Chapter 98: Joint Practical Evaluation (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 98: Joint Practical Evaluation (7)
Inside a cave shrouded in ice and a bone-chilling frost.
Eve Ropenheim, a second-year student, stood frozen, unable to process what she had just witnessed.
Two female students, both far stronger than Eve, had worked in perfect tandem with Isaac to face Professor Phillip. Isaac had wielded 5-star spells with casual ease, securing a decisive victory and clearing the fourth gate as if it were nothing.
At this point, she had to wonder: was that person really her younger brother?
Eve shadowed Isaac’s group from the darkness. Since the messenger had been destroyed, no one was currently monitoring her, even if the academy staff were already en route to this location.
Kwang!
The distant sound of the earth shattering made her jump. Steeling her resolve, she slowly crept out of the cave.
“…!”
Eve stopped dead in her tracks. A surge of magic so potent it gave her goosebumps brushed against her skin. As she ventured further, she discovered a gaping hole leading deep underground.
Before she could investigate—
“Heuk…!”
Eve saw something squirming within the depths, engulfing the interior of the pit.
Kwarereuk—!
A spell the color of deep red wine shimmered with the brilliance of a ruby. To Eve, however, its beauty was secondary to the sheer terror it inspired.
“Keuk!”
Startled, Eve scrambled backward and fell onto her backside. She clamped both hands over her mouth, terrified of making a single sound.
What… What on earth is happening down there?
The magical turbulence suddenly subsided. Eve peered cautiously into the hole. Looking down, she saw nothing but a seemingly ordinary underground cavern.
Cold sweat trickled down her face as she swallowed hard. Somewhere beneath that silent cave, something dangerous was waiting.
-
The moment my unique trait, [Hunter], deactivated, a wave of lethargy hit me. My body felt heavy, and my mana reserves plummeted. It was like a healthy young man aging decades in a single heartbeat.
Ring─♪
I brushed away the ‘Level Up’ system message that popped up. Since I’d made the greatest contribution to taking down the frog demon, the experience gain was substantial.
Furthermore, Isaac’s older sister shouldn't have been able to follow me here. Unless she had cleared the fourth gate herself, the messenger would have barred her path.
For now, I only had one thing to focus on.
‘This girl is the only problem left.’
Specifically, Dark Kaya’s insatiable appetite.
The Kaya standing before me was currently in her dark persona. I was beginning to understand why Kaya the Ravenous had chosen to hide deep within Kaya’s heart. In the main story of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Dark Kaya never got a taste of demon flesh, so her appetite never underwent a drastic transformation.
However, in the Bad Ending 「Demon Queen」, Kaya’s gluttony was on full display. True to her moniker, Kaya the Ravenous devoured everything in her path. As her power grew, she became the most heinous of demons.
‘And the current Kaya has already feasted on Elphelt the Evanescent.’
It was like a domestic pet getting a taste of blood and turning feral. After devouring a demon, Kaya’s gluttonous nature had been awakened, and her craving for demon flesh was only growing.
‘Was the reason Dark Kaya hid in the depths of Kaya’s heart because of this surging appetite?’
Perhaps Dark Kaya had instinctively sensed the danger. It made perfect sense—it explained why Kaya had been so hungry lately, never feeling truly satisfied regardless of how much she ate.
“Kaya.”
“I apologize for not telling you sooner, Sir Isaac.”
She looked genuinely apologetic.
“I wasn't entirely sure until yesterday… but now I understand. It seems I have… certain biological urges now. At least I’ve managed to satisfy them for a little while.”
She must have been plagued by doubt after feasting on those demons. I could understand why she looked so troubled.
“…Is that so.”
“Huh? That’s it…?”
Kaya looked surprised by my lack of a reaction.
“Since we’re finished here, let’s head back.”
“Sir Isaac. I said I ate a dem—”
“I know.”
“Huh?”
I turned around and started walking. She stood there dazed for a moment, her face a mask of confusion as she tried to process why I was being so casual about it.
Honestly, there wasn't much to say. I’d already made my peace with it.
‘A power-up from eating demons? That’s a total win-win.’
What’s wrong with eating demons? She consumed it with magic anyway, so why would I be disgusted?
If Kaya could get stronger and help me take down the final boss, I couldn't ask for a better scenario. I suppose there could be issues after defeating the Evil God Nephid, but even that wasn't a dealbreaker. All she would need is meat with a high mana density, which the Astrea household could easily provide.
To be blunt, she could even use the essence of a man with potent mana to sate her hunger. Consuming it through either of her "lips" would suffice.
‘After all, that setting was hinted at during the gameplay of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.’
There was no reason to worry about the demonic appetite of her ravenous side.
“Uh, are you really not disgusted?”
“Why would I be?”
“I just ate a demon—”
“And? I’m not disgusted or concerned, so don’t worry about it.”
“…”
Kaya tilted her head, seemingly lost in thought. A moment later, her face brightened, and she let out a little giggle. She looked immensely relieved that her fears were unfounded.
Walking beside me, Kaya glanced up with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Then, Sir Isaac, since I helped you kill a demon, can I have a reward?”
“What kind of reward?”
“Holding my hand, a kiss on the cheek, being held in your arms…! And much more, if you so desire…”
Whispering in a sultry tone, Kaya traced her lower lip with a slender index finger. Her cutesy voice was the same as ever.
“Restrain yourself.”
“…You’re so mean.”
She pouted, clearly disappointed by my flat reaction. She stared at me for a while before suddenly leaning toward me with a satisfied smile.
“I love you even when you’re like this.”
[Kaya Astrea]
Psychology: [In love with you.]
Every time I used [Psychological Insight] on Kaya, I couldn't help but flinch. I couldn't possibly hate the fact that one of my favorite characters liked me this much.
‘She’s so damn cute…’
I carefully masked my grin to maintain my composure. On the inside, however, my mind was a mess, and I was mentally reciting the national anthem to calm my racing heart.
“…Sir Isaac!”
Just as I was enjoying the moment, I felt a sudden surge of hostile magic.
「Ice Spear (Ice Element, ★4)」
Pshook—!
“…!”
A spear of solid ice hurtled toward Kaya from above. It was a completely unexpected assault.
「Wind Generation (Wind Element, ★1)」
Whooooosh—!
Kaya channeled wind through her body and nimbly dodged the projectile. The [Ice Spear] slammed into the ground. Judging by the trajectory, it had been aimed slightly away from Kaya’s direct position. It seemed the attacker wasn't actually trying to impale her.
“Isaac!”
I caught a glimpse of silver-blue hair fluttering in the air. A female student in a school uniform glided down from the ceiling, propelled by wind magic. She landed and immediately stepped between Kaya and me.
A silver-blue ponytail tied to the side. Deep crimson eyes.
‘Elder sister?’
Isaac’s older sister had appeared out of nowhere.
[Eve Ropenheim]
Lv: 87 Race: Human Elements: Ice, Wind Danger: X Psychology: [Intends to protect you from Kaya Astrea.]
Eve kept her back to me, her eyes locked warily on Kaya.
“Isaac, are you okay?!”
Whether I’m okay or not, who do you think you are to ask me that…?
‘What happened to the messenger? How did she track me all the way here?’
Given the timing, Eve must have come here without clearing the fourth gate. But the messenger should have stopped her… it should have been impossible.
‘…Wait, did it get destroyed during our fight with Professor Phillip?’
It was possible. The clash between the Professor and Kaya had been incredibly violent. Still, why was the academy’s security so flimsy?
“I can’t believe an existence with such sinister power… was hiding right here in the academy.”
“Uh, what do you think you’re doing?”
“N-no, what do you think you’re doing…!?”
The situation felt surreal. I couldn't understand why she was choosing now to reveal herself after stalking me for so long.
Kaya’s eyes began to fill with murderous intent. However, Eve suppressed her rising fear and maintained eye contact.
“S-someone like you doesn’t scare me at all, okay?! Do you know Helga the Two-Headed Dog? That ferocious magic beast is my familiar! Also, I-I have 7-star protection on me, you know? If you lay a hand on me, uh, my subordinates hidden in the academy will know! I also have reflection magic! I’m dangerous, okay?! If you attack me, you’re dead!”
Her bluffing was so childish…!
It was painfully obvious that everything she said was a lie. Unfortunately, Eve’s voice was trembling as much as her legs, making her sound utterly unconvincing.
Whoooosh—.
Kaya’s pale green wind began to churn violently, stirring the air around them. The sheer pressure of the magic was enough to make one feel crushed. Eve’s body began to shake even more violently.
“…You keep talking about me as if I’m some kind of monster.”
“Y-you! Fuah! Y-you are just my junior! How dare you! Why don’t you hide that ominous magic first? I felt it earlier. I sensed the aura of a demon, and it’s obvious your mana is reminiscent of one as well. It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together. You’re a demon, right? Right, the Black Monster is also considered a demon…! You’re the Black Monster, aren’t you?!”
Listening to Eve’s spiraling conspiracy theories made my head throb. My hand instinctively rose to cover my face.
Eve Ropenheim.
Silver-blue ponytail and crimson eyes. In my memories of the game, she was an NPC everyone hated due to her pathological lying and delusional nature. Her eyes were always lifeless, and she never seemed quite sane.
When she mentioned Helga the Two-Headed Dog, I recalled a cringeworthy scene from the game where she proudly showed off a two-headed doll and made growling noises with her own voice.
Naturally, no one stayed near her. She was, and always would be, a total loner.
‘But isn't her condition much better than it was in the game?’
The lies she was spouting now were almost cute compared to her in-game self, who was a pitiful wreck with her sanity in shambles.
She pointed her staff at Kaya. Her hands were shaking so badly she had to grip it with both palms. Despite her terror, her eyes remained resolute. She had no intention of backing down.
“Do you think I would ever trust a demon?! I don’t know what kind of nasty plot you’re hatching, but if you touch my younger brother… I will never forgive you.”
‘…Eh?’
What is this?
I was genuinely confused. She wouldn't forgive anyone who laid a hand on me? That meant she was actually trying to protect me.
‘Weren’t we on bad terms, though?’
Isaac had hated his older sister. I didn't know the full story, but the emotions I’d felt during the Trial of Frost were unmistakable.
Is there… some kind of misunderstanding?
I’d have to think about that later. For now, I needed to de-escalate the situation.
“I don’t know who you are, but… I can’t accept that you attacked me out of nowhere and tried to take Sir Isaac away. No matter your reasoning, you’re the one crossing the line right n—”
“She’s my older sister.”
I placed a hand on Eve’s shoulder and spoke clearly.
“Heuk?”
Eve let out a shocked gasp, looking at me in sheer embarrassment. She seemed startled by the physical contact.
“…Pardon?”
Kaya blinked, her expression blank as she struggled to process the words. Her head darted back and forth between Eve and me. After realizing we shared similar features, her jaw dropped.
A moment later, her expression morphed into one of pure horror. As if she had just committed a mortal sin, the color drained from her face.