Chapter 86: The Battle for Isaac (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 86: The Battle for Isaac (4)
“Ah…”
Moonlight filtered through the stained-glass ceiling, shimmering against the stone walls.
The interior of the clock tower featured a spiral staircase winding upward, with small, cramped alcoves tucked into every corner. I had ducked into one of these narrow spaces with Dark Kaya, practically pressing myself flat against the wall to fit.
I kept my explanation brief and to the point: the demon, Malrog the Envious, had fabricated her memories.
At first, Kaya couldn’t bring herself to believe it.
“You’re lying, right...? Aren’t you just saying that because you’re embarrassed?”
She stayed in denial for a while, but as she realized how dead serious I was, a cold sweat began to break out on her brow. Predictably, she was left spiraling into a deep sense of skepticism.
“Sir Isaac’s words… they were all fake…”
I hadn't actually done anything wrong, yet I still felt a pang of guilt. How was I supposed to know her memories would be altered in such a specific, embarrassing way?
For the record, I had asked Kaya to pretend she didn’t know me during the party to minimize as many variables as possible. According to the lore of Magic Knight of Märchen, the heroines naturally monopolized the attention of every man in the room. Among them, there were always plenty of cliché bastards who would make unwanted advances.
The more unexpected variables I could avoid, the better. I needed to focus entirely on defeating Malrog, a task that was already fraught with uncertainty. Because of that, I hadn’t told Kaya anything…
I do have some regrets. Maybe I should’ve at least mentioned the demons to her.
It was all in the past now, so there was nothing I could do, but still…
“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect things to turn out like this.”
“If you’re actually sorry, you should reenact those memories for me in real life.”
Kaya pouted, her eyes searching mine.
No matter how guilty I felt, I had absolutely no intention of repeating the cringeworthy things I had supposedly said in her false memories.
“…Well, I didn’t expect you to actually do it. But it’s fine. I’m satisfied just being in this heart-pounding situation with you, Sir Isaac.”
“I’m going to head out now. I need to talk to Lu—”
“Just a little longer.”
Kaya gently braced her hand against the wall next to my head, silently telling me not to leave.
Since the space was so cramped, our bodies were in constant contact. I felt goosebumps prickle my skin as I felt her warmth. I pressed myself against the wall as hard as I could, trying to maintain some semblance of distance, but Kaya leaned in closer, seemingly oblivious to my dilemma.
In the dim moonlight, a sly, shadowed smile spread across her face.
“Let’s stay like this for just a bit more, Sir Isaac.”
[Kaya Astrea]
Psychology: [Excited to be so close to you]
It wasn’t that I hated it. Moreover, ever since our cute Kaya had embraced her "dark" personality, she had become much more comfortable with these bold expressions of affection.
I’ll be honest.
‘I can’t bring myself to reject one of my favorite characters…’
I’m seriously going to lose my mind… she’s too cute.
Click—.
Just then, the sharp click of heels echoed from the stairs. Anyone could guess those footsteps belonged to Luce.
Just as planned, I had cleared up the misunderstanding with Kaya. Now, all I had to do was pacify Luce.
Click, clack—.
The footsteps drew closer.
I gently pushed Kaya’s arms aside to make my exit. She resisted at first, but when I applied a bit more force and gave her a stern look, she blushed and finally gave in.
Stepping out from the cramped alcove, I stood on the stairs and looked down. At the landing below, a girl with rose-gold hair stood bathed in the moonlight.
It was, without a doubt, Luce.
“Isaac…!”
[Luce Eltania]
Psychology: [Happy to see you]
Luce’s expression brightened for a fleeting moment before she took a quiet breath to steady her emotions.
“She’s behind you, isn’t she?”
“Yes.”
Before I could even finish my sentence, Kaya popped out from behind me. Luce’s brow furrowed, but she cleared her throat and continued.
“I’m sorry for what I did to her. However… I didn’t have a choice. To be honest, she was the one being out of line.”
“Oh? I wonder who’s actually the one bothering Sir Isaac? I’m the one who helped him. Luce Eltania, don’t you think you’re being a bit too selfish and overbearing?”
“Isaac. You were surprised when she tried to kiss you out of nowhere, right? She even dragged you off without your consent.”
What a mess… they’re both just saying whatever they want without listening to the other.
Actually, it was slightly different. Luce was looking and speaking only to me; she didn't give Kaya so much as a glance. It was a typical response for Luce, who rarely opened her heart to anyone else.
Kaya scowled, clearly displeased by Luce’s dismissive attitude.
“You should look at me when you’re talking. Are you ignoring me right now?”
“…”
As if she were stone deaf, Luce continued to ignore her.
I felt like I was being crushed between the suffocating auras of these two women. I had to step in. When Kaya tried to snap back again, I extended my arm to block her.
“Sir Isaac?”
“Luce, Kaya. I appreciate how much you both care for me, but I already have a partn—Ack!”
Flash—!
Swirling, iridescent starlight mana suddenly enveloped me. I was yanked straight toward the top of the clock tower before I could even finish my sentence.
Whish—!
It felt as if the laws of physics had been rewritten just for me, gravity shifting according to someone else's whim. I didn't regain my footing until I reached the very top floor, right in front of the massive clock face.
There was no need to wonder who had done it.
Luce and Kaya looked up in shock, leaning over the railings to see where I’d gone. A massive surge of mana, far greater than anyone else’s in the room, brushed against my skin like a gale.
Then, a resplendent figure surrounded by a cluster of brilliant stars appeared. Lavender hair fluttered in the wind as she descended into everyone’s view.
“I was starting to think you were taking too long with your business. Why were you letting yourself get kidnapped the moment your big sister looked away, Mr. President~?”
“Senior…”
Dorothy Heartnova asked with a playful smile.
When Luce had summoned Galia earlier, I figured Dorothy would follow us. Seeing her now, however, felt like a literal Deus Ex Machina.
“Tell me about it…”
I let out a weary laugh. I didn't quite understand how things had escalated to this point either.
By the way, the look in Luce’s eyes was terrifying. No matter how friendly Dorothy was to others, she wasn't exempt from Luce’s social hostility.
“Senior Dorothy Heartnova…?”
Kaya, standing below, seemed to have realized who the lavender-haired woman was. As long as you were a student at Märchen Academy, it was impossible not to recognize Dorothy once she started using starlight magic.
“Let’s stop the silly pranks, girls. It’s quite rude to snatch someone else’s partner, don’t you think?”
Both Kaya and Luce scowled. The fact that I had a partner—and that it was Dorothy—seemed to have struck a nerve.
Kaya and Luce were precious to me, too. They were certainly people I wanted to be around. However, Dorothy was my partner for the night, and I had promised to spend it with her. It was only right to keep that promise.
‘…What is with this atmosphere?’
The air grew heavy. No one looked ready to back down without a fight. The sheer pressure sent shivers down my spine.
What the hell am I supposed to do here…
More importantly, being the center of this three-way war of nerves was incredibly burdensome. Yet, running away from these three wasn't an option.
‘What do I do?’
Seriously, what am I supposed to do…
Just as I was racking my brain for a solution—
“…!”
Another powerful wave of mana washed over me. Because Dorothy’s mana was so overwhelming, my perception of this new presence was delayed.
Dorothy and I both spun around to see the newcomer.
“Why don’t we call it a night?”
A graceful woman stood with her back to the moonlit clock face.
A stunning gold dress draped her form, perfectly complementing her elegantly tied, pale-gold hair. Her accessories were strictly black and white, providing a sharp contrast to the gold: a checkered flower hairpin, matching earrings, and a sleek choker.
Beside her, a plump purple cat wearing a tiny fedora tilted its head at us.
The one person I wanted to encounter least…
The Shadow of Magic Knight of Märchen.
She spoke in a distinct, seductive tone. Even in the moonlight, her eyes glowed a mesmerizing, pale pink.
“After all, we’ll have to work overtime if you girls keep this up.”
One after another, students riding various familiars ascended toward the clock tower, flanking the woman in gold. They were all dressed for the gala, but the silver brooches shaped like a sword and grimoire set them apart. It was painfully obvious which organization they belonged to.
The organization wielding the ultimate administrative power within Märchen Academy: The Student Council.
And the woman with pale-gold hair was the one who held the highest authority among them. The Student Council President.
[A*()(&^%#( &$&]
Lv: 1&^&%$ Race: &@man Elements: $&^%!#) Danger: $(&4#
Psychology: [♠♥♣◆ .]
A woman whose information I couldn't read due to her unique trait, [Red Queen’s Paradox]—an existence that stood out more than any other.
It was the Student Council President, Alice Carroll.