Chapter 84: The Battle for Isaac (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 84: The Battle for Isaac (2)
"Mmm... Hng?"
Ciel Carnedas’s wavy, blue bobbed hair swayed gently as she slowly blinked her eyes open.
The pillow she’d received from Isaac during the first semester was truly top-tier; even a certified nap expert would attest to its profound quality. No matter where she was, the moment she laid her head down, her body would relax and sleep would consume her.
Ciel slowly sat up.
Since it was the day of the social gathering, the maids of Charles Hall had dressed her in an elegant blue gown. However, Ciel seemed entirely apathetic about whether she looked good or if her outfit matched the atmosphere. Instead, she had wrapped herself in a thick overcoat like a human sushi roll.
The cool autumn air brushed against her face. It was the middle of the night.
Where am I? It feels like I’m somewhere high up…
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Ciel tried to piece together what had happened before she drifted off.
"The spire…"
Right, this was the spire of Palace Hall. When the party began, she must have used her bat familiar, Zabet, making him large enough to fly her to the very top.
It was nice having the railing here to shield me from the biting wind.
Ciel let out a quiet yawn, the muffled music drifting up from Palace Hall sounding like a distant lullaby. The melody tempted her back toward sleep, but it was time to get up and move. Sleeping outdoors in the middle of the night wasn't exactly a good idea.
As she lifted her small frame, she peered over the railing at the academy grounds below.
"Huh?"
On the opposite spire, she spotted a man and a woman dancing gracefully. The woman had lavender hair, while the man’s hair was a shimmering silver-blue.
Ciel rested her chin on her crossed arms, watching their performance with half-lidded eyes. To any observer, it was a deeply romantic sight.
However… the man’s silhouette was far too familiar.
"…!"
Ciel’s drowsiness vanished instantly.
The man dancing over there was Isaac—the monster of a student who had given her that cherished pillow.
Memories of the end-of-semester evaluation flashed through her mind. She remembered Luce’s cold fury as she protected Isaac, and how Kaya had done the exact same. Ciel had assumed that if Isaac ever dated anyone, it would be one of those two.
So why is he dancing alone with a girl I’ve never seen before?
It had nothing to do with her, yet the mere thought of Luce chasing her with a knife sent chills down Ciel’s spine. Luce’s rage during the evaluation had been so intense that a killing spree wouldn't have seemed out of character.
Wait, they’re heading down… What is that?
As if they had finished their private moment on the spire, Isaac and the lavender-haired girl began their descent. They drifted down slowly, surrounded by a cluster of colorful, swirling stars.
It was only then that Ciel recognized the woman.
"That magic… is that Dorothy Heartnova?"
Dorothy’s reputation preceded her. She was the continent’s greatest prodigy, a girl expected to reach the rank of Archwizard within a decade.
Somehow, Isaac seemed to have a supernatural talent for attracting the most beautiful and capable women in the academy.
Is it a case of the strong recognizing the strong?
Since Ciel hadn't recognized Isaac’s strength at first, she had naturally assumed she was on the weaker side. But even as the freshman third seat of the Magic Department in the continent’s most prestigious academy, did her rank even matter if people like Isaac were hiding such monstrous power?
Ciel let out a hollow laugh as she watched the pair. A moment later, however, she witnessed a scene that made her blood run cold.
*
"Senior, are you sober now?"
"Nihihi, you think so?"
Dorothy and I descended to the ground amidst a beautiful cluster of stars. We had decided to spend some time in the garden. As we landed in a secluded spot, we shared a bashful smile.
"I’m going to make a quick trip to the restroom, then."
"Come back soon!"
"You got it!"
Before our walk could truly begin, I had to answer nature’s call. I hurried into Palace Hall and relieved myself with a powerful stream into a bronze urinal.
I’m so happy.
Was this what it felt like to be a successful fan? When I was younger, I’d occasionally imagine hanging out with my favorite celebrity. This had to be what it felt like when those fantasies became reality.
Even though we’d only danced for a short while, I felt like I was still floating in the night sky. It was the same rush of liberation I used to get from playing games during exam season. After the grueling struggle of defeating yet another demon, this night with Dorothy was pure bliss.
I’m going to enjoy every second of this before I have to leave.
Struggling to suppress a grin, I stepped out of Palace Hall.
In that moment, a hand reached out from behind and gripped my sleeve.
"Isaac. I found you."
A voice so beautiful it seemed designed solely to enchant the human ear assaulted my senses. For a split second, my body was bombarded with a dissonant mix of ecstatic pleasure and primal goosebumps.
I turned my head. Standing there was a girl with rose-gold hair, staring at me with terrifying intensity. She wore a sophisticated blue dress, her hair adorned with a hairpin shaped like morpho butterflies and blue flowers.
"Luce?"
She was breathtaking, her beauty rivaling the moon in the night sky. It was Luce Eltania.
[Luce Eltania]
Lv: 152
Race: Human
Elements: Water, Lightning
Danger: ??
Psychology: [Wants to spend the entire night with you.]
Why is she here? Isn’t she supposed to be at an interview at the Magic Tower…?
More importantly, the "Danger" panel triggered alarm bells in my brain.
What the hell is with that Danger Level?
I was well aware of Luce’s obsessive tendencies, but the "??" beside her Danger Level was deeply concerning. Usually, the system determined danger by calculating the product of combat power and killing intent. If there was no intent to kill, there was no danger.
However, in exceptional cases, the "potential to harm" was also factored in. For context, Luce’s Danger Level in Extra Bad Ending No. 13 was "?■?".
If that ever shows up, you’re officially screwed.
I forced myself to act as naturally as possible.
"What are you doing here? What happened to the interview?"
"I finished it quickly and came to see you. Isaac, you’re staying with me from now on."
Luce wore her usual gentle smile. As expected of one of my favorite characters, she was stunning.
But… she finished the interview that fast?
In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, unless the player chose her as a partner, she never attended the social gatherings. But it was pointless to rely on game logic now. Predicting Luce’s behavior had become impossible ever since we became friends.
She had likely rushed through her interview just to spend the evening with me. Unfortunately, I was already partnered with Dorothy. Even if I wanted to hang out with Luce, I couldn't. It was better to be firm.
"I’m sorry, Luce, but I already have a partner today. It’ll be difficult to—"
"I wasn’t asking."
Luce’s swift interruption left me speechless.
"From this moment on, you’re staying by my side."
Her sweet voice was a dangerous distraction. Something was definitely wrong.
[Luce Eltania]
Psychology: [Wishes to monopolize your affection so you don't flirt with any other woman.]
I felt a surge of flustered confusion. Me? Flirting with every girl I see? Where did that come from? Why would I even look at anyone else when my partner is Dorothy?
I had never once shown signs of being a flirt. But Luce wasn't the type to be irrational without cause. She wasn't sick, she wasn't stupid, and she didn't seem drunk. There had to be a reason for this bizarre misunderstanding.
I racked my brain. If a lie is told often enough, it becomes the truth…
The fabricated memories.
When Marlog the Envious was slain, the memories of the students at Atla Hall were altered. Had those memories been twisted into some wild stories about me being a playboy?
Luce must have been searching for me the moment she arrived, likely using her familiars. If she had overheard those fabricated rumors at Atla Hall, her current behavior made perfect sense.
I let out a low sigh and softened my expression. I had to handle this calmly.
"Luce, listen to me. I already promised to spend the day with someone else. It wouldn't be right to betray their trust like thi—"
Chieek—
"…?"
Mana coiled around the wrist Luce was holding, solidifying into a ring. Like a pair of magical handcuffs, the mana rings bound my wrist to hers. Only then did she let go of my sleeve, looking noticeably more relaxed now that she had me "secured."
"Luce, what is this…?"
The question was rhetorical. Anyone with half a brain could see what was happening. These were restraints—high-quality ones made of pure mana. I thought she’d stopped using things like this after the hunting evaluation, but she’d gone and brought an improved version?
Wait, she couldn't have brought these in during the middle of the semester. Did she prepare these in advance?
The thought sent a fresh wave of goosebumps over my skin. Without me even realizing it, Luce had already made preparations to claim me.
"It can’t be helped. Even if it’s a bit uncomfortable, please understand."
[Luce Eltania]
Psychology: [Doesn't want anyone else to have you.]
"Isaac… needs to stay by my side."
Is she really trying to cuff me by force just to stop me from 'flirting'? Isn't this a bit much?
I stood my ground, deliberately frowning. I needed to confront her with a stern tone.
"Are you insane? I told you before, I hate things like th—"
In that instant—
「Wind Sword (Wind Element, ★3)」
Ssaak──!
"What?!"
A blade of pale green wind sliced down from the sky, instantly severing the mana handcuffs binding me to Luce!
Holy crap, that scared me!
The mana was incredibly dense—the work of a high-level wind magic expert. Luce was just as startled as I was, her eyes widening in shock.
Whooooooosh———!
A gale erupted, ruffling my hair and whipping Luce’s dress around her. Suddenly, something dropped from above and wrapped around my shoulders. I felt a soft sensation against the back of my head.
Mwah.
A soft touch and a cute sound met my cheek.
"How could you leave me all on my own, Sir Isaac?"
The voice was dripping with excessive, almost cloying affection. Wrapped in the swirling green wind, the woman hugged me from behind and whispered into my ear. I turned my head and saw a beautiful girl resting her head on my shoulder, staring at me intently.
She wore a deep green dress that matched her light green hair. Her eyes were a piercing red, and her smile was nothing short of predatory.
It was Dark Kaya.
[Kaya Astrea]
Lv: (140)
Race: Human
Elements: Wind, Ice, Plant, Blood
Danger: X
Psychology: [Wants to aggressively make out with you.]
And then—
Whooooo———!
"Whoa!"
A blast of wind so concentrated it felt solid lifted me off the ground. My body soared into the air, with Kaya clinging to my back. The sight of Luce reaching out for me grew smaller and smaller as we ascended.
I’m going to lose my mind!
"I can’t lose Sir Isaac to a bitch like that!"
"K-Kaya?!"
We finally leveled off at a dizzying height. Suspended by her wind, the flight felt far more unstable than Dorothy’s starlight magic. Kaya finally released her back-hug and floated in front of me, taking both of my hands in hers.
I was beyond bewildered.
"I’ll be clear this time."
Kaya blushed, flashing a comforting smile. The atmosphere between us turned heavy and strange.
Her memories must have been altered too.
I had no idea what version of the story Kaya had in her head, but if she was proactively trying to make out with me, I could only assume the "fabricated memory" was something incredibly embarrassing.
I needed to explain the situation immediately.
"Kaya, about today—"
Before I could finish, Kaya leaned in close. She slowly closed her eyes, her face inches from mine.
"…As of today, I am yours, Sir Isaac."
She pressed her lips toward mine.
In that exact moment—
「Hydro Cannon (Water Element, ★5)」
Booom———!!
From far below, a brilliant blue magic circle erupted, firing a fierce [Hydro Cannon] directly at us!
Instantly, a flower-shaped tattoo bloomed on Kaya’s right cheek, trailing down her neck. It was the mark of her blood magic, [Flower of Evil].
Dark Kaya pulled back from the kiss, her eyes turning cold and frightening as she glared at the incoming spell. In rapid succession, light green and brilliant red magic circles manifested, merging into a spell far more radiant and powerful than the sum of its parts.
「Song of the Mountain Goat (Wind Element, ★6)」 + 「Flower of Evil (Blood Element, ★6)」
= 「Baphomet’s Hymn (Wind + Blood Element)」
Kwaaaaah————!!!
Like a crimson-green typhoon, [Baphomet’s Hymn] struck the [Hydro Cannon], violently scattering the water mana in every direction. Since it was Luce’s offensive magic, Kaya had clearly judged that nothing less than her strongest spell would stop it.
"That bitch is getting in the way," Kaya hissed, her voice trembling with fury.
As [Baphomet’s Hymn] neutralized the attack, it dissipated into the air. But Luce wasn't finished; she began raining down water spells in a relentless barrage.
Boom! Fwaaah!
Kaya dodged the spells with predatory grace, hovering through the air.
At this rate, I’m actually going to die!
"Let’s get out of here!"
Kaya grabbed my hand and accelerated, flying away from the palace!
Ahhhh!!!
The wind whipped against my face so hard my skin felt like it was vibrating. Suddenly, Kaya looked back at me and smiled brightly. For a moment, time seemed to slow down, her soft, radiant smile imprinting itself in my mind.
"Sir Isaac, if we manage to get away…"
Kaya raised a finger to her lips, her expression turning sultry and sensual.
"Tonight, you can do whatever you want with me. Please… use me as much as you desire."
"I am Sir Isaac’s, after all!" she added with a dreamy, dazed look.
I didn't know what kind of misunderstanding had taken root in her head, but her willingness to say such indecent things was terrifying. The moment we were safe, I had to explain the incident with Marlog.
For now, I couldn't even speak; the wind resistance was too strong for my voice to carry. I was honestly impressed she could talk at all in this gale.
[Kyaaaaaa——!]
The screech of a massive bird of prey tore through the sky. Cloaked in purple lightning, a gargantuan black grouse ascended with majestic, terrifying speed!
Oh, hell no! What is that?!
Luce was riding atop Galia, her eyes dripping with literal venom as she chased us down.
"Wow, this is a problem…" Kaya muttered, looking genuinely bewildered. She couldn't have anticipated that Luce would summon a familiar capable of toppling a small nation just to catch me.
Suddenly, my head thrummed with a familiar resonance. Kaya seemed to feel it too. This was the mental link that formed right before Galia spoke.
[Hand over the seed of my grandchildren right now!!]
I get it now! Galia—no, this sorry excuse for a father-figure was the biggest problem of them all!