The Academy’s Weakest Became A Demon-Limited Hunter

I had a long dream.

I went on a journey with the hero’s party, made up of people I liked.

We defeated many demons, and in the end, I became a hero who saved the world by defeating the Demon Lord.

When I returned after a long journey, the people praised me. My chest swelled with pride, and I basked in overwhelming glory.

I returned home in high spirits. I couldn’t wait to eat my mom’s soybean paste stew and stir-fried pork, and I wanted to brag about my heroic tales.

I entered the room, shouting, “Mom!” with a smile, only to find my room was a cramped studio apartment.

Next to the desk, thick books that I had read multiple times, with their pages worn thin, were piled up like a mountain. In the corner of the room, there was a single game console sitting idly.

It was then that reality hit me.

I was alone.

Looking at the calendar, it was the day I was to enter the Judicial Training Institute. Following the unconscious flow of the dream, I enrolled, completed my grueling studies, worked at a law firm, and eventually set up a small law office.

As I resolved the legal disputes of many people who visited the office, flowers bloomed, rain fell, trees brought greenery to the drab forest of buildings, the leaves fell, rain came again, snow fell, and the flowers bloomed once more.

Just when I had completely forgotten my time as a hero, a client came to the office.

It was a woman with a strange impression, neatly dressed in a black suit. I couldn’t even finish my greeting and just stared at her blankly.

Introducing herself as Stella, she spoke to me.

— Your journey isn’t over yet.

— It’s time to return to reality.

“…”

I took a deep breath and slowly opened my eyes. A familiar face came into view.

“Isaac? Isaac!”

The woman in front of me was sobbing, tears streaming down her face.

“Are you okay…? It’s me, your sister…! Eve…! You’ve finally woken up…”

It was Eve Ropenheim.

I couldn’t speak. The lingering emotions of the long dream were still with me, and my mind was still foggy.

Gradually, my memories of reality became clearer.

I remembered overexerting myself. The backlash from using excessive power was intense.

I could still feel Ozma’s power coursing within me. No, now I should call it my own power.

The covenant, once filled with lies in the form of a Status Window, was now meaningless. There was no longer any need to name a skill like [Psychological Insight], as I could now read the emotions and psychology of others clearly.

I had likely become the human closest to reaching the transcendental state.

How should I put it, maybe it was better to call myself an anti-Evil God battle weapon?

…That’s not a very romantic expression.

“President…!”

“Baby….”

“Sir Isaac…!”

“Isaac!”

“Senior Isaaaac… ughhh…!”

One by one, familiar faces appeared.

This wasn’t the time to stay still. I tried with all my strength to move my body, which felt as though it was pinned down by scissors. Slowly, my body’s cells began to wake up.

With a start, I sat up and awkwardly smiled at them.

“Good morning.”

I realized too late that it was actually night, but it didn’t matter.

And so, I regained consciousness for the first time in a month since I fainted.

***

Since my body was in perfect condition, I was discharged immediately.

I didn’t need any rehabilitation. Being unconscious for just a month was nothing for my body.

The Blessing of Abundance…

I heard everything about what happened after the end of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ 「Act 12, Winged Heavenly Being Subjugation」.

It happened just like the game.

The Blessing of Abundance. It was like a massive gift given to humanity, under the condition that the world wouldn’t be destroyed by the Evil God. We’d have abundant harvests for the next few years.

It’s all meaningless if the world gets destroyed anyway.

And compared to the atrocities Vuel was about to commit, this hardly balanced the scales. Not that there was any way to argue it.

Professor Daisy told me that I would take the final exam I missed soon, on my own.

Considering my contributions, it was only natural they made things convenient for me.

Professor Philip is safe too.

Once Vuel’s true identity was revealed, the academy’s faculty traced Professor Philip Meltron’s whereabouts and found him. He had been held captive at his home but was safely rescued.

Everything that I knew from the game had come to pass in reality, which gave me a sense of relief.

This is boring.

When I faced a group of demonic illusions in the training ground after a long time, their movements seemed too slow, and I couldn’t help but yawn.

It was winter break, so no one else was around, and I had the training ground all to myself, but I didn’t feel particularly satisfied.

What should I do…

I went to a corner of the Butterfly Garden, sat cross-legged, and focused on the mana circulating through my mana circuits while lost in thought.

The training methods I’ve used so far aren’t even close to enough.

It was because I had absorbed Ozma’s power.

Of course, without my past training, I wouldn’t have been able to defeat Ozma, but regardless, I had grown far too much now.

In other words, I needed to revise my training methods.

I still can’t use my power properly yet.

I couldn’t fully utilize Ozma’s power.

First of all, starlight mana wasn’t compatible with me, and the other powers didn’t seem to perfectly resonate with my body.

I guess that’s only natural.

If I could fully use Ozma’s power, I would’ve already grasped the level of transcendence, like how I was in the Nether.

Then I’d have been instantly obliterated by the Evil God wielding the Authority of Godslaying.

It couldn’t be helped. I had to reach the pinnacle within the limits of being human.

The Status Window…

I instinctively tried to conjure the shape of the Status Window in my vision.

The sensation of constructing the Status Window, as if recalling saved data, was ingrained in my instincts.

[Status]

Name: Isaac

Lv: 200

Gender: Male

Year: 2

Title: Ice Sovereign

Mana: 1,564,000 / 1,564,300

- Mana Recovery Speed (S)

- Stamina (S)

- Strength (S)

- Intelligence (S)

- Willpower (S)

Potential ❰❰Details❱❱

[Combat Abilities]

Elemental Series 1: Ice

• Elemental Firepower (S)

• Elemental Efficiency (S)

• Elemental Synergy (S)

Elemental Series 2: Rock

• Elemental Firepower (S)

• Elemental Efficiency (S)

• Elemental Synergy (S)

“Oh, it works.”

I was able to create it based on the standards Ozma had already set.

The amount of mana was far beyond the peak I had imagined in the Fictional Hell. So this was what the actual numbers were.

In the game, 999,999 was the highest number.

At the time, that was the limit of my knowledge.

Anyway, the covenant that was once a ridiculous lie in the form of a Status Window had now become a real and perfect Status Window.

The [vs. Race Combat Power] also seemed usable however I wanted, regardless of identifying a specific race as an enemy.

That power was, after all, Ozma’s ability to detect my hostility and apply it.

By the way, the hurdle to reach EX-level is much higher than I thought.

Wasn’t it called [Divinity]? A skill that grants 1.5 times the effectiveness to a specific [vs. Race Combat Power].

If I used that, could I raise all my stats to EX-level?

I think it’s possible… but it might be a one-time use only.

It seemed like I could at least partially use the effects of [Divinity].

However, I had the sense that it was something that once used, I could never activate it again.

I could feel it instinctively. Something deep within me, at the very core of Ozma’s essence.

The time to use it was already firmly decided.

Evil God…

I would use this power against the Evil God.

As ridiculous as it sounded my goal was to become a true Demon-Limited Hunter—no—a Demon-Limited Munchkin, just as I told Thanatos.

The term “munchkin” was shorthand for the most broken character in a series.

So, in my case, a Demon-Limited Munchkin.

From being the academy’s weakest, it would be the final destination of my journey.

Now, what’s left is…

Only Mephisto the Contractor and Nephid the Evil God of Destruction remained.

Thanatos the Ruination, Mephisto’s demon army, and the Abyss were all dealt with, and Mephisto the Contractor had vanished after being raided, so I could practically skip from 「Act 13」 to 「Act 16」 of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.

I’ll have to hunt down Mephisto separately.

So, the only scenario left was ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ Act 17, 「Final Act, Evil God Subjugation」.

However, that would take place during Semester 2 Year 3. I still had time left.

The key was how I’d make use of this remaining time.

“There you are.”

“Hmm?”

I turned my head toward the sound of the rustling bushes.

A black-haired boy, seemingly having run around for quite a while, approached me, catching his breath.

It was Ian Fairytale.

Ian?

I was momentarily confused, so I lifted my glasses and looked more carefully.

It was definitely Ian.

“You were looking for me?”

At my question, Ian nodded.

“Can I sit next to you?”

“Uh, sure…”

Ian sat next to me and looked up at the sky.

I read his psychology. Ian was deeply troubled.

Ah, that’s right.

It was time when he was supposed to drop out.

In the latter half of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Ian realized that he was the reason demons appeared and harmed people, so he began the process of dropping out of the academy and left.

It was truly a tragic protagonist’s path, fitting for a story set in an academy.

While Ian was lost in his turmoil, Mateo Jordana and Professor Fernando Frost approached him, delivering lines that tugged at the hearts of men, persuading him.

And Ian’s return to the academy was part of the game’s winter break scenario.

“Recently, I found out something. I already knew I was being suspected by the Imperial Knights, but I kept turning a blind eye to it. Thanks to the Heavenly Being who came to see me the other day, I’m now certain…”

“What is it?” I pretended not to know and asked.

Ian gave a bittersweet smile and answered, “It seems like the demons were after me all along. Because I’m a human born with the light element. Because I’m the only one who’s a hybrid of a Heavenly Being and a human… That’s why the demons kept appearing to try and kill me.”

That was to be expected.

I suddenly wondered if Ian’s birth was also predestined in this world.

I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to know.

What I did know for sure was that this guy had a strong sense of justice and the spirit of a hero, willing to sacrifice his life for others.

The fact that so many people had been in danger because of him must have torn at his heart, weighing him down with guilt.

“Isaac, you said my power could help the world, right?”

Ah, that’s right.

I said that when I called in Düpfendorf’s minions to train Ian by having them spar with each other.

So that was why he didn’t drop out and waited for me to wake up.

“So I came to ask for advice. I don’t know what to do anymore. You’re an archwizard. I’d like some practical advice on how I can help people…”

Ian smiled sadly.

He was ready to run away at any moment.

I had planned to crack a joke, laugh, and wrap things up. But seeing Ian’s seriousness, I realized I couldn’t do that.

I shifted my posture, placing my hand on the ground, and began to speak.

“‘Practical’ isn’t the right word. No matter how big the risk is, or what happens, in the end, it’s all reality, isn’t it?”

“More than that, you can see a bit into the future… I thought you’d give me some rational advice…”

“You know the second campus of Märchen Academy is completed, right? Next year, they’ll do a trial run, and the faculty and students will move there.”

“Yeah? Oh… Yeah, I know. It’s to revitalize the campus, right?”

“The Empire is planning to have all the residents of this island pack up and leave within a few months.”

“What?”

Ian’s eyes widened as if hearing this for the first time.

“First time hearing it, right? That’s because it’s only been told to people at a certain level, including me.”

To be exact, it was something that was decided when I exchanged letters with the Emperor through my minions in Düpfendorf.

This was information that especially couldn’t be shared with the students. There was too much risk of causing confusion or spreading fear.

As for Ian, I had plenty of ways to keep him quiet, so revealing this secret here didn’t really matter.

“Why, why is that…?”

“I’ll tell you when the time comes. For now, what you need to know is that the plan’s purpose is to protect people. And that a disaster far worse than the demon attacks you’ve faced is coming. When that time comes, your power will be needed.”

I gave Ian a kind smile.

“Thanks to you, the enemies came early, and that worked to our advantage. Their forces were weakened, after all. So, anyway… let’s do our best until graduation.”

When I extended my fist, Ian looked at it with eyes filled with complicated emotions.

His emotions gathered into one, finally transforming into resolve. With a determined expression, he extended his fist and met mine.

“Yeah. Thanks, Isaac.”

A smile spread across Ian’s lips.

Rather than being an entity that only brought harm to the world, he decided to stand tall as someone who would save it.

***

“Should I sleep…”

Late at night. In the top-class dorm, Charles Hall.

I was reading a book when drowsiness crept over me.

When I covered the lamp with a shade, darkness filled the room. The sound of the fire crackling in the fireplace could be heard. The dim light of the fire warmed my emotions, and the heat filled the room.

I threw myself onto the bed, ready to lie down and sleep peacefully.

Kugugu!

Suddenly, a powerful restraint activated, binding me to the bed.

“…Ah.”

I wasn’t surprised. It just felt like something I had expected had finally arrived.

It seemed like they used a fairly high-performance restraint. Maybe they procured it through family connections. The average person wouldn’t be able to move an inch.

But, sorry to say, this was nothing more than a toy to me. I could break free from it as easily as snapping a biscuit.

Rustle.

I heard the sound of fabric brushing against something from somewhere. Soon, a woman approached me.

Her aquamarine eyes, illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight and the fire, turned toward me.

She stood beside the bed, looking down at me like a ghost.

“I think I told you I don’t like things like this.”

I played along, wondering when she would show up, like playing hide-and-seek with a child.

Feeling a bit incredulous, I narrowed my eyes as I spoke, and she leaned in close to me. Her silky hair brushed against my cheek.

Her elegant beauty filled my vision.

“It’s your fault, Isaac. You’re the bad one for making me worry like that,” Luce Eltania whispered, frowning.

Her voice had a mesmerizing tone that drained all the strength from my body.

I felt sorry for making her worry, but I had no other choice. I went to the Nether because I needed to acquire something.

But so what?

Luce didn’t have the power to restrain me.

I let out a sigh.

“Haa, so? Did you really think this would work on me?”

“No, not at all. There’s nothing that can control you.”

“Then what are you planning?”

Suddenly, Luce started taking off her clothes.

For a moment, I thought I was about to see her underwear and instinctively tried to widen my eyes, but what was revealed was a sheer nightgown.

She climbed onto the bed, laid down beside me, and hugged me tightly like a teddy bear.

“…”

What is this situation?

Luce still had a cold expression, but I could clearly feel her rising body temperature.

As the atmosphere became somewhat sensual, I unconsciously swallowed dryly.

“…What are you doing?”

“Expressing affection.”

She was shameless to the core.

“I see…”

“I was really worried.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

“…”

“…Isaac, you know what?”

“What?”

“That today, we become adults.”¹

“Oh, right.”

Starting from the third year of the academy, we were 19 years old, officially adults.

More precisely, it was the year we transitioned into the third year, and today was the first day of that year.

Luce gently placed her hand on my cheek. Suddenly, I remembered when she had confessed her feelings to me, making me feel a bit awkward.

With a determined expression, Luce brought her lips close to my ear. Naturally, she knew very well that her voice was my weakness.

Perhaps intending to seduce me, she cupped her hand around her mouth and sweetly whispered in a way that would ravage my eardrums.

“Do you want to take my first?”

As Luce leaned back, I averted my eyes.

The crackling fire in the darkness cast a faint light on Luce’s blushing, beautiful face. She smiled softly, her eyes glimmering as she urged me to make love with her.

She had already made up her mind and was now leaving the choice to me.

“…”

I was at a loss for words.

Footnotes

1. 1. ED Note: In Korea, newborns are born being 1 years old, and every new year they add 1 year to your age. That's why they're both turning 19 today, so no they don't share a birthday, Korea is just weird.