episode_0062

Honestly, when Yukal explained to me about the upcoming 1st-year integrated exam yesterday and expressed how difficult it would be to team up with me, I couldn’t help but feel upset. Still, I hoped to communicate with other students besides Yukal and work together, so I should make an effort in that direction.

Fortunately, Lady Rachel, who came to my dormitory as Yukal mentioned, suggested teaming up first, which was a relief.

I was so nervous that last night, I even closed my eyes and counted numbers or sheep, but ended up staying awake all night…

“Nevertheless, let’s stay strong! Yukal must have gone out of his way to ask others to make room for me; I can’t mess this up with my mistakes.”

Before practicing together, we agreed to gather in Lady Rachel’s room for a strategy meeting. I needed to move quickly to leave a good impression, even if just a little.

Dragging my tired body, I quickly got ready in the morning, arrived at Lady Rachel’s room 20 minutes earlier than our appointment time, knocked, and entered. However, Lady Helena was already there, chatting with Lady Rachel.

“Come on in. Although there’s plenty of time until our appointment, arriving early is commendable.”

“I wanted to show up early to make a good impression, but being the last one in…,” I trailed off slightly disappointed.

Considering Lady Helena’s behavior towards me so far, it seemed like she anticipated my early arrival based on my general behavioral patterns.

After confirming my presence, she smiled and sipped her tea.

As Lady Rachel instructed, I took my seat, and as Lady Rachel served me my share of tea, the actual strategy meeting began.

“I believe this gathering is to unite our strengths as a trio during the group test of the 1st-year integrated exam to achieve good results. Does anyone want to speak first on this matter?” Lady Rachel stated.

In response, Lady Helena handed over some documents she had prepared in advance to Lady Rachel, containing all the team compositions for the upcoming group test.

“How did you obtain this?” I thought, glancing at Lady Helena with a surprised look, only to receive her usual smile in return.

“It’s information ‘coincidentally’ shared with me by someone hoping it would be helpful.”

If Lady Rachel didn’t quite like that answer, she made it known by further questioning Lady Helena.

“If you’re as intelligent as I believe you are, you should know that possessing such data as a single student seems rather implausible.”

“I assure you, this information wasn’t acquired through teachers or academy staff. It was gathered while waiting at the student reception area where someone wanted to help me. If you have a plan, forming a team early is advantageous since most teams are already composed,” Lady Helena explained.

With no room for rebuttal in Lady Helena’s words, Lady Rachel fell silent.

“Just remember, analyzing and preparing for your opponent’s capabilities beforehand is part of the process, not misconduct. We’ve encountered similar exams before, and issues of this nature haven’t been significant,” Lady Helena added.

It seemed that Lady Rachel also agreed with Lady Helena’s words, although she didn’t seem to like it.

“Did you really think you could win without resorting to such methods? Simply practicing and working hard will solve everything positively. It doesn’t work that way, does it?”

“I will proceed with this matter according to your suggestion. However, I would appreciate it if you refrained from using an aggressive tone that could cause discord within the team.”

Lady Rachel, who seemed to prefer fair methods, was willing to compromise since she didn’t want to ruin the team from the start, and there was also the pretext of conducting a thorough analysis.

“So, in your opinion, Lady Helena, who has reviewed this data in advance, which team poses the most significant threat?”

“If we prepare properly to face just one team, that should be sufficient. With our strength, we can easily secure victory against all others.”

Setting down her teacup, the finger she pointed with was directed towards Yukal’s team.

“If we can only defeat a team composed of Yukal, Victor, and James, then we can win.”

Her heart seemed to sink at those words.

Though she knew it, it felt like she had been sentenced to confront Yukal, who had always supported her, endured injuries for her, and shielded her from criticism.

“You might have guessed, but the core of this team is Yukal. If we can block Yukal’s approach, we can somehow overcome it, even if we have to endure some injuries from magic traps or attacks to break through. The likelihood of him deciding to push through despite suffering some damage is high.”

Her anger surged upon hearing this, clenching her fists tightly.

Having made Yukal suffer during the simulated dungeon test and having obtained information directly from Yukal as he subdued students to save her, it was clear.

The memory of not being able to control her tears upon hearing that Yukal, who had stepped forward to protect her, had sustained a major injury and was initially taken to the infirmary, still lingered.

“Although we have conversed in the infirmary since that incident and afterward, this person is too dangerous for Yukal.”

She must never approach Yukal recklessly.

“Lady Rachel, if you can restrain Yukal, how about we establish a basic framework where we deal with Victor first and then the three of us finish off Yukal, considering that targeting James first, who possesses considerable skills in the front line, seems realistically challenging?”

Lady Rachel, gazing silently at Lady Helena’s words, slowly opened her mouth.

“There is no major flaw in your proposal. Yukal’s prowess in handling intermediate demons single-handedly goes without saying, and Victor, a student, has also shown promise in swordsmanship classes. As for James, a student from the same School of Magic, you would know better about him.”

During the assault, Yukal had unfolded his Aura Blade to protect herself and Lady Helena.

At that time, she didn’t realize how remarkable that was, but later research revealed that merely mastering the Aura made one a knight, and handling the Aura Blade was considered a subset of that.

“However, it feels like you know a lot about Yukal as if you’ve faced him directly? As far as I remember, there was only one incident where Yukal fiercely confronted a mage. Does it relate to that?”

“Well, I’m not sure about that. I was simply drinking tea in an empty classroom that day by chance. Without solid evidence, please refrain from using an aggressive tone that could incite discord within the team.”

The atmosphere in the room grew chilly amidst their standoff.

“… It seems like you experience an unusually high number of favorable coincidences.”

“Oh my, luck isn’t a skill, is it? I’ll take it as a compliment.”

Proceeding like this could lead to the team falling apart from the very beginning due to their clash.

“I might not feel inclined, but now is the time for me to step up.”

Perhaps what Yukal had hoped for was not mingling with other students and fostering sociability, but rather possibly taking on the role of mediating between the two.

“Well, since we’ve grasped some understanding about the opposing team, I believe it’s time to get to know each other… My name is Claire, 19 years old, and I can buff the desired target. Additionally, I can handle basic magic and enchantments.”

Momentarily flinching under the attention of the two individuals focused on her words, she straightened her posture again, thinking of Yukal.

Seemingly understanding my intention, Lady Rachel was the first to speak up.

“I am Rachel Astraia. I am proficient in the swordsmanship passed down from my father, and in spaces I perceive as battlefields, I can receive significant enhancements in abilities. If we were to compare based on the mock dungeon, when exerting about half my capabilities, I fell slightly short compared to Yukal.”

“Since we all already know each other’s backgrounds as members of the same guild, introducing ourselves may seem redundant, but I am Helena Clark. As a mage in the rear, I can provide whatever support is needed, so don’t worry.”

“Thank goodness. Still, I was able to prevent the two of them from fighting by redirecting the conversation.”

The tension that seemed ready to explode at any moment appeared to have lessened somewhat.

“As you kindly treated me as you said before, thank you, Miss Claire. Could you provide a bit more detail about buffs and enchantments?”

“Yes! Buffs can enhance specific attributes like agility or strength for a certain period on the desired person. While I have only succeeded with fire-based enchantments so far, it is possible to apply them to items such as swords or armor.”

“There were some slightly precarious moments, but it doesn’t seem like a bad start after all.”

Claire, who was smiling before she knew it, found herself subtly satisfied.