Chapter 50
s2hG5After Almon and Ludger’s elimination, the situation resolved more easily than expected.hsWzmA2
n6Wen9“This isn’t the time for infighting. If Fernan and Luina took out Almon, then they’re the ones in the lead right now.”DzF55L9
7yVtBUnder Carlo’s leadership, the remaining members of Group 1 and Group 2 allied and launched a direct assault on Group 3’s formation.bVJ
MmXuFJHowever, just after they left behind a small number of people, Group 3, who had rushed back as quickly as possible after eliminating Almon, launched an assault on the formation.pU5
9o6dJUX“Fernan? Luina?”ddwQpx
9BN9T3“What are you doing here?”Kjp
5qTCA“Our team is attacking your base right now!”yQcaHd6
Tc5wi“We know. That’s exactly why we’re here.”CXr
oeKAqyCapturing Group 1’s flag—completely unguarded—was even easier than expected.uN22cm
dTTmJ“Let’s head back to our formation.”OY6
NoOPKThe timing was perfect.jTf0
Zt6QElADozens of lightning bolts crashed down endlessly, and with the students’ fierce onslaught, the formation was practically in ruins.SEl8jwO
2AfL8Many had already been eliminated.gljh1
KiDLa1“Fernan…!”uXSR
6aJCarlo, leader of Group 2, clenched his teeth tightly.rUR
tc7O“Damn coward…!”p9At
2iC“I don’t think you’re any better.”FfMp
tpx“I challenge you to a one-on-one magical duel! If you’re truly an honorable mage, you’ll accept.”lymq
AbMW“I think you’re a bit confused.”RRrAo1Z
YzLJRFernan shrugged.XGCct
ISn74“I’m not a mage. I’m a merchant. And a decent merchant always seeks efficiency.”fv4FGqd
gQ2TIn other words, he had no intention whatsoever of dueling Carlo Deneb one-on-one.vsOLG9
JdhQ“Luina.”c6JLv
FFto0Zaaap!MrfQt
7jalWith a thunderous crash, the magic barrier protecting Carlo trembled. A bolt of lightning struck—but was blocked by a suddenly raised rock.U6f
GnD9The battle had begun.qpg
s4ReMis***2uSBl6
fZlbxThe ideal cooperation between a knight and a mage consists of the knight holding the front while the mage casts spells from behind.aVsbFu
0FkI7kA simple yet powerful combination.MWYh
7H7byBut because of that simplicity, if the frontline fails, the whole thing falls apart quickly.ImNd
yLbGroup 2 had the best mage in the faculty, but unfortunately, they didn’t have a knight strong enough to stop Luina.3VF2Ov
QyGAnd Carlo couldn’t handle Luina personally—not with Fernan persistently interfering and getting in the way.fzX
6IDA chaotic battle broke out, and in that type of clash, knights had the advantage over mages. Additionally, Group 2 had left part of their team guarding their formation, so they were outnumbered.Y5wMC7o
fHJvD9In the end, Carlo was forced to retreat, losing four teammates in the process.6LDBFQ
70BCT8A“Should we chase them?”1uTnLR
PjWd“Wait. Let’s take a moment to regroup.”Wcs
Mi7lFrom Group 3 to Group 1, then to Group 4. Now back to Group 1, then again to Group 3.zPJB
7zlRWThey had fought fiercely at each stage. Most were exhausted. A short rest was necessary.qrpI9Ya
UW6l“What if we give them time to recover? Wouldn’t that be a problem?”biy17l
IIpJA“We’ll have to accept it.”kS9I
hUKAfter all, if they chased them now, they’d suffer too.rM6
SPW8Besides, some of their own had stayed behind and were rested in the formation.puprZQF
OXTVWZaAfter sending out a small scouting party, Fernan and his team rested for about twenty minutes, then held a strategy meeting.VEtWc8V
xv7nE“What should we do?”kwZZhtv
dfft8“There’s no need for us to go, right?”Zw6S03p
wSwvJW“Yeah. Defending our formation gives us the advantage. No need to take risks.”m3u
HHVqcCW“What if they don’t move either?”gDQ
uBAv8“Then it becomes a battle of patience.”t0DB
OEBiGSNo one wanted to charge into enemy territory on their own. Fernan agreed.Ue0
TEvQM“Then for now, let’s reinforce our defenses…”BJl
oE1uXpAt that moment, a message appeared on all maps:De8ZILZ
ga0Oe5【Some rules have been changed.
First, the battlefield will shrink.
Second, the flag will be assigned to a member. If that bearer is eliminated, the entire team is eliminated.】0yp
7cxoc9tThe area on the maps began shrinking rapidly.4aXt
99PJ1【You’ve exited the battlefield. Return within the time limit.】DLW4n
a9jk【Time remaining: 30:00】lq6
d16Kp“Seems we weren’t the only ones thinking that.”D4sH
1exYcf“……”No9pHFw
vOj9GXv“……”lAU
8Us“Well, first we need to decide who will carry the flag.”ZQ0n
X3j1***JveYV
d2QT6He was unlucky.IYvqGaJ
5wj8The reduced field was formed slightly closer to Group 2’s formation, and the exhausted members had to move immediately without any rest.nul7v
6OhyNf1Those small setbacks added up and worked against Fernan.PzNi
DWx“I’ve been waiting for you, Fernan.”xxKPk
JL9oIwYFernan, who had assigned Gert Grotz as flag bearer and moved with his teammates, ran into the enemy who had already set up their formation.zr0Y
dBA3pa“Did you know, Fernan? First place is mine, not yours.”BmZvk
ryBUHdHe should have realized earlier that Carlo’s meaningless talk was only to buy time.qlpx
wQ9zh“I never said I was first.”8MDQ
bbRXymT“Yes. You’ve always been like that. With that calm gaze, like you know everything from behind the scenes.”xybRTh
ObhKs5GCarlo’s eyes glowed intensely.44Gl
lriT4“But this time you won’t be so composed.”8OS2URw
x3Knuv5He raised his staff.YbZz
cejykP“This time, I’ve won. You’ve walked straight into your grave.”cKsv
MOIFeZqTwenty mages stood beside him.LO1Gz
liP0F“A grave? Don’t be ridiculous…”C64d4GR
EqysMFernan laughed as he sensed the massive flow of mana building around Carlo.URNT
fj2XHNo one in Group 2 could manipulate that much mana alone. That could only mean one thing.cyGLhig
toO2U8“Combined magic?”aUbv
w6OIA technique where mages link through a magic circle to amplify a spell.1LoTtv
cEB6kARThe more mages involved and the more mana used, the more powerful it became. But it came with drawbacks.mOSKzRV
8d9Q8It required a complex system of calculations, formulas, and an elaborate circle, and the participants would be left heavily drained.InD
x2Iyabm“Sure, it’s time to end this, right?”wqVAnm3
j175msiThat’s why it wasn’t a good spell for a multi-team competition. Unless there were only two teams left—like now.WOYM
CdoZp2K“What a shame… we’ve already spotted you.”PddV69j
TT9qLAlso, combined magic needed time to activate. That meant the spell hadn’t been released yet.VZpi3MR
QCoq“Luina, stop them!”3iDqME1
GwXrz“You shall not pass!”BPD
umMqHM8Clang!9uP
PD2Luina’s sword, rushing at Carlo, was blocked by Alia.gPUgDn
coMGDgx“Attack!”Ay2vJZI
Mbp“Kill them all!”KXFuE
mUucYck“Combined magic? What kind of trap is this?!”O381RN
Okho0The students charged into battle. They clashed with Group 2’s defensive line. At first, it looked like an even match—but it soon tilted.SNA8z
DGQR0Naturally—some mages were occupied with preparing the combined magic.M8dYHMz
02alBut then, something Fernan hadn’t foreseen happened.xrsNbZ
gfLz7“Everyone back!”cJa
Lewq6The combined magic activated much sooner than he’d calculated.XPBzy
l1Mzy“…How is that possible?”AjyLzj
ZfN“Mana crystals aren’t yours alone.”AwUm
m9pd“Spread out!”uNR4
byPFernan struck the ground with his staff. Mana waves surged across the terrain.b1MJu
vuV9ChRrrrumble!NOdnY
dS1r2The field shook like an earthquake. Massive walls of rock rose one after another.JAjF
axYSFernan gulped down a mana potion and summoned more earth.WBrc3
oA0Meanwhile, massive black clouds gathered overhead.b5k
w4BsLUCrack!Ode6b
0l9gKHAn ominous sound echoed.h9dVD
kJw2Z“This is the end for you, Fernan.”vUKVDbD
8Ux“Wait! A spell like this could cause deaths!”4qL
1UPwCd“Luina Bercheff. That’s not my concern. That’s what the professors and assistants are for—if needed, they’ll step in.”Vggj6Y
8eUSHc8He wasn’t wrong.R91vR
hqGiEg3At that moment—VlJ8Pe4
ORcX“First place in the magic department will be mine too. As always.”S3dvJ9
4WrQbgKBOOM!QVDK
tZGaMore than a lightning strike—it was like divine punishment. A blinding light engulfed everything.1yiD
Uf4FtRrrrraaaaaggghh!XvO
BaAOtkThe ground collapsed.Gst
zCgxu***cL7t
tygiuk“….”U83Y
w9dFernan sat up.EX4
EoPuqk“Carlo… damn bastard.”2nXp
6DgCTeam 2’s combined magic blasted through five stone walls.w6EXY5R
1GSTTheir defensive circle was shattered, and all protective artifacts had burned out after serving their purpose.zfkwLC
fZkQ9B4“…One is completely destroyed. Do you know how much that cost…?”7WqP9K
tAFRA6At least the map remained intact. And Luina too.M4yCpGm
JOKkriABut the impact collapsed the ground beneath them, and Fernan fell beside Luina.HqTb7F
qBXroXtSeveral students were dragged down as well, but there was no time to help everyone.i1Edk3U
5xHR“Are you okay, Luina?”YnJe
CJ5w“Yes, I’m fine.”Lq2
jBfcTvBut her face was visibly pale.iXt
adz0Rb“And the others?”B3Ey2s
J2K“I don’t know. I didn’t realize it was like this down here.”e7SyogP
Qm1RTpzThe underground chamber was vast, with rubble and rocks everywhere.MpUumUj
eDe“We need to get out of here first.”tKG
BGnPyhC“Understood.”zki
N9aHbNAs Fernan checked Luina’s condition, she paused.QeWyx
tYzABz“What is it?”dIpe
hP8tp“There was something right where I lay down.”OOfKEJg
gtT3aCo“Something?”Evn
wcTDI6mFernan followed her gaze. Indeed, something shiny lay among the dirt mounds.Ulfu
h63jmbCarefully, he dug at it.6deXp2
XI8ZkA metal door embedded in the ground, leading deeper underground.DGv
XhtY9V“…What is this?”ItIF
LirEM3JNot large, but carved on its surface was an emblem of a bird.rd0ygj
3pAONo—it wasn’t just any bird.0UEqLvG
Mzf8h“Armian…?”bnz4sXV
tHbjAt first glance, it looked like an eagle, but it was the Saint Bird—the emblem of the Armian family.XzJ
llWuHNA sacred white-feathered bird with four wings.TivMbx
h6PuU6“It really is the Armian crest… But why is it down here…?”ilyy
SqU3DnLuina frowned in confusion, and Fernan realized immediately.lOQFQsK
sNXU81Y“…Damn. It’s all this underground fanatic’s doing.”u4k00dO
yH5V8zA setup.VRbFKb
LmFA trap arranged by the First Emperor.JnoA
3GHHow were all his traps buried underground? He must have been a knight—or maybe an earth mage?EXro
KgBb‘No, wait… wasn’t one on an island? In any case, Aint… why didn’t you find these before?’odG6
TUrNBut there was no time to investigate further.X3E1
j598j“Is anyone there?!”6Ofv
j9hge“Are you okay?!”S6bN
DwSw“Help me!”ZA8Q
mHCYWiVoices called from all directions. Fernan organized his thoughts.hE1a
mF2c‘This cannot fall into others’ hands. It must not be discovered now.’nVWFGd
HOLHW9rWhatever happened, Aint had to find this. Fernan drank a magic potion and drew a concealment circle on the ground with reagent.DkG
MqS4F“What are you doing?”NIGcL
XjB4iEY“A concealment circle. Making sure no one can find this.”3ozk3D
eFsbVC“Why…?”FmW
Bs89v“I’ll explain later. First, we need to rescue the others.”VUSHmJ
zFleO7“Understood.”9wFP
yuWOnce the circle was complete, Fernan and Luina began searching.ZkAjf
aesK“Are you okay?”96d1rbn
7Kx“T-thank you, Luina.”P8qSMMR
Ww4e“Fernan!”AeFlMDx
jLO“W-we need to get out!”1sv
VMbIn the end, they found seven students. But five of their maps were completely incinerated.ODJm
laTg339“We survived thanks to the artifacts you gave us.”uazdQ3m
PmC“Same here.”9fa39
4cWeAXThose who survived were the flag bearer Gert and his partner Neria.Q6rqlYv
iOkA6THanding out artifacts as a precaution had been an excellent move.aeQQzkt
j58X“Damned insane fools! Who casts combined magic in a test?!”0A5ynT
OQm“Aaah, my leg!”XZ8
75WoHcHSome had broken limbs, but no one was seriously injured or dead.60k
b1qc3tjIt seemed the map’s built-in magic was far more effective than Fernan had imagined.24M4n2N
imjM“Fernan. Do you have potions?”R2p7
G834CJO“Potions?”CnOeoBQ
nw1“We need to treat the wounded, right?”l65VeO5
A6IavmI“No need for potions.”06C8KTZ
EpCI“Eh?”tg7B0g
iLN8NA presence stirred.Fx5jw
UxLhSS“Where is everyone?!”RBOIq
4HEWet9“I detect life that way!”2eKn
btm7SIt was Professor Grad and three assistants.ul28
sbm“…Stingy.”ZQWz
Dlm6aO“I don’t spend where it’s unnecessary. Prepare yourselves.”wyv
2CD3I“Prepare… for what?”qjxWTv
51J“The exam isn’t over yet.”ONy
D36SiBecause they were still alive.4ytE
wnh***9nno
vHRBBIF“I won…!”KNu2WjE
GxdS3qCarlo exulted in triumph.dUfPcr6
Un9GDRUntil recently, he could have never imagined feeling this way after facing someone like Fernan.9Hod
n7wJtTenth place—solid but clearly below first.vVTj3
mgOThat’s what he thought. But he was wrong. Fernan had been hiding his true level and now stood at his throat.HCiQIo5
OG5W1JHe couldn’t let his guard down. He could lose first place.dYdrlTs
aS3jEspecially knowing Ludger Schwaben was eyeing Fernan warily.TdTO
yaR1So this victory was even more valuable.3JHfmq
gEoTHe’d lost during practice—and then lost again mid-term.BN5
Q4Q3K“Yes. We won…!”40E4qo6
QJiCY“I can’t believe we actually got first!”NYktw7
EuH7“But… what about those who fell—are they okay?”EggI
naOM“It’s not over yet! Finish off those still on the ground!”gdsDzpw
IL1bN“We just need to find Group 3’s flag bearer!”fSmg
tyUn8ZkThe Magic Department students couldn’t even move, weakened by the combined magic’s backlash. So the Knight Department began searching among the debris for Group 3 members sprawled across the field.MKL71o8
q1DxHalf had already been eliminated when their maps burned—but survivors remained.oA8Us4e
3I2RTOeThey couldn’t resist. They dropped without defending.Tv6
UpBbeCarlo was certain of victory.3YtZPC
JAJeTAnRrrrumble!EHi
k7Q58dUntil walls of stone rose from the ground’s collapse. On one stood a knight and a mage.HRXPW
LLQWL“Luina!”ZWx
xHVtVEo“Yes!”wNBeiT
PHf1aLuina Bercheff—the only other second‑year knight besides Almon with no equal.EcA8EMD
pWD7tUrShe sprinted straight toward Carlo.ATt
zhZO33She was fast—so fast that Group 2’s knights scattered across the field couldn’t reach her.8REh
e1y6“Damn sh—!”COztal
i9TOThat was her last scream.kY0
qQrNZV0The map barrier stopped the blow—but Carlo’s map ignited simultaneously.oAO8
0mpY“You got complacent, Carlo Deneb.”yQ25xE
4iE7gNo mage who hated losing—even if they were dead—spoke mockingly so sweetly in Carlo’s ears.U0k2kz5
wfd“I won.”wJzne
vy1bonFernan looked at him with a mocking smile.IOL
ThYDBR“First place isn’t really something I care about, anyway.”9tTWR
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