Chapter 359: Side Story — Academy Visit
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 359: Side Story — Academy Visit
“My lord, Lady Luce. This is for you.”
This was a story from some time ago.
While I was spending time with Luce in the garden, an interesting letter was delivered to us.
*
Hello, Isaac!
This is Amy Holloway. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? It’s so nice to reconnect!
I’m writing this as one alum to another.
Starting this year, we’ve decided to hold a reunion at Märchen Academy specifically for our graduating class!
You remember Keridna, the student council president? She took the lead in making this happen.
I’ve even spoken with Ian and Ciel about it!
I really, really hope you can attend!
Well, if you can’t make it, I suppose it can’t be helped, right?
Though, it would be disappointing. Reeeeeally disappointing.
As the person who once “kidnapped” me, wouldn’t it be proper for you to show up? Don’t you think?
Haha! Just kidding!
Well then, see ya!
– Sincerely, Amy Holloway.
*
Below the message, the date and location of the gathering were listed.
“A reunion? It looks like our year is finally having one.”
Come to think of it, I’d heard that Dorothy and Eve’s class had their reunion last year.
Is it our turn now?
“Luce, are you going?”
“I’m not.”
“Why not?”
“It sounds like a hassle. Besides, I’m busy.”
It seemed Luce had made up her mind the moment she saw the sender’s name.
Well, it’s Luce, so that’s to be expected.
Luce never really made an effort to get close to anyone besides me. She’d probably just feel awkward mingling with her former peers anyway.
Ah.
Wait, who sent Luce’s letter? Was it Amy too?
“So, what does your letter say?”
“It’s just a formal invitation. It looks like it was sent by someone from the Holloway Count’s household.”
So Amy personally wrote mine and sent it to Düpfendorf, while Luce got a formal one from the staff?
Well, Amy and Luce were never close, after all.
“Are you going?” Luce asked.
I nodded. “Of course. I want to see everyone again.”
“That makes sense. Isaac has plenty of friends other than me.”
…She sounded a bit sulky.
Still, at least she wasn’t as prickly as she had been during our academy days.
“Haha.”
I brushed it off with a light laugh. I wondered if Kaya would be there. It seemed unlikely; I’d heard she was buried in training under her parents lately due to some family matters.
“Have a good time, then.”
Luce rested her chin on her hand, staring at me intently. The glow of the sunset settled over her gentle smile.
“Isaac, you’ve worked so hard. Make sure you enjoy yourself.”
“Yeah, I will.”
I wasn’t sure why it felt like Luce was giving me her royal permission, but I decided to just be grateful.
*
The reunion was tomorrow.
Since I planned to spend three days at Märchen Academy, I decided to head out today. I wanted to see White again after all this time and take a walk around the campus.
“The carriage?”
“I’m not taking it. I’ll just go like a normal person,” I replied with a smile to Dorothy, who had come to see me off along with her attendants.
If I take the carriage, I’ll have to bring an escort, the journey will take longer, and it’ll just be a whole ordeal…
At first, Grand Regent Richard had insisted that traveling without an escort—like the Frost Knight Morcan—would damage my dignity, but I firmly refused.
I just wanted to visit as an ordinary alumnus. That was also why I’d made an effort to dress in neat, casual attire.
Shall I head out, then?
I pressed down the brim of my fedora and summoned my ride.
“Hilde.”
Fwoooosh!!
A fierce, pale blue light erupted from my wrist. As pure white mana coalesced in the air, a white dragon manifested. The sudden, freezing gust made the hem of my robe flap violently.
Thud.
The Frost Dragon, Hilde, landed on the ground with majestic authority.
“Take me to the academy.”
[Leave it to me.]
I swiftly leaped onto the Frost Dragon’s back.
Snap!
With a casual flick of ice magic, I secured my luggage to her side.
“I’ll be back!”
I smiled and waved to the people seeing me off. With a powerful flap of her wings, the Frost Dragon took to the skies.
Beautiful, sparkling particles—like crystalline snowflakes—scattered in every direction. Soon, Hilde released a burst of pale blue mana from her wings like jet propulsion, soaring rapidly toward the academy.
This speed feels great.
I’d grown used to the intense air resistance by now. It felt refreshing.
[Master.]
“Yes?”
While we were soaring through the clouds, the Frost Dragon spoke to me.
[Are you planning to meet White first when you arrive?]
“Yeah. That’s why I’m going a day early.”
[Hmm…]
“What is it?”
She sounded like she had a grievance. Thankfully, Hilde didn’t hesitate to speak her mind.
[It feels like you have been spending much less time playing with me lately. Now that you are finally free from that endless work, are you not planning to stay at the academy? If you leave me alone, I will be very, very bored again, and I simply do not know how I shall cope.]
“I guess I haven’t been paying much attention to you lately… but why are you always bored?”
[I even added a second ‘very’ to the word bored. I would appreciate it if you took this seriously.]
The Frost Dragon grumbled in a calm, refined tone, like a poised young lady.
“Hmm…”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t petted her in a while. Hilde must have been craving some attention. It was understandable.
I leaned forward and gently stroked the Frost Dragon’s back from my seat.
[Heheh…]
A reflexive chuckle escaped her. She quickly caught herself and cleared her throat with an exaggerated cough.
[Did you think I would be satisfied just because you are petting me now?]
“I’ll pet you more later. How’s that?”
[…I have no objections.]
A subtle, delicate trill of a laugh escaped the dragon’s massive jaws.
Eventually, Hilde reached the end of the Landbridge leading to Märchen Academy. Merchants hauling wagons and guards at the checkpoint stared up at me, their eyes wide and mouths agape as if time had stopped.
It was a natural reaction; to ordinary people, the Frost Dragon Hilde was an immensely intimidating sight.
Thud!
As she touched down, I gracefully dismounted.
“Thank you.”
[If you are truly thankful, I would appreciate a thorough petting session later…]
As much as you want.
I responded with a smile and patted her head. She gave me a look full of anticipation before being reverse-summoned.
“…Huh?”
I was immediately greeted by the heavy, stunned stares of the passersby.
*
“Graduates are free to come and go as they please. Just keep this badge visible.”
The guard handed me a visitor’s badge. After noting down my three-day stay, I stepped onto the campus.
It must be the middle of the second semester.
Until my second year, Märchen Academy had strictly barred external visitors during the semester as part of its closed-off educational policy. However, it had since shifted to a more open system. Thanks to that, entry was permitted during the term under certain conditions.
I pressed down my fedora. It would be a hassle if the students recognized me.
Bartos Hall is… over there.
The first place I headed was Bartos Hall, which boasted a pristine exterior. It had once been the site of an Evil God’s resurrection but had since been completely rebuilt.
I found the academic office inside.
“I’m a graduate. I’d like to observe a class,” I said, handing my graduation certificate to the staff member.
As an A-Class graduate, I was more than qualified to sit in on A-Class lectures. While I could have used my imperial authority to get a free pass for anything, I didn’t want to do that today. I was here as an alumnus.
“Yes, please wait a moment…” the staff member began formally while examining the certificate, only to suddenly freeze. Her eyes went wide with shock.
She looked up at my face, then immediately scrambled out of her chair to kneel on one knee, bowing her head low.
“Y-Your Majesty! It is an honor to meet you!”
I still felt awkward whenever people called me “Your Majesty” and made such a fuss. It was something I needed to get used to.
I gave her a gentle smile.
“I’m just here as a graduate today. Please, lift your head and carry on with your work.”
“Y-yes, of course!”
The staff member quickly returned to her seat.
“Which class would you like to observe?”
“Third-year A-Class, Magic Department.”
“Understood…! Your eligibility has been verified.”
The staff member used telekinesis to move several quills, swiftly completing the paperwork before handing me an “Observer” badge. I pinned it to my chest.
“The next session for the third-year A-Class is a joint training with the first-years. You’ll need to head this way.”
She levitated a pen and pointed to a location on the academy map.
A joint training with the first-years, huh…?
I knew exactly what that was. Although I’d barely attended classes during my third year due to my special privileges, I remembered the curriculum from playing ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
It was a practical session where third-year A-Class students or B-Class honors students acted as role models and mentors for the freshmen.
“Well then, thank you.”
“Have a wonderful visit!”
I bid her farewell and left the office.
White’s going to be surprised to see me, isn’t she?
The corners of my lips lifted. White, my mentee, had made it all the way to her third year and risen to A-Class.
How commendable…
I was truly looking forward to seeing what kind of elite student she had become.
I want to see her soon.
I adjusted my fedora and walked down the path. The students in uniform passing by didn’t seem to recognize me, likely assuming I was just a guest. Still, many glanced my way. Among the female students, there was a certain look of romantic interest in their eyes—likely a result of my physique, which had been well-developed thanks to [Physical Training Efficiency].
I ignored the stares and hurried toward my destination.
“Did they say Princess Snow White is giving the demonstration today?”
“That’s what I heard.”
By now, more students wearing Magic Department shawls were appearing on the path. I suddenly heard White’s name coming from a group of girls.
These kids look like first-years.
I could tell by the red brooches on their ribbons. Since we were heading the same way, I trailed a short distance behind them and eavesdropped.
“Ugh, is it really okay for my lowly eyes to behold the wind magic of someone as noble as Princess White? Is it truly allowed!?”
“Don’t be so dramatic…”
“Dramatic? Our Princess Snow White is stunningly beautiful, overwhelmingly charismatic, incredibly intelligent, and her magic is top-tier! She’s so intellectual, you’d fall for her even if you’re a girl! She’s just… amazing!”
“Yeah, yeah…”
“Ah, I’m so excited… Her wind magic makes me so happy…!”
Passionate. Is this girl some kind of fan-girl?
The words she used didn’t quite match the White I knew, but it seemed she was highly respected by her juniors. Other students were also mentioning the names of third-year A-Class students like White or Miya.
Memories of my mentoring sessions with White floated through my mind, bringing a smile to my lips.
*
“As you all know, today we are conducting joint training with the most skilled seniors of the third year. Our focus today is wind element magic.”
At the training ground, the professor gestured behind him.
“The target is that specially crafted structure over there. It is extremely durable. Your goal is to hit the tiny gaps within the structure. Without precise mana control, this is an impossible task. Before you try it yourselves, your A-Class senior will demonstrate. Watch closely and take notes. Snow White, step forward.”
At the professor’s call, a girl with pure white hair stepped into the training area. Her cold, haughty expression exuded an elegant, noble dignity. Her straight posture and confident strides spoke of immense self-assurance.
Both male and female students watched her with eyes full of admiration.
“She’s so cool, Senior White… Her charisma is insane…”
“My goodness…”
“How can someone be that beautiful…”
Fwoosh.
The demonstrator lightly brushed her hand through her hair, flipping it elegantly. A collective sigh of admiration escaped the freshmen.
As expected, she carried herself like a princess and the academy’s top honors student.
Snow White, third-year A-Class, Magic Department.
She stood beside the professor.
“This is Snow White, one of the top students in the third-year A-Class. Her wind magic will serve as the ideal model for what you should strive to achieve. Treat her as a living textbook. Everyone, focus. White, whenever you’re ready.”
“Haa…”
White let out a small, weary sigh.
“Is something the matter?” the professor asked.
“It just looks… too easy.”
White shrugged her shoulders. To the first-years, her confident demeanor looked like the effortless composure of a true master.
“Well, it might indeed be too simple for you… Go ahead and show them.”
“Alright, then.”
White raised her arm toward the training area, wrapping her mana around the target.
Whoosh!
Light green wind mana swirled fiercely. The first-year students felt the density of the mana on their skin and gasped.
“Wow…”
“Amazing…”
Goosebumps broke out over the students' arms. As the murmurs of awe filled the air, White deployed a wind-element magic circle.
Each line etched into the circle was extraordinarily intricate—a complexity most first-years wouldn’t even dare to attempt. It required an advanced level of mana control, yet White remained utterly composed.
“Hmph.”
She let out a relaxed, knowing smile.
“Eek!”
“Did you hear that? She’s so cool…!”
“Look at how calm she is! With a magic circle that complex, the mana management must be incredibly difficult! She’s incredible!”
The freshmen were in a frenzy. White had perfectly nailed every charm point that drove her juniors wild.
Meanwhile, White was lost in her own power.
They’re impressed by just this?
This was a rare moment where she didn’t have to be wary of her mentor, Isaac, the most powerful man in the world. White wanted to be seen as seasoned and charismatic, just like her senior, Luce.
If Isaac or Luce—who knew her true self—had seen this, she would have wanted to crawl into a hole and die of embarrassment. But they had already graduated, so she didn't have to worry about anyone’s gaze.
Besides, she was an A-Class student now. The days when she was the bottom-ranking crybaby of D-Class were buried in the dark past. She could reinvent her image however she liked.
Am I just too cool?
The academy was White’s world now. She was the protagonist of her own story.
…However.
“Wow. That’s amazing, White!”
“…Huh?”
Amidst the sea of exclamations from the freshmen, a very familiar voice cut through the air.
Instinctively, White’s eyes widened. She turned her head sharply.
There, standing at the very back of the crowd, was a man in casual clothes, watching her with a bright, proud smile.
When she saw him, White nearly choked.
“Ah.”
Isaac hadn't expected her to notice him. He quickly clamped his mouth shut. He’d been so impressed by how much she’d grown that the praise had slipped out before he could stop it. He’d thought his voice would be lost in the cheers of the students, but he realized too late how careless he’d been.
But there was no taking it back. White had seen him.
“Ah… Senior Isaac? Why are you…?”
It was Isaac—the unprecedented Archwizard and White’s personal mentor.
“Eek…!”
White felt the heat rush to her face. A wave of intense shame crashed over her as she recalled how arrogant she had just been acting. Memories of her pathetic self crying during Isaac’s mentoring sessions flashed through her mind.
White’s confident, composed facade and her focus on the mana crumbled instantly.
Whoosh…
The wind mana dispersed feebly, leaving the training ground in a heavy silence. The first-year students looked at White with puzzled expressions.
“Huuh…?”
Overwhelmed by the shock, a pathetic, squeaky sound escaped White’s lips.
In that single moment, the carefully crafted image of the "Top Honors Senior" shattered into a million pieces.