Chapter 84

EP.84 The Isaac Contention (2)

“Grrr…, hmm?”

The blue short hair, undulating like waves, shuddered. Shielle Carnedas slowly opened her eyes.

The pillow she received from Isaac during the first semester was a masterpiece, officially recognized by nap experts as being of the highest quality. No matter where she was, as soon as she laid her head on it, her body would relax, and sleep would come over her.

Shielle slowly sat up.

It was a day of a large party, and Shielle, almost forced by the maids of the Charles Hall, was dressed in a beautiful dress.

However, she had no desire to impress anyone or to fit in with the party atmosphere, so she had covered herself with a thick coat, using it like a blanket.

A cool autumn breeze flowed into her nose. It was the middle of the night.

Where am I? It feels high up….

Shielle rubbed her sleepy eyes and tried to recall her memories from before she fell asleep.

“Bell tower….”

This was the bell tower of the Pallas Hall. When the party started, she had climbed up here after having her familiar, Zabat, enlarge her.

It was nice to avoid the direct autumn wind thanks to the railing surrounding the area.

Shielle yawned quietly while listening to the lullaby-like music seeping out from outside the Pallas Hall.

The music made her sleepy again, but it seemed it was time to wake up. She couldn't sleep outdoors all night.

Shielle got up and took in the academy scenery beyond the railing.

“What?”

Her eyes caught a couple dancing gently on the opposite bell tower. A woman with light purple hair and a man with silver feet.

Shielle leaned on the railing, resting her chin on it, and watched the small dance of the two with half-open eyes. To her, it was a somewhat romantic scene.

However… the man seemed oddly familiar.

“…!”

Suddenly, Shielle's drowsiness vanished.

The man dancing was Isaac, the monster who had given her the pillow.

Memories of the semester-end evaluation flashed through her mind.

The image of Luce defending Isaac, and Kaya joining in, came to mind.

She had guessed that if Isaac were to have a partner, it would be one of those two.

‘Why is he dancing with some unknown woman?’

Even though it wasn't her business, the thought of Luce chasing after them with a knife made her shiver.

Luce's rage during the semester-end evaluation was so intense that it wouldn't be surprising if she killed someone.

‘Ah, I'll go down. …What’s that?’

Isaac and the woman with light purple hair seemed to have finished enjoying the bell tower and started to descend.

They were surrounded by a colorful starry pattern, slowly descending through the air. The two rings were connected.

Only then did she realize who the woman with Isaac was.

“This magic…, is that Dorothy Hartnova-senpai?”

Dorothy's reputation in the academy was well-known.

She was considered the continent's top prospect, expected to reach the level of a grand mage within ten years.

How did Isaac end up with such a beautiful and capable female student?

‘Do strong people only see strong people?’

Shielle had failed to recognize Isaac's strength at first, so she thought she must be on the weaker side.

Even her position as a third-ranked student in the first-year magic department of the continent's top academy seemed meaningless if there were stronger people like Isaac hiding below.

Shielle let out a hollow laugh and watched Isaac and Dorothy.

A moment later, she witnessed a chilling scene.

* * *

“Senpai, are you sober now?”

“Nihih, somewhat?”

Dorothy and I descended from the beautiful starry pattern to the ground, intending to stroll through the garden.

We landed in a secluded spot and smiled at each other.

“I'll quickly go to the bathroom.”

“Hurry back!”

“Yep!”

Before our stroll, I needed to take care of a physiological need.

After exchanging greetings with Dorothy, I ran to the bathroom inside the Pallas Hall. I relieved myself in the bronze urinal, feeling a strong sense of satisfaction.

‘I’m so happy.’

Is this what a successful otaku's life is like?

As a child, I often imagined playing with my favorite celebrity. If that imagination became reality, would it feel like this?

Even after just a brief playtime with Dorothy, I felt elated.

It might be similar to how the sweetest moments come during exam periods when I sneak in some gaming. Tonight, taking a break with Dorothy on this journey to defeat the demon lord gave me a sense of liberation.

‘I’ll enjoy it to the fullest.’

Trying to suppress a smile, I stepped out of the Pallas Hall.

At that moment, from behind.

A hand reached out and grabbed my sleeve.

“I found you, Isaac.”

A beautiful voice, as if carved to enchant, filled my ears.

Instantly, a wave of pleasure and goosebumps ran through my body.

I turned my head to see a girl with rose-gold hair looking at me.

Wearing a beautiful blue dress, with hairpins shaped like morpho butterflies and various blue flowers in her hair.

“Luce?”

Her stunning appearance shone even in the moonlight.

Luce Eltania, it was her.

[ Luce Eltania ]

Lv: 152

Race: Human

Attribute: Water, Lightning

Danger Level: ??

Psychology: [I want to monopolize you so you don't get close to any other woman.]

“Why are you here? You should be having a meeting with the magic tower…?”

More importantly, Luce's ‘Danger Level’ caught my attention.

‘What’s this Danger Level?’

Luce's strong attachment wasn't surprising.

However, the ‘??’ Danger Level looked quite ominous.

The Danger Level is officially determined by the product of the opponent's combat power and the intent to kill.

So, if there's no intent to kill, the Danger Level should be zero.

Occasionally, the possibility of causing harm to me is also considered in the Danger Level.

For reference, in the birdcage ending, Luce's Danger Level is ‘?■?’. If that shows up, it means trouble.

Anyway, I decided to react as naturally as possible.

“What is it? What about the meeting?”

“I finished it quickly. Isaac, stay with me now.”

Luce, with her usual gentle smile, was beautiful, as expected of my love interest.

However….

‘Finished the meeting quickly?’

In <The Magic Knight of Merchen>, Luce would never attend a social event unless I brought her along.

…Forget it. It's meaningless to question the scenario here. Ever since I became friends with Luce, predicting her behavior has become impossible.

It seems Luce ended her meeting early to enjoy the party with me.

Unfortunately, I was already partnered with Dorothy.

Even if I wanted to play with Luce, it would be difficult today. It would be best to clearly reject her.

“Sorry, but I already have a partner. It would be hard to play today….”

“You didn’t ask for my opinion.”

Surprisingly, Luce spoke firmly.

“Even now, stay by my side.”

At that moment, a wave of pleasure and goosebumps ran through my body.

I turned my head to see Luce, who had a sweet smile on her face.

‘What’s going on with her?’

[ Luce Eltania ]

Psychology: [I don’t want to let you go to anyone.]

“I can’t let Isaac-sama go to someone like her!”

“Kaya?!”

At a dizzying height, Kaya and I stopped. Floating in the air, I felt an unstable sensation, different from Dorothy's starlight magic.

Kaya stopped the back hug and flew in front of me, taking my hands in hers.

It was embarrassing….

“I’ll make it clear now.”

Kaya, blushing and smiling deeply, seemed to create a strange atmosphere.

‘Her memory must have changed too.’

I didn't know how Kaya's memory had changed.

However, if she felt this strongly about kissing me….

It was easy to infer that her memory had changed into something quite embarrassing.

I needed to explain things quickly.

“Starting today—”

Before I could speak, Kaya suddenly leaned in close.

Without hesitation, she slowly closed her eyes.

“I belong to Isaac-sama.”

Kaya leaned in to kiss me.

At that moment.

────「Hydro Jet (Water Attribute, ★5)」

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