Chapter 233: Change (7)

Chapter 233: Change (7)

A new announcement about Alice Carroll was prominently displayed on the Märchen Academy bulletin board.

The notice, solidified with mana, bore the Imperial seal. This indicated that the Imperial Court was baring its teeth. Opposing this decision would be seen as challenging the Imperial Court’s power, a clear warning.

Students gathered in crowds to read the announcement. The investigation results stated that while Alice Carroll was indeed the informant, she had been forced by the demons. There were no casualties, and therefore, she would not be held accountable. This was exactly as I had predicted.

Debates naturally ensued. But they had to be cautious in front of the Imperial Knights.

Alice Carroll. She was undoubtedly the most renowned student at Märchen Academy.

Her excellent performance as Student Council President, combined with her seemingly untarnished and kind personality, made her highly respected. Many students admired her.

Therefore, public opinion leaned in her favor.

“...”

“Haa, this isn’t right...”

What?

The students murmured.

“Professor?”

“Perfect timing. Mateo Jordana, come forward.”

Professor Daisy quickly gestured to Mateo.

Mateo Jordana, a boy with short brown hair, stepped up to the podium.

Professor Dairy placed her hands on Mateo’s broad shoulders like a bolt of lightning, causing him to flinch.

“Explain this!”

“Pardon?”

“Why on earth am I teaching an Elemental King...!?”

Professor Daisy pointed at me, raising her voice. She seemed to be in a state of panic.

Mateo, as well as the rest of the students including myself, were all astounded.

“In my 12 years of teaching, I’ve never felt so conflicted...! I should be the one learning from you! Why is an Elemental King attending my class? What am I supposed to do with this pressure?!”

Professor Daisy trembled, her eyes tightly shut, her frustration palpable.

“Explain, Mateo! Please!”

“H-how can I explain that?!”

Professor Daisy, true to her profession, was proficient in magic theory and had a knack for making her classes entertaining. Her personality was just as unique.

She often made dramatic entrances, announcing her arrival with, “Professor Daisy descends,” or “Appear like the wind, Professor Daisy.”

She frequently shared useful magical tips during her lectures, which made her classes very satisfying.

Her unorthodox approach and disregard for strict formalities won her a mixed reception among students. If she had been a tutor in Sillim-dong, she would have been a top instructor. In other words, she was a favorite of mine.

I adjusted my glasses and offered a gentle smile.

“I really enjoy your classes, Professor. I’m learning a lot from you.”

“Kyaaaaa!”

Professor Daisy had a mild seizure.

***

Lately, I felt that Professors were particularly mindful of me during lectures.

I understood. Although it wasn’t true, from their perspective, I was a legendary archwizard. It would be like teaching high school math to a genius mathematician like John von Neumann or high school science to a genius scientist like Albert Einstein.

However, they couldn’t just kick out a student eager to learn.

I can’t reveal the truth either.

It was doubtful anyone would believe me, and it was a risky move. I would only share my secret with trustworthy allies.

For now... I explained that I continued to attend the classes because “there’s still much to learn.” It wasn’t a total lie.

The students cheered, “Ooh,” understanding my intentions in their own way.

It seemed like I was perceived as a martial arts master returning to the basics to perfect fundamental techniques in pursuit of ultimate mastery. The direction was very different, but the conclusion was the same, so it didn’t matter.

Indeed, people’s perception has changed a lot.

Their attitude towards me, their feelings when they looked at me, and their overall perception of me. Everything had changed. The atmosphere at the academy felt noticeably different than before.

A few days ago, during a special joint class between Classes B and C, I remember Rose Red Rivera breaking into a cold sweat as she avoided eye contact as soon as she saw me.

– I’m sorry. I-I was wrong... I’ll do anything you want, please, please... Forgive me...

Being in the same group, I greeted her during the break and Rose immediately started apologizing in a trembling voice, using honorifics. She couldn’t even look me in the eye, her head bowed low, radiating intense fear.

In a way, it was a normal reaction. She had been one of the main instigators of my bullying last year.

Underestimating the Ice Sovereign, bullying the Ice Sovereign, even slapping the Ice Sovereign through her older brother. Considering my objective position, she must have been terrified of the retribution for her childish misdeeds.

I had no intention of exacting revenge on Rose. I simply wanted us to ignore each other from now on. So, I lightly patted her shoulder as a way of conveying that.

However, Rose seemed to interpret this gesture negatively, her face contorted in even greater terror.

During class, Rose put in her best effort as a group member, doing her utmost to avoid causing any inconvenience to me.

The next day, Rose volunteered to be my errand girl.

– May I clean your shoes for you...?

– Just say the word, and I’ll get you a snack...!

Feeling uncomfortable, I told her to stop talking to me. Despair washed over her face when I said that.

It was probably Rose who made me realize the extent of the change in people’s attitudes and perceptions toward me. Perhaps because it was so dramatic.

Between classes, during our break.

I was walking down the hallway of Orphin Hall, gripping a small magic tool in one hand to train my mana mastery, on my way to the store to buy a drink.

My mana depletion had recovered, allowing me to freely use mana again. Having gone through 「Alice Subjugation」 and even surviving the Abyss, I felt considerably stronger.

“What about mine, Isaac?”

“I have it, here.”

“Awesome!”

I also handed a drink to Amy Holloway, who was in the stands. She was delighted.

I looked down at Ian.

“Can you manage?”

“Just barely. The skill gap is too big.”

“Like I said before, I’ll have you spar with the others next time. And try not to rely too much on your sword. You’ll get better.”

“I know... but it’s not as easy as it sounds.”

Ian sighed deeply and looked at me with a smile after finishing his drink.

“Isaac, I really appreciate you giving me this opportunity.”

As the main character in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, it was inevitable that I grew fond of him quickly.

I gave a faint smile and turned my back.

“I’ll get going. Good luck.”

Master-level control wasn’t relevant here. Ian only needed to have the minimal combat ability to defeat the Evil God. I would handle the rest.

In the end, both Ian and I just needed to reach a peaceful ending.

After waving goodbye to Ian, I left the outdoor dueling ground to continue my training.

***

I ended my magic training with a run. At the same time, I reviewed what I had studied in my head. Occasionally, the contents of the old book would come to mind, leading me into deep thought.

When I returned to the dorm, Alice greeted me with a, “Welcome back.”

I washed up and read a book. Alice either brought me snacks or read a book elsewhere, spending time with me. It felt like she was trying her best not to disrupt my routine by taking care of small matters.

Late at night, the room was dark. The lamp cast a faint light.

Today was the last day of cohabitation before Alice resumed her academy life.

I laid in bed, while Alice laid on the floor next to the bed, covered in blankets. After the first day she came here, we had been sleeping like that.

The quiet emptiness settled in. Just as I was about to drift off to sleep.

“Baby.”

Hearing her voice close by, I turned my head to the side. Alice peeked her head over the bed, quietly looking at me.

“Shall we sleep together? It’s the last night, and I feel a bit lonely without you nearby.”

Her words didn’t match her playful smile at all.

“My baby... you haven’t forgotten your promise, have you?”

Alice asked, pretending to be disappointed.

She was referring to the promise to stay by side until the end. There were no other promises between Alice and me.

I shifted to make space next to me on the bed.

“Alright, come up.”

Alice smiled brightly, climbed into the bed, and laid down next to me under the blanket.

A moment of silence passed. Just as I closed my eyes to sleep, her gentle voice tickled the air.

“Baby.”

“What?”

“Do you want to pounce on me?”

Flinch.

Sleep had escaped me.

Understanding her meaning, I glared at Alice with widened eyes. Her usual gentle smile seemed sly today.

“I’m completely defenseless right now.”

“You... Are you serious?”

“Hehe, your reaction is so adorable. Of course, I’m joking.”

I stared up at the dark ceiling. Soon, Alice’s voice, filled with emotion, broke the silence.

“Tomorrow morning, I have to leave your room. It must have been nice for you, right? Having someone as pretty as me take care of you every day.”

“How narcissistic. Well, I can’t have you staying here forever...”

“You’re taking this quite seriously, huh?”

“I really liked it. Thank you.”

“...Really?”

Like a ghost knowing exactly where I needed to be scratched, Alice readily provided what I needed. She even knew to avoid what I worried about.

She lightened the mood with trivial stories before bed and often made me laugh with her jokes.

So, I liked it. I was satisfied and felt happy.

“Isaac.”

Alice turned toward me. She smiled softly yet slowly. Her eyes, softened and glowing like moonlight, looked at me with longing.

Her comfortable breaths, her slow blinks, and her slightly flushed cheeks conveyed her feelings.

“I’m also grateful... for making me happy.”

Alice asked me to hold her hand as a last request for the night, so I took her hand.

And that was how we fell /genesisforsaken