Chapter 280: Chess (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 280: Chess (3)
“Alright, class dismissed.”
“…?”
The lecture was over.
It felt as though I’d been lost in a captivating game. The sound of the bell signaling the end of the period seemed to ring far earlier than usual.
Instructor Ron’s lecture had been dazzling, as polished as a golden ornament.
He never stumbled over his words, effortlessly commanding the students’ attention throughout the session. He explained the fundamentals with thorough precision and caught everyone off guard with ingenious tips during the application phase.
Even Ciel, who usually spent most of her life and class time asleep, had remained wide awake for Instructor Ron’s lecture.
She’d gone in with a "let’s see what you’ve got" attitude, but by the end, she looked genuinely impressed by his performance.
“And Isaac, I’d like a word with you. Please follow me.”
Instructor Ron looked at me and smiled.
I couldn’t read his intentions, so I had no idea what he was planning. For now, I simply followed. The Class A students watched me go, their eyes filled with suspicion.
Instructor Ron and I arrived at an empty office in Orphin Hall.
“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom for a moment.”
“Go ahead.”
I turned the corner and ducked into a secluded spot, leaning against the wall.
Hilde, stay alert.
[Understood, Master.]
I mentally signaled Hilde, who was summoned in her miniature form inside my shirt collar. She grasped the situation immediately.
I opened my status window.
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 156
Gender: Male
Year: 2nd
Title: Ice Sovereign
Mana: 169,500 / 169,800
- Mana Recovery Speed (A+)
I had gained two more levels during the vacation, bringing me to level 156.
What mattered now was the [Potential] section.
[Potential]
Stat Points: 149
◆ vs. Race Combat Power
• vs. Human Combat Power (A): 80/100 [UP]
• vs. Other Races Combat Power (E): 1/100 [UP]
• vs. Heavenly Beings Combat Power (E): 0/100 [UP]
• vs. Demon Combat Power (S): 100/100 [MAX]
I couldn’t read Instructor Ron’s—or rather, Vuel’s—mind.
However, Vuel wouldn’t dare confront me with some petty trick. He couldn’t afford to disrupt his own plans, and he likely misunderstood me to be a formidable opponent.
That’s exactly how I want it.
It was just a guess, but the probability was high. The power I’d displayed was undeniable; Vuel had experienced my ice magic firsthand.
Moreover, my outward appearance was that of the Ice Sovereign. Vuel must have concluded that defeating me wouldn't be an easy feat.
Furthermore, Vuel couldn't cause too much of a scene without risking exposure to the Heavenly God. If that happened, his plans would be ruined. He had every reason to be cautious.
The problem was that the Academy Clash was about to begin.
I need to prepare for the 「Fairy War」.
I had planned to invest my stats into [vs. Other Races Combat Power] for the 「Fairy War」, but Vuel’s sudden intrusion had disrupted that plan.
Currently, Vuel wasn’t armed. Heavenly Beings boasted extreme elemental resistance when fully geared, but that wasn't the case right now.
Even so, if Vuel decided to fight me in earnest, I knew exactly what would happen. I was confident I’d get utterly crushed.
Until the day the Heavenly Clock went into effect, he was essentially invincible. He was immortal. Neither the Academy’s forces, the Imperial Knights, nor Düpfendorf’s army could defeat the current Vuel.
The fortunate thing is his conviction…
I recalled the events of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
Vuel had rebelled against the Heavenly God for the sake of his cause. Despite his resolve, he had no intention of causing unnecessary casualties. However, he would likely deal decisively with anyone who stood in his way.
Considering Vuel had been in the wilderness when I defeated the King of the Dead, it was highly probable that he had already allied with the demons.
Moreover, in the original ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Vuel had never come to the academy.
In other words…
The demons have identified me as an obstacle, and Vuel is likely after my life.
Vuel had come to the academy specifically for me. Even if he wouldn't harm others immediately, he was undoubtedly aiming for my head.
However, if I recklessly dumped all my stat points into [vs. Heavenly Beings Combat Power], the 「Fairy War」 would become significantly more difficult.
In that case…
It would be better to ensure I had just enough strength to either confront him or escape if things went south.
I invested 80 stat points into [vs. Heavenly Beings Combat Power].
[Potential [vs. Heavenly Beings Combat Power] has been upgraded from E-Rank to A-Rank!]
This should be enough.
I had 69 stat points remaining. It wasn’t a perfect safety net, but it wasn’t bad.
I left the hallway and entered Instructor Ron’s office. He was placing his class materials on his desk, gazing at the sunset through the window.
“You’re back. Would you like some tea?”
“No, thank you. Please get to the point.”
“Then, by any chance, do you enjoy chess?”
He gestured toward the board on the table.
It was a Western-style game board with black and white pieces already set up. Although it was called "chess," it was distinctly different from the game I knew from my previous life, though the feel was similar.
Having played it often as a mini-game in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, I knew the rules well.
“Sit.”
Instructor Ron sat down in front of the board.
I stood still for a moment, trying to gauge his intentions, but he simply leaned back in his chair and chuckled, jerking his chin up arrogantly.
“You must already know that I am not human.”
Instructor Ron’s hair gradually turned white. The brilliant, blinding shade gave him an otherworldly appearance.
His eyes glowed with a holy aura, revealing his true nature. He was partially shedding his human guise to show his real self. The fact that he could assume a human form at all was undoubtedly thanks to the high-level Polymorph magic that Hilde had mastered.
Vuel deployed a soundproof barrier around us.
“Don’t you have something you want to say to me?”
“…”
I took off my glasses and sat across from Vuel.
“You’re the one who called me here to talk.”
I moved a black pawn and spoke calmly. Vuel smirked.
“There was a time I got caught in your magic. It was impressive. Your skills live up to your reputation.”
Vuel moved a white piece.
“You cast that spell knowing exactly who I was, didn't you? You targeted me as if you were swatting a fly.”
“You’re the one who broke the treaty. You were somewhere you shouldn’t have been, so I dealt with you accordingly.”
The treaty stated that Heavenly Beings were not to interfere in the human world. I possessed information that humans weren't supposed to know.
Vuel let out a small, incredulous laugh.
“You know about the treaty? A human…? What on earth are you?”
“That’s a question I should be asking you, considering you’ve intruded into this world.”
“…I made a misjudgment. I didn’t expect you to be like this.”
In the early stages of the game, Vuel and I alternated moves, setting up our respective formations.
“So, is that why you didn’t hesitate to try and kill me?”
“I knew you wouldn’t die. You’re immortal, after all.”
“…”
Vuel’s hand paused mid-move. He glared at me.
“You… just how much do you know?”
“Leave.”
“…”
“This isn’t your place. One warning should be enough.”
I met Vuel’s gaze with a cold stare.
Vuel exhaled deeply.
“It seems it’s no coincidence you’re harboring something terrifying inside you.”
He was likely referring to the creature with many eyes.
The ability to see through the essence of things wasn't exclusive to Dorothy. Whether it was the Elemental Kings or Vuel, once they reached a certain level of power, such insight became possible.
That mysterious, multi-eyed creature projected an aura of overwhelming power. In fact, the stronger my opponent was, the more likely they were to overestimate my strength because of it.
“But you know…”
Vuel leaned over the table, bringing his face close to mine. His cold eyes locked onto mine.
“Why does it feel to me like your display of strength is nothing more than a bluff?”
“…”
Vuel’s lips curled into a faint smile.
Is he testing me?
“If I’m wrong, then throw me out. Why aren’t you doing anything? Do you have a reason not to mess with me, Ice Sovereign?”
Cheeky bastard.
Vuel was immortal. No matter what I did, I couldn’t truly defeat him.
What if I tried to neutralize him? Vuel might be worried about that, but as I’d thought before, subduing him was incredibly difficult.
If Vuel felt backed into a corner, he might involve the Heavenly God. That would lead straight to the Bad Ending: 「Judgment of the Gods」.
Unless Vuel’s rebellion against the Heavenly God was objectively proven, I was the one at risk. The time to confront him would be when Abel’s Heavenly Clock was activated. At that point, everyone—including me and Vuel—would be in danger, but at least his immortality would be nullified.
“…I knew it. Perhaps you’ve become a coward because you know too much. This is quite a funny situation.”
Clicking his tongue, Vuel laughed and leaned back into his seat.
I still couldn’t read his mind. However, from that single statement, I could guess his train of thought.
For some reason, Isaac knows too much. Therefore, he knows he shouldn’t mess with me.
He must be thinking something along those lines. It seemed he hadn't yet concluded that I couldn't defeat him.
Right now, in Vuel’s eyes, I needed to remain an unfathomable being with unknown power. If my true strength was ever exposed, it was over.
“Ice Sovereign, do you know why I came to the academy?”
“…”
“Yes, someone like you must have figured it out.”
Vuel moved a piece and looked at me.
The sunset streaming through the window illuminated his mysterious eyes. Those eyes held deep conviction and unwavering determination.
“I have a purpose that I must achieve. To fulfill that purpose, I must eliminate you. I’m sorry, but I plan to erase you from this world.”
Vuel moved another piece, his voice devoid of malice. He spoke with an incredibly calm tone, as if he were simply stating an obvious fact.
“Do you really think that’s possible?”
I moved a piece in return, meeting his calm declaration of war with a cynical question.
Vuel, seemingly accustomed to my tone, gave a leisurely laugh.