Chapter 269: White Wants to Get Stronger! (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 269: White Wants to Get Stronger! (1)
The vacation was drawing to a close.
As students began trickling back to the academy, I noticed a significant uptick in the number of people wandering the grounds lately.
It had been a complicated vacation in many ways, but I didn't have the luxury of getting lost in thought. My daily routine was still packed with training.
In the meantime, Ian Fairytale had successfully secured the Luminous Sword. As long as nothing went sideways, the conditions required to land a decisive blow on Thanatos were finally in place.
I instructed Ian, who had already returned to the academy, to demonstrate the weapon. When he swung the Luminous Sword in an open clearing, unleashing the raw power of light, I felt a wave of relief. It possessed at least the minimum output I had envisioned.
“…?”
While strolling across campus, I spotted Dorothy perched atop a building. Unfortunately, she wasn't exactly easy to approach at the moment.
She was deep in meditation, clusters of stars flickering into existence around her. It was one of the core training methods for starlight magic.
I could tell just by looking—Dorothy had significantly increased her meditation hours lately.
—…Liar.
I recalled the conversation we’d had back in Düpfendorf. Perhaps Dorothy was pushing herself harder because of me.
Not wanting to disturb her, I watched her from a distance for a moment before continuing on my way.
*
“Isaac.”
“You’re back.”
Luce Eltania had returned after finishing her training at the Hegel Magic Tower. I had gone out to the academy gates to greet her.
A happy smile spread across Luce’s face. The sun beamed down on her like a spotlight, making her practically glow.
She’s certainly brightened up, that once-gloomy girl.
Compared to our first year, the change was night and day.
What is this feeling… Am I moved?
It felt like watching a scene from a drama where a once-devastated daughter finally overcame her trauma and began to rejoin society.
“Why do you look like you’re about to cry, Isaac?”
“I don't know, seeing you grow up so well just made me feel proud all of a sudden…”
“What, are you my dad? That’s creepy…”
Luce grumbled, though she fell into step beside me.
Of course, you wouldn’t understand how I feel.
We headed toward the academy dorms.
“You caused quite a stir while I was gone, didn’t you?”
“Well, something like that.”
Word of Baron Ropenheim’s human trafficking scandal seemed to have spread throughout the entire Empire. The rumors had clearly reached the Hegel Magic Tower as well.
“You did a good thing.”
“In a way.”
Luce brought it up as a casual conversation starter, appearing largely indifferent. To her, it didn't really matter who lived or died.
“Let’s have lunch together after I unpack.”
“Sure. I’m hungry.”
“Isaac, you have to stay with me all day today.”
“That was the plan.”
“Good answer.”
Luce was an outsider whose only refuge from loneliness was me. As her only friend, her longing for my company was especially intense today, likely fueled by the time we’d spent apart while she was at the tower.
That longing, of course, included her romantic feelings for me.
I was also happier than usual to see her. I wanted to spend as much of the day with her as possible.
“Ah.”
Oh, right.
“Hmm?”
“I have a mentoring session later. Other than that, I’m free.”
Luce tilted her head, confused.
“I thought you didn't do mentoring during the break?”
“White is breaking a sweat every single day to improve. I can’t be the only one slacking off. I should at least help her with some sincerity, right?”
Of course, I was the one who had pushed her into that routine. In reality, the sessions were usually filled with White’s whining, but she did have a genuine desire to get stronger, so it wasn't a total lie.
“You’re unnecessarily affectionate.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Can I come?”
Hmm?
“You want to join the mentoring session?”
Luce nodded.
“That might be a bit burdensome for her…”
It was also a little embarrassing to have her watch me teach.
“Will I be a hindrance?”
“It’s not that…”
“Then I’m going.”
Her tone was firm. The decision was made; she was just waiting for me to give the only acceptable answer.
It seemed Luce had been very lonely at the Magic Tower and didn't want to leave my side for even a second. She wasn't the type to shamelessly interfere with a lesson, and once she got stubborn, there was no changing her mind.
Luce is technically more skilled than I am, anyway.
Maybe she’ll actually be helpful.
I didn't think it would hurt.
“Well, alright then.”
“Okay.”
Luce answered calmly and turned her gaze forward.
*
“Your mana release is too rough. It’s not enough to just calculate the circle correctly; you have to control the output. Try again.”
“Yes! Hiyah!”
“…Give me your hand. I’ll set the frame with my mana, then you channel yours into it. There, get a feel for the flow. Try to memorize that sensation by repeating it.”
“Yes! Huh…?”
“White?”
The outdoor training ground was almost deserted during the vacation. Isaac was mentoring Snow White, while Luce and Merlin watched from a short distance away.
Suddenly, White felt a chill run down her spine, her skin breaking out in goosebumps.
What is this freezing sensation I’ve been feeling…?
It wasn't just her imagination. The chilling pressure was radiating from behind her—specifically from Luce.
Luce was watching the session with an indifferent expression. However, every time White made physical contact with Isaac, that inexplicable chill intensified.
Luce, the overwhelming top seat of the academy, was famously cold to everyone except Isaac. She was both admired and feared by her juniors, and White was no exception.
For some reason, even though no words were spoken, it felt as if Luce’s voice was whispering directly into her ear.
Focus solely on the training. Do not harbor any ulterior motives toward Isaac. Absolutely none.
Luce had already proven herself effective at warding off any girls who showed interest in Isaac. Anyone who didn't possess the sheer mental fortitude of Dorothy, Alice, or Kaya would find it impossible not to crumble under Luce’s gaze. At the very least, such a person was hard to find among the student body.
Meanwhile, Isaac was so absorbed in his teaching that he didn't notice the atmosphere. When he focused on a task, he tended to block out everything else. In a positive light, he had incredible concentration; in a negative light, he was a terrible multitasker.
“Ah, no, it’s nothing. Let’s continue.”
“Tell me if you’re feeling unwell. If you’re in pain, resting is the priority.”
“Yes… I’ll keep that in mind.”
White quickly snapped her gaze back to Isaac, having briefly glanced toward Luce. A bead of cold sweat trickled down her forehead.
She was well aware of the relationship between Isaac and Luce, which only made her more self-conscious.
“Luce, are you bored?”
When Isaac suddenly turned to address her, Luce’s face transformed. She smiled beautifully, looking like a heavenly fairy. It was as if flower petals were scattering in the air around her.
The gloomy, heavy atmosphere that had been crushing White vanished instantly. The change in expression was so dramatic it was almost frightening.
“I’m fine. Watching you teach is actually quite entertaining.”
“Alright then.”
The moment Isaac turned back to White to resume the lesson, Luce’s expression snapped back to ice.
White felt miserable, unable to say a word to the terrifying girl.
“Hmm.”
Isaac finally realized that White was acting stiff because of Luce’s presence.
“Hey, Luce.”
“Yeah?”
Isaac turned back again. Once more, warmth flooded Luce’s face.
“Do you have any tips?”
“Tips?”
“Something that might help White. You can sense her level, right? You might be able to offer better advice than I can.”
He was asking for her help in nurturing White’s growth.
Despite being an archwizard with the terrifying moniker of "Ice Sovereign," Isaac was a very traditional senior when it came to instruction. He figured Luce might have superior teaching methods. To White and Merlin, the request seemed perfectly reasonable.
“Something that might help…”
Luce pondered what she stood to gain from assisting Isaac.
She didn't particularly like White. After winning a beauty contest, the girl had mentioned "liking Isaac" in her victory speech. Girls who acted that innocent were usually hiding a cunning nature. Naturally, Luce was wary.
However, if she took over the teaching, she could reduce the amount of physical contact between Isaac and White.
Luce stood up.
“I’ll help out a bit.”
“…!”
White’s shoulders flinched.
As Luce approached, White forced a smile, sweat pouring down her face. The sheer tension made it impossible to meet Luce’s eyes.
“Hehe. It—it’s an honor that Senior Luce is willing to help…!”
White struggled to sound cheerful.
Luce, who used to suffer from severe social anxiety, no longer scowled or emitted a murderous aura like she used to. Living with Isaac had gradually healed her mental scars.
But that was as far as her kindness went. Luce stared at White with eyes like chips of ice and didn't offer a single word of greeting.
Scary…!
White was paralyzed by the sheer intimidation.
“First of all, your mana mastery is pathetic,” Luce said coldly, her eyes still fixed on Isaac.
“What…? Ah, yes…”
“Your calculation speed is too slow. At the very least, low-level spells should be instantaneous. You’re like a turtle.”
“A turtle…”
“In a real battle, you’d be dead before you finished casting.”
“Yes…”
“Isaac even provided a mana frame for you, yet you couldn't channel your energy into it properly. It’s proof that your training has been severely lacking.”
“Yes…”
“Then.”
Luce extended her left arm. The black pearl mana stone on the Ring of the Abyssal Queen emitted a soft glow.
Shaa!
Beautifully shimmering water manifested in the air, swirling into distinct shapes. The water constructs multiplied one by one, flying out to create a perimeter around Luce.
They all took the form of the killer whale magic beast, Bello—except these versions were showing off bulging muscles in various bodybuilding poses.
Unlike the real Bello, these constructs were absurdly ripped.
“To manifest water magic like that in a place with no water source…!”
White marveled at Luce’s dense mana and surgical precision.
Meanwhile, Isaac stared blankly at the dozens of muscular Bellos. Even if they were just made of water, the sight was overwhelming.
“Instead of just firing blindly, I think it’s better to time yourself daily on how quickly you can clear these targets. Record the results and compare them. Your skills will improve naturally.”
“The advice is great, but… why do the targets look like that?”
“Bello has been interested in muscles lately. It was just the first thing that came to mind.”
Luce recalled the actual killer whale, Bello, who had been doing sit-ups on her desk every single day.