Chapter 289: Academy Clash (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 289: Academy Clash (3)
The academies began to move in perfect unison.
Initially, a cautious atmosphere prevailed as they scouted for potential traitors, but they eventually reached a consensus. If a single powerhouse could dictate the entire flow of the game, it was better to join forces and eliminate him first.
*
Märchen Academy’s base. The central room.
In the corner of the room, Ciel Carnedas was soundly asleep on a spread-out blanket. By the window, Keridna Whiteclark leaned against the wall, peering cautiously outside.
“My familiar says something feels off…”
Keridna tensed, her eyes shifting toward me.
“The other academy students are advancing toward us.”
“I know without you telling me.”
I had already grasped the situation with [Clairvoyance].
Keridna glared fiercely. “You were expecting this, weren’t you?”
“More or less.”
“Haa… what’s your plan? Why would someone like you even participate in this game? It’s not like you have anything to lose.”
What kind of question is that? Isn’t that the sort of thing you’d ask a powerful villain blocking the protagonist’s path in a comic?
Usually, that’s when the villain starts spouting nonsense about wanting to destroy everything, tormenting people, or acting like a psychopath.
“To overturn it.”
“Huh?”
“I’m planning to end this game quickly.”
…When I answered, even my own response felt like something a villain would say.
❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ 「Act 11, Chapter 1: Academy Clash」.
The time limit for the Academy Clash was midnight the day after tomorrow. The reason for such an ample window was the game’s structure, which inevitably led to a prolonged war of attrition.
In the original scenario, it ended on the second night, right?
That showed how significant this event was in the game’s progression. Furthermore, the 「Fairy War」 was set to trigger immediately after the Academy Clash concluded.
Let’s go over the objectives again.
I recalled my reasons for participating in the Academy Clash.
The first goal is to fight Noah.
Noah Bartin, a participant from Bethel Academy, was a male student who wielded iron mana. Originally, he was meant to be the hidden powerhouse of the Academy Clash.
But because I joined, he was knocked off his throne as the strongest.
Regardless, Noah was the final boss of 「Act 11, Chapter 1」. In the game, he accidentally met Ian, formed an alliance, and played at being friends. In the end, only Märchen Academy and Bethel Academy would remain, forcing them into a final confrontation.
Noticing that Noah was holding back, Ian would deliver a speech with the typical eloquence of a protagonist, provoking Noah into unleashing his full iron might. It was something along the lines of: “We’re all fighting with everything we have, so why aren’t you?”
Ultimately, Ian would join forces with his companions to defeat Noah, gaining massive EXP in the process. In short, fighting Noah to practice against the power of iron and to farm EXP for the 「Fairy War」 was my primary objective.
The second goal is to finish this event as quickly as possible.
The Iron Fairy, Rachnil, would eventually come for Noah, seeking to absorb him for his iron-imbued mana. Afterward, it would occupy this area and gradually expand its territory.
If that’s the case…
If the Academy Clash ended quickly, we could properly prepare for Rachnil before the students were put in any real danger.
I don’t know the exact timing or method of Rachnil’s arrival.
The only certainty was that it would appear in Aldreque during the Academy Clash. My judgment was to make thorough preparations in a secure location.
Should we have stopped the event from happening in the first place? No, that wasn't the right move. During the Academy Clash, all sorts of influential figures were gathered in Aldreque. They were either powerful themselves or leaders of the strong. Even Emperor Carlos was present.
In other words, under imperial command, many powerful individuals would join forces to minimize the damage from Rachnil and protect the populace. This wasn't mere speculation; the same thing happened in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
Therefore, the Academy Clash had to proceed. My role was simply to end it quickly to ensure the students' safety.
Fortunately, everyone is targeting me.
It was a relief that the opposing students weren't cowards. They were promising talents, after all. To come up with the strategy of "teaming up to eliminate Isaac before Märchen Academy secures items" showed initiative.
Given the powerful items and traps scattered throughout the game, it was understandable that they found the courage to challenge me. But I was someone who had cleared ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ countless times. Even if I hadn't memorized every single item location, I knew where the useful ones were and exactly what they did.
The information disparity alone was overwhelming.
“Overturn the event… I see.”
“You’re not going to argue?”
“Why would I?”
Unexpectedly, Keridna’s reaction was calm.
“There must be an important reason, right? You’re not the kind of person who harms others without a thought.”
“Well, that’s a touching thing to say. Thank you…”
If I were in her shoes, I’d probably disapprove of someone trying to derail the event, regardless of the reason.
Have I actually become someone trustworthy?
“Go as wild as you want. As the Student Council President, you have my support.”
Keridna deliberately emphasized her title. Before the Academy Clash started, the student council election had taken place, and just as in the scenario of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Keridna had won.
It felt like walking a tightrope.
Not that I mind.
We didn’t share a deep emotional connection; it was more comfortable to have a professional, somewhat detached relationship with her.
It’s about time to head out.
“Well, I’m off.”
“Take care.”
I rose from the ice chair I had been sitting on. Since the game was still in its early stages, grabbing just a few key items would be enough.
*
The host’s voice boomed with excitement. “What on earth is happening?! A massive number of students are charging toward a single location! At the end of that path lies Märchen Academy’s base! Are they all attempting to take down the dominant contestant of this Academy Clash—that student?!”
Numerous students crossed the battlefield toward Märchen Academy’s base, turning the game into a 4-to-1 match from the very start.
The audience understood immediately. If they didn’t eliminate Märchen Academy first, the outcome of the tournament was a foregone conclusion. While some academies might have considered backstabbing their temporary allies, they knew doing so would only make them the next target.
From the beginning, every student assumed that confronting Märchen Academy was impossible without a united front.
Among the students advancing toward the base, a Bethel Academy student patted Noah’s back. “Noah, are you nervous?!”
Noah stared at his classmate with a hollow gaze. “A bit. Given who we’re up against.”
“True. But isn’t it exciting?”
“What is?”
“That we’re teaming up with our rivals to target a common enemy.”
Looking around, the field was a sea of different uniforms.
“The Subjugation of the Ice Sovereign.”
“What?”
“That’s what this is, Noah. If we fought the Ice Sovereign for real, we wouldn’t stand a chance—not even a speck of mana’s worth. But here, with these rules, it’s doable, right?”
“You’re… you’re too excited.”
“Of course! He’s a hero, a real hero! I’ve always wanted to see the Ice Sovereign in person! Even if it means teaming up with these other guys, how often do we get the chance to go head-to-head with him?”
“Ah, right…”
Like the student running beside him, the followers of Ice Sovereign Isaac were as numerous as the stars. To Noah, this was nothing new.
The Subjugation of the Ice Sovereign.
At first, many students felt immense fear when they heard the plan. However, once they realized there was a mathematical possibility of defeating Isaac under the game’s rules, that fear turned into adrenaline.
They would see the revered hero, the living legend, in the flesh. They would face his fabled ice magic. Such thoughts consumed them. That shared sentiment played a significant role in uniting the disparate academies.
“…!”
Noah’s eyes widened.
“What’s wrong, Noah?”
“I see him.”
With his sharp vision, Noah spotted someone ahead.
Atop a steep, ruin-like hill stood a man. The sunlight formed a halo around him, casting a faint shadow over his face, but the rushing students recognized him instantly.
A Heartstone floated beside him, radiating an oppressive pressure and a commanding charisma. The students advancing from other directions quickly took cover, freezing in place as they held their breath.
A heavy silence settled over the battlefield.
Every gaze was fixed solely on the young man atop the hill. They swallowed nervously, staring straight at the legend before their eyes.
“Is that… him?”
The new Archwizard from Märchen Academy.
Isaac.
“Quite a crowd.”
In contrast to his overwhelming charisma, Isaac wore a gentle smile. His round glasses softened his impression.
“Why is he the one to come out first…?”
“Could it be that he doesn't understand the rules of this game…?”
Given the nature of the event, where item effects and traps were game-changers, anyone would be in danger facing this many opponents at once. For Isaac, the guardian of Märchen Academy, to step forward alone was undoubtedly a reckless move.
However.
One student whispered, “No… maybe it’s the other way around.”
Seeing Isaac appear alone, as if he had anticipated this exact outcome, the students began to worry that he had already mastered the game’s mechanics. Isaac was a being beyond their comprehension. It was pointless to predict his thoughts or actions, but the students, blinded by the potential of their items and traps, failed to realize this.
Isaac spoke, his voice carrying clearly across the field. “I’m sorry if it feels like I’m disrupting the game.”
He paused, his smile remaining steady.
“But I’m ending it here.”
The students flinched, their shoulders trembling. If anyone else had made such a claim, they would have laughed. But from Isaac, the words carried the weight of an absolute decree.
“This can’t be…” Hans McGregor, a muscular young man, stepped forward, his voice filled with a mix of shock and admiration. He stared at Isaac with wide, intense eyes.
The two made eye contact.
“Yesterday, at the hot springs…”
“…”
Most of the students there didn't interest Isaac. Using [Clairvoyance], he had already located all their Heartstones. If he destroyed them, the game would end instantly.
Isaac’s true goal was to draw out Noah Bartin’s power. To do that, he needed to clear the field of anyone who would interfere. However, there was one exception: the young man standing before him, Hans McGregor.
Isaac had known Hans would be the first to step forward. He needed a scapegoat to set the tone, and Hans was the perfect candidate.
Isaac looked at him indifferently.
“Heh.”
Hans closed his eyes tightly, then reopened them with a faint, nervous laugh. He bowed his head deeply.
“Ice Sovereign, I have longed to meet you. I apologize for my rudeness the other night. Please forgive my ignorance.”
“Enough apologies. Get up here.”
Isaac took off his glasses.
“I intend to!”
Hans lifted his head, excitement surging at the prospect of the fight. He chuckled, channeling body-fortification magic into his legs before launching himself off the ground.
With a flash and a cloud of dust, Hans vanished. In an instant, he sprinted up the hill and reached Isaac. Water swirled around his right fist while fire encircled his left with fierce momentum.
“Ice Sovereign! Let us have a glorious battle!”
As Hans’s massive fist swung toward him, Isaac simply stepped back with one leg and casually clenched his own fist.
Wham!!
A heavy impact followed.
Hans didn’t even have time to scream. Only the sickening crunch of his jaw shattering echoed through the air.
Whoosh!
A beat later, a sharp gust of wind erupted, followed by a heavy, forceful pressure. Isaac’s fist, launched like a bullet, was exponentially faster and more devastating than Hans’s.
Whuuuush!
Boom!
Hans’s body shot through the air like a cannonball. He crashed through a building at the foot of the hill, tumbling across the ground as the structure crumbled into a cloud of debris.
“Ugh… gasp…”
The sound of Hans’s ragged, desperate breathing was the only thing that broke the silence.
“Next.”
Isaac’s calm declaration fell upon the speechless students like a death knell.