Students returned to Merhen Academy.

 

It seemed that news of the incident at Oldleg had already spread to the academy as well.

 

The students who went to Aldrek told vivid stories to the students who stayed at the academy.

 

My name naturally came up on the lips of the students.

 

“Senior Isaac used 9-star ice magic! Three times, all at once!”

 

“How many people have seen 9-star magic since they were born?”

 

“Then an iron gate appears in the sky! From there, a terrifyingly large monster came out… !”

 

If anyone hears it, it’s just a story like a lie.

 

However, all the testimonies of the students were consistent, and there was no one at Merhen Academy who didn’t know who I was, so everyone believed and admired me.

 

As a human being myself, it is inevitable that my shoulders go up. However, the feeling of the growing psychological distance with the students was not very good.

 

I also met and talked with the shrine maiden Miya. I already knew about Mei’s punishment, so I skipped it.

 

─ ‘I have something to accomplish. Even one person needs more power. It’s also for Hwabongguk, so I hope you can help too.’

 

─ ‘It’s because the grace I received from senior Isaac is deep. Of course!’

 

The story went well without any particular problems.

 

I decided to share the details with my colleagues later. I asked him to focus on becoming stronger until then.

 

Since Miya is a great genius and even handles a nine-tailed fox as a familiar, it must have been a good fighting force.

 

“Are you proud of yourself when people praise you?”

 

“Not really.”

 

In the evening, a week after returning to Marchen Academy.

 

In a warehouse away from campus. I met Aria Lilias, the Hegel Magic Tower. It was because Aria secretly sent me a letter asking me to meet her here.

 

This was a simple warehouse prepared for patrollers, and there were rows of spare magic tools needed for patrolling. However, there was usually no use for this warehouse.

 

We were leaning against the wall side by side. I got to the point while training my magic power with the magical device in my hand.

 

“You came to talk about how to widen the rift, right?”

 

Arya nodded.

 

“It is impossible to arbitrarily adjust the timing of widening the rift.”

 

“So what?”

 

“We have no choice but to aim for conditions that can widen the rift.”

 

“What is it?”

 

Arya raised her left hand slightly clenched into a fist.

 

“We are just dust. No matter how much the dust stirs up, I can’t open my fist.”

 

Arya held out her hand to me.

 

“To unfold.”

 

“… … .”

 

I spread Arya’s hand.

 

Arya strained her hands and tried to resist, but her physical strength was so weak that she could easily force it out.

 

“Something that can open a crack if something with this enormous pressure intervenes.”

 

If it was an easy analogy like this, I think it would have been okay to just say it… .

 

I didn’t have to say anything.

 

“Here, that power is ‘underworld storm’.”

 

“storm?”

 

“As a result of observation, large-scale storms blow in the Underworld from time to time. Most humans would be torn to pieces in less than a second if they were swept away by that storm, but there is no doubt that the time the storm blows is an event that can open a rift.”

 

Arya looked up into my eyes.

 

“That storm drags a large amount of mana around to the extent that space-time is distorted, so it is possible to distort and loosen the rift.”

 

“I mean, when a storm blows in the underworld, it can widen the rift… . Then when?”

 

“As a result of the calculation, the timing is… .”

 

I couldn’t help but bruise for a while at Aria’s answer that followed.

 

Unknowingly, my eyes trembled and my mouth opened slightly.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“… Is that only then?”

 

“I’m sure it’s only then.”

 

Reaching the Ice Lake is a condition for defeating the evil god without sacrificing Dorothy.

 

If the scenario is greatly hindered, the evil spirits will be defeated before they even appear. It is unlikely that Dorothy did not notice this in the first playthrough.

 

No matter how uncertain the Underworld is, as long as I can properly return, I will be able to somehow solve the scenario problem.

 

In other words, the key is ‘whether you can come back well’.

 

“It will be fine, somehow.”

 

Let’s believe that.

 

I smiled kindly.

 

“Thank you, sir.”

 

“This is a study I want to do. It’s not helping you, it’s just a deal.”

 

Arya closed her eyes.

 

“After going to the depths of the underworld, you will tell me everything you have seen, heard and experienced.”

 

“of course.”

 

Arya’s desire and my goal harmonized, and even the interests matched, so there was no other comrade so reliable.

 

“Then let’s go.”

 

“yet.”

 

“Is there anything else to talk about?”

 

“Something to tell you.”

 

Arya looked at me again.

 

“Luce Eltania. That he once sneaked into my lab.”

 

Luce?

 

“It was delayed because the barrier was elaborately restored. My guess is, he was probably looking for a secret passage.”

 

A secret lab with cracks. To get there, you have to go through a secret passage in Arya’s lab.

 

You have to figure out where the secret device is in that wide area to get into the passage.

 

If Luce found the rift leading to the underworld… No matter how much I think about it, it doesn’t feel good.

 

“… Were there any traces of someone going in and out of the secret passage?”

 

“As a result of careful investigation, there were no traces of anything. Presumably they failed to find the secret passage.”

 

“is it so… .”

 

There was once a time when mana from secret research secretly flowed out of the Mage Tower. I knew it after hearing Aria’s story.

 

The Imperial Magic Tower noticed it with the sensing ability that spread throughout the Empire.

 

Not to mention, Luce often took care of himself at Hegel’s Magic Tower. It wouldn’t be strange if he also sensed that mana.

 

‘Anyway, I haven’t figured out how to get to the secret passage.’

 

The other day, while I was about to leave the Hegel Magic Tower, I remembered the encounter with Luce who was in the process of training.

 

He remembered the conversation he had with Luce on the roof of the magic tower that day.

 

From noble mtl dot com

 

─ ‘How did you know I came?’

 

– ‘Because I know your familiar was looking for the master of the mage tower before. I heard that the Master of the Magic Tower will return today, so I thought you would come.’

 

─ ‘Yes… ? Sharp.’

 

─ ‘… What’s up?’

 

Luce might have deduced from the circumstantial evidence that I was concocting a dangerous plan with Arya.

 

“What are you going to do?”

 

“I have to pretend I don’t know.”

 

I didn’t think I would see a good result if I tried to open Luce for nothing.

 

Arya turned her head to the front.

 

“I can’t even say that Luce Eltania is a good kid, but it’s a self-evident fact that he values you more than anyone else.”

 

“You mean not to worry?”

 

Arya shook her head.

 

“Love is a double-edged sword. That kind of kid is the most dangerous, so be careful.”

 

“… … .”

 

It was hard to deny.

 

If Luce knew that I was leaving for the underworld, it wouldn’t be strange no matter what she did.

 

“Thanks for the advice.”

 

I greeted him with a polite smile and left the warehouse.

 

* * *

 

Even in the middle of the night, many buildings of the academy were lit up in darkness.

 

Study, train, study. For personal reasons, the lights in the building were left on at all times, so there was never a day when the entire campus was covered in darkness.

 

The cool night air moistened his lungs. I was running.

 

As you run through the academy and breathe in the fresh air, you will greatly feel the change of the seasons.

 

‘Is it autumn?’

 

The magical devices held in both hands did not let go unless it was unavoidable.

 

A state of wearing a magic tool underwear that greatly increases the weight of the whole body.

 

I gained ridiculous weight, but thanks to that, I enjoyed running. Without this, the body is as light as a feather and cannot be trained.

 

While running on my favorite course, a hydrangea garden caught my eye.

 

After pausing for a moment, I followed the lead and entered the place.

 

Across the beautiful road to the corner. The more I ran, the stronger the feeling of a certain magic power.

 

“Hiyaap!”

 

Hydrangea garden corner.

 

Snow White was casting wind magic on the lake, aiming at the wildly moving training tool.

 

Ultramarine blue elemental magic that shines beautifully with the energy of the night.

 

It was the magic of the ‘Night Wind Attribute’, a unique attribute in which Nyx’s attribute and wind attribute were mixed.

 

White sweated profusely. Hair tied back, comfortable training clothes. I had a strong feeling that I was determined and disciplined.

 

“Are you Prince Isaac?”

 

While I was watching White from beyond the bush, Merlin came up to me.

 

I wasn’t surprised because I already felt the presence.

 

“You’re back, Merlin.”

 

“Yes, long time no see.”

 

“I’m glad you look okay.”

 

I heard you were mortally wounded.

 

Indeed, as expected of the son of the Astreang family, the speed of recovery is excellent.

 

“I haven’t finished it yet.”

 

Merlin shrugged.

 

We watched White together.

 

“Are you not going to say hello?”

 

“Because I also plan to go to my training soon. Even if we meet, all we can do is chat. I can’t even afford to teach White right now.”

 

“Still, you came to see Princess White.”

 

“Yes, what.”

 

“When I was in Old Wreck, I heard that Princess White and you were looking for me. Thank you for your consideration.”

 

“I don’t think it’s something to be thankful for… .”

 

“No, thank you. Unconditionally.”

 

It was a firm tone, as if to ask for gratitude.

 

Just say, “Oh, yes… .” he replied.

 

“… Even though Princess White cried, “Why didn’t you wake me up when Prince Isaac came?” My co-workers said it was a lot of trouble.”

 

“is it so?”

 

I can imagine. I’m kind of sorry

 

Merlin glanced at me with a calm face.

 

“As you can see, Princess White has awakened a new power. I heard that Prince Isaac talked about it. Is it the power of a fairy?”

 

“yes. Certainly, the power of magic cannot be compared to before. You will become stronger in the future.”

 

“Princess White promised that when she was able to handle that power skillfully, she would proudly show it to Prince Isaac. He said he wanted to become stronger.”

 

Merlin smiled.

 

“That’s why you’ve been training so hard every day since you returned to the academy. When I have time, I study magic, and most of it is practice training. He never neglects to train his body to improve his stamina, and he never runs out of magic power in his hands. Even if you use your mana excessively and get nosebleeds every time, you continue training without saying anything.”

 

“… … .”

 

“Princess White understands Prince Isaac in her own way. That’s why you’re deliberately trying to put up with it, even if you want to see it, unless Prince Isaac comes to visit you in person.”

 

Merlin looked at me.

 

“So I want you to remember. The fact that Princess White has a great attachment to Prince Isaac.”

 

I planned to focus on my training in order to handle the journey to the underworld.

 

That’s why I told White, who had awakened his power the other day, that I had no time to teach him anymore.

 

Computation of understanding was not assumed. Because I wasn’t a match for that. I just said it out of guilt.

 

In the meantime, I thought it was shameless to comfort or encourage White.

 

‘surely… .’

 

it’s affection me too.

 

I have a deep attachment to White, who concentrates and sweats while aiming for a target with serious eyes.

 

At first, I just became her mentor and taught her to clear the scenario.

 

The harder he works, the stronger he gets, the more proud and affectionate I feel.

 

“Sooner or later, I have something important to do. For that, I am concentrating on my training.”

 

told Merlin.

 

“Today will be the last visit. I don’t want to break White’s concentration, and I’m sorry for disturbing him. Please tell me that you are looking forward to seeing how strong he will become next time. Right now, I’m not ashamed to meet him either.”

 

“… All right. That will be respected.”

 

As I stepped forward, Merlin bowed her head.

 

“Take a look.”

 

It was time to jump again.

 

“… White Princess?”

 

“Senior Isaac!”

 

The sound of breaking through the grass. White’s cry followed.

 

I guess I heard it. Perhaps Merlyn wasn’t there, so he looked around and noticed.

 

I stopped and turned my head. White, with a serious yet almost tearful face, came into my field of vision.

 

Without hesitation, she ran and hugged me tightly.

 

“white… ?”

 

What should I do?

 

A cold sweat runs down your cheeks.

 

“Did you know that we sweat each other?”

 

I threw a joke as roughly as I could think of, but White didn’t reply.

 

I slipped White out of my arms. She clung to me like a chewing gum scab and struggled to hold on until she finally looked up at me.

 

Clear eyes with tears welling up. Runny nose like a child. watery mouth.

 

“Ahhh… ! Senior Isaac… !”

 

As usual, White cried. Her sobs were strained and sounded funny.

 

My heart skipped a beat. The north pedestal came.

 

I did not think about what this heart-rending emotion was, for a long time.

 

Only then could I be sure. I think I really came to cherish this child.

 

The honest feeling just came out of my mouth.

 

“sorry. Because I can’t do better… . I was lacking… .”

 

“What kind of nonsense are you talking about? . ugh… ! Look at it and try it… !”

 

The stinging sound of grass insects was swallowed up by White’s cries.

 

White shouted in a low voice and returned to my arms.

 

He gently patted White on the back.

 

I don’t know if it’s a pretty ugly look to others, but now I just want to treat White more preciously.