Chapter 73: Gift
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 73: Gift
The wind grew increasingly chilly as I walked down the path, my boots crunching over a vibrant carpet of fallen leaves.
Lately, more and more students had taken to wearing cape shawls over their school uniforms. I was no exception.
With the incident on Elt Island finally drawing to a close, the topic of demons had become the primary focus of every conversation on campus.
— Do you think there’s someone among us who can actually control demons? Like a hidden mastermind?
— That’s a bit much, don’t you think?
— Yeah, let’s drop the conspiracy theories.
— If someone like that really existed, wouldn’t their mana capacity be massive? It’d be impossible to hide.
— What about Luce? She has an S-rank mana capacity.
— No way. If it were her, she wouldn’t have been attacked by demons last semester.
— It’s probably not the Star Witch either. She was the one fighting them.
— Then it’s almost certain the demons are targeting one of us, right?
— Most likely.
By now, the majority of students at Märchen Academy had realized that the frequent demon appearances were likely linked to someone within the student body. Otherwise, there was no logical explanation for why the demons remained dormant whenever the academy was on vacation.
It was a sound conclusion.
From my perspective, however, the constant appearance of demons was as routine as having lunch. It was simply the fundamental law of the academy genre.
The evening air was thick with a tranquil atmosphere.
Deep within Josena Forest, near the academy entrance, lay a lake where mana flowed in dense, shimmering currents. At night, the area became even more vibrant.
I sat on a stump by the shore, waiting.
On the day I walked to Orphin Hall, Kaya had handed me a note. She had seemed perfectly normal then. In the note, she asked to meet me "here" so she could properly thank me. She had even included a cute little hand-drawn map of our destination: Norhan Lake.
I wasn't looking for a reward, but I agreed to meet because we had a lot to discuss. I had decided that today was the day I would finally be honest with her.
‘Did I get here too early?’
I had hurried over immediately after classes ended, but I probably could have taken my time.
Holding a mana meter in one hand, I continuously circulated mana through my palm, using the spare time to train my [Elemental Efficiency].
Suddenly, a sharp gust of wind brushed past my back.
「Wind Generation (Wind Element, ★1)」
Whoosh—
I felt the distinct ripple of mana accompanying the wind spell. Startled, I turned to see a female student approaching from the distance.
A calm, serene smile played on her lips, framed by twin emerald braids and mysterious crimson eyes.
‘Her personality shifted again.’
It was Kaya the Ravenous.
[Kaya Astrea]
Lv: 140
Race: Human
Elements: Wind, Ice, Plant, Blood
Danger: X
Psychology: [Happy to see you.]
“You’re already here. Sorry for being late; I thought I’d make it in time,” she said.
“It’s fine. But what’s that in your hand?”
Kaya was carrying a long object wrapped in a bundle, making it impossible to tell what was inside.
“Huhu, it’s a secret.”
[Kaya Astrea]
Psychology: [Excited to see your reaction to her gift.]
She had mentioned wanting to thank me, so it seemed she had brought a gift. I brushed it off with a casual nod and turned my gaze back toward the lake.
Kaya sat down next to me on the stump, her grip tightening on the bundle.
“I gave my testimony to the Truth Investigation Committee exactly as you instructed. Nothing out of the ordinary happened.”
Since she had gone through the same ordeal as Ian, fabricating a statement had been simple. She claimed she had let her guard down, was knocked unconscious by a demon, and was later healed by Lisetta.
As long as nothing contradicted her story, the committee had no reason to doubt her.
“That’s a relief.”
“Did anything happen on your end? You’re the one who rescued me, so I’m sure they grilled you with questions too.”
“Nothing important. They think I’m just another victim. By the way… how much do you actually remember?”
Kaya squinted at the sky, searching through her memories.
“When the demon took me… I remember the blood in my veins accelerating. My body felt so hot… the pressure made me feel like my arteries were going to burst.”
She extended an arm, staring at the back of her hand as the sun began to dip below the horizon.
“Then, I lost consciousness. It felt like I was drowning in a deep pool of blood… I don’t remember anything after that.”
She was likely recalling her fight with me and her awakening as a blood wizard and demon. Those memories had evidently vanished when she returned to her human form.
“When I finally came to, I was on your back.”
I already knew this from the original plot of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱. She would have blacked out almost immediately.
“I was… really happy that Sir Isaac came to save me.”
Kaya flashed a bright smile.
“Though, when I woke up again, I was in a bed and Sir Isaac was shamelessly stroking my cheek. To think you’d take advantage of me like that… you really do have wicked intentions~”
“…I didn’t mean it like that.”
“What do you mean ‘like that’? I’d love for you to be more specific.”
Kaya tilted her head playfully, a mischievous glint in her eyes that reminded me of Dorothy—though Kaya’s smile felt a bit more… suggestive.
‘She really knows how to throw me off….’
I needed to change the subject, and fast.
“You know you’ve changed, right?”
“Yes… I feel it often, even now. It’s probably because I was being controlled by a demon, right?”
Kaya had mentioned that she felt a sense of exhilaration whenever she transformed into "Dark Kaya." She felt inexplicably confident, stripped of her usual shyness and embarrassment. Her mind would buzz, as if she were moving through a vivid dream.
In that state, Kaya ignored logic and memory, acting purely on impulse and emotion. She became a different version of herself—one that was overly honest and unreserved in expressing her affection for me.
“Well, it’s not all bad. I can use new magic now, and Sir Isaac looks even cooler to me than before.”
Kaya stared at me, her face flushing. Her gaze was heavy with a level of desire that should only be reserved for a lover. It was a lot to handle.
I intentionally avoided her eyes and stared at the lake. The sparkling blue light dancing on the water grew more vivid as the forest plunged into darkness.
“Actually, I wanted to explain something today.”
“Explain something…?”
Kaya seemed to notice the shift in my tone. I had stopped acting like the distant, cold persona I usually maintained.
Up until now, I had tried to avoid being kind to her. I didn't know what would happen if my true identity was revealed, so I played the part of the strong, slightly "edgy" loner to keep her at arm's length.
But I didn't want to do that anymore.
I knew how Kaya felt, and her alternate self was shouting those feelings from the rooftops. Continuing to act that way while knowing the truth felt like I was trampling on her heart. Since we were alone, I wanted to be real with her.
“I’ve been acting a bit mean to you, but honestly, it was uncomfortable for me too. It must have felt strange to you, right?”
I cringed internally at my own words.
“…??”
Kaya looked completely lost.
“I’m sorry for being so guarded. From now on, I’ll be more relaxed around you, so please understand.”
I figured it was safe to loosen up a bit. I wasn't ready to shatter her illusion that I was some peerless powerhouse—that would destroy our dynamic, and I had no idea how to explain the truth anyway.
“The truth is, I have a goal I need to accomplish by our third year. Until then, I can’t afford to think about anything else.”
Even if Dorothy, my favorite character, were to confess to me right now, I wouldn't be able to accept. Back when I was a student studying for exams, romance was the ultimate distraction. It had the power to shake a person’s resolve.
In this world, magical training required absolute concentration. Romance would be a disaster for my progress. So, I decided to postpone any romantic developments until after I defeated the Evil God.
By revealing a small part of my secret, I hoped to make it clear to Kaya why I couldn't return her feelings yet.
‘You’re incredibly beautiful, but my situation just won’t allow it.’
That was my plan.
“So, I hope you’ll understand—”
Suddenly, Kaya stood up.
Chu—!
“…!”
I felt a soft, moist sensation on my cheek, accompanied by an adorable little sound.
Recalling what had happened during summer vacation, I turned to face her. She had already closed the distance, leaning toward me with a casual, knowing smile. Even the enchanting blue glow of the lake couldn't hide the vivid crimson burning in her eyes.
“I’ve wondered about this for a while.”
Pressing her hands down on my shoulders, Kaya slid a knee between my legs. She stared directly into my eyes. There was no escape.
“Why would someone like Sir Isaac come to this Academy?”
I caught the scent of something subtle yet alluring as her warm breath brushed against my forehead.
“It’s probably because of the demons. But why would someone like you have a ‘goal’? Is it a goal so ambitious that you can’t even spare a moment for someone else?”
Kaya giggled.
“By any chance, Sir Isaac… is a powerful demon going to appear during our third year? Have you been planning to defeat it all this time? Is that why you entered the academy? Or something like that?”
My heart skipped a beat. Her deduction was terrifyingly accurate.
“…You have quite the imagination,” I replied, keeping my voice flat to hide any reaction. “What kind of reason would that be? If a demon that strong was coming, I would have told someone.”
“You knew nobody would believe you. Only you realized the truth. Your abilities are far beyond anything I can imagine.”
The resurrection of the Evil God. It wasn't wrong to say I was the only one who knew. But my knowledge came from ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, not some divine intuition. There was no way a weakling like me could "sense" the Evil God’s return.
As I opened my mouth to deflect, Kaya giggled and cut me off.
“So, what you’re saying is that you have no plans to ‘date’ anyone until you finish your ‘goal,’ right?”
A chill ran down my spine. It was the same feeling I got whenever Luce acted suspiciously. I quickly checked her thoughts with [Psychological Insight].
[Kaya Astrea]
Psychology: [Attempting to seduce you without holding back.]
‘Wait, what…?’
This was not the reaction I expected. I thought she’d act like a drama protagonist, asking if I’d accept her in three years, or getting angry and demanding to know if I just didn't like her.
‘Did I just accidentally remove her limiters…?’
In her mind, if Isaac wasn't in a position to date anyone, then she could just keep seducing him until he eventually cracked. Then, when he finally decided he was ready for a relationship, she’d be the only one standing there.
“…I hope you don’t misunderstand me.”
“Don’t worry. I understand perfectly.”
Kaya giggled again and reached for the long bundle at the base of the stump.
“Sir Isaac, did you know about this?” she asked, gently stroking the wrapped object. “In the Masop Forest, the Rompa tribe has a tradition. When giving a gift, they offer a choice, allowing the receiver to pick what they prefer. Whether it’s a rare stone or the hide of a beast…”
She looked at me and smiled brightly.
“Thank you for saving me. If you hadn't been there, I wouldn't be alive. Huhu, I’ve prepared two gifts. Please, choose one.”
She unwrapped the bundle to reveal a wooden staff. The gemstone at its tip was a breathtaking blend of deep ocean blue and sunset orange. It was magnificent.
Kaya held it out with both hands.
“‘Zhonya’s Staff.’ It’s a magic weapon my family has kept in our vault. Don’t worry about the value; I was using it myself. I brought it because I planned on using a staff… but I think it suits Sir Isaac much better.”
My mouth practically watered. I had to fight the urge to snatch it. A magic weapon was incredibly tempting. A decent one cost a fortune in Gel, and the Frostscythe I currently had was too high-level for me to use properly.
And this was Zhonya’s Staff! I couldn't remember if it was Tier 2 or Tier 3, but it was a legendary rare item from the Astrea family coffers.
‘I wasn't going to accept a gift, but…’
My resolve wavered. Her sincerity was too much to ignore. My hand instinctively reached for the staff.
Suddenly, she pulled it back behind her.
“There is a second choice.”
Kaya gripped the staff in one hand and used the other to slightly lift the hem of her skirt. Her flawless skin shimmered in the moonlight as she gave me a mischievous, sultry smile.
“The second choice is me.”
I froze.
“Which do you want more, Sir Isaac?” she asked, her voice dripping with charm.
[Kaya Astrea]
Psychology: [Hopes that you will return her feelings.]
The humid air of Norhan Lake filled my lungs as the night chill began to seep through my clothes. For a long time, we simply stared into each other’s eyes.
“Haa.”
Letting out a long sigh, I leaned toward Kaya. It looked like I was going in for an embrace.
“Ah—?!”
I snatched Zhonya’s Staff from her arms and stepped back.
“I’ll put this to good use. Thanks.”
“…”
Shadows fell over Kaya’s eyes. For the first time today, she glared at me, her face a mask of pure, unadulterated disappointment.
Unfortunately for her, I wasn't desperate enough for romance to pass up a top-tier magic item.