It has been one month since the Promotion Duel began. As previously mentioned, this past month has essentially served as the first and second selection phases. During this period, academy students have been striving to raise their assigned Academy Rank, aiming to either join an existing faction or establish their own. Only those who have successfully joined a faction are eligible to challenge the final selection.

The time limit for this process was exactly one month. With the conclusion of the first and second phases of the Promotion Duel, today, the factions that qualified for the next and final selection have gathered at the First Training Grounds. The total number of factions that made it through is six, with a total of thirty students participating in the final selection.

— That’s quite a narrow margin.

Even though the academy has nearly a thousand students, only thirty managed to advance to Fourth Rank in the Academy Hierarchy. That alone should make it clear just how difficult it is to reach the final selection.

These are the elite—some of the strongest warriors in the Academy of Magic and Swords. Gathered in the First Training Grounds, they have drawn a massive audience eager to witness the event.

“They sure are enthusiastic…”

With nearly every student gathered to catch a glimpse of the final selection, the excitement in the air is palpable. Well, that’s only natural. This selection will determine the top five students in the entire academy—there's no way people wouldn’t be interested.

“Jade-senpaaai!!”

“Elyule-samaaaaa!!”

“Just start alreadyyy!!”

Cheers and excited voices ring out from all directions.

With such a grand event taking place, today’s classes were, of course, canceled. The academy had become a festival of sorts, and the atmosphere was at its peak. Then, an elderly man stepped onto the temporary stage.

“The first Promotion Battle of the year is about to begin. In just a few hours, the academy’s five greatest students—Pentagram—will be decided. I can hardly contain my excitement.”

Hearing the unusually passionate words of Guin Braysicle, the students erupted in excitement.

“I expect every faction participating in this Promotion Battle to give it their all with no regrets. And to those who, unfortunately, could not participate in this first battle—do not despair. Continue your efforts, and one day, take the seat that will be decided today for yourselves!”

“OOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!”

Amid the deafening cheers, the academy headmaster swiftly moved on to announce the format of this year’s Promotion Battle.

The format of the first Promotion Battle of the year changes annually. From what I’ve heard, last year was a team battle, while the year before was a free-for-all brawl. Many were expecting one of these two formats again this year, but—

“This year’s Promotion Battle will be a Labyrinth Conquest Dungeon Attack!!”

“OOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!”

The words that came out of Guin Braysicle’s mouth were entirely unexpected.

—You’ve got to be kidding me…

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but furrow my brows.

Labyrinth Conquest

Even in my first life, when I hadn’t seriously participated in a Promotion Battle, I knew about this challenge. If anything, there was a similar exercise conducted in the second year. That time, it had been brutal—littered with casualties. If I had to describe it, it was nothing short of a nightmare. And now, that very same trial had been chosen for this battle.

“Give me a break…”

As I hung my head, lost in unpleasant memories, the headmaster continued his explanation, paying no mind to my reaction.

“As the name suggests, each faction will challenge a labyrinth dungeon managed by the academy within this mountain range—”

To summarize the rules of Labyrinth Conquest:

• All factions will enter the labyrinth simultaneously. The goal is to be the first to retrieve the academy’s prepared Crown Trophy from the deepest level and bring it back.
• Inside the labyrinth, as long as you don’t kill anyone, nearly anything is allowed.
• The faction that successfully returns the crown to the designated point will be the first Pentagram of the year.

In other words, it’s an all-out battle for survival. Absolutely ruthless. Honestly, a straightforward team battle or brawl would have been much simpler and easier to understand.

—Why did it have to be this year…

As I silently cursed my bad luck, the headmaster, having finished his explanation, stepped down from the stage. Taking his place was a female student.

She held a wind magic amplification tool in her right hand and declared in a loud voice:

“I hereby declare the opening of the Promotion Battle! I, Anna Berlind, a second-year student of Chronostalia Academy of Magic and Swords, will be your host for today! I look forward to your support!”

“OOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!”

“Anna-chaaaaaan!!”

“Marry meeeeeee!!”

The atmosphere, which had been tense with anticipation, instantly shifted to sheer enthusiasm. Some of her most passionate admirers were going wild. Encouraged by the cheers, Anna continued excitedly.

“Now! As you all know, six factions will be participating in this Promotion Battle! Let’s introduce them, shall we?!”

Though this was an official academy event, at this point, it had completely transformed into entertainment. At Anna’s words, all eyes turned to the six factions gathered in the center of the training grounds.

“First up, we have the princess of the Elven Kingdom, Elyule Grandforest, leading the Alluring Faction! This faction is notorious for its scandalous rumors, but will they be able to use their beauty to claim the crown?!”

“Elyule-samaaaaa!!”

“Please embrace me agaaaaain!!”

“All of you, marry meeeee!!”

With Anna’s introduction, another wave of cheers—especially from the men—resounded.

The members of the Alluring Faction elegantly waved in response.

“……”

For a brief moment, I felt an intense gaze from Grandforest-senpai, the faction leader, but I must have imagined it, so I ignored it.

One by one, Anna introduced the factions. The second was the Bronze Faction, an all-male faction composed of third-year students. The third was the Star Faction, structured similarly to the Bronze Faction. Then, the fourth—

“Next, we have Guin Braysicle’s kin, Rail Braysicle, leading the Swordstrike Faction! And next to him is an absolute beauty—who is she?!”

—Why is she here…?

For some reason, that wretched woman, Levia, was standing beside Braysicle-senpai.

As both of them glared at me with open hostility, my mood soured. I had finally started forgetting about their existence, and yet, they just wouldn’t leave me alone. Honestly, after how much I had beaten them, they had some nerve showing their faces.

—Maybe I should’ve killed them after all…?

The thought crossed my mind, but before I could dwell on it, the cheers exploded once more.

Finally, my own faction was introduced.

“Last but not least, we have the infamous and feared Beheader of Atrocities, Claym Bradley, leading the Dragon Slayer Faction! With a name as grand as ‘Dragon Slayer,’ will they unleash chaos yet again?!”

“Oh, so that’s the rumored…”

“Well, do your best, I guess.”

“You got this, Aniki!!”

The reaction was lively, but as the person being introduced, my feelings were complicated.

—I’m completely serious about this, though…

With the introductions complete, it was time.

“In just ten minutes, these factions will enter the labyrinth behind the academy! What awaits them? Stay tuned!!”

“OOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!”

As the crowd roared, the factions were led by staff members toward the labyrinth entrance.

The battle was imminent.