Ch.172172. Week 2 Evaluation (8)

The referee begins to run into the arena.

This particular arena was hosting the captain’s match between the Mirpark and Sirah factions.

Observing this, Muniher strokes his chin and mutters.

“Hmm… a referee intervention?”

This was something that didn’t typically happen.

Unless an incident occurred during a match, there were few situations that would warrant a referee rushing into the arena.

In other words, this intervention meant something had happened.

Right there in that arena.

“Professor Muniher?”

“I’ll go down there.”

“Uh… you personally? There’s already a head referee and two assistant referees…”

“It’s getting rather boring just sitting here assigning scores. Take detailed notes in my absence.”

“Understood. Please go ahead.”

There are two most common cases where incidents occur during matches.

First is when there’s interference that could affect the field.

Though none had been detected in this faction battle, they were quite common in the past due to corruption.

But Muniher didn’t think that was the case this time. If it were, the referee wouldn’t have rushed directly onto the field.

So this was likely the second case.

‘Nothing unusual about it. It happened frequently in the Empire too.’

The simple purpose of a match is to secure victory by fully utilizing techniques and strategies.

While the significance might differ, such objectives become more pronounced in events like these faction battles.

That’s why it’s often seen—competitors getting swept up in emotions during matches.

Given that they were still students, it wasn’t entirely surprising that they might lose control and cause incidents.

But Muniher had no intention of overlooking it.

‘They seem to have forgotten this is an evaluation.’

This faction battle wasn’t just about determining winners and losers; it also involved assessment.

Having lost sight of the original purpose, this would lead to a significant deduction in points.

“Hmm?”

However, upon reaching the arena, Muniher immediately sensed that something strange was happening.

‘I expected to receive a situation report as soon as I arrived.’

His eyes caught signs that things were far from being resolved.

“Excuse me, you there.”

“Ah… Professor Muniher?”

“I noticed from above that there seems to be a problem. More importantly, what’s the current situation?”

“Well…”

The assistant referee glanced uneasily at the still-unsettled arena, looking troubled.

Deciding it was necessary, he approached Professor Muniher and carefully explained the situation.

“Huh.”

Listening to it, Muniher was astounded.

“I understand. I’ll mediate this personally.”

“…Yes. Please do.”

The spectators watching the match were murmuring. They didn’t know what had happened in the arena either.

What was certain, however, was that someone had intervened in this captain’s match. And from the Sirah faction, no less.

‘What were you thinking, Junon?’

He would need to hear the full story.

On the field stood Rana, Demian, and the intervening Junon, along with a medic.

“Head referee.”

“Ah, Professor Muniher.”

“What does the medic say?”

“Rana collapsed after taking a hit while experiencing mana exhaustion.”

Collapsed, huh. It was a natural consequence of using that much magical power.

However, that didn’t justify Junon’s intervention, which would be problematic.

“I’ll make the judgment. For now, take Rana down from the field.”

“Understood.”

After taking a deep breath, Muniher looked back and forth between the two individuals who still appeared to be in confrontation.

Then he addressed Junon first.

“I doubt this is the case, but have you perhaps forgotten the rules of the captain’s match?”

“No, I haven’t.”

Junon answered promptly.

As Muniher expected, someone as intelligent as Junon wouldn’t have failed to understand the rules.

“Then why did you intervene?”

The rules of the captain’s match dictate that contestants fight one-on-one, with winners advancing and losers being eliminated, until one team defeats all members of the opposing team.

Given these rules, interference from teammates was strictly prohibited.

“Because he crossed the line.”

Junon pointed his index finger at Demian.

“Crossed the line?”

“The outcome of the match was essentially decided when Rana’s strike failed to reach him. But he interfered when she was about to declare surrender.”

“Hmm…”

If this were true, Demian would face severe reprimand.

‘But such details weren’t mentioned earlier.’

Since the referees’ job is to watch for interference in the match, there was no one on the field to observe such minute details.

Moreover, even Muniher couldn’t catch such subtle movements from his distant vantage point.

‘And there’s no one else who could have witnessed it from the scene.’

While Demian did grab Rana’s wrist while wielding his magic blade, it was difficult to determine if this was indeed during a surrender attempt.

“I did notice Rana raising her left arm. So, Demian, I ask you: is what was just said true?”

Demian shrugged as if he had no idea what was being discussed.

“Come on, Professor. What nonsense is this? I was just making sure I’d win decisively.”

“Your attitude is disrespectful. Answer properly instead of being impudent.”

After this admonishment, Demian clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction before responding.

“I grabbed her hand because she might have cast another spell against me. I was just being cautious.”

“The decisive moment had already passed. Why did you need to execute such a powerful attack?”

“That’s not for me to know from my position. Besides, shouldn’t you first punish that guy for intervening?”

His crooked tone showed no intention of correction, even under Muniher’s stern gaze.

However, setting that aside, it was indeed difficult to make a judgment.

All the clues ultimately depended on Rana.

“I’m told it’s just mild dizziness, so she’ll wake up soon. I’ll wait until Rana regains consciousness before making a judgment.”

With that, Muniher left the field.

The two individuals still glared at each other on the field.

Demian approached Junon, sneering as he whispered:

“Couldn’t step up yourself, so you only show up when the small fry gets hurt? Heh heh!”

“…Take that back right now.”

“I don’t think I need to. If you have a problem, come at me. But you won’t fare any better. I can now crush the likes of you like an ant underfoot.”

He then tapped Junon’s shoulder twice.

“She might have fought with all her might out of inferiority, but the damage to my uniform was minimal. I guess trash taught by trash remains trash?”

“You bastard…!”

“Whoa there! Hit me here and you’re immediately disqualified. Don’t glare at me like that. It’ll be your turn next, so just wait quietly. Heh heh!”

With a vile smile, he left the field.

“Huff.”

Junon exhaled to release the heat rising within him.

Quietly, watching the back of Demian’s head, he murmured:

“I wasn’t going to step in, but you’ve made that impossible.”

***

Following Professor Muniher’s mediation, the match was temporarily suspended.

But the suspended match didn’t matter anymore.

“Teacher Junon. What’s going on?”

“Ethan. Do me a favor.”

“What?”

Caught off guard by the sudden request, Ethan asked in confusion.

“Go to Rana and deliver this.”

“Whaaaat?! W-wait a moment! Teacher Junon!”

Ignoring Ethan’s call, he headed straight for the Sirah faction’s waiting room.

Clack.

As soon as he entered, all eyes turned to him.

Whatever they were thinking wasn’t his concern. He didn’t care about their whispers.

“Give me the second seed for the captain’s match.”

“…What?”

“Suddenly asking for the second seed, what are you…”

The waiting room instantly descended into chaos.

Since yesterday, Junon had shown no interest in either the individual matches or this faction battle, telling them to handle it themselves.

But now he suddenly appeared, asking for the second seed in the captain’s match.

Given how contradictory this was to his attitude yesterday, everyone was understandably confused.

“I object!”

“Me too!”

There were those who opposed.

“Of the five positions available for the captain’s match, only one is reserved for an educator. It’s the most important position!”

“The only person here who should take that position is Teacher Aris. What makes you think we should give you that seed?”

More and more people voiced their opposition to Junon’s participation.

“Teacher Aris is a member of the Tembris party. How can you possibly replace her?”

“You’ve never even shown your skills. Right, everyone? See, no one has seen them.”

“If you participate and lose, it’ll only lower our morale… and also…”

“I heard you even scolded those who went to the Irob region.”

Various reasons were given to deny his participation.

It was clear that Junon couldn’t surpass Aris’s recognition within the Sirah faction.

But the public opinion took a sudden turn.

“Let’s do that.”

“What?! Teacher!”

“Teacher Aris…?”

“What are you saying all of a sudden?!”

It was none other than Aris herself who supported Junon’s claim.

Aris immediately handed over the participation rights certifying the second seed to Junon.

“Go ahead. I’ll convince the others.”

“…Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

With that, Junon received the participation rights and left the waiting room.

‘I finally spoke to him…!’

For Aris, who still felt uncomfortable facing Junon, this moment was incredibly nerve-wracking.

‘Oh… right…’

There was still a problem.

Inside the waiting room, everyone was looking at Aris with incomprehension.

To this, Aris tried to offer an explanation.

“To be honest, I’m not in the best condition today.”

“Con…dition?”

“But you said you were feeling great just this morning.”

“Did I say that? Ahem, ahem.”

“This is no time to be clearing your throat…”

Anyone could see that what Aris was doing now was merely making excuses.

Nevertheless, there was one thing she could assert with certainty.

“Junon might win all his matches.”

“What…?”

“Really.”

Because he’s a much stronger person than I am.

Aris repeated this to herself, dispelling her worries about the captain’s match.

***

—Oh, it’s Professor Muniher.

—Looks like the match is resuming?

Hearing that the match would resume, Erika also turned her attention to the arena.

“Rana has acknowledged her defeat, and Demian is declared the winner. Junon will participate as the second seed for the Sirah faction. That is all.”

The judgment that Junon would participate as the Sirah faction’s second seed.

While it seemed like an unusual decision, Erika didn’t care either way.

No, she was actually so satisfied that she wanted to laugh inwardly.

The moment when Junon’s true nature would be exposed was approaching—what could be more satisfying?

‘I thought Aris would step up, but this is even better.’

If this gets resolved, there would be no need to spread exaggerated rumors.

She would witness with her own eyes Junon’s humiliating defeat and surrender.

Tweeeeet-!

The whistle blew, and the match resumed.

‘The outcome is obvious.’

Erika was anticipating the sight of Junon’s ridiculous defeat.

But then.

—W-wow… did you see that movement just now?

—He just dodged that attack with his body?

In just a few seconds, Erika’s face hardened.

‘What’s going on?’

—Is that really the same person as before? What’s happening?

—He’s not even using magic, right?

‘What? What’s happening?’

The Mirpark headmaster had mentioned that one person was essentially enough for their captain’s match team.

Despite causing trouble, that person was Demian, whom the headmaster had confidently referred to.

He hadn’t won the individual competition for nothing.

Everyone had knelt before his power.

But now, that same Demian was being relentlessly pushed back.

By none other than Junon.

‘What the hell is going on?!’

Erika’s fingernails dug deep crescents into her palm as she clenched her fists.