Chapter 88: Social Gathering Interlude
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 88: Social Gathering Interlude
─ ‘Senior, are you okay?’
─ ‘It’s a bit disappointing. I feel like I stepped in something foul.’
I wrapped my coat tighter around me and conjured a small flame of [Frostfire] in my right hand for some light practice.
Even though the sun hung high in the sky, a chilly breeze nipped at my skin. It was lunchtime, and I was tucked away in a quiet corner of the butterfly garden.
Sitting on the grass, I replayed Dorothy’s words in my head.
The disciplinary committee had sentenced Dorothy to fourteen days of probation. It was a surprisingly light punishment, made possible by the glaring loopholes in the Märchen Academy disciplinary system.
Depending on the severity of the offense, paying a substantial fine could lower the level of disciplinary action. Luckily, Dorothy was given that option. The official rationale was that her actions—protecting me—were technically justified.
While the fine must have been astronomical, it was likely pocket change to her.
‘I knew it would turn out like this.’
The power of capital transcends all bounds, even the decisions of a disciplinary committee.
It made sense when you considered the mutual dependency between Dorothy and the academy. To the school, she was a transcendental genius, a marketing goldmine that practically printed money. If they punished her too severely, the academy’s public image would plummet.
Investors were already pulling out due to the recent emergence of demons. Headmistress Elena was likely wearing her knees thin begging for continued sponsorship funds.
Given the precarious situation, the academy had no choice but to take a passive stance regarding Dorothy’s discipline. Her light sentence had been set in stone from the start.
‘It’s honestly such a relief.’
Even as she was being led away by the academy staff, Dorothy gave me an energetic farewell. “See you next time! I had a blast!” It was a bittersweet sight.
Even if it was just a slap on the wrist, probation was still probation. Guilt gnawed at my heart.
I couldn't possibly face her again without repaying the favor. I decided that once her probation ended, I would give her a gift as a token of my gratitude.
The problem was that Dorothy wasn’t an official heroine in the original game. Consequently, there was no "best-in-slot" heroine item tailored for her.
I need to think carefully about what to get her before she’s released.
By the way…
‘It really is frustrating.’
I can’t believe my plan to hang out with Dorothy ended in such a disaster… I’m so disappointed.
Of course, it wasn’t that I hated the situation itself. Having beautiful girls fight over me? That was heaven on earth. But I had genuinely wanted to spend the night hanging out with Dorothy…
“Ugh, whatever.”
There was no point lamenting the past. They had all acted out of affection for me, so it was hard to hold a grudge. I should focus on Dorothy’s present instead.
To my further relief, I hadn't run into Alice again.
It would be a mistake to think she had lost interest in me, but for now, she didn't seem to view me as a "disruptor" to the narrative.
‘To be honest, I wouldn’t think I was one either if I were her.’
Looking at the situation objectively, I was just a weakling being dragged around by girls far more competent than myself. I was far too insignificant to be considered a threat to the plot.
Regardless, now that I had met Alice face-to-face, I needed to be cautious.
‘I think everything else has been resolved nicely.’
Earlier this morning, I visited Mateo Jordana. My goal was to maintain the distorted scenario as much as possible.
Ian, who had finally regained consciousness, had no idea why the Cherubim’s Necklace was around his neck. He had tried to return it to the Four Constellations.
However, after some "discussion," the Four Constellations claimed that "the treasure had found its rightful owner" and that they were planning to distribute it anyway, so there was no need to return it.
Ian was still skeptical about why the necklace had chosen him, but I asked Mateo to gaslight—er, persuade—him appropriately on my behalf.
Next, I visited Eva Hielov, the one who had sold my information to the Red Elephant Constellation.
Among the Four Constellations, the members of the Red Elephant had been victims of Marlog’s illusion magic, which had manipulated their minds into accepting him as their leader.
Now that Marlog was dead, their memories should have shifted. I wanted to see how they had changed.
“Hieeek!!”
The moment Eva saw me, she scrambled backward in horror, falling onto her backside and letting out a high-pitched, dolphin-like scream.
Have I ever been feared this much by someone? Usually, no one would be afraid of a model citizen like me. It was a novel feeling.
According to Eva, the members of the Red Elephant didn't actually lose their memories of Marlog being their head. Instead, they found a parchment written in Marlog’s handwriting stating that he was "stepping down." No one seemed to know where the parchment had come from, but they accepted it.
‘Scarlett Atlas has safely returned.’
Scarlett Atlas was the previous head of the Red Elephant. It seemed she had reclaimed her throne.
For context, she was originally the mid-boss of 「Act 5, Chapter 3: Blue Wolf vs. Red Elephant」 in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱. She was one of those extras who suddenly gets a tragic backstory while fighting the protagonist. I’m sure she’ll cross paths with Ian sooner or later.
‘The rumors have spread nicely as well.’
The gossip among the students was moving exactly as I’d hoped. It was all thanks to Dorothy, who had crushed Razel for me and publicly declared me her partner.
This created a specific perception: ‘Dorothy is on Isaac’s side, and anyone who touches him will face her wrath.’
‘My favorite character couldn't be more reliable.’
Additionally, the idea that "Isaac is a weakling who needs protection" spread simultaneously, making me seem completely unrelated to the Black Monster.
Instead of worrying about unwanted rumors, I had taken the initiative to spread them myself. Dorothy was the perfect catalyst for my plan.
Dorothy is a god, and now, I am invincible!
Strangely, another rumor began to circulate—that I was the "Incarnation of Lust" who flirted with any woman I could reach. That was the fault of the altered memories.
I decided not to worry about it. It was a fleeting topic, and ironically, it wasn't even a lie. I like harems. They weren't wrong to call me a lecher, so I had no intention of denying it unless it actually caused me problems.
I was simply suppressing my desires until I dealt with the Evil God.
‘Anyway, I’m glad everything else worked out.’
I had one last thing to ponder.
‘When should I use this?’
I tossed an old silver key into the air and caught it.
It was the [Key to Mysteries], the loot I had acquired from killing Marlog the Envious.
[Key to Mysteries]
A key imbued with mysterious magic. It is used to open the doors to a specific underground area. It can be used anywhere.
Rank: Tier 1
[※ Caution: Numerous deadly threats will target you upon use.]
Although the description used the term "underground area," it was a mistake to think of it as a simple bunker.
‘Because that "underground" is actually the Nether.’
The Nether.
The name spoke for itself, but it bore repeating…
…The Nether is a fuuuuuuuuucking dangerous place.
However, it was also a place where one could achieve tremendous growth if utilized properly.
In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, after Ian used this key to enter the Nether, he basically threw an EXP grinding party, slaughtering every enemy that came for his life.
If a player went there unprepared, it was a guaranteed Game Over. Even if they survived, the efficiency would be low if their level wasn't high enough.
Upon use, the key would transport the user to the very edge of the Nether—the most insignificant corner of the map. I remembered the layout and the mechanics perfectly because I’d had so much fun playing through that zone in the game.
The key was a one-time use item. If the user mimed the motion of inserting the key into the air and turning it while inside the Nether, they would be returned to their original location. Only then would the key crumble into powder.
In short, it was a consumable teleport scroll in the shape of a key.
Since it only moved the user to the edge of the Nether, there was virtually no chance of encountering the truly horrific entities, like the Nether King or the Magic Beasts of Incarceration—beings denied salvation in both life and death.
‘If I ran into them, I’d be finished.’
‘Anyway, if I use this now, I’ll just die a dog’s death.’
I’ll go on my own EXP grind once I’m stronger. I don’t need it yet.
I decided to call it a day and start my lunchtime training.
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 76
Gender: Male
Year: 1st
Title: Freshman Who Has Adapted to Student Life
Mana: 9000/9000
• Mana Recovery Speed (B)
• Stamina (B+)
• Strength (B+)
• Intelligence (B-)
• Willpower (A+)
>
[Potential]
Stat Points: 0
◈ Growth Rate
– Physical Training Efficiency (A-): 70/100 [UP]
– Magic Training Efficiency (S): 100/100 [MAX]
– Learning Efficiency (B+): 60/100 [UP]
>
Owned Skills ❰❰Details❱❱
[Unique Traits]
– Hunter
– Weapon Master
Last night, I invested 9 of the 18 stat points I earned from Marlog into [Magic Training Efficiency]. This pushed it to the maximum level and birthed the unique trait [Weapon Master].
[Weapon Master] was a trait that made it easier to increase proficiency with magic weapons and boosted their overall power.
It didn't affect ultimate elemental weapons like the Frostscythe, but it was incredibly effective when wielding Zhonya’s Staff.
The remaining 9 points went into [Physical Training Efficiency].
As I’d noted before, a strong body is essential for wielding ultimate weapons like the Frostscythe. Your physical frame has to be able to withstand that level of power.
Furthermore, when both Magic and Physical Training Efficiency reach their maximum, certain unique traits can be unlocked—one of which allows [Weapon Master] to apply to ultimate weapons.
Beyond that, there were moments in the scenario where exceptional physical ability was mandatory. I had to be prepared.
I clenched my fist, snuffed out the [Frostfire], and picked up Zhonya’s Staff.
The light of the midday sun danced across the mana stone, and the wood of the Sage’s Tree glistened. As expected, the quality of the staff was exceptional.
I stood up, leveled the staff, and let my mana flow.
“As expected…”
I had felt it last night and again this morning.
The flow of mana, which had felt clunky and resisted the staff just a week ago, was now noticeably smoother.
This was the effect of [Weapon Master]. The sheer fluidity of it almost brought tears to my eyes.
Now, it’s time for some elemental magic.
I pointed the head of Zhonya’s Staff forward and activated [Frostfire].
An icy, frigid flame roared to life.
「Frostfire (Ice Element, ★4)」
Hwaaaaaah———!
The chilly fire erupted. I couldn't help but praise the performance. I had been worried about when I’d be able to handle such a high-tier weapon, but now…
I felt ecstatic. I began casting more spells through the staff. Every time I used magic, a "Wow" escaped my lips. I could clearly feel that my [Elemental Firepower] and [Element Efficiency] had improved drastically.
“Wow…”
For a long time, I remained immersed in the lingering power of the staff.
This is better than seggs.
The vast sky was clear, and high tides rolled along the sea.
On the West Sea of the Zelver Empire, sturdy fishermen suddenly noticed their shadows lengthening unnaturally.
“Uh, what? Why is there a shadow all of a sudden…?”
“Hey, what is that?”
“What’s wrong, big brother? Why do you look so stiff all of a sud… de…”
The fishermen’s eyes were drawn to a single point on the horizon. They dropped their nets and harpoons, stunned by the sight before them. Their jaws hung slack.
Above the horizon, a mysterious island floated.
Under the vast sky, an unimaginably massive object hung in the air, its silhouette engraving itself into the minds of all who saw it.
“What… is that…?”
It was a fortress.
It was an island.
It was the harbinger of destruction.
It was both heaven and hell.
Once, in the distant past, it had appeared suddenly in the sky, obliterating a nation and the lands surrounding it. It had vanished shortly after, leaving its mark on the Zelver Empire’s history as an "unknown mystery."
Now, it had reappeared, imprinting its presence upon the sky and casting its shadow over the vast sea.
Flooooo──────────.
A strange sound, like a woodwind instrument, filled the world. It was a cry that proudly announced its existence.
The Floating Island.
It had returned to the world once more.