Chapter 309: Attachment
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 309: Attachment
The students returned to Märchen Academy.
It seemed word of the incident in Aldreque had already reached the campus. Those who had been present shared vivid, breathless accounts with the students who had stayed behind.
"Senior Isaac unleashed 9-star ice magic! And he did it three times, all at once!"
"How many people do you think get to see 9-star magic even once in their lifetime?"
"Then, an iron gate appeared in the sky! A colossal magic beast burst forth from it...!"
To any ordinary listener, it sounded like a wild exaggeration. However, every student’s account matched perfectly. Since there wasn't a soul at Märchen Academy who didn't know who I was, the stories were accepted as gospel, leaving everyone in awe.
Being human, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. Yet, I wasn't fond of the growing psychological distance between myself and the other students.
During this time, I also met with Priestess Miya. Since I was already aware of Mei’s punishment, I didn't linger on the subject.
— I have something I need to accomplish. I need more support, even if it’s just one more person. It’s for Horan’s sake as well, so I hope you can help.
— I owe you so much, Senior Isaac, so of course I will!
The conversation went smoothly. I decided to discuss the finer details with the rest of the group later; until then, I asked her to focus on growing stronger. Miya was a phenomenal genius who even commanded the Nine-tailed Fox as her familiar—she would undoubtedly be a massive asset.
*
"Do you feel proud when people praise you like that?"
"Not really."
A week after returning to Märchen Academy, evening had fallen.
Inside a secluded storage shed far from the main academy grounds, I met with Aria Lilias, the Master of Hegel Tower. She had sent me a secret letter requesting a meeting here.
The shed was a makeshift structure used for patrols, filled with spare magic tools, though it was rarely ever occupied. We leaned against the wall side by side. Clutching a magic tool in my hand to practice mana control, I brought up the main topic.
"You came to talk about how to widen the rift, right?"
Aria nodded. "It’s impossible to arbitrarily adjust the timing of the rift's expansion."
"Then what?"
"We have no choice but to aim for the specific conditions that allow the rift to widen on its own."
"And what are those?"
Aria slightly raised her clenched left hand. "We are nothing but dust. No matter how much a speck of dust stirs up a fuss, it cannot force my fist open."
She extended her hand toward me. "Try opening it."
"..."
I reached out and pried her hand open. Aria tried to resist by tightening her grip, but given her frail physical strength, it was easy to force her fingers back.
"If a force with immense pressure intervenes like this, it can open the rift."
She could have just said that without the metaphor... I thought, but I kept the comment to myself.
"In this case, that force is the 'Netherstorm'."
"Netherstorm?"
"Observations indicate that massive storms frequently sweep through the Nether. Most humans would be torn to shreds in less than a second if caught in one, but there is no doubt that these storms provide the opportunity to widen the rift."
Aria looked up, meeting my eyes. "The storm carries such a staggering amount of mana that it distorts space-time, weakening and loosening the boundaries of the rift."
"So, the rift can be widened when the Netherstorms blow... What about the timing?"
"According to the calculations, the timing is..."
Aria’s response left me in a daze. I instinctively furrowed my brow, my mouth hanging open slightly.
"Are you okay?"
"...Only at that time?"
"Without a doubt. Only then."
Reaching the Icy Lake was a mandatory condition to defeat the Evil God without sacrificing Dorothy. If there was a major disruption in the scenario, we would lose before the Evil God even appeared. It was unlikely that Round 1 Dorothy hadn't noticed this.
No matter how much uncertainty the Nether held, as long as I could return safely, the scenario issues could be resolved.
"In other words, the key is whether I can make it back in one piece."
"I'll manage, somehow."
I have to believe that.
I offered a small, kind smile. "Thank you, Teacher."
"This is research I’m conducting for my own interests. I'm not doing this to help you; it’s just a transaction." Aria closed her eyes. "After you’ve been to the depths of the Nether, you will tell me everything you saw, heard, and experienced. In full detail."
"Of course."
Aria’s desires and my goals were aligned. With our mutual interests matching, there was no better ally.
"Then, I’ll be on my way."
"Not yet."
"Is there more?"
"There’s something I need to tell you." Aria looked at me again. "Luce Eltania. That girl secretly broke into my lab."
"Luce?"
"It took a while to detect because she meticulously restored the barrier. I suspect she was searching for a secret passage."
The secret lab containing the rift was hidden. To reach it, one had to pass through a secret passage located within Aria’s main lab. In that vast space, one would need to find the specific hidden mechanism to enter.
If Luce discovered the rift leading to the Nether... I couldn't shake a mounting sense of dread.
"Were there any signs of someone entering or leaving the secret passage?"
"After a thorough investigation, I found no traces. I assume she failed to find the entrance."
"I see..."
There had been a time when mana from the secret research had leaked outside the tower. I knew from Aria’s explanation that the Imperial Tower had detected it using sensing abilities that spanned the entire empire. Moreover, Luce often trained at Hegel Tower. It wasn't surprising that she had sensed the mana as well.
Anyway, she didn't figure out how to access the passage.
I remembered running into Luce at the tower just as I was leaving. I recalled our conversation on the rooftop that day.
— How did you know I was here?
— Your familiar came to see the Tower Master before, didn’t she? When I heard the Tower Master was returning today, I figured you’d come.
— Really...? Sharp as always, I see.
— ...Is something going on?
If it was Luce, she might have deduced from circumstantial evidence that Aria and I were planning something dangerous.
"What are you going to do?" Aria asked.
"For now, I’ll just pretend I don't know."
It didn't seem like anything good would come from needlessly probing Luce. Aria turned her head back toward the front.
"I wouldn't call Luce Eltania a 'good girl,' not even to be polite, but it’s undeniable that she cares about you more than anyone else."
"Are you telling me not to make her worry?"
Aria shook her head. "Affection is a double-edged sword. That is why someone like her is the most dangerous. Be careful."
"..."
It was hard to deny. If Luce knew I was leaving for the Nether, there was no telling what she might do.
"Thank you for the advice."
I gave a polite smile, said my farewells, and left the storage shed.
*
Even in the dead of night, many of the academy buildings remained lit.
Research, training, studying—due to the individual drive of the students, the campus was never truly shrouded in darkness. The cool night air filled my lungs as I ran. Moving through the academy and breathing deeply made me acutely aware of the shifting seasons.
Is it autumn already?
I kept the magic tools clutched in both hands, only letting go when absolutely necessary. I was wearing magic undergarments that significantly increased the weight of my entire body. My weight had reached an absurd level, but because of that, the run felt satisfying. Without the added burden, my body would feel as light as a feather, and the training wouldn't be effective.
As I ran along my favorite route, I passed the Hydrangea Garden. I paused for a moment, then, drawn by a sudden pull, I stepped inside.
I crossed the beautiful path toward the corner. The further I went, the stronger the sensation of mana became.
"Hiyah!"
At the edge of the Hydrangea Garden, Snow White was casting wind magic, targeting a training tool that was darting wildly across the surface of the lake. The dark blue elemental magic glowed beautifully, imbued with the essence of the night.
It was a unique element—the "Nightly Wind Element"—a blend of Nix’s power and the wind element.
White was sweating profusely, her hair tied back, dressed in a simple tracksuit. She looked determined, as if she had resolved to take her training to a new level.
"Is that you, Lord Isaac?"
As I stood mesmerized, watching White from behind the bushes, Merlin approached me. I wasn't surprised; I had already sensed her presence.
"You’ve returned, Merlin."
"Yes, it’s been a while."
"I’m glad to see you’re healthy."
I had heard she suffered a near-fatal injury. As expected of a child of the Astrea family, her recovery speed was remarkable.
"I’m not fully healed yet, though," Merlin shrugged.
We watched White together.
"Not planning to say hello?"
"I’m planning to start my own intensive training soon. If I meet her, we’ll just end up chatting, and I don't have the time to mentor her right now."
"Still, you came to see Princess White."
"Yes, well..."
"I heard you looked for Princess White and me while you were in Aldreque. Thank you for your consideration."
"I don't think it’s something you need to thank me for..."
"No, it is. Absolutely." Her tone was firm, insisting I accept the gratitude.
I simply nodded. "Ah, I see..."
"...Though Princess White was teary-eyed, asking why no one woke her up when Lord Isaac visited. my colleagues were quite troubled by her pouting."
"Is that so?" I could easily imagine it. I felt a pang of guilt.
Merlin glanced at me with a calm expression. "As you can see, Princess White has awakened a new power. I heard it was you who told her about it. It’s a Fairy power, correct?"
"Yes. Her magic is already far beyond what it was before, and it will only continue to grow."
"Princess White has vowed that once she can wield that power proficiently, she will proudly show it to you. She wants to become even stronger." Merlin smiled.
"..."
"Princess White understands Lord Isaac in her own way. That’s why, unless you come to see her yourself, she’s trying her best to hold back, even when she misses you." Merlin looked at me intently. "So please remember this. Princess White has a deep attachment to you, Lord Isaac."
I planned to focus entirely on my training to endure the journey to the Nether. That was why I had told White, who had just awakened her power, that I no longer had the time to mentor her. I hadn't made that choice out of cold calculation; I said it because I felt guilty. In this situation, I thought it would be shameless of me to offer comfort or encouragement.
Indeed...
Attachment, huh?
I felt it too. I felt a deep attachment watching White focus so intently on her target, sweating with effort. At first, I was only mentoring her to clear the scenario. But the harder she tried and the stronger she became, the more I grew to feel proud and affectionate toward her.
"I have something important coming up soon. That’s why I’m focusing on my training," I told Merlin. "Today will be the last time I come by. I don't want to break White’s concentration, and I’d feel terrible interrupting her. Please tell her I’m looking forward to seeing how much stronger she’s become next time. Right now... I’m not in a position to face her with a clear conscience."
"...Understood. I will respect your wishes."
As I took a step to leave, Merlin bowed her head. "Take care."
But just as I was about to start running again—
"...Princess White?"
"Senior Isaac!"
Ah, I got caught.
She must have noticed me while looking around when Merlin wasn't there. I stopped and turned my head. I saw White, her face serious but on the verge of crumbling. Without hesitation, she ran over and hugged me tightly.
"White...?"
What should I say? Cold sweat trickled down my cheek.
"Uh, are we both aware that we're both very sweaty right now?"
I tried an awkward joke, but White didn't respond. I gently tried to pull her away, but she clung to me like glue, finally looking up at me. Her clear eyes were brimming with tears, her nose was running like a child's, and her lips quivered.
"Whaaaa...! Senior Isaac...!"
Just like before, White wailed. Her sobs were messy and almost comical.
My heart skipped a beat. A rush of emotion welled up inside me. It didn't take long to understand the feeling tugging at my chest. Only then did I realize with absolute certainty... I truly cherished this girl.
Before I could stop them, my honest feelings slipped out.
"I’m sorry. I should’ve treated you better... I wasn't enough..."
"W-what kind of ridiculous nonsense is that...?! Hic...! I m-missed you...!"
The chirping of the crickets was drowned out by White’s cries. She sobbed in a stammering voice and buried her face back into my chest. I gently patted her back.
It might have looked pitiful to an outsider, but in that moment, all I felt was a profound desire to protect her.