Chapter 251: Father-In-Law (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 251: Father-In-Law (2)
Back in the military, I despised the daily morning runs.
Now, I felt like my day hadn't truly started until I’d gone for a jog through the damp morning air.
I ran down a tree-lined street. Simply running wasn't enough, so I gripped a magic tool in each hand, practicing mana circulation as I moved. It was the most demanding magic tool available at the academy. Once this started to feel easy, I’d have to venture outside the campus to find something more rigorous.
A few days ago, Aria Lillias, the Master of the Hegel Magic Tower, had departed for Märchen Academy by carriage. I’d learned this from the Ice Knight’s report.
After reading Aria’s recent letter, I suspected she was harboring an important secret. I wanted to keep her under surveillance, so I assigned a group of trustworthy Düpfendorf soldiers to escort her—both to keep an eye on her and to protect her from any unforeseen threats.
Aria was scheduled to arrive at the Hegel Magic Tower within the next two days. Until then, I planned to train relentlessly before greeting her.
White was also on her way. I’d learned from her letter that she felt uncomfortable staying with the Imperial family and would be returning early. As I’d noted before, White was the key to the 「Fairy War」.
I felt a bit sorry for her, but once she arrived, she’d have to undergo some grueling training. She would understand eventually; it was a necessary step to clearing the scenario.
[Isaac, you really lead a boring life.]
The magic beast, a plump purple cat, grumbled as it drifted lazily by my shoulder. It was the Phantom Cat Cheshire.
[Can’t you live a little more recklessly? Isn’t it hilarious that even with all that power, all you do is train, train, and train?]
“What else can I do? This is just how I have to live.”
[Ugh, that’s horrible… I could never live like that.]
I had become obsessed with training. Knowing that the Evil God herself was insanely powerful, I couldn't afford to take it easy. Cheshire knew my intentions, even if he complained.
I picked up the pace, sprinting down the tree-lined path before heading back to the dormitory.
Hilde, having just woken up, staggered groggily toward me to say hello, only to bump her head against the wall.
Despite it being vacation, many students chose to remain at the academy. United by a fierce desire for self-improvement, they dedicated themselves to training almost every day. They came from different departments and years—people I wouldn't normally encounter during the semester—but seeing them so often made us friendly. We’d started exchanging greetings and engaging in small talk.
A short while later, I was in the middle of deploying a magic circle, practicing a wave of demonic illusions.
Suddenly, something shifted.
“…!”
A chill ran down my spine. My eyes snapped wide. I froze in my tracks and dispelled the magic circle.
That wasn't mana. It was pure, unadulterated killing intent.
The bloodlust dissipated as quickly as it had appeared. The surrounding students only felt a momentary sense of discomfort before resuming their training, but I knew better.
I turned my head toward the entrance of the training ground. A man was approaching.
He looked familiar.
He was a sharp-featured, middle-aged man with slicked-back hair—the same light green shade as Kaya Astrea’s. Deep laugh lines etched his face, and streaks of gray had begun to touch his temples.
He stopped in front of me and spoke in a deep, resonant voice.
“You have sharp senses for a wizard.”
“…”
One by one, the other students began to look our way. Their expressions quickly shifted to shock.
What the…?
Why is he here…?
The man standing before me was one of the Empire’s greatest warriors, a man whose skill with a blade was legendary.
It was the Sword Saint, Gerald Astrea.
*
[Gerald Astrea]
Lv: 192
Race: Human
Element: Wind
Danger Level: X
Psychology: [Wants to test if you are a suitable son-in-law.]
*
Son-in-law?
The mystery of Gerald’s sudden appearance was solved the moment I read his psychology.
Kaya’s family must have found out she likes me.
Oh, Kaya…
I almost let out a sigh and pressed a hand to my forehead, but I managed to restrain myself.
“Greetings. I am Gerald Astrea, head of the Astrea Ducal House. I came to see you, Isaac.”
Gerald offered a bow, perfectly executing noble etiquette.
I adjusted my glasses and faced him fully. This didn't feel like a situation where I could comfortably act like a friendly son-in-law.
“…What is your business here?”
Gerald glared at me with eyes as piercing as an eagle’s.
“Do you intend to take my daughter, Kaya Astrea, for yourself?”
Here we go.
This was turning into a troublesome situation. However, it wasn't a question I could lie about, nor did I have any intention of doing so. Considering he had tested me with killing intent from the moment he arrived, it wasn't exactly a warm first meeting.
I spoke firmly.
“Yes. If you have a problem with that, what do you intend to do about it?”
The air in the training ground grew heavy. The onlookers watched the standoff between Gerald and me with tense, pale faces.
“…?”
The Imperial carriage passed through the guard post and entered the grounds of Märchen Academy.
Inside, Merlin Astrea spotted a familiar sight through the window: the Astrea family’s ducal carriage. She wondered if Kaya had returned, but upon closer inspection, she realized it was her father’s personal carriage.
Startled, Merlin leaned out the window to get a better look. It was definitely him.
“Merlin? What’s wrong?” Princess White asked from the opposite seat.
“My father is here.”
“What?” White’s eyes widened. “The Sword Saint, Duke Gerald Astrea?! How do you know?”
“That’s his personal carriage. For some reason, he’s visiting the academy.”
White’s eyes sparkled. Gerald was one of the Empire’s greatest warriors, a man many admired—White included. Merlin, however, couldn't share that enthusiasm. She was simply distressed; her father terrified her.
Meanwhile, Kaya Astrea was scouring the campus, using wind magic to propel herself through the air. She was desperately trying to find Gerald.
“Father, where on earth did you go…?”
As soon as Gerald had arrived, he’d visited the Headmistress’s office to meet with Elena. He told her he wanted to stay at the academy for a while, and the conversation had gone smoothly. But the moment he received permission and stepped out of the building, he had vanished.
A sense of dread engulfed Kaya. There was only one reason Gerald would come to the academy.
“Oh, found him…!”
Kaya finally spotted him. Gerald was already entering the dueling grounds with a silver-blue-haired student—Isaac.
Kaya’s face turned white.
“Ahhh…!”
She descended hurriedly and rushed toward the dueling area.
Inside the facility, Isaac and Gerald stood facing each other, maintaining a tense distance in the quiet arena. A faculty member was present to observe, indicating the academy had officially sanctioned the duel between Isaac and the outsider.
Word had spread quickly. Students, hearing of a clash between the Ice Sovereign and the Sword Saint, had filled the audience seats. They watched the two men with bated breath.
Isaac warmed up with light stretches. Gerald swung a wooden practice sword a few times, testing its weight.
“Too light,” Gerald muttered.
To him, the sword felt like a feather. It had been a long time since he’d used a wooden practice weapon; it felt flimsy. He knew it would shatter instantly if he didn't carefully control his strength.
“Father! Isaac!”
Kaya burst into the facility, shouting toward them.
“Welcome, Kaya,” Isaac greeted her calmly. He’d expected her to show up.
He was genuinely happy to see her after so long, but with Gerald standing there radiating hostility, he decided it wasn't the time for a bright smile.
Kaya had her hair down and was wearing elegant earrings. Isaac noticed she seemed to be transitioning into a more mature, "senior" image—a change that had been budding since the end of their second year’s first semester.
“You two, w-what is going on? Why are you suddenly dueling?”
“Don’t interfere, Kaya. This is for your sake.”
Gerald was resolute. He didn't even spare his daughter a glance.
Isaac finished his stretches and looked at Gerald. Kaya stood there, caught between them, unable to comprehend the situation.
[Hello? It’s Cheshire the Explainer!]
Out of nowhere, the Phantom Cat Cheshire appeared beside Kaya, grinning widely. Kaya, who had been hyper-focused on the two men, nearly screamed when she noticed the cat.
[You see, that man wants to determine if Isaac is suitable son-in-law material through a duel! And Isaac accepted the challenge!]
“What?”
[Do I need to spell it out? Isaac is dueling to earn your father’s approval so he can be with you!]
Kaya stood in a daze as the words sank in.
“Gasp…!”
She covered her rapidly flushing face with both hands.
“Ahhh…”
A low groan escaped her lips. Waves of pure embarrassment and shame crashed over her. This was, without a doubt, the worst day of her life.
“Isaac. I owe you a debt,” Gerald said, focusing entirely on his opponent as he settled into a combat stance. Even the simple way he held the wooden sword exuded decades of experience.
“A debt…? Ah.”
Isaac recalled the incident with Babel in the Astrea Duchy. There was nothing else Gerald would feel indebted for.
“But that is a separate matter. I will personally confirm, here and now, whether or not you are worthy of my daughter.”
His voice was dignified and sharp. Gerald never judged a man he hadn't personally faced in combat. He didn't care about titles like the King of Düpfendorf, the Ice Sovereign, or an Extraordinary Archwizard.
The only thing he cared about was the man standing before him. This duel was, essentially, an interview.
Kaya whimpered, “Father…” The presence of the student audience only intensified her mortification. This was practically a public execution.
“Anytime,” Isaac said.
He stood his ground as a prospective son-in-law. He had no intention of giving up on Kaya. Moreover, this wasn't just a test—it was a duel with the Sword Saint. It was a golden opportunity to grow stronger, and Isaac wasn't about to let it slip away.
“Please guide me, Father-in-law.”
“…”
When Isaac bowed his head and casually dropped the title “Father-in-law,” Gerald’s eyes narrowed in displeasure.
The thought had slipped out of Isaac's mouth before he could stop it.
Oops.
Isaac realized immediately… he’d made a mistake.