hotmtlnovel Chapter 161: Bet (1)
Chapter 161: Bet (1)
Chapter 161: Bet (1)
Bet (1)
Black and red.
A mysterious space decorated in a checkered pattern. Red furniture was scattered throughout the room with tilted clocks filling the walls.
This was Alices Labyrinth.
Within the dreary atmosphere, three students in their uniforms were seated on pieces of furniture, quietly waiting for the Spade Paladin.
How does it feel to be suspended.
The red-haired female student with a heart-shaped accessory, Shera Hectorica, broke the silence.
The question was directed at the brown-haired female student leaning against the wall, Alexa.
Alexa narrowed her eyes and glared at Shera.
Phwah! Whats that look supposed to mean? I was just trying to lighten the mood.
Shut up.
Alexa shot back coldly.
But Shera continued to smile cheerfully.
The four Paladins had failed to stop the Nameless Hero during the first-year students joint practical evaluation.
Moreover, they hadnt been able to find even a slight hint of who they could be, making it their complete defeat.
The only information they gained was the Nameless Heros strength, which the Spade Paladin witnessed with his own eyes.
The Hero had been far stronger than what any of them had imagined. It was to the point where they questioned whether they would actually be able to defeat them.
Alice did not criticize the Paladins, but that instead made the Paladins feel even guiltier.
They will not fail next time.
They must find clues to discern the identity of the Black Monster.
After the Abyssal Sea Monster incident, each of the Paladins vowed as such.
Just then, footsteps rang out through the room.
A male student appeared from the darkness that replaced one side of the wall.
Black hair with a faint blue hue. It was the Spade Paladin.
Captain!
Youre here.
Shera addressed him cheerfully, the Clover Paladin greeted him kindly, and Alexa remained silent.
The Spade Paladin sat down on a fancy chair with his legs crossed.
His posture reflected his desire to seem intelligent, with his back straight and body positioned with elegance.
Why did you say to gather, Captain?
Shera asked the Spade Paladin, dashing up to the chair he was sitting on and plopping down on the armrest.
He fixed his glasses before speaking.
The duel evaluation will begin soon. They say that we will be able to select second-year students as opponents as well. In other words, that means we will be able to watch the duels of both first and second years.
The Spade Paladin continued with a serious expression.
Diamonds suspension should end by the time the duel evaluation begins. Four locations will be used for the duel arenas. Students will be divided into four groups and assigned to an arena. The Queen has said she will assign each of us to a different group, so
Keep watch of every ice element user?
Shera continued the sentence with a grin.
The Spade Paladin responded with silence.
With your skills, you should be able to recognize any suspicious behavior. Keep a careful watch on anyone with the ice element. They work under disguise using a high-quality camouflage disguise, so it is unclear whether they are a male or female. It seems that the demon who had been cooperating with the Queen last year had been watching the duel evaluation in secret and foolishly planned to cause a massacre that failed.
Because of the demon who had been working with Alice last year, Leafa the Illusive, the fact that the demons had an informant within the academy had been revealed.
That caused the academy to add extra caution when revealing information to the administrative students.
This meant that the information provided to Alice had also become limited.
However, since we are students, there shouldnt be any problems. Of course As long as we refrain from doing something foolish to attract attention.
The Spade Paladin glared at Alexa. She was the biggest problem out of the Paladins, after all.
Alexa shook her head.
Ill keep quiet.
Feeling pressured, Alexa answered as such.
And I will remind you. Suspect and keep watch of not only the students but also the staff and the others.
Their main goal was discovering the identity of the Black Monster, after all.
Shera responded with an enthusiastic, Yeah! the Clover Paladin nodded his head, and Alexa showed no reaction.
Ah, right. Captain. Can I ask you one thing?
What is it, Shera?
The person that the Queen is suspicious of, Isaac, was it? Can I challenge him to a duel?
I then spread my other fingers and repeated that process. It was a habitual magic mastery training I did.
S-senior Isaac Arent you scared? If it were me, I would be scared
Not really, no.
Then, curling my fingers back in, I withdrew the ice.
My goal is Luce, after all.
What?
Well, the Priestess is weaker than Luce. I dont have much to be scared about, right?
W-wait. Senior Luce?!
Whites jaw dropped once more in shock.
Your goal is to surpass Senior Luce?!
Why are you so surprised?
Of course I am! Senior Luce is one of the most talented students in this academy! Shes really strong and elegant
Ill definitely beat her during the duel evaluation next semester.
Grades. It was an impartial indicator of how much stronger Ive gotten.
I at least wanted to be the top student in my grade before facing the Evil God during my third year.
But why Senior Luce?
I want to win, its as simple as that.
Of course, there was some personal ambition included in that goal.
One could call it a primal instinct of wanting to be rewarded for their efforts.
For some reason, White was gazing at me with an awestruck expression. It even looked like her eyes were sparkling.
I read her psychology. She seemed inspired by what I said since she hadnt even considered fighting against the Priestess, much less beating her.
It was the same for me too.
I had set the goal to take the title of top seat from the beginning, but I couldnt help but feel overwhelmed once I saw Luce in person.
It was impossible to imagine a future where I could win against her.
Repeating countless duels and defeats against her, I even felt a wall standing between us.
But now, I had entered the realm of geniuses and, even now, was improving at a frightening speed.
So, saying that I would defeat Luce wasnt completely unrealistic.
Not to mention, small goals like these will help motivate me.
Yeah.
By Semester 2 Year 2, I should become strong enough to fight against Luce, with her wearing the Ring of the Abyssal Queen. That was my goal.
Of course, surviving until then will come first.
Anyhow, thats my plan. My break times over, so see you next time, White.
Ah. A-alright!
White scanned her surroundings awkwardly.
Anyway, 6-star magic really seems to be on a different level. The magic Ive been practicing until now seems like childs play Saying youll beat Senior Luce and such, youre amazing, Senior Isaac. Eheheh.
Really?
Thats sweet of her.
White and I looked at one another and grinned.
See you tomorrow, Senior!
Be safe. And dont forget to train.
Yessir!
White left the research room.
After using [Clairvoyance] to check that she met with Merlin, who was waiting in front of Orphin Hall, I resumed my training.
***
The next day, daytime.
After class, I was about to leave the second-year B Class classroom within Orphin Hall. However, since the next class was canceled, I planned to use that time to practice my 6-star magic.
Just then. A commotion suddenly arose in the hallway for second years, and a female student began walking my way with everyones gazes concentrated on her.
That orderly appearance. She was a member of the Student Council, Head Hall Monitor Erin.
Youre Isaac, right?
Whys she here?
I stood straight, facing her.
The Student Council President is calling for you. Follow me.
?
Huh?