The Academy’s Weakest Became A Demon-Limited Hunter

For the first time since I had transmigrated into this world, an unusually peaceful semester passed.

Mephisto had yet to be found. It was unclear where he was hiding or what he was waiting for, but his goal was obvious.

When the Evil God was resurrected, Mephisto would surely reveal himself.

If the Evil God was defeated, the lifeline of the demon race would be completely severed, leaving Mephisto with no chance of victory except by aligning with the Evil God. It was truly a last-ditch effort.

Although there was a chance of unknown variables arising, even after frequently using [Clairvoyance] to observe the Imperial territory and staying vigilant, no significant issues had been discovered so far.

We were also sharing information with other nations. They had promised to report to me if any unusual signs were detected.

There were two reasons for such a calm atmosphere.

First, the entirety of Acts 14 through 16, which were part of Semester 1 Year 3 of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ was skipped.

Secondly, we were conserving our power until the Evil God was resurrected.

They say the weather was clearest and calmest right before a storm. This passing moment of peace was the same.

“It’s been a while.”

“It has.”

I arrived on an island isolated from the continent together with Kaya Astrea.

It was Märchen Academy’s first campus, where I had stayed for two years after becoming Isaac.

We arrived quickly because we rode on Hilde.

It wasn’t entirely deserted like a ruin, since Imperial Knights dispatched from the Imperial court were guarding it.

I took a step forward.

“Sir Isaac, where is your business here?”

“Hmm… to meet my secret friend?”

“Secret friend?”

Kaya tilted her head in confusion.

I exited the campus gate and entered a forest marked by an old sign that read Restricted Area.

Following the path, I turned at an unspecified point toward a secluded area. From there, I crossed down a small hill and headed behind a tree marked with a cross.

There it was. A small, shabby shop nestled under a large tree.

“Huh? Since when was this place here…?”

“Since forever. I told you, it’s my secret friend.”

We entered the shop.

[Welcome to Monon Workshop.]

A magic beast in the form of a raccoon, wearing a wizard’s robe, greeted us from behind the counter.

“A raccoon…?”

Kaya was taken aback.

This was the secret shop.

It was a location that could only be accessed in the later stages of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, but since I was not bound by the game’s storyline, I had been using it since the early stages to purchase items like the Magic Cloak of Disguise - Berserker.

The shelves were lined with various unique magic tools, and several Magic Cloaks of Disguise were hanging around.

However, my interest wasn’t in the merchandise.

With a smile, I greeted the raccoon magic beast.

“It’s been a while, Monon.”

[Oh? Wow! It’s you, Isaac. Long time no see. Are you here to repair your magic cloak?]

The raccoon magic beast, Monon, pulled back his hood with his small hands to see my face and then completely removed it, smiling broadly.

Monon was a fire element brown raccoon magic beast.

“That’s not it. I probably won’t need to come back to fix it anymore.”

[Really? What a shame. It was kind of like your symbol, wasn’t it?]

“I don’t have a reason to use it anymore.”

I adjusted my glasses and smiled.

The Magic Cloak of Disguise outfit had been a means of surviving Alice’s threats.

Naturally, there was no reason to wear it anymore.

“Isaac, by secret friend, do you mean…?”

“Yeah, it’s him.”

As Kaya whispered secretly into my ear, I gestured toward Monon and answered.

[Is she your girlfriend?]

“Yes.”

“W-what? Huh?”

At my short reply, Kaya’s face turned bright red. Steam practically rose from her head like a hot spring symbol.

“G-girlfriend…? A girl… Ouch!”

Kaya stumbled backward and bumped into the wall with a thud.

She looked incredibly embarrassed.

It wasn’t intentional. I just answered like that since we liked each other anyway.

[You’re really doing it all and living your best life, huh?]

“Let’s move on from that. Your master still hasn’t returned, right?”

Monon gave a bitter smile and lowered his head.

[Yeah… Still seems busy. They’ll come back someday, I guess.]

Monon had a master he was waiting for.

Long ago, during the time when Monon was someone’s familiar, the master terminated their contract here.

The master said there were issues he needed to resolve and promised to return after addressing them, leaving Monon in charge of managing the shop in the meantime.

Monon was gifted books and materials filled with various workshop knowledge, which allowed him to develop expertise in crafting magic tools, alchemy, and more.

He even learned to gather materials himself, either by exploring the island or venturing beyond it.

He was resourceful enough to acquire rare materials for crafting magic weapons, such as the Armana Wand.

Since the shop was essentially an illegal establishment built on someone else’s land, it would have to be dismantled if Märchen Academy discovered it. Monon always asked visiting customers to keep the shop’s existence a secret in exchange for high-quality products at affordable prices.

I’m not sure if the academy knows about it or not.

Whether the academy was aware of the secret shop and chose to ignore it, or if they were completely oblivious, I didn’t know. It wasn’t mentioned in the game, either.

Well, I was confident there was no special reason behind it.

In any case, it had been over 60 years since Monon started waiting for his master.

It would’ve been nice if his master had returned, but he was beyond help now.

“Monon.”

I approached Monon and looked down at him seriously.

It’s time to get to the main point.

“Let’s get out of here.”

[Huh?]

Monon gave me a puzzled look.

“You haven’t had many customers lately, have you?”

[Ah, yeah… Did something happen outside? The shopping district has been empty and quiet too.]

“Before long, a ridiculously powerful creature will appear on this island. A monster capable of burning down the entire area with a flick of its finger.”

[I-is that true?]

Monon was visibly shocked.

“We’ll stop that monster somehow, but the island will inevitably become a battlefield. Staying here would be no different from choosing to die.”

[…]

“We’ve already evacuated most of the island’s residents, and we’re working to get the rest out. So you should…”

[Thanks for letting me know, but I’m afraid I can’t do that.]

Monon lowered his head and nervously tapped his soft, small hands together.

[Maybe… my master will come back before the monster appears…]

My goal was to evacuate all the residents of the island.

Monon was someone I had grown close to after visiting the secret shop numerous times.

Knowing his circumstances, I sincerely wanted him to escape safely as well.

“What if your master doesn’t come back?”

[…What?]

I voiced the unease Monon likely harbored. He raised his head and looked at me again.

It was a sad truth, but if his master hadn’t returned after 60 years, there must be a significant reason.

Perhaps his master had faced a catastrophic accident, already passed away, or abandoned Monon altogether.

The most likely scenario was abandonment.

At the time, Märchen Academy was at its original campus, the very place I had taken my end-of-semester evaluation for Semester 1 Year 1.

The distance between there and here was considerable, so the master probably assumed the academy wouldn’t notice.

Perhaps leaving Monon in the rundown location was their way of alleviating their guilt by giving him a foundation for a productive life.

However, I didn’t want to hurt Monon emotionally. I needed to persuade him gently.

“They might have been in an accident or something, you know? So let’s leave this place, Monon. Or I can help you find your master. I’d be more helpful than anyone else. If you just tell me what they looked like, or anything else…”

[I don’t remember.]

“…What?”

[I don’t remember what they looked like, what their voice was like… everything is blurry. If I saw them again, I’d definitely recognize them, but for now, all I can recall is that I was happy living with my master.]

Monon gave a faint smile.

But the smile vanished from my lips.

[So I have no choice but to wait for my master here. I want to see them again. That’s why I’ll stay here.]

“…Even if that means dying without ever meeting them again?”

[Then so be it. It’s my choice to make.]

Monon glanced around, a soft smile lingering on his face.

[And besides, I like it here. It’s the place my master left for me. Abandoning this place would be like abandoning everything I have.]

Every corner of the shop, which seemed like it could collapse at any moment, bore signs of countless repairs.

All of it was a testament to the life Monon had lived here.

[So even if my master never comes back, I’ll stay here. Thank you for the offer, Isaac.]

“…I see.”

I closed my eyes softly.

Monon’s resolve was firm so much so that there was nothing more I could say.

[Besides, I’ve got my own way of handling crises. I built a personal underground shelter. Even if that monster shows up, it won’t be a problem!]

The power of Evil God Nephid wasn’t like a nuclear bomb. It was a force of annihilation. It could scorch the land and evaporate even the sea. An underground bunker would be meaningless against it.

However, I didn’t intend to let the Evil God destroy the island so easily. I would stop it, no matter what it took.

“Isaac…” Kaya called out to me in a troubled voice.

When I looked at her, her eyes seemed to ask if it wouldn’t be better to force Monon to evacuate.

I shook my head. I had the power to read emotions. Forcing Monon to evacuate would be no different from suppressing his will.

My choice was to respect him.

“Alright, then if something dangerous happens, hide underground immediately.”

[Will it be obvious when the monster shows up?]

“Very obvious. It’ll make a grand entrance.”

[Haha! Great! What a polite monster!]

Monon laughed quietly.

[Oh, I’ve got something for you! Take this.]

Monon took out an elegant box and opened the lid.

Inside was a neatly folded outfit.

It was an item I’d never seen even in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.

“What’s this?”

[My masterpiece! I don’t get why wizards always wear those cumbersome robes. This kind of outfit would be much better.]

“Why would you do something like this…?”

[Even if I’m out of touch with the world, did you really think I wouldn’t have heard your story? The Nameless Hero. I heard a wandering bard’s song in town once and realized it was about you. I was inspired by that tale and spent over a year making this. It’s the culmination of all the skills I’ve built up. Try it on.]

So that’s why it was something I’d never seen before.

I changed into the clothes Monon had given me.

How should I put it?

It gave off a clean, polished vibe. It seemed to pair well with the Cloak of the Radiant Wolf.

I slipped on the black gloves as well.

Kaya stared at me in a daze. The intensity of her feelings was so strong it was almost overwhelming.

[The effects include relaxation of your mana circuits and enhanced mana emission. Tempting, isn’t it?]

I didn’t expect to get an upgrade at a time like this.

“How much is it? I’ll buy it.”

[Just take it.]

“Why?”

[It’s a token of gratitude for looking out for me.]

“Still, I feel uneasy taking it for free.”

[Then do your best to protect this island. That’s enough for me.]

I nodded.

“…Thank you.”

I changed back into my regular clothes.

I took Monon’s gift along with the box.

Monon smiled and waved his small arms.

[It’s my way of thanking you for looking out for me. See you again!]

“See you again!” huh…?

I smiled and returned the farewell.

“Yeah, see you again.”

Kaya bowed politely, and we left the secret shop together.

While walking along the forest path, Kaya asked with a worried expression, “Isaac, are you sure about this? Do you really not want to evacuate your friend…?

“It would be the right thing to do, even if we have to do it by force.”

I had the ability to read the minds of others.

And I read Monon’s unwavering determination.

Monon already understood his situation better than anyone else.

“But that’s not the case here, there’s no need to act so forcefully.”

“Huh…?”

What kind of mindset had Monon carried while he dedicated himself to crafting magic tools and practicing alchemy for 60 years? I couldn’t even begin to imagine it.

However, there was one thing I realized only now after it had reached such great heights.

Monon wasn’t waiting for his master.

Unable to abandon this world on his own, he clung to a sliver of hope, wishing for someone else to sever it for him.

That was why I couldn’t say anything more.

“…”

Though I pitied Monon, I was determined to protect this place as best as I could.

This was my compromise.

「Final Act, Evil God Subjugation」was rapidly approaching