LHAHS Chapter 554
Before the match began, Walden, who had assigned Eliana the provocation duty, said, "The opposing team's main strike force will definitely be composed of Chelsea Lewellin, Chen Xia, and Eiran Ersar. Those three."
Everyone looked toward the three girls.
"Getting the ball back from those three won't be easy."
"Unless we're fast enough."
"In evasive maneuvers, Chelsea has the upper hand over Duran."
"Also, while Celia and Duran overwhelm opponents with raw power, Chen Xia is the type to take them down based on fluid movements."
"In Eiran's case, she's literally the guardian of our allies."
"That's why once the ball goes to them, it's hard to take it back."
"Initially, we'll have to focus on blocking their offense, but if an opening appears…"
"We can pass the ball to Celia and aim for the first score then," Howl said, nodding.
As everyone else agreed with those words, Walden shook his head. "No. Our first objective is to eliminate Carl Thomas."
Everyone stared at Walden with surprised eyes.
"Why are you making those faces?" he asked, "Well, we can't help but be surprised. You just said eliminating Carl takes priority over scoring the first point," Jurden said in a bewildered voice.
"Assuming equal strength in Bastera, the longer time drags on, the more advantageous it is for the defensive team rather than the offensive team."
"In Bastera, 'defense' includes the ability to maintain possession of the ball, and the ball is the only means of attack."
"Holding onto that ball for a long time means having that many more attack opportunities."
"Just as clothes get wet in a drizzle, the more time passes, the more advantageous it becomes for the defensive team."
"We probably won't have that many attack chances. Isn't using one of those chances to take down Carl a waste?"
The other students, excluding Walden, nodded in agreement with Jurden.
Walden glanced towards Carl Thomas. "When an extremely offensive team meets an extremely defensive team in Bastera, the defensive team has the advantage. That's why most students assume Professor Riphen included Carl Thomas on the defensive team to balance things out. Including you guys. However, Duran Moira, Abad Lewellin. Didn't you two pick Carl Thomas as the most annoying opponent just a little while ago?"
"That's…"
"Celia Zerdinger. You're wary of Carl Thomas too, aren't you?"
"Right."
"But you only perceive him as a nuisance, not as a particularly threatening presence."
"Well yeah… It's Carl, right? The weakest second-year," Turka shrugged.
"I'm not ignoring Carl. It's definitely skill that's kept Carl alive until now. Plus, his strategy is excellent, but this isn't exactly a real battle, right? I think sacrificing our chance to gain the upper hand just to eliminate Carl is a waste."
"That's the most bothersome aspect of Carl Thomas. The fact that he makes onlookers not perceive him as a threat. Even Carl Thomas doesn't think of himself as a threat." Walden's lips curled into a grin. "But remember this fact. That guy has always overcome the same… no, in some ways, even more ordeals than us to be here. And every time, the party members with him have always drawn out strength beyond their limits. You were all there, so you should know well."
Celia, Abad, and Duran's faces hardened.
"It was definitely us who surpassed our limits, but can you guarantee that you could have surpassed your limits back then if Carl Thomas hadn't been there?" Walden added.
"That's…" Celia trailed off.
"That's exactly what's frightening about him. The fact that he helps his comrades draw out strength beyond their maximum potential. The longer he stays on the battlefield, the more he'll find our openings and strengthen the opposing team. I believe eliminating him first is the key to this match."
Walden's gaze turned towards Carl.
"Whether to target him from the start or not, I leave the decision to you."
CRACKLE CRACKLE…!
An aura of lightning surged wildly as Nella blocked the path of the ball flying towards their goal.
"Aaaaaaaaah! Nella, dodge!"
"That's too reckless!"
Male students screamed from outside the field at the sight of Nella, one of the second year's greatest beauties, confronting Duran, the Knight Department's strongest attack power.
KA-BOOM! KR-R-R-RUMBLE!
As Nella caught the ball, she was pushed back, but Chelsea hastily used magic to support her.
WHOOOOSH!
The blowing wind wrapped around Nella's back.
Nella, having barely stopped, took a light, deep breath and smiled gently towards Chelsea. "Thanks, Chelsea."
Smiling gently, she bounced the ball and walked towards the opponent's goal.
The male students' jaws dropped.
"A-Are you okay?"
"How?"
"Hmph, it seems you all thought of Nella Caven as just a simple healer," Professor Riphen, who was scoring, remarked indifferently. "Of course, she was born with the excellent mana characteristic of healing, but Nella Caven is also a student ranked among the top in the Knight Department. It's just that because she herself isn't belligerent, she uses defensive swordsmanship. Her toughness is counted among the best even among Knight Department students."
"Nella is tough?"
"But she's such a delicate beauty?"
The male students muttered blankly.
Riphen clicked his tongue. Nella specialized not in defeating opponents on the front line, but in blocking attacks, and the foundation for that was precisely her healing ability. She was essentially the best tank, fighting enemies while healing her own body, buying time for the mages in the rear to cast powerful spells.
It's good that she maximizes her abilities, but I should probably advise her to protect herself a bit more.
Her characteristic smile, despite likely being in pain, was probably to ease her teammates' worries.
Just then, Howl tried to snatch the ball from Nella using his aura, but Tade immediately blocked him using his spirit beast.
"As long as I'm here, you can't lay a finger on Nella," Tade declared, grinning.
Eliana jeered, "Oooh~ Don't try to act cool, Tade!"
"Nella, pass to Eiran."
As the ball went over to Eiran, Eliana quickly fled.
The current score was 2:2. It seemed like an evenly matched situation, but the defensive team was gradually being pushed back due to lack of personnel.
It's a shame Carl Thomas was eliminated so early.
Riphen clicked his tongue in frustration. He hadn't put Carl Thomas on the defensive team to give a handicap, he had put him there to help them.
Unfortunately, his own lack of self-confidence tripped him up.
The tide of battle was tilting heavily towards the offensive team.
In the end, it concluded with a victory for the offensive team, final score 3:2.
"Huh?" Carl opened his eyes and sat up, scratching his head vigorously. "Guess I got taken out, huh. Did we lose?"
"So you're aware."
"Ugh." Carl flinched at the voice coming from beside him.
There sat Eliza, legs crossed, trimming her nails.
"Eliza? Why are you here?"
"Because I was the one who brought you to the infirmary."
"You? Not Chloe or Chelsea?" Carl asked incredulously.
Eliza raised her eyes sharply. "Why do you react as if it's natural for the other dorm heads to take care of you?"
"No, well. I thought you'd say, 'Hmph, why should I bother with the likes of Carl Thomas? I'd rather trim my nails with that time' and not even glance my way… Urk!"
"You're asking for a beating, Carl Thomas."
"M-Mercy…!" Carl, who had been doing a ridiculous impression of Eliza, groaned with difficulty, his neck wrapped by her whip.
Eliza loosened her grip and snorted. "I simply thought that if a member of the same dorm was on the same team, I should take care of them. Besides…"
"Besides?"
"I had vaguely suspected that Walden Tiden might target you first. Nevertheless, overlooking your protection was clearly my mistake." Eliza bit her lip hard.
"So targeting me first was Walden's idea, but why on earth?"
"…Are you really asking me because you don't know?" Eliza stared at Carl in disbelief.
Carl scratched his head.
Eliza sighed. "Summoners must choose the spirit beast with stronger characteristics, even among those of the same rank. That's why I think we have a better eye for people than knights or mages."
Carl nodded. "Mm, the Summoning Department kids certainly have that aspect."
Eliza continued, "I never thought I'd say this to you, Carl Thomas, but you are a much greater person than you think."
She glared irritably at Carl, her face saying she couldn't believe she had to spell this out.
"I am giving you a lot of help, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't treat yourself so cheaply. Because it feels like I, the one helping you, becomes cheap too."
Carl looked at Eliza with a deeply moved expression.
"W-What?" Eliza, slightly flustered by Carl staring fixedly at her face, blushed.
Carl enveloped Eliza's hands with both of his.
"Wh-What is it?" Eliza became even more flustered, her face reddening further.
"Eliza, so you know you receive help from me?"
"……"
"I was so sure that you had no idea, too."
"You, what do you take me for?"
"But knowing you, I thought you'd be thinking, 'Hmph. A mere commoner. Helping me is only natural. Consider it an honor', or something like that…"
FWIP! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
Eliza, her face turning cold, furiously swung her whip at Carl.
"Aaaaaaah! It's a joke! A joke!" Carl screamed.
SLAM!
"Carl! Are you oka… Oh my?" Eliana, who had vigorously thrown open the infirmary door, discovered the scene inside and her eyes widened. "Looks like you were having a good time. Sorry for interrupting."
She closed the door.
"Don't go in. They're in the middle of some whip play inside."
Her voice, full of mischief, was heard from outside.
"Carl Thomas," Eliza said coldly.
"Yeah?"
"I can get rid of her, right?"
"Of course."
Eliza went out of the room, smiling evilly.
A second later, Eliana's desperate screams echoed throughout the infirmary.
"Sigh. I can't even rest comfortably."
Sighing deeply, Carl rested his chin on his hand and looked out the window.
I shouldn't treat myself so cheaply, huh…
"The weather's nice today, so I'm in a good mood," Elena, sitting on the cafe terrace, said as she put her lips to the straw stuck in her fruit juice.
Leo sipped his coffee across from her and replied, "You seem to be in a good mood."
"Because I skipped class for the first time in a while."
Elena looked beautiful as she replied with a sweet smile. Befitting Lumene's greatest beauty, her smile alone made everyone in the shop stare, captivated.
Leo chuckled softly.
Elena complained, "Composed, aren't you?"
"Do I seem that way?"
"Yeah. I called it a date, but all we're doing is just sitting here looking at the street. Aren't you bored?"
Leo and Elena had left Lumene and been sitting at this cafe for several hours just eating snacks and looking at the scenery of the street outside, barely even talking.
"I like it, actually. Spending time just doing nothing like this."
Leo gazed out the window. Since he always lived so busily, spending time leisurely like this also eased his mind considerably.
"Hmm?" Elena, who had been watching Leo like that with her chin propped on her hand, said, "Leo."
"Yes?"
"Won't you stay over at my place tonight?"