Chapter 83: The Battle for Isaac (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 83: The Battle for Isaac (1)
“Did I ruin the mood? Sorry about that.”
Dorothy and I left Palace Hall and sat down on a bench. The night air was on the chillier side.
The shimmering streetlights illuminated the hall around us, while the flowerbeds flaunted the many colors of mana.
“Pfft! Puhehehe…”
Although I felt bad about laughing while Dorothy was feeling down, I couldn’t hold it in any longer and let out a strange laugh.
Watching Razel getting shut down had been so incredibly satisfying.
“President? Why are you laughing?”
“You put that bastard right where he belonged. Wow, you’re seriously the best, Senior…!”
Dorothy flinched.
She turned her gaze toward me, staring intently for a moment before she turned away completely with a sly smile.
“…Hmph. You find that funny? That’s harsh~.”
Her tone was playful.
Dorothy’s previously depressed expression was nowhere to be seen, likely thanks to my reaction.
‘Oh?’
I’d noticed it before, but seeing Dorothy up close made me realize just how much effort she had put into dressing up today.
My favorite character is absolutely radiant today. You’re killing me here, Senior.
In any case, Dorothy had gotten angry on my behalf.
The fact that my favorite character had stood up for me—just like Luce had during the end-of-semester evaluation—filled me with a great sense of pride.
I was incredibly excited. Doesn’t this show just how important I’ve become to Dorothy?
My life as a die-hard Dorothy fan—I don’t regret it at all.
‘Hmm?’
Dorothy was smiling, her cheeks flushed with a scarlet hue. She also smelled faintly of alcohol.
“Did you drink a lot, Senior?”
“Not a lot, just a little while I was waiting for you, President… I think? This big sis is a bit tipsy!”
“And you’re a bit tongue-tied, too.”
I could hear it when I listened carefully. Her voice carried the cutesy charm of someone slightly intoxicated.
“Well, anyway, what should we do now? It’ll be hard to go back to Building 3 because of the mood. Building 1 is… hmm. Building 2 seemed prettier, so why don’t we go there?”
Building 1 was where Alice, the Student Council President, would show up to enjoy the gathering. I didn’t particularly want to run into her.
“That sounds good too, but…”
Dorothy looked up and pointed at the spire of Palace Hall.
“How about over there?”
“That’s not part of the venue, though?”
“That’s okay. Besides, the wind is refreshing there~.”
“…!”
How can this be? Is she suggesting we spend some alone time together?
“Let’s go right now.”
“Nihihi, okay!”
Sparkle—.
A cluster of stars formed around me. Warm star mana enveloped my body.
My body slowly started feeling lighter, and then Dorothy and I began to float. It was as if we had become weightless.
A glistening cluster of stars formed beautifully around us.
“Senior.”
I extended my right hand to Dorothy from within the colorful cluster of stars.
I intended to escort her, just as I had promised. I had already been protected by her, but I figured I should at least maintain the proper etiquette.
Dorothy stared blankly at my hand. Then, she beamed brightly once she realized why I had offered it.
She gently placed her hand on top of mine.
Her hand was supple, soft, and delicate. Dorothy was grinning, merely resting her hand on mine instead of gripping it.
We stayed just like that as the star mana carried us up to the spire of Palace Hall.
On top of the spire, there was much more space to walk than I had originally thought. Moreover, the mana stones embedded within the structures were sparkling with a beautiful array of colors.
All around us were the glistening colors of Märchen Academy. It’s beautiful, but I’ll probably kick the bucket if I fall from here.
We could clearly hear the music from Palace Hall drifting outside. The atmosphere was perfect.
“This kind of thing is new to you, right?”
Dorothy and I sat down against the banister and enjoyed the view of the academy. Even if one of us carelessly fell off, we’d still be safe thanks to her starlight magic.
“Yes, I’ve never seen anything like this before. It’s nice.”
“It’s pretty romantic here, isn’t it? I came alone last year, but I’m here with you today.”
“It’s an honor.”
I didn’t know for sure because I didn’t have a mirror, but my expression was likely very relaxed right now.
“President.”
“Yes?”
“You’re always working yourself to the bone. This is your first day off, isn’t it? You’ve even put down your usual training obsession.”
“Yes, I’m resting of my own free will.”
“Nihihi, this big sis of yours will do anything I can for you today—within reason, of course! I’ll cheer you on with everything I have, President!”
Your existence alone already cheers me on.
But actually saying that felt too forward, so I settled for a simple, “Thank you.”
“What do you want me to do for you first?”
With perfect timing, the music coming from Palace Hall suddenly turned sweet and mellow. It was the song that played in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ when the player danced with their chosen heroine.
The ball had likely started inside the hall.
“Shall we dance?”
“Okay! Let’s dance!”
We stood up and faced each other, getting into position.
I’d said the first thing that came to mind, but the thought that we were actually about to hold a private outdoor ball for just the two of us on this moonlit night was starting to make me feel butterflies.
But I immediately felt better after I wrapped an arm around Dorothy’s slender waist, gently took her hand, and started to move.
The music was loud enough that it didn’t feel awkward. The moonlit night and the scenery around us were overflowing with aesthetic beauty. I felt myself getting absorbed by the mood.
“I think I’m getting a little excited~.”
It looked like Dorothy shared the sentiment. Her steps were light, like the fluttering of a butterfly, as she danced to the melody.
Dorothy smiled timidly as she continued.
“President, there’s something I want to try.”
“…What is it?”
“Once you no longer have to train so hard…”
“Yes?”
“Well, I heard that Regell’s Croissants are famous for being tasty. Let’s go and eat some together.”
“Sure. That sounds great.”
“Oh, and did you know? Lake Frey in the Astrea Duchy is supposed to be really pretty. I saw it in a book. Let’s go see that, too.”
“Certainly. I’ll pack the snacks.”
“They say the moss forest inside the Vantus Woods in Medellnook is super pretty, too.”
“Let’s go see it together someday.”
“Nihihi, and…”
Dorothy continued listing all the things she wanted to do for some time. The sparkles in her eyes as she spoke made her seem like an innocent young girl.
I knew that Dorothy had been slowly going through her belongings, preparing for something.
That was why I could keenly feel how much weight her plans for the future held, even though she spoke so nonchalantly.
Were these Dorothy’s true feelings—feelings that had never been revealed even in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱?
Was she speaking so candidly because she was drunk and with someone she had opened her heart to?
Dorothy hadn’t been a major character in the game because she wasn’t one of the heroines. That was why I had no way of knowing what she was truly feeling.
The only thing I could do for her right now was respond and etch every wish she had into my memory.
“So that’s why I’m hoping you’ll still continue meeting with me like this even after I graduate, President.”
Dorothy had stopped dancing and was looking at me from point-blank range. I replied serenely.
“That was my plan from the very beginning.”
“…I guess you’re right. You’re a fan of mine, after all.”
Dorothy grinned.
“I guess I was worried for no reason.”
Dorothy stepped back into my arms and resumed dancing with me.
It was very bizarre.
Kaya’s consciousness grew fuzzy whenever she fully expressed her feelings for Isaac, and this happened quite often. She felt strange every time it occurred, as if someone else had taken over and was piloting her body.
Then, one day, she suddenly stopped feeling like she was dreaming while sleepwalking. Instead, she started hearing a cute and charming voice in her mind.
—‘Sir Isaac is so cool.’
—[Sir Isaac is so cool.]
—‘…Huh?’
She had thought she was hallucinating at first, but she knew exactly what that voice was now.
It was Kaya’s other personality. It had taken a concrete form and was now capable of conversing with Kaya directly. In other words, it had formed its own ego.
Perhaps it had simply been adapting until now.
Kaya’s two personalities shared their memories, feelings, and senses. Her original personality had merely been split in two.
Kaya felt a profound yet mysterious sense of unity with it, as if it were both someone else and herself at the same time. It had been scary at first, but she had quickly grown accustomed to it.
Now, she was actually grateful it was there. Unlike herself, her other personality was overflowing with confidence and was capable of assertively expressing their feelings for Isaac.
That was why Kaya had become friends with her other personality in no time at all.
“Fuaaah…”
Atla Hall, the heart of Palace Hall. The Four Constellations' event had been suspended due to an unexpected accident, and the venue had brightened up again.
Tonight’s event had basically been called off for good because one of the Four Constellations' heads, Malrog Bryer, had disappeared.
Even so, the mood inside Atla Hall remained amicable to promote friendships between the top-ranking students, so the gathering continued.
The only strange part was that the students’ conversations all centered around a certain man.
“Seriously… Has Isaac lost his mind? How could he suddenly kiss Lady Kaya on the cheek like that…? Look how flustered she is…!”
“For real? I didn’t even see it happen. D-does he not value his life…?”
“Wait, what are you guys talking about? I saw the bastard holding hands with Lady Lisetta—what’s this about Lady Kaya?”
“W-wait, what?”
“The hell are you all on about? The bastard was pestering our goddess, Lady Keridna, wasn’t he?”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
For some reason… none of the students’ memories were lining up.
Meanwhile, Kaya, standing right in the middle of the hall, could hear neither the music nor a single word of what the other students were saying.
Kaya stood there with her hands clasped over her cheeks, letting out gasp after gasp. Her elevated body temperature showed no signs of cooling down, and her eyes were spinning in circles.
Her eyes were jade green. This was the original Kaya. She was looking down, needing time to pull herself together.
[Happy, aren’t we?]
It felt like someone was hugging her from behind and whispering into her ear. This was her Dark personality.
[I never imagined that Sir Isaac would say, ‘You’re prettier than everyone else here,’ to me. Aha, what am I supposed to do with myself? I’m so happy.]
‘S-stop it. I’m going to die of embarrassment.’
Kaya was so embarrassed she thought she would lose her mind.
Who would have thought…? As soon as the party at Atla Hall had started and the lights had dimmed… Isaac would whisper such sweet words into her ear?
It had happened out of nowhere. Dark Kaya had looked into Isaac’s crimson eyes for a moment before smiling shrewdly and summoning the normal Kaya.
Kaya’s eyes had returned to their normal jade green. She swallowed a gasp and covered her mouth with both hands. Then, Isaac had said he had something to do and headed toward the exit.
Kaya had staggered as if she were about to pass out. Her body temperature had spiked, and she had been rooted to the spot.
All of this was actually just a fake memory created after Malrog had been dealt with—a replacement for the illusions she had seen.
But to Kaya… the fake memory remained vivid.
[Teehee, Sir Isaac was interested in us. It was worth dressing up.]
‘Fuwaaaaa…’
[Let’s go and give him a kiss.]
‘Huh?!’
The ravenous darkness whetted her appetite.
[Our feelings aren’t one-sided anymore; they’re mutual. We need to take the opportunity to leave our mark on his lips.]
‘Well, that’s… I mean, but still, I…? To Sir Isaac?’
[Don’t you want to?]
It was like the devil was whispering in her ear.
[Because I do.]
Both her thoughts and her actions were bold. Kaya had no idea how she had created a personality like this.
‘…’
Isaac was her first love. She had lost count of how many times she had imagined kissing him. Kaya could not bring herself to deny her dark side’s question, no matter how embarrassed she was.
She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again. Her eyes instantly changed to the bright color of blood.
“The other me is so bad at being honest.”
There was a treacherous smile on Dark Kaya’s lips as she left the venue.
*
Meanwhile, a female student was leaning against the wall of Palace Hall.
She was wearing a lovely blue dress. Her prettily braided rose-gold hair was beautifully adorned with a morpho butterfly bow and hairpins shaped like jeweled blue flowers.
Every student who passed had their gaze drawn to her. Luce Eltania, the top seat of the Magic Department’s first years, had the power to turn anyone’s head.
Her interview with the Eldork Magic Tower had been incredibly useful. She had been able to hear firsthand stories about real-world matters that she couldn’t learn at the academy yet.
After the interview, Luce had returned to Charles Hall, the highest-ranking dorm, and made her way to Atla Hall as soon as the maids had finished dressing her.
Originally, her interview with the Eldork Magic Tower was supposed to have lasted longer.
But Luce had desperately wanted to attend the gathering and have fun with Isaac no matter what…!
That was why she had ended the interview early after taking only the key pieces of information she needed.
[We’re back, Luce.]
[Bello, returning like the wind!]
Two magic beasts—a black grouse as small as a raven and a small killer whale wrapped in water mana—flew toward Luce. They were Galia and Bello.
Galia landed on Luce’s extended wrist, and Bello swam around her. Luce had ordered them to find Isaac, and they had returned from surveying the various venues.
[It looked like Isaac went to Building 3. According to what I overheard the other students saying, it sounded like he had a partner. They apparently went outside together.]
Luce hadn’t known that Isaac had a partner. She hadn’t had the chance to ask him because of her interview.
Even so, she could not avoid the mental shock.
“A partner… So he had one after all. Isaac has many friends other than me…”
Luce’s quiet voice resounded through the night air. Her only friend was Isaac, but Isaac had many friends.
Luce clicked her tongue and lowered her eyes as she recalled this unpleasant truth once again.
If only there was no one else around Isaac.
If only she was the only person by Isaac’s side, just like how she only had him.
Then, she would be able to monopolize his time… monopolize his heart.
Luce’s regrets suddenly billowed up from within her.
[But I also heard that Isaac got punched by a guy called Razel before he went outside…]
Galia swallowed a gasp and was unable to continue. This was because Luce’s emotionless eyes had turned to him with terrifying speed.
“What did you say?”
Her voice was quiet and restrained, yet it carried a condensed, ice-cold bloodlust.
Isaac was Luce’s weakness. He was the one and only man to whom she, who could not open her heart to anyone, had finally opened up.
That was why Luce could not withstand her own wrath whenever someone so much as touched him.
Galia harbored goodwill for Isaac too, but it was nothing compared to what Luce felt. Had he said something wrong? Galia began breaking out in a cold sweat.
[Bello went and heard all about how much of a playboy Isaac is!]
“…?”
Bello butted in just then. Galia was grateful for the interjection, but not for the content of Bello’s words.
“Huh?”
This time, Luce turned to Bello in bewilderment.
[According to what the other students were saying! He kissed Kaya on the cheek, held Lisetta’s hand, and pestered Keridna! Not that I know who any of them are!]
“…”
[And then he immediately left the party! He’s pretty good, that Isaac! I, Bello, the valiant killer whale, saw you yet again, you rascal! Wahaha!]
Bello explained everything he had heard in a cheerful voice like that of a young boy. He was a killer whale magic beast who had gotten excited without being able to read the room.
Luce began emitting a dark and chilling bloodlust. It only grew denser with every word Bello spoke.
Galia gulped. A dark shadow had fallen over Luce’s eyes.
The students probably hadn’t been saying those things about Isaac for no reason. And while Luce didn’t think Isaac was the type to randomly hit on girls, the truth remained that something had happened to make it look that way.
[What are you planning to do, Luce?] Galia asked anxiously.
“I need to find Isaac.”
Luce’s eyes swept across Palace Hall.
Just what on earth had Isaac done here while she was gone, and what happened to him?
He had been punched by Razel, and he was apparently a playboy… Luce could not simply ignore this. This became the catalyst that made Luce determined to use her last resort.
Swish.
The magic tool she had prepared in advance shot out from under her sleeve. It was a small rod. Once activated, mana would flow out from it and bind its target.
It was a powerful restraining device that used Luce’s mana to great effect—something the Eltania Family had prepared.
“I think I need to be by Isaac’s side right now.”
Luce didn’t intend to harm any healthy relationships Isaac had. Doing so would go against both the law and her own morals.
But if he was getting punched or was hitting on women at random… then Luce wanted to make it so that he would have to stick with her, even if she had to use a little force.
Her protective instinct, her possessiveness, and the affection she felt for her one and only friend all began tangling together like a spider’s web. The feelings Luce had for Isaac were anything but simple.
[Isaac has a partner right now… Are you going to ignore that and bring him over anyway?]
“Yes.”
Galia’s head flinched slightly at Luce’s firm reply.
“Both Isaac and his partner probably have other people they can substitute each other with. They probably won’t care too much if just one of the many people around them disappears. But that’s not the case for me.”
Luce didn’t care if this made her selfish.
She wanted to see Isaac so badly, and she wanted to be with him.
“I only have Isaac.”
Her face was icy as she began walking away.
For now, she had decided to get rid of one person before going to see Isaac.