“Don’t feel too pressured! Just act like you usually do! Triche students are geniuses! Whatever.”

“I heard you’re buying some gifts. You only need to bring back one trophy when you come.”

After the awkward greetings from the magic and triche professors were over, the plant professors also approached Liche.

“Triche lamb, we’ll take good care of the greenhouse as you instructed.”

“I will use all the knowledge and skills I’ve accumulated in my life to maintain it like this.”

“Please take care, professors.”

Pythonss grumbled in a low voice.

They were plants raised by confining magic, and the plants growing by using that magic as nutrients.

As long as the magical power of the land Liche worked on remained stable, there should be no problems with the greenhouse.

After all preparations were complete, the procession of students participating in the competition, accompanied by the guiding teachers and staff, set off.

Inside the carriage, Liche held the golden pendant given by Blake a couple of days ago.

“It carries the meaning of wishing for safety.”

It was received from Blake in the mansion visited just the day before yesterday for greetings.

While saying that, Blake patted Liche’s head.

Always consistent Blake. The only person who did not verbally express a wish for Liche to win.

‘Father is the best.’

Thinking of Blake, the burden received before departure seemed to lighten. Liche smiled with a more relaxed feeling than before.

Then, another person who did not say to me to win like Blake came to mind, and Liche frowned.

‘Where is Deon?’

According to Zed, he left the Ludwick territory with Philip.

What could be so busy that he couldn’t even show his face?

‘I won’t be able to see him for the next few months.’

Since they couldn’t say their goodbyes, the feeling of disappointment and regret was great.

When they arrive at the competition venue, they should check whether they can send letters or communicate. Liche sighed unknowingly.

Meanwhile, a student sitting on the opposite side of the same carriage swallowed hard while watching the changing expressions of Triche.

In the same carriage as Triche. Is there anything so tense happening?

Being called a genius, having good grades, being beautiful, and coming from a good family.

Leaving all that aside, Triche was Deon’s sibling.

‘Considering that she went around with the terrifying Deon senior…’

Although Triche looked like an angel on the outside, who knows what she is like inside. After all, she was the youngest daughter of an assassin family.

‘If I make a mistake in front of Triche, I might die on that day…’

There were students with similar misunderstandings, but the misunderstandings did not last for more than two days.

Thanks to Triche’s warm greetings to the students, the image of Triche changed from a fearsome assassin to a reliable comrade in an instant.

Knowing a lot, being kind to everyone, taking care of the surroundings. Later on, when something happened, students would look for Triche before the professors. It was to that extent.

Peaceful four days and five nights passed. And. On the night just before arriving at the competition venue.

“….!”

As the ominous howling of beasts echoed over the tent for camping, Liche’s tent disappeared in an instant, pierced by the large claws of a giant bird.

Liche, who woke up with a start, saw only the starry night sky.
And the academy that suffered the monster attack often experienced many students dropping out of the qualification assessment due to the aftermath of the battle with monsters the day before.

It was a story that could be applicable to the Luxa Empire Royal Academy, which faced the current situation.

‘I have to save the students’ stamina for tomorrow.’

Liche looked around.

The mercenaries hired from the nearby area dealt with the situation calmly. Even the bewildered students soon adopted a combat stance.

Liche picked up a stone from the ground and shouted.

“Everyone, step back!”

Upon hearing that, the students stepped back, and the mercenaries continued to fight, gradually pulling away from the students.

“Why, why are you like this! We need to catch that! Are you thinking of dying like this?”

“Mister! Don’t interfere and come here!”

“The interference is what you’re doing!”

“Oh, just watch from a distance.”

What do they mean by watching? Are they asking to watch students being caught and eaten by monsters while doing nothing?

The distant mercenaries, who initially thought Liche was a high-ranking aristocrat participating in non-combat events due to her innocent appearance with fluttering silver hair, now found her walking toward the giant avian monsters in the air.

“What are you doing! Stop her!”

One mercenary urgently shouted, but the students didn’t bat an eye.

In the meantime, Liche took off the jade necklace she was wearing and held it in one hand.

Then, throwing the stone she had been holding in the other hand into the air.