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Gilbert couldn’t help but sigh as he looked at the place where Camilla had led him.

The place she guided him to was no ordinary duel arena.

Gilbert had arrived at a hangar where the colossal mechs used by the Demia Empire Academy were maintained. It was also a place equipped with an arena for colossal mech duels.

That little brat Edel…

Gilbert quickly realized that Edel had stirred up quite a commotion as he saw the crowd gathering.

No wonder she had been so quiet since that day. I should have suspected it sooner. It was strange for someone who loves attention, a terminal attention-seeker, to stay so quiet.

Moreover, the 100-man slashing event Gilbert had initiated was the biggest highlight of the exchange meeting, even attracting Miyum of the Spring Shield, one of the heirs to the Four Seasons’ weapon techniques.

Though it was Gilbert’s speculation, Edel likely thought she would be his final opponent in that duel.

And she must have been waiting for him to call her out. To anyone watching, it would have seemed like the final showdown between rivals, and she probably thought it was the perfect stage Gilbert had mentioned before.

But suddenly, another heir took that spot, and it was obvious she was furious.

Could that prideful little brat really accept such treatment?

Gilbert shook his head.

Knowing Edel, she would never tolerate it.

But this seemed a bit excessive.

The cost of operating a colossal mech was astronomical. And considering the potential damage from a duel, it would be impossible without the professors’ approval.

Even if the professors approved, without the final sign-off from the Academy Head, a colossal mech duel could never take place.

Yet, the fact that so many people had gathered meant the Academy Head had given his permission.

Gilbert quickly scanned his surroundings to assess the situation.

Diara Levis, huh…!

Gilbert spotted Diara advising Edel and immediately realized his mistake.

The heirs to the Four Seasons’ weapon techniques were influential figures across the continent. Their legitimacy and the techniques they possessed were deeply symbolic, to the point where even nations sought to prevent their leakage.

That’s why, even though they weren’t affiliated with the Academy, the heirs of the Four Seasons’ weapon techniques were invited to this exchange meeting. They were treated as national dignitaries, expected to act as mediators for continental peace.

So, if Diara had personally requested Academy Head Lucas to approve the colossal mech duel, it would have been granted unless there was a special reason. He might have even gladly accepted it, seeing it as an opportunity for the heirs to grow.

Master and disciple, both causing headaches… Gilbert knew he was caught up in a troublesome affair, but he had no grounds to refuse. After all, it was Gilbert who had stirred up the spectacle in the first place, and backing out now would only damage his reputation.

But moving without any benefit wasn’t Gilbert’s style.

Unless the main scenario was cleared or some helpful achievement was unlocked, it just didn’t add up.

**[Main Scenario: Exchange Meeting is in progress.]**

**[Clear conditions have been updated.]**

**[Hidden Route: Pinnacle of the Four Seasons has begun.]**

With the system’s notification, the tables had turned.

Did I say it didn’t add up?

Time to recalculate.

***

Diara didn’t refuse her apprentice Edel’s request. Instead, she personally met with the Academy Head to arrange the stage for the colossal mech duel.

Even Diara herself couldn’t understand why she went so far. Something deep in her chest had driven her to do it.

No, to be precise, she was avoiding it. Facing that lump in her chest felt too ugly, so she simply chose to ignore it.

“Master, Gilbert has arrived.”

“I see.”

Diara watched Gilbert approach from afar. He looked no different from when she had seen him in Briana’s office.

Stiff and flawless.

Diara clicked her tongue.

Still a monster.

“This time, I can prove that the Summer Spear is the supreme technique among the Four Seasons’ weapon arts.”

“Don’t push yourself. He’s strong.”

“I know. I can feel the pressure just by looking at him.”

Edel’s eyes burned with fighting spirit, her shoulders twitching as if she wanted to charge at him immediately.

Diara gently chided her.

“Your fighting spirit is leaking. I’ve always told you, you must learn to control your fighting spirit. It can also be used as a weapon at any time.”

“Understood.”

Edel seemed to realize she was overly excited. After hearing Diara’s advice, she closed her eyes and began to calm her mind.

Inhale and exhale.

She didn’t fully relax, but she loosened her body enough to avoid stiffness in case of immediate combat.

Meanwhile, Gilbert approached and stood before the two.

“You’ve stirred up quite a commotion.”

“Not intentionally, but isn’t it natural? With the heirs of the Four Seasons’ weapon arts gathered, there’s much to gain from a duel.”

Diara let out a hollow laugh.

Of course, Gilbert wasn’t fooled by the laugh. He could tell there was more to it without needing a reaction.

“That’s not all, is it?”

“In a duel, there are winners and losers. Perhaps it’s because I lack mental discipline, but I couldn’t settle the score with your master, and it’s been weighing on me.”

When Diara brought up Briana, Gilbert understood his intent.

Since he couldn’t defeat the Swordmaster who had long since departed, he was pushing for a duel between their apprentices instead.

But Gilbert ignored the surface-level reason.

Deep in Diara’s eyes, there was something more than what he had just said.

Gilbert could vaguely guess what it was. Knowing Diara’s story and recalling their encounter in Briana’s office, it wasn’t hard to deduce.

In short, he wanted to remove an obstacle in love.

That was likely the case.

Even if he couldn’t clearly define what that emotion was, Gilbert knew.

Diara Levis had labeled Gilbert as an obstacle and was trying to eliminate him.

Since directly confronting him would seem too forceful, he was using his apprentice instead.

Of course, Gilbert didn’t care about his intentions.

It was natural that he didn’t fear losing, and the main scenario’s clear condition had been updated to becoming the supreme heir of the Four Seasons’ weapon arts.

For Gilbert, this duel had become a must-win, so all he had to do was win.

Diara’s intentions were irrelevant.

“This is interesting.”

Looks like things have gotten quite big.

Gilbert glanced at Briana, who had appeared out of nowhere.

Even during the 100-man slashing event, she hadn’t shown up, but her appearance now suggested things had escalated significantly.

She hadn’t appeared during the duel with the Spring Shield’s heir either, so perhaps there was a change in her mindset?

Gilbert scanned his surroundings. The duel with the Spring Shield’s heir had been so sudden that she might not have heard about it until it was over.

But this time, with the Academy Head’s approval, it was an official duel, so she had the chance to arrive before it began.

“I wanted to see what all the fuss was about with your apprentice.”

“Is that so? Hearing you talk like that makes me curious too. I wonder how the heir of the Summer Spear measures up.”

Briana’s icy blue eyes swept over Edel.

This person is the Swordmaster…!

Edel’s body trembled slightly under her cold gaze.

Edel deeply respected her master Diara, but she also admired Briana, the Empire’s greatest swordswoman. If Diara was the master she revered from the depths of her heart, Briana was the goal she aspired to reach.

She too wanted to rise to the pinnacle, just like Briana.

Edel steeled her resolve.

“This is quite the interesting gathering.”

“Indeed.”

Four men and women walked through the crowd of cadets.

An elderly man with snow-white hair tied tightly, followed by a brown-haired woman, formed one group.

A middle-aged man with short black hair and Miyum formed another.

The Autumn Bow and the Spring Shield.

The other heirs of the Four Seasons’ weapon arts and their apprentices had arrived.

Now, all the heirs and successors of the Four Seasons’ weapon arts had gathered in one place.

Gilbert looked at each of them in turn and smiled inwardly.

It seemed he wouldn’t need to seek them out to clear the main scenario.

***

[Things have gotten a bit funny.]

“Indeed.”

Ian exchanged words with Fressia as he observed the situation.

He wanted to join in right away, but he lacked a proper reason.

The people gathered there were ones he knew well.

The Four Seasons’ weapon arts.

They were the inheritors of that ancient martial tradition. To stand there, he would have had to inherit one of the Four Seasons’ techniques, but unfortunately, he hadn’t.

Instead, he had gained Fressia, which was satisfying, but he wasn’t without regrets.

He had wanted to make a name for himself through this exchange meeting. After lying low for so long, he had hoped to spread his wings in a spectacular fashion, but things had taken a turn.

[The Four Seasons’ weapon arts are a bit of a headache. They have a deep history, even dating back to Atlantica. I never expected they’d survive this long.]

“That old?”

[Yes. The Four Seasons’ weapon arts weren’t originally designed for hand-to-hand combat. They were created to fight more efficiently while piloting colossal mechs. Even back in Atlantica, they weren’t much different from now.]

Ian felt a pang of bitterness at Fressia’s explanation.

Aiming for the top, Ian felt a bit shabby for not inheriting one of the Four Seasons’ techniques. It stung even more that his lifelong rival Gilbert was standing there.

Thanks to Fressia, he didn’t feel inferior, but it still hurt. After all, humans naturally desire what they don’t have.

[Want me to tell you something?]

“What?”

[About the Four Seasons’ weapon arts. I told you, they existed even in Atlantica. And I’m an artificial spirit embodying all of Atlantica’s technological prowess. That means I know more about the Four Seasons’ weapon arts than they do.]

“Really?!”

Ian’s eyes widened in surprise.

He was shocked by the unexpected revelation.

[Of course! No, Ian, just trust me. I’ll show you something even more amazing. I know a weapon art that surpasses the Four Seasons’ techniques!]

“There’s such a thing…?”

[Silly. I’m Fressia. The greatest discovery of Atlantica. I’ve been analyzing the Four Seasons’ weapon arts since they were inputted. And how long do you think it’s been since I was created?]

Ian’s heart began to race at Fressia’s words.

To possess a weapon art superior to theirs.

Just that thought alone made his slightly deflated self-esteem soar.

“Of course. Fressia is the best. You’d know the best weapon art.”

[Exactly. Even the Lion King you all revere received my support. And what happened? Though his end was tragic, he became a great king who left his mark on history. So, what do you think will happen to you, who I’m supporting now?]

Ian’s eyes burned with ambition.

The great conqueror Terodamas had received Fressia’s support.

If her words were true, there was no reason Ian couldn’t achieve the same.

The Lion King reborn in this era.

Ian clenched his fist.

“Tell me, Fressia. How can I surpass Gilbert?”

[Of course. My master. I will fulfill your wish.]

Ian once again realized how fortunate he was to have gained Fressia in his life.

With her support, he could achieve anything.

Ian glared at Gilbert and vowed.

I will definitely surpass you.

 

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