"Everyone!" Rock's voice burned with energy. "Are you enjoying yourselves so far?"
The crowd responded with refined applause—a wave of dignified clapping washing over the stands. Murmurs of approval followed, some nodding, others raising glasses in silent acknowledgment.
Rock's voice echoed through the forest, calm but commanding.
"So, we've got one more hour before the second round ends—and only fifteen flags left. Let's see if the remaining students can claim them."
Cheers faded into the rustling leaves and heavy breathing of two figures locked in the most pitiful standoff in the forest.
Ito and Kajin crouched low, gripping the same flag with just two fingers each. Arms trembling. Sweat dripping. Faces inches apart.
"Don't tell me you're getting tired already, brother," Kajin muttered between gasps. "We've only been holding this thing for fifteen minutes."
Ito squinted at him, equally breathless. "Your fingers are shaking like they're writing their will. Just let go already—I'll take it from here."
"This is going nowhere. What should we do?" Zayden muttered, watching the standoff with a deadpan look.
"I have an idea," Gakurei said, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"That's enough for today, idiots!" Gakurei's voice rang out, loud and sharp.
"Who are you calling an idiot?!" Ito and Kajin snapped in perfect unison.
"Did you forget how much time's left in this round? I've got an idea—this way, one of you can take the flag without wasting more time," Gakurei said.
"Really? Then tell us," Ito said, narrowing his eyes.
"Say this after me. Whoever repeats it correctly gets the flag." Gakurei smirked and cleared his throat.
"Ten tiny twigs twisted tightly together toward the tall timber trees."
Kajin smirked. "That's so easy."
He opened his mouth—but the words tangled in his throat. After several attempts, he choked on his own tongue.
"T-t-t—" He sighed, rubbing his neck in frustration.
"Huh, what happened, big brother?" Ito smirked. "Can't you do this much? Watch and see."
He took a deep breath, brimming with confidence. But the moment he spoke, his tongue betrayed him.
"T-t-t—" He frowned, then sighed defeatedly.
One after another, they kept trying.
Kajin fumbled first. "Ten tiny twigs twist—twis—twi… agh!" He clenched his fists, growling.
Ito followed, puffing his chest. "Ten tiny twigs twis—tw… twuh…" His voice cracked. "What even is this sentence?!"
Again and again, mumbling and stuttering filled the air. Eventually, both gave up.
With synchronized groans, they collapsed onto the grass like defeated warriors. Limbs sprawled, eyes hollow. The forest rustled quietly… as if mocking them.
They didn't say a word. Just sat there, glaring at the sky.
"It wasn't even that hard… You two are just making a disaster out of it," Gakurei muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "At this point, I don't think there's any saving you. May the gods forgive you—for whatever language that was supposed to be."
"Gakurei… now you're the disaster," Zayden cut in loudly, like a fed-up teacher scolding a class clown. "They don't have to ask God for forgiveness over something this small!"
"Don't you have any other idea?" Ito groaned.
Kajin suddenly raised his hand dramatically—leaves lifted lightly into the air around him.
"Brother, I've got a good way to settle this," he said with a sly grin.
Ito narrowed his eyes. "Really? Then tell me."
Kajin leaned closer, voice serious. "It's dangerous. You'll need to steel your resolve."
Ito's throat tightened. But he nodded, gaze steady. "Fine. Whatever it is… I'm ready."
"Huh?" Gakurei blinked, the imaginary sound of thunder cracking behind him. "Don't tell me, Kajin… you're talking about that."
"Yeah," Kajin said coolly, eyes narrowing like a low-budget action film's protagonist.
Zayden took a cautious step back. "Why do I suddenly feel like this is how horror stories start…?"
Meanwhile, a loud crash echoed through the forest, catching the attention of nearby students. Alarmed, they rushed to report it to stationed knights.
Minutes later, a few knights arrived to find three students lying unconscious beneath scattered leaves and snapped branches.
"Take these students now and give them medical aid," Squad Captain Walter ordered, voice firm. "Now, let's see who did this."
He glanced around, eyes narrowing as he scanned for any signs.
A knight approached, holding something gloved in his hand. "Captain, we found this long hair on the cut tree," he said, showing a strand of dark, tangled hair.
"A long hair, huh? Could be a girl," Walter muttered thoughtfully. "Keep searching. We need the culprit disqualified—no exceptions."
His gaze sharpened as he directed the knights to continue their search.
On the side, Ito ran desperately through the forest, eyes scanning every corner as if searching for something precious. Not far behind, Gakurei trailed silently, hands in pockets, watching with curiosity and concern.
Ito whispered, "Oh no… I haven't found a single one yet. Time's running out… at this rate, he'll get ahead of me."
His pace quickened, footsteps crunching against the forest floor.
Suddenly, something darted from his right.
Wham!
They both crashed to the ground in a heap.
"What was that?!" Ito groaned, trying to sit up with leaves stuck in his hair.
His eyes widened as he looked up—landing on a girl with short, silky rose-colored hair shimmering in sunlight. She had a slender, graceful figure, and her skirt hugged just enough to highlight toned curves. Long, sharp ears—like an elf's—twitched slightly, lending an elegant, otherworldly charm. Her academy uniform hugged her form perfectly, showing just enough thigh to make Ito's breath hitch.
"Wow… I'm seeing an elf for the first time in this world," Ito whispered, eyes sparkling.
Then his expression shifted to shock. "I can see it… she's wearing pink…"
With graceful elegance, she brushed dust from her clothes with a soft, practiced motion. Her voice calm and smooth followed.
"Sorry for bumping into you."
"No, I'm sorry too," Ito blurted, still dazed.
Before he could say more, she was gone—sprinting off with remarkable speed, disappearing into the trees without a second glance.
"She's gone…" Ito murmured, staring after her. "But thanks to her, I've seen one at least. Now, I just have to keep going like this."
A small smile played on his lips as he lifted his foot.
Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Ito, what are you doing?" Sara's voice came from behind.
"Oh, Sara, Shion—good timing," Ito said plainly, turning toward them.
He casually placed a hand on Sara's shoulder, locking eyes with her, expression focused.
Eriska leaned closer to Shion, lowering her voice to a whisper near his ear.
"Who is that boy?" she asked, eyes fixed on Ito with quiet curiosity.
"Oh, he's our friend—and his name's Ito," Shion replied casually with a small smile.
Suddenly, Ito shut his eyes tight and raised his voice—too loudly.
"I know it's kind of embarrassing, Sara, but can you… Can you tell me your panties' color?!"
Out of the peaceful forest, their reaction exploded like thunder.
"HUH?!"
Sara, Shion, and Eriska's voices echoed across the trees, loud enough to frighten nearby birds into flight.