Chapter 103: - Uh Hey, Uh Luce...? (1)

༺ Uh Hey, Uh Luce...? (1) ༻

The strategy for the sub-event 「Territorial Fight」 was more simple than one might expect.

All one needed to do was hit Verga’s left rib. That was his weak point.

A while ago, he was critically struck at that exact spot when he fought against Erica Hellraud, the leader of the Four Constellation’s Black Tiger.

Not to toot my own horn, but ever since his defeat to Erica, Verga had been putting immense effort into his training.

Either way, I gained some valuable EXP.

‘I could partial summon with Eden as well.’

A few days ago, I reached maximum [Synchronization] with Eden, my golem familiar.

Thanks to that, I was able to practice partial summoning a few times during training, but this was the first time I had actually used it in combat.

‘I certainly felt like the power of my punch had increased.’

Partial summoning allowed me to emulate my familiar’s abilities, thus expanding my tactical options.

The utility of it was a matter of personal preference, but I remembered it being quite versatile in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.

The biggest advantage was that it consumed only half the mana compared to fully summoning the familiar.

“I want to master partial summoning with Hilde by the end of the second semester.”

The mana consumption of summoning Hilde was quite burdensome.

If I could use partial summoning, I could use Hilde’s power much more efficiently.

With that thought in mind, I arrived at the Magic Department’s classrooms after my morning walk.

While stepping through the hallway, I released mana through a magic tool resembling a handgrip.

“I heard Verga Rayphelt was absolutely demolished!”

I suddenly heard the excited voices of my seniors.

“I heard he was beaten by a freshman. A Class C student at that.”

“I saw it yesterday! The freshman had rock magic covering his arm, and he knocked Verga out with a single punch!”

“It wasn’t a normal duel. If they just fought, wouldn’t it be obvious that Verga would win?”

“You idiot, were you not listening? It was said that a student from the Magic Department defeated Verga with his fists! Does that even sound possible to you?”

I could understand their exaggerated reactions.

Among the elite members of the Four Constellations, Verga was well-known for his strength.

The fact that the Knight Department’s Verga Rayphelt lost to me, a Class C student from the Magic Department, was shocking and sparked gossip among the students.

Well, it would die down soon enough. At least, that was how it was like in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.

As I entered the Class C classroom, I felt the students’ curious gazes. The reason was probably related to the gossip I had overheard on my way here.

I took a seat right in the middle as I usually did.

“Look at him, strutting around as if he accomplished something.”

Brown short hair and a red rose hairpin.

Rose Red Rivera, a fellow Class C student, glanced at me along with a group of male students simping for her.

She spoke with a slightly amused tone as if intentionally letting me hear. She was probably trying to discredit my duel with Verga.

She must have really hated me to grasp at straws like this. I couldn’t help but admire her persistent determination to consistently put me down.

Still, she didn’t confront me directly, which probably meant that all the times I had destroyed her made her take more of a passive attitude in front of me.

‘It’s a bit hard to react to her even if I wanted to...’

It honestly would’ve been better if she dissed me to my face because it would’ve been less childish than this.

Even so, I now looked forward to the question of, ‘What kind of insults will she come up with today?’ I couldn’t believe I got this point. It seems like every day, we stray further from God.

“Senior Verga simply received that man’s full-power attack, face-on without any trickery. Isn’t it too much to act all high and mighty after winning like that? What an embarrasement.”

Surprisingly, I was my usual self today.

However, because of Rose’s low self-esteem, it seemed like I had become cocky in her point of view.

“If it was just a regular duel, that guy would have been crushed like a bug. Senior Verga is not an opponent he could ever beat fairly. Clearl-“

“Isaac.”

At that moment, a graceful girl with rose-gold hair walked into Class C.

She brushed past Rose and headed towards me.

Rose’s two eyes started shaking, as the girl’s elegant presence caused the chattering voices of the students to quickly subside.

Anyone would be captivated to the point of awe by her beauty.

She had a bright smile on her face as she called my name. Her charming voice sounded like scattered moonlight.

“Hey. Good weather today, right?”

She greeted me with her usual dull greeting.

It was a Class A student, Luce Eltania.

[Luce Eltania] Lv: 154

Race: Human

Elements: Water, Lightning

Danger: X

Psychology: [Delighted to see you.]

As Luce casually took a seat next to me, Rose froze up like an ice statue.

“Luce? Is your training at the Magic Tower finished?”

I already knew the answer, but I asked out of courtesy.

Luce serenely nodded.

“You worked hard. But why are you here all of a sudden?”

“Because I missed you.”

As always, Luce dismissed any emotional, social, and psychological barriers with her dramatic manner of speaking.

The students flinched in surprise. To others, our conversation might have sounded like that of lovers, and it was understandable to be startled when hearing it.

The rumors about the special relationship between the top seat and me were pretty blatantly talked about in public amongst the freshmen of the Magic Department. As such, it wasn’t anything new for me either.

Of course, we should avoid becoming the center of attention regardless of such rumors.

After Luce already saw that our every action was too noticeable, she stopped caring entirely.

“I was busy these days, remember?”

After the joint practical evaluation, Luce was stuck at Hegel Magic Tower because of her short-term probation.

A few days ago, I saw her figure from afar, wearing round glasses and a Hegel Magic Tower robe.

This situation... From an outside perspective, doesn’t it look too much like a couple holding hands in a quiet place?

I mean, I welcomed anything that helps with training, but wasn’t this a bit too romantic...?

“...Are we going to stay like this all day today?”

“My hands are sweaty.”

“Hehe.”

Thinking it was a joke, I answered roughly, but Luce actually responded with a bashful smile.

“Isaac, do you know?”

“What?”

“Surprisingly, I still have one more hand. I have two of them.”

It was truly a surprising fact. Wow. I was beyond astonished. TWO HANDS? That’s crazy!

“Do you want to hold it?”

She briefly showed her remaining hand and playfully wiggled her fingers.

Her smile was more mischievous than usual. It seemed like she was excited to see me after a long time.

Luce wasn’t even sure if she liked me or not.

Also, she was the one to teach me not to hold hands easily with someone unless they like each other...

When I gave her a skeptical look, Luce said, “Just kidding,” and withdrew her remaining hand.

As we spent time like that, Luce closed her mouth and stared at me intently.

Then, she leaned her head against the window and a faint smile adorned her lips.

Her lips moved slightly in a whisper.

“Isaac, I missed you.”

...When I silently looked at her, she looked just like a girl in love.

As if she doesn’t want to take her gaze away from me for even a moment, her oceanic eyes remain fixed on me.

I understood why.

Luce, who had lived alone while enduring loneliness all this time...

With my existence, she might have found a sense of social fulfillment by being with me.

“Is that so.”

Of course, I missed you too. Do you even know how much I care for you...

“Isaac, I’ll help you with training today so let’s stay together.”

“That’s what I’d like to request, actually. I’d be grateful if you would do that for me.”

Of course, it’s fucking welcome. It’s so welcome that I am about to throw a celebration to welcome you.

Having Luce’s help would be a big help in getting used to the feel of real combat after all.

“So, we’ll be together all day?”

“Yes, as long as you help with training.”

Since I planned to train late into the night anyway, it was a welcomed development.

Luce smiled brightly as if she were pleased.

* * *

“Woah.”

As she passed through the open door of the rest area, she let out a gasp when she saw the couple inside, holding hands and whispering sweet words to one another.

For Ciel Carnedas, the petite girl with short blue hair, it was a shocking sight.

They were Isaac and Luce Eltania, the top seat.

Isaac’s relationships with other girls were something very enjoyable for her to watch. Ciel hugged the pillow in her arms even tighter as she watched.

What else could it mean when a boy and a girl held hands and gazed at each other in an empty rest area?

‘Those two... are already at the stage of dating, huh?’

Kaya Astrean. The brilliant genius, Senior Dorothy Heartnova.

Does this mean that the top seat had surpassed all her competitors and had seemingly won the battle for Isaac...?

‘...No, it’s not over yet.’

Ciel suddenly remembered that until just yesterday, she would occasionally see Kaya in the Class A lecture room, lost in thought and looking distressed, as if she was going insane at the mere thought of Isaac.

Yes. That was right. The battle wasn’t over yet. After all, Isaac was a guy famous for being an elusive target for the girls.

It didn’t matter if they were just holding hands; it didn’t necessarily mean they were in a relationship.

However, the top seat’s approach was quite bold.

The gentle moonlight-like smile she showed only to Isaac was different from her usual demeanor.

She usually seemed so uninterested in other people’s feelings. Could it be that Isaac was an exception?

Class A Lecture Room.

Ciel approached Kaya, who was quietly preparing for morning class.

Lisetta Lionheart and Keridna Whiteclark, who were also in Class A, looked at Ciel with puzzled eyes.

They had never seen Ciel, who always seemed uninterested in the world, approach someone like this before.

“Yes? Ms. Ciel?”

Kaya looked towards Ciel with her jade eyes.

“Um? What are you doing right now?”

“Huh? Just preparing for class...”

How could this be? Ciel slapped her forehead in disbelief. Her competitors were already on the prowl since early in the morning!

This was a fierce battle being waged among the three women over Isaac. Ciel knew that someone like her had no room to meddle. After all, useless intervention would only cause trouble.

But even so, there was one thing she had to say.

“Get your act together.”

“...Huh?”

“If you keep acting like this, someone will snatch him away from you.”

Phew, that was all she could do for now. She felt relieved after letting those words out.

After saying that, Ciel went to her seat at the back of the classroom.

And as she sat down, she glared at Kaya, who was at a loss for words. Kaya didn’t know what it meant, but there was a strong determination in Ciel’s eyes to keep a close watch until Kaya improved herself.

“...?”

Kaya was just bewildered beyond belief.