Union

Silence descended upon the table. Some nodded at my suggestion of a joint victory, but others shook their heads in denial.

,While the rule of joint victory exists, it’s practically impossible. The scores in the triathlon vary for each event. Even if the three academies take turns winning first place, the points earned in the final team event will inevitably lead to one academy taking the top spot. You can’t possibly be unaware of that.”

Several people nodded in agreement with Cassius’s words. I answered without hesitation.

,No. On the contrary, the team event is precisely what will lead them to a joint victory.”

Cassius’s eyes widened. I briefly explained to him, who was frowning and trying to understand my words.

,Because there are penalty points in the team event.”

,Ah…!”

Now everyone seemed to understand. It was a simple method of eliminating us with the lowest score, and then intentionally incurring penalties among themselves to make the final scores the same.

The premise that a joint victory was impossible had vanished.

Silence settled on the table as everyone seemed lost in thought. The upperclassmen looked at each other with complex expressions.

If they were to lose the victory that everyone considered a given in the triathlon they participated in, and even end up in last place…

Whatever the reason, everyone here would inevitably suffer. Perhaps ridiculous rumors might arise.

They would diminish us with plausible reasons, such as we were paid to deliberately lose, or we were arrogant and showed an opening to the opponent.

For those who need a target to shift responsibility, explanations are a repetition of a vicious cycle that creates rumors that need further explanations.

Clap clap clap, Edward applauded like an audience member. He focused people’s attention and gave a gentle smile.

,Amazing. As the rumors say, the first-year representatives this year are truly legendary.”

,…?”

I was puzzled by the sudden remark. I didn’t know such rumors were circulating in the academy.

,That was a good explanation. I’ll get you some cookies as a reward. That’s right, like Ross said, I also obtained information that the three academies will form an alliance.”

I looked at Edward with a slightly surprised expression. It was unlikely that such information would be easily leaked. It was hard to believe his words so easily.

As if to resolve my doubts, Edward explained with a gentle smile.

,Someone who has received favors from our family is a Muzheon (Moo-jay-on) official. That’s why I called you all here today. I wanted everyone to gather and consolidate their opinions.”

Edward paused for a moment, then said in a low voice.

,We may become honorable losers to break the 30-year-long vicious cycle. But we can also work together to destroy the academy alliance.”

Edward turned his head to look at Roel. Receiving his gaze, Roel smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

,I think we can do it if we become one.”

It was a voice full of confidence. Roel had entered the realm of transcendence faster than originally expected. He would be able to destroy the academy alliance with more overwhelming force than in the novel.

I silently looked around. Everyone had a confused expression at the sudden situation. Some raised their eyes and looked at Roel with expectant gazes.

They must be thinking of relying on the skills he showed in last year’s triathlon. It was the direction I wanted if they thought so simply. As I was wearing a satisfied smile, a small voice interjected from the side. It was a third-year female upperclassman.

,Why don’t we announce that the academies are forming an alliance? Then we might get help. Maybe they won’t form an alliance if they are conscious of the attention.”

My brow furrowed. It was definitely a valid point, but it contradicted my intention in bringing up the academy alliance in the first place.

,Then Edward-sunbae will be in trouble. To reveal the truth, we would have to reveal the source of the rumors. If we simply say it’s a rumor, the alliance won’t express any position. They know it will be revealed in the triathlon anyway.”

,…But there’s no guarantee that we can win first place against the three academies. If we spread the rumors in advance, we can at least have an excuse later.”

I’m sorry to the unknown sunbae, but I deliberately let out a loud sigh as if to be heard.

The faces of the sunbaes looking at me were filled with displeasure, as if they were offended by my actions. At that sight, I rather raised one corner of my mouth and said.

,Did we gather here to prepare for a loss?”

It was a provocative voice. Cassius, who was sitting next to me, said, ,You…,” but I ignored him and continued.

,Rather, this is an opportunity. The same winner has come out 30 times. Everyone must be feeling some boredom with the same repeated pattern. They are losing expectations and interest in the thought that the winner is already determined.”

I spread my arms with a somewhat exaggerated gesture. Like a musical actor, I gave a short question while giving eye contact to the audience.

,But what if the three academies form an alliance?”

The gazes of the sunbaes looking at me changed. Yes, these are the top and vice-top students of Transcendence Academy.

It would be troublesome if those with outstanding talents didn’t have this much sense.

,Everyone will think that Transcendence Academy might not be able to win this time.”

,That’s right, if a perfect champion faces adversity, people will regain their lost interest. People will send us more intense support as we fight desperately for victory in the midst of the joint attack. Expectations will also rise. Maybe more spectators will come than last year.”

It was Edward who continued my words at the right timing. Someone swallowed hard. When I turned my head slightly, Cassius lowered his gaze as if he was embarrassed.

,This is a gamble. The higher the risk, the more we can gain. If we leak rumors about the alliance, we will have some excuses for defeat, as sunbae-nim said. But the fact that we have to fight the academy alliance does not change. In the end, I think it’s a wrong choice that will reduce people’s expectations and lower the stakes.”

The third-year female sunbae with sky-blue hair, who received my gaze, closed her mouth for a moment. She wouldn’t have been able to completely shake off her hesitation. If we lose, it was a high-risk gamble that would leave us with the label of losers forever.

I didn’t intend to push her, so I told her what we would gain if we won.

,If we hide the alliance, we can revive the buzz and the lost interest. What if we even manage to win with difficulty? Stories about this triathlon will spread all over the continent. The taken-for-granted victory will turn into a valuable victory, and this triathlon will remain a legend in people’s memories for a long time. That the three academies joined forces, but in the end, they couldn’t overcome Transcendence Academy.”

Silence and stillness descended on the table. Only two people in this place did not change their expressions. It was the always expressionless Illia and Ellie, who was looking at me with strange eyes.

,…Can we win first place?”

The female sunbae turned her head and asked Edward, not me. The heads of the other people also turned together.

,Yeah, we just need to do well. The first and second year juniors are stronger than us. The inter-year matches will be in our favor. Rather, we should ask them. I’m sorry, but please help us win first place.”

Everyone burst into laughter at Edward’s playful self-reproach. The sharp atmosphere quickly softened. He’s a sly guy.

,Okay, we can’t just show a lacking side to our juniors.”

Cassius nodded at the words of the fourth-year female sunbae.

,I’ll apologize in advance. Please earn a lot of points so that we can forget about it.”

Everyone smiled at Cassius’s actions of playfully putting his hands together and bowing his head.

,Okay, in this triathlon, we aim for our 31st victory. Does everyone agree?”

Everyone nodded, erasing the remaining hesitation at Edward’s question.

,As Ross’s opinion, let’s keep the alliance a secret. Everyone, keep a tight lip.”

The gazes that had been focused on Edward were now focused on me again. I ignored Roel’s burdensome gaze, who was looking at me as if he was proud.

,Okay, then let’s all prepare for the team event together for one day on the weekend. We need to coordinate in advance.”

Edward skillfully led the conversation. They gathered opinions, made appointments, and this meeting came to an end. It was past dinner time, but I wasn’t that hungry because I had filled my stomach with snacks.

As I got up from my seat thinking of returning to the club room, someone suddenly reached out their hand.

,I’m Marie, the vice-top student of the third-year Alchemy Department.”

The owner of the hand was the female sunbae with sky-blue hair. I took her hand and replied.

,I’m Ross, the vice-top student of the first-year Combat Department. I apologize if I was rude.”

,Well, it’s okay. You said what was right. I look forward to seeing a good performance in this triathlon.”

Marie-sunbae said so coolly and left without any regrets. I was glad that she wasn’t someone who held grudges. As I was putting in the chair, I felt a blatant gaze. When I raised my head, Roel, who had met my gaze, twitched his lips.

I reflexively pulled my body back, but I couldn’t escape from a transcendent.

,Long time no see!”

I replied to Roel, who was already putting his arm around my shoulder, with a sighing voice.

,Nice to see you too, hyung.”