The five members of the Yellow Team were resting beneath the shadow of Eagle-Beak Rock, a crag that jutted out precariously over the cliffside.
Moments earlier, they had retrieved two items from a deep pool.
The first was a vambrace called the Grip of the Loom. It could fire a tether of adhesive light to pull objects toward the user or restrict an enemy’s movement.
The second was a ring called Silver Star Splatter. A witchcraft-amplifying tool, it coated the wearer’s spells in a layer of silver-gray slime that solidified instantly upon impact, making it nearly impossible for targets to escape.
Together, they formed a specialized CC set designed for slowing and pinning down opponents.
“Lulu, you take these,” Leona said, handing the two items to Lulu’anna.
The elegant young girl looked up, her eyes wide with surprise. She hesitated. “But…”
“You aren’t a frontline combat specialist,” Leona interrupted firmly. “You need to protect yourself.”
“I don’t understand. You should definitely be the one to equip these,” Lulu’anna argued, her confusion genuine. “You’re the captain and our main damage dealer.”
Leona flashed a brilliant smile and shook her fist with playful confidence. “Don’t worry about me. I’m actually quite strong!”
“Huh?”
Under Leona’s persistent urging, Lulu’anna eventually relented. She fitted the Grip of the Loom onto her left arm and slipped on the Silver Star Splatter.
Though both items had cooldowns, they could be triggered simultaneously, creating a devastatingly sticky combo. Lulu’anna looked down at her fully armed left arm, her gaze flickering with a momentary daze.
Leona truly viewed her as one of her own. Every time the captain looked at her, she wore a smile that came from the heart. Lulu’anna could tell the difference—it was a light reflected from the soul, clear as spring water and just as nurturing.
“Once you transfer into our class, we’re going to be best friends! Everyone will be jealous,” Leona said excitedly. “We’ll form the ultimate team—the Luna Duo! We’ll hold the top spot in school and crush every challenger!”
“One day, I’ll become a Great Lord, and you’ll be my right hand. We’ll achieve our dreams together!”
Listening to her rambling, childish, and frankly ridiculous ambitions—and seeing how eager Leona was to give her every treasure she found—Lulu’anna’s lips twitched into a strained smile. The guilt in her heart intensified.
Her eyes drifted slightly toward a hidden mark they had passed along the path. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
The person she had an appointment with had arrived.
“Captain, we should go look for a Fluid Regalia for you,” Lulu’anna suggested. “Otherwise, it will be hard to compete with the other captains.”
“You should wear it if we find one! Like I said, I’m strong. I don’t need a Regalia,” Leona said, marching forward with high spirits.
“Don’t be careless, Captain,” Lulu’anna said, rubbing her forehead in exasperation.
“It’s fine, it’s fine! Let’s go find you a combat suit. I want to see what you look like in one!” Leona cheered.
Lulu’anna turned and pointed toward a narrow pass to their front-left. “Let’s head that way.”
The Yellow Team moved toward the pass. Their formation was loose and their pace leisurely, lacking the disciplined, clockwork precision of the Red Team.
The moment they reached the mouth of the pass, Lulu’anna’s silhouette suddenly faltered. She dropped back two steps and, without a word of warning, raised her arm and attacked from behind!
Shooting Star!
Grip of the Loom!
Silver Star Splatter!
The dispersive witchcraft combined perfectly with the silver star effect, resulting in a literal rain of adhesive slime. The Yellow Team members were instantly bogged down, stuck fast by tethering beams and silver-gray gel. They turned their heads, their expressions filled with utter bewilderment.
Figures appeared atop the rocky ridges flanking the pass. A young girl wearing strange crystalline shoes descended from the sky with a wicked grin.
Glacier Breaker!
Boom!
Lines of frost raced across the ground, instantly painting the ochre sand and stone a brilliant white. Jagged ice fangs erupted from the earth, snapping together like the jaws of a beast. The impact instantly shattered three layers of the Yellow Team’s shields.
In the next heartbeat, Lulu’anna and Modesty—two captain-class witches—waved their wands. They unleashed a barrage of Instant Casting witchcraft, supplemented by two Blue Team members. The combined fire immediately eliminated one member of the Yellow Team.
Leona looked up sharply. Her rounded, beautiful, nearly perfect eyes locked onto Lulu’anna.
There was no rage in her gaze, and no hatred. Her expression was hauntingly calm, as if she had expected this all along. Her voice was low and raspy, thick with heartache.
“This is just a monthly exam,” she asked. “Is it really worth this?”
Lulu’anna acted as if she hadn’t heard. She waved her wand, working in tandem with Modesty to harvest their “temporary teammates.” Within seconds, Leona was the only one left standing alone in the pass.
Modesty stepped forward, gloating with a sneer. “You idiot. We made this deal before the match even started. What are you babbling about with your wishful thinking? Did you honestly believe she was going to transfer classes? For real? Hahaha! You’re so cute it’s pathetic. Your stupid decisions got your whole team wiped out! Your teammates were truly unlucky to be stuck with a brainless captain like you.”
