Chapter 280: Chess (3)
“…?”
The class was over.
It felt like I had been engrossed in a fun game. The sound of the bell signaling the end of the class seemed to ring unusually early.
Instructor Ron’s lecture was dazzling, like a golden ornament.
He never stumbled over his words, effortlessly kept the students’ attention throughout the class, thoroughly explained the fundamentals, and taught useful tips during the application phase that caught everyone off guard.
Even Ciel, who usually spent most of her life and class time asleep, was awake during Instructor Ron’s lecture.
She seemed to be in the mindset of “let’s see how well you do”, but was genuinely surprised by how well he did.
“And Isaac, I need to have a word with you, so please follow me.”
Instructor Ron looked at me and smiled.
I couldn’t read his psychology, so I didn’t know what his intentions were. I followed him for now. The Class A students looked at me with suspicion.Instructor Ron and I arrived at an empty office in Orphin Hall.
“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom for a bit.”
“Go ahead.”
I turned the corner and hid in a secluded spot, leaning against the wall.
Hilde, stay alert.
[Understood, Master.]
I mentally instructed Hilde, who was summoned in her small form within the collar of my shirt. She immediately understood the situation.
I opened my status window.
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 156
Gender: Male
Year: 2nd
Title: Ice Sovereign
Mana: 169500 / 169800
- Mana Recovery Speed (A+)
I gained two more levels during the vacation. My current level was 156.
What mattered now was the [Potential] section.
[Potential]
Stats Points: 149
◆ vs. Race Combat Power
- vs. Human Combat Power (A): 80/100 [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]
I couldn’t read Instructor Ron’s, or rather, Vuel’s psychology.
However, Vuel wouldn’t dare to confront me with a petty trick.
He couldn’t afford to disrupt his plans and probably misunderstood me as a formidable opponent.
That’s exactly how I wanted it.
It was just a guess, but the probability was high. The power I displayed was undeniable. Vuel had experienced my ice magic firsthand.
Moreover, my outer appearance was that of the Ice Sovereign. Vuel must have concluded that defeating me wouldn’t be easy.
But Vuel couldn’t cause too much trouble without risking exposure to the Heavenly God. If that happened, his plans would be for naught. Hence, he had to be cautious. 𝑅�
The problem was that the Academy Clash was about to start.
I need to prepare for the「Fairy War」.
I had planned to invest my stats in [vs. Other Races Combat Power] for the「Fairy War」. Vuel’s sudden intrusion disrupted that plan.
Currently, Vuel wasn’t armed. Heavenly Beings boasted extreme elemental resistance when armed, but that wasn’t the case now.
Even so, if Vuel decided to fight me earnestly, I was confident. Confident that I’d get utterly shit on.
Moreover, until the day the Heavenly Clock went into effect, he was essentially invincible. He was immortal.
No Academy Forces, Imperial Knights, or Düpfendorf’s army could defeat the current Vuel.
The fortunate thing is his conviction…
I recalled what happened in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
Vuel rebelled against the Heavenly God for his cause. Contrary to his conviction, he had no intention of increasing unnecessary casualties.
However, he would likely deal decisively with those who get in his way.
Considering Vuel was in the wilderness when I defeated the King of the Dead, it was highly probable that Vuel had already allied with the demons.
Moreover, in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Vuel had never come to the academy.
In other words…
The demons have identified me as an obstacle, and Vuel is likely after my life.
Vuel came to the academy to see me.
Even if he wouldn’t harm others right away, he would surely be aiming for my life.
However, if I recklessly invested my stat points into [vs. Heavenly Beings Combat Power], the「Fairy War」would become more challenging.
In that case…
It would be better to ensure I had the strength to either confront or escape in case something happened.
I invested 80 stat points into [vs. Heavenly Beings Combat Power].
Potential [vs. Heavenly Beings Combat Power] has been improved from E-Class to A-Class!
This should be enough.
I had 69 stat points remaining. It wasn’t entirely secure, but it wasn’t bad.
I moved and entered Instructor Ron’s office. He was placing his class materials on his desk and gazing at the sunset outside the window.
“You’re back. Would you like some tea?”
“No, thank you. Please get to the point.”
“Then, by any chance, do you like chess?”
He gestured to the chessboard on the table. It was already set up.
A Western-style game board with black and white pieces was already set up on the table. Although it was called “chess”, it was distinctly different from the chess I knew from my previous life. It did have a similar feel to it, however.
Having played it often as a mini-game in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, I knew how to play it well.
“Sit down.”
Instructor Ron said as he sat down in front of the chessboard.
I stood still, trying to read his intentions, but he leaned back in his chair and chuckled as he jerked his chin arrogantly.
“You must already know that I’m not human.”
Instructor Ron’s hair gradually turned white. The excessively bright white color gave an otherworldly impression.
His eyes glowed with a holy aura, revealing his unusual nature. He was partially shedding his human form to show his true self.
The fact that he could assume a human form was undoubtedly thanks to the high-level magic, Polymorph, which Hilde had mastered.
Vuel deployed a soundproof barrier around us.
“Don’t you have something you want to say to me?”
“…”
I took off my glasses and sat across from Vuel.
“You’re the one who called me here to talk.”
I moved a black pawn on the chessboard and spoke calmly. Vuel smirked.
“There was a time I got caught up in your magic. It was impressive. Your skills live up to your reputation.”
Vuel moved a white piece.
“You cast that spell while knowing that, didn’t you? You directly targeted me as if you were swatting a fly.”
“You’re the one who broke the treaty. You were somewhere you shouldn’t have been, so I dealt with you accordingly.”
The treaty stated that Heavenly Beings should not interfere in the human world.
I knew information that humans shouldn’t know.
Vuel let out a small, incredulous laugh.
“You know about the treaty? A human…? What on earth are you?”
“That’s a question I should ask you considering you’ve intruded into this world.”
“…I made a misjudgment. I didn’t expect you to be like this.”
Early on, Vuel and I alternated moves, setting up our formations.
“So, is that why you didn’t hesitate to kill me?”
“I knew you wouldn’t die. You’re immortal, after all.”
“…”
Vuel’s hand, which was moving a piece, paused. He glared at me.
“You… how much do you know?”
“Leave.”
“…”
“This isn’t your place. One warning should be enough.”
I coldly glared at Vuel.
Vuel exhaled deeply.
“It seems it’s no coincidence you’re harboring something terrifying inside you.”
He must be talking about the creature with many eyes.
The ability to see through the essence of things was not exclusive to Dorothy. Whether it was the Elemental Kings or Vuel, once they reached a certain level, such skill became achievable.
This mysterious creature with many eyes gave me an aura of overwhelming power. In fact, the stronger my opponent, the more likely they were to overestimate my strength.
“But you know…”
Vuel leaned on the table and brought his face closer to mine.
His cold eyes fixed on me.
“Why does it seem to me that your display of strength is just a bluff?”
“…”
Vuel’s lips curled into a faint smile.
Is he testing me?
“If I’m wrong, then throw me out… Why aren’t you doing anything? Do you have a reason not to mess with me, Ice Sovereign?”
What a cheeky bastard.
Vuel was immortal. No matter what I did, I couldn’t defeat him.
What if I somehow neutralize him?
Vuel might be concerned about that, but as I’ve said, it was difficult to subdue him.
If Vuel thought there was no hope, he might involve the Heavenly God. That would lead to the bad ending「Judgment of the Gods」.
Unless Vuel’s rebellion against the Heavenly God was objectively revealed, I was the one at risk.
The time to confront him would be when Abel’s Heavenly Clock was activated.
At that time, everyone, including me and Vuel, would be in danger, but at least his immortality wouldn’t be in effect.
“…I knew it. Maybe you’ve become a coward because you know too much. This is quite a funny situation.”
Clicking his tongue, Vuel laughed and sat back down.
I still couldn’t read his psychology. However, from that single statement, I could guess what he was thinking.
For some reason, Isaac knows too much. Hence, he knows he shouldn’t mess with me.
He must be thinking something along those lines.
It seemed he hadn’t concluded that I couldn’t defeat him.
Right now, to Vuel, I needed to appear as an unfathomable being with unknown power. If my true strength was revealed, then it was over.
“Ice Sovereign, do you know why I came to the academy?”
“…”
“Yes, someone like you must have figured it out.”
Vuel moved a piece and looked at me.
The sunset streaming through the window illuminated Vuel’s mysterious eyes. Those eyes held deep conviction and determination.
“I have a purpose that I must achieve. To fulfill that purpose, I must eliminate you. I’m sorry, but I plan to erase you from this world.”
Vuel moved a piece and spoke a voice that held no malice.
It was an incredibly calm tone as if he was stating an obvious fact.
“Do you think that’s possible?”
I moved a piece and asked cynically in response to his calm declaration of war.
Vuel, seemingly accustomed to my manner of speaking, leisurely laughed.
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