Social Gathering (2)

"Isaac… He must absolutely be recruited."

Within Märchen Academy, there were a total of five factions that could influence how the Magic Department ran. Excluding the student council, the remaining four were known as the Four Constellations, each of which were fittingly named after a constellation.

The Black Tiger.

The Blue Wolf.

The Golden Eagle.

The Red Elephant.

The balance of power between the Four Constellations shifted based on the results of the student council elections. Depending on which faction the president originated from, the influence of that constellation would grow.

For example, the student council president Alice Carroll was affiliated with the Golden Eagle constellation, meaning they currently possessed the greatest authority among the Four Constellations. Some members of the Golden Eagle were also a part of the student council.

Since the constellation affiliated with the student council president tended to monopolize power, the academy also granted a certain level of authority to the other constellations. This allowed the other constellations to keep the student council in check.

As a member of the student council, one could wield immense authority at Märchen Academy. Moreover, it granted a tremendous amount of recognition following one's graduation from the academy.

To understand why Isaac received an invitation from the Four Constellations, we have to go back a few days after the conclusion of the Hunting Evaluation.

'Elephas Hall' occupied a corner of Märchen Academy. In front of the courtyard, the sight of the spinning water wheel accompanied by the blooming trees created a landscape reminiscent of an eastern nation.

In that place stood a towering wooden building. It served as the headquarters of the Red Elephant constellation.

A red elephant that symbolized the organization was engraved on the office walls.

Seated behind a desk in that office was a muscular man, accompanied by a pair of female secretaries with lifeless eyes.

With his dark red hair and intimidating aura, it was hard to believe that the man seated behind the desk was a student.

That man was the leader of the Red Elephant Constellation, 'Malrog'.

A female student with glasses stood in front of him and stuttered as she spoke.

"W-we absolutely must recruit him before the other constellations…!"

Eva Hielov, who gathered information for the Red Elephant faction, appeared visibly tense.

It was a result of the pressure being evoked by Malrog, enhancing her fear that stemmed from the first semester.

Soon, the Four Constellations would be able to recruit first year students as members of their respective factions, causing an all-out war to acquire new talent.

In the first semester, Eva had recommended individuals to be recruited based on the information she had gathered, but she wasn't able to utter his name.

— Keep what you've learned between us if possible. Otherwise, who knows what Dorothy might do.

The words of Dorothy's white cat famiiar, Ella, echoed in her head, her intuition recognizing it as a threat.

However, Eva had already made up her mind over the vacation.

"Isaac? Who is that?"

Malrog questioned in a commanding voice.

It was clear to an outside observer that he was looking down on her.

It wasn't strange that Malrog had never heard Isaac's name before.

Isaac was only the subject of rumors amongst the first years.

Very few amongst the second and third years had even heard of his name.

"He… is an irregular existence."

A commoner that didn't even have a last name. A man considered to be the weakest of the weak.

However, he was no mere underachiever.

Luce Eltania, the overwhelming freshman top seat who was cold to everyone she faced, showed favoritism to Isaac alone.

Furthermore, the second seat Kaya Astrean and third seat Ciel Carnedas also sided with Isaac during the end-of-semester evaluation.

But the most surprising of all was that Dorothy Heartnova, the strongest powerhouse within Märchen Academy, also had a close relationship with Isaac.

Additionally, his growth was astonishing. Within just half a year, he had risen from Grade E mana to Grade C+. It was an accomplishment nobody would be able to deny. Now, nobody would be able to predict how much he would grow.

For that reason, Eva confessed everything she knew to Malrog.

"…"

As Malrog listened to Eva's confession, his eyebrows furrowed.

It was clear he was intrigued.

* * *

"This is unexpected."

[What do you mean?]

In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, 「Act 5, Chapter 1, Four Constellations」 would begin with Ian Fairytale receiving an invitation.

In [Act 5, Chapter 1], Ian would attend the social gathering.

In [Act 5, Chapter 2], he would befriend the disguised Leafa.

In [Act 5, Chapter 3], he would confront the Red Elephant faction as a member of the Blue Wolf faction.

In [Act 5, Chapter 4], Heinkel the Hoarder would infiltrate the gathering and fight against Ian.

Currently, [Act 5, Chapter 1] was about to begin.

Ian, alongside the player's chosen heroine, would spend a romantic evening at the social gathering, and face off against the Four Constellations for the first time.

Each respective faction would then engage in psychological warfare in an attempt to recruit Ian, who possessed the rare light element as their own.

'Although, where Ian goes has already been decided.'

Following the original scenario, he would choose the Blue Wolf faction.

This was because the leader of the Blue Wolf faction, 'Ray Rasmorgan', was an all-rounder gifted in both swordsmanship and magic. Ian's ideal.

Anyways.

At the central area of the social gathering, the Four Constellations would host an event for the students who had received invitations.

Whenever the time came, they would roll a ball filled with treasure. As students channeled their mana, the ball would roll in the direction where the greatest concentration of mana could be felt.

It wasn't that the treasure-containing ball had a will of its own. It merely moved towards the student whose mana resonated best with the treasure inside the ball.

From there, Ian would receive another treasure known as 'Cherubim's Necklace.', which amplified the power of his light magic.

The reason such an overpowered item was given as a reward at a mere social gathering was simple.

While it may have seemed like nothing but a pretty trinket to others, its true value had not yet been recognized.

This was because the light element had not appeared within the academy until now, preventing others from grasping the true radiance of the item.

If worn by a demon, it would transform into a 'Fallen Angel's Necklace', amplifying the demon's abilities instead. Consequently, some clever demons attempted to steal the necklace during the second semester.

Well, Cherubim's Necklace was nothing more than a trinket for me, but Ian absolutely needed this item. Therefore, I had to find a way to smoothly give him the necklace without any variables arising.

It was night. I was currently at Briggs Hall viewing the contents of the invitation sent to me by the Red Elephant faction, noting the fancy decorations attached.

As I commented on the strange situation, Hilde questioned me about it.

She had transformed from a small orb of light to something that resembled a flickering flame. Within its form, I could see her pale blue eyes glisten.

Her transformation was likely due to my increase in mana.

"It seems like Eva Hielov sold me out."

[You must be talking about the Four Constellations you spoke of last time.]

The contents of the letter were filled to the brim with information on 'Isaac'.

You are a promising individual whose Mana Grade has risen from Grade E to Grade C+ in only one semester. As well as someone who successfully cast 5-star magic as a first year student.

To you, who has reached such heights in this short period of time, I offer you my respect…

'What a load of nonsense.'

The Red Elephant faction only pursued their own interests. Even though my rate of growth might be much faster than the other students, that alone wasn't a reason for them to send me an invitation.

'I'm sure it was Eva who convinced them to recruit me.'

I knew each person responsible for gathering information amongst the Four Constellations. For the Red Elephant faction, it was Eva Hielov.

'The reason they sent me an invitation is probably because of Luce.'

While there had been some rumors circulating about Luce and I having a certain relationship, it was nothing more than baseless gossip amongst the first years.

Perhaps the Red Elephant faction believed that if they recruited me, Luce would follow. Eva's persuasion likely played a key role in that.

'…Maybe she really would.'

The more I thought about it, the more I could imagine Luce following me…

In the original story, Luce didn't join any faction, as it would restrict her freedom.

She truly was exceptional.

"…"

I leaned back in my chair and deeply pondered the situation.

I had made a strong effort to keep a low profile, and I even planned to skip the social gathering to focus on training. I just wanted to make sure Ian had received Cherubim's Necklace using [Clairvoyance].

There shouldn't be any demons or variables during this part of the game.

Still, there was also no guarantee that the story would follow the original…

'I'm being too complacent.'

My goal was to prevent any and all bad endings, meaning I always had to be focused on the progression of the main story.

Based on my knowledge of the game, I considered all possible variables and potential outcomes.

From there, I thought about my potential courses of action. I had to be as cautious as possible, yet also assume that the worst-case scenario would happen.

Just when I had come up with a plan, Hilde asked me another question.

[What are you planning to do now? I was under the impression that you wanted to avoid drawing attention from the Four Constellations?]

I had informed Hilde of many things regarding the academy. Although I hadn't expressly stated my ultimate goal of defeating the Evil God, Hilde already knew many things about me.

"To start, I have to investigate to see if anything concerning is happening. Since I have [Clairvoyance], I should easily be able to discover anything significant, like their stronghold."

I needed to see if Eva Hielov had stopped at just spreading my information, or if any dangerous variables arose with the disappearances of Heinkel the Hoarder and Leafa the Illusive.

I need to investigate as much as possible before the start of the social gathering.

"I have to go borrow some formal clothing since they'll be out of stock if I wait too long."

[The formal wear of this age…! Ahem, I want to wear it too.]

"…Sorry, I'll get you some when you can actually manifest your true form."

[…!]

[Frost Dragon Hilde] Psychology: [Excited for the day when she can wear a beautiful dress.]

Despite her current form resembling a flickering flame, I could see her two eyes sparkling with excitement.

I didn't understand why she was so excited over a dress, since her true form should be that of a dragon.

Nonetheless, I decided to understand her feelings. After all, she was still a girl. Later on, when she becomes a baby dragon, I should get her an improved version of the dress.

Before the social gathering began, my investigation of the Four Constellations was completed.

Naturally, I found out that the original story had already been significantly distorted.