Broadcast Frenzy and Round Two

Amy's broadcast was dominating the main cam feeds, rocketing to first place. While the Celia party played it safe guarding the school, Arcana's party had earned steady highlights.

'And then! Isabel joins the fray!'

Amy's eyes sparkled.

If Zien's swordsmanship was the pinnacle of action scenes, Isabel's performance was a whole different genre.

Flashy bombardment like something out of CG.

Every dance of her hand sent fireballs slamming into foes. Visual flair was king on stream, and viewers were eating up this sudden star's exploits.

On top of that, Isabel's personality clashing with her character archetype fueled the hype.

Natural genius, intimidating aura.

Yet beneath the excellence, her quirky hunger pangs. And that refined beauty you couldn't look away from.

Around 150,000 viewers were setting the chat ablaze. For channel owner Amy, it was a dream she couldn't stop grinning at.

Glancing between Zien and Isabel, Amy nodded.

'Knew it'd work!'

The biggest hit? Isabel's killer line after obliterating a party with her magic tool.

Not a hilarious line on its own, but the context and character had viewers cracking up.

'How'd they craft a character like that?'

Amy figured every line and move from Isabel was Zien's scripted concept.

'Guy's got killer broadcast instincts too. Party, club—whatever, we need him on board.'

It wasn't just the stream.

As semesters dragged on, the academy emphasized group activities for Sabers.

Good parties and standout teammates were essential for any assignment.

'Everyone's thinking it. Clubs, maybe even student council...'

Truth be told, Amy didn't care which group Zien joined.

Party like with Isabel and Chris, or under contract—as long as she stuck by him, good stuff would drop like now. She believed it.

'So hype Zien's party to the max this time.'

Simple when you thought about it.

Amy's expression relaxed.

'Zien wanted party fame from the start. Nail the broadcast, and we're golden?'

Of course, a student party rivaling a guild's rep was near impossible.

But this stream had big-city crowds tuned in.

'It's doable.'

Arcana had shone brightest. Hype was a streamer's job. Steel willed, Amy brainstormed.

'Think! Killer line!'

First idea? Pouring fuel on the fire.

"Zien's a beast solo, and now the party's stacking up. Arcana's winning this, right?"

Immersed viewers flooded chat one by one. Factions split by team, but dropouts plummeted.

'Pros on main cam got it covered... Wonder how much they're paid.'

Thinking of Bluma and Vernon, Amy dove back in.

Vernon bellowed into his mic, shaking the Central Dome.

"Another party down! Whoever crosses them doesn't survive!"

As the broadcast heated up, Vernon's banter flowed like water.

"Hello! The greeting's literal—blink and you're like, 'Wait, where am I? Oh! Outside the portal? You're out!'"

"Mana shield... Impressive mana control from Isabel there."

Bluma, by contrast, stayed cool and collected.

But inside, she was reeling.

'Artifact rank-up.' Bluma clocked Zien's technique instantly. The so-called Artifact Amplification—tough in combat, risked destroying the artifact, long obsolete. Even as a 6th-rank Saber, she'd only read theory.

'Pulling out an archaic, tricky move in real battle? By a student? I'd buy him for Central ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Council on the spot.'

Artifact Amplification was buried in ancient tomes. Reaching that deep meant he'd mastered the basics cold.

'The more I watch, the more he's a gem. Broad interests?'

Meanwhile, arena corner.

While guild master Bluma racked her brain, subordinates Irel and Jackson lounged lucky.

Slouched in seats, snack time.

"This is yummy, senpai."

Irel munched cotton candy.

Jackson chewed chocolate instead of answering. Irel propped her chin, eyeing him annoyed.

"Hm. You hate sweets usually—what's up?"

"Saw her devour it so tasty. Couldn't resist buying."

His "her"? Isabel.

On screen, Isabel's chocolate bliss had viewers suspecting sponsorships.

But chocolate deals weren't their focus.

Arcana, Celia, Croa.

Who'd claim the throne? That mattered.

"So, overtime bet on it? Spill."

Irel prodded teasingly.

"Call."

Jackson took it casual.

"Overtime pay?"

"Gonna stack it high."

"Ooh, bold?"

"Chicken out and drop dead."

"Who’s ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠chickening? So, senpai betting which party?"

"Me? Hmm... Celia Academy takes it."

"Ew? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Arcana obviously! Weren't you on Arcana too? C'mon, Zien's there—Zien!"

Excited Irel pressed, but Jackson stood firm. He genuinely predicted Celia.

"Dunno. Zien shines, but facing Celia's party? Different story."

"He solo'd a knight! They were a party! Solo! Impressive, right?"

"Lucia wasn't full power. Clear time was way faster."

"More people, duh Celia's quicker."

"And crucially, magic tool. Lucia didn't even use hers."

Jackson's clincher nearly swayed Irel.

"Huh, true. Her sword's no magic tool? You don't know what it is?"

"Nope."

"If we don't know... She's hiding it hard."

Lucia's sword was an artifact, not magic tool. Unlike Zien, she still held her ace. Jackson smirked more relaxed now.

"So, call off the bet?"

"Nah. All in."

His taunt fired Irel up instead. Zien's screen fights impressed that much.

'Celia's tough sure, but...'

Fan heart or not, she couldn't picture Zien losing.

'Always so chill and strong. Plus that face...'

Irel grinned suddenly.

Jackson sighed pitifully beside her.

"Obvious. Crystal clear."

"W-what?"

Irel flinched.

Jackson sighed deeper.

"Whatever. Wipe that cotton candy off your mouth."

"...Two un-senpai-like moves today. Dying tomorrow? Can't dump overtime then."

"Shut it and watch."

Main cam still Arcana.

Screen: Zien front and center.

Isabel and Zien huddled on a rock. Before them, a flashy golden chest.

Clank! Thud! Thud thud! Pop!

The chest whirred like a machine, spewing fireworks of loot. Consumables like mana drinks and food standard, plus an A-rank artifact amid them.

"Set of two."

Simple ear mics.

Zien said, picking up the Lagoss.

Isabel, watching, whined—items underwhelmed.

"Comms as A-rank artifact? Might as well be worse than a phone."

"Only comms in Battle Survival. Endless uses."

"Yeah?"

Zien handed her one.

"We'll split eventually. Keep it always."

Isabel nodded.

Ideally move zones now, but loot scattered everywhere.

"If you're giving, hand it nice! Why scatter on the dirt?!"

Grumbled but scooped diligently. Then red holograms popped for both.

"Isabel? Good enough. Let's move." Zien dismissed the hologram.

Round 2: gathering battle incoming.

Head to map center ASAP.

"Huh? Few items left?"

Isabel lingered greedy—mostly food.

"...Won't use 'em all now."

Chest dumped 50+ consumables. Event nearing end mercifully.

"R-right?"

Isabel coughed, abandoning the chest. Map center awaited: fiercer foes.

Any highlights here? Meaningless to Zien if eliminated.

'Just hit the real game.'

Blank gaze skyward. Red moon setting, sun rising.

"Think we'll win?"

Isabel half-joking, half-serious. No real goals like Zien's this tourney.

But now? Craved victory genuinely.

Keep dorm, keep party.

Zien's party let her exist as Isabel, not Blitz heir. She dug it.

"We will."

Unknown foes—no room for arrogance. Zien always chose his best shot.