159 – Alliance
Silence fell over the table. Some people nodded at my words of a joint win, but some shook their heads in denial.
“There is a rule of joint championship, but in fact it is impossible. In triathlon, points are different for each event. Even if three academies take turns winning first place, one academy will have no choice but to take first place in the end because of the points they get in the final team event. There’s no way you wouldn’t know that.”
A few nodded their heads in agreement with Cassius’ words. I answered without hesitation.
“No. Rather, because of the team event, they will be tied for the title.”
Kassius’s eyes widened. I explained briefly for him, who frowned and tried to understand what I was saying.
“Because there are concessions in team matches.”
“Ah… !”
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Now everyone seemed to understand. It was a simple way to make the final score the same through deliberate conceding after we were eliminated with the lowest score.
The premise that joint championships are impossible has disappeared.
Since everyone seemed lost in their thoughts, silence fell on the table. The seniors each looked at each other with complicated eyes.
If you miss the victory that everyone took for granted in the triathlon you participated in, and even end up in last place….
Whatever the reason, everyone here is bound to suffer. Maybe there will be rumors that make no sense.
We will be put down for plausible reasons such as losing on purpose after receiving money, or being arrogant and showing a gap to the opponent.
For those who need a goal to shift responsibility, clarification is a vicious cycle that creates rumors that need clarification again.
Clap clap clap, Edward clapped like a crowd. He drew people’s attention and smiled softly.
“Great. As expected, it is appropriate to say that the first-year representatives this year are the best of all time.”
“… ?”
A sudden sound made me question. I didn’t know that such rumors were circulating in the academy.
“That was a good explanation. As a prize, I’ll bring you a separate cookie. That’s right, just like Ross said, I got the information that the three academies are going to unite.”
I looked at Edward with a little surprise. There is no way that such information could have been easily leaked. He couldn’t believe it easily.
As if to clear my doubts, Edward explained with a soft smile.
“The person who received the favor of our family is related to Mujion. That’s why I called you guys today. I wanted everyone to come together and bring their opinions together.”
Edward paused for a moment, then he spoke in a low voice.
“We could be honorable losers to break a vicious cycle that lasted 30 years. But we can all work together to destroy the academy union.”
Edward turned his head to look at Roel. Upon receiving his gaze, Roel smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
“I think if we come together, we can do it.”
It was a voice full of confidence. This is Roel, who entered the realm of transcendentalists earlier than originally. You will be able to destroy the academy union with a force more overwhelming than in the novel.
I looked around in silence. Everyone is confused by the sudden situation. A few raised their eyes and gave Roel a look of anticipation.
It seems that he intends to rely on the skills he showed in last year’s triathlon. Rather, thinking simply like that is the direction I want. As I was smiling with satisfaction, a small voice interrupted from the side. It was a female senior in the third grade.
“Why don’t you rather announce that the academy is united? Then maybe you can get some help. Maybe they are conscious of staring and don’t unite.”
The brow furrowed. It certainly makes sense, but it went against my intention when I dared to mention the academy union.
“Then senior Edward will be in trouble. In order to uncover the truth, we must uncover the source of the rumor. If it’s just rumors, the Coalition won’t express any position. It will come out in the triathlon anyway.”
“… But there’s no guarantee that we’ll be able to win first place against three academies. If you spread rumors beforehand, you can make excuses later.”
I’m sorry to the senior whose name I don’t know, but I deliberately let out a big sigh as if to listen.
As if they were offended by my behavior, the faces of the seniors looking at me were full of displeasure. Seeing that, I rather raised one corner of my mouth and said.
“Are you here to prepare for a loss?”
It was a voice close to provocation. Cassius, who was sitting next to him, said, “You… “, But pretended not to hear.
“Rather, this is an opportunity. Thirty times the same winner came out. Everyone must be bored to some extent with the same repetitive patterns. Expectations and interest drop at the thought that it is a competition with a winner decided.”
I spread my arms in a rather exaggerated gesture. Like a musical actor, he looked at the audience and asked briefly.
“But what if the three academies unite?”
The way seniors look at me has changed. Yes, these are the seniors and juniors of Transcendence Academy.
It would be difficult if people with outstanding talents did not notice this much.
“Everyone will be thinking that Transcendence Academy may not be able to win this time.”
“Yes, if trials come to the perfect champion, people will regain lost interest. People will send stronger support than before to us fighting desperately for victory in a pincer attack. Expectations will rise. Maybe there will be more audiences than last year.”
It was Edward who continued my words at the right time. Someone gulped. Turning his head slightly, Cassius lowered his gaze in embarrassment.
“This is a gamble. The higher the risk, the more we will gain. If you spread rumors about the alliance, as you said, it will be an excuse for defeat to some extent. But that doesn’t change the fact that we have to fight the Academy Alliance. In the end, people’s expectations will be lower, and I think it’s a wrong choice that only lowers the stakes.”
The third grade female senior with light blue hair who caught my eye shut her mouth for a moment. She would not have been able to shake off all her hesitation. It was a high-risk gamble that, if she literally lost, would be labeled a loser forever.
I didn’t mean to push, so I said what we would get if we won.
“If we hide the coalition, we can rekindle topicality and lost interest. What if you struggle to win? The story of this triathlon will spread all over the continent. The victory that was taken for granted will turn into a valuable victory, and this triathlon will remain a legend for a long time in people’s memories. The three academies joined forces, but in the end, Transcendence Academy couldn’t overcome it.”
Silence and stillness fell on the table. There were only two people whose expression did not change here. It was Ilya who was always expressionless and Ellie who looked at me with strange eyes.
“… Can we get first place?”
The senior lady turned her head to Edward, not to me. Other people’s heads turned as well.
“Yes, we just need to do well. Juniors in the first and second years are stronger than us. The school year will be on our side. Rather, we should ask. I’m sorry, but please help me get first place.”
When Edward playfully blamed himself, everyone burst into laughter. The sharp-edged atmosphere instantly softened. He is a snarky man.
“Okay, you can’t just show your juniors what you lack. “
Cassius nodded at the words of the 4th grade female senior.
“I apologize in advance. Earn some more points so we can forget.”
Everyone laughed at Cassius’ action of playfully putting his palms together and lowering his head.
“Okay, this triathlon we aim for the 31st win. Everyone agrees?”
Everyone nodded their heads, erasing any hesitation at Edward’s question.
“According to Ross’ opinion, let’s keep things a secret about the alliance. Everyone, keep your mouth shut.”
The eyes that had been on Edward turned to me again. I ignored Roel’s burdensome gaze as if he was proud.
“Okay, then let’s spend the weekend preparing for the group exhibition together. I need to adjust my hands and feet in advance.”
Edward skillfully led the conversation. He gathered his opinions, set up an appointment time, and the meeting was over. It was past meal time, but I wasn’t that hungry because I had filled my stomach with snacks.
As I got up to go back to the club room, someone out of the blue put out a hand.
“My name is Mari, second-in-command of the 3rd grade pension department.”
The owner of the hand was a female senior with light blue hair. I answered by holding her hand.
“This is Ross, the 1st year second-ranking combat club. If I’m being cocky, I’m sorry.”
“Well, it’s okay. Because you said it right I look forward to seeing you in this triathlon.”
Senior Marie said that and left without regret. She was lucky because she had no regrets. As I retracted her chair, I felt her blatant gaze. As she raised her head, Roel met her gaze and twitched her lips.
She reflexively pulled her body back, but she couldn’t get away from the transcendent.
“Long time no see!”
I replied with a sigh to Roel, whose arm was wrapped around my shoulder before I knew it.
“Nice to meet you too, hyung.”