Chapter 278: Chess (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 278: Chess (1)
Inside the Charles Hall dormitory, Luce Eltania gazed at her reflection in the vanity mirror as a maid meticulously styled her hair.
The room was deathly quiet. Amidst the heavy silence, the maid groomed Luce with mechanical precision.
“Well then, I shall take my leave.”
Having finished her duties, the maid bowed politely and exited the room.
Luce stood up and moved to the full-length mirror to inspect herself.
She wore a perfectly tailored uniform adorned with a morpho butterfly hair accessory. Her rose-gold hair, which shimmered with soft pink and subtle golden hues under the sunlight, was smooth and radiant.
“…”
However, Luce was currently plagued by a profound sense of doubt.
Everyone had their own preferences. But how well did she actually align with Isaac’s?
Isaac was constantly surrounded by Princess Snow White, a woman renowned as the most beautiful in the world. Recently, even the Priestess Miya seemed to be showing an interest in him. On top of that, other girls like Dorothy, Kaya, and Alice were always flaunting their closeness to him.
Among all these girls, how much space did she truly occupy in Isaac’s heart?
[What’s wrong, Luce?]
From the direction of the dressing table, the Thunderbird Galia—currently in the small, unassuming form of a crow—inquired.
“Galia, what do you think is attractive about me?”
[…Hmm.]
Caught off guard by the sudden question, the Thunderbird let out a low hum.
It’s starting again, the Thunderbird thought.
Luce Eltania was an eighteen-year-old girl completely inexperienced in the ways of love. She often found herself spiraling into deep contemplation over how to handle her first crush.
“Why aren’t you answering?”
[I think everything about you is attractive. It’s difficult to pick just one trait.]
“You’re just saying that.”
[N-no, I’m not! You’re like a daughter to me. It’s only natural for me to feel that way. But why the sudden question?]
“Well, I just…”
Luce stared intensely at her reflection.
“I want to become the kind of girl Isaac would go crazy for.”
[…!]
Galia’s eyes widened.
“I’ve been feeling this way more strongly lately. I really want that to happen.”
[Hmm, that’s not a bad mindset…]
Is she finally feeling the pressure? Good.
The Thunderbird felt a surge of joy, as if the day he would finally embrace a grandchild had moved one step closer. However, he fought to maintain his composure and hide his excitement.
[Listen carefully, Luce.]
The Thunderbird slightly raised one of his wings.
[It’s simple. If you want to become a woman Isaac would go crazy for, you need to become a woman who matches Isaac’s preferences. In that case, you need to find out what he likes first, right?]
“…”
[It seems you’ve never even tried to find out.]
“I haven’t.”
[Then subtly ask him. After that, slowly start aligning yourself with those preferences. I once tried to win the heart of a female Thunderbird I was interested in by learning what she liked. I adorned myself with rainbow-colored feathers and performed a courtship dance in a beautiful setting…]
“What happened?”
[She rejected me coldly. However, she did mention that she liked the courtship dance. Even if you’re initially destined for rejection, you can still make a positive impression by acting in line with their tastes. Since you’re already on good terms with Isaac, you have the perfect foundation.]
“Then why did you get rejected?”
[She said… she didn’t like my face.]
“Ah…”
Seeing the tears welling up in the Thunderbird’s eyes, Luce decided to drop the subject.
*
❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, 「Act 10, Chapter 1: Exchange Students」.
There wasn’t much to this part of the story. It was mainly centered around meeting the exchange students and engaging in casual conversation.
The highlight of Act 10 was supposed to be the sudden appearance of the demon Calgart in the Zelver Empire. However, since Calgart had already been dealt with during the summer break, Act 10 was effectively being skipped.
No need to worry about the side quests either.
One of the major side quests in the second semester of the second year was the Student Council President Election.
In the game, the player couldn’t run for office directly, but they could influence the outcome through side quests. According to the original scenario, my peer, Keridna Whiteclark, was destined to become the next Student Council President.
Keridna had always maintained amicable relationships with the student body. Her efforts would truly shine during the election. In the game’s side quest, Ian would help with Keridna’s campaign, and the reward was access to a specific map opened under President Keridna’s authority.
I can just go there myself.
I had already visited the location secretly early on. It was where the secret shop was located. Since there was no real merit in getting involved in the election, I planned to just be a bystander.
“Huff, huff…”
It was early morning. I was out for a jog, feeling the damp air fill my lungs.
My entire body was drenched in sweat. Yet, despite running faster than an average person’s full sprint, my breathing remained perfectly steady.
“Oh my, look who it is! Isn’t it Senior Isaac?!”
Suddenly, a male student approached me.
“Abel?”
“You remembered me! It’s an honor, haha!”
The sly male student with blue-gray hair, Abel Carnedas, fell into step beside me. We were both wearing the training uniforms of our respective faculties. He seemed to be out for a morning run as well.
“What’s up?”
“I just saw you and wanted to say hello! By the way, Senior Isaac, are you participating in the upcoming Academy Clash?”
“Looks like it.”
「Act 11: Academy Clash」 was an official scenario and a prime opportunity to earn massive amounts of EXP. Participating was a no-brainer.
“Oh, really? Wow, our dear Senior Isaac is going to elevate Märchen Academy’s prestige?”
“Think whatever you want.”
What’s with the ‘Our dear Senior Isaac’? Creepy.
“Kyaa! The Ice Sovereign participating in an inter-academy competition? Märchen Academy is going to be so hyped! Though for the other academies, it’s going to be a total massacre.”
His cheerful voice, friendly smile, animated gestures, and blatant flattery… his sociability was the polar opposite of his sister, Ciel.
“Not necessarily.”
“What?”
“There are rules in the competition, and I have to follow them like everyone else.”
I had an advantage, but the organizers wouldn’t let it turn into a one-sided slaughter. Who would want to watch such a boring event?
“…You’re very cautious, or perhaps I should say humble, Senior Isaac?”
“Are you participating too?”
“Would it make sense for me to stay out of such a heated battle…? Is what I’d like to say, but honestly, I lack the confidence. Haha. Class A students usually take all the spots, and I’m just at the top of Class B… If I don’t make the cut, I’ll at least be in the stands cheering for you!”
“Thanks for the sentiment.”
Listening to him, one would think we were sworn brothers, but we weren’t particularly close.
Despite his oily exterior, Abel possessed a fierce competitive streak. After last semester’s joint practical evaluation, he had even harbored a bit of a rivalry with me.
Since my true identity had been revealed, that rivalry seemed to have morphed into a sense of inferiority. He didn’t show it openly, but it was hard for him to hide his true feelings from me.
I responded with a polite, social smile.
“By the way, there was something you said last semester that I didn’t quite understand.”
“Yeah?”
“What did you mean by, ‘Take care of yourself’?”
It was something I had said when I visited White.
“No matter how much I think about it, the context seemed a bit off. It’s been bothering me ever since! Especially after it was revealed that you’re the Nameless Hero, you know?”
“Well, that’s…”
In the official scenario of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, there were three pocket watches that held tremendous influence.
The first was White’s Eternal Clock.
The second was Alice’s Phantasmal Clock.
The third was Abel’s Heavenly Clock.
For this reason, Abel was one of the people I kept a close eye on. The Heavenly Clock, like White’s, needed to remain with its owner, Abel. In due time, he would naturally come to understand this.
“I meant it literally. It was just a formal parting phrase.”
“Was it…? When someone like you says something like that, it scares ordinary people like me.”
Abel let out a cheerful laugh, trying to lighten the mood. Afterward, he changed the subject to the Frost Dragon, Hilde, mentioning that he wanted to observe her beautiful form up close.
I quickly declined.
*
“Hmm?”
In the hallway of Orphin Hall, I opened my locker and found an envelope. Someone had slipped a letter through the gap.
I opened it on the spot and read the contents.
Senior Isaac, I will be waiting at the entrance to the Butterfly Garden after class today. Please come.
>
• Miya
It was a letter from Miya.
I carefully folded the paper and put it back in the envelope. It seemed Miya had some free time in her academy excursion schedule.
Of course, I have to go…
“What’s that?”
“…!”
A chin rested on my shoulder, and a voice whispered into my ear with an intimately beautiful tone.
Startled, I whipped my head around. Luce was resting her chin on my left shoulder, peering closely at me.
When did she get so close?
Her dull blue eyes radiated a faint, sinister aura. It was a stark contrast to the pleasant fragrance she exuded.
“Luce…? What are you doing? Don't sneak up on me like that.”
“I was just happy to see you. Was it a bad time to say hello?”
“No, not really…”
Luce’s eyes tracked the letter as I slipped it back into my locker.
“What’s that letter about?”
Luce asked casually as I began pulling out the books I needed for class. There was nothing to hide.
“Oh, it’s a letter from the Priestess. She’s been involved with me in various matters, so she sent a note saying she wanted to talk.”
“Really?”
Luce stared intently at my locker. It was clear that Miya’s letter bothered her.
“That’s quite secretive, slipping a letter into your locker like that.”
“…?”
Luce narrowed her eyes and muttered softly before stepping back.
“Let’s go, Isaac. We’ll be late for class.”
“Ah, right…”
Luce and I walked down the hallway together. When another female student tried to pass me on my left, Luce quickly shifted her position to walk on that side, blocking the way.
“Isaac, there’s something I’m curious about.”
“What is it?”
“What’s your ideal type?”