Chapter 271: Moving Into Charles Hall
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 271: Moving Into Charles Hall
Second Semester Dormitory Assignments: Second-Year Magic Department
Isaac – Charles Hall
I checked the newly posted assignment table on the Orphin Hall bulletin board.
Finally.
My name was right there under Charles Hall, the academy’s most prestigious dormitory. I had officially become a member of the elite.
In the original game, ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, the protagonist Ian had to reach his third year before he could even dream of moving into Charles Hall. My progress had accelerated significantly, likely due to the massive amount of experience and renown I gained from clearing The Floating Island and The Abyss.
Since most students didn't see dramatic shifts in their grades mid-year, only a few were changing dorms. For those who did, the academy provided servants to transport their belongings.
After packing my things at Elma Hall, I prepared to head to my new home. My rock golem familiar, Eden, walked beside me, easily sharing the heavy load.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Isaac. We are here to assist.”
Three maids adorned with golden ornaments greeted me at the front gate of Elma Hall. They were academy servants, led by a head maid who looked perpetually sleepy.
“You arrived quickly.”
“Promptness is the pride of the academy maids.”
Their professional spirit was palpable.
I was the only student moving into Charles Hall this semester, meaning these maids were assigned exclusively to me for the transition. They summoned their own familiars to help carry the rest of my luggage.
From Charles Hall upward, the academy maids provided dedicated, top-tier service. They weren't just servants, either; they were formidable in combat. The head maid alone was Level 97—that really said it all.
You should never judge them by the title of 'maid' alone.
Hilde, currently in the form of a small white dragon perched on my shoulder, stared intently at the maids. She seemed particularly interested in their frilly uniforms.
Leaving the living quarters, we followed a scenic garden path until a luxurious, standalone building came into view. This was Charles Hall, the sanctuary for the academy’s strongest—the likes of Luce, Kaya, Dorothy, and Alice.
As the arched entrance swung open, a magnificent hall greeted me.
“Oh…”
It was my first time seeing the interior of Charles Hall in person, rather than through a computer screen.
Having recently visited the Düpfendorf Palace, the sheer opulence didn't shock me as much as it might have before, but the building possessed an incomparable sense of familiarity and warmth. I had spent so many hours looking at this place in the game.
“This way, please.”
We ascended the grand staircase to the second floor. As we walked, the head maid—who looked quite strict despite her sleepy eyes—fluently explained the dormitory rules.
“The boys’ wing is to the left, and the girls’ wing is to the right. You are free to move between them, but please ensure your conduct does not violate school regulations.”
“Understood.”
“Various facilities are located over there. Please utilize them at your convenience.”
“I will.”
“Maids can be summoned at any time. Additionally, please fill out this form regarding your preferred schedule for room cleaning and personal assistance. We respect your privacy, so we will only enter during your designated times.”
“Right…”
Unlike the lower-ranked dorms, Charles Hall was co-ed. It was so well-equipped with private facilities that one could theoretically live their entire life inside the building without ever needing to step outside.
“This will be your room, Isaac.”
The maid guided me to a door on the second floor.
It was an ultra-luxurious suite that looked like it belonged to a millionaire. Even Elma Hall, which was considered upper-middle class, looked like a shack in comparison.
I had caught a glimpse of Luce’s room last year, so I had some idea of what to expect, but seeing my own space was still a jaw-dropping experience.
“Would you like assistance with your unpacking?”
“I’ll handle it from here.”
“Very well. Please call for us if you require anything at all.”
The servants bowed and departed, leaving the room in silence.
I locked eyes with Eden and Hilde. They were both staring at me expectantly.
“Shall we get to work?”
As if he had been waiting for those exact words, Eden raised his rocky arm and let out a spirited [Kyuuu!].
*
“Kaya?”
“Ah, I—I heard you moved in, Isaac… Congratulations! This is a housewarming gift!”
I was in the middle of organizing my things when a cautious knock sounded. When I opened the door, I found a visibly trembling Kaya. The moment she saw me, her face turned bright red. She bowed deeply, thrusting a small envelope toward me with both hands. It looked like a scene straight out of a teen drama where a girl finally musters the courage to confess to her crush.
I took the envelope and peeked inside. It was filled with expensive treats. It seemed she had prepared something light to avoid burdening me.
“Oh, snacks. Thanks, I’ll enjoy them.”
“Y-yes! Please do! I’ll be going now!”
Kaya turned and bolted. She was as fast as an arrow.
Since the male and female wings were in the same building, she had finally found the nerve to visit. I couldn't help but smile at how cute her reaction was.
*
“Luce? Hey, wait. Why are you just coming in?”
“Isaac, you moved in. We need to celebrate.”
A dull knock had preceded Luce’s arrival. When I opened the door, she stood there with her usual stoic expression before bluntly pushing past me into the room.
A girl entering a boy’s room was technically a violation of the rules. I quickly shut the door to make sure no one saw.
“Aren't you supposed to be a future Tower Master? Why are you breaking the rules so casually?”
“Does it matter? I’m just looking at your room.”
“It matters a lot, you idiot.”
Does she think her grades are so high that demerit points don't apply to her?
If Dorothy, the academy’s reigning champion of demerit points, had a "YOLO" mindset, Luce simply had a "screw the rules" mindset. It was a dangerous trajectory.
She was the type of person who should never, ever turn to a life of crime. If I didn't guide her toward becoming a proper wizard, she might actually become the most dangerous criminal in imperial history.
Suddenly, Luce headed straight for the kitchen.
“I’ll cook for you. Consider it a gift.”
“I appreciate it, but don't stay too long.”
I couldn't be as relaxed as I was when Alice lived with me in Elma Hall. Charles Hall was crawling with professional maids. I had to be twice as cautious here. Surely Luce knew that.
Thunk.
Luce suddenly stopped in her tracks.
“…Why?”
“Huh?”
“You’re not worried that another girl might come by, are you?”
Luce’s voice dropped, turning heavy and damp like the peak of the monsoon season. The liveliness vanished from her blue eyes as she glanced back at me.
“What are you talking about? There are maids everywhere; the risk of getting caught is high. You might not care, but I’d rather not get buried in demerits.”
“…Just saying.”
“…”
Luce resumed her walk into the kitchen.
She was obsessively sensitive about my interactions with other women. Even when I lived with Alice, she must have picked up on some lingering trace of her presence. It was obvious that Luce harbored a deep-seated resentment toward Alice.
I had no intention of fueling the fire, so I simply pretended not to notice.
A while later, I sat down to the meat dish Luce had prepared. I had been slightly worried she might have slipped something "extra" into the food, but it was perfectly normal. In fact, it was delicious.
*
“Alice? What brings you here?”
“I heard my Baby moved in, so I had to come visit.”
It was late at night, and I had just finished showering.
A polite knock sounded, and when I opened the door, Alice was there with a kind smile, waving her hand.
However, despite her composed expression, the faint scent of alcohol stung my nose.
“Have you been drinking?”
“Hee... my baby is sharp, isn't he?”
“You reek of booze, Alice.”
In this world, students were allowed to drink from their first year. However, disciplinary action for any trouble caused while intoxicated was tripled, so most students were careful.
Third-years, however, were considered full adults. Alice was right at that age.
“Today was the final Student Council dinner, wasn't it?”
Alice nodded.
“Thanks to you, the meeting ended on a high note.”
“‘Thanks to me’?”
I’m not even close with the Student Council. What did I have to do with their dinner?
“I didn't do anything, did I?”
“You really think so?”
“…Huh?”
Without warning, Alice stepped inside and closed the distance between us.
Instinctively, I took a step back, but she followed, pressing herself against me. She reached back and firmly clicked the door shut.
“Excuse me?”
Alice stood on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. Her soft weight pressed firmly against my chest, the contact leaving little to the imagination.
“What are you doing…?”
“I just wanted to cuddle my baby, hehe. It’s thanks to you that I’m even here right now, isn't it?”
She meant that because of my actions, she was still at the academy to attend that dinner.
Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Alice was being far more sentimental than usual. Her whispers, thick with affection, and her bold movements echoed in my mind. Her flushed face made her look like a shy bride in a new home.
Her warm breath brushed against my lips. The scent of alcohol was strangely intoxicating.
For a moment, my rationality wavered. I couldn't tell if this bold seduction was the alcohol talking or just Alice being her usual, affectionate self.
I barely managed to suppress my impulses and keep my face neutral. Giving in now would only lead to a mountain of complications.
“First, back off a bit… I need to study.”
“…”
“…”
“Darling.”
“Oh, please stop.”
Alice giggled playfully. She clearly enjoyed seeing me flustered.
*
“Big Sis is here!”
“Senior Dorothy?”
The night had grown deep. As I was studying by the light of a magic lamp, a loud knock came from the window. When I opened it, I saw Dorothy floating upside down, her witch’s hat miraculously staying on her head.
“Uhtcha!” She flipped herself upright and perched on the windowsill, crouching down.
“Nihihi! I heard you moved in. I just finished my training!”
“You’re still at it this late?”
“Big Sis works hard, you know?”
Dorothy puffed out her chest proudly.
“You’re impressive, Senior.”
“Nihihi!”
She always beamed when praised.
“So, what’s the occasion?”
“I came to give you a move-in gift. Watch this!”
Dorothy covered her face with both hands. Then, like opening a set of double doors, she spread her hands wide to reveal a radiant, beaming smile.
“Tada! It’s Big Sis’s smile! It’s good for the soul.”
“Oh… Wow.”
“Your reaction is lukewarm! Has your enthusiasm as a fan waned?”
Dorothy narrowed her eyes at me playfully. It was the kind of joke that always left me unsure of how to respond. She was incredibly charming.
Man, I really want to kiss her.
“Of course, that was a joke. I actually came to give you this.”
Dorothy reached into her witch’s hat, pulled out a small case, and handed it to me.
Inside was a pendant necklace. The center of the pendant looked like a swirling Milky Way, as if it contained a tiny piece of the universe. However, the metal was slightly worn. It was clearly a used item.
“A necklace?”
“It’s a magic tool. If you channel mana into it, it helps with fatigue recovery. Honestly, I never felt much of an effect myself, but it’s better than nothing, right?”
“Fatigue recovery…”
Many magic tools used mana as a battery. This pendant seemed to use starlight magic as its power source.
“You always look so tired, President. Your dark circles are getting worse. I thought about giving you health food, but that’s only temporary. I figured this would be better. It’s a bit old, though, isn't it?”
“Yeah, it’s definitely seen some use.”
“It was actually mine. My aunt gave it to me as a gift.”
“…?”
Her aunt. The family member Dorothy loved most.
“It has a vintage feel, right? Plus, I always wore it close to my skin. Nihihi, consider it a reward.”
Dorothy gave a mischievous grin.
“Is it really okay to give me something with so much sentimental value…?”
“I wanted to give you something precious. It’s the most valuable thing I own. Think of it as a lucky charm.”
Dorothy lowered her gaze, a soft, genuine smile touching her lips.
“It worked well as a charm for me. I hope it does the same for you.”
A girl who had left the Land of Oz to look out over a desolate homeland. The fact that she was giving me her most cherished charm proved just how much I meant to her.
I didn't expect the necklace to have a dramatic effect—she said herself she never felt it—but the meaning behind it was everything.
It’s like a cliché in an old movie. I’ll probably survive some life-threatening crisis by a hair’s breadth and think, ‘Was it the necklace?’
I clutched the pendant, deeply moved.
“Senior Dorothy.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll wear this until the day I die.”
“No, you don't have to go that far… Just, don't die, okay?”
Dorothy looked flustered by my solemn vow, her cheeks tinged with pink.
Headmistress’s Office, Bartos Hall.
Headmistress Elena Woodline stared at the documents on her desk and let out a long, weary sigh.
“Haaaa… What am I supposed to do about this…?”
It was common for Elena to sigh as if the weight of the world were on her shoulders. Her secretary didn't even look up at first, taking it as a daily occurrence.
However, this time, the matter was truly significant.
“Why is the real Priestess coming here…?”
“Pardon?”
The secretary finally reacted. The mention of the "Priestess"—a title associated with a major historical incident at Märchen Academy—demanded attention.
“It’s about the excursion program… An imperial decree has been issued. They want to include the Priestess from the Eastern Nation.”
The Märchen Academy excursion program, which had been in the works since last year, was finally being implemented. It was designed to allow exceptional youths from outside the academy to experience its curriculum for several months.
But an imperial decree had suddenly forced an additional spot into the program, and the person filling it was a figure of immense power.
Miya, the Priestess of the Spear of Flame.
She was officially coming to Märchen Academy.