Chapter 304: Academy Clash — Interlude (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 304: Academy Clash — Interlude (1)
Words failed to describe it.
The heavy silence hanging over Aldreque was all because of a single man.
“Ah…”
9-star magic. A world-ending power whose manifestation was recorded only in the deepest reaches of history.
Though its existence was known, it had long been dismissed as mere myth or legend. Even for Archwizards, witnessing such magic firsthand was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Furthermore, a transcendental magic beast capable of laying waste to the world several times over had descended as Isaac’s familiar.
Just how high had Isaac ascended? It was a height the people could not even begin to fathom.
“The Ice Sovereign…”
The students participating in the Academy Clash stood with their mouths agape.
The outer walls of the tournament stage had been swallowed by a sea of iron, leaving an unobstructed view that stretched far into the distance. Having witnessed the unparalleled power of humanity’s greatest, they remained frozen in silent awe.
It was an insurmountable wall. Yet, for that very reason, he became a beacon of inspiration.
To the students, Isaac was a figure of true adoration. Just living in the same era as him felt like a profound honor.
Cutting through snow flurries, summoning primordial light, and riding atop a white dragon—the image of the Ice Sovereign would be etched into the annals of history as an eternal legend.
“…Damn it.”
Tristan Humphrey clenched his fists until they shook.
It was overwhelming. Any human would feel a sense of reverence in the face of such power. No matter what insights he gained or how much stronger he became, the possibility of surpassing Isaac as he was now seemed nonexistent.
Yet, he vowed to do it anyway. That resolve would not waver.
For now, he silently paid his respects to the goal he chased: Isaac.
“Prepare to welcome the hero.”
“Your Majesty?”
Emperor Carlos gazed at Isaac returning to Aldreque on the back of the white dragon, his eyes gleaming with pride.
“He is the beacon of hope and light bestowed upon humanity.”
Emperor Carlos closed his eyes and let out a soft, satisfied laugh.
“He shall be my son-in-law.”
“What?”
His tone was almost boastful. Merlin stood by, utterly bewildered, unable to process the Emperor’s sudden declaration.
*
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 178
Gender: Male
Year: 2
Title: Ice Sovereign
Mana: 93,500 / 639,300
• Magic Recovery Speed (S)
I was soaring leisurely back toward Aldreque on Hilde’s back.
The battlefield where I had fought Thanatos was a wasteland that had already been ravaged once by Cavillion, the Floating Island. The already desolate land, devoid of life, had turned even more barren after our clash.
Well, perhaps it would be developed into something useful someday.
My mana capacity is enormous now.
Even without the buffs from ‘vs. Race Combat Power,’ I’ve officially ascended to the ranks of humanity’s strongest.
This spec was based on my pure, base abilities, which made the realization even more gratifying. Now, it was time to allocate my accumulated stats.
[Potential]
Stat Points: 118
◆ vs. Race Combat Power
• vs. Human Combat Power (A): 80/100 [UP]
• vs. Other Races Combat Power (A-): 70/100 [UP]
• vs. Heavenly Beings Combat Power (A): 80/100 [UP]
• vs. Demon Combat Power (S): 100/100 [MAX]
That’s a massive haul of stat points.
My priorities were clear. To max out the remaining categories, I needed a total of 70 points. I had more than enough.
I tapped the status window and dumped the points in. A cheerful chime echoed in my mind as several system windows flooded my vision.
[Potential [vs. Human Combat Power] has been improved from A to S!]
[You have acquired the unique trait [Conqueror]!]
[Potential [vs. Other Races Combat Power] has been upgraded from A- to S!]
[You have acquired the unique trait [Apex Predator]!]
[Potential [vs. Heavenly Beings Combat Power] has been upgraded from A to S!]
[You have acquired the unique trait [Accuser]!]
In terms of raw combat, I had now reached the absolute pinnacle of this world. Suddenly, a triumphant fanfare rang out in my head.
[Congratulations! You have braved countless trials and have now realized your full potential!]
[You have acquired the unique trait [Archwizard’s Domain]!]
[You have acquired the unique trait [Divinity]!]
“Huh?”
What is this?
There wasn't usually a special reward just for maxing out the vs. Race Combat Power, but if you also maxed out [Growth Speed], you could obtain the unique trait [Archwizard’s Domain]. It was essentially a final boss perk.
[Archwizard’s Domain] was akin to the legendary realm of an Archwizard. It allowed for the manipulation of maximum mana and the ability to transform into elemental forms, much like the Elemental Kings. In essence, I could now assume the mantle of an Archwizard.
Additionally, I could freely adjust the buffs from [vs. Race Combat Power].
Yeah, this is just like in the game…
But what on earth is this [Divinity] trait?
This definitely wasn't in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
Did something like this exist in the first round?
I couldn’t remember.
For now, I’ll focus on boosting ‘Elemental Resistance’ instead of worrying about [Divinity].
Stat allocation came first. I had 48 points left. I possessed an item, the Elemental Bracelet, that could temporarily boost a specific resistance by 40. Therefore, my goal was to raise all my base Elemental Resistances to 60.
The resistances currently below 60 were Rock, Wind, and Neutral. I boosted them all.
[Elemental Resistance [Rock Resistance] has been upgraded from B to B+!]
[Elemental Resistance [Neutral Magic Resistance] has been upgraded from B to B+!]
[Wind Resistance] was already B+, so no notification appeared. Now, I had 11 stat points left. I decided to save them for a rainy day.
Next, [Divinity]…
I tapped the status window and selected the new trait.
[Divinity]
Increases the effect of one unique trait among [Conqueror], [Apex Predator], [Accuser], or [Hunter] by 1.5 times, while sealing the effects of all other unique traits. When [Divinity] is deactivated, the unique traits return to their original state.
Activation Requirements
■■■■■■■■ ■■■■
[Would you like to activate the unique trait [Divinity]?]
[Yes] / [No]
Does this even make sense…?
The effect was simply too good. Boosting vs. Race Combat Power by 1.5 times was an astounding multiplier. In a way, it was the exact ability I needed most.
But what are the activation requirements?
For some reason, the conditions were obscured by a mosaic. I fiddled with the window, but the blur remained. Since there was no immediate need to use it, I opted for [No].
Buzz.
It lasted only a fraction of a second. A brief, sharp sound echoed in my mind.
Static?
It was so fleeting that I couldn't be sure if I’d actually heard it. For a split second, it felt as though countless eyes had filled the system window.
“…”
Could this be a lingering hallucination from the Trial of Sandstone? It felt like a figment of my imagination, but an unsettling sensation lingered in my chest. Just in case, I didn't dismiss the feeling entirely.
I pressed [No] and closed the window.
Soon after, we arrived at the Academy Clash stage in Aldreque. A massive crowd was there to welcome me.
To say they "welcomed" me was an understatement. More accurately, they knelt on one knee and bowed in deep reverence. Not just the students, but the Imperial Knights as well, who had gathered to secure the area.
Among the students, some were injured, but none were critical, and fortunately, there were no fatalities. Ian regained consciousness upon arriving in Aldreque, and he, too, was being treated like a hero, his shoulders squared with newfound pride.
Before long, the Elemental Kings shifted back into their elemental forms and departed, their trails visible across the sky.
Did they mention that the mysterious monster is Ozma?
I pondered the thought as I slid on my round Rebella’s Glasses. I never expected to overhear such crucial information about myself from the Iron Fairy, Rachnil.
The mysterious monster inside me was "Ozma." The first kin of Stella, the Star Fairy.
She shares the same name as Princess Ozma from The Wizard of Oz.
But the name wasn't the point. The story of Stella’s first kin was a thing of legends in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, and it was the same here. I would need to discuss Ozma with the Tower Master of Hegel, Aria Lilias, very soon. I was also curious about the story she had been waiting to tell me.
Dorothy…
The person I was most concerned about, however, was Dorothy.
Rachnil had mentioned that Dorothy possessed the potential of a Transcendent Being and would become the catalyst for a great disaster if she remained alive.
It must have been a devastating shock. Dorothy had fought so hard to survive until now. She had clawed her way through life. Just as she escaped a terminal fate, learning that her very existence was a curse upon the world must be an unbearable burden. I couldn't even begin to imagine her pain.
But Dorothy looked fine. Her relief at the resolution of the incident seemed like her usual self. In fact… it looked to me like she was desperately trying to conceal her inner turmoil.
“We made it, President! We won!”
“Yeah, we did.”
Dorothy and I bumped fists, basking in the victory. She let out her signature “Nihihi” chuckle. I purposely didn't bring up what Rachnil had said; it was a conversation best saved for a quieter moment.
The aftermath was being handled smoothly. Emperor Carlos, the Imperial Knights, the Imperial Wizards, and various dignitaries had all converged on Aldreque.
I should concentrate on my own affairs.
For now, there was something else I needed to handle.
“Alice.”
In a secluded spot, Hilde transformed into her human form and pulled on some casual clothes from my magic pouch. I took Hilde, Dorothy, and Kaya to a temporary base within the Academy Clash stage.
“Welcome, Darling.”
Alice greeted us, sitting cross-legged in a chair with her chin resting in her hand. Next to her was a female student, bound and unconscious. She seemed to be trapped in a nightmare, sweating profusely and looking distressed.
With deep blue hair, it was Methel Valencia—a level 185 Heavenly Being who had tried to eliminate me earlier.