Chapter 31

EP.31 Sparring (5)

There was information I wanted to extract from the illusionary Rifa.

So I dispelled the disguise. I couldn't have a conversation while in Berserker mode.

The power of [Icebind] could be stored deep within my body, so as soon as [False Hell] began to unravel, I quickly stored it inside.

Even if I was in the activated state of [Exterminator], I couldn't maintain the power of [Icebind] for long without causing strain to my body, especially since I was weaker than when I was in [False Hell].

That's why my skin color had returned to its original state.

"Stop your nonsense."

[Mu, Of course...!]

"From now on, answer the questions I ask."

I narrowed my eyes and spoke in a mocking tone.

Rifa was terrified. She was trembling like a leaf. The trembling was transmitted to my hand, which was gripping her head.

[Yes, yes! I'll answer anything! Please...]

"Alice Carroll, how much does she know about me?"

If Alice discovers my true identity, it's game over. Therefore, how much information she has is a crucial issue for me.

I am the weakest extra with the worst potential among the extras in *Merchen's Magic Knight*. To defeat the evil deity Nepid, I need to focus on becoming as strong as possible.

That's why I prioritize increasing things like [Physical Training Efficiency] and [Magic Training Efficiency], but once my potential reaches its maximum, it would be better to also increase my [Human Combat Power] to stand against someone like Alice, a black curtain figure.

So, I need to hide my identity as much as possible until I can stand against Alice.

I cast [Ice Wall] before capturing Rifa to prevent anyone from witnessing this scene.

Now is the time to think carefully.

[How, how do you know Alice...?]

“Ice Burst (Ice Attribute, ★5)”

Kwaah─!

[Keaaaaaaah─!]

I briefly triggered [Ice Burst] to freeze Rifa's right arm. When the ice melts, his right arm will be in a mess.

"Just answer my questions."

[Sniff, I, I don't know anything... I don't know... Ai, Alice is still looking for you...]

Rifa, gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, sobbed.

Indeed, he answered without hesitation. The relationship between him and Alice is such that either could betray the other at any time. Besides, this guy is known for being loose-lipped.

‘As expected, it’s as I thought.’

The student evaluation data at Merchen Academy is kept under strict security. The main roles are played by Headmaster Elena and Aria, the head of the Hegel Tower, who has a contractual relationship with the Academy.

As long as they are around, there's no need to worry about my information being leaked.

"Next, what is Alice's plan? How does she plan to find me?"

Since it's me, not Ian Fairytail, who deals with demons, it's hard to predict what Alice will do next.

She's not the type to act without thinking, except for her obsession with cute things, so she must have a plan.

Just look at the final boss of *Merchen's Magic Knight* Act 6, Chapter 3, who has already appeared.

‘The story is going to get really twisted.’

[I don't know, I don't know such things...!]

"......"

I briefly cast [Ice Burst] on Rifa's legs.

Kwaah─!!

[Keaaaaaaah─!!]

Rifa screamed at the top of his lungs but showed no sign of resistance.

[ Illusory Rifa ]

Psychology: [I am very afraid of you.]

That's right. Out of fear.

Also, my hand was gripping Rifa's head, so he knew that if I cast a spell, his head would be crushed and he would die instantly.

[Sniff, I really, really don't know... I don't know... Sniff...]

He really didn't know.

I had already anticipated that there wouldn't be much information to extract.

Alice isn't the type to blab about her plans, especially not to someone like this guy, who isn't close to her.

The only significant information I gained is that Alice hasn't figured out my true identity yet.

[Well, I, I answered your questions... Will, will you let me live...?]

"......?"

What are you talking about?

"When did I say I would let you live?"

[...What?]

He seemed to have a misunderstanding. I never said I would let him live if he answered my questions.

"I, the students, and the professors, I planned to play with them and then kill them, didn't I?"

Human lives are just toys to him.

He will continue to live with that murderous intent, now and in the future.

"Why would I let someone like you live?"

[A, A, A...!]

Before Rifa could beg for his life, I briefly cast [Ice Burst] at the back of his head.

Kwaah─!!

A small explosion of icy coldness occurred, and in the blink of an eye, Rifa's upper body was trapped in a frozen state, completely mangled.

When I released the frozen ice mana, Rifa fell to the ground and turned into a pile of gray dust, like ashes falling to the floor.

"Hmm."

Only then did I relax my expression.

‘Mission accomplished.’

Thank goodness...

[Congratulations! You have defeated [Illusory Rifa (Lv 130)] and gained experience!]

[Level Up!! Level increased to 56!]

[You have gained 10 stats!]

[You have achieved the achievement [Illusion with Illusion!] and gained an additional 10 stats!]

I had believed that the sparring part of Act 3, Chapter 1 was only to measure my combat abilities.

But I ended up gaining 20 stats.

More importantly,

"I already have this...?"

The gray bracelet that fell where the illusory Rifa disappeared. I picked it up.

[You have obtained the loot [Elemental Bracelet]!]

[Elemental Bracelet]

: Increases [Elemental Resistance] to a specific element (excluding Light and Dark attributes) by [40].

Grade: 1 Tier

Effect Duration: 24 hours

Cooldown: 24 hours

‘Elemental Bracelet’. I thought I would get it in the second semester.

...I'll think about the stats and the Elemental Bracelet later. Right now, there's something else I need to handle.

My body suddenly felt heavy. The [Exterminator] trait had deactivated. I sensed the mana around me before it happened, but there was nothing unusual. Still, it's better to be prepared.

I put on a mask and a hood, and then returned to my Berserker state.

I released the [Ice Barrier] that I had cast around Professor Fernando and the [Ice Wall] that was trapping me.

As the [Ice Wall] turned into a powder of blue light and scattered, I turned my head toward Professor Fernando.

Now, I just need to take the unconscious Professor Fernando and the situation will be resolved.

Professor Fernando might have instructed the associate professor to go to the rooftop after some time, but I can't leave a dying person on the rooftop without confirmation.

I need to hand over the unconscious Professor Fernando to the administration without revealing my identity.

It's a serious matter that a professor is injured. If it's discovered that I was with Professor Fernando, I will be summoned to the investigation committee.

The emergency meeting list of the investigation committee includes the student council president, so it's best to avoid it.

"Thank you for your hard work, Professor."

There was an easy way.

I carried Professor Fernando on my back and headed for the rooftop entrance.

* * *

Lucy Eltania was walking down the Duke Hall corridor.

The sparring match was her overwhelming victory. At first, she planned to go easy on Ian Fairytail, who had the courage to challenge her, but she ended it with a single 5-star water magic spell.

She was concerned about Isaac.

He had worked hard every day, spitting out nosebleeds, but eventually faced a dead end and declared his surrender.

‘How disappointed he must be.’

Isaac, accepting reality with a resigned look, patted Tristan's shoulder, acknowledging him, and left.

He tried to look calm, but it made him look even more pitiful.

She hadn't decided what to say, but she wanted to meet him.

So, she ended the sparring match quickly to avoid being stopped by the security mages and headed to the corridor.

She hadn't shown interest in others since she was 10, so comforting or encouraging someone was awkward for her.

But if she could pretend to meet Isaac by chance and say something like "Hang in there," it might make her feel better.

‘Where are you...?’

But Isaac was nowhere to be seen. Had he already left Duke Hall? No, he couldn't leave during the sparring evaluation. So, he must still be somewhere in the building.

Where could he be?

Lucy headed for the stairs. Since Isaac wasn't on this floor, he was probably on the upper floor or the rooftop.

"Lucy, what are you doing here?"

Lucy met the associate professor, who was coming up the stairs from the opposite direction. He was accompanied by the judges and five healing mages.

Lucy was puzzled by their appearance.

"The sparring evaluation has been suspended. Please return to your position and follow the academic control."

"Um...?"

The associate professor's voice was polite but urgent.

She couldn't understand the situation, but something was clearly wrong.

They started to go up the stairs, passing by Lucy.

Isaac was probably up there too.

Lucy hesitated whether to follow them.

"Dorothy?"

Then, a female student came down from the upper stairs.

She blocked the associate professor's group in the middle of the landing.

"......?"

Lucy was startled. The girl had long, light purple hair and wore a witch's hat. Her eyes, which seemed to contain the universe, and her star-shaped pupils looked unreal.

This was the senior who had been spending time at the place where Isaac trained every day recently.

"Stop for a moment."

Dorothy, with a faint smile, looked at the associate professor's group and Lucy below.

"Stop?"

"Yes, please wait a moment~."

Why suddenly?

Lucy and the associate professor's group were confused.

"It's dangerous right now."

"......?"

"Then..."

Dorothy closed her eyes and started to tap her fingers rhythmically.

The associate professor's group watched her odd behavior in silence.

Dorothy Heartnova is the strongest force at Merchen Academy, a genius who seems to have received all the talent from the sky, and a pride of the Academy.

When she used the word "dangerous," the associate professor's group felt uneasy.

But as a professor, they couldn't be swayed by a student's words.

When Professor Philip Meltren, who teaches the 1st-year A class of the Magic Department, called out, "Dorothy."

"It's fine~."

"......?"

Dorothy opened her eyes and moved out of the way. Her odd behavior lasted only 5 seconds.

The associate professor's group, not understanding what was happening, started to go up the stairs.

On the second floor,

"Fernando Professor?!"

They saw a man lying on the corridor floor.

It