Chapter 31: Duel (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31: Duel (5)
There was some information I needed to squeeze out of Leafa the Illusive.
I removed my mask. I couldn’t exactly interrogate him while maintaining the persona of the Berserker.
As [Fictional Hell] began to unravel, I quickly suppressed [Ice Sovereign] deep within my core. Even with the [Hunter] trait active, I was significantly weaker than I had been inside [Fictional Hell]. There was no telling what kind of strain [Ice Sovereign] would put on my body if I kept it active for even a second longer.
Slowly, my skin regained its natural color.
“Don’t try anything stupid.”
[O-of course…!]
“From now on, you answer what I ask,” I said, my voice cold as I narrowed my eyes.
Leafa was paralyzed with terror. True to the cliché, he was shaking like a leaf. The tremors traveled through my hand, which was still firmly gripping his head.
[Yes, yes! I’ll answer anything! I’ll tell you everything, so please…]
“How much does Alice Carroll know about me?”
If Alice found out about me at this stage of the story, it was game over. Knowing exactly how much information she had was a matter of life and death.
In the world of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, I was the weakest extra with the absolute worst potential. To defeat the Evil God Nephid, I had to focus entirely on growing stronger as fast as humanly possible.
That was why I had prioritized [Physical Training Efficiency] and [Magical Training Efficiency] first. Once those were maxed out, I planned to invest in [vs. Human Combat Power] to stand a chance against dark forces like Alice.
Until I reached a level where I could actually face her, I had to keep my identity hidden at all costs.
The reason I had erected an [Ice Wall] before capturing Leafa was specifically to ensure there were no witnesses to this conversation.
It’s time to wrap this up.
[Kid, how do you even know Alice…?]
「Frost Explosion (Ice Element, ★5)」
Kaaaahhhhh—!
[Kaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—!]
I triggered a short, controlled burst of [Frost Explosion], instantly flash-freezing his right arm. If he tried to force the ice off, his arm would shatter into a thousand pieces.
“Just answer the question.”
[Ugh, ah, I don’t know… I don’t know anything! Kid, Alice is still… she’s still trying to find you…!]
Leafa gritted his teeth, weeping as he endured the agonizing cold.
He was surprisingly cooperative. He and Alice shared the kind of relationship where betrayal was always on the table, and he had always been a loose-lipped character in the game.
I expected as much.
The student evaluation data at Märchen Academy was kept under the strictest security. The two biggest obstacles to any information leak were Headmistress Elena and the magic of Aria, the Tower Master of the Hegel Magic Tower, who was under contract with the academy.
As long as they were around, I didn't have to worry about my personal files being leaked.
“Next. What is Alice’s plan? How does she intend to find me?”
Since I was the one hunting demons instead of Ian Fairytale, the original protagonist, it was becoming impossible to predict Alice’s future moves. She wasn't the type to act without a plan—unless cute things were involved—so she was definitely plotting something.
The fact that the final boss of 「Act 6, Chapter 3」 had already appeared this early was proof enough.
The story is going to get seriously derailed.
[I don’t know! I don’t know anything about that!]
“…”
I released another burst of [Frost Explosion], this time targeting Leafa’s leg.
Kwaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh—!!!
[Kaaaaaahhhh—!!!]
Leafa screamed at the top of his lungs, yet he didn't show even a hint of defiance.
[Leafa the Illusive]
Psychology: [Dreadfully frightened of you.]
He was utterly terrified. It was likely because my hand was still resting on his head. If I channeled magic through this hand, his skull would split open like a melon, ending his life instantly.
[Ugh, really, I’m telling the truth… I don’t know… I don’t… Kuh…]
He really didn't seem to know.
I wasn't surprised that there wasn't much to dig up. Alice wasn't the type to share her grand designs with anyone, let alone someone she didn't trust.
The only real takeaway was the confirmation that Alice still hadn't figured out my true identity.
[I-I answered… I told you everything… S-so you’ll spare me, right…?]
“…?”
What is this guy yapping about?
“When did I ever say I was going to let you live?”
[…Huh?]
He seemed to be under a massive delusion. I had never promised him mercy in exchange for answers.
“You were planning to toy with me, the students, and the professors before killing us all, weren't you?”
To him, human lives were nothing more than playthings. He would continue to live with that murderous intent forever.
“Why would I ever let a monster like you walk away?”
[Ahhhhhhh!]
Before Leafa could beg further, I unleashed a final burst of [Frost Explosion] directly into the back of his head.
Kwaaaang———!
A small explosion of pale blue frost erupted. In the blink of an eye, Leafa’s mangled upper body was encased in a solid block of ice.
As I withdrew my mana and the ice began to thaw, Leafa’s body didn't fall to the ground. Instead, it crumbled into ashen dust, piling up on the floor like cigarette ash.
“Haa.”
Only then did I allow my expression to relax.
Problem solved.
That was a close one.
[Congratulations! You’ve defeated the demon [Leafa the Illusive (Lv 130)] and gained EXP!]
[Level Up!! Your level has increased to 56!]
[You’ve gained an additional 10 stat points!]
[You have unlocked the achievement ❰An Illusion Within An Illusion❱! You have gained an additional 10 bonus stat points!]
I had gone into 「Act 3, Chapter 1, Duel」 thinking I’d just test my limits and move on. Instead, I’d walked away with 20 stat points.
But more importantly…
“I actually got this.”
An ashen bracelet lay on the ground where Leafa had vanished. I picked it up.
[You have obtained the loot [Elemental Bracelet]!]
[Elemental Bracelet]
Increases [Elemental Resistance] to all elements by [40], excluding Light and Dark.
Rank: Tier 1
Effect Duration: 24 hours
Cooldown Time: 24 hours
The [Elemental Bracelet]. I hadn't expected to get my hands on this until the second semester.
…For now, the stat points and the bracelet would have to wait. There were more pressing matters to attend to.
My body suddenly felt heavy as the [Hunter] trait deactivated. I sensed a faint trace of mana nearby, but it wasn't much. Still, I couldn't afford to be careless.
I pulled my hood up and replaced the mask, transforming back into the Berserker.
I dispelled the [Ice Barrier] protecting Professor Fernando and the [Ice Wall] that had hidden our fight. As the wall dissolved into shimmering blue powder, I turned toward the professor.
If I carried his unconscious body out now, this whole ordeal would be over.
I was certain Professor Fernando had instructed his associate professor to check the roof after a set amount of time. However, I couldn't just leave a dying man here without making sure he was found.
I had to hand him over to the academy staff without revealing my presence. A professor was severely injured; if I was caught with him, I’d be dragged before the Truth Investigation Committee for questioning. Since the Student Council President was on the committee’s emergency contact list, I needed to avoid that at all costs.
“You did your best, Professor.”
Luckily, there was an easy way out.
I hoisted Professor Fernando onto my back and headed for the rooftop exit.
*
Luce Eltania walked down the hallway of Duke Hall.
The duel had been her victory. Initially, she had planned to go easy on Ian Fairytale as a reward for his courage, but she had ended up finishing him quickly with 5-star water magic.
It was because Isaac was weighing on her mind.
He had worked himself to the bone every day, even suffering through constant nosebleeds, only to hit a wall and surrender.
How crushed must he be?
With a look of weary resignation, Isaac had patted Tristan on the shoulder, acknowledged his defeat, and walked away. The fact that he tried so hard to look nonchalant—as if he were relieved—only made her feel worse for him.
She didn't know what to say yet, but she needed to find him. She had ended her duel as quickly as possible and slipped into the hallway before the guard wizards could stop her.
Since the age of ten, Luce had never taken an interest in others. Consolation and encouragement were foreign concepts to her. Even so, she felt that if she could just "accidentally" run into him and offer a simple "Cheer up," it might put his mind at ease.
Where are you…?
But Isaac was nowhere to be found. Had he already left Duke Hall? No, students weren't allowed to leave while evaluations were ongoing, which meant he was still in the building.
Maybe he’s upstairs.
Luce headed for the stairwell. If he wasn't on this floor, he was likely on the upper levels or the roof.
“Student Luce? What are you doing here?”
Luce ran into an associate professor coming from the opposite direction. He was accompanied by several examiners and five healers. Seeing them moving in such a large, hurried group made Luce pause.
“The dueling evaluations have been suspended. Please return to your designated waiting area and follow academic protocol.”
“Huh…?”
The associate professor’s voice was polite but laced with urgency.
Luce didn't understand what was happening, but it was clear that something had gone terribly wrong. The group brushed past her and began racing up the stairs.
Isaac was likely up there. Luce hesitated, wondering if she should follow.
“Student Dorothy?”
Just then, a female student descended from the floor above. She blocked the path of the associate professor’s party right in the middle of the stairs.
“…?”
Luce’s eyes widened. It was a beautiful girl with long, light purple hair wearing a distinctive witch’s hat. Her star-shaped pupils gave her an otherworldly, cosmic appearance.
It was the same senior who had been hanging around Isaac’s training grounds every day.
“Hold on a second.”
Dorothy said, a faint smile playing on her lips as she looked down at Luce and the faculty members.
“Wait? What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. Just wait a moment~”
Why so suddenly?
Luce and the professors were baffled.
“Because it’s dangerous right now.”
“…?”
“And… now.”
Closing her eyes, Dorothy snapped her fingers and began tapping out a rhythmic beat. The associate professor and his team watched her eccentric behavior with confusion.
Dorothy Heartnova was a titan at Märchen Academy—a genius whose talent was said to be a gift from the heavens. She was the pride of the institution. Because of that, when she used the word "dangerous," the associate professor couldn't help but feel a chill.
Still, as a faculty member, he couldn't let a student dictate his movements.
“Student Dorothy,” Professor Philip Meltron, the head of the first-year Magic Department, said as he stepped forward.
“It’s over now~”
“…?”
Dorothy opened her eyes and stepped aside. Her strange performance had lasted barely five seconds.
The professors didn't understand why she’d stopped them, but they wasted no time resuming their climb. Upon reaching the next landing…
“Professor Fernando?!”
They found a man collapsed in the hallway. It was Professor Fernando, unconscious and covered in wounds. His body bore the brutal marks of a high-level magical battle.
Beside him, Dorothy’s familiar was already casting a healing spell. The white cat, adorned with a pink ribbon on its tail, was affectionately rubbing its cheek against the professor’s face.
“He needs immediate medical attention! Move Professor Fernando, quickly!”
Saving Fernando took priority over investigating the scene. The associate professor barked orders at the healers.
Meanwhile, Dorothy leaned against a corner, listening to the frantic bustle. Soon, the healing squad rushed past her, carrying Fernando on a stretcher. The rest of the group continued toward the roof.
Only then did Dorothy begin her descent.
You’re still green, President. You should thank this big sis for buying you time to get away.
Dorothy shrugged her shoulders triumphantly.
Isaac. There had to be a reason why someone that powerful was hiding his identity. Whatever that reason was, Dorothy had decided to keep his secret. The fact that he had fought to protect the academy was enough to earn her silence.
It’s only right for me to be considerate, she thought.
“Wait. You.”
As Dorothy reached the bottom of the stairs, she locked eyes with the girl who had been watching her.
The girl had delicate rose-gold hair and elegant features, accented by butterfly-shaped hair ties. Dorothy knew exactly who she was: Luce Eltania, the undisputed top student of the first-year class.
Dorothy had often seen her watching Isaac from afar before his training sessions. She was a cute junior—likely one with a crush.
Dorothy tilted her head, a bright smile on her face.
“Do you have business with me?”
“I was just wondering why a Senior is here when Duke Hall is supposed to be off-limits.”
“Yeah, that’s true. But rules don't really apply to me.”
Luce frowned. What is with this person?
“Did something happen upstairs?”
“None of your business, Cute Junior~”
Giving a playful reply, Dorothy started to walk past her. Luce watched her go, silent and suspicious.
“Ah.”
Suddenly, Dorothy stopped and looked back at Luce as if she’d just remembered something.
“Your crush… it’s going to be a bit of an uphill battle.”
“…?”
Luce stared at her, a mental question mark floating over her head.
Dorothy just smirked in amusement and walked away with a light, airy step.