Well, I was planning to ask you from the start.

Professor Fernando turned his gaze to the documents on the desk and spoke indifferently.

Let me point out that it is not only a Professors duty to help out passionate students, but a responsibility. At least, thats what I believe. Fortunately, the situation was resolved quickly.

I knew Professor Fernandos values well. His earlier dismissal was a test of sorts, but now, his words were sincere.

Like any teacher, she also prefers disciples with exceptional talent in magic. I may have lacked talent and only became a disciple because she favored me, but I believe shell like you a lot.

Considering what happened a little while ago, it was doubtful whether Professor Fernando really became her disciple because she favored him.

But that was beside the point.

Anyway, do you know what will be on the test?

Shed likely try to gauge your level. Ive heard that was the case for all the tests she has given; it was the same for me. Be prepared to be pushed to the limit.

Cant you give me a hint?

My advice wont be of much help. Its up to her. I had to memorize dozens of books in three days. I heard another disciple had to decode a magic circle with over a hundred strokes within three days.

Were there many who failed the test?

Most did. They were all average. I might be considered average too, but I was lucky.

In Magic Knight of Mrchen, there were no routes for the player to become a disciple of Aria Lilias.

Luce, who was not limited by the knowledge of the game, gave me the solution of becoming Arias disciple. I wouldnt have thought of such a solution on my own.

I had no idea what kind of test I would face, but from the examples given by Professor Fernando, it was clear that it was going to be quite difficult.

Three days

Perhaps the only thing they had in common was that it was that they had a duration of three days.

...Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Professor. We will be on our way.

I politely thanked him and then left the Professors office with Luce.

Isaac.

Yes?

I want to take this opportunity to say, your talent has excellently bloomed. You are a disciple I can be proud of.

Sniff.

To think Id receive such warm words from him.

Feeling pleased, I flashed Professor Fernando a bright smile.

With your abilities, you could contribute to the advancement of magical technology. If you have such aspirations, I hope youll have time for me next time

Ill see you in a week.

I grabbed Luces wrist and promptly left.

Did you really think I wouldnt notice the blatant attempt to recruit me as a teaching assistant?

The thought of becoming a graduate student hadnt crossed my mind, not even a little.

Isaac.

Walking through the halls of Orphin Hall, I stopped and turned to Luce when she spoke.

Maintaining her poker face, Luce only extended her fingers to make a V sign and placed it next to her face.

Ta-dah.

She wanted credit for the success of our plans.

Thanks. Youre the best.

I gave her a big thumbs up, and Luce grinned.

I met the requirements to learn the 7-star ice spells [Icebolt] and [Perennial Snow].

The condition of being level 120 and above had been met after I defeated Elmetona the Ethereal.

However, that didnt mean I could immediately use those spells. These conditions were merely the prerequisites.

Spells like [Ice Wall] and [Frost Explosion], which only required complex mana mastery and simple calculation, could be used right away after fulfilling the learning requirements.

The level of difficulty spiked significantly from 6-star onward.

It felt like jumping directly from an undergraduate to a Ph.D. program that requires highly complex calculations.

The only reason I somehow managed to learn 6-star magic while solely relying on self-study and the occasional help of others was due to me maxing out my potential. However, the difficulty of 7-star magic was on another level.

If only it were like a game where I could just type in commands to execute a skill but I was done complaining about that last year. Id have to study hard.

Now, if only the Tower Master of Hegel could help me learn 7-star magic, everything would be perfect.

Pass the test first? Id make it through somehow. Gritting my teeth and forcefully achieving my goals was my specialty, after all.

So, I could only hope that the Tower Masters teaching skills were on par with a top-tier instructor.

I hope to master it before I have to confront Alice.

The final event of Year 2 Semester 1, Alice Subjugation. Most of the enemies were human. There were too many enemies for Dorothy to handle by herself, so it was inevitable to divide the roles.

It was unpredictable what variables might arise.

At the very least, I needed to be capable enough to have a fighting chance against the Paladins. For that, high-level spells like 7-star magic would be necessary.

Also

I also need to prepare for The Abyss.

The boss during my third-year. The demon that transcends even providence, The Abyss. Its chains were already loosening.

As mentioned before, the appearance of the Abyss would trigger the bad ending for Eternity.

Those devoured by the Abyss gained eternal life inside its body and must live in solitude in an infinite prison.

Eventually, those who lost their self-awareness were stripped of their souls, and the Abyss would forever play with those souls like toys.

The soul would forever experience acute pain with a vivid sense of awareness. By then, it would be irreversible.

Hence,Eternity. A fate worse than death.

To defeat the Abyss, we must unleash a power that transcends providence.

Something like Ian Fairytales acquisition of the ultimate weapon of the light element, Luminous Sword, in Year 2 Semester 2.

However, what if the Abyss appeared before Ian obtained the Luminous Sword?

...I have to do something.

The one who was loosening the reins of the Abyss was the final boss of Year 3 Semester 1, Mephisto the Contractor. Or, more accurately, his power.

If Mephisto was aware of the existence of the Nameless Hero and started unleashing the Abyss early

I had to equip myself with the firepower to take down the Abyss as soon as possible.

What are you thinking about, Isaac?

Just what kind of test it might be.

I quickly composed myself and smiled in response to Luces worried voice. I should really pay more attention to my expressions. Though it might already be too late.

With her sharp eyes, Luce had already read my emotional state. The fact that she quietly moved closer to me said it all.

Im glad I can join in.

Ill protect Isaac.

Luce whispered as if to reassure me

* * *

Are you alright, Priestess?

I thought I said not to enter without permission.

But you havent eaten anything for three days.

I know that. I dont care, so just leave.

...Understood.

In the private room of the Academy Hospital, Mei growled as she sat on the bed and looked out the window. The escort wizard left the room with a worried look.

The room was filled with lonely silence once more. Mei looked down at her body.

It was wrapped tightly in bandages. She was still in intense pain.

Mei gritted her teeth and clutched the blanket tightly. She couldnt understand why things had turned out this way.

The Nine-tailed Fox had left. The moment the magic beast revealed the truth or found Miya, it would all be over.

If the forces escorting her were to head to the Eastern Nation, they too would soon come to know the truth.

The situation was dire. Things might improve if Miya forgave her, but that was doubtful.

It was practically certain that the Eastern Nation would turn against her. Her only option was to flee.

Yes, to avoid the worst possible future, she would have to escape to a foreign country and live in hiding. The sooner, the better.

Damn it

A small flame sparked and flickered from her hand.

When she fought Isaac, her powers were drained by a demon. It would take over a week for her condition to improve.

In the end, she had to manage with her weakened body for the time being.

During the semester, the academy was closed off from the outside world. There were only two routes off the island, the land bridge and the port.

To pass through the land bridge, she had to break through strict security. Unless she dropped out or received a royal command, breaking through was difficult.

And since she had to be disciplined after her treatment, her request to withdraw from the academy would be withheld until she received her rightful punishment according to the academys regulations.

Her only choice was the port. The port was only open to students during vacation. Sneaking onto a cargo ship and hiding inside would be her only way out, but she would have to sneak past the detection network spread across the ship.

In other words, all escape routes were blocked.

At this rate, she could only wait while twiddling her thumbs until the Eastern Nation learned the truth and asked the Zelver Kingdom for cooperation to hand her over.

Im sick of this

As Mei pondered ways to escape, she trembled with frustration.

A deep sense of despair washed over her.

Im so sick of this

Outside the hospital room door, the escort wizard lowered her head and listened quietly as Mei sobbed.

***

In the middle of the night.

A middle-aged man was staggering home, drunk. It was a small village on the outskirts of the Zelver Kingdom.

There were low-rise residences surrounding him.

It was very dark at night in such a small town. Since most houses were unlit, the man had no choice but to rely on the moonlight as he walked. However, because of his drunkenness, the darkness didnt bother him much.

He hiccuped continuously, humming a tune to himself. As he walked, he noticed a woman in a black cloak staggering towards him from the opposite direction. He wondered if she was also drunk.

Even in the dark, the fluttering cloak and the womans curvy silhouette caught the mans eye.

Intoxication made it difficult to exercise self-control. Giving in to his rising desires, the man spoke to her.

Hey, Miss Your body is really nice, hic.

The woman in the black cloak stopped in her tracks. Her face was hidden under the hood.

Was there such a fine woman in our village?

She turned to look at the man.

Uh, uh?

As soon as the man saw the womans face under the hood, his eyes widened in shock, and he froze in place.

Aaaack!!

The effects of the alcohol dissipated. He screamed and stumbled back before running away in a panic.

She did not bother to chase after him.

The moonlight illuminated the womans face. The gnawed flesh, torn eyelids, white eyes, and pale skin. She looked like a corpse.

She staggered across the village again, her black cloak fluttering with dark magic.

She left the village, climbed the mountain, and entered an abandoned church. It was crumbling and had no ceiling.

Inside, corpses dressed just like the woman stood in orderly rows facing the altar as if they were devout believers.

In the ancient altar, a coffin oozed with dark mana.

[Gwaaaah!]

[Gueeeek!!]

A chilling aura was emitted from the gathered corpses inside the church, converging towards the coffin.

Rattle.

The coffin, concentrated with power, opened, releasing heavy mana.

Something arose. A skeleton about 2 meters tall, draped in an elegant black robe. It unnaturally floated up from the coffin, then softly stepped onto the ground, scattering dark mana.

From its hollow eye sockets, a terrifying mana shone like eyes. In its right hand, dark mana condensed into the shape of a staff.

A large magical staff embedded with a purple mana stone. It was his magic weapon.

[Arise.]

A strange, deep voice.

Kooooo

The ground rumbled. An entity that should not have awakened stirred to life, spreading vile mana all around.

Countless human cries echoed as something buried beneath the ground shattered the mound of soil, shooting toward the night sky.

It was a black dragon made of darkened human corpses.

It was the Evil Dragon Orchis, who had been defeated by the Great Witch of Heavens Wrath and Thunderbird Galia.

[Praise him.]

The corpses bowed their heads in unison to greet their master.

The Lord of Death. The demon, Calgart the Necromancer.

He has awakened.