Chapter 554

Before the Match

Before the confrontation commenced, Wareden—the one who had directed Iliana to provoke their rivals—began to speak.

“The primary attackers for the opposing squad will undoubtedly be Chelsea Llewellyn, Chen Sia, and Eiran Ersar. There is no question about it.”

His gaze shifted across Chelsea, Chen Sia, and Eiran.

“Wresting the ball away from that trio is going to be a monumental task.”

Pure swiftness was a separate issue altogether. When it came to nimble evasion, Chelsea outclassed Duran. Furthermore, whereas Celia and Duran relied on sheer, crushing might to overpower their adversaries, Chen Sia favored a highly adaptable, fluid combat style to outmaneuver opponents. As for Eiran, she functioned as a literal human shield for her companions. Consequently, once they secured possession of the ball, reclaiming it would be exceedingly difficult.

“To begin with, our primary focus must be containing their assault. If an opening presents itself…”

“We can deliver the ball to Celia and secure the opening point,” Howl chimed in with a nod.

While the rest of the group voiced their agreement, Wareden firmly shook his head.

“No. Our foremost objective is knocking out Kal Thomas.”

Hearing his declaration, the entire group stared at Wareden in utter disbelief.

“Why do you all look so shocked?”

“Well, it is only natural to be caught off guard. You are suggesting we prioritize taking out Kal instead of claiming the opening score,” Juredan countered, sounding thoroughly perplexed.

In the game of Bastella, assuming both sides possessed comparable strength, a prolonged match naturally favored the defending side over the attacking one. Within the rules of Bastella, defense inherently tied into ball retention, and possession was the sole method of mounting an offense. Maintaining control of the ball for an extended period translated directly to generating more opportunities to strike. Much like a steady mist eventually saturates one’s garments, a protracted match played directly into the hands of the defensive unit.

“We will not have many chances to launch an attack. Is it not a complete waste to squander one of those rare opportunities just to eliminate Kal?”

Following Juredan’s reasoning, the remaining students nodded along, clearly finding his logic sound.

“In Bastella, when a purely offensive squad clashes with an intensely defensive one, the advantage tilts toward the defenders. That is precisely why the general consensus assumes Professor Lipen placed Kal Thomas on the defensive side to level the playing field. That includes all of you.”

Wareden directed a sharp look toward Kal Thomas.

“However, Duran Moira and Avad Llewellyn—did you two not just identify Kal Thomas as the single most problematic adversary a moment ago?”

“That is…”

“Celia Gerdinger, you harbor reservations about Kal Thomas as well, do you not?”

“I do.”

“Yet you merely view him as an irritating obstacle, rather than a genuine hazard.”

“I mean, he is… Kal, after all. The least powerful among the second-years,” Turka remarked while shrugging. “I am not disregarding Kal entirely. It is undeniable that he has made it this far based on his own capabilities, and his tactical mind is exceptional. But this is not an actual life-or-death struggle, is it? Giving up a chance to secure an upper hand just to knock Kal out feels inefficient to me.”

“That exact mindset is precisely why Kal Thomas is so incredibly dangerous. The fact that onlookers do not perceive him as a true threat. In fact, even Kal Thomas himself feels that way.”

A faint smirk played upon Wareden’s lips.

“Never forget this simple truth. He has pushed through every single trial alongside us—honestly, in certain aspects, he faced even harsher tribulations to stand where he does now. And on every occasion, his companions managed to unleash power that exceeded their normal boundaries. You were all witnesses to it, so you understand perfectly.”

As Wareden spoke, the expressions of Celia, Avad, and Duran grew incredibly solemn.

“It is true that we broke past our own boundaries. But can any of you truly promise that you would have achieved that breakthrough if Kal Thomas had not been present at that exact moment?”

“That…”

Celia’s voice broke off, unable to answer. Observing her hesitation, Wareden pressed on.

“His most terrifying quality lies right there. He possesses an uncanny ability to help his allies draw out strength beyond their absolute limits. The longer he remains active on the field, the more he will expose our vulnerabilities while simultaneously elevating the opposing squad. I am convinced that neutralizing him immediately is the absolute linchpin to winning this game.”

Wareden shifted his attention back toward Kal.

“Whether you choose to target him immediately or take a different path, the ultimate choice rests with you.”

The Clash

Fzzzzzt!

Crackling arcs of lightning erupted violently. Nella intercepted the sphere as it hurtled dangerously close to their netting.

“Nooooo! Nella, fall back!”

“That is far too dangerous!”

Several male students cried out in panic from the sidelines. Given that Nella, widely celebrated as one of the most stunning young women among the second-year class, was directly confronting Duran—the individual wielding the most destructive physical power in the entire Knights Department—their anxiety was perfectly understandable.

Thud! Crash!

The impact of catching the sphere violently forced Nella backward, her boots scraping against the ground! Spying her distress, Chelsea rapidly invoked her magical arts.

Whooooosh!

A sudden gust of wind formed a protective cushion behind Nella’s back. Managing to steady herself, Nella exhaled softly, offering a subtle, gentle smile toward Chelsea.

“I appreciate the help, Chelsea.”

With that faint smile, Nella began advancing toward the rival goal, casually bouncing the sphere as she moved. Watching her display, the male spectators stood completely open-mouthed.

“Is… is she actually unharmed?”

“How is that even possible?”

As the boys muttered in sheer astonishment, Professor Lipen, who was currently recording evaluations, offered a detached remark.

“It appears you foolishly assumed Nella Craven was merely a standard support healer.” The instructor spoke in a flat tone. “Granted, she possesses an extraordinary innate gift for healing-aligned aura, but make no mistake: Nella Craven is comfortably ranked among the elite tier of the Knights Department. Her personal combat philosophy simply favors non-aggressive, protective swordsmanship. When it comes to pure endurance and resilience, she stands as one of the most formidable individuals in the department.”

“Nella is that resilient?”

“But she looks so fragile and elegant?”

As the male students stammered in confusion, Professor Lipen merely shook his head in disapproval.

Rather than striking down foes on the front line, Nella’s true expertise lay in neutralizing incoming assaults. Her core asset remained her restorative magic. She functioned as an unparalleled living barricade, engaging adversaries while continuously mending her own injuries, thereby buying vital moments for the rear guard mages to prepare devastating incantations.

‘It is admirable that she maximizes her combat utility, though I ought to caution her against pushing her body so recklessly.’

Despite the intense discomfort she was likely enduring, she undoubtedly maintained that serene expression solely to prevent her comrades from panicking.

Right then, Howl attempted to wrest control of the sphere from Nella by utilizing his internal energy. However, Taede quickly intervened, employing his summoned entity to intercept Howl’s advance.

“As long as I am standing, not a single soul is laying a hand on Nella.”

When Taede offered that cocky declaration, Iliana immediately jeered from afar.

“Boo! Stop putting on a show, Taede!”

“Nella, pass it over to Eiran!”

The moment the sphere shifted into Eiran’s possession, Iliana swiftly darted away.

The scoreboard currently read 2 to 2. On the surface, it appeared to be an incredibly tight contest, but the defensive squad was slowly being overwhelmed due to their numerical disadvantage.

‘It is truly unfortunate that Kal Thomas was neutralized right at the opening whistle.’

Professor Lipen had not placed Kal Thomas on the defensive unit as some sort of artificial disadvantage. He genuinely recognized the youth as a vital tactical component and drafted him accordingly.

‘However, his own tendency to be underestimated ultimately sealed his fate.’

As the professor silently lamented the situation, the momentum completely shifted toward the attacking side. In the end, the match drew to a close with the offensive team securing a 3 to 2 victory.

In the Infirmary

Kal slowly opened his eyes.

“Huh?”

Sitting up from the cot, Kal aggressively rubbed the back of his neck.

“I got completely taken out. I take it we dropped the match?”

“You seem well aware of the outcome.”

“Yikes.”

Startled by the unexpected voice coming from his side, Kal flinched instinctively. Sitting right there with her legs elegantly crossed was Eliza, casually grooming her fingernails.

“Eliza? What are you doing here?”

“Because I am the one who carried your unconscious body to the medical wing.”

“You did? Not Chloe or Chelsea?”

When Kal asked with an expression of pure disbelief, Eliza’s gaze turned incredibly sharp.

“Why are you acting as though it is entirely expected for the other house leaders to look after your well-being?”

“Well, I just assumed you would say something like, ‘Hmph, why on earth should I waste my energy on a nobody like Kal Thomas? I would much rather spend that time filing my nails,’ and just ignore me entirely… gasp!”

“You are practically begging for a lashing, Kal Thomas.”

“Mercy… please!”

Kal, who had been delivering a comical impersonation of Eliza, found himself gasping for air as a whip abruptly coiled tightly around his throat. Withdrawing her oppressive energy, Eliza let out a sharp snort.

“I simply felt that since we share the same dormitory leadership and were placed on the same squad, it was my responsibility to oversee you. Furthermore…”

“Furthermore?”

“I had a sneaking suspicion that Wareden Tydan would choose to eliminate you immediately. Despite that, I stood idly by and permitted it to happen, which was an undeniable blunder on my part.”

Eliza bit down on her lower lip in frustration.

“So it truly was Wareden’s strategy to target me from the jump. But what would possess him to do that?”

“Are you… seriously asking that because you have no clue?”

Eliza stared back at Kal, her expression filled with utter exasperation. Faced with her intense look, Kal uncomfortably scratched his head.

“Summoners are required to select familiar beasts that possess exceptionally potent traits, even when dealing with entities of the identical grade. Because of that, I suppose they possess a far keener eye for assessing human potential compared to ordinary knights or sorcerers.”

“Hmm, practitioners of summoning arts certainly possess that distinct trait.”

As Kal nodded along in agreement, Eliza continued.

“I honestly never envisioned myself uttering these words to you, Kal Thomas. You are a far more incredible individual than you give yourself credit for.”

Eliza glared at him with an irritated huff, clearly annoyed that she was forced to spell out something so glaringly obvious.

“You provide an immense amount of assistance to me. Therefore, I expect you to stop viewing yourself so poorly. When you diminish your own worth, it makes me feel incredibly cheap for relying on your aid.”

Hearing her sincere words, Kal gazed back at Eliza, deeply touched by her sentiment.

“W-what are you staring at?”

Noticing his unblinking gaze fixed entirely on her face, a wave of embarrassment washed over Eliza, causing her cheeks to flush. Suddenly, Kal reached out and gently clasped both of Eliza’s hands within his own.

“W-what do you think you are doing?”

Eliza became visibly frantic, her face burning a deep shade of crimson.

“Eliza, you actually recognized that you were receiving help from me?”

“……”

“I genuinely believed you would never notice.”

“Just what kind of person do you take me for?”

“Well, if it were you, I honestly pictured you thinking, ‘Hmph. A mere commoner. It is only fitting that he serves me. He should consider it an absolute privilege.’…”

Whirr! Crack! Snap! Thwack!

“Aaaargh! I was completely joking! It was just a joke!”

Her expression turning entirely icy, Eliza furiously lashed her whip against Kal repeatedly. Right at that precise moment.

Bang!

“Kal! Are you doing alri— Oh, my word?”

Bang! Iliana, who had confidently thrown the medical wing door wide open to step inside, froze instantly, her eyes widening in sheer shock at the spectacle unfolding before her.

“My apologies for intruding on your private, intimate moment. Please, carry on.”

With a swift movement, she pulled the door shut.

“Do not go inside right now. They are currently engaged in some intense whip play,” Iliana’s highly amused voice drifted loudly through the corridor.

“Kal Thomas.”

“Yes?”

“Do I have your permission to completely erase her existence?”

“By all means, go right ahead.”

Flashing a terrifyingly cold grin, Eliza swept out of the medical room. Shortly after, Iliana’s panicked, desperate shrieks reverberated throughout the entire medical wing.

“Good grief. A guy cannot even get some proper rest around here.”

Sighing heavily as he propped his chin up with his hand, Kal quietly gazed out the open window.

‘Stop viewing yourself so poorly…’

A Moment of Leisure

“The climate today is absolutely wonderful, which puts me in an excellent mood,” Elena remarked cheerfully from her seat on the outdoor cafe terrace, sipping her fruit beverage through a straw.

Leo, who sat across from her lightly sipping a cup of coffee, replied, “You certainly appear to be in high spirits.”

“Naturally, considering it has been ages since I last played truant.”

Elena’s brilliant, radiant smile as she spoke was nothing short of mesmerizing. As expected of the most stunning lady in all of Lumern, her mere smile was enough to cause every patron in the establishment to turn and stare in absolute wonder. Observing the reaction she caused, Leo let out a soft chuckle.

“You are remarkably tranquil.”

“Do I truly strike you that way?”

“Indeed. You claimed this was a romantic outing, yet we are simply resting here and observing the passersby on the street. Do you not find this tedious?”

After departing from the grounds of Lumern, Leo and Elena had remained seated at this specific terrace for several hours. They merely observed the bustling streetscape, enjoyed light refreshments, and exchanged very few words.

“I genuinely adore it, you know. Just passing the time doing absolutely nothing of substance like this.”

Leo turned his gaze back toward the window view. As someone whose life was perpetually consumed by hectic obligations, experiencing such an unhurried, leisurely afternoon served to remarkably soothe his mind and spirit.

“Hmm?”

Elena, resting her chin softly in her palm while keeping her eyes locked onto Leo, spoke softly.

“Leo.”

“Yes?”

“Why don’t you spend the night over at my place this evening?”