Victory and the Streamer Partner
“I... I won...”
Memories of his hardships flashed before Chris's eyes like a montage as he murmured in awe, his face overcome with emotion.
The handicaps had been numerous. A non-combat magic tool.
A rank difference of 50 spots. Even their size disparity. Yet Daven's greatsword never once touched Chris. A complete victory.
“...You really won. We'll have the original members participate in the tournament, as promised.”
Selphis declared as agreed, and Romina nodded.
“Yes. With skills like that, I can trust him.”
Romina felt a bit embarrassed even saying it. Today was the day her prejudices had been utterly shattered by Zien.
“Zien? I didn't catch what you said about the magic tool earlier. I misspoke.”
Romina's words were reasonable; she had no intention of insulting Chris.
The gap between combat-type and non-combat-type magic tools was indeed huge in battle.
It was just that Zien's training and Chris's growth potential were an exceptionally rare case.
“No, Professor Romina.”
Karsen smiled warmly at Zien's humble response.
Zien sets a great example.
Zien had climbed from 162nd place all the way to number one. An orphanage kid who had become the most promising Saber among the children of prestigious families.
How far will he grow? 6th rank? Maybe even 7th rank territory.
Of course, Karsen hadn't just watched from the sidelines. Zien's rise to number one and this performance owed much to Karsen's unseen support.
“You did it.”
“What? Chris is the one who pulled it off.”
Karsen chuckled at Zien's reply and left the arena. The once-crowded training ground was now empty. As Chris sheathed his dagger, he glanced at Daven.
It might have been better if he'd come at him cursing and swinging. That hollow, retreating figure left a strangely unsettled feeling. He thought it'd feel purely exhilarating, but it didn't.
“Tch.”
The arena exit.
“97th place is that strong?”
“Dude, that's why they added him to the party—he's got skills.”
“Nah, last month he was total trash.”
A hundred or so students chimed in one after another.
The exit buzzed with their chatter.
“He's learning from the party leader instead of professors.”
“Zien Russel?”
“What student learns from another student?”
“They recruiting more for the party?”
“I'd love if he taught me too.”
Amid the crowd were some rare faces you didn't see often.
Year ranking 4th, Amy Rose.
The internet streamer on Twitch.
With 70,000 subscribers, she was one of the most famous students not just at Arcana Academy, but across all academies. Spotting her on a school weekend was a real rarity.
“Daven? Ha! That lumbering oaf lost? They should've matched me instead! No, obviously they should've put me up against him!”
Rank didn't always equal strength, but she was strong. At Chris's current level, he'd lose to Amy in under five minutes.
“Argh, so close. Perfect for boosting my stream.”
She'd started streaming during her first off-campus activity. The mission? Simple cleanup: take down a 1st-rank monster, the cockerabbit.
But that's where the legendary clip was born.
But the impact wasn't small.
The video racked up 300,000 views, and Amy carved out her unique character with that bold debut.
Of course, her distinctive cherry-blossom pink hair and cute looks helped her popularity too. The massive off-campus event was a golden chance to keep her momentum going.
“Argh! I could've crushed it... Do they even get streaming? Do they?!”
Amy grumbled like she'd downed a few drinks. It hurt so bad thinking of the subscribers she'd have gained from event coverage—her stomach actually ached.
“And I was the beta tester! I tried it out! They just said 'eh, whatever'! Waaah... They told me to trust them!”
Amy regretted putting faith in Acting Professor Jerome.
I should've pitched to the Stigma or Dueling professor instead! They're tight with Zien...
But it was way too late now.
After fuming for a while, Amy kicked a rock.
The mana-infused strike turned it to dust.
“Hey. Amy Rose, right?”
Someone called from behind.
Did they hear me yelling?
Amy whipped around fast. The guy behind her was famous and topical in multiple ways. She easily recalled his name.
“Oh, uh, hi! Zien... Russel?”
“Got a proposal. Wanna talk?”
Whoa! Roster change? For real?
Gulp.
Her swallow was loud.
Of course! A number one like me stepping in makes sense!
Her imagination ran wild with happiness.
Amy couldn't hide her grin; her lips twitched upward.
“Yup yup! Anytime!”
*****
Not long after Chris's duel ended, Zien texted the party.
“On the weekend? Isn't that too much?”
Isabel propped her chin on her hand, her bored expression bordering on pissed.
Chris, fresh off the duel, looked utterly drained—like a corpse.
“Sorry. The person I'm introducing is super busy.”
As Zien finished speaking, the door opened.
“Heyyy? Nice clubroom!”
In came Amy, beaming brightly. Isabel stayed nonchalant, and Chris looked baffled.
“No need for intros, right? You'll be seeing a lot of Amy from now on.”
Zien said curtly.
Isabel probed casually.
“New party member?”
“More like a partner than a party member. A business partner.”
Zien had called them to explain his deal with Amy and outline future plans.
“Amy here tested the event's virtual gate.”
“Oh?”
Isabel eyed Amy, still propping her chin—looking almost annoyed. Amy sweated under the scrutiny.
Ugh, vibe's totally trash.
“What does she want?”
Isabel asked, legs crossed.
“Amy wants broadcasting seed rights.”
G Channel didn't broker streams via Twitch. It was marketing bait to lure famous streamers like Amy into participating.
Each team could grant rights to max one streamer, so only 33 out of the Battle Survival teams could broadcast.
“Seed rights, huh?”
Amy answered stiffly, throat dry.
“Yes! Uh, yeah!”
Like a rabbit facing a fox.
Of course, Isabel was the fox.
“Even if she's from the same school... Kinda wasteful to hand 'em over easy, no?”
Not all seed rights were equal.
But Arcana's were precious. Strong teams meant low elimination risk and high popularity.
“True. But like I said, Amy's our new business partner.”
“Business?”
Chris eyed Zien.
He was slurping a mana-recovery potion through a straw.
“Amy'll make our party famous through her streams.”
“Streams? You don't mean...”
Isabel's expression shifted, though her chin stayed propped. Her narrowed eyes glared at Amy.
Amy broke into cold sweat under the intense stare.
“Y-yeah! Gate clear streams! Super trendy now! Of course, for first-years to get gates, you gotta be crazy strong and suuuper famous.”
Amy pitched brightly in streamer mode, emphasizing "famous" to sell herself.
“Win-win, right?”
But as Isabel stared silently, Amy's voice shrank again.
“...Or not.”
“We'll table that. Only matters if we win.”
Zien wrapped it up.
Amy nodded vigorously.
“Right right! Gates later!”
“Alright, Amy. Explain Battle Survival rules.”
Zien asked again for their benefit, though he knew them.
“Straight-up survival. Last party standing wins. Simple? It'll take over 10 hours even if short. Two rounds. First ends when down to 33 from 99.”
“10 hours?”
Isabel's face hardened.
“Food?”
“Choco bars and water at start. Items drop too.”
Basic rules anyone knew.
Now came the real beta-tester secrets.
“Enter the virtual gate, map randomizes. Swamp forest, ruined village, underwater city, deserted island. I know over 10 maps. Oh, and yell 'status' to check stats.”
“Stats? Sounds like a game.”
Isabel shot Chris a pitiful look as he muttered.
“It is a game.”
“Oh. Fr.”
Amy cleared her throat—ahem—to refocus them.
“Key stats: MP (Mana Point) and Magic Art. MP's basically mana. Magic Arts show rank in the status.”
“Rank?”
Chris asked.
Amy nodded.
“Status and ranks are the game's lifeblood. Magic Art ranks: EX highest, F lowest.”
Amy explained the game from start to finish in detail.
Three whole hours. Even Zien's crew, game newbies, got the theory down pat.
“Ahem! Knowing this much masters the basics.”
After her long spiel, Amy relaxed into a natural smile.
Safe item farming, trap-making, terrain hiding—24 survival tips, non-stop. No wonder.
“Oh, and to avoid early boot, never go for airdrops. Never ever!”
1 per round, just 2 total. Parachuting high-grade supplies.
But in events, called the "poisoned chalice."
Airdrop zones always turned into brutal melees.
“Got it? Greed leads to instant wipe. At least 10 swarm each.”
Amy still remembered vividly.
20 participants tangled for supplies. Virtual gate or not, that frenzy was a first. But Zien had no plans to dodge.
“Got it. Don't worry.”
Melees were familiar territory.
The sword's true stage.
Team 05H
My Previous Life was the Strongest Sword God