Chapter 28: Duel (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 28: Duel (2)
Leafa the Illusive. He was the final boss of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, 「Act 6, Chapter 3: Fictional Hell」.
His current level was lower than I remembered, but his elemental affinity made his identity unmistakable.
There was no reason for him to appear this early. 「Act 6, Chapter 3」 took place in the second semester of the first year. Fighting Leafa should have been a long way off.
In the original story, during the "Four Constellations" arc of the second semester, Leafa transformed into a human and befriended Ian Fairytale’s party. He had successfully infiltrated the academy by using illusion and perception-altering magic to manipulate everyone’s senses.
Any player who hadn't been spoiled would have seen Leafa and simply thought, “Oh, a new character,” before moving on. I had been the same way at first.
However, once the story reached 「Act 6, Chapter 3」, it was revealed that Leafa was a demon, and the subjugation battle began. At that point, his level was 150. I vividly remembered the difficulty being absolutely horrendous.
I don’t think I’d ever encountered a plot twist that massive before.
This meant that something I had done—some unknown variable—had triggered Leafa’s early appearance.
Leafa the Illusive was a demon who had manifested in this world a long time ago. He was one of the few demons intelligent enough to adapt to human society. Even though his ultimate mission was to assassinate Ian Fairytale, the wielder of the Light element, he was capable of extreme caution.
I quickly racked my brain.
Why was he here now?
…No way.
With a bit of thought, the pieces clicked into place.
Leafa had a close relationship with Alice Carroll, the Student Council President of Märchen Academy—a shadowy figure with her own agenda, manipulating events from behind the scenes. It was less of a friendship and more of a shallow alliance; they were the type to betray each other the moment it became convenient.
In the original story, it was common knowledge that the one dealing with demons was Ian Fairytale. Alice and Leafa only had to keep an eye on Ian. Even as a member of the Fairytale family, he could be trapped and killed when the time was right.
But now, the identity of the "Demon Hunter" was a mystery. Alice must have been desperate to find me. Seeing her reaction, Leafa likely became curious about this unknown entity as well.
He probably couldn't suppress his curiosity and decided to show himself early.
Since the "disruptor" first appeared during the Class Assignment Evaluation for the Magic Department, they were likely a student within that department. This duel evaluation allowed him to gauge the strength of every first-year magic student at once. It was a golden opportunity to unmask the hunter.
But this is way too fast.
The story had only just entered 「Act 3, Chapter 1」, yet the final boss of 「Act 6, Chapter 3」 was already on the move.
Currently, Leafa was only level 130. In a direct one-on-one, I might stand a chance, but Leafa’s specialty wasn't simple combat.
There was a reason the Leafa Subjugation was so infamous. The stage for that fight was [Fictional Hell], an 8-star spell capable of ruining an entire nation. It was a world that ignored the laws of reality, transcending the concept of mere illusions to create a literal hellscape.
It was a unique magic that no one else could replicate. It didn't emit mana; instead, it absorbed the surrounding mana into its own world, making it impossible to sense—much like a black hole absorbing light to remain invisible.
Inside that domain, Leafa was absolute—a god playing within a world of magic that belonged entirely to him.
Without knowing the specific "strategy," even a level 180 monster like Dorothy Heartnova would struggle to defeat Leafa once [Fictional Hell] was active. I couldn't let him reach that state. Furthermore, dying in that world meant the loss of one's soul. You would become a literal vegetable.
The "standard" strategy was simple: Don't get caught in [Fictional Hell] in the first place.
Damn, what do I do?
He loved to toy with humans. If he found the disruptor, he would likely trap everyone in Duke Hall and drag them into [Fictional Hell] for a game of death. Ian would be forced to struggle just to keep people alive.
So, what’s the move?
“Ha! Are you praying to the heavens? Too bad! You can’t see the sky from here! Hahahaha!” Tristan laughed loudly before clearing his throat.
I looked down at him.
I wasn't in a position to enjoy a leisurely duel. This wasn't just a test; it was a crisis.
I needed to get to the roof as soon as possible. But I couldn't just forfeit and run. As Professor Fernando had mentioned, the proctors were on high alert to subdue anyone acting suspiciously.
Because duels often caused adrenaline spikes, students sometimes acted out. Those who broke protocol were reprimanded and interrogated. If that happened to me, there was no telling how long I’d be detained. I wouldn't be free until the duel ended and the judges gave their feedback.
Furthermore, the rules stated I couldn't surrender within the first minute. I was stuck here.
Even if I planned to surrender later, Tristan’s magic would shred me within that first minute. He looked ready to beat me to death. If I took too much damage from Tristan, I wouldn't be in any shape to face Leafa the Illusive.
What if I just challenge Leafa right now?
My [Hunter] trait would activate, making me significantly stronger. But unless I wanted to be caught by Alice Carroll, it was best to avoid such blatant behavior in front of the entire student body. No matter how "private" these evaluations were, word always traveled.
Then the only option left is…
It was the best path forward.
I made my decision and glared straight at Tristan.
“The means are unlimited. No surrendering for the first minute. Now, show your opponent respect and prepare yourselves. Ready…! Begin!”
The referee gave the signal and leaped back.
The duel had begun.
“Kuhhhh! I’ve been waiting for this! This time, I’ll use my magic to ruthlessly tear that ugly face of yours apart!”
I tuned out his bluster. Focus. I couldn't afford a single mistake. In terms of level and mana capacity, he outclassed me in every category.
If we started trading blows, I was finished.
I’ll save the test of my pure magical skill for the next duel.
For now, I just needed to end this carefully and quickly.
I wrapped ice mana around my fingers and fired it toward Tristan.
*
Tristan was haunted by the humiliating memory of his defeat during the Class Assignment Evaluation.
A mere commoner with Grade E mana and zero skills. Tristan had lost because of poor tactics and, for some reason, the interference of Kaya Astrea.
Tristan gritted his teeth.
His entire life, he had been respected and held to the highest standards because he was special. Even at the prestigious Märchen Academy, he had secured a top rank because he was genuinely talented!
Therefore… it made no sense for someone like him to lose to a Grade E commoner. If something had gone wrong, it must have been a fluke.
Today, he would correct that mistake. He would make it clear to Isaac that a Grade E commoner couldn't even hope to reach his level. During the evaluation, he had simply let his guard down for a moment.
Rumble—!!
「Ice Wall (Ice Element, ★4)」
A wall of ice erupted from the ground, boxing Tristan in from all sides.
A mere distraction. Tristan channeled his mana into a sharp edge, manifesting a pale green blade in the air.
「Wind Sword (Wind Element, ★3)」
Slash—!
The condensed wind sliced through the [Ice Wall] as easily as a knife through cake. In the blink of an eye, the 4-star defensive spell collapsed into heaps of frozen rubble.
When the students saw a 3-star spell shatter a 4-star defense so effortlessly, they gasped. To them, it was only natural. [Elemental Firepower] represented the raw output of magic, and it was an objective fact that Tristan, an elite student, far surpassed Isaac, a bottom-tier failure.
“Haa.”
As if he had expected his magic to be shattered, Isaac made his next move the moment the wall fell.
“Processed Fog.” A thick, white mist billowed from a magic tool, swallowing the arena.
「Cold Divergence (Ice Element, ★1)」
As Isaac released a burst of cold air, the fog grew dense and heavy, turning into a blinding advection fog.
「Snow Pellets (Ice Element, ★2)」
Within the mist, Isaac unleashed a spell he had specifically prepared for this duel. [Snow Pellets] began to pelt the arena mercilessly, the clatter of ice masking all other sounds.
It was a barrage of tiny icicles crashing into the ground like hail. The purpose was obvious: to ensure Tristan couldn't hear where he was.
“Not again. Is this the only trick you have?”
Of course it is, because that’s all a Grade E commoner is good for!
Tristan’s lips curled into a sneer. He was starting to find this commoner’s struggle almost pathetic. Since the last evaluation, Tristan had trained relentlessly. He was now more than capable of handling basic defensive magic.
“Hiding like a coward.”
Oh, he’s trying to provoke me again.
How shallow. Ha! You think I’ll fall for the same tactic twice?
“Pathetic!”
Tristan thrust his right arm upward, casting wind magic. A pale green magic circle formed above his palm, and wind mana began to swirl violently. The resulting whirlwind barrier sucked in the dense fog.
「Wind Wall (Wind Element, ★4)」
Whoooooosh—!
“Ha! I, Tristan Humphrey, grow stronger with every passing second!”
The thick fog vanished, and the [Snow Pellets] were swept into the vortex. As the air cleared, the arena was revealed—and so was Isaac, who was sprinting directly toward Tristan.
As he ran, Isaac pressed his fingers together, gathering ice mana in the gap between his palms.
Wait, what kind of speed is that…?!
Almost there. I’m faster than I expected!
Tristan tried to retreat, but his feet wouldn't budge. He glanced down and saw that the soles of his shoes were frozen solid to the floor.
It wasn't just his shoes. The entire arena was coated in a layer of frost.
「Ice Generation (Ice Element, ★1)」
When did he—?!
The “Processed Fog” Isaac used was water-based. Even if his [Elemental Firepower] was weak, his [Elemental Synergy]—which enhanced the combined effects of different elements—couldn't be ignored. By cooling the moisture he had spread, he had frozen the arena floor thick enough to trap Tristan’s feet.
Pale blue mana condensed in Isaac’s hand. A magic circle flickered into existence, following his movement. Isaac gripped the mass of mana and thrust it toward Tristan.
“You think I’ll let you?!”
Tristan didn't know what spell was coming, but he wasn't about to take it lying down. Today was the day Isaac would be ground into dust. Today, Tristan would wash away his disgrace.
Tristan deactivated his [Wind Wall] and swung his left arm, which was wreathed in wind mana, in a wide arc.
At that exact moment, the pale blue mana in Isaac’s hand exploded.
「Frost Explosion (Ice Element, ★5)」
「Whirlwind (Wind Element, ★4)」
KABOOM—!!
WHOOOOOOOO—!!
“Shut up!”
Tristan’s scream was drowned out by the roar of the ice explosion.
The [Whirlwind] shattered the mass of ice instantly, sending jagged shards flying through the air. However, the concussive force of the explosion still hit home.
The resulting pressure wave sent Isaac tumbling back like a ball. He rolled across the floor for a moment before springing back to his feet, relatively unharmed.
“Haa.”
Tristan’s spell hadn't hit him directly, so there was no real damage. The wind pressure from the collision of [Frost Explosion] and [Whirlwind] had merely knocked the wind out of him, feeling like a heavy punch to the gut.
“How?”
“Wait… did I misread that student’s file?”
Bewilderment and confusion filled the judges' eyes. A Class D student, who was supposed to have Grade E mana, had just cast a 5-star spell—something most first-years couldn't even dream of accessing.
The judges began frantically shuffling through their papers, re-checking Isaac’s profile to see if they had made a mistake.
The spectating students were equally stunned, their faces filled with disbelief.
“What just happened…?”
“That was a 5-star spell, wasn't it?”
“Isaac used 5-star magic? But his mana is Grade E…!”
The atmosphere around the arena turned chaotic. For Tristan, it was a humiliating nightmare. His uniform was tattered, as if pierced by a thousand thorns, and his skin was mottled with frostbite and bruises.
Fortunately, his [Whirlwind] and [Basic Protection Magic] had softened the blow of the [Frost Explosion].
“Keukh…”
He groaned, staggering in pain before forcing himself upright. He glared at Isaac with eyes full of murderous rage. He activated [Wind Sword] and shattered the ice binding his feet.
He stomped on the frozen shards, his fury evident in every movement. Amidst the lingering cold air, a violent gale began to rise.
「Wind Generation (Wind Element, ★1)」
As if fueled by Tristan’s rage, a pale green wind swept fiercely across the arena. A massive whirlwind began to form between his outstretched hands.
“A Grade E commoner… wounded me again…!”
“You let your guard down again, Tristan.”
“…?”
In his fit of rage, Tristan had focused entirely on offense, leaving himself wide open.
Isaac calmly clenched his left hand, which had been hidden behind his back. The flow of mana in his palm ceased.
「Ice Generation (Ice Element, ★1)」
Without warning, a massive block of ice that had been forming high above Tristan’s head plummeted.
CRASH—!
“Gah!”
The ice block struck Tristan squarely on the head. Several female students screamed in shock as Tristan staggered and fell to his knees, the chunk of ice rolling away.
Blood trickled down his forehead, staining his face a gruesome red.
“Ah… ugh…!!”
Tristan forced himself up, his teeth gnashing with a sickening click.
“UGHHHHHH!!!”
His rage exploded.
The damage he had taken this time was far worse than during the Class Assignment Evaluation. Thanks to his [Basic Protection Magic], he was still conscious, but the direct hit had caused him to black out for a split second.
Shuddering, he stood up and raised his right arm. Pale green magic circles materialized in double and triple layers. Tristan often boasted of his "limitless mana." The wind whipped menacingly—a swirl of "almighty" mana intended to strip the flesh from Isaac's bones.
Isaac had no chance left. He would now have to endure the full wrath of a vain, blood-soaked noble.
“Are you done? Good. It’s my turn now. I am going to kill you—right here, right now!”
They say anger is a catalyst for awakening. Tristan, fueled by pure spite, was unleashing a torrent of mana that felt heavy enough to crush anyone nearby. The students watched, gulping instinctively. Even from the stands, the pressure was overwhelming.
Isaac was finished. Tristan’s magic was about to tear him to pieces without mercy.
“Yes, I surrender.”
…Or it would have, if the fight had continued.
Isaac calmly raised his hands. Exactly one minute had passed since the start of the duel; a quick glance at the clock above the judges confirmed it.
“…Huh?”
As if he’d heard something impossible, Tristan’s expression froze in shock. His concentration snapped, the wind mana dissipated, and the magic circles vanished into thin air.
“Student Isaac…? Are you aware that by surrendering, you lose the opportunity for feedback…?”
“Yes, Judge. My opponent is simply too strong. It’s a shame, but I forfeit.”
No, you can’t…!
Don’t you dare say that! The fight was just starting…!
And don't you dare look that refreshed! Don't act like you're satisfied with a "good fight"!
“I lost. It was a good match.”
Isaac gave Tristan a light, acknowledging pat on the shoulder and walked away.
In that moment, time stood still for Tristan.