Chapter 60

EP.60 Coachman (2)

I sat at the front of the carriage, gripping the handle that resembled a baton. By channeling mana into it, I could share my senses with the carriage. The handle served as a link between me and the carriage.

Now, as I channeled mana and gently pushed the handle forward, the carriage would move forward according to my mana control.

“Guh, this is it~.”

The more efficient one’s [Elemental Efficiency], the smoother the carriage would move.

I was, after all, a student of the Magic Department at Merhen Academy. Even if it was only for one semester, I had received systematic education and focused on magic training.

To exaggerate a bit, the carriage I drove would provide a level of comfort and stability that would leave passengers in awe.

I pulled the carriage with Eden beside me. The stifling summer breeze now felt refreshing as it brushed past my skin. It was a refreshing feeling.

As I pulled the carriage, I often encountered people dressed in white knight uniforms. They were royal knights dispatched to investigate the frequent appearances of demons.

There was an unwritten rule that no external forces should be involved in the academy, but...

This situation was so serious that the royal family had to intervene.

I could imagine how much the administrative staff were struggling. It was a pity.

‘They’ll manage somehow.’

I just needed to focus on my business.

Before long, my carriage arrived in the commercial district. There were quite a few people there.

The citizens of the Kingdom of Gerber, living within the unique economic system created by Merhen Academy.

I smiled at them with a capitalist grin and delivered my sales pitch.

“Never before has there been such a carriage. Is this a bed or a carriage? I promise a smooth and comfortable ride! Ridden by a current student of Merhen Academy, ride now!”

[Chuung, Chuu!]

Eden’s rhythmic cries behind my promotional pitch created a rather impressive resonance. It was like a scene from a catchy TV commercial.

When people heard that a Merhen Academy student was driving the carriage, they naturally became interested. After all, it was rare to see someone shouting and promoting while pulling a carriage.

“Student! Give me a ride!”

My first customer was a cheerful-looking auntie.

She complained that the students these days didn’t visit her bakery. I chimed in and chatted enthusiastically.

“Student, it was fun! Is it because you’re from Merhen Academy that the ride is so comfortable~?”

“Thank you for riding!”

Being a coachman was a performance-based job. I would receive the earnings after deducting the carriage rental fee and a certain commission.

Since I needed to balance training and part-time work, I had to earn as much gel as possible in the shortest time. Salesman Isaac, here I come.

“Never before has there been such a carriage. Is this a bed or a carriage…!”

“Student! Over here!”

“Yes, sir!”

My promotional pitch was having an incredible effect. Everywhere I went, people were curious and wanted to ride. It was rare for a Merhen Academy student to be a coachman. I would have found it strange too.

Before long, I welcomed my eighth customer. They were a mother and daughter. During the ride, the 2-year-old baby was crying, making the mother look uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry, student. My daughter won’t stop crying…. Shh, shh.”

“Waaaaaahhhh!!!”

The baby’s cries sounded like a siren. She was going to be a big deal.

「Ice Creation (Ice Attribute, ★1)」

“Waaah… hah…?”

I used [Ice Creation] in the air and continuously sprinkled a light blue powder while gradually dispelling the magic.

Inside the moving carriage, the beautiful powder continuously flowed out the window, catching the baby’s attention.

The baby stretched out her arms toward the carriage window, her eyes filled with curiosity. I kept creating the sparkling powder, captivating the baby’s gaze.

“Huhu. Thank you, student.”

“No problem.”

It was just a service. Eden responded with a [Chuung!] from the side.

The mother and daughter seemed to have some business at the Merhen Academy administrative office. The mother mentioned that her brother worked there and she hadn’t seen him in a while, so she wanted to have a chat and see him.

Unfortunately, that wish wouldn’t come true. The administrative staff were... currently overwhelmed with various issues on campus.

“...”

After seeing off the mother and daughter, I stared at the Bartos Hall building for a while. Memories of the Frost Trial flooded my mind, stirring a mix of emotions.

Of course, apart from those feelings, there was something I needed to think about rationally.

‘I want to use [Third Eye] for surveillance.’

I wanted to use [Third Eye] to keep an eye on Alice. However, directly watching Alice was a very dangerous act. It could lead to Extra Bad Ending N.11 “Sudden Death.”

Cheshire has an incredibly advanced ability to detect presence. If I used [Third Eye] to watch Alice, Cheshire would immediately sense the strange gaze directed at her and come to kill me.

‘But she’s not here now.’

By the way, Alice had returned home. That’s why I used [Third Eye] to look into the student council room, but there was nothing special.

Well, I’ll think about it later. I started pulling the carriage again.

At night, after leaving the carriage at the station and settling my earnings, I returned to the lower-tier dormitory, Doris Hall. The earnings were quite substantial. Considering my living expenses, if I continued at this rate for about three weeks, I could save enough gel to cover my tuition.

After completing my training, I fell into a deep sleep in the dormitory.

In the morning, right after waking up.

I extended my left arm forward. The 8-star servant contract array on my left wrist had transformed into a summoning array and then disappeared.

I focused on the flow of mana and imagined a small form of the ice dragon, Hild.

Suddenly, the servant summoning array on my left wrist reappeared and began to emit a faint light blue glow.

It felt like something was about to be summoned, similar to when I summoned Eden. However, it was as if a thick wall blocked it, and whatever was trying to emerge couldn’t.

“It’s not working….”

I lowered my arm. What I was trying to do was summon the ice dragon, Hild, in a small form. I had been repeating this every morning when my mana reached its peak.

According to the setting of <The Magic Knight of Merhen>, when a servant is recalled, it turns into a mana form and enters the master’s inner space. Therefore, I believed it was possible to recombine the mana and create a smaller form of the servant.

Creating a smaller form of a servant to reduce the mana cost and maintenance mana is possible when the master and servant share the same attribute. However, this is heavily influenced by the master’s level and [Elemental Efficiency].

At my current level and [Elemental Efficiency], I couldn’t summon the ice dragon in even a very small form.

“I want to talk to you.”

After much deliberation on what to say to the ice dragon, I had come to a conclusion.

I would lay everything out honestly and ask the ice dragon for help.

I didn’t want to use him by lying.

My thoughts were constantly being transmitted to the ice dragon, but direct conversation was better.

Well, for now, I should pull the carriage. I’ll try summoning the ice dragon again tomorrow.

I changed into my coachman uniform and left the dormitory.

...

On the fifth day of my carriage part-time job.

The atmosphere on campus was unusual today. Not only the administrative staff but also the royal knights were busy.

I could read their psychological state and guess the reason.

‘The Thunder Emperor?’

The Archmage and the Emperor of Lightning was reportedly visiting Merhen Academy under the pretext of an investment.

Currently, Merhen Academy was losing investors due to the frequent appearances of demons. The Merhen Academy coin graph was showing a downward curve, hitting rock bottom.

However, among the high-ranking nobles, rumors were circulating that a princess would be enrolling next year. Not to mention, a Saintess and a Priestess were also expected to join.

It wouldn’t be strange if the Thunder Emperor had obtained this information and decided to buy up the Merhen Academy coins at their lowest point.

The problem was...

‘Why is he coming in person?’

Why would he come himself when he could send a messenger?

In <The Magic Knight of Merhen>, the Thunder Emperor had never done such a thing during the summer break of the first year.

The royal knights and administrative staff were tense, suspecting there was a hidden reason.

Firstly, the Thunder Emperor was not a villain. He was not a hero either. If anything, he was neutral. Therefore, his appearance wouldn’t cause serious problems.

However, since something unexpected was happening that deviated from the original scenario, I couldn’t help but be on edge. It meant something was off.

It didn’t seem like the time to run my carriage business. I moved the carriage far away and hid in an alley between the academy buildings, activating [Third Eye].

──── 「Third Eye (Neutral Attribute, ★7)」

I observed the scene at the academy’s main gate. The royal knights and administrative staff were lined up, bowing their heads and clearing the path. Only a select few received such treatment, like a princess or a Saintess of the Helizé Church who serves the god Malar.

A luxurious carriage adorned with purple and gold, the Emperor of Lightning’s carriage, entered the academy’s main gate. It was so grand that it made my humble carriage seem insignificant.

The luxurious carriage was accompanied by guards in purple military uniforms.

The guards opened the carriage door, and a man stepped out.

A man in a black robe exuding nobility. His hair was a rounded purple, and his eyes sparkled with electricity.

‘It’s really the Thunder Emperor.’

Why is he here?

The deputy commander of the 4th Royal Knight Corps, Fenrir, and the entire corps bowed to the Thunder Emperor.

The commander was currently in the capital of the kingdom, Byans, so the deputy commander was the highest-ranking officer present.

The Thunder Emperor seemed uninterested in the knights’ greetings.

Then...

“...!”

Suddenly, the Thunder Emperor turned his gaze toward me.

I hurriedly deactivated [Third Eye].

‘Crap!’

This is bad...!

I was a bit uneasy and only wanted to take a quick look, but I was caught.

I needed to create an alibi quickly.

I started pulling the carriage frantically, summoning Eden and shouting my sales pitch as if I had been doing business all along.

“Never before has there been such a carriage! Is this a bed or a carriage! I promise a smooth and comfortable ride...!”

Kwagagagang───!

“Whoa!”

However, the Thunder Emperor approached me at lightning speed.

A bolt of lightning fell right in front of me. It was a real, physical bolt of lightning. I had to stop the carriage forcibly.

The bolt of lightning gathered in the air, forming the Thunder Emperor.

[ Zaul Dragniac ]

Lv: 199

Race: Human

Attribute: Lightning

Danger Level: ???

Psychology: [???]

Several streams of lightning scattered in the air.

The Thunder Emperor, with his lightning mana eyes, looked at me indifferently.

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

I’m done for….

* * *

When the Jabrock carriage entered the main gate of Merhen Academy.

The Archmage and Emperor of Lightning, Zaul Dragniac, sensed a magical presence.

“Lord Thunder Emperor?”

“...Wait here for a moment.”

Chijijijik─.

One of the realms of an Archmage, Elemental Transformation. Zaul could transform himself into the form of elemental magic.

The royal knights were shocked to see Zaul transform into lightning.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Zaul said and soared into the sky.

He followed the magical presence and reached Isaac, who was using [Third Eye].

“Hmm?”

Zaul frowned.

Blue hair, red eyes. The man described by Aichel.

He thought it was an unusual magic, but he didn’t expect it to be this guy.

‘To meet so soon…’

The aura he sensed was beyond what he had imagined. The man in front of him was undoubtedly a candidate for the next Ice Emperor.

Why he was dressed as a coachman and pulling a carriage was... unclear.

However, Zaul believed that Isaac had predicted the frequent appearances of demons and enrolled in Merhen Academy to secretly deal with them.

The reason Zaul wanted to see Isaac in person was due to his unique insight.

He wanted to confirm Isaac’s essence, his strength, and whether his values and beliefs were twisted.

How he should view Isaac in the future.

And how he would judge would also determine the reason for his visit.

Zaul decided to talk to Isaac as planned. Using the carriage Isaac was pulling would be the best method.

“Give me a ride.”

“...Pardon?”

It was a command. The tone suggested he wouldn’t accept a refusal.

“Ah, yes! You’re a customer!”

Isaac, sweating cold sweat, bowed and agreed.

He decided to go along with the Thunder Emperor’s request.

“I promise a smooth and comfortable ride!”

Zaul ignored Isaac’s sales pitch and climbed into the carriage.

The carriage was much narrower and less comfortable than the Jabrock carriage he had just left.

However, it didn’t matter. Zaul crossed his arms and legs, looking out the front window at the back of the coachman’s head.

“Drive with dignity. Our destination is the academy’s main gate.”

“Yes, sir!”

Isaac started pulling the carriage toward the main gate.

Zaul’s eyes sparkled with lightning mana. He frowned.

‘As expected…’

How could he not recognize the light blue aura emanating from Isaac?

At the pinnacle of each elemental attribute, a distinct aura is emitted.

The Fire Emperor, Flame Emperor. The Water Emperor, Wave Emperor. The Wind Emperor, Gale Emperor. And the man in front of him, Isaac, was no different.

If one reached the realm of an Archmage, they could even see through the essence of things like Dorothy Heartnova’s [Myriad Phenomena].

What was hidden in Isaac’s essence was...

Countless eyes embedded, capable of swallowing everything in the world.

A monstrous mass of mana, nearly infinite.

[ ■■■. ]

Go away.

When the unknown monster in Isaac’s essence spoke, Zaul felt a chill run down his spine.

To feel fear, even for a moment, as the strongest in the lightning element in this world. How long had it been since he felt such an emotion?

However, paradoxically, the amount of mana Isaac was emitting was excessively low. Zaul, with his transcendent mana detection ability, could measure Isaac’s maximum mana.

‘What is this man...?’

Zaul stroked his chin, deep in thought.

The owner of the ice dragon, Frost Scythe.

The aura of the peak of the ice element.

The unknown entity hidden in his essence.

A strong man with a mana level that was absurdly low? Does that make sense?

In other words, Isaac had definitely manipulated his maximum mana, as discussed with Aichel. Probably to hide his true identity. This was only possible at the level of an Archmage.

Indeed, it was worth coming to the academy to confirm.

If Isaac were to appear before the Emperors, including himself, as a new Emperor one day.

Zaul didn’t think he would feel particularly bad about it.

* * *

When the Jabrock carriage entered the main gate of Merhen Academy.

The Thunder Emperor, Zaul Dragniac, sensed a magical presence.

“Lord Thunder Emperor?”

“...Wait here for a moment.”

Chijijijik─.

One of the realms of an Archmage, Elemental Transformation. Zaul could transform himself into the form of elemental magic.

The royal knights were shocked to see Zaul transform into lightning.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Zaul said and soared into the sky.

He followed the magical presence and reached Isaac, who was using [Third Eye].

“Hmm?”

Zaul frowned.

Blue hair, red eyes. The man described by Aichel.

He thought it was an unusual magic, but he didn’t expect it to be this guy.

‘To meet so soon…’

The aura he sensed was beyond what he had imagined. The man in front of him was undoubtedly a candidate for the next Ice Emperor.

Why he was dressed as a coachman and pulling a carriage was... unclear.

However, Zaul believed that Isaac had predicted the frequent appearances of demons and enrolled in Merhen Academy to secretly deal with them.

The reason Zaul wanted to see Isaac in person was due to his unique insight.

He wanted to confirm Isaac’s essence, his strength, and whether his values and beliefs were twisted.

How he should view Isaac in the future.

And how he would judge would also determine the reason for his visit.

Zaul decided to talk to Isaac as planned. Using the carriage Isaac was pulling would be the best method.

“Give me a ride.”

“...Pardon?”

It was a command. The tone suggested he wouldn’t accept a refusal.

“Ah, yes! You’re a customer!”

Isaac, sweating cold sweat, bowed and agreed.

He decided to go along with the Thunder Emperor’s request.

“I promise a smooth and comfortable ride!”

Zaul ignored Isaac’s sales pitch and climbed into the carriage.

The carriage was much narrower and less comfortable than the Jabrock carriage he had just left.

However, it didn’t matter. Zaul crossed his arms and legs, looking out the front window at the back of the coachman’s head.

“Drive with dignity. Our destination is the academy’s main gate.”

“Yes, sir!”

Isaac started pulling the carriage toward the main gate.

Zaul’s eyes sparkled with lightning mana. He frowned.

‘As expected…’

How could he not recognize the light blue aura emanating from Isaac?

At the pinnacle of each elemental attribute, a distinct aura is emitted.

The Fire Emperor, Flame Emperor. The Water Emperor, Wave Emperor. The Wind Emperor, Gale Emperor. And the man in front of him, Isaac, was no different.

If one reached the realm of an Archmage, they could even see through the essence of things like Dorothy Heartnova’s [Myriad Phenomena].

What was hidden in Isaac’s essence was...

Countless eyes embedded, capable of swallowing everything in the world.

A monstrous mass of mana, nearly infinite.

[ ■■■. ]

Go away.

When the unknown monster in Isaac’s essence spoke, Zaul felt a chill run down his spine.

To feel fear, even for a moment, as the strongest in the lightning element in this world. How long had it been since he felt such an emotion?

However, paradoxically, the amount of mana Isaac was emitting was excessively low. Zaul, with his transcendent mana detection ability, could measure Isaac’s maximum mana.

‘What is this man...?’

Zaul stroked his chin, deep in thought.

The owner of the ice dragon, Frost Scythe.

The aura of the peak of the ice element.

The