Chapter 275: Academy Excursion (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 275: Academy Excursion (1)
At the training grounds of Bethel Academy, located within the Zelver Empire.
Second-year students of the Knight Department were taking turns dueling under the watchful eye of their instructor. These duels were part of their formal evaluation, and as such, they usually ended swiftly.
Noah Bartin, a male student with short, ash-gray hair tied back, tightened his grip on his wooden sword and kicked off the sand. His opponent was a female student.
Noah lunged with speed, swinging his wooden sword, but his opponent was faster. With agile footwork, she slipped past his guard and delivered a sharp counterattack to his back, sending him crashing face-first into the dirt.
"Ouch!"
Noah hit the ground hard.
The female student rested her wooden sword nonchalantly on her shoulder and looked down at him.
"Marianne wins!" the instructor declared.
Marianne, the victor, offered a casual "Good job" before disappearing back into the crowd of students.
Noah picked himself up and brushed the sand from his uniform. His listless, half-open eyes—often described as looking like those of a dead fish—turned toward the instructor.
The instructor was busy jotting down feedback. "You're dismissed, Noah."
"Yeah..." Noah replied half-heartedly, turning to join the others.
"You aren't improving at all."
Noah heard the instructor’s muttered comment, but he didn't react. He simply kept walking.
*
Class ended, and lunchtime arrived.
Noah washed up in the showers, changed into his fresh uniform in the locker room, and headed toward the Bethel Academy cafeteria.
"..."
The cafeteria was a chaotic swarm of students. For Noah, eating in such a crowded place was overwhelming. He bought a simple meal and retreated to the quiet shade behind an abandoned building.
He didn't mind the lack of company. Noah wasn't particularly lonely; even in a place vibrating with youthful energy, there were those like him who lived a dull, gray existence. The cool, dark silence behind the building suited him perfectly.
After finishing his meal, Noah stared up at the towering clock tower with vacant eyes.
"...Was it tomorrow? Or the day after?"
He had heard that the empire’s most prestigious institution, Märchen Academy, was hosting an excursion program. His younger sister had been selected as an exchange student for the program and was due to depart soon.
Noah and his siblings were lower-class members of the Helize Church. Despite their background, Noah had achieved the incredible feat of passing the entrance exam for Bethel Academy, one of the empire's top schools.
However, his younger sister was the one born with truly exceptional talent. Unlike Noah, she was a natural.
As lower-class members of the Helize Church, they received scholarships at Bethel, but they still had to work part-time jobs to cover the remaining tuition.
Noah felt his limitations every day. The level of the students here was staggering, as expected of a prestigious academy. He couldn't imagine ever surpassing them.
His sister, on the other hand, was a genius with a brilliant future. She had been chosen for the excursion to Märchen Academy, the pinnacle of education. Noah often felt that someone as flawed as himself shouldn't even be standing beside her. She deserved a beautiful youth and a bright future more than anyone.
"...!"
Suddenly, a viscous, gray mana seeped from Noah’s fingertips. It was thin and strange, appearing to be both solid and liquid at once.
Startled, Noah hurriedly hid his hand. He looked around frantically, but no one was in sight.
"What’s happening to me lately...?"
Iron mana.
It was a power forcibly inherited from the fairy Rachnil, and Noah had refused to use it. The reason was simple: whenever he tapped into that power, he lost control. Once, he had nearly beaten his own sister to death.
The Knight Department didn't care much for mana. Because of that, there were no elemental surveys or mana evaluations, allowing him to keep the power of iron hidden.
But lately, for some reason, the iron mana had been pulsing sporadically. Whether something had happened to the fairy Rachnil or there was a problem with his own body, Noah couldn't tell.
*
A carriage pulled up to the front gates of Märchen Academy.
"Wow!"
Taryn Bartin stepped out. She had dressed up as much as she could, but she still looked plain compared to her surroundings. Clutching her luggage with both hands, she looked around in pure awe.
During the semester, only supply convoys or island residents were permitted past the guard post. For a child to enter Märchen Academy at this time, there was only one possibility: the excursion program.
Taryn was one of the five students selected for the honor.
"Ugh..."
She passed through the luxurious gates and surveyed the grounds. The scenery of the empire’s top academy far surpassed even her wildest dreams.
"Wow! This is amazing!" Taryn squealed, stretching her arms out and waving them enthusiastically.
Lost in her excitement, Taryn wandered the grounds for thirty minutes, marvelling at the structures, the natural scenery, and buildings that looked more like works of art than classrooms.
"...Where am I?"
She was hopelessly lost.
She pulled a letter from her pocket. The envelope had been sealed with the official wax of Märchen Academy, but Taryn had opened and reopened it so many times that the paper was soft.
The letter contained various instructions, essentially telling her to report to the administration office in Bartos Hall. The problem was that she wasn't supposed to arrive for another two days. Not knowing how long the journey would take, Taryn had left early and arrived far ahead of schedule.
The academy was vast. If she kept wandering like this, she might never find Bartos Hall.
For now, I need to find that building.
"Bartos Hall... Ah, excuse me!"
Taryn decided to ask for directions. She spotted a male student with silver-blue hair wearing a uniform and hurried toward him.
The student stopped and turned to her. Taryn lugged her heavy bags over, huffing as she reached him.
"Hello! Could you tell me how to get to Bartos Hall...?"
Taryn’s mouth fell open.
The boy wearing glasses wasn't just "good-looking"—he was breathtaking. His features were so refined they could only be described as beautiful. Taryn rubbed her eyes and looked again, meeting his dull crimson eyes and gentle expression.
"..."
"...?"
No, she hadn't miscounted. He was incredibly handsome.
Are the students at this academy just on a different level?!
She had heard that nobles took great care of their appearance, and since this was the top academy, the student body was mostly nobility. This boy had to be a high-ranking noble. Taryn couldn't even fathom that the silver-blue-haired boy in front of her might be a commoner like herself.
"Excursion program?" he asked.
"How did you—?!" Taryn gasped, startled by his intuition.
"It’s obvious, considering your age and what you're wearing."
"Oh...! Um, I-I’m Taryn Bartin!"
"I’m Isaac. You’re looking for Bartos Hall, right? Follow me."
Isaac offered a kind smile. For a girl in the middle of puberty, it was a devastatingly charming look.
Taryn grinned widely, her face flushing. "Y-yes..."
"Y-yes?" Isaac mimicked her stutter with a slight tilt of his head.
Her tongue had twisted in her excitement. Embarrassed, Taryn followed Isaac across the campus.
So, she’s here too.
Isaac glanced at the blushing Taryn walking beside him. She seemed to have developed an instant crush. He decided to ignore it, chalking it up to her age.
Taryn Bartin. She was the younger sister of Noah Bartin, the possessor of the iron element. She was quite talented, despite her lower-class background.
Taryn Bartin
Lv: 90
Race: Human
Element: Water, Wind
Danger Level: X
Even so, she wasn't someone who could help Isaac on his current path. Among the children arriving for the excursion, the only one he truly needed was the Priestess, Miya. He decided to simply be kind and send her on her way.
"Give me your luggage."
"What? Oh, I couldn't possibly!"
"It looks heavy."
"No, really, it’s fine...!"
As Taryn tried to stop Isaac from taking her bag, her hand brushed against his arm.
Is he made of stone?
His arm was incredibly solid. It didn't feel like mere muscle; it felt like she was touching a pillar of iron. He had to be wearing something heavy under his uniform.
Taryn watched him closely. Whatever was under his clothes seemed to be a type of magic tool.
Is that weighted underclothing powered by mana?
If she wore something like that, she wouldn't be able to move an inch.
Is he in the Knight Department?
Even for a knight, such weight would restrict movement. Yet, Isaac moved with perfect fluidity. Taryn was inwardly stunned.
"Ah, thank you..."
Isaac took the bag from the dazed Taryn and carried it with ease. The bag was indeed heavy, and Taryn felt a wave of gratitude.
"The official assembly isn't for another two days," Isaac noted.
"Oh, haha... I came early because I wanted to take my time. I wanted to experience academy life as soon as possible, just like my brother."
"Your brother?"
"He’s a bit of a dummy, you probably don't know him since he’s at Bethel Academy. He’s in the Knight Department. By the way, Isaac... which department are you in?"
"Just call me 'Senior.' If you were selected for this program, you have enough talent to be here."
"Oh, yes. Senior...!"
"I’m in the Magic Department."
Taryn was shocked. Someone that physically strong is a mage?
"I see... Can I try that? It’s a magic tool, right?" she asked, pointing to the device he was holding.
"Have you used one before?"
"Yes, a long time ago."
She had only used a few cheap tools at the church. She had never touched anything as sophisticated as what Isaac held.
Isaac said, "Here," and handed it over. Taryn took it with a bright "Thank you!" and tried to circulate her mana through it.
"...!!"
The device didn't even budge. It refused to let her mana flow into it.
The difficulty was incomparable to the church tools. It felt like a massive mountain was blocking her path. She would have to exert immense pressure just to pierce through the initial resistance.
Is everyone at this academy like this?
Taryn had always been praised as a genius. Realizing she was just a big fish in a small pond was a sobering shock.
"It’s... it's really difficult."
"Is it?"
Dejected, Taryn returned the tool to Isaac. He took it back and effortlessly circulated his mana through it. Taryn watched in awe.
Her respect for Isaac deepened instantly. This man was exceptional in both looks and ability. Her motivation flared; she wanted to enroll in Märchen Academy more than ever if it meant being around people like him.
"By any chance, Senior Isaac, do you know all the famous people here?"
"Famous people?"
"Yes! Like Senior Dorothy Heartnova, the Star Witch; Senior Luce Eltania, the Empress of the Midnight Sea; and Senior Kaya Astrea, the Emerald Wizard...! Or maybe the Saintess, Bianca Anturaze of the Helize Church, and Princess Snow White, who is famous for her supreme beauty, kindness, and wisdom...!"
They were the reasons Taryn dreamed of this place. It was no exaggeration to say that Märchen Academy was currently home to a legendary generation that would be remembered for centuries. For any aspiring wizard, it was the ultimate destination.
"Kind and... what?"
Isaac let the other titles slide, but remembering Princess White’s constant wailing of "Waaah!", he couldn't reconcile the description with reality.
"And the most amazing one is definitely the Ice Sovereign. He’s here right now! This academy is just incredible!" Taryn panted, her excitement peaking.
"Well, of course I know them."
"Really?!"
"You’ll get to know them eventually. Though Senior Dorothy graduates next year."
"Wow! That's so cool... oh." Taryn’s shoulders suddenly slumped.
"What’s wrong?"
"Seeing you, Senior Isaac... I’ve lost my confidence. Back home, everyone told me I was talented. But seeing the gap between us... I don't know if I can ever be like them."
Isaac adjusted his glasses, considering his words. It might have been unnecessary meddling, but he decided to share a thought.
"I don't know if I’m the right person to say this, but..."
"Yes?"
"If you work hard, you can achieve anything."
Isaac gave her a gentle, encouraging smile. To Taryn, the world seemed to slow down for a moment.
Just then, they reached a palace-like structure: Bartos Hall.
"That’s Bartos Hall. Ask the staff at the information desk for the administration office, and they’ll guide you. Take care."
"Oh, thank you so much...!"
Isaac gave a brief wave and walked away. Taryn bowed repeatedly toward his retreating figure before finally turning to the building.
"It’s beautiful...!"
Bartos Hall was a masterpiece of aesthetic design. Taryn stepped inside, her eyes widening at the grand hall and the students in their crisp uniforms. She stood still for a moment, soaking it all in, before approaching the reception desk where a neatly dressed faculty member sat.
"Hello, could you tell me where the administration office is?"
"You’re an exchange student, correct?"
"Yes!"
"You’ve arrived much earlier than scheduled. The administration office is right here. You can head up that way." The staff member showed her a map and explained the directions.
"Thank you!"
"You’re very welcome."
"Oh, by the way!" Taryn’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Are the famous people here? Like the Star Witch, the Emerald Wizard, or the Ice Sovereign? Those legendary seniors!"
"This building is for academic administration, so they aren't usually here... but haven't you already met one of them?"
"Huh?"
The faculty member glanced toward the long windows lining the hall. Through them, they had seen Isaac and Taryn arrive together.
"You were just walking with the Ice Sovereign a moment ago, weren't you?"
"..."
Silence fell over the hall.
Taryn’s eyes grew wider and wider, looking as though they might pop out of her head.
"Whaaaaaat?!"
Finally, a scream of pure shock erupted from Taryn’s mouth, echoing through the halls of Bartos.