Chapter 231
Chapter 231
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 232
Chapter Title: Temporary Alliance
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She confirmed the sudden situation and inwardly cheered.
Luck was on her side. In the distance, the guardian, and from the Korean Wizard Academy, Kim Sunwoo and Choi Seoyun.
It wasn't intentional, but she and the guardian had ended up surrounding Kim Sunwoo and Choi Seoyun.
On top of that, judging by the guardian's mana felt from afar, it was probably a monster close to S-Rank.
This situation might just be the perfect opportunity to eliminate two key members of the Korean Wizard Academy, top contenders for victory.
But even in this disadvantageous position, Kim Sunwoo kept a calm face.
She didn't know what he was planning, but she could sense confidence in his demeanor.
Did he really think he could take on both us and the guardian at the same time?
—Roooaaar!
At that moment, the guardian let out a roar.
Its leg muscles swelled, and with a sharp whoosh, its body shot toward Kim Sunwoo.
However, Kim Sunwoo didn't panic.
He calmly manifested several magic orbs and unleashed them at the creature.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As the unignorable powerful attacks continued, the guardian curled up its body.
Soon unable to endure, it jumped back.
Daria was momentarily impressed by Kim Sunwoo's precise mana control.
Then she snapped out of it and thought this was her chance.
With Kim Sunwoo's attention on the guardian, it was an opening to strike.
Vmmm!
Daria strengthened her body with mana.
Just as she was about to charge at Kim Sunwoo.
"Daria."
Kim Sunwoo called her name while showing his back.
Daria froze for a moment.
No, froze was more accurate than hesitated.
Her body wouldn't move as she willed.
Kim Sunwoo continued speaking, still facing away.
"This isn't the time for us to fight each other. Don't do something you'll regret. You think attacking us now will get us eliminated?"
Daria clamped her mouth shut.
Honestly, she wasn't confident.
Unlike Lily Rose or Luke, she couldn't objectively gauge Kim Sunwoo's exact strength.
But her instincts, from watching his battle footage before.
Told her he was stronger than those two.
...Still.
"...We'll see about that."
"No, you won't. If you attack us, we'll ignore the guardian and take you out first."
Daria felt like he was trying to dissuade her.
"Besides, this exam is an individual competition among five teams. Fighting each other just benefits the other teams. Don't you know that?"
It was a convincing response.
This exam had a hidden rule.
Regarding battles with other teams.
If you encountered another team during the 'Whale Organ Scramble' exam, you could engage them in combat.
And if you won, you could render the losers incapacitated and eliminate them from the Sacred Tournament.
It was a hefty penalty. Losing meant elimination.
But unlike defeat, victory offered no benefits beyond momentary 'survival.'
No points gained, no advantages for the next exam.
In fact, if you got injured in the fight, it only benefited the other teams.
"More than anything, you have a reason to reach the finish line, don't you?"
Daria flinched.
"You, what did you just..."
"We'll talk about that later. Let's take out that guardian first. It's too much for us to handle alone."
Daria turned her gaze to the guardian.
After hearing Kim Sunwoo, she regained her composure.
He was right; now wasn't the time to fight each other.
Eliminating Kim Sunwoo and Choi Seoyun would be a gain, but ignoring the guardian to focus on them could lead to their own elimination.
"What do we do? What he's saying doesn't sound wrong."
The 1st Year junior beside her, Mira, said to Daria.
"...For now, let's go with their plan."
And so, an unexpected temporary alliance was formed.
Daria moved to Kim Sunwoo's side.
Choi Seoyun gave a wary look, but Kim Sunwoo glanced at Daria and nodded, showing no hostility.
How did things end up like this?
Daria felt a momentary doubt, then turned her eyes to the guardian ahead.
The ominous mana emanating from its body.
Judging by the density of mana felt externally, it wasn't something two students could handle.
Perhaps 'temporary alliances with enemy teams' were intended in this exam.
"Its weakness is the neck. I'll charge first, so support from behind."
Kim Sunwoo said that and dashed forward.
Weakness is the neck.
She had no idea what basis he had for saying that, but Choi Seoyun nodded, trusting his words.
—Roooaaar!
The shark monster swung its hand with sharp claws.
The intangible mana in the claws shot toward Kim Sunwoo.
Whoosh!
At that instant, Kim Sunwoo's movements exploded in speed.
It was a blindingly fast motion, as if using 'Instant Flash.'
Of course, that ability of Kim Sunwoo's was already known to many through exam footage.
But seeing it in person felt different.
Whiiirrr—
A strong wind sound followed. A powerful whirlwind gathered above his hand.
The whirlwind gradually formed into a sphere, becoming a strong circular gust.
Daria watched the sight with wide eyes.
"...Wind attribute?"
She had seen the exact same magic before.
From the mysterious opponent she faced in the first Sacred Tournament exam, 'Qualification Proof.'
Who on earth let me pass without eliminating me? She'd always wondered, and now she knew their identity.
Kim Sunwoo, of all people.
About 10 minutes passed.
KABOOOM—
A massive explosion rang out.
After a prolonged battle, the guardian's chest was pierced by a compressed magic orb and collapsed.
['Guardian Hunter' achievement unlocked.]
[Reward: 2,000 points acquired.]
[Successfully defeated a monster using wind attribute.]
[Wind attribute proficiency increased!]
[You can now control the flow of wind more precisely!]
[You have defeated numerous guardians by targeting their 'weak points.']
['Guardian Slayer (B)' trait acquired.]
[Guardians will be easier to face from now on.]
[Agility increased by 1.]
"Hoo..."
Seeing the messages pop up, tension drained instantly.
Victory at last.
It was 4:1, but the guardian was much stronger than expected, making it quite tough.
To the point where she wondered if the temporary alliance with other teams was premeditated.
The messages were longer than usual.
Curious about the unusual content, she checked closely.
Points acquired and wind attribute proficiency up.
...And one unexpected result.
Acquiring the 'Guardian Slayer' trait.
Wondering what it was, she checked immediately.
[Guardian Slayer (B)]
Classification: Trait
Description: Effectively counters guardians.
►Empowering Strength
All stats temporarily increase by 10% when facing guardians.
►Soul Absorption
Randomly gain +1 to one stat per guardian defeated.
"...Oh."
The ability was straightforward and easy to understand.
Stats boost when facing guardians, and gain stats on victory.
Better than nothing, so quite satisfying.
As she felt satisfaction looking at the message window.
"Sunbae, good work!"
Choi Seoyun approached me.
"Yeah, you too."
"Aw, I just tied its legs from behind."
Choi Seoyun gave an awkward smile.
"That's plenty. Tying down a guardian isn't easy."
It wasn't empty praise; it was sincere.
Her freezing the guardian's legs with ice pillars was restraint magic worthy of a support specialist.
Still, Choi Seoyun seemed disappointed at not landing direct hits, wearing a regretful expression.
"Oh, right, sunbae. When did you learn wind attribute magic?"
Choi Seoyun asked, eyes sparkling.
Her tone higher, clearly very curious.
"Not long ago. Handling only neutral magic felt limiting, so I practiced on the side."
"Ah. I heard wind attribute adaptation training is tough..."
Choi Seoyun muttered in wonder.
Then Daria, who'd been eyeing me, approached.
"Kim Sunwoo."
She called my name in a guarded tone.
"Yeah?"
"...Don't you have something to tell me?"
At Daria's words, Choi Seoyun looked puzzled.
"...Something to tell you?"
What Daria meant was probably what I said before taking down the guardian: 'More than anything, you have a reason to reach the finish line, don't you.'
To her, it must have sounded like 'I know your secret.'
She might even mistake me for the kidnapper of her sibling.
I gauged the situation before answering.
"Let's talk after the exam ends."
The Sacred Tournament exams are broadcast externally. Not something to discuss where everyone can hear.
Daria got the point, bit her lip hard, and nodded.
[Character 'Daria' feels slight anger toward you.]
[Reward: 500 points acquired.]
As expected, she thinks I'm the one who kidnapped her sibling.
Well, considering why I didn't eliminate her in 'Qualification Proof,' she can't help but think that way.
Doesn't matter much.
Misunderstandings can be cleared after the exam.
I turned my gaze to the passage leading to the 'brain.'
"Anyway, temporary alliance over now?"
"...What?"
Daria asked back. I looked at Choi Seoyun.
"Let's go."
"Yeah!"
We entered the passage first. Daria stood there dumbfounded, looking stunned.
[Korean Wizard Academy 'Lee Seojun' destroyed the whale's heart!]
[Korean Wizard Academy awarded 3,000 points!]
[1st place is Korean Wizard Academy with total 5,201 points!]
8 PM.
The intense 'Whale Organ Scramble' exam ended.
As seen, the result was Korea taking 1st by Lee Seojun destroying the heart.
2nd UK, 3rd USA, 4th Russia.
China Wizard Academy, with team ace 'Yang Ying' eliminated, took a overwhelming last place.
The 'first eliminated team' for the next exam is set by this result, making China the prime candidate.
This followed the original storyline.
After that, dinner, personal training, and free time.
Students spent their time preparing for tomorrow afternoon's exam.
"...Hmm."
The Sacred Tournament broadcast ended around 1 AM.
I stepped out of the mansion in the neutral zone.
Under the brightly shining moonlight, I slowly walked the dark streets.
Not far from the mansion was a large garden.
My destination was that garden.
Soon, I arrived at the garden.
Under the moonlight, a female student sat on a park bench.
Staring sadly at her smart student notebook screen—probably her sibling's photo.
"Daria."
She turned at my call.
Meeting her gaze straight on brought back the tragic events from the original story.
Sacred Tournament final exam venue.
Due to the Jaun summoned by Daria, this 'virtual world' temporarily becomes the 'real world.'
And naturally, if virtual becomes real, death here isn't 'virtual death' but 'real-world death.'
Jaun aims for that and kills Daria.
No reason to let live a future major threat.
In the end, Daria gets used by Jaun in this Sacred Tournament arc and meets a gruesome end.
But.
I'll change that future.
Despite talk of the Observer Apostle, fated futures, laws of the world—I have the power to change it.
"...What are you?"
Daria stood and said.
"What do you mean? Just another Sacred Tournament participant like you."
"Not in the mood for word games."
Her eyes glaring at me burned with intense anger.
"Answer me. Why did you let me live in the 'Qualification Proof' exam?"
"And what did you mean I have a reason to reach the finish line?"
I pretended to think, stayed silent a moment, then spoke.
"I overheard your phone call at the first-day mixer."
Daria's face hardened at my words.
"...Liar. You heard the call from that distance?"
"You looked so serious, so I enhanced my hearing with mana and eavesdropped."
"I was shocked. Never thought you'd be under that kind of blackmail."
I slowly recited the script I'd prepared long ago.
"Daria. I know the identity of the one blackmailing you. I've heard his voice before. He's someone I was personally investigating."
Daria's pupils trembled greatly.
"...What?"
"His name is Bert. A core member of Jaun."
Shock spread across Daria's face.
She'd never imagined it was Jaun.
"I told you, didn't I? I might be able to help you."