Chapter 110

(However, fourth-year students are excluded from the selection.)

*Accordingly, twelve players from each academy will participate in the friendly mock battle.

The method of selecting participants for the mock battle follows that of Eloden Academy.

Meanwhile, Ulan tilted his head in confusion.

“But why are fourth-years excluded?”

“Maybe it’s because most of them aren’t at the academy?”

“Not at the academy?”

“Fourth-years are mostly out of the academy due to graduation projects or internships,” answered Noa, clarifying the additional question.

She added a bit more explanation.

“And this is just my thought, but since Eloden Academy is a three-year system, it seems they only limited the participation to up to third years.”

That certainly sounded reasonable.

Ulan nodded quietly, signifying his understanding. Just then, Delia raised a question.

“But how did they decide on the representatives?”

Since the process of selecting students for the mock battle was based on Eloden Academy’s method, that made sense. However, there was no information on how each academy’s representatives were decided, puzzling Delia.

But her curiosity didn’t linger long.

“It seems it’s written over here.”

“It looks like they probably held a preliminary selection among second and third years before the exchange meeting. And the results are…”

There was another announcement posted on the back of the bulletin board.

It revealed the selection process for each academy’s representative and included their information.

【Arsen Academy】

『Representative: Irist Senior』

【Eloden Academy】

『Representative: Teron Shulagen』

I know who Teron Shulagen is.

I heard he’s the leader of the student representatives and the student council president at Eloden Academy.

On the other hand, Arsen Academy’s representative was different.

“Who is Irist Senior?”

Ulan looked at Ivella and Delia, hoping they might know since they were well-informed about the academy.

“Umm, I’m not sure.”

“First time hearing about them.”

But this time, it was a no-go.

The two girls wore puzzled expressions. It was obvious they didn’t know.

In contrast, Noa was different.

She fixed her gaze on the list of representatives while her eyes sparkled with a hint of realization.

‘Irist Senior.’

The youngest daughter of the renowned Senior Count family famous for their spear techniques and a named character. One of her main traits is that she will become the student council president next year.

Though she hasn’t made a name for herself yet, she will eventually become the sixth master of the Rubens Empire.

‘Although she’s not a hero, I remember she played a significant role in fighting against the abyss.’

She even dealt a considerable blow to one of the Lord of the Abyss. Of course, it cost her dearly, as Irist herself perished in that conflict.

While I was recalling this information, I heard:

“Oh! There’s a list of participants below!”

Ivella’s voice broke my train of thought.

The names of players participating in the mock battle. In other words, the individuals chosen by Irist Senior. Everyone’s gaze immediately shifted to the announcement board.

【1st Year Class 2】

『Delia Arpen』

The first name that caught my eye was Delia.

No one seemed particularly surprised, as Delia herself acted as if it were a matter of course.

‘Well, Delia is quite acknowledged.’

I sometimes forgot, but Delia was the most well-known figure among first-years.

Moreover, with Himel Deorg dropping out, who was also deemed promising, Delia’s standing became even more solid.

‘Then who are the remaining three…?’

Who got picked?

Surely, Ulan must be among them.

With that conviction, Noa stared at the list.

【1st Year Class 3】

『Ulan Bator』

『Noa Darshen』

『Ivella Elea’ad』

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

A moment later, a dazed voice escaped her lips.

“……Huh?”

As if she couldn’t believe it.

And honestly, neither could I.

While Ivella’s recent explosion of growth made her an understandable pick, Noa was perplexed as to why she was chosen.

And then there was something else.

The moment she confirmed her name on the list, Noa grasped the mixed gazes of some students upon her.

“…….”

Jealousy and suspicion, glints of envy shimmering in their eyes.

They seemed to silently question why she was selected among so many other skilled individuals.

As soon as she sensed that, Noa involuntarily shrank her shoulders. The weight of the negative and malicious glances bore down on her.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

Ulan frowned.

“Looks like a hassle.”

He had no intention of participating in the mock battle.

He felt there was no benefit to joining. Rather, it seemed better to spend that time training his stamina.

Just then, Delia approached him.

“Still, I’m happy.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Well, because I get to be with Ulan.”

“Right. I was supposed to participate in the mock battle last time, but I ended up disqualified. I can’t believe this opportunity has come up!”

Ivella chimed in as well.

In that moment, Ulan recalled the promise he made with everyone during the last selection match.

The agreement to all participate in the mock battle together.

But since he had turned Himel into a bloody mess during that selection match, it couldn’t be fulfilled.

“So…”

“You’ll join us, right?”

Their eyes sparkled with earnest hope.

Ulan’s internal conflict didn’t last long.

“Got it. Let’s do this together.”

This meant he could fulfill a promise he had failed to keep last time. For Ulan, who valued promises, it was an opportunity to rectify a past mistake.

“Hehe, great!”

“Looking forward to the mock battle!”

Delia and Ivella’s faces blossomed with joy.

But it wasn’t only joy from being able to be with Ulan. Their focus was also fixed on the prize for winning.

【Winning Prize: Outing Permission】

The moment they laid eyes on that, their gazes shined with fierce determination.

Like beasts eyeing their prey.

‘Outing Permission!’

‘I must get my hands on that, no matter what…’

It was their chance to spend time alone with Ulan.

As their eyes blazed with excitement, some others were gazing at the announcement with somewhat stiff expressions. It was Ian and Laurea, part of the Eloden student representatives.

Their eyes were fixated on the participant list.

Suddenly, as they stared at Ulan’s name, Ian broke into an awkward smile.

“Uh, Senpai.”

“……What?”

“I feel like I’ve developed some sort of foresight.”

“Coincidence. I’m feeling the same.”

With Laurea’s response, they both sighed in unison.

“I can already see the outcome.”

“This mock battle is a disaster waiting to happen.”

Given that Ulan was participating, the result was practically predetermined.

Struggling to suppress their desire to forfeit, they sighed again.

And thus, Friday night faded away.

2.

Two days later.

On the evening of Sunday, just before the mock battle.

The participants, including Ulan, left the dormitory. It was due to a sudden summon from Irist Senior, the representative of Arsen.

“But why the sudden call?” Ivella asked, tilting her head.

Noa then offered her two cents.

“Maybe it’s to share information regarding tomorrow’s mock battle?”

“I think the same as Noa.”

“Hmm, still feels off…”

There had been plenty of time to call in the past.

Like on Friday when the announcement was put up, or they could’ve contacted them yesterday. So why on the very eve of the mock battle?

While they wore puzzled expressions, they reached the café inside the Student Council Hall, the promised location. It was a luxurious place, separated into individual spaces like the special room of the student dining hall.

After being guided by a staff member, they arrived at a large room. Just then, Ivella, her face tense, knocked on the door.

“Excuse me.”

She gently opened the door with a polite knock.

The moment the room came into view.

A spacious room that could comfortably accommodate dozens.

As the group expressed their awe at its size, a voice called out from the window.

“Welcome.”

A girl with flowing purple hair greeted them, wearing a hat symbolizing an intermediate mage, smiling at the group.

“You all are the first-years participating in the mock battle?”

“Yes, I am Ivella Elea’ad.”

Following Ivella’s introduction, the others presented themselves.

“I-I’m Noa Darshen!”

“Delia Arpen.”

“I’m Ulan.”

As the introductions grew shorter, the woman didn’t seem to mind.

In fact, upon hearing Ulan’s introduction, she suddenly widened her eyes as if she recalled something.

“Ah! You’re the troublemaker from the entrance ceremony?”

“Troublemaker?”

“Yeah, you’re pretty famous among us.”

The woman nodded.

She smiled brightly as she explained.

“There were quite a few injuries among third years. I wasn’t there, so I don’t know the details, but I learned it later from Irist.”

At that moment, Ulan realized the girl wasn’t Irist.

“Who are you…?”

“Sorry for the late introduction.”

The girl awkwardly smiled as she recognized her rudeness.

Moments later, she grabbed the hem of her skirt and politely bowed. Then with a bright smile, she introduced herself.

“I’m ‘Kamila Tanesia.’ I’m a third-year in the Magic Department and I’m participating in the mock battle. Feel free to call me Kamila.”

Her main attributes were fire and wind.

Both attributes had reached the intermediate mage level, placing her among the upper echelon of the third-year students.

“More importantly, I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

“For making you come all the way here.”

Kamila bowed her head again, looking quite apologetic.

“Technically, upperclassmen aren’t allowed in the first-year area. If caught, you’d receive penalty points.”

That’s the reason why there were no second-year or higher upperclassmen seen in the first-year area. Irist’s invitation was mediated through someone else.

Just as that explanation came to an end, the drinks ordered by the group arrived.

As soon as the staff member left the room, Ulan gulped down the beverage placed in front of him in one go.

Gulp gulp! Crunch!

After chewing on the solid ice and swallowing it, he jumped right into the point.

“Where is the one who called us?”

“Oh! Sorry. She was here just now but went to the restroom. She’ll be back soon.”

Kamila smiled awkwardly.

As soon as she finished speaking—

Creak!

The previously closed door swung open.

The person who entered the room was a girl with sky-blue hair pulled back, her face expressionless.

“……”

The one who called Ulan and the others here, and who would serve as Arsen’s representative in the mock battle.

It was none other than Irist Senior.

Chapter 27. Friendly Mock Battle