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The atmosphere at Demia Empire Academy changed significantly after the Competition Tournament. The true skills of the cadets, who had been quietly honing their abilities, were finally revealed.

Cadets who had already stood out during the semester were no exception, and the emergence of those who had been hiding their skills heated up the academy’s internal dynamics.

This was especially noticeable among the first-year cadets. Having spent only about half a year at the academy, they hadn’t had many opportunities to accurately assess each other.

They had only been able to make rough guesses based on the Entrance Mock Battle and evaluations during lectures.

In the midst of this, the Competition Tournament, where cadets competed purely based on skill regardless of status, kept the excitement alive.

Of course, the evaluations of the top students didn’t change much. Names like Ian, Patrick, Ilene, Lily, Angelina, and Hans, who were already considered top-tier, became even more prominent.

However, Gilbert’s situation was a bit different.

Now, if you were to name the top first-year cadet, Gilbert’s name would undoubtedly come up. The Colossal Mech Piloting Technique he displayed during the tournament was in a league of its own.

His final match against Seraphina, who is unhesitatingly called the academy’s strongest, was still a hot topic among the cadets weeks after the tournament.

Their battle was thrilling, spectacular, and even the ending was described as beautiful.

Given the circumstances, Ian’s evaluation also rose. Although he lost like the others, his overwhelming performance up to the semifinals and his relentless pressure on Gilbert in the final left a strong impression on the cadets.

Moreover, his good behavior and handsome looks, which had already made him popular, now made him the favorite among the female students.

Gilbert, though also a handsome man, had a fierce gaze and rumors surrounding him that made people uneasy.

As a result, Ian naturally became the center of attention for the female students, and now he even had a group of followers.

Even now, as he moved between classrooms, the number of female students surrounding him didn’t decrease. In fact, as time went on, female cadets from other grades also started to gather.

Watching from a distance, Gilbert couldn’t help but admire how Ian still didn’t use his creepy tone in front of others. Selective middle-school syndrome—was this a blessing or a bigger problem? Even Gilbert couldn’t tell.

“I agree. At this point, you could call it blind admiration.”

“That’s exactly what I mean. It’s almost like they’re under a charm spell. Don’t you think so, Gilbert?”

Hans asked Gilbert, who was walking ahead, but as expected, no answer came…

“Well, maybe.”

“Huh…?”

Hans, who hadn’t expected an answer, stopped in his tracks at Gilbert’s words. He usually didn’t respond to such comments…

Did the sun rise from the west today?

Hans’s body turned frivolously toward the west.

Angelina sighed deeply at Hans’s behavior.

“I hope you’re not checking if the sun rose from the west today.”

“Ah, as expected, the Strategist Angel…”

*Thwack!*

“I told you not to call me by that creepy nickname.”

That damn nickname…!

Angelina, who had mercilessly smacked Hans’s head, shivered.

The nickname “Strategist Angelina” had stuck after the General Assessment. While Gilbert led the Colossal Mech in battle, she had gathered the panicked cadets and naturally became known by that name.

During the General Assessment, the sudden attack by the Resistance had thrown the cadets into a panic. The sudden appearance of about eighteen Colossal Mechs naturally made the cadets think of death.

While everyone was stunned, staring at the Colossal Mechs, Angelina was the one who rallied them. With charisma that belied her small frame, she took control of all the cadets and activated a massive Magic Weapon to support Gilbert’s firepower.

The memory of that moment was deeply etched in the cadets’ minds, and after everything was settled, the grandiose title of “Strategist Angelina” began to stick.

Of course, she hated the nickname.

“Ugh! Angelina! Stop hitting me! Please!”

“Are you getting more used to hitting him?”

“Do you think Hans is doing more things to get hit?”

Hans, feeling the murderous intent from her gentle smile, forced an awkward smile. Given the time he’d spent with Angelina, he knew exactly what would happen if he said a few more words.

But as Angelina’s eyebrows twitched, seemingly recalling the unwanted nickname, Hans broke into a cold sweat.

This was really not a good sign.

Thinking he had to change the subject, he looked around and found something suitable.

“Uh, by the way, the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration Event is coming up!”

“Sigh… Sometimes I feel pathetic for getting angry at you.”

Seeing the obvious topic change, Angelina’s anger subsided. Hans sighed in relief but then bumped into Gilbert, who had stopped in his tracks.

“Huh? Gilbert?”

Hans looked at Gilbert, who had suddenly stopped. His expression was visibly stiff as he stared at a bulletin board announcing the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration Event.

Was something bothering him?

Seeing this unfamiliar side of Gilbert, Hans looked puzzled.

Angelina also felt a strange emotion seeing Gilbert’s unusual behavior.

The Gilbert she had observed so far wasn’t someone who easily showed such expressions. Even when dealing with the Resistance, he had calmly analyzed the situation.

So, for him to suddenly stiffen at the sight of the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration Event poster was strange no matter how you looked at it.

“Is something wrong?”

Following Hans, Angelina also asked about his condition, snapping Gilbert out of his thoughts. He shrugged as if it was nothing, then resumed his usual expression and continued walking.

Angelina and Hans, seeing his sudden change, wanted to ask more but decided against it. Neither of them preferred prying into things others didn’t want to talk about.

Given Gilbert’s personality, if it was necessary, he would have spoken up.

Meanwhile, Gilbert, who had worried the two, was in a complicated state of mind.

He had known the day was approaching, but now that it was actually here, he felt a sense of suffocation.

The reason was that the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration Event coincided with the day of the academy invasion.

The question was whether the mysterious invaders would really attack the academy during the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration Event.

So far, events had followed the game’s scenario, but starting with the Resistance incident, the information he knew had begun to deviate.

Optimistically, there might not be an academy invasion during the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration Event.

However, Gilbert wasn’t an optimist.

Although the information he knew was slightly off, the main questline was still progressing.

So, Gilbert recalled the game’s storyline and made plans. Although he wasn’t particularly skilled at planning, he could do it.

At least he had prepared for the worst-case scenario of an academy invasion, which was some comfort.

Gilbert entered the classroom, his unusual demeanor causing Angelina and Hans to follow in silence.

Inside, cadets were chatting in groups. Some frowned at their friends’ jokes, while others laughed brightly.

Though he hadn’t fully adapted to living in a world based on Tactical Combat, Gilbert now considered this his peaceful daily life.

And then.

*Creak.*

The classroom door opened, and a tall woman with long red hair entered. Wearing the academy professor’s uniform neatly, Briana, as always, had a cold expression.

As she entered, the cadets stopped talking and straightened up. Briana’s gaze lingered on Gilbert for a brief moment.

It might have been a mistake, but it seemed like she was urging her only direct disciple to try harder. Given Briana’s personality, it might not have been just Gilbert’s imagination.

She was strict with herself, so why would her direct disciple be any different?

Gilbert sorted out his complicated feelings and inwardly laughed.

There was no need to overthink. He needed to prepare thoroughly, but being overwhelmed by it didn’t suit his personality.

Since when had he ever followed a strict plan?

Even when he recklessly completed missions and returned with his comrades’ bodies, it was because he believed it was necessary.

So, this was a simple matter. Someday, he might return to the world he came from, but for now, this was his world.

Therefore, his task was clear.

Eliminate the invading enemies and protect the peaceful daily life of the academy, including his master, Briana.

That was all he needed to do.

 

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