Rockefeller swallowed nervously with a complicated expression.
Looking only at the result, he had defeated an opponent he should never have been able to beat.
In terms of content, it was a strategy far from standard tactics, composed of cunning tricks.
Yet, it wasn’t quite right to dismiss it as re deceit either.
‘What a brilliant idea. To shift the gambler’s risk in that way.’
Still, it wasn’t just the idea alone that brought him victory.
According to Bellman, Hersel had already completed a background check on Lilot.
—That happened at the museum.
—He went to such a place so suddenly?
—It was for reconnaissance purposes. It seems he was particularly concerned about the opponent’s strongest card.
Of course, Hersel couldn’t have known he would be dueling Lilot, but it seems he kept her in mind.
That’s why he mischievously caused confusion by loudly speculating on her elent and drew distracting doodles on his chest to buy ti.
All of that was likely an effort to calculate the perfect timing to use the gambler card.
‘If even the slightest part had gone wrong, it would’ve ended imdiately. He must have used the gambler while clinging to a wish with the highest chance of success.’
He could roughly grasp the strategy behind it.
Perhaps not as clearly as Rockefeller, but high-level mages or the headmasters, who were experienced in battle, would have understood most of it.
Even so, watching Hersel return to his seat after being declared the winner didn’t feel real.
Sure, it’s not uncommon for a lower-ranked mage to defeat a higher-ranked one in wizard duels.
Even a skilled enemy can be overturned with the right tactics.
Yet this still felt unbelievable, perhaps because the difference in power was so extre that it bordered on absurd.
“...Like a mouse taking down a predator.”
Just then, Rockefeller’s ears perked up.
It was because of the jeers coming from the audience.
“Is that really Wisdom’s number one? She kept making absurd mistakes.”
“Her magic looked flashy, but the outco was unimpressive.”
“What’s even more ridiculous is that she lost to so guy randomly throwing flirtatious remarks. His magic wasn’t even on par with the others we’ve seen.”
It wasn’t an unreasonable reaction.
From an outsider’s perspective, the fight would have looked like complete nonsense.
If they knew the truth, such harsh evaluations would soon die down...
But Rockefeller wasn’t kind enough to explain it all to ignorant fools.
‘There’s nothing more pathetic than teaching idiots.’
His head was already filled with imagining the unseen repercussions this victory would cause.
He imagined Arkandric proudly showing off to the headmasters from the VIP section, and Headquarters whispering whether they might even aim for second place now.
As the corners of his lips curled upward, Rockefeller realized sothing anew.
‘This feels unfamiliar. I guess I never even imagined this would actually happen.’
Indeed, the joy of shattering the pride of the arrogant was so sweet, he wanted to savor it longer.
Seeing those who always looked down on Frostheart now being booed brought a strange catharsis.
Maybe he was already addicted—his greed only grew stronger.
“At this rate, second place is ours. We’ve already taken down their strongest. There’s enough hope.”
“......”
Gomon, who had been silently listening, muttered softly while glancing at him.
‘What a shaless guy.’
***
Lilot slumped her shoulders.
The disappointnt from such a disgraceful loss must have weighed her down all the more.
As she trudged back to her team’s area, Arshian patted her on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Lilot pouted sulkily but looked ashad, her eyes lacking energy.
“I thought you'd be mad…”
“Neither of us expected that. Who would’ve thought soone would fight like that? We really don’t have enough info on those in special classes.”
“Oh, so you had a rough idea?”
“Well, let’s just say it was a costly lesson. In the long run, this experience will be valuable for your growth.”
When Arshian gave a relaxed smile like a true senior, Lilot narrowed her eyes.
“You’re being awfully kind. Did sothing good happen?”
Arshian glanced toward the Frostheart camp.
There, her younger sister, Dorosian, was clearly in a foul mood, glaring emotionlessly at Hersel.
‘That look... she must be furious to the core.’
Despite Lilot’s loss, Arshian felt great.
Seeing her little sister so angry made her day.
“It’s just a feeling.”
Lilot gave her a tired look and asked,
“Are you going to proceed with the remaining duels as planned?”
In response, Arshian looked toward the Frostheart camp.
So far, they had 1 win and 2 losses.
To secure victory, they had to win 5 out of the remaining 8 matches.
The mont they lost more than three tis, they wouldn’t even reach the finals.
That fact made Arshian a bit nervous.
‘This is more serious than I thought.’
You never know.
Judging from the duel against Everblaze, they didn’t seem to be giving it their all.
Assuming the worst, she should assess the remaining opponents’ strengths as higher than expected.
Without knowing the limits of their hidden powers, she had to ensure their safety.
“I’ll have to bring it out.”
“To be safe, that’s probably best.”
“I’ll be back shortly.”
It was a sha, but it couldn’t be helped.
Arshian went to the waiting room to retrieve the top-grade potion she had prepared for facing Valient.
But the case containing the potion was tightly locked.
“Huh?”
Even using magic, she couldn’t open it.
She swung her staff in frustration, drenched in nervous sweat, but the result was the sa.
‘Who the hell!’
A face flashed through Arshian’s mind in an instant.
There were very few people who could cast a locking spell she couldn’t undo.
And if she added in motive—soone willing to shalessly do sothing this rotten—there was only one person.
“Dorosian, you crazy bitch!”
Arshian rushed out of the waiting room.
Storming down the hallway, her eyes darted to the Frostheart camp.
There, Dorosian was smiling smugly as if waiting for her.
Then she boldly pulled sothing from her backpack.
“Hey! That’s...!”
It was undoubtedly the top-grade potion.
Arshian strode toward Dorosian.
‘Did she steal it?’
But up close, she realized it was a different potion from the one she brought.
She didn’t care what it was.
She just needed her bag opened.
“You insane woman! This is your doing, right? Unlock it now!”
Dorosian feigned ignorance.
“Got any proof?”
“Who else would pull sothing like this?”
“So it’s just a guess?”
“Don’t play word gas. Unlock it now before I report this to the organizers!”
When she snapped irritably, Dorosian’s eyes glead.
“You’d report based on re suspicion? Oh, but we’ve got our own issues too. Like how the bracket seems oddly skewed in your favor? It’s been like that since the start. Might keep going that way. Should I bring it up with the Archmage?”
Arshian swallowed her words.
She’d only managed to sway a few of the event organizers.
If there was an investigation, it would be a real headache.
“Hah, so you’re trying to win by pulling strings now, huh?”
“I’m not even an official mber of the staff.”
“Then why are you even here?”
“Because I want to be.”
Dorosian’s nonchalant attitude made Arshian’s forehead twitch.
She had always been like this.
Arrogant, reckless, and doing whatever she pleased.
The only reason she hadn’t been kicked out despite not being part of the staff was that the organizers were afraid of getting on her bad side.
‘If only she hadn’t been born a monster, I’d have smashed her by now.’
Arshian sighed deeply as she faced reality.
At this point, the only option left was to ask the Archmage to unlock it directly.
‘Should I just make up so excuse like it happened by mistake? If I tell the truth, that woman definitely won’t let it go quietly.’
Arshian searched for the Archmage, Lynderi, with her eyes.
After scanning around repeatedly, she finally spotted him.
He was talking with the royals in the VIP section.
“...Great.”
It was the worst-case scenario.
She was in a hurry, but there was no way she could pull him away from such high-ranking company.
Though she was the eldest daughter of the Grice family, that very status ant she had to be even more cautious with etiquette.
All Arshian could do was desperately pray in her heart.
‘Please, Mr. Lynderi, co quickly!’
**
I had just recovered in the infirmary and was about to return to my team.
Suddenly, my shin throbbed, and I broke out in a cold sweat.
Although I had been treated, it was only a surface-level fix—my whole body ached.
I had no choice but to wait until my mana had replenished enough for a healing spell to complete the recovery.
While heading back toward my teammates, I saw Arshian returning to her camp with a scowl on her face.
I suspected Dorosian, who seed the most likely cause, and asked her.
“Did sothing happen?”
Dorosian glanced at , then looked away.
She had acted the sa way after I returned from my duel.
For so reason, she had been snappy with since earlier.
Co to think of it, even if we had grown sowhat closer lately, her true nature was still fickle.
As soone upright, it was nearly impossible for to understand soone like Dorosian, who lived purely by impulse.
Based on the situation I had just witnessed, I ventured a guess.
“Did sothing go wrong with Arshian?”
“That woman and I have never gotten along.”
A flat answer.
“Anyway, not bad. I never expected you to show that kind of performance in a duel.”
Dorosian’s voice was sharp as she spoke.
Her gaze was so piercing that it felt almost hostile.
Wait a second... could it be?
Had she realized my innate magical talent during the recent match and grown wary?
If that was the case, it would make sense.
After all, I had defeated a vastly superior opponent.
From Dorosian’s perspective, I must now seem like a serious threat.
She must be keeping an eye on , fearing I might one day sink my fangs into her neck.
“Is that what this is about?”
I chuckled awkwardly and continued.
“It’s fine, Dorosian. You’ll always be number one.”
Being self-aware, I knew all too well.
No matter how talented a magician I might be, I couldn’t defeat a monster.
Apparently satisfied with that answer, Dorosian’s deanor softened.
“Really?”
While chatting with Dorosian, the next duel began.
For so reason, I couldn’t help but notice Arshian anxiously pacing and looking toward the VIP section.
I tried to ignore it and focus on the duel.
It was Bellman’s turn.
But...
Contrary to expectations, after only a few minutes of battle, the referee raised Bellman’s hand.
The barrier they thought would break held strong, and the opponent collapsed on the ground, struggling.
In disbelief, I muttered,
“Was Bellman always this strong?”
“Oh, that?”
Dorosian kindly explained the situation.
With every word out of her mouth, I beca more dumbfounded.
So it was all a setup to damage Arshian’s career.
Since the Knight Division was bound to lose anyway, she figured it didn’t matter.
“It doesn’t matter, does it? Our knight kids don’t have much experience fighting mages, and they’ve never been formally trained.”
“Well, yes, but...”
Just because the Magic Division kids had good potions didn’t an the outco would change.
Their compatibility with the opponents was still terrible, and they lacked actual combat experience.
Even if so of the Magic Division won, others would definitely lose, and the Knight Division was mostly dood.
And yet, I couldn’t shake off a creeping sense of unease.
With a nervous heart, I continued watching the duels.
Next up was Edina.
She fought well but ultimately lost, confirming that my anxiety wasn’t baseless.
Then ca Erucel.
I silently wished the fool would act as dumb as usual, but—true to the annoying bond we shared—he completely betrayed those hopes.
“I won, brother. Aren’t you proud of ?”
“Uh, yeah. Very proud.”
“...Then why do you look like that?”
“Don’t worry about it. Good job, now sit and rest.”
I really wished that face would disappear from sight.
“Hmph, you look awfully displeased.”
After Erucel, it was Ricks’s turn.
From the start, he raised his staff and conjured massive iron spheres in the sky using a shaping spell.
It was clear he had followed Dorosian’s teachings and was using gravity to manage his mana more efficiently.
His opponent also fought well, but as expected, Ricks—who probably didn’t even need a potion—secured victory quickly.
The large iron balls rolled across the dueling field, restricting his opponent’s movent, and Ricks seized the chance to bombard them with fire magic, dominating the area.
Driven by the intense heat, the opponent was forced back, eventually getting caught in chains and falling out of bounds.
Ricks proudly stepped down from the field and glanced at Dorosian.
She gave a slight nod, seemingly satisfied, and Ricks let out a sigh of relief.
The duels continued, and events unfolded as expected.
Silla was overwheld by a larger opponent.
Leana fought hard but stood no chance against a character who specialized in ice magic.
As for Riamon, his greatsword was shattered by an enemy who specialized in weapon-breaking spells, and he imdiately surrendered.
As soon as he stepped down, Limberton scolded him.
“How could you give up just because your sword broke? You could’ve fought longer.”
“Have you already forgotten that I’m a realist? When a loss is obvious, there’s no point in dragging it out.”
The current score was now 5 to 5.
As the match teetered on the edge, Dorosian glanced at and said,
“The outco you’re hoping for is that we get eliminated here, right?”
“...Yeah.”
“What happens if we win?”
“I don’t know either. This is our first ti facing Wisdom. Everything so far has been unprecedented.”
Finally, it was ti for the 11th and final round.
Realizing that the future of Wisdom’s story hinged on this result made his nerves stand on end.
Who was left to fight?
The referee opened his mouth.
As soon as I heard the na, I felt a smirk forming.
“Limberton Belle Delsey.”
Dorosian must have felt the sa way, as she let out a small chuckle.
Completely unaware of our thoughts, Limberton was brimming with confidence.
“What? Do I make you feel that secure?”
“Yes, Limberton. With you, there’s nothing to worry about.”
I patted the boy on the shoulder and added,
“I believe in you.”
To lose.
“Don’t worry. I’ll win this one with my life on the line.”
No, you don’t need to go that far.
“Alright, I’m off.”
Limberton grabbed his bow and quiver and leapt onto the dueling stage.
He also carried a backpack on his back.
That, and the fact that he brought his main weapon, gave a slight cause for concern, but there shouldn’t be a problem.
After all, a bow was an ill-suited weapon for a duel.
There were no geographical features in the arena to allow for an ambush.
Just as a knight deflects arrows with aura, a mage would do the sa with magic.
Plus, magic was generally the stronger form of ranged attack.
Therefore, Limberton’s chances of winning were extrely low.
Sure, one day he might reach a realm that surpasses magic, but that day was definitely not today.
At least, that’s what I thought...
Until I saw the erald-colored bow sticking out of Limberton’s backpack.
That bow...
[Dragon Slayer]
-A bow designed in ancient tis to slay dragons.
-A masterpiece crafted by the artisan Horutu, who interpreted ancient texts. The bowstring, made from the web of the giant spider monster Tarturan, launches arrows at extre speed. The recoil from the special alloy bow grants devastating power.
-The equipnt is destroyed after a single use.
We’re screwed.
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