“The rules of the mock battle are simple,” the instructor said.

‘It’s capture the flag.’

“Basically, the team who grabs the other team’s flag first wins. Of course, the mock battle will end once the entire team is incapacitated. We've previously announced the map, and the academy will provide the equipment to both the blue team and the red team.

"There are priests and instructors on standby to ensure that no one will die. The necklace you’re wearing also contains a shield that will activate upon detecting a fatal attack. We ask that you never take it off,” the instructor advised.

“The leader of each party will be…”

“Woo Hyo-Yeol,” said the instructor, “and Han Sora."

“We’ll decide which side each team will take through a coin flip,” the instructor said.

“Sounds good.”

‘This doesn't seem like a simple academy event.’

The size of the mock battle was too big for the instructor to treat this as a casual event. Of course, considering the characteristics of Rohen, this was bound to happen. After all, events that were good at attracting attention were…

‘They're also good at grabbing the higher-ups’ attention.’

Both the capital and the people would gather, and if major familias appeared as well, then the academy couldn't make this a quick and casual event. The reason they invited the other academy was probably to combine their funds.

The lousy training ground was replaced by a battlefield that was just perfect. It was based on Rohen's topograph, and objects such as trees and buildings were there as well. The replication was so good that I was worried that the workers would start foaming at the mouth due to the sheer workload.

Among them, Han Sora and Woo Hyo-Yeol were looking at each other.

I was sure the guy who wanted to call Woo Hyo-Yeol over at the time had been wanting to witness this sight.

‘They do look pretty cool.’

The battle between the academy’s best fighters was always exciting, and they had brought their party as well.

‘The viewership is bound to go up.’

Woo Hyo-Yeol was looking down on Han Sora, and she wasn’t all that different either.

The way she looked up at him showed how serious she was about this thing.

There was no need to talk about Han Sora’s stats. Even on the continent, she was one of the top ten mages, and I was sure she was in the top three among the black mages. Sadly, her biggest weakness was her lack of actual experience.

‘She has no reason to fight.’

Han Sora was always excluded from the quarterly expeditions of the Blue Guild. Alps and Shiro had been going on expeditions under the guild’s name, so it could easily be deduced just how special Han Sora’s case was. 𝔯𝓪ΝỘ𝔟ЕꞨ

Her main job was to use a devastating, strategic spell once and then go back home.

She’d either draw a giant magic circle with Jung Ha-Yan or cast a devastating, strategic spell with her. In some ways, it was an efficient way of handling things. After all, there was no need for a mage to be at the frontline.

Jung Ha-Yan was beyond the level of needing to be protected by the vanguards to cast her spells. If she were to use her Teleport, she could send her spells to wherever the enemy was located.

‘That’s why she has no reason to go on an expedition.’

She had raided a few dungeons when she was younger, but that was it. Of course, I was not questioning Han Sora’s abilities here. If her opponent were an ordinary opponent, then I wouldn’t be worried.

When thinking about the time she worked as a secretary, she was a pretty good tactician, but…

“Her opponent might not like it,” I mumbled.

Woo Hyo-Yeol was a jerk, but he was still a regressor. His experience was on the same level as Kim Hyun-Sung’s, and he could make good use of his experience. His weakness was that he had never played the role of a leader, and if possible, I wanted him to be distracted or go about this casually… but I knew he wasn’t that type of person.

He disliked talking to other people, so I was sure his party hadn't done any special training with him, but he at least seemed to know what kind of people his members were and what they were capable of.

The baton wasn't in Woo Hyo-Yeol's hands, and they were probably treating him like a free agent.

While I was tapping my thigh, I heard a voice. “What do you think, Mr. Lee Ki-Young?”

“

Ah!

You’re here, Mr. William,” I greeted.

It was Will, and I had been seeing this man more often than not recently. He sat next to him with his usual smile.

“I’m sorry for being late. I had some work I needed to catch up on…” William informed me.

“You’re right on time. I was just early. Actually, I think you got here really early. Anyway, Mr. William, I came because I was invited, but is it really… okay for me to sit here?” I asked.

“Of course. We’re just sitting in a different area. I already notified the academy, so you don’t have to worry so much,” William reassured me.

‘This guy is pretty cunning.’

There was a huge audience, and there were many members of familias here. The fact that I was sitting with the Flower and Fertility Familia was basically a declaration. It was a declaration, saying that the Flower and Fertility Familia had their eyes on me.

If possible, I’d avoid situations like this whenever I was in public, but…

‘It’s really uncomfortable sitting as an academy student.’

And by staying here, I’d get what I wanted…

“Is there anything you need?” William asked.

“Could I get a cup of coffee?” I requested.

“Sure.”

I saw Will signaling a staff member of the Flower and Fertility Familia.

A few seconds later, a cup of coffee appeared before me.

“Thank you, Celt,” I said.

“It’s nothing, Mr. Lee Ki-Young,” Celt replied.

On top of that, it was delicious. The seats were comfy, and if I wanted snacks, I could order them.

“

Ah!

Come to think of it, I didn’t answer your question earlier,” I said.

“Right.”

“You asked what I thought about this mock battle, right?” I asked.

“That’s right,” he replied.

“What do you think, Mr. William?” I asked.

“I’m actually betting on Woo Hyo-Yeol,” William answered.

“

Ah…

just as I expected,” I commented.

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

“Yes. I don’t know much about Han Sora, but I know Woo Hyo-Yeol very well. He has reached a level that one won't normally find on someone Level 3. Since many people will be watching, he probably won’t show his full potential, but…” William paused.

“Despite that, you’re betting on Woo Hyo-Yeol,” I said.

“That’s right. What about you…” William asked.

“

Ah

, I’m half and half, but…” I paused.

‘I honestly want to cheer for Han Sora.’

I felt like she had a good chance of winning, but her party members probably wouldn't be able to keep up with her. No matter how many theories or tactics they had in their heads, they had to execute those, or they would be useless.

There was a huge difference between them and me, who could check the experience, stats, and nature of the chess pieces in real time. In addition, if there was an idiot in the party, the tower they had worked so hard to build would certainly collapse.

‘That Christian guy is that idiot.’

“I’m kind of worried about number fourteen,” I told him.

“Number fourteen is… Christian Pablo,” William said.

“I can tell that he’s nervous…” I pointed out.

Since my appearance, Christian had been worried that I would take his place. It was clear that he was going to do something extreme just to receive Han Sora noona's love.

If their front line ended up failing, then the mages would have to fight the warriors.

I was sure Han Sora was feeling the pressure. Her stats were nerfed, after all.

As expected, I saw Christian making bold moves in the mock battle, which was previously going well.

“...”

‘I knew that was going to happen.’

I wonder how many people knew that 14 would deny orders. He was like a dull note in a well-harmonized harmony. His greed led him to encounter Woo Hyo-Yeol even though Han Sora wanted to avoid battles where she couldn’t provide any backup.

“Are you Woo Hyo-Yeol?” Christian asked.

“Who’s this idiot?” Woo Hyo-Yeol insulted.

“

Aaaaah!

”

I understood his loyalty toward Han Sora, and I understood that he wanted to serve the head of their enemy to Han Sora, but he collapsed on the ground before Woo Hyo-Yeol could finish his attack.

Han Sora gnashed her teeth and made a move. Her party members moved together and attacked while stopping the opposing party. She unleashed ranged attacks using her overwhelming magic while avoiding situations that could lead her to fight Woo Hyo-Yeol head-on.

She was displaying an incomprehensible level of skill.

Booooooooooom!!!

“

Aaaargh!!

”

“What the?! What was that just now?!”

When Han Sora unleashed her spell, I saw the opponent flying in the air.

This sight had to have shattered the people of Rohen's opinion about magic. I was sure of that, as the familias specializing in magic looked at Han Sora with interested eyes. Of course, William’s reaction wasn’t all that different.

“As I expected… she’s a genius,” William commented.

‘Actually, she's not a genius.’

However, Han Sora was such a hard worker that it would surprise even Jo Hye-Jin.

If magic wasn't working out, she’d use alchemy, and if that wasn't working out, then she’d turn to black magic.

In other words, Han Sora wasn't the type to give up easily.

Even when she was extremely busy, she hadn't put down her grimore. Even when she felt like giving up everything, she persisted. Even when she had lost her vanguards and had to face Woo Hyo-Yeol…

“A summoned beast?” I questioned.

“

Huh

. It’s a high-level summoned beast, but… it hasn’t been that long since she exited the tutorial dungeon…” William mumbled.

“She just did triple casting, right? I know it's not a complicated spell, but…” I paused.

“...”

“How many mages on Rohen are capable of triple-casting?” I asked.

“Less than ten,” William answered.

‘She’s fighting well.’

Woo Hyo-Yeol frowned at the sight. I was sure he wanted to have a clean victory, but it was hard to overcome the large summoned beast and spells that were getting in his way.

Under normal circumstances, it would be easy for him to defeat a mage—no, the victor was supposed to have been decided within ten seconds after their encounter. However, it had been four minutes since the battle started, and the mock battle ended when Han Sora ran out of mana.

Han Sora looked upset. She was angry, and I could see that by the fact that she slammed her fist on the ground with gnashed teeth.

Woo Hyo-Yeol returned to the waiting room, and I heard a loud round of applause.

“It was a good battle, and the familias here also had a lot to learn. It happened just like you said…” William said.

“...”

“In three hours…” he paused.

“That’s right. I should get ready for the preliminaries. Thank you very much for inviting me today, Mr. William,” I said.

“It was nothing. I’m really grateful that you accepted my invitation. Well…” William paused.

“...”

“I’ll be cheering for you,” William continued.

'Is there really a need to cheer for me? The result is obvious.

'It’s pretty annoying participating in a mock battle with a bunch of extras. I didn’t want to show my full potential. If I give them a taste, wouldn’t that be enough to get them excited?'

“...”

“...”

Soon, I heard the instructor, and he sounded shocked as he announced, “Group A of the northern academy… is the winner.”

“...”

“T-T-The finals will take place tomorrow at the same time…” he announced.

“...”

“Trainee Lee Ki-Young… is the leader of the winning group!” he exclaimed.

Unlike the mock battle between Han Sora and Woo Hyo-Yeol, the audience members were quiet. They couldn’t understand what they had seen just now, and even William’s jaw dropped to the ground.

Someone mumbled, and it sounded particularly loud.

“How…”

“...”

“How… did she do that?”