The Academy’s Weakest Became A Demon-Limited Hunter

Suddenly, an immense mana covered the entire area.

The people tending to the damage from the sea of iron were taken aback.

It was Isaac’s mana. No one in Aldreque could fail to recognize it.

The emanating mana itself was nearly as intense as physical force. People felt as if gravity itself had grown heavier.

Crackle!

An ice barrier suddenly sprang up.

Anyone who could sense mana would realize that no one here could break through that barrier.

The interior of the pale blue ice barrier was utterly opaque, making it impossible to see inside. Only the ground shaking and loud noises could be heard intermittently.

“What’s going on!”

“The Ice Sovereign has set up a barrier! We believe he’s engaged in a battle!”

The evacuees were still in the shelters.

Within the ice barrier, there was only Isaac and his mysterious foe.

Isaac likely set up the barrier to contain the damage.

“Everyone, get into formation and be ready to support the Ice Sovereign the moment the barrier falls!”

The Imperial Forces formed ranks near the ice barrier, readying for battle.

Just when they thought the incident was over, a wave of tension returned to Aldreque.

Meanwhile, within the ice barrier.

Isaac and Vuel were locked in fierce combat, darting along the walls and roofs.

Vuel could only fully utilize his abilities when armed. But unarmed, even with Divine Power, he was no match for Isaac.

Isaac, the pinnacle of power in this world, was a force that even the highest Heavenly Being couldn’t contend with unarmed.

[Is this a tantrum? Fine, that’s good! A justifiable reason!]

Vuel unfurled his white wings.

The two figures launched themselves from the rooftop, charging at each other.

Isaac threw a punch imbued with ice mana, while Vuel punched with Divine Power.

Boom!!

A powerful shockwave rippled out.

Isaac’s punch froze and shattered Vuel’s fist, sending half of his body flying. The difference in power was stark.

However, the missing parts of Vuel’s body quickly regenerated as light gathered.

Vuel launched counterattacks repeatedly, but it was all in vain.

Every attack was neutralized. Every strike was parried.

Without his immortality, even a hundred lives wouldn’t have been enough.

Crack!

Boom!!

Isaac grabbed Vuel’s head and plummeted downward, using [Frost Explosion] to blow up Vuel’s arms, legs, and wings.

Vuel screamed, but the destroyed parts of his body quickly regenerated as they were enveloped in light.

[So, you want to see this through to the end?]

Vuel asked, his voice brimming with anger.

The air resistance caused their hair and clothes to whip about fiercely.

“To the end? Are you confident you can handle that? It’ll be a problem for you too if your plan falls apart, won’t it?”

[You really do know everything, don’t you…! You arrogant wizard, how far ahead can you see? Why is it that you can even see what should remain hidden?!]

Crash!!

Isaac and Vuel crashed to the ground.

Vuel’s entire body was shattered into pieces, and Isaac rose, crushing the shattered remains beneath his feet.

The scattered pieces of Vuel’s body, infused with Divine Power, reassembled themselves, restoring him to his original form.

“I’m not sure. Right now, I just don’t want to deal with anything complicated…”

Bloodlust flashed in Isaac’s eyes.

“I wouldn’t mind seeing you get a little wrecked.”

Isaac launched another onslaught of attacks on Vuel.

Crack!!

And so, as Isaac continued his endless battle with Vuel, his mind wandered through his memories.

— The second method is for you to come to the ice lake. To come here alive and obtain the ultimate ice magic.

Something Dorothy said in the first timeline.

— You already knew. didn’t you? If you stay alive, you’re destined to become a disaster.

Words the Iron Fairy Rachnil had said to Dorothy.

Before long, he would have to confront the Nether King to reach the Ice Lake.

Isaac was certain. He couldn’t defeat the Nether King.

Even with the power of the status window, he couldn’t stand a chance against the Nether King.

Still, he would do whatever it took. To ensure this journey wasn’t in vain. He chose to believe that somehow, things would turn out alright.

He had been pushing forward with everything he had.

Why is everything falling apart?

The revelation that Dorothy’s survival would lead to catastrophe filled Isaac’s journey with deep uncertainty.

The thought of having to defeat the Evil God weighed heavily on him.

To cope with that pain and endure, he had no choice but to relentlessly drive himself forward.

That was exactly what Isaac had been doing. Even if it was hard to keep himself together, he had resolved to survive with everyone, because he had the power to do so.

But why, then, was Dorothy constantly being forced towards death?

— Are the two of you in love with each other now?

Whenever he recalled Dorothy’s words from the first timeline, Isaac felt a tightness in his chest.

Dorothy must survive.

Because she’s someone dear to me.

Because she’s a lovable and radiant person.

His insides churned like boiling water.

The fury he harbored was unleashed on Vuel, the damned Heavenly Being who had backstabbed him, derailed his plans, and almost caused countless deaths.

[I see…]

Vuel, grabbed by the throat by Isaac, steadied his breathing.

His body had been broken dozens of times, yet cruelly, his immortal form continued to regenerate.

Vuel was familiar with pain. His past was drenched in the stench of blood.

Isaac’s eyes were bloodshot, and even though he wasn’t weary, his breathing was ragged.

Vuel’s eyes narrowed, and finally, he understood.

[You… you’re bearing quite the burden.]

Isaac’s brow twitched.

Usually, it was difficult to truly understand another person. After all, past experiences weren’t something one could share with others. The best anyone could do was offer empathy based on similar experiences, something only those with intelligence could manage.

The pain and tears of the past stirred Vuel’s long-hardened sorrow. For a moment, he felt he could understand Isaac, just a bit.

It was as if he was seeing his own bloodstained past.

[Ice Sovereign Isaac.]

Vuel’s body became engulfed in a radiant Divine Power.

[I offer you my respect. Yes… I admire you.]

“…”

[But I can’t back down either.]

Vuel recalled the many comrades who had lost their lives.

[In a way, it’s a relief that you stand as our enemy.]

It was a relief.

If a man like this was his enemy, Vuel felt he could accept the outcome, whether his plan succeeded or failed.

“Shut up.”

Isaac coldly responded as he smashed Vuel’s head again.

***When I dispelled the ice barrier and walked out, the Imperial Forces greeted me with shocked faces.

I put on my glasses and offered them a reassuring smile before explaining the situation. I told them I had to deal with the remaining demons to secure the area.

Since it took some time, they seemed to think I had fought a very dangerous enemy, and the Imperial Forces showered me with praise.

They probably couldn’t sense the Divine Power.

It was masked by my own mana, after all.

Even if they did sense it, recognizing it as Divine Power wouldn’t be easy.

…He’s gone already.

Vuel had already left.

Anyway, any confrontation with him before the final day would be meaningless.

So, was that fight nothing more than me blowing off some steam? That’s exactly, right. That last fight was nothing more than that.

But I made sure he realized that I could bring him pain anytime. That was all that mattered.

It would’ve been nice if I could have restrained him.

I suddenly felt regret. I couldn’t completely neutralize Vuel, after all.

If he judged that he couldn’t carry out his plan and summoned the Heavenly God to escape, both he and I would suffer great damage.

I would be judged by the Heavenly God and lose my life.

Vuel and his subordinates would be punished for many years and miss the extremely rare opportunity when the Heavenly Clock and the Black Stone’s mana coincide.

It was like a game of chicken, where both sides were heading for disaster.

Yet, Vuel decided to remain at the academy, likely to keep me in check.

By now, he had probably changed his clothes and returned to his guise as Instructor Ronzainus.

I had no other option. I’d have to keep him under constant surveillance.

Isn’t there a way to trap him in a nightmare?

I quickly dismissed the thought.

Alice’s powers wouldn’t have any effect on him.

Even the nightmare power of the Vorpal Sword had its limits. It was useless against those who had transcendent strength.

Vuel was one of the highest-ranking Heavenly Beings. He was only holding back, waiting for the right moment. Among demons, he was on par with the likes of Thanatos the Ruination, or the Abyss. Naturally, it wouldn’t work on him.

Haa, whatever.

I was eager to get back to where the others were.

I quickened my pace.

At that moment, someone hugged me from behind.

I had already sensed their presence. I knew who it was, so I didn’t bother being on guard.

“루체?”

“Luce?”

I turned my head back. I saw a girl with rose-gold hair burying her head against my back.

She smelled nice.

I guess she changed her perfume.

The fragrance was subtle, but I recognized it instantly.

She was the one who had stuck by me the most during our time at the academy.

“What are you doing?”

“Becoming one.”

“You know, society calls this a ‘back hug’.”

“Doesn’t matter. Let me stay like this, just for a bit. Just a bit longer.”

Luce hugged me even tighter.

Come to think of it…

While Luce was a spectator, I was captured in the Iron Sanctuary.

Luce, a genius and formidable fighter would have immediately grasped the gravity of a malevolent fairy pulling me into the sanctuary. It must have been terrifying for her.

Without my knowledge from the game, I’d have been dead by Rachnil’s hand long ago.

I couldn’t imagine how worried Luce must have been. She cared about me a lot.

But…

“Luce, could you let go for a bit? Everyone’s watching…”

There were too many people around.

“Who cares?”

“I do. This is embarrassing…!”

“It’s fine. Just think of them all as fish.”

You can actually think that way? Impressive.

“Isaac.”

“Hmm?”

“I was worried.”

“Yeah… I’m sorry.”

“I was so worried.”

“Yeah.”

“I was seriously worried.”

“I know…”

Luce’s voice was as soft and beautiful as ever.

Her quiet whisper had a hint of bittersweet emotion.

“Don’t make me worry anymore.”

“I won’t.”

“I don’t trust you. You’re staying with me from now on.”

“Alright, fine…”

As Luce hugged me tighter, a helpless smile slipped out.

The tension from my fight with Vuel slowly faded away.

Luce’s embrace was warm.

***In the dead of night, on the top floor of Hegel Tower, inside Aria Lilias’ laboratory.

While Aria was inspecting the bookshelves, she felt something off and began examining the barriers that filled the lab.

“Huh?”

It didn’t take long for her to realize she’d been right to check.

One section of the barrier around the bookshelf was slightly disrupted. It was so faint she nearly overlooked it.

Someone tampered with the barrier and then restored it…

Aria furrowed her brow.

It had to be the work of someone highly skilled.

Could it have been an outsider? No. Anyone unregistered would have been caught themoment they stepped into Hegel Tower.

So, the intruder had to be someone with unrestricted access to this laboratory.

They were carefully selected, trustworthy individuals, and there were only a few of them.

Could it be Isaac?

…No. we’re more like comrades who share secrets.

If he was curious about something, he would just ask. He had no reason to sneak into this lab.

The wizards of the tower?

…No, they wouldn’t have the ability to pull this off. After all, Aria herself set up these barriers.

This was a feat that required exceptional skill.

They’d need to grasp the barrier’s structure, calculate the distortions, and wield high-density mana with excellent mana mastery.

Which means…

There was only one person it could be.

“Luce Eltania…?”

Luce.

For reasons unknown, she had secretly entered Aria’s lab with a clear goal in mind.

Aria had a bad feeling about this.

“Haa, a disciple who breaks trust so easily…”

Aria closed her eyes and let out a sigh.