The Academy’s Weakest Became A Demon-Limited Hunter

The final floor of the Iron Sanctuary was structured similarly to an Imperial audience chamber.

An entity with the appearance of a child was sitting on an iron throne made of swords.

Its two legs dangled and swayed above the ground.

It was Rachnil, the Iron Fairy.

On the path leading from the entrance to the throne, Iron Knights with great power were neatly lined up.

A vast space had been constructed behind the throne.

At its center, iron mana condensed into a cocoon-like form, glowing with a brilliant shine.

Iron mana swirled continuously, being supplied to that cocoon.

It was the heart of iron, in the process of being forged.

On either side of the throne stood two powerful Iron Knights with billowing cloaks.

All their gazes turned toward the two female students who had forcibly broken into the Iron Sanctuary.

[I didn’t expect to find the fairy’s kin in a place like this.

]Rachnil said with a smiling face.

Dorothy pointed her index finger at him and shouted, “Kid!

What are you doing?

Stop this right now!

”[Why?

]“Uh, because it’s scary!

We’re all going to die at this rate!

”[You don’t feel tension at all, do you…?

]Around Dorothy, a cluster of stars floated up, producing a light, clear chiming sound.

“I’m not joking.

If you don’t stop, there’s no other choice but to use force, right?

”[Starlight magic… Could it be that you’re one of that bastard’s kin.

]“What?

”Rachnil looked at Dorothy’s starlight magic and covered his mouth, but the excitement in his wide-open eyes couldn’t be hidden.

“Why are you laughing like it’s funny…?

”“Senior Dorothy, hold on for a moment.

”Kaya pushed Dorothy aside and stepped forward.

Realistically, the two female students had no chance of winning against Rachnil.

Sensing Rachnil’s mana, Kaya made a cool-headed judgment.

So while Rachnil underestimated them and relaxed, Kaya decided to extract useful information for Isaac through conversation.

Kaya’s green eyes fixed on Rachnil.

“You’re the iron fairy, right?

Why are you doing this?

”[Are you a kin of Isaac?

What’s your name?

]“Kaya Astrea.

”[Okay, Kaya Astrea.

I’m bored, so I’ll explain.

I’m planning to create a new iron nation and establish my power.

]“Why?

Why do you want to suddenly do such a thing?

”[Because I want to attain a higher level.

]Rachnil’s finger pointed toward the ceiling.

“A higher level…?

Are you saying you want to become something beyond a fairy?

”[Yes.

The more my domain expands and the more kin I have, the greater the power I will gain when I absorb them later.

]Suddenly, Kaya recalled the history of Sylphia, the Emerald Fairy.

She had made contracts with humans to establish a certain forest in the Astraean duchy as her domain.

So, fairies had such secrets…“Aren’t you already as powerful as you could be?

So, what would be the point?

”[Because I am going to kill Stella.

]Stella.

As that name left Rachnil’s lips, Dorothy’s shoulders flinched.

“What do you mean?

”Dorothy asked in a murderous tone.

Kaya cast a brief glance at Dorothy.

In Dorothy’s eyes, as if they held the Milky Way, an intense killing intent emerged like darkness.

Stella was the star fairy who saved Dorothy in the land of Oz and granted her the power of starlight.

Among the mysterious beings known as fairies, Stella was particularly mysterious.

Just as Sylphia, the Emerald Fairy, was a close friend to Kaya, Stella must have been a precious being to Dorothy.

Therefore, Kaya could understand the anger of Dorothy.

[Why are you getting angry?

Even if you’re one of Stella’s kin, shouldn’t humans avoid taking her side?

]“I’m asking what you mean.

”The cluster of stars around her became even more active.

At any moment, she was ready to manipulate physical force and crush the Iron Fairy Rachnil.

Kaya remained tense, quietly listening to their conversation.

[I see… You don’t know.

I’ve been out of touch with what’s going on in the world lately, so I didn’t fully grasp it.

]Rachnil pointed toward the ceiling.

[Stella caused a great catastrophe that harmed both your kind and mine.

Since most of your kind live such short lives, I guess it’s natural that you’ve forgotten such an old event.

]“A catastrophe?

Stella?

”[Foolish.

You’re all so foolish.

]Rachnil descended from the throne and approached Dorothy and Kaya.

Some of the Iron Knights transformed into mana and were absorbed by Rachnil.

Instantly, his physique changed to that of a 180 cm tall adult man.

With a clanking sound, iron mana formed the shape of greatswords in the air, and several greatswords floated around Rachnil.

[Indeed, such a foolish race.

]Rachnil’s voice deepened and grew thick.

Hostility filled Kaya’s eyes.

Her green pupils were tinged with crimson as she held a smile, simultaneously deploying both a blood magic circle and a plant magic circle.

“Do you mind not coming any closer?

We’re supposed to be keeping our distance, right?

”Now transformed into her ravenous persona, Kaya tilted her head to the side and warned in a voice filled with battle spirit and a hint of laughter.

Rachnil, with a surprised expression, stopped in his tracks.

[Amazing.

Kaya Astrea… Are you really embracing all that power, It’s as if you’ve been blessed with the very essence of life.

A terrifying talent.

]“Thanks for the compliment, but I have no intention of getting friendly with you.

”[Well, try to understand.

I’ve decided I want to tell Stella’s kin the truth, and you want to hear it too, right?

]Rachnil met Dorothy’s gaze.

[Do you know the criteria Stella uses to choose her kin?

]“I don’t know about that.

Stella is just my savior.

She saved me…”[Why did she save you of all people?

While the Land of Oz was massacring countless humans, why did she save only you?

]“…”In fact, she had a hunch.

She had desperately struggled to look away, holding on by thinking of Isaac.

But by now, too many clues had already been laid bare before Dorothy.

[Isn’t it an amusing tale?

]Rachnil gave a sly grin.

“Senior Dorothy, don’t listen to that nonsense.

If we just figure out the fairy’s motive…”“Kaya.

Thanks, but this is something Big Sis needs to hear.

”“What?

Wait…!

”Dorothy gave Kaya a smile, then took a few steps toward Rachnil before stopping.

“Tell me.

What are Stella’s criteria for choosing her kin?

Why did she make me her second kin?

”[Don’t you already know?

Or… do you just want confirmation from me?

]“Don’t bother with useless talk.

”[Fine.

I’ll tell you.

]Rachnil smiled broadly as he revealed the truth.

[The criteria Stella uses to choose her kin is ‘whether they have the qualities of a transcendent being’.

]“…”[The birth of a transcendent being causes tremendous ripples.

Stella’s first kin, Ozma, became a transcendent being while still alive.

Eventually, a terrifying catastrophe struck the world.

]The tale of how Stella’s first kin disappeared, and how earthquakes, tsunamis, and other disasters ravaged the world, was an old legend.

During that time, the world was upended, and many humans lost their lives.

In the face of the truth conveyed by the fairy, Kaya swallowed dryly.

[Where is Ozma?

What was her final fate?

What happened to her?

]“…She became a transcendent being, right?

”[Yes, she became a transcendent being of this world.

Stella had a plan, you see.

That bastard had to make her a transcendent being while she was still alive.

]“Why was that?

”[I don’t know that much.

I guess you’ll find out if you chase the stars.

]Rachnil’s gaze turned fierce and menacing.

[I don’t care about Stella’s plans.

All I know is that the catastrophe Stella caused damaged my domain.

‘Stella is a damn bastard,’ that’s all there is for me to know.

But Stella has already transcended the realm of fairies.

]“What do you mean by that?

”[You wouldn’t get it.

]Rachnil let out a soft “Haa,” as something came to mind.

[Oh, right.

There’s one person here who caught my interest.

I can’t forget to mention them.

]“Who?

”[The boy with the silver-blue hair.

Strong, for a human.

]Dorothy and Kaya widened their eyes in shock.

It had to be about Isaac.

The air felt like it was swelling, like a bomb on the verge of exploding.

The two female students looked ready to attack Rachnil at any moment.

[Come to think of it, that’s only natural.

Did you guys notice the immense being dwelling inside that boy?

]Rachnil stretched his arms out to the sides and shouted.

[That’s none other than Ozma!

]“What are you talking about…?

”While Kaya was confused and couldn’t understand Rachnil’s words, Dorothy stood with her mouth agape, feeling a surge of confusion.

“Ozma…?

”Dorothy recalled the unknown monster with countless eyes that she had seen within Isaac’s essence.

Within Stella’s unknown plan, Stella’s first kin.

A transcendent being emerged while still alive, and as a result, countless humans lost their lives.

Ultimately, the newly born transcendent being in the world, Ozma.

She had made Isaac’s essence her dwelling.

A shadow fell over Dorothy’s face, as complicated emotions engulfed her.

Why?

Why?

[Ah, that boy probably doesn’t even realize!

That the one who’s responsible for the loss of countless lives lies within him!

]“That has nothing to do with him!

”[What are you talking about?

Ozma and that boy are practically the same now.

From my perspective, she is him.

And in the first place, is that really something you should be saying?

]“What…?

”[Oh, Stella’s kin.

Why do you try to turn your eyes away from the truth?

]Rachnil snickered as he looked at Dorothy.

[You already knew, didn’t you?

If you stay alive, you’re destined to become a disaster.

One day, you’ll meet the same fate as the first kin.

You’ll bring forth a disaster beyond anyone’s imagination.

]In the academy plaza, when Dorothy’s starlight magic had almost gone out of control.

The time when the Elemental Kings had appeared, preparing to attack her, flashed through both Dorothy and Kaya’s minds.

Kaya urgently shouted.

“Senior Dorothy!

Don’t listen!

It’s all lies!

”[You must die.

You’re someone who has to die for the sake of everyone else.

]One after another, the transcendent powers Dorothy had realized passed through her mind like a panorama.

Even during the dark days of her muddy past, and when she was dying while battling the Floating Island, ready to sacrifice her life to unleash the overwhelming power of the 9-star spell [Last Light of a Dying Star].

Dorothy had always strived to shine.

But the realization that her survival could be the trigger for a catastrophe rendered her entire life, spent desperately trying to shine, meaningless.

It was a truth too hard for any human to accept.

“That’s nonsense!

You’re the one harming people…!

”[Stella’s kin and I aren’t in the same position.

I always planned to force many sacrifices.

Honestly, dealing with that shady Stella might be a long-term benefit for humanity.

]“You…!

”[Wow, look at that expression!

How does it feel to face the truth?

To have all those doubts swirling in your mind finally confirmed?

]Dorothy’s face darkened.

Rachnil chuckled slyly as he approached her.

[Let me see it, that wretched feeling when you realize you’re someone who must die…!

]And then…Boom!!!

The solid ground shattered, and shards of iron flew in all directions.

At the same time, a silver-blue-haired young man burst through the floor, grabbing Rachnil’s face with one hand.

Rachnil’s eyes widened in shock.

“Got you.

”The silver-blue-haired boy, Isaac, spoke in a cold tone.

His crimson eyes, filled with murderous intent, locked onto Rachnil.

From the hand that tightly gripped Rachnil’s face, a deadly, intense cold surged forth.

“President…?

”“Sir Isaac!

”Dorothy and Kaya were both stunned.

[Huh…?

]Rachnil couldn’t comprehend it.

For some reason, Isaac’s ice magic was working on him, despite being a fairy.

Unknown to him, Isaac’s mana had been imbued with his unique trait [Nightfalls’ Edge].

“While the floor regenerated in an instant, several greatswords floating in the air targeted Isaac, Isaac, without paying any attention, plunged Rachnil’s head into the regenerated ground.

Boom!!

[Ack!

]With a resounding crash, the incredibly hard floor caved in, and cracks formed.

It was terrifying, superhuman strength.

A cross-shaped vein popped out on Isaac’s forehead.

Despite the fury boiling inside him, his mind was calculating magic formulas at incredible speed.

The seven ice magic circles he had set up in the air fired [Icebolt], a 7-star ice spell, at the many greatswords targeting Isaac.

Crash!!!

The fierce cold shot out like lightning, splitting into several streams and shattering the greatswords all at once, causing violent explosions.

“You shouldn’t have deployed such a strong barrier, huh?

You couldn’t even sense my mana.

”Boom!!

Boom!!

Even as he spoke, Isaac cast Frost Explosion repeatedly into Rachnil’s face, which he held tightly.

The ground repeatedly distorted, and a bitter cold wind whirled around them.

Rachnil’s face, twisted in a grotesque grimace, was engulfed by the relentless pale blue explosions.

No one had the chance to see his expression.

[This bastard…!

]Rachnil grabbed onto Isaac’s arm and tried to struggle, but Isaac’s ice magic poured out with such force that it threatened to shatter even Rachnil’s arm.

The Iron Knights and numerous greatswords all aimed at Isaac at once, but he resisted by relentlessly unleashing [Frost Glitter] and [Icebolt].

The powerful, highly concentrated mana clashed, causing shockwaves to continuously spread outward.

No matter the status, fairies were also living creatures.

Rachnil also had a brain capable of thought and a body structure that could perform vital functions.

With Rachnil now thrown into confusion, Isaac planned to inflict as much damage as possible before Rachnil could regain his composure.

He couldn’t let his guard down for a moment.

Allowing even a single attack would result in a fatal wound.

“Senior Dorothy!

Kaya!

”Ian and Noah ascended the stairs, joining the girls.

Without speaking, they all silently agreed to help Isaac.

Crash!!!

Boom!!!

A barrage of divine sword strikes, dozens of blades forged from iron mana, waves of starlight, and a storm of blood all crashed down on Rachnil’s minions and weapons.

Rachnil’s greatswords were deflected, and the Iron Knights took defensive stances.

Meanwhile, Isaac, like a madman, slammed high-intensity ice spells into Rachnil’s iron body, determined to break it apart.

“Who has to die, you say?

”The blood vessels in Isaac’s eyes stood out, turning them red.

The overwhelming emotions in his chest made his icy voice tremble.

[Get out of the way…!

Agh!

]Boooom!!!

Rachnil’s rage-filled voice was drowned out by the deafening sound of [Frost Explosion].

The audience chamber of the iron sanctuary had turned into a freezer, with the fierce crackling of ice magic and iron magic clashing violently.

Isaac peered down at Rachnil, glaring.

His bloodshot eyes were filled with a cold rage and murderous intent.

“The one who has to die is you, Rachnil.

”To Isaac, Dorothy was someone who absolutely had to live.

No matter what anyone said, no matter how the world turned out.

Isaac could never allow Dorothy’s death.

“I’ll kill you, even if it costs me my life.

”The relentless onslaught of ice magic eventually caused cracks in Rachnil’s body.

For the first time, Rachnil was feeling a chilling fear towards a human.