beast
Element: Ice
Danger: X
Psychology: [Wants to serve you as its master.]
[He is an old comrade of mine.]
Hilde, the Frost Dragon, spoke in a faint, nostalgic voice.