[Raul PoV]
I walked back toward my hiding spot in the inner mine after the fight with Elena. I had managed to neutralize her until the end of the exam, but...
I looked at my left arm, which hung limp at my side—a side effect of using the Reject Impact spell. My left arm was now completely paralyzed for the remainder of the exam. However, the risk was worth it, considering I had taken Elena off the board for tomorrow's final showdown.
Still, fighting head-on with only one hand will be difficult. I hope that seeing the tunnel collapse will make the others hesitate to enter the remaining paths, giving me time to prepare for the wave of attacks to come.
I believe I saw ten people enter the tunnel with Elena. That means there are roughly 40 students left to defeat.
I've already devised a way to counter them, assuming they'll split up among the three remaining tunnels. I suspect each group will be led by Brian, Geralt, and Valeria. The groups led by Brian and Geralt will be easy enough to handle first, while Valeria might be a challenge—she thinks logically, even if her leadership isn't quite as sharp as Elena's.
Before they reach my hideout, I need to thin their numbers as much as possible, ideally by half.
Upon arriving at my hideout, I saw that Ariel was awake.
Her eyes were as beautiful as rare gems, her white hair as smooth as winter snow, and her melancholic expression made her look like a classical painting that could be auctioned for billions. It would be a lie to say I wasn't captivated by her beauty.
Noticing my presence, Ariel turned toward me.
"Raul? What happened to your face?" Ariel asked, staring at my right cheek. "I also heard a very loud rumbling sound earlier."
Well... it seemed Elena's punch had left a mark. No wonder it stung so much. It appeared Ariel had been woken up by the sound of the tunnel I collapsed.
I ignored her question and sat back against a stone wall to rest my body for a moment. I had to prepare for the final battle here. Closing my eyes, I began to reflect on my life since inhabiting the body of Raul de Garcia.
I didn't know if this body's "Death Flag" had truly vanished or simply changed form. But as the creator of this world, I wanted to dedicate this life to erasing the tragedies caused by the scenarios we wrote.
I remembered a cutscene from the game: Ariel walking through a village that had become a pool of blood after demons slaughtered the residents. Children crying for lost parents, parents despairing over lost children, and lovers losing their minds.
All of that will become a reality if I do nothing.
But I am not a perfect human; I am just one man. There are limits to what a single person can do. I can't be everywhere at once to prevent every misfortune. I have to make this world stronger so it can at least mitigate the damage from the great disaster to come.
As I was lost in thought, a warm sensation appeared on the cheek Elena had just struck. Opening my eyes, I saw Ariel sitting in front of me. Her hands emitted a soft glow—a sign she was using healing magic.
Our faces were close, and her nervousness was obvious. Her palms were warm and soft against my skin; I didn't want to interrupt her.
"Why are you healing my wound, Ariel?"
Ariel's body jolted, surprised that I had suddenly spoken. Our eyes met, locking for a moment. She quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson.
"I am a Priestess. It's my habit to heal others," she answered softly.
I noticed her ears twitch as she spoke—a unique habit Ariel has when she tells a lie.
"You're lying, Ariel."
Despite her gentle and kind personality, Ariel wouldn't heal someone who had hurt her friends. I wanted to know her real reason. "There's no way you'd heal someone who is trying to hurt your companions."
Ariel flinched again. She seemed shocked that I could read her heart so easily.
"I-I don't know! Just stop talking while I heal you..." Ariel snapped, looking annoyed. She clearly didn't want to give me an answer.
That's why, despite being naive and innocent, Ariel is loved by so many—because of her kindness. People like her are the ones who keep humanity's hope alive. Not the "edgy" or anti-naive types who use overpowered strength to crush everyone. Those people don't inspire anyone; they live only for themselves, and their legacy vanishes the moment their power does.
Suddenly, the warmth on my cheek disappeared. Ariel had finished. She then looked down at my limp left arm. Small blue spots were starting to appear on the skin.
"You won't be able to heal that unless you're a Saint."
Ariel's hand stopped just before touching my arm.
"Huh? Why?" she asked, looking confused.
"This isn't a physical trauma injury; it's damage to the mana circuits," I explained. "You can only heal it if you have powerful Divine Magic or an immense abundance of mana."
This is why this spell wouldn't work on Brian, who has nearly infinite mana thanks to his Blessing.
"I see..." Ariel murmured, deep in thought. Her pink eyes then searched mine. "Why don't you tie me up or knock me out? Couldn't I just run away while you're occupied?"
"You've always gotten lost on complicated paths. I could easily track you if you tried to run." Ariel was the type who couldn't read a map to save her life. "You'd likely just go in circles until I found you again a few minutes later."
Hearing her weakness called out, Ariel pouted and turned her back on me.
"You actually remember when we got lost back in our first year," Ariel said, her tone softer now. "I thought you didn't remember any of the memories from when we were still close a year ago."
I was at a loss for words. That was a very "out-of-character" moment—there was no way the original Raul would have remembered that; his mind was too consumed by his hatred for Brian.
Well... speaking of Brian, I think I've found a way to deal with his group without even having to fight him directly.
***
[3rd PoV]
The Eagle and Griffon Clans were now down to roughly 40 members, as no one had returned from the group Elena led into the collapsed tunnel.
"We have to enter, regardless of whether there are more traps waiting for us," Valeria argued, urging the others to enter the mine.
"I agree with Valeria," Brian added. "We only have a day and a half left to eliminate Raul, and we don't know if that coward will try to run away again."
"I'm fine with the plan," Geralt said, equally impatient to thrash Raul. "What about you, Eagle Clan?"
A man from the Eagle Clan stepped forward. "Of course, we want to teach that trash noble a lesson and avenge our comrades and our President!"
"Alright, it's decided. We enter the mine this afternoon!" Brian declared.
Valeria stepped into the center of the group to finalize the details. "Since everyone is in agreement, we must divide our forces among the remaining tunnels."
"Huh? Why don't we just all go in together?" Brian asked naively.
Valeria looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Duh, did you not see the collapsed tunnel? If we all walk into a trap like that together, who will be left to defeat that pervert?"
Brian scratched his head in embarrassment.
"I will lead 15 members through the southern tunnel. Geralt will lead 15 through the northern tunnel. And you, Brian, will lead the remaining 10 through the eastern tunnel," Valeria commanded, assigning their tasks.
Brian, Geralt, and the others nodded.
"Good. Move out, and let's make sure we eliminate that pervert before the exam ends!" Valeria rallied.
"Ouhhhh!"
"Ouhhhh!"
The three groups began heading toward their respective tunnels. Only 22 hours remained before the first stage of the exam concluded at 6:00 PM on the seventh day.