Vol.2 Chapter 75

Tactical’s PoV

"That's it, folks! What a wild ride that was! Team Paragon, against all odds, has emerged victorious! They'll be moving on to the grand finals!" The caster, whose voice was brimming with excitement and disbelief, boomed across the arena, eliciting loud cheers that could be heard even in this isolated room.

I sank back into my chair, feeling a wave of relief mixed with utter exhaustion. It had been a tense match, a true nail-biter. I hadn't expected that girl Lua to put up such a fight. I almost lost hope when I saw Seer and his teammates fall so quickly due to that girl Lua’s broken weapon skill. They would’ve lost if it hadn’t been for such an outstanding last-second performance from Yuusha’s protégé. God, that was really close!

"Kyaaa! They won! Aria did it! She actually won!" Celeste was ecstatic, jumping up and down like a schoolgirl who'd seen her crush.

Her exuberance was almost enough to shake the room, given her large and heavy muscular build.

"Please don’t act like a kid. I don't want to have to pay for the damages here," I scolded her.

She probably didn't hear me over the cheers of the whole stadium and the cacophony of her own excitement. I eventually decided to let it go since she seemed genuinely happy, but then, as if wanting to share her joy, she scooped me up in her arms and gave me a bear hug.

“I can’t believe it! Our protégés actually won!” she celebrated in joy at the cost of my suffering.

Crack Crack

I could hear my bones creaking, ready to give in due to the immense strength of her hug.

“A-ack! Stop! Stop! Do you plan on crushing me to death, woman?!” fearing for my life, I vehemently protested.

Sensing my distress, she finally released me, making me sigh in relief. I honestly thought I was going to die right here.

“Oops, sorry, I got too emotional there. You know me, I can’t help it sometimes, tee-he,” she said guiltily while trying to act cute, giving me a playful wink.

Seeing her cutesy act, I became suddenly thankful that I was a born pacifist, or I would have hit her right then and there. Even though she identifies as a woman, it doesn’t matter to me since I’m someone who believes in equality among genders. Hmm, but on second thought, it's probably a good thing I kept my cool. If things had escalated into a brawl, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have survived against her.

Seeing me scowl at her, she tried to console me. "Come on, lighten up! I'm sure you're also happy that our successors won their match! They sure do grow up so fast..." she said with a hint of nostalgia, a wistful smile gracing her lips.

"Please don't treat them like kindergartners,” I sighed, my voice laced with a touch of exasperation.

Suddenly, the crowd erupted in cheers again, drawing my attention back to the screen. The energy in the arena was electric, a testament to the spectacle we had just witnessed. It seemed both teams were showing good sportsmanship by shaking hands and acknowledging their opponents' skill and determination.

My gaze fixed on Lua, who seemed to rely on her other female teammate, who appeared to be of Korean ethnicity, to venture the center stage. Looking at her soft, tiny frame face, it's hard to believe such a monster is hiding behind a façade of innocence.

As Lua and Aria approached to shake hands, Lua leaned in close to Aria's ear and whispered something that was lost amidst the thunderous applause of the crowd. Aria's response was understated. Her eyes flickered slightly, followed by a determined expression. However, she remained silent, simply nodding in acknowledgment, her gaze fixed intently on Lua.

I wonder what the little monster said to Yuusha’s protégé. While I am curious, it is ultimately none of my concern. It is likely a comment about a rematch or a similar proposition. Regardless, it is a good thing to see something like that. Such rivalry is always beneficial, pushing each other to strive for greater heights.

"Oh, what's this? I see a hint of rivalry brewing. Reminds me of the old days," Calah sighed nostalgically.

"What do you expect? They are both exceptionally skilled. The strong are always drawn to each other like magnets," I remarked.

"I know, right!? She is the Paragon's ace, after all, so it's no surprise Lua would be interested in her," Calah agreed.

She is right, though. I hadn't anticipated such a display of skill from her; it truly reminded me of her mentor. Suddenly, I find myself wanting to recruit her for my team. With that level of talent, she would surely go far, especially with proper guidance.

"Calah," I began abruptly, "would it be alright if I try to recruit Ariadne?"

"Hmph, don't even try that! You know they are a close-knit group, so it would be disruptive if you tried to pull one of them away. Those four will all represent our guild, and I am one of their main sponsors. Therefore, you must go through me before you can even approach them," she rebutted like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

"Hmph, I was merely inquiring. There is no need to be so confrontational."

She scoffed, taking a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing. “Aren’t you already planning on recruiting her mentor? Don’t tell me you got rejected again.”

"…No, nothing of the sort. I haven't had the opportunity yet. Moreover, it would be improper and thoughtless of me to distract her from the finals with my request," I explained.

She stared at me with an unreadable expression before finally making a jest. "My, I didn't expect you to be this considerate."

I ignored her teasing remark.

I plan on giving it my all to recruit her, though, so I'm not giving up just like that. If my dream of creating the strongest team is to come true, then Yuusha holds an irreplaceable spot in it.

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Aria’s PoV

After our match, we head back to our room, the lingering cheers from the stadium crowd echoing in our ears as we go back. The energy from the arena is still buzzing, a testament to the intensity of the battle. We walk in silence, each lost in our own thoughts, replaying the highlights of the match, the thrill of the victory, and the exhaustion of the fight.

After we entered our room, the comfort of it calmed my beating heart, which was still buzzing with adrenaline from the intensity of the match. The familiar scent of worn leather and polished wood, the soft glow of the ambient lighting, the quiet hum of the air conditioning, all conspired to create a soothing atmosphere.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, Lucy gave me a hug. Her warmth and energy were a welcome contrast to the lingering tension of the match. "You did amazing, Aria!" she exclaimed in happiness, her eyes sparkling with genuine admiration.

I chuckled, a little self-conscious under her enthusiastic praise. "Yeah… it was a close one. I almost lost."

"But you still beat that monster in a one-on-one duel, though. That’s our ace for you,” Blitz grinned teasingly.

I shook my head, "I would have lost if it weren't for all of your help in depleting her stamina. Lua… she… she’s one of the strongest players I’ve ever fought. She surpasses me in every aspect of skill," I said, a touch of respect in my voice.

"I know, right?! That girl is clearly above the norm. Don’t think about it too much, though. We already won against the strongest competitor in this tournament. All we have to do is beat the Paradigm, and we'll be champions!" Lucy tried to lighten the mood.

We all fell silent for a moment, our thoughts drifting to the grand finals. Lucy might think Lua's team is harder to beat than the Paradigm. I might have shared the same sentiment, but I know better.

"Lucy, don't underestimate them, or you'll regret it," I warned her, my tone serious.

She pouted cutely. "Come on, we've beaten them countless times in our mock battles and sparring matches. We have an overwhelming advantage against them!"

"No… their ace never once took our scrim matches seriously," I countered.

"You mean Novo?" Seer asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Yeah, I don't think I can win against her by myself," I admitted.

Surprise flickered across Lucy and Blitz’s faces upon hearing my confession.

"Come on, Aria, I know you're wary of her because she beat Lua in a duel, but it was clearly a fluke since Lua underestimated her, not even using her weapon skill. You're too cautious sometimes, which can hold you back," Blitz said lightheartedly.

"I don't think that's quite right. Something tells me that she would have won in their duel regardless," I voiced my inner thoughts, which shocked everyone.

“...Aria…” Seer suddenly said in a solemn tone, his voice drawing my attention. His eyes, keen and perceptive, held a weight of seriousness that made me wonder what he would say next.

The air in the room seemed to thicken due to his unreadable expression, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. The silence stretched, pregnant with unspoken words, a tension building.

"That girl Novo… is Yuusha, correct?" Seer's voice, usually calm and measured, held a hint of intrigue as he addressed the room.

My eyes widened in surprise at his conjecture. In the corner of my eyes, I saw Blitz and Lucy look at Seer like he had grown another head. Blitz's expression was a mix of disbelief and shock, while Lucy's was a mix of concern and curiosity.

My mind raced. I tried to deny it, remembering my promise to Novo. But I was incredibly bad at lying, especially when talking to Seer since he is one of my most trusted teammates. Thinking of what to say, the silence stretched out a bit longer, the weight of his question pressing down on me.

“…I see, so I was right,” Seer said, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

"I… no… she’s," I mumbled, trying to deny his allegations.

"No need to hide it. Your expression clearly says it all; you were always straightforward, Aria," he said wistfully, a touch of fondness in his voice.

I hung my head down, my heart pounding in my chest at the unexpected turn of event. His sudden question caught me off guard. But thinking about it, I guess that was his plan all along: to gauge my expression for the truth. You really are a sly one, Seer.

"How did you find out?" I asked, my voice a mere whisper.

“I studied all of the moves of our predecessor, and I found some uniformity in the way she moves compared with how Yuusha does. I had always been wary of Novo the first time we sparred against her, and her recent match against Lua made me connect the dots,” he explained.

I looked at him incredulously. I know he has many unpublicized videos of the previous Paragons, which he studies to learn their moves and uses as a reference for our training, but he found out just from that. It’s honestly unbelievable how perceptive he is.

He smiled at me knowingly. “I know what you’re thinking. Although it was a clue, I only got to that conclusion because of how you treat her.”

"How I… treat her?" I asked, my voice filled with confusion.

He nodded, affirming my words. “You seem to hold her in high regard. You also seem incredibly close to her even, which increased my suspicion. Those significant details made me reach my conclusion, and your inability to lie just now became my confirmation.”

So, it’s mostly my fault, huh? I hope Katherine won’t hate me for this.

As if reading my mind, Seer spoke up. “Don’t worry. I know you have your reasons for not telling us. Miss Yuusha probably doesn’t want anyone to know her main account. That is why you are keeping it a secret from us, right?” Seeing my gloomy expression, Seer comforted me

He was on point again. All I could do was nod.

“I see… then we will respect her wishes,” Seer proclaimed.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait! I’m trying not to be rude here by butting into your conversation, but are you telling me that girl, Novo, and Miss Yuusha are one and the same?!” Lucy, failing to hold her surprise at the revelation, exclaimed.

Seeing there was no point in trying to lie again, I nodded in affirmation.

“Out of the frying pan and into the fire, huh? Oh well, at least we got second place,” Blitz said, downcast.

I let off a heavy sigh at their expressions that conveyed defeat. “This is also one of the reasons I don’t want you guys to know who we really are up against.”

“No, it is best for the entire team to be aware of her true skills. We stand no chance against her if we remain ignorant of her weaknesses. On the other hand, she possesses extensive knowledge of our strengths and weaknesses, given her role as our mentor. Therefore, understanding her true identity will level the playing field,” Seer rebutted.

Although I wanted to defend myself for wanting to keep the secret from them, Seer’s logic was sound, and his words rang with truth, making me hold my tongue.

"Knowing thy enemy and all that Sun Tzu stuff, huh?" Blitz teased, a playful grin on his face.

"It's 'Know thy enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated,'" Seer corrected, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

"Yeah, yeah, so you're saying we have a chance to win against the legend, right?" Blitz gave him a determined look, his eyes gleaming with a newfound confidence.

"Yes, but knowing Miss Yuusha, it would be extremely difficult, nearly impossible even," Seer answered.

“Then I’m in!” Blitz exclaimed, reaching out his right hand towards us for a huddle.

"Didn't you hear what I just said?" Seer sighed but still placed his hand on top of Blitz's.

They both looked at Lucy as if confirming her resolve. Lucy, who had been so full of confidence earlier, now seemed so small. Her energy dimmed, and her eyes reflected uncertainty. After a couple of seconds, as if finally giving up all care in the world, she also placed her right hand on top of the two.

“Fine, fine! I also wanted to show Miss Yuusha how much I’ve improved!” Lucy said in determination.

Finally, their gaze all fell on me.

“Let's show them all what the new Paragons are made of,” I said as I joined them in the huddle.

“Let's go, Paragons!” we all exclaimed in unison.