Chapter 59: Carriage Driver (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 59: Carriage Driver (1)
[Does this mean the next Ice Sovereign has been chosen?]
In the northern reaches of the continent lay the Whiteclark Duchy.
The Whiteclark family harbored several secrets capable of shaking the Zelver Empire to its foundations. Their signature magic, [Sight Synchronization], was one such secret, yet even that was merely the tip of the iceberg.
Aichel Whiteclark, the eldest daughter and heiress of the Whiteclark Ducal family, was a woman of immense interest. She possessed a formidable backing that solidified her standing, but in truth, even her public reputation was insufficient to truly measure her worth.
Deep within the basement of the Whiteclark mansion was a roundtable conference room.
Despite the lavishly decorated exterior of the estate, this space was shrouded in shadows, illuminated only by a few luminescent lamps on the walls casting a faint, ethereal glow.
There, Aichel stood tall at one end of the table, her head bowed in respect.
One of the luxurious seats was particularly brilliant, occupied by a figure composed entirely of lightning mana. The man appeared noble and composed, propping his elbows on the armrests and resting his chin lightly on his clenched fists.
“Yes, Lightning Sovereign.”
Aichel’s voice rang out softly. An eyepatch covered her right eye, covering a wound that had yet to heal.
The figure formed of lightning was an Archwizard and the Elemental King of Lightning. This manifestation was a remote-controlled puppet of the man known as the ‘Lightning Sovereign,’ a being worshipped as the ‘Lightning God.’
The sovereigns of each element were known as Elemental Kings. Each was a power unto themselves—a walking nation, a one-man military, and the ultimate law. They governed their own territories, and their influence was so vast that their sheer military might could destabilize the entire world. The Zelver Empire was no exception.
For this reason, throughout its centuries-old history, the Zelver Empire had always maintained a diplomatic and friendly stance whenever an Elemental King appeared. While conflicts had occurred in the past, cooperation had become a firmly entrenched tradition.
[I was skeptical after reading your letter… How did the other Elemental Kings react?]
“It appears they consider it a mere agenda item for the next Council of Kings. They view him as nothing more than a noteworthy human with exceptional talent in ice magic, paying it little mind for now.”
If the world knew that the Elemental Kings gathered for a roundtable meeting every three years, the nations beyond the Empire would be paralyzed with fear. The Elemental Kings represented the absolute pinnacle of magic. In this world, wizards were the strongest existence, and within the Zelver Empire, Archwizards stood above the law.
Among those scattered across the globe, those served by demihumans and elemental monsters naturally came to be called Elemental Kings, eventually founding their own nations.
Due to the immense power and potential danger they posed, they had agreed to hold periodic meetings under the guise of fostering harmony. In reality, however, these councils served as a way to keep one another in check.
Aichel, as the heiress of the Whiteclark family and a neutral party, had been chosen as the host. She was competent, well-supported, and held high noble status as the future Grand Duchess of the North. Above all, her well-known love for peace had garnered the unanimous support of the Elemental Kings.
[I had the same thoughts at first, but my curiosity got the better of me. A new candidate for the ‘Ice Sovereign,’ a position that has been vacant for a millennium… You understand the weight of this, don’t you?]
“Yes, I do.”
[Then show me. I wish to see this Ice Sovereign candidate with my own eyes.]
Aichel nodded meekly and pressed a finger to her forehead.
Mana began to emanate from her fingertip, a process akin to extracting a visual record directly from her mind. With a graceful motion, she flicked her finger toward the center of the roundtable.
The memories stored in her mind began to play before the Lightning Sovereign.
「Sight Synchronization Playback (Neutral Element, ★0)」
These were the memories seen through the eyes of a man via the Whiteclark bloodline magic, [Sight Synchronization]—the vision stolen from Keridna a few days prior.
In the projection, the subject held the Frostscythe in his hand. The mythological white dragon, Frost Dragon Hilde, had become his familiar.
The Lightning Sovereign’s eyes widened in astonishment at the sight.
Then, as the man engaged a four-meter-tall demon, he activated [Ice Sovereign’s Majesty].
In a flash, the video cut to black.
Silence lingered in the basement. The Lightning Sovereign stroked his chin, lost in deep thought, before finally breaking the quiet.
[Is he the one?]
“His name is ‘Isaac,’ the candidate I spoke of. He is a commoner with silver-blue hair and red eyes, possessing no family name. He is currently a first-year student at the Zelver Empire’s Märchen Academy.”
[Hmm, a student?]
There was a hint of genuine surprise in his dignified tone. A mere first-year academy student.
It was obvious that Isaac was an immensely talented young man, but innate magical talent alone wasn't enough to shock an Elemental King. The true issue was the recognition of the mythological magic beast and the Frostscythe—artifacts once ruled by the Primordial Elemental King. This defied all expectations.
It meant that Isaac, a mere commoner, was more suited to be the Ice Sovereign than anyone else alive.
[Märchen Academy… I’ve heard reports of recent demon sightings there. There were even rumors of an unknown monster-slayer hunting them down. I noticed the Zelver Imperial Knights were mobilized. Was that boy the ‘monster’?]
“From the information I’ve gathered, it is clear he is concealing his identity.”
[A Magic Cloak of Disguise?]
“Yes, most likely.”
The events at Märchen Academy had only surfaced after the semester ended, involving even the Imperial Knights. The frequent demon appearances, the mysterious wizard slaying them, and even the Child of Light, Ian Fairytale.
[Is his purpose to protect the Child of Light and the people? Well, speculation is pointless. Nothing is certain yet.]
The Lightning Sovereign paused, his eyes glowing.
[I’ll admit, this is fascinating. That child will undoubtedly reach the realm of an Archwizard. I dare say he is beyond simply ‘promising’—he is practically guaranteed to be the next Ice Sovereign.]
As the Lightning Sovereign spoke, Aichel hesitated, holding back her words. He didn't miss the reaction.
[What is it, Aichel?]
“…The source of this information is my younger sister, Keridna Whiteclark. According to her, the candidate for the Ice Sovereign is infamous for having Grade E mana—the lowest possible level.”
[…]
“Just before the first semester ended, he appeared weak.”
The Lightning Sovereign immediately grasped her implication.
[Is it possible he is suppressing his mana?]
Manipulating one's maximum mana capacity was a feat equivalent to controlling every single cell in the body at will. As ridiculous as it sounded, it was a feat possible only for those at the level of an Archwizard who had transcended human limits—beings like the Lightning Sovereign himself.
And yet, a first-year student named Isaac could already control his maximum mana capacity?
If anyone were asked who the greatest genius on the continent was, they would name ‘Dorothy Heartnova.’ Regarded as a prodigy blessed by the heavens, she had even formed a contract with the Star Fairy, Stella. It was expected that she would reach the realm of an Archwizard within ten years. Even that level of talent was considered legendary, nearing the level of the Primordial Elemental King.
But Isaac, a commoner… was already beyond that?
Tension filled the room. One of the most powerful individuals in the world was silently admiring a boy named Isaac—a boy whose talent might very well eclipse his own.
[If he becomes the Ice Sovereign, I can only imagine the power the Ice Empire will wield. If the Frost Dragon and Frostscythe have already submitted to him, then those other ferocious monsters will likely follow suit…]
Isaac. It was clear to anyone with eyes that he would eventually ascend to the position of Elemental King. There were countless ice demihumans and magic beasts that had grown violent and chaotic in the absence of a ruler; they would regain their order the moment they welcomed a new master. They had been waiting for a leader.
Among those, there were some that even the other Sovereigns feared.
“You mean… ‘Glacial Bear Barbatoma,’ ‘Frost Spirit Merphil,’ and ‘Icebound Crocodile Tugaros’?”
The Lightning Sovereign nodded.
For over a thousand years, those beings had cultivated their strength, joining the ranks of entities that could alter the very fabric of heaven and earth. If those sinister and powerful monsters were to unite under Isaac’s banner…
As the master of the Frost Dragon and Frostscythe, and with his overwhelming innate talent, the extent of Isaac’s authority would be beyond imagination.
[What are your thoughts on this?]
Aichel closed her eyes to gather her thoughts before speaking.
“Personally, I believe Isaac entered Märchen Academy in anticipation of the demon appearances. Perhaps… he was born with a heroic disposition, willing to sacrifice himself for others.”
Aichel couldn’t hide her own desires.
“I am a lover of peace. If a man with such a sense of self-sacrifice were to become the ruler of those natural disasters and calamities, he would bring change and order.”
Her obsession with peace was transparent to the Lightning Sovereign.
“Then I couldn't be happier.”
She didn’t know Isaac’s hobbies, his favorite foods, or his ideal type—and she didn’t care. Aichel only looked at the objective truth: Isaac was killing demons and saving people.
“If Isaac is who I expect him to be… it is my personal hope that he rises to the position of Ice Sovereign and stands shoulder to shoulder with the noblest Elemental Kings of old.”
For a thousand years, the throne of ice had sat empty. On the day Aichel had been struck by [Ice Sovereign’s Majesty], she hadn't felt fear, but delight. She had found a candidate for the title—and a means to restrain the monsters of the frozen north.
[…I understand your intent.]
The Lightning Sovereign answered calmly.
[This was excellent information. I’m glad I let my curiosity lead me here.]
With those words, the lightning mana forming the figure dispersed into the air. Aichel bowed her head to the empty seat.
*
The Lightning Nation, ‘Zabrok.’
In the grand hall of a majestic castle stood a throne of purple and gold—the colors of the realm.
The man sitting upon the throne opened his eyes. His purple hair was swept back neatly, and his eyes glowed with dense, crackling lightning mana.
“Balkan.”
[Yes! Lord Lightning Sovereign!]
As his dignified voice echoed, the lightning mana before the throne condensed into the form of an indigo gorilla. It was Balkan, a 6-star familiar with lightning coursing from its shoulders. Balkan dropped to one knee, saluting its master.
“I am going to the Zelver Empire, to Märchen Academy. Arrange the necessary formalities immediately.”
The Sovereign’s voice grew quiet.
Isaac. He had to see the boy with his own eyes.
The Lightning Sovereign had made his decision.
*
“Eden, could you please not call me ‘Rider Isaac’?”
[Kyuuu!]
I was feeling a bit restless, so I found myself talking nonsense to Eden, my little golem familiar. I was grateful when he responded with a cheerful chirp.
Now that I had the Frostscythe, I had started a part-time job as a ‘carriage driver.’
As I’ve mentioned before, a ‘carriage driver’ in this world refers to a professional who uses mana to operate a magical carriage. It wasn't that horse-drawn carriages didn't exist, but mana-powered ones were preferred within the grounds of Märchen Academy. (Though students returning home for vacation usually took horse-drawn ones for their long-distance reliability.)
Anyway, I was currently dressed in rugged driver’s attire, sitting on a small rented carriage.
Driving a carriage was a job heavily influenced by [Elemental Efficiency], while simultaneously serving to improve that very stat. It was the perfect side hustle for a student like me.
Of course, I’d had to practice for several days to gain the stablemaster’s approval, but I’d put in the work. Since I already knew the academy layout like the back of my hand, navigation wasn't an issue.
“It’s summer vacation, so there aren't many people around.”
Eden chimed in with a playful ‘Kyuu!’ from the seat beside me.
I was currently at the carriage station. During the semester, this place was bustling, but now it was dead quiet. Only a few carriages were lined up. Most students had left the Academy for the break, so most of the professional coachmen had left as well.
In other words, the supply of drivers was at an all-time low.
However, with several commercial districts still operating on campus and a significant number of students remaining behind, there was definitely still a demand for transport.
But for some reason, I wasn't getting any customers.
“Well, Eden. Let’s get to work.”
[Kyuuung!]
My worries didn't last long. Business is all about the hustle, after all.
It was time to make my move.