Book 1 Chapter 316

316

As the exam period approached, students became busy.

Chen Sia muttered, looking at the Glory dormitory's base visible before her eyes.

"……It feels like something's missing, but what could be lacking at our base?"

At Chen Sia's muttering, Chloe, who had her arms crossed, began to ponder seriously.

It wasn't just Chloe.

The magic department students who were building defensive towers at the base also thought deeply.

Soon, the magic department students said in unison.

"Firepower?"

"What do you mean by increasing firepower even more here? The purpose of a base is defense, after all. We should pay more attention to defense."

Chen Sia sighed softly.

Then she looked at Leo.

"From Young Master Leo's perspective, is anything lacking?"

"This much should be enough."

At Leo's words, Chen Sia looked at the Glory base.

"If it were me, I think I could infiltrate it easily enough."

"There's no student in our year with infiltration abilities like yours, so this much is sufficient."

"That's true, I suppose."

Chen Sia nodded as if convinced.

Listening to that conversation, Chloe gathered the Glory students.

"All preparations are complete now."

Chloe looked at Leo and said.

"Leo, as soon as we start, attack Noble's base with the kids. I'll attack Harmony's base with Chen Sia."

Chloe looked at Illiana.

"Illiana, you defend the base with the kids."

At those words, Illiana pouted her lips.

"I want to go on the offensive with the class president too."

Chen Sia smiled faintly at Illiana's grumbling voice.

"Miss Illiana would clearly attack recklessly. I think it's better to guard the base."

"Ugh."

Illiana let out a groan as if she had nothing to say.

Seeing that, the Glory students burst into laughter.

"Anyway, the day of decision is in 3 days. Get plenty of rest until then. Manage your condition well."

As Chloe spoke with a smile, resentful voices emerged from here and there.

"How can we rest well when we have written exams?"

"Exactly! Do you know how hard it is to manage your condition?"

At the complaints of her dorm mates, Chloe tilted her head.

"Isn't preparing for written exams something you can do bit by bit with what you've studied normally and while preparing for practical exams?"

At those words, Chen Sia smiled faintly.

"That's only possible because it's Miss Chloe. Ordinary people can't do that."

"……But you did it, Chen Sia."

Illiana said with a fed-up expression.

Seeing Illiana like that, Chen Sia smiled brightly.

"Because I only slept for about 30 minutes a day. I was trained to be able to do that."

"……If Chloe is absurd, then you are just terrifying."

Illiana shook her head.

"If it's about studying, I'll help you sufficiently."

"Ooh!"

"Lady Chloe!"

"Ice Goddess! Ice Queen! Ice Witch!"

"Who was that just called me a witch!"

Chloe shrieked, her face flushed.

***

Lumern was filled with crowds.

Riina, the dean of Lumern, pressed her temples as if she had a headache, looking at the spectator stands filled with audience members.

"Why do those board members make me do things like being a figurehead? Anyway, I'm from the Shadows, so those in power don't even like me."

Yura, who was assisting Riina, agreed with Riina's annoyed grumbling.

"That's exactly what I mean! Why are they making me do this?"

Usually, Yura wore sensual clothing comfortable for activity, but today she was dressed as a very proper lady.

Seeing Yura like that, Ren said.

"Doesn't Senior Yura look plausible if she just keeps her mouth shut?"

"Why is 'if she just keeps her mouth shut' added there, I wonder?"

"Do you really not know? Then I will explain it so that Senior Yura can understand…"

Yura, with veins popping on her forehead, grabbed Ren by the collar.

External guests who were approaching to greet them saw that scene and fled with fearful eyes.

Riina chuckled and watched the two of them.

At that, Ain let out a deep sigh.

"Dean, you should stop their disgraceful behavior, what are you doing just watching?"

"It's good that troublesome people don't come because of them, isn't it?"

Ain pressed her brow firmly.

'At times like this, I miss the late Lord Kallian.'

Dean Kallian, who was subtly flighty and often pushed his work onto professors, certainly maintained a dignified presence during external events.

Riina was a more diligent dean than Kallian, but she tended to detest external events.

Seeing Ain like that, Riina rested her chin in her hand and laughed.

"Don't bother your head so much, Professor Ain."

Riina sneered.

"Everyone already knows I'm a Shadow. So external guests probably don't want to greet me much, right? Because it's rare to find those in power who aren't shady."

The Shadows, generation after generation, had been tasked not only with executing traitors but also with excising cancerous existences from the world.

In extreme cases, there were even Shadows who considered assassination their calling.

As such, those in power had a strong tendency to instinctively shun the Shadows.

"By the way, should I say there were no surprises in the first-years' exam results?"

Riina rested her chin in her hand, watching the first-years who had finished their practical combat exam and were receiving cheers from the audience.

This year's first-year mid-term practical combat exam was a labyrinth dungeon raid.

A labyrinth dungeon raid, not a hero dungeon, but one arbitrarily created by the professors.

The team that cleared the labyrinth in the fastest time received high scores.

"Aina Vadehna. As expected, should I say she's worthy of Lord Kallian's great-granddaughter?"

Riina narrowed her eyes and looked at Aina, who was standing on the parade ground.

"She was first in the Knight Studies exam too, right?"

"So I hear."

Ain nodded.

"She narrowly edged out Habiden."

"Oh. What about other departments?"

At Riina's question, Ain gave a report.

"There were no surprises. In the Summoning Department, Sasha won the Illusionary Beast Race, taking first place overall in the Summoning Department. In the Magic Department, Juen took first place in Magic Combat."

"Hmm."

Riina stroked her chin.

"And Leo Flobe's mentee?"

"In Luke Elda's case, he's in the upper-middle ranks for written exams, but he's at the very bottom for all practical exams."

"Should I say that's to be expected?"

"It's an expected result. However…"

"However?"

"Compared to the beginning of the semester, he hasn't grown at all."

"……I heard he was working hard, though?"

"He works harder than anyone."

Riina wore an amused expression.

"It seems the student council president did something. Should I look forward to the final exams?"

Riina, who had been nodding, subtly checked her watch.

"Now, you two should also start getting ready."

"Yes, understood."

Ain bowed her head, looked at the junior professors who were still bickering, and said coldly.

"Let's go, you fools."

"Who are you calling a fool?!"

"Senior Ain. I will explain what a fool is to you in an easy-to-understand way…"

"Shut up."

Riina shook her head, watching Ain grab the junior professors by the scruff of their necks and drag them away.

'Ain will age quickly.'

***

At Noble's base, Abbad gathered the dormitory students and spoke.

"According to Karl's information, Glory's Chloe and Chen Sia will attack Harmony's base, and Leo will attack our base. And I thought it was necessary, so I shared this information with Celia."

"Was there a need for that?"

When Tade asked with a puzzled expression, Abbad said.

"Anyway, Harmony and we have signed a non-aggression pact. We can't attack each other until Glory's base is destroyed anyway. Given that, I thought it best to gather all our core forces and strike Glory's base."

Eliza tidied her nails.

"Anyway, since the dormitory members are split, it will be hard to destroy a base."

"Right. Chloe must have planned a strategy to quickly deploy core forces and secure kill points."

"……Does that mean Glory didn't choose a King among their dorm presidents?"

At Duran's words, Abbad shook his head.

"No, they would have chosen a King from among their dorm presidents."

"Then isn't that too risky a strategy?"

"Strong people don't die that easily. They must have thought of choosing a strong person as King to surprise the opponent. The problem is, which of the three is the King……"

Abbad stroked his chin.

"Karl, what do you think?"

At Abbad's question, Karl scratched his head.

"Well, if I were Chloe, wouldn't I have chosen Leo as King?"

"Why?"

"Because he's the most reliable."

"……Indeed, if it's Leo Flobe, his mobility is good, so he could quickly disengage from the battlefield."

Eliza narrowed her eyes.

"Shall we target Leo Flobe?"

"No. Leo has good mobility. Of course, I can match him in the air. Duran on land, and Eliza in water might be able to keep up with Leo's mobility, but…"

Abbad narrowed his eyes.

"Leo has high mobility in the air, on land, and in water, without distinction. If we try to capture him carelessly, our own damage could increase."

Abbad shook his head.

"Let's rather definitely destroy the base."

Abbad unfolded a map.

"Celia probably thinks the same as me. We will attack the front of Glory's base with our core forces. And Emio. You take the kids and go to the rear of Glory's base as stealthily as possible."

***

Celia looked at the students.

"If you go behind Glory's base, you'll probably meet Noble's detachment. If they keep their promise, don't fight them. Attack together. Of course, it'll be hard to destroy it in one go. But if we deal significant damage to the base, the Glory students won't be able to actively participate in the battle."

"It's non-aggression, but… we've unintentionally formed an alliance."

At Nella's muttering, Celia put on a serious expression.

"The moment we gain an advantageous position against Glory, Noble and we will immediately enter battle. So don't let your guard down just because it's an alliance."

As the strategy meeting was nearing its end.

Piiiiiiing-! Peong-!

A signal flare rose across Lake Rumeria.

Celia saw it and said.

"Alright, let's move!"

At those words, the second-year students began to move.

***

Emio led the Noble students and moved to the rear of the island where Glory's base was located.

"Good weather."

Emio curled the corners of his mouth.

The entire lake was covered in mist.

A perfect environment for stealthy movement.

Then, a presence was felt in the distance.

The Noble students showed wary expressions.

"Is it Harmony?"

"Yes, that's right. Emio."

"It's Nella."

Emio frowned.

"Abbad planned this operation trusting your side's commander. It seems Celia Zerdinger and Abbad, despite bickering, understand each other."

"They've known each other since they were kids, after all."

Nella wore her characteristic languid smile.

"We'll be counting on you until Glory is defeated. We'll take the lead, so follow behind."

Emio stepped forward.

"Why does she want to take the lead herself? Does she think she's the boss?"

As one Harmony student grumbled, Nella smiled faintly.

"Soldiers always value who occupies first the most, don't they?"

Nella shrugged her shoulders and led the Harmony students, following behind Noble.

Emio, advancing at the front, muttered to himself.

'This feels unpleasant. It seems to be going exactly according to Abbad's plan.'

This time, it was an exam with many strategic elements.

As such, he thought he, as the successor of a military family, would be able to play an active role.

However, the students unanimously chose Abbad as their commander.

That much was fine.

The problem was…

'Why did they make Karl, that bastard, the staff officer?'

Furthermore, Karl had perfectly figured out the opponent's attack route.

He disliked that fact even more.

'That commoner bastard is getting to shine perfectly, isn't he?'

It was a time when he desperately wished Karl's information was wrong.

Swaaaah-!

A presence was felt from the front.

Emio, who had paused, inwardly rejoiced and curled the corners of his mouth.

"It seems Karl was wrong after all."

"What?"

"It's the Glory guys."

At Emio's words, the Noble students hastily entered battle formation.

Accordingly, the Harmony students also prepared for battle.

"This has gotten interesting. Shall we see who came?"

It was when Emio was about to unleash his magic.

"I'll sweep you away."

Emio quickly chanted a spell.

But the opponent's chant finished faster than his.

Hwarururuk-!

Moreover, its power was as strong as the magic Emio was preparing.

Emio, who had been off guard due to the unexpectedly powerful magic, widened his eyes.

Kwagagagagang-!

"What?!"

A fire-type magic instantly evaporated the mist and enveloped Emio.

Emio frantically tried to defend against the sudden ambush, but the flames were faster.

Hwaak-!

Emio, struck by the flames, was instantly judged defeated and returned.

"You shouldn't let your guard down."

Nella let out a groan, seeing the figure that appeared as the mist cleared.

"Leo?"

"Why is he here?!"

"Was the information wrong?"

Leo, who was supposed to attack Noble, appeared at the rear.

The mist once again hid Leo's figure.

"Sense his presence!"

"How many Glory students came to intercept us?!"

"I don't feel anything!"

"Surely not…"

The Harmony and Noble students showed bewildered expressions.

"Alone?"

"Correct."

Woowoong! Hwarururuk-!

The students' faces hardened as they saw the rising flames.

Kwagagagagagang-!

A gigantic pillar of flame shot up.