304 – Academy Team Competition -1

The Rose family, one of the Empire’s three ducal houses, are deep-rooted royalists.

While Redburn (outwardly) represents the interests of the nobles, and Julius of the North maintains neutrality, the Rose family maintains the balance of the scales by supporting the Imperial Family.

Many people look up to the Rose family, calling them ‘partners of the Imperial Family,’ and believe they are the most powerful of the three dukes, shielded by Imperial protection.

But like the tireless paddling of a duck’s feet beneath the surface, things aren’t quite so simple on the inside.

Because pleasing the Imperial Family was an incredibly difficult task. Whether it was a nervous tic passed down through their noble bloodline, the emperors have always been paranoid.

(Since only a tiny few know the Imperial Family’s secret history about “it,” it could only be considered a genetic factor.)

From the perspective of wanting to maintain close ties with the Imperial Family, having too much power would arouse the ruler’s suspicion, and having too little power would mean they weren’t really needed. Because the Empire always had the power of ‘boy knights,’ even more so.

And they couldn’t really advise through knowledge either, because the Imperial princes and princesses were always gifted with outstanding talents.

They are inferior to Redburn in wealth, and they don’t hold a special position like the Northern Grand Duke family either. So, how has the Rose family managed to survive and maintain their power as a ducal house?

They gathered information.

Linked with the Imperial Defense Bureau, they scraped together all information from within the Empire and delivered it to the Imperial Family – a massive human search engine converging a hundred streams of information into one.

Thus, the Rose family had, at some point, come to be known as the Baegryeom (Hundred Convergence).

The current Baegryeom Duke, a kind father and unambitious man, didn’t try to do anything more. He gathered the world’s stories and, without processing them in any way, passed them along to the Imperial Family. He just did that job.

He maintained small merchant guilds and minor knightly orders, but never intended to expand those groups or amass power. The power of the Rose Duchy stemmed from the Imperial Family, so avoiding stepping on their toes was paramount.

Therefore, the Baegryeom Duchess, the rightful heir of the Rose family, had absolutely no reason to run around diligently at the academy.

Becoming the academy’s top student wouldn’t change anything in particular.

It wasn’t like cracking knuckles and going around beating down “brave” Bennet or whoever would dramatically broaden her political standing. She just needed a diploma; that was enough.

Even her relationship with her father was good. Unlike that mess of a family with the Yu whatever barony, the Baegryeom Duke had told his daughter that she didn’t need to be skilled, just to grow up bright and healthy.

So, the Baegryeom Duchess herself had intended to attend the academy quietly.

“Don’t stand before the Duchess!”

“Make way! Make way! The Duchess’s shadow is passing!”

“……..”

How did it end up like this?

It’s a long story. She didn’t even remember it properly anymore. It was like a snowball rolling from a very small misunderstanding at first… How it got this far, she couldn’t say.

Maybe because the non-noble faction was so strong in the academy at that time, the noble faction needed a rallying point.

Sometimes it was bothersome, and it was frankly burdensome to have them follow her even to the restroom and guard the door, and her face burned whenever they shouted to clear the way as she passed.

“『The Mansion of Glory』 is visible in the distance, Duchess!”

“There are figures moving inside. Seems like there are those who have taken it over!”

“Duchess, your orders!”

“Orders-!!”

“Umm…”

What can I say?

These noble followers, gazing at me with such sparkling eyes, now look like baby birds chirping for food. Is this what responsibility feels like?

I’m not particularly outstanding or anything, and in some ways, just an ordinary girl. Yet, these people, who would be considered top talents anywhere, are showing me such limitless faith.

I want to repay that faith, even just a little bit.

The reason I’m up late at the library, flipping through books, the reason I’m wincing with muscle aches while swinging a sword, it’s all to repay them. Though I’ll probably never reach that ideal leader image they have in mind…

I wonder if it’d be good enough if I could even follow 10% of it.

So, the White Lotus Duchess gathered her courage again today.

“First, we’ll explore slowly. The team competition is in three days, there’s still plenty of time. Bennet is guarding ‘The Crown,’ so it won’t be easily taken. We have ample time to prepare.”

“Then, what kind of preparation?”

“I heard the mansion itself can’t be destroyed… but there’s no rule against setting up obstacles inside and outside, right? What if we block off the entrance?”

“Effective. Very good.”

Accompanied by cheers and exaltations of “As expected of the Duchess!” The White Lotus Knights began preparations to retake the Mansion of Glory and set up barricades.

While the noble young masters were felling nearby ornamental trees to make logs, Luna Sterry, looking at the isolated mansion, had a question.

And she reported it to the leader, the White Lotus Duchess.

“It’s long.”

“What is, you mean?”

“The time limit, three days, it’s far too long considering the conditions.”

“…You’re right?”

The White Lotus Princess pondered Luna’s words, falling into thought. It was a peculiar time arrangement, for sure.

The time one had to stay in the “Manor of Glory” while wearing the “Crown” was one hour. But the matches lasted for three days. Plenty of time.

At this rate, every team could peacefully rotate wearing the crown and they could all gain points. It wouldn’t mean much since it wasn’t an absolute evaluation but rather a relative one…

“No. There is meaning. Team-based alliances are possible.”

“…So you’re saying that multiple teams could join forces to keep the top contenders in check, and the allies can rotate wearing the crown to score points, is that it?”

It made sense. The White Lotus Princess’ mind conjured an image of Gordius. With that man’s personality, it wouldn’t be surprising if he gathered a whole bunch of people. That’s how it was back at the Tower of Trials, too.

“Yeah. But, that’s not important.”

But Luna Sterry seemed worried about something else. She thought back to the “Fantasy Magic Countermeasures” lecture and the Tower of Trials climb. The content that the crazy mage had his hands in always had a gimmick.

Even the tentacle dungeon had a hidden gimmick. The more people caught in the tentacle trap, the lower the difficulty became.

Wasn’t it possible that there was a hidden gimmick this time too?

And…

Would that crazy professor really just sit back and watch as they all join hands and form alliances to sit in the manor and dawdle?

At that moment, a sharp and intense idea flashed through Luna Sterry’s mind. Her stomach twisted and the fine hairs on her arms stood on end.

Could it be that what the crazy professor had prepared was—

–

3 consecutive wins.

“How am I supposed to scratch you if you block and deflect everything?!”

“It was a good match. But it seems your technique is lacking. I won’t eliminate you, so you can go now.”

“You’re so dirty and underhanded…”

Bennett easily took 3 wins in 3 matches in a row with a universal defense alongside “Hwon.” And yet his breathing never faltered. The academy students he faced were on the weaker side, but Bennett’s own skill was also reaching a new peak.

From the stands, a burst of applause, enough for three people.

“Oppa…”

“He’s so cool, right? Your brother.”

[I’m so happy to see him growing. He seems to have more room in his heart, too.]

Bennet’s younger sister, Verda, looked equally moved. The hunter boy who barely scraped by, catching beasts in a rural village, had become a magnificent holy knight.

Bennet had struggled for a long time to save his sister. But he didn’t want her to feel burdened by his efforts.

That’s why he entered the team tournament.

“Is there no next challenger?”

“You just won so overwhelmingly and you’re asking for a challenger?!”

“If there isn’t, this ‘Crown’ will lose its master.”

He was showing it with his actions, trying to convey his feelings to his sister.

*Look, I’ve become this strong. I’ve even found love. I’ve gained a life. Trying to save you was a blessing, Verda.*

So please, don’t feel any burden or guilt… he thought.

Verda nodded, a small tear glistening in her eye. There were no words, but the feelings were clearly communicated. It was worth it, making a ruckus in the team tournament.

When everyone shrank back before Bennet, who had seized the ‘Crown,’ Selvier, who had been quietly watching for a chance, stepped forward boldly.

“Bennet! Next is m— urgh, slow…”

Slowly, slowly.

But for some reason, his body’s speed had slowed to half its usual rate. He was clearly reaching forward to move, but it was slow like a slow-motion video.

And with a light tap on Selvier’s shoulder, someone cut in front.

“You look quite cocky, Bennet. I’ve come to claim the ‘Crown’.”

“Next, is it you, Snow White?”

“Hey!! Cutting in line, no, Bennett, you heard me speak first!!”

Though clad in a fur coat, ironically radiating an intense chill, was Snow White, Selvier’s nemesis and rival.

Selvier, dumbfounded by the sudden line-cutting, yelled out.

“Do you have no conscience?!”

“Isn’t it the fault of the slow one?”

“You, you were the one who cast the slowdown!”

“I couldn’t stand to watch the waste of time. Selvier, you can skip the thanks.”

“……..?”

Selvier blinked. Is this, ‘You’d lose anyway if you fought, so I went instead. Always be grateful.’ kind of thing?

“Dammit……..!!”

*Whoosh*. Selvier spontaneously combusted with rising fury.

But Bennett and Snow White, unconcerned, calmly prepared for battle. Selvier grumbled for a while, then plonked down on the spot, thinking, ‘Let’s see how well you fight.’

It was unfair and infuriating and aggravating and she wanted to die, but she couldn’t exactly throw a flame harpoon at the back of someone in a one-on-one match, could she? Selvier wanted to fight Snow White fair and square and win.

So that that narcissist would have no choice but to acknowledge her!

*Sssshhh—*

“Are you ready?”

“I should be asking that. Be prepared, Bennett. I wouldn’t want to ruin a happy couple.”

“Selvier. I didn’t quite grasp the intention of that statement. Could you interpret it? Is it a provocation, implying that I should be careful, lest I crumble before my lovers?”

“……..You’re supposed to focus on each other in a fight. You have to look at each other for a long time. So she’s saying, you might fall for her beauty, so be careful.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

Bennett quietly raised his focus.

Baekseol. A mage of the Blue Magic Tower. Specializing in all forms of ice magic.

And… before Bennett experienced his own apotheosis through that event, she was already a powerhouse who had reached the apotheosis stage long ago. Her apotheosis ability is also famous.

Sssshhh——

A chill swirled, and a spiral of blue energy gathered in Baekseol’s right eye. And everything caught in her vision became ‘slower’.

An all-directional slowdown.

“Apotheosis, 『The Tortoise Cannot Beat the Hare』. You might as well give up now.”

“⋯⋯Your surrender suggestion is about half a century premature. Isn’t it a bit too early?”

In other words, it was just a slowdown.

Bennett flicked his fingers, gauging the degree of slowdown. All movements were about 30% slower. Then… by infusing his body with magical power, he could act as quickly as he was slowed.

As straightforward as the effect is, the countermeasure is equally simple. Does that mean, in the end, the winner is determined by the difference in raw power, not an apotheosis ability that can’t stand up to a superior? And currently, Bennett’s power is—clearly superior to Baekseol’s.

It was the result of consuming, every single night to endure, a huge amount of the elixirs he had discovered while confiscating the mansions of former cardinals of the Goddess’s Church.

Thud. Wham-!

Having made his assessment, Bennett surged forward. The ground caved in, and he closed the distance with Baekseol at an arrow’s speed. If he could subdue her before she could cast a spell, the fight would be over.

As if to mock such a thought.

Baekseol quietly raised her fingers.

She brought her extended fingers up close to her right eye. The world reflected in her eye split in two, and the slowdown effect became limited.

“『Time Restriction: Upper Crescent Moon』.”

They deviate.

Bennett’s body, untouched by the fable, moves at a normal speed, but the other half, affected, is slowed. A difference in speed occurs.

With a jolt like something catching from within, his body’s direction goes awry. At the same moment, Snow White’s concise incantation rang out.

“『Ice Needle』.”

*Whoosh-*!

A gap opened for an instant, a very thin and fine needle shot out, barely grazing Bennett’s ankle area. Bennett, about to continue his attack, lowered his sword instead.

The condition Bennett set was “a single scratch.” The battle was already over. He laughed in a hollow way.

“…So it’s like this?”

“I told you, you could have given up by now. If you don’t heed the advice of a wise mage, you end up losing out like this.”

“I concede defeat. Here’s the 『Crown』 we agreed on.”

*Thwip.* Bennett tossed a small tiara. Snow White jumped and caught it. And after looking it over, … she seemed to like the design and immediately put it on her head.

Snow White confidently started walking towards her next destination, the 『Mansion of Glory』. Even if it was under a condition, the only person who followed her, who had defeated Bennett so quickly… was one person.

Selbier caught up next to Snow White.

“I’m next!”

“Yes.”

“Tell me when your magic is fully restored. I want to fight you at your best.”

“Yes. It’s not full yet.”

Snow White gave a small smile, hidden from Selbier who was chattering beside her. Life wasn’t boring with her around. Plus, being a fire mage, she was also warm.

“And just to let you know, I’ve also reached the fable. Got it? I’m not the same as before!”

“That’s unexpected?”

“…Eee, if I just say the trigger phrase right now, wings of fire will *whoosh* and…”

I always figured we’d reach the point of a fable someday… it just happened sooner than I expected. It’s a good thing my friend’s growing so fast. Snow White celebrated, but only in her mind.

Narrow-minded Selvier seemed jealous of Snow White’s own growth, but not her – with her magnanimous and generous heart. She’d be happy for him, properly so.

It’d been a while since they’d talked, so maybe she’d stick around a little longer today.

“…Is your mana full?”

“Not yet.”

“You only shot off one ‘Ice Needle’…?”

“Not yet.”

Snow White, whose mana had long since refilled, lied calmly, walking with Selvier. How much time had passed like that? When Selvier, tired of waiting, started talking about healthy eating and how well-done meat should be, that’s when…

…from way out there.

From waaay out there, something wobbled, getting closer.

“So, if you overcook meat, it’s actually bad for the nutrients… hey?!”

“That. Over there.”

“Why is that over… uh, uh?!”

Click. Click-click-click-click.

Making a bizarre noise as it crossed the ground, a silhouette, reminiscent of a hermit crab… with dozens of legs. It was getting closer and closer.

Selvier realized what it was, his face going white.

That, that was…『The Mad Mage’s Grand Labyrinth』.

Snow White, Selvier, all the other academy students; they’d all vowed to absolutely *never* step foot in that place.

“…Why is the dungeon entrance walking around on its own?”

“Selvier. You’re slow to react.”

“Huh, uh?”

*Thud.*

Baekseol began to sprint in the opposite direction of the approaching Great Labyrinth.

“G-go, go with me! Together!”

Selvier was moved by the chillingly precise and quick judgment, but soon regained his senses and ran too. He couldn’t get caught by the walking 『Great Labyrinth』⋯⋯!!