Chapter 228
The fourth battle had begun.
At present, I had banned Luna from using 'One Flash.'
It could be a tough fight.
'Luna must win for the sake of normal story progression...'
Clang!
"Ugh... I lost."
"What? Really? It's over already?"
Yet, Luna had effortlessly clinched victory, making my worries seem pointless.
As she stepped down from the arena, Luna grumbled.
"Ah, boring. Despite appearances, he was weak. Disappointing, really disappointing."
"Keke, perhaps Miss Luna has become stronger?"
"Maybe? Well, it's possible. But it's still frustrating. I thought he would come out since it's the match point..."
At the end of Luna’s gaze stood Adonis.
Hmm, I see. So she didn't just go up there wanting to fight, but she had given it some thought?
Has our Luna grown up enough to think things through?
A surge of emotion welled up deep within me.
'This must be what it feels like to watch your daughter grow up.'
I wish she would hurry up and leave the nest.
Just as I was dabbing at the tears that wouldn't fall, Luna punched me lightly in the chest.
"Don't lose."
"Huh?"
"It's a perfect chance for revenge. Tear him to shreds."
Hmm, there’s no chance I’ll be the fifth to fight, but if it happens, it would be against Adonis.
"Keke, that won't happen. I couldn't win anyway."
"What? That puppy-dog surrender talk. Don’t tell me you've given up before even fighting?"
"It's only natural to give up. That's an extraordinary opponent."
Whoosh!
Luna's face suddenly loomed close. She had grabbed and pulled at my collar.
"It's okay to lose a fight. But I can't accept giving up or running away before it even starts."
"Are you saying I should fight a battle I'm certain to lose? I could even lose my life."
"It's an exchange meeting. It's an opportunity for growth. Are you going to kick that opportunity away?"
An opportunity for growth.
This was exactly why Luna didn’t avoid fights and why she participated as the fourth player.
"Even if my life is at risk, the same applies. It's not like you to give up because the opponent is strong. Take a damn chance for once!"
Luna's heated speech.
Given the close distance, her spittle sprayed my face.
'Our final player will be Alex. It's impossible for me to fight Adonis...'
I needed to get out of this situation. I didn't want to drown in saliva.
I wrapped my hand over Luna's, which was still clutching my collar.
"Well, I'll try if I end up participating."
"Hmph~ Now that's more like the Zero I know. Go and win. Your sister will be cheering for you."
As Luna lightly patted my head, a tremendous roar of cheers burst from the stands.
"Kyaaaah! Miss Luna, you're awesome!"
"Kiss her! Kiss her!"
"Headbutt! Lip headbutt!"
...Why would they want that?
Just then, I spotted Victoria whispering something to Adonis.
The cheers seemed too loud for just a victory celebration.
'...I feel uneasy.'
Victoria is a girl who has learned about 'Emperor qualifications' through romance fantasy novels.
Those novels would undoubtedly have been filled with talks of 'love.'
'Could it be that Victoria will follow the same path as Yuridia?'
Both Yuridia and Victoria taking interest in Luna and cheering for love?
Haha, no way! Ah, my imagination is always getting the better of me.
"By the way, where did Rezé go? I had her lying down over there..."
"Right here."
I waved my hand through the air near my knees.
Feeling the fabric of clothing, I firmly grasped and lifted it, and Rezé popped out.
Indeed, Rezé had been hiding in a box disguised as part of the arena.
"Wow! That startled me! How long has she been here?"
"She's been here from the start. As you can see... not in the best of shape."
"I'm gonna die, hehe, hehehehehehe..."
According to the Information Window, Rezé was currently activated with traits like [Coward], allowing her to flee from the battlefield during crises, and [Survivalist], which doubled her stats.
However, she had not found a way to escape, and her traits had turned negative.
'If escape is impossible, evolve into a negative pufferfish rabbit... another piece of information gained.'
Of course, it was entirely unhelpful information.
Luna, perhaps thinking along the same lines, clenched her fists, trembling with anger.
Then she glared at Adonis.
"That insolent jerk! To pull such dirty tricks while I'm not watching!"
"...What?"
"Can't you see? That kid has tormented our Rezé to this state! To reduce someone who was once so lively and cheerful to this..."
Rezé was lively and cheerful? In which world would that be?
Rezé is the most gloomy and grim rabbit there is!
Her negativity isn't because Adonis tormented her, but because she failed to escape!
"Go now! Say you'll fight and bring back that arrogant brat's head!"
Didn't you just call it an exchange meeting?
And now you're asking for his head? What are you talking about, Luna!?
"Go now!"
Thump!
Luna kicked me on the behind. I naturally ended up where Teron and Yuridia were.
"Hohoho! Did you see? The power of love!"
"What part of that was the power of love? She just beat someone up."
"Where else would that power come from? It's pitiful that you don't know the power of love."
"...Well, since it resulted in a win, let's call it that. Now onto the last one."
The two huddled together for a consultation.
From the opposing side, it was certain that Adonis would participate next. Teron and Yuridia knew this better than anyone.
"He even came up first."
True to Yuridia's words, Adonis was already in the arena.
Even though it wasn't time yet.
"Is it psychological warfare?"
"More like confidence. Confident that no matter who comes out, he'll win."
"It should be my turn to go up next..."
"Well, I don't mind. Win or lose, there's no burden on me. But it won't be the same for you."
Teron's faction had 1 win and 1 loss, while Yuridia's faction had 1 loss.
If someone from Yuridia's faction goes out and loses now, they'll have 2 losses.
Yuridia would not be able to escape responsibility.
Therefore, after searching for someone strong among those not affiliated with any faction, Yuridia decided.
'Alex will participate.'
And through his exceptional talent, Adonis would start to recognize and form a bond.
After various incidents and building a connection, he would eventually leave Annwood Academy and entrust Victoria.
‘This exchange meeting is the starting point for Victoria to become a first-party member and healer.’
The protagonist's story is absolute. No matter how much Luna wishes, such a thing won't happen.
Even if I beg to participate, I'll probably be refused.
Deep in thought, Teron and Yuridia simultaneously opened their mouths.
"The last should definitely be..."
Alex.
"Zero."
"Zero, indeed."
?
Why is my name coming up?
"Keke, wouldn't... Alex be more suitable?"
While I was training with Lucia, Alex hadn't just been idling.
Training and duels, forming bonds with main and supporting characters.
Not only creating various opportunities but even picking mysteries that fell from the sky.
He was laden with the protagonist-like buffs.
Especially Alex, who had shown exceptional qualities in front of Teron and Yuridia.
Yet they chose me over Alex? Impossible.
"What do you mean?"
"What?"
"Alex is strong, but... not as strong as you."
Hmm, let's think for a moment. When have I ever demonstrated my strength in front of them...
At the start of the term, I used 'One Flash' to save Luna and defeated Daike in one strike.
I also fought with Bineus, one of the Four Heavenly Kings's Demons.
And I utilized Yuridia's family secret magic, 'Demon Slave'.
That's all I've done. Anyone could see...
'They have to think I'm stronger, you fools!'
If I participate now, it's not just the exchange meeting's storyline that will be ruined.
The story where Alex forms bonds with Adonis and Victoria.
The story where Alex's defeat results in Victoria's faction gaining supremacy, leading to Teron's corruption.
The 'alliance' story between Yuridia and Victoria.
Countless narratives would crumble.
Above all.
'The conditional penalty of the sixth quest might be triggered here.'
Adonis's suspicion quest, 'Death' being the worst penalty.
It was impossible to participate under the threat of such a penalty.
"Uh..."
"Zero is volunteering to go, it seems. Can't help it, we have to let him participate."
"It can't be helped. We wanted to send someone from our side, but if Zero is so eager, we have to concede. Hohoho!"
Great. These idiots aren't listening to anything I'm saying.
"Keke, I actually don't want to go?"
"Oh dear, sorry. I didn't understand what you said. I haven't learned Cockroachese yet."
Cockroachese? What even is that? Does that even exist in this world?
"Hmm, I'll make sure to learn it for next time. So for today, I'd appreciate it if you went."
You want to send a cockroach instead of a human? Oh, Almighty! Are these people even human?
I'm really going to die like a cockroach! Fried on an electric spear!
"Cockroaches have rights too... I mean, cock-rights (?). I have the right to refuse."
"Zero! Our honor is at stake! It's as good as the honor of humanity!"
"Zero! You must protect Miss Luna! Are you going to let your fiancée Luna be captured by these barbarians!"
This is madness. What on earth does the academy mean to these people?
"Um... I'm okay with going."
It was Alex. My savior!
He scratched his cheek, signaling his willingness to participate.
But.
"Alex, stay out of this. Do you want me to have a grudge against you?"
"You won't be allowed to join my gatherings anymore. Stay back there!"
Teron and Yuridia rebuked Alex.
It was just as the storyline seemed ready to go over a cliff.
Boom!
A massive sound caused the entire building to shake slightly.
Everyone's gaze shifted to the source of the noise.
Adonis stood alone in the arena, his spear touching the ground.
Adonis slowly opened his mouth.
"Both of you come out. I'll take you on at once."
Adonis's declaration to fight 2:1.
The silence was brief. Voices rose one after another, making the arena noisy.
"He's going to take on two people?"
"He might be strong, but isn't that a bit too confident?"
"Since he offered first, there's no problem accepting..."
What if they both fight together and still lose?
It wouldn't be strange for Victoria's faction to take control of the advanced class.
"The effect of the exchange meeting only lasts until the midterm..."
"But it will also enable him to maintain the title of the strongest afterwards."
It was a suggestion with significant implications.
With Victoria's faction already numerous, more kids would likely join them.
Teron and Yuridia had no choice but to be serious.
At the same time, my mind was racing.
'Could this be a setup?'
You know, like those moments in games.
Suddenly a cinematic plays during the game, or the control is taken away, and the game progresses automatically.
Game-style scripting. Of course, 'Hero of the Academy' had such elements.
'Adonis's 2:1 challenge might be a scripted event designed to solve the sixth quest... It's highly likely.'
Currently, there are two reasons Adonis suspects me.
The sinister first impression and the demonic aura he intuitively sensed, along with the children's suspiciously high level of trust in me, shaped Adonis's doubts.
The first misunderstanding is difficult to clear up, but the latter can certainly be resolved.
'He's a highly skilled friend. That's why they trust him.'
This was the perfect opportunity to dispel Adonis's suspicion that I had brainwashed the children.
Ah, this game is divine. Its intricacy is why I can't quit playing.
Teron and Yuridia. If those two accept Adonis's proposal, it confirms it.
This is indeed 'scripted drama' in the storyline.
"Alex, you feel confident?"
"I'll do my best. I've always wanted to challenge that guy."
"Good. There’s no turning back if you lose, but... you just need to win. Above all..."
Teron glanced at me as he continued.
"There’s no way you’ll lose, right, Zero?"
That Teron, normally so rational, would accept such an absurd proposal confirmed it.
This was clearly 'game-scripted' drama.
"Keke, can't help it then. I'll have to join the fray."
Just as I declared my participation, Rezé muttered from behind.
"Hehehe... The clash of a demon and a monster... Destruction... the, the world will be destroyed..."
Rezé, what are you talking about?
A sudden, inexplicable anxiety began to take root.
--TL Notes--
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