Chapter 306: Academy Clash — Interlude (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 306: Academy Clash — Interlude (3)
Suddenly, a colossal wave of mana surged, blanketing the entire area.
The people tending to the devastation left behind by the Iron Sanctuary froze in their tracks, taken-back.
It was Isaac’s mana. In Aldreque, his signature was unmistakable.
The sheer pressure of the emanating mana felt like a physical weight, as if gravity itself had suddenly intensified.
Crackle!
A massive ice barrier erupted from the ground.
Anyone with even a shred of mana sensitivity realized instantly that no one present possessed the strength to breach that frozen wall.
The interior of the pale blue barrier was completely opaque, masking whatever was happening inside. Only the rhythmic shaking of the earth and muffled, thunderous booms hinted at the violence within.
“What’s happening?!”
“The Ice Sovereign has erected a barrier! We believe he’s engaged in combat!”
The evacuees remained huddled in their shelters. Within the confines of the ice, there was only Isaac and his mysterious foe.
Isaac had likely raised the barrier to contain the collateral damage.
“Everyone, get into formation! Be ready to support the Ice Sovereign the moment that barrier falls!”
The Imperial Forces rallied, forming ranks near the ice wall and bracing for battle. Just when they thought the crisis had passed, a fresh wave of tension gripped Aldreque.
*
Inside the ice barrier.
Isaac and Vuel were locked in a savage exchange, their movements a blur as they darted across walls and rooftops.
Vuel could only exert his full potential when armed. Unarmed, even with the backing of Divine Power, he was no match for Isaac.
As the pinnacle of power in this world, Isaac was a force that even a high-ranking Heavenly Being couldn't contend with in a raw brawl.
[Is this a tantrum? Fine, have it your way! At least it's a justifiable reason!]
Vuel unfurled his shimmering white wings.
The two figures launched themselves from a rooftop, colliding mid-air. Isaac threw a punch wreathed in freezing mana; Vuel countered with a fist glowing with Divine Power.
Boom!!
A violent shockwave rippled through the air.
Isaac’s strike froze and then shattered Vuel’s fist on impact, the sheer force sending half of the celestial’s body spiraling away. The disparity in their raw strength was staggering.
However, as light coalesced around the wound, Vuel’s missing limbs rapidly regenerated.
Vuel launched counterattack after counterattack, but his efforts were futile. Every strike was neutralized; every blow was parried. Without his immortality, even a hundred lives wouldn’t have been enough to survive this encounter.
Crack!
Boom!!
Isaac seized Vuel by the head and slammed him into the ground, triggering a [Frost Explosion] that tore through Vuel’s arms, legs, and wings.
Vuel screamed, but the destroyed parts of his form were instantly replaced by light, knitting back together in seconds.
[So, you truly intend to see this through to the end?] Vuel asked, his voice thick with suppressed rage.
The wind whipped fiercely around them, tugging at their hair and clothes.
“To the end? Are you confident you can handle that? It’ll be a problem for you too if your plan falls apart here, won't it?”
[You really do know everything, don’t you…! You arrogant wizard, how far ahead can you see? Why is it that you can perceive things that should remain hidden?!]
Crash!!
Isaac and Vuel slammed into the earth.
Vuel’s entire body was pulverized into fragments. Isaac stood over the carnage, crushing the shattered remains beneath his heel.
The scattered pieces of Vuel’s body, saturated with Divine Power, reassembled themselves once more, restoring him to his original form.
“I’m not sure. Right now, I just don’t want to deal with anything complicated…”
A murderous glint flashed in Isaac’s eyes.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing you get wrecked a little first.”
Isaac launched another relentless onslaught.
Crack!!
As Isaac continued his endless, brutal cycle of violence against Vuel, his mind drifted through the corridors of his memory.
—The second method is for you to come to the Icy Lake. To come here alive and obtain the ultimate ice magic.
Those were Dorothy’s words from the first timeline.
—You already knew, didn’t you? If you stay alive, you’re destined to become a disaster.
The words the Iron Fairy Rachnil had spat at Dorothy.
Before long, Isaac would have to confront the Nether King to reach the Icy Lake.
He was certain of one thing: he couldn't defeat the Nether King. Even with the power of the status window, he didn't stand a chance against such an entity.
Still, he would do whatever it took to ensure this journey wasn't in vain. He chose to believe that, somehow, things would work out. He had been pushing forward with everything he had.
Why is everything falling apart?
The revelation that Dorothy’s survival was tied to a coming catastrophe filled Isaac with a profound, gnawing uncertainty. The weight of having to eventually defeat the Evil God pressed down on him like lead.
To cope with that burden, he had no choice but to drive himself forward without rest. That was exactly what he had been doing. Even when it felt like he was breaking, he had resolved to survive alongside everyone else, because he finally had the power to make it happen.
But why, then, was Dorothy constantly being pushed toward the brink of death?
—Are the two of you in love with each other now?
Whenever he recalled Dorothy’s words from the first timeline, Isaac felt a sharp, suffocating tightness in his chest.
Dorothy must survive.
Because she’s precious to me.
Because she’s a radiant, lovable person.
His insides churned like boiling water. The fury he harbored was unleashed entirely on Vuel—the damned Heavenly Being who had backstabbed him, derailed his plans, and nearly caused countless deaths.
[I see…]
Vuel, held aloft by the throat, steadied his breathing. His body had been broken dozens of times, yet his immortal form cruelly continued to regenerate.
Vuel was no stranger to pain. His past was drenched in the stench of blood.
Isaac’s eyes were bloodshot. Though he wasn't physically exhausted, his breathing was ragged with emotion. Vuel’s eyes narrowed as a realization dawned on him.
[You… you’re bearing quite the burden.]
Isaac’s brow twitched.
True understanding between individuals was rare. Past experiences weren't something that could be easily shared. The best anyone could offer was empathy based on their own scars—a feat only those with a certain level of depth could manage.
The pain and tears of the past stirred Vuel’s long-hardened sorrow. For a fleeting moment, he felt he understood Isaac, if only a little. It was like looking at a reflection of his own bloodstained history.
[Ice Sovereign Isaac.]
Vuel’s body became engulfed in a radiant aura of Divine Power.
[I offer you my respect. Yes… I truly admire you.]
“…”
[But I cannot back down either.]
Vuel recalled the faces of the many comrades he had lost.
[In a way, it’s a relief that you are the one standing as our enemy.]
It was a relief. If a man like this was his opponent, Vuel felt he could accept the outcome, whether his grand design succeeded or failed.
“Shut up.”
Isaac responded coldly, smashing Vuel’s head into the dirt once more.
*
When I finally dispelled the ice barrier and stepped out, the Imperial Forces greeted me with expressions of pure shock.
I adjusted my glasses and offered them a reassuring smile, explaining that I had been mopping up the remaining demons to secure the perimeter. Since the "battle" had taken some time, they seemed convinced I had been locked in a life-or-death struggle with a high-tier threat, and the soldiers showered me with praise.
They probably couldn't sense the Divine Power.
It had been masked by the sheer density of my own mana. Even if they had caught a whiff of it, recognizing it as Divine Power wouldn't have been easy for them.
…He’s already gone.
Vuel had vanished. Regardless, any confrontation with him before the appointed day would be meaningless.
So, was that fight just me blowing off steam? Yeah, that’s exactly what it was.
But I had made sure he understood one thing: I could bring him agony whenever I pleased. That was enough for now.
It would’ve been better if I could have restrained him.
A pang of regret hit me. I couldn't completely neutralize Vuel. If he ever judged that his plan was failing and summoned the Heavenly God to escape, both of us would suffer catastrophic consequences.
I would be judged by the Heavenly God and lose my life. Vuel and his subordinates would be imprisoned for eons, missing the one-in-a-million opportunity when the Heavenly Clock and the Black Stone’s mana aligned.
It was a game of chicken where both sides were hurtling toward disaster.
Yet, Vuel had decided to remain at the academy, likely to keep an eye on me. By now, he had probably changed his clothes and resumed his role as Instructor Ronzainus.
I had no choice. I’d have to keep him under constant surveillance.
Is there a way to trap him in a nightmare?
I quickly dismissed the thought. Alice’s powers wouldn't affect him. Even the nightmare-inducing properties of the Vorpal Sword had their limits; they were useless against those with transcendent strength.
Vuel was a high-ranking Heavenly Being. He was merely biding his time. Among the demonic ranks, he was on par with entities like Thanatos the Ruination or the Abyss. Naturally, mental interference wouldn't work.
Haa, whatever.
I was desperate to get back to the others. I quickened my pace.
At that moment, someone hugged me from behind.
I had already sensed them. Knowing who it was, I hadn't bothered to stay on guard.
“Luce?”
I turned my head slightly. I saw a girl with rose-gold hair burying her face against my back. She smelled wonderful.
I guess she changed her perfume.
The fragrance was subtle, but I recognized it instantly. She was the one who had stayed by my side the most during our time at the academy.
“What are you doing?”
“Becoming one with you.”
“You know, society usually calls this a ‘back hug’.”
“Doesn’t matter. Let me stay like this for a bit. Just a little longer.”
Luce tightened her grip.
Come to think of it…
While Luce had been a spectator, I had been trapped inside the Iron Sanctuary. As a genius and a formidable combatant, she would have immediately understood the danger of a malevolent fairy dragging me into a private realm. She must have been terrified.
Without my meta-knowledge of the game, I would have died at Rachnil’s hands long ago.
I couldn't imagine the depth of Luce's worry. She cared for me deeply.
But…
“Luce, could you let go for a second? Everyone’s watching…”
There were too many eyes on us.
“Who cares?”
“I do. This is embarrassing…!”
“It’s fine. Just think of them all as fish.”
You can actually think that way? Impressive.
“Isaac.”
“Hmm?”
“I was worried.”
“Yeah… I’m sorry.”
“I was so worried.”
“I know.”
“I was seriously worried.”
“I know…”
Luce’s voice was as soft and melodic as ever, but her quiet whisper carried a hint of bittersweet emotion.
“Don’t make me worry anymore.”
“I won’t.”
“I don’t trust you. You’re staying with me from now on.”
“Alright, fine…”
As Luce squeezed me tighter, a helpless smile escaped my lips. The lingering tension from the fight with Vuel slowly melted away. Luce’s embrace was warm.
*
In the dead of night, on the top floor of Hegel Tower, inside Aria Lilias’s laboratory.
While Aria was inspecting her bookshelves, she sensed a slight anomaly and began examining the layers of barriers protecting the lab.
“Huh?”
It didn't take long to confirm her suspicions. One section of the barrier surrounding the bookshelf was slightly distorted. The disruption was so faint she had nearly overlooked it.
Someone tampered with the barrier and then restored it…
Aria furrowed her brow. This was the work of someone exceptionally skilled.
Could it have been an outsider? No. Anyone unregistered would have been flagged the moment they stepped into Hegel Tower.
That meant the intruder was someone with unrestricted access to the lab. Her circle of trust was small, consisting only of a few carefully selected individuals.
Could it be Isaac?
…No. We’re more like comrades who share secrets.
If he were curious about something, he would simply ask. He had no reason to sneak in.
The other wizards of the tower?
No, they lacked the finesse. Aria had designed these barriers herself. This feat required a profound understanding of barrier structures, the ability to calculate spatial distortions, and high-density mana mastery.
Which means…
There was only one person capable of this.
“Luce Eltania…?”
Luce. For reasons unknown, she had secretly infiltrated Aria’s lab with a specific goal in mind.
Aria felt a cold knot of dread form in her stomach.
“Haa… a disciple who betrays my trust so casually…”
Aria closed her eyes and let out a long, weary sigh.