"We shall now proceed with the summer vacation ceremony for the first year students of the Magic Department."
The end-of-semester retest consisted of several elemental magic tests. It was very small compared to the traditional end-of-semester evaluation's scale, but it was also the most intuitive.
Thus, the first semester came to a close. The total grade for the first semester was the sum of all grades from the exams and performance evaluations taken thus far.
I was ranked 230th out of 300 students. Well, it was expected. I had received very low scores for my Grade E mana at the start of the semester, and I had no choice but to surrender during the duel.
But I still had my sights set on being the top seat. Grades were an important indicator of how much stronger I had become, after all.
Under the blue sky, large groups of fluffy clouds leisurely drifted across the scenery. Amidst the chirping of birds, the first-year students of the Magic Department belatedly held their summer vacation ceremony.
In the square, students were seated in chairs that were neatly arranged beforehand.
Headmistress Elena, a beautiful woman in her 70s who retained the appearance of her 20s due to the effects of her passive [Immortality], gave a speech.
As the top seat of the first semester of the first year, Luce Eltania came forward as the student representative and read the declaration.
While doing so, she discreetly glanced my way and let out a gentle smile whenever she had a chance.
However, the male students around me blushed as if they had seen something pleasant, and sent envious and jealous gazes my way. I had grown used to it by now.
'What to do…?'
My worries surfaced again, all because of a recent dilemma I had taken on.
I asked her how she found out about Greung, and after listening to the story I already knew, I gave her some clichéd relationship advice. I was sweating internally, trying my best to hide the fact that I was Greung.
Well, Luce's story aside.
I had a lot of things to do over the break.
❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ was a widely recognized god-tier game. Due to its vast content and story, as well as the various interactions between objects and huge open-world map that felt like one big world, it had been loved by many users for a long time.
'Once I go outside, there'll be plenty of content.'
During the break, I heard from Amy that Ian Fairytale planned to enjoy content like the guild quests outside the academy.
The Evil God wouldn't be able to track Ian after he leaves the academy. That was why the demons couldn't be informed about the 'Child of Light's whereabouts. Other light element wielders like the Saintess weren't attacked by demons for similar reasons.
In the first place, an astronomical amount of mana was consumed to send it into the abyss and awaken the demons one by one. The Evil God must be struggling with that one task alone.
So, I hope Ian enjoys his summer vacation to the fullest.
'I'll just go look for Hilde's Frostscythe.'
Thanks to obtaining the Elemental Bracelet, my plans were pushed forward. I could now search for the ultimate ice elemental weapon, Hilde's Frostscythe.
If things went well, I might be able to get my hands on my second ultimate elemental weapon before I even became a second-year student.
'Awesome.'
I could already feel the pressure from the intense "Floating Island" scenario easing.
The 'Floating Island' scenario was a chapter that caused many users to feel regret because of Dorothy's death.
Although she was already cursed to die within a year, she ended up dying even sooner because the demons had accelerated her curse.
It was a very heartbreaking chapter for me, as Dorothy was my favorite character.
'I won't let Dorothy die.'
Of course, Dorothy would also be a great help in preventing bad endings in the future.
In the first place, Dorothy was my favorite character. That reason alone was enough to save her.
Achieving my goals through gritted teeth and sheer determination was my specialty, after all. Whether it was the 'Floating Island' chapter or anything else, I would definitely save my favorite character.
In order to do that, I would have to train hard during this break.
…
On the way back from the end-of-semester ceremony.
Most students were busily preparing to return to their hometowns right away. Since the first-year students of the Magic Department had their break delayed by nine days, they must have been feeling impatient and discontent.
Come to think of it, there won't be many students around during the break. I can have the training ground all to myself. Hell yeah!
Quite a few students would be leaving tomorrow, so I had to do my training as usual today.
Starting tomorrow, it would be better to go to the training ground.
"...."
Was it because I had just finished a hectic semester and was now welcoming the break? I suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity.
I stopped and looked down at my right hand. The now familiar hand shape entered my sight.
Isaac. I had taken over this weak man with silver-blue hair, red eyes, and an otaku-like appearance. I didn't know where Isaac's hometown was, who his family was, or what kind of upbringing he had.
Is it proper etiquette to somehow find out Isaac's personal information and visit his family at least once?
'Now that I think about it…'
As I thought about it, a question surfaced in my mind.
'Isaac, why did you enroll here?'
I knew why Ian had enrolled at Märchen Academy. It was to graduate from the best academy and become a prestigious magic knight.
Ian's E-rank mana was due to an upbringing that couldn't properly awaken his talents. Nevertheless, he had thoroughly honed his swordsmanship skills in order to become a knight.
But what about Isaac, who also had E-rank mana?
'If becoming a wizrd was his goal, why did he only focus on academics instead of magic training?'
At the beginning of the first semester, during the mana evaluation, Professor Fernando said that Isaac had received excellent grades in the theoretical field.
But why?
Overcoming E-rank mana wasn't that difficult. Even if he had no talent, he would have somehow surpassed the E rank if he had diligently trained his magic. Was he really aiming to be just a scholar? If so, wasn't the distribution of effort too extreme?
Isaac must have passed the academy's entrance exam with only theoretical skills. It felt like he deliberately focused on the 'part he could do best'.
It was as if… he hadn't come to Märchen Academy to 'become a successful wizard', but had 'some reason to enter Märchen Academy'. There was a strange possibility.
In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Isaac was an undeniable extra. In other words, it's not because he was a hidden mastermind or an important figure who could influence the scenario.
'Something seems to be on the tip of my tongue… Ah.'
Suddenly, a silver-haired female student came to mind. One of the NPCs with no story importance, she was a character with a mental disorder that seemed a bit sociopathic.
It somehow felt like Isaac was related to that NPC. However, the silver-haired girl was just one of the passing NPCs, so I could not clearly recall the dialogue.
Was it just my imagination? I didn't know. I could be overthinking it because I'm feeling sensitive.
While mulling over my thoughts, I headed to the Butterfly Garden.
"Sir Isaac!"
On the deserted garden path, a sudden gust of green wind brushed past my skin.
Along with a familiar voice, a female student wrapped in wind magic landed in front of me.
Her light green twin-tails fluttered in the wind.
Ranked second in total points for the first semester, the second seat, Kaya Astrean.
[Kaya Astrean] Lv: 97
Race: Human
Elements: Wind, Ice, Plant
Danger: X
Psychology: [She is happy to see your face.]
"Kaya?"
I hadn't expected her to suddenly come to me because she had recently been avoiding me.
She had acquired the plant element. Well, that was only natural.
Now that I thought about it, she didn't even ask me about the Armana Wand. I had already prepared an answer to that.
"I-I-I came to say thank you!"
She was so nervous that her voice trembled like an earthquake.
"Because of the wand?"
"Yes, yes…!"
Although it was quite late, I never expected to receive any gratitude. If anything, I should be the one thanking her.
"Don't worry about it. It was something you needed, so I gave it to you."
"Do you… care about me?"
I didn't bother to answer. It was true that I cared.
Kaya blushed, taking my silence as a positive response.
"Actually…! I'll be returning to my family soon. So, I won't be able to see you during the break, and I came to say goodbye…!"
"How did you find me?"
"Well, I saw you while I was flying in the sky."
Kaya was dressed in elegant brown clothes. She must have wanted to meet me before leaving the academy.
"So, what I wanted to say is…!"
[Kaya Astrean] Psychology: [She is in trouble because her mind has gone blank.]
In short, she came to see my face and express her gratitude before leaving.
I was delighted. I was genuinely grateful to Kaya.
Because of you, I'm here now.
"So, what I was trying to say…!"
Kaya stared at my face with wide open eyes.
Here, in the corner of the Butterfly Garden, the street was lined with mahogany. Befitting its name, the flower beds scattered around and the butterflies dancing in the garden were quite refreshing.
Kaya's ladylike demeanor blended well with the scenery. She looked lovely.
The corners of my mouth unconsciously rose. She was the person I owed the most in the first semester, the one who saved my life with the [Tree of Radiance], after all.
Eventually, I realized that my expression was the first genuine smile I had ever shown Kaya. I suddenly noticed that I hadn't smiled at her much.
"Have a great break, Kaya."
I approached Kaya and patted her shoulder.
As I was about to head to my usual training spot in the corner of the butterfly garden.
Chuu.
An unexpected attack hit me. Something soft touched my right cheek for a moment, making a cute sound as it passed by.
Startled, I tried to maintain my composure and looked to the side.
"I-I…"
Kaya was trembling, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. Her complexion had completely changed.
Steam was rising endlessly above her head, her eyes spinning round and round.
It seemed she had belatedly realized what she had done while failing to suppress her instincts.
"I've committed a grave sin───!!!"
Dadadadada─!
Kaya ran away as fast as she could. It was a sprint in high heels.
She wrapped wind magic around her feet and fiercely cut through the air. Her figure somewhat resembled a bullet.
For a while, I stood still, gazing at the spot Kaya had left while touching the cheek she kissed.
I didn't expect the shy girl to be so bold.
"…"
I must have been… really surprised.
* * *
Inside the luxurious carriage of the Carnedas family that was departing from the academy.
"Lady Ciel, is there something bothering you?"
The carriage was crossing the great bridge and passing near the Kalis Mountain Range.
Emma, the armor-clad exclusive escort knight of the Carnedas family, asked Ciel with a doubtful expression. They were riding in the same carriage.
Ciel would usually have been napping at this time of day. However, for some reason, she was lost in deep thought, propping her chin on her hand and staring intently out of the window.
What had she experienced at the academy? A Ciel who didn't nap was no different from an unknown person to Emma.
"Just…"
Ciel replied in her usual weak voice.
"I'm just realizing how vast the world is."
"…?"
Emma couldn't understand Ciel's response. She wasn't usually fond of the concept of 'appreciation'.
Had the academy life full of youth and the scent of flowers changed Ciel?
Or… had she become so deeply troubled that even her naptime had been affected?
Feeling an unnecessary tension, Emma repeatedly swallowed her dry saliva.
Ciel's mind was on Isaac.
The boy with silver-blue hair had deceived Ciel about his mana capacity and pretended to be weak. However, wizards were not existences that could act weak just because they wanted to.
Because of mana perception, one could sense the wizard's mana circuit and roughly estimate their amount of mana when they use magic.
That was why Ciel quickly realized that Isaac was weak.
However, during the final exam, he pinpointed the locations of Fell Cards. He demonstrated an enormous mana perception ability that didn't match his mana capacity.
It was truly a contradiction.
But during the Thunderbird Subjugation, the contradiction was resolved when Isaac was revealed as a powerful being.
And the fact that such a powerful being could hide their mana meant that they had reached the realm of an archwizard at such a young age – an unbelievable conclusion.
Historically, there has never been such a prodigy. In other words, if it became known that a person of Ciel's age like Isaac had reached the realm of an archwizard.
'The world would be turned upside down.'
Putting aside the royal family, the world itself would have its eyes on Isaac. Everything in the world would compete to win his heart.
'But that guy is hiding his identity…'
It had been concluded that the black monster that caused a stir at the academy was a demon who had betrayed its own kind.
It was because he appeared at the right time and place whenever a demon appeared.
And because he used ice magic wrapped in darkness mana, which only demons could use.
In the first place, he didn't even look human from the outside.
As such, Ciel had no objections to the idea that the black monster was a unique type of demon.
However, after learning that Isaac was the monster, she could finally think of the possibility of a 'Magic Cloak of Disguise'.
The enemy of an enemy is a friend, as they say. Even so, the academy side was not letting their guard down against the black monster.
Before all of that, why did Isaac hide his mana?
Although she didn't know the reason, it was certain that Isaac was secretly struggling to protect the people of the academy.
In that case, it would be much better to work with the academy side to stop the demons.
But for some reason, Isaac wasn't doing that.
'Is it because of an informant?'
During the dueling evaluation, Professor Fernando found out from the demons that there was an 'informant' within the academy. It was a fact that could be learned by looking at the investigation records posted by the Truth Investigation Committee on the Orphin Hall bulletin board.
In other words, that informant was involved in the academy's administration.
If Isaac was in a position where he would be in trouble if he got caught by that person, the situation before and after fit like puzzle pieces.
Behind the scenes, unknown to the academy students, including Ciel.
A dangerous confrontation between Isaac and the informant was unfolding.
Ciel didn't want to get involved in such a complicated and dangerous situation. However, the Märchen Academy diploma was necessary for her to live comfortably, so dropping out wasn't even an option. Other students must have had similar thoughts.
'Then… I should have that class D guy protect me. But I shouldn't carelessly provoke him.'
As a result, all incidents were resolved by protecting the secret that 'Isaac is actually strong'.
And according to the information received from the Carnedas family's informant.
Now that the Imperial Knights were getting involved in Märchen Academy, if the informant was revealed at this time…
'Will my academy life be worry-free?'
An informant siding with the demons and causing harm to people.
Isaac, who was defeating demons and protecting people.
It was clear without a doubt which side to take.