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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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“I thought I was going to die.”
My honest thoughts slipped out of my mouth, without exaggeration or anything.
I had poured all my resources into this plan—the Fire Shards I painstakingly crafted in alchemy class, and the Wind Crystal I had to buy because I couldn’t make one yet.
I was confident I could handle almost any team, but of course, the one team outside of “almost any” was the one that showed up.
Going up against the Fendevig siblings, top-tier mages even in “Planetarium,” meant that even a small miscalculation could have been disastrous.
Even Crow would’ve been easier to deal with.
“They’re crazy strong. Are all Morian nobles like that?”
Pino, the only one unscathed thanks to her position further back, asked as the rest of us nursed our injuries with potions.
Regret, after a quick application to her ankle, had climbed a tree to keep watch.
And Lotto, who had initially refused a potion with trembling hands, was now practically gargling with it.
Humans were truly adaptable creatures.
“Morian has always had a strong magical tradition due to its mana-rich environment. Being a mage is more important than noble etiquette or scholarly pursuits.”
Most of the “secret techniques” passed down in Morian noble families were unique formulae or methods to enhance innate magical ability.
They were practically custom-made mages, trained from childhood with specialized diets and rigorous magical training.
“Ah, I see. I heard that in Nahart, even children are taught basic swordsmanship and shield techniques. It’s similar, I guess.”
“Well, they live in a region constantly threatened by monsters coming down from the mountains. And they can’t launch full-scale extermination campaigns thanks to the Ivesthan Empire.”
“I wonder if their haughty attitudes are also a product of their environment.”
“…Maybe?”
It probably played a role, but some of it seemed innate.
As we chatted, Fiore, who had been tending to our captives, signaled that the Fendevig siblings were awake.
Time for the cleanup.
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Unlike the six muscleheads from the first day, the Fendevig siblings and their teammates weren’t tied up like dried fish.
We had restrained them, but mostly because they could unleash tactical nukes with a flick of the wrist.
Lotto also stood guard, with weapon pointed at them, but honestly, we were being pretty lenient.
I expected Eagle Fendevig to accept defeat gracefully—
“Damn it! To be defeated by a nouveau riche brat’s tricks!”
Well, that wasn’t it.
His unfiltered rage momentarily stunned me.
Hau sighed and jabbed her heel into Eagle’s thigh.
“Ouch!”
“Maintain your composure, Oppa. Do you have no shame, acting like this in front of those who healed our injuries?”
“H-hold on. You’re kicking me in front of everyone and lecturing me about composure…?”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
They had a clear hierarchy.
‘Were they always like this?’
This was a side of them I hadn’t seen in “Planetarium.”
It was both surprising and intriguing.
Crow and the three professors were pretty much the same as their in-game counterparts.
“Ahem. Tricks or not, a win is a win. It’s almost midnight, so just relax and wait.”
I didn’t bother adding the “or else” part.
They weren’t stupid.
Eagle gave me a strange look.
“Is that all you want to say?”
“What else is there?”
I just wanted to eliminate them peacefully without making them into lifelong enemies.
I had checked their hands while they were unconscious, but neither the siblings nor their teammates had the treasure mark.
And I didn’t have any other questions.
I wasn’t desperate for more treasures.
“…You’re just going to let us go? You, a Midas…?”
He almost called me a “nouveau riche brat” again, but stopped himself when his sister glared at him.
“What else am I supposed to do? You’re eliminated. End of story.”
Eagle still looked unconvinced.
What was his problem?
Fiore whispered,
“Maybe it’s because of Kaspar?”
“What about that boar?”
“You beat him to a pulp that rainy day, Oppa.”
Ah, he felt bad that he was let go while Kaspar wasn’t?
I looked at Eagle.
“Just so you know, I don’t crush everyone who opposes me. And this is a school exercise.”
While his attitude wasn’t exactly friendly, that was normal for nobles dealing with commoners.
I wasn’t trying to start a social revolution, so I couldn’t go around picking fights with every arrogant noble.
And that boar, Kaspar?
I would have looked like a pushover if I hadn’t retaliated.
Besides, he crossed the line multiple times.
Everyone makes mistakes, but three strikes, and you’re out.
Getting your head bashed in with a baseball bat is practically natural causes at that point.
“And if you’re talking about Kaspar, I had no choice. He threatened me.”
“What? He did that?”
Eagle frowned, and Fiore nodded vigorously.
“If Oppa hadn’t stepped in, something terrible might have happened. Our family has a bad reputation, and he was an imperial noble.”
“Hmph, nobility isn’t just about bloodline. It requires proper conduct and decorum. That scoundrel didn’t deserve to call himself a noble.”
“You wouldn’t have stood by if the same thing happened to you, right, Eagle-nim?”
“Of course not! I would have crushed him so thoroughly he’d regret being born!”
“Wow, you must feel safe with such a reliable brother, Hau-nim.”
“Ahem.”
“Safe? He’s always using foul language and resorting to violence. He’s a headache to be around.”
“Hey!”
“Haha, you two have such a close relationship.”
Fiore continued to expertly manipulate the siblings, and by the time midnight approached, the initially hostile atmosphere had softened considerably.
“Chrom Midas. It seems I misjudged you. Your methods are questionable, but the results are undeniable. Be proud of defeating me, Eagle Fendevig, and strive for even greater achievements.”
“Miss Fiore Midas. Perhaps we could have tea sometime.”
As the black butterflies carried away the Fendevig siblings and their teammates, Fiore said with a bright smile,
“They seem rough on the outside, but they’re actually quite nice.”
“Y-yeah.”
‘I thought it would take until mid-game for them to drop the hostile act.’
Maybe my little sister had a talent that shouldn’t exist in a merchant family.
I felt like I’d sell my soul if I listened to her for five more minutes.
[Alright! Day 2 is over, and so is the second stage! Only four teams remain! I applaud your competitive spirit!]
Professor Istal’s voice, more energetic than usual, boomed through the speakers. Sighs of relief went around our group.
Constantly being on guard in the forest was exhausting.
But as if to say it was too early to relax, Professor Istal continued,
[Now, I’ll announce the participants of the third and final stage!
First, Alphonse Betouare’s team.
Second, Crow Vein’s team.
Third, Lyla Everblaze Barhardt’s team.
Fourth, Chrom Midas’s team.
And the name of the final challenge is…Plunder Run!]
…Huh?
I was taken aback.
The participant list was fine.
Crow and the princess were powerhouses, and Alphonse, while not in the original story, was clearly competent.
But—
‘The name of the game is different?’
My plan to exploit my prior knowledge had just hit a snag.
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