Chapter 9

EP.9 Class Assignment Evaluation (4)

[Detected enemy: Demon.]

[Unique trait [Evil Slayer] activated!]

[Level and stats temporarily greatly enhanced!]

[Skill tree temporarily +10!]

[Status]

Name: Isaac

Lv: (126)

Gender: Male

Grade: 1

Title: Freshman

Mana: (34000) / (34000)

- Mana recovery speed (A-)

- Health (A)

- Strength (A+)

- Intelligence (D+)

- Spirit (S)

Potential <<Details>>

Power... is overflowing!

It doesn't feel like my own body. It's incredibly light!

I feel like a gust of wind will be generated just by swinging my fist a little.

The mana overflowing uncontrollably.

I felt I could easily dispose of that demon.

「Cold Emission (Ice Attribute, ★1)」

I released a pale, cold mist from my entire body. Wrapping my body in cold increases the output of subsequent ice magic.

When I was just a regular Isaac, reaching the level of a master was unimaginable, but now it was possible.

[Hmm!!]

The demon, Pernicus of Thought, emitted a strong sense of caution.

He poured mana into the air, creating a black [Ice Spear].

「Ice Spear (Ice Attribute, ★4)」 + 「Black Ice (Ice Attribute, ★5)」

= 「Black Ice Spear (Ice Attribute)」

The massive [Ice Spear] cut through the air threateningly.

The target was me.

It was incredibly fast, but dodging it would be a rookie's mistake.

The attack range of the [Ice Spear] is relatively narrow. It's used to stab with the tip after launching it. It's good for dealing with large monsters.

However, Pernicus used the [Ice Spear] against a human.

If I dodged the [Ice Spear],

he would use a tactic to explode the dark mana embedded in the [Ice Spear], sending ice shards flying in all directions.

It was a difficult attack pattern to avoid.

But what about me now?

‘Just a demon bully.’

I could simply deflect that [Ice Spear].

I spread my palm and poured mana without restraint. With the skill tree +10, I could use magic I couldn't normally use.

I swung my arm. Then,

──Rumble──!

A massive [Ice Wall] unfolded in response to my hand's movement.

「Ice Wall (Ice Attribute, ★4)」

Clang───!!

The [Ice Spear] failed to penetrate the sturdy [Ice Wall].

After hearing the sound of the two magics colliding, I leaped up the cliff in one go.

Whoosh─!

“Whoa!” (Guruk!)

My body leaped up like a ball. It felt like I was floating in the air for a long time.

It's thrilling...! This exhilarating feeling, like bungee jumping...!

Adrenaline and dopamine surged, and excitement washed over me.

I dispelled the [Ice Wall]. The massive ice wall instantly turned into a powder of blue light and scattered. The scene of my surroundings being covered in blue light was truly spectacular.

In the midst of it, I was flying towards Pernicus.

[Hmm?!!]

Pernicus, clearly surprised.

He tried to cast a spell in a hurry, but it was too late.

As I flew towards him, I poured ice mana into my right hand.

A blue magic circle appeared in front of my hand as the mana condensed.

I extended my hand towards Pernicus.

Finally, when I reached right in front of the enemy,

the mana condensed and exploded.

─────────「Ice Burst (Ice Attribute, ★5)」

BOOM────!!

The ice burst exploded and surged towards him.

[Ice Burst], a national ice magic.

A pale cold mist swirled, and the explosive flood of ice engulfed Pernicus.

The massive ice formation created by [Ice Burst] seemed to cover the Delphin Forest, then shot up into the sky in a diagonal line from the ground.

I landed lightly on the ground and stood up.

“Phew.” (Gururung...)

My sigh turned into a cold mist that seeped into the air.

I lowered my hand and looked at Pernicus trapped in the ice formation. He was trapped inside, his face contorted in pain.

I slowly clenched my right hand.

Crack─.

Crack!

Then the massive ice formation shattered.

Before the fragments flew around, they turned into beautiful blue powder and disappeared.

Pernicus fell to the ground, spitting blood.

[Hmm... hmm...]

With a look of a failed philosopher who couldn't find the answer he wanted, no matter how much he pondered.

Pernicus turned into ash and was scattered by the wind.

“...”

It's over.

I successfully prevented the bad ending.

A deep sense of relief washed over me, making my whole body tremble.

Thank goodness...

At that moment, a system window appeared before my eyes.

[Congratulations! You have defeated the demon [Pernicus of Thought (Lv 105)] and gained experience!]

[Level Up!! Lv increased to 30!]

[Stats increased by 8!]

This time, there was no special achievement, but there was something else.

Where Pernicus turned into ash, a black, circular gem the size of a finger joint had fallen. It was the reward for defeating Pernicus.

I picked it up and put it in my pocket.

[Obtained loot [Remnant of Darkness]!]

[Remnant of Darkness]

: Grants the user's basic elemental magic with dark mana, allowing the learning of new elemental magic.

Rank: 1 Tier

The Remnant of Darkness is now mine.

The protagonist?

[Leen Fairytail]

Lv: 38

Race: Human

Attribute: Light, Fire

Danger Level: X

Would a weakling who faints all the time need something like this?

Anyway, I've leveled up quite a bit. On the day of the opening ceremony, I was level 32... I guess being the protagonist means growing fast.

I chose fire as my second attribute besides light. It's fortunate that they don't overlap. ...No, if my second attribute was fire, they would overlap. I can only hope I'm not a fire-type.

After obtaining Hild's Frost Scythe, I'll need to get the ultimate weapon for my second attribute later. The less it overlaps with Leen, the better.

...Ah, my body feels heavy now. It seems I've returned to my usual self.

It feels like I was carrying a sandbag all the time, and after enjoying a brief moment of freedom, I put it back on.

[Status]

Name: Isaac

Lv: 30

Gender: Male

Grade: 1

Title: Freshman

Mana: 260 / 350

- Mana recovery speed (D)

- Health (D)

- Strength (D+)

- Intelligence (D+)

- Spirit (B)

Potential <<Details>>

[Combat Ability]

Elemental Series 1: Ice

- Elemental firepower (D+)

- Elemental efficiency (D+)

- Elemental synergy (C)

Elemental Series 2 (Locked)

My stats have returned to normal...

No, my total mana increased by 10, and [Elemental firepower] went from D to D+.

It seems my stats increased while dealing with Tristan Humphrey and Pernicus of Thought.

It's a small improvement, but it feels good.

“...What are you?”

“Huh?” (Guruk?)

I forgot. Lucie was there...

She was staring at me with a wary expression.

“Are you a monster?”

Clearly, I must look like a dangerous monster right now, yet she calmly asks what I am.

No matter what I say, it will only sound like ‘Guruk’ or ‘Gwaaak’.

The best course of action is to run away quickly. Now that the big task is done, I need to gather as many mana particles as possible.

I plan to collect as many mana particles as I can until the class assignment evaluation ends.

Fortunately, there's no risk of suspicion even if an E-rank like me survives for a long time in the class assignment evaluation. The number of survivors is kept secret.

Unless someone like Tristan starts spreading rumors.

Fortunately, he's too proud to spread the story of his defeat.

I turned my back on Lucie and started running.

“Wait!”

「Water Creation (Water Attribute, ★1)」

“Whoa!” (Gwaaak!)

Splash─!

Thud─.

A water pillar rose in front of my feet. I was startled and took a step back.

It was Lucie's magic. I didn't expect her to try to bind my feet...

“Name... What's your name?”

“...”

Why are you asking a ‘Guruk’-ing monster for its name?

“Guruk.” (Guruk.)

Since it would sound like ‘Guruk’ or ‘Gwaaak’ anyway, I just made a growling sound.

Then I started moving again. Fortunately, Lucie didn't try to stop me anymore.

“...Guruk.”

For some reason, Lucie was repeating the growling sound I made.

I ignored her and ran into the darkness of the forest. I needed to leave this place and find more mana particles.

After running quite far, I took off my magic camouflage suit.

Now, if I put this suit into my magic pocket, it will be evidence destruction.

It's always amazing to see this large suit fit into a small pocket. It's enchanted with storage magic, but I don't understand the principle. Anyway, the magic pocket is a really convenient item...

...Where did it go?

‘Where's the magic pocket?’

It's gone. I searched my clothes, but the magic pocket was nowhere to be found...

I tried to recall. I think... when I was running from Lucie and she used [Water Creation], I heard a ‘thud’...

It must have been then!

‘Ah, I have to go back.’

The sky was dark, and the place where I stopped due to Lucie's magic was also quite dark. So, the magic pocket probably didn't get noticed when it fell...

How do I pick it up now?

Is Lucie still there? If she is, should I go back in disguise to pick up the pocket?

No, that would be unnatural. A monster that defeated a demon and left calmly wouldn't come back to pick something up. It would look suspicious, and Lucie would definitely think it was strange.

Moreover, there's no guarantee she would let me go. If she catches me, it's over. I can't resist her interrogation, and it's only a matter of time before she realizes I'm wearing a magic camouflage suit.

So, it's a bit risky, but...

I have to go back as Isaac and pick it up naturally. I'll pretend to be surprised, fall down, and secretly pick up the magic pocket while pretending to retreat.

According to my memory, Lucie doesn't bother Leen. She has already gathered enough points and is preoccupied with thoughts about demons and the monster.

Besides, she's not interested in others. She doesn't know who is E-rank and doesn't care to find out until the end of the story of <The Magic Knight of Merchen>.

She won't suspect that a weakling like me has survived this long.

In other words, it's a good bet that she won't pay attention to a weakling like me.

I hid the magic camouflage suit in the bushes and headed back to where I fought Pernicus.

* * *

Lucie stood still for a while, needing time to sort out her thoughts.

The monster that just left was a powerful expert, capable of easily defeating the demon that had troubled her. Logically, it would be unwise to chase or capture such a strong monster.

If the madness and hostility he exuded were directed at her, it would have led to an irreversible worst-case scenario.

But Lucie mustered the courage to stop the monster once. She wanted to ask his name.

She regretted this foolish act for a moment, fearing she might have to fight the monster.

But the monster left calmly. It was a stroke of luck.

“Guruk...”

Lucie recalled his response.

Guruk. He said Guruk.

Of course, she knew it was just a growl. But not knowing what to call him, she decided to call him ‘Guruk’.

‘What is he...?’

Lucie wondered. It was a mystery she couldn't solve right now.

At that moment, the bushes rustled. It was the direction Guruk had disappeared.

Could Guruk have come back? Lucie quickly turned her head towards the sound.

“Eek!”

...No, it was just an ordinary boy.

A boy with silver hair that glowed slightly blue in the moonlight and red eyes.

He was so startled by seeing Lucie that he fell backward, landing on his butt with a thud.

Lucie couldn't hide her disappointment.

She had already gathered enough points. No one could match her.

This boy would likely be just another weakling.

Moreover, her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of demons and Guruk. She had no time to deal with such a weak-looking boy.

“S-Senpai...!”

Be quiet, don't make a fuss, just go.

Lucie frowned.

Perhaps sensing her warning expression, the silver-haired boy, looking as if he had seen a ghost, slowly backed away.

Then, he quickly got up and ran away.

“...”

Lucie looked at the still unconscious Leen.

He'll be fine on his own.

She left Leen behind and moved on.