Chapter 73

EP.73 Gift

The wind is gradually turning chilly. With each step, the fallen leaves on the road are trodden underfoot.

More and more students were wearing capes over their school uniforms. I, too, had started dressing like that recently.

The incident on Elt Island had been resolved. As expected, stories about demons were frequently on the lips of the students.

─ "Isn't there someone among us who can handle demons? Like the mastermind behind this world."

─ "Even so, that's a bit..."

─ "Yeah, conspiracy theory rejected."

─ "If such a monster existed, wouldn't their magic power have been obvious?"

─ "Isn't it the top student? Their magic power is beyond S-rank."

─ "No, if that were true, they would have been attacked by demons last semester."

─ "It can't be the Witch of the Stars, right? She also fought against demons."

─ "Then, is it true that there's someone among us that demons are targeting?"

─ "Maybe so."

By this point, most of the students seemed to have caught on. They believed that the reason demons frequently appeared at Merhen Academy was because one of the students was their target.

Otherwise, why would demons, who had been quiet during the break, start causing trouble again during the semester? It was a reasonable inference.

From my perspective, it was common sense that dangerous elements like demons would appear frequently at the academy. It's a rule of the genre, after all.

The evening glow is fading.

In the forest near the academy gate, there is a lakeside where water mana flows densely. The color will become even clearer at night.

I was sitting on a tree stump near there.

To explain the whole story.

While walking through the Orphen Hall during the day, Kaya suddenly handed me a note. It was typical of her.

The note asked if I could come to 'here' after class. She said she wanted to properly thank me.

A map was drawn with cute illustrations. The destination was this place, 'Norhan Lake.'

I nodded. I didn't do it expecting any thanks. I just had a lot to talk about with her.

Today, I planned to have a good chat with Kaya.

'Maybe I came too early.'

I hurried here as soon as class ended, but I probably could have taken my time.

I repeatedly channeled mana through a magic device that looked like a gauntlet. I was using the spare time to train my [Elemental Efficiency].

Suddenly.

「Wind Generation (Wind Attribute, ★1)」

Whoosh─.

A sudden gust of wind blew from behind. The sensation of mana. It was a wind spell.

Startled, I turned around and saw a female student approaching from a distance.

Her emerald twin-tails, her mysterious red eyes, and her calm smile.

'She's switched personalities again.'

Kaya in her evil form.

[ Kaya Astraing ]

Lv: (140)

Race: Human

Attributes: Wind, Ice, Plant, Blood

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [I am pleased to see you.]

"You're already here. I thought I was coming pretty quickly, but I feel bad for being late."

"It's fine. But what's that?"

Kaya was holding a long object wrapped in a bundle. It was hard to tell exactly what it was.

"Hehe, it's a secret."

[ Kaya Astraing ]

Psychology: [I am looking forward to your reaction when I give you the gift.]

She had said she wanted to properly thank me. It seemed to be a gift in return.

I nodded and turned my gaze towards the lake.

Kaya sat on the tree stump next to me.

Holding the gift she intended to give me.

"I reported to the Investigation Committee as Mr. Isaac instructed. Nothing unusual happened."

It was easy to fabricate Kaya's statement. Like Ian, she had been unconscious.

I was attacked by a demon and lost consciousness. Rizetta saved me and healed me with a recovery spell. That's how the facts were settled.

So, if nothing special happened at the Investigation Committee, there was no need to prolong the conversation on that topic.

"That's a relief."

"Is Mr. Isaac alright? After saving me, you must have faced various interrogations from the school administration."

"I'm fine. But how much do you remember?"

Kaya raised her eyes and searched her memory before answering.

"When I was dragged by the demon... I remember my blood flowing incredibly fast inside my body. I felt really hot. I felt a strong pressure, as if my veins would burst..."

Kaya stretched out one arm and looked at the back of her hand while answering.

Dusk was slowly descending.

"And then I lost consciousness. It felt like I was floundering in a sea of blood... I don't remember anything about my state at that time."

It seemed to be the story of when she awakened as a blood mage and a demon. Those memories would have disappeared when she became human again.

"I briefly regained consciousness. I was on Mr. Isaac's back."

I knew this from the story in <Merhen's Magic Knight>. She must have fainted again right after.

"Back then... I was really happy. I thought, 'Mr. Isaac came to save me.'"

Kaya gave me a radiant smile.

"The next time I regained consciousness, I was in bed. Mr. Isaac was touching my cheek with a lecherous hand. You must have taken advantage of me while I was sleeping, Mr. Isaac~."

"...I had no such intention."

"What do you mean by 'such intention'? It would be nice if you could explain it more specifically."

Kaya tilted her head and gave a sly smile. Her playful nature, like Dorothy, was evident. However, Kaya's playfulness leaned more towards the sexual side.

'You really make me uncomfortable...'

I needed to change the topic quickly.

"I know you've changed."

"Yes, quite a bit... Sometimes, I feel very excited. It must be the influence of being dominated by the demon."

Kaya feels a thrill when she switches to her evil personality.

A surge of inexplicable confidence would arise, and she wouldn't feel any of the usual embarrassment.

Her mind would race uncontrollably.

And then, she would become another self, ignoring all her memories and common sense.

Ultimately, she would become overly honest about her feelings. Just like how she expressed her affection for me without hesitation.

"Well, it's not bad. You can use new magic now. And Mr. Isaac looks even cooler."

Kaya blushed and stared at me intently. Her gaze was heavy and moist, like someone looking at a loved one.

I deliberately avoided her gaze and silently looked at the lake. The dazzling blue light from the lake became clearer as the forest grew darker.

"Actually, I want to have an honest talk today."

"Honest...?"

I spoke casually in my usual tone, and she seemed to sense the awkwardness. She had been acting this way since earlier.

I had always tried to avoid speaking to Kaya in a gentle tone.

I didn't want to reveal my true self and risk any backlash.

I pretended to be strong, showed my true colors, and maintained a cynical attitude like a middle schooler to keep my distance from her.

I no longer wanted to do that.

I knew about Kaya's feelings and her evil personality was expressing them without hesitation.

If I kept avoiding her feelings, it would be like trampling on her heart.

So, I wanted to have an honest conversation and set things straight.

"So, I hope you can understand... I've been putting a bit of effort into dealing with you, but it's been quite uncomfortable. Wasn't it strange?"

I felt extremely awkward.

"......??"

Kaya looked confused.

"I'm sorry. I was just a bit cautious. From now on, I'll be more relaxed. Please understand."

It should be fine to loosen the tight belt a bit.

I didn't plan to dispel Kaya's misconception that 'Isaac is strong.' If that belief were shattered, my efforts to encourage her would be in vain. I didn't even know how to explain it.

"The evening glow is fading."

There is a lakeside in the Josena Forest near the academy gate where water mana flows densely. The color will become even clearer at night.

I was sitting on a tree stump nearby.

To explain the whole story.

While walking through the Orphen Hall during the day, Kaya suddenly handed me a note. It was typical of her.

The note asked if I could come to 'here' after class. She said she wanted to properly thank me.

A map was drawn with cute illustrations. The destination was this place, 'Norhan Lake.'

I nodded. I didn't do it expecting any thanks. I just had a lot to talk about with her.

Today, I planned to have a good chat with Kaya.

'Maybe I came too early.'

I hurried here as soon as class ended, but I probably could have taken my time.

I repeatedly channeled mana through a magic device that looked like a gauntlet. I was using the spare time to train my [Elemental Efficiency].

Suddenly.

「Wind Generation (Wind Attribute, ★1)」

Whoosh─.

A sudden gust of wind blew from behind. The sensation of mana. It was a wind spell.

Startled, I turned around and saw a female student approaching from a distance.

Her emerald twin-tails, her mysterious red eyes, and her calm smile.

'She's switched personalities again.'

Kaya in her evil form.

[ Kaya Astraing ]

Lv: (140)

Race: Human

Attributes: Wind, Ice, Plant, Blood

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [I am pleased to see you.]

"You're already here. I thought I was coming pretty quickly, but I feel bad for being late."

"It's fine. But what's that?"

Kaya was holding a long object wrapped in a bundle. It was hard to tell exactly what it was.

"Hehe, it's a secret."

[ Kaya Astraing ]

Psychology: [I am looking forward to your reaction when I give you the gift.]

She had said she wanted to properly thank me. It seemed to be a gift in return.

I nodded and turned my gaze towards the lake.

Kaya sat on the tree stump next to me.

Holding the gift she intended to give me.

"I've been putting a bit of effort into dealing with you, but it's been quite uncomfortable. Wasn't it strange?"

I felt extremely awkward.

"......??"

Kaya looked confused.

"I'm sorry. I was just a bit cautious. From now on, I'll be more relaxed. Please understand."

It should be fine to loosen the tight belt a bit.

I didn't plan to dispel Kaya's misconception that 'Isaac is strong.' If that belief were shattered, my efforts to encourage her would be in vain. I didn't even know how to explain it.

"I have a goal. I need to achieve it by third year, so at least until then, I won't have time to think about anything else."

Even if my favorite character, Dorothy, confessed her love, I couldn't accept it now.

Thinking back to my exam preparation days, it goes without saying that romantic issues were a clear enemy to my study life. They have the power to intensely shake a person's heart.

Especially, magic training is closely linked to knowledge and requires a lot of concentration. Romantic issues would certainly cause significant disruption.

Therefore, it was better to block out and delay romantic concerns until I defeated the evil deity.

So, I was revealing a bit of my secret and indirectly expressing my refusal of Kaya's affection.

'Kaya is incredibly beautiful, but my current situation is not favorable.'

I continued.

"So, I hope you can understand... I don't plan to 'date' anyone until I achieve 'that goal.'"

My senses sharpened. A chilling sense of unease began to run down my spine.

It was the same feeling I got whenever I sensed something suspicious about Lucie.

I quickly used [Psychology Insight] to read Kaya's mind.

[ Kaya Astraing ]

Psychology: [I intend to seduce you relentlessly.]

'What...?'

Her psychology was very different from what I expected...

At least, I thought it would be a scene from a青春 drama, like 'If I still like you by third year, will you accept my feelings?'

Or, a sad confrontation like 'You don't have any feelings for me, do you? Please be honest, I'm not to your liking...!'

'Did I just let Kaya off the leash...?'

Isaac is in no position to date anyone.

So, she can seduce him to her heart's content until he likes her.

Ultimately, she can make him choose her when he is in a position to date.

Kaya must have gone through this thought process.

"...Did you misunderstand what I said?"

"Don't worry. I understand well."

Kaya smiled and moved away.

She picked up the long object she had left on the adjacent tree stump.

"Mr. Isaac, do you know this?"

Kaya gently caressed the object wrapped in the bundle.

"The Rompa tribe, which inhabits the Masop Forest, apparently offers choices when giving gifts to their kin. It's a tradition to let the recipient choose the gift they like more. Whether this pretty stone or this animal skin is better..."

Kaya turned to me and smiled.

"I'm grateful for saving me. If Mr. Isaac hadn't been here, I wouldn't be here now. Hehe, I prepared two gifts as a token of my gratitude. Please choose one."

Kaya unwrapped the bundle of the object she was holding.

A wooden staff.

A magic stone, a blend of indigo and sunset colors, was attached to the top. It was a sight that naturally elicited a sigh of admiration.

Kaya held it with both hands and extended it towards me.

"The 'Staff of the Night.' It's a magical weapon from our family's treasure vault. You don't need to worry; it's my personal property. I brought it thinking I might try using it... but I thought it would suit Mr. Isaac better."

I almost drooled but quickly swallowed it.

A magical weapon. I really wanted one.

To get a decent magical weapon, you need a lot of gil, and the Frost Sickle I had was beyond my current capabilities. Magical weapons felt like a pipe dream.

Let alone the Staff of the Night...! I don't remember exactly if it was Tier 2 or Tier 3, but it was definitely a rare item. It was something that could have been in the Astraing family's treasure vault!

'I didn't expect her to be so thoughtful...'

My thoughts changed. It would be inhumane to ignore such sincerity. I had no choice but to accept the staff.

At some point, my hand naturally reached out towards the Staff of the Night Kaya was offering. It was an instinctive movement.

Suddenly, Kaya pulled the staff behind her back.

"The second option is..."

Kaya held the staff with one hand and lifted her skirt with the other.

Her pale skin. She smiled lecherously, showing off her legs.

"It's me."

I froze in place.

"What else do you want, Mr. Isaac?"

Kaya asked playfully with a coquettish voice.

[ Kaya Astraing ]

Psychology: [I hope you will develop affection for me.]

The humid air of Norhan Lake soaked into my lungs, and the cool night breeze slowly seeped into my clothes.

We stared into each other's eyes for a while.

"Ha."

I sighed and approached Kaya.

I pressed close to her as if to embrace her.

"Ah?!"

I reached out and snatched the Staff of the Night from her and moved away.

"I'll use it well. Thank you."

"......"

A shadow fell over Kaya's eyes. For the first time today, she glared at me with a pout.

Unfortunately, I wasn't desperate for romance to fall for Kaya's cunning seduction.