Chapter 173: To My Dearest Benefactor (1)

Chapter 173: To My Dearest Benefactor (1)

To My Dear Benefactor (1)

The faint smell of earth was in the air. It was a damp smell.

Gloomy rain clouds cast a thick shroud over the academy. Thunder rumbled, and raindrops pelted down.

Just then, I went under the hospital porch.

I lifted my head, wiped my damp glasses, and headed towards the entrance.

Oh? Senior Isaac!

Then, someone leaving the academy hospital recognized me and approached me.

A first-year male student with grayish-blue hair and a sly look. It was Abel Carnedas.

He came up to me all of a sudden, smiling broadly.

Wow! To think Id meet a celebrity here! You remember me, right?!

From the joint practical evaluation, correct?

Ha, truly, such memory is befitting of an honor student from the Magic Department! Its an honor that you would remember someone like me!

Whats with him and this cringey flattery?

I heard you defeated the Priestess! The rumor has even spread to the Knight Department! It was really surprising to hear! Isaac from the Magic Department overpowered the Priestess with the power of the Nine-tailed Fox purely based on his combat sense. Wow. Just how extraordinary must the person Ive faced be?!

Uh, right. Thanks

I laughed awkwardly. It was a bit too much, but I already knew Abels personality, so it didnt bother me much.

Then, Abel seemed to remember something suddenly, his eyes sparkled, and he bowed respectfully.

Oh, I almost forgot! Greetings to you respected senior, Isaac! Im Abel Carnedas, a first-year in the Knight Department. My sister is your classmate.

Ciel Carnedas?

Yes, thats right! You know her!

Abel lifted his head and gave a sly smile.

His cheerful voice and manner were in stark contrast to Ciel Carnedas.

She always carried a pillow around, living as though merely being alive was sufficient reason to keep going.

Where are you headed?

My mentee is hospitalized, so I came to visit.

Ah, you mean Princess Snow White. I came to see a friend. Haha.

After the duel evaluation in Magic Knight of Mrchen, a visit to the academy hospital would reveal Roanna, who was hospitalized because of her duel.

Currently Abels friend, Roanna was a female student in the Knight Department who would eventually become his lover.

So, I wasnt at all curious why Abel had stopped by the academy hospital. I think I wouldnt have been curious even if I hadnt known.

Soon, Abel scratched his head as if he had just remembered something and gave an awkward laugh.

Oops, it seems Ive held you up too long Sorry about that. Anyway, it was exceedingly pleasant to see you, Senior Isaac!

Its okay. I was glad to see you too.

Im glad to hear that! Haha. May I greet you again next time?e.

I answered with a smile. Abel exclaimed, Oooh! and seemed overjoyed as if he was about to jump.

This

I inwardly understood why guys like Tristan always had followers around them.

Abel was quite dramatic, but the flattery definitely felt good. I couldnt help but puff my chest out a bit.

Thank you! Please go safely!

Yeah, take care on your way.

Abel passed by me with a bright smile, intending to leave.

Just in case, I decided to say something.

Abel.

Yes!

Before Abel left the shelter of the buildings porch

I looked at him and said

Take care of yourself.

?

Abel just stared at me blankly, as if he wasnt sure what I meant.

The face of the pocket watch was originally designed to resemble the universe, captivating those who saw it with its vivid beauty.

However, for some reason, the Milky Way and starlight were fading, and a dark blackness was encroaching on part of the face.

Why is this happening?

Whats wrong, White?

The watch It wasnt like this until recently Could it be because I put it in the magic pouch?

White stuttered, seemingly flustered.

As expected.

I had anticipated it would come to this.

Whites pocket watch was originally meant to suddenly stop during Semester 2 Year 2.

So, the reason why the watch stopped prematurely remained unknown.

However, seeing darkness encroach on the face of the watch like that made one thing clear.

The final boss of Semester 1 Year 3, Mephisto the Contractor, who was also the agent of the Evil God, was already on the move.

The darkness invading the face of the pocket watch signified the gradual unleashing of a demon stronger than the Floating Island, it was a process of loosening the reins that bound it.

The demon was a mystery surpassing the 9-star level of world destruction, a demon that transcends even Providence. The Abyss.

Reflecting on the information from Magic Knight of Mrchen, at this rate, there was a high chance that The Abyss would appear during Semester 2 Year 2.

Then, I must

What should I do?

Senior Isaac? What are you thinking about?

Lost in thought for a moment, White and Merlin looked at me with eyes full of curiosity.

I shook my head as if to say it was nothing.

Just wondering about the watch. I know a master craftsman in the market whos good at repairing watches. Lets go see him later.

Ah, thats Thank you for the offer, but its okay. I dont really want to get it repaired.

Why?

White gazed at the pocket watch with a distant look on her face.

It was a gift from my mother. If its not completely broken, Id rather no one else touch it.

I see.

White had survived numerous assassination attempts from her mother.

The only motive for her mothers murder attempts was out of jealousy for her daughters beauty. White was well aware of that ridiculous fact.

But the platinum pocket watch held a very special meaning to White. It was the only gift she had received from her mother.

It was the only clue that allowed her to barely believe that there was even a speck of love from her mother towards her.

She probably never imagined that the watch could bring a fate worse than death.

The bad ending Eternity. It was the worst ending that the pocket watch could bring if things went wrong.

Whites mother didnt love her daughter at all. She only wished for her daughters misery out of sheer jealousy.

Only I and Mephisto knew this fact.

Well I never thought it would stay fine forever. Everything loses its shine with time, after all. Its okay.

White let out an awkward laugh and put the pocket watch back into her magic pouch.

Merlin and I looked at White with half-open eyes.

White looked back at us quickly, puzzled.

Why are you both looking at me like that?

No, just It seemed like quite the atmospheric thing to say, especially coming from Princess White.

It really didnt fit her usual crybaby image.

Ah, ehehe. Maybe Ive grown a bit since coming to the academy.

White smiled contentedly.

Since Merlin responded on my behalf, I held back from saying anything. It felt awkward to chime in.

White, here.

Ah. Woah.

I deliberately offered her a piece of fruit with a fork, wearing a subtle smile.

Without hesitation, White brought the fruit I offered into her mouth.