The Lone Warrior's Trap
Other students finished their exams in just over three minutes. But Zien had already been at it for more than ten.
A Hunter from Zone 1.
A master from Zone 3.
A lord from Zone 4.
No matter what role Jerome assigned, Zien nailed the performance perfectly.
'I was trying to land one on him...'
Forgetting his original intent, Jerome found himself admiring Zien's acting.
'Even knowing the theory doesn't make acting easy... This guy's a natural.'
Different lines for each role, delivered with seamless naturalism. This was a level only veterans who'd cleared real gates in the field could reach.
"Pass... PASS!"
In the end, even Jerome acknowledged Zien's talent. Expressions. Delivery. Pacing. Everything was top-tier.
More perfect than Amy Rose, whose acting score was already elite. Jerome pondered for a moment before jotting down the grade.
Ten out of ten.
'It stings that Karsen's prized pupil is charging ahead...'
But giving a flawless performance the score it deserved was also about upholding Jerome's own pride as an instructor.
'Gotta give credit where it's due.'
Jerome could still picture the intensity in Zien's eyes as he delivered those lines.
'How does he ad-lib dialogue and acting like that?'
Jerome replayed the moment that had moved him.
[Setting: Zone 1. Role: Leader of the hunters. Scenario: Rallying your team before a dungeon raid.]
The moment Jerome finished his prompt, Zien's demeanor shifted. A wolfish solitude gleamed in his eyes, a subtle heroism laced his voice.
[A hunter is a candle. Burning itself...]
The hologram conjured a massive cave and virtual comrades.
Standing before it, Zien slowly continued his speech.
[To create light, protecting the citizens. Today, we...]
Zien closed his eyes.
In that tense moment, with everyone's focus on him, he opened them as if resolved.
[Ignite the light.]
Short and to the crowd.
Massive impact.
Finished savoring it, Jerome wore a grave expression.
'Atmosphere, impact, emotion... Even thinking back, it's chilling acting.'
Any negativity Jerome harbored toward Zien had vanished like mist.
As an acting professor, he couldn't help but feel affection for a student this skilled.
'His acting improved that much in such a short time. Must've had an epiphany. Hm hm, next time we meet, I should treat him to tea.'
Jerome had unwittingly fallen for Zien's performance.
Thirty minutes until the conquest battle exam.
As Zien entered the waiting room for the practical, the nine students already there greeted him warmly.
"You're here!"
"Watched the tournament—killer stuff!"
"Cat Team. The only top-ten placer~."
"Hehe, we got here early to wait!"
A far cry from the vibe during the first exam.
The students' faces brimmed with energy. For these mid-tier teammates—Zien aside—having a top-ten like him was a godsend in a drought.
Plus, in academy exams, seniority and rankings dictated speaking weight.
With Zien at ninth overall and the off-campus event champ, him taking leader was a no-brainer.
Aria, unlike last time, personally escorted Zien to a seat.
"Our team leader's legs must be sore. Sit here—I warmed it up for you!"
Her favoritism was blatant, but team unity was unity. And Aria wasn't the only familiar face.
"Fancy meeting in another exam. Guess it's fate?"
Lake, who'd fought alongside in the prior test.
Having crossed swords, Zien knew Lake's strengths and flaws.
'This vibe means we'll gel well.'
Right on cue, Aria snarled at Lake.
"What's with the sudden buddy act? You were the enemy. I was in Zien's party, y'know?"
"Picking sides at your age... So childish."
"Hey~ We're still that age!"
Aria wouldn't back down, dragging Lake in. Zien calmed them and outlined the plan.
"First, pick the king. My vote's Aria."
By conquest rules, the king couldn't eliminate foes. Martial Sabers like Zien or Lake as king meant wasted firepower.
"Plus, her magic tool's unique. Great for defense."
One teammate shot up a hand.
"Teams split 5-5?"
"No. Nine on defense. One on attack."
Shock rippled across faces. They exchanged uneasy glances, too timid to question.
"Um, hey..."
Aria, next highest-ranked after Zien, spoke cautiously.
"Isn't the lone attacker... too risky?"
"Don't worry. I have a plan."
Zien's confidence sparked memories of the tournament: solo factory infiltration, smashing three parties, soloing the boss. Aria dropped her doubts.
"R-Right! Let's do it!"
The Lonely Rabbit Team's waiting room.
Rabbit Team outranked Cat Team on average.
But their undisputed ace was Rank 1: Leon Sigma.
"Opponent's setup is 1 versus 9, for sure."
Rita nodded.
"We have to put that guy on attack. No choice."
Eyeing the conquest map, Rita continued.
"Once committed to attack, the map's too big for defense support. Everyone else is mid-tier deadweight offensively."
Frick cut in.
"Use nine as bait to stall, right?"
Leon nodded.
"Exactly."
Leon and Rita ranked among the first-years' brain trust. Reading the field was easy. Execution? Trickier.
"So how do we snag the crown before him?"
"Change perspective. Our formation: 10-0. All-in defense. Knock out their leader, and victory's ours."
Leon scrapped offense. Rabbit Team's new target: not the crown, but Zien.
[Zone 4 - Rioban Plains]
Event: Conquest Battle
Win Condition: Steal the enemy team's king's crown.
[Rules]
1. Magic tools and arts permitted.
2. Attacks between students allowed.
3. King cannot attack enemy team.
4. Eliminated students exit via portal.
Second exam underway.
But glancing at his lined-up teammates, Zien felt renewed.
Compared to the first—when he was dead weight—they hung on his every word.
"Remember the plan?"
"We got you. We're ready."
Mood-setter Aria pumped the team as the portal activated.
They emerged to a vast plain crowned by a massive castle—their defense zone.
'Enemy's probably the same.'
Zien bolted for the foe's base. Per plan, Aria began sketching furiously.
Thirty minutes later.
Rita perched on the ramparts, smirking at approaching Zien.
"Even he must be shocked?"
"Bet. Ten full defense? Unthinkable. No arrows— we're fishing."
"Right. No need to shoo the fish that swam to die."
Frick and Rita echoed each other, entering the ruined grand hall.
A Rank 60 scarecrow "king" slumped on the worn throne, guarded knight-style by Leon and Frick.
Fully prepped, they awaited the rebel: Zien.
The hall fell deathly silent.
Tension thick as Zien entered.
Grrrulk!
The doors slammed shut with a boom.
10-on-1 odds. Rita smirked faintly, sensing victory.
"Long time no see? We know each other."
Frick gripped his gauntlets, stance ready.
"That 'gotcha' face suits you, celeb. Didn't expect all ten, huh?"
Leon skipped complacency, activating his tool. His sword blazed like the sun.
"Let's begin."
Signal given—magic tool barrage surged at Zien.
'Defense it is, as expected.'
Fire-laced arrows.
Spear-thrusts like light beams.
Amid the onslaught, Zien didn't dodge—he swung Black Fragrance.
Anti-magic surged from the blade, draining power from incoming tools.
'Drain their mana dry.'
Crowns meant nothing now. They needed Zien out; he had other priorities.
A brutal game of prediction atop prediction.
Clang!
Leon’s sun sword clashed with Black Fragrance. His blade burned mana for raw power; Zien’s devoured the flames with anti-magic.
Ching! Clang!
"I've wanted to cross swords with you, Zien Russell."
Ching!
Zien answered with a light parry, shoving Leon back. Ranged attacks followed.
But sluggish compared to Lucia’s crystal spear or Ichef’s bullets. Zien danced through, pressing Leon.
"An honor."
Kwaang!
Problem: ten opponents. Leon stacked buffs.
Light scattered from his blade.
Each clash pushed Zien back. But as Leon overextended for the finish...
Zien’s sword lanced for his throat.
Kaang!
Perfect hit—Leon should've been done.
Frick’s gauntlet blocked Black Fragrance.
"Saved you once?"
"Gh... Th-thanks."
Leon, lifelong swordsman, couldn't match Zien blade-to-blade. Rita tsked at the sight.
"Not a real monster... But you look spent?"
Indeed, Zien’s mana and stamina plummeted fast.
"Same for you."
"Pfft, we've got ten."
Zien smirked mockingly.
"So do we."
Black Fragrance slashed air.
A rift cracked along its path—Zien’s second tool, Space Slash. Sparks flew as figures emerged one by one.
"You all good?"
Zien grinned.
Enemy mana depleted; his team—Aria, Lake, the rest—at peak condition.
Armed not in uniforms but mana-forged gear via Aria’s pen tool.
Lake eyed their stunned faces, calling to Zien.
"Rest up! We’ll finish."
"Ahaha! This exam's ours too!"
Aria beamed innocently. Enemies reeled at the twist.
Pure strategy triumph.