"Shouldn't we have everyone fall back? Repeating the same attack won't reach the Divine Beast." (Eugene)
I made the suggestion to President Robert.
"That's true. Our current approach isn't effective. So, what do you propose next?" (Robert)
"Before answering that, there's something I need to confirm first." (Eugene)
The swordsmanship club members continued their assault even as we spoke.
"What is it?" (Robert)
"President Robert, can you fight Kirin alone? Would you be willing to stop the group battle and take it on solo?" (Eugene)
"…What?" (Robert)
President Robert's expression turned skeptical at my words.
"Eugene-kun, at the Lykeion Magic Academy, the standard exploration guidance for a Trial of the Gods is to take it on as a team. Even in my homeland, the Holy Nation of Caldia, we value working together rather than relying on a single Hero. The teachings of the Destiny Goddess at the Goddess Church are the same. You know this, don't you?" (Robert)
"Of course, I do. It's the same in the Empire. However, after speaking with the Dungeon Master of the Zenith Tower recently, I've started to wonder about something." (Eugene)
"Go on." (Robert)
He seemed interested.
"I suspect that the Last Dungeon's Trial of the Gods is designed to test the power of an individual." (Eugene)
"Did the Dungeon Master tell you that?" (Robert)
"Not directly. The Dungeon Master doesn't give direct hints about how to clear the challenges. However, when she said she had expectations for me, she addressed me as an individual, not as part of a group. Furthermore, she seemed to evaluate my solo battle against the Watchdog of Hades favorably." (Eugene)
"That's hardly enough to base a theory on." (Robert)
Robert's tone was skeptical.
I continued.
"The top-ranked explorer in the floor records, Cristo, is a solo explorer." (Eugene)
"That's well-known…but he's an exception." (Robert)
"The tenth-ranked explorer, Media from the animal club, is also solo." (Eugene)
"She's the academy's first-ever dragon tamer. She's different from an ordinary solo explorer." (Robert)
A loud thunderclap echoed, followed by a scream.
One of the swordsmanship club members had fallen, and President Ada was retrieving them.
Rebecca-senpai and Sara were using magic to divert Kirin's attention.
The number of swordsmanship club members was dwindling.
Airi, my childhood friend, who had been positioned in the rear, had now joined in as support.
Sumire was casting fire magic from afar at the airborne Kirin, but she wasn't landing any hits on the fast-moving Divine Beast.
President Robert watched the situation with a grim expression.
"President Robert, you usually hold back when clearing the Zenith Tower, don't you?" (Eugene)
I reviewed footage of the swordsmanship club's exploration using the Satellite System before this challenge.
President Robert's swordsmanship was clearly less sharp compared to the martial arts tournament at the school festival.
"That's right. I'm the commander of the unit. I can't recklessly charge in alone or exhaust myself completely." (Robert)
"For normal floor clearances, that's the right call. The academy's exploration guidance isn't wrong. However, for the Trial of the Gods, the number of challengers is limited from the start. The opponents are randomly assigned, meaning there's no way to prepare countermeasures in advance. There's no accumulated knowledge or strategies. We need to try different approaches." (Eugene)
I persisted.
President Robert seemed to be considering retreating from this trial, but it was too soon to decide without utilizing their strongest force.
Besides, even if President Robert were to fight, there was no point in having him mix in with the other swordsmanship club members.
Watching from up close, it was clear—President Robert's swordsmanship was around 5 levels higher compared to the rest of the club.
Most likely…his allies would just get in the way no matter who he fights alongside.
I didn't say that out loud.
But I was sure he understood.
He seemed to be deep in thought.
It didn't take him long to decide.
"Everyone, fall back from the Divine Beast! I will take the front!" (Robert)
President Robert's voice rang out.
The club members hesitated for a moment, but there was no hesitation in their actions.
They quickly moved away from the Divine Beast.
Meanwhile, Rebecca-senpai, Sara, and Airi seemed uncertain about what to do.
In the end, they followed President Robert's command and distanced themselves from the Divine Beast.
Now, we will see the academy's strongest swordsman fight seriously.
I also intended to step back to not get in the way.
But…
"Eugene-kun, follow me." (Robert)
"Huh?" (Eugene)
President Robert was already charging forward by the time he said it.
I hurriedly followed after him.
Wasn't he supposed to fight alone?
"Eugene-kun, I need you to act as a decoy one more time. I will finish this in a single strike." (Robert)
His voice was steady, without tension or hesitation.
This was no longer the troubled commander from before.
This was the voice of a swordsman who had made up his mind.
"Understood." (Eugene)
I gladly accepted the decoy role.
I had the perfect front-row seat to witness the academy's strongest swordplay.
President Robert slowly took up a stance to draw his sword.
Kirin looked down at him.
It stopped its predictable attacks and was now clearly focused on President Robert.
(Can I really act as a decoy here…?)
I started to feel a little uneasy.
"Robert Crown of the Hokushin Ittoryu, stepping forth." (Robert)
His introduction sounded just like my father's. The way swordsmen from the East Continent introduced themselves.
Could he be from the same continent as me?
Let's ask him later.
"Eugene Santafield of the Twin Heavenly Resonance Style, stepping forth." (Eugene)
I slashed toward Kirin as I spoke.