Alice (1)

Heavy snow fell on the quiet campus.

Professor Fernando Frost looked up from his papers and lightly rubbed his bleary eyes. He looked out the window and saw Märchen Academy covered in snowflakes.

It would have been a very nice view… If it weren't for the Floating Island.

The snow-covered landscape became a trauma of sorts for Fernando, filling him with a subtle sense of unease. The academy grounds had been exactly like this just before the gigantic island appeared after all.

What came to mind after the Floating Island was the Black Monster, an Archwizard now referred to as the Nameless Hero.

It, who appeared suddenly at Märchen Academy and went around wiping out the demons, was now known to have slain the black tower demon that appeared in the Astrea Duchy.

This meant that its scope of activity was not limited to Märchen Academy. It seemed to be able to move around quite freely.

And now, it was winter vacation.

The words of Aria Lilias, the teacher of Fernando, came to mind.

─'I assume you have already guessed it, but that monster is probably one of your students.'

"My… student…"

If the Black Monster was one of his students, who could it be? Considering that the demons have appeared since the start of this year, there was a strong possibility that the Black Monster was a freshman, but even that wasn't definitive.

Of course, it wasn't a problem for him to worry about, as even the Imperial Knights were involved. As the youngest professor, he had a multitude of work to do during winter vacation.

He needed to revise next year's class materials based on the active research results of the Magic Towers.

Just by the preparation for entrance exams, preparation for next semester's class evaluation assignments for each grade, research, writing a thesis, and preparing for threats such as demons…

…He was about to spend his entire winter vacation on all sorts of miscellaneous work.

Back then, the topic of school closures was discussed in depth at a faculty meeting. It was due to the frequent appearance of demons. But now, that topic had faded into the background.

Out of all the things they could have done, the Imperial Family stepped in and sent the Imperial Knights, saying, 'We shall ensure the students their opportunity of receiving education, despite the disaster that may arise due to demons.'

In other words, the faculty were told to not close the academy.

'And.'

The Imperial Princess, Saintess, and Priestess.

A situation in which many of the world's most influential people applied for the Märchen Academy entrance exam.

Just planning the curriculum and preparing for potential risk factors to ensure the safety of students was enough to fry the brain.

The presence of the noble students was a great burden to Fernando, who was preparing for the entrance exam. And something even more peculiar was that this year's entrance exam was personally approved by the Headmistress, Elena Woodline.

Fernando sighed.

"Ugh…!"

Knock, knock.

A knock was heard on the office door. When he heard the sound of a zombie outside the door, Fernando realized that it was a graduate student.

"Come on in."

The door opened, and Marco, a male assistant with brown hair, entered the room. His face bore the appearance of someone not among the living.

Marco approached Fernando, with his creaking body, holding a bundle of documents.

The gaunt arm placed the pile of documents on the desk.

"Is it done?"

"Ughhhhhhhhhh…"

"Good work. For your next one, you know the rest. It must be done before the entrance exam."

"Gueughhhhh…?!"

With nothing more to say, Fernando went straight to the point and handed Marco a bundle of documents with his telekinesis magic.

Marco screamed, felt dizzy, and stumbled for a moment, but as an assistant, he had no other choice.

He left the office, trudging along.

Although it was early in the morning, he would stay up all night once again.

***

[I see you often, child.]

The cave of the Trial of Sandstone was still filled to the brim with rock mana.

The spacious cave was mostly occupied by the mountain-like alligator snapping turtle.

Rock element 8-star magic beast, Stone Turtle – Gormos.

Gormos welcomed me with a voice like that of an old man.

"Hi."

[I have come, Gormos!]

I greeted Gormos along with Hilde, whom I summoned in the form of a small baby dragon.

Yesterday, I introduced Hilde to Gormos. Unlike Hilde, who showed signs of excitement, Gormos was calm and gentle, as if he were a wise man who knew everything.

"Weren't you bored?"

[Bored you say? I used to enjoy contemplation, but these days, I have not had a chance to do so because of all the commotion you two create.]

Gormos answered, glaring at me with angry eyes.

[Stone Turtle – Gormos] Psychology:

[Very pleased to see you.] 

What a tsundere.

"Don't worry, I'll come here often."

[I shall come often!]

[Huh…?]

He clicked his tongue as if he were ridiculed, but he didn't say not to come back.

"It's fine if I bother you again today, right?"

[Hmm… Since it would be unsightly to say no to such a pitiful child, I have no choice.]

What the magnificent and gentle tsundere meant by those words was that he just wanted to play with me.

"Thanks."

I put Zhonya's Staff on the ground, did a slight warm-up, then picked it up again.

I then accelerated the flow of mana within my body, took a deep breath, and prepared for battle.

Kududoom, kuung, kuung.

Rock mana gathered in front of Gormos, and the rock armor crackled and joined together to form the shape of a golem.

Five golems about 4 meters tall. Behind those was a giant golem nearly 7 meters tall.

They were all rock minions created by Gormos after assessing my level.

[Guwaaak!]

As the biggest golem roared at me, a smile formed on my face.

Yes, this is it.

I couldn't have Gormos as my familiar yet. The one 8-star familiar contract circle I owned was used for the contract with Hilde… Also, I was currently unable to defeat Gormos.

However, even though the Stone Turtle wasn't my familiar right now, there was still a way to use it effectively. This was where those minions came into play.

They were real opponents with physical bodies. Thanks to this, effective training became possible, far surpassing what could be achieved with demonic illusions.

'If that guy were my familiar, this would have been an unimaginable sight.'

In other words, it's damn good.

I couldn't beat that 7-meter boss golem last time, but this time I'd definitely get it done.

Thump, thump.

The golems simultaneously rushed towards me, fiercely swinging their fists. When I dodged their attacks, they would skillfully cast rock magic.

Then, I would counter with ice and rock magic.

Hilde watched me from atop Gormos' shell, but I didn't have the leisure to focus on her.

Booooooom!

I got hurt, rolled over, became covered in dust, and dodged, all while pouring magic into destroying the golems.

This is intense. I can't take a breath.

"Sigh."

However, the more difficult the training became, the more effective it was, and the more efficient I became at it, the greater the rush of ecstasy I felt.

Although it was obviously immensely difficult and painful, I was filled with joy when I thought of how powerful I would become with every golem destroyed.

Kua-ka-kang!

This is FIRE.

***

Isaac.

When he exchanged greetings, he looked as gentle as a puppy, but his eyes turned cold-hearted as soon as he entered battle.

Hilde and Gormos watched Isaac as he fought a fierce battle with the group of golems.

As the battle continued, his sense of combat, elemental firepower, and mana mastery were improving at a remarkable rate.

[…Fascinating.]

Gormos unintentionally expressed his sentiments.

Hilde, the Frost Dragon in the form of a small baby dragon, stuck her head out and looked down at the head of Gormos.

[What do you mean, Gormos?]

[That child.]

Gormos blinked its eyes as it quietly watched the fierce battle, with flashy elemental magic being cast here and there.

Though he was still weak, his talents were clearly those of a genius.

Nor did he spare any efforts.

Plus the aura of the Ice Sovereign…

[As I live and breathe… What on earth is that kiddo?]

[Well, I see him as the reincarnation of the Ice Sovereign.]

[…Why do you think so?]

[What other explanation could there be? Yes, Gormos, the Ice Sovereign must have reincarnated to meet me once again!]

Gormos hesitated on what to say to this foolish White Dragon and then let out a soft sigh. His large size caused the sigh to create a breeze.

[Your way of thinking remains romantic, Hilde. I have no idea what to say.]

[There is no need to understand. You just have to feel it in your heart.]

Quaaaaa!

The conversation between the two magic beasts was overwhelmed by the explosive sound caused by Isaac's [Frost Explosion].

As Isaac destroyed the biggest golem, he laughed as he fell from the air, seemingly filled with a sense of accomplishment, as if to say, 'I did it.'

Gormos could not take his eyes off that child.

What suddenly came to mind was the image of the Stone Sovereign, who was full of competitive spirit. The former master who always sought to grow stronger and preferred to fight against the strong.

[You just have to feel it in your heart…]

Gormos quietly pondered what Hilde had said.

***

"I feel like I'm dying…"

Evening. The ash-gray sky continued to pour down white snow nonstop.

I crossed the campus covered in snow assisting myself with Zhonya's Staff. My whole body was sore…

I almost shouted out of cheer with a sense of accomplishment when I defeated the 7-meter golem that Gormos had summoned.

But when I was owned by the 10-meter golem that appeared right after, I had nothing else to do but gnash my teeth in frustration.

I heard there were also compression-type golems; I wonder how strong those things would be.

[Master, how about I help you out?]

"It's fine… You stand out. I don't have any mana left anyway, so I can't maintain your summoning."

Hilde was currently in my pocket in the form of a firefly.

This tiny creature was the symbolic White Dragon magic beast recorded in the mythology of the Whiteclark Duchy. She was way too noticeable to ask for help. If it were to be seen by anyone in the academy, it would be a disaster.

In the first place, I didn't have much mana left after dealing with the Gormos' minions.

If I summoned Frost Dragon Hilde or Eden in a large enough size to support me, my mana would be at risk of depletion. So for now, I would rather wait until recovery.

Well, it will be fine by the time we get to the dorms.

[I can now turn into a form that is not noticeable…]

What did you say?

[Oh!]

"Gah!"

Plop!

Ah, I fell. My legs were shaking and I lost my balance.

Buried in the snow, I raised my head, feeling the chill of the white snow.

"Argh."

I was smeared in dirt followed by being covered in snow.

After barely getting up, I brushed the snow off my clothes. Aww, my arms were shaking.

It was at that moment that I heard the crunching sound of snow being stepped on from behind. Did someone see me fall? That would be embarrassing.

"Are you okay?"

I then heard a soft and elegant voice. Somehow… it was a familiar voice.

"Oh, I'm fine. Thank y-."

As I turned my head to where the voice was heard, my eyes widened and I turned speechless.

Light gold hair.

A black and white patterned choker around her neck, and black and white earrings on her ears.

The gorgeous student lowered her torso and looked down at me with her light pink eyes that had the color of cherry blossoms.

She then put an umbrella over my head.

"Where did you roll around? Your clothes are a mess."

She elegantly swept her skirt once, squatted down with her knees together, and gently brushed the snowflakes off my hair.

For a brief moment, I stared at her with a dumb face, not knowing what to say.

She looked straight into my eyes with a soft smile.

"We've met before, right?"

The atmosphere sank heavily. It seemed as if the whole academy was holding its breath under the endless pouring of heavy snow.

It was Alice Carroll.