Feigned Alliances and Sudden Rescues
Luna appeared to have bought into Antonio's words, but in truth, she hadn't fully committed. After all, Sivar had just claimed victory over Hector in their duel. That meant his raw power was immense, berserk mode or not. And his destructive force could rival Hector's—or surpass it. He didn't even need to go far; one Death Beam would end it.
He's ridiculously strong to begin with.
Among his attributes, his raw strength stood out the most. Perhaps due to his red mana, Sivar's physical power exceeded all expectations. So Luna made her judgment: pretend to side with Antonio while slipping in what she really wanted to say.
Practical training? It didn't matter. With demons involved, priorities shifted far beyond personal scores. Of course, they'd need professors' help as backup, so she'd play along just enough for appearances.
But her inexperience posed a problem. Even with a plan, Luna had a glaring blind spot.
"It's okay if you don't accept. You probably need time too."
She lacked street smarts. Completely oblivious that the entire exercise was being broadcast live.
If she'd been even a bit sharper, she'd have realized the professors were watching everything. But no matter how brilliant the mind, without experience, it's just brute force. And Luna had just arrived from the countryside.
So she saw this moment as her golden opportunity. A chance to speak freely with Sivar. To outsiders, it looked suspiciously like a confession—an intriguing development, to say the least.
"But I'd really appreciate it if you did. I'm... really curious about you."
Words dripping with double meaning, ripe for misunderstanding. She'd called out Kara's slip-up last time, yet here she was, doing the same. Unfortunately, Luna didn't notice a thing.
Beyond naivety, the tension of deceiving her team—including Antonio—and the fear of no other chances had her on edge.
Luckily, Sivar had cleaned up the attackers, creating this opening effortlessly. All that remained was his permission.
Luna gazed at the blankly standing Sivar and opened her mouth.
"Can you give me an answer?"
A plea that sounded almost desperate.
Sivar glanced around at her request, as if checking for listeners. But the area was empty—he'd taken care of everyone long ago.
Luna instinctively followed suit, scanning the surroundings. If anyone overheard, it would be disastrous. This was a secret she couldn't share lightly. Exposure would complicate everything.
Please. Please. Please.
She prayed fervently inside. She hoped Sivar would accept. Opportunities were rare; she'd even sacrificed this exercise. Rejection now would give her a massive headache.
As if sensing her desperation, Sivar rolled his eyes before speaking in his usual gruff tone.
"When?"
"!!"
His simple question made Luna's eyes widen in shock. She stammered urgently.
"Y-You're accepting?"
"Yeah."
Sivar's blunt affirmation lit up Luna's face like sunshine. The pent-up tension melted away in an instant, her expression radiating pure relief and joy.
"Yes!"
Oblivious to the professors watching, she pumped her fist triumphantly. It looked exactly like someone celebrating a successful date proposal—enough to stir fresh, youthful feelings in any observer.
In fact, the professors were applauding wildly at her reaction, united in rare support.
Hehehe. Finally feels good.
Ignoring them, Luna reveled in her victory. She'd secured a private moment at last. How many anxious days had she endured, fretting over Sivar's secret leaking? No more worries now. If his true nature came out, she could even find allies to share the burden.
She bounced on her toes in delight before suddenly remembering something.
"Oh right! Not the time. Hurry to Grace. She might be in danger by now."
"You?"
"I'll handle myself. Go."
"Okay."
No intention of fighting Sivar. It'd just waste time. Training was one thing, but combat here offered little gain. Even at her best, one punch from him would drop her—what was the point?
Better to part amicably, sparing feelings all around.
"Oh. Sivar."
"?"
Just as Sivar passed her, Luna called his name. He turned back.
Luna usually kept a straight face like Sivar, but her emotions shone through subtly—and vibrantly now.
"Looking forward to it."
Pure joy and happiness beamed from her. A countryside girl's innocent, beautiful smile. She even brushed back her hair in a way that subtly tugged at the heart.
Even Sivar, largely oblivious to such things, stared blankly for a moment at its radiance. For someone under constant stress lately, each expression carried immense impact.
"...Yeah."
Sivar mumbled awkwardly and plunged into the forest. Luna waved him off warmly.
Left alone, she glanced at her cocooned teammates and started walking. No need for cleanup, but to be safe, elimination was best.
She removed the bracelet from her wrist.
"Hum de dum~"
Unable to contain her joy, she hummed a tune, swaying her body expressively. If anyone watched, she'd restrain herself—but no one was, or so she thought.
If he really knows the future, what should I ask first?
Click!
Lost in thought, she struggled with the bracelet. A blue barrier enveloped her, followed by a sleep spell. She closed her eyes slowly.
Good thing Sivar's kind.
Kind, yes. Not the type to blab personal history.
******
Mistake, thought Grace, separated briefly from Sivar. Better to have scouted the valley together and planned ahead. Safer, more effective.
But Sivar's antics were too wild, and she figured she and Yeonju could manage. Above all, she hadn't anticipated other teams uniting for a pincer attack so soon.
No. With Sivar here, teams might gang up... but...
She hadn't dismissed the idea entirely—just hoped it wouldn't happen. Preparation never hurt.
Problem was, it was too soon. Barely 12 hours in.
"Just remove your bracelet nicely, Lady Berche. No trouble then."
A male student menaced Grace and Yeonju with his sword. Four teammates flanked him.
Grace scanned them closely. Some faces she recognized. Especially the leader.
"You're on Elvin Martis Jerka's team, right? Surely he wouldn't stoop to this cowardice?"
"No. Lord Jerka isn't involved."
The boy from Elvin's team shook his head. Grace sighed inwardly in relief. Elvin was proud and just, despite his arrogance. He'd never approve ambushes.
No matter Sivar's absurd strength, Elvin preferred fair fights.
"Did you send anyone after Sivar?"
"Yes. More numbers than here—even the top admittee."
"L-Luna...?"
Yeonju, trembling beside her, murmured in shock. Grace groaned too.
Luna involved? Logical, but still cowardly.
Incomprehensible. No need to eliminate us.
Sivar was a tiger—peaceful unless provoked. This was survival, not deathmatch. No reason to knock out others.
Especially with first and joint-first so close.
Anyone smart could see the exercise's true goal.
If it were about conflict and eliminations, maybe.
All futile. Nearly every team united against Sivar—cooperation, in a twisted way.
Grace smiled bitterly, glancing back. Pinned against the safety barrier. No escape.
Fleeing outside for 10 minutes to regroup? Slim odds. They'd pursue relentlessly.
Best to hold until Sivar arrives.
How long? They had five balanced foes; she and Yeonju were mage and thief. Close range crippled her—distance was a mage's lifeline.
Dire, but Grace brainstormed.
Yeonju...
Only one reliable ally. She glanced aside.
"Ughhh..."
"......"
Yeonju gripped her dagger with both hands, quaking. Hope she didn't hinder. Grace's opinion of her sank; she clicked her tongue inwardly.
One option left: fight desperately. Bracelets were hard to remove even for the wearer—buy time till Sivar.
"...Can't understand why choose the hard way. Easier paths exist."
"You think so, Lady Berche. But this is our best shot."
"I see it as the worst. Whoever planned this botched it badly."
Unintentionally slamming Antonio. Not entirely sloppy—they split for support cut and ambush. Key was tying down Sivar. Might even eliminate him.
Grace's nightmare: Sivar out, stalemate.
No comms either. Frustrating.
Survival rules blocked team chat unless multiple mages.
"Enough talk. If bracelet's tough, step outside."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then..."
The boy smirked incredulously, slowly withdrawing his sword and sheathing it. Not retreating, though. He gripped the scabbard and murmured.
"No choice. Force it."
He charged Grace. Too close for proper casting.
But Grace wasn't yielding—she'd thrash desperately.
"Slipper—!"
Too late. His blade tip arced toward her face. She squeezed her eyes shut, half-resigned.
Then—
Crack!
"Guhk?!"
The charging boy tumbled sideways inexplicably, screaming.
Grace opened her eyes slowly. The boy who'd lunged lay unconscious, eyes rolled back from the impact.
"Wh-what?!"
"What's happening—?!"
Thud! Crack!
Before his allies could react, stones flew from nowhere, striking heads precisely. All five dropped—one hit, one knockout. Clean.
In the baffling chaos, a voice pierced Grace's ears.
"Sorry."
Sivar had appeared at her side undetected.
"Eek!"
"Kyaa!"
Grace and Yeonju shrieked, jumping in unison from shock.
"Late."
Sivar ignored it, speaking bluntly as always, like asking what happened.