Chapter 307: Academy Clash — Interlude (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 307: Academy Clash — Interlude (4)
Eve Ropenheim quickened her pace.
The moment she heard Isaac was competing in the Academy Clash, she had rushed to Aldreque to cheer him on. She never could have imagined that a disaster as catastrophic as a fairy attack would occur.
A raging sea of iron had swallowed the collapsing grandstands of the arena.
—What should I do?! Isaac, what do I do?! Big sister will save you, Isaac!!
Overwhelmed by worry, Eve had screamed until her throat felt like it would burst. She had nearly been cut down by the rain of swords before being forcibly dragged to a shelter.
From the moment Isaac broke through the Iron Sanctuary and slayed the giant demon, his story had spread to every corner of Aldreque.
Archwizard. Ice Sovereign.
She could hardly wrap her head around the fact that her brother had become such a formidable figure, bearing titles that commanded such awe. It was a stark contrast to the frail Isaac she remembered—the boy who would sob after being bullied by the neighborhood kids.
Yet, the sheer power Isaac had displayed was undeniable.
But still... how can anyone cast world-ending magic three times in a row? And that iron gate in the sky, and the terrifying beast that emerged from it...
As Eve looked upon the unbelievable scene her brother had created, her face paled with reverence. She felt as though she might faint.
Now, even the title of Archwizard—the pinnacle of human achievement—didn't seem like enough for Isaac. Humanity would need to forge a new title just for him. A title that symbolized him alone.
“Isaac...”
She didn’t know how to look at her brother anymore. Just thinking of his lovely face filled her with a sense of overwhelming awe. She feared that if they actually met, she might accidentally start addressing him with formal honorifics without even realizing it.
Still, Eve’s heart ached to see him.
I want to see him. I want to comfort him and ask if he was scared... I want to hold him...
When the massive ice barrier rose over Aldreque, Eve used it to pinpoint Isaac’s location.
Is there still an enemy he has to fight?
She rushed toward the barrier and waited anxiously for him to emerge. However, when the ice finally thawed, Isaac exited from the opposite side. In the end, they missed each other.
But surely, we can meet now, right?
Now that the incident had been resolved, she was certain she would finally see her brother. Eve allowed a small smile to touch her lips as she headed toward the arena, which was now heavily guarded by imperial forces.
She approached a soldier and asked where Isaac had gone.
“The Ice Sovereign is currently assisting with the investigation. I’m afraid it will be difficult to meet him today.”
“Waaah...”
“Huh? Student, are you alright?”
Why do we keep missing each other?
Eve felt a lump form in her throat.
*
The Academy Clash was called off entirely.
In the wake of the fairy attack, the stage was gone and Aldreque itself was in shambles. It was the only logical decision.
I met secretly with the Düpfendorf army and received a full briefing on the situation. They informed me that when I broke through the Iron Sanctuary, Mephisto had taken his own life.
So he really was possessing a human body.
Mephisto usually secured contracts by preyed on the darkness within human nature. Alice had been an exception; she was blackmailed and coerced because she was a necessary piece for the Evil God’s plan. Regardless, the original owner of the body Mephisto had hijacked likely wasn't a saint, so I didn't feel much sympathy.
The Imperial Knights summoned me and the other students to investigate the incident. I provided a detailed account of what had transpired inside the Iron Sanctuary.
—Lord Ice Sovereign. Pardon the intrusion, but did you foresee this incident?
The Imperial Knights questioned me intensely. It seemed they suspected I had entered the Academy Clash specifically because I knew what was coming.
Of course I foresaw it.
I just hadn't expected things to escalate quite so rapidly. Worried that the truth would make things unnecessarily complicated, I feigned ignorance. I lied, claiming that even my foresight couldn't penetrate a future involving fairies.
Fairies were the apex of living creatures in this world—unfathomable beings. I added that it seemed their presence interfered with my ability to see ahead.
It was a completely reckless excuse.
But that was the beauty of being called an Archwizard or the Ice Sovereign.
—I see...
Everyone simply accepted it without further question.
After all, I’ve been working myself to the bone to protect people.
My abilities and my character were now beyond reproach. Even if I said something utterly absurd, the absolute logic of "because he’s the Ice Sovereign" would automatically sway people in my favor.
I recalled a phrase from my life on Earth: Get famous first. Then, even if you just take a dump, people will applaud you for it. I was realizing the truth of that more and more every day.
I skimmed through the rest of my statement, making sure to omit any mention of Vuel. Once finished, I told the Imperial Knights I wanted to see White. I only intended to ask for her location, but they insisted on enthusiastically escorting me to her room.
Is the Emperor behind this?
It felt like Emperor Carlos was supporting my relationship with White in a completely misguided, over-the-top way.
When I arrived at White’s hospital room, I found a small army of guards stationed outside.
“You’ve arrived, Lord Ice Sovereign!”
“How is White?”
“She has exhausted her mana and is currently in a deep sleep! There is nothing wrong with her condition, sir!”
The guard tensed up the moment he saw me, barking his answer with military precision. It seemed he felt that even making eye contact with me was a sign of disrespect.
Merlin isn’t here.
I had already heard the reports from the Düpfendorf commanders. Merlin was likely receiving treatment elsewhere.
“And Merlin’s condition?”
“She is currently undergoing treatment, but fortunately, she appears to be fine! She is a naturally resilient person!”
That’s a relief.
I felt a weight lift off my chest. It was best to let them both rest for now.
“I’ll come check on them later. Thank you for the update.”
“Gasp! No, no! It’s nothing! Please, do not thank me for something so trivial! I only did my duty!”
The guard was so startled he snapped into a bow so deep his chest nearly touched his thighs. I was taken aback.
Suddenly, I remembered how I used to speak formally to Keridna. She must have felt this same crushing burden back then. I realized I needed to be more careful with my words.
“Ah, no... right. Take care.”
“Please depart safely, sir!”
After receiving a stiff, sweat-drenched salute from the Imperial Knights, I made my exit. The escort soldiers immediately fell in line beside me, waiting to guide my path. It was incredibly burdensome.
*
Morning broke over Aldreque.
The five academies were all preparing to depart. The city had been noticeably restored overnight; when the Imperial family and the empire’s magical elite combined their forces, reconstruction happened at an unnatural speed.
“Ice Sovereign!!”
Suddenly, a large man came charging toward me. Red hair. It was Hans McGregor.
“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you! I’m sorry I attacked you!”
“What?”
Hans bowed with such force it looked like he was trying to headbutt the pavement.
“I was arrogant! I acted out of ignorance and was insolent! Please forgive me! If you want me to lick your boots, I’ll do it with all my heart...!”
“No, that’s quite alright... Just the thought of you licking my boots gives me the creeps.”
I understood his perspective. Even if it was a form of shock therapy, the experience had likely been a valuable, if humbling, life lesson for him. Regardless, he was being way too much. I gave a curt answer, turned my back, and walked away.
I glanced back over my shoulder. Hans still had his head buried in the dirt, drawing stares from every student in the vicinity.
“I’m really!! SOOOOOORRY!!” Hans wailed in genuine anguish.
I seriously considered running back and punching him in the face just to make him stop.
“Sir Isaac!”
“Oh.”
Soon, Kaya drifted toward me on a gust of wind. Her light green hair was tied in a half-up style, fluttering behind her. Dressed in her traveling clothes, she looked quite striking.
“Did you pack everything?”
“Yes! L-let’s go! I’ll stake my life on serving you faithfully!”
“You don’t need to stake your life...”
Kaya was clearly trying to display a spirit of service imbued with a heavy sense of duty.
“We’re going to ride Hilde anyway. Long-distance travel with wind magic is too exhausting.”
“Oh...!”
You’re only realizing that now? Did you think we were going to walk?
On the way back to Märchen Academy, I had obtained prior permission from Professor Fernando to return separately, as Kaya and I had a stop to make.
—Do as you wish. Normally, it wouldn’t be allowed, but if the Ice Sovereign has urgent business, no one will object.
In effect, there was nothing in this world that could restrain me anymore. Most people viewed me with such favor that I had essentially become the freest person alive.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes!”
I summoned the Frost Dragon, Hilde. As the massive white dragon manifested in the sky, the crowd gazed up at its majestic form in hushed awe. Kaya and I rose on the wind and climbed onto Hilde’s back.
“Wow...”
Sitting behind me, Kaya couldn't stop exclaiming in wonder as she stroked Hilde’s white scales, fascinated by the ride.
“Let’s head to the Astrea Duchy.”
[Understood. Lead the way.]
“Ah, Sir Isaac...! How could someone like me dare touch your noble, regal body...?!”
“Stop fussing and just hold on.”
“Hyaa!”
I grabbed Kaya’s hand and pulled her close. She clung tightly to my back as if she’d been glued there. Hilde flapped her jade-white wings and began the flight toward the Astrea Duchy.
“Hehe... I liiike it...”
Kaya clung to me, clearly intoxicated by the moment.
The view is nice.
It was refreshing to feel the crisp wind and take in the scenery from this height.
“Oh, Isaac, by the way... why are we heading to our duchy? It’s not for, um, a formal engagement meeting, is it...?” Kaya asked quickly.
It seemed her imagination was running wild, picturing me visiting her father, Gerald Astrea, to ask for her hand. Well, that would certainly be an interesting scene, considering I was now the pinnacle of human strength.
Please give me your daughter.
I-I will...!
It wasn't even that far-fetched. However, the Astrea estate wasn't our actual destination.
“We’re not going to your house. We’re heading to the Covenant of Life.”
“Huh?”
“I’m going to meet Sylphia.”
Kaya’s eyes widened.
I intended to obtain an eight-star familiar contract circle from Sylphia, the Emerald Fairy. It was time to reinforce my power by forming a contract with the Stone Turtle—Gormos.