CHAPTER 27 – BUTTERFLY EFFECT

LYSANDER FARADEISS

In the aftermath of the devastating incident at the vacant lot west of Tasty Town, the echoes of the terrorist attack reverberated through every corner of the city. The news unfolded as a grim narrative, revealing the tragic loss of seventeen Magic High School students, among them the esteemed student council president, Gregory Lecheron. The vacant lot, once silent and unassuming, became a somber battleground where their untimely demise occurred.

Reports suggested that the enigmatic Neo Arcadia was implicated in this heinous act, leaving a chilling imprint of destruction. The bodies of the fallen students bore the marks of a malevolent force, incinerated by a high-concentration mana reminiscent of a dragon's fiery breath. The absence of a clear culprit heightened the tension, casting a pall over the city.

In response to the unprecedented threat, Tasty Town found itself under siege, both physically and metaphorically. The Empire of Alterra dispatched tanks and armored vehicles, encircling the city like a fortress. Magical soldiers, armed with spell books and assault rifles, took to the streets during the nocturnal hours, vigilant against the specter of further terrorism. The measures undertaken were desperate but deemed necessary to safeguard the populace.

Amidst this turmoil, I navigated the school corridors, ensconced in contemplation. Gregory's tragic fate weighed heavily on my mind. In the timeline I once knew, he should have met his demise during the Neo Arcadia invasion of the school. The news of his recent death, occurring three days after our victory against the terrorists, shattered my assumptions about a secure future for him.

The violation of the law of equivalent exchange manifested in Gregory's demise. Despite having shifted the burden of thirty deaths to the enemy's side, fate seemed to demand more. The body count among the Magic High School students stood as a stark reminder, almost half of what it should have been based on the events of the previous timeline. The toll exacted by destiny was proving to be a relentless and unforgiving force, charging interest on the debts of past actions.

"I've only managed to postpone the inevitable," I murmured under my breath, a sense of resignation tainting my words.

Another nagging concern crept into my thoughts — the unexpected encounter with Johnny. According to the original timeline, our paths were destined to cross during my tenure at the Erudites Magic University, following my high school graduation. Yet, in this altered reality, he now collaborated with Marieflorine Corasell in the Chevalier Unit. The unsettling notion lingered that my journey through time had set off a butterfly effect, reshaping the future in ways I couldn't comprehend.

With a heavy sigh, I dismissed the idea of navigating the intricacies of each move with meticulous care. The universe, with its infinite variables, was an intricate web beyond my complete understanding. Dwelling on the minutiae of cause and effect would be mind-cracking. Instead, my focus needed to be on the immediate task — the eradication of the Six Dragon Lords before they could surface and wreak havoc.

“I will start with Hiraya.”

As I swung open the door to the student council room, an unexpected sight unfolded before me. The blonde elf, Hiraya, was engrossed in a series of peculiar poses, her arm gracefully extended. Mana poured from her palms, forming a radiant blue magical circle.

"Lightning Arrow!" she exclaimed, casting the spell with determined focus. However, what manifested was far from the awe-inspiring display one might expect. Instead, a minuscule spark emerged, a feeble flicker that, if lucky, could barely tickle a spider.

Hiraya's disappointment was evident as she frowned, her elven ears drooping like a guilty, adorable puppy. The juxtaposition of her magical prowess and the endearing expression was truly charming.

"Practicing military-grade magic, are we?" I quipped, breaking the moment with a light-hearted comment.

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Hiraya's reaction was nothing short of chaotic. Panic and embarrassment painted her face with a deep blush, and before I could comprehend the situation, she let out a startled "Kyaaaaaah!"

In her state of distress, a thick logbook was suddenly airborne, hurtling directly toward my face. Startled and unprepared for the unexpected projectile, I took the hit square on my nose with a resounding "Gah!"

The pain was immediate, and I winced, clutching my nose. Hiraya, now realizing the unintended consequence of her reaction, rushed to my side. Without hesitation, she applied healing magic to my injured nose. "Ah! Lysander! I'm sorry!" she exclaimed, her concern genuine. "You freaked me out! You should stop appearing all of a sudden without warning!"

I couldn't help but chuckle through the pain, finding irony in the fact that catching her in the act of practicing magic elicited a stronger reaction than our previous encounter a few weeks back when she had been caught off guard in a more vulnerable naked state.

"That was a good throw there," I complimented, unable to resist acknowledging her unexpected talent in book-throwing.

Hiraya pouted in response, a blush still lingering on her cheeks. "Geez. What are you doing here anyway?" she questioned, her curiosity evident.

"Nothing. Just checking on you," I replied with a smile, still massaging my fully-healed nose. "Since you just became the president of the whole magic school, I was worried that you might be more overworked than usual."

In response to my concern, I presented her with a paper bag filled with hotdogs in buns and cartons of milk. Hiraya's eyes lit up with appreciation, and she carried the goodies to the table.

"Thanks for these again! I really love your hotdog~" she teased with a mischievous grin.

"Save me the perverted jokes," I retorted, playfully cringing. "So? Why are you practicing military-grade magic?" I inquired, steering the conversation back to the curious sight I had stumbled upon earlier.

Hiraya's demeanor shifted to one of seriousness. "I'm planning on training the students to use the magic you used back in the Neo Arcadian invasion. I know that I have my limitations, and I might not be able to save the students if something like what happened to Gregory takes place again. The students should at least learn to defend themselves. That is why I am practicing."

"So it seems, so it seems," I nodded in understanding. I extended my hand, pointing towards the window. "But you won't be able to use a magic missile spell like that without years of training. You should start with your basic element first, and make the magical projection thicker as split second goes on. What's your element?"

"We elves have natural wind proficiency," Hiraya replied.

"You should start with that," I suggested. With a green magical circle forming at the tip of my hand, I performed a quick chant. "Wind Arrow!"

The green wind took the form of an arrow and swiftly shot towards the window. Hiraya watched in amazement as the demonstration unfolded. "W-Wow. Nothing less from the Erudite himself," she exclaimed, clapping in appreciation.

The blonde elf stepped forward, mirroring my posture with her hands pointed at the window. Wind mana swirled around her arm, and a green magical circle materialized.

"Wind Arrow!" she declared.

To my surprise, an arrow, twice the size of mine, soared through the air and exploded like a delicate firework. It was astonishing to witness her surpassing my demonstration in just one attempt. Her potential seemed boundless, and I couldn't help but marvel at the prospect that she might have more aptitude to become an Erudite than I ever did.

"T-That was great!" I stammered, genuinely impressed. "You're quite a genius!"

Hiraya, adorably smiling like an angel, responded, "It's all thanks to the handsome instructor in front of me. You explained it like it's the most natural thing in the world. So, when will you teach me how to fly?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with a playful glint.

"That escalated quickly," I muttered, momentarily taken aback by the sudden shift in the conversation. Collecting myself, I returned to the subject at hand. "You mean the Wings of Light?"

"Yep, yep!" Hiraya nodded enthusiastically, her face flushing, and her elven ears perking up as if she were a cat who just spotted a mouse.

"W-Well," I began, grappling with the unexpected turn of events.

I was immediately interrupted when I heard three knocks on the door. Hiraya gestured for me to wait as she went to the door and opened it.

"Yes? How may I help you?" Hiraya inquired.

Upon opening the door, a towering, tall, dark, and handsome man came into view. He possessed a kind face, with long white hair flowing down to his buttocks. Adorned in a brown tuxedo and a sheriff's badge, his sparkling dragonoid eyes held the attention of the blonde elf. There was an undeniable captivation in her gaze.

For some reason, this man looked familiar to me. I was sure I had met this dragonoid once, but I couldn't quite pinpoint the encounter.

"Good morning, Madam President Misteltein," the tall dragonoid courteously bowed. "My name is Alris Vortigern, a Junior Detective Associate of the police forces."

The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. I remember him now. He is the dragonoid we fought in the Cathedral Exa before the activation of the Regression Magic. He is the Nova Dragon.

And he is Hiraya's future husband.