Chapter 62

EP.62 Coach - Interlude

[Combat Ability]

Elemental Series 1: Ice

- Elemental Damage (B)

- Elemental Efficiency (B)

- Elemental Synergy (B-)

Elemental Series 2 (Locked)

I am not Ian Fairytail. This is a fact I have recently come to realize.

At first, I tried to plan by recalling my memories of playing <Märchen's Magic Knight>. However, as I became accustomed to the constitution of Isaac and followed the flow of the scenario, my thoughts gradually changed. Especially, the Trial of Frost was a decisive turning point.

‘I need to focus and specialize.’

I was in a position where I couldn't follow the strategy of being Ian Fairytail.

For example, martial skills. Ian had been diligently practicing martial skills since he was young, which allowed him to handle the ultimate weapons of each elemental attribute with exceptional skill.

But I am Isaac, the weakest by nature. It's already a struggle to focus on magic and physical training.

Realistically, I didn't have the time to master martial skills before the evil deity's resurrection.

In other words, I needed to specialize my stats in magic.

Additionally, it would be better to reinforce my familiar to make up for my lack of combat power.

In any case, a plan suited to Isaac's body was indispensable.

‘Is it possible today?’

Doris Hall, the lower-tier dormitory. The morning sunlight was streaming through the windows.

I sat on the bed and extended my left arm forward.

Every morning, I had been trying to summon the Ice Snow Dragon-Hild, but I had only failed repeatedly.

However, now that my [Elemental Efficiency] has risen from B- to B, there was a glimmer of hope that I might succeed.

I imagined the Ice Snow Dragon-Hild in a very small form and attempted to summon it.

Whoosh.

A summoning array for the Ice Snow Dragon-Hild appeared on my left wrist, emitting a pale blue light.

As usual, the Ice Snow Dragon was unable to come out, blocked by some kind of barrier.

But if I could create even a tiny hole, a small gap in that barrier, I might be able to pull it out somehow.

‘Please, let it work…!’

I focused all my mind on manipulating mana, imagining breaking the barrier like hammering a wall to create a hole for the Ice Snow Dragon to come through.

After a while.

It felt as if something was slipping out, like air escaping through a small hole in a concrete wall.

I guessed that I had successfully summoned the Ice Snow Dragon-Hild.

Rumble.

A faint pale blue sphere floated up from the summoning array, like a glowing firefly.

I could immediately tell that it was the Ice Snow Dragon-Hild.

[Ice Snow Dragon-Hild]

Lv: (1)

Race: Beast

Attribute: Ice

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [I am relieved to be able to converse with you.]

Finally, finally, it worked…!

I held the sphere in my hands as if it were a cradle. The light sphere felt as weightless as a dandelion seed.

“Hild, can you hear me?”

[...I can hear you.]

The Ice Snow Dragon's noble voice echoed in my mind, like that of a young woman in her late teens or early twenties.

[Can I ask why?]

The Ice Snow Dragon's question was loaded with meaning.

I took a deep breath.

I had to tell her what I had wanted to say all this time. Even if it would be a mental blow to her, there was no choice.

“Before that, there's something I need to say.”

Reaffirming my resolve, I began to speak with a serious face.

“I am not who you think I am.”

[...?]

“You called me the Ice Lord. That's not true. I'm just a weirdo who's a bit stronger against demons.”

Talking about the system wouldn't make her understand.

I decided to gloss over my [Evil Slayer] characteristic by saying I was just a weirdo.

“I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm not the person you were hoping for.”

There's no reincarnation of the Ice Lord. I am just a naturally weak Isaac.

The Ice Snow Dragon remained silent. Although she was just a small sphere of light, I could sense that she was deeply pondering my words.

I quietly waited for her to speak.

[...You are the Ice Lord. You are the Ice Lord.]

After a moment, the Ice Snow Dragon denied my words with a confident tone.

[You are the one born with the soul of the Ice Lord. Strictly speaking, it's natural that you are not the Ice Lord from a thousand years ago. A reincarnated person cannot be treated the same as their past self.]

The Ice Snow Dragon continued, her voice unwavering.

[No matter how much you deny it, I can tell. Don't underestimate my judgment.]

“...I really am not.”

[You are the Ice Lord.]

“No, I'm not.”

[You are the Ice Lord.]

“Really, I'm not.”

[You are the Ice Lord...]

“Stop it...”

[Oh, for goodness' sake. If I say you're the Ice Lord, then you are. Just accept it.]

“...!”

I was taken aback by her sudden grandmotherly tone.

No, stop it. No.

[And you, didn't you know my name?]

“No, that...”

I recalled calling Hild's name in the Trial of Frost cave.

At that time, my mind was preoccupied with adapting to the cold of the Frost Scythe, and I called her name almost by accident.

Anyway, I was at a loss for how to explain this.

What should I say? I just shook my head. If it came to this, I just needed to deal with her as Isaac.

I'm fine with that, really.

“My name is Isaac. Thank you for making a contract with me.”

[...You're welcome. Hmm. If you're grateful, you can pet me whenever you want.]

The Ice Snow Dragon, being a beast, seemed to long for her master's touch.

When the time comes to summon her properly, I'll pet her to my heart's content.

...

After securing the tuition and quitting the part-time job as a coach, I focused on systematic spending and training.

I trained with the remaining students from the Knight Department in the gym, working out shirtless.

At the training ground, I practiced magic against various elemental constructs and honed my combat skills by fighting magical illusions.

After a day of training, I returned to the dormitory, exhausted, and sat at my desk to read after taking a shower.

After studying for a while, I fell asleep like I had been knocked out.

As I went through my routine, time passed by quickly.

Students began to return to the academy.

Four days before the end of summer vacation, a notice appeared on the Orpin Hall bulletin board.

[Assignment of Dormitories for 1st Year, 2nd Semester]

...

[Isaac – Bricks Hall]

My new dormitory, Bricks Hall, was one of the four dormitories at Märchen Academy, and it was a step up from the lower-tier Doris Hall, reflecting my 1st-semester grades.

Finally, I could escape the cramped Doris Hall!

“Yesss!”

I swung my fist in the air, overwhelmed with joy. A few students passing in the hallway glanced at me, but I didn't care and walked out of Orpin Hall with a light step.

Doris Hall, where I had spent my time since being possessed by <Märchen's Magic Knight>, felt empty as I packed my belongings. It reminded me of a 3-pyeong studio in Shinrim-dong, but now it seemed even smaller.

In any case, it felt hollow.

“...”

I bid farewell to Doris Hall. I felt a subtle sense of relief. Take care.

I headed to Bricks Hall, a mid-tier dormitory. The building was much taller and wider than Doris Hall.

I checked the notice on the Bricks Hall bulletin board and found my room.

The room was about 20 pyeong in size, with a balcony and an ice-attribute spell-powered refrigerator.

It was absolutely wonderful. The memories of Doris Hall quickly faded.

“Ian, put that over there.”

[Grunt!]

I started to unpack my belongings with Eden. The light sphere form of the Ice Snow Dragon felt as weightless as a dandelion seed.

[Sorry, I can't help much.]

“It's okay, you can't.”

The Ice Snow Dragon, Hild, floated in the air as a small pale blue sphere. Her lack of a physical body was entirely due to my weakness, so there was no need for her to apologize.

After unpacking and organizing my room, I wiped the sweat from my forehead.

Eden, who didn't sweat, mimicked my movements. It was cute, even if I didn't understand why.

...

The tree-lined street, lush with greenery, was refreshing, but the sticky summer air was repulsive.

However, by the time the first practical evaluation of the 2nd semester began, it would be early autumn.

Finally, the summer vacation ended, and students who had gone home began to return, bringing back the vibrancy to the once quiet academy streets.

The sky was clear and serene, casting a fresh blue light over the academy square where the magic department's opening ceremony was taking place.

Currently, there are 290 students in the 1st year of the Magic Department. Ten students were missing compared to the previous semester, as indicated by the dormitory assignment notice.

They were probably dropouts or failed students. Considering the previous semester, it wasn't unusual for students to drop out for their own safety.

Shortly after, the opening ceremony ended.

“Move to your temporary classes.”

Fernando Frost, the silver-haired adult male professor I hadn't seen in a while, gave instructions to the students.

Now that the 2nd semester had started, we would undergo a new measurement of our mana capacity and class assignments. Today, we would start with the mana capacity measurement.

I moved to the temporary Class 2 in Orpin Hall. Students were taking their seats in the tiered lecture hall.

The only acquaintances were Amy Holloway and Siel Carnadas. I waved to Amy and briefly made eye contact with Siel.

Siel was still hugging the pillow I had given her at the end-of-semester evaluation. It seemed she really liked it.

[Siel Carnadas]

Psychology: [She feels both goodwill and caution towards you.]

“...?”

What are these conflicting emotions?

Perhaps it was due to the memory of the end-of-semester evaluation. For now, it was better to avoid approaching Siel. I only remembered rolling around with her.

I sat in a middle seat. Soon, Professor Fernando Frost entered the lecture hall. By the way, Ian would be in temporary Class 4, meeting Professor Philip Meltren.

Professor Fernando stopped in front of the podium and began with, “As you all expected.”

“Just like last semester, we will measure your mana capacity. The purpose is the same as before. And in four days, we will conduct the class assignment evaluation. Show the results of your 1st semester and summer vacation efforts this time.”

As usual, Professor Fernando spoke plainly.

The students wore determined expressions.

“Move to the training ground.”

All 1st-year students of the Magic Department moved to the training ground, just like last semester.

The teaching assistants began distributing mana capacity measurement devices, which looked like dynamometers, to the orderly lined-up 1st-year students.

Marco, Professor Fernando's teaching assistant, handed me the device with a corpse-like complexion, muttering, “Grrr.” He must have been sleep-deprived during the summer vacation. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

“Starting from the lowest numbers, come up in groups of five.”

The mana capacity measurement began with Professor Fernando's instructions.

Naturally, the standout students were the same as last semester.

“Ha! Once again, I cannot control the immense, vast, cold mana of this body.”

[Tristan Humphrey]

Lv: 80

Race: Human

Attribute: Wind

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [He wants to show you his toughness.]

Tristan Humphrey, mana capacity B.

[Matteo Jordana]

Lv: 83

Race: Human

Attribute: Rock

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [He feels he has become stronger.]

Matteo Jordana, mana capacity B.

[Kaya Astraean]

Lv: 99

Race: Human

Attribute: Wind, Ice, Plant

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [She is pleased with the results of her intensive summer training.]

Kaya Astraean, mana capacity A-.

[Siel Carnadas]

Lv: 95

Race: Human

Attribute: Fire, Water

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [She wants to take a nap.]

Siel Carnadas, mana capacity B+.

[Ian Fairytail]

Lv: 64

Race: Human

Attribute: Light, Fire

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [He feels proud of becoming stronger.]

Ian Fairytail, mana capacity C.

“...”

[Luce Eltania]

Lv: 151

Race: Human

Attribute: Water, Lightning

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [She wants to spend the whole day with you.]

When Luce's mana capacity measurement results came out, Professor Fernando looked surprised.

It was natural. Luce had already surpassed the 1st-year level.

“Luce Eltania... your mana capacity is unmeasurable. It's at least S-level or higher. We need a more precise measurement.”

The students were shocked by Professor Fernando's words. However, Luce looked indifferent, as if she was still thinking about me despite the situation.

An unmeasurable mana capacity means S-level or higher.

Luce, who had only been A+ last semester, had jumped to S-level or higher in just one semester. This was a surprising achievement for students who didn't know the full context.

When measuring mana capacity, the grades are further divided from S-level: S-, S, S+, SS-, and so on, up to SSS+.

For reference, Dorothy Hartnova is SSS-, Alice Carroll is SS+, and the Lightning Emperor Jaul Dragniac is SSS+. All these detailed grades are lumped together as S in the status window.

And once you reach level 200, you gain the qualification to break through to the maximum EX level.

I had reached level 200 and EX level in [Hellish Fiction], and obtained the 9-star passive skill [Ice Lord] for that reason.

“Next.”

It was my turn.

I lined up with other students and extended the mana capacity measurement device. When Professor Fernando shouted, “Start!” I began to channel my mana into the device.

[Status]

Name: Isaac

Lv: 68

Gender: Male

Year: 1

Title: 1st-year who has adapted to college life

Mana Capacity: 5200 / 5200

- Mana Recovery Speed (C+)

Thanks to the [Physical Training Efficiency], I had significantly increased my stamina, allowing me to train more intensively during the summer vacation. This led to a faster level-up, and my level reached 68.

I felt it was easier to control my mana compared to last semester. Although mana residue still leaked out, it was relatively good.

With a beep, the mana capacity measurement ended. Professor Fernando used telekinesis to bring the devices, including mine, and began reading them one by one.

“26, C-. 27, C. 28, C. 29, C-. 30... C+.”

Professor Fernando paused when he called out my number, 30. He seemed genuinely surprised.

It was natural. A student with E-level mana capacity was hard to forget.

My mana capacity was rated C+.

Memories of last semester flashed through my mind.

I was infamous for the wrong reasons. A D-class commoner with E-level mana capacity, the lowest of the low both in magic and status.

The students of Märchen Academy, who were adept at bullying, treated me harshly and belittled me.

“Hey, is it possible to go from E to C+ in just one semester?”

“Is something wrong...? Maybe the device is broken. Ian is special, but Isaac is just a regular kid.”

“Don't you remember he used a 5-star spell last semester? He must have worked incredibly hard. I think he looks different.”

“Even so, it's Isaac. He was E-level and D-class...”

That's why, more than anyone, as a student who was once a poor performer and had E-level mana capacity, my rapid growth was causing the students to look at me differently.