Chapter 307: Academy Clash — Interlude (4)
After hearing the news that Isaac was competing in the Academy Clash, she immediately decided to attend as a spectator and came to Aldreque, but…
She never dreamed that such a huge incident like a fairy attack would occur.
A raging sea of iron amidst the collapsing grandstands of the Academy Clash.
— What should I do!? Isaac, what should I do!? Your sister will save you, Isaac!!
Eve, overwhelmed by worry for Isaac, screamed as if her throat would burst and was nearly struck down by the rain of swords, before being forcibly pulled to a shelter.
From the moment Isaac broke through the Iron Sanctuary and slayed the giant demon, everyone in Aldreque knew the story.
Archwizard, Ice Sovereign… She barely accepted the fact that her brother had become such a fearsome figure with these titles.
It was a title that stood in stark contrast to the frail Isaac, who had sobbed after being bullied by the neighborhood kids as a child.
Still, the strength Isaac had shown could not be denied…
But even so.What the hell… How does anyone use world-ending magic three times in a row? And what was that iron gate that appeared in the sky, and the terrifying magic beast that came out of it…?
Eve looked at the unbelievable scene her brother had created, her face turning pale with awe, and she almost fainted.
Now, even the title of Archwizard, the highest among humanity, wasn’t enough for Isaac.
Humanity needed to form a title beyond that. A title that symbolized Isaac alone.
“Isaac…”
Now, she didn’t know how to look at her brother anymore.
Just thinking of that lovely face filled her with awe.
If they actually met, she felt like she might accidentally start speaking to him in honorifics without even realizing it.
Still, Eve ached to see Isaac.
I want to see him. I want to comfort him and ask him if he’s scared… I want to hug him…n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Meanwhile, Eve saw the ice barrier that appeared in Aldreque and pinpointed Isaac’s location.
Is there still an enemy he had to fight?
Eve rushed over and anxiously waited in front of the ice barrier for Isaac.
However, when the ice barrier was released, Isaac went to the opposite side of where Eve was, and in the end, the two never met.
But surely, we can meet now, right?
Now that the incident was over, she thought she would finally be able to see her brother.
Eve thought so and finally allowed herself to smile.
She headed to the arena of the Academy Clash. The imperial forces were guarding the place.
Eve asked the imperial soldiers where Isaac had gone.
“The Ice Sovereign is currently assisting with the investigation. It seems it will be difficult to meet him today.”
“Waaah…”
“Huh, student?”
Why do we keep missing each other?
Eve choked up.
***
The Academy Clash was completely canceled.
After the fairy attack, not only had the stage collapsed, but the state of Aldreque itself was in shambles. It was only natural.
I secretly met with the Düpfendorf army and was briefed on everything that had happened.
They also told me that when I broke through and emerged from the Iron Sanctuary, Mephisto took his own life.
So he had taken over a human body after all.
Mephisto usually made contracts by targeting the evil nature of humans.
Alice was an exception. She had been blackmailed and forced into a contract because she was needed for a plan involving the Evil God.
In any case, the original owner of the body Mephisto had taken over probably wasn’t a good person, so I didn’t feel much sympathy.
The Imperial Knights summoned me and the other students to investigate the incident.
I gave a detailed statement about what had happened inside the Iron Sanctuary.
— Lord Ice Sovereign. Pardon me, but did you foresee this incident?
The Imperial Knights interrogated me.
It seemed they were assuming that because I had participated in the Academy Clash.
Of course, I foresaw it.
I just didn’t expect things to escalate so quickly.
Worried that the situation would get too complicated, I told them I hadn’t known.
I lied to them by saying even I couldn’t foresee a future involving fairies.
Fairies were the apex of living creatures in this world and were unfathomable beings.
I added that it seemed they could interfere with my ability to foresee the future.
It was a completely reckless answer.
But that was where the convenience of being called an Archwizard or Ice Sovereign came into play.
— I see…
Everyone just accepted it without further question.
After all, I’ve been working hard to protect people.
My abilities and character were now fully recognized.
Even if I said something completely absurd, the absolute reasoning of “because he’s the Ice Sovereign” would automatically sway others in my favor
I recalled a certain phrase someone said back when I was living on Earth. First, get famous. Then, even if all one did was shit and lie around, people would praise them for it. I was realizing that a lot these days.
I skimmed through the rest of my statements, excluding the part about Vuel.
After concluding my statements, I told the Imperial Knights that I wanted to see White.
I only intended to ask for the location, but the Imperial Knights enthusiastically escorted me to where White was.
Is the emperor involved?
It seemed Emperor Carlos was supporting my relationship with White in a completely misguided way.
I arrived at White’s hospital room, and there were quite a few escort soldiers stationed there.
“You’ve arrived, Lord Ice Sovereign!”
“How is White?”
“She has exhausted her energy and is currently in a deep sleep! There’s nothing wrong with her condition!”
The escort soldier tensed up when he saw me, then answered with sharp precision.
It seemed he thought even making eye contact with me would be disrespectful.
Merlin isn’t here.
I had heard reports from the Düpfendorf commanders and knew the situation.
Merlin must be receiving treatment as well.
“How is Merlin’s condition?”
“She is currently undergoing treatment, but fortunately, she seems to be fine. She’s a naturally resilient person.”
That’s a relief.
I felt reassured.
It was best to let both of them rest for the time being.
“I’ll come check on them later. Thank you for letting me know.”
“Gasp! No, no! It’s nothing! Please don’t thank me for something like that! I only told you what you were supposed to know!”
The escort soldier was so startled that he bent his upper body past 90 degrees, his chest and thighs mere inches away from touching.
I was surprised…
Suddenly, I remembered speaking formally to Keridna. She felt a huge burden back then too.
I should be more careful with my words as well.
“Ah, no… yes. Take care.”
“Please leave safely!”
After receiving the Imperial Knights’ stiff salute, as they were sweating profusely, I left the place.
The imperial Escort soldiers quickly joined me, standing by my side as if they had been waiting.
It felt burdensome.
***After spending the night in Aldreque, morning came.
The five academies were all preparing to leave Aldreque.
Aldreque had been noticeably restored overnight.
The imperial family and the empire’s elites had combined their forces to use magic in the active restoration efforts, so it was only natural.
“Ice Sovereign!!”
Suddenly, a large man came rushing toward me urgently.
Red hair. It was Hans McGregor.
“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you and attacked you!”
“What?”
Hans bowed with such force, as if he were about to cling to the ground, and apologized with great intensity.
“I was arrogant. I acted out of ignorance and was insolent! Please forgive me! If you want me to lick your feet, I’ll do so with sincerity…!”
“No, that’s okay… Just imagining you licking my feet gives me the creeps…”
I understood how he felt.
Although it was like a form of shock therapy, it probably turned into a valuable life experience for him.
Anyway, it was too much. I gave a quick answer, turned my back, and left the scene.
I glanced back. Hans still had his head buried in the ground, drawing the gaze of all the surrounding students.
“I’m really!! Soooooorry!!” Hans cried out in anguish.
I seriously considered running over and punching him in the face.
“Sir Isaac!”
“Oh.”
Soon, Kaya flew toward me, carried by the wind.
Her half-up light green hair fluttered. She looked quite pretty, dressed up in her outing clothes.
“Did you pack everything?”
“Yes! L-let’s go! I’ll risk my life to serve you with all my heart!”
“You don’t need to risk your life…”
Kaya tried to display a service spirit imbued with a strong sense of duty.
“We’re going to ride Hilde anyway. Long-distance travel with wind magic is too exhausting.”
“Oh…!”
You’re only realizing that now? Wasn’t it obvious that we were going to ride Hilde?
On the way back to Märchen Academy from Oldrek, I got prior permission from Professor Fernando to return separately, as Kaya and I had a stop to make.
— Do as you wish. Normally, it wouldn’t be allowed, but if there’s somewhere you need to go immediately, there won’t be anyone who will object.
In effect, there was nothing in this world that could control me.
Moreover, most people looked at me favorably, so I had essentially become the freest person in the world.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes!”
I summoned the Frost Dragon, Hilde.
As the massive white dragon appeared in the sky, people gazed at its majestic form in awe.
Kaya and I soared with the wind and climbed onto Hilde.
“Wow…”
Kaya, sitting behind me, kept exclaiming in wonder as she stroked Hilde’s white scales, fascinated by the ride.
“Let’s head to the Astrea Duchy.”
[Understood. Lead the way.]
“Ah, Sir Isaac…! How could someone like me dare touch your noble, kingly body…?!”
“Stop fussing and hold on.”
“Hyaa!”
I grabbed Kaya’s hand and pulled her close, and she clung tightly to my back as if glued there.
The Frost Dragon, Hilde, flapped her white jade wings and began flying toward Astrea Duchy.
“Hehe… I liiike it…~”
Kaya clung to me, clearly enjoying herself, drunk with happiness.
The view is nice.
It was quite refreshing to feel the fresh wind and admire the scenery from the sky.
“Oh, Isaac, by the way, why are we heading to our duchy? It’s not for, um, a formal engagement meeting, is it…?” Kaya quickly asked.
It seemed Kaya was imagining me visiting the Astrea Ducal Family to meet Gerald Astrea for a formal engagement meeting.
Well, that would be fun. I was now posing as the pinnacle of human strength, after all.
Please give me your daughter.
I-I will…!
Even that couldn’t be seen as entirely fiction.
However, the Astrea Ducal Family wasn’t our destination.
“We’re not going to your house. We’re heading to the Covenant of Life.”
“Huh?”
“I’m going to meet Sylphia.”
Kaya’s eyes opened wide.
I intended to receive an eight-star familiar contract circle from Sylphia, the Emerald Fairy.
It was time to reinforce my power by making a contract with the Stone Turtle – Gormos.