East Cloud Academy — Tactical Training Hall Outer Corridor
News of the Magic Department's first victory in the tactical rotation has swept through the entire academy.
"They actually defeated the joint forces? No way!"
"They won not by sheer magic power, but by tactical design?"
"What exactly has that guy Venk done in the tactics department?"
The discussions raged like a storm. However, on the night of their victory, the "victors," led by Venk, encountered the "doubters" outside the training hall.
—The acting vice leader of the Swordsmanship Department, Kirikaze SumiDraped in the silver-blue Swordsmanship Department robe, his eyes were as cold as frost, like an unsheathed blade. He stood in the middle of the corridor, blocking the Magic Department's path. He spoke in a harsh tone: "Venk Aimerelo, I do not acknowledge today's victory."
Venk did not pause or show any change in expression. "Are you suggesting that we cheated? Or that the rules have loopholes?"
Kirikaze Sumi stepped forward, and the air around them trembled slightly, indicating that he had activated a "sword momentum induction formation."
"Winning in a tactical battle does not qualify you to call yourselves 'combat units' in direct confrontations. The Magic Department is merely a tactical sham that sits comfortably in its safety zone."At that moment, the onlookers held their breath. Elfi turned her head, about to speak, but Venk raised a hand to stop her. He stepped forward, standing just an arm's length away from Kirikaze Sumi.
"Then let's verify it in the way you are best at."
"We accept the challenge from the Swordsmanship Department."
[Challenge Agreement Activated]
[Dragon Fang Ground — Interdepartmental Confrontation Challenge] Registration Initiating Party: Swordsmanship Department — Kirikaze Sumi (Acting Vice Leader)
Accepting Party: Magic Department — Venk (Acting Head)
Mode: Three-person tactical pairing confrontation
Test:Venue: Tactical Layer — Dragon Fang Ground Module 5
Time: 48 hours later — Formal Duel
That night in the Tactical Department's meeting room, after the Magic Department returned, they received an anonymous data packet signed by Terminal B-02 of the Mentor Association's Technology Room. Feng Ke opened it and his expression suddenly darkened. It was an old record: a Tactical Analysis File from his internship at the Mentor Association. However, it had been modified with phrases such as "failure simulation" and "tendencies for mental breakdown."Someone was tarnishing his past.
Alfi approached the screen and took a glance.
"Someone doesn't want you back on stage," he said.
"No, they're not afraid of my return," Feng Ke said softly.
"They're afraid—that we'll win too quickly."
The next day, the duel agreement between Feng Ke and Kazekiri Sumi was posted on the bulletin boards of the Mentor Association and Dongyun Academy. The crowd was packed, and the situation had escalated completely.
On the other side, in the conference room of the academy's higher-ups, a conversation between the Mentor Association and the tactical director surfaced:
"He really has returned."
"You mean Feng Ke?"
"No—I mean that mark."
"In the spell data, the residual algorithm of 'Red Joker' has appeared."
At that moment, silence froze the entire conference room.
Character quote:
Kazekiri Sumi:
"Tactics? Blueprints? You can win on paper, but under the tip of a sword, you can only lose."