Chapter 80: Kigal The Yggdrasil Tournament always draws a massive crowd, as it is one of the few events open to the public.
Some come simply to enjoy the festive atmosphere, while others arrive to scout or check on students nearing graduation. It's also common for parents and associates of current students to visit.
In particular, since students capable of entering Yggdrasil often come from prestigious lineages or environments where they received elite education from a young age, many of the visiting family members are individuals of significant authority in society.
And among them are those whose status is so formidable that even Yggdrasil cannot ignore them.
"It's been a long time, everyone."
Principal Erin Blair smiled brightly at the two women seated at the table.
Monica Graham, the head of the Graham family, which has produced three members of the 12 Zodiacs throughout its long history.
Frey, the representative of Greyhound—one of the world's top three mercenary groups—known for unfailingly completing any mission she accepts, no matter how long it takes.
While it was true that both held positions that Yggdrasil couldn't overlook, Erin had arranged this gathering primarily because of her deep personal ties with them.
"I saw your disciple. Did you only teach him how to seduce women?"
"He's not my disciple. If you have something to say, tell him yourself. Don't get intimidated by a kid who isn't even half your age."
"He's not half my age!"
Watching Monica and Frey bicker the moment they faced each other, Erin smiled as memories of the past resurfaced.
They were always at each other's throats, but they actually got along surprisingly well.
"Monica, stop it. Aren't you happy to see Frey after all this time?"
"If she were even a little more like you, I would've hugged her and doted on her."
"Save that nauseating sexual harassment for your own family."
To others, these three were weighty, authoritative figures, but having known each other since childhood, they often turned childish when they were alone.
Knowing they cherished each other despite their words, Erin chuckled softly and turned her gaze toward the screen mounted on the wall.
"The daughter and the 'disciple' you two care about are on the same team. Isn't that interesting?"
"I told you, he's not my disciple."
Frey denied it with a scowl, but the other two knew perfectly well that she had come specifically to see Yeon-woo.
Erin and Monica understood that while Frey opened up to them because of their lifelong friendship, she was otherwise a lone wolf who built high walls and refused to form relationships with others.
That was why they were even more interested in Yeon-woo, whom Frey clearly favored.
On the screen, the camera zoomed in on Yeon-woo as he participated in the match. Erin beamed at his handsome face.
"I shouldn't say this as an educator, but Frey's disciple is truly handsome."
"Not. My. Disciple."
"Is that the only phrase you know? Besides, that brat relied on his face to mess with my girl, too. He doesn't seem to have a very good personality."
"Oh, is that so? Certainly... he does have a bit of that side to him."
Erin gave a wry smile, recalling how Yeon-woo had stared intently at her chest.
Monica, sipping her tea leisurely while observing Frey's reaction, spoke as if giving a warning.
"I heard they're in the same class. If he lays a finger on our Angelica, tell him he won't get off easy."
"Won't get off easy? And what are you going to do about it?"
"Now, now. They're on the same side for now, so it's nice that we don't have to split our cheers. Let's just enjoy watching the growth of your daughter and disciple with a happy heart."
"He's not my disciple."
Despite having taught him her own original magic, Frey continued to deny he was her disciple as she watched Yeon-woo on the screen.
All-Out War.
The name of the event sounded like something a guy with a weird mustache who failed art school and turned evil would use for a massive nationalistic speech. It was one of the three most popular events, alongside the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament.
If I had to describe it... maybe a mage version of a triathlon? Though it's more like a dozen events rather than three.
If the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament is the flower of individual matches, the All-Out War is the flower of team matches, which makes it very popular.
It compresses all the games played throughout the tournament or combines two matches into consecutive bouts, making the tempo fast and providing plenty of spectacles.
Of course, for the students participating, it's absolute hell.
"Yeon-woo, you were great at the dungeon escape. Why aren't you entering that part?"
"Because I don't want to. Don't even think about riding my coattails."
"Aww—there you go acting all prickly again. So cute."
I mean, sure. Having a female senior find me cute is enjoyable.
But ever since I fought for Scarlet and brought back snacks, it seems my image has completely devolved into a 'tsundere.' No matter how rudely I act, everyone just loves it.
Every time I try my hardest to be a brat and they just smile at me fondly, I lose the motivation to keep it up.
Thanks to that, my reputation within the Red Team is hitting an all-time high every day.
This wasn't the original plan.
"Want some of this?"
"No. Don't talk to me."
"Ahaha, so cute."
Watching the female seniors dote on me, the Comedy Duo looked on with envious eyes.
I suppose it makes sense for them to feel hollow. They've been working hard from start to finish, while I've just been acting like a problem child and then got pampered just for bringing some snacks.
But hey, life is all about looks, kids.
And it's not like you guys aren't being appreciated.
The moment Scarlet said something to them, the Comedy Duo's faces turned into pathetic, goofy grins.
Anyway, I wonder who will be picked as the random members.
The All-Out War is a crowd favorite for a reason.
First, it's an event where the entire team participates, requiring a mix of luck and strategic brainpower for member placement.
The number of participants varies per match, but they are basically divided into field personnel and support personnel. Both sides have to perform well to increase the win rate.
Each person can only participate twice at most. While the main roster is already set, some matches have a luck element where members are chosen at random.
The key to overcoming this luck factor is the Wildcard.
Regardless of the participation limit, three pre-submitted members can be inserted into any match once.
You can stack all three members into a must-win match to gain a numerical advantage, or you can use them to supplement a team when a random draw goes poorly.
The crux is how well you use these Wildcards; it requires a lot of strategic thinking.
For now... I need to see who gets picked randomly.
After waiting a moment, the MC began pulling numbered balls from a box one by one.
"Number 43!! Who is 43?"
"Takeo! Thank goodness!"
Takeo, the former thug who was currently in a state of reflection, was actually quite trusted within the Red Team.
Since this match prioritized martial prowess, Takeo was a good fit.
As Takeo was pulled away to another match, Scarlet filled his vacancy with another member and anxiously watched the next draw.
It really is fun to watch.
Since you can only participate twice excluding the Wildcard, some people were intentionally only scheduled for one match to prepare for cases like Takeo's, where someone gets pulled into a random draw.
The psychological warfare happening before the match even starts is entertaining.
Why didn't the game implement this in such detail?
"Number 68! Who is 68?"
"T-That's me..."
At the excited senior's call, Angelica raised her hand with a flustered expression.
The moment they saw her, the senior's face darkened, and the room went silent.
They were probably thinking, 'Of all people...'
It wasn't that Angelica was incompetent.
Her raw firepower was something even the teachers had to acknowledge.
However, because of that damn mana barrier of hers, Angelica couldn't exert her full power without someone to protect her. Unfortunately, this specific match required her to go out into the field alone.
"...Support, who do we have left who's only gone out once for support?"
"The support isn't the problem here."
As people began chattering busily, Angelica's face clouded over as if she had committed a crime.
It's not your fault, girl. It's just bad luck.
The match Angelica was drawn into only allowed one person on the actual field.
The supporters would all assist her from a safe zone, meaning she had to fight alone on the field. It was a match that practically countered her existence.
She had to run across a wide map and take down marked monsters to earn points, but with her glass-cannon body, she wouldn't be able to hold out.
"Who do we have for the Wildcards?"
At someone's question, everyone turned to Scarlet.
Strangely, she still hadn't revealed who she had chosen as the Wildcards.
Scarlet stared at the list for a moment despite the pressure of their gazes, then looked up.
"Me, and Shizuka."
A natural choice.
Both were heroines with top-tier stats who would do well no matter where they were thrown.
"And... Yeon-woo..."
So that's why she didn't say anything.
The deadline for submitting Wildcards was the start of the tournament.
At that time, I didn't have this 'tsundere' image yet; I was just a bratty problem child causing chaos, so she had kept it a secret that she'd included me.
But even after all that nonsense I pulled, Scarlet still put me in the Wildcard slot.
"None of those three... are really suited for support."
"Let's use a Wildcard and keep Angelica at the base. That's better."
"Wouldn't it be better to just give up on this match and focus elsewhere?"
In this match, even if you increased the field personnel, only one person could be active at a time, so simultaneous participation was impossible.
Unless you intended to use them as a tag-team replacement based on the monster, there was no real reason to add more field members.
However, no one could blame Scarlet for not putting a dedicated supporter in the Wildcard slots.
Usually, you pick members who can directly impact the field, rarely supporters.
If you're playing a sport and asked whether you want a superstar or a coach, everyone picks the superstar.
Yeah, that means I'm the superstar.
But I'm a superstar who can also coach.
"I'll go in."
"As support?"
"Yes. Can't Wildcards be placed anywhere?"
I could understand their skeptical expressions.
Those who did support were usually buff magic specialists or researchers like Alex who could provide tactical analysis from the sidelines.
"Can you even use buff magic...?"
I'm actually quite good at buffs.
In fact, you could say this specific magic was made for Angelica.
Maybe it was because I did a good deed for Akito, but a stage perfectly suited for me had appeared.
"Yes, I know how. I'll make sure Angelica wins. I told you, didn't I? I'll win for you."
"But if it fails, the loss will be..."
"Have I ever lost?"
"..."
Exactly. I'm a super-elite genius mage who keeps his word.
Leaving the silenced senior behind, Scarlet locked eyes with me for a moment and then nodded.
"Then let's put Yeon-woo in support."
"Is that okay?"
"Like Yeon-woo said, he hasn't lost yet. I trust him."
Though people looked suspicious about using a Wildcard on a match where support had little impact, Scarlet trusted me and left it in my hands.
Damn—I shouldn't be happy about this.
When our turn came, I entered the illusion space along with the people originally scheduled for support and Angelica.
Um... I came in with a lot of momentum, but now that I think about it, there's a problem.
Why do I always remember the important things too late?
Soul Chain.
The magic Frey taught me that lets me take damage in someone else's place.
However, it's a spell with terrible efficiency unless you build a rapport through physical contact with the other person.
But Angelica is part of Akito's group.
Is it okay for me to be all over her here?
"Is something bothering you?"
"Ah... no."
"If you say you're not confident now, I won't forgive you."
"Yeon-woo, I'll do my best."
Angelica, whose face had brightened the moment I joined as support, looked up at me cutely, her eyes full of determination.
Uhh... what am I supposed to say?
I like that she trusts me, but... can I have one kiss? Not a lot, just one kiss.
Wait, isn't this match being broadcast?
While I was agonizing alone, the announcement came that the match was about to start.
Speed was crucial, so I had to apply the buffs and send Angelica out the moment it began...
My mind was a mess of confusion, but then I met Angelica's eyes as she watched me worriedly.
"Uh... so, do you trust me?"
"Yes, I trust you. You've always been a source of strength for me, Yeon-woo."
"...Are you okay with whatever I do? It'll definitely help."
"Yes, it's okay. Handle me... roughly."
I think she said that because she misunderstood and thought I was going to give her strict commands, but saying stuff like that is a total turn-on.
The more she looked up at me with those sparkling eyes, the heavier my heart felt, like I was tricking an innocent child.
"Then... let's just go as far as a kiss."
"Okay! U-Uh... Huh? Wh-what?"
"Don't misunderstand. My magic—"
Enduring the absurd stares from Angelica and the other supporters, I explained the Soul Chain to her.
Angelica turned beet red and hung her head low, while the others looked at me with suspicious eyes.
Hey, this is an eroge world. I didn't know there were spells like this either.
It's not a lie, so believe me.
"The match is starting!"
The cold-hearted referee, oblivious to our situation, started the match. The other supporters reflexively cast their spells on Angelica.
And I just stared blankly at her.
"W-what are you going to do? The other teams are leaving!"
"D-Damn it, I don't know. Whether we do it or not, get ready to go!"
"I-I'll do it!"
As the others spoke urgently upon seeing the other teams depart, Angelica shouted her answer and offered her reddened face to me.
Her tightly shut eyes had trembling lashes, and her red lips were pouted toward me.
To hell with it.
I grabbed Angelica and pressed my lips against hers.
"Mmph—?! Your tongue?! Hngh, ugh, slurp—"
She was startled by my tongue entering her mouth, but as the time spent being toyed with by my tongue grew longer, her strength faded, and she surrendered her body to me.
Though her frame was small, her large breasts were crushed against my chest, and she trembled as our saliva mixed lewdly.
"I-I-I-I'm going now!!"
After exchanging saliva for a good while, we pulled apart. Angelica staggered for a moment, then bolted toward the field with her head tucked low.
...
Honestly, that was great.
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