The Impenetrable Fortress
Kalen Snowwhite climbed to the ramparts and gazed out at the vast wasteland stretching into the distance. As expected... this was Salenium Academy. Even if all of this was just disposable preparation for the one-time "final exam," this fortress was still ten times larger than the castle back in Snowwhite territory.
It was his first time looking out from such a height. The sky and clouds felt so close. And that wasn't all. From below earlier, he'd seen golems clad in silver armor, spears in hand. When asked, they were told these were automated defense systems that could be commanded like troops. The warehouse was stocked with two days' worth of rations and weapons as good as new. The surroundings were barren rocky mountains with no cover whatsoever. The forest was far off, and the open plains made it easy to spot any enemy scouting parties trying to sneak in.
It was a natural fortress. No matter what assault the attack team launched, they could hold them off with these defenses. Even if the enemy had the "top student of the Knight Department," it would be impossible. The advantage was overwhelmingly theirs.
All they had to do was barricade the gates, hunker down, and wait for victory the moment they escorted the randomly appearing supply wagons inside.
But.
Kalen fiddled with the shield strapped to his arm. In theory, in his imagination, things wouldn't unfold this smoothly. And it wasn't just about the cluster of top students on the other side.
Adrian.
It was a strange certainty. If Adrian weren't on the attack team, Kalen would have been confident of the defense team's easy victory. But because of him, Kalen couldn't relax.
Without a doubt. There would be some scheme in that man's head. In a way Kalen could never imagine, he'd effortlessly crush the defense team—or even take Kalen down himself—then casually extend a hand and say, "Good work."
Such things held no meaning. If the one he had to protect was far stronger than himself... how was he supposed to act?
He'd just worry everyone again, just receive protection again. Hadn't he already resolved himself when he defeated the Knight Department's runner-up? Hadn't he thrown himself into that resolve, achieving a perfect 5-0 record and toppling the year-level runner-up?
This time, I'll win.
His resolve had wavered pathetically. Was wielding a shield truly the right path? Wasn't this just his own stubbornness? He'd fallen into that ridiculous doubt when—
"—I'm not so weak that you have to protect me."
Adrian had firmly imprinted it on him. He knew. He knew, but...
"Mana is leaking out, Kalen Snowwhite."
A familiar voice. Kalen turned to see a woman leaning against the wall, arms crossed. Lemon-yellow short bob hair, turquoise eyes.
...The Knight Department's 4th place, Lilin Delias. Her title: Thunderbolt Sword. True to the name, pale purple lightning crackled from her blade, striking with speed beyond the eye.
And she was an old friend who'd entered Salenium with him but had already proven herself and climbed to those lofty heights.
"Lady Lilin."
"We're in the same year and know each other, so I told you to call me Lilin."
She pushed off the wall and walked over, stopping in front of Kalen and gazing sideways at the view.
"Taking in the scenery?"
"Yes."
"...There's not much to see. More like you were lost in thought."
The wind blew, their swords clinking at their waists. Lilin glanced at Kalen's sword, then at the large shield on his arm.
"I heard you've been training with something new instead of your sword lately. Looks like... a shield?"
"Yes."
"Any reason?"
"...It's hard to explain. Even to you."
At those words, Lilin bit her lip hard.
"A shield is utterly useless. I want you to train only with the sword like before... without wasting time on weird detours. No plans for that?"
"None."
Kalen spoke firmly.
"It's the path I chose, the path I'm walking."
"This is my gift to you for coming along without training today. If you don't like it, give it back. But if you don't take it, your dorm room will just have more junk."
He'd long since discarded any thought of abandoning the shield.
"I can guess who put ideas in your head and led you down the shield path."
Lilin gripped her sword hilt, then released it.
"Adrian, that damned western brute..."
"Lady Lilin, please refrain from further words."
"Kalen, right now you're being deceived by that man—"
That was when it happened.
"Lady Lilin, Lady Kalen."
Turning, they saw an unfamiliar Knight Department student. A short-haired boy with a large shield on his back.
"There you are. The 'Leader' sent orders. Lilin as squad leader, Kalen as vice-leader. Form a five-man scouting party and scout the attack team immediately."
"Scouting... you say?"
"Yes, and..."
The boy pulled a glowing crystal from his pocket and handed it to Lilin. She took the luminous hexahedron and blinked.
"...What's this?"
"The 'Leader' made it with magic—a communication device. If it gets dangerous, just state the coordinates, and our support force will head there."
"Support force..."
"And Rule One: if detected, retreat unconditionally. No unnecessary combat. Also, protect the magic tool."
With that, the Knight Department student turned and left. Lilin spoke without looking back at Kalen.
"...Talk later. Shall we head out first?"
"Yes."
Kalen glanced beyond the ramparts once more, then followed Lilin into the fortress. The two shadows watching them melted into the darkness as well.
Meanwhile.
"Got it. So the defense team is dispatching a scouting party toward the forest now?"
"Yeah."
"And the 'Leader' is that guy?"
"Right."
"Good, thanks. Pass on any more info if you get it."
"Yeah."
"Adrian promises too."
"Won't forget."
Have I only been tricked until now?
"But lots of guys promise with words and don't keep them."
"That's why Adrian needs a real promise with 'us'."
Hmm. A real promise, huh. Seems they don't fully trust me yet, separate from any fondness.
No. Actually, proving my intent to provide info through this 'promise' might earn genuine trust.
"Fine. What do you need?"
"Hmm... Normally, we'd prick a finger and take the blood."
Really?
"But Adrian's special. Special treatment."
"Just the pinky..."
Pinky what? Why pull out the dagger?
"...Hooking fingers is enough."
"Yeah."
And so, I hooked pinkies with Shal and Pin, even did the thumbprint stamp thing. Reina did it before too... Does this world have ink stamps?
"Good?"
"Check."
"Now it's good."
The two nodded and leaped back into the shadows. That skill was Shadow Movement Technique, consuming mana to traverse shadows. With a shadow anywhere, they could emerge from it. Naturally, people and the sun created shadows behind them, so the standard tactic was slipping out, slitting throats, and vanishing.
No wonder they made such a reliable party.
Anyway.
"Scouting party, heading east too."
Back at camp, I relayed this to Reina, who lit up.
"Daisy von Shukros is the defense team's leader! And she's using a 3rd-year 'assassination organization' as informants? Adrian, when did you connect with them?"
"Not long ago."
"Great. I planted an informant too, but with the situation, I couldn't get details this precise. Oh, could this info be a trap?"
Trap. Who knows. Those guys deliberately trapping me...?
Honestly, they didn't seem that clever. I recalled the two lighting up at my Black Auction offer and shook my head.
"Doesn't seem like a trap. Not 2nd-years anyway."
"Really? Daisy von Shukros is ruthless. Maybe she fed them false info on purpose—for us, I mean."
"Hm."
That crybaby.
"Won't happen."
"Oh?"
"From our camp, west is forest, east is open rocky mountains. Sending scouts to the forest makes sense."
"I was actually thinking of sending scouts to the rocky mountains."
Hmm. Reverse psychology on reverse psychology. Not bad.
"Info's in. What now, Reina?"
"What're you thinking, Adrian?"
Don't smile at me like that.
"Split forces into three. Leave the 'Vladir Princess' unit here for camp defense and rest. One unit scouts the rocky mountains. The second sets up an encirclement in the forest, aiming to capture or eliminate their scouts."
How's that? Reina, looking at me, smiled brighter than ever.
"Any issues with the plan...?"
"No, absolutely not. It's exactly what I thought."
"Good. Perfect as expected."
"Yes! We're perfect!"
The forces were assembled immediately.
"I should go, but..."
"No real 'battle' has started yet. Just small skirmishes. Conserve your strength."
"Ugh, useless in combat, me..."
Leaving Prana and Reina at camp, I joined the scout encirclement unit.
"Adrian, we meet again."
"Relbrian."
Grinning, we clapped palms lightly.
"Glad I have more people I can trust at my back."
"Hm, didn't want to send you alone and see Reina cry."
Is that it? I replied flatly.
"Less that, more that I need you for this op. I called you."
"Oh? Ah... got it. I'll do my best."
I greeted everyone one by one. I was the leader of this "scout encirclement unit," appointed by Reina.
Anyway.
"Let's move."
We mounted up and headed for the forest. Soon arriving, we dismounted, tied the horses to trees, and entered.
About half an hour later.
"Uninvited guests, Adrian. The forest whispers."
"All units, spread out. Maintain spacing and stand ready."
We spotted the defense team's scouting party just entering the distant forest. Perfect. Prey walking right into our jaws.
We just waited a bit more, and once they crossed the 'line,' we'd swallow them whole.
That was easier than breathing.