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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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The next mock battle was against 2-B, led by Setia. Because the members of 2-A had been almost completely switched, the composition of 2-B hadn’t changed much.
As expected, the most noteworthy candidate was Wilhelm.
However, unlike the last time, when we were unable to do anything because of Wilhelm’s interference, this time the situation was entirely different.
The ‘tank’ could ignore Wilhelm’s long-range attacks thanks to the support mage’s Magic Shield.
And Wilhelm couldn’t interfere with the mages because I was right next to them, using the Power of Wind.
Naturally, the result was our victory.
“However, it appears the enemy has analyzed the characteristics of our tactics and prepared countermeasures.”
I pointed to the chess pieces placed on the tactics board to review today’s battle.
Based on the previous mock battle, where the two mages, who had been grouped together, were instantly wiped out by Yuseora’s attack, and the rest were defeated by Belle and my defensive battle, they had devised a tactic.
They scattered their members to avoid being instantly annihilated by Yuseora.
However, that wasn’t a good choice. Even without Yuseora, Elsie could defeat the scattered enemies one by one.
Wilhelm did manage to defeat three of them with his incredible shooting skills, but that wasn’t a significant loss of power.
“Damn, I wish we could be protected by an archer too.”
And to them, who were grumbling like that, I said,
“In the first place, ordinary swordsmen and spearmen are not protected by archers. They constantly check the position of the opponent’s archer and move while using cover.”
“But those two women…”
“Or, if you develop one-on-one abilities like Elsie or one-versus-many abilities like Yuseora, I’ll consider it.”
Then they became silent. Of course, they would be the most frustrated. I knew that too.
‘Even I wasn’t as strong as Elsie or Yuseora.’
I understood how they felt. But I couldn’t expect them to grow like me. Looking back, even my own growth process was ridiculous. So the best advice I could give them was basic.
“The three of you should practice coordinating with each other. That alone will make you a decent force.”
Calling them the Three Stooges was half a joke.
Even if they acted foolishly, they had enough strength to enter the Hero Academy. In the first place, they had much more naturally talented bodies than me.
“Of course, the remaining mock battle is against 1-A. I don’t expect you to fight and win against their elites. But if you can at least coordinate with each other…”
I moved my hand across the tactical board.
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“Certainly…”
“Couldn’t we do this much?”
They seemed to agree with my strategy.
The important thing was whether they could coordinate with each other enough to carry out the strategy.
Still, there was plenty of time left before the next mock battle.
‘I can only hope that these guys will be able to coordinate with each other in the meantime.’
Certainly, our current combination, represented by the ‘tank’ and the ‘two-person battery,’ wasn’t bad.
But that didn’t guarantee that we could beat the elite 1-A team. No, the probability of losing was much higher.
‘1-A has been undefeated so far.’
1-A was an elite team composed only of outstanding candidates. This had been a tradition since Sigrit became the professor. Therefore, to beat them…
‘I can only borrow the help of the Three Stooges.’
And if my prediction was correct, there would definitely be a role they could play.
‘The mock battle with 1-A…’
It was practically the most important mock battle. Points were not simply given based on wins and losses, but also on the opponent they defeated.
Perhaps through this mock battle, Yuseora’s rank could rise to the top tier, and Elsie’s rank could rise to the upper tier.
“By the way, Mr. Seo Yoo-rang, how are you so proficient in tactics?”
It was a sudden question from Belle, the mage.
“What? What do you mean?”
I had never thought about that before. My tactics being proficient?
“Well, it’s like, sometimes it’s meticulous, and sometimes it’s bold, it feels very proficient.”
At her words, I looked around at the other team members. I saw Yuseora quietly nodding. The other team members also seemed to agree.
‘I’m good at tactics?’
The reason I had never thought about it before was clear. I had often made wrong judgments even when I was wandering around alone.
Starting from the very first time with the wolves, the incident with the 71st Demon Lord, and most recently, failing to save Libero.
The thought that I could have made better judgments at those times always lingered in my mind.
‘But…’
Now I was making quite bold tactical decisions. It was a little different from my usual cautious self. And the reason why this was possible was clear.
‘Is it because the space where the mock battle takes place is not reality?’
Somewhere along the line, I had been approaching the mock battle as if I were playing a game.
The mock battle was similar to the team battle game that Seo Yoo-rang enjoyed, so it was natural to feel that way.
That was the difference between me and other candidates.
‘For now, it’s right to consider it an advantage, but…’
I wondered if I could maintain this advantage outside of the mock battle. I could make bold and calm judgments because it was a mock battle.
On the other hand, making such bold decisions in reality, where failure directly led to the death of my teammates…
honestly, I didn’t want to.
‘That’s why, in the first place…’
I had always acted alone.
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After the review of today’s mock battle and the meeting for the next mock battle, I was left alone in the meeting room. Yes, I was originally more accustomed to this than teamwork.
‘Strictly speaking, I’m not alone now either.’
I quietly spoke.
“Elsie, how long are you going to keep hiding?”
Then, Elsie appeared from a dark corner of the meeting room. She must have been hiding herself using Optical Modulation.
However, because she had hidden too close, she was detected by my Power of Wind.
“How did you know?”
There was nothing I couldn’t tell her. It was an ability I hadn’t told Elsie even when I was Allen. Telling her wouldn’t affect her realizing my identity.
“I sensed you with that ability of mine that deflects arrows.”
“Is that ability some kind of cure-all?”
Considering that it could also accelerate a sword, I thought it was close to being a cure-all. But that wasn’t important.
“So, why are you following me around like this?”
For the past few months, she had been tailing me, hiding herself with Optical Modulation whenever she had the chance.
So far, I had been ignoring her as much as possible, but I had a feeling that I couldn’t leave her alone anymore.
It was time to have a proper conversation with her.
‘I need to make it clear that I’m not Allen.’
Because I trusted Gwen, I revealed my identity to her. I had no choice but to reveal to Yuseora that I use swordsmanship, but through the subsequent deal, I ensured she would keep it a secret.
But to Elsie…
‘I can’t tell her.’
It wasn’t a matter of trust in Elsie. I wanted to prevent Elsie from getting involved in what I was trying to do. If she realized my identity, it was obvious that she would try to follow me.
“Answer me. Why are you following me?”
But Elsie didn’t answer. She only stared at me. Her cold gaze, unlike her usual self, suddenly frightened me.
“If there’s no reason, could you please stop following me?”
I turned around. I took a step to run away from that place. It was at that moment.
“Ugh…!”
Something touched my back. And I felt pressure on my waist. There was no need to turn around.
“Elsie?”
She was hugging me from behind. I panicked and tried to release her arms, but her Strength stat had already surpassed mine.
“Um, why are you…”
“I knew it.”
“Huh?”
I felt something warm on my back. Judging from the feel, it was her face.
“This smell… I knew it.”
“What on earth…”
Then, a small, restrained, but clearly high-pitched sound, like a scream, escaped from her throat. It was a painful sound to hear.
“Stop it!”
I couldn’t run away anymore in the face of that scream. I gave up trying to release her arms and dropped them powerlessly. It was a kind of surrender.
I couldn’t help but say,
“You’re right, it’s me.”
At the same time, a sobbing sound started coming from behind me. And I felt my back getting wet. I had been feeling it little by little, and I had expected this moment to come someday.
But…
‘It came sooner than I thought.’
I had originally planned to deceive her until I graduated from school. But she had figured out my identity much faster than I thought.
And… even though I hadn’t deceived her for that long… the guilt wasn’t small. It hurt more than I had imagined.
Even though I knew it was a lie for her sake, her tears soaking my back pained me.
“Why… did you have to lie to me too?”
It seemed that the time had come to explain to her why I had to deceive her, even if it was a little early. It would have been nice if she had continued to be deceived, but it wasn’t too late.
I had to explain my situation and persuade her.
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