Sponsors (2)
As I explained before, sponsor events are mostly divided into two categories unless specific conditions are met. The Matra Empire, which values justice and honor. The Granada Empire, which prioritizes strength and pragmatism. This doesn't discriminate by profession. No matter the field, they tend to split that way.
Summoners are a prime example. The Matra Empire bans summoning magic, but the Granada Empire accepts it gladly if it's helpful. Plus, the Granada Empire leans more toward immorality and unethical practices compared to Matra. But that's inevitable—the Granada Empire, unlike Matra, lacks abundant resources. Without them, they have to compete through technology, and ethics just get in the way.
Anyway, to sum up: First-timers who know nothing should pick Granada, while veterans should go with Matra.
"That's all for today's class. The afternoon will proceed as announced, so everyone, do your best."
The weekend flew by, and classes resumed. Godin finished the lesson with words of encouragement and stepped out.
Today's class was informative as always. Godin's lectures were the one thing I always paid close attention to. After all, building affinity with him was key to learning his magic later on.
"From today, you'll have tons of people sticking to you, huh?"
As soon as class ended, Kara said that to Luna. I could guess what she meant. Luna nodded in agreement and asked back.
"What about you, Kara?"
"Forgot I'm a princess?"
"Just saying. Hmm..."
Luna lowered her head, looking lost in thought. As a commoner—and the top admission scorer—no less, this was a tricky spot for her. She'd lost to Kara in their duel, but crushed everyone else afterward. Her fundamentals were a bit lacking, but raw talent covered it. Polish those basics, and she'd shine like a gem.
Whether Matra or Granada, they'd be drooling over her. People would definitely approach.
'Someone like Luna will draw the top reps for sure.'
Sponsors vary by points earned and duel performance. Mediocre results get you some random lackey; standout ones bring the reps themselves. With Luna's record, a rep was almost guaranteed. Top admission wasn't just talk.
"You seem troubled, miss."
Just as I waited for Luna's reply, a familiar woman's voice cut in. Turning, I met sharp purple eyes. Her gaze was so piercing it felt aggressive.
"No need to agonize—our Matra Empire is clearly the better choice, no?"
Grace, the noble daughter of Matra. Always haughty, exuding an oppressive aura. Her presence alone was intimidating, and those razor-sharp eyes added subtle pressure.
"Granada chases strength and results so obsessively, they have major moral issues. Matra doesn't. Honor and justice—doesn't that just make your heart race?"
Grace elegantly brushed back her hair, praising her homeland. Pure patriotism.
Luna looked a bit put off, glancing at Kara, who just shrugged.
"Honor and justice, huh. Matra acts all high and mighty but pulls all kinds of dirty shit behind the scenes."
Then came a direct rebuttal to Grace's words. Her brow twitched, naturally. The voice came from behind me. Turning, I saw a male student smirking smugly. Black hair, beady eyes, overall sleazy vibe—like a rat, not a snake.
'Ah. That guy.'
He looked like some random passerby at first, but that line jogged my memory.
Ignoring Grace's scowl, the guy turned to Luna with a brazen grin.
"Better to go with Granada—they treat everyone equal, highborn or low. Right? Top scorer."
"Who are you?"
"See? They ignore anyone they're not interested in. Go to Matra, and they'll trample you like a weed."
If Grace and Elvin were Matra reps, this rat-faced guy was Granada's. Antonio. Sly schemer, thief class, and the Granada rep's little brother—just like his looks suggested.
"Interested in Granada? Just say the word—we'll welcome you with open arms."
"Amusing. Why assume Luna's even interested in you?"
"We don't discriminate by status, at least. Pure merit—climb or fall based on skill alone."
The two growled like tiger and lion. Other students perked up at the debate, eyes on them like with Luna and Kara before. Luna, caught in the middle, looked mortified.
"Man, you're really popular."
"......"
Kara even poked her shoulder, chuckling. She was safely on the sidelines, so it was hilarious for her. I found Luna's plight entertaining too, but it wasn't exclusive to her.
"Whatever. She'll choose herself. But first... Sivar, was it?"
"?"
Antonio called me. I blinked at him. He hesitated, then probed casually.
"Where's your interest? You don't know yet, but we're interested too. No discrimination, got it?"
"Hesitant to take Sivar? Our empire's always ready. Which do you prefer, Sivar?"
The spotlight swung to me, eyes everywhere. Not unexpected. If Luna was promising, I was a hot potato—tempting but too risky. High risk, high reward.
Of course, I'd pick neither. I knew everything already; no need to choose.
"Kara."
"Yeah?"
"Kara."
"......Me?"
I chose Kara. Stunned, she pointed at herself. I nodded. She looked around, bewildered. Totally out of left field for her—she'd been spectating safely.
No one saw it coming. Antonio threw up his hands.
"Eh, you're clueless now anyway—talking won't help. Still want that strength, though."
"True enough."
Grace agreed. To them, I was still a "wild man"—barely civilized. They'd assume I couldn't grasp the politics. That's why I picked Kara; she's the perfect neutral(?) pick.
"Anyway, choose wisely, top scorer. My brother's very interested."
Antonio sauntered off, his swagger screaming origins.
"No idea what Granada's thinking, letting trash like that into the academy."
Grace grumbled, displeased. In Soul World, she and Antonio were fire and water—never compatible. Teaming them was hell; I'd struggled mediating.
"Grace."
"Yes? Ah, Luna. Go ahead."
"If I pick one nation, they send a leader to mentor, right?"
"Yes. With your top score and duel results, our rep will step up."
"Who might that be?"
Grace froze at Luna's question—eyes wide. Her sharp gaze intensified. Objectively beautiful, but deadly.
She calmed herself, smoothing her chest, then spoke elegantly.
"Of course. You're a warrior type, so likely Lady Gloria herself."
"Lady... Gloria?"
"Yes. Like a noble white swan—elegant, with unrivaled justice."
Grace's noble metaphors flew over Luna's head; she blinked blankly. In plain terms: Matra's renowned powerhouse. She even held the title "Matra's Sword."
"Like the president?"
"......Compare apples to apples. You don't know how strong he is."
No contesting a monster like Lord. Just so you know—he slices space like cheese.
Luna looked sheepish.
"If interested, tell me anytime. I know her well."
"Mm... Got it. So who mentors you, Grace? Mages get it too, right?"
"Probably... Professor Delphoi. Know him?"
"......Professor Delphoi?"
Luna startled at the name, glancing at me. First impressions aside, he'd groped her sleazily—I'd snapped his wrist. He'd badmouthed us after.
"Yes. More like advice than full mentoring."
"From him?"
"No reason not to. I'll assist his research in return."
And get insulted as payback. Fine now, but Delphoi would bide his time. Publicly a top professor; his beastly nature was secret. Slips got excused as elitism. Solid backing too.
"Interested in magic, Luna? I can help."
"Ah, no. Martial arts alone overwhelm me..."
"Pity. What about you, Sivar?"
Grace smoothly pitched me, purple eyes hopeful. I'd decline, of course—Godin was enough. But a warning wouldn't hurt.
I answered her expectant gaze.
"Delphoi?"
"Delphoi? Learn magic from Professor Delphoi? Of course—he's..."
"No."
I cut her off firmly. She faltered, surprised by the bluntness. Then the warning.
"Beast."
"......Beast?"
"Delphoi. Bad."
What I meant: worse than a beast—stay away. Luna would get it. Her face turned odd.
"......Do you understand what Sivar just said?"
"......Beats me."
No! My bad—I'd trusted Luna too much. Disappointing. Then Kara, watching, chimed in.
"Sounds like that Delphoi prof's worse than a beast."
"Pardon?"
"Don't go near—guy's bad news."
How'd she decode me without Porori? I eyed her; she flashed her signature bright grin.
"Right? Pieces fit that way."
"Yeah."
"See? So why bad?"
Kara pressed. Short and blunt:
"Just."
Couldn't explain more.
*****
After warning Grace, next: delightful mealtime. Elvin still felt awkward sticking with us, plus Matra noble duties. So me, Luna, Kara hit the buffet.
Only option for my portions.
Chomp—chomp—chomp—
"Slow down. No one's stealing it."
"Mm."
"Answers fine. Juice."
I inhaled food; Kara set down a cup. I gulped it instantly. Meat mixed with juice.
Gulp—
Chewed thoroughly, swallowed. Always think it: this buffet rocks. Quantity and quality top-tier. Academy standards.
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
"A-again. Bones too, Sivar. Bones aren't food."
Luna scolded mid-bone-chew. I glared, annoyed. Don't bug a dog eating, huh? Too much.
Kara read me, intervening.
"Let him. No waste—good."
"What if a tooth breaks?"
"Grows back. Dad said so."
"......Teeth regrow?"
Luna gawked, half baffled, half amazed. I ignored—meals demand focus. Forest habits die hard. Why? Digestion trait. Focused eating digests fast, restores mana. Snacking? Slow and skimpy. Saves time too. Body's wired that way—hunts drained tons, boosted digestion.
"Mind if I join?"
Then an unfamiliar man's voice. Mid-chicken-leg crunch, I looked up. Huge guy looming. Not Hector-level, but massive. Rugged: angular face, bald forehead, horizontal scar over left eye.
Knew him instantly.
"Sorry to interrupt. Timing's tight."
"Who... are you...?"
Luna curiosity trumped annoyance. Kara silent but same. I was irked, but seeing him lifted it.
"Late intro. Granada's Chronos."
"Chronos? Granada's Might?"
Kara recognized. He bowed politely.
"The Tatar princess knows my name."
"Weird if not—fought my dad."
Oh yeah, Hector duel. Eye scar from that, probably.
Chronos touched it, glancing at me. I chewed, meeting his gaze. Interest confirmed.
"May I sit?"
"Ah, sure. We're done anyway. Sivar's..."
I shoveled remaining food. Almost finished. Chewed well for digestion, eyed Luna. Awkward smile to Chronos:
"......Perfect timing."
"Mm. Sorry again for the rudeness."
He apologized, sitting opposite. We three side-by-side—no need to shuffle.
Swipe—swipe—
I wiped crumbs and sauce daintily. Inhaled, but manners matter.
"I okay here?"
"If not bothered."
Kara muttered; he accepted readily. Awkward to bail now. I scanned: some stares, but they minded business. Rumors would fly—Granada rep scouting Luna personally.
"So... reason for visit?"
"To business? Straight to it."
"Please. First time for me."
"We want you to take our empire's emblem."
Open recruitment. Classic sponsor pick event. Accept, get emblem = affiliation. Benefits abroad; hostility home.
"This goes for you too. We crave your shown strength."
Luna next, me. My duels mesmerized Granada. Matra? Wary of wild origins.
Granada suited me, but no choice. Reason soon.
Chronos here meant that one coming soon.
"We welcome talent regardless of birth. Strength gets what you want."
"Proof?"
"Me."
Chronos: commoner to general. Unthinkable in status-obsessed Matra. Go-getters pick Granada. Players did too—morals optional in game.
"Sure, unethical, lacking morals. But we must fight..."
"Oh my. What's this?"
Mid-explain, a clear woman's voice interrupted. I thought: Finally.
"No cutting in line, General."
Click-clack-click—
Clear tone, Grace-like dignity but distinct. Crisp heels followed. I turned.
A woman approached—all white. Ponytail to outfit. Swan-like, beaming slyly.
"What rush for a general to scout personally? Mind if I join? Curious."
"......Gloria."
Chronos scowled, exasperated. Luna gaped at her.
Noble swan elegance. Epitome of "noble." Matra's Sword, sponsor arrived.
"Not your business. Leave."
"And if not? Looks fun—include me."
"Matra teaches such rudeness?"
"Call it fitting visit?"
No quarter given. Polite words, seething undercurrents. Luna sweated, overwhelmed.
But no worry. Deadly on surface—till you know the "secret."
'Heh.'
Matra's Sword, Granada's Might. Famous rivals, oil and water.
'Obvious up close.'
Secret lovers. Why no need to choose? This.
'Game version lacked this. See that lip curl.'
Know the secret? They mentor to buy silence. Together.