“Warrior, Ibuki Rei.”
Ibuki Rei sensibly stepped forward, bowed to everyone, and gave a concise self-introduction.
“Invited by Your Excellency, from today, we’ll be in the same boat.”
“Magician, Cavenir.” Kalinina returned the courtesy, observing the woman before her.
Black hair, crimson eyes, loose robes—an outfit that could only be described as the very model of an Eastern warrior.
A wound at her waist suggested she’d just come from a fierce battle, yet she could still strike decisively and cleave the bear monster’s weak point.
Such presence was not something an ordinary noble could possess.
“Truly, an excellent move.”
Kalinina was not stingy with her praise.
“You flatter me.”
Ibuki Rei was also observing the “man” before her.
Handsome, courteous in his actions, the very air of a high noble—meaning…
Her earlier judgment hadn’t been off the mark.
So this so-called blossoming really did correspond to that sort of relationship—
This man named Lomio was most likely acting on behalf of some big player, seeking a business partner.
“Assassin, Annie.”
Annie curtsied, but her gaze darted toward Lomio.
Another deception? Or perhaps something even more despicable?
What would he do next?
Annie could hardly imagine it—after such a bitter fight, carrying her injuries, and having spent so much magic power on meaningless magical beasts.
Just how did Lomio plan to seize the “King”?
But then, that was fine.
If he failed and the plan affected Her Highness, Annie would never let this man live even a second longer.
“The situation is sudden, time is short. I ask everyone to work together.” Lomio interrupted the conversation. “We must set out at once, heading southwest as planned.”
Was that necessary?
He’d certainly noticed Annie’s murderous glare.
Wasn’t it just making your master hold the beast tide for a while?
Landmine-type fangirls are just impossible to deal with…
“Southwest? That’s where I just came from. There’s a whole stretch of swamp over there, thick with miasma. Why are we going there?”
Ibuki Rei was puzzled.
“Is this part of the King’s plan as well?”
Thick miasma meant elimination risk at any moment. With two members of the team already wounded, it would only make the magical beasts more restless.
No matter how you thought about it, it didn’t seem like a good choice.
“You’re all thinking this is a foolish move, aren’t you!”
Everyone’s thoughts were interrupted as Lomio spoke, striding to the front of the group.
“When the time comes, you’ll understand.”
“Mm, let’s go.” Kalinina followed right after.
Using the swamp as a test question… What would his model answer be?
So mysterious…
As Lomio’s face flashed through her mind, Kalinina shook her head hard, reminding herself not to lose her respect for the examiner.
“This isn’t right.”
No matter how charming he was, he was no mere pretty ornament!
Strange…
Ibuki Rei suddenly found herself puzzled.
Just a single light sentence, and the supposed leader followed him?
Shouldn’t this man be a servant-dog to high nobles? Why was he now leading people around by the nose?
These kinds of people… Ibuki Rei had met them before!
Seemingly a pawn on the front lines, yet actually controlling the whole situation in person!
In fact, she herself had suffered a big business loss to just such a person!
Not only did he trick her into revealing all her cards, but he also manipulated her into signing a burdensome, unrewarding contract!
From how things looked now, he must have some hidden identity or remarkable skill that forced this noble to yield!
“I’ll have to watch and see. Anyway, he’s definitely no ordinary man!”
Having made up her mind, Ibuki Rei recalled the moment he saved her and revealed his true face.
He could even shake the heart of a warrior… What a grievous sin!
Better watch him a few more times to build up immunity…
“Hmph, just guess away.”
Lomio had already run through what would happen next many times in his mind.
According to the game’s original script, nearly every SSR-level character would have a powerful team capable of challenging the “King.”
At this moment, judging by the elimination info shared by the Academy badge, the other end of the swamp must already be in the throes of a group battle.
Very soon, when the ultimate victor brought their battered team and the “King” piece into the swamp to escape pursuit, they’d run straight into—
Beatrice’s team.
That’s right, in the original entrance test script, there wasn’t any so-called solo fight at all—it was all about the small teams and their silent coordination.
Beatrice had ridden this victory and the prestige brought by the “King” to become a hotshot among the first-years, quickly gathering a massive faction centered on the capital’s nobles.
She had thus ascended to the seat of the game’s second major early antagonist.
As for the first…
Lomio Arkadi.
A man who caused havoc in a yuri game—even if he died a thousand times and was trampled on ten thousand, the players would only cheer.
Even in special event stories, trampling on Lomio had become a beloved pastime!
“Is this script a little off?”
Just thinking of Beatrice’s cringe, cookie-cutter personality left Lomio speechless.
Was this any better than letting the little head rule the big one?
Just because she was a woman, that kind of villain could take the “King”?
The writers practically spoon-fed her cheats, never even explaining the cause and effect, leaving plot holes everywhere!
But now?
Lomio clearly remembered how he’d just set a trap and blasted one of her team to pieces!
“Let’s see how you play with one less teammate from the start!”
Lomio was utterly satisfied with his current team!
Mage, warrior, throw in a maid-dog to bite people, and he just had to toss cards to support.
He could revisit the story any time and scoop up every reward that should be his!
Was there any better way to live a wonderful life?
Did it exist?
If there was, it had to be stepping on every other villain and becoming the biggest, baddest villain while everyone else thanked you for it!
“Hehe, I can’t even imagine how many people will get trapped in student loan schemes!”
“What are you scheming now?”
Lomio’s relaxed and pleased smile unsettled Ibuki Rei.
Her gaze flickered between Lomio and Annie several times, and she was now certain—these two were utterly incompatible!
Was it because of Cavenir?
“Can I really reach the King by running with this crowd??”
Ibuki Rei had no particular complaints about Lomio and Cavenir.
As for Annie…
She just hoped Annie could put aside personal feelings and make more rational judgments.
“We’ll just have to play it by ear.”
Gripping the “Knight” under her clothes, the girl who walked the path of the warrior had no intention of backing down before fate.
Even if luck ran out, if she could use this “Knight” to keep everyone’s student status, that would be enough to repay her debt of gratitude.
That’s how it would be.