Chapter 32

EP.32 Sparring - Interlude

Fortunately, the plan was successful.

After carrying Professor Fernando to the rooftop entrance, I confirmed that no one was around and gently placed him back on the ground.

Next, I took off the magic disguise suit and put it in the magic bag, then carried him on my back again and went down the stairs.

When I thought we were close enough to the sparring arena, I carefully laid him down in the corridor.

I took out a ‘firecracker’ from the magic bag. Since I had to hide my identity, I had prepared a tool to divert attention.

I used the ‘Fire Creation’ spell to light the fuse and placed the firecracker nearby. When the firecracker exploded, the exam supervisors or security would notice the sound and rush over.

After making the preparations, I ran down the corridor towards the window. Thanks to the Hell PT achievements, I leaped through the window like a stuntman and quickly escaped. If they didn’t hear the firecracker, it would be all over.

I sprinted all the way to the first-floor sparring arena.

Since the corridor was wide open, I could naturally enter and blend in with the students.

Later, I heard that Professor Fernando had been carried away and realized the plan had succeeded.

I also heard that the sparring had been suspended. The reason was easy to guess.

Professor Fernando must have instructed the vice professor: ‘If I don’t return within a certain time, suspend the sparring evaluation and bring combat troops to the rooftop.’ My earlier speculation was correct. It would have been fine to just leave him on the rooftop.

Still, there was no other choice. Without confirmation, speculation remains just that.

Anyway, let's focus on the results. Everything went well as I planned, right?

‘Good is good, after all.’

There seemed to be no need to think too deeply about it.

An announcement was made that the sparring evaluation would resume after the truth of the incident was thoroughly investigated.

A few days later.

The investigation results from the Truth Committee were posted on the bulletin board in the central hall of Orpin Hall, the building of the Magic Department.

According to the investigation by the Truth Committee, which examined the statements of those involved and the mana traces, it was confirmed that a demon had appeared and was eliminated.

The one who performed the feat was the person who raised their hand during the class assignment evaluation, the black monster. That was me.

The detailed investigation results were kept secret, so it was unclear who the involved parties were or what was discussed.

At least, it was fortunate that there was no mention of ‘Isaac.’

‘The atmosphere is getting worse now.’

The academic atmosphere was consistently gloomy. With demons, which are considered rare natural disasters, appearing multiple times in a short period, students were repeatedly discussing why demons were appearing so frequently. Opinions ranged from bad luck to the high concentration of magic power attracting demons.

By the way, the academic side is expected to have a tough time dealing with the demon appearances.

However, after the Neurozoa extermination battle, the situation got out of hand, and the royal knights will eventually start investigating the incident.

I offer my condolences to the faculty and administrative staff, who will have an even harder time from now on.

‘Ah, I remember that.’

Suddenly, I recalled the shocked look on Kaya's face when she came to me.

“Mr. Isaac! The black monster that appeared during the class assignment evaluation and this time...!”

“Why?”

“Could it be another demon who betrayed the demons?!”

Of course, she’s an idiot, so I just brushed it off.

...

[Status]

Name: Isaac

Level: 56

Gender: Male

Year: 1

Title: Freshman

Magic Power: 1100 / 1300

- Magic Power Recovery Speed (C)

- Stamina (C+)

- Strength (C+)

- Intelligence (C)

- Mental Strength (B+)

Potential <<Details>>

[Combat Abilities]

Elemental Series 1: Ice

- Elemental Damage (B-)

- Elemental Efficiency (B-)

- Elemental Synergy (B-)

Elemental Series 2 (Locked)

[Skills]

Active

- (★1) Ice Creation (B-) / (★5) Black Ice (B-)

- (★2) Ice Barrier (C+)

- (★1) Cold Emission (B-)

- (★1) Basic Protection Magic (D)

- (★4) Frost Flame (C-)

- (★4) Ice Wall (C-)

- (★5) Ice Explosion (D)

- (★2) Snowfall (C-)

Passive

- (★7) Mind Reading

- (★5) Demon Detection

- (★9) Ice Lord

Skill Tree <<Details>>

[Unique Traits]

- Demon Slayer

On a quiet night, in a corner of the butterfly garden, I was there again for training.

I checked my status window. The ultimate 9-star passive skill [Ice Lord] for ice attributes was still on my skill list.

Thanks to meeting the acquisition conditions, I obtained it.

‘What a huge windfall.’

It was an incredible gain.

When I saw [Ice Lord] still in my status window after defeating the illusionary Rifa, I went wild with shadow boxing.

If I can properly handle [Ice Lord], my combat power will skyrocket.

‘I already have an elemental bracelet too.’

The elemental bracelet, when worn on the wrist, significantly increases resistance to any one elemental attribute except light and darkness.

I tried it with a 2-star spellbook, but the spellbook was not very effective, making it difficult to conduct an accurate experiment.

After the sparring evaluation, it will be Act 3, Chapter 2, "Familiar" of "Merhen's Magic Knight." When I get my familiar, I can ask it to use magic for a proper experiment.

I invested 10 points into [Physical Training Efficiency] and 10 points into [Learning Efficiency], raising them to B+ and C+ respectively.

Now, the speed at which my stamina and strength develop will be higher than that of most Hell Knight Department students.

“Phew.”

I took a deep breath and calmed my emotions.

It was time to retest [Ice Lord], which I had recently experimented with.

I’m nervous...

The last time I tried to use [Ice Lord], I almost did a high-five with the King of Hell.

Still, it’s important to keep testing and make it fully mine, especially since [Ice Lord] is the ultimate buff skill for ice attributes.

‘Focus.’

I touched the cold something deep within my body, the trigger to draw out the power of [Ice Lord], which had been dormant inside me.

I raised the power of [Ice Lord], which I had suppressed to 0%, to about 1% by estimation.

At the same time.

“Ugh!!”

Every cell in my body felt like it was being pierced by needles, causing intense pain throughout my body.

“Gah, ugh...”

I immediately suppressed the power of [Ice Lord] back to 0%.

The pain subsided as if nothing had happened, but I had collapsed on the grass, groaning. I must have lost consciousness for a moment.

‘Ugh, I might get PTSD...’

It was too painful...

Indeed, I’m still far from mastering [Ice Lord]. With my current body, I have a long way to go.

I should try again when I’m in the [Demon Slayer] state.

After calming myself, I got up and started practicing other magic as usual.

Then.

“What are you practicing?”

“...!”

I was startled when someone poked my waist from behind.

I quickly turned around and saw a female student with a witch’s hat, trying to suppress her laughter.

She soon started giggling.

“Mwahaha...! Ah, what a reaction. The president is so cute.”

...

I feel annoyed but try to keep my cool.

“What brings you here? At such a late hour.”

“Just that the stars were so beautiful tonight. I was stargazing and suddenly thought of you, so I came to see you! I wondered if you were still training.”

The sky was filled with beautiful stars, and the weather was clear, making the stars seem especially numerous.

“Of course. Our president is diligent~.”

Dorothy, with a playful squint and a mischievous smile.

I felt a sense of unease.

Though I had no clear evidence, my numerous playthroughs of "Merhen's Magic Knight" told me something was off.

This girl didn’t come just because she suddenly thought of me, did she?

“...Senior, do you have something to say to me?”

So I decided to probe.

Since I couldn’t read Dorothy’s mind, which was protected by the light mana, this was the only way to find out.

Dorothy, still smiling, but her silence while smiling was as good as an admission.

Then I understood the source of my unease. In Dorothy’s usually natural-seeming, artificial smile, I saw something that shouldn’t have been shown, indicating that her mind was a