Black History (2)
While Sivar was enjoying his leisurely days at his residence, the teams threw themselves into preparations for the final exam. First up was the team led by Luna. Though Luna was the official leader, Grace had taken charge of the overall planning. Luna herself admitted she knew nothing about strategy or tactics and welcomed any solid plan at any time.
"We have two options. Do we seize the castle first, or do we steadily gather weapons?"
Grace gathered her teammates and laid out the big-picture strategy. The revival point, which also served as their main base, had taken on the look of a command center, complete with minor supplies. A large table held a map for easy sharing of plans, and various tools were scattered around.
"But our top priority is scouting the terrain and identifying the next capture point. We know supplies will spawn, but we have no idea in what form."
"Then we should form a recon squad and map out the surroundings first."
"Exactly. We need to check each sector and see what's there."
Unlike the midterm, this final exam provided scant preliminary info. The professors had given plenty of details for the midterm, but here they'd lumped everything together in vague terms. The state of capture points with supplies, the form those supplies took, the defenses in place—everything had to be checked firsthand. It gave planners a real headache, shifting the focus more toward grand strategy than minute tactics.
Grace felt this keenly.
"Finally, we'll look for Sivar tomorrow or the day after. We don't know where he is, and rushing in blind could leave us open to ambushes."
Surprisingly, Grace wasn't heading straight for Sivar. Setting aside personal desires(?), she was coolly assessing the overall situation.
After exchanging various ideas with her teammates, she formed the squads. The 15 members were split into groups of 4/4/4/3, with the trio forming the command squad. Grace, Luna, and Lee Yeonju handled command, while the rest were recon or combat squads.
Good thing there's no grumbling.
The teams had no complaints about Grace's assignments or plans. And why would they? She was the daughter of a duke, wielding natural authority and charisma. Even Luna had ended up in the same squad as Grace without issue, leaving no room for dissent.
"You sure this is okay? What if the other side finds Sivar first?"
As they stepped out to scout the terrain, Luna voiced her concern, her tone laced with worry. Grace might not know it, but Sivar's combat prowess went beyond a strategic weapon—he could single-handedly flip the exam on its head. Luna lacked leadership skills herself, but she knew Sivar inside out. That's why she could offer such insights.
"Don't worry. Even if they find him first, Sivar won't sign right away."
"What's your basis for that?"
Luna grew more curious at Grace's confident reply. Even her attachment doll—no, her best friend Lee Yeonju felt the same. Grace sketched the surroundings roughly on a scrap of paper as she answered.
"We haven't gone to him yet. Sivar knows we'd come looking, so he'll likely hold off on any rival offers. In this exam, he's the absolute top dog."
"Ah, got it. So he won't commit until our team shows up."
"Spot on."
Grace nodded at Lee Yeonju's words. Luna looked like she grasped it too. As she'd said, Sivar held an unbeatable position here—like a key piece everyone had to court. Of course, given his personality, he wouldn't demand obedience, so they'd have to sweet-talk him in the end.
"So what's our contract offer? That's the key part."
Grace froze at Luna's question. Her neck flushed red. She barely kept it from spreading to her face, but her pale skin made it noticeable. She snapped shut her notebook, where she'd been jotting terrain notes, and cleared her throat. Her nape stayed pink.
"Ahem. Ahem. I'll tell you later. First, we confirm where Sivar is, then I go personally with the contract. But I can say it's something he'll love."
"Can't you give us a hint? I even gave you advice before."
But curiosity gnawed at her. Kara already knew Sivar's tastes inside out. For Grace to play her cards so close made it impossible not to wonder. Lee Yeonju was listening, but that was fine—they were teammates, and a girl besides. Grace seemed uncomfortable hoarding the secret, hesitating a bit.
"Um... sorry, but could I use a metaphor? It's too embarrassing to say outright..."
"More embarrassing than hugging Sivar?"
"...Hugging him?"
Here, Chaos Mouth struck again. Lee Yeonju's eyes shook wildly, her face screaming What the hell? But Luna, oblivious to the misunderstanding, wore her usual serene expression.
"Yeah. Yeonju, you know how he lived wild? He loves hugs."
"Ah... that makes sense. Hugs have been a cure for loneliness since ancient times."
Thankfully, the explanation landed. No big deal, she thought.
"And maternal love..."
"Okay, stop there. Any more and we'll just waste time."
As Luna's mouth geared up for another slip, Grace cut in hastily. One more word, and Lee Yeonju's cleared misunderstanding might balloon again.
"If you're that curious, fine. But it's embarrassing, so metaphor it is. Okay?"
"Doesn't matter to me."
"Me neither."
"Alright. It's... sweeter than candy and softer than cake! That's what I'm offering!"
Grace stammered it out, pausing midway. The blush she'd barely quelled crept back. She fought it, but some things couldn't be helped. Still, she got the words out.
"Sweeter than candy and softer than cake? Does that exist?"
"Is it from the supplies?"
Luna and Lee Yeonju both looked baffled by the metaphor. Meanwhile, Grace rubbed her flushed cheeks, trying to cool them.
"Ugh... no, not supplies. I read it in a book..."
"What book?"
"......"
Unlike Luna, Lee Yeonju clammed up. She had a pretty good guess. As Sivar's attachment doll and Grace's bestie, she knew her tastes well. She'd even handed her a fairy tale during that attempted assault incident. This had to be from one too.
"Sorry. Can't say more."
"Hm... it's food, right?"
Luna could be sharp sometimes, tossing it out thoughtlessly. Grace couldn't even respond to the guess before blurting,
"N-no, not food! But anyone could give it! Not just me—anyone!"
"Aha. Then I'll help. The more, the better, right?"
Luna meant it sincerely, no ulterior motive. But Grace's reaction was odd. She'd been embarrassed moments ago, now suddenly dead serious. Her charismatic aura made Luna flinch a bit. Had she crossed a line out of curiosity?
"Luna."
"...Yes."
"This is something I can handle alone. I don't need your help."
"...If that's how it is."
What could this contract be to make her so rigid? Luna figured she'd check it out later herself.
While Luna puzzled over the contract's nature, Lee Yeonju, deep in thought, ventured cautiously,
"...Grace?"
"Yes?"
"You don't mean... what I'm thinking, right? The thing from books..."
Lee Yeonju meant fairy tales, of course. And those always featured a certain scene. Grace's face tinted as it dawned on her, but she played it cool and prim.
"I think it's plenty valuable. They probably haven't even considered it."
"What if weird rumors spread..."
"It's fine. If it means acing this exam, I'll do anything."
Outwardly, for the exam. But her true motives ran deeper.
After the exam, rumors will fly, and it'll carry over to the freshman banquet. High-ranking folks will be there, so I can introduce Sivar proudly. And say it loud and clear then.
Grace's "strategy" stretched far beyond the finals.
His faith rose while he diligently listened to the song. Now it went up even when he just sat there, so he brushed it off.
"Hmm~ hmm hmm. Hmm."
For now, time to stretch out and relax.