episode_0213

“What in the world is going on—!! Narias Philbrogue, the winner of the last individual tournament and a student from 1-A! The strongest contender, she has exited the dungeon through the exit zone!!”

The announcer’s shrill voice, a slightly dry autumn wind.

Exiting the mock dungeon, the difference between the weather inside and out was more extreme than I expected. Inside the dungeon… the climate was surprisingly pleasant.

I immediately looked around.

It was a different training ground from where I entered. I don’t remember exactly, but it’s probably the first training ground. The designated place where early leavers gather to receive orders.

A spectator stand completely surrounded the circular training ground. Since only three hours had passed since the start, every seat was full.

Moreover, the Class Opposition Tournament was less a formal 1-on-1 duel and more of an all-star game, so there was an abundance of things to see. Its popularity is well-deserved.

……

However, the atmosphere felt strangely tense.

“The strongest contender leaving the match early and acting as a strategist… I can’t understand! What do the commentators think!”

“Ah… um, we don’t really know—”

“Yes! They don’t know! Cadet Narias’s actions, which shocked even the commentators, seem equally bewildering to the viewers!”

On the monitor I could see, a bald man was sweating profusely and flustered.

I wondered if he was getting paid properly; even I felt he was working hard.

My older sister, Shuti, isn’t very talkative either. The moment Meti, whose voice had filled the air, stopped speaking, silence descended.

This atmosphere is too subdued.

As a form of fan service, I raised my hand and waved.

“Oh my, Meti. Look. Isn’t Cadet Narias waving to us?”

“That’s right! Viewers, that’s Cadet Narias Philbrogue! We should keep a close eye on her future actions—!!”

A murmuring roar spread through the crowd.

The chatter of classmates in a classroom is different; the voices of the people filling the training ground’s spectator stands were magnificent enough to make my lungs tremble.

And, in boosting the atmosphere, action is more important than words.

I immediately surveyed the training ground.

…!!

My eyes met those of a cadet who had been holding a hand to their ear, relaying information from inside the dungeon. Their startled reaction suggested they felt threatened.

Grin—

“What’s so surprising?”

As expected of a senior. My honed instincts weren’t for show. Looking at their face, they’re a student from 3-C. They were in the same party as Hercules and must have sneaked out through the exit zone with his protection.

Around them, observers from various parties were similarly focused on analyzing the monitor footage.

Thump—

As I lightly took a step, they reached out to me, stumbling backward in panic.

“H-here, attacking here is a violation of the rules…?! Protective magic doesn’t work outside the dungeon—!!”

“Oh my, are you worried I might be disqualified? I’m so touched; I’m about to cry.”

My senior’s statement is correct.

During the exam, using “a method by which the barrier magic cannot recognize harm” to inflict fatal injuries on other participants is grounds for disqualification.

Examples include poison, curses, and so on.

And following that, this clause is added.

‘All other forms of interference are permitted.’

In short, if it’s just a matter of subduing them, there’s no rule violation even outside the dungeon.

And the observers who were already outside realized this loophole as well, and their faces turned pale.

“Do you want to be knocked out cleanly in one hit, or do you want to be beaten up until you pass out?”

* * *

“To think, to think that such a situation, far beyond the realm of expectation, would unfold!! Meti, even before becoming a commentator, often watched Kniprantz’s Class Opposition Tournament… I’ve truly never seen anything like this!!”

“Wow… hehe, that takes care of all the observers. She exploited a loophole in the rules to disrupt the reconnaissance of every party; now there’s nothing left that can hinder her.”

“Amazing—!! Viewers, are you watching?! This is securing the initiative! This is the strength of the tournament winner! 1-A has now completely gained information superiority!! Commentators, what are your thoughts?!”

“Ahem, u-um… yes, we also believe that 1-A is a top contender—”

“A perfect top contender!! With a powerful preemptive strike, 1-A has secured the upper hand; it’s incredibly exciting to see how quickly they’ll proceed!! This is Meti and—”

“Shuti here~ It’s been 3 hours and 15 minutes since the exam started. Everyone, please focus even more~”

Kwaaang—!!

A tremendous crash echoed through the upper floors of the Fortress mansion, inside Duke Darius’s office.

His fury at the sudden change in the battle situation caused him to smash the table.

The solid wood was completely shattered. Sharp splinters from the broken pieces caused a significant wound on his hand.

Drip—drip—

Bright red blood slowly flowed down his arm and wrist.

“I… I’ve fallen into a trap…?”

Everything should have gone smoothly.

Darius had also learned that Princess Narita was preparing for succession to the throne based on her actions.

Her life at the academy would naturally be considered part of her record. He’d assumed she would participate in the Class Opposition Tournament with all her might.

But her current actions, this act of becoming an observer by slipping out through the exit zone, was a bolt from the blue.

The enormous obstacle, Princess Narita, the biggest hindrance to the attack. Having decisively dealt with her, as he thought, Duke Darius issued the order to advance.

Through the Academy’s defense line, overflowing with loopholes.

‘Now that I look at it… these loopholes were all traps…!!’

He had presented the loopholes. Like baiting a juicy worm on a fishing hook.

And Duke Darius, who had always employed insidious schemes, had become the fish that swallowed the worm. All because of one crucial factor.

「Transmitting to the named individuals on-site, retreat immediately—」

「My apologies… Seeker-nim.」

「What—」

There should have been plenty of time left.

Princess Narita had left the mock dungeon, just subdued the observers, and he’d just spotted her standing in the training ground.

Naturally, she couldn’t freely leave the training ground either. Leaving the test site is grounds for disqualification due to the possibility of cheating.

‘There’s still time…’

However, when the Duke opened his eyes, which he had spread throughout the area to assess the situation.

He found a pure white doll in front of the named individual.

.

.

.

“Kutt…”

Strength filled the hand of the man in the black robe. The scarred hand holding the sword shook violently.

Selected as the leader of this attack was Kannadis. He was the so-called successor, taking over assassination missions after the downfall of Persona.

During Persona’s lifetime, he’d also been a member of her squadron. He used magic and freely handled various poisons, an assassin.

Thump—thump—

But that, too, is only effective against opponents vulnerable to poison and assassination.

Realizing the situation had changed, he turned his troops around at the same time as the retreat order was given. But, blocking his path was an intensely powerful aura he felt for the first time.

“A rat should know its place… I’ll compliment you on choosing this alley. It’s good that you’re out of sight.”

“…You. You’re supposed to be in the training ground—”

Simply put, he was unlucky.

It just so happened that Princess Narita, with her robust physique, was impervious to ordinary blades and poisons. Kannadis was selected because they thought there wouldn’t be a need for a confrontation, but Princess Narita’s soul-splitting technique had been perfected.

Very recently, at that.

“That’s right. My main body is still performing the order role in the training ground.”

“Main body… that means.”

Grin—

The pure white doll gives a chilling smile.

What stood before him now was Princess Narita’s Soul-Clone.

Poisons and assassination techniques that don’t work on her actual body wouldn’t work on a spirit body. Kannadis immediately focused on figuring out how to escape, gathering his strength.

Taaat-!

His feet powerfully pushed off the ground as he leaped away. For a brief moment, he was able to distance himself from Princess Narita.

Just for a moment.

Paang—!!

His body, which had shot out like an arrow, struck a solid magic barrier.

“Kutt… this is…”

His body is enhanced with a special poison. If he can’t break through with his current strength, he can’t escape by any means alone. Eliminating the barrier mage? That makes no sense. He was fleeing to avoid the battle.

The moment Kannadis saw the white barrier, he sensed the end of his life.

“You rats, always think of escape the moment you sense defeat. That’s why I learned some barrier magic during the mock dungeon.”

Near the academy, a dark alley.

The area where Moriarty’s soldiers were waiting was entirely covered by a translucent white barrier.

The responses of his subordinates began to cut off one by one.

If the lax security arrangement was a trap, they must be moving to deal with the soldiers about now.

Kannadis rose to his feet and gritted his teeth.

‘At least— one arm— no, I’ll make a small scratch on that hateful spirit body—!!’

He braced himself for death.

He launched himself forward, bursting the muscles in his thigh, strengthened with potent venom.

The air pushed against his cheeks. While it was clearly pushing against him, he couldn’t even feel it, so fast was he. Kannadis dashed ahead.

To launch a final attack on Princess Narita.

However, Princess Narita merely extended a finger.

“Skymane.”

Her pale pink lips moved briefly.

And in that moment, a pure white sword energy filled Kannadis’s vision.

The world spun upside down, and afterward, he could feel nothing.