Chapter 228
Chapter 228
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 228
Chapter Title: The Inter-Student Unit Competition Begins
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The 1st Inter-Student Unit Competition.
Since the student units had only just been formed the previous year, this was effectively the very first one.
The unit that takes 1st place here would receive the greatest support from Raheln Academy.
But regardless of that, for the student units, this was a matter of pride.
The student unit leaders were the absolute best among the students.
Naturally, their sense of self-worth was far superior to that of their peers.
It was the inevitable result of having lived their entire lives believing themselves to be the best.
Moreover, this competition was the inaugural event.
The glory of victory in the very first edition was bound to be far more valuable than any other.
Thus, during this period when a fierce atmosphere raged across Raheln Academy...
The inter-student unit competition finally commenced.
In front of the arena where all of Raheln Academy's students had gathered.
Standing at attention at the forefront were the 12 student unit leaders, followed by countless students.
"Oh my, Lady Charlotte, what a coincidence to be assigned next to you."
At that moment, a figure with a relaxed smile approached and spoke.
A brilliant mind that remembered everyone she had ever seen.
The vice-leader of the 1st-year Literature Department.
Her name was Eyring Ornoa.
She was the student leader of the Infantry Unit.
She continued in a demure posture.
"Did you know there's a coalition system in this student competition?"
Most of the information Eyring shared was close to the truth.
As such, Charlotte's gaze turned toward her.
"And?"
"I was thinking we should secure it early. The Lion Unit is the top contender, after all."
Hearing those words, Charlotte simply stared at Eyring.
If they formed a coalition, the units would share the victory.
It wasn't a bad decision, as it meant eliminating one rival.
However, Eyring had chosen the wrong opponent.
"Victory belongs to the Lion Unit."
Charlotte had no interest in anything short of a solo win for the Lion Unit.
Eyring didn't seem particularly disappointed by her firm response.
"That's a relief. The last thing I wanted was the Lion Unit teaming up with someone else."
On the contrary, a smile played on her lips.
What she had wanted to confirm from Charlotte was simply whether she had any intention of forming a coalition.
And now she had confirmed there was none.
That was achievement enough for her.
True to her position as vice-leader of the Literature Department, she was cunning indeed.
At that moment, a burly man began ascending the platform.
There wasn't a single person in Raheln Academy who didn't know this giant of a man.
The chancellor and former War Emperor, Durandal.
He had taken the stage.
Durandal swept his gaze over the students with his hands clasped behind his back.
His imposing presence tensed even those at the very back.
Realizing all the students had gathered, Durandal slowly smiled.
"I am Durandal, tasked with overseeing the first inter-student unit competition."
By now, everyone knew who he was, but he briefly introduced himself anyway.
"Now, allow me to explain the rules of the competition."
All eyes instantly focused on him.
This was the competition everyone had been eagerly awaiting.
Naturally, their attention was riveted on the rules.
"Today, the entirety of Raheln Academy will become the battlefield."
And from his mouth came an outrageous declaration.
The whole academy had suddenly become the battlefield.
"The rules are simple."
At that instant, a magic professor appeared before the student leaders.
In his grasp were several bracelets.
"First, each student unit must select two members to wear these bracelets."
Durandal slipped a bracelet onto his own wrist.
A red glow emanated from it.
"The way to steal a bracelet is straightforward. Defeat your opponent, and take it."
By then, the magic professor had approached his side.
He pointed the yellow-glowing bracelet on his own wrist toward Durandal.
Durandal then brought his bracelet into contact with the professor's.
Moments later, upon touching, the professor's bracelet changed to match the red hue of Durandal's.
"Conversely, you can form coalitions like this. Matching colors make you teammates, allowing for a joint victory."
With the explanation complete, Durandal removed his bracelet.
"Time limit is 6 PM sharp, when the sun sets today."
With it now being 9 AM, Raheln Academy would be a warzone for the next 9 hours.
"Victory goes to the unit holding the most bracelets at the deadline."
A simple and clear condition.
"Once every member of every unit has donned a bracelet, a starting signal will echo from the skies."
At that moment, the magic professor clapped his hands.
Two bracelets were promptly handed to each student leader.
"Victory belongs to those who seize it."
The moment Durandal finished speaking, the units sprang into action simultaneously.
Everyone understood the importance of securing prime locations first.
They needed to select bracelet wearers in spots hidden from prying eyes.
Everyone knew this, and as they prepared to move...
Click!
A clear clicking sound rang out.
Those who thought they'd misheard at first turned toward the source, where a woman with dark blue hair stood.
And upon seeing her, everyone slowly nodded in understanding.
The one who had immediately donned a bracelet upon receiving it.
It was none other than the Lion Unit's student leader, Charlotte Valheim.
Charlotte fastened the bracelet to her wrist without the slightest hesitation, right before everyone's eyes.
Her boldness was quintessentially Charlotte.
And everyone who witnessed the scene thought the same.
Ah, that one bracelet is untouchable, no matter what.
It was a sentiment everyone agreed on.
Amid the gathered stares, Charlotte leisurely returned to the Lion Unit.
Not a single member dared to question her actions.
It went without saying.
In the Lion Unit, Charlotte was unquestionably the one who would wear a bracelet, no matter what anyone said.
"Who will be the other one?"
"Her brother, Krash Valheim, right?"
The Lion Unit's other wild card.
Krash Valheim.
Everyone else assumed he would be the one.
"Think so?"
And Charlotte thought the same.
Leaving the arena with the Lion Unit, Charlotte showed her bracelet to Krash.
Seeing it, Krash shook his head.
"I have someone in mind."
"Not wearing it yourself?"
"Given my traits, there's a high chance I'd have to retire midway."
To Krash, the bracelet was a liability.
If he went all out, the risk of retirement was high.
And if attacked from another front, it could be stolen.
Thus, Krash had no intention of wearing one.
Instead, he looked toward the most suitable candidate for the bracelet.
The moment their eyes met, she tilted her head.
"Haring."
"Huh?"
The person Krash had chosen was none other than Haring.
"A shrewd choice."
Delon Marquis, son of Staron's prime minister, adjusted his glasses and approved of Krash's decision.
"Lady Haring has Invisible. She's one of the best at protecting a bracelet."
If Haring decided to just run and hide, no one could find her.
Making her the perfect bracelet guardian.
"Okay, I'll do my best!"
Thanks to Delon's explanation, Haring understood Krash's intent, her eyes sparkling.
Her gleaming eyes, joyful at being helpful to Krash, resembled a cat devoted to its owner.
And so, the Lion Unit's second bracelet wearer became Haring.
She fastened it securely to her wrist.
And shortly after...
Bang!
With all members of every unit having donned their bracelets, the competition had begun.
A countdown appeared in the sky as well.
Today, Raheln Academy truly became a battlefield.
"What are your plans, sis?"
Krash looked up at the sky and asked Charlotte.
Charlotte, who had been gazing at the sky alongside him, turned to Delon with arms crossed.
"Delon, excluding us, which units are the top contenders and the trickiest to face?"
Gathering intelligence was the Literature Department's job.
Delon, the third seat in Literature, quickly provided the info.
"The top contender is the White Sheep Unit, led by the Empire's Third Princess, Sigrin Epania."
As expected, Sigrin's White Sheep Unit was mentioned.
"The trickiest to deal with would be the Human-Horse Unit, led by 1st-year Magic Department vice-leader Bakram Arius."
Daikram Arius, Demon King of the Ten Heavenly Strong.
Eldest direct descendant of the Empire's renowned magic family, Arius.
Bakram Arius.
His specialty was unleashing long-range sniping spells from within impenetrable defensive magic.
His forte was chaotic melee combat.
True to his vice-leader position in the Magic Department, he was part of the Generation of the Sky.
The Human-Horse Unit he led was packed with Empire-side magic talents.
Empire magic, while less stable than standard spells, boasted superior firepower.
Even if stability suffered, its destructive power was unmatched, making it ideal for chaotic battles and warfare.
Delon had labeled the Human-Horse Unit the trickiest for this reason.
There was another issue as well.
Bakram Arius was pro-Empire.
Even if units were separate, he would naturally coordinate closely with Sigrin's White Sheep Unit.
On top of that, under Sigrin was the Giant Sea Unit led by Pelé.
Looking at it this way, the Empire's power was staggeringly formidable.
It also highlighted how steadily Sigrin had been building her influence in Raheln Academy.
"Senior Bakram, huh."
At that moment, Aslan showed a flicker of interest in Bakram.
Aslan was from the same Magic Department.
He must have heard plenty about Bakram.
Ever since his crushing defeat at Charlotte's hands not long ago...
Aslan had begun devoting himself more intensely to magic training.
He had always trained in magic to escape the grasp of Flame Demon King Igrit, who held his weakness.
But recently, with various matters resolving, his training had grown lax—that was the reality.
'Typical of the Igrit family, fiery mages despite their cool exteriors.'
Due to his Lunar Yin Body, Aslan was congenitally frail and less persistent than others.
Yet once ignited, he displayed a tenacity that even made Krash wary.
Charlotte had given him a chance to recognize his limits, and clashing with Bakram in this competition would surely lead to further realizations.
"Aslan."
Thus, Krash patted his shoulder.
"If Bakram Arius shows up, you're on him."
You can do it.
You're not a friend for nothing.
Even without hearing the unspoken part, Aslan flashed a brief smile.
"Leave it to me. I'll show you the rebellion of the 2nd-year top student."
This one's reliable.
"So the top contender and the trickiest are set to clash. Got it?"
"Yes, exactly."
In the meantime, Delon affirmed Charlotte's neat summary.
"Finally, the wild cards are the Magic Crow Unit led by 1st-year Special Department top student John Gray, and the Sky Crow Unit led by 1st-year Magic Department top student Taria Valles."
The moment those two units were named, Krash glanced skyward.
A crow was gliding leisurely through the sky at that very moment.
'What are they planning?'
Magic Department topper Taria Valles was a hound of Crimson Garden.
She followed Crimson Garden's will in all things, but whether she'd yield 1st place in the student competition was another matter.
"These are pure wild cards; there's nothing more to say."
The Sky Crow Unit, with Taria as leader, was small in number.
Too few for all-out war, but not a force to ignore.
Thus, their moves were unpredictable.
Meanwhile, the Special Department was a gathering of eccentrics.
With many wielding unique techniques, they were unpredictable variables.
Having heard the full briefing, Charlotte nodded.
"Simple enough, then."
Charlotte's dark blue hair fluttered once.
As the Lion Unit's gazes followed it, she stood boldly before them.
"The Lion Unit hunts the White Sheep Unit."
A simple, clear decision.
The strongest would unhesitatingly target the strongest prey.