Chapter 33

EP.33 Lucie (1)

After the combat evaluation, the faculty expressed their stance to the students.

They are currently investigating the cause of the frequent appearances of demons and will do their best to ensure the safety of the students.

Despite this, the curriculum proceeded as usual, as if nothing had happened. Some students protested, demanding the truth, suspecting that the faculty was hiding something, but they were in the minority.

'Of course, this is not a situation that makes sense logically.'

A creature that threatens human lives has appeared multiple times, and there was even a near-death incident involving a student or a professor, yet the academy continues to function.

Even if demons are considered natural disasters, it doesn't make sense.

In reality, the board of directors, the principal, and the faculty are working day and night to manage the situation. It's unlikely that any student with a bit of perception wouldn't know this.

However, by the end of the final part of the first semester, the Brainworm Extermination Battle, the situation will escalate so much that the Royal Knights will have to intervene.

This will become the catalyst for gathering the so-called 'Golden Generation'—a trivial princess, a holy maiden who wields sacred power (physics), and a sociopathic shaman from the East. The princess had always planned to enroll, while the holy maiden and the shaman are driven by a sense of justice or a competitive spirit to fight against the darkness of this world.

I'm not sure, but it seems that those with special backgrounds have peculiar mindsets. If I survive, they, the Golden Generation, will be my juniors.

'But that's a matter for later…'

What's important is that the scenario has been significantly altered.

During the combat evaluation, the final boss of Act 6, Scene 3, the Illusory Rifa, appeared. It seems that due to its loose lips, it inadvertently revealed important information to Professor Fernando.

Specifically, the existence of a 'collaborator.'

How did I, a commoner, find out about this? Naturally, it was because I used [Psychic Insight] to examine the key faculty members. The message 'I am worried about the future because there is a collaborator among the demons' appeared in detail.

Given this, I need to prepare for an IF scenario, where the fact that Alice is the mastermind is revealed earlier than in the original story.

Incidentally, Dorothy's [Thousand Phenomena] cannot uncover the fact that Alice is the mastermind. Alice has a unique trait called [The Red Queen's Paradox], which makes it impossible for anyone to read her mind or true nature.

In short, no one can read Alice's psychology or essence.

'Anyway, I need to prepare for the scenario where Alice's true identity is revealed earlier than expected…'

「Rock Collapse (Earth Attribute, ★4)」

Rumble───!!

"Ah!!"

Aaah!!

So painful!!

"Hey, I told you to use something 3-star or lower…!"

A glowing yellow rock hit my body, causing a mana explosion upon impact.

The shock sent me rolling across the grass and crashing into a tree.

Wow, that was a surprise…

I groaned and barely managed to sit up.

The small golem that had sent me flying was tilting its head, looking innocent. Its body, made of solid rock, seemed very sturdy.

It was Eden, my 3-star earth attribute familiar.

[Grumble─?]

Stop trying to act cute. It doesn't suit you.

[ Eden ]

Lv: 48

Race: Beast

Attribute: Earth

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [You want to look cute to me. (^.^)]

Two days ago, we entered the "Familiar" part of Act 3, Scene 2 in "The Mage Knight of Merhen." The students took turns using the familiar summoning circle to summon their familiars.

I was worried about unexpected variables, but fortunately, everything went smoothly.

The familiar summoning circle can summon up to 4-star familiars. For 5-star and above, you need to meet and form a contract directly.

Eden, a 3-star familiar, was a better result than expected. I was excited as I formed a contract with him.

The protagonist, Ian Fairytail, summoned a fire attribute familiar named 'Rex' in the original story, a 4-star familiar that looks like a baby T-rex. According to the familiar part of the story, Ian and Rex will soon have a confrontation to clarify their master-servant relationship.

As a result, Rex will become the protagonist's right-hand man, a specialist in knocking people out. This time, since the opponent is not a demon, he will win.

'But that's a different matter.'

I need to focus on my familiar.

I rubbed my injured abdomen and stood up. I can endure this level of pain… up to three or four times.

It seems that Eden didn't receive the penalty of pain for disobeying my command.

The judgment for disobedience is based on the familiar's awareness. They must recognize that they are not following the master's order. Eden seems to think he followed my command well.

In other words, his intelligence is so low that he didn't realize the spell he just cast was 4-star.

Well, I can teach him with proper explanation.

"Definitely 3-star! Remember, 3-star! The spell you just used was 4-star, so don't use it again!"

[Got it!]

Eden raised his right arm in response.

Eden's voice is more neutral.

Trying to act cute doesn't suit him, but since he's my familiar, I feel a surge of affection in my heart…

「Rock Fusion (Earth Attribute, ★4)」

Rumble───!!

"Ah!!"

[Grumble?]

This rockhead!

* * *

If you were to pick the tallest building in the Merhen Academy grounds, it would undoubtedly be the 'Hegel Tower.' However, it only has occupancy rights within the academy grounds and can be considered a private enterprise unrelated to the academy.

Many graduates of Merhen Academy are distributed throughout the Hegel Tower. In exchange for occupying part of the academy grounds, they offer bonus points to Merhen Academy graduates who take the tower entrance test. Given its high prestige, it is often mentioned as a career path for Merhen Academy students.

The entire top floor is used exclusively as a laboratory for a single mage.

Only those whom she trusts can enter this place. Professor Fernando Frost stepped inside.

A spacious, circular room. Many books floated in the air, and the walls were lined with books.

There were traces of alchemy everywhere, and the high ceiling was made of glass, allowing a clear view of the serene sky.

In the center of the laboratory, a female mage with chestnut hair lay comfortably on the floor. She had a small stature and a slender build, and she was reading a book while kicking her legs.

Aria Lilius, Fernando's mentor and the head of the Hegel Tower, lifted her head and scanned Fernando with an emotionless face before returning her gaze to the book.

"I've come to greet you, teacher."

"What is it?"

"I have a question."

"Skipping pleasantries and going straight to the point? Typical of my student, no manners."

"Question?"

"Have you heard the recent news about the academy? About the demons and the black creature."

"Go on."

"On the first day of the combat evaluation, I almost lost my life to a demon."

Aria's gaze shifted at the news that her student had nearly died. Of course, she was already aware of this. Given the Hegel Tower's proximity to the academy, it was impossible not to hear news about the academy.

"But the black creature protected me. He could use up to 9-star magic effortlessly and is estimated to have reached the level of a grand mage."

"So?"

"What do you think? About the identity of this creature who suddenly appeared and then disappeared."

"……"

The black creature.

He first appeared during the magic department's first-year class assignment evaluation, defeating a suddenly appearing demon.

During this combat evaluation, he created another world and protected Professor Fernando from a powerful demon.

"…What does the faculty think?"

"They believe he is a demon who has turned against his own kind."

"What do you think?"

"……"

"I think you have an idea, but this creature is likely one of your students."

Fernando didn't respond, as he had already suspected this.

"One clear fact is that this creature is trying to protect you."

Fernando's image appeared in Aria's deep eyes.

"My advice is to leave him alone. Don't dig into the secrets of someone trying to protect you and upset them. Just focus on analyzing and solving the cause of the demon appearances."

"May I ask why?"

"Hey."

"……!"

In the blink of an eye, Aria's face was right in front of Fernando's nose. She was floating using telekinesis.

At close range, with their faces almost touching, she spoke in a cold, mocking voice.

"Still don't get it? He's here to observe and find the unique aspects of this academy that even I couldn't detect. He's here to protect the people in this academy. Don't do anything foolish and interfere with him."

"……"

He knew. The black creature was on the side of the academy, trying to protect people.

At the investigation committee, Fernando had stated that the creature was not an enemy. After much debate, the conclusion was that the black creature was likely a demon who had turned against his own kind. Otherwise, how could he know when and where demons would appear?

Most of the faculty were afraid of the creature, but Fernando was different. He wanted to support the creature, or rather, the student. Just as the student had protected him.

"Of course, teacher."

Fernando answered in a calm voice.

It was around the time the sky was turning dark.

Lucie Eltania, the top student of the first-year magic department, had gone to the training ground to practice lightning magic and was on her way back to the dormitory.

Due to the attention from other students, she had left after only 30 minutes.

Even as she left, students were exclaiming, "As expected of the top student! Is this the level of practice needed…!" which only increased her stress.

"Ah, really? That's hilarious!"

"Hehehe."

Suddenly, a group of female students caught Lucie's eye. They were walking side by side, chatting happily.

"See you tomorrow!"

"See you tomorrow!"

The girls waved goodbye at a crossroads and parted ways.

"……"

It was an ordinary scene. Eating together, chatting, and promising to meet again as if it were a given.

It was a mundane part of other students' daily lives, something she had seen countless times without much thought.

But for some reason, the scene today made her heart uneasy.

Suddenly, a boy came to mind. Lucie's steps began to head in a different direction. Instead of going straight to the dormitory, she took a longer route, leading her to a corner near the butterfly garden.

'Ahem, just passing by, just passing by…'

This route would eventually lead to the dormitory, so it was technically correct. It just took five times longer than the usual route.

At the end of the rarely visited butterfly garden, only the sound of insects filled the air.

'There he is.'

Lucie scanned her surroundings and, by sheer coincidence, spotted Isaac in the corner of the garden. It was truly a coincidence.

On the first day of the combat evaluation, Isaac had finally succumbed to Tristan Humphrey's magic. Everyone present must have felt the stark difference in their magical power.

How disappointed must Isaac have been after feeling that gap? He seemed even more heartbreaking for pretending it didn't bother him.

But the disappointment didn't break him. During the subsequent combat evaluation, he showed a renewed enthusiasm.

'I was happy.'

Seeing that, Lucie felt a warm emotion.

As she recalled the combat evaluation, the recent demon appearance incident came to mind.

'Grr…'

Grr. He appeared. He protected Professor Fernando and then disappeared again. If I had focused on mana detection, I might have noticed his presence. I feel a bit regretful.

Whenever she thought of that mysterious figure, a subtle emotion she had never felt before arose. It wasn't an unpleasant feeling, more like a sense of 'goodwill.'

Recently, Lucie had realized the nature of this emotion. It was the feeling of 'wanting to get closer'…

Because of this, she had spent some time researching the concept of 'friendship' in various books. But the more she read, the more confusing the concept of friendship became.

How do people so easily understand and accept this vague concept? It was truly a mystery.

And recently, there was one more person she wanted to get closer to.

The silver-haired boy with wavy hair who was now in her line of sight… but.

'What is he doing?'

Lucie was surprised. For some reason, Isaac… was getting beaten up by his familiar?

Isaac's condition looked very bad. His eyes were forced open, and he was breathing heavily, looking like he might collapse at any moment.

Suddenly, water mana began to gather beside Lucie. The mana formed a small beluga whale, which began to swim in the air and shout.

[Emergency! Emergency! Familiar is beating up the master!]

It sounded like a young boy's innocent voice.

The small beluga whale familiar, 'Bello,' was a 4-star familiar summoned by Lucie during the familiar summoning time.

[Bello emergency response! No violence! No violence!]

"Go back…, huh?"

As Lucie was about to dismiss Bello, who was about to fly towards Isaac, Isaac's eyes rolled back, and he fell to the side.

Thud─.

He collapsed on the grass and lost consciousness.

"……!"

Lucie's heart sank. She didn't dismiss Bello and rushed to Isaac's side.

[Incident! Incident! Master, arrest the perpetrator, zasha!]

[Grumble, grumble…?!]

Ignoring the noisy familiars, Lucie lifted Isaac's upper body.

* * *

Sometimes, the scene of a 3-pyeong studio in Shinlim-dong appears in my dreams.

The already small room was half-filled with thick books.

I had three books open on my desk, confining myself in a narrow world. It was the image of an ordinary exam student.

It felt like walking through a pitch-black, endless tunnel.

Could I reach the end of this tunnel? Could I, could I do it?

Whenever I felt my heart might collapse from such thoughts, I would mercilessly slap my thighs. If I didn't, my narrow world would become even narrower, and I might disappear altogether.

Pain was a means to maintain my sanity.

'But why am I recalling that time?'

…It came back to me. I was experimenting with the elemental bracelet in various ways and had been continuously receiving Eden's magic. The pain reminded me of my exam days.

The damage accumulated, and the fatigue from the past days burst all at once, causing me to faint.

So, am I just lying there in the corner of the garden?

No, my body feels warm and comfortable. This sensation is definitely…

'A bed?'

I opened my eyes suddenly. Whose bed?

A familiar yet unfamiliar ceiling came into view. It's not déjà vu. In "The Mage Knight of Merhen," it's a familiar ceiling, but to me, Isaac, it's unfamiliar.

"What is this?"

I sat up. The luxurious room was immediately apparent, and the bed I was lying on