Chapter 4

EP.4 Goal

Merhen Academy.

The entire massive isolated island located in the eastern part of the continent is the campus of Merhen Academy.

It has its own economic system.

First, the currency used here is different. Only a currency called 'Gel' can be used here.

The means to obtain Gel are performance evaluations or exams. They are distributed differently based on grades or specific criteria. Part-time jobs are also possible, but they are not very efficient. They should be seen as supplementary means.

Local currency can also be converted into Gel. However, this is only possible just before each semester starts, up to the tuition for one semester. If you have enough Gel, you can pay your tuition with it.

What if you don't have enough Gel? You can borrow from others or take out a loan from the Academy Bank, or do part-time jobs with low wages. Otherwise, you'll have to starve. It's a harsh place.

New students are given 5000 Gel when they first arrive at the Academy.

Since textbooks and uniforms are provided, as long as you don't engage in unnecessary overspending, you should have enough to last until the next performance evaluation.

I used the Gel appropriately to solve my lunch and dinner at the student cafeteria. Everything was delicious and satisfying.

Somehow, I felt a strange mood.

Today, after repelling Trebion and experiencing the opening ceremony and orientation, I felt even more vividly that I had been possessed by the game "Merhen's Magic Knight."

I also visited the library and read an introductory book on basic magic, which I thought would be suitable for my level.

It was readable. Thanks to my game knowledge, understanding the content wasn't too difficult.

I also tried reading an advanced magic book.

‘Wow, it’s really hard.’

Physics? Chemistry? I'm a humanities student, so I don't know, but it felt like that.

Just looking at it made me dizzy, so I quickly closed the book and headed to the dormitory.

Merhen Academy has four dormitories in total. Each semester, students are assigned to different dormitories based on their grades.

I was assigned to the lowest-ranked dormitory, 'Doris Hall,' which has the most outdated facilities. This was based on my entrance exam scores.

Doris Hall is where underperforming students gather. It's a place where students from the lower to the lowest ranks are concentrated. The protagonist, Ian Fairytail, is also currently here.

I entered my room.

All my belongings had been moved in. Clothes, toiletries, disposable items, stationery, and other necessities were all there.

Still, it was a small room. Of course, it was relatively small compared to other dormitories.

As someone who has lived in a 3-pyeong studio in Sinlim-dong, this was spacious, clean, and luxurious enough.

By the way, the facilities here are intentionally made small by the administration to encourage students to work harder and leave this place. It's a typical elitist approach.

The shower facilities are very well equipped.

“I can’t stay in such a place!!!”

“Whoa! What’s that?”

I was startled...

It seemed someone from another room had shouted. It was a cry filled with a strong desire to escape.

Well, for nobles who have always lived in luxury, such a room would be a significant psychological blow.

I closed the door and sat on the bed. The single bed softly enveloped my buttocks.

“...”

It's already the third day since I was possessed by this game.

If I don't wake up and return to reality tonight, my goal is clear, as I've thought many times.

To clear this game.

The problem is... the protagonist, Ian, is no different from a bad newbie, which is the standard for a bad ending.

The difficulty of the game is extremely high, and the enemies' stats are very harsh. Therefore, excellent control skills are required from the player.

However, Ian, this guy, almost faced a bad ending from the start today.

There's no guarantee that he won't do the same in the future.

‘So, ultimately, I need to become stronger.’

Then, it’s up to me. I am the only one who can prevent the bad ending in this world.

In the future, demons who will try to kill Ian will suddenly appear from the mana form sleeping underground in the Academy.

This is because Ian is a human with a light attribute. The light attribute is a weakness for demons, which is why Ian can defeat demons with a significant level difference.

The ability to use the light attribute, divine power, can only be used by noble and sacred maidens blessed by the gods. In other words, it's impossible for an ordinary human like Ian to have a light attribute.

However, Ian is a half-human, half-angel hybrid, which is why he has the ability to use divine power. This is a plot point that gradually unfolds and reveals a twist later.

Of course, Ian also needs to become stronger to some extent. The light attribute has many uses, and later, an invincible demon will appear that can only be defeated by using divine power.

At that time, Ian must use the ultimate light attribute skill [Paradise Banishment] with the final weapon, the 'Lightbringer Sword,' to break the invincible state. Therefore, he needs to be strong enough to meet the minimum requirements for the story's progression.

‘The final boss is the biggest problem.’

The biggest problem is the final boss, 'Nephid, the God of Destruction.'

He is an extremely difficult boss. In the hell difficulty mode, even if the player has maximized their stats, one hit from Nephid will result in a game over. This is because Nephid uses 9-star level magic, which can destroy the world.

The magic circle to revive the sealed Nephid is engraved on the rooftop of 'Bartos Hall' in Merhen Academy.

However, it's impossible to see or touch it. A 9-star level absolute recognition hindrance magic is cast on it. What if you destroy the building? A user asked this exact question during a game event Q&A.

The answer is clearly remembered: 'The magic circle transcends space and time, so destroying the building is meaningless.'

In the end, Nephid will inevitably revive when the time comes.

‘But if I can just defeat Nephid, it’s over.’

Nephid is the one who sends demons to Ian.

Currently, Nephid is sealed in the abyss and can only release a small amount of magic power to the outside world.

The magic power released by Nephid is used to awaken the demons sleeping underground in the form of mana. This is why he sends a few demons to try to kill Ian from time to time.

Anyway, I need to defeat all those demons to prevent the bad ending.

‘To clear this game, I need to become strong enough to defeat the final boss...’

Since I am Isaac, my goal is clear.

‘...Let’s check my potential.’

[ Potential ]

Owned Stats: 25

◆ Growth Speed

- Physical Training Efficiency (D+): 16/100 [UP]

- Magic Training Efficiency (D-): 10/100 [UP]

- Learning Efficiency (D): 12/100 [UP]

◆ Elemental Resistance

- Fire Elemental Resistance (E): 0/100 [UP]

- Water Elemental Resistance (D): 6/100 [UP]

- Ice Elemental Resistance (C-): 24/100 [UP]

- Lightning Elemental Resistance (C): 29/100 [UP]

- Rock Elemental Resistance (E): 2/100 [UP]

- Wind Elemental Resistance (D): 13/100 [UP]

- Neutral Elemental Resistance (D): 8/100 [UP]

◆ Combat Power Against Races

- Combat Power Against Humans (E): 4/100 [UP]

- Combat Power Against This Race (E): 1/100 [UP]

- Combat Power Against Angels (E): 0/100 [UP]

- Combat Power Against Demons (S): 100/100 [MAX]

Where should I invest my stats?

Let's think about the future.

Soon, there will be a class assignment evaluation. A demon is expected to appear during this evaluation.

The problem is that to defeat the demon, I need to survive for about 5 hours in a battle royale where only stronger opponents are present.

If I try to increase my [Combat Power Against Humans] to improve my chances of survival, it will take me further away from the path to defeat Nephid.

I need to grow as quickly as possible.

‘Then, I should prioritize increasing [Physical Training Efficiency] and [Magic Training Efficiency].’

I allocated 10 stats to [Physical Training Efficiency] and 15 stats to [Magic Training Efficiency].

Ding-♪

[Your [Physical Training Efficiency] has improved from D+ to C!]

[Your [Magic Training Efficiency] has improved from D- to C-!]

I can't expect a dramatic effect immediately before the class assignment evaluation, but I hope the improved values will bring better efficiency.

‘Now, I need to make a training plan.’

...I was quite tired.

While sitting at the desk and writing down the plan on parchment, I fell asleep.

* * *

The highest-ranked dormitory of Merhen Academy, 'Charles Hall,' was as luxurious as its grand appearance, with each room being opulent.

This ultra-luxury facility is only for the top 10 students in each department and each grade.

Facilities for personal servants are also provided.

The administration itself has prepared high-level personnel for the students staying in Charles Hall.

In one of these rooms, Kaya Astraean, the second-ranked student in the Magic Department, was sitting at her desk, lost in thought.

In the dark room, the soft light from a lamp with a light-emitting magic spell gently illuminated her in her luxurious nightgown.

“It doesn’t make sense...”

Kaya was repeatedly recalling what happened today.

This morning, when the man with silver hair defeated the demon.

Kaya felt an overwhelming amount of mana flooding out.

Yet, during the mana measurement, this man was rated at the lowest E level.

It was a contradiction. The only explanation was that the mana measurement device was broken.

Was there a possibility that the man with silver hair didn't release any mana? No, she clearly saw the elemental energy flowing out.

Moreover, she even felt his weak mana at that time.

‘It can’t be.’

The ability the man with silver hair showed when he defeated the demon was far superior to hers.

Kaya can handle wind and ice attributes, so she has a good eye for ice magic.

When she saw his 5-star magic, [Ice Burst], it felt like a masterpiece crafted with years of dedication.

Such a skilled person rated E? It was absurd.

However, Professor Fernando insisted that the mana measurement device couldn't be wrong.

The man with silver hair, number 25, didn't raise any objections and remained silent.

Even when other students laughed and mocked him.

As if he knew this would happen...

‘The ability to arbitrarily change maximum mana is the realm of a Great Mage...’

Just hearing it is hard to imagine. Can you really change your maximum mana at will? Isn't it as absurd as saying you can change the cells in your body at will?

No, even if Great Mages, who transcend common sense, can do it...

Still, it's impossible for a student of his age to reach the realm of a Great Mage.

‘Great Mage’ is a prestigious title given only to the most recognized mages in the continent.

Even 1-tier mages like the head of the magic tower, the guild master of a top-tier guild, and the royal guard mages, who have achieved all they can, are nothing compared to a Great Mage...

The Astraean Dukedom, which holds high social power, must bow before a Great Mage.

The realm of a Great Mage is a level that can only be achieved with the blessing of the heavens, the highest talent, and bone-breaking effort.

The man with silver hair, while possessing powerful mana, was slightly weaker than the 1-tier mages Kaya had seen so far. He was not at the level of a Great Mage.

However, thinking this way doesn't explain why his mana was measured at E level.

‘The man with black hair also seemed confused.’

After the man with silver hair left, Kaya woke up Ian Fairytail, who was unconscious in the field, and healed his wounds with a healing spell.

Incidentally, he recovered at an astonishing speed. It was as if Kaya's healing spell was just a catalyst.

During the healing process, she asked Ian if he knew the man who defeated the demon.

He seemed to have no idea. His attention was solely on the demon, which had turned to ash.

It seemed pointless to keep asking, so Kaya decided to be brief.

‘Is the fact that 25 is strong a secret only I know?’

She told Ian that she would report the demon appearance to the administration. She reported it to Professor Fernando after the mana measurement was over.

It wasn't late to report.

Demons are solitary beings and are considered natural disasters when they appear. Therefore, there was no urgency in reporting after the demon was already defeated.

However, after hearing the results of the mana measurement of the man who defeated the demon and Professor Fernando's explanation,

Kaya reported it differently.

She said the demon was already dying and would soon disappear, so she didn't know who defeated it.

This was because she had a hard time believing the possibility.

“Really, really, it’s really impossible...”

The possibility, which was buried under layers of impossibility, slowly revealed its shape.

Finally, Kaya voiced the possibility.

“25, if that man has indeed reached the realm of a Great Mage...? If he was even controlling his mana when he defeated the demon today...? Then, could he be a genius among geniuses, surpassing the Great Mages recorded in history...?”

What is considered an absolute truth can be overturned when an exception appears.

Humans have only made inductive inferences.

But if today, that ‘exception’ appeared?

If that ‘exception’ is the man with silver hair, 25?

“That’s incredible...!”

A shiver of excitement ran through her.

She was saying that she was a contemporary of a legendary figure.

Moreover, she was the first to know his true identity!

It felt unreal. It was like facing an incredible truth that she shouldn't have known.

Kaya trembled and her lips quivered.

“No, no. Calm down.”

The professor said it was impossible. Let’s think carefully.

If she calms down and thinks again, it’s clearly impossible. It’s practically in the realm of fantasy.

But, what if it’s real? What if it’s really real?

What if he has some reason to hide his true power and entered the Academy?

Kaya had unknowingly reached this conclusion. Therefore, under the assumption that 25 is an incredible figure, she decided to keep quiet about his achievement of defeating the demon, thinking he was pretending to be weak.

‘I need to find out.’

Kaya decided to talk to the man with silver hair tomorrow.