Foggy Lighthouse Strategy

Zien and his Class 3 classmates entered a virtual gate for the first time. Just as Romina had said, the exam gate was divided into three lairs.

The sun-baked wasteland prison known as Altara Prison was assigned to Class 1.

The Dream Forest, filled with exotic plants and animals and drifting purple fireflies, went to Class 2.

Finally, the lair assigned to Zien's Class 3 was the Foggy Lighthouse.

"Whoa, it's high up."

Aria peered down at the night sea from the lighthouse. True to its 40-meter height, the view was dizzying.

What stood out was that the Foggy Lighthouse illuminated the sea not with a conventional light, but with a blue gem. Lake stared at the beam of light shooting from the gem and muttered,

"Is this gem our lair's treasure?"

Aria scolded him.

"Hey, you could go blind. Don't stare straight at it."

"What? Are you actually worried about me?"

"Ugh, what are you saying? If you screw up the exam because of this, it'd be unfair for me. Go blind after we get eliminated~ It'll be fine then."

Aria delivered the terrifying words in a casual tone. Meanwhile, the other teammates chattered noisily.

"This place is a total fortress, huh?"

"The other classes' lairs are probably like this too, right?"

"Defense would have the advantage then."

"Can't we just steal their treasure and call it a day?"

Defending the lair was efficient, but it meant giving up offensive initiative. Amid the teammates' banter, Zien was piecing together hints for their strategy.

Right. Considering the exam rules, the benefits of a successful defense are minimal. But on the other hand...

If they succeeded in an attack—killing the enemy leader or stealing their treasure—the exam ended right there. But venturing out to attack posed a major problem.

If I go on the offensive, our defensive forces guarding the treasure will be too weak.

He wasn't underestimating his teammates, but if Class 2's Isabel or Leon, or Class 1's Chris or Aria came attacking, Class 3 without Zien couldn't possibly hold them off.

A way to lead the exam while defending the treasure myself...

Unlike Zien, who had already shone in the One Number exam, this test was make-or-break for his teammates. Their tense gazes fixed on him. Zien stared intently at only one among them—Aria.

...Maybe?

Aria's magic tool was a pen.

She had the power to manifest her drawings with mana.

"Aria. Answer my question."

"Yeah! Just say it!"

Aria nodded vigorously. To prevent info leaks, Zien whispered his question.

"...Can you make the same object?"

Aria's eyes widened as she drew in a breath at Zien's question.

"Out of nowhere? I think I could..."

"Then I'm counting on you, Aria. You're taking on the most important role in our team."

At Zien's encouragement, Aria cleared her throat and looked away.

"Ahem! What're you being all sappy for between teammates? Got it. I'll do my best!"

50 teammates.

One leader.

Now was the time for Zien to wield both carrot and stick.

Class 1, passing through the portal, faced a shocking sight first thing. In the end, even Amy Rose muttered with a tearful face.

"Th-this is our lair?"

Rats scurrying across the floor, cockroaches.

Mysterious chains strewn about, spiderwebs everywhere—a prison. Amy cried out in despair.

"We're not criminals or anything! What the hell is this?!"

"Yo, the vibe here is way too creepy."

As Chris spoke, a male student screamed.

"Bug! Cockroach! On my thigh—cockroach!"

Chris sighed and peeled the bug off the guy.

"You're a Saber—scared of a bug?"

"I'm planning to run if bug-type monsters show up anyway."

"Wow... such a cool mindset."

Rita watched the two bickering with a pitiful look.

"Tsk—focus, everyone. Like I said earlier. I'll assign groups... And we'll focus on defense, but handle emergencies at the squad leader's discretion. You all get that, right?"

The squad leaders Rita mentioned were the top performers: Amy, Chris, Frick, and Rita herself. Frick hummed at her words before speaking.

"If Class 3 is that strong, why not take out Class 2 first?"

Chris recalled Isabel's fights at Frick's suggestion.

Isabel's magic tool was fiery gloves.

She could unleash ranged area bombardments using her innate mana. If Zien specialized in one-on-one swordplay, Isabel was a multi-target combat specialist. Chris shook his head at Frick.

"Doesn't sound like a good idea."

"Exactly. She's strong too. No need to fight her yet. Plus, Class 2 only ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠has two suitable leader candidates. They won't abandon their treasure easily to attack."

The moment Rita finished,

Isabel suddenly addressed someone.

"This seems like the best strategy. What do you all think?"

Amy wasn't looking at the students—but at the drone camera. Chris freaked out and yelled,

"What?! Broadcasting equipment in a virtual gate? Who broadcasts a school exam anyway!"

"Right here? What's the problem? I already got full permission from the principal~ Here's the import permit!"

Chris was dumbfounded after checking the paper.

"What kind of school is this..."

"Ahaha! Didn't you know? That's the kind of school this is. As long as you're under the party leader, even the principal is on our side!"

Amy placed a hand on her hip and laughed heartily.

What's wrong with this place. I really hate it.

Rita swallowed her true feelings. She couldn't argue with the leader, Amy.

"Chris is so young, but surprisingly uptight, huh?"

With her broadcasting gear all set, a hologram chat window floated in front of Amy.

Viewers surpassed 40,000 and kept climbing. Amy grew more energetic with the numbers. Rita, on the other hand, already looked drained.

"...For now, those with ranged attacks, follow me. I'm the archer, so I'll keep the enemies pinned."

"I'll come too!"

As Rita left with the relevant students, Chris pondered. His specialty was stealthy ambushes.

Moving in a herd is just a minus.

Strong in guerrilla warfare, Chris saw no merit in group movements.

"I'll go solo without teammates."

"Sweet! Then I'll guard this pink-head!"

Frick responded boisterously.

He clashed his gauntlets ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠together, sparking flames.

"No matter what, as long as I protect you, right?"

As Frick eyed Amy,

She twirled her pink ponytail with a hand.

"Yes. Though I'm stronger anyway."

"Interesting."

A brief clash of auras and Frick's retort.

Viewers suddenly agreed in chat.

"Hey, stop teasing everyone. Keep it up and I'll close the chat!"

Amy narrowed her eyes in threat, and the teasing chats died down. Finally, she showed her stigma to the camera.

"The viewing highlight isn't roasting me, okay? Today's theme is my performance! No penalties this time either."

Amy grinned and whispered to the camera.

"...Secret, but my real goal isn't just winning. It's catching the party leader. Secret, remember."

Whisper whisper.

As Amy's whisper ended,

Viewers responded in chat.

Like the chat said, Amy's personal broadcast now had 42,000 viewers. Joining Zien's party had skyrocketed her fame.

Among them was an unimaginable celebrity.

KS Channel, the largest broadcaster.

Its star celebrity was Ariana, the celebrity of celebrities.

[Secret, remember.]

Amy on her phone screen. Ariana burst out laughing.

"This kid's fun? Good talker, cute too."

At Ariana's words, Vernon nodded vigorously.

"Right,senior? Her party leader's a total monster too—hasn't shown up yet."

"Ah~ I saw clips of him. Zien, right?"

Ariana showed interest.

Vernon excitedly explained.

"Yes! The guy's got insane star power. Where does a kid get that aura... Skills go without saying!"

"Hm, we invited him to the sword tournament. This one?"

"Pretty much confirmed. Holding it at Ragna Beach? Zien's influence big time."

As Vernon said.

The sports festival PD wanted to intro Zien to KS Channel before the event. This sword tournament was the chance. Quick-witted Ariana got it instantly.

"KS Channel's eyeing him, huh. Saying this as your senior, he is handsome."

"That's star power on broadcast."

"Sports fest is the issue... Will ratings match the director's hype?"

"G Channel got some traction with battle survival and 5th-rank clears."

"Hmmm... really?"

Intrigued, Ariana hummed and fiddled with her phone. Vernon felt proud of his pitch.

"You'll see when you meet him. Not your average big shot."

"Student stars are all ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠meh usually. But if you hype him this much~ I'll pay attention."

Ariana, the broadcasting queen revered for her looks and wit.

The one she was eyeing? None other than Zien.

My Previous Life was the Strongest Sword God