Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 54: Prologue (4)

In the realm of eternity, there stood an obelisk that governed time. Every now and then, a bluebird would fly to the obelisk and sharpen its beak against the stone. It pecked and scraped until the massive pillar was reduced to a single grain of sand.

When the obelisk finally wore away after near-infinite eons, losing its original form, it was said that a single second of eternity had passed.

This was a mythical tale from ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, and the time-acceleration spell, [Obelisk of Eternity], was a magic derived from that very legend.

The [Obelisk of Eternity] was the ultimate desire of the mastermind, Alice Carroll. If activated on the rooftop of Bartos Hall, it could drastically shorten the time required for the resurrection of the Evil God.

The only requirement was to use the Phantasmal Clock as a catalyst. I remembered the in-game story where Alice sent her minions to hunt it down.

However, it seemed the Trial of Frost had simply handed the Phantasmal Clock to her.

As a result, Alice’s activation of the [Obelisk of Eternity] had accelerated time enough to bring about the Evil God’s resurrection. The Phantasmal Clock was likely being used as the catalyst on the rooftop of Bartos Hall at this very moment.

‘The solution to this trial is actually quite simple.’

The fix was straightforward: turn the hands of the Phantasmal Clock backward. It functioned like a stopwatch; with the push of a button, it would reverse itself.

Then, at the epicenter where the [Obelisk of Eternity] was triggered, time would flow backward in proportion to the amount it had been accelerated. I would get a front-row seat to the absurd spectacle of an Evil God being yanked back into the abyss just as it finished resurrecting. All I was missing was the popcorn.

However, there was a side effect: everything within range would also be caught in the reversal and travel back in time. Of course, I didn't need to worry about the consequences in a world like this.

‘So, the plan is…’

Break through Alice’s defenses.

Reach the rooftop of Bartos Hall and press the button on the Phantasmal Clock.

Prevent the destruction of the world.

This trial will be cleared in no time. It’s quite easy, isn’t it?

‘The problem is that Dorothy is the only one who can make it happen…’

I walked through the academy grounds, distancing myself from the vacation ceremony held in the square. I had to find Dorothy.

Perhaps this trial was designed so that it could only be cleared by enlisting her aid. There was no other way to deal with Alice.

‘But why can’t I see her on a day like this?’

Where are you, Dorothy?

I wondered if she was off somewhere enjoying the scenery or perhaps sleeping in because it was the start of vacation.

As I pondered, a heavy sense of unease washed over me.

‘That’s strange.’

The question that emerged stopped me in my tracks.

Dorothy was a character who had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bravely accepted her tragic fate. Because of that, she was always willing to lay down her life to protect the academy’s students.

‘It’s odd that she hasn’t appeared even though the Evil God is being resurrected.’

It didn't make sense, even if her opponent was a god. Dorothy was the type to face the Evil God head-on, even if it meant her death. She viewed her own life as expendable.

Even the ridiculous excuse that she might be sleeping through the apocalypse didn't hold water. Dorothy’s mana perception was peerless. She would have sensed the enormity of the Evil God’s mana the moment it stirred.

‘Is there a reason why Dorothy hasn’t appeared…?’

First of all, it was obvious she was on the island. There was no way she could have left the academy grounds.

Then… what was really happening?

“Senior Dorothy! Where are you?!”

I shouted, hoping she would answer if she were nearby.

But no matter how many times I called out, she didn't appear. Maybe she was in her dorm.

I rushed toward the academy dormitories and headed for Charles Hall, the residence for the top-ranked students.

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Magic Department dorms were eerily quiet.

The first-years were in the middle of their belated vacation ceremony, and the rest of the students had already departed. It was the perfect time to sneak into Charles Hall.

“Eden!”

[Kyuu!]

Clusters of light brown mana gathered in the air, taking the form of the small golem familiar, Eden. I didn't know if this version of him was real or a fake, but it didn't matter right now.

I knew exactly where Dorothy’s room was. It was a detail I had memorized while playing ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.

“Eden, make me a staircase!”

[Kyuu!]

「Rock Generation (Rock Element, ★1)」

「Ice Generation (Ice Element, ★1)」

Eden created a crude stone staircase against the exterior of the girls' wing of Charles Hall.

I built an ice ladder on top of it. My [Elemental Efficiency] was higher than before, allowing for a much sturdier construction.

Dorothy’s room was on the third floor. Even for the third floor, it was quite high up due to the soaring ceilings of Charles Hall.

I didn't have time to feel guilty about breaking in. I scrambled up the stone steps and climbed the ice ladder.

A room on the third floor. Through the window, I caught a glimpse of her living space.

It was gray and sparse, devoid of anything other than essential furniture. It looked like the room of someone who lived an incredibly quiet, detached life.

Dorothy’s room was always like that. The only touch of personality was a teddy bear tucked inside the wardrobe, its fluffy arm peeking out from the shadows.

In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Dorothy’s true feelings were never fully revealed. However, it was clear she was constantly purging anything that might make her hesitate to throw her life away. I had only discovered this indirectly by searching for traces of her across the game map.

‘She’s not here…’

Dorothy wasn't in her room. I quickly descended, unsummoned Eden, and started running again.

I searched every place she might be, but found nothing.

In the end, the hour of the apocalypse arrived. The Evil God Nephid was resurrected.

Black spheres of flame rained down, crashing into the earth.

And just like that, the world met its end.

● ● ●

“We will now begin the summer vacation ceremony for the first-year students of the Magic Department.”

Finding Dorothy in the vast academy grounds was going to be extremely difficult.

I, on the other hand, was on a clock. Once the frigid cold of the Frostscythe completely consumed my body, I would die.

‘What should I do?’

I needed manpower. I needed as many people as possible to help me find her.

However, when I played ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, alternative paths that deviated from the established routes to clearing a trial usually turned out to be landmines. This was one of the reasons Ian felt so hopeless during his own trial.

‘But this trial is different from what Ian went through.’

Maybe one of the intended routes was to gather a group to find Dorothy.

‘I have to try.’

Nodding to myself, I stood up. The ceremony host and the students of the Magic Department all turned to stare at me.

Undaunted, I raised my right arm and shouted.

“Kaya! Mateo! Luce! Amy! Follow me…!”

A moment later, I gasped.

In the blink of an eye, the faces of the students and the host had vanished.

They looked like Dalgyal Gwishin—egg ghosts. Their eyes, noses, and mouths had disappeared, leaving nothing but smooth, blank expanses of skin.1

Their gazes were all fixed on me. Without a single movement, they focused entirely on my position.

“Holy shit…!”

A shiver ran down my spine. It was a bizarre, horrific sight straight out of a nightmare.

And then—

Kiwooooooooh!

The heads of the faculty and students split wide open.

I saw the raw, red cross-sections of their bodies, filled with rows of teeth and elongated tongues that rose like pythons ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠before my eyes.

I staggered back. An anaconda-like tongue protruded from every severed head.

I was already running at full speed when a chair caught my leg, sending me tumbling.

‘Ah, fuck! I shouldn’t have looked…!’

It was just like the hidden traps in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.

If I had met Kaya after the ceremony and we hadn't had the exact conversation scripted in the game, her head probably would have split open right in front of me.

I couldn't imagine how hopeless I would be without my gaming knowledge. These landmines were even worse in person.

Damn these trials. This is ridiculous. Forget it. I’ll find her on my own.

The academy grounds were massive, so I had to use my brain to pinpoint exactly where Dorothy would be at this time.

“Where could she be…! Think!!”

I began to recall every conversation and story I had shared with Dorothy, trying to remember every tiny detail.

Senseless chatter, useless jokes—anything. I just needed a clue.

Where would Dorothy be at this exact moment? Where is that place?

Where are you?

Where?

— President, what are you doing?

— □□□□□, □□□’□□ □□□□. □□□□’□ □□□ □□□□□□ □□ □□ □□□□□□ □□□ □□□□?

— Your expression seems a bit too relaxed for that.

— □□’□ □□□□□□□ □’□ □□□□□□□ □□ □□□, □□□□□.

— Nihihi, just like how my fan should be!

● ● ●

— Do you like me being that?

— □□□. □’□ □ □□□ □□□ □□ □□□□□, □□□□□, □□ □□ □□□□□.

— Hmm, do you like me, President?

● ● ●

— Nihihihi…! Oh, what was that reaction? The president is cute.

— □□□□ □□□ □□□ □□□□□ □□□□ □□□□ □□ □□□□□?

— The stars are so beautiful tonight. I was watching them and suddenly thought of you, so I came to see you! You’re still training, huh?!

● ●

— Nihihi, nice to meet you.

— □ ’ □ □□□□□ □□□□ □□□ ’ □□ □□□□□. □□□□ □□ □□□□ □□□ □□□.

— Look at the way you talk~ It’s so cute! Nyahaha!

●

— I was falling from the sky!

— □□□□ □□□ □□□□ □□□ □□□□□□□ □□□□ □□□ □□□?

— I was watching the rain clouds gather. I especially like the moment when the rain clouds form. Should I call it aesthetically pleasing? So! I was flying around watching them, then I said, ‘I’m done now,’ and came down.

— …

— Nihihi.

I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gazed up at the sky. The rain clouds, which I had once thought were just fluffy white clouds, were drifting gently. Those clusters would surely pour down by the afternoon.

From the west, the clouds drifted and gathered over the Arkins Sea.

I explored the area, experiencing multiple deaths along the way. Finally, I arrived at a cliff overlooking the shore.

A girl with long, lavender hair and a witch’s hat sat on the edge, hugging her knees. Her gaze was fixed on the dark clouds filling the sky above the distant sea.

“Huff, agh…”

I had run with everything I had. Barely catching my breath, I approached Dorothy Heartnova.

She seemed startled by the sudden footsteps, her head trembling slightly.

“Senior.”

“What’s up, President? What brings you here?”

Dorothy turned toward me, her face still partially hidden under her oversized hat. After sniffling once, she lifted the brim to reveal a lovely smile.

She had lived her life admiring the sky, even skipping class for it. She wanted to take in as much of the world’s beauty as possible before her inevitable end. Hiding her true feelings behind a fake smile, she acted friendly to everyone, always striving to shine the brightest.

That was the Dorothy I knew.

“President…?”

I sat down next to her.

The sight of rain clouds forming… I should have realized it the first time she mentioned it.

‘What’s so beautiful about that?’

It’s just cloudy and dark. It isn't beautiful at all.

Does Dorothy see herself when she looks into those dark clouds?

“Senior.”

“Uh, yes?”

The Dorothy here was bound to disappear. She was a mere replica, a tool to clear the trial, observing the clouds while the vacation ceremony took place elsewhere.

Still, the more I thought about her, the more I realized how much I wanted to say. I couldn't bear to leave it unsaid. It would be difficult to say these things to the real Dorothy, so I decided to take this chance.

I opened my mouth to express the feelings I had been holding back.

“You know, Senior. I thought you were really cool back then.”

“Hmm. Isn’t that why you’re a fan of mine?”

“That’s right. The way you try to shine in any situation… you just looked so cool. I couldn't help but become a fan.”

“Nihihi, is that so?”

“But, you’re overdoing it, Senior.”

“…Huh?”

“You’re forcing yourself to smile. You’re forcing yourself to see beauty where there is none. It’s because you want to make your life meaningful and beautiful, even if only a little.”

I said it bluntly.

“Honestly, nothing here is actually beautiful, is it?”

“…”

Dorothy’s smile slowly faded. But, as usual, she immediately pulled the mask back on.

“What are you talking about, President? I’m getting a little bored.”

There was a tinge of wariness in her smile. One slip of the tongue and she might cast a spell on me.

In any case, I had already died plenty of times in this trial. If I were to die by Dorothy’s hand, it would be the most meaningful death of my life. It wouldn't be so bad if my gravestone read: Cause of Death: Fanboying Idiot.

Of course, while I joked about death, my body was in grave danger. When I checked my abdomen, it was frozen solid. I only had one or two regressions left.

Nevertheless, there was something I had to tell her, even if it meant facing death.

As I reflected on our time together, I wondered if my determination to save her was misguided.

What if Dorothy desires death? What if she doesn’t want to be saved?

I needed to see her reaction.

“Senior, I will save you.”

I wanted to hear her answer—whether I was allowed to save her or not.

“So, stop living like you’re on borrowed time. Start thinking about how you want to live after graduation.”

Dorothy’s eyes widened. Her voice trembled.

“Why… would you say that to me?”

I want you to find happiness. More than anything.

“Because you’re a shining light to me, Senior.”

It was for that simple reason that I loved Dorothy the most.

Dorothy flinched. An awkward silence followed, broken only by the crashing waves.

“…You’re so boring, President,” Dorothy finally replied, turning back toward the rain clouds. There was a hint of laughter in her voice. “I actually prefer being saved by force. It’s more fun that way~”

The gathering rain clouds weren't pretty at all. There was no need to pay them any more attention.

Dorothy understood exactly what I meant. My sincerity had reached her.

I bowed my head and closed my eyes, feeling the salt spray of the sea on my skin. Dorothy wanted to be saved. That was enough.

I opened my eyes and looked at her. It was time to get down to business.

“Senior, there’s something important I need to tell you.”

“You’re getting out of here, right?”

“…?”

…Huh?

“I already knew this world was fake. I can see through the essence of everything, remember?”

“Then, Senior, you knew all along…?”

“Not really. I don’t know what happens next. But I realized that neither I nor this world are real, so I figured what happens doesn't matter. I didn't feel the need to give my existence any meaning.”

It was then that I realized. Dorothy hadn't fought the Evil God because she knew she was a replica; there was simply no reason for her to care.

“But it seems that wasn’t the case.”

Dorothy stood up energetically, laughing mischievously as she extended her pure white hand toward me.

“Nihihi. Let me help you, President! Let’s tear down this world together.”

I swear. Her smile is as bright and refreshing as ripened fruit. It’s so cute I can’t help but laugh.

“Yes.”

I took Dorothy’s hand and stood up.

It’s time to break this trial.