Grand Opening, Battle Island #2
Sudden and piercing sex drip! I was a wise man. I took a step back and rolled my eyes sideways.
Perfect evasion stance!
“Wh-what...”
Alessia's face flushed as red as her irises. Just when it seemed she might burst, sure enough, the volcano erupted. Of course, that volcano was named Alessia.
“Wh-wh-wh-what are you saying—!”
“It was a joke.”
Alessia sputtering with a full-on voice crack, and Daphne chuckling at the sight of her.
I had zero interest in inserting myself into these two princesses' squabble, so I tried to slip away.
“How's your body faring, Young Bardi? It was an utterly impressive showing, but I couldn't help worrying this time.”
Failed right off the bat.
“I took a bit of a beating, but I'm fine now.”
“Is that so? What a relief. Normally, that would've been the student council's job, but you stepped up instead. If you'd gotten hurt, I'd have spent every night sleepless with tears.”
“Glad no precious tears were wasted.”
“Hehe, I'm deeply grateful to you. In all sorts of ways.”
She probably meant sorting out the Spinola family through Isabella. I kept my expression neutral and bowed politely.
“My honor, Your Highness.”
“Indeed. With all grades competing in this tournament, I'll look forward to dueling you as well.”
Her violet eyes, noble and poised, flicked toward the still-fuming Alessia before folding into a soft smile.
“Hmm, should I just climb straight to the finals? Oh, of course, to face you in a duel.”
But I'd probably draw Alessia first. Somehow, the air around her was heating up. She looked ready to ignite, so I hoped she'd cool it.
ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION!
Just as I was starting to confuse this place for a sauna over the sea, Professor Georgia's voice boomed out. Thanks to you, I'm surviving another day, GOAT.
“We're boarding the ships soon, so listen up before that.”
His bloodshot eyes, weary with fatigue, darted around sharply.
“For the record, as you all know, I hate repeating myself. So get it right the first time. Anyone who can't shut their trap even now? I'll show you just how salty the sea is—look forward to it.”
I had no desire to find out, so I stayed quiet. The two princesses did too, and even Alexander followed suit. Even a maritime prince didn't fancy being tossed into the ocean!
“Rules are the same as academy standard—academy rules apply. But Battle Island has its own special rules.”
Special rules? I perked up at his voice, amplified by Chatterbox Flicker.
“Terrain zones.”
Professor Georgia snapped his fingers. Images of coasts, forests, plains, wastelands, volcanoes, and more sprang up in the air like weeds.
...Volcanoes? That one wasn't active, was it?
For some reason, in this insane world, I could totally see them forcing a card game on an active volcano!
“Depending on the island's terrain, field effects apply even without deploying zone cards. Each terrain zone has its own effects, but they all share one thing: suitable creatures get a 30% stat boost as an environmental bonus.”
“Hm, seizing terrain favorable to your deck and luring the opponent in sounds effective.”
Eden nodded, murmuring to himself.
“Of course, you can deploy zones separately. But note that terrain and zone cards may amplify effects—or clash entirely—based on compatibility.”
Hmm, tricky. Wonder if there's terrain that synergizes well with my Lost World.
“Teaming up or whatever is fine. Use your discretion.”
No need to balance numbers, then. Expect some ganging up.
“Most important: this.”
Professor Georgia held up a glove in one hand and a star-shaped ornament in the other.
“As your homeroom profs mentioned, duel winners get BP—Battle Points—as island currency. Note: you earn more beating higher-ranked or senior students.”
But winners got more than that.
“Losers must hand over one rank chip to the winner. Your goal: collect six to advance to the semifinals.”
Come to think of it, the glove had slots for those star ornaments—six in total: one per finger joint and one on the back.
...Gathering all six looked like it'd trigger something massive.
Like snapping your fingers to wipe out half the universe's lifeforms!
“Oh, and one more thing. Nothing major.”
Professor Georgia said casually.
Player Killers
lurking on the islands, targeting you all.
Handle at your own risk.
“There are player killers on the island gunning for you. Deal with it yourselves. That's all.”
Of course, that was huge!
Federico Academy boasted facilities vast enough for students from every corner of the continent. Its scale and infrastructure could swallow a mid-sized city-state whole.
One question arises here.
So what about Battle Island?
From Professor Georgia's description, it sounded like a card-game survival game. No ordinary island could hold the whole school— it'd be too cramped to feel like survival anyway.
That question resolved itself as Battle Island came into view.
Our massive galleon circled the island slowly, as if showing off the sights.
—Bwoooo———.
The seahorse beast pulling the lead ship blared a horn-like cry.
A seahorse over 40 meters long towing the ship without a scratch on its hull. Beyond that astral sight lay the island's bizarre structure.
Three islands, each big enough for a year's worth of students, formed a triangle.
In the center, a slightly smaller island floated above the water, wrapped in faint light.
Insane...
I let out an involuntary chuckle. A floating island—pure fantasy, cool as hell. But my world-weary old-man brain jumped first to practicality over awe.
How the hell do they keep that thing up? And why bother? If it drops, we're all fish food together, right?
“Indeed, that's the heart of Battle Island—Levitera.”
Eden placed a hand on his angular jaw and nodded. I jumped on it.
“You know something, Rogers?”
“Well, Bardi. Lately I wonder if I've become a walking encyclopedia...”
I clamped my mouth shut and glanced away. Guilty as charged. Not just me—our whole class bugged Eden for info the second we hit an unknown!
“Uh, my bad.”
“Bardi, even with that guilty-puppy face, it doesn't help your credibility.”
Damn! Sweat beaded up. Isabella calmly dabbed it with a handkerchief. Tell me how to salvage this, not just wipe sweat!
Couldn't ask others—Adella was already out cold from seasickness!
“So what's the deal with that, Rogers!”
Unexpected aid arrived. Alexander, ignoring all subtlety.
His boulder-like muscles belied boyish sparkling eyes.
“An island floating! By my ancestors' harpoons, even in Belluraca we've never seen the like!”
Alexander huffed excitedly, bouncing like a kid—way too much for his size. Ship's gonna sink, cut it out.
Eden finally sighed and spoke.
“That island isn't natural terrain, strictly speaking. It's a monster.”
“What?”
...A monster? I stared blankly at the central isle.
And muttered inwardly: Insane world.
“Precisely, a monster subjugated long ago by the progenitor archmage. Battle Island's infrastructure runs on it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Levitera's surface grows all sorts of edible fruits and ingredients fit for humans. Some even taste like meat.”
“Meat!”
“Before submitting to the archmage, it lured prey as bait. Now it's just a food source.”
Still, Eden smacked his lips.
“But anything from Levitera rots if taken too far away, so it can't solve continental food shortages. For whatever reason, the archmage limited access to academy affiliates with magic.”
“No denying it's critically important.”
Alessia chimed in, her fiery eyes fixed on Alexander.
“So Alexander, no hurling harpoons at the island.”
“...! Wh-wh-what are you talking about, Alessia!”
“That was your exact face.”
“Misunderstanding!”
“Yeah, that face. Just like when you got caught doing something wrong to me. Right?”
“Gasp...!”
“Eek!”
As the banter dragged on, I quietly snatched the harpoon from Alexander's hand. It crumbled to mana dust the moment it left his grip—quite the spectacle!
—Bwoooo———.
Listen up.
The seahorse cried again as the ship neared the island. Professor Georgia, face etched with exhaustion, spoke up.
I wondered why he alone herded students while others slacked—but it clicked. He was among the youngest profs.
Stuck with the grunt work due to seniority! Bet he'd burn out before Levitera ever dropped!
“Landing soon. Listen before disembarking.”
His bloodshot eyes swept the students—like he'd yeet any chatterbox overboard. All mouths shut tight.
Alexander especially; still lost in Levitera awe, no room for yapping.
“The three islands are Nicola, Costanzo, and Fabio. First-years to Fabio, second-years to Costanzo, third-years to Nicola.”
But. He raised a finger.
“Doesn't mean no cross-grade duels. Tides recede periodically, exposing sandbars linking the islands. Move freely at your discretion.”
“Ah... Seniors can farm juniors for easy BP and chips; juniors risk it for big hauls beating seniors.”
Eden nodded.
“BP shops on each island—use as needed. Players with six rank chips: head to each island's center. Magic circle there leads to the floating isle—Levitera.”
Makes sense—only top dogs reach Levitera.
“Time limit: noon in 12 days. Early end if four semifinalists confirmed sooner. Fail to gather six chips? You're out. Lose all chips? Obviously disqualified.”
“Professor, got a question fer ya!”
A chubby hand shot up. Plump build, second-year badge, dripping in gaudy jewelry. Total rich-kid vibe.
“Mulderin family, from the look.”
Isabella whispered.
“Mulderin?”
“Yes, upstart nobles of Lilucania Kingdom. They run the realm's largest trading company—on the academy's sponsor list too.”
Oh ho, legit loaded. As I nodded, she continued.
“Scale surpasses even our Phoenix Guild, by sheer size.”
“Phoenix, huh...”
Diego's second bro was VP there. I glanced at Diego—bored face, staring at the island.
“What is it, Berizin Mulderin.”
“That BP thing—can't I just buy it with my own cash?”
“No. You get 5,000 base BP on landing—rest only from duel wins.”
“Really no way? A lil' donation like, could patch it right up. Aigoo, I could slip ya somethin' extra on the side... modest-like.”
Brazenly offering bribes. I inwardly whistled at the audacity—or recklessness.
“My answer: pack your shit.”
Georgia's eyes flashed. Berizin flinched, smacking his lips and scratching his head. Gem-studded gold rings on his pudgy fingers glittered wildly.
Done talking, Georgia leaned on the rail and jerked his head toward the island.
“Dismissed. Good luck, cadets. Winner gets special prize—give it your all.”
Alright then. Feeling my deck pulse in my chest, I stepped forward.
That instant.
From somewhere, faint as a fingernail scraping my back—sharp, sticky something brushed past.
I turned instinctively. No one caught my eye. But the sensation lingered.
“......”
“Ueeek...”
“Miss Belluna, please walk on your own two feet.”
“Eek!”
“First time on an island—it's so amazing...!”
“Mm, heart's racing.”
“Hahaha! Don't forget the barbecue!”
“Young master, time to disembark.”
The kids chattered noisily. I nodded to Isabella and moved.
Hand drifting to my growling deck over my left chest.
And one gaze secretly trailed Ricardo's back.
Pink, rippling irises. Fox-narrowed eyes. Soft-lined face, stylishly groomed hair, slim build ambiguous on gender.
But the sweet body scent, coquettish gestures, and tongue flicking her lips were plenty to steal souls.
“Hehehe...”
Battle Island's prelude. A sticky laugh echoed quietly.