Chapter 47

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 22, 2025

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Chapter 14. What Does That Have to Do With Anything?

1.

The first Thursday of March.

A particularly chilly morning, perhaps due to the rain at dawn.

About two hundred people had gathered at the Military Department’s training ground.

Young boys and girls with fresh faces.

They were the new students of Arsen Academy.

“As previously announced, today we will hold a selection match to determine who will participate in the mock battle!”

A voice echoed loudly across the training ground.

It was Ethan Arnoff, a professor from the Military Department.

With his characteristic stern face, he calmly explained the day’s schedule.

“First, we will hold the preliminary matches in the morning! Participants from each class will compete, and a set number will be selected.”

After a brief pause.

He glanced at the schedule.

“After lunch, in the afternoon, we will hold the finals to determine the top 10 who will participate in the mock battle.”

The top 10.

These students will earn the right to participate in the mock battle and will be given the opportunity to receive investments from nobles of various countries.

“Finally, from the top 10, we will select the strongest and appoint them as the leader. Any questions so far?”

No questions were asked.

Instead, the room buzzed with murmurs.

“The strongest among the top 10?”

“Then the leader is pretty much decided.”

“Of course, it’s going to be that barbarian, right?”

“Yeah. Isn’t he an expert?”

Even before the preliminaries had started, the atmosphere was already predicting the outcome.

And for good reason.

Because recently, a rumor had been circulating.

『Ulan is an expert.』

No one knew where the rumor started.

But it spread like wildfire across the academy. And now, it was almost accepted as fact.

No, let me correct that.

At least Ethan knew where the rumor came from. Because he was the one who started it.

‘To be precise, it was a false rumor.’

He spread the rumor under orders from above.

Direct orders from Berge Erkazhan, the head of the Military Department, and the Empire’s military.

Hide Ulan’s true strength, fabricate some false information, and spread the rumor. The reason for these orders was obvious.

‘Because if the truth comes out, all hell will break loose.’

Not just likely, but definitely.

First of all, there are many experts in the Empire.

Even just counting the officially recorded ones, there are as many as the number of new students gathered here.

‘But masters are different.’

If experts are tactical weapons that can change the course of a battle, masters are strategic weapons that can change the flow of a war.

There’s even a saying.

The number of masters is directly proportional to a nation’s power.

Moreover, masters who have transcended human limits are, in special cases, more valuable than high mages.

If, in such a situation.

It were revealed that Ulan is a master?

‘A fierce competition would begin.’

A neutral force not affiliated with any nation.

Moreover, if they succeed in recruiting Ulan, they would gain over 10,000 barbarians and the frontier lands.

The Empire did not want this situation.

So they made the first move.

By spreading false information, they ensured that competitors couldn’t easily get their hands on the truth.

‘Of course, it will be discovered eventually…’

Just as you can’t cover the sky with your palm.

The truth will come out eventually.

But it doesn’t matter. The Empire plans to recruit Ulan by any means before that happens.

“Alright, quiet down. I’m not done yet.”

Snapping out of his thoughts.

Ethan continued speaking.

“By the way, this selection match has been changed so that students from other departments can also apply. So if you wish to participate, feel free to do so.”

“……”

But no one volunteered.

Of course not. The selection match and mock battle are not about showcasing individual specialties, but solely about combat prowess.

The training ground was enveloped in silence.

Ethan, seemingly having anticipated this, nonchalantly moved on to the main point.

“Then, we will now begin the preliminaries.”

The current time was exactly 10 a.m.

The preliminaries for all eight classes would end just in time for lunch. Ethan took out a box filled with magic orbs and said.

“The battlefield is the entire training ground. Fight until each class has three or fewer participants. Those who have experienced a great duel should understand what I mean?”

Of course, they understood.

Some students chuckled.

“By the way, the order has already been decided. Yesterday, the professors in charge of each class drew lots. The first order is Class 2.”

As soon as Ethan finished speaking.

Students from Class 2 rushed forward.

A total of ten students. Only three of them would advance to the finals. Meanwhile, Ivella muttered while looking at the order sheet.

“Hmm, we’re last.”

“Seems like it.”

“Professor Miel must have drawn a good number.”

Ulan nodded silently.

To him, the order didn’t matter much.

While watching Class 2’s battle.

Suddenly, Ivella spoke to him.

“Hey, Ulan.”

“Hmm?”

“Who do you think will pass the preliminaries? I mean, from our class, not Class 2.”

“You, me, and Noa.”

An immediate answer without hesitation.

A response filled with strong conviction.

“What? Noa?”

On the other hand, she tilted her head.

With a puzzled expression.

“But isn’t she physically weak?”

“Combat isn’t about physical strength.”

“Coming from you, that somehow lacks persuasiveness……”

Ivella laughed awkwardly.

Meanwhile, Ulan remained serious.

“Noa has talent as a sorcerer.”

This was an undeniable fact.

Among all the sorcerers he had met in his past life, few had skills comparable to Noa’s.

What Ulan valued most about her was the speed at which she could activate her spells.

‘Sorcerers are at a disadvantage in combat compared to mages.’

There’s only one reason.

The time it takes to activate a spell is significantly longer than casting a spell. Of course, he didn’t know why such a difference existed.

‘But Noa……’

She completes her spells faster than magic. On the way from the prairie to the academy, Ulan had witnessed this several times.

So he confidently declared.

“Plus, she has considerable combat experience, so she’ll definitely pass the preliminaries.”

“Really? That’s unexpected. She doesn’t seem like it.”

Turquoise eyes turned towards Noa.

With a gaze full of curiosity.

Meanwhile, at that time. Noa, who was sitting alone in a corner, frowned with a sullen expression.

‘Ugh. I can hear everything!?’

The reason she was alone was simple.

Each department had a designated seating area.

As a result, Noa, who had suddenly found herself alone, trembled with frustration.

‘After hearing that……’

There’s no way I can lose.

I’ll pass no matter what!

As she reaffirmed her resolve, Ivella’s voice reached her from afar.

“By the way, I was really surprised.”

“About what?”

“About Ulan’s strength.”

Ivella suddenly leaned in.

Then clenched her fist.

“I always thought he was at the level of a high-ranking knight, but I never expected him to be an expert.”

That explains why she fainted.

The level of an expert is that impressive.

As her eyes shone with admiration.

Noa also nodded in agreement.

‘Originally, Ulan should be knocking on the door of becoming an expert around this time.’

According to the original story, he becomes an expert at eighteen.

But now, Ulan became an expert a year earlier. Of course, it wasn’t that surprising. There was a plausible reason.

‘Probably because he obtained Kazan.’

The Hero’s Enchantment, Kazan.

Having obtained this blessing, known as an overpowered item, it was somewhat understandable that he had skipped a year.

Just as she finished her speculation.

Suddenly, a shout broke her thoughts.

“Next is Class 1!”

“Students from Class 1 who wish to participate in the preliminaries, gather at the training ground immediately!”

The shouts of Ethan and other professors.

As soon as the words ended, the surrounding area became noisy in an instant.

“Huh? Class 1 is……”

“The class with Delia Arpen, right?”

“That’s right! Let’s go see!”

“Ah, this is a must-see.”

The Star Witch, Delia Arpen.

A genius mage who carries everyone’s expectations. It was an opportunity to see her in action. It was natural for the students to be excited.

‘Then I’ll take a look too.’

It’s the first time I’ll see it with my own eyes.

With an expectant expression.

Noa quickly got up from her seat.

2.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

The atmosphere at the training ground was quite tense.

Even though the battle hadn’t started yet, the formation was already complete.

Centered around Delia Arpen, nine students formed a tight encirclement.

Seeing this scene.

Students from other departments jeered.

“Wow, isn’t that a bit too much?”

“Do they really want to do that?”

“Boo! Cheaters, cheaters!”

“Are all the Class 1 guys cowards?”

Repeated jeers and taunts.

Meanwhile, the students surrounding Delia didn’t even blink. They all knew. How powerful a monster Delia Arpen was.

Just then.

Suddenly, Ivella burst out laughing.

“Somehow, it reminds me of the special exam.”

I think I know what she means.

Probably recalling when Ulan participated in the great duel. A similar scene had unfolded back then.

“Ah, right. Ulan.”

“……?”

“You’re not planning to swallow the orbs this time, are you?”

“I won’t swallow them this time.”

A firm denial.

Last time, he swallowed them without knowing better and suffered trying to expel them. So this time, he planned to hide them somewhere safe.

“Start of battle!”

At that moment.

With the signal, Class 1’s great duel began.

The students forming the encirclement stomped the ground without hesitation.

“Don’t stop! Keep running!”

“Don’t give her time to chant!”

Faces filled with determination.

The students reached Delia in an instant. Then, without hesitation, they swung the weapons in their hands.

“Kyaak!”

“What do we do, I can’t see!”

Perhaps because the outcome was obvious?

Short screams were heard here and there. But this was just unnecessary worry.

Thud! Crack! Sizzle!

With loud noises.

All the weapons aimed at Delia were shattered at once.

“Wha, what?!”

“Did she already finish chanting?!”

The students holding broken weapons looked shocked. Just then, voices from their comrades behind them were heard.

“Everyone, fall back!”

“We’re about to unleash our magic!”

It seemed the allied mages had finished chanting.

The students close to Delia immediately retreated. As a signal, all sorts of attack magic poured towards Delia.

Boom! Crash! Bang!

The ground shook with loud noises.

A moment later, the dust settled. Delia appeared unscathed.

“Thi, this is insane……”

“What the hell did she do?!”

By this point, even the spectating students began to waver. Ivella, who was unfamiliar with magic, also widened her eyes in surprise.

Meanwhile, Ulan remained calm.

The magic Delia had activated was something he had seen often in his past life.

‘Barrier of the Stars.’

A magic that wraps the body in layers of stellar magic power, providing maximum protection.

In other words, a type of defensive magic.

But unlike ordinary defensive magic, its effect was excellent. It could block magic of the 5th rank or lower, and even a mid-level knight’s mana sword.

And now.

There was no one there who could break that barrier.

‘Delia’s victory, then.’

Just by standing still, the others would collapse on their own. As Ulan thought this, Noa was also staring intently at Delia.

With a slightly intimidated expression.

‘Ugh, stellar magic is really overpowered.’

The magic of this world is largely divided into two categories.

Attribute and Stellar Magic.

Attribute magic is divided into six types: water, fire, wind, earth, light, and darkness. Stellar magic is divided into the sun, stars, and the moon.

‘Abbreviated as 6 attributes and 3 stars.’

First, attribute magic refers to converting the mana in the atmosphere into the corresponding attribute to maximize the power of the magic.

Even without exceptional talent, anyone with basic aptitude can learn it.

Perhaps because of this?

Over 99% of the mages living in this world specialize in attribute magic.

‘On the other hand, stellar magic is different.’

They absorb and utilize mana directly from the sun, moon, and stars.

The mana here is much denser and purer than the mana spread in the atmosphere. You could say it’s the difference between diluted liquid and pure liquid.

‘That’s why, even at the same rank, it’s much more powerful than attribute magic.’

Just look at the ‘Barrier of the Stars.’

The mana used to form the magic is similar to the 2nd rank magic ‘Mana Shield,’ but its performance is comparable to 6th rank defensive magic.

Then, a question might arise.

If stellar magic is so good, why doesn’t everyone learn it instead of attribute magic?

The answer is simple.

‘Stellar magic is innate.’

It’s determined at birth. Those who can learn stellar magic and those who cannot.

And Delia Arpen─.

Is undoubtedly at the top of that hierarchy.

In other words, the outcome was decided from the start.

Just then.

Delia, who had been motionless until now, moved her tightly closed lips. And then, something unexpected happened.

Flash!

Light enveloped the training ground like lightning.

Soon after the light disappeared.

All the students’ orbs were shattered.

“……!”

In the blink of an eye, the orbs turned to dust.

Without a single exception.

The training ground was filled with silence.

No one could speak.

They couldn’t understand what had just happened.

“The match is over.”

Then, Delia spoke.

With a monotonous voice. Hearing this, the professors finally snapped out of it.

“Th, the winner! Delia Arpen!”

Originally, they planned to declare the end of the battle when the last three remained.

But this time, it was impossible.

Because almost all the orbs were shattered at the same time.

With an overwhelming result.

Delia turned around under everyone’s gaze. With a monotonous and haughty expression. Then, suddenly, a crack appeared on her expressionless face.

Because she made eye contact with Ulan.

Delia, visibly flustered, made eye contact with him again. And then, her small lips moved slightly. It roughly meant:

‘Hang in there.’

Because it was Class 3’s turn next.

A silent cheer.

Ulan responded with a smile.

Delia’s complexion also brightened a little.

“Phew, it’s our turn now.”

Ivella got up from her seat and stretched.

After the training ground was cleaned up.

The professors’ voices were heard.

“Last is Class 3’s turn!”

“Everyone, gather at the training ground!”

Finally, it was time to step forward.

Ulan immediately moved to the training ground.

Soon, Ivella followed beside him, and Noa, who had been sitting alone in the distance, hurriedly followed.

Upon arriving at the center.

Perhaps the pouring gazes were burdensome? Noa quietly hid behind Ulan.

Meanwhile, Ivella leisurely looked around and muttered.

“Actually, I kind of expected this……”

As expected, this is how it turned out.

Currently, the training ground was divided into two.

Three, including Ulan, Ivella, and Noa, and the remaining seven students. Of course, compared to Delia, it was a slightly better situation.

“Ulan, how are you going to fight?”

“Each on their own.”

A cool response.

This level of battle doesn’t require a plan. Ivella burst out laughing.

“Got it. Then I’ll fight as I please.”

“I, I’ll do my best too.”

Noa, who had been hiding, also unfolded her talisman.

Clearly a curse tool.

But is it okay to curse the opponent instead of using orbs? Just as that thought crossed her mind.

“Start of battle!”

A loud shout signaled the start of the fight.

Clang! Swish!

Ivella quickly drew her sword. Noa also floated all the talismans in her possession into the air.

But at that moment.

An unexpected scene unfolded.

“We surrender.”

Seven students knelt on the ground.

With expressions of complete loss of will. The unprecedented situation caused the training ground to be momentarily engulfed in silence.

“What?”

“Well, that’s unexpected.”

“Giving up without even fighting?”

“Kids these days have no guts……”

As the professors’ criticisms poured out.

The surrendering students looked at them.

“Because it’s obvious we’ll lose.”

“Wha, what?”

“To be honest, how are we supposed to beat a monster with that kind of physique and the level of an expert?”

“……”

The professors couldn’t refute.

Common sense dictated that there was no chance of winning. If they were going to lose anyway, it was much better to lose without getting hurt.

“Ivella Elea’ad is the same.”

“There are rumors that she lasted a few rounds against Ulan, and that she recently reached the level of a low-ranking knight.”

“St, still, you should at least try……”

“Ah, whatever,”

“Anyway, we give up.”

After brushing off the dirt on their clothes.

The students left the training ground. The professors sighed at this absurd situation.

“……Class 3, match over.”

“Winners, Ulan. Ivella. Noa.”

The shortest preliminaries ever.

Ulan’s group advanced to the finals.

3.

After the preliminaries ended.

The professors began preparing the bracket for the finals. Since the finals would be held in the afternoon, it was wise to do it while they had some time.

And at that moment.

Noa knelt down.

Then, clasping her hands tightly, she quietly prayed with a solemn expression.

‘God, Buddha, God of Clichés.’

Recalling all the gods she could remember.

She prayed fervently, again and again.

‘Please, I beg you, don’t let me face any of the named characters. Please!’

There were twenty students who advanced to the finals.

Excluding Noa, there were three named characters.

Ulan, Ivella, Delia.

All of them are tough opponents.

So Noa prayed.