Since there was no magician in this academy better than the Pope, the possibility of detection was significantly low.
"But remember. The time this can be maintained is limited to five hours."
"That's enough. You've mastered everything an instructor needs to do, right?"
"Of course."
Gerhard handed over all the items needed when working as an instructor. Naturally, he had extras that had been acquired separately.
"Then see you later."
"Yes. I'll continue to stay here until you return."
"If there's a problem..."
"I'll handle it myself without needing other instructors to step in."
He pulled his robe over his head deeply and checked the map again.
"...The timing is just right."
The point marked 38 was now quite distant from the other points. Although it was still moving in a zigzag pattern, conscious of its surroundings, ultimately there was only one lake at the end.
Gerhard's eyes gleamed coldly.
He took out a magic orb from his subspace and injected mana. It was a kind of communication orb where when mana was injected on one side, the orb on the other side would vibrate.
Now it was time for the second arrangement he had prepared to move.
***
A wind blew through the dense forest.
Fallen leaves dropped between the two figures facing each other.
One of them, Veriana Kalproten, swallowed as she caressed the humming signal orb on her chest.
'So why am I doing this again...'
It was because of Gerhard. Unable to ignore the threats he had left recently, she stood in front of her opponent again despite two defeats.
'I never dreamed I'd be standing here again so soon.'
Initially, she had thought she would win against an opponent she had naturally expected to defeat.
The second time, she was defeated despite vowing never to let her guard down.
With those two defeats, Veriana had to admit that there was a gap in ability between her and Aint.
That's why. There wasn't the same confidence in her sword as before when facing Aint.
Nevertheless, she had to fight.
"What you need to do in this practical is simple. When I signal, you hang on against Aint."
"The longer you hold out, the better it is for you. If you last an hour, I won't report your indiscretions to the Judges. If you last two hours, I'll give you a reward."
"No justification? Say you can't accept defeat, that you're challenging him again to maintain a knight's honor. What better justification is there for a knight?"
It was an outright threat, and naturally, there was no choice.
'I'm really wronged...!'
She had wanted revenge. She couldn't accept her defeat to Aint.
But she swore she had never sold her soul to a demon. Why on earth should she suffer like this?
She felt wronged, but there was no solution. As long as that damned recording orb existed, she had no choice but to faithfully follow Gerhard's words.
"What's this, Veriana."
Her opponent, Aint Armian, looked at her.
"You want to try once more? You know it's not allowed, right?"
That should have been her line. Veriana gritted her teeth at the rising self-loathing.
"...I cannot accept defeat."
To be honest, she now even had a bit of fear of Aint, who was getting stronger each time.
"Two times weren't enough?"
"Whether it's two times or a hundred times, it's the same."
She'd had enough without going to a hundred times. Nevertheless, she pushed fear far away.
"My honor has fallen into the gutter because of my defeat to you. I will fight you again to protect my honor, to reclaim it."
"What if you lose again?"
"...A knight speaks with the sword."
Because she feared Gerhard more than Aint.
Losing to Aint is just losing. In the worst-case scenario of having already lost twice, one more loss wouldn't make things any worse.
But the moment she displeased Gerhard, her life would be over. She didn't know what extraordinary method that terrible merchant would use to lead her to hell.
"Come at me, Aint. This time will be different. You won't pass here until you defeat me."
Woooong-
Veriana's sword began to vibrate. A gray aura rose.
Sir Gardner, moved by her will, urged Aint. But Aint shook his head.
"...All good, Veriana."
A sigh escaped involuntarily.
"You haven't forgotten that conflicts between each other are forbidden in this practical, right?"
"..."
She knew.
Despite drawing her sword like this, Veriana had no real intention of fighting.
"What about conflict being forbidden in the survival practical? That's your position, Veriana. If you want to live, you'll find a way to buy time. Nothing is impossible in this world. If it's not possible, make it possible."
"..."
She was merely trying to buy as much time as possible under the guise of honor.
"I-It doesn't matter! For my honor, I...!"
Aint sighed.
'What is this when time is of the essence?'
It felt like an annoying leech had attached itself.
***
Rumble-
In the dark underground, Gerhard ran through the earth. His magic created a passage through the blocked ground and repeatedly filled it back in.
Although mana consumption was high and the speed was relatively slow, this was the best way to avoid detection by students, professors, and instructors positioned all around.
'Keep holding him, Veriana.'
He checked the map from time to time. He could see the points marked 2 and 38 meeting. Already for 5 minutes, the two points had not moved from that spot.
So far, everything was going smoothly.
'Fortunately, the distance to the lake isn't far.'
It wasn't the closest lake, which was a bit unfortunate, but thankfully, it wasn't the farthest either.
He ran for a long time, but even until then, the two points were still in a standoff without movement.
'She's doing better than expected.'
Gerhard slightly upgraded Veriana's value in his mind.
And at that moment.
──!
Water began to enter through the drilled hole. He had arrived at the lake.
He tore a scroll stored with breath magic and threw himself into the water. A place he had already searched once before, but still couldn't find what he wanted.
'Let's see if I can find it this time or not.'
Gerhard opened his subspace.
────!
Huge arms and legs suddenly popped out.
It was a worker specially prepared for this task.