Chapter 384: Preparing to Win

"You’re telling me the competition has three stages?"

Arthur leaned forward, his eyes brightening as Professor Scolding pointed toward the diagram displayed above the training field.

"Correct," Scolding replied. "And if you intend to win by simply overpowering everyone, I suggest reconsidering."

Sun immediately lowered the fist he had been raising.

Melo noticed and giggled. "He was about to suggest exactly that."

"I was not!" Sun protested.

Kong nodded. "We were going to hit everything."

Sun stared at him. "You’re supposed to keep our plans secret!"

Arthur burst into laughter, while Athena adjusted her glasses and continued studying the diagram.

The first stage was a practical course designed to test each Beast Tamer’s control, precision, and coordination with their contracted Beasts. The second would involve tactical scenarios where competitors had to make decisions under changing conditions.

The final stage would consist of direct matches between the remaining participants.

"Your overall performance will determine who advances," Scolding explained. "The precise challenges will remain undisclosed until the event. You will receive the rules for each stage before attempting it."

Athena raised her hand. "Will competitors be evaluated on their decisions even if they complete an objective more slowly?"

"Yes. Speed is valuable, but reckless decisions will not be rewarded simply because they produce quick results."

Vedas nodded approvingly. "A sensible approach."

Arthur grinned. "Good thing we asked."

Scolding looked directly at him. "And another thing, Arthur. This is an individual competition. You may train together, but when the event begins, each participant will be responsible for their own performance."

Sun immediately turned toward Arthur.

A grin spread across his face.

"So that means we might fight each other."

Arthur smiled back. "Looks like it."

"Excellent! I’ve been waiting for another opportunity!"

Mithra laughed. "Sun, you sound happier about fighting Arthur than winning the prizes."

"Why can’t I enjoy both?"

Kong raised his hand. "I prefer winning the food."

Scolding sighed. "I’m beginning to regret allowing that monkey into this briefing."

Kong looked offended. "I’m an excellent listener."

"Then listen carefully. No destroying Academy property during practice."

Kong slowly lowered his hand.

Arthur glanced toward Sun. "What were you planning?"

"Nothing!"

Scolding narrowed his eyes. "That’s what worries me."

...

Their first training session began at an available practice field.

Athena had arranged several obstacles using ordinary training equipment. Wooden markers formed narrow passages, while movable targets and barriers occupied the remaining space.

Arthur looked around approvingly. "This is pretty good."

Athena nodded. "We don’t know what the Academy will use, so I created exercises for several different situations."

Mithra examined the arrangement. "And I assume you’re going to make things difficult?"

"Naturally."

Melo smiled mischievously. "I can help with that."

Arthur immediately looked suspicious. "Why do you sound so happy?"

"Because you’re going first."

Vedas walked forward and inspected the course.

"The objective?" he asked.

Athena pointed toward a small wooden token resting on a platform. "Retrieve that token without touching the marked areas. I’ll change the obstacles while Arthur attempts the course."

Arthur smiled confidently. "Sounds easy enough."

Five minutes later, he was reconsidering.

"Since when could that barrier move sideways?!"

Athena calmly adjusted a control beside the field. "Since I moved it."

Arthur stepped backward as another obstacle slid across his path.

Melo giggled. "Wrong direction!"

Vedas glanced toward Arthur. "You’re watching the obstacles instead of anticipating their movement."

"I noticed!"

"Then stop reacting after they’ve moved."

Arthur took another step, only for Melo to create a harmless illusion of an additional barrier.

He stopped.

"Wait. Which one’s real?"

Melo laughed. "That’s for you to figure out!"

Arthur studied the path, then looked toward Star, who was bouncing patiently beside him.

"Star, can you check the opening on the left?"

The little slime immediately moved forward, slipping through the narrow gap and touching the actual barrier with its body.

Arthur’s eyes brightened. "Oh! So that’s the real one."

Star bounced twice before moving toward another opening.

Instead of rushing after it, Arthur watched the pattern and directed Vedas toward the opposite side.

Vedas reached the platform while Arthur drew the moving obstacles away. A moment later, the Goblin King returned with the wooden token.

Arthur pumped his fist. "We did it!"

Athena stopped the exercise. "You completed it, but your initial approach wasted considerable time."

Arthur nodded. "I kept trying to find a path myself."

Vedas returned the token to her. "Then you remembered we could examine several paths together."

Star bounced proudly.

Arthur crouched and gently patted its head. "And Star found the opening for us. Good job!"

The little slime wiggled happily.

Mithra smiled. "I liked that solution much better."

Arthur laughed. "Me too. Mostly because I stopped running into things."

Melo looked disappointed. "That was my favorite part."

...

Sun insisted on going next.

"This time, I’ll demonstrate how it’s done!"

Kong jumped down from his shoulder and cracked his knuckles.

Athena changed the arrangement, placing several targets around a narrow path.

"Same objective. Retrieve the token without triggering the marked areas."

Sun grinned. "Easy."

Kong immediately charged forward.

He cleared the first obstacle with a powerful leap, landed beside the second, and reached for the token.

A movable barrier swung into his path.

Kong punched it.

The barrier flew backward and struck a marked area.

A bell rang.

Athena calmly raised her notebook. "Failed."

Sun froze. "What?!"

Kong stared at the barrier. "But I defeated it."

Melo burst into laughter. "You weren’t supposed to defeat it!"

Sun covered his face. "Kong, we’re trying to retrieve the token!"

Kong looked confused. "Then why put something in our way?"

Arthur laughed so hard he had to lean against Vedas.

But when Sun tried again, something changed.

Kong approached the same barrier and raised his fist.

"Wait!" Sun called.

Kong immediately stopped.

Everyone looked toward him.

Sun pointed toward the narrow gap on the right. "Don’t hit it. Let it move first, then go around."

Kong watched the barrier slide past.

He waited.

Then he slipped through the opening, retrieved the token, and returned without touching a single marked area.

Athena checked the course. "Successful."

Kong stared at the token.

Then he looked toward Sun.

"We won without punching anything."

Sun grinned proudly. "Exactly!"

Kong nodded slowly. "Interesting."

Mithra smiled. "You two communicated much better that time."

Sun rubbed his nose. "Well, of course. We’re partners."

Arthur raised a thumb. "That was awesome!"

Kong lifted the token triumphantly. "Next time, can we win with punching?"

Everyone burst into laughter.

...

They spent the following hours practicing different challenges.

Mithra worked with Melo on recognizing false information and changing plans when conditions shifted. Athena and Athy practiced analyzing unfamiliar arrangements without rushing toward the first apparent solution.

Vedas focused on making Arthur give clear instructions instead of assuming everyone understood what he intended.

Eden joined them for a short precision exercise.

Arthur kept it simple, asking her to guide a small moving marker through several openings without using Future Manifestation.

Eden concentrated carefully.

The marker passed through the first opening, then the second. It nearly touched the third obstacle before she corrected its course.

Arthur smiled. "Perfect! That’s enough for today."

Eden looked toward the remaining obstacles.

Arthur laughed softly. "I know you can do more. But you still need to recover."

She hesitated before accepting his decision.

Vedas nodded approvingly. "Control is more useful than exhausting yourself to prove something."

Arthur smiled. "Besides, we have plenty of opportunities ahead of us."

Eden settled beside him, apparently satisfied.

By the end of the session, everyone had improved something.

Sun was giving Kong clearer instructions. Athena was deliberately practicing decisions with incomplete information instead of waiting for perfect observations. Mithra had become particularly good at recognizing when Melo’s illusions were distracting the others from a simpler solution.

Arthur, meanwhile, had learned that his companions sometimes noticed things he completely missed.

And he was enjoying every moment.

...

When the others finally stopped, Arthur remained on the training field.

He was reviewing the obstacle arrangement when Mithra approached from behind.

"Arthur?"

He turned with a smile. "Oh, hey! I was just thinking about another exercise."

Mithra glanced at the empty field. "Everyone else has already finished."

"I know. I wanted to try one more thing."

"How many times have you said that today?"

Arthur thought about it.

"Three?"

"Six."

He blinked. "Really?"

Mithra crossed her arms. "Really."

Arthur laughed awkwardly. "I guess I got carried away."

She stepped closer and gently took his notebook.

"Then you’re finished."

Arthur stared at his empty hand. "You’re doing that again?"

"Yes."

"But I have a really good idea!"

"You can have it tomorrow."

Arthur opened his mouth, then noticed the expression on her face.

She wasn’t angry.

If anything, she looked amused.

But she wasn’t going to return the notebook.

Arthur sighed dramatically. "You’re becoming terrifying."

Mithra giggled. "I’ve learned from Mother."

"That explains everything."

She laughed and gestured toward the benches.

"Come on. Let’s get something to drink."

Arthur finally followed.

They sat beneath a tree overlooking the training grounds, where a few remaining students were finishing their own exercises.

Mithra handed him a bottle of water.

Arthur accepted it. "Thanks."

"You’re welcome. And before you ask, we’re not going back out there."

"I wasn’t going to ask."

Mithra raised an eyebrow.

Arthur smiled. "Not immediately."

She shook her head, laughing.

For a while, they watched the other students train.

Then Mithra looked toward him. "Are you nervous about Monday?"

Arthur considered the question. "A little excited, mostly. I want to see how strong everyone has become."

"Even if someone defeats you?"

Arthur smiled. "Then I’ll learn something."

Mithra studied him for a moment before smiling. "I thought you’d say that."

"What about you?"

"I’m excited too. But I also want to win."

Arthur laughed. "Then I guess we’re rivals."

Mithra’s smile became playful. "Don’t expect me to go easy on you."

"I wouldn’t want you to."

She leaned back against the bench, looking pleased.

Arthur took another drink before glancing toward her.

"Thanks for stopping me."

Mithra blinked. "Hm?"

"I probably would’ve kept training until dinner."

"You definitely would’ve."

Arthur laughed. "Yeah. I think you’re right."

Mithra smiled warmly. "I’m glad you’re learning."

For once, Arthur didn’t reach for his notebook.

He simply stayed beside her until the sunlight began turning golden.

...

The following afternoon, the Academy’s first-year contenders gathered near the central arena for the final pre-event inspection.

The training grounds had been transformed.

Large observation stands surrounded the arena, colorful banners hung above the entrances, and instructors were completing the last preparations.

Arthur looked around in amazement. "Wow. It looks completely different."

Sun grinned. "Now that’s what I call a proper competition!"

Kong stared toward the spectator stands. "Will they sell food here?"

Melo sighed. "You really never stop thinking about food."

"Neither does Arthur."

Arthur nodded. "He’s got a point."

Athena was studying the other participants.

"Look over there."

Arthur followed her gaze.

Several students he recognized from his classes were demonstrating their Beasts’ improved control. One student guided a swift Beast through a series of narrow turns without a single mistake. Nearby, another calmly coordinated several movements against a practice opponent.

Sun’s smile widened. "Looks like everyone worked hard while we were gone."

Mithra nodded. "They certainly did."

Arthur watched a familiar classmate complete an exercise that he had struggled with earlier in the semester.

The student noticed him and waved.

"Arthur! Hope you’re ready for tomorrow!"

Arthur laughed and waved back. "You too!"

The student grinned. "Don’t think your expedition means you’ll win!"

Sun immediately looked interested. "Oh, I like him."

Athena adjusted her glasses. "We shouldn’t underestimate anyone."

Vedas nodded. "Agreed."

Arthur examined the crowded training grounds, noticing just how many students had improved during their absence.

Then he smiled.

"Good."

Mithra glanced toward him. "Good?"

Arthur nodded enthusiastically. "If everyone’s gotten stronger, tomorrow’s going to be incredible."

Sun laughed and raised his fist. "Then let’s make sure we’re the strongest!"

Arthur looked toward his companions.

Vedas stood confidently beside him. Star bounced on his shoulder, while Eden rested nearby. Mithra, Athena, Sun, and their Beasts were all watching the arena with their own expectations.

Tomorrow, they would stop practicing against wooden obstacles.

They would face the Academy’s other first-years.

And judging by what Arthur had just seen, none of them intended to lose.