Chapter 90

< 91: The End of Lies (1) >

*

The next mock battle was against Team 2-B led by Setia.

Since Team 2-A had almost completely replaced its members, Team 2-B didn’t see much difference in their lineup.

Indeed, the standout candidate was Wilhelm.

However, unlike last time when we couldn’t do anything due to Wilhelm’s interference, this time the situation was entirely different.

The ‘Tank’ class could ignore Wilhelm’s long-range attacks thanks to the Support Mage’s magic shield.

And, since I was right next to the Magicians using Wind’s Power, he couldn’t interfere with us at all.

Naturally, the result was our victory.

“But the enemies seemed to analyze our tactics and prepared accordingly.”

I pointed to the chess pieces on the strategy board to recall the battle from today.

Based on the fact that the two clustered Magicians were wiped out by Yusera’s attack last time, and the rest lost to me and Ms. Bell’s siege tactics, they had devised their own strategy.

They divided their forces to avoid being wiped out by Yusera in one go.

However, that was not a good choice.

Even without Yusera, the scattered enemies could have been taken down by Elsie alone.

Wilhelm managed to take down three fools by himself with his incredible shooting skills, but that didn’t significantly impact our overall strength.

“Damn, I wish we could have protection from an Archer too.”

To their grumbles, I replied:

“Typically, normal Knights or Spearmen don’t receive protection from Archers. They need to check the opponent’s Archer’s position regularly and move while using cover.”

“But those two women…”

“Unless you guys can develop one-on-one skills as good as Elsie’s or one-on-many skills as good as Yusera’s, only then should you think about it.”

That silenced them.

Of course, they were the most frustrated ones.

I knew that well.

‘It’s not like I was as strong as Elsie or Yusera either.’

I understood their feelings.

But I couldn’t expect them to grow like me.

My growth process had been absurd when I looked back at it.

So, the best advice I could give them was basic.

“Start practicing to coordinate with each other. Just that alone could make you a decent combat force.”

Calling them ‘the three fools’ was half a joke.

No matter how foolish they acted, they had enough strength to be admitted into the Hero Academy.

After all, they were much more naturally gifted than I was.

“Of course, the remaining mock battle is against Team 1-A. I don’t expect you to beat their elite. But if you can at least manage to coordinate…”

I gestured towards the strategy board.

*

“Certainly…”

“Can we really manage at this level?”

They seemed to accept my plan.

Ultimately, what mattered was that they could coordinate well enough to execute that plan.

Still, there was plenty of time left until the next mock battle.

‘I just have to hope these guys coordinate before then.’

Right now, our combination of ‘Tank’ and ‘Two-Person Gunner’ wasn’t bad at all.

But that alone didn’t guarantee victory over the elite Team 1-A.

In fact, the odds of losing were much higher.

‘After all, Team 1-A has been undefeated.’

Team 1-A was composed of the crème de la crème of the candidate students.

This had become a tradition since Professor Sigritt took charge.

Therefore, to defeat them…

‘I guess I’ll have to rely on the trio of fools.’

And if my predictions were correct, they surely had a role they could play.

‘The mock battle with Team 1-A…’

It could be said to be the most crucial mock battle.

The points were awarded not just for wins or losses, but also varied depending on who you defeated.

Perhaps through this mock battle, I could elevate Yusera’s rank to the top tier and Elsie’s to a high tier.

“But how is Mr. Sung Yoo-rang so skilled in tactics?”

It was a sudden question from the Magician, Ms. Bell.

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

It was a thought I had never entertained before.

Me being skilled in tactics.

“How should I put it? Sometimes meticulous and at times bold; it feels like you’re incredibly skilled in that regard?”

At her words, I glanced around at the other team members.

I noticed Yusera quietly nodding in agreement.

The others also seemed to be on board with that.

‘Me, skillful in tactics?’

The reason I had never thought of it that way was clear.

I often misjudged situations even while wandering alone.

From the very first encounter with the Wolf to the incident with the 71st Demon King, and most recently failing to rescue Libero.

Thoughts of whether I could have made better judgments back then always lingered in my mind.

‘But…’

Now, I was making tactical judgments quite boldly.

It felt different from my usual careful demeanor.

And there was likely a reason for that.

‘Is it because the space where the mock battles happen is not reality?’

Somehow, I had been approaching the mock battles as if I were playing a game.

The dynamics of the mock battles were similar to the team battle games Sung Yoo-rang enjoyed, making such feelings somewhat natural.

That was the difference between the other candidates and me.

‘While it’s good to see it as an advantage…’

I doubted whether I could maintain such an advantage outside the mock battles.

After all, the reason I could make bold and cool-headed judgments was precisely because it was a mock battle.

On the other hand, being faced with the reality where failure would directly lead to a team member’s death, I honestly didn’t want to make such bold judgments.

‘That’s why…’

I had always acted alone.

*

After the review of today’s mock battle and the meeting for the next one, I was left alone in the meeting room.

Yeah, I was always more comfortable like this than team play.

‘Strictly speaking, I’m not alone right now, though.’

I spoke softly.

“Elsie, how long are you planning to hide?”

Then, from a dark corner of the meeting room, Elsie revealed herself.

She must have been using Optical Modulation to hide her presence.

However, since she was hiding too close, my Wind’s Power sensed her.

“How did you notice?”

There was nothing I couldn’t tell her.

Even when I was Allen, I hadn’t disclosed that ability to her.

Telling her wouldn’t affect her recognizing my identity.

“I sensed it using the ability to make arrows stray.”

“What kind of omnipotent ability is that?”

Considering it can accelerate a sword, it does seem quite omnipotent.

But that wasn’t the point.

“So, why have you been following me around like that?”

For the past few months, she had been tailing me whenever she had the chance using Optical Modulation to hide her appearance.

Until now, I had tried to ignore her as much as possible, but now I felt that I could no longer let her be.

It was now necessary to have some conversation with her.

‘I need to make sure she knows I’m not Allen.’

I trusted Gwen and had already revealed my identity to her.

I had no choice but to tell Yusera about my swordsmanship as well, but I made a firm decision to keep that fact a secret through the subsequent agreement.

Yet, with Elsie…

‘I can’t tell her.’

It wasn’t a matter of trust in Elsie.

I simply hoped she wouldn’t get involved in what I was trying to do.

If she figured out my identity, it was obvious she would want to follow me.

“Answer me. Why are you following me?”

But Elsie didn’t answer.

She only glared at me with her two eyes.

In her unusual cold gaze, I suddenly felt a shiver.

“If there’s no reason, could you stop following me?”

I turned my body.

I took a step to escape from there.

And that moment.

“Ugh…!”

Something touched my back.

And pressure was applied to my waist.

There was no need to look back.

“Ms. Elsie?”

She was hugging me from behind.

I panicked and tried to pry her arms off, but her strength was already beyond mine.

“Uh, why are you…”

“Just as I thought.”

“Huh?”

I felt something warm against my back.

Judging by the sensation, it must have been her face.

“This scent… I was right.”

“What on earth…”

Then, a small, restrained yet unmistakable scream escaped her throat.

It was a sound so painful to hear.

“Stop it now!”

Faced with that scream, I could no longer run away.

I gave up trying to pry her arms off and helplessly let my arms droop.

It was a sign of surrender.

I had no choice but to say,

“Yeah, it’s me.”

At the same time, I started to hear a sobbing sound from behind me.

And I felt my back becoming increasingly damp.

I had certainly felt it gradually before and expected that there would come a time like this.

But…

‘It came faster than I thought.’

Originally, I intended to deceive her until graduation.

However, she figured out my identity sooner than I expected.

And…

Even though I hadn’t been deceiving her for long, the guilt was not small.

It hurt even more than I had anticipated.

Even though I knew it was a lie meant for her good, her tears soaking into my back caused me immense pain.

“Why did you have to deceive me too?”

It might be a bit early, but it seemed the time had come to explain to her why I had to deceive her.

I wished that she would continue believing the lie, but it’s not too late yet.

I had to explain my circumstances to her and persuade her.

*