Whispers filled every corner of the academy.Everyone was talking about them. Leon and Elena.
What began as small gossip slowly transformed into fabricated truths, spreading like a disease.
The murmurs never stopped since morning.
"That's him. Leon Moriet."
"They say he's directly backed by Mentor Arion. Unfair, isn't it?"
Their gazes pierced my back like thin blades. Inside the grand hall of Arx Lumina Academy, every step I took felt as though it cast a longer shadow than usual.
"Hey, did you hear? They say Elena is Arion's former woman. That's why she was allowed into the Elite Class."
I stopped walking.
I did not care if Leon's name was dragged through the mud, but this crossed the line.
I approached the group of female students gossiping openly in front of me and sat down across from them with a crooked smile.
"W-what?"
"Go on," I said casually. "It's hard, isn't it? Gossiping in front of the person you're talking about?"
That was enough to ignite their anger.
"Heh. You can say that because you're in the Elite Class. You must know the secret between that slut and Mentor Arion, right?" one of them sneered, clearly trying to provoke me.
My expression remained calm despite the venom in her voice. I leaned forward slightly and met their eyes one by one.
"I hope," I said softly, "you think carefully before saying someone's name with that filthy tongue."
The smile never left my face, but the air around us shifted. Mana in the atmosphere trembled faintly, like the breath before a storm.
One of them shivered but tried to hide her fear.
"Oh? What now, trying to show off your strength in front of girls?" she mocked, forcing bravado.
I stood up.
My steps were calm, yet each one echoed sharply against the stone floor. Magical barriers activated instinctively around them, a reflex born of fear.
"Show strength?" I chuckled softly. "No. I just want to make sure you understand that if I wanted to, no one would even know you were ever here."
Silence.
Students watching from afar immediately pretended to mind their own business, afraid of getting involved.
I leaned closer to the loudest girl.
"Want me to teach you the difference between gossip and fact?" I whispered. "Gossip is what you spread. Facts are what you experience. So, don't make me make you understand the fact that you're just a little piece of trash."
"Then prove it," she stood up, her hands trembling. "Do you really deserve to be in the Elite Class?"
I laughed quietly. In one swift motion, I grabbed her wrist and tightened my grip. She tried to pull away, but she was too weak.
I might not be talented, but that never stopped me from strengthening my body.
"Fine," I said, releasing her hand. "At the Trial of Harmony, I will face Lyena. The Princess of Stunning."
"Tch. You'll regret that," she spat.
Good.
In this chapter, Arthur was supposed to fight Lyena. But I had already altered the flow of the story. If I had changed it, then I would manipulate it.
By saying those words, I had set the stage for Elena.
They would spread the rumor. Lyena, unable to ignore it, would accept the challenge.
The Trial of Harmony was an examination designed to evaluate group coordination. This academy valued all disciplines, including military applications.
"I need to gather them."
That night, in the cafeteria.
Arthur, Quri, Misty, Elena, Tohime, and Penelope sat at a table, with me standing before them. John was nowhere to be seen. He had always been an extra, so I never knew where he usually was.
Gathering them had been difficult. The academy was vast, unlike the game where I only had to press a few buttons to teleport.
"So why did you gather us here?" Quri asked.
"I want to form a group for the Trial of Harmony," I said.
They looked confused, except for Tohime. It seemed she already knew.
"The Trial of Harmony evaluates teamwork, coordination, and the ability to form a solid combat unit."
Tohime raised her hand.
"The Trial of Harmony is conducted between different years. That means we'll be fighting our seniors. Based on my investigation, the Princess of Stunning, Lyena, should be our primary focus," she said, glancing at me.
She must have heard about me challenging Lyena.
I pretended not to notice.
"Lyena is extremely gifted. She excels in magic, close combat, and alchemy. That makes her especially dangerous in the Trial of Harmony."
"Before that," Arthur raised his hand. "You said you wanted to form a group, right? Unfortunately, I already have one."
"Oh, that you told me that day." Quri asked.
"That's right," Arthur said. "Fernando and Orkid invited me to form a group with them. I accepted. Sorry."
He stood up and left.
What?
Fernando and Orkid were characters who were supposed to appear after this chapter. Was this caused by my interference?
Arthur was supposed to be the key to confronting Lyena.
"Hey?" Penlope snapped me out of my thoughts. "So what were you going to say?"
"Ahem. Sorry," I said. "I wanted to form a group with you. It's unfortunate that Arthur had to leave. Fine. The key to defeating Lyena is you."
I pointed at Elena.
Everyone froze, especially Elena, who pointed at herself in disbelief.
"M-me?"
It was a good question.
"Lyena is exceptional at everything, but her magic is too stable. She uses ice and crystal magic. Her primary weapon is her family's inherited Ice Mantle. Our chances against her are extremely low."
"That's exactly why she's dangerous," Tohime said. "How can Elena possibly fight her?"
"Wind magic has one property that other elemental magic lacks," I replied. "Dynamic force. It can disrupt and shatter ice formations. That is the true strength of wind."
"But that requires immense focus," Misty said. "How can Elena handle that?"
I smiled.
"We will turn Lyena greatest talent into her greatest weakness."
They all stared at me suspiciously.
"If you trust me," I continued, "then allow me to conduct your training."
Do not worry.
I will treat you very kindly.