CH 72

༺ Hunting Evaluation – Interlude (2) ༻

“Well then, I’ll take that as a yes.”

「Wind Generation (Wind Element, ★1)」

Whirl—–!

“…?!”

Suddenly, Kaya used wind magic to send the blanket that had been covering her flying upward.

She then raised her hand to my face and began to lean in.

It was an incredibly unexpected situation. 

Whoosh─

As Kaya’s wind subsided, the blanket floating above descended and enveloped the two of us.  

Within that stuffy blanket, our breaths began to intermingle. 

“Sir Isaac.”

Kaya suddenly stopped right in front of my face, and began to whisper in a serious voice.

“I will give my full thanks to you later. Please quickly finish the task at hand.”

Despite the healer shouting angrily at the sight of us covered under the blanket, Kaya remained resolute.

‘Wow…’

For a moment, I thought the usually passive Kaya would actually kiss me, causing my heart to race. Despite having just awoken, weren’t her actions a little too bold…?

In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Kaya actively showed her affection for Ian in her ‘Ravenous’ form. So, this was how it felt firsthand…

I finally understood why Ian was so taken aback by Kaya’s actions in-game.

Regardless, it seemed Kaya was quick to grasp the fact that we needed to secretly communicate.

Kaya was well aware that I had to hide my identity. 

“You’re quick on the uptake.”

Relieved, I softly uttered a compliment.

I pulled out a piece of rolled-up parchment and discreetly passed it to Kaya.

The parchment contained instructions for Kaya that I had thought of in advance.

Rustle─!

“What do the two of you think you’re doing!?”

The healer swiftly lifted the blanket covering me and Kaya.

“E-Even if you’re dating… there’s a time and place for that! Isn’t that right?!”

The healer scolded us with an angry expression.

Suddenly distancing herself from me, Kaya calmly apologized to the healer. 

After glaring back and forth between the two of us, the healer angrily returned to her office.

As I watched the healer leave, I suddenly felt an itchy sensation on my thigh. 

“…!”

The cause was Kaya running her finger up and down my thigh. 

She was writing something out with her finger. 

  ─Did your heart race?

Our gazes met. She placed her other hand on her lips as she tilted her head towards me. Her luscious emerald-green hair cascaded down her shoulders.

A mischievous yet confident smile adorned her face, accompanied by an overwhelmingly seductive sensation.

Just looking at her made my mouth go dry.

That smile was meant for me, and me alone.

Soon after, she began tracing out words on my thigh again. 

─My heart raced.

[Kaya Astrean]

Psychology: [Wants to kiss you.]

She continually expressed her affection for me without hesitation, openly enticing me to see her as a woman.

This feels a little…

‘Surprising.’

It felt as though all my energy was being drained…

***

Late at night.

Other than Dark Kaya’s attempts at seduction, there were no unusual incidents throughout the rest of our cruise. 

Once the ships docked at the academy’s port, all students were let off. By now, the bracelets for the hunting evaluation had already been removed.

Afterwards, the Imperial Knights and academy’s staff began working together to investigate the incident on Elt Island.

Kaya and Ian were moved to the infirmary. As previously mentioned, they would rest there until they were called by the investigative committee. 

Lisetta and I were also informed they may call on us to testify as well before sending us back to our dorms.

However, on the way to my dorm, I was accompanied by Luce, who was waiting for me. It was truly a relief that she didn’t bring out those ominous handcuffs again.

I was now back in Briggs Hall. 

Immediately after I arrived back in my room, a sense of relief washed over me. Naturally, all the energy in my body disappeared.

I didn’t even have the energy left to take a shower, so I opted to simply lie on the bed instead. 

‘At least I got this.’

I took out a red earring from a hidden pocket in my uniform.

This loot was called ‘Blood of the Evanescent’. I had taken it from Kaya’s ear. 

If one swallowed this, even if they were on the brink of death, they would be restored to perfect health in an instant.

Even if they had lost a part of their body.

Note that since this was a single-use item, there would be no effect if one melted and consumed it bit by bit.

‘I have to use this carefully.’

I was planning on saving it for Ian if needed, since I was worried that he might die.

It might be obvious, but the world was set to hell mode. Even the most seasoned of players would barely be able to clear it. 

I couldn’t fault Ian for constantly fainting. That was why I had only complained internally. 

To be honest, I was just grateful that Ian was still alive.  

If he just acquired the Luminous Sword and used [Expelled from Paradise] at the right moment, I couldn’t ask for anything more.

‘Next… I have to think about how to allocate my stat points.’ 

I opened my status window. 

[Status]

Name: Isaac

Lv: 72

Gender: Male

Year: 1st

Title: Freshman Who Has Adapted to Student Life

Mana: 7000/7000

– Mana Recovery Speed (C+)

– Stamina (B)

– Strength (B)

– Intelligence (C+)

– Willpower (A+)

Ever since I reached level 51, I could feel a rapid increase in my mana.

It would continue to increase at an even greater pace after I reached level 101. 

I was also sure that my [Mana Recovery Speed] would likely increase in rank within a few days. 

[Potential]

Stat Points: 18

◈ Growth Rate

– Physical Training Efficiency (B+): 56/100 [UP]

– Magic Training Efficiency (A+): 81/100 [UP]

– Learning Efficiency (B+): 57/100 [UP]

◈ Elemental Resistance

– Fire Resistance (D-): 10/100 [UP]

– Water Resistance (D+): 16/100 [UP]

– Ice Resistance (C+): 34/100 [UP]

– Lightning Resistance (B-): 39/100 [UP]

– Rock Resistance (D): 12/100 [UP]

– Wind Resistance (C-): 23/100 [UP]

– Neutral Magic Resistance (D+): 18/100 [UP]

◈ vs. Race Combat Power

– vs. Human Combat Power (E): 4/100 [UP]

– vs. Other Races Combat Power (E): 1/100 [UP]

– vs. Heavenly Beings Combat Power (E): 0/100 [UP]

– vs. Demon Combat Power (S): 100/100 [MAX]

‘Now, I should be able to reach S rank in [Magic Training Efficiency].’

I invested 5 stat points in [Physical Training Efficiency], 10 stat points in [Magic Training Efficiency], and 3 stat points in [Learning Efficiency]. 

[Your potential in [Physical Training Efficiency] has increased from B+ rank to A- rank!]

[Your potential in [Magic Training Efficiency] has increased from A+ rank to S rank!]

Now, my [Elemental Firepower], [Elemental Efficiency], and [Elemental Synergy] would increase at a faster rate than any other freshman.

Perhaps by my sophomore year, I would be able to reach the upper ranks of B Class. 

“…”

Sleep swallowed me like the tide.

I groggily closed my eyes, and soon fell into a deep slumber.

***

The stifling summer breeze was replaced by a cool autumn wind.

The trees surrounding Orphin Hall adorned themselves with red and yellow, creating a subtle yet enchanting atmosphere. 

While Lisetta and I had been called due to the ongoing Elt Island investigation, we weren’t called before the investigative committee. 

We were simply asked to provide a description of what the interior of the giant demon looked like.

Imperial Knights were relatively sparse within the academy, as many of them had been dispatched to Elt Island. 

‘Let’s think about what’s happened so far.’

In the early morning hours, I was lost in thought as I walked through the garden of Orphin Hall alone. 

It would be better to be thorough about the scenarios. 

‘Firstly, the Elt Island incident.’

The appearance of the giant demon had tarnished the reputations of both the academy and Imperial Knights.

The first issue was that the bracelet created to protect the students, failed to fulfill its intended function.

Not only were the students potentially endangered, there was a significant period of time where they couldn’t determine their whereabouts, and they couldn’t even establish communications.

Even if there were no reported casualties, it was still a serious issue. Criticism about the academy’s inadequate response began to spread.

As a result, Märchen Academy would lose a significant portion of its investors.

‘Demons with the power to nullify mana no longer exist, but only I know that.’

From the academy’s point of view…

  …Is there any guarantee that such a being wouldn’t appear again?

Of course not. Therefore, they had no choice but to prepare for that possibility. 

By now, they were probably dealing with a horrible headache, but with the support of the Imperial Knights, it would probably be resolved.

The second issue was that the Imperial Knights, despite being present at the examination site, were unable to stop the demon. 

Still, this would likely distract some people from criticism of the Academy.

Consequently, this disgrace would lead to them dispatching higher skilled individuals to Märchen Academy as support. Kaya’s sister, who was also a member of the Imperial Knights, would likely come.

‘Regardless.’

The scenario was over, and everything flowed smoothly. However, two problems remained on my end.

The first was that the academy had discussed the possibility of me being the Black Monster. I found this out by using [Psychological Insight]. They based it on the fact that I also use the ice element.

However, they quickly concluded that I was too weak to be the Black Monster.

‘The one suffering right now is Alice.’

With the existence of an ‘informant within the Academy’s Administration’ revealed, Alice Caroll was left unable to act freely. 

Without substantial evidence, she couldn’t harm anyone based solely on her suspicions. 

The second problem was Dark Kaya. 

‘What on earth am I going to do about her?’

I had predicted it, but her expressions of affection were overly aggressive, leaving me unsure of how to proceed.

Until I defeated the Evil God, I didn’t want to focus on anything except getting stronger. This was especially true for any kind of relationship.

“Huh?”

As if on cue, Kaya was walking towards me. 

Come to think of it, Class A had reserved the training grounds during the previous time slot.

Kaya’s green hair was tied in her usual twintails. Her pupils had also returned back to their usual emerald.

[Kaya Astrean]

Lv: 100

Race: Human

Elements: Wind, Ice, Plant, Blood

Danger: X

Psychology: [Currently feeling embarrassed towards you.]

Upon seeing me, Kaya froze in place and began to shake. 

It was as though a young deer was quivering in fear after coming face to face with a predator.

As our eyes met, both of us remained still.

“S-s-s-s–s-s-sir Isaac…!”

  Isn’t her voice shaking a little too much?

“T-The weather is very nice…! Looking at how beautiful the trees are, it’s totally autumn now! A-Are your classes going well? W-Well, for someone as great as Sir Isaac, your classes probably don’t mean much to you…!”

Whilst sweating profusely, Kaya rambled on nervously. 

Judging from her psychology, it was clear she vividly remembered what she had done on the ship.

Now that we had met, it would be a good opportunity to discuss whether she had followed the instructions I had given her, or if something had happened.

“S-So I think I should express my gratitude to you! Haha, hahahaha! W-where are you heading? The training grounds? Well, for someone like Sir Isaac, such a place is trivial…”

“Kaya, you know what happened on the ship-”

“AH!!! AHHHHH!!!”

Pleadingly, Kaya covered her reddened face with her hands and cried out in distress, as if begging me not to say those words. 

Even her ears were flushed red.

That surprised me…

“AHHHHHH!!!”

Unable to bear it any longer, Kaya turned and began sprinting away at full speed, her screams echoing in every direction.

I was so bewildered, that I just stood there in shock.