Chapter 331: Michelle (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 331: Michelle (1)
I stood before the full-length mirror in my room, checking my reflection.
The brooch pinned to my uniform tie glowed with a purple light, the symbol of a final-year student.
My physique had changed significantly compared to my first year. My gaze had matured, and I had grown to a height of 185 cm. My frame was solid, with lean, compact muscles that became clearly visible whenever I stripped down. It was a dramatic transformation.
When I first became Isaac, I was nothing more than a delicate, pretty boy. Now, the word "boy" no longer fit. I had become a man—and a handsome one at that.
“All set.”
I brewed a cup of hot coffee, chilled it instantly by channeling ice mana through it, and downed it in one go.
Finally, I slid on my round Ribella’s glasses, grabbed my bag, and stepped out of the dorm.
The academy was in full bloom, vibrant flowers decorating every corner. Seeing the new buildings and structures felt refreshing.
The sky was a brilliant blue.
Students in their uniforms chatted and laughed as they made their way to class.
In the distance, I spotted a janitor using telekinesis to guide a broom, sweeping fallen petals from the high ledges.
“Hey, look over there.”
“Wow…”
I could feel the female students stealing glances at me, their eyes filled with admiration.
I sensed respect, awe, and excitement in their gazes. By now, I was used to it.
“Isaac, good morning.”
“Hello. Let’s go.”
Luce Eltania greeted me at the dormitory’s main gate. She had finally moved past those awkward, neutral greetings like, “The weather is nice today, isn’t it?”
A lot had happened between us, but we seemed to have reached a silent agreement to carry on as usual without bringing it up.
Given Luce’s intense possessiveness, I’d expected her to oppose the idea of a harem more than anyone else. Now, however, she didn’t seem to mind.
In fact, given my current social standing, it would have been more unnatural not to have one.
Perhaps that was why Luce seemed intent on securing her spot as my "first" woman, even while allowing others into the picture.
I didn’t know what kind of ending awaited me.
But if I were to live my life with the women I loved—Luce included—I would, of course, shower them with boundless affection.
As was our routine, we headed to class together.
This was Märchen Academy’s Second Campus.
Not a single faculty member or student had opposed the move. Even if they had objections, they kept them to themselves. The construction of the Second Campus had been fast-tracked due to the string of demon-related incidents.
Who would want to stay at the original site? The academy’s reputation there had already been ground into the dirt.
The new location was excellent. It was situated near the capital, Viyans, meaning the Imperial Knights could be deployed at a moment's notice to protect the academy if necessary.
Furthermore, the academy had abandoned its isolationist policies. The gates remained open during the semester, allowing students to come and go freely on weekends.
Naturally, many students missed the traditional atmosphere of the old Märchen Academy, but the current climate left them with no choice but to adapt to the Second Campus’s pilot operation.
“We will now begin the entrance ceremony for the new students of Märchen Academy.”
In the academy plaza, the freshmen were lined up in neat rows. The ceremony was already underway. Luce and I paused to look toward the plaza.
Among the top scorers of the entrance exam, I spotted Priestess Miya and Taryn Bartin—Noah Bartin’s younger sibling. Miya appeared to be the valedictorian.
As expected.
It was a predictable result. There was nothing more to see.
I walked past the plaza and headed toward the lecture halls. Even on the Second Campus, the buildings retained their original names to avoid confusing the students. My destination was the new Orphin Hall.
I arrived at the temporary third-year classroom, greeted by respectful gazes and polite nods from the other students.
Starting in the third year, students followed a curriculum tailored to their specific career paths. Common classes for each group were mandatory, but they were kept to a minimum.
Not that I really need to attend them anymore.
The benefits of absorbing Ozma’s power weren't limited to raw stats.
Knowledge was part of the package.
I now possessed a staggering amount of information—enough to wield 9-star magic with ease.
It was essentially a free upgrade. By accepting Ozma’s life, I had come to understand things that were previously beyond me.
Over the centuries, she had drifted through the essences of countless beings, acquiring and sharing vast stores of knowledge. Even the Primordial Elemental Kings were among them; perhaps because they were Elemental Kings, they had been even more drawn to Ozma.
Regardless, thanks to her, I had mastered the theory behind every spell up to the 9-star rank.
Suddenly, I recalled the Primordial Rock Sovereign I had seen within Ozma’s memories.
Unlike the Primordial Ice Sovereign, who sought the ultimate truth and ventured to the Icy Lake, the Primordial Rock Sovereign accepted the world he lived in as the truth itself.
His boldness and bravery remained etched in my mind.
“Looks like we won’t be attending many classes together anymore,” Luce whispered from the seat next to me while the professor announced the class placement evaluations.
“Yeah, I guess not.”
“Won’t you be lonely?”
“I don’t think so. You’re here, and so are the others.”
“Is that so?”
The advanced magical knowledge I’d gained from Ozma was still a thousand years old. I didn't want to miss the chance to learn modern magical expertise from the academy's elite professors.
However, there was no point in attending the standard lectures. After discussing it with Headmistress Elena Woodline, I had been granted permission to drop everything except for two practical courses.
Normally, such a request would have been laughed at, but these were special circumstances.
Because I told the Emperor about the Evil God.
Since the time was right, I had informed Emperor Carlos of the Evil God’s projected resurrection date. He had kept the information strictly confidential to prevent a mass panic, focusing instead on ensuring public safety.
That was the real reason the academy had moved to the Second Campus. To minimize casualties, the island housing the First Campus had to be completely evacuated before the Evil God returned.
Headmistress Elena had been briefed on the situation as an exception, which was why she was so accommodating of my requests.
I planned to use the extra time I’d secured for intensive training.
Mephisto is the real problem.
That was why I stayed at the academy, close to the people I cherished. There was no telling what Mephisto might be plotting.
Currently, many of my subordinates, led by the Frost Spirit Merphil, were tracking him. Even Wonderland was being scoured.
However, there was still no news. Since the search area was so vast, it was inevitable that finding him would take time.
Additionally…
“What are you doing, Luce?”
Seriously, what is she doing?
Luce was staring straight at the professor while subtly stroking my hand under the desk. The hidden friction felt oddly sensual.
“Are you trying to seduce me?”
“How shameless…”
Luce’s lips curled into a playful smile.
*
I stopped by the magic item shop in the academy’s commercial district. It was my first time visiting.
From what I’d heard, the shop was run by a young woman. Since the Second Campus had only recently been completed, the shops had just finished moving in.
Most were businesses that had existed on the old campus, now reopening in the new location. Naturally, they were all looking for extra help.
“Welcome… President!”
A girl with light purple hair, who had been busy sweeping the floor, greeted me. She stopped her work and flashed a bright smile.
“What brings you here? Come to see your Big Sis?”
The sunlight streaming through the window illuminated her mischievous face.
I had come to see the shop’s newest employee, Dorothy Heartnova.
“Ugh…!”
How is this possible?
My heart raced uncontrollably. I clutched my chest, letting out a low groan.
Dorothy, dressed in a beautiful witch costume that matched the shop’s theme, had just dealt a critical blow to my heart.
She was insanely adorable.
I should have brought a camera. What a tragic mistake.
To think I can only preserve this image in my memory. How truly sorrowful.
“Nihihi! Your Big Sis’s beauty hit you right in the heart, didn't it? Am I right?”
“Do you really have to be so blunt about it…?”
Dorothy skipped over to me, her smile widening. I narrowed my eyes and teased her back. Having her read my emotions was nothing new.
She spun around as if she were dancing.
“I was saving this to brag about later. Isn’t this uniform super cute? I had it custom-made!”
“Yes, it suits you perfectly.”
“Nihihi.”
“By the way, have any creeps been hitting on you?”
“Hmm? That kind of thing… I don’t think so?”
Dorothy avoided my gaze.
“So, they have.”
“What can I do…? My charm isn’t something I can turn off just because I want to!”
Dorothy shrugged her shoulders.
It was the truth. Dorothy likely had a mountain of experience dealing with unwanted confessions.
“You fell for me because of that charm too, didn’t you, President?”
“That’s true.”
“You could at least act a little embarrassed, you know? You’re not very endearing.”
Dorothy leaned her chin on the handle of her broom. Despite her teasing words, her face was full of affection.
The reason she had taken this job wasn't anything complicated.
The only way to train starlight magic was through meditation, which had its limits if done all day. She had decided to work here in her spare time to balance her training with making a living.
“Gasp…!”
The young shop owner, who had been carrying a box of magic tools, noticed me and rushed over, bowing deeply.
“W-welcome! What brings someone as esteemed as the Ice Sovereign to such a humble place…?”
She looked at me with a mix of profound respect and sheer terror.
Last year, rumors of a new Ice Sovereign had spread across the world. Now, my name and face were common knowledge.
Books were already being written about the "Nameless Hero," the Ice Sovereign. Wandering poets sang my praises, and the Empire had officially declared an alliance with me.
Furthermore, the Empire had showered Düpfendorf with diplomatic gifts. My achievements had elevated the territory's prestige, further solidifying my own position.
At this point, it was harder to find someone who didn't recognize me.
As the subject of all this fame, I had found it incredibly embarrassing at first, but now I was indifferent. Humans are, after all, creatures of adaptation.
“I came to buy some parchment for magic circles. A bundle of thirty sheets, please.”
I had mainly come to see Dorothy, but since I was here, I figured I should buy something.
“I’ll get that for you right away!”
The owner hurried to the shelf and brought back three neatly rolled bundles of parchment.
I paid and looked back at Dorothy. I wanted to burn the image of her in that outfit into my mind for just a moment longer.
She seemed to feel the same, smiling warmly as our eyes met.
“I’ll be back.”
“It’s truly an honor! Thank you so much for visiting!”
The shop owner continued to bow excessively, her forehead nearly hitting the counter.
“I should be the one thanking you—for making such a beautiful uniform.”
“Excuse me?”
The owner, clearly not catching my meaning, broke into a nervous sweat and looked utterly confused.
I waved goodbye to Dorothy and left the shop.
*
“This spot should work.”
The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of dusky orange.
I had found an outdoor training ground that seemed relatively secluded. Standing beside me were Ian Fairytale and Amy Holloway.
“As expected! Since it’s brand new, it looks way better than the old one!”
“I actually prefer the old vibe,” Ian grumbled in response to Amy’s marveling.
I didn’t care either way.
Ian and I stood at opposite ends of the training ground, while Amy took a seat in the bleachers to watch.
“Ian, since you’ve clearly improved, we’re stepping things up from now on. Be ready.”
“Bring it on!” Ian replied, gripping his practice sword and dropping into a fighting stance.
Good spirit.
“Morcan.”
A pale blue summoning circle manifested in front of me. Ice mana coalesced, forming a tall, imposing knight of frost.
Clad in silver armor and radiating a bone-deep chill, the knight’s pale blue eyes pierced the air. This was Morcan, the Commander of the Knights of Düpfendorf.
He dropped to one knee in a show of respect. Ian swallowed hard, his expression tightening with tension.
“Help me train Ian. Raise the difficulty higher than usual.”
[As you command, my lord.]
Morcan responded solemnly. He stood, his towering physique dwarfing Ian’s. Instead of drawing the blade at his waist, he picked up a practice sword I had provided, wielding it easily with one hand.
Just as the sparring was about to begin…
“What’s this? There’s no way this is a fair match.”
A girl’s voice rang out.
“…?”
Morcan, Ian, and I all turned toward the sound.
Behind Amy in the bleachers, a girl dressed in the academy uniform and a red cape sat with her chin resting on her hands, watching the field.
The red brooch on her ribbon marked her as a first-year. A new student.
I recognized her instantly. Even without her hood, her features were unmistakable: golden braided hair and piercing blue eyes.
My jaw dropped. She was the last person I expected to see here.
“You…?”
She had grown significantly since I last saw her, but there was no doubt.
It was Michelle—the red-hooded girl who had once called me her prince and bestowed the blessing of the Incarnation upon me.
Ian and Amy looked back and forth between Michelle and me, their faces filled with curiosity.
“You know her?”
I nodded slowly in response to Ian’s question.
Michelle leapt lightly onto the training ground, displaying an athleticism that belied her frail frame. She approached me with a knowing smile.
“It’s been a while, Big Bro. I came to see you.”