71
And so.
The final charge that would determine the fate of the final exams and summer vacation had begun.
“The infiltration team will be as follows: myself, Relevrian, Donal, Lady Vladir, and Reyna von Wolfgang.”
“Ah, a special forces team.”
“Grr, how embarrassing. A joint operation with you…!”
“Oh my, Adrian, I must decline.”
Reyna’s firm words.
As I turned to look at her, I immediately understood her reason.
“This time, I will definitely surpass it. Is this it, Reyna.”
“Yes.”
A serious expression rather than the usual bright smile.
That’s right.
Because Daisy Von Schkross is the ‘leader’ of the opponent, she is also willing to fight directly.
“But if the leader dies, it’s an immediate defeat.”
“Oh, do you think there’s someone among the sophomores who can dare to surpass me in a magic battle?”
“Well, that may be the case… but…”
“Don’t worry, Adrian. I will definitely come back with a victory.”
To the guy who said that with a smile, I couldn’t say anything more.
He said he would overcome his own barrier, but isn’t it too early to stop him?
“Don’t push yourself too hard. Avoid what you can, don’t waste magic on things you can avoid, even if you can avoid them. Think of it as real combat. You are more important than just a final exam.”
“Oh, Adrian, then you shouldn’t push yourself too hard either. Even if you’re infiltrating as a reconnaissance unit, it’s a risky business to enter the enemy territory alone. Save your strength, handle things with certainty, move discreetly. Your safety is more important to me than the outcome of the final exam.”
This guy.
Glancing at him, Reyna smirked lightly.
“…Sorry to interrupt the conversation.”
Suddenly, the hamburger guy interrupted.
“They say the provisions are being moved.”
“We should part ways around here. The main force will advance straight on the front of the castle. While diverting attention, we will infiltrate discreetly.”
“Understood.”
I, Donald, with Lady Vladir behind me. And even Relbrian.
The four of us left the main force and ran towards the forest.
* * *
“…What should we do, Leader?”
“The enemy’s main force is approaching.”
“They are moving provisions, but the enemies are not showing much interest in the provisions to be suspicious. They are only advancing.”
“Leader, please give your orders.”
“I’m sorry. Please allow me a moment to think.”
Daisy Von Schkross, sitting on a stone bench, put her hand on her forehead and let out a deep sigh.
The answer is not clear.
In her own way, she thinks she used a trump card.
Sending out the entire army as soon as the reconnaissance unit was caught, using the golem cavalry to preserve the troops, it was all part of the strategy.
‘Was military strategy really this difficult….’
The opponent’s leader is Reyna Von Volfgang, but she knows.
The enemy’s command was solely entrusted to ‘her’.
Who would have known. They thought it was a full-scale charge, but they just broke through all the defensive structures and ran away, showing no interest in provisions, and are advancing here.
‘But this side is a fortress.’
Originally, defending a fortress is much more advantageous.
In front of the overwhelming structure called a ‘fortress,’ the difference in forces should not be so pronounced.
“For now, let’s prioritize moving the provisions.”
Perhaps.
This is the translated novel excerpt:
**This might be an opportunity.**
Daisy von Schkross turned her head quietly and looked at the throne placed behind her and the crown on it.
If that is taken or broken, it’s over.
Yes.
There is a “sure means of victory,” but that alone is not enough. A more certain plan is needed.
“…What should we do?”
Everyone was shocked by the strategy she mentioned, but realizing that there was no other way to turn the tide, she said so.
“And here, I will give up the leadership.”
The emblem of the defense team.
Taking it out, she handed it to the girl standing next to her.
“Kalen Snow White.”
“…”
“Please become the last guardian of that crown. Please protect it no matter what happens.”
Saying so, she stood up from the throne and walked forward.
From Noble mtl dot com
Around the girl with the purple hair emitting magic, four different minerals floated.
And the followers following the head of the Department of Magic.
They walked out through the arched exit filled with light.
“Now, let’s start the final act.”
* * *
“It looks like the battle has begun.”
Hearing the distant noise and the sound of explosions, Donal said.
“Reyna and the others have been left behind, but most of the key figures are here. Let’s go and take the crown before the other side is defeated.”
We were currently in the drainage ditch.
The water was up to our ankles, and we were advancing with a torch in hand.
The “Grenner” guys roughly sent us a map, but even without a map, I could find my way.
Well, it’s a path I’ve walked hundreds of times.
“Let’s go.”
Splash, splash, splash.
As we advanced without a break, water splashed.
“There’s something ahead.”
“Hmm.”
A clear shadow of a person.
And as we approached, a student from the Department of Knights appeared.
Wearing gym clothes and holding a large shield.
A familiar student.
“Is it Wilhelm?”
“It seems we meet as enemies, Adrian.”
He was clearly a second-year student and from the Department of Knights.
He didn’t seem to be from the attacking team; he seemed to be from the defense team.
“…I have to block this path.”
“Well, I know.”
Of course, they aren’t lacking in intelligence over there either.
So, did they anticipate aiming for the drainage canal in advance? Or did they already know from the beginning that I would infiltrate through the drainage canal?
One could say that they fell into a vicious trap of their own making.
However.
“I will stop them.”
“Adrian, you go first.”
Relvrian draws his short swords, while Denal advances with a greatsword in hand.
“…Hold your ground.”
“Got it.”
“Don’t worry.”
“…This battle might just be my growth!”
And then, the clash.
We passed by them, moving even further ahead.
We advanced to where the noisy metal sounds couldn’t be heard and encountered yet another person.
“Oh? Didn’t expect you to come for real. Nice to see you!”
“…Knight-cadet Chase. Levin. Adrian, I’ll take care of this one.”
“Are you sure? Lady, the flowing water…”
“This is still water. Stepping on it won’t harm us, and besides, it’s dark here with no sun. Moreover, the further you move away with that dreadful fire you carry, the stronger I become.”
She tore at her own arm, creating a one-handed longsword from the ‘blood’ and said, “Let’s go.”
“hahahahaha! If I defeat the cadet here, I become the cadet, right? Let’s have a go!”
The battle commenced.
I, too, passed them by, ascending further.
Walking, walking again, turning once, ascending further, turning left and continuing to ascend…
Light appeared.
And then.
“I didn’t expect my final opponent to be you.”
“…”
Approaching.
Towards the knight guarding the crown beyond the throne.
With light aqua-colored hair, a familiar shield, a familiar sword at the waist, and the gym uniform worn daily.
I drew both the spirit branch and the dagger simultaneously. Even though I had gloves on, I could feel the texture of the weapons properly in my hands.
“Adrian, I must protect this.”
“Of course, that is right.”
[The bond between comrades, ＜Lord and Knight＞, is activated!]
“Then shall we properly test the resolve of the knight to protect this side?”
“Please do.”
Eventually.
The sound of both of us striking the ground simultaneously echoed through the hall.
Magic clashes fiercely with magic.
“No way!”
“Ha!”
Mineral spears rained down from all directions, but Reyna deflected them with a combination of three elemental spells, then immediately scattered black flower petals in all directions from her staff.
In response, Daisy, raising her grimoire to the sky, transformed dozens of Florite minerals into longswords that poured down like a waterfall.
It was truly a fierce battle.
Everyone present stopped in their tracks to witness the epic clash unfolding before them.
A determination to defeat the opponent sincerely, and a collision with the resolve not to be defeated.
The magical battle was heading towards its end, with magic slowly beginning to reveal its limits.
Five elemental magic arrows swept across the ground from the air, causing Daisy, covered in dust, to tumble.
Supportive and offensive magicians, in fact, it was a miracle in itself that a battle was taking place.
Reyna gracefully descended in front.
“Shukross, filled with hatred. Let’s end this.”
“Ha!”
Then.
Maliciously.
Daisy von Shukross extended her finger, and a sword made of an unknown ore flew towards her right arm, precisely where her leader badge was, cutting it off.
Swoosh, and the fallen badge of the attacking team hit the ground.
“…You never really cared about your surroundings. That’s your downfall!”
The battlefield fell silent.
However, Reyna von Wolfgang simply smiled lightly.
The ‘leader badge’ that fell to the ground turned into dust lightly.
“…Illusion, magic? No way!”
“Yes. That’s right. I’m not a leader. Seems like you aren’t either, right?”
“hahahaha….”
Saying that, Daisy von Shukross, who staggered to her feet, was enveloped by countless swords and weapons made of ores exceeding seventy.
“So, you mean to see the end. Fine.”
What emerged behind Reyna von Wolfgang was intermediate magic of all elements that could be learned in the 2nd-year curriculum at the ‘Academy.’
It was then.
Reyna von Wolfgang felt a slight dizziness.
“Hmm, I see…Adrian must have taken some magic. Surely they are also engaged in battle. However, even if the magic disappears, I can’t give up. I can’t lose here!”
“Haaa!”
“Haaa!”
Magic imbued with their beliefs clashed.
A massive explosion swept through the battlefield.
Leader, you’ve fallen. How long have you been wearing that badge?”
“Since this morning. You, who are saying such things, aren’t you wearing one too?”
“I…”
I’ve already exchanged a blow.
Of course, the damage on their end is greater.
But I’m not unscathed either. Covered in dust all over, rolled on the ground countless times. My gym uniform is torn, and ice binds my feet.
Thus, the badge tightly tied to my arm revealed itself. I tried to hide it until the end. Too bad.
“…Now, it’s time to finish this.”
“Alright. The sea I desired.”
Even though I say that, I can feel that there isn’t much strength and magic left. The magic has already hit rock bottom.
“Since I couldn’t go for a long-term battle from the start.”
No matter how hard I try, the magic for one elemental sword strike is all I have. It’s impossible at this level. I have to strike accurately at least twice.
“Sorry… But… It can’t be helped, Reyna.”
[Activating the bracelet!]
[Requesting 2 mana loans to Reyna von Wolfgang!]
[The opponent has accepted!]
[Granting an additional 2 mana!]
I felt the magic coming in.
Yes.
I can’t lose now.
“Haah!”
Dodging the sword coming towards me, I cast ‘Fireball’ under my feet, destroying the ice and scorching the ground.
Using ‘Ice Shield’ to block my attacks and piercing through the gaps with ‘Will of the White Snow,’ she’s definitely grown more than when we met in the scouting party. In less than a day, to be exact.
If there’s something to protect, she becomes stronger. She is Kalen Snowwhite, known as the indomitable knight.
She’s steadily approaching her future. Seeing that, I couldn’t help but smile.
Yes.
I know I have to protect.
But insisting on protecting at all costs, sacrificing myself to withstand attacks I can’t endure, is different.
Kalen Snowwhite.
Unraveling the ‘curse’ and ‘past’ she carries has been my destiny since she joined as my comrade, but I never thought about when she would break free from them.
But.
Now, I have to think about it.
I draw my sword, strike with my elbow. She dodges, and I aim for her side with the branch of the spirit’s neck. At the same time, I twist my arm and thrust a dagger.
The Ice Shield blocks it, and she swings her sword fiercely from the other side. The clash continues, neither side retreating easily.
But.
It’s still not enough.
“Oh, wait…!”
The habit of swinging the sword, the character’s habits, the combat habits. To me, who knows all of that, combat is just a test bench to test the knowledge I possess.
One strike, two strikes, three strikes. I kick her legs continuously to throw off her balance, deftly dodge and disrupt her balance.
Now is the time.
“【Unyielding Crimson.】”
[Count has reached 0.]
[Can be used again at midnight.]
The first strike of Phil Jung.
And additional correction damage.
The face of the one who sensed defeat did not show despair.
“[Attribute Sword]….”
The wind-wrapped sword moves towards the shoulders of the opponent.
“[Stab].”
Squeezing out all the magic, the attribute sword successfully struck the ground, cutting through the opponent’s emblem.
But it didn’t stop there.
Staggering forward, picking up the fallen crown from the shock of battle, breaking it with a dagger.
Looking back.
I have no idea how the battle outside is going.
From Noble mtl dot com
But one thing is certain.
[Victory in the final exam!]
[There will be no victory greater than this!]
[Rewards are being calculated!]
Now, this storm-like final exam.
It must have all come to an end.