Chapter 76

EP.76 Church of the Four Constellations (2)

"We must recruit Isaac at all costs."

There are five student factions that have influence over the administration of the Merhen Academy's Magic Department. The four factions, excluding the Student Council, are known as the 'Four Constellations,' named after the constellations.

The Black Tiger constellation, 'Heukho.'

The Blue Wolf constellation, 'Cheongrang.'

The Golden Eagle constellation, 'Geumchu.'

The Red Elephant constellation, 'Jeongsang.'

The balance of power among the Four Constellations shifts with the annual Student Council election. The constellation from which the Student Council President comes gains a stronger position.

For example, the current Student Council President, Alice Carroll, belongs to Geumchu. Therefore, among the current Four Constellations, Geumchu holds the most power, and some of its members are part of the current Student Council.

The constellation that gains control of the Student Council tends to monopolize power, so the administration grants a certain level of participation rights to the other constellations. This allows the non-Student Council constellations to check the power of the Student Council.

Becoming the Student Council President grants immense power within Merhen Academy. Additionally, the significant advantage of being recognized by everyone after graduation is a major benefit.

To understand why Isaac received an invitation from the Four Constellations, we need to go back to a few days after the 'Hunting Evaluation.'

In one corner of the Merhen Academy campus stands the 'Elephas Hall.' The windmill turning in the front yard and the trees covered in red petals create a scene reminiscent of the Eastern Kingdom.

The tall wooden building there is the headquarters of the Red Elephant constellation, 'Jeongsang.'

Inside, in the office, a large man with a menacing appearance sat at a desk, flanked by two listless-eyed female secretaries.

The red-haired man, who looked more like a muscle-bound giant than a student, was Malok, the leader of the Red Elephant constellation, Jeongsang.

A bespectacled female student stood a distance away from him, stammering as she continued.

"U-undoubtedly, he must be recruited before the other constellations do…!"

Eva Hailover, the bespectacled female student who had been recruited as an information gatherer for Jeongsang, was visibly tense.

The pressure from Malok's gaze and the memory of the first semester were causing her fear.

Soon, the Four Constellations would be able to recruit some first-year students into their ranks, sparking a talent war.

During the first semester, Eva had recommended talents based on the information she had gathered, but she could not mention the name of the most important person.

─ "Try to keep what you've learned a secret. Otherwise, Dorothy might do something terrible to you."

Eva remembered the words of Dorothy Heartnova's familiar, the white cat Ella, from the first semester. It felt like a final warning.

However, during the break, Eva had already made a firm decision.

"Isaac? Who is he?"

Malok asked in a deep voice, his demeanor and the way he rested his chin on his hand revealing his arrogant nature.

It wasn't strange that Malok had never heard of Isaac.

Isaac had only been the subject of gossip among the first-year students. Among the second and third-year students, few had even heard his name.

"He is… an irregular existence."

A commoner with no surname. A man who was known for being the weakest and the most behind, Isaac.

But he was not just a poor student.

The overwhelming top student, Luce Eltania, who had always treated everyone coldly, showed favoritism only to Isaac.

During the end-of-semester evaluation in the first semester, the second-ranked Kaye Astra and the third-ranked Siel Carnedas also sided with Isaac.

Most astonishingly, Dorothy Heartnova, the academy's top power, had a close friendship with Isaac.

Moreover, his growth rate was incredible. In just half a year, his mana level had risen from E to C+. It was a miraculous speed that no one could deny. No one could predict how much more he would grow in the future.

Thus, Eva laid out everything she knew to Malok.

"……"

Malok raised his thick eyebrows after listening to Eva's explanation.

His reaction was one of interest.

* * *

"Eva."

[What is it?]

<Merhen's Magic Knight> "Act 5, Chapter 1: The Four Constellations."

This part begins with Ian Fairytail receiving an invitation from the Four Constellations.

In Act 5, Chapter 1, Ian enjoys a social event.

In Act 5, Chapter 2, he befriends Rifa, a human in disguise.

In Act 5, Chapter 3, he opposes Jeongsang as a member of Cheongrang.

In Act 5, Chapter 4, he battles with Heinzel, the monopolist.

We were now just before Act 5, Chapter 1.

Ian attended the social event with the heroine chosen by the player and enjoyed a cozy event.

There, he first encountered the Four Constellations.

The Four Constellations would engage in psychological warfare to claim Ian, who has a rare Light Attribute.

'But Ian already has a place to go.'

According to the scenario, Ian would choose the Blue Wolf constellation, 'Cheongrang.'

This is because the leader of Cheongrang, 'Ray Lasmorgan,' is a well-rounded individual skilled in both swordsmanship and magic. It's Ian's ideal place.

Anyway.

During the social event, the Four Constellations hold an event in the center of the party hall.

They roll a ball containing treasures at regular intervals. If a student is emitting mana, the ball will choose the direction it is drawn to and roll accordingly.

This doesn't mean the treasure has a will of its own. The ball naturally moves toward the student whose mana resonates well with the treasure.

Ian also obtains a treasure, the 'Cherubim Necklace.' It's an accessory that amplifies his Light Attribute magic power.

The reason such an item is given as a reward in a student event is simple.

It was just a fancy-looking piece of jewelry, but it turned out to be an incredible treasure.

Since no one with a Light Attribute had appeared in the academy before, the treasure had not truly shone.

If a demon wears it, it transforms into the 'Necklace of Fallen Angels' and amplifies the demon's power. Some intelligent demons in the second-year part try to steal Ian's 'Cherubim Necklace.'

Well, anyway, the Cherubim Necklace is useless to me but essential for Ian. So, I need to check if the necklace will end up in his hands.

Night. Lower-middle dormitory, Bricks Hall.

I was sitting at my desk, reading the content of the invitation from Jeongsang. The letter was beautifully decorated.

When I muttered 'Eva,' the Ice Snow Dragon-Hild asked what it was.

The creature had transformed from a small, pure white sphere of light into a flame-like light, with light blue eyes visible in its form.

This transformation was due to the increase in my mana.

"Eva Hailover. An information gatherer for Jeongsang. She seems to have sold my information."

[You're talking about the Four Constellations you mentioned before.]

The letter contained stories about 'Isaac.'

A promising student whose mana level had skyrocketed from E to C+ in just half a year. A talented individual who had successfully cast a 5th-level spell as a first-year. Such a person deserves respect…

'Empty flattery.'

Jeongsang pursues results. Even if my growth rate is faster than other students, my mana level is only C+. There was no reason for Jeongsang to be interested in me.

'It's obvious that Eva convinced Jeongsang to recruit me.'

I naturally knew who the first-year information gatherers for the Four Constellations were. Eva Hailover, the bespectacled female student, was the information gatherer for Jeongsang.

'My invitation is probably because of Luce.'

Rumors about Luce and me occasionally circulate, but they are just baseless gossip among the first-year students.

Jeongsang likely believed that if they recruited me, Luce would follow like a string of sausages. Eva's persuasion must have played a significant role.

'…It might actually happen.'

I thought so too. It wasn't hard to imagine Luce following me.

By the way, in <Merhen's Magic Knight>, Luce did not join any of the Four Constellations. Joining would restrict her freedom of action.

She was, in every sense, a proud top student.

"……"

I leaned back in my chair and thought deeply.

I had planned to skip the social event to avoid drawing attention and to focus on training. I intended to use [千里眼] (Thousand-Mile Eye) to check if Ian had successfully obtained the Cherubim Necklace.

There was no indication that demons would interfere or that any special crisis would arise in this part.

However, there was no guarantee that the scenario would proceed smoothly.

'My thinking was too complacent.'

My goal is to prevent all bad endings. I always need to be sensitive to the main plot developments.

Based on my game knowledge, I considered all possible variables that could arise from now on. I thought as conservatively as possible, even considering the worst of the worst.

After establishing my plan of action in my mind, the Ice Snow Dragon asked a question.

[What do you plan to do? Didn't you say you didn't want to draw attention from the Four Constellations?]

I had discussed many things about the academy with the Ice Snow Dragon. Although I hadn't mentioned the ultimate goal of defeating the evil deity, it knew a lot about me.

"I'll start with an investigation. I need to check if the things I was worried about have happened. With [Thousand-Mile Eye], I can easily spot anything at their headquarters."

I needed to confirm if it had only been Eva Hailover who sold my information.

I also needed to check if any dangerous variables had emerged due to the disappearance of the second-semester villains, Heinzel the Monopolist, and Rifa the Illusionist.

I needed to investigate before the social event began.

"I should borrow a formal suit first. They'll probably be out of stock once the social event approaches, so I need to borrow one in advance."

[Formal suits of this era…! Hmm, I'd like to try one on too.]

"…Sorry, but I'll get you one when you have a proper form."

[……!]

[Ice Snow Dragon-Hild]

Psychology: [Looking forward to the day I can wear a pretty dress.]

The Ice Snow Dragon, despite being in a flame form, had its eyes sparkling.

Even if it eventually takes on a dragon form, I don't understand why it desires a dress so much.

But since it is female, I decided to understand. I'll have to get a modified version for it if it ever takes on a baby dragon form.

And before the social event began, after investigating the Four Constellations, I realized that the scenario had drastically twisted, as if it were inevitable.