“…Sounds good. Eden Academy. Rolls right off the tongue, doesn’t it?”
“Isn’t this name quite fitting for the utopia you’ve envisioned, Merlin?”
“Yeah… That’s why I like it even more. Alright. Let’s go with Eden Academy for the academy’s name.”
Even if I hadn’t been here, Merlin would have naturally founded Eden Academy anyway, just like in the previous history. But since I’ve already introduced variables into Merlin’s life, it’s best to lock things down properly to avoid any potential wrong futures.
We’re almost there—until the birth of the Saintess.
As long as Maria’s birth goes smoothly, that’s all that matters right now. My first goal is Maria’s birth, and my second is to defeat Demon King Canos.
“You’ve been sorting out your thoughts while we prepared a resting place for our comrades.”
“Thank you for your hard work. I feel bad making you go through all this trouble because of me…”
“Nonsense. We were comrades once, weren’t we? Once comrades, always comrades.”
“To meet someone like Suoka-sama during our time in the Demon Forest felt like such a stroke of luck. Such a precious connection…”
“I appreciate those words. Leave the burial of the adventurer party to you, then. They’d want that, I think.”
Merlin bowed deeply to me in gratitude before silently carrying each member of the adventurer party into the graves I had dug.
I watched from afar alongside Langwang, who had regained consciousness.
“Suoka.”
“You can call me casually now. Just don’t let Merlin hear it.”
“Oscar, you fiend.”
“What is it?”
“The aura of the demons has changed. It’s immense.”
“You can sense that? I’ve tried to contain it, but it’s still difficult to manage since I’ve only recently obtained this power. Uh… Do you think Merlin might have sensed my energy too?”
“Only I can sense it. The wild sixth sense is something I alone possess.”
“Well, that’s a relief. Are you alright, Yohan-san?”
“I’ve taken plenty of hits, but no need to worry about me. If I leave it be, it’ll heal on its own.”
“Typical macho guy, aren’t you, Yohan-san?”
Langwang’s body was completely charred, yet he claims leaving it alone will suffice. Is his mind broken or what? He’s not a tough guy; he’s just asking for trouble.
“But still, you should get treatment. I know some good herbs for treating burns. Later, you can lie down somewhere sunny with ointment smeared all over your body and do some tanning.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. You acted so convincingly throughout this ordeal; I’m the one who’s grateful. Great job.”
“Our comrades are gone, but we shared good times together.”
“When we step back into civilization, we’ll meet many more people. Not everyone will be as purely good as this Adventurer Party or Saintess Irolwel. Some might even resemble demons.”
“…Your words make me feel strange. Like I’m being labeled as a bad guy.”
“Demons are bad guys. You’re the worst one I’ve ever met.”
“…”
After all my efforts to reform myself, hearing such words makes me feel like all these years have been wasted. Sadness wells up within me like a gushing fountain.
But I won’t despair. Being called ‘a bad guy’ is actually an improvement in evaluation.
‘Joker… You shouldn’t have been born.’
‘I’ve never heard or seen anyone as evil and bizarre as you. Even devils wouldn’t dare approach you.’
‘You’re nothing but a pure crystallization of malevolence. There’s no other way to describe you.’
The Heavenly Hero gave me such miserly evaluations in my past life. Now, going from someone who shouldn’t have existed to simply a bad guy is quite the remarkable progress. At this rate, I might eventually reach the ideals that the Saintess preached about: love, tolerance, righteousness…
“But Yohan-san, good times don’t last forever. We must part ways with Merlin now.”
“I understand. For every meeting, there must be a farewell. This is how relationships come full circle,” Irolwel said.
“Wow, you remember that even though it’s been over 200 years since you met Irolwel?”
“Irolwel knew we’d part ways someday, which is why she said that. According to her words, our bond may have reached completion, but she still lives in my heart.”
“…”
What’s this sudden melancholy vibe? Is he bragging about being a lover?
I consider myself quite the romantic too. After all, I’ve waited 400 years for a saint. Though 400 years is long by human standards, it’s but a fleeting moment for demons—nothing particularly impressive.
“Merlin is coming. Be careful what you say.”
“Lord Suoka, I’ve buried all the party members…”
“Good job.”
I patted Merlin’s green hair affectionately to acknowledge his effort. A faint smile appeared on his weary face.
“If it weren’t for Lord Suoka… I probably wouldn’t have awakened. No, capturing the Dragon King would’ve been impossible too.”
“That’s not true. Your Meteor spell changed the tide of battle.”
“And now… I wouldn’t have been able to rise again either. Consumed by guilt over using magic that killed my comrades, I would’ve fallen into deep despair.”
“All I did was offer a few words of advice when it seemed pitiful.”
“Those few words lifted me up. Thank you sincerely. This favor etched into my bones, I wish to repay it someday…”
Griiiiip.
Suddenly, Merlin grabbed my hand tightly and whispered earnestly.
“Lord Suoka, Yohan-san. Please come with me to the continent. Let’s establish an academy together. I want to repay the favors I owe you both.”
“I’m sorry, but we can’t.”
“Huh? Wh-why not…?”
I firmly declined.
Wherever would history change if I went along with it? Even though that wasn’t my intention, I still can’t allow it.
“You have your dream of founding an academy, just as we have our own dreams. And those dreams can only be realized within the Demon Forest.”
“Ah…”
“One could say we’ve achieved half our goal by defeating our old enemy, the Dragon King. But we still have no intention of returning to the continent. You’re the only one going back.”
“B-but at least tell me where you’ll be! When I arrive at the continent, I’d like to send you some gifts as tokens of gratitude!”
“Gifts? That works. What exactly do you plan to say to us, living isolated from civilization for decades? Right, Yohan?”
“Decades? Yeah, we’ve lived in the Demon Forest for decades.”
Now the ever-perceptive Langwang effortlessly backs me up. Merlin looks disheartened, lowering his head deeply.
“We don’t need any gifts or repayment. We understand your kind-hearted nature.”
“Sniff…”
“You really cry easily, don’t you?”
“No, I won’t cry like this anymore! As a teacher leading children, I must remain composed at all times! Someone the children can trust and rely on, as the Adventurer once said!”
“You’re still a child yourself.”
“But no! I intend to become a teacher!”
Saying that, Merlin wiped away his tears.
Looks like he’s preparing to leave. The atmosphere suggests it.
“Merlin, just in case, please don’t mention anything about me when you return to the continent.”
Before he departs, there’s one thing I must ensure remains unsaid.
A seasoned magician doesn’t botch their cleanup act.
“Huh? Why not…?”
“…To be honest, I’m a sinner. Though I gained fame as a hunter, I accidentally killed someone while drunk. That’s why I fled to the Demon Forest and met Yohan.”
“Ah… So that’s your story…”
“It’s an old incident, so the world has forgotten me, but someone like me shouldn’t openly reveal themselves. It wouldn’t be respectful to the person I mistakenly killed. If anyone asks about your journey on the continent, talk only about the Adventurer Party and Yohan. After all, I didn’t contribute much.”
At my hastily fabricated false confession, Merlin remained silent for a moment before speaking.
“Yes, I understand…”
“Do you really?”
“I know you’re a good person, Lord Suoka. Considering how you contributed to defeating the Dragon King, you could’ve gained great wealth, but you’re rejecting it all for your conscience.”
“Cough, too much praise for someone like me.”
“You truly are an amazing person in my eyes… Anyway.”
Merlin took a step back from me.
“Thank you for everything…”
With a deep bow, Merlin thanked us before disappearing beyond the horizon as the sunset faded. It was a rather abrupt farewell, but staying with him any longer would only limit my range of activities.
From now on, Merlin will establish the prestigious Eden Academy, earn the title of Great Sage, and pioneer new frontiers in magic that no one else has reached—all very commendable directions.
It’s fine for Merlin to grow stronger. As long as I don’t end up fighting him, that is. I’d rather not experience the aftereffects of that insane Big Bang magic again.
“Can we speak freely now?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Phew, that was suffocating. Demon.”
“I was enjoying the act. Hold onto that Dragon King corpse. It’s valuable.”
Following my order, Langwang hoisted the Dragon King’s body. Though torn apart in several places, the important parts like teeth and bones remain intact. Perfect for medicines, supplements, and weapon materials.
“The Dragon King met a terrible end. Doesn’t look like it was crushed by a meteorite.”
“Does it? Must be your imagination.”
“The demon did it. There’s demonic energy lingering.”
“Wow, your instincts have gotten sharp. Correct, I killed it.”
“Feels good. Irovel said revenge is a bad thing, but killing the Dragon King feels relieving somehow.”
“Revenge usually brings mixed feelings of unease and satisfaction. In your case, however…”
When someone personally kills the one who murdered their kin, they often experience pleasure mixed with guilt and self-loathing—a result of their aversion to killing and seeing themselves as similar to the person they sought vengeance against.
But what if that person died in a traffic accident instead? Or got killed by another villain? In such cases, the victim’s relative only feels satisfaction since they didn’t do the killing themselves, eliminating any sense of guilt.
Looks like I inadvertently helped Langwang seek revenge too. Another good deed done today. I’m definitely improving.
“Why did you stop mid-sentence?”
“Just move that thing. Some knight wrote that talkative males lack charm.”
“But demons are naturally talkative, aren’t they?”
“…Strangely, you seem to have improved not just in perception but also in eloquence. It’s positive, but timing and place matter.”
With light banter with Langwang, we headed toward where our group waits. Beatrice Constantinople, Langwang Aru, Angel Uriel, Shaman Meta—they must be quite curious about my recent activities given the lack of proper explanations.
The sun had set, and twilight ascended. Truly, it’s been an eventful day filled with struggles and joy alike.
While thinking about this, I spotted several women running toward us at incredible speed from beyond the hill, where Langwang carried the Dragon King on his back. Alongside them were an angel and a goblin.
“Master! What happened?! Why does my demonic energy…”
“Young demon! Are you alright?! Any injuries?!”
“Leader! They’ve slain a dragon! Now Langwang and Beatrice are officially Dragon Slayers!”
“Lord Oscar! My magic power suddenly surged! Did you do this, Lord Oscar?!”
What? Beatrice and Aru killed a dragon?
“Mi-, Mi-, Master! C-, Could that be…!”
“Yo-, Yo-, Yo-, THE DRAGON KING?! Leader! Why is Dragon King Endros in such a state?!”
Though I have questions too, it seems I should answer theirs first.
*****
*Soft footsteps*
The prodigy mage Merlin’s steps crossed the forest path of the Demon Forest.
His mage robe, which could be described as rags, was in complete disarray. His lime-green hair was wildly tousled, and his broken glasses hung crookedly. Anyone could tell he’d been through a fierce ordeal.
“Ahhh… This feels constricting.”
Merlin clearly felt uncomfortable in his current attire. Already heavy robes soaked in sweat made the constriction unbearable under the sweltering heat of the unpredictable Demon Forest weather.
“…Is anyone around?”
Worried about something, Merlin glanced around. Then, determination flashed in his emerald eyes that had been darting about restlessly.
“Mmm…”
With utmost care and delicacy, Merlin began unfastening his robe. The brown robe slid down slowly.
Under the moonlight, pale skin was revealed. Despite confirming no one was around, Merlin instinctively crossed his arms over his chest, seemingly embarrassed about something.
Tight-
Around Merlin’s chest were wrapped white bandages. Why would he conceal such a flat chest with bandages? Perhaps there were scars he wished to hide from others?
“Ugh… These hurt…”
Frowning, Merlin started unwrapping the tightly bound bandages with magic.
“Ah… Much better…”
Just as he finished unwrapping most of the bandages,
Pfft!
Some sort of magical discharge occurred.
“Ah! It’s been so long, I need to adjust…”
Losing balance as if carrying something heavy, Merlin wobbled.
And upon his chest, no longer concealed,
“Urgh… Breasts really are heavy…”
Two large, round mounds rested there.
Carefully supporting them with both hands, Merlin’s chest showcased ample proportions that covered nearly half his upper body under the moonlight.
“Hyaa… Still, it feels refreshing, so it’s nice…”
Thus, the prodigy girl Merlin enjoyed the cool night air and freedom for quite some time before returning to the continent.
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")
