Chapter 47

EP.47 Brain Deity Array Suppression (5)

It's a famous story.

Hansel and Gretel were born into a poor family in the forest. The young siblings, who saw the world as beautiful, were abandoned by their parents in the forest.

The young girl, Gretel, cleverly dropped pebbles along the way, and she and Hansel successfully returned home.

However, the siblings were abandoned once again.

This time, they didn't have the chance to prepare pebbles, so they dropped breadcrumbs to mark their path.

But the breadcrumbs had already become food for the birds in the forest, leaving them with no way to find their way back.

Hunger came upon them. The young siblings wandered the forest, searching for something to eat.

Then they discovered a house made of sweets and, while greedily eating, they met the hook-nosed witch who lived inside.

The witch took in Hansel and Gretel, who had been abandoned by their parents.

She took care of them with utmost devotion, but her true intention was—.

In the first episode of "The Magic Knight of Merchen," "Behind the Story – Hansel and Gretel," the fairy tale takes a twisted turn.

Hansel is in pain. The witch from the candy house checks his condition daily by holding his wrist.

One day, Hansel's body begins to swell.

Not only Hansel, but also the bodies of other children living in different places begin to swell grotesquely.

The mark of the dragon's sacrifice has been activated.

Hansel and Gretel's parents had, in exchange for a piece of meat from a high-ranking noble, allowed the mark of the dragon's sacrifice to be engraved on their children one after another.

The mark of the dragon's sacrifice is engraved on the eyes and part of the brain.

When the witch from the candy house first found Hansel and Gretel, Hansel was already in a state where it was too late to do anything.

Fortunately, Gretel was not too late, and by replacing the part of her brain and eyes where the mark of the sacrifice was engraved, she narrowly avoided becoming the dragon's sacrifice.

This is the background for why Gretel's eyesight suddenly improved and she could remember everything she saw. It was all possible thanks to the witch's research, which involved burning her own body.

The witch from the candy house knew that the dragon-Orchis would appear and tried to save the children in advance. She made her house look like a candy house to attract children who had been harmed by the dragon.

Eventually, as the sky turned red.

A black dragon's form, made of countless blackened corpses, burst through the clouds.

It was the dragon-Orchis, a calamity of national destruction.

The witch from the candy house summoned an 8-star servitor, the Brain Deity Array-Gallia, to fight against the dragon and ultimately won.

However, the dragon's curse fell upon the Brain Deity Array.

The witch from the candy house was killed by the Imperial Guard in front of her house, accused of summoning the dragon using children as sacrifices.

Gretel wept bitterly, hugging the witch from the candy house in front of numerous troops. The witch entrusted the Brain Deity Array to the young girl before passing away.

It was the moment when Gretel's heart shattered.

Eventually, the truth came to light, and the high-ranking noble who was the real culprit behind the summoning of the dragon-Orchis was captured by the royal family and executed. However, the state recorded the witch from the candy house as an evil witch in history.

There was no better prey to exploit than the witch from the candy house, who was not involved in any political intrigue.

After all, she was a woman accused of killing many children. Although that accusation was also a false charge, the revelation of her cruel experiments using her own body provided a fitting basis for the accusation.

Thus, by attaching all sorts of bizarre evil deeds to her, the witch from the candy house was named the "Great Witch of the Sky" and made into the enemy of the people.

At least, the Eltania family, who had received her favor, denied the evil reputation of the witch from the candy house.

They took in Gretel as she had been asked to do beforehand and gave her a new name, Luce Eltania.

The boundary wrapped in purple lightning was turning into glowing powder and dispersing into the sky.

On the altar at the top of the severely damaged Karlis Hall, which was no longer recognizable as a building.

Luce's body began to fall as the Brain Deity Array's protective barrier was lifted.

Snap—.

A man caught her.

Luce couldn't muster any strength. The Brain Deity Array had drained all her mana, and her stamina seemed to be completely depleted.

Luce opened her eyes slightly, but her vision was blurry, and she couldn't distinguish objects clearly.

However, she could tell that a man was holding her like a princess.

'Who...?'

No words came out of her mouth. Her facial muscles wouldn't move.

Luce could barely distinguish the color of the man's clothes and the outline of his shoulders through her blurred vision.

Dark blue clothes, broad shoulders. A faint sensation of ice mana and cold.

'It's... Grung.'

If it was a dark blue-clothed ice attribute user who broke through the Brain Deity Array and the demons, it could only be Grung.

His build seemed ordinary, unlike what Luce knew, perhaps because his disguise had been lifted.

But that build... felt strangely familiar.

Luce's pupils were trembling slightly.

'Is it... small?'

Luce had no strength left after all her mana was taken away.

Soon, her stamina reached its limit.

Her consciousness faded into the distant void.

* * *

[Thud, thud, thud...!!]

As soon as I emerged from the Midheaven World, I could clearly feel how close to my limit I was.

With my last bit of strength, I caught Luce as she was falling from the altar. I quickly erased the traces of my magic, knowing I would soon be unable to move.

I laid the unconscious Luce on the ground amidst the flying blue powder. Then, I called Eden and had him sit her against the altar.

I ordered Eden to take me and run. It was possible. Eden could increase his size by adding rocks to his body.

Eden, who had grown much larger than usual, was carrying me and running with his heavy body. He was shouting at me in a hoarse voice.

Due to the side effects of [Ice Seal] and the Brain Deity Array's brain strike, my body was no longer functioning properly. Intense pain, as if being hammered, was relentlessly tormenting me.

However, I didn't have the strength to struggle or cry out in pain.

"Eden... put me down... here..."

I didn't know where I was. My vision was becoming blurry, and I couldn't see anything.

I was quite far away, I could tell. Judging by my senses, this was behind Karlis Hall, at the bottom of a hill.

Probably just before entering the forest. It seemed to be somewhere on the outskirts of the old Merchen Academy grounds.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of trees and grass. Fortunately, it seemed we had arrived at a place where we wouldn't be noticed.

Eden laid me down on the grass. His voice was filled with sobs, making me feel guilty.

When I could still see, the last scene I saw was like a mirage.

As the Brain Deity Array's boundary was being lifted, the lightning harpies were disappearing, and the purple powder was etching the night sky like stars, creating a very beautiful sight.

I drifted in the memory of that scene, holding my head, which was losing its function, and kept recalling why I had fled.

The Great Witch of the Sky.

She looked into my fate and gave me an 8-star servitor contract array as a gift, saying it was what I needed most.

In other words, I wouldn't die.

Believing that, I fled to avoid being noticed by the suppression team.

Suddenly, I recalled the events since I came to this world. Possessed by Isaac, I realized the protagonist's abilities were lacking, and I worked tirelessly to prevent a bad ending during the first semester.

Reflecting on the past, I felt it would be truly futile to die like this.

"The Magic Knight of Merchen," Isaac. Extra.

I am not the protagonist of this world. It's Ian Fairytail. All the adversities in this world exist to make him a hero.

So what?

No matter what, from my position, I am the protagonist.

Even if my life seemed dull, unsuccessful, and full of failures, I always firmly believed I was the protagonist in my own life.

When I played as Ian, Isaac was an extra.

But when I lived as Isaac, I was the protagonist.

Ian Fairytail. In "The Magic Knight of Merchen," he has overcome every trial and adversity that came his way.

So, I also tried to overcome all the trials and adversities that came my way, following his example.

So, am I going to die like this? Am I going to give up futilely?

Gritting my teeth, I resolved to achieve my goals through sheer determination. I don't give up.

“...”

Only the sound of air escaping from my lungs came out between my lips.

I was out of strength. My eyes slowly closed, and I felt a sense of relief that I would be freed from this intense pain.

My mind wasn't working. Still, I didn't let my resolve to not give up fade.

In my blurry vision,

Gradually, pitch-black darkness descended.

─────────────────「Tree of Radiance (Plant Attribute, ★7)」

A gentle aura enveloped me. It felt as if new life was infusing my body.

I opened my eyes. The scene of the Brain Deity Array's boundary turning into purple powder and illuminating the night sky came into view. My vision had returned.

I turned my head to look at Karlis Hall, which stood on the hill.

A giant tree spreading a pale green glow was rooted in the old Merchen Academy grounds, casting a gentle light. It was a scene of countless fireflies spreading seamlessly in all directions.

The pain was fading.

I slowly sat up.

Eden, with a voice filled with sobs, shrank to his usual size and hugged me.

[Thud, thud, thud...!]

[Eden]

Psychology: [Feeling relieved and happy that you are alive.]

The glowing tree stretching over Karlis Hall.

I know what that tree is. It's Kayla Astraing's plant magic from the second-year part of "The Magic Knight of Merchen." The [Tree of Radiance] heals all living beings within a certain radius.

'Why is it already...?'

Pale green fireflies from the [Tree of Radiance] were infusing the surrounding plants with vitality.

From that, I could deduce the whole situation.

"The Magic Knight of Merchen," Chapter 3, Episode 4, "Brain Deity Array Suppression" follows immediately after "Chapter 3, Episode 3, End-of-Semester Evaluation."

In other words, the variables from the end-of-semester evaluation directly affected the Brain Deity Array suppression.

What significant variables were there in this end-of-semester evaluation?

The most significant was Luce's inexplicable massacre and the intense battle, as well as the gift I gave to Kayla.

Luce delayed the upper-class students' search for the Pel Card. They must have struggled with mana detection and card acquisition while excessively focusing on escaping from the monster Luce.

Moreover, the intense battle caused the vice-chairman and other A-class and B-class upper-class students to remain in the test area until the appearance of the servitor Vera.

As a result, most of the top students joined the suppression team, unlike in the original scenario.

They must have significantly helped Dorothy and Ian in reducing the Brain Deity Array's HP. That's why the Brain Deity Array's HP was reduced much faster than I expected.

If they hadn't been there, I would have had to face the Brain Deity Array with at least 30-40% HP left.

I would have died in that battle.

The same goes for Kayla.

In "The Magic Knight of Merchen," Kayla didn't join the suppression team during the Brain Deity Array suppression. She passed the test by finding the third Pel Card and gaining enough mana detection skills to find the fifth card.

However, due to Luce's significant impact, Kayla also remained in the test area until the appearance of the servitor Vera.

She joined the suppression team and must have felt frustrated watching the injured students. Given her personality, she would have definitely felt that way.

The Armana wand I gave her is Kayla's ultimate weapon. It's impossible to obtain that weapon early in "The Magic Knight of Merchen" due to financial constraints. But I bought it early.

As a result, the Armana wand I gave Kayla as a gift must have significantly increased her responsiveness to plant attribute mana.

It must have realized Kayla's desire to be a warm, glowing tree.

'Beautiful, really...'

The [Tree of Radiance].

A magic that heals all living beings within a certain radius. It has a very wide healing range. Since it can instantly heal any fatal injury, it is considered one of the highest-ranking healing spells.

Moreover, it's a plant attribute spell. To use this attribute magic, one must fully resonate with plant attribute mana with the help of the fairy Siphia from the Firelog Blue.

A normal person would find it difficult even after a hundred years.

The gentle pale green glow enveloped the old Merchen Academy grounds. I felt a strange sense of relief, having recovered my body by chance.

I couldn't help but laugh.

It felt like this tree was the result of my first-semester journey.

I felt an indescribable heaviness.

I quietly gazed at the [Tree of Radiance].

As the Brain Deity Array's boundary slowly disappeared, scattering purple powder, and the giant tree shone quietly, the combination was incredibly beautiful.

I couldn't look away for a while.

“...”

I shouldn't just get lost in the scenery. I needed to take off my magic camouflage suit just in case.

“Phew!”

I took off the tattered magic camouflage suit and put it in my magic bag. Thanks to the [Tree of Radiance], my wounds were healed, but my stamina wasn't fully recovered, making even taking off my coat a struggle.

I needed to bask in the light of the [Tree of Radiance] until I recovered enough stamina to return to the dormitory. Isaac photosynthesis.

Eden came to my side and shook my arm. The cute guy. I sat him on my lap and hugged him.

Then,

“President, what are you doing here?”

A familiar voice rang in my ears. Suddenly, I felt a surge of emotion in my chest.

Turning my head in the direction of the voice, I saw a female student wearing a witch's hat. She was kneeling with both hands on her knees, looking at me with a puzzled expression.

Perhaps because I had almost died, I couldn't help but laugh when I saw her familiar face. I tried to hold back the tears welling up and managed to put a smile on my face.

Regaining my composure with a quick, low breath,

I met the eyes of the pretty student with light purple hair.

“Senior, you're late. Didn't you come to save me too late?”

I said playfully, deliberately showing signs of fatigue.

“Really, a bunch of new electric monsters suddenly appeared... I barely managed to escape, you know.”

“Don't you look too relieved?”

“It's because I see you, Senior.”

“Nya-hi, just as expected of my fan!”

Dorothy sat next to me, hugging her knees.

She started to look at the [Tree of Radiance], which was spreading luminous emerald mana.

“The situation is all resolved. The giant electric chicken was healed by the tree's magic and is no longer an enemy, and all the lightning monsters have disappeared. Your stalker friend is safe, and no one died.”

“I was wondering what was going on... It must have been a big deal...”

“Yeah, it was a huge deal~. I was completely drained. Protecting people, doing what I had to do...”

Dorothy grumbled playfully, then suddenly smiled and placed her hand on her chest.

“So, give your senior this chance to comfort you~. Consider it an honor.”

Dorothy's cute and confident attitude made me laugh involuntarily.

“Thank you for your hard work, Senior.”

“O-oh!”

“You're really strong and cool, Senior.”

“Mmm!”

“But you came to save me too late.”

“Huh, oh...”

Dorothy looked flustered and wiped cold sweat from her forehead.

“Seems like you had a tough time, President.”

Dorothy glanced at me sideways and quickly changed the subject. I answered in a playful tone, just like her a moment ago.

“Yes, during the test, I was rolling around, and then I had to run from the suddenly appearing monsters... It was just a living hell. I should have just gone back to the dormitory, but I foolishly thought I'd take this opportunity to see the old hall, and ended up in this mess...”

Perhaps my heart had softened, and a flood of fabricated complaints poured out of my mouth.

However, there was a meaningful look in Dorothy's eyes, as if she knew something I didn't.

Was it just my imagination?

[ Dorothy Heartnova ]

Psychology: [★★★★★★★★★★★★]

[Psychology Insight] still didn't work. So I decided to stop trying to read her mind.

“Yeah, you worked hard.”

Dorothy smiled gently and answered in a calm voice.

A moment of silence passed.

“Senior.”

“What is it, President?”

“I ran a lot today, so my body won't move. Can you carry me back to the dormitory?”

“Nya-hi! Of course. Leave it to me!”

Dorothy laughed innocently and placed her hand on her chest again.

In the first semester, I successfully prevented all bad endings and survived.

Relief was overwhelming my joy.

For a while, Dorothy and I decided to sit side by side and admire the [Tree of Radiance].

It was a rare sight, and I