Book 1 Chapter 554

554.

Before the match.

Wareden, who had assigned the taunting mission to Iliana, spoke.

"The opponent team's main strikers are Chelsea Llewellyn, Chen Sia, and Eiran Ersar. It's clear it will be these three."

He looked at Chelsea, Chen Sia, and Eiran.

"It won't be easy to retrieve the ball from those three."

Speed is another matter, perhaps.

In evasive maneuvers, Chelsea is superior to Duran.

Also, while Celia and Duran defeat enemies with overwhelming power, Chen Sia was the type to defeat enemies based on flexible movements.

In Eiran's case, she is literally the guardian of her allies.

Therefore, once the ball is passed, it's hard to take it back.

"In the beginning, we'll have to focus on blocking their offensive. But if a gap appears…"

"We can pass the ball to Celia and aim for the first point."

Howl nodded and said.

As everyone agreed to that, Wareden shook his head.

"No, our first goal is to eliminate Kal Thomas."

At his words, everyone looked at Wareden with surprised eyes.

"Why are you making those faces?"

"No, it's only natural to be surprised. Because you said eliminating Kal is a priority over scoring the first point."

Juredan said in a bewildered voice.

In Bastella, assuming equal strength, the longer the time dragged on, the more advantageous it was for the defensive team than the offensive team.

In Bastella, defense includes the ability to possess the ball, and the ball is the only means of attack in Bastella.

Holding such a ball for a long time means having more attack opportunities.

Just as clothes get wet in a drizzle, the longer time passes, the more advantageous it becomes for the defensive team.

"We won't have many attack opportunities. Isn't using one of those opportunities to take down Kal a waste?"

At Juredan's words, the other students, except Wareden, seemed to agree and nodded.

"In Bastella, when an extreme offensive team meets an extreme defensive team, the defensive team has the advantage. That's why most students think Professor Lipen included Kal Thomas in the defensive team to balance it out. Even you all."

Wareden glanced - towards Kal Thomas.

"But Duran Moira, Avad Llewellyn. Didn't you pick Kal Thomas as the most troublesome opponent just a moment ago?"

"That…"

"Celia Gerdinger. You're also wary of Kal Thomas, aren't you?"

"That's right."

"But you only perceive him as an annoying presence, not necessarily a threatening one."

"Well, he's… Kal, isn't he? The weakest of the second years."

Turka shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm not ignoring Kal. It's true that Kal has survived this far because of his skill. And his strategy is excellent too. But this isn't exactly a real battle, is it? I think it's a waste to eliminate Kal, especially by giving up an opportunity for us to gain an advantage."

"That's precisely what's most bothersome about Kal Thomas. The fact that he isn't perceived as a threatening presence by observers. Even by Kal Thomas himself."

Wareden curled up the corners of his mouth.

"But remember this fact. He has always overcome trials just like us… no, in some ways, even more trials than us to be here. And each time, his party members always drew out power beyond their limits. All of you were there, so you know well."

At Wareden's words, Celia, Avad, and Duran's faces hardened.

"It's true that we were the ones who surpassed our limits. But can you really guarantee that you could have surpassed your limits if Kal Thomas hadn't been there at that time?"

"That…"

Celia's voice trailed off.

Looking at such a Celia, Wareden said.

"His frightening aspect is precisely that. The fact that he helps his comrades draw out more power than their maximum. The longer he stays on the battlefield, the more he will not only find our weaknesses but also strengthen the opposing team. I believe eliminating him at the start is the key to this match."

Wareden's gaze turned towards Kal.

"Whether to target him from the beginning or not, I leave that decision to you."

***

Fzzzzzt-!

The aura of lightning raged.

Nella blocked the ball flying towards their goal.

"Aaaaaaaah! Nella, get out of the way!"

"That's too reckless!"

Male students screamed from outside the stadium.

As Nella, considered one of the most beautiful girls among the second-year students, faced Duran, who boasted the strongest attack power in the Knights Department, concern naturally arose.

Thud! Kwa-ga-ga-ga-ga-gak!

As Nella caught the ball, she was pushed back!

Seeing such a Nella, Chelsea urgently used magic.

Whooooosh!

The blowing wind enveloped Nella's back.

Nella, who barely stopped, took a light deep breath and smiled faintly at Chelsea.

"Thank you, Chelsea."

Nella, who smiled faintly, walked towards the opponent's goal, bouncing the ball.

Seeing such a Nella, the male students gaped.

"A-are you okay?"

"How?"

It was when the male students were surprised.

"It seems you guys thought Nella Craven was just a simple healer."

Professor Lipen, who was grading, said indifferently.

"Of course, she was born with the excellent individuality of a healing-attribute aura, but Nella Craven is unequivocally a top-ranking student in the Knights Department. It's just that she herself isn't aggressive and uses defensive sword techniques, but in terms of toughness, she's one of the best among the Knights Department students."

"Nella is tough?"

"But she's a delicate beauty?"

As the male students mumbled blankly, Lipen clicked his tongue.

Nella specializes in blocking attacks, rather than defeating opponents on the front lines.

Her fundamental ability is healing.

She is essentially the best shield, fighting enemies while healing herself, buying time for the mages in the rear to cast powerful spells.

‘It's good that she's utilizing her abilities to the fullest, but I should advise her to be a bit more careful with herself.’

Even though it must be painful, she must be smiling her characteristic smile to alleviate her teammates' worries.

At that moment, Howl tried to take the ball from Nella using his aura.

But Taede quickly blocked Howl's attack using his summoned beast.

"As long as I'm here, not a single fingertip can touch Nella."

As Taede smirked and spoke, Iliana jeered.

"Boo~! Don't show off, Taede!"

"Nella, pass to Eiran."

As the ball was passed to Eiran, Iliana quickly ran away.

The current score was 2:2.

It seemed like a close match, but the defensive team was gradually being pushed back due to insufficient numbers.

‘It's a shame Kal Thomas was eliminated from the start.’

Lipen didn't put Kal Thomas in the defensive team to give a handicap.

He unequivocally judged him as a strategic asset and placed him in the defensive team.

‘But his own underestimation caught him.’

As he clicked his tongue, the tide turned in favor of the offensive team.

Ultimately, the match concluded with the offensive team winning 3:2.

***

Kal opened his eyes.

"Oh?"

Kal, who sat up from his spot, scratched his head vigorously.

"I got taken down. We lost, didn't we?"

"You know well."

"Ugh."

At the voice heard from beside him, Kal flinched.

There, Eliza was filing her nails, with her legs crossed.

"Eliza? Why are you here?"

"Because I'm the one who brought you to the infirmary."

"You? Not Chloe or Chelsea?"

As Kal asked incredulously, Eliza's eyes narrowed.

"Why are you reacting as if it's natural for other dormitory heads to take care of you?"

"No, well. You'd say, 'Hmph, why should I bother with someone like Kal Thomas? I'd rather file my nails in that time,' and wouldn't even look at me… *gasp*!"

"You're asking for a beating, Kal Thomas."

"F-forgiveness…!"

Kal, who had comically imitated Eliza, struggled to speak as a whip wrapped around his neck.

Eliza, releasing her power, snorted.

"I just thought that if there's a head of the same dormitory on the same team, I should take care of them. Moreover…"

"Moreover?"

"I vaguely thought that Wareden Tydan might target you first. Yet, my standing by and watching was a clear mistake."

Eliza bit her lip tightly.

"So it was Wareden's idea to target me first. But why, exactly?"

"Are you… asking because you genuinely don't know?"

Eliza looked at Kal with exasperated eyes.

Seeing such an Eliza, Kal scratched his head.

"Summoners must choose a summoned beast with stronger characteristics, even if they are of the same rank. That's why I think they have a better eye for people than knights or mages."

"Hmm, summoners certainly have that aspect."

As Kal nodded, Eliza spoke.

"I never thought I'd say something like this to you, Kal Thomas. You're a much more remarkable person than you think you are."

Eliza glared at Kal irritably, with a look that said she shouldn't have to explain such things.

"I'm giving you a lot of help. So I hope you don't treat yourself cheaply. Because it feels like even I, who receives help from you, become cheap."

At her words, Kal looked at Eliza with an moved expression.

"W-what is it?"

Seeing Kal continuously staring at her face, a slightly flustered Eliza blushed.

Kal wrapped Eliza's hands with both of his own.

"W-what are you doing?"

Eliza became even more flustered, her face reddening.

"Eliza, you knew you were getting help from me?"

"……"

"I thought you'd never know."

"What do you take me for?"

"But if it were you, I thought you'd be thinking, 'Hmph. A commoner. It's natural to help me. Consider it an honor.'…"

Whirr! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

"Aaaargh! It's a joke! A joke!"

Eliza, her face having turned cold, wildly swung her whip at Kal.

It was then.

Bang-!

"Kal! Are you all righ— Oh my?"

Bang! Iliana, who had boldly opened the infirmary door and entered, widened her eyes upon seeing the scene inside.

"You two were having a good time. Sorry for interrupting."

And she closed the door.

"Don't go in. They're having a whip play in there."

Iliana's mischievous voice was heard from outside.

"Kal Thomas."

"Yes."

"Can I get rid of her?"

"Of course."

Eliza, smiling coldly, went out of the room.

Iliana's desperate screams echoed throughout the entire infirmary.

"Sigh. I can't even rest comfortably."

Kal, sighing deeply and resting his chin on his hand, looked out the window.

‘Don't treat me cheaply…’

***

"The weather is nice today, so I feel good."

Elena, sitting on the cafe terrace, said, putting her mouth to the straw in her fruit juice.

Leo, sipping his coffee in front of her, said.

"You seem to be in a good mood."

"Because it's been a long time since I've skipped out."

Elena, smiling brightly as she answered, was beautiful.

True to the most beautiful woman in Lumern, just her smile made everyone in the cafe stare in awe.

Seeing her, Leo chuckled.

"You're so calm."

"Do I seem that way?"

"Yes. You called it a date, but all we're doing is sitting here and looking at the street. Aren't you bored?"

Leo and Elena, having left Lumern, had been sitting in this cafe for several hours.

Just watching the street view outside, eating snacks, and barely talking.

"I like it, you see. Spending time doing nothing like this."

Leo looked out the window.

As someone who always lived a busy life, spending time leisurely like this also significantly relieved his mood.

"Hmm?"

Elena, resting her chin on her hand and looking at Leo, said.

"Leo."

"Yes."

"Why don't you stay over at my place tonight?"