Chapter 290: Academy Clash (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 290: Academy Clash (4)
Hans barely managed to cling to consciousness, his mind reeling amidst the agonizing pain.
His opponent was the Ice Sovereign—a wizard legendary for his mastery over frost.
But what on earth had just happened? How had he been so utterly defeated?
“A punch…?”
Yes, it had been a simple, physical punch.
Hans could hardly believe he had been laid low by a single strike from a wizard’s fist. The towering wall of pride he had built so high crumbled with pathetic ease. The sheer disparity in their skills threatened to sear a permanent scar of doubt into Hans’ heart.
“T-that had to be body-reinforcement magic, right…?”
“No… I didn’t feel a single spark of mana.”
“So that was just his raw physical strength? What kind of monster is he?! He’s supposed to be a wizard! What’s going to happen when he actually starts using ice magic…?”
Fear is a contagious disease. The spectators were just as stunned as the participants.
“I-is this what they were worried about…?”
“It wasn't supposed to be this one-sided.”
The Bethel Academy supervisor clicked his tongue.
“I thought witnessing the Ice Sovereign’s skills firsthand might intimidate the students, but…” The male supervisor’s brow furrowed deeply. “Who could have predicted he wouldn’t even need a single spell?”
The greatest ice wizard in the world hadn't used a speck of his element, yet his dominance was undeniable. The realization hit them like a physical blow: Isaac was not someone to be judged by human standards or logic.
Even the students from the most prestigious academies had been deluding themselves, thinking they stood a chance against Isaac under these rules.
“He didn’t even… find it worthwhile to use magic…”
Hans McGregor struggled to his feet, tossing aside the debris as he rose. He glared at Isaac, his face masked in blood.
“You think I’ll just accept this…!”
With a desperate burst of energy, Hans cast a body-buffing spell and lunged at Isaac.
“Van!!”
From a distance, streams of water and fire surged toward Isaac like twin dragons. It was Van McGregor’s long-range assault—a combined fire and water spell designed to trigger a massive steam explosion on impact.
His target was the Heartstone hovering beside Isaac.
“You’ll regret underestimating us!!”
Hans drew Item #23, the Reflective Shield, strapping it to his arm as he unleashed his own elemental magic.
Whooooosh!!
Boooom!!
The two elements collided, producing a blinding explosion of steam. It was a technique that required a master’s level of mana control. Hans’ goal was simple: obscure Isaac's vision.
Driven by a frantic desire for victory, Hans gripped his shield and began casting a water spell. But just as he was about to launch his attack…
“So predictable.”
“…!”
In an instant, Isaac pierced through the veil of steam, appearing directly in front of Hans. The air turned frigid, the sudden drop in temperature prickling the skin. For a split second, Hans saw Isaac’s right fist, clenched and radiating a lethal chill.
Simultaneously, a wall of ice surged up around the Heartstone.
Kwagagang!!
Van McGregor’s long-range attack slammed into the beautiful ice barrier, rendering the assault useless as it dissipated into nothingness.
Too late…!
Hans crouched in mid-air, raising his shield in a desperate defensive posture. At that exact moment, Isaac’s ice-covered fist collided with the metal.
Claaang!!
Craaack!!
The fist was harder than enchanted steel. It shattered the metal shield like glass and landed squarely in Hans’ solar plexus.
“Kugh!”
Hans felt his insides twist in agony, the force of the blow making him cough up a spray of blood.
Whoooo!!
Isaac deactivated the [Ice Wall].
A biting chill swept through the area. The surge of cold wind dispersed the remaining steam, and the [Ice Wall] crumbled into a shower of dazzling crystals.
Hans’ body was hurled through the air, rolling down the slope before crashing into a pile of debris. He barely held onto his consciousness, a rasping, delirious laugh escaping his lips.
“He b-broke… the shield…!”
He was fixated on the shield. How fortunate for him. Hans, his mind clouded by pain, could think of nothing but the technicality of the rules. Above Hans, mana particles converged, displaying the number ‘23’ in a bright glow, indicating which item had been destroyed.
Certain of his victory, Hans lifted his bloodied face, eagerly anticipating Isaac’s shock.
“I won, Ice Sovereign…”
Hans expected cheers. He expected the officials to declare his victory.
But only a heavy, suffocating silence greeted him. The faces of the other students were filled with a despair so deep it looked like they had lost all hope.
And then Hans saw it.
Floating above Isaac was the number “17”.
Hans’ mind went blank.
“Inspect… #17…”
As if responding to Hans’ trembling voice, the mana particles coalesced in the air, forming a description for all to see.
[Item #17 - Amulet of Protection]
Uses Remaining: 3
Rarity: Legendary
Effect: Nullifies any effect that would result in the user's elimination.
The numbers above Hans’ and Isaac’s heads faded away.
“D-didn’t they say Märchen Academy’s scout team hadn’t returned yet?”
“They shouldn’t have had any items yet!”
“How in the world did they get their hands on a Legendary item…?”
Amidst the students’ astonishment, Hans was speechless.
“How… why…?”
The hill now seemed like an unreachable mountain. Despite his underhanded methods, Hans hadn’t even forced Isaac to break a sweat. The realization wounded something deeper than his pride. His breathing turned ragged as the weight of his inadequacy finally took hold.
Isaac descended the hill, walking toward him. The students who had gathered to stop him now stepped aside, instinctively clearing a path.
“Ahh…”
Hans felt utterly insignificant. In total despair, he watched the silver-blue-haired boy approach.
“Just leave.”
As Isaac passed by, he reached down, plucked the badge from Hans’ chest, and tossed it aside. Hans bowed his head in defeat, frustration etched into every line of his face. It was time to face reality.
“Raizel Academy’s powerful contender, Hans McGregor, has been eliminated!!”
The announcer’s voice echoed, and officials arrived to carry the now-unconscious Hans away. The remaining students lost their initial bravery; none could bring themselves to face Isaac again. Feeling Isaac’s [vs. Human Combat Power] firsthand and witnessing Hans McGregor’s swift downfall had instilled a primal fear within them.
Whoooosh!!
Booooom!!
Once again, Van McGregor launched a long-range attack, combining fire and water to target Isaac. Isaac didn't even look. He simply conjured an ice magic circle in the air and launched an [Ice Spear] toward the source of the attack.
Whoooosh!!
Claaaang!!
The densely packed, mana-infused spear swirled with frost, colliding with Van’s spell. The combined fire and water attack was instantly overwhelmed by the [Ice Spear]’s sheer power. The resulting steam froze mid-air, and the spear surged forward, shattering Raizel Academy’s interception base.
Booooom!
The deafening explosion echoed, driving a new spike of fear into the hearts of the students.
“Unbelievable! Raizel Academy’s Heartstone has been destroyed!! Raizel Academy is out!!”
With the announcer’s declaration, the battlefield display updated. The message declaring Raizel Academy’s elimination glowed in bright, mocking letters.
The students were left speechless.
“This is impossible…”
“How can anyone defeat a monster like that…?”
The magnitude of his ice magic, the seemingly limitless range of his mana perception, and the surgical precision of his strikes—Isaac’s abilities were flawless.
Isaac’s steps finally halted in front of a male student with ash-colored hair. It was Noah Bartin, a low-ranking student from Bethel Academy.
“This is our first meeting, right?”
“I believe so…”
Noah and the student beside him broke into a cold sweat. Isaac’s steady red eyes radiated an overwhelming presence.
“Do you have business with me?” Noah cautiously asked, trying to maintain his composure. His hand hovered near the sword at his waist.
“I know you’re hiding your power.”
“…!”
Noah suddenly realized the truth. This silver-blue-haired boy was an Archwizard. Archwizards were said to possess extraordinary mana perception; it made sense that Isaac had detected the strength Noah had been suppressing.
Specifically, his iron mana.
“That power—bring it out.”
“What?”
Noah was taken aback by the calm command.
“I’m interested in that power. Show it to me.”
Isaac’s expression was gentle, but his voice carried the weight of absolute authority. Noah swallowed dryly.
“Is this related… to why you’re planning to end the game here?”
“Think what you will.”
“Excuse me, but… I’m going to draw my sword.”
Noah’s absurd declaration made his fellow student hiss, “You idiot!” but Isaac just smiled kindly.
“There’s no need to ask permission for that.”
“Thank you.”
Noah steadied his breathing and drew his blade, settling into a perfect combat stance.
“Who is that kid?”
“Does the Ice Sovereign see something in him?”
“He’s just a low-ranker, Noah Bartin… What kind of power could he possibly have?”
The students whispered among themselves, their focus shifting to Noah. The Academy Clash featured the elite of the Empire, yet Noah was a nobody who had barely made the cut. They couldn't understand why a figure like Isaac was interested in him.
But Isaac saw what they didn't. In his eyes, Noah’s status window told a different story.
[Noah Bartin]
Lv: 189
Race: Human
Elements: Lightning, Iron
Danger: Extreme
“Come at me,” Isaac said, his smile widening.
Noah took a deep, echoing breath.
And then—
[This… Master!!]
Hilde’s urgent cry rang out in Isaac’s mind.
Isaac’s eyes snapped upward. A heavy, suffocating mana suddenly blanketed the entire battlefield.
“…!”
Isaac and Noah looked up in shock. The other students and spectators followed their gaze, staring at the sky.
A low rumbling shook the heavens. Dark clouds coalesced with unnatural speed. Then, breaking through the gloom, a massive Greatsword appeared. Its overwhelming majesty dominated the horizon, radiating a pressure that made the air itself feel heavy.
It was an undeniably extraordinary phenomenon.
“Already…?”
Isaac’s eyes narrowed.
In the stands, Instructor Ronzainus grinned broadly at the sight of the giant blade.
This was the final boss of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, 「Act 11: Fairy War」.
It was the herald of the Iron Fairy, Rachnil.