305 – Academy Team Tournament – 2

“Dodge! A mad wizard’s dungeon is coming to get us!!”

“What are you talking about… It’s real. That crazy professor doesn’t know how to take it easy!!”

The students’ screams echoed, and a race to escape the impending doom began. Even though they were among the lower ranks, as academy students, they could all use mana to increase their speed.

However, the 『Mad Wizard’s Great Labyrinth』 had an unimaginable movement speed.

*Clackclackclackclackclack!*

*Thud.*

“…How is it so fast when a building is moving?!”

“It’s probably closer to a walking illusion magic than a physical object. Anyway, I’m really glad I didn’t skip my morning jogs.”

“Sorry to interrupt your self-praise, but isn’t it obvious that we’re being caught right now? Is that the right kind of praise for the situation?”

“If I hadn’t jogged, we’d be caught even faster. It’s a given, but it’s not good to have that kind of negative thinking that forces you to deny the obvious, Selvier.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯!!”

Selvier had a lot he wanted to say but held it back. If he said it all, he’d waste breath needed for running, he’d fall behind, and then Baekseol would tell him he lacked emotional control.

Now wasn’t the time to bicker, he had to think of a way to deal with the 『Great Labyrinth』 first. One minute left until they’re caught… How could they escape?

“Oppa… he’s a person who follows the rules. He wouldn’t have prepared for an insurmountable obstacle, there must be something, whether it’s a weakness or a way to deal with it.”

“……Did you just call the crazy professor ‘oppa’?”

“Ah, it just slipped out! Anyway, the most likely thing is the ‘Mansion of Glory’. There must be a reason why he emphasized it was an indestructible object dozens of times.”

“The assumption that that building is a safe zone seems logical. So, we make sacrifices here.”

“What?!”

Just as Selvier braced himself for a slow debuff aimed at him, Baekseol, who had been observing the ‘Crown’ battle, targeted the feet of other students being chased by the ‘Great Maze’.

“Ice Sheet.”

*Sliiiide.*

“Hwaaah-!!”

*Shlrrrrr*

The student, suddenly having their friction coefficient with the ground drastically reduced, slipped and fell, and was instantly snatched by a long arm reaching out from the entrance of the ‘Great Maze’, and was sucked inside.

Baekseol calmly observed this and spoke.

“It doesn’t seem to slow down even after consuming a victim? I thought that was a pretty strong hypothesis.”

“……Even if it’s a competition, doesn’t throwing another person into that ‘Great Maze’ prick your conscience?”

“I need to survive first, right? Metamorphosis, ‘The Tortoise Doesn’t Defeat the Rabbit’.”

*Swaaash-*!

The ‘Great Maze’ entered Baekseol’s field of vision, along with all the other Academy students trailing behind her. A merciless area-of-effect slow was unleashed.

“aaargh-!! I curse you, Baekseol-!!”

“I’d rather kill myself to escape this place! I’m going first, hwaaah-!”

“The slow rate on the ‘Great Maze’ is about 10%…… It really doesn’t work well on large entities. I need to buy some more time.”

“Are you a psycho?”

Ignoring Selvier’s words, which were filled with some unfathomable abbreviation, Snow brought her index finger across her eyes horizontally. It was an application of the fable ability she’d used on Bennett.

“『Clock Limit: Horizon』.”

The pulsing core of the hermit crab-like 『Great Labyrinth』 slowed, while its legs maintained normal speed. Snow’s calculation was that this would cause the head section to tilt backward, losing its balance.

But.

WHEEE- clackclackclack!

The legs of the 『Great Labyrinth』 multiplied, gripping the core, increasing their speed even further. She could see the mad professor’s intention; no matter what she tried, he wouldn’t let her slow its movement down any more than this.

Meanwhile, Selvier was exploring their surroundings. He’d already given up on reaching 『The Mansion of Glory』. The distance to the 『Great Labyrinth』 was only getting shorter.

But the fact that this monster’s movement speed was incredibly fast gave him hope instead.

If it were slow, it wouldn’t be designed to wipe them all out like that. So, he believed, there had to be some kind of gimmick mid-way that would allow them to evade or stop it.

And he found it.

“Hey, that thing that looks like a phone booth!”

“A what?”

“No, no… a cabinet! A rectangular structure a person could fit in! It definitely wasn’t there when we came through!”

“Ah, you think that’s a shelter… what if it’s a trap?”

If that thing was just a meaningless structure, then it would be the equivalent of prettily packaging them up and offering them to the 『Great Labyrinth』 to be captured. But Selvier was certain. If they went inside, they could live.

And.

“We’re gonna get caught anyway if we don’t go in there?!”

Honestly, they didn’t have the time to choose another option.

Thud!

The cabinet opened to reveal an empty space. And inside, a sign hung: ‘Disposable Safe Zone’. Selvier’s hunch had been right. The ‘Great Labyrinth’ chase was a piece of content using these cabinets to reach the manor.

Selvier turned to look at Baekseol and said,

“You take this one. I’ll go find another cabinet-“

“There’s enough space.”

“What? No, it’s obviously only for one person… Eek!”

Baekseol hugged Selvier and crammed them both into the cabinet. And slammed the door shut.

Thumpthumpthumpthump!

The sounds and vibrations of the approaching ‘Great Labyrinth’ grew steadily louder. It was getting closer. Selvier inhaled sharply, holding his breath. Truthfully, it was so cramped inside that it was hard to even breathe.

Right in front. Several grotesque legs passed right in front of the cabinet──

Thumpthumpthumpthump……

Moving away.

They were alive. That was the right answer. Somehow, they had managed to avoid ‘The Mad Wizard’s Great Labyrinth’. Selvier let out a sigh of relief mixed with a grumble.

“……Cramped.”

“But it was enough, wasn’t it? You should work on your spatial awareness, Selvier. And maybe go on a diet if you can.”

“It’s not cramped because I’m fat, okay?!”

“My physique is perfect, so obviously by process of elimination…”

Screeeech.

Selvier opened the cabinet door and stepped outside, his eyes following the back of the retreating ‘Great Labyrinth’. It was headed towards the ‘Manor of Glory’.

She carefully watched it, worried it might suddenly do a U-turn, before coming to a conclusion.

“I’ll need to keep watching to figure out the path it’s taking, but this probably isn’t the end of it, is it?”

“In the end, to secure our safety, we either have to forfeit early… or win.”

“It’s a temporary alliance. If the ‘Great Labyrinth’ interferes mid-fight, it wouldn’t be fair, so the ‘Safe Zone’… or, after securing enough time, we’ll go for the win.”

“Okay, sounds good. My magic hasn’t recovered yet.”

Selvier & Snow White Team, formed.

–

The White Lotus Duchess’s “White Lotus Knights” team were attempting to seize the mansion.

“Alright, let’s initiate the ‘Glory Mansion’ capture operation. While the main force attacks the front gate to draw attention, the detachment will circle around and infiltrate through the back door. The detachment’s role is to open the locked windows.”

“We’ll break through the front gate before the detachment even has a chance, Duchess! Before it gets cold!”

“Okay. Detachment. Ready?”

The plan is simple. Launch simultaneous attacks from the front and back. If the main force succeeds in breaking through, they’ll charge straight in. If the detachment succeeds, they’ll enter through the opened windows.

The mansion itself is indestructible, and the entrance is narrow, making it significantly disadvantageous for the attacking side. If the infiltration team fails to yield any results, they will likely suffer substantial losses.

“For the Duchess! Lance charge, prepare—!!”

“Ready!”

Clack.

Three students stood shoulder to shoulder, their long jousting lances extended forward, ready. The nobles of the academy, with their orthodox training, showed strength in this positioning.

The team occupying the mansion inside were startled by the display and began to murmur anxiously.

“T-they’re preparing a charge!”

“Shields up, shields! You go in front!”

“Hey! You had the highest shield skill score! You’re the one who should block them!”

Disagreement bloomed instantly.

Commoners, with their differing backgrounds and preferred weapon types, were each so used to fending for themselves that their teamwork was, if anything, worse than the nobles’.

“What are they squawking about?”

*Twitch.* The White Lotus Princess’s ear flicked slightly at her subordinate’s question.

“They’re arguing over who should be the shield. Each one is trying to make the other do it.”

“Thank you for answering, Princess! Hah, those commoners… they don’t have anything they truly want to protect, so they show such a wretched face. Before the chaos settles, we strike! Charge──!!”

“Princess, long live──!!”

*Dudududududu──!!*

Despite only three charging, the dust billows and the sound roars like ten horses galloping. The Lance Charge, limited to those mounted on horseback, could be used even by a single individual if their speed surpassed that of a horse.

The White Lotus Princess quietly watched the splendid charge, thinking. Couldn’t they leave out the “Princess” part from their battle cries?

*CRASH──!!*

“Gyaaah!”

“The barricade’s breached! Support!”

“That b*stard is running away…?!”

The main gate was instantly shattered.

The White Lotus Princess gestured to the special forces unit preparing to flank. No need for a feint attack now. Turns out this was a squad with subpar teamwork *and* skill.

“Enter, and if possible, don’t eliminate them. Keep them alive. We’ll negotiate and get some intel.”

“Understood! The Princess has deigned to spare your lives! If you lay down your arms and surrender now, you will be treated with civility, according to Imperial Law!”

“No fun to conquer.”

Luna’s expression, who had expected a thrilling infiltration, became even more bored.

Subsequently, the main force stormed in and “The Glory Manor” was completely seized. Of the ten originally occupying it, two were knocked out by the Lance Charge, and the remaining eight were captured.

Luna dusted her hands off, having strung the captured students together with rope like dried fish.

“All done.”

“Good work. You three, keep watch on the prisoners. Luna and my aide, let’s explore the second floor. The rest of you, please set up barricades at the mansion entrance and prepare defenses.”

“Yes, Princess!”

The White Lotus Knights moved with a practiced, seamless unity.

Clack, clack. Escorted by two others, the White Lotus Princess ascended to the second floor, scanning the interior of the mansion to catch anything out of the ordinary.

A vague unease lingered, the same suspicion she’d had before – that the mad professor had prepared something more.

“…The ceiling decor is a bit tacky. The chandelier style is also outdated.”

“Definitely has a nouveau riche vibe, Princess!”

“Here. Found something.”

And Luna had found something. A small screen installed in a shadowy corner of the second floor wall. The screen read: [Protected Capacity: 66]

The three of them huddled together, staring at the screen, their minds working.

“…What does it mean?”

“Reading it literally, it seems to imply this mansion can protect us from something. Maybe we can’t be eliminated inside here, Princess?”

“The number, it’s decreasing. 65, 64…”

“It’s not decreasing over time. The tempo is irregular, and now it’s stopped. There seems to be some… condition involved. We don’t have enough clues yet.”

While they discussed, the number slowly decreased, finally stopping at [Protected Capacity: 61].

What did this enigmatic number signify?

They would soon find out. One of their teammates came running up to the second floor, face pale, trembling uncontrollably as he delivered the news.

“Out… out there! Out there! At the windows! At the windows!”

“Hey, calm down. What the hell is it that’s making you—”

“『The Mad Mage’s Great Labyrinth』 is charging towards the mansion—!!”

*Thump thump thump thump!*

Lady Baegryeom and Luna looked at each other simultaneously. This was it. *This* was the wicked scheme the mad professor had prepared!

“So, the protection capacity… that means it protects us from the labyrinth, right!”

“Sixty-one, safe. Eighteen if we include the prisoners.”

“Right. No need to worry. We have plenty of room, so it’ll be fine. So, let’s just calm down and head downstairs.”

Lady Baegryeom led the group down to the lower floor. Half the students were in a panic, murmuring amongst themselves. According to Luna’s testimony, 『The Great Labyrinth』 was a dungeon constructed from only the dog-shit parts of the lessons they’d endured so far.

Even the bound prisoners started rolling on the floor, bowing their heads.

“Please, disqualify us, Lady!”

“Forgive us for coveting the mansion!”

“…Calm down. I checked upstairs, and it’s suspected this mansion is a safe zone. The protection capacity is 61, so all of us can survive!”

“The goddess protects us!”

And then, soon.

*Thump.* *Thump.* *Thump thump thump!*

『The Great Labyrinth』 was near the mansion. It seemed to be tilting its head this way and that, peering into the mansion through the windows.

Lady Baegryeom and the students fell into a tense silence, breaking out in cold sweat.

It’s okay. The mad mage doesn’t lie. If he made a gimmick, he’ll uphold it, so the people inside the mansion will definitely live…!

Just then.

*Shuuurrrrrrr-!* *Shpaaak!*

From the entrance of the shifting 『Great Labyrinth』, a long arm stretched out like a tongue, snatching up the members of the 『White Lotus Knights』 closest to the opening.

“aaah-! Why?! Why?!”

“Kyahhh!”

“How, how did this happen?!”

There were definitely 61, they said they’d protect us…!!

While the White Lotus Princess was frozen in shock, Luna calmly kicked the bound prisoners, pushing them toward the mansion’s entrance. She didn’t know how long this ‘hunt’ would continue, but she had to believe there would be an end.

“Hwaaah!!”

“I don’t want to go to the dungeon-!!”

The 『Great Labyrinth』 swallowed five more prisoners before stopping its feast.

Wooon──

It let out a strange cry, thud. Thud. Turning its back, it retreated. To the place it had originally occupied…

Chaos reigned within the mansion, a scene of utter disorder. The students were rendered speechless by the sudden catastrophe. A victim had emerged from their own group, even if it was only one. The White Lotus Princess’s mind was a jumble of thoughts.

“Why… why wasn’t the mansion’s safe capacity adhered to… A scam? Was the crazy professor a swindler or a deceiver?”

“…No.”

“If not, how can we… how can you explain this situation?”

Luna stared at the antique tile pattern on the mansion floor, then suddenly lifted her head. Unless the mad magician wasn’t suddenly mad, unless all these gimmicks were normal, and the interpretation wasn’t twisted unnecessarily,

There was only one answer.

“One from our group, five prisoners, a total of six. They were taken. Exceeding the protected capacity.”

“The protected capacity was a whopping 61 people. But why… could it be?”

They had searched every inch of the first and second floors but hadn’t seen a single person. So they thought that aside from their group and the prisoners, there was no one else left in the mansion. But.

“Yeah. My guess, they’re still in the mansion. A lot of them.”

…If they were using some ‘special method’ to hide inside the mansion. Then.

Subtracting the victims from the protectable number, the calculation results in a whopping–

“Forty-nine students are hidden inside this mansion…?!”

–

“Hey, what do we do, Gordius? Do we get out?”

“We hold out more. Until Envers or someone else arrives with the ‘Crown’, we maintain our concealment without change. Don’t make a sound.”

Luna’s guess was correct.