Chapter 328: Winged Heavenly Being Subjugation — Interlude (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 328: Winged Heavenly Being Subjugation — Interlude (2)
I had a long dream.
I was on a journey with a hero’s party, surrounded by people I loved. We defeated countless demons, and in the end, I became the hero who saved the world by slaying the Demon Lord.
When I returned from that long crusade, the people showered me with praise. My chest swelled with pride as I basked in overwhelming glory.
I headed home in high spirits. I couldn't wait to eat my mother’s soybean paste stew and stir-fried pork; I wanted to boast of my heroic exploits until my voice went hoarse.
I burst through the door with a bright smile, shouting, “Mom!” only to find myself standing in a cramped, suffocating studio apartment.
Next to my desk, thick books I had read until the pages wore thin were piled like a mountain. In the corner of the room, a single game console sat gathering dust.
That was when reality hit me.
I was alone.
Looking at the calendar, it was the day I was set to enter the Judicial Training Institute. Following the unconscious flow of the dream, I enrolled, endured grueling years of study, worked at a law firm, and eventually opened a small office of my own.
As I resolved the legal disputes of the many clients who visited, flowers bloomed, rain fell, and trees brought splashes of green to the drab forest of skyscrapers. The leaves fell, the rain returned, snow blanketed the world, and the flowers bloomed once more.
Just when I had completely forgotten my time as a hero, a client walked into my office.
She was a woman who left a strange impression, dressed neatly in a black suit. I couldn't even finish my greeting; I just stared at her, dazed.
Introducing herself as Stella, she spoke to me.
— Your journey isn’t over yet.
— It’s time to return to reality.
“…”
I took a deep breath and slowly opened my eyes. A familiar face blurred into view.
“Isaac? Isaac!”
The woman in front of me was sobbing, tears streaming down her face.
“Are you okay…? It’s me, your sister…! Eve…! You’ve finally woken up…”
It was Eve Ropenheim.
I couldn't find my voice. The lingering emotions of that long dream still clung to me, and my mind remained trapped in a thick fog.
Gradually, my memories of reality sharpened.
I remembered overexerting myself. The backlash from wielding such excessive power had been intense.
I could still feel Ozma’s power coursing through my veins. No—now, I had to call it my own.
The covenant, which had once manifested as a lie in the form of a Status Window, was now meaningless. There was no longer any need to name a skill like [Psychological Insight], as I could now read the emotions and psyche of others as clearly as a book.
I had likely become the human closest to reaching a transcendental state.
How should I put it? Perhaps it was better to call myself an anti-Evil God tactical weapon.
…That’s not a very romantic way to describe it, though.
“President…!”
“Baby….”
“Sir Isaac…!”
“Isaac!”
“Senior Isaaaac… ughhh…!”
One by one, familiar faces appeared.
This wasn’t the time to lie still. I fought with all my strength to move my body, which felt as though it were pinned down by the weight of sleep paralysis. Slowly, my cells began to stir.
With a start, I sat up and offered them an awkward smile.
“Good morning.”
I realized a moment too late that it was actually night, but it didn't matter.
And so, I regained consciousness for the first time in the month since I had collapsed.
*
Since my body was in peak condition, I was discharged immediately.
I didn't even need rehabilitation. Being unconscious for a mere month was nothing for a body like mine.
The Blessing of Abundance…
I was briefed on everything that had happened following the conclusion of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ 「Act 12, Winged Heavenly Being Subjugation」.
It had played out exactly like the game.
The Blessing of Abundance. It was a massive gift bestowed upon humanity, a reward for the world not being destroyed by the Evil God. We would enjoy bountiful harvests for the next several years.
Though it’s all meaningless if the world ends anyway.
Compared to the atrocities Vuel was about to commit, this hardly balanced the scales. Not that there was anyone I could complain to about it.
Professor Daisy informed me that I would be taking the final exam I missed soon, on an individual basis. Considering my contributions, it was only natural that the academy was making things convenient for me.
Professor Philip is safe, too.
Once Vuel’s true identity was exposed, the academy faculty traced Professor Philip Meltron’s whereabouts. They found him held captive in his own home and rescued him safely.
Everything I knew from the game was manifesting in reality, which brought a sense of relief.
This is getting boring.
When I faced a group of demonic illusions in the training ground after my long absence, their movements seemed sluggish. I couldn't help but yawn.
It was winter break, so the training ground was deserted, giving me the place to myself—but I didn't feel particularly satisfied.
What should I do…
I went to a corner of the Butterfly Garden, sat cross-legged, and focused on the mana circulating through my circuits while lost in thought.
The training methods I’ve used so far won’t cut it anymore.
It was because I had absorbed Ozma’s power.
Of course, without my prior training, I never would have defeated Ozma in the first place, but regardless, I had grown far too powerful now. I needed to completely overhaul my training regimen.
I still can’t wield this power perfectly.
I couldn't fully utilize Ozma’s essence yet.
First of all, starlight mana wasn't naturally compatible with me, and the other powers didn't perfectly resonate with my physical form.
I suppose that’s only natural.
If I could fully harness Ozma’s power, I would have already reached the level of transcendence, just as I had in the Nether. If that were the case, I would have been instantly obliterated by the Evil God wielding the Authority of Godslaying.
It couldn't be helped. I had to reach the absolute pinnacle within the limits of being human.
Status Window…
I instinctively tried to manifest the Status Window in my vision.
The sensation of constructing the interface—as if recalling saved data—was ingrained in my very instincts.
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 200
Gender: Male
Year: 2
Title: Ice Sovereign
Mana: 1,564,000 / 1,564,300
Potential ❰❰Details❱❱
[Combat Abilities]
Elemental Series 1: Ice
• Elemental Firepower (S)
• Elemental Efficiency (S)
• Elemental Synergy (S)
Elemental Series 2: Rock
• Elemental Firepower (S)
• Elemental Efficiency (S)
• Elemental Synergy (S)
“Oh, it works.”
I was able to generate it based on the parameters Ozma had already established.
The sheer volume of mana was far beyond the peak I had imagined back in the Fictional Hell. So these were the actual numbers.
In the game, 999,999 was the hard cap.
At the time, that was the limit of my knowledge.
Regardless, the covenant that was once a ridiculous lie had now transformed into a real, perfect Status Window.
The [vs. Race Combat Power] also seemed usable at will, regardless of whether I had identified a specific race as an enemy. That power was, after all, Ozma’s ability to detect my hostility and apply it.
By the way, the hurdle to reach EX-rank is much higher than I thought.
Wasn't there a skill called [Divinity]? A skill that granted 1.5 times the effectiveness to a specific [vs. Race Combat Power]. If I used that, could I push all my stats to EX-rank?
I think it’s possible… but it might be a one-time deal.
I felt like I could at least partially tap into the effects of [Divinity]. However, I had a gut feeling that once I used it, I could never activate it again.
I could feel it instinctively—something deep within me, at the very core of Ozma’s essence. The time to use it was already set in stone.
The Evil God…
I would save this power for the Evil God.
As ridiculous as it sounded, my goal was to become a true Demon-Limited Hunter—no—a Demon-Limited Munchkin, just as I had told Thanatos.
The term “munchkin” referred to the most broken, overpowered character in a story. In my case, a Demon-Limited Munchkin.
From being the academy’s weakest to this—it would be the final destination of my journey.
Now, what’s left is…
Only Mephisto the Contractor and Nephid, the Evil God of Destruction, remained.
Thanatos the Ruination, Mephisto’s demon army, and the Abyss had all been dealt with. Since Mephisto the Contractor had vanished after being raided, I could practically skip from 「Act 13」 straight to 「Act 16」 of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
I’ll have to hunt down Mephisto separately.
So, the only scenario left was ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ Act 17, 「Final Act, Evil God Subjugation」.
However, that would take place during the second semester of my third year. I still had time. The key was how I would utilize the time I had left.
“There you are.”
“Hmm?”
I turned my head toward the sound of rustling bushes.
A black-haired boy, looking like he had been running for quite a while, approached me while catching his breath.
It was Ian Fairytale.
Ian?
I was momentarily confused, so I adjusted my glasses and looked closer. It was definitely Ian.
“Were you looking for me?”
At my question, Ian nodded.
“Can I sit next to you?”
“Uh, sure…”
Ian sat down beside me and gazed up at the sky.
I read his psychology. Ian was deeply troubled.
Ah, that’s right.
This was the time when he was supposed to drop out.
In the latter half of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Ian realized that he was the reason demons appeared and harmed people. Consumed by guilt, he began the process of withdrawing from the academy. It was a truly tragic protagonist’s path, fitting for an academy setting.
In the game, while Ian was lost in his turmoil, Mateo Jordana and Professor Fernando Frost would approach him, delivering lines that tugged at the heartstrings to persuade him to stay. Ian’s eventual return to the academy was part of the game’s winter break scenario.
“Recently, I found out something. I already knew I was being suspected by the Imperial Knights, but I kept turning a blind eye to it. Thanks to the Heavenly Being who came to see me the other day, I’m certain now…”
“What is it?” I asked, pretending to be ignorant.
Ian gave a bittersweet smile. “It seems the demons were after me all along. Because I’m a human born with the light element. Because I’m a hybrid of a Heavenly Being and a human… That’s why the demons kept appearing. They were trying to kill me.”
That was to be expected. I suddenly wondered if Ian’s birth was also predestined in this world. I didn't know, and I didn't want to know.
What I did know for sure was that this guy possessed a fierce sense of justice and the spirit of a hero, someone willing to sacrifice his life for others. The fact that so many people had been put in danger because of him must have been tearing him apart.
“Isaac, you said my power could help the world, right?”
Ah, that’s right.
I had said that when I called in Düpfendorf’s minions to train Ian by having them spar.
So that was why he hadn't dropped out yet; he had been waiting for me to wake up.
“So I came to ask for advice. I don’t know what to do anymore. You’re an archwizard. I’d like some practical advice on how I can actually help people…”
Ian smiled sadly. He looked ready to run away at any moment.
I had planned to crack a joke, laugh it off, and wrap things up. But seeing Ian’s sheer earnestness, I realized I couldn't do that.
I shifted my posture, bracing my hand on the ground, and began to speak.
“‘Practical’ isn't the right word. No matter how big the risk is, or what happens, in the end, it’s all reality, isn't it?”
“More than that… you can see a bit into the future. I thought you’d give me some rational advice…”
“You know the second campus of Märchen Academy is finished, right? Next year, they’ll do a trial run, and the faculty and students will move there.”
“Yeah? Oh… yeah, I know. It’s to revitalize the campus, right?”
“The Empire is planning to have all the residents of this island pack up and leave within a few months.”
“What?”
Ian’s eyes widened as if he were hearing this for the first time.
“First time hearing it, right? That’s because it’s only been shared with people at a certain level—including me.”
To be exact, it was something decided when I exchanged letters with the Emperor through my minions in Düpfendorf. This was information that absolutely couldn't be shared with the general student body; the risk of causing mass panic was too high.
As for Ian, I had plenty of ways to keep him quiet, so revealing the secret here didn't really matter.
“Why… why is that happening?”
“I’ll tell you when the time comes. For now, all you need to know is that the plan is meant to protect people. A disaster far worse than any demon attack you’ve faced is coming. When that time comes, your power will be needed.”
I gave Ian a kind smile.
“Thanks to you, the enemies showed their hand early, and that worked to our advantage. Their forces were weakened, after all. So, anyway… let’s do our best until graduation.”
When I extended my fist, Ian looked at it with eyes filled with complex emotions.
His turmoil eventually coalesced into a single point: resolve. With a determined expression, he extended his fist and met mine.
“Yeah. Thanks, Isaac.”
A smile spread across Ian’s lips. Rather than being an entity that only brought harm to the world, he had decided to stand tall as someone who would save it.
*
“Should I get some sleep…”
Late at night. Inside the top-class dormitory, Charles Hall.
I was reading a book when drowsiness finally crept over me. When I covered the lamp with its shade, darkness filled the room. The only sound was the crackling of the fire in the fireplace. The dim orange glow warmed my mood, and the heat filled the space.
I threw myself onto the bed, ready to drift off into a peaceful sleep.
Kugugu!
Suddenly, a powerful restraint activated, binding me to the bed.
“…Ah.”
I wasn't surprised. It felt like something I had been expecting had finally arrived.
It seemed they had used a fairly high-performance restraint. Perhaps she had procured it through family connections. An average person wouldn't have been able to move an inch.
But, sorry to say, this was nothing more than a toy to me. I could break free as easily as snapping a dry biscuit.
Rustle.
I heard the sound of fabric brushing against something. Soon, a woman approached.
Her aquamarine eyes, illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight and the dying fire, turned toward me. She stood beside the bed, looking down at me like a beautiful specter.
“I think I told you I don’t like things like this.”
I played along, wondering when she would finally show up, like playing hide-and-seek with a child. Feeling a bit incredulous, I narrowed my eyes as I spoke, and she leaned in close. Her silky hair brushed against my cheek.
Her elegant beauty filled my vision.
“It’s your fault, Isaac. You’re the bad one for making me worry like that,” Luce Eltania whispered, her brow furrowed.
Her voice had a mesmerizing quality that seemed to drain the strength from my limbs.
I felt guilty for making her worry, but I’d had no choice. I had gone to the Nether because I needed to acquire something essential.
But so what?
Luce didn't actually have the power to restrain me.
I let out a sigh. “Haa… so? Did you really think this would work on me?”
“No, not at all. There’s nothing in this world that can control you.”
“Then what are you planning?”
Suddenly, Luce began to undress.
For a moment, I thought I was about to see her underwear and instinctively widened my eyes, but what was revealed beneath her outer layers was a sheer nightgown.
She climbed onto the bed, lay down beside me, and hugged me tightly, as if I were a teddy bear.
“…”
What is this situation?
Luce still wore a cold expression, but I could clearly feel her rising body temperature. As the atmosphere turned sensual, I unconsciously swallowed hard.
“…What are you doing?”
“Expressing affection.”
She was shameless to the core.
“I see…”
“I was really worried.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“…”
“…Isaac, you know what?”
“What?”
“That today, we become adults.”
“Oh, right.”
Starting from the third year of the academy, we were nineteen years old—officially adults. More precisely, it was the year we transitioned into our third year, and today was the first day of that new year.
Luce gently placed her hand on my cheek. Suddenly, I remembered the time she had confessed her feelings to me, making me feel a bit awkward.
With a determined expression, Luce brought her lips close to my ear. She knew very well that her voice was my weakness.
Perhaps intending to seduce me, she cupped her hand around her mouth and whispered sweetly, her breath ravaging my eardrums.
“Do you want to take my first?”
As Luce leaned back, I averted my eyes.
The crackling fire in the darkness cast a faint light on Luce’s blushing, radiant face. She smiled softly, her eyes glimmering with an invitation. She had already made up her mind and was now leaving the choice to me.
“…”
I was at a loss for words.