Chapter 98

EP.98 Joint Practical Evaluation (7)

The cave was suffocating, covered in frost and cold air.

The second-year girl with silver hair, Eve Ropenheim, could hardly believe the scene she had just witnessed.

Isaac, who had been skillfully working with the girls, who were much stronger than himself, to face Professor Philip, had effortlessly used a 5-star spell and achieved a complete victory, smoothly passing the fourth gate.

Now, she even doubted if he was really her brother.

Eve secretly followed Isaac.

Although the messenger had broken, no academic staff had arrived yet, and there was no one to immediately monitor her.

Bang!

She was startled by the sound of the ground breaking from a distance.

She gathered her composure again and slowly walked through the cave.

“……!”

Eve paused.

A powerful magic force, as chilling as a breeze, brushed past her skin.

As she moved forward, she saw a hole in the ground.

Before she could look down into it,

“Huh…!”

Eve witnessed something wriggling and covering the inside of the hole.

Crack──!

A sinister magic force, as rich as red wine and as beautiful as a ruby.

To Eve, it looked like something terribly unknown and frightening.

“Gulp!”

Eve stumbled backward in shock, landing on her buttocks.

She clamped her hands over her mouth to stifle the scream that was about to escape.

What on earth was happening down there?

It became quiet.

Eve cautiously peered into the hole. All she could see was the ordinary landscape of the cave.

Cold sweat trickled down her face. Eve swallowed hard.

There was something dangerous in the quiet space below the hole.

* * *

As the unique trait [Devourer of Evil] was released, my body became heavy again, and my magic power significantly decreased.

It's like feeling as if a robust young man suddenly became old.

Ding─♪

When the 'Level Up' system window appeared, I waved it away with my hand. Since I played the biggest role in defeating the frog demon, I must have gained a full amount of experience.

And my dear sister, Eve, couldn't have followed me this far. The messenger would have blocked her unless she was a fourth gate passer.

So, there's only one thing to worry about now.

'This is the problem.'

Kayah's devouring behavior.

The Kayah in front of me now is the devourer. The reason why the devourer had hidden deep within Kayah's heart was starting to become clear.

The current Kayah has devoured the formless Elphert.

Just like a once gentle dog that tastes blood and starts to show its wild nature.

Kayah, after tasting the demon, undoubtedly revealed her nature as a devourer, feeling a hunger for demons.

In other words,

'Did the devourer hide deep within Kayah's heart because of her hunger?'

The devourer instinctively felt a sense of crisis.

If the reason she couldn't feel satisfaction despite feeling hunger was because of this, it was entirely plausible.

“Kayah.”

“I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you, Isaac-sama.”

Her expression was bitter.

“Until yesterday, I wasn't sure… but now I know. I've become this kind of body. Now, I feel somewhat satisfied.”

She must be feeling doubt after devouring a demon.

I can understand why she looks troubled.

“…Is that so.”

“Huh? Is that it…?”

My calm reaction surprised Kayah.

“Let's go back now.”

“Isaac-sama, I just ate a demon….”

“I know.”

“Huh? What?”

I turned my back and started walking. She stood there for a moment, looking puzzled, then followed me with a confused expression.

There wasn't much to say. I had already sorted out my thoughts.

'Eating a demon and power-up? What a great deal.'

Eating a demon is nothing. After all, she used magic to eat it; there's no reason to feel disgusted.

If Kayah becomes even stronger and can help me in the final boss battle, it would be a great thing.

Then, what about after defeating the evil god Nephid? It's not really a problem.

It's just a matter of eating strong magic meat. The Astreang family can easily provide that.

Moreover, I know that the sexual fluids from a man with strong magic power can also give the devourer a sense of satisfaction if consumed or absorbed.

‘In <The Magic Knight of Merhen>, it was expressed subtly.’

Therefore, there's no need to worry about the devourer's hunger leading to tragedy.

“Is, is it not bad?”

“Why would it be bad?”

“You just ate a demon….”

“Don't worry, I don't think it's a problem.”

“…….”

Kayah tilted her head, seemingly deep in thought, and then laughed softly.

It seemed her worries were immediately relieved, and she wore a satisfied smile.

Walking beside me, Kayah looked up at me with a lecherous expression.

“Then, Isaac-sama, shouldn't you give me a reward for devouring the demon?”

“What kind of reward?”

“Like holding my hand, or kissing my cheek, or hugging me tightly…! Anything more is also fine.”

Her playful tone. Kayah gently stroked her lower lip with her slender index finger.

Her usual affectionate voice remained.

“Control yourself.”

“…You're a stone.”

Disappointed by my firm reaction, she pouted and grumbled.

Kayah stared at me intently for a while.

Then, she tilted her head toward me and smiled contentedly.

“Still, I'm so happy.”

[ Kayah Astreang ]

Psychology: [I love you.]

Every time I use [Psychology Insight] on Kayah, I'm startled.

How can I feel any dislike when she loves me so deeply?

‘You’re so cute….’

I subtly covered my rising smile.

I sang the national anthem in my heart to calm myself down.

“…Isaac-sama!”

At that moment.

I suddenly felt an aggressive magic force.

「Ice Spear (Ice Attribute, ★4)」

Swish──!

“……!”

An ice spear flew toward Kayah from above!

It was unexpected.

「Wind Generation (Wind Attribute, ★1)」

Whoosh──!

Kayah quickly dodged backward, creating wind around her body.

The [Ice Spear] embedded itself in the ground. From its trajectory, it seemed to have missed Kayah by a bit.

It didn't seem to be aimed at piercing her.

“Isaac!”

Taking advantage of the moment, she swung her silver hair.

A girl in a school uniform, wrapped in wind, descended from the ceiling, blocking between me and Kayah.

Her silver hair tied to the side, red eyes.

‘Sister?’

Out of nowhere, Isaac's sister appeared.

[ Eve Ropenheim ]

Lv: 87

Race: Human

Attribute: Ice, Wind

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [I want to protect you from Kayah Astreang.]

Eve, facing away from me, glared at Kayah and took a defensive stance.

“Isaac, are you okay?!”

What do you mean, 'okay'? Who are you to ask…?

‘Where's the messenger? How did she follow me here?’

Considering the timing, Eve must have come here without passing the fourth gate.

It should have been impossible, as the messenger would have blocked her.

‘…Could it have been damaged during the fight with Professor Philip?’

The power struggle between Kayah and Professor Philip was extensive, so it's possible.

How could it be so sloppy?

“There was such a sinister magic force… hiding in the academy.”

“Who are you?”

“You, you…!”

She was flustered.

I don't understand why she's suddenly so aggressive, even though she was secretly following me.

Kayah's eyes glinted with a murderous intent. However, Eve suppressed her fear and didn't avoid Kayah's gaze.

“You, you're not scary at all! Do you know about the two-headed hound Helga? That ferocious demon is my familiar! Besides, I have a 7-star protection spell! If you touch me, my subordinates hidden in the academy will get your information! And I have a reflective spell too! Dangerous, me?! If you attack me, you're finished!”

Her words were childish…!

No matter how she talks, it's obvious that she's lying.

Poor Eve, her voice was trembling as much as her legs.

Whoosh──.

Kayah's pale green wind began to fiercely surround the area.

The immense magic force pressed against her skin. Eve's trembling intensified as she felt fear.

“…You're making me sound like a bad person.”

“H-Huh! H-Hey! Why don't you hide that strange magic force? I felt an enormous magic force just now. I sensed the presence of a demon and confirmed a spell that only a demon would use. You, you're a demon, right? Yeah, the black monster is also known to be a demon…! You're the black monster, right?!”

Eve, making a fuss, caused my hand to instinctively touch my forehead.

Eve Ropenheim.

Her silver hair tied to the side and red eyes. In my memory, she was a repulsive NPC who suffered from severe pathological lying and delusional disorder, spouting lines that were clearly lies.

Her eyes lacked vitality, and her mind seemed far from sane.

Moreover, when she showed a two-headed doll and growled “Grrr.” by herself, it was quite terrifying.

Naturally, no one stayed around her. She was always alone.

‘But, her condition is much better than what I saw in the game, right?’

The lies she was telling now were rather cute. She wasn't the pitiful girl in the game whose mind was already broken.

She pointed at Kayah with the wooden staff in her hand. Her hands trembled so much that she had to hold the staff with both hands.

Despite her body being overwhelmed by fear, her eyes were filled with a strong will not to back down.

“Do you think I would trust a demon? No matter what you're planning, if you touch my brother… I won't forgive you.”

‘…Huh?’

What?

She was flustered.

You won't forgive me if I touch you? That's clearly a statement on my side.

‘Weren't we on bad terms?’

Isaac disliked his sister. Although I don't know the details, I clearly felt that emotion during the Frost Trial.

Was there some misunderstanding?

First, I understood the situation.

I need to resolve it.

“Whoever you are… I can't tolerate you attacking me and trying to take Isaac-sama. No matter what reason you give, this is crossing the line….”

“This person is my sister.”

I placed my hand on Eve's shoulder and said.

“Huh?” Eve looked up at me, her confusion evident. She seemed surprised by my sudden touch on her shoulder.

“…What?”

Kayah, not understanding the situation, asked with a puzzled look.

For a while, she alternated her gaze between me and Eve, then noticed the similarity in appearance and opened her mouth wide.

Soon, her expression turned to shock.

She looked like someone who had made a big mistake, with a very bad expression.