Chapter 50

EP.50 Graduation Ceremony

"I will now begin the summer vacation ceremony for the first-year students of the Magic Department."

The end-of-term evaluation retake consisted of a few elemental magic tests. Although it was much simpler compared to the usual exam scale, it was also the most intuitive method.

Thus, the first semester for the first-year students came to an end. The total score from all the exams and performance evaluations taken so far became the final grade for the first semester.

I ranked 230th out of 300. Well, it was as expected. I only received low scores in the early part of the semester due to my E-rank mana capacity, and I had to surrender during the sparring session.

Still, I aim to be the top student. Grades are an important indicator of how much I've improved.

The sky was blue, and large, fluffy clouds drifted leisurely. Amidst the chirping of birds, the first-year students of the Magic Department held their belated graduation ceremony.

In the square, the students were already seated in orderly rows.

Elena, the beautiful principal who maintained the appearance of her prime in her twenties thanks to the passive skill [Eternal Youth], was giving a speech.

Luce Eltania, who ranked second in the first semester, stepped forward as the student representative to read the declaration.

She kept glancing at me subtly, a gentle smile on her face.

The other male students around me blushed and looked as if they were enjoying a good show, sending me envious and admiring glances. I was used to it by now.

‘What to do…’

Worries resurfaced, stemming from a recent concern.

Luce still suspected that I might be a troll, as I discovered by reading her thoughts when she asked me for dating advice. However, after thinking rationally, it seemed she sought romantic advice out of confusion, believing I couldn't possibly be a troll.

The day I held hands with Luce.

I first asked how she knew I was a troll, listened to her story, and then gave her some standard dating advice. I broke a sweat trying to hide the fact that I was a troll.

Anyway, back to Luce.

There's a lot to do during the vacation.

"Merchen's Magic Knight" is a game universally recognized as a masterpiece. The reason it has been loved by many users for a long time is due to its vast content, story, and diverse interactions between objects, as well as its massive open-world map that feels like a whole world.

‘Outside, it’s full of content too.’

I heard that Ian Fairytail plans to enjoy guild quests and other content outside the academy during the vacation. I learned this from Amy.

When Ian leaves the academy, the evil deity cannot track his whereabouts. Therefore, the demons cannot know where the "Child of Light" is. This is why other light-attribute bearers, like the Holy Maiden, have not been attacked by demons.

It takes astronomical amounts of mana to release mana into the abyss to awaken demons one by one. The evil deity must be struggling with just that task.

So, I hope Ian has a fulfilling summer vacation.

‘I need to go find Hild's Frost Scythe.’

During this summer vacation, I can go find the ultimate ice-attribute weapon, Hild's Frost Scythe. Thanks to obtaining the elemental bracelet, my plans have been accelerated.

If I do well, I might even get my second ultimate elemental weapon before the second semester starts.

‘Sweet deal.’

I already felt the burden of the intense scenario, like the "Floating Island" part, lifting.

The "Floating Island" part was a story that brought many users to tears. Dorothy dies in it.

She was already cursed to die within a year, but the curse was accelerated by the demons, causing her to die before the year was up.

For me, who loved Dorothy the most, it was a very sad part.

‘I won’t let her die like that.’

With Dorothy around, it will be much easier to prevent bad endings. Besides, she is my favorite character, and that alone is reason enough to save her.

I am determined to achieve my goals through sheer will and effort. Whether it's the Floating Island or anything else, I will definitely save my favorite character.

To that end, I need to train hard during the vacation.

……

On the way back after the graduation ceremony.

Most students were busy preparing to return home immediately. The first-year students of the Magic Department had their vacation delayed by nine days, so they must be feeling both anxious and eager.

Come to think of it, there won't be many students around during the vacation. I can monopolize the training grounds. Oh yeah.

Since many students will be leaving from tomorrow, I'll train at my usual spot today.

Starting from tomorrow, I should head to the training grounds.

“……”

Perhaps because I had just finished a hectic first semester and was now on vacation, a sense of unease suddenly washed over me.

I stopped and looked down at my right hand. The familiar shape of my hand came into view.

Isaac. I am possessed by this silver-haired, red-eyed troll-looking weakling. I know nothing about Isaac's hometown, his family, or his background.

Maybe I should try to find out more about Isaac's background and visit his family. It would be the polite thing to do.

‘Now that I think about it…’

A question surfaced in my mind.

‘Why did Isaac enroll here?’

I knew the reason Ian enrolled in Merchen Academy: to graduate from the best academy and become a renowned magic knight.

Ian's E-rank mana capacity was due to his background, which prevented him from fully developing his talent. However, he had thoroughly honed his sword skills to become a knight.

But what about Isaac, who also had an E-rank mana capacity?

‘If he aimed to be a mage, why did he focus only on studying and not on magic training?’

At the beginning of the first semester, Professor Fernando mentioned that Isaac had excellent theoretical scores.

Why?

It's not that difficult to escape E-rank mana capacity. Even without talent, if he had trained hard, he could have at least improved his mana capacity. Did he really just aim to be a scholar? If so, his effort distribution seems too extreme.

Isaac must have only relied on his theoretical skills to pass the entrance exam. It feels like he deliberately focused on what he could do best.

It suddenly occurred to me that he might have had a specific reason to enroll in Merchen Academy, not just to become a successful mage.

"Merchen's Magic Knight" where Isaac is an undeniable extra. In other words, he isn't a hidden antagonist or an important character who can influence the story.

‘Something is nagging at me… Ah.’

Suddenly, a silver-haired girl came to mind. One of the NPCs with no significant role in the story, a character who seemed to have a bit of the Repli-syndrome.

For some reason, I felt there was a connection between that NPC and Isaac. However, since she was just a passing NPC, I couldn't recall the exact dialogue.

Maybe it was just my imagination. I'm not sure.

While pondering this, I headed towards the corner of the butterfly garden.

“Mr. Isaac!”

On the deserted garden path, a sudden gust of greenish wind brushed against my skin.

A girl with light green twin tails landed in front of me, enveloped in wind magic.

Kaya Astraen, who ranked second in the first semester, was there.

[ Kaya Astraen ]

Lv: 97

Race: Human

Attributes: Wind, Ice, Plant

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [I am pleased to see your face.]

“Kaya?”

She had been avoiding me lately, so I didn't expect her to suddenly show up.

She has a plant attribute now. That's expected.

Come to think of it, she never asked me about Armana's wand. I had already thought about how to answer.

“I, I, I came to thank you!”

Kaya's voice was trembling as if she were in an earthquake.

“Because of the wand?”

“Yes, yes…!”

Although it was quite late, I hadn't expected any thanks. On the contrary, I was grateful.

“I gave it to you because you needed it. Don't worry about it.”

“Did you… care about me?”

I didn't answer. It was true that I cared.

Kaya, interpreting my silence positively, suddenly blushed.

“I…! I will soon be returning to my family. So I came to say goodbye and thank you…!”

“How did you find me?”

“I, I saw you while flying.”

Kaya was dressed in elegant brown clothing. She must have wanted to meet me before leaving the academy.

“So, what I want to say is…!”

[ Kaya Astraen ]

Psychology: [My head is turning white with embarrassment.]

In short, she came to say goodbye and thank me before leaving.

I was happy. I really am grateful to Kaya. Thanks to her, I am here now.

“So, what I wanted to say…!”

Kaya's eyes widened as she looked at my face.

This corner of the butterfly garden is made of mahogany. The flower beds scattered around and the butterflies dancing in the garden make the scene very fresh.

Kaya's ladylike demeanor fits well with the scenery. She is so lovely.

I couldn't help but smile. Perhaps it was because she was the person who saved me using the [Tree of Radiance] and the one I owed the most to during the first semester.

After a while, I realized that this was the first genuine smile I had given Kaya. I suddenly realized that I hadn't smiled at her much.

“Have a good vacation, Kaya.”

I approached Kaya and patted her shoulder.

I intended to go to the corner of the butterfly garden where I usually train.

Thud.

An unexpected attack came. Something soft touched my right cheek, making a cute sound.

Startled, I maintained my composure and turned to look.

“K, K, K…”

Kaya, her face even redder, was trembling. Her skin color had completely changed.

Steam was continuously rising from her head, and her eyes were spinning.

She seemed to have just realized what she had done out of instinct.

“I have committed a grave sin───!!!”

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud─!

Kaya ran away. It was a sprint in her heels.

She enveloped her feet in wind magic and cut through the air sharply. It was as if she were a bullet.

I stood there for a while, touching the cheek she had kissed, and watched her leave.

I never expected that shy girl to act so boldly.

“……”

It seems I was… really taken aback.

* * *

“Miss Siel, is there something troubling you?”

Inside the high-end carriage of the Carnedas family, leaving the academy.

The carriage was crossing a bridge and passing near the Calis Mountains.

Emma, the dedicated knight of the Carnedas family, who was also in the carriage, asked Siel with a puzzled expression.

Siel, who usually took a nap at this time, was deep in thought, resting her chin on her hand and gazing out the window.

What happened at the academy? Siel not taking a nap was an unknown phenomenon to Emma.

“Just….”

Siel answered in her usual weak voice.

“The world is vast, I think.”

“……?”

Emma couldn't understand Siel's response. Siel usually didn't like the concept of 'sentiment.'

Had the academy life, filled with youth and the scent of flowers, changed Siel?

Or had she developed a deep concern that even prevented her from taking a nap?

Emma felt an unnecessary tension and kept swallowing dryly.

Siel's mind was filled with thoughts of Isaac.

The silver-haired boy had been pretending to be weak by hiding his mana capacity. However, a mage can't just pretend to be weak.

It's because of mana sensing. The moment a mage uses magic, their mana circuit can be detected, and their mana capacity can be roughly estimated.

Thus, Siel quickly caught on that Isaac was not weak.

However, during the end-of-term evaluation, he accurately identified the positions of the spell cards, demonstrating an incredible mana sensing ability that didn't match his mana capacity.

A contradiction.

But during the Brain Deity extermination battle, Isaac's true strength was revealed, resolving the contradiction.

And the fact that he could hide his true strength suggested that he had reached the level of a grand mage at such a young age, which was an unbelievable conclusion.

Historically, there was no such genius. If it were revealed that a human of Siel's age had reached the level of a grand mage, the world would be turned upside down.

The royal family and the entire world would set their sights on him. There would undoubtedly be a large-scale competition to win his heart.

‘But that man is hiding his identity…’

The black monster that caused a stir in the academy was concluded to be a traitor demon.

He always appeared at the right time and place where demons showed up.

He used ice magic wrapped in dark mana, which only demons can use.

First of all, his appearance wasn't human.

So, Siel had no doubt that the black monster was a special kind of demon.

However, after learning that Isaac was the monster, she could finally consider the possibility of a "magic disguise suit."

Even if the enemy of the enemy is a friend, the academy administration was still wary of the black monster.

What was the reason Isaac was hiding his mana capacity?

The reason was unknown, but it was clear that Isaac was secretly protecting the academy's people.

It would be much better to work with the academy administration to stop the demons.

For some reason, Isaac wasn't doing that.

‘Is it because of the informant?’

During the sparring evaluation, Professor Fernando mentioned that he had learned from a demon that there was an "informant" within the academy. This information was available in the investigation records posted on the Orphen Hall bulletin board.

In other words, the informant was involved in the academy administration.

If Isaac were to be exposed to this person, the situation would fit like pieces of a puzzle.

Behind the scenes, unknown to Siel and other academy students,

A dangerous confrontation was unfolding between Isaac and the informant.

Siel didn't want to get involved in such a complicated and dangerous situation. However, the diploma from Merchen Academy was necessary for her to live a comfortable life, so dropping out was not an option. The same would be true for other students.

‘Then… that D-class guy should protect me. I shouldn't provoke him.’

Therefore, all thoughts converged on protecting the secret that "Isaac is actually strong."

And according to the information from the Carnedas family's sources,

Now that the royal knight corps will also be involved in Merchen Academy, if the informant is exposed during this opportunity,

‘My academy life will be worry-free, won't it?’

The informant, who is on the side of the demons and causing harm to people.

Isaac, who is fighting the demons and protecting people.

There is no room for doubt about whose side I should be on.