Chapter 9: Class Assignment Evaluation (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 9: Class Assignment Evaluation (4)
[A demon has been recognized as an enemy.]
[The unique trait [Hunter] has activated!]
[For a limited time, your level and stats have been greatly enhanced!]
[For a limited time, all skill levels have increased by +10!]
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 126
Gender: Male
Year: 1st
Title: First-year
Mana: 34,000 / 34,000
– Mana Recovery Speed (A-)
– Stamina (A)
– Strength (A+)
– Intelligence (D+)
– Willpower (S)
Potential ❰❰Details❱❱
Power… overwhelming!
My body didn’t even feel like my own. It was weightless! It felt as though a sonic boom would erupt if I so much as flicked my wrist. An uncontrollable torrent of mana surged within me, overflowing from my core.
I felt like I could erase that demon from existence with ease.
「Cold Divergence (Ice Element, ★1)」
An icy chill surged through my veins, enveloping me in a frigid aura that amplified my ice magic output. This was a level of mastery the ordinary Isaac could never hope to achieve, but with my current stats, it was as natural as breathing.
[Hmm!!]
The demon, [Pernicus the Contemplative], radiated intense vigilance. He poured out his dark magic, manifesting a black [Ice Spear] in the air.
「Ice Spear (Ice Element, ★4)」 + 「Black Ice (Ice Element, ★5)」
= 「Black Ice Spear (Ice Element)」
The massive [Black Ice Spear] tore through the air, hurtling toward me with lethal intent. Despite its incredible speed, dodging it was child’s play.
The [Ice Spear] had a linear attack path. Its primary purpose was to pierce large targets, making it ideal for hunting giant magic beasts. However, Pernicus was using it against a human. If I dodged, he would detonate the dark mana infused within the spear, spraying lethal ice shards in every direction.
Normally, it would be an impossible pattern to evade.
But for the current me?
I am a Demon-Limited Hunter.
I didn't need to dodge; I could just parry it.
I spread my palms, pouring out mana without restraint. Thanks to the +10 boost to my skill levels, I could now manifest magic that was previously far beyond my reach.
I swung my arm.
──Rumble!
Following the arc of my hand, a massive [Ice Wall] erupted from the earth.
「Ice Wall (Ice Element, ★4)」
CLANG—!!
The [Black Ice Spear] shattered against the reinforced [Ice Wall], unable to pierce its solid surface. The moment the spells collided, I threw myself off the cliff.
Woooooosh!
“Whoa!”
[Guwaak!]
My body soared like a projectile. For a moment, I felt suspended in the air. The sensation was exhilarating—a dizzying rush of adrenaline, like bungee jumping into the abyss. As the dopamine flooded my system, a thrill surged through me.
I dispelled the [Ice Wall], causing the massive structure to disintegrate into a fine powder of pale blue light. The shimmering dust engulfed the battlefield in a spectacular display.
In the heart of that light, I flew toward Pernicus.
[Hmm?!!]
Pernicus’s expression shifted to one of pure shock. He scrambled to weave a defensive spell, but he was far too slow.
As I closed the distance, I funneled every drop of ice mana into my right hand. A pale blue magic circle flared before my palm, the mana condensing into a volatile point as I reached for the demon.
The moment my hand made contact, the condensed mana reached its breaking point and erupted.
「Frost Explosion (Ice Element, ★5)」
KWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH────!!
A violent blast of frost detonated, unleashing an absolute onslaught of ice upon the demon. A misty, freezing gale swept through the area as the explosive flood of ice swallowed Pernicus whole.
The enormous glacier created by the [Frost Explosion] carved through the Delphine Forest before rising from the ground, extending diagonally toward the heavens like a jagged monument.
I landed softly, exhaling a long breath.
“Haa.”
[Greung…]
My sigh manifested as a visible chill in the air. I lowered my hand and turned to face Pernicus. He was entombed within the ice block, his face contorted in agony.
Slowly, I clenched my right fist.
Crack—!
Kwajajak—!
The massive glacier shattered, dissolving into beautiful pale blue shards. Pernicus tumbled to the ground, coughing up dark blood.
[Huuu… uuum…]
He wore the expression of a failed philosopher—one who had spent an eternity searching for an answer, only to realize at the very end that there was none.
Pernicus’s body crumbled into ashen dust, scattering into the wind.
“…”
It was over. I had successfully averted the bad ending. A wave of relief so powerful it made my skin crawl washed over me.
Thank god…
Suddenly, a system window flickered into view.
[Congratulations! You have defeated the demon [Pernicus the Contemplative (Lv 105)] and gained EXP!]
[Level Up!! Your level has increased to 30!]
[You have gained 8 bonus stat points!]
There was no special achievement this time, but the drop more than made up for it. A black, finger-sized spherical jewel lay where Pernicus had vanished.
I picked it up and tucked it away.
[You have obtained the loot: [Remnant of Darkness]!]
[Remnant of Darkness]
Effect: Imbues the user’s basic elemental magic with dark mana, granting the ability to learn a new elemental magic.
Rank: Tier 1
The Remnant of Darkness is mine.
What about the main protagonist?
[Ian Fairytale]
Lv: 38
Race: Human
Elements: Light, Fire
Danger: X
Why would a pathetic bastard like him need something this good?
Regardless, his level had shot up since the entrance ceremony. He was only level 32 back then… As expected of the protagonist, his growth rate was absurd.
He had chosen Fire as his second element. I was just glad we didn't overlap for now. If my second element turned out to be Fire, things would get complicated. I could only hope for something else. Once I obtained Hilde’s Frostscythe, I’d need to hunt down the ultimate weapon for my second element, so avoiding overlap with Ian was a priority.
…Ah, my body is getting heavy again. The buff is wearing off.
It felt like I’d been wearing lead weights my entire life, took them off for a brief moment of freedom, and was now being forced to put them back on.
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 30
Gender: Male
Year: 1st
Title: First-year
Mana: 260 / 350
– Mana Recovery Speed (D)
– Stamina (D)
– Strength (D+)
– Intelligence (D+)
– Willpower (B)
Potential ❰❰Details❱❱
[Combat Skills]
Elemental Series 1: Ice
– Elemental Firepower (D+)
– Elemental Efficiency (D+)
– Elemental Synergy (C)
Elemental Series 2 (Locked)
My stats had returned to their pathetic baseline… mostly. My total mana had increased by 10, and [Elemental Firepower] had climbed from D to D+. It seemed my stats had naturally improved through the life-and-death struggles against Tristan Humphrey and Pernicus. It was a small gain, but progress was progress.
“…What are you?”
“Huh?”
[Greung?]
I’d completely forgotten Luce was still here. She was glaring at me, her face tight with wariness.
“Are you a monster?”
I probably looked like a terrifying beast to her right now, yet she remained calm enough to interrogate me. Of course, no matter what I said, all she would hear was [Greung] or [Guwaak].
My best bet was to run. Now that the main event was over, I needed to scavenge as many mana particles as possible before the evaluation ended.
Fortunately, I didn't have to worry about being suspected for surviving this long as a Grade E student. The details of who survived and how were kept secret. Unless someone like Tristan opened his mouth—and given his massive ego, there was no way he’d brag about getting thrashed by a 'weakling' like me.
I turned my back on Luce and bolted.
“Wait!”
「Water Generation (Water Element, ★1)」
“Whoa!”
[Guwaak!]
Splash!
A pillar of water erupted beneath my feet. Startled, I stumbled backward. I hadn't expected her to try and bind me.
“Name… What is your name?”
“…”
Why are you asking a grunting monster for its name?
“Greung.”
[Greung.]
It was going to sound like a beastly cry anyway, so I just gave her a grunt and started moving again. Fortunately, Luce didn't try to stop me a second time.
“…Greung.”
For some reason, she stood there repeating the sound to herself. I ignored her and vanished into the darkness of the forest. I had to put some distance between us and find those mana particles.
Once I was far enough away, I shed the Cloak of Disguise. If I tucked this into my magic pouch, the evidence would be gone forever.
I’m still amazed this huge cloak fits into such a tiny pocket. They call it a storage spell, but the logic escapes me. Regardless, this pouch is a lifesaver…
…Wait, where is it?
Where the hell is my magic pouch?!
It was gone. I searched my person frantically, but it was nowhere to be found. I retraced my steps in my mind. I was certain… right before I ran from Luce, I heard a thud when she used [Water Generation]…
Did I drop it then?!
Dammit, I have to go back.
The sky was pitch black, and the spot where Luce had stopped me was shrouded in shadows. I must have missed the sound of it falling in the heat of the moment.
But how do I go back? Is Luce still there? Should I go back in the disguise?
No, that would be suspicious. Why would a monster that just fled return to pick something up? Luce would definitely smell a rat. Besides, if she caught me again, I wouldn't be able to resist an interrogation. It was only a matter of time before she realized the 'monster' was just a student in a Magic Cloak of Disguise.
It was too risky.
I had no choice but to go back as 'Isaac' and make it look natural. I’d pretend to stumble upon the area, act surprised to see her, and secretly snag the pouch while making my escape.
According to the original story, Luce didn't bother with Ian. She already had more than enough points, and her mind was likely occupied by the demon. She was the type who had zero interest in others. She didn't even know who the Grade E student was, and she wouldn't bother finding out until the end of the Magic Knight of Märchen storyline.
She wouldn't care that a Grade E was still alive. To her, I was just a weakling beneath her notice.
I hid the Cloak of Disguise in a thicket and headed back toward the clearing where I had fought Pernicus.
*
Luce needed a moment to process what had just happened.
The creature that had just left was powerful enough to obliterate a demon—one she had struggled against—with a single blow. Common sense dictated that she shouldn't have provoked such a being. If its hostility had been directed at her, the results would have been catastrophic.
Yet, she had mustered the courage to stop it, if only to ask its name. For a second, she regretted her recklessness. Anxiety gnawed at her at the thought of actually fighting that thing.
But the monster had simply walked away. It was a relief.
“Greung…”
Luce whispered the name.
Greung. That was what it called itself.
She knew it was likely just a beastly cry, but since she had no other name for it, "Greung" would have to do.
What was it, really…?
She pondered the question, but there were no answers to be found. Suddenly, the sound of rustling grass reached her ears. It came from the direction the monster had fled.
Did 'Greung' come back?
Luce snapped her gaze toward the noise.
“Crap!”
…It wasn't the monster. It was just an ordinary student.
A boy with red eyes and silver hair that shimmered with a bluish tint under the moonlight. The moment he saw Luce, he fell flat on his backside in shock.
Luce couldn't hide her disappointment. She had already secured the top rank; no one in the academy could match her score. This guy was clearly just an unimportant nobody.
Besides, her mind was occupied by the demon and the mystery of Greung. She didn't have the patience to deal with a frail-looking loser.
“T-T-Top student…!”
So noisy. Just get lost.
Luce frowned.
The silver-haired student seemed to pale even further at her expression. He scrambled backward with a terrified face, as if he’d just seen a ghost, then turned and bolted into the woods.
“…”
Luce turned her attention to Ian, who was still unconscious on the ground. He looked stable enough, so she simply turned and walked away, leaving him where he lay.