TM-Chapter 43

The Tactician of an Instant

It’s just like some social experiment.

The people who were fighting each other just moments ago fell silent like a lie the moment the escape scroll disappeared.

Everyone was lost in thought.

Each person’s role and the number of remaining notes, and what would be the most efficient way to use them to subdue the opposing team and achieve victory.

I was also lost in thought.

Let me review at this point.

Both sides’ forces, that is.

1.I am a wizard.

The randomly received character magic is Large-Scale Disguise, Ice Spike, and Silence.

Two notes remaining.

Additionally, there are two item cards.

2.Yernil is a rogue.

The randomly received character skills are Trap Disarmament (passive), Magic Throwing Blade, and Steal.

Three notes remaining.

3.Izel is a priest.

The randomly received character magic is Blessing, Sentinel’s Shield, and Healing.

Two notes remaining.

On the other side, Professor Hailey is a wizard. Among the magic she possesses, what’s been revealed is ‘Transcription’ – transferring text written on scrolls to blank scrolls.

No other information has been identified beyond that.

The number of notes would be much higher on their side. Because they didn’t solve incidents and just followed behind us.

Moreover, they’re no match in terms of speed of using notes. All three people on that side are using shorthand magic.

A frontal confrontation actually has no chance of victory.

“25 seconds. 24 seconds.”

Professor Hailey checked the message note she received when hit by Silence.

The message written on the small paper changes in real time. A countdown is going into the remaining time of Silence.

“23 seconds.”

Silence will end slightly before the escape scroll. Then they’ll attack.

“We need to stall for time. Our goal isn’t to beat Professor Meldini’s team. We just need to feed Message Transmission to the scroll and it’s over. You know that, right?”

I spoke to Yernil and Izel in a lowered voice.

“For that, we absolutely cannot let them take the area near the altar.”

All three of us are occupying the area near the altar. We just need to claim the scroll that reappears here first and succeed in Message Transmission.

“Honestly, there’s not much chance of winning.”

Izel whispered.

“The professors will also predict our strategy.”

Of course they would.

If it’s the professors of this neighborhood, they’re the best tacticians when it comes to this kind of battle.

“Probably the moment Silence ends, they’ll attack before the scroll returns. If not that…”

“There must be another way to steal the scroll, besides Transcription.”

“Right.”

Or both.

“We should prepare in advance.”

Izel took out a note and began writing a message. As expected, a 5th-tier wizard knows what to do without me instructing this and that.

[Izel used ‘Sentinel’s Shield’.]

I also wrote a message note. So it would activate as soon as Message Transmission is used.

I used both notes I had.

“You’re using two notes?”

“Yes.”

“You can’t erase what’s written on notes. If you make a mistake, it’ll just be a waste.”

“It’s fine.”

Because I’ll use them all.

“What do I do?”

Yernil, who had been staring at us blankly, asked.

“Prepare Magic Throwing Blade. Don’t transmit yet.”

With this, all three of us now have five judgment boxes floating above our heads.

As soon as Message Transmission is activated, the box rolling will begin immediately. If written within sufficiently reasonable context, it will succeed.

Now we hold our notes together and wait.

“2 seconds, 1 second.”

For the professor team’s first strike.

“Ding.”

The ‘Status Abnormality: Silence‘ note that had been in Professor Hailey’s hand disappeared.

“Shorthand! Cast Flame Burst!”

The magic pen scribbled across the note at tremendous speed, and Professor Hailey aimed her wand and chanted Message Transmission.

“Message Transmission.”

Izel also used Message Transmission simultaneously to use Sentinel’s Shield.

Huge magical illusion flames leaping up from Hailey.

Since it’s an illusion, you won’t actually get hurt if hit, but the temperature is hot.

The target is…

“Yernil!”

The professors predicted it too.

Yernil, who has no possibility of Message Transmission interference, is the most bothersome in this battle. And because of that, as a hidden card, they would have left the most notes with Yernil.

Boom! Crash!

Izel, who quickly ran in front of Yernil, blocked the flames with Sentinel’s Shield, but.

“Caleb, do you know what I chose as my character?”

Meldini was running toward them.

The short Halfling professor chose a massive Barbarian Fighter as his character role.

“Shorthand! Meldini uses Heavy Charge!”

Suddenly, the burly body of a Barbarian warrior appeared as an illusion behind Meldini’s back.

The Barbarian held a two-handed hammer and charged toward Izel and Yernil.

“Professor, you have to follow too!”

Enver shouted.

“I know!”

If the distance between Meldini and the illusion Barbarian becomes severely separated, the judgment box will rule it a critical failure and eliminate the Barbarian illusion.

But the distance to the altar was sufficiently close, and thanks to Swift Step magic, Meldini could somehow keep up with the skill.

‘Heavy Charge, whose destructive power increases in proportion to the distance run.’

I also know the characteristics of that skill. At that distance, probably…

Crash!

Izel’s illusion shield was completely shattered in one blow.

Fragments of the illusion shield scattering in all directions.

Just like when we blew up the Steel Devourer with a bomb.

“Kyaak!“

Yernil screamed in surprise. Izel was hit by the force that came through after breaking the shield.

[Fallen and unable to move! Lie down where you are. Remaining time: 10 seconds]

A judgment message falls above her head.

“Tsk.“

Izel clicked her tongue briefly and lay down in place.

Good.

Now I know everything.

I took out the message notes and cards I had written in advance.

[It is your turn. Remaining time: 60 seconds]

[Action Points: ■■■■]

I flipped the hourglass.

***

“Message Transmission.”

First, I use the first note. The spell written inside is ‘Launch Ice Spike’.

Message Transmission is a 1st-grade utility magic with a 5-second cooldown.

After waiting briefly.

“Message Transmission.”

I use the second note as well.

And I observe Professor Enver, who has been watching the situation.

Three questions at this point.

‘What character is Enver playing?’

‘Why isn’t Enver attacking?’

‘What is Enver waiting for?’

Professor Meldini’s role was Barbarian Fighter.

A character excellent in front-line combat but not very capable of rear protection.

Professor Hailey is a wizard.

Excellent destructive power but low vitality.

Naturally, it would be reasonable for Enver to choose a position that can move between them and protect allies.

For example…

‘Priest.’

One hundred percent.

Evidence first.

The reason the professors came to find us was to help us.

But now, coming and proposing a 3-on-3 battle with talk of educational purposes, even if they had met us in the center originally, the help they would have provided would have been limited and indirect.

For example, blessing or healing.

They absolutely wouldn’t have stepped forward with the power of a Barbarian or wizard to solve the incident instead. That would go against educational purposes.

To support from behind while helping us solve the incident, a priest would be most suitable. Especially since Enver started this game for that purpose, to observe me for a long time, so he would have chosen a priest.

Evidence second.

Enver still hasn’t attacked us. Notes are limited consumables, and role characters also have cooldowns when using skills or magic, so if attacking, it would be good to do it all at once.

What’s the reason for this?

‘He can’t attack.’

Just like our priest has all three magic spells being healing, shield, and blessing, Enver also has no means of attack.

Then what is priest Enver aiming for now?

He must be looking for an angle to back up Meldini’s Barbarian.

Meldini drew all our aggro and recklessly charged into Sentinel’s Shield.

Despite seeing that Yernil and I had written notes in advance.

He has confidence that he won’t die even if concentrated fire hits him. Because Enver will protect him.

Then all the answers are clear.

‘What character is Enver playing?’

Priest.

‘Why isn’t Enver attacking?’

He can’t attack.

‘What is Enver aiming for?’

He will cast protection magic on the Barbarian.

In other words, at that moment he can’t defend against attacks coming at himself.

So I…

“Message Transmission.”

I chant a third incantation.

I already used both notes I had, but I can chant a third incantation.

Because…

[Banshee’s Tears]

I got this item earlier.

And one more thing.

“Yernil. Use Message Transmission to throw your blade. At Professor Meldini.”

After giving Yernil instructions, I end my turn.

[Ending turn.]

[The hourglass has been flipped again. Cooldown: 60 seconds]

***

Crack!

“What a surprise!”

Meldini was startled, his shoulders jumping.

Because a magically created Ice Spike flew from Caleb and embedded in Meldini’s body.

That was his first message note. The magic Ice Spike that wizard character Caleb possessed.

He knew notes had been written in advance. But Meldini didn’t hear the incantation ‘Message Transmission.’

That’s why he was doubly surprised.

‘Chantless casting!’

Meldini immediately recognized that skill.

Some wizards with extremely exceptional talent display such ability unconsciously when highly concentrated.

Rumors that Caleb was a Chantless caster had been circulating for a while.

Since this ability can’t be controlled at will even by the caster himself, he couldn’t ask to see it demonstrated until now, but…

‘It was real!’

Meldini directly witnessed that moving scene.

Caleb really did Chantless casting. And not only that…

Whizz!

An item card disappeared and something like an illusion bottle suddenly launched.

‘Ultra-high-speed casting!’

He cast message transmission twice in succession to use an item card as well.

The direction that bottle was flying was…

“Enver!”

“Message Trans… Huh?”

Enver’s spell to transmit ‘Phoenix Regeneration’ magic to Meldini was drowned out by the pop! explosion of the bottle.

What followed after that was a scream filled with chill.

–Kiiiaaaaahhhhh!

Enver’s body stiffened instantly like a rabbit hearing a beast’s roar.

[Hit by Banshee’s Scream! Status Abnormality: Stun. Remaining time: 20 seconds]

“Oh no!”

Enver let out a sigh.

“I’m stunned! I can’t use magic!”

“What is this…!”

Meldini’s eyes shone with bewilderment and admiration simultaneously.

And above his head, a message note was falling.

[You have died!]

He was so busy watching Chantless and Ultra-high-speed casting that he didn’t even notice that skill was used.

“What! What’s this too!”

Magic Throwing Blade that Yernil activated with Message Transmission was stuck in Meldini’s back.

“Huh… How could this turn out like this?”

In an instant, one person died and one was stunned.

And at that moment.

“Caleb!”

Izel shouted from behind.

“The escape scroll is back!”

The escape scroll appeared on the altar.

“We won!”

Yernil shouted in joy.

Caleb quickly aimed his wand at that scroll, and Hailey used shorthand to scribble on a note at tremendous speed.

“Shorthand! Target Area Summoning!”

And the two people shouted simultaneously.

“Message Transmission!”

“Message Transmission!”

***

A very brief moment.

An instant of silence passes.

Izel realized they had failed. Because they still hadn’t escaped from the wizard.

The escape scroll didn’t enter the judgment box!

“It was stolen!”

She shouted.

The scroll had disappeared from the tip of Caleb’s wand.

By just a slight, hair’s breadth difference, Hailey was faster.

Hailey waved the scroll in her hand.

“That was close. Caleb. Look here.”

An illusion Caleb stood beside her.

“Since it’s spatial summoning, Caleb has to come here too. Since it’s judged that you were summoned together. Come to the illusion’s position according to game rules.”

Hailey smiled kindly.

Caleb calmly headed down the stairs.

“Too bad.”

“Whew.“

Enver, still in a stunned state, let out a sigh of relief.

“I really thought we were going to lose.”

Meldini burst into laughter.

“End the game now.”

Hailey aimed her wand at the scroll.

“Message Transmission.”

“……”

However, nothing happened.

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Why isn’t it working?”

Not just the three professors, but even Yernil fell into great confusion at that moment.

‘My goodness!’

Izel realized the trick.

‘This can’t be!’

Just before the battle started, Caleb had said this.

That they would attack as soon as Professor Hailey’s Silence ended. Or that there would be another way to steal the scroll besides Transcription.

The second possibility was something Caleb had also considered in advance.

And to confirm and eliminate that, he had set one trap.

“This… This isn’t a scroll?”

Hailey and Enver’s mouths fell open as they belatedly grasped the situation.

‘Illusion Magic Large-Scale Disguise!’

“There were three!”

Meldini shouted.

“Three messages transmitted with Ultra-high-speed casting!”

One was item card Banshee’s Tears.

Another was a pre-written note, ‘Ice Spike’.

And the last one was also a similarly pre-written note.

[Use Illusion Magic Large-Scale Disguise to disguise the ‘Two-Handed Sword’ item card as an exit scroll.]

The scroll in Professor Hailey’s hand transformed into a two-handed sword card.

“The real scroll hasn’t appeared yet!”

Meldini shouted.

Pop!

As evidence of this, the escape scroll only now appeared on the altar.

But the situation was already over.

Professor Meldini next to the altar: dead.

Even if Enver’s stun wears off, as a priest he has no magic to retrieve objects.

Professor Hailey’s three magic spells are Transcription, Flame Burst, and Spatial Summoning. All three are on cooldown.

None of them can go get the scroll.

On the other hand, Yernil is right next to the altar.

“Yernil.”

Caleb, who had arrived at the illusion position, said.

“End the game.”

“Huh.“

With the professors’ sighs, Yernil picked up the scroll.

“Message Transmission.”

***

“Game over!”

Edward clapped.

“Wow, what? It’s over already?”

The senior wizards who were suddenly mass-summoned to the mansion lobby murmured.

“Which team cleared it?”

“Was it the professors?”

They naturally flocked to Meldini’s party.

“No. It wasn’t us.”

Professor Hailey was smiling with a thrilling expression.

“Caleb’s team won.”

Meldini was the same.

“Caleb?”

“The freshman team?”

“……”

Hailey and Meldini were moved by this awesome defeat.

And Izel was…

‘My goodness.’

Everything she had experienced since meeting Caleb today had been a series of shocks, but what just happened was on a completely different dimension.

Caleb had said.

That he knew more than Professor Enver’s club. That he would tell her about the deep layers. That if she wanted to work together in the future, she should express her intention before leaving the mansion today.

That might be true. Enver had said similar things.

Even so, why hadn’t Izel given a definitive answer yet?

First, because the possessor professor club was more stable than freshmen in terms of maintaining power and trust, and second, because the possessor professor club was composed of top-tier wizards and possessed physical power beyond knowledge.

But.

‘He won…’

Setting aside the gap in high-tier spellbooks, when pure tactical battle was deployed, Caleb beat the professors.

Even though the other side had more message notes and had shorthand.

“Still, with Izel there…”

“But to even defeat the professors.”

“Luck must have followed, but it really is amazing.”

“As expected of Izel.”

Sounds of senior wizards chattering could be heard from all directions.

However, those who fought the last battle know the truth.

It was Caleb who created the victory.

How?

By Chantless casting Message Transmission three times in succession at Ultra-high speed, using one to subdue Meldini, one to subdue Enver, and one as a safety measure against Hailey in the numbers game.

‘Is this human?’

Until just before the Barbarian charged, Caleb also had no information about the other side. This is certain.

But how, at that moment when Sentinel’s Shield broke and Izel fell.

In that instant of 0 seconds, how did he make all those judgments?

That Enver’s position as a priest was something Izel could also deduce if she thought carefully.

But to think of that as soon as he saw Meldini’s Barbarian, predict that protection magic for the Barbarian would come from Enver, calculate that Banshee’s Tears used in that gap wouldn’t be defended against and would hit, transmit that item card, predict Yernil’s throwing blade and calculate the damage that would go into Meldini to stick Ice Spike in, while simultaneously preparing for Hailey to steal the scroll by creating a fake scroll with disguise magic before the real scroll appeared, and if the panicked Hailey steals the fake scroll, no threat elements remain when the real one appears, so no matter what happens to him, Yernil next to the altar can use the real scroll to end the game?

“……”

Izel had the same question continuously circling in her head.

‘Is this really human?’

Not knowledge, observational power, or deductive ability.

Not Ultra-high-speed casting or chantless talent either.

Among the abilities he possesses, the most powerful one.

That is precisely the speed of tactics that devours the entire battlefield in an instant.

“Ca… Caleb.”

Izel approached him and whispered softly.

“See me briefly before you leave the mansion.”