It goes without saying that no matter how many games and iterations one plays, it’s not possible to know the relationships or reactions of every character.
Similarly, this story also began from my ignorance.
“I don’t like that person…”
“…Wow.”
“Me neither.”
Before we could even fully grasp that we were connected, Charlotte pulled me and hid behind me.
Then came the hostile sentence directed at someone.
In that situation, I was much more surprised by Charlotte’s words than I expected.
For kind-hearted Charlotte to directly say she dislikes someone is indeed a rare occurrence.
What on earth happened between them?
“Ah… Is that the girl we met before?”
“Do you two know each other?”
“Ah… That’s right.”
There are clear limitations to the relationships and pasts expressed in games.
Even if they did exist, there’s no guarantee I would remember them all.
But the past doesn’t matter.
I had long since abandoned the possibility that I could execute all plans perfectly.
A master is someone who comprehends all possibilities and resolves any problems that arise, while I am merely an intermediate—perhaps even lower.
Since I can’t predict every probability, I do my best to solve the issues that arise right now.
“By any chance… did something happen between the rocks?”
“It’s nothing special.”
“It is something special…”
“…”
I hoped it wasn’t the case, but it seemed like they had a very poor relationship.
Still, I couldn’t endure standing here in this chilly atmosphere with someone I would need help from for the next five days.
“…Could you at least tell me what happened?”
At my words, Charlotte began to speak with a slightly trembling voice.
“That person… insulted my magic… and its coolness…”
And in rebuttal, Dalia snapped back.
“Hmph, what’s so cool about a mere pile of organized symbols?”
“Again… again…!”
“Aha.”
I quickly understood what the problem was.
Dalia’s mystique, [Art], draws its power based on her own definition of aesthetics.
However, the moment this aesthetic is shaken, her mystique also loses its strength.
“You can’t expect a collection of letters without an ounce of emotion to be beautiful, right?”
“It’s systematic… uniform, and because anyone can recognize it… that’s what makes magic beautiful…”
Dalia cannot agree with Charlotte’s thoughts or dare to recognize that aesthetic.
This represents a fundamental difference between the essence of Dalia’s power and the current existence of Charlotte.
It’s likely that the target of this opposition is not only Charlotte but also most beings with the mystique of [Art].
Moreover, Charlotte cannot agree with Dalia’s thoughts either, as for her, magic means pursuing the aesthetic derived from the system of that image and symbol.
If she had simply disregarded it, she wouldn’t have gotten this angry, but the issue is that Dalia has gone beyond disregard and into criticism.
As is often the case with most genius wizards, they tend to have a level of madness that is serious in some aspects.
Helisia embodies the extreme speed and efficiency of magic.
And Charlotte embodies the systematic nature of magic and the charm derived from it.
Therefore, Dalia and Charlotte, who pursue such different aesthetics, are like systems that cannot coexist, much like democracy and communism.
“Your strange painting isn’t as cool as my magic…!”
“What? Are you done talking?”
In a situation that’s not getting any better, I think.
It’s not like there’s no way to solve this.
As a famous phrase goes, we always manage to find the answer.
If only people who fight because their ideals don’t align existed, society would collapse.
There must be judges and mediators amidst the fighters who quarrel endlessly.
“Uh… how about collaborating with each other? You two creating a magnificent masterpiece together…”
“Oh, I’d welcome anyone who can help me create my child!”
Just as Skolla chimes in at the perfect timing, trying to promote cooperation between them, I can’t guarantee they would get along…
“I don’t want to…”
“That won’t work.”
Both gently declined the proposal, and the situation returned to square one.
“Anyway, what was it you wanted to tell me?”
“Uh… I was hoping for your cooperation regarding the tournament…”
As I glanced between Charlotte and Dalia, Dalia sighed and continued.
“Haa… well, I already knew that, but as you can see, my relationship with that girl isn’t good… I do want to repay the debt of helping.”
“If Aesha wants, I can… not happily, but I can endure.”
“I can put up with it a little too.”
Getting along better… doesn’t seem likely.
That’s surely asking too much.
It’s like an internet keyboard battle.
On the surface, it appears to be a venue for intellectuals trying to debate and discuss, but in reality, they’re just vomiting their own ideals, saying whatever they want.
This isn’t a argument for understanding each other.
Even if it were, there’s no way they could accept someone else’s ideals.
Even regular people have difficulty accepting others’ thoughts; there’s no way these flawed individuals can do that.
“Hmm… I really appreciate it!”
So, I couldn’t help but smile awkwardly and thank them for their goodwill.
“Actually, I am quite tempted by the prize for winning this time.”
“What kind of material are you hoping to see in that?”
“For me, I want to see the records of my predecessors related to my mystique.”
“That would definitely make you stronger…”
“Huh? No, what I want is far from becoming stronger.”
“Wouldn’t researching related materials in any form increase your understanding of your own mystique?”
“That’s obvious…”
“Then I guess that means I’m right.”
From what I know, Dalia is aiming for the stage that could be called a ‘master’ among the mystique of [Art].
And like most mystiques, if the information and concepts on this are broadened in the academy’s ancient library, the path to reach there will be eased.
Thus, it’s likely she determined that collaborating with me, even if she dislikes it, would give her a higher chance of winning a prize rather than simply repaying the debt she owed me.
It’s a cold truth, but it’s been only dozens of minutes since I met her.
Had there been a better opportunity, she surely would have chosen that route.
“So, what should I do?”
“Can you take over the role you handled in the party… no, in the previous party?”
“Oh, right.”
However, she seemed to react as if something was troubling her about my proposal.
“Is there a problem?”
“Um… well, as you can see, I used my mystique to the best of my ability earlier, but it got easily penetrated, right? So…”
I was aware of this issue.
I didn’t expect it to be breached so quickly, but Dalia’s mystique was indeed simply dispelled by Yoon Si-woo’s party.
This may have been due to that big friend, Grok… right? He likely overcame it.
Helisia is strong enough to dispel a mystique but definitely takes time, while Grok is quite strong against this type of illusion.
That giant only follows his own instincts rather than any other illusions.
While Dalia confuses sight and senses by changing everything in sight, he is the polar opposite.
“It’s alright.”
But the reason I was trying to recruit Dalia was to act as a safeguard against all characters other than Grok.
In other words, blocking Grok is something Charlotte would handle.
“Then, uh…”
Dalia nodded with a look of understanding, but suddenly glanced at Charlotte behind me and frowned before exiting.
And when I turned back…
“…”
“Huh… heh.”
She wore a self-satisfied expression that I could rarely see, almost proudly.
***
“You missed it?”
“I’m sorry.”
“That’s… fine. It was something I was worried about, but I don’t think it will pose much of a threat alone. The problem is…”
Yoon Si-woo picked up a bottle that was lying on the floor and looked inside.
An entirely empty bottle.
However, it felt like there was a faint warmth that only he could detect, as if someone had just been holding it.
Especially considering the heat sporadically left in the bottle, it must have belonged to someone with a smaller build or hands.
“Who took that person away?”
Whether the opposing side was watching their movements and rescued her, or if they had planned something and saved her, he couldn’t tell.
After all, they had far too many enemies to think about strategies.
In the end, what remains will be just them.
However, that doesn’t mean this path would be easy.
It is certain that people capable of blocking their party are lurking somewhere, either holding their ground or hunting.
“Let’s increase our speed.”
“Got it.”
Embarrassingly, he thought to himself that they were the strongest predators in this tournament.
However, that doesn’t mean they won’t be attacked by others.
They must strike before their foes settle in and raise their defenses.
That’s all there is to it.
Putting past failures behind him, Yoon Si-woo began to move again.
