Chapter 111
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Iris Senior
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3.
Iris Senior.
Ullan's first impression of her was big.
Of course, she wasn't as big as Ullan, but among all the women he'd ever seen, she had by far the largest build.
And one more thing.
There was a feature that drew the eye.
"Um, your face..."
Noa spoke up awkwardly.
Water was dripping steadily from her face. She'd clearly just washed it, leaving Iris's features thoroughly soaked.
She didn't seem particularly bothered, though. She hadn't even tried to wipe it off, bowing her head right away—anyone could see that.
"Sorry for being late."
She apologized in a flat tone.
Meanwhile, Camilla abruptly shot up from her seat at Iris's arrival, a troubled look on her face.
"Iris, if you washed your face, you need to dry it."
"...Ah."
Iris's eyes widened slightly.
As if she'd only just realized.
A moment later, she replied in a dry voice.
"I don't have a towel."
"What? Not even a handkerchief?"
"It's fine. It'll dry on its own."
"No, that's not the point... Sigh, come over here. I'll wipe it for you."
Camilla let out a sigh and pulled out a handkerchief.
She then wiped Iris's face.
Noa blinked several times as she watched Iris stand still without resisting, peeking at her status window.
One of Arsen Academy's named characters.
Iris Senior.
She's the next student council president for the Arsen student council set to launch next year, and the central figure in all sorts of events tied to it.
The event Noa was zeroing in on was, without a doubt, the hidden one.
Two activation conditions total.
The most crucial: building a friendship with Iris beyond a certain level. Only then could you save her life during the hidden event.
A-grade or higher nameds are rare.
No downside to keeping her alive. She'd make a reliable asset when clashing with the Abyss.
Per the normal guide, smoothly clear the entrance ceremony event to stand out.
Then, when the new student council forms, you'd get a discreet offer to collaborate.
The reason? You'd shown backbone, refusing to bend to the old council's pressure and bias.
But...
Not possible this time.
The entrance ceremony—their supposed meet-cute—had devolved into such chaos they were branded terrorists.
Result: Ullan stood out for all the wrong reasons, and Noa had written off every student council-related hidden piece or event.
But who knew the Eloden exchange would bridge the connection like this.
Life's full of surprises.
Wrapping up her thoughts on Iris.
She shifted her gaze to the purple-haired woman meticulously drying her face.
...Camilla Tanesia.
Iris's childhood friend, a year older.
They'd been inseparable since kidhood, closer than sisters, or so she'd heard.
Users who'd played as Iris said they trusted each other more than family—so yeah, tight bond.
If joining the Iris-centered hidden event, best build rapport with Camilla too.
Because Camilla...
...was set to turn into the final boss of Iris Senior's hidden event. Position much like Professor Direk.
And the reason to befriend Camilla? To get dragged into the hidden event alongside Iris.
In short: wedge into the unbreakable trust between those two, forge your own bonds—then you could join the event.
Second activation condition.
Not easy this time either.
Noa let out a deep sigh.
She could already see the rough road ahead.
But no need to panic.
Just met Iris.
Her centerpiece hidden event wouldn't trigger till next spring, post-new student council launch. Time aplenty to bond.
Finishing her musing.
The water on Iris's face was now spotless.
Far fluffier than at first glance. Her calm purple eyes then scanned the group.
"Thank you for answering the summons."
She bowed once more.
Then lightly tapped her left chest.
"Military Department second-year, Iris Senior. Lacking as I am, I've been chosen as Arsen's rep for this friendly mock battle."
Her intro kicked things off.
Ullan's crew gave quick re-intros. Simple roll call done, Iris pressed on in her dry tone.
"I called you here today to share tomorrow's mock battle ops and formations."
Noa's guess spot-on.
But she didn't dive straight in.
Iris steadied her breath, pivoting topics.
"First, though, something to address."
"...?"
"About you."
Her finger pointed.
Right at Ullan. She flicked a glance his way, voice parched.
"Frankly: you're insurance."
"Insurance?"
"Yes. Word is Eloden's got one hell of an expert. Expert-level, from what I heard."
He knew who.
Holy Knight Ian Marcus.
Hero material, Expert as described—the strongest in Eloden's delegation.
"Embarrassing, but we lack anyone to counter him. Himmel Deorg could've handled it, but..."
No Himmel at Arsen anymore.
Withdrawal filed, academy ditched. Not his call—Count Deorg's doing.
"That's why I summoned you."
Himmel: upper knight tier.
Ullan'd pulped him—obviously beyond. Student rumors pegged Ullan Expert too.
Explanation winding down.
Ivela Elead jumped in.
"So Ullan's job is taking Eloden's Expert?"
"No."
"Huh? Then..."
"Like I said: insurance. Won't need your help unless it's unavoidable."
Wait, what?
Selected then sidelined?
Confusion creased every face.
"..."
Ullan narrowed his eyes.
Sensing it under the surface.
Iris Senior wasn't fond of him. Not hostile, though.
Her vibe right now? Wary.
No clue why.
Still, not once had she met his gaze.
Quiet settled.
Iris circled back.
"Now, main topic."
Half-turn.
She approached the wall, unrolled a prepped map.
"Mock battle arena map. Terrain splits two ways, clear as day."
Largely two terrains.
Northern highlands. Southern dense forest.
Pros and cons stark.
North: rugged, defense favored. Natural fortress vibes.
Con: merging tough.
Steep hills, gorges galore—reunion'd eat time.
South: jungle-edged plains.
Poor defense, but merge fast anytime.
Iris tapped north.
"Arsen's basing north."
Base locked in, looks like.
Next: rules.
"Victory: two ways. Snag their flag, or wipe enemy forces."
Simple for Ullan.
No Qs. Iris rolled on.
"Split forces three-fold."
One: flag base.
Two: checkpoint defense squad.
Three: assault team—breach lines, nab flag.
"Our assignments?"
"Covering now."
Quick cough.
Finger to map.
"Assault: high-mobility picks. Roster:"
Assault: six heads.
Key: Iris herself, Ivela Elead. Rest: two warrior-hunters, one mage.
Two squads, Iris and a senior captaining each.
"Defense: terrain-maxed, mages and snipers heavy. Lineup:"
Defense: four total.
Mage Camilla, Dilia Arpen, shaman Noa, sniper one.
Highland hill perch, pick off base-rushers.
"Last: flag guard mandates two. You and Cliff Anton."
"Cliff Anton?"
"Third-year Magic Department. Defense magic virtuoso. Two-year-back Arsen mock champ."
Iris confirmed.
Camilla supplemented.
"He's student council pres too. Freshmen won't cross paths."
Ullan blank on Cliff Anton. Chat wrapped.
"Hold up. Objection!"
"Got a, question."
Silent duo—Ivela Elead, Dilia Arpen—hands shot up. Grilled Iris.
"Why base Ullan?"
"Assault? Game-changer."
Ullan: master-tier beast.
Assault slot alone? Enemy blocked. Win instant.
Even defense: iron wall.
No enemy heavy hits Ullan-held turf.
Queries done.
Iris deadpan.
"He's insurance."
"Insurance what..."
"Straight talk."
Brief sigh.
Finger Ullan-ward.
"Don't want 'we won thanks to that guy'."
"...Pardon?"
"But no plans losing. Called him as backup. Front crumbles? Deploy then."
Click. Insurance clear.
Ivela instant protest.
"But that's unfair...!"
"Not forcing."
Iris cut in.
Glanced Ullan.
"Way rubs wrong? Speak now. Cut you, grab alternate."
Don't like? GTFO.
Iris's drift.
Ivela, Dilia, Noa eyed Ullan—worry, nerves.
Moment passed.
Lips parted.
"No need."
"So...?"
"I'll follow."
"Appreciate it."
Compliance earned faint Iris smile. Fleeting relief in her eyes.
Short-lived.
Face blanked.
"Business done. Arena, tomorrow morn."
Dismissal curt.
Ullan crew stood.
Student hall exit: Ivela scowled, pent-up.
"What the hell?!"
Brow fury-knotted.
Vented bottled rage, pissy.
"Hated 'Ullan carried'? Don't pick him!"
"...Agreed. Hate, it."
Dilia synced.
Borrow power if desperate, flaunt pointless pride? Infuriating.
"I'm good."
Ullan chill.
Ignored flat-out, yet unbothered.
"Her words false."
"Huh? Explain."
Outta nowhere—eyes popped.
Ullan elaborated, facing them.
"Lies sprinkled in."
Ullan reads truth from faces, vibes.
Proofs stack.
First: room entry—no direct eye-lock.
Speak? Glances only. Tells, voice—lies screamed.
Thus: every "you" line bogus.
Why? Mystery.
Circumstances, probably.
Ignored it.
Knew slights insincere. Girls still steamed.
Ullan again.
"Truly fine. Drop it. Fighting alongside you? Plenty."
Battlefield with old comrades.
That alone joy.
Mock or not—memory trigger.
"Ullan..."
Ivela, Dilia eyes quivered.
Subtly moved.
Nods.
"Got it. Your call."
"But we do it? Win big."
"Naturally. No losing."
All fights ever.
Never tapped out.
Mock? Zero quit thoughts.
Ullan grinned feral.
Girls lit up.
Overnight pass!
Noa schemed aside.
Thoughts diverged.
Sunday night faded.
4.
Meanwhile.
Post-Ullan exit.
"Hwaaa."
Deflating balloon.
Iris face-planted table. Camilla soft-smiled, shoulder-patted.
"Good work, Iris."
"...Ugh, drained."
Iris whined petulant.
Tone flipped.
True her.
Timid, stranger-shy, people-awkward baseline.
"Exhausted."
Insiders few.
Academy: Camilla only.
Solo with her? Real mode. Else: curt armor.
Dual-ish.
No deep why.
Tension reflex.
Tenser? Drier. Today: peak dread.
"Tension didn't show? Yeah?"
Iris probed.
Camilla iffy.
"Nah, obvious?"
"Eek?! Why?!"
"Face drenched."
"Th-that! Slipped..."
Voice trailed.
Head drooped—Camilla cracked up.
"Kidding. No one clocked."
"F-for real?"
"Yup. Figured klutz."
"Ugh, hate that too..."
Senior cred tanked.
Iris pouted.
"Medicine for nerves, why today freak?"
"Ullan kid."
"..."
Mouth zipped.
Bullseye.
March entrance ceremony.
Stage-close seat: Ullan's roar direct-hit, eardrums burst.
Hence?
Ullan sighted: panic max.
"Yeah. Scary."
Iris clutched shaky shoulders.
Yell-shatter drums? Unheard-of.
Today: zero eye-meets. Heart jackhammered.
Plus.
Ullan-avoid reason.
"Nude too."
"Th-that...!"
Iris fluster-peak.
Camilla sighed.
"Naked guys tense you? Kid habit holds."
"...Reflex."
Iris lips puffed.
Kid-on: male bare = body lock.
Not fear.
Tense spike?
Stiffer default. Fix attempts: zilch.
"Anyway, sure ok?"
"Hm?"
"Ullan base slot. Skip pres order mention?"
Insurance Ullan: Cliff Anton pres decree. Defy? Council sits out threat.
Council boycott? Disaster.
2nd/3rd-year elites: council-heavy.
All out? Force dips hard.
Plus...
Next pres run: lead-by-example must.
Council bolts? Leader-fail stamp.
Accepted deal.
Ullan council enemy.
Reasons stack.
Entrance mess. Himmel—council ally—withdrawal? Ullan blame heavy.
Council view: eyesore. No direct beef, so sabotage sly.
...Petty.
Iris gaze iced.
Now: aid vital, obey. Mock start: tactic flip.
Park master base-side? Waste. Plan sealed, grinned Camilla.
"Yup, fine. Pre-fight ally rift? Nah. One eats gripe better."
"Iris..."
"Know your worry. Efficient play—trust me once."
Eyes earnest-glow.
Unyielding. Camilla resigned sigh.
"Fine. Hard shit? Spill fast. Your side always."
"Thanks, sis."
Iris beamed.
Rock-solid vibe.
Next day.
Arsen Academy.
Eloden Academy.
Pride on line.
Friendly mock battle curtain rose.